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.

Hsiao to Be Announced Running Mate:Challenges Facing Lai's National Security Team

Hsiao to Be Announced Running Mate:Challenges Facing Lai's National Security Team

It is widely reported in Taipei's political circles that Ambassador Bi-khim Hsiao, representative to the United States, made a secret trip to Taiwan at the end of October.

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Examination of Taiwan's GDP per Capita Ranking 12th in the World

Examination of Taiwan's GDP per Capita Ranking 12th in the World

There is a huge disparity between Taiwan's purchasing power parity (PPP) indices and exchange rates.

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This Week in Taiwan 1105-1111

This Week in Taiwan 1105-1111

November 5: At a symposium held by the R.O.C. Constitutional Law Society, Wu Yu-shan, academician of the Academia Sinica, stated that there may be a minority president who does not have absolute majority support; the political party to which he belongs will also not have a majority in the parliament and will insist on forming a minority government. Such a "double minority" will affect the legitimacy of the government. Former Grand Justice Su Yeong-chin opined that having a "double minority" is a false democracy and will produce a responsibility crisis. Scholars suggested that when he nominates the cabinet, the new president should propose a vote of confidence to the parliament.

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KMT-TPP Alliance Reaches Stalemate!Ko Keeps Party List Open, Prepares for Elimination Battle

KMT-TPP Alliance Reaches Stalemate!Ko Keeps Party List Open, Prepares for Elimination Battle

With the 2024 presidential and legislative elections approaching, a discreet meeting held on October 31 among three prominent figures in Taiwanese politics, namely Chairman Eric Chu of the Kuomintang (KMT), KMT presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih, and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je, lasted a lengthy 53 minutes but yielded no consensus.

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Lai Ching-te's False Pretense of Respecting New Immigrants

Lai Ching-te's False Pretense of Respecting New Immigrants

The Taiwan People's Party (TPP) is reportedly contemplating nominating Xu Chunying, a mainland Chinese spouse, on its party list for legislators-at-large.

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Lai Energy Policy, Fraught with Problems, Must be Rectified

Lai Energy Policy, Fraught with Problems, Must be Rectified

In October last year, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate William Lai announced his energy policy platform which has three key points: First, accelerate the development of "forward-looking energy" such as geothermal energy, biomass energy, ocean energy, and hydrogen energy.

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This Week in Taiwan 1029-1104

This Week in Taiwan 1029-1104

October 30: The Taiwan People's Party (TPP) intends to include Hsu Chun-ying, a mainland Chinese spouse, in its legislative election party list, triggering attacks from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). DPP presidential candidate William Lai criticized Hsu's potential entry into the Legislative Yuan, fearing a national security crisis. Premier Chen Chien-jen also responded that personnel should be considered with national security as the highest standard. Chairman Ko Wen-je of the TPP questioned why cannot people with Republic of China (Taiwan) national identity cards run for political office.

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 Lai Shocked by Scandal

Lai Shocked by Scandal

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Chao Tian-lin, who was involved years ago in an extra-marital affair scandal and faced with national security leak allegations, withdrew his re-election campaign for legislator, the seventh DPP-friendly legislator candidate to do so because of controversy.

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Hou Urging Marriage Failed to Impress Ko But Successfully Reclaimed KMT Supporters?

Hou Urging Marriage Failed to Impress Ko But Successfully Reclaimed KMT Supporters?

Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih recently proposed that he and Ko Wen-je, presidential candidate of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), must run on the same ticket.

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Political and Economic Analysis of Foxconn's Tax Audit in Mainland China

Political and Economic Analysis of Foxconn's Tax Audit in Mainland China

Recently, the mainland Chinese government has conducted tax audit and land use investigations on Foxconn Group, a subsidiary of Hon Hai Precision Industry Company.

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