A first in 26 years: German minister arrives in Taiwan

A first in 26 years: German minister arrives in Taiwan

2023-03-21

Germany’s minister of education has landed in Taiwan, becoming the first German minister to visit in 26 years. On the first day of her stay, Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger signed a science and technology cooperation agreement with Taiwan.

Bettina Stark-Watzinger
German minister of education
I’m very happy to be here. It is a great pleasure and honor for me to be the first minister heading a specialist government department to visit Taiwan in 26 years. Taiwan with its excellent research institutions is a highly esteemed partner.

Shieh Jhy-wey
Representative to Germany
After hours of nonstop flight, the German delegation is now in a totally different time zone. So that I think it’s probably fitting to say, times have changed, and it’s an honor to witness what is happening today. It’s the first step you just made in deepening the relationship between Germany and Taiwan. Making decisions. And it was difficult, it wasn’t easy.

The science and tech agreement paves the way for more collaboration in areas like artificial intelligence, semiconductors, integrated circuit design, green hydrogen, and talent cultivation.

26年來德國首位部長級官員訪台會晤吳政忠簽約

2023-03-21

德國教研部長史塔克-瓦特辛格週二率團來訪，成為26年來、第一位訪台的德國部長級官員。上午先會晤國科會主委吳政忠，並見證台德簽署「科學及技術合作協議」。

[[德國教研部長史塔克-瓦特辛格]]
“我非常高興來到這裡。很榮幸能成為26年來第一位拜訪台灣的德國部長級官員。台灣擁有出色的研究機構，是備受推崇的夥伴。”

[[我駐德代表謝志偉]]
“歷經不間斷的飛行後，德國代表團來到了完全不同的時區，所以我認為可以合理地說，"時間(時代)"已經變了，很榮幸我能見證今天的一切。你們踏出了關鍵一步，深化台德關係，做出如此決定相當不容易。”

史塔克-瓦特辛格見證我駐德代表謝志偉、與德國在台協會處長許佑格，簽下雙邊「科學及技術合作協議」，開啟台、德在AI、半導體、IC設計、綠色能源氫能，以及人才培育等領域，更進一步合作。

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Tsai to embark on 10-day state visit to Guatemala and Belize on March 29

Taiwan has confirmed that President Tsai Ing-wen will make a 10-day state visit to Central America, starting next Wednesday. Tsai will tour Guatemala and Belize, but will not stop in Honduras. She will also make two transit stops in the U.S. Previously the Financial Times reported that Tsai would be meeting U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Los Angeles. On Tuesday, Taiwan officials declined to confirm the meeting, saying that discussions with the U.S. were still ongoing.

President Tsai refuses to engage with a question about her state trip. But on Tuesday, the Presidential Office finally confirmed rumors of a Central American tour.

Lin Yu-chan
Presidential Office spokesperson
Tsai is scheduled to depart on March 29, and arrive in the U.S., in New York, that same day. She will then fly on to Guatemala and Belize. On her return she will have a stopover in the U.S. again, in Los Angeles.

The 10-day itinerary completely overlaps with Ma’s trip to China, which starts two days before Tsai’s. Both Tsai and Ma will return to Taiwan on April 7. Observers wonder if the two are competing for media attention.

Chang Tun-han
Presidential Office
Former President Ma is visiting China to worship his ancestors, and our head of state is touring our diplomatic allies. The nature of the visits is different. Letting Taiwan interact with the world directly and present itself to the world in the name of freedom and democracy is President Tsai’s long-standing position.

On previous state visits, Tsai met with media representatives within Taiwan’s allied nations. But this time around, a media event is to be held in the U.S. instead. The full itinerary released by the Presidential Office is as follows: Tsai will set off on March 29 and transit in New York. She’ll then travel to Guatemala on April 1. There, she’ll sit with President Alejandro Giammattei and visit the Mayan ruins at Tikal National Park. She will also preside over an equipment donation ceremony for a hospital built in cooperation with Taiwan. On April 3, Tsai will head to Belize. There, she’ll meet top government officials, give a speech at the National Assembly and inspect projects launched in collaboration with Taiwan. Tsai will then head back to Taiwan, making a second U.S. transit on April 5. The itinerary does not include a stop in Taiwan’s third Central American ally, Honduras, which recently announced plans to cut ties with Taiwan.

