US delegation to attend presidential inauguration

US delegation to attend presidential inauguration

2024-05-16

Lai Ching-te’s inauguration ceremony is right around the corner, and the latest details about the event have been released. The U.S. will be sending an official four-person delegation made up of two former U.S. officials, a Taiwan expert, and the current chair and director of the American Institute in Taiwan. A second unofficial delegation led by former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will also be present. For the state banquet in Tainan, organizers have revived renowned Taiwanese language singer Wen Hsia thanks to the power of artificial intelligence.

An AI render of late Taiwanese music icon Wen Hsia performs “Good Night! Formosa!” by rock band Fire EX.

Formosa Lee
GACC
In his life, Wen Hsia witnessed Taiwan’s journey to democracy. He experienced the hardship of being forbidden to sing, as well as the golden age of Taiwanese-language music. He never did sing “Good Night! Formosa!” but his feelings about Taiwan made him the perfect option to perform this song. Thanks to AI technology, we can achieve this seemingly impossible task. The voice and image of Wen Hsia will once again be heard at this year’s Inauguration Day state banquet.

The GACC also unveiled commemorative stamps inspired by a vintage window grate design, symbolizing Taiwan’s global rise. A special edition in gold and silver engraved with laser technology is also available for collectors.

Taiwan is getting ready for a grand Inauguration Ceremony on May 20. Delegations from around the world will be attending the event. U.S. President Joe Biden will be sending a four-member delegation to the ceremony. The members include former Assistant to the President and Director of the National Economic Council Brian Deese, who stepped down in February last year; former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage; former American Institute in Taiwan head Richard Bush and current AIT Chair Laura Rosenberger. They’ll be joined by AIT Director Sandra Oudkirk.

Olivia Lin
Presidential Office spokesperson
Taiwan is a vibrant democratic society, and our democratic progress has attracted attention in many countries. We warmly welcome delegations from all over the world to take part in this grand event.

In a statement, the AIT says the delegation will meet with a range of leading figures in Taiwan. They will convey congratulations from the American people to Lai on his inauguration and to the Taiwan people for once again demonstrating the strength of their robust democratic system. And the AIT delegation won’t be the only one arriving from the U.S. As a vocal supporter of Taiwan, former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will also lead an unofficial delegation to the inauguration.

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

美公布跨黨派520代表團拜登前特助將來台致賀

2024-05-16

520倒數四天，總統府今天公布新一波總統就職典禮和國宴亮點，已故寶島歌王文夏將在國宴上跨時空演唱"晚安台灣"。而專程來台慶祝賴蕭就職的外賓也不少，美國公布拜登總統代表團，將由前特助兼國家經濟委員會主任狄斯和前副國務卿阿米塔吉率跨黨派祝賀團觀禮，前國務卿蓬佩奧也證實，將親自來台祝福。

滅火器樂團的名曲晚安台灣，歌聲很熟悉，就是已故寶島歌王文夏。

[[文總秘書長李厚慶]]
“文夏老師一生其實見證台灣民主歷程，經歷過有歌唱不得的辛苦，也經歷過台語的全盛時期，其實老師過去沒有唱過晚安台灣，但是他對台灣的情感，正是詮釋這首歌曲最佳的人選。透過AI技術，我們試著挑戰這個不可能的任務，所以我們將在國宴當天，重現文夏老師的身影跟歌聲”

520紀念郵票亮相，窗花設計，寓意連結台灣與世界接軌，限量金銀鑄錠採用雷射雕刻技術，提供民眾收藏。

520新任總統就職典禮台灣辦喜事，國際也好友紛紛組團來道賀，美國總統拜登指派四人觀禮，包括去年二月卸任白宮國家經濟委員會主任的狄斯、前總統布希任內擔任副國務卿的阿米塔吉、AIT前理事主席卜睿哲，以及現任理事主席羅森柏格，AIT處長孫曉雅也陪同。

[[總統府發言人林聿禪]]
“因為台灣是一個很民主蓬勃的社會，我們這個民主的進程，也受到各國的關注，所以我們是很歡迎所有的外賓訪團，都來參加台灣的盛會”

AIT也發出新聞稿表示，代表團訪台期間將與各界領袖會面，傳遞美國人民對賴清德的祝賀，也祝賀台灣人民再次展現其民主體制的健全與堅實。代表團也將強調美國長久以來對維持台海和平穩定的承諾。不只官方團，向來挺台不遺餘力的美國前國務卿蓬佩奧，也證實將親自出席520觀禮。

