POLITICS
TPP lawmaker investigated
The Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office said it is investigating claims that Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Legislator Wu Chun-cheng (吳春城) used his position to help companies affiliated with him and his family gain government contracts. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus on Thursday said Wu had failed to avoid conflicts of interest in government tenders, and that he had profited from businesses affiliated with his wife, siblings, children and in-laws. Companies affiliated with Wu and his family have won NT$1.1 billion (US$33.58 million) in government contracts, they added. The Act Promoting Development for Strong Generation Policies and Industries (壯世代政策與產業發展促進法), promoted by Wu and passed by the legislature on Jan. 24, was part of Wu’s efforts to consolidate his business empire, the DPP said. Wu said he was confident in facing inspections, as long as they are fair and political powers do not intervene. He said he had not been involved in bidding for government contracts since he became a legislator in February last year. The only tender the Strong Generation Association — a group he chaired until Jan. 24 — participated in was three years ago in Chiayi City, Wu added.
Photo: CNA
DEFENSE
Six balloons detected
The Ministry of National Defense yesterday said it detected six Chinese balloons near the nation in the 24 hours to 6am yesterday, one of the highest number of balloons detected. Nine Chinese military aircraft, six warships and two official ships were also detected near Taiwan over the same period. The balloons were spotted at an altitude of 4.8768km to 6.096km, one of which directly flew over the nation, the ministry said. Chinese balloons have been regularly spotted over waters near Taiwan in the past few months, but yesterday’s figure is one of the highest recorded, an Agence France-Presse tally of military data showed. Taiwan last year detected a record of eight Chinese balloons less than a month after the Democratic Progressive Party’s William Lai (賴清德) won the presidential election. Taiwan says the Chinese balloons are a form of “gray zone” harassment — a tactic that can exhaust the nation’s armed forces, but falls short of an act of war.
SOCIETY
Chinese ID issue probed
The Ministry of the Interior is investigating companies across Taiwan that have allegedly helped Taiwanese illegally procure Chinese IDs. It said it has already questioned more than 30 people regarding the issue. Minister of the Interior Liu Shyh-fang (劉世芳) on Thursday said that the ministry is investigating whether travel agencies and public relations companies in northern, central and southern Taiwan have assisted Taiwanese in illegally obtaining Chinese national IDs. Taiwan’s and China’s household registration and nationality systems are “mutually exclusive,” Liu said. Under the Nationality Act (國籍法), it is illegal for Taiwanese to simultaneously possess valid Chinese and Taiwanese documents. The ministry has yet to determine whether the alleged actions by Taiwan-based organizations were “purely commercial” activities or whether they were part of broader efforts by the Chinese Communist Party to promote the political unification of Taiwan and China. The issue garnered attention recently after YouTuber Pa Chiung (八炯) said that there are companies in Taiwan that enable Taiwanese to apply for Chinese documents.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs has fined Taobao NT$1.2 million (US$36,912) for advertisements that exceed its approved business scope, requiring the Chinese e-commerce platform to make corrections in the first half of this year or its license may be revoked. Lawmakers have called for stricter enforcement of Chinese e-commerce platforms and measures to prevent China from laundering its goods through Taiwan in response to US President Donald Trump’s heavy tariffs on China. The Legislative Yuan’s Finance Committee met today to discuss policies to prevent China from dumping goods in Taiwan, inviting government agencies to report. Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Kuo Kuo-wen (郭國文) said
The Ministry of Economic Affairs has fined Taobao NT$1.2 million (US$36,900) for advertisements that exceeded its approved business scope and ordered the Chinese e-commerce platform to make corrections in the first half of this year or its license would be revoked. Lawmakers have called for stricter supervision of Chinese e-commerce platforms and more stringent measures to prevent China from laundering its goods through Taiwan as US President Donald Trump’s administration cracks down on origin laundering. The legislature’s Finance Committee yesterday met to discuss policies to prevent China from dumping goods in Taiwan, inviting government agencies to report on the matter. Democratic Progressive Party
Taiwan and its Pacific ally Tuvalu on Tuesday signed two accords aimed at facilitating bilateral cooperation on labor affairs, according to Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). The governments inked two agreements in Taipei, witnessed by Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) and visiting Deputy Tuvaluan Prime Minister Panapasi Nelesone, MOFA said in a news release. According to MOFA, the agreements will facilitate cooperation on labor issues and allow the two sides to mutually recognize seafarers’ certificates and related training. Taiwan would also continue to collaborate with Tuvalu across various fields to promote economic prosperity as well as the well-being of their
Sung Chien-liang (宋建樑), who led efforts to recall Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Lee Kun-cheng (李坤城), was released on bail of NT$80,000 today amid outcry over his decision to wear a Nazi armband to questioning the night before. Sung arrived at the New Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office for questioning in a recall petition forgery case last night wearing a red armband bearing a swastika, carrying a copy of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf and giving a Nazi salute. Sung left the building at 1:15am without the armband and covering the book with his coat. Lee said today that this is a serious
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