Englam’s Weblog

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” 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 over the strait but still had to go to 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. 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! 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, sacrifising the national integrity, the new President of Taiwan opened her gates to the hostile enemy without reservation! Mr. Ma insists that the name of the country is not Taiwan, but is the Republic of China! His government’s policy is a gradual bend toward (re)unification.

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.

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.

Taiwanese soldiers will be eating a lots of bananas. The Agricalture Council of the Cabinet(Executive Yuen) announced the other day that as a measure of propping up price of bananas, measures of increased purchase of the fruit will be in effect and it will be distributed to the militaly units and schools. The famers are crying as the price has dropped to only 1/4, compared to last year’s. One truck load of bananas will bring only NT$1,500 to 2,000, or about US$50 t0 70. One banana will sell for only 1 NT$ or 3 US cents. The Council also makes appeal to people that they should eat more bananas and many recipes using banana in cooking or sweets are on TVs.

The reason for the price drop is no mystry. It is simply due to over abundance of its harvest. But, actually it is not simply a case of over production. A year or so ago, the KMT (Chinese Nationalist Party) of the ROC in Taiwan had linked up with the PROC (Communist China), and a delegate led by the i ts previous chairman visited China. They were greatly welcomed by the leadership there and both parties aired their mutual aspiration of looking forward to “reunification”. One of the “achivements” was “tax-free import” of bananas and other agricultuural products. China also promised to give a pair of pandas to Taipei Zoo. Actually the KMT has no authority at all to conduct any talk that requires official government to government negotiation, as the KMT no longer is the ruling party in Taiwan. But many farmers were encouraged to increase their banana plantation, inspite of the warnings against such motion by the agricultural officials in Taiwan. And now, 3 bananas do not fetch even a dime!

At the moment, Mr. Lien Tsan, the previous Chairman of KMT, is in Hai-nan Island, attending a “Inter-shores Agriculture Forums”. Besides criticising Taiwan Government’s insistance on national sovereignty, similar “agreement” is announced that China will import more ” agricultural products tax -free, among those, bananas…” In fact, stemmed from this kind of “agreement”, many Chinese produces are faking as “Taiwan products” on market, commanding high prices. What China wants are agriculture know-hows, besides upsetting the present Taiwan Government.

There will be great amount of rotten fruits in the fields, as no one there would bother to harvest them, and soldiers will be fed-up by bananas.  Alaas!

Last Sunday, my daughter and her boy friend cooked an Italian dinner for the family with a very formal service menue on the table. The menue had it, Primo: Buccatini alla Carbonara (long hollow pasta tossed with crisp pancetta, fresh grated parmigiano cheese, Italian parsley and egg yolks. A Roman speciality favored by Sophia Loren). Secondi: Sicilian Salmon (Broilled salmon fillet glazed with lemon juice, crushed garlic and oregano). Insalata: Arugula, Gorgonzola and Pine Nut Salad (Arugula tossed with gorgonzola cheese, toasted pine nuts, extra virgin olive oil, and balsamic vinegar). Dolci: Pizzelle and Fresh Fruit (Traditional anisette-flavored cookies, served with fresh fruit on the side). we all enjoyed the elegantly prepared and served dinner. Of course, wine and mineral water were on the table.

After dinner, what cought my eyes were the two natural mineral water bottles. Upon closer look, the mineral waters were imported Italian products. One was a red-hued blue bottle with BlUE’ ITALY label. The other was a green bottle having a S.PELLEDRINO label. One blue and another green! The bottles let me had a kind of free-association, imagining that they represent the two main political factions in Taiwan. The Blue was in power for a little more than a-half century since the end of the WW II till the Year 2000. The other, the Green holds the government presently. The two factions are about even in numbers in the parliament(Legislative Yuen). But with those Independents thrown in, the Blue have some edge over the Green, and the Pan-Blues are making every effort to block measures put forth by the Cabinet, hindering effective governing of the country by the Green.

