News that the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) government was responsible for the freeze in arms procurement from the US, although initially shocking, should not have come as a surprise given the course the administration of President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) has charted since coming to office.

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By Lin Cho-Shui 林濁水
Talks between the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) and China’s Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) have resumed after being frozen for a decade. The highest-level official participation has been elevated to include deputy ministers. China fever is at its peak and the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) is praising itself for creating a remarkable opportunity for improving cross-strait relations.

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By Wu Chyuan-yuan 吳泉源
Since Premier Liu Chao-shiuan (劉兆玄) took office, public discontent and political instability have been aroused over the increase in oil prices, the green card controversy, increased school tuition fees and the plan to stimulate the economy. Public criticism of the Cabinet centers on its members being elitist doctoral degree holders who ignore the wishes of ordinary people and lack sincerity and the ability to communicate their agenda.

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By Chiang Shih-hsiung 江世雄
The sinking of a Taiwanese fishing boat off the Diaoyutai (釣魚台) islands is a litmus test for the future development of relations between Taiwan and Japan. It also gives China a chance to reassert its claim of sovereignty over Taiwan and the Diaoyutai islands.

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A Stanford University study shows that school-based rewards programs can raise grades, but critics argue that their effect is short-lived
By Nancy Zuckerbrod
Friday is payday at KIPP DC: KEY Academy, and some sixth-grade girls gather at the makeshift school store trying to decide how to spend their hard-earned money.

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By Alisa Tang
The girl was 11 when she was molested by a man with no legs.

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By Shingo Ito
Joint gas field development by China and Japan is unlikely to slake the energy thirst of Asia's two largest economies but could lead to wider cooperation over vital resources, analysts said on Wednesday.

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