Taiwan’s Party Politics

2007

Chen’s First Recall Crisis

Chen’s Second Recall Crisis

Chen Shui-bian and Embezzlement Charges

~2004 ; 2005 ; 2006

[ News ] [ Papers ] 

Taiwan Vice President's Graft Trial Opens
(AFP, Nov. 20, 2007) The trial of Taiwan vice president Annette Lu on corruption and forgery charges for allegedly misusing an expense account opened. Lu was accused of claiming 5.6 million Taiwan dollars (174,000 US) in special expenses using more than 1,000 false receipts from December 2000 to May 2006.

Chen Wins appeal in Kaohsiung Election Case
(Taiwan News, Nov. 17, 2007) Chen Chu will continue her tenure as Kaohsiung City Mayor after the Kaohsiung Branch of Taiwan High Court ruled that the 2006 election and its result were valid, overturning the District Court's ruling on June 15 earlier this year.

Series of Gaffes Puts Taiwan's Leaders in Spotlight
(Straits Times, Oct. 27, 2007) They do not mince words and rarely hesitate to speak their minds. But Taiwan's no-holds-barred politicians have recently come under public scrutiny over a string of gaffes which has turned the spotlight on the island's 'talkshow' political culture.

High Court Trial Opens for Taiwan Opposition Presidential Candidate (AFP, Oct. 13, 2007) Taiwan opposition presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou's High Court trial for alleged corruption opened Friday, two months after he was cleared by a lower court. "I have firm confidence in my innocence and high expectations of the court, especially after I was found not guilty in the earlier trial," he told reporters.

Taiwan President to Return as Chair of Ruling Party
(AFP, Oct. 12, 2007) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian agreed to return as head of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, pledging to safeguard the island's sovereignty and lead the party to election victory.

Chen Seeks Esprit de Corp Among DPP
(China Post, Oct. 8, 2007) President Chen Shui-bian urged members and supporters of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to set aside their differences and reunite around the party's core values before he could announce his decision on retaking the DPP's helm.

Chen's Appeal over Documents Rejected
(China Post, Oct. 6, 2007) The Taipei District Court rejected President Chen Shui-bian's attempt to retrieve what he described as "confidential" documents used in a corruption trial against his wife Wu Shu-chen. The court ruled that the materials presented to the trial were not "confidential documents" concerning national secrets, saying the president was trying to interfere with the trial by making an "illegal" attempt to get the items back.

Taiwan's Ruling Party Picks Chen as New Chairman
(AP, Oct. 4, 2007) A high-ranking committee of Taiwan's independence-leaning ruling party chose President Chen Shui-bian to be its new chairman. Mr Chen last took the position as DPP chairman in 2002.

Critic Quits DPP: 'I'm an Eyesore'
(China Post, Oct. 4, 2007) A heavyweight quit the ruling Democratic Progressive Party after being what he said was an "eyesore" for fellow members over his frequent criticism for the DPP. "I was a good party member, but I have been an eyesore for others," said former Legislator Shen Fu-hsiung after sending the DPP a brief note about the decision to renounce his membership.

Ruling DPP Rejects Radical Name Change for Taiwan
(Straits Times, Oct. 1, 2007) Tawian's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) approved a resolution to assert the island's status as a 'normal country' but rejected a more radical proposal to change its official title.

Taiwan's Ruling Party Passes Sovereignty Resolution
(AFP, Oct. 1, 2007) Taiwan's ruling party approved a resolution underscoring the island's sovereignty and calling for steps to turn it into a "normal country." The resolution was the more moderate of two versions put to a congress of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). However, the resolution is regarded as largely aspirational and is not expected to have an immediate impact on government policy.

Officials in Chen Case Granted Immunity
(China Post, Sep. 29, 2007) The Council of Grand Justices annulled part of a controversial law to punish officials who refuse to cooperate with a parliamentary commission in the investigation into a shooting that injured President Chen Shui-bian in 2004.

Chairman of Taiwan's Ruling Party Quits Abruptly
(Straits Times, Sep. 28, 2007) The chairman of Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) officially stepped down, citing disagreement over a radical proposal to change the island's official title. Mr Yu's resignation could pave the way for President Chen Shui-bian to return as party chairman.

DPP Agrees on 'Normal Country' Resolution
(Taiwan News, Sep. 27, 2007) The leadership of the governing Democratic Progressive Party reached consensus on moderate language that dropped explicit reference to a proposal to change the national moniker to "Taiwan" in a draft "Resolution for a Normal Country" which will be presented to a party congress Sunday.

