Note from the website administrator: It’s Father’s Day here in the United States, so I just moved Englam.Net to a new server, cleaned up the database, and upgraded to the latest version of WordPress! Happy Father’s Day, Dad! 
On this 4th of July, much TV coverages in Taiwan were about the first direct flights across the narrow Strait that lies between Taiwan and China in sixty years. The hostile stance taken by China against Taiwan all these years made it necessary to close that kind of direct flights. There are over 1,000 and increasing numbers of missiles aiming at cities and installations on the island state now and upgrading still. Travelling between the two countries needed to go to a third country or location first and then proceed to one’s destination. This measure was introduced about 20 years ago. Earlier, no visit was allowed the peoples by the KMT (”Nationalist Party of China” or, “Chinese Nationalist Party” now} which fled to Taiwan after defeated by the Chinese Communists in 1947) Government.
But having had to go to a third location first and change planes means longer travel time, expenses, and exhaustion. Especially on holidays like at the lunar or Chinese New Year, the great number of Taiwanese marchants who have their business establishments in China would plead for direct charter flights so they can come back home in shorter time. The DPP (The Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan) Government which replaced the KMT Government 8 years ago allowed charter flights called “the three small direct-flights” but still had to stop-over at a third location (e.g., Hongkong) first for security reason.
This year in May, the DPP Government is replaced by the KMT’s Ma Ying-Chou Government. During the election campaigns, Mr. Ma calls himself a “New Taiwanese” and promissed to put Taiwan’s interests at his top priorities. He was elected in March having 57% votes (it is said that 2/3 were women votes who admire his beautiful legs showing on his daily jogging). After his victory, he set this 4th of July as target date for the direct flight across the Strait, no stop-over at a third location and somewhat circumvented paths. His negotiators opened 8 airports on Taiwan for such flights, while China allowed only 4 in that vast country! Mr. Ma said that such direct flights, though still chartered flights, will bring 3000 Chinese tourists daily to Taiwan and thus boost Taiwan’s economy! (The first flight from Quangchou, China was truly a “circumvented” one, as it took almost a straight path from the other shore in order to beat others in reaching Taipei). But the 8 airports opened to China are on every corners of this island country, and would greatly compromise Taiwan’s security! Ironically, on the same day, 4th of July, Chinese Army onducted a similation military venture utilizing commercial flights to carry their commandoes to liberate Taiwan!
Fourth of July is the Indipendant Day of the USA. Yet, in Taiwan, sacrifising the national integrity, the new President opened her gates to the hostile enemy without reservation! Mr. Ma insists emphatically that the name of the Country is not Taiwan, but, the Republic of China! His government’s policy is a gradual (but, rapid!) bend toward (re)unification with China.
After 60 days in office, for various reasons, Mr. Ma’s popularity dropped from earlier 72% to less than a half of 35% at the latest survey. His daily 3000 visitors from China did not show up. On yesterday, it was reported that about 300 visitors came over. while the week’s total was less than 1000 persons. Store keepers are very much disappointed as the visitors from across the Strait do not buy much but bargain hard. Tourists from other countries, especially from Japan, dwendled.
To me, this Fourth of July was a sad day. While Mr.Ma insists that the Open Strait Policy is his great achivement that will contribute to peace of the Southeast corner of the World, but, it is at the expenses of the island country Taiwan! Mr. Ma was born in the former British colony of Koulung, and so, named Ying(English) – Chou(nine of Koulung – Nine dragons). Normally a foreign-born cannot be elected as head of a state for reason of loyalty question. Previously I said that numeral 9 is believed as a dog gone bad omen. Will that numeral in Mr. Ma’s name be a bad omen for Taiwan?
