Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Don’t put US credibility to the test

James Holmes

A Japanese reporter asks an intriguing question. China is fortifying its nuclear deterrent with road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missiles such as the DF-31As showcased at the Oct. 1 military parade in Tiananmen Square, and with formidable Type 094 ballistic-missile submarines (SSBNs). This weaponry will guarantee Beijing’s capacity to strike US cities in wartime. In light of that, can Japan count on the US to retaliate against a Chinese nuclear attack on the Japanese archipelago?

In theory, yes; in reality, it depends.

Can the KMT clean up its act?

Taipei Times

The members of the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) newly elected power center, the Central Standing Committee, resigned en masse at their first meeting, forcing a re-election. This is unprecedented in the century-long history of the KMT. Although it highlights the fact that the corruption that lies at the heart of the KMT has not disappeared, we will have to wait and see if this is the event that finally prompt party reform.

Public policy needs public input

Taipei Times

Many people think they have a right to know how the government forms a public policy that is going to have an impact on their daily lives. If they think the government agrees, they’d better think again.

Following recent policy flip-flops on plans to impose a capital gains tax on stock investment and a new energy tax, Premier Wu Den-yih (吳敦義) said on Thursday that, under the direction of President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), government officials should be cautious in releasing details of policies still in the making to avoid causing unnecessary public concern.

Greens unite, protect and besiege

Paul Lin 林保華

The battle is on for the year-end mayoral, county commissioner and city and county councilor elections. The government’s plan to upgrade several cities and counties to special municipality status may have brought a certain level of disorder to the electoral process, thereby highlighting the importance of the year-end elections.

Only by preparing well for the year-end election campaign will it be possible to pave the way for next year’s special municipality elections. Just as in the recent Yunlin legislative by-election, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the green camp must unite to achieve the results they want.

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