Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Red Cross criticized for delay in sending Japan disaster funds

Taipei Times

The Red Cross Society of the Republic of China (ROC), which has raised nearly NT$1.7 billion (US$58.5 million) for disaster victims in Japan, more than all other Taiwanese charities combined, is facing criticism that most of the money has yet to leave Taiwan.

The complaints that only about a quarter of the money earmarked for Japan had been given to charitable aid efforts by yesterday came as attention focused on how the organization is managing the fund and how it plans to allocate the money.

Is Ma living in cloud cuckoo land on economy?

Lin Cho-shui 林濁水

Sometimes you really do have to ask yourself whether President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) is actually living in cloud cuckoo land.

Fresh from the fiasco of nominating a controversial “dinosaur” judge to the Council of Grand Justices, Ma got it wrong again in a comment he made about the economy. On Saturday he said that last year’s economic growth rate was the best the Taiwanese economy has seen in 63 years. What on earth is he talking about? This goes against the facts of Taiwan’s economic development. Ma was here during Taiwan’s most prosperous era, so how can he not recall those heady days?

Taiwan still matters

Will Inboden

I've been in Taiwan this week with a small delegation sponsored by the estimable Project 2049. Our visit comes at what would appear to be an auspicious time in cross-strait relations, as Taiwan and mainland China have made concrete steps over the past two years to reduce tensions and improve their economic and transportation ties, along with increasing political dialogue through multiple channels. But complacency is not in order. I have heard numerous concerns expressed this week about the fragility of the current equilibrium. In particular, both Taiwan and China face political transition points next year that could also exacerbate cross-strait tensions. And many Taiwanese feel uncertain of the White House's commitment to Taiwan's security -- an uncertainty that could possibly undermine their confidence in continuing to improve their relationship with China. Maintaining a security equilibrium takes regular tending and frequent calibration. The Obama administration should consider taking steps now to preserve the current stability, as well as preparing contingency plans for possible disruptions in the next year.

The hidden face of Taiwan politics

Jerome Keating

Whether one is pan-blue or pan-green, there is a moneyed side to Taiwanese politics that few know about and maybe even fewer want to know about. As in other countries, within that moneyed side are the financiers and contributors who look for and support marketers who will promote their vested interests.

These contributors search out people who, regardless of party, will act in the spotlight on their behalf, allowing them to remain in the background. On the receiving side of these contributions are the marketers (more coarsely, the shills) who, like chameleons, can change color depending where the money is.

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