Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

A while back, I wrote an article on the free-trade agreement (FTA) between China and South Korea and how it would benefit Taiwan (“Beijing-Seoul FTA suits Taiwan,” Aug. 1, page 8).

However, people have scoffed at the idea as being a bit odd, and no one has dared use the article to challenge President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) and his administration’s use of the Chinese-South Korean FTA currently under negotiation to scare the public into demanding the quick passage of the cross-strait service trade and trade in goods agreements and the draft bill on free economic pilot zones — three laws that would be harmful to the nation.

Disappointed YES campaign supporters gather in Edinburgh yesterday after the result of the Scottish independence referendum.
Photo: EPA

Scots rejected independence yesterday in a referendum that left the centuries-old UK intact, but headed for a major shake-up that is to give more autonomy to both Scotland and England.

Despite a surge in nationalist support in the final fortnight of the campaign, the “no” camp secured 55.30 percent of the vote, against 44.70 percent for the pro-independence “yes” camp.