This Week in Taiwan 1003-1009
October 4: The Ministry of National Defense stated that from October 1 to 10:50 PM on October 4, People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft intruded Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) 149 times. The fleet of 56 military aircraft on October 4 was the highest number ever in a single day. There were about 10 aircraft intrusions in 2019, 380 in 2020, and 600 this year as of early October. The targeted military provocations have seriously affected Taiwan's air defense and security.
October 6: National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan of the United States met with Director Yang Jiechi of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission, Chinese Communist Party, on September 6 at Hyatt Hotel in Zurich, Switzerland for nearly six hours. Both sides agreed to hold a leaders summit by video conference before the end of the year and agreed to strengthen strategic communication, properly manage differences, and avoid conflict and confrontation.
October 6: Following the domestic outbreak in May, the number of Metro riders across Taiwan fell like an avalanche. The Taipei Metro had incurred a deficit of more than NT$3 billion (about US$107 million) from January to August this year, which projects to losses of NT$8 billion (about US$285 million) for the whole year. The New Taipei circular line also lost NT$300 million (about US$10 million). Metro systems elsewhere in Taiwan have also suffered losses. In total, Metro systems may lose more than NT$10 billion (about US$356 million) this year.
October 7: Inflation pressure is rising. The Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics, Executive Yuan, announced that the consumer price index (CPI) in September grew 2.63 percent, a record high in 8.5 years, mainly due to rising prices of oil, air tickets, fruits and vegetables, meat, and clothing. The price of pork rose by 7.75 percent, the largest increase in 79 months.
October 8: The Ministry of Labor decided to raise the minimum wage. Starting next year, the minimum monthly salary will be adjusted from NT$24,000 (about US$856) to NT$25,250 (about US$900), an increase of NT$1,250 (about US$44) or about 5.21 percent, while the hourly wage will be adjusted from NT$160 (about US$5.71) to NT$168 (about US$5.99). The plan will be implemented after approval by the Executive Yuan. This is the sixth increase since President Tsai Ing-wen took office, also the greatest increase in her term. It is estimated that 1.94 million workers will benefit from the raised minimum wage.
October 8: Wei Yang, who led protesters in the Sunflower Student Movement seven years ago to storm the Executive Yuan, was previously charged with inciting others to commit crimes. The Taiwan High Court held that because the Executive Yuan withdrew the complaint, there would be no further prosecution. Another two, Lee Kuan-ling and Hsu Shun-chi, were unable to claim disobedience since they violently destroyed the defensive obstacles in front of the Executive Yuan. They were each sentenced to four months imprisonment for damaging civil servant possessions and fined. Both can appeal.
October 9: China continues to increase military pressure on Taiwan. In an exclusive report, the Wall Street Journal quoted an unnamed U.S. official on October 7 that more than 20 U.S. special operations and support unit and marine contingent personnel have been secretly stationed in Taiwan for at least a year to assist in training Taiwan's land and sea forces to strengthen Taiwan's defense capabilities.
October 9: Communist China held a celebration commemorating the 110th anniversary of the Xinhai Revolution. In his remarks, General-Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that Beijing will adhere to the basic principles of peaceful unification and "One Country Two Systems," as well as the "One China" principle and "1992 Consensus," to promote the peaceful development of cross-strait relations.
Spokesman Chang Chun-han of the Office of the President stressed that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent state and not part of the People’s Republic of China. The future of Taiwan is to be decided by its people.
October 10: In her National Day address, President Tsai proposed four commitments, including that the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China are not subordinate to each other. President Tsai stressed that this is the bottom line given to the government by the people of Taiwan and is also the greatest common denominator. She called upon the mainland to never think that the Taiwanese people would succumb to pressure. Taiwan will continue to bolster its national defense so as to ensure that no one can force Taiwan to follow the path set by China.