APA Hotel's floating price strategy induces price war among Japanese hotels

 Direct translation       Photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Price war rages in Japanese hotels! The price difference between Toyoko Inn and APA is staggering; their floating price strategy revealed

Photo of a reception counter of a Toyoko Inn branch in Narita. 

Copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Price war rages in Japanese hotels! The price difference between Toyoko Inn and APA is staggering; their floating price strategy revealed

Most business hotels in Japan compactly integrate essential functions into their room types, making the stay smoother and suitable for both business and personal travel. This makes them a top choice for many visitors to Japan. The two major chain business hotel brands, "APA Hotel" and "Toyoko Inn," are popular choices for Taiwanese tourists due to their numerous branches and consistent quality. However, experts point out that the two operators have significantly different pricing strategies. APA Hotel uses a floating price system, resulting in large price fluctuations for the same room type, while Toyoko Inn maintains a fixed price. This difference stems from their different target customer groups.

Shinichi Yamaguchi, a Japanese accountant and financial planner, and a contributor to the fields of economics, technology, and real estate, points out that rooms costing over 10,000 yen (approximately NT$2,027) per night on weekends can sometimes be booked for just a few thousand yen on weekdays. This is because hotels adjust prices based on daily demand—the so-called floating price system—which is gradually becoming the mainstream in the Japanese hotel industry.

APA Hotels is a prime example of a floating price system. Although classified as a business hotel, during peak seasons, prices often adjust to near-luxury hotel levels, with significant price fluctuations for the same room type. For instance, at the Ikebukuro Station North Exit branch in May, a single room might cost less than 10,000 yen per night during off-peak hours like Mondays or Wednesdays, but could exceed 26,000 yen per night (approximately NT$5,270) on Saturdays. Based on current data, the lowest price is approximately 6,000 yen (approximately NT$1,216), and the highest is approximately 26,200 yen (approximately NT$5,310), a price difference of over four times.

Reports indicate that APA Hotels' prices are determined by each branch manager, leading to significant differences between branches. APA's operating strategy can be summarized as "maximizing profits when possible."

Toyoko Inn, on the other hand, emphasizes a "principle of a single price," differentiating only between "weekdays/Sundays" and "Saturdays/the day before long weekends," with a fixed rate. In Tokyo, for example, weekday prices are around 8,000 yen (approximately NT$1,621), while weekend prices are around 10,000 yen, with relatively limited price differences.

Even during peak seasons like Golden Week in Japan, prices don't surge to over 20,000 to 30,000 yen per night, generally remaining similar to weekday prices. However, because prices are relatively lower during peak seasons and weekends, Toyoko Inn is often fully booked in advance, making last-minute bookings more difficult for consumers.

Regarding its single-price system, Toyoko Inn stated that its core philosophy is: "Whether for business trips or personal travel, we set a 'budget-friendly price' as the upper limit." The underlying goal is to provide customers with peace of mind and retain long-term repeat customers, especially focusing on business travelers.

Compared to Toyoko Inn, when booking APA hotels last minute, customers have a better chance of securing rooms in popular areas near train stations, but the trade-off is that nightly rates may reach 20,000 to 30,000 yen or more (approximately NT$4,054 to 6,081).

In the latter half of the 2010s, APA Hotels faced criticism from the Japanese public for its extreme price fluctuations, even ranking last in business hotel satisfaction surveys. However, APA Hotels continued to use a floating price system. But with the increase in foreign tourists, other hotels gradually adopted the same system, reducing the criticism of APA Hotels.

Currently, the hotel industry is experiencing a peak in profits due to the increase in inbound tourists. However, Toyoko Inn did not rely heavily on inbound tourists before the pandemic, so foreign tourists accounted for only about 10%, lower than the industry average of about 25%. To retain regular business travelers, Toyoko Inn chose to maintain price stability.

As for APA Hotels, the proportion of inbound tourists exceeds 30%, higher than Toyoko Inn. Furthermore, due to the conservative political stance of APA Hotels founder Toshio Motoya, its foreign customer base is also different, with more tourists from the United States and Taiwan than from China and South Korea. Tourists from Europe, America, and Australia, who stay longer and are willing to pay higher prices per night, have become an important advantage for APA Hotels. Due to the depreciation of the yen, prices in Japan are about 1.5 to 2 times cheaper than in other developed countries. Therefore, even a nightly stay exceeding 20,000 yen is not particularly expensive for European and American tourists.

In terms of business models, Toyoko Inn primarily operates through direct management, while APA Hotels employs a dual system of direct management and franchising. Since APA Hotels' franchisees pay approximately 4% or more of their revenue as royalties, this further contributes to the price difference. Shin Yamaguchi points out that the divergence in pricing strategies essentially reflects a different target customer group: one primarily serving domestic business travelers, and the other primarily serving inbound tourists.

Source : https://ec.ltn.com.tw/article/breakingnews/5402882

Cheng Li-wen's two sentences show signs of "CCP manipulation"

 Direct translations / News on Taiwan and CCP China

News (1)

Cheng Li-wen's two sentences are strange! He exposes Signs of "CCP manipulation"

Image : KMT Chairperson Cheng Li-wen met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing today. (Reuters)

KMT Chairperson Cheng Li-wen met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing on 10 April 2026 and delivered a speech. During her speech, she praised China for "completely eradicating poverty" and becoming a "moderately prosperous society" under Xi Jinping's leadership. After media reports, netizens immediately mocked her, saying "How dare she say such things?" and "Escape poverty with a monthly salary of 3,000 RMB." Legislator Lin Chun-hsien warned that there were obvious signs of CCP manipulation in this speech, and these two sentences are precisely the propaganda slogans that the CCP has been forcefully using domestically in recent years.

