2007
1998 , 1999 , Jan - Jun 2000 , Jul - Dec 2000 , 2001 ; 2002 ; 2003-2004 ; 2005-2006
Taiwan Closes Chiang Kai-shek Mausoleum Pending Reburial
(Associated Press, Dec. 24, 2007) Authorities closed the mausoleum of Taiwan's late
leader Chiang Kai-shek as part of the ruling party's vigorous campaign to
diminish the legacy of the late leader. President Chen Shui-bian told a political
rally that closing the mausoleum would save taxpayers' money.
British Spy Chief Warns of China Web Threat
(AFP, Dec. 1, 2007) The head of Britain's
domestic security service has warned business leaders that China has been carrying out
state-sponsored espionage against vital parts of the economy. The
director-general of MI5, Jonathan Evans, wrote to 300 chief executives and
security heads at banks, accountancy and legal firms, warning them they were
under attack from "Chinese state organizations" via the Internet,
The Times said.
Frustrated Taiwanese Rage against Rising Prices
(Associated Press, Nov. 16, 2007) Inflation - fanned by soaring prices for
fuel and other commodities - has become a hot political issue in Taiwan as the
island moves towards legislative elections in January next year and a
presidential poll two months later. The situation has become so bad that a
number of disgruntled consumers have taken their complaints directly to
President Chen Shui-bian.
It's 'Time to Act' on Economy, Government Told
(Taiwan News, Nov. 6,
2007) "Time to act!" said European Chamber of Commerce Taipei in its
annual position papers, suggesting Taiwan's economic development had been
stagnant with little progress especially in terms of of cross-strait economic
relations. The
ECCT suggests some remedies as a "roadmap" for bringing back Taiwan's
prosperity.
China Says Hackers Also Target Its Computers
(Straits Times, Oct. 31,
2007) Following the recent bad press over Chinese military hackers attacking
computer systems abroad, a Chinese newspaper has hit back with a lengthy
account of foreign threats to China's own computer networks.
Ma
Criticizes Chen's 'Dollar Diplomacy'
(Taiwan News, Aug. 26,
2007) Opposition Kuomintang presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou denounced
dollar diplomacy as a bad strategy, referring to President Chen Shui-bian's
promise of monetary aid to allies in Central America, and called for a
comprehensive international diplomatic strategy.
Foreign Aid Projects Not Dollar Diplomacy: Chen
(China Post, Aug. 24, 2007) An official of the Presidential Office has defended
the US$305 million in direct loans to diplomatic ally Honduras, stressing it
is humanitarian aid and not dollar diplomacy. President Chen Shui-bian signed
an 11-point communiqué with President Manuel Zelaya Rosales of Honduras, pledging a US$300 million loan to
help build a hydropower electric project, plus an additional US$5 million
loan to build a computer center for primary and middle schools in Honduras.
Canada Backs Taiwan's Push for Role in WHO
(Global and Mail, Aug. 8, 2007) The Harper government has quietly provided a
high-level boost to Taiwan's
campaign for a role in the World Health Organization in a move that some
experts say will place another burr under its relationship with China.
Isolated Taiwan Seeks to Woo
Central America
(Reuters, Aug. 8, 2007) Taiwan
President Chen Shui-bian
is to visit Central America to shore up diplomatic ties as China
pressures countries in the region to abandon an island Beijing claims as its own.
Shih Ming-teh Indicted for
Violating Parade Law
(Taiwan News, Aug. 4, 2007) A former chairman of the ruling Democratic Progressive
Party and 15 other pro-democracy activists were indicted for violating the
Assembly and Parade law when they led a massive street protest last October
aimed at forcing President Chen Shui-bian to resign over his alleged links to
a spate of corruption scandals.
Chen Vows to Persist on UN Bid
(Taipei Times, July 25, 2007) President Chen Shui-bian said that only the UN
Security Council and General Assembly had the right to consider Taiwan's bid
for UN membership, adding that the nation would not be deterred by the UN
secretary-general's rejection of the application.
UN Rejects Taiwan Application for Entry
(AP, July 24, 2007) The United Nations has rejected Taiwan's latest application to become a member
of the world body, citing the organization's adherence to the "one China" policy and its recognition of the
Chinese government in Beijing.
President Requests Military Performance on National
Day
(China Post, July 24, 2007) President Chen Shui-bian's plan to stage the
first military show in 16 years on Oct. 10 as part of Double Ten National Day
celebrations has drawn mixed response.
Taiwan Diplomats Get Little Recognition
(Associated Press, July 12, 2007) Taiwan
is a major U.S.
trading partner and a like-minded liberal democracy. Taiwanese diplomats
working in the U.S.
capital are constrained by internal U.S. guidelines laid out in 1979.
Many in Congress champion a lifting of the restrictions. But the Bush
administration is wary of offending China.
Taiwan Court Increases Sentence for President's
Son-in-Law
(AFP, June 27, 2007) Taiwan's High Court rejected an appeal by President Chen Shui-bian's son-in-law
against his insider trading conviction and increased his sentence to seven
years' imprisonment.
Taiwan Shuns Dollar Diplomacy, MOFA Says
(Taiwan News, June 9, 2007) Costa Rica
president's criticism of Taiwan
as being "stingy" proves that Taiwan does not engage in dollar
diplomacy, said the Ministry of Foreign Affair.
