The Olympic Torch

Taiwanese Government officials are angry!

Why?
Because China just released the route for the carrying of the olympic torch ahead of the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing. And guess what? The Route will go through Taiwan (or should I be saying "Chinese Taipei"?) The government in Taiwan strongly rejected the idea.

What will it mean?
Probably nothing else than more harmless political rhetoric in the short term. But as the Olympics approaches, the "Taiwan Issue" might once again become a sensitive debate and it shall become very interesting to see whether this issue would affect the 2008 Summer Games in any way.

Future prospects
One has to keep in mind that the people in Taiwan are slated to elect their new President only months before the games begin. If another Chen-like hardliner is elected, it could mean new controversies during the games, as it is possible that Taiwan would blow the "independence horn" (by either hinting at, or less likely, announcing their independence) on the eve of the Olympics. If a candidate from the KMT or Pan-Blue coalition wins (such as Ma Ying-jeou), complications regarding the Taiwan issue will probably not have an impact on the Summer Games.

But then again, anything could happen in the next 6-12 months.
What do you think?

Super East Asia Map

Following tremendous popularity, I once again post this useful map of East Asia

Thanks to the University of Texas!

Shanghai World Financial Center

Here's a recent picture of the progress on the construction of the amazing Shanghai World Financial Center.

It may not become the tallest but definitely will be one of the coolest skyscrapers in the world.

It will be just under 500 meters tall, hold101 floors, and feature a gigantic aperture (big hole) at the top of the building.

The financial center will be Shanghai's tallest skyscraper upon its completion, slated for 2008.

If you have any cool pictures of this building, please post the URL in the comments box!

"The mother art is architecture. Without an architecture of our own we have no soul of our own civilization.” - Frank Lloyd Wright

Today's East Asia Headlines

South Korea - US presidential hopeful John Edwards critical of US-ROK FTA
China - Government admits 10 percent of arable land contaminated
Japan - More yakusa shootings in Tokyo on Sunday
Taiwan - Activists condemn new highway plan
Hong Kong - Inflationary concerns for March
Thailand - Gov't to discuss new laws on foreign business ownership
Malaysia - F1 race in Kuala Lumpur safe at least through 2015
Indonesia - 2 separate train derailments on Java; over 70 injured
Philippines - US, Australia issues new terror warnings

Regional trends:
Things look peachy in East Asia. But the typhoon season is just around the corner, so don't hold your breath!