By this Forth of July, it would be about a year since last I posted. I had been miserable, mentally or spititaully, more than physically. The only exception was during the short visit with my family in New England states, USA. Physically speaking, it was mainly from the advancing age of being 79, counting both ways in the regular way and the Oriental way which counts in the numbers of years involved. A person with a age of 79 is belived superstitiously to be a year of bad luck, because there is a number 9 which is pronounced like “dog” in Taiwanese and other Southeast dialects. For older people, when you hit that “dog gone” year, you need to be carefull, lest your life came to its end!
Physically, my problem was with hearing. I lost my left side 12 years ago by an acoustic neuroma and since minding myself to cherish the remaing side. In order to have the pleasure of hearing that remains, I picked up cello lesson when I was 75. An very atractive young lady was my first and only teacher who is an excellent musician. After a year of basic lessons, she said “Sorry and Good-bye” because Taipei American School invited her to teach there and could not find time to spare. I tried others, but no go because their comments after lesson were univocally “Hen-hao” (Very good), but no help to me! So, I just practice by myself since.
My cello was a choiced pick for me by a musical couple (a former First Violinist of Taiwan National Orchestra and his wife, a Cellist). Altough a Chinese made, it has a rich, warm, and beautiful tone. To my horror, it produced extremely warped sounds on every string! I took it to my luthir earlier, insisted that cure be found. Sound post, briidge, tailpiece, even the end-stick were renewed, and it inproved greatly. But one morning in March, this year, it suffered again the illness and I suspected that there must be cracks inside and my luthier relucktantly open the top plate on my insistance, and done further improvement. Now, you should hear it and congratulate for the wonderful results!
To my surprise, the moring after my birthday in May, I found my cello, though covered with a piece of cloth, standing in the passage of cold air conditioner blow. When I played it, the warped noises came back again!. “Oh, my cello must have cought a cold!” I thought and move it away to gradually acclimate it, and afterward, to my relief, it returned to normal. I was very happy! But, the similer thing happen again several times and I was greatly saddened by the occurances.
Realization that it is not the problem with the cello but my own hearing came last week. I lost hearing of my right ear almost completely! I waited for a few days but there was no improvement. The cello sounded very faint. TV only hissed. So, I then went to a ear specialist at a Christain Hospital in nearby city. Hearing tests were conducted, after a week of medication my hearing has restored much, but the cause of the hearing problem is still not certain. A series of treatments will be had next weeks and I praying for good results.
I said earlier that lowness has been in spirit rather than physical. The part above is an account for the body side. My next segment will come back to the main track.
Today, August 16, is 30 Years anniversary of the publishing of “A Declaration Of Human Rights” by the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan. Last Sunday, August 12, there was a march of 50 thousand peopple in the southern port city Kaohsiung. The march was organized by the PCT. Rains brought by Typhoon Hutih let up four hours during the march miraculously. One week earlier on August 5, in an Evening of Commemoration in the Capital City, Taipei, for the Human Right Declaration, I was invited to attend as a guest of honor with a few others.
In 1977, then President, Jimmy Carter, who wanted to formalize diplomatic relation with China was about to send his Secretary of State there and people on Taiwan experienced great anxiety over the possibility of becoming victim of the trade. It was precisely at this juncture of time, The PCT spoke out and publicized that “declaration”.
It first commended President Carter for upholding “human rights” as the corner stone of his foreign policy and reminded him not to forget them for then 1300 million people of Taiwan when engaging in the normalization, it also appealed to all nations concerned and Churches all over the globe for supporting rightful “human rights” for the people of Taiwan. Then the declaration went one step further, addressing to the ROC government, urging it ” to face reality and take effective measures thereby Taiwan may become a new and indipendent country.”
