‘PERSONAL VIEWS’: The government rebutted criticism that an ECFA would marginalize Taiwan economically and said Taiwan risks isolation if it does not sign FTAs
By Ko Shu-ling
The Presidential Office yesterday hit back at critics — including former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) — who said on Saturday that an economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) the government is seeking to sign with Beijing this year will undermine Taiwan’s competitiveness.

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Yani Tseng (曾雅妮) won the Women’s Australian Open by three strokes yesterday, shooting five birdies on the back nine for a seven-under 66 to pull away from former champions Karrie Webb and Laura Davies.

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RED SHIRTS RETURN: Thousands of Thais threaten mass demonstrations if elections are not called within a day, while investors worry that violence could derail recovery
Tens of thousands of protesters converged in Bangkok yesterday and gave Thailand’s military-backed government an ultimatum: Call elections within 24 hours or face crippling mass demonstrations across the capital.

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The governor of Kandahar Province demanded more security yesterday after 12 coordinated explosions in Afghanistan’s largest southern city killed dozens of people in the Taliban heartland.

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The US is to blame for recent tensions in Sino-US ties and must take steps to repair the damage, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (溫家寶) said yesterday, indicating no let-up in their diplomatic row.

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