Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Ching Fu case chance to clean up politics

Li Kuan-long 李坤隆

While the scandal surrounding the government’s contract with Ching Fu Shipbuilding Co provides a glimpse of the ugliest side of officialdom, the dogfight between the pan-blue and pan-green camps might result in new political developments in Taiwan.

After all, regardless of the outcome of the case, the two camps have done everything they can to expose each other’s dirty secrets. It is unavoidable that they each will end up weakened and that is certain to change the political climate.

MND censures 24 officers over Ching Fu

Taipei Times

Then-vice minister of national defense Lee Hsi-ming, who is currently serving as the chief of general staff, is pictured on Feb. 24.
Photo: Tu Chu-min, Taipei Times

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) yesterday censured a number of top navy officers, including Vice Minister of National Defense Admiral Pu Tze-chun (蒲澤春) and Chief of General Staff Admiral Lee Hsi-ming (李喜明), in connection with a minesweeper procurement scandal.

More relevant topics needed in class

Taipei Times Editorial

For three straight weeks, a poll of some sort about the social and global awareness of teenagers has appeared in the news. Conducted by different organizations, the latest one published last week showed that 50 percent of teenagers are not interested in or familiar with global issues that are closely tied to Taiwan, such as the South China Sea territorial disputes. When asked to rate themselves and the general public in terms of global perspective, respondents gave both groups a score of less than 60 out of 100.

Taiwan’s status can’t be changed unilaterally

Taipei Times

Maintaining the “status quo” has been President Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) theme for handling relations across the Taiwan Strait since she first mentioned it on April 9, 2015, during her election campaign. When she visited the US a month later, Tsai explained her position to the US side and gained its approval, paving the way for a smooth ride in the presidential election.

Then-president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) was not at all impressed.

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