Taiwan preparing to hold live-fire Han Kuang exercises next week

Taiwan preparing to hold live-fire Han Kuang exercises next week

2022-07-20

Taiwan’’s military is now preparing for the live-fire Han Kuang military exercises coming up next week, which will feature simulations of an invasion by China. As China’’s threat grows, former U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, who is currently in Taiwan, suggested that Taiwan should implement conscription for both men and women lasting at least one year. A scholar also emphasized the importance of human resource management to maximize Taiwan’’s military capability.

Black Hawk helicopters flew across Taipei in the early morning on Wednesday, preparing for the live-fire Han Kuang military exercises in the coming week.

On ground level, the Marines were fully geared up, too. Soldiers placed red flags onto Humvees that will simulate an invasion by the Chinese military.

Facing China’s growing threat, Taiwan is sparing no effort in increasing its defense capabilities. On Tuesday, former U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper offered suggestions to Taiwan during a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Mark Esper (July 19)
Former US secretary of defense
That Taiwan as a country and its people are well armed, that is a nation under arms, first and foremost prepared to deter a Chinese invasion or attack of some kind. And if the Chinese invade this island, they’re going to attack everybody. And it’s going to be every man, woman and child fighting.

Emphasizing the importance of asymmetric warfare, Esper said Taiwan would have to adopt mass conscription, and have all citizens serve at least one year in the military. Some Taiwanese people seem to agree.

Member of public
If one enjoys rights in this country, then it seems that one would also be obliged to serve in military, whether you’re a man or a woman.

Member of public
A division of labor is needed to protect our country. It’s not that everyone should go to war, rifle in hand. Some can help others behind the scenes, for example, by supporting logistics or help with medical treatment and bandaging.

Lin Ying-yu
Association of Strategic Foresight
The length of conscription isn’t the point, it’s what’s being trained. What missions those being mobilized will carry out, I believe that’s more important.

The scholar said it’s not the length of military service that matters most, but what soldiers are being trained to do and how human resources are being managed to maximize military capability.

漢光演習下週登場黑鷹直升機全兵力演練

2022-07-20

漢光38號演習將在下周登場，各地持續加緊演練。今天(20日)一早，陸軍出動多架黑鷹直升機，出現在台北天空實施全兵力演練。面對中國持續擾台，前美國國防部長艾斯培建議，台灣應該男女皆兵，並延長役期至少一年。學者則認為，時間長短不是重點，訓練內容與人力調配更關鍵。

多架黑鷹直升機，一早出現在台北天空，實施全兵力操演，為下周登場的漢光38號實兵操演做準備。

除了空中，陸上演練也如火如荼進行。海軍陸戰隊66旅士兵，頭戴紅色鋼盔，悍馬車也插上紅色旗幟充當敵軍，模擬台北港遭中國軍機、武裝直升機突襲等戰況。

面對中國恫嚇不斷，我國持續強化防衛戰力。率團來訪的前美國國防部長艾斯培，19號在外交部記者會上，也給出建議。

[[前美國國防部長艾斯培(07.19)]]
“台灣的人民都要服兵役，確保全體國民，有足夠裝備可以嚇阻中國，如果戰爭來了，中國攻擊這個島嶼，他會攻擊所有人，包括男女和小孩”
“台灣上至國家、下至全民都要充分武裝，要是個武裝起來的國家，能隨時準備好嚇阻中國的入侵或攻擊。如果中國入侵這座島嶼，他們會攻擊所有人，而且所有男女孩童都要應戰。”

除了強調不對稱作戰，更認為台灣應該男女皆兵，並延長義務役期，至少一年，國人並不排斥。

[[民眾]]
“如果享受國家權利的話，當兵這義務好像男女都要履行”

[[民眾]]
“保護國家應該每人都有不同分工，也不是每人都需要拿槍上去，跟人家打仗，有的可以在後面幫人家，譬如做後勤，醫藥包紮等等”

[[中華戰略前瞻協會研究員林穎佑]]
“重點不是(役期)長短，而是訓練內容，把後備動員來的人，要從事什麼樣的任務，我會覺得這一點相對重要”

學者認為，兵役長短不是重點，關鍵是服役期間的訓練內容、及人力的調配，在有限資源下，發揮最強戰力。

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Japanese designer Asao Tokolo opens his first ever exhibition in Taiwan

Taiwan is hosting its first exhibition by celebrated Japanese artist Asao Tokolo. The artist is best known for designing the 2020 Tokyo Olympics emblem. But he’’s renowned as a pattern pioneer worldwide. The designer and educator has been working with the theme "connection" for decades, and the work in his new show is no exception. Visitors can even contribute to its most unforgettable scene, by adding a small piece of origami to the work. We caught up with Tokolo to hear more of what "connection" means to him.

