During the 45th session of the Taiwan-Japan Economic and Trade Conference on Jan. 11, Japan expressed concern over Taiwan’s ban on imports of Japanese food products from five prefectures following the March 2011 Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant disaster. Japan said it hoped Taiwan would follow international standards in reviewing scientific data to lift the ban, just as Europe and the US have done.
President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) responded the next day, saying that the government, with safeguarding public health a priority, would address the food import restrictions and bilateral negotiations based on international standards and scientific evidence.
The Taiwanese and Japanese
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said on Dec. 4 last year that his country’s decision to allow the opening of a Taiwanese mission in Vilnius bearing the name “Taiwan” was a “mistake.” Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Vytaute Smaizyte-Kuliesiene responded by saying that “the Lithuanian government stands firm on its decision to welcome the opening of the Taiwanese Representative Office.”
Lithuanian Seimas Speaker Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen also expressed disagreement with Nauseda and questioned why he had only criticized the decision after China launched retaliatory actions against the Baltic state.
As Taiwan and Lithuania are strengthening ties, the political temperature in Vilnius is heating
Taiwan on Sept. 22 finally filed its application to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) using the name “Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu.” The application was made after consulting with the CPTPP’s 11 members, and concluding that the time and conditions for the bid were right.
Beijing submitted its application to join the CPTPP on Sept. 16. Despite serious concerns over China’s system of government and regulations, with many countries doubting whether it is ready for the trade bloc, China’s move casts uncertainty over Taiwan’s application. When seeking CPTPP members’ support, Taiwan
The Liberty Times Editorial: Deploying culture against CCP rule taipeitimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from taipeitimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The Liberty Times Editorial: Australia-China spat is a warning
The relations between Australia and China have undergone abrupt changes.
In the past six months, their economic ties have taken a sharp downward turn after 10 years of close exchanges.
As part of Beijing’s “wolf warrior” diplomacy, a Chinese official last month posted a fake photograph on social media showing an Australian soldier killing an Afghan child.
Beijing is imposing anti-dumping tariffs of more than 200 percent on Australian wine.
China, which once claimed that it would “blind” the “Five Eyes,” an intelligence-sharing partnership comprising Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the US, is now singling out Australia.