Activists don't all think alike
Julian Baggini's tirade for ethical consumerism sounds well reasoned, but in fact isn't (Ethical consumerism isn't fashionable, Aug. 22, page 9).
Baggini's arguments fall apart when he presumes that the anti-globalization movement speaks with one voice, one vision. In fact, the anti-globalization crowd represents a multiplicity of perspectives from every walk of life, from every corner of the world. Attempts like Baggini's to reduce the complexity into fast food soundbites does an injustice, not to the activists, but to the over-arching need to find solutions.
Michael Straus
San Francisco, California
Population control is myopic
The recent policy of the Bureau of Health Promotion (Marry early, have kids, begs bureau, Aug. 17, page 2) to boost the birth rate by encouraging early marriage and pregnancy is myopic. Supporting an aging population brings challenges, and the government does need to strategize in advance. However, to propose raising the birth rate as the solution is regressive and unimaginative.
The quality of life in Taiwan is adversely affected by its population density, which is second only to Bangladesh. Before adding more children to the nation, those who love children might like to see a more kid-friendly Taiwan, so that the majority of children here have more to look forward to than a concrete jungle of dim, yardless pre-schools and cram schools, or dark Internet cafes. Even its high per capita income cannot make a Taipei where children can open their front doors and have a place to safely ride a bicycle or play a game of catch; where traffic jams and exhaust fumes are the exception, and where one can easily find a spot to park a motorcycle, or even a car.
Quality of life, much of which can be directly related to overpopulation, is continually cited as one of the main reason for emigration by overseas Taiwanese. Even when economic dreams abroad do not materialize, many families choose to stay overseas while the father of a family returns to Taiwan for work. Education is another reason for this migration pattern, but having a safe, pleasant environment for a family with a tree or some grass in sight is another.
The positive energy of Taiwan shines through its blemishes, but the nation should continue its environmental improvements of the past decade. A dip in population should be seen as a "growing pain" that would cause a few years of difficulties, but render great benefits for coming centuries.
Donovan Ramage
Hsinchu, Taiwan
Down with Downer
Australia's national interest is to maintain relations with the Chinese people, not it's oppressors. (Mark Chen slams `unfit' Aussie minister Downer, Aug. 21, page 4).
Trade based on the needs of two nations are of enormous importance to the long-term interests of any nation. But the principles of developed nations, such as freedom and democracy, are also important.
Australian Prime Minister John Howard and Foreign Minister Alexander Downer should take a lesson from their most reliable ally, the US: While maintaining trade relations with China, the US does not support its oppressive policies, be it domestic (such as the regime's trampling of human rights), or foreign (its threats against Taiwan). There is no need for the Australians to suck up to Chinese Communist Party dictators. The characters of a man, a people, a nation come to light by how they deal with a dilemma. If Downer can't say anything constructive about Taiwan's geopolitical situation, he should just shut up.
Chen Ming-chung
Chicago
Singapore tows China's line
I am writing to express my outrage at the statements made by the new prime minister of Singapore and his decision to state that he does not support Taiwan's independence. His cozying up to the Chinese government tells us more about Singapore's leadership than about Taiwan. Every country has the right to be free and no country has the right to be patronizing about another nation's desire for freedom and sovereignty.
Singapore has many things to learn from Taiwan, starting with democratic elections. Taiwan should not be afraid of being bullied by China, Australia or Singapore, and should be quick to remind the leaders of other countries that the future of Taiwan should only be decided by the people of Taiwan.
Clive Hazell
Nagoya, Japan
Saudi Arabian largesse is flooding Egypt’s cultural scene, but the reception is mixed. Some welcome new “cooperation” between two regional powerhouses, while others fear a hostile takeover by Riyadh. In Cairo, historically the cultural capital of the Arab world, Egyptian Minister of Culture Nevine al-Kilany recently hosted Saudi Arabian General Entertainment Authority chairman Turki al-Sheikh. The deep-pocketed al-Sheikh has emerged as a Medici-like patron for Egypt’s cultural elite, courted by Cairo’s top talent to produce a slew of forthcoming films. A new three-way agreement between al-Sheikh, Kilany and United Media Services — a multi-media conglomerate linked to state intelligence that owns much of
The US and other countries should take concrete steps to confront the threats from Beijing to avoid war, US Representative Mario Diaz-Balart said in an interview with Voice of America on March 13. The US should use “every diplomatic economic tool at our disposal to treat China as what it is... to avoid war,” Diaz-Balart said. Giving an example of what the US could do, he said that it has to be more aggressive in its military sales to Taiwan. Actions by cross-party US lawmakers in the past few years such as meeting with Taiwanese officials in Washington and Taipei, and
Denmark’s “one China” policy more and more resembles Beijing’s “one China” principle. At least, this is how things appear. In recent interactions with the Danish state, such as applying for residency permits, a Taiwanese’s nationality would be listed as “China.” That designation occurs for a Taiwanese student coming to Denmark or a Danish citizen arriving in Denmark with, for example, their Taiwanese partner. Details of this were published on Sunday in an article in the Danish daily Berlingske written by Alexander Sjoberg and Tobias Reinwald. The pretext for this new practice is that Denmark does not recognize Taiwan as a state under
The Republic of China (ROC) on Taiwan has no official diplomatic allies in the EU. With the exception of the Vatican, it has no official allies in Europe at all. This does not prevent the ROC — Taiwan — from having close relations with EU member states and other European countries. The exact nature of the relationship does bear revisiting, if only to clarify what is a very complicated and sensitive idea, the details of which leave considerable room for misunderstanding, misrepresentation and disagreement. Only this week, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) received members of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations