Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) yesterday expounded on his views on cross-strait relations at the Taipei-Shanghai forum, touting what he called the “2015 new standpoint,” which he said is built on “four reciprocal processes” and a motif that both sides of the Taiwan Strait are “one family.”
Ko made the remarks during his speech at the opening ceremony for the forum.
Ko started his speech by talking of the impermanence of the world today, before narrowing his subject down to what he described as the “long-lasting friendship” between Taipei and Shanghai.
Photo: CNA
“This is an ever-changing world. Seven years ago, who would have thought that the iPhone would change the world? A year ago, who would have thought that I would become the mayor of Taipei? Just a month ago, who would have thought that I would be standing here in front of you today?” he said. “However, one thing remains unchanged, and that is the long-lasting friendship that Taipei and Shanghai have established.”
Ko said that his stance on cross-strait relations and the forum can be summarized as “one family across the Strait” and four “reciprocal” actions: to know each other, to understand each other, to respect each other and to work with each other.
He said that he has always abided by these principles to promote exchanges and increase goodwill across the Taiwan Strait, and that he hoped that Taipei and Shanghai would build on their “political common ground” and work together to boost cross-strait exchanges and push for peaceful development to serve the best interests of people on both sides of the Strait.
Responding to media queries after the speech, Ko said that he proposed the “2015 new standpoint” in March, and that he sees it as a new direction and starting point for cross-strait exchanges.
Asked whether he was concerned that his stance would spark controversy in Taiwan, he said: “I do not expect all political parties to accept it, but at least it would be tolerable. There has got to be something on the table so that everyone can engage in exchanges.”
He said that the greatest consensus formed between him and Shanghai Mayor Yang Xiong (楊雄) during the organization of the forum concerns the employment of a novel method in which “the public goes first; the government supports.”
“I believe that this method would also apply to future cross-strait exchanges. Through organizing forums, members of the public can discuss the issues among themselves. The government can then provide the necessary help according to the conclusions they reach,” he said, adding that the epiphany was his biggest reward during his visit to Shanghai.
NEXT GENERATION: The four plants in the Central Taiwan Science Park, designated Fab 25, would consist of four 1.4-nanometer wafer manufacturing plants, TSMC said Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) plans to begin construction of four new plants later this year, with the aim to officially launch production of 2-nanometer semiconductor wafers by late 2028, Central Taiwan Science Park Bureau director-general Hsu Maw-shin (許茂新) said. Hsu made the announcement at an event on Friday evening celebrating the Central Taiwan Science Park’s 22nd anniversary. The second phase of the park’s expansion would commence with the initial construction of water detention ponds and other structures aimed at soil and water conservation, Hsu said. TSMC has officially leased the land, with the Central Taiwan Science Park having handed over the
AUKUS: The Australian Ambassador to the US said his country is working with the Pentagon and he is confident that submarine issues will be resolved Australian Ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd on Friday said that if Taiwan were to fall to China’s occupation, it would unleash China’s military capacities and capabilities more broadly. He also said his country is working with the Pentagon on the US Department of Defense’s review of the AUKUS submarine project and is confident that all issues raised will be resolved. Rudd, who served as Australian prime minister from 2007 to 2010 and for three months in 2013, made the remarks at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado and stressed the longstanding US-Australia alliance and his close relationship with the US Undersecretary
‘WORLD WAR III’: Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene said the aid would inflame tensions, but her amendment was rejected 421 votes against six The US House of Representatives on Friday passed the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for fiscal 2026, which includes US$500 million for Taiwan. The bill, which totals US$831.5 billion in discretionary spending, passed in a 221-209 vote. According to the bill, the funds for Taiwan would be administered by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency and would remain available through Sept. 30, 2027, for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative. The legislation authorizes the US Secretary of Defense, with the agreement of the US Secretary of State, to use the funds to assist Taiwan in procuring defense articles and services, and military training. Republican Representative
TAIWAN IS TAIWAN: US Representative Tom Tiffany said the amendment was not controversial, as ‘Taiwan is not — nor has it ever been — part of Communist China’ The US House of Representatives on Friday passed an amendment banning the US Department of Defense from creating, buying or displaying any map that shows Taiwan as part of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The “Honest Maps” amendment was approved in a voice vote on Friday as part of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for the 2026 fiscal year. The amendment prohibits using any funds from the act to create, buy or display maps that show Taiwan, Kinmen, Matsu, Penghu, Wuciou (烏坵), Green Island (綠島) or Orchid Island (Lanyu, 蘭嶼) as part of the PRC. The act includes US$831.5 billion in