Ma Raises Question of Standards Used in Probes of Funds
(CNA, Sep. 23, 2007) The presidential candidate of the opposition Kuomintang, Ma Ying-jeou, claimed that prosecutors probing alleged misuses of special allowance funds by Hsieh and Su used different standards from those probing his case, urging the prosecutors to clearly explain how and based on which legal procedures they conducted their investigations.

Taiwanese Vice President Indicted
(AP, Sep. 22, 2007) Taiwanese prosecutors indicted the country's vice president and the chairman of the ruling party on graft charges, the latest in a series of scandals to hit the outgoing administration. Prosecutors, however, did not bring charges against the party's presidential candidate or his vice presidential running mate, ending an investigation against them.

Taiwan Ruling Party Chairman Quits After Graft Indictment
(AFP, Sep. 22, 2007) Taiwan's ruling party said its chairman had resigned following his indictment on charges of corruption and forgery. Yu Shyi-kun resigned as chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

'Red Army' Marks Anniversary of Protests
(Taipei Times, Sep. 10, 2007) Surrounding the Chinese character Pi (fart) formed by 300,000 candles, about 2,000 red-clad protesters gathered at Ketagalan Boulevard yesterday to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the anti-corruption campaign launched to oust President Chen Shui-bian.

Democratic Progressive Party 'Normal Nation' Resolution Completed
(China Post, Aug. 28, 2007) The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) completed yesterday the draft of the controversial "normal nation resolution" as a centerpiece of campaign themes for upcoming elections and to pave the way for drawing up a new constitution.

Chen Backs DPP 'Normal Country' Resolution
(Taiwan News, Aug. 27, 2007) President Chen Shui-bian said he supported the drive by Democratic Progressive Party Chairman Yu Shyi-kun to secure passage of a programmatic resolution to promote Taiwan's transformation into a "normal country," but urged the governing party to rewrite the controversial document, which he said was "awkwardly written."

Taiwan Prosecutors Appeal Acquittal of Opposition Leader
(AFP,, Aug. 19, 2007) Prosecutors in Taiwan have appealed the acquittal of the main opposition's presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou on corruption charges. Ma repeatedly denied the charges, insisting he acted in exactly the same way as some 6,500 other government chiefs entitled to special expenses.

Chen Shui-bian Tells US to Stop Changing the Rules
(Taipei Times, Aug. 16, 2007) President Chen Shui-bian said it was unfair for the US to repeatedly change the rules and then blame Taiwan for unwittingly violating them. "There shouldn't be a red line drawn for Taiwan's democracy," Chen said.

Taiwan's Ma Acquitted of Fraud Charge
(Bloomberg, Aug. 14, 2007) Ma Ying-jeou, the presidential candidate of Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang, was cleared by a Taipei District Court today of fraud charges that could have derailed his campaign for the March 2008 election.

Hsieh Asks Su To Be His Running Mate
(Taipei Times, Aug. 13, 2007) Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Frank Hsieh, who is visiting Singapore, confirmed that he has invited former premier Su Tseng-chang to be his running mate.

Court Won't Subpoena Chen in Embezzlement Case
(China Post, Aug. 11, 2007) Judges handling an alleged embezzlement and forgery case involving first lady Wu Shu-chen and President Chen Shui-bian's former and present aides ruled not to subpoena Chen, as requested by the defendants' lawyers.

Chen Voices Fears about Judiciary's Intervention
(Taipei Times, July 31, 2007) President Chen Shui-bian expressed apprehension over the intervention of the judiciary in the upcoming presidential election as the presidential candidates of both the Democratic Progressive Party and the Kuomintang (KMT) fight allegations of corruption.

Hsieh Meets with Colin Powell
(CNA, July 27, 2007) Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Frank Hsieh met with former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell in Washington, D.C. Wednesday. According to Hsieh, Powell reiterated during the meeting that the U.S. policy remains that Washington opposes any unilateral action to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. However, Hsieh admitted that there are differences between Taiwan and the United States over the definition of the "status quo."

Hsieh Pans 'Cross-Strait Common Market' Policy
(Taipei Times, July 23, 2007) Visiting Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Frank Hsieh panned a "cross-strait common market" concept advocated by the Kuomintang (KMT) vice presidential candidate as "ridiculously unrealistic."

