Health and Welfare Minister Chen Shih-chung lauds country’s effort to legalize public health expertise

Taiwan News
Dte: 2020/07/04
By: Huang Tzu-ti, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The head of Taiwan’s coronavirus task force on Saturday (July 4) described “public health” as an indicator of national power, with Taiwan becoming the first country in Asia to enact a law for public health expert certification.

Health and Welfare Minister Chen Shih-chung (陳時中) made the remarks at a symposium held by the Taiwan Public Health Association, reported CNA. The long-overdue legislation passed in mid-May, partly due to the pandemic pointing out the importance of the medical profession.

Commenting on the fact it took two decades to implement the legislation, Chen said it would mean experts in the field were recognized. It would also contribute to better preparedness in the event of health emergencies.    [FULL  STORY]

Focus Taiwan
Date: 07/04/2020

Taipei, July 4 (CNA) A village chief in Yilan County was recalled Saturday, as the majority of residents voted against him because he had backed a mining project in the area.

According to the county's Election Commission, turnout at the polls was 67.75 percent, with 257 people voting to recall Zhonghua Village chief Hsu Cheng-tung (許正東), and 137 casting ballots against the motion.

If Hsu does not contest the vote, the commission will soon hold a by-election, which will be the second one scheduled this year in Taiwan to replace an elected official, following a June 6 recall vote against then Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) over broken election promises.

The central issue in the recall effort in Zhonghua Village is a proposal to launch a clay and silica rock mining project, which Hsu said he had supported only because experts had given the assurance that there was no risk of pollution.    [FULL  STORY]

Residents of Hong Kong, deeply concerned by Beijing's new security law, seek safety and freedom in nearby Taiwan.

NBC News
Date: July 3, 2020
By: Cindy Sui

TAIPEI — On the walls of the Protection Umbrella, a diner in Taipei, posters show protesters wearing gas masks and helmets battling police in Hong Kong.

The restaurant was opened in April to provide jobs for protesters who fled to Taiwan to escape arrest during the demonstrations over the past year in the former British colony.

Now that Beijing has enacted a national security law for Hong Kong, heralding significant changes in the territory’s governance, the exodus is expected to increase.

The law will allow Beijing to mete out severe punishment to anyone found guilty of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with external forces to threaten national security. It could see the Chinese government sending in its own law enforcers.    [FULL  STORY]

National Center for Cyber Security Technology led cyber defense against Chinese hackers

Taiwan News
Date: 2020/07/03
By: Huang Tzu-ti, Taiwan News, Staff Writer\

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — An intense cyber war reportedly took place across the Taiwan Strait on the eve of President Tsai Ing-wen's (蔡英文) swearing-in on May 20, as she embarked on a second term.

A spike in cyber attacks from China was detected on May 19, targeting computer systems of the state-run oil refiner CPC Corp. Such activities are traditionally expected around the day of Taiwan’s presidential inauguration, which is intended to cause disruption to society through compromising government agencies, infrastructure facilities, and financial institutions.

The incident triggered an emergency response from Taiwan’s cybersecurity entities on the Cabinet level, leading to a series of self-defense measures. The counter-effort was spearheaded by the National Center for Cyber Security Technology, with IT experts from the private sector.    [FULL  STORY]

Focus Taiwan
Date: 07/03/2020
By: Chao Ching-yu and Kay Liu

Taipei, July 3 (CNA) Cloud Gate Dance Theatre said Friday that its annual free outdoor performances will this year be replaced by online shows of past pieces and a series of community events, due to the COVID-19 coronavirus concerns.

Cloud Gate, with its sponsor Cathay Financial Holding Co., has held free outdoor performances at locations across Taiwan every summer since 1996, other than when bad weather prevented such events.

In 2019, the group estimated that nearly 50,000 people attended its outdoor performance in the square between Taipei's National Theater and Concert Hall showing a selection of highlights from Cloud Gate founder Lin Hwai-min's (林懷民) past works after he announced plans to retire later that year.    [FULL  STORY]

Radio Tiwan International
Date: 02 July, 2020
By: John Van Trieste

Foreign Minister Joseph Wu has called on the US to continue supporting Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. That was during an interview Wednesday with “The Pacific Century”, a podcast founded by US think tank the Hoover Institution.

Wu said that he hopes the US can assist Taiwan take part in international organizations. He also said he hopes that when Taiwan is blocked from participating, the US will tell the international community that Taiwan is not part of China.    [FULL  STORY]

Taipei has been proactive in exploiting the current geopolitical situation to gain recognition of its position on independence from China

Deccan Herald
Date: JUL 02 2020
By: Gunjan Singh

The precarious peace and balance across the Taiwan straits have been challenged further since the January re-election of Tsai-Ing wen as the country’s President. 

Even during Tsai’s first term, China had made it obvious that it was unhappy that her Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) (which is generally perceived to be pro-independence) had won the elections. Beijing’s approach was to reduce Taiwan’s diplomatic space. Thus, it was no surprise that by the end of Tsai’s first term, Taipei was left with only 15 diplomatic allies. Beijing used its deep financial clout to woo smaller countries away from Taiwan. 

China considers Taiwan to be its own part and has always kept the option of military unification open. There was constant reiteration by the Chinese leadership that Beijing will achieve reunification as it is a part of the ‘Chinese Dream’. The Chinese Dream is about achieving 'national rejuvenation' which cannot be complete without reunification as the issue of Taiwan is a left over from the time when China was weak.

However, the results of the 2020 elections proved to be a pushback against  China’s heavy-handed approach. Since her re-election Tsai has been increasingly vocal in her support for maintaining the status quo and has argued that Taiwan is a democratic entity and pushed for an independent Taiwanese identity. 

The relationship has become further strained with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Effective handling of the Covid-19 pandemic by Taiwan has lent support to the argument that open, democratic systems can handle such situations as well or better than China. Moreover, Taiwan has blamed China for keeping it out of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and gravely affecting the lives of its 24 million inhabitants. Taiwan has also criticised China for delayed information to the WHO and done its part in proactively donating masks globally.
[FULL  STORY]

Former US National Security Adviser hopes to visit Taiwan, meet with President Tsai

Taiwan News
Date: 2020/07/02
By: Kelvin Chen, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — In an interview with CNA, former White House National Security Adviser John Bolton on Wednesday (July 1) stated that he hoped to visit Taiwan once the pandemic subsides.

Bolton said he looked forward to meeting President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) and his friends who he has known for many years as well as listening to the ideas and thoughts of the Taiwanese people and contemplating the way forward for the nation, CNA reported.

He mentioned that in different capacities he has visited Taiwan many times before, having met with previous Taiwanese presidents. In 1999, he met with President Lee Teng-hui (李登輝).

In 2007, he visited President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁). During President Ma Ying-jeou's (馬英九) administration, Bolton made calls to the presidential office in 2009, 2012, and 2014.
[FULL  STORY]