Violence and atrocities : taipei

Showing posts with label taipei. Show all posts

Sunday, November 27, 2022

President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan quits as head of the governing Democratic Progressive Party after loss in election

The vote in Taiwan has drawn global attention because the loss of President Tsai Ing-wen could become a bigger geopolitical flashpoint between China and the United States. Tsai Ing-wen resigned as head of the governing Democratic Progressive Party after its poor performance in local elections. The opposition Kuomintang (KMT) won major races including the capital Taipei. Prior to the election, President Tsai had described the election as a vote for democracy amid rising tensions with China. After the results came out, she admitted that - "the election results were not as expected... I should shoulder all the responsibility and I resign as DPP chairwoman immediately.” However, she will continue as president of the self-ruled island. These elections for local councils and city mayors theoretically have a domestic agenda and focused on local issues such as crime, housing and social welfare. Those elected will not have a direct say on Taiwan's policy regarding China. However, Ms Tsai and government officials had urged voters to use the elections to send a message about standing up for democracy, as Beijing increases pressure on the island. Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen quits as party chair after local elections. The Chinese government perceives Taiwan as a breakaway province that will, in due course of time, be part of the country.

A large section of Taiwanese people considers their self-ruled island to be distinct. It has its own form of government and a democratic system. However, tensions peaked in August when Beijing staged huge military drills around Taiwan. It was in a protest against the visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to the island. The US has long walked a tightrope over Taiwan. Officially, it does not have any formal ties with Taiwan. In spite of that, it has also pledged to supply the island with defensive weapons and stressed that any attack by China would cause "grave concern." Taiwan has two major political parties. Their views differ on China. One of these is the Kuomintang (KMT). It consists of conservative business champions and traditionally seen as pro-China "doves." They advocate economic engagement with China and appear to favor unification while denying being pro-China. Their main rival is Ms Tsai's governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). She had won a landslide victory in the 2020 national election. Her stand is Beijing needs to show respect to Taiwan. She also said Taipei would not bow to pressure.

Saturday, October 29, 2022

Health of Tuan Tuan, a male panda gifted by China to Taiwan, deteriorating

China had gifted a panda to Taiwan when the relation between them was better. However, relations between them have been on ice since 2016. Beijing severed official communications and government visits between the two sides. In spite of that, Taiwan has invited Chinese veterinary experts to come and have a look at the male panda Tuan Tuan who is not well. China had gifted the male panda to the island in 2008, but it fell ill in recent weeks and looks to be entering his twilight days. Hence, the Chinese vets will come, stay for seven days and observe, rather than conduct, health checks. As an official of the Taipei City Zoo explained to a section of the media - "The main purpose is to visit Tuan Tuan and see his present condition. They expressed their desire to come in person to visit Tuan Tuan. I also think it will be a very meaningful trip.” Taiwan invites Chinese veterinary experts as beloved panda nears death. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council confirmed they were processing the visa applications of the vets.

Beijing had gifted Tuan Tuan and his breeding mate Yuan Yuan to Taiwan when the relations between the two neighbors were more cordial. The pair of pandas became huge stars in Taiwan and Yuan Yuan subsequently gave birth to two female cubs. China loans pandas to foreign zoos and they must usually return any offspring within a few years of their birth to join the country's breeding program. China made an exception for Taiwan as part of a brief charm offensive China launched in the late 2000s. It fully gifted both Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan and any offspring they had to Taiwan. Vets first noticed Tuan Tuan (18) was ill in August when he began suffering seizures and appeared increasingly unsteady and lethargic. Subsequently other symptoms emerged and he was moved into palliative care. The gift of the pandas happened during the presidency of then Beijing-friendly leader Ma Ying-jeou. However, relations soured with new presidents in both the countries.

Thursday, October 20, 2022

Taiwan has allies in the Pacific and Lithuania is its newest unofficial ally

China wants to swallow Taiwan. This is a self-ruled democracy, hungry for companionship. Its efforts go beyond official channels. It has diplomatic ties with Guatemala and allies in the Pacific. Lithuania is its newest unofficial ally and the government and local shoppers have embraced its imports. These range from lasers to bacon-flavored schnapps. “Taiwan is now receiving more international attention than ever before,” said President Tsai Ing-wen in on Taiwan’s national day of October 10. The country has fewer embassies than a decade ago. However, it now has more ties with a wider range of nations. Incidentally, this approach has been there since the 1980s and ’90s when diplomats and officials would go to play golf games in foreign capitals. The reason for its latest burst of diplomatic activity is probably a fallout of a sense of deepening insecurity. This probably stems from the attitude of China and new opportunities for connection. How Taiwan’s ‘Adorable’ and Ambitious Diplomacy Aims to Keep the Island Safe.

China, under the country’s top leader, Xi Jinping, has made Taiwan more of a priority. US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said recently that China is now operating on a “much faster timeline” to annex Taiwan. Neither of them mentioned any timeline. The latest foreign ministry budget of Taiwan included a sizable increase because it expects to host more than six meetings per day, every day of the year. Eswatini is one of Taiwan’s official allies. Its King Mswati III had come to Taipei last week. President Tsai Ing-wen hosted a lunch for Japanese officials and met with delegations from Canada and Washington. Two weeks ago, leaders of Taiwan feted German parliamentarians. Obviously, the country is working to a plan and trying to reach out to other countries for support.

Friday, September 2, 2022

Taiwan shoots down civilian drone near China

Tension between Taiwan and China heightens as Taiwan shit down a drone off the coast of China. It flew over a Taiwanese-controlled island. Taiwan Premier Su Tseng-chang described it as an appropriate action in spite of repeated warnings. It seems the unidentified civilian drone entered the airspace of Taiwan. The incident happened near the outlying Kinmen islands very close to Xiamen city of China. Taiwan’s military confirms that it shot down the drone after it entered restricted airspace near the tiny Shiyu (Lion) islet. It later crashed into the sea. The Premier of Taiwan told media persons that Taiwan had repeatedly issued warnings and “asked them not to encroach on our doorstep.” However, they ignored the warnings. As a result, the military shot it down in self-defense. The Premier added that China should exercise restraint. In his words - “We will never provoke, and we will do the most appropriate thing to protect our land and our people.” Taiwan premier says drone shot down near China was ‘appropriate’. The foreign ministry of China accused Taiwan of trying to increase tension.

The Kinmen Defense Command mentioned that in spite of firing flares and warning shots, the drone maintained its position. The drone was meant for “civilian” use. There is no mention of its recovery or how it was brought own. Taiwan occupies three of the islands off the coast of the Chinese port city of Xiamen. Incidents of drones hovering over these islands had increased. The Taiwanese military says there have been hundreds of aerial incursions by Chinese military aircraft into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone. These have taken place so far this year. Tension between Taipei and Beijing went up following the recent visit of US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi. China responded by conducting live-fire military drills for more than a week in the waters around the island. President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan gave orders to the military to take “strong countermeasures” against what she termed Chinese provocations.