A cropped image of Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) pointing to a blackboard that says: “Year-end bonus... Every resident gets NT$40,000 [US$1,337]... Taichung has a NT$12 billion surplus... Academics urge the government to return the money to the people,” has been circulating online for several da
The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the Taiwan People’s Party on July 11 leveraged their legislative majority to pass the third reading of the Special Act for Strengthening Economic, Social and National Security Resilience in Response to International Circumstances (因應國際情勢強化經濟社會及國土安全韌性特別條例). It
In the aftermath of the recall votes on Saturday last week, international media headlines declared: “Voters in Taiwan reject bid to oust China-friendly lawmakers” (The Associated Press, July 26) and: “Attempt to unseat 24 ‘pro-China’ opposition politicians in Taiwan fails” (Guardian, July 26).The do
The “Great Recall” movement — targeting 31 legislators, more than one-fourth of the Legislative Yuan — marked a milestone in Taiwan’s constitutional history. While the results might not have shifted parliamentary power, the campaign’s institutional, social and geopolitical effects highlight a crucia
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A landmark opinion delivered by the UN’s highest court last week that governments must protect the climate is already being cited in courtrooms, as lawyers say it strengthens the legal arguments in suits against countries and companies.The International Court of Justice (ICJ), also known as the Worl
When Japanese ice pop maker Akagi Nyugyo raised its prices a meager ￥10 in 2016, its somber-faced management appeared in a one-minute commercial, bowing silently in apology as a melancholy folk song lamented the inevitability of price hikes.Almost a decade later, the Saitama-based company has change
Birthrates are falling to historic lows across the developed world, and understanding why is a priority for governments worried about the impact on growth and public finances. Our own preferences and priorities play a big part, research suggests: Career progression, social norms and how we choose to
Workers’ rights groups on July 17 called on the Ministry of Labor to protect migrant fishers, days after CNN reported what it described as a “pattern of abuse” in Taiwan’s distant-water fishing industry.The report detailed the harrowing account of Indonesian migrant fisher Silwanus Tangkotta, who cr
Behind the gloating, the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) must be letting out a big sigh of relief. Its powerful party machine saved the day, but it took that much effort just to survive a challenge mounted by a humble group of active citizens, and in areas where the KMT is historically strong.On the
The parliamentary system originated in the UK, where a bicameral structure — comprising two houses — has long been in place. Many countries that have modeled their legislatures after the British system have likewise adopted a bicameral framework.The widespread adoption of bicameralism is not without
Saturday’s mass recall ended in defeat. Civic groups tirelessly giving their all are not to blame; the fault lies with the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Voters have punished the DPP by rejecting ousting lawmakers from the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), and civic groups are facing a se
United Microelectronics Corp founder Robert Tsao (曹興誠) has been the heart and soul of the mass recall movement. Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) legislators have continually abused their authority in a purposeful attempt to paralyze the Democratic Progressive Party (DP
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While Palestinians in Gaza die in ever-increasing numbers from starvation each day and a growing number of legal scholars, aid officials and politicians have begun describing Israel’s actions as genocide, a definitive ruling on the question by the world’s top court would be a long time coming.Expert
The proposed inclusion of Chinese shipping giant COSCO in Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison’s (長江和記實業) contentious global ports sale is a potential win for Beijing in a strategic sector, but the deal is far from final and could face resistance from Washington, sources and analysts said.Since the d
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) held a news conference to celebrate his party’s success in surviving Saturday’s mass recall vote, shortly after the final results were confirmed. While the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) would have much preferred a different result, it was
Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has always had a tradition of holding its leadership accountable for election defeats. Despite the LDP having already experienced three consecutive losses under the leadership of Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Ishiba has insisted on staying in power to
For nearly eight decades, Taiwan has provided a home for, and shielded and nurtured, the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT). After losing the Chinese Civil War in 1949, the KMT fled to Taiwan, bringing with it hundreds of thousands of soldiers, along with people who would go on to become public servant
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