Jan
13
A Maturing Democracy
Filed Under 2008 Taiwan Election, China, Taiwan | 44 Comments
In 1988, Taiwan was under martial law, one-party rule and a sham of a legislature packed with holdovers from Chiang Kai-shek’s regime in mainland China.
Twenty years later, Taiwan has one of the most vibrant democracies in the world. And Saturday’s election further advanced that — Taiwan now has a democracy that’s mature enough to rival […]
Sep
20
As predicted, Taiwan’s bid to join the United Nations failed during the 62nd Session of the General Assembly. It’s the 15th consecutive time that the island nation has submitted a bid and failed.
I’ve had a couple of readers blasting me for the previous post about this issue. But let me clarify my position on this: […]
Sep
18
The Ultimate Political Hack
Filed Under China, Taiwan | 2 Comments
Some say Chen Shui-bian is a brilliant politician. That may be true in that he has managed time and again to survive one political crisis after another. But ultimately politicians are judged on their leadership abilities, of which Chen has none.
His latest political trickery is a referendum on whether “Taiwan” belongs in the United Nations. […]
Aug
17
Made in … Chinese Taipei
Filed Under China, One China Policy, Taiwan | 2 Comments
It’s that time of the year again. Little League World Series. My native team of Taiwan, winner of a preposterous 17 championships since 1969, is back in Williamsport again.
Uh, make that Chinese Taipei.
Is there a dumber name for Taiwan, the Republic of China, than Chinese Taipei? And never mind the indignities this name has visited […]