Ma tours Lanyu, promises quick relief

DISASTER TOUR:The president said reconstruction plans for the typhoon-hit island should strike a balance between tradition and modernization for its development
By Mo Yan-chih and Chris Wang  /  Staff reporters

President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday promised to speed up the recovery work in Lanyu (蘭嶼) as he toured the island in the wake of Typhoon Tembin, adding that the government would loosen restrictions to provide better compensation to disaster victims.

Accompanied by officials from the ministries of transportation and economic affairs and other agencies, Ma said the government had sent a task force to assist with reconstruction and recovery plans on Lanyu.

Aboriginal activist claims threats over his activism

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Aboriginal activist Lin Shih-wei (林世偉) yesterday said he had been threatened by property developers because of his advocacy of land preservation in Hsinchu County’s Jianshih Township (尖石).

Lin told a press conference that he received warning notes reading “Mind your own business, Lin” at his Jianshih home on Tuesday and was threatened by unknown men on an MRT train in Taipei on Wednesday.

Government’s budget ‘messy, careless’: DPP

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

A simple glance at the Executive Yuan’s budget plan for next year was enough to show that the plan was “messy, careless and irresponsible,” the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus said yesterday.

The caucus has only received about one-quarter of the budget statement, which was required by law to be submitted before today, but it has seen many incredible items in the documents, DPP Legislator Tuan Yi-kang (段宜康) told a press conference.

Anti-media protest organizers visit political parties

By Chris Wang and Shelley Shan  /  Staff reporters
Fri, Aug 31, 2012 - Page 1

Organizers of an anti-media monopoly protest yesterday visited major political parties and received positive responses to their advocacy and their call for legislation to regulate media company’s market shares.

Journalists, journalism professors and associations, students and NGOs gave letters to the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) and the People First Party (PFP) asking for their support at a protest scheduled for tomorrow in Taipei.

The demonstration, which was sparked by the conditional approval of a NT$76 billion (US$2.54 billion) deal allowing the Want Want China Times Group (旺旺中時集團) to acquire some of the cable TV services owned by China Network Systems (CNS, 中嘉網路), was organized to fight media monopolies. It also calls for respecting professional journalism standards and stricter monitoring of media operations by the National Communications Commission (NCC).

Ex-president writes of ‘death in prison’

‘DESTINY’:Chen Shui-bian wrote that regulations allowing medical parole only for dying inmates would not be releasing a person for treatment, but to wait for death
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) talked about his possible death in prison and criticized regulations on medical parole in his weekly column published yesterday.

“It would not be a surprise if the headline ‘Chen Shui-bian dies in prison’ appears on every media outlet someday,” Chen, who is serving a 17-and-a-half-year sentence for corruption, wrote in his weekly column, titled “Death of a president,” for the Chinese-language weekly Next Magazine.

Su stumps for DPP in Jiaosi by-election

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter, in Yilan County

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairman Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) yesterday campaigned in Jiaosi Township (礁溪), Yilan County, hoping to secure the first election victory since he assumed the party helm in May.

Su campaigned for Lin Hsi-chung (林錫忠), the DPP candidate in the three-way township chief by-election on Sept. 8, saying that Jiaosi needs a “new dress” to end the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) decade-long political domination in the town.

“While this town has been a KMT stronghold, we are confident of winning this election,” Su said.

DPP caucus says lawsuit against NCC not ruled out

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

In the event of the National Communications Commission (NCC) failing to void the conditional approval of a deal allowing the Want Want China Times Group to acquire the cable TV services owned by China Network Systems, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) does not rule out filing a lawsuit against the commission for corruption and malfeasance, a DPP official said yesterday.

The three executives of the DPP caucus — convener Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘), director-general Pan Men-an (潘孟安) and chief secretary Tsai Chi-chang (蔡其昌) — as well as DPP Deputy Secretary-General Lee Chun-yi (李俊毅) are scheduled to meet NCC Chairman Howard Shyr (石世豪) tomorrow and will repeat the call, Lee told reporters.

Ma distorted medical parole facts, Su says

PRISON TERMS:The DPP chairman said that by implying former president Chen’s medical parole would in effect result in his release, Ma was misleading the public
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) distorted the facts when he said granting former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) medical parole would “actually mean him being released from prison,” Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairman Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) said yesterday.

Ma’s comments, published in an interview with the Central News Agency on Monday, were interpreted as his rejection of Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin’s (郝龍斌) recommendation that the government consider medical parole for Chen, who is serving a 17-and-a-half-year sentence for corruption.

Academics blast government over worsening budget

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) administration has ignored the severity of Taiwan’s worsening fiscal situation, while the discrepancy shown in the draft budget plan for next year poses major concerns for the administration’s fiscal outlook, academics said yesterday.

“Our suggestion is that not only are financial reforms necessary, but a new budget drafting process and method might be equally as important,” said Chen Jin-ji (陳錦稷), a researcher at the Taiwan Brain Trust think tank which organized a forum to examine next year’s budget.

