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With Hospital Infection, Mazu Tour Halt,
Taiwan Must Stay Vigilant |
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The annual tour of the sea goddess Mazu is an important festivity in Taiwan but has been suspended this year due to the novel coronavirus epidemic.
(Photo from: United Daily News) |
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First Instance of Clustered Coronavirus Transmission in Taiwan
United Daily News, March 1, 2020
The first nosocomial cluster infection emerged since the novel coronavirus appeared in Taiwan. Among the five additional diagnosed positive cases of yesterday, four came in contact with the 34th case in the hospital, one is an imported infection case whose patient travelled to the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.
Yesterday marked two full months after the outbreak of the coronavirus. The first nosocomial infection case showed domestic infection cases outnumbering imported infection cases. The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) admitted for the first time yesterday that it was a signal of alert for communal spreading.
The World Health Organization (WHO) also announced yesterday that the risk level of this novel coronavirus global spreading was upgraded from “high” to “extremely high” the highest category. However, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus pointed out that up to now, no hard evidence showed the virus spread extensively among communities. Therefore, the infection has yet been counted as pandemic.
The patient of 34th case of novel coronavirus Covid-19 was hospitalized for chronic disease, one cleaning staff and three of her ward nurses were having symptoms of coughing, running nose and fever. Four of them who came into contact with the 34th case and subject to testing were diagnosed positive. On the midnight of February 28, four of them were also diagnosed positive and became cases of 35th to 38th.
Mr. Chang Shang-chun, convener of advisory specialist panel, CECC expressed, according to preliminary judgement, the patients of cases 35th to 38th were quite possibly infected by patient of 34th case and thus it was concluded as a nosocomial cluster infection. As a consequence, the hospital was asked to close partial of its wards for environmental cleaning and disinfection.
Minister Chen Shih-chung, who heads the CECC, stressed that the hospital has reinforced its monitor. If any of its staff has symptoms of infection, he must suspend his work for testing. Even if the testing were negative, he must wait till those symptoms abated then resumed to work by wearing masks. Meanwhile, on referring this nosocomial cluster infection case, Minister Chen said “Linkou” (an administrative district of New Taipei) with a slip of tongue, when those reporters on the spot further inquired, the minister immediately said: Please ignore the site.
Mr. Su Yi-jen, former director for Centers of Disease Control, expressed that nosocomial infection was important source for virus outbreak. The virus outbreaks of South Korea and mainland China were started from nosocomial infection. Many cases of the current confirmed cases in our country have contacted with hospitals, this revealed the competency of our hospitals in containing infection. However, this first nosocomial infection possibly signified that there were “extremely high-volume virus” super virus spreader emerged. We should publicize its virus volume and its ability of spreading.
According to CECC statistics, up to date there are 39 confirmed cases, among them 21 cases are domestic and 18 cases are imported. Although there are only three cases in difference, it is the first time, our domestic confirmed cases outnumbered imported cases.
Minister Chen explained that “Communal Infection Spreading” must meet four definitions. First, no source of infection can be traced. Second, domestic cases outnumber imported cases. Third, continued spread chains emerge. And finally, massive cases of cluster infections occur. Chuang Jen-shiang, specialist of CECC admitted that our current communal spreading meets two of the four definitions, it was a “sign of alert for communal spreading”.
From: https://udn.com/news/story/120940/4380273
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Taiwan has started to see coronavirus transmission in hospitals.
(Photo from: The Storm Media) |
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Don’t Ruin Minister Chen
China Times Editorial, February 28, 2020
After a few rounds of debate and buck-passing, the Dajia Jenn Lann Temple finally decided to postpone its annual Mazu goddess tour, a major religious event in Taiwan. From the aspect of epidemic prevention, it seems proper. The Mazu goddess would not like to see the pilgrims take risks during the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. It should be a simple and clear-cut judgement. Yet the Tsai administration dares not to make decision due to political calculation. With such mentality to handle the coronavirus epidemic the government may bring unnecessary risks to the general public’s health.
