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Taiwan's development as a regional economic power is being influenced by its strained relations with China. Its increasing democratization in recent years has made its attitude towards China more realistic, with the Taipei government now acknowledging the legitimacy of the Beijing regime and adopting a policy that recognizes China as a divided nation and supports efforts toward some degree of reunification. However, Taiwan continues to impose the 1949 prohibition against direct commerce, transportation and communication with the mainland. Although Taiwenese businesses have been calling for the lifting of this ban so that the island could be transformed into a business center for China, the government refuses to do so because the move would look like a face-losing concession to Beijing and would undermine its policy of cautious engagement.

Offers a look on the mayoral elections in Taipei, Taiwan, in 1998. Comments on the victory of Ma Ying-jeou over Chen Shui-bian; Endorsement given by Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui to Ma; Summary of election results. INSET: Winners.

Focuses on several criticisms against the administration of Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui. People's objections on Lee's constitutional reform; Perception that violent crime is increasing and the government's inability to address it; Failure of Premier Lein Chan to boost Taiwan into the world's top-five most competitive nations. INSET: Mixed results (basic information regarding Taiwan)..

Reports on the mayoral election campaign in Taipei, Taiwan. Issues raised by political parties and candidates to win the vote of the electorates; Strategies of the candidates. INSET: A View from across the strait.

Reports on the Taiwanese government's efforts to abolish betel nut chewing in the country. Endangering of public health, the environment, and moral fiber; Destruction of plantations growing on government-protected lands; Shutting down of roadside stalls operating without licenses; Public education campaigns against the habit. INSET: Is it bad for you?, by Catherine Shepherd..

Reports that trash is piling up in the Taiwanese city of Chungli due to partisan politics and corruption. Excuses of Chungli authorities in not picking up the garbage; Causes of the failure to introduce modern disposal methods; Problems of garbage in Taipei, capital of Taiwan. INSET: The facts of disposal..

Focuses on the efforts of Taiwan's Justice Minister Liao Cheng-hao in fighting against corruption in their country. Indictments of hundreds of people from government and private sector; Target on Koumintang politicians; Speculations on the real purpose of the anti-corruption drive; Doubt on the sincerity of the government on the campaign. INSET: `We must heed the law'..

Reports on the number of buildings contaminated with radioactivity in northern Taiwan and the possible source of contamination. Cases involving the effects of contamination; Steel reinforcing bars in the building walls as source of the contamination; Hsin Jong Iron and Steel Co. as manufacturers of the rebar; Effects of the exposure in radiation.

Focuses on Taiwan's use of its financial clout to get support from other nations. Taiwanese businessmen's promise to invest $5 billion in South Africa; Cancellation of 36 bilateral agreements with South Africa; Pledge to provide the majority of the investment by officials of China Petroleum Corp. and Tuntex Corp.; Failure of the strategy to pay dividends.

Focuses on the controversy in Taiwan concerning a group of university graduates' joining of the Chungtai temple in Puli, Taiwan to become Buddhist monks. Features of the summer camp hosted by the temple; Reaction by parents to their children's decision; Comment by Master Weichueh abbot of the temple. INSET: A world apart (conditions of the students at the temple)..

Updates on the relations between China and Taiwan. Important civilian and commercial exchanges between the two sides in July 1996; Increase in pressure to lift the proscription against the `three links', communications, transport and trade; Political landscape.

Features Chen Shui-bian, mayor of Taipei, Taiwan. Condition of Taipei under his administration; His contributions to the country; Accusations against him.

Presents information on the elections in Taiwan between the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the Kuomintang (KMT). Information on the political status of the parties; Percentage of local government revenue which is controlled by DPP; Why KMT lost the elections; Resignation of Wu Poh-hsiung, secretary general of KMT.

States that the police captured Taiwan's most wanted man, Chen Ching-hsing. Circumstances surrounding his capture; Reason he was captured by police; What he is being touted as; Details on the issue.

Focuses on political developments affecting the solidarity of Kuomintang Party as the ruling political party in Taiwan. Increasing public dissatisfaction towards government's ability to prevent crime; Rivalry among the party's political leaders; Appointment of Vincent Siew Wan-chang as premier.

