When he sits back and mulls it over, TSU chairman Shu Chin-chiang (蘇進強) might regret his recent visit to the Yasukuni war memorial in Japan. Of course, Taiwanese should remember those who fell during the World War II, but the memorial in Japan is a controversial choice due to the fact that many war criminals are also enshrined there. The visit therefore could and has been interpreted by some as endorsing Japan's imperialistic and militaristic past. One can also understand that the move was designed to counter the recent pandering to China by the KMT, but a minority party like the TSU cannot afford to upset too many people if it wishes to survive. There are many in Taiwan that will wholeheartedly support such a move, as they will eternally hold the Japanese above the Mainlanders in their affections.
But to others, most notably the Aborigines and other groups who suffered under the Japanese such as the comfort women, who hold nothing but contempt for their former colonial masters. To them this visit was an act of betrayal. It is hard to see the move winning the party any new support. Indeed, to court such controversy is counterproductive, especially at a moment when they should be busy cultivating support and recruiting members at all levels.
Don't forget, the TSU is a small party that is short of real talent and charismatic personalities -- ?qualities they will surely need in the near future should former president Lee Teng-hui (
Instead of visiting the controversial shrine in Tokyo to pay his respects to Taiwan's war dead, Shu could have shown more astute leadership and more respect by attending a less controversial remembrance ceremony on Taiwanese soil. This more appropriate act would have satisfied both the people and the party's needs, instead of just Shu's own selfish interests.
Richard Hazeldine
Taipei
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
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
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.