Taipei to make first 30 minutes of YouBike rental free starting 2024

Taipei to make first 30 minutes of YouBike rental free starting 2024

2023-03-29

Attention YouBike users, get ready to ride for free. Starting next January, Taipei will bring back its policy of not charging for the first 30 minutes of a YouBike rental. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an is also promising more bikes and smarter system management. Let’s hear from him.

Chiang Wan-an
Taipei mayor
Our current plan is to slightly increase the number of bikes in the first half of the year by adding 1,780 units. After we reintroduce the policy of free rides for the first 30 minutes, we will of course introduce more effective bike management. To that end, we are already carrying out big data analyses. Turnover for each bike will increase, of course. But we hope that it will stay within the current values by optimizing the system. We’re planning to introduce complementary measures in the first half of next year, starting January. We’re making preparations for that.

The free rides are expected to increase YouBike usage, and that could cause a bike shortage in busy areas. But the mayor says that big data will be used to optimize the rental system, to ensure that supply keeps up with demand.

YouBike前30分鐘免費! 明年一月上路

2023-03-29

台北市公共自行車YouBike，可望恢復前30分免費政策，台北市長蔣萬安宣布，將在明年一月上路。他也表示，會再小規模增加單車數量、優化調度和周轉率，來聽他的最新說明。

[[台北市長蔣萬安]]
“我們目前上半年規畫，先增加1780台(單車)，小規模增加。屆時我們前30分鐘免費上路之後，當然我們也會做更有效的配置，我們現在正在進行相關的數據資料分析。我們可以預期，屆時整個周轉率當然會增加，但是我們希望盡量把周轉率維持在目前的狀況，甚至更優化。目前規畫是明年上半年，明年一月，但我們當然最重要是相關的配套措施，我們都會做好準備。”

另外，對於民眾憂心熱門站點，未來會面臨更多無車可借或無處可還的窘境，蔣萬安則回應，會請交通局和資訊局，透過數據資料分析，做更有效率，以及更聰明的配置，來解決問題。

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Tsai sets off on 10-day tour of Central American allies

President Tsai Ing-wen has set off on a 10-day tour of Central American allies, with high-profile stopovers in New York and Los Angeles. Tensions are expected to flare in New York City, as pro-China groups gear up to protest the visit. But Taiwan’s expat community is preparing to fight back and to roll out the red carpet for the president.

President Tsai Ing-wen led a group of officials in a ceremony at the National Revolutionary Martyr’s shrine. She left the venue accompanied by National Security Council Secretary-General Wellington Koo and Presidential Office Secretary-General Lin Chia-lung.

After three years with no trips abroad, the president boarded a plane at midday, kicking off a 10-day visit to Taiwan’s Central American allies.

Tsai Ing-wen
President
As a democracy, Taiwan is resolutely committed to defending the values of freedom and democracy. We will continue being a force for good in the international community, feeding virtuous cycles and strengthening the resilience of global democracies. Taiwan is a key force in the global economy and will continue pursuing prosperity together with its allies. In the world, Taiwan is Taiwan. Making Taiwan go international and bringing the world to Taiwan is an important goal for our administration. External forces will not shake our determination to go global. We are collected and confident. We will not give in or provoke others.

Tsai’s trip includes a transit in New York. Last time she was in New York in 2019, the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification organized protests in the city. This time around, the organization held a press conference in Chinatown to decry Tsai’s visit.

CCPPNR member
Tsai Ing-wen sneaks into the U.S., destroying the development of cross-strait peace. We resolutely oppose any form of Taiwan independence.

Chuang Chen-hui
DPP US East Coast Chapter
I think they are trying to make use of this opportunity, as nobody from Taiwan has come in the past few years due to COVID. So it’s a chance for them to act. The U.S. is paying a lot of attention to this visit by President Tsai Ing-wen. This was originally just a matter for the Manhattan precinct, but now even police from the 109th precinct, from Flushing, have been contacted. I asked them, and they said that their headquarters were watching the situation closely.

