Social media fallout from diplomatic slip-up put to rest with apology

Social media fallout from diplomatic slip-up put to rest with apology

2025-08-14

Arrogant and disrespectful. Those are the words that a South Korean official used to put Taiwan on blast on social media a couple of days ago. The disparaging remarks came after a visiting Taiwanese delegation had to cancel a meeting with the official due to an APEC-related emergency. Now, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung has an update on the international slip-up. Let’s hear from him.

Lin Chia-lung
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Our government is one. After the incident, I instructed Ambassador George Chiou to visit the official in person. After a discussion, she said she understood the situation. We will continue maintaining contact for any future exchanges.

And it seems Chiou’s visit did have an effect on Park Sun-young, who heads the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Korea. She once again took to social media, this time praising Taiwan’s diplomat for his swift apology. She noted that Chiou came to her despite having been on the job for less than a month, and he brought an official who’d had exchanges with her more than 10 years ago to build trust. For now, it seems the “no-show” scandal has been put to rest.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#diplomacy #apology #forgiveness #korea #taiwan #noshow #awkward

為放鴿子事件補破網駐韓代表拜訪韓官員致歉

2025-08-14

日前傳出，我國行政院官員要拜訪"南韓真相會"，卻臨時因APEC緊急事件，取消行程，遭韓方發文痛批「傲慢、無禮」。今天外交部長林佳龍親上火線回應。

[[外交部長林佳龍]]
“政府是一體的，在這件事情發生後，我就責成駐韓代表丘高偉大使，親自拜訪韓方官員，經過大家溝通，她也表示理解，我們也會對未來交流繼續保持聯繫”

果然獲得正面回應，朴宣映在臉書寫下，丘高偉大使上任未滿一個月，就為他人行為專程趕來致歉，還特地配合她的時間前來，帶上10多年前曾有過交情的隨行官員，讚賞台灣駐韓代表立即登門道歉。放鴿子事件，暫時畫下句點！

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The central government’s tightening of enforcement on Chinese-born residents’ immigration continues. Earlier this month, the interior ministry announced that it’s planning an additional requirement for those seeking residency: proof that they’ve nullified their PRC passport. China’s Taiwan Affairs Office has since warned citizens against cutting their own passports, while the Mainland Affairs Council said China’s warning is tantamount to a threat against their own citizens.

Since April, Chinese-born residents have had to prove they’ve given up household registration in China. And now, Taiwan is mulling an additional requirement for those seeking residency: proof that they’ve nullified their PRC passport, either with a formal declaration or the passport itself, with a cut corner. But China’s Taiwan Affairs Office warned citizens against cutting.

Zhu Fenglian (Aug. 13)
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The People’s Republic of China passport is strictly protected by law. We reserve the power to investigate and hold accountable any organization or individual that intentionally damages the PRC passport.

Liang Wen-chieh
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If you want become an ROC national, then you must abide by the ROC’s laws. As we see it, Taiwan Affairs Office’s statement is tantamount to a threat, which we strongly condemn. We will follow our own laws in any case.

The Taiwan Affairs Office also slammed Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang’s comments on Monday, in which she said that the two sides of the strait are not subordinate to one another and that Taiwan “recognizes the People’s Republic of China.”

Zhu Fenglian (Aug. 13)
Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson
There is only one China in the world and Taiwan is a part of China. This is an indisputable historical and legal fact. We firmly oppose Taiwan independence and secession, and take concrete actions to safeguard our own interests and benefits, as well as uphold peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

Lin Chun-hsien
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Isn’t it that Beijing can’t stop talking about how there’s only one China in the world? So we’re recognizing that the PRC is China, how’s that something to be mad about? It’s really unfathomable how Beijing should be fuming over that.

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One China means there’s only the People’s Republic of China and that the Republic of China does not exist. China should not imagine they could annex the ROC Taiwan with the One China claim. This is in no way acceptable to the people of Taiwan.

