One of the things Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara, took home with him on Monday after a whirlwind three-day visit here, was a book of essays titled Reflections on the Last 100 Years -- written by insightful culture critic Lung Ying-tai, new director of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Taipei.
An outspoken social critic in her early years, Lung and Ishihara don't always see eye to eye on some historical issues. However, in her new role as a city government official, Lung put her personal views and political beliefs aside and met briefly with Ishihara in a polite, strictly-business setting, discussing cultural exchanges and disaster prevention study trips rather than controversial socio-political issues.
When Lung handed Ishihara a copy of Reflections, she bookmarked one special essay she wanted the Tokyo governor to read: an article discussing Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui's views, which she knew Ishihara -- a longtime friend of the president -- would find interesting.
Bush flunks foreign policy quiz
When US presidential candidate George W. Bush was "quizzed" the other day by a Boston television reporter, who asked him to name the leaders of four current world hot spots -- Chechnya, Taiwan, India and Pakistan -- the son of the former US president was able to give a partial response for just one place: Taiwan.
Although he didn't utter Lee Teng-hui's full name, he did say he knew the name of the leader of Taiwan -- "Lee."
One out of four ain't bad.
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