Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Judiciary inventive on corruption

Lin Yu-hsiung 林鈺雄

In response to public anger about the sentence given to former Executive Yuan secretary-general Lin Yi-shih (林益世) for graft, the Taipei District Court collegiate bench called on people to set aside politics and focus instead on the law — but can the law be trusted?

The issue involves what is officially referred to as the action of an official in the discharge of their public duties and powers. In Taiwan, the convention had been to adhere strictly to the legal definition of public duties and powers, but during the Longtan corruption case involving former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), the Supreme Court judges devised a new interpretation: “presumed actual influence.”

The lessons Yoichi Hatta taught us

Taipei Times Editorial

In a question-and-answer session on Taiwan-Japan relations at the legislature on Thursday last week, a Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmaker raised concerns over escalating nationalism in Japan and expressed dismay at Taiwanese pro-Japanese sentiment.

The lawmaker said he wondered why a dam built by the Japanese could be praised as a legacy for decades, while Taiwanese turned a blind eye to many other infrastructure projects completed by the Taiwanese government.

DPP China Affairs Committee holds first meeting

Taipei Times

Democratic Progressive Party Chairman Su Tseng-chang adjusts a microphone yesterday prior to the first meeting of the party’s nine-member China Affairs Committee in Taipei.
Photo: Lo Pei-Der, Taipei Times

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) took the first step toward the formulation of its cross-strait policy as its nine-member China Affairs Committee held its first meeting yesterday in the face of mounting cross-strait challenges.

“Almost every member of the committee agreed that the DPP’s core values have withstood the test of time and changing political situation. Discussions over strategic options and substantial policies are what this committee has to accomplish in the future,” committee spokesperson Cheng Wen-tsan (鄭文燦) told a press conference.

Fisherman killed in disputed waters

Taipei Times

Photo: CNA

A Taiwanese fisherman was shot dead yesterday during a confrontation with a Philippine vessel in waters in which the exclusive economic zones claimed by Taiwan and the Philippines overlap, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

While Fisheries Agency Deputy Director-General Tsay Tzu-yaw (蔡日耀) was quoted by the Central News Agency as confirming that the shots fired at the Pingtung-based fishing boat Kuang Ta Hsing No. 28 that killed 65-year-old Hung Shih-cheng (洪石成) came from a Philippine navy ship, the ministry said last night that the Philippine ship had not yet been identified.

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