Published since 2019 by the Fair Winds Foundation and Association of Foreign Relations, Taiwan Weekly provides in-depth report and analysis of the major issues facing Taiwan.
National Security Team Lost Facing U.S. Election
The American presidential election will inevitably impact U.S.-Taiwan relations and the security situation in the Taiwan Strait. In the face of potential changes, there is no sign of proactive planning from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration. Instead, senior officials making inconsistent and erratic statements are widely reported. The administration of President Lai Ching-te is shifting the blame to China's cognitive warfare to cover up its own incompetence and anxiety.
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This Week in Taiwan 1103-1109
November 4: According to the United Daily News, the Army Command confirmed that the first batch of HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, part of the "Long-Range Precision Strike System" procured from the United States, has arrived in Taiwan. The 58th Artillery Command of the 10th Army Corps is responsible for receiving and training on the HIMARS, which will be responsible for long-range and high-value maritime target strikes, while the Thunderbolt 2000 will handle fire support within 24 nautical miles for anti-landing operations, forming a comprehensive long, medium, and short-range strike capability.
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A Hundred Ways to Get Around Issues: Lies to Cover Up Power Shortages
Many may not realize that the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) long-promoted vision of "nuclear-free homeland" has already been achieved! Taiwan is currently in a "nuclear-free" state. However, this isn't due to the closure of all nuclear plants; the last operational unit of the Third Nuclear Power Plant is undergoing maintenance. Seizing this moment, the administration of President Lai Ching-te is letting people experience the "benefits" of a nuclear-free environment for a trial period of 41 days.
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Wind and Solar Power Dropped to Zero, Thermal Surged to 94% on Typhoon Day
Amid controversies, the environmental impact assessment meeting of the Ministry of Environment passed the assessment for the four additional gas-fired power generating units of the second phase of the Taichung Power Plant. Keeping the six existing coal-fired generating units as backup, this expansion raised huge questionings outside. On the next day after the environmental impact assessment was passed, Typhoon Kong-rey battered Taiwan. The electricity generation system of the Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) shows that thermal power accounted for 94 percent of power generation on that day. This figure explains why the administration of President Lai Ching-te recklessly passed the environmental impact assessment of the Taichung Power Plant and exposes the hidden secret why the six coal-fired units are kept.
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Faced with Internal and External Pressures, Where is TSMC's Backing？
In a recent televised interview, U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump stated that upon returning to the White House, he will impose tariffs on imported chips from Taiwan and other places. As soon as these words emerged, the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s (TSMC) American depository receipt (ADR) stock price plummeted 4.3 percent and dragged down TSMC’s Taiwan stock price by NT$10, causing investor panic. According to TSMC founder Morris Zhang, the company has become a battleground for military strategists, with “the most serious challenge lying just ahead.”
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This Week in Taiwan 1027-1102
October 27: On the eve of the presidential election in the United States, the Biden administration announced a new wave of arms sales to Taiwan. The Department of State approved the sale of two-long range air defense radars and an advanced surface-to-air missile system (NASAMS) to Taiwan, with a total value of approximately $1.9 billion. This marks the 17th arms sale to Taiwan by the Biden administration and the largest since President Joe Biden took office.
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Grand Justices Create Weakest Democratic Parliament in the World
On Retrocession Day observed on October 25, the Constitutional Court issued the ninth ruling of year 2024, declaring parts of the Legislative Yuan's "parliamentary reform" legislation unconstitutional—specifically its core provisions. This decision could render the Legislative Yuan one of the weakest parliaments in democratic nations. While the executive branch celebrates, the court’s credibility faces renewed scrutiny.
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Prosecution's Battle to "Rescue" Ko
In ten days, Chairman Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) will be detained for two months. During these 50 days, the Taipei District Prosecutors Office has tried its best to prove that there is indeed a “cash flow” problem between the Core Pacific Group. Regrettably, apart from the unproven investigative information that is flying around, and the “cold wallet” that everyone laughed at, there is still no irrefutable evidence of “cash flow”. The prosecution conducted a large-scale interrogation of various “donors” who have made political contributions to Ko or the TPP. This only reinforces one question: What is the relationship between these people and the case of Living Mall? Is the prosecution investigating Ko’s abuse of public power for private profit? Or is it a bribery allegation or just a political donation case?
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Demand to Move Taiwan's Liaison Office in South Arica Causes Diplomatic Turmoil
South Africa’s demand that Taiwan relocate the Taipei Liaison Office from the capital city of Pretoria within six months has posed a significant challenge to bilateral relations. Such a request reflects South Africa government’s leaning toward the “One China” policy, suggesting that Taiwan’s diplomatic space is becoming increasingly constrained. Broadly speaking, the deterioration of cross-strait relations is indeed impacting Taiwan’s diplomacy, leading to heightened international isolation and forcing Taiwan to adopt more flexible and innovative approaches.
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This Week in Taiwan 1020-1026
October 20: During his inspection tour in Anhui Province on April 17, Chinese President XI Jinping visited a Rocket Force base. According to Hong Kong media, it was likely the 611 Brigade of the Rocket Force's 61st Base, which covers the Taiwan Strait. It is possible that Xi inspected the new Dongfeng-26 ballistic missile. The Dongfeng-26 is the world's largest medium-and long-range anti-ship ballistic missile in active service, with a range of 5,000 kilometers, covering the American military base in Guam. The Singapore United Morning Most analyzed that Xi's intention was to target the United States and deter Taiwan independence.
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