Taiwanese have multiple identities: poll

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

A majority of Taiwanese have multiple self-identities, a phenomenon which has been consistent since 2008, but an increasing number of young people identify themselves with China, a survey has found.

The Taiwan Indicator Survey Research (TISR) examined the attitude of Taiwanese toward themselves and China with the survey and found that their views have not changed much.

DPP demand that Want Want deal be annulled

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday reiterated a demand for the government to void the conditional approval of a deal allowing Want Want China Times Group to acquire the cable TV services owned by China Network Systems.

The party would not support or be involved in a planned protest against media monopoly on Saturday, but called for its supporters and members to participate in the protest as individuals, DPP spokesperson Lin Chun-hsien (林俊憲) said yesterday.

DPP demand clarity on Diaoyutai talks

RESOLUTIONS NEEDED:：The president said he would dispatch more patrols to the area and seek to prove Qing era claims over the disputed islands
By Chris Wang, Stacy Su and Jake Chung  /  Staff reporter and Staff writers, with CNA
Tue, Aug 28, 2012 - Page 3

President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) should clearly explain his view that Taiwan could negotiate with Japan on sovereignty of the disputed Diaoyutai Islands (釣魚台), the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said yesterday following the release of Ma’s interview with state-run China News Agency (CNA).

“We are not sure what Ma meant in the interview about negotiations with Japan over the Diaoyutais’ sovereignty, as he had not done so in his first four-year term,” DPP spokesperson Lin Chun-hsien (林俊憲) said.

Ma said in the interview that Taiwan would negotiate with Japan about the fishing rights of Taiwanese fishermen around the Diaoyutais as well as the sovereignty of the disputed islands.

Ma rejects Chen’s medical parole

Staff writer, with CNA

President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday reiterated that the question of whether former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) should be released on medical parole is not a political issue, but a legal and medical one.

Granting Chen medical parole is not a political decision, but a special pardon is, he said, adding that anyone released on medical parole is actually free and can stay in a hospital or at home.

“It actually means being released from prison,” he said in an exclusive interview with CNA.

KMT assets called ‘root of evil’

UNFAIR ADVANTAGE:While the DPP raised NT$200 million with its ‘three little pigs’ fund-raising campaign, the KMT made NT$2.9 billion from stock dividends in 2010
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) has so many ill-gotten assets that even it has no idea how much its assets are worth and the only certainty is that those assets are the root of all evil in Taiwanese politics because of the unfair competition that came with them, analysts said at a forum yesterday.

“In short, the KMT’s party assets are the root of all evil in Taiwan because of the unfair advantage they created. And despite the KMT having pledged to deal with the issue, the pledge was only an empty promise,” Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Lee Chun-yi (李俊俋) said.

Selling state-owned land will raise prices: groups

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The Ministry of Finance’s plan to sell small state-owned plots of land in Taipei and New Taipei City (新北市) will exacerbate property speculation, raise already high housing prices and will not solve the nation’s public financial problems, civic groups told a press conference yesterday.

If Minister of Finance Chang Sheng-ford (張盛和) lifted the sales ban on plots of land measuring less than 500 ping (1,653m2), as reported, he would be a “prodigal minister who throws away public resources for the wrong reasons,” Anti-Poverty Alliance convener Chien Hsi-chieh (簡錫?) said.

Tsai, Su blast KMT-led ‘media show’ over prosecutions

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and its former chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday questioned prosecutors and the Control Yuan over their handling of a fresh round of lawsuits probing the Yu Chang Biologics Co (宇昌生技股份有限公司) case.

Speaking through her office yesterday, Tsai urged the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office Special Investigation Division (SID) to approach the lawsuits with the same standard with which it had handled other cases and said it should not conduct “selective investigations.”

DPP warns that Taiwan must not side with China

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday rejected comments by Beijing’s top official on Taiwanese affairs and reiterated that the party is insisting on non-collaboration with China over the Diaoyutai Islands (釣魚台) dispute.

“The objective fact is that Taiwan claims sovereignty over the Diaoyutai Islands and it will not cooperate with China on the issue of the disputed islands, and that is the consensus of the ruling and opposition parties in Taiwan,” DPP spokesperson Lin Chun-hsien (林俊憲) said yesterday.

Unemployed youth need boost: DPP

WASTED OPPORTUNITY:Joblessness among 15-to-24-year-olds remains very high and the party said that the proposed budget fails to address this key issue
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) administration has failed to address high rates of unemployment among the young and the record-low proposed budget for next year’s infrastructure developments could worsen the situation, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus said yesterday.

A total budget of NT$379.1 billion (US$12.6 billion) for public construction projects next year would signify a decrease of NT$19.4 billion compared with this year and is among the lowest in a decade, DPP Legislator Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君) told a press conference.

