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Rally Held to Commemorate One-Year Anniversary of Russian Invasion of Ukraine

A rally was held this afternoon at Liberty Plaza in Taipei to commemorate the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, organized by Taiwan Stands with Ukraine. The rally involved a number of Taiwanese and Ukrainian speakers, with interpretation in both English and Mandarin. Around 150 to 200 were present for the rally...

Paraguay Presidential Visit Repeats a Pattern Previously Seen with Honduras

A recent visit to Taiwan last week by Paraguayan president Mario Abdo Benitez saw Abdo emphasize that breaking ties between Taiwan and Paraguay would be a “historic mistake”. Namely, Paraguay is one of Taiwan’s 14 remaining diplomatic allies, and it's only South American ally. However, the Abdo visit takes place ahead of Paraguayan presidential elections in April, leading to questions about whether Abdo’s successor will switch recognition to China...

Cabinet Spokesperson Scandal Potentially Affects Future DPP Outlook

Cabinet spokesperson Chen Tsung-yen has resigned after reports that he traded his political influence for sexual favors during his time as head of the Tainan City Bureau of Civil Affairs. Chen had only held his post as cabinet spokesperson for 18 days, as a result of which he has been termed the shortest cabinet spokesperson in history. Despite resigning, Chen has denied wrongdoing. Chen’s resignation has since been approved by Premier Chen Chien-jen...

DPP Likely to be Affected by Corruption Scandals in Tainan

The Tainan city council speaker, Chiu Lili, and deputy city council speaker Lin Zhi-chan, were detained earlier this month by police under suspicion of corruption. Both are DPP politicians. Chiu was eventually released on 1.5 million NT bail, while Lin was released on 1.2 million NT bail, with Chiu asserting afterward that she respected the judiciary’s actions and apologizing for making supporters worry...

Cut Submarine Cables Between Taiwan and Matsu Raise Concerns About Chinese Interference

Two submarine cables connecting the Taiwanese mainland and the outlying island of Matsu, which constitutes Lienchiang county, have been reported to have been cut. Specifically, two wires, the No. 2 and No. 3 Taima submarine cables, were reported as having been cut. The No. 2 cable was cut by a Chinese fishing vessel, while No. 3 cable was cut by a Chinese freighter. In particular, the No. 2 Taima cable connects Dongyin Island to Tamsui in New Taipei, while the No. 3 Taima cable connects Nangan Island and Taoyuan...

Lisbeth Wu Case Sent Back to Taipei High Administrative Court

This past Friday, the Constitutional Court of the Judicial Yuan decided not to move forward with a constitutional interpretation for Lisbeth Wu’s case regarding regulations requiring proof of surgery to change one’s legal gender. The specific regulation under scrutiny is Ministry of Interior executive order #0970066240, which requires people assigned male at birth to surgically remove their penis and testis and people assigned female at birth to remove their breasts, uterus, and ovaries in order to change their legal gender. Over the past few days, people following Taiwan’s trans rights movement have attempted to make sense of the Constitutional Court’s decision to send Wu’s case back to the Taipei High Administrative Court...

Hsia Trip Results in Reaffirmation of 1992 Consensus

KMT vice chair Andrew Hsia once again traveled to China last week in order to meet with Chinese government officials. This included not only newly appointed Taiwan Affairs Office head Song Tao, who took office in December, but also CCP chief ideologist Wang Huning. Hsia has indicated in comments that the main portion of his trip is over, however, he will continue to travel around China to meet with Chinese businessmen in China...