Politics of the Republic of China

Taiwan completes de-mining programme as China ties warm

Agence France-PresseJune 16, 2013 09:30

Around 1,000 people have waded along the beachfront on Taiwan's Kinmen island to mark the completion of a seven-year de-mining programme in an area that was once a frontline battleground with mainland China. Men and women rolled up their trousers Saturday and walked through the water after a clearance operation that underlined warming ties with Beijing. Kuomintang troops fled to Taiwan at the end of the civil war in 1949 and carpeted the frontline islands of Kinmen and Matsu, just a few kilometres from China's southeastern Fujian province, with tens of thousands of mines.

In US, Taiwan opposition pledges military boost

Agence France-PresseJune 14, 2013 22:25

Taiwan's opposition leader said Thursday if he wins office he will boost military spending and show "self-confidence" towards a rising China, as he courted US support during a visit to Washington. Su Tseng-chang, chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party, said that he generally welcomed the relationship between Taiwan and China that has grown since the island elected Beijing-friendly President Ma Ying-jeou in 2008.

Blind Chinese dissident to visit Taiwan this month

Kyodo News InternationalJune 13, 2013 02:31

Prominent Chinese human rights advocate Chen Guangcheng, who has been living in the United States since leaving China last year, will visit Taiwan at the end of this month, a rights group organizing the visit said Thursday. The Taiwan Association for China Human Rights told reporters that Chen will arrive on June 23 and leave on July 11, during which he will speak at the legislature and universities, visit non-government organizations and launch a book.

Taiwanese KMT party envoy to meet China's Xi

Agence France-PresseJune 10, 2013 06:30

An envoy from Taiwan's ruling Kuomintang party will meet China's President Xi Jinping, the first official meeting between the two parties since Xi took over as head of the Chinese Communist Party, officials said Monday. The planned visit comes as Taipei and Beijing are working to exchange liaison offices, seen as a crucial step by Taiwan to normalise ties with its former bitter foe. Wu Poh-hsiung, honorary chairman of the Kuomintang (KMT) party, will meet Xi in Beijing on Thursday, the party said.

Taiwan ex-leader Chen tries to kill himself in jail

Agence France-PresseJune 3, 2013 10:57

Taiwan's former president Chen Shui-bian has tried to commit suicide in the prison where he is serving a 20-year sentence for corruption, the justice ministry said Monday. Chen attempted to hang himself with a towel in a bathroom at the jail in the central city of Taichung Sunday night, but was prevented by a guard, the ministry said in a statement. It said medical personnel were immediately called to check his condition and no abnormalities were found.

Jailed ex-Taiwan president Chen attempts suicide

Kyodo News InternationalJune 3, 2013 08:18

Former Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian, who is serving a 20-year jail sentence for corruption, tried to kill himself over the weekend, his office confirmed Monday. Chen attempted to hang himself Sunday night to express his "strong displeasure" with what he called "political persecution" by the government of the ruling Nationalist Party (KMT), his office said.

Taiwan ex-President Lee praises Abe's leadership

Kyodo News InternationalMay 31, 2013 07:01

Former Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui praised Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday for turning around Japan's faltering economy around. Talking about leadership during a book launch in Taipei, Lee took Japan as an example, saying the Japanese leader has a clear direction for the country, gradually pulling the land of the rising sun out its economic slump.

Taiwanese President Ma to attend crisis simulation drill

Kyodo News InternationalMay 27, 2013 04:45

Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou will attend a drill on Tuesday, simulating the escalation of military conflicts in the East and South China seas, Taiwan's National Security Council said Monday. According to a statement by the council, Ma will be riding in the armored vehicle "Clouded Leopard" to a military command center in Dazhi, Taipei City, presiding over the political and military drill on Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Taiwan President Ma sings 2nd-term blues

Kyodo News InternationalMay 20, 2013 07:00

Monday marked the first anniversary of President Ma Ying-jeous second-term inauguration, but he had little reason to be happy. He cancelled all activities scheduled Monday for the occasion, citing bad weather. It is the first time such an event was cancelled since he was first elected in 2008. Since he was reelected in 2012 with a large majority, Ma has suffered a massive reduction in popularity. Polls show his public approval rating at well below 20 percent.

Taiwan says time not ripe for China political talks

Agence France-PresseApril 21, 2013 06:30

Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou on Sunday said the time was "not ripe" for political negotiations with China, despite fast improving economic ties. Since his re-election in 2012, Ma has hinted at his reluctance to engage in political discussions with Beijing, which insists that the island is part of China, even though it has ruled itself for more than 60 years since their split in 1949 at the end of a civil war. But in an unusually bold interview with the Taipei-based China Times, Ma made it clear that political negotiations are not on the table.