Taiwan is indeed a model democracy, but it faces several challenges. The Taiwanese must use their wisdom and power to overcome these difficulties and take control of their own destiny, or Taiwan's democracy might become a thing of the past. Taiwan is a country with a triple national identity: Taiwan, the Republic of China and China. Internally, the people in Taiwan are broadly divided into pan-green and pan-blue camps. Externally, China insists that Taiwan is a part of China, although China hasn't ruled Taiwan for a single second since the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949.
Japan ruled Taiwan for 50 years and gave up any claim to it in 1951, without specifying an inheritor. The US liberated Taiwan from Japan in 1945, and has protected Taiwan from China since the 1950s, but still talks about a paradoxical "one China" policy. The UN is helpless and hopeless.
The governing party should have a clear vision for Taiwan's future and work hard to achieve it. It should implement the laws in spite of opposition or protests. Actions are more effective than words. Corrupt officials should be fired and imprisoned.
President Chen Shui-bian (
The losing candidates should have sportsmanship. The opposition parties must be friendly, at least to the people who need security, prosperity and tranquility. Please do not boycott everything and paralyze or endanger Taiwan. Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) should not act like the mayor of "Chinese Taipei."
In the Dec. 3 local governments elections, voters should not accept bribery from any candidates. They must vote for candidates who can preserve democracy and freedom for Taiwan.
Charles Hong
Columbus, Ohio
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Can US dialogue and cooperation with the communist dictatorship in Beijing help avert a Taiwan Strait crisis? Or is US President Joe Biden playing into Chinese President Xi Jinping’s (習近平) hands? With America preoccupied with the wars in Europe and the Middle East, Biden is seeking better relations with Xi’s regime. The goal is to responsibly manage US-China competition and prevent unintended conflict, thereby hoping to create greater space for the two countries to work together in areas where their interests align. The existing wars have already stretched US military resources thin, and the last thing Biden wants is yet another war.
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