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No Enterovirus-71 cases found in Singapore
2005/05/30
Tan Kee Chor Assistant Trade Representative

Singapore Trade Office in Taipei
　

We refer to the article entitled “Enterovirus season under way: CDC experts” published in The China Post on May 18, 2005, which contained the following references to Singapore:

“Enterovirus infections are assuming epidemic proportions in Singapore, CDC doctors said. Visitors to that Southeast Asian city are urged to take precautions lest their young children should be infected.”

In response to queries from readers of The China Post, the Singapore Ministry of health has confirmed that the above allegations are not true. No Enterovirus-71 cases have been found among the Hand Foot Mouth Disease (HFMD) cases in Singapore this year. HFMD is a common and mild, self-limiting disease in children.  

I am currently living in Taichung City. I have been here for a number of years. I have watched the traffic situation here in Taichung go from bad to worse. I have been riding motorcycles and scooters for 20 plus years. Needless to say, after so many years of riding a scooter here in Taiwan and living to tell about it shows that I am a careful rider.

On the other hand, I have seen trucks, cars and scooters do some amazingly crazy stunts. I have seen more deaths caused by traffic accidents here in Taiwan than I have seen my entire 46 years.

I would like to know when the Taichung Mayor and the city police are going to start enforcing traffic laws. Shi Tzuen Road and Chung Gong Road, near Tung Hai University are good examples of chaotic traffic situations. Double parking, triple parking, riding against the traffic, making U-turns anywhere that is convenient for the drivers create a dangerous environment for everyone.

Every year, a number of university students are killed in traffic accidents. The universities should be raising hell instead of covering up or hushing up the statistics .

I saw more police issuing traffic tickets in Koahsiung in a two-day period than I have seen in more than 10 years here in Taichung. I wish I were exaggerating. My hats off to the Mayor and police of Koahsiung. This is a plea to the Taichung Mayor and the city police to start enforcing traffic laws. If they want to promote Taichung as a city with a high quality of life, then start making the quality of life in Taichung better.  

China visits mount pressure on president to
ease tensions
2005/05/16
Weiming Julian Wang Chiayi
　

Recent visits to China by two opposition leaders have put heavy pressure on President Chen Shui-bian to ease cross-strait tensions.

One can debate the politics of the unfortunate animosity between Taiwan and the mainland all one wants, but the fact remains that Taiwan can not live forever in thanks to the United States and would never be a real winner once war broke out.  

For China, democracy should be developed as a home-grown development. It cannot be imported from Taiwan. One does not expect changes to happen overnight. The opposition leaders did their best to pave the way for peace and democracy. But Chen's recent TV interview, in which he furiously criticized everybody from his colleagues to political rivals, only revealed that he's too confused to be up to the task.  

In his campaign speeches, Chen repeatedly said: “Vote for me because I love Taiwan.” He urged voters to give him a majority so that he would have less chance of obstruction from opposition. The best way to show his love to Taiwan is to bring peace and prosperity to the region. If he is not able, people will not hesitate to change things at the ballot box again.

Careful thinking needed by DPP on independence stance
2005/05/011
Cale Jackson

The increasingly rich and well-schooled Taiwanese aren't like the mainland's 700 million, little-educated peasants whom the communist leaders usually manipulate. Yet last week Beijing treated the people of Taiwan like dupes by meddling in their politics in a foolhardy way.  

China rolled out the red carpet, literally, for a visit by Taiwan's opposition leader, Lien Chan. He, like China, opposes formal independence for the island nation and favors eventual reunification. In treating him as a head of state, and even signing an agreement of common objectives with him, China hopes to isolate Taiwan's current president, Chen Shui-bian, who talks of officially accepting the reality of an independent Taiwan.

China's autocrats can't seem to accept that Taiwan is a democracy in which the people have voted for Mr. Chen twice, and against Mr. Lien. They also must think they can act kindly toward Taiwanese politicians they favor while aiming hundreds of missiles at the island and recently passing a law that threatens war if Taiwan moves toward formal statehood.

 These crude good-cop bad-cop antics by China only further Taiwan's steady drift away from the mainland in everything but business ties.

 Lien's visit, however, did carry some historic symbolism. He's head of the KMT party, or Nationalists, who lost China to the communists in 1949 and fled to Taiwan. He's the first KMT leader to return to the mainland since the civil war ended with Mao Tse-tung's victory. His party still controls Taiwan's legislature.

 But Beijing wins no point by pretending to put the civil war memories aside and welcoming Lien as an equal. He's not Taiwan's duly elected leader. Unlike in China, Taiwan's leaders reflect the will of voters, who prefer that their leaders keep their independence of Beijing's manipulative ways. China will need to talk to Taiwan's president, no conditions attached, if it wants to be taken seriously by Taiwan.  
　

New organization on horizon in Asia for travel by people with disabilities
 2005/05/04
Dr. Scott Rains
Resident scholar, UC Santa Cruz, USA

For most of my 50 years I have been able to look out my window and watch the sun bring a close to the day — and the start of a new day in Asia. It is with this same serene hopefulness that I approach the 2005 International Accessible Tourism Conference that will be held from May 5-8 in Taipei.

 Gangsters are not for protests

It is reasonable in any democratic country to see people protesting against whatever they disagree about. In fact, it is a good thing to see Taiwanese voicing their wishes on Tuesday no matter if it's pro-independence or pro-China.  

           Both sides should have the right to express whatever they feel. Unfortunately, gangsters were involved in the Tuesday protest. They should not have been there in the first place. Since they were all dressed in black and well prepared, I couldn't understand how the police could possibly miss those people.  

           Taiwanese — you should be proud of yourselves but be ashamed of those who introduced gangsters into the protest!             —  Lily Bradberry     

Must a corrupt and irrelevant DPP give up Taiwan, just as KMT gave up China?   

           Sentimentality aside, before reading the letter “Taiwan, Land of the Lawless” on April 23, I thought I was the only crazy foreigner who felt that way.  

           As a follow-up, I'd like to offer this thought:  

           In 1994, an American journalist asked President Bill Clinton, “Mr. President, have you become irrelevant?” Maybe someone here in the Taiwan press ought to pose the same question to President Chen Shui-bian. It's not far-fetched given the various controversies surrounding his presidency, and of late, the outburst of violence, vulgarity and lawlessness of the DPP and ‘pan-green' members toward KMT Chairman Lien Chan — coupled with the feckless police — as he departed for his historic trip to China.  

           Chiang Kai-shek's KMT was corrupt and became irrelevant, hence, the Nationalists were forced to give up the Mainland. Has the ‘pan-green' along with the DPP become just as corrupt and irrelevant, hence must give up Taiwan?  

The Japanese foreign minister finally apologized to the Chinese for the atrocities it committed during World War II.  

           Japanese right-ring politicians have made repeated visits to the shrine where convicted World War II criminals are buried, while the German government has long since apologized to the Jewish people. Do they really think it is alright to downplay the evil role Japan once played? If they were to be allowed to get away with this, very soon Japanese textbooks might even say that Japan was the victim. Imagine the uproar if the German chancellor were to make visits to shrines dedicated to Hitler's fellow Nazi henchmen!  

