Two groups of people have suffered as a result of melamine-tainted Chinese milk powder — those who consumed the milk and other related products and employees and business owners of related industries.
The first group includes those who have suffered physical harm. The second group consists of owners and employees of firms that purchased contaminated powder for use in their products and then had to take them off the shelves. These businesses have incurred financial losses and the scandal has tarnished their reputations. There are also other manufacturers whose products do not contain tainted milk but who have still suffered because many consumers remain afraid of buying dairy products.
Only a few people in Taiwan have had their health directly affected by the tainted milk and they can seek compensation from the Department of Health. The department, however, has no reason to use taxpayer money to pay compensation for milk powder-related business problems. The government should claim compensation from the Chinese government on behalf of all Taiwanese victims.
Taiwanese manufacturers and retailers have recalled and destroyed products that contain milk imported from China. These businesses have lost orders and their reputations have been damaged. They should also be entitled to seek compensation. However, companies doing business with China may fear retribution if they try to directly claim compensation from the Chinese government. Therefore, our government has a responsibility to represent these companies in dealing with China.
A number of foreign companies with established brands have been spending money on advertisements to say that their products are free of tainted milk powder. This shows that even these famous firms have suffered losses from the milk debacle. Chain stores and street vendors who sell products containing milk have been doing likewise, putting up signs to say that their goods do not contain Chinese milk powder. Some of them are even trying to attract customers with special deals. Their businesses have clearly taken a turn for the worse and so they too have a right to ask for compensation.
Taiwan sent a delegation to China to deal with the tainted milk affair, but its mission was to listen to official explanations, not to raise compensation claims. However, Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait Chairman Chen Yunlin (陳雲林) will soon visit Taiwan. As the highest-ranking Chinese official ever to visit Taiwan, Chen is the right person to approach with compensation claims. The Democratic Progressive Party and some non-governmental organizations are planning to hold demonstrations when he visits Taiwan. They could make compensation one of their main demands.
Pressing Chen would have two benefits. First, it would show that Taiwan is not a mere appendage or slave of China. Second, it would show that Taiwan’s political parties and groups are concerned with public welfare. A strong response from these groups would give the government strong backing in requesting compensation from China. We should request reasonable compensation, or even for less than what is fair in the interests of improving cross-strait relations.
Considering the massive profits made by state-owned Chinese companies and Beijing’s huge tax revenues, China can and must pay the price to avoid further damage to its image.
The WTO and WHO should assist China in compensating the victims of tainted milk powder. WHO Director-General Margaret Chan (陳馮富珍) should give priority to helping China clean up this mess.
Paul Lin is a political commentator.
TRANSLATED BY DREW CAMERON
A chip made by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) was found on a Huawei Technologies Co artificial intelligence (AI) processor, indicating a possible breach of US export restrictions that have been in place since 2019 on sensitive tech to the Chinese firm and others. The incident has triggered significant concern in the IT industry, as it appears that proxy buyers are acting on behalf of restricted Chinese companies to bypass the US rules, which are intended to protect its national security. Canada-based research firm TechInsights conducted a die analysis of the Huawei Ascend 910B AI Trainer, releasing its findings on Oct.
In honor of President Jimmy Carter’s 100th birthday, my longtime friend and colleague John Tkacik wrote an excellent op-ed reassessing Carter’s derecognition of Taipei. But I would like to add my own thoughts on this often-misunderstood president. During Carter’s single term as president of the United States from 1977 to 1981, despite numerous foreign policy and domestic challenges, he is widely recognized for brokering the historic 1978 Camp David Accords that ended the state of war between Egypt and Israel after more than three decades of hostilities. It is considered one of the most significant diplomatic achievements of the 20th century.
As the war in Burma stretches into its 76th year, China continues to play both sides. Beijing backs the junta, which seized power in the 2021 coup, while also funding some of the resistance groups fighting the regime. Some suggest that Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) is hedging his bets, positioning China to side with the victors regardless of the outcome. However, a more accurate explanation is that China is acting pragmatically to safeguard its investments and ensure the steady flow of natural resources and energy for its economy. China’s primary interest is stability and supporting the junta initially seemed like the best
Numerous expert analyses characterize today’s US presidential election as a risk for Taiwan, given that the two major candidates, US Vice President Kamala Harris and former US president Donald Trump, are perceived to possess divergent foreign policy perspectives. If Harris is elected, many presume that the US would maintain its existing relationship with Taiwan, as established through the American Institute in Taiwan, and would continue to sell Taiwan weapons and equipment to help it defend itself against China. Under the administration of US President Joe Biden, whose political views Harris shares, the US on Oct. 25 authorized arms transfers to Taiwan, another
RSS