Tsai apologizes to Taitung and Hualien heads after earthquake response center visit

Tsai apologizes to Taitung and Hualien heads after earthquake response center visit

2022-09-19

President Tsai Ing-wen on Monday offered apologies to the commissioners of Taitung and Hualien for failing to speak with them during disaster relief efforts the day before. Tsai had visited the Central Emergency Operation Center on Sunday night, to oversee operations in the wake of the strongest earthquake to hit Taitung in 49 years. She gave an address to the team at the center, but did not speak with the two commissioners, as had been expected. The president says the incident was the result of poor communication with staff, who were busy attending to dealing with the aftermath of the earthquake.

President Tsai Ing-wen on Monday met the delegation that represented Taiwan at this year’s World Police and Fire Games. She thanked them all for their hard work.

Tsai Ing-wen
President
We saw disasters occurring all around the country. Our police officers and firefighters responded immediately, devoting themselves to disaster relief operations. Whenever there is a natural disaster, the hardest work is that work carried out by first responders. On behalf of the whole country, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to you all, for all your hard work.

This past weekend, Taitung experience its strongest earthquake in 49 years. Upon learning of the incident Tsai gave an address to the nation, and Premier Su Tseng-chang headed to the Central Emergency Operation Center. The central government launched rescue operations, and the Ministry of National defense established a command center to assist with relief measures. At 8 p.m. on Sunday, President Tsai herself went to the Central Emergency Operation Center to hear debriefings from the relevant agencies. The KMT commissioners of Hualien and Taitung, Hsu Chen-wei and Yao Ching-ling have protested Tsai’s actions, saying that she left the operations center after giving a speech, and did not speak with them via teleconference as expected.

Fu Kun-chi
KMT lawmaker
It was quite regrettable yesterday, that there was no communication with the president and the premier. I hope it was just a misunderstanding.

Tsai Ing-wen
President
Last night, I went to the Central Emergency Operation Center. Our staff was very busy and may not have communicated well enough. So that may have been some shortcomings that resulted in me not being able to speak with the two county commissioners and the rescue teams. I hereby would like to apologize to both county commissioners and the disaster relief teams in Hualien and Taitung. Moving forward we still have a lot of work to do, and central and local governments will work together to ensure normalcy is restored as soon as possible.

The president says she is keeping a close eye on disaster response operations, as premier Su stays in Hualien overseeing relief work.

蔡.蘇赴災害應變中心坐鎮為連線疏失致歉

2022-09-19

台東發生49年來最強烈的地震，府院第一時間緊急應變，動員救援人力前往花東，總統蔡英文和行政院長蘇貞昌都前往中央災害應變中心坐鎮，不過，花東兩位縣長埋怨總統昨天到應變中心沒有和它們連線，害他們乾等，對此，總統今天表示，是因為工作人員忙碌溝通不足，連線作業有疏失，他向兩位縣長和救災團隊表達歉意。

總統蔡英文接見「第19屆世界警察消防運動會」代表團，總統先向大家說謝謝。

[[總統蔡英文]]
“各地陸續傳出災情，我們全體的警消同仁都在第一個時間，全力投入救災的工作。每當有天災事變的時候，最辛苦的就是我們第一線的警消同仁，我要代表全體國人，向各位致上最深的感謝，大家真的辛苦了。”

台東發生49年來最強烈的地震，總統第一時間掌握訊息發表談話，行政院長蘇貞昌也隨即趕到中央災害應變中心坐鎮。中央全力投入救援，國防部也開設前進指揮所，協助救災。週日晚間八點鐘，總統也親自前往災害應變中心，聽取各相關單位報告，不過，花東縣市長徐榛蔚和饒慶鈴都埋怨蔡總統，念完稿就走，沒和他們視訊連線，讓他們乾等。

[[立委(國) 傅崐萁]]
“昨天比較遺憾，並沒有跟總統、院長視訊連線到，希望這只是一場無意的誤會。”

[[總統蔡英文]]
“昨天晚間我到中央災害應變中心視導，因為我們工作人員忙碌、溝通不足，以至於連線作業有一些疏失，沒有能夠與兩位縣長，以及救災的團隊有溝通的機會，對此我要向兩位縣長，以及在花蓮及台東的救災團隊，表示歉意。但是我們後續還有很多工作要進行，中央地方我們一起努力，讓我們各項運作盡早恢復正常。”

總統關切災情，行政院長蘇貞昌更是一整天都在花蓮勘災，就盼災損別再擴大。

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Seismologists say more large aftershocks from weekend quakes are unlikely

Another powerful earthquake struck Taiwan on Monday morning, this time with the epicenter in Hualien’s Zhuoxi Township. Seismologists say the magnitude-5.9 temblor was just one of dozens of aftershocks of a 6.8 earthquake that struck Taitung on Sunday afternoon. They say that, since Taiwan has already experienced eight earthquakes with magnitudes of at least 6 this year, 2023 could be a calmer year, seismically speaking.

People flee Chunri Elementary School in Hualien, as landslides rush down from the mountain opposite the school’s playground, taking onlookers by surprise. Taitung’s Guanshan and Chishang townships were struck by two earthquakes with magnitudes above 6 over the weekend, followed by continuous aftershocks. Then on Monday, Hualien’s Zhouxi Township was the epicenter of a magnitude-5.9 earthquake. The weather bureau’s seismologists say more large earthquakes are unlikely in the short term.

Chen Kuo-chang
Central Weather Bureau
I think that these concentrated aftershocks should be nearly over — already they are not so frequent any more. Also, I think the chances of another large aftershock are quite low.

Experts say Taiwan is currently in a period of heightened seismic activity. In Taiwan, the year 1999 recorded 15 earthquakes with a magnitude of at least 6. That’s the most recorded in one year. That’s followed by 1951 with 13 big quakes, and this year with eight recorded so far. However, if history is any indicator, next year should see an obvious reduction in seismic activity.

Kuo Kai-wen
Former seismologist
We’ve already had eight large-scale quakes this year, so that has dissipated most of that built-up energy. So, I’m hopeful that next year will be fairly quiet.

The weekend’s large earthquakes in Taitung occurred along a fault line under the Central Mountain Range that was not previously a focus of attention. Researchers have now discovered dense seismic zones on the eastern side of the mountain range.

Wu Yi-min
National Taiwan University
The fault under the Central Mountain Range is on the west side of the rift valley. That means it slopes eastward, but it doesn’t reach the surface, so seismologists didn’t list it as an active fault.

Researchers say this type of blind thrust fault may cause large earthquakes, even though it is not exposed on the surface. They also advise paying more attention to similar faults in Chiayi Couty and Tainan, which is a potential high-risk area given how seldom the faults there release energy.

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Earthquake collapses bridges, buildings and canopies in Eastern Taiwan

The 6.8 earthquake that rattled Taiwan on Sunday afternoon left one person dead and dozens injured. It also resulted in significant material damage: derailed trains, warped railway tracks and collapsed road bridges. The temblor even toppled a residential building in Hualien’s Yuli Township, trapping people inside, all of whom have since been rescued. The Central Weather Bureau warns that more aftershocks may be felt in coming days.

This drone footage shows the extent of the damage at Gaoliao Bridge in Hualien’s Yuli Township. Workers at a nearby quarry had parked their dump trucks under the bridge. Fortunately for them, the bridge collapsed on the other side, sparing more than 10 trucks from damage. At the time the earthquake struck, a scooter with two riders and a small truck with one driver had been on the bridge. The two vehicles were thrust onto the riverbed as the bridge collapsed, and the driver of the truck was left trapped in her vehicle for some time. The three were rescued moments later and sent to the hospital with minor injuries.

Over at Hualien’s Dongli Railway Station, a concrete canopy over the platform collapsed with the earthquake on Sunday. It struck a Tze-chiang limited express train which was passing the station, derailing six of the train’s cars. Transport minister Wang Kwo-tsai on Monday headed to the area to inspect the damage. He says the railway tracks have been deformed in 11 spots, and won’t be fixed until Sept. 25. However, train services will take a little longer to return to normal operations, as bridges on the system have to undergo structural repairs.

Over in the mountains of Yuli Township, a road on Chike Mountain was damaged, shutting down traffic in the area. In nearby Fuli Township, more than 400 people were left stranded on the mountains after a landslide cut access to and from Liushishi Mountain.

Chen Rong-tsung
Head of Fuli Township
The road goes about 6 kilometers up. We’re at the 3.5-kilometer spot. The excavator has been digging since it arrived, to clear the road and rescue the 400 people stuck at the top. We have five excavators working on this at the same time. They’ve been sent up the mountain to clear all the debris.

Fuli Township and the Suhua Improvement Engineering Office worked together for more than 20 hours, to clear passage. All people affected have since been able to leave the area.