           On the other hand, the atrocities by the Japanese soldiers on innocent Taiwanese civilians were no less heinous, but the Taiwan government has failed to address this issue. I think Japan should not be given a permanent Security Council seat in the United Nations until it pays compensation to the families of the innocent Taiwanese victims.

I recently had a toothache and saw a dentist and I would like to associate my visit to the hospital with the recent street demonstrations in Taiwan.  

In the hospital the dentist first checked my tooth that ached and tortured me while I was lying on the operation chair. He asked so many questions, including my eating habits, reactions after taking medicines, way of brushing teeth, the condition of my stomach and if I drink lots of alcohol, among others.  

I felt unusual to be bombarded with such questions while the dentist worked on my little mouth.  

The dentist said the questions were important and necessary to know about a patient before carrying out an operation.  

My point here is that one has to consider lots of things just to get a small tooth cured.  

Now take a close look at the recent street demonstrations in Taiwan — they involved lots of money, obstructed daily lives of people, made traffic go haywire and even increased the workload of the police force and others.  

I even heard a bus driver telling journalists that he drove for over ten hours just to come to Taipei from Taichung to take part in the demonstration. I am wondering what did the driver and his passengers gain after having spent so much time and money.  

I am also wondering why our authorities can't teach and engage people to do more meaningful and constructive activities instead of wasting time on things like demonstrations.  

The China Post should publish more articles about interesting activities that people can do on holidays and ask them to avoid attending useless demonstrations. From now on let it be no more demonstrations but more outdoors activities.  

Pope John Paul II, a man of deep faith, will one day be proclaimed a saint by the Catholic Church! The Holy Father was an inspiration and a model witness to the life of Christ; a Shepherd of Truth immersed in profound humility and immense love for both God and man.

His many writings and tireless, world-wide pilgrimages of faith have been a source of strength, encouragement, confidence, optimism and enlightenment not only to Catholics but to all men of good will.

A champion of the poor and ardent exponent of Christian unity, the Polish Pontiff was in many and such capacities as teaching, governing and sanctifying, both a beacon of light and salt of the earth.

Alongside his historic role in the fall of Communism, John Paul II was the world's most influential and uncompromising defender of the dignity of human life. His tenacious pleas for the development of a “culture of life” and parallel denunciations of the “culture of death” have been instrumental in rallying opposition to war, terrorism, abortion, euthanasia, contraception, and embryonic tissue research.

I pray for his well-deserved heavenly reward that is promised by the Giver of every gift to his good and faithful servants.

Suppose a delegation of the U.S. Communist Party, http://www.cpusa.org, or any other of the many political parties that are active in the U.S., without any diplomatic credentials or other authorization to speak for the United States government, went to Beijing and signed an agreement with the PRC authorities, including terms that differ from the foreign policy of the U.S., it would be so irrelevant that it would appear in the news as a sidebar “curiosity” item — if it were given any news coverage at all.  

Why do the Taiwan newspapers and other media give such an agreement made by such a delegation the extensive news coverage that has been given to the KMT delegation recently led by P.K. Chiang, and its agreement with the PRC authorities?  

Yes, Taiwan is not the U.S. But irrelevant is still irrelevant. It looks like the extensive media coverage just plays up an old and ongoing KMT strategy seeking to undermine and embarrass the DPP government. That was news five years ago, but not news today. If that game still excites the public, and still sells Taiwan newspapers and TV time, then it is so because the game has become a spectator sport. Let's be honest about it, and place the coverage in the sports section.  

I would like to comment on the March 25 editorial entitled “English teaching in Taiwan needs a complete reform.”

 The Post is wrong when it claims that English proficiency is low based on test scores. Low scores on exams do not necessarily mean there is a problem. Exam scores are based on arbitrary levels. Committees can raise the standard and make test-takers look worse or lower the standard and make test-takers look better. But if it is demonstrated that “most high school graduates, having learned English for six years or more, can hardly speak with a foreigner and are unable to write a simple letter in the language,” then there really is a problem.  

English proficiency can and should be improved. The Post is right when it condemns English classes that “do not teach students how to use the language as a means of daily communication. Instead, the lessons are designed to help students answer multiple questions on fine points of grammar.” Study after study shows the limitations of teaching grammar, and many people have acquired high levels of proficiency without an extensive knowledge of grammar.  

The Post is right to recommend a more communicative approach. The Post, however, is wrong when it states that getting English teachers to use more English in class is the “only way” to make classes helpful.

 Current research and theory says that we acquire language when we hear and read messages we understand, when we obtain “comprehensible input.” The teacher is not the only source of comprehensible input. Videotapes, films and audiotapes can also provide a great deal of aural comprehensible input, and comics, magazines and books are obvious sources of written comprehensible input.

 The research on reading, especially recreational reading done in school in the form of “sustained silent reading” is especially impressive: English students who spend a modest amount of class-time reading English books and magazines, reading material that students choose themselves, make very good progress in English, doing at least as well as students who spend the same amount of time in doing traditional instruction, and often do better. In addition, students who participate in sustained silent reading programs are more likely to continue reading on their own, and are thus more likely to continue to improve.

 Taiwan has become a leader in research in this area. A considerable amount of research on sustained silent reading in English as a foreign language has been done in Taiwan, including studies by James Sims (Tung Hai University), Thomas Nash and Yun-Pi Yuan (Fu Jen University), and Syying Lee (National Taipei University).  

Andres Chang

 Taichung

In response to David Hermawan's letter to the editor on March 29, he is wrong about the 3-26 demonstration.  

  First, he's right that ‘it has not scared China into annulling its anti-secession law,' but the point of the demonstration wasn't to scare anyone and nor was it to change China's law. The point was to show China and the world that the people of Taiwan are opposed to China attacking. It is China trying to scare Taiwan into forceful submission.

 Second, the international community has spoken out against China's new law and has not been ‘largely silent' as Hermawan says. The United States, Australia and Japan have all expressed disapproval of China's new law. Yes, Southeast Asian countries are dealing with secessionist issues.  

 However, the issue of Taiwan has never been one of secession. It has been one of independence. Historically and politically, the Chinese Communist Party has never controlled Taiwan. Taiwan was part of Imperial China, then part of Japan and finally a part of the Republic of China. Chinese Communists have no claim to Taiwan.

 Third, it was not ‘ridiculous' of President Chen to attend the rally and not address the demonstrators. By not addressing the demonstrators, it further showed that this was an action of the people and not solely of their government.

Fourth, ‘there were so many different slogans in the rally' but this did not ‘cause public confusion as to what the demonstration was all about.' And if he believes it did, what is his evidence? All of the English and Chinese media, both print and non-print, understood what the demonstration was about as did the demonstrators themselves (I know because I was actually there).

Finally, its only achievement was not ‘millions of dollars have been wasted.' Anytime people gather to make their voices heard in a peaceful way, without troops and tanks shooting at them a la Tiananmen Square, it is a victory for peace and democracy everywhere.  

David Hermawan

 Taipei

Last Saturday's peace march in Taipei ended peacefully, but has it really achieved its stated objectives? The answer is negative. In fact, it has merely turned out to be a big farce.

  First, it has not scared China to annul its anti-secession law passed a week ago. In fact, the rally sponsored by pro-independent groups only strengthened China's justification in adopting the law designed to curb Taiwan secessionism.

