New political appointments sworn in, including representative to France

2024-08-12

New political appointees took their oath of office on Monday. President Lai Ching-te presided over a swearing-in ceremony for several new appointments, including two deputy ministers.

There were also four Examination Yuan officials and a diplomat. Hao Pei-chih will replace Francois Wu as representative to France. She’s the first woman in Taiwan history appointed to the position.

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賴總統主持見證! 新任駐外大使宣誓就職

2024-08-12

總統府週一上午舉行新任行政院、考試院政務人員，以及駐外大使宣誓典禮，由總統賴清德親自主持，副總統蕭美琴也陪同。

宣誓人由駐法國特任大使郝培芝帶領宣讀誓詞，之後總統賴清德與人員一一致意，其中包含這位新任駐法特任大使郝培芝，成為我國史上第一位女性駐法大使。而現任大使吳志中在奧運結束後即將返台，將由郝培芝接任職務。

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TPP’s Ko accused of falsifying campaign finance reports

2024-08-12

Kaohsiung courting TSMC’s first angstrom-scale facility: report

Could TSMC be about to build its first angstrom-scale facility?　According to Chinese-language media, Kaohsiung has proactively assessed its land availability and electricity supply, in order to court TSMC. Kaohsiung reportedly wants to host TSMC’s advanced 14-angstrom technology, which is equivalent to 0.14 nanometers. So far, TSMC has declined to comment on the market rumors.

From Banpingshan, you can see the construction progress of TSMC’s Kaohsiung plant. The site will reportedly be the first to employ 2-nanometer technology. Completion is slated for the second half of the year, with 1,500 workers expected to move to Kaohsiung. Amid the global race to build smaller chips, Kaohsiung has rolled out the red carpet for top chip players like TSMC.

Chen Chi-mai (June 4)
Kaohsiung mayor
Companies that invest in Kaohsiung with advanced plants get bonuses such as three dock spaces. If you’re feeling down, you can set off to sea.

According to reports, Kaohsiung hopes to attract five semiconductor wafer plants. Mayor Chen Chi-mai has taken steps to ensure the city has enough water, electricity and land to accommodate them. He’s said there are two sites at Nanzi’s technology park that can house plants operating at the 2-nanometer level and below. Such plants would produce chips measured not in nanometers but in angstroms, or one-tenth of a nanometer. The chips’ finer circuitry would enable higher processing capabilities and data storage capacities.

Nobunaga Chai
Semiconductor industry analyst
They can be anti-dust and anti-bacterial. First, your client base needs to be large enough. Second, you need to have enough funds. Third, you need to have the technology. Among the world’s top and second-tier semiconductor firms, only three meet the criteria: TSMC, Samsung and Intel.

The battle for angstrom chips is on, and Taiwan’s local governments are competing to attract an advanced TSMC facility. The company has not addressed any rumors on the matter.

Nobunaga Chai
Semiconductor industry analyst
The machines that use extreme ultraviolet light consume a lot of electricity. And high-aperture extreme ultraviolet light requires even more electricity.

The cost of building a single 2-nanometer fab can hit US$20 billion, or about NT$600 billion. Experts say that fabs operating at the angstrom level face even bigger challenges, as they require a lot of electricity, highly skilled talent, and capital. If TSMC is to continue its Taiwan expansion, energy will remain an important issue to confront.

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2024-08-12

ITRI showcases sustainable tech at Tainan event

The Industrial Technology Research Institute, or ITRI, held a net-zero expo and forum in Tainan last Friday. The event took place at the Shalun Green Energy Technology Demonstration Site. ITRI showcased sustainable innovations in sectors like hydrogen applications, energy management, and power semiconductors. More than a dozen experts were invited to share their industry insights.

A compact cube covered with solar panels. It opens up to reveal a miniature cafe. Dubbed the “E-Cube” green energy coffee station, it was developed by the Industrial Technology Research Institute and a private company. Solar energy and a storage system are used to power coffee machines and a robotic arm. It’s the hottest net-zero attraction in the neighborhood.

