Since the easing of restrictions on newspapers, this medium has thrived in Taiwan. For instance, the number of Chinese-language newspapers has skyrocketed from 31 to 239. Before the advent of the Taipei Times in 1999, for more than four decades only two English-language newspapers were published in Taiwan. From its first issue, the Taipei Times has created a new and dynamic atmosphere for the local English-language newspaper market, symbolizing a new beginning for the industry.
\nThe Taipei Times bears witness to the pride stemming from the evolution of Taiwan's society. Like its Chinese-language sister paper, the Liberty Times, the Taipei Times stresses the ideal of identifying with Taiwan and putting Taiwan's interests first. It also emphasizes "bringing Taiwan to the world, and bringing the world to Taiwan." That is, while helping to foster Taiwan's national identity, the Taipei Times never fails to build ties between Taiwan and the international community. This paper provides more choices for the Taiwanese and foreign readers in Taiwan. On top of this, by fully advancing Taiwan's viewpoints, it makes an enormous contribution to the integration of Taiwan into the international community and the maximization of Taiwan's role as a responsible member of it.
\nI would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Taipei Times for its accuracy and professionalism. It accurately reports the aspirations of Taiwan's people and understands well Taiwan's political, economic and social nuances. By the same token, it exemplifies impartial reporting by the media and clarifies current affairs through its editorials.
\nThe Taipei Times plays an indispensable role in providing a channel for foreigners in Taiwan to understand Taiwan's current state, thereby enhancing their understanding, appreciation and support of Taiwan. I am happy to learn that over recent years, the Taipei Times has strived to be the best by adopting Internet technology to further serve its readers with real-time reports. In addition, because the Taipei Times has a wealth and profusion of talent, it often wins international accolades for reporting and design. One can easily understand how the high quality and unremitting efforts of its staff have won recognition by its peers in the industry.
\nWhen I first arrived at the office of Government Information Office (GIO) last month, I made it clear that the GIO's primary mission would be to "let the world see Taiwan and let Taiwan understand the world." This happens to be the aim of the Taipei Times as well. Being a long-time reader of the Taipei Times and an old friend of many of its core founders, I take delight in recommending it to foreign officials stationed in Taiwan as well as to foreign businessmen, researchers from think tanks and other guests from abroad. On this occasion, the fifth anniversary of the founding of the Taipei Times, I am honored to extend congratulations on behalf of the government, and wish the Taipei Times a prosperous future.
\nLin Chia-lung
‘NOT AN INCH’: The president said after incursions by Chinese warplanes that there should be very smooth collaboration between the executive and military branches President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday said that Taiwan would not budge “an inch” on issues of sovereign territory and would stalwartly defend its democratic freedoms. Tsai made the remarks during an inspection of surface-to-air missiles at an air force base in Hualien. She was accompanied by National Security Council (NSC) Secretary-General Wellington Koo (顧立雄), Minister of National Defense Yen De-fa (嚴德發), Chief of the General Staff Huang Shu-kuang (黃曙光) and Republic of China Air Force Commander Hsiung Hou-chi (熊厚基). After attending a briefing, Tsai was given a demonstration of procedures for a missile launch. Tsai granted the base a one-time subsidy to boost troop
RIVERSIDE CAMP: As rescuers continued their search for a missing man, Taipower said that the floodgates at a hydro plant on the Lishi Creek opened due to a malfunction Three people have been confirmed dead and one was missing after being swept away by a flash flood while camping in Nantou County’s Renai Township (仁愛), police said yesterday. Six people from two families were camping near Lishi Creek (栗栖溪) when the riverbanks were suddenly flooded just after 4am, carrying away four of the campers — including two children — who were asleep in their tents, police said. A man who was among those swept away was able to climb ashore and call for help, police said, adding that another man had gone missing in the turmoil at the campsite.
ON THEIR OWN: The KMT has decided not to participate as a party at this year’s forum, and if any members do go, they would not be representing the party, Alicia Wang said The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) yesterday announced that it would not send a delegation “as a political party” to this year’s Straits Forum, after a Chinese TV program described the planned visit to the annual meeting as “suing for peace.” The 12th forum is scheduled to open in Xiamen, China, on Saturday. On Tuesday last week, the KMT announced that former legislative speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) would lead the party’s delegation to the forum, with KMT Secretary-General Lee Chien-lung (李乾龍) as deputy head. However, on Thursday last week, China Central Television’s (CCTV) Yangshipin (央視頻) program, hosted by Li Hong (李紅), included a headline
‘NO EQUILIBRIUM’: Taiwan’s increased defense spending is a good step, but it needs to do more to have the ability to deter aggression from China, a senior US official said The US plans to sell as many as seven major weapons systems — including mines, cruise missiles and drones — to Taiwan, four people familiar with the discussions said. Pursuing seven sales at once is a rare departure from years of precedent in which US military sales to Taiwan were spaced out and carefully calibrated to minimize tensions with Beijing. However, US President Donald Trump’s administration has this year become more aggressive with China, and the sales would land as relations between Beijing and Washington are at their lowest point in decades over accusations of spying, lingering trade tensions, disputes about the
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