Published since 2019 by the Fair Winds Foundation and Association of Foreign Relations, Taiwan Weekly provides in-depth report and analysis of the major issues facing Taiwan.

President Lai's Calculation Behind "Greater Democracy"

President Lai's Calculation Behind "Greater Democracy"

As 2024 closed, the Legislative Yuan passed amendments to the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures, Public Officials Election and Recall Act, and Constitutional Court Procedure Act. At the time, President Lai Ching-te called for "greater democracy" to address political differences, sparking widespread discussion. During his New Year’s Day address, President Lai reiterated that the people have the rights to election, recall, initiative, and referendum, permitting the aggregation of greater democratic power and embodying the essence of popular sovereignty. On January 2, the Executive Yuan promptly proposed a reconsideration of the Constitutional Court Procedure Act.

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Arbitrarily Dismissing Mainland Spouse from Elected Office: What Else Won't the Lai Administration Do？

Arbitrarily Dismissing Mainland Spouse from Elected Office: What Else Won't the Lai Administration Do？

The Ministry of the Interior (MOI) dismissed Shi Xueyan, a mainland Chinese spouse who served as member in the Nantou County Council, on the grounds of failing to renounce her original nationality under the Nationality Act. Although Shi was a substitute appointee and has since left office, she was undeniably an elected official. The MOI’s reliance on a highly contentious administrative order to disregard public opinion demonstrates an extreme abuse of authority and poses significant constitutional risks for the future.

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Prosecution Also Suffered While Destroying Ko's Character

Prosecution Also Suffered While Destroying Ko's Character

After four months of intense investigation, the 100,000-word indictment by the  Taipei District Prosecutors Office details facts underlying charges against Chairman Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) and seeks a heavy sentence of 28.5 years. While the gravity of the requested sentence did not shock the public, the indictment not only ruined Ko’s character but also made the prosecution suffer.

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Rejecting Justice Appointment, Self-Denying DPP Undermines Presidential Authority

Rejecting Justice Appointment, Self-Denying DPP Undermines Presidential Authority

Faced with the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party’s (TPP) majority in the Legislative Yuan, President Lai Ching-te's nominations of seven grand justices, including candidates for president and vice president of the Judicial Yuan, were all rejected. While this outcome was expected, what was surprising was that the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) failed to support Liu Ching-yi, the nominated constitutional court justice. Although the surface reason was the professor’s strong anti-death penalty stance and her past criticisms of the DPP, deeper political maneuvers were likely at play. The DPP feared Liu, if confirmed, would be uncontrollable, thus leading to the unprecedented situation of the ruling party caucus in the Legislative Yuan opposing the president’s nominee.

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Let Taiwan Recuperate by Respecting Democratic Outcome

Let Taiwan Recuperate by Respecting Democratic Outcome

After intense debate, the Legislative Yuan passed the amendments to the Public Officials Election and Recall Act, Constitutional Court Procedure Act, and Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures on December 20. President Lai Ching-te strongly criticized the bills, claiming they were passed without sufficient discussion, disregarding public opinion and violating democratic principles.

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China Uses Twin Cities Forum to Throw ''Shanghai Tourists'' Soft Ball: How Should Lai Administration Respond？

China Uses Twin Cities Forum to Throw ''Shanghai Tourists'' Soft Ball: How Should Lai Administration Respond？

Thankfully, the administration of President Lai Ching-te did not block the Twin City Forum, otherwise, Taiwan’s tourism industry might have missed this good news: Shanghai plans to actively promote group tours to Taiwan. This move by mainland China is clearly a goodwill gesture aimed at Taiwan, and how the Lai administration handles this will be a critical test of its cross-strait policy.

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U.S. Retreats from First Island Chain, Exposing Taiwan's Cross-Strait Dilemma

U.S. Retreats from First Island Chain, Exposing Taiwan's Cross-Strait Dilemma

The People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) recent military activities was described by national security officials as a "silent exercise," with the Ministry of National Defense noting its impressive naval strength and its positioning between the first and second island chains. However, the true nature of this exercise remains unclear. The concept of the Pacific "island chain" still deeply influences the ruling party.

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DPP Blocks Legislation and Legislative Yuan Chamber, Mirroring South Korean National Assembly

DPP Blocks Legislation and Legislative Yuan Chamber, Mirroring South Korean National Assembly

On December 3, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol unexpectedly declared martial law, deploying troops and police to block the National Assembly. This move, meant to safeguard national security against from North Korea and domestic pro-North Korean elements, sought to prevent lawmakers from carrying out their duties. Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), on the other hand, has mirrored this by locking down its legislature to block legislation backed by the opposition. The development raises concerns that under President Lai Ching-te, Taiwan’s democracy may be slowly unraveling.

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True Threat to National Security: High-Ranking Fools Unaware of Their Own incompetence

True Threat to National Security: High-Ranking Fools Unaware of Their Own incompetence

Ahead of Taiwan's presidential election in January this year, a nationwide alert was issued, warning mainland Chinese missiles passing over Taiwan, using terms like "missile" and "air raid." However, the satellite launch by the mainland was publicly announced in advance, so why issue an alert? The Ministry of National Defense explained that the rocket, originally expected to fly over the Bashi Channel, had shifted north, but our detection shows that it veered north and flew over southern Taiwan. However, the owner of the "Einstein Probe" satellite, the European Space Agency, immediately announced that the satellite had successfully entered orbit and was operational. Despite deviating over 100 kilometers during launch, it was able to return to its original trajectory, a remarkable breakthrough in space technology. As the elections concluded, more news poured in, an such unreasonable explanations were no longer questioned.

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Taiwan's New Strategy: Create Obstruction Then Build Goodwill

Taiwan's New Strategy: Create Obstruction Then Build Goodwill

The Twin Cities Forum between Taipei and Shanghai has faced several setbacks, originally planned for July or August but delayed until December. Despite preparations being in place, mainland Chinese military actions soured cross-strait relations, creating uncertainty around the event. Fortunately, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) eventually gave conditional approval, allowing the 15th Forum to proceed. The MAC employed a strategy of "creating resistance first, then removing it," creating goodwill while shifting political responsibility to the Taipei City Government, and indirectly pressuring the mainland to curb military drills.

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