Asserts that Taiwan's ruling Kuomintang Party may have undercut its grip to power with the passage of constitutional amendments. Includes the elimination of central and provincial governments; Removal from the legislature the power to confirm cabinet ministers; No-confidence vote on the cabinet; Increase in presidential powers.

Features the contenders to succeed Lee Teng-hui as president of Taiwan. Includes Prime Minister Lien Chan; Provincial Governor James Soong Chu-Yu; Former minister of the Ministry of Economic Affairs Vincent Siew Wan-Chang; Taipei mayor Chen Shui-Bian.

Reports that Taiwanese citizens groups staged demonstrations in 1997 to protest against the government's inability to curb criminals. Murder and kidnapping of a schoolgirl; President Lee Tenghi's emphasis on national development.

Reports on China's criticisms against Taiwan for the visit of Tibet's Dalai Lama on the territory. Accusation by China that Taiwanese leader Lee Teng Hui is a closet secessionist; China's branding of Dalai Lama as a threat to China's sovereignty over Tibet; Threat by China to shelve its direct shipping links to Taiwan.

Reports that Liu Pang-Yu, chief of the Taoyuan county in Taipei, Taiwan was murdered in his home along with eight people. Police's offer of $730,000 for information about the killers; Plans to demolish a street of illegally erected triad-owned entertainment establishments in Chungli city; Efforts to demolish the power of triads and gangsters.

Focuses on environmentalist protests over the proposed Bayer AG chemical plant in Taichung, Taiwan. Environmentalists' perspective on the issue; Bypass of proper procedure; Bayer's environmental study; Predictions of a catastrophe during an accident; Effect on business.

Discusses the political turnaround of the Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan's largest opposition force, under the leadership of Hsu Hsin-liang. Low morale and financial standing of the party; Financial restructuring; Hsu's call for enhanced cooperation.

Reports that Taiwan's President Lee Teng-Hui warned that the country's reliance on overseas investment, particularly in Mainland China was bad for its future and may be capped. China's opening of two ports to direct cargo and passenger shipments from Taiwan; Contents of Lee Teng-Hui's speech to the National Assembly; Effect of capital outflows to Mainland China.

Focuses at the examination scandal at Taiwan's Central Police University. Amount received by Sergeant Kuo Chen-yuan, acting director of the university's computer center, to electronically manipulate a few candidates' examination results; Number of officers who cheated on the examination; Impact of the examination scandal.

Focuses on the efforts of Taiwan and China to settle the issue of independence and reunification. Negotiations being held by officials of both governments.

Focuses on the security measures which the Taiwanese government imposes in reaction to increased visits across the Taiwan Strait by China. Status of the relations between Taiwan and China; Agencies that the government wants to create for security management.

Questions whether warmer ties between China and the United States may prompt a change in United States policy toward Taiwan. Denial of a report that Washington and Beijing were working on a joint communique on Taiwan; Assurance to Taipei that its interest would not be harmed as Washington sought to build stronger ties with Beijing.

Reports on an outbreak of a viral disease among children in Taiwan. Symptoms of the disease; Explanations from Doctor Lee Ching-yun of the National Taiwan University; Reaction of several Asian countries; Response of government officials on the issue.

Profiles Ma Ying-jeou and Chen Shui-bian, candidates for the mayorship of Taipei, Taiwan. Why Ma Ying-jeou decided to run for the position; Educational background of the two candidates; Career background of Chen Shui-bian and Ma Ying-jeou.

Focuses on issues related to military corruption in Taiwan, while focusing on the role of lieutenant colonel Lee Cheng in exposing the corruption. Reference to the death of Cheng; Details on the publicity of a scandal involving Cheng; Information on some of the accusations being made against the military.

Focuses on the buyout and take over of some of the largest and most troubled institutions in Asia by corporate executives from Taiwan. Reference to the Bangkok Metropolitan Bank; Information on the buying of the Hong Kong arm of Yamaichi by Core Pacific of Taiwan; Indepth look at the financial conditions of Taiwan; Comments from Benny Hu, president of the China Development Corporation.