A visit to Beijing by the chairman of Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) seems to have increased public support in Taiwan for improved relations with China, but may have also damaged the cooperation among political parties needed for an actual shift in policy.
Separate polls published by three newspapers on Saturday showed that 51 to 60 percent of the population supported the trip by KMT Chairman Lien Chan (
Interest in the trip has been so intense that television stations have even broadcast earnest discussions of the earrings and clothing that Lien's wife, Fang Yu (
Polls before the visit had suggested that only 40 percent or so of the country's residents saw the trip as a good idea, indicating that the sight of KMT and Communist leaders shaking hands a half century after China's civil war might have won over some detractors.
Joseph Wu (
Wu, who has been a strong critic of the Nationalists' efforts to conduct their own diplomacy while in the opposition, predicted that the trip would have little long-term effect on attitudes toward China, a subject on which most people here already have strong opinions that seldom change. Yet heavy news media coverage may have produced at least some short-term public interest in working more closely with China, he acknowledged.
Wu said that before making any policy decisions, the government would wait until after a weeklong visit to China starting Thursday by People First Party Chairman James Soong (
Hu's remarks during Lien's visit were little more than oratory that repeated or rephrased previous statements by Beijing officials, and the government here wants to see if Communist leaders make more concrete proposals during Soong's visit, Wu said. "So far, what we see is only rhetoric."
But Wu said twice in an interview that it was possible the government might formulate an initiative of its own after Soong's return.
Lien's effusive praise for Chinese leaders while in Beijing, and his strong criticism of Taiwanese independence supporters, have infuriated the governing Democratic Progressive Party, which leans toward more independence from China.
During a speech in Beijing, Lien accused independence advocates of having misused the introduction of democracy in Taiwan, notably by emphasizing differences over policy toward China, and between those born on Taiwan and those who moved from China.
"Some people are very upset that he's criticizing Taiwanese democracy in China; it's like slapping your children in front of other people," said Hsiao Bi-khim (
Chen has pursued a somewhat more conciliatory policy toward China since his party failed to capture an expected majority in legislative elections last December.
But hard-line advocates of greater independence within the Democratic Progressive Party are so furious now that this policy may be difficult to maintain, Hsiao said.
"It makes it even harder for President Chen to stick to the middle road, as he has been for the last few months," she said.
Andrew Yang (
The first global hotel Keys Selection by the Michelin Guide includes four hotels in Taiwan, Michelin announced yesterday. All four received the “Michelin One Key,” indicating guests are to experience a “very special stay” at any of the locations as the establishments are “a true gem with personality. Service always goes the extra mile, and the hotel provides much more than others in its price range.” Of the four hotels, three are located in Taipei and one in Taichung. In Taipei, the One Key accolades were awarded to the Capella Taipei, Kimpton Da An Taipei and Mandarin Oriental Taipei. Capella Taipei was described by
The Taichung District Court yesterday confirmed its final ruling that the marriage between teenage heir Lai (賴) and a man surnamed Hsia (夏) was legally invalid, preventing Hsia from inheriting Lai’s NT$500 million (US$16.37 million) estate. The court confirmed that Hsia chose not to appeal the civil judgement after the court handed down its ruling in June, making the decision final. In the June ruling, the court said that Lai, 18, and Hsia, 26, showed “no mutual admiration before the marriage” and that their interactions were “distant and unfamiliar.” The judge concluded that the couple lacked the “true intention of
EVA Airways today confirmed the death of a flight attendant on Saturday upon their return to Taiwan and said an internal investigation has been launched, as criticism mounted over a social media post accusing the airline of failing to offer sufficient employee protections. According to the post, the flight attendant complained of feeling sick on board a flight, but was unable to take sick leave or access medical care. The crew member allegedly did not receive assistance from the chief purser, who failed to heed their requests for medical attention or call an ambulance once the flight landed, the post said. As sick
INDUSTRY: Beijing’s latest export measures go beyond targeting the US and would likely affect any country that uses Chinese rare earths or related tech, an academic said Taiwanese industries could face significant disruption from China’s newly tightened export controls on rare earth elements, as much of Taiwan’s supply indirectly depends on Chinese materials processed in Japan, a local expert said yesterday. Kristy Hsu (徐遵慈), director of the Taiwan ASEAN Studies Center at the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research, said that China’s latest export measures go far beyond targeting the US and would likely affect any country that uses Chinese rare earths or related technologies. With Japan and Southeast Asian countries among those expected to be hit, Taiwan could feel the impact through its reliance on Japanese-made semi-finished products and
RSS