It is notable that Premier Su Tseng-chang (
Supporters of the legalization of gambling in these and other forms seem to wield attractive arguments for localities that need investment and employment.
But pan-blue-camp speculation on this development is not entirely unreasonable. With presidential and legislative elections approaching, the merging of sports and legal gambling in southern Taiwan, where the pan-green camp enjoys its strongest support, would stand to deliver the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government a significant dividend. This is especially meaningful given the wealth and development gaps between northern and southern Taiwan.
Su's response to the reports was not arbitrary. The gambling industry is one that brings immense profits to a very small number of entrepreneurs and employment and development options to a larger number of ordinary business owners and employees.
But gambling also brings with it political risks. Lotteries are already very popular -- but they are under tight control. If horse and motor racing are legalized, will the government then consider other forms of gambling, and will it be prepared to invest resources to offset the effects of more addiction?
Legalization of gambling -- in theory -- allows the government to take the impetus away from gambling rackets and to reduce the violence and threats of coercion that come with illegal gambling.
These rackets are closely tied to loan sharks, prostitution and other criminal activities. Yet law enforcement has seemed ineffectual in the face of the challenges posed by gangsters who thrive on the illegality of gambling. Unless someone is seriously injured or killed, police often downplay gambling-related incidents as mere "financial disputes," as if such disputes justified kidnapping and violence.
So, under the circumstances, there is an argument that the legalization of gambling would denude criminals of one of their biggest cash cows.
However, others will say that legalization will only prompt additional crime and violence, not to mention damaging Taiwan's image -- possibly reducing it to that of the bumpkin profiteering of Macau and other city states.
In recent years the tourism lobby has backed legalization, assuming that a marked increase in tourists of some affluence would help revive its fortunes. Island communities such as Penghu, Matsu and Kinmen have also lobbied the government to allow gambling operations.
It is fair to say that adults are entitled to gamble in a properly regulated industry. But it is not fair to say that gambling can serve as an economic panacea for incompetence in the tourism industry.
And regardless of politicking, the government is duty bound to examine the economic and social consequences of the gambling industry on all parts of the community before proceeding.
If the government decides to go down this path, the next question is not just where to start, but also how to protect against the possible expansion of social aberration that comes with an industry in which most ordinary participants lose money most of the time.
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
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.
As Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu’s party won by a landslide in Sunday’s parliamentary election, it is a good time to take another look at recent developments in the Maldivian foreign policy. While Muizzu has been promoting his “Maldives First” policy, the agenda seems to have lost sight of a number of factors. Contemporary Maldivian policy serves as a stark illustration of how a blend of missteps in public posturing, populist agendas and inattentive leadership can lead to diplomatic setbacks and damage a country’s long-term foreign policy priorities. Over the past few months, Maldivian foreign policy has entangled itself in playing
A group of Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmakers led by the party’s legislative caucus whip Fu Kun-chi (?) are to visit Beijing for four days this week, but some have questioned the timing and purpose of the visit, which demonstrates the KMT caucus’ increasing arrogance. Fu on Wednesday last week confirmed that following an invitation by Beijing, he would lead a group of lawmakers to China from Thursday to Sunday to discuss tourism and agricultural exports, but he refused to say whether they would meet with Chinese officials. That the visit is taking place during the legislative session and in the aftermath