Official Washington Eager to Size Up Hsieh
(Taipei Times, July 21, 2007) Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Frank Hsieh left for the US yesterday on a visit that will give him and US officials the chance to size each other up.

Ma, Hsieh Trade Barbs on Taiwan History
(Taiwan News, July 10, 2007) Taiwan's two major candidates in the upcoming presidential election highlighted different views of Taiwan's history of colonial and external rule in their first face-to-face exchange.

Presidential, Legislative Polls To Be Held on Separate Dates
(Taiwan News, July 7, 2007) The Central Election Commission has decided to hold two national elections that are expected to have large impacts on Taiwan's political situation at different times in the coming year because of the lack of a consensus among the political parties and the general public.

KMT to Hold Referendum on UN Bid
(Taipei Times, June 29, 2007) The Kuomintang (KMT) said it would push for a referendum on the country's bid to join the UN and other international organizations under a "practical" name and flexible strategy that would increase the nation's chances of being accepted in more international organizations.

Ma Reiterates Mission to Save Taiwan's Economy
(China Post, June 26, 2007) Ma unveiled four concrete measures to stimulate Taiwan's economic development, including: revitalizing the service sector and traditional industries to create 100,000 more job opportunities; using an excellent living climate to attract talent from around the world to help develop Taiwan into a strong economic entity; and building Taiwan as a free trade area, among others.

KMT Revises Nomination Charter
(Taiwan News, June 25, 2007) The main opposition Kuomintang revised its party charter to prevent a potential guilty verdict in an embezzlement trial from blocking its presidential nominee Ma Ying-jeou's presidential bid.

Support Surges for Taiwan Opposition's Presidential Candidate
(Deutsche Presse-Agentur, June 24, 2007) A China Times poll of 700 adults showed that support for the KMT party's candidate has risen 8 percentage points to 40 per cent, from 32 per cent in late May. Support for Frank Hsieh, the ruling DPP party's presidential candidate, remains at about 20 per cent.

Taiwan's Ma Ying-jeou Chooses Siew as Running Mate
(Bloomberg, June 23, 2007) Taiwan's Kuomintang party candidate Ma Ying-jeou announced Vincent Siew as his running mate for next year's presidential election. Siew, 68, was premier of Taiwan from 1997 until 2000. Siew founded Cross-Straits Common Market Foundation, a non- government organization promoting removal of economic barriers with the mainland.

Kaohsiung Mayoral Race Invalidated
(Taiwan News, June 16, 2007) The Kaohsiung District Court yesterday ruled that the results of last year's Kaohsiung mayoral race, in which the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's nominee Chen Chu was elected mayor, should be invalidated. Judges decided that accusations Chen's camp made regarding Huang Jun-ying, her main rival, on the eve of the election and on the polling day influenced election results.

KMT Presidential Candidate Arrives in New Delhi for Visit
(CNA, June 13, 2007) Taiwan's main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou arrived in New Delhi for a whirlwind two-day visit at the invitation of the Indian government.

Taiwan Candidates Differ on Chinese Views toward Island
(AP, June 12, 2007) Taiwan's presidential candidates pledged Monday to work for better relations with rival China, but differed markedly on whether Beijing would prove receptive to their overtures.

Taiwan Ruling Party to Stir China with Three Referenda
(Reuters, June 6, 2007) The ruling political party will attempt three voter referenda and pursue other reforms to advance the island's independence from China and rewrite its history, the party chief said.

Wang Rejects Offer to be Ma's Running Mate
(Straits Times, June 1, 2007) Ending months of speculation, Taiwan's Parliament Speaker Wang Jin-pyng formally rejected an offer from the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) to be its vice-presidential candidate.

Taipei Mayor in Tit-for-Tat Renaming of Plaza
(Reuters, May 23, 2007) In the latest of a string of politically charged name changes, Taipei mayor Hau Lung-bin of the Kuomintang (KMT) is renaming the stretch of road outside President Chen's office Anti-Corruption Democracy Plaza.

Ma Ends Islandwide Biking Trip
(China Post, May 21, 2007) Opposition Kuomintang (KMT) candidate for the 2008 presidential race Ma Ying-jeou yesterday wound up his 675-kilometer south-north biking trip after reaching Fu Kuei Cape on the northern tip of the island.

Outcry as Taiwan Renames Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
(AFP, May 20, 2007) Taiwan renamed the memorial hall for late Nationalist leader Chiang Kai-shek amid tightened security as protestors demonstrated against what they said was an attempt to erase his legacy.

DPP Unveils Legislative Line-Up
(Taipei Times, May 18, 2007) The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) unveiled its legislator-at-large line-up yesterday, revealing that three contenders who have been labeled and boycotted by a group of deep-green supporters as "DPP bandits" are no longer shoo-ins for the seats.

DPP Task Force to Draft 'Normal Country' Resolution
(Taiwan News, May 17, 2007) The leading policy-making body of the governing Democratic Progressive Party yesterday established a seven-person task force to draft a proposed "normal country" resolution.

DPP to Push 'Normal Nation Resolution'
(China Post, May 11, 2007) The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) will set up a task force next week to draw up the ruling party's "normal nation resolution" in a move to redefine the DPP policy concerning the nation's status. The "normal nation resolution" is seen by analysts as a move by DPP Chairman Yu Shyi-kun to exert pressure on former Premier Frank Hsieh.

Taiwan Renames Chiang Memorial Hall
(Straits Times, May 10, 2007) Taiwan renamed a memorial hall built for late Kuomintang (KMT) leader Chiang Kai-shek, the most controversial move in a government campaign to water down his legacy.

Taiwan Lawmakers Brawl
(AP, May 9, 2007) Rival lawmakers exchanged punches, climbed on each other's shoulders and jostled violently for position around the speaker's dais Tuesday as Taiwan's Legislature dissolved into chaos over an electoral reform bill.

DPP Heavyweights Rally Behind Hsieh
(Taiwan News May 8, 2007) The leadership of the Democratic Progressive Party, including Vice President Annette Lu, Premier Su Tseng-chang and DPP Chairman Yu Shyi-kun, declared their support for the nomination of former Premier Frank Hsieh as the governing party's standard-bearer in next year's presidential election.

Hsieh Wins DPP Member Primary Vote
(Taiwan News, May 7, 2007) Former Premier Frank Hsieh won a decisive victory in primary voting by members of the Democratic Progressive Party and appears to have secured the governing party's nomination in the upcoming presidential election.

AIT Head Says US Has No Favorite
(Taipei Times, May 4, 2007) American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Stephen Young said that the US had no preference for any candidate for next year's presidential election and would continue to work with the next president.

KMT Nominates Ma to Run for President
(AFP, May 3, 2007) Taiwan's main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) nominated former chairman Ma Ying-jeou to run for the 2008 presidential election.

KMT Lawmakers Sue 102 Cabinet Members over Special Allowance Funds
 (CNA, May 2, 2007) A group of opposition Kuomintang (KMT) lawmakers yesterday initiated a lawsuit against 102 former and incumbent Cabinet members with the Supreme Prosecutors Office, seeking a probe into their alleged misuse of "special allowance funds" that have become controversial since former KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou's indictment in mid-February for the same reason.

KMT, PFP Still Testing Merger
(Taipei Times, Apr. 25, 2007) A merger between the Kuomintang (KMT) and People First Party (PFP) next year can only happen if the two parties cooperate in nominating candidates for the legislative elections later this year, KMT Secretary-General Wu Den-yi said.

KMT Paying Price for Helping Ma
(China Post, Apr. 23, 2007) The Kuomintang is paying the price for much needed support in the Legislative Yuan to stall a Democratic Progressive Party-sponsored bill to stop its former chairman Ma Ying-jeou from running for president.

Taiwan's Chen Calls for Unity within Ruling DPP
(AP, Apr. 21, 2007) Taiwan's President called for unity in the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, urging the four candidates vying to become its presidential nominee to stop attacking one another in the face of an apparently solid opposition.

DPP Wants to Combine Referendum, Elections
(Taiwan News, Apr. 17, 2007) The ruling Democratic Progressive Party announced that the DPP has been striving to put the issues of recovering ill-gotten party assets and using the name of "Taiwan" to apply for the U.N. membership to a referendum as well as pushing for a three-way combination of the presidential election, the legislative election and the referendum.

Taiwan Opposition Leader on Trial
(BBC, Apr. 3, 2007) Taiwan opposition leader and presidential hopeful Ma Ying-jeou has gone on trial in a corruption case which could hit his 2008 hopes.

Wang will not Participate in Primaries
(China Post, Apr. 3, 2007) Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng held a press conference and said that he will not participate in the Kuomintang presidential primaries, saying that the primaries cannot be a fair competition as it is tailored for specific individuals.

Ma Says Conviction Will Not Derail Presidential Bid
(Taiwan News, Apr. 2, 2007) Former Kuomintang Chairman Ma Ying-jeou said he would continue his presidential bid even if he is convicted of embezzlement in his trial set to begin April 3.

KMT Rallies to Defend Chiang's Contribution
(China Post, Apr. 1, 2007) The main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) staged a march in Taipei near the Presidential Office to protest a government campaign attacking the legacy of late President Chiang Kai-shek.

DPP Finalizes Design for Primary Poll
(Taipei Times, Mar. 29, 2007) The proposal was designed to exclude voters from the primary poll who would never vote for the DPP in the presidential election while surveying pan-green and swing voters.

Presidential Office Replaces Sun Yat-sen Portrait with a Plant
(China Post, Mar. 15, 2007) The Presidential Office, in a further move to cut Taiwan's historical ties to China, has reportedly removed from its premises all the iconic signs of the nation's founding father, Dr. Sun Yat-sen.

Prosecutors Clear Tainan Mayor
(China Post, Mar. 13, 2007) Taiwan prosecutors resolved not to indict incumbent Tainan mayor Hsu Tain-tsair because prosecutors didn't care about how the mayor utilized those special allowance funds requiring no invoices or receipts to claim. This was in sharp contrast to the indictment made by Taipei prosecutors against former Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou.

DPP to Use Exclusionary Polling System
(Taipei Times, Mar. 8, 2007) The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said it would only be polling loyalists and weed out 'light blue' elements for the legislator-at-large primaries to ensure that the nominees reflect the party's ideology.

Lu, Su also Faced with Gund Controversies
(China Post, Mar. 2, 2007) Both Vice President Annette Lu and Premier Su Tseng-chang could face barriers in their presidential bids following the disclosure of their spending of part of their special expense allowance on household purchases.

Chen Blasts Chiang Kai-shek over 228 Role
(Taipei Times, Feb 27, 2007) Former dictator Chiang Kai-shek was a "murderer" and the people responsible for the bloody 228 Incident should stand trial for their crimes, President Chen Shui-bian said.

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall Must Go: Chen
(China Post, Feb. 27, 2007) Calling it a "feudalistic" monstrosity, President Chen Shui-bian demanded that the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, a Taipei tourist attraction, be abolished.

Opposition Politician Wins Libel Suit against Taiwan's President
(AFP, Feb. 16, 2007) James Soong won a libel suit over President Chen Shui-bian's claims that he had met secretly with a Chinese official. A Taipei District Court judge ordered Chen to pay three million Taiwan dollars in damages and run apologies on the front page of three newspapers.

DPP's 'Four Heavenly Kings' Face Graft Probe
(Reuters, Feb. 15, 2007) Four leading members of Taiwan's ruling party, including Vice-President Annette Lu, will be investigated for corruption, a prosecutor's office said yesterday, a day after the head of the main opposition party was charged with graft.

Ma's Popularity Goes Up, Despite Corruption Indictment
(AFP, Feb. 14, 2007) Resigned opposition leader Ma Ying-jeou's popularity has shot up, two surveys said, despite Taiwanese prosecutors indicting him on corruption charges.

Taiwan Opposition Leader Resigns
(BBC, Feb. 13, 2007) The leader of Taiwan's main opposition party has stepped down following an indictment on charges of corruption. However, he immediately vowed to clear his name and said he would run in the 2008 presidential election.

Taiwan Opposition Leader Faces Corruption Charges
(New York Times, Feb. 13, 2007) Corruption charges were filed against Ma Ying-jeou, the leader of Taiwan’s main opposition party who has been seen as a leading presidential candidate in 2008.

Ma Affirms Promise to Quit If Indicted
(Taiwan News, Feb. 10, 2007) Opposition Kuomintang Chairman Ma Ying-jeou said that he never embezzled any public funds or used any money that was not his since he began working in the government. Nevertheless, Ma said, he would resign from the KMT chairmanship if he is indicted on corruption charges.

DPP to Launch 'Transitional' Justice Drive
(Taiwan News, Feb. 7, 2007) The Democratic Progressive Party is expected to approve today a wide-reaching drive to promote "transitional justice" through legislative and administrative measures and political campaigns to redress past human rights violations under the former Kuomintang regime.

DPP Criticized as 'Tampering with History'
(Taiwan News, Feb. 7, 2007) The pan-blue opposition parties strongly criticized a series of efforts made by the ruling party and the government to "disassociate from Chiang Kai-shek and China," saying they were "tampering with history and pandering to voters."