  Second, the international community has largely remained silent and has no intention of getting involved in the war of nerve between China and Taiwan. As a matter of fact, Asian countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and others that are facing the threat of secessionism at home have lauded China's anti-secession law which has provided an example for them to emulate. Even Singapore has openly supported the law and criticized Taiwan secessionist movement. So don't be surprised if Southeast Asian countries will soon follow China's step by enacting similar law.

 Third, it was ridiculous that President Chen Shui-bian kept his mouth shut during the entire occasion. His decision to play dumb only reflects his fear of provoking Beijing as well as his lack of leadership in crisis management.

 Fourth, there were so many different slogans in the rally which caused public confusion as to what the demonstration was all about. As for the country folks coming down from southern Taiwan to take part in the demonstration, they did so as long as they got a free bus ride to Taipei and also a free lunch box.

 Finally, the only achievement is that millions of dollars have been wasted just to stage a “political comedy

2005/03/29
D.B. Orr Avon Park,

Florida, U.S.A.

My admiration for the freedom loving people of Taiwan is boundless. I hope my government (the United States) stands by our commitments to aid you in your struggle against the communist aggression.

           The people of Taiwan are truly a shining beacon for freedom loving people around the world.

2005/03/28
John Boardway,  

N.Y., U.S.A.  

Americans see Taiwan as an independent nation. As does the world. Your freedom and prosperity are viewed as a threat by China. What truly threatens them is that their people will see Taiwan's successes and want these successes in their country. Something the communists can't do for it would mean an end to their corrupt, iron fisted control.

 Their threat to invade you has turned the world against them. Now they are trying to stupidly claim their threat was not a threat. What I find humorous is that China thinks the world is as ignorant as their rural farmers. China has proven numerous times that violence is their first resort to solve their problems and the world knows it.

2005/03/26
C.C. Hsu, TaipeiI

Today Chen Shui-bian and his DDP administration will stage a rally in Taipei with 500,000 or more supporters to express their “outrage and indignation” at Beijing's recent passing of the “anti-secession” law. How will the “undemocratic” leaders in Beijing respond to the DDP demonstration? In this regard, they can learn from our “democratic” President Chen Shui-bian.  

Exactly one year ago, 500,000 opposition supporters loudly protested outside the Presidential Office for days demanding a full investigation into the highly suspicious shooting incident against Chen the day before the presidential election in which he was lightly injured, and the DPP's prompt and skillful manipulation of the incident to quickly gain sympathy votes. Those actions undoubted allowed him to win re-election the next day by a tiny margin when most independent polls showed he was going to lose. Chen Shui-bian's response to the mass protests was to tell the opposition to “shut your mouth” (“bi zhuei”), surround his Presidential Residence with a wall of barbed wire (which is still there) and pretend nothing happened.  

When our democratically elected Legislative Yuan passed a resolution to set up a Truth Commission to investigate the incident, Chen vetoed the resolution. When the Legislative Yuan overturned the veto, Chen ordered all his ministers to refuse cooperation and to withhold all funding for the investigation.

 With the example set by Chen Shui-bian, Beijing can see that mass protest by the people of Taiwan is meaningless as long as it is handled with an iron fist. If Chen, who claims to be elected by the people of Taiwan, can blatantly ignore the will of the masses, why on earth would Beijing respond to the DDP-organized protests?  

2005/03/22
Michael G. Loncar Lecturer  

Aletheia University  Tamsui, Taipei

I wanted to comment on the anti-cessation protest this Saturday in Taipei and encourage every one of all nations to attend this important event in the history of Taiwan. I also wanted to make it clear that many of us in the Aletheia University Department of Foreign Languages and Literature will be participating.

 As someone who has lived in Taiwan for the last five years teaching Taiwanese university students, it's very inspiring to see people on all sides of the Taiwan political divide coming together to support this important event and sending a powerful message to the world.   

I'm sure everyone here, Taiwan citizens and foreigners alike, appreciates the democratic freedoms we all enjoy in Taiwan and realize how important it is to exercise those freedoms to the world in the face of this sort of violent oppression and military threat from a country where those freedoms are thought of as anathema.

 As a foreigner who is often confused by the complex tensions of this society, everyone coming together peacefully to support this issue really leaves a strong and positive impression about this amazing and inspiring country. 

I recently had an argument with a woman in front of my son's school because she cut in line while we were waiting to make a U-turn to get into his school. I guess I was raving mad when she claimed that it was me at fault to not let her cut in. So we both yelled at each other and we ended up like two psychos shouting on the street.

 I called up my husband when I got back to my office. My hands were still shaking because of the fight. My husband told me that he noticed I've been really cranky and cynical these days. I complained a lot and became very sarcastic about what happens in this country. He said that sometimes you can't just stand up for yourself even though you think you are right. I can't help wondering if we have the right to do the right thing right? Or should we just pretend that it is something we have to live with?

 We see people breaking law every day and it is unfortunate to say that most of them get away without punishment. A kid's family in my son's school has three luxury cars and owns numerous electronic game stores (places considered evil and where school drop-outs always hang out) without paying a dime to the tax department.

 While the withholding tax keeps taken away by the tax department every month on my paycheck, people who drive on the highways built with my tax money enjoy their luxurious lives without fulfilling their civic duties. We either keep our mouth shut or get hurt by reporting the law breakers. This place is rotten and we are supposed to tell white lies our children and live “happily” ever after.  

I know I myself am too puny to change the whole world. But I refuse to smile at those who stamp on my feet. There is a certain risk for doing so, I or my family might get harassed or punched. It's all because nobody gives a hoot about our laws. After all, it takes all kinds of people to make a world, doesn't it?

 Chinglan Shih

2005/03/14
A reader with name withheld

Currently most world inhabitants including the major democracies'voters know little about Taiwan, its location, or its history. Incoming mainland rockets would fix that overnight. Unfortunately, top-of-the-mind awareness gained for Taiwan that way would come too late to do any good. The simple reason is major democracies' lawmakers respond to external events only under voter pressure and after due deliberation. A fait accompli via rocketing or invasion of Taiwan would outrage voters in major democracies, but their elected representatives could only tut-tut piously and attend memorial rallies to show sympathy for Taiwan. Tough words after-the-fact from world leaders, accomplish little against most offending countries and against the PRC register not at all. Taiwan has been ineffective in making itself known to average citizens worldwide. Various analysts have spotlighted this oversight and even offered reasonable solutions to reverse it. Yet oddly Taiwan's leadership seems unaware of the problem. Do matters more important than Taiwan's security occupy them, or do their advisers, in time-honored imperial fashion, shield them from even considering unpleasant matters?

 In contrast, beautifully tailored and groomed PRC leaders almost weekly attend one or more high-level meetings outside the PRC, ably capturing front-page space in dailies or news spots on prime time TV outside the PRC. The PRC leaders come across as friendly, relaxed, smiling men of reason rather than as territorial expansionists. They are buying support and solidifying their WTC membership.

With Asian tiger Taiwan such a mouse in world news, few outside the PRC or Taiwan itself notice PRC threats against Taiwan. In 2004 virtually none outside Korea noticed PRC scholars'claims that parts of Korea were historically part of China (Anthony Faiola The Washington Post, January 22.)

