On Wednesday, former president Lee Teng-hui (
Lee had already served as a witness in a closed-door investigative hearing for the Chung Hsing Bills Finance scandal, in which People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong (
The importance of this event can only be understood when considered in relation to the history of Taiwan's political culture. Traditionally, KMT leaders were held in a regard by some that almost amounted to worship. This is well demonstrated by the emotional response of some -- crying, wailing and crawling on their knees -- to the recent death of former first lady Soong Mayling (
Lee, by contrast, has served as a role model by demonstrating the level of maturity of the nation's democracy. He asked for no privileges in performing his civic duties as a citizen of this country. Just like any other citizen, he did what was asked of him, arriving in court around 9am and enduring a lengthy wait while Liu and Zanadau's majority shareholder, Su Hui-chen (
Even more inspirational is the fact that Lee, who is in his 80s and has undergone several operations on his heart, insisted on standing throughout the three-to-four-hour session, despite the court's offer to let him answer questions seated. This was his way of showing respect for the court.
After he left court, Lee also made some very meaningful remarks, which serve as food for thought for some people who continue to dwell in an outdated era. Lee said he was happy to testify because the rule of law is imperative to democracy.
In response to Lee's candor, both the KMT and the PFP legislative caucuses said that Lee should tell everything he knows about the case and that prosecutors must prosecute the case to the fullest extent.
One cannot help but wonder why the pan-blue camp doesn't demand the same from themselves in the Chung Hsing Bills Finance scandal.
They have been consistently uncooperative ever since prosecutors reopened the case, dismissing the investigation as political oppression. But the fact that even Lee, who obviously has a close relationship with the Democratic Progressive Party, is being summoned to testify in corruption and bribery cases more than amply demonstrates the independence of our judiciary and prosecutors.
It was only after Lee testified in the Chung Hsing case that Soong finally asked the prosecutors' office to let him put his side of the story in a face-to-face meeting with Lee. Moreover, at least one key figure in the case, Soong's sister-in-law Chen Pi-yun (
Two sets of economic data released last week by the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) have drawn mixed reactions from the public: One on the nation’s economic performance in the first quarter of the year and the other on Taiwan’s household wealth distribution in 2021. GDP growth for the first quarter was faster than expected, at 6.51 percent year-on-year, an acceleration from the previous quarter’s 4.93 percent and higher than the agency’s February estimate of 5.92 percent. It was also the highest growth since the second quarter of 2021, when the economy expanded 8.07 percent, DGBAS data showed. The growth
In the intricate ballet of geopolitics, names signify more than mere identification: They embody history, culture and sovereignty. The recent decision by China to refer to Arunachal Pradesh as “Tsang Nan” or South Tibet, and to rename Tibet as “Xizang,” is a strategic move that extends beyond cartography into the realm of diplomatic signaling. This op-ed explores the implications of these actions and India’s potential response. Names are potent symbols in international relations, encapsulating the essence of a nation’s stance on territorial disputes. China’s choice to rename regions within Indian territory is not merely a linguistic exercise, but a symbolic assertion
More than seven months into the armed conflict in Gaza, the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to take “immediate and effective measures” to protect Palestinians in Gaza from the risk of genocide following a case brought by South Africa regarding Israel’s breaches of the 1948 Genocide Convention. The international community, including Amnesty International, called for an immediate ceasefire by all parties to prevent further loss of civilian lives and to ensure access to life-saving aid. Several protests have been organized around the world, including at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and many other universities in the US.
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