Lucky to be alive
My wife and I recently went on a trip to Jiaosi (礁溪) and were on our way back to Taipei when we encountered extremely unsafe driving practices. In fact, we are very happy to be alive since at one point in our journey, just south of Fulong (福隆), a cement truck ran us off the road. It was passing another truck on the opposite side of the road and failed to return to its lane. Instead it came barreling down the road in our lane and only with quick and alert driving on our part were we able to avoid a disastrous accident.
In addition, on several occasions, large trucks tailgated us and honked their horn, forcing us to pull to the side of the road to allow them to pass.
We understand that this highway is a multipurpose road in the sense that many drivers are enjoying the scenery along the road while large trucks hauling cement and other goods are only interested in speeding along. Many of the vehicles are driving well beyond the speed limit and this is another cause for concern.
We would respectfully suggest that there be more of a police presence along the highway to discourage speeders and tailgaters. During the entire trip, we only saw one police car on the side of the road and one policeman on a motorbike in Fulong. In addition, on most of the road there is no barrier between lanes. It is strange that here in Tianmu there is a barrier on Zhongshan N Road but on the Coastal Highway there are none.
Unfortunately, we will think long and hard before we take our lives in our hands and drive the coastal highway again. Considering the beauty and the awesome views of the ocean, for us and for other tourists like us, that is a shame and a great loss. We would kindly suggest that the relevant ministry take immediate action on these concerns before a bus full of Chinese tourists or a bus full of students who are taking their graduation trip are not as lucky as we were.
MARK LINETT
Beitou
Thinking left, eating right
President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) wonders why Taiwanese confidence is not as strong as it was in the past under martial law. If he cannot figure this out, his presidency will be in vain and his doctorate in law from Harvard University will be just a piece of paper.
When 33 miners in Chile were rescued from 700m underground, the whole world was happily moved. When Liu Xiaobo (劉曉波) was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, many world leaders, including Ma, asked China to release him from prison.
Taiwanese living under martial law for 38 years were in worse situations than the miners and Liu. Thousands of Taiwanese were executed in the White Terror. Of course, Taiwanese longed for democracy and freedom. Dictator Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石) had been trying to “rescue mainland compatriots from deep water and hot fire.” Ironically, Taiwanese themselves were in deep water and hot fire.
Today, Ma is actively implementing his “one China” policy. Although he likes to boast that “one China” refers to the Republic of China (ROC), he bans ROC flags in front of Chinese visitors. Even such a freedom in favor of the ROC is suppressed.
Ma also lets China manipulate Taiwan in the international arena. Taiwanese are beginning to worry that Taiwan may be transformed from a democratic country that was once described as a “lighthouse for democracy” by former US president George W. Bush to a communist one.
It’s time for Ma and his followers to stop “thinking left and eating right” — thinking of communism but taking advantage of democracy.
CHARLES HONG
Columbus, Ohio
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
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
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