The green bottle is shorter than the blue one, though the capacities are equally 750 mL. The green bottle has a silver cap which is also green inside but the colors on its top are red topped with blue and a red star, of all things! The blue bottle has a blue color cap, but its’ inside is yellow!. May be I have read too much into the things, but while one can imagining things, it can be fun, even funny.

Yesterday was October 10th in Taiwan. There, for over 50 years, the day has been called “Double Ten’s Day” which supposed to be like the Forth of July in the USA, a national birthday for the Republic of China and greatly celebrated by the KMT(China Nationalist Party) Government, and even continued untill yesterday. In hindsight, it should be discarded after Year 2000 when a non-KMT president took the office. President Chen Shui-Bien was duely elected in 2000 and again in 2004 and his term will last until May 20, 2008. Shame tirned anger which became wrath and hatred, the Chinese Nationalist Party(KMT) and it’s cahoots tried ever unsuccessfully through various means to recall and/or topple him for innumerable times alreday, have now cooked up a new rally of red-clad mass with a politically non-person who once was head of the DPP(Democratic Progressive Party) as it’s front, to force Mr. Chen from his office. These red-clad people have been roaming mostly arround the capital city, Taipei and their swarmings earned them a nick name, “Red Ants”. What’s the most shameful was commited by the KMT and PFP(People First Party) members of the Legisrative Yuen, which corresponds to the US Congress and Senate, who not only red-claded when attending the Official Double Ten’s Celemony in the front square of the President’s Office Building yesterday, they furled up anti -Chen banners, shouting and stamped the platform floor in attempt to shame and distrack President Chen who was about to deliver his National Double Ten’s Massage. But to his credit, Mr. Chen was unraufled. His 12 minuits address was strong and to the points of Taiwan’s present difficult situation. He even suggested that the Double Ten’s Celebration shoud be scrapped beginning next year as it was forced on the people of Taiwan by the KMT government which occupied Taiwan after the WW II. In concluding, President held up a signed baseball given to him last year by Chien-Min Wang, the champion pitcher of NY Yankees, who wrote on it,”Go, Taiwan!”(Taiwan Chia-you!). This time, instead of “Viva, ROC!”,the President led the people to shout out aloud three times, “Taiwan Chia-you!”, “Go, Taiwan!”, “Chia-you! Chia-you! Chai Chia-you!”, that was, “Taiwan, Go! Go! and Go!”.
Surely the behaviours of the red-clad ants and those “Chinese” legistrators during the official celemony made it a most shameful day for ROC  but not Taiwan. The people of Taiwan must, and all nations concerned, especially the USA, should pay close attentions to what were said in Mr. Chen’s address. There are much food for thought in regard to peace in Taiwan and for the world arround.

Today is September 11th. 5 years ago terrorists of Bin Laden connection hijacked commercial planes and collided headon onto the twin towers of World Trade center in New York. The hideous act sadden and angered American People and peoples all over the world. 5 years quickly gone by, but the world is not any better. Hate still grips human soul on our planet. We see it’s eruptions everywhere. There is an unjustifiable demomstration in Taipei at this moment which started on September 9th on and off from 9 am to 5 pm. The aim is to force Taiwan’s duely elected President Chen to step down. It’s root has been sprung from hatred of the Chinese Nationalist Party(KMT) that lost it’s power having lost presidential elections in 2000 and 2004. There has been no rest at all to hinder normal function of the new government. In view of the new election will be held in 2008, KMT has written up senarios to wrest power from the pro independent Taiwan DPP(Democratic Progressive Party). First, the KMT struck up friendship with it’s former arch enemy, Communist Party of China. Then a continued smear campaign was lounched. After an unsuccessful recalling of the president failed called by the KMT and other pro unifications factions in the Legistrative House, a dummy leader is pushed forward now to orchestrate a “people’s movement” which is not unlike China’s Cultural Revelution led by Red Gurds. In fact, the campaign specified the participants to wear red shirts and had chosen September 9th to commence the sitin in front of the President Office Building. September 9th this year was the 30th memorial for China’s late leader Mao. Some suspected that there is some notion of violence to incite great disturbance which will give China a pretext for invasive action. Fortunately, the President and the government are bending themselves backward to be patient. From 9th when the sitin demonstration began, heavy rains pored down and scattered most of the people. Bad weather will last for more than a week and there is a new typhoon being formed to threat the island, according to the weather casters.