Academics knock city development

BUILDING BLOCKS:Several academics have criticized the government’s ‘careless development’ of urban areas, labeling its performance as ‘out of control’
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Officials said yesterday at a forum that more creativity and a new mindset would have to be introduced in all plans for urban development in the future as academics expressed disappointment over the government’s performance in this area during the past decade.

“New legislation, ideas and approaches are required for metropolises such as Taipei City and the New Taipei City to improve their urban environment,” said Hung Chia-hung (洪嘉宏), director-general of the Construction and Planning Agency’s Urban and Rural Development Branch.

SID requests extension for Lin Yi-shih’s detention

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The Supreme Prosecutors’ Office Special Investigation Division (SID) has requested to extend former Executive Yuan secretary-general Lin Yi-shih’s (林益世) detention for another two months starting Sept. 1.

The SID filed the request with the Taipei District Court yesterday over concerns of collusion and destruction of evidence, SID spokesperson Chen Hung-ta (陳宏達) said.

Threshold for PTS board too high: TSU lawmaker

LOWER THE BAR:：The TSU’s Hsu Chung-hsin blamed the lengthy delay in selecting PTS’ board on regulations that require higher approval than Constitutional amendments
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 - Page 3

Taiwan Solidarity Union Legislator Hsu Chung-hsin (許忠信) yesterday said he would propose lowering the threshold of three-quarters required for the review committee to approve a member for the board of the Public Television Service (PTS) to resolve a longstanding dispute.

Lowering the threshold to two-thirds of the 15-member review committee is expected to accelerate the process, Hsu told a press conference.

KMT strife caused PTS review failure: DPP

A HOUSE DIVIDED?The DPP denied a report in the ‘China Times’ that it had blocked the nominations, saying those not approved had been vetoed by KMT members
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The failure of a review meeting to approve the Public Television Service’s (PTS) fifth board of directors on Monday owed more to Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) internal strife than the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) boycott, DPP caucus whip Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) said yesterday.

Ker rebutted a Chinese-language China Times editorial published yesterday that said the boycott was why only three board members and two supervisors from a list of 14 board nominees and four supervisor nominees were approved.

Clark says Chen facing ‘murder’ by parole denial

By Chris Wang and Rich Chang  /  Staff reporters
Thu, Aug 23, 2012 - Page 1

Visiting former US attorney general Ramsey Clark yesterday repeated his call for the immediate release of former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), saying the Taiwanese government would be viewed as Chen’s murderer if his health deteriorated further.

The 84-year-old human rights advocate urged President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) administration to act immediately on the suggestion of Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) to stop playing “a dangerous game of denying him freedom” and grant Chen a medical parole.

Wu Rong-i to convene group

Former vice premier Wu Rong-i (吳榮義) was yesterday appointed convener of the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) economic policy working group to address current economic woes. Wu, an economist, was picked for his expertise and rich experience, DPP Chairman Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) said, adding that the party would try to present a set of measures for recommendation to President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) administration, which has been unable to turn Taiwan’s slowing economy and high unemployment rate around. Wu, who serves as chairman of the Taiwan Brain Trust think tank, became the second candidate who ran against Su in the May party chairperson election to collaborate with him. Former Tainan County commissioner Su Huan-chih (蘇煥智) was tabbed earlier by Su as convener of a policy group on local governance.

Taipei renames lane in honor of Deng Nan-jung

NOT IN VAIN:Deng set himself alight in 1989 when police tried to arrest him for printing a proposal for a constitution for the Republic of Taiwan in his magazine
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The Taipei City Government yesterday officially renamed a lane in the city, where democracy advocate Deng Nan-jung (鄭南榕) committed suicide 23 years ago in defense of the freedom of expression, to “Freedom Lane (自由巷)” in his honor.

In a ceremony yesterday, Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) and Deng’s widow, Yeh Chu-lan (葉菊蘭), unveiled the “Freedom Lane” street sign as an alternative name to Alley 3, Lane 106, Minquan E Rd Sec 3 — where the ceremony was held.

Clark calls for A-bian’s immediate release

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The “dangerous game” of keeping imprisoned former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) from access to appropriate medical care has been played for “too long and too far,” former US attorney-general Ramsey Clark said yesterday in Taipei, calling for Chen’s immediate release and international attention to his situation.

Clark, who is in Taiwan on a four-day visit, told a press conference yesterday evening that Taiwanese need to exercise their power and make their support of Chen heard, while the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva should pay attention to Chen’s case and do its duty.

Su supports Tsai lawsuit over Yu Chang ‘smears’

By Chris Wang and Shih Hsiu-chuan  /  Staff reporters

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairman Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) yesterday threw his support behind former DPP chairperson Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) lawsuit against government officials over corruption allegations in the run-up to the presidential election and demanded President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) apologize for his involvement in what he called a smear campaign.

Speaking on the sidelines of a youth forum at the DPP national headquarters, Su said he supported Tsai’s legal actions and hoped the judiciary would investigate and rule on the case as soon as possible.

