Academia Sinica President Lee Yuan-tseh
In January 1898, Emile Zola, one of France's most popular writers, published an open letter to the French president. Headlined "I accuse," the letter dealt with the case of Captain Alfred Dreyfus, who was accused of treason in the virulently anti-Semitic atmosphere of the time. Zola's concern for social justice has since evolved into a tradition among intellectuals in the West.
In Taiwan, almost no one dares criticize Lee's dedicated work for reform. Since he became Academia Sinica president six years ago, the Nobel Prize-winning chemist has raised the standards of Taiwan's academic research and actively participated in education reform. His enormous contribution to academia and society has won him respect from all circles -- twice making him a prime candidate for the premiership.
During the presidential election campaign, Lee came out at the last minute and threw his support behind Chen Shui-bian
Apart from education reform, Lee has also played a leading role in reconstruction work following last year's 921 earthquake. Now he is charged with setting up an inter-party policy task force on cross-strait affairs. These activities will inevitably have an impact on his work at the Academia Sinica. However, those opposition lawmakers criticizing him are doing so out of selfish political motives.
Recently, Beijing has been changing its approach toward Taiwan amid the current impasse. It has been wooing Taiwan's legislators to set up non-official communication channels. Legislators from the KMT, New Party and PFP are visiting China in droves in the hope that the Legislative Yuan might call the shots in cross-strait dialogue. Before the new government actually takes control of the political situation, the opposition lawmakers stand a good chance of usurping the work of Lee's yet to be established cross-strait task force.
At the moment, no one harbors high expectations about the task force, which will operate separately from the government and whose role remains uncertain.
The Academia Sinica has changed drastically under Lee's leadership. Research quality has improved in many areas and outstanding scholars have returned to Taiwan to work with him. More importantly, Lee has opened the doors and windows of Taiwan's biggest ivory tower.
Its name, "Academia Sinica," once sounded aloof and distant from reality. Especially, the word "Sinica" cast a deathly pall over the institution and made it sound like some kind of sinology institute.
Now, after six years with Lee at the helm, the academy is brimming with vitality. Its research direction has changed, as has its once cold relationship with Taiwan society.
A democratic society does not need a philosopher king. We know also that intellectuals do not necessarily make successful politicians, as the skills they possess are usually better-suited to the classroom than the campaign trail.
However, an intellectual like Lee, who cares about society and reform, is an important asset for Taiwan. What a contrast to the small-minded lawmakers nagging him.
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