Alexander Yui
Vice foreign minister
We have not yet reached a consensus with Honduras, so we decided that this is not a good time for the president to visit the country.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not confirm or deny reports about a potential meeting between Tsai and U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. It also remained mum on whether Tsai would deliver a public address in the U.S.

2023-03-21

Tsai honors former Trump security adviser Robert O’Brien

2023-03-21

Critics concerned over ‘belittlement’ of former President Ma on China trip

The controversy continues over a planned trip to China by former President Ma Ying-jeou. The former head of state will be referred to as “Mr. Ma” during his visit, without mention of his former position as head of state. In addition, reports say that his accompanying personnel won’t be allowed to carry weapons on the trip. In response, Taiwan’s premier said that the relevant units were coordinating over security, and that they would do everything possible to ensure Ma’s safety.

Ma Ying-jeou will be Taiwan’s first retired president to visit China. But across the strait, he will not be addressed by his title. Instead, he’ll be referred to as Mr. Ma.

Chen Chien-jen
Premier
We hope that he can still uphold the dignity and sovereignty of our country during the trip. President Ma is not just Mr. Ma. He is a former head of state. His behavior and actions will be watched closely.

Chiu Tai-san
Mainland Affairs Council
The unification campaign waged by the mainland is completely unscrupulous. So we must remind former President Ma that he is in fact our former president. All of his movements in the mainland will be scrutinized by everyone. We wouldn’t want him to be belittled.

And the controversy doesn’t stop at Ma’s form of address. Reports say China is prohibiting his entourage from carrying weapons.

Wang Mei-hui
DPP lawmaker
Ma Ying-jeou is just timid in the face of China. Are we to do everything that China says? According to reports, China demanded that his people not be armed.

Chen Chien-jen
Premier
If that is so, ensuring his safety would be more difficult. The relevant agencies are still coordinating the matter with China.

Liu Shih-fang
DPP lawmaker
Back when former Vice President Lien Chan visited mainland China, he had the National Security Bureau, and his entourage was even allowed to carry guns. We hope that mainland China will follow precedent.

The questionable protocol has sparked concern from both government officials and the general public. Calls are rising for Ma to maintain Taiwan’s dignity during his tour.

2023-03-21

New ‘care truck’ provides provisions and a rest for fire fighters on a break

A new “backup care truck” is the latest enhancement to Taoyuan Fire Department. The truck is designed to support firefighters on a break from an emergency mission. It provides enhanced washing facilities, provisions and comfortable resting spots. The first of its kind in Taiwan, the NT$4 million truck was acquired through a donation. Firefighters say it will help them save lives and conduct their work more smoothly, as they make better use of their energy.

Two firefighters stand by the truck. One washes equipment while the other washes his hands.

Alongside the washing facilities, there’s a toilet just behind the driver’s seat. There’s also a bar with water and supplies. It looks a lot like a campervan, but this is the fire department’s “Backup care truck.”

Yang Chung-hsien
Taoyuan Fire Department
When we were out on rescue missions in the past, we just rested wherever we could. Now, with this truck, you can lie down comfortably in a chair, and there are lots of supplies, so we can drink water and get some rest.

Tseng Yu-sheng
Taoyuan Fire Department
I think it will make our rescue missions go more smoothly, and help us conserve our energy.

A fire fighting mission can be a battle with the flames. A long and exhausting mission is an arduous physical test. Now Taoyuan Fire Department has been given this “backup care truck” – the first of its kind in Taiwan. The truck is worth NT$4 million. It has a supply station, washing facilities, a table and chairs, and a tent to rest in.

