De Chinese Wouden, donderdag 28 december: Chinese druk op Taiwan neemt toe
China bereidt de druk op Taiwan voor de verkiezingen voor. Het is de vraag of er nog een grote klapper komt vóór zaterdag 13 januari 2024, of dat Peking die bewaart voor als Lai Ching-te van de regerende DPP gewonnen heeft. De verkiezingen van 1996 en 2020 zijn bekende voorbeelden van Chinese dreigementen die juist de anti-Chinese stem hielpen. De DPP zal dan ook hopen dat die klapper de komende weken al komt.
Een derde overwinning voor de DPP op rij zal een bange bevestiging zijn voor China dat de strategie van ‘vreedzame ontwikkeling’ tot nu toe er niet in slaagt om Taiwan dichterbij ‘hereniging’ te brengen. De zorgen zijn te merken uit de intensieve pogingen tot het voeren wat de regering in Taipei ‘cognitieve oorlogsvoering’ noemt. Desinformatie en snoepreisjes zijn de bekendste voorbeelden. Het is vrij onverbloemd bedoeld om de KMT te helpen.
Vicevoorzitter Andrew Hsia van oppositiepartij KMT was op rondreis in China, waar hij op evenementen verscheen met Chinese functionarissen om de Taiwanese expats in China op te roepen terug te vliegen om te stemmen. Taiwan heeft geen mogelijkheid om op afstand of met volmacht te stemmen, dus elke verkiezing subsidiëren de Chinese autoriteit vluchten om de vaak China-vriendelijkere Taiwanezen in China de kans te geven voor de KMT te stemmen.
Ook lijkt Peking zich voor te bereiden om de economische druk verder op te voeren. Een deel van de uitzonderingen op importheffingen uit de periode van Ma Ying-jeou (KMT, 2008–11) zijn al tijdelijk buiten werking gesteld. De Chinese autoriteit voor Taiwanzaken dreigt met nog meer strafmaatregelen temidden van veel retorisch geweld dat de kiezers bang moet maken voor hun portemonnees bij een overwinning voor de DPP.
Experts verwachten dat er al een trits diplomatieke en economische acties klaarstaat voor als Lai echt wint. Ondertussen herhaalde Xi Jinping ter gelegenheid van de geboortedag van Mao Zedong de gebruikelijke Chinese retoriek dat de ‘hereniging’ van Taiwan met China onvermijdelijk is. Dat botst steeds meer met de Taiwanese realiteit. Op 13 januari gaan we zien of dan de nieuwste botsing plaatsvindt.
Dienstmededeling: tot en met midden volgende week ben ik met vakantie. Er verschijnt dan geen nieuwsbrief.
Nederland en Europa 🇳🇱🇪🇺
Veiligheidsregio Haaglanden gebruikte jarenlang Chinese apparatuur van Huawei ondanks spionagerisico’s – Follow the Money: „In de zomer van 2023 gebeurde er iets opmerkelijks: op alle locaties van de veiligheidsregio Haaglanden kwamen KPN-monteurs langs om de Huawei-switches te vervangen door switches van Cisco Meraki.” 🇳🇱
De ‘vioolbouwer’ en de huifkar: wat deed Filip Dewinter (Vlaams Belang) voor de Chinezen? – De Standaard: „Volgens de inlichtingendienst werkte het VB-kopstuk voor een Antwerpse vereniging die ‘intrinsiek verbonden is met het Chinese propagandasysteem’.” „De Staatsveiligheid maakte zijn dossier over aan het parket-generaal van Brussel. Dat besloot in 2019 om geen dossier te openen tegen de politicus, omdat het geen strafbare feiten vond. De procureur-generaal vroeg wel al om feiten van inmenging strafbaar te maken, iets waar de regering nu werk van zal maken.” 🇧🇪
Schriftelijke vragen: Het gevangenschap van en de rechtszaak tegen journalist en uitgever Jimmy Lai 黎智英 in Hongkong – Jan Paternotte (D66) en Tom van der Lee (GroenLinks-PvdA), Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal 🇳🇱
Why more Chinese students are looking to Europe—and not the US or UK—for higher education – SCMP: ‘In the Netherlands, China has been the only non-European Economic Area country in the top 10 source countries since 2021-2022, coming in at fourth place. In 2022-23, there were 5,610 students from China, up 5.3 per cent, according to official data.’ 🇪🇺🇳🇱
Chinesen kaufen Hotel an Militärflugpiste Meiringen – dann schreitet die Polizei ein – Tages-Anzeiger: „Der Deal der Familie Wang mit dem Rössli sieht nach einer grossen Spionageaktion aus. Im Visier womöglich der US-Superjet F-35.“ 🇨🇭
De Chinezen die een Zwitsers hotel met zicht op opstijgende en landende F-35 Joint Strike Fighters hadden gekocht, zouden spionnen zijn geweest.
