Taiwan’s Party
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2008 Presidential
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Chen’s Legacy and Ma Era
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~2000 ; 2001-2004
; 2005-2007; 2008
Polls
Survey: A Month After Wu
Cabinet Took Office
(TVBS
Public Opinion
Poll Center,
Oct. 9, 2009) 32% of the respondents were satisfied with President Ma’s
performance while 48% were satisfied with Premier Wu’s.
Survey on New Cabinet,
Verdict on Former President Chen Shui-bian’s Cases, and President Ma
Ying-jeou’s Approval Rating (GVSRC,
Sep. 23, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou’s approval rating is 28.3 percent and
disapproval rating is 59.6 percent this month.
Survey on Wu Cabinet
Installed
(TVBS
Public Opinion
Poll Center,
Sep. 11, 2009) A survey on people’s opinion about the recent cabinet
reshuffle.
More polls are available: United Daily, China Times, Apple Daily.
Survey on Cabinet Reshuffle
(TVBS Public Opinion
Poll Center,
Sep. 7, 2009) A survey on a potential cabinet reshuffle, conducted by the TVBS Public
Opinion Poll
Center.
Public Opinions on President
Ma Ying-jeou’s and His Cabinet’s Abilities to Deal with Disasters Following
Typhoon Morakot’s Lash at Taiwan (GVSRC, Aug. 24, 2009) 78.2 percent of Taiwanese say the Ma
administration has failed to handle the typhoon disaster well; meanwhile,
President Ma Ying-jeou’s approval rating this month is 22.9 percent.
Survey on Taiwan Relations
Act, Arms Procurement, Participation in WHA, and President Ma’s Approval
Rating (GVSRC, Apr. 24, 2009) 48.3% of Taiwanese say the
government should procure more weapons to gain more ground with China;
meanwhile, 32.8% of Taiwanese approve of President Ma’s performance.
Taiwan Seeks to Join P4
Trade Group
(CNA, Jan. 30, 2010) Taiwan will continue its efforts
to join the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement (TPPA),
despite several unsuccessful bids, the director-general of the Bureau of
Foreign Trade said.
No Basis for New Talks on
Beef Issue, Says USTR
(CNA, Jan. 24, 2010) The U.S. Trade Representative
Office said that Taiwan
has destroyed its bilateral agreement with the United States on beef imports and
there is no basis for renegotiation of the issue.
Taiwan Exports Show Record
Growth
(Wall Street Journal, Jan. 20, 2010) Taiwan's
December export orders grew at a record pace, boosted by strong Chinese
demand for the island's goods, and orders are likely to grow at a faster-than-normal
pace in the typically slow first quarter.
Ma Adds Dominican Republic
to Central America Tour
(Taipei Times, Jan. 20, 2010) President Ma
Ying-jeou will visit the Dominican
Republic to deliver aid for victims of
last week’s earthquake that devastated the Haitian capital.
Taiwan Excluded from WHO
Executive Board Meeting
(Taipei
Times, Jan. 19, 2010) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs insisted that Taiwan's
participation at the World Health Assembly (WHA) in May had not been
jeopardized even though the WHO had rejected its request to be an observer at
the annual Executive Board meeting.
Plans Underway for Ma’s
Dominican Visit
(CNA, Jan. 17, 2010) President Ma Ying-jeou said
that his administration is still trying to work out a way to show Taiwan's concern for earthquake-ravaged Haiti without causing inconveniences for its Caribbean ally.
Haiti Aid a Telling Test of
China-Taiwan Relations
(AP, Jan. 17, 2010) One of the world's trickiest
relationships is being tested in devastated Haiti, where China and Taiwan are
rushing aid to one of Taipei's few remaining diplomatic allies.
Taiwan to Revamp Cabinet
(AFP, Jan. 13, 2010) Taiwan plans to cut eight
ministry-level agencies and eliminate tens of thousands of jobs in the
biggest revamp of its cabinet system in six decades, the government said.
Ma Is Scheduled to Visit
Republic of China Diplomatic Ally Hunduras (CNA, Jan. 12, 2010) President Ma Ying-jeou is scheduled to make
a whirlwind Jan. 27-28 visit to Honduras mainly to attend the
inauguration of President Porfirio Lobo Sosa.
Taiwan Firm: China Got Iran
Part with Nuke Uses
(AP, Jan. 8, 2010) A Taiwanese company agreed to
a request from a firm in China
to procure sensitive components with nuclear uses, then shipped them to Iran,
the firm's head said.
Defense, Beef Ban Unrelated:
US Official
(Taipei
Times, Jan. 9, 2010) The increasingly fractious beef row between Washington
and Taipei will not impact arms sales or other aspects of the bilateral
relationship, Assistant US Secretary of State for East Asia and the Pacific
Kurt Campbell said.
Beef Row Derails 3 Pacts
with U.S.: Official
(CNA, Jan. 8, 2010) The U.S. beef import dispute
has derailed Taiwan's plan
to negotiate three critical accords with the United States that may help pave
the way for a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA), a senior official said.
Taiwan Seeks New Talks with
U.S. After Banning Beef
(Reuters, Jan. 6, 2010) Taiwan, eager to mend
trade ties with the United States a day after overturning part of a deal to
import U.S. beef products, said it would seek to reopen talks with its
biggest ally.
