Nineteen civil groups delivered boxes full of petitions to the Central Election Commission (CEC) on February 3, 2025.   These civil groups gathered in front of the entrance of CEC building in the morning.   The representatives from each group made the statement why they submitted petitions to recall 19 Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmakers.   The United Microelectronics Corp founder Robert Tsao summarized the civil movement as a “Holy War “.  Since KMT and TPP (Taiwan People’s Party) have been “arrogant” in pushing through controversial bills which would jeopardize the government’s daily functions, Tsao said the grassroots recall efforts are the true expression of the public’s will and it shows that the people are the masters of the nation.  “These are citizen groups acting independently, working at the grassroots level and going beyond partisan politics,” Tsao further said.  The most political observers were amazed at the wide spread response of citizens.  It was estimated that nine more groups would submitted the petition in week.  The CEC said it would conduct an initial review of the recall petitions and, if approved, forward them to local election committees for review.   There is a speculation that China instructs KMT and TPP to work together to undermine the ruling party’s (Democratic Progressive Party DPP) authority.  As pointed out by Tsao, China believes it can control Taiwan’s legislature by using money to buy off unscrupulous legislators, so it can subvert the country from within.   At a DPP news conference, caucus whip Ker Chien-ming said that the current legislative session would be a “recall vote session” because “both sides have launched large-scale recall votes.”  In addition, Tsao said the recall movement is a “holy war” to clear out Chinese collaborators.

President William Lai‘s first official visit of Pacific island allies went quite well.  In addition to visit Marshall Island, Tuvalu and Palau, Lai also stopped by Hawaii and Guam.  The first nation Taiwan’s president visited is Marshall Island.  Addressing parliament, Lai offered financial support for the national airline Air Marshall Islands.  This is to upgrade its aging fleet.  After arriving in the capital, Majuro, the Taiwanese leader held talks with the government and attended a banquet, Marshallese President Hilda Heine expressed her government’s commitment to “remain a staunch ally” of Taiwan.   “Taiwan and the Marshall Islands share a traditional Austronesian culture, as well as the values of freedom and democracy,” Lai told Heine.    Lai’s next stop is the Pacific nation of Tuvalu.  President Lai was greeted by Tuvaluan Prime Minister Feleti Teo, Governor-General Tofiga Vaevalu Falani.   Two nations signed a joint communiqué on advancing their relationship.  In a joint communique on “advancing the comprehensive partnership,” the two sides agreed to “reassess the ongoing bilateral cooperation projects in order to establish a more durable, lasting and mutually beneficial diplomatic relations.”    In Palau, Lai and Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr inspected a joint exercise in waters near the Pacific island nation where coast guard forces simulated a rescue mission involving a capsized fishing vessel.  Lai emphasized the importance of countries working together on maritime safety and humanitarian rescue. Whipps said the exercise demonstrated that the cooperation between Taiwan and Palau went beyond operational aspects and reflected their shared values and commitments.

During Lai’s two-day visit to Hawaii, Lai was welcomed by Ingrid Larson, managing director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), Hawaii Governor Josh Green, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi and Honolulu Police Department chief Arthur Logan.  President Lai also made a telephone call to former US House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi, and met with other US government officials and members of the US Congress.   In Guam, Lai spoke with US congressional leaders, including House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson, US House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of the Democratic Party and held a videoconference with Republican Senator Roger Wicker.

In an interview with Catherine Chang, a well-known journalist, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said  “If China's claims on Taiwan are about territorial integrity then it should also take back land from Russia signed over by the last Chinese dynasty in the 19th century”.  The interview was broadcasted by Taiwanese television station on September 1.  Talking about territorial integrity, Lai brought up the 1858 Treaty of Aigun in which The Qing, the last Chinese Dynasty, signed over a vast tract of land in what is now Russia's far east to the Russian empire, forming much of the present day border along the Amur River.  The Qing also signed over Taiwan to Japan in 1895 in another “unequal” treaty.  Since the Mao Zedong’s communists won the civil war in China, The People’s Republic of China (PRO) had viewed democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control.   However, Taiwan's government (ROC) rejected those claims, saying only the island's people can decide their future.  Lai further said that China's intention to attack and annex Taiwan is not for the sake of territorial integrity.  It wants to achieve hegemony in the international area, in the Western Pacific - that is it's real aim.    Lai’s remark brought world-wide attentions.  It is the first time that a prominent political leader questioned China why doesn’t it take back the lands occupied by Russia that were signed over in the treaty of Aigun?  As usual, China's government says Taiwan has been Chinese territory since ancient times.  China's Taiwan Affairs Office refused to immediately respond to a request for comment.

