Hsieh Su-wei, Wang Xinyu reach French Open semis

2023-06-08

Turning now to tennis. Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei has reached the semifinals of the French Open with her doubles partner Wang Xinyu of China. The pair defeated the 15th-seeded Veronika Kudermetova and Liudmila Samsonova in the quarterfinals on Wednesday. They won the match in straight sets, 6:3, 6:2.

This will be Hsieh’s third time competing in the French Open semis. She and Wang are the only unseeded pair in the tournament’s Top 4. They will play against the 6th-seeded Nicole Melichar and Ellen Perez for a spot in the final round. As Hsieh advanced on Wednesday, Chan Hao-ching and her sister Latisha Chan fell in the quarters to exit the tournament.

謝淑薇.王欣瑜搭檔闖進法網準決賽

2023-06-08

曾在2014與大陸搭擋彭帥拿下法網女雙金牌的台灣一姐謝淑薇，和中國搭檔王欣瑜在今年的法網女雙八強戰，對戰第15種子庫德曼托娃和珊姆諾娃組，以6:3 6:2直落二拿下晉級四強門票。

這是謝淑薇生涯第三度闖進法網女雙準決賽，同時兩人也是女雙4強唯一的非種子組合，接下來將與第6種子瑪汀妮茲和培瑞茲爭決賽門票。謝淑薇晉級四強，至於詹詠然和詹皓晴，則在八強戰不敵對手吞敗。

AIT Chair Laura Rosenberger meets DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te

AIT Chair Laura Rosenberger met DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te in Tainan on Thursday, for a tour of the Chimei Museum. The night before, Rosenberger met the KMT’s presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih. The two went to Pingxi in New Taipei and released a sky lantern that carried a blessing for deeper Taiwan-U.S. exchanges. Rosenberger is on a six-day tour of Taiwan, during which she’ll see all three presidential hopefuls. She’s set to meet Taiwan People’s Party’s candidate Ko Wen-je on Friday.

Chimei Museum is bustling early in the morning. Staff try to maintain order as a group of special guests arrives.

Visiting Tainan is AIT Chair Laura Rosenberger, accompanied by Vice President Lai Ching-te. As the former mayor of the city, Lai led Rosenberger on a tour. The AIT chair is visiting Taiwan for the second time in two months, amid speculation that the U.S. hopes to “screen” the presidential candidates.

The night before meeting Lai, Rosenberger sat with the KMT’s candidate Hou Yu-ih. The two met at New Taipei City Hall and took a train together to Pingxi, where they had dinner and released a sky lantern. On the lantern, Hou wrote a wish for more Taiwan-U.S. exchanges and a lasting friendship. Rosenberger wrote: A hearts T, U.S.-Taiwan exchange.” And with that, the only candidate left to see is Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People’s Party.

Ko Wen-je
TPP chair
After I go back to Taiwan tonight, I’ll be spending two days in Kaohsiung. If she wants to meet, I think we’ll have to ask her to travel to Kaohsiung. All the matters to be discussed were already discussed when I met her in Washington last month. The U.S. Department of State and the National Security Council have been very clear that this upcoming election, they will remain neutral. They only hope that no matter who is elected, there are no surprises. I said there’d be no problem. At the time I assured her that Taiwan-U.S. relations would not change, no matter who the ruling party is.

Ko had visited the U.S. for 21 days in April. Sources indicate Lai may transit in the U.S. in August, and that Hou may visit in September. In the 2024 election, each candidate’s relationship with Washington is looming as a central issue.

2023-06-08

TPP’s Ko Wen-je sets up campaign base in Japan

Over in Japan, Taiwan People’s Party Chair Ko Wen-je has set up his first overseas campaign base. He’s also addressed the delicate issue of who holds sovereignty over the Diaoyutai Islands.

Here in an alley in Tokyo, Taiwan People’s Party Chair Ko Wen-je unveiled a plaque marking his party’s first overseas office.