Perhaps the most striking rescue operation was that of a building that collapsed in Yuli Township. Rescue teams entered the ruins in search of survivors.

A girl cries out and the team of rescuers gather to pull her out. As fast as possible, they rescue her through a small gap.

After the rescue operations, a crew cleared the wreck through the night. The owner of the building had initially raised objection, saying he had valuables in the rubble. In the end, he agreed to a full demolition.

The Central Weather Bureau says more aftershocks may shake the area in coming days. Residents in Eastern Taiwan are advised to stay alert in case another big one hits.

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New Taipei father collects fun costumes to take his children to school

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A minion saunters down the street, swaying from side to side. But why would this cute guy be outside of a theme park? This is just a normal street near a school in New Taipei’s Linkou District.

Parent
Since he appeared, everyone thinks that going to school is a really cute experience.

What’s the minion doing waiting at the school gate? Well, 33-year-old dad Mr. Chang decided to adopt the character to help his children overcome their reluctance to go to school.

Mr. Chang
Parent
They were finding it hard to adapt to school. They could go to school at 9 a.m. in the place where we lived before. But now they don’t really want to go to school. They’re always dragging their feet.

It’s these little twins, who just started Grade 1, and are finding it hard to get on with school. They asked their dad if he could dress up as a dinosaur to take them to school. And Mr. Chang was happy to oblige. He puts on a different costume each morning – a minion, a dinosaur, or a Charizard.

Mr. Chang
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The most valuable part of it is not that they’re happy to go to school it’s that I’m happy to take them inside every day, and I enjoy that time with them. As a man, I have to fulfill my commitments.

Putting on the elaborate costumes is not that easy. After his walk to school, Chang comes home dripping in sweat, but with a big smile on his face. The school’s principal thinks it’s a great initiative.

Li Yung-chih
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It’s good for the students. I think it’s wonderful.

A ferocious Charizard trundles into view, but not to worry – inside it’s just dear old dad. The kids gather round with excitement. One twin grabs the dragon’s tail with a grin. The other wants to hold dad’s hand. As they head home for today, it looks like school wasn’t so scary after all.

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In an interview on the CBS program 60 Minutes, U.S. President Joe Biden reiterated that the U.S. would come to Taiwan’s defense if China decides to attack. The president answered affirmatively when asked to confirm that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would be seen differently from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The White House has walked back the comments, but analysts say that Biden is trying to convey clear support for Taiwan, after some proposals in the recently passed Taiwan Policy Act were redacted or toned down.

During an interview on Sunday on the CBS program 60 Minutes, U.S. President Joe Biden was asked again about whether U.S. troops would defend Taiwan during a Chinese invasion attempt.

Scott Pelley
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Would U.S. forces defend the island?

Joe Biden
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Yes, if in fact there was an unprecedented attack.

Expressing clear U.S. intent to defend Taiwan, Biden was asked by the interviewer for clarification that the U.S. sees such a potential event as different from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Scott Pelley
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So, unlike Ukraine, to be clear, sir, U.S. forces, U.S. men and women would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion?

Joe Biden
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Biden was also asked about whether Chinese leader Xi Jinping was aware of his stance.

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Does President Xi know about your commitment to Taiwan?

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We agree with what we signed on to, a long time ago, and there’s a “one China” policy, and Taiwan makes their own judgments about their independence. We are not moving, we are not encouraging their independence, we’re not… that’s their decision.

Following the interview, the White House issued a statement saying that Washington’s position on Taiwan had not changed. However, Sunday’s interview is widely being seen as Biden’s clearest confirmation of U.S. troop commitment to Taiwan thus far.

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With our cooperation, with our friendship, and, I think we are already achieving a lot, and a lot of things are already in the very near future.

Taiwan’s friendship with Lithuania has boosted bilateral trade lately. Taiwanese people may not be able to travel to Lithuania, but now they can easily sample Lithuanian delicacies. However, the recent weakening of the new Taiwan dollar – which is down to more than 31 against the greenback – does mean costs are rising for importers. And that puts pressure on trade.

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Importing from Europe or from Lithuania is a long journey, whether by air or by sea. We still have to use air freight for lots of cargo, and in some cases, refrigeration. So the import costs are comparatively high.

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We will continue to coordinate with manufacturers. In the past we would receive a shipment perhaps once a week. Now we will receive two shipments a week. We will try to suppress rising costs by pursuing a high sales volume. So we can maintain the original price, until that’s really impossible.

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