The Today's Joke

Space Monkeys

NASA decided to send a shuttle into space with two monkeys and an astronaut. They trained them for months. Then when they thought they were ready, they placed all three in the shuttle and got ready to send them up into space.
As the moment came closer NASA's mission control center announced, "This is mission control to Monkey One. Initiate!"
At that the first monkey started typing like mad and suddenly the shuttle's engines ignited and the shuttle took off.
Two hours later NASA's mission control center announced, "This is mission control to Monkey Two. Initiate!"
At that the second monkey started typing like mad and suddenly the shuttle separated from the empty fuel tanks.
Another two hours later mission control announced, "This is mission control to the astronaut..."
At this the astronaut responded "I know, I know. Feed the monkeys and don't touch anything."

Technorati Tags: Joke, Fun, Monkey

Taiwan Judicial System is a Mystery

According the today Taipei Times: "More than 70 percent of people do not have a full understanding of the nation's judicial system, a survey released by the Judicial Yuan showed yesterday..."

I don't know why, but I don't feel so surprised.

Frankly speaking, I don't understand it too even though I am supposed to, according my background.

Just two recent examples:

• According the yesterday news : "The Kaohsiung District Court yesterday returned a verdict of not-guilty for two men charged with vote-buying in the Kaohsiung mayoral election last December." In an equivalent case in the past, the Court considered people as guilty. It seems that even the prosecutors don't understand because they made appeal...

 

• Central government election structure decided one system for the coming elections. Local cities and counties disagree and will offer their own system even if that means they won't provide the possibility to vote if people want to follow the central government decision. It doesn't matter who is right. But obviously, the definition of democracy is not the same for everybody.

How do you want to be able to understand the Judicial and Legal system in Taiwan if there are no clear rules with people following the law and respecting the democracy?

Technorati Tags: Taiwan, Democracy, Election

In which world are we living?

Since Takayama, I was quite busy with some stuff which explains why (again) I did not update my blog. Or is it a (too)simple excuse?

Anyway, see for example today: I spent a big part of the day to handle my fridge which let me down. In some cooler countries, it won't be an urgent deal. But here, even though it is not so hot since few days, it is still a concern.

So I had to clean to avoid the smell. 15 hours (late evening plus a night) were enough to create a mess.

You have no idea of what we have in a fridge. I threw away the equivalent of 3 big bags. Finally, I did not lose too much food. Volume was made mostly by bottle of sauce etc.

I read an article today on China Post quite funny. I even needed to read it twice to be sure I well understood.

It is an interview with Donald Tsang, the leader of Hong Kong concerning the desire of democracy.

Here is an excerpt:

"...If we go to the extreme, you have the cultural revolution for instance in China, where people take everything into their hands, then you cannot govern the place," Tsang said.

The chaotic Cultural Revolution instigated by China's late paramount leader Mao Zedong, mobilized radical youth in political campaigns marked by purges, jailings, killings and suicides.

"But the Cultural Revolution wasn't really an extreme example of democracy was it?," the radio presenter asked Tsang, to which he replied:

"(It) was the people taking power into their own hands. Now this is what you mean by democracy if you take it to the full swing," he added...."

You can read it twice, as me. You will get the same result.

Do we need to comment that?

Especially after the list of the richest people in China was just published by Hurun? See Rue 89.

The richest is a woman, 26 years old. Her activity is in real estate (yes I know, thanks to her daddy). Beside, she just married the son of one North-East province chief.

About statistics, there were 15 billionaires last year in China. Now there are 106.

Does it make you surprised too?

As the above interview, no comment.

Takayama

I did not update my blog since a while...

Mid of September, Queen D and me went to Japan. More precisely to Takayama city, located about 2 hours from Nagoya by JR train, where we stayed 4 days.

I was concerned about possible communication problems but finally we could exchange some English words (enough to use transportation) and beside, Queen D could help with the writings because a lot of signs or restaurants' menus used Chinese.

After 40 minutes train from the International Central Airport (Nagoya), we arrived in Nagoya city where we bought the JR ticket (fast train) to go to Takayama. It took about 2 hours and 20 minutes. Train was very comfortable and price reasonable (less than 6,000 yens per person).

