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.
To Join CPTPP, Taiwan Has Three Major Openings to Tackle
Recently, mainland China applied suddenly via New Zealand for membership in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
Details
This Week in Taiwan 0919-0925
September 20: After banning the import of Taiwanese pineapples earlier this year, mainland China announced the suspension of Taiwanese custard apple and wax apple imports due to detection of scale insects. The Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, immediately decided to invest NT$1 billion in agricultural loss funds to fully protect the rights and interests of farmers. Taiwan has also negotiated with the mainland through official channels. If it does not receive a reply before September 30, Taiwan will then file a trade arbitration with the World Trade Organization (WHO).
Details
DPP Aims to Turn PTS into Party Media
The Ministry of Culture has announced draft amendments to the Public Television Act which would not only greatly reduce the number of directors and the review threshold for their appointment but also stipulate that the chairman of the Public Television Service Foundation, who is currently elected by the board of directors from among its members, would be designated by the premier.
Details
New Authoritarianism in Politics and Media Meddling with Taiwan’s Public Television
The Ministry of Culture announced a draft revision of the Public Television Act.
Details
Proposal to Mix Moderna with Medigen Controversial, Clinical Trials to Start Next Week
Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines remain in short supply in Taiwan, as only 34,000 people were inoculated with the second dose, while some 3 million people are anxiously waiting for their second dose.
Details
This Week in Taiwan 0912-0918
September 13: The Navy procured from the United States 100 sets of shore-mounted harpoon missile systems. Due to a tight budget, it originally planned to purchase 32 sets. However, after high-level American national security officials strongly demanded that Taiwan must procure all at once, the Navy was forced to submit a new price offer. The Navy prepared a budget of NT$86.6 billion (about US$3.1 billion) to procure 100 sets of harpoons at once.
Details
Biden Has No Intention to Change "One China" Policy
On the eve of the 20th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, Chinese President Xi Jinping had a telephone conversation with President Joe Biden on the morning of September 10.
Details
White House Still Contemplating Proposed Name Change for Taiwan's Representative Office
Following the second phone call between President Joe Biden of the United States and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Financial Times reported that the United States and Taiwan's top national security officials met face-to-face in Annapolis, Maryland.
Details
Overtones in Biden-Xi Phone Call
President Joe Biden of the United States made a phone call to Chinese President Xi Jinping on September 10, the second phone call since February.
Details
Afghanistan Withdrawal and Taiwan's Mass Production of Medium-Range Missiles
The withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, coupled with Taiwan's decision to mass produce medium-range missiles, is the worst strategic combination for Taiwan.
Details