Sun Moon Lake to host Tour de France challenge

Sun Moon Lake to host Tour de France challenge

2024-09-10

This year’s Tour de France Challenge, known as L’Étape is coming to Taiwan. More specifically, to Sun Moon Lake in late November. The breathtaking location has previously been named one of the world’s Top 10 for cyclists by CNN, and participants from 25 countries are set to join the race.

Pro cyclists zoom along the winding mountain roads of Nantou. The biggest bike race in the world is holding a challenge event at Sun Moon Lake, and securing the hosting rights was not easy. Besides the beautiful landscape, the path must have both flat and hilly sections.

Chiang Yi-ling
Marketing company representative
The CNN picked Sun Moon Lake as one of the Top 10 best cycle paths in the world. The event won’t just be promoted nationally. The Tour de France’s official website will also list out all the relevant information and they will help promote the race. So I think it’s a major step forward to promoting cycling in Taiwan, on the international stage, be it for sport or for tourism.

The 33rd stop of the challenge tour is expected to attract cyclists from 25 countries to Taiwan. The Sun Moon Lake race path has been certified by the Tour de France. That means it will be listed on its official website in the long term, encouraging bike enthusiasts from all over the world to explore the stunning beauty of Formosa. The Tourism Administration has launched promotions related to the race in hopes of boosting tourist numbers.

Chen Shih-kai
Transport minister
There are a lot of positives for international tourists who come to Taiwan. But the most important is that they get to experience the beauty of Taiwan. So we’re focusing on promoting this aspect.

L’Étape Sun Moon Lake will take place on Nov. 30, with two options: a 104km route called The Race, and a 29km route called The Ride.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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環法自行車賽選中南投日月潭逾25國好手共襄盛舉

2024-09-10

全球最大的自行車賽事環法挑戰賽，第33站，11月底選在曾被CNN評選為世界十大自行車道的，南投日月潭！預計引超過25國行車好手共襄盛舉。交通部長陳世凱，今天也出席記者會家持，更表示一旦經過環法賽官方認證，絕對是最好的國際宣傳。

自行車好手，穿梭南投蜿蜒山區道路，全球最大的自行車賽事環法挑戰賽，即將登陸日月潭！爭取主辦資格，過程可不容易，除了賽道要風景優美，還要有平路能衝刺、山路可以爬。

[[賽事主委會行銷公司執行長姜怡伶]]
“日月潭它曾經被CNN評選為世界十大自行車的車道，賽事的資訊不僅在國內這邊曝光，其實環法法國的官網這邊，也都有相關的資訊，並且協助行銷，所以其實在對台灣的自行車，不管是運動或者是觀光上面的國際行銷，我覺得是還滿重要的一步。”

環法賽第33站辦在台灣，預計吸引來自25個國家的好手，共襄盛舉。日月潭賽道經過環法賽認證，不僅可以長期掛在大賽官網，後續還能吸引更多的外國自行車愛好者，前來寶島挑戰騎車、看風景。觀光署祭優惠、辦大賽，希望力抬觀光人次。

[[交通部長陳世凱]]
“國際的觀光客要來台灣，幾個面向，但是其中最重要的面向，其實是讓大家看到台灣之美，所以這個部分我們持續來衝，持續來拼。”

環法挑戰賽將在11月30日舉辦，分為104公里挑戰組與29公里經典休閒組。

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On Sept. 9, the Taiwan Conflict Deterrence Act was passed unanimously by the US House of Representatives, on the first day of the new legislative session.

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The Taiwan Conflict Deterrence Act was introduced in January 2023 by House Representatives French Hill of the Republican Party and Brad Sherman of the Democratic Party. The bill aims to deter Chinese aggression towards Taiwan through financial means.

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If we want to see the world’s communists and autocratic dictatorships change course, we must expose their wealth, corruption and financial privilege of their elites to the citizens suffering daily under their rule.

The Taiwan Conflict Deterrence Act states that once informed of Chinese aggression towards Taiwan, Congress will require the US treasury secretary to publish a report on financial accounts linked to senior CCP officials, as well as restrict financial services in the US to such officials and their immediate family members.

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So it is time for China to give up the idea of intimidating the people of Taiwan, and to recognize that America’s response will involve the military, will involve broad-based economic response, and will involve very personal economic disclosures and response.

Other acts passed on Sept. 9 concerning Chinese threats to the US included issues such as drones, batteries, contracts with biotechnology providers, infiltration in telecom networks, and a “malign influence fund.” Up to 25 acts are scheduled to be voted on by the end of the week, showing the US’ resolve in countering threats posed by the CCP regime.

