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.
Taiwan Signs Contract with COVAX to Procure Coronavirus Vaccines But Refuses Vaccines from China
As the coronavirus (COVID-19) spreads all over the world, the people of Taiwan are eagerly anticipating vaccines.
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This Week in Taiwan 0920-0926
September 22: On September 21, the Taipei District Prosecutor's Office concluded its investigation of the bribery case concerning various legislators. It determined that the principal of Pacific Distribution Investment Company, Lee Heng-lung, in order to seize business control of the SOGO department stores, bribed legislators and legislative aides with NT$37.7 million (about US$1.3 million) over nine years. Among them, Legislator Su Chen-ching used his uncle Su Jia-chyuan's political rank within the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration to demand NT$25.8 million (about US$886,000), the most, in bribes.
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Saber-Rattling China Harasses Taiwan to Protest Visit by Top U.S. Diplomat
Under Secretary of State Keith Krach of the United States arrived in Taiwan on the evening of the September 17.
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A Gunpowder Magazine of U.S.-China Rivalry
The lifting of the ban on U.S. pork and beef import two months ago was thought to have the resumption of U.S-Taiwan economic talk in return.
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Proposed Technological Investigation Act Treats the People as Enemy
In the Conference on National Security Protection, President Tsai Ing-wen reminded national security agencies of Taiwan's being a country that takes great account of democracy and human rights—officials, therefore, should keep in mind the rule of law foundation and the promise to protect human rights when they engage in national security jobs.
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This Week in Taiwan 0914-0920
September 14: The Legislative Yuan reached a cross-partisan agreement to set up a constitutional amendment committee which will be represented proportionally by political party. The committee will be composed of 22 Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), 14 Kuomintang (KMT), two Taiwan People's Party (TPP), and one New Power Party (NPP) legislators. Current constitutional amendment proposals include lowering the voting age to 18 years old and abolishing the Examination Yuan and Control Yuan, among other issues.
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China Conducts Military Exercises, President Tsai Warns Intruders
Recently, both U.S. and Chinese military aircraft and ships have continuously appeared in the airspace and sea around Taiwan.
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Su Chi: China May Launch “Punitive Strike" to Teach Taiwan a Lesson
In face of the United States playing the "Taiwan card," former Secretary-General of the National Security Council Su Chi said today that the administration of President Tsai Ing-wen is acting as if it has bipolar disorder.
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Over-Powerful Government Pursues Judges and Elected Representatives
Recently, the administration of President Tsai Ing-wen has taken two rare and consecutive judicial actions to pursue judges and city councilors.
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This Week in Taiwan 0906-0912
September 8: In an op-ed published by the United Daily News, a junior high school teacher alleged that the new curriculum for eighth graders greatly reduced Chinese history content. For example, discussion about the Three Kingdoms period and Wu Zetian is absent, stirring controversy. The National Academy for Education Research responded that because eighth grade students only receive a period of history education a week, Under the framework of surveying the past to understand the present, it is difficult to demand publishers to include specific content. But educators are free to exercise their discretion in teaching.
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