2001 Year-End Elections
Taiwan’s Party
Politics
2004 Presidential
Election
Referendum Issue
New Constitution Issue
2008 Presidential
Election
Chen’s Legacy and Ma Era
[Government
and Policies] [Speeches and Statements] [Taiwan Information] [Research
Organizations] [News] [Papers]
~2000 ; 2001-2004
; 2005-2007
Unemployment at Five-year
High
(Taipei Times, Dec. 23, 2008) The unemployment rate
climbed for the fifth consecutive month to a five-year high of 4.64 percent
last month as the economic downturn deepens, the Directorate General of
Budget, Accounting and Statistics said in a report.
Pope Benedict XVI Turns Down
Invitation to Visit Taiwan
(DPA, Dec. 16, 2008) Pope Benedict XVI has turned
down the invitation from the Archbishop of the Taipei Archdiocese to visit Taiwan
next year.
US Hails Taiwan’s Joining
WTO Procurement Pact
(AFP, Dec. 10, 2008) The United States welcomed Taiwan's membership in a WTO procurement
agreement, saying it would assure US suppliers access to a market
worth about 20 billion dollars annually.
Taiwan Export Plunge 23%,
Most in 7 Years
(Bloomberg, Dec. 9, 2008) Taiwan’s exports fell
the most in seven years as sales to China and the U.S. slumped, adding to
concern the economy will sink into its first recession since 2001.
President Meets US Envoys
Talbott and Richard Bush
(Taipei Times,
Dec. 2, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou met Brookings
Institution president Strobe Talbott and former
American Institute in Taiwan chairman Richard Bush at the Presidential
Office yesterday, describing their visit as “significant.”
Taiwan Diplomat Works to
Repair Ties with U.S.
(AP, Nov. 27, 2008) Taiwan’s
new top diplomat in the United
States says his government is working to
repair ties that he feels were damaged by eight years of anti-China policies
advocated by the island’s previous president.
Taiwan’s Export Orders Fall;
Jobless Rate Hits 4-Year High
(Wall Street Journal, Nov. 25, 2008) Taiwan's
export orders fell for the first time in more than six years in October, and
the deterioration in the state of the economy helped to push the island's unemployment
rate to a four-year high.
Federation Concerned about
Police Response to Protests
(Taipei Times, Nov. 24, 2008) The International
Federation for Human Rights has become the latest international group to
express concern regarding the response of police to protests against ARATS
Chairman Chen Yun-lin earlier this month.
Freedom House Urges Taiwan
to Probe Recent Protest Clashes
(CNA, Nov. 22, 2008) The U.S.-based Freedom House
called on the government of Taiwan
to form an independent commission to investigate recent clashes between
police and pro-independence protesters.
Taiwan Economy to Fall into
Recession on Export Slump
(Bloomberg, Nov. 20, 2008) Taiwan’s
economy will sink into a recession this year after shrinking in the third
quarter for the first time since 2003, the government said.
Taiwan Economy Probably Grew
the Slowest in Five Years on Trade (Bloomberg, Nov. 20, 2008) Taiwan's economy probably grew at the
slowest pace in five years in the third quarter as shipments of electronics
slowed and fuel costs rose.
Taiwan Welcomes Inclusion of
Its Leader on APEC List
(CNA, Nov. 16, 2008) The government welcomes the
inclusion of Taiwan’s
leader in the participants list for this year’s APEC leaders’ summit and sees
it as a positive development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Saturday.
President Ma Defines
‘Flexible Diplomacy’
(China Post, Nov. 11, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou defined his “flexible diplomacy”, broaching his
conciliatory plan to reach agreement with China
to keep Taiwan’s
official ties with other countries of the world.
Ma Aiming for ‘WHA Observer
Status’
(CNA, Nov. 9, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou reiterated that securing observer status for Taiwan
in the World Health Assembly (WHA) was his administration’s top diplomatic
priority at the moment.
Australia Praises Ma for
Avoiding Dollar Diplomacy
(Taipei
Times, Oct. 27, 2008) Australia has welcomed President Ma Ying-jeou’s diplomatic initiative to avoid competing with
China for allies, openly lauding for the first time Ma’s attempts to end
so-called “checkbook diplomacy” in the South Pacific.
