Exchanges and communication between Taiwanese legislators and their counterparts abroad will further focus on the promotion of economic ties and the revealing of facts regarding China's interfering with Taiwan's activities in the international arena, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator You Ching (
You, who is chairman of the legislature's Exchange Association of Taiwanese and European Legislators, said that a group of 12 legislators from the ruling DPP and opposition Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) have met successfully with influential German political figures, including Hermann Otto Solms, Vice President of the German parliament, and representatives of parliamentary caucuses of four major parties.
"We have expressed our appreciation of the German parliament's consistent refusal to lift the EU arms embargo against China," You said on Tuesday.
In addition, You said that legislators had kept abreast of the situation regarding a possible parliamentary election in September and how Taiwan could be affected by it.
Meanwhile, You said that legislators also revealed Taiwan's resolution to contribute to international society.
"We hope Germany can persuade other EU members to cultivate a rational attitude on issues pertaining to Taiwan's participation in major international organizations, such as the World Health Organization, like any other global villagers," You said.
DPP Legislator Chuang Suo-han (莊碩漢) said that China's hampering Taiwan from interacting with the rest of the world, such as through the promulgation of its "Anti-Secession" Law against Taiwan in March, had been clearly explained to the countries the group visited.
Berlin is the last stop for the group on their trip to Europe.
Previously, the group visited Australia, Belgium and France. In addition to exchanging opinions and viewpoints, KMT Legislator Justin Chou (周守訓) said Taiwan's parliamentary exchange program also deals with concrete matters like strengthening economic ties between Taiwan and other countries. Chou said that possible business opportunities involving Airbus were discussed with government officials in France and both sides verbally agreed to organize exchange visits of high-ranking officials in the future.
Similarly, business opportunities are also available to certain German enterprises in the renewable-energy industry.
"German enterprises have mature technologies pertaining to wind turbines and solar panels. Other nations should pay attention to Taiwan's goal of getting 12 percent of its electricity from renewable-energy sources by 2020," DPP Legislator Wang To-far (
The Ministry of Economic Affairs has fined Taobao NT$1.2 million (US$36,912) for advertisements that exceed its approved business scope, requiring the Chinese e-commerce platform to make corrections in the first half of this year or its license may be revoked. Lawmakers have called for stricter enforcement of Chinese e-commerce platforms and measures to prevent China from laundering its goods through Taiwan in response to US President Donald Trump’s heavy tariffs on China. The Legislative Yuan’s Finance Committee met today to discuss policies to prevent China from dumping goods in Taiwan, inviting government agencies to report. Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Kuo Kuo-wen (郭國文) said
The Ministry of Economic Affairs has fined Taobao NT$1.2 million (US$36,900) for advertisements that exceeded its approved business scope and ordered the Chinese e-commerce platform to make corrections in the first half of this year or its license would be revoked. Lawmakers have called for stricter supervision of Chinese e-commerce platforms and more stringent measures to prevent China from laundering its goods through Taiwan as US President Donald Trump’s administration cracks down on origin laundering. The legislature’s Finance Committee yesterday met to discuss policies to prevent China from dumping goods in Taiwan, inviting government agencies to report on the matter. Democratic Progressive Party
Taiwan and its Pacific ally Tuvalu on Tuesday signed two accords aimed at facilitating bilateral cooperation on labor affairs, according to Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). The governments inked two agreements in Taipei, witnessed by Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) and visiting Deputy Tuvaluan Prime Minister Panapasi Nelesone, MOFA said in a news release. According to MOFA, the agreements will facilitate cooperation on labor issues and allow the two sides to mutually recognize seafarers’ certificates and related training. Taiwan would also continue to collaborate with Tuvalu across various fields to promote economic prosperity as well as the well-being of their
Sung Chien-liang (宋建樑), who led efforts to recall Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Lee Kun-cheng (李坤城), was released on bail of NT$80,000 today amid outcry over his decision to wear a Nazi armband to questioning the night before. Sung arrived at the New Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office for questioning in a recall petition forgery case last night wearing a red armband bearing a swastika, carrying a copy of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf and giving a Nazi salute. Sung left the building at 1:15am without the armband and covering the book with his coat. Lee said today that this is a serious