 If Taiwan is rocketed, possibly invaded, or blackmailed with invasion threats, the story will be a sure hit in western media for a few weeks. After incoming rockets, western journalists can board their helicopters, return to safety, collect journalism awards, and for a while earn speaking fees for showering sympathy on the ROC and condemning the PRC — nice and balanced. They play no favorites and would gladly do the same if the PRC had another upheaval like the Cultural Revolution.

 Certain passage of the PRC's anti-secession law, will in the minds of PRC's leaders and of uninformed, legalists everywhere justify any PRC act to take Taiwan.

 English-speaking countries have the most liberal visa laws. The U.S. is now an exception after thugs claiming to be men of religion murdered thousands in New York City's WTC towers. The most successful applicants for such visas are those who speak English best. After Monday the 14th, when the reality of the PRC's anti-secession law sinks in, expect politicians, their families, and others to begin studying English with a will. The lucky few should remember less fortunate countrymen unable to get away from Taiwan.  

Law to restrict Taiwan is a deja vu of the revision of HK's Basic Law
2005/03/12
Lawrence Lee

China is attempting to pass a law which would allow the use of military actions on Taiwan if the island state pursued independence. This is a deja vu to me. I remember the citizens of Hong Kong protested against Basic Law Article 23 on July 1, 2003. It is a bill that would allow the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to act on subversion issues in order to protect national security.

I thought China had always wanted Taiwan to remain the current status quo. But what it is doing with the new law is to break the status quo. To downgrade Taiwan to the position of Hong Kong as a SAR is normal, but to impose a law on Taiwan would be more than unfair.

 This new law is only to drift Taiwan's relationship further away from China. The international arena should see China's action on Taiwan as a threat to security in the Asia-Pacific Region and pressure China not to go ahead with the new law.  

Economic issue is the top priority today. Because China is the critical trading partner of the U.S., it automatically turns into a friend of the U.S. However, the Taiwan Strait issue and the two Koreas issue can be out of control at any time. Once a war breaks out, Japan, the U.S. and other players in the region will all be drawn into the war game. By that time, China would be the foe to all democracies.

I was outraged at China's anti-secession law proposal. Why would they want to make such a stupid law? Taiwan has risen from an agricultural-based country (in the 1950's) to an industrialized, self-sufficient country with a highly educated work force which loves democracy and freedom.

 Certainly Taiwan should reap the just desserts of freedom and democracy from hard work. China should not have any say about Taiwan's future, but should look back at her own history of hegemony and poor handling of her own affairs (democracy, rights of minority, etc.).

 It is of course great that China has advanced greatly in business areas, but, the rights of the people still need major overhaul. As communism and socialism in the world are waning, so should China too completely rid herself of these false notions.

Let's give peace a chance and forget the empty hot-air speeches by China's “buffoons!”

The next Sino-Japanese war coming?
2005/02/22
David Hermawan

Japan is moving toward a dangerous direction.

Its recent aggressive behavior on the disputed Diaoyu (Senkaku) Islands as well as its intention to join the United States in protecting Taiwan's security have already invoked China's anger. Japan should know that China today is not the China of the 1930s when it was weak and became the easy prey of Japanese aggression. It should also realize that if it chooses to join the U.S. in any future military clash with China over the Taiwan issue, the catastrophe for Japan will far surpass the tragic of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

China today has the capability to wipe out Japan from the face of the earth if Tokyo is bent on a policy of military confrontation with China. Mind that even Washington, Chicago, San Francisco and other big cities in America have become vulnerable to Chinese intercontinental ballistic missiles. And Japan is just a stone's throw from China.

Japan should learn to be more humble toward fellow Asians and live in peace with its neighbor.

Taiwanese must embrace world history education
2005/02/19
Chris Chen ,Vancouver, Canada

Our global heritage

Today Taiwan is a thriving and prosperous nation with an educated work force. Taiwanese parents stress the importance of formal education and often pull out their check books to send their kids to study abroad. But while education, in some shape or form, is permeating the island rapidly, it is troubling to observe how unknowledgeable our citizens are when it comes to understanding how the modern world in which we live in came about. Consequently, this has caused a new generation of largely apathetic individuals.

The average Taiwanese cannot locate Mexico, South Africa or Egypt on the world map. They do not know who Karl Marx, Otto Von Bismarck, Sir Winston Churchill or Martin Luther King Jr. were or did. They do not know or understand The Battle for Britain during the Second World War or why it was a significant event. Indeed, the average Taiwanese doesn't even know the dates of the World Wars (WWI was from 1914 to 1918 and WWII from 1939 to 1945). They do not know that (or how) the United States became a separate nation from Britain (in 1776 after drafting the Declaration of Independence and subsequently gaining victory in the Revolutionary War) or that it was the first democratic nation state.

 Almost hilariously, most assume that the United States had always existed and are surprised to hear that it was formerly a British colony. Nor is the average Taiwanese aware that there was a revolution in France (the French Revolution) and another in Great Britain (the Industrial Revolution) just over two centuries ago and that they were significant to the development of modern world history.

 It might be scary to say that some individuals don't even know what the Cold War was about or that there even was a Cold War! No education could be complete without learning about such significant individuals and events and we wonder why our children are becoming more and more apathetic. Or why all they care about is what the latest hit CD is or what the trendiest new handbag is. Or we might wonder how some young people could believe that China is a more righteous country than the United States or Taiwan.

Just as appreciation of ancestors requires an understanding of one's family history, likewise, the appreciation of cultural institutions and ideas require the appreciation of their histories. Looking to the future is important, but utilizing the hindsight of history is also crucial lest we forget how Santayana once warned that “those who forget history are doomed to repeat it.”  

Taiwanese must become more knowledgeable about our heritage; that is, the heritage we as a part of the coalescing global village inevitably share a part in. This will help us become more effective citizens of the world. Also, this is not to say that Chinese history and Taiwanese history should not be very important to us, but rather it is to say, the history of the Taiwanese people can no longer be viewed as separate from the history of our fellow mankind.  

The European Union appears poised to lift its weapons embargo on China. This embargo has been in place since the incident at Tienanmen Square moved the West to act. I encourage Taiwanese to write to European newspapers in order to let the European people know how such weapons might be used against the people of Taiwan. I believe there is a good chance that a serious letter-writing campaign could influence public opinion in Europe.

Democracy threatened by partisan politics
2005/02/03
Chris Chen Vancouver, Canada

 I find it rather appalling how partisan the current political arena is in Taiwan. With the bid for the legislative speaker of the house (Wang Jing-ping and for the pan-blues and Ker Chien-ming for the pan-greens), both the pan-blue and pan-green camps have warned their members of serious reprimands if they dissent from supporting their party's candidates.  

  I believe that this is detrimental to the nation's democracy as democracy should promote freedom of thought rather than partisan behavior. While it usually makes sense for each party to support its own candidates and legislations — they have joined the party that they have joined because they generally support the party's ideology — however, this should not lead to singularity of thought within one political party. In fact, senators and congressman in the United States often dissent from their party because they, by conscience, feel that it is not in the best interests of their country and their electorate to cast a vote in a certain way despite of their party's general consensus. That is democracy in action; the present bid for legislative speaker in Taiwan is bureaucracy in action. We should demand that our politicians change their practice

Stray dogs are horrifying indictment of Taiwan society
2005/01/26
Suzanne Thorpe.

