It has been almost one year since the attempted assassination of President Chen Shui-bian (
One of the biggest changes since the assassination attempt is of course the relationship between the KMT and the People First Party (PFP). The PFP was a passionate and enthusiastic participant in the post-election rallies and protests against Chen's re-election. In fact, several PFP lawmakers were even seen spearheading riots in various places at the time.
But this time around, PFP Chairman James Soong (
One year ago, there was still hope of a merger between the KMT and PFP. However, the growing rift between the two parties has made it virtually impossible for the merger to take place. One year ago, Lien, Soong and their supporters did not think they would have to worry about early retirement so soon. After the pan-blue election defeat, Lien put up a fight to maintain his grip on power in the KMT. When the pan-blue camp won a majority in the Legislative Yuan, for a while it seemed that Lien would be able to stay in the leadership throne a little while longer and resist generational succession within his party. Now, with Soong, his sidekick in the presidential election, reconciling with Chen, it will be hard for Lien to run a one-man show.
These days, with the exception of Lien and his cronies, the most important things on the mind of KMT members is the upcoming election of the KMT chairman. With all eyes fixed on the two biggest contenders -- Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (
While many people feel skeptical about the recent breakthrough in the investigation of the assassination attempt, it is hard to see what can possibly be accomplished by holding the rally. The investigation is not yet over, and the police are still searching for additional evidence. Even though nobody can deny the fact that the public has a constitutionally protected right to assemble, the mere thought of re-living the chaos and unrest spurred by the massive rallies last year is enough to cause jitters.
If people are really bent on exercising their right to assemble, participating in the planned rally to protest China's "anti-secession" law would most definitely be a more worthwhile cause.
The gutting of Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Asia (RFA) by US President Donald Trump’s administration poses a serious threat to the global voice of freedom, particularly for those living under authoritarian regimes such as China. The US — hailed as the model of liberal democracy — has the moral responsibility to uphold the values it champions. In undermining these institutions, the US risks diminishing its “soft power,” a pivotal pillar of its global influence. VOA Tibetan and RFA Tibetan played an enormous role in promoting the strong image of the US in and outside Tibet. On VOA Tibetan,
Sung Chien-liang (宋建樑), the leader of the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) efforts to recall Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Lee Kun-cheng (李坤城), caused a national outrage and drew diplomatic condemnation on Tuesday after he arrived at the New Taipei City District Prosecutors’ Office dressed in a Nazi uniform. Sung performed a Nazi salute and carried a copy of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf as he arrived to be questioned over allegations of signature forgery in the recall petition. The KMT’s response to the incident has shown a striking lack of contrition and decency. Rather than apologizing and distancing itself from Sung’s actions,
US President Trump weighed into the state of America’s semiconductor manufacturing when he declared, “They [Taiwan] stole it from us. They took it from us, and I don’t blame them. I give them credit.” At a prior White House event President Trump hosted TSMC chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家), head of the world’s largest and most advanced chip manufacturer, to announce a commitment to invest US$100 billion in America. The president then shifted his previously critical rhetoric on Taiwan and put off tariffs on its chips. Now we learn that the Trump Administration is conducting a “trade investigation” on semiconductors which
By now, most of Taiwan has heard Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an’s (蔣萬安) threats to initiate a vote of no confidence against the Cabinet. His rationale is that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)-led government’s investigation into alleged signature forgery in the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) recall campaign constitutes “political persecution.” I sincerely hope he goes through with it. The opposition currently holds a majority in the Legislative Yuan, so the initiation of a no-confidence motion and its passage should be entirely within reach. If Chiang truly believes that the government is overreaching, abusing its power and targeting political opponents — then
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