Asia’s biggest LAN party returns after two-year hiatus

Asia’s biggest LAN party returns after two-year hiatus

2022-11-03

Asia’s largest esports event, WirForce, has made a big return on Thursday after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. With four days of non-stop events, organizers hope to attract over 200,000 visitors to the festival, which will feature bring-your-own-computer esports competitions and special offers on electronics. Let’s take a look at the scene.

With their eyes glued to the screen, gamers step on the gas and have a blast racing. Here, another racing game simulates driving a real car. Asia’s largest esports extravaganza, WirForce, is making a grand return after a two-year hiatus.

Gamers flocked to wait in line three or four hours early with their bags, lugging their own monitors, consoles, and even uninterruptible power sources to the bring-your-own-computer esports competitions.

BYOC esports competitor
We all brought the basic equipment from home. Players from northern and southern Taiwan can’t usually meet in person. At the BYOC event, we can finally get together!

BYOC e-sports competitor
I arrived here at 3:20 a.m. Right now, high-performance graphics cards, motherboards, and such are very expensive. So to be able to buy them cheaper here is fantastic.

Besides participating in various esports competitions, there are also those who attend for discounts on merchandise, as a graphics card can cost up to tens of thousands of new Taiwan dollars. This year, WirForce has come back with a bang, and participating industries have also changed to fit consumer habits.

Santiago Huang
Esports competition organizer
In the past, we may have been very much in hardware. But this year, we have increased the number of games, consumer goods, and even brands. We estimate that we will exceed our past record of 200,000 visitors, and may reach 230,000 to 250,000.

The organizers estimate that with an annual growth of 5%, the esports industry will be worth NT$16 billion in 2026, and will continue to gradually expand.

亞洲最大電競嘉年華睽違兩年盛大回歸

2022-11-03

亞洲最大電競嘉年華，睽違兩年盛大登場！從今天開始，一連四天不斷電，在花博爭豔館舉行各種電競比賽，包含要自備設備的BYOC，玩家就有800位，現場還有電腦零件優惠，吸引民眾前來，近年來電競商機不斷擴大，預估2026年一年產值能達到將近台幣160億元。

緊盯大螢幕，踩著油門，不論是男玩家還是女玩家都玩得不亦樂乎。一旁還有模擬真車的賽車遊戲，亞洲最大電競嘉年華，睽違兩年盛大登場。

一群玩家提著大包小包，提早三四個小時來排隊，自備螢幕、主機甚至連不斷電系統準備好，就是衝著BYOC重裝的電競競賽而來。

[[BYOC電競玩家]]
“基本的配備，我們全部都從家裡全部帶來。一群線上玩家，平常大家台灣北部、南部都沒辦法見到面，我們BYOC，大家(終於)可以齊聚一堂”

[[BYOC電競玩家]]
“我今天(凌晨)三點20幾分就到這邊了，顯卡啊、主機板啊，目前高性能的一定都很貴，能省到就偷笑了”

除了各式各樣的電競比賽，還有看準商品優惠而來，因為一張顯卡就高達上萬元，今年嘉年華強勢回歸，參展產業也跟著消費型態改變。

[[電競規劃整合公司執行長黃智仁]]
“過去我們可能非常多都是屬於硬體的產業，但今年多增加非常多跟遊戲，還有生活消費型，甚至品牌相關，我們預估超過往年紀錄20萬人流，今年可能會到23萬到25萬左右”

主辦單位預估，電競產值照著每年成長5%來算，2026年將達到160億，也逐漸壯大電競產業。

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Vice President Lai Ching-te wraps up Palau state visit

Thursday was the last day of Vice President Lai Ching-te’s state visit to Palau. In a meeting before his return to Taiwan, Lai was asked about whether his visit to Palau was a sign that he had presidential ambitions in 2024. Lai said it was nothing of the sort, adding that he was simply traveling under orders of the president.

Several U.S. A-10 Thunderbolts zoom by one after the other. This place is the hotel at which Vice President Lai Ching-te stayed during his state visit to Palau. Several hours before Lai touched down, a number of U.S. military jets rushed from Guam to the island nation.

Lai arrives at a banquet. Turn around and a group of people that look like U.S. military troops are conversing to the side. The suspected presence of U.S. troops has given rise to much speculation.

Lai Ching-te
Vice president
I didn’t interact directly with any U.S. troops. When I was in private with President Surangel Whipps, he did mention collaboration with the U.S. military. Taiwan is on the first island chain, and Palau is on the second island chain. It’s a very strong relationship, involving a huge amount of cooperation. I hope we can continue working together to safeguard peaceful and stable development in the Indo-Pacific.

Day three of Palau, he attended an event to donate telemedicine equipment to Palau, and stood with local baseball stars at a baseball equipment donation ceremony. The Palau visit is the third time that Lai leads a state delegation outside Taiwan this year. It has been seen by some as a sign that he could be planning to run in the 2024 presidential election.

