The Ministry of National Defense on Saturday filed a complaint against a McDonald’s restaurant in Tainan’s Sinying District (新營) for dressing its employees in military uniforms on New Year’s Eve.
Numerous McDonald’s branches around the nation dressed their cashiers in various costumes, such as nurses, as the Taoist God of Wealth or as the Jade Emperor, but the ministry said that the Sinying McDonald’s “went too far” having its cashiers wear army colonel uniforms.
The restaurant’s use of military uniforms without ministry approval violated Article 7-3 of the Armed Forces Uniform Act (陸海空軍服制條例), and Article 159 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of China (中華民國刑法), which forbid wearing “the uniform or badge or make use of the official title of a public official” in public without authorization, the ministry said in a news release.
The McDonald’s branch could face NT$15,000 (US$453) in accumulated fines under the Criminal Code’s Article 159, because violators are punishable by up to NT$500, the ministry said, adding that Tainan’s military police had “collected evidence” for legal action to be pursued by its legal affairs department.
Citing a gag order from McDonald’s, most employees at the Sinying restaurant remained silent, but one unnamed employee said that the idea of wearing military uniforms came out during a group discussion and that it was unfortunate that the restaurant received negative publicity as a result of their actions.
The incident was met with mixed reactions on Internet discussion forums.
Some supported the ministry, while others left comments on the ministry’s Facebook page with references to a scandal that broke out last year, when television personality Janet Lee (李蒨蓉) posted photographs from the 601st Air Cavalry Brigade’s attack helicopter hangar, after receiving an unauthorized invitation to the base by special forces pilot Lao Nai-cheng (勞乃成).
“Why are some people allowed to tinker with Apache pilots’ helmets bought by the government, but others cannot sell hamburgers wearing uniforms they bought themselves?” a message said.
Additional reporting by Wang Tien-ping, Yang Chin-cheng and Chang Hui-wen
Temperatures in northern Taiwan are forecast to reach as high as 30°C today, as an ongoing northeasterly seasonal wind system weakens, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. CWA forecaster Tseng Chao-cheng (曾昭誠) said yesterday that with the seasonal wind system weakening, warmer easterly winds would boost the temperature today. Daytime temperatures in northern Taiwan and Yilan County are expected to range from 28°C to 30°C today, up about 3°C from yesterday, Tseng said. According to the CWA, temperature highs in central and southern Taiwan could stay stable. However, the weather is expected to turn cooler starting tonight as the northeasterly wind system strengthens again
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) yesterday expressed “grave concerns” after Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong (黃循財) reiterated the city-state’s opposition to “Taiwanese independence” during a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang (李強). In Singapore on Saturday, Wong and Li discussed cross-strait developments, the Singaporean Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. “Prime Minister Wong reiterated that Singapore has a clear and consistent ‘one China’ policy and is opposed to Taiwan independence,” it said. MOFA responded that it is an objective fact and a common understanding shared by many that the Republic of China (ROC) is an independent, sovereign nation, with world-leading
COOLING OFF: Temperatures are expected to fall to lows of about 20°C on Sunday and possibly 18°C to 19°C next week, following a wave of northeasterly winds on Friday The Central Weather Administration (CWA) on Sunday forecast more rain and cooler temperatures for northern Taiwan this week, with the mercury dropping to lows of 18°C, as another wave of northeasterly winds sweeps across the country. The current northeasterly winds would continue to affect Taiwan through today, with precipitation peaking today, bringing increased rainfall to windward areas, CWA forecaster Liu Pei-teng (劉沛滕) said. The weather system would weaken slightly tomorrow before another, stronger wave arrives on Friday, lasting into next week, Liu said. From yesterday to today, northern Taiwan can expect cool, wet weather, with lows of 22°C to 23°C in most areas,
DEFENDING FREEDOM: Taiwanese love peace and helping others, and hope to be a positive force in the world, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim told ‘Weltspiegel’ Taiwan is making every effort to prevent war in the face of China’s hybrid coercion tactics and military threats, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) said in an interview with German public broadcaster ARD’s program Weltspiegel that aired on Monday. Taiwan is not seeking provocation or intending to disrupt international order, but “must possess the capacity for self-defense,” a news release issued by the Presidential Office yesterday quoted her as saying. Taiwan is closely watching not only the increasing scope and frequency of Chinese military exercises around the nation, but also Beijing’s hybrid and cognitive warfare tactics, including manipulating public opinion, fostering
RSS