Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) yesterday condemned Russia for invading Ukraine, reiterating that Taiwan would be one of the democratic countries that impose sanctions on Moscow.
Taiwan on Friday said that it would join the EU, US and other countries in imposing sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, which Taipei condemned as unilaterally changing the “status quo.”
Su said that Taiwan holds geopolitical significance, and unlike Ukraine, which shares a border with Russia, is separated from China by the more than 130km-wide Taiwan Strait.
Photo: CNA
Taiwanese are united and vigilant against foreign forces attempting to use disinformation to weaken their morale, Su said, adding that the government has asked relevant agencies to clarify and counter misleading information.
The premier also called for Taiwanese to stand together to protect “the sovereignty of our country, the safety of our people, as well as the democracy and freedom of Taiwan.”
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Chiu Chih-wei (邱志偉) yesterday asked the DPP caucus to submit a motion in the legislature to issue a resolution condemning Russia and supporting Ukraine.
Chiu also called on the Executive Yuan to review resources in each ministry and inform the legislature about items that could be donated to Ukraine.
Although Taiwan has no formal diplomatic ties with Ukraine, Taiwanese can provide humanitarian aid, he said, adding that the DPP caucus could also donate to Ukraine on behalf of the Legislative Yuan.
Regarding comments that Taiwan would not face the same situation as Ukraine, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) yesterday told reporters that the matter depends on Taiwan’s national defense capabilities, its resolution in maintaining peace and the possibility of conflict.
Chu said that he was against wars of any kind and called for Taiwan to maintain peace in the region by communicating with its neighbors and avoiding malicious provocations.
In response to speculation that the Ukraine-Russia conflict would prompt the US to provide aid to Taiwan, Chu said that Taiwan should rely on itself, adding that the KMT has always believed in bolstering national defense while interacting peacefully with Beijing.
Regarding rumors that some KMT members advocate for peace talks with China, as they do not expect the US to aid Taiwan in the event of an attack, Chu said that the KMT was determined to safeguard the Republic of China.
WANG RELEASED: A police investigation showed that an organized crime group allegedly taught their clients how to pretend to be sick during medical exams Actor Darren Wang (王大陸) and 11 others were released on bail yesterday, after being questioned for allegedly dodging compulsory military service or forging documents to help others avoid serving. Wang, 33, was catapulted into stardom for his role in the coming-of-age film Our Times (我的少女時代). Lately, he has been focusing on developing his entertainment career in China. The New Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office last month began investigating an organized crime group that is allegedly helping men dodge compulsory military service using falsified documents. Police in New Taipei City Yonghe Precinct at the end of last month arrested the main suspect,
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Former Taiwan People’s Party chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) may apply to visit home following the death of his father this morning, the Taipei Detention Center said. Ko’s father, Ko Cheng-fa (柯承發), passed away at 8:40am today at the Hsinchu branch of National Taiwan University Hospital. He was 94 years old. The center said Ko Wen-je was welcome to apply, but declined to say whether it had already received an application. The center also provides psychological counseling to people in detention as needed, it added, also declining to comment on Ko Wen-je’s mental state. Ko Wen-je is being held in detention as he awaits trial
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