Taiwan envoy skips Nagasaki memorial over perceived slight; KMT backs protest

Taiwan's representative to Japan, Lee Yi-yang, boycotted the Nagasaki atomic bombing memorial ceremony on August 9. He protested the Nagasaki city government's decision to consistently seat Taiwan's representative outside the diplomatic corps area, an arrangement he deemed a deliberate belittling of Taiwan's status.

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Diplomatic staff personnel who stand up against belittling behavior, we are certainly willing to affirm, but the handling must be precise, clear, and at the correct level.

Legislator and Kuomintang spokesperson Niu Hsu-ting expressed support for diplomatic personnel who stand up against perceived slights. "We are certainly willing to affirm this," Niu stated, but he emphasized that such actions must be handled with precision, clarity, and at the correct level. He suggested that if a clear explanation and mutual understanding cannot be achieved, then non-attendance is acceptable.

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If a clear explanation, statement, and mutual understanding cannot be obtained, then not attending is fine.

Niu further advised that international diplomacy is "ruthless, realistic, and adjusts according to current events." He cautioned against using diplomatic gains for domestic propaganda or political maneuvering, stressing that "national defense and diplomacy are serious subjects." Niu urged the public to approach international realities with rationality and calmness, avoiding manipulation by political ideology or rhetoric.

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International diplomacy is ruthless and realistic and adjusts according to current events.

Separately, Niu addressed allegations against Taiwan's representative in Geneva, Li Kuan-te, concerning alleged misuse of public funds, falsified accounts, and workplace bullying, as well as past traffic violations. Niu demanded that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately launch an investigation into these claims, providing a clear timeline. He insisted on strict punishment if any illegal actions or disciplinary violations are confirmed, warning against attempts to sweep the issues under the rug.

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National defense and diplomacy are serious subjects, and society should rationally and calmly judge international realities, rather than being bound by political ideology and propaganda.