After a seven-year delay, the Taiwan Political Science Association was finally launched yesterday, with an inauguration address by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁).
The formal launch was symbolic for the new DPP regime in that it was the first time a national association has been allowed to use "Taiwan" as part of its formal name.
The TPSA was originally convened in 1993.
However its application for registration was rejected by the Minister of the Interior, which refused to allow national-level organizations to use the word Taiwan in their name, requiring them to use "China" instead.
The president said that yesterday's launch of the TPSA was an example of the progress made in Taiwan since the change in government.
Chen appealed to those intellectuals who held "Taiwan first" (
"In the past, while Taiwan was still under the dictatorial ruling of the government, to discuss or even research political science or affairs were dangerous things," Chen said.
"People were afraid of talking about political affairs then and only a few intellectuals and political dissidents challenged the government for the rights of freedom of speech."
"But now is an era without any political taboos, therefore the TPSA, the elite of Taiwan's new generation, should lead society to actively participate in political affairs."
Chen emphasized his own involvement in the past with dissident democrats, which, he said, made him strongly realize the importance of both the grassroots in society and its intellectuals.
"But, meantime, I need the intellectuals to help me draw up a blueprint for Taiwan," he said.
"It is only the beginning of transferring power in Taiwan, and we face the turning point of adjusting Taiwan's whole structure. The intellectuals, especially those who are in the political science circle, should offer their opinions to assist in reforming the government."
The TPSA already has 10 of its members serving in the Cabinet and Presidential Office. They include Minister of Foreign Affairs Tien Hung-mao (田弘茂), chairman and vice chairman of the Research, Development and Evaluation Commission, Lin Chia-cheng (
MISINFORMATION: The generated content tends to adopt China’s official stance, such as ‘Taiwan is currently governed by the Chinese central government,’ the NSB said Five China-developed artificial intelligence (AI) language models exhibit cybersecurity risks and content biases, an inspection conducted by the National Security Bureau (NSB) showed. The five AI tools are: DeepSeek, Doubao (豆包), Yiyan (文心一言), Tongyi (通義千問) and Yuanbao (騰訊元寶), the bureau said, advising people to remain vigilant to protect personal data privacy and corporate business secrets. The NSB said it, in accordance with the National Intelligence Services Act (國家情報工作法), has reviewed international cybersecurity reports and intelligence, and coordinated with the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau and the National Police Agency’s Criminal Investigation Bureau to conduct an inspection of China-made AI language
BOOST IN CONFIDENCE: The sale sends a clear message of support for Taiwan and dispels rumors that US President Donald Trump ‘sold out’ the nation, an expert said The US government on Thursday announced a possible sale to Taiwan of fighter jet parts, which was estimated to cost about US$330 million, in a move that an expert said “sends a clear message of support for Taiwan” amid fears that Washington might be wavering in its attitude toward Taipei. It was the first announcement of an arms sale to Taiwan since US President Donald Trump returned to the White House earlier this year. The proposed package includes non-standard components, spare and repair parts, consumables and accessories, as well repair and return support for the F-16, C-130 and Indigenous Defense Fighter aircraft,
CHECKING BOUNDARIES: China wants to disrupt solidarity among democracies and test their red lines, but it is instead pushing nations to become more united, an expert said The US Department of State on Friday expressed deep concern over a Chinese public security agency’s investigation into Legislator Puma Shen (沈伯洋) for “secession.” “China’s actions threaten free speech and erode norms that have underpinned the cross-strait ‘status quo’ for decades,” a US Department of State spokesperson said. The Chongqing Municipal Public Security Bureau late last month listed Shen as “wanted” and launched an investigation into alleged “secession-related” criminal activities, including his founding of the Kuma Academy, a civil defense organization that prepares people for an invasion by China. The spokesperson said that the US was “deeply concerned” about the bureau investigating Shen
DISPUTE: A Chinese official prompted a formal protest from Tokyo by saying that ‘the dirty head that sticks itself out must be cut off,’ after Takaichi’s Taiwan remarks Four armed China Coast Guard vessels yesterday morning sailed through disputed waters controlled by Japan, amid a diplomatic spat following Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments on Taiwan. The four ships sailed around the Senkaku Islands — known as the Diaoyutai Islands (釣魚台) to Taiwan, and which Taiwan and China also claim — on Saturday before entering Japanese waters yesterday and left, the Japan Coast Guard said. The China Coast Guard said in a statement that it carried out a “rights enforcement patrol” through the waters and that it was a lawful operation. As of the end of last month,
RSS