Forestry Bureau eases regulations relating to the collection of driftwood

2022-08-26

Beachcombers, take note. The Forestry Bureau has eased regulations regarding the collection of driftwood. In the past, pieces of wood stranded on the beach after a typhoon could only be collected after the government gave permission. In the future, relevant agencies will release lists of areas where driftwood collection is allowed. Artists say the new relaxed rules are a change for the better.

After every typhoon, Taiwan’s coast is left littered with driftwood washed down from the mountains. It’s great firewood and, for many, it’s excellent material for creating artworks. Until recently, driftwood was considered property of the state, meaning that nobody was allowed to take it off the beach until the government gave the go-ahead. That has now changed, thanks to an easing of regulations by the Forestry Bureau.

Huang Chiun-tse
Hualien Forest District Office
Before, it was forbidden save for several exceptions. Now it’s allowed, save for several exceptions. Picking up wood from state-owned forests is still not allowed. It’s only allowed on the coast, and at the mouths of rivers, at places announced by the local governments.

Taking into account the needs of locals, the Forestry Bureau has significantly loosened regulations on driftwood.

The relevant agencies will draw up a list of areas on the coast and along river estuaries where collecting driftwood is allowed. Certain pieces of wood will be marked, indicating that they can be legally taken away. Members of the public will be able to collect any of those pieces they want until the next typhoon is announced. But there are some limitations. The wood must not have a diameter above 20 centimeters, a length of more than 2 meters or a weight of more than 50 kilograms. Cutting or breaking it up into pieces before taking it away is also not allowed.

Huang Chiun-tse
Hualien Forest District Office
You can pick up the driftwood, and take it away. You can work with it, and make it into a creation, a work of art, or a cultural artifact. But if you want to sell it, we hope that you can make a record of it with the relevant government offices first.

Voice of Sapud Kacaw
Driftwood artist
Easing the regulations is helpful of course. Originally, you weren’t allowed to use heavy machinery to collect the wood. The machines could hurt the corals and the plants. That approach is very harmful to the sea. I think it’s OK if it’s just people moving them.

The clear skies and blue sea contrast with a gigantic driftwood installation. The sculptor carved each piece by hand, turning the wood into a beautiful artwork. Artists say the loosening of regulations can make it easier for them to create. The Forestry Bureau says that when using driftwood for artistic purposes, it is still best to register first with the government.

漂流木大解嚴! 法規鬆綁部落藝術家直呼讚

2022-08-26

不少藝術家創作需要用到漂流木，林務局宣布大幅鬆綁漂流木撿拾規範，從以往的嚴格限制，改為原則准許、例外禁止。只要在特定海域內，等相關單位標記好後，直到下次颱風警報前，民眾都能夠合法撿拾漂流木，不必擔心受罰。部落藝術家一聽到消息，直呼有幫助。

每次颱風過後，沙灘上就有不少從山上沖刷下來的漂流木，很適合當柴燒或是雕刻成藝術品，不過因為漂流木屬國家財產，不能任意撿拾，得等政府公告開放。但如今林務局宣布政策鬆綁！

[[花蓮林管處長黃群策]]
“以前是原則禁止，例外開放，現在是原則開放，例外禁止。國有林班是排除的，是僅限於海岸跟河口，縣府有公告的地方”

為了兼顧民眾習慣、需求，林務局大幅度鬆綁漂流木的檢拾規定。

只要是特定海岸、河口，從有關單位標記後，到下次颱風警報前，都可以合法撿拾，但前提是，撿拾的木材，直徑不可超過20公分、長度得小於2公尺，重量也不能超過50公斤，且不能切割或鋸斷。

[[花蓮林管處長黃群策]]
“你可以拿起來的漂流木，你就可以帶走，未來如果你要把它加工成，創意作品、藝術作品、文創作品，能夠會有販售的，我們希望把它拿到政府所規定的地方做註記”

[[聲源: 木雕藝術創作人撒部嘎照]]
“(開放)也是有這個幫助啦，本來就是不能用重機械(去撿)，重機械它會破壞海邊的珊瑚礁、植物，這樣去採其實很傷那個海，覺得還是用人去搬，是OK的”

