Taiwan Cabinet survives a “no-confidence” vote

l  Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan (LY) voted on a no-confidence motion brought by the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) against Premier Sean Chen, which failed by a 46 to 66 count.

l  It was only the second time in the last 13 years that such a vote had taken place in Taiwan’s confrontational political environment. Since the no-confidence motion has failed, opposition legislators must wait a full year before they can bring another motion against the same premier.

When things economic become political

l  In a recent interview with Taiwan’s Global Views Magazine, Vice president of China’s Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS), Zheng Lichong, declared that “reasonable arrangements” can be worked out under the “one-China principle” if Taipei wishes to sign free trade agreements (FTAs) with other countries.

l  It was the first time that a ranking Chinese official responsible for cross-Strait affairs had identified and included the “one-China principle” in response to Taiwan’s ongoing efforts to become more economically integrated through bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations.

l  Furthermore, the introduction of non-economic considerations could signal a new beginning in China-Taiwan relations when “easy things are no longer easy”.....

Interested in subscribing ETRC reports and services?

Please contact us at: etrc.group@gmail.com

Taiwan steps up efforts to join the ICAO and the UNFCCC

l  After being fairly low-key in the last few years, Taiwan now plans to seek broader support from its allies at the upcoming meeting of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly for its bid to gain observer status in both the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

l  Though Taiwan’s international space has always been a government priority under both the KMT and DPP administrations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has kept a low profile in the annual gathering of the UN General Assembly in recent years.

l  However, things appear ready for a change this year as MOFA plans to ask the island’s 23 diplomatic allies to speak up for Taiwan's participation in these UN-affiliated organizations. A total of 18 allies spoke up for Taiwan’s international space last year, but no one is certain how many would do it again this year.

Interested in subscribing ETRC reports and services?

Please contact us at: etrc.group@gmail.com