Readers' Messages

Congratulations to the Taiwan Review on its 60th anniversary. I had the pleasure of being the senior editor for 12 years during one of the most exciting periods of Taiwan’s transformations to a fully fledged democracy (September 1986–August 1998).

During those years the Review reported on the extraordinary social, political, economic and cultural changes that took place just prior to and following the lifting of martial law. It was a time of excitement, coming-of-age and enduring historical importance.

During those years the Review evolved into a world-class magazine cited by China scholars, read by foreign government officials and enjoyed by all readers for its varied content and stubborn attention to accuracy. It set the standard for English-language journalism in Taiwan in terms of relevant content, written style, creative design and attentiveness to balanced reporting.

The results were possible because of a succession of Government Information Office directors-general who recognized the importance of a national publication that represented the strengths and the challenges of Taiwan’s democratic experiments, including the serious difficulties sometimes contingent on that transformation. To their credit, each director-general was willing to take the heat if the Review seemed “too cutting edge” for some conservative players in and out of government. As a result, Taiwan won respect from the most casual readers to the toughest of political commentators.

The Review’s success was made possible over those years by a small but dedicated number of Taiwanese writers and editors working in close cooperation with even fewer foreign editors. In every sense it was a team effort with everyone learning from each other.

The Chinese zodiac revolves every 12 years. My single revolution at the Review was one of the most enjoyable times of my professional life.

Richard R. Vuylsteke, Ph.D.
President, American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong
(Former Senior Editor, Free China Review)