Flexibility behind Taiwan’s
Guiding Principles When Developing Foreign Relations: Dr. Yang (Seoul
Times, Oct. 23, 2008) Taiwan must play a greater role in regional cooperation
by strengthening economic relations with its major trading partners and
integrating itself in East Asia for the region's peace and prosperity, Philip
Y. M. Yang, a Senior Advisor of National Security Council of Taiwan said.
Taiwan Repeats Wish to Be
ASEAN Dialogue Partner
(DPA, Oct. 12, 2008) Taiwan on Saturday reiterated its
wish to become a dialogue partner of the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations.
Singapore, New Zealand
Commend Taiwan at UN
(Taipei Times, Oct. 1, 2008) Singapore and New
Zealand made the unprecedented move of publicly
commending Taiwan
for its efforts to alleviate cross-strait tensions during the UN General
Assembly debate.
MOFA Report to Explain New
Diplomatic Policies
(CNA, Sep. 26, 2008) The Ministry of Foreign
Affairs is drafting a uniform position paper to explain new diplomatic
policies under President Ma Ying-jeou’s pragmatic
diplomatic strategy “modus Vivendi,” Foreign Minister
Francisco H.L. Ou said.
‘Aid for Trade’ Initiative
could Benefit Taiwan
(Taipei
Times, Sep. 22, 2008) Taiwan should seek to bolster diplomatic ties with
developing nations via the “Aid for Trade” initiative espoused by the WTO in
2005, the Council for Economic Planning and Development (CEPD) said.
Foreign Ministry Hails UN
Support from US and EU
(Taipei
Times, Sep. 20, 2008) In a statement posted on the official Web site of the
US Permanent Mission to the UN in New York, the US reiterated its
long-standing support for Taiwan’s “meaningful participation” in UN agencies
such as the WHO.
UN Rejects Taiwan’s Request
to Join Its Agencies
(DPA, Sep. 17, 2008) A committee of the United
Nations General Assembly on Wednesday tossed out Taiwan's request to join UN
specialized agencies, even though the Taipei government has downgraded its
global campaign to return to the world body.
President Hopes Taiwan can
Spend More on Allies
(Taiwan News, Sep. 16, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou said yesterday he hoped that better relations with China would allow Taiwan to spend more resources on
its diplomatic allies.
MOFA to Set up a Special
Task Force on ASEAN
(CNA, Sep. 15, 2008) The Ministry of Foreign
Affairs has approved a plan to set up a task force on ASEAN in an effort to
enhance relations with the organization that is vitally important to Taiwan's
interests.
Taiwan Population Growth to
Decline in 2016: CEPD
(CNA, Sep. 12, 2008) Taiwan's population is forecast
to begin registering negative growth from 2016, the Council for Economic
Planning and Development (CEPD) reported yesterday.
China Buying Costa Rica
Bonds over Taiwan Ties-FT
(Reuters, Sep. 11, 2008) China is secretly
spending $300 million of its currency reserves to buy Costa Rica government
bonds to reward the central American country for cutting diplomatic ties with
Taiwan, the Financial Times reported on Friday.
Closer Dialogue Sought at
Pacific Islands Forum
(CNA, Sep. 9, 2008) Taiwan will seek closer
dialogue with the 16-member Pacific Islands Forum in an effort to share its
development experience with the island countries and make greater
contributions to the international community, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
said.
Paraguay Stance at U.N. Not
Linked to Diplomatic Ties: MOFA
(CNA, Sep. 3, 2008) The Ministry of Foreign
Affairs said that diplomatic ties between Taiwan
and Paraguay will not be
affected despite Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo's statement that he will
reverse his support for Taiwan
at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly.
Paraguay to Reverse Support
for Taiwan at UN
(AP, Sep. 2, 2008) Paraguay
will reverse its historic support for Taiwan at the upcoming United
Nations General Assembly, and also is reconsidering its relations with
communist regimes.
Taiwan Memorial Restores
Name of Former Dictator
(Reuters, Sep. 1, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou of the Nationalist Party (KMT) cancelled the new
name "Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall" and changed signs around the Taipei memorial.
