The following is a brief roundup of selected local newspaper editorials Thursday: Liberty Times: Forsaking unequal press exchanges with China Ma's administration has eased restrictions on Chinese reporters' news-covering activities in Taiwan. This movement is not matched by China which is notorious for its press control, and it makes no exception for Taiwan reporters stationed there. Instead of providing impartial reports about the country, Chinese reporters stationed here often pitched their stories to serve Beijing authorities' political purposes. Ma's administration to provide easier access to Chinese journalists with the intent to please Beijing rather than to serve the interest of Taiwan. It gives China a chance to penetrate Taiwan with its correspondents. This unequal press exchange program with China should be scraped altogether. Apple Daily: Premier's actions a slap in the face for president A local weekly reported that Premier Wu Den-yi toured Bali Island along with a group that included the notorious gang boss Chiang Chin-liang, in 2008 while Wu was secretary-general of the Kuomintang. Wu's close association with Chiang flies in the face of President Ma Ying-jeou's promise to free government from the influence of business tycoons and gang bosses. It is understandable that Wu, as a former lawmaker, must have made a lot of friends, but as the head of government he must not associate with gangsters. People will question the premier's policies now that is known he keeps company with an unscrupulous gangster. We would like to know how the president feels about Wu's close connections to Chiang. China Times: Look before you leap The government's decision to lift restrictions on U.S. bone-in beef has really put the cat among the pigeons, with civil groups and lawmakers across the political spectrum pushing the administration to re-negotiate the issue with Washington. The lawmakers of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party have even called for a revision to the food sanitation law in a bid to scuttle the government's decision to allow imports of U.S. ground beef and offal. The authorities intend to let the lawmakers have their way as long as the amendments do not contravene the beef protocol with Washington. But could such an amendment quell the public uproar and exonerate Ma's administration from blame for risking the health of the people to please the United States? If the law revision goes as far making it impossible for the government to fulfill its obligations to Washington, how would the administration cope with the backlash? And is the legislature ready to nix Taiwan's protocol with Washington at the cost of the U.S.' friendship? United Daily News: Could any 'Taiwan independence' not be an illusion? In a letter to the editor yesterday, ex-legislator Lin Chuo-shui challenged the paper's editorial on the previous day that Taiwan independence is an illusion by claiming that the idea of Taiwan has actually helped protect the very existence of the Republic of China. 'It is a paradox that the Republic of China thrives because of the existence of Taiwan independence.' the ex-lawmaker argued. 'China will work together with the Republic of Chin while there is the force pushing for Taiwan independence on the island. Once the force ceases to exist, Beijing will consider the Republic of China its number one enemy.' 'Therefore it is unwise to wipe off Taiwan independence.' Lin has misunderstood our view. We never called for the eradication of Taiwan independence forces. Instead, we believe the island is incapable of doing away with it, and we acknowledge the role it plays in cross-strait ties and its contribution to underlining the country's identity. However, the idea has torn the country apart politically, and rendered it impossible for the country's political parties to function as their counterparts in other democracies. We admire Lin's creativity by coming up with the idea of a progressive Taiwan independence, but wonder whether any party which cherishes this goal will be capable of leading the country. We agree with Lin that none of the three options--- one China with different definitions, Taiwan independence, and maintaining status quo --- will be an easy way out for the country, but we disagree with Lin that a progressive independence is a viable option. We believe that adhering to the idea of the Republic of China is the best way to protect the Republic of China. 