Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

The Constitution: intangible asset

Taipei Times Editorial

The Constitution is a lot like air. We neither feel it nor see it, but it surrounds us at all times and it is involved in every aspect of our lives. That was why a recent plan by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) caucuses to propose establishing a Constitution Amendment Committee in the next legislative session was encouraging and appropriate.

Perhaps because Taiwan has been plagued by a sluggish economy for too long or perhaps because of the high threshold for approving amendments to the Republic of China (ROC) Constitution, the talk of amending it or writing a new constitution has been on hold since the TSU and former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) briefly flirted with the idea years ago.

China plan information blackout in eastern Tibet, Burn satellite dishes

Phayul.com

Chinese authorities confiscate and burn satellite dishes and other broadcasting equipment in Malho region of eastern Tibet. (Photo courtesy/RFA listener)

DHARAMSHALA, January 10: Chinese authorities in the eastern Tibetan region of Malho are leading a massive drive to confiscate satellite dishes used by Tibetans after banning orders on “illegal satellite equipment” were issued last month.

The satellite equipments used by Tibetans to receive foreign radio and TV programmes are the only source of information inside Tibet besides the state sponsored propaganda news.

Former First Lady Wu Shu-chen denies any criminal conduct cites unfair trial (Photos)

Michael Richardson

Former ROC First Lady Wu Shu-chen smiles during interview

Taiwan Political Prisoner Report, Jan. 9, 2013. Wu Shu-chen, the former First Lady of the Republic of China in-exile, convicted of a perjury charge, has been spared a prison cell like the one where her husband, Chen Shui-bian, has been confined. Wu, paralyzed since 1985 when she was ran over several times by a truck at a political event, would present significant care needs for her ROC jailers if she was imprisoned and was placed under house arrest in 2011.

The petite woman greeting us in a modest Taipei apartment was at once polite, humble, gracious, and friendly. Unfortunately, the occasion was not so friendly. I was there to ask her about corruption, to confront her face-to-face about whether she took money she should not have taken.

Taiwan must transform or crumble

Liberty Times Editorial

President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) has been repeatedly bragging that Taiwan is pretty much clear of its economic woes. However, apart from not being able to end its multitude of economic problems this year, there is also a risk that things could take a turn for the worse. Taiwan’s GDP may grow by 3 percent or 4 percent this year because it is compared to a lower base period — last year — but if the many longstanding problems are not completely solved, simply improving economic indicators will not improve living standards.

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