全通翻譯/翻譯社

Taiwan's Big Trade-off?

Despite the signing of the ECFA pact in 2010, disquiet over the implications of cross-strait trade liberalization has continued to simmer. Tensions only grew with the inking of the cross-strait agreement on trade in services, which extends the scope of investment areas on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. The issue is close to boiling point with the bill stalled in the Legislature and political infighting threatening to scupper the deal.

Most recently, the flap over the attempted removal of Wang Jin-pyng of the ruling Kuomintang from his post as legislative speaker is said to have caused unease in Bejing. There have even been reports of PRC officials contacting Wang in private to gauge the state of play. However, the real cause is the opposition Democratic Progressive Party's refusal to accept the deal without a clauseby- clause review. As ever in the arena of Taiwanese politics, the motives for this stance are questionable, with some analysts insisting that the Greens are just engaging in political grandstanding. DPP chairman Su Tseng-chang's withdrawal from a televised debate in mid-September elicited further sneers of cynicism from KMT lawmakers, who said it showed the opposition didn't have a leg to stand on.

Critiquing the Lean Machine

If you've not heard about Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg and her effortsto revolutionize the way women tackle gender inequality, then you need to start “leaning in” as her book advises.

Having outlined her ideas on how women unwittingly hold themselves back in an earlier TED talk, Sandberg presented a fully fledged manifesto with “Lean In.” Women, she contends, are habitually bad at asserting themselves, and this is manifested in their voices, body language and fear of speaking out. However, critics have argued that Sandberg is making women the scapegoat for what should be viewed as an institutional problem. 

Taiwan — Hot Spring Heaven

With over 100 hot springs island-wide, Taiwan has not only one of the highest concentrations of natural springs but also a staggering variety, including hot, cold, mud and seabed springs.

Most tourists who are short on time naturally gravitate to the springs at Xinbeitou or Wulai, which are easily accessed from downtown Taipei. However, as seasoned veterans can tell you, there are some springs that combine soothing waters with stunning situations. Here are a few bathing holes that are perfect for a winter wallow. 

Helsinki: Where East Meets West

The most northerly capital of the EU countries, Helsinki is a gateway to both the east and west of Europe. Finland's main city was founded by a Swedish king in 1550 but came under Russian rule at the beginning of the 19th century, finally gaining independence in 1917 as a result of the Russian Revolution.

Finns are often mistakenly labeled as Scandinavian. In fact, Finnish language and culture are very distinct. If you're thinking of learning some Finnish, bear in mind that it is considered one of the toughest languages to master. Don't worry too much, though. With increased immigration in recent times, an estimated 11.5 percent of Helsinki's population speaks another language as their mother tongue. This has meant that English has become a lingua franca for New Finns, as they are known. Many Finns also speak Swedish, and around　6 percent of Helsinki's population are native Swedish speakers.

Tying the Knot: Taiwan's World Class Wedding Industry

Despite an overall decline in marriage figures, there's no doubt that the wedding industry is still big business. In the United States, the average wedding cost around US$26,000 in 2011, and estimates for Taiwan for the same period are almost identical. In fact, when it comes to tying the knot, Taipei has a claim to being the world's wedding capital in terms of both value and comprehensiveness.

The Dress

Symbols and Celebrations: Lunar New Year in Taiwan

Ask a Taiwanese friend or colleague what they do during Lunar New Year, and there is a good chance they will respond with a shrug and say "nothing much." Generally, the holiday is a time when the younger generations flock back to the nest for family get-togethers. Physical exertion is usually not high on the list of activities. Instead, reclining on the sofa in front of the TV, eating until bursting point and enjoying a few hands of mahjong are preferred.

To prepare for the festivities, families will purchase spring couplets, a pair of metrical　lines of verse usually printed on red paper and placed on the doors of homes. The characters on these slips of paper express happiness and hope for the upcoming year. The most important items on the shopping list are the food items –– usually enough to feed a small army. Boiled dumplings are popular as they resemble gold ingots and, thus, represent prosperity. Similarly, niangao –– a glutinous New Year cake –– is associated with progress. Food also influences the important rituals that take place during New Year. Dishes are presented to ancestors or deities who must "accept" the offering before the family is allowed to indulge. 

Larry King Bows Out

With his trademark glasses and suspenders, Larry King is a familiar face to millions of viewers across the globe. Larry King Live, which ends this month after 25 years on air, has been a flagship for CNN.

Refined Tea — A Century of Brewing

As Lunar New Year approaches, Dihua Street becomes the go-to place for New Year shopping. A look at its teeming hordes is enough to convince visitors of its fame. What you may not know is the reason this street in the historic area of Dadaocheng became so prosperous: tea.