On September 8th, yesterday local date here in Taiwan, a “Taiwan National Flag” was raised in the open square before the Presidential Office Building in Taipei, attended by some ten thousand people. An organization active for an Independent Taiwan called for the people to remember that September 8th, 1951, when the Peace Treaty was signed in San Francisco, was actually the begining of Taiwan as a free nation no longer under the yoke of any persons or nations. They demand the government to make September 8th as a national holiday.

The event started with five representatives each reciting a “Taiwan Repubkic Campaign Stqatement” in languages such as Taiwanese(Holo), Chinese(Mandarin), English, Japanese and German. The statement stressed the need to abolish the Republic of China (ROC) Constitution, terminate the ROC system of government, promote a new constitution for the Taiwan Republic and inplement of a new Taiwan republic system of government. After the statement, the crowd sang TAIWAN THE GREEN, a poem written by Professor Emeritus Tin Ji-Giok of Tainan Theological Seminay and set to music by a Taiwanese composer, Hsiao Tyzen, in 1988 and have becoming like a national anthem among Taiwanese everywhere. After singing the anthem, a version of Taiwan national Flag was raised and people waved flags and shouted “Taiwan Republic! Taiwan Republic!!” Incidently, the ROC national anthem was but a KNT’s party song.

Making September 8th as an Independent Taiwan’s national day has solid historical basis as already mentioned above. When the Peace Treaty after the WW II was signed in San Francisco on September 8th, 1951, in the Article Two, Section 2, Japan clearly and formally and simplly stated that Japan will thereafter abandon all her rights, titles and claims over Taiwan and Pinhu(Piscadores) Islands. No mentioning of any recipient for the titles, rights or claims whatsoever. In a seperate Peace Treaty between Taiwan(ROC) and Japan signed on April 28th, 1952, the day when the San Francisco took effect, it repeated the same words of the San Francisco Peace Treaty. Clearly Taiwan was set free and people of Taiwan became their own master. Sometimes so called Cairo or Potsdam declarations were cited to have mentioning of Taiwan’s return to China. But these declarations were actually only news communiques of the participants and there were no signatures. Clearly they do not have any legal authority as that of the Peace Treaties.
It was most unfortunate that Taiwan’s occupation as a former Japanese colony was assigned to ROC by then the Highest Commander of the Allied Forces in the Far East, General McArthur. After the demise of the ROC on China and under the ghost ROC’s continued occupation, Taiwan has been drown into an horrible Chinese quicksand. Although having 2300 million well educated people and ecconomically ranking among the top 30 some countries in the world, Taiwan is denied her rightful participation in all formal international scenes. The only viable and lasting solution seems to be rectification of her name. Calling Taiwan, TAIWAN! The pro-Taiwan Republic people strongly back the President Chen Sui-Bien who recently calls for rectification of Taiwan’s name and says that he will use Taiwan as the name for Taiwan’s UN membership. So, be it!

42 Sumo wrestlers came to Taiwan yesterday. Their combined weight is said to be 6288 kgs. Each wrestler’s huge body shape needs special accomodations and that would make many very busy as it should. The visit is the first time since the end of the WW II in 1945. Their visit has arosed great interest and warm welcome here. Those who were born in the Japanese Era have fond memories of the sport which was played all over the island then. As the national sport, Sumo wrestlers of the Japanese Sumo Association making visit is an indication of gradual warming up of Japanese people toward Taiwan. In the past, it might be due to their feeling of shame for the country’s imperialistic acts and nasty reminders of the history kept harped up by China and the like, Japan simply tried to forget about Taiwan.

