TSR-Taiwan

~2000 ; 2001-2004 ; 2005-2007; 2008; 2009

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’s Wealth Gap Widening: Survey
(CNA, Aug. 20, 2010) Taiwan's household income gap widened in 2009, with the average annual disposable income of the richest families reaching 6.34 times that of the poorest.

Taiwan to Continue Pragmatic Approach with U.N.: Ministry
(CNA, Aug. 12, 2010) The government will continue to take a pragmatic approach toward Taiwan's participation in specialized agencies of the United Nations this year, Minister of Foreign Affairs Timothy Yang said.

Corruption Hurting Taiwan’s Democracy: Analysts
(AFP, Aug. 9, 2010) A former president jailed for graft, a retired head of military police indicted for embezzlement, three top judges accused of taking bribes — the list goes on. Taiwan has a problem with corruption.

Taiwan Considers Trade Deals with Vietnam, Indonesia
(Taipei Times, Aug. 8, 2010) Taiwan is eyeing Vietnam and Indonesia as potential free-trade agreement partners after announcing last week that it had agreed with Singapore to explore the feasibility of such a deal.

Taiwan, Singapore to Pursue Trade Pact
(Reuters, Aug. 5, 2010) Taiwan and Singapore will pursue a free trade-style deal, the two sides said, a key to Taipei's long-term growth strategy and following a trade pact with political foe China.

Taiwan Diplomat Calls for FTAs with Europe
(CNA, Aug. 4, 2010) Taiwan's top envoy to the European Union and Belgium called for a free trade agreement between Taiwan and the EU, saying that the ground has already been laid with the recent signing of a trade pact with China.

FTA with Taiwan Unnecessary: Thai Rep Office
(CNA, Aug. 1, 2010) Goods imported from Thailand to Taiwan already enjoy a favorable tariff treatment, hence a free trade agreement or a similar mechanism is not necessary to stimulate bilateral trade, the Thai representative office said recently.

US, Taiwan Still Far from Resolving Beef Row: MOEA
(CNA, Jul. 30, 2010) The Ministry of Economic Affairs said that big differences still remain in the dispute between Taiwan and the United States over U.S. beef imports, but both sides are in discussions on the issue at a technical level.

China Wouldn’t Scuttle Trade Pacts: Academic
(Taipei Times, Jul. 29, 2010) Charles Freeman, an academic at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said that authorities at “the highest levels within China” had assured him that Taiwan would be free to enter into whatever free-trade agreements it wanted.

Israel Would Object to Closer Taiwan-Iran Ties
(CNA, Jul. 26, 2010) Israel has no objection to Taiwan fostering a better relationship with the Arab world but will frown on closer Taiwan-Iran ties, the top Israeli envoy to Taiwan said.

Taiwan May Try to Reach Free Trade Accord with Singapore, Negotiator Says (Bloomberg, Jul. 22, 2010) Taiwan may seek a free-trade accord with Singapore following its first such deal with China, the island’s top negotiator with China Chiang Pin-kung said.

Charity Wins Consultative Status from U.N. Council
(CNA, Jul. 21, 2010) The U.N. Economic and Social Council (ECOSCO) has designated the Taiwan-based Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation as one of its special consultants.

Lobbyists’ Merger Leaves Taiwan Out in the Cold
(Taipei Times, Jul. 17, 2010) Patton Boggs' takeover of the smaller Breaux Lott meant dropping Taiwan as a client to focus on the bigger firm's client — China.

Taiwan Eyeing FTA Talks with ASEAN Member States: MOEA
(CNA, Jul. 14, 2010) Taiwan has set its sights first on the members of the ASEAN in its bid to secure free trade agreements, the Ministry of Economic Affairs said.

Taiwan Targets Asian Countries for FTAs: Report
(AFP, Jun. 30, 2010) Taiwan is now looking to forge several free trade agreements in Asia after signing a sweeping and historic pact with China, a report said.

No Need for Taiwan FTA, Philippine Minister Says
(Taipei Times, Jun. 28, 2010) Recent comments by the Philippines’ trade and industry secretary cast doubt on the feasibility of Taiwan being able to sign FTA with other economies in the region after it signs an ECFA with China.

Taiwan Should Alter China Strategy: Japanese Expert
(CNA, Jun. 22, 2010) Taiwan needs to focus on logistics and other professional services in China as the country will soon lose its advantage in capitalizing on cheap Chinese labor due to wage hikes and a stronger Chinese yuan, a visiting Japanese corporate strategist said.

May Exports Hit New High
(China Post, Jun. 8, 2010) Taiwan's exports hit a record single-month high of US$25.54 billion in May, showing a sharp growth of 57.9 percent over a year earlier, according to customs statistics released.