藍天大海旁一座裝置藝術正在誕生，雕刻家用刻刀一筆一畫，將樸實的漂流木，化身成藝術的一部分。藝術家肯定林務局將放寬限制，讓創作能夠更容易實現。不過林務局也提醒，為了強化木材溯源管理，若有創作需求，最好還是向有關單位登記。

KMT vice chair sits with China’s Taiwan affairs office deputy head

2022-08-26

UMC founder Robert Tsao applies to restore Taiwanese citizenship

Former UMC Chairman Robert Tsao says he has applied to restore his Taiwanese citizenship. He says he has decided it would be better to die in Taiwan than stand by and helplessly watch it become another Hong Kong. Though Tsao was previously known for being an advocate for unification with China, he has become very critical of the CCP in recent public appearances. The semiconductor magnate originally became a Singapore national in 2011.

Host
You still retain your Singaporean citizenship. Could there be a problem with that?

Robert Tsao
Former UMC chairman
It will be resolved in two days. Then, my R.O.C. citizenship will be restored.

Robert Tsao, the former chairman of semiconductor maker UMC revealed in an interview that he had applied to restore his Taiwanese citizenship.

Robert Tsao
Former UMC chairman
If you tell everyone else to be anti-Communist, you can’t hide yourself away. Taiwanese people need a morale boost and my return today has a symbolic meaning. Now many people may think about fleeing as soon as possible if China attacks. But I have decided I will die in Taiwan, not in some other country.

Tsao has not only decided he will live or die with Taiwan. He has also predicted three scenarios for his own death.

Robert Tsao
Former UMC chairman
The first way I may die will be as a result of illness, nothing you can do about that. The second way will be from dying of laughter as I watch the collapse of the Communist Party of China and see all their crimes exposed and denounced by the entire Chinese people. The third way will be dying in battle. I will never let myself live and see Taiwan become another Hong Kong.

Tsao now says he is avowedly anti-Communist. However, in 2007, he published a cross-strait peace law and pushed for a referendum on unification with China. In 2011, he became a citizen of Singapore. More recently, after China’s military exercises around Taiwan in August, he announced a NT$3 billion donation in support of Taiwan’s defense. Now, he says he is giving up his Singaporean citizenship, appearing on TV sporting bulletproof vests.

Robert Tsao
Former UMC chairman
You need to give up some benefits to win freedom. In 2019 I saw the Communist Party in Hong Kong openly beating ordinary citizens. What kind of world is this? They are such thugs. I said, no, this is not on. I must make a stand and oppose the Communists. I have cut off all kinds of connections that I made in Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China. I don’t need them. There’s no going back. I will oppose the Communists.

From his lavish donation to restoring his Taiwanese citizenship, Tsao is showing he’s determined to stand up for the nation.

2022-08-26

New government-backed network to prevent distribution of intimate images without consent

The Ministry of Health and Welfare on Friday launched an initiative to protect victims whose intimate images have been distributed without their consent. It will work with a network of ministry officials, NGOs as well as online platforms where images can be shared. Intimate images typically include photographs and videos in which people are nude, partially nude or engaging in sexual activities. Though sometimes the images were taken consensually, their distribution may not necessarily be consensual. A lawmaker at the launch event said she hoped the legislation can be passed as soon as possible to protect victims.

Together, they announce the launch of a network to help victims whose intimate images have been distributed without their consent. The Ministry of Health and Welfare has brought together non-governmental organizations and operators of online image-sharing platforms to put an end to this abuse, so that victims can be protected.

Kao Chia-yu
DPP lawmaker
Although I am a public figure, and a lawmaker, when I was mistreated and hurt in that way, I was full of doubts on what to do. When I decided to speak up, I realized there were many people who were on my side.

DPP lawmaker Kao Chia-yu previously opened up about the physical abuse she suffered at the hands of her ex-boyfriend, who also shared intimate pictures of her without her consent. Kao says victims of such treatment should not be afraid to seek help. She voiced hope that the government would pass legislation on the matter soon to provide a legal system to protect victims.

