Taipei Liaison Office in the RSA SA- eNews NOVEMBER 26TH, 2018 PUBLISHER: MATTHEW CHOU ISSUE 11

“I, and the South African Government, have enormous appreciation for the contribution that the Government of the Republic of (Taiwan) has made to the commitment of the Government sector in the economic development in Africa. The ROC (Taiwan) further, made a generous and much appreciated contribution to South Africa's transition to democracy.” Statement by President Nelson Mandela—27 November 1996 Tsai Inaugurates National Communications and Cyber Security Centre in Taipei

President Tsai Ing-wen inaugurated in areas spanning network security the National Communications and management and related collabora- Cyber Security Centre (NCCSC) in tion with international partners. Taipei City, describing the facility as a milestone in government efforts to To promote information security and safeguard the country’s information the development of Taiwan’s digital infrastructure. economy, Tsai instructed all relevant agencies, including the NCC and the The nation is facing complex and President Tsai Ing-wen (second National Security Council, to coordi- diverse cyber security threats, Tsai left) is joined by NSC Secretary- nate public sector measures in fast- said. Through detecting, analysing General David Tawei Lee (left) in tracking implementation of protec- and responding to such challenges, tion mechanisms. inaugurating the National Com- the centre will provide a robust line of defence for Taiwan’s critical com- munications and Cyber Security But such frontline efforts would be munications networks, she added. Centre in Taipei City. (CNA) incomplete without garnering the input of experts from business and According to the president, informa- security capabilities have emerged nongovernmental organisations, the tion security is at the heart of na- as a crucial gauge of national com- president said. In view of this, the tional security and development, petitiveness, Tsai said. The establish- NCCSC will also promote cross-sector since fortified data systems are es- ment of the centre demonstrates consultation and support talent cul- sential for protecting vital infrastruc- Taiwan’s commitment to ensuring a tivation programs to ensure Taiwan ture, boosting the digital economy, safe and responsive information has the technical and human re- fostering cutting-edge sectors and technology environment, she added. sources required for effective cyber promoting online governance. security and digital develop- Operating under the Cabinet-level ment. (Source: Taiwan Today) With the digital economy expected National Communications Commis- to drive growth across borders and sion (NCC), the NCCSC is tasked with industries in coming years, cyber spearheading government initiatives

Left: MOFA Department of International Cooperation and Economic Affairs Deputy Director- General Tsai Yun-chung (right), TAITRA Executive Vice President Leonor F. M. Lin (sixth left) and other officials and business representatives at the Africa Business Forum in Taipei City. (Courtesy of TAITRA) Centre: Ms. Feng Chu SHIH Kuo (4th on the left), Honorary President of the Global Fed- eration of Chinese Business Women, leads a delegation of members to call on Mr. Mattew Chou (centre position), Representative of the Taipei Liaison Office in the Republic of South Africa. Right: Minister of Culture Cheng Li-chiun (left) presents pottery artist Sun Chao (centre) with the Na- tional Craft Achievement Award in Taipei City. The 89-year-old was honoured for his lifelong dedi- cation to producing crystalline glaze creations. (Courtesy of Ministry of Culture) ISSUE 11

SA-TAIWAN ENEWS Headline News Page 2 MOFA Video Spotlights Taiwan’s Merits as Partner for Combating Climate Change moting sustainable development. Launched in 2016, the TaiwanICDF initia- Shot on location in Myanmar and subti- tive erected solar minigrid systems in tled in nine languages including English, rural communities of Myanmar’s Sagaing Japanese, French, Vietnamese and Indo- and Magway regions. According to the nesian, the two-minute video explores nation’s foremost foreign aid organisa- Taiwan’s efforts to provide clean energy tion, some 560 households have bene- in remote areas of the Southeast Asian fited from these efforts. country. The project is one of numerous sustain- The film is narrated by 8-year-old able development programs enacted by Hemyantong and charts how his life has TaiwanICDF in diplomatic allies and part- The short film “A Promise to the changed since the International Coopera- ner nations around the globe. Its ongoing Land” highlights Taiwan’s commit- tion and Development Fund aid work in the Asia-Pacific, Africa, Latin ment to combating climate change (TaiwanICDF) installed a solar power America and the Caribbean spans such and promoting sustainable develop- system in his home village of Larkar in areas as agriculture, clean energy, educa- ment by examining a TaiwanICDF Sagaing Region. tion, food safety and health care. project to provide clean energy in

