Chen to hold summit with South Pacific leaders

The China Post - President Chen Shui-bian left for the Marshall Islands Thursday night for the second Taiwan-South Pacific island leaders summit. Full Story

ROC-U.S. ties will be smoothed: envoy

The China Post - Republic of China Representative to the United States Joseph Wu predicted Tuesday that the differences between Taiwan and the U.S. will eventually be resolved. Full Story

Firms invited to invest in Dominican Republic

The China Post - Visiting Dominican Republic Vice President Rafael Alburquerque made an appeal yesterday for more Taiwanese companies to invest in his country once the country's science park is completed. Full Story

Medical aid team departs for the Solomon Islands

The China Post - A medical team organized by the government-run Hsinchu General Hospital (HSGH) took a flight Monday for the Solomon Islands, where it is to remain for 15 months for medical aid services. Full Story

Taiwan fund to sponsor poor children in Vietnam

The China Post - The Taiwan Fund for Children and Families said Monday that it has decided to sponsor 1,000 children in an impoverished village of northern Vietnam. Full Story

Taiwan diabolo dance troupe popular in United States

The China Post - The Diabolo Dance Theater of Taiwan won the hearts of its audience in New Jersey this weekend over the course of its 90-minute performance of a dance drama, titled "Heart of the Ocean" which features a combination of diabolo stunts, dances, music, drama and stage special effects. Full Story

Kuomintang Vice Presidential candidate in San Francisco

The China Post - Main opposition Kuomintang Vice Presidential Candidate Vincent Siew arrived in San Francisco Saturday from Washington D. C -- ending the first leg of his 12-day tour to North America. Full Story

Government denies United States pressure on pork imports

The China Post - Two government spokesmen denied yesterday that the United States has brought pressure to bear on Taiwan to import American ractopamine-laced pork. Full Story

Local groups rally for movement in Myanmar

The China Post - Some 200 members from several civic groups held a parade in downtown Taipei City yesterday amid heavy rains and strong winds triggered by Typhoon Krosa to show their support for the democracy movement in Myanmar on the Global Day of Action for Myanmar. Full Story

Panama first lady thanks Taiwan for donations

The China Post - Panama's first lady Vivian Fernandez de Torrijos expressed gratitude on behalf of Panamanian President Martin Torrijos at a donation ceremony Thursday for Taiwan's donations and assistance in building bamboo houses, schools and providing medical aid to the Central American country. Full Story

Kuomintang vice presidential candidate Siew visits United States Congress

The China Post - The opposition Kuomintang's vice presidential candidate, Vincent Siew, visited the U.S. Congress on the first day of his visit to America, with an aim of strengthening bilateral relations, the party's representative in Washington, D.C. said Wednesday. Full Story

Academic says peace a priority in unification of Germany

The China Post - The most important aspect that the experience of German unification might offer Taiwan is that there was not a single incident of bloodshed, a visiting German professor said yesterday in Taipei. Full Story

Taipei celebrates the 'opening of heaven'

The China Post - Over 400 members and friends of the international community joined the Korean Mission in Taipei yesterday on the occasion of Korea's National Foundation Day. Full Story

House votes to continue arms sales to Taiwan

The China Post - The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a resolution declaring that the United States would continue to provide Taiwan weapons for its defense. Full Story

MOFA: Chen to visit to Marshall Islands in October

The China Post - President Chen Shui-bian will take a direct flight to the Marshall Islands in October for a meeting with his counterparts from Taiwan's six diplomatic allies in the South Pacific region, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said yesterday. Full Story

Japan officials hint at WWII textbook change

The China Post - Japanese officials hinted Tuesday the government will support changing school history textbooks to reinstate references to forced mass civilian suicides during World War II, following a huge protest last week. Full Story

Plan to boycott Taiwan United Nations Day 'unacceptable'

The China Post - Opposition lawmakers' boycott of a Cabinet proposal to designate Oct. 24 as "Taiwan United Nations Day" is "unacceptable," Executive Yuan spokesman Shieh Jhy-wei said yesterday. Full Story

Nicaraguan Foreign Minister invited for National Day

The China Post - Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Samuel Santos has been invited to visit Taiwan to attend the country's Double Ten National Day celebrations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) sources said yesterday. Full Story

Taiwan has to wait on request to buy United States F-16 jet fighters

The China Post - Taiwan has to wait on its request to buy 66 F-16C/D jet fighters from the United States, a daily news letter said here Friday. Full Story

Scholars debate Taiwan's United Nations bid

The China Post - Views on the implication of Taiwan's U.N. membership bid and the U.S. position on President Chen Shui-bian's determination to hold a referendum on the issue were shared by pro-independence law and politics professors in a forum Saturday. Full Story

China denounces Taiwan's United Nations vote

The China Post - China's foreign minister warned the U.N. General Assembly on Friday that Taiwan's push to assert a separate identity would "gravely endanger peace and stability" in the region if it does not stop. Full Story

Chen condemns Myanmar over crackdown on protests

The China Post - President Chen Shui-bian condemned Myanmar's ruling junta Friday for its brutal crackdown on peaceful civilian protesters. Full Story

European School celebrates Oktoberfest

The China Post - It was time to roll out the barrel at the Taipei European School's annual Oktoberfest bash. Festival-goers enjoyed excellent weather, and the event -- the third of its kind -- once again brought together families and friends from not only TES, but also the international community at large. The mood was upbeat, the sense of community strong. Full Story

