"The biggest crisis facing Taiwan is that, even without the existence of [Beijing's] `Anti-Secession' Law, the country itself has fallen apart first with its continued division and infighting."
President Chen Shui-bian (
Similar concerns were expressed by a member of the public named Chuang Sheng-jung (莊勝榮), who in a letter published in a local Chinese-language daily yesterday said: "Who needs an enemy like Communist China when one has a selfish opposition party?"
Noting that the remarks made by Chen reflected "his personal feelings due to the distrust opposition parties have toward him," political observers said that aside from the political arena -- where partisan division is apparent and emotions run high -- people in Taiwan generally all get along pretty well.
"The KMT's China trip -- made against the backdrop of Beijing's newly-enacted Anti-Secession Law -- indeed does, however, cause confusion among the international community in terms of Taiwan's stance," said Ku Chung-hwa (
Headed by KMT Vice Chairman Chiang Pin-kun (
Ku said that while the KMT's official visit to China may have significance to the party given its past history, it "should heed the mainstream opinion in Taiwan and thus, be more careful with its conduct."
Chiang's trip comes at a sensitive time, given that the delegation left just two days after around a million people demonstrated on the streets of Taipei to protest the Anti-Secession Law, which codifies the use of "non-peaceful means" against Taiwan.
"The timing of the KMT's visit to China without doubt confuses the international community and may very well create somewhat of an illusion to the world that the people of Taiwan are not that opposed to Beijing's law -- as the rally otherwise suggested," Ku said.
Expressing a similar view, political observer and the editor-in-chief of Contemporary Monthly magazine, Chin Heng-wei (
"When it comes to dealing with cross-strait issues, KMT members oftentimes dismiss others' criticism as unfairly coloring them red," Chin said.
"This time around, however, the KMT cannot and should not blame others for painting them red with China brush because with what they've done, they are seemingly the ones inviting others to paint them red," Chin said.
Noting that the KMT is a Taiwanese opposition party, Ku suggested that it should devote more time to becoming a localized party instead of scratching its head over how to deal with the other side of the Taiwan Strait.
"Otherwise, I fear the KMT may eventually drift further and further away from the people of Taiwan," Ku said.
Political analysts said the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government should -- in the wake of last Saturday's rally -- make relevant adjustments in its policies regarding cross-strait affairs and economic issues, to show the people of Taiwan that the Chen administration is responsible and that it takes the people's wellbeing seriously.
"The million-people rally, as passionate as it may have been, was after all just an event carried out by the people; the Chen Shui-bian administration ... should put forth with more substantive actions in response to the series of events in the wake of the enactment of the Anti-Secession Law, Chiang's visit to China, as well as the letter recently published by [Chi Mei Optoelectronics Corp founder] Hsu Wen-long (
"I think there is room for the DPP administration to do something more," he added.
Aftershocks from a magnitude 6.2 earthquake that struck off Yilan County at 3:45pm yesterday could reach a magnitude of 5 to 5.5, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Seismological Center technical officer Chiu Chun-ta (邱俊達) told a news conference that the epicenter of the temblor was more than 100km from Taiwan. Although predicted to measure between magnitude 5 and 5.5, the aftershocks would reach an intensity of 1 on Taiwan’s 7-tier scale, which gauges the actual effect of an earthquake, he said. The earthquake lasted longer in Taipei because the city is in a basin, he said. The quake’s epicenter was about 128.9km east-southeast
GENSLER SURVEY: ‘Economic infrastructure is not enough. A city needs to inspire pride, offer moments of joy and foster a sense of belonging,’ the company said Taipei was named the city with the “highest staying power” in the world by US-based design and architecture firm Gensler. The Taiwanese capital earned the top spot among 65 cities across six continents with 64 percent of Taipei respondents in a survey of 33,000 people saying they wanted to stay in the city. Rounding out the top five were Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City (61 percent), Singapore (59 percent), Sydney (58 percent) and Berlin (51 percent). Sixth to 10th place went to Monterrey, Mexico; Munich, Germany; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Vancouver; and Seoul. Cities in the US were ranked separately, with Minneapolis first at
The New Taipei City Government today warned about the often-overlooked dangers of playing in water, and recommended safe swimming destinations to cool off from the summer heat. The following locations in the city as safe and fun for those looking to enjoy the water: Chienshuiwan (淺水灣), Baishawan (白沙灣), Jhongjiao Bay (中角灣), Fulong Beach Resort (福隆海水浴場) and Sansia District’s (三峽) Dabao River (大豹溪), New Taipei City Tourism and Travel Department Director-General Yang Tsung-min (楊宗珉) said. Outdoor bodies of water have variables outside of human control, such as changing currents, differing elevations and environmental hazards, all of which can lead to accidents, Yang said. Sudden
Tropical Storm Podul has formed over waters north-northeast of Guam and is expected to approach the seas southeast of Taiwan next week, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said today. The 11th Pacific storm of the year developed at 2am over waters about 2,660km east of Oluanpi (歐鑾鼻), Pingtung County — Taiwan's southernmost tip. It is projected to move westward and could have its most significant impact on Taiwan on Wednesday and Thursday next week, the CWA said. The agency did not rule out the possibility of issuing a sea warning at that time. According to the CWA's latest update, Podul is drifting west-northwest
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