Hi. I am going to Taiwan in Dec 08 and would appreciate any advice on the transportation for the following places :
1) What bus/train to take from Janfusun theme park to Sun Moon Lake/Farmosan Aboriginal Culture Village?
2) What bus/train to take from Farmosan Aboriginal Culture Village/Sun Moon Lake to Kaohsiung?
Thanks and regards.
1) There are no non-stop bus or train ….
If you don’t mind join tourist group,that will save some money.
Or you have Taiwanese friend,he can ride you or rent a car.
If you really want to take a bus, you must go like this
Janfusun——->Douliou Train Station (By TaiSi Bus)
——>Taichung Train Station(By Train)
—–>Farmosan Aboriginal Culture Village(By Nantou Bus)
—–>Sun Moon Lake(By Nantou Bus)
2.Farmosan Aboriginal Culture Village has shuffle to Taiwan High Speed Rail…..It is a way simple and comportable to go to Kaohsiung.
Some Links and hint:
1.Taisi Bus only has two buses from JFS–>Douliou.Both departure at about 16:30~17:00.So it is very inconvenient. Maybe you can take a taxi. About NT.500 to train station.
2.Nantou Bus:
http://www.ntbus.com.tw/032.htm
台中=Taichung
九族文化村=Farmosan Aboriginal Culture Village
日月潭=Sun Moon Lake
3.
Train: http://163.29.186.185/index/index.aspx
Taiwan High Speed Rail: http://www.thsrc.com.tw/tw/index.htm
hi, i need a map of the pacific rim including taiwan, canada, russia, the u.s, mexico, japan, china, south korea, singapore, australia, Indonesia, Pru, and CHILI. thank you so much.
There are lots to choose from in regards to the Pacific Rim. Here are some sites that you might want to visit.
http://www.sinica.edu.tw/info/event/pnc/htdocs/firstmap.html
http://www.pacificrimllc.net/images/pacific-rim-map.jpg
http://www.worldatlas.com/
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/australia/west_pacific_islands98.jpg
http://er.jsc.nasa.gov/SEH/Mission_Geography/Map_Index.pdf
(for this final one the map is on page 19 of the PDF file)
Good luck!
I notice that my friends from Taiwan carry passports of the Republic of China. However, my professor in international law studies said that there is no international legal basis to recognize native Taiwanese persons as Republic of China citizens. Is this true? What are the details?
According to what my professor said, the ROC military troops were entrusted with the authority for the military occupation of Taiwan after WWII, however there was never any transfer of sovereignty. Hence, technically speaking, the Taiwanese cannot be considered ROC citizens.
I am wondering if anyone can provide any further details. It seems like an exciting topic to me!
Before discussing this topic, some important historical and legal considerations must be reviewed.
World War II in the Pacific
Taiwan had been ceded to Japan by China in the 1895 Treaty of Shimonoseki. After 1895, under international law, there is no doubt that Taiwan was a part of the Japanese Empire.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the United States Congress declared war against Japan on December 8, 1941. On the following day, December 9th, Chiang Kai-shek’s Republic of China also declared war against Japan.
All military attacks on the four main Japanese Islands and (Japanese) Taiwan during the December 8, 1941 to August 15, 1945 period were conducted by United States military forces. The Republic of China military forces did not participate. Hence, in relation to Taiwan, the United States is the "conqueror."
After a thorough review of the specifications of General Douglas MacArthur’s General Order No. 1 of Sept. 2, 1945, the question which must be asked is: "In these Pacific Ocean areas and environs, who is fulfilling the role of the occupying power as specified in the customary laws of warfare?"
[ [ Notes: Under the customary laws of warfare, legal relationships do not arise from a consideration of which army accepted the surrender of what other army, or which military troops were victorious in what particular battle, or what the composition of the Allies was at any particular point in time, or what intentions were stated in the surrender documents or other pre-surrender proclamations about the future disposition of territory, etc. Legal relationships arise from a consideration of "Who is the occupying power?" In the post-Napoleonic era, this goes back to a determination of "Who is the conqueror?"
In fact, the terminology of the occupying power is used with only some minor variations in all relevant conventions and treaties which dictate international norms regarding the disposition of persons and property in areas under military occupation. For example, while Geneva Conventions generally refer to the occupying power, the Hague Conventions often speak of the occupying state. However, it is important to realize that in dealing with military occupation matters, the "law of agency" is always available. When the administrative authority for the military occupation of particular areas is delegated to allies, the terminology of the principal occupying power is most commonly seen, and a "principal - agent" relationship is in effect.
As we know, President Harry Truman (dates in office: April 12, 1945, to Jan. 20, 1953) approved General Order No. 1 before its promulgation, the United States is the "conqueror" of Taiwan, and General MacArthur is the head of the United States military forces. Hence the strongest presumption would be that United States is the principal occupying power of Taiwan. Importantly, Article 23 of the post-war Senate ratified San Francisco Peace Treaty fully confirms this. ] ]
After this preliminary discussion, the following points may be raised about the highly questionable legal basis for recognizing Taiwanese persons as "ROC citizens."
