Naval underwater technician featured in new minidoc

Naval underwater technician featured in new minidoc

2024-09-02

In anticipation of Taiwan’s Armed Forces Day on Sept. 3, a new mini-documentary has been released featuring underwater technicians in the Navy. At the press conference on Sept. 2, President Lai Ching-te delivered remarks thanking the military for their service and highlighted the incredible feat of working with electric tools underwater.

An underwater technician dons a heavy diving helmet and tank. Altogether, the gear weighs as much as 40kg.

Not only does he have to carry all that weight, he’s underwater to hand solder, using electric tools. To say it’s dangerous is an understatement. This episode of “The Soul of the Craftsman” features underwater technician Huang Chien-chi of the Navy. He’s also writing a training manual so that others in the command can work safely underwater.

Huang Chien-chi
ROC Navy
Every time I go underwater to solder or desolder, I’m always observing and pondering over every joint. Going forward, I will continue to improve and promote the skill of soldering underwater. I hope to compile a comprehensive training manual for the Navy to enhance its capacity of underwater maintenance and training, so that the underwater maintenance command can keep up with the times.

Since the mini-documentary series was launched in 2017 by the GACC, it has showcased seven mechanics in the military working with planes and tanks. The episode featuring Officer Huang was launched on the day before the Armed Forces Day, highlighting the unique skills in Taiwan’s military.

Lai Ching-te
President
The helmet alone weighs 15kg. The underwater solderer faces double the risk of diving and using electric tools underwater. It really is incredible. Tomorrow, Sept. 3, is the Armed Forces Day. On behalf of the country, I’d like to thank our military officers, for safeguarding our territory and our people’s lives and livelihoods, day in and day out.

Ahead of his first Armed Forces Day as president, Lai expressed gratitude to the military for their service tirelessly safeguarding the country.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

水下作業大隊"匠人魂"影片曝光賴總統致謝國軍

2024-09-02

明天就是軍人節!文化總會今天在總統府公布匠人魂影片，描述海軍水下作業大隊的工作情況，總統賴清德，以及國防部長顧立雄也蒞臨觀賞，賴清德特別感謝國軍，也希望國人能看見國軍的匠人精神。

帶著沉重頭盔、水肺下水，光身上重量就重達40公斤。

還要在水中環境用電銲接，真的很不容易，匠人魂這集主角，就是海軍水下作業大隊黃建智上士，為了讓同僚能安全在水下工作，他也著手寫手冊。

[[海軍水下作業大隊黃建智上士]]
“我在每次水中電銲或切割訓練中，都會不斷地思考，並觀察每一個銲道，未來我會持續精進，並推動水中電銲切割技術，希望可以打造一套有系統的訓練手冊，為海軍培養更多的作業能量及訓練能量，打造海軍水下作業大隊，潛兵銲將的現代化勁旅”

算一算，文總從2017年起，總共拍攝七支國軍影片，包括修飛機、修戰車等，總統賴清德，更選在軍人節前夕，希望國人能看見國軍的匠人精神。

[[總統賴清德]]
“光是頭盔就有15公斤，水下銲將更要面對潛水，在水中用電的雙重風險，真的非常不簡單，明天就是九三軍人節，我要代表全體國人，感謝國軍弟兄姊妹，不分晝夜捍衛國土，守護人民的生命財產安全”

迎接上任後的第一個軍人節，總統透過文總的匠人魂活動，感謝國軍不分晝夜，守護國人的安全。

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As gold prices continue rising, consumer preferences are changing at jewelry shops.

Last week, the international price of gold reached a record high of US$2,527 per ounce. That’s about NT$10,140 per Taiwanese mace — or 3.75 grams. Since 2017, the price of gold has taken a hit in the month of September. Will the September curse strike again this year?

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Generally speaking, when there is a decrease in gold jewelry sales, it means buyers are probably opting for bars or nuggets instead. Some countries are considering de-dollarization, and China, Russia and many countries in Europe are set to buy large amounts of gold. I think we’ll see US$2,600 per ounce by year’s end.

The jeweler says de-dollarization is a factor that’s pushing up gold prices constantly. In the past six months, the price of gold has shot up from US$1,994 per ounce on Feb. 15 to US$2,527 per ounce on Aug. 30. Though the price fell back somewhat on Monday, an expert from the Taiwan Academy of Banking and Finance expects the rally to continue.

