Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Kneeling in politics is archaic

Taipei Times Editorial

New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) on Saturday attended a ceremony to mark the completion of renovations at Sinpu Elementary School in New Taipei City.

After Hou gave his opening remarks, New Taipei City Councilor Chou Sheng-kao (周勝考) of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) invited borough wardens and members of parents’ associations to form a line on stage with him. On behalf of others, Chou bent on one knee to thank Hou for his efforts and dedication to the school.

Shocked by the move, Hou quickly gestured for Chou to rise. However, motioning for others to join him, Chou got down on his knee again to thank Hou again. Exasperated, Hou jumped up from his seat, waving for them to stop.

Pelosi visit would be best support

Gerrit van der Wees

It is essential that US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi stands her ground and pushes through with her plan to visit Taiwan.

Last week, the Financial Times reported that Pelosi — who has been a member of the House since 1987 — plans to lead a congressional delegation to visit Japan, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia, with Taiwan possibly in the itinerary.

A visit to Taiwan was already planned this spring, but was canceled because some members of the delegation had contracted COVID-19.

US military making plans should Pelosi visit Taipei

Taipei Times

US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi talks with reporters at the Capitol in Washington on Thursday last week.
Photo: AP

US officials said they have little fear that China would attack US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s plane if she flies to Taiwan.

However, Pelosi would be entering one of the world’s hottest spots, where a mishap, misstep or misunderstanding could endanger her safety, so the Pentagon is developing plans for any contingency.

Russia’s war altered Xi’s plans: Mattis

Taipei Times

President Tsai Ing-wen addresses the Ketagalan Forum in Taipei yesterday.
Photo: Liao Chen-hui, Taipei Times

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has affected the timing and strategy of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s (習近平) plan to take Taiwan by force, former US secretary of defense Jim Mattis told a forum in Taipei yesterday, where experts from around the world stressed the importance of like-minded democracies standing together in the face of rising authoritarianism.

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