U.S. Dismay Over Taiwan’s
Partial Beef Ban Widespread
(CNA, Jan. 6, 2010) The United States government
and its meat industry expressed their disappointment over Taiwan's decision to restore a partial ban on U.S.
beef imports and use American beef producers as a "political football.”
Taiwan Bans Some U.S. Beef
Imports
(AP, Jan. 5, 2010) Taiwan lawmakers voted Tuesday
to ban imports of some kinds of United States, reversing a deal the
government had negotiated with Washington.
Beef Turnabout Unacceptable:
Senator
(Taipei Times, Jan.
5, 2010) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the open letter to Ma Ying-jeou
from Senator Max Baucus, a longtime supporter of Taiwan, would be taken seriously.
Beef Row Will Not Affect
Other Aspects of U.S. Relations: Official
(CNA, Jan. 3, 2010) Washington will deal with
Taiwanese lawmakers' attempts to block imports of U.S. ground beef and offal
sensitively, rather than confusing it with Taiwan's requests for arms sales
or for its president to make transit stops in the U.S., Taiwan's
representative to the U.S. Jason Yuan said.
Beef Row Will Not Affect U.S.
Arms Sales: Premier Wu
(China
Post, Jan. 2, 2009) Premier Wu Den-yih said that the beef row with the United States will not affect its arms sales
to Taiwan.
Premier in U-Turn on Beef
Delegation
(Taipei Times,
Jan. 1, 2010) The government called off a plan to send a delegation made up
of members of the Executive Yuan to Washington
to contain the fallout from the legislature’s move to bar imports of certain US
beef products.
Ma Sending Delegations to
Washington
(Taipei Times, Dec. 31, 2009) The Presidential
Office is concerned with fencemending after a legislative agreement to
restrict US beef imports
drew a strong protest from the US.
US Dismayed by Taiwan Move
to Ban Certain US Beef Imports
(AFP, Dec. 30, 2009) The
United States expressed dismay over Taiwan's move to resume a ban on certain
US beef imports amid concerns over mad cow disease. Joint Statement from USTR,
USDA on the Proposed Passage of an Amendment to Taiwan’s Food Sanitation Act
Taiwan Mulling US’ Afghan
Aid Request
(AFP, Dec. 30, 2009) Taiwan
is reviewing a request from the US
to provide non-military assistance for operations in Afghanistan, foreign ministry
spokesman James Chang told Agence
France-Presse.
Government Makes Last-Ditch
Effort on Beef Issue: Official
(China
Post, Dec. 26, 2009) The administration is prepared for the worst that
lawmakers will revise a law to ban imports of high-risk U.S. beef products
and force Taipei to re-open talks with Washington, said President Ma
Ying-jeou's spokesman.
Reneging on Beef Might Erode
U.S. Support: Su Chi
(China Post, Dec. 25, 2009) Secretary General, Su
Chi, of the National Security Council warned that reneging on a pact to lift
a ban on imports of U.S. beef products would hurt relations.
Taiwan Has Hard Role in TPP
Process: Scholars
(CNA, Dec. 24, 2009) American scholars said in a
video conference that while the United States needs trade policy to engage
Asia and the expansion of the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership
(TPP) is seen as an opportunity, Taiwan still has difficulty playing a role.
Firms in Taiwan May Be
Aiding Iran
(Taipei
Times, Dec. 12, 2009) Iranian officials reportedly met with companies in
Taiwan about buying pressure transducers, which are crucial in producing
weapons-grade uranium.
Exports Rise for the First
Time in 15 Months
(Bloomberg, Dec. 8, 2009) Taiwan's exports climbed for the
first time in 15 months in November as the global economic recovery spurred
demand for mobile phones and computers.
Ma Planning to Visit South
Pacific Allies in Early 2010
(CNA, Dec. 4, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou is
planning to visit Taiwan's
diplomatic allies in the South Pacific region in early 2010 and attend a
Taiwan-South Pacific leaders' summit, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Taiwan Economic Slump
Probably Eased on China
(Bloomberg, Nov. 26, 2009) Taiwan’s economy contracted at
the slowest pace in a year in the third quarter as Chinese demand for the
island’s products spurred a recovery, economists say.
Taiwan to Set up Trade
Offices in Southeast Asia
(CNA, Nov. 25, 2009) Taiwan
is planning to set up trade offices in Myanmar,
Laos and Cambodia, which may signal a
breakthrough in the country's bid to participate in the ASEAN, a ruling
Kuomintang legislator said.
Export Orders Received in
Oct. Hit 12-Month High of US$31.7 Bil.
(China
Post, Nov. 24, 2009) Export orders received by Taiwan's manufacturers and
traders in October hit a 12-month high of US$31.75 billion, representing an
annual growth of 4.41 percent, for the first positive growth of its kind seen
since the outbreak of the global financial tsunami.
Taiwan Expected to Honor
Beef Trade Pact
(China
Post, Nov. 24, 2009) Chairman Raymond F. Burghardt of the American Institute
in Taiwan said he hopes
that Taiwan will honor the
latest bilateral beef trade agreement while stressing that the U.S. will not change the longstanding U.S. policy toward Taiwan.
