Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Information leakages imperil US arms deals

Lu Li-shih 呂禮詩

A former reporter at Jane’s Defence Weekly early last month wrote on an online news platform that Taiwan in 2002 submitted a letter of intent to the US asking for the procurement of 100 F-35B jets. Regrettably, Washington apparently refuses to sell them 20 years later.

Similarly, Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Chao Tien-lin (趙天麟) in a legislative session in March asked Deputy Minister of National Defense Bo Hong-hui (柏鴻輝) about the progress of a AGM-158 long-range land-attack missile procurement from the US, but did not receive positive news.

Japan delegation says support resolute

Taipei Times

Former Japanese ministers of defense Shigeru Ishiba, left, and Yasukazu Hamada attend a news conference in Taipei yesterday.
Photo: CNA

Support for Taiwan in the Japanese Diet is bipartisan and would remain unchanged after the assassination of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, a visiting delegation of Japanese lawmakers told a news conference in Taipei yesterday.

CCP threats to US reveal Beijing’s true colors

Leo Chang 張宏林

Whether in a unicameral or bicameral system, the legislature is always considered the highest representative body in a democratic country. As lawmakers represent the people, it is hoped that the legislature truly represents the political diversity of the country, with lawmakers from different parties.

In 2020, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) triumphed in Taiwan’s presidential election with 8,170,231 votes.

Four political parties passed the 5 percent threshold in the simultaneously held legislative election — the DPP, the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), the Taiwan People’s Party and the New Power Party, together garnering 12.22 million votes. The two major parties — the DPP and the KMT — together had more votes than Tsai’s presidential votes.

Kneeling in politics is archaic

Taipei Times Editorial

New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) on Saturday attended a ceremony to mark the completion of renovations at Sinpu Elementary School in New Taipei City.

After Hou gave his opening remarks, New Taipei City Councilor Chou Sheng-kao (周勝考) of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) invited borough wardens and members of parents’ associations to form a line on stage with him. On behalf of others, Chou bent on one knee to thank Hou for his efforts and dedication to the school.

Shocked by the move, Hou quickly gestured for Chou to rise. However, motioning for others to join him, Chou got down on his knee again to thank Hou again. Exasperated, Hou jumped up from his seat, waving for them to stop.

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