Paraguay president-elect visits EV bus factory, voices confidence in bilateral ties

Paraguay president-elect visits EV bus factory, voices confidence in bilateral ties

2023-07-13

Paraguay President-elect Santiago Pena is on his third day in Taiwan, and he spent the afternoon at an electric bus factory. Pena is looking to bring Taiwan’s EV technology to his country to support the economy. During his tour on Thursday, Pena tested out an EV bus, both as a passenger and a driver. He emphasized that he was “very confident” in Paraguay’s relations with Taiwan, despite Chinese pressure.

Perched in the driver’s seat of an electric bus, Paraguay’s president-to-be honks and gives a thumbs up.

Then he rides as a passenger as he listens to a presentation. Paraguay’s Santiago Pena is on his third day in Taiwan. On Thursday afternoon, he visited an electric bus factory in New Taipei’s Wugu District. One bus displayed the flags of Taiwan and Paraguay on a window.

Weng You-chi
FTV reporter
Taiwan and Paraguay’s national flags are both red, white and blue. So the electric buses and coaches on display both have these three colors.

Santiago Pena
Paraguayan president-elect
We’re also looking forward to more Taiwanese investment in Paraguay and we are not only maintaining a good diplomatic relation, but we are sure that there are very good business and economic opportunities between Paraguay and Taiwan.

Speaking on his upcoming term, Pena said he came to Taiwan not only to meet government officials but also to connect with business leaders. He said he wants to bring Taiwan’s mature EV technology to Paraguay to support national development.

Wu Chung-hsi
EV manufacturer CEO
This would absolutely be a long-term cooperative relationship that would deepen the friendship between the two countries. I think long-term industrial cooperation is the best way to promote diplomatic cooperation.

The automaker was optimistic about bilateral cooperation, saying commercial ties would benefit diplomacy. Pena spoke on the strength of Taiwan-Paraguay relations even under China’s pressure.

Santiago Pena
Paraguayan president-elect
I am very confident, very confident. Yes I have no doubt. They will keep pressuring and we will keep maintaining our relation with Taiwan.

Pena said he was quote, very confident. The statement and his visit signal his resolve to stand behind Taiwan.

巴國準總統訪台試乘電動巴士貝尼亞:有信心維持邦誼

2023-07-13

巴拉圭準總統貝尼亞，來訪第三天，上午先到台科大見巴拉圭留學生，下午率團參訪台灣電動巴士國家隊大廠，除了親自坐上駕駛座，還體驗試乘，期待台灣能到當地投資發展。外界關心，中國不斷加大對台施壓力道，是否影響兩國邦誼？貝尼亞表示，他有信心能維持兩國邦交關係。

坐上電動公車駕駛座，試著按幾聲喇叭，不斷比讚。

還親自試乘，仔細聽講解。巴拉圭準總統貝尼亞，訪台第三天，下午行程，參訪新北五股的台灣電動巴士國家隊大廠。現場更展示噴塗兩國國旗的電動公車與巴士。

[[民視記者翁有繼]]
“台灣跟巴拉圭國旗都是由紅藍白三色組成，所以在現場所展示的電動巴士以及電動公車，就由這三個顏色作為主色調。”

[[巴拉圭準總統貝尼亞]]
“我們期待有更多台灣企業在巴拉圭投資，不只維持了兩國的邦誼，也確保了台巴之間，非常重要的生意與經濟機會。”

貝尼亞提到自己即將走馬上任，這回來訪，除了跟政府，希望多跟企業接觸，期待台灣，能將成熟的電動車科技、技術，轉往當地發展。

[[電動車大廠總經理吳忠錫]]
“這個絕對是一個長期合作關係，深化兩國真正友誼，而且是長期產業合作關係，我想這是最確實深耕的外交合作方法。”

汽車業者看好雙邊合作，認為這對兩國邦交有很大幫助。只是外界也關心，在中國施壓下，台巴邦誼是否能穩健維持？

[[巴拉圭準總統貝尼亞]]　　
“我很有信心，沒有任何疑問，北京會持續施壓，但我們會持續維繫與台灣的邦誼。”