rural Myanmar. (MOFA) According to the MOFA, the video show- “A Promise to the Land” is part of a The short film “A Promise to the Land” cases Taiwan’s commitment to promot- MOFA campaign themed Combating Cli- was released on the Ministry of Foreign ing environmental protection and sus- mate Change: Taiwan Can Help aimed at Affairs (MOFA)-backed Trending Taiwan tainable growth around the world highlighting Taiwan’s desire and ability to YouTube channel to spotlight the na- through sharing its development and participate in the U.N. Framework Con- tion’s merits as a valuable global partner technological expertise. vention on Climate Change. (Source: in combating climate change and pro- Taiwan Today) Premier Lai Lauds Results of Taiwan’s APEC Participation Participation in the Asia-Pacific Economic A key plank in Tsai’s national develop- Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ ment strategy, the NSP is enhancing Tai- Meeting in Papua New Guinea helped wan’s agricultural, business, cultural, spotlight Taiwan’s contributions to re- education, tourism and trade ties with gional development across such areas as the 10 Association of Southeast Asian digital connectivity and inclusive growth, Nations member states, six South Asian according to Premier Lai Ching-te. countries, Australia and New Zealand.

After a Cabinet briefing on Taiwan’s This initiative is firmly in line with APEC’s achievements at the summit, Lai praised people centric development agenda, Lai the delegation led by Morris Chang, rep- said, adding that he has instructed all Premier Lai Ching-te believes the resentative of President Tsai Ing-wen to relevant agencies to ramp up efforts to the event, for successfully conveying the strong performance of Taiwan’s dele- promote the NSP. nation’s past successes and future rec- gation to the recently concluded APEC ommendations in strengthening Asia- Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Papua Lai also reaffirmed Taiwan’s determina- Pacific trade integration and technologi- New Guinea helped advance the na- tion to join the second round of acces- cal collaboration. tion’s global image and visibility. sion talks for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific (CNA) These efforts boosted Taiwan’s global Partnership. With the pact expected to image and visibility, Lai said. Chang also go into effect at the end of this year, no took the opportunity to hold sidelines effort is being spared in canvassing sup- talks with U.S. Vice President Mike clearly expressed to the global commu- port for Taiwan’s participation through Pence, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo nity Taiwan’s commitment to expanding APEC activities, he said. (Source: Taiwan Abe and Singapore Prime Minister Lee mutually beneficial trade through bilat- Today) Hsien Loong on issues of mutual con- eral and multilateral mechanisms. It also cern, he added. highlighted key government measures in this regard such as the New Southbound According to the premier, the delegation Policy (NSP). ISSUE 11

SA-TAIWAN ENEWS Business and Economics Page 3

Taiwan Moves up 2 Spots to 13th in World Bank Doing Business Report Taiwan improved two spots to 13th government is enhancing Taiwan’s busi- among 190 economies worldwide and ness environment through such meas- fifth in the Asia-Pacific, according to the ures as easing regulations on company Doing Business 2019 report released by registration and recognition, and Washington-based World Bank. streamlining application procedures.

Scoring 80.9 out of 100, up 0.24 of a Regarding the categories in which Tai- point from the previous edition, Taiwan wan dropped back—getting credit and finished ahead of regional neighbours trading across borders—the NDC said it Malaysia, 15th; Australia, 18th; and Ja- will continue working closely with the pan, 39th, but trailed New Zealand, first; Taiwan is the 13th best economy glob- Financial Supervisory Commission and Singapore, second; , fourth; ally for doing business as assessed in a Ministry of Finance in fast-tracking re- and South Korea, fifth. report released Oct. 31 by the World forms related to movable property Bank. (Staff photo/Huang Chung-hsin) transactions, as well as import and ex- Of the report’s 10 assessment catego- port customs clearances. ries, Taiwan fared best in dealing with single window counter operated by construction permits at 87.11 for second Taipei City Government’s Construction First released in 2003, the annual report globally. It also performed well in getting Management Office, as well as strength- is widely considered a reliable measure electricity, 96.32 for eighth; and protect- ening minority investor protection via of how regulations affect small and me- ing minority investors, 75 for 15th. enhancing ownership and control struc- dium enterprises based on standardised tures in listed companies. case scenarios in the largest business Taiwan’s strong construction permit city of each economy. (Source: Taiwan showing was attributed by the World In response, the Cabinet-level National Today) Bank to improving the efficiency of the Development Council (NDC) said the

