Headline News

 

U.S. and EU express concern about Taiwan’s elections in January

 

The United States is concerned by China’s attempts to influence Taiwan’s upcoming presidential and legislative elections. “As to the elections, of course, we are aware that China is attempting to apply pressure through various means on Taiwan, and it is an attempt to influence Taiwan’s democratic process,” said U.S. Representative Brent Christensen of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT).

 

Christensen added that the U.S. believes that “malign actors” are using disinformation campaigns to make Taiwanese people lose faith in democratic institutions, but that the U.S. has confidence that the elections will be judged free, fair and credible by the people of Taiwan.

 

The European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee approved on 04 December a resolution on its annual foreign and security policy, part of it highlighted the committee’s concerns over Taiwan’s elections on 11 January, 2020.

 

The Committee notes that “foreign interferences from autocratic regimes through disinformation and cyber-attacks on the upcoming general elections threaten Asian democracies and regional stability.”

 

President Tsai welcomes signing of the Hong Kong Human Rights Act

 

President Tsai Ing-wen welcomes United States President Trump’s signing of the Hong Kong Human Rights Act that supports democracy and autonomy in Hong Kong.

 

“The legislation gives encouragement to Hong Kong people and lets them know they are not alone in their quest for freedom and democracy,” Tsai is quoted in a media interview.

 

NGO: Taiwan only country in Asia for civic freedoms

 

Taiwan emerged as the only truly open country in Asia for activities of civic movements, according to a report by human rights organizations Civicus and Forum-Asia.

 

At the presentation of the annual Civicus Monitor report “People Power Under Attack,” Civicus officials described Taiwan as an example of countries where the government listened to protesters, and as a refuge for victims of persecution from other countries.

 

The human rights body categorized 196 countries according to their level of basic freedoms, such as freedom of the press and of speech.

 

Economy & Culture

 

EU envoy eyeing more Taiwanese investment

 

EU envoy Filip Grzegorzewski, who took office in September, says that his top priorities are to make the EU more visible in Taiwan and to encourage more Taiwanese investment to the bloc.

 

The European Economic and Trade Office (EETO) director in Taiwan says that he hopes to increase the profile of the EU in Taiwan, particularly to further introduce Europe as an “excellent” investment destination. Moreover, stronger bilateral trade ties would pave the way for a bilateral investment agreement that would definitely be very useful for EU-Taiwan relations.

 

“Taiwan is an indispensable part of international relations,” said Grzegorzewski, adding that it is in the EU’s interest for Taiwan to remain stable, predictable, safe and secure.

 

Keelung harbor receives European EcoPort certification

 

 

Keelung harbor on Taiwan’s north coast received the EcoPort certification from the European Sea Ports Organization (ESPO), being the only Asian port on the ESPO list.

 

The transformation of a warehouse into an environmentally friendly building and plans for an ecosystem park zone were cited as reasons for Keelung continued inclusion for the third year in a row on the ESPO list.

 

 

 

Wishing Our Readers a Merry Christmas and Happy 2020