Fossilized dino embryo on display as NCHU opens natural history museum

2022-07-25

A new natural history museum just opened its doors! It’s located in National Chung Hsing University in Taichung. It boasts important specimens from 60 years of life sciences research at the university. Perhaps the most amazing is a fossilized dinosaur embryo that is 200 million years old. But there are plenty of more familiar creatures too.

This is the second biggest preserved specimen of a giant squid in Taiwan. Nearby is a 4-meter-long crocodile skin. Its thickness, toughness and sheer weight are astonishing. How did they get it on the wall?

Prof. Chen Chuan-mu
NCHU College of Life Sciences
The skin is very thick. To hang it on the wall, we had to cut about half of it off.

The museum also boasts the trunk of the elephant Malan, mate of the famous military elephant Lin Wang. And the oldest specimen of all is a fossilized dinosaur embryo. It’s one of the oldest in the whole world. Although so small you need a magnifying glass to see it properly, its importance to scholars is gigantic.

Prof. Chen Chuan-mu
NCHU College of Life Sciences
It is more than 200 million years old. Its habitat was the mountains of Yunnan in China, its genus, Lufengosaurus.

The NCHU Natural History Museum is on the second floor of NCHU College of Life Sciences. It just opened its doors after three years of planning. More than 60 years of fauna and flora specimens collected by students and faculty are on display here. It aims to promote biological sciences and ecological protection.

Prof. Shieu Fuh-sheng
NCHU president
We’re very happy to have a natural history museum on the university campus. And it’s such a pleasure to share our resources with the public.

Another notable specimen – this Asian giant softshell turtle, critically endangered, found in a pond in Taichung’s Fengle Sculpture Park. Its entire shell has been preserved. The museum is open to visitors but tickets must be booked by a phone call to the College of Life Sciences.

2億年恐龍胚胎化石! 興大自然史博物館開幕

2022-07-25

來看長4公尺的鱷魚皮、大王魷魚，還有兩億年前的恐龍胚胎化石！各種珍貴的大型動植物標本，在校園裡亮相，還看看台中中興大學最近成立的自然史博物館，展出60多年來，生物科學系師生所蒐集的成果，推廣生態教育與保育觀念。

全台灣第二大的大王魷魚浸製標本，安裝在玻璃櫃裡。視線往附近移動，這一大片，是長達4公尺的鱷魚皮，它又粗又硬又重，當初要把它釘上牆，可是耗費了一番力氣。

[[中興大學生命科學院院長陳全木]]
“它的皮質很厚，我們削掉將近一大半之後，才有辦法把它架在牆上”

在這個展覽空間，還能看到過世多年，大象林旺的太太馬蘭的象鼻切片。還有全球數一數二古老的恐龍胚胎實體化石，雖然外型細小，甚至要透過放大鏡才看得清楚，但是學術意義重大。

[[中興大學生命科學院院長陳全木]]
“它是來自兩億多年前，棲息在中國雲南山區，一群陸豐龍”

位在中興大學生命科學院的二樓，興大自然史博物館，經歷三年籌備，日前開幕了，展出60多年來，生科系師生所蒐集的動植物標本，推廣生態教育與保育觀念。

[[中興大學校長薛富盛]]
“大學在校園裡面就有自然史博物館，我們非常高興，也非常樂意跟大家分享資源”

與在地連結的，有這隻二級保育類動物，鼋，2018年，在台中市豐樂雕塑公園的水池內被發現，過世之後骨架受到完整保存。興大自然史博物館，開放給民眾參觀，但採預約制，民眾請提前打電話到生命科學系洽詢。

Taiwan’s recurve mixed team wins gold at 2022 Archery World Cup Stage 4

2022-07-25

Video tells life story of Chen Chi-tsun, wood sculptor and Living National Treasure

2022-07-25

Taitung road safety experts hold contest to crown slowest scooter rider

Road safety experts in Taitung recently held a contest to find the slowest scooter rider. That’s right, contestants had to take as long as possible to complete the “race.” The winning contestant managed to spend a good 32 seconds on just 15 meters of road. The tournament aimed to encourage riders to take riding lessons, building skills and improving road safety. Never say safety and fun don’t go hand in hand.

A student rides a motorbike down a thin green strip, wobbling to and fro. Pressing carefully on the accelerator, but steadying with the brake, is the way to maintain balance. Hitting a black line is a no-no. This is the Straight Line Balance Scooter Riding Championship at Taitung Motor Vehicles Supervision Station, where students are duking it out for the title of slowest rider.

The champion managed to take 30 whole seconds to complete the line. The audience demanded an encore. You can see how he’s holding his breath as he sways side to side, continuously joggling the accelerator pedal. In the end he broke his own record and managed a new score of 32 seconds for a 15-meter “race.”

Lu Shao-cheng
Champion scooter rider
You have to relax but hold your breath. You have to grip the brake well, keep balanced and use your core.

