Dear Editor:

Hello! I love to read Sinorama, not only because every issue features reports on subjects that evoke concern and interest, but also because you republish the most outstanding articles and comics from all the major publications in Taiwan, which are wonderful to read and can always bring a smile. As I wait for the arrival of the next Sinorama, I have a deep sense of how much I miss Taiwan.

Nevertheless, in the June 1995 overseas edition, I discovered in the "Potpoutrri" section a short comic strip which I found quite objectionable. It was a dialogue between a mother and her daughter:

Daughter: "Actually, an unhappy marriage isn' t necessarily without its good points. It can make a person live longer."

Mother: "How could that be?"

Daughter: "It makes every day seem like a year."

The theory that marriage is an unhappy thing and it only makes life seem to last longer (for a woman) is certainly startling. The aspirations of modern women do emphasize sexual equality, but a life of bliss and a beautiful marriage are still common aspirations of women ancient and modern, Chinese and non-Chinese alike (and of course of men too).

The comic strip's sense of humor actually is derived from a mix of male chauvinism and a denigrating attitude toward women. It fills my heart with a sense of aversion. I believe that Sinorama is certainly not correct in reprinting this kind of irresponsible comic strip and leading readers all over the world to feel that "this is in fact Sinorama's style."

Sincerely, Yen Hsing-chen, Saiitama Prefecture, Japan

Editor's reply:When selecting articles for reprinting in Sinorama, our principal consideration has always been reflecting the multifaceted phenomena and opinions of Taiwan's society. Our choice of comics is inclined toward those that use a humorous style to reflect the current social conditions. We wholeheartedly welcome the advice and instruction of our readers concerning our selection of material.

From Russia with Love

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

Greetings! We are teachers at the High School of Oriental Culture, located in the city of Moucc in the Russian Federation. I am an ethnic Chinese by the name of Zhao Yi. My colleague is an ethnic Russian named Andrea. At our school we teach the Chinese language to children from the second to the eleventh grades. As a Chinese person, I have come to feel deeply in the course of teaching that if I am to bring my Russian students to a true understanding of China, and of the Chinese people, then I must help them to comprehend Confucian thinking--the archetypical thinking of Chinese society. What a great pity it is that this philosophy which brought together all the wisdom of our ancient ancestors has been all but wiped out in mainland China. It cannot be denied that this has been a tragedy for our race.

Several days ago in Moscow, I was lucky enough to read a copy of Sinorama given to me by a friend. I read it for a long time and couldn't bear to put it down. I was magnetically drawn to its elegant and scholarly style. Even though the articles were in both Chinese and English, I didn't pick up the slightest "Western flavor." I believe it must be due to the presence of our people, which was once so mighty, and the potency which her culture embodies!

The Republic of China on Taiwan is the country which has most systematically, thoroughly and completely preserved the traditional culture of the Chinese people. Today, the country's dynamic development has brought it closer to perfection and made it more suitable for modern society. Sinorama magazine is a reflection and illustration of this fact. As a Chinese reader living overseas, I would like to sincerely thank the entire staff of your magazine for their grand efforts.

Because of the isolation of the former Soviet Union, we who live in the region of Siberia had virtually no scientific or cultural interchanges with the outside world. Although recently there has been some change of perspective, it is still not enough. In this part of the world, we still have nearly no means of obtaining information about Taiwan's local customs, scientific and academic developments, or new advances in industry and agriculture. This has had an enormous impact upon the quality and standards of our Chinese-language educational programs. Therefore, after receiving an enthusiastic recommendation from my friend in Moscow, I especially ask for your help, hoping that you can send us your valuable magazine Sinorama on a regular basis, as well as your other published materials on Chinese politics, economics and culture. I'm sure this will make our information about the Chinese world richer and more complete, and will help us do a better job passing along Chinese culture, to further our common goal--extending the glories of the Chinese world.

Zhao Yi,Russia