cross-strait 結果共326筆

Former President Ma Ying-jeou criticizes DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te’s opposition to the cross-strait services trade agreement, calling it ＂a screw loose＂ and accusing the DPP of questioning the policy’s benefits. Ma also highlights the DPP administration’s governance failures, including shortages of vaccines and rapid test kits during the pandemic. He emphasizes the stability of cross-strait relations under the ＂1992 Consensus＂ during his presidency, contrasting it with the increased military incursions under the DPP’s approach. Ma argues that opening up service trade with China would benefit Taiwanese professionals but has been hindered by the DPP’s interference.

Due to strong winds, ferry services between Xiamen and Kinmen were suspended on December 16. The Kinmen County Harbor Bureau forecasts that services may resume around noon, depending on wind conditions. Gale-force winds reaching level eight were recorded earlier that day, leading to the temporary halt. Officials warn that the windy weather could continue to disrupt ferry schedules, and advise passengers to stay informed and make alternative travel arrangements.

The Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China (MOFCOM) has concluded its investigation into Taiwan’s ban on importing certain products from the mainland, deeming it a trade barrier. The investigation, conducted under the Foreign Trade Law and Foreign Trade Barrier Investigation Rules, found that the ban hinders cross-strait trade relations. The ban, which covers 2,455 Taiwanese goods including agricultural products, minerals, chemicals, and textiles, was announced by Beijing in April. Originally scheduled to release the findings on October 12, 2023, MOFCOM extended the deadline to January 12, 2024. Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) spokeswoman Zhu Fenglian criticized the ban, stating that it goes against the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA), which aims to reduce or eliminate tariffs and non-tariff barriers between the two sides. Zhu emphasized that such restrictions harm the interests of both sides and pledged support for measures based on the investigation’s results.

As Taiwan’s 2024 election nears, discussions intensify on the island’s future, with a focus on young voters and the impact of China’s actions. A recent forum at NTNU delved into these critical issues, highlighting the role of Taiwan’s youth in shaping a democratic future amid escalating cross-strait tensions.

As Taiwan prepares for its upcoming elections, media and academic leaders gather to discuss the crucial issues of national security, the role of China, and strategies to engage young voters. The event highlights the significance of accurate information and the impact of these elections on Taiwan’s future.

As Taiwan prepares for its 2024 presidential and legislative elections, political parties escalate their efforts. Key issues discussed include polling credibility, cross-strait relations, and the global impact of the election. Journalist Fan Chifei provides insights on voter priorities and the role of media in shaping public opinion.

Explore the insights from the ＂Taiwan Goes to The Polls＂ roundtable organized by ICRT and TVBS World Taiwan, discussing the dynamics of Taiwan’s 2024 presidential election, the role of polls, China’s influence, and international implications.

Presidential candidate Lai Ching-te warns against Taiwan becoming the next Hong Kong and emphasizes the need to resist Chinese aggression. He cites Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Agnes Chow as an example of what Taiwan must avoid. Lai criticizes the plans of rival candidates to renegotiate the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement with China, recalling the 2014 Sunflower Student Movement. Vice presidential candidate Hsiao Bi-khim highlights Taiwan’s capabilities to construct warships and produce missiles, symbolizing the Taiwanese people’s fearlessness against Chinese pressure.

Kuomintang presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih and running mate Chao Shao-kang reaffirmed that Beijing has not renounced the use of force against Taiwan, emphasizing the importance of Taiwan’s democracy in countering Chinese pressure. In an interview with NBC, Hou stated that Taiwan’s future should be determined by its 23 million inhabitants, asserting that Taiwan is an independent sovereign country. Hou advocated for preparedness without provocation and maintaining a deterrence capability amid growing tensions. Chao stressed the necessity of peace for cross-strait development, with strength as a crucial support. He emphasized the importance of U.S. support for Taiwan’s defense measures. Hou also highlighted the critical role of the U.S. in Taiwan’s self-defense efforts and expressed confidence in the deepening of the Taiwan-U.S. relationship. Chao argued that Taiwan’s democracy will inevitably influence mainland China, challenging the Chinese government to explain why democracy cannot thrive in a place with a shared heritage and culture across the Strait.

