Former New Party legislator Hsieh Chi-ta (
Contrary to the general public's impression of how fugitives -- at least those with a shred of conscience and shame -- generally behave in front of TV cameras, Hsieh gave a press conference at the airport, during which she insisted once again that not only had she been wrongfully convicted but that Tseng had indeed tried to flee to New York with US$85 million in cash stuffed into 54 suitcases right after the KMT lost the presidential election in 2000.
Hsieh is a textbook example of how hatred can blind a person to the point of betraying long-held values without the slightest sense of regret.
Hsieh owes everyone a big apology. As a former lawmaker and former judge, trained and paid with taxpayers' money, she more than anyone should know how bad an example she set by fleeing Taiwan to escape punishment. There is a good chance that a large majority of criminals serving prison sentences, if not all of them, think they do not deserve what they got.
If everyone went on the run like Hsieh, what would happen to our judicial system? By doing what she did, how different is Hsieh from mob bosses and common crooks who escape to China, which has for all practical purposes turned into a haven for thugs from Taiwan?
Whatever bones Hsieh may have to pick with her guilty verdict, she should have sought redress within the judicial system, such as by filing for an appeal.
When Hsieh finally did return, she continued to make the same erroneous allegations against Tseng, even though a court had already found her guilty of libel. The disrespect and contempt for the judicial system underlying her conduct should be enough to make all her former law professors live in shame for failing to provide her better legal training.
As for the VCDs and the book that Hsieh is releasing to continue her libelous attacks against Tseng, since these attacks have been proven to constitute criminal libel, Tseng should be entitled to seek an injunction from the courts against the release of such materials. This has nothing to do with freedom of speech, since Hsieh's speech has been ruled to fall outside the scope of free speech. Rather, it is an issue of protecting the rights and interests of the victim -- Tseng.
If all perpetrators of crimes could continue to hurt their victims this way, the judicial system would be rendered meaningless.
Even more laughable is the way Hsieh tried to portray herself as a martyr, depicting herself as a political prisoner. Political prisoners who gave their lives to the dissident movement during the White Terror are rolling over in their graves in disgust.
The truth of the matter is that Hsieh has no proof of her allegation against Tseng, which was why she was found guilty of libel. Hsieh is not being politically persecuted for anything. Anyone who pays attention to this case knows that Hsieh, along with former New Party legislator Elmer Fung (
Our only wish is that this entire charade is not a publicity stunt, or a prelude for Hsieh's participation in the next legislative 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
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
A group of Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmakers led by the party’s legislative caucus whip Fu Kun-chi (?) are to visit Beijing for four days this week, but some have questioned the timing and purpose of the visit, which demonstrates the KMT caucus’ increasing arrogance. Fu on Wednesday last week confirmed that following an invitation by Beijing, he would lead a group of lawmakers to China from Thursday to Sunday to discuss tourism and agricultural exports, but he refused to say whether they would meet with Chinese officials. That the visit is taking place during the legislative session and in the aftermath