貝尼亞這句"很有信心"，猶如強心針，以實際行動展現挺台決心。

Related News

Ma gets green light to host Chinese students in Taiwan

Former President Ma Ying-jeou has gotten the green light to host Chinese students in Taiwan this month. A committee of immigration, education, and Chinese affairs officials approved Ma’s proposal earlier this week. But one day after approval, Ma’s office sent a request to invite three more people – faculty members of Peking University. Government sources say the request is unlikely to be approved. When asked about the matter, Ma’s office said it had not received a response from the government, and could not understand why the request would be denied.

Former President Ma Ying-jeou plans to host Chinese students in Taiwan this month. But after his exchange program was approved by Taiwan’s government, his office tried to invite three more people. The request has reportedly been denied by the Ministry of Education.

According to Ma’s initial application, the exchange will last from July 15 to 23, and will be for students and faculty from five Chinese universities. The application was reviewed by a committee comprising the National Immigration Agency, education ministry, and Mainland Affairs Council, which gave the green light on July 11. But on July 12, Ma’s office filed additional paperwork, requesting the inclusion of three faculty members. They are Li Yun, director of Office of Hong Kong, Macao & Taiwan Affairs at Peking University; office deputy director Zhou Jing, and one associate researcher. According to a government source, the review committee will not accept additional requests at this point, so it’s unlikely that the three faculty will be approved.

Voice of Hsiao Hsu-tsen
Ma Ying-jeou Foundation director
I haven’t received a response yet, so they’re choosing to communicate their decision through a leak. They should stop resorting to this anti-Chinese, Red Scare method of communication.

Most of the visiting students are members of the Communist Youth League. It’s rumored that China wished to send three additional faculty to monitor the students’ activities in Taiwan.

Voice of Hsiao Hsu-tsen
Ma Ying-jeou Foundation director
I think what happened is, the Tsai administration had initially said it would not approve our application. But now that the application is approved, the party we’re working with in China is feeling cautious, and it hopes to add three staff members. This request should be handled separately from our initial application. Taiwan’s government should not deny the request by pointing to precedent.

Sources say the group will be led by Hao Ping, secretary-general of Peking University’s Communist Party committee. The 37 visitors hail from five schools including Peking and Tsinghua universities. They will spend nine days in Taiwan, with stops at National Taiwan University and National Chengchi University. They’ll also visit popular attractions including Sun Moon Lake, Dadaocheng, Taroko, and Jiufen.

Although it looks like a standard cross-strait exchange, it falls at a sensitive time given the upcoming elections.

2023-07-13

Lawmaker warns on traveling to Hong Kong

2023-07-13

Lawmaker calls Terry Gou ‘spoiled child’ for complaining about military drills

Hon Hai founder Terry Gou is under fire for complaining about the Han Kuang rehearsals now underway. During a visit to Taitung, Gou said his private jet would not be allowed to stay overnight at the local airport, due to ongoing military rehearsals. A DPP lawmaker derided Gou as a, quote, “spoiled child,” calling him ignorant about national defense. Meanwhile, the KMT’s presidential candidate reiterated that it was critical for Taiwan to improve its self-defense capabilities.

Hon Hai founder Terry Gou made a blunder in Taitung, describing the county as where “Cape No. 7” was filmed. After a self-deprecating laugh, Gou spoke about local tourism with a group of young entrepreneurs.

Terry Gou
Hon Hai founder
When I came to Taitung four years ago, I thought it felt a lot like Bali. And Pingtung felt a lot like Hawaii. Bali and Hawaii are two places Japanese people want to travel to the most. I flew in from Taipei today, and I’m sorry to say my plane won’t be able to spend the night here. There are military drills happening at Taitung Airport. They told me I’d have to go back to Taipei. That’s a reminder on the importance of peace.

