Lee undaunted by TSU's losses

The TSU's lackluster showing in the two city elections has neither hurt the popularity of former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) nor affected his sense of mission for Taiwan.

Many in politics have speculated that Lee may avoid public appearances for a while following the TSU's poor performance, but that doesn't appear to be the case.

The party nominated seven city councilor candidates each in Taipei and Kaohsiung. But only two, in Kaohsiung, were elected in the Dec. 7 polls.

A founding ceremony for the Japanese branch of the friends of Lee Teng-hui association on Sunday demonstrated Lee's influence in Japan as more than 1,500 Japanese were present at the event.

This Saturday, the ex-president is expected to appear at a book-release ceremony to introduce National Directions -- a book that he has been working on since his retirement two years ago.

Tsai Ming-hua (蔡明華), the deputy secretary-general of Taiwan Advocates, a think tank founded by Lee, said that the former president is scheduled to give a keynote speech at the ceremony on Saturday when a part of the draft will be made public.

The book is divided into 10 parts, with separate sections on national identity, national defense, foreign affairs, China issues, education, culture, science and technology, economy and environment.

Lee has said that the most serious crisis Taiwan faces is that its people do not recognize Taiwan as their country and that there are no clear national goals.

To provide Taiwan with clear guidelines, Lee said he has been working on this book with the assistance of academics, specialists and officials.

Lee's influence is not limited to Taiwan. Two days ago, the first overseas branch for the friends of Lee Teng-hui association was founded in Tokyo as more than 1,500 Japanese attended the ceremony.

Although Lee could not be there in person, he spoke about "the spirit of Taiwan and the spirit of Japan," in a televised broadcast.

Highly respected by many Japanese, Lee called upon the Japanese to strive to regain bushido -- the term for chivalry in ancient times -- and to build confidence and to exert more influence in Asia.

"I am willing to contribute my remaining life to Taiwan, and so am I willing to cheer for Japan during my remaining days," Lee said. Both President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) sent their regards to the organization.

Whereas Chen wished the organization would serve as a channel to beef up relations between Taiwan and Japan, Lu urged the Japanese government to sign a free trade agreement with Taiwan.