July 6: Five legislators across political parties were collectively charged with bribery and sentenced in the first instance. Legislator Su Chen-ching formerly affiliated with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was sentenced to 10 years in prison, Legislator Liao Kuo-tung of the Kuomintang (KMT) to eight years and six months in prison, Legislator Chen Chao-ming of the KMT to seven years and eight months in prison, former Legislator Hsu Yung-ming previously affiliated with the New Power Party (NPP) to seven years and four months, and independent Legislator Chao Cheng-yu to six months. The sentences may be commuted to fines. Except for Chao, the other four defendants stated that they would appeal.
July 7: The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) stated that while the Omicron sub-variants BA.4 and BA.5 are highly contagious, the rate of serious transmission has not increased. As such, Taiwan will lift the number of inbound arrivals from 25,000 to 40,000 per week. Starting July 14, nationals, holders of valid residence permits, and those transiting Taiwan will be exempted form attaching a PCR test report within two days of boarding.
July 7: The Academia Sinica announced its 33rd list of academicians. Nineteen (19) who passed the election threshold are confirmed to have Republic of China (Taiwan) nationality, while the nationality of five (5) are pending confirmation. If the latter group cannot prove their nationality, the candidates in question cannot be elected but can be elected as honorary academicians in the next selection.
Before the current academician election, the Academia Sinica for the first time required academicians to have R.O.C. nationality. There are currently 265 academicians, some of whom do not have R.O.C. nationality, which has generated controversy.
July 7: The European Parliament passed a bill on July 6 supporting the listing of nuclear energy and natural gas investment as "green energy." On whether nuclear energy also become one of Taiwan's energy options, Tseng Wen-sheng, deputy minister of economic affairs and interim chairman of the Taiwan Power Company, responded that Taiwan faces the two hurdles of democratic choice and proper handling of nuclear waste. There is a better chance of discussing the prospects of nuclear energy after overcoming these two hurdles.
July 8: Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan was shot in his left chest during a speech in Nara and died at the age of 67. President Tsai Ing-wen expressed sadness and regret, stating that the international community lost an important leader and Taiwan an important friend. She condemned the violent and illegal act and announced on July 11 that the national flag would be flown at half-mast in mourning. Chairwoman Annie Lee of the Lee Teng-hui Foundation stated that she had recently invited Abe to visit Taiwan as a guest at the end of July. His death is a pity.
July 8: Senator Rick Scott of the United States visited Taiwan from July 7 to 9 and met with President Tsai Ing-wen. President Tsai stated that Scott is the first American member of Congress to visit the Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania and thanked him for his support on Taiwan's security and U.S.-Taiwan economic and trade relations. She looks forward to a stronger and closer U.S.-Taiwan partnership.
July 9: Secretary of State Antony Blinken of the United States and mainland Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi held talks for five hours during the Group of 20 (G20) Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Bali, Indonesia. In terms of China policy, Blinken articulated "Six Nos," including that the U.S. does not seek to fight a new Cold War against China, change the Chinese system, challenge the ruling position of the Chinese Communist Party, seek to contain China, support Taiwan independence, or seek to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.
Wang indicated that the United States is suffering from "Sinophobia" and demanded that it must not send any wrong signals to the forces behind Taiwan independence, underestimate the firm determination of the Chinese people to defend territorial sovereignty, or mistakenly commit subversive acts which would ruin peace in the Taiwan Strait.
July 10: The DPP's electoral strategy committee unanimously agreed to nominate Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung to run for Taipei mayor and former Minister of Transportation and Communications Lin Chia-lung to run for New Taipei mayor. The prospective nominations will be submitted to the party's Central Executive Committee. In a statement, Chen said that candidacy is his duty, and he will do his best to bear the responsibility.