International Indigenous Economy Forum in Eastern Taiwan An international indigenous economy markets for indigenous enterprises in forum kicked off in eastern Taiwan’s agriculture, cultural and creative and Hualien County, bringing together 150 other sectors, while the latter high- local and foreign business representa- lighted the development of the aborigi- tives, experts and officials to discuss the nal cultural industry in his country. latest development insights, market op- portunities and policy approaches. At the workshops, panels of experts shone the spotlight on heir nations’ ex- Hosted by the Cabinet-level Council of periences and practices for building en- Indigenous Peoples (CIP) , the three-day trepreneurial ecosystems, fostering cul- event consisted of keynote speeches, CIP Deputy Minister Wang Ming-huey tural creativity and sharing agricultural workshops, visits to local enterprises, in New Taipei City. (Courtesy of CIP) and ecological knowledge. and a trade fair and matchmaking ses- sion. Foreign participants hailed from government’s New Southbound Policy Other activities at the forum included countries including Canada, Malaysia, (NSP), he added. fact-finding trips to businesses in Hualien New Zealand and Thailand. and neighbouring Yilan County. Partici- pants at the 2018 World Indigenous Speaking at a news conference in New Keynote addresses at the forum were Business Forum in New Zealand and the Taipei City, CIP Deputy Minister Wang delivered by Wang Si-meng, executive CIP Indigenous Tourism Trainee Program Ming-huey said the International Indige- vice president of the government- will also share their experi- nous Peoples Economic Development supported Taiwan External Trade Devel- ences. (Source: Taiwan Today) Forum spotlighted the vibrant culture opment Council (TAITRA), and Philip and business potential of Taiwan’s abo- Ducharm, director of innovation and riginal groups. The seminar also helped entrepreneurship at the Canadian Coun- deepen regional people-to-people and cil of Aboriginal Business. The former commercial connections in line with the shed light on how the NSP is forging new

ISSUE 11

SA-TAIWAN ENEWS Science & Technology Page 4

16 Taiwan Innovations Shortlisted for R&D 100 Awards ern Taiwan’s Hsinchu County. These in- net-level Atomic Energy Council; New clude automated gas leak recognition Taipei City-based Hua-Chuang Automo- technology and an unmanned aerial ve- bile Information Technical Centre Co. hicle police patrol system that coordi- Ltd.; and Taiwan Main Orthopaedics Bio- nates smart charging and UAV shift technology Co. Ltd. headquartered in the changes. central city of Taichung.

Equally impressive is ITRI’s portable ster- Established in 1973, ITRI is a government iliser that kills water-borne bacteria with -backed non-profit R&D body aimed at The Automatic Police UAV Patrol ultraviolet-C light-emitting diodes. The enhancing industrial competitiveness device is the world’s first solar-powered through conducting applied research and System is one of 16 Taiwan innova- flow-water steriliser designed for emer- providing technical services. Also sup- tions shortlisted for this year’s R&D gency use. ported by the government, III was 100 Awards. (Courtesy of ITRI) launched in 1979 to foster the informa- Among the four competing entries from tion technology sector by advising on A total of 16 Taiwan innovations are Taipei City-based Institute for Informa- public policymaking, promoting research shortlisted for the R&D 100 Awards, con- tion Industry is the Hybrid MassLINK Bus and training talent. tinuing the nation’s strong showing in Stop. The solar-powered system employs the competition widely recognised as the wide-area network transmission technol- First presented in 1963, the annual R&D Oscars of invention. ogy to provide real-time information for 100 Awards recognise revolutionary sci- bus services in remote locations. ence and technology innovations. This According to organiser U.S.-based R&D year’s winners will be honoured at a Magazine, eight of the entries were sub- The other local organisations with short- ceremony in the U.S. city of Orlando. mitted by Industrial Technology Research listed innovations are the Institute of (Source: Taiwan Today) Institute (ITRI) headquartered in north- Nuclear Energy Research under the Cabi-

