Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Preserving the values of democracy

Huang Cheng-yi 黃丞儀

Does it still make sense to talk of political doctrines or moral values in societies where values are so diverse? We are always being told by battle-hardened politicians that in real life politics is all about gaining the upper hand. With the political turmoil that erupted in September, when the legislature became enveloped in allegations of improper lobbying, the general public thought the whole thing was an ugly political dogfight, despite the attempts by President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) to dress it up as an issue of right versus wrong, of propriety against impropriety.

Taiwan losing patience with Ma, KMT

Taipei Times Editorial

President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and his Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) were supposed to respond — either through a heartfelt apology or a grand scheme to address flawed national policies — to the hundreds of protesters who threw shoes near the KMT congress venue in Greater Taichung on Sunday.

These actions are long overdue. For more than five years, Taiwanese have lived through a persistent crisis: slow economic growth, rising living expenses, backsliding democracy and human rights. Meanwhile all that has been on their president’s mind has been eliminating his political foes and rivals.

Hundreds protest at KMT congress

Taipei Times

Two boys throw shoes at a picture of Vice President Wu Den-yih outside the venue of the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) national congress in Greater Taichung yesterday. Photo: Liao Chen-huei, Taipei Times

Hundreds of people from various groups yesterday vented their ire toward President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and his Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) outside the party’s 19th national congress in Greater Taichung’s Wuci District (梧棲), by chanting slogans and throwing shoes.

Members of the Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan and the 908 Taiwan Republic Campaign shouted: “Step down, Ma” and “No to the service trade pact,” as they hurled shoes over police barricades toward convoys carrying the president and other high-ranking government officials when the vehicles arrived at the Taichung Stadium where the meeting began at about 8am yesterday. None of the shoes hit the vehicles as the protesters were barred dozens of meters away from the entrance.

Strong chain to contain dictatorship

Wilson Chen 陳破空

To gain control over cross-strait relations, Taiwan must be aware of the advantages it holds over China. Currently, it does not not have economic or military advantages; instead, it has the advantages of universal values and international alliances. These are the only means by which the nation can establish mutual trust with China, and self-confidence is necessary to do this.

After Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) assumed office, Chinese politics took a turn to the left, toward the era of former Chinese leader Mao Zedong (毛澤東). However, in Taiwan, democracy has moved forward in leaps and bounds.

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