DPP inaugurates new chair, Vice President Lai Ching-te

DPP inaugurates new chair, Vice President Lai Ching-te

2023-01-18

The DPP inaugurated its new chair on Wednesday: Vice President Lai Ching-te. At the inauguration ceremony, Lai vowed to carry out reforms within the party to win back support from the public. That includes addressing issues of collaboration with mafias, as well as cases of plagiarism in university theses. On the topic of cross-strait relations, Lai said he would continue the path laid out by President Tsai Ing-wen with her "four commitments." Let’s hear what he said.

Lai Ching-te
DPP chair
Taiwan is already a sovereign and independent country, so there is no need to further declare Taiwan’s independence. The R.O.C. and PRC are not subordinate to one another. The future of the R.O.C. Taiwan can only be decided by its 23 million people. On the front of cross-strait relations I will follow the steps of President Tsai Ing-wen.

Lai was also asked to comment on how to resolve cross-strait differences. He responded that the deadlock could not be broken by Taiwan alone. He said that countries around the world see China as the cause of the tensions, with its constant military threats to Taiwan in an attempt to change the status quo. As such, the easiest solution would be for the CCP to change its thinking and focus on the grassroots, he said.

任民進黨魁賴清德:務實認定台灣是主權獨立國家

2023-01-18

副總統賴清德今天下午正式出任民進黨主席，他提出「4個革新、2個任務與1個使命」，高喊杜絕黑金，解決學倫問題，找回支持民進黨的力量。至於兩岸路線，賴清德強調，未來會依四個堅持，繼續蔡總統兩岸路線。

[[民進黨新任主席賴清德]]
“務實的認定台灣已經是一個主權獨立國家，沒有另外再宣布台灣獨立的必要，中華民國主權和中華人民共和國互不隸屬，中華民國台灣的前途，只有2300萬人可以決定，未來我仍然會繼續蔡英文總統的兩岸路線”

被問到如何化解兩岸歧異，賴清德表示，國際社會一般認為，兩岸的僵局存在是因為中國對台灣文攻武嚇、改變台海現狀使然，在這種狀況下要打破僵局，恐非台灣獨力為之就能成功，如果中共能轉念，以蒼生為念，相信很多事情都迎刃而解。

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Pro-Taiwan NGO leaders congratulate Vice President Lai Ching-te as new DPP chair

After Lai swore-in as party chair, pro-Taiwan associations on Wednesday held a joint conference to congratulate the newly elected chairman. They praised him for possessing the qualities of a good leader and hoped he could reform the DPP and repivot the party back to its founding principles.

Chanting slogans of endorsement, heads of pro-Taiwan NGOs congratulate Vice President Lai ching-te on being elected DPP chair.

Chang Yeh-sen
Taiwan Society Hakka
He stands for justice, like late justice Minister Chen Ding-nan and former DPP Chair Lin Yi-hsiung. Late President Lee Teng-hui once praised him, saying he’s the best leader for the people of Taiwan.

Jerry Cheng
Taiwan Jury Association
Tsai Ing-wen’s presidency over the last couple of years did, of course, deliver on some aspects. But because her political career didn’t originate from the DPP, she’s probably not as familiar with the DPP’s founding principles. We hope Chair Lai will stand firmly by Taiwan’s position, and stand firmly against the mafia. Let us unite Taiwan, and fight against China to protect Taiwan.

The pro-Taiwan leaders said Lai has what it takes to lead Taiwan. They also called on him to reform the DPP to make improvements and address disputes within the party.

Lee Chuan-hsin
Taiwan Society
Those voices within the party must be heard. Of course we should respect democratic procedures. I believe Lai once said it’s OK to criticize and hold different opinions, but they should not be based on false accusations. I think that’s most important.

The NGO leader hoped that Lai can return to the DPP’s liberal and pro-Taiwan roots. Recently, Taiwan independence hardliners have said that Lai’s latest slogan of “sustaining peace to protect Taiwan” means he’s softening his stance for Taiwan’s statehood independent from the R.O.C. The head of an expat organization said that was not the case, saying that Lai has always worked for Taiwan’s best interests.

Chen Kuei-ling
Taiwanese Society of America
I wonder if pro-China media outlets are manipulating the issue. Even before he became vice president in 2020, he’s been to the U.S. and communicated with U.S. administrative and legislative bodies and think tanks. He even communicated well with the Taiwanese expat community and gained our support. The president and vice president’s cooperation is in Taiwan’s best interests and in the U.S.’ best interests and we’re all on the same page here.

Pro-Taiwan associations hold both high regards and expectations for Lai’s leadership of the DPP.

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Keelung is shocked to discover a tiny lake shaped like Taiwan

Keelung denizens have been amazed by a discovery in their backyard. A tiny lake, shaped very much like the landmass of Taiwan, has come to light. After the lake appeared on Google Maps, photographer Hsieh Chih-huang set out to learn more about the body of water. His drone photos show that the small lake has an uncanny resemblance to the shape of Taiwan.But how can it be that locals are unaware of a lake on their doorstep? We asked a couple of experts to explain.