MOST Workshop on Academia-Industry R&D Collaboration Wraps up in Taipei

search and Industry Alliance (GLORIA) RIA workshop aims to optimise Taiwan’s program, the event gathered some 150 strategies toward the realisation of this scholars and business leaders from home objective, he added. and abroad to explore tie-up opportuni- GLORIA is a R&D and talent cultivation ties in areas spanning artificial intelli- platform connecting an alliance of 18 gence, biotech, financial technology, Taiwan universities with local and for- green energy, semiconductors and smart eign enterprises. A total of 275 busi- machinery. nesses have joined the initiative since its launch in 2017. Keynote speakers included Yaron Attendees display placards showing Daniely, president and CEO of Yissum, According to Hsu, the program is ex- slogans and participating organisa- the technology commercialisation arm of pected to facilitate the training of 4,000 tions during a GLORIA workshop on the Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Taiwan talents and garner NT$4 billion cross-sector R&D collaboration in Brian Graves, acting managing director of (US$122.6 million) in investments by U.K.-headquartered Imperial Innova- 2021. Taipei City. (Courtesy of MOST) tions; and James A. Severson, CEO of U.S. -based Pinnacle Reach. In addition to the workshop, participants An international workshop on cross- also visited Taiwan Tech Arena and Na- sector R&D collaboration was staged in MOST Deputy Minister Hsu Yu-chin said tional Taiwan University of Science and Taipei City as part of broader govern- in his opening address that Taiwan is Technology in Taipei, as well as Hsinchu ment efforts to strengthen Taiwan’s re- committed to boosting innovation-based Biomedical Science Park and National search capabilities and industrial com- growth through enhancing technology Tsing Hua University in north-western petitiveness. transfer between the academic and com- Taiwan. (Source: Taiwan Today) mercial sectors. By fostering dialogue Organised under the Ministry of Science among local experts and counterparts and Technology’s (MOST) Global Re- from Israel, the U.K. and U.S., the GLO- ISSUE 11

SA-TAIWAN ENEWS Art and Culture Page 5 MOC International Forum to Spur Taiwan’s Cultural, Creative Industries gies, audiovisual media, digital art, music Program for the Application of Cultural festivals and online streaming. Content in Technology and Innovation. Launched in 2017, the initiative is a four- Those attending include Liu Szu-ming, year, NT$4.18 billion (US$134.9 million) vice president of New Taipei City-based endeavour aimed at supporting original HTC Corp’s virtual reality content centre; works and interdisciplinary projects. Peter Lewis, global head of sales and exhibitions at the U.S. conference and A public exhibition showcasing VR tech- festival organiser South by Southwest; as nology is being staged on the sidelines of well as Francois Klein, CEO of Digital Rise the seminar. Visitors can don headsets MOC Deputy Minister Ting Hsiao- Studio, a French video production com- that transport them to a pop concert or ching announces the launch of a two- pany. into a Qing dynasty era (1644-1911) day cultural and creative industries painting. (Source: Taiwan Today) forum running in Taipei City. MOC Deputy Minister Ting Hsiao-ching (Courtesy of MOC) said Taiwan has vibrant cultural and creative industries and has excelled in Leading figures in the cultural and crea- the animation, comics and gaming sec- tive industries from home and abroad tors. The ministry is committed to help- are meeting at a two-day forum in Taipei ing local businesses adapt to fast- City to share strategies on how to inject changing technological trends, she innovative ideas and practices into the added. sector. The conference, which is run by state- The Ministry of Culture (MOC)-organised backed Institute for Information Indus- event, called Culture x Tech Next, in- try, is part of the ministry’s efforts to cludes discussions on areas spanning support the development of more crea- augmented and virtual reality technolo- tive digital productions under its Flagship Taipei’s Baoan, Longshan Temples Upgraded to National Monuments tional level provides access to central Longshan Temple, constructed in 1738, government funding of up to 95 percent houses a mixture of Buddhist and Taoist of expenses for restoration work. The deities. It has undergone numerous MOC’s Bureau of Cultural Heritage will renovations after being damaged by now oversee the temples, the ministry earthquakes, fires and most recently said. World War II bombing raids.

According to MOC Minister Cheng Li- According to the bureau, there are more chiun, who visited the two temples to than 920 locally and nationally desig- officially confer the new statuses, Baoan nated monuments in Taiwan. The up- and Longshan are valuable assets owing grading of Baoan and Longshan temples Monga Longshan Temple in Taipei to their rich architecture and decorative means that 100 of these fall under cen- City is a national level monument work, as well as the religious and social tral government jurisdiction. (Source: after being upgraded by the MOC. roles they play in local communities. The Taiwan Today) (Courtesy of MOC) heritage sites are also important tourist attractions for overseas visitors, Cheng added. Dalongdong Baoan and Monga Longshan temples in Taipei City were designated Built in 1830, Baoan is a Taoist temple national monuments by the Ministry of whose main deity is Baosheng, the God Culture (MOC), reflecting their rich his- of Medicine. The temple was awarded a torical and cultural value. UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation in 2003 following Under the Cultural Heritage Preservation a large-scale restoration project. Act, the upgrade from municipal to na- ISSUE 11

