Premier Tang Fei (唐飛) announced that the "small three links (小三通)" will begin at the end of this year. The "small three links," despite much less significance and influence, tests the water for the "three direct links (三通)." Its outcome will directly impact the timing and manner of the "three direct links." Taiwan has considered the "three direct links" as a bargaining chip in cross-strait negotiations. No goodwill has been forthcoming from China, and as a result the government has had to open up the "small three links."
The "Regulation on Offshore Development (
With the upcoming WTO entry, direct commerce between Taiwan and China is inevitable. The pressure for direct links would immediately build upon entry. By opening up the "small three links" now, the government at least has control of the policy. It may rely on its experience with the "small three links" to plan for the "three direct links." This would be consistent with the government's "gradual and incremental" policy approach. If the government learns to address problems derived from the "three links" through international or quasi-international standards, then it will lose control of its China policy when the "three direct links" forces entry into the WTO.
China recently engaged in many offensives to isolate the government and tried to reach out to all corners of Taiwan society. It has received members of various political parties, held press conferences, and even agreed to Ma Yin-jeow's (
Chen's administration has always considered stabilizing the cross-strait relationship a top priority. Overseas, it tries to live up to the demands of the US. At home, it avoids agitating China in an attempt to resume cross-strait negotiation. Academia Sinica president Lee Yuan-tseh's (
Chen inherited Lee Teng-hui's (
The gutting of Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Asia (RFA) by US President Donald Trump’s administration poses a serious threat to the global voice of freedom, particularly for those living under authoritarian regimes such as China. The US — hailed as the model of liberal democracy — has the moral responsibility to uphold the values it champions. In undermining these institutions, the US risks diminishing its “soft power,” a pivotal pillar of its global influence. VOA Tibetan and RFA Tibetan played an enormous role in promoting the strong image of the US in and outside Tibet. On VOA Tibetan,
On a quiet lane in Taipei’s central Daan District (大安), an otherwise unremarkable high-rise is marked by a police guard and a tawdry A4 printout from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicating an “embassy area.” Keen observers would see the emblem of the Holy See, one of Taiwan’s 12 so-called “diplomatic allies.” Unlike Taipei’s other embassies and quasi-consulates, no national flag flies there, nor is there a plaque indicating what country’s embassy this is. Visitors hoping to sign a condolence book for the late Pope Francis would instead have to visit the Italian Trade Office, adjacent to Taipei 101. The death of
By now, most of Taiwan has heard Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an’s (蔣萬安) threats to initiate a vote of no confidence against the Cabinet. His rationale is that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)-led government’s investigation into alleged signature forgery in the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) recall campaign constitutes “political persecution.” I sincerely hope he goes through with it. The opposition currently holds a majority in the Legislative Yuan, so the initiation of a no-confidence motion and its passage should be entirely within reach. If Chiang truly believes that the government is overreaching, abusing its power and targeting political opponents — then
As the highest elected official in the nation’s capital, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) is the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) candidate-in-waiting for a presidential bid. With the exception of Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕), Chiang is the most likely KMT figure to take over the mantle of the party leadership. All the other usual suspects, from Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) to New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) to KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) have already been rejected at the ballot box. Given such high expectations, Chiang should be demonstrating resolve, calm-headedness and political wisdom in how he faces tough
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