Topic: Democratic Progressive Party

Global News Blog
In passport kerfuffle, Taiwan is stickin' it to China

Taiwan is fighting back with stickers after China issued passports showing ownership over the entire South China Sea.

Keep Calm
Malawi's Banda becomes Africa's third female head of state

Vice President Joyce Banda took over as Malawi's president on Saturday. Her first challenge: restoring relations with donor nations to the poverty stricken nation. 

Opinion: After free and fair Taiwan elections, democracy is still under China's siege

On Jan. 14, Taiwan re-elected President Ma in a resounding exercise of democracy. But without adjustments to his strategy toward a dominant China, Mr. Ma could leave a legacy of unacceptable options for his successors – and the Taiwanese people.

Taiwan and China to grow closer with Ma's reelection

The reelection of Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou heralds closer ties with China, leaving one less trouble spot in East Asia for the US.

Taiwan election sees China-friendly presidency continue

Taiwan election: President Ma Ying-jeou won re-election in the tight race.  Ma is expected to continue his China-friendly policies that have Beijing and Washington smiling, but some in Taiwan getting increasingly concerned about Taiwan's de facto independence.

Taiwan's top election issue: rich earn 6 times more than poor

Taiwan, one of the four Asian Tiger nations known for its economic growth, is about to elect a new president. Voters are most concerned with economic improvement.

Could Taiwan's relationship with China deteriorate after elections?

Taiwan votes for a president this week. As the US tries to improve ties with China without isolating Taiwan, sustaining an ongoing thaw in China-Taiwan relations could help.

Opinion: Taiwan elections: US must show respect for self-determination

As Taiwan presidential elections approach Jan. 14, the US has shown a preference for incumbent Ma Ying-jeou – who says he can work with China. The US should set aside wishful thinking about unification and respect the right of Taiwanese to decide their own future.

Bid for peace accord with China backfires on Taiwan's president

Democratic Taiwan supports closer trade and economic ties with China, analysts say, but many prefer the political status quo.

Opinion: Getting it right in the Taiwan Strait

Taiwan's first female presidential candidate, Tsai Ing-wen, is running a close race against incumbent Ma Ying-jeou. Her campaign shows that East Asia’s most besieged democracy has not been quashed by anti-democratic regression at home or by intimidation from China.

Despite threats, Malawi protesters rally against high prices, corruption

Like those in North Africa, nationwide protests in Malawi have been sparked by discontent over higher food and fuel prices, as well as concerns that the government is becoming increasingly authoritarian.

Outrage over WHO memo kicks off Taiwan presidential race

An internal World Health Organization note calling Taiwan part of China generated a splashy protest from Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou, who called it 'belittlement' of the island’s ever sensitive political status.

Taiwan softens anti-China stance with moderate presidential candidate

Taiwan's traditionally pro-independence party nominated Tsai Ing-wen, who favors working with China on economic issues, for president.

Oil refinery snub marks arrival of Taiwan's environmental movement

Taiwan has sidelined a proposal for a new factory that would have threatened endangered dolphins, signaling a new priority on environmental considerations.

Taiwan close to passing luxury tax in response to widening wealth gap

Taiwan's planned tax on everything from speculative real estate deals to yachts targets a politically volatile and growing wealth gap. Parliamentary and presidential elections are scheduled for early next year.

Taiwan opens sensitive high-tech investment with rival China

The investment deal points to deeper trust – and gains – between China and Taiwan.

Opinion: Tiananmen 2.0? Freedom is coming to China – one way or another.

China's fierce crackdown of sporadic protests in recent weeks shows that Communist leaders there are watching the Arab uprisings with great anxiety. China would be wise to stay ahead of events by rolling out political reforms.

Tunisian president vows to step down. But when?

Faced with unrelenting protests, Tunisian President Ben Ali today promised to increase freedoms, cut food prices, and not seek reelection after 23 years in power.

Taiwan press freedoms are eroding, critics say

For the past two years, Freedom House has downgraded Taiwan’s rating in its annual report on global press freedom. Critics say it's common for government propaganda to masquerade as 'news.'

Gains of Taiwan's anti-unification DPP could rattle relations with China

Taiwan's municipal elections have revived the fortunes of the DPP, which the US views with skepticism and Beijing dislikes for its past views on independence and sovereignty.

China, Taiwan to sign breakthrough trade deal

China and Taiwan are completing an agreement to increase bilateral trade. Taiwan's government says the trade deal will boost economic growth; the opposition party says it will erode sovereignty.

Taiwan's Chen gets life sentence for corruption

The former president will likely appeal the decision in what local media have dubbed the trial of the century.

Global News Blog
Dalai Lama's visit brings political tempest to Taiwan

The Tibetan leader said his visit to comfort typhoon survivors was purely humanitarian. But will his visit harm China-Taiwan ties?

World

Letters to the Editor

Readers write about bringing 'change' to America, how the media report on Taiwan, and the causes of a Liberian conflict.