Hou Yu-ih
KMT presidential candidate
For our country’s security, improving our self-defense capabilities is a must. If our country has self-defense capabilities, we can protect our country.

KMT presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih underscored the importance of self-defense for Taiwan. Meanwhile, the DPP decried Gou’s complaint that the drills affected his private jet’s schedule.

Chuang Jui-hsiung
DPP lawmaker
In June, 25 countries led by the U.S. participated in NATO’s Air Defender 23 exercise. In July, Germany and Australia will hold the Exercise Talisman Sabre. This is our first time using civilian airports for the Han Kuang exercises. It was just a rehearsal. But Terry Gou thinks that it’s a bother that his plane couldn’t stay the night due to the drills. This kind of small-mindedness – I don’t think we need to comment any further about that.

Wang Ting-yu
DPP lawmaker
He criticized our nation’s military drills because they interfered with his plans to have the plane stay overnight. It shows his ignorance of national defense. He’s like a spoiled child.

DPP lawmaker Wang Ting-yu accused Gou of ignorance regarding national security. He said that in 2019, Gou declared that Taiwan shouldn’t buy arms from the U.S., as having arms could prompt attacks from others. Amid speculation that Gou still has presidential ambitions, his every word is under deep scrutiny.

2023-07-13

Executive Yuan passes preferential mortgage program aimed at young buyers

2023-07-13

Taiex surges on cooling US inflation data, AI stocks red hot

2023-07-13

Taipei Metro to install emergency stop buttons on 24 stations along Brown Line

The Taipei MRT plans to install emergency stop buttons at 24 stations on the Brown Line as a safety measure. The move is in response to this May’s deadly accident on the Taichung Metro, in which a train crashed into a construction crane. Once all the buttons are installed, anyone who sees an emergency can quickly stop a train in its tracks. Misuse is punishable with a fine of NT$50,000.

Back in May, a crane boom fell on the Taichung Metro, resulting in a crash that killed one person and injured 10 others. To prevent similar incidents, the Taipei Metro will install emergency stop buttons on platforms along the Brown Line.

Wang Fu-min
FTV reporter
So that people to respond faster to emergencies like an object on the tracks, there will be no need to notify station staff – you can press the button immediately to stop the train.

Pressing the button will stop departing trains, as long as they have not fully left the platform. And it will also stop stationary trains, trains entering the platform, and approaching trains. The button overrides the platform gates’ safety checks, preventing trains from entering and leaving the station. But passengers say they’re not sure if they’d dare to press it.

Member of public
I think most people would be afraid to press it. Perhaps if the button isn’t too obvious, you might think you’ve misunderstood what it’s for. They should do some public education about this, because I wouldn’t even have known that they have these buttons now.

The emergency stop button was installed on Nanjing Fuxing Station on Wednesday and can be found on the platform gates at the height of Car 1 and Car 4. The metro hopes to install buttons at 24 Brown Line stations by year’s end. The buttons have a plastic cover with a notice warning that misuse can incur a fine of NT$50,000. The measure is reportedly also being considered for New Taipei’s Yellow Line.

Chen Chih-hui
Taipei Metro
Whether it’s the Yellow Line or the Taichung Metro, we are all in the same industry. So there’s a lot of communication among us. My understanding is that they will also make improvements.

The Taipei Metro is also trialing ways to increase train capacity at peak hours. In June, it removed all seats from two cars on three trains, leaving just priority seating. Reports say Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an considers the trial successful and hopes to increase the number of trains with the layout. But there’s opposition from councilors across party lines, who say that removing seats treats the symptoms and not the root of the problem.

Member of public
For example, you might have a leg injury, or you’re carrying a lot of things, or you have to ride for some time. So I think seats are necessary.

Taipei Metro says it will reassess the plan after the start of the school year. It says a final plan will not be drafted until after October.

