Hualien hosts forum against marine plastic waste in Indo-Pacific

Hualien hosts forum against marine plastic waste in Indo-Pacific

2024-11-13

Hualien on Wednesday hosted the Indo-Pacific Forum on Marine Plastic Debris Governance, which was attended by representatives from eight nations. The goal of the event was to promote cooperation between countries in the Indo-Pacific region to reduce plastic waste in the ocean. Let’s hear from the Ocean Affairs Council.

Huang Hsiang-wen
Ocean Affairs Council
There is insufficient infrastructure, which makes it very difficult to manage marine waste. We hope that Taiwan and its allies, as well as major countries in the region, can build a platform for cooperation and governance on the issue of marine waste in the Indo-Pacific. We hope to find global solutions through policy exchanges, information sharing, collaborations with industry and technological cooperation.

Marine waste has become a critical issue around the world, requiring concerted international effort to tackle. The Ocean Affairs Council hopes to address the problem by strengthening waste management practices and technology in the region. It says that public-private partnerships and international cooperation can help reduce pollution and promote sustainable development, while putting Taiwan on the map.

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印太打擊海洋塑膠廢棄物論壇登場八國代表齊聚花蓮交流

2024-11-13

周三在花蓮登場的印太地區打擊海洋塑膠廢棄物論壇，邀請八個國家的代表，目的除了是促進印太區域國家之間，在海洋塑膠廢棄物治理方面的交流與合作。

[[海洋委員會政務副主委黃向文]]
“因為基本的設施不足，所以導致在海廢的處理上很困難，希望跟這些台灣附近的友邦，還有一些重要的國家，成立一個印太地區的海廢合作治理平台，透過在政策面的交流，交換資訊，民間產業跟技術的合作，希望尋求全球的解決方案”

海洋廢棄物是全球共同的課題，透過各國攜手合作，才能有效解決。為強化區域海廢治理，海委會希望透過公私協力和跨國合作，減少汙染，讓環境永續發展，也讓世界看見台灣。

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Related News

Japanese broadcaster NHK interviews Taiwan Representative to Japan

Amid escalating cross-strait tensions, Taiwan’s Representative to Japan Lee I-yan李逸洋 was interviewed by Japanese broadcaster NHK on Tuesday. In the interview, Lee talked about his goals for Taiwan-Japan relations, the new US presidency’s implications on Taiwan, and how regional peace and prosperity can be maintained.

On Tuesday, Japan’s public broadcaster NHK interviewed Taiwan’s Representative to Japan Lee I-yang, who’s been in the post since September this year.

Lee I-yang
Representative to Japan
The president entrusted me to not only maintain positive Taiwan-Japan relations, as is the case at present, but further, to deepen our friendly ties at all fronts.

To date, China held two military drills encircling Taiwan since President Lai Ching-te was sworn in, further escalating cross-strait tensions. Lee hopes that Taiwan and Japan, as neighbors, can cooperate in restraining China.

Lee I-yang
Representative to Japan
Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru has visited Taiwan seven times already. He places great importance to security assurances, and hopes that Taiwan and Japan can, together, safeguard peace in the Taiwan Strait. Of course we must maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait with democracies the world over, as a declaration to China that they cannot change the status quo there.

As a US ally, Japan plays an indispensable role in maintaining the status quo. Seeing that US power may soon change hands, Lee also discussed the implications of that on Taiwan.

Lee I-yang
Representative to Japan
In Trump’s previous tenure he’s always helped Taiwan develop self-defense capabilities. We hope that the new Trump administration will make the world a better place. Taiwan-US relations are delineated in the Taiwan Relations Act, in which the most important point is that the US must provide sufficient defensive arms.

He added that a Chinese invasion on Taiwan will be to the detriment of the world.

Lee I-yang
Representative to Japan
If China were to blockade Taiwan, the entire world will suffer great losses.

