Hsieh Su-wei grabs two wins in a day at Australian Open

2024-01-24

Taiwan tennis ace Hsieh Su-wei has advanced to mixed doubles finals at the Australian Open. Partnering with Jan Zielinski of Poland, she notched a straight-sets win against the Australian team of Jaimee Fourlis and Andrew Harris. Earlier in the day, she teamed up with Belgian partner Elise Mertens to reach the women’s doubles semifinals.

Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei and Belgian Elise Mertens step onto the court. Though Hsieh has played for seven days straight, she shows no signs of fatigue. In the women’s doubles quarterfinals, she and Mertens played against the 9th-seeded Demi Schurrs from the Netherlands and Luisa Stefani from Brazil. Right at the start, Mertens broke serve with a masterful backhand lob.

Hsieh and Mertens worked in sync to win the first set 6-4.

They continued with a strong offensive into the second set, holding serve and breaking serve to build a lead of 5-1. Hsieh applied pressure in the eighth game with precise, powerful serves. In the end, a forehand shot by Hsieh claimed the match.

Hsieh and Mertens won 6-4, 6-2. This is the third time Hsieh made it past the quarterfinals at the Australian Open. The victory has also boosted Hsieh’s world ranking from No. 6 to No. 3.

After a short break of just three hours, Hsieh was back on the court, this time in the mixed doubles quarterfinals with Polish partner Jan Zielinski. The first set went to a tiebreak. Ultimately, Hsieh and Zeilinski turned the game in their favor to win the set 7-6.

Riding high on the momentum, Hsieh and Zeilinski widened their lead in the second set, winning the match 7-6, 6-2. This marks the first time Hsieh has advanced to a Grand Slam mixed doubles final.

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謝淑薇一日兩勝女雙直落二晉級四強混雙首度進決賽

2024-01-24

網球好手謝淑薇週三在澳網繼續她的鐵人行程，上午和比利時搭檔梅騰絲(Elise Mertens)在女雙八強以6:4、6:2擊敗對手，生涯第三度打進澳網女雙四強。下午再和波蘭搭檔傑林斯基(Jan Zielinski)混雙，以7:6、6:2獲勝，生涯第一度打進大滿貫混雙決賽。

謝淑薇和梅騰絲帶著輕鬆的步伐走進球場，連續七天出賽的小薇，絲毫看不出有任何疲態，女雙八強面對九號種子荷蘭素爾絲(Demi Schuurs)和巴西史蒂芬妮(Luisa Stefani)搭檔，梅騰絲一記反拍高吊球順利破發。

謝淑薇組合兩人的好手感在後半段充分發揮，最後穩穩以6:4拿下第一盤。

謝淑薇與梅騰絲在第二盤延續強勢進攻，連續保發、破發讓比數扶搖直上，以5：1大幅領先對手，謝淑薇在第8局發球製造對手壓力，最後以一記正拍拿下賽末點。

謝淑薇和梅騰絲最後就以6:4、6:2獲勝，個人第三度打進澳網四強，這一勝也讓謝淑薇世界排名從第六上升到第三。

謝淑薇只休息短短三個小時，和波蘭好手傑林斯基出擊混雙四強，第一盤一路打到搶7，最後以7:6逆轉拿下。

謝淑薇組合挾著在第一盤逆轉的氣勢，第二盤很快拉開比數，最後以7:6、6:2獲勝，生涯第一度打進大滿貫混雙決賽。

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First congressional delegation visits Taiwan for first time since election

U.S. lawmakers are visiting Taiwan for the first time since the presidential election. Ami Bera and Mario Diaz Balart, co-chairs of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, landed in Taipei on Wednesday. According to an official statement, their trip aims to show support for Taiwan after its successful democratic election, and to explore ways to deepen bilateral ties.

Vice President Lai Ching-te received members of the U.S.-Taiwan Business Council early Wednesday morning. That same day, U.S. lawmakers arrived in Taiwan for the first time since Lai was elected president.