Ko Wen-je
TPP chair
I am very thankful to all my passionate supporters here for establishing this preparatory office for my friendship group, and for expanding my overseas support network.

Pi Hsiang
FTV reporter
On his last day in Japan, Ko Wen-je attended the founding ceremony of a preparatory office for his friendship group. It’s a significant event for the party, as it is the TPP’s first overseas headquarters.

Hsieh Ming-chu
Head of Ko Wen-je friendship group
There will be Ko Wen-je friendship groups everywhere in the future, and support groups will bloom everywhere. This is just the start.

One day before the ceremony, Ko was interviewed by NHK. He was asked the delicate question of which country has sovereignty over the Diaoyutai Islands. Ko replied that Taiwanese fishers did not want to claim the islands for Taiwan. They only want to fish near them, he said.

Issuing a statement in response, Hou Yu-ih’s campaign office said that heads of state should do all they can to protect their territory and defend their nation’s sovereignty, without making concessions. The KMT campaign office said that, amid the unresolved territorial dispute, the fisheries agreement that the Ma administration had signed with Japan should be implemented more proactively, to prevent disruption to the activities of Taiwanese fishermen.

Ko Wen-je
TPP chair
First we should resolve the problems of our fishermen. As for the controversial dispute, that can be dealt with gradually. It’s as simple as that. You’ve all been solving the problems of Su’ao fishermen for so many years now. And suddenly it all becomes a whole thing about national sovereignty. So what have you been doing all this time?

Ko pushed back at Hou’s criticism. With his party’s expanding overseas, the presidential election is heating up.

2023-06-08

Ma Ying-jeou Foundation plans visit by 50 Chinese students

2023-06-08

Frame drum masters to perform in Kaohsiung and Taipei

The ancient instrument known as the frame drum will be in the spotlight this month at two performances by internationally renowned percussionists. Four frame drum masters from the U.S., Italy, Germany, and Israel will perform in Kaohsiung and Taipei. FTV reporter Stephany Yang gets us a preview.

Frame drum masters take the stage, performing "Elements." Each percussionist represents a different element: land, water, air, and fire.

A frame drum is a term for any drum with a drumhead that’s wider than it is deep. It’s one of the first musical instruments ever invented. Murat Coskun from Germany, Glen Velez from the U.S., Andrea Piccioni from Italy, and Zohar Izhak Fresco from Israel will perform in Taiwan on June 9 and June 11.

Glen Velez
Frame drummer
The frame drum goes back to the ancient Biblical lands of the Middle East. That is the earliest representations of the frame drums. There are pictures of women playing frame drums in groups and people playing the frame drum with with harps and with flutes.

Murat Coskun
Frame drummer
Everyone should imagine their own which was which element. We don’t want to say Andrea is the fire or whatever. It is up to you, the listener that they have their own fantasy.

Zohar Izhak Fresco
Frame drummer
The heartbeat and the musical beat is always with us. Was with us and will be with us. That is the meaning of "Chai Peimot.”

Andrea Piccioni
Frame drummer
In Italy, this instrument exists since 4,000. This is for example, made out of the olive tree. The language of music is really connecting everybody very easily.

In addition, the National Chinese Orchestra of Taiwan and Taiwanese frame drummer Huang Hsin-hui will perform a piece by Taiwanese composer Chang Yung-chin. It combines the styles of samba, Muqam, and traditional Peking opera.

Huang Hsin-hui
Organizer
We invited four frame drum masters from around the world. The National Chinese Orchestra helped them rewrite different jazz, modern, and traditional songs to showcase the fusion of frame drums and Chinese orchestra.

Chang Chia-yun
Conductor
Western music and Chinese music have different structures, so their sounds also achieve different effects.

"The Fabulous Frame Drum Masters" performances will be held at the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts on June 9 and Taiwan Traditional Theatre Center on June 11.