SA-TAIWAN ENEWS Medical & health care Page 6 VP Chen Stresses Stronger Regional Links at Global Health Forum meeting brought 1,200 officials and aca- Australia and New Zealand. demics from 34 countries and territories like Australia, Japan, Malaysia and the U.S. Six medical centres are being opened un- der the program in India, Indonesia, Malay- Touting Taiwan’s world-renowned National sia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam Health Insurance system with close to 100 to train local professionals and set up a percent coverage, the vice president said comprehensive regional health care sys- the nation is committed to working with tem. like-minded partners to solve global health challenges. He cited the country’s collabo- The vice president said challenges such as Vice President Chen Chien-jen (front, ration with the U.S. through the Global aging populations and chronic diseases centre), MOHW Minister Chen Shih- Cooperation and Training Framework in mean that establishing fully universal chung (sixth right) and MOFA Deputy holding six workshops on the prevention of health care and social welfare systems are Minister Hsu Szu-chien (sixth left) at epidemics, including dengue fever, Ebola an urgent priority for all countries. and Zika. the Global Health Forum in Taiwan in With Taiwan expected to become a super- Taipei City. (Courtesy of MOHW) As a regional leader in health care, Taiwan aged society with 20 percent of the popu- unveiled a medical cooperation and indus- lation aged 65 years or older by 2026, Chen Taiwan is a vital member of the global pub- trial development program under the New said the country is focused on rolling out lic health community and is dedicated to Southbound Policy in June aimed at sharing its Long-term Care Plan 2.0. The program, deepening medical and industrial links with the country’s expertise while bolstering which utilises public and private resources, Asia-Pacific countries, Vice President Chen industrial ties with target countries, Chen involves establishing a community-based Chien-jen said. said. service network by integrating medical care, long-term care and preventative Chen was speaking at the two-day Global A key plank in the government’s national health care resources. Health Forum in Taiwan themed Resilience: development strategy, the NSP seeks to New Challenges and Opportunities for deepen Taiwan’s agricultural, business, First launched in 2005, the annual forum is Global Health that discussed issues span- education, tourism and trade ties with the organised by the Ministries of Foreign Af- ning ageing societies, chronic diseases and 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations fairs and Health and Welfare. (Source: natural disaster response. The two-day member states, six South Asian countries, Taiwan Today)

Taiwan Launches Initiative to Nurture Plant Doctors for Eco-Agriculture A plant teaching hospital was inaugu- A total of 21 interns have been dis- rated at National Taiwan University patched to townships across Taiwan at (NTU), marking another step forward the request of farmers’ associations towards the institutionalisation of and local governments, Chen added. plant doctor cultivation in Taiwan. With the backing from professional teams, these interns will ensure prob- In line with the government’s objective lems encountered at various agricul- to halve the use of agricultural pesti- tural districts are adequately addressed cides in ten years as part of its eco- without threatening the ecosystems, vision, effort is being invested to draft CNA quoted him. NTU plants teaching hospital inaugu- a regulation governing the training of experts in botany, agronomy, horticul- rated (Photo Bureau of Animal and The program, a significant part of it ture, soil and environmental sciences, Plant Health Inspection and Quaran- drawing on the expertise from NTU said the Council of Agriculture. tine College of Bio-Resources and Agricul- ture, provides assistance in crop dis- Apart from NTU, National Chung Hsing ease and pest diagnosis, pesticide ap- to plants, reported CNA. University, National Chiayi University, plication advice, and crop manage- National Pingtung University of Science ment, as well as garden pest control and Technology, National Ilan Univer- As many as 400 plant professionals are consultation, reckoned Bureau of Ani- sity and National Taitung University expected to be ready to offer relevant mal and Plant Health Inspection and have established or are mulling estab- services through the initiative in four Quarantine.(Source: Taiwan News) lishing departments dedicated to re- to five years, pointed out Chen Hong- lated sciences, aimed to nurture talent bo of the Bureau of Animal and Plant in the field to provide medical services Health Inspection and Quarantine. ISSUE 11