At the time during the outbreak of coronavirus, nothing out-weights the urgency of disease control. In fact, Taiwan is already in first-level alert. The government has already implemented several measures, including to ban the export of masks, extend the winter vacation and postpone the schooling date for new semester, greatly reduce air flights to Hong Kong, Macau, and mainland China, ban the entrance of travelers from Hong Kong, Macau, mainland China, and South Korea. Compared with the measures taken by Japanese government which still allow visitors from China except from Hubei and Zhejiang provinces to enter Japan, Taiwan’s prevention measures are better and tougher internationally. Especially, the temporarily banning of the medical personnel to travel abroad during this period of time, is the most severe one in the world. The general public still support the government’s measures, including some draconian ones, because they believe that whatever the government has implemented is for the wellbeing of the people. That is why with a strong disproval from medical personnel and businesses from tourism, travel, and restaurants, the Tsai administration still gets support from the public. The approval rating of Health and Welfare Minister Chen Shih-chung’s approval rating reaches 80 percent, thus greatly benefits President Tsai Ing-wen and Premier Su Tseng-chang.
Only Pro-DDP Temples Are Immune?
While some harsh measures have been taken to respond to the coronavirus epidemic, the government unusually shrank back to deal with the Mazu tour. The government leaves the Jenn Lann Temple to decide whether or not to go on as scheduled. The government in one hand declared to cancel the May 20 presidential inauguration ceremony, as it would be “not proper to held big gathering events”. Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung implied that the “Mazu goddess is merciful”, and “don’t let Mazu worry (about the risks)”. Interior Minister Hsu Kuo-yung persuaded relevant Temples to cooperate with government. The annual tour is a million-people gathering event which needs months-long preparation, involves many relevant temples, inputs huge man power and budgets, and provides million-dollar business opportunities. Once it announced the suspension of this year’s tour, Jenn Lann Temple faces directly blames from all sides. Jenn Lann Temple hopes that the government makes a clear decision, and the Temple follows. Yet the government leaves the hot potato to the temple, in a hope to avoid offending a great number of Mazu believers and the temple’s supporters.
As to the epidemic control, it is a common sense to “avoid gathering of crowds”. Measures such as: suspension of a major marathon in northern Taiwan, cancel of several entertainers’ concerts, temporarily banning of medical personnel to travel abroad, cancelation of graduation trips, have been taken by the government. Yet when it faced the great event of annual Mazu goddess tour, the government took a back seat. The government’s decision was a political calculation in disguise of worship the goddess. Ironically, almost at the same time, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan, took part in person to the annual tour held at Longde Temple in Taoyuan. Are only the temples which support the ruling DPP disease-free?
The administration has decided to raise the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) to “first-level alert”. In normal practice, the commander is supposed to be the premier or vice premier, yet the Minister Chen remains in command. That is because the Minister Chen has been regarded as a hero and earned the trust of the general public during this hard time, and the Tsai administration wishes to benefit from the halo of a hero.
Up until now, Taiwan’s epidemic prevention is quite good by international standards, yet not all measures are correct. Some measures have been criticized as “politics overrides professionalism,” and “inhumane”. The Tsai administration has utilized the general public’s fear of the spread of coronavirus to rationalize its anti-China policy, and stimulated a wave of populist anti-China sentiments. For example, the Minister Chen Ming-tong of the Mainland Affairs Council announced that it will loosen the entrance restrictions to those children of spouses of mainland China nationals. Such announcement met strong criticisms from netizens, then the next day the Tsai administration promptly changed position as to ask the Minister Chen to say “Those children who do not choose our nationality, will bear the consequences.” It was a political decision. To urge the health chief to deliver political decision, is to make Minister Chen a political mouthpiece. The government has been using the Minister Chen’s high popularity to cover its dark political maneuver.
Politics Prioritized Ahead of Disease Control
Another example was the halt of planned charter flights bringing back Taiwanese businessmen and their families stranded in Wuhan. Shortly after the first charter flight in early February, governments of both sides of Taiwan Strait strangled with a political tug of war. If the safety of those our people been stranded in Wuhan is our priority concern, there should be rooms of flexibility, instead of a stoppage of charter flights afterwards. Which one is more important, health of our people or tug of war in politics? The general public have their own judgements. Such political decisions were not made by Minister Chen Shih-chung; he is not at that level. However, he was pushed to the front line to take the political responsibilities of decisions other than disease control. This political move was an abuse of Minister Chen’s professionalism. It is unfair and harmful to the disease control based upon professionalism.
To fight the coronavirus is a war protecting the health and life of all people. There are no rooms for errors. Political calculation prioritizes disease control will certainly hinder the epidemic control, and do harms to the safety of public health. If the government really wants to win the battle, please stop using Minister Chen Shih-chung as a political tool.