KMT vice presidential candidate Chao Shao-kang criticizes the DPP’s absolute control of Taiwan’s governance, blaming it for causing chaos in the nation. Chao highlights the DPP’s warnings that a KMT majority would undermine checks and balances, leaving Taiwan ＂hollowed out＂. He argues that the DPP’s eight years in power have resulted in a financial deficit, increased cross-strait tensions, and the loss of nine diplomatic allies. Chao also points to a 19-month decline in export markets, exacerbating wealth inequality and housing issues. He attributes these outcomes to the DPP’s dominance from the presidency to the legislature, arguing that local governments focus on infrastructure projects unrelated to Taiwan’s political influence.

Taiwanese writer Lo Sen has been missing in China since November last year and is suspected to be detained by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) stated that neither Lo Sen nor his family have sought assistance from any Taiwanese authorities, including the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF). Lo Sen, known for his adult novels, was recently reported to have been sentenced to 12 years on charges of profiting from privately publishing pornography. The MAC highlighted the CCP’s intensified internal security management, which has resulted in disruptions and restrictions on personal freedom for Taiwanese citizens and foreign enterprises in China. The MAC urged Taiwanese citizens to register with the ＂Mainland Travel Dynamic Registration＂ system before traveling to China to facilitate assistance in emergencies. The SEF has received reports of Taiwanese citizens being interrogated upon entry into China, with various reasons for the scrutiny, including the possession of religious-related books, posing challenges to cross-strait exchanges.

Former Senior Director for Asian Affairs at the National Security Council and CEO of the United States Studies Centre, Michael Jonathan Green, emphasizes that Taiwan’s recent extension of military service to one year is a significant indication of its commitment to defense. Green warns that any reversal of this decision would raise concerns in both the United States and Japan. As tensions rise across the Taiwan Strait, the main concern for the U.S. is Taiwan’s vulnerability to Chinese pressure or military action. By extending military conscription, Taiwan is demonstrating its political will to counter Beijing’s intimidation. The United States, Japan, and Australia believe that Taiwan’s efforts to stabilize the situation and prevent war are commendable. Green highlights that any threat posed by China to Taiwan could jeopardize security across the entire First Island Chain, impacting nations like the US, Canada, Japan, the Philippines, Australia, and New Zealand. Green, who has served in the Bush Administration and was part of the U.S. bipartisan delegation that visited Taiwan in March, stresses the critical importance of Taiwan’s resolve for self-defense.

The Examination Yuan donates 6,600 books in Chinese and English to support library services in Taiwanese schools abroad, including the Surabaya Taipei School in Indonesia. The Ministry’s International and Cross-strait Education Department emphasizes the competitiveness of overseas students in Taiwanese schools, and hopes the book donation will foster closer ties between international Taiwanese institutions and domestic government bodies. The books cover a wide range of subjects and are expected to expand students’ imaginations and nurture global talent.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Taiwan welcomes and expresses gratitude for the joint statement made by G7 member countries, emphasizing the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The G7 urged the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues and opposed any attempts to change the status quo through force or coercion. MOFA highlighted China’s military expansion in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, which poses a significant threat to security in the Indo-Pacific region. Throughout the year, various international statements have reiterated the centrality of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. MOFA emphasizes Taiwan’s key role in the Indo-Pacific and commits to continuing cooperation with the G7 to strengthen global democratic alliances against authoritarianism.

DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te criticizes KMT rival Hou Yu-ih for advocating the employment of Chinese students in Taiwan, claiming it would take away job opportunities from Taiwanese youths. Lai expresses concerns about the impact of the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement (CSSTA) with China, stating that it allows Chinese nationals to compete with local vendors in the service industry. The crowd fears that increased competition from Chinese workers could harm their businesses and livelihoods. Lai emphasizes President Tsai Ing-wen’s efforts to reduce reliance on the Chinese market and highlights China’s high youth unemployment rate, cautioning that opening borders to students from China could worsen job scarcity for young people in Taiwan.

