Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Democracy is Taiwan’s salvation

Jerome Keating

The threats to the stability of Taiwan and its democracy are many. Everyone knows the obvious threat of the 1,600-plus missiles aimed at it by China, its hegemonic neighbor on the other side of the Taiwan Strait.

A second and less obvious danger comes from the bumbling incompetence of President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), who seems bent on making Taiwan’s economy totally dependent on China.

Activists, politicians strategize in Dapu

Taipei Times

Human rights activists and students yesterday hold signs as farmers speak out against the threatened demolition of houses belonging to four families in Dapu Village in Miaoli County’s Jhunan Township.
Photo: CNA

Worried that a demolition squad may appear any time to flatten the homes of four families in Dapu (大埔), Miaoli County, rights activists and students organized patrols and discussed defense strategies on Sunday night, while politicians worked to mobilize support for the forced demolition.

Tensions were high at the normally tranquil farming village yesterday, the first working day after the deadline set by the county government for the four families to demolish their own houses on Friday last week.

Tibetan monk shot in the head, Others severely injured for the Dalai Lama’s birthday prayers

Phayul.com

Monk Tashi Sonam of Nyatso monastery being treated for a bullet wound to his head after Chinese security forces opened live fire on Tibetans gathered to offer prayers on the 78th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Tawu region of eastern Tibet on July 6, 2013.

DHARAMSHALA, July 8: A Tibetan monk is in critical condition and several others, including a brother of a self-immolator, have been severely injured after Chinese security forces opened fire and used tear gas to disperse a crowd gathered to mark the 78th birthday of Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Tawu region of eastern Tibet.

The incident occurred when hundreds of Tibetans from Tawu joined monks from the Nyatso Monastery and nuns from the Geden Choeling Nunnery on the morning of July 6 to offer prayers to mark the 78th birthday of the Dalai Lama at a nearby hill used for making and prayer offerings.

DPP poll finds 77.6% identify as Taiwanese

Taipei Times

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said that its latest survey suggested 77.6 percent of those polled identify themselves as Taiwanese, while only 10.1 percent identify themselves as Chinese.

When asked what is the core value that Taiwan should uphold when conducting cross-strait exchanges, 31 percent of the interviewed said “national sovereignty,” 27.5 percent said “peaceful relations between both sides of the Strait” and 11 percent said “economic development.”

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