France blocks proposals for NATO to open liaison office in Tokyo

France blocks proposals for NATO to open liaison office in Tokyo

2023-08-04

The French and Japanese air forces completed four days of aerial combat exercises in Japan last weekend, the first of their kind between the two allies. But even as Paris seeks to build its military alliances in the Indo-Pacific region, its government blocked proposals to open a NATO liaison office in Tokyo. Voice of America’s Henry Ridgwell reports from Japan.

For the plane-spotting public - and for Japan itself - this was something new. French fighter jets flying alongside Japanese warplanes. The joint aerial drills are part of a larger French exercise codenamed Pegase 2023 taking place across the Indo-Pacific, including in French island territories.

Stephane Mille
French Air and Space Force chief of staff
It’s natural that France, a resident nation of the Indo-Pacific, is particularly concerned by the geopolitical tensions felt in the region as a result of competition between the great powers.

Those tensions are also felt by NATO – which cites China as a challenge to alliance interests. Security analyst Michito Tsuruoka.

Michito Tsuruoka
Keio University security analyst
NATO’s interest is very much affected by what takes place in the Indo-Pacific region. So that means that NATO has to be more engaged for its own interest.

At its latest summit in July, NATO debated opening a liaison office in Tokyo. But Emmanuel Macron, the president of NATO member France, blocked the move – despite its close alliance with Japan. Fabrice Pothier is a former NATO head of policy planning.

Fabrice Pothier
Former NATO official
It’s pretty clear that President Macron wants to avert any sort of escalation, or dynamic that could lead to escalation, with China.

Henry Ridgwell
VOA News
Japan and France say their joint exercise aims to ‘promote the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.’ But does NATO have a role in that vision? It’s a question the alliance - and its allies in the region - have yet to decide.

法國反對北約在日本設辦事處

2023-08-04

法國和日本空軍上週末在日本完成了為期四天的聯合訓練，這是兩個盟友之間首次進行此類演習。然而，就在法國試圖在印太地區建立軍事聯盟的同時，卻反對北約在東京開設辦事處，來看美國之音的報導。

法國戰鬥機與日本戰機並肩飛行，不論是對航空迷，或對日本而言，都讓人耳目一新。這次聯合空中演訓是法國規模更大的軍事演習”飛馬23”的其中一部分，範圍橫跨印太地區，包括屬於法國的島嶼。

[[法國空軍參謀長米勒]]
“法國作為印太地區一份子，自然會特別關切這個地區，由大國競爭而產生的地緣政治緊張局勢。”

專家表示，將中國視為對聯盟利益構成挑戰的北約，也感受到了這些緊張局勢。

[[慶應義塾大學鶴岡路人]]
“北約的利益很大程度上，受到印太地區發生的事影響。因此，這意味著北約必須為了自己的利益而更積極投入。”

在7月的最新峰會上，北約討論了在東京設立聯絡辦事處的事宜。但是，成員國法國，總統馬克宏卻持反對票，即使法國和日本有著緊密關係。前北約前政策規劃負責人波蒂埃這樣說。

[[前北約官員波蒂埃]]
“馬克宏總統顯然希望避免與中國之間，出現任何可能導致升級的緊張局勢或動態。

[[美國之音記者里奇韋爾]]
“日本和法國表示，他們的聯合演訓是為了「推動自由開放的印太地區願景」。但是，北約在其中扮演什麼角色？這是聯盟和印太地區的盟友還沒有答案的問題。”

Related News

Mountains in central and southern Taiwan battered by rain in wake of typhoon

Typhoon Khanun may have left Taiwan, but Taiwan’s central and southern mountains were still bombarded with rain brought in by southwesterly winds Friday. The Central Weather Bureau issued heavy rain warnings in several areas on Friday, with the central county of Nantou receiving an "extremely torrential rain" warning. By 8:00 p.m., Nantou’s Ren’ai Township had accumulated more than 700 millimeters of rain, while accumulated rainfall in Chiayi and Kaohsiung broke the 300-millimeter mark. The CWB says this latest rain spell won’t let up until Sunday or even Monday when the southwesterlies weaken.

As Typhoon Khanun moves away from Taiwan, Yilan, now on the leeward side has been blasted by downslope winds and Foehn winds. Potted flowers and fruit trees on roadsides are parched from the heat.

Temperatures in this eastern county have risen sharply since Thursday night and at around 2:00 a.m. on Friday, a temperature of 36.1 degrees was measured in Yilan’s Dongshan Township. Foehn winds are heating up the island’s entire eastern half, with Chenggong Township in Taitung also experiencing an extremely high temperature of 37.7 degrees.

Chen Kao-chu
Yilan weather station
Yesterday evening on Aug. 3 and in the early hours of this morning, an even stronger southwesterly air current came in. All the rain fell on the west side of the mountains, so for those of us on the eastern side, that brings down hot air.

