Zhang Mingqing, the dean of the Journalism school at Xiamen University and the vice chairman of the Association for Relations across the Taiwan Straits, was attacked by a mob of the Democratic Progressive Party supporters lead by Wang Tingyu, the Tainan City councilman. This city councilman pushed Mr. Zhang to the ground and punched him. A mob member also jump onto Mr. Zhang’s personal car and started a stamping spree. I don’t care how much you disapprove the current relationship between mainland and Taiwan. This is rude. Taiwan really needs some better educated politicians who can solve problem with their brain rather than their hands or feet.

Front Page Story

The China national security department released a list of 8 East Turkistan Islamic terrorists who are the masterminds behind the terrorist activities in China during the Olympics this year. The ETIM has been linked to the bus bombing in Yunnan and the border station attack in Xinjiang. I really don’t feel the 8 blacklisted names are necessary to trouble your mind, because these terrorists probably have three to four names that they regularly use. It’s not so shocking that one of these people forgets their real name.

Other Headlines Today

• As the real estate market in China continue to cool off, the government has finally give its support by announcing the decrease of transfer taxes, and other taxes involved in the trading of the real estate property. However, this bullish news has had an unexpected result. It turned decided buyers away from the table and pushed them on the sidelines. Buyers are waiting for the government to start fulfilling its promise and come up with realistic numbers on specific taxes. Currently, prices are falling on average 1- 2% on the second-hand housing market.

• The government gives another boost to the export industry today to relieve some pressure as the RMB continue to appreciate and China starts to transform its economy. One fourth out of the entire export category will be subject to a higher percentage of tax refund. Many small manufacturers are dancing on the street right now.

Zaobao! Zabao! is a daily article by Li Yizhong that translates and puts into brief perspective the headlines of the Shanghai Morning Post's daily newspaper. Read more of his work on the Zaobao! Zaobao! blog