Local debate over the recent killing of a Taiwanese fisherman by Philippine coast guards has seen some interesting developments. According to a few commentators, local media have largely been ignoring the Philippine Coast Guard's (PCG) claim that the Taiwanese fishing boat had repeatedly rammed the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel, which was manned by PCG personnel.

Many people may turn to chicken-soup-for-the-soul kind of books for guidance and inspiration when they feel lost. In China, many are now looking to Confucianism — which the country shunned as toxic and reactionary to its communist cause decades ago — as the “chicken soup” to remedy their “sick” society.

Two Air Force pilots from the 499th Tactical Fighter Wing based in Hsinchu, Northern Taiwan ejected to safety Monday when their Mirage jet crashed off the western coast shortly after takeoff.

Even before the fishing vessel shooting incident, the Taiwanese blogosphere was abuzz with a discussion over the meaning of “international perspective.”

In the six hours from Wednesday's 1 a.m. joint conference between Foreign Minister David Lin and Philippine representative Antonio Basilio to the 7 a.m. convening of the national security meeting hosted by President Ma Ying-jeou, the government went from sounding like it had reached a tentative agreement to launching full-scale sanctions.

The recent killing of a Taiwanese fisherman by the Philippine Coast Guard has led to diplomatic tensions between Taiwan and Philippines, spawning a series of sanctions levied on the Philippine government by Taiwan.

Food safety has again become a major concern after chemical-tainted starch was found in a wide range of food products. It is likely not an accident that the starch was tainted with maleic acid, but yet another alleged case of rogue businesses adding toxic stuff to their products in order to lower costs.

Fishermen burned the Philippine flag outside the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) in downtown Taipei on Monday, calling for an apology over the shooting of an unarmed Taiwanese fisherman by Philippine coast guards.

Taiwan seems to have turned jingoistic all of a sudden. This follows the shooting of a fisherman from Siaoliouciou or Little Ryukyu by a Philippine coast guard last Thursday. The fisherman died. His small tuna-fishing boat, the Kuang Ta Hsing No. 28, was operating in an overlapping exclusive economic zone (EEZ) between the two countries.

On Mother's Day, the first order of business is to renew our profound appreciation for the women who have protected us and reared us with their unconditional love.