The drafting of the declaration was a very difficult and fearful event, as Taiwan then was under the Marshal Law which lasted for 38 years since 1949. Threat of death was overhanging over ones’ head. After a whole day of laboring, no satisfactory draft was had, so a special task force was appointed to continue drafting. In the next morning, an “Human Rights Appeal” was presented to the drafting committee. Obviously it would not do and a heated discussion entailed, but could not reach one that was acceptable. Finally, that section, “In order to achieve the goal of independence and freedom for the people of Taiwan in this critical international situation, we urge our government to face reality and to take effective measures whereby Taiwan may become a new and independent country” was presented by one who went back to Taiwan in the previous year after almost 20 years stay in the US. After a long period of silence, it was unanimously accepted by all, and thus the fraft was completeed with a quotation from Pslam 85, verses 10 -11 attached to the end.
On the train going back to Taipei, translatiing the draft from Chinese into English with a British missionary, the one who presented the section with “a new and independent country” was told by he, that some of the participants in drafting had prepared their “last wills”. He was so taken aback but then also realized that he was like a blind bull in a china shop, and began to understand why it was so difficult drafting the declaration.
“The Declaration of Human Rights by the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan” issued on August 16, 1977 was formally presented to the President of ROC, besides, to the US President Carter, Us Congress, US State Department, the Vatican and other churches all over. It was said that the “Taiwan Relation Act” by the Congress of the USA was a response to the Human Right Declaration. The ROC Government was furious, but as it was formally presented to it, it could not resort to oviously unlawful measures in attempting to suppress the declaration.
It is 30 years by now. But Taiwan has not yet achieved the hope of becoing “a new and independent country”. China forbid it and the US suppress any move by the government of Taiwan toward that goal presently as the US denies that Taiwan enjoy any sovereignty! But the people of Taiwan will press on and work toward the day when they can hold their heads high above the sky.
This last February 28th marked the 60th Memorial for the infamous “228 Incident” in Taiwan. More than 50,000 cream of the population were killed, systematiclly eliminated by the ruthless Chinese KMT Government which occupied Taiwan after the WWII under ther directive of General McArthur, the Supreme Commander in the Far-East. From the de-classified documents, it is clear that the massacre was instigated by Chiang Kai-sek, the leader of the KMT, then the President of China.
For more than 50 year until Year 2000, Taiwan was ruled by the KMT even after it lost their own vast continental country. Chiang was adored as “The Saviour and Hope of Chinese People”. His statures were erected every cosiderable spot on Taiwan where he fled to and wanted to use Taiwan as the base for counter attacking the Mainland and reclaim it.
But in 2000’s national election, a non-KMT Taiwanese, Chen Sui-Bien, was elected President. The DPP (Democratic Progressive Party) for the last 7 years struggle to promote a “Taiwan First” principle and opting for an Independent Taiwan. The saying is “Taiwan is Taiwan, China is China”, “Taiwan Yes! China No!”
With the revelation of the fact that Chiag Kai-Sek himself was responsible of the Massacre and the Terror for the 40some years that followed, it seems not right to continue adorating him, and the ubiquitous statues became eye-sores. The second largest which weighed over 12 tons located in Kaohsiung City wes taken down piece by piece yesterday. Many were removed to some secluded places. It is very like those of Hussein in Iraq, toppled by the people.
Taiwan Strait is one of the hottest danger spots in the world. There are over 600 missiles lined up against Taiwan on the opposite shores in China and the number is on the increase day by day. By so lined up, China aims to force the people of Taiwan into submission. On the eve of the second anniversary of China’s “Anti-Secession” Law, which forcefully claims that “There is only One China, and Taiwan is a part of It”, a vast majority of Taiwanese disapprove of China’s bid to change the status quo by passing its “Anti-Secession” Law two years ago. Majority of Taiwanese believe that they should be the only one to have a say in the matter regarding to the future of the Island nation. A recent survey shows that more than 90% of respondants dis-agree with China’s attempts to change the cross-strait status with the law.
One unfortunate factor in the Taiwan Strait trouble is the United States’s stance which forbid Taiwan to have any open voicing on the status quo in regard to Taiwan itself. In fact, the US put a mum on the duely elected President of Taiwan, as many insidents over the recent years past show. Many in Taiwan wonder the fairness of US policy .
