Officials in Chen case granted immunity

The China Post - The Council of Grand Justices yesterday annulled part of a controversial law to punish officials who refuse to cooperate with a parliamentary commission in the investigation into a shooting that injured President Chen Shui-bian in 2004. Full Story

Inner party tensions surface at The Democratic Progressive Party's 21st anniversary

The China Post - The ruling Democratic Progressive Party yesterday marked its 21st anniversary with a ceremony that demonstrated anything but solidarity, as its chairman and presidential candidate were conspicuously absent -- reportedly amid rising tensions between them. Full Story

Chang dismisses claims of hidden agenda against Yu

The China Post - Premier Chang Chun-hsiung yesterday dismissed allegations that the prosecutors had a hidden agenda against the chairman of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, Yu Shyi-kun, while indicting him on corruption. Full Story

Gap between revenues, expenditures to fall

The China Post - Premier Chang Chun-hsiung said yesterday that the gap between central government revenues and expenditures for 2008 will fall below the NT$100 billion (US$3.03 billion) mark for the first time in nine years. Full Story

China's medical sector unattractive: local doctor

The China Post - China's medical sector is not attractive enough to make Taiwanese doctors want to work there, a noted cardiologist said yesterday. Full Story

PRC: Straits in 'period of high danger'

The China Post - A top Chinese official warned Friday that moves by Taiwan to assert its independent identity have taken relations into a "period of high danger." Full Story

Four grand justice nominees vetoed

The China Post-The Legislative Yuan confirmed yesterday President Chen Shui-bian's nominations of Lai In-jaw to serve as the new president of the Judicial Yuan and Hsieh Tsay-chuan as vice president of the government's judicial branch as anticipated. Full Story

Chen, The Democratic Progressive Party want Yu to stay on as chairman

The China Post-The decision-making Central Executive Committee of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has voted unanimously to dissuade the party's Chairman Yu Shyi-kun from resigning. Full Story

The Ministry of Justice calls for creation of new anti-corruption bureau

The China Post-The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) hopes to open an anti-corruption bureau in an effort to enhance its campaign against corruption within government agencies and local enterprises, a MOJ official said yesterday. Full Story

Four grand justice nominees grilled over Taiwan's status

The China Post - Four grand justice nominees were grilled yesterday by lawmakers over the politically sensitive issue about the status of the country, but only three of them gave a definite answer about the existence of the "Republic of China." Full Story

Legislature to hold vote over grand justice election

The China Post - The Legislative Yuan will vote Thursday on how a confirmation vote for the eight grand justice nominees proposed by President Chen Shui-bian should be held, said Legislative Yuan Speaker Wang Jin-pyng yesterday. Full Story

Party leaders approve 'normal nation' resolution, but remain wary

The China Post - President Chen Shui-bian and other ruling party leaders yesterday approved revisions to the so-called "normal nation" resolution, but avoided using more sensitive wordings concerning changing Taiwan's official title as proposed by outgoing DPP Chairman Yu Shyi-kun. Full Story

Premier respects RDEC deputy chief's resignation

The China Post - Premier Chan Chun-hsiung respects Liu Chien-sin's offer to step down from the post of deputy minister of the Executive Yuan's Research, Development and Evaluation Commission (RDEC) , over his indictment in a "special allowance fund" case, a Cabinet official said yesterday. Full Story

China reaches out to Taiwan after torch feud

The China Post - China sought to smooth over scuttled plans to include Taiwan in the torch relay for next year's Beijing Olympics, saying residents of the island were welcome to join in cultural and other exchanges surrounding the games. Full Story

Chen backs 'normal nation' resolution: Yu

The China Post - President Chen Shui-bian approves of the adoption of the controversial "normal nation resolution" at the Democratic Progressive Party's national congress, outgoing chairman Yu Shyi-kun said yesterday. Full Story

DPP candidate to sponsor 'Taiwan reform' camp

The China Post - The campaign office of Frank Hsieh, presidential candidate of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), announced yesterday it will promote a new patriotic movement through a "Taiwan reform" camp. Full Story

People First Party lawmakers complain about Kuomintang campaign assistance

The China Post - Opposition People First Party (PFP) lawmakers complained yesterday that the primary level campaign force of the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) does not show enough support for six PFP lawmakers recommended by both parties to run in the legislative elections set for Jan. 12 next year. Full Story

Ma challenges Hsieh to keep China 'links'