At the Shalun Green Energy Technology Demonstration Site, ITRI held a tech expo and forum last Friday, highlighting the latest industrial innovations in Southern Taiwan. The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Chen Chern-chyi and Tainan’s deputy mayor Chao Ching-hui.

Chen Chern-chyi
Deputy economics minister
How do we harness this R&D – these technologies and their power – for the industrial use? That’s a very important question. We want to turn our R&D into modules, into technological tools, and business models.

Liu Wen-hsiung
ITRI president
We’re working on helping industries become sustainable, such as through financing intangibles, green financing, and strategic technical consulting. We’re facing the net-zero challenge together.

ITRI is also making a push in hydrogen applications and power semiconductor technology, with projects like the Shalun Hydrogen Application Demonstration Platform and a verification lab for semiconductor materials. By integrating hydrogen fuel cell manufacturers and the auto power semiconductor supply chain, ITRI aims to leverage industrial strengths to give Taiwan the lead in the global hydrogen energy race. In addition, ITRI is working with the Tainan City government to build a net-zero smart city.

Chao Ching-hui
Tainan’s deputy mayor
As for mobile solar energy solar systems, we’ve installed them on top of smart poles, which are Taiwan’s first green energy fixtures powered by mobile solar energy storage systems.

ITRI established the Southern Taiwan Industrial Innovation Strategy Office three years ago. In partnership with the Tainan City government, it’s hosted a net-zero forum for three years in a row. It’s also turned Shalun into an innovation base that drives the development and transformation of Southern Taiwan’s industries.

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2024-08-12

Taiwanese pastry chef for French president earns acclaim

Pastry chef Hsing Lun-hy is the first Taiwanese to ever be hired as a resident chef in France’s presidential palace. After working there for nearly nine years, he was promoted to head pastry chef last year. Chasing his dream, he was younger than 30 when he first submitted his application to work there. In May this year, U.S. President Joe Biden even asked to meet the chef behind his delicious dessert.

Hsing Lun-hy
Elysee Palace dessert chef
This one came from the ceiling at the presidential palace. If you look above you, this was the inspiration for it.

Taking the Elysee Palace as inspiration, Hsing Lun-hy from Taiwan has worked as a pastry chef at the seat of the French presidency for over nine years. Last year, he was promoted to head pastry chef.

Hsing Lun-hy
Elysee Palace dessert chef
This was also taken from a part of the palace building. I isolated this decorative element and made it into a chocolate tart.

When Hsing was in high school, he studied data processing. It wasn’t until after graduating that he fell in love with desserts, but he didn’t have money to pursue it. He first entered the military and saved up enough money to go to France to study. He eventually applied to work in the Elysee Palace, and has now even met the French president himself. In May, he even won over U.S. President Joe Biden with his creations.

Hsing Lun-hy
Elysee Palace dessert chef
I found out that Biden really likes ice cream and things with pistachio. For the dessert that day, I combined these things and presented them in his dessert. He liked it a lot. He asked the president who made the dessert that afternoon.

Getting recognition from visiting dignitaries is what brings him the most happiness. Now 38, Hsing with his wife, two sons, and daughter all live in France. But when at home, they’re sure to speak Taiwanese.

Hsing Lun-hy
Élysee Palace dessert chef
We can’t let this language disappear. Even though they’ll speak French with us when they come home, we’ll sometimes use Taiwanese back.

Without ever forgetting his roots, this son of Tainan and lover of pastries is making a name for himself in France.

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2024-08-12

Taichung tests pedestrian-safety light system at one intersection

In Taichung City, a new light projection system is turning heads. At a busy intersection in North District, pedestrians must walk past a bright beam of light that’s sometimes green, sometimes red. The light is the brainchild of Taichung traffic officials, who believe it can improve pedestrian safety. We have the story.

