Taiwan Weekly is a newsletter released every week by Fair Winds Foundation, Association of Foreign Relations and Taipei Forum that provides coverage and perspectives into the latest developments in Taiwan.
This Week in Taiwan 0425-0502
April 25: During the first trial operation of the Green line of the Taichung Metro, a train coupling failure occurred, and service became suspended. After repair and second trial operation, the Taichung Metro officially commenced service on April 25. President Tsai Ing-wen, former President Ma Ying-jeou, and five incumbent and former mayors of Taipei and Taichung attended the opening ceremony. Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen stated that the city finally has its first metro line after 13 years of construction.
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NSB: Approaching Centennial, Chinese Communist Party to Take More Assertive Stance Towards Taiwan
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party.
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If the U.S. and China Can Collaborate, Why Can't Both Sides of the Taiwan Strait？
During the recent Leaders Summit on Climate hosted by President Joe Biden of the United States, Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed positive attitudes towards the United States.
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Citi Exit Exposes Taiwan's Deep-Seated Political and Economic Risks
Citigroup dropped a bombshell with the announcement of its exit of consumer banking in 13 markets, including Taiwan.
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This Week in Taiwan 0418-0424
April 20: A Taroko Express train of the Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) crashed with a construction vehicle that slipped onto the track on April 2, killing 49 people. Minister of Transportation and Communications Lin Chia-lung resigned, and the Executive Yuan announced on April 19 that Deputy Minister Wang Kuo-tsai will take over as minister, and Railway Bureau chief Hu Hsiang-lin will become deputy minister, effective April 20.
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U.S.-Japan Summit Reaffirms Significance of Cross-Strait Peace and Stability
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga of Japan and President Joe Biden of the United States held their first face-to-face Meeting at the White House in the early morning on April 17, Taiwan time.
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Harsh Words from U.S. Forces Japan into Dilemma
A scene in 2016 left quite the impression: then Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visiting then President-elect Donald Trump, a private citizen still.
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Taiwan and U.S. Calculations: Publicity Shows Sense of Distance
When President Joe Biden of the United States sent his personal friend former Senator Christopher Dodd to visit Taiwan, China suddenly announced live-fire drills along Chinese coast as a gesture to protest against U.S.-Taiwan exchanges.
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This Week in Taiwan 0411-0417
April 11: In an interview by NBC, Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the United States is concerned about aggressive actions taken by mainland China towards Taiwan. Blinken further warned that any attempt by force to change the status quo in the Western Pacific would be a grave mistake. But he did not answer the hypothetical question of whether the United States would send troops to defend Taiwan.
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U.S. Issues New Guidelines on Interactions with Taiwan, Complicating "One China" Policy
The United States Department of State announced on April 9 a new version of its guidelines for interactions with Taiwan, relaxing the U.S. restrictions on engaging with Taiwanese officials.
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