It has been almost one year since the attempted assassination of President Chen Shui-bian (
One of the biggest changes since the assassination attempt is of course the relationship between the KMT and the People First Party (PFP). The PFP was a passionate and enthusiastic participant in the post-election rallies and protests against Chen's re-election. In fact, several PFP lawmakers were even seen spearheading riots in various places at the time.
But this time around, PFP Chairman James Soong (
One year ago, there was still hope of a merger between the KMT and PFP. However, the growing rift between the two parties has made it virtually impossible for the merger to take place. One year ago, Lien, Soong and their supporters did not think they would have to worry about early retirement so soon. After the pan-blue election defeat, Lien put up a fight to maintain his grip on power in the KMT. When the pan-blue camp won a majority in the Legislative Yuan, for a while it seemed that Lien would be able to stay in the leadership throne a little while longer and resist generational succession within his party. Now, with Soong, his sidekick in the presidential election, reconciling with Chen, it will be hard for Lien to run a one-man show.
These days, with the exception of Lien and his cronies, the most important things on the mind of KMT members is the upcoming election of the KMT chairman. With all eyes fixed on the two biggest contenders -- Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (
While many people feel skeptical about the recent breakthrough in the investigation of the assassination attempt, it is hard to see what can possibly be accomplished by holding the rally. The investigation is not yet over, and the police are still searching for additional evidence. Even though nobody can deny the fact that the public has a constitutionally protected right to assemble, the mere thought of re-living the chaos and unrest spurred by the massive rallies last year is enough to cause jitters.
If people are really bent on exercising their right to assemble, participating in the planned rally to protest China's "anti-secession" law would most definitely be a more worthwhile cause.
There is much evidence that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is sending soldiers from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — and is learning lessons for a future war against Taiwan. Until now, the CCP has claimed that they have not sent PLA personnel to support Russian aggression. On 18 April, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelinskiy announced that the CCP is supplying war supplies such as gunpowder, artillery, and weapons subcomponents to Russia. When Zelinskiy announced on 9 April that the Ukrainian Army had captured two Chinese nationals fighting with Russians on the front line with details
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
The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), joined by the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), held a protest on Saturday on Ketagalan Boulevard in Taipei. They were essentially standing for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which is anxious about the mass recall campaign against KMT legislators. President William Lai (賴清德) said that if the opposition parties truly wanted to fight dictatorship, they should do so in Tiananmen Square — and at the very least, refrain from groveling to Chinese officials during their visits to China, alluding to meetings between KMT members and Chinese authorities. Now that China has been defined as a foreign hostile force,
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