At the head of a crosswalk, a bright green beam shines on the ground. People walk past, as if items being scanned at a checkout counter. A few moments later, the beam turns red. It’s enough to confound most pedestrians.

This unusual sight is at the intersection of Jianxing Road and Xueshi Road in Taichung’s North District. Watch the light closely: It first shines green, then flashes and becomes red, just as pedestrians stop in their tracks. It turns out that the colors correspond with the pedestrian crossing light.

Member of public
Sometimes when you’re walking, you don’t immediately look up at the traffic light. This new system makes you aware of the light signal right away.

Member of public
I’m someone who looks down at my phone a lot, so I find this to be a very thoughtful touch.

Member of public
If you’re not looking at the ground, you wouldn’t notice it.

To improve pedestrian safety at night, Taichung’s transport bureau is testing out this light projection system. The goal is to catch the attention of people looking at their phones, and of children crossing the street.

Hsieh Pang-chu
Taichung transport official
This projection changes color at the same time as the pedestrian crossing light. It is more visible to pedestrians at night and it reminds drivers to slow down. We may expand the trial based on our initial results.

Currently, the light projection can be found at just one place in Taichung, where it’s been on trial since last December. But it may soon be expanded to other commercial districts. Officials say that, whether or not there’s a light projection, pedestrians should keep their eyes on the road and not use their phones when crossing.

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2024-08-12

Taiwan leaves Paris with 7 medals: 2 gold, 5 bronze

Taiwan brought home seven medals from the Paris Olympics, marking its second-best showing in history. With two golds and five bronzes, Taiwan ranked 35th on the medal table, its third-highest ranking of all time. The Sports Administration says that this year’s success was due not only to the athletes’ efforts, but also to the support provided across government agencies.

Boxer Lin Yu-ting shone bright in Paris, winning gold in women’s featherweight and thrilling crowds across Taiwan. Taiwan’s medal count started slow in Paris, but it ended on a high note. The head of the Sports Administration had this to say.

Cheng Shih-chung
Sports Administration
Our athletes didn’t win any medals in the first week, so everyone was really nervous. But I reassured everyone, saying I trusted our team. Sure enough, the competition went on and the medals started coming in, since our strong sports were all later on.

Looking back: Badminton duo Lee Yang and Wang Chi-lin scored Taiwan’s first gold as they defended their Tokyo title. The second gold came from Lin in boxing. The five bronzes were earned by Lee Meng-yuan in shooting; Chen Nien-chin and Wu Shih-yi in boxing; Tang Chia-hung in gymnastics; Kuo Hsing-chun in weightlifting. The total tally of seven medals is Taiwan’s second best showing at the Olympics, second only to its 12 medals from Tokyo. Taiwan was 35th on the Paris medal table, its third-best ranking after Athens and Tokyo.

Cheng Shih-chung
Sports Administration
Paris was very different from previous Olympic Games. There was a lot of collaboration across government agencies. There was the great support we received from Taiwan’s mission in France. The Ministry of Agriculture provided us with food and ingredients, the Ministry of Justice helped out with security arrangements and coordination, and the Ministry of Culture worked at the Cultural Olympiad. It was all a huge success.

One day before the Olympics opening ceremony, airlines adjusted flights so that athletes could depart early and avoid effects from Typhoon Gaemi. Over in Paris, arrangements were made so that the delegation would feel at home.

Chiu Yi-ching
Archer
I liked every meal they prepared for us, it was all delicious. We had a taste of home and it felt cozy, just like Taiwan.

Taiwan did well in Paris, but many on the national team plan to retire right after the games. The Sports Administration celebrated the athletes for their performance, but said it hopes to cultivate more rising stars to continue Taiwan’s success.

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2024-08-12

Presidential Office to celebrate Taiwan’s Olympic athletes

2024-08-12

EVA Air flight hits strong turbulence, six injured

An EVA Air flight hit strong turbulence last Sunday on the way from Jakarta to Taipei. Six flight attendants were left with minor injuries. The incident happened during meal service about two hours into the flight. It left dishes and food scattered all over the cabin. The flight ultimately landed safely in Taiwan.

