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AIT High Profile Announcement:
Taiwan, U.S. Coast Guard Vessels Sailed Together
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Taiwan and U.S. Coast Guard vessels sail side by side for the first time, jointly countering mainland China’s routine harassment in the Taiwan Strait. |
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Changing Coast Guard Standoff in Taiwan Strait
In the past, military cooperation between the United States and Taiwan was generally conducted discreetly because of the unofficial nature of U.S.-Taiwan relations and the complexities of U.S.-China relations. This time, however, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) deliberately posted a photograph on its official Facebook page showing U.S. and Taiwan coast guard vessels sailing together. The accompanying message stated: “We appreciate Taiwan’s partnership on maritime security and its continued meaningful contributions to global issues.” By using the deliberately ambiguous term “partnership,” Washington was conveying substantive support for Taiwan and signaling a form of coordinated defense cooperation.
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After leading a demonstration protesting toxic cooking oil, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an is again calling for a cabinet ouster but has received little response, testing his political prowess. |
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DPP's Protective Umbrella Amid Governance Incapacity
Shortly after mobilizing supporters for the July 25 protest against contaminated cooking oil, Mayor Chiang Wan-an of Taipei once again proposed a no-confidence vote against the premier. This time, however, the Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) did not rally behind his call.
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The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is handling the toxic oil crisis with a campaign mindset, shirking responsibility and igniting public anger. |
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DPP Faces Most Serious Food Safety Crisis in Decade
Since the carcinogenic cooking oil scandal involving excessive levels of benzo[a]pyrene erupted in early July—the most serious food safety crisis Taiwan has faced in recent years—the Lai administration’s responses to the public’s collective anxiety over health have exposed the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) most deeply rooted problem.
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A mainland Chinese vessel conducted a week-long survey in waters east of Taiwan, while Japan dispatched a ship to shadow it throughout. |
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July 27:
After 200,000 rallied to protest the carcinogenic oil food safety scandal, Mayor Chiang Wan-an of Taipei called for a cabinet resignation: Premier Cho Jung-tai’s stepping down would fulfill the principle of political accountability and ease the present political deadlock. Chiang also named Mayor Chen Chi-mai of Kaohsiung as a suitable successor. |
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July 27:
The Legislative Yuan reviewed draft bills on unmanned vehicles, with 14 vastly different versions submitted by ruling and opposition parties. Although the first reading was formally completed, no consensus was reached on any provisions, and all articles were reserved for further negotiation. |
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July 27:
A mainland Chinese scientific research vessel conducted a week-long fisheries resource survey in mid-July in waters east of Taiwan. The Global Times claimed Taiwan’s eastern waters are China’s traditional fishing grounds. The report noted that during the survey, military aircraft from a certain country circled overhead, while Japan’s Coast Guard dispatched patrol ships to monitor. |
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July 28:
The American Institute in Taiwan posted footage on Facebook showing U.S. and Taiwan coast guard ships sailing in formation, highlighting close coordination on multiple maritime objectives. Minister Kuan Bi-ling of the Ocean Affairs Council stated that the United States fully understands that Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration is the sole law enforcement authority in Taiwan’s waters. |
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July 29:
Two red pandas transferred from Shanghai Zoo to Taipei Zoo were unveiled, but the main members of the accompanying Shanghai delegation were barred by the Mainland Affairs Council on suspicion of “united front” activities. In response, Mayor Chiang asked what animal exchanges have to do with political propaganda. |
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July 29:
The Taiwan Affairs Office of mainland China’s State Council announced that mainland airlines resumed or added four cross-strait direct flight routes in July, with passenger load factors reaching as high as 97 percent. It again urged Taiwan to lift what it called unreasonable restrictions on cross-strait direct flights. |
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July 30:
Morocco abruptly suspended visa applications by Taiwanese citizens. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded that, based on the principle of reciprocity, visa applications from Moroccan nationals to Taiwan would also be suspended, except for special approvals. |
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July 30:
The Ministry of the Interior will petition the Constitutional Court to dissolve the Chinese Unification Promotion Party, citing its cooperation with Communist China in developing organizations in Taiwan, cross-border suppression, and members violating the National Security Act. This marks the first case in which the Ministry has asked the Constitutional Court to declare a political party dissolved. |
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