35 Bucknall Avenue,LINCOLN NL6 OBL,ENGLAND

As a person who has campaigned for many years to alleviate the suffering of stray dogs worldwide, I was horrified to see the Web site photos for the World Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of the forgotten stray dogs of Taiwan, crammed into dog pounds without food or water. What a terrible indictment on Taiwan after they even won an Oscar for a motion picture.

            I would therefore welcome hearing from any person or group helping stray dogs and helping those within these hell-hole and shameful municipal dog pounds,  with a view to raising support for them in the U.K.  

Jen Ai doctors at fault  over death
2005/01/26
D.M. McNelis

The scandal as reported in your editorial a few days ago at the Jen Ai hospital does not expose flaws in the health care system.

 All it exposes is two doctors who should've known better not living up to their Hippocratic oath.

As punishment, the doctors involved should have their licenses to practice medicine suspended for at least 3-5 years and then keep close tabs on them in the future. Should they mess up a second time, their licenses should be permanently revoked.

 Since the Chiu girl did not survive the ordeal, a charge of second degree manslaughter would be most apt for them both.  

Martyr's death shows right to treatment lacking
2005/01/26
Mike Mathews

Ke Qiang Rd., Taipei

Sunday was a loss for us all. The poor little girl named Chiu, who lost her 14-day fight for life despite the supreme efforts of the dedicated team in Taichung, was just one of us.

 We all rely on our doctors, and their ancient and binding oath to treat the sick to the best of their ability. This oath, usually held sacred by doctors, has so far not been mentioned in connection with her lamentable lack of treatment in Taipei.

 One can only hope that in the fullness of time all the lessons of this tragedy are identified and acted upon, not the least of which is to ensure that should we meet with an injury or illness, our individual right to treatment is undertaken according to the binding oath of Hippocrates.   

2005/01/25
Chi Hui-jung  CEO, The Garden

of Hope Foundation  
　

The recent case of Little Chiu, the four-year-old victim of child abuse, reflects how serious domestic violence is in our society. As head of the Garden of Hope women and children's welfare group, I must raise a few points that seem to have been overlooked in most reports of the case.

 Despite anything that happened after the child was hurt, the girl's father is the one responsible for her injuries. Perhaps we should be asking for a review of how child custody can be awarded to a violent parent.

 The girl's mother has been criticized for not protecting her daughter, but we must remember that she was also a victim of her ex husband's abuse, and had divorced him and limited her contact with the family because of this abuse.

 The girl's father had been the victim of domestic violence when he was young. Now, their daughter has died because of abuse by him. This shows one way domestic violence is passed on to the next generation and harms our whole society.

 We have a saying in Chinese, “Just sweep the snow from your own doorstep and don't worry about the ice on your neighbor's roof.”

 It encourages a person to “mind your own business.” Unfortunately, it also means that people are unwilling to be concerned with matters outside their own family.

 The abuse of Little Chiu was not an isolated incident. The girl had been the victim of abuse on other occasions. If the girl's neighbor's had been more active in this case and had informed the proper authorities via 113, then social work assistance might have reached the family earlier.  

Unfortunately, “Little Chiu” will not be the last child to suffer abuse. We need to educate the public, so that people realize it is everyone's responsibility to protect children in our own community.  

I would like to remind everyone that domestic violence is not a “family matter” to be kept behind closed doors. Domestic violence harms our whole society. It is illegal and should be reported. The government's emergency hotline is 113. The Garden of Hope also has a domestic violence counseling service on (02) 2304-9595.  

Deny former Axis powers  access to Security Council
2005/01/18
Jameson Rosemont, Bangkok
  

Some are describing the tsunami of December 26, which left 10,000 to 15,000 dead and missing and 1,000 permanently injured in Thailand, as the worst disaster Thailand ever experienced.

 But there was a far more costly tragedy in terms of human life and injury in Thailand that thousands are reminded of every day by numerous memorials.

 Between 1942 and 1945 the Japanese invaders of South Asia killed or caused the deaths of at least 100,000 Asian and Indian slave laborers and some 12,000 Allied Prisoners of War in the construction of the infamous Burma-Siam railroad, immortalized by the book and movie “Bridge on the River Kwai”.

 World War Two ended 60 years ago, but few have forgotten it. Millions remember it. And, for that matter, millions can still recall World War One.

 The emergence of an organization like S. P. E. C. T. R. E. might have been provoked in recent years but there will be no reemergence of the Axis powers.

 Any talk of giving the former Axis powers — Germany and Japan — permanent status on the United Nations Security Council or giving a representative of the former Axis countries or a collaborator of the Axis the post of U.N. secretary general is to be abhorred and discouraged.   

shows system in bad light
2005/01/14
Dr. Mao Shi Wei, Taipei
　

   System failure? Fate of a small patient? or victim of a system?

   I am an overseas medical doctor who has been staying in Taiwan with my Taiwanese wife for a couple of years. Previously I have sent some comments and suggestions regarding control of the SARS epidemic in Taiwan to Taipei's Mayor Ma and “The China Post” editorial pages.

   Again, now I wish to mention my views on the recent sad news about a very young child who was the unfortunate victim and anxious helpless ordinary parents looking for emergency medical care (some neurological surgical emergency, brain hemorrhage) for about two hours in vain in numerous hospitals in Taipei without any chance of admission and emergency care. Finally, the poor little patient got emergency treatment and an urgent surgical operation in one of Taichung's hospitals, about 200 kilometers far away from Taipei city...probably a delayed treatment. At first I had a pretty high impression of Taiwan's medical care system as it was declared in the media as having reliable medical standards comparable to international high tech and state of the art systems, and having an effective medical professional reputation such as those in the Western World, like the USA, UK and so on.

   With my career experiences and knowledge of various countries over the years, I would like to share my views. Actually in medical professional management, especially in emergency care for clinical or traumatic injury problems, “PRIORITY” is a key essential factor. Resuscitation and stabilization of the patient's needs on a priority basis is one of the important goals in emergency medical and surgical care.

   Another important factor is the “TIME” factor. The “GOLDEN HOUR”, a professionally well known term, means “First Precious Hour: to save a life in case of life and death problems.” Arrangements for the patient's interhospital transfer follow only after that period.

   In Taiwan, especially in Taipei, numerous government and private hospitals are very busy every day saving lives and earning a lot of money as well. While private hospitals may have different policies for taking emergency patients for their own reasons, government hospitals are more responsible, as those hospitals are under the Department of Health, whose policies are to provide services and health care for the nation's own citizens.

   Bombarding the poor little emergency patient with mere phone answers from various famous hospitals saying that, “We have no available free ICU bed for emergencies” sound quite ridiculous and absurd. In every well-equipped and well-planned hospital, hospital staff need to spare some beds for emergencies in Emergency Departments and ICU. Clinically improved, stable patients in ICU should be transferred to ordinary wards.