The station organized this slow-riding contest to encourage people to brush up their riding skills in proper classes, with professional instruction from experts. Contestants had to ride as slowly as possible down a 15-meter strip just 30 centimeters wide. The prize was NT$5,000 cash and lots of students tried their luck. But riding slowly requires a steady hand. It can be harder than riding fast. This rider was braking too much, making his whole bike shudder along, ending with a wail of frustration.

Hsiao Chang-ching
Taitung Motorbike Racing Association
The front wheel should be nice and full, and the back broad, to be stable. Then it depends on your physical coordination. If you have that you’ll probably do great, you can get it to stop on a short line like this.

This unique contest was both a way to get scooter riders up to speed – or down to speed? – and to blow off some steam in the summer sun.

2022-07-25

Northern Taiwan halts for 30 minutes for Wanan air defense drills

2022-07-25

CDC orders monkeypox medication as WHO declares disease global health emergency

The CDC has finalized an order for monkeypox medication, which could be delivered to Taiwan as early as next month. So far Taiwan has reported just two cases of the disease, both imported. But on Sunday, the World Health Organization declared the disease a global health emergency.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
WHO secretary-general
I have decided that the global monkeypox outbreak represents a public health emergency of international concern.

The WHO has officially designated monkeypox as a public health emergency of international concern, after cases have been confirmed in more than 70 countries. So far Taiwan has reported just two cases of the disease, both imported. But to be prepared, the CDC has placed orders for monkeypox vaccines and treatments. An order for oral drugs has already been finalized, and could be delivered as early as next month.

Huang Li-min
NTU Children’s Hospital
This prevents the monkeypox virus from reproducing inside cells. It makes the virus less effective at reproducing. That prevents infection to another person and also makes symptoms milder for the patient.

Tecovirimat can be used to treat smallpox, monkeypox and cowpox. It disrupts the proteins on the surface of the virus, inhibiting its normal reproduction. It can be used in adults and on children weighing at least 13 kilograms. It is available as an oral drug or an intravenous injection. Taiwan’s purchase is for the oral form, and could be delivered as early as August.

With border controls easing, the number of people entering Taiwan is growing. Doctors say that the current regulations won’t stop monkeypox from entering Taiwan, as the disease spreads by close contact between people.

Huang Li-min
NTU Children’s Hospital
Monkeypox has a long incubation period, and it’s hard to tell when symptoms start. The current 3+4 quarantine model won’t stop it from entering Taiwan. In the future, more people will be able to travel to Taiwan. That means that the chances of someone with monkeypox entering will be higher.

Wu Chang-teng
Chang Gung Memorial Hospital
In terms of border controls, imposing quarantines on people suspected of having monkeypox is a very important measure. For now, it seems that most patients got infected during sex.

Globally, the number of infections is growing most rapidly among people aged 20 to 50. Doctors say there is no need to be overly worried, just cautious.

2022-07-25

Taiwan reports 16,921 local COVID cases, confirms two cases of BA.5 subvariant

2022-07-25

Stampede of viewers check out a house up for auction at cheap price

The auction of a house in Tainan is attracting unprecedented attention. The old house will be sold off at a surprisingly cheap price. Officials are selling it to write off the debts of its late owner. But they’re amazed that hundreds of people have come out to view the property. In today’s market, a good house at a low price is bound to cause a stampede.

What building could attract so much interest? People have come here all the way from Taipei just to see this house on an alleyway off Tainan’s You’ai Street. Its upcoming auction has caused a real stir.

Member of public
My little sister likes Tainan, so she thinks there are old houses near here, and the pace of life is good, so she’s planning to retire here.

Member of public
I make art. I’d get people to come here to see it and drink coffee. My daughter-in-law makes coffee.

The two-story house is about 60 years old. The previous owner died a long time ago with no heirs but more than NT$10,000 of unpaid land tax bills. The Administrative Enforcement Agency has decided to auction off the building to cover the debt. But at the low price of less than NT$4 million, it’s attracted a storm of attention.

Chang Jung-cheh
Administrative Enforcement Agency
It’s being auctioned cheaply at NT$3.76 million. Over the course of one morning, 110 groups of viewers came to see the house.

Lin Wen-po
Real estate agent
What’s caused this massive influx of people viewing the house is the explosion in people doing rental accommodation recently, and the development of creative business travel.

Although tucked away in an alleyway, the house is in an iconic part of Tainan city center, making it hot property. But all this interest might drive the price up.

Member of public
There are so many people viewing the house. It will probably be hard to win it. There are so many people, the chances are very low. The winning bid will be on a knife edge. It won’t be pretty.

The real estate agent warns that the old house needs attention. Renovations won’t be cheap. The buyer will need some savings ready.

2022-07-25

June food and drink revenue grows by 61.7% from last year

2022-07-25

Central bank may hold interim meeting as Fed readies rate hike

The Fed is preparing to raise interest rates this week, in a response to record-high inflation. Taiwan may follow suit and raise its own rates, but when and by how much will depend on U.S. action. One analyst says the board of directors of Taiwan’s central bank may hold an interim meeting if the U.S. raises its rates by 1 percentage point.

