Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Martial law era stings still smart

Taipei Times Editorial

Yesterday marked the 25th anniversary of the lifting of martial law. In this quarter century, Taiwan has evolved into a full-fledged democracy and made significant progress toward respect for human rights.

Looking back on the occasion now, the public had already begun to challenge martial law through growing opposition and street protests in the 1980s. The lifting of martial law by former president Chiang Ching-kuo (蔣經國) in 1987 was a response to inevitable social changes.

Japan warns over cosying to China

Taipei Times

Taiwan should not be overly close to China, so as to maintain the balance of power in the East Asia region, Japanese Diet members were quoted as saying during a recent meeting with visiting Taiwanese lawmakers on issues pertaining to the disputed Diaoyutai Islands (釣魚台列嶼).

Taiwan, China and Japan all claim sovereignty over the islets, known in Japan as the Senkaku islands and the Diaoyu Isalnds (釣魚群島) in Chinese.

US lawmakers call for Chen’s release

Taipei Times

Two US lawmakers have submitted a medical report calling for immediate medical parole for former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) to the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission.

“Because it is not easily predictable how much Chen’s incarceration conditions need to improve to prevent further serious physical and mental damage, medical parole is the most appropriate effective treatment intervention,” the report said.

Ma Ying-jeou’s unpopularity at all-time high in wake of KMT corruption scandal

Michael Richardson

Ma Ying-jeou, the President of the Republic of China in-exile, has scored his lowest ratings in public opinion polls since taking office in 2008. Last week Ma’s approval rating was only 15% in a recent cable television poll conducted by TVBS, interviewing 1,303 persons.

Public confidence in Ma Ying-jeou’s leadership was shattered by the still-growing corruption scandal involving top Ma aide Lin Yi-shih. Lin was Secretary-General of the Executive Yuan until forced to resign after revelations of multi-million dollar bribes emerged in a magazine expose.

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