Lin Chun-hsien posted on Facebook today, stating that he carefully read the full text of Cheng Li-wen's speech and felt there were several points that required special attention and vigilance. First, this transcript of the speech clearly shows signs of being heavily manipulated by the CCP. For example, the most obvious example is the section on "comprehensive poverty alleviation" and "building a moderately prosperous society in all respects." These two phrases are propaganda slogans that the CCP has been forcefully using domestically in recent years, and can be seen everywhere in China.

Furthermore, terms such as "the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation" and "a community of shared future" are all CCP propaganda language, arranged by the CCP to be spoken by Cheng Li-wen to the Chinese people themselves, and have nothing to do with the Taiwanese people.

Lin Chun-hsien stated that all of the above is merely Cheng Li-wen being used as a puppet, and has nothing to do with the Taiwanese people. The truly serious and alarming aspect is Cheng Li-wen's mention of "the inland waters of the Taiwan Strait" and a "peace framework." He stated that he has repeatedly emphasized over the years that the more internationalized the Taiwan Strait becomes, the safer Taiwan will be. The passage of foreign warships through the Taiwan Strait, besides upholding freedom of navigation, also signifies that the Taiwan Strait is a neutral area between two different political entities, which has very important symbolic significance.

And the so-called "peace framework" is precisely the "unfinished business" of the Lien-Hu meeting. These two points combined essentially define cross-strait relations as a "domestic issue," eliminating any room for international intervention. The insidious nature of their intentions should not be underestimated. Given Xi Jinping and Cheng Li-wen's intentions, the key question is how things will develop from here.

Lin Chun-hsien predicts the script will play out like this: the CCP deliberately stirs up trouble in the Taiwan Strait, then the KMT rushes in shouting "peace is needed across the Strait," proposing a so-called "peace agreement" that would "inland" the Taiwan Strait. The Taiwan People's Party cooperates, attempting to use its majority in the legislature to force the government to compromise. "Of course, to borrow a famous quote from a former chairman, we will not yield. But since we have seen through the opponent's tactics, we must prepare ourselves and be on high alert."

Ref.: https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/5399698

News (2)

Is the goal of the KMT and the CPC to achieve peaceful reunification across the Taiwan Strait? Cheng Li-wen reveals Xi Jinping made these remarks

Reporter : Liu Wan-lin, Taipei / https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/5399741

The "Cheng-Xi Meeting" took place on 10 April 2026. Following the meeting, Kuomintang Chairperson Cheng Li-wen held a press conference with Chinese and foreign reporters. NBC News asked whether, after meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, she believed their shared goal was peaceful reunification across the Taiwan Strait. Cheng Li-wen emphasized that throughout the talks, what was truly highlighted and valued was the shared sentiment of being Chinese citizens. She stated that Xi Jinping respects Taiwan's different way of life and system. While social systems and political stances may differ across the Strait, the common ancestors and national bloodline cannot be severed, and differences in social systems should not be an excuse for division.

The foreign media asked, "Chairperson Cheng mentioned in a previous interview that her trip to the mainland was primarily to seek reconciliation. After meeting with General Secretary Xi, do you believe that you two share a common goal: peaceful reunification across the Taiwan Strait?"

Cheng Li-wen stated that throughout today's talks, "what was truly highlighted and valued was the shared sentiment of being Chinese citizens." Furthermore, during the conversation, Xi Jinping "in fact acknowledged and respected Taiwan's different way of life and system," and hoped this would be mutual, with Taiwan also respecting and affirming the development achievements of mainland China. She specifically mentioned the hope that no conflict would occur between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, and that in the future, both sides would be like one family, with more exchanges and closer ties.

Cheng Li-wen said that Rome was not built in a day, and this requires a continuous process of effort and a steadfast future. She hopes to unite and strive together to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Everything must be done one step at a time, and this path must be taken steadily step by step. "On this point, General Secretary Xi and I are very pragmatic."

Cheng Li-wen also mentioned that Xi Jinping said, "Social systems and political views may differ, but our common ancestors and national bloodline cannot be severed." Therefore, differences in social systems should not be an excuse for division; this is a very significant release of goodwill. We pragmatically face the many differences that have arisen after the long historical development of both sides of the Taiwan Strait. However, today, the achievements of Taiwan and the mainland are both great and successful achievements of the Chinese nation. We appreciate and respect each other, and can even learn from each other. There are greater opportunities for cooperation in the future, further expanding the existing achievements between the two sides, not only benefiting both sides but also humanity. We hope to consolidate and establish a peaceful and stable relationship."

News (3)

Finally met Xi Jinping! Cheng Li-wen praises mainland China's "extraordinary achievements" under Xi's leadership

Reporter : Liu Wan-lin, Taipei / https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/5399313 / Image : KMT Chairperson Cheng Li-wen visited China for the "2026 Peace Journey" and met with Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, today. (Screenshot from Xinhua News Agency website)

KMT Chairperson Cheng Li-wen visited China for the "2026 Peace Journey" and met with Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, today. In her remarks, Cheng Li-wen stated that peace is a shared morality and value between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. Both sides should transcend political confrontation and seek a systemic solution to prevent and avoid war. On the common political basis of adhering to the "1992 Consensus and opposing Taiwan independence," both sides should further plan and construct a systemic and sustainable dialogue and cooperation mechanism to make the peaceful development of cross-strait relations irreversible.