Very soon, we were in the country side, surrounded by mountains, forests and streams. Just one word: Beautiful!

Takayama has been dubbed "Little Kyoto". Old parts of the town have been preserved. Set amidst the Northern Japan Alps (the "roof of Japan"), Takayama is surrounded by spectacular scenery and quite famous spas.

We booked a kind of "business hotel". Simple but comfortable and of course (we are in Japan) very clean. Service: nothing to say. Good.

First day, we rent bicycles to visit Hida-no-sato (a folk village located about 2 kilometers from the downtown. It is a model recreating the historical look of the area.

I took a lot of pictures but some were lost, I do not know what happened with the camera. Anyway, here are some.

The next 3 pictures are from there. Have a look on the one about the roof and notice how thick is the roof (to protect the house from the snow).

Then we visited the town (everything is within walking distance), starting with Furui-Machi-nami (old private houses):

This part of the town is really amazing.

We visited then the Takayama Jinya (the historical government house) built in the end of the seventeenth century. Of course a lot has already disappeared but at least the first floor is still there. Here is the main entrance:

 The two wooden boxes at the entrance are for plastic bags to put in our shoes. Tatamis are everywhere.

Here is the kitchen used at that time:

We can see gardens from almost all the doors or windows:

Below, is a stone basin called Tearai-ishi, used for washing hands:

Each place, room, has his official purpose: receiving special guests, court, living... Here are some views:

Following day, we visited the morning markets (Asa-ichi). They are not big, but we can get beautiful and tasty fruits, vegetable, miso...:

Another view quite close from the markets:

It is really a beautiful and quiet place. No noise even from the cars!

For sure we will go back there and enjoy some hiking in the near forest.

Cannot wait :-)

Today's joke

...Not about a squirrel but a dog...

This guy sees a sign in front of a house "Talking Dog for Sale."

He rings the bell and the owner tells him the dog is in the back yard. The guy goes into the back yard and sees a mutt sitting there.

"You talk?" he asks. "Yep," the mutt replies. "So, what's your story?"

The mutt looks up and says, "Well, I discovered this gift pretty young and I wanted to help the government, so I told the CIA about my gift, and in no time they had me jetting from country to country, sitting in rooms with spies and world leaders, cause no one figured a dog would be eavesdropping. I was one of their most valuable spies eight years running. "The jetting around really tired me out, and I knew I wasn't getting any younger and I wanted to settle down.

So I signed up for a job at the airport to do some undercover security work, mostly wandering near suspicious characters and listening in. I uncovered some incredible dealings there and was awarded a batch of medals. Had a wife, a mess of puppies, and now I'm just retired."

The guy is amazed. He goes back in and asks the owner what he wants for the dog. The owner says "Ten dollars."

The guy says he'll buy him, but asks the owner, "This dog is amazing. Why on earth are you selling him for $10?"

The owner replies, "He's such a liar."

English Teaching: New Regulations?

I do not teach language but many bloggers (English Teachers) in Taiwan share their experience and/or thoughts. A good blog on education especially in Taiwan is the one edited by Scott Sommers.

But even though it is not my field, I still could have some opinions.

On September 7th, I saw on Taiwan news that the MOE wants: "... students to tell eight jokes in English before they can graduate..."

More precisely: "... Regarding English, the ministry suggested that each student must be able to sing at least eight English songs and tell eight jokes as part of the graduation exam. Those who fail cannot graduate... "

I do not know what the professionals will say, but for me, it is not "8 jokes", it is a "full joke".

Technorati Tags: Taiwan, Education, English

Chinese Unsafe Products

This is from the Washington Post (September 4th).

Some extract:

After hearing about dangerous Chinese products elsewhere, Indonesia this summer began testing popular Chinese-made items on
its own store shelves. What it found has added to the list of horrors:
mercury-laced makeup that turns skin black, dried fruit spiked with
industrial chemicals, carcinogenic children's candy.

The Chinese government called up in August saying it had a possible
solution. Husniah Rubiana Thamrin Akib, head of Indonesia's top food and drug safety agency, was pleased and welcomed her counterparts to her office.

