Commentary in the Taipei Times: Taiwan belongs to the Taiwanese/Cross Strait Crime

The Taipei Times offered a perceptive commentary on history today:

Regarding China's so-called "sacred territory," one should take note of the fact that the Chinese have recently accepted Russian sovereignty over what most Chinese had for long dreamed of recovering -- its hundreds of thousands of square kilometers of "sacred territory" stolen by Czarist Russia in the mid-19th century as a result of the treaties of Aigun (1858) and Peking (1860).

Clearly capable of being pragmatic and flexible when confronting a more powerful neighbor, the PRC has finally come to settle its territorial disputes by peaceful means with Russia. It is time that China also work to settle peacefully its disputes with Taiwan, rather than repeatedly threatening to use force.

An additional interesting editorial is this one on cross strait crime:

Since cross-strait smuggling is rampant, Chinese gangsters also view Taiwan as a land of opportunity for petty crime. But cross-strait crime is not a unilateral problem for Taiwan. Organized crime committed by Taiwanese rings in China is increasing.

In addition, many high-profile Taiwanese gang leaders and fugitives are hiding in China. In order to stay safe in China, some gang leaders, such as Chang An-le (張安樂), nicknamed the White Wolf, have shown support for the "one China" principle and spoken out against Taiwan independence.

Technorati: [Taiwan]