Lin Chang-hsing
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The U.S. Federal Reserve is expected to start a rate-cutting cycle in September, and may lower interest rates by a full percentage point by the end of the year. That has caused the U.S. dollar to slide. Central banks are holding on to gold not as a short-term measure, but as a long-term holding. So foreign institutional investors are saying that if gold falls below US$2,500 per ounce, it’s a good point to buy in, and not to sell out.

The Fed is expected to cut interest rates in September, a move that could drive the U.S. dollar down, and gold up. Considering the big price differences between gold jewelry and gold bars, it’s best to consider trends thoroughly before buying in.

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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47-year old new transport minister brushes off concerns about young age

Taiwan has a new transport minister. It’s Chen Shih-kai, who previously served as Executive Yuan spokesperson. Chen was inaugurated in a ceremony on Monday, where he addressed concerns about his lack of relevant experience and young age. On the first front, he said the most important skills for the position were communication, coordination and leadership. About his age, he said that he wasn’t as young as the media made him out to be, referring to himself as a middle-aged man. The 47-year old said one of his priorities would be to help boost Taiwan tourism.

In a ceremony presided by Minister Without Portfolio Chen Chin-te, Chen Shih-kai was presented an official seal to be inaugurated as transport minister.

Chen Shih-kai
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The top priority is the National Project of Hope unveiled by President Lai Ching-te. The main direction of our efforts is to promote human-centered mobility and to make Taiwan convenient. We will also do our utmost to promote and develop Taiwan tourism.

Before his appointment, Chen Shih-kai served as spokesperson for the Executive Yuan. Though he has experience in both local and central governments, critics have said he lacks the relevant experience in transportation to be minister. Some within the DPP have even said his appointment is meant to keep the so-called “demons” within the ministry in check.

Chen Chih-kai
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When I see everyone here today, all I see are angels, not demons. As the head of this ministry, I think the key skills at play are communication, coordination and leadership. A lot of media outlets have drawn attention to my young age, casting doubt on whether I can take on this position. I would like to let you all in on something. I am not young, I am a middle-aged man.

Chen Shi-kai said communication, coordination and leadership skills were important assets for the position. He added that former transport ministers Lien Chan連戰 and Eugene Chien were also relatively young when they assumed office. Speaking on the decline of tourism in Hualien and Kenting, he said he would work closely with local governments to draw up revitalization plans. Minister Without Portfolio Chen Chin-te affirmed Chen Shi-kai was a good pick for the position.

Chen Chin-te
Minister without portfolio
He may appear soft on the outside, but inside, he is very strong. He looks very humble, and his is very efficient and clear when it comes to coordinating several government departments. I think Chen Shih-kai is a fine choice to fill in this position as transport minister.

The ceremony’s Q&A session with the media was interrupted by a protester calling for better working conditions for postal workers. The minister responded with a smile, saying that workers’ rights were on his mind. His quick response to the situation successfully defused a potentially awkward situation in his first official event as minister.

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Din Tai Fung among hardest reservations in New York City

Renowned for their soup dumplings, Din Tai Fung has opened locations around the world. In July, the Taiwanese restaurant opened a location in the heart of Broadway in New York City. Its 182nd location is also the chain’s largest, providing 450 seats. Foodies are flocking to the restaurant, which has a waitlist so long that diners are having to wait months for a table. The New York Post even called it “one of NYC’s hardest reservations.”

Deft hands make 18 perfect folds. These soup dumplings are from none other than Din Tai Fung. It’s not only a must-have for travelers to Taiwan, but in July the restaurant also opened its 182nd location in New York City. The location is also the chain’s largest.

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The YouTuber Joeman went to the restaurant and shared his thoughts on the food. He said it’s similar to Din Tai Fung in Taiwan. The location right on Broadway seats 450 and is well furnished. Even New Yorkers are going crazy for it.

The New York Post said that the restaurant is “one of NYC’s hardest reservations—but the soup dumplings are totally worth it.” The article praised the soup dumplings as “silken on the tongue and explosive on the palate.” But it criticized the online reservation system as “near-useless,” with a supposedly months-long waiting list.

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Aside from the soup dumplings, the New York Post reviewer also loved the pork chop fried rice and spicy cucumber salad. With 182 stores worldwide, and now its largest in the heart of New York City, Din Tai Fung is once again making a name for Taiwanese cuisine around the world.

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I think we do one of these full-body exams once a year. I’ve heard that heartworm is very hard to treat.

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