Tycoon to debate proposed cross-strait peace law

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- A high-tech tycoon will debate a cross Taiwan Strait peaceful co-existence legislation he envisions with local politicians Dec. 8.

Robert Tsao, honorary chairman of United Microelectronics Corp., will meet with former legislators Shen Fu-hsiung and Lin Jo-shui of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), the Third Society workshop Convener Chou Yi-cheng, and incumbent Kuomintang legislators Chiang Hsiao-yen and Lai Shyh-bao, in a forum on Taiwan's future that will be held at the Civil Service Development Institute.

Tsao recently ran two front-page advertisements in major local newspapers to elaborate on his suggestion that the two major presidential candidates -- Frank Hsieh of the DPP and Ma Ying-jeou of the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) -- should work together to draft a law that would provide a legal basis for peaceful co-existence across the Taiwan Strait and safeguard democracy in Taiwan.