The Taipei First Girls High School (TFG) has banned its teachers from participating in interviews with Chinese state media after one instructor sparked an outcry by criticizing President William Lai (賴清德) on China Central Television (CCTV).
In an announcement to staff and students Monday, Principal Chen Chih-yuan (陳智源) said TFG maintains a "free and democratic" campus environment, tolerating and respecting a diverse range of viewpoints as long as they don’t violate school rules.
"However, in light of the current cross-strait tensions, and to avoid creating unnecessary troubles, [TFG] will prohibit teachers from accepting interviews with state media of the People’s Republic of China (such as CCTV) with immediate effect," the statement said.
Photo: Tsai Ya-hua, Taipei Times
As of last night, Chen had also set his Facebook account to private, and a TFG official said the school did not wish to comment on the issue.
The controversy arose last week after the Taipei Department of Education received complaints about comments that TFG teacher Ou Kui-chih (區桂芝) made during an appearance on Chinese national broadcaster CCTV.
During an interview, Ou criticized Lai’s move to designate China as a "hostile foreign force," saying she didn’t know how she could face her Chinese relatives.
Ou, who teaches Chinese literature, previously made headlines in 2023 when she slammed new government curriculum guidelines that cut the number of classical Chinese texts as politically motivated "desinicization" and "a crime deserving more than 10,000 deaths."
Following Ou’s comments, the Taipei Department of Education said it would allow the school to handle the matter internally, adding that it respects teachers’ professional autonomy and freedom of speech as long as they uphold the principle of educational neutrality.
Minister of Education Cheng Ying-yao (鄭英耀) said last week that while he respects teachers’ freedom of expression, they should also maintain a clear sense of national consciousness and identity.
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) on Friday laid out the Cabinet’s updated policy agenda and recapped the government’s achievements ahead of the one-year anniversary of President William Lai’s (賴清德) inauguration. Cho said the government had made progress across a range of areas, including rebuilding Hualien, cracking down on fraud, improving pedestrian safety and promoting economic growth. “I hope the public will not have the impression that the Cabinet only asked the legislature to reconsider a bunch of legal amendments,” Cho said, calling the moves “necessary” to protect constitutional governance and the public’s interest. The Cabinet would work toward achieving its “1+7” plan, he said. The