DPP’s Lai launches campaign base in Kinmen

DPP’s Lai launches campaign base in Kinmen

2023-05-30

The DPP’s Lai Ching-te has opened an official campaign office in Kinmen, touching off a political battle for the offshore county. At the inauguration ceremony, Lai promised to transform Kinmen from Taiwan’s “front line of defense” into its gateway to the world. Lai reiterated his desire for peace, but said that this peace must leave Taiwan’s sovereignty intact. He said he would never accept the so-called “1992 Consensus” or the “One China” principle.

Kinmen County has always been viewed as a KMT stronghold. But in 2020, the DPP’s Tsai-Lai ticket yielded better-than-expected results. The DPP won nearly 11,000 votes, representing a 57% increase compared to 2016. Its vote share also surpassed 20%, marking an all-time high for the DPP in the county.

信賴之友會插旗金門賴清德喊話追求"有主權和平"

2023-05-30

民進黨主席賴清德競選總統，陸續在各地成立「信賴台灣之友會」，今天前進金門插旗。成立大會上，賴清德喊話要把金門從"守護台灣的前線"變成"世界進出台灣的前門"。賴清德重申自己也想要和平，但應追求「有主權的和平」，絕不是以接受「九二共識、一個中國原則」為前提。

金門縣一直被視為深藍選區，不過蔡賴配2020年開出不錯成績，得票數達到10456票，相較2016年的6626票，不僅大幅成長57%，得票率也突破2成創下民進黨總統候選人在金門的歷史新高。

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2023-05-30

Lai Ching-te, Terry Gou, Ko Wen-je converge in Kinmen

Turning now to the election. The quiet offshore county of Kinmen was all abuzz on Tuesday, as Lai Ching-te, Ko Wen-je, and Terry Gou appeared at the same local religious event. Gou and DPP presidential candidate Lai even shared a stage to deliver speeches. In his remarks, Lai stressed that he was a pacifist, but that the pursuit of peace required strength and determination to defend the country.

They exchange a handshake at the opening of a religious procession in Kinmen. Vice President Lai Ching-te and Hon Hai founder Terry Gou encountered each other in Kinmen.

Gou presented Lai with a copy of his cross-strait peace declaration. Lai replied that he, too, stood for peace.

Lai Ching-te
Vice president
I’m a pacifist, and a staunch supporter of democracy. I know well that peace is priceless and that there are no winners in a war. But it’s also very clear to me that peace cannot be achieved simply by choosing it. We have to use our power and be determined to defend our nation, the safety of our people and their property. Only that is true peace.

Terry Gou
Hon Hai founder
If we don’t negotiate today, if we don’t communicate, we will never have the possibility of peace.

Despite not being nominated for president by the KMT, Gou has kept himself firmly in the public eye. Walking around Kinmen, he was swarmed with supporters.

Hung Yun-tien
Kinmen County Council speaker (KMT)
Whatever office he runs for, we will all support him. The KMT indicated that they wanted me to lead its campaign office in Kinmen. I don’t like that idea too much, because we have different opinions.

Gou was accompanied by Kinmen County Council Speaker Hung Yun-tien 洪允典and lawmaker Chen Yu-chen, both from the KMT. It was as if the KMT primary were still ongoing. Also at the religious ceremony was Taiwan People’s Party candidate Ko Wen-je. He and Gou shared a stage, fueling the rumors of a joint ticket in 2024.

Ko Wen-je
TPP chairman
I want to make clear that my Kinmen trip was arranged more than a month ago, and we are guests here. If the host invited him, too, then as a guest I simply follow the host’s arrangements.

With key election figures gathering in Kinmen, campaign fervor is only heating up.

2023-05-30

Panelists talk CCP meddling in 2024 election

China has already begun to interfere in Taiwan’s 2024 election, scholars say. At a panelist discussion hosted by the DPP, experts said China was attempting to influence the outcome, favoring candidates who would be compliant to Beijing. The panelists warned Taiwan’s political parties not to be become pawns in China’s unification agenda.