Sumo is the Japanese sport, as already mentioned above. Actually, Japanese and Korean are closely related to Mongolian people. Wrestling is also a very Mongolian sport, as also for the Korean. Only in Japan, the sport has linked up with Shintoism and ritualized and formalized. After the War and independence, Koreans abandoned Japanese style sumo and reclaimed their own style of wrestling. However, in Taiwan, any residues of Japanese culture from the colonial era were to be purged under the Chinese Regime which took over Taiwan after the WW II, and so, sumo no longer is played. But this visit to Taiwan which would have three exhibitional games will kindle keen sentiment and interest for the sport. It is reported that many here in Taiwan enthusiastically follow NHK’s telecasts each sumo season. In passing, I should mention that Japan has lifted visa requirement for Taiwanese visiting Japan since last year, ignoring Chinese protest.

August is full of days quite memorable for me. It was on August 24th, 1957 when I was admitted to the USA with a “student” visa in Honolulu, Hawaii. After 19 years studying and working and having a family there, I came back to Taiwan with my family. For my children, they came to Taiwan with their parents. We spent about a week in Japan visiting before we reached Taiwan on August 25th, 1976. There were other dates quite memoriable to me. Some of the dates have been commented already on this blog.

I thought it was on August 17th, but upon checking up, it was on August 16th, 1977 when one most decisive of the “Three Classic and Historical Statements’ of the Presbyterian Church” was presented to then President Chiang in Taiwan, President Carter of US, and to the peoples of all countries concerned and those related Churches all over the world. It was “A Declaration on Human Rights by the Presbyteraisn Church in Taiwan”. The Church had issued two shocking and influentials statements previously: “Public Statement on Our National Fate” on December 30, 1971, and “Our Appeals” in the summer of 1975. It is widely regarded that these “Tree Statements” have laid effective fundation for the democratization of Taiwan from “with-in”.

After comending President Carter for adopting “human rights” as a principle of his diplomacy, the statement confessed that human rights are also gift of God to the people of Taiwan and insisted that the future of Taiwan shall be determined by then 17 million people who live there. The most cardinal section of the Declaration on Human Rights stated that “In order to achieve our goal of independence and freedom for the people of Taiwan in this critical international situation, we urge our government to face reality and take effective measures whereby Taiwan may become a new and independent country”.

It was almost a year after my return to Taiwan and I was called to participate in the drafting of the statement. The drafing committee worked through all day August 15 but could not get a satisfactory draft. A small working group was appointed ti finish it over the night. I was not in the group. In the morning of August 16 the working group offered an even softer and weaker version with small details on how for an UN membership and do plebiscite over the issue. Of course much heated discussions ensued but no acceptable document resulted. Then, the person who came back to Taiwan just a year ago ventured to offer a sentence. He repeated the sentence and it was written on a blackbord by a clerk. There was a utter silence. Moments later it was unanimously adopted and together with other sections adoped before the draft was completed. To the draft, a prayer was affixed, quoting verses from 85th Pslm, “Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other. Faithfulness will spring up fromthe ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky.” I was very proud of my father-in-law who was there and suggested to conclude the statement with prayer. it was then the General secretary the PCT Rev. C M Kao who gave the passage from the Psalm. With the prayer, the statement appeared to be more a confession of faith, rather than a political gesture.
On the way back on a train doing translation of the statement into English with an English missionary, I was taken aback by her comment that some of the participants had their last wills made before attending. She told me some names. It explained why it was so painfully difficult to have an acceptable draft. The person who stayed in the USA for 19 long years and returned to Taiwan a year ago was like “a blind bull in a china shop”! He was so accustomed to speak freely and did not yet know to be afraid. Now after almost 30 years, I still vividly remember the days and feel fortunate to be allowed to participate in the drafting and that my 19 years stay in the US has merit. Indeed, Taiwan as a “New and Independent country” is more than a dream for the 2300 million now on Taiwan and the Taiwanese overseas all over the world.

Today, August 15th, is remembered by many here as a lost opportunuty to be free-ed from colonial yokes for the people of Taiwan. The Emporor of Japan, Hirohito, announced over the national radio 61 years ago that he had accepted the demand of the Allies to surrender unconditionally. With that grave and brave act, it put an end to the era of colonialism. We all know that with the end of the WW II, the world map changed its colours. Many former colonies of the Western powers began to become independent.