Human Resources: single biggest resource constraint

The China Post - "Labor migration has not been this easy since at least the 1880s and 1890s," said Peter Siderman, managing director of the Adecco Institute in London at an AmCham Human Resources Committee breakfast yesterday. "Today, with budget airlines, it is possible to live in Barcelona but work in London or fly from Liverpool to Bologna, Italy for the weekend." Full Story

Social responsibility not possible without profits

The China Post - "There is a lot of talk about corporate social responsibility," said Maurice Marwood, managing director of Capital Machinery Ltd. "If, however, a company is not first making a profit, we are all out of business, and you are out of a job." Marwood addressed his comments to a gathering of AmCham executives during his presentation on "The Ethics and Morality of Business," at the Sheraton Hotel, yesterday. Full Story

Asia alarmed about instability in Myanmar

The China Post - Asia reacted in alarm on Thursday after soldiers in Myanmar brutally cracked down on anti-government protests, with countries urging restraint and wringing their hands about instability in the region. But they seemed reluctant to join the United States and Europe in pressing the United Nations Security Council to impose sanctions on military-ruled Myanmar. Full Story

European parliament urges Russia, China to condemn Myanmar

The China Post - The European parliament on Thursday called on Russia and China to stop blocking the U.N. Security Council from condemning the violent repression of peaceful protests in Myanmar. Full Story

Russia warns against others deploying weapons in space

The China Post - Russia's Space forces chief said Thursday that the nation would have to retaliate if others deploy weapons in space -- a stern warning to the United States. Full Story

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises ROC citizens against visiting Myanmar

The China Post - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) advised the country's citizens yesterday not to visit Myanmar for the time being, amid a violent crackdown on protests against military rule in the Southeast Asian nation. Full Story

Rice defends United States stance on global warming

The China Post - U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice challenged the world's biggest polluters Thursday to cut dependence on by shifting toward energy sources that reduce global warming without harming their economies. Full Story

United States envoy hopes for North Korea nuclear road map

The China Post - U.S. envoy Christopher Hill said talks on disarming North Korea which opened Thursday could produce a road map for declaring and disabling its nuclear programs as early as this weekend. Full Story

China princeling sees exit from Taiwan impasse

The China Post - An outspoken economist close to China's ruling elite has proposed a rival referendum on the mainland should self-ruled Taiwan go ahead with a vote on U.N. membership Beijing says would be a grab for formal independence. Full Story

DPP hopeful meets AIT director Stephen Young

The China Post - Frank Hsieh, Democratic Progressive Party candidate for president, met American Institute in Taiwan director Stephen Young at his campaign office yesterday. Full Story

55 percent of American people support Taiwan United Nations bid: Chen

The China Post - Some 55 percent of American people have shown their support for Taiwan's bid to join the United Nations and the percentage would shoot up to 70 percent if Taiwan passes a national referendum on the U.N. bid, President Chen Shui-bian said in an interview published in the German weekly Spiegel yesterday. Full Story

Ministry of Foreign Affairs expects steady progress in ties with Japan

The China Post - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) looks forward to steady progress in relations between Taiwan and Japan after the new Japanese prime minister assumes office later this month, an official said yesterday. Full Story

United Nations assembly rebuffs fresh bid for Taiwan membership

The China Post - The United Nations rebuffed on Friday what appeared to be Taiwan's final attempt of the year to have its long-standing quest for membership considered by the General Assembly. Full Story

Chen to attend summit of Taiwan-South Pacific leaders

The China Post - President Chen Shui-bian will visit the Marshall Islands next month to attend the Taiwan-South Pacific leaders' summit scheduled to take place Oct. 12, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said yesterday. Full Story

ECCT gala ball: A night of haute couture

The China Post - Evening gowns and black tie were de rigueur at the ECCT's 2007 Gala Ball. Themed ¡§The Devil Wears¡K,¡¨ the glittering event was held in the grand ballroom of Taipei's Grand Formosa Regent Hotel. Full Story

Taiwan launches trade offensive in Nicaragua

The China Post - A delegation of Taiwanese government and business officials were in Nicaragua for a business mission on Thursday as part of a trade offensive by the island among its allies in Central America. Full Story

Tu vows to increase volunteer programs

The China Post - Minister Tu Cheng-sheng of the Ministry of Education (MOE) vowed on Friday to increase Taiwan international cooperation while he welcomed back 27 groups of university students who joined volunteer programs in Asia and Africa in August. Next year, Tu promised to allocate NT$9 million for international volunteer programs, up from NT$4.6 million this year. Full Story

NCCU to begin exchanges with U. of Delhi in 2008

The China Post - The Taipei-based National Chengchi University (NCCU) will begin student exchanges with the University of Delhi next September after the two signed an agreement in August, establishing sisterhood relations, a spokesman for the NCCU said yesterday. Full Story

Belgian Trade Office welcomes new deputy-director in Taipei

The China Post - Officials from the Belgian Trade Office (BTO) yesterday organized a welcome party for Alain Van Bever, the new deputy-director of the BTO. Van Bever is an experienced diplomat with more than 10 diplomatic postings in Africa, South America and the Middle East. But Taiwan will be his first experience in Asia. Full Story

AIT offices to close Tuesday for holiday

The China Post - All offices of the American Institute in Taiwan will be closed on Tuesday, in observance of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Full Story

Taiwan vows to continue United Nations bid efforts: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The China Post -- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) officials expressed their regrets yesterday at the exclusion of Taiwan's U.N. membership bid from the agenda of the 62nd session of the General Assembly. Full Story

