President Tsai pledges to deepen Marshall Island ties
President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) hosted a state banquet for Marshall Islands President Hilda C. Heine July 27 at the Office of the President in Taipei City, reiterating the government’s commitment to expanding bilateral relations and promoting cooperation across a broad spectrum of areas. Returning to Taiwan for the first time since attending Tsai’s inauguration in May 2016, Heine is leading a delegation of senior officials on a seven-day official trip. Earlier the same day, Tsai and Heine presided over the signing of agreements on visa-free entry and coast guard collaboration by Taiwan Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaushieh Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) and Marshall Islands Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade John M. Silk. According to the Office of the President, the pacts are a natural extension of mutually beneficial cooperation initiatives spanning areas like agriculture, clean energy, environmental protection, health care and talent cultivation.
MOFA minister reaffirms Taiwan’s commitment to cross-strait status quo
The government is fully committed to maintaining the cross-strait status quo for the benefit of the people of both sides and throughout the region, according to Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) July 23. “We want to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait ... By itself, Taiwan exists outside China, Taiwan exists by itself, so there’s no need for Taiwan to go beyond what it is right now,” Wu said. The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) made the remarks during an exclusive interview with CNN in Taipei City. It was the first time in many years for a Taiwan MOFA minister to grant such access to the U.S.-based news channel. According to Wu, Taiwan’s international space is under pressure from China via a strategy of poaching diplomatic allies, pressuring private companies to change Taiwan’s designation on their websites and increased military activity near the country. But this approach is not currying favor with the people of Taiwan, he said. “They say they want to win the hearts and minds of Taiwanese people but what they’re doing ... is to create hatred among the regular Taiwanese people [toward] the Chinese government. It is pushing Taiwan further and further away.” The minister said the government is countering this strategy by deepening relations with the U.S. and maximizing cooperation with like-minded countries.
CEDAW panel reviews Taiwan report, highlights progress in gender equality
An international panel completed a weeklong review of Taiwan’s third national report on the implementation of the U.N. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) July 20 in Taipei City. Comprising five foreign academics and women’s rights advocates, the panel highlighted Taiwan’s progress in promoting representation of women in political and public life as evidenced by the election of President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) and an increase in the number of women legislators. Other accomplishments include government efforts in promoting the return of female employees to work after parental leave and improving women’s health by fostering a gender-sensitive health care environment. It also handed down recommendations for further advancing gender equality spanning issues such as the availability and accessibility to justice systems; awareness of sexual and reproductive health and rights; efforts to break down gender stereotypes; and the establishment of an independent national human rights institution. Taiwan ratified CEDAW in 2007 and produced its first national report on the implementation of the convention two years later.
MAC minister details cross-strait policy in Washington
Taiwan will never relinquish its sovereignty in exchange for an illusory peace, nor will its 23 million people ever allow their destiny to be decided by the other side of the strait, according to Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chen Ming-tong (陳明通) July 18. In light of recent changes, the government is willing to consider future cross-strait interactions with a more open attitude and flexible policy while engaging in pragmatic communication and dialogue, Chen said. But China must stop words and actions harmful to Taiwan and restrain internal factors detrimental to positive development, he added. Chen made the comments during a keynote address at a one-day international conference on the opportunities and challenges of cross-strait relations hosted by U.S.-headquartered think tank The Heritage Foundation and Taiwan Foundation for Democracy in Washington. According to Chen, since President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) took office in May 2016, the government has consistently handled cross-strait ties in a pragmatic fashion and engaged in related affairs according to the ROC Constitution. Tsai respects the historical fact of cross-strait talks in 1992, as well as the joint acknowledgement of seeking common ground while reserving differences to promote the peaceful and stable development of Taipei-Beijing relations, he said. The president’s cross-strait policy of maintaining the status quo is in line with the major interests of all parties in the region, Chen said, adding that it is a correct and feasible path beneficial to peace, stability and prosperity in East Asia—vital factors in preserving global order.
Tsai vows to strengthen Taiwan-Central America relations
President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) received a Central American Parliament (PARLACEN) delegation July 12 at the Office of the President in Taipei City, vowing to continue enhancing exchanges between Taiwan and countries in the region. Taiwan enjoys close relations with many Central American nations, Tsai said. The government is sparing no effort in working with these allies to promote mutually beneficial business opportunities and position the country as a gateway for the region’s exports, she added. According to the president, Taiwan’s extensive development and innovation experience, as well as its high-quality talent and technological prowess, make it a perfect partner for Central America. The government is willing and able to expand related exchanges and play a central role in advancing regional prosperity, she said. Tsai also took the opportunity to thank PARLACEN President Tony Raful Tejada, the delegation’s leader, for consistently supporting Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. It is sincerely hoped this rock-solid backing remains in place going forward and opens more doors for the nation in the global arena, she said.