With the case of Taiwan, a colony ceded to Japan in perpetuity by China from 1895, the imperial announcement was suppressed and withheld until late the next day, August 16th, 1945. It has been reported that then Governor of Taiwan Rikhich Ando, who was also the top Military Commader on Taiwan, deliverately withheld the news in hope to work out with some Taiwanese leaders for an independent Taiwan. But unlike the situation in Indonesia, his attempt was fruitless, probably due to some over- romantic notions about China held by the leaders, no consensus was gained quickly, and Taiwan was soon after occupied by the Nationalist Chinese military forces under the directive of General McArthur, the Commander of the Allied Forces in the Far East. In the case of Indonesia, then Japanese military commander there withheld the news of Japanese surrender for 3 days and successfully got an Indonesian guerrilla leader Sukarno to declare independence from the Netherland.

Early today, Prime Minister Koizumi of Japan went to pay respect to the war-deads at Yasukuni Shrine, the first time ever in 21 years on the anniversary, August 15th. The Chinese, Korean because of past historical tangles with Japan, and some aboriginals from Taiwan led by a woman legistrator, a pro KMT who was fathered by a Chinese veteran, protested and criticized Koizumi’s action. But he said that he just went there to pay respect to those who died for their contry.

Taiwan, Korea and Manchiuria (in the North East China) were all colonies of the former Japanese Empire. After the war, the Koreans achieved their independence. Manchiuria under the former and the last Emporor of Ch’ing China just vanished. Taiwan was forcefully occupied by a neighbor that caused a limbo, with her future unsettle. Worse, the new neighbor, who replaced the one who came to Taiwan in 1946, humiliates Taiwan by all means, even line-up over 800 misstles aiming at all parts of the island nation Taiwan.

The government of Taiwan (Republic of China) announced at local time 11:30 pm, Saturday, August 5th that it regrets having to sever ties with Chad and called off Premier Su Tseng-chang’s planned visit to Chad as special envoy of President Chen Shui-bien to Chadian President Idriss Devy’s second inauguration on August 8th. The Premier was to begin his journey on the 7th, but as it was reported that the Chadian government, while discussing with China on switching its diplomatic ties to Beijing, wanted to hold-off the news until after Premier Su was well enroute on the air. China wants very much to humiliate Taiwan (Roc) by all means. This is the secind time Premier Su’s planned oversea visit was blocked . He was to attend the inauguration of the new Haitian President in May, but due to Chinese pressure that keeps an UN peace force there, the Haitian government sent invitaion but politely requested President Chen not to send any envoy. Premier Su is one of the hopefuls in the 2008 presidential election of Taiwan.

Now after severing ties with Chad, there remained only 24 nations, small and poor. After driven out of her seat in the UN, the Republic of China (on Taiwan) spent great resources to keep diplomatic ties with those countries , and tried in vain to appeal through these small nations for restoration of the UN membership. For a long time The government of ROC held up its Anti-Communist stance and vowed never to stand together with the Communist China (PROC). Sadly after the ROC’s KMT lost its grip on Taiwan in 2000 and 2004 elections, the leadership of the Chinese Nationalist Party, i.e., KMT now says that their “Ultimate Goal” is “Unification with China” and act in pair with the PROC to undermine Taiwan’s quest for her nationhood. Supported by Chines capitals, they misuse Taiwan’s free media to heep up attacks on the duely elected President and the government. They are using smear tactics to discredit the Prwesident.

The present government of Taiwan emulates the ROC government and tries hard to maintain relationship with those small and poor nations. China is adamant to dig away all that have relationship with ROC Taiwan by promising and heaping great amount of lures. Those nations are also clever in demading and threatening, using Holloween tactics. The latest incident with Chad is a very typical case. When learning to dance, an instructor would say “Cha–d, Cha–d, Chad-Chad-Chad, slo–w, slo–w, quick-quick-quick”. It has been painly slow for establishing rightful diplomatic ties for Taiwan with others, but severings comes ever sudden and quick. But the kind of diplomatic dances better be of the last tango. Recently President Chen was reported to be saying that Taiwan will seek UN entry with her rightful name “Taiwan” and not to use “ROC” as it were before . Many here hope that the report is true. To be accurate, the ties severed were with “the Republic of China” and not with “Taiwan”. Taiwan may not yet be enjoying her rightful sovereignty in the eyes of many. But, with patience and creativity, she will surely be standing under the Sun with her head lifted up high!