President Chen Sui-Bien called for “three-party approach to Tawan Strait” and not the “bi-party” way which have denied Taiwan to have any say in regard to its own status quo. It has been most stupid for the US State Department to continue following its out-dated policy and being get played into China’s imperial ambition. Yes, the people of Taiwan and their President must have the say in the matter of cross-strait matter, especially on the matter regarding to the fate of the people of Taiwan.
Today is the last day of my trip this time visiting my son in Nashua, New Hampshier. My driver’s license from New Jersy where I lived before going back to Taiwan has expired, and so I wanted to have a New Hampshier licence to replace the expired NJ USA licence. I learned that I need to establish my residency first and then take a driving test due to my age. I did not get to have my residency established as such, but was able to change Social Security address to Nashua.
While going shopping with my son, I noticed on New Hampshier plates there is a phrase, Live free, or die. It is the state motto from the revolution time, I was told. The motto triggers a deep cord in my heart as a person whose root is Taiwan. For more than FOUR HUNDRED YEARS Taiwan has been a colony of succesive foreign powers even untill today. Taiwan is still under the de facto occupation by the Republic Of China, even though the Nationalist party of the Republic Of china lost presidential elections in years 2000 and 2004. The elected President, Chen Shui-Bien had to swear in as the President of the republic of China, and not as a President of Taiwan. In fact, after the ROC lost its seat in the UN and was replaced by PRC in 1979, the ROC became a dead body, it even gripped Taiwan tighter and harder untill 2000 AD.
The problem with Taiwan is that it does not enjoy diplomatic recognition by major contries. In the words of the former US Secretary of State, Mr. Collin Powell, “Taiwan does not enjoy soverignty, and we do not support Taiwan independence”. But a ore grave problem comes from the remnants of the ROC, namely the KMT and its off-shoots, in Taiwan. They have majority in the House (Legislative Yuen). Their ultimate aim is “re-unification with China” and for that reason they have blocked 64 times military procurement bills which were presented to the US before the year 2000 and were OKed by the present Bush Government. They just want to make a mess for Taiwan by attempting to recall a duely elected President while knowing it will fail, and they do not like a strong Taiwan that can defend herself against China which has over 700 ballistic missiles lined up on the opposite side of Taiwan Strait and threat to take Taiwan by force.
But, there is an increasing number of people in Taiwan who are looking forward to a day when Taiwan will truly achieve her nationhood as an independant and normal country. “It is better be the pecker of a rooster than be a bull’s tail”, as a saying goes. The motto, “Live Free, Or Die”, certainly rings a deep sympathy in my heart.
The US based magazine, Foreign Policy, in its recent issue has a “2006 Globalization Index” published. Accorging to the index, Taiwan ranked 35th in the survey of 62 countried based on 2004 data. Of the 4 major indicators used to determine the ranking, Taiwan ranked 12th, in terms of economic integration; 18th, in terms of technological connectivity; 33rd, in terms of personal contact; and 62nd, in terms of political engagement. 62nd was the least and last in the ranking.
But, the 62nd in political engagement ranking does speak for Taiwan’s predicament. It is highly known that Taiwan’s political efforts have been in that area. The People of Taiwan and the Government have endeavored to join the United Nations and UN organizations, e.g. WHO, for years, only to be rejected. Though the US had enacted a “Taiwan Relational Acts” in 1981, but its object was ‘the People of Taiwan”. There is no diplomatic relation between the USA and Taiwan. It is obvious that Taiwan’s political unsatisfactory status stems not only because of China’s continued diplomatic suppression of Tawan, but rather mainly due to US policy’s influence on other world powers. The US administrations have maintained that the US ” does not support an Independent Taiwan” and wants Taiwan to keep her limbo status as a de facto independent economic entity but not a de jure Independent Country. It’s very ironic that the Foraign Policy Magazine surveyed 62 countries and has given Taiwan a most politically unsatisfactory ranking among the COUNTRIES it surveyed.
