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China concerned about 1992 consensus, DPP independence stance: scholars

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2016/01/17
By Chang Shu-ling and Elizabeth Hsu

Shanghai, China, Jan. 17 (CNA) Two Chinese scholars who specialize in

Beijing. (File photo courtesy of China NEws Service)

Beijing. (File photo courtesy of China NEws Service)

cross-Taiwan Strait relations said Saturday that Taiwan’s President-elect Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) should clarify her stance on the “1992 consensus” and her party’s platform on Taiwan independence.

Tsai and her independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) gained an overwhelming victory in both the presidential and legislative elections Saturday, beating the Kuomintang (KMT), the ruling party of Taiwan.

It was the KMT’s Chiang Kai-shek that led the Republic of China government to relocate to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war to the Communists.

In an interview with CNA after Saturday’s elections, Xin Qiang (信強), head of the Center for Taiwan Studies at Fudan University, said Chinese authorities have three major areas of concern regarding Tsai’s presidency.     [FULL  STORY]

ELECTIONS: Ecstatic crowd welcomes president-elect Tsai

‘WIPE YOUR TEARS AWAY’:Tsai vowed to honor her words to maintain stability in cross-strait ties, while saying the hard work of reforming the nation begins on Feb. 1, when the new legislature opens

Taipei Times
Date: Jan 17, 2016
By: Loa Iok-sin / Staff reporter

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Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen waves to her supporters after her election victory at party headquarters in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Damir Sagolj, Reuters

Shouting, cheering, waving flags, blowing horns and shooting fireworks, tens of thousands of people were ecstatic when president-elect Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and her running mate Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) took to the stage in front of her national campaign headquarters to address the crowd after her victory was confirmed yesterday.

“I’ve said that I would sacrifice my life to make you happy and now I’ve kept my promise,” Tsai told the crowd with her campaign team leaders, local government heads and other DPP heavyweights standing behind her.

“If you still have tears in your eyes, please wipe them. Let’s welcome a new age of Taiwan with joy,” she said.

Thanking the crowd for their support of her and the party, Tsai said that while they can celebrate, they should not forget the responsibilities they bear.     [FULL  STORY]

Taiwan Election: US congratulates Tsai

Taiwan News
Date: 2016-01-16
By: Matthew Strong, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The United States Department of State 6729316congratulated Democratic Progressive Party Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen Saturday on being elected Taiwan’s first woman president.

“The United States congratulates Dr. Tsai Ing-wen on her victory in Taiwan’s presidential election. We also congratulate the people on Taiwan for once again demonstrating the strength of their robust democratic system, which will now undergo another peaceful transition of power,” said an online statement by spokesman John Kirby.

As usual, the US statement also paid attention to relations with China. “We share with the Taiwan people a profound interest in the continuation of cross-Strait peace and stability. We look forward to working with Dr. Tsai and Taiwan’s leaders of all parties to advance our many common interests and further strengthen the unofficial relationship between the United States and the people on Taiwan.”

The State Department also had words for President Ma Ying-jeou, who leaves office on May 20.     [FULL  STORY]

China urged to respect Taiwan’s general election results

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2016/01/17
By: Yin Chun-chieh, Scarlett Chai and Evelyn Kao

Taipei, Jan. 17 (CNA) Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC,大陸委員會) 201601170008t0001has called on China to respect the results of Taiwan’s presidential and legislative elections that concluded Saturday.

The election demonstrates the mature development of Taiwan’s democratic development, the MAC said in a press release Saturday, adding that all sectors in Taiwan and China should respect the choices of Taiwanese voters and its democratic system and continue to promote the peaceful and stable development of cross-strait relations.

Cross-strait peace and prosperity conforms to the interest of Taiwan and China and “both sides have the responsibility” to maintain the status quo, the MAC said in a press release.

Over the past eight years, the government’s promotion of good interactions between the two sides across the strait has contributed greatly to Taiwan’s development on many fronts and gained international recognition, it said.     [FULL  STORY]

Final campaign rallies, activities must all end at 10 p.m.: CEC

Taiwan News
Date: 2016-01-15
By: Ko Lin, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

Central Election Commission (CEC) Chairman Liu Yi-chou reminded 6728885candidates to the upcoming general elections that all campaign rallies must end at 10 p.m., reports said Friday.

Liu pointed out that the nation’s eligible voters can cast their ballots beginning 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, while cautioning all candidates that those rallying or partaking in any campaign activities during Election Day are liable to fines between NT$500,000 to NT$5 million.

There are just over 18.78 million eligible voters in the country’s 22 cities and counties, the CEC said, adding that it estimates first-time voters to be around the 1.29 million mark.

