http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2009/10/12/2003455727

Is it just me or is Taiwan headed towards becoming the first country in the history of the world that regresses from a young and troubled but fully-functioning and recognized democracy to becoming part of a gravely troubled totalitarian one-party state?

China is facing a severely troubled economy with 25 million recently unemployed workers and a real possibility of violent social unrest across the nation. The apparent increase in corruption at all government levels and the rapidly widening gap between the abominably poor and obscenely rich combined with a non-existing quality control mechanism makes China a very bad choice for any kind of trade agreement, especially under a One-China policy.

Is Taiwan’s current government really that weak, naïve, and short-sighted? Do they truly believe that the territory of the R.O.C, by default, includes the territory of China and therefore signing an agreement under the One-China Policy is absolutely acceptable?

Or are they all positioning themselves in favorable view of China’s leaders so that when the much sought-after unification takes place they will enjoy great benefits and preferential treatment possibly even being offered positions within the communist party?

Now, anyone who has spent time studying the history of China and in particular the historical, ideological and emotional differences between the Nationalists and the Communists would have to agree that this would never happen!

How many Tibetan leaders, pro-China or not, were given high level positions and/or benefits that went beyond some temporary face-giving ceremonies and banquets? Hello, anybody home?

What can Taiwan do, as it is constantly faced with the shortcomings of a “country” that isn’t recognized and doesn’t behave as one due to the political complexity and historical inaccuracy as well as the short-term, financially-oriented thinking and planning of its government and citizens?

First, let’s focus on what Taiwan has to offer to the world: Pristine and gorgeous East and South coasts, complete with wonderful hot springs and splendid beaches, a central mountain range that offers some of the most spectacular sights anywhere in Asia, and warm, hospitable, and extremely generous people. Taiwan must develop and cherish these assets in an ecologically sound way, promote sustainable long-term tourism, and put in place an infrastructure that can facilitate this industry and can be expanded as demand grows.

Secondly, Taiwan has to implement and enforce tough anti-pollution laws for factories and farms, so that its rivers and coastal areas can once again be safe for harvesting seafood, so that the river water can be used as a clean irrigation source, and so that it can provide an unpolluted and fun environment for recreational activities. This includes that 100% of households and businesses are connected to waste-water treatment plants, and it is imperative that this goal is achieved within the shortest possible time.

Thirdly, Taiwanese factories in China that produce food, or goods requiring highly skilled labor, should be encouraged to relocate back to Taiwan. Government subsidies or tax breaks to offset, at least initially, higher local wages and operating costs, could boost the competitiveness of Taiwan. This would ensure and maintain the well-known, quality and safety-oriented, high standards of Taiwanese goods as well as provide much needed jobs to an ailing economy.

Absolutely no food products, cosmetics, and medicines should be allowed into Taiwan from China until there are rigorous and enforced safety procedures operational in both countries.

Most importantly, Taiwanese must stand together united, believe in and strive for Taiwan’s identity and recognition, fight for their rights and for their freedom, and prove to themselves and the world that democracy is here to stay!

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2009/11/06/2003457740

The general fear concerning beef imported from the US seems to be bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or mad cow disease. According to the director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) in Taipei, Taiwan, there have not been any cases of BSE recorded among U.S. Cattle since 1997, in a cattle population nearly 10 million strong. So, it is pretty safe to say we shouldn’t be overly worried about that particular aspect of US beef.

What we should absolutely be concerned about is the level of growth hormones (to increase weight) which leaves hormone residue in meat from hormone-treated cattle up to 20-fold higher than in hormone-free meat. These dangerously high levels of hormones greatly increase the risk of cancer. It is well documented that American women have about a five-fold greater risk for breast cancer than women from countries where hormone-free meat is consumed.

In May, 2009, the European Union and the United States have agreed to maintain the ban on hormone-treated beef and to permit hormone-free beef once again into the EU without duty. Why is our government not acting like other developed and advanced countries by looking at the real threat and dangers in US beef? Should we be concerned about the extremely unlikely chance of contracting BSE or the irrefutably confirmed risks associated with daily doses of hormones?

Don’t we get enough chemicals, pesticides, herbicides and other toxins from seafood harvested from the heavily polluted water around this gorgeous island? Do we also need to import hormone-treated beef and chicken from the US and soon quite likely China?

No meat of any animal treated with hormones from any country should be allowed into Taiwan!