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MOFA upholds TFD’s autonomy amid meeting controversy
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) emphasizes respect for the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy’s (TFD) independent operation mechanism. Updates on the TFD board meeting and related controversies.
2024/04/02 14:31
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DPP lawmaker criticizes Ma Ying-jeou’s China visit
Criticism and controversy surround former President Ma Ying-jeou’s recent visit to China, with DPP legislator Wu Szu-yao questioning its impact on Taiwan’s national dignity. Ma’s meeting with Chinese officials, including a visit to DJI, a U.S.-blacklisted drone manufacturer, has sparked concerns about potential implications for Taiwan’s interests and international relations.
2024/04/02 14:24
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Art school student loses top art award for using AI
Fuhsin Trade and Arts School in New Taipei City revokes first prize from student Lin for suspected use of AI in artwork titled "Causing Havoc in the Dragon Palace." Lin admits to improper use of AI after three-day absence. School to reassign award based on scores.
2024/04/01 10:42
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Air gun attack reported shatters peace at MODA building
The Ministry of Digital Affairs in Taipei was reportedly shot at, leading to a police investigation. The incident occurred following controversy over overseas inspections and spending, with MODA defending its budget allocation practices.
2024/03/28 11:15
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Child Welfare League CEO resigns amid abuse scandal
Pai Li-fang, CEO of the Child Welfare League Foundation, is stepping down amid controversy over a nanny’s alleged abuse of a child. The Foundation vows full cooperation with authorities and promises reforms to prevent future incidents. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
2024/03/18 10:55
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Taiwan People’s Party slams NCC for recycled report content
The National Communications Commission (NCC) faces criticism from Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Legislator Huang Kuo-chang over a report presented to the Transportation Committee of the Legislative Yuan. The TPP calls for a special investigation team amid allegations of copied content and unresolved disputes related to Mirror TV application. Accusations of NCC Chairman Chen Yaw-shyang’s influence and regulatory shortcomings add fuel to the ongoing controversy.
2024/03/11 13:26
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TPP’s Ko slams government’s ’lazy’ traffic law amendments
Taipei (TVBS News) reports Taiwan People’s Party Chairman Ko Wen-je’s criticism of the government’s amendments to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act as "lazy solutions to lazy problems." Ko emphasizes the importance of upholding the rule of law and expresses concern over potential law-breaking consequences. The Executive Yuan’s recent approval of amendments to the Act, removing demerit points for minor traffic offenses, has sparked controversy.
2024/03/08 18:25
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K-pop star Karina apologizes amid dating news uproar
South Korean girl band aespa’s leader, Karina, faces backlash over her public apology for dating actor Lee Jae-wook. Fans’ reactions vary from support to protests, with some calling for Karina to end the relationship to protect her career. Despite the controversy, many fans continue to stand by Karina.
2024/03/06 15:00
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Bafang Yunji in hot water over food dye controversy
Bafang Yunji faces backlash over chili powder controversy as Taiwan’s Department of Health investigates alleged Sudan III use. The well-known dumpling chain’s claims of using compliant chili powder are met with skepticism online, sparking concerns over food safety and prompting calls for inspection agency changes.
2024/03/06 12:56
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Chinese families demand truth in coast guard clash
The controversy surrounding the death of Chinese fishermen in a Taiwan Coast Guard Administration operation intensifies as family representatives demand truth and accountability. Negotiations hinge on Taiwan’s sincerity, with demands for an apology, accountability, and compensation remaining non-negotiable. Accusations of Taiwan’s inconsistent narrative and lack of consensus on basic facts hinder effective negotiations.
2024/03/06 11:22
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Taiwan’s labor minister apologizes for MOU comment confusion
Taiwan’s Labor Minister Hsu Ming-chun apologized for comments that sparked controversy regarding a labor cooperation MOU with India. The Ministry aims to alleviate labor shortages, highlighting the benefits of Indian workers in Taiwan.
2024/03/05 17:22
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Jay Chou’s seating at Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour questioned
Mandopop king Jay Chou and his wife Kun Ling attend Taylor Swift’s Australian concert, sparking online rumors about the origin of their prime seating. Chou nonchalantly responds to controversy with a laughing yet crying-face emoji, dismissing skeptics on social media.
2024/02/19 11:36
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Taiwan’s new Congress: a stage for strategic party maneuvers
Controversy arises between the DPP and TPP following the election of the Legislative Yuan’s speaker and deputy speaker, with allegations of a "phone gate" incident and conspiracies over a cabinet leader dispute. The anticipated dynamics within the Legislative Yuan, including the Blue-White Cooperation between the KMT and TPP, may undergo significant changes due to each party’s objectives. Despite holding only eight seats, the TPP has established itself as a third force in this general election. The TPP promptly proposes four reforms to Congress, attracting attention with their strategic approach. Both the DPP and KMT express cautious apprehension towards the TPP’s growth and influence, shaping the new congress as a battleground for collaboration and competition among the three parties.