But according to Husniah, the Chinese suggested Indonesia lower its safety standards. Husniah said she was "very upset and very surprised." "I said to them, 'I respect your standards for your country. I hope you respect ours," Husniah said.

In dealing with product safety complaints from the United States, China has sought to convince a concerned American public that it has reformed and is doing all it can to ensure the safety of its products. But its dealings with other, less-developed countries or those in vulnerable political positions are a different story, according to Husniah and officials in the Philippines and Malaysia.

...

The Chinese respond that their products have been the victim of unfair trade actions.

In the Philippines in July, a state-owned Chinese company threatened to sue for defamation after the Philippine government released a public warning saying a popular brand of candy was contaminated with formaldehyde. In Hong Kong, China pushed the territory to reconsider its recall of toothpaste contaminated with a chemical that other countries said might be poisonous but that China argued was present at levels safe for human consumption. It then ordered Hong Kong to submit a report on how and why it called back the toothpaste.

In Malaysia, a ban on fungus-infested nuts and dried fruit with a
carcinogenic sweetener from China was met with a Chinese alert on
litchi-flavored yogurt from Malaysia that it said didn't meet labeling
requirements. Malaysia has long had a history of food safety issues with Chinese products. With each alert from Malaysia, the Chinese Embassy requests an explanation. "When they call us, we have to accept they are coming to us," said Abdul Rahim Mohamad, director of food safety and quality at Malaysia's Health Ministry.

Chinese food-safety officials argue that the recalls and bans by other
countries amount to technical trade barriers that attempt to legitimize what would otherwise be unfair trade practices.

...

Tensions flared during the Aug. 7 discussions in Jakarta between Husniah and Li Haiqing, a deputy director at China's Administration of Quality Supervision and Inspection

...

When Husniah, a physician who is head of the National Agency of Drug and Food Control, asked for a list of products that China had recalled domestically, surmising that many of those products had likely made it illegally to Indonesia, the Chinese declined. Husniah said she was told:
"Don't worry. We don't permit substandard or hazardous products to be exported."

Shortly before the meeting, China had announced a ban on Indonesian seafood.
...

Husniah refused the Chinese officials' request to recommend new standards in accordance with Chinese law ...

I think it is clear enough...

Technorati Tags: China, Dangerous Products, Unsafe, International Trade

About Hunting...

I was invited several times for hunting in Europe. Frankly speaking, I never liked it and that could explain that usually I did not participate.

I like the after-hunting party, the friendly gathering etc... But not the hunting as we use to see in our days.

It is not because I am against hunting. Hunting to get something to eat, hunting by using tools which let a chance to the target could be roughly OK. But even though, since a long time I did not do it.

Why?

Firstly because my religious. But of course if I had to hunt to survive, I will...

Secondly, I noticed in Europe (at least where I was invited), there were no glory to kill an animal: almost no more wild ones in the bush. They come from special farms and then released... So in that case, it is the same feeling than shooting on a carton target. Beside, beeing quite good with a gun, I do not see any glory and/or pleasure by killing animals by this way.

Thirdly, I saw so many stupid people just killing everything they could, even it is not eatable or worst: protected...

And finally, during the hunting season, you can see how many people were shot by accident because believe it or not, some (or many?) go for hunting even after the gathering (which include of course beer, wine... - I saw it) or just because people thought "it" was an animal...

In Taiwan hunting is normally forbidden as in most situations, to own a gun.

So I was quite surprised by a news few days ago in Taipei Times: "A Kaohsiung man who went hunting on Monday night turned himself in after allegedly killing two men in the woods he had mistaken for wild animals"..... "He thought it was the reflection of an animal's eyes and started shooting"..."It turned out the light was a fire started"

I am speechless...

Chinese pork industry hit by strange disease

About today AFP Beijing: "...More than 257,000 pigs had been infected with the epidemic, known as blue-eared pig disease, by late last month, with 68,000 of them dying, Xinhua news agency said late on Saturday..." But do not worry, "everything is under control!"

Does this story remind you something? I think yes...

Chinese officials said that more than 100 million pigs had been immunized...

But westerners specialists have some problems to believe both official figures: the number of infected pigs and the number of immunized.