Lee believed that the only way to safeguard regional peace and prosperity is through alliances with likeminded countries, including Japan and the US.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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2024-11-13

Taiwanese Association of America sits with President Lai and Premier Cho

The Taiwanese Association of America is a civic group devoted to strengthening ties between Taiwan and the US. And representatives of the group are currently on a visit in Taiwan. They were received on Wednesday by President Lai Ching-te, as well as Premier Cho Jung-tai. The two leaders thanked the group for its efforts in drawing the two countries closer together.

President Lai Ching-te received representatives from the Taiwanese Association of America on Wednesday. At the reception, he thanked all overseas Taiwanese for their work as ambassadors for Taiwan and for deepening Taiwan-US relations.

Lai Ching-te
President
Dear fellow compatriots. Though you are abroad, your heart is still in Taiwan. You not only have a close affinity with Taiwan, but also a strong sense of duty that I greatly admire.

The group is in Taiwan not just to sit with Lai, but also to visit the Executive Yuan for the first time.

Chen Kuei-ling
Taiwan Association of America
Seeing the disputes between the Legislative Yuan and the Executive Yuan, with all the back-and-forth is quite distressing to us abroad. We are here to offer our support.

The group showed its support for the Taiwan government. Premier Cho Jung-tai assured them that the government would continue to strengthen Taiwan’s semiconductor industry, help Taiwanese industry advance, and nurture local talent.

Cho Jung-tai
Premier
Our Ten-Billion-Dollar Youth Overseas Dream Fund aims to take our outstanding young Taiwanese abroad. All the overseas Taiwanese community helps these young people feel at home.

The Taiwanese Association of America is visiting Taiwan just a week after the US presidential election. Premier Cho told them he has established a task force to promote exchanges with the US.

Cho Jung-tai
Premier
After making arrangements with the Presidential Office, I hope that within the next month, we will be able to address all matters related to Taiwan-US ties, including economy, trade, defense, cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. That way, once the new incoming US administration takes office, we will be able to engage more with the US.

Civic groups and government agencies are working to ensure that Taiwan continues to be seen on the world stage.

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2024-11-13

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Ohtani’s 50th home run baseball on show at Taipei 101 exhibition

Taipei 101 on Wednesday unveiled the star item in its new baseball exhibition: the baseball that was hit by Shohei Ohtani for his 50th home run. The ball was purchased at an auction by UC Capital for NT$140 million, and has been loaned to the skyscraper for free for display. Also on show are Ohtani’s jersey and cap, as well as signed memorabilia from Taiwanese baseball players. The exhibition will last until March next year.

After getting auctioned for a sizeable sum, and crossing the ocean, Shohei Ohtani’s 50th home run baseball is finally on show in Taiwan. The unveiling ceremony had some very special guests.

It was none other than Yu Chang, who previously played in Major League Baseball. With him was Chen Chin-feng, the manager for the Fubon Guardians of the CPBL.

Yu Chang
Baseball player
When I met Ohtani, he had just arrived in the US and his English wasn’t that good. So we just greeted each other and asked him how he was. His personality is great, even greater than his baseball skills. I hope that in the future, Taiwanese baseball players will be able to surpass him.

Lin Yung-chi
FTV reporter
Shohei Ohtani’s 50th Home Run Baseball is now on show at the Taipei 101 observatory, where it will stay until March. The buyer of the ball is UC Capital, which has offices in the skyscraper.

Representatives of the program trading company did not attend the press conference. The firm’s chairman, Liu Hsing-han, won the auction for NT$140 million, setting a record for the highest sale price for any ball ever sold. It was loaned to the Taipei 101 for display at no cost.

Chia Yung-chieh
Taipei 101 chair
UC Capital is one of our tenants at Taipei 101. Perhaps it was meant to be. They trust us and they know that we bring together issues like charity and tourism.

The security costs to keep the ball safe add up to NT$5 million. It is monitored 24 hours a day by an AI surveillance system. The exhibition also has Ohtani’s baseball jersey and cap on show, as well as memorabilia signed by Taiwanese baseball players Chen Chin-feng and Wang Chien-min. Even the tuned mass damper at the top of the skyscraper is now used to project images of Ohtani’s 50th home run.

Japanese tourist
I’m so excited! I just took a picture in front of it.

The exhibition space has a maximum capacity of 7,000 visitors every day, to ensure a pleasant viewing experience for baseball fans.