The "Cheng-Xi Meeting" began with a welcoming address by Xi Jinping, followed by a speech from Cheng Li-wen. However, due to Cheng's lengthy speech, reporters were asked to leave.

Cheng Li-wen stated that it was a great honour for the leaders of our two parties to gather and exchange views after a decade. At this moment, she deeply felt the global attention and the heavy historical responsibility entrusted to Cheng and Xi.

Cheng Li-wen said, "We are currently facing a highly turbulent era, but also an era full of hope. It is an era of the most widespread conflict since World War II, but it may also be an era in which all parties, after painful reflection, are determined to rebuild peace. The future of cross-strait relations is a question we all face. Undeniably, the interaction between the KMT and the CCP over more than a century has been full of ups and downs, but what we have always shared has been how to enable the Chinese nation to move from decline to rejuvenation."

Cheng Li-wen stated that since the peace visit of former KMT Chairman Lien Chan in 2005, which broke the ice, both parties have, with a forward-looking historical vision and from the perspective of the nation and the times, been committed to promoting reconciliation and peaceful development across the Taiwan Strait. In fact, peace and reconciliation across the Strait should only be the starting point for our two parties' joint efforts. She said, "We bear a greater responsibility and mission for the people on both sides of the Strait and for all Chinese people."

Cheng Li-wen expressed that therefore, the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is a shared rejuvenation for the people on both sides of the Strait. It is a reawakening and flourishing of the spirit of Chinese civilization. It is also a compassionate and empathetic global vision, a positive contribution to world peace and human progress. She firmly believes that this path to revitalizing China will surely inspire hearts and minds, lead the times, and is a shared value and common responsibility for both sides of the Strait.

Cheng Li-wen stated that under the leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping, the mainland's development has not only achieved complete poverty alleviation and built a moderately prosperous society in all respects, achieving remarkable success, but has also continued to take off. The 15th Five-Year Plan has just begun, and it will surely reach new heights, which is worth looking forward to.

Cheng Li-wen also mentioned that although people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait live under different systems, we will respect each other and move towards each other. She believes that peace is a shared moral and value for both sides, and both sides should transcend political confrontation, jointly plan and build a win-win, mutually beneficial community of shared future, and seek a systemic solution to prevent and avoid war, making the Taiwan Strait a model for world peace and conflict resolution.

Cheng Li-wen said that although the world is becoming increasingly extreme, and some shared human values ​​are gradually being abandoned, we will jointly uphold the shared concept of sustainability. We will cooperate in areas such as new energy, disease prevention, and the ethics and applications of artificial intelligence, using technology to serve human well-being and promote sustainable development worldwide.

Cheng Li-wen expressed her hope that through the unremitting efforts of both parties, the Taiwan Strait will no longer be a potential focal point of conflict, nor a chessboard for external intervention. The Taiwan Strait will be a strait connecting kinship, civilization, and hope. This is a symbol of the joint efforts of Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to safeguard peace. We will demonstrate to the world that the people on both sides of the Strait, sharing Chinese civilization, possess the highest wisdom to resolve difficult differences and have immense compassion to make crucial contributions to human peace and development. Our two parties should jointly build modern Chinese civilization and set an example for the integration and prosperity of human civilization.

Cheng Li-wen hopes that the Kuomintang and the Communist Party will jointly promote the institutionalization of cross-strait peace. Based on the common political foundation of adhering to the "1992 Consensus and opposing Taiwan independence," both sides should further plan and construct institutionalized and sustainable dialogue and cooperation mechanisms to make the peaceful development of both sides irreversible and fundamentally eliminate all causes of conflict.

Cheng Li-wen said, "We are jointly launching a project to revitalize Chinese civilization, based on Chinese culture and with harmony and coexistence as the core. Both sides should jointly study and promote various systems and initiatives that help eliminate disputes and create peace, and transform successful experiences into models that can be learned from by conflict zones around the world."

News (4)

The Cheng-Xi meeting has begun! Lai Chung-chih sarcastically remarked: "Forced to be created under China's 'peace framework'"

Image : Cheng Li-wen met with Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, in the East Hall of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing this morning (10 April). (Photo from Xinhua News Agency)

Kuomintang (KMT) Chairperson Cheng Li-wen embarked on a "peace tour" to China, meeting with Chinese Communist Party (CCP) General Secretary Xi Jinping in Beijing this morning (10 April). In response, Lai Chung-chiang, convener of the Economic and Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Taiwan (EDA), stated that the Cheng-Xi meeting, in essence, is a Chinese-only peace framework. If Taiwan does not further "unify" with China according to the KMT-CCP ​​consensus, the carrot will be replaced by a stick, and peace will be replaced by missiles.

Lai Chung-chiang posted on Facebook that the Cheng-Xi meeting, despite its flowery rhetoric, is essentially a Chinese-only peace framework. On the surface, it aims to force Taiwanese people to acknowledge their Chinese identity and that Taiwan is part of China, promising peace in return.

