Internal disagreement within the New Power Party over whether or not to work with the DPP became increasingly public over time, eventually leading to a number of major changes that rocked the party this summer.
Prague’s switch from Beijing to Taipei was a surprise to many, even though controversies surrounding China’s engagements with the Czech Republic and the changes in Czech local politics long indicated a change of course.
While Chinese political warfare aims to corrode democratic institutions in Taiwan and create opportunities which can be exploited, much of its raison d’être is also attributable to the need for the Chinese Communist Party to convince the Chinese public that things are moving in the right direction—despite all the evidence to the contrary.
Taiwan does not always get to host international sporting events due to its diplomatic status and pressure from China, but last month’s Copa America Taiwan was marked by a spirit of global goodwill as 18 teams from 13 countries competed in a series of hotly contested matches.
Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) held a rally for local legislator candidates in Taipei’s Da’an Park on Friday evening following a tumultuous couple of weeks in Taiwan politics in the run up to January’s presidential election. The event, Taiwan Rock, seemed aimed at attracting young voters with its innovative format and sharply focused one-word message: Vote.
Once RCEP is formally established in 2020, Taiwan’s exclusion from RCEP will likely impact the island’s competitiveness and trade and investment with RCEP countries.