Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) yesterday urged the public not to blame the Philippine Coast Guard’s killing of a Taiwanese fisherman last week on Filipino workers and visitors, adding that the city government would work to ensure the safety of such workers in Taipei.
The shooting of Taiwanese fisherman Hung Shih-cheng (洪石成) in contested waters in the South China Sea has sparked public anger at the Philippines, and the nation has demanded a formal apology and compensation from Manila.
Hau yesterday reiterated his condemnation of the Philippines’ failure to meet Taiwan’s demands and take full responsibility for the incident. He added that letters had been sent to Taipei’s sister cities of Manila and Quezon to retract its invitation for them to participate in Taipei’s annual dragon boat festival next month, while suspending all city-to-city exchanges.
However, he called on the public to remain rational and refrain from taking their anger out on Philippine workers and visitors in Taiwan.
“The public should stay rational and treat Philippine workers and visitors with friendly attitudes because they are innocent. We do not want any irrational reactions to complicate Taiwan’s handling of the incident,” he said.
Hau’s comments came amid allegations that Filipino workers are being treated viciously by Taiwanese in the wake of the incident.
Netizens shared a message yesterday on Facebook from the Trans Asia Sisters Association that called on Taiwanese not to shift the blame on to Philippine citizens after some Filipino workers said that fellow workers were reportedly being beaten or shouted at on the street in many parts of the nation.
Hau said the Taipei Police Department would enhance patrols at locations where Filipinos gather, such as the Taipei Railway Station and Zhongshan N Road, to ensure their safety. The city’s Department of Labor Affairs will also assist any worker who files a complaint.
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
RSS