Taiwan-Poland relations ‘growing’, says representative Kozaczewski – Focus Taiwan 🇵🇱
oorlog in Oekraïne 🇺🇦
Why China is keeping its distance as Russia and North Korea cosy up – Alibaba’s SCMP
Analysis: Vladimir Putin promises Xi Jinping to ‘fight for five years’ in Ukraine in March before China’s peace mission – Katsuji Nakazawa in Nikkei Asia: ‘revealed by multiple sources familiar with diplomatic maneuvering between China and Russia’
Ik breng nogmaals in herinnering dat Katsuji Nakazawa vaker met vergezochte verhalen is gekomen en wijs erop dat hij in dit stuk ook het ongeloofwaardige POLITICO Europe-stuk over Qin Gang aanhaalt.
China-Russia ties in Arctic keep US and Canada on alert – Nikkei Asia: ‘As Moscow rushed to deliver crude to China on thin-hulled tankers before the ice closed in, seaside communities feared an oil spill.’
Taiwan expands Russian and Belarus sanctions to stop tech being used for weapons – Reuters: ‘The list includes equipment for making semiconductors, the production of which Taiwan is a world leader in, as well as certain chemicals and medicines, adding to previous announcements which already targetted the chip industry.’
Chinese economisch druk op Taiwanese verkiezingen 🇨🇳🇳🇫
Suspension of tariff concessions on Taiwan products justified and lawful, says [Chinese] spokesperson – Xinhua: ‘If the DPP authorities continue to stick to their “Taiwan independence” stance, “we support relevant departments to take further measures as per regulations,” the spokesperson added.’
China dreigt met meer sancties tegen Taiwan in aanloop naar verkiezingen – FD
China threatens more trade sanctions on Taiwan as election nears – Reuters
Beijing blames Taiwan trade moves on ruling Democratic Progressive Party’s [supposed] independence stance – SCMP
Cross-Strait relations in for rocky ride if Lai Ching-te (DPP) wins Taiwan presidential election – Benjamin Kang Lim for The Straits Times: ‘“We will not talk to Lai Ching-te unless he accepts the 1992 Consensus,” the insider said.’ ‘Beijing risks alienating pro-unification and moderate forces in Taiwan if it engages with Mr Lai. These forces would see Beijing’s detente with separatists as an act of betrayal and think they might as well advocate independence too.’
Lim is een erg goed ingevoerde correspondent in Peking van de Singaporese overheidsgecontroleerde krant The Straits Times, die soms wel een beetje de sinocentrische blik van zijn gesprekspartners overneemt. Dat blijkt ook uit zijn keuze voor de minder betrouwbare peilingen van de pro-KMT media TVBS en UDN. De Consensus van 1992 is erg onpopulair in Taiwan en onacceptabel voor de DPP-achterban.
[China] slams Lai Ching-te 賴清德 (DPP)’s comments on war risk – Xinhua: ‘The pursuit of “Taiwan independence” means war, Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a press conference.’ ‘Chen made the remarks in response to Lai’s recent claim that if he is elected as Taiwan’s leader [sic], the chances of a war across the Taiwan Strait are minimal.’
China heeft de uitdaging om het Westen gerust te stellen dat er geen oorlog komt en tegelijkertijd de Taiwanezen bang te maken voor het risico op oorlog.