ROC Citizenship: A Questionable Legal Basis
* Under the customary laws of warfare, upon the surrender of Japanese troops the local populace in Taiwan will pass under a "temporary allegiance" to the conqueror, which in the post-Napoleonic era will be the principal occupying power. Moreover, the doctrine of "temporary allegiance" only exists in a single-tiered formulation. The historical record clearly shows that the United States was the "conqueror" of Taiwan, not the Republic of China.
* In General Order No. 1, General MacArthur gave directions to Chiang Kai-shek of the Republic of China to accept the surrender of Japanese troops in Taiwan. The Generalissimo accepted these orders. The surrender ceremonies mark the beginning of the belligerent occupation. The United States is the "conqueror" and the "principal occupying power." The Republic of China military forces are merely a "subordinate occupying power" under the USA.
* Although there were some proclamations made in the Fall of 1945, the most commonly quoted reference for the "legal basis" of native Taiwanese persons as having ROC nationality is a January 12, 1946, order issued by the ROC military authorities. However, that order was never ratified by the Legislative Yuan, nor made into a law. Importantly, as "belligerent occupation" of Taiwan began on October 25, 1945, with the surrender of Japanese troops, and only ended with the coming into force of the San Francisco Peace Treaty (SFPT) on April 28, 1952, such an order is prohibited. More specifically, the imposition of mass-naturalization procedures over the civilian population in occupied Taiwan territory is a war crime.
* Reference to the pronouncements of the US government, the British government, etc. in the late 1940′s (and even into the 1950′s) confirms that the leading Allied nations never recognized the legal validity of the mass naturalization of native Taiwanese persons as "ROC citizens" by the Chiang Kai-shek regime in the 1940′s.
* Notably, Article 4 of the ROC Constitution specifies that "The territory of the Republic of China within its existing national boundaries shall not be altered except by a resolution of the National Assembly." In regard to the alleged incorporation of Taiwan into Chinese territory, there is no resolution of the National Assembly on record. Moreover, international law specifies that "military occupation does not transfer sovereignty." The proclamation of "Taiwan Retrocession Day" on Oct. 25, 1945, thus indicating a clear intention and objective to annex Taiwan territory, is a war crime.
* Article 26 of the SFPT serves to authorize the drafting of a peace treaty between the ROC and Japan. Article 10 of the Sino-Japanese Peace Treaty (Treaty of Taipei) of August 5, 1952 specifies: "For the purposes of the present Treaty, nationals of the Republic of China shall be deemed to include all the inhabitants and former inhabitants of Taiwan (Formosa) and Penghu (the Pescadores) and their descendents who are of the Chinese nationality in accordance with the laws and regulations which have been or may hereafter be enforced by the Republic of China in Taiwan (Formosa) and Penghu (the Pescadores)…."
* The ROC Nationality Law was originally promulgated in February 1929, when Taiwan was a part of Japan. It was revised in February 2000, however there were no Articles addressing the mass naturalization of Taiwanese persons as ROC citizens. Hence, the conditions of Article 10 of the Sino-Japanese Peace Treaty in regard to "in accordance with the laws and regulations which have been or may hereafter be enforced by the Republic of China in Taiwan…." have yet to be fulfilled.
* Japanese Courts have held that the native persons of "Formosa and the Pescadores" were of Japanese nationality until the early Spring of 1952. In the SFPT, Japan renounced the sovereignty of Taiwan, but the ROC was not the recipient of this sovereignty. This is stated in Article 2b and confirmed in Article 21. Hence, according to the provisions of the SFPT, the Republic of China is not the legal government of Taiwan.
* For native Taiwanese persons to be bona fide ROC citizens, two conditions would need to be met. First, the SFPT would have to award sovereignty of Taiwan to the ROC and second, there would have to be a law passed regarding these mass-naturalization procedures, after the peace treaty came into effect on April 28, 1952. In fact, neither of these two conditions has been met.
* Importantly, the ROC Constitution does not clearly define its own "territory." By contrast, the Constitution of the United States specifies the inclusion of the original thirteen states, as well as additional states which have entered the Union via acts of Congress. In regard to territories over which other countries have relinquished sovereignty, and which have come under the jurisdiction of the United States, there are treaties which give the full specifications.
* The "Republic of China" Constitution currently in use in Taiwan was passed on December 25, 1946, when the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) still ruled China. It was promulgated on January 1, 1947, and came into force on December 25, 1947. It was brought over from Mainland China by the KMT during the Chinese Civil War period of the late 1940′s. During this period of time, Taiwan was under military occupation, and had not been incorporated into Chinese territory. As such, this ROC Constitution, which is often called the "Nanjing Constitution", is not the true organic law of the Taiwan cession, and all relevant articles regarding "the people of the ROC" cannot be interpreted to apply to Taiwanese persons.
