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Latest Poll: 53.2% Do Not Support
Sacrificing Lives to Resist China
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A poll shows that nearly 60 percent in Taiwan support resuming cross-strait negotiations and exchanges, favoring “peace to avoid war” over arms purchases and military buildup. |
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60％ Believe Easing Cross-Strait Exchanges More Beneficial to Taiwan Security
The latest October 23 poll released by My Formosa E-Newsletter posed questions on cross-strait issue. When asked, “Which of the following approaches do you think can better maintain Taiwan’s security and avoid a cross-strait war?”, 58.3 percent said “resuming cross-strait government negotiations and relaxing civil exchanges,” while 28.2 percent chose “increasing the national defense budget annually to purchase more arms.”
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Kuomintang (KMT) Chair-elect Cheng Li-wun advocates restoring cross-strait dialogue and actively promotes the “1992 Consensus” as a counter measure to President Lai Ching-te’s anti-China stance. |
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New KMT Chairwoman's Stance is Reshaping Taiwan’s Politics
After being elected chairwoman of the Kuomintang (KMT), former Legislator Cheng Li-wun immediately reaffirmed the “1992 Consensus” and her opposition to Taiwan independence, while expressing her willingness to visit mainland China and meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Her position continues the line once advocated by former President Ma Ying-jeou, clearly distancing herself from the KMT’s long-dominant “establishment faction,” which has avoided mentioning the “1992 Consensus” or engaging with cross-strait issues. Ms. Cheng aims to return the KMT to a position of strategic clarity—openly acknowledging cross-strait political realities and replacing ambiguity with rational dialogue. This shift marks the KMT’s transition from “tactical defense” to “proactive engagement,” forcing the party—and society—to confront a long-ignored question: How explicit a “One China” position can Taiwan truly accept?
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Delays in the Hai Kun indigenous submarine project have sparked public dissatisfaction, with critic accusing the government of merely chanting slogans like “resist China to protect Taiwan” without delivering real combat capability. |
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Hai Kun Submarine Project Delays Expose Deeper National Security Concerns
If Taiwan truly intends to defend itself, then not a single dollar of its defense budget should be wasted. This principle ought to be a consensus among all political parties and administrations. Yet regrettably, over the past nine years, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration has, on one hand, waved the banner of “resisting China to protect Taiwan,” escalating the spiral of cross-strait hostility; while on the other hand, it has expanded the defense budget without effectively translating military spending into actual combat capability.
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Starting next year, public school teachers traveling to mainland China must file prior notification. Those who fail to report may face up to two major demerits in a single instance, resulting in dismissal. |
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October 19:
Cheng Li-wun was elected chair of the Kuomintang (KMT). General Secretary Xi Jinping of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) sent a congratulatory message, expressing hope that both parties would uphold their shared political foundation and advance national unification. Cheng replied with thanks, stating that based on the mutual political foundation of the 1992 Consensus and opposition to Taiwan independence, the KMT and CCP should strengthen cross-strait exchanges and cooperation to promote peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. |
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October 20:
The Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee of the Legislative Yuan held a briefing on Taiwan’s indigenous submarine project. Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo admitted that in other countries, the first domestically built submarine typically takes over seven years, while Tiawan had optimistically set a five-year timeline. The prototype vessel, Hai Kun, faces significant challenges to complete testing and be delivered by November. The Taiwan Shipbuilding Corporation stated that safety is the priority, and it hopes to deliver the vessel by early next year at the latest. |
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October 21:
In a recent interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim mentioned that Taiwan’s investment in the United States goes beyond the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and includes the entire technology ecosystem, intensifying public concern over tech outflow. Minister Yeh Chun-hsien of the National Development Council admitted during a legislative session that he was unaware of the details until media reports surfaced. He clarified that the supply chain is being “replicated” in the United States, not “cut off” and moved abroad, emphasizing a significant difference in nature. |
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October 21:
A new poll by the Taiwan Public Opinion Foundation (TPOF) shows that President Lai Ching-te’s approval ratings remain low, with only 34.9 percent of respondents supporting his handling of national affairs, while 53 percent disapprove. Of those who approve, three-quarters are Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) supporters. Most opposition party supporters and neutral voters oppose Lai, which the TPOF describes as an unhealthy political phenomenon. Separately, a cross-strait survey by My Formosa E-Newsletter found in October that 53.2 percent of respondents do not support sacrificing lives to resist China, while only 40.8 percent do. Regarding the best way to safeguard Taiwan’s security, 58.3 percent favor resuming government-level negotiations and easing civilian exchanges across the strait. |
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October 22:
Taiwan reported its first domestic case of African swine fever. Authorities fear infected pigs may have already entered the market. The Ministry of Agriculture announced preventive culling measures and launched bans on transport, slaughter, and the use of kitchen waste for pig feed. |
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October 22:
A resolution may be near for the land dispute involving NVIDIA Constellation’s entry into Taipei. Shin Kong Life Insurance’s interim board approved a proposal to terminate land-use rights contract if the Taipei City Government agrees to refund the associated costs. This would allow NVIDIA to proceed with its plans. The Taipei City Government stated that it will immediately initiate contract termination and urban planning adjustments. |
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October 23:
Retired Army Lieutenant General Kao An-kuo was found guilty of accepting funding from Communist China to build an armed organization in Taiwan and plot to overthrow the government. He allegedly promised to act as an internal agent to assist the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in attacking Taiwan. This marks the highest-ranking retired officer ever convicted of espionage for mainland China. The High Court sentenced him to seven years and six months in prison and confiscated his illicit gains under the National Security Act. |
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October 24:
Following its revision in September of regulations for civil servants traveling to Hong Kong and Macau, the Mainland Affairs Council quietly updated its website to expand the scope to include school-based civil servants. This includes personnel from public university presidents to public elementary school administrative teachers. All must obtain permission before traveling to mainland China and report their reasons and itinerary upon return. Serious violations will result in two major demerits and dismissal. The new rules take effect July 1 next year. |
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