This Week in Taiwan 0906-0912
September 8: In an op-ed published by the United Daily News, a junior high school teacher alleged that the new curriculum for eighth graders greatly reduced Chinese history content. For example, discussion about the Three Kingdoms period and Wu Zetian is absent, stirring controversy. The National Academy for Education Research responded that because eighth grade students only receive a period of history education a week. Under the framework of surveying the past to understand the present, it is difficult to demand publishers to include specific content. But educators are free to exercise their discretion in teaching.
September 9: Former Chairman Shih Mu-chin of the Public Functionary Disciplinary Sanction, Judicial Yuan, was impeached by the Control Yuan last month for his long-standing improper contact with involved parties. Control Yuan member Wang Mei-yu and Kao Yung-cheng stated that the investigation found several members of the judiciary and prosecution involved. They requested that the Executive Yuan and Judicial Yuan within two months investigate and punish accordingly and expose the facts to the public.
September 11: Spokesman Ting Yun-kung of the Office of the President was exposed that during his tenure as director of the Kaohsiung Information Bureau from 2014 to 2017, he concealed his engagement and was romantically involved with female journalists and had sex in the director's office. Ting later forced the pregnant journalist to receive an abortion and engaged romantically with other women, stirring harsh criticism from the public. Ting was permitted to resign from his Office of the President spokesman post on September 9.
Control Yuan Member Chih Hui-jung and Wang Mei-yu stated that they have filed to investigate Ting's case and will interview Control Yuan President Chen Chu, Ting's former superior, if necessary. According to various reports, Chen Chu received an appeal about the incidents but did not deal with it, allowing Ting to rise politically to the positions of deputy spokesman of the Executive Yuan and spokesman of the Office of the President.
September 11: Another case of mainland Chinese face masks labeled as made in Taiwan. A company in Changhua imported face masks from mainland China and repackaged them as Taiwanese-made medical face masks for sale. The company's leader was interviewed by the prosecution on September 10 and was released on a NT$2 million (about US$68,000) bail. The company posted on its official website an announcement regarding product returns.
Another man in Taipei set up an underground factory to produce counterfeit medical masks but marketed them in the name of a company as part of the national face mask production team, making illegal gains of $5 million (about US$171,000). The prosecution was granted permission to detain the man on September 11.
The Food and Drug Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare, announced that effective September 17, each piece of domestic Taiwanese face masks must be individually labeled "MD" and "Made in Taiwan." Unsold products on the selves will have to be withdrawn by December 17 and stamped by health authorities before they may be sold.
September 12: The Kuomintang (KMT) announced on September 8 that former Legislative Yuan Speaker Wang Jin-pyng will lead a delegation to Xiamen to attend the Straits Forum and is expected to meet Chairman Wang Yang of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. This is the largest cross-strait people-to-people exchange since cross-strait communication and exchanges were cut off due to the pandemic this year.
Unexpectedly, Wang's request to meet with President Tsai has led to suspicion whether Wang would act as an official messenger, and news anchor Li Hong of CCTV commented that Wang's visit is to sue for peace in time of war, causing controversy. KMT Chairman Johnny Chiang demanded an apology on September 12, or the visit will be canceled. China's Taiwan Affairs Office, State Council, and CCTV immediately tried to intercede and put out the fire. They changed their remarks to commend Wang and stated that the KMT should attend the Straits Forum.
Update: The KMT announced that it would not attend the Straits Forum in the capacity of political party.