Yesterday at about nine in the morning, Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (
These legislators say that the trip was made to protest Japan's unreasonable expulsion and detention of Taiwanese fishing vessels. It was even more surprising to hear Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (
What is also perplexing is that Ma described Wang's boarding of a navy frigate protecting Taiwanese fishing boats as "an impulsive action." Ma, like Wang, is a contender for the chairmanship of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), and his comments suggest that there is more than meets the eye regarding Wang's actions to protect Taiwanese fishermen. It would seem that Wang's trip is as much about raising his profile in the chairmanship campaign as anything else -- and that this has led Ma, who missed out on this effective electioneering, to express sour grapes.
Wang must be condemned for endangering national security for the sake of his election campaign. If such a protest accidentally sparked a conflict which resulted in casualties or even death, it would not matter who was at fault. Taiwan would be faced with a dilemma over whether or not to go to war with Japan. China is already looking hungrily at Taiwan, so is there really any need to use a naval deployment to force a conflict with Japan?
The more serious problem is that Wang, as the legislative speaker, has set a terrible example of direct interference by the legislature in the affairs of the executive branch. While it is permissible for the head of the legislature to visit a neighboring country for peaceful exchanges, for him to board a naval vessel in the company of the Minister of Defense to participate in a quasi-military protest action against a neighboring country is highly unusual and quite insolent. The procedures of constitutional government have been disrupted by Wang's infringement of the rights of the executive, and his stunt is an affront to the president's role as the commander-in-chief of the armed services. Wang's fault is compounded by the fact that the trip was tainted with accusations of electioneering. How can the Japanese take such actions seriously?
For this reason we strongly criticize PFP Legislator Lin Yu-fang (
Taiwan simply cannot afford to make more enemies, and it has no need to echo China's anti-Japanese sentiments. Japan is Taiwan's friend, and apart from a small section of society that leans toward China, every one believes this to be the case. We must ask Wang not to let his political ambition get the better of him. We also ask President Chen Shui-bian (
There is a modern roadway stretching from central Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland in the Horn of Africa, to the partially recognized state’s Egal International Airport. Emblazoned on a gold plaque marking the road’s inauguration in July last year, just below the flags of Somaliland and the Republic of China (ROC), is the road’s official name: “Taiwan Avenue.” The first phase of construction of the upgraded road, with new sidewalks and a modern drainage system to reduce flooding, was 70 percent funded by Taipei, which contributed US$1.85 million. That is a relatively modest sum for the effect on international perception, and
When former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) first took office in 2016, she set ambitious goals for remaking the energy mix in Taiwan. At the core of this effort was a significant expansion of the percentage of renewable energy generated to keep pace with growing domestic and global demands to reduce emissions. This effort met with broad bipartisan support as all three major parties placed expanding renewable energy at the center of their energy platforms. However, over the past several years partisanship has become a major headwind in realizing a set of energy goals that all three parties profess to want. Tsai
An elderly mother and her daughter were found dead in Kaohsiung after having not been seen for several days, discovered only when a foul odor began to spread and drew neighbors’ attention. There have been many similar cases, but it is particularly troubling that some of the victims were excluded from the social welfare safety net because they did not meet eligibility criteria. According to media reports, the middle-aged daughter had sought help from the local borough warden. Although the warden did step in, many services were unavailable without out-of-pocket payments due to issues with eligibility, leaving the warden’s hands
At the end of last year, a diplomatic development with consequences reaching well beyond the regional level emerged. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as a sovereign state, paving the way for political, economic and strategic cooperation with the African nation. The diplomatic breakthrough yields, above all, substantial and tangible benefits for the two countries, enhancing Somaliland’s international posture, with a state prepared to champion its bid for broader legitimacy. With Israel’s support, Somaliland might also benefit from the expertise of Israeli companies in fields such as mineral exploration and water management, as underscored by Israeli Minister of
RSS