Dwindling Taiwanese Birth
Rate Causes Worry
(AFP, Nov. 24, 2009) Taiwan, with a population of 23
million, now has the dubious distinction of having the lowest birth rate in
the world, the Washington-based Population Reference Bureau think tank said.
Thousands Protest in Taiwan
against US Beef
(AFP, Nov. 14, 2009) Thousands of protesters
marched through the Taiwanese capital Taipei on Saturday to protest against
resuming imports of certain US beef products, over fears of the spread of mad
cow disease.
Taiwan Protests Exclusion
from APEC Ministerial Meet
(CNA, Nov. 12, 2009) Taiwan
has lodged a protest against a move by the host of this year's APEC forum to
exclude its delegate from a ministerial breakfast meeting of the regional
group, a Taiwan
official said.
Taiwan Hopes for Investment
Pact with U.S.
(CNA, Nov. 11, 2009) Taiwan
hopes to sign a bilateral investment agreement (BIA) with the United States,
which can serve as a precursor to the signing of a free trade agreement
between the two countries, an official said.
Taiwan’s Environmental Chief
in Europe for Talks on UNFCCC Bid
(CNA, Nov. 11, 2009) Taiwan's environmental chief
is currently lobbying support in Europe for the country's bid to attend an
upcoming United Nations climate conference in a meaningful and dignified
manner, an official said.
NSC Blames Beef Panic on
Poor Communication
(Taipei
Times, Nov. 6, 2009) The National Security Council secretary-general, Su Chi
apologized for causing panic over the government’s relaxed beef policy.
KMT Honorary Chairman Named
As Envoy to APEC
(CNA, Nov. 3, 2009) Ruling Kuomintang Honorary
Chairman Lien Chan has been appointed as the special envoy of President Ma
Ying-jeou to the leadership summit of the 2009 Asia Pacific Economic
Cooperation forum.
Taiwan Slides 23 Places in
Global Press Freedom Index
(Taipei Times, Oct. 21, 2009) Taiwan saw its
press freedom ranking slip 23 spots in the latest report issued by Reporters Without
Borders (RSF), dropping to 59th this year from 36th last year.
Taiwan Talking to U.S. on
Visa Waiver Program: Minister
(CNA, Oct. 17, 2009) Foreign Minister Timothy
Yang said that Taiwan and
the United States are
discussing the possibility of including Taiwan
in a U.S.
visa waiver program, but he gave no specific timetable.
Ma Pledges to Push ‘Soft
Power Diplomacy’
(CNA, Oct. 9, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou said
that his administration is planning to send 10,000 Taiwanese students abroad
for study or goodwill visits every year as part of the government's “soft
power diplomacy.”
Taiwan’s Exports Fall Least
in 11 Months in September
(Bloomberg, Oct. 7, 2009) Taiwan’s exports fell
at the slowest pace in 11 months in September on improved demand for
telephones, computers and electronic goods from China.
Ties with China, U.S. Is a
New Challenge: AmCham
(CNA, Oct. 4, 2009) Skillful managing of
cross-Taiwan Strait economic relations and continuing to strengthen relations
with the United States are
among the challenges for Taiwan's
new Cabinet, according to a Taipei-based U.S. trade group.
Fewer Allies Voice Support
at UN
(Taipei Times,
Oct. 3, 2009) Only 15 of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies spoke in favor of Taiwan at the General Debate of the 64th UN
General Assembly, a record low since Taiwan started its bid to rejoin
the UN in 1993.
Beijing Adjustments Trickle
to Diplomatic Staff: Yang
(Taipei Times, Sep. 30, 2009) If China wants
bilateral relations to thrive, it should not overlook the fact that Taiwanese
expect international participation, Minister of Foreign Affairs Timothy Yang
said.
Russian Rep Praises Taiwan’s
Pragmatism
(CNA, Sep. 28, 2009) Russia's
top diplomat in Taipei praised Taiwan for adopting a pragmatic diplomatic
policy and said that improving cross-Taiwan Strait relations are conducive to
bilateral ties between Russia
and Taiwan.
Unemployment Rate Surged to
Record 6.13% Last Month
(Taipei
Times, Sep. 23, 2009) With new graduates continuing to enter the labor
market, the nation's unemployment rate rose to a record 6.13 percent last
month, the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics said.
Report Says Birth Rate in
Taiwan Is Lowest in World
(CNA, Sep. 22, 2009) A study conducted by a US
non-profit organization has found that Taiwan has the world’s lowest
fertility rate, with an average of one child per woman, and that its
fertility rate is declining.
Taiwan to Seek Participation
in UN Specialized Agencies
(Taipei
Times, Sep. 19, 2009) The government has identified two UN specialized
agencies, the International Civil Aviation Organization and the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change, in which the nation would seek
“meaningful participation” this year, Premier Wu Den-yih said.
New Cabinet Unveiled
(China Post, Sep. 10, 2009) Incoming Premier Wu
Den-yih announced the new line-up for the Cabinet, reshuffling some key
positions, but keeping most of the incumbent members.
Ma Says Allies May Pursue
Economic Ties with China
(Taipei Times, Sep. 10, 2009) President Ma
Ying-jeou said his administration was not opposed to the country’s diplomatic
allies developing economic relations with China and that both sides of the
Taiwan Strait had a “tacit agreement” not to steal each other’s diplomatic
allies.
