THRAC participates in China Rights Network Press Conference on Chinese Communist Party leadership changes

On November 8 THRAC President Michael Stainton took part in a press conference in front of Queens Park by members of the China Rights Network, under the leadership of Sheng Xue, President of the Federation for a Democratic China.  In his remarks Michael Stainton commented on possible implications for Taiwan of leadership changes in China. He opined that there would be no change in current policies of managing the status quo, because these polices had been successful in  pushing Taiwan even closer to China, creating a growing economic and political dependency that continues to move the 'status quo" in China's direction. For the present China has bigger fish to catch in staking its territorial claims in the sea areas and islets in the South China Sea and around the Senkaku Islands. Keeping Taiwan drifting into China's arms while effectively "Finlandizing" Taiwan  in relation to other disputes in the area will well serve China's strategic interests, so its current policies towards Taiwan will continue.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Responds to THRAC/TCA Appeal on Taiwan Membership in WHO

In May 2012 THRAC and the TCA wrote a joint letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Health asking their support for Taiwan's participation in the WHO under the name Taiwan and to speak out against the attempt by the WHO secretariat to impose the name "Taiwan province of China" on Taiwan in all WHO usage. In October we finally received a reply from Minister of Foreign Affairs John Baird: Baird Letter on Taiwan in WHO

THRAC and TCA present petition for Chen Shui-bian medical parole to TECO Toronto

On October 11, TCA President Edward Chung, THRAC President Michael Stainton, and other leaders of Taiwanese organizations in Toronto, many of whom are also THRAC members, presented two letters of protest to Director General of TECO Toronto, Winston Chen. The two letters call for medical parole for Chen Shui-bian, and protest against the change in the English name of the Overseas compatriots Affairs Commission to "Overseas Chinese ..." . A petition with several hundred signatures calling for medical parole for A-bian was also given to him. Director General Chen promised to faithfully transmit all these to their addressee - ROC President Ma.

Michael Stainton presenting petitions and letter to Ma Ying-jiu asking for medical parole for Chen Shui-bian to Director general of TECO Toronto Chen Wen-Yi on October 11, 2012:

The letters are attached: 1011 呼籲陳前總統保外就醫 v1 Letter to Ma Re OCAC v1

The two videos (below) are Edward Chung and Michael Stainton's exchange with Director General Chen.

http://www.taiwanus.net/news/press/2012/201210122343171637.htm (台灣海外網) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFJ6Hi9OdDA&feature=youtu.be