27 NGOs showcase international aid projects

27 NGOs showcase international aid projects

2024-08-23

A three-day exhibition showcasing Taiwan’s international aid projects has opened its doors at Taipei’s Songshan Cultural and Creative Park. Among the attendees for the opening ceremony on Friday was Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, who gave a speech on Taiwan’s international outreach. She said that the kindness of the people of Taiwan was a key factor that has made the world willing to offer a helping hand to Taiwan. Let’s hear from the VP.

Hsiao Bi-khim
Vice president
Taiwan’s diplomatic affairs seem to be caught in a daily storm. But even amid these challenges, the love and efforts made by the people of Taiwan has made the international community willing to extend its warmth and encouragement to us in difficult times. I hope that even amid all these challenges, the government can form partnerships with the private sector to break through and let Taiwan’s kindness shine on the global stage.

Hsiao underscored that Taiwanese NGOs had offered a lot of assistance to other countries during the pandemic and in the aftermath of earthquakes in Turkey, Syria and Japan. She said their efforts had embodied the spirit of the “Taiwan Can Help,” slogan. She added that Taiwan’s expertise and experience had been recognized globally. The exhibition outlines the work of 27 Taiwanese NGOs. Its ambassador is table tennis Olympian Chiang Hung-chieh, who encouraged the general public to drop by over the weekend to learn about their efforts and ideals.

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

多年外交困境挑戰如雷雨　蕭美琴：攜手NGO突破重圍

2024-08-23

國際援助發展成果展，今天(23)起連續3天，在松菸文創園區盛大展出，副總統蕭美琴，出席開幕活動時表示，台灣近年來的外交處境，彷彿天天在打雷，但正因為台灣人民良善的力量，讓國際願意伸出援手。

[[副總統蕭美琴]]
“台灣的外交處境是天天都在打雷，但是在這些挑戰當中，因為台灣良善的力量，也因為台灣人民平時的愛心跟付出，也讓國際社會即便在困難當中，也願意給我們溫暖跟鼓勵。希望我們在一個重重困難的國際環境當中，可以由政府跟民間的公私夥伴關係當中，突破重圍，讓台灣的良善，可以有在世界上發揮的機會。”

蕭美琴表示，不管是疫情期間，或是土耳其、敘利亞和日本震災時，台灣的NGO團體，都積極接軌國際，讓國際友人感受到"Taiwan Can Help"的精神，專業知識和豐富經驗，也獲得國際社會的認可。這次展覽，首度邀集27個知名NGO參展，並邀請前桌球國手江宏傑擔任大使，邀請民眾週末前來逛逛，進一步了解國際援助發展的理念與價值。

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On the 66th anniversary of the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis, President Lai Ching-te personally traveled to Mount Taiwu in Kinmen to preside over a memorial. Family members of the fallen soldiers were moved to tears upon seeing the president.

Lai greeted the family members of the fallen soldiers, and took the time to shake hands with each of the nearly seventy veterans who had participated in the battle. He expressed his gratitude for their role in defending Taiwan’s freedom and democracy. Lai himself was visibly emotional.

Lai Ching-te
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I saw the memorial tablets of the heroes who sacrificed their lives in the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis, and I kept thinking about how tough it must have been back then. All the families of the fallen please stand, and we applaud you. Thank you for your sacrifices. This is our shared history.

As Taiwan continues to face threats from China today, President Lai voiced hope that the people of Taiwan will unite and remain resolute in defending the nation.

Lai Ching-te
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As threats from China against Taiwan, the Penghu Islands, Kinmen, and Matsu are as severe they were in previous years, we must remain determined to protect these territories and defend the R.O.C. The Second Taiwan Strait Crisis occurred before I was born and before the Democratic Progressive Party was even established. This shows that China’s intent to take Taiwan is not influenced by any individual or political party’s statements or actions. We need to understand this. Therefore, if we are to resist the threats from China in the future, we must remain united.

President Lai addressed the people, urging unity and determination in defending Taiwan. He also emphasized the DPP’s stance on the cross-strait relations, highlighting Taiwan’s position in the ongoing geopolitical situation.

Lai Ching-te
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Our goal is to seek peaceful development across the Taiwan Strait. We no longer aim to retake the mainland, but we also do not wish to be ruled by the Communist Party. We want to continue living in a democracy with freedom, human rights, and the rule of law.

This is President Lai’s first visit to Kinmen since taking office. As the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, Lai’s visit is a clear demonstration of Taiwan’s and his own determination.

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Defectors share untold North Korea stories

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When North Korea appears in global newscasts, it’s usually scenes like this that dominate. The country’s leader, Kim Jong Un, overseeing a weapons test.

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Lee Seong-min
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Lee fled North Korea in 2012. He now helps run a website called NK Insider, whose goal is to elevate North Korean voices.

Lee Seong-min
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A lot of people are talking about North Korea, scholars and experts, but there are subtle differences when you hear the voices of North Koreans who lived there in that system.

About eight North Korean defectors write for the website, launched earlier this year. They communicate secretly with sources inside North Korea for their reporting. Some don’t want to appear on camera.

Zane Han, a former Pyongyang resident, fled North Korea just two years ago.

Zane Han
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That’s because North Korea has tightened border security since the pandemic.

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Lee Seong-min
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To give a platform to North Korean defectors and by extension to those still living in North Korea.

Doing what he can to provide a more nuanced perspective of his homeland.

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Popular tourist landmark in Hualien to shut by month’s end

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As you take a stroll among the century-old pine trees, you can hear frogs croaking in the pond. Birds chirp up above and the scent of flowers fills the air. This is the Pine Garden, a well-known tourist landmark in Hualien. The Pine Garden’s operator has announced the site will close at the end of August. Visitors say it’s a real pity.

Visitor
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Visitor
It’s a pity, it really is. The pictures here are lovely. It’s such a shame.

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This work was created by Hsu in 2004. He used calligraphy brushes to draw a huge egg, inscribing various words and sketches on newspaper.

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This work is a reflection on changes in Taiwanese society in the 1990s under the influence of industrialization and urbanization.

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All land development in Taiwan was related to pollution in the early days. This is a global problem. So I used oil painting to portray landslides. After painting very lightly with turpentine, I painted it again. The layers became very rich. This building looks like it’s been constructed, but is about to fall apart or collapse. There are even more structures being built there. Below is a large community swimming pool. Someone is selling a house there, using classical music to sell it for a better price. Water is flowing down, and a high-voltage electricity tower on the hillside is about to collapse. I described the whole destruction of the land and expressed it with modern architecture.

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I feel like products are overproduced, so I will keep reusing them. Like a broken ballpoint pen, if it isn’t sharpened, I will stain it with ink or scratch it. I also use nails to draw. This charcoal I found on the mountain and burned with wood. Different charcoal produces different colors.

Throughout his five-decade career, Hsu has experimented with a variety of mediums including ink, Eastern ink painting, oil painting, stone sculpture, and mixed media. The exhibition is centered around four Chinese characters: "drowning," "floating," "sinking," and "eddying."

Hsu Yu-jen
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Since up to 70% of the human adult body is water, and it is impossible to live without water, I use my feelings about water to contemplate my artistic expression.

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