European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde on Sunday warned that undermining central bank independence could lead to serious consequences.
Lagarde made the remarks against the backdrop of repeated pressure on the U.S. Federal Reserve from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Central bank independence is of vital importance, she said, noting that the independence of policymakers and their institutions should not be questioned.
Lagarde stressed that once the independence of a central bank is under threat, the institution may become dysfunctional, resulting in instability, or even more serious situations.
In recent weeks, Trump has persistently urged the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates, while repeatedly lashing out at Fed Chair Jerome Powell and calling for his early resignation.
Powell, in a speech on Aug. 22 at the annual economic symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, indicated that despite upside risks to inflation, the Federal Reserve may still move to cut interest rates in the coming months.
He said the short-term risks to inflation are tilted to the upside, while downside risks to employment are rising.
Given the changes in the economic outlook and in the balance of risks, the stance of monetary policy may need to adjust, Powell said.
ECB chief warns against undermining central bank independence
ECB chief warns against undermining central bank independence
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