Grant A-bian medical parole, Hau says

‘RECONCILIATION’:：The Taipei mayor said the move would heal divisions in society, but the Ministry of Justice said a psychiatrist had assessed Chen and said he did not qualify
By Mo Yan-chih and Chris Wang  /  Staff reporters
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 - Page 1

In a surprise move, Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) yesterday publicly endorsed a proposal that former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) should be granted medical parole, becoming the first political figure in the pan-blue camp to support the idea.

President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) administration has remained low-key in response to calls from pan-green supporters and civil groups to grant the imprisoned Chen a thorough checkup and treatment in hospital.

Ma should call off power price hike: DPP

BROKEN PROMISES:The president promised to formulate a reform plan for the two state-run utility providers, but has done nothing four months after allowing price hikes
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) should call off the second-phase electricity price hike planned for December because he has failed to submit plans to reform state-run oil refiner CPC Corp, Taiwan (CPC) or Taiwan Power Co, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said yesterday.

“Ma pledged in April to submit reform plans on the two state-run companies within three months. However, we have not heard from him [on this issue] after four months,” DPP spokesperson Lin Chun-hsien (林俊憲) told a press conference.

ECFA victims need more help: experts

COMPLEX COMPENSATION:Experts yesterday said the government’s mechanism for trade-pact victims was comprehensive, but failed to be implemented
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

A mechanism to compensate companies and sectors negatively impacted by the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) is in place, but identifying and determining who the victims are will be difficult and require a lot of work, participants of a public hearing said yesterday.

The hearing, organized by the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU), gathered government officials, academics and representatives from labor and trade groups in the Legislative Yuan to discuss government assistance for corporate and labor victims of the ECFA.

Tsai files lawsuit over Yu Chang smear

DIRTY TRICK?：After being cleared of wrongdoing last week, Tsai filed suit against Wu Den-yih and Christina Liu, accusing them of spreading rumors to throw the election
By Chris Wang and Jake Chung  /  Staff reporter and staff writer, with CNA
Tue, Aug 21, 2012 - Page 1

Former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday filed a lawsuit against Vice President Wu Den-yih (吳敦義) and former Council of Economic Planning and Development minister Christina Liu (劉憶如) over the pair’s allegations during the presidential election campaign that Tsai had played an improper role in the formation of a biotechnology company.

Tsai filed the lawsuit with the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office Special Investigation Division (SID) against Wu, who is currently visiting Central America, and Liu for violations of the Presidential and Vice Presidential Election and Recall Act (總統副總統選舉罷免法), accusing them of spreading rumors or false statements for the purpose of impeding a candidate’s election chances, Tsai’s lawyers Wellington Koo (顧立雄) and Lien Yuan-long (連元龍) told a press conference.

Su blasts Ma government while on tour of Taoyuan

NATIONWIDE:The DPP leader said that plans for the Taoyuan airport MRT line to Taipei are lacking, and slammed the government’s overall economic record
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter, in Taoyuan County

President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) administration’s handling of economic forecasts, as well as recurring disputes over the Diaoyutai Islands (釣魚台), has been ridiculous and Ma should be held responsible, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairman Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) said yesterday.

“The Ma administration has not only overestimated GDP growth, but it is also clueless about how to save Taiwan’s failing economy,” Su said during a visit to Taoyuan County yesterday.

REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK: DPP considers strategies to deal with China

By Chris Wang 
Sun, Aug 19, 2012 - Page 3

Recent developments would suggest that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is still seeking to gauge both the tempo and scale of closer engagement with China, with intra-party opinions on the issue varied and the level of mutual trust between the party and Beijing being questioned.

DPP Chairman Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) set the tone this past week, saying there was “no rush” to establish a committee on China affairs and described as “rash” a DPP lawmaker’s proposal to include Chinese students in the National Health Insurance program after the initiative received negative responses from supporters.

That was a far cry from the party’s much-publicized sense of urgency which it displayed after its loss in the January presidential elections. Most analysts and DPP members said that it was the electorate’s lack of confidence with the party’s China policy, as well as its inability to deal with cross-strait issues, which was responsible for the setback.

Taiwan challenges peace: DPP official

‘STRANGE REACTIONS’:The official said the Ma administration’s behavior over the Diaoyutais could only lead to speculation that it is siding with China against Japan
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) administration has challenged the US-Japan security pact with its actions and announcements in the recent dispute over the Diaoyutai Islands (釣魚台), known as Senkaku in Japan, a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) official said yesterday.

The administration’s reactions and behavior in the most recent controversy surrounding the dispute, which saw 14 activists from Hong Kong landing on the islands and being arrested by Japanese police on Wednesday, “could only lead to reasonable speculation that it is collaborating with China to oppose Japan on the issue,” said the official, who is familiar with international affairs.

DPP plans deliberation of public policy in forums

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) plans to promote deliberation of public policy in a series of forums and by restructuring its think tank, DPP spokesperson Lin Chun-hsien (林俊憲) said yesterday.