Lai Ching-te
Vice president
Taiwan is facing many challenges domestically and internationally. The president herself is extremely busy. She’s been unable to travel. So I travel in her place. It’s the natural course of action. So my three foreign visits this year were not done with the intentions of running in 2024. It is just my duty as vice president, to follow the orders of the president.

At every formal diplomatic event Lai attended in Palau, he referred to Taiwan as “R.O.C. Taiwan.” That has been interpreted by some as a sign that perhaps Lai’s political stance has become more moderate.

Lai Ching-te
Vice president
Taiwan is not part of China. This is the consensus of Taiwanese society. China’s understanding of the “Taiwan independence” is that if you are not in favor of uniting with China, you are in favor of independence. Meanwhile, the U.S.’ understanding of “Taiwan independence” is to carry out legal changes. So the U.S. and China differ on how they see the matter of “Taiwan independence.” That’s where this issue becomes complicated. Tsai Ing-wen once coined “four commitments,” which are basically agreed on by all of Taiwanese society. These have naturally become a very important path for Taiwan to take as we move forward.

In her National Day Speech in 2021, President Tsai had listed out Taiwan’s “four commitments.” They are the “commitment to a free and democratic constitutional system,” the “commitment that the R.O.C. and the PRC should not be subordinate to each other,” the “commitment to resist annexation or encroachment upon Taiwan’s sovereignty” and the “commitment that the future of the R.O.C. Taiwan will be decided in accordance with the will of the Taiwanese people.”

2022-11-03

Analyst expects Fed to further hike interest rates by 0.5 points in December

2022-11-03

Central bank governor takes lawmaker’s questions after sharp Fed interest rate hike

The governor of Taiwan’s central bank, Yang Chin-long, on Thursday took questions from lawmakers regarding the rapid rise of interest rates in the U.S. Yang stressed that the strengthening of the U.S. dollar and depreciation of the new Taiwan dollar were short-term trends. As such, he said, investors shouldn’t rush to exchange U.S. dollars, as they might end up losing. Asked about whether the world could see another major financial crisis, Yang said it was unlikely, as financial systems worldwide are more stable now than in previous decades.

The U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday approved a 0.75-point hike to interest rates, and ripples of the decision have hit markets worldwide. A lawmaker on Thursday asked the Taiwan central bank governor how the government would respond.

Lai Shyh-bao
KMT lawmaker
The U.S. interest rates are so high. If you don’t raise them here, people will just buy U.S. dollars.

Yang Chin-long
Central bank governor
Even if investors make an earning from the gap in interest rates, in the end they could end up losing due to the exchange rate.

The governor said he was confident in the development of the new Taiwan dollar. He also added that four measures would be taken to stabilize the foreign exchange market. They are establishing on-site and off-site supervisory mechanisms, offering financial market liquidity, preparing foreign currency liquidity, and closely monitoring supply and demand in the foreign exchange market to launch adjustments in a timelier manner.

Yang Chin-long
Central bank governor
The U.S. has been raising interest rates very fast. So they will eventually lower the rates drastically too.

With the U.S. dollar picking up strength, several countries are seeing currencies depreciate, and some could even face a debt crisis. A lawmaker asked the central bank governor whether another major financial crisis could be brewing.

Yang Chin-long
Central bank governor
The likelihood of something like that happening is not high. We all learned our lesson from 1997, and from 2008. So financial systems around the world are more sturdy and healthy now.

The rapid rise in U.S. interest rates is testing the abilities of Taiwan’s central bank to stabilize exchange rates and launch effective policies.

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Taiwan not to appear in name at Expo 2025 in Osaka: lawmakers respond

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No special arrangements needed at polling stations for patients fresh out of isolation

The CECC on Thursday answered questions about plans to reduce isolation for COVID patients to five days starting Nov. 14. The CECC says that although about half of COVID patients still test positive on rapid tests after five days of isolation, they are generally less infectious than right after contracting the disease. Patients who complete the five days of isolation can go out and lead a normal life, and vote in the local elections on Nov. 26. The CECC adds there are no plans to further relax isolation rules for the time being.

Starting Nov. 14, COVID patients who’ve completed five days of isolation will be able to go out and vote in the local elections. The CECC says there is no need for special arrangements at polling stations.

Chuang Jen-hsing
CECC spokesperson
Most polling stations are outside, or in well ventilated places. You can just vote in an orderly manner. If you know you are still positive, try not to get too close to people aged 65 and up or young children.

The CECC estimates that after five days of isolation, 40% to 50% of patients will still be positive on rapid tests, but won’t be too infectious.

Philip Lo
CECC medical response division
In comparison with the previous five days, their viral loads will be lower, so they should be less infectious.

Huang Li-min
Infectious Diseases Society of Taiwan
It adds a little risk. But this way, you can release many workers. In terms of pros and cons, it seems that there’s more good than bad.