An official statement reveals that lawmakers Ami Bera and Mario Diaz Balart, co-chairs of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, arrived in Taipei. The purpose of the trip is to, quote, “reaffirm U.S. support for Taiwan following their successful democratic elections, express solidarity in their shared commitment to democratic values, and explore opportunities to further strengthen the robust economic and defense relationship between the United States and Taiwan.”

Chang Ming-yu
Political commentator
This bipartisan congressional delegation is visiting so soon after the general election, and each member holds an important position. So for Taiwan, this is a visit of great significance. They want to use Taiwan’s democracy to influence China.

But in other news, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has reaffirmed his commitment to the “One China” policy. Days earlier, he had congratulated Lai for becoming “Taiwan’s next president,” provoking outrage from Beijing. In a TV interview on Tuesday, he described the congratulatory message as, quote, “common courtesy.”

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Philippines president
We have adhered to the “One China” policy strictly and consistently since we adopted the “One China” policy. And that has not changed. That will not change. We will not endorse Taiwanese independence. Taiwan is a province of China. But the manner in which they will be brought together again is an internal matter.

Responding to China’s outrage, Marcos emphasized that he supports the “One China” policy and does not endorse Taiwan independence. His defense secretary has criticized Beijing for putting pressure on Marcos, with what he called “low and gutter-level talk.”

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2024-01-24

Calligrapher Chang Ping-huang receives Japan’s Foreign Minister Commendation

2024-01-24

12 teen diplomatic envoys bound for Australia and New Zealand

Twelve teenage diplomats are ready to represent Taiwan overseas, in a program run by the foreign and education ministries. The Teen Diplomatic Envoys program is now in its 20th edition. The diplomats were selected through a three-part competition, involving an English-language drama performance, improvised speech delivery, and a general knowledge assessment. This year, the 12 winners will be going to Australia and New Zealand for 11 days.

Joining officials for a photo, 12 teenagers strike a pose. They are the Teen Diplomatic Envoys set to represent Taiwan overseas.

Lee Chi-yu
Taipei Fuhsing Private School
Previously, other students from my school had participated in the program. They told us that going abroad was very fun, and that they learned a lot about diplomacy.

Lu Ai-ning
Chang Jung Senior High School
I’m looking forward to it, because it is a really rare experience.

Ashley Hu
NTU Graduate Program in Translation and Interpretation
Diplomacy is not just about speaking English and doing diplomatic work. You have to know a bit about many issues to be able to speak up for Taiwan.

A former participant shares her experiences with the new cohort. The Teen Diplomatic Envoy Program, co-organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education, is now in its 20th edition. Seventy-six teams applied for a spot in the program. The students had to complete a three-stage competition: acting out a play in English, delivering an impromptu speech in English, and answering general knowledge questions. English proficiency was the basic requirement, with candidates also being assessed on their acting skills, quick thinking and knowledge on diverse subjects. In the end, students from Taipei’s Fuhsing Private School, Tainan’s Chang Jung Senior High School, and Taipei’s Wego Private Senior High School made the cut. They’ll set off on Jan. 28 for an 11-day tour of Australia and New Zealand.

Daniel Stuart
Australian deputy representative to Taiwan
I hope this exchange will make you all lifelong friends with Australia.

Kelly Hsieh
Deputy foreign minister
This program will play an important role in improving English fluency. It’ll become a benchmark competition.

Hsu Li-chuan
K-12 Education Administration
I hope you all will have an outstanding performance during your trip abroad.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it hopes the exchange will help young diplomats deepen their knowledge of international relations.

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Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

2024-01-24

Taiex ends below 17,900 points as selling pressure hits

2024-01-24

Chinese immigrant builds up her community through environmental work

Originally from Yangzhou, China, Li Xia immigrated to Taiwan and settled in Hsinchu some years ago. She’s now a handicraft teacher with an environmental bent. Seeds are her interest which she displays in her home. She also has a green thumb with which she grows plants and the community she lives in, bringing people closer to each other.

This entire wall of seeds from hundreds of species of plants were gathered by Li Xia in the alleys of her neighborhood. Her home is a veritable seed bank.