A three-part forum focusing on youth-related issues is scheduled to be held on three consecutive Tuesdays beginning next week, Lin said.

The forum would be the first of four “open studio” forums organized by the party, which would discuss four topics: the future of Taiwanese youth, the challenge of China, Taiwan’s political reform and Taiwan’s economic development.

Su says Taiwan affairs a priority

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is in no hurry to establish a China Affairs Committee, as the welfare of Taiwanese means more to the party than anything else, DPP Chairman Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) said yesterday.

The DPP has no timetable for the establishment of the committee, which will be an intra-party platform for the discussion and formulation of its China policy, Su said after the party’s weekly Central Standing Committee meeting in Taipei.

KMT hurt democracy, Tsai says

GAME CHANGER:：The former DPP boss was cleared after an investigation into her relationship with a biotech firm, but the KMT was blasted for a ‘dirty tricks’ campaign
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 - Page 3

Former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday said the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) manipulation of the Yu Chang Biologics Co case has hurt Taiwan’s democratic development and added that the party’s collaboration with the media on the case during the presidential campaign was “vicious.”

The KMT government’s misconduct and the negative impact of the alleged case on Taiwan’s biotechnology industry were what really concerned her, Tsai said on the sidelines of a workshop on Taiwan’s economy organized by her foundation.

Diaoyutai essay competition panned

CLUELESS?：Asked about the essay competition, KMT Legislator Ma Wen-jun said she could not help but wonder whether the government had run out of ideas
By Shih Hsiu-chuan and Chris Wang  /  Staff reporters, with AFP, TOKYO
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 - Page 1

The government yesterday came under fire over its lack of strategy to assert the country’s sovereignty over the Diaoyutai Islands (釣魚台) as it called for suggestions from the public on how to resolve the dispute via an essay competition on the day before activists from Hong Kong were arrested by Japanese police for landing on the disputed territory.

Japanese police arrested 14 men yesterday after pro-China activists landed on one of the disputed islands, a Japanese police spokesman said.

“The Okinawa prefectural police arrested five men for violation of the immigration control law on Uotsurijima island,” the spokesman said, referring to one of the islands.

TSU considering safety in China referendum

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) said yesterday that it was studying the feasibility of proposing a referendum on demanding that the government seek an agreement on personal safety protection with China.

The TSU sees the need for such an agreement after Beijing’s detention of Taiwanese Bruce Chung (鍾鼎邦) for 54 days and the failure of President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) administration to have 24-hour notification of detentions of Taiwanese in China written into the text of a recently signed cross-strait investment protection agreement, TSU Chairman Huang Kun-huei (黃昆輝) told a press conference.

Taiwan should heed HK lessons: panel discussion

‘HONG KONG-IZATION’:Chinese dissident Wang Dan said Taiwan was following the same path as Hong Kong before the handover, and to make civil movement allies
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Taiwan has paid too little attention to the civil movement in Hong Kong and could be the next in line to be absorbed by Beijing if the trend continues, politicians and political observers said at a panel discussion in Taipei yesterday.

Hong Kong, which was handed back to China by the UK in 1997, could serve as a perfect example for Taiwan in its efforts to defy Chinese political pressure and influence, said Wang Dan (王丹), a Chinese dissident who now teaches at National Tsinghua University in Hsinchu.

DPP sends mixed signals on NHI proposal

UNHEALTHY DEBATE:：A suggestion that Chinese students be eligible for the National Health Insurance has been criticized as inappropriate, and praised for good intentions
By Chris Wang and Mo Yan-chih  /  Staff reporters
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 - Page 1

A proposal by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Wu Ping-jui (吳秉叡) to include Chinese students in the National Health Insurance (NHI) program yesterday continued to draw mixed reactions from party members, while the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) accused the DPP of prevarication.

The initiative, which Wu said was submitted out of humanitarian concerns instead of political motives, backfired in the media, with most DPP members expressing reservations about the proposal.

Tsai cleared of Yu Chang allegations

CLEAN HANDS:：The former DPP chairperson said she was not surprised by the findings, but not happy either, because several scientists’ reputations were tarnished
By Rich Chang  /  Staff reporter
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 - Page 1

The Supreme Prosecutors’ Office Special Investigation Division (SID) yesterday closed its investigation into Yu Chang Biologics Co (宇昌生技股份有限公司), now known as TaiMed Biologics Inc (中裕新藥股份有限公司), clearing former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) of any wrongdoing.

The SID launched its investigation during the presidential campaign after Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmakers accused Tsai of manipulating investments by the National Development Fund (NDF) in TaiMed when she was vice premier in 2007. Tsai served as chairperson of the biotech company for several months after she stepped down as vice premier in May 2007.

Tsai’s foundation to host academic forum on economy

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The newly established Thinking Taiwan Foundation chaired by former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) will hold a two-day workshop on the economy today and tomorrow.