Impacted by world events, inflation in the U.S. reached 9.1% in June – a 41-year record high. The situation has people watching closely as the U.S. Federal Reserve readies a large rate hike.

Chang Chuan-yi
Taiwan Institute of Economic Research
If the U.S. raises rates by 1 percentage point, then we’ll have to watch what the central bank governor does. I think we can’t rule out the possibility that the board of directors will hold an interim meeting. As for whether a rate hike can curb inflation, actually the impact will be limited. There appears to be pent-up demand, but overly pent-up demand can affect economic growth.

If the U.S. raises rates by 1 percentage point, the analyst believes the board of directors may hold an interim meeting. However, the analyst advised the central bank governor to avoid raising Taiwan’s own interest rates too much. He said that in the face of inflation, a sharp correction in the financial market coupled with the impact of the COVID epidemic could further reduce consumer demand. Already, the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research has adjusted Taiwan’s projected annual GDP growth downward to 3.81%, and the CPI upward to 2.95%. A number of uncertainties remain for the second half of the year.

Gordon Sun
Taiwan Institute of Economic Research
The U.S. has about 50 days worth of reserves left, and if its reserves are increased, the price of oil will rise sharply again. The way things look at present, if the three major economies – the U.S., the EU and China – continue to decline throughout the second half of the year, then that decline will likely continue. However, you may have noticed that worldwide nobody is saying there will be a recession this year. Everyone is saying a recession will come next year. For example, the U.S. inverted interest rates recently, and interest rate inversion is not immediately followed by recession. You’ll have to wait until next year for that to happen.

Some have speculated that if the U.S. raises its interest rate by only 0.75 percentage points, then Taiwan’s central bank is likely to wait until September to follow suit. The rate hike in the U.S. will also affect currency exchange rates. However, the extent of its impact will depend on what the Fed does this week.

2022-07-25

Analyst says US may shelve Pelosi visit as leverage for Biden-Xi talk

Debate continues over whether U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will visit Taiwan in August. Reports had indicated she was planning a Taiwan trip, prompting protests from China, which has also threatened consequences. One analyst says the Biden administration may cancel the trip to improve its leverage in upcoming talks with Beijing. Meanwhile, former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on social media that he’d be willing to join Pelosi to Taiwan should the visit go ahead.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo could soon visit Taiwan for a second time. On Twitter, the former secretary tagged U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, saying, “Nancy, I’’ll go with you. I’’m banned in China, but not freedom-loving Taiwan. See you there!” Pompeo’s support for Pelosi’s Taiwan visit came after Beijing expressed fierce opposition to the planned trip, putting the U.S. in a dilemma.

Joe Biden
US president
The military thinks it’s not a good idea right now, but I don’t know what the status of it is.

Nancy Pelosi
US House speaker
My travel plans – it’s a security issue. If we’re going to have a discussion about that, I think that it’s important for us to show support for Taiwan. I think what the president was saying is, maybe the military was afraid our plane would get shot down, or something like that, by the Chinese. I don’t know exactly. I didn’t see it, and hear it.

China has expressed objections to the visit, and has said that if Pelosi’s trip goes through, it would take actions. A columnist at The Washington Post wrote that if Pelosi does visit Taiwan, the U.S. would likely dispatch aircraft carriers or fighter jets to provide air support for the military plane that would carry Pelosi.

Su Tzu-yun
Institute for National Defense and Security Research
It is impossible that Pelosi, who is second in line to the presidency, would be scared into changing her travel plans over Chinese threats. The U.S. Air Force’s fighter jets, its navy’s carriers and fighter jets, and its defensive positions throughout the region would ensure that its key personnel can travel freely and safely.

Several U.S. representatives have also voiced their support for Pelosi’’s visit to Taiwan in recent days. Some have encouraged Pelosi to speak out against the U.S.’ “One China” policy. However, one researcher said that with U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping due to hold a video conference in the coming days, and with China’s national congress on the horizon, the Pelosi visit comes at a sensitive time.

Arthur Ding
NCCU Graduate Institute of Asian Studies
The U.S. government may have some expectations of China they hope to bring to the table, which would be totally shelved if Pelosi visits Taiwan.

Su Tzu-yun
Institute for National Defense and Security Research
I think China will face a strong backlash, and its attitude is not that of a responsible power. It is just confirming the so-called China threat theory.

Pelosi has been a force behind many Taiwan-friendly laws in the U.S., and has spared no effort to strengthen Taiwan-U.S. ties. She’s also been vocal on the need to assist Taiwan in developing its asymmetric warfare capabilities. A visit to Taiwan by Pelosi would send a strong signal on U.S. support for Taiwan’s democracy. Though detractors say a visit at this sensitive time could also worsen an already tense situation.

2022-07-25