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China still the main threat

In a show of typical propaganda, Beijing took the opportunity during the visit of US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage to decry Taiwan's alleged "separatists" as the greatest danger facing Asia.

Of course it is a customary prelude to aggression for a predator to characterize its prey as dangerous in order to justify any means to contain the "dan-ger." Hopefully, the world is not buying Beijing's latest lie about Taiwan, a country that has enjoyed self-rule for over 50 years.

It is Beijing that threatens military action, not Taiwan. It is Beijing that threatens to destroy a thriving democracy and its 23 million people, not Taiwan. It is Beijing that threatens to swallow and disassemble Tibet and Taiwan (both labeled seditious separatists) -- and it is Beijing that has already swallowed and disassembled Hong Kong, despite promising that the territory's basic (and now fleeting) freedoms would remain intact.

It is Beijing that poses the greatest threat to peace and security in Asia, and through its support of proliferation of missile technologies, the world. The world must consider carefully whether business prospects in China today are worth the unpredictable dangers of a ruthless and unchecked totalitarian behemoth tomorrow.

Lee Long Hwa

California

Ignored landmark

It's been years since our government decided to redesign the Bo-ai area right in front of the Presidential Office. This area includes two huge parking lots, the 228 Peace Park, the 228 Memorial Museum, the Chieh-shou Park, the Taipei Guest House and the National Taiwan Museum. It's really a valuable piece of land in many ways.

For hundreds of years, this area has been the center of political power in Taiwan yet Taiwanese people don't even have a chance to linger in the area.

The government promised the people that the whole area would be accessible and become a popular sightseeing spot in the near future with lots of trees and plants and leisure facilities. But I don't see any construction going on there. I did hear, however, about the gold-mining adventure underway nearby -- but on the news, not from the government. Who should be responsible for the delay in this big project?

Once the Presidential Office had a stunning and fabulous history as the tallest building in this old downtown area. With right project and care, the whole neighborhood could help restore "the Japanese tower" to its unique glory. It could even replace the CKS Memorial Hall as the landmark of Taiwan.

Could that happen? I am not sure. After all, what's the real name of this tall red building and the surrounding area, the one shown on TV or in tourism brochures? The Presidential Office of the ROC? The Presidential Office of Taiwan? Or the White House in Taiwan? I guess China or Hong Kong media say the building is the "leader's office in Taipei."

Mel Hsiao

Taipei
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