Once again, I am deeply impressed with a Taiwanese blogger who offers an ESWN-like service, translating important Chinese articles (and even songs) into English. This translation of a lengthy article by a Chinese dissident in exile is absolutely superb. Here’s just one paragraph:

But a deeper goal of the mainland’s missile deployment is to manipulate Taiwan’s internal politics. The 900 missiles are a hand from the mainland stretching into Taiwan. If they merely wanted to threaten Taiwan’s pro-independence forces, they simply wouldn’t need the missiles. China’s military power and the refusal to renounce force are enough for this purpose. Besides, the missiles are a bad policy in terms of China’s international image. China’s missile deployment against Taiwan is not for military purposes or for threatening Taiwan. The real purpose is to use the missile issue to interfere in and manipulate Taiwan’s political situation. It’s similar to the release of dissidents from prison before Chinese leaders go on overseas trips. They arrest dissidents to intimidate the opposition forces in the country. They release them to increase their bargaining chips in talks with the West. These 900 missiles can give China considerable advantage in its dealings with Taiwan. Negotiations are mutual compromises. But China’s withdrawal of missiles is not a compromise at all because China has unilaterally added the missile issue to the equation at a later time.

This guy can not only translate, he can write. Now, if only he would offer these gems on a daily basis he truly would stand as Roland’s counterpart. (Then again, there are very few people on the planet, in any language, who can do what Roland does in terms of sheer quantity.)

It amazes me when people like ESWN and Levitator and Nausicaa take so much of their time and effort to perform this great public service. I may not always agree with all of their political outlooks, but my hat is off to them – they make everyone’s lives richer.