After reading your article about The Washington Post's interview with President Chen Shui-bian (
A possible explanation could be that many people are against change in this country and abroad.
They fear that any change to the status quo whether in the form of improving Taiwan's democracy or economic development through enhancing our laws would imply taking the road of independence.
It is not the case that making Taiwan a better place means Chen is seeking officially to declare an independent Taiwan in the future through changing the Constitution.
I have analyzed Chen's interview with The Washington Post. There is nothing in the article that suggests Chen wants to declare independence for Taiwan.
Instead, Chen has clearly stated that he wants to make Taiwan more democratic and to reform the political system.
The people of Taiwan should not be afraid of reform but should rather embrace it because reform would only make Taiwan more competitive economically and more stable politically in the future.
We should also remember that Taiwan is not the only country seeking reform.
France has just undergone regional elections and reform has been an important issue.
In addition, international organizations have been promoting regulatory reform among their members. The existence of good laws and regulations strengthens a country's economic development.
Therefore, we must not be suspicious of Chen's actions to improve our democratic system and Constitution, but should rather give our fullest support so that the reform could be accomplished leading to the advancement of Taiwan's economy and political system.
As a suggestion, perhaps our government should put more effort into explaining Chen's views of Taiwan's future to the people.
Ho Chen-sheng
Taipei
Recently, China launched another diplomatic offensive against Taiwan, improperly linking its “one China principle” with UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 to constrain Taiwan’s diplomatic space. After Taiwan’s presidential election on Jan. 13, China persuaded Nauru to sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Nauru cited Resolution 2758 in its declaration of the diplomatic break. Subsequently, during the WHO Executive Board meeting that month, Beijing rallied countries including Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Belarus, Egypt, Nicaragua, Sri Lanka, Laos, Russia, Syria and Pakistan to reiterate the “one China principle” in their statements, and assert that “Resolution 2758 has settled the status of Taiwan” to hinder Taiwan’s
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
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s (李顯龍) decision to step down after 19 years and hand power to his deputy, Lawrence Wong (黃循財), on May 15 was expected — though, perhaps, not so soon. Most political analysts had been eyeing an end-of-year handover, to ensure more time for Wong to study and shadow the role, ahead of general elections that must be called by November next year. Wong — who is currently both deputy prime minister and minister of finance — would need a combination of fresh ideas, wisdom and experience as he writes the nation’s next chapter. The world that
As former president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) wrapped up his visit to the People’s Republic of China, he received his share of attention. Certainly, the trip must be seen within the full context of Ma’s life, that is, his eight-year presidency, the Sunflower movement and his failed Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement, as well as his eight years as Taipei mayor with its posturing, accusations of money laundering, and ups and downs. Through all that, basic questions stand out: “What drives Ma? What is his end game?” Having observed and commented on Ma for decades, it is all ironically reminiscent of former US president Harry