Lee Says Remarks Were 'Distorted' in 'Next' Article
(Taipei Times, Feb. 5, 2007) Former president Lee Teng-hui reassured worried supporters that changing the country's name and engineering a new constitution for Taiwan remain his goals in "making Taiwan a normal country."

Ma Lays into DPP in CNN Interview
(Taipei Times, Feb. 4, 2007) Ma Ying-jeou reiterated the KMT's support for maintaining the status quo and said the ruling party's independence stance endangered the nation. "We will maintain the autonomy of the island, maintain our dignity as a sovereignty, but we should improve relations with the mainland," Ma said.

Ma Admits Graft Allegations Have Hurt Him
(China Post, Feb. 4, 2007) Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Ma Ying-jeou has admitted that the embezzlement allegations against him have hurt his image and that of the party's. He said the issue concerning his alleged misuse of the mayor's special expenses involves more than 6,500 administrators in Taiwan who are also allocated such special expenses for public relations purposes.

TSU Shifting Closer to Center
(China Post, Jan. 31, 2007) Friday's inauguration of the new chairman of the Taiwan Solidarity Union, though a minor party with a small following, signals the beginning of a sobering process for Taiwan's politics and politicians.

KMT and PFP to Sign Pact for Year-End Polls
(CNA, Jan. 22, 2007) The leaders of Taiwan's two largest opposition parties - the Kuomintang and the People First Party - sign an agreement to provide a platform for mutual cooperation in fielding candidates in the year-end legislative election.

Taiwan Firm's Collapse Sparks Political Uproar
(Straits Times, Jan. 13, 2007) Taiwan braced itself for a political fallout, days after the collapse of a prominent family-run conglomerate sparked the island's biggest financial scandal in recent years.

The North-South Split is Losing Its Relevance By Lin Cho-shui
(Taipei Times, Nov. 23, 2007) Since the 1990s, southern Taiwan has become a pan-green political stronghold. As a result, people often believe that support for Taiwanese independence is far more prevalent in the south. However, this conception is merely a stereotype.

New Legislative Map Poses Test for January Vote
(Central News Agency, Nov. 12, 2007) The January 12, 2008 legislative election will pose the first test of the painstakingly crafted legislative map, which some candidates complain is full of quirky and uncannily apportioned political boundaries. As a new "single-member constituency, two ballots" electoral system will be implemented in the coming election.

Academic Examines Dynamics of 2008 Polls
(China Post, Nov. 2, 2007) In Chu Yun-han's opinion, the 2008 legislative elections have a significance that so far has been vastly underestimated. "It will institutionalize a two-party system," he said. "It will provide as true beauty contest between the Democratic Progressive Party and the Kuomintang." The winning party, he added, might be able to lock in its political dominance for a long while.

A Lame Duck Seems to Take Off
(China Post, Sep. 24, 2007) President Chen Shui-bian is a lame duck. He has to step down on May 20 next year. The lame duck, however, seems to be taking off now. He is now the DPP kingmaker in every sense of the word.

Chen Not Quite Ready for Quiet Exit from Office
(Strait Times, Aug. 30, 2007) The countdown to his final year in office may have already begun, but Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian has made it clear that he would not be a lame duck in the process. But showing no sign of backing down, Mr Chen criticized the US for bowing to Chinese pressure to rein in Taiwan.

DPP Heavyweights Pull Together for Unity of Party
(Taipei Times, Aug. 21, 2007) Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Frank Hsieh's three-month search for a running mate seemed to have reached a satisfactory conclusion when former premier Su Tseng-chang gave him a nod of approval.

DPP Swings into Top Gear for Presidential Election
(Straits Times, Aug. 17, 2007) One day after unveiling its dream team for next year's presidential election, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) swung into full election mode for what will likely be Taiwan's most tightly fought race.

It's a Hsieh-Su Ticket for DPP in Presidential Race
(Straits Times, Aug. 16, 2007) Just three months ago, the two men were at each other's throats trying to win the party's nomination for next year's presidential race. Now, Taiwan's presidential nominee Frank Hsieh is joining hands with Mr Su Tseng-chang to form the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's dream team.

Wouldbe Taiwan Leaders Both Dogged by Legal Woes
(Reuters, Aug. 4, 2007) Taiwan ruling party's presidential candidate breathed a sigh of relief after a court acquitted three former subordinates of graft, but the main opposition contender faces corruption charges and is braced for the worst.