The China Post - Main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou yesterday urged Frank Hsieh, his ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) rival, not to deviate from his China links proposal to placate "deep green" voters. Full Story

Ma seeking Hakka votes, promises more spending

The China Post - Kuomintang presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou promised yesterday he would double the spending of the Hakka Affairs Council if he were elected. Full Story

Hsieh: Ma's Hakka policy is 'too direct'

The China Post - Ma Ying-jeou, Kuomintang standard bearer, may be misunderstood in promising to double the budget of the Hakka Affairs Council, his Democratic Progressive Party rival Frank Hsieh said yesterday. Full Story

Kuomintang calls for apology from Hsieh over Ma quip

The China Post - Frank Hsieh, Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate, has to retract a slandering quip against his Kuomintang rival Ma Ying-jeou, Ma's campaign spokesman demanded yesterday. Full Story

Taichung to have 1st mayor as special municipality in '09

The China Post - The first special municipal mayor from central Taiwan will be elected in 2009, following the completion of the integration of Taichung City and Taichung County, according to Secretary-General Chen Chin-chun of the Executive Yuan (Cabinet). Full Story

Yu to keep pushing 'normal nation' rider

The China Post - Yu Shyi-kun promised yesterday he would step down after the ruling Democratic Progressive Party concludes its national congress next Sunday. Full Story

DPP candidate prioritizes political stability

The China Post - Frank Hsieh, presidential candidate of Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), said he would prioritize political stability if elected president, the Straits Times reported yesterday. Full Story

Frank Hsieh chastises his Kuomintang rival over funds

The China Post - Frank Hsieh, Democratic Progressive Party candidate for president, chastised his Kuomintang rival Ma Ying-jeou yesterday. Full Story

Su says Chen should replace Democratic Progressive Party chairman

The China Post - Democratic Progressive Party candidate for vice president Su Tseng-chang said in New York yesterday President Chen Shui-bian should take the place of Yu Shyi-kun. Full Story

Parties still wrangling over vote on grand justices

The China Post - Major political parties will hold the last coordination meeting on Wednesday in a last-ditch effort to hammer out a consensus over how to conduct the confirmation vote on nominees for grand justices of the Judicial Yuan by lawmakers the following day. Full Story

Ma wants international pig leg festival

The China Post - Kuomintang presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou urged Wanluan yesterday to host an international pig leg festival to promote tourism. Full Story

Agent, former colleague detained for China spying

The China Post - One agent of the Investigation Bureau (IB) and a former colleague were detained yesterday for their alleged espionage work for China. Full Story

Democratic Progressive Party members divided over whether Yu should stay on

The China Post - Members of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) were divided over whether or not DPP chairman Yu Shyi-kun should stay on, although Yu announced his resignation immediately after he was indicted last Friday over corruption charges. Full Story

Weng 'special fund' probe to conclude soon

The China Post - A probe into the alleged misappropriation of a "special allowance fund" by Judicial Yuan President Weng Yueh-sheng will conclude in the near future, the Supreme Prosecutors Office (SPO) said yesterday. Full Story

Judiciary is dead, but justice remains: Vice President Lu

The China Post - Vice President Annette Lu declared the death of the judiciary yesterday after she was indicted for corruption on Friday. Full Story

A lame duck seems to take off

The China Post - President Chen Shui-bian is a lame duck. He has to step down on May 20 next year. Full Story

Ma Ying-jeou to start 'long stay' to woo Hakka voters

The China Post - Kuomintang presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou will start his 15-day "long stay" campaign today to canvass Hakka votes in the counties of Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Miaoli. Full Story

Kuomintang urges Cabinet to be fair in public fund allocation

The China Post - The opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and Taipei County Magistrate Chou Hsi-wei yesterday urged the Executive Yuan (Cabinet) to be fair when allocating public fund to special municipalities. Full Story

Ministry of National Defense to renew toxic gas filters at 2 air bases

The China Post - Toxic gas filtration systems at two well-guarded air bases in eastern Taiwan will be renewed as part of efforts to retain the military's counterattack capabilities in the event of a conflict across the Taiwan Strait, defense sources said yesterday. Full Story

DPP's Hsieh visits Kaohsiung county to consolidate support

The China Post - Frank Hsieh, Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate, stumped the county of Kaohsiung yesterday. Full Story

