201 writers come together for recalls against KMT lawmakers

201 writers come together for recalls against KMT lawmakers

2025-02-10

A group of 201 writers is calling for the recall of lawmakers that pushed for budget cuts in the culture sector. KMT and TPP lawmakers slashed NT$1.1 billion from the budget of the Ministry of Culture, and froze an additional NT$3.4 billion. In addition they froze 30% of the budget for many arts and cultural spaces. Let’s hear more.

Chu Yu-hsun
Writer
We found that Chen Yu-chen cut a lot of budget relating to culture, including subsidies, translation projects and international exchanges. We hope that writers will come united in this process and support the recalls.

Hsieh Yi-an
Writer
Young people are using the Culture Points program to buy books they like. If the policy is cut, then there won’t be any policies encouraging young people to engage with culture.

Ko Chih-en
Lawmaker (KMT)
The cuts are only 1% of the total budget. We hope that people in the cultural sector will get a clearer understanding of the situation through face-to-face talks.

The authors involved in the recall campaigns include Yang Shuang-zi, Chu Yu-hsun, Giddens Ko and Nick Wang. They are calling on members of the public who agree with their cause to take part in the second stage of the recalls starting March. There are currently 31 recall campaigns underway for lawmakers in the Legislative Yuan. Nineteen of them target KMT lawmakers who approved the budget cuts. The remaining 12 are campaigns launched against DPP lawmakers in retaliation. As things currently stand, both KMT and DPP have 36 district lawmakers in the legislature.

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文學界發聲! 楊双子.九把刀等201位作家連署挺罷免

2025-02-10

藍白立委無差別大砍總預算，其中文化部遭刪除11億元、凍結34億元，多處藝文場館業務費，被凍結30%，引發文學界不滿，201位作家發出連署聲明，表態支持罷免不適任的立法委員。

[[作家朱宥勳]]
“發現她(陳玉珍)砍掉了非常大量跟文化相關的預算，包含補助、包含外譯的計畫，包含跟國外交流，所以其實在這個過程裡，我們就希望透過作家的集結，去支持這次的罷免。”

[[作家謝宜安]]
“這些年輕人他們會拿著文化幣，來買他們喜歡的書，如果這些政策都被砍掉的話，那我們接下來可以預見，就是其實沒有政策去鼓勵年輕人親近文化。”

[[立委(國) 柯志恩]]
“最後也就是以刪減總預算的1%，那我們也希望文化界，能夠透過一些彼此面對面的溝通，大家有更清楚的認知。”

包括楊双子、朱宥勳、九把刀、苦苓等知名作家都呼籲，認同觀點的民眾，參與3月即將開啟的第二階段罷免連署。立委罷免第一階段提議書，累計至今已送件31個立委，其中12名民進黨，19名國民黨。目前藍綠兩黨在立院各有36席區域立委。

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As an attempt to break the gridlock between the ruling and opposition parties, President Lai Ching-te on Monday afternoon consulted the leaders of the five yuans, in accordance to Article 44 of the Constitution. In his opening remarks, he called upon unity and cooperation between all constitutional bodies. The leaders of the central government then proceeded to a closed-door meeting.

Leaders of the central government enter a conference room at the Presidential Office to participate in the president’s consultation. The goal of the meeting is to reach a solution for disputes between constitutional bodies.

The president and vice-president, and leaders of all five yuans pose for a picture. Then, the president presents all five of them, a set of five tea cups representing the separation and collaboration of powers.

Lai Ching-te
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Today, with the powers and responsibilities delegated to me pursuant to the Constitution of the Republic of China (Taiwan), I call upon the presidents of the five yuans to the Presidential Office for consultation, in order to build a platform for communication, clarify the separation of powers principle, unite the nation, resolve disputes and seek a pathway for joint solutions. Taiwan must be united, only in unity is there strength to bolster national defense, develop the economy, and build a resilient defense for society.

The president in his opening address called upon closer cooperation between the five yuans.

Lai Ching-te
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The five yuans are like the five fingers, each with their unique function. The five fingers only have strength when pressed together. The closer they are, the greater their strength. Taiwan’s formidable strength comes from the unity of all people in Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu, and from all parties in the country all serving the nation. More importantly, the five yuans must have mutual respect for the function of one another. Only when constitutional bodies fully function and band together can we overcome the numerous challenges from home and abroad, and usher in a new golden age for Taiwan. Our position notwithstanding, we must prioritize the people, uphold democracy and stay rooted on Taiwan. We must work hard to reach a settlement.

After the opening ceremony, the government leaders held a closed-door meeting for a whole 95 minutes. It is hoped the meeting will be a first step in breaking the gridlock between the ruling and opposition parties.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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Former Asian Games boxer Kuo Chih-lai is a veteran of the boxing world known as the “small colossus of the ring.” After retiring, he opened his own gym where he organizes matches and trains Taiwan’s next generation of boxing champions. When Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim was a legislator, even she trained with Kuo to improve her strength. He even sold his land and factories in his determination to cultivate Taiwan’s next king of the ring.

Imagine your opponent is right in front of you, constantly swinging punches and dodging.