While Taiwan’s eastern half baked in the heat, the western half was affected by the tail of Typhoon Khanun and southwesterly winds, which brought heavy rains throughout.

Chu Mei-lin
CWB forecaster
In the south of a low pressure system that’s part of the monsoon, there’s a relatively strong southwesterly wind, and Taiwan is on the north side of the southwesterly winds. Some southwesterly winds are also blowing into the Taiwan Strait. Therefore the region of the Taiwan Strait is mainly an environment with westerly winds. This makes the mountainous areas have more continual and significant rain.

Ren’ai Township in Nantou County had the most accumulated rainfall in Taiwan, and that caused many accidents. For instance, a landslide left the Indigenous Toda Village cut off to the outside world.

Typhoon Khanun’s outer bands also brought storms to mountainous areas in Chiayi. Train services on the main and branch lines of the Alishan Forest Railway were suspended due to landslides.

The Central Weather Bureau forecasts that Taichung, Nantou and mountainous areas south of Chiayi will continue to see rain through Saturday night and until Sunday.

Chu Mei-lin
CWB forecaster
Torrential rains will continue hitting the area. Looking at the situation now, the daily accumulated rainfall may be more than 350 millimeters in the next day or two.

The rain’s not expected to let up significantly until Sunday or Monday at the earliest. Residents in the central and southern regions are advised to remain alert.

2023-08-04

Former Japanese PM Aso Taro to have 3-day visit starting Monday: Japanese media

2023-08-04

DPP presidential candidate says Taiwan should be major global player in information applications

The DPP’s presidential candidate Lai Ching-te said on Friday that Taiwan’s international competitiveness could be improved if the nation became a major player in information applications. Lai was speaking at the annual Presidential Hackathon, which he attended with Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan. His speech is seen as part of a counter offensive by the DPP in the face of attacks from opposition parties. Nationwide briefings on the Tsai administration’s achievements and Lai’s vision for Taiwan are expected to be presented in the days ahead.

The Taiwan Presidential Hackathon is now in its sixth year. This year’s theme was the transition to net-zero carbon emissions. Vice President Lai Ching-te and Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan both attended the event, where Lai expressed hopes that Taiwan one day could become an information powerhouse.

Lai Ching-te
Vice President
Before we become a major country in information applications, we must have a legal system that can not only protect privacy, but also can provide data that can be fully utilized by the people of our country. Even though we are geographically small, if we become a major player in information applications, it would be very helpful for Taiwan’s international competitiveness in the future.

In the face of recent frequent attacks from opposition politicians, the DPP plans to hold campaign events for Lai’s presidential bid. Officials from both the central government and the DPP’s central headquarters, along with campaign spokespeople, will be invited to personally explain the achievements of the Tsai Ing-wen administration and Lai’s vision for the future. The first session will be held in Kaohsiung, a southern port city that opposition politicians claim has already been awarded billions of dollars in funding for infrastructure and other projects by the central government. Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai will also be in attendance to counter opposition attacks.

Chang Chih-hao
DPP spokesperson
The DPP is taking the initiative to dispel false rumors with a series of talks, the first of which will be held in Kaohsiung. Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai has been invited to take part. The first central government official who will take the stage will be labor minister Hsu Ming-chun. We will continue to plan events for each legislative constituency in Taiwan.

Chen and Hsu are taking the lead in Kaohsiung’s briefings. The DPP has taken the initiative to explain its plans for national infrastructure and peace for Taiwan with the hopes the party can win even more support and recognition.

2023-08-04

National Day fireworks display to be held at Taichung Central Park

2023-08-04

New Taipei introduces new rules for claw machine parlors

2023-08-04

Taipei retirees flock to districts like Zhonghe and Tamsui for retirement homes

2023-08-04

Taiwan Culinary Exhibition opens with 600 vendors showcasing local food scene

Foodies take note. The Taiwan Culinary Exhibition opened its doors in Taipei on Friday. More than 600 booths are serving up every kind of food imaginable -- from humble bites to lavish seafood dishes. Not only does the event showcase the vibrancy of Taiwan’s food scene, it also serves up many special offers, including discounts for luxury buffets and hotel stay packages.

A mountain of shaved ice topped with red beans, taro balls, mango and more. A bowl of tofu pudding garnished with tapioca pearls and crushed peanuts. These are some of Taiwan’s quintessential summer treats and they can be found at the Taiwan Culinary Exhibition. There’s everything from small vendors to hotel restaurants. Check out this tender cut of beef bound in indica rice stems. The stewed meat carries a delicate note of the rice, a mouthwatering marvel.

This year, the exhibition has 600 stands, offering cheap bites and a dazzling variety of snacking options. Exhibitors have launched discounts and vouchers to boost business opportunities in the post-pandemic era.

Yeh Chu-lan
Taiwan Visitors Association
Some friends said they’d bring their shopping trolleys. I told them it wouldn’t be enough, they’d have to drive a car over to have enough space. Our delicacies can be an added attraction for people visiting Taiwan.

