From her start as a political activist overseas, to taking up the role of a National Assembly delegate, to becoming the executive director of Taipei City's Commission for Examining Petitions and Appeals (CEPA, 訴願審議委員會), to being a member of the watchdog Control Yuan, some would say Chang Fu-mei (張富美) has perfected every single role she plays.
President-elect Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) selection of Chang to be the new chairman of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission (OCAC,僑委會) is just the latest in a string of illustrious achievements.
Long before her return to Taiwan in 1992, Chang Fu-mei was well known for her enthusiastic promotion of Taiwan's democratization abroad and also for her support of so-called "political dissidents" by means of her well-established association with the American government.
In addition, she has proven her proficiency as an executive official with her laudable accomplishments during her term as the executive director of the Taipei CEPA from 1992 to 1996.
Despite having resided in the US for more than thirty years, Chang says her feelings for her homeland never diminished.
Chang's interest in politics was not inherited. Born to a conventional Taiwanese family during the period when "white terror" prevailed, Chang was raised to believe that political involvement was unsuitable for a woman.
However, Chang's awareness of and interest in the issues of democracy and liberty emerged during the years as an academic.
She was engaged in academic research in various prestigious institutions in America while studying for her PhD degree.
Her studies immersed her in the Occidental legal system and Roman Law and enabled her to fully appreciate the merits of democracy.
The 1979 Kaohsiung Incident (美麗島事件) was a turning point for Chang.
Having witnessed many of her close friends being defamed and incarcerated after the incident, Chang searched out all possible avenues in the American government and a slew of academic institutions in an attempt to save the so-called "rebels."
Though her involvement in the affair put her on the government's blacklist -- which deprived her of the right to return home -- she said nothing could stop her from devoting herself to political reform in Taiwan.
"I just thought it was the right time to do the right thing. Once I plunged into the circle, there seemed to be no return." said Chang.
When asked if she felt any regret over having been embroiled in politics for so long, and now, with her new appointment, being forced to be separated from her family in the US, her reply is pragmatic.
"It is probably true that life would be much easier if I remained a mother, a wife and a university professor. But I find no time to look back to think what would happen otherwise ? It is such a critical moment in Taiwan now that the first peaceful transfer of power is going to take place. I feel honored to be needed by my country."
Apparently realizing the arduous task ahead of her, Chang shows her trademark confidence and perseverance.
"As long as I undertake my task with justice and reason, I am sure the OCAC will have a whole new image in the near future," Chang said.
A car bomb killed a senior Russian general in southern Moscow yesterday morning, the latest high-profile army figure to be blown up in a blast that came just hours after Russian and Ukrainian delegates held separate talks in Miami on a plan to end the war. Kyiv has not commented on the incident, but Russian investigators said they were probing whether the blast was “linked” to “Ukrainian special forces.” The attack was similar to other assassinations of generals and pro-war figures that have either been claimed, or are widely believed to have been orchestrated, by Ukraine. Russian Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, 56, head
SAFETY FIRST: Double the number of police were deployed at the Taipei Marathon, while other cities released plans to bolster public event safety Authorities across Taiwan have stepped up security measures ahead of Christmas and New Year events, following a knife and smoke bomb attack in Taipei on Friday that left four people dead and 11 injured. In a bid to prevent potential copycat incidents, police deployments have been expanded for large gatherings, transport hubs, and other crowded public spaces, according to official statements from police and city authorities. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) said the city has “comprehensively raised security readiness” in crowded areas, increased police deployments with armed officers, and intensified patrols during weekends and nighttime hours. For large-scale events, security checkpoints and explosives
PUBLIC SAFETY: The premier said that security would be tightened in transport hubs, while President Lai commended the public for their bravery The government is to deploy more police, including rapid response units, in crowded public areas to ensure a swift response to any threats, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday after a knife attack killed three people and injured 11 in Taipei the previous day. Lai made the remarks following a briefing by the National Police Agency on the progress of the investigation, saying that the attack underscored the importance of cooperation in public security between the central and local governments. The attack unfolded in the early evening on Friday around Taipei Main Station’s M7 exit and later near the Taipei MRT’s Zhongshan
REBUFFED: In response to Chinese criticism over recent arms sales, Washington urged Beijing to engage in meaningful dialogue instead of threats and intimidation Washington’s long-term commitment to Taiwan would not change, the US Department of State said yesterday, urging Beijing to stop pressuring Taiwan and engage in meaningful bilateral dialogues. The remarks came in response to a backlash from Beijing about Washington’s latest approval of arms sales to Taiwan. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement on Wednesday that the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the US has asked to purchase an arms package, including Tactical Mission Network Software; AH-1W helicopter spare and repair parts; M109A7 self-propelled howitzers; HIMARS long range precision strike systems; tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided missiles; Javelin
RSS