Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

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.

US concerned about WHO restrictions on Taiwan

Taipei Times

The US has renewed concerns over restrictions that the WHO imposes on Taiwan’s participation in the organization and reiterated its support for Taiwan’s inclusion as an observer at the WHO’s governing body, the World Health Assembly (WHA), and at WHO technical bodies.

A report by the US Department of State to Congress describes Taiwan’s participation in the WHO as “sporadic” and “intermittent.”

Judges in the Lin Yi-shih Case Try a Smoke and Mirrors Dodg

Jerome F. Keating Ph.D.

The three Taipei District Court judges in the Lin Yi-shih are trying a smoke and mirrors dodge and escape the public wrath. They are asking for an evaluation of their sentencing by a committee of fellow judges, prosecutors, lawyers and law specialists. So why is this smoke and mirrors.

First, if a committee finds that they were wrong, the committee has no power to change their sentence. Lin Yi-shih still gets away with a light sentence. If the committee (and of course who will select the committee--that is important) finds that they were OK in their interpretation, then Lin Yi-shih has a chance for an even lighter sentence. In either case, Ma's right hand man, Lin Yi-shih has the likely chance to profit from it all instead of receiving the harsher sentence for corruption and bribe taking.

More Articles...