Time choose “The Protester” as the person of year 2011

Time magazines’ editors believe no matter men or women (sometimes groups of ideas) overwhelming the international famous politicians or celebrities became the great impact during the past 12 months.



“The protester” has voiced dissent against authoritarian leaders over the past year. The people of third world country have awakened to confront the dictatorial leadership, first in Tunisia, and then in Egypt, Libya, Syria, Yemen and Bahrain.



The international protesters in the street struggled for their own needs in different reason. The protester with his or her protest dog in Spain and Greece expressed their complaints against the economic problem. The protester of Russia and the Democratic Republic of Congo voiced anger over possibly rigged elections. In the U.S., the Occupy Wall Street protester began demonstrating first in New York, and then in Washington, Chicago, cities as small as Trenton, N.J., and soon spreading to the Asian countries like Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan and Australia.



All revolutions begin with protests, but not all protests become revolutions. The great movement ignited by the awakening people over the world. They have struggled for the same reason – justice, some of them were successful, like the people in the Middle East they overthrew the dictatorial government, established the democratic government and possessed the dignity that they never have. This great movement makes our world become better. That’s why the protester won the person of the year 2011.

Ps. original version published on the website of Taiwan News by Theresa Huang

Attending scholars show their concern over global warming and climate change in the first Asian Buddhism Forum

The first Asian Buddhism Forum was held in National Taiwan University on Dec. 9 and 10, 2011. There were 19 scholars doing Buddhism research, 7 of them from Taiwan, 6 from India and the others from Thailand, Mongolia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Japan and Korea. They proposed their papers under the theme of “Buddhist Canons and Early Mahayana Buddhism” and all the participants had a wonderful discussion after each thesis presentation with them.



In the opening ceremony the key note speaker Lin Tsong-ming, Deputy Minister of Education, had an initial and crucial speech on the first day morning. He talked about the education and charity through the point of view from the Buddhism. He emphasized that the Buddhism languages development such as Sanskrit, establishment of Buddhist schools and higher education in studying the Buddhism are about the time to do, which would be a great contribution to improve the social negative atmosphere in this moment.



He also mentioned about the Fo Guang Shan and Tzu Chi doing the works of mercy. These two renowned charitable organizations show the generous and dedicated support for disasters, which enhance and glorify the mercy, compassion and love of the Buddhism.



Vice President of National Taiwan University Dr. Lo Ching-hua, one of the organizer of this forum, also had an opening speech at the same time on Dec 9, 2011. He mentioned about the importance of global warming and climate change. The Buddhism could appeal the people to change the habit of greediness, waste and killing, which may prevent the earth from destroying.



There were 7 thesis presentations in these two days. Each thesis presentation was chaired by very famous Buddhist scholars, such as Professor Dr. K.T.S. Sarao of Delhi University, Professor Emeritus Dr. Musashi Tachikawa of National Museum of Ethnology of Osaka, Dr. Prapod Assavavirulhakarn Dean of Chulalongkorn University of Thailand, the Principal of Dharma Drum Buddhist College Dr. Venerable Huimin, Professor of College of Liberal Arts of National Taiwan University Dr. Theresa Yeh and Dean of College of Buddhist Studies of Fo Guang University Dr. Venerable Hui-kai.



“Was Devadatta a demon or a saint?” Dr. Sarao proposed in his paper. In his paper, an attempt has been made to show that the differences between the Buddha and Devadatta appear to have arisen out of some serious issues relating to the functioning of the Samgha.



Other important theses also proposed in the first forum in these two days, like “Interpretations of Emptiness in India and China” by Dr. Tachikawa. Director of Center of Excellent for Research in Computer Systems of National Taiwan University Dr. Jieh Hsiang, National Science Council of Taiwan, had a special presentation of “The current status of the digital library and museum of Buddhist studies” on Dec. 10 afternoon, which was the last on for this forum.



According to the global warming and the climate change more and more severer, the audience and attending scholars expect could put this theme for discussion in next forum.