Li Xia
Chinese immigrant
Colorful seeds are rare, like the seeds of mountain soursop. They’re golden. You don’t see it much. My interest motivates me. I think they’re beautiful. You can use them creatively with kids. There are all kinds of seeds around us. There are also some unique plants, quite a few of them. I just hope that people can get to know the environment they live in by taking a stroll in their neighborhood, picking up leaves and seeds along the way.

Li, who has three children, used to be a stay-at-home mom. After her kids grew up, she devoted herself to her favorite crafts and became a handicraft teacher. She’s an environmental advocate and instills life into plant seeds and other mundane items in life through her skillful hands, resulting in works of exquisite vitality. A true conservationist with a high degree of environmental awareness, she used to take her children to activities organized by the Society of Wilderness. Now having integrated into the community she lives, she is building her community. She takes her neighbors through a series of classes, which not only allow them to pass the time, but also bring them closer to each other.

Chuang Kai-ching
Handicraft class student
What’s really unbelievable is that she loves this land more than us. We who live on this land are getting to know this land because of her.

On behalf of her community, Li applied for the green rooftop project, in which plant boxes were set up so the residents could reap the harvest.

Li Xia
Chinese immigrant
A community is like a small cooperative village. For example, the community building work I did earlier was so that everyone could understand and trust each other. If some people need help in the future, they might immediately think of me and ask for help.

Through her action, Li not only protects Taiwan’s environment, but helps build her local community, giving a breath of human warmth in high tech Hsinchu.

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

2024-01-24

Pilots, EVA Air enter talks to avert strike

2024-01-24

Spotlight on bass player and jazz violinist Matt Garbutt

Today we take you to meet Matt Garbutt, a violinist and bass guitarist from the U.K. He played bass guitar and double bass professionally for 15 years, performing with several musical theater productions in the U.K. and internationally. However, due to a neurological condition, Garbutt stopped playing the bass and decided to come to Taiwan in 2016 to teach and perform jazz violin. FTV reporter Stephany Yang caught up with Garbutt to find out more about his career.

He plays "The Moon Represents My Heart" on the violin with a jazz twist. Matt Garbutt is a jazz violinist and bass guitarist from the U.K. Garbutt moved to Taiwan in 2016, and he busks around Taipei performing jazz hits and Taiwanese songs.

Matt Garbutt
Violin player
I play all sorts styles like straight jazz, gypsy jazz as well, more like European jazz. When I go busking, when I perform in the streets I play all sorts of styles. I have learned lots of Taiwanese songs because Taiwanese people like to see foreigners playing Taiwanese music. I play folk, pop, The Beatles, The Carpenters, old stuff, new stuff. I am trying to learn some more new stuff to play to appeal to younger people but some of the stuff doesn’t sound so good on the violin. That is the challenge.

Garbutt was classically trained on the violin and piano from the age of 7. Later, when he was 16, he began playing bass guitar. After graduating from King’s College London, he started playing bass guitar and double bass professionally, performing in a variety of musical theater productions in the U.K. and internationally for 15 years.

Violin player
I have been involved in several different theater productions. The longest was “Mama Mia!” That was for four and half years. I also spent 18 months on the production “Wicked,” touring the U.K., the show about the Wizard of Oz. The wicked witch. “The Lion King” I spent a short time on that. “Jesus Christ Superstar,” which is one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musicals. Musically “Mama Mia!” was the most memorable because it was the most fun to play. ABBA has written some amzing tunes. It was great fun to play these baselines. “Wicked” was also a lot of fun because it is challenging. It is very difficult to play so it was very satisfying to play.

However, in 2015, he developed a neurological condition that caused him to lose control of his hands. Therefore, he had to stop playing the bass and touring professionally. But he didn’t quit making music. Instead, he began to foster his interest in jazz violin.