Lai Chung-chiang said that in reality, it's a carrot and stick situation, with the Cheng-Xi meeting on one hand and naval exercises in the East China Sea on the other. If Taiwan does not further "unify" with China according to the KMT-CCP ​​consensus and support Xi Jinping's vision of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, the carrot will be replaced by a stick, and peace will be replaced by missiles. This is a "peace framework" that forces Taiwanese people to become Chinese.

Ref.: https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/5399710

News (5)

KMT Chairperson Cheng Li-wen claims the Xi-Cheng Meeting will be a major advantage for Taiwan's Election

Reporter : Liu Wan-lin, Taipei / https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/5399630

Image : The Xi-Cheng meeting took place today, and KMT Chairperson Cheng Li-wen held a press conference with Chinese and foreign journalists afterward. (Reuters)

The Xi-Cheng meeting took place today, and KMT Chairperson Cheng Li-wen held a press conference with Chinese and foreign journalists afterward. She stated that there was no so-called "ticket" to completing the visit to China; it was simply about "the 1992 Consensus and opposing Taiwan independence." Taiwan did not sacrifice or give up anything. Cheng emphasized that this will be a major advantage for Taiwan's election, "and these will all translate into election votes." Of course, winning the election is necessary to implement all political propositions, which is a challenge the KMT must face.

When asked by the media about Cheng Li-wen's hope that exchanges could create a peace dividend, but arguing that these dividends would be difficult to fully realize as long as the KMT is not in power, how can the KMT avoid being manipulated by competing parties and gain mainstream public support when promoting cross-strait exchanges?

Cheng Li-wen stated that since taking office as party chairperson, she has faced various fabricated stories from within Taiwan, revealing their anxiety and lack of confidence, as if they are afraid that we will successfully accomplish these things as we have today. She repeatedly assured everyone that this is not an unattainable or impossible task, and that she is not some kind of superhuman being. She emphasized again and again that there are no other obstacles, no other demands, no other so-called "tickets"—nothing at all. It's really that simple: "The 1992 Consensus, Opposition to Taiwan Independence."

Cheng Li-wen stressed, "Taiwan has not sacrificed or given up anything, yet we can see spring in full bloom, smiles on each other's faces, and hands clasped as we sit at the table to exchange ideas. Therefore, many inner demons and obstacles are deliberately created and manipulated by people. As I said, this will be a major advantage for the Taiwan election."  

Cheng Li-wen explained that while many may not fully understand the situation, the 10-year hiatus in cross-strait relations has led to increasing tension and antagonism, causing immense suffering for many. Such pain and hardship cannot be easily dismissed by politicians.

She also emphasized that all political intentions and aspirations should be people-centered. During her four-month trip across Taiwan, she witnessed widespread public expression of hope for peaceful cross-strait exchanges, not to mention the desire to avoid seeing Taiwan's next generation on the battlefield. "These sentiments will translate into votes," she said.

Cheng Li-wen further stated that winning elections is essential in Taiwan to realize all political propositions and ideals. This is a challenge the Kuomintang (KMT) must face, and they are taking it very seriously, proceeding cautiously and strategically in this year's general election.

She reiterated that she does not want this issue to become a factor in vote counting; it should be considered a higher priority. However, when faced with potential obstacles and enemies, she said, "We must also overcome all difficulties and challenges to win the people's approval through the vote, which will make the path of cross-strait peace more stable and successful."

Cheng meets Xi in Beijing : What does KMT seek for Taiwan's future?

 Direct translation

Outrage! During the Cheng-Xi meeting, the KMT frantically cried out "Lie down in exchange for peace": Kneel before Xi Jinping first!

Reporter, editing : Wang He / https://www.aboluowang.com/2026/0410/2370436.html

In the morning of 10 April 2026, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Xi Jinping, leader of the Communist Party of China, met with Cheng Li-wen, chairperson of the Kuomintang (KMT). After ten years later, the "Xi-Cheng meeting" appeared, quickly becoming a focus of cross-strait public opinion. CCTV, the mouthpiece of the Communist Party, broadcast the meeting immediately, and related topics quickly went viral.

However, at the same moment the meeting took place, another event ignited the Taiwanese internet—the KMT headquarters simultaneously released an AI-generated propaganda video with the core slogan "Only with peace can we lie down and relax; peace is paramount." This video rapidly spread on platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, sparking huge controversy.

The 60-second video depicted children sleeping peacefully, youth exercising, and elderly people taking a walk, using soft filters and gentle narration to create a peaceful picture of tranquility, attempting to convey the political message that "peace brings a stable life."

However, what truly ignited public opinion was precisely the phrase "lying down and relaxing."

In the current political context in Taiwan, "lying down and relaxing" is not a neutral term. Originally a self-deprecating remark by the younger generation facing intense competition and anxieties about reality, implying "giving up on involution, lowering desires, and passive resistance," the video was directly appropriated by the Kuomintang (KMT) for cross-strait peace propaganda. This quickly drew widespread interpretation from netizens as: the so-called "peace" actually implies that Taiwan should choose to give up resistance and accept reality in the face of pressure.

As a result, Taiwanese social media exploded. Many netizens sarcastically commented that this was not peace propaganda, but rather "packaging surrender as a lifestyle." Some joked, "If the KMT had surrendered earlier in 1949, wouldn't things be more peaceful today?" Others questioned, "If someone holds a knife to your throat, do you shout 'Peace is paramount,' and then lie down first?"

