■Direct links
County chief seeks opening
Kinmen County Chief Lee Chu-feng (李柱烽) yesterday called for the signing of cooperation agreements with China to pave the way for direct links. Lee made the remark while welcoming a 20-member media delegation from Fujian Province, the first of its kind to visit the frontline island. Although on Jan. 1, last year, direct trade and transport links were established between the islands of Kinmen and Matsu and Fujian's two ports -- commonly known as the "three small links" -- Lee said the effects have been limited due to a lack of systematic exchanges or full-scale exchanges. He said Taiwan and China should sign formal accords to allow full trade, transport and postal links to meet the needs of the people on the two sides. He said Kinmen would be willing to help push for bilateral negotiations to accomplish this objective.
■ Diplomacy
Haitian leader gives thanks
Former Haitian president Rene Preval on Tuesday praised the wide-ranging assistance Taiwan has extended to his country, describing Taiwan as Haiti's "most faithful friend." Preval said Taipei is wholehearted in giving its assistance, no matter whether it is economic, technical or moral support. He said sharing of development experience is also important in helping Haiti get back on its feet. Preval made the remarks during an interview with CNA at which the ROC Ambassador Lu Ching-lung (呂慶龍) was also present. Recounting Beijing's attempt to set up formal ties with Haiti, Preval said that his government was only interested in forging trade links with China. Preval also lauded Lu as an outstanding and responsible envoy, good at strengthening coordination and promoting bilateral cooperation.
■ Diplomacy
Dignitary meets Wang
Marshall Islands parliament speaker Litokwa Tomeing yesterday urged Beijing to dismantle its missiles deployed along coastal provinces. Tomeing made the remarks while calling on his counterpart Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平). Noting that peace is an important factor that affects partnership and a basic climate where all countries in the world can co-exist, Tomeing urged Beijing to impose self-restraint, especially in dismantling its missiles, to seek peace in the Asia-Pacific region. He also expressed the hope that cross-strait issues will be solved through peaceful dialogue. Tomeing reiterated his parliament's support in further promoting bilateral cooperative relations and said Marshall Islands people will take all necessary measures to strengthen bilateral ties. Wang thanked Tomeing for his remarks, hoping that the two countries will maintain an everlasting friendly relationship.
■ Diplomacy
Lu wants to visit Panama
Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) said yesterday that she would like to visit Panama to help cement the close relations between the two countries. Lu made the remarks during a meeting at the Presidential Office with Panama's Minister of Youth, Women, Children and Families Alba Tejada de Rolla. The Panamanian official invited Lu to visit Panama next year when the country celebrates its centennial anniversary. Lu also discussed her hope of establishing an organization of the world's female leaders and thanked Panamanian President Mireya Moscoso for agreeing to travel to Taiwan in March to attend a conference of the Democratic Pacific Union.
Agencies
Thirty-five earthquakes have exceeded 5.5 on the Richter scale so far this year, the most in 14 years, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said on Facebook on Thursday. A large earthquake in Hualien County on April 3 released five times as much the energy as the 921 Earthquake on Sept. 21, 1999, the agency said in its latest earthquake report for this year. Hualien County has had the most national earthquake alerts so far this year at 64, with Yilan County second with 23 and Changhua County third with nine, the agency said. The April 3 earthquake was what caused the increase in
INTIMIDATION: In addition to the likely military drills near Taiwan, China has also been waging a disinformation campaign to sow division between Taiwan and the US Beijing is poised to encircle Taiwan proper in military exercise “Joint Sword-2024C,” starting today or tomorrow, as President William Lai (賴清德) returns from his visit to diplomatic allies in the Pacific, a national security official said yesterday. Commenting on condition of anonymity, the official said that multiple intelligence sources showed that China is “highly likely” to launch new drills around Taiwan. Although the drills’ scale is unknown, there is little doubt that they are part of the military activities China initiated before Lai’s departure, they said. Beijing at the same time is conducting information warfare by fanning skepticism of the US and
Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) is unlikely to attempt an invasion of Taiwan during US president-elect Donald Trump’s time in office, Taiwanese and foreign academics said on Friday. Trump is set to begin his second term early next year. Xi’s ambition to establish China as a “true world power” has intensified over the years, but he would not initiate an invasion of Taiwan “in the near future,” as his top priority is to maintain the regime and his power, not unification, Tokyo Woman’s Christian University distinguished visiting professor and contemporary Chinese politics expert Akio Takahara said. Takahara made the comment at a
DEFENSE: This month’s shipment of 38 modern M1A2T tanks would begin to replace the US-made M60A3 and indigenous CM11 tanks, whose designs date to the 1980s The M1A2T tanks that Taiwan expects to take delivery of later this month are to spark a “qualitative leap” in the operational capabilities of the nation’s armored forces, a retired general told the Liberty Times (sister paper of the Taipei Times) in an interview published yesterday. On Tuesday, the army in a statement said it anticipates receiving the first batch of 38 M1A2T Abrams main battle tanks from the US, out of 108 tanks ordered, in the coming weeks. The M1 Abrams main battle tank is a generation ahead of the Taiwanese army’s US-made M60A3 and indigenously developed CM11 tanks, which have
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