We, a group of "fifth, sixth and seventh graders" -- people born from the 50s to the 70s in the ROC years (1961 to 1990) -- from each of the nation's four main ethnic groups, are excited about the first referendum in Taiwan's history. In addition to expressing the public will, the referendum will more importantly produce a consensus among people through dialogue and debate. The process showcases the spirit of direct democracy regardless of the result.
But the 567 Referendum Coalition hopes that Taiwanese society can allow more space for detailed debate than is available at present.
Because independent Legislator Sisy Chen (
This way, the public and these talkshow hosts will be able to better understand the opinions of young people.
Jaw, Chen and other media figures have said the focus of the debates will be the value of peace, legal disputes over the March 20 referendum and the influence this referendum will have on international relations.
We, the young people of the "fifth, sixth and seventh grades" would like to participate in these talkshow hosts' TV programs and make our case so that these programs' viewers will not follow their attitude of "What I say goes."
Since Jaw and Chen have reiterated their support for referendums as an expression of universal values, the nation's young people should also throw all their support behind the March 20 referendum. We also call on all segments of society to stand up and have their say.
The legislative caucuses of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT)-People First Party (PFP) alliance have repeatedly shunned dialogue and kept a distance even from these self-appointed spokespeople who have offered to act as the "opposition" side in the debates. Our coalition thinks the alliance is dishonorable and incompetent, especially because it refuses other people's help to clarify its position on the
referendum.
No wonder that Chen, who has assisted the pan-blue camp with referendum legislation from the very beginning, recently turned around to rebuke the KMT and the PFP for cowardliness and their refusal to challenge the referendum in a debate. She even described the blue camp as "battery hens," criticizing it for fearing trouble or opposition to its line. She was so disappointed that she decided to join the debates and mobilized people from all walks of life to join her.
This proves that the KMT and the PFP, as the watchdogs of the government, have wasted their role as opposition parties. They have failed to fulfill the rights and obligations this role contains.
Our coalition therefore plans to organize activities over the next month encouraging discussion of the referendum among all citizens. These efforts will include holding forums on campuses and in local communities to improve understanding of the process. In addition to this, we will hold debates in which media personalities will be invited to participate.
Our coalition calls on Taiwan's younger generations from the "fifth, sixth and seventh grades" to make use of meaningful debate, lectures, sympo-siums, public hearings and the various mass media outlets to promote the right of practicing direct people power through referendums. In so doing they will help construct a complete and mature democratic system.
Referendum debates are a basic right that the Taiwanese people are entitled to claim. The debates are not the exclusive domain of media figures.
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
The past few months have seen tremendous strides in India’s journey to develop a vibrant semiconductor and electronics ecosystem. The nation’s established prowess in information technology (IT) has earned it much-needed revenue and prestige across the globe. Now, through the convergence of engineering talent, supportive government policies, an expanding market and technologically adaptive entrepreneurship, India is striving to become part of global electronics and semiconductor supply chains. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Vision of “Make in India” and “Design in India” has been the guiding force behind the government’s incentive schemes that span skilling, design, fabrication, assembly, testing and packaging, and
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
As former president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) wrapped up his visit to the People’s Republic of China, he received his share of attention. Certainly, the trip must be seen within the full context of Ma’s life, that is, his eight-year presidency, the Sunflower movement and his failed Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement, as well as his eight years as Taipei mayor with its posturing, accusations of money laundering, and ups and downs. Through all that, basic questions stand out: “What drives Ma? What is his end game?” Having observed and commented on Ma for decades, it is all ironically reminiscent of former US president Harry