Wed, Dec 21, 2005 page3

• Taiwan Quick Take

  • STAFF WRITER, WITH AGENCIES
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  ■ Cross-strait ties

  Unification must wait: Ma

  The time is not yet ripe for unification between Taiwan and China, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) said in an interview with Newsweek magazine. Ma, who also serves as Taipei mayor, said while Beijing does not want to see Taiwan pursue de jure independence, it is also refraining from pushing for unification at the moment. For Taiwan, Ma said, the most important thing at present is to maintain the status quo and refrain from provoking Beijing. Taiwan should instead promote cross-strait trade and investment and take steps to ease the cross-strait tension, he added. In the interview with Newsweek correspondent Jonathan Adams, Ma said that unification is the ultimate goal for the KMT but it doesn't have a timetable for realizing that goal. He said he doesn't think that either side is ready for unification yet as the situation is not ripe.

  ■ Defense

  Schools get defense courses

  The Ministry of National Defense yesterday announced it would strengthen defense education in schools to raise people's awareness about China's military threat and its psychological, legal and media warfare against the nation. The government has decided to ask elementary schools, high schools and universities to strengthen defense education, and the ministry will offer teaching materials. Considering the possibility that China may launch a surprise attack on the nation's political and economic center, Taipei City, the ministry said the defense education will train people how to cope with an unexpected military attack. The ministry said that although students are currently required to take defense courses, these focus on military skills, while the new courses would highlight defense consciousness.

  ■ Society

  Woman at CKS for a month

  A Malaysian woman has been stranded at CKS International Airport in Taoyuan for more than a month, a local newspaper reported on Saturday. Amy He, 25, told the Chinese-language Apple Daily that she is awaiting the arrival of her father, a Taiwanese businessman, who is reportedly in the Philippines on business. The woman had traveled to Taiwan twice this year to visit her father, the paper said, but lost contact with him and came to Taiwan to wait for him. Her visa expired on Dec. 9, but immigration authorities allowed her to extend it for one month. Staff at the airport have been helping the woman by providing her with food and coins to call her sick mother in Malaysia.

  ■ Society

  Christmas events planned

  In an effort to make this year's Christmas events more spiritual and less commercial, the Taipei City Government has partnered with the Taipei branch of the Presbyterian Church of Taiwan to host Christmas activities with a focus on understanding and tranquility. A series of events, including a theme Christmas tree, a Christmas cafe, a "Spreading the love from Taipei to the World" prayer session, Christmas Mass and Christmas Gospel, will be held between now and Christmas Day, the city government said. A special prayer session will be held at the observatory deck of Taipei 101 on Thursday. The main Christmas Eve celebration will take place at the Taipei Multifunctional Arena on the night of Dec. 24. Free tickets can be obtained at the city government's information department and several other locations. For more information, visit the Web site www.doi.tcg.gov.tw.
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