Chiu Yu-lun
Taoyuan Fire Department
In a Level Two Fire, which means the emergency was assessed to be a long-duration rescue mission, then we will deploy this kind of fire truck, to arrive at the scene and set up, so that our colleagues who are resting on rotation can have a better environment to rest in.

The new truck will be deployed to any emergency situation which looks like it will take a long time to get under control. It will enable fire fighters to rest properly and preserve their energy to do their job as best they can.

2023-03-21

Taiwan adds 4 cases of mpox, launches vaccine registration site

2023-03-21

Taiwan ranks third globally in Top 100 Global Innovators 2023

The Top 100 Global Innovators award ceremony took place on Monday, with 11 Taiwan institutions making the list. Winners included TSMC, Hon Hai, and Winbond Electronics, as well as the Industrial Technology Research Institute, or ITRI. Taiwan ranked third in the world, and ITRI won the award for the seventh year running.

ITRI President Edwin Liu crosses the stage to collect a Top 100 Global Innovators award. This is the seventh time that ITRI has won the award.

Edwin Liu
ITRI president
All of these efforts are aimed at increasing the added value of our patents.

The organizer assessed patent data to spotlight global institutions excelling in intellectual property commercialization through research and development. ITRI performed well in numerous indicators. Several of its patents received citations from third parties including Japan’s Semiconductor Energy Laboratory, South Korea’s Samsung, and Apple in the U.S.

Edwin Liu
ITRI president
Our intellectual property strategy follows the 2030 roadmap. We have established a so-called IP Bank. Through this proactive approach, we’re using these patents for strategic entries in the market. In addition, we have also set up what’s called intangible asset financing.

Liu stressed the importance of turning patents into strategic assets for businesses entering the market. Besides ITRI, a memory chip maker was also named a Top 100 Global Innovator for the first time, underscoring the R&D prowess of Taiwan’s private sector.

James Chen
President of award-winning tech firm
Our product lineup is very comprehensive. We have been granted a large number of patents in countries around the world. Only through continuous innovation can we maintain the company’s spirit of sustainability.

Wang Mei-hua
Economics minister
Taiwan is so small and has no natural resources, so R&D and innovation are very important to Taiwan’s international competitiveness. We very much encourage such innovation by businesses, and the government provides relevant resources to assist.

This year, the Top 100 Global Innovator award was given to 11 Taiwan-based companies, the most in history. Taiwan ranked third in the world, showcasing the innovation and strength of its industries.

2023-03-21

Welding expert is first Taiwanese artifact restorer at Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam

Taiwan is a country rich in craftspeople and traditional material cultures. Today we meet one of Taiwan’s most highly skilled artifact restorers. Han Ko-hsuanis an artifact restorer who specializes in welding. She previously worked at the world-famous Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, as well as Chimei Museum in Tainan. Now she’s completing further training to get her welding even more finely honed.

Visor on and welding torch in hand. Welding is normally used to bind metal tools together, but here it’s being used to repair historical artifacts.

Han Ko-hsuan
Restorer
It’s like being an artifact doctor. So we have to really understand the object’s past as well as its current incarnation, how it was produced and used, and why it has developed the issue we see today.

Han Ko-hsuan studied at Tainan National University of the Arts, at the Graduate Institute of Preservation of Cultural Relics, and previously worked at Chimei Museum. She wanted to hone her metal repair skills, so she went to study Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage at the University of Amsterdam. After becoming the first ever Taiwanese person to work as an artifact restorer at the prestigious Rijksmuseum in the Netherlands, she returned to Taiwan for a 600-hour welding training, to keep improving her skills with all different types of materials.

Han Ko-hsuan
Artifact repair person
Nowadays, restoration is trans-disciplinary. It requires a lot of scientific analysis, understanding of the materials and their composition, and traditional manufacturing techniques. When I first started this course, I was saying to the teacher every day, “My hand hurts.” Every day when I finished welding my hand was shaking.

Chien Chuan-en
Workforce Development Agency
Welding produces smoke and dust as well as a lot of noise. She manages to overcome this very harsh and tough environment.

Han keeps at the job and continuously looks for new ways to expand her professional repertoire. The cultural relics in her hands will find new longevity and last to inspire another generation.

