Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Is the US marginalizing Taiwan?

Emerson Chang 張子揚

US President Barack Obama’s first visit to China caused a dispute between Taiwan’s ruling and opposition parties over whether it resulted in an upgrade or a downgrade of US-Taiwan relations.

In my opinion, the structure, wording and spirit of the US-China joint statement issued by Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤) imply the removal of certain aspects previously accentuated in the US “one China” policy. My reasons are as follows:

A recovery with concerns attached

Taipei Times

The economy is finally showing signs of shifting from a slowdown to steady growth, with the Council for Economic Planning and Development’s economic monitoring indicators flashing a “green light” signal last month for the first time since May last year.

Until then, the economy had flashed 10 blue-light signals (recession) and seven yellow-blue light signals (economic slowdown) over 17 months amid the global financial crisis.

Thoughts on a perfect American ambassador

John Tkacik 譚慎格

James Lilley, who died on Nov. 12, served as the senior US diplomat in both Taipei and Beijing, and was therefore intensely interested in Taiwan-China interactions. But he also had a healthy skepticism of the supposed benefits of cross-strait peace if it meant Taiwan were to be absorbed by China. Jim’s uppermost concerns were the values of freedom and democracy and the interests of the American people.

An ‘Apple’ a day? Not for Mayor Hau

Taipei Times

Since its launch in Taiwan during the administration of former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), the Apple Daily’s role has changed, yet stayed the same. It excelled at attacking the Democratic Progressive Party, but now, with the party still struggling to find its feet and Chen locked up indefinitely, the newspaper has defied the pro-China media’s endless program of Chen-bashing. Instead, it has taken national and local Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) governments to task.

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