Legal initiatives implemented to boost cross-Strait integration, says spokesperson – Xinhua
Taiwan’s economic affairs ministry to aid petrochemical exporters after China suspends preferential tariffs – Taipei Times
Mainland Affairs Council report says CCP interference aimed at compelling economic integration under next president – Taipei Times
Taiwan not seeing signs of large-scale Chinese military activity pre-election – Reuters
Chinese steun voor KMT 🇨🇳🇹🇼
Taiwan elections: Vice Chair Andrew Hsia 夏立言 takes KMT message to business faithful in China – SCMP: ‘People who attended events during Hsia’s trip said this visit was unusually high profile in its push for voters to travel back to the island and cast their ballot.’
De Chinese overheid helpt mee aan zulke bijeenkomsten en betaalt ook mee aan de vluchten om Taiwanezen in China terug te vliegen om te stemmen tijdens de verkiezingen.
KMT vice presidential candidate Jaw Shaw-kong 趙少康 pledges not to advocate for unification with China if elected – Focus Taiwan: ‘Jaw’s recent statement that the KMT does not endorse communism and has never been pro-Chinese Communist Party (CCP), while further asserting that he absolutely will not advocate for negotiations on unification if elected.’
Jaw was in de jaren negentig medeoprichter van de pro-‘hereniging’ New Party (NP).
Taiwan presidential frontrunner Lai Ching-te 賴清德 (DPP) accuses opposition party of being ‘pro-communist’ – Reuters: ‘“I want all the country’s people to judge: is the KMT worthy of Mr. Ching-kuo?”’
Chiang Ching-kuo 蔣經國 – de zoon van Chiang Kai-shek – overzag de geheime diensten tijdens Witte Terreur waarbij tienduizenden Taiwanezen gedood werden door de KMT-partijstaat. Het Taiwanese economische wonder vond plaats onder zijn presidentschap en eind 1987, een paar maanden voor zijn dood, hief hij de staat van beleg op. De campagne van Han Kuo-yu (KMT) voor de verkiezingen van 2020 appelleerde aan nostalgie naar Ome Ching-kuo. President Tsai Ing-wen (DPP) probeerde de erfenis ook een beetje te claimen als onderdeel van de DPP’s poging ROC-symbolen te vereenzelvigen met een al onafhankelijk Taiwan. Lai gaat hier dus mee door.
Online media reporter detained for allegedly faking election polls favouring KMT on Chinese officials’ instruction – Focus Taiwan
‘Troll’ accounts taking cues from China state-affiliated media, researchers find – Focus Taiwan: ‘excluding YouTube, where partisan attacks were roughly equal, negative comments aimed at the DPP outranked those targeting the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) on all other social media platforms’
La société civile taïwanaise se mobilise contre la « guerre de l’information » menée par la Chine – Le Monde
China is stoking a ‘de-sinicisation’ controversy in order to influence Taiwan’s election – The Economist
2024 Elections: First charge laid over China voter tours – Taipei Times
Prosecutors outline legal guidelines for China trips by local officials – Focus Taiwan
Tech War 💽💥
ASML has started shipping the major parts of the first of its newest chipmaking machine to Intel – Bloomberg
Samsung has delayed mass production plans at its new chip plant in Taylor, Texas, the Seoul Economic Daily said – Bloomberg: ‘The report followed an earlier decision by Samsung’s bigger rival Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. to postpone production at its new Arizona fab to 2025 from next year due to a shortage of experienced construction workers and machine installation technicians.’ ‘US environmental permit issues and the Biden administration’s slowness in delivering financial support have been plaguing domestic chip projects.’
Beijing hits back at US plan to scrutinise China’s role in legacy chip supply chain – SCMP
India arrests two senior employees of Chinese firm Vivo 维沃, source says – Reuters
National Taiwan University approves foreign student semiconductor programme – Taipei Times
Handover of land to TSMC in expanded Central Taiwan Science Park plan likely in mid-2024 – Focus Taiwan
Kantelpunt 🌏⏱️
Why US double standards on Israel and Russia play into a dangerous game – Patrick Wintour for The Guardian
China builds up private security to protect overseas interests in hostile and unstable regions – SCMP: ‘it is less likely to be the People’s Liberation Army swooping in to save the day, and more likely to be a well-paid private security contractor hired to protect the overseas interests of Chinese businesses’
Philippines and US in discussion for possible F-16 fighter jets procurement – CNN Philippines
Nee, de dagen van Xi Jinping zijn niet geteld – Ties Dams in FD: „Ik duid de doemsignalen uit de Chinese markt ook op een andere manier. Als signalen van machtspolitiek: president Xi Jinpings bewuste, geleidelijke, maar vernietigende afrekening met het neoliberalisme.” „2024 – en Xi’s hele derde termijn – draait om dit doel: China bij elkaar houden. Xi’s economisch beleid is daaraan dienend.”
