Taiwan, Still No Consensus on the US Beef Issue

Wednesday June 13, by Jerome F. Keating Ph.D.

In an unusual display of non-partisan politics, the legislators of the People's First Party (PFP) have joined the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) against the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) majority. The issue remains that of US beef. The DPP has occupied the legislature podium in a 120 hour protest to keep the plenary session from proceeding.

This is a rare instance where the traditionally pan-blue PFP has joined the Pan-green side of the aisle.

The opposition want the KMT majority to first take care of disaster relief and then address the issue of acceptance of beef with ractopine which Ma Ying-jeou has been trying to force the legislature to accept. This remains a hot issue in Taiwan.