Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

US to help fend off PRC meddling

Taipei Times

US Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs Randall Schriver speaks at the Asia Policy Assembly conference in Washington on Wednesday.
Photo: screen grab from the Internet

In anticipation that China will try to meddle in next year’s presidential election, the US has started dialogue with Taiwan to help strengthen its ability to deal with the issue, a US official said on Wednesday.

Sentences toughened for China spies

Taipei Times

Amendments to the National Security Act (國家安全法) that impose higher sentences and fines on people spying for China or other nations, and increase restrictions on retired officials visiting China were yesterday passed by the legislature.

Those found recruiting others in Taiwan under instructions from the Chinese government would be subject to at least seven years in prison and a fine of up to NT$100 million (US$3.19 million) under the amendments.

Education on referendums needed

Taipei Times Editorial

After months of speculation, lawmakers on Monday passed amendments to the Referendum Act (公民投票法) to decouple referendums from national elections. Starting in 2021, referendums are to be held on the fourth Saturday of August once every two years.

The changes came after the 10 referendums that were held alongside local elections last year created a logistical nightmare, leading to people waiting in lines for hours to cast their votes, as well as delayed results.

Pro-China media boycott urged

Taipei Times

New Power Party Legislator Huang Kuo-chang illustrates a point at a news conference in Taipei yesterday.
Photo: Liao Chen-huei, Taipei Times

The government must stop purchasing products from media outlets that publish propaganda from Beijing, New Power Party (NPP) Legislator Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) said yesterday, adding that tens of millions of New Taiwan dollars is spent by government agencies every year on pro-China media companies.

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