China to close skies near Taiwan for half an hour

2023-04-12

China will close airspace near Taiwan for about half an hour this week, down from the three days previously announced. The no-fly zone will fall about 85 nautical miles north of Taiwan. The closure was initially reported by Reuters to span three days starting Sunday. Taiwan objected, citing major disruption to critical flight routes connecting Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, and North America. In response, China agreed to cut down the restriction to just 27 minutes, starting at 9 a.m. on Sunday.

Notably, the closure will coincide with Japan’s hosting of the G-7 foreign ministers’ summit, where stability in the Taiwan Strait will be a hot topic. Japan’s NHK network has exclusively obtained a draft of the statement to be issued by the foreign ministers. The draft expresses concern over the situation in the East China Sea and around Taiwan. It strongly opposes China’s attempts to unilaterally change the status quo through force or intimidation.

中國發布4/16-4/18台灣北部"禁航" 我方抗議後縮減為27分鐘

2023-04-12

路透社報導中國將在16日至18日，連續三天在台灣以北空域畫設「禁航區」；對此，國防部了解，位置在台灣以北85海里處。由於與台北飛航情報區重疊，嚴重影響往日韓、東南亞航線，甚至北美洲航線，經過我方抗議，已經縮減為週日當天上午九點起，禁航27分鐘。

值得注意的是，中國政府設立禁航區時間，正是日本主辦七大工業國集團（G7）外長會議期間。日本NHK也獨家取得屆時的共同聲明草案，內容再度點名台海和平穩定的重要性。草案當中，對東海和台灣周邊局勢表示高度憂心，強烈反對中國以「武力或威嚇方式，單方面改變現況」

Foreign minister says China ‘preparing to launch a war’ against Taiwan

Foreign minister Joseph Wu sounded the alarm on China in an exclusive interview with CNN. Speaking on Beijing’s recent military exercises, the minister warned that China was preparing to launch a war against Taiwan. Wu said that Taiwan was grateful for U.S. support, which has included the sale of weapons. But he emphasized that Taiwan was, quote "absolutely determined" to defend itself.

On the third and final day of its military drills, China sent a record 91 warplanes near Taiwan, 54 of which crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait. A day after the exercise concluded, foreign minister Joseph Wu condemned China’s actions in an interview with U.S. news outlet CNN.

Jim Sciutto
CNN reporter
Is Beijing, in your view, threatening Taiwan with war?

Joseph Wu
Foreign minister
Yes, indeed. Look at the military exercises, and also their rhetoric. They seem to be trying to get ready to launch a war against Taiwan.

Wu quoted the United Nations Charter, saying that settlement of international disputes should be resolved by peaceful means. He said that China was doing the opposite.

Joseph Wu
Foreign minister
[And Beijing’s way of handling the differences between Taiwan]…and China is through coercion, military threat, and the threat to use force against Taiwan. And these are unacceptable. And therefore the Taiwanese government looks at China’s military threat as something that cannot be accepted and we condemn them.

When asked if Taiwan had the weapons needed to defend itself, Wu responded in the affirmative.

Joseph Wu
Foreign minister
We have been procuring military arsenals from the United States for a long time, and when President Biden was in office all these years, they have announced nine batches of arms sales for Taiwan and we have also been increasing our military training so we are ready at any moment.

Wu said that in times of war, determination was sometimes more important than military hardware. He said the people of Taiwan would be ready to defend their country at any moment.

Joseph Wu
Foreign minister
I would say that Taiwan is absolutely determined to fight for our own freedom and to fight for our sovereignty. And we are ready to defend ourselves.

Wu asked the international community to urge China against the use of force, as a war would bring destruction not just to Taiwan.

2023-04-12

Officials say TSMC still committed to investing in Kaohsiung

2023-04-12

Hydrogen cars in spotlight at Taipei’s automotive mega-show

Taiwan’s automotive mega-show opened its doors on Wednesday, featuring over 2,000 booths with the latest in automotive electronics, car parts, and accessories. Among the highlights are Hon Hai’s latest electric vehicles. Hotai Motor is also making waves with its innovations in hydrogen cars. The two-in-one expo, called TAIPEI AMPA and Autotronics Taipei, will take place from April 12 to 15 at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center.

A Japanese auto giant unveils its latest hydrogen car. Equipped with three hydrogen tanks and a fuel cell, the car generates electricity from a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen that produces no emissions but water. It’s been dubbed the most eco-friendly car yet. Its hydrogen tanks can be refilled in just three to five minutes, giving the vehicle a range of 750 kilometers.

This technology has been applied beyond small passenger vehicles. Hydrogen buses are already used in many European cities.

Huang Chih-fang
TAITRA
Trends in EVs signal that the output value of the automotive electronics sector will hit NT$600 billion by 2025. So the automotive electronics sector could be Taiwan’s next trillion-NT-industry.

