Gender reveal parties gain traction in Taiwan

Gender reveal parties gain traction in Taiwan

2023-05-09

A new trend has hit Taiwan in the last couple of years: the gender reveal party. It sees parents-to-be gather friends and family for a party, where they reveal the sex of the baby on the way. Usually, the parents themselves are also unaware of the sex before the big reveal. Doctors and party planners work together to prepare a surprise for the whole family. The U.S. trend has been embraced by Taiwanese celebrities in the wake of the pandemic.

On the count of three, a giant balloon is popped, and the screams of friends and family fill the air. The little blue balloons say, “It’s a boy!” Pink balloons: “It’s a girl!”

Vicky
Mother-to-be and cake store owner
My journey to pregnancy wasn’t that easy. I thought, “After working so hard to get pregnant, why not share this joy with my friends?”The whole way through everyone was so nervous to find out if it was a boy or a girl. Whichever sex you want, you can only get the answer in that moment of popping the balloon.

Gender reveal parties have been popular abroad for many years. But they just arrived in Taiwan in the last two years, ushered in by numerous internet influencers and other celebrities. The parents ask the doctor conducting their ultrasound to secretly inform the party planner of the sex of the baby. Then the big reveal is arranged.

Andy
Balloon designer
Demand has suddenly risen in Taiwan. It started about the year before last. In busy periods we get eight or 10 cases a day.

The balloon manufacturer knows the sex of the baby before the parents. One business handles upwards of 20 orders a month, while Vicky, who runs a cake store, fell in love with the idea after her own party. She now offers clients an all-inclusive gender reveal party service.

She arranges everything: the food, venue hire, balloons, and backdrop decorations.

Vicky
Mother-to-be and cake store owner
We can also adjust the backdrop according to the client’s preferences. The all-inclusive service means you just have to turn up. Because we know what a hassle the whole process can be.

With Taiwan’s birthrate falling, parents are more inclined than ever to celebrate the arrival of each new child. The gender reveal party is a modern-day ritual to celebrate the happiness – and the shock – of a new little bundle of joy.

台竄起"寶寶性別揭曉派對" 甜點業者推一條龍服務

2023-05-09

近兩年來，台灣突然竄起"寶寶性別揭曉派對"風潮，許多藝人或是網紅帶動風潮，讓不少準爸媽跟進，這是請婦產科醫生保密寶寶性別，交給氣球廠商業者，設計大氣球，當準爸媽戳破氣球，爆出粉色彩帶或是藍色彩帶，寶寶性別就驚喜揭曉，還有甜點業者，瞄準商機，出借場地，推出一條龍服務。

倒數123，戳破大氣球，親朋好友尖叫聲不斷，藍色小汽球代表是男孩，粉色汽球則是女孩。

[[準媽媽兼甜點店老闆 Vicky]]
“我懷孕的過程沒有很容易，想說好不容易懷孕了，可以跟朋友一起分享這樣的喜悅。整個過程大家都很緊張，到底是男生還是女生，你想要怎麼樣的性別，都是在戳破氣球的那一刻，才可以得到答案。”

從國外風行已久的"Gender Reveal Party"，寶寶性別揭曉派對，風潮近兩年吹進台灣，不少網紅、藝人都有舉辦。爸媽產檢時，會請醫師保密寶寶性別，交給氣球廠商或是派對業者，設計揭曉活動。

[[氣球設計師 Andy]]
“台灣的話大概(性別揭曉派對)，需求突然上來，大概是從前年開始，多的時候可能一天會到8到10個案子。”

不少氣球廠商，比準爸媽還早知道寶寶性別，有業者一個月至少將近20組訂單，還有同樣身為孕婦的甜點店老闆娘，辦完就愛上，乾脆提供一條龍服務。

除了各式點心，場地租借、汽球、背板，業者通通都準備好。

[[準媽媽兼甜點店老闆 Vicky]]
“另外背板的部分，我們也可以隨著大家喜好去做調整，一條龍大家只要人來就好了，因為我們知道這個過程有多麼麻煩。”

少子化時代來臨，讓每個爸媽都好珍惜小寶貝，透過這種性別揭曉派對的儀式感，分享懷孕的喜悅。

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Cybersec 2023, a three-day cybersecurity expo, opened its doors on Tuesday. President Tsai Ing-wen spoke at the opening ceremony. Tsai underscored the importance of strong cybersecurity for Taiwan’s growth and announced plans to create a cybersecurity “national team.” Also in attendance was Janet Napolitano, who was the U.S. secretary of homeland security under the Obama administration.

It’s Opening Day of Cybersec 2023. President Tsai Ing-wen made a point of attending, marking her fifth year in a row at the event.

Tsai was accompanied by top government officials, including Digital Minister Audrey Tang, National Security Council head Wellington Koo, economics minister Wang Mei-hua, and Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan. Their presence was a clear signal of the government’s focus on cybersecurity.