The New York Police Department will be on guard for potential scuffles. The Overseas Community Affairs Council also has an ace up its sleeve.

Yang Cheng-jung
Overseas Community Affairs Council
Some people will bring megaphones. So if they bump into large groups of protesters making a lot of noise, they will have a way to fight back. Overseas compatriots from many cities are really looking forward to the visit. There will be a bus coming up from Washington, D.C. and many people will be driving six to seven hours from Pittsburgh expressly to take part in the banquet.

With Tsai on her way to the U.S., preparations from both supporters and detractors are in full swing.

2023-03-29

Ma says ‘we Chinese’ at Nanjing Massacre memorial

Meanwhile in China, Former President Ma Ying-jeou is on the third day of his closely watched Chinese tour. He made a stop at the Nanjing Massacre memorial hall, to pay tribute to the victims. The former president was visibly emotional after his visit, telling reporters that, quote, "Chinese people" on both sides of the strait must learn from the past and bravely resist foreign aggression.

On the third day of his China tour, former President Ma Ying-jeou made a stop at the Nanjing Massacre memorial hall, to lay a flower for the victims.

Clad in a black tie and holding a white flower, Ma was grave as he observed a moment of silence. Standing beside him was Chen Yuanfeng, deputy director of China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, with whom he exchanged only brief pleasantries. After laying his flower for the victims, Ma entered the memorial hall. Taiwanese media were barred from filming, but when he emerged, it was clear that the historical materials on display had made a deep emotional impact.

Chinese reporter
Mr. Ma, what struck you the most about your visit to the memorial today?

Ma Ying-jeou
Former president
I have never been as so profoundly affected as I was today. We Chinese must learn from this war of resistance against Japan. As Chinese people, regardless of which side of the strait we’re on, we must bravely resist foreign aggression. During the course of our fight against the Japanese, we suffered tremendous humiliations.

Ma twice referred to himself as Chinese in his remarks, and he was addressed as “Mr. Ma” by Chinese media. Notably, local officials made a point of restricting media questioning.

Chinese official
These four reporters will ask questions. No one else, all right?

Chinese reporter
Foreign media predict that the two sides of the strait may engage in conflict, and that they may reunify through force. What do you think the two sides of the strait should do?

Ma Ying-jeou
Former president
The two sides should strive to avoid war and to seek peace.

He’s long touted his Taiwan upbringing, but on this China tour, Ma has yet to mention the word “Taiwan.” His China-leaning rhetoric has drawn scrutiny back home, with critics weighing the implications.

2023-03-29

Art exhibition in Taipei explores war preparation

Taiwanese artist Chang Ling is currently holding a solo exhibition in Taipei that explores war-related topics like emergency response measures, daily necessities and survival through a series of paintings and installations. Our very own Stephany Yang spoke to Chang to find out more about his works.

Walk into the exhibition and you will see a series of paintings and installations. This oil painting is titled "War Preparation - Unreached Ruins 2." It is Chang
’s interpretation of what war may look like. He drew fighter jets, buildings that have been bombed, and ruins.

Chang Ling
Artist
What this work is expressing is an unreached ruin. That is to say, ruins usually exist because of something that has already happened. Something became ruined because of an event that occurred. But within an unreached imagination, it is not about recording the history of the past, rather it is an imagining of a foreseeable future. I drew fighter planes flying by, some buildings that have been bombed, and groups of people dancing among the ruins.

There is also a series of works by Chang called “Pseudo Arrogance.” The project comprises old black-and-white photos that Chang collected over 20 years ago, showcasing what everyday life was like in Taiwan in the 1940s. Some of the photos were found in old military dependents’ homes, and some were passed down by his own family. The works explore colonization.

Chang Ling
Artist
I have been collecting these old photos for several years. Many of them were collected after people threw them away. I took old photos, which were probably from the 1930s and 1940s, and then drew on top of them. After drawing, I would shoot the photo again, then zoom in on it. On top of a historical overlap, my subjective copy is on top of the historical photos of the past, thus forming a multi-layered and more complex expression of ideas.