Regarding Beijing’s continued refusal to engage with Taipei, Lai said he would continue to uphold former president Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) “four commitments.”  Lai emphasized that  Chinese President Xi Jinping should understand that initiating a Taiwan Strait conflict and disrupting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region “will not be accepted by the international community.”   Asked to comment on the Democratic Progressive Party’s loss of its majority in the legislature, he expressed optimism, he said: “I remain fully confident about the future development of Taiwan.”

The United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758  (also known as the Resolution on Admitting Peking) was passed in response to the  United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1668  that required any change in  China's representation in the UN be determined by a two-thirds vote referring to Article 18 of the UN Charter. The resolution, passed on 25 October 1971, recognized the People's Republic of China as "the only legitimate representative of China to the United Nations" and removed "the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek" (referring to the  Republic of China, whose central government had  relocated to Taiwan from the mainland) from the United Nations.

Speaking at a seminar held by the German Marshall Fund, on May 1, 2024, , US Deputy Assistant Secretary for China and Taiwan Mark Lambert called for support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the international community at a time when China is increasingly misusing Resolution 2758.  “Beijing mischaracterizes the resolution by falsely conflating it with China’s ‘one China’ principle, and wrongly asserts that it reflects an international consensus for its ‘one China’ principle,” is one of the main points emphasized by Lambert.

The following is the full text of resolution

2758 (XXVI). Restoration of the lawful rights of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations

The General Assembly,

Recalling the principies of the Charter of the United Nations,

 Considering that the restoration of the lawful rights of the People's Republic of China is essential both far the protection of the Charter of the United Nations and far the cause that the United Nations must serve under the Charter,

 Recognizing that the representatives of the Government of the People's Republic of China are the only lawful representatives of China to the United Nations and that the People's Republic of China is one of the five permanent members of the Security Council,

 Decides to restore all its rights to the People's Republic of China and to recognize the representatives of its Government as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations, and to expel forthwith the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek from the place which they unlawfully occupy at the United Nations and in all the organizations related to it.

1976th plenary meeting,

25 October 1971.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Hsiao Bi-Khim, Taiwan’s vice president-elect, was in Washington this week for a low-profile visit.  Hsiao has been Taiwan's de facto ambassador to the United States since 2020 until last year before she joined the presidential race.   The Taiwan official, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, told Reuters that Hsiao arrived in the United States this week and will spend the next few days there on a "personal trip" that includes packing up her personal belongings.   However, Taiwan's presidential office and Hsiao's ruling Democratic Progressive Party refused to provide additional information regarding this private trip.  Hsiao will be sworn in as vice-president in May.

Liu Pengyu, a spokesman for Beijing’s embassy in Washington, said Beijing firmly opposed any visit by Hsiao to the US “in any name or under whatever pretext”, according to a Reuters report on Tuesday.   Liu called Hsiao a “diehard ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist” and said Washington should “not arrange any form of contact” between US government officials and Hsiao.   Hsiao was on the top of China’s black list and has been blacklisted and sanctioned twice by Beijing for “colluding with the US” and “provoking confrontation” between Taiwan and the mainland.   Hsiao’s mother, Peggy Cooley, is American.    Hsiao attended high school and colleges in the US.  She is a fluent English speaker, developed connections with a host of US officials, lawmakers and think tank scholars during her three years as Taiwan’s representative to the US, which ended in November when she joined Lai on the campaign trail.