Today, August 8th, is celebrated as Father’s Day widely here in Taiwan. In the USA, it is the second Sunday of June for the fathers, like the second sunday for the mothers. The 8th month’s 8th day, 八八 in short, is pronounced Pa Pa (or otherwise Ba Ba), hard p sound, it rhymes with 爸爸 Pa Pa, so it is made to be Fathers’ Day here. Papers are full of fathers’ stories. It happens that pronounciations in Taiwanese and Chinese are different with B and P. In Taiwanese, P has two sounds, one hard, and another soft. The Chinese has no Taiwanese B sound which is like Japanese ba, so, Ba Ba would sound like refering to an old woman, not father.

I was recalling my parents. Both of them passed away before their 40es almost 3 years apart. My mother, a very beautiful lady, clothed and fed us and she was a discipliner. She would chase after my sister and little brothers with a whip. But she stopped using a whip with me after I asked her to tell me what’s wrong instead of hitting when I was 8. My father was different. He let my mother with a whip but himself would preside only there were cases of graver matters bought to his attetion. With me, he would take ME around on a bicycles, talking and commenting. He would ask me to help him build chicken coops and keep records for each productive hen. Once in the building process, I wanted to smash a toad with a big stone because I was terrorized by it, Father sternly stopped me and told whats good about toads. There were many like teachings. He tought me how to hatch chicks with a hatching device and differentiate their sexes. My fondness of orchids is a rub-off from him. He was a talented person with many interests. He was a good humorous and eloquent preacher. He played cornet and oboe and started and led several church bands. There is one such bands which is still active in southern Taiwan (from which I received an very old oboe from my father’s time as a memento). He was a tennis player and a good swimmer. He saved a drowning classmate from seminary when they went picknicing by the sea and after they became like-brothers. I still remember how he taught me to float and breath and frog. There were so much to learn yet but he passed away when I was 14. My mother died 3 years later. As the eldest, I was forced to be brave and take responsibility for my family with youger siblings, emulating my father wanted not to fail him. I am 77 now, but I still miss my father very much, especially around this time here.

Wang Chien-ming 王建民, a Taiwanese pitcher helped the New York Yankees rout the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 6-0 with a complete game two hit shutout on Friday last week, July 28th in New York and his popularity is soaring not only among US fans, he cheers and moves Taiwanese all over the world. He is one of the few Taiwanese players who made scenes on baseball fields in the US and is one who is most promising to become great there in the future. Most of the players who made good before were mostly in Japan.

Different ball games got introduced to Taiwan since arround mid-19 centuries. Tennis, volleyball and rugby were the earliest brought by British missionaries to schools they started. With colonization by Japan in 1895 and after came baseball playing like schools in Japan proper. There were some basketballs played also after it’s invention. But with the coming of Chinese government after the WW II in 1945, basketballs became the most popular games everywhere as if it were the “Chinese” sport. Modern schools in China were but mostly started by American missionaries and basketballs were the favorite game. (Succer is picking up but American football is not played here almost.)
But baseball playing did not disappear in Taiwan, and when an unknown team from a little aboriginal village that beaten a Japanese team to represent Far East and won Little League Championship in the World Game decades ago, it cought the eyes of goverment officials. With official encouragement and support, Taiwan won many championships in world baseball games since. But Taiwan, a nation without membership in the UN, is often mistreated. Last week, the team that represent Taiwan played against Japanese team in Hongkong for the Far East Championship, the game was holted because of rain, but without resuming to complete the game, the officials ruled for Japan to represent in this year’s World Game. It was most pity to see the wronged grim little faces at the airport as they returned home. The country that made it purpose to block Taiwan’s UN entry is China. Their hands are everywhere to undermine Taiwan gain her rightful place under the sun.