Germany shows its support
Two German navy ships sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Friday, the first time in 22 years that any German naval vessel has made an appearance in this sensitive waterway.
The move shows that Germany is paying attention to developments in the Taiwan Strait and is acting in unison with the US, Canada and other countries to demonstrate resistance to the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) military expansionism.
These military operations not only indicate support for Taiwan, but are also a clear signal to the CCP: The international community is not going to sit idly by as China continues its provocations.
China’s military intimidation against Taiwan has increased almost daily. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army deploys fighter jets and naval vessels around Taiwan with increasing regularity. The CCP is also expanding the scope of its military drills in the Taiwan Strait.
The CCP’s provocations are not only a direct threat to Taiwan, they also dramatically ratchet up tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, with the aim of destroying peace and stability. The international community has no choice but to pay close attention to the CCP’s expansion attempts and start taking concrete actions to contain these threats.
This greater attention by the international community provides an invaluable opportunity. Taiwan ought to take full advantage of it to enhance its self-defense capabilities and initiate cooperation with friendly nations through international dialogue.
In facing the CCP’s threats, Taiwanese should not approach them passively or indifferently, but should proactively engage with friends and allies to jointly safeguard and uphold peace and stability in the region.
Yue-ke
Taipei
Hsieh’s ‘black box’ tactics
The recall vote for Keelung Mayor George Hsieh (謝國樑) is to be held on Oct. 13. Hsieh and the entire Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) are harnessing the full force of the government to counter the pro-recall groups and escalate the recall initiative, which was launched by Keelung residents themselves, into a national fight between the KMT and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
The Hsieh family’s influence in Keelung is not to be underestimated. From the three generations of Hsieh family members serving on city councils, provincial councils and National Assemblies, to George Hsieh being elected Keelung mayor in 2022, the family’s behind-the-scenes political and business relationships are complex and intricate.
Hsieh has faced nonstop controversies since he was elected, such as his political flip-flopping on Gogoro, the nation’s biggest electric scooter maker. He has also reversed progress on environmental protection, including by replacing pre-existing plant life in parks with artificial turf, while poor-quality city buses have negatively affected traffic safety and caused numerous incidents.
A variety of administrative deficiencies have left Keelung residents feeling extremely disappointed.
What is more terrifying is that Hsieh does not simply lack the capacity to govern, but he vividly and thoroughly embodies the KMT’s corrupt “black box” tactics.
When cases of abuse arose in a Keelung daycare center, the city government handled it passively. When the incident surrounding property rights and business operations at the Keelung E-Square Mall (基隆東岸商場) caused a great public stir, the Keelung City Government used unyielding and brutal methods to forcibly take it over, displaying a complete disregard for judicial procedures and the public interest.
Government bidding procedures also faced issues caused by the profiteering of “friendly Hsieh.”
The Keelung City Government is in the palm of Hsieh’s hand — it has become his personal domain.
Hsieh’s misdeeds led Keelung’s residents to initiate a social movement pushing for a recall vote.
In the face of pressure from the recall movement, rather than trying to win back the public’s trust through sound administrative ability, Hsieh resorted to political tricks, using the full force of his party to protect himself. He even went so far as to label the recall movement — one born from the public’s will — as DPP retaliation and an attempt to undermine his legitimacy.
With Hsieh as mayor, it is as if Keelung has returned to the White Terror era. Suppression of information, extreme political pressure and a biased administration have become synonymous with the Keelung City Government.
Hsieh is wasting public resources by pressuring the recall organizations, tampering with recall procedures and using all kinds of government activities to sneak in messaging that opposes the recall vote, even in schools.
As mayor, Hsieh has a responsibility to serve the residents of Keelung. Instead, he has no qualms about sacrificing the entire city to retain his position.
Hsieh, the residents of Keelung do not owe you anything. It is your family that owes the residents of Keelung.
Liu You-hsun
Keelung
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