On Jan. 6, the Liberty Times published an interview with Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮). Lu candidly pointed out that the 2004 presidential election will not be a matter of whether the ruling party should be changed, but a matter of whether the pan-blue camp will be able to make a come back. Lu said that one cannot expect the new government to correct all the wrongs left behind by the 55-year-long KMT rule in but just two-and-a-half years. It definitely would be a serious mistake to welcome back the old power-bearers just because of momentary pan-green setbacks, Lu said.
About a week before Lu's interview was the 15th anniversary of former president Chiang Ching-kuo's (蔣經國) death. The pan-blue camp was quick to mobilize. They lined up to participate in rites held in honor of Chiang. They did not forget to use the opportunity to harshly criticize Chen Shui-bian's (
The show climaxed when General Wang Sheng (
This farce gave the younger generation a needed opportunity to learn about a key player of the White Terror era. Wang also reminded the older generations about the nightmare of martial law, the Garrison Command, Green Island, the assassination of Cheng Wen-cheng (
Wang was already by Chiang's side during Chiang's days as an executive commissioner in China. After the KMT's retreat to Taiwan, pursuant to Chiang's order, Wang organized a school (today's Political Warfare College,
After the US severed its diplomatic relationship with the ROC, Wang organized the "Liu Shao-kang Office" (
Nearly 90 and long forgotten, Wang was invited by the KMT Chairman Lien Chan (
The gutting of Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Asia (RFA) by US President Donald Trump’s administration poses a serious threat to the global voice of freedom, particularly for those living under authoritarian regimes such as China. The US — hailed as the model of liberal democracy — has the moral responsibility to uphold the values it champions. In undermining these institutions, the US risks diminishing its “soft power,” a pivotal pillar of its global influence. VOA Tibetan and RFA Tibetan played an enormous role in promoting the strong image of the US in and outside Tibet. On VOA Tibetan,
On a quiet lane in Taipei’s central Daan District (大安), an otherwise unremarkable high-rise is marked by a police guard and a tawdry A4 printout from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicating an “embassy area.” Keen observers would see the emblem of the Holy See, one of Taiwan’s 12 so-called “diplomatic allies.” Unlike Taipei’s other embassies and quasi-consulates, no national flag flies there, nor is there a plaque indicating what country’s embassy this is. Visitors hoping to sign a condolence book for the late Pope Francis would instead have to visit the Italian Trade Office, adjacent to Taipei 101. The death of
By now, most of Taiwan has heard Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an’s (蔣萬安) threats to initiate a vote of no confidence against the Cabinet. His rationale is that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)-led government’s investigation into alleged signature forgery in the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) recall campaign constitutes “political persecution.” I sincerely hope he goes through with it. The opposition currently holds a majority in the Legislative Yuan, so the initiation of a no-confidence motion and its passage should be entirely within reach. If Chiang truly believes that the government is overreaching, abusing its power and targeting political opponents — then
As the highest elected official in the nation’s capital, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) is the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) candidate-in-waiting for a presidential bid. With the exception of Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕), Chiang is the most likely KMT figure to take over the mantle of the party leadership. All the other usual suspects, from Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) to New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) to KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) have already been rejected at the ballot box. Given such high expectations, Chiang should be demonstrating resolve, calm-headedness and political wisdom in how he faces tough
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