AIT called to ask about China interference in joint-ticket deal: Ko

AIT called to ask about China interference in joint-ticket deal: Ko

2023-11-16

TPP presidential candidate Ko Wen-je claims that the U.S. de facto embassy in Taiwan called him to ask if China was involved in his joint-ticket deal with the KMT. Speaking on a political talk show on Wednesday, Ko said the inquiry reflected Taiwan’s predicament as a small country caught between major powers.

The American Institute in Taiwan did not respond directly when asked if it made the call. Its spokesperson said the U.S. was neutral in Taiwan’s elections, and believed that the next leader of Taiwan should be decided without foreign interference. DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te also responded to Ko. Lai criticized him for disclosing the call, saying it showed a lack of diplomatic tact. Lai also said the U.S. would not ask about Chinese interference without evidence. Chinese-language media reported that the director of the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation had visited China early this month. Upon the director’s return, the foundation essentially saved the joint-ticket talks, by declaring that Ma favored the use of popularity polls to determine the joint presidential ticket.

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柯文哲爆AIT來電關切藍白合賴清德:違反國際慣例

2023-11-16

藍白協商瀕臨破局卻峰迴路轉確定合，偏偏馬英九拋出全民調前夕，剛巧基金會執行長蕭旭岑到中國，引發質疑。柯文哲週三上電視節目還自曝，AIT打來要求解釋藍白合有沒有中國介入？

民進黨總統參選人賴清德就認為，美方沒有證據也不會特別詢問，還批柯文哲透露AIT來電，違反外交慣例，缺乏外交素養。AIT則表示，美方認為台灣下一位領導人應由台灣選民決定，不受境外勢力干涉，美國在台灣選舉中不選邊站，對台灣政策將維持不變。

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Biden, Xi agreed to resume military communication, jointly combat fentanyl

U.S. President Joe Biden met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping for four hours on Thursday, Taiwan time. In a rare solo press conference afterward, Biden said he and Xi agreed to resume military exchanges. They also agreed to work together to fight illegal production of the opioid fentanyl. Biden said that during the talks, he stressed the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, while reaffirming Washington’s commitment to the “one China” policy.

U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping shook hands at their first meeting in a year. After posing for photos on the front steps, they went inside for a closed-door meeting. Biden set the tone at the outset.

Joe Biden
US president
Mr. President, we’ve known each other for a long time. We haven’t always agreed, which has not surprised anyone. But our meetings have always been candid, straightforward, and useful.

Xi Jinping (voice of interpreter)
Chinese president
For two large countries like China and the United States, turning their back on each other is not an option.

They spent four hours together, in meetings, a working lunch, and a stroll in the gardens. Biden pointed something out in the trees as the two leaders walked without interpreters at their side.

Afterward, Biden held a solo press conference, where he presented progress on U.S objectives with China.

Joe Biden
US president
I raised areas where the United States has concerns about the PRC’s actions, including detained and ex-—and exit-banned U.S. citizens, human rights, and corrective—coercive activities in the South China Sea.

Besides raising issues pertaining to the South China Sea, Biden reiterated the significance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Joe Biden
US president
We maintain an agreement that there is a “one China” policy and that—and I’m not going to change that. I also stressed the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits.

The two sides agreed to work together on curbing illegal fentanyl production. They also agreed to reopen military communication.

Joe Biden
US president
We are reassuming military-to-military contact—direct contacts. As a lot of you press know who follow this, that’s been cut off, and it’s been worri—worrisome. That’s how accidents happen.

The two leaders also discussed major global crises, including the Russia-Ukraine war and conflict in Gaza. Biden stressed the need for “rational” management of the U.S.-China competitive relationship.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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2023-11-16

Xi denies plan to invade Taiwan by 2027 or 2035

2023-11-16

Labor minister denies that Taiwan will bring in 100,000 Indian migrant workers

The Ministry of Labor has denied reports that Taiwan will bring in 100,000 migrant workers from India. Labor minister Hsu Ming-chun confirmed that Taiwan is in talks to bring in Indian migrant workers. But she said no deal had been signed, and that the entry quotas had yet to be determined. She urged the public to not believe baseless online claims and to refrain from making racist comments about Indians.

Hsu Ming-chun
Labor minister
I would like to clarify that the claim that “Taiwan is going to bring over 100,000 Indian migrant workers” is disinformation. I urge the general public to not fall into this trap of cognitive warfare.