Tsai Ing-wen
President
I would like to once again underscore that cybersecurity is national security. I have attended Cybersec for five years in a row now, to show how much the government values cybersecurity.

The event attracted big names in cybersecurity, including Janet Napolitano, who is in Taiwan for the first time. Napolitano is a former U.S. secretary of homeland security and the founder of the Center for Security in Politics at the University of California, Berkeley.

Janet Napolitano
Former US secretary of homeland security
No national government can operate best practice domestic security operations without being international and working closely with international partners. It is why we must partner with friends and allies for its own protection.

Tsai Ing-wen
President
Thank you very much for your speech, it was truly very very helpful and I hope that we can have another opportunity to exchange views with you. Our goal is to ensure good cybersecurity so that our industries can prosper. The government will work with Taiwan’s industries, private sector experts, and communities to build a cybersecurity “national team,” to create a cybersecurity system and industrial chain that’s trusted globally.

Tsai said that, in response to cybersecurity challenges, her administration will promote R&D for cybersecurity products and services, while encouraging investment in cybersecurity startups. She pledged to help various sectors upgrade their cybersecurity, for the sake of national security.

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First cohort of female reservists completes 5-kilometer march

Turning now to Taoyuan, where refresher training is underway for a group of 14 female reservists. They’re Taiwan’s first cohort of women to be called up for training. On Tuesday, the group trained alongside their male counterparts, completing a 5-kilometer march and a chemical warfare drill. One of them had been out of the army for nearly a decade. She said she found the exercises challenging, but was happy to be contributing to the defense of the nation.

Fully armed troops march down both sides of the road. They encounter an ambush, and the commanding officer summons the troops, barking orders.

A scout platoon is sent to assess the situation ahead, while the troops are ordered to advance. It’s then that the enemy unleashes an artillery barrage, sending them rushing for cover.

Besides bombarding them with shells, the enemy also launches toxic gas. The troops strap on protective masks in response. They are reservists called up for refresher training, and among them are 14 women – the first women to join such training in Taiwan’s military history.

Liu Chao-i (discharged in 2014)
Reservist in first training cohort
The training schedule is fuller than what I had experienced before, so we’ll be able to learn a lot more over these five days. This isn’t the same as my previous training, because I had specialized in medical care before.

Tang Mi (discharged in 2020)
Reservist in first training cohort
I work in real estate, so I’ve been able to see many families being formed one by one. You need a nation to have a home, so I’m here to defend the nation today.

The women’s training program includes a 5-kilometer march, combat drills, and shooting with live ammunition. It’s identical to the men’s, and includes access to the same accommodations, such as single-person tents and bathing facilities.

Sun Li-fang
Defense ministry spokesman
Whether they are men or female troops of this first cohort, they’re willing to spend their time on returning to the military for training. This willingness is crucial for ensuring national security. It’s a very important demonstration of the people’s commitment to “all-out defense” and to protecting the country.

The military is pushing to bolster its reserve forces, in response to the increasingly tense situation across the strait.

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Taiwanese-run company in Vietnam to send 1,000 staff on Taiwan vacation

A Taiwanese-run business in Vietnam says it will take 1,000 employees to Taiwan, for a trip packed with local sights. This company trip is made possible by the Guan Hong project, a simplified visa program for tour groups from Southeast Asian countries. The program was relaunched last year, as part of a government push to jumpstart the New Southbound tourism market. Lawmakers say it’s a good start toward attracting international tourists, but that the next step is to resume flight routes canceled during the pandemic.

To boost Taiwan tourism, a Taiwanese businessman in Vietnam plans to take 1,000 employees on a trip this September. Vietnam Precision Industrial Chairman Lee Yu-chi will send two groups of staff to Taiwan, with stops at Sun Moon Lake, Alishan and the Gaomei Wetlands.

Lee Yu-chi
VPIC chairman
In 2017, we had 600 or 700 people come to Taiwan. This time, we’re taking 1,000 people, in two groups, to come to Taiwan. I am Taiwanese, and of course I love Taiwan dearly.

Chung Chia-pin
DPP lawmaker
The most important part is that they come from a New Southbound Policy country. Over the past few years, the ties between our industries have become closer, and commercial exchanges have grown. Even tourism has flourished.

Taiwan hopes to attract 6 million tourist visits by the end of the year. It’s aiming to attract tourists from New Southbound countries. Vietnam is the fastest-growing market, with 135,000 visitors to Taiwan last year alone, the most out of any other country. A DPP lawmaker called on airlines to resume flight routes that were suspended due to the pandemic.

Hsu Chih-chieh
DPP lawmaker
Airlines should resume flights. Some Taiwanese businesspeople go to Kaohsiung, others to Taipei, and all over Taiwan. But some routes are still not back online. So they all have to fly to Taipei and then take the high-speed rail to Kaohsiung. It’s a big hassle.

