Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Taking ‘united front’ tactics seriously

Taipei Times Editorial

Taking advantage of Taiwan’s free and democratic society, as well as the importance attached to the freedom of expression by the government and the public, China has made significant gains in targeting Taiwanese and undermining the nation’s democracy.

It was out of respect for the right to freedom of expression that the Changhua County Government waited until last month to demolish a former temple that had been rededicated to the Chinese Communist Party, and for the same reason, Taipei has been condoning a group of pro-unification supporters waving the flag of the People’s Republic of China in the Ximending (西門町) shopping area day in and day out.

Justices dismiss Control Yuan request

Taipei Times

Judicial Yuan Secretary-General Lu Tai-lang speaks at the Judicial Yuan in Taipei on Friday.
Photo: Wu Cheng-fong, Taipei Times

The Council of Grand Justices on Friday dismissed a request by the Control Yuan for a constitutional interpretation of the legality of the Act Governing the Handling of Ill-gotten Properties by Political Parties and Their Affiliate Organizations (政黨及其附隨組織不當取得財產處理條例).

Anti-China sentiment abroad an opportunity

Michael Lin 林正二

Over the past 20 years, the US has been hoping that the political and economic impact of globalization, together with the pursuit of a constructive relationship with China based on mutual political and economic interests, would help the Chinese economy take off and push Beijing toward democracy, diversity and more Western values — helping to promote cooperation.

Over the past 10 to 20 years, this strategy has turned US cross-strait policy toward a focus on Sino-US exchanges and cross-strait peace. This has been unfavorable to Taiwan’s international participation and acceptance of a Taiwanese identity.

Save Taiwan by fighting for Taipei

Chin Heng-wei 金恒煒

Here is a hypothetical question: Last month, the New York Times published an in-depth interview with the pro-unification owner of Biyun Temple in Changhua County, Wei Ming-jen (魏明仁). If the temple — converted by Wei into a shrine to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) — had been in Taipei, would Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) have given the order to demolish it?

The answer is no. If this seems improbable, there is a precedent.

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