Taipei Times - Editorials

US President Barack Obama’s visit to China was most notable for his hosts’ refusal to play his game. Nothing could have been more symbolically ludicrous and deflating for Obama and the dignity of the office of US president than speaking before a bunch of hand-picked university students taking part in a “town hall” address in Shanghai. Never mind that the students were mostly or all members of the Chinese Communist Party, that they asked vetted, even infantile, questions or that the students who sat behind Obama — and were thus visible to TV and online audiences — behaved as if they couldn’t understand a word.

[ FULL STORY ]

EDITORIAL : Ma administration rolls over again

This government’s ability to capitulate at the drop of a hat when dealing with China never ceases to amaze.

[ FULL STORY ]

EDITORIAL : Furtive government deals disturbing

Following the ruckus last month in which the government took the public and the legislature by surprise with its sudden announcement that it was lifting a ban on US bone-in beef imports, the government did it again on Monday night: It blitzed the public and lawmakers with a declaration that it had signed a financial memorandum of understanding (MOU) with China.

[ FULL STORY ]

EDITORIAL : Slow but steady road to abolition

Monday’s forum on the death penalty was eclipsed by a series of cross-strait forums and meetings, an unexpected memorandum of understanding and the continued warnings of mad-cow fearmongers. Unlike cross-strait relations, the economy and even US beef, the debate over capital punishment offers scant political currency for either political camp.

[ FULL STORY ]

EDITORIAL : Let them come, let them speak

[ FULL STORY ]

EDITORIAL : Misjudging public opinion

Taiwan is not only passive on cross-strait matters, it is at an impasse. Academics from Chinese think tanks made loud calls at a recent seminar in Taiwan for the two sides to begin political talks, while Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤) proposed launching talks on a peace accord when meeting former Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) chairman Lien Chan (連戰) at the APEC summit in Singapore.

[ FULL STORY ]

EDITORIAL : The ECFA is the main game

The Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) said on Thursday that it has drafted amendments to the Regulations Governing Foreign Bank Branches and Representative Offices (外國銀行分行及代表人辦事處設立及管理辦法) and the Rules Governing Offshore Banking Branches (國際金融業務分行管理辦法).

[ FULL STORY ]

EDITORIAL : Sledging the wrong foreigners

Seminar presentations don’t come any more laughable than this. Zheng Bijian (鄭必堅), a former vice president of the Central Party School of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), yesterday repaid his Taiwanese hosts’ hospitality with a lecture on how aspirations for Taiwanese independence would fade amid longing for improved cross-strait relations.

[ FULL STORY ]

EDITORIAL : Campaign to discredit Chen goes on

[ FULL STORY ]

EDITORIAL : Ma government not a good sport

President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) often stresses the importance of heeding popular opinion, cautioning his officials and agencies to show consideration in all they do to avoid leaving a negative impression with the public.

[ FULL STORY ]

EDITORIAL : Protecting the vulnerable

Constitutional Interpretation No. 666 can only be described as a victory for human rights. On Friday, the Council of Grand Justices handed down a ruling on penalties for prostitutes that was long overdue. In their decision, the grand justices said Article 80 of the Social Order Maintenance Act (社會秩序維護法) violates the principle of equality enshrined in Article 7 of the Constitution. The article imposes penalties for the crime of prostitution — but only for sex workers, not their patrons.

[ FULL STORY ]

EDITORIAL : A quiet, but strong Obama

[ FULL STORY ]

Advertising