During a meeting with American friends from the Brookings Institution on Tuesday, President Chen Shui-bian (
Chen chose Dec. 10 because it is International Human Rights Day. There is great significance behind choosing that day as the starting date. The designation of an International Human Rights Day was a major milestone in the history of political evolution. It was an indication of the transition from "God-given imperial power" to "God-given human rights." Humanity's political thinking has evolved into referendums commonly accepted by civilized
societies.
Starting the democratic engineering project of creating a constitution on International Human Rights Day is in the spirit of the UN's human-rights efforts. It has the effect of strengthening democratic values and inspiring people living in authoritarian nations such as China. It is an act that deserves the support and blessing of all countries around the world that support democratic values.
By setting a date, Chen has indicated that the referendum legislation, an issue that the blue and green camps have been wrangling over, must be concluded before that time. The legislation will serve as a legal basis for referendums. Since the people want to promote a new constitution by way of a referendum, this legislation must not be the "bird-cage" version proposed by the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) - People First Party (PFP) alliance. The people must act to prevent the emergence of a referendum law that would actually restrict their freedoms, of legislation that would be a remake of martial law.
The people of Taiwan need to be on alert about the blue camp's attempts to use the referendum legislation to toady to China and restrict the people's power.
The current Constitution of the Republic of China (ROC)was never really implemented. It was enacted for China in 1947. When former president Chiang Kai-shek's (
The Constitution remains anachronistic even though it was amended six times during former president Lee Teng-hui's (
This Constitution is just as ridiculous as the "map of the ROC" that includes the PRC and the Republic of Mongolia.
Exiled Chinese dissident Cao Chang-qing (
The people want to know why such anachronisms as outdated maps and irrelevant constitutions still exist as well. They should insist that these anachronisms be eliminated.
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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