SA-TAIWAN ENEWS Entertainment Page 7 55th Golden Horse Awards Ceremony Staged in Taipei Organised by Taipei Golden Horse Film Best Feature Film went to four-hour Festival Executive Committee and drama “An Elephant Sitting Still” from chaired by two-time Academy Award- China directed by the late Hu Bo. Martial winning director Ang Lee, Taiwan’s an- arts feature “Shadow” collected the swer to the Oscars attracted a record most awards: Best Director for Zhang 667 submissions this year. Yimou as well as the honours for art di- rection, makeup and costume design, Taiwan’s Hsieh Ying-xuan claimed Best and visual effects. Leading Actress for her portrayal of an insecure housewife in “Dear Ex.” The Xu Zheng from China, who played a man black comedy also won the honours for smuggling cancer drugs in blockbuster Taiwan child actor Chung Chia-chun Best Film Editing and Best Original Film “Dying to Survive,” won Best Leading jumps with joy after receiving the Song. Actor, while Hong Kong performer Ben trophy for Best New Performer at the Yuen’s role as a transgender Cantonese 55th Golden Horse Awards in Taipei Local artists took home two more tro- opera singer in the drama “Tracey” phies, with Ding Ning named Best Sup- earned him Best Supporting Ac- City. (CNA) porting Actress for her role as a gangster tor. (Source: Taiwan Today) in “Cities of Last Things,” while 14-year- The 55th Golden Horse Awards took old Chung Chia-chun from the Tao in- place in Taipei City, honouring the finest digenous group bagged Best New Per- works in cinema from former for playing a young boy pining for the past 12 months. his father in “Long Time No Sea.”

Cloud Gate Celebrates 45 Years With Exhibition, Taiwan Tour ever Taiwan show in 1973 and first Euro- ica. (Source: Taiwan Today) pean tour “The Tale of the White Ser- pent” in 1981.

The two-hour gala performance is a ret- rospective of the best-known works by the theatre's artistic director and foun- der Lin Hwai-min, including “Cursive,” “Moon Water” and “Rice.” Running for one month until Dec. 16, the program Cloud Gate Dance Theatre is holding will be held in Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsi- a vintage poster exhibition to cele- ung and Tainan. brate its 45th anniversary. (Courtesy of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre) Lin has announced that he will be step- ping down at the end of 2019, and the tour pays respects to his pivotal role in Taiwan’s world-renowned Cloud Gate creating Cloud Gate and his long-term Dance Theatre is marking its 45th anni- contribution to the evolution of Taiwan’s versary with a vintage poster exhibi- dance and arts scenes. tion in New Taipei City and gala show of the troupe’s classic choreography that Cloud Gate was founded in 1973 as the will go on tour across the country. first professional modern dance troupe in the country. Over the decades, it has Staged at the dance group’s headquar- cultivated a global reputation for innova- ters in Tamsui District, the exhibition tive works incorporating local cultural kicked off Nov. 6 and runs through June elements such as calligraphy, history as 23 next year. It features 28 posters mark- well as Hakka and indigenous music, and ing important moments in Cloud Gate’s embarked on international tours across history, such as the billboard for its first- Asia, Europe and North and South Amer- ISSUE 11

E EWS SA-TAIWAN N Tourism Page 8

Office of the President Exhibition Spotlights Beauty of Taiwan’s Outlying Islands

at the Office of the President in Taipei Among the attractions covered by the City. exhibition are semi-underground houses, a traditional architectural practice of the Organised by the Tourism Bureau under indigenous Tao people on Orchid Island, the Ministry of Transportation and Com- and the blue tears phenomenon of glow- munications, “Special Exhibition: Bay ing night-time algae along Matsu’s shore- Tourism on 10 Islands” offers visitors a line. detailed overview of their diverse cul- tural landscapes, natural scenery and The 2019 Taiwan Lantern Festival, which activities. The selected islands include will take place at Dapeng Bay in southern Guishan Island in Yilan County, north- Taiwan’s Pingtung County, is also fea- Vice President Chen Chien-jen eastern Taiwan; Green and Orchid is- tured. The exhibition runs through Feb. (fourth left), MOTC Deputy Minister lands in Taitung County, southeastern 19 next year, when the 30th edition of Chi Wen-jong (third left) and Tour- Taiwan; and Matsu’s Beigan and Dongju the festival is scheduled to be held. ism Bureau Director-General Chou islands in outlying Lienchiang County. Townships will be the focus of next Yung-hui (second left) are joined by Speaking at the opening of the event, year’s Tourism 2020 initiative, with local officials and the bureau’s mas- Vice President Chen Chien-jen said he mountains the target in the final year. cot Oh Bear at the opening of an hoped it would inspire visitors from (Source: Taiwan