This Week in Taiwan 0901-0907
September 1:
During his campaign, President Lai Ching-te expressed a desire to have dinner with Chinese President Xi Jinping. However, in a recent television interview, when asked if he had considered meeting Xi, Lai stated that he hasn't thought about it. He emphasized that Taiwan cannot accept the "1992 Consensus" based on the "One China" principle. He also countered the "Lai skeptic" narrative, stating that Taiwan and the United States have excellent communication channels.
September 2:
Mainland China's General Administration of Customs announced the resumption of imports of Taiwanese pomelos. The Taiwan Affairs Office of the mainland's State Council stated that as long as the "1992 Consensus" is upheld and Taiwan independence is opposed, "family" matters can be discussed and resolved easily. The mainland's General Administration of Customs had suspended the import of Taiwanese citrus fruits since August 3, 2022, due to the detection of quarantine pests.
September 2:
To prevent the theft of high-tech secrets by mainland China, the Investigation Bureau, Ministry of Justice, launched a large-scale investigation in late August into eight mainland Chinese companies suspected of establishing bases in Taiwan using offshore funds or fake Taiwanese or foreign investments, or poaching high-tech talent. A total of 30 locations were searched, and 65 people were questioned.
September 3:
In recent years, Japan has repeatedly spoken out on Taiwan Strait issues, which Beijing perceives as hyping the notion that "a Taiwan issue is a Japan issue," playing the "Taiwan card." In response, Beijing plans to counter with the "Ryukyu card." Hong Kong's Sing Tao Daily reported that Dalian Maritime University will establish the first Ryukyu Research Center. The article suggests that Beijing might use the non-recognition of Okinawa as Japanese territory as a countermeasure, tit for tat.
September 3:
Mark Liu, former chairman of the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), attended the first meeting of the Executive Yuan's Economic Development Advisory Committee, and analyzed the direction of Taiwan's economic development. He is optimistic about the prospects of four major industries: space, green energy, databases, and biotechnology. He particularly highlighted the database industry as a "gift from heaven." If Taiwan develops cooling systems, it will make the world "rely on Taiwan."
September 3:
In a program interview, President Lai stated that China wants to take over Taiwan not for territorial integrity but to become a hegemon capable of changing the world order. Otherwise, why not reclaim the territories taken by Russia in the past?
Beijing has not responded; however, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement refuting Lai's remarks, stating that the border issues were resolved through treaties signed in the 2000s. It also criticized Lai as a "barking dog."
September 4:
New Director Raymond Greene of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) met with the press for the first time. Greene indicated that Taiwan is not the only target of China's intimidation and coercion to change the status quo. More and more countries are realizing the importance of cooperating with like-minded partners. This is not to prepare for war but to avoid war; maintaining strategic balance in the Taiwan Strait and Indo-Pacific region can promote peaceful dialogue and resolve disputes.
September 5:
Chairman Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) is accused of intent to profit the developer of the Living Mall project during his tenure as Taipei mayor and was detained by the Taipei District Court.
The TPP held an emergency expanded meeting, accusing the Lai administration of abusing judicial tools for political attacks and persecution against Ko. They announced a full-party mobilization and nationwide talks to counter the DPP's "new party state."
Legislator Huang Kuo-chang, co-convener of the response team, revealed that the AIT had contacted the TPP but did not disclose details.