with China took effect Sunday. The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) published a pamphlet that touts the benefits the pact will bring to Taiwan, citing forecasts by many internationally recognized experts and the governments of several countries. The MOEA also detailed the advantages that different industries in cities and counties around Taiwan will gain as a result of the ECFA. The pamphlet lists the number of companies that will benefit from the ECFA, the number of jobs it will create and its positive effects on industrial output. The pamphlet is a good example of successful policy promotion by the administration of President Ma Ying-jeou. It is sure to be a powerful vote- getter for the ruling Kuomintang in the upcoming elections for municipality chiefs. However, we worry that if the forecasts do not fully materialize, it could be a bane for the KMT in the 2012 presidential election. We would like to emphasis that the ECFA is essential to the realization of the 'golden decade' promised by President Ma, but it is not a guarantee, as follow- up measures are required in order to make it effective. Through economic cooperation with China, the ECFA will help to avert the crisis of Taiwan being marginalized in the region, but Taiwan's future depends on more than the China market. The pact is a good start to creating a golden decade, but it cannot ensure that goal because having a good piano doesn't necessarily make one a pianist. (Editorial abstract -- Sept. 13, 2010). 