Taiwan Not Opposed to Kiribati-China Relations: Ma
(Taipei Times, Jun. 8, 2010) President Ma Ying-jeo said Taiwan would continue to strengthen diplomatic relations with Kiribati but would not oppose the Pacific nation seeking to develop unofficial ties with China.

Feinstein Leads US Senate Delegation on Lightning Visit
(Taipei Times, Jun. 6, 2010) A US Senate delegation arrived in Taiwan, the first group of US senators to visit Taipei since President Ma Ying-jeou took office in May 2008.

Time Is Not Right for Closer Relations with Iran: MOFA
(CNA, Jun. 3, 2010) The time is not right for Taiwan and Iran to develop closer relations, despite a strong desire by both sides to do so, a Taiwan foreign ministry official said.

Report: France to Cut Military Contact with Taiwan
(AP, Jun. 1, 2010) France will withdraw a military liaison unit in Taiwan after an international court ordered Paris to make a large compensation payment to Taipei over a frigate sale, a Taiwanese newspaper reported.

Taiwan Announces Haiti Debt Relief Plan
(CNA, May 28, 2010) Taiwan will pay about US$12-13 million in interest on loans to Haiti and the quake-ravaged country will not have to make any payments on the principal for five years, Taiwan's foreign minister said.

Jobless Rate Sees Biggest Fall in 15 Years to 5.39% in April
(China Post, May 25, 2010) Taiwan's jobless rate posted a decline of 0.28 of a percentage point from March to reach 5.39 percent in April, representing the largest single-month drop of its kind in 15 years.

Taiwan Outpaces China as Growth Accelerates to 30-Year High
(Bloomberg, May 20, 2010) Taiwan’s economy expanded at the fastest pace in more than 30 years last quarter on surging sales of computer chips and display panels to China, as it heals ideological wounds with its neighbor in favor of trade ties.

Taiwan seeks Expand Trade Ties with U.S. under TIFA: President
(CNA, May 19, 2010) President Ma Ying-jeou reiterated Taiwan's intention to tighten ties with the United States under an established trade framework and continue to buy arms from Washington, at a press conference to mark the second anniversary of his inauguration.

Taiwan Should Focus on HQs, Wolfowitz Says
(Taipei Times, May 19, 2010) US-Taiwan Business Council chairman Paul Wolfowitz says Taiwan should pull out all the stops to attract international companies to put their regional headquarters in the country, adding that such an effort was more important than membership in international organizations.

Taiwan Aims to Be WHO Member: Minister
(CNA, May 16, 2010) Taiwan's Department of Health Minister Yaung Chih-liang said in Geneva that acquiring full membership of the WHO is the country's ultimate goal.

Taiwan Shakes Up Cabinet But Policy Course Likely Steady
(Wall Street Journal, May 13, 2010) Analysts said the changes unlikely mark a significant policy shift in Taipei, which has been forging closer economic ties with China since the Kuomintang party came to power in 2008.

Rising Sea Levels Threaten Taiwan
(AFP, May 8, 2010) Mountains cover two thirds of Taiwan, but the heart of the island's economy is concentrated in the remaining third, which stretches down the west coast and consists mostly of flat land near sea level.

US Still Assessing Legislative Beef Ban, Stanton Says
(Taipei Times, Apr. 23, 2010) The US is looking into the extension of a Taiwanese ban on certain US beef products, American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director William Stanton said.

U.S. Criticizes Taiwan for Tighter Inspection of Beef Tongue
(CNA, Apr. 21, 2010) The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) said that it was “deeply disappointed” with Taiwan's decision to require much stricter inspection procedures for beef tongue imported from the U.S.

New Beef Parts from U.S.
(China Post, Apr. 18, 2010) The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that more U.S. beef products could be shipped to Taiwan.

Taiwan Approves Debt Reduction Proposal for Haiti
(Taipei Times, Apr. 14, 2010) The Executive Yuan has approved a debt reduction proposal for Haiti, which will see the government repay the interest payments on the Caribbean ally’s debt to Taiwan for five years, Minister of Foreign Affairs Timothy Yang said.

DPP Sees Trust Crisis between Ages
(China Post, Apr. 12, 2010) Taiwan's society is faced with a crisis of trust among generations instead of political divisions, according to opposition DPP leader when laying the groundwork for pursuing the party's policy guidelines for the coming decade.

Yang: China Not Factor in Taiwan-Palau Relations
(CNA, Apr. 9, 2010) There is no solid evidence to show that China is trying to undermine Taiwan's diplomatic ties with Palau, but government agencies will continue keeping a close watch on related developments, Foreign Minister Timothy C. T. Yang said.

