Attacks on premier’s Japan trip infuriatingBy John ChengOn March 7, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) stood among fans, cheering as the national team defeated Czechia 14-0 in the World Baseball Classic. However, instead of applauding this moment, opposition lawmakers chose to echo Beijing’s outrage. Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Hsu Chiao-hsin (徐巧芯) spent weeks hammering the trip as some sort of scandal. Meanwhile, Beijing screamed provocation and labeled the trip as an effort toward Taiwan independence, warning Japan that it would “pay the price,” for allowing such behavior. The message from China was crystal clear — Taiwan’s leaders should stay home, stay small and never dare show their faces abroad.

Source: Taipei Times March 21, 2026 18:32 UTC