Exchanges and communication between Taiwanese legislators and their counterparts abroad will further focus on the promotion of economic ties and the revealing of facts regarding China's interfering with Taiwan's activities in the international arena, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator You Ching (
You, who is chairman of the legislature's Exchange Association of Taiwanese and European Legislators, said that a group of 12 legislators from the ruling DPP and opposition Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) have met successfully with influential German political figures, including Hermann Otto Solms, Vice President of the German parliament, and representatives of parliamentary caucuses of four major parties.
"We have expressed our appreciation of the German parliament's consistent refusal to lift the EU arms embargo against China," You said on Tuesday.
In addition, You said that legislators had kept abreast of the situation regarding a possible parliamentary election in September and how Taiwan could be affected by it.
Meanwhile, You said that legislators also revealed Taiwan's resolution to contribute to international society.
"We hope Germany can persuade other EU members to cultivate a rational attitude on issues pertaining to Taiwan's participation in major international organizations, such as the World Health Organization, like any other global villagers," You said.
DPP Legislator Chuang Suo-han (莊碩漢) said that China's hampering Taiwan from interacting with the rest of the world, such as through the promulgation of its "Anti-Secession" Law against Taiwan in March, had been clearly explained to the countries the group visited.
Berlin is the last stop for the group on their trip to Europe.
Previously, the group visited Australia, Belgium and France. In addition to exchanging opinions and viewpoints, KMT Legislator Justin Chou (周守訓) said Taiwan's parliamentary exchange program also deals with concrete matters like strengthening economic ties between Taiwan and other countries. Chou said that possible business opportunities involving Airbus were discussed with government officials in France and both sides verbally agreed to organize exchange visits of high-ranking officials in the future.
Similarly, business opportunities are also available to certain German enterprises in the renewable-energy industry.
"German enterprises have mature technologies pertaining to wind turbines and solar panels. Other nations should pay attention to Taiwan's goal of getting 12 percent of its electricity from renewable-energy sources by 2020," DPP Legislator Wang To-far (
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
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
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
A drunk woman was sexually assaulted inside a crowded concourse of Taipei Railway Station on Thursday last week before a foreign tourist notified police, leading to calls for better education on bystander intervention and review of security infrastructure. The man, surnamed Chiu (邱), was taken into custody on charges of sexual assault, taking advantage of the woman’s condition and public indecency. Police discovered that Chiu was a fugitive with prior convictions for vehicle theft. He has been taken into custody and is to complete his unserved six-month sentence, police said. On Thursday last week, Chiu was seen wearing a white
RSS