Kuomintang vice presidential candidate to visit Americas

The China Post -- Opposition Kuomintang (KMT) Vice Presidential Candidate Vincent Siew will depart for the United States in early October to increase American understanding of the party's policies on cross-Taiwan Strait trade and diplomacy, his aides said Thursday. Full Story

Taiwan's 15th annual bid to join United Nations rejected

The China Post - The United Nations on Wednesday blocked Taiwan's quest for membership in the world body for the 15th consecutive year, diplomats said. Full Story

Vice President Lu adamant about 'legality' of United Nations bid

The China Post - Vice President Annette Lu dismissed yesterday U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's claim that "it was not legally possible" to consider Taiwan's membership application based on U.N. Resolution 2758. Lu reaffirmed the validity of the country's bid for U.N. membership under the name Taiwan. Full Story

Minister hopes for diploma recognition with France

The China Post - Education Minister Tu Cheng-sheng expressed hope Wednesday that Taiwan and France will sign an agreement on mutually recognizing each others' higher education diplomas to strengthen bilateral academic cooperation. Full Story

Alert on water supply and mudslides

The China Post - Government officials yesterday maintained an alert over the water supply and possible mudslides, though Typhoon Wipha has left Taiwan to continue its way toward southeastern China via the Taiwan Strait. Full Story

Veggie prices up slightly in wake of typhoon

The China Post - Vegetable prices went up slightly in traditional markets yesterday as Typhoon Wipha skirted northern Taiwan, bringing strong winds and heavy rain. Full Story

Police seize counterfeit sportswear and kites

The China Post - Police authorities have seized a large quantity of counterfeit brand-name sports garments and cartoon kites during several raids in the southern city of Tainan and the northern county of Taipei in the past few days, police sources said yesterday. Full Story

15 five-star hotels' moon cakes improperly marked

The China Post - A report published yesterday by the Consumers' Foundation (CF) cited 15 five-star hotels in Taiwan for inadequate labels on the boxes of moon cakes sold this Mid-Autumn Festival season. Nutritional facts, contact information, and refund information were among the missing items. Full Story

Brown shrikes massacred in south Taiwan

The China Post - The county of Pingtung may have turned itself into a killing field of brown shrikes. An endangered species, the brown shrike migrates from China to winter in Taiwan. Full Story

Tzu Chi offers medical aid to quake victims in Indonesia

The China Post - A disaster relief team from the Taiwan-based Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation has arrived to provide medical aid in the earthquake-affected Kota Agung Hamlet in Bengkulu Province, Indonesia, a spokesman of the foundation said yesterday. Full Story

Six debt collectors rounded up for usury

The China Post - Police rounded up six debt collectors in Taichung for usury yesterday. Only two of the suspects were identified. They were Huang Chih-kuo, 48, and Hsieh Chieh-shen, 47, both of Taichung. Full Story

Miaoli man tries to kill his two daughters, self

The China Post - A man in Miaoli County fed his two daughters and himself excessive doses of sleeping pills and attempted to commit suicide by burning charcoal inside his residence. Full Story

College student conned out of NT$200,000

The China Post - A vocational college student was conned out of some NT$200,000 by a fraud ring after finding a date on an internet dating web site. Full Story

Suspect in karaoke bar shooting arrested

The China Post - A suspect in a karaoke bar shooting in Shulin on Aug. 5 was arrested in Hsinchu yesterday, agents of the Criminal Investigation Bureau said. Full Story

Sudden 'decline' in gangsters due to criteria change

The China Post - The Ministry of the Interior (MOI) released yesterday the gangster figures for this year, and found that 610 people qualified yesterday as "serious" or "average gangsters," down from 1156 in 2006. However, the MOI clarified that the sudden decline in number of gangsters was due to the fact that carrying firearms is no longer considered "gangster criteria." Full Story

University helps Gambia train high-tech personnel

The China Post - National Taipei University of Technology (NTUT) in Taipei City has opened courses on electronic engineering and computer science for students from Gambia to help cultivate the west African ally's high-tech personnel, an NTUT spokesman said yesterday. Full Story

Bar service race to be staged in Taipei

The China Post - A bar service race, touted as the first of its kind in Taiwan, will be staged in Taipei on Sept. 27, according to organizers. Full Story

Changhua magistrate promotes eel consumption

The China Post - Changhua County Magistrate Cho Po-yuan encouraged the public to purchase eels raised in the central Taiwan county of Changhua at a news conference yesterday, where he hosted an eel banquet to promote the fare. Full Story

Int'l student culinary contest opens in Taipei

The China Post - The 2007 International Secondary Schools Culinary Challenge (ISSCC) contest has opened in Taipei, with high school students from 10 cities competing in the annual event, organizers said. Full Story

Government Information Office head represents 'Taiwan' not 'ROC'

The China Post - Minister Shieh Jhy-wei of the Government Information Office (GIO) said yesterday that he represented Taiwan's democracy and sovereignty, during his recent trip to New York in support of the government's bid to join the United Nations. Full Story

Growing pressure from China on Taiwan United Uations bid: KMT aide

The China Post - China has intensified its drive to counteract a plan by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to call a referendum on the country's bid to join the United Nations under the name Taiwan, a main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) official said yesterday. Full Story

Mass rallies held in Kaohsiung, Taichung

The China Post - Opposing political camps yesterday held massive rallies separately in central and southern Taiwan to promote their own campaigns for the nation to gain a seat in the United Nations. Full Story

Shanghai holds air raid drill with eye on Taiwan

The China Post - Shanghai, a city which Taiwan has threatened to bombard in the event of conflict, held a major air raid drill Saturday, a sign that China still views war as possible with the self-ruled island it claims as its own. Full Story