Tung Li-wen
Central Police University public security professor
Just now the moderator said that it’s “possible” – I think we can remove the word “possible” and replace it with “it’s certain.” The CCP is interfering with Taiwan’s democratic election, and it’s not a question of if, but how.

The DPP’s China affairs department held a panel discussion on cross-strait variables that may affect the coming election. According to Professor Tung Li-wen, the CCP’s objective is to ensure that the most compliant candidates get elected.

Tung Li-wen
Central Police University public security professor
Hou Yu-ih stands for nothing, not war, not peace, and not defense. Ko Wen-je’s cross-strait policy is plagiarized and then distorted. Bonnie Glaser said the CCP prefers Ko, which is true, but the true goal of the CCP is to bring about a Gou-Ko alliance, because the CCP knows that Ko Wen-je alone cannot win.

The panel event drew a crowd of young people, including high school students, who were eager to ask questions. They asked how to avoid the influence of cognitive warfare in an era of information overload.

Yeh Yao-Yuan
University of St. Thomas int’l studies professor
Whichever politician is particularly entertaining or has a silver tongue – even if they indiscriminately manipulate the issues, they get votes. Of course we are not saying that the DPP should follow suit and become a jester like other political parties. We still need to fight a war that’s based on policy.

Tung Li-wen
Central Police University public security professor
“U.S. skepticism” or “anti-Americanism” consists of three parts: One, China is a great power. Two, Taiwan would lose a war. Three, the U.S. would run. The conclusion is that Taiwan should surrender. Don’t be the one who opens the door to Chinese annexation of Taiwan. We’re echoing what Chairman Lai Ching-te said, that the essence of cross-strait conflict is the confrontation between democracy and autocracy.

Scholars said the CCP was working to fuel suspicion toward the U.S. and to fracture Taiwanese identity. They urged candidates in the coming election not to open the door for unification.

2023-05-30

New technology promises to keep frozen shrimp fresher for longer

A new technology promises to revolutionize the freezing process for food products such as shrimp. Taiwan imports tens of thousands of tons of freshwater prawn from Southeast Asia every year. With the new peptide-based freezing technology, frozen shrimp don’t get dehydrated and retain more of their integrity and taste.

A worker opens a box and unpacks frozen giant freshwater prawns. They are shelled and go straight into the pan.

Kuanyin-tea-infused prawns, Thai prawn soup, prawns and spinach in a cheese gratin… All these dishes star frozen freshwater prawns imported from Vietnam or Thailand. Peel back the shells and you can see just how fresh they are.

Freshwater prawn chef
The meat has a firm quality, but with springiness.

Luo Chin-han
Chinese Gourmet Association
Their flavor after defrosting is sweeter and better than our normal prawns produced in the standard way.

They even have the springiness and appealing color of fresh prawns after defrosting. A biotech company has developed a new peptide freezing technology, which can rapidly freeze foods. Prawns transported this way can retain more than 95% of their structure and keep for five years. And the technology works for more than just seafood.

Lin Ku-chun
Biotech company CEO
Giant freshwater prawns can’t be put in ice – as soon as they’re frozen, their soluble proteins and flesh start to disintegrate. Our antifreeze peptides mainly work to inhibit the growth of ice crystals, so we’ve solved the “recrystallization” problem which nobody could manage before. We can freeze milk and eggs, which is relevant to the egg shortage Taiwan experienced recently. Once they are defrosted, the eggs retain their taste, and their yolks and albumens don’t break.

Only about 11,000 tons of whiteleg shrimp are grown in Taiwan annually – not enough to meet the demand for shrimp. About 25,000 to 36,000 tons of prawns must be imported each year to fill the gap. This new technology could make those imports taste, feel and even look much closer to their original glory.

2023-05-30

Art exhibition exploring historical perspectives of Taiwan’s coastline kicks off in Taipei

Today we take you to meet Taiwanese award-winning artist Wang Yi-ting. In 2020, she began exploring Taiwan’s coastlines, and she began to imagine how these seashores may have been perceived by each regime that has controlled Taiwan, such the Qing Dynasty in the 19th century. She thought about how these perspectives have been incorporated into maps of Taiwan’s borders over the years. In her latest solo exhibition, Wang showcases her findings. FTV reporter Stephany Yang spoke to Wang to find out more.