Prime Minister of Taiwan
Quits Over Typhoon Response
(New York Times, Sep. 8, 2009) The prime minister
of Taiwan
resigned after widespread criticism of the government’s response to a deadly
typhoon and said that his successor would replace the entire cabinet this
week.
Cabinet Reshuffle to Be
Moderate: Premier
(CNA, Sep. 2, 2009) Premier Liu Chao-shiuan said
that an upcoming Cabinet reshuffle will be moderate, reflecting its overall
performance over the past year.
Singapore Sends Envoy to
Invite Ma to APEC Forum
(CNA, Aug. 26, 2009) Singapore
has sent a special envoy to Taipei
to deliver an invitation to President Ma Ying-jeou to attend this year’s
leadership meeting of the APEC forum.
Jobless Rate Hits All-Time
High of 6%
(China Post, Aug. 25, 2009) The nation's
unemployment rate rose to another record high of 6.07 percent in July,
renewing the previous record of 5.94% just set in June.
U.N. Team to Assist Taiwan
Reconstruction
(Bloomberg, Aug. 24, 2009) The United Nations'
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs will send a team to Taiwan
within a week to help with reconstruction after widespread damage was caused
by Typhoon Morakot.
More Int’l Assistance Coming
in to Taiwan
(CNA, Aug. 22, 2009) The international community
continues to express its condolences and offer assistance for victims in the
wake of Typhoon Morakot, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Taiwan Q2 GDP Data Suggests
Strong Recovery
(Reuters, Aug. 20, 2009) Taiwan's economy grew for the first time in
over a year in the second quarter on an annualized basis and officials said
they expected rising demand from China to support a strong
recovery.
Cabinet Reshuffle Set for
Sept.
(China
Post, Aug. 20, 2009) Premier Liu Chao-shiuan confirmed that a general Cabinet
reshuffle is set for September, adding that his own position will also come
under review.
Taiwan Stops Seeking UN
Membership, Turns to UN Organizations (DPA, Aug. 19, 2009) Taiwan, in a major policy change, will stop
seeking to join the United Nations at the upcoming UN General Assembly but
will try to join some UN organizations, a newspaper reported.
Ma Will Not Resign
(Strait Times, Aug. 19, 2009) Taiwan’s President Ma Ying-jeou
said on Tuesday he would not resign and that he was still a strong leader
despite mounting criticism of his government's handling of Typhoon Morakot.
Taiwan Has First Political
Casualty from Deadly Storm
(Bloomberg, Aug. 18, 2009) Taiwan’s Deputy
Foreign Minister Andrew Hsia said he took the blame for a message sent to
diplomatic offices overseas that stated Taiwan wouldn’t accept foreign aid.
Relief Goods Continue
Pouring in from Abroad
(China Post, Aug. 17, 2009)
Relief goods continued to pour into Taiwan
from abroad, while the United
States is dispatching two heavy-lift
helicopters to carry large crane excavators to the flood-ravaged area to help
re-open blocked routes of transportation.
International Aid Arriving
(China Post, Aug. 16, 2009) The United States has
promised to dispatch heavy-lift helicopters along with other relief supplies
to Taiwan in the wake of
Typhoon Morakot, while China
will send pre-fab housing units to shelter displaced survivors.
Taiwan Seeks Foreign Aid
After Typhoon Catastrophe
(Reuters, Aug. 15, 2009) Taiwan leaders, already under
fire over the response to a typhoon that likely killed hundreds, have
accepted foreign aid after earlier refusing the offers.
Ministry Coy on Nature of
Possible UN Bid This Year
(CNA, Aug 15, 2009) The Ministry of Foreign
Affairs said that Taiwan might resort to a different approach than last year
in its bid for representation at the UN.
Outpouring of Support from
AIT and Overseas
(China Post, Aug. 13, 2009) The American
Institute in Taiwan
made a contribution of US$250,000 to the Taiwan Red Cross in response to the
natural disaster.
Taiwan Says 500 Feared Dead
After Typhoon Hits Island
(Bloomberg, Aug. 11, 2009) As many as 500 people
are feared dead in southern Taiwan after heavy rains from Typhoon Morakot
caused a mudslide that wiped out about 150 houses.
Foreign Ministry Drafting
Int’l Cooperation and Development Law
(CNA, Aug. 7, 2009) The Ministry of Foreign
Affairs said that it is drafting a law to govern its engagement in
international cooperation and development projects.
NSB Names Former Director As
EU Envoy
(China Post, Aug. 6, 2009) Taiwan's top intelligence body
has named its former director to be its new representative to the European
Union.
Pres. Ma to Attend South
Pacific Summit in October
(China
Post, Aug. 5, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou will attend the third Taiwan-South Pacific summit at Honiara in October, the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Chinese ROC Supporters in
U.S. Split on China
(CNA, Jul. 26, 2009) Ethnic Chinese groups
supportive of the Republic of China and Taiwan
are split over the Taiwan
government's call to increase exchanges with overseas Chinese groups that are
loyal to the People's Republic of China.
U.S. Expert Suggests
Taiwan-China Joint Membership in U.N.
(CNA, Jul. 23, 2009) A U.S.
expert on cross-Taiwan Strait issues raised the possibility Tuesday that Taiwan and China could hold concurrent
memberships in the United Nations in the foreseeable future as relations
between the two sides continue to improve.