The United States business group faults Bush on ROC F-16 delay

The China Post - A U.S. business group accused the Bush administration Friday of jeopardizing Taiwan's security by stalling a potential US$4.9 billion deal for 66 advanced Lockheed Martin Corp. F-16 fighter jets. Full Story

The Democratic Progressive Party, Kuomintang motivations for United Nations rallies differ

The China Post - There exist different motivations behind the mass rallies staged yesterday by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the opposition Kuomintang to demand Taiwan's right to join the United Nations, according to observers. Full Story

President Chen stays the course on Taiwan's United Nations bid

The China Post - President Chen Shui-bian yesterday reiterated that the government's proposed referendum on Taiwan's U.N. bid has nothing to do with changing the country's official title or violates his "four noes" promises to the United States. Full Story

The Democratic Progressive Party chief urges supporters to back new constitution and title

The China Post - Ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairman Yu Shyi-kun appealed yesterday to supporters of the planned U.N. referendum to back Taiwan's new constitution and new national title, and establish the "Taiwan Republic." Full Story

Civic groups blast referendums on bid for United Nations membership

The China Post - As the ruling and opposition parties held large rallies in central and southern Taiwan Saturday to drum up support for the nation's membership in the United Nations, several civic groups voiced opposition to the move that same day. Full Story

Ex-premier forms group to 'rekindle passion'

The China Post - A civic group initiated by former Premier Tang Fei was launched Saturday with the aim of "rekindling the passion of Taiwan's voters." Full Story

Delegation sent to cement ties with Caribbean allies

The China Post - Taiwan will send a delegation to visit three Caribbean allies to cement ties as China is wooing them to drop Taipei and recognize Beijing, the foreign ministry said on Friday. Full Story

Central America celebrates independence

The China Post - Members and friends of the Central American community in Taiwan yesterday joined El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua in celebrating their 186th anniversary of independence. Full Story

Japan to recognize Taiwan licenses

The China Post - Holders of a Taiwanese driver's license will be able to legally drive in Japan soon, Vice Foreign Minister Yang Tzu-pao announced yesterday. Full Story

Taiwan not going to boycott '08 Olympics: The Mainland Affairs Council

The China Post - Taiwan has no plans to boycott the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing despite the country's disagreement with China over the issue of the torch relay, a Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) official said yesterday. Full Story

New passport fees to vary according to expiry dates

The China Post - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will charge different passport application fees according to the validity period of the new "electronic passports" slated to be launched in 2008, MOFA spokesman David Wang said yesterday. Full Story

The U.S.-Taiwan Business Council head worried about United States-Taiwan ties

The China Post - The relationship between Taiwan and the U.S. is slipping further into a malaise while the triangular U.S.-China-Taiwan relationship is expected to continue to deteriorate well past the end of Chen Shui-bian's presidency, according to Rupert J. Hammond-Chambers, president of the U.S.-Taiwan Business Council (UTBC) based in the U.S. Full Story

Taiwan says exclusion from the World Health Organization sparks health risks

The China Post - Taiwan said Friday that its exclusion from the World Health Organization (WHO) prevents it from fully taking part in the international efforts against infectious diseases, which could provoke a major health risk. Full Story

Chen: Blocking United Nations bid 'a step backward'

The China Post - President Chen Shui-bian yesterday encouraged members of the European Parliament to stand up in defense of the universal values of freedom, democracy, human rights, peace and justice, and denounce U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's interpretation of Taiwan sovereignty, during a videoconference between the Presidential Office in Taipei and the European Parliament in Brussels. Full Story

Chen urged to change United Nations vote date

The China Post - Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) Chairman Huang Kun-huei urged President Chen Shui-bian yesterday to hold a national affairs conference to decide a proper and separate date for his planned referendum on Taiwan's bid for United Nations membership instead of bundling the referendum with the 2008 presidential election. Full Story

Report warns about over-reliance on the United States

The China Post - Taiwan's over-reliance on U.S. military protection and its increasingly aggressive call for independence could drag America into a catastrophic war with China, argued a policy analysis report issued by the Cato Institute. Full Story

Ma blasts Chen over United Nations referendum for 'troubles'

The China Post - Opposition presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou yesterday said the United States has given a series of solemn and grave warnings to President Chen Shui-bian on his proposed referendum on a bid to join the U.N. under the name of Taiwan. Full Story

Civic group departs for protest in New York

The China Post - The U.N. for Taiwan Alliance (TAIUNA) announced yesterday that an 80-person delegation would soon depart to New York to join a planned protest on Taiwan's bid for U.N. membership to be held on Saturday. Full Story

Security stepped up for upcoming United Nations rallies

The China Post - Police officials said that some 1,000 officers will be mobilized to maintain order for rallies both for and against a referendum on Taiwan's return to the United Nations, slated to take place across the island tomorrow. Full Story

Vietnam protests Taiwan plan for Spratly airstrip

The China Post - Vietnam has protested Taiwan's reported plan to build an airstrip on one of the disputed Spratly islands, the communist government said in a statement seen Thursday. Full Story

Mandarin Airlines to open Kaohsiung-Okinawa route

The China Post - Mandarin Airlines, a subsidiary of Taiwan's largest carrier,China Airlines, will launch regular chartered flights between the southern port city of Kaohsiung and Okinawa City from Sept. 14, a spokesman for the company said yesterday. Full Story

