Olympic boxer Huang Hsiao-wen wins gold in world competition in India

Olympic boxer Huang Hsiao-wen wins gold in world competition in India

2023-03-27

Olympic medalist boxer Huang Hsiao-wen on Sunday won gold in the 52-54 kilogram division, at the Women’s World Boxing Championships in New Delhi, India. Huang secured a 5:0 decision in her match against Colombian rival Yeni Arias.

Meanwhile, champion boxer Lin Yu-ting, who had won bronze in the semifinals, lost her medal based on the results of a pre-match biochemical test. The medal instead went to Lin’s quarterfinals opponent. The Sports Administration said it would have a better understanding of the situation after Lin returns to Taiwan on Tuesday.

黃筱雯奪拳擊世錦賽金牌林郁婷銅牌遭取消

2023-03-27

幫助台灣拿下第一面奧運拳擊獎牌的女將黃筱雯，又傳回好消息。他在印度舉行的世錦賽54公斤級決賽中，取得壓倒性優勢，以5：0勝出，拿下生涯第二面世錦賽金牌。

不過另外一位闖進57公斤級四強的好手林郁庭，原本能抱回一面銅牌，但在頒獎前被國際拳總通知’’賽前性別生化指數異常’’，取消銅牌資格，並由他八強對手遞補，對此體育署表示，將等林郁庭周二返抵國門後，由體育署和國訓中心深入了解狀況。

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Lawmakers suggest new direction for Taiwan’s diplomatic relations

The severing of diplomatic ties between Taiwan and Honduras on Sunday has reignited debate on whether Taiwan should change its approach to diplomacy. One DPP lawmaker has suggested that Taiwan begin accepting “dual recognition,” and maintain ties with countries that also recognize Beijing. Meanwhile, one KMT lawmaker says that Taiwan could start a new chapter of international relations if the U.S. and Japan would resume formal relations with Taiwan.

Joseph Wu
Foreign minister
We don’t rule out any possibilities regarding our relations with countries that don’t have diplomatic ties with us. We’re considering the matter very carefully.

On Sunday, Taiwan and Honduras broke off diplomatic relations, leaving Taiwan with 13 diplomatic allies. One day later foreign minister Joseph Wu stated that nothing was off the table when it comes to Taiwan’s international relations. The comment has fueled speculation that Taiwan could switch to an approach of “dual recognition,” allowing countries to have diplomatic ties with both Taiwan and China.

Wang Ting-yu
DPP lawmaker
We’d be happy to accept any country that is willing to establish official or quasi-official relations with Taiwan. We could abandon the former KMT policy that goes “gentlemen and thieves cannot coexist.” After all, many countries around the world have diplomatic relations with China. Perhaps leaving such a policy would worry China, and put the ball in their court.

Lee De-wei
KMT lawmaker
The ruling administration, that is, President Tsai Ing-wen and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, should consider which approach is in the R.O.C.’s interests. Everyone would support policies that are beneficial for Taiwan.

Both ruling and opposition lawmakers say they would endorse a shift in Taiwan’s diplomatic approach. The current policy has its roots in Taiwan’s authoritarian past. KMT leader Chiang Kai-shek insisted that the R.O.C. in Taiwan was the “real China,” referring to the communist leadership of the PRC as mere “insurgent groups.” Since then, the official policy in Taiwan has been to terminate ties with any country that established diplomatic relations with Beijing. One KMT lawmaker say that the times have changed, adding that if the U.S. and Japan were to resume official ties with Taiwan, it could be a new beginning for Taiwan’s foreign relations.

Johnny Chiang
KMT lawmaker
The U.S. should take the lead and consider resuming diplomatic relations with the R.O.C. Otherwise, it’s very hard for them to persuade other countries to establish diplomatic ties with us, or to not break off relations with us. That’s also the case for Japan, which stands with Taiwan. If they stand with Taiwan, they might as well resume official ties with us.

Cheng Wen-tsan
Vice premier
What we pursue is regional peace and democratic values. Our main approach to international relations is to continue moving forward with friends that share these ideals and values.