Behind these reactions lies not merely dissatisfaction with a single video, but a deep-seated questioning of the KMT's current cross-strait policy.

Particularly sensitive is the fact that this video was not released randomly, but deliberately chosen to be released on the day of the Cheng-Xi meeting, highly synchronized with the overall pace of Cheng Li-wen's visit to China. Cheng Li-wen departed on 7 April 2026, visiting Jiangsu, Shangha, and Beijing, with her itinerary arranged by the mainland side, carrying a strong political symbolism. Meanwhile, the Kuomintang's (KMT) high-profile release of propaganda emphasizing "peace is paramount" and "only with peace can we lie low," is naturally seen by outsiders as a proactive response to Beijing's "peace narrative."

Critics argue that this propaganda logic implicitly presupposes that Taiwan can achieve peace and stability simply by lowering its confrontational stance and accepting the political framework proposed by Beijing but the question remains: Who defines this "peace"?

Is it peace based on equality, security, and dignity, or peace based on accepting the "One China Principle" and abandoning strategic resistance? This is the core question in Taiwanese society.

Because reality has not changed. Chinese military aircraft and warships continue to circumnavigate Taiwan, and military pressure and united front tactics have never ceased; cross-strait political differences remain sharp, and regional security tensions persist. Against this backdrop, the KMT's choice of "lying low" as the core of its peace narrative undoubtedly touches the most sensitive nerve in Taiwanese society.

Many commentators have therefore pointed out that the KMT's actions this time were not merely a "propaganda mishap," but rather exposed a fundamental dilemma in its cross-strait discourse: When "peace" is simplified to "non-resistance, non-confrontation, and concessions," it no longer conveys peace, but rather resembles political obedience.

Cheng Li-wen previously stated that this trip was to sow the seeds of peace for "Chinese people on both sides of the strait." However, in the eyes of many Taiwanese people, this "Cheng-Xi meeting" and the concurrently launched "lying down" propaganda were more like a meticulously designed political show: Beijing provided the stage and narrative framework while the KMT cooperated domestically by releasing "peaceful imaginations," attempting to create a political atmosphere where "stability can be achieved simply through dialogue."

However, true peace can never be obtained by unilaterally "lying down." Peace requires the support of strength, the guarantee of institutions, and, more importantly, equal negotiation based on dignity and security. Without these prerequisites, "peace" may only be a temporary surrender to pressure, not lasting stability.

The Cheng-Xi meeting is still unfolding, but at least on 10 April 2026, the simultaneous appearance of the "Cheng-Xi meeting" and the "lying down" advertisement has brought an unavoidable question back to the forefront of Taiwanese society:

What Taiwan seeks for the future—a dignified peace, or stability gained through concessions?

Cheng Li-wen has sold out the Republic of China

 Direct translation

For the sake of the Cheng-Xi meeting, Cheng Li-wen sold out the Republic of China!

Report by : Wong Jie, Facebook / Editor : Li Guangsong / https://www.aboluowang.com/2026/0408/2369503.html

The "Cheng-Xi meeting" in April 2026 is not merely a political show, but a disastrous "semantic retreat" in the KMT's cross-strait discourse. KMT Chairperson Cheng Li-wen's claim that "the whole world adheres to the One-China policy" as a pass to Beijing, while seemingly a clever semantic maneuver, is in reality a complete annihilation of the "Republic of China" within the international and cross-strait context.

The "One-China, Different Interpretations" dividend upon which the KMT previously relied collapsed long ago after Beijing defined the 1992 Consensus as "jointly seeking unification." Cheng Li-wen's use of the U.S. and Europe's "One-China policy" discourse is essentially a disastrous misalignment. The U.S. and Europe's policy aims to maintain de facto relations with Taiwan without recognizing Beijing's sovereignty over Taiwan; however, if Taiwan's largest opposition party actively adopts this framework, it is tantamount to crippling itself in cross-strait dialogue, admitting that the "Republic of China" is not a "One-China" subject to different interpretations.

This feigned refusal to interpret is extremely ironic compared to her pre-departure performance of visiting the Cihu Mausoleum and reporting peace to Chiang Kai-shek. Chiang Kai-shek's lifelong commitment to "opposing communism, restoring the nation, and eliminating the communist bandits" has been reduced to a fig leaf of "understanding and blessing" in Chairman Cheng's words, a cover for her alignment with the CCP. When the symbol of the Republic of China's sovereignty is simplified to "Republic of China numbers" rather than "national status" in exchanges, the KMT has essentially abandoned the legal basis for viewing the CCP as equals.

To obtain that fleeting glimpse of a handshake with Xi Jinping, Cheng Li-wen is willing to make the Republic of China appear isolated in the eyes of its international allies. How can a narrative that requires "concealment" in the face of the other side convince the Taiwanese people that the KMT has the determination to safeguard sovereignty? This visit to China did not bring peace, but rather a cheap sell-off of the "Republic of China."

————————

Does the KMT know what it's saying? A critique of the KMT's advertisements

In mainland China, "lying flat" is a popular internet slang term among the younger generation, referring to a passive attitude of giving up excessive pursuit of social standards of success (such as buying a house, a car, getting married, and having children) in order to maintain a minimum standard of living and low desires in the face of a highly competitive environment. This is seen as a silent protest against "involution," advocating against being exploited like "leeks" (a metaphor for being taken advantage of).

