Taiwan News and Current Events 1998
On a general note, we first present:

The Six Misconceptions.
A reality check for all those who speak or write about developments in Taiwan. It is designed to clear up common misconceptions which are often found in the newsmedia, and in statements by American officials and scholars.


Some major events of the past few years:

New Taiwan flag

Washington, 18 June 1998: "Stand up for Taiwan"

Washington, 29 Oct. 1997: "Say Yes to Taiwan"

Taipei, 28 June 1997: "Say No to China"

"A new flag for a new Taiwan"

"Let Taiwan join the UN"

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News items and information on recent, current and upcoming events which touch Taiwan, its people, society, political system, and quest for international recognition.
Major events and issues in 1998
(the most recent ones first):
  • 31 December 1998 China damaged US national security A select committee of the US Congress has concluded that US national security interests were damaged when two US aerospace companies provided China with technical information.
  • 10 December 1998 Human Rights monument on Green Island. A commemoration was held on Green Island. From the late 1940s through the 1980s, the island was used as the Kuomintang's main prison for political prisoners.
  • 7 December 1998 "The US role in the Taiwan Strait issue" Mr. Richard Bush, the Director of the American Institute in Taiwan, recently gave the following speech at the University of Illinois at Carbondale.
  • 5 December 1998 Taiwan's election surprise More than 10 million Taiwanese people went to the polls. The results showed some interesting surprises.
  • 2 December 1998 Washington Post: "Independence gets its first ballot" A referendum in the southern city of Tainan, in which 77.9 percent of the respondents stated they didn't want to be ruled by China.
  • 2 December 1998 Washington Times: "When Taiwan speaks, the world listens" The Times published the following article by Helle Bering, who is deputy editorial page editor.
  • 30 November 1998 PBS:"Tug of War" Public Broadcasting System stations around the United States started airing an important new documentary about Taiwan and its history.
  • 28 November 1998 Jiang threatens Taiwan again At a press conference in Tokyo, Chinese President Jiang again threatened that China would use force against Taiwan.
  • 7 November 1998 Bellocchi:"New US policy for a New Taiwan" Speech by the former Director of the American Institute in Taiwan at the Second International Symposium on Taiwan's National Security.
  • 14 November 1998:"Observations after One Year" by AIT-Director Richard C. Bush, to the Greater Washington Chapter of the Taiwanese Association of America.
  • 12 November 1998, Businessweek: Taipei's mayor: the man China fears Excellent cover article in Businessweek's international edition.
  • 13 November 1998, Washington Times:Unequal Treatment For Taiwan An Op-Ed piece by John R. Bolton, the senior vice president of the American Enterprise Institute in Washington D.C.
  • 31 October 1998 Heritage Foundation Backgrounders The Washington D.C.-based Heritage Foundation recently issued two reports regarding U.S. Taiwan Policy.
  • 10 October 1998 U.S. House: Taiwan into the WHO The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a resolution calling on the Clinton Administration to support Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organization.
  • 1 October 1998 To talk or not to talk? Any "political discussions" will have to wait until the people of Taiwan have been able to express their views on the future of the island in a fully open and democratic process.
  • 29 September 1998, Washington Times: "How Chinese are the Taiwanese?" An excellent article regarding Taiwan and U.S. policy towards the island nation by Edward Wei.
  • 21 September 1998 Waldron: "Bowing to Beijing" Excellent historical perspective by professor Arthur Waldron in Commentary Magazine.
  • 18 September 1998 New Nation Alliance founded A new political alliance was set up in Taiwan by a group of pro Taiwan independence politicians.
  • 15 September 1998 DOD rebukes private Chas Freeman In its September / October 1998 issue, Foreign Affairs published a strong rebuttal to an earlier article by former Clinton Administration official Chas Freeman.
  • 11 September 1998 UN decides not to discuss "ROC" membership The General Assembly's steering committee decided not to put the issue of "ROC" membership on the agenda of the U.N. General Assembly.
