Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Philippines vows to defend against China

Taipei Times

An undated handout photograph released by the Philippine military Western Command (WESCOM) yesterday shows an aerial view of BRP Sierra Madre, a 100m amphibious vessel built for the US in 1944 and acquired by the Philippine Navy in 1976, grounded at Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands.
PHOTO: AFP

The Philippines vowed yesterday to fight China “to the last man standing,” as a Chinese warship patrolled around a remote reef occupied by a handful of Philippine Marines in disputed waters.

In the latest flare-up over competing claims to parts of the South China Sea, the Philippines this week denounced the “provocative and illegal presence” of the warship and a fleet of Chinese fishing vessels near the Second Thomas Shoal.

Xi’s memo is a wake-up call

Taipei Times Editorial

Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) and his comely wife, Peng Liyuan (彭麗媛), may be the most outwardly attractive first couple to lead China in several generations, but behind the smiles and the glamor lies a hardline streak that Taiwan should not — cannot — ignore.

For months before he became president and chairman of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), China watchers were divided on whether Xi would be a reformist in the same vein as former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev or the continuation of more conservative elements within the Chinese leadership.

Chinese missiles pose serious threat

Harry Kazianis

Over the past few days North Korea has tested a series of short-range missiles that have sparked unease across Asia.

While such tests are certainly cause for concern, Asia’s real missile challenge lies not with North Korea, but with China.

Indeed, China’s military modernization since the mid-1980s through the present has focused on missiles.

Thousands rally against nuclear power

Taipei Times

Demonstrators dressed in Taoist costumes march yesterday during a protest against nuclear power in Taipei.
Photo: Edward Lau / Reuters

Thousands of anti-nuclear protesters shouted “I am Taiwanese, I am against nuclear power” yesterday as they marched through downtown Taipei to call for an end to nuclear power in Taiwan on the eve of the anniversary of President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) second inauguration.

“We are extremely disappointed that the government has no regard for the threat that nuclear power poses to human life,” said Kao Cheng-yan (高成炎), a former chairman of the Taiwan Environmental Protection Union, which organized the march. “We believe that there is only one Taiwan, that people’s lives are invaluable and that there are other viable energy resource options.”

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