Taiwan’s presidential election was held on 13 January 2024 as part of the 2024 general elections.    He current Vice President Lai Ching-te, nominated by DPP, was elected by the voters with a plurality of 40.05%.   Lai’s running mate is Hsiao Bi-khim.   The opposition parties’ nominee  Huo Yu-ih (KMT) received 33.49 % of the vote.  While the third candidate Ko Wen-je (TPP) obtained 26.46 % of vote.   This presidential election had a turnout rate of 71.86%, which was a 3.04% reduction from the 2020 election. This marked the first time since the 2000 election that the winning candidate obtained less than 50% of the vote, and the first time that a party won more than two consecutive presidential elections since direct elections were introduced in 1996.   Although the ruling Democratic Progressive Party pulled off a historic third consecutive presidential victory, KMT won the legislate election.  Out of 113 seats, KMT captured 52 seats, while DPP only got 51 seats.  After his win, Lai told his supporters “This is a night that belongs to Taiwan. We managed to keep Taiwan on the map of the world. The election has shown the world the commitment of the Taiwanese people to democracy.”   This election brought the international attention.  It was estimated that near two hundred news reporters from more than thirty counties covered the election.  As comments by some prominent media, the election once again showed Taiwan’s vibrant democratic credentials.  Before the election, China launched numerous attacks on Lai and DPP.   Chinese leader Xi Jinping favored KMT candidate Huo.  Following Taiwan’s election result, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said no matter “whatever changes take place in Taiwan, the basic fact that there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China will not change.”   US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the vote demonstrated “the strength of [Taiwan’s] robust democratic system and electoral process.”

Taiwan’s presidential election will be held on January 13, 2024.  Three major parties nominated their candidates.   The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) nominated Lai Ching-te as presidential candidate.  Lai is the current Vice President. His running mate is Hsiao Bi-khim, former Representative to the US.   The major opposition party, Kuomintang (KMT), nominated Hou Yu-ih, current New Taipei mayor, as the presidential candidate.   Hou chose Jaw Shaw-Kong, to be his running mate.   The Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) has nominated Ko Wen-je, former Taipei mayor, and Canthia Wu to run against DPP and KMT.   The 2024 presidential election will be the 8^th direct presidential election.   For the past several months, Terry Gou, Foxconn’s founding chairman, also seriously ran for president as an independent.    However, Gou dropped out in November due to the lack of public support.    In order to unseat DPP, KMT proposed a joint ticket (so called Blue-Whit Alliance) to TPP.  After several meetings, two sides failed to reach a final agreement.  Now Hou has to compete against Ko too.   After one month of serious campaign, the public opinions showed that Lai-Hsiao ticket is ahead of Hou-Jaw and Ko-Wu.  The domestic issues, such as economic development, energy policy, agriculture policy, education policy and housing are main topics during the campaign.  It was speculated that the defense policy and Taiwan-US and Taiwan-China relations could be the hottest  topics near the end of campaign.

During the recent APEC meeting in San Francisco, President Biden met Chinese President Xi Jinping several times.   A formal official meeting lasted for four hours on November 15.  The high-ranking officials from both sides also attended the event.    Biden told Xi that the US would continue to arm Taiwan and stressed the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.   In addition, Biden also asked Xi to respect Taiwan’s electoral process.  From US’ point of view, the peace in Taiwan Strait is the most sensitive topic in the relationship with China.   According to the US official, Biden said he reaffirmed the US’ “one China” policy and insisted that any resolution must be peaceful.   “I’m not going to change that,” Biden said. “That’s not going to change”. Although Biden chided him for China’s massive military build-up around Taiwan, Xi said that China is not plan for a massive invasion of Taiwan in the near future.  Regarding the accomplishment of the meeting, “I believe they were some of the most constructive and productive discussions we’ve had,” Biden said at a press conference following the summit.   “We’ve made some important progress, I believe.” Biden highlighted the restoration of direct military-to-military contacts, saying they would prevent miscalculations between the two countries and also indicted he had the ability to speak to Xi directly.  In response to the reporter’s question at the end of the press conference, Biden said “Look, he is. He’s a dictator in the sense that he’s a guy who runs a country that is a communist country that’s based on a form of government totally different than ours”.