Gov’t to Continue Pushing
for Joining International Bodies
(China Post, Aug. 29, 2008) The government will
continue pushing for joining agencies of the United Nations despite
opposition from China, said presidential spokesman.
MOFA Unsurprised by Beijing
Reaction to UN Participation
(Taipei Times, Aug. 28, 2008) The Ministry of
Foreign Affairs yesterday said it was “not too surprised” that China has struck up its usual tune in objecting
to Taiwan’s
bid for UN participation.
FM Urges China’s Goodwill on
U.N. Bid
(CNA, Aug. 27, 2008) Foreign Minister Francisco Ou urged China
to show goodwill on Taiwan's
latest bid to participate in the United Nations and expressed hope that the
two sides of the Taiwan Strait can conduct
dialogue on the issue.
PRC must Accept Taiwan’s
Peace Offer, or Else: Ma
(Taipei Times,
Aug. 27, 2008) In an interview with the ‘Global
Views’ magazine, President Ma Ying-jeou said
that Taipei would immediately engage in a “diplomatic war” with Beijing if
his proposed “diplomatic truce” with China did not receive a positive
response
Taiwan Helps Poorer Nations
via ‘Aid for Trade’, Says FM Ou
(China Post, Aug. 21, 2008) Taiwan will continue
to help developing nations boost their trade environment via the so-called
"aid for trade" programs, said Foreign Minister Francisco Ou.
Taiwan to Become Aging
Society by 2017
(CNA, Aug. 20, 2008) Taiwan is set to formally become
an aging society in 2017, with the number of people aged 65 years and older
accounting for 14 percent of the population.
President Ma Contacts U.S.
Officials during Transit Stop in San Francisco (CNA, Aug. 19, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou
called and met with 18 U.S.
senators and congressmen during his stay at the hotel, including Speaker of
the House Nancy Pelosi.
Diplomatic Truce not Dual
Recognition: Ma
(CNA, Aug. 18, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou said Saturday in the Dominican
Republic that his proposal of a "diplomatic
truce" with China
does not mean that the government is trying to work on a "dual
recognition" system.
Ma Touts ‘Diplomatic Truce’
Strategy
(Taipei Times, Aug. 16, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou said that he was still negotiating with China about a
plan to stop Taiwan and China from wooing each other’s diplomatic allies —
what he calls his “diplomatic truce” strategy, but critics have dubbed it a
“one-sided declaration.”
Taiwan Seeks U.N.
Participation, Not Membership
(China
Post, Aug. 16, 2008) Taiwan
diplomatic allies asked the U.N. Secretariat to "allow the 23 million
people of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to participate
meaningfully in the activities of U.N. Specialized Agencies."
New U.N. Bid Launched by
Allies: MOFA
(China
Post, Aug. 15, 2008) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced yesterday that
Taiwan
diplomatic allies would hand over the island's latest U.N. bid to the U.N.
Secretariat.
AIT Chairman Hints at
Taiwan-U.S. Relations Warming
(CNA, Aug. 14, 2008) AIT Chairman Raymond Burghardt strongly hinted at a dinner for President Ma
Ying-jeou in Los Angeles that bilateral relations
between Taiwan and the United States have warmed up considerably in the past
eight months.
Paraguay to Maintain
Diplomatic Ties with Taiwan
(CNA, Aug. 14, 2008) The incoming Paraguayan
government will maintain diplomatic relations with the Republic of China on Taiwan,
the ROC ambassador to the South American country said Wednesday.
Taiwan’s U.N. Bid will Focus
on ‘Participation’
(CNA, Aug. 13, 2008) The Presidential Office
confirmed yesterday that Taiwan's United Nations bid this year will sidestep
the thorny question of what name the country should use to apply, and instead
focus on securing Taiwan's "participation" in the organization.
Ma Claims ‘Viable Diplomacy’
Based on Realism, Mutual Trust
(Taiwan News, Aug. 5, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou said yesterday that his proposals for "viable
diplomacy" and for a diplomatic truce were based on growing mutual trust
between Taiwan and China, and would allow all sides in the region to breathe
a sigh of relief.
Ma Touts Foreign Policy
before Trip
(China Post, Aug. 4, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou underscored his concept of "vital and viable
diplomacy" to achieve the multiple goals of safeguarding the nation's
interests, improving ties with Beijing,
and at the same time enhancing international ties.