   If all ICU beds in a hospital are fully occupied, if a VIP or family member of a hospital staff member, or the family of the hospital superintendent (director) are sick and must be hospitalized, is it the same answer likely —  that “NO ICU Beds or NO Service” is available from Emergency Department of that hospital?

        Some clinically stable patients should be transferred to ordinary wards or patients who need chronic care (such as who need long term care on respirators) transferred to the respiratory unit or other specified care unit like “Dependency Care Unit” as “ICU Wards are a service ONLY for patients with potentially recoverable conditions who can benefit from more detailed observations and invasive treatments and those who have major operations and critically ill patients” (British Medical Journal). In the UK and USA, Dependency Care Units (DCU) are special care units like ICUs (Intensive Care Units) but only for those who need prolonged care. An ICU should not be fully occupied all the time with critically ill patients and stable ICU patients who need prolonged care. Finally, unless some adjustments in guidelines and strategies in handling medical emergency care and ICU criteria for acute emergency problems are undertaken, Taipei metropolitan hospitals or hospitals in Taiwan will face an uncontrollable crisis in bizarre conditions with lots of helpless victims when there are sudden natural disasters like SARS and tsunamis, or in wartime and violence from terrorism. If the situation of a small emergency patient brought an inappropriate response, what will happen to Taipei metropolitan hospitals and hospitals in Taiwan when there are mass casualties?

Passing of friend Koo Chen-fu
2005/01/05
James R. Klein

Just learned of this great man's death. He was a friend and wise advisor to me during my 21 years in Taiwan. As a former President of AMCHAM (1984-1985 and 1990) I learned to respect his judgement and advice on many difficult problems. He will be missed! I was also on the first board of ICRT and we Americans owe a lot to Jeffrey Koo and he has my sincere condolences. Great men make great countries and Taiwan is blessed in this category.  

Democracy for our children too !
2004/12/15
Chris Chen

In Taiwan, both the pan-green and pan-blue parties at least pay lip service to democracy but I find it incredibly ironic how the KMT and PFP could run campaigns within a democracy on the very platform to relinquish democracy. Once you cut all the euphemisms out, Taiwan is politically polarized by those who oppose unification with China (the pan-greens) and those who favor unification with China (the pan-blues). But China is no democratic nation, and it should come as no surprise that integration with China as a single political entity would be tantamount to the elimination democracy in Taiwan. Some, of course, in the best interests of their naivety, argue that Taiwan would still be democratic for fifty years under a one state-two systems entity. But under such a system, Taiwan and the Taiwanese people would still inevitably be forced to give up much of its sovereignty and democratic progress and even a cursory look at the ensuing events in Hong Kong since 1997 reveal that unification with China under a two systems solution would, at best, endow Taiwan with a pseudo-democracy. This, of course, doesn¡¦t even begin to address what the ultimate result of any type of unification with China would entail. Are the pan-blues really saying that democracy is good, but we only want it for fifty years? Or are they saying we deserve a democracy but our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren do not?

There are some who quixotically believe that China is changing, and that it will become a democracy in the span of fifty years. This is incredibly wistful thinking. Change in China is inevitable but progress towards greater freedom is not. Many Taiwanese businessmen who have businesses in China believe the evolving Chinese economy is almost completely capitalist. That may be true but real freedom means more than economic freedom. I believe we must heed with caution the ironies reflected in the platforms of the KMT and PFP, and that we must face China with strength, courage and wisdom rather than weakness, panic and self-conflicting campaigns. I am inspired by the actions of the British during World War II when, while facing incredible evil and incredible odds, they stood up for freedom on their small island against the dictatorship of Hitler which was then victorious over almost all of continental Europe. They courageously defeated the German air force which relinquished the German navy from its hopes of crossing the English Channel. In doing so, they were able to protect their freedoms and ideals. We should do the same.

Is U.S assistance assured in a cross-strait clash?

2004/12/8
Zhiqun Zhu, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of International Political

Economy and Diplomacy The International College University of Bridgeport, USA

The U.S. Department of Defense and arms dealers have been pressuring Taiwan's lawmakers to pass a special budget plan to finance an US$18 billion arms procurement from the United States.

 Whatever intentions the United States has regarding arms sales to Taiwan, they have often been misconstrued by some in Taiwan that the United States will always stand by Taiwan in a cross-strait conflict. But there is no American blank check for Taiwan to fill.

 The U.S. government, absorbed by the war in Iraq and global fight against terror, has worked hard to keep tensions down across the Taiwan Strait. It is doubtful that the United States will directly conflict with China over Taiwan, especially in a cross-strait war that is provoked by Taiwan's unilateral change of the status quo.

 The United States must continue to promote cross-strait dialogue and state unequivocally to both sides that only a peaceful outcome acceptable to people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait will be supported by the United States. Instead of spending billions of US dollars on purchasing weapons or changing the ROC constitution, Taiwan should make improving cross-strait relations a priority.

How to curtail the quest of some Taiwanese for independence without compromising Taiwan's democracy and way of life is a challenge for Taiwan, China, the United States and the international community as a whole. Realistically speaking, Taiwan's future lies in China both economically and politically.

 Taiwan cannot and should not let go the golden opportunity of  China's rise. Instead of moving away from China, Taiwan should, as former DPP chairman Hsu Hsin-liang has suggested, boldly go westward and collaborate with China during the latter's modernization. Taiwan can help shape the future of China. A more prosperous and democratic China with which Taiwan is closely associated is in the best interest of the 23 million people of Taiwan. 

2004/12/7
Peter Iori Kobayashi
　

Many in Taiwan have compared the post-election chaos in Ukraine with the situation after the presidential election here. Some pointed out that pro-western liberal Viktor Yuschenko's challenge to the election result resembles that of the pan-blue camp, while others stated quite the opposite.

Although there may be some superficial resemblance between the situation in Ukraine and that of Taiwan, the political climate in Ukraine is in fact much more complex than what we can see from reports in the international media.

The impression we get from those reports is that Yanukovych, the official winner of the election, rigged the vote, and hundreds of thousands of Yuschenko supporters took to the streets in protest, calling for the annulment of the election.

But according to some outside observers, they found no evidence of any voting irregularities, and some independent watchdogs have even pointed out the possibilities of fraud conducted by the opposition camp.

 Some independent media also questioned the claim that the government had poisoned Yuschenko.

Therefore, it is simplistic to picture the Ukrainian situation merely as a struggle against corrupt, conservative government by an active and democratic “people-power.”

Another interesting point is that even after the independence, cultural and sentimental ties with Russia still remain strong in eastern Ukraine, where there is a sizable population of Russian immigrants. This is seen as the main cause of the social split in Ukraine.

Although I have no right to deny the independence as one of the future options for the people of Taiwan, it would be naive to presume that the dilemma of national identity that we see here now will automatically be resolved once Taiwan becomes an independent nation

Iraqi secret police ditched for 500-pound U.S. bombs
2004/11/17
Paul Taylor, Taipei
　

I read with amazement your editorial claiming against all evidence that the U.S. invasion of Iraq was a general success and that “things on the whole have settled down since”. Are we really living on the same planet?