2023 shows that economic growth does not always breed peace – Adam Tooze for FT
China’s economic engine is running out of fuel – Yi Fuxian for Project Syndicate
The rising tide of ‘Imperial Han’ nationalism in China – Hu YanWenan for The Diplomat
Overige
China buitenland en defensie
Chinese spy agency MSS rising to challenge the CIA – The New York Times: ‘Today the Chinese agents in Beijing have what they asked for: an A.I. system that tracks American spies and others, said U.S. officials and a person with knowledge of the transaction’
US intelligence authorities worry China could harness artificial intelligence to amplify hacking operations and amass Americans’ personal data on a never-before-seen scale – WSJ: ‘Fears of how China could use AI have grown so acute over the past year that the FBI director and leaders of other Western intelligence agencies met in October with technology leaders in the field to discuss the issue.’
‘U.S. authorities believe Chinese intelligence operatives are correlating sensitive information across the databases they have stolen over the years from OPM, health insurers and banks—including fingerprints, foreign contacts, financial debts and personal medical records—to locate and track undercover U.S. spies and pinpoint officials with security clearances. Passport information stolen in the Marriott hack could help spies monitor a government official’s travel, for example, counterintelligence analysts have said.’
Een herinnering dat belangrijke delen van de ‘chip war’ zich onder de oppervlakte afspelen. Maar ook een waarschuwing dat we het belang van persoonsgegevens niet moeten veronachtzamen. Chinese diensten proberen zo veel mogelijk persoonsgegevens te verzamelen, omdat dit het makkelijker maakt buitenlandse agenten te identificeren én om doelwitten voor beïnvloeding en rekrutering te vinden.
The CIA lost a network of agents in China a decade ago and is still struggling to rebuild – WSJ: ‘“We have no real insight into leadership plans and intentions in China at all,” said a former senior intelligence official who until recently read classified reporting.’
The secret US effort to track, hide, and surveil the Chinese spy balloon – NBC News: ‘Administration officials at first hoped to conceal the balloon’s existence from the public, and from Congress, according to multiple former and current administration and congressional officials.’
De kritische pro-engagement denktankers in Washington DC die zo boos waren op de Biden-regering over de reactie op de ballon (en Taiwan) gaan voorbij aan de enorme moeite die het Witte Huis heeft gedaan (en nog steeds doet) om het onder de pet te houden.
Israeli tech firms startled by post-war Chinese paperwork load, Ynet reports – Al Mayadeen English: ‘no new forms or paperwork have been introduced by Chinese authorities or companies, however, concerned bodies are simply enforcing regulations that were previously ignored.’
Israel appeals to Chinese president to help free hostage Noa Argamani – SCMP
Why hasn’t China joined US-led naval force against Houthi rebel attacks in Red Sea? – SCMP: ‘this could put its position on the Israel-Gaza conflict at risk, analysts said.’
Zhong Sheng: Philippines actions in South China Sea extremely dangerous, ignoring China’s goodwill, restraint – People’s Daily: ‘The Philippines, bolstered by the support of extraterritorial forces, has brushed aside China’s goodwill and restraint, and has repeatedly challenged China’s principles and red line. This is extremely dangerous and poses a serious threat to regional peace, stability, prosperity and development.’ ‘The Philippines relies on the United States as an extraterritorial force to cause trouble and provocation in the South China Sea.’
‘If the Philippines misjudges the situation, continues to act recklessly, and even collaborates with ill-intentioned external forces to continue causing troubles, China will respond firmly and resolutely defend its rights in accordance with the law.’
