The recent irrational behavior displayed by Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) members protesting the name change of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall to National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall was truly appalling. (KMT's name change fight opens rift, May 28, page 2). It was more like a fight among rogue people.
More puzzling, however, was a question posed by KMT Legislator Kuo Su-Chun (郭素春), who said, "Now that we have a memorial to democracy, does that mean democracy is dead, too?" ("KMT supports plan to rename street," May 24, page 4). Kuo apparently has a hard time making the connection between those people who sacrificed their lives for democratic principles and naming a memorial hall to honor them.
However, Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin's (郝龍斌) idea of renaming a section of Ketagalan Boulevard in front of the Presidential Office Building the "Anti-Corruption Democracy Square" was a good idea ("City strikes back in name-change game," May 23, page 1). All the people of Taiwan, not just KMT members, should support the plan.
Hau, however, should recruit a group of artists to paint a large picture on the renamed square depicting corrupt people -- especially KMT members under the leadership of Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石) -- looting the national treasury while countless onlookers shout at them to stop looting and return the stolen goods to the people.
Anyone walking on the square will be reminded of the KMT's illegally obtained assets. Perhaps this could hasten the return of the stolen assets to the treasury.
Honesty and democracy are universal values, yet KMT members have proven unable to clean their own house, whether under the leadership of former chairmen Lien Chan (連戰) or Ma Ying-yeou (馬英九) or under Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung (吳伯雄). An "Anti-Corruption Monument" to stress the importance of integrity would remind everyone that the KMT itself has shown little integrity.
The Taipei City Government should create an "Anti-Corruption Park" where statues of corrupt people could be erected for visitors to judge or examine their wrongdoings.
It is very difficult to fathom why KMT members often think they have nothing to do with corruption, even when the whole world has known for decades that the KMT was and still is the most corrupt political party in the world.
As US General George Marshall, quoted in Sterling Seagrave's book The Soong Dynasty, once said: "Mao's greatest asset was the Chiang regime's dismal corruption."
Still don't get it? Well read your history, please.
Kris Liao
San Francisco, California
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