Kao Chia-yu
DPP lawmaker
Many sexual images are filmed or shot voluntarily and consensually. I hope that in the future, laws can be amended to make up for the lack of coverage over crimes involving these kinds of images.

Lee Li-feng
Health deputy minister
In 2011, the Department of Protective Services launched a plan with the Taipei Computer Association. It helps victims take down images from the internet as fast as possible.

Chen Yi-ling
End Child Prostitution and Trafficking
Whenever we receive intimates images from someone, we should know to not disseminate them. Distributing the images is a crime, and of course harms the victims.

According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, this year until July, 150 people sought government assistance in cases involving intimate images. More than 70% of the victims were women. And the cases involved more than 800 websites. The ministry reports that contacting the website host to remove the images was successful in about 70% of cases.

2022-08-26

Ukrainian Independence Day Festival in Taipei

Aug. 24 not only marked six months of the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it was also Ukraine Independence Day. This Saturday, the NGO Taiwan Stands With Ukraine is holding a cultural festival to celebrate Ukraine’s Independence Day in Taipei. The event will offer Ukrainian food, drinks, snacks, as well as the opportunity to raise money for charity. FTV reporter Stephany Yang spoke to the festival organizers to find out more.

Alex Khomenko, a Ukrainian living in Taiwan, is a member of Taiwan Stands With Ukraine, a volunteer organization founded in Taipei in response to the war. He reflects about the past few months.

Alex Khomenko
Taiwan Stand with Ukraine organizer
It is a heavy mind to think that it’s been six months of brutality and six months of our country being destroyed without an end in sight. It’s a pretty somber day, but at the same time, yesterday, I went to Tainan where we had a donation that was facilitated by the Presbyterian Church and some other donors. They actually financed 154 modern hospital beds manufactured by a company in Tainan in three weeks specifically for Ukraine. That really made a big difference for a lot of us to feel that on this day, Taiwan is really supporting us. But it’s a sad day. The war has been going on for too long.

This Saturday, Taiwan Stands with Ukraine is holding a cultural festival to celebrate Ukraine’s Independence Day on the green lawn at Taipei Guting Lane Tailor. At the festival, there will be Ukrainian food, drinks, and snacks. A flea market will also sell gifts that will be donated to charity. A Lithuanian living in Taiwan, Migle Matekunaite, is in charge of cultural affairs for Taiwan Stands with Ukraine events.

Migle Matekunaite
Festival organizer
As a Lithuanian, I would want to say that we are really grateful for friendship and support from Taiwan. I am also grateful for the support to Ukraine. I would say great values will win. All nice countries can be friends forever.

Alex Khomenko
Taiwan Stand with Ukraine organizer
As a Ukrainian community, our goal is to help establish diplomatic ties and economic ties between Taiwan and Ukraine. We have seen how our efforts her actually get noticed in Ukraine and make a difference. That’s another big aspect of why we do these events is because even though they are not huge, the publicity really gets noticed, really helps people in Ukraine learn about Taiwan and see the support. It’s very well appreciated.

All proceeds will be given to local volunteer organizations in Ukraine.

Alex Khomenko
Taiwan Stand with Ukraine organizer
All the money we raise goes to supporting small organizations directly in Ukraine. We work with our community to find organizations where we can give them maybe not a large amount of money, but it goes directly to helping somebody. We don’t give to large international organizations where we don’t know where the money goes. We make sure that they know that the support comes from Taiwan.

Organizers are inviting everyone to come celebrate Ukraine’s independence and learn more about Ukrainian culture.

2022-08-26

CECC to consider relaxing Taiwan’s border controls in October, depending on COVID situation

2022-08-26

Time Out magazine selects Yongkang Street as fourth coolest street in the world

2022-08-26

Doctors provide tips to prevent atrial fibrillation

A local study conducted by five major Taiwanese medical centers found four major risk factors of sudden death related to heart disease. In Taiwan, 20% of cases of sudden death from heart disease are related to arrhythmia. FTV reporter Stephany Yang got some tips from experts on how to self-assess and prevent.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common form of sustained arrhythmia. According to statistics from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, there are 300,000 to 400,000 people in Taiwan who suffer from atrial fibrillation. A local study conducted by five major Taiwanese medical centers found four major risk factors of sudden death, and 20% of sudden-death cases in Taiwan are related to arrhythmia.

