Taiwanese authorities have started easing restrictions to live with the virus while the mainland is sticking to its zero-Covid playbook
Both approaches involve stress for the people trying to navigate the systems South China Morning Post
Tag: Taiwan
Taiwan not included in launch of new Biden Indo-Pacific pact
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed that Taiwan isn’t among the governments signed up for the launch of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, a pact that’s meant to allow the U.S. to work more closely with key Asian economies on issues like supply chains, digital trade, clean energy and anticorruption. AP
A new approach to defending Taiwan at the UN
Bowing to Chinese pressure for the fifth year in a row, the World Health Organization (WHO) is set to arbitrarily deny Taiwan’s request to attend the global health body’s annual agenda-setting meeting this month in Geneva. But, if the Biden administration and Congress are serious about undercutting Beijing’s campaign to delegitimize its democratic rival… The HIll
Can U.S. drone swarms thwart Xi Jinping’s sinister ambitions?
Simulations show swarms of networked drones decisive in defending Taiwan from Chinese invasion. ‘War Zone’ report stated swarms of networked, autonomous drones could be ‘decisive factors’ in repelling China. The U.S. Air Force been conducting war games in conjunction with independent organizations. Ex-U.S. official Ochmanek said Rand think tank held Taiwan-related wargame that included the use of a swarm of UAVs. Hindustan Times
Same-sex marriage support still up substantially since 2018
As Taiwan approaches the third anniversary of its legalization of same-sex marriage on May 24, support for the right of gay couples to wed has risen to 60.9 percent, still up substantially from four years earlier, according to the results of a new survey released Sunday. Focustaiwan.tw
| % | Same-sex Marriage Survey in Taiwan |
|---|---|
| 60.9 | Support for the right of gay couples to wed |
| 71 | Same-sex married couples should have the right to adopt children |
| 71.8 | Agreed that same-sex couples can raise children just as well as opposite-sex couples |
| 76.5 | Transgender people should dress in whatever way they feel comfortable at school or work |
| 89.4 | No problem with having a transgender coworker |
China decries ‘ulterior motives’ behind US support of Taiwan’s WHA inclusion
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) issued a press release citing Spokesperson Zhu Fenglian (朱鳳蓮) as saying the U.S. has ulterior motives for “making a deal out of” Taiwan’s lack of observer status in the WHA. She insisted that Taiwan’s participation in the body under the name “Chinese Taipei” from 2009-2016 was “a special arrangement” made under the one China principle and had not “set an example.” taiwannews.com.tw
Taiwan sees COVID surge last longer amid falling infection figures
For weeks, experts have predicted the daily number of infections would exceed 100,000, first around May 11 and later between May 20 and May 30. However, as the number fell two consecutive days after reaching a record 90,331 Thursday (May 19), the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said the trend was both a good and bad sign. taiwannews.com.tw
US Trade Chief Meets Taiwan Minister Despite China Warning
US trade chief Katherine Tai met Taiwanese Minister Without Portfolio John Deng to discuss opportunities to deepen the nations’ economic relationship in the same week China’s top diplomat warned Washington it’s heading down the “wrong road” with its support for the island. Bloomberg
US, Taiwan trade officials discuss deepening relations
The United States’ top trade official has renewed efforts to deepen economic relations with Taiwan in a meeting with her Taiwanese counterpart, as Joe Biden began his first visit to Asia since taking office amid increasing competition with China. Aljazeera
Majority of adults would take up arms if China invaded
More than half of the adults in Taiwan would be willing to take up arms if China attacked the country, a survey conducted and released by the Association of Chinese Elite Leadership (ACEL) suggested Friday. Focustaiwan.tv
Survey Results
61.4% Willing to take up arms to defend Taiwan
25.1% Would Not
The ACEL poll was conducted from May 18-, targeting individuals aged 20 or older.
The poll received 1,073 valid samples, with interviews conducted via telephone, and has a margin of error of 2.98 percent, with a 95 percent level of confidence.