In order to facilitate voters seek their designated polling stations, the CEC has set up a TGOS location search in its official website using Google Map.     [FULL  STORY]

Chu makes election-eve call for solidarity within pan-blue camp

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2016/01/15
By: Hsieh Chia-chen, Chao Li-yn and Lilian Wu

Taipei, Jan. 15 (CNA) Eric Chu (朱立倫), the presidential candidate of the 22279984ruling Kuomintang (KMT), on Friday called for solidarity within the pan-blue camp.

Speaking passionately in the election-eve rally held in a stadium in New Taipei, where he is the mayor, he said that he wanted to say to the good friends of the People First Party (PFP) and the New Party that “over the past 20 years, whenever we were divided and not united, we failed.”

Amid the drizzle, Chu implored thousands of supporters to unite to support him and the KMT, noting that both political parties had originally splintered from the KMT.

President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) also attended the Taipei rally to lend his support.

He bowed to all to solicit support for Chu and cited what the KMT has achieved over the years.     [FULL  STORY]

TAITRA outlines 2016 trade promotion strategies

Taiwan Today
Date: January 15, 2016

TAITRA Chairman Liang Kuo-hsin sets out the trade organization’s Taiwan

TAITRA outlines 2016 trade promotion strategies

TAITRA outlines 2016 trade promotion strategies

business promotion strategies for 2016 during a news conference Jan. 14 in Taipei City. (Courtesy of TAITRA)
Taiwan’s exports are set for a boost under new promotional campaigns unveiled Jan. 14 in Taipei City by Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA).

The initiative centers on the use of digital technology in assisting local firms enhance marketing capabilities. This includes establishing a big data center for upgraded market analysis functions and rolling out more promotional events for Taiwan’s e-merchants.

Equally important are efforts in tapping emerging markets, especially those in Central and South Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

TAITRA Chairman Liang Kuo-hsin said during the trade organization’s annual news conference that the undertaking dovetails with the results of a recent poll among 2,000-plus local industry heavyweights and foreign buyers indicating a rosier outlook for Taiwan’s exports in 2016.     [FULL  STORY]

ELECTIONS: Authorities crack down on election violations

Taipei Times
Date: Jan 16, 2016
By: Jason Pan / Staff reporter
Judicial officials and law enforcement agencies were yesterday monitoring and cracking down on alleged election-related violations.

According to the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, election-related crimes and campaign violations amounted to a total of 1,307 cases, with 2,245 people charged as of yesterday afternoon.

The latest figures showed an increase from Tuesday’s reports of 1,044 cases and 1,797 people charged.

Investigated cases relating to alleged vote-buying activities for presidential and legislative election campaigns came to 697 cases with 1,314 people charged, the office said yesterday afternoon.

There were 85 cases and 121 people charged over threatening physical violence to secure votes, while other election-related crimes, such as underground betting on election results, came to 525 cases with 810 people charged, the office said.     [FULL  STORY]

Taiwan’s Cabinet approves draft bill against terrorism financing

Taiwan News
Date: 2016-01-14
By: George Liao, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

Taiwan’s Cabinet on Thursday approved a draft bill against the funding of

Cabinet passes anti terrorism financing draft bill.

Cabinet passes anti terrorism financing draft bill.

terrorism, which will be submitted to the new Legislature when it convenes in February.

As terrorism has posed threat to human rights, many countries around the world are imposing penalty for financing terrorism, as a means to prevent spread of terrorism, according to the Ministry of Justice (MOJ).

Making a law against financing terrorism will enable Taiwan to catch up with the global trend of fighting terrorism, Cabinet spokesman Sun Lih-chyun told a press conference after a Cabinet meeting.

The draft bill stipulates that a committee is to be set up by the MOJ to decide who should be listed for sanctions. The list will include any individuals, legal figures or organizations that have been named by the U.N. Security Council, according to the draft bill, which allows for the freezing of capital and other assets owned by those listed.     [FULL  STORY]

Teenage star loses endorsement deal over ROC flag controversy (update)

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2016/01/14
By: Christie Chen

Taipei, Jan. 14 (CNA) Tzuyu (周子瑜), the only Taiwanese member of South

From the Twitter page of South Kroea's MBC TV station

From the Twitter page of South Kroea’s MBC TV station

Korean girl group Twice, has lost a deal for the endorsement of a smartphone produced by the Chinese company Huawei, in a controversy involving her display of the Republic of China (Taiwan) flag on a television show, South Korean media reported Thursday.

As of Jan. 12, cellular carrier LG Uplus, which markets the Huawei Y6 phone in South Korea, had suspended all cooperation with Tzuyu and her management company on Huawei products, the South Korean newspaper the Chosun Ilbo reported, citing a Huawei executive.

The paper cited Glory Zhang, chief marketing officer of Huawei’s consumer business group, as saying in a microblog on Jan. 12 that Huawei had strongly advised LG Uplus to suspend its cooperation with Tzuyu because the star’s “recent remarks had seriously hurt the feelings of the Chinese people.”     [FULL  STORY]