Saxophone devotee invents speaker system to promote instrument

2022-11-15

Now we meet a man who inherits a very special legacy. The family of Chang Yi was once an important player in the saxophone manufacturing industry. Although Chang made his own career in electronics, he’s still determined to promote the woodwind instrument. He even invented an award-winning speaker system to help saxophonists amplify their music.

This saxophone player is 73-year-old Chang Yi. His family pioneered the manufacturing of Western musical instruments in Taiwan.

Chang Yi
Saxophone player
Traditional industries make tiny profits. In particular, you have to be extremely determined.

Chang grew up in Taichung’s Houli District, which is an important place for saxophone parts manufacturing. Chang’s own family was a major player in the industry, and though Chang now works in photoelectrics, he’s still keen to promote the instrument, which has been part of his life as long as he can remember.

Chang Yi
Saxophone player
I’d like to establish a Taiwan Saxophone Development Association, with the goal of getting everyone playing the saxophone. Because we already have a role to play in this world.

Chang promotes the instrument whenever he gets the chance, inspiring family and colleagues with his infectious passion.

Hsiao Yen-hui
Employee of Chang Yi
The chairman of the company is very passionate. He talks about saxophones with all the customers who come in.

Chen Li-yi
Wife of Chang Yi
I didn’t use to play, myself, but I felt curious and I felt a longing to do it. So recently I have just started learning the saxophone with my Rotary Club friends.

Chang even invented a smart speaker system for the saxophone. It comes in many shapes and features a resonance effect. The invention won the Taichung City Outstanding Industrial Innovation Award earlier this year.

生產薩克斯風家族第二代張益推廣后里樂器

2022-11-15

台中后里，是生產薩克斯風的重鎮，有一位玩家，張益，家族經營台灣第一家薩克斯風工廠，雖然他後來改做生意，不過，對於推廣故鄉產業，不遺餘力，不但常在各個場合吹奏，還發明薩克斯風造型的智慧音響，自娛娛人。

正在吹薩克斯風的，是73歲的張益，他的家族是台灣製造西洋樂器的先驅

[[薩克斯風玩家張益]]
“傳統產業利潤非常微薄，尤其要非常堅持。”

張益出身台中后里，后里為薩克斯風代工製造的重要產地，其中，張益的家族頗具盛名。張益現在本業是光電產業，仍不忘致力發揚這個他從小就接觸的樂器。

[[薩克斯風玩家張益]]
“希望來成立一個台灣薩克斯風發展協會，目的就是全民來吹薩克斯風，因為我們在這個世界上已經有一席之地了。”

張益只要一有機會，就推廣吹薩克斯風，他的熱情感染周遭親朋好友。

[[張益公司員工蕭嬿晦]]
“董事長很熱情，每個客人來，他都一直熱情的跟客人解說(薩克斯風)。”

[[張益妻子陳麗懿]]
“我自己不會，就覺得很好奇，也很嚮往，所以我最近也跟我扶輪社友一起來學薩克斯風。”

張益還發明薩克斯風智慧音響，有多樣的造型，又具共振效果，今年獲得台中市傑出產業創新獎。

US President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping meet in Indonesia, discuss Taiwan

U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday sat with Chinese leader Xi Jinping for a meeting lasting more than three hours, during which both sides discussed topics including Taiwan. Biden says the U.S. policy on Taiwan remains unchanged, and that it opposes any unilateral change to the status quo. Meanwhile, Xi said that the “Taiwan issue” was a red line that should not be crossed. After the meeting, Biden added that he didn’t think Beijing had any plans for an imminent attempt to invade Taiwan.

U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday met in person with Chinese leader Xi Jinping for the first time as a sitting president. The previous time the leaders of the two countries sat together was three years ago, when Xi met with then-U.S. President Donald Trump. Monday’s meeting lasted three hours and 20 minutes.

Joe Biden
US president
We share a responsibility, in my view, to show that China and the U.S. can manage our differences prevent competition from becoming anything near conflict.

Xi Jinping
Chinese leader
Currently, the China-U.S. relationship is in such a situation that we all care a lot about it.

After the meeting, Biden held a press conference, during which he said he had discussed the topic of Taiwan with Xi.

Joe Biden
US president
We oppose unilateral change in the status quo by either side, and we’re committed to maintaining the peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. I made it clear that we want to see cross-strait issues peacefully resolved. And — and so it never has to come to that. And I’m convinced that — that he understood exactly what I was saying. I understood what he was saying.

Biden made an appeal for cross-strait peace and stability. Meanwhile, Xi said that the “Taiwan issue” was the “first red line” that must not be crossed. Biden added that he doesn’t think China would make a move on Taiwan any time soon.

Joe Biden
US president
And I do not think there’s any imminent attempt on the part of China to invade Taiwan. And I made it clear that our policy in Taiwan has not changed at all.

Biden also said that the U.S. is not looking to stir up conflict with Beijing.

Joe Biden
US president
I absolutely believe there need not be a new Cold War. We’re going to compete vigorously. But I’m not looking for conflict, I’m looking to manage this competition responsibly.

Biden reiterated that the U.S. and China could cooperate on many global issues, and that high-ranking officials on both sides would continue communicating. The first one of them will likely be Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is set to visit China early next year.

2022-11-15

NCSIST adds new single-rotor drone to expanding arsenal of military UAVs

Defense contractor the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology on Tuesday demonstrated its drone arsenal, which has just been expanded. The institute has developed a single-rotor drone that is ideal for the needs of urban and coastal surveillance. The new drone adds to an arsenal that already includes mid-range marine-reconnaissance and long-range satellite-guided drones, giving the military more tools to meet its needs. The institute said it has also trained 100 drone pilots across all branches of the military.

This single-rotor drone will mainly be used for reconnaissance in urban areas and along beaches. Its guidance system has a range of 30 kilometers, and it can stay in flight for one hour at a time.

Then there’s this fixed-wing drone, the Teng Yun also from the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology. It uses satellite guidance, can reach mid to high altitudes, and remain airborne for 20 hours. It can take off and land on its own, making it useful for monitoring enemy movements.

Another drone designed by the institute is the Albatross, also known as the Chung Xiang II, which was first put to use in August when China’s PLA conducted drills all around Taiwan Island. The Albatross’ primary purpose is surveillance missions over the sea, and it has a guidance range of 150 kilometers, and a maximum flight time of 12 hours. Officials say the drone is ideal for search-and-rescue missions on the open waters.

Chi Li-ping
NCSIST
Ever since we developed the Albatross we have been training drone pilots for all branches of military. So far we have trained roughly 100 pilots, and they have all passed the Civil Aeronautics Administration’s test.

With many people concerned over Chinese investments in Taiwanese companies, as well as the use of China-made components in Taiwanese tech, the institute said it strictly filters manufacturing partners.

Chi Li-ping
NCSIST
Manufacturers we work with undergo strict background checks, to ensure they haven’t received funding from China, and don’t do business with China. In the bidding process for these manufacturing jobs, there is always some confidentiality involved.

With tensions in the Taiwan Strait high, the institute is putting its full effort into ensuring the military has all of the tools it needs to defend the country. With drones becoming increasingly important to modern warfare, Taiwan is set to develop the latest in drone technology.

2022-11-15

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2022-11-15

Traditional grocery store in Taipei’s Shilin District to close after more than 50 years

2022-11-15

Four Taoyuan mayoral candidates trade barbs at policy presentation event

The four mayoral candidates for Taoyuan on Tuesday took part in a policy presentation, where they also had a chance to criticize their rival’s proposals for the city. DPP candidate Cheng Yun-peng started on the offensive, saying that the KMT’s candidate Simon Chang was out of touch with Taoyuan. Meanwhile, Chang’s promises that he would lead with transparency were shot down by his rivals.

At the policy presentation, the four mayoral candidates for Taoyuan pose for a photo. The first to fire the shots was the DPP’s Cheng Yun-peng, who took aim at the proposals by the KMT’s Simon Chang.

Cheng Yun-peng
Taoyuan mayoral candidate (DPP)
My adversary, Mr. Simon Chang thinks that investing in the semiconductor industry is something that should happen many years in the future. That further shows how out of touch he is with Taoyuan. He was a premier in the Executive Yuan, and also the highest adviser for a pro-unification party. Mr. Chang had power, but was unwilling to use it. He didn’t do anything to get trains running on the Taoyuan Airport MRT, to get operations going at the Taoyuan Aerotropolis. He even obstructed projects to put railway tracks underground.

Simon Chang
Taoyuan mayoral candidate (KMT)
Taoyuan has grown a lot since when I was working in Longtan. But a lot of new problems have emerged. Taoyuan has a lot of infrastructure, but not so much attention has been paid to its quality.

Lai Hsiang-ling
Taoyuan mayoral candidate (TPP)
Do we really want to let Cheng Yun-peng take the lead, so that he can fail to open up Taoyuan and bring big changes? Former Premier Simon Chang is a respected figure, but he hasn’t been working in governance for many years, or in the executive branch.

Cheng is the most seasoned lawmaker of the four candidates. In contrast, Chang hasn’t worked in Taoyuan for a decade. At the presentation, Chang touted his engineering experience, saying that he would work toward transparency and against corruption. His opponents took the statement as munitions to slam him.

Simon Chang
Taoyuan mayoral candidate (KMT)
I will make use of my background in engineering to push for safety in public works. My principles in promoting public construction projects are “Clean government, clean process.”

Cheng Pao-ching
Taoyuan mayoral candidate (Independent)
When you were in the government, did you do anything to stop corruption in the KMT government? To stop the mafia running the place? Did you say anything about the project to bring the railway tracks underground?

Cheng Yun-peng
Taoyuan mayoral candidate (DPP)
Simon Chang wants a “clean process.” But from what I can see, his team includes vote buyers and frauds.

The KMT and DPP candidates used their final remarks to land a last jab on each other.

Simon Chang
Taoyuan mayoral candidate (KMT)
All previous county or city heads have had achievements under their belts. But they also had shortcomings. People of Taoyuan, it’s time to change the party in charge.

Cheng Yun-peng
Taoyuan mayoral candidate (DPP)
During the KMT rule, Taoyuan’s infrastructure was stagnating. But during the past eight years, Taoyuan has moved forward at the speed of light. That’s something that all residents here can appreciate.

The candidates traded barbs, as Election Day draws near. Who will get elected on Nov. 26? It remains to be seen.

2022-11-15

Taoyuan hosts mayors from international cities for dialogue on cooperation

The 2022 International Local Government Leadership Dialogue kicked off on Monday in Taoyuan, with representatives from all around the world. At the event, Taoyuan engaged in conversations with other local leaders outside Taiwan about industrial development, cultural diversity and the logistics of hosting airports. Cheng stressed that Taoyuan is an important hub for the high-tech sector as well as an important point for transport in the Asia-Pacific region. He said that, through exchanges with other cities, Taoyuan can better reach its potential and be seen by the whole world.

Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan and members of a foreign delegation give the thumbs up as they pose for a photograph.

Taoyuan on Monday kicked off its 2022 International Local Government Leadership Dialogue. The event was attended by representatives from four of Taoyuan’s sister cities in the U.S., as well as Mayor Horatio Hendricks of South Africa’s Kouga. Together, they discussed industrial development, cultural diversity and issues related to the airports their respective cities host, sharing ideas on how each of their cities had tackled these issues.

Cheng Wen-tsan
Taoyuan mayor
We’ve talked many topics, including cities that host airports, cultural diversity, climate change and urban resilience. I think these are all very important issues that cities are facing.

Cheng said that foreigners from different backgrounds were able to thrive in Taoyuan. He also discussed ways that industry in the city was transforming itself in the face of climate change. He added that the use of green energy toward the goal of net-zero carbon emissions, and building a circular economy, will be crucial for Taoyuan and its peaceful coexistence with the environment.

Cheng Wen-tsan
Taoyuan mayor
With the easing of pandemic restrictions, international exchanges are bound to become more frequent. I hope that the foundation of city-to-city exchanges I’ve established over the past eight years will be passed on to the next city administration, so that Taoyuan can continue to be seen by the world.

Cheng said that Taoyuan is an important center for the high-tech industry, and a transportation hub for the Asia-Pacific region. He said he hopes the city will continue to engage with the world and seek out opportunities for cooperation.

2022-11-15

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