More than 20 years ago, Taiwan’s airwaves belonged exclusively to the media of a certain political party and its associated community. At the time, we hoped that the airwaves could have room for more than one voice, and it was with this hope in mind that many pirate radio stations, such as Taiwan New Telecommunication (TNT) were set up.
The station later applied for a broadcasting license and became a legal radio station, whose English title was later changed to Super FM98.5 Broadcasting Corp.
I took part in this transition, during which I had some contact with then-president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝), who died on July 30.
In 2003, I visited Lee at his home in the Cuishan Villa community in Taipei. Among our group of visitors was Chang Su-hua (張素華), who was the station’s chief at that time.
During our conversation, Lee said something that gave me a big surprise and left a deep impression. Speaking in Hoklo (also known as Taiwanese), Lee said: “I should offer you my apologies.”
He said that during his presidency there were two sets of problems that he had not dealt with thoroughly — those of the judiciary and the media. It was very moving to hear him say that.
It is remarkable that someone as senior and powerful as a former president could express his heartfelt regrets to such insignificant people as us. I believe that Lee made an immense effort to help Taiwan become a more democratic country.
This spirit of his is not just the proper attitude for a Christian to have, but also a fine example of what a national leader should do.
We miss you, President Lee. To be sure, you are now in God’s kingdom. May your family be blessed with God’s solace and guidance.
Susan Chang is a former station chief of Super FM98.5 and a member of its board of directors.
Translated by Julian Clegg
Because much of what former US president Donald Trump says is unhinged and histrionic, it is tempting to dismiss all of it as bunk. Yet the potential future president has a populist knack for sounding alarums that resonate with the zeitgeist — for example, with growing anxiety about World War III and nuclear Armageddon. “We’re a failing nation,” Trump ranted during his US presidential debate against US Vice President Kamala Harris in one particularly meandering answer (the one that also recycled urban myths about immigrants eating cats). “And what, what’s going on here, you’re going to end up in World War
Earlier this month in Newsweek, President William Lai (賴清德) challenged the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to retake the territories lost to Russia in the 19th century rather than invade Taiwan. He stated: “If it is for the sake of territorial integrity, why doesn’t [the PRC] take back the lands occupied by Russia that were signed over in the treaty of Aigun?” This was a brilliant political move to finally state openly what many Chinese in both China and Taiwan have long been thinking about the lost territories in the Russian far east: The Russian far east should be “theirs.” Granted, Lai issued
On Sept. 2, Elbridge Colby, former deputy assistant secretary of defense for strategy and force development, wrote an article for the Wall Street Journal called “The US and Taiwan Must Change Course” that defends his position that the US and Taiwan are not doing enough to deter the People’s Republic of China (PRC) from taking Taiwan. Colby is correct, of course: the US and Taiwan need to do a lot more or the PRC will invade Taiwan like Russia did against Ukraine. The US and Taiwan have failed to prepare properly to deter war. The blame must fall on politicians and policymakers
Gogoro Inc was once a rising star and a would-be unicorn in the years prior to its debut on the NASDAQ in 2022, as its environmentally friendly technology and stylish design attracted local young people. The electric scooter and battery swapping services provider is bracing for a major personnel shakeup following the abrupt resignation on Friday of founding chairman Horace Luke (陸學森) as chief executive officer. Luke’s departure indicates that Gogoro is sinking into the trough of unicorn disillusionment, with the company grappling with poor financial performance amid a slowdown in demand at home and setbacks in overseas expansions. About 95