Editor's Note

It was reported in the media a while back that a type of hand-held satellite information system produced by Microelectronics Technologies, one of the firms in the Hsinchu Science-Based Industrial Park, had made a big splash during the Gulf war by functioning without a hitch despite all the electronic interference created by the opposing forces.

Besides Microelectronics, other powerhouses driving industrial upgrading in Taiwan have been Wang Industrial Co., whose computers were all the rage for a time, and electronic and computer firms like United Microelectronics Corp., Microtek International Inc. and Qume Corp., which have taken their place as high-technology standouts more recently. All of them have gone through "technology matchmakers" to come back and set up factories in Taiwan, leading to their success today.

The role of "techno-matchmaker" has usually been borne by government officials, an outstanding example being K.T. Li, a senior adviser to the president who has been hailed as the father of technology in Taiwan. Through his recommendations and arm-twisting, flocks of overseas Chinese scholars have been drawn back to Taiwan to set up businesses, the government providing tax breaks, financing and technology parks with ready factories and complete amenities such as housing, bilingual schools and so forth.

Today, as Taiwan's economic climate steadily matures and the strength of the private sector increases, the role of "techno-matchmaker s" is being taken over by specialized venture capital investment companies.

This issue's cover story, "Capital Ideas for Technology," explores "techno-matchmakers," the chief players responsible for developing our technology industries.

The women's caucus formed a year and a half ago by eight members of the Legislative Yuan startled and puzzled many people, who wondered what its intentions and motives were--a women's coalition had never been formed in the legislature before.

Now their performance has made people sit up and take note. They pride themselves on speaking for the rights of women and the powerless and have earned plaudits from voters for the passage of legislature to t hat effect. They have also served as a moderating force by lowering the temperature of shouting matches and scuffles between legislators.

In addition, this issue reports on the Southern Star Project, an unprecedented plan by the sun-drenched southern seaport of Kaohsiung to increase its land area by one third during the next 20 years by reclaiming land from the sea with furnace slag from China Steel Corporation, fly ash from Taiwan Power Company, waste earth, solidified refuse and other materials.

Another article, "Guess-Fingers: A Bout for Barflies," is must reading for those who like a snort or two. Any time three or four friend s get together, when the drinks go round and faces are flushed, Chinese people are likely to start playing guess-fingers to sharpen their wits and see whose skill is tops. No matter what the style, guess-fingers is a familiar sight at roadside eateries, beer houses, restaurants and banquets and an important part of the country's culture of food and drink.

In our overseas reports, we introduce the California Institute of technology, of which it is said "don't bother to fill out the application unless you graduated in the top three in your department from the best school in your country." Living mostly around Sao Paolo, Chinese Brazilians differ in dialect (Fukienese, Hakka and Mandarin) and religion (Catholic, Presbyterian and Buddhist) but, except for a perioid of disturbances during the 196Os, they have gotten along together quite harmoniously.

They are currently facing a decline in the once booming Brazilian economy and a deterioration of law and order, which have led many Japanese Brazilians to return to Japan. What are their feelings about the situation? Should they leave? Or stay on?

[Picture Caption]

Lu Ming-tan, an engineer at Caltech's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, explains a model of a spaceship to copy editor Elaine Chen.