1. A row over the name by which Taiwan will compete in the Beijing Olympics appeared to have calmed down this week.
President Ma Ying-jeou said Friday he appreciates the goodwill shown by China by referring to Taiwan by its official designation in the media.

One of China's official news agencies referred to "Chinese Taipei" the title used by Taiwan in the Olympics, as "Zhonghua Taipei" instead of "Zhongguo Taipei" in its Chinese-language Website reports on Thursday. "Zhongguo Taipei" would have meant "China Taipei".

An agreement signed between China and Taiwan in Hong Kong in 1989 states that all sports teams representing Taiwan will follow The International Olympic Committee regulations when participating in sports events in China. The agreement is that Taiwan would be referred to as "Zhonghua Taipei" or "Chinese Taipei" in English.

Opposition lawmakers in Taiwan are still unhappy about the situation however. A lawmaker from the Democratic Progressive Party said Saturday that Taiwan’s government should push for the use of the country’s official name, the Republic of China. Chen Chi-mai also said China should allow the use of Taiwan's national flag and anthem. He said that even the compromise title "Chinese Taipei" was a humiliation to the people of Taiwan.


2.Legislative president Wang Jin-pyng said that the new government in Taiwan will keep up the country's bid for membership of the United Nations this year. Wang spoke on Thursday after arriving in New York City for a two-day visit.

However, Wang said that it is unlikely that the administration of President Ma Ying-jeou will apply for UN membership for Taiwan under the name "Taiwan." That was the strategy adopted by former President Chen Shui-bian last year after several failed attempts to join the world body under the country's official name, the Republic of China.

Meeting with representatives of Taiwan's diplomatic allies, Wang also thanked them for their support of Taiwan in the United Nations.

Taiwan has reapplied for membership of the United Nations annually since 1993. However, every bid has been blocked due to opposition from China, which considers Taiwan part of its territory.

3. Former President Chen Shui-bian was assaulted by a protestor on Monday. The former president announced to intention to sue his attacker. Chen said that he can withstand verbal defamation but would not tolerate violence in the face of political differences. 

Chen was kicked in the back as he was entering the Taipei District Court Monday morning to defend himself in a defamation case. The attacker is a member of a group which supports Taiwan's unification with China. According to police records, the man is a native of Vietnam and has previously been convicted on attempted homicide, forgery and theft charges. The former president was not seriously injured in the attack which occurred under the protection of the police and special agents.