Buddhist group sends aid to Indonesia's quake-hit region

The China Post - A Taiwan medical relief group yesterday rushed aid and a medical team to Indonesia's Sumatra island where a magnitude-8.4 quake has left at least 9 people dead and dozens injured. Full Story

Taiwan seeking to attract more Singapore tourists

The China Post - A tourism delegation organized by the Taiwan Visitors Association (TVA) will take part in a Singapore international travel fair to attract more tourists from the Southeast Asian country. Full Story

United States won't recognize 'Taiwan,' official says

The China Post - The United States does not recognize Taiwan as an independent state and considers Taipei's recent call for a referendum on its U.N. bid a "needlessly provocative" step toward changing its status quo, a senior U.S. State Department official said Tuesday. Full Story

DPP refuses to stop promoting United Nations bid

The China Post - The government yesterday said it will not give up the bid to join the United Nations under the name "Taiwan," although a senior U.S. official called the move "needlessly provocative." Full Story

Ma 'unsurprised' with United States opposition to bid

The China Post - Kuomintang presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou yesterday said he was not surprised that a senior U.S. State Department official gave a long talk detailing the reasons behind Washington's opposition to President Chen Shui-bian's proposed referendum on Taiwan's U.N. bid. Full Story

Eye on Taiwan, Shanghai plans air raid drill

The China Post - China is to hold a major air raid drill in Shanghai, the likely target of Taiwan missiles in the event of conflict, a sign the country's leadership still views war as a possibility with the island it claims as its own. Full Story

Chen's 3rd letter to United Nations also returned

The China Post - Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said yesterday that President Chen Shui-bian's third letter to the United Nations (U.N.) authorities would also be returned to Taiwan, based on the same interpretation of U.N. General Assembly resolution 2758. Full Story

Freedom House condemns United States for opposing Taiwan's United Nations bid

The China Post - Freedom House, a U.S.-based human rights group, criticized the United States on Monday for opposing Taiwan's plan to hold a referendum on whether the island should join the United Nations. Full Story

Taiwan has 'urgent' need to buy United States F-16s

The China Post - Taiwan has an "urgent and legitimate" need to buy F-16 jet fighters from the United States, visiting ROC Deputy National Defense Minister Ko Cheng-heng said Monday. Full Story

Education head to attend Norway education seminar

The China Post - Education Minister Tu Cheng-sheng, who is currently on a visit to Europe, will lead a delegation to attend an annual conference of the European Association for International Education (EAIE), slated to take place in Trondheim, Norway, Sept. 12-15, an education official said Tuesday. Full Story

Taiwan must become independent: Chen

The China Post - President Chen Shui-bian formally declared yesterday that Taiwan must become an independent and normal nation, change its national name, draw up a new constitution, join the United Nations, and hold referendums in line with democratic values. Full Story

Referendums to be held alongside elections: Chen

The China Post - President Chen Shui-bian said yesterday that a referendum on retrieving the ill-gotten assets of the opposition Kuomintang will be held alongside the legislative elections slated for Jan. 12 next year. Full Story

Mayor Hsu attends Asia Pacific Cities Summit

The China Post - Mayor Hsu Tain-tsair, on the second day of his visit to Australia, attended the first day of the 2007 Asia Pacific Cities Summit (APCS), hosted by the city of Brisbane, Australia. The Aug. 31 meeting focused on "Projects for Business Opportunities," and Mayor Hsu was invited to present a specific report. Full Story

Taiwan donates US$350,000 to Nicaragua for disaster aid

The China Post - Taiwan has donated US$350,000 for disaster relief to Nicaragua, one of its diplomatic allies in Central America, which was lashed by a hurricane Sept. 4, according to an announcement by Nicaragua's Foreign Ministry Saturday. Full Story

Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders pledge political will

The China Post - Pacific Rim leaders on Sunday pledged political will and flexibility to rescue faltering global trade talks, after forging an agreement to curb climate change they hope will influence a new global strategy on the problem. Full Story

Key outcomes from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation talks

The China Post - Here are the key points from two special statements and the final declaration issued by the 21 leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. Full Story

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders call for study on prospects for a free trade zone

The China Post - Asia-Pacific leaders Sunday called for a study on the prospects for a free trade zone stretching from China to Chile, seen by some as an alternative in case the current round of global trade talks fail. Full Story

India to stay outside Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation til 2010

The China Post - India and around 10 other countries will remain excluded from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum for at least three years, Australian Prime Minister John Howard announced Sunday. Full Story

United States, Russia to host APEC in 2011 and 2012

The China Post - The United States will host the 2011 APEC summit and Russia will take on the prestigious role in 2012, Australian Prime Minister John Howard announced Sunday at the end of this year's gathering. Full Story

New Taiwan envoy You arrives in Germany

The China Post - Taiwan's new representative in Germany, You Ching, arrived in Berlin Saturday to assume his post. Full Story

St. Lucian Prime Minister's passing shouldn't affect Taiwan ties

The China Post - Diplomatic relations between the Republic and China and Saint Lucia are not expected to be affected by the death of St. Lucian Prime Minister John Compton, Minister of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) James Huang said yesterday. Full Story

The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation heads forge climate change deal

The China Post - Pacific Rim leaders agreed Saturday to curb global warming by improving energy use and expanding forests, laying out a plan they hope will influence future climate change talks but that critics dismissed as too timid. Full Story

China, Taiwan can find common ground: Shih

The China Post - Rivals and long-time enemies Taiwan and China can find "common ground" as long as leaders on both sides "sit down and speak sincerely," the island's chief delegate said at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit Friday. Full Story

