MIXED SIGNALS: Beijing's contradictory cross-strait policy has had an impact on public opinion polls, but a majority still think the `anti-secession' law poses a threat
By Joy Su
A look at a number of public opinion polls conducted over the past four months indicates that while opposition to China's proposed "anti-secession" law remains at around 80 percent, an increasing number of respondents feel that the Chinese government's overall gestures toward Taiwan are friendly.

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NO WORRIES: Although it should unite against the `anti-secession' law, Taiwan has nothing to fear from the law since China has no jurisdiction here, a DPP lawmaker says
Taiwan does not need to fear or overreact to Beijing's proposed enactment of an "anti-secession" law, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Lin Cho-shui (林濁水) said yesterday.

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Aboriginal and Hakka representatives yesterday held a joint press conference to express their strong opposition to China's proposed "anti-secession" law and called on People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) to join in the demonstrations that are to take place today in opposing the law.

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Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and People First Party (PFP) politicians denied yesterday a report by a Chinese-language newspaper suggesting that the two parties are planning to cooperate in the year-end mayoral and magistrate elections.

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Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) proposed yesterday that the government declare to the world the existence of "two Chinas" to counter Beijing's "one China" policy.

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PERSISTENCE: A KMT spokesperson said that it may rally its supporters on March 19 to protest the re-election of Chen in light of the `suspicious' assassination attempt
Coming on the heels of pan-green camp's rallies to protest against China's proposed "anti-secession" law, the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) is mulling over a plan to mobilize its supporters on March 19 to challenge the re-election of President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) last March.

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UNACCEPTABLY LOW: The official said that the pan-blue camp's ceiling of NT$400 billion was a nonstarter because it wouldn't be enough to include 8 submarines
By Rich Chang
A Ministry of National Defense (MND) official said yesterday that Taiwan would be unable to buy eight diesel submarines from the US if the legislature cut the special arms purchase budget to about NT$380 billion (US$12.3 billion), as the pan-blue camp has suggested.

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FREE MARKET FALLACY: Doctors said at a seminar that commercialization has poisoned doctor-patient relations and turned health care into a money game
By Wang Hsiao-wen
A market-based, for-profit medical service introduced by health officials to curb costs in the ailing National Health Insurance (NHI) system has eroded public trust in doctors, according to physicians who attended a seminar yesterday.

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By Jimmy Chuang
Changhua lawyer Chang Ting-chen (張庭禎), who is currently defending "rice bomber" Yang Ju-men (楊儒門), said that he enjoys dealing with controversial cases because Chikung (濟公) will inspire him and tell him what to do in court.

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ONGOING BATTLE: At a fundraising luncheon held by Zonta International, rights advocates said that much work remained to secure women's equality
By Mo Yan-chih
As the world prepares to celebrate the upcoming International Women's Day on Tuesday, an international nonprofit organization called on all women to band together to effect social change with unflinching solidarity.

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At least 15 people were feared dead from the cold yesterday in Taipei alone, and 385 people -- most of them elderly -- were sent to hospitals yesterday according to the Taipei City fire department.

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Offshore territories activist Gao Dan-hua achieved national fame when she interrupted President Chen Shui-bian in 2002 to make an appeal for her homeland, the offshore islet of Wuchui. during a recent interview with reporter Caroline Hong, Gao talked to the 'Taipei Times' about her continuing fight for social issues in her current position as the first woman councilmember of the Fukien Provincial Government, as well as her hopes for the offshore territories.

Taipei Times: You've come a long way from that day you yelled out "President, please help Wuchiu" during one of his speeches in 2002. Whereas before you tried to make changes from outside of the system, you have been given power by Chen to enact changes since he appointed you councilwoman last year. Can you tell us more about your responsibilities as councilwoman?

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