Former boxing star Kuo Chih-lai hasn’t lost his touch, even at nearly 80 years old. After retiring, he founded his own gym to coach upcoming boxers. Even Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim trained with him for a time while she was a legislator. Whenever she had time, she’d come to the gym to throw a few punches.

Hsiao wailed on the bag and sometimes sparred with Kuo himself in one-on-one lessons that lasted for half a year.

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I really admire her. After sparring for five minutes, you’re dripping with sweat. I told her to take a rest, your whole body is drenched. Go clean off. She would tell me she didn’t have time to rest. I snuck off here and need to run back for a session. I really admire that kind of spirit. She told me, and I’ll always remember this: No wonder boxers are successful.

The same about Hsiao’s spirit for training and fitness could be said of Kuo. The man just shy of 160cm started boxing when he was 17. Then his dream was to become one of the best in Taiwan.

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I’m not cut out for boxing. Everyone else was a head taller than me. But I still wanted to train until I became one of the best.

Although he didn’t win any international medals in his time competing for Taiwan, he’s always held an unshakeable place in the boxing world. Even after entering business in retirement, he still maintained an abiding presence in the ring.

Kuo Chih-lai
Former boxer
Now our boxers are all winning medals in the Asian Games and Olympics. I sold my factory to do something more meaningful. Taiwan needs to have an international boxing champion.

Lin Yu-ting who took gold at last year’s Paris Olympics, along with bronze medalists Chen Nein-chin and Wu Shih-yi, and World Boxing Cup champion Huang Hsiao-wen all often compete in practice competitions hosted by the professional boxing association founded by Kuo. The veteran continues to work hard to ensure Taiwan’s athletes have a spot on the world boxing throne.

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Taiwanese director Ang Lee wins DGA lifetime achievement award

An exciting moment for the world of cinema. Renowned Taiwanese filmmaker Ang Lee has been honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the 77th Annual Directors Guild of America Awards. Lee is the first Taiwanese to be recognized with the honor, after a prolific career spanning more than three decades. He was presented the award by none other than Malaysian actor Michelle Yeoh, who starred in his iconic film “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.”

Ang Lee
Film director
Yeah, but I feel very humbling, I was just making my film. As a director, like nothing, like, yeah, I’m so honored.

Acclaimed Taiwanese filmmaker Ang Lee was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 77th Annual Directors Guild of America Awards, just seven years after receiving the DGA Honor. Lee is only the 37th recipient of this prestigious award, making him the first Taiwanese filmmaker to achieve this honor. In his acceptance speech, he delighted the audience with his signature humor.

Ang Lee
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First time at this event I have to put on reading glasses. I guess it’s time for a lifetime achievement award. I was born and raised in Taiwan. Being born and raised in Taiwan, it feels like the realization of the American dream to be here on this stage.

Lee was presented the award by Malaysian actor Michelle Yeoh, who starred in his iconic film “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.” The two posed for photos together to celebrate the moment. The film was a significant work for Lee, catapulting him to international fame and winning multiple Oscars, including Best Foreign Language Film.

Ang Lee
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For me that means continually learning how to make movies. I learn the most by doing and I hope that my whole career can be a never-ending film school.

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Chiayi is known for its turkey over rice. Who knew that the Chiayi Municipal Museum is offering a test to find your personally “destined” version?After viewing an exhibition to learn about the famous dish, visitors can assess their favorite flavors. People have been struck by its insights.

Atop a bed of white rice rests a layer of turkey with fragrant fried shallots. The final touch is a secret sauce. Many Chiayi natives eat this every day. But which is your favorite? The Chiayi Municipal Museum has an evaluation to help you find out.

Try this test to find the turkey rice of your dreams. From the wetness of the rice to the texture and color of the meat and choice of sides, it can recommend the best restaurant for you personally. It’s been a hit among visitors.

Visitor
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As someone who isn’t from Chiayi, I didn’t know where to get turkey rice from today. But now there’s this machine that can match all my requirements. After I’m done at the exhibition, I’ll go right over to get some.

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Our initial estimate is that Chiayi City has about 150 restaurants that serve turkey rice. There’s actually a greater density of turkey rice spots than of the major convenience stores.

This special exhibition teaches visitors everything there is to know about turkey rice. Restaurant owners also hope it can help people find the best place for their personal taste profile.

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If you don’t know where to eat, you can use the machine. It’ll show you a bunch of different restaurants and you can choose which one best suits your taste.

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Many people come here because of our reputation. We’ll also customize for you, if you’d prefer it to be lighter, with more fried shallots or no shallots at all, or no pickled radish. Whatever you’d like, we can do.

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Lin has played on a team with his children and grandchildren for 40 years, participating in the Morning Cup and now the World Masters Games.

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I’ve become a spokesman as the oldest badminton player. By hitting the court, I can show young people around the world that Taiwan has a 104-year-old who’s still bold enough to compete.

Always with a smile on his face, Lin also shared his secret to longevity.

Lin You-mao
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You have to exercise. Stay kind-hearted and do good deeds. And the last thing is what people online are all saying: Look at beautiful women.

This 104-year-old “old rascal” seems to be aging in reverse. He’s sure to put on quite a show at these Masters Games.

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