Army plans to demine 15 minefields

The China Post - Army authorities are stepping up efforts to demine 15 minefields on the Taiwan-held outlying islands of Kinmen and Matsu with a view to further developing the local tourism industry and economy, military sources said yesterday. Full Story

Chen urged to resume Democratic Progressive Party leadership

The China Post - The resignation of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party chairman over corruption charges has prompted calls from its ranks that President Chen Shui-bian resume his party leadership. Full Story

Hsieh would pardon those indicted over 'special funds'

The China Post - Frank Hsieh, the presidential candidate of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, yesterday said if elected, he would pardon over 6,000 officials who could be charged for corruption over the controversial use of their funds. Full Story

Peace to top agenda in China: former adviser

The China Post - Koo Kuan-min, former senior adviser to the president and a Taiwan independence advocate, said Saturday he envisions a policy shift on the Taiwan issue in China because peace will be at the top of China's national agenda over the next 15-20 years. Full Story

Vice President Lu, 2 top officials charged with graft

The China Post - Prosecutors investigating government officials over alleged misappropriation from their special expense accounts yesterday decided not to bring charges against Frank Hsieh, the presidential candidate of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, and his running mate Su Tseng-chang. Full Story

Olympic Torch won't come: The Mainland Affairs Council

The China Post - The Olympic torch will not stop in Taiwan en route to the Beijing Games in 2008, Taiwanese officials said yesterday after talks broke down with China, just one day after reaching the third deadline imposed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Full Story

Matsu missile deployment opposed by locals

The China Post - Members of the Lienchiang county council expressed strong opposition Friday to plans of the Ministry of National Defense (MND) to build missile bases at two locations in the Matsu island group. Full Story

Moon festival Taiwan-China flights begin

The China Post - Mid-Autumn Festival direct chartered flights between Taiwan and China took wing yesterday, with a total of 12 Taiwanese and Chinese airlines offering the holiday-only service for a six-day period covering the traditional Chinese festival. Full Story

Yu Shyi-kun may be named to run for lawmaker at large

The China Post -- Yu Shyi-kun, chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party, may be named to run for legislator at large. Full Story

The Democratic Progressive Party lawmaker involved in health fraud to run in election

The China Post -- A lawmaker of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) indicted on charges of health insurance fraud vowed yesterday that he will fight it out with a DPP-nominated candidate in his constituency in Kaohsiung in the legislative election early next year. Full Story

The Democratic Progressive Party 'has raped TSU,' Huang says

The China Post -- The Taiwan Solidarity Union was raped, its chairman Huang Kun-hui wailed yesterday. It's the ruling Democratic Progressive Party that raped its tiny ally TSU, Huang charged.Full Story

Friday deadline for talks on Olympic torch relay

The China Post -- The deadline set by the International Olympic Committee for talks between China and Taiwan on whether the island will be included on the Olympic torch relay route is 7 a.m. Friday, Taipei time, an official at the Taipei-based Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee said yesterday. Full Story

Chinese basketball player banned after Taiwan game

The China Post -- Chinese basketball authorities have handed a local player a four-month ban after he was expelled from a tournament in Taiwan for breaking an opponent's nose with his elbow, Chinese media reported on Thursday. Full Story

TSU reiterates DPP ties amid KMT rumors

The China Post - The Taiwan Solidarity Union yesterday reiterated its support for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party in next year's presidential election in the wake of speculations that the opposition party was defecting to the Kuomintang. Full Story

Democratic Progressive Party chair defends 'normal nation' changes

The China Post - The chairman of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party yesterday defended his proposal to include the goal of Taiwan's independence in the so-called "normal nation" resolution that the DPP would adopt. Full Story

Awards to downplay 'KMT-Chinese' culture

The China Post - Minister Shieh Jhy-Wei of the Government Information Office (GIO) yesterday announced the nominees for the third annual 2007 Children Golden Bell Awards aimed at recognizing the best television and radio programming for children and teenagers. Full Story

Taiwan cries foul as China bars ex-security chief

The China Post - China has rejected a visa for Taiwan Vice Premier Chiou I-jen, a former national security chief, to attend a soccer forum in Shanghai as the island accused its giant neighbor of mixing politics with sport. Full Story

Weapons debut at National Day military rehearsal

The China Post - A variety of weapons made their debuts yesterday at a rehearsal staged by the armed forces at an army base in Hukou in the northern county of Hsinchu. Full Story

