The Far Eastern Economic Review has praised President Chen Shui-bian (
In its latest issue, the magazine said in an editorial that when the US chastises Chen for his plan to hold a referendum on the same day as the March 20 presidential election, it may also be giving the unfortunate impression that it sees Taiwan as a special case among democratic societies -- one that curiously has no right to hold referendums.
"Taiwan needed to be cautioned on the need for prudence, but this should not have sent a message to Communist China that threats towards a democratic society are acceptable," the editorial said.
It said that however one views Chen's referendum, there is no doubt that he understands the dynamics of representative government.
"He is a democrat, and it is impossible to disagree with him in a democratic context," it added.
"More troubling than Mr. Chen's gambit is why China's reaction has received far less than its fair share of condemnation," it said.
The editorial further said that while Chen is chided, China's threats are seen as expected and normal.
"This only encourages Beijing's belief of its right to act in a bellicose manner, and that it is the responsibility of everyone else to avoid angering China," it said.
"We'd do well to remind ourselves who the democrats are in the region, despite their shortcomings," the editorial said.
Trips for more than 100,000 international and domestic air travelers could be disrupted as China launches a military exercise around Taiwan today, Taiwan’s Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) said yesterday. The exercise could affect nearly 900 flights scheduled to enter the Taipei Flight Information Region (FIR) during the exercise window, it added. A notice issued by the Chinese Civil Aviation Administration showed there would be seven temporary zones around the Taiwan Strait which would be used for live-fire exercises, lasting from 8am to 6pm today. All aircraft are prohibited from entering during exercise, it says. Taipei FIR has 14 international air routes and
Taiwan lacks effective and cost-efficient armaments to intercept rockets, making the planned “T-Dome” interception system necessary, two experts said on Tuesday. The concerns were raised after China’s military fired two waves of rockets during live-fire drills around Taiwan on Tuesday, part of two-day exercises code-named “Justice Mission 2025.” The first wave involved 17 rockets launched at 9am from Pingtan in China’s Fujian Province, according to Lieutenant General Hsieh Jih-sheng (謝日升) of the Office of the Deputy Chief of the General Staff for Intelligence at the Ministry of National Defense. Those rockets landed 70 nautical miles (129.6km) northeast of Keelung without flying over Taiwan,
City buses in Taipei and New Taipei City, as well as the Taipei MRT, would on Saturday begin accepting QR code payments from five electronic payment providers, the Taipei Department of Transportation said yesterday. The new option would allow passengers to use the “transportation QR code” feature from EasyWallet, iPass Money, iCash Pay, Jkopay or PXPay Plus. Passengers should open their preferred electronic payment app, select the “transportation code” — not the regular payment code — unlock it, and scan the code at ticket readers or gates, General Planning Division Director-General Liu Kuo-chu (劉國著) said. People should move through the
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) today released images of the military tracking China’s People's Liberation Army (PLA) movements during the latest round of Chinese drills around Taiwan. The PLA began "Justice Mission 2025" drills today, carrying out live-fire drills, simulated strikes on land and maritime targets, and exercises to blockade the nation's main ports. The exercises are to continue tomorrow, with the PLA announcing sea and air space restrictions for five zones around Taiwan for 10 hours starting from 8:30am. The ministry today released images showing a Chinese J-16 fighter jet tracked by a F-16V Block 20 jet and the
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