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Fewer troops in Penghu amid lower birth rate and high employment

The 2025 budgeting plan for the Ministry of National Defense was made available online Monday morning, sparking attention for cuts to the number of troops to be stationed in the outlying islands. According to the official document, there will be 15% less soldiers to Penghu in 2025, a decrease of more than 1,000 people. The ministry clarified earlier that the cuts could be attributed to low birth rates and higher employment rates, and reiterated that all budgetary decisions were made after careful assessments.

President Lai-Ching-te stopped at Penghu to recognize troops stationed on the archipelago. The visit sparked attention to the defense ministry’s budgeting plan for 2025, which revealed cuts to the number of military personnel in outlying islands.

Kao Chih-hsiung
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The number of personnel to the Penghu Region has diminished by 15%. This is mainly due to lower birth rates of recent years and more hiring by businesses, among other factors. Therefore after considering the number of officers currently in service and the number entering retirement, the ministry slashed the number of volunteer soldiers for the year 2025.

This year, 7,185 military personnel are stationed in Penghu. The number will fall by 15% to 6,093 persons next year. Both conscripts and volunteer soldiers will have a smaller presence. Meanwhile, the number of troops to Kinmen and Matsu, currently at around 8,200 persons, will see a slight increase next year. Although the number of conscripts to Kinmen and Matsu will decrease by nearly 500, there will be 550 more volunteer soldiers.

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As for stationed troops, having defensive personnel in outlying islands has always been our utmost priority. There’s no such thing as too few soldiers in current enrollment.

Wang Ting-yu
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Balancing the duties of conscripts and volunteer soldiers has nothing to do with whether they’re stationed in outlying islands or not. They play an important role for Taiwan, for the country, regardless. So the ministry will make the most suitable arrangements.

Although the number of volunteer soldiers had decreased due to low birth rates, the defense ministry reiterated the importance of outlying islands, stating that personnel arrangements were done after holistic assessments of the military’s defense capabilities.

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CSBC begins building new-gen fishery patrol vessels

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Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling and CSBC Corporation Chair Huang Cheng-hung press a button to cut the first steel panel for the Shun Hu No. 10, a third-generation fishery patrol vessel that’s ushering in a new chapter for Taiwan shipbuilding.

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The government is investing NT$12.9 billion to build six new third-generation fishery patrol vessels. They’ll have a length of more than 100m and width of 14.95m, and will be able to reach speeds above 18 knots.

They’ll be equipped with ship systems developed by the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology, including 20 remote-control turrets, fire control systems and optoelectronic directors. To better assist in rescue missions the vessels will come in two versions: marine reconnaissance and transport supply.

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Their capacity has been increased to accommodate 53 beds. They also have quarantine wards. Expandable modules on the deck allow for the placement of two 20ft containers to transport relief supplies and resources to the destination.

The new generation of ships will be able to navigate between the 55th parallel north and the 55th parallel south. That covers the Western, Northern and Southern Pacific Ocean, which is where most of Taiwan’s offshore fishing operations take place. Their main mission will be to crack down on illegal fishing and other illegal activities.

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The area from Alishan to Tataka has 40 cameras set up.

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Taiwan is known around the world for its cuisine. Recently, a guidebook called “500 Dishes” was released, recommending all types of food around the country. But when it comes to Wanhua, locals say the restaurants listed are not actually the most popular. So, they published their own “Wanhua’s 100 Dishes,” recommending local favorites from seafood noodles to meatballs and rice cakes. Wanhua residents grew up eating these delicious foods.

With grilled shrimp, squid, milkfish, and lots of oysters, this bowl of seafood noodles is overflowing with ingredients. Although it’s only been open for five years, this shop in Wanhua has become incredibly popular, offering dishes with unique ingredients such as squid and preserved egg.

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For an up-and-coming restaurant like us, we are incredibly happy to be chosen by locals for “Wanhua’s 100 Dishes.”

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In addition to Chang Hung Noodles, Su Family Meatballs and Rice Cakes, which has been running for three generations, also made it on the list. They fry meatballs at a low temperature of 80 degrees to keep the surface chewy and give generous amounts of meat and bamboo shoots. Their taro cakes are also packed with large pieces of taro. Many customers grew up eating their dishes.

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I’ve eaten here since his father’s generation. They’re the third generation. This place is one of Wanhua’s top restaurants.

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The restaurant opened in 1946 and now the third generation has taken over. We can only make a certain amount of these handmade dishes. We get up around 5 a.m. and are busy by 5:30.

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I use traditional recipes because I think things from the past have more of a homemade touch. Customers’ feedback made me happy; they say traditional foods like this are becoming more and more rare.

This family-run pork noodle shop on Guiyang Street has also been open for more than a generation. The pork, cooked to order, is sweet and juicy. Customers usually pair it with spicy pickled vegetables and fried rice cakes. Although taste is subjective, Wanhua residents show their affection for their area through what they eat.

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