New top US diplomat meets Indo-Pacific allies

New top US diplomat meets Indo-Pacific allies

2025-01-24

On his first day on the job, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with his staff and spelled out his foreign policy priorities. He also met with allies from the Indo-Pacific region who seek to counter Chinese military and economic ambitions. VOA’s Veronica Balderas Iglesias reports.

On his first day as US secretary of state, former Republican Senator Marco Rubio told his new employees that their department will promote peace around the world.

Marco Rubio
US secretary of state
Without peace, it is hard to be a strong nation, a prosperous nation, and one that is better off.

But avoiding conflict will be a strategic decision.

Marco Rubio
US secretary of state
Never at the expense of our national security, never at the expense of our national interest, and never at the expense of our core values as a nation and as a people.

Rubio also met Tuesday with the foreign ministers of India, Australia and Japan. The four countries form the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or “Quad,” a bloc that aims to counter China’s economic and military ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region.

Tuesday’s gathering eased some concerns about the America First approach under President Donald Trump.

Yun Sun
Stimson Center
Is a clear signal that the US is not abandoning the regional coalition allies and partners in terms of how to counter China’s rise.

Beijing denounces the Quad as a Cold War construct.

Yun Sun
Stimson Center
Any time that the US aligns with its allies or partners, the Chinese will feel isolated and feel threatened, and they will accuse the United States of the Cold War mentality.

The analyst pointed out that China’s modernization and expansion of its military and nuclear arsenal will only continue driving countries in that region to strengthen their own militaries and seek a closer alignment with the United States.

Veronica Balderas Iglesias, VOA News, Washington.

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

美國新任國務卿盧比歐與日、印、澳展開四方安全對話

2025-01-24

美國國務卿馬可•盧比歐上任第一天，明確揭示他的外交政策優先順位。他還
主持美日印澳「四方安全對話」。來看美國之音的報導。

前共和黨參議員、新任美國國務卿盧比歐，對國務院人員說，他們將致力於促進全球和平。

[[美國國務卿盧比歐]]
“沒有和平，要成為一個強大、繁榮、成為更好的國家是困難的。”

但避免衝突將會是一個策略性的決定。

[[美國國務卿盧比歐]]
“絕不以我們的國家安全為代價，絕不以我們的國家利益為代價，也絕不以我們作為一個國家和一個民族的核心價值為代價。”

盧比歐也在週二與印度、澳洲和日本的外交部長會面。這四個國家構成的四方安全對話，應對中國在印度-太平洋地區的經濟和軍事野心。

週二的會晤減輕了一些對於美國總統川普的"美國優先"政策的疑慮。

[[史汀生中心研究員孫韻]]
“這明確表明了美國在對抗中國的崛起方面，並未背棄盟友和夥伴。

北京則抨擊四方安全對話是冷戰的產物。

[[史汀生中心研究員孫韻]]
“無論何時，只要美國和其他國家結盟，中國都會感到被孤立、感到受到威脅，並且會控訴美國對冷戰思維的採用。”

專家指出，中國現代化和擴大軍力和核武裝備，勢必讓印太地區的國家強化自身的軍事力量，並尋求與美國更緊密的結盟。

更多新聞內容，請鎖定：
民視台灣台（152頻道）週日至週五晚上9:30
民視新聞台（53頻道）週二至週六凌晨1:00

Related News

Additional train services scheduled as travelers return home for LNY

2025-01-24

A-ti the dog and Tiger Brother the cat bring luck to lotto players

2025-01-24

Charming Changhua temple puts up 3,300 painted lanterns

2025-01-24

Do not throw expired lucky charms in the trash! Do this instead

2025-01-24

Three hospitals upgraded in Central and Southern Taiwan

Three hospitals in Central and Southern Taiwan have been upgraded after scoring well in an evaluation conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. They now have the status of medical or quasi-medical centers. Medical centers have higher status in Taiwan than mere hospitals. This means medical fees in these institutions will become more expensive for patients starting Feb. 1, to account for the higher service quality.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare has unveiled the results of last year’s evaluation of medical institutions in Central and Southern Taiwan. Kaohsiung’s E-Da Hospital has been upgraded to a medical center. Meanwhile, National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin Branch and Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital in Chiayi have been accredited as quasi-medical centers.