Lin Hsin-jen
Tourism Bureau
I think more efforts can be made to restore flight routes, because of course there’s a positive correlation between the number of flights and the number of tourists. We’re also offering subsidies for charter flights.

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Congressman’s ‘bomb TSMC’ remarks taken out of context: premier

U.S. Congressman Seth Moulton has gone viral on Chinese social media, for suggesting that the U.S. bomb TSMC if China invades Taiwan. A clip of the shocking remarks ignited a firestorm on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok. Taiwan’s premier says the comments were taken out of context, possibly as part of a Chinese cognitive warfare campaign. What the footage didn’t show was Moulton saying that he didn’t advocate for the idea.

TSMC’s advanced chip technology is an important strategic asset for Taiwan. But as China’s threat continues to rise, U.S. Congressman Seth Moulton has raised the possibility of targeting TSMC to deter Beijing.

Seth Moulton
US congressman
Making it very clear to the Chinese that if you invade Taiwan, we’re going to blow up TSMC. I’m just throwing that out, not because that’s necessarily the best strategy but because an example of the debate that’s out there. Of course the Taiwanese really don’t like this idea, right?

The video went viral on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, under the title “Bomb TSMC to contain the mainland.” Taiwan lawmakers and its premier weighed in.

Hung Mong-kai
KMT lawmaker
If a conflict does erupt, why destroy TSMC? That makes it seem like having a precious jade is a crime.

Liu Shih-fang
DPP lawmaker
We have to look at the remarks in context. This message of “they’ll destroy TSMC” is a cognitive warfare campaign on Douyin.

Chen Chien-jen
Premier
Chinese state media outlets run accounts on Douyin. The video was edited to take the remarks out of context. Journalists reporting on this matter should first do a thorough factcheck. We will unite with likeminded countries to promote stability across the Taiwan Strait.

During the forum, Moulton said that if China attacked Taiwan, the U.S. had just two options. The first was to stop the invasion – Moulton said the U.S. would be able to succeed. The second was to do nothing. But if China controlled Taiwan, its advanced technology, and the global economy, the consequences would be disastrous, he said.

Seth Moulton
US congressman
I’m not promoting the idea, Michelle. What I’m saying is these are some of the things that are actually being debated amongst U.S. policymakers.

Moulton stressed that he was not advocating for destroying TSMC, but said that U.S. policymakers were debating the idea. He also commented on the geopolitical implications of the CHIPS Act, which encourages chip firms to build factories in the U.S. He says the act could send the wrong message to China.

Seth Moulton
US congressman
If the message that we send at the end of the day is, “We don’t need Taiwan because we’re no longer dependent on them for chips.” Does that make war more or less likely? I would actually argue it makes war more likely. Because China is going to say, “Well, the U.S. is not going to bother to defend Taiwan.

Moulton said that to contain China, it was crucial to consider all the possible outcomes. After all, losing TSMC would deliver a blow of US$2 trillion to the global economy, which no party can afford.

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Inmates at Tainan Second Prison make bright pink and orange noodles

Taiwan’s appetite for noodles is inexhaustible. And now even the prison system is getting in on the business. Inmates and wardens at Tainan Second Prison have developed their own noodle products. Their colorful dried noodles are flavored with vegetables. The bright pink and orange products are very popular with consumers. The hope is that by learning the skills of noodle-making, inmates can prepare to start a new, law-abiding life when they finish their sentence.

A roll of shocking pink dough. This dreamy color comes from purple dragon fruit.

Pressed through a machine, the dough comes out as noodles, which are placed into these round baskets in metal rings. They’re put out to dry in the sun. Nearby there are also orange carrot-flavored noodles. These products are all made by the inmates at Tainan Second Prison.

Huang Kun-fang
MOJ Department of Correction Tainan Second Prison
The most famous noodles in the Tainan area are known as “guanmiao” noodles. We asked a guanmiao noodle master to come here and teach them the method. Apart from having the basic production capacities, you also need plenty of time to dry them in the sun. So right now, we can produce about 400 packs a day.

Six inmates in Tainan Second Prison are at the noodle-master level, and they have eight more students studying. They started off by making simple plain dry noodles. Then they invented these natural colored noodles flavored with vegetables, and created this drying space. It’s surrounded by protective gauze to keep birds away.

Huang Kun-fang
MOJ Department of Correction Tainan Second Prison
We’ve added several layers of protective nets outside. So various dusts, as well as birds, can’t get in. We scatter some of the crumbs of our noodles outside for the birds here to eat, which is a way to live in harmony with them. It’s also a good kind of life education.

The noodles are boiled for seven minutes, and then eaten with sauce. They’re a way for inmates to make an income, but more importantly, a meaningful trade. When the inmates are released, this could be the first step for them to find a new place in society.

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