The approval rating surveys conducted by the pan-blue media, which get funding from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), don't mean much. Tracking approval ratings is a phenomenon specific to democratic countries -- you would never see it in authoritarian countries because there's no political freedom.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has one of the highest approval ratings in the world, but he's one of the worst dictators ever, a list in which CCP leaders hold the top seats.
There's one analogy in Taiwan's democracy, and that is the pan-green media are weak in comparison with the pan-blue. The pan-blue media are in fact guilty of treason because they receive funding from the nation's enemy China -- this definitely wouldn't be allowed in the US or other western democratic countries.
Most founders of nations throughout history were rebels in the eyes of the corrupt regimes they fought against. In comparison with the insider trading allegedly committed by President Chen Shui-bian's (
Insider trading is rampant in East Asian countries' economies as the dedication to family overwhelms the law.
The US has insider trading issues as well, but it's handled in more delicate ways. Martha Stewart was just the fall guy because she was not refined enough, and had no real family connection to the blue-blood families. One of former US president George Bush's sons escaped justice in the Colorado savings and loan scandal at the expense of US taxpayers.
In this respect, Taiwan's Chen is more courageous to have his son-in-law facing the law.
Danny Song
Taipei
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
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.