Taiwan Returns Chiang to
Memorial
(BBC, Jul. 20, 2009) Taiwan has restored the name of
the island's former ruler, Chiang Kai-shek, to a memorial hall, less than two
years after it was removed.
Taiwan’s Interests Upheld in
World Games: President
(CNA, Jul. 19, 2009) According to Ma, the fact
that he presided over the opening ceremony of the international sports event
in his capacity as president of the Republic of China is “something Taiwan
could not have achieved in the past.”
Talks on Trade Pact with EU
Still Stalled
(Taipei
Times, Jul. 15, 2009) Taiwan will promote more robust trade relations with
the EU, but so far bilateral discussions on signing a Trade Enhancement
Measure (TEM) have not be launched, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Ortega Apologizes
(CNA, Jul. 6, 2009) Nicaraguan President Daniel
Ortega presided over a formal farewell ceremony and made an apology for
missing scheduled meetings with Ma earlier.
Diplomat Suggests Clarifying
Policy on Foreign Aid to Allies
(CNA, Jul. 6, 2009) A senior diplomat suggested
that President Ma Ying-jeou's administration make clear its expectation that
diplomatic allies will implement Taiwan's aid programs transparently, legally
and efficiently.
Ma Finally Meets Nicaraguan
Leader
(Taipei Times, Jul. 5, 2009) Nicaraguan President
Daniel Ortega failed to show up at the airport to greet Ma, snubbed him at a
dinner banquet and left him waiting in a car.
Honduras Coup Is Not
Democratic: President Ma
(China
Post, Jul. 4, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou has described the coup in Honduras
as an anti-democracy move.
Administration Backs Ou on
Chinese Trade Remark
(Taipei Times, Jul. 3, 2009) The Presidential
Office stood behind Minister of Foreign Affairs Francisco Ou after he said that
the government did not oppose Taiwan’s diplomatic allies and China
establishing economic and trade offices in each other’s countries.
Taiwan Will Not Oppose
Allies’ China Links
(CNA, Jul. 2, 2009) "With Taiwan also
maintaining trade offices in some countries that formally recognize Beijing
instead of Taipei, why should we oppose any arrangement between China and
Taiwan's diplomatic partners on reciprocal trade offices?" Minister of
Foreign Affairs Francisco H. L. Ou said.
Ma Embarks on Central
American Diplomatic Tour
(China
Post, Jun. 30, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou departed for a visit to two of Taiwan's diplomatic allies in Central America.
Taiwan Should Stop U.N. Bid:
Scholars
(CNA, Jun. 14, 2009) Several international
relations scholars from National Chengchi University said that instead of
seeking to join the United Nations, Taiwan should focus on applying for entry
to U.N.-related agencies and programs.
MOFA Noncommittal, But Still
Preparing for UN Bid
(Taipei
Times, Jun. 13, 2009) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains noncommittal
over this year’s UN bid but it is gearing up to pitch a proposal, Minister of
Foreign Affairs Francisco Ou said.
Ma Plans to Visit South
Pacific Allies
(Taipei Times, Jun. 10, 2009) President Ma
Ying-jeou is scheduled to make his fourth trip abroad to attend a fall
leadership summit between Taiwan
and its South Pacific allies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
President Ma Will Visit Nicaragua
As Scheduled
(China Post, Jun. 9, 2009) There won't be any
change in President Ma Ying-jeou's scheduled state visit to Nicaragua,
sources close to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Taiwan May Exports Dn 9th Mo
But Decline Narrows
(Wall Street Journal, Jun. 8, 2009) Taiwan's
exports fell for the ninth straight month in May, but the decline eased on
improved demand for electronics and other products including flat panels,
with shipments to China and the U.S. both showing signs of stabilizing.
MOFA to Shift Gear on UN
Bid: Source
(Taipei
Times, Jun. 8, 2009) An unnamed official said that the government would
likely try to repeat the WHA model in seeking participation at UN specialized
agencies.
Ma and Clinton Exchange
Greetings
(Taipei Times, Jun.
3, 2009) The president said he was working hard to stabilize relations with China, which the US
secretary of state said Washington
supported.
Ma Addresses Belize
Parliament, Speaks on China Ties, Foreign Aid (CNA, May 30, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou addressed the
parliament of Belize
and talked about the increasingly warming cross-Taiwan Strait relations and
his administration's foreign aid policy.
Ma Ying-jeou, First Lady
Depart on Central America Trip
(Taipei Times, May 27, 2009) Ma, who is
accompanied by his wife on a presidential mission for the first time, said he
would not make public appearances during his US transit stops.
WHO Web Site Separates
Taiwanese, Chinese Flu Toll
(Taipei Times, May 25, 2009) Department of Health
Minister Yeh Ching-chuan said that the WHO had amended its Web site to
include a separate tally for swine flu cases reported by Taiwan.
Taiwan’s Economy Shrinks
10.2 Percent in 1Q
(AP, May 21, 2009) The government says Taiwan’s economy contracted by 10.2 percent year-on-year in the first
quarter of 2009.
Taiwan’s Status Safe at WHA:
Yeh
(Taipei Times, May 18, 2009) Department of Health
Minister Yeh Ching-chuan said that Taiwan’s sovereignty was not and
would not be eclipsed during the annual meeting of the WHO.
