Taiwanese pro-independence activist Yang Chih-yuan arrested in China

2022-08-04

Chinese authorities on Wednesday arrested Taiwanese pro-independence activist Yang Chih-yuan. Yang is accused of separatism and endangering China’s national security. Yang is a vocal pro-independence activist, founder of the Taiwanese National Party. Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council says it has not yet been notified of Yang’s arrest by Chinese authorities, asking China to explain the situation immediately.

The same day that U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sat with Taiwan’s president, Chinese authorities in the city of Wenzhou on Wednesday arrested Taiwanese pro-independence activist Yang Chih-yuan.

32-year-old Yang is a Taichung native and a graduate of National Chung Hsing University’s Department of History. In 2019, he joined the legislative electoral race, representing the now-defunct pro-independence Taiwan Action Party Alliance. He is also one of the founders of the Taiwanese National Party. Yang has been active in social activism, student protests and was a vocal critic of the KMT’s 2020 presidential candidate Han Kuo-yu.

China’s security agency says that Yang had long advocated for an independence referendum, and had promoted pro-independence ideas. Though Chinese authorities say Yang will be punished according to Chinese law, Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council says it has not yet received any official notice from across the strait. The council criticized the CCP’s use of national security as a pretense to detain Taiwanese people, saying that it strongly opposed such moves. The council condemned the arrest, saying that China should fully explain the situation immediately.

Chen Yi-chi
Taiwan Statebuilding Party chair
The CCP does not dare lay a finger on the U.S. So the only thing they can do is try to intimidate Taiwan. This arrest is a threat to so-called “Pro-Taiwan activists” or more broadly, anyone they deem a Taiwan independence activist.

The chair of the Taiwan Statebuilding Party says he’s concerned that Yang’s arrest could have similarities with the arrest of pro-democracy activist Lee Ming-che five years ago. He says that China is using the arrest as a warning of worse things to come, showing just how hegemonic and dictatorial the regime across the strait can be.

李明哲翻版? 楊智淵遭控"分裂國家"浙江上銬

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中國浙江國安局，在裴洛西訪台時，宣布逮捕台獨分子楊智淵，指控他涉嫌國家分裂活動、危害國家安全。32歲的楊智淵，曾經代表一邊一國行動黨選立委，也積極參與社會，但這次被抓，陸委會卻沒有接獲中方通報，除了抗議，也要求中國要立刻完整說明。

中國溫州國安局，在裴洛西訪台當天，宣布逮捕一名台獨分子楊智淵。

32歲的楊智淵是台中人，中興大學歷史系畢業，2019年曾代表一邊一國行動黨選立委，也創立台灣民族黨，積極參與社運、學運，還嗆過韓國瑜。

台獨立場鮮明，楊智淵被中國國安局指控，大肆鼓噪公投建國，高調推行急獨路線，將依法嚴懲，但陸委會表示，沒有接獲中方通報，痛批中共動輒以國家安全為由，拘禁台灣民眾，我方絕對反對並表達嚴正抗議，中方應即刻完整說明。

[[台灣基進黨主席陳奕齊]]
“中共因為不敢對美國出手，所以他們只能來恫嚇台灣。對台灣這些所謂台派份子，或是他廣義的台獨分子，其實是一種恐嚇。”

陳奕齊擔憂楊智淵成為李明哲翻版，中國意圖殺雞儆猴的作為，只是更凸顯了獨裁與霸權。

China fires missiles multiple Dongfeng missiles to waters northeast and southwest of Taiwan

China on Thursday noon launched a series of live-fire military drills in six maritime areas around Taiwan. The drills included the launching of Dongfeng missiles to areas in the northeast and southwest of Taiwan. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense says it was ready for any emergencies, readying aircraft in many areas of Taiwan, including the rarely-used Hengchun Airport in Pingtung.

A missile rips through the skies, releasing a loud roar. China’s People’s Liberation Army is conducting live-fire drills near Taiwan’s coasts. This is China’s Pingtan County, the closest Chinese municipality from Taiwan proper at just 140 kilometers from Hsinchu. Here, the PLA has seemingly launched rockets from PHL-16 long-range multiple rocket launchers to disrupt Taiwan’s patrolling vessels and aircraft along the median line of the Taiwan Strait.

China on Thursday noon kicked off a series of live-fire military drills in six maritime regions near Taiwan. One is located in the median line of the Taiwan Strait near China’s Pingtan. The others are off the coasts of Taiwan’s Keelung, Yilan and Hualien, and in the Bashi Channel near Pingtung and Kaohsiung. The drills are scheduled to end on Sunday. Reports say a seventh drill area could be added in the east, and that the exercises may be extended by another 20 hours to 10 a.m. on Aug. 8.

Voice of Meng Xiangqing
CCTV
In the past, Taiwan has repeatedly emphasized the so-called median line dividing the Taiwan Strait. We’ve said there has never been this so-called median line. If you connect the six sites with a single line, then Taiwan would harp on about its 12 nautical miles of territorial waters. What 12 nautical miles does Taiwan have?