Taiwan to Further Ties with
Non-Allies: President
(CNA, Aug. 1, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou pledged yesterday that his administration will seek
to further relations with countries that have no diplomatic links with Taiwan, following the improvement of ties with
China.
Vice President Voices Hope
for Taiwan’s Inclusion in ASEAN
(CNA, Jul. 31, 2008) Vice President Vincent Siew said Wednesday that Taiwan should be a dialogue
partner in the expansion of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) in line with the organization's expansion patterns of ASEAN Plus One
and ASEAN Plus Three.
Sixteenth Time Lucky? Taiwan
Seeks UN Spot Again
(Reuters, Jul. 30, 2008) Taiwan will apply to join the United Nations
under a new China-friendly president, but analysts said warming ties will not
be enough to stop China
blocking Taipei's
bid yet again.
Wang Urges Closer
U.S.-Taiwan Ties
(CNA, Jul. 29, 2008) Legislative Yuan Speaker
Wang Jin-pyng said Sunday in Washington,
D.C. that he will do his best to help
assuage U.S. concerns over
improved cross-Taiwan Strait links during his current U.S. visit.
Ma Aims to Dispel Image of
‘Extravagance’
(Taiwan
News, Jul. 24, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou's
decision to use a combination of scheduled commercial passenger flights and
chartered aircraft on his first overseas visits to Paraguay and the Dominican
Republic aims to correct Taiwan's image as a "promoter of money
diplomacy."
President Promotes New
Strategy to Facilitate FTA Talks
(CNA, Jul. 17, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou said Wednesday that using the name under which Taiwan
applied to join the World Trade Organization will meet less opposition when
negotiating free trade agreements with other countries.
Diplomatic Ties with
Paraguay in Question
(CNA, Jul. 15, 2008) Foreign Minister Francisco
H. L. Ou said yesterday that the status of
diplomatic relations with Paraguay
can serve as an indicator of whether China
is willing to reach a diplomatic truce with Taiwan.
Taiwan’s U.N. Bid Will Be
Flexible: Diplomatic Official
(CNA, Jul. 14, 2008) Taiwan's new administration will
be more pragmatic and flexible in pushing forward with the nation's bid to
join the United Nations, a senior diplomatic official said Sunday.
Taiwan President to Visit
Paraguay, Dominican Republic in August
(DPA, Jul. 13, 2008) A well-placed government
source said Ma tentatively planned to leave Taiwan on August 12 for a
nine-day visit by way of the US.
Taiwan and Vatican Relations
Are Strong, Claims Ambassador
(CNA, Jul. 5, 2008) Taiwan's ambassador to the
Holy See Tu Chou-shen
commended the state of ties between Taiwan and the Vatican and said
suggestions that Taiwan's only European ally is talking with China about
establishing formal relations are incorrect.
WHA Bid Necessary and
Pragmatic: MOFA
(CNA, Jun. 27, 2008) The Ministry of Foreign
Affairs said yesterday that Taiwan's
bid to participate in the World Health Organization (WHO) is necessary and
pragmatic, and China
should understand the Taiwanese people's wish to have more space in the
international community.
Chinese Official Urges Japan to Support Mainland’s Eventual
Political Unification
with Taiwan (AP, Jun. 26,
2008) Japanese media reports quoted Wang Yi as saying
the mainland would continue to refuse to allow Taiwan to formally join the World
Health Organization, but might allow a separate framework to
connect the island with the international health community.
Bid to Join WHO Will Be
Different, Says MOFA
(CNA, Jun. 25, 2008) The Ministry of Foreign
Affairs said yesterday it will adopt a different approach to pitch Taiwan's
bid to join international organizations such as the World Health Organization
and the United Nations, and will take the United States' stance into
consideration.
WHO
Assembly Rejects Taiwan Bid for Observer Status
(Reuters, May 19, 2008) The World Health Organization's (WHO) assembly again
rejected Taiwan's bid for observer status on Monday, declaring that mainland
China had responsibility for health issues affecting the island's 23 million
people.