I remember 1 or 2 weeks ago I saw on the news that the price of pork was as a rocket in China. Who could believe that only few hundred thousand are able to modify the price in a country as China?

Let's not mention about the immunization...

Any risk for people?

Who knows?

Does Taiwan import pork from China? If yes, maybe I should modify my diet.

Technorati Tags: China, Infection, Pig, Desease

Business in China

In one of my recent posts, I mentioned about the almost 1,200 Taiwanese businessmen who have been locked behind bars in China.

Time to time, we can read in the newspapers some stories about problems encountered by Taiwanese businessmen (or others) in China.

Of course in some cases, the behavior of these people could be questioned but people knowing a little bit about "rules in China" cannot believe that all cases are only based on illegal behavior.

According the today Taipei Times (page 1), there are more than 10,000 commercial disputes involving Taiwanese in China. Do not think it only concerns small or medium size companies. Same source relayed some news on air since 2 or 3 days about : "...Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store general manager, Steven Wu (吳昕達) who leads a group of Taiwanese staff operating the Shin Kong Place in Beijing, was reportedly forbidden by Beijing authorities from leaving China just before he was scheduled to return to Taiwan for a conference..."

There are of course many official and unofficial reports about the reasons. The one which is certainly very close to the situation concerns the different Mitsukoshi Group in Taiwan has with his partner in China. It seems that the latter "thought the Taiwanese will only be an investor and let the Chinese counterpart does the rest".

Because the dispute, of course in China it is because the foreigner did something illegal... Are you surprised?

Chinese authorities did not block Steven Wu to pass immigration or to go to the airport. According Channel News Asia, "... Steven Wu, general manager of Shin Kong Mitsukoshi's Beijing New Life Square, was escorted by Chinese police out off an airplane..."

...As a convicted criminal. And (magic?) he could later go to Taiwan...

Maybe the story was too hot? Or maybe the bail of 2 million yuan (US$266,000) could explain something?

The rules of the game as I wrote in my previous post are different in China. And obviously, it is not the law which govern the dispute there.

And do not believe it only concerns Taiwanese. Other nationalities get the same problems or difficulties.

Taiwanese still believe it is the best place to invest. one could understand that, especially because it is very close and the language in many area is the same.

I should write something about it in the future, but look at the Japanese: since few years, there is a clear trend: they are looking somewhere else.

China is not the only one to be charged. Have a look in some countries in Africa, Russia...

But still, no one stands up to...

Technorati Tags: Taiwan, China, Business, Law, Dispute

Chinese Products Recalled, more stories...

"China has found microscopic worms in wooden packaging from the United States and uncovered substandard U.S. vitamin pills and fish oil for children, Chinese media said on Friday, in the latest volley of cross border accusations. China has highlighted several quality concerns with U.S. products in apparent response to complaints in Washington about the safety of Chinese exports ranging from toys to toothpaste. The pine wood worms, or nematodes, were found in 13 sets of packaging in the manufacturing hub of Shenzhen, the China Daily said."

Sure, few items compared with millions units recalled...

Two Taiwanese reportedly strip-searched in France

Here is paper from today Taiwan News :

"Commenting on a newspaper report that two Taiwanese had been stripped, searched and detained at a French airport on grounds that they held different versions of Taiwan passports, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday said that there had been no precedent of similar cases and urged the public to contact the ministry whenever they need help in a foreign country.

The Apple Daily yesterday reported that it had received a letter from Lai Kuang-pin and Peng Chien-hua, relating their experience of being stripped, searched and detained at a French airport.

The newspaper cited the letter as saying that as the men were waiting for a British Airways flight to the United Kingdom at Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle airport on August 18, Taiwan time, when they were told by clerks at the airlines counter that they were not allowed to board the plane because of passport problems. The two were later searched in separate rooms and told to strip before being taken to a detention room, where they spent two days before they were deported to Taiwan, the newspaper reported.

During the time they were being held, the two called their company in Taiwan for help, and the company then called the MOFA on August 20, hours before Lai and Peng arrived in Taiwan on the same day, the newspaper reported.

According to the report, after the two men informed their Taipei County office of the issue, company authorities called the MOFA for assistance, only to be asked by MOFA officials why the two men didn't file for help online in "real time."