Lu Li-shih
Military expert
Actually the PLA’s real goal is the fourth area. For all the other areas, they can fire missiles directly. Whether cruise missiles or ballistic missiles, or even rockets, they can all reach the other areas. But for the fourth area, the missile would have to fly over the Central Mountain Range.

And fire missiles China did. The Ministry of National Defense confirmed that the PLA had fired several Dongfeng missiles toward areas off the northeast and southwest of Taiwan.

Sun Li-fang
Military spokesperson
The military is deploying all kinds of counter-surveillance measures to stay updated on missile and rocket launches. We’re activating the relevant defense systems and strengthening combat readiness. The Ministry of National Defense condemns such irrational actions that undermine regional peace.

Taiwan’s military says it is ready. Already, even before 9 a.m., Mirage 2000 fighters loaded with ammunition took to the skies in Hsinchu.

Over in Hualien, F-16V fighter jets were also fully armed for an emergency takeoff and the Taiwan-made Teng Yun unmanned aerial vehicles have also been readied for action. In Taoyuan’s Longtan, Apache attack helicopters were dispatched, fully loaded. Even Hengchun Airport, which had been rarely in use in recent years, is now a launch pad for unmanned aerial vehicles and helicopters.

Already, two unmanned aerial vehicles and 10 Apache attack helicopters have taken off from the area. There’re also Cobra choppers, military helicopters and Black Hawks on standby for any emergency operation,

Chang Yen-ting
Former Air Force lieutenant general
More threatening than ballistic missiles are rockets, because rockets are very cheap, and they can attack large areas. Ballistic missiles destroy single sites.

Lu Li-shih
Military expert
The military drills this time isn’t really aimed at blockading Taiwan, because they aren’t capable of blockading Taiwan. They’re mainly trying to intimidate the people and conduct cognitive warfare. That’s the real objective. Perhaps they’ve overlooked how, over the last few years, Taiwan has built up high levels of psychological resilience.

The first day of live-fire drills was over in just a few hours. At 3:19 p.m. the PLA’s Eastern Theater Command announced on social media that its precision missiles strikes had been a “success” and that restrictions in the drill areas were lifted. Reports say that, before the drills started, the U.S. Navy’s Seventh Fleet’s Boeing P-8 Poseidon anti-submarine aircraft was spotted patrolling off Taiwan’s southwest. Meanwhile the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier conducted routine operation in the Philippine Sea to support maritime interests in the Indo-Pacific, keeping a watchful eye on China’s provocations.

2022-08-04

Chinese attack on Taiwan would benefit no country in the world: Inventec chair

2022-08-04

Taiwan shares close slightly down amid PLA live-fire drills near Taiwan.

2022-08-04

China cannot prevent world leaders from traveling to Taiwan: Pelosi

After departing from Taiwan on Wednesday, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi released a statement on her visit. In it Pelosi criticized China, saying that Beijing’s tactics to block Taiwan from the international community could not prevent the international community from engaging with Taiwan. She stressed that the U.S.’ partnership with Taiwan was unwavering and that support for Taiwan in the congress remains ironclad.

On social media, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi released an official video of her 20-hour visit to Taiwan. The one-and-a-half minute video includes footage of bilateral talks between the delegation and Taiwan officials.

Pelosi departed from Taiwan on Wednesday evening and headed to her next stop in South Korea. After her departure, she released a statement on her visit, voicing support for Taiwan.

The first sentence reads, “Our congressional delegation’s visit should be seen as a strong statement that America stands with Taiwan.” She continues, “Taiwan is a very special place: a key ally in peace and security, a global leader in economic dynamism and a model of democratic governance.” Pelosi also criticized China in the statement, saying that while Beijing “may prevent Taiwan from sending its leaders to global forums, they cannot prevent world leaders or anyone from traveling to Taiwan to pay respect to its flourishing democracy.” The statement ends saying that the U.S.’ partnership with Taiwan remains unwavering, and that the U.S. will continue to support the defense of democracy against autocracy in the region and in the world.

Nancy Pelosi (Aug. 3)
US House speaker
We will not abandon our commitment to Taiwan. Taiwan has been an island of resilience in the world. Indeed, the people of Taiwan have proven to the world that with hope, courage, and determination it is possible to build a peaceful and prosperous future.

Despite protests and threats from China, Pelosi went ahead with her plans to visit Taiwan, with stops at the Presidential Office and Legislative Yuan, sending a strong message of U.S. support for Taiwan. Her delegation met with human rights activists who had been directly persecuted by China. In the eyes of many Taiwanese, Pelosi’s actions are proof of her resolute commitment to freedom and democracy.

Ms. Cheng
Member of public
I think she’s really got guts. We don’t have to accept China’s constant threats toward us. We have always been an independent country. There are no lies there. Taiwan is Taiwan. Why is China so obsessed with us? They are so far away across the sea from us.

Ms. Chen
Member of public
China is really showing its true self. Whenever our ties with the U.S. improve, China organizes military drills to put pressure on us. That just shows to everyone that China is a tyrannical country. We clearly are an independent country. So why does China threaten us with military drills whenever we have any substantial political visits from the U.S.? Even when we are doing nothing more than that.

