Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Refusing to aid Taiwan is illogical

Reuben Johnson

Observing daily life in Rio de Janeiro, the most famous of Brazilian cities, one is instantly aware that Brazil’s economy is booming and that Rio, in particular, is about to be the scene of two mammoth international sporting events: the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games.

Brazil feels that it is now reaching its rightful position in the world community — one of the so-called “BRIC nations” — and that the international recognition of Brazil as an up-and-coming nation is an achievement it has largely reached as part of its partnerships with European nations — most specifically France.

Thus, when it comes to modernizing the economy in general and the military in particular, Brazil feels no sense of exclusivity about its relationship with the US. During Brazil’s period of military dictatorship, the nation was under a US embargo forbidding any trade in armaments, putting the Brazilian military in a difficult position.

Taipei judge Chou Chan-chun found not guilty again

Taipei Times

The Taiwan High Court yesterday upheld a Taipei District Court ruling that found Taipei District Court Judge Chou Chan-chun (周占春) not guilty of negligence in making a witness’ name public.

Yesterday’s ruling is final.

The High Court’s ruling said that as prosecutors did not apply for the witness’ name to be withheld, Chou was under no obligation to do so.

In December last year, Chou and his secretary, Liu Lee-ying (劉麗英), were charged with malfeasance for alleged negligence in the disclosure of the name of a witness who was involved in an illegal drug production and transportation case heard by Chou, Taipei prosecutors said.

Two Tibetan school girls severely beaten, denied treatment

Sherab Woeser

Two Tibetan girls, both in their teens, are being described in serious condition after they were severely beaten and arrested by Chinese security personnel for carrying out anti-China protests in eastern Tibet.

Talking to phayul.com, Lobsang Dhondup, a monk from Sera Je Tehor Khamtsen in south India said that the two girls, Tashi Palmo, 16, and Pema Yangzom, 19, were from Kardze region’s Norzin village and studied at the Kardze Middle School.

“On July 12 at around 4 o’clock in the evening, Tashi Palmo and Pema Yangzom carried out a peaceful protest in Kardze town calling for Tibet’s independence and return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama”, Dhondup said.

NTNU drops ‘national’ in ads

Taipei Times

A Taiwanese public university yesterday confirmed at a forum on cross-strait affairs that it had changed its name in an effort to attract more Chinese students, while a Chinese academic dared Taiwan to join an “experiment in democracy” in China.

National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) has made extensive efforts to attract Chinese students, who will be allowed to enroll starting in September, NTNU professor Tsai Chang-yen (蔡昌言) said at the Cross-Strait Competitiveness Forum organized by the National Competitiveness Forum think tank.

In the school’s promotional posters and application brochures in simplified Chinese, the word “national” is not included in the school name, a move to demonstrate “goodwill” to China, Tsai said as he showed the poster to the audience.

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