TPP chair and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je and his wife go on a 5-day visit to Japan

TPP chair and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je and his wife go on a 5-day visit to Japan

2023-06-04

Taiwan People’s Party Chairman and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je left for Japan on Sunday on a five-day visit. While in Japan, the former Taipei mayor will make stops at the National Diet, agencies in the executive branch of the government, and a think tank. It’s also Ko’s first time taking his wife Peggy Chen on an official visit. After getting off the plane, the couple’s first stop was the Tokyo Mazu Temple, where its chairman Chan Te-hsun personally received them while chanting "get elected!"

However, Chan’s chant seemed jarring as he was recently hired as an advisor for the Kanto chapter of Friends of Lai Ching-te, the DPP presidential candidate. When asked whom he supported, Chan simply said that it was too sensitive an issue. Also in Ko’s delegation was TPP legislator Andy Chiu, who called on Taiwanese businesspeople in Japan to hold meetings to support Ko. After all, there are many Taiwanese businesspeople in the country who are KMT supporters.

柯訪日首站赴媽祖廟 "信賴之友"顧問比讚喊"凍蒜"

2023-06-04

民眾黨主席柯文哲今天展開5天訪日行程，將拜訪國會、行政部門、智庫等部門，也是他首次帶妻子陳佩琪一同出訪。下機後第一站前往東京媽祖廟，東京媽祖廟董事長詹德薰親自接待，還高喊凍蒜。

不過，詹德薰4月才獲聘擔任關東"信賴台灣之友會"顧問，被記者追問挺賴或挺柯，詹德薰笑說，「這太敏感」。同行的民眾黨立委邱臣遠也發揮影響力，號召台商舉辦懇談會，助柯文哲大搶選票，畢竟裡頭有不少和藍營交好的台商。

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US and Chinese defense chiefs jostle over Taiwan at annual defense summit in Singapore

2023-06-04

Lai Ching-te censures China’s authoritarianism at opening of his Nantou campaign office

Ever since his presidential nomination two months ago, Vice President Lai Ching-te has been travelling around the country to set up campaign offices. On Sunday, he went to Nantou where he met his supporters in central Taiwan. The day also happened to be the 34th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square protests. Lai used the occasion to criticize China’s suppression of the student movement and its disregard for freedom and democracy. He said the people of Taiwan must remain united in the face of China’s constant threats and military intimidation.

Nearly a thousand supporters gathered at the opening of Lai Ching-te’s unofficial campaign office in Nantou, dubbed “Friends of Lai.” The passion of the people on display was something for which Lai was grateful. Earlier this year, Lai came here to stump for Tsai Pei-hui, who ran on a DPP ticket in a by-election. That was Lai’s first campaign as chairman of the DPP. In the end, Tsai was elected. Today, after taking the stage, Lai bowed to the crowd in a gesture of thanks.

Lai Ching-te
Vice President
You gave Tsai Pei-hui a chance, and being in Nantou as the chair of the DPP, I am filled with gratitude. I hereby bow my head to thank you again.

At the inauguration of the campaign office, 149 campaign directors were welcomed into the fold. Lai shook hands with each of them to show his sincerity. Sunday also happened to be June 4, which marked the 34th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre, which happened on June 4, 1989. Lai used the occasion to censure China’s ever-increasing authoritarianism.

Lai Ching-te
Vice President
China suppressed the student movement and refused to accept the demands of the students. The current situation has become worse than in the past. But Taiwan’s current achievements in democracy are among the top ten in the world and in the first place in Asia.

While on the subject of cross-strait tensions, Lai called on the people of Taiwan to remain united and not fear any threats.

Lai Ching-te
Vice President
The threat from China is something we should face seriously. We must not take it lightly, and we do not need to provoke them. The institution of freedom and democracy must be upheld. The Republic of China and the People’s Republic of China are not subjugated to each other. That’s something we must insist on as well.

As he guns for the top seat in the 2024 elections, Lai reiterates that defending Taiwan’s sovereignty will be his responsibility.

2023-06-04

Exhibit showcasing works of Caribbean artists

A new exhibit in Taipei brings to light the history of the Caribbean islands and the global issues they face. The video and new media works of seven Caribbean artists are on display. Our very own Stephany Yang spoke to the exhibit’s curator Sasha Dees to find out more.

This video was created by Sharelly Emanuelson. The video showcases St. Maarten after a severe hurricane. You can hear voices, wind, and animals. This work explores the concept of coexistence and delves into the subject of national unity.

Sasha Dees
Curator
In Taiwan, you have typhoons and earthquakes. That happens in Haiti with the earthquakes. It happens in St. Maarten, which is one of the islands that belong to the Dutch kingdom still. There is that similarity as well. The work talks about endangered plants and species which I think Taiwan has a lot of as well.