2023-06-08

Government committee says no to three-day weekend

A government committee has rejected a proposal to implement a three-day weekend. The committee was responding to an online petition, urging Taiwan to become the first Asian country to shorten its workweek. After an evaluation by various stakeholders, officials said the current labor shortage made the proposal untenable. According to the Financials Supervisory Commission, the shorter week would lead to a NT$30 billion loss in stock transaction taxes.

Commuters head to the office for their nine-to-five. Earlier this year, a petition with more than 5,700 signatures called for Taiwan to become the first in Asia to have a three-day weekend. The labor ministry convened labor unions, business groups, academics, and several other ministries for a review of the proposal. All parties agreed that the idea was promising, but that Taiwan’s severe labor shortage meant it would be impossible to implement.

Member of public
It should be possible to get all your work done in four days. An extra day off shouldn’t make much of a difference. Other countries can do it and Taiwan should be able to as well.

Member of public
You have to work to have production. If Taiwan’s service industry were more dominant than other industries, then it would be doable.

Member of public
It’s not quite feasible. If workers had three days off, then nearby businesses wouldn’t need to open, and their operating costs would go up. If wages don’t go up to compensate for that, it would lead indirectly to inflation.

Huang Wei-chen
Labor ministry official
A three-day weekend would affect people’s routines in many different domains of life.

Officials said a three-day weekend would force adjustments to school curriculums and vacation schedules. It would also raise the labor costs of medical facilities and affect supply chains and agricultural logistics. The Financial Supervisory Commission estimates that, with stock turnover averaging NT$200 billion a day, one fewer trading day a week would cause a NT$30 billion annual loss in transaction taxes.

Huang Wei-chen
Labor ministry official
If there’s the opportunity to do so, employees and employers themselves can negotiate over scheduling – that’s a way to go about it. Do it on a case-by-case basis. At present, the Labor Standards Act has room for labor and employer to negotiate this.

The committee’s decision against the three-day weekend will be formally announced on June 26. Officials stressed that according to existing laws, a company can offer a three-day weekend to staff, so long as both parties agree.

2023-06-08

Third installment of ‘Beyond Beauty: Taiwan from Above’ to premiere in 2024

The Chi Po-lin Foundation has announced a third installment of the aerial photography documentary “Beyond Beauty: Taiwan from Above.” The film is scheduled for release next year, and will showcase how Taiwan has changed in the past 10 years. It will showcase the beauty of the island, as well as the damage caused by deforestation and ocean waste.

Coastlines, seascapes and the ocean floor. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the documentary “Beyond Beauty: Taiwan from Above.” The Chi Po-lin Foundation held a press conference on Thursday to announce a third installment to the series. Entertainer Mickey Huang is a spokesperson for the film.

Mickey Huang
Film spokesperson
My greatest regret in life is not having had an in-depth interview with Director Chi. But I won’t let this regret weigh me down. I’ll take action to support all the events related to the film series.

Ten years ago, the original “Beyond Beauty: Taiwan from Above” hit the silver screen to widespread acclaim. Just a few years later, its director Chi Po-lin died in a helicopter crash during the filming, putting a sequel project on hold. To realize Chi’s dream and keep his spirit alive, the Chi Po-lin Foundation is collaborating with veteran film director Mai Chueh-ming to create a third film. The documentary will show the changes Taiwan underwent over the past decade, both due to direct human action and climate change. Mai says the new work will pay homage to the original film with shots of Yushan and Xueshan.

Mai Chueh-ming
Film director
It starts from Yushan, where a group of Bunun children are. Then we go to the second-tallest peak, Xueshan, with a group of Atayal children singing on top of the mountain.

Wan Kuan-li
Chi Po-lin Foundation
I’m believe that there are many other Chi Po-lins in Taiwan who can carry on his mission, to continue moving forward and documenting the stories of Taiwan’s land.

The third documentary is slated for release next year. Besides taking audiences on a tour of Taiwan’s beauty, it will shed light on threats such as deforestation and marine waste. Shot from high in the sky, the film hopes to showcase Taiwan, while prompting reflection on environmental issues.

