Maroc - TAIWANTODAY.TW - Taiwan Review - 01/Jul 00:00

Snapshots July/August 2024

Lai, Hsiao sworn in as 16th-term ROC (Taiwan) president, vice president Lai Ching-te (賴清德) and Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) were sworn in as the 16th-term ROC (Taiwan) president and vice president, respectively, May 20 in Taipei City, with Lai pledging to create a democratic, peaceful and prosperous future for the country’s 23 million people. In his inauguration speech, Lai outlined the new administration’s national development blueprint, which focuses on the advancement of the semiconductor, artificial intelligence, military, security and surveillance, and next-generation communication sectors while aiming to foster an even better business environment for inclusive growth. Building on the legacy of former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), Lai said the government will unite all segments of society with a steadfast and responsible approach and policies that prioritize the needs of the people. MOFA thanks WHA attendees for promoting Taiwan’s participation The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed gratitude to the countries that spoke up for Taiwan on the second day of the World Health Assembly’s 77th meeting. Canada, Czechia, Estonia, Japan, Lithuania, Luxembourg and New Zealand voiced their support through direct mentions of Taiwan, while Israel and Latvia more generally emphasized the importance of total inclusion, the MOFA said, adding that allies holding membership in the World Health Organization had already called for Taiwan’s participation. President Lai receives US bipartisan senate delegation President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) received a bipartisan delegation from the U.S. Senate at the Presidential Office May 29 in Taipei City. The 16-member group was led by Tammy Duckworth and comprises fellow lawmakers Dan Sullivan, Chris Coons and Laphonza Butler, as well as accompanying staff, the PO said. Lai praised the senators for deepening Taiwan-U.S. relations, citing their support for legislation such as the annual National Defense Authorization Act and the recently passed Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriation Act, which include initiatives and resources related to Taiwan. Their visit demonstrates the strong partnership between the two sides and is sincerely appreciated by the government and people, he added. MOFA thanks US president, US State Department, Formosa Club for supporting cross-strait peace The unwavering support for cross-strait peace and stability recently expressed by U.S. President Joe Biden, the U.S. Department of State and members of the Formosa Club is deeply appreciated by the government and people of Taiwan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said May 26. Biden reaffirmed the U.S. stance during a speech May 25, while the State Department issued a statement the same day to express concern over China’s military drills in the Taiwan Strait and around Taiwan that took place three days after Taiwan’s new government took office May 20. A document expressing similar sentiments was issued May 24 by co-chairs of the Formosa Club from Canada, the European Parliament and several European countries. It also praised Taiwan’s contributions to global health and called on the World Health Organization to reconsider the country’s meaningful participation in the 77th World Health Assembly to prioritize the well-being of all, regardless of geopolitical boundaries. Taiwan reiterates commitment to joining WHO, WHA The government of Taiwan urged the World Health Organization to heed the call of its 23 million people to let the country join the U.N. special agency and attend its decision-making body the World Health Assembly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. MOFA Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) and Minister of Health and Welfare Chiu Tai-yuan (邱泰源) made the remarks at a news conference in Taipei City prior to the 77th WHA May 27 to June 1 in Geneva. According to Lin, Taiwan is willing and able to contribute to the global health network, citing as examples the country’s provision of humanitarian assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic; war and natural disaster aid in Ukraine and Syria; and its world-leading national health insurance and public health achievements. MOFA urges China to stop escalating regional tensions The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for China to exert self-restraint and cease any aggression that could jeopardize cross-strait peace and stability May 23 following China’s launch of the two-day Joint Sword-2024A military exercise around Taiwan. According to the MOFA, there is consensus in the international community on the importance of maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait. Despite rising global concern, China has repeatedly attempted to unilaterally change the status quo and jeopardized regional security, the ministry said. A recent survey conducted by Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council revealed that 92. 