Another automaker showed off a 12-meter electric bus, the first of its kind in Taiwan. It uses in-wheel motors with lithium-titanium-oxide batteries, which charge from 20% to 80% in just 15 minutes and allow the bus to travel more than 500 kilometers in one day. Hon Hai is also making inroads into EV supply chains, and it showed three new EV models at the expo.

James Wu
Hon Hai spokesperson
Next year will be a year of more significant growth. The more affordable model may enter production in the U.S. We’re also working on setting up plants in Thailand, which we expect will enter mass production next year. Production capacity will be 50,000 initially, and that will gradually increase to 150,000.

According to industry experts, electric vehicle sales could surpass 30 million units globally by 2030, with output value of US$900 billion. Leading carmakers and parts suppliers are stepping up to secure their place in the booming EV market.

2023-04-12

Taiwanese doctors, businesspeople and influencers prepare for WHA 2023 in Geneva

The World Health Assembly is due to reconvene this year in Geneva on May 21. Taiwan does not have an official place at the event, due to the exclusionary strategies of Beijing. But lots of Taiwanese groups will be in Geneva to take part anyway. Dr. Chiang Kuan-yu will lead a health diplomacy forum, enabling exchanges between Taiwanese doctors and their peers from abroad. And many other private groups, including an association of Taiwanese businesspeople in Switzerland, will join together in a march to demand Taiwan’s inclusion in the global community. They are represented by goodwill ambassador and travel influencer Angi, who says there’s still time to get in touch and join the fun.

Angi lifts up a Taiwanese flag to support Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly. She was part of the march at the WHA in Geneva last May. This year she wants to get even more people to Geneva to amplify the message.

Angi
Travel blogger
Taiwan has excellent health care. And we can help other countries. We should join the World Health Assembly, and we should be able to have a mutual exchange with others, on an equal level, about health issues.

Travel lover Angi was on a European tour when she ended up a part of the WHA march last year by coincidence. Since then she’s been filled with a mission, and this year she’s the goodwill ambassador of the Taiwanese Association in Switzerland. She hopes more private groups will still join the planned protest.

Angi
Travel blogger
I hope we can grow to a group of 500 people or more. We’ll start with a welcome party on May 19. Everyone who has come to support us in Geneva will be invited to a dinner held by the head of the association, Mr. Hsieh Chin. And on the morning of May 20 we will hold the march near the “Broken Chair” in Geneva.

Delegations from the Taiwanese Association in Switzerland and various private groups have recently paid visits to lots of local government officials. All their talks and marches aim to get Taiwan a seat at the WHA. Taipei doctor Chiang Kuan-yu has also announced he will lead a group of physicians to Geneva in May, to conduct exchanges with experts from all over the world.

Chiang Kuan-yu
Taipei City Hospital Zhongxing Branch
A group of 30 will go to Geneva to participate in WHA fringe events. We will hold a Global Health Diplomacy Forum in their ballroom, and we will take that opportunity to speak up together in support of Taiwan joining the structures of the World Health Organization.

As the WHA reconvenes in Geneva this year, hundreds of Taiwanese people will be in the city to join in the global exchange of knowledge and inspiration, and to stand up for Taiwan’s right to participate in the global community.

2023-04-12

DPP nominates Lai Ching-te for 2024 presidential election

It is official! The DPP has announced Vice President Lai Ching-te as its nominee in the 2024 presidential election. At a Wednesday press conference, Lai promised to win by a landslide. He also pledged to help his party secure a majority in the legislature. Speaking on cross-strait affairs, Lai emphasized that there was no need for Taiwan to declare independence, as it was already a sovereign, independent country.

The DPP has formally nominated Lai Ching-te for the 2024 presidential election. At a Wednesday press conference, Lai spoke before a crowd of executive committee members, local elected officials, and directors of the DPP’s local offices.

Lai Ching-te
DPP presidential nominee
I’ll lead all DPP legislative candidates in connecting with progressive forces in society, to achieve our goals for the 2024 race. The first is for us to win the presidency by a landslide. The second is to win a legislative majority.

Lai said that democracy was at the center of his campaign, and that he will work toward “democratic unity,” “democratic governance” and “democratic peace.” As a self-declared “pragmatic Taiwan independence worker,” he reiterated his stance on cross-strait affairs.

Lai Ching-te
DPP presidential nominee
Taiwan has its own land and people. It is already a sovereign, independent country, so there is no need to otherwise declare independence. The R.O.C. and the PRC are not subordinate to each other. A majority of the population opposes unification with China and does not accept the “One China” principle, the “1992 Consensus” or “one country, two systems.” At the same time, the choice in 2024 is not one between war and peace. It is one between democracy and autocracy.

