by admin on February 2, 2010
One of the saddest incidents during my stay in Taiwan was the kidnapping and subsequent murder of Bai Bing Bing’s (local singer and TV variety show star) daughter-Bai Hsiao-yen.
One of the most macabre details of the highly publicized event was Bai’s public threats and and taunts directed at the kidnappers while her daughter was in their possession. As a father it was hard for me to rationalize why a parent would dare to be so provocative when dealing with hardened criminals. Unfortunately, they raped and killed her daughter and mentioned that Bai’s goading was a motivating factor for having it end this way. This case also enabled DPP former Presidential candidate Frank Hsieh to steal the spotlight from Bai as a self appointed negotiator for Chen Chin-hsing’s surrender. Hsieh later used it to gain attention to begin his political career.
Bai’s attitude and actions seemed like a real disconnect for a mother who’s child is in serious danger. I encountered Bai Bing Bing once at the air port and she strutted around like a peacock so that might give some insight into her detachment. Anyhow, now she is outraged over talk of abolishing the death penalty mentioned here.
In an interview with local media, popular singer and entertainer, Bai Bing-bing said she will commit suicide if the majority back the policy during a national referendum.
Bai, who is currently taking law courses at the National Open University, even said she is willing to take up the job of executing convicted offenders sentenced to death.
I am not advocating the removal of the death penalty but this is a sensitive issue. I don’t think Bai’s histrionics are the appropriate forum for dealing with the deep array of issues that this encompasses. I only hope the people of Taiwan’s voice is heard clearly on this important issue.
by admin on February 1, 2010
This is classic. Hey George did you see that big elephant in the room? What elephant? Hey Hank did you see that big elephant? Ok The R.O.C. Navy claims to the press here that they didn’t see a Chinese submarine off souther Taiwan. Why would a Chinese submarine be there? What could it possibly hope to find?
The R.O.C Navy denied yesterday a media report that the nation’s naval battleships detected a suspected Chinese submarine off southwestern Taiwan during a military exercise on Jan. 27.
Quoting unnamed sources, the United Evening News reported that the submarine belonging to China was spotted at an area 24 nautical miles or 45 kilometers off the Zuoying naval base in Kaohsiung City, last Wednesday morning.
According to the report, the submarine was first discovered by one of the navy’s anti-sub S-70C helicopters, but the submarine was allowed to leave later on.
On this topic I’ll have to defer to my Chinese friends common sense approach to discussing the obvious,”If you already know why do you need to ask?” Indeed…
by admin on January 31, 2010
I read this article and it produced a mixed reaction. On the surface you’d think,”oh well, I guess that’s it for Taiwanese electronic firms, put a fork in it.”
The report showed that monthly salaries offered by some Chinese enterprises to high-ranking employees are already 20 percent to 30 percent higher than those granted by leading Taiwanese enterprises to their employees.
Liu Teh-chuan, manager of China operations division of the 1111 Job Bank, said that major enterprises in Zhejiang, Shanghai and Beijing want to raid high-end talents in the optoelectronics field from Taiwan, they can offer annual pay of NT$3 million to NT$5 million, at least 25 percent to 30 percent higher than offered by their Taiwanese counterparts. Some can even offer stock warrants to attract field talents from Taiwan.
Liu noted that high-tech firms in both sides of the Taiwan Straits are expected to engage in a war for high-caliber talents in the first and second quarters of the year.
When in fact it really means that Taiwanese companies are going to be paying these people much more to keep them here. If salary conditions are equal very few Taiwanese are going to leave the comforts of home to go work in the mainland. Sure the mainland will help recruit away some people but should mostly benefit the Taiwanese with higher salaries to keep in Taiwan. Let’s check back in about 18 to 24 months and see-mark your calendars.
by admin on January 27, 2010