Chang studied in France in 1996 and developed a high interest in economics, politics, culture, and public affairs. After returning to Taiwan in 2005, he began creating various works that explore his home, Taiwan. In his latest solo exhibition in Taipei, Chang created paintings and installations to examine the challenges of war, and to delve into topics such as war preparation, emergency responses, daily necessities and supplies, and survival.

Chang Ling
Artist
What I want to express through this exhibition is that there is a sense of urgency in the world today, due to geopolitical tensions that may cause various countries to face imminent crises. What kind of crisis will Taiwan face? This is a very important question to address. I think that as an artist, it is my social responsibility to express these things through an exhibition.

The exhibition will be on at the MoCa Studio in Taipei until May 7.

2023-03-29

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Polish YouTuber Anna shows off the everyday beauty of life in Taiwan

Today we meet Anna, a Polish resident of Taiwan, who is showing the world what everyday life in Taiwan is like. Her popular YouTube channel features ubiquitous Taiwanese sights like convenience stores, grocery markets and breakfast shops. She’s been living in Taiwan for 15 years, and is raising her family here. She says she has no plans to return to Europe anymore. But her first contact with Taiwan was when she was just 5 years old.

With nothing but an ordinary cellphone and a pair of Bluetooth headphones, Anna can produce a YouTube video anywhere.

Anna’s channel features videos from all over the country, on topics ranging from cultural differences between Poland and Taiwan, to the minutiae of daily life or major events.

From taking her parents on a tour of Taiwanese breakfast diners…

…to enjoying the most authentic stir-fry restaurants…

… and grocery shopping at traditional markets.

It’s not an exaggeration to say Anna is an alternative tourist ambassador for Taiwan. In front of her lens, the quotidian routines of Taiwanese people become a fascinating novelty. And many viewers wonder how her Chinese can be so fluent.

Anna
Polish YouTuber
I studied Chinese at university. I was always very interested in learning Chinese. I was thinking about whether I wanted to go back to Europe to be a teacher. But living in Taiwan is very nice, so I decided to start running this channel based on Taiwanese topics.

Anna came to Taiwan 15 years ago. Her link with the country began when she was just a child, with a weather report.

Anna
Polish youtuber
When I was small, I was watching the weather forecast with my grandpa, and the last place in the report was Taipei. I told my grandpa “I am Taiwanese!” He thought it was just childish prattle, he didn’t think anything of it. I never thought I would really achieve this kind of dream!

But now her childhood assertion is true! She’s raising her family in Taiwan, with the full support of her parents.

Anna
Polish youtuber
Every month my dad sends me a spreadsheet showing me how well my channel performed this month. He sends me that table, it’s so touching.

Now that Anna is settled in Taiwan, her story with the country still has many chapters waiting to be written.

2023-03-29

Czech speaker signs 11 MOUs for deeper ties with Taiwan

The speaker of the Czech Parliament’s lower house, Marketa Pekarova Adamova, has wrapped up her five-day stay in Taiwan. Just before her departure, she signed 11 memorandums of understanding to pave the way for closer collaboration with Taiwan. She also signed a parliamentary friendship pact with Legislative Speaker You Si-kun. Speaking at the foreign ministry, the Czech speaker hailed her visit as a success, and said her country would continue to pursue deeper ties with Taiwan.

Czech Speaker Marketa Pekarova Adamova and Legislative Speaker You Si-kun stand side by side. Taiwan and the Czech Republic on Wednesday signed a friendship cooperation agreement between their parliaments in a display of unity between democracies.

Marketa Pekarova Adamova
Czech speaker
Although this trip to Taiwan, our Taiwan mission, so to speak has been fruitful, the fight for universal values such as freedom, democracy and human rights does not end here, and will never end. I also firmly believe that we will both continue to strive to defend our shared values and to deepen our bilateral relationship.

You Si-kun
Legislative speaker
Putin and Xi declared that they were driving changes not seen in 100 years, in a challenge to the current world order. This agreement shows the concrete steps we are taking to counter the axis of evil.

