Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Ex-Washington adviser calls for US naval visits

Taipei Times

Former US national security adviser John Bolton on Friday reiterated a call for US naval visits to the Port of Kaohsiung, as he affirmed the Pentagon’s reported plan to send more troops to Taiwan.

The Wall Street Journal on Thursday reported that the US is increasing its small contingent of soldiers in Taiwan to train local forces.

The US military presence in Taiwan would grow from 100 to 200 troops, up from about 30 a year earlier, it said.

Ruling for PRC rights in Taiwan needs to go

Roger Wu 吳哲文

In August 2018, a tourist from China was electrocuted to death by a malfunctioning street light while cycling in Kaohsiung’s Lujhu District (路竹) during a cycling tour of Taiwan. The family sued the city for wrongful death and demanded state compensation. The Kaohsiung branch of the High Court ruled that citizens of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) are regarded as Republic of China (ROC) — Taiwanese — nationals, and hence the State Compensation Act (國家賠償法) is applicable.

In other words, state compensation should be paid for the accidental death of a Chinese tourist.

The ruling has created an uproar. It is problematic for two reasons:

Taipei concerned by US arms delays

Taipei Times

Taiwan is concerned about delays in the delivery of weapons by Washington, US Representative Mike Gallagher told US media following a visit to Taiwan.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Jeff Liu (劉永健) yesterday said Gallagher met with President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), Vice President William Lai (賴清德) and National Security Council Secretary-General Wellington Koo (顧立雄) during his visit from Friday last week to Monday.

Taiwan cannot risk being cut off

Taipei Times Editorials

Two submarine cables connecting Lienchiang County to Taiwan proper were damaged by Chinese boats at the beginning of this month. The incident not only leaves county residents without stable Internet and telephone service, it raises national security concerns that Taiwan and its outlying islands could easily be “disconnected” from the world in a military blockade or due to sabotage.

The Taima No. 2 cable connecting the county to New Taipei City and the Taima No. 3 cable connecting it to Taoyuan were damaged on Feb. 2 by a Chinese fishing boat and on Feb. 8 by a cargo ship respectively. Chunghwa Telecom Co said the cables would not be fully repaired until the end of April, as it awaits an international maintenance ship to repair the broken undersea communication lines.

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