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.
85℅ Believe Communication Needed in Cross-Strait Relations
According to United Daily News' "Annual Survey of Cross-Strait Relations," 85 percent of respondents believe that it is necessary to maintain cross-strait communication channels, and 40 percent hope to see strengthened cross-strait economic and trade ties.
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McCarthy's Downfall：A Lesson for Taiwan
Representative Kevin McCarthy was ousted from his position as speaker of the United States House of Representatives.
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This Week in Taiwan 1001-1007
October 2: The United Daily News published an annual survey on cross-strait relations. In Taiwan, the public's sense of hostility in cross-strait relations has eased slightly. Although cross-strait political, military, and diplomatic interactions remain tense, the public believes that the possibility of war is low. Should military conflict occur in the Taiwan Strait, 48 percent believe that the United States will send troops to assist in Taiwan's defense, but 40 percent think otherwise. The public believes that "Taiwan independence" is the biggest variable in cross-strait relations. Some 85 percent believe that cross-strait communication is necessary; 57 percent advocate "maintaining the status quo forever," a new high. Regarding President Tsai Ing-wen's handling of cross-strait relations, 38 percent are satisfied, while 49 percent are dissatisfied.
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Polls Speak for Themselves：Advancing Opposition Integration from Bottom Up
According to the presidential election poll released on September 27 by the United Daily News, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate William Lai is the frontrunner, with challengers Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) candidate Ko Wen-je and Kuomintang (KMT) candidate Hou Yu-ih trailing and the two garnering similar levels of support.
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Four Challenges Faced by "Opposition Alliance"
Chairman Eric Chu of the Kuomintang (KMT) has been strongly advocating for a coalition of opposition presidential candidates to reclaim political power.
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With U.S.-China Tensions Easing, DPP Now in Dilemma
Hu Xijin, former editor-in-chief of mainland China’s Global Times, posted on Weibo, revealing that he had dinner with Keith Bradsher, Beijing bureau chief of the New York Times.
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This Week in Taiwan 0923-0930
September 23: The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) released the industrial production index for August, which dropped by 10 percent year-on-year. The economy is not showing signs of improvement, and the MOEA stated that the probability of a fourth-quarter turnaround has decreased. If the figure does not turn positive in October, then industrial production may remain dark until the end of the year, and the annual production index is expected to see a decline. The National Development Council also announced the business climate index for August, for which the 10th consecutive blue light indicates sluggish economic performance.
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Hou：Negotiation Only Possible with Bargaining Chips
Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih made his debut visit to the United States on September 19 and delivered a speech in a seminar at the Brookings Institution.
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In Washington, Hou Uttered Key Words Both U.S. and China Want to Hear
A proposal to avoid cross-strait conflict was put forth by Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih during his recent visit to the United States.
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Control Yuan President Chen Chu's Choice
Once again, President Chen Chu of the Control Yuan came under the media spotlight.
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