DOH Delegation Leaves for
WHA
(Taipei Times, May
16, 2009) Taiwan
is to re-emerge on the world stage nearly four decades after quitting the UN
by sending a delegation to the World Health Assembly.
Taiwan, China to Set
Precedent at WHA Stage
(CNA, May 13, 2009) Health officials from Taiwan
and China will meet formally for the first time under a United Nations
framework at this year's World Health Assembly, which diplomatic sources said
will set the stage for future cross-Taiwan Strait interactions in the
international arena.
OIE to Tweak Charter: MOFA
Official
(Taipei Times, May 11, 2009) The World
Organization for Animal Heath (OIE) will revise its charter to change the
term “member country” to “member” as a friendly gesture to Taiwan, a senior
Ministry of Foreign Affairs official said.
Taiwan Can Ink FTA with
Singapore: President Ma Ying-jeou
(China Post, May 10, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou
recently said he hopes Taiwan can sign a free trade agreement with Singapore
as soon as possible under the name of “Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu
Separate Customs Territories.”
FM ‘Cautiously Optimistic’
of China Diplomatic Truce
(CNA, May 7, 2009) Foreign Minister Francisco
H.L. Ou said there is evidence that China is working with the “diplomatic
truce” approach of President Ma Ying-jeou and he expressed “cautious
optimism” that Beijing will continue to do so.
Ma Looks to WHA Model for
Red Cross Membership
(Taipei Times, May
3, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou promised to push for admission of the
country’s Red Cross Society into the International Committee of the Red Cross
following Taiwan’s
admission as an observer at the World Health Assembly.
WHO Confirms Taiwan to
Attend Health Assembly
(Reuters, May 1, 2009) The World Health Organization
confirmed Taiwan
will attend this month's meeting of its annual policy-setting assembly where
the outbreak of the new deadly flu strain will likely top the agenda.
WHA Role Won’t Harm Status:
Ma
(China Post, May 1, 2009) The nation's success in
obtaining the right to attend this year's World Health Assembly has not been
achieved at the expense of the country's sovereign status, President Ma
Ying-jeou stressed.
Taiwan President: China
Okays Island WHO Role
(AP, Apr. 29, 2009) Taiwan's
president announced that China
will allow the island's participation in a key World Health Organization
body, a major goal in Taipei's
campaign for international recognition.
President Set to Visit
Central America Twice
(CNA, Apr. 24, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou will
visit Central America twice between late May and July to attend presidential
inaugurations in two of Taiwan's allies in the region, political sources
said.
Unemployment Rate Reaches
Record High of 5.81% in March
(China Post, Apr. 23, 2009) Taiwan's jobless rate
surged to a new high of 5.81 percent in March, edging up 0.06 of a percentage
point from the February level of 5.75 percent and jumping 1.95 percentage
points from a year earlier.
Taiwan to Test China by
Meeting Allies
(Reuters, Apr. 21, 2009) Taiwan will lead a summit this year with six
diplomatic allies, officials said, a tough first for the normally
China-friendly president as Beijing
claims the island and opposes its reach overseas.
MOFA Guarded on WHA Talks
(Taipei Times,
Apr. 15, 2009) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs remained guarded on the status
of cross-strait negotiations over Taiwan’s participation in the
World Health Assembly, but insisted that no secret talks had been launched on
the matter.
Taiwan Military to Probe
Bribery Claims
(AFP, Apr. 9, 2009) Taiwan's defense ministry said it
had formed a task group to investigate an alleged high-profile bribery
scandal which it said had seriously tarnished the military's image.
President Ma Orders Serious
Action on Graft
(China Post, Apr. 9, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou
reiterated his determination to come down hard on corruption after Taiwan was described in a report as an even
more corrupt country than China.
Health Official Granted
Access to IHR Portal
(Taipei
Times, Apr. 9, 2009) Health authorities recently received the password for
the International Health Regulations information portal, formally completing
the country’s accession into the global health management framework, a local
health official said.
Taiwan Gravely Concerned
about Pyongyang’s Rocket Launch: MOFA (CNA, Apr. 6, 2009) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed
grave concern over North Korea's
firing of a rocket over Japan
the day before, saying the move threatens peace and security in Northeast Asia.
Ou Met El Salvador
President: MOFA
(Taipei Times,
Apr. 5, 2009) While it would not mind El
Salvador having closer economic relations with China,
MOFA said it would oppose any move toward diplomatic ties.
Lawmakers Urge Protest Over
2005 WHO-Beijing Deal
(Taipei Times, Apr. 2, 2009) A parliamentary
committee passed a resolution urging the government to lodge a stern protest
with the WHO regarding a 2005 MOU it signed with China, which
stipulates that all communications between WHO and Taiwan must proceed via
Beijing.
Ou Likely to Miss Talks on
WHA
(Taipei
Times, Mar. 28, 2009) Minister of Foreign Affairs Francisco Ou said he would
most likely be absent from upcoming negotiations with China on Taiwan’s bid
to become an observer at the WHA, but hopes the talks will be launched before
the Boao Forum on Apr. 17.
Jobless Rate Hits 31-Year
High of 5.75% in Feb.
(China
Post, Mar. 24, 2009) Taiwan's
February jobless rate surged to the highest level of 5.75 percent in 31 years
or since the first official unemployment survey was conducted in 1978.