The exhibition also explores how colonialism, globalization, and imperialism have influenced the world, and how different nations face the same struggles. The exhibition is curated by Sasha Dees from the Netherlands. Dees has spent many years researching issues related to Caribbean countries. She plans to stay in Taiwan for three months. Through her studies and observations in Taiwan so far, there are many similarities between Taiwan and other Caribbean countries.

Sasha Dees
Curator
The first connection of course is that the Netherlands was a colonial power. We colonized countries both in the Far West and Far East. The Netherlands was also the first to colonize Taiwan. That is a literal connection. Although, Taiwan it was only 40 years. The Caribbean has been a much longer time. That made me spark my interest to see what other connections are there. There are other issues like sovereignty of course. Can you be your own country in this time and age? What are the problems you walk into? Translational labor.

The works explore global issues including cross-regional labor, climate change, protests, identity, the immigrant experience, and sustainable development. The exhibit features six pieces of artwork from seven Caribbean artists, including two from Taiwan’s diplomatic allies from Haiti and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

This work is by Nadia Huggins. “Circa No Future” documents the story of boys from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines swimming in the sea.

Sasha Dees
Curator
This work shows a very poetic way the sea and how local people really engage with the sea and how young boys become adults. How we all know that feeling of jumping into the sea and you feel very free and your worries disappear. You can actually really become your true self. I thought that was also a nice link to Taiwan, who is currently so much trying to develop this identity to really stand out as its own country.

The exhibition will be held at the Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei till July 16.

2023-06-04

Average starting salaries are up, but only 37% will start at NT$40,000 or higher

Average starting monthly salaries have risen above NT$40,000 for the first time, but only 37% of college graduates will make that much starting out. Many students hope that getting more education under their belt before hitting the job market will mean a higher salary. But one job bank says that that may not be the case. What a person studies matters more than how many degrees they have, and degrees in tech and science remain king in Taiwan, the job bank says. But some students are not persuaded.

A group of graduates toss their mortarboards up into the air. These are just some of the roughly 200,000 new graduates in Taiwan every year who enter the workforce, but just what kind of salaries can they expect?

New graduates hope for starting salaries of at least NT$30,000, and the latest statistics from the labor ministry show that to be a realistic expectation. The average salary for workers with less than one year of experience has now surpassed NT$40,000 for the first time, but only 37% of fresh graduates will earn that much.

New college graduate
An undergraduate diploma is quite common, and I feel that having a graduate degree would help me with getting promotions and raises in the future.

New college graduate
I’m hoping for a starting salary of NT$35,000 to NT$40,000. But it will really depend on whatever job I find.

New college graduate
We aren’t part of that 37% who will start off making NT$40,000. We’re part of the other 63%.

Many graduates opt to continue with their studies, in the hopes of spurring higher wages and promotion opportunities. However, wages for graduates with an MA or doctoral degree are not necessarily better. That’s because the program major matters more than the highest degree obtained.

Yang Tsung-pin
Job bank spokesperson
The way majors are classified really reflects Taiwan’s industrial structure. After all, Taiwan is still export-oriented, and technology manufacturing is its mainstay. If you graduate with a major in science or engineering, it is easier to apply what you’ve learned.

Students hope that higher degrees will be their ticket to getting higher salaries, but this job bank representative says the content of the program matters more than the level of the degree. It might be a good idea for those hoping for a higher salary to study the job market first before deciding on what to study.

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Vegetable drink powders, ice cream, funerals: Taiwan’s farmers associations branch out

Now we take a look at the many ways Taiwan’s farmers associations have branched out in recent years. Making a profit from farming can be tough, and farmers are constantly looking for new business opportunities. One of the latest innovations is a vegetable powder drink from Taoyuan that promises to become a popular fiber supplement. Other regions are focusing on soy milk, ice cream… and even some services that I bet you can’t guess. Let’s take a tour of rural Taiwan to see more.

Lettuce is sorted by hand, then crushed by a machine and ground to a fine powder. Taiwan’s first “vegetable pulverization factory” opened last year. Here, local organic vegetables are turned into powder by Taoyuan Farmers Association. The powder makes a nutritional, high-fiber drink.

Chou Tsung-wei
Taoyuan Farmers’ Association
We wanted to diversify and enrich our agricultural products. Firstly, it helps our farmers; we contract them to plant larger areas of organic vegetables.

Farmers associations work hard to produce local specialty products, and diversifying services is also a big trend. In just six months, Taoyuan Farmers Association has earned NT$1.3 million from its organic vegetable powder.