Wen Ming-shien
Chang Gung Memorial Hospital vice superintendent
According to the results of our study, we found that about 20% of patients who died of sudden death outside the hospital in Taiwan were afflicted with arrhythmia. They died from heart failure or atrial fibrillation. An analysis showed that the patients were found to have several risk factors, namely SACAF. The “S” stands for sex. Male patients are prone to such sudden death. “A” stands for age. People less than 65 years old are more susceptible to sudden death. “C” stands for cardiovascular disease, and "AF" is for atrial fibrillation, which is associated with an increased risk of sudden death.

Common symptoms of atrial fibrillation include palpitations, weakness, dizziness, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, chest pain, and sweating. However, up to one-third of patients have imperceptible symptoms – a condition known as silent AF. If atrial fibrillation is not diagnosed, it may increase the risk of stroke and sudden death. Doctors share some tips to prevent the disease.

Wen Ming-shien
Chang Gung Memorial Hospital
You can exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, don’t overwork yourself and keep your heart and blood vessels healthy.

Hsieh Ming-hsiung
Taipei Wan-Fang Hospital
How can you detect atrial fibrillation? We tell patients and their families that the detection is quite simple. Just learn to take a pulse. If the pulse is suddenly strong, slow, or fast, it may be atrial fibrillation. The most important thing is regular checkups. The labor council orders workers to have regular health checkups. But if you work for yourself or are a freelancer, you may not notice problems that occur, and they could become more serious if you don’t get regular health checkups on your own.

Doctors say the incidence rate of atrial fibrillation increases with age. It is imperative that those who suspect they have the condition to seek medical attention as soon as possible to receive early detection and treatment.

2022-08-26

US lawmaker meet President Tsai in show of support for Taiwan

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn on Thursday night arrived in Taiwan, leading the U.S.’ third congressional delegation of the month. In a meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen on Friday, Blackburn urged "freedom loving nations" to support Taiwan. The vocal critic of China also tweeted her support for Taiwan in Chinese and English as soon as she got off the plane, saying the purpose of her visit was to let Beijing know that bullying will not be accepted.

On Thursday night, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn touched down in Taipei for what is her first Taiwan visit in 14 years. She says her visit is a show of support for Taiwan.

Tsai Ing-wen
President
Especially at this key moment, making the long journey to Taiwan is a concrete demonstration of strong support from the U.S. Congress. This means a great deal to us. Senator Blackburn is an important force of resolute support for Taiwan in the U.S. Congress.

Marsha Blackburn
US senator
It is important, indeed, that freedom-loving nations support Taiwan as they seek to preserve their independence and their freedom.

The 70-year-old, who represents Tennessee in the Senate, is a member of the Taiwan Congressional Caucus. She has not only voiced support for the signing of a bilateral free trade agreement between Taiwan and the U.S. but also Taiwan’s inclusion in the Indo Pacific Economic Framework. She’s even co-sponsored a number of Taiwan-friendly bills, including the “Taiwan Symbols and Sovereignty Act” and the “Taiwan Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act” that authorizes an American defense lend or lease program with the Taiwanese government. From her arrival in Taiwan, Blackburn has been vocal about her position on China.

As soon as she got off the plane, Blackburn tweeted in Chinese that her visit to Taiwan was to convey a message to Beijing that bullying was not acceptable.

After that, she continued tweeting that she would continue to stand with Taiwan and fight for freedom and democracy and that Xi Jinping didn’t scare her.

She also gave a keynote speech at the foreign ministry’s Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs, where she did not mince her words.

Marsha Blackburn
US senator
The only way we can stop and reverse this rise of authoritarianism around the globe is to do everything we possibly can to make sure that authoritarians fail. That starts with sharing the benefits of military, diplomatic and economic power.

Strong bipartisan congressional support for Taiwan has been apparent this month – from a landmark visit from a delegation led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in early August to a delegation led by Democratic Senator Ed Markey in mid-August. Blackburn’s visit is third U.S. delegation of the month.

2022-08-26

Forestry Bureau eases regulations relating to the collection of driftwood