Ma’s Right Hand Man Bows Out
National Security Council Secretary-General King Pu-tsung (金溥聰), President Ma Ying-jeou’s right hand man, quietly announced his resignation from public office. Does this signal how bad Ma’s ship has sunk?
Industry, Environment, Taiwan (KP31)
We speak with Prof. Wen-ling Tu of Citizens of the Earth Taiwan, on how Taiwan’s development has been skewed towards unregulated industrialization, and what are the most hopeful and worrying environmental trends for the next five to ten years.
Deadly Crash in Taipei Raises Concern for Airline, Airport Safety
A TransAsia Airways (復興航空) regional flight crashed into downtown Taipei minutes after it took off, killing 31. The accident raises new concerns for the airline’s safety records, and whether downtown Taipei’s airport should be relocated.
Straight-Talking Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je Takes on China
Taipei’s Mayor Ko Wen-je said that colonization made Taiwan’s culture more “advanced” than China’s, but many in Taiwan say that Ko’s straight-talking style is a breath of fresh air for Taiwan’s political scene.
Firefighters’ Death Raise Concern for Lack of Resources
Six young firefighters die in an explosion in Taiwan, and raises questions about long term personnel shortages and wasteful spending, as 19 firefighters have died in the line of duty in the past two years.