The workshop on Taiwan’s economic development launches the foundation’s series of forums aimed at bringing together academics under the age of 40 to encourage participation in public policy discussion among the young generation, the foundation said.

Lawmaker sorry for rushing NHI proposal

INSURANCE for CHINESE STUDENTS:Wu Ping-jui said he owed an apology to the DPP chairman, who has said that the proposal did not represent the party’s position
By Chris Wang and Shih Hsiu-chuan  /  Staff reporters

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Wu Ping-jui (吳秉叡) yesterday defended his initiative to include Chinese students in the National Health Insurance (NHI) plan and stressed that the proposal did not represent the DPP’s position.

“It was only my personal opinion. I was not asked by anyone to submit the proposal,” Wu told a press conference in his office in Sinjhuang (新莊), New Taipei City (新北市).

Bruce Chung thanks compatriots for help

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter
Tue, Aug 14, 2012 - Page 1

Bruce Chung (鍾鼎邦), a Taiwanese Falun Gong practitioner who was released by China after 54 days in detention, yesterday expressed gratitude to Taiwanese who supported efforts to secure his release and urged China to respect religious freedom.

“I am a lucky man in comparison with many Falun Gong members and Taiwanese businesspeople who are still in detention. I am deeply touched and want to thank the government, as well as people in Taiwan and overseas for their efforts. Without you [my release] would not have been possible,” Chung told a press conference in his first public appearance since his return on Saturday.

Hsiao Bi-khim to attend Shanghai talk

NEW APPROACH:Visits by DPP members to China in an unofficial capacity are expected to become common in the future as a new political atmosphere encourages interaction
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) yesterday left for Shanghai to participate in a seminar on cross-strait relations, but emphasized that she was doing so in a private capacity.

Hsiao said she was invited to the seminar on the peaceful development of cross-strait -relations, organized by the Shanghai Institute for East Asia Studies, as a board member of the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD), a semi-governmental non-profit organization, in a press release issued yesterday afternoon.

Give Chinese students NHI: DPP lawmaker

RIGHTS ISSUE?Proponents say they support the proposal out of humanitarian concern, but some within the DPP oppose it, and the KMT says the DPP has flip-flopped on students
By Chris Wang and Mo Yan-chih  /  Staff reporters

A Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmaker has proposed including Chinese students in Taiwan under National Health Insurance (NHI) coverage as the party strives to address basic human rights and to turn around its image of being “anti-China.”

DPP Legislator Wu Ping-jui (吳秉叡) is considering proposing an amendment to the National Health Insurance Act (全民健康保險法) to enforce a mandatory coverage of Chinese students who have enrolled in universities in Taiwan and have stayed in the country for more than six months, the Chinese-language China Times reported yesterday.

Tsai blasts Ma over ECFA, says she supports free trade

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday said that while she would continue to support free trade, she was concerned about Taiwan’s economic dependence on China and the slow development of its economy.

Tsai, who launched her political career as an international trade negotiator in the 1980s, said she has always been one of the strongest supporters of a free trade system in an interview with Cross-Strait Trade magazine.

“I will never be an isolationist. I will never be a conservative,” she said.

DPP vows to scrutinize new pact in legislature

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter
Sat, Aug 11, 2012 - Page 3

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus yesterday voiced its disappointment with the cross-strait investment protection accord signed a day earlier and vowed to screen the deal clause-by-clause in the new legislative session.

“We are extremely disappointed that Taiwan came home empty-handed on two issues that has drawn the most public attention — personal safety protection and an international arbitration mechanism,” DPP Legislator Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君) told a press conference.

Taiwanese independence more popular, survey says

GROWING SENSE OF IDENTITY:The latest poll shows the highest level of support that the idea of gradual independence has seen in the survey’s six-year history
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The results of a survey released yesterday show that the rate of support for eventual Taiwanese independence stands at 55.4 percent, up six percentage points from a year ago and the highest since similar polls were conducted in 2006.

In a survey conducted by Taiwan Indicator Survey Research (TISR), 55.4 percent of the respondents said they prefered eventual independence, while 29.9 percent said they did not support the idea.

Lee Teng-hui full of confidence at first court appearance

COOL CUSTOMER:The former president said he was completely confident that his innocence would overcome the ‘groundless’ embezzlement charges
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) yesterday made his first court appearance for a pre-trial procedure after he was indicted on charges of embezzling state funds on June 30 last year.

Lee told reporters outside the Taipei District Court after the 30-minute-long proceedings he had “full confidence” that his innocence and integrity would prevail because the prosecution’s case was “groundless.”

TSU, Tibetans, Falun Gong stage protests

UNITED FRONT:The diverse group of demonstrators were unified by their disapproval of China’s handling of several human rights issues and its dealings with Taipei
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Falun Gong members, Tibetan independence supporters and the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) yesterday staged protests against Chinese officials who are in Taipei for a round of cross-strait negotiations, resulting in brief clashes with police.

