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.

Arms Sales Policy Adjustment Prefaces U.S. Coordination of Taiwan's Military

Arms Sales Policy Adjustment Prefaces U.S. Coordination of Taiwan's Military

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Regional Security Mira Resnick of the United States held a video conference with members of the U.S.-Taiwan Business Council and the American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan on May 14, explaining that the administration of President Joe Biden has adjusted its arms sales policy to Taiwan, saying that the U.S. will be terminating most arms sales to Taiwan that do not fall under the category of “asymmetric warfare."

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This Week in Taiwan 0515-0521

This Week in Taiwan 0515-0521

May 15: On Sunday afternoon, the Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church reported a bloody shooting causing one death and five injuries. A 52-year-old Taiwanese doctor who stood up to block the gunman was shot to death. The shooter was David Chou, an immigrant who was born in Taiwan. Police called the shooting a politically motivated hate crime, and the suspect could face death penalty. 

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U.S. State Department Removes "Taiwan Part of China" Reference

U.S. State Department Removes "Taiwan Part of China" Reference

On May 5, the United States Department of State made a substantial update to its U.S.-Taiwan relations "fact sheet."

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Pendulum Swing on U.S. Revision of "One China" Policy

Pendulum Swing on U.S. Revision of "One China" Policy

After the United States Department of State website deleted sensitive statements such as "does not support Taiwan independence" and "acknowledging the Chinese position that there is but one China and Taiwan is part of China," Kurt Campbell, director of the White House National Security Council Indo-Pacific Affairs Coordination, and Spokesman Ned Price of the State Department immediately reiterated that their position of "not supporting Taiwan independence" remains unchanged.

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President Tsai's Judicial Reform and Justice All Down the Drain

President Tsai's Judicial Reform and Justice All Down the Drain

The Constitutional Court upheld the Executive Yuan’s letter notice nullifying local ordinances passed by various local legislatures mandating zero detection of ractopamine additive in imported pork.

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This Week in Taiwan 0508-0514

This Week in Taiwan 0508-0514

May 9: In 2019, the Control Yuan impeached prosecutor Chen Lung-hsiang who investigated former Legislator Tuan Yi-kang's case about an unfulfilled promise of swallowing a hockey puck. However, the impeachment was rejected by the Civil Service Disciplinary Committee of the Judicial Yuan. In support of Chen, outgoing prosecutor-general Chiang Hui-min criticized "specific individuals" in the Control Yuan for infringing the Constitution and undermining prosecutorial independence, causing a serious chilling effect.

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A Small Shell Company Won Big Government Tender

A Small Shell Company Won Big Government Tender

With the sharply surging pandemic situation in Taiwan but an insufficient supply of rapid test kits, the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) gave a project approval for 22 companies to import test kits, one of which was Golden Global Biomedicine, Ltd.

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Despite Overwhelming Pandemic, DPP Supporters Still Dividing the Spoils

Despite Overwhelming Pandemic, DPP Supporters Still Dividing the Spoils

The number of confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) cases surged past 36,000 a day, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) predicted that the daily caseload would reach 100,000 by May, 11, making people across Taiwan get themselves into a panic.

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What Has Taiwan Learned from the Russia-Ukraine War？

What Has Taiwan Learned from the Russia-Ukraine War？

The Russia-Ukraine war on the surface was the result of the accumulation of old and new scores between the two countries, but behind the scene it was not without the power manipulation by the United States.

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This Week in Taiwan 0501-0507

This Week in Taiwan 0501-0507

May 2: The Russia-Ukraine War is affecting military production capacity of the United States. The Department of State notified Taiwan that the first arms sale by the administration of President Joe Biden, 40 units of the M109A6 howitzer for about $750 million, would be suspended. The Ministry of National Defense (MND) confirmed that the United States has informed Taiwan that the arms will not be delivered until at least 2026. In addition, Taiwan's procurement of man-portable stinger missiles may also see delayed delivery. The MND will continue to ask that the United States perform the contract.

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