Ma’s Office Denies Dual
Diplomatic Recognition
(China
Post, Mar. 22, 2009) The Presidential Office denied that Taipei had contacted
Beijing over remarks made by Taiwan's foreign minister that were taken to
imply the possibility of dual diplomatic recognition.
Uncertainty Marks Future of
Nation at World Health Body
(Taipei Times, Mar. 20, 2009) Taiwan will never agree to become an associate
of China
at the WHO, Minister of Foreign Affairs Francisco Ou told the legislature’s
Foreign and National Defense Committee.
MOFA to Follow ‘Paraguay’
Model to Keep El Salvador Ties
(China Post, Mar. 20, 2009) Francisco Ou,
minister of foreign affairs, said he would follow the “Paraguay” formula to keep diplomatic relations
between Taipei and San Salvador.
Taiwan’s Foreign Aid
Fruitful: U.S. Charity
(China
Post, Mar. 19, 2009) Robin G. Mahood, President of Food For the Poor (FFP),
praised Taiwan's International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) for
its expertise in helping developing countries such as Haiti and Nicaragua.
Taipei, Beijing to Discuss
WHA, Ma Says
(Taipei Times, Mar. 14, 2009) The government will
conduct negotiations with China at an undisclosed location outside of Taiwan
next month about the nation’s bid for observer status at the World Health
Assembly, President Ma Ying-jeou said in an interview published.
MOFA Calls on Beijing to
Negotiate over WHA Bid
(Taipei Times,
Mar. 13, 2009) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on Beijing
to negotiate with Taiwan
on the nation’s bid for observer status in the World Health Assembly (WHA)
this year.
Taiwan’s Export Orders,
Production Plunge by Records
(Bloomberg, Feb. 24, 2009) Taiwan’s export orders and
industrial output fell by records in January, threatening to stoke
unemployment and deepen the island’s recession.
Taiwan GDP to Contract 2.97%
(China
Post, Feb. 19, 2009) The Cabinet-level Directorate General of Budget,
Accounting and Statistics forecast Taiwan's GDP would shrink by 2.97
percent in 2009.
Taiwan Hopes to Join Talks
of ASEAN Labor Ministers
(CNA, Feb. 13, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou
proposed that Taiwan
be invited to take part in the labor ministers meetings of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations so as to allow the country to contribute to the
resolution of regional labor issues.
Taiwan’s Exports Fall by a
Record 44.1%
(Wall Street Journal, Feb. 9, 2009) Taiwan's
exports in January fell by a record 44.1% to $12.37 billion on deteriorating
demand for the island's goods due to the economic downturn.
Taiwan Calls for EU Support
for WHO Status
(CNA, Feb. 8, 2009) Taiwan's
representative to the European Union and Belgium
called on the group to support Taiwan's bid to take part in the
World Health Organization and allow the country to contribute its part to the
international community.
Ma to Place New Emphasis on
‘Flexible Diplomacy’
(China Post, Feb. 6, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou
yesterday announced a shifting of emphasis from “high politics” to “low
politics” as part of a new direction for his administration's “flexible
diplomacy.”
MOFA Says It Has ‘No
Concrete Plans’ for WHA
(Taipei
Times, Feb. 6, 2009) With less than four months to go before the World Health
Assembly convenes, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not decided how to
promote the nation’s bid for observer status, a ministry official said.
MOFA Reaffirms Sovereignty
Over Spratlys
(CNA, Feb. 5, 2009) The Ministry of Foreign
Affairs issued a statement reiterating the Republic of China's historical
claim to islands and reefs in the South China Sea,
including the Spratlys.
Participation
in WHA Rests with China: FM
(CNA,
Feb. 1, 2009) The key to Taiwan's participation in the World Health Assembly — the
decision-making arm of the World Health Organization — is held by China, Minister of Foreign Affairs Francisco Ou said.
Ma Promises to Lead Nation
Through Crisis
(China Post, Jan. 26, 2009) President Ma
Ying-jeou promised to lead Taiwan through its current economic hardship, as
he spoke in a New Year address televised on the island's major networks.
Taiwan Win Landmark Access
to WHO amid China Thaw
(Reuters, Jan. 22, 2009) The World Health
Organization opened a formal line of communication with Taiwan this month, one of the clearest signs
yet that the island's detente with political rival China is working.
WHA Result Will Test
Cross-Strait Policy: MOFA
(Taipei
Times, Jan. 18, 2009) The outcome of Taiwan’s bid for observer status at
World Health Assembly in May will serve as an important indicator of whether
the development of cross-Taiwan Strait relations can be normalized, a MOFA
official said.
MOFA Plans Talks with US and
EU on Piracy in Gulf
(Taipei
Times, Jan. 16, 2009) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the
government planned to discuss counter-piracy strategies in the Gulf of Aden
with the US and EU in greater detail in the near future.
Taiwan Tops Freedom House
Rights Survey
(CNA, Jan. 14, 2009) Taiwan earned the highest score
for its political rights and the second highest score for its civil liberties
in the 2009 “Freedom of the World” survey.
Taiwan Haunted by Plunging
Exports, Job Cuts
(Reuters, Jan. 8, 2009) Taiwan announced exports plunged
a record 42 percent in December from a year ago amid the worst global
downturn since the Great Depression.