* With no clear legal basis to include "Formosa and the Pescadores" (aka Taiwan) in its definition of "national territory," and no international treaty references which can be found, it is extremely questionable to say that the ROC Ministry of the Interior is the "competent authority" to issue ID cards to Taiwanese persons, or that the ROC Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the "competent authority" to issue passports to Taiwanese persons.
* The military government of the principal occupying power does not end with the coming into force of the peace treaty. To date, no record can be found of a formal announcement of the end of United States Military Government in Taiwan. Under such circumstances, the subordinate occupying power ROC’s enforcement of mandatory military conscription policies over the native Taiwanese populace in occupied Taiwan territory from the early 1950′s up to the present is a war crime.
Concluding Remarks
In the modern era, it must be recognized that the highest ranking document in regard to the legal position of "Formosa and the Pescadores" (aka Taiwan) and the nationality of native Taiwanese persons is the San Francisco Peace Treaty of April 28, 1952. Notably, under the United States’ form of government (as specified in Article VI of the US Constitution), the content of the Senate-ratified San Francisco Peace Treaty has the same weight as the US Constitution.
More importantly, under international law, the specifications of the San Francisco Peace Treaty take precedence over the "intentions" expressed in the Cairo Declaration of Dec. 1, 1943, the Potsdam Proclamation of July 26, 1945, or the Japanese Surrender documents of Aug. 15, 1945. None of these documents, nor the promulgation of General Order No. 1 on Sept. 2, 1945, nor the holding of the Japanese surrender ceremonies in Taipei on Oct. 25, 1945, can possibly be interpreted to formally transfer the sovereignty of "Formosa and the Pescadores" to the ROC. As stated above, in the SFPT, Japan renounced the sovereignty of Taiwan, but the ROC was not the recipient of this sovereignty.
Former US Secretary of State Powell has a military background, and is familiar with the customary laws of warfare. On October 25, 2004, in a press conference in Beijing, he stated: "Taiwan is not independent. It does not enjoy sovereignty as a nation, and that remains our policy, our firm policy."
Hence, as explained in this brief summary, the legal basis for regarding Taiwanese persons as "ROC citizens" is highly questionable. As such, it can be held that the "Republic of China on Taiwan" lacks the permanent population necessary to be considered an independent sovereign nation.
Ok, this is a Singaporean question. Sorry if some of the terms i use are not comprehensible.
This happened last year. Till now it still gives me the creep.
Ok it was a typical saturday night, there was this pasar malam (night market) at Jurong East, near the MRT station. it was on the big field, in a tentage.
As you know, the pasar malam organizer will lay these rectangular wooden boards on the grass patch, as nobody wants to walk on wet muddy grass. Like in the pic below.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/58/PasarMalam.JPG/280px-PasarMalam.JPG
I was with my parents n sister. As you know, pasar malam sell many irrestitable tasty snacks like taiwan sausage, fried fishballs, kueh tutu, wah koh kueh, keropok lekor, ramly burger etc.
So my parents, being generous people, bought snacks for us n themselves. I was muching on this taiwan sausage pierced on a long toothpick-stick. Very yummy. So we were walking n eating, n i was checking out the sight n sounds. Oooh, especially trying to spot hot girls…wow, i see many. Most were in short denim shorts or FBT shorts, kinda dressed casually like most singaporean teen girls.
Alas, i tripped on the floorboard!! Bloody hell! If you look carefully at the picture above, these boards are often layed haphazardly. With their edges sticking out as they overlap one another. Some boards are warped too, when you walk over them u have a bouncy feeling on ur feet.
My flip flop somehow got caught in the edge of the wooden board. i lunged forward, but luckily i didn’t fall flat to the ground, as i stabled myself with my fit n toned legs. (thanks to regular running n working out in the gym)
I was munching on the sticked taiwan sausage in my mouth at that time. I can’t imagine what will happen if i were to trip n fall flat to the ground. the sharp pointed stick in my mouth will probably impale through the back of my throat n cause me to bleed n die a painful death.
After i picked myself up, i cursed the floorboards. Damn, why did they have to be so dangerous? From then on, i watched my steps as i walk, instead of always focusing on hot babes around me. And also no more toothpick-stick impaled snacks while walking on pasar malam death traps.
I am lucky to be alive to narrate this true experience. Have anyone of you ever tripped or almost tripped due to those floorboards?
this has never happened to me, but my grandmother once tripped while holding my baby sister(i wanst born yet0 i her hands!! she had to keep holding my sistr and resist the urge to put her hands in front of her as she was falling, or else my sisiter would have been dropped and probably injured because of her age. my grnadma got really bad scrapes, but my sister didnt have a scratch on her.. my grandma had a very strong will
5/17/2008