Chen Chien-jen
Premier
During an international academic conference, the foreign participants said Taiwan’s food had left a deep impression on them. The past two or three years have been tough for people in the hospitality and food and drink sector. We hope that this year we will receive 6 million international visitors in Taiwan.

Ticket after ticket is printed out. A popular sell at the exhibition is a voucher for a 10-person seafood banquet, and a coupon for up to 41% off at the buffet of a five-star restaurant. Another vendor is targeting families on holiday, offering a 71% discount for stays at a camping trailer.

Wang Yi-ping
Restaurant group
It’s so worth it. It can be for a family gathering, or for company dinner parties. It’s good for that too.

Blithe Chao
Hotel PR
You can book a room with two meals of four meals with this voucher. So if you buy it, you basically have your holiday planned out for you. Consumers quite like this kind of product.

Tsai Huei-ju
Hotel PR
We hope to make about 10% more in sales revenue in comparison to last year. Every year we take part in the exhibition, there’s always people spending more than NT$1 million. More big spenders also come over the weekend.

Unlike last year’s edition of the exhibition, Taiwan’s borders are open to international visitors, bringing vendors hope for even bigger sales than before.

2023-08-04

Wang Hsing-hao bags silver in Universiade men’s 200-meter individual medley

Taiwan’s swimmer Wang Hsing-hao has bagged a silver medal in the men’s 200-meter individual medley at the Summer University Games in Chengdu. The 24-year-old Taichung native finished the final with a time of exactly 2 minutes, topping his previous third-place finish at the Naples Universiade. His second-place finish in Chengdu is Taiwan’s best showing in any swimming event at the competition.

He enters the pool at the Chengdu Universiade, ready to compete for a medal in the final for the men’s 200-meter individual medley. Taiwan’s Wang Hsing-hao in Lane 1 kicked off the first 50 meters of the race with a powerful butterfly stroke that put him firmly in the lead.

He fell back to second place in the second stretch with a backstroke, but maintained his position well in the breast stroke, keeping pace with his rivals. Swimming freestyle in the final stretch, he defended his place to finish the race in exactly 2 minutes, winning a silver medal and marking Taiwan’s best showing in the sport.

At the previous Summer Universiade in Naples, Wang had won bronze in the men’s 200-meter individual medley, which was Taiwan’s first medal for swimming at the competition. This time Wang was able to shake off a recent string of disappointing results to take home silver.

Over in the women’s 100-meter breast stroke Taiwan was represented by Lin Pei-wen, who set a Taiwan record of 1 minute and 8.48 seconds at the National University and College Athletic Games in May. Lin placed 11th in the prelims and moved on to the finals with a placement of 8th in the semis. Swimming in Lane 8, she finished the first 50 meters in 32.89 seconds coming in at No. 7. She kept up her position in the second half, and finished 7th with a time of 1 minute and 10.2 seconds.

Lin still has another race ahead of her, the women’s 50-meter breast stroke. With competing in lieu of training, Lin hopes to enter the race in top condition and with more experience in the pool. This will also prepare her for her next contest – the Asian Games in Hangzhou.

2023-08-04

Artist makes fantastic creatures from shells and other seaside materials

An artist from Yilan is bringing the seaside onto the canvas. Retiree and collage artist Chu Chien-yuan makes fantastic creatures using shells and other materials found on the beach. The natural materials give his art an earthy, grounded quality -- even if some of the creatures are out of this world. A local elementary school has invited Chu to a residency, and local kids have been inspired to create their own natural art.

A collection of striking artwork lines the wall. Tigers, dragons and roosters leap from the canvas. Eco-friendly artist Chu Chien-yuan combines natural materials from the ocean into fresh and thought-provoking creatures.

Chu Chien-yuan
Eco-friendly artist
All my works use the colors of natural materials, natural colors and shapes and lines. So most of them are animals.

Because of the difficulty in collecting shells, Chu graduated from working with just shells to also using trash that’s abandoned on the beach or washed up by the tide, thereby expanding his material range.

Chu Chien-yuan
Eco-friendly artist
I use seaside waste, like sponges and driftwood, to open up new types of work. So this is another new realm.

Student
He uses sponges, because he goes to the beach and picks up things that aren’t usable and turns them into art.

Chu has lived by the ocean since childhood. His deep interest in art blossomed after he retired from a career with the Taiwan Railways Administration. Now he concentrates on his creative work with shells and found materials. He was invited to complete an artist’s residency at Da Si Primary School in Yilan County.

Chu Chien-yuan
Eco-friendly artist
I used to work as a locomotive driver for TRA – a train driver, in other words. The school principal has given me this platform to express my artistic skill.

Fang Chun-chin
Da Si primary School principal
He makes art related to shells. We wanted to introduce his work to all our alumni in our school’s centenary exhibition. And it was an instant hit.

Chu hopes that some of the school’s students will be inspired by the exhibition to develop their own creative relationship with nature.

2023-08-04