Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Judge reviews need transparency

Taipei Times Editorial

The long-standing problem of Taiwan’s “dinosaur judges” finally saw some light in July last year when amendments to the Judges Act (法官法) allowed the public to directly request that judges’ and prosecutors’ competency be evaluated.

The amended act ordered the Judicial Yuan to establish the Judicial Evaluation Committee for judges, and the Judicial Personnel Review Committee to evaluate their appointments, removals and transfers.

War means instant independence

Joseph Bosco

The people of Afghanistan are bearing the escalating brunt of inhuman Taliban rule after US President Biden’s abandonment of the country. However exasperated many Americans felt about the prolonged US stay in Afghanistan, they do not like what Biden has done and said about it, and his approval ratings have justifiably fallen.

For its part, China mocks Biden personally and the US generally as weak and untrustworthy. Driving its disdain home, it has issued a brazen new challenge, threatening military action against Taiwan if Washington merely allows President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) to participate in a virtual democracy conference planned for December.

Supporting historical TV dramas

Lu Yu-jen 魯育人

The premiere of Taiwanese TV drama Seqalu: Formosa 1867 (斯卡羅) on the Public Television Service has sparked a considerable reaction and discussion, demonstrating that many Taiwanese yearn to learn more about the country’s past. They have used social media to debate, explore and reconstruct Aboriginal history from multiple perspectives and specialized academic fields.

Government departments involved in funding the production of historical films and television series have naturally basked in praise for commissioning the well-received TV series, but officials involved in cultural affairs should ensure that the limited resources available to them are used to provide viewers with a complete and diverse viewing experience.

EU legislators back Taiwan office

Taipei Times

The Lithuanian flag flutters in Vilnus on March 30, 2019, during the 15th anniversary celebration of Lithuania’s membership in NATO.
Photo: Reuters

Sixty-two European lawmakers from 20 countries on Friday sent a joint open letter to Lithuanian officials, backing the Baltic nation’s plan to deepen its ties with Taiwan.

“We write to express our solidarity and our support for Lithuania against the threats, intimidation and bullying behavior targeted at the Lithuanian people by the government of the People’s Republic of China,” they wrote.

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