Frank Hsieh Takes Tough Line on UN Bid, Cross-Strait Issues in Washington (Taipei Times, July 25, 2007) Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Frank Hsieh took a tough line on a number of issues that have found disfavor with the administration of US President George W. Bush on the eve of his talks with senior US officials. Hsieh said he could not promise to retain the "four noes" that President Chen Shui-bian enunciated in his two inaugural addresses.

Political Fallout Need Not Bother Chen: Analysts
(Taipei Times, July 24, 2007) This late in his term in office, the tactic of seeking compromise no longer plays a significant part as a way for President Chen Shui-bian to ensure the future of his political agenda, political observers said.

Is Frank Hsieh a Moderate? By David G. Brown
(PacNet Newsletter, Pacific Forum, CSIS, July 5, 2007) Frank Hsieh Chang-ting has been nominated by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) as their presidential candidate. If elected, the prospects for improved cross-Strait and U.S.-Taiwan relations will hinge on whether he pursues moderate policies. Hsieh is widely perceived to be a moderate, by which is usually meant that he takes a pragmatic rather than ideological approach.

Taiwan's Choices By Philip Bowring
(International Herald Tribune, July 2, 2007) Taiwan is moving toward elections that may determine if renewed vigor can be breathed into its economy and its democratic process. Both are currently dominated by inward-looking concerns and a pettiness which irritate its friends - not least its chief protector, the United States.

Ma Criticizes Government's Foreign Policy
(Taiwan News, June 2, 2007) The ruling government is both incompetent and inefficient when it comes to foreign affairs, said Kuomintang presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou yesterday as he promised that if elected he would use a "four-E" approach of engagement, economy, elasticity, and equality, to solve Taiwan's diplomatic hardship if elected president.

The Pan-Greens Without New Tide By Chiu Hei-yuan
(Taipei Times, June 1, 2007) The Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) former New Tide faction and the so-called Eleven Bandits for the most part lost in the party's legislative primaries. Among the losers were many current and long-time legislators who are good politicians with a fine record.

KMT to Mull Specific Taiwan Pledge in Party Charter
(Reuters, May 28, 2007) Taiwan's main opposition party, which once ruled all of China, will mull a proposal to amend its charter to underline its commitment to the island as it competes for Taiwan-identity votes in upcoming elections.

DPP Faction Speaks out against Bigwigs
(Taiwan News, May 28, 2007) The party primary of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party for the year-end legislative elections is already over, but former members of the disbanded New Tide Faction who have fallen into disfavor are still incensed about the way they were treated by the party's central leadership.

The DPP Is Needlessly Making Its Life Difficult By Lee Wen-chung
(Taipei Times, May 23, 2007) The trend of party members calling reformists "traitors" in the media and through public announcements is troubling. This is witnessed and examined by the public and light-green voters who voted for President Chen Shui-bian and who now have been excluded from the polls. This name-calling has deflated the hopes and expectations of many moderate DPP voters.

Chen's Election Cabinet Taking Shape
(Straits Times, May 15, 2007) An 'Election Cabinet' is taking shape in Taiwan with the appointment of a Chen Shui-bian loyalist as the island's new premier. Mr Chang Chun-hsiung, 68, yesterday became the island's sixth premier since the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) took power seven years ago.

Chen Seen Continuing Hard-Line PRC Policy
(Associated Press, May 14, 2007) Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian is expected to name a loyalist as his new premier this week, a move that will strengthen the independence-leaning leader's grip on politics during his last year in office.

Wang and Ma: Less Than Foes, More Than Friends?
(Taipei Times, May 14, 2007) The fighting between two of the Kuomintang's (KMT) kingpins over the party's presidential ticket has proved that even the best plans can go awry, political analysts said.

MOJ Opinion on Special Funds Ruled Admissible as Evidence
(Taiwan News, May 9, 2007) The Taipei District Court ruled that a Ministry of Justice opinion which could prove favorable to former Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou was admissible as evidence in his trial.

Moderate on China to Lead Taiwan's Independence-Leaning Ruling Party into Polls (Associated Press, May 8, 2007) For months Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party had been embroiled in a bitter debate over choosing a standard bearer for the island's 2008 presidential elections, and setting down its policies toward rival China.

Taiwan Candidates Lose Hardline Approach By Peter Enav
(Associated Press, Apr. 24, 2007) As Chen Shui-bian's term as president of Taiwan winds down, so does the island's long-held and vehement insistence that it is independent from mainland China.

