Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Reliance on China restricts economy

Du Yu 杜宇

While commenting on the gas pipeline explosions in Greater Kaohsiung, on July 31 and Aug. 1, President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) once again spoke of the importance of urgent approval of the cross-strait service trade agreement, the planned free economic pilot zones and other related policies.

However, he remains unwilling to respond directly to the many questions that people have regarding these proposals. He even labels such questions as examples of the kind of political wrangling that reduces the space for dialogue.

Scotland model one China could learn from

James Wang 王景弘

Just as there is only one UK in the world, there is only one China in the world, but the two countries are very different in terms of systems, organization and respect for basic human rights.

The upcoming referendum on Scotland’s independence has highlighted how valuable it is that people in a democracy have the right to make their own free choices and to decide whether or not they are willing to unite with someone else.

Preparing for a trade war in China

Taipei Times Editorial

China has begun taking action over alleged antitrust violations in the auto industry, raiding or investigating many large foreign companies and applying pressure on them to lower prices or be fined. This is rattling foreign firms in China, and some experts and academics are calling on the international community to launch joint countermeasures. The smell of gunpowder is emanating from what could develop into a trade war between China and the rest of the world.

China’s National Development and Reform Commission is investigating a dozen automakers, such as Volkswagen AG-owned Audi, BMW, Daimler AG-owned Mercedes-Benz, Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover, Fiat-owned Chrysler, Toyota and Honda. Since last month, all these companies have announced car or component price cuts.

The error of prioritizing economics over safety

Lee Min-yung 李敏勇

As an island on the Western edge of the Pacific Ocean, Taiwan is vulnerable to tropical cyclones that develop into typhoons, while its position on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” makes earthquakes a frequent occurrence. We cannot avoid natural disasters such as these; we can only respond to them.

What about man-made disasters? Industrial development involves hidden dangers. How serious the risks are depends on how well the government manages industrial growth, as well as the social conscience and responsibility of business leaders. Nuclear power and petrochemicals are particularly risky. They are like bombs that could explode at any time.

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