May 9: In 2019, the Control Yuan impeached prosecutor Chen Lung-hsiang who investigated former Legislator Tuan Yi-kang's case about an unfulfilled promise of swallowing a hockey puck. However, the impeachment was rejected by the Civil Service Disciplinary Committee of the Judicial Yuan. In support of Chen, outgoing prosecutor-general Chiang Hui-min criticized "specific individuals" in the Control Yuan for infringing the Constitution and undermining prosecutorial independence, causing a serious chilling effect.
May 11: At the Senate Armed Services Committee on May 10, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines testified that China is actively building up its military to the point where it can take over Taiwan without fear of U.S. intervention. The period from now until 2030 will be critical and urgent.
Director Scott Berrier of the Defense Intelligence Agency testified that China would prefer not to use force and would rather achieve unification peacefully. He would also like China to learn from the war in Ukraine that invading Taiwan is highly risky and difficult.
May 12: A new system in which those in home quarantine, self-monitoring, or home isolation are confirmed positive by rapid testing and physician confirmation without a PCR test took effect. However, many who would like to consult a doctor by video conference were encumbered by administrative delays, leading to doctors unable to provide diagnoses.
May 12: The pandemic surges, and 64,446 confirmed cases were added in a single day, with Taipei, New Taipei, and Taoyuan all breaking 10,000. But on Facebook, President Tsai Ing-wen praised Taiwan's epidemic prevention team for its excellent performance.
Mayor Hou Yu-ih of New Taipei responded that the reality is definitely not what the president said. He called for confirmation by rapid tests to apply to all subjects. Otherwise, Taiwan's medical capacity may experience overcrowding.
Mayor Ko Wen-je of Taipei also stated that if the central government insists on giving anti-viral drugs only after a positive PCR test, many would surely die.
May 12: Factors such as the Russia-Ukraine war, the pandemic, and interest rate hikes in the United States continue to impact the global economy. In his report at the Legislative Yuan, Chairman Yang Chin-long of the Central Bank stated that Taiwan's economic growth rate this year may dip below 4 percent. And due to rising commodity prices, the annual consumer price index (CPI) is expected to grow by more than 2 percent.
May 13: After the central government lifted import restrictions on ractopamine pork, many local legislatures passed local ordinances requiring zero detection of ractopamine, but these measures were nullified by the Executive Yuan. Five local legislatures including Taipei and Taichung petitioned for constitutional interpretation. The Constitutional Court ruled on May 13 that the Executive Yuan's actions were constitutional.
The Kuomintang (KMT) caucus of the Taipei City Council indicated that local autonomy has been stifled by the justices. Mayor of Huang Min-hui of Chiayi stated that future audits will still be strengthened to ensure food safety.
May 14: Due to constant changes in government policies, disputes have continued to arise regarding claims of epidemic prevention insurance, which were launched and sold since March 2020. Some insurance companies temporarily suspended sales and refused to insure "repeated policyholders," making many policyholders dissatisfied.
Some insurance companies have warned that if the infection rate in Taiwan reaches 15 percent, claims may total as high as NT$94.5 billion (about US$3.1 billion), which may overwhelm the property and casualty insurance industry. The industry is reluctant to accept that a positive rapid test result be interpreted as a confirmed case.
May 14: The 75th World Health Assembly will take place in Geneva, Switzerland. The United States Congress recently passed a Taiwan-friendly legislation to help Taiwan regain its observer status. President Joe Biden signed the legislation on May 13 which took effect immediately. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the President expressed gratitude.
Nine members of Congress also wrote a joint letter calling upon President Biden to consider visiting Taiwan during his upcoming trip to Asia to demonstrate U.S. support.