Whether Taiwan will let go of its authoritarian legacy and expand its international reach remains to be seen.

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Former President Ma sets off on China trip amid criticism from pan-green groups

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A photo exhibition remembering former Japanese PM is held in Taipei

Former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo was a staunch ally of Taiwan’s, and his assassination last year left many Taiwanese saddened. A photo exhibition recalling Abe’s numerous exchanges with Taiwan is being held in his memory, and is the first such memorial for a former Japanese prime minister to be held outside of Japan. President Tsai Ing-wen showed up for the exhibition’s opening day, to express her thoughts on the former PM, who she called a good friend.

Pictures of former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo’s past exchanges with Taiwan adorn the walls of a memorial exhibition in Taipei. President Tsai Ing-wen attended the exhibition’s opening day Monday to make a speech.

Tsai Ing-wen
President
Former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo was a good friend of Taiwan, and a good friend of mine. Abe once shared a photo of himself holding a Taiwanese pineapple and smiling warmly. He had repeatedly called on the international community to pay attention to the stability of the Taiwan Strait. His friendship and contributions to Taiwan laid an important foundation for the development of Taiwan-Japan relations.

Frank Hsieh
Representative to Japan
The reason Taiwanese fondly remember Abe is because he supported us, and he was very considerate and attentive. He is historically the most Taiwan-friendly Japanese prime minister.

Abe was assassinated in July last year. To remember him, Japan held three photo exhibitions, with a fourth one held outside Japan – in Taiwan.

Izumi Hiroyasu
Japanese representative to Taiwan
For such a grand memorial exhibition for a former Japanese prime minister to be held outside of Japan is historically unprecedented. This demonstrates how much love and respect our Taiwanese friends have for former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo.

The exhibition opened just one day after Taiwan and Honduras broke diplomatic ties. Commenting on the matter, Japan’s representative to Taiwan had posted to Facebook saying that Japan would always stand with Taiwan, and would continue to strive for Taiwan.

Izumi Hiroyasu
Japanese representative to Taiwan
We always support Taiwan, which our good friend. When Taiwan faces problems, we are concerned. Just as when we face problems, Taiwan also is concerned.

His words of support are a comforting reminder for many in Taiwan, who are still reeling from the loss of another diplomatic ally.

2023-03-27

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Taichung taxi industry celebrates husband and wife team

The city of Taichung has a couple of taxi drivers with a very sweet story. Chang Ken-feng and Liang Su-hua had both lost their spouses when they met through their shared work. As they swapped tips on the taxi industry, they grew closer and closer. Now they’re the first married couple to get a double thumbs-up from the city of Taichung. And they volunteer for the local taxi bus, a free service for rural residents of Taichung.

Close the doors and fasten the seatbelts. The husband and wife are both behind a driving wheel and off they go.

They pull up in rural Taichung.

The driver and passenger chat easily like old friends. The Taichung taxi bus goes up into the mountains, and down along the coast, offering free transport to locals. The couple love to provide this service, despite living on a modest income.

Chang Ken-feng
Taxi bus driver
When you get feedback from your service, it’s a kind of gratitude. That kind of service gives you more of a feeling of power.

After losing their respective spouses, taxi drivers Chang Ken-feng and Liang Su-hua met through work, and ended up married once more.

Liang Su-hua
Taxi bus driver
When I first started in this industry, I had an upset stomach every day. He told me, in this job, if there’s ever something you don’t know about the road, you can always ask me. I thought, “What a kind person!”

At first they chatted about work, then they shared more and more about their personal lives. And in the end, they would drive out for romantic dates--each in their own cab.

Chang Ken-feng
Taxi bus driver
For example, if we were both free at 6 o’clock, we’d go out and get coffee and chat. And then around 7 we’d both go off and get to work.

Alongside their marriage, they’re a formidable team at work, supporting each other 24/7, day and night.

Liang Su-hua
Taxi bus driver
It’s very convenient. The person who needs support is always right by you, always available.