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民視台灣台（152頻道）週日至週五晚上9:30
民視新聞台（53頻道）週二至週六凌晨1:00

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Planning for inauguration banquet includes resort renovations and traffic control

Tainan is the site of this year’s presidential inauguration banquet, and event planners are making sure guests experience the beauty and passion of the southern city. Over NT$10 million has been put into resort renovations, to make sure the president, vice president and guests have the best experience. With so many souvenirs, guests should prepare to go home with specially-designed, Tainan-themed bags in both hands.

President-elect Lai Ching-te recently released a video on Facebook that introduces Taiwanese soft power that people can get their hands on: ceramic plates of the inauguration banquet. People have been working around the clock to put the finishing touches on the grand event.

Yang Fu-chiang
Formosa Yacht Resort director
Tainan’s very own butterfly orchid has been added to this ceramic plate; it’s a charming look.

But there’s more than just specially-designed plates, as the food going on those plates is being made by a host of different caterers. Drink options include inauguration-themed alcoholic beverages and cold brew oolong tea that comes in a wine bottle.

Like the location of the night-time banquet, the resort’s second floor has also been renovated. With total expenditures exceeding NT$10 million, the goal of the event is to make visitors feel at home.

Cheng Po-hui
FTV reporter
This place right here’s a replica of the one in the Presidential Office Building. The room will be a place the president can chat with banquet guests.

Yang Fu-chiang
Formosa Yacht Resort director
For the renovation work, well, that of course is no small cost, but we expect it to look great.

There’s also been a lot of planning for transportation on May 20, as nearly 1,000 guests from out of town will be taking a trip from the city’s high-speed rail station to the banquet in Anping District.

Wu Yu-Chih
Tainan Public Transportation Office director-general
The distance of the entire trip is about 20 kilometers, and the city government will be assisting us by providing traffic control along the route as well as helping with the motorcade of VIPs.

Traffic control will primarily be carried out on May 20 from 4:00 to 6:00 in the afternoon, which is when guests will be heading to the banquet. Officials ask the public for their cooperation at that time.

Tainan City Government commissioned a bag manufacturer to design canvas bags that will be able to hold goodies from the event. The bag’s design might look simple, but it’s full of elements that represent Tainan.

Chen Shih-hsien
Banquet bag designer
Historic sites are in red, a color that represents the joyful atmosphere. And then the bag itself is made out of the plant ramie, which represents the resilient nature of the Taiwanese people, who are able to overcome all sorts of trials and tribulations.

Local keepsakes from Tainan will fill up these bags. Over in Sigang District, a shop that specializes in making goods out of soft rush was, at the last minute, able to make a woven bag that has also attracted a lot of interest.

This 2024 inauguration banquet is taking place 400 years after the Dutch first landed in Tainan. One bag might not be enough, so guests will likely need to use both hands to take back all of the special Tainan-themed souvenirs, because banquet planners are making sure guests will be able to feel the passion of Tainan.

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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Cabinet takes final group photo together ahead of May 20 inauguration

Premier Chen Chien-jen headed to the Executive Yuan in his capacity as premier for the last time on Thursday. There he posed for a group photo with his Cabinet, and finalized a mass resignation document to be sent to President Tsai before the incoming Cabinet takes over.

Premier Chen Chien-jen heads to his spot for a final group picture with his Cabinet.

Lin Tze-luen
Executive Yuan spokesperson
This brand new “Active and Innovative Cabinet” will assume office on May 20, the same day as Lai Ching-te’s inauguration. We hope the incoming cabinet will continue to strive for excellence and complete the transition smoothly, so as to have a seamless change in administration.

Chen headed to the Executive Yuan for the last time as premier on Thursday morning. There, the Cabinet approved a final report on the past eight years of the Tsai administration, as well as a document for the resignation of all officials, which will be sent to President Tsai Ing-wen for approval. Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen was present at these final procedures, making her the only head of Taiwan’s six special municipalities to be present.

Lu Shiow-yen
Taichung mayor
During his one-and-a-half-year term, Premier Chen resolved some major infrastructure issues in Taichung, including rail transport as well as the second phase of Taichung International Convention and Exhibition Center. So today, I specially made my way here to show my gratitude to Premier Chen and Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan, as well as the heads of the various ministries.

