The Ministry of National Defense’s proposed amendments to the General Mobilization Act (全民防衛動員準備法) has drawn heavy criticism from the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT).
One of the major controversies is centered around the oversight of media: The amendments include clauses stipulating that local governments, as well as news and media organizations, must abide by central government controls on all information networks during wartime.
The ministry has also asked the Ministry of Education to provide the All-Out Defense Mobilization Agency with a list of all students aged 16 and older, so the agency would know how many people it could mobilize if war were to break out.
However, pro-KMT media and party members branded the revision a draft “digital intermediary service act (數位中介服務法) 2.0,” a “crackdown on freedom of speech” and a potential precursor to the “return to martial law.”
Parents expressed concern that 16-year-olds would be mobilized to manufacture ammunition or even forced to fight, while KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) said that his party would not let the “malevolent” bill clear the legislative floor.
As cross-strait tensions continue to rise, the amendment can be seen as Taiwan heeding a lesson from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and taking steps to boost its asymmetric warfare capabilities.
The KMT is misrepresenting the draft as a government effort to influence the media and send teenage boys to war.
As Article 2 of the act already stipulates, the clauses in question would only be implemented in “the time period of assembling reserve forces for active duty in times of war, or the coming of national emergency, the president may promulgate emergency decrees in accordance with the Constitution to enforce overall or partial mobilization.”
This means that the clause would only come to effect during wartime, and only when the president gave the order. Freedom of the press is otherwise protected by the Constitution.
The Russo-Ukraine war has shown why media should be controlled during wartime. Fabricated videos showing Ukrainian forces surrendering circulated online, while Russian military equipment was bombed after news photographs exposed their locations. Media should only be allowed “relative freedom,” as opposed to “absolute freedom,” during war to avoid mistakes or deter collusion with enemy forces.
The Civil Defense Act (民防法) stipulates that high schools must compile name lists and organize civil defense regiments to assist with tasks such as caring for the wounded and firefighting. The amendment only reinforces the existing law and facilitates necessary training during peacetime.
Without related knowledge or expertise, it is impossible for anyone to manufacture ammunition, let alone 16-year-olds.
As the saying goes, “if you want peace, prepare for war.” It is crucial that Taiwan makes necessary preparations to defend against China’s growing aggression. As a party with a history of implementing 38 years of martial law, the KMT has no right to lecture on freedom of speech or mobilization of students. Distorting the proposal spreads fear among the public and makes it easier for China to invade. It is up to the public to defend the nation, and if a war does break out, even 16-year-olds cannot be shielded from an attack.
China has started to call Tibet “Xizang” instead of Tibet for several reasons. First, China wants to assert its sovereignty and legitimacy over Tibet, which it claims as an integral part of its territory and history. China argues that the term Xizang, which means “western Tsang” in Chinese, reflects the historical and administrative reality of the region, which was divided into U-Tsang, Amdo and Kham by the Tibetans themselves. China also contends that the term Tibet, which derives from the Mongolian word Tubet, is a foreign imposition that does not represent the diversity and complexity of the region. Second, China wants to
Taiwan has a very important decision to make in the upcoming presidential election. One party stands for protecting the integrity of Taiwanese self-rule, the other two main parties who stand a chance at winning both cater to China and, if elected, would risk locking Taiwan into a position of being annexed by China against the will of a vast majority of the population. Former president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜), the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) presidential candidate, and the KMT all need a history lesson. Taiwan was never ceded to the Republic of China (ROC). The
The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) had engaged in weeks of political horse-trading between high-ranking officials, hoping to form a joint ticket to win January’s presidential election, but it all ended in a dramatic public falling out on live television on Thursday. The farcical performance involving mudslinging and quarrels among three men — the TPP’s candidate and Chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), the KMT’s candidate, New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜), and Hon Hai Precision Industry Co founder Terry Gou (郭台銘), an independent — and their aides in the evening before the official candidate registration deadline
Due in large part to the US-China trade war, Taiwanese supply chains continue to relocate from China and some manufacturers have increased the rate at which they have invested in Mexico to align their operations with the needs of customers and to comply with US policy. However, setting up manufacturing plants in Mexico is not without its complications, including the language barrier, different cultures, local regulations and finding qualified staff. Accumulating talent with proficiency in Spanish is the first step to developing the market in Mexico, and indeed Latin America as a whole. WHY MEXICO Mexico is a good location for three
RSS