Headline news in Taiwan on Thursday was allegations against a diplomat from Paraguay who had allegedly infected four girlfriends with a venereal disease. What should have been at most a private matter was sensationalized by Taiwan's less-than-tasteful gutter press. The fact that Paraguay's president was visiting Taiwan at the time gave the story unwarranted prominence. The timing of the story is suspect, along with the motives of the lawmakers who raised the allegations on the behalf of the women involved.
The only ex-girlfriend willing to step forward publicly said her relationship with the envoy ended over a year and a half ago. So one must wonder why she didn't say anything then. Another accuser reportedly attempted to commit suicide the day before the press conference -- again there have been questions raised not only about the timing of the attempted suicide but whether the woman even exists. Then there is the purported suicide note -- addressed to President Chen Shui-bian (
The two PFP lawmakers who hosted the press conference, Chin Huei-chu (
If more reputable lawmakers had been involved in the press conference, the women's complaints about the envoy would have more credibility. But, it is hard to believe that these two legislators can have any legitimate motives.
The Paraguayan ambassador held a press conference on Thursday to apologize for the furor and announce that the diplomat in question will sent home. But the image of his embassy and government have been damaged. How does one explain this outrageous manner of newsmaking except that it was an attempt to humiliate an ally of Taiwan? Such conspiracy theories gain credibility when one considers the pan-blue camp's attack on the Chen administration's diplomatic efforts.
In both their criticism of Vice President Annette Lu's (
The number of Taiwan's allies is decreasing. Both the ruling and opposition camps must work together to nurture and maintain foreign ties. Allies can't be treated so cavalierly. If the number of allies drops down to single digits, can Taiwan still call itself a country? The pro-unification camp hopes to push foreign ties to a dead-end alley, so that Taiwan will have to eventually surrender to China.
The opposition camp realizes that a lack of international vision and unfamiliarity with foreign affairs is a weak point for the DPP. So they hope to make a fool out of the Chen administration in front of the international community. Hopefully, the voters can see these parties and lawmakers for who they are and say "no" to them with ballots in the next election.
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.
As Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu’s party won by a landslide in Sunday’s parliamentary election, it is a good time to take another look at recent developments in the Maldivian foreign policy. While Muizzu has been promoting his “Maldives First” policy, the agenda seems to have lost sight of a number of factors. Contemporary Maldivian policy serves as a stark illustration of how a blend of missteps in public posturing, populist agendas and inattentive leadership can lead to diplomatic setbacks and damage a country’s long-term foreign policy priorities. Over the past few months, Maldivian foreign policy has entangled itself in playing