Matt Garbutt
Violin player
It is a neurological condition. I kind of lost control of my hand basically through kind of a few issues. Not really practicing properly or warming up.I learned the hard way kind of thing. It is called dystonia. It is a long story but it is a long road to sort of to be a bass player again but I am currently having therapy and various guidance to become a bass player again. One day, I hope to resume my professional career as a bass player. It doesn’t affect playing the violin, I just hold the bow. It is absoultely fine.

Garbutt moved to Taiwan in 2016 with his Taiwanese wife. Besides performing across the streets of Taipei as well as at jazz bars and other venues, he also teaches jazz violin.

Matt Garbutt
Violin player
I focus on jazz violin. I teach a bit of English but when I teach violin, it is mainly jazz and just how to use your ears, how to listen. It is not really classical violin that is more like reading music and very precise technique. I teach people to kind of feel the music and use their ears. When you play jazz, you have to sort of feel it here and here. There are many classical violin players here. The kind of style that I go for is jazz or folk. I kind of bring my own thing to it. In terms of the jazz scene, it is kind of small in Taiwan but it is definitely growing and there are some great jazz musicians. Living here is great. It is very different from the U.K. Sometimes it is a little challenging in certain ways but I love how convenient everything is. I feel very safe here. The people are obviously very friendly.

Having lived in Taiwan for seven years now, Garbutt sees Taiwan as his second home. He hopes to play bass professionally again, as well as teach more people jazz violin and spread joy through his performances.

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

2024-01-24

Temps to drop below 8 C before cold wave eases Thursday

With a strong cold wave underway, at least 300 people have died from cardiac arrest over the past four days. Doctors say that when temperatures suddenly drop, older adults and people with high blood pressure are especially at risk of cardiovascular issues. The cold weather will continue tonight with lows of 6 degrees in some parts of the island. But temperatures will start to climb starting Thursday.

It’s no longer snowing at Yilan’s Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area. But frost remains on the trees, drawing many tourists up the mountain.

At Yushan’s weather station, workers braved the cold to clear snow from solar panels. The frigid conditions also extended to the plains. The lowest temperature on Wednesday morning was recorded in Nangan in the Matsu Islands, at just 2.9 degrees. Forecasters say the cold wave isn’t over yet.

Lo Ya-yin
CWA forecaster
The areas in light blue could see lows of 10 degrees or less. As you can see, temperatures could drop to 10 degrees and under in Kaohsiung, areas north of Kaohsiung, as well some areas of Yilan and Hualien. In central and northern Taiwan, as well as some areas of Yilan and Hualien, lows could dip below 8 degrees. If radiative cooling gets strong, open areas near mountains and inland could see temperatures of less than 6 degrees.

The Central Weather Administration says the cold won’t relent until Thursday.

Lo Ya-yin
CWA forecaster
After the cold wave starts to weaken tomorrow, daytime temperatures will bounce back. Northeasterly winds will still prevail around Taiwan, and winds may come from the east. So in windward areas in Northern Taiwan, temperatures will rebound, but they will do so more slowly. In the north, it won’t be as cold as it has been these past two days, but it will still be rather cool.

According to the National Fire Agency, there were 313 cases of non-traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest over the past four days in Taiwan.

Lin Wei-wen
Cardiologist
We have seen a growing number of younger patients. We’re starting to see people in their 40s and 50s. So I’d like remind everyone that sudden death is not something that just happens to older adults. It can also happen at a younger age, especially if you have a history of high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high blood lipids or if you have cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease. If you have an unhealthy lifestyle, if you experience a lot of stress, or if you work at night and sleep during the day, you should also be especially careful.

The doctor says younger adults are also at risk of sudden death.

Lin Wei-wen
Cardiologist
Difficulty breathing, chest tightness, chest pain, shortness of breath -- if you feel lethargic, palpitations, dizziness or cold sweats, all those could be warning signs for cardiac arrest.

The doctor says that sudden chest pain and tightness, difficulty breathing, or difficulty in moving limbs could be signs of an impending cardiac arrest. If these symptoms arise, seek medical help as soon as possible to prevent tragedy.

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

2024-01-24

Hsieh Su-wei grabs two wins in a day at Australian Open