6 percent of respondents disapprove of China’s continuous military incursions into airspace and waters surrounding Taiwan. Beijing should recognize that the people’s hearts cannot be won through intimidation and that continued coercion will only escalate tensions between the two sides, the MAC said, urging China to engage in dialogue with Taiwan’s democratically elected government to seek mutually beneficial solutions. Premier Cho pledges to lead Cabinet with innovative thinking The government will strive to spur economic development and expand the social safety net, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said May 20. During his inauguration at the Executive Yuan, the new premier said his Cabinet will prioritize cyber, food, housing, public, road, and school safety while tackling crime. Cho also pledged to continue promoting digital transformation and the transition to net-zero carbon emissions, adding that the Cabinet will cooperate with the legislative branch to implement policies for the benefit of the country and its people. Taipower, EPRI sign MOU to promote net-zero goals The Ministry of Economic Affairs announced that Taiwan energy provider Taipower signed a memorandum of understanding with U.S.-based Electric Power Research Institute May 30 in Taipei City, underscoring the government’s dedication to advancing net-zero emission goals. The pact was signed by Taipower Acting Chair Tseng Wen-sheng (曾文生) and EPRI President and CEO Arshad Mansoor prior to the one-day 2024 TPC-EPRI Forum: Empowering Economy-wide Decarbonization in Taiwan, which was attended by local academics, government officials and industrial sector representatives. Under the agreement, Taipower will conduct research projects with EPRI on net-zero strategy, energy hub planning and carbon capture demonstration areas and will become a member of EPRI’s Low Carbon Resources Initiative, the MOEA said. MODA Minister Huang unveils digital development strategy Newly sworn-in Minister of Digital Affairs Huang Yen-nun (黃彥男) vowed to fight fraud, strengthen digital resilience and develop the digital economy during his tenure in office. Speaking at a media event May 28 in Taipei City, Huang promised to increase budgets for R&D and combating cybercrime. An artificial intelligence network for reporting online fraud is also in the works, he added. The ministry plans to bolster the resilience of domestic communication systems to prevent large-scale outages due to internet malfunctions and natural or human-caused disasters while expanding investment in AI, software and information security to turn the digital economy into a trillion-dollar industry by 2026, Huang said. Taiwan seeks to join CPTPP at APEC meeting Taiwan is committed to implementing stricter trade standards to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership while urging Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation member economies to address the issue of unfair trade competition, according to Minister without Portfolio Yang Jen-ni (楊珍妮). Yang made the remarks at the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting held May 17-18 in Arequipa, Peru. According to the Executive Yuan, Yang proposed that APEC’s economic integration initiatives include regulations for environment, labor and state-owned businesses to combat trade distortions caused by nonmarket economies violating fair competition. Such action will also allow the envisaged Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific to play a role in investment promotion as well as enhancing the region’s well-being, the EY added. NSTC launches chip-based industrial innovation office An office to promote the Taiwan Chip-Based Industrial Innovation Program was launched by the National Science and Technology Council May 7 in Taipei City, highlighting government intentions to advance technical prowess over the next decade. Approved by the Executive Yuan last year, the program will receive government funding totaling NT$300 billion (US$9.25 billion) between 2024 and 2033. It will focus on four areas: integrating generative artificial intelligence with chip manufacturing, improving personnel cultivation, accelerating breakthroughs in innovation technologies such as IC design, and attracting international startups and investment. According to the NSTC, the office’s tasks include observing and analyzing major semiconductor operations around the world. It will conduct research and analysis on the four major areas and provide recommendations to adjust overall strategic planning on a rolling basis. MOA optimistic about agricultural cooperation with Lithuania  The second agricultural cooperative dialogue between Taiwan and Lithuania was staged online and in person May 6, underscoring the countries’ commitment to deepening agricultural trade and technology exchanges, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. This year’s meeting focused on joint low-carbon farming and plant breeding, with the two sides sharing methods for implementing sustainable agriculture, the ministry said. The first such exchange came after the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two nations in June 2023, the ministry said, adding that the partnership has since propelled considerable mutual export growth. The cooperation has facilitated Taiwan’s access to the European market even as it has given Lithuanian goods an entry