While browsing news from Taiwan, I have come across a news reporting that a group of Taiwan musicians will perform in a Spain city of Seville on October 26, Thursday next week, at the World Music Expo. The group is organized by Taipei Arts International Association and sposored by Chunghua Telecom and the presentation will focus on Taiwan’s unique music, such as, “Sound of Flying Cloud” which will be performed by Taiwan’s aboriginal musicians, and another, “A Moving Sound”, a new music form which is a blending of Taiwanese, Chinese, and different Asian musics.
The WOMEX (Oct. 25 – 29, 2006) is the world’s leading forum dedicated exclusively to all kinds of ethnic, folk, traditional, local, and even of diaspora. Taiwanese in diaspora like to sing Taiwanese folk songs at their gatherings. One of Psalms in the Old Testament Bible, Psalm 137, begins with lines….”By the river of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion. Upon the willows in the midst of it we hung our harps. For there our captors demanded of us songs, and our tormentors mirth, saying, sing to us one of the songs of Zion….” The sentiment expressed in the Psalm echos in those Taiwanese diaspora gatherings and for already too long a time!
But those Taiwan musisians at the Expo probably will perform their music with a rather different spirit. Even though the US Administration is quite unhappy about it and becomes almost like an watchdog for China in saying that it does not support “Taiwan independence”, there is an increasing and strong “national” pride which is embracing the people of Taiwan. More people there now identify themselves with Taiwan than China, saying, “Taiwan is Taiwan, China is China”. The musicians at the International Music Expo from Taiwan will make music with enthusiasm and proud of being Taiwanese.
This year. 2006, is the 100th anniversary of baseball playing in Taiwan. After Japan annexted the Kingdom of Ryukyu (Okinawa) in 1879 AD, in that same breath, in 1895, Japan got the Manchu Dynasty China (Ch’ing Kuo), after a Sino-Japanese War, to cede Taiwan over to the imperial Japan in perprtuity. A Republic of Taiwan was declared then, but the leaderless people could not withstand the Imperial Armies invading to occupy the island and within 6 weeks time, the Japanese armies reached then the Capital City, Tainan. Japan wanted to make Taiwan an agricultural basin for the growing empire and to culturally convert people of the new colony more akin to her own, and so, schools were established and along with that, baseball playing was introduced to Taiwan. For one hundred years, baseball has been practiced and enjoyed in Taiwan. After the end of WW II, Taiwan becomes under the occupation of Nationalist China until present. But, Chinese are more of basket-ball players and so they did not pay too much attention to baseball as such untill one of the aboriginal village schoolers won a Asian Chiampionship and Little leagurers won in World Chiampionship games, baseball only then caught the official eyes. But it has been a sport played and enjoyed by the people continually for one hundred years by now.
Many players exceeded in their performances and made their scenes in other countries’ ball fields. They were picked by Japanese major leagues first, and then by US leagues. Among those Taiwanese players who have made US scenes are Wang Chien-Min of the New York Yankees and Kuo Hung-chih who is with Los Angelis Tigers. Fox TV in introducing them to the viewers, twice displayed the map of Taiwan in different color other than that of China, even introduced their hometown Tainan. The other city in the map was Taipei, and so, showing the old and new capitals of Taiwan. Wang is just voted by Yankee fans to be the best player of the team. His insistance on making clear his root, Taiwan, put the almost forgotten National Flag of Taiwan(ROC) to be shown in the world TV coverages. Olympic games and many other international games forbid Taiwan teams to disply the Taiwanese Color (Flag) because of an insane insistance made by China. There are two titles given to Wang, one is “the Glory of Taiwan”, and the other, “the Son of Taiwan”. Surely, Wang Chien-min’s spectacular performance in the Major Leagues games this year is an apt comment on Taiwan’s One Hundred Years History of Baseball Playing there.