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WORLD NEWS Saturday 18 May 2019
Taiwan approves same-sex marriage in first for Asia

By RALPH JENNINGS demonstrated Friday morn-
Associated Press ing in the rainy streets out-
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Tai- side parliament before
wan’s legislature voted the vote. Many carried
Friday to legalize same- rainbow-colored placards
sex marriage, a first in Asia reading “The vote can-
and a boost for LGBT rights not fail.” About 50 oppo-
activists who had champi- nents sat under a tent out-
oned the cause for two de- side parliament and gave
cades. speeches favoring mar-
Lawmakers pressured by riage between only men
LGBT groups as well as by and women.
church organizations op- Taiwan’s Constitutional
posed to the move ap- Court in May 2017 said the
proved most of a govern- constitution allows same-
ment-sponsored bill that sex marriages and gave
recognizes same-sex mar- parliament two years to
riages and gives couples adjust laws accordingly.
many of the tax, insurance The court order mobilized
and child custody benefits LGBT advocacy groups
available to male-female pushing for fair treatment,
married couples. as well as opponents
That makes Taiwan the first among church groups and Same-sex marriage supporters kiss outside the Legislative Yuan Friday, May 17, 2019, in Taipei,
place in Asia with a com- advocates of traditional Taiwan after the legislature passed a law allowing same-sex marriage in a first for Asia.
prehensive law both allow- Chinese family values that Associated Press
ing and laying out the terms stress the importance of tana Keiangpa of the Asia ruling Democratic Progres- couraged even the discus-
of same-sex marriage. marriage and producing Pacific Coalition on Male sive Party championed the sion of legalizing same-sex
Taiwanese President Tsai offspring. Religion, con- Sexual Health. cause to help Taiwan stand marriage.
Ing-wen, a supporter of servative values and po- Phil Robertson, deputy Asia out in Asia as an open so- Despite that, news of Tai-
the law, tweeted: “On litical systems that discour- director for Human Rights ciety. wan’s new law was a ma-
May 17th, 2019 in Taiwan, age LGBT activism have Watch, said Taiwan’s ac- Although claimed by Chi- jor trending topic on social
LoveWon. We took a big slowed momentum toward tion should “sound a clari- na as its own territory, Tai- media in China, with more
step toward true equality, same-sex marriage in many on call, kicking off a larger wan is a self-governing de- than 100 million views on
and made Taiwan a better Asian countries from Japan movement across Asia to mocracy with a vibrant civil the Twitter-like microblog-
country.” through much of Southeast ensure equality for LGBT society dedicated to pro- ging site Weibo.
“It’s a breakthrough, I have Asia, although Thailand is people and pro-active moting rights for sexual and Opponents in Taiwan
to say so,” said Shiau Hong- exploring the legalization of protection of their rights by ethnic minorities, women, raised fears of incest, insur-
chi, professor of gender same-sex civil partnerships. governments throughout the handicapped and oth- ance scams and children
studies and communica- “This will help spark a de- the region. No more excus- ers. confused by having two
tions management at Shih- bate in Thailand, and es!” Mainland China, ruled by mothers or two fathers.
Hsin University in Taiwan. hopefully will help Thailand Taiwan’s acceptance of the authoritarian Commu- Both sides of the issue have
Thousands of people, in- move faster on our own gay and lesbian relation- nist Party, remains much held colorful street demon-
cluding same-sex couples, partnership bill,” said Wat- ships began in the 1990s more conservative and of- strations and lobbied law-
when leaders in today’s ficials have repeatedly dis- makers. q

Japan, China agree to boost

relations ahead of Xi visit

By MARI YAMAGUCHI Chrysanthemum Throne on the G-20 summit in Osaka,
Associated Press May 1. “A new momentum where the leaders are ex-
TOKYO (AP) — Japan and is emerging in Japan-China pected to hold talks.
China agreed Friday to relations,” Yang said. Yang also met with Abe’s
boost their relations ahead “I’m confident that our ties national security adviser,
of a planned visit by Chi- are not only back on a nor- Shotaro Yachi, and For-
nese President Xi Jinping to mal track but will continue eign Minister Taro Kono to
Japan in June, his first since to develop in a healthy and discuss Xi’s visit. During the
coming to power in 2013. stable manner,” he said. G-20 summit, Abe also is
China’s top diplomat, Yang The two Asian powers have to meet with U.S. President
Jiechi, told Prime Minister disputes over the owner- Donald Trump for a third
Shinzo Abe that the timing ship of tiny islands and un- month in a row. Abe said
is appropriate for the two dersea deposits in the East Xi’s visit would be a catalyst
sides to deepen ties. China Sea, as well as over for China-Japan relations.
He said this year marks a wartime history, but their “Using President Xi’s visit to
fresh start for both coun- relations have improved re- Japan as a trigger, I hope
tries — the 70th anniversary cently amid the U.S. trade we can further develop
of Communist rule in China war with China. Japan-China relations into
and the beginning of the Abe and Yang agreed to a new era as our relations Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi, left, and Japanese
“Reiwa” era of Emperor Na- continue preparing for Xi’s have returned to normal- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, right, shake hands at Abe’s official
residence in Tokyo Friday, May 17, 2019.
ruhito, who acceded to the June 28-29 visit to attend cy,” Abe told Yang.q Associated Press