Taiwan's
Incoming President Pledges to Halt Dollar Diplomacy
(DPA, May 10, 2008) Taiwan's
incoming President Ma Ying-jeou said Saturday that Taipei will stop using dollar diplomacy to win
recognition from foreign countries as the practice has tarnished Taiwan's
image.
Secret
Diplomatic Fund Flows to Taiwan Officials: Fraud Suspect
(Taiwan News, May 8, 2008) The diplomatic scandal took a shocking twist night
as the Chinese-Singaporean middleman, Wu Shih-tsai,
said he withdrew US$9.8 million from their account and gave it to former
foreign minister James Huang's aide Chang Chiang-sheng
so he could take it back to Taiwan, at former vice premier Chiou I-jen's instruction.
3
Taiwan Officials Quit in Diplomatic Furor
(New York Times, May 7, 2008) The foreign minister of Taiwan and two other
top officials resigned on Tuesday over a botched attempt to win diplomatic
recognition from Papua New Guinea, a scandal that has stirred public outrage
against the departing government just two weeks before it is to step
down.
Taiwan's
Vice Premier Under Suspicion in Scandal Over Diplomatic Outreach Funds (Washington
Post, May 6, 2008) Taiwanese prosecutors announced that Vice Premier Chiou I-jen is suspected of
corruption in connection with a diplomatic scandal involving an alleged
attempt to defraud the government of nearly $30 million.
Taiwan's
Vice Premier Quits Ruling Party Amid Scandal over Diplomatic Bungle
(AP, May 5, 2008) Taiwan's vice premier, Chiou I-jen, quit the ruling party Monday to take responsibility
for a diplomatic bungle that cost the government millions of dollars.
Taiwan
Scandal over Missing Fund Expands
(AP, May 4, 2008) A scandal over a multimillion-dollar diplomatic bungle in Taiwan expanded Sunday after
another member, Vice Minister of Defense Ko Cheng-heng, of outgoing President Chen Shui-bian's
inner circle was questioned by prosecutors.
$30 Million Lost in Diplomatic Scandal, Taiwan Says
(Washington Post, May 4, 2008) Two middlemen entrusted with almost $30
million in Taiwanese government funds as part of a secret effort to forge
diplomatic relations with Papua New Guinea made off with the money and are
refusing to give it back, according to officials in Taiwan.
Taiwan Prosecutors Quiz
Minister on Funds
(Bloomberg, May 3, 2008) Taiwan
prosecutors questioned Foreign Minister James Huang and Vice Premier Chiou I-jen as part of a probe
into the alleged embezzlement by two middlemen of $29.8 million earmarked as
aid for Papua New Guinea.
Taiwan Loses US$30 Million in Diplomatic Bungle Involving Papua New Guinea
(AP, May 2, 2008) Taiwan is seeking one of its citizens for his alleged
role in an apparent multimillion-dollar fraud involving a failed attempt to
lure Papua New Guinea to transfer diplomatic recognition from Beijing to
Taipei.
WHO Bid to Use ‘Taiwan’ as
Title: Chen
(Taipei Times, Apr 11, 2008) The nation will apply for WHO membership and
World Health Assembly (WHA) observer status under the name “Taiwan” this year, the
Presidential Office said. The decision was announced after President Chen Shui-bian chaired a high-level national security meeting
at the Presidential Office.
Taiwan to Axe
"China" from Name of Mandarin Chinese
(Reuters, Feb. 14, 2008) Taiwan
plans to change the name of its official Mandarin Chinese language in public
schools to a term that avoids referring to China,
a curriculum planner said on Thursday, another move to distance the
self-ruled island from Beijing.
Taiwan's
Middle Class Hit by Ailing Economy
(Reuters, Jan. 17, 2008) More businesses are shutting their doors as
consumption flags. Closures reached 40,800 in the first 11 months of last year, more
than the total for any other entire year since records were kept, government
data shows.
Taiwan Severs Diplomatic Ties with Malawi
(Taiwan News, Jan. 15, 2008) Taiwan announced the decision to sever its
diplomatic relations with Republic of Malawi - one of the few countries that
had kept diplomatic ties with Taiwan for 42 years. According to the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, China
had offered Malawi US$6
billion in financial loans and development projects to end diplomatic ties
with Taiwan and to establish
ties with China.
