Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Democracy and ‘the China factor’

Jackson Yeh 葉國豪

In an article titled First Year of the China Factor published on Christmas day in a Chinese-language publication, Academia Sinica research fellow Wu Jieh-min (吳介民) said that China has been using a “cross-strait political-commercial alliance” comprised of financial groups and pro-China organizations to interfere in Taiwan’s elections, and in doing so, influencing policymaking, public discourse and political order. The article garnered quite a bit of attention, but there was also quite a lot of confusion in the subsequent debate, which descended into so much noise with the sheer plethora of different opinions being voiced. Unfortunately, this was a lost opportunity to reflect on this idea of the “China factor” and its repercussions.

Legislator Hsiao Bi-khim says political prosecutions threaten Taiwan’s democracy

Michael Richardson

Taiwan Political Prisoner Report, Jan. 16, 2013. Legislator Hsiao Bi-khim, a rising star in the Democratic Progressive Party, agreed to discuss the case of imprisoned former President Chen Shui-bian. However, Hsiao’s remarks on Chen’s trial for alleged corruption led to a larger discussion about political problems facing Taiwan.

Legislator Hsiao reviewed Chen Shui-bian’s trial, “Matters of the change of judges or even witnesses that have withdrawn their statements or false testimony in the process are known facts now have made the trial itself very much problematic.”

Ma puts Chinese students first

Taipei Times Editorial

Sometimes one has to wonder whether President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), despite having been elected by Taiwanese, cares more about people from the other side of the Strait.

That was the sentiment of recent college graduates and many other young adults upon learning of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) government’s latest policy proposals tailored to Chinese students.

Legislator Mark Chen describes the poor health and suffering of Chen Shui-bain

Michael Richardson

Mark Chen and Chen Shui-bian's medical team

Taiwan Political Prisoner Report, January 15, 2013. Legislator Chen Tat-sun, also known as Mark Chen, has taken a leading role in speaking out in defense of Chen Shui-bian, the imprisoned former president of the Republic of China in-exile. Mark Chen says that Chen Shui-bian has been mistreated in prison.

“Chen Shui-bian has been in prison more than four years. In the first three-and-a-half years we asked the officials in the detention camp to give him a desk, or give him a table, of give him a bed,” said Legislator Chen. “ But nothing happened. When he tries to write something he has to lay flat on the floor. This has hurt Chen Shui-bian’s health. Sometimes he has stomach problems, too much acid in the stomach, and laying down is not good for your health.”

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