Premier Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) yesterday said that the "four noes" policy is only valid so long as the Chinese government does not initiate military action against Taiwan.
"This is our bottom line," Hsieh said. "Should military action begin in the Strait, the `four noes' policy will be automatically invalidated."
Hsieh made his remarks during the weekly Cabinet meeting yesterday morning.
His pointed remarks about the "four noes" are unprecedented.
Promises
President Chen Shui-bian (
The "four noes" refer to the promise to refrain from declaring independence, changing the nation's title, pushing for the inclusion of the state-to-state description of cross-strait relations in the Constitution, or promoting a referendum to change the status quo on independence or unification during Chen's term in office.
Hsieh said that the Chinese government's proposed "anti-secession" law is regarded as a legal excuse for the People's Liberation Army to launch an attack against Taiwan anytime it wants.
Excuses
At the same time, the law was also a legal excuse for the Chinese government to try to limit the Taiwanese people's freedom to choose their future.
"However, it is not appropriate for the government to come up with any further comments at this moment, since the law is still pending," the premier said.
In addition, Hsieh said that national security-related offices and units are following the latest developments relating to the proposed anti-secession law and officials will prepare timely and appropriate reactions or responses whenever necessary.
"In the meantime, I can also tell you that the government's future policy in response to the establishment of the anti-secession law will be based on decisions made by national security offices," Hsieh said.
SECURITY: The purpose for giving Hong Kong and Macau residents more lenient paths to permanent residency no longer applies due to China’s policies, a source said The government is considering removing an optional path to citizenship for residents from Hong Kong and Macau, and lengthening the terms for permanent residence eligibility, a source said yesterday. In a bid to prevent the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from infiltrating Taiwan through immigration from Hong Kong and Macau, the government could amend immigration laws for residents of the territories who currently receive preferential treatment, an official familiar with the matter speaking on condition of anonymity said. The move was part of “national security-related legislative reform,” they added. Under the amendments, arrivals from the Chinese territories would have to reside in Taiwan for
CRITICAL MOVE: TSMC’s plan to invest another US$100 billion in US chipmaking would boost Taiwan’s competitive edge in the global market, the premier said The government would ensure that the most advanced chipmaking technology stays in Taiwan while assisting Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) in investing overseas, the Presidential Office said yesterday. The statement follows a joint announcement by the world’s largest contract chipmaker and US President Donald Trump on Monday that TSMC would invest an additional US$100 billion over the next four years to expand its semiconductor manufacturing operations in the US, which would include construction of three new chip fabrication plants, two advanced packaging facilities, and a research and development center. The government knew about the deal in advance and would assist, Presidential
‘DANGEROUS GAME’: Legislative Yuan budget cuts have already become a point of discussion for Democrats and Republicans in Washington, Elbridge Colby said Taiwan’s fall to China “would be a disaster for American interests” and Taipei must raise defense spending to deter Beijing, US President Donald Trump’s pick to lead Pentagon policy, Elbridge Colby, said on Tuesday during his US Senate confirmation hearing. The nominee for US undersecretary of defense for policy told the Armed Services Committee that Washington needs to motivate Taiwan to avoid a conflict with China and that he is “profoundly disturbed” about its perceived reluctance to raise defense spending closer to 10 percent of GDP. Colby, a China hawk who also served in the Pentagon in Trump’s first team,
The arrival of a cold front tomorrow could plunge temperatures into the mid-teens, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Temperatures yesterday rose to 28°C to 30°C in northern and eastern Taiwan, and 32°C to 33°C in central and southern Taiwan, CWA data showed. Similar but mostly cloudy weather is expected today, the CWA said. However, the arrival of a cold air mass tomorrow would cause a rapid drop in temperatures to 15°C cooler than the previous day’s highs. The cold front, which is expected to last through the weekend, would bring steady rainfall tomorrow, along with multiple waves of showers
RSS