International media outlets published letters May 23 from overseas offices of the ROC Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the attack on Taiwan fishing boat Guang Da Xing No. 28, in which a local fisherman was killed May 9 during an attack by a Philippine government vessel. The letters seek to clarify the truth and ROC stance on the matter, and were published in The Wall Street Journal and Singapore-based Straits Times and Lianhe Zaobao.
A reciprocal extradition treaty between the ROC and South Pacific diplomatic ally Palau was promulgated by President Ma Ying-jeou May 15 after coming into effect March 26, the ROC Ministry of Foreign Affairs said May 23.
Taiwan guitarist Lin Chia-wei beat more than 80 competitors to win first prize May 19 in the 2013 Koblenz International Guitar Competition in Germany. As well as a cash prize, Lin claimed the chance to perform solo in New York City’s Carnegie Hall.
British cruise ship Sun Princess arrived at piers No. 2 and No. 3 in Kaohsiung Port May 23 with 1,528 foreign tourists on board, the ROC Ministry of Transportation and Communications said May 23. Operator Taiwan International Ports Corp. said it expects about 21 cruise ships, averaging more than 60,000 tons, to dock at Kaohsiung Port this year. The estimated 57,000 foreign tourists is expected to be up 85 percent from last year. (YCH-SDH)