The adoring couple decided to enter the voluntary taxi bus service together. Among a roster of 9,000 drivers, they stand out as the first married couple in Taichung to receive an “Excellent Driver” award simultaneously.

2023-03-27

Wheelchair ballroom dancing champion visits old school to share her story

And now for a spotlight on champion wheelchair ballroom dancer Ho Hsin-ju. After losing her legs at the age of 9, Ho Hsin-ju spent many years coming to terms with life in a wheelchair. When she found ballroom dancing, everything changed. She and her husband now tour Taiwan and abroad, winning championships with their snappy routines. We went with her on a poignant visit to her old school, to share her passion for dance with the next generation.

Children sit in the school hall, enraptured, and clap as they listen to the dancer in front of them. Then it’s time to get up and give ballroom dancing a try.

Ho Hsin-ju shows off some of her elegant moves. She was invited back to her alma mater, Shanchi Elementary in Hsinchu, to introduce her art to the students.

Ho Hsin-ju
Wheelchair ballroom dancer
Decades later, I have the opportunity to come back and share my experiences with the young students. If feels like a return to glory. I’m grateful to the children for their encouragement.

Ho has given speeches all across Taiwan – but coming back to her own school is a different task. She was just in second grade when she lost both her legs in a tragic railway accident. Before that, she had been an avid runner; in an instant her running dreams were lost.

Ho Hsin-ju
Wheelchair ballroom dancer
My biggest dream back then was to be in the Olympic track and field team. But later I came across this wheelchair, and when I saw it, it was like seeing a pair of legs. I practiced as hard as I possibly could.

Through many ups and downs, Ho learned how to dance in a wheelchair, making it her new legs. Eventually she won an international reputation, and clinched no. 1 at the Asian Para DanceSport Championships. Her husband shares her passion for dance, and together they enjoy extreme sports as well as competing together on the dance floor.

Husband of Ho Hsin-ju
We have the same interests, so we’ve tried out lots of extreme sports together – things I had never done before, like touring the whole country, diving, kayaking, and paragliding.

The couple travels all over Taiwan, talking about their story – and wowing audiences – in schools and rural communities. They want to share their life stories and encourage others to find their own dance.

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Kaohsiung nail artist paints landscapes, animals, and figures on nails

In the saturated world of nail salons, artists must work hard to stand out. But one nail artist in Kaohsiung has certainly found her niche. The talented Nicole is an amateur painter and illustrator, and her works of art get squeezed down to the size of a nail. Her clients enjoy drawings of animals and landscapes on their hands. Nicole says the nail art is especially helpful for clients who feel self-conscious about their hands. But when their nails are an art gallery, they feel much happier letting the world see them in action.

If you want unique nails these days, alongside the traditional choices of lines, flowers or ombre, you can now get very special designs. An entire watercolor painting can be vividly recreated on a nail.

Member of public
I just wanted to make myself look pretty, with nails and an outfit.

Member of public
I wanted to get a kind of oil painting on my nail. But it still has the same level of detail. I think it’s very special, like having a work of art on my hand.

Customers come here for the artist’s unique skills. A nail can be painted with a view of the River Seine. This is nail artist Nicole’s forte: having studied watercolor and oil painting, her nail designs can be fully customized.

Nicole
Nail artist
Once a client asked me to put her cat on her nail. I’ve done extra training in illustration and oil painting, so I could apply that to her nails.

Nicole also runs classes, teaching her self-developed nail artistry. But the biggest achievement of her career so far is helping restore the confidence of clients with nail problems.

Nicole
Nail artist
I’ve done treatments on people with ingrown nails on their toes, diseased nails, or nails they’ve been biting. It’s really helpful for the clients. Even kids who had no confidence, after getting this treatment from me, said really happily that they had confidence and they feel able to show their hands.

Nicole has taken her passion for art and turned it into a real service for clients from all walks of life. She’s always refining her skills, and has carved out a sturdy niche in the highly competitive world of nail art.

2023-03-27