Half-eaten meals are strewn all over, and passengers are wet with spilled drinks. Even the overhead bins are unspared. The incident happened at 4:55 p.m. last Sunday, when EVA flight BR238 from Jakarta to Taipei encountered strong turbulence at an altitude of 37,000 feet.

The cabin was left a mess, with dishes and cups scattered along the aisle. Turbulence hit during the meal service, leaving six flight attendants with minor injuries. One said she was saved from crashing into the ceiling thanks to a passenger who grabbed her by the arm. One passenger joked on social media that she had experienced her first cola hair rinse. Despite the chaos, none of the passengers were injured. The plane landed safely at Taoyuan International Airport at 9:16 p.m. that day.

Rachel Chen
Flight attendant instructor
You should stay seated with your seatbelt fastened, and hold on to the armrests, keeping your feet on the ground at shoulder width. That can prevent any violent shakes from causing spinal injuries or injuries to your tailbone. Strong shaking can cause injuries like that.

Most of the time, pilots can spot turbulence using onboard radars, which show thick clouds or storm cells up ahead. If turbulence is detected, passengers can be warned in advance. But clear-air turbulence is impossible to predict.

Lawrence Rau
Former pilot
With climate change, unpredictable air currents such as clear-air turbulence are only expected to increase in intensity and frequency.

Turbulence is classified by four intensities: light, moderate, severe and extreme. In summer, convective currents and intra-cloud lightning are common. In winter, planes may fly into strong wind gusts. Amid global warming and increasingly strong extreme weather events, turbulence could become much more common in the future.

Lawrence Rau
Former pilot
The intensity could be such that in one second, the aircraft could rise or fall by 30 or 40 feet. That could cause the flight attendants to crash against the ceiling or the floor. Of course, even if the situation seems really scary, the plane would be safe. But there is always the possibility that the turbulence causes structural damage.

EVA Air urges passengers to keep their seatbelts fastened throughout the flight for their safety.

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2024-08-12

Consumer discovers cheap oilfish sold as cod

A fishmonger in Taoyuan was recently found to be selling cheap oilfish in the place of expensive cod. The commercial value of oilfish is low as it is difficult to digest, potentially causing diarrhea if consumed in large quantities. A consumer ombudsman called on vendors to clearly label their wares and avoid deceiving consumers.

The bounty of the sea is on display at traditional wet markets, with some deals on offer as vendors near closing time. One customer revealed that on a recent trip to a market in Taoyuan, they found a fishmonger selling three filets of cod for only NT$200. It seemed like a fantastic bargain, until they realized that the supposed cod was actually oilfish.

Cod was vanishingly hard to find on a visit to Nanmen Market in Taoyuan. Since it is highly valued, it usually has to be ordered ahead of time. Most of what you see sold at the market is halibut or tooth fish. The worst quality of them all is oilfish. Oilfish contains wax ester which—although not poisonous—is hard to digest, potentially causing diarrhea if eaten. But some unscrupulous sellers still offer the fish masquerading as other kinds to deceive consumers.

Vendor (unrelated)
They only sell oilfish on clearance. They really know how to make it seem like cod.

Vendor (unrelated)
Cod is triple the price. Oilfish is cheap. The skin is rough and it’s oily. If you’re not careful it can harm your stomach.

There’s a threefold difference in cost alone. Yet in Taiwan, importing and eating oilfish is allowed. Only Japan and Italy have completely banned its sale. The US, Canada, Australia, and other countries recommend against eating it.

Peng Hsin-shu
Taoyuan consumer ombudsman
Only gadiformes may be labeled as cod. Toothfish and halibut should be labeled with their species alongside their common name.

You get what you pay for. Consumers should get confirmation before buying to make sure that no problems arise from eating the wrong kind of fish.

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2024-08-12

Viral post praises kind offer of free ba-wan

2024-08-12