to the Indo-Pacific. Taiwan, US conclude new round of trade negotiations Taiwan and the U.S. concluded an in-person negotiating round for the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade May 3 in Taipei City, highlighting the two sides’ commitment to advancing economic and trade cooperation. According to the Executive Yuan, Yang Jen-ni (楊珍妮), deputy trade representative of the Office of Trade Negotiations, led the Taiwan delegation in the talks. Representatives exchanged views on proposed texts spanning agriculture, labor and the environment, the EY said, adding that a cross-party group from the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate participated in the conferences and exchanged views with the OTN. 60th APEC EGNRET meeting held in Kaohsiung The 60th meeting of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation’s Expert Group on New and Renewable Energy Technologies took place April 24-25 in the southern city of Kaohsiung, spotlighting member economies’ joint commitment to sustainable development. Hosted by the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ Energy Administration in a hybrid in-person and online format, this year’s forum brought together representatives from member economies Taiwan, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Russia, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and the United States; seven APEC groups including the Energy Working Group and the Expert Group on Clean Fossil Energy; and non-APEC organizations such as the International Energy Agency and the International Renewable Energy Agency. According to the MOEA, Taiwan has pledged to collaborate with fellow members and the international community to fulfill APEC’s goal of doubling the percentage of energy generated from renewable sources in the region by 2030. LY approves amendments allowing exclusive use of Indigenous names Amendments to the Name Act were passed by the Legislative Yuan May 14, allowing Indigenous people to use names in their own language without Chinese names, according to the Ministry of the Interior. The amendments lifted current legal requirements that stipulate an Indigenous person’s name should be registered in Chinese characters only or together with a Romanized form of their Indigenous name, the MOI said. Legally, any person can change their name up to three times, but changing names due to Indigenous heritage will no longer count as one of the permitted number of changes. The amendments provide legal protection for Indigenous cultures and customs, in which language plays a key part, MOI Minister Lin Yu-chang (林右昌) said, adding that the ministry will continue to encourage these groups to preserve their identities. Taiwan moves up to 27th in 2024 World Press Freedom Index Taiwan climbed eight spots to 27th in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index released May 3 by France-based Reporters Without Borders in honor of World Press Freedom Day. On a scale of 0 to 100, Taiwan scored 76.13, an increase of 0.59 points from 2023. This placed it among the 37 countries rated as having a “satisfactory” media environment in the annual survey of 180 countries and territories. Taiwan finished fourth in the Asia-Pacific, behind New Zealand in 19th, Timor-Leste in 20th and Samoa in 22nd. It came ahead of Australia, 39th; South Korea, 62nd; Japan, 70th; Malaysia, 107th; Singapore, 126th; Hong Kong, 135th; and China, 172nd. Taiwan joins international personal data protection framework The National Development Council’s application for admission into the Global Cooperation Arrangement for Privacy Enforcement has been approved, highlighting the government’s commitment to protecting personal data. The Cabinet-level council expressed eagerness to collaborate with fellow Global CAPE members to promote transnational enforcement of data protection and privacy laws. According to the NDC, as a founding member of the Global Cross-Border Privacy Rules Forum, Taiwan is devoted to facilitating the flow of trusted data and reducing unnecessary barriers for digital trade. As the global digitalization trend grows, the demand for cross-border data transmission has increased and the encroachment on personal data often involves overseas factors, the council said, adding that multinational cooperation is required to effectively combat illegal activities. MOU on educational cooperation inked by Taiwan, Japan University coalitions from Taiwan and Japan concluded a memorandum of understanding on educational cooperation April 22 in Fukuoka, marking another milestone in the bilateral partnership, according to the Ministry of Education. The agreement was signed by Chen Wen-chang (陳文章), president of Taipei City-based National Taiwan University, and his counterpart Tatsuro Ishibashi of Fukuoka’s Kyushu University and laid out points of collaboration between the University Academic Alliance in Taiwan and the Kyushu-Okinawa Open University. Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Education Minister Lio Mon-chi (劉孟奇) said cooperation between UAAT and KOOU will pave the way for student exchanges and research cooperation, adding that the ministry will provide NT$50 million (US$1.5 million) annually through 2028 to promote programs including dual degrees, Mandarin courses, overseas research and international academic-industry collaboration. 