Visiting former American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) chairwoman Therese Shaheen yesterday warned that legislative delays to the Ministry of National Defense's NT$610.8 million (US$19.1 billion) arms budget would have a negative impact on the nation's security.
Shaheen arrived in Taipei yesterday for a week-long visit and is scheduled to meet President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mark Chen (陳唐山) tomorrow, officials said.
PHOTO: TONY YAO, TAIPEI TIMES
Shaheen, now president of the US-Asia Commercial Development Corp, a Washington-based firm with a major presence in Taiwan, is visiting as a private citizen.
Shaheen's company specializes in Asian market entry, international joint ventures and acquisitions, capital investment and technology development. The firm's focus is in telecommunications, submarine cables and semiconductors, primarily in Taiwan, Japan and South Korea.
Shaheen told reporters that she would like to meet Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (
China has consistently increased its weapons budget, she said, adding that Taiwan's defense capability was lagging behind that of China.
Flying in from South Korea, Shaheen told reporters at CKS Airport that she was very happy to be in Taiwan again, and she lauded the nation's democratization.
Taiwan has contributed a lot to the world, and its democratization deserved the attention of the international community, she said.
Noting that her trip was of a private nature, Shaheen said she was informed of the death on Monday of Koo Chen-fu (
Expressing her condolences, Shaheen said Koo was an elegant gentleman who made a great contribution to Taiwan.
This trip is Shaheen's second visit to Taiwan since she stepped down as AIT chairwoman last April. She is expected to discuss Taiwan-US relations and other international developments with Chen Shui-bian.
"We welcome her visit. She treated us really well when President Chen visited New York," Mark Chen told reporters on Tuesday, referring to the US' warm reception of the president at a stopover during his overseas tour in 2003.
Shaheen said she had brought a gift for Chen Shui-bian's second grandson, who was born last month.
Greenpeace yesterday said that it is to appeal a decision last month by the Taipei High Administrative Court to dismiss its 2021 lawsuit against the Ministry of Economic Affairs over “loose” regulations governing major corporate electricity consumers. The climate-related lawsuit — the first of its kind in Taiwan — sought to require the government to enforce higher green energy thresholds on major corporations to reduce emissions in light of climate change and an uptick in extreme weather. The suit, filed by Greenpeace East Asia, the Environmental Jurists Association and four individual plaintiffs, was dismissed on May 8 following four years of litigation. The
STAY AWAY: An official said people should avoid disturbing snakes, as most do not actively attack humans, but would react defensively if threatened Taitung County authorities yesterday urged the public to stay vigilant and avoid disturbing snakes in the wild, following five reported snakebite cases in the county so far this year. Taitung County Fire Department secretary Lin Chien-cheng (林建誠) said two of the cases were in Donghe Township (東河) and involved the Taiwan habus, one person was bit by a Chinese pit viper near the South Link Railway and the remaining two were caused by unidentified snakes. He advised residents near fields to be cautious of snakes hiding in shady indoor areas, especially when entering or leaving their homes at night. In case of a
A tropical disturbance off the southeastern coast of the Philippines might become the first typhoon of the western Pacific typhoon season, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. The system lacks a visible center and how it would develop is only likely to become clear on Sunday or Monday, the CWA said, adding that it was not yet possible to forecast the potential typhoon's effect on Taiwan. The American Meteorological Society defines a tropical disturbance as a system made up of showers and thunderstorms that lasts for at least 24 hours and does not have closed wind circulation.
DIPLOMACY: It is Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo’s first visit to Taiwan since he took office last year, while Eswatini’s foreign minister is also paying a visit A delegation led by Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo arrived in Taiwan yesterday afternoon and is to visit President William Lai (賴清德) today. The delegation arrived at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport at 4:55pm, and was greeted by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). It is Arevalo’s first trip to Taiwan since he took office last year, and following the visit, he is to travel to Japan to celebrate the 90th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Arevalo said at the airport that he is very glad to make the visit to Taiwan, adding that he brings an important message of responsibility
RSS