Taiwan's representative to France Michel Lu (呂慶龍) said he checked with British Airways after receiving the call and the airlines told him that their clerks at the counter had faxed copies of the two passports to the airlines' headquarters in London for further identification. The clerks finally got a reply indicating the two were "suspicious." The airline thus refused to board the two men and instead sent them to the French aviation police station at the airport, Lu said.

The UK has tightened its anti-terrorism measures, and British Airways has been blackmailed by terrorists, Lu noted.

MOFA spokesman David Wang (王建業) said Taiwan's representative to France received the call from Lai and Peng's company two days after the incident and proceeded to check with British Airways and the French aviation police right away.

Wang stressed that both British Airways and the French aviation police had not specified the reasons for their treatment of the two Taiwanese travelers but said they had followed the regulations and standard procedures in carrying out their duties. Wang said the two travelers could make a complaint to both British Airways and the French aviation police if they were not satisfied with the way the matter was handled.

Since the launch of an initiative in September 2003 to add the word "Taiwan" to the national passport, MOFA has notified all the countries of the world of the change, and to date had not received any reports of similar incidents, Wang said.

He urged the public to immediately seek help from consular missions abroad or from the MOFA if they encounter passport or identification problems, in order to resolve the issues right away.

Meanwhile, Kuo Su-chun (郭素春), a whip of the opposition Kuomintang legislative caucus, said the MOFA should lodge a protest and demand an open apology from France over what he called the humiliating treatment endured by the two men."

More details are provided by this paper related to my previous post.

About British Airways, the Taiwanese passports had different cover page but at least, what about the visa? Why not checking the visa too?

And now, about the fact that the company which hired these two men only contacted the MOFA on August 20th (two days after the events), I checked the calendar: August 18th and 19th are week end days. So obviously, there are no one who could answer a phone call from private parties during the week end?

It is not an excuse, but it could explain why French authorities kept them during two days: no one to turn to.

Funny (pathetic?)

Technorati Tags: Taiwan, Passport, France, British Airways, Airport, Travel

Taiwanese Passports: Trouble in France

Queen D mentioned to me yesterday about the two Taiwanese case detained in France during two days because each one owns a passport with a different cover: one mentions "Taiwan" and the other one, no.

Firstly, it was British Airways employees who handed over the two people under the accusations "they could be terrorists". Really, the brain washing from USA works very well, even with French authorities. It became a pain in the ass now if we want to travel...

Secondly, how come it needed two days for the French authorities to realize their mistakes? Incredible!!! What did the MOFA? What did the "Bureau de Representation de Taipei a Paris" (de facto embassy)in Paris?

Thirdly it is not forbidden for a country, to redesign its passport. One could understand the reason to put "Taiwan" on it. But see what could happen when two real passports with different designs are shown... What a mess...

Could be worst: imagine a Taiwan passport holder who has to keep two passports: old version (including a Visa for a given area) and the new version (because the other one is full...)

What to say?

Technorati Tags: Taiwanese, Passport, Travel, Airport, Taiwan

Labor Day

According the calendar, Monday will be the Labor Day in USA.

It seems that Taipei Times has chosen an earlier day given the fact that at 14:15 it is still not online.

Unless as German computers, its servers were infected by hackers?

Just kidding.

Technorati Tags: Newspaper, Taipei Times, Labor Day

Time for my Coffee Break

In Oddee some funny pictures:

Big Chinese Brother

Following Shenzen, now everywhere these "guardians" will monitor Internet users in China, with a pop up every 20 or 30 minutes...

I your neighbours are surfing at the wrong places, you could even click on the cartoon and you will be redirected to the official security home page.

So convenient...

United Nations

See today on Taipei Times, a pic by AFP.

Nice design, nice slogan "Peace for ever"...

Hope so...

Is it the same pic people could see abroad about Taiwan and UN?

I saw one about this campaign: a fish...

Take care, the big cat is very close...

Come on! You are better than that...

According today news (Taipei Times page 2):

"...More than 30,000 commuters traveling by train showed up late for work yesterday as the electronic signaling system near the Chidu (七堵) Train Deployment Station in Keelung failed during the morning rush hour.