Mr. Lin
Member of public
I think Pelosi’s visit will be bad in the long term. It’s just a brief moment of happiness. But in the long run, I think it will have a big impact on our trade.

People on the street have varying opinions on Pelosi’s visit. But one thing that’s certain is that the historic moment has pushed Taiwan’s visibility to new heights on the international stage.

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Taiwan received 15,000 gigabits of cyberattacks on Tuesday, 23 times more than previous record.

2022-08-04

G-7 foreign ministers reaffirm peace and stability in Taiwan Strait

The G-7 and the EU’s foreign ministers have issued a joint statement urging China to not unilaterally change the status quo on the Taiwan Strait. The statement comes after China announced three days of drills in six maritime areas just kilometers away from Taiwan’s coast. President Tsai Ing-wen responded to the statement on Twitter, thanking the G-7 for supporting regional peace and stability. Over in the U.S., the White House has condemned China for using the Taiwan visit of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as a pretext to ramp up aggression in the region.

Karine Jean-Pierre
White House press secretary
There’s no reason for Beijing to turn this visit into—which is consistent with our policy—into some sort of crisis, or to use it as a pretext to increase aggressive military activity in or around the Taiwan Strait.

To protest U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s Taiwan visit, China has slapped import bans on thousands of Taiwanese products and announced live-fire drills starting Aug. 4 near Taiwan’s territory. The White House said there’s no reason for China to escalate tensions in this way.

Karine Jean-Pierre
White House press secretary
There’s no reason to do that. We have been very clear. There’s no change in our “One China” policy, which is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979. That has not changed, and so the U.S. will not seek and does not want a crisis here. But we are prepared to manage what Beijing chooses to do.

The White House added that Speaker Pelosi has the right to decide where she chooses to travel. Meanwhile, the G-7 foreign ministers and the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy have released a joint statement expressing concern over China’s threatening actions, particularly live-fire exercises and economic coercion. They added there is no justification to use a visit as pretext for aggressive military activity in the Taiwan Strait.

Liz Truss (Aug.3)
UK foreign secretary
Well, I do not support China’s inflammatory language on this issue. It’s perfectly reasonable what is taking place, and I urge China to deescalate.

In the same joint statement, the foreign ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. They also called on China, not to unilaterally change the status quo by force in the region. Over in Russia, Pelosi’s visit was slammed as an outright provocation by the U.S.

Dmitry Peskov (Aug. 2)
Kremlin press secretary
The level of tension that Pelosi’s visit will have on the region cannot be underestimated. This is an outright provocation.

Amid Beijing’s escalating threats, Washington says it will monitor any actions by China. U.S. President Joe Biden wrote on Twitter on Wednesday that he had held a phone call with his national security team that morning, in which they discussed a wide range of priorities, including the U.S.’ support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Over in Congress, the hearing for the Taiwan Policy Act of 2022, originally scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, has been postponed because Senate committee chair Bob Menendez had to participate in other Senate matters. Observers speculated that the postponement was to prevent further escalation in the Taiwan Strait.

2022-08-04

Summer Jazz Festival celebrates 20th anniversary with a Jazz exhibition

2022-08-04

Kaohsiung mee suah noodle restaurant puts a fresh twist on a classic

We head now to Kaohsiung, for a seafood spectacular blending tradition and innovation. A mee suah noodle shop in Mituo District is a local institution. Diners love its mix of classic vermicelli noodles with surprising new flavors. Fish chowder and squid rings are some of the Tainan specialties featuring on the menu.

Mee suah noodle soup is a Taiwanese tradition, usually with oyster or intestines as the star. Now there are new recipes on the menu: This luxurious dish features fish chowder, squid rings and milkfish skin. The seafood spectacular is proving popular.

Member of public
Over there they just sell oysters and intestines, but here there’s all kinds of things.

Member of public
It’s quite fresh and the ingredients are real, and there’s lots in here.

The big bone broth is boiled up for three hours every day. The mee suah might look simple, but it’s a labor of love. Lots of diners wouldn’t leave without sides such as hand-prepared intestines, or the slow-cooked head of milkfish.

Member of public
The intestines are slow-cooked so they’re full of flavor. And the fish head is delicious too.

Another luxurious dish is the seafood congee, a local favorite. Located in Kaohsiung’s Mituo District, the restaurant follows traditions handed down from a master of Tainanese cuisine. The current owner’s father fell in love with the food of his wife’s hometown, Tainan. So he studied with the master and then passed his knowledge down to the next generation, who gave it their own twist.

Ho Chun-yi
Mee suah restaurant owner
Our mee suah is made with big bone broth, paired with local specialties like milkfish, fish chowder and squid, and these big, fresh oysters.

Ho Pei-ying
Mee suah restaurant owner’s sister
The most special thing is our milkfish. We take the skin and braise it. The broth is fresh and delicious. Lots of people love our soup.

And even the government is a fan. The mee suah was featured in “Kaohsiung’s 100 Unmissable Dishes” by Kaohsiung Tourism Bureau, which gave its official stamp of approval to this marriage of tradition and novelty.

2022-08-04