From: https://www.chinatimes.com/opinion/20200228003414-262101?chdtv
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Taiwan at the Crossroads of Its Destiny
By Su Chi
United Daily News, March 1, 2020
You may not like it, but for centuries Taiwan’s destiny has never been decided by its popular will, but in turn by neighboring great powers such as China, Japan, and the United States. The recent 20 to 30 years, practically the only beautiful exception allowing Taiwan to self-govern, is the result of reconciliation between China and the United States. Now China is rising and prepared to barge out into the world, and the U.S. is suddenly awoken to this harsh reality and eager to push it back. Hence the return of cruel geopolitics to Taiwan.
These new circumstances seem to lend greater confidence to President Tsai Ing-wen in her pursuit of “Two States,” and greater sense of security to her Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) supporters. However, is Taiwan really safer now than before? Has the “sense of national doom” disappeared simply because the term is not mentioned anymore?
History has repeatedly shown that the greatest danger in the great-power rivalry usually lies at the initial stage. The competitors tend to push outward strenuously without knowing where the real limit is. An equilibrium will be reached only after quite a few trials and conflicts. In the case of the U.S-Soviet rivaly, for instance, it wasn’t until the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, after the Korean War, Taiwan Strait crises, Berlin crises, Suez Canal crisis, etc. that it became clear there would not be a hot war between superpowers, only a cold war. What followed was nothing more than proxy wars or punitive actions against some unfortunate small countries.
The trial period between China and the U.S. has already begun. Trade war and tech war were already introduced. Waiting in the wings are perhaps the financial war, or conflicts associated with the South China Sea, Diaoyutai Islands, and the Korean Peninsula. Nevertheless, the most dangerous, difficult, and sensitive issue among all is undoubtedly the island of Taiwan. Therefore, the two great powers have managed this issue with utmost caution. For instance, Beijing did not immediately shut its doors upon the inauguration of President Tsai; and Washington only said a few nice words and passed a few itchy but not hurtful bills, but not daring to take grand actions.
However, Tsai’s re-election in January changed everything. For it represents not only a specific “dot” in time, as if everything would remain the same after the “dot” as in the past. In the eyes of Mainland China, Tsai’s re-election may well mean a “line”— i.e. a trend, thus a heightened sense of urgency. It may also be seen against the background of a “chessboard” entangling many other dots and lines in China’s internal and external affairs. As such, the value of Taiwan moved up, so did the military and financial costs China was willing to pay.
As the U.S. and China begin contesting for “lines” and “chessboards,” Taiwan’s destiny is slipping out of its control and entering the arena of power struggle between them. Beijing’s role in particular is most crucial since Taiwan has been a core concern for the entire country and people; whereas, for the United States, Taiwan ranks second to Japan or even South Korea.
This is why I put forward the thesis of “five Ifs” before the presidential election. Now four out of five Ifs are no longer Ifs. The results of the HK and Taiwan elections are now known. That the DPP is starting a “new dynasty” in Taiwan, perhaps sliding to a “new country” in the near future is now known. That the U.S. played a significant role therein is also well known. The only unknown is the degree to which Xi Jinping is under pressure on Taiwan domestically.
One can be certain that strategists in both the U.S. and China are now eagerly assessing their assets, tools, and potential costs in their pursuit of primacy. Even though the comprehensive national strength of the U.S. is still greater than that of China, the picture does not look too good for Taiwan. Two points can be made here. First, the United States is “willing but unable”, both internally and externally, to help Taiwan. In sharp contrast to Beijing’s collective thinking, concentrated power, and strong will on Taiwan, President Donald Trump has been busy deepening internal cleavages and splitting the American society along partisan, racial and class lines. As a result, although hostility towards China enjoys a rare consensus in Washington, it has yet to be forged into an actionable strategy.
Internationally, Trump’s “America First” alienated just about every ally in the world. Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany openly said that Europe can no longer rely on the US protection and “must take destiny into its own hands.” South Korea is now visibly drifting away and the Philippines are considering ending the visits of US forces.
Second, in terms of military, America’s “arm cannot stretch that far” for Taiwan. Even though the U.S. still commands the most powerful armed forces on earth, its strength and attention are inevitably divided among multiple areas in need. With Taiwan being on the other end of the Pacific, available U.S. forces may not be able to rival China at crucial moments. The U.S. carrier groups may have enormous warfighting experiences, but only as the “world policeman,” striking the villains with near impunity, never to have fought a “worthy peer” when the villain may strike back. Unfortunately China’s missiles can now penetrate through U.S. defenses and hit the U.S. carriers within the entire maritime region west of Guam with speed and precision. The Pentagon thus found itself losing all of the eighteen wargames in recent years.