  • 31 August 1998 NEWSWEEK interview with Lin Yi-hsiung Newsweek Magazine published an excellent interview with the newly-elected DPP Chairman Lin Yi-hsiung.
  • 28 August 1998 Presbyterian Church says NO to Clinton's "three no's" . The Presbyterian Church issued a pastoral letter expressing deep disappointment in Mr. Clinton, and strong opposition to his statements about Taiwan.
  • 18 August 1998 Female opposition politician laid to rest. Ms. Lin Ti-chuan, who was murdered China was buried in Kaohsiung.
  • 18 August 1998 Thousands of Taiwanese attended the funeral service for DPP-legislator Lu Hsiu-yi, who passed away in Taiwan on 6 August 1998.
  • 7 August 1998 FAPA president: "Let no country stand between Taiwan and independence", The Washington Times published the following letter by Professor Wen-yen Chen, President of the Washington- based Formosan Association for Public Affairs.
  • 6 August 1998 Prof. Lu Hsiu-yi passes away, DPP legislator Lu Hsiu-yi passed away in Tamsui, near Taipei. He had been suffering from lung cancer since 1995.
  • 7 August 1998 Boston Globe: Clinton's kowtow to China, An excellent editorial by Globe Columnist Jeff Jacoby, showing how Mr. Clinton's policies are aiding a repressive China against a democratic Taiwan.
  • 1 August 1998 Lin Yi-hsiung new DPP chairman, Mr. Lin Yi-hsiung was sworn in as chairman of the leading opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
  • 31 July 1998 Taiwanese politician murdered in China, A female opposition politician from Kaohsiung died, after being kidnapped and drugged while she was accompanying her boyfriend on a business trip in northern China.
  • 31 July 1998 Weinberger: "Clinton selling out Taiwan", In an article in Forbes Magazine, former US Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger strongly criticized President Clinton for selling out Taiwan.
  • 27 July 1998 China threatening Taiwan again, In a defense White Paper issued by China's State Council (Cabinet), the Chinese Communist authorities in Beijing reiterated their military threats against Taiwan.
  • 19 July 1998 Washington Post: Harvey Feldman: "Clinton's China shuffle", "In the end, Taiwan's future is not a matter for Clinton, the American government or Beijing. It is a matter solely for the government and people of Taiwan to decide."
  • 17 July 1998 House supports Taiwan, a bipartisan group of 36 members of the House of Representatives introduced a Resolution reaffirming U.S. commitment to Taiwan.
  • 10 July 1998 Heritage: Clinton undermines Taiwan, President Bill Clinton set off a political firestorm in Taiwan and the United States when he stated what are known as the "three no's" as official U.S. policy toward Taiwan.
  • 8 July 1998 Washington Post: "Don't Taiwanese children count?", While President Clinton was visiting China, scores of Taiwanese children just across the straits were continuing to fight for their lives against a new, deadly virus.
  • 7 July 1998 Tillman Durdin, passed away, Together with his wife Peggy, Mr. Durdin was one of the few Western reporters to write about the February 28th Massacre in Taiwan in 1947.
  • 7 July 1998 Senate reaffirms support for Taiwan, In a strong rebuke to President Clinton, U.S. Senators Robert Torricelli and Trent Lott introduced a Resolution in the Senate reaffirming U.S. commitments to Taiwan.
  • 2 July 1998 Cox criticizes Clinton, U.S. Congressman Christopher Cox (R-CA) criticized Mr. Clinton for mistakingly stating that it was U.S. policy to pursue peaceful reunification between Taiwan and China.
  • 2 July 1998 Washington Post: "Siding with the dictators", excellent editorial criticizing Mr. Clinton's "three no" statement in Shanghai.
  • 30 June 1998 Blunder out of China, with regard to the Taiwan issue, Mr. Clinton committed two major blunders, violating the basic human rights of the Taiwanese people.
  • 27 June 1998 Disappointment in Beijing, Mr. Clinton stated that there would be "no change" in U.S. policy, and that he would stick to the "One China" formula.
  • 27 June 1998 Thousands demonstrate for Taiwan independence, where the Taiwanese people let it be known clearly that they want a free, democratic, and independent Taiwan.
  • 21 June 1998 House sends letter to Clinton, a bi-partisan group of members of the US House of Representatives sent a joint letter, urging him to reject the so-called "Three No's".
  • 21 June 1998 Washington Post: "Spinning off to China", excellent editorial by Jim Hoagland: "the China trip is being scripted around a set of fictions. Clinton joins the Chinese in manipulating himself for their purposes ..."