Chiu Tai-yuan
Minister of health and welfare
E-Da Hospital had been a quasi-medical center for seven years in a row. This time, it achieved an outstanding result in the evaluation, and has therefore been upgraded to a medical center proper. It can help bring up the quality of care in the Kaohsiung-Pingtung area.

The upgrades mean medical expenses will be higher for patients.

Shih Chung-liang
National Health Insurance Administration
The main impact will be on inpatient services, such as ward rates and nursing costs. That’s due to the difference in nurse-patient ratios.

In the previous evaluation, three hospitals in Northern Taiwan were upgraded to the status of medical centers last year. The Taiwan Healthcare Reform Foundation says a system should be put in place for downgrades.

Lin Ya-hui
Taiwan Healthcare Reform Foundation
As it is now, there’s only a way up and no way down, which means there are too many medical centers. Last October we brought the matter up with the Control Yuan, urging for a correction of procedural deficiencies and lack of differentiation.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare says it began compiling views on the matter last year, and expects to draw up trial clauses in 2026. The reforms would enter effect in 2027, to focus evaluations on critical care and medical development.

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

2025-01-24

‘Kingdom of Toys’ brings traditional village games to new generation

A village in Pingtung’s Sandimen Township is known in Taiwan as the “Kingdom of Toys.” Here, villagers use bamboo to create classic kid’s games, allowing adults to recall their youth while teaching a new generation how to play. Tourists can also make their own torches. By making them by hand, adults and children alike can learn from the wisdom of the village elders.

Using a hook on a pole, you can roll a metal ring along the ground. But none of the kids who tried it had any luck.

This is from the “Kingdom of Toys” in Djineljepan Village in Pingtung’s Sandimen Township. The place is packed full of traditional toys made from bamboo, thrilling older visitors as they surface memories of childhood.

As the adults reminisce, the kids were excited to give them a try.

Chiu Ping-wei
Visitor
They can see a lot of cute toys here. Adults can also have a chance to reminisce about the toys they made when they were young.

Chiang Tsung-yu
Kingdom of Toys manager
We have around 100 kinds of toys here. You’ll actually find even more if you go up on the mountain. There you can find over 300 kinds.

Agriculture is difficult in Djineljepan since it’s so remote. When the county government was encouraging towns to come up with a representative product, the villagers couldn’t think of a particular crop. So they came up with making children’s toys out of bamboo and turned it into their specialty. Visitors can also come to the mountain to try making their own torches.

After splitting a bamboo pole at one end, you fit in a bundle of smaller sticks and tie them down. This is the traditional way to make a torch among Indigenous people. Children and adults alike all make their own. The kids even split the bamboo by themselves.

Visitor
I brought the kids out here to show them. For instance, if they find themselves outside, they’ll know how to make fire and a torch. It’s educational and fun.

After making their torches, they light them according to instructions from the guide. Seeing the leaping flames, they can appreciate the wisdom of the village elders.

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

2025-01-24

Taiwan’s GDP grew the most out of Four Asian Tigers: Government data

2025-01-24

Government announces NT$10B program for youth to go abroad

Are you young and do you have a dream? President Lai Ching-te has organized for several agencies and ministries to promote the NT$10 billion Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative. The goal is to help young people fulfill their dreams of going abroad, with a maximum subsidy of NT$2 million per project. People aged 15 to 30 can do volunteer work, professional training, or cross-cultural exchanges.

In order to help young Taiwanese realize their dreams, the Lai Ching-te administration has arranged for various ministries and agencies to jointly promote the NT$10 billion Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative.

Lai Ching-te
President
Young people are playing a leading role in this program. Dreams are the most beautiful, and with them comes hope. The dreams of young people can make the country great. If you don’t know how to draw up a project plan or briefing, deputy minister Yeh will teach you.

Yeh Ping-cheng
Deputy education minister
We will hold briefings on projects and workshops to help those who don’t know how to write a project proposal. You can look it up on the dedicated website. We also have an explanatory video. If your project proposal isn’t perfect, we can arrange for a professional to offer guidance.

Young people between the ages of 15 and 30 can take part in the program, with the education ministry allocating NT$10 billion in funding over four years. The maximum subsidy is NT$2 million per project.

Kuo Chia-yo
Taiwan Digital Diplomacy Association president
In the past, society supported you. Now the nation supports you. If you want to go overseas, there will be a way, but it makes a huge difference whether someone supports you and whether society supports you. It’s a really wonderful thing to stand on the world stage and have equal and free dialogue with the world.

