Since the presidential election on March 18, the people of the ROC have had high expectations for this new administration, which represents the first alternation of political parties in government in ROC history. Clearly, one cannot ignore the economic miracle and political democratization created over the last half-century, but there are also problems of "black gold" politics, a growing gap between rich and poor, and environmental destruction. The desire for reform can no longer be resisted.
With President Chen Shui-bian's declaration "Taiwan stands up," the new government went into operation on May 20. It faces numerous challenges. Governing, it turns out, is a lot more complex than it looks. As the saying goes, "It's only when you become a homemaker that you learn the price of rice." What tasks need to be handled over the next four years? Which should get priority?
New Premier Tang Fei is well aware that the public has high expectations and will brook no delay. He chaired his first cabinet meeting on his fourth day in office, and issued a list of six focal points: improving cross-strait relations, eradicating "black gold" (the influence of criminals and moneyed interests in politics), hastening earthquake reconstruction, creating a new economic miracle, deepening education reform and cultural development, and "reinventing" government. It will be up to the various ministries and agencies to translate these ideals into practical outcomes.
The new "government for the whole people" aims for "rule by the virtuous and upright." New cabinet members are mostly scholars or parliamentarians with close ties to the public, and they are likely to interact more with legislators and the media.
With a general sentiment that the new government should be given a chance to see what it can do, even old hands in the legislature are finding it hard to clarify the roles of government and opposition in that body. Ordinary citizens, while hoping for the best, are also uncertain as to how critical or participatory they should be. For this issue, we offer a look at the thinking of the incoming government, as well as a review of the successes and failures of the outgoing party, so we can see more clearly the past and, hopefully, the future.
One especially noteworthy feature of the incoming cabinet is the fulfillment of President Chen's campaign promise of "gender power-sharing." With a woman vice-president and nine female cabinet members, women are better represented at the highest levels than ever before in ROC history. Where have these outstanding women come from? How are their leadership styles different from men? Will they bring a more thoughtful style that makes a refreshing change and builds bridges in the cabinet?
Also, we cannot help but notice that almost half of these ten women are unmarried. Does that mean that women must sacrifice more to advance in our society than men do? If status and intelligence are assets for men in seeking the path of marriage, what about for women? Is the male-dominant tradition really gone?
Meanwhile, the policies of the new government affect not only the people of Taiwan, but overseas Chinese residents and investors. So we would also like to draw your attention to three other stories in this issue, covering Chinese in Australia, overseas Chinese restaurant architecture, and Taiwan investment in South Africa.
Since the breaking of formal diplomatic ties between the ROC and South Africa, the latter has rarely been a subject in the Taiwan media. But we should not forget the hundreds of Taiwan companies and thousands of Taiwan emigrants there. They supported the ROC government during negotiations with Pretoria by organizing strikes and sanctions over the breaking of relations, and now they face rising crime, unemployment, and an economy in peril. In the hope of being able to provide some substantive assistance to them, we look at how they are doing and listen to what they have to say.
Finally, this month we begin publication of a new tourism guidebook supplement, right inside the magazine. It shows you the best of each city. This month we cover the Tunhua district of Taipei. So whether you're a native, someone from another city in Taiwan, or a visitor from abroad, this will help you identify the newest fun spots in Taipei. If you have a friend visiting the city, be sure to tear out the guide along the perforated edge for him or her!