Lai said that as head of state, he would continue his predecessor’s policies.

Lai Ching-te
DPP presidential nominee
Under the leadership of President Tsai Ing-wen, the world has seen Taiwan, and affirmed Taiwan. We will walk on a similar road, so that Taiwan’s democracy remains strong.

With its presidential candidate finalized, the DPP has got a head start in campaigning for next year’s elections.

2023-04-12

Taipei mayor announces NT$8,000 taxi subsidy for pregnant women

The Taipei City government has announced a taxi subsidy program for expectant mothers. The program will grant up to NT$250 per taxi ride during pregnancy and for six months postpartum, for up to NT$8,000 in total. This nearly NT$40 million plan is facing backlash from some city councilors, who say it is reckless spending that threatens the budget of other city programs. The subsidy will launch in July, if approved by the city council.

For pregnant women going to their prenatal checkups, taxi fare can add up fast if they can’t drive or take public transport. But in Taipei, moms-to-be could soon have a reason to celebrate. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an has announced a taxi subsidy program for pregnant women.

Chiang Wan-an
Taipei mayor
We’re launching a taxi program for pregnant women. This not only fulfills a campaign promise I made last year, but is also outlined in our city government white paper. Compared to other programs, ours has the longest duration, as women become eligible during pregnancy. Secondly, we offer the highest amount of subsidy.

The subsidy covers up to NT$250 per trip, for up to NT$8,000 per pregnancy.

Member of public
When I was pregnant I sometimes drove myself around. Other times I took a taxi, which would cost around NT$300 or NT$400 per trip.

Member of public
Will this increase the birthrate, who knows? But it will certainly be helpful for those who are already pregnant or have children.

The cab subsidy is set to launch in July. It will be open to people whose households are registered in Taipei, and who hold a government-issued “Pregnant Women’s Health Manual.” They can access the subsidy by registering on the TaipeiPASS mobile app, and by booking their rides in advance. Some 7,000 pregnant women are expected to benefit from the program, which is open to all income levels and will cost NT$39.2 million. The budget has already been allocated and awaits city council review.

Chan Wei-yuan
Taipei City councilor (KMT)
It’s clear that this is a comprehensive measure to ease the financial burden on young parents. It could also attract residents from other cities and counties to register their households in Taipei.

Hong Jian-yi
Taipei City councilor (DPP)
This kind of reckless spending is already affecting and squeezing other budget allocations. Unless the mayor is willing to pay for it using his NT$700 million reserve fund. Taipei City still has external debts. We want Mayor Chiang Wan-an to do more than write empty checks.

The councilor said the city should rethink how it pays for the program, in light of how other budgets are affected.

2023-04-12

Lin Yun-jun hammers Ma Long, advances at WTT Champions

2023-04-12

Indian musician Akash Dubey adapts Taiwanese musical traditions for the tabla

2023-04-12

Pink shower trees create a petal paradise in Chiayi’s Yilong Village

In Chiayi County, a small village has become known as a pink paradise. After 11 years of assiduous planting, there are thousands of pink shower trees lining the roads of Yilong Village. The trees bloom for a whole month, so flowers will be out until early May. The locals have a festival of flowers in April and May, and hope to attract more visitors to sample the rural delights of Zhuqi Township.

A sea of pink petals extends down the roadside as far as the eye can see. This is the village of Yilong in Chiayi’s Zhuqi Township. It becomes a fairyland with the blossoming of the pink shower tree.

Weng Chang-liang
Chiayi County commissioner
You can come down to Yilong Village to see the pink shower trees covering all the mountains and valleys. The flowers are only about 50% out now, so basically they will get even more spectacular and beautiful as time goes on.

The pink shower tree is special because it likes to grow at low altitudes, blossoms late in spring, and has an exceptionally long blossoming period. It usually bursts into bloom after Tomb-Sweeping Festival, and the branches are laden with flowers for a whole month.

Weng Chang-liang
Chiayi County commissioner
It was the dream of the village head. Over such a long time, the last 11 years, they managed to create an enormous impact, and spread the power of beauty.

Local village chief Yeh Chih-hung is the one who first had a vision of Yilong awash with pink. Over the last 11 years, he planted more than 3,000 pink shower trees on 5 hectares of his own hillside land. Now, each year in April and May, the small village becomes a pink paradise. Yeh plans to start planting orange day-lilies, to bring even more botanical tourism to the area.

Yeh Chih-hung
Yilong village head, Zhuqi Township
We turn on streetlamps at dusk. We want people to be able to come here and enjoy the flowers, to come and visit our small farmers’ market, and drink a cup of coffee. Everyone is welcome!

Locals hope the ocean of flowers will make Yilong stand out as a tourist destination, while also bringing knock-on benefits for other small towns and villages in the area.

2023-04-12