You claimed in your editorial that “trade is free and people can live without the fear of secret police knocking on the door”. In today's Iraq the problem is not knocking on the door by secret police but a 500-pound bomb dropped by the U.S. without the courtesy of a knock on the door. Iraq is country in total chaos. The stated reasons for the attack, namely the so called WMD and the links with 9-11 have not been proved. The casualties before the latest onslaught by U.S. war planes are at least 100,000 dead according to the British Medical Journal. The war will continue and in my opinion the U.S. will lose this war.

If Taiwan continues to give blanket support to the U.S., as for example the UK does, your claim to independent status will be revealed as a hollow sham. I would also point out to the Taiwanese public that support for a military solution to the Iraqi problem must be seen by China as a green light for a similar solution to the Taiwan problem.

Election shows it's time to move on
2004/11/16
Andy Yu, California USA
　

There were striking similarities in the recent US and Taiwan Presidential elections. Both the incumbents ran a divisive campaign, using race or religion as the big divider! Both appealed to the emotional weakness of the voters. In Taiwan, it was the "real" Taiwanese versus the NDR (i.e. those who came to Taiwan with Chiang Kai-Shek). In US, the "moral" issue was front and center in the Bush campaign. Kerry, a Catholic himself, did not even win a majority from the Catholics. Nevertheless, I respect his "moral" courage not to legislate his beliefs into the Constitution for non-believers to obey, the essence of the separation of Church and State.

Both the incumbents did not center their campaigns on their respective records over the past four years as both were not admirable. Instead, their common strategy was to attack their opponents, one that proved quite effective. The Swift Boat Veteran's negative campaign against Kerry's Vietnam record worked.

One major difference is the suspicious attempt on Taiwan President/Vice President's lives the eve before election day. It might have influenced the closely contested election and the case remains unsolved. The results were clear cut in US election.

In the age of mass propaganda, the better candidate does not always win. The winner is likely to be the better campaigner. This may not be that different from product marketing in a business setting. As a result, the majority of the voters get their wish and the rest of us are saddled with an undesirable alternative. My only consolation is in a saying I've heard, "Politicians are like diapers--they need changing sooner or later." Such is the blessing of a Democracy!

'Kerry as hero' editorial does not address
the world's problems
2004/11/15
Clark Alexander
　

Before you argue that Kerry was not a flip-flopper and indecisive manager (A tribute to John Kerry and U.S. democracy, Nov. 8), please see the NEWSWEEK issue that immediately followed the election. This “Liberal Media” magazine explains how, once a decision was made in his campaign, he would still call 50 acquaintances to confirm his decision. It was so bad, they regularly hid his cell phone.

As to the world's safety, we realize that you would prefer Saddam still in power with illegal back-door “oil for food” deals with France, Germany, Russia, (and yourselves?) while training camps, including aircraft, were provided to those Jihadist radicals you are so confident are making the world a safer place. I have scanned the Web looking for those articles about the brilliant team from your country (or any other) that had nearly convinced Saddam Hussein and terrorists worldwide that they should put aside their ideologies and play nice. Guess what? There are none!

How many U.N. resolutions ignored? What U.N. penalties (other than fraudulent “oil for food”) applied? It's alright to criticize Bush. What is lacking is an alternative plan: besides whining, condoning international fraud, and talking, talking, talking. What will YOU do that will actually take guns out of the hands of religious zealots whose love of Allah is greater than their fear of death. If you have an answer, LETS HEAR IT …..otherwise, SHUT UP!

Europe hopelessly divided while facing problems
2004/11/10
Chaim Melamed,Pingtung,Taiwan
　

Interim Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi is visiting Europe, trying to drum up support from the ever reluctant Europeans at the European Council. He described the states which opposed the U.S. led war to free Iraq as “spectators.” Truth and politics often create a volatile mixture. The Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Jean-Claude Junker, a vociferous opponent of the war took exception to this accurate and valid description: “I don't like the expression ‘spectator states' at all. I don't understand it...” Really? The German Chancellor was even more outraged. The Europeans have been smug, self-righteous and highly condescending when it comes to America's foreign policy. They continually appraise the American people as naive, suggesting that they, in contrast, are sophisticated and worldly wise. Well, they are entitled to their illusions. The Europeans are only good at endless talking. If they had had their way, Saddam Hussein would still be ruling Iraq, threatening all the nations of the region. They conveniently forget the invasion of Kuwait, the gassing of thousands of Iraqi Kurds, and missiles fired at Israel.

Europe is hopelessly divided and impotent when it comes to facing international problems, from Bosnia to Sudan, and from Afghanistan to Iraq. Their only interests involve commercial gains and keeping their hands clean. That is why America has become the leader of the free world. Talk is cheap. The Americans are willing to face the true dangers and risks of hands-on involvement to solve some of the most intractable problems facing the world's nations today. They are ready to commit themselves to spending billions of dollars and risking the lives of thousands of their soldiers to promote democracy in nations which never knew the meaning of freedom. Nations like France and Germany did not lend any support to the war effort, and then jeered at the frustrating problems the ‘naive' Americans encountered. When it came to Iraq, all they could do was to send their overpaid diplomats for endless sessions of talks which went nowhere, a formula for failure they are following in getting Iran to stop its nuclear weapons program.

Europe has taken in millions of Muslims as citizens and is now held hostage by fears these new citizens will turn against the governments which gave them sanctuary. The Iranians know that Europe would never stand up to them, but that the Americans could and would. No wonder they bristled at the description of ‘spectator states.' French President Jacques Chirac boycotted the lunch with Allawi, as he didn't wish to be told the truth, that France has abrogated its role as an international political player. That wouldn't look good in the French newspapers. He prefers articles on the ‘naive' Americans. Mr. Chirac had the clout to delete a phrase welcoming Mr. Allawi, before he flew to the United Arab Emirates, where he would face a less critical reception, and perhaps drum up more business at the same time.

Wealthy Europe categorically refused to send any troops, and merely scrounged up a pitiful US$40 million to help Iraq, while vaguely promising some unspecified help with elections and the political process in Iraq. Mr. Allawi got a taste of realpolitick in Europe. British Prime Minister Tony Blair sadly commented that European leaders were in a “state of denial” concerning the re-election of U.S President George W. Bush, another ‘unpleasant' bit of reality they wished to avoid. Are these the signs of a naive America and a sophisticated Europe? If democracy does come to such tortured nations as Afghanistan and Iraq, Europe can watch from the sidelines.

Bias, fear and ‘nasty stuff' firmly entrenched in  Taiwan

2004/11/10
Hsu, Hung-Yuan,PA, USA

I am a PhD student studying in Pennsylvania. I watched the progress of the whole United States presidential campaign. As I have perceived, most of the people engaging in this election could conceive that they had went through a very unusual experience. Probably only the elections in the 60s are comparable, and it is abnormally negative.

The several indisputable factors making this election so unique were definitely the 9-11 attack and the Iraq War. The Bush campaign took a similar strategy of Chen Shui-Bian playing the “security” card. As it worked in Taiwan, this strategy successfully kidnapped the judgment of American voters. That's why Bush could win the Ohio electoral votes while Ohio residents suffer a high jobless rate. This is a complex and long story, I don't intend to mention here.

What I want to say is: The U.S. election 2004 is not a good lesson to learn from because it was so negative, and the effects of the result still remain to be observed. I don't see the so-called “mainstream” news media come under severe fire in the U.S. Actually, I think they kept their credibility. Most of the pre-election polls indicated that Bush would win more support than Kerry with a narrow gap.