Taiwan Presidential Hopeful on Trial in, outside Court By Doug Young (Reuters, Mar. 31, 2007) He goes on trial for corruption on Tuesday and Ma Ying-jeou's behavior both inside and outside court could determine whether he remains front-runner to become Taiwan's next president.

Chiang's Image Fades in Taiwan
(Reuters, Mar. 26, 2007) After losing China to the Communists in 1949, Chiang Kai-shek, the general who fled to Taiwan and ruled it for a quarter of a century, is now also losing his grip over the island 32 years after his death.

No Name Rectification for 'Taiwan Salmon'
(China Post, Mar. 22, 2007) Another much ado about nothing. This time it's about the name of a fish, whose ancestors were trapped on Taiwan at the end of the ice age. A dispute has broken out as to whether the cherry salmon should be renamed the Taiwan salmon.

Cultural Revolution
(The Economist, Mar. 15, 2007) Chiang's legacy has never been properly examined in Taiwan. Arguments about the past are also fights over what the island should be in the future.

New Electoral System Marked by 'Inequality'
(Taipei Times, Feb. 19, 2007) In a momentous change to the country's politics, a new voting system for legislative elections is eliciting hopes for the formation of a more substantial middle ground in politics -- as well as worries that the nation's democracy will suffer damage, analysts said.

Indictment of 'Mr Clean' Worsens Taiwan Turmoil By Rowan Callick
(The Australian, Feb. 15, 2007) The indictment of Taiwan's charismatic opposition leader Ma Ying-jeou for embezzling $420,000 has thrown into further turmoil an already turbulent political scene there.

Prosecutor Struggled with Decision to Indict Ma
(China Post, Feb. 14, 2007) Prosecutor Hou Kuan-jen, who indicted former Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou, told reporters he struggled with the difficult decision, but in the end decided he must uphold the dignity of the law.

DPP Needs to Rethink Its Primary Poll System By Shen Fu-hsiung
(Taipei Times, Feb 06, 2007) A group of Democratic Progres-sive Party (DPP) legislators has proposed a mechanism to exclude pan-blue respondents from participating in the opinion polls that the party will use to choose candidates in its primaries. This "blue exclusion clause" is being fiercely debated within the party. Some lawmakers are claiming that the proposal is tailor-made for certain legislators.

Taiwan's Lee Targets Political Center Ahead of Vote
(Reuters, Feb. 6, 2007) Reviled by China as a "splittist" fit only for the "dustbin of history," former Taiwan president Lee Teng-hui has shaken up the island's political scene by distancing himself from the pro-independence camp.

Games of Chance in Taiwanese Politics
(Straits Times, Feb. 2, 2007) Taiwan's rival political camps found a 'novel' way to resolve a deadlock over the redrawing of electoral boundaries for the year-end legislative polls - through finger-guessing games and drawing lots.

TSU Needs to Change Image, Values By Huang Kun-hui
(Taipei Times, Feb. 2, 2007) TSU must build up a strong position grounded on Taiwanese autonomy and must watch over the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to ensure that it does not deviate from the path of Taiwanese autonomy.

US Poll Theory Does Not Fit Taiwan By Shih Chih-yu
(Taipei Times, Jan. 19, 2007) In Taiwan, surveys have repeatedly shown that there is often a lot of overlap between voters who would be willing to accept Taiwanese independence under the right conditions, and voters who would be willing to accept unification under the right conditions. The overlap could include as many as one-fourth of voters. Taiwanese, therefore, are not a classic model of moderate voters, but instead of "bi-polar voters," simultaneously drawn to both ends.

Ma, Su, Hsieh Among Top Presidential Contenders: Poll
(China Post, Jan 17, 2007) Chairman Ma Ying-jeou of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) remains as the leading presidential hopeful in the 2008 presidential race, followed closely by Premier Su Tseng-chang and former Premier Frank Hsieh of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

DPP Reformers Face Steep Climb By Chiu Hei-yuan
(Taipei Times, Jan. 7, 2007) Sadly, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is likely to push out some of the leading promoters of reform. In future, it may turn out to be very difficult for those promoting reform to remain within the DPP.

Election Defeat Proves No Obstacle for Hsieh
(Taipei Times, Jan. 7, 2007) Life is like a roller coaster ride -- at least for former premier Frank Hsieh. Despite his defeat in Taipei's mayoral race, Hsieh has been urged by many supporters to run in next year's presidential election. So far, he has yet to declare his candidacy.