Zhong Sheng is de gezaghebbende pennaam waaronder het buitenland instructies krijgt via het Volksdagblad. Dit is een behoorlijk stevige instructie.
Philippines is not provoking conflict in South China Sea, its military says – Reuters
Xí Jìnpíng 习近平 reluctant to resolve disputes with Japan during talks with Kishida Fumio 岸田 文雄 in November – Kyodo News: ‘bilateral sources said Wednesday.’ ‘did not discuss Xi's planned trip to Japan, agreed on between the two nations in 2019.’
Japan and China experts to hold talks next year on discharge of treated water from Fukushima nuclear plant – The Yomiuri Shimbun
China says it is sanctioning US company Kharon and two human rights researchers over work related to Xinjiang forced labour – Bloomberg
China to take countermeasures against one US company and two individuals – Xinhua
China pushes for more security operations along Mekong in summit with Southeast Asian neighbours hosted jointly with Myanmar – SCMP
Myanmar’s leader Min Aung Hlaing co-chairs China-backed Lancang-Mekong summit – Nikkei Asia
China firmly opposes double standards on counterterrorism, says foreign ministry spokesperson – Xinhua: ‘Baloch officials said that India’s support and use of terrorists is the main reason behind the increasing terrorist activities in the [Pakistani] province.’
China names submariner Hú Zhōngmíng 胡中明 as top PLA Navy commander – SCMP
Temu shoppers risk buying items made by forced labour, MP warns – BBC News
Rumours swirl around Chinese convict workers in Africa – DW
Canada ready to pay settlements to two men imprisoned in China in 2018, according to report – Reuters
China economie
China sidelines its once venerated central bank – FT: ‘Some of the powers formerly held by the People’s Bank of China have been taken over by a party oversight body and a revamped financial regulator as Beijing resets its growth model.’ ‘its governor is now ranked lower in the party hierarchy than the chiefs of some of the banks the PBoC used to regulate.’
‘since March Beijing has in effect put the PBoC under the control of a Communist party-led oversight body — the Central Financial Commission’
Prominent Chinese business analysts are starting to disappear from social media – CNN Business: ‘social media restrictions that appear designed to restrict their ability to comment on the country’s ailing stock markets and struggling economy.’
Analysis: China’s spy agency now watches for economic doomsayers – Nikkei Asia
‘Caixin published an editorial on "Revisiting reality-based thinking" on Dec 25 - a day before Mao Zedong's birthdate's 130th anniversary. It immediately got censored.’ – Wen-Ti Sung, Twitter
The slump in China’s housing construction will continue in 2024, dragging down economic growth, according to consensus of 10 investment banks and securities brokerages – Bloomberg: ‘that leaves China on track to post three straight years of contractions in property construction’
Some Chinese state property developers stiff their suppliers, defying edicts and worsening slump – SCMP: ‘Payment arrears are a chronic problem in China, but the situation has become more pressing this year as the economy languishes in a fragile state.’
Local governments inject liquidity into China housing market by encouraging upgrades with limited success. Here’s why – SCMP
China’s middle class does not ‘dare to spend’ until post-Covid economy shows clear signs of recovery – SCMP
China’s top 100 storied brands lose 4.5 per cent of their intangible assets value as economic downturn weakens consumer demand: Hurun Report – SCMP
China aims to expand domestic demand, ensure speedy recovery – Reuters
China turns spotlight on digital economy in quest for ‘common prosperity’ under President Xi Jinping, national planning and data authorities said – SCMP: ‘a plan to expand the application of digital technology to support the development of China’s real economy.’
China identifies second set of public investment projects in CN¥1 trillion [€127b] spending plan – Reuters
China struggles to control data sales as companies shun official exchanges – FT
Chinese gaming stocks regain some ground as Beijing softens rhetoric – FT
AstraZeneca buys Chinese cancer therapy firm Gracell 亘喜 for US$1.2bn – The Guardian
China binnenland
CCP Central Committee holds symposium commemorating 130th anniversary of Máo Zédōng 毛泽东’s birth – Xinhua: ‘the advancement of Chinese modernization calls for the efforts of all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation in solidarity’
Dus inclusief Nederlanders van (geclaimde) Chinese komaf.