2024/02/05 10:39
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Ko Wen-je to sue DPP spokesperson over party support claims
Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman Ko Wen-je plans to file a lawsuit against Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) spokesperson Justin Wu after denying allegations of attempting to influence support for the legislative speaker candidate. Wu welcomes the legal action and calls for a clear courtroom discussion with all relevant communication records. The controversy arose after the election of the legislative speaker, with Kuomintang (KMT) members Han Kuo-yu and Johnny Chiang securing victory. The TPP accused certain DPP members of negotiating with Ko for a reciprocal endorsement arrangement. Wu asserts that Ko proposed the arrangement, but the DPP did not accept it. Wu demands that Ko explain why he abstained from the second round of the speaker election and raises questions about transparency in the recent election.
2024/02/02 11:58
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DPP candidate champions disability rights amid talk show row
Human rights lawyer Chen Chun-han, a legislative-at-large candidate for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), responds to a controversy involving the online talk show "The Night Night Show with Hello." Chen appreciates the show’s apology for allowing mainland China media personality Wang Zhian to mimic disabled individuals, which was seen as a dig at the DPP and indirectly at Chen. Despite thinking the apology came late, Chen commends Hello and his production team for planning a special segment to discuss the issues faced by disabled and rare disease patients in Taiwan. Chen emphasizes that the core of the criticism lies in whether society can tolerate discrimination against the disabled and respect their right to political participation. He states that this is a human rights issue that transcends ideological and party lines. Chen also mentions that voters needn’t feel obligated to vote for the DPP in 2028, highlighting Taiwan’s democratic freedom and the importance of supporting any political party based on personal beliefs. However, he adds that if Hello and his team find the DPP under Lai Ching-te’s leadership satisfactory within the next four years and genuinely wish to support it, they would be welcomed.
2024/01/30 17:51
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Taiwan’s DPP stands firm against disability discrimination
Chinese media personality Wang Zhian’s derogatory comments about a disabled person have sparked controversy. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) expresses regret that Wang has yet to admit his error and announces they will no longer respond to his remarks. Despite apologizing, Wang’s attempt to politicize and mask his derogatory comments is criticized by DPP spokesperson Justin Wu. The DPP emphasizes their zero-tolerance policy against discrimination and warns against shifting focus away from the issue. Despite writing a letter to the DPP, Wang still fails to admit his mistake, leading to the DPP’s decision to refrain from responding further. The DPP highlights that the disabled legislator-at-large candidate, Chen Chun-han, is highly regarded within the Tsai Ing-wen administration for his expertise in human rights law. The DPP remains committed to advocating for marginalized groups and people with disabilities, and calls for society’s joint effort in upholding dignity and equality for all.
2024/01/29 14:40
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KMT vows to uphold legislative integrity
The Kuomintang (KMT) responds to proposals from the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) regarding future operations in the new legislature, promising to respect the opinions of the Legislative Yuan party groups. As the majority in parliament, the KMT pledges to provide vigorous oversight and advance the issues agreed upon in the cross-party meeting with the TPP on October 30th last year. Agreed matters include peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, resumption of cross-strait dialogue, environmental sustainability, national security, public health, and strengthening the legislature’s function under the existing constitutional system. The KMT emphasizes its unchanged vision for Taiwan’s future development. Additionally, they plan to scrutinize issues such as the controversy over the purchase contracts of the Medigen COVID-19 vaccine by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government. The KMT welcomes those with similar political ideals to join in preventing authoritarian one-party rule and ensuring democracy aligns with the public’s wishes.
2024/01/16 15:10
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Lai Ching-te remains silent on death penalty controversy
In the wake of a junior high student’s murder in New Taipei, Lai Ching-te remains silent on the death penalty, focusing on his election campaign and avoiding the controversial topic despite Hou Yu-i’s questioning.
2024/01/05 22:24
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TAO refutes DPP’s claims of Chinese interference
The Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) spokesman Chen Binhua accused the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of deflecting blame on mainland China to conceal its politicians’ wrongdoings. The controversy arose when DPP legislator Lo Chih-cheng was accused of being involved in a sex tape. Lo suggested that the video was manipulated using deepfake technology and blamed Chinese cyber forces for election intervention. DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te claimed that this incident demonstrates China’s intrusion in the elections and compared it to a similar incident involving Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Lo condemned the defamatory tactics used and warned of legal repercussions. TAO spokesman Chen Binhua argued that the DPP habitually attacks mainland China during Taiwan’s elections and accused the party of resorting to rumormongering to mask its impropriety and corruption.