Recently fighter jets from the Mainland have run through the median line of the Taiwan Strait multiple times, once even pressing 80 kilometers east of the median line and stayed for 12 minutes. Each time the US aircraft showed up only the following day at their earliest. Why? The U.S. has only one air base within the unrefueled fighter range of 800 kilometers from the island whereas China has nearly 40 air bases. Besides, as much as they like, it is impossible for the American carriers to stand on guard near Taiwan for any long time.
So everything hinges on Xi Jinping’s determination regarding Taiwan, and this backtracks to his pressure from within China, as mentioned earlier. Compared to the Russian President Vladimir Putin, Xi’s outward actions have been relatively restrained. Putin swallowed Crimea and moved into eastern Ukraine soon after he felt the NATO pressure on Ukraine. He even joined the civil war in Syria to vie for influence in the Middle East. Nevertheless, since the unfolding of the US-China competition, Washington has been “all punches and kicks” with the trade war, tech war, Hong-Kong, and Taiwan. From dots to line, line to chessboard, Beijing has been rather passive in its reaction to the U.S., not taking new initiatives. Now as the sensitive Taiwan issue is bubbling, Xi’s patience is presumably facing an unprecedented test intensified by the spread of the novel coronavirus as well as escalating hostility between the peoples on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
It is hoped that Taiwan’s leaders are cautious enough not to place a proverbial “last straw” at this time.
(Su Chi, chairman of Taipei Forum and former secretary-general of the National Security Council, 2008 to 2010.)
From: https://udn.com/news/story/7339/4380140
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February 24: The results from Taiwan’s General Scholastic Ability Test (GSAT) were released, and the number of students who achieved a full score in mathematics reached a record high of 14,489, an increase of more than 6,000, which may lead to an excess number of admitted students. The test center admitted dissatisfactory administrative supervision, and Director Chang Mau-kuei resigned.
February 24: Major construction projects including the Keelung light rail and the Yilan extension of the Taiwan High Speed Rail will enter environmental assessment and review this year. However, the Environmental Protection Agency saw a new group of committee members who would not refute or discuss during meetings and passed many controversial cases quickly. Recently, even people listening to live environmental assessment broadcasts were denied, stirring controversy.
February 27: Taiwan confirmed its 32nd case of the novel coronavirus, an illegal foreign caregiver. She took the bus, Metro, and train from February 16 and 19 and has traveled across Taipei and New Taipei cities. She has also entered various hospitals multiple times to care for patients. Statistics show that Taiwan has at least 48,000 migrant workers out of contact, and this 32nd case highlights a hole in Taiwan’s epidemic prevention concerning illegal migrant workers.
February 27: The novel coronavirus epidemic continues to spread. On March 24, Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Center raised the travel advisory for South Korea to the highest third-level warning, advising against unnecessary tourism there. From February 25, those entering Taiwan from South Korea will need to undergo a 14-day quarantine at home. Additionally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs raised the travel warning on Italy to “red light,” meaning that Italy is inappropriate for travel and travelers there should leave as soon as possible. Those entering Taiwan from Italy must also be quarantined for 14 days.
February 27: Chairman Yen Ching-piao of the Dajia Jenn Lann Temple announced that the nine-day annual Mazu goddess tour, a major religious event, that was scheduled from March 19 to March 28 would be postponed. The date would be decided later, after the novel coronavirus epidemic is extinguished. The Office of the President also announced the previous day that the inauguration ceremony originally scheduled for May 20 would be temporarily suspended.
February 27: The Legislative Yuan announced that Speaker You Si-kun has hired Hung Tzu-yung, a former legislator who lost re-election, as a confidential adviser to the Speaker’s office. Her monthly salary of NT$120,000 (about US$4,010) has led to criticism that the hiring resembles a spoils system. Hung withdrew from the minor New Power Party and supported President Tsai Ing-wen’s re-election. Although she was defeated, Hung was rewarded and will take her new position beginning March 9.
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Taiwan Weekly is a newsletter released every week by Fair Winds Foundation and Association of Foreign Relations that provides coverage and perspectives into the latest developments in Taiwan.
The conclusions and recommendations of any
Taiwan Weekly article are solely those of its author(s), and do not reflect the views of the institutions that publish the newsletter.
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