Experts say there are no plans to further reduce isolation to three days.

Huang Li-min
Infectious Diseases Society of Taiwan
Flu season is coming up. Will the isolation period be further reduced? I think we have to look at any developments in the pandemic. Over the short term, I don’t think it is likely that isolation periods will be further reduced to three days.

Chuang Jen-hsiang
CECC spokesperson
After three days, the vast majority of patients are still positive, and they are in a state in which they are still quite infectious. So for now, we are not considering anything like that.

Taiwan reported 29,922 local COVID cases on Thursday, down 16% from last week.

2022-11-03

Homemade meat buns in Miaoli send customers rushing to queue

A local meat bun shop in Miaoli has been serving up delicious fare for customers for almost 30 years. Already passed down to its second generation, the shop offers limited quantities of handmade buns daily. The ingredients are bought and cooked the same day, and everything from the cooking oil, to the buns’ signature purple markings are made by hand with natural ingredients. Selling out in just five hours, this shop proves that good flavor comes from sticking to your philosophy.

The aroma of the juicy buns frying on the hot plate is like a wake-up call to the senses. The shop has just opened up for the day, but the queue is already full of hungry customers.

In the kitchen, some are rolling out the dough, some are shaping the buns, and others are frying them up. Although it’s a tiny shop, it’s bustling every day from the time it opens at 2 p.m.

The secret to the buns’ delicious flavor lies in the filling, which is chock full of green onions and pork. The filling is wrapped in a thin, delightfully chewy dough. Even if you scald yourself on the first bite, you won’t be able to resist taking a second. The shop, located in front of Miaoli Railway Station, has been in business for 27 years, and its philosophy is written right on the wall: "Cheap and delicious no matter what."

Ho Shao-wei
Second-generation meat bun chef
We buy the ingredients in the morning and cook them up in the afternoon. My mother taught us that freshly cooked ingredients are the most delicious.

The shop offers six flavors of buns: five savory and one sweet. All are wrapped and cooked by hand. The purple markings on the outside of the buns are made from fresh dragon fruit juice, and the buns are fried with oil extracted by the chefs themselves.

Ho Shao-wei
Second-generation meat bun chef
Our profits are small but our turnover is fast. We want our delicious meat buns to be affordable for everyone.

Over almost 30 years of business, the shop has survived several waves of inflation, but still insists on offering a friendly price. With such delicious offerings cooked with care, it’s no wonder they sell out in less than five hours a day.

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Soccer legend Ronaldinho and teqball star Guilter to visit Taiwan in December

Former Brazilian soccer legend Ronaldinho Gaucho and Brazilian teqballer Natalia Guilter are planning to visit Taiwan from Dec. 9 through Dec. 11. During their stay, they will play an exhibition game and raise funds for a Taiwanese charity. FTV reporter Stephany Yang has the details.

Over the course of Ronaldinho’s career, he has won two FIFA World Player of the Year awards and a Ballon d’Or. The soccer star is planning to visit Taiwan in December for the first time. He is scheduled to participate in an exhibition footvolley game with Brazilian teqballer Natalia Guitler at the Tianmu Baseball Stadium in Taipei on Dec. 10.

Ronaldinho Gaucho
Brazilian soccer legend
Hello Taiwan, I will be with you for a sports event on Dec. 9, 10, and 11. I will see you soon! I am counting on you!

Natalia Guilter
Brazilian teqballer
Hello Taiwan! I am very excited to come to Taiwan on Dec. 9, 10, and 11 for a sports event and charity event with Ronaldinho to introduce you to footvolley. We have come to support the missions of the Garden of Hope Foundation. We are counting on you to join us!

Alexandre Paul
Organizer
We have the pleasure to invite Ronaldinho and Natalia, two big stars in the football field and footvolley field. Both were champions. They are coming to Taiwan in December this year on the 9th, 10th, and 11th. We have big events at Tianmu Baseball Stadium this year. We are happy to make the promotion of sports in Taiwan and have the opportunity to introduce a new, different sport that the Taiwanese have never seen before. It’s called footvolley. It’s a mix between football and volleyball. It’s a very impressive sport, very techincal, it has lots of show, and is very entertaining.

While in Taiwan, Ronaldinho and Guitler will also participate in a raffle held by the Garden of Hope Foundation, a women’s and children’s rights advocacy group. Part of the proceeds will be going to underprivileged groups.

Alexandre Paul
Organizer
We have the second event, which is a side event. It’s a charity event. We are fundraising by organizing a lottery where people by buying tickets are going to have a chance to have gifts to maybe for the luckiest have a signed autograph from Ronaldinho and a possibility to get free entrance tickets for the events. For the luckiest, luckiest we are going to give 10 people the opportunity to meet Ronaldinho.

Through the event, organizers hope to raise funds for underprivileged households, as well as to introduce footvolley to more people in Taiwan.

2022-11-03