Several hundred people paid tribute to President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) on the eve of his inauguration on Wednesday at a gala reception at Taiwan's "Twin Oaks" mansion in Washington, as pro-pan blue protesters demonstrated at the grounds entrance.
Ambassadors of countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan joined with Taiwanese-Americans and a cross-section of supporters of Taiwan to eat, drink and chat in honor of Chen's re-election.
One of the stars of the event was Therese Shaheen, the former head of the American Institute in Taiwan, who was mobbed by reporters as she arrived in a signature bright red dress.
"I think it's a great night for a party," Shaheen said, as she avoided answering any diplomatically sensitive questions.
Asked about Chen's speech, she said, "My understanding is that the people are very happy. I think we're looking forward to a good speech."
Shaheen disclosed that she will visit Taiwan in the second or third week of next month to see old friends and visit old haunts.
Ambassadors of nearly a dozen countries attended the gala, including those from Guatemala, Honduras, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Costa Rica and Swaziland.
While no members of Congress were spotted, a large number of Taiwan's most important supporters from the academic, think-tank and business worlds were in attendance.
Taiwan's outgoing de facto ambassador, Chen Chien-jen (程建人), told the throng that the celebration was not only about the inauguration, but also the success of Taiwan's democracy.
"We are gathered here to celebrate the inauguration of President Chen Shui-bian and Vice President Annette Lu (
He recalled that, 50 years ago, Taiwan was "poor and authoritarian," but now it is "affluent, free and democratic and prosperous."
"Of course, our democracy is not perfect. Yes, we have some difficulties. But we have a vibrant democracy in Taiwan now. I have confidence in our democracy," he said.
Outside the grounds, a crowd estimated at some 200 demonstrated against the inauguration, crying "shame on you" to guests arriving at or leaving the reception.
With signs that said "Justice in Taiwan is Dead," "Boycott Taiwan's Fake President" and "Unfair Taiwan Election," the protesters were part of a broader movement in several other US cities and sites in other countries.
A leader of the group, Jeffrey Chen, told the Taipei Times that the group is not "anti-green," but felt that the inauguration should have been postponed until the legal processes dealing with the pan-blue challenge to the election were completed and the results were officially announced.
UPGRADE: The Kang Ding-class frigate is replacing its Chaparall missiles with Tien Chien II and Hua Yang VLS, which would provide it with long-range, 360° air defense Taiwan plans to produce 1,200 to 1,376 Hai Chien II missiles (海劍二, Sea Sword II) — also known as TC-2N — to serve as the standard air defense system of the navy’s surface combatant fleet, a source said yesterday. Last week, the Hai Chien II, the naval version of the Tien Kung II missile (天劍二, Sky Sword II), completed a live-fire test in waters off the National Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology’s Jiupeng facility (九鵬) in Pingtung County’s Manjhou Township (滿州). The MIM72 Chaparral and other dated air defense missiles that currently arm Taiwanese ships have inadequate range to combat Chinese
REASONS FOR TRAVEL: An assistant professor said that proposed amendments to penalize drivers if they used drugs overseas would not deter people from traveling People who operate a motor vehicle under the influence of marijuana would have their driver’s license revoked, even if they used the substance while overseas, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications said yesterday, citing proposed amendments to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act (道路交通管理處罰條例). The amendments would also authorize the government to revoke the licenses of people determined to have used Category 1 or Category 2 narcotics, even if they were not operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs, as well as ban them from taking the license test for three years, the ministry said. People aged 18 or
Shih Hsin University President Chen Ching-he (陳清河) yesterday issued a public apology for comments made in his commencement speech last week, stating that he has asked the school to suspend his duties and halt his wages for two months as a show of contrition. At the commencement ceremony on May 30, Chen said, “If you don’t manage your time well, or your own emotions, or your health, then I am telling every one of you — put a quick end to ‘you,’ because the world has no need for ‘you.’” The comments have sparked significant controversy online, and Chen through an open
Johanne Liou (劉喬安), a Taiwanese woman who shot to unwanted fame during the Sunflower movement protests in 2014, returned to Taiwan last night after being deported from the US. She is to stand trial in Taiwan for charges involving embezzlement, fraud and drug crimes. The Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) said it took her into custody at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport and would first question her before transferring her to the New Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office. She was arrested upon disembarking a flight from San Francisco that landed shortly before 7pm. Liou absconded to the US in 2019 after jumping bail
RSS