Taiwan Tight-Fisted with Aid: Costa Rica's Arias
(AFP, June 8, 2007) Costa Rican President Oscar Arias berated Taiwanese aid as
too little, one day after breaking ties with the island to establish
diplomatic relations with China.
Costa Rica Breaks Relations with Taiwan
(AP, June 7, 2007) President Oscar Arias announced that Costa Rica has broken diplomatic ties with Taiwan and established relations with China,
delivering a blow to Asian island's fragile international standing. Arias
said Costa Rica needed to
strengthen ties with China
to attract foreign investment.
Obama Warns China over 'Hostile Action'
(Taipei Times, May 26, 2007) US Democratic presidential hopeful Senator
Barack Obama, in his first public foreign policy comment on cross-strait relations
since entering the presidential fray, outlined a mainstream policy warning
China against hostile military action against Taiwan while demanding that
both sides retain the "status quo."
DPP Win by Wide Margin Could Force US' Hand: Yu
(Taipei Times, May 21, 2007) If the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) can
win next year's presidential election by an overwhelming margin, the US will
be compelled to review its "one China" policy, DPP Chairman Yu
Shyi-kun said.
WHO Members Reject Taiwan's Bid to Join
(AP, May 15, 2007) The World Health Organization (WHO) rejected Taiwan's bid
for membership on Monday after Chinese officials accused the island of trying
to strengthen its claim to sovereignty.
U.S. Snub Not a Sign of Worsening Ties, MOFA Says
(Taiwan News, May 11, 2007) The U.S. government's refusal to meet with a Taiwan
delegation earlier this week should not be viewed as a deterioration of
U.S.-Taiwan ties, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Taiwan Protests at WHO Rejection of Membership Bid
(AFP, Apr. 30, 2007) Taiwan
President Chen Shui-bian protested at the World Health Organization’s
rejection of the island's latest bid for membership. Chen wrote to WHO but the WHO secretariat insisted the island was not a
sovereign state and not eligible to apply for membership of the international
body.
US 'Not in Favor' of WHA Vote
(Taipei Times, Apr 21, 2007) A US State Department report said that Taiwan's
effort to force a vote on obtaining observer status in the health
organization could be counterproductive.
Former Taiwan President Loses Libel Battle
(AFP, Apr. 20, 2007) Former President Lee Teng-hui
has been ordered to pay substantial damages and issue a public apology to
a political rival after committing libel, a court official said.
Bid as 'Taiwan' Not Contrary to 'Four Noes': Chen
(CNA, Apr. 18, 2007) President Chen Shui-bian stressed that the government's
application to join the World Health Organization (WHO) as a full member
under the name of "Taiwan"
is not contrary to his previous "four noes" promise.
China Launches Fifth Satellite in Its Global
Positioning System
(AFP, Apr. 14, 2007) China launched the fifth satellite in its ambitious
"Compass" global satellite positioning system Saturday, the latest
effort in the nation's fast developing space program, state media reported.
US Will Not Back WHO Membership Bid
(Taipei Times, Apr. 14, 2007) The US Department of State urged Taiwan to
focus on meaningful participation in the WHO. The official also issued a
prepared statement saying that the US
strongly supports Taiwan's
meaningful participation in organizations that require no statehood.
'Taiwan' Bids for WHO Membership
(Taipei Times, Apr. 13, 2007) President Chen Shui-bian has sent a letter to
the World Health Organization (WHO) requesting to join the international body
as a full member under the name "Taiwan," officials said.
Defense Minister Expelled from KMT
(CP, Mar. 10, 2007) Defense Minister Lee Jye was expelled from the opposition
Kuomintang (KMT), which claimed he had slandered late President Chiang
Kai-shek and had undermined the neutrality of the military.
Washington Urged to Learn about 228
(CAN, Feb. 24, 2007) Randy Schriver urged Washington to acquaint itself well
with the history of the 228 Incident of 1947
in Taiwan, saying he believes that doing so will be helpful
for the U.S. government in forming its Taiwan policy.
Senior US Official Dashes FTA Hopes
(Taipei Times, Feb. 8, 2007) A senior US trade official said that Taiwan would have to gain strong support from
the US
business sector and Congress before an FTA could ever be considered.
Taiwan Asks US to Use Security Law as Model for
Free Trade Pact
(AFP, Feb. 7, 2007) Taiwan
has asked the United States
to use a special law that commits American defense to Taipei as a framework for forging a free
trade agreement between the two economies.
Ortega
Affirms Taiwan-Nicaragua Ties
(Taipei Times, Jan. 11, 2007) Nicaraguan president-elect Daniel Ortega
promised to continue diplomatic relations with Taiwan,
amid speculation that the Central American ally might switch allegiance to China.
Chen
Keeps a Low Profile in US
(Taipei Times, Jan. 10, 2007) President Chen Shui-bian made a transit stop in
San Francisco en route to Nicaragua.
When asked how he felt about being on US territory again, Chen told the press
corps on the plane that he felt great.
China
Protests Taiwan President's U.S. Stopover
(Reuters, Jan. 9, 2007) China accused Taiwan's president of trying to damage
Sino-U.S. ties with a stopover in California on the way to Central America
and criticized Washington for giving the brief visit permission.
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