President Watch

Like the US, Taiwan is also getting ready for presidential election, which will take place on May 20th. And ever since the landslide result of the legislative election this January, the independent party (DPP) has been eager to gain more popularity amongst the voters. Whereas the national party (KMT) has been cheerfully touring the island with great zeal.

Despite the financial scandals that happened in both parties, the DPP has been acting offensively to the KMT candidate, Mr. Ma Ying Juio, of his loyalty to Taiwan and whether he has a greencard or US residency. In the meantime, the KMT has been acting defensively, in wait-till-there's-proof-then-talk attitude. And none has delivered any constructive speeches of what they will do with Taiwan if they were to be the leader.

Problems like the economy: how to improve Taiwan's competitiveness in the world and explore new possibilities. The government: setting up an independent watchdog for all government officials, including the president to prevent bribery and embezzlement. Then the environment: cutting down emissions per capita, setting up bicycle lanes in the city and car pool rules for long distance traveling. Also, setting up watchdog of the environmental bureau, reinforcing the rules of factories and companies of their waste process and making sure there is no kickbacks or bribery between the officials and the companies.

Other issues like agriculture, relationship with China, human rights, labour rights all need offensive resolutions from both party's candidates. On the contrast, the issue of whether Ma has a US greencard or how long has the DPP candidate walked on his tour seem less than trivial.