2024/01/04 14:52
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Kaohsiung cleaning staff waitlist issue sparks controversy
The Environmental Protection Bureau of the Kaohsiung City Government has clarified that the recruitment paths for full-time and part-time cleaning staff are different, which is why they need to consider temporary work applicants before those from previous years. This comes after Kaohsiung City Councilor Lina Chen led a press conference with individuals claiming to be on the waiting list for the city’s cleaning crew, who passed the "Kaohsiung City Official Cleaning Staff" exam two years ago but have not yet received a position. The Bureau emphasized that the different recruitment avenues do not infringe upon part-time workers’ rights. The recent cleaning staff recruitment attracted over 7,400 applicants for 850 positions, and some candidates on the waiting list are still waiting for an opportunity to work at the Bureau. The bureau recruited 172 official cleaners and drivers, with an additional 678 on the waiting list, of whom only half have been employed so far. The bureau began recruiting part-time staff earlier this year, even though the previous list of alternates has not yet been fully filled. Deputy Director Kao Tsung-yung explained that the previous test was for full-time staff, while the current recruitment is for temporary personnel. The Bureau has announced the eighth round of 100 alternates’ roster and will continue to do so in April, July, and October. Those on the waiting list will still need to wait for their chance.
2024/01/03 17:05
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Election race in Taiwan sees (contentious) campaign tactics
Explore the controversy surrounding campaign tactics in Taiwan’s presidential race, including allegations of election bribery and the Ministry of Justice’s evaluation of giveaways.
2023/12/28 18:39
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KMT candidate’s wife clarifies building ownership
Jen Mei-ling, wife of Kuomintang’s (KMT) presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih, clarified that a building being claimed as their own is actually a legacy from her father and not part of Hou’s property. The building has become a topic of discussion in the upcoming 2024 elections due to its high rent and proximity to Chinese Culture University. Jen stated that the property has over 50 vacant houses, which will be used to provide rent subsidies for low-to-moderate-income families and young students through donations. After the leases expire in June 2026, the plan is to convert the property into social housing for the youth and communal accommodations for rent. Initially, the building was leased and managed by Shin-Kong Life Real Estate Service Co., Ltd., with rental prices determined by Shin Kong Life Insurance. Jen announced that the vacant apartments will be subsidized for young families with an annual income of less than NT$1.33 million and a per capita monthly income below NT$56,000. Existing tenants can also apply for the subsidy, with rates of NT$6,400 for single rooms and NT$7,000 for two-person rooms per month. In her public letter, Jen addressed the accusations, highlighting Hou’s integrity during the election process and apologizing for the family issue.
2023/12/27 15:10
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DPP calls for investigation into Ko’s alleged land misuse
Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je is facing allegations of illegal usage of farmland in Hsinchu, which has sparked controversy. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) spokesman Cho Kuan-ting claimed on Facebook that industrial waste, including bricks, cement, and steel bars, was found during the excavation of the farmland’s parking lot. He called for a legal investigation and urged Hsinchu Mayor Ann Kao to take Ko Wen-je into custody. The Hsinchu City Government confirmed that the farmland, owned by Ko, was not being used for farming and demanded modifications within 30 days. Ko admitted that the farmland had been used as a parking lot for tour buses without proper authorization for the past two years. He pledged to pay the income tax owed and donate the parking lot’s earnings. Ko also sought assistance from TPP legislator-at-large nominee Huang Kuo-chang to handle the issue legally. Cho accused Ko of knowingly violating the law and emphasized that he should take responsibility for the damaged farmland. The allegations against Ko may have implications for his presidential campaign.
2023/12/22 17:35
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Outrage over ’Cone of Shame’ for child’s cellphone use
Controversy has erupted in China and Taiwan over a Shaanxi province man’s decision to put a "cone of shame" typically used on pets on his 5-year-old granddaughter as a deterrent from using a cellphone. The incident, reported by the South China Morning Post, drew criticism online, with many considering it child abuse and a violation of the child’s dignity. The girl’s mother claimed the collar was effective in curbing her daughter’s phone usage, but the video of the girl wearing it went viral on Weibo, eliciting outrage from users who found it abusive and disrespectful. The incident has sparked a wider debate on parenting techniques and the challenge of balancing technology use among children.
2023/12/20 21:18
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Jaw Shaw-kong slams Lai Ching-te over Wanli housing issues
KMT vice presidential candidate Jaw Shaw-kong criticizes DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te’s family house in Wanli District, questioning its legality and the presence of military police. Jaw also accuses Lai of neglecting housing issues in mining areas and highlights the DPP’s disregard for non-urban planned lands. The controversy surrounding the Wanli property reflects the intense scrutiny candidates face over personal and family matters during elections.
2023/12/20 18:41