Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Advocacy for Taiwan overseas

Rath Wang 王健智

Amid a flurry of news from US President Donald Trump’s White House that has raised questions about Washington’s commitment to Taiwan’s security, overseas Taiwanese groups have been working the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue to codify support for the democratic nation into US law.

At the forefront of what has been a cross-generational effort is the Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA), one of Washington’s oldest Taiwanese-American advocacy organizations.

Founded more than four decades ago, its official vision statement is that “a free, democratic, independent and sovereign Taiwan is essential to peace and security for the United States, Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific region.” FAPA has long cultivated bipartisan support, playing a pivotal role in the formation of the Taiwan caucuses in both chambers of the US Congress.

Russia preparing China for war: report

Taipei Times

Russia is selling military equipment and technology to China that could help Beijing prepare an airborne invasion of Taiwan, according to an analysis of leaked Russian documents by a UK-based defense and security forum.

The Royal United Services Institute’s (RUSI) analysis is based on about 800 pages of documents, including contracts and lists of equipment to be supplied by Moscow to Beijing, from the Black Moon hacktivist group, which previously published some of the documents online. It does not identify its members, but describes itself in a manifesto as opposed to governments that carry out aggressive foreign policy.

The authors of the RUSI report shared some of the documents with The Associated Press and say they appear to be genuine, although parts of the documents might have been omitted or altered. AP is unable to independently verify their authenticity.

Concern over communist groups

Chen Chi-nung 陳啟濃

Communist organizations have been formed in 39 junior-high and high schools nationwide — all belonging to the Intercollegiate Communists Federation founded by members of Taipei Municipal Chien Kuo High School. The federation says its aim is to facilitate reform at schools and spread “correct communism,” and that it is not linked to the Chinese Communist Party.

It is good for young people to have ideals and aspirations, but they might not truly understand communism or are simply trying to be unconventional or appear avant-garde. Schools should be more proactive in guiding them.

Dangers of social media to society

Mike Chang 張昭仁

US right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was shot dead on Sept. 10 during a public forum at Utah Valley University by an assassin firing from 183m away. He was 31. The suspect, Tyler Robinson, was arrested two days later after being turned in by his father and a friend. Surprisingly, Robinson himself came from a traditional conservative Republican family.

Differences of opinion are natural in a democracy. However, resorting to violence crosses a red line, and the taking of a young political figure on the rise is a tragedy. In stunned response, the US White House ordered the flag to be flown at half-staff at federal sites for four days, while more than 100,000 people at a right-wing rally in the UK mourned Kirk’s death.

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