Lai Ching-te
President
When using education to improve your personal life or improve your professional skills, educational opportunities should not be affected by the economic situation of your family of origin. Aside from providing students with their fundamental right to an education, we also hope to fulfill their dreams.

Whether you want to go to Japan, South Korea, Europe, the US or even Taiwan’s diplomatic ally Saint Kitts and Nevis, the plan has got you covered.

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

2025-01-24

How to let your pet rabbit nibble while keeping your precious home intact

As Taiwan continues to fall ever deeper in love with animals, rabbits are an increasingly popular pet choice. But the little fluffballs have a secret: They love to nibble! Unwitting new rabbit owners have found that a bunny’s capacity to chew on things can be a real nuisance. But why do rabbits like to nibble? And what’s a humane way to let them follow their instinct, while keeping your precious home intact? We went to an expert to find out.

An adorable bunny rabbit. You might think they’re well-behaved, but don’t be fooled! Rabbit owners usually find that everything from electric wires to furniture and clothes can become a chew toy for their darling bunny.

Rabbit owner
He loves nibbling clothes, collars. If we bend down to play with him, he burrows in and starts chewing the collar.

Wu Wen-yi
FTV reporter
Bunnies look docile, but they’re unstoppable agents of destruction. Electric wires in the home need to be carefully hidden away, or they’ll be ruined like these ones.

Nibble, nibble, nibble. Bunnies will tend to rampage and chew up anything in sight – it’s just in their nature.

Lin Chiao
Taiwan Rabbit Saving Association
It’s in their nature to chew things. In the wild, they dig tunnels and dig up tree roots and chew on them. If they chew on their cage, it might be that they’re bored or they’re not getting enough time to play outside of the cage. They want to come out again or they want to interact more with their owner.

If your bunny destroys your house, try not to get angry with them. Instead, find some special toys for them to play with, like this “busy bee cushion” made with natural pasture grass. A toy like this will keep a rabbit busy for hours, giving them a great outlet for all their energy and saving your fancy furnishings from their marauding attention.

Lin Chiao
Taiwan Rabbit Saving Association
If you’re normally keeping your rabbit in a cage at home, you can put some toys they’ll like to play with in the cage, such as toys made of woven straw. And when you come home from your day, let them out of the cage to run around and let off steam. And we strongly recommend that you keep hazardous objects properly stowed away in the house. If your rabbit gnaws on your electric cables, they’re in danger of electrocution.

Keeping a rabbit might make you fear for your material assets, but no need to worry. A few simple steps to rabbit-proof the home will keep the peace between you and your furry friend.

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

2025-01-24

Borough warden performs duty on heavyweight motorbike

It’s not an uncommon sight for the borough warden to patrol the neighborhood on a scooter, but have you ever seen one on a heavyweight motor bike? In Taichung’s South District, this three-wheeled beast belongs to none other than the local borough chief. When the warden turns on the warning lights after dark, from a distance it looks just like a police motorbike. It keeps the bad guys on their toes.

Wearing a reflective vest, the borough warden rides a white heavyweight motorbike to patrol the streets and alleyways. On the canopy, blue-and-red emergency lights flicker. It looks just like a police motorbike from a distance.

The rider, who locals say is a “super hard-working guy” is Yang Ming-jun. He’s Jiangchuan’s Borough Warden in Taichung’s South District. Since taking the helm two years ago, he’s patrolled around on a motorbike, day and night, keeping the neighborhood safe.

Yang Ming-jun
Jiangchuan Borough chief
People who commit crimes and do bad things feel uneasy. If they see lights approaching, they run instinctively. Like those about to run a red light. When they see us from a distance they immediately put on the brakes.

The traffic police also work on white heavyweight bikes. With emergency lights and a reflective vest, Yang looks no different from a cop. Since becoming borough warden, he no longer has time to go on rides with fellow motorcyclists, so he modified his prized possession into a patrol vehicle. It even comes with a fire extinguisher.

Yang Ming-jun
Jiangchuan Borough chief
This is a three-wheeled motorbike. It’s only 300cc, not the heaviest of heavyweight bikes. I got it brand new for about NT$230,000, I think. The emergency lights and siren and other safety features probably cost NT$20,000.

A proud owner of five heavyweight motorbikes, Yang no longer rides for fun as often as he’d like. A few modifications allow him to indulge in his hobby while on duty, keeping the neighborhood safe and residents happy.

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

2025-01-24