Renamed Memorial for Chiang Kai-shek Opens
(AFP, Jan. 2, 2008) Taiwan's
Chiang Kai-shek memorial hall reopened with a new name as part of the
government's efforts to downplay his controversial legacy. Chiang is
remembered by his supporters as the leader who laid the foundations of Taiwan's
economic prosperity and safeguarded the island from Chinese invasion.
Survey on Taiwanese People’s
Attitude toward the Detention of Former President Chen Shui-bian and Approval
Ratings of the New Administration (GVSRC, Nov. 20, 2008) 64.4% of Taiwanese people say it would reflect progress in Taiwan’s
democratic spirit and system if a former president is sentenced after he
steps down for committing a crime. Meanwhile, 29.8%
of Taiwanese people say they approve of President Ma’s performance, while 58.2% say they don’t.
GVSRC Survey: Approval
Rating for the Ma Administration and Support for Its Foreign Policy (Global Views, October, 2008) The GVSRC survey shows that 24.9% of Taiwanese people are satisfied with President Ma Ying-jeou’s performance, while 64.5%
dissatisfied.
Taiwan’s New Order Yields to
China, Embraces U.S. Ties By Nicholas Kralev (Washington Times, Sep. 17, 2008) Taiwan's
days as a "troublemaker" are over, and its "provocative" behavior
toward China in the past several years is giving way to
"flexible diplomacy."
Taiwan Tries Again By Don Feder
(Editorial, Washington Times, Sep. 15, 2008) If
China isn't willing to compromise now, in light of Mr. Ma's efforts to calm
the diplomatic waters in the Taiwan Straits (after eight years of
confrontation under his predecessor) its intransigence will be manifest.
‘Turce’ Paying off: Presidential Office By Ko Shu-ling and Jenny W. Hsu (Taipei Times, Sep. 3,
2008) The fact that Paraguay has not switched ties to Beijing, despite its
president’s remarks, was proof that Ma’s proposal was effective, an official
said.
Taiwan Tries a New Path to Practical
World Recognition By Barbara Yaffe (Vancouver Sun, Aug. 28, 2008) Taiwan has signaled a stunning shift in its
long-standing bid to assert its sovereignty and independence from China.
Analysis: Official Shares
Insight on ‘Diplomatic Truce’ Strategy By Shih Hsiu-Chuan (Taipei Times,
Aug. 25, 2008) Taiwan is forgoing its quest to become a UN member this year
in a goodwill gesture that is expected to see the country accepted next year
as an observer in the World Health Assembly (WHA), a high-ranking official
said.
Taiwan’s Leader Keeps Low
Profile Abroad By Peter Ritter
(Time, Aug. 11, 2008) Trips abroad by Taiwanese
leaders are always diplomatically touchy since China does not recognize the
island as an independent nation. But Ma is determined to keep his campaign
promise of charting a smoother course with the mainland.
Taiwan’s Ma Set for First
Overseas Visit as President
(AFP, Aug. 11, 2008) Taiwan
President Ma Ying-jeou will shore up the island's
diplomatic ties with Latin America on his first overseas trip as leader, but
he is also anxious not to irk Washington and
Beijing,
analysts say.
Interview: Ou Talks about
Taiwan’s ‘Diplomatic Truce’
(Taipei
Times, Aug. 10, 2008) Minister of Foreign Affairs Francisco Ou sat down with ‘Taipei Times’ staff reporter and
offered his views on Taiwan’s diplomacy and the strategy his ministry is
using to help expand Taiwan’s international space.
Joseph Wu Says Successor to
Face Similar Challenge
(Taipei Times, Aug. 6, 2008) Joseph Wu sat down
with ‘Taipei Times’ Washington correspondent Charles Snyder and reflected on
his tenure in the US.
Taiwan Public Mood Index
Survey July 2008
(Global
Views Survey
Research Center,
Jul. 28) The TPMI survey this month was conducted two months after President
Ma Ying-jeou was inaugurated. TIMPI falls 4.5
points, falling into the “losing some public approval” range.
Ou: Taiwan’s Agenda—A
Pragmatic Global Approach By Francisco H. L. Ou (Washington
Times, Jul. 24, 2008) Inaugurated just two months ago, Mr. Ma has already
broken through barriers and set a new course for Taiwan's relations with our
neighbors and the international community, as well as our strategic
partnership with the United States.
