The decision to scrap the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant deserves to be applauded.
Taiwan relies on outside supplies for almost all its energy needs, and faces tremendous threats from almost non-stop natural disaster such as earthquakes, floods and typhoons every year. It can ill afford to risk a potential nuclear disaster like Chernobyl, or a possible blockade of its sea lanes by China to cut off its energy supplies.
Instead of wasting time in the Legislative Yuan arguing about the legality of such a decision, Taiwan might be wise to seek the opportunity to concentrate on a complete and unbiased reappraisal the island's long-term energy policy. Overhauling the energy policy may help Taiwan re-chart its long-term economic development plans.
To start with, have a third party give Taipower
Next, in light of Taiwan's natural constraints, it is logical for the government, universities and industry to invest heavily in research and development of its long-term energy needs. Taiwan-ese scientists and engineers should welcome the challenge and aim to develop the most efficient and cost-effective technology possible that is also environmentally friendly.
Such advanced technology will not only satisfy Taiwan's own energy needs, but may also be exported to earn money for many decades to come. You are exporting the energy "know-how," not the energy itself. Taiwan must constantly strive to earn its living using the brain power of its intelligent and hard-working people.
James Chou
Vancouver, Canada
Referendum needed
I believe that the best solution to end the nuclear power plant controversy is a referendum. The attempt to remove the premier or president creates a dangerous precedent in which the head of state or government can easily face a vote of no confidence or impeachment at the whim of the opposition parties. If a KMT president comes to power, the DPP can easily retaliate against through impeachment or a no-confidence vote because such proceedings do not require a majority vote in the Legislative Yuan.
Rather than relying on opinion polls or letting the PFP and KMT claim that they represent the true interests of the people, why don't we directly ask the citizens themselves if the construction of another nuclear plant is needed. A referendum should silence this issue once and for all and will allow the government to handle other pressing issues like the budget. Impeachments and votes of no confidence should be reserved for more severe abuses of power.
Compared to previous presidents, Chen makes the most compromises, is the least autocratic, and is in fact constantly held hostage by the Legislative Yuan. If the legislature had tried to hold Chiang Kai-shek
Allen T. Chang
Berkeley, California
Immature opposition antics
The antics of Taiwan's opposition parties show that Taiwan's democracy is still very immature. A president should only be impeached in cases of serious abuses of the position of power. What has Chen done wrong other than try to honor a campaign promise?
It is time for the KMT to wake up to the fact that it has lost power after many years of rule and now must work within a new political paradigm. That means playing by the rules, not acting like a spoilt child and throwing a tantrum whenever it doesn't get what it wants.
David Reid
Hobart, Australia
Could Asia be on the verge of a new wave of nuclear proliferation? A look back at the early history of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which recently celebrated its 75th anniversary, illuminates some reasons for concern in the Indo-Pacific today. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin recently described NATO as “the most powerful and successful alliance in history,” but the organization’s early years were not without challenges. At its inception, the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty marked a sea change in American strategic thinking. The United States had been intent on withdrawing from Europe in the years following
My wife and I spent the week in the interior of Taiwan where Shuyuan spent her childhood. In that town there is a street that functions as an open farmer’s market. Walk along that street, as Shuyuan did yesterday, and it is next to impossible to come home empty-handed. Some mangoes that looked vaguely like others we had seen around here ended up on our table. Shuyuan told how she had bought them from a little old farmer woman from the countryside who said the mangoes were from a very old tree she had on her property. The big surprise
The issue of China’s overcapacity has drawn greater global attention recently, with US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen urging Beijing to address its excess production in key industries during her visit to China last week. Meanwhile in Brussels, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last week said that Europe must have a tough talk with China on its perceived overcapacity and unfair trade practices. The remarks by Yellen and Von der Leyen come as China’s economy is undergoing a painful transition. Beijing is trying to steer the world’s second-largest economy out of a COVID-19 slump, the property crisis and
The past few months have seen tremendous strides in India’s journey to develop a vibrant semiconductor and electronics ecosystem. The nation’s established prowess in information technology (IT) has earned it much-needed revenue and prestige across the globe. Now, through the convergence of engineering talent, supportive government policies, an expanding market and technologically adaptive entrepreneurship, India is striving to become part of global electronics and semiconductor supply chains. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Vision of “Make in India” and “Design in India” has been the guiding force behind the government’s incentive schemes that span skilling, design, fabrication, assembly, testing and packaging, and