Symposium held to commemorate 130th anniversary of Comrade Máo Zédōng 毛泽东’s birth, Xí Jìnpíng 习近平 delivers important speech – Xinhua: ‘Cai Qi, while chairing the meeting, noted how affectionately General Secretary Xi, in his important speech, has looked back upon the great practices of Comrade Mao Zedong in leading China’s revolution and construction, and how he has recognized the monumental achievements Comrade Mao Zedong made for the Chinese nation and Chinese people.’
Chinese President Xí Jìnpíng 习近平 used a speech remembering Máo Zédōng 毛泽东 to push a framework the current leader rolled out recently to counter the West’s capitalist model – Bloomberg
Chinese mark Máo Zédōng 毛泽东’s birthday with Cultural Revolution-era chants – Nikkei Asia
China’s Christian groups told to ensure ‘strict’ oversight of religion as Communist Party controls tighten – SCMP: ‘as [Wang Huning] met Protestant religious leaders during their once in five years national congress in Beijing last week.’
‘Leaders of Christian groups “should adhere to the direction of sinicisation of Christianity” and “interpret the doctrines that conform to the development and progress requirements of contemporary China, the core values of socialism and the excellent traditional Chinese culture”, Wang said.’
A top Chinese political advisory votes to revoke the membership of three aerospace and defence industry executives, according to state broadcaster – Bloomberg ‘The CPPCC actions come as President Xi Jinping continues to overhaul the country’s military leadership.’
CCP releases revised regulations on Party disciplinary action – Xinhua
China’s top legislature to review draft amendment to Criminal Law targeting bribers – Xinhua
Opnieuw stuk van Chinese ruimteraket ongecontroleerd neergestort en ontploft vlak bij huis – VRT NWS
Northwest China cities halt heavy industries to curb pollution – Reuters
Men still being favoured over women for Chinese government jobs, study warns – SCMP
Escaping Xi’s China by paddleboard: ‘I rushed into the water and thought if they catch me, they catch me’ – The Observer: ‘Taiwan recently decriminalised arriving unlawfully to seek political asylum, but it has no refugee programme, and governments are sensitive to community fears about Chinese infiltration.’
Hong Kong en Macao
Kardinaal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun 陳日君 (91): de ‘wetteloze’ en ‘het geweten van Hongkong’ blijft trouw aan zichzelf – de Volkskrant: „Zijn taaiste strijd voerde hij in eigen gelederen, tegen krachten in het Vaticaan die verzoening tussen Rome en Beijing voorstonden.”
UK Home Office accused over ‘absurd’ rejections of Hong Kong asylum claims – The Guardian
China unveils plan to boost business environment in the Greater Bay Area – SCMP
Taiwan buitenland en defensie
China firmly opposes US signing into law national defence authorization act: spokesperson – Xinhua
Taiwan shares China cyberdefence insights with US and India – Taipei Times
Control Yuan finds military officers negligent with procurement – Taipei Times: ‘uncovered failures in oversight, breaches of acceptance testing, breaches of procurement contracts and possible unlawful conduct in failing to identify fake documents submitted by contractors to cover up parts sourced from China’
Indigenous drone Teng Yun 2 騰雲二型 breaks flight record – Taipei Times
Defence ministry opens drone contract bidding – Taipei Times
3 vermisten na ongeluk Taiwanese onderzeeboot – Marineschepen.nl
Rogue waves swept submarine sailors to sea, navy says – Taipei Times
President Tsai Ing-wen awards medal to ex-Japan Abe-era national security chief Kitamura Shigeru 北村滋 – Focus Taiwan
Taiwanese religious groups warned of China travel dangers – Taipei Times: ‘a I-Kuan Tao follower was imprisoned by China for carrying dozens of scriptures. Another Taiwanese was suppressed by Chinese authorities for promoting Kuanyin Buddhism (觀音法門) in China.’