The failure became apparent at 5:20am, and the Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) management was informed at 6:07am. The contractor for the system did not arrive at the scene until 9:05am..."

And: "...Hsieh said, however, that as the construction had yet to enter the contractual phase of maintenance and quality guarantee, the bureau was therefore unlikely to ask for compensation..."

So funny, Taiwanese are already thinking about compensations...

Taiwan provides very good and perfect products, no way to compare with some other countries in Asia.

But obviously, many Taiwanese do not know what is the meaning of "customer service", "maintenance", and... using common sense for management purposes.

We produce the best. If something is broken we just buy the necessary components. Anyway, who care about maintenance?... Maybe passengers from a certain flight to Japan do...

See the Maokong stuff, same in fact than the problem about the train above mentioned and do not mention about the subway in Taipei... For some poor reasons (politics...) some people want to go faster than the music, not taking into account that some steps must be finished before it is totally opened to the public.

Why it is always (as usual...) after we discover that it is not full operational, the maintenance inventory is not ready...

Maybe people should pay more attention on the contract between the manufacturer (subcontractor) and the Taiwanese company.

Maybe people should see the big picture: not only pay attention on the "machinery" only but also on its environment (access, security, service, facilities for the consumers etc...).

Of course, it is easier to find a scapegoat...

Technorati Tags: Taiwan, Customer, Service, Justice, Management

What is the status of Taiwan?

I read something interesting in today Taipei Times (page 8), a letter from John Hsieh about the legal situation of Taiwan.

"When the Republic of China (ROC) was founded in 1912, Taiwan was an overseas colony of Japan.

Article 4 of the ROC Constitution outlines specific procedures for the incorporation of new territory, but have these procedures been completed to incorporate the areas of "Formosa and the Pescadores?"

If some people want to claim that Oct. 25, 1945, was "Taiwan Retrocession Day," how is it that none of the Allies recognized any transfer of the territorial sovereignty of "Formosa and the Pescadores" to the ROC on this date?

Actually, the ROC held the Oct. 25, 1945, surrender ceremonies on behalf of the Allies. The ROC's ensuing military occupation of Taiwan has been conducted as a principal-agent relationship on behalf of the conqueror: the US. After the surrender ceremonies, Taiwan's international legal position was "an independent customs territory under USMG [US Military Government] on Japanese soil," with Chiang Kai-shek's (蔣介石) personnel in charge of the administration.

The ROC's position in Taiwan, beginning on Oct. 25, 1945, has been and still is simply as a "subordinate occupying power."

The People's Republic of China (PRC) was founded on Oct. 1, 1949, and loyal officials of the ROC fled to occupied Taiwan. However, when the central government of the ROC officially moved to occupied Taiwan in December 1949, it became a government in exile, continuing to exist in name only. Under international law, there are no conditions, actions, or procedures under which a government-in-exile can become recognized as the legal government of its current locality of residence.

In other words, a government-in-exile cannot obtain "on-site legality."

So, how can Taiwan successfully undertake name rectification, write a new constitution and even enter the UN?

If we base our analysis on the San Francisco Peace Treaty of 1952 to say that Taiwan is an overseas territory under the USMG, with another military force exercising delegated administrative authority for the jurisdiction, the US executive branch (including the State Department, Department of of Defense and White House) cannot disagree with it. After all, under Article 6 of the US Constitution, a Senate ratified treaty is part of the supreme law of the land.

Thus, according to this logic, the Taiwanese people need to be talking to US government officials about this entire "status" problem, and not to the officials of the UN, or to the officials of the PRC.

At this crucial juncture, regardless of whether one is a member of the pan-blue camp or the pan-green camp, in our quest for UN membership, we must first recognize that Taiwan is an overseas territory under the jurisdiction of the USMG. We must then end the delegated administrative authority of the ROC over Taiwan, and proceed with the drafting of a new Constitution, name rectification as "Taiwan," the establishment of a local Taiwanese civil government structure, election of a Taiwanese president (not an ROC president), etc."

Of course his point is not new and most of the people who know some about Taiwan history are aware of that.

Whatever, Taiwan has no chance to join any international structure (except NGO) if same means are used.

Beside, some agenda (North Korea, Africa, Pacific to name some) will never allow US to help Taiwan to join the international community.