2024 World Indigenous Tourism Summit wraps up in Kaohsiung The 2024 World Indigenous Tourism Summit held its closing ceremony April 18 at the Kaohsiung Exhibition Center in the southern Taiwan city, according to the Council of Indigenous Peoples. The three-day summit, which featured two keynote speeches, four forum topics and six group discussions, attracted over 600 participants from 27 countries and territories. Prominent attendees included CIP Minister Icyang Parod and representatives from Austronesian Forum member countries and the World Indigenous Tourism Alliance. According to the CIP, the fruitful multilateral dialogue led to the formulation of six cooperative goals for Indigenous tourism. Following the closing ceremony, participants visited local tribes to experience the diverse lifestyles of Taiwan’s Indigenous groups and gain insight into how each tribe stimulates tourism, the CIP said. Taiwan to be 1st guest of honor country at Festival Off Avignon Taiwan will feature as the first-ever guest of honor country at the 58th Festival Off Avignon taking place July 3-21 in southeastern France, the Ministry of Culture said May 16. According to the MOC, the country will showcase its cultural diversity and vitality through activities such as film screenings, local food tastings, promotions of Taiwan’s published works and visual arts exhibitions. The country’s contribution to French photographer JR’s Inside Out Project, which solicits group action from communities around the world, will also be on display. The MOC has selected groups to participate in each festival since 2007. Those chosen for this year’s edition are Chun Dance, Eye Catching Circus, Resident Island Dance Theatre and Shinehouse Theatre, the ministry said. Taiwan-supported productions shine at Cannes Six films co-produced by Taiwan were selected for the 77th Cannes Film Festival and several more for its associated market underway until late May, according to the Ministry of Culture’s Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA). The shortlisted films in competition are “Colored,” “Locust” and “The Shameless,” while “Missing Pictures: Naomi Kawase,” “Mongrel” and “Rendez-Vous Avec Pol Pot” are to be screened in noncompetitive programs. The TAICCA set up a Taiwan Pavilion for the Marche du Film, the Cannes film market, to present over 100 homegrown works, the agency said. The market is also home to Shoot the Book!, which saw four novels from Taiwan shortlisted for the initiative that facilitates the transformation of literary works into films. Contemporary Taiwan films to screen in Spain A total of six movies from Taiwan will screen May 16-18 at Cinemes Girona in Barcelona for a festival titled “Taiwan Stories From Within,” the Ministry of Culture said. Co-organized by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Spain’s Cultural Division and independent curators Catarina Brites Soares and Miquel Martí Freixas, the event will feature “A Journey in Spring,” “Moneyboys,” “Temporary,” “Terra Nullius or: How to Be a Nationalist,” “The Clock” and “The Pig.” According to the curators, the festival will showcase works produced over the past decade by emerging directors in a variety of genres, with a particular emphasis on the perspectives of female directors to help audiences gain a deeper understanding of Taiwan’s society. Taiwan takes center stage at NewImages Festival in Paris Four films independently or jointly produced by Taiwan entities are shortlisted for the XR Competition at the NewImages Festival in Paris, giving the country the largest representation in the category, according to the Taiwan Creative Content Agency April 23. Works vying for the top prize are “The Eye and I” by Huang Hsin-chien (黃心健); “Over the Rainbow” by Riverbed Theatre; “Traversing the Mist” by Very Theatre; and “Mirror” by Wu De-chuen (吳德淳), Mandala Films and Longwell TV Production Inc. The films are competing with 11 other productions screening April 24-28, with the winner to be announced April 27. Innovative XR work shortlisted for Cannes Film Festival’s Immersive Competition Extended reality film “Traversing the Mist” was shortlisted April 23 in the inaugural competition for Best Immersive Work at the 77th Cannes Film Festival. Directed by Chou Tung-yen (周東彥), the piece uses augmented, mixed and virtual reality to invite the audience on a surreal journey. With 6DoF technology, which refers to six degrees of movement, it gives participants the opportunity to explore a virtual gay sauna and ponder questions of love and loneliness. The Taiwan-produced film competes with seven other productions, all of which will be presented to festival attendees from May 15-24, with the result slated to be announced May 23. It premiered at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam in 2023 and is also being shown at this year’s NewImages Festival in France. Photos: Chen Mei-ling, Chin Hung-hao, Executive Yuan, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Digital Affairs, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Development Council, National Science and Technology Council, Reporters Without Borders and Taiwan Creative Content Agenc