A rumor has been making the rounds, alleging that 100,000 Indian migrant workers will soon be admitted to Taiwan. Labor minister Hsu Ming-chun addressed the rumor head-on, calling it disinformation when speaking at the Legislative Yuan.

Lai Hui-yuan
DPP lawmaker
What is the status of the MOU right now? Which industries will it cover?

Hsu Ming-chun
Labor minister
We haven’t yet signed the MOU. After it is signed, we will carry out further meetings at different levels.

Hsu stressed that the migrant worker quotas and the industries covered would be discussed only after an MOU is signed with India. In recent days, rumors have been flying online, with an internet user saying the MOU would turn Taiwan into an “island of sexual assault.” The Ministry of Labor’s Facebook page has been flooded with comments that read, “I oppose Indian migrant workers.”

Su Chiao-hui
DPP lawmaker
What’s even more outrageous is that racist comments have become news headlines. Someone said that if we open up to Indian migrant workers, Taiwan will become an “island of sexual assault.”

Hsu Ming-chun
Labor minister
The question of where labor is sourced is handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, after an assessment of national security issues. Adding another source country isn’t something the labor ministry can do instantaneously on its own. No. It’s already been discussed for two to three years. Both ruling and opposition parties have agreed to adding new sources of labor. I also think there shouldn’t be prejudice and discrimination against specific countries or groups of people. Such comments do not help with Taiwan’s diplomatic relations and international image.

Amid a severe labor shortage, Taiwan hopes to attract migrant workers from more countries. The labor ministry moved to reassure the public, saying all workers would be stringently screened.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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2023-11-16

Works by famous writer displayed at cafe near scenic cycling trail

Along the coast at the border of Yilan and New Taipei lies the southern entrance of the Old Caoling Tunnel. With its beautiful views of the ocean and nearby Turtle Island, the site is iconic for visitors to Yilan, and has served as the inspiration for songs and poetry. No longer used by trains, the tunnel is now part of a cycling trail, and is a favorite for cycling enthusiasts. Visitors to the area love stopping at the park that surrounds the tunnel’s southern entrance to rest and take in the views. Now, a cafe at the park is holding an exhibition of works by famous writer Huang Chun-ming, giving visitors one more reason to stop by.

A drone captures lush green trees and cyan blue waters so clear you can see the rocks on the seafloor. Further ahead, the camera pulls back and more of the forest and coastline come into view, forming a beautiful portrait of nature.

This is the coastal park in Yilan County’s Shihcheng, where beautiful vistas form the backdrop for passing trains. It’s a place where new and old live in harmony.

Tourist
The park here wasn’t this nice before. It’s very beautiful now that they’ve renovated it. It’s worth a visit!

Tourist
Not bad, very clean. The design and all that is pretty good, and you get a very good field of view.

The park is located at the southern entrance to the Old Caoling Tunnel, and is the site of the first railway station when entering Yilan from the north. After a new railway line was built alongside the Old Caoling Tunnel, the tunnel was converted into a cycling path, and a park and rest area were built around the tunnel entrance. Yilan’s park authority has now built a cafe here.

Ma Hui-ta
Northeast and Yilan Coast National Scenic Area
This site is an important attraction for cycling tours in the area of neighboring Fulong. So, we took the abandoned building that was here and built this cafe. Although there were restrictions in terms of what we could do with it, we created an environment that everyone would like.

On the first floor of the cafe, a collection of paintings and works of poetry by nationally renowned writer Huang Chun-ming adorn the walls.

Tourist
It makes you feel like you are in paradise. He is the writer and poet who I admire the most.

Huang Chun-ming
Writer
This poem titled Turtle Island tells the story of Yilan locals who move elsewhere to make a living. When they return to Yilan and see Turtle Island, they feel like they are already home, even if their home is still far off elsewhere in the county.

Artists perform a rendition of popular folk song “Diu Diu Dang Ah”, which was inspired by the Old Caoling Tunnel. In days past, those arriving on a train from Fulong would emerge from the tunnel to a majestic view of the Pacific Ocean and Turtle Island. Although the tunnel is no longer used by trains, for visitors to Yilan from the north, this beautiful vista is still the first thing they see.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

2023-11-16

Taipei’s Nanmen Market reopens at original site after 4-year renovation

After a one-month soft launch, the renovated Nanmen Market held its grand opening on Thursday. Located on Roosevelt Road, the iconic market went through four years of renovations that cost more than NT$3 billion. On Thursday, huge crowds filled the market to claim promotional discounts and commemorative goodie bags.

