Senior Presidential Adviser Koo Kwang-ming (
"The unfriendly attitude displayed by the US in response to Taiwan's move to rectify its name suggests that the US has forgotten the original ideals and dreams it upheld when it was first founded," Koo said.
PHOTO: SEAN CHAO, TAIPEI TIMES
Koo made the remark yesterday at the launch of a new book by Chinese dissident and writer Cao Chang-ching (
US State Department Spokesman Adam Ereli on Monday said Chen's name-change plan would alter the "status quo" and thus the US does not support "changes of terminology for government-controlled enterprises or economic and cultural offices abroad" as Chen had proposed.
"Taiwan is a small country while the US is a big one. The big one will remain oblivious if the small one keeps on seeking approval from the big one," Koo said.
Koo said Taiwan must stand its ground on the name-rectification issue despite US opposition.
"As long as Taiwan holds fast to its stance, the US will change," Koo said.
Ruan Ming (
Ruan is a former special assistant to the late general secretary of the Communist Party of China Hu Yaoban (
"Why is that you [the US] can call Taiwan by the name Taiwan, yet allow not Taiwan to call itself Taiwan?" Ruan said.
The two books presented by Cao yesterday were titled Value of Independence (
Ruan, who has been a citizen of Taiwan for two years, suggested to Cao that he might want to give his new books to the US as a present to remind the US of its original values.
Senior Presidential Adviser Peng Ming-min (
"These people should feel ashamed" in contrast to the reality and truth about Taiwan's status Cao has grasped, Peng said.
Peng, who is widely regarded as the godfather of the nation's independence movement, said he hopes Cao's books will help inspire and educate people in Taiwan.
With the legislative elections less than two days away, former president Lee Teng-hui (
Unlike many Chinese dissidents who call for democratic reforms in China yet appear hesitant when it comes to the issue of Taiwan independence, Cao, a New York-based political commentator, advocates Taiwan's right to self-determination.
Lee expressed gratitude for Cao's support of Taiwan independence and said Cao's independent judgment originates in his believe in the value of liberty and democracy.
While praising Cao's persistence in believing the "truth," Lee criticized the "no truth, no president" slogan of the pan-blue camp as "a truth that had been manufactured, a remnant of the party-state consciousness."
Aside from Lee and the several senior presidential advisors, Cao was also joined by other guests such as National Policy Advisor Alice King (
While Cao has written hundreds of articles for leading journals in the US, Taiwan and Hong Kong pushing the cause of independence for Tibet, Taiwan and Xinjiang, and endorsing democratic reforms in China, this was the first time he has released his books in Taiwan.
In the book titled The Value of Independence, Cao conveys his views on Taiwan independence and outlines his long-held stance on Tibet and Xinjiang's right to self-determination.
American Values details his observations of the US values gathered during his 18-year stay in the country.
Temperatures in northern Taiwan are forecast to reach as high as 30°C today, as an ongoing northeasterly seasonal wind system weakens, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. CWA forecaster Tseng Chao-cheng (曾昭誠) said yesterday that with the seasonal wind system weakening, warmer easterly winds would boost the temperature today. Daytime temperatures in northern Taiwan and Yilan County are expected to range from 28°C to 30°C today, up about 3°C from yesterday, Tseng said. According to the CWA, temperature highs in central and southern Taiwan could stay stable. However, the weather is expected to turn cooler starting tonight as the northeasterly wind system strengthens again
Foreign travelers entering Taiwan on a short layover via Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport are receiving NT$600 gift vouchers from yesterday, the Tourism Administration said, adding that it hopes the incentive would boost tourism consumption at the airport. The program, which allows travelers holding non-Taiwan passports who enter the country during a layover of up to 24 hours to claim a voucher, aims to promote attractions at the airport, the agency said in a statement on Friday. To participate, travelers must sign up on the campaign Web site, the agency said. They can then present their passport and boarding pass for their connecting international
COOLING OFF: Temperatures are expected to fall to lows of about 20°C on Sunday and possibly 18°C to 19°C next week, following a wave of northeasterly winds on Friday The Central Weather Administration (CWA) on Sunday forecast more rain and cooler temperatures for northern Taiwan this week, with the mercury dropping to lows of 18°C, as another wave of northeasterly winds sweeps across the country. The current northeasterly winds would continue to affect Taiwan through today, with precipitation peaking today, bringing increased rainfall to windward areas, CWA forecaster Liu Pei-teng (劉沛滕) said. The weather system would weaken slightly tomorrow before another, stronger wave arrives on Friday, lasting into next week, Liu said. From yesterday to today, northern Taiwan can expect cool, wet weather, with lows of 22°C to 23°C in most areas,
Taiwan sweltered through its hottest October on record, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday, the latest in a string of global temperature records. The main island endured its highest average temperature since 1950, CWA forecaster Liu Pei-teng said. Temperatures the world over have soared in recent years as human-induced climate change contributes to ever more erratic weather patterns. Taiwan’s average temperature was 27.381°C as of Thursday, Liu said. Liu said the average could slip 0.1°C by the end of yesterday, but it would still be higher than the previous record of 27.009°C in 2016. "The temperature only started lowering around Oct. 18 or 19
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