Ruling lawmakers are defending the interior minister’s remarks and at the same time, calling on China not to attempt to lump Taiwan together with China with their one-China rhetoric.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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Durian lovers flock to themed market on Kaohsiung’s Love River

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Crowds line up to buy freshly cut durian along the banks of Kaohsiung’s Love River during this smelliest of events, last weekend’s Durian Market.

A thick layer of durian spread is coated onto a bun before laying on a slab of butter to complete this durian pineapple bun.

Customer
It’s better than the usual one. It has a more complex flavor.

This durian sherbert from Singapore is already flavorful enough. Adding some durian drizzle on top makes it even stronger.

Customer
The drizzle is so creamy. I like it, I like it.

Vendor
I especially prepared a really strong version. I made a topping from fresh durian. The flavor is really intense.

Or there are these French crepes, filled with a durian cream filling. Kids and adults both love it.

Customer
It’s good. It tasted like durian.

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I love it. It’s sweet and also soft and spongy.

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It’s ok. Just ok. It’s to make money.

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I don’t like the taste.

Visitor accompanying friend
I don’t normally. I won’t eat it. It’s too strong. It makes me retch.

Some people love it, while others can’t get far enough away. But no matter how you feel about durian, it’s undeniable that Taiwan’s first market dedicated to the King of the Fruits was a roaring success.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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Volunteers repair home damaged by Typhoon Danas

After Typhoon Danas damaged buildings in Chiayi and Tainan, volunteers from the Heng-shan Charity Group and construction companies worked together to repair the home of a disabled man living alone in Tainan’s Guantian District. They replaced the house’s old roof, reinforced the structure and rebuilt support beams. Thanks to their hard work, the man no longer has to live in fear of recurring typhoon damage.

Construction workers climb onto a rooftop and knock out broken tiles, working together to repair the old structure.

Typhoon Danas devastated Chiayi and Tainan, which then saw several days of heavy rainfall resulting in severe damage to many old homes in the area. In response, the Heng-shan Charity Group cooperated with a construction company, sending volunteers to repair the home of a 63-year-old disabled man living alone in Tainan’s Guantian District.

Construction company volunteer
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Construction company vice president
We are grateful to have this opportunity to help older folks and contribute to society.

Volunteers carry a steel beam that will be used to rebuild the framework and support beams. They also installed a new metal roof and replaced old electrical wires.

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Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

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Facilities at Taroko Gorge in Hualien were severely damaged in last year’s earthquake on April 3, most of which have yet to be repaired. Only the section of Highway 8 from Tianxiang to the entrance to the gorge is open, and provisionally at that. To revitalize local industry and tourism, the Hualien County Government has invited tour businesses to see reconstruction efforts for themselves and give input on how to reintroduce Taroko as the highlight of Hualien.

Hiking Tabido Trail in Taroko National Park offers stunning views of Tianxiang below. The park has been in disarray since the major earthquake that struck on April 3 last year. The section of Highway 8 from Tianxiang to the entrance of the gorge was damaged by rock falls, as well as the popular Taroko Village Hotel.

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The northern branch of the National Land Management Agency—which used to be the Construction and Planning Agency—has been asked to help with the Taroko Village Hotel and Changchun Shrine.

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On the right, a Chinese Coast Guard vessel; the left, a PLA Navy warship. On Monday, the two Chinese ships collided in the South China Sea, near the Scarborough Shoal, a disputed territory claimed by both China and the Philippines. The Chinese ships were attempting to drive away the Philippine Coast Guard vessel, the BRP Suluan, only to end up in a violent collision.

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Yao Zhang
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They just want to hurt others, but end up hurting themselves. What China meant as professional discretion was to ram against others.

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They have not reported the collision. In fact, they say they were acting within the law, that they managed to drive away the Filipino vessels. Sure, if this is the strategy, good luck. Just ram into each other to drive away a rival.

An Indian news show also poked fun at China for this mishap. Clearly the damage for China this time was not just on its equipment.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

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