High court hears Kaohsiung election case

The China Post - Mayor Chen Chu's former campaign spokesman absolved her yesterday of any responsibility for the vote-buying press conferences that had been determined by the Kaohsiung district court to have caused her Kuomintang rival Huang Jun-ying's narrow defeat. Full Story

Chen trying to stop 'normal nation' changes

The China Post - President Chen Shui-bian may be buckling under pressure from Washington to stop the Democratic Progressive Party from writing in "independence of Taiwan" in its "normal nation" resolution. Full Story

Taiwan has no plans to boycott 2008 Olympics: Mainland Affairs Council

The China Post - Taiwan has no plans to boycott the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing despite the country's disagreement with China over the issue of the torch relay, a Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) official said yesterday. Full Story

Appointed Democratic Progressive Party officials to stress work over stumping

The China Post - Appointed government officials will concentrate on their own work rather than on stumping for ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) election candidates at this stage, Executive Yuan Secretary-General Chen Chin-jun said yesterday. Full Story

Kuomintang tries counterattack on 'underground' radio stations

The China Post - The opposition Kuomintang, convinced that it lost the last presidential election in 2004 because of a rumor spread by underground radio stations, is launching a counterattack. Full Story

DPP seeks to amend 'normal country' draft

The China Post - Ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairman Yu Shyi-kun said Monday that he will put forward a motion in favor of including an article on rectifying the nation's official title to Taiwan in the DPP's newly drafted "normal country" resolution. Full Story

Movie star-turned lawmaker bolts Kuomintang for Farmers' Party

The China Post - Aging movie star-turned lawmaker, Ko Chun-hsiung, bolted the Kuomintang and joined the Taiwan Farmers' Party yesterday. Full Story

Identity, China loom as top election issues

The China Post - Taiwan's national identity and relations with China will remain a major campaign issue until in the run-up to the presidential election in late March next year. Full Story

Dentists form group to support Ma

The China Post - Members of the Taiwan Dental Federation (TDF) formed an association in Taipei yesterday, pledging to support the presidential candidate of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT), Ma Ying-jeou and his running mate Vincent Siew, in the March 22, 2008 presidential election. Full Story

Ma laments social issues overshadowed by politics

The China Post - Presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou of the main opposition Kuomintang yesterday lamented that the social and livelihood issues have been submerged by political issues, although he is eager to do something for society. Full Story

Impasse on Control Yuan nominees lingers on

The China Post - President Chen Shui-bian has not yet finalized a new list of nominees as members of the Control Yuan to the parliament for review and confirmation, according to officials from the Presidential Office. Full Story

Democratic Progressive Party candidate vows to help foreign spouses

The China Post - Ruling Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Frank Hsieh promised yesterday that if he is elected president, he will help foreign spouses of local citizens resolve issues concerning residency status or citizenship. Full Story

Gynecologist files suit against the Taiwan Solidarity Union official

The China Post - A famous gynecologist has filed a libel suit against a press liaison officer of the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) who described him as "unethical" in her blog, a local newspaper reported yesterday. Full Story

ROC Air force shows strength amid fresh tensions

The China Post - Taiwan showed off two US-made F-16 fighter jets Wednesday in a show of its intent to defend itself from any attack by China. Full Story

World leaders urged to boycott Olympics

The China Post - A statement issued at the end of an international symposium, organized by the Mongolian and Tibetan Affair Commission in Taipei, has called on political leaders worldwide not to attend the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games if China fails to take concrete actions to improve its human rights records. Full Story

Chinese missiles aimed at Taiwan exceeds 900

The China Post - China has increased the number of ballistic and cruise missiles aimed at Taiwan to more than 900 along with improved guidance and targeting systems, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) said in a 2007 report to the Legislative Yuan on Chinese military strength and Taiwan's five-year military consolidation plan. Full Story

'Red Shirts' fined NT$600,000 for road damage

The China Post - The Taipei City government fined the "Red Shirt" leaders about NT$600,000 yesterday for damaging public property during their candle-lit protest in commemoration of the anti-corruption campaign of September 2006. Full Story

Vote buying prevention key to Taiwan's upcoming elections

The China Post - Taiwan's Ministry of the Interior (MOI) announced yesterday stricter penalties for police departments throughout the island that fail to detect and prevent vote buying activities in the upcoming legislative and presidential elections. Full Story

