Lawmaker Trong Chai, the Legislative Yuan minority party leader, got a little bit carried away when he learned that Democratic Progressive Party candidate Liu Chien-kuo won the legislative by-election in Yunlin County on Saturday.

While they are essential and symbolic to a successful democracy, fair and open elections, the stable change of regimes and the determination of the people's will are only half of the democratic process.

That people throughout Taiwan got up before dawn, put on purple gowns, lit incense and watched eight rows of eight children in yellow costumes and peacock feathers perform a slow dance was not unusual; these rituals to honor Confucius are held annually on September 28.

After years of neglect, political leaders have finally started paying attention to the vast potential value of bringing more foreign students to study in Taiwan.

A political party, particularly one in opposition, has to be innovative. This can involve creating issues it can use to attack the soft underbelly of the ruling party.

Over 50,000 eligible voters on the Pescadores are going to the polls tomorrow to decide whether they are going to have a casino or not. It will be the first local referendum ever to be held in Taiwan.

Former President Chen Shui-bian was convicted of forgery, corruption and graft on Friday, Sept. 11. He was sentenced to life in prison for the wrongs he did in the eight years he was president of the country he wanted to call a republic of Taiwan.

Last week, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter interjected himself into a contentious debate. It has been noted that as distinguished figures get closer to the end of their lives, a certain willingness to disregard decorum in favor of blunt truth-telling comes into effect.

After decades of estrangement brought about by political separation, the cities of Taipei and Shanghai are once again building up a close relationship.

U.S. President Barack Obama's decision to slap punitive tariffs on Chinese tires for automobiles and light trucks is certain to draw China's ire.