Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

China picks pockets of academics worldwide

Peng Ming-min 彭明敏

Since 2004, China has established hundreds of “Confucius Institutes” at many colleges and universities around the world. The purpose of their establishment is to promote Chinese language and Chinese culture. The total budget for the project is about US$10 billion and the cost for establishing an institute is about US$150,000 to US$200,000, with the addition of follow-up financial aid.

Today, the Chinese government has established more than 300 Confucius Institutes and more than 300 Confucius Classrooms in more than 90 countries. Each institute also offers scholarships to several students to study in China.

Group honors US veterans, POWs

Taipei Times

In a small yet solemn ceremony, long-time residents from the US observed Memorial Day yesterday by paying tribute to veterans and prisoners of war (POW) incarcerated at the old Taipei Prison during World War II.

The ceremony was held at the remains of the old Taipei Prison wall near Jinshan S Rd, Sec 2, next to a Chunghwa Telecom branch office.

Fourteen US airmen were imprisoned in the facility built during the Japanese colonial era and sentenced to death. The executions took place in the prison courtyard less than two months before the war ended.

US needs to put end to ‘one China’ confusion

Nat Bellocchi 白樂崎

The episode surrounding the May 18 joint press conference between US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen and Chief of the General Staff of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Chen Bingde (陳炳德) laid bare a major weakness in the formulation of policies toward Taiwan and China.

There, Chen incorrectly quoted US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, saying: “She told me — she reiterated the US policy; that is, there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China.”

Also, when asked whether Taiwan’s security can be safeguarded with US sales of the F-16 fighter planes, Mullen said: “As General Chen said, Secretary Clinton repeated and I would only re-emphasize the United States policy supports a one-China policy. And I certainly share the view of the peaceful reunification of China.”

US senators petition for F-16 sale

Taipei Times

Close to half the members of the US Senate have signed a letter to US President Barack Obama urging him to sell F-16C/D aircraft to Taiwan.

Obama has been putting off a decision on Taipei’s request to buy 66 of the advanced fighters for more than a year now and the letter is thought likely to push the issue onto the front burner.

Washington sources said the US Department of State was against the sale because it risked badly damaging already fragile relations with China, while the US Department of Defense is in favor because Taiwan’s military is in dire need of a boost.

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