Taiwan’s Ma Seeks to Shore
up Latin America Ties
(Reuters, Jul. 23, 2008) China-friendly Mr.
Ma took office in May with a one-sided declaration of a diplomatic ceasefire
with Beijing, but Beijing has not ruled out wooing back more of the dwindling
pool of 23 countries.
Taiwan Public Mood Index
Survey June 2008
(Global Views Survey
Research Center,
Jun. 30, 2008) The TPMI survey this
month was conducted one month after the inauguration of President Ma Ying-jeou. TMPI this month is at 42.9, rising 2.0 points.
GVSRC Survey: President Ma
Ying-Jeou and the New Government
(Global Views, Jun, 2008) 58.3% of Taiwanese
people approve of President Ma Ying-jeou’s
performance during the two-month period from his election to his
inauguration, and 64.2% say they are confident in Ma’s leadership.
[The Chen Years: 2000~2008]
Analysis: Chen Leaves Mixed Legacy
(Taipei Times, May 19, 2008) Some analysts said his
cross-strait policy made the international community clear on where Taiwan
stands, but others said that it hurt economically. [The
Chen Years: 2000~2008] The Chen Years A
timeline of important events during the Chen years, composed by Taipei Times.
Su Chi
Will ‘Just Provide Advice’
(Taipei Times, May 13, 2008) Su Chi, the newly designated secretary-general
of the National Security Council (NSC)’ promised to serve only as an adviser
to the president and not to go beyond the scope of his authority. “[We will]
manage [the council] decently and professionally. This is our expectation,”
Su said when asked for comment.
On
Ending ‘Checkbook Diplomacy’ By C.V. Chen
(Taipei Times, May 11, 2008) The commotion over the Papua New Guinea diplomatic fund scandal
has been increasing in intensity. Yet I feel that if it were not for the
structural weaknesses present in Taiwan’s diplomatic relations, it
would be difficult for politicians, greedy officials, corrupt businessmen and
middlemen to cheat the public and steal from the nation’s coffers.
In Battle with China for Allies, Taiwan
Resorts to Riskier Tactics By Jonathan
Adams (International Herald Tribune, May 8, 2008) A scandal
here over a bungled Taiwan attempt to forge official ties with Papua New
Guinea has thrown a spotlight on the long-running, shadowy war between China
and Taiwan for allies. China
has gained a distinct edge in that global contest as its booming economy has
swelled state coffers and its diplomacy has grown more sophisticated,
experts say.
Meet Taiwan’s Conciliator-Elect
(Newsweek, Apr. 7, 2008) You now have a strong mandate. What do you think the
Taiwanese people want? They want a vibrant economy, a clean government, a
society with equitable distribution of wealth and a peaceful Taiwan Strait.
Taiwan Public Mood Index
(Global Views, Mar. 2008) The trust index for the KMT fall 1.5 point from
last month to 52.4, and the trust index for KMT Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung also loses 1.6 point to 53.6. Despite the
loss, both indexes stay in the level of “winning some public approval.”
A Legacy of Lost Hopes in
Taiwan
(LA Times,
Mar. 10, 2008) As President Chen prepares to step down after the March 22
election, he leaves a legacy of broken dreams and missed opportunities, an
eight-year rule marked by particularly tense relations with China, strained
links with Washington, a limping economy and a battered bureaucracy.
Common Yet Different Democracies By Kurt Campbell
(Taipei Times, Jan. 23, 2008) While there is much that separates the US and Taiwan -- very different
histories, national aspirations and worldviews -- there are still important
things that unite them. The US
and Taiwan
each possesses among the most active and participatory democracies in the world
and the intensity of the two presidential campaigns are cases in point.
Let Taiwanese Decide on China
Ties: Chen
(Straits Times, Jan. 2, 2008) Taiwan's
ties with China should be
determined by the Taiwanese - and not by Beijing or Washington, President Chen Shui-bian says. His comments came in the wake of mounting
pressure from China and
the United States on Taiwan
to abort a contentious referendum which could potentially destabilize
cross-strait ties.
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