The following is a detailed analysis of "lying flat":

1. Core Meaning and Daily Life

Rejecting Involution: This refers to ceasing to work hard in workplace or social competition, giving up, and adopting a "non-competitive" attitude.

Low-Desire Life: This is specifically manifested in "not dating, not getting married, not having children, not buying a house, not buying a car, and low-level consumption," maintaining only basic survival.

Psychological Defense: This is a psychological adaptation strategy for facing overwhelming life pressures (high housing prices, high-intensity work).

2. Usage Examples (Context)

"Society is treacherous, so I'll just lie down as a sign of respect." (Indicating a halt to competition)

"A moment of lying down is pleasant, but lying down all the time is even better." (Enjoying a low-desire life)

"I despise those who spend their entire lives working for concrete and steel and 'traditional family values'... I shouldn't be so exhausted." (The original intention of the "lying down culture")

"Others look down on me, but I'll lie down and let them mock me." (Indifferent to external opinions)

"Anyway, I'm just rotten, I'll wait until the boss yells at me." (Completely giving up at work)

3. Synonyms and Related Vocabulary

* **Depressed Culture:** An expression of pessimism, despair, and helplessness.

* **Buddhist-like:** An earlier term describing a state of indifference and detachment.

* **Giving Up:** Letting things continue to deteriorate without taking any action.

* **Leeks:** Young people at the grassroots level who are exploited by capitalists at work to support high housing prices.

* **Involution:** The opposite of "lying down," referring to meaningless, excessive internal competition.

4. Social Background and Evaluation

Background: Originating from a 2021 online post titled "Lying Down is Justice," reflecting the helplessness of young people amidst an economic slowdown.

Positive Evaluation: Viewed as a rational rebellion against capital and social pressure, pursuing personal dignity and freedom.

Negative Evaluation: Criticized by official Chinese media as "irresponsible," "lacking ambition," and "lying down is shameful."

The above content is from Google AI.

Syrian President proposes setting up a "cross-strait energy corridor" to Syria, bypassing Hormuz

 Direct translation

Cutting off Iran's lifeline! His proposal of a "cross-strait energy corridor" has shocked Europe

Reporter : Wang Duruo / Editor : Zhongkang / https://www.aboluowang.com/2026/0401/2366914.html

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa proposes a Mediterranean land-based energy corridor plan during his visit to Germany.

On 30 March 2026, during his first official visit to Berlin, Germany, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa proposed to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and officials that Syria be developed into a Mediterranean land-based energy corridor connecting Gulf oil-producing countries with Europe, effectively bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, which has been blocked due to the conflict with Iran.

At a forum at the German Foreign Ministry and a joint press conference with Merz, Sharaa stated that given the severe disruption of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and the resulting energy crisis in Europe, Syria, with its unique geographical location in the eastern Mediterranean, could serve as a "safe and reliable energy supply hub." He prioritized the restoration of the Trans-Arab oil pipeline (Tapline), relocating its terminus to the Syrian port of Baniyas, and collaborating with Iraq to expand the Kirkuk-Baniyas pipeline. He also planned a comprehensive north-south energy corridor encompassing oil, natural gas, and rail transport.

Sharaa emphasized that this plan would not only provide a stable alternative route for Europe but also attract European companies, including those from Germany, to invest in Syria's energy, infrastructure, and reconstruction sectors, creating jobs and economic recovery opportunities for post-war Syria. He described Syria as possessing abundant human resources and expressed a willingness to establish a "circular migration" model with Germany to facilitate the orderly return of refugees to participate in reconstruction.

Aboluowang commentator Wang Duran believes that if Sharaa's proposals are implemented, they will significantly reduce the Middle East's dependence on the Strait of Hormuz and reshape the regional energy landscape. However, the project faces multiple challenges, including funding, technology, and regional security, and its implementation still requires multi-party coordination.

Latest news on Zhang Youxia

 Direct translation

Latest news on Zhang Youxia: He has been informed by Beijing's core circle

Reporter : Wang Duruo / Editor : Zhongkang / https://www.aboluowang.com/2026/0401/2366915.html

Rumours surrounding the power struggle between Xi Jinping and Zhang Youxia have taken another significant turn. New revelations indicate that Zhang Youxia's characterization within the CCP has been upgraded from the common charge of "serious violations of discipline and law" to the more sensitive level of "treason".

Overseas pro-democracy activist Sheng Xue published an article on 31 March 2026 (U.S. time) stating that an insider in Beijing, referred to as "Mr. X," revealed that Xi Jinping has internally labeled Zhang Youxia as a "traitor," accusing him of "secretly colluding with the United States and selling military intelligence," and claiming that this directly prevented the CCP from "attacking Taiwan."

The revelation claims that this characterization has not yet been publicly announced, but has been circulated internally among high-ranking military officials, department-level cadres, and cadres in the science and technology system. The content is allegedly transmitted to the logistics system of the Southern Theater Command and the high-ranking officials of the South China Sea Fleet, indicating that its influence is not limited to individual systems.

Unlike previous anti-corruption or disciplinary accusations, "treason" is the highest-level charge in the CCP's political context, considered a "contradiction between the enemy and ourselves," even surpassing "subversion of the regime" in its nature. "Mr. X" points out that this accusation is not based on specific evidence but rather on political necessity.