President Ma Will Meet with Visiting Ex-Japanese PM Aso
(China Post, Apr. 6, 2010) President Ma Ying-jeou will meet privately with former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, who arrived in Taiwan on a four-day private visit, political sources said.

Taiwan in Appeal for Closer Contact
(The Australian, Mar. 29, 2010) No Australian minister has visited Taipei since the Rudd government was elected, although two Taiwanese ministers came to Australia last year.

President Returns from Fifth Diplomatic Tour
(China Post, Mar. 28, 2010) President Ma Ying-jeou and his 90-member entourage returned to the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport after concluding a one-week diplomatic visit to Taiwan's six allies in the South Pacific.

Ma Embarks on Visit to South Pacific Allies
(CNA, Mar. 22, 2010) President Ma Ying-jeou departed for a week-long trip to the South Pacific that will take him to all six of Taiwan's diplomatic allies in the region.

Taiwan’s Exports Up 32.6 Percent in February
(AFP, Mar. 8, 2010) Taiwan's exports slowed from January but remained robust for a fourth-straight month, helped by strong demand for electronics products from China, the finance ministry said.

Absentee Voting May Be Implemented by 2012
(CNA, Mar. 8, 2010) The government is mulling the introduction of absentee voting in time for the 2012 presidential election, Interior Minister Jiang Yi-huah said.

President Ma to Visit Six Pacific Allies in Six Days
(Taipei Times, Mar. 3, 2010) President Ma Ying-jeou will visit the nation's six diplomatic allies in the South Pacific in six days, the first time Taiwan's head of state will be visiting so many allies in such a short period of time.

Taiwan Manufacturing Activity Growth Fastest in Over 4 Years
(Dow Jones, Feb. 28, 2010) Taiwan's manufacturing activity expanded at its fastest rate in more than four years in February, adding to evidence of a robust recovery in the island's economy.

Taiwan Economy Probably Exited Deepest Recession, Survey Shows (Bloomberg, Feb. 18, 2010) Taiwan’s economy probably exited the deepest recession on record last quarter as the global recovery spurred demand for the island’s semiconductors and mobile phones.

Gov’t Faces Big Challenges After Holiday
(China Post, Feb. 19, 2010) The Cabinet is facing a spate of severe challenges, including renewing negotiations with the U.S. over beef imports into Taiwan, activating talks with China over ECFA, and implementing the re-organization of the government administration system.

Taiwan-Philippines FTA Will Be Crucial: Taiwanese Diplomat
(Taipei Times, Feb. 13, 2010) A Taiwan-Philippines free-trade agreement is crucial to securing Taiwan as a lucrative job market for overseas Filipino workers, Representative to Manila Donald Lee said in an recent interview with Philippine-based news outlet Malaya.

NSC Chief Su Chi Resigns
(China Post, Feb. 12, 2010) President Ma Ying-jeou's top national security aide, Su Chi, announced his surprise resignation. Ma immediately named, Hu Wei-jen, a veteran diplomat and an old hand on security affairs, to take up the position.

Government Working on Strengthening Ties with TPP Members, FTA with India (Taipei Times, Feb. 12, 2010) In a recent interview with an Indian publication, Asia Age, Taiwanese Representative to India Ong Wen-chyi said a Taiwan-India FTA was a definite possibility and both sides were conducting feasibility studies on the issue.

Taiwanese Exports Climb by Most in More Than 30 Years
(Bloomberg, Feb. 9, 2010) Taiwan's exports climbed in January by the most in more than 30 years as holiday spending in China before the Lunar New Year fueled demand for the island's computers and mobile phones.

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.

Doubts Over Ma’s Tough Cure for Corruption By Jens Kastner
(Asia Times, Aug. 26, 2010) Under public pressure, President Ma Ying-jeou has talked tough on the matter and vowed not to allow a few corrupt officials tarnish the reputation of the public sector and the government.

The Social foundation of Taiwan’s Future: Guns, Wheelchairs and Shark’s Fin Soup By Richard C. Bush III (Columbia University Symposium on Taiwan in the 21st Century, Jul. 13, 2010) Taiwan faces some difficult choices: how to maintain competitiveness in a globalized economy, how to assure both growth and relative equality, how to balance the desire for prosperity and the need for high-quality social services, and how to guarantee both a good life and national security.

Taiwan’s Sinking Birth Rate Threatens Productivity
(Reuters, Apr. 2, 2010) Taiwan is scrambling to raise its birthrate, among the world's lowest, before the sinking number of newborns threatens productivity for its export-driven economy.

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.