Word: ma
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...active places in Asia - Taipei has reduced air pollutants over 30% in the last decade - the island still has a long way to go. Taiwan's per capita carbon dioxide emissions are three times the global average, and they're growing faster than any country in the world. President Ma Ying-jeou set an ambitious goal to decrease emissions to half of 2000 levels by 2050, but critics say his goal of maintaining 2008 levels is a bit flimsy, and programs like bike sharing are more style than substance. "In Taiwan, the economy is still first," says Liu Chung-ming...
...Still, Taiwan's past efforts to clean up its act have not been unsuccessful. As the mayor of Taipei, Ma introduced a recycling program in 2000 which has helped the city has reduce its trash output by 55%. With a little monetary incentive - people get fined $145 for not complying and the required bags for non-recyclable trash cost more than for recyclables - residents of the capital have become efficient organizers of their trash. In 2006, Taiwan was also one of the first countries to stop giving away plastic bags. Stores charge a dime or more for one, a policy...
...Ma's attempt to turn Taiwan into a "Cycling Paradise" has also proven to be a popular gimmick. How much staying power bike riding and walking to work and school will have in the long-term if the island's pollution continues to get worse remains to be seen. That may be the problem that Ma will need put some real muscle into...
...first year in office, Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou has kept his promise to ease tensions with the island's longstanding rival, China. Beijing and Taipei have signed several historic agreements opening up direct transport links, allowing mainland Chinese tourists to visit Taiwan, and calling for financial cooperation. Taiwan also recently announced Chinese would be allowed to invest in Taiwan for the first time. On May 12, TIME's Jim Erickson, Michael Schuman and Natalie Tso sat down with Ma to talk with him about China, the economy, and Taiwan's future. TIME: Tell us what you thought about your...
...Ma: Well it was a tough year for us. When we first took office we were faced with high prices of raw materials and oil, followed by the financial tsunami and economic downturn. We took measures to rescue the banking industry. We also reduced the inheritance tax from 50% to 10%. That has had an affect on Taiwanese capital outside of Taiwan. In recent months, that capital has been coming back. We also distributed shopping vouchers to our citizens. That was a very successful program. We also will inject about $20 billion for public construction. (Read TIME's interview with...