"Mr. X" analyzes that characterizing Zhang Youxia as a "traitor who colluded with the US" serves multiple purposes: firstly, it avoids interpreting the incident as "anti-Xi," thus maintaining Xi Jinping's authority; secondly, by drawing parallels to the historical treatment of Lin Biao, it morally suppresses him comprehensively.

A more crucial background lies in the Taiwan Strait issue. "Mr. X" reveals that Xi Jinping set a political goal within the Party of "attacking Taiwan before 2027," but current military and realistic conditions make it difficult to support this promise. Under these circumstances, attributing the "obstruction of the attack on Taiwan" to "internal leaks and treasonous acts" is seen as finding a scapegoat for policy failure.

The source also describes the current atmosphere within the CCP as "even more tense than during the Cultural Revolution." Cadres at all levels are frequently holding meetings, focusing on "preventing infiltration and catching spies." Meanwhile, Beijing, Shenzhen, and other places have strengthened security measures, including a comprehensive restriction on drone flights and sales, resulting in a highly tense overall social control.

Aboluowang commentator Wang Duran analyzes that "treason" within the CCP system is a politically motivated elimination through a line drawn between friend and foe. However, from a credibility standpoint, this remains a highly sensitive rumour. First, the source is singular: Sheng Xue only cites "Mr. X." Second, regarding "Mr. X's" past record of revelations: some trends have been confirmed, but some revelations lack evidence for a long time, such as the alleged gunfight during Zhang Youxia's arrest. Third, logically speaking, it conforms to the CCP's power struggle practices—"treason" is often used as a tool for purges, meaning that such operations "may exist," but this particular message cannot be independently confirmed.

More importantly, this narrative highly aligns with reality: attributing the "obstruction of the attack on Taiwan" to "collusion with the U.S. and leaks" allows for both shifting blame and suppressing dissent.

Multiple interpretations of Wen Jiabao's sudden public appearances suggest underlying signals

 Direct translation

Wen Jiabao makes a sudden appearance! Is he showing off to Xi?

—Wen Jiabao's sudden public appearance is unusual; multiple interpretations suggest underlying signals.

Reporter : Wang Duran / Editor: Fang Xun / Source: Aboluowang/NTDTV  / https://www.aboluowang.com/2026/0401/2366774.html / Image : On 27 March 2026, photos of former Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao appearing in Beijing went viral online, drawing widespread attention. (X Platform)

A replay of a scene from ten years ago? Wen Jiabao's appearance this time is highly unusual.

Apollo News reporter Wang Duren reports: Former Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao made a high-profile appearance at the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, on an unknown date. Related photos and videos circulated on the X platform on March 27 and 29. The crowd of onlookers appeared to have been pre-arranged, and the "photos first, then videos" dissemination pattern suggests an organized information release rather than a chance encounter.

The focus of the video is not only on Wen Jiabao himself, but also on the unusual details surrounding his entourage. Bai Chunli, Ding Zhongli, Liu Weiping, and others appeared in the footage—Bai Chunli stepped down as president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2020, and Ding Zhongli became vice chairman of the National People's Congress in 2021, no longer actively involved in frontline work.

Commentator "Jin Tao Pai An" wrote in *Kan Zhongguo* that this lineup highly overlaps with the entourage accompanying Wen Jiabao during his lecture at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences on September 27, 2016. Public footage from that time also showed Bai Chunli and Ding Zhongli present. This raises the crucial question: Is this a new appearance, or is old footage being repackaged and re-released?

"Jin Tao Pai An" believes the video is likely authentic, but may not represent the "complete scene," and the possibility of splicing together old footage cannot be ruled out. Aboluowang  News commentator Wang Duran believes this suspicion is "partially reasonable," but Wen Jiabao appears noticeably older in the current footage.

Another focus is the license plates. In the video, Wen Jiabao almost gets into the wrong car; the license plates of the second and fourth cars both begin with "VA," suggesting they belong to the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission, not the Central Security Bureau under Xi Jinping's control. American commentator Tang Jingyuan judged that this anomaly may reflect a power rift within the CCP's top leadership, or even a confrontation between "two central authorities."

However, Zhang Tianliang offered a different perspective: the Central Security Bureau itself is "one institution with three names," encompassing the Security Bureau of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, the Security Bureau of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission, and the Ninth Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security. In other words, this system spans the Party, military, and government systems. Therefore, the appearance of the "VA" military license plate vehicle is not necessarily unusual and cannot be taken as direct evidence of a power split.

Therefore, the true significance of Wen Jiabao's appearance this time is not merely the "appearance" itself, but rather what message he intends to convey to the outside world.

Former Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao recently inspected the Institute of Geography of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. News of this was censored domestically, but photos and videos appeared first on overseas social media platforms. Wen Jiabao's appearance in Beijing sparked heated discussions overseas. Why do his every move attract so much attention abroad? Is Wen Jiabao's appearance a denial or a challenge to Xi Jinping?

On 27 March 2026, photos of Wen Jiabao's public appearance in Beijing circulated widely overseas, and by the 29th, videos of the scene had surfaced. Wen Jiabao appeared visibly aged, his thinning hair graying, yet his spirit remained high. He waved and clasped his hands in greeting to the crowd who shouted "Hello, Premier!"