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

2024-11-13

Ironsmiths carry on in Taoyuan despite decline of farming economy

Now for a spotlight on one of Taiwan’s traditional crafts: iron smelting. Back when Taiwan had an agricultural economy, ironsmiths were in high demand. Areas like Beilong Road in Longtan District, Taoyuan, were filled with ironsmiths’ workshops. But as Taiwan’s economy shifts towards industry and manufacturing, the ironsmiths’ business has dried up. Now just two brothers surnamed Yeh remain in business on Beilong Road. But they still hope that members of the new generation might pick up their traditional craft, providing tools for the farmers of Taoyuan.

An electric saw spins at fast speed, grinding this iron tool down to an even surface. This ironsmith’s workshop in Longtan, Taoyuan, is run by Yeh Wen-chang, who, at the age of 83, still comes in to fire up the machines every day.

He’s been in business 60 years, now accompanied by not only his younger brothers but also his son. Next door is another ironsmith’s workshop.

This shop looks ready to be swallowed up by the sheer volume of metal tools on display. Sitting at the door is Yeh’s third brother, Yeh Pu-sheng. Many years ago he learned the art of ironworking from his brother, and now he runs his own workshop.

Yeh Pu-sheng
Ironsmith and fourth brother
It’s all good, whether work’s coming in or not. I’m old now. It doesn’t much matter if I’m working. I can never sell all this stuff anyway.

His tone of voice is full of resignation. Decades ago, when farming was the lifeblood of Taiwan, there was a long row of ironsmiths here on Longtan’s Beilong Road. Now the Yeh brothers are the only two left.

Customer
I’ve bought lots of things from him, hoes and so on. I’d always buy from him. That’s my habit. Other stores don’t have those things.

Customer
I’ve bought kitchen knives and hoes from them. They’re old stores.

Although the craft of ironmongery is in decline, there are still many farmers in Longtan District. Metal tools are still in demand, and these farmers are the Yeh brothers’ loyal patrons. This is a traditional industry in crisis, but the Yehs hope their skills will be picked up and carried forward by future generations.

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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Poor visibility makes roadkill out of Yunlin traffic signs

Concerns are growing about a road in Yunlin County, where curves are so hard to judge, that even traffic signs have become roadkill! Two road signs have been flattened by repeated hits from drivers unable to corner these turns properly. The flattened signs are next to pedestrian crossings, making the situation even more dangerous. The county government says it has a plan to improve the visibility of the turns, which it hopes will put an end to the crashes and protect everyone on the road.

A traffic sign lies forlornly on a pedestrian refuge island, its post forsaken. This one’s just the same. Is this an organized sign strike?

Member of public
It’s because many people don’t see that bit. They turn straight into it. There’s too big of a hole between that part and the center, and people tend to miss it.

So the signs aren’t neglecting their duties: they’re roadkill! Look closely and you see that they’ve snapped at the bottom. It seems that vehicles have turned the corner carelessly, smashed into the refuge islands, and knocked down the signs in their wake. These road safety signs are the innocent victims of bad driving.

Voice of Tsai Yueh-ju
Yunlin County councilor
This refuge island was placed here, but it doesn’t fulfill its function of providing refuge. So, it’s become a “chassis-killer,” as they say. The most important thing is the safety of pedestrians on the pedestrian crossing, which is very concerning.

These road casualties are on Special First Road in Yunlin’s Beigang Township, on the intersections with Xinde Road and Minyue Road. The intersections have been smashed by many vehicles since they opened six months ago. The signs are in peril, but so are any pedestrians brave enough to use the crossings next to them.

Wang Ling-yao
Yunlin County Public Works Department
The refuge island is probably only about 20 centimeters high, which may not be high enough. As vehicles turn left, it may be difficult to spot the island in your line of sight. We recommend that a reflective bollard is placed at the front edge of the refuge island.

Yunlin County Public Works Department says that the district office will erect such bollards. It hopes they will prevent drivers from falling prey to a blind spot and hitting the island. New traffic signs will also be set up to continue to safeguard road safety.

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

2024-11-13