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Post by dustdevil28 on Jun 29, 2006 15:23:54 GMT -8
Taiwan Presient and hardline opponant to China, Chen Shui-Bian survived a recall attempt by the opposition leaders who seek to have him replaced who seek improve relations with China. TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) -- Taiwan's leader Chen Shui-bian has survived the island's first bid to recall a president, but the opposition-led campaign may have left him badly battered and less able to tackle pressing issues like the economy and relations with rival China.
Only 119 lawmakers in the 221-member Legislature voted for the measure -- far short of the two-thirds majority -- or 148 ballots -- needed to pass the motion. The ruling party boycotted the vote.
The recall controversy erupted last month when Chen's son-in-law, Chao Chien-min, was arrested on suspicion of insider trading. The first lady, Wu Shu-chen, has also been accused of illegal financial dealings, and the claims are being investigated.
www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/06/26/tariwan.president.ap/index.html |
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Post by Merceditas on Jun 29, 2006 19:42:41 GMT -8
I am not into Taiwanese politics. What does this mean, BB?
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Post by MrDoublel on Jun 29, 2006 23:23:32 GMT -8
The parliment tried to give him the boot but failed. If they suceeded they would have replaced him with someone with a friendlier attitude towards Mainland China...not a good thing. I think that, with Taiwans continued independance, it pressures the Chinese and gives the people inspiration to change their government.
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Post by dustdevil28 on Jun 30, 2006 9:47:42 GMT -8
I am not into Taiwanese politics. What does this mean, BB? President Chen is a outspoken opponant to any re-union with China. He maintains that Taiwan is it's own sperate nation apart from China. About half of the people of Taiwan support him and he barely won re-election as President. The other half are turned off by his hardline stance towards China and see that they would benifit more by establishing economic ties with Beijing. This survival of his is not going to do much for him. The opposition is split right now on what their next move is, but it's clear that Chen can't pass any legistlation he wants to put foward so they'll likley just bid their time until he's out of office. |
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Post by Merceditas on Jun 30, 2006 10:39:19 GMT -8
I am not into Taiwanese politics. What does this mean, BB? President Chen is a outspoken opponant to any re-union with China. He maintains that Taiwan is it's own sperate nation apart from China. About half of the people of Taiwan support him and he barely won re-election as President. The other half are turned off by his hardline stance towards China and see that they would benifit more by establishing economic ties with Beijing. This survival of his is not going to do much for him. The opposition is split right now on what their next move is, but it's clear that Chen can't pass any legistlation he wants to put foward so they'll likley just bid their time until he's out of office. Has the popular opinion in Taiwan changed? I thought most of the country did not want ties to China, or at least didn't used to. Do you think that they're thinking if they have economic ties to China they'll be better able to hold off Chinese desires of control of Taiwan? |
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Post by FightingFalcon on Jun 30, 2006 17:12:08 GMT -8
This is the way I've always heard it described....
The majority of people in Taiwan oppose any attempt by the PRC to establish direct control over the island.
At the same time, the majority reject President Chen's attempts to declare outright independence from the PRC, which he has tried to do in the past through popular referendum.
The people neither want to be a pawn of China or risk war with them.
I don't think the government of either nation can do much to stop economic ties between each other. Taiwan is a Capitalist economy and PRC becomes moreso every day. Even if people/corporations can't invest directly in the other country, I'm sure they find ways around it. Just like we do.
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Post by dustdevil28 on Jul 1, 2006 13:35:07 GMT -8
Has the popular opinion in Taiwan changed? I thought most of the country did not want ties to China, or at least didn't used to. James said it well enough. They definitly are against war with China and do not support Chen in that regard. Chen and his family are now being investigated on financial charges and that's what the opposition was trying to use to oust him. It's almost purley political. The businesses of Taiwan see that they could make a profit if they were allowed to do business with China and so they are all for economic ties. The politicians also see that the Taiwan would as a government benefit by establishing more ties with China. Throw that in with the fact that it's not as tabue to do business with China as it once was and the opposition can make a clear picture that Chen is the troublemaker in this instance. That's pretty much what it comes down to. Right now all they see is political posturing which is keeping them from being as wealthy as they could be, as far as holding of Chinese desire's, this goes back to what James pointed out, they don't want China in, but at the same time don't see any wisdom in pissing them off. |
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Post by Merceditas on Jul 3, 2006 21:42:01 GMT -8
Well this is educational. I've always been of the mind that the US govt never truly gave Taiwan the recognition it should have for fear of ticking China off. In my mind, it was like, we need to stand on principle and if China doesn't like it, tough shit. But then, I've never appreciated all the trade the US has done with China also.
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