Taiwan's representative to Singapore Hu Wei-jen (
Put aside incredulity that an esteemed institution like Harvard might have room for someone who casually violates his responsibilities. The main problem is that Hu has failed his basic duty by placing personal opinion above the national interest. Not only does this violate professional ethics, it is also embarrassing for the government and damaging to Taiwan's interests.
Moreover, his behavior sets a poor example for other diplomatic officials. He should have resigned a lot earlier if his political ideals were so incompatible with those of the elected government.
Hu's claims about his employment also don't mesh with the facts. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs told him in April that he was to be moved. During that time the ministry considered sending former chief of the general staff Lee Tien-yu (
Hu is the son of Army General Hu Tsung-nan (
But the DPP has treated him well. After the party came to power in 2000, Hu was allowed to remain deputy secretary-general of the National Security Council, and later appointed Taiwan's representative to Germany before transferring to Singapore.
This seems to mean nothing to Hu Wei-jen, whose actions were a deliberate attempt to humiliate the DPP government and thereby curry favor with the KMT -- presumably to improve his chances of acquiring a post of influence for himself if the KMT wins next year's presidential election.
Hu Wei-jen's behavior constitutes a serious breach of protocol. The ministry should do more than just mumble about "regretting" the incident.
After Hu Wei-jen returns to Taiwan, Minister of Foreign Affairs James Huang (
The interests of the country are more important than those of any individual or party. Demeaning a government, a country and its people is a line that no one in the foreign service may cross.
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
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