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Saturday, Dec 02, 2000, Page 8

I take issue with Stan Shih's (施振興) recent statement aiming to move, if not to empty, Taiwan's manufacturing capacity to China ("Shih gives Lin a lecture," Nov. 29, page 17).

While it may be true that "... the US economy is the strongest in the world because the nation has moved on to bigger and better things -- semiconductors, software, biotechnology, research and development," it is certainly not true that "US manufacturing capacity has all but moved overseas." Take for example, the huge chunk of the US auto and aerospace industry that remains intact in the US. It seems to me that the former statement is the cause and the latter, if ever true, would be the effect. Shih's comment implied the other way around.

Most importantly, I seriously doubt that US would ever permit unlimited capital flow into a hostile country threatening to shoot hundreds of missiles if the US failed to appease it. Without first clearly demonstrating the commitment by moguls like Shih and Wang Yung-ching (王永慶) to upgrade the high-tech research and development in Taiwan, it would be utterly irresponsible and premature for Shih to give such a "lecture" to Minister of Economic Affairs Lin Hsin-yi (林信義), or for that matter to Taiwanese at large.

Are we soon going to listen to another lecture that "because Taiwan is tiny, we simply do not have the critical mass to promote research and development in knowledge-based industries, so that we might as well move those to China?" If so develop, God forbid, one must then ask why Switzerland, Belgium, and Netherlands can and Taiwan cannot?

It is critical for all Taiwanese to realize that there is a urgent need to strike a balance between profit alone and long-term national security. Perhaps our cunning fellow businessmen have chosen to ignore the latter and embrace the former for whatever reason.

Chang Tien-Hsien

Columbus, Ohio

Respect must be earned

If any of our opposition legislators ever decides to become tabloid reporters, they would certainly rise to the top of their profession.

Look at what has been going on in the legislature. While admittedly grounds exist to question the young staff mem-bers of the Presidential Office about issues such as their nationality, business expenses and possible wrongdoing, I simply don't see the point of asking one of them whether he drinks heavily, goes to the hot springs frequently, and most absurd of all whether he has ever washed President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) undergarments. These questions amount to personal insults.

Even with respect to the issue of nationality, these staff members are civil servants, not government officials. Must they all relinquish their foreign citizenship? After all, it is not required by law. If it is wrong for the presidential office to use a foreign translator, then the person who made the hiring decision should be questioned, not the translator herself. If legislators think it is suitable to amend the law and require such a relinquishment, then go ahead. There is no point in putting on such a circus.

The legislature is always demanding respect for its legislative power. Well, the legislators must earn it first.

Wu Yi-ching

Taipei

Stop attacking Hsiao

The way in which the mass media has gone out of its way to destroy the character of Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) is shameless and deplorable. Forces that seek to destabilize Taiwan and discredit President Chen and his new government seem to be actively at work. This latest gunning down of Hsiao, a longtime DPP activist and presidential aide, is a shameless pit that the media has unwittingly fallen into.

And one wonders what secret agenda the Singapore media has in focusing negatively on Taiwan's internal affairs, especially since the DPP came into power. The Singapore Straits Times, on Nov. 16, selectively quoted Chou Yu-kou (周玉寇), the author of the book Tang Fei -- in a Critical Era (唐飛在--關鍵年代裡).

Is the press looking for a Taiwanese Monica Lewinsky? Instead of going after Hsiao with such cutthroat tactics, the media should instead see her as a successful role model for Taiwan and the world, for young women considering entering the murky field of politics and government.

The Straits Times also carried the accusation on Nov. 16 that Hsiao was a danger to Taiwan's national security because of her ex-boyfriend's employment with China's late leader, Deng Xiaoping (鄧小平). Using such labels is a familiar and easy tactic to throw suspicion on a political opponent, as seen throughout Singapore's political history. This is especially seen in the Singapore media's "Pied Pipering" of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) pronouncements.

Carrying news of political scandals that may have damaged Hsiao's professional and personal life is a great setback for responsible freedom of expression. What Hsiao does with her personal life is her own business. Her past relationships should not be used to crucify her. Her choice of remaining single is personal and should not be put under public scrutiny. Her vast and articulate knowledge in her field of political work is most suitable for her current post.

I would encourage Hsiao to remain steadfast and strong, and stay focused on her goals and work. I call on the media in Taiwan and elsewhere to immediately cease attacking her.

Kevin Liew

Singapore
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