Kuomintang presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih criticizes Taiwan’s anti-fraud efforts, claiming that fraud cases are increasing despite an investment of NT$2.7 billion into the national anti-scam team. Hou attributes the problem to lenient penalties for fraud, leading to high recidivism rates. He proposes a three-pronged policy approach, including steeper penalties reflective of the amount scammed, interdepartmental cooperation, and stronger cross-strait and international cooperation. Hou also blames existing anti-fraud agencies for a lack of coordinated strategy and vows to improve collaboration if elected. Hou’s running mate, Jaw Shau-kong, compares the treatment of fraudsters in Taiwan and mainland China, stating that Taiwan’s sentences are lenient compared to the death penalty in the mainland. Jaw highlights that modern con artists often target the elderly, posing as utility bill collectors.

Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih proposes a pro-US and China diplomatic stance, diverging from incumbent President Tsai Ing-wen’s approach. Hou criticizes Tsai’s foreign affairs and cross-strait policies, blaming the Tsai administration for Taiwan’s diplomatic isolation, failure to join regional economic bodies, and lack of communication with China. Hou emphasizes adhering to the Constitution of the Republic of China, affirming the nation’s sovereignty, and proposing a balanced stance between fostering solid ties with the United States and engaging with Mainland China. He also highlights the importance of Taiwan being prepared and realistic about its defense, suggesting that the island’s security should not rely solely on promises from the US but on its efforts and pragmatic relations with democratic allies. Political commentator Jaw Shau-kong fiercely criticizes the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for being pro-US and anti-China, deeming Tsai’s policies on cross-strait relations and international diplomacy a complete failure. Jaw points out that despite Taiwan’s willingness to import American pork, the support has yet to translate into the U.S. helping with Taiwan’s entry into international organizations.

The upcoming Taiwanese presidential election on January 13, 2024, has been dubbed ＂2024’s most influential election in Asia＂ by Nikkei Asia. Three tickets are vying for the presidency and vice-presidency: the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) with Lai Ching-te and Hsiao Bi-khim, the Kuomintang (KMT) with Hou Yu-ih and Jaw Shaw-kong, and the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) with Ko Wen-je and Cynthia Wu. The election takes place amidst heightened global tensions and increasing cross-strait strains. The DPP advocates for fortified self-defense, the KMT promotes benign communication and economic ties with China, and the TPP leans towards dialogue with China. The KMT’s cross-strait policy stance has been criticized as less convincing compared to that of the DPP. The election will test whether Taiwanese voters will stand firm in defending their sovereignty against China’s growing influence.

Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je expresses his commitment to maintaining President Tsai Ing-wen’s foreign policy trajectory in an exclusive interview. Ko advocates for friendly communication across the Taiwan Strait and emphasizes Taiwan’s opportunity to normalize its country status on the world stage. While Ko criticizes the Democratic Progressive Party’s mindset towards China, he believes Taiwan should not consider China an enemy. He emphasizes the need for Taiwan to maintain its self-defense capabilities and proposes a pragmatic approach to military strategy and international challenges. Ko compares his neutrality to his experience in emergency medicine and prioritizes care over political affiliations. He asserts the necessity for balance among the outcomes acceptable to the U.S. and China in navigating Taiwan’s international relations.

Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je, the presidential candidate for the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), aims to win a total of 10 seats in the upcoming Legislative Yuan elections. He plans to maintain President Tsai Ing-wen’s foreign affairs policies while adopting a friendlier approach to cross-strait relations and emphasizing Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities. Despite his pro-Democratic Progressive Party stance, Ko aims for a non-partisan approach to governance, drawing on his experience as a physician. He believes that the key to his success lies in the turnout of young voters and aspires to make Taiwan a ＂normal country.＂ Ko has been using his media platform, ＂KP TV,＂ and participating in interviews to enhance his media presence. Cynthia Wu has been chosen as the vice-presidential candidate for the TPP. Ko hinted at the possibility of involving Terry Gou, founder of Foxconn, in the campaign after discussing economic policies with Gou’s team. While Ko did not provide specific vote estimates, he mentioned that around 5.5 million votes are needed to win the presidency. He also suggested that if the TPP and the Kuomintang (KMT) were to part ways, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) might gain a majority in the Legislative Yuan.