2023-07-13

Work experience for students at Taichung School for the visually impaired

2023-07-13

Standing on one leg for 10 seconds touted as new mortality prognostic

How often do you stand on one leg? Well, scholars say it could be a new way to take your metaphorical temperature. A new study claims that a person’s risk of mortality is greatly increased if they can’t stay standing on one leg for 10 seconds. Doubtful as the link may seem, doctors agree it’s a reasonable prognostic. Standing on one leg requires a wide range of physical capacities, making it a simple indicator of general fitness. But if 10 seconds is a bit tough right now, not to worry. You can practice by holding the wall to start with, and gradually work your way up.

In a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, participants aged 51-75 were asked to stand on one leg for 10 seconds. In total, 1,354 people completed the task, while 348 could not. The researchers then looked at the mortality rates of both groups after seven years. The mortality rate of those who could stand on one leg was 4.6%, but it was 17.5% for those who could not – a percentage more than four times as large.

Many people we spoke to were unconvinced of a strong link between standing on one leg and mortality. But physiotherapist Chen Hsiao-chien says it makes sense - and age needn’t be a factor. He says you can be aging and healthy, but you’re in bad shape if you spend all day sedentary, relying on your family to bring you meals, and losing muscle stamina and cardiovascular functions – no matter how old you are.

Doctors say that your health is in decline if you can’t stand on one leg for 10 seconds – even in older age.

Lin Yung-zen
Grassroots Medical Association
It may well reveal that the person has some chronic disease, such as diabetes. Of course, then the mortality rate after seven years would be higher than someone who can stand on one leg for 10 seconds.

Han Cheng-chih
Fitness coach
It needs your muscle strength, stamina and coordination. Hold the wall, and then gradually extend the length of time.

This fitness coach says that you can develop the skill using assistive props like a wall. Then gradually work your way up to 10 seconds. However long you can hold it to start with, why not give it a try, and challenge yourself to practice every day.

2023-07-13

New indoor roller skating rink opens in Taipei

Disco nights at roller rinks were a popular entertainment activity in the 1970s and ’80s. If it’s been a while since you last roller skated, you’re in luck. A new indoor roller skating rink has opened in Taipei. FTV reporter Stephany takes us in for a look.

Stephany Yang
FTV reporter
Roller skating is making a comeback. Here at this new indoor roller skating rink, you can choose your favorite skates and glide under the neon lights.

Pop and dance music play in the background as skaters make rounds around the rink under the neon lights. As they glide by, their skates flash and the floor illuminates with different fluorescent patterns. Roller skating was a popular pastime in the 1970s and 1980s. And now it’s making a big comeback at this new roller skating rink in Taipei, which is space themed.

Member of public
I think it’s great, the overall design is very well done. The space series is fantastic. However, the area here is too small. I hope they can make it a bit bigger.

Member of public
It’s very fun because you can skate around in circles. There are patterns on the floor, and when you glide over one, the color will change. Your shoes will also shine when you skate, which is very fun.

Member of public
I haven’t skated for almost 10 to 20 years, so coming here is like returning to the feeling of going ice skating with my classmates when I was much younger. I think having a place like this is wonderful. It’s very beautiful. My daughter has just learned to skate. I think the atmosphere here is great for children.

The 450-ping skating rink was inspired by U.S. retro disco roller skating rinks, yet its several Instagram check-in spots give it a 21st century touch. If you’re a beginner, there’s a practice area with rails.

Besides the rink, it’s also equipped with basketball and dart machines as well as several resting areas for people to eat and relax. The rink can accommodate 300 people at the same time.

Member of public
A friend brought me here today. I think it’s very fun. There are handrails so it’s super safe, and the staff members have been really kind to us. The overall design is high-tech.

Member of public
I have nothing to do at home during the summer vacation. So, it’s not a bad idea to go out to exercise. It’s also very beautiful and perfect for taking pictures and checking in on Instagram and creating memories.

Member of public
I used to do in-line skating. This kind of skating is more difficult. You have to get used to it. It’s different from in-line skating, but it’s still quite a fun experience. It’s very fun.

With summer in full swing, indoor roller skating may be the perfect way to cool off and relive the 1970s to 1990s.

2023-07-13