Digital Innovation Forum wraps up in Taipei
The 2018 Digital Innovation Forum (DIF) concluded July 20 in Taipei City, with around 4,000 attendees, including officials and business representatives from all 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies, gathering to discuss the latest opportunities and trends in digital technology. Organized by Taiwan and Papua New Guinea in cooperation with the APEC Business Advisory Council, the two-day event featured keynote addresses by more than 30 leading international experts in fields spanning artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain and e-governance. Speakers included Minister without Portfolio Audrey Tang (唐鳳) former Estonia President Toomas Hendrik Ilves; Skype Inc. co-founder Geoffrey Prentice; and Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales. Another major highlight of the forum was a panel on the future of AI. According to event organizers, a report summarizing insights and perspectives shared at the DIF will be delivered to the leaders of APEC member economies.
Foreign trade up 10.9 percent in 1st half of 2018
Taiwan’s foreign trade surged 10.9 percent to US$302.11 billion in the first six months of 2018, according to the Ministry of Finance July 9. Accumulated exports rose 10.9 percent to US$163.83 billion, the highest on record for the period. This largely stemmed from a 9.1 percent increase in electronic components and parts, with integrated circuits the major contributor. Basic metals, chemicals and machinery also fared well, up 16.5 percent, 21.9 percent and 15.9 percent, respectively. Optical products—including display panels—were the only item registering a decline among Taiwan’s major exports. At the same time, imports surged 10.8 percent to US$138.28 billion. This was spurred by an 18.5 percent increase for minerals, with crude oil comprising 71.3 percent of the gain. Other sectors posting double-digit growth were electronic components and parts, 17 percent; chemicals, 13.9 percent; and basic metals, 12.1 percent. The leading destinations for Taiwan’s exports remained China, including Hong Kong, up 14.2 percent to a record US$67.13 billion. This was followed by Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states at US$29.03 billion, up 4.6 percent year on year. Exports to Japan and the U.S. hit peak levels for the period. The former jumped 14.9 percent to US$11.27 billion, while the latter climbed 8.1 percent to US$18.78 billion. At the same time, shipments to the 18 countries targeted by the government’s New Southbound Policy rose 6.3 percent to US$33.96 billion.
NDC sets sights on advancing blockchain development
Blockchain development is a core component of the government’s digital transformation strategy aiming to create opportunities stemming from new technologies, according to National Development Council (NDC) Minister Chen Mei-ling (陳美伶) July 2. Despite immense promise as a generator of revenue and profit, blockchain also poses considerable challenges for the existing socioeconomic structure and regulatory framework, Chen said during her opening address at 2018 Asia Blockchain Summit in Taipei City. Organized by locally headquartered nongovernmental organization Asia Blockchain Alliance, the two-day event brings together officials and industry experts from more than 30 countries and territories for talks on the current status, future possibilities and impacts of blockchain and cryptocurrencies. The NDC will collaborate with the private sector in developing related platforms identifying potential areas for new applications so as to build the country into a worldwide turnkey solution provider, Chen said. At the same time, Taiwan’s regulations and practices pertaining to the protection of personal information must be harmonized with international standards, she added.
Taiwan places 16th in IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking
Taiwan is 16th out of 63 countries and territories in the latest World Digital Competitiveness Ranking published June 19 by Switzerland-based International Institute for Management Development (IMD). Slipping four spots from last year, Taiwan placed sixth in the Asia-Pacific ahead of Japan, 22nd; Malaysia, 27th; and China, 30th; and trailing Hong Kong, 11th; Australia, 13th; and South Korea, 14th. The U.S. tops the ranking, followed by Singapore and Sweden in that order. Of the indictors used to assess digital competitiveness and information technology (IT) development, Taiwan finished top globally in R&D personnel per capita. The nation also ranked second in IT and media stock market capitalization, and mobile broadband subscribers, as well as third in high-tech exports and educational assessment in math.
Tseng Chun-hsin claims Wimbledon boys’ singles crown
Taiwan’s Tseng Chun-hsin (曾俊欣) is the first junior athlete since 2004 to win the French Open and Wimbledon boys’ singles crowns in the same season following a 6-1, 6-7, 6-4 triumph over Jack Draper of the U.K. at the latter Grand Slam July 15 in London. The top-seeded 16-year-old blew away his opponent in the opening set before the Briton fought back in the second to end the Taiwan athlete’s streak of 11 straight sets. Tseng maintained his poise in a tense final frame featuring five breaks of serve, ultimately sealing victory with his ninth ace of the 126-minute encounter. Ranked No. 1 in the International Tennis Federation boys’ junior rankings, Tseng is widely regarded as the most promising talent in Asia. In 2015, he became the first Asian player to win the boys’ singles title at Les Petits As—a leading junior tournament held annually in France for 12-14 year olds.