Government asks public to postpone Cuba travel after Taiwanese denied entry – Focus Taiwan
Taiwan verkiezingen
The first nail-biter election of 2024: Taiwan – POLITICO Europe
Taiwan’s 2024 presidential candidates: Where they stand on key issues – Focus Taiwan
Whisky and the coal mining ‘shack’: Taiwan election is not only about China – Reuters
Taiwan elections: TikTok teams up with fact checkers to stop disinformation on site – SCMP
televisiedebatten 📺
2024 Elections: Presidential hopefuls debate energy and key visions – Taipei Times
KMT and DPP vice presidential candidates exchange fire over China – Focus Taiwan: ‘“Lai Ching-te is a terrorist (endangering) the peace of Taiwan,” Jaw [KMT] claimed, adding that Hsiao [DPP], who was previously Taiwan’s envoy to the United States, had been “picked by the U.S. to watch over Lai,” without providing evidence.’
‘Hsiao, on the other hand, said her KMT opponent kept blaming the DPP for cross-strait tensions without acknowledging China’s authoritarian expansion in recent years.’
Vice presidential candidates discuss policies and vision – Taipei Times
(il)legaal vastgoed 🏢
DPP and New Taipei City lock horns over Lai Ching-te 賴清德’s family home – Taipei Times: ‘Lai reiterated during a policy presentation last week that his old family home was one of the hundreds of renovated miners’ housing units built decades ago in New Taipei City’
Voor de oppositie is dit een teken van DPP-corruptie en -hypocrisie. In de pro-DPP krant Liberty Times benadrukte een opiniestuk juist dat in de arme mijnbouwgemeenschap waaruit Lai Ching-te voortkomt slechte, vaak illegale huisvesting meestal de enige keuze was – en dat het juist hypocriet is dat de illegale nederzettingen voor de minderheid van de cultureel bevoordeelde Vastelanders (de 眷村) nog altijd nostalgisch tempo-doeloe-achtig gevierd worden en dat de bewoners daarvan wél vaak met compensatie hergevestigd werden.
Hou Yu-ih 侯友宜 (KMT) campaign responds to rent gouging claims about family’s property – Taipei Times
Ko Wen-je 柯文哲 (TPP) to donate income from illegal parking lot to charity – Taipei Times
Ko Wen-je 柯文哲 (TPP) says will sue those alleging illegal waste under his land – Taipei Times
Deze controverses zijn een voorbeeld van de mutually assured destruction-logica die je vaker vindt in Taiwanese verkiezingscampagnes: na beschuldigingen aan het adres van de ene kandidaat riposteert men razendsnel met (vermeende) soortgelijke gevallen bij de andere(n).
strafrecht 🧑🏻⚖️
2024 Elections: Changhua officials arrest four for election gambling – Taipei Times
Pingtung Council speaker Chou Tien-lun 周典論 (KMT) detained in Terry Gou signature buying case – Focus Taiwan
KMT en onafhankelijke politici uit Pingtung demonstreerden tegen deze ‘politieke vervolging door de DPP’.
standpunten 📋
2024 Elections: Lai and Hou unveil projects, as Ko joins supporters’ march – Taipei Times
KMT advocates for ‘peace’ at major Taipei campaign rally – Focus Taiwan
No plans to bring in 100,000 Indian workers, says labour minister Hsu Ming-chun 許銘春 – Focus Taiwan: ‘Hsu’s statement came after KMT nominee Hou incorrectly cited Bloomberg News as reporting that an MOU had already been signed to bring in Indian migrant workers.’
Legislators should vote to consent on premier appointment, Ko Wen-je 柯文哲 (TPP) says – Taipei Times: ‘The government is run like a “dictatorship presidential system” or an “elected emperor system,” Ko said in an exclusive interview with Mirror Media magazine.’
Notes from Central Taiwan: A look at the Taiwan Statebuilding Party – Michael Turton for Taipei Times: ‘[The TSP] positions itself as a Taiwan-loyal alternative to the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).’
Major parties weak on gender equality, say women’s groups – Taipei Times
Taiwan binnenland en economie
Taiwan’s economy exiting slowdown, says National Development Council – Taipei Times
Taiwan’s smartphone shipments down over 3% year-on-year in third quarter – Taipei Times
Public pension revenue to rise 10.92% – Taipei Times
Raft of laws and regulations take effect next month – Taipei Times
Minimum Wage Act signed into law by President Tsai – Focus Taiwan
Furloughed workers to receive subsidies starting next year – Taipei Times