Editor's Note

Do you know how many countries in the world have professional baseball?

Until this March there were only five, but now a sixth has appeared: the Republic of China. Baseball is the team sport with the longest history and the most glorious record of any in our country, but it used to be played solely at the amateur level. It took five years of planning and effort to set up a professional league. What problems were encountered along the way? How were they overcome? And who was the chief hero behind the scenes? This issue's special report offers a closer look.

Our series on "Trademarks of the Chinese" presents ch'i-kung, a traditional system of deep breathing exercises designed to improve health and increase longevity. Most articles about ch'i-kung in Chinese newspapers and magazines are confined to the level of technique, but we examine some of the concepts and theory behind it.

April 22 was Earth Day, in case anyone still hasn't heard. In related articles this issue, "An Earth Day Plea for Environmental Concern" tells us what attitude we as individuals should hold toward life and the world around us, while "Don't 'Pet' the Animals" analyzes the recent trend on Taiwan of keeping wild animals as pets and some of its effects.

In overseas reports, the series "Sinologists Around the World" introduces the noted scholar James Liang, and "Chinese in the Spotlight" focuses on Burhan Uray, the Timber King of Indonesia, and his wife, Betty, still renowned in Taiwan as the loveliest hostess on television. Our university series turns to Princeton.

Rounding out the issue are an article on traditional Chinese snacks, for the delight of the palate, and one on Hsu Ch'ung-lin's ceramics, for the delight of the eyes. Finally, what women's volunteer groups are there on Taiwan, and what are they doing? You should know!