Once again, I share the same sentiments as President Chen Shui-bian (
While I am not familiar with all Taiwanese companies and government agencies, I would urge Chen also to push for the changing of name of Taiwan's national air carrier -- China Airlines. It is indeed misleading.
On my first trip to Taiwan eight years ago, I traveled by China Airlines and I was confused. Two years later, I visited Beijing on an Air China flight, and then I understood the cause of my confusion, or the root of the problem. Even as an Asian Chinese, I have been confused by the names of the national carriers of both countries. As such, would foreigners from Western countries not be misled by the name? Would they then not conclude that Taiwan equates to China?
Taiwan is in the midst of building its own unique and sovereign identity. It may take time for Western countries to be fully aware of the fact that Taiwan is not China.
However, it is heartening to note that Chen will do his utmost to safeguard and further enhance the identity and recognition of Taiwan. That is important, otherwise five years down the road, Taiwan would probably be considered by others to be a small part of China, as in the case of Hong Kong, which is grossly wrong.
Indeed, Chen is right to urge Taiwanese not to focus on whether the constitutional reform entails an "amendment" or a "rewrite." Either way, if it is not carried out conscientiously, be it an amendment or a rewrite, it may merely just result in an addition of an insignificant clause. What matters more is support from the Taiwanese, including the opposition parties, given to Chen and his administration so that he can translate the hopes and aspirations of 23 million Taiwanese into action, via the new constitution.
In this respect, I am certain the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) will offer its support to Chen. Former president Lee Teng-hui (
It is heartening for me, a foreigner, to note that Lee is still going on strong and as enthusiastic as ever, in his pursuit of greater progress and recognition for Taiwan, even four years after stepping down as president.
Since March 2000, when the KMT lost its 51-year rule over the nation to the DPP, many things have changed. One thing that has been consistent over the past four years is the determination of both Lee and Chen to fight for the best interests of the Taiwanese and Taiwan in general.
Both these men deserve to be applauded for their love for Taiwan. Come Saturday, I urge Taiwanese not to let them down.
Please vote for the DPP and TSU candidates because by doing so, you will not be letting down yourselves and future generations to come.
The future of Taiwan is in the hands of the voters, who should entrust Lee and Chen with such a task. The KMT and PFP cannot be entrusted with such a sacred task.
A vote for the DPP and TSU is a vote for a brighter future.
Jason Lee Boon Hong
Singapore
A nation has several pillars of national defense, among them are military strength, energy and food security, and national unity. Military strength is very much on the forefront of the debate, while several recent editorials have dealt with energy security. National unity and a sense of shared purpose — especially while a powerful, hostile state is becoming increasingly menacing — are problematic, and would continue to be until the nation’s schizophrenia is properly managed. The controversy over the past few days over former navy lieutenant commander Lu Li-shih’s (呂禮詩) usage of the term “our China” during an interview about his attendance
Following the BRICS summit held in Kazan, Russia, last month, media outlets circulated familiar narratives about Russia and China’s plans to dethrone the US dollar and build a BRICS-led global order. Each summit brings renewed buzz about a BRICS cross-border payment system designed to replace the SWIFT payment system, allowing members to trade without using US dollars. Articles often highlight the appeal of this concept to BRICS members — bypassing sanctions, reducing US dollar dependence and escaping US influence. They say that, if widely adopted, the US dollar could lose its global currency status. However, none of these articles provide
Bo Guagua (薄瓜瓜), the son of former Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee Politburo member and former Chongqing Municipal Communist Party secretary Bo Xilai (薄熙來), used his British passport to make a low-key entry into Taiwan on a flight originating in Canada. He is set to marry the granddaughter of former political heavyweight Hsu Wen-cheng (許文政), the founder of Luodong Poh-Ai Hospital in Yilan County’s Luodong Township (羅東). Bo Xilai is a former high-ranking CCP official who was once a challenger to Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) for the chairmanship of the CCP. That makes Bo Guagua a bona fide “third-generation red”
US president-elect Donald Trump earlier this year accused Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) of “stealing” the US chip business. He did so to have a favorable bargaining chip in negotiations with Taiwan. During his first term from 2017 to 2021, Trump demanded that European allies increase their military budgets — especially Germany, where US troops are stationed — and that Japan and South Korea share more of the costs for stationing US troops in their countries. He demanded that rich countries not simply enjoy the “protection” the US has provided since the end of World War II, while being stingy with
RSS