This artwork, "Partial View of Taiwan" was created by artist Wang Yi-ting. This piece only showcases a partial view of the island of Taiwan. Wang says the work was inspired by the Kangxi Imperial Atlas of China from the 17th century.

Wang Yi-ting
Artist
It is inside five glass spheres. There is a sculpture that looks like half of Taiwan. In fact, according to Kangxi’s map, there was only half of Taiwan at that time. Using the Kangxi map drawn in the 17th century, I imagined our other half of Taiwan, and whether or not the unchartered part holds out more possibilities. Therefore, I used the other half of the glass as a longitudinal and latitudinal line and then divided it to draw the imaginary other half of Taiwan.

Another piece constructed by Wang is called "Coastline No.6, Coastline No.7". She printed different coastlines of Taiwan, folded them, and put them onto metal plates.

Wang Yi-ting
Artist
I folded it to experiment with the sea level which looks flat. Now, it can be transformed into a bigger space, with different connections at different points in time.

Wang is an award-winning artist. She holds a Master’s in Fine Arts from the Marseille-Mediterranean College of Art and Design in France and specializes in sculpture and painting. In 2020, Wang set out to explore Taiwan and the shifts and changes related to territorialization and deterritorialization along the coastline. Wang conducted much field research in Taiwan. In her latest exhibition "Sea Rhythms," she showcases her observations through videos, sculptures, installations, and prints.

Wang Yi-ting
Artist
After a three-year survey of the coastlines in various parts of Taiwan, on-site scenes gradually turned abstract. I explored a lot of places on the northern coast. I also visited seascapes in Hualien and participated in a workshop in the south.

Wang’s solo exhibition will be held at Taipei’s Museum of Contemporary Art till June 25.

2023-05-30

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2023-05-30

Taiwan applies AI in combat simulation facilities

Taiwan is working on a training simulator for its first domestically produced submarine. According to the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, this simulator will be built for a sub prototype that will be ready for testing this September. Over the past 28 years, the institute has developed 240 simulators, for everything from fighter jets to naval ships. The simulators let soldiers practice skills in real scenarios, while cutting down ammunition use and reducing risk of injury. In recent years, the institute has also been applying artificial intelligence to its training systems.

Soldiers in full gear open fire against the target. Elsewhere, troops administer emergency treatment to a wounded comrade. It’s all taking place in a war simulation room developed by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology.

Pai Fang-ping
National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology
The simulator can reduce fuel and ammunition consumption and allow soldiers to repeatedly execute battle skills. It can lower the risk of injury and enable high-risk training, such as emergency operations. It can also reduce damage to equipment, effectively decreasing wear and tear. It also breaks away from the limitations of a real battlefield. It can be used to show real scenarios, while avoiding disputes between the military and civilians, while maintaining secrecy.

The institute has been developing simulation technology for almost 30 years. It’s already produced 240 different systems for land, sea, air, and shooting training, as well as special scenarios. It will develop a simulator for the indigenous submarine prototype due for completion in September.

Pai Fang-ping
National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology
Based on our assessments, we believe that the development of this technology is feasible. We will incorporate applications to fit the needs of the military. Once the project protocol is complete, our institute will be very happy to take on this task.

Artificial intelligence has also been incorporated into military training.

Pai Fang-ping
National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology
For example, it’s applied in unmanned aerial vehicles, in target recognition for drones. We incorporated AI technologies into things like that. As for the introduction of AI to training elements, we currently have some projects underway, including smart air combat and tabletop war game systems, as well as drone combat systems. All of these are under development.

With technology quickly evolving, Taiwan’s military is keeping pace to maximize Taiwan’s combat capabilities.