Over 1,000 paper cranes strung together to create a sea of birds. This is Tokolo’’s first exhibition in Taiwan. Visitors are invited to contribute more origami cranes to send blessings out into the world. The whole exhibition features 300 of Tokolo’’s works brought over from Japan, including the "Harmonised Chequered Emblem" designed to represent the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

Asao Tokolo
Artist
The Tokyo Olympics emblem is a ring shape, and the Paralympics is the shape of an open mouth. Everyone saw the performance by the drones at the opening ceremony. They even turned the rings into balls. It all tried to express connection. For the image created by the drone performance, other designers and engineers collaborated - it was a team effort.

Tokolo graduated from the architectural school of Tokyo Zokei University in 1992. He founded his own pattern design studio in 2001 and in 2020 he designed the Olympic emblem. But surprisingly, when asked why he switched from architecture to patterns and graphic design, Tokolo names 9/11 terrorist attacks in the U.S. as his prompt.

Asao Tokolo
Artist
Vast tragedies like 9/11 represent a kind of rupture. Some people can express their feelings about a rupture like this using words, in language, or they can express some kind of wish for healing. But I’’m not someone who can express himself well in words. So it’’s through pictures that I express my wish for the world to reconnect once more.

Connection is the theme that runs through all the art in the show. Tokolo hopes the friendship between Taiwan and Japan will deepen and become more intimate as Taiwanese visitors engage with his work.

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Uni-President Group to acquire full ownership of Carrefour Taiwan for NT$29 billion

On Tuesday night, Uni-President announced it will take full ownership of Carrefour Taiwan. The company, which already holds a 40% stake in the hypermarket chain, will purchase the remaining 60% from the French parent company for NT$29 billion. The transaction will make Carrefour Taiwan a fully Taiwan-owned enterprise, as long as the Fair Trade Commission approves the sale. The deal could be completed as early as mid-2023.

Chen Kuo-hui
Uni-President chief financial officer
Today Uni-President Enterprises Corporation and President Chain Store Corporation approved a resolution through their board of directors to acquire equity stake in Carrefour Taiwan.

On late Tuesday evening, Uni-President dropped a bombshell announcement that it will take full ownership of Carrefour Taiwan for NT$29 billion. The deal comes days after competitor PX Mart was given the green light to acquire hypermarket operator RT-Mart. The deals mean major changes to Taiwan’s retail sector.

Guo Ruey-shan
NTU Business Administration Dept.
The lines between companies in the distribution industry are blurring. They all want to grow their presence. The distribution industry has always benefited from the economies of scale, so mergers are the fastest way to do that.

Carrefour Taiwan entered the Taiwan market 34 years ago, aided by Uni-President founder Kao Ching-yuen. At the time, Carrefour held 60% equity stake, with Uni-President holding the remaining 40%. The French company said that if it ever decided to leave Taiwan, Uni-President would be given priority to purchase its stake.

Reports that Carrefour was planning to pull out of Taiwan had been circulating for some time, with Far Eastern Group, Fubon Group, PX Mart and Cathay Group’s Tsai Cheng-yu all expressing interest in acquiring the company. In the end, Uni-President got the deal, purchasing all of the remaining 60% equity stake for NT$65 per share, turning Carrefour Taiwan from a French company into a fully Taiwan-owned company.

PX Mart’s purchase of RT-Mart was given approval by the Fair Trade Commission, but with some conditions attached. Now, the Carrefour deal will also have to go through the Fair Trade Commission. The transaction could be completed as early as mid-2023.

Chen Chih-min
Fair Trade Commission spokesperson
The commission will review whether the acquisition by Uni-President can be fulfilled with fair supply conditions, to prevent the blocking of suppliers within the distribution industry.

Guo Ruey-shan
NTU Business Administration Dept.
Traditionally, PX Mart did fresh food. But after establishing itself in urban areas, it acquired RT-Mart. Its market power is very big. So of course it could be a threat for Uni-President.

A major changeup is coming to Taiwan’s retail market, but who will come out on top is already a foregone conclusion. Uni-President operates more than 6,600 shops, to which it will add 340 Carrefour outlets. Meanwhile, PX Mart has 1,057 shops, to which it is incorporating 22 RT-Mart outlets. With both leading retailers continuing to grow, it remains to be seen whether their expansion will have any impact on consumer habits and on small-and-medium sized enterprises in the sector.

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Luxury watches replaced by cheap accessories: Retail crisis in Ximen District

We turn now to Taipei’’s trendy Ximen District, where retail is in crisis. Taiwan’’s borders are still closed to visitors from abroad, and for stores in Ximen, that’’s a real headache. Last year, a luxury watch store that had occupied a key spot in the iconic commercial district shut its doors for the last time. Now an affordable jewelry store has taken up shop in the building: a clear sign of the district’’s change in fortune.

Customers try on earrings and hair accessories in front of the mirror. This is a fantastic place for a bit of retail therapy.

You can try on a classic pose with this old-timey telephone or even a typewriter. This lounge area has become a perfect Insta photo spot. Ximen shopping district may have been hit by the pandemic, but this affordable jewelry store has set up shop in the prime spot on the first floor of Wan Nian Building.