Since Xi Jinping came to power, he has explicitly prohibited retired officials from "criticizing the central government." Retired Standing Committee members face strict restrictions on leaving their homes, requiring approval from Cai Qi, Director of the General Office of the Central Committee. In recent years, it has been rare for the outside world to see retired central leaders in public. Wen Jiabao's appearance is considered highly unusual.

Independent commentator Cai Shenkun stated on X that Wen Jiabao's public appearance can be seen as a way of dispelling rumors.

He mentioned that recently, someone had been sending him numerous emails claiming that Wen Jiabao and his family were under house arrest, requesting that he forward a tens of thousands of words urgent appeal on X, mainly concerning Wen Jiabao's public opposition to Xi Jinping's military unification of Taiwan, which he claimed resulted in Xi's retaliation and house arrest. However, he believes that given Wen Jiabao's past experience and political wisdom, he wouldn't have fallen to such a state. Information he received from friends in Beijing contradicts this claim.

Following Wen Jiabao's public appearance, an unnamed source sent an article to The Epoch Times' email address, stating: "Our previous revelations that Xi Jinping attempted to use the US to attack Iran in order to militarily unify Taiwan, and that he had placed Wen Jiabao's entire family under house arrest for this purpose, have already forced Xi Jinping to have the General Office of the Central Committee arrange for Wen Jiabao to appear. This shows that the revelations have been effective and have already influenced the political situation in China."

The article also mentioned that since the Tiananmen Square tragedy of 1989, Wen Jiabao is the only high-ranking CCP leader who still insists on political reform within the CCP, desires to redress the June Fourth Incident, and prevents a recurrence of the Cultural Revolution in China. The Epoch Times could not verify the veracity of this revelation.

U.S.-based scholar Wu Zuolai posted: "The old man was forced out by rumours to bask in the spring sunshine. Not only has Wen Jiabao been under house arrest, but other former Standing Committee members are the same. They have to apply to Cai Qi and report before they can leave the house. The stated reason is that for security reasons, they are under first-level security, and they get the green light wherever they go. Back then, when a former Standing Committee member came to our library to look up some information, he was also under second-level security."

An article by Andre published on RFI's Chinese website points out that Wen Jiabao's public appearance has attracted attention and is closely related to the current political atmosphere. With the party and the military undergoing purges, even high-ranking officials like Zhang Youxia have fallen from grace, and Politburo member Ma Xingrui has disappeared without a trace. His (Wen Jiabao's) sudden appearance inevitably raises questions about what signal he is sending.

Renowned commentator Tang Jingyuan analyzed for NTD that Xi Jinping's recent appearance in Xiong'an New Area is a way of making his presence felt. Wen Jiabao's high-profile inspection of the Institute of Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, was not merely to dispel rumors of his "house arrest," but also carried the implication of a power struggle with Xi Jinping.

He believes that the release of photos and videos of Wen Jiabao's visit, followed by his waving to the crowds immediately upon leaving the institute, appears pre-arranged and carries a clear propaganda element. Logically, under Xi Jinping's leadership, such a high-profile appearance by a veteran like Wen Jiabao should not be permitted, "indicating that Xi Jinping has no control over Wen Jiabao at all."

Netizens noted that Wen Jiabao's trip was escorted by military vehicles with "VA license plates" from the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission.

Tang Jingyuan analyzes that with Zhang Youxia's recent incident, the CCP has split into two central leaderships: one led by Xi Jinping, and the other by Wen Jiabao and others, including Liu Yuan. He believes that Wen Jiabao's security was provided by the military system, specifically personnel from the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission, not the Central Security Bureau.

Why did Wen Jiabao's appearance attract international attention? Political commentator Li Linyi stated that the exact reasons for Wen Jiabao's sudden public appearance at this time remain unclear. His appearance was censored domestically, but videos and photos circulated overseas, suggesting manipulation behind the scenes and a political undertone. The international buzz surrounding his appearance stems not only from potential unusual power struggles but also from his perceived role as a party elder with remaining conscience and the potential to influence China's reforms, especially after the arrest of Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission.

On the eve of his resignation as Premier in 2012, Wen Jiabao stated at a press conference that without political reform, the historical tragedy of the Cultural Revolution could repeat itself. Some observers, comparing this statement to Xi Jinping's current rule, have called it a "precise prediction."

Of course, the political situation during the Hu-Wen era was not entirely transparent either, but many observers point out that compared to today, censorship was relatively loose, and civil society was more active, with the emergence of numerous human rights lawyers representing the vulnerable and those who have suffered injustice. This all came to an end during Xi Jinping's presidency, with the 2015 crackdown on human rights lawyers.

A video of Wen Jiabao's interview with CNN during his 2010 trip to New York for the UN General Assembly has recently gone viral. The video shows Wen discussing internet censorship, defending the authorities while acknowledging the necessity of freedom of speech in any country. Wen also pointedly remarked, "I believe the people's pursuit and need for democracy and freedom is unstoppable, and I hope you can gradually see China's continuous progress."

Li Linyi stated that with Xi Jinping's continued strengthening of authoritarian control, Wen Jiabao's situation is not easy, and he may not even intend to exert influence. The outside world should not place too much hope on him. In fact, things may not go as planned, and the changes in China may have other arrangements.

—Original Title: Why did Wen Jiabao's appearance in Beijing spark heated discussions overseas?