2023-05-30

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2023-05-30

Long-term care center opens music school for patients with dementia

Studies show that learning to play the piano can help preserve cognitive functions in older adults. A long-term care facility in Taipei has launched Taiwan’s first music therapy school in Taiwan, where award-winning pianists give free lessons to patients with dementia. FTV reporter Stephany Yang takes us in for a look.

The teacher patiently gives a lesson on the piano. Beautiful melodies ring through the center.

The teacher performs familiar folk songs, encouraging the audience to sing along to tunes such as “The Moon Represents My Heart” and “The Torment of a Flower.”

Stephany Yang
FTV reporter
A total of seventeen pianos were donated to the center. The center will hold free piano lessons every Wednesday morning.

A first-of-its-kind music school has launched in Taipei, offering free lessons to older adults with dementia and other disabilities.

Older adult
It’s my first time playing the piano. The class made me happy.

Older adult
I’m very happy.

Free piano lessons are offered at this long-term care facility in Beitou every Wednesday morning. Teachers include The Juilliard School alum Gwhyneth Chen, who is the youngest winner of the Pogorelich International Piano Competition. There’s also Amy Tsai, the chair of the Juilliard Performing Arts Association in Taiwan, and Tsung Pei-ti, the director of the music department at Soochow University.

In addition to providing classical piano courses, the teachers also perform songs and hold karaoke parties.

Gwhyneth Chen
Pianist
The third part, the most interesting part, is a live karaoke band where I am playing Taiwanese pop songs or English pop songs and elders sing along. This is all for the elders to prevent Alzheimer’s and if they already have Alzheimer’s to maintain where they are now. By playing the piano, you stimulate the fingertips and it stimulates the corpus callosum in your brain, which connects the right and left brain.

Amy Tsai
Juilliard Performing Arts Association
We have to thank so many people who wanted to donate this piano. The elderly said, they never touched the piano. They never have this lesson before. Not even their faimily members. But, actually, when they sit in front of the piano, they are very happy.

Taiwan is set to become a super-aged society in 2025. Studies have shown that learning to play the piano can help stimulate the brain and delay the progression of dementia.

Chen Wei-ming
Taipei Veterans General Hospital
Besides medication, there are other ways to encourage older adults, such as by encouraging them to exercise and by interacting with them. Learning can delay dementia and disability. Music is important.

This Beitou facility is the first long-term facility to provide music therapy in Taiwan. It hopes that they can create meaningful change in the lives of dementia patients through the power of music.

2023-05-30

People with visual impairments make soap at New Taipei ‘shelter factory’

Now we turn to the topic of employment equality. Finding work as a person with a disability can often be hard in Taiwan. But local governments are trying to create new routes into work for disabled people. In New Taipei, the local government has partnered with a business to open a “shelter factory.” Its mission: to make soap. It provides stable jobs and training to people with visual impairments. So far the project is a big success, and officials hope it will inspire more companies to throw out stereotypes about disabled workers.

Workers stir soap continuously and evenly, their gaze fixed on each step of the process. The “Love Happiness” shelter factory in New Taipei offers employees a stable work environment and professional training.

They take care over every detail – in soap-making you can’t cut corners. There are 11 steps in hand-making a bar of soap, from mixing the ingredients to filling molds, cutting the bars out, filing the edges and packing them. These multicolored natural soaps are made with premium virgin olive oil and other simple ingredients.

Wang Ching-wen
Taiwan Association for Visual Impaired People
Is there a place for them to settle down and start a career after school? Is there a place where they can fulfill their potential? Here, not only can they get on with their careers, they can also give back to society.

Facilities designed for visually impaired workers are everywhere in the factory – like this hand rail to help blind people navigate the room. The considerate design enables employees to settle into independent working lives.

Chen Jui-chia
New Taipei Labor Affairs Department
The shelter employees work here for a long time, and they certainly have professionalism. And they are more stable than the average worker. So we hope that every company can offer job opportunities to people with disabilities. I think their job performance will surprise us.

Bars of soap are lined up to dry. As the workers here produce high-quality soaps, they make short work of stereotypes about disability, and create fulfilling independent lives.

2023-05-30