Taiwan’s ESWN

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.

The Discussion: 6 Comments

Hats off to them all.

I hope ESWN makes a living doing what he does, because it’s just an amazing body of work. And I have to say, the guy is incredibly helpful on a personal basis. He did me a favor that I hope I can someday return (dude, just ask!).

And Nausicaa rocks.

August 24, 2006 @ 12:51 am | Comment

Agree on all points. Roland is a truly decent guy, even if we see China through a different lens. And what Nausicaa did for the Hao Wu site was absolutely outstanding.

August 24, 2006 @ 12:55 am | Comment

Wait…no way in hell could I take all (or even most) of the credit for the translations on the Hao Wu website. There was also a great guy named Greg doing the translations, and Roland’s pitching in when we were all busy was invaluable, to say the least. He’s a one man wonder, that guy.

Great find on the new blog, btw. I’m perusing through it now.

August 24, 2006 @ 1:12 pm | Comment

I was referring to were your translations of Nina’s blog, which were great.

August 24, 2006 @ 5:58 pm | Comment

for the record, the translations of nina wu’s blog was done by a team of at least six people who took turns to do the work and subsituted when others are not available.

speaking for myself, my response on the question of translation credit was: “no thanks. this is about hao wu and nina wu. it would be a distraction if the reader starts thinking about the translator.” ergo, the team had remained largely anonymous. this post here is the first time that i had seen any mention.

bloggers are real people who sometimes do real things that do not get mentioned on blogs. i can translate and the situation called for translators. so there i was. if credit has to be given, a lot more ought to go out to ethan zuckerman and rebecca mackinnon.

August 27, 2006 @ 2:38 am | Comment

No arguments there, ESWN. Thanks for explaining how the translations there worked.

August 27, 2006 @ 8:08 am | Comment

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