Nanmen Market is bustling, so crowded shoppers must squeeze their way through. People wait in a winding line to get a commemorative goodie bag. Staff handed out numbers starting at 10 a.m., and all were gone within 20 minutes.

Yeh Wei-hsiang
FTV reporter
The bag is full of treats: There’s a steamed bun and a pastry from two popular bakeries, a pack of shishamo fish, and even a glutinous rice dumpling from a renowned shop. All these got people lining up early in the morning.

The insulated grocery bag is loaded with fresh products and is a trendy shopping accessory. People also rushed to collect NT$100 vouchers for spending at least NT$900.

The market’s reopening ceremony was attended by Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an, as well as the heads of Taipei market associations. Chiang addressed complaints that the market area has poor cell phone reception.

Chiang Wan-an
Taipei mayor
We have asked market authorities to ask three telecoms operators to conduct site inspections. They have already proposed a temporary solution.

After four years of renovations, the market has finally reopened at its original site. The building now has two food courts on the second floor and on its first basement floor. Old favorites such as Hoshin, Lijia Zong and Yi-chang are as popular as ever. Shoppers say the bigger space is a welcome change.

Shopper
The aisles are very wide and spacious, and the meal vendors all have glass windows.

Jen Tai-hsing
Vendor
During the soft opening, a lot of our old regulars came by.

Ms. Wu
Vendor
Tourists come straight to us to buy our freshly baked pastries. A lot of tourists come here. We get foreign customers every day.

Shoppers have been pouring in since the trial reopening one month ago. The renovated market offers a fresh experience that’s bringing in customers, old and new.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

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Artist Li Kuei-pi explores dark side of banana industry in solo exhibition

Let’s take you to meet Taiwanese artist Li Kuei-pi. She is holding an exhibition titled “Banana Coin,” which is centered on bananas, a colonial cash crop in Taiwan. Through the exhibition, Li hopes to bring awareness to problems in the banana industry and pose questions about our modern-day perceptions of trade and currency. FTV reporter Stephany Yang spoke to Li to find out more about her exhibition.

Scan the QR code to try a game of banana picking. If you can accumulate 2,000 points in ten minutes, you’ll win a prize in the form of an NFT. It’s an exceptionally difficult challenge, but nothing compared to the quotas imposed on a real-life banana orchard worker. Through this game, “Banana Coin,” artist Li Kuei-pi hopes to bring to light problems in the banana industry.

Li Kuei-pi
Artist
You can join the auction to bid your copper banana. The banana industry is a global industry. It has a lot of problems and a lot of issues. They have some NGOS that is also doing research to remind people that the problems made from the banana plantation and banana company. I think although this project now is talking about the relationship with Taiwanese history but it can be global and make a new link to other countries and other banana farmers. It can be a new platform to have more conversations about this issue in the future.

This work “Weather Forecast of Banana Plantation” is a video installation that was created by combining images of “banana money” banknotes with a real-time weather tracker, Google Weather. By integrating these two elements, the weather conditions of former colonial banana plantation sites are then synchronized and presented on a projection screen.

Li Kuei-pi
Artist
This video installation is linked to Google. The voices were made. We used some AI technology. Also, with some music. The video talks about the colonization history in Taiwan and also the banana industry.

Li received her M.F.A degree from Taipei National University of the Arts in 2017. Her works mainly focus on landscapes that are neglected under globalization. One topic she has done extensive research on is Cambodia’s Diamond Island. In her newest solo exhibition, Li focuses on bananas, a colonial cash crop in Taiwan. She aims to bring to light the contradictions of contemporary trading systems in relation to the structures of colonialism. She also explores how colonialism history connects with the present-day economic situation in Taiwan.

Li Kuei-pi
Artist
We are talking about colony history. We are talking about colonialism. We are talking about globalism. Also, today’s economic situation after COVID-19. They have a relationship. In this project, I want to remind everyone, remind people of our history and today’s economic system. Actually, we have a very big relationship. We are not alone. Actually, we are linked with other countries. We are linked with the world for a very long time. But we maybe sometimes too busy that we don’t have enough time to focus on it.

Li’s solo exhibition will be held at the Hong Foundation till Dec. 16.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

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