On Jan. 6, the Liberty Times published an interview with Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮). Lu candidly pointed out that the 2004 presidential election will not be a matter of whether the ruling party should be changed, but a matter of whether the pan-blue camp will be able to make a come back. Lu said that one cannot expect the new government to correct all the wrongs left behind by the 55-year-long KMT rule in but just two-and-a-half years. It definitely would be a serious mistake to welcome back the old power-bearers just because of momentary pan-green setbacks, Lu said.
About a week before Lu's interview was the 15th anniversary of former president Chiang Ching-kuo's (蔣經國) death. The pan-blue camp was quick to mobilize. They lined up to participate in rites held in honor of Chiang. They did not forget to use the opportunity to harshly criticize Chen Shui-bian's (
The show climaxed when General Wang Sheng (
This farce gave the younger generation a needed opportunity to learn about a key player of the White Terror era. Wang also reminded the older generations about the nightmare of martial law, the Garrison Command, Green Island, the assassination of Cheng Wen-cheng (
Wang was already by Chiang's side during Chiang's days as an executive commissioner in China. After the KMT's retreat to Taiwan, pursuant to Chiang's order, Wang organized a school (today's Political Warfare College,
After the US severed its diplomatic relationship with the ROC, Wang organized the "Liu Shao-kang Office" (
Nearly 90 and long forgotten, Wang was invited by the KMT Chairman Lien Chan (
It is employment pass renewal season in Singapore, and the new regime is dominating the conversation at after-work cocktails on Fridays. From September, overseas employees on a work visa would need to fulfill the city-state’s new points-based system, and earn a minimum salary threshold to stay in their jobs. While this mirrors what happens in other countries, it risks turning foreign companies away, and could tarnish the nation’s image as a global business hub. The program was announced in 2022 in a bid to promote fair hiring practices. Points are awarded for how a candidate’s salary compares with local peers, along
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