Member of public
When I walked by here in the past, it was a watch store, or the Wan Nian Building or something. I think recently I came by and I saw it was jewelry, the kind of thing young girls would want to come and browse.

Member of public
I realized this setup was really big so I came in to have a look round.

Ximen is popular with young shoppers, and these affordable jewelry stores are aimed right at the key demographics here. But this first floor location was a high-end watchmaker for 50 years. The pandemic put paid to the watches, and the company bowed out in late 2021. You can still see faint traces of the watch store today. But the modest prices of this jewelry are incomparable to the high margins once charged on luxury products here. Does the new store pay the rent?

Chan Yu-hsin
Jewelry brand spokeswoman
Right now we believe that the pandemic is gradually receding, so it’s great to be coming in at this point in time. For example, at weekends now our average daily turnover is at least in the six digits. We are very optimistic about the future commercial potential here when the pandemic recedes.

Hsu Chia-hsin
Real estate expert
For this specific location, the market rental price for this area probably falls around NT$5,000 to NT$8,000 per ping. In reality, in this area, an affordable jewelry store probably achieves a certain standard in terms of its rate of substitution.

This real estate expert says that with all the young people shopping in Ximen, it should be possible for stores like this to keep business going smoothly. But judging by the large number of empty stores littering the area, and the lack of crowds, Ximen will be a shadow of its former self until Taiwan reopens its borders to foreign visitors.

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Former health minister campaigns at former COVID hotspot, sparking criticism

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Supporters greet former health minister Chen Shih-chung as he arrives at Taipei’s historic Longshan Temple to pray for a successful mayoral race.

The temple’s president, although a member of the KMT, gifted Chen a calligraphy scroll he had written himself.

Huang Shu-wei
Longshan Temple president
As long as you’re here at Longshan Temple, we welcome you. There are no political factions here, we’re neutral.

Chen Shih-chung
DPP Taipei mayoral candidate
Many Taipei residents were very welcoming, I felt it too. Thank you all, I will do my best.

Chen kicked off his mayoral campaign right here in Taipei’s Wanhua District, a hotspot during Taiwan’s first major COVID outbreak. He was accompanied by the district’s legislator Freddy Lim. The choice of location was a reminder of the CECC’s controversial comments under Chen’s helm.

Chen Shih-chung
DPP Taipei mayoral candidate
Back when I was questioned at the Legislative Yuan, some of my word choices were probably not so accurate. If anyone had been hurt as a result, then I must also apologize most sincerely.

Chiang Wan-an
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Wanhua is most certainly the frontline against the spread of COVID, and certainly not a place where the disease went rampant, as the CECC and Minister Chen had said. How should Wanhua residents feel about that comment? I think the damage is already done.

The KMT candidate questioned Chen’s past comments. Taipei deputy mayor Huang Shan-shan, too, said the former minister should make amends.

Huang Shan-shan
Taipei deputy mayor
I think of course it’s commendable that the minister is willing to take back his words. But the damage has been long done. Whether the outbreak originated from Novotel or Wanhua, I think it’s still necessary that the minister make it clear to Wanhua residents.

Chen Shih-chung
DPP Taipei mayoral candidate
Any antagonism created by weaponizing the virus is not good, I think. COVID-19 isn’t a fight between people.

Chen responded to his competitors’ comments on the CECC’s past statements, saying they were inappropriate.

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One by one, President Tsai Ing-wen greets the members of a delegation led by European Parliament Vice President Nicola Beer. It’s a historic moment.

Tsai Ing-wen
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As the first high-level official delegation to Taiwan from the European Parliament, your visit is exceptionally significant in deepening our bilateral relations.

The president detailed how since last year, the European Parliament has adopted 20 pro-Taiwan resolutions. She stressed that the EU and Taiwan are likeminded democratic partners.

Tsai Ing-wen
President
In addition, faced with the expansion of authoritarianism, Taiwan stands on the front line in defending democracy. We are willing and able to share our experiences with the world. We also look forward to strengthening cooperation with fellow democracies so as to jointly create a resilient democratic alliance.

Nicola Beer
European Parliament vice president
Together with you, we are working for peace and stability in the region. So we stand up against any provocation or threatening of the status quo. We want to continue also having good relations with the People’s Republic of China, but let me express clearly Europe’s deep and serious concern about China moving in a direction that could unilaterally alter the status quo. This must not happen, under no circumstances, under no pretext. Only the Taiwanese people can decide on Taiwanese future. We call on the Public’s [People’s] Republic of China to refrain from its threatening gestures. We admonish China not to destroy Taiwan, but to take an active and constructive part in maintaining and securing the current status quo based on mutual and respectful dialogue.

Beer expressed solidarity with Taiwan, saying that Taiwan had the power and should be respected on the international stage.

Nicola Beer
European Parliament vice president
Expressing this wish contributing to fulfill it. This is really conviction of European Parliament. And my personal conviction as well. For peace, security and stability in the region, for Taiwan, Europe and the world.

Beer, who is from Germany, wished peace and security for the world, while stressing the EU’s strong friendship with Taiwan.

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