By comparison, Hualien’s Ji’an Farmers Association makes NT$23 million a year from ice cream.

Meanwhile, in Yilan’s Luodong Township, the golden goose is soy milk. They sell seven million bottles of the stuff a year, bringing in almost NT$80 million – two thirds of their annual turnover.

Lin Wen-hsin
Luodong Farmers Association
We used to produce it with soybeans bought to aid the U.S. We produce more than seven million bottles a year, which is worth about NT$79 million.

Many farmers associations are developing new products to market their crops. Taitung’s famous for its delicious summer snow mango and roselle products. But customers often don’t realize the association offers other services as well…

On their official website, this funeral services page makes it clear that it’s not just for farmers.

Lee Chien-tung
Taitung District Farmers Association
We managed more than 230 funerals last year. All of them came about spontaneously; we didn’t set a goal for this service.

Farmers across Taiwan are branching out. Some are making a big name for themselves, while others are quietly carving out a new niche. They’re finding ways to make farming pay, but also making rural life more sustainable for all who live and work in Taiwan’s beautiful countryside.

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Taiwanese introduces Lithuanian chocolates made from family recipes over 100 years old

And now for all of you out there with a sweet tooth. Today we take you to a specialty chocolate store that sells Lithuanian chocolates. Many chocolate makers from this Baltic state use traditional techniques and recipes passed down through generations. This ensures each treat is crafted with care and precision. Six years ago, Ivan Huang tried Lithuanian chocolate and loved it so much that he decided to open his own store in Taipei. He’s selling a Lithuanian chocolate brand with a 110-year-old history. Our reporter Stephany Yang shows us why these chocolates are so tasty.

This is one of their best-sellers, Inca berries and blueberries coated with white chocolate. It’s crunchy, sweet, and sour at the same time.

Stephany Yang
FTV reporter
There are three layers. The outer layer is blueberry. The middle layer is white chocolate. And lastly, Inca berry.

Ivan Huang
Founder
This one has been super, super popular. Customers who come into our store like this because they mention that the smell is so unique. That makes them want to taste more. This one is using berries from Lithuania and also is coated with quality white chocolate, and they also add blueberries to cover the white chocolate. So it is so unique and special.

Besides Inca berries and blueberries coated with white chocolate, there are also freeze-dried strawberries, and freeze-dried blueberries coated with white chocolate and dark chocolate. There’s also Lithuanian chocolate with cherries, and more. Patrons can choose and customize their chocolate flavors according to their preferences.

Member of the public
My child likes it. He likes colorful chocolates so I searched online. The reviews are great, so I came here to check it out. I have never been to Lithuania.

Ivan Huang
Founder
Because Lithuania is the land of berries. So you can find many different berries in our dark chocolate, white chocolate, and also milk chocolate. Because customers in Taiwan like strawberries. So, our number one is strawberry, followed by cherries and dark chocolate, and also cranberry dark chocolate.

Huang is the founder of this Lithuanian chocolate store in Taipei. Prior to operating this store, Huang worked in the finance industry as a project manager. Six years ago, he decided to start his own business. He started off with a business where he imported British tea to Taiwan. When he was in the process of searching for a dessert to go with the tea, he tried a strawberry dark chocolate from a Lithuanian chocolate family business over a century old. He loved it so much that he decided to open a branch selling this old Lithuanian chocolate brand in Taipei.

Ivan Huang
Founder
We thought it was necessary to find finger food to go well with tea. Six years ago, TAITRA they organized a meeting with suppliers from Europe. In that meeting, we met Rolandas. He brought this to me. I tried the strawberry dark chocolate. It was so tasty. At that moment, we decided to work with them. We started to do business with them six years ago.

Huang says opening up a Lithuanian chocolate store in Taiwan was not an easy feat. Due to the fact that many Taiwanese weren’t that familiar with Lithuania, business was slow in the first few years. It was not until 2021 when the Lithuanian government donated vaccines to Taiwan, that business started booming.

Ivan Huang
Founder
It was about two years ago. Lithuanian government donated vaccines to Taiwan. It gave us a chance to properly introduce this brand and also this quality chocolate to the market. We recieved alot of orders from customers and also each order brings a warm message like "Thank you Lithuania. "

To celebrate the deepening relations between Taiwan and Lithuania, the company even created a limited edition dark chocolate exclusively for patrons in Taiwan.

Ivan Huang
Founder
To celebrate the two nations has been super close. The connection and relations between these two nations is warming up so that is why we decided to do something different.

Huang says his goal this year is to bring in more chocolate gift boxes from Lithuania. He hopes that everyone can get a taste of Lithuania in Taiwan and learn more about its culture.

2023-06-04