In Taiwan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Presidential Office yesterday thanked US President Joe Biden for reiterating Washington’s commitment to maintaining the “status quo” during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

ON October 10, President Tsai Ing-wen delivered her National Day speech, titled "A calm and confident Taiwan: Moving our country forward, making the world a better place":

The following is the full text of President Tsai’s speech

National Day Celebration Chairperson You Si-kun, President Russ Kun and First Lady Simina Kun of the Republic of Nauru, Governor-General Dame Marcella Liburd of the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis, Governor-General Dame Susan Dougan of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, distinguished guests, dear friends, and my fellow citizens watching on TV and online: Good morning.

Today is the 112th National Day of the Republic of China. After three long years, we are finally taking off our masks to see one another again and are gathered here today to celebrate our country's National Day.

Today we are joined by many compatriots visiting from across the globe as well as many friends from abroad who have not been to Taiwan for three years. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend my sincerest thanks to you all.

Looking back on those challenging three years of responding to the pandemic, it feels like it has been a very long time. But, in fact, there is another path beset with challenges that we have walked for 30 years.

If we do not move forward, we move backward; if we do not progress, our fate will be decided for us

Late last month, the prototype of our first indigenous submarine was launched. Once it has completed testing, this submarine, Narwhal, is set to officially enter into service in 2025.

For the last three decades, producing a domestically developed submarine has been a dream of presidents from different parties. Now, we have made this dream a reality. As we started from scratch, taking this leap required immense courage, because when facing pressure, overcoming obstacles, and standing up to disparaging and false narratives, any hesitation would lead to failure.

But, at the end of the day, we did it. We took a big step forward in our national defense self-sufficiency and further enhanced the asymmetric capabilities of our military. We once again demonstrated our resolve to defend the Republic of China (Taiwan). I believe that the whole world will recognize that Narwhal has taken to the waves to safeguard regional peace and stability.

This is a reflection of the unwavering spirit that has underpinned the Republic of China since establishing itself in Taiwan 74 years ago. As we face unique international circumstances and rapidly changing challenges, if we do not move forward, we will move backward. And if we do not give our all to make progress, we will not be able to decide our own future, our own fate.

Thank you to the people of Taiwan for facilitating reform during challenging times

Over the past seven years in particular, we have seen a complicated and changing political and economic landscape, both internationally and regionally, and on top of that, an unprecedented pandemic and extreme weather. Time and again, these have challenged the resilience of governance in democratic countries as well as the foundation of trust between people in democratic societies.

But not once have I forgotten my pledge to reform, and I am deeply aware of the friction and discomfort that reform brings. I want to thank the people of Taiwan, because we are always able to conquer fear through our solidarity, to resolve hostility through our tolerance, and to overcome challenges through our democracy.

It has been four years since the passing of legislation for marriage equality in Taiwan. I want to thank those who opposed this for their tolerance, making Taiwan, a country where any two people who love each other can start a family and find happiness, the envy of the world.

I am also deeply thankful to all our military personnel, civil servants, and educators for their understanding. To ensure that pension finances are sustainable, together we have achieved what was once impossible - pension reform. This has given the government more financial resources to look after the next generation.

I also want to thank the workers for their understanding. Even though we have yet to complete the last mile of our pension reform, we have from 2020 gradually allocated NT$267 billion to supplement the Labor Insurance Fund. I hope that in the next stage of labor finance reform, we can forge consensus and make steady progress through rational dialogue in society and on a solid financial basis.

Meanwhile, we have raised the minimum wage for eight consecutive years. And, using our accumulated experience, we proposed a draft bill for a minimum wage law and submitted it to the Legislative Yuan for review. I have not forgotten my pledge to look after workers.

Some time ago, I met a married couple from Taoyuan. They were public welfare landlords who were participating in the subletting management scheme. They told me that social housing rentals are not merely "rooms" for tenants, but "homes."