Cabinet accelerates offshore wind farm development in Taiwan
The government is sparing no effort in advancing offshore wind farm development through such measures as streamlining approval processes, strengthening oversight of support infrastructure construction, and providing assistance with planning and building procedures, according to Premier Lai Ching-te (賴清德) July 5. Transition to renewables is central to achieving a nuclear-free homeland by 2025, Lai said. Wind will play a key role in the nation’s energy mix, with the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) selecting nine local and foreign companies to build 14 wind farms with a total capacity of 5.5 gigawatts off Taiwan’s western coast within the next seven years, he added. According to the MOEA, two demonstration wind farms in the waters off Miaoli and Changhua counties in northern and central Taiwan, respectively, are forecast to come online in 2019. Financed partially through state subsidies, the sites, which have a combined capacity of 230 megawatts, underscore the government’s commitment to fostering renewables and related expertise, the ministry said. The 14 additional offshore wind farms are projected to generate 19.8 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, create 20,000 job opportunities and reduce Taiwan’s carbon emissions by 10.47 million metric tons annually, the MOEA added.
Tourism film spotlights Taiwan’s Muslim-friendly travel environment
A promotional film showcasing Taiwan’s major attractions and Muslim-friendly travel environment is scheduled to premiere in Brunei and Malaysia as part of government efforts strengthening tourism exchanges with the 18 New Southbound Policy target countries. Produced by the Tourism Bureau under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, “Salam Taiwan” stars Malaysian actress and TV host Mira Filzah. It charts her trip to Taiwan July 4-9 alongside compatriots Aisha Liyana, Sharifah Rose and Yasmin Redzuan, social media personalities focusing on cosmetics and fashion. According to the bureau, the film will be shown on cinema screens, digital billboards, online streaming sites and TV commercials. It will assist Taiwan in tapping these potential-laden tourism markets, as well as spotlight government efforts to cultivate a welcoming and convenient travel environment for people from diverse cultures. Going forward, the bureau will continue working with Filzah, who boasts over 3 million Instagram followers, in fostering awareness of Taiwan’s tourism sector in the Southeast Asian countries. Upcoming collaborations involve the actress featuring in the nation’s promotional activities at Matta Fair, one of the largest travel trade shows in Malaysia, running Sept. 7-9.
Premier Lai eyes tourism sector growth via diversifying visitor sources
The government is unlocking Taiwan’s rich tourism potential by diversifying visitor sources, upgrading facilities and encouraging in-depth tours emphasizing the local characteristics of each region, according to Premier Lai Ching-te (賴清德) July 3. To raise the country’s global tourism visibility, the government aims to create a national brand spotlighting Taiwan’s vibrant cultural attractions, food and natural environment, Lai said. Various forms of financial and technical assistance are also being provided to local authorities to ensure every region benefits from industry promotion measures, he added. The premier said visitor numbers top 10 million annually, with this figure expected to increase going forward. Since diversification holds the key to sustainable tourism development, the government is working to entice more travelers from Europe, Northeast Asia and North and South America, and eyeing substantial future growth from emerging markets in Southeast Asia under the New Southbound Policy (NSP), he added. According to the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, these efforts are already bearing fruit, with visitor numbers increasing 27.7 percent year on year to 2.28 million in 2017. Tourists from NSP target countries stayed for an average of 8.1 days and spent US$152.25 per day, with industry revenues from these markets totaling US$2.8 billion last year, the ministry said.
Talent cultivation program boosts Taiwan-NSP country exchanges
The talent cultivation program implemented by the Ministry of Education (MOE) in support of the New Southbound Policy (NSP) is boosting exchanges between Taiwan and NSP countries, according to Premier Lai Ching-te (賴清德) June 27. Human capital lies at the heart of national competitiveness and is the cornerstone of industrial development, Lai said. No stone will be left unturned by the government in proposing more initiatives to meet the education and industry needs of Taiwan and NSP countries, he added. Launched in 2017, the program promotes exchanges with tertiary institutions in NSP countries while delivering win-win outcomes and enhancing regional prosperity. According to the MOE, 92 tailored academic-industry undertakings involving 2,931 NSP students were rolled out last year. This complemented an array of advanced courses for senior R&D professionals. Enhanced recruitment promotions also paid handsome dividends. Around 41,000 students, or 35 percent of all foreigners enrolled in Taiwan colleges and universities, are from NSP countries. The number represents an academic year-on-year increase of 20 percent. Education collaboration is another area of achievement. During the inaugural Taiwan-India Presidents Forum June 21 at National Tsing Hua University in the northern city of Hsinchu, 19 memorandums of understanding were signed by the two sides. Equally impressive are the memorandums of understanding on 722 items concluded between tertiary institutions from Taiwan and Indonesia in April.
