Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Pro-independence rally seeks ROC’s end

Taipei Times

A man at a news conference held by the Sovereign State for Formosa and the Pescadores Party outside Zhongshan Hall in Taipei yesterday holds a placard that reads: “Oct. 25 is a day of suffering for Taiwan and Penghu.”
Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei Times

Pro-independence groups and political parties in Taipei yesterday conducted a “pledge of allegiance” to form a new nation amid scuffles with police as the protesters denounced the so-called “Taiwan Retrocession Day” at the site where Japan in 1945 formally surrendered Taiwan to Allied Forces at end of World War II.

Hong Kong protesters rally in support of Catalonia independence movement

Taipei Times

Pro-democracy demonstrators gather at Chater Garden in Hong Kong yesterday to show their solidarity with the Catalonian independence movement.
Photo: EPA-EFE

Hong Kong protesters yesterday rallied in support of demonstrators pushing for a separate Catalonia in northeastern Spain as a Chinese official denounced months of “mad violence” in Hong Kong and forces pushing for independence.

Hong Kong officially kills extradition bill

Taipei Times

The Hong Kong Legislative Council yesterday formally withdrew planned legislation that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, but the move was unlikely to end months of unrest, as it met just one of the five demands of pro-democracy protesters.

The rallying cry of the protesters, who have trashed public buildings in the Chinese-ruled territory, set street fires and thrown Molotov cocktails at police, has been “five demands, not one less,” meaning that the withdrawal of the bill makes no difference.

Beijing’s sharp power is blunted

Liberty Times Editorial

The past few years have seen China chalk up successes overseas with its persistent use of sharp power. With the exception of isolated examples within its own territories, such as the challenges it faces in Hong Kong, China is using its economic clout to achieve its ends. Beijing continues attempts to penetrate Taiwan and Western societies with its “united front” tactics and does little to hide the scale of its hegemonic ambition.

That said, China’s attempts to export its totalitarian model beyond its borders have been frustrated, the most notable examples being a row with the NBA and trade talks with the US. China’s hard-headed approach — essentially “go with us or go home” — has been blunted.

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