I want to thank our friends from every corner of Taiwan who have so passionately participated in the promotion of social housing. Over these past seven years and more, we have overcome the difficulties of this endeavor's early phases and set a foundation. Today, the social housing movement has shed the labels of the past and become a force for good in our communities. Our goal of reaching 200,000 social housing units in eight years is set to be completed by the end of 2024.

There is still a long way to go to achieve housing justice. But with the experience we have attained over the past few years, I believe we can accelerate our progress down the right track. I recall that when I first took office, Taiwan's electrical operating reserve had hit a low of 1.64 percent. But during these past seven years, we have substantially increased energy supply and have done our utmost to promote an energy transition. And last year, we finally reached a turning point with green energy generation surpassing that of nuclear energy for the first time.

These days, as we have stronger sunlight and warmer weather, we need not worry about afternoon electricity shortages. At evening peak hours, our operating reserve has held steady between 7 and 10 percent.

We are in a race against time, overcoming all manner of challenges, and taking one step at a time to achieve a transition to green energy. In the face of intense global competition in the race to achieve net-zero emissions, Taiwan's renewable energy development, energy storage network construction, and grid resilience enhancements must gather pace, and we cannot look back.

After seven years strengthening our nation, Taiwan has become a Taiwan of the world

In addition to promoting reform, while facing the drastic changes in cross-strait and international affairs of these past seven years, we have done our utmost to develop the economy, strengthen our country, take care of our people, ensure national security, stabilize the situation across the strait, and garner global support.

Thanks to the hard work of our people over these seven years, Taiwan's economy has not only proven to be highly resilient, but has become a key force in the restructuring of global supply chains. The Republic of China has increased its national strength.

Our GDP has grown considerably from NT$17.5 trillion when I first took office and is forecast to top NT$23 trillion this year. In recent years the whole world has felt the full impact of economic stagnation and the pain of inflation. During this time, Taiwan's economy has been able to outperform the global average as well as the Four Asian Tigers, while maintaining greater price stability.

At the same time, we have maintained fiscal stability, allowing us to share the budget surpluses of the past six years with the people. In addition to distributing stimulus vouchers to encourage spending, we have initiated economic stimulus programs including cash subsidies, the TPASS, and increased rental subsidies to help reduce the burdens on everyday life. We have also stepped up our efforts toward balancing development in urban and rural areas and invested more in the industrial transformation of small- and medium-sized enterprises.

We have also given our all to promote the Six Core Strategic Industries, making major investments in infrastructure to facilitate a paradigm shift in Taiwan's industrial sector. Taiwan's particularly strong technology and manufacturing sectors have made Taiwan an indispensable actor in the global restructuring of supply chains.

Through these efforts, we have also reduced our over-reliance on a single market. Our exports to the United States have more than doubled. And this past June, we completed the signing of the first agreement under the Taiwan-US Initiative on 21st-Century Trade, a trade agreement that is both globally pioneering and conceptually innovative.

After more than seven years of hard work, our exports to New Southbound Policy countries have reached a record high. We have also deepened connectivity with Europe, as the European Union is now Taiwan's largest source of foreign investment. We are using our economic strengths to show the world the irreplaceable importance of Taiwan.

Ever since 2016, my administration has kept its promises and maintained the status quo. We have adhered to the Four Commitments. We do not provoke, we do not act rashly, and we will absolutely not bow to pressure. We have deepened our cooperation with democratic countries around the world as we work together to maintain regional peace and stability, acting as a force for good in the world.

When a typhoon caused heavy and disastrous rains across the strait, we expressed our heartfelt concern. When Türkiye experienced a devastating earthquake, we deployed our response effort to the very frontline. When Russia invaded Ukraine, we stood firm with Ukraine. And of course, we will never forget the virtuous cycle generated by democratic partners coming to one another's aid during the three years of the pandemic.

While obstacles have not ceased, neither have we stopped engaging with the world. Friendship between Taiwan and Japan is unwavering, and our relationship with the United States is rock-solid. Both diplomatic allies and like-minded countries have voiced their support for Taiwan on the international stage, and young people from various countries have spread the message of the Viva Taiwan campaign online.