The Czech speaker said that her five-day visit to Taiwan had been very fruitful. All in all, Taiwan and the Czech Republic signed 11 memorandums of understanding to deepen bilateral cooperation.

Pekarova Adamova explained that she had carefully chosen her attire for the event to reflect the colors of the flags of her own country and Taiwan.

Marketa Pekarova Adamova
Czech speaker
I chose red, because I know that’s the main color of the flag of Taiwan. Czechia’s flag also has red. And also, for people in Taiwan, red is the color of happiness and success. Direct flights with Prague will start operating in July, so people can come to the Czech Republic and do some shopping.

The Czech speaker promoted a new direct flight between her country and Taiwan. She again voiced hope for closer bilateral exchanges in the future, stressing that the Czech Republic stood firmly with Taiwan.

2023-03-29

Italy’s representative to Taiwan talks design ties

For the first time, Taiwan and Italy have jointly organized an exhibition in Taiwan to showcase Italy’s latest award-winning designs. FTV reporter Stephany Yang spoke to the Italian Representative to Taiwan Davide Giglio to learn more about the latest design exchanges between Taiwan and Italy.

The Italian Compasso d’Oro Design Award was established in 1954. It is the oldest and most prestigious in the design industry. So far, there are only 379 works that have won this top honor.

Now some of those award-winning masterpieces are on show at the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park. The exhibition will be held till April 5. It was organized by the Italian Economic Trade and Cultural Promotion Office, the Italian Industrial Design Association, and the Taiwan Design Research Institute.

Stephany Yang
FTV reporter
Aside from the exhibition, they are also showcasing Italian books at the "Not Just Library." The library was once a public bathhouse built in 1937.

Davide Giglio
Italian representative to Taiwan
Last year in December, the Taiwan Research Institute and the Italian Association of Industrial Design signed a memorandum to promote exchanges and create a platform for partnership and cooperation. Taiwan has a famous award which is the Golden Pin Design Award. Italy has the Compasso d’Oro. The two associations are working together and inviting eachother to create opportunities to exchange visits and also exchange experiences in the field of design. We want to create objects together in Italy and Taiwan that are functional and that are sustainable. I think that is a challenge that everybody in the design world is interested in meeting.

The Italian Representative to Taiwan Davide Giglio says both Taiwan and Italy are among the largest manufacturing countries in the world. Taiwan is a leader in semiconductors, while Italy is a leader in the automotive sector. Therefore, he sees great potential in cooperation between the two countries.

Davide Giglio
Italian representative to Taiwan
Italy is very strong in the automobile sector. Taiwan is also developing a line of production. There are companies in Taiwan such as Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn). They have entered into joint ventures with Italian companies. They are starting to produce electric vehicles. The design is made by Italian companies. This is an area where there is clearly a success story between Italy and Taiwan. In areas such as robotics for instance, Italy and Taiwan are also developing fast. We can can find other opportunitites to cooperate. Biotechnology and electric mobility. I think these are all areas where Taiwan and Italy can all do together.

Giglio says that Taiwan and Italy’s relationship has been flourishing despite the pandemic. He sees lots of potential for more cooperation.

Davide Giglio
Italian representative to Taiwan
Italy has a tradition in that it has an artisan, history, and universities that are catered toward design culture. But, with Taiwan, I think we have a lot to do. It is robust. It is $5.6 billion. It is a very balanced exchange. There is no deficit on both sides. They are very equal. It is a healthy relationship that we have with Taiwan. It keeps growing. Not only in traditional sectors such as machines or chemicals or fashion. But also agri-food, and recently also pharmaceuticals. Taiwan is of course very strong in ICT. Taiwan exports a lot to Italy. I think it is a very healthy relationship and balanced trade relationship and it has been growing also during COVID. It looks very promising also in the coming years.

The annual Milan Design Week is the largest annual design event in the world. It will take place in Milan from April 17 to 23. Davide Giglio invites everyone to visit if they happen to be in Italy during that time.

2023-03-29

Italian Taiwanese priest honored for contribution to cultural exchanges

2023-03-29