Editor's Note

Taipei was convention central in July.

First there was the sixtieth anniversary meeting of the Academia Sinica, attended by over ninety members including four Nobel Laureates.

Next, party and government elites met at the Kuomintang Thirteenth Party Congress. The seven-day event saw the smooth election of a new chairman, Central Advisory Committee, and Central Committee, as well as discussion of major policies. Shortly thereafter, the new cabinet held a get-acquainted session with reporters. This month's cover story brings you highlights from the congress and an introduction to the new cabinet.

At the end of July over 100 scholars from home and abroad met in an atmosphere of "new men, new policies" to discuss and offer suggestions on the future of the country. Look for a report in next month's issue.

Also a hot topic has been Taipei's record--high temperatures. July temperatures have soared past August's worsts. Why is Taipei so hot? Is it a symptom of "global fever"?

Also not to be missed in this issue: Meet the Confucian scholar Mou Tsung-san, get a glimpse of overseas Chinese society in Canada, and pick up helpful travel tips.