Taiwan's democratic achievements have set a benchmark for the world. Our steadfast resolve stands as a global bulwark of democratic sustainability, security, and prosperity.

Calm and confident, making a continued contribution to regional peace and stability

Taiwan at this moment has become a Taiwan of the world. In geostrategy, the development of global democracy, and international supply chain systems, we are the most reliable, effective, and safest partner to the world. The strength of international support for us has reached an unprecedented height.

Since this is a time we can now face the world with confidence and resolve, we can also be calm and self-assured in facing China, creating conditions for peaceful coexistence and future developments across the Taiwan Strait.

It is my duty as president to safeguard our national sovereignty and the democratic and free way of life of the 23 million people of Taiwan; seeking peaceful coexistence, with free, unrestricted, and unburdened interactions between people across the strait. Taiwan, and furthermore both sides across the strait, should be enabled to contribute to regional peace and stability.

Let me reiterate that "peace is the only option across the strait. Maintaining the status quo, as the largest common denominator for all sides, is the critical key to ensuring peace."

Particularly, the international community has come to realize that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is an indispensable component of global security and prosperity. Neither side can unilaterally change the status quo. Differences across the strait must be resolved peacefully.

While persisting in efforts to ensure our sovereignty, democracy, and freedom, we must be grounded in a respect for historical facts, and continue to construct peaceful and stable cross-strait relations.

Today, many leaders of political parties and other distinguished guests are present. Competition between political parties is a daily reality of democratic politics, but our gathering together here presents a precious landscape of Taiwan's democracy.

I sincerely hope that after the competitive elections, we can set aside our passions, and together seek greater agreement, to build a fortress of unity as we face external challenges. I believe this is our shared responsibility to the country, regardless of political party.

We are willing to take the Taiwan public consensus as a basis, conditioned with dignity and reciprocity, and with a process of democratic dialogue, to develop with the Beijing authorities a mutually acceptable foundation for interaction and a path to peaceful coexistence.

I deeply believe that international support for Taiwan will only grow stronger. As the world is watching with concern and working to preserve peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, we must grasp the moment of opportunity to manage risk and enable both sides to be contributors to peace. This is not only the shared responsibility of Taiwan's political parties; it is also an unavoidable historic responsibility and common mission across the strait.

Our country is moving forward, helping make the world a better place

My fellow citizens, whether it is the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis 65 years ago or the external threats we face today, we have always embraced togetherness and the conviction that everyone in Taiwan has a shared destiny.

Today, the Republic of China (Taiwan) has become the prevailing consensus of our 23 million people. This consensus is a convergence of the historical sentiments of different groups and the knowledge of the joys and hardships we have shared over the past 74 years.

It also shows that we are willing to come together and create the largest common denominator in order to foster unity, safeguard our country, and defend our free and democratic way of life.

In the midst of tremendous internal and external pressures, Taiwan's democracy has grown and thrived as a result of that willingness, and we have emerged with even greater resilience. We know that to protect Taiwan's democracy is to protect the universal value of democracy.

Thanks to our solidarity, we have brought the international spotlight to democratic Taiwan. With confidence, we will show the world that the Taiwanese people are dignified, independent, warm, and kind. The Taiwanese people are happy to be people of the world and will be a democratic and free people for generations to come.

I would like to thank the people of Taiwan for giving me two opportunities to serve as president of the Republic of China and to give my all alongside the Taiwanese people. From the depths of my heart, I am infinitely grateful.

Over the past several years, we have made achievements in governance, but there have also been areas where we have not met expectations. As president, I cannot shirk my responsibilities. This is a democratic country, and those in power can never be complacent. Each act of governance must bring the people greater satisfaction, and this is the goal of a government's unceasing efforts. My fellow citizens, my term will end on May 20 next year, but our country will continue moving forward.

I have no doubt that Taiwan, calm and confident, will continue moving forward. We not only want to give the world a better Taiwan, we want to make the world better because of democratic Taiwan.

I wish all the best to Taiwan. I wish all the best to the Republic of China. Thank you.