Media shorts

I took time out from editing a friend's book on Taiwanese popular religion to have look at the news. My friend has returned to the UK where he is going to Oxbridge, or Camford, or perhaps Hogwarts, to study, after which he will become a Don. This was very confusing to me, since, being from America, I had thought that the only way to be a Don was to kill the previous head of the Family. I guess the British have found a way to remove the violence from the process....

Anyway, the Hindustan Times offers a travel piece entitled "Taiwan for Lovers: Visiting Sun Moon Lake." Taiwan through other eyes....

For all the lake's charms, getting there remains half the fun. Taiwan is not particularly large. Despite its population of 23 million, it could easily fit into the space of Switzerland. It's only a few hours drive from the hectic capital city of Taipei to the sparsely inhabited mountains around the lake.

On the way, visitors drive past rice fields and banana plantations. There's no reason to rush, meaning plenty of time for stops at places like the Wu Wei Culture Tea House in Taichung.

Built in the traditional style and situated next to a small lake, the teahouse boasts a covered terrace stretching over the water, filled with splashing red and yellow koi.

"We think that a comfortable atmosphere is important for truly enjoying tea," says Lin Chun-chun, as she serves the hot beverage. She enters the room with a wooden tray; decked out with a teapot, tall, narrow glasses and small bowls.

First Lin heats several large teapots. Next, she pours hot water into a smaller teapot before pouring the water into the larger pot, which has been filled with green tea. After letting it steep for a short while, Lin pours it into the tall glasses. But the tea in these glasses is only for sniffing.

Then it's poured into the flat saucers, from which it is slowly drunk while the next serving steeps. The procedure can be repeated up to seven times.

Lugang is also worth a side trip. The city is known for its craftsmen, working in small courtyards as they carve furniture or statues of Buddha. Wu Duen-how, a renowned master of making traditional lanterns, is the most famous.

Wu is more than 80 years old and has been making and painting the lanterns for 60 years. He has no plans to stop because he already has so many images of new lanterns in his head, he says.

The landscape starts getting hillier between Lugang and the lake.

Instead of millions of Chinese tourists, maybe we can promote ourselves to India instead. Have to do something about all that pork fat in the food, though.... Meanwhile the Taiwan government is working on promoting our growing solar power industry, which has been the subject of more than one article in the last couple of years:

The Taiwanese government Tuesday forecast massive growth in its solar energy industry, expecting its total value to be worth 403.1 billion Taiwan dollars (12.5 billion US) in 2015, compared with 21.1 billion dollars in 2006.

By 2015 Taiwan should account for seven percent of the world's production of solar power generation equipment, compared with two percent in 2006, said the Taiwan External Trade Development Council, quoting the Bureau of Energy at the economics ministry.

The brief flap over the possibility that the Marshall Islands might switch diplomatic recognition appears to have resolved itself in favor of Taiwan:

A Marshall Islands opposition party tipped to win the presidency supports continued ties to Taiwan, despite signals of a switch in diplomatic loyalties to China, the party spokesman said on Tuesday.

Litokwa Tomeing, a new member of the Pacific Ocean nation's opposition Aelon Kein Ad party, has visited China and voiced support in the media for switching ties to Beijing. He could become prime minister, as his party looks set to take control of the legislature following recent elections.

But spokesman Tony de Brum said Aelon Kein Ad would continue to support Taiwan if it won an expected 20 to 22 seats in the 33-member legislature and formed a new government.

Reuters has a piece on Chen's absolutely asinine suggestion that he might declare martial law to get the KMT-controlled areas of the island to obey the election laws in the recent referendum mess. The piece contains one very nice paragraph, something almost never seen in the international media -- check out that first paragraph below:

Chen's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) takes satisfaction in having pressured the then-ruling Nationalist Party (KMT) to end decades of martial law in 1987, heralding the island's move to full democracy.

It also prides itself on putting space between Taiwan and China, which has claimed sovereignty over the self-ruled island since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949. Raising the "China threat" is an oft-used DPP electoral tactic.

Probably some of you are wondering why I haven't blogged on the martial law thing. Frankly, I have no clue why the President said something that stupid.....your speculation is as good as mine. Yet another incident showing that appointing the President the Chairman of the Party during a major election is a really, really stupid idea. One good thing about this incident: it offers an excellent out for Chen to resign that position and put someone in there who has only one thing on her mind: get DPP candidates elected.

And don't miss bent, who has the links for today....

[Taiwan] [India]