Chinese puppetry, which had seemed to be going the way of other vanishing folk arts, received new life recently. First, students from Chukuang Elementary School put on a captivating performance of "The Monkey King vs. the Water Palace." Then came news that a group of professors at National Taiwan University had collected some NT$800,000 to build a new puppet theatre. People suddenly seemed to care about puppets again.
This October swarms of foreign reporters arrived in the ROC, some to cover National Day festivities and many also to hear our country's reaction to the trade bills proposed by the U.S. Congress. This issue's special report on free trade analyzes the subject in depth.
Chinese people are particular about food. And Chinese on Taiwan have now gone from "having something to eat" and "eating well" to "eating for good health." Natural remedies are also highly regarded.
We have no letters to the editor this month. We hope readers will continue to give us their criticism, suggestions, and encouragement and help us further improve Sinorama.