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation attire: Brown coats, with Aussie flash

The China Post - Brown coats. Displaying varying degrees of comfort, Pacific Rim leaders emerged from beneath the stunning architecture of the Sydney Opera House on Saturday to answer one of the most-asked questions of their annual summit: What will they wear at their group photo? Full Story

Taiwan rep visits new site for Pentagon Memorial

The China Post - Taiwan's representative to the United States, Joseph Wu, visited the construction site for the Pentagon Memorial in Washington, D.C. at the invitation of the U.S. Defense Department Friday, an official from Taiwan's representative office said. Full Story

St. Lucia's Prime Minister John Compton dies at 82

The China Post - Prime Minister John Compton, who guided his tiny Caribbean island to independence from Britain and infuriated China by restoring ties with Taiwan, has died, a member of his Cabinet said. He was 82. Full Story

Taiwan's envoy Shih arrives in Australia for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit

The China Post - Taiwan's delegate to the 2007 informal leadership summit of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum arrived in Sydney, Australia Friday for the annual gathering. Full Story

Bush, Putin engage Asia nations at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit

The China Post - President George W. Bush prepared for an Asia-Pacific summit in Australia, saying on Friday the United States would consider a peace treaty with North Korea if it gave up nuclear arms. Full Story

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders aim to ban 'grease' payments to curb corruption

The China Post - Asia-Pacific leaders will fire a shot in the battle against corruption at their weekend summit, endorsing a code of conduct banning companies from paying bribes to speed up deals or making dubious political contributions. Full Story

China, not United States, opposing referendum: Chen

The China Post - President Chen Shui-bian, in an apparent attempt to avoid alienating Taipei from Washington, claimed yesterday that it is China, not the United States, that is the enemy of Taiwan in opposing the island's bid to join the United Nations. Full Story

United Nations bid won't change 'status quo'

The China Post - The Mainland Affairs Council yesterday claimed that Taipei's bid to join the United Nations is not an attempt to "unilaterally" change Taiwan's status quo, which it redefined as the island's "long isolation" from the international community. Full Story

President Chen wants high-level security dialogue with U.S. resumed

The China Post - President Chen Shui-bian said yesterday that a dialogue mechanism for high-level national security officials between Taiwan and the United States has been disrupted for some time and that he hopes it will be resumed. Full Story

AIT co-organizes forum on media responsibility

The China Post - The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) will today co-organize a forum on media responsibility in a democratic society to discuss issues and challenges facing media organizations. Full Story

Chen blasts China for blocking United Nations bid

The China post - President Chen Shui-bian said again yesterday that Taiwan and China are "one side, one nation," stressing this is exactly the status quo in the Taiwan Strait area. Full Story

United States, China join forces to warn Taiwan over bid

The China post - In an unusual diplomatic two-step, the U.S. and Chinese presidents Thursday set aside their differences on Taiwan and put pressure on the island to drop plans for a referendum on UN membership. Full Story

Chen to lead candidates on Sept. 15 referendum march

The China post - President Chen Shui-bian is determined to lead a Sept. 15 march in Kaohsiung with his party's presidential candidate and running mate by his side, in order to drum up support for the two candidates and a referendum initiative for Taiwan's membership in the United Nations. Full Story

Economy can handle higher rates: The Minister of Economic Affairs

The China post - Taiwan's economy, which grew faster than expected last quarter, may be able to withstand higher interest rates, Minister of Economic Affairs Chen Ruey-long said. Full Story

Economy can handle higher rates: The Minister of Economic Affairs

The China post - Taiwan's economy, which grew faster than expected last quarter, may be able to withstand higher interest rates, Minister of Economic Affairs Chen Ruey-long said. Full Story

Arroyo urges APEC to address climate change, alleviate poverty

The China post - The Philippine president urged an annual summit of Asia-Pacific leaders Thursday to push forward on trade liberalization, address climate change and help lift up the world's poor. Full Story

Former United States official criticizes National Security Council's Wilder over United Nations bid

The China post - A former U.S. State Department official and one of the drafters of the Taiwan Relations Act yesterday criticized U.S. National Security Council (nsc) Senior Director for Asian Affairs Dennis Wilder's remarks last week that "Taiwan, or the Republic of China, is not at this point a state in the international community." Full Story

Taiwan to hold summit with African allies

The China post - Taiwan is to hold its first African summit this weekend to cement ties and counter rival China's diplomatic push in the region, the president's office announced Thursday. Full Story

Malawi to maintain ties with Taiwan

The China post - Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika said on Thursday that his country will maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Full Story

TAITRA signs pact with Japan's Fukuoka government

The China post - The Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) has signed an agreement with the Fukuoka prefectural government to promote mutual exchanges and cooperation on agriculture, tourism and the IC design industry, a senior TAITRA official said yesterday. Full Story

Bush backs Australia on Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation climate deal

The China Post - Developing nations said a Pacific Rim summit is no place to discuss details about global warming even as host Australia and the United States urged them Wednesday to accept a reater role in halting climate change. Full Story

APEC FTA plan gets cautious welcome

The China Post - Japan and other Asia-Pacific countries on Wednesday expressed reservations over a U.S. proposal to create a vast free-trade zone involving 21 Pacific basin economies. Full Story

President Chen's envoy low-key before Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meet

The China Post - Stan Shih, President Chen Shui-bian's envoy for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' summit, said yesterday that he would not address directly political issues during the meetings unless he was asked, because of the forum's economic nature. Full Story