The Group of Seven (G7) leaders convened via video conference to discuss the Taiwan Strait, affirming its importance for international security and prosperity. They reiterated their commitment to the One China policy and called for a peaceful resolution to cross-strait issues. The G7 also expressed readiness to establish a stable relationship with China and voiced opposition to China’s militarization activities in the South China Sea. Human rights concerns in Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong were also discussed. The G7 condemned North Korea’s missile testing activities and addressed various other topics such as nuclear safety in Japan, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, and climate change. The discussions highlighted the G7’s attention to urgent global crises, including the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the Gaza crisis.

Taiwan People’s Party candidate Ko Wen-je distinguishes himself in the Taiwan presidential race, emphasizing his lack of political burden and absence of constraints from the ＂1992 Consensus.＂ Ko aligns with President Tsai Ing-wen’s peaceful solutions stance, advocating for dignity in peace. He highlights the importance of an ＂implied guarantee＂ for genuine deterrence and references the U.S.’s position on Taiwan’s independence and dialogue. Ko pledges to neither lean towards independence nor accept forceful unification if elected. Positioned as a moderate candidate, he seeks a balanced approach to Taiwan’s complex cross-strait and international relations, appealing to voters who prioritize stability and peace.

The story discusses the response of the Kuomintang (KMT) party’s International Affairs Department to the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) allegations regarding the KMT’s cross-strait policy. The KMT defended its stance and accused the DPP of manipulating international opinion to hide its own lack of expertise in national security. The DPP’s allegations were made in an article by Vincent Chao, the head of the DPP’s International Affairs Department, in The Diplomat. Chao questioned the clarity of the KMT’s position on relations with China and claimed that a KMT presidency under Hou Yu-ih would lead to a more isolated Taiwan that is overly reliant on China. The KMT argued that Chao deliberately misconstrued their position on military conscription and reiterated the importance of national defense and conscription reforms for the security of the Republic of China (R.O.C.). They expressed regret over the DPP’s misleading claims and highlighted Hou’s commitment to bolstering national defense during his visit to the United States in September 2023. The KMT also criticized Chao for distorting their stance despite their envoy’s detailed explanation of the party’s defense policies at the US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference in October. The KMT emphasized the significance of the next president’s term overlapping with Xi Jinping’s third term as the leader of China’s Communist Party and warned against relying on the DPP’s diplomatic strategies or self-proclaimed experts.

In an interview, Yao Li-ming, the campaign chief for the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) presidential candidate Lai Ching-te, stated that if Lai were to win the presidency, the likelihood of a military attack from mainland China is low and the probability of cross-strait warfare is at its lowest. Yao analyzed that China may employ specific strategies in the last two weeks of the election to make Taiwanese voters perceive choosing Lai as ＂very dangerous,＂ but the DPP has prepared for such scenarios. Yao drew an analogy, stating that if a bully knows that a person will resist to the death, they might not attack at all. Yao also noted that mainland China’s leader Xi Jinping did not mention a timetable for an attack on Taiwan during the recent Xi-Biden meeting, suggesting that Beijing would not rashly initiate conflict. The DPP is willing to interact with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) but cannot accept the preconditions of the ＂One China＂ principle set by Beijing. A re-elected DPP administration would send a clear message to China, emphasizing that any resolution to the Taiwan issue must involve the DPP. Yao also contended that a successive DPP administration would reflect the support of Taiwan’s younger generation and mainstream public opinion, revealing to Beijing the necessity of recognizing the DPP’s status. Regarding mainland China’s interference in the elections, Yao disclosed that the DPP is ready to confront any unusual situations that may arise, but specific suspicions cannot be made public at this time.

In a recent discussion with TVBS commentator Wenchi Yu, former AIT Chair Richard Bush delves into the complexities of Taiwan’s political landscape amidst rising cross-strait tensions and the upcoming 2024 presidential elections. He addresses China’s evolving coercion tactics and the U.S.’s readiness for any developments following Taiwan’s elections.