Political Position
The political position of the China Times had been slanted towards the pan-blue coalition (pro-unification), although it is considered more moderate than the United Daily News. Relations with the Kuomintang nationalist government have in the past been close, but when the China Times U.S. Edition ceased publication after the Chiang Nan Incident in October 1984, the China Times broke with then KMT president Chiang Ching-kuo in protest. Since the 1980s, the China Times has developed a more liberal and pro-democratic stance, often concerned with progressive issues such as social justice or environmental concerns. During the 1990s, the China Times was often supportive of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party, more on the grounds of liberalism rather than Taiwanese Independence.
Although Taiwanese politics in general have been centered more on the cross-strait relations rather than a left-right divide, the China Times has generally been more sympathetic towards social democratic policies or activism. This has led to a more critical stance towards Chinese domestic policies, especially when compared to the solidly blue United Daily News. The Liberty Times represents the pro-independence pan-green position.
Since it was bought by the pro-China Taiwanese businessman tycoon Tsai Eng-Meng (Want Want|Want Want Holdings Limited) in 2008, the China Times has veered into a more pro-China stance, and has been criticized of being “very biased” in favor of positive news about China.
China Television (CTV) was formerly owned by the Kuomintang itself and only sold to the China Times group in 2006.
The China Times Group also operates an English language Chinese news website, WantChinaTimes.com, established in 2010.
Read more about this topic: China Times
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