Lee Yuan-tseh getting ready to go to APEC summit

Academia Sinica President Lee Yuan-tseh (李遠哲), who will attend this year's APEC Leaders' Meeting later this month, said yesterday that preparations for the meeting are underway and he will give a full report next week.

Lee made the remarks in response to questions from legislators who expressed concern about the progress of preparations for the APEC meeting in Mexico City on Oct. 26 and 27.

The Nobel laureate was named by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) last week to attend the meeting on his behalf.

Lee said he is honored to serve as the ROC's envoy to the APEC summit.

Lee also found himself being questioned and asked for advice by lawmakers yesterday about last week's sexual harassment scandal involving Department of Health officials.

Lee said that he was worried that people in Taiwan always seemed to pay to more attention to ugly things instead of positive things.

"People don't seem willing to encourage those who do a good job, but instead consistently make rude attacks on those who have shortcomings or have made minor mistakes," Lee said in response to a question from DPP Legislator Chou Ya-shu (周雅淑).

Chou said that even though PFP Legislator Diane Lee (李慶安) had apologized for making a false accusation against acting head of the Department of Health Twu Shiing-jer (涂醒哲), the controversial events which led to that accusation continue to create chaos. Chou said she was therefore hoping that Lee could give some suggestions to both Diane Lee and Twu in order reduce tensions.

The Academica Sinica head responded by first citing an old story about one of his colleagues who had returned home to Tai-wan from the US to serve in the Academia Sinica. Lee said his colleague decided to leave Taiwan after staying only one week.

"I suggested he turn off his TV, stop reading newspapers for one week and try to walk around the streets and get in touch with average citizens," Lee said.

"After carrying out my idea, he told me that he had changed his mind and now believed that Taiwan is a warm and fragrant place," Lee added.

Therefore, Lee said, people should encourage each other for positive performances and stop picking on others' faults -- a tendency he described as a sickness in Taiwan's society.

"Moreover, I hope that our citizens will act in accordance with the spirit of science as a modern nation. Those who want to accuse others should first ensure that they have concrete evidence," he said.