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MoneyMorning.com/China_Economy Taipei Times - archives Wed, Sep 23, 2009 News Editorials 646679532 visits Front Page * Chen charged over diplomatic funds * Kaohsiung screens Kadeer documentary * Unemployment rate surged to record 6.13% last month * Honduras under curfew following Zelaya's return * Hatoyama proposes East Asian community to China Taiwan News * Young people mobilize against casinos * Obama should testify on Taiwan’s status: Chen * Official questions DPP role in high speed rail ‘scandal’ * Membership in two UN bodies planned * Ma says Taiwan should nurture negotiation talent * Military police treating missing guard as deserter * New glitch hits Neihu Line * Lee Yong-ping appointed Taipei deputy mayor * Taiwan confirms supremacy at earth science Olympiad * Spotting kicks off bird-watching season * Eleventh retrial opens in Chiou case * Taiwan should join Asia-Pacific Community: Ma * Taiwan News Quick Take World News * China bans travel to Tibet for foreigners until Oct. 8 * Chinese cyber-attacks target media ahead of Oct. 1 * PRC, India set to lead climate talks * ‘Far Eastern Economic Review’ to shut down * Tensions rise as Vietnamese police question Buddhists * French riot police raid migrant ‘jungle’ * Kenya concerned over US raid in Somalia * Shakespeare’s burial place hit by rotting beams * Rwandan president hails progress in DR Congo ties * Friends of former Russian billionaire send artists to cheer him up in court * US closes official facilities in S Africa over security threat * Clinton rebuffs general’s warning on Afghanistan * US transit systems warned about terrorists * We’re screwed, fake ‘New York Post’ tells Big Apple * US anti-poverty group hit by conservative sex sting * Census data show recession’s broad impact on US life * Venezuela exhumes unnamed victims in gasoline riot probe * World News Quick Take Editorials * EDITORIAL: Finding the courage to face Morakot * Keeping fishing boats out of trouble * Promoting sports at the local level * Unreliable comments on the Chen conviction * Can the dismal science admit happiness? * Thanks to Sarkozy, we might end up as authors of our own lives Sports * Royals roar back to defeat Red Sox * FIA under fire over ‘easy ride’ for Renault * Chess legends hope to boost game * Ancelotti set to blood youngsters in League Cup clash * Pakistan commence campaign with easy West Indies outing * Steyn hoping move will not end Springbok career * Manning masterminds Colts win * Soccer world bids farewell to Bobby Robson * Top baseball prospect Villalona charged with murder * Scolari seeking to propel Bunyodkor onto world stage * Badminton world No. 1 faces tough test at Japan Open * Sports Briefs Business * Ou Chin-der replaces Ing at THSRC * Semiconductors ‘out of bottom’: Samsung * Moody’s to retain Taiwan’s Aa3 currency ratings * Polaris Research revises forecast on improving exports * Lite-On unit signs IKEA roofing deal * China Investment Corp to take big stake in Noble * Top EU court adviser backs Google * China appeals WTO ruling on film, book, audio-visual imports * Business Briefs World Business * ADB raises growth outlook for Asia * SEC taking Bank of America to court on bonuses * BA chief to pledge aviation sector carbon cuts at UN * Facebook to stop using Beacon tracking program as part of lawsuit settlement * GM Daewoo files suit over car ‘copying’ by Russia firm * World Business Quick Take Features * Say it with subtlety * Splice the mainbrace! Deck shoes are back — and they’re not just for yuppies * ART JOURNAL: Rules are made to be broken * ART JOURNAL: Titian, rivals battle for market share in Louvre show * EXHIBITIONS Bilingual Pages * Facebook for the dead: Web site offers e-mails from the grave 死人版Facebook：從陰間寄來的電子郵件 * BUSINESS ENGLISH   Photo News   More Editorials   Johnny Neihu     Community Compass   Back Issue    << >>    Full List TaipeiTimes    Subscribe    Advertise    Employment   FAQ    About Us    Contact Us    Copyright Search Most Read Story Most Viewed Photo Enter your search terms Submit search form Taipei Times  Print  Mail  wiki links Unreliable comments on the Chen conviction By Michael Danielsen Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009, Page 8 It is amazing how a historian like Sin-ming Shaw (邵新民) can display such massive ignorance about Taiwan in such a short article (“Chen’s fate should act as a lesson,” Sept. 17, page 8). His comments on the trial of former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) reveal his incompetence and the worst prejudice toward Taiwan. This is unfortunate for him, and for the readers whom he misinformed. Shaw starts out by stating incorrectly that Chen received life imprisonment for corruption, when in fact he received a life sentence for the embezzlement of presidential funds. The rules guiding these funds are vague, a situation recognized by the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), which is now proposing to decriminalize the use of similar funds at lower political levels. CRITICISM The entire trial has received massive international criticism. But by failing to mention any of it, Shaw gives the impression that Taiwan has a perfect legal system. It is easy to list problems with the trial, from judges being replaced under unusual circumstances to details of the investigation being leaked to partisan media outlets to the state eavesdropping on Chen in custody. Shaw also expresses an aversion toward identity politics. Chen stood for a clear policy on identity — one that focused on Taiwan. This policy is supported by the vast majority of Taiwanese. More than 50 percent of the population consider themselves to be unambiguously Taiwanese, while only 5 percent to 6 percent think of themselves as Chinese. Chen’s policy was not about eliminating Chinese culture, as Shaw states, but simply reflected the reality in his country. Taiwanese have clearly become more “Taiwanese.” This tendency became obvious in the process of democratization following an era of dictatorship that imposed Chinese culture on Taiwan. It is worth noting that an increase in Taiwanese identity was already apparent four years before Chen became president. Shaw inexcusably compares Chen’s policies to China’s Cultural Revolution and claims that he performed a “vicious” campaign against Mainlanders. Chen in fact used the appeasing expression huaren (華人) to describe Taiwanese, which embraces all as having Chinese ethnicity, and thus all Taiwanese, regardless of background. The late authoritarian president Chiang Ching-kuo (蔣經國) is glorified in Shaw’s article as the creator of Taiwan’s democracy, which offensively conceals opposition to the dictatorship by Taiwanese, as well as their role in the fall of the party-state and democratic reforms. RECORD HIGH On economic matters, Shaw accuses Chen of mismanagement. Yet six years into Chen’s presidency, Taiwanese investment in China reached a record high, while Taiwan experienced a 230 percent increase in foreign investment. In addition, the government invested in the nation’s knowledge economy and the expansion of universities. Comparing China’s booming economy with Taiwan’s more mature economy is like comparing apples and oranges. Shaw believes that Chen did not defend Taiwan. However, Chen did defend Taiwan in various ways, including sending signals to China that resemble President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) policies. The list of Shaw’s errors and manipulations is longer than this. It is surprising that such an educated person does not know better and that he would write comments that expose him as unreliable. Michael Danielsen is the chairman of Taiwan Corner. This story has been viewed 1126 times. Advertising Copyright © 1999-2010 The Taipei Times. All rights reserved.