Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

KMT is unfit for democratic rule

Lee Min-yung 李敏勇

From 1949 to 1987, the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) imposed 38 years of martial law in the name of resisting the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) after it fled to Taiwan, as it claimed to represent the Republic of China (ROC).

In 2000, the KMT lost the presidency after then-KMT vice chairman Lien Chan (連戰) competed against James Soong (宋楚瑜), who left the party to run as an independent candidate. Following this defeat, the KMT gradually shifted onto the pro-CCP path.

It is contradictory to change from being anti-CCP to pro-CCP. What was the reason for the party’s change in stance? In 2004, Lien and Soong ran on the same ticket, but after losing for the second time in a presidential election, the KMT thought it would never rule again.

Taiwan is ‘cornerstone’: ex-US admiral

Taipei Times

If influence in the Indo-Pacific region is one of the US’ core interests, then Taiwan serves as a cornerstone of US economic and security influence in the region, former US Indo-Pacific Command commander admiral Phillip Davidson said on Thursday.

“China’s ... strategy is to supplant the US leadership role in the international order ... and they’ve long said ... that they intend to do that by 2050,” Davidson told the National Review Institute’s Ideas Summit in Washington.

Davidson said he had previously told US Senate hearings on China’s military activities and possible threats in the Indo-Pacific region that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan could happen within the next 10 years, or even the next six years.

Lai announces 17 strategies to counter infiltration

Taipei Times

President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday announced 17 strategies to counter growing infiltration efforts against Taiwan, from reinstating the military court system to enhancing scrutiny of immigrants from China, Hong Kong and Macau.

Lai spoke to reporters after meeting with national security officials yesterday morning in light of a series of incidents in which Taiwanese military personnel, entertainers and Chinese spouses colluded with Beijing on its “united front” work.

“For decades, China has never given up its ambition to annex Taiwan and destroy the Republic of China. Not only does it continue to intimidate Taiwan through antagonistic rhetoric and military exercises, but it has intensified infiltration and ‘united front’ work,” Lai said.

TSMC investment the right move

Tommy Lin 林逸民

As an experienced negotiator, US President Donald Trump is accustomed to providing ambiguous answers. When asked by the media how he would respond if China took military action against Taiwan, Trump has always responded by saying that Beijing would never take military action against Taiwan so long as he is in power — therefore, it is a non-issue. Although his response is true, those skeptical of the US argue it demonstrates a lack of a clear commitment.

After Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) on Monday last week announced it would invest an additional US$100 billion into the US — much to Trump’s delight — reporters once again asked Trump about the issue of China invading Taiwan. Trump responded by saying the US would have “a big impact if something should happen with Taiwan.” In other words, when TSMC is willing to become a lifelong partner of the US, Trump’s level of commitment appears to increase.

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