Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Many to blame for Ko Wen-je’s rise

Ten Len-phone 田年豐

Everyone knows a leopard cannot change its spots. Why do people forget this when it comes to politics? It seems that humans have a terrible memory.

By nature, we are willing to turn a blind eye and sacrifice morality for personal gain, determined to win, by means fair or foul. In the end, all we achieve is a temporary victory, having lost sight of what really matters. Our nation and the next generation are being placed in jeopardy for the sake of getting what we want.

Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), its presidential candidate, consistently spouts nonsense and lies and, after entering politics, has continued to use discriminatory language. All of this displays his ignorance. His statements have garnered much attention, but also polluted our politics. His words conjure up the feeling of some bizarre creature, shocking and frightening. People are mesmerized by everything that comes out of his mouth and forget what they have known him to be.

Taiwan Pride more than a march

Taipei Times Editorial

Last Saturday, a large crowd, many waving rainbow flags and dressed in flamboyant costumes and clothing, marched through Taipei in a raucous celebration of LGBTQ+ equality and diversity in East Asia’s largest Pride march.

This year’s parade was aimed at “recognizing the diversity of every person, and respecting and accepting different gender identities,” said the Taiwan Rainbow Civil Association, the event’s organizer.

People might wonder why there is still a need to hold a march every year since Taiwan already became the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage in 2019.

Taiwan’s opposition and Beijing

Paul Lin 林保華

While Hon Hai Precision Industry Co founder Terry Gou (郭台銘) aspires to stand for election as president of Taiwan, it remains to be seen whether he can collect enough signatures to register as a candidate. In addition, some people involved in Gou’s signature drive have become embroiled in lawsuits.

Meanwhile, negotiations over electoral collaboration between the “blue” Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the “white” Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) are proceeding in fits and starts.

At one point, Gou said that “all will be revealed” about a possible cooperation with TPP Chairman and presidential nominee Ko Wen-je (柯文哲).

Prevent spying, boost morale

Taipei Times Editorial

The High Court’s Kaohsiung branch on Wednesday last week sentenced a retired air force colonel to 20 years in prison for running espionage activities for China and recruiting active-duty military officers for a spy network in Taiwan.

Although such offenses have been drawing severe penalties in the past few years, last week’s case once again laid bare that the nation is vulnerable and the law has loopholes. It is of paramount importance that military morale and discipline are restored.

The retired colonel, surnamed Liu (劉), in 2013 moved to China for business after retiring from the military. He was paid to infiltrate Taiwan’s military, recruit active-duty personnel and procure intelligence for Beijing, such as details of military planes and ships, prosecutors said.

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