What if Taiwan stops to waste millions into lobbying (totally useless), but what if Taiwan just use a legal way?

There are International Courts, legal ways...

Obviously, no one (beside commentators) tried to clarify the real legal status of Taiwan, by using the Court.

It could be interesting to see the result because obviously on a theoretical point of view, there is a problem about Taiwan.

Maybe it will also clear the stupid war between the Green and the Blue here.

But maybe US does not want that a simple fact come back in front pages of the newspapers: "Taiwan is under the US Military government".

What's a joke... Huhhh, joke? Really?

Let's wake up... Don't dream...

Technorati Tags: Taiwan, Status quo, Democracy, Independant, Justice

Olympic Games and... the rest

For the first time in the history of the Summer Olympic Games, the medals will be made of another material besides the traditional gold, silver and bronze. They will be jade...These medals will surely be the best contribution from the Beijing 2008 organization to the Olympic Games' history.

The rest...

China made its people dreaming about the Games. Chinese in some ways, believed it as the rest of the world with their brain washed or their selected vision.

Anyway, the waking next morning will be very tough.

How much people had to pay? Let's not forget how many people had to be relocated, loosing everything (but everything was not lost for all...).

My friends in Europe said that at least, it will be an "ecological" event.

Ecological? Oh yes?

Beijing for 2007 targeted 245 days a year of blue skies, and about 151 are still lacking (with 125 available days before the end of the year if my math are OK). The climate, the smog, the bad air are constants in the life of Beijing. The construction sites do not help either, since they raise dust and it's not only CO2 that fills the air and the lungs of Beijing people and visitors. When will the real bill have to be paid?

What's about reporter's freedom? China promised to grant it. See how many foreign reporters were already in trouble during the last few months...

But who care?

People? Give them bread and games and they will be happy. Anyway, they have short memory.

Powerful countries? They prefer to deal with democratic countries. It is easier. "Improve your intellectual property rights situation otherwise you will be in trouble", "Do nothing which could be understood as an unilateral change of the status quo"...

..."What? You are saying that this one is manipulating its currency, is exporting dangerous goods, is creating a mess and a war in Africa, is using kids and slaves in its factories? Come on! That is different, we will deal with that. See how much we were so tough on them about tooth paste!"... No comment...

In CNA today, we could read: "So when we talk about the situation in regard to Taiwan, we talk about Taiwan in the context of a great friendship. But when it comes to this issue of a referendum as to whether or not Taiwan join the United Nations in the name of Taiwan, we do have great concerns", quote from Mr. John Negroponte, U.S. deputy secretary of state.

More from him: "We believe it's important to avoid any kind of provocative steps on the part of Taiwan"

... Sure! Taiwan is really a bad boy. How come it dares to challenge the agenda of the "big powers"?

In one hand US "supports" democracy and in another, says and does what we know.

Evidence that some "agendas" are more important for US: the interview of M. Negroponte was made by a Chinese media...

Beside the dangerous products export by China, there is an ever bigger and more alarming point: according Christophe Zimmerman (World Customs Organization), among the two millions of counterfeited food products found in the world during the year 2006, between 16 to 20% came from China...

The European Commission notified 263 dangerous food products and "L' Expansion" (French News Magazine) already pointed "209 problems) for the first 7 months of 2007.

Do we need to add something more?

Technorati Tags: China, Taiwan, Democracy, Olympic Games

Good Time in the Northern Coast of Taiwan

Last Sunday, Queen D and me went to the northern part of the Taiwanese coast, after Wanli city.
Wind made the temperature more acceptable.
I've never been there. I was stunned by the beauty of the place, the shape and color of the stones and it was regrettable I did not bring swimming suit to enjoy the ocean.
Here are some pictures.

Doing Business in China: You said it is safe?

Fooling around Taiwanese news, I found here something about problems some Taiwanese businessmen could encounter in China. According the paper, and as for end of July 2007, 1,199 (why not 1,200?) have been locked behind bars in the past decade.

Of course, it does not include people who were subject of "other treatments".

China is not the "Eldorado" so many could think of. Of course it is a big market with a lot of opportunities to make profit and blah blah blah.