MOFA Mulls Easing Rules on
Meeting Chinese Officials
(Taipei
Times, Jan. 2, 2009) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is considering a
new policy to loosen restrictions on interaction between Taiwanese and
Chinese officials abroad, a senior MOFA official said.
Taiwan Welcomes China
Response to ‘Truce’
(China
Post, Jan. 1, 2009) Officials here welcomed the statements of Chinese
President Hu Jintao as a positive response to President Ma Ying-jeou's call
for “diplomatic truce.
Taiwan’s U.S. Beef
(Wall Street Journal, Jan. 6, 2010) Mad cow
disease has claimed another victim: Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou,
who was for free trade in beef, until he was against it. Chalk the decision
up to a political infection.
U.S. Experts Warn of Fallout
from Taiwan’s Breach of Beef Protocol (CNA, Jan. 6, 2010) Several U.S. experts on Taiwan issues warned
that Taiwan's recent violation of a beef trade protocol with the United
States could hamper progress in bilateral economic and trade relations.
Convergence and Divergence
in Taiwan’s U.S. Policy, 2004-2008: Analysis and Recommendations By
Liu Shih-chung (Brookings, November, 2009)
This paper seeks to understand the variations in Taiwan-U.S. relations during
President Chen’s second term. It centers on the decision-making processes
regarding key foreign policy issues and their implications for U.S.-Taiwan
relations.
A Switch in Diplomatic
Strategy By Bernard Chou
(Taipei Times, Nov. 4, 2009) Taiwan being perhaps the biggest
and strongest among these small island nations, the government would be wise
to help friendly countries find a solution, for their benefit and for our
ours.
Taiwan Looks Back at
Nationalist Defeat in 1949 By Annie Huang
(AP, Oct. 2, 2009) In a recent editorial that
would have been impossible to write only a few years ago, the United Daily
News asked, "1949: Was that a pang or blessing in disguise for
Taiwan?"
U.S. Expert Praises Taiwan
Bid to Enter 2 U.N. Bodies
(CNA, Sep. 23, 2009) Taiwan's bid to join two
U.N.-affiliated organizations, if successful, would benefit its people and
the two bodies as well, according to U.S.-China affairs expert Bonnie Glaser.
The Geopolitics of
Cross-Strait Disaster Relief By Drew Thompson
(China Brief, Jamestown Foundation, Sep. 10,
2009) The aftermath of this natural disaster has become enmeshed in Taiwan’s domestic and cross-Strait politics
while the United States, China
and others provide financial and material assistance to on-going relief
efforts.
Taiwan Drops Annual U.N. Bid
As China Relations Warm
(Reuters, Sep. 4, 2009)
Taiwan will drop for the first time in 17 years its annual bid to join the
United Nations as island President Ma Ying-jeou seeks peace with long-time
rival and U.N. heavyweight China.
Taiwan’s Leader Faces Anger
Over Storm Response By Andrew Jacobs (New York Times, Aug. 24, 2009) Anger, not sadness, remains the
prevailing sentiment across Taiwan
as President Ma Ying-jeou grapples with his worst political crisis since
taking office last year.
Typhoon Turns into a
Political Storm By Cindy Sui
(Asia Times, Aug. 21, 2009) Ultimately, Ma's
survival will depend on whether he can meet people's demands and fix the
problems in Taiwan's
disaster response system.
Stanton Looks Forward to
Taipei AIT Post By William Lowther
(Taipei Times, Jul. 31, 2009) William Stanton,
the incoming director of the American Institute in Taiwan, said he was
“honored and delighted” by his appointment and that he would work to maintain
peace and security in the Taiwan Strait.
Taiwan: Rebooting the Dragon By
Michael Schuman
(Time, Jul. 27, 2009) The term Chaiwan was the talk of Taipei. Turns out that
the word, meant to connote the growing economic ties between China and Taiwan, was supposedly coined by
the South Korean press.
Taiwan Needs Clear EEZ
Rights Declaration
(Editorial, China Post, May 19, 2009) The
Waichiaopu should proclaim Taiwan's EEZ rights at the earliest possible date
lest it should be assumed to have acquiesced without complaint.
In a Switch, Taiwan to Take
Part in WHO Conference By Jane Rickards (Washington Post, Apr. 30, 2009) Margaret Chan, the WHO's director
general, issued the formal invitation Tuesday night, asking Taiwan to send
nonvoting observers to the Geneva gathering under the banner of "Chinese
Taipei."
As Asia Builds Economic
Ties, Taiwan Sidelined by China
By
Jonathan Adams (Christian Science Monitor,
Apr. 12, 2009) It's not just that this onetime economic "tiger" now
can't compete head-on with China
in ports and other areas. Due to Beijing's
political pressure, Taiwan
is also the odd-man out amid the trend of Asian economic integration.
TVBS Public Opinion Poll
(TVBS Public Opinion Poll Center, Mar. 2, 2009)
The survey was conducted on the satisfaction ratings of the Ma government and
on issues associated with the possibility of signing of CECA with China.
Taiwan’s Low Profile May Aid
Its Goals By Keith Bradsher
(New York Times, Feb. 13, 2009) America’s new secretary of state is preparing
to visit Beijing with an agenda that barely
mentions Taiwan — and that
is fine with the president of Taiwan.
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