Publishers

December 12:

New details about domestically built submarine Hai Kun have emerged: during its second sea trial in June, the hydraulic system completely failed, causing the rudder to lose steering capability. The crew had to manually steer the submarine back to port. The Navy Command only stated that all contingency measures taken that day were within safety limits. CSBC Corporation stated that it would no longer respond to outside speculation, citing confidentiality.

December 15:

Mainland China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced sanctions against Iwasaki Shigeru, Executive Yuan adviser and former Chief of Staff of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, accusing him of openly colluding with Taiwan independence separatist forces and violating the “One China” principle and the spirit of the four China-Japan political documents. Iwasaki’s appointment as a senior adviser is seen as an important step in strengthening Taiwan-Japan security communication and cooperation.

December 15:

Following a controversy over a renovation company winning a military explosives procurement bid, it has now been reported that shoe manufacturer Daishi secured a NT$200 million (about US$6.3 million) contract for “5.56 mm primers.” Opposition parties worry that companies may win bids first and then take out bank loans—essentially “selling short” and have accused the Ministry of National Defense of wrongdoing. Daishi had filed a countersuit against its critics for defamation and is seeking damages.

December 17:

According to Reuters, a South Korean court has convicted two Korean contractors involved in Taiwan’s submarine program for leaking design documents related to a torpedo launch system. The court said the case could become a “major diplomatic burden” for South Korea. In response, a CSBC spokesperson said the company was unaware of the matter and had no comment.

December 17:

To counter infiltration by hostile foreign forces, the Executive Yuan approved four draft amendments to national security laws. Anyone publicly advocating war could face a maximum fine of NT$1 million (about US$31,000). Active-duty military personnel who fail to fulfill their duties and surrender to the enemy could face up to 10 years in prison; expressing loyalty to the enemy—whether verbally or through actions—could carry a sentence of up to seven years. Opposition parties expressed concern that definition of “publicly advocating war” is vague and could restrict civil liberties under the banner of national security. 

December 18:

Chairman Wu Feng-shan of the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) resigned after being summoned by President Lai Ching-te sending shockwaves through cross-strait personnel arrangements. Wu also revealed that since the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) returned to political power in 2016, mainland China’s Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) has left more than 10,000 SEF communications read but unanswered. It is reported that the new SEF chairman is likely to be Su Jia-chyuan, former speaker of the Legislative Yuan and president of the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association (TJRA), while the TJRA would be headed by Frank Hsieh, former premier and representative to Japan.

December 18:

The United States announced eight arms sales to Taiwan at once, totaling more than $11.1 billion, the second such package since President Donald Trump returned to the White House. Items include M109A7 self-propelled howitzers and HIMARS multiple-launch rocket systems, both heart of Taiwan’s NT$1.25 trillion (about US$40 billion) special arms procurement program. The United States broke precedent by notifying Congress before Taiwan’s budget was approved possibly to ease dissatisfaction in the Legislative Yuan over unclear procurement details.

December 19:

Premier Cho Jong-tai announced on December 15 that he would not counter-sign the Legislative Yuan’s third-reading passage of the Fiscal Allocation Act amendments, an unprecedented move in Republic of China constitutional history. Premier Cho warned that if the Legislative Yuan were unhappy, it could initiate a no-confidence motion. The Executive Yuan also issued “three principles for non-countersignature.” President Lai publicly backed the premier twice. Opposition parties accused the Lai administration of undermining the Constitution, abusing power, and acting autocratically and have launched impeachment proceedings against the president. A new poll by the Taiwan Public Opinion Foundation (TPOF) shows that 39 percent support the non-countersignature decision, while 43 percent oppose it. Among swing voters, 17 percent support it and 46 percent oppose it, with the vast majority siding with the opposition. 

December 19:

The Constitutional Court ruled that the amendment to the Constitutional Court Procedure Act passed by the Legislative Yuan last year was unconstitutional and immediately invalid. The decision was made solely by five grand justices of the Judicial Yuan, failing to meet the required deliberation threshold. This is the first case of its kind in history, sparking doubts within the legal community.

December 19:

A random killing occurred on the streets of downtown Taipei, leaving four dead (including the suspect) and nine injured. The suspect threw three gasoline bombs and smoke bombs at a Metro station to create panic, then attacked people with a long knife. During a police chase, the suspect fell to his death from the rooftop.