2023-06-08

A guide to the many different dolphins off the coast of Hualien, Taiwan

Taiwan’s East Coast is one of the best spots in the world to see dolphins and whales. There are more than 30 cetacean species off the coast of Hualien, and whale watching is big business during the summer. Tens of thousands of people head out onto the water in the hope of glimpsing these magnificent marine mammals in their natural habitat. Today we take a look at some of the different dolphins you can spot on a boat trip.

Sunshine reflects off the sea. And from all directions, dolphins converge around the passengers on the boat.

April to October is the season for whale and dolphin watching. Dolphins normally hang around three to five kilometers from the shore, while larger whales are 10 kilometers out. So most of the time, the star of the show is the more visible dolphin.

One of the most common species to see is the Spinner Dolphin, with its long thin nose and ingenious dance moves. The Risso’s Dolphin is called the “Stripey Dolphin” because it tends to accumulate lots of thin stripey scars over its lifetime. Fraser’s Dolphin has a distinctive black stripe running from above its eye all down its side to the tail. And the Pantropical Spotted Dolphin has – you guessed it – lots of black spots, more and more as the years go by.

Lu Shih-ming
Turumoan Dolphin and Whale Watching Company
You can see more than 30 different species of whales and dolphins on the sea off Hualien. That’s a third of all the species we can name in the whole world.

Taiwan’s East Coast is a spectacular mountainous terrain, and the seafloor here is also covered in ups and downs. The Kuroshio Current flows yearlong. Its fast-flowing waters carry migratory fish down the coast, and stir up nutritious salts from the seabed. All that vibrant marine life attracts dolphins and whales to come hunting.

Lu Shih-ming
Turumoan Dolphin and Whale Watching Company
Taking our company as an example, we have about 30,000 customers a year. Going by the average price, which is NT$600-700 per person, our turnover is about NT$30 million.

Dolphins are very intelligent creatures who love to play with humans. Scientists say they have an IQ to rival a six or seven-year-old child. They can understand complicated hand gestures, and perform tasks easily. And making contact with them is a good livelihood for many people in Hualien.

2023-06-08

Taoyuan art teacher leads painting class for students with disabilities

Now let’s head to Taoyuan to meet an art teacher bringing art education to students with disabilities. Kung Ming-ying teaches art at Heartlight Disabled Education Center. Her students have various cognitive and educational disabilities, and require a teacher with special training. The weekly class is a chance for students to express themselves in bold and imaginative ways. Recently they organized an exhibition, showing off colorful works depicting magical creatures, ships and inspiring landscapes.

Oil painter Kung Ming-ying walks among the students offering support.

She comes to Taoyuan’s Heartlight Disabled Education Center once a week to teach this art class. Her own son lived at this center for many years. When she and her son had trouble talking, they used drawing as a new way to communicate. And now, she’s back at the center to teach.

Kung Ming-ying
Artist
The students really have their own personalities. You can tell them to do something, but they won’t necessarily do it. But if you guide them, then gradually they will make progress by themselves.

The students may not be keen to take orders, but Kung is happy to simply walk alongside them as they discover art in their own way. Over time, the class has become very popular, and students call her “Teacher Mom.” She says that students find emotional balance through painting, enjoy concentrating on their work, and develop their capacity for self-expression. They’ve even held an art exhibition.

The themes of the work are natural landscapes, strange ships, and magical creatures. They feature bold color palettes and lively shapes. Students love to show off their creations.

Kung Ming-ying
Artist
Painting takes patience. It develops their maturity and their patience. They are more willing to gradually study what you teach.

Huang Yu-chih
Heartlight Disabled Education Center
They tell their own stories and share them. So, they grow a lot, and make great progress, in terms of their physical coordination, their cognitive skills and their capacity for self-expression.

With Kung’s support, these students can find new ways to express their inner worlds, and tell their stories in beautiful ways on paper.

2023-06-08

Fifth wave of plum rains to bring heavy rains over weekend

2023-06-08

Hsieh Su-wei, Wang Xinyu reach French Open semis