The departure of some ministry heads has been especially hard felt by their colleagues. Staff at the Ministry of Culture had previously asked ministry workers to pool funds to buy Culture Minister Shih Che an iPhone 15 Plus as a parting gift. Some did not agree to the idea, and posted about it online anonymously, sparking controversy.

Shih Che
Culture minister
I already have an iPhone, thanks. I always decline invitations to banquets and farewell parties. I was unaware of this, but I do appreciate the sentiment. Thank you.

Shih said he was not aware of his ministry’s plans, saying he appreciated the sentiment nonetheless. The ministry’s HR department says it will return all the money collected to the senders. Though the plan fell through, it was ultimately a show of the close ties among ministry workers.

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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Second-generation musician introduces Taiwan to therapeutic handpanmusic

Mehta Manav Singh was born and raised in Taiwan, becoming the first Indian person to go through the nation’s compulsory education system. After decades of grappling with his identity, four years ago, he opened a restaurant to provide a space for multilingual and multicultural exchange. He also plays the handpan, and hopes to introduce others to its charms.

The ethereal sound of handpan mingles with bass guitar, soothing the audience. Unlike other percussion instruments, handpan music flows unbroken as a stream as the musician meditatively trades his right hand for left.

Mehta Manav Singh
Handpan musician
You really become addicted to handpan. It doesn’t matter if you play music, you’ll like it since it’s like any kind of drum. You can rely on your intuition to express yourself directly.

Mehta Manav Singh, a second-generation immigrant from India, is a handpan musician. It didn’t take long for him to fall head over heels. Now he’s an avid evangelist for the instrument, organizing one or two performances every month.

Mehta Manav Singh
Handpan musician
If the album my friends and I are releasing allows us some opportunities, then we could go perform at all types of venues and collaborate with all kinds of musicians.

Singh’s parents came to Taiwan from India for workin 1986. Although he was born and raised here, he always thought of himself as a foreigner because of how he looked.

Mehta Manav Singh
Handpan musician
I often talk with people about whether I’m Indian or Taiwanese, or which I feel like. Honestly, this is a huge topic. It doesn’t have a direct answer, because it depends on what you consider to be Taiwanese.

The greatest thing that helped Singh grapple with issues of identity was opening a business in 2020. His restaurant provides a space where everyone embraces and listens to one another.

Mehta Manav Singh
Handpan musician
We support a kind of culture, the culture of listening. No matter where you’re from or what you say, you have a space to share where others will hear you.

Singh is working hard to realize the utopia of a home that celebrates art without borders, bit by bit making it a reality.

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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Zhuangwei Living Arts Festival comes back bigger and better

The Zhuangwei Living Arts Festival is entering its sixth year, and it’s bigger and better than ever before. This year’s edition features concerts, artworks, and markets. FTV reporter Stephany Yang takes us in for a preview!

The Zhuangwei Living Arts Festival is in its sixth year, with a NT$15-million upgrade. From June to Agust, the fest will feature four concerts, farming experiences, bicycle tours, markets, and other activities.

Yu Li-yu
Northeast and Yilan Coast National Scenic Area Headquarters
This event also combines many small trips, some experiential tours, and art activities. There is also a bicycle activity. The main part of the event is from June to August. The entire art festival will be held till February 28 next year.

Two artists from Taiwan and one from Germany were invited to create artworks.

Sonja Vordermaier
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I decided to make a sandbag sculpture which is about protection and the beautiful moments which can emerge out of situations which can be crises, but also it means some decisive point for something new and creative can appear.

Lee Kuei-chih
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It is a bit like a natural sculpture on the water. This inspiration comes from the dunes because the wind blows through the sand, changing them every day. Viewing this thing is like watching Turtle Island. From the moment you start watching it to the moment you stop, you feel a different mood. This is the concept I want to convey through this sculpture. "

Chen Cheng-jui
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I made composite media of flying fish because I think they have a very meaningful life. The spawning season of flying fish happens to be around these few months. It takes place along the Kuroshio current, which passes through Guishan Island. The spawning occurs in the northeast corner of Yilan. So, for this art residency creation, I created a flying fish.

Zhuangwei Living Arts Festival will be held in Yilan from June 2 this year until Feb. 28, 2025.

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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