Thwarted by tight security, none of them were able to get close to the Grand Hotel, where Association of Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) Chairman Chen Yunlin (陳雲林) was staying.

New deal a ‘defeat:’ opposition

DISAPPOINTING:：The DPP and TSU slammed the cross-strait agreement on investment protection, saying China had made no concessions and had ‘got everything it wanted’
By Chris Wang and Loa Iok-sin  /  Staff reporters
Fri, Aug 10, 2012 - Page 3

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) yesterday blasted the freshly signed cross-strait agreement on investment protection and promotion, saying Taiwan has suffered a humiliating defeat in the negotiations.

Both opposition parties called press conferences yesterday afternoon right after the signing of the cross-strait agreement.

“The agreement was worse than a ‘knockoff agreement’ as it failed to address Taiwanese people’s needs and expectations,” the DPP’s Policy Research Committee Executive Director Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) and China Affairs Department Director Honigmann Hong (洪財隆) told a press conference.

Investment pact not a guarantee: protesters

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter
Thu, Aug 09, 2012 - Page 1

The Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) and various civic groups staged protests yesterday as a Chinese delegation arrived in Taipei to sign an investment protection agreement today.

“The agreement is an agreement supporting Chinese aggression and Beijing’s strategy of promoting eventual unification,” Hsiao Kuan-yu (蕭貫譽), director of the TSU’s Department of Organization, said at a rally in front of the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) building.

About 100 pro-independence protesters from the TSU and subsidiary groups of the Taiwan Society attended the demonstration, accusing the SEF of “making major concessions and jeopardizing national interests” in the cross-strait talks.

Su again calls for rights in pact

CASE IN POINT:：Without protection of a person’s rights, the DPP fears more cases like that of Bruce Chung, a Taiwanese detained without word in China, will happen
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter
Thu, Aug 09, 2012 - Page 3

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairman Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) reiterated yesterday that human rights protection and implementation should play a crucial role in the cross-strait talks on an investment protection agreement.

“The government should make sure that the pact is not another empty agreement,” Su said after the party’s weekly Central Standing Committee meeting.

The majority of the 16 agreements signed in the past four years were not implemented, which makes Beijing’s determination to enforce the clauses on personal safety questionable, Su said.

TSU lawmaker questions report on BSE beef case

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) Legislator Lin Shih-chia (林世嘉) yesterday questioned a US report on a bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) case and said that Taiwan should ban imports of US beef.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Friday released its final report on the three-month investigation of a 10-year, seven-month-old cow in California that had tested positive for BSE in April and confirmed that case was isolated and did not pose a threat to the US food supply or human health.

Ma urged to end his silence on detainee

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Civic groups staged a 10-hour protest yesterday in front of the Presidential Office, urging President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) to break his long silence on Beijing’s detention of a Taiwanese Falun Gong practitioner.

More than 200 representatives from civic groups, lawmakers and ordinary citizens asked Ma to speak up for his people, in this case Bruce Chung (鍾鼎邦), who has been detained in China for 51 days since June 18 after a trip to Yongkang City, Jiangxi Province.

“All I want to say is my father has done no wrong and does not deserve this. And I will be sitting here until President Ma responds,” Chung’s daughter Chung Ai (鍾愛) told a press conference on Ketagalan Boulevard.

TSU, groups plan protests during cross-strait talks

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

In what has become a routine practice at each round of cross-strait negotiations in Taiwan, the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) and various civic groups plan to stage a series of protests over the arrival of Chinese officials.

China’s Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits Chairman Chen Yunlin (陳雲林) is scheduled to arrive today for the eighth round of high-level talks between Taiwan and China that start tomorrow in Taipei. The two sides are expected to seal a long-stalled investment protection agreement and a customs cooperation pact.

DPP legislators accuse prosecutors of leaks on probe

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislators yesterday accused prosecutors of leaking information about an ongoing investigation and urged the Ministry of Justice to probe the matter.

The Chiayi Prosecutors’ Office and the Kaohsiung Prosecutors’ Office, which mobilized more than 400 investigators for raids and investigations into DPP Chiayi County Commissioner Helen Chang (張花冠) and DPP Legislator Chen Ming-wen (陳明文), a former Chiayi county commissioner, had violated the principle of not discussing cases under investigation, DPP Legislator Tsai Chi-chang (蔡其昌) told a press conference yesterday.

Hong named DPP China Affairs director

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Economist Honigmann Hong (洪財隆) was appointed director of the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) Department of China Affairs as DPP Chairman Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) filled the last three remaining spots of department heads.

Hong, an assistant economics professor at National Tsing Hua University, will take over the Department of China Affairs, which was reinstated on July 25 after being merged with the Department of International Affairs for five years, DPP spokesperson Lin Chun-hsien (林俊憲) told a press conference.

