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Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou moved Thursday to ease a political storm over the government's decision to lift a ban on certain U.S. beef imports, saying adequate safeguards are in place to guard against mad cow disease.
The Dalai Lama led thousands of Taiwanese in a colorful prayer service for the survivors of Typhoon Morakot on Tuesday during a visit that has provoked an irritated but relatively measured response from China.
The death toll from Typhoon Morakot was raised to at least 650 Sunday after the worst weather disaster to hit Taiwan in half a century.
Taiwan awaited desperately needed aid from the United States, China and other countries Sunday as villagers mourned the hundreds who were killed in the worst storm to strike the island in 50 years.
Tens of thousands of anti-government demonstrators marched through downtown Taipei on Sunday to protest against President Ma Ying-jeou's policy of greater engagement with rival China, saying it could undermine the island's self-rule.
Taiwan said it had persuaded China to allow it to participate in a key U.N. body, offering a victory for President Ma Ying-jeou's campaign to win greater international recognition for the democratic island.
Amid rowdy street protests, Taiwan's leader shook hands and exchanged gifts Thursday with the most senior Communist Chinese official to visit the island. He later declared the trip a success but acknowledged that major disputes still exist between the rivals.
Angry protesters in southern Taiwan assaulted an envoy from rival China on Tuesday, part of an escalating reaction by the pro-independence opposition to President Ma Ying-jeou's policy of greater engagement with Beijing.
Taiwan's president on Saturday welcomed a U.S. decision to sell the island up to $6.5 billion in advanced weaponry, while China warned the move would damage relations between Beijing and Washington.
China's defense minister says Taiwan's domestic situation has undergone "positive changes," in a notable softening of rhetoric reflecting satisfaction with the election of Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou.
Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou said Saturday that the island needs to secure defensive weapons from the United States, despite warming relations with rival China.
Taiwan's new president on Tuesday tied improved political relations with rival China to Beijing's progress toward democracy — a condition the communist superpower may have trouble meeting.
Ma Ying-jeou isn't a charismatic figure. He calms rather than inspires. He's a soft spoken administrator who promises to govern by consultation.
Taiwan's opposition candidate cruised to victory in the presidential election Saturday, promising to expand economic ties with China while protecting the island from being swallowed up politically by its giant communist neighbor.
Tensions with rival China should ease if Taiwan elects front-runner Ma Ying-jeou as president in March, though any breakthroughs with Beijing likely would have to wait until at least 2010.
Taiwan's High Court cleared opposition presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou of graft charges Friday, securing a place for the former Taipei mayor in the March presidential race.
Presidential front-runner Ma Ying-jeou pleaded not guilty Tuesday at his corruption trial in Taipei, saying that his use of a special municipal fund was in keeping with government standards.
Cross-Strait Opening (NYT Editorial)Ma Ying-jeou takes over the captain's seat from Chen Shui-bian, and both sides could take advantage of this time to smooth relations between the countries.
News Analysis: Taiwanese see storm across strait - Asia - Pacific - International Herald TribunePolitical tension in Taiwan increases...
Ma Ying-jeou pitches Taiwan to EUA delegation from Taiwan led by Ma Ying-jeou, mayor of Taipei and chairman of the Kuomintang (KMT), and considered a likely contender to be Taiwan's next president, has just concluded a five-nation European tour intended to promote the island as an ideal economic partner for Euro
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