'Red Shirts' revive anti-graft protests against Taiwan's president

The China Post - Tens of thousands of anti-corruption protesters blocked the boulevard in front of the Presidential Office yesterday on the anniversary of a massive 2006 demonstration demanding that President Chen Shui-bian step down over suspected corruption. Full Story

Taipei making last try on torch route issue

The China Post - The Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee is still making a last-ditch effort concerning Taiwan's participation in the 2008 Beijing Olympics torch relay through intensive negotiations with its Beijing counterpart, Tsai Chen-wei, chairman of the committee said yesterday. Full Story

Ma to launch 2nd long-stay program in south of Taiwan

The China Post - Presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou of the opposition Kuomintang has decided to launch a second round of a "long stay" program in southern Taiwan, due mainly to the first one generating very encouraging support from grassroots people in southern counties and cities, according to Ma's campaign staff. Full Story

Independent activists push for referendum

The China Post - Members of the "908 Taiwan Republic" movement unveiled yesterday their version of the national flag and the national anthem during an event next to Taipei City Hall. They also claimed their support for the planned referendum on entering the U.N. under the name of Taiwan. Full Story

Hau reminds Red Shirts to 'abide by rules'

The China Post - Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin yesterday urged the "Red Shirts" to abide by the rules during their three-day anti-corruption demonstrations starting today, expressing the hope that the rallies will proceed peacefully. Full Story

'Red Shirts' announce Ketagalan Blvd. comeback

The China Post - The "Red Shirts" yesterday announced a comeback by holding a massive candle-lit event tomorrow near the Presidential Office to remind President Chen Shui-bian that their previous demand regarding his alleged corruption had not been taken into consideration. Full Story

Taiwan ex-businessman claims mole in MIB

The China Post - A former businessman, who was recently released from prison in China, claimed yesterday that he had been arrested in 2003 because a mole from the Military Intelligence Bureau (MIB) gave him out to Chinese authorities. Full Story

The Democratic Progressive Party chairman calls for change of national title

The China Post - Ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairman Yu Shyi-kun claimed yesterday that Taiwan independence is mainstream public opinion, adding that only by changing the national title to Taiwan and enacting a new constitution can the country survive. Full Story

Water chief, The National Taiwan University professor face charges of corruption

The China Post - A district court yesterday ordered five people, including the head of a state-run water company and a university professor, be detained in connection with alleged bribery involving several water conservation projects. Full Story

BNHI status change to save NT$100 mil.

The China Post - After the organic status of the Bureau of National Health Insurance (BNHI) is altered, the bureau is expected to save around NT$100 million (US$3.03 million) in personnel costs annually, Department of Health Minister Hou Sheng-mou said yesterday. Full Story

Activists challenge judges' political neutrality

The China Post - Activists pushing for judicial reform yesterday urged judges to renounce their memberships in political parties. Full Story

DPP hopeful questioned in graft inquiry in Taiwan: aide

The China Post - Former premier Frank Hsieh, the ruling party's presidential candidate, has been questioned by prosecutors over corruption allegations, his aides said yesterday. Full Story

Democratic Progressive Party official calls for judges to cut political ties

The China Post - Executive Yuan's Government Information Office director-general Shieh Jhy-wei yesterday called on all judges with political affiliations to withdraw from their political parties. Full Story

Kuomintang honorary chair leaves for China on private visit

The China Post - Lien Chan, honorary chairman of the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT), headed for China yesterday on a private visit, according to KMT officials. Full Story

Kuomintang urged to disclose members in judicial system

The China Post - The opposition Kuomintang (KMT) should release the numbers of its members in the judicial system during the martial law era and at present, to pursue transitional justice and eliminate public suspicion about the impartiality of judicial personnel, Shieh Jhy-wei, chief of the Government Information Office (GIO), urged yesterday. Full Story

Judicial Yuan posts to be decided on September 14

The China Post - The legislature will vote Sept. 14 on President Chen Shui-bian's nominations for Judicial Yuan posts and for chief auditor of the Ministry of Audit under the watchdog Control Yuan, lawmakers decided in cross-party consultations held yesterday. Full Story

Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan Solidarity Union candidates to duke it out in Sanchung

The China Post - The opposition Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) named its own legislative candidate for Taipei County's Sanchung City to fight it out with an opponent from its ally, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Full Story

Taiwan Solidarity Union party denies fielding chairman in 2008 race

The China Post - The leadership of the opposition Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) denied a newspaper report yesterday that the TSU is planning to field its party chairman as a candidate in the 2008 presidential election. Full Story