Tsai Ing-wen announces launch of new foundation

‘LIGHTING A MATCH’:Tsai says that the foundation will develop charity projects and public policy, but it will be free from partisanship. It launched its Web site on Sunday
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday officially announced the establishment of her foundation, the Thinking Taiwan Foundation, an organization which aims to develop charity projects and public policy.

Groups urge safety protection in deals

UNACCEPTABLE:：China can detain a suspect without informing their families and hold them indefinitely if that person is charged with endangering national security
By Ho Yi  /  Staff reporter
Tue, Aug 07, 2012 - Page 1

Human rights groups yesterday protested in front of the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) headquarters in Taipei, urging officials to include personal safety on the agenda of the next round of talks with China that begin tomorrow and calling for the immediate release of Bruce Chung (鍾鼎邦), a Taiwanese businessman and Falun Gong practitioner who has been detained in China for more than 50 days.

The eighth meeting between the foundation and China’s Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits is to be held in Taipei from today until Friday. An investment protection agreement and a customs cooperation agreement are expected to be signed during the meeting.

DPP to discuss the cross-strait investment deal

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) will hold a meeting today to discuss the party’s position and strategy on a proposed cross-strait investment protection and promotion agreement, which could be finalized in an eighth round of cross-strait negotiations on Thursday, a DPP spokesperson said yesterday.

DPP Chairman Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) will convene a joint meeting of party officials and legislators, a traditional practice for the party to coordinate opinions of its headquarters and the legislative caucus, spokesperson Wang Ming-shen (王閔生) said yesterday.

Tsai launches Web forum to discuss policies

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday launched an online forum that aims to catalyze rational discussion of public policies and social issues as a prelude to the official establishment of her foundation today.

Tsai launched the “Thinking Taiwan Forum” Web site, www.thinkingtaiwan.com, before the establishment of her Thinking Taiwan Foundation, her first major move after losing in the January presidential election.

Treaty clear on Taiwan, Ma says

INTERNATIONAL LAW:The president said the Treaty of Taipei spelled out very clearly that Taiwan was handed to the Republic of China after the conclusion of World War II
By Jake Chung  /  Staff writer, with CNA

The Sino-Japanese Treaty is a treaty verified by international law that clearly states that Taiwan was returned to the Republic of China (ROC), President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) said yesterday.

Ma made the remarks at an exhibition held by the Academia Historica and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs marking the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Sino-Japanese Treaty, also known as the Treaty of Taipei.

Ma proposes East China Sea initiative

CALLS FOR RESTRAINT:：Ma called on all parties to refrain from aggression, while the DPP said Ma escalated tensions by sending the coast guard to accompany activists
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter, with CNA
Mon, Aug 06, 2012 - Page 1

President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday proposed a peace initiative to address territorial disputes over the Diaoyutai Islands (釣魚台), urging neighboring countries to show restraint and settle the issue peacefully.

“We hope to use the East China Sea Peace Initiative to urge all sides to seriously face the possible impact of this territorial dispute on peace and security in the East China Sea,” Ma said.

Former president working on book about the future

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter, in Yunlin County

Former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) said yesterday in Yunlin County that he is working on a new book on Taiwan’s future, which he would dedicate to young Taiwanese.

The 89-year-old said he wanted to write about the topic because he was wondering which direction Taiwan would go in the new century as its economy — along with those of the US and EU — have been declining, but “neither people nor the media would talk about this.”

Lee Teng-hui braves storm to visit Yunlin

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter, in Yunlin County

Braving high winds and strong rain brought by Typhoon Saola, former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) reminisced about Yunlin, which he calls his “second hometown,” during the end of a three-day trip to the county yesterday.

“Yunlin is my second hometown,” Lee, who was born and grew up in New Taipei City’s (新北市) Sanjhih (三芝), told people at almost every stop during his three-day visit to the central counties of Changhua and Yunlin.

Former president Lee supports student protesters

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter, in Changhua County

A country will not move forward with a “silent generation” of young people, former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) said in Changhua County yesterday, voicing his support for young students protesting against a major media merger deal.

Responding to media inquiries, Lee said he did not understand all the details of the Want Want China Times Group’s (旺旺中時媒體集團) acquisition of cable TV services owned by China Network Systems (CNS, 中嘉網路), but he supported young students speaking up for media freedom.

Lee says Landsboroughs were ‘true Taiwanese’

‘SONS OF TAIWAN’:Lee Teng-hui praised the British-born father and son doctors for helping bring Western medical science to Taiwan and for saving lives
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter, in Changhua City

Former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) yesterday paid tribute to the late British physicians David Landsborough (蘭大衛) and David Landsborough IV (蘭大弼), in Changhua, saying that the doctors, who spent decades in Taiwan saving people’s lives, were “true Taiwanese.”

“Those who recognized and made contributions to this land like the Landsboroughs did, could claim they are Taiwanese,” Lee said during his visit to the Changhua Christian Hospital (CCH), part of his three-day visit to Changhua and Yunlin counties that began yesterday.