There is a need for Taiwan to legislate a law in a bid to counter China's plan to enact an "anti-secession law," former president Lee Teng-hui (
"The relationship between China and Taiwan, as well as relevant policies in this regard, would definitely meet with an immediate impact in view of China's strong effort in pushing for the enactment of its anti-secession law," Lee said.
"It is therefore necessary and urgent to formulate a law that clearly defines the relations between China and Taiwan and the rights and obligations incurred in the two countries' interaction," said Lee at the Taiwan Solidarity Union's (TSU) policy conference yesterday, noting that the issue would be high on the party's agenda in the new legislature session, which will convene on Feb. 25.
The conference, attended by the party's rank-and-file officials and legislators, was part of the TSU's customary meeting prior to each legislative session to deliberate policies and set priorities on bills which the party aims to push.
Lee said that Taiwan, being an independent, sovereign nation, can never accept such unreasonable treatment from China and that Taiwan must map out countermeasures ahead of time to let China, as well as the world, know of the determination of Taiwan's 23 million people to pursue democracy and safeguard sovereignty.
"Whether there should be a `China Relations Act' or an `anti-annexation law' is something that requires us all to put our heads together and undertake cautious research before finalizing the matter," the former president said to his audience.
In his speech, Lee also expressed his expectation that the TSU would listen closely to people's voice, and must not become corrupted and proceed out of mere selfish, personal interests.
At the event, Lee signed a petition which would allow the public to take part in voicing opposition to China's anti-secession law. The TSU is also slated to stage a large-scale parade in Kaohsiung early next month for the same purpose.
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