Association voices opposition to planned United Nations referendum

The China Post - Members of the "Alliance to oppose the referendum on joining the U.N." staged a protest yesterday in front of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) central party office. They also presented a protest letter on the subject to a representative from the party at the building's entrance. Full Story

Paraguay president to visit Taiwan in October

The China Post - President Nicanor Duarte Frutos of Paraguay, Taiwan's only diplomatic ally in South America, will depart for Taiwan Oct. 5 for an official visit, Paraguay's La Nacion new spaper reported yesterday. Full Story

Supporters of Taiwan United Nations bid protest in front of United States institute

The China Post - Supporters and members of the "U.N. for Taiwan" alliance staged a protest yesterday in front of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) to decry what they called "Washington's interference in Taiwan's future." Full Story

Ministry of Foreign Affairs bracing for upcoming Bush-Hu meet

The China Post - Taipei will monitor closely the upcoming meeting between U.S. President George W. Bush and Chinese President Hu Jintao on the issue of Taiwan's planned referendum on entering the United Nations, Minister James Huang of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), said yesterday. Full Story

Australia claims 'cautious' progress at Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation

The China Post - Australia claimed cautious progress Tuesday on persuading Pacific Rim countries to agree on a global warming strategy, warning the issue was a threat to the region's booming economies that its leaders could not ignore. Full Story

Pan-blues owe the people an apology: Chen

The China Post - President Chen Shui-bian said yesterday the opposition "pan-blue alliance" owes the Taiwanese people an apology for attempting to block the country's first referendum three years ago. Full Story

Perng offers 2nd apology to Honduran CBH head

The China Post - Taipei-based Central Bank of China (CBC) Governor Perng Fai-nan has offered a second written apology to his Honduran counterpart for being absent from a luncheon party in June this year, according to a press release issued yesterday by the CBC. Full Story

Economics minister in talks with Australia

The China Post - Minister of Economic Affairs Steve R.L. Chen met for talks Tuesday with Australian Minister for Trade Warren Truss on the sidelines of the ongoing ministerial meeting of the Asia Pacific Cooperation forum in Sydney, Australia. Full Story

Japan to brief about fingerprinting policy

The China Post - The Japanese government plans to dispatch officials to four Asian countries and areas, including Taiwan, later this month to brief the public about the imminent implementation of a fingerprinting policy at gateways to Japan, a Japanese daily reported yesterday. Full Story

United Nations bid a serious mission: Chen

The China Post - President Chen Shui-bian said yesterday that the efforts of his administration and ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to seek membership at the United Nations are a painstaking yet serious mission that requires wholehearted support of the country's compatriots. Full Story

United States urged to respect Taiwan democracy, people

The China Post - The U.S. helped make Taiwan a democratic country and it is now time for the U.S. to respect Taiwan's democracy and the will of its people, academics said in a seminar Saturday. Full Story

Anti-United States sentiment worries scholars

The China Post - A series of harsh criticism and strong opposition toward Taiwan's planned U.N. referendum from high-ranking U.S. officials recently could stir up even more anti-U.S. sentiment in Taiwan, academics said in a seminar Saturday. Full Story

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged to lodge protest against France over humiliation

The China Post - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) was urged yesterday to lodge a protest against France over an incident in which two Taiwan citizens were stripped, searched and detained for two days simply because they were holding two different kinds of Taiwanese passports. Full Story

The Mainland Affairs Council says it respects Olympic torch route

The China Post - The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said it respects the Olympic torch relay route proposed by the Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee amid continuing negotiations between Taiwan and mainland China on bringing the torch to Taiwan ahead of next year's Olympic Games. Full Story

Yao Ming's visit OK'd by Mainland Affairs Council, China

The China Post - Mainland China's NBA basketball star Yao Ming will visit Taiwan next Friday to Sunday to participate in a public benefit event, following the approval by by mainland authorities and the Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), the Chinese Taipei Basketball Association announced yesterday. Full Story

The Vietnam Economic and Cultural Office celebrates 62nd National Day

The China Post - Vietnam Economic and Cultural Office (VECO) in Taipei hosted a reception yesterday to celebrate the 62nd National Day Anniversary of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam with foreign dignitaries, business leaders and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Chang Siao-yue in attendance. Full Story

CPC signs oil-exploring deal with Libya's NOC

The China Post - Taiwan's Chinese Petroleum Corp. (CPC) and the Libyan National Oil Co. (NOC) have signed a production-sharing and exploration agreement to tap a Libyan oilfield. Full Story

Tripoli, the capital of Libya

The China Post - Tripoli, or Tarabalus Al-Gharb, meaning "Tripoli of the West" in Arabic, is the major city and de facto capital of Libya. Full Story

Oil makes up Libya's major export earnings

The China Post - The Libyan economy depends primarily upon revenues from the oil sector, which contributes practically all export earnings and about one-quarter of the gross domestic product (GDP). These oil revenues and a small population give Libya one of the highest per capita GDPs in Africa, but little of this income flows down to the lower orders of society. Full Story

Malaysia's Golden Jubilee is celebrated with pride and joy

The China Post - Malaysians are celebrating their 50th anniversary of independence this year, and they are celebrating it with style. A countdown to the Aug. 31 National Day at Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur, a light show afterwards, and a National Day parade in the morning of Aug. 31 are part of a lineup of festive events by which Malaysians commemorate this important occasion. Full Story

Malaysian economy at its strongest position in a decade

The China Post - A decade after the financial crisis, the Malaysian economy including the financial system is at its strongest position. Malaysia has greater economic flexibility to shift to new areas of growth and thus sustain the development momentum. Economic growth has been achieved with relative price stability, low unemployment and strong external balances. Full Story

