Recently, Taiwan's efforts to join the UN were rejected again, and our notorious neighbor China said that it is not legitimate for Taiwan to apply for membership in the UN because Taiwan cannot be regarded as a nation. If anyone tries to challenge this "fact," he or she will be considered as a criminal who attempts to divide our "greatest and beloved `Mother China.'"
After the communists took over China, they did everything they could to claim sovereignty over us, saying that Taiwan is and always will be Chinese territory.
I received my education under the leadership of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT). I once believed that the KMT was the fittest party to govern China, and I could not understand why Chinese farmers and workers were willing to support communists who sacrificed so many human lives without reason.
Perhaps at first the communists started the revolution with passion, and they did a very good job, leading poverty-stricken people to believe that only the communists could save China. However, after their victory, the communists came to believe that only by having complete control of the people could they bring them prosperity.
Since then, tens of millions of people or more have been sacrificed and even brutally murdered to reach the communists' goals. The communists still believe that everything under their leadership -- including human lives -- is expendable in order to maintain the image of a "harmonious society."
If that is the way communists rule people, how can they expect us to unify with them without reservation? Apparently, they also recognize this simple reality, and therefore must keep coercing us in every way.
Recently, they paid large amounts of money to several African and Latin American countries with promises of more to come if these countries ceased formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan. It seems some of these countries are only too happy to do so.
The only advantage we have is democracy and that is what the communists fear the most, because democracy can crush the foundation of the entire regime. If we prepare ourselves and become stronger, we might be able to change the tide. I sincerely believe this is the only solution to the dilemma.
Hsiao Chi-yuan
Taipei
Taiwan faces complex challenges like other Asia-Pacific nations, including demographic decline, income inequality and climate change. In fact, its challenges might be even more pressing. The nation struggles with rising income inequality, declining birthrates and soaring housing costs while simultaneously navigating intensifying global competition among major powers. To remain competitive in the global talent market, Taiwan has been working to create a more welcoming environment and legal framework for foreign professionals. One of the most significant steps in this direction was the enactment of the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals (外國專業人才延攬及僱用法) in 2018. Subsequent amendments in
After nine days of holidays for the Lunar New Year, government agencies and companies are to reopen for operations today, including the Legislative Yuan. Many civic groups are expected to submit their recall petitions this week, aimed at removing many Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmakers from their seats. Since December last year, the KMT and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) passed three controversial bills to paralyze the Constitutional Court, alter budgetary allocations and make recalling elected officials more difficult by raising the threshold. The amendments aroused public concern and discontent, sparking calls to recall KMT legislators. After KMT and TPP legislators again
US President Donald Trump on Saturday signed orders to impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China effective from today. Trump decided to slap 25 percent tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada as well as 10 percent on those coming from China, but would only impose a 10 percent tariff on Canadian energy products, including oil and electricity. Canada and Mexico on Sunday quickly responded with retaliatory tariffs against the US, while countermeasures from China are expected soon. Nevertheless, Trump announced yesterday to delay tariffs on Mexico and Canada for a month and said he would hold further talks with
Taiwan’s undersea cables connecting it to the world were allegedly severed several times by a Chinese ship registered under a flag of convenience. As the vessel sailed, it used several different automatic identification systems (AIS) to create fake routes. That type of “shadow fleet” and “gray zone” tactics could create a security crisis in Taiwan and warrants response measures. The concept of a shadow fleet originates from the research of Elisabeth Braw, senior fellow at the Washington-based Atlantic Council. The phenomenon was initiated by authoritarian countries such as Iran, North Korea and Russia, which have been hit by international economic