Category: Taiwan

China threatens U.S. Congress for crossing its ‘red line’ on Taiwan

By Josh Rogin / October 12, 2017/ The Washington Post

In a rare pressure campaign, the Chinese government is demanding that the U.S. Congress back off passing new laws that would strengthen the U.S. relationship with Taiwan. Beijing’s efforts are the latest sign that it is stepping up its campaign to exert political influence inside countries around the world, including the United States. Continue reading “China threatens U.S. Congress for crossing its ‘red line’ on Taiwan” →

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Why are so Many Hongkongers Moving to Taiwan?

By Nick Westra / 1 October 2017 / SCMP

The cha chaan teng (tea cafes) started by Michael Lee in 1999 could be carbon copies of those that punctuate street corners in North Point and Mong Kok. Staple foods like century egg and pork congee, pan-fried radish cakes and French toast with thick slabs of butter are dished out around the clock to customers in Art Deco seating areas adorned with posters dripping with nostalgia for Hong Kong, the city after which the chain is named. But one thing is out of place: the cafes are 800km away, in Taipei. Continue reading “Why are so Many Hongkongers Moving to Taiwan?” →

Taiwan appoints new premier amid tense China relations

By Ralph Jennings | AP September 5

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan’s president on Tuesday appointed a new premier seen as willing to reach out to rival China amid ongoing tense relations between the two sides. Continue reading “Taiwan appoints new premier amid tense China relations” →

China sets rules for news reports on Taiwan, HK

by Lim Yan Liang / July 25, 2017 / Straitstimes

The official Xinhua news agency has updated its style guide for Chinese journalists, with a major part of the update stressing China’s sovereignty over Taiwan and Hong Kong. Continue reading “China sets rules for news reports on Taiwan, HK” →

Full text of Constitutional Court ruling in favor of same-sex marriage

By S.C. Chang / May 24, 2017 / Focus Taiwan

Taiwan’s Constitutional Court ruled Wednesday that the Civil Code provisions that do not allow same-sex marriage are unconstitutional and asked the government to amend relevant laws within two years to protect gay couples’ rights. Continue reading “Full text of Constitutional Court ruling in favor of same-sex marriage” →

Taiwan, not China, is its own worst enemy

By Robyn Mak / Reuters/ April 24, 2017

(Reuters Breakingviews) – Taiwan faces a bigger threat than Chinese invasion: its own economic mismanagement. President Tsai Ing-wen has outlined plans to bolster growth, including a $29 billion stimulus package, but bolder reforms favoured by the business community look hobbled by politics. The irony is that a politician whose party is defined by resistance to Beijing may leave Taiwan more dependent on the mainland than ever. Continue reading “Taiwan, not China, is its own worst enemy” →

Hong Kong is not Taiwan, but its commitment to democracy is no less significant

by Gary Wong Chi-him / 23 April 2017 /SCMP

In 2014, Ko Wen-je broke the ideological rivalry between the blue and green coalitions in Taiwan to become the first Taipei mayor with no party affiliation.

I studied his campaign model in the hope of seeking an alternative path out of the split in Hong Kong between the pro-establishment, pan-democratic and self-determination camps, and recently attended Ko’s seminar in Taipei. His ideas on politics and management were insightful, but his comment about Hong Kong sparked a reaction from those of us fighting for democracy here. Continue reading “Hong Kong is not Taiwan, but its commitment to democracy is no less significant” →

Is Taiwan’s Freedom Better than Singapore’s ‘Caged Canaries’ and Hong Kong’s ‘Lost Soul’?

by Justin Hugo / April 17, 2017 / The News Lens

Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je’s (柯文哲) recent remarks about countries south of Taiwan at the 30th anniversary of local magazine The Journalist ruffled some feathers. His comment that Hong Kong “doesn’t even have a soul that is free” drew a rebuttal from Hong Kong’s pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong. Continue reading “Is Taiwan’s Freedom Better than Singapore’s ‘Caged Canaries’ and Hong Kong’s ‘Lost Soul’?” →