Ps. original version published on the website of Taiwan News by Theresa Huang

Asian authorities on the Buddhism all get together in Taiwan to participate the first session of 2011 Asian Buddhist Forum

Dec. 9, the first session of 2011 Asian Buddhist Forum was held in Taiwan. All the Asian authorities on the Buddhism get together in the Lin Tsen Building of National Taiwan University to participate in this marvelous forum. The attending scholars come from India, Japan, Mongolia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Korea, Thailand and Taiwan. All the scholars will discuss the sutras for two days.



National Taiwan University and India-Taipei Association are the organizers, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, R.O.C. and Indian Council for Cultural Relations are the sponsors.

The co-organizers and executors are Fo Guang University, National Chengchi Unversity, Center for Buddhist Studies, College of Liberal Arts of National Taiwan University.



2011 Asian Buddhist Forum focuses on expounding the sutras and Buddhism. “Buddhist Canons and Early Mahayana Buddhism” is the subject of the first session of this forum.



In the past the European and American scholars held this kind of forum to discuss the differences between Buddhism and Christianity for many times. It’s the first time for Asian scholars to expound the sutras only, just happening to meet the Lord Buddha’s attaining enlightenment for 2,600 years, the oriental scholars’ opinions in this forum definitely will attract the western scholars and people’s attention.

Ps. original version published on the website of Taiwan News by Theresa Huang

Crisis on the Strait of Hormuz: Iran, US and Saudi Arabia calculate respectively

On Dec. 27 Iran Vice president Mohammad Reza Rahimi threatened that if Western imposes economic sanctions against Iran’s oil exports, which generates 80% of the country’s cash, they will block the transportation through the Strait of Hormuz.



It is reported that today Mark Toner, a U.S. state department spokesman, said at a briefing in Washington that Iran is attempting to “distract attention” from its nuclear program by threatening to block oil shipments through the strait.



The Bahrain-based U.S. 5th Fleet’s spokeswoman warned today that any disruption at the strait will not be tolerated.



On Dec. 27, after the end of a summit of Arab monarchies of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the attending Kings responded to the threats emanating from Iran, they call for greater "union" rather than mere "cooperation.



The Gulf states realized that the West and America in particular were no longer morally able to support regimes violating human rights. They felt that in order to survive, they must unite to fight against the threat from the Western for their security, oil sector and people.



As we know that Iranian productivity of oil ranks fourth in the world and its volume of exports ranks second in the world. Saudi Arabia both ranking is on the top of the world, so that the rich monarchies just want to keep their own benefits. They will keep them away from the conflict between Iran and US.



It is reported that Saudi Arabia and other Arab states have pledged to raise oil production in the event of a crisis. Such offer will ease crude oil prices on world markets.

Ps. original version published on the website of Taiwan News by Theresa Huang 

Jim Rogers predicted Euro will go to the history

Jim Rogers said in an interview that he thinks Euro can not go on like this. It can not work anymore in next decade. This report published in the new issue of “The Economist”.




Rogers said after a few important elections, government certainly will increase its expenses. American economy will face a severe moment in 2013. He predicted that next financial crisis will be erupted in 2013 or 2014. At that time the debt will be too high, we will face the most severe moment that we never met before.



He advised that people do not invest American financial industry, especially American banks. But he still has confidence in China economy.

Ps. original version published on the website of Taiwan News by Theresa Huang

A statue of “Comfort Women for peace” put up at landmark rally in South Korea

The 1000th weekly protest in front of the Japanese Embassy in the cities of the world held yesterday Wednesday on Dec. 14, included 8 countries like Korea, Japan, USA, Taiwan and the other countries, 44 cities united together to request the apology and the compensation for being the sex-slave during World War II.



Taipei Women’s Rescue Foundation went to Interchange Association, Japan (IAJ) on Dec. 14, they lighted up the candles to show their determination and willpower on seeking the justice with comfort women around the world.



A 130 centimeters height statue of “Comfort Women for peace” put up at landmark rally in Seoul, South Korea, is opposite the Japanese Embassy. The statue is a girl about the age of 10 sitting on a chair and facing the Japanese Embassy. The designer said that all the girls were the same age to be the sex-slave under pressure. An old woman Kim, age of 85 same as the others, said that in the past many young girls was forced to take to the countries they never knew to be the sex-slave for the Japanese soldiers. She requests the Japanese government to apologize formally for this crime before they die.