New York film festival to screen Taiwan movies
Six Taiwan films, including an award-winning documentary about a fallen Major League Baseball (MLB) star, will be shown at the 41st Asian American International Film Festival running July 25 to Aug. 4 in New York. Taiwan-Canadian director Frank W. Chen’s (陳惟揚) “Late Life: The Chien-ming Wang (王建民) Story” has been selected as one of the festival’s centerpiece presentations. The 2018 production chronicles the efforts of Wang, a renowned Taiwan pitcher who once played for the New York Yankees and three other MLB teams, to fight his way back to the top after a series of injuries. The other five selections from Taiwan fall into the shorts category. Hsu Chen-chieh’s (許承傑) family drama “Guo Mie” was a finalist in the 2017 Student Academy Awards; Ying Liang’s (應亮) “I Have Nothing to Say” touches on Chinese political oppression; while Huang Chung-wei’s (黃仲薇) “Midnight Carnival” explores coming-of-age themes. The other two films are Yang Yung-shiuan’s (楊詠亘) animation “Stories about Him,” inspired by her grandfather’s life; while “Iphigenia’s Night,” directed by Albert Ventura is a thriller which begins with a car crash and a dead stranger in a mask with a string protruding from his mouth.
Taiwan’s PTS inks audiovisual archive, technology pact with France’s INA
A memorandum of understanding on film archive development and preservation technology exchanges was concluded June 29 by Taiwan’s Public Television Service (PTS) and France’s National Audiovisual Institute (INA). Under the pact inked in Taipei City, the organizations will offer access to their respective archives, co-organize training programs for industry professionals and share the latest developments in conservation techniques. The first initiative under the pact is a two-day training program for Taiwan film industry professionals on adapting archival materials. This workshop is scheduled to take place June 20-21, 2019, in Taipei. Founded in 1998, PTS is an independent nonprofit organization operating three free-to-air TV channels. Established in 1974, INA is a global leader in film preservation, housing over 17 million hours of audiovisual content as of the end of 2017.
Animated series ‘Food Man’ wins award in US competition
Taiwan TV series “Food Man” won the best animation prize June 26 in the latest edition of the U.S. Southern Shorts Awards (SSA). Released by New Taipei City-based Windmill Group, the 52-episode show stars superheroes in the form of anthropomorphic traditional foods such as steamed buns and sticky rice dumplings. The characters bring children up to speed on important topics like environmental protection, food safety or science in each 11-minute episode. The series targeting children under 6 was lauded by the SSA judges for its outstanding animation, strong writing and educational and entertainment value. The first episode of the show will be screened Aug. 4 at the award festival in Atlanta in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to Windmill, the food superheroes first gained a following after appearing in the company’s print publications some five years ago. Based on the strong interest in the characters, the firm worked to bring them to the small screen in collaboration with Taipei City-based Yu-Sheng Animation Studio and Chen Chih-lung (陳志隆), a screenwriter and assistant professor of multimedia digital content at Da-Yeh University in central Taiwan’s Changhua County.
MOC launches online digital asset library of historic sites, insects
Taiwan Digital Asset Library (TDAL), an online database comprising 3-D models of historic structures and insects, was launched June 22 by the Ministry of Culture (MOC), highlighting government efforts to support the development of creative industries across such fields as animation, comics, film and games. Developed in partnership with the Ministry of Science and Technology, the TDAL offers representations of 44 anthropomorphic insects and 28 cultural landmarks. Among the latter are Grand Hotel Taipei, Red House and Xinbeitou train station in Taipei City, Xiluo Bridge in western Taiwan’s Yunlin County, as well as Hayashi Department Store in southern Taiwan’s Tainan City. Also featured are reproductions of two former historic sites: Kikumoto Hyakkaten, built in 1932 in Taipei as Taiwan’s first-ever department store, and Chunghwa Market Bazaar, a complex of eight three-story buildings housing 1,600 stores torn down in 1992. To showcase the library, the MOC has approved the use of its 3-D models in an upcoming film adaptation of “Scrolls of a Northern City,” a graphic novel by artist Akru, as well as a TV series based on “The Magician on the Skywalk,” a collection of 10 interrelated short stories by Wu Ming-yi (吳明益).
Photos: Central News Agency, Jimmy Lin, Liberty Times, Ministry of Culture, Office of the President, Public Television Service, Tourism Bureau, Wimbledon official website, Windmill Group