Having acting a while ago there, I can say yes, it is true but... If the game is the same compare to other countries, rules are totally different.

Anyway, for several reasons, all these figures will never match the reality of the situation.

What is published represents only the tip of the iceberg.

It is not because there is a common language that this place should be the main or only one target for most of the Taiwanese investments.

Will what we saw in East of Europe happen in China?

Hard to say. But if yes, it won't happen soon and the same mistakes will be made again and again there...

Technorati Tags: Taiwan, Taiwanese, China, Business, Freedom

Justice? You said Justice?

Sometimes, reacting on the day to day news does not allow you to stand back, with "cold brain".

Few days ago, big news about the presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九): he was acquitted on corruption charges.

Green said "it's a scandal". Blue said it is "justice".

Funny...

Just some facts and comments:

1. He was indicted on February 13 2007 (after a quick investigation)
2. Court decision on August 14 2007

Almost 6 months day to day...

So quick...

I will not make any comment about the above case by itself.

My point is not to provide more elements concerning this particular news. I just want to put in parallel the case of one of my friends, a foreigner living in Taiwan who sued his "ex-partner" (Taiwanese) for Forgery, Stealing and Defamation through different legal cases. After investigation (more than one year...), Prosecutors finally indicted his "ex-partner".

After 3 years, even though his opponent had confessed everything, no decision yet and the Court never stopped to push my friend to make a deal. Obviously, if a deal is done, the Taiwanese won't be condemned.

In one hand we have one case where everything is quick including the Court decision.

In another hand, a case involving a foreigner with long investigations, many hearings at the Court, a defendant who already confessed everything, but with everything done to push the foreigner to negotiate and withdraw his cases.

If it was the foreigner who was indicted, since a while he'd be expelled from Taiwan.

"Something is rotten is the kingdom of..."

So Justice? You said Justice?

Technorati Tags: Justice, Taiwan, Taiwanese

Blogging again after 1.5 years of silence

During a while, an eternity for me, I had to struggle about some personal matters. I planned to blog about it but finally, I decided to put it aside, look forward and forget that there is no Justice here... especially if you are not local.

It took almost 3 years day to day to be able to finally see the "little light" at the end of the tunnel. It is not totally finished. I wish everything will be fine soon and that a new life is waiting for me.

Anyway, it brought me a lot of "experience" and "lessons" and certainly, I will time to time share it according the subject of my future posts. One more point:

Nothing would be possible without D.

I changed the original design of my blog, which was too heavy; but at least it made me learn the basics of HTML.

I reset to 0 my Sitemeter... A fresh beginning...

But of course, I am still a novice as a blogger, not really sure of what I want to do with this blog. I will try to express my mood that for sure. I will also try to post about what made me react and I believe, living in Taiwan, a lot of post will be about this beautiful country.

I will certainly post about what I found interesting, including from bloggers in Taiwan such as this very good one: The view from Taiwan edited by Michael Turton.

Most of foreigners (beside of course businessmen) who live in Taiwan are language teachers. Some are just here for 1 or 2 years. Some really live here and are totally integrated and show feelings and/or love about this beautiful country. Each time people ask me if I am teaching English... Like everywhere in the world, people have stereotypes: if you are foreigner here, you must of course teach English! Even though I am French... Since a long time, I don't even mention I am teaching different subjects (economics, finance, quantitative) because firstly most of the people don't really care (somewhere, they are right) and secondly they don't even listen your answer. Finally, it does not matter, right? Teaching is teaching, whatever the subject. What counts, is the quality of the teachers or professors.

But do not misunderstand my point which has nothing to do with the English teachers. I tried to emphasize the fact that people have automatic questions which do not request in fact an answer. Like for example, people ask you "how are you doing?" but in fact, as you know, it really means "Good morning". So of course, do not try to explain that you just caught cold or whatever (except of course if it is a friend who is asking). I am not naive. I know it since I am kid, as I suppose a big percentage of the human beings.

But fact is fact: in this world, people do not care so much about others.

Fortunately, some are doing exceptional job.

And of course, I will also write about them.

Technorati Tags: fvarga, Taiwan, Justice, Blog, Blogging, Teaching