Agriculture as Malaysia's engine of economic growth

The China Post - As Malaysia's engine of growth, the agriculture sector will become a major stimulant for the economy, creating employment, bringing in more foreign revenue and enhance the nation's food security. New emphasis has been placed on agriculture because many farmers, livestock breeders and fishermen in the country totaling some 1 million are still poor and lagging in many amenities and facilities. Full Story

Iskandar Development Region to achieve great prosperity

The China Post - The Iskandar Development Region (IDR) which was officially launched by His Royal Highness the Sultan of Johor on the 4 November, 2006 is set to become Southern Peninsular Malaysia's most developed region, where living, entertainment, environment and business seamlessly converge within a bustling and vibrant metropolis. Full Story

Biotech propels Malaysia's growth

The China Post - The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation of Malaysia (MOSTI) has recognized the importance of biotechnology as one of the key drivers of the country's development, now and for the future. Biotechnology will not only drive improvements in the quality life of Malaysians, it will also propel the creation of knowledge and innovation in the country, crucial elements in our quest to climb up to a higher value-added stage of development. Full Story

Malaysia: Center for education excellence

The China Post - The Malaysian education system encompasses education beginning from pre-school to university. Pre-tertiary education (pre-school to secondary education) is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education (MOE) while the tertiary or higher education is the responsibility of the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE). The vision of the Government is to make Malaysia a centre of educational excellence. Full Story

Tourism in Malaysia

The China Post - The formation of the Tourism Development Corporation (TDC) in 1972 and placing it under the purview of the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MITI) for strategic planning and focus charted a new era in the history of the tourism industry. Full Story

Islamic finance in Malaysia

The China Post - Malaysia is well regarded by the international financial community as one of the leading Islamic financial centers. Concerted efforts by the Government and industry players are undertaken to enhance this position and continue developing and nurturing Islamic banking and finance. Full Story

American Institute in Taiwan offices to close on Sept. 3 for holiday

The China Post - All offices of the American Institute in Taiwan will be closed on Monday, Sept. 3 in observance of the U.S. Labor Day. Full Story

Palau accuses Taiwan boat of shark mutilation

The China Post - Taiwanese fishing boat had nearly 100 shark carcasses and some 650 shark fins on board when it was stopped in waters off Palau, which has a strict ban on shark fishing, officials said Thursday. Full Story

Democratic Progressive Party responds to United States criticism of United Nations bid

The China Post - The ruling Democratic Progressive Party and its lawmakers yesterday criticized the United States for voicing opposition to President Chen Shui-bian's plan to hold a referendum on Taiwan's U.N. bid. Full Story

Chen worries about United States' China 'slant'

The China Post - President Chen Shui-bian yesterday expressed the worry that Washington is slanting towards Beijing, as he reiterated Taipei's determination to hold a referendum on Taiwan's bid to become a U.N. member. Full Story

Nicaragua supports United Nations effort: Chen

The China Post - President Chen Shui-bian said Tuesday Nicaragua is supportive of Taiwan's bid to join the United Nations under the name Taiwan, despite the absence of any public statement of such a stance by the Central American country. Full Story

Government Information Office to start accepting bids for use of its United Nations logo

The China Post - The Government Information Office (GIO) will start accepting applications for use of its logo bearing the image of a whale in a tank symbolizing Taiwan's desire to join the United Nations, in an effort to better promote the government's U.N. bid, a GIO official said yesterday. Full Story

Mayors to address Asia-Pacific Cities Summit

The China Post - Two mayors and a deputy mayor from Taiwan will attend the 2007 Asia-Pacific Cities Summit in Brisbane, Australia, from Aug. 31 to Sept. 3. Full Story

Taiwan to hold first summit with African allies

The China Post - The government will hold the first leadership summit with its African diplomatic allies in Taipei Sept. 9, in which President Chen Shui-bian will share Taiwan's various successful experiences with his African counterparts, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said yesterday. Full Story

Tainan mayor returns from tour of California sister cities

The China Post - Tainan City Mayor Hsu Tain-Tsair visited the City of San Jose, California Aug. 12-17 for the 30th anniversary of the formation of Tainan-San Jose sisterhood ties and Tainan's first sister city, Monterey, and reported on the achievements of his visit at a recent press conference. Full Story

Only four Chinese approved to buy real estate in Taiwan since 2002

The China Post - The reason so few applications have been approved is that Beijing not only imposes strict measures controling its foreign exchange reserves but has also been reluctant to list Taiwan as a place where its citizens can purchase real estate. Full Story

Taiwan's foreign aid projects are not dollar diplomacy: Chen Shui-bian

The China Post - An official of the Presidential Office has defended the US$305 million in direct loans to diplomatic ally Honduras, stressing it is humanitarian aid and not dollar diplomacy. Full Story

El Salvador endorses Taiwan's United Nations entry

The China Post - El Salvador offered its endorsement Wednesday of a motion supporting Taiwan's U.N. membership that was submitted to the world body last week, bringing to 16 the number of allies endorsing the motion. Full Story

U.S. defends transit rules for Taiwan's president

The China Post - The U.S. government has arranged for President Chen Shui-bian's latest transit stops in the United States according to its longstanding policy and practice, a U.S. State Department official said Wednesday. Washington has refused to allow Chen to stop over in major U.S. cities other than Anchorage, Alaska for his latest visit to Central America. Washington also reportedly refused to allow Chen to stay overnight during the transit stops. Full Story