As for Taiwan, I don't think it's fair to condemn Taipei's media with the full responsibility for bias. The media in the southern part of Taiwan and some pro-independence news services are much more biased compared to American media. I would say Taiwan is facing problems much more serious than the U.S. in terms of credibility, splitting, and all the nasty stuff. People in Taiwan still have a long way to go especially in respect of credibility.

Who is to blame for Middle East kidnappings?
2004/11/09
Jiong Jaong-Wei, Tamshui, Taipei
　

Still ringing in my ears are the heartfelt pleas, “Help me, I don't want to die; help me, I want to live”, of the hostages being incessantly kidnapped across the Mideast region and not just in Iraq.

2004/11/08
Lee Bruckart,Tampa, Florida USA
　

When you see this country do careless, atrocious, terrible things in the future, please remember this: Nearly half of us disagree with that action or policy. Nearly half of us are groaning with embarrassment and shame. Nearly half of us will not be heard!

One democratic China!
Henry Ting, political commentator 
　

Chinese premier Hu Jintao recently made several speeches since he formerly took helm of the communist government in Beijing. He told the country and the world that China will have to reform rapidly to steer off Chinese people's anger at the governmental corruption and the inefficiency of officials, despite thousands of officials have been put in jails.

Hu acknowledges China's need for market value of economical reforms to raise the living standard as the top priority for his government. But he still refused to face the fact that Western democratic practices are the basic answer, of which he characterized as the Dead-End for China's future. His vision for China's destination, regardless the successful capitalistic economy in China, is to continue to subject China politically under the guidance of Communist doctrines and leadership. This simplistic solution shows how Beijing, is so adamant to their monolithic control of the country, while at the same time, fail to understand how to build a country with a government which can serve all the people in China politically as well as economically.

Hu's verdict for Western democracy is a blatant refusal to admit the basic democratic principle that "all men are created equal", that all democratic society have to abide the idea of majority role and minority right. Any deviation from this principle by the government will create an unbalanced political system without accountability and transparency.

In any nation or confederations of the free world, the norm is that the majority is the ruling party, but the minorities have to be protected. And the freedom of speech and expression of all people should be observed vigorously all the time regardless their political belief and affiliations. The other aspect of democracy is to   focus on the theory of egalitarianism which will promote social welfare system for the general population.

Above all, a free election system at all levels is the integrate part for majority rule on a continuing basis so the energized citizens can join force in their attempt to express their belief and wishes and to fulfill their political and economical aspiration. A real democratic system will have to allow the concerned citizen to form political party to compete peacefully and equally with any opposing parties for their political beliefs.

Of course, the obvious benefit of democracy is to have a transparent government system which will be watched constantly for its obligation and accountability. The only way to achieve that goal is allow multiparty political establishments to compete with the dominating political party on equal footing. This is not a short order for a political entity like Chinese Communist party to swallow; especially they have been in a situation of absolute control for over half century in China.

But the inevitable truth is when an authoritarian government really wants to reform to get rid of corruption and incompetence and rural poverty, they always fall short by refusing to admit the need for fundament change. While condemning Western-style politics will lead China to a dead end, the CCP's claim to expand “social democracy” to all Chinese people is just empty battle cry for keeping the political oppositions away.

In his recent speech, Hu Jintao called the present China situation could cause life and death of the CCP, and the nation's future is being hanged in the balance. Instead of a long term solution for China politically, he still is treading the obsolete adage that Chinese communist has to wield absolute power over China.

The major factor of all the economical improvement in China in recent years is the participation of investment and economic assimilations from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and US. China has improved a great deal in keeping good and reliable diplomatic relationship with the major developed countries as well as the neighboring nations. But the reality is that China is still being labeled a country which is in violation of human right and political suppression. Unless that impression can be changed, China will never be able to attend the international stage without feeling isolated and alienated by the world.

And the most important of all, just imagine how much China will be gaining if she can show the world that all Chinese citizen and different political parties are joining force in China's political reform. From the examples of former USSR and the Eastern European nation's transformations during 1990's, the Communists will still be a powerful political and social force to be reckoned with. By depend on the democratic principle; China will be under a political system of check and balance. The problems of corruption and public officials' incompetence of the government will be much easier task to tackle. And the end result will become the biggest crop for China, since Taiwan will no longer be able using the cause of freedom and democracy to refuse the reunification dialogue of one China. And US future administrations will have a much compromising policies toward China. And China will be able to absorb, in due time, two most advanced regions in China in term of free society and economical successes, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Of course, there will be deficiencies in the democratic system such as: the money politics and vehement party's political squabbles, and the lack of constant social welfare protection of all the people. But the gain will definitely overwhelm the deficiency for China under present circumstance.

And secondly, Hu Jingtao and Premier Wen Jaibao are well aware the facts of the compelling fact in Hong Kong where the democrats are push a universal suffrage in 2007 and 2008 election. They are convinced that by then over 60% population in HK will be favoring a direct election. The long term result for such a HK experience at that time will become the central ramification for one Chinese nation in years to come.

By turning toward democratic suffrage in China, not only the Chinese government will gain upper hand of the democratic disturbance in HK, and it will quench the basic theory of the independence inclined political groups in Taiwan. Combined with a market system of economy, a rejuvenated Chinese nation will not have to worry about huge amount of money spent both in China and Taiwan to pretend to safeguard their security. A united China will be able concentrate their energy and resources to the developing of the economics and fulfill a century long aspiration for science and democracy. And with the prospect of reunification with Taiwan, the Chinese government will achieve their most avowed pledge of the goal in its existence.

There is a great opportunity in wake of US Secretary of State Colin Powell's recent clarification of American foreign policy for the future in the Taiwan Strait. His call for direct conversation between China and Taiwan under the current situation will be a great stepping stone for both sides. Neither China nor Taiwan can survive a bruising military conflict, and none of them has a viable reason to resist the opportunity in the most important time of all Chinese people.　

　 Time to defuse tension
JAMES T.H. TSAO
Senior editor Journal of Asian Economics Washington

In "China and Taiwan's future" (Op-Ed, Oct. 13), Harlan Ullman reports that the United States seeks ways to deal with potential crises. Indeed, the tensions in the Taiwan Strait have reached a sufficiently dangerous level that many countries around the world are worried. Beijing and Taipei should try their best to defuse the tensions.
Mr. Ullman points out that messages from Republic of China President Chen Shui-bian's national security adviser appeared in page-long advertisements in the New York Times and The Washington Post on Oct. 4.
  The advertisements criticized the United States' one-China policy and supported the Taiwan separation movement. According to Chinese newspapers, Beijing expressed objections after the   national security adviser voiced his opinion at a symposium at the Hart Senate Office Building on Oct. 8. These actions would not help defuse existing tensions.

During the past few months, both sides conducted war exercises.  Miscalculations and accidents might result in a military conflict. Beijing and Taipei should not take any provocative actions. So far, the U.S. policy to maintain the status quo in the strait has worked alright. Even something purely symbolic, like changing the nation's name from the Republic of China to the Republic of Taiwan, may cause a war.

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