Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan (
At such a crucial time for the future of the country, it is worth reminding the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) that there has been a dangerous polarization of public opinion over these visits. The government must clearly state its stance on these trips in order to resolve the suspicions between rival camps and defuse potential confrontations.
Regrettably, President Chen Shui-bian (
A succession of opposition officials have visited China, meeting with a government that claims Taiwan is a part of its territory and that Taiwan's democratically elected government is nothing more than a regional government similar to those in Hong Kong and Macao. Faced with this situation, why is this nation's government doing nothing more than watching from the sidelines? Have the nation's leaders nothing to say and no policy to put forward as opposition officials engage in a dangerous farce with the other side of the Strait?
When a serious split occurs in domestic politics, the people have the right to demand the government engage with them and explain what measures it is taking and in what direction it is leading them. The efficacy of closed-door methods of resolving political crises is a myth. Successive US presidents have understood this and have engaged the public in "fireside talks" during which they reveal their thinking and help the people understand where the government is taking the country. Chen should consider a similar method.
Trying to deal with a political crisis by keeping the ruling party and its legislative caucus in the dark over party policy is absurd. Only by communicating with the people can the government reduce misunderstanding and friction between the public and the government. Only in this way can a situation in which a small number of politicians instigate violence between rival political camps be avoided. Chen should bear this in mind as the first anniversary of his second term in office approaches.
What worries the people of this country is that China could get involved in domestic politics through the KMT and the PFP. The opposition has long sought to impede the president, which would serve Beijing's political interests.
The pan-blue camp has long been making preparations for a bid to recall Chen, and there are even suggestions that members of the pan-green camp would not shrink from this course of action. Therefore, Chen must not hesitate to demonstrate his leadership and tell the people what he intends to do, instead of what he cannot do. Chen should not be afraid to rely on public opinion since the majority is strongly opposed to Beijing's efforts to ally itself with the opposition. Only in this way will the people fully accept Chen as their leader.
Two weeks ago, Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh (楊紫瓊) raised hackles in Taiwan by posting to her 2.6 million Instagram followers that she was visiting “Taipei, China.” Yeoh’s post continues a long-standing trend of Chinese propaganda that spreads disinformation about Taiwan’s political status and geography, aimed at deceiving the world into supporting its illegitimate claims to Taiwan, which is not and has never been part of China. Taiwan must respond to this blatant act of cognitive warfare. Failure to respond merely cedes ground to China to continue its efforts to conquer Taiwan in the global consciousness to justify an invasion. Taiwan’s government
This month’s news that Taiwan ranks as Asia’s happiest place according to this year’s World Happiness Report deserves both celebration and reflection. Moving up from 31st to 27th globally and surpassing Singapore as Asia’s happiness leader is gratifying, but the true significance lies deeper than these statistics. As a society at the crossroads of Eastern tradition and Western influence, Taiwan embodies a distinctive approach to happiness worth examining more closely. The report highlights Taiwan’s exceptional habit of sharing meals — 10.1 shared meals out of 14 weekly opportunities, ranking eighth globally. This practice is not merely about food, but represents something more
In an article published on this page on Tuesday, Kaohsiung-based journalist Julien Oeuillet wrote that “legions of people worldwide would care if a disaster occurred in South Korea or Japan, but the same people would not bat an eyelid if Taiwan disappeared.” That is quite a statement. We are constantly reading about the importance of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), hailed in Taiwan as the nation’s “silicon shield” protecting it from hostile foreign forces such as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and so crucial to the global supply chain for semiconductors that its loss would cost the global economy US$1
Concerns that the US might abandon Taiwan are often overstated. While US President Donald Trump’s handling of Ukraine raised unease in Taiwan, it is crucial to recognize that Taiwan is not Ukraine. Under Trump, the US views Ukraine largely as a European problem, whereas the Indo-Pacific region remains its primary geopolitical focus. Taipei holds immense strategic value for Washington and is unlikely to be treated as a bargaining chip in US-China relations. Trump’s vision of “making America great again” would be directly undermined by any move to abandon Taiwan. Despite the rhetoric of “America First,” the Trump administration understands the necessity of