Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Referendum is a needed tool for our democracy

Taipei Times Editorial

On Thursday, the Cabinet’s Referendum Review Committee rejected a referendum proposal on an economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA). After some media outlets and members of the public had directed strong attacks against a referendum, many members of the Referendum Review Committee also raised doubts over the issue, resulting in the expectation by many that the proposal would be rejected.

Taiwan must not repeat Greek debt crisis

Taiwan News Editorial

Taiwan took a step toward replicating the Greek debt crisis earlier this week when the Legislative Yuan's fiscal affairs committee recently approved revisions to the Public Debt Law that will hike debt ceilings for special municipal and local governments.

According to the draft revisions approved by the committee, the future five special municipalities, including Taipei, Sinbei, Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung, will be able to raise a total of public debt up to 200 percent of their annual expenditures while the remaining city and county governments will have their public debt ceilings lifted from the current 45 percent to 70 percent.

ECFA referendum proposal rejected

Taipei Times

The Executive Yuan's Referendum Review Committee late last night voted down the Taiwan Solidarity Union's (TSU) request to hold a referendum on the government's proposed economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) with China. The vote, which was announced shortly before 11pm, was 12-4.

The TSU's application requested a referendum on the question: “Do you agree that the government should sign an ECFA with China?”

Nightmare scenario under ECFA

Taipei Times Editorial

The local economy’s worst nightmare will be realized if China blocks Taiwan from signing free-trade agreements (FTAs) with other countries even if an economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) is inked later this month.

Worries that Taiwan might have to endure this nightmare are not groundless.

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