With the Cabinet's approval of a national languages development draft law, language policy in Taiwan made a breakthrough in the law's twin goals of "localization and internationalization," and the first has already been achieved. Internationalization is the next step.
Taiwan is an island with multiple languages and cultures. After the Japanese era, Taiwanese, Hakka and Aboriginal languages were suppressed by the powerful Chinese authorities, and some nearly died out completely. The draft law can help revive them. It's not related to independence; it's just sensible language policy.
With greater economic development, internationalization has become the focus.
Many people study English because it is a global language. Chinese is now gaining ground.
The Taiwanese government should adjust its language strategy with practical measures.
English is a second language in Hong Kong and Singapore, but people in both cities can still speak Chinese well. They are good examples for Taiwan.
The draft law is a great start to the "localization" goal. But localization and internationalization are both important. And the policy makers should seek correct language policy instead of votes.
Henry Wu
Kaohsiung
Lockheed Martin on Tuesday responded to concerns over delayed shipments of F-16V Block 70 jets, saying it had added extra shifts on its production lines to accelerate progress. The Ministry of National Defense on Monday said that delivery of all 66 F-16V Block 70 jets — originally expected by the end of next year — would be pushed back due to production line relocations and global supply chain disruptions. Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo (顧立雄) said that Taiwan and the US are working to resolve the delays, adding that 50 of the aircraft are in production, with 10 scheduled for flight
On Sunday, 13 new urgent care centers (UCC) officially began operations across the six special municipalities. The purpose of the centers — which are open from 8am to midnight on Sundays and national holidays — is to reduce congestion in hospital emergency rooms, especially during the nine-day Lunar New Year holiday next year. It remains to be seen how effective these centers would be. For one, it is difficult for people to judge for themselves whether their condition warrants visiting a major hospital or a UCC — long-term public education and health promotions are necessary. Second, many emergency departments acknowledge
Victory in conflict requires mastery of two “balances”: First, the balance of power, and second, the balance of error, or making sure that you do not make the most mistakes, thus helping your enemy’s victory. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has made a decisive and potentially fatal error by making an enemy of the Jewish Nation, centered today in the State of Israel but historically one of the great civilizations extending back at least 3,000 years. Mind you, no Israeli leader has ever publicly declared that “China is our enemy,” but on October 28, 2025, self-described Chinese People’s Armed Police (PAP) propaganda
US President Donald Trump’s seemingly throwaway “Taiwan is Taiwan” statement has been appearing in headlines all over the media. Although it appears to have been made in passing, the comment nevertheless reveals something about Trump’s views and his understanding of Taiwan’s situation. In line with the Taiwan Relations Act, the US and Taiwan enjoy unofficial, but close economic, cultural and national defense ties. They lack official diplomatic relations, but maintain a partnership based on shared democratic values and strategic alignment. Excluding China, Taiwan maintains a level of diplomatic relations, official or otherwise, with many nations worldwide. It can be said that
RSS