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

2022-11-15

In this age of the convenience store, Taiwan’s traditional grocery stores are disappearing. Today we meet a grocery store owner in her 80s who is just about to hang up her hat. After running the store in Taipei’s Shilin District for more than 50 years, she’s finally sold the land to a developer. Neighbors say they’re sorry to see her go.

Customers who’ve been coming here all their lives can hardly believe it. This little grocery store in Shilin’s Xingfu Street Community has been in business 50 years. But soon it will close.

Customer
This store has been here since I was in first grade. Sometimes when we finished school we’d come here to buy things. It’s so sad. I don’t want to see it go. It’s been here so long!

Customer
It is a bit sad, because I always came here to buy snacks as a kid. If you had a small bit of change like one dollar, you could spend it here.

The traditional snacks sold here are all amazing value, from a NT$1 lollipop to a NT$10 lipstick candy. The store owner, now 82, with silver hair and back troubles, still takes turns with her husband to watch the store. They only shut after the kids have come out of school. But after the next-door kindergarten shut down, she decided two years ago to sell the land to a developer. It’s time to bow out.

Grocery store owner
It’s OK to stop. I’m over 80 now. My husband’s 87. We both ought to rest.

She walks 15 minutes to work every day and has built up strong friendships with all her customers. More than 50 years ago she planted this longan tree by the store.

Grocery store owner
My niece gave me the seed so I planted it there. They’re delicious.

Thankfully a friend has agreed to adopt the longan tree when the store closes. The memories of this community hub will live on long in the fruit it produces.

士林老字號柑仔店將吹熄燈號顧客不捨向童年回憶道別

2022-11-15

近年來隨著超商快速崛起，傳統柑仔店可說是越來越少見了，位於台北士林，一間開了50多年的老字號柑仔店，因為土地賣給建商，加上老闆夫婦年事已高，只好吹熄燈號，消息一出，讓不少從小光顧到大的客人，紛紛來到店裡跟童年回憶道別。

從小光顧到大的客人，各個都不敢相信，在士林幸福街社區經營50多年的柑仔店，竟然要歇業了。
[[客人 ]]
“這家店是從小一開始就有了，有時候同學放學的時候，會來這家店開始買，很難過，也很不捨啊，因為這家店其實很久了”

[[客人]]
“是有點難過，因為小時候都在這邊買東西吃。1塊錢這種小零錢，剛好可以在這邊花掉”

店裡賣的古早味零食，從1塊錢的棒棒糖，到10元的口紅糖，都是佛心銅板價。滿頭白髮、駝著背的老闆娘，已經82歲了，每天跟先生輪流顧店，直到學生們放學才收攤，不過隨著隔壁的幼稚園停業，兩年前土地轉賣給建商，讓這間古早味柑仔店也要跟著走入歷史。

[[柑仔店老闆娘 ]]
“沒有做也好啦，我也80幾歲了，我先生也87歲，都是要休息了啦”

每天從家裡走15分鐘來店裡，跟客人早已建立深厚情誼，就連柑仔店旁的這棵龍眼樹，也是老闆娘50多年前親手種下的。

[[柑仔店老闆娘
“外甥女就是拿(種子)來給我，我就拿來種啦，(龍眼)很好吃喔”

好在50多歲的龍眼樹，已經找到有緣人接手，讓屬於這間柑仔店的回憶，還能在新的地方，延續下去。

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.

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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.

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