Taipei Times - archivesTaiwan as a “free and independent sovereign state.”

Taipei Times - archives
In a dramatic presentation to congressional staff on Wednesday, Democratic Representative Robert Andrews declared that he wanted to go further and would push US President Barack Obama to recognize Taiwan as a “free and independent sovereign state.”

Taipei Times - archives

Taipei Times - archives
To many in the West, China seems to have gone from a country that “keeps a cool head and maintains a low profile” in Deng Xiaoping’s (鄧小平) formulation, to one that loves a good international bust-up. Putting an Australian mining executive behind bars for 10 years, squeezing out Google, keeping the EU at bay for an important dialogue and letting a mid-level official wag his finger at US President Barack Obama at the Copenhagen Climate summit is not, after all, the best way to convince partners of your constructive intentions.

Taipei Times - archives

Taipei Times - archives
These meetings are meant to open a public dialogue to help the DPP map a 10-year policy platform. Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) has given the project the highest priority, although she says it will not replace fundamental party values.

Beijing boss saying

Taipei Times - archives
Ma is highly unpopular in Taiwan but he enjoys Beijing’s backing. The trade pact threatens to blur the lines between what distinguishes Taiwan from China — especially in light of comments made by Ma and other officials in his Cabinet that an ECFA is only “transitory” and could lead to a “common market.”

too late for this time ?

Taipei Times - archives
Chang Huan-chen (張煥禎), leader of the team and superintendent of Lishin Hospital in Taoyuan County, said before departure that the team consists of medical personnel from Taipei City Hospital, National Cheng Kung University Hospital in Tainan City and Lishin Hospital.

too many secrets there

Taipei Times - archives
China yesterday declined Taiwan’s offer of assistance in the wake of a deadly earthquake that struck a mountainous area of Qinghai Province killing more than 600 people, saying sufficient rescue resources were in place to deal with the situation.

against ECFA

Taipei Times - archives
Michelle Wang (王美琇), an official with the Taiwan Rescue Action Alliance and one of the organizers of the planned demonstration, said yesterday that they wanted the international community to know that not all Taiwanese support the trade pact and that “the people are fed up” with the government's continued push to sign it.

no time for ma to play

Taipei Times - archives
As for the US, with the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) enjoying a comfortable majority in the legislature and Washington initially willing to show support for Ma’s bid to lower tensions in the Taiwan Strait, relations got off to a good start, which culminated in the approval of a long-delayed US arms sale to Taiwan. However, Taipei’s mishandling of the lifting of a ban on US beef and signs that the Ma administration was drifting uncomfortably into the Chinese sphere of influence have since cooled enthusiasm for Ma in some US diplomatic circles.

Red Taipei?

Taipei Times - archives
“I wave signs peacefully and I don’t stalk or provoke [Chinese tourists]. Why was I fined? Is Taiwan becoming the same as China, which oppresses Falun Gong?” asked Hsu, who appealed his case to the Taipei District Court.

no way for democracy in china

Taipei Times - archives
Therefore, all the talk of Western democracy as the way to go for China and other authoritarian regimes in the world is nonsense. China’s one-party rule, indeed, is a superior model for the world.