Letters:

Even though foreigners have consistently demanded Hanyu Pinyin, "experts" falsely claim that foreigners prefer Tongyong. Taiwan's foreign managers are highly skilled and educated people who are quite capable of deciding which system they prefer. The central government's approach is extremely patronizing to the foreign business community.

Romanization is an important economic issue. The biggest problem facing us today is the hollowing out of Taiwan's economy. Because so many Taiwanese are taking their capital to China, Taiwan is more dependent on foreign investment than ever. But foreign investment is plummeting. To survive economically, Taiwanese need to do everything possible to make this a friendly investment destination.

But how does Taiwan welcome foreign businessmen? The central government decides to use romanization that foreigners cannot read. When foreign visitors go anyplace outside of Taipei, they cannot understand the street signs or maps. They aren't sure how to address an envelope. Many dare not drive, because they are afraid of getting lost among signs they cannot read.

In contrast to Taiwan, the street signs in Shanghai and Guangzhou are completely standard. In China, foreigners can travel and communicate with ease.

You can bet that foreign investors will vote with their feet. More and more investment will go to China, where foreign investors can read the street signs, maps and addresses. Tongyong is an economic scourge that will drive foreign capital away from Taiwan.

Tongyong conveys a clear message to the world: Taiwan doesn't welcome foreign investors. The spread of Tongyong is an economic disaster. The central government must immediately adopt Hanyu and use it whenever Taiwan's people want to communicate with the outside world.

Allen Yu

Chungho, Taipei County