  • 7 June 1998 Lin Yi-hsiung new DPP chairman, Why Mr. Lin is the best person to lead the DPP into the 21st century.
  • 26 May 1998 Washington Post: "Be clear on Taiwan", Mr. Joseph Bosco of the Altlantic Council tells Mr. Clinton to "Be clear on Taiwan."
  • 21 May 1998 Senators write letter to Clinton, urging him to uphold the American commitment to Taiwan's security and to call on China to renounce the use of force against Taiwan.
  • 21 May 1998 U.S. opinion poll: strong support for Taiwan. In a recent opinion poll, a large majority of Americans showed strong support for Taiwan.
  • 20 May 1998 Bellocchi: "Encourage Taiwan". In his testimony at the House hearing, former Ambassador Nat Bellocchi outlined "three encouragements for Taiwan."
  • 20 May 1998 Hearing in the House. At a hearing in the House of Representatives, Administration officials reiterated that the U.S. attaches great importance to its commitment to preserving Taiwan's security.
  • 14 May 1998 Hearing in the Senate. At a hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, two testimonies were presented on U.S. relations with China and Taiwan.
  • 11 May 1998 WHO bid rejected. Taiwan's bid to join the UN-affiliated world body as an observer was rejected at the third plenary meeting of the WHO conference's opening.
  • 7 May 1998 Taiwan into the WHO. Several dozen US congressmen jointly urged US Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala to back Taiwan's bid to enter the World Health Organization.
  • 7 May 1998 Washington Post: "Brazen Road to China". Excellent article by Jim Hoagland.
  • 6 May 1998 Washington Post:The Foreign Affairs Fudge factor. How the Clinton Administration circumvents the rules.
  • 29 April 1998 Murkowski:"Don't desert Taiwan". U.S. Senator Murkowski criticizes the Taiwan policy of the Clinton Administration.
  • 11 April 1998 Heritage Foundation: "Protect Taiwan". In a Washington Post article, the Heritage Foundation urged Mr. Clinton to be firmer in protecting Taiwan.
  • 7 April 1998 The Future of Taiwan The Washington Times published the following Op-Ed article by Professor Parris Chang, who serves a s DPP-member in Taiwan's Legislative Yuan..
  • 19 March 1998 Washington Post:"Taiwan's coming independence". Taiwanese Americans object strongly to Joseph Nye's proposals in his March 8 op-ed article, "A Taiwan Deal."
  • 17 March 1998 Mayor Chen goes to Washington. During a three-day visit to Washington, Mr. Chen Shui-bian emphasized that the people of Taiwan have the right to determine their own future.
  • 15 March 1998 Washington Post: Hurrying to China. Fred Hiatt writes that Mr. Clinton should not be in such a hurry to go to China, but improve relations with the democratic nations that surround China.
  • 10 March 1998 Lin Yi-hsiung endorsed for DPP chairman. Taipei Mayor Chen Shui-bian endorsed lawyer Lin for important chairmanship position. 
  • 5 March 1998 Anthony Lake: "Never at the expense of Taiwan". Mr. Clinton's former national security advisor tries to reassure Taiwan that improvement of US-China relations will not be at Taiwan's expense.
  • 1 March 1998 Taiwan into the WTO. Taiwan is making good progress towards membership in the World Trade Organization.
  • 25 February 1998 Taipei mayor Chen not running for DPP Chairman. Mayor Chen Shui-bian announced he will not be a candidate for DPP chairman, clearing the way for others to run.
  • 21 February 1998 Stand firm on Taiwan. The Wall Street Journal published an excellent editorial on US policy towards Taiwan.
  • 21 February 1998 Dangerous US diplomacy. In the beginning and middle of January, three former US government officials came through Taipei.
  • 13-15 February 1998 The DPP's China policy conference. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) held a debate to hammer out its policy on relations between Taiwan and China.
  • 6 February 1998 Washington Post: Taipei Mayor Chen Shui-bian. A major interview with mayor Chen about the opposition's chances of winning control of Taiwan's legislature this year and then seizing the presidency in 2000.
  • 1 February 1998 Washington Times' blooper: "Peoples" Republic of China on Taiwan ? In an editorial titled "Taiwan's opportunity", the Washington Times referred to Taiwan as "People's Republic of China on Taiwan."
  • 1 January 1998 South Africa drops "ROC" for PRC: South Africa switched its diplomatic relations. While it is highly regrettable that Mr. Mandela is giving in to pressure from the undemocratic Beijing regime, the break in relations is also due to the Kuomintang's own stubborn clinging to its "Republic of China" title.