A strange sight emerges in the middle of a forest of greens. The clear and still lake reflects the blue sky perfectly. It’s hidden in this hillside forest. When a drone photographer spotted the landmark on a map, his curiosity was whetted, and he decided to seek it out.

Hsieh Chih-huang
Drone photographer
Many months ago, Google marked it as Lion Ball Lake on the map. I could hardly find any information about it on Google. So I sent my drone up to take a look. Although the lake is very small, it’s shaped just like Taiwan.

You can find the lake yourself on Google Maps, marked as “Lion Ball Lake” or Shiqiuhu. It’s on a small hill near Maijin Road in the Anle District of Keelung. With no records or photos of the lake online, the lake is unknown even to most local people.

Hsieh Wei-jen
Former Ying’an Village head
Regarding the existence of this lake, to be honest it’s news to me! I would never walk in that direction, neither when walking on the hill or when exercising.

Hsieh Chih-huang
Drone photographer
Everyone living in Keelung ignores it, or don’t even know there is a small lake there. Someone commented on Facebook that they had been there before, and when he went up, he even saw a swimming ring there.

There’s no road passing through near here. You have to walk up from the mountain path to reach the secret spot. The lake is also high up and there’s no river feeding it. For most people, that sounds like an impossible place to find a lake. What’s going on?

Chen Ming-jen
National Taiwan Ocean University professor
It’s possible that no river supplies this body of water. It might be a tectonic lake, which is basically a geological phenomenon, causing a depression in the ground which then accumulates rainwater.

This professor thinks the lake has been caused by shifting earth, which might be why it’s so unfamiliar to local people. But now with a drone in the sky to provide a photoshoot, this tiny Taiwan of water has come to light.

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China Medical University Hospital among top smart hospitals by US digital health certification body

China Medical University Hospital, based in Taichung, was named one of the world’s top three smart hospitals by the HIMSS, a certification body for digital health transformation. Inpatients are given a tablet to check on their physiological data and drug information. They can carry this information with them after leaving the ward, with the hospital’s smartphone app. Another function of the app is that it allows patients to reach out to their doctors remotely.

With a click of a button, the curtains close. The patient doesn’t even have to get out of bed. Now it’s time for treatment. She checks out drug information with a tablet assigned to her.

Patient
Sometimes, after getting my blood pressure taken and after the nursing staff leaves I’d forget the numbers. I can check my physiological data here, such as blood pressure and body temperature. It’s very reassuring.

The China Medical University Hospital, based in Taichung, has been introducing smart, AI-powered solutions into their wards and clinics. In 2023, it was named the third smartest hospital globally by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, a U.S.-based organization that promotes digital health transformation. With these systems in place, the death rate of intensive care patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome fell by an average of 16.7% every year.

Cho Der-yang
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When an attending physician diagnoses or treats patients, they may only be thinking of one thing at a time. What makes this AI solution different is that from the beginning to the end of the treatment, the physician’s usual process is integrated with the whole system.

Once the patient returns home, they can still update their physiological figures in the hospital’s mobile app. For hemodialysis patients, their doctors can check on them remotely as family members help with treatment at home, saving them commuting time over at least 90 days every year.

Whether it’s dialysis or treating severe diseases, such as myocardial infarction and sepsis, digital systems can improve treatment for over 10,000 patients every month and close the distance between outpatients in remote areas and hospitals.

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Taipei plans for big crowds over Taiwan Lantern Festival

The Taipei City Government is preparing for big crowds over the Taiwan Lantern Festival, which will kick off on Feb. 5 and last until Feb. 19. The MRT will operate services at higher frequencies during the night, and shuttle buses will be available to reach the different exhibition sites.

Lin En-ju
FTV reporter
The yearly Taiwan Lantern Festival is about to open its doors. This year, the main lantern is located at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall. At the MRT station here, a giant bunny lantern has been put on top of Exit 1. The city’s transport department says they are expecting major traffic volumes at this area around the memorial hall.

Big crowds are expected at the MRT stations of Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Zhongxiao Fuxing, Zhongxiao Dunhua and Taipei City Hall. The government says the metro will offer more frequent services at night during the festival.

Yeh Chih-hung
Taipei Department of Transportation
Over the lantern festival, we will increase frequency of services during the night exhibition hours on the Blue Line and the Red Line. When crowds are too big, some trains will pass by Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Station without stopping on the platform. Or we’ll send an empty train to start picking up passengers at Taipei City Hall Station and go in other directions.

The city will also launch shuttle bus services connecting the different exhibition areas of the festival. Revelers driving in may have to park a little further away and take the MRT or a shuttle bus to the exhibition areas.

Yeh Chih-hung
Taipei Department of Transportation
There will be a shuttle bus service every 5 to 10 minutes. The prices for regular tickets, students and service members is NT$5. Everyone else can take the shuttles for free.

Hsieh Ming-hung
Taipei Department of Transportation
There are 10 car parks a little further out from the festival grounds. Drivers can park there and take the MRT to the exhibition area.

Lanterns of all colors and sizes will light up the city during the festival, attracting many revelers and heavy traffic. Taipei is using all the resources at hand to make sure people and vehicles can move around smoothly during the celebrations.

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