Japanese Embassy did not answer the request and condemned the statue disgraced Japanese Embassy’s dignity, they would demand South Korean government to pull down the statue through the diplomatic channels.



Some 100,000 to 200,000 Asian women were forced to provide sexual service to the Imperial Japanese Army during the World War II.



Local reports said South Korean President Lee Myung-bak is expected to bring up the issue during the scheduled summit talks on Sunday with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda.


ps. original version published on the website of Taiwan News by Theresa Huang

Mexico has 6 millions pilgrims in Mexico City and 2 students dead after a confrontation in Guerrero at same time

Mexico is in eventual time now. Earthquake, public security problem, rural teaching students and teachers union demonstration and the Guadalupe feast are all happening in Mexico at the same time in these few days.



Mexican authorities said Tuesday that they captured Zetas Cartel leader with an arsenal of 169 weapons on Monday, and he may have been linked to the abduction of nine Mexican marines.



Two students are dead after a confrontation between police and rural teaching students in the southern state of Guerrero, in the south of Mexico, an incident that is reminding many here of the history of brutal crackdowns against leftist protesters. Mexico authorities promised to investigate this accident, but the students group and the national teachers union thought this is a “repression” that they will hold the demonstrations this week to protest against the murderer – police.



Despite these accidents and the public security problems, all Mexican people and the Catholic from all over the world gather together in Guadalupe to have a pilgrim journey. That was the Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This pilgrim feast will last a month.



Mexican authorities estimate the number of pilgrims at about 5.3 millions. They traveled between the 9th and the 12th of December to Mexico City to pray at the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe, one of Latin America's most revered shrines, local media reports say.



A legend says that in December of 1531 Virgin Mary appeared four times to peasant Juan Diego, asking him to appeal to the bishop of Mexico about building a temple on Tepeyac hill.



The Basilica is believed to be the world’s most visited Catholic shrine, with about 14 million pilgrims arriving there each year.



In 1945, Pope Pius XII officially declared the Virgin of Guadalupe to be the Patroness of the Americas.



Mexico the holly land of ancient nation has been blessed by the Virgin. Existing and towering there like an eagle, maybe that’s why they can hold themselves after so many risks of natural and man-made calamities.


Ps. original version published on the website of Taiwan News by Theresa Huang

U.S. government worried Tsai Ying-wen’s China policy -- Tsai Ying-wen refuses to accept the suggestion of US side to recognize the “1992 Consensus”

U.S. and Taiwan governments recently communicated with each other by the way of the Second Track Diplomacy. US government expressed that if Tsai Ying-wen wins, she will probably destroy the stable cross-strait relation, because she refuses to recognize the “1992 Consensus”.




During the negotiating process of second track diplomacy, a previous senior official stressed that many people advised directly Tsai Ying-wen to accept “1992 Consensus” in order to assist DPP in keeping the constructive relationship with China, U.S. and Taiwan, if she wins the presidential campaign. But she disregarded their advice.



This previous senior offical thought that the pro-Taiwan independence tied Tsai Ying-wen down, so that she ccould not choose a more compromising route in the cross-strait relation.



This powerful backer said that once Tsai Ying-wen wins the campaign, U.S. government will not be tolerant to DPP government anymore. Because Beijing had a bad experience with previous president Chen Shui-bian, the authorities certainly pressure Taiwan through U.S. government in order to hold back Tsai Ying-wen’s Taiwan independence action.



U.S. negotiator told Taiwanese officer that U.S. government does not know what Tsai Ying-wen will do after she wins the campaign, because she just said she will keep the practical attitude in the cross-strait relation, if she wins. It makes U.S. government very worried. They think if Tsai wins, she will not resolve the dispute on  “1992 Consensus” and leave it aside. It will bring the sternest challenge for the cross-strait relation.

Ps. original version published on Taiwan News website by Theresa Huang

Tsai Ying-wen and Ma Ying-jeou clashed again on "1992 Consensus" -- An senior director official left his office from AIT said the consensus is not in question between the cross-strait.

Taiwanese three presidential candidates’ first televised campaign platform presentation aired on Friday. DPP presidential candidate Tsai and KMT Presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou clashed again on national identity and other varies of issue.



DPP presidential candidate Tsai Ying-wen criticized stricktly that Government Ma sacrificed the national identity for the cross-strait achievement, let people can not bear it. Tsai Ying-wen promised that if she wins, she will establish the “Stable economical strategy group” to stabilize the economic and financial situation during the transition period. KMP president candidate Ma Ying-jeou hit back at once. He said the peace of cross-straits is not the “gift from the sky”. KMP has executed the suitable policy to get the peace and cooperation moving between mainland China and Taiwan and defend Taiwan’s sovereignty and security for three and half years. He stressed that DPP only caused the tense and insecure situation.



Tsai Ying-wen mentioned that the territory of the R.O.C. is included Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu, but Ma’s territory covered China the same opinion as Chinese Communist Party (CCP), that would make us, this generation, to face the problem of “ultimate unification”.



Tsai also criticized strictly Ma said repeatedly that Taiwan will come to a standstill without “1992 Consensus”, which sacrificed the Taiwan’s sovereignty and people choice.



Ma Ying-jeou emphasized that he insists on defending national identity in the R.O.C. Constitution, KMP government takes the principal of “no unification, no independence and no use of force” to communicate with mainland China under the “1992 Consensus – one China for which each side has its own interpretation”. President Ma said that they create more and more international existing space for make Taiwan. They lead Taiwan to go out the path that DPP can not do it, moreover, DPP does not recognize the “1992 Consensus” that would make the cross-strait relation in uncertainty.



In U.S. side, a senior director official left for his office from AIT said that although former president Lee Teng-hui and DPP chairwoman Tsai Ying-wen refuse to recognize the “1992 Consensus”, such consensus is not in question between the cross-strait.


He thought that if Tsai Ying-wen won, the cross-strait relation definitely will be back into the past. Because Beijing authorities will think CCP President Hu Jintao’s Taiwan policy failed and will go hard line to carry out the policy, which will force DPP government to take the further hard and resistant action, to put Taiwan into a vicious circle. Taiwan’s economy will come to a standstill again.

Ps. original version published on Taiwan News website by Theresa Huang

R.O.C. three president candidates first debate live televised -- Tsai and Ma clashed on Tsai Ying-wen's "Yu Chang scandal"

The third Taiwan president candidates debate live televised on PTS channel in the afternoon on December 17, 2011. The three president candidates met again, James Soong went first for the proposal. He said that people need the capable person to promote the important reformation, this election has to change. In his White Paper listed the method to resolve the problems, included downward extension of national education, taking care of under-privileged people, social reform, industrial transformation…etc. Soong emphasized that he can do what he promised. He will take care of small and medium-sized enterprise, south central Taiwan and mid and low earning household, continue to use ECFA as the base of developing the cross-strait peace.




Ma Ying-jeou stressed that Tsai Ying-wen accused him strictly of demanding Specified numbers of Prosecutors of the Supreme Court Prosecutors to investigate “Yu Chang biotech investment case” last night without any evidence in his proposal. He can not accept. He thought that is so terrible an insult to his personality. He made a serious declaration to the Taiwanese people that he did not do that and will never do that. Otherwise he will withdraw from this presidential election immediately.



Ma mentioned that the crucial figure is the index of the administration. He will keep on creating cross-strait peace and international union and applying for 2020 Olympic, which are his next important governing goal. He expects to continue to fight for freedom and democracy for Taiwanese next generations.



In these three years, Ma Ying-jeou said he always asks himself what is the personality needed for a good president? Besides promote the economic, diplomacy and put social justice into pracice. He thought a good president should listen to people, have the ability of self-examination and take the crucial figure seriously.



Tsai Ying-wen said that Kuomingtang Party mobilized the state apparatus and the administrative officer forged the document to attack the opponent. Lose the campaign style. She reminded Ma Ying-jeou don’t destroy his career for winning the election. Tsai stressed that the national salaries regressed and the national debt rose, the situation changed so that the president has to be changed. Tsai believes that she can do that.



Tsai Ying-wen emphasized that Ma respects former President Chiang Kai-shek and Chiang Ching-kuo, but criticized former President Chen strictly. They all both had the merits and demerits. She wondered that if we always stick in the history, how can we lead Taiwan to unite together?

Ps. original version written by Theresa Huang on website of Taiwan News.