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Wedding industry booming post-COVID, but budgets tighten amid inflation

The pandemic caused major havoc in the wedding industry, but now that we’re back to something approaching normal, wedding bells are ringing. More and more couples are planning weddings as 2023 goes on. But with inflation running high, lots of couples want to find ways to keep to a tighter budget. A recent survey found clear trends for cost-cutting, especially among younger couples. Some go for a small banquet just for close friends and family. Others cut back on extravagant gifts. But certain pricey items are not up for discussion.

As the pandemic recedes behind us, wedding bells ring louder and louder. Wedding banquet halls are booked up months in advance.

Angel
Bridal photography consultant
We’ve recovered a lot of our banquet clients who had to postpone, so we’re starting to have movement in the clientele.

But as inflation spirals, the cost of a wedding is rising too.

Hsieh Wei-ting
Wedding banquet hall assistant manager
Lots of catering ingredients have soared in price, for example, pork and beef are up 30 or 40%. And by the same token, labor costs have grown enormously. We have also dared to put our prices up a little, by about 5%.

A survey by a wedding planning platform found that the average wedding banquet table has gone up in price by 20%. Couples are looking at their guest lists more carefully than ever. Among the under-34 age group, almost 40% are choosing a small “family-style” banquet of just six tables or less. That’s a way to save money. And as the cost of living grows, wedding budgets have become a hot topic.

Lu Hao-ting
Wedding planning platform spokesperson
Right now, because of inflation, or the rising cost of certain goods, when couples get married, they might want to take more advantage of the discounts and promotions on wedding planning platforms. Or they might, for example, trim down the list of people to send wedding pastries, or make some savings on the wedding favors.

The survey found that although smaller weddings are on the up, certain items are still considered essential. The cost of bridal photography and wedding rings is rising – but cutting them is not on the cards for most couples.

2023-03-21

Mural artist brightens streets of Hualien Village with a striking row of portraits

2023-03-21

Temps surpass 30 degrees, rains ahead

It’s the first day of spring, and Taiwan kicked off the season with high temperatures above 30 degrees. But the warm weather won’t last long. An incoming front will sweep in with showers starting Thursday, drenching the island over the weekend. Over in the south, the rains will be concentrated mostly over the mountains, offering little relief to the local water shortage.

In Northern Taiwan, it’s short sleeves and light clothes, as the sun hangs high in the sky. The CWB says pleasant weather will also prevail on Wednesday, which is set to be even warmer. Temps could reach 32 degrees in Northern Taiwan, with a high chance of afternoon showers. Over in central and eastern Taiwan, highs of 34 degrees are expected. But this spell of warm weather is set to end on Thursday.

Wu Wan-hua
Central Weather Bureau
Tomorrow, Wednesday, will be the warmest day of the week. In Taitung, highs are set to reach 34 degrees, and the area could experience Foehn winds. On Thursday and Friday, an approaching front will bring intermittent showers to the north and east, as well as to Kinmen and Matsu.

The first spring rains are on their way. On Thursday and Friday, a front from the north will bring brief rains to the north and east. From the weekend to Monday, a cloud system from southern China will move in, just as the northeasterlies bear down. That could bring rain to the northern half of the island and the East Coast, as well as mountainous areas in the south. There’s a chance of intermittent showers across Taiwan, although water shortages are expected to remain in the south.

Wu Wan-hua
Central Weather Bureau
Over the weekend, Southern Taiwan will most likely just see rains in mountainous areas. So it is unlikely that the rains will resolve the water shortage. There needs to be several waves of rainy weather in the catchment areas of the reservoirs before the situation can improve.

As of 11 a.m. Tuesday, water levels at Kaohsiung’s Agongdian Reservoir stood at just 36% capacity. They were even lower at Chiayi’s Tsengwen Reservoir, which was at less than 10% capacity. Forecasters say relief won’t arrive until late March. Until then, residents of Southern Taiwan are advised to conserve water.

2023-03-21