Former Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou visits Harbin aiming to ‘build bridge of peace’

Former Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou visits Harbin aiming to ‘build bridge of peace’

Former Taiwanese leader Ma Ying-jeou has begun a nine-day trip to mainland China – his third in two years – amid accusations from pro-independence voices that he is compromising the self-ruled island’s interests. Ma’s delegation, which includes a group of Taiwanese university students, was greeted by municipal officials and well-wishers at the airport when they … Read more

Cross-strait exchanges under pressure by Taiwan’s ruling DPP

Cross-strait exchanges under pressure by Taiwan’s ruling DPP

A push by Taiwan’s main opposition party to improve cross-strait relations is coming under pressure from the island’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). The annual Taipei-Shanghai Twin City Forum – set for Tuesday – hangs in the balance as Taipei mayor Wayne Chiang Wan-an faces growing demands to cancel the event if Beijing continues to … Read more

Former Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou plans third visit to mainland China in 2 years

Former Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou plans third visit to mainland China in 2 years

Former Taiwanese leader Ma Ying-jeou will visit mainland China later this month, his third visit in the past two years, in another push to promote people-to-people exchanges amid elevated cross-strait tensions. Ma will lead a delegation of Taiwanese youth to visit the cities of Harbin in the northeast and Chengdu in the southwest on a … Read more

Taiwanese political heavyweight proposes new cross-strait framework

Taiwanese political heavyweight proposes new cross-strait framework

Former Taiwanese legislative speaker Wang Jin-pyng, a political heavyweight from the main opposition Kuomintang party, has proposed a new cross-strait framework that he says aims to reduce tensions and promote peace. Wang’s concept of “separate governance without division” seeks to establish a situation where Taiwan and mainland China can coexist while maintaining separate governance, yet … Read more

In mainland China, Taiwanese books wait in limbo as censors bolster publishing barriers

In mainland China, Taiwanese books wait in limbo as censors bolster publishing barriers

In August 2018, Taiwanese writer Lung Ying-tai’s collection of essays – mostly about her love for her mother – was published in mainland China. It became a bestseller. Lung, who served as Taiwan’s minister of culture from 2012 to 2014, sold nearly 300,000 copies of her book in mainland China – an astonishing figure for … Read more

People’s Daily accuses Taiwan’s William Lai of pushing independence narrative

People’s Daily accuses Taiwan’s William Lai of pushing independence narrative

The People’s Daily published a commentary on Thursday that vowed to uproot the “historical narrative of Taiwan independence” – a narrative it said has been pushed by Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te. The warning came after Lai used the Friday anniversary of Taiwan’s return to China from imperial Japan after World War II to commemorate … Read more

Beijing hails cross-strait policies as Taiwanese visitor numbers, residence bids surge

Beijing hails cross-strait policies as Taiwanese visitor numbers, residence bids surge

Close to 300 million Taiwanese have travelled to mainland China for tourism, studies and jobs this year, according to official data from Beijing. Analysts said the surge was driven by a combination of favourable policies and economic opportunities aimed at fostering deeper ties across the Taiwan Strait. Nearly 994,000 Taiwan compatriot permits – or Mainland … Read more

Taiwan’s Tsai Ing-wen to strengthen Europe ties in first overseas trip since stepping down

Taiwan’s Tsai Ing-wen to strengthen Europe ties in first overseas trip since stepping down

Former Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen will leave on a trip to the Czech Republic and two other European countries this week as part of an eight-day visit to reinforce the island’s ties with Europe, despite likely objections from Beijing. Tsai will depart on Saturday for her first overseas trip since leaving office. The visit was … Read more

Stars’ National Day messages for mainland China spark cross-strait controversy

Stars’ National Day messages for mainland China spark cross-strait controversy

Congratulatory National Day messages from two Taiwanese stars famous for their past criticisms of Beijing’s policies have caused controversy on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Wu Kang-ren – who won best actor prize at last year’s Golden Horse film awards for his role in Abang Adik – marked the 75th anniversary of the People’s … Read more

Taiwan revives ROC red, white and blue for Double Tenth day as DPP loses legislative sway

Taiwan revives ROC red, white and blue for Double Tenth day as DPP loses legislative sway

The logo for the island’s official events and publicity materials is in red, white and blue, the colours of its flag, and features a red plum blossom, the symbol of the Republic of China (ROC), the island’s official title. Double Tenth Day, celebrated on October 10, commemorates the start of the 1911 revolution that led … Read more