While attending the funeral of anti-nuclear activist Chen Ching-tang (
Chen's message can be interpreted in two ways -- that even though construction of the plant has resumed, Taiwan society has already reached a consensus on a nuclear-free homeland or that the movement against the plant will surely succeed. Ever since the government was forced to resume the plant's construction, the DPP has continually tried to rekindle debate on the issue, demanding a halt to the construction and suggesting that the plant be turned into a nuclear energy museum instead of being made operational. Given the DPP's anti-nuclear-power stance, questions have been raised about the government's supervision of the construction. Four companies subcontracted by China Shipbuilding (
Another uproar was sparked Sunday when the government announced the administrative penalties that those linked to the substandard construction would receive. China Shipbuilding's general manager Chiang Yuan-chang (
But the damage to both the government and the DPP's reputation will be harder to repair. The government should severely punish all officials who are found guilty of dereliction of duty, no matter who they are. The DPP must investigate whether its lawmakers were indeed involved in influence-peddling and mete out severe punishments to those found guilty.
Even though the DPP is not happy about the plant, it must face reality. If the government tries again to halt construction, its credibility will go down the drain and the negative impact on domestic and foreign investment will be profound. The most responsible strategy for the government is to ensure the plant is built well and operates smoothly and safely. The government is already working to set up a cross-party task force to monitor the plant. Such a task force should include people from both sides of the nuclear divide in order to ensure the group operates objectively and fairly in overseeing construction, the awarding of future contracts, the plant's operation and the handling of nuclear waste.
The Fourth Nuclear Power Plant has already been a political disaster for the government and the DPP. Both must now do all they can to avert the possibility of a real nuclear disaster.
Recently, China launched another diplomatic offensive against Taiwan, improperly linking its “one China principle” with UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 to constrain Taiwan’s diplomatic space. After Taiwan’s presidential election on Jan. 13, China persuaded Nauru to sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Nauru cited Resolution 2758 in its declaration of the diplomatic break. Subsequently, during the WHO Executive Board meeting that month, Beijing rallied countries including Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Belarus, Egypt, Nicaragua, Sri Lanka, Laos, Russia, Syria and Pakistan to reiterate the “one China principle” in their statements, and assert that “Resolution 2758 has settled the status of Taiwan” to hinder Taiwan’s
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s (李顯龍) decision to step down after 19 years and hand power to his deputy, Lawrence Wong (黃循財), on May 15 was expected — though, perhaps, not so soon. Most political analysts had been eyeing an end-of-year handover, to ensure more time for Wong to study and shadow the role, ahead of general elections that must be called by November next year. Wong — who is currently both deputy prime minister and minister of finance — would need a combination of fresh ideas, wisdom and experience as he writes the nation’s next chapter. The world that
Can US dialogue and cooperation with the communist dictatorship in Beijing help avert a Taiwan Strait crisis? Or is US President Joe Biden playing into Chinese President Xi Jinping’s (習近平) hands? With America preoccupied with the wars in Europe and the Middle East, Biden is seeking better relations with Xi’s regime. The goal is to responsibly manage US-China competition and prevent unintended conflict, thereby hoping to create greater space for the two countries to work together in areas where their interests align. The existing wars have already stretched US military resources thin, and the last thing Biden wants is yet another war.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, people have been asking if Taiwan is the next Ukraine. At a G7 meeting of national leaders in January, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida warned that Taiwan “could be the next Ukraine” if Chinese aggression is not checked. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said that if Russia is not defeated, then “today, it’s Ukraine, tomorrow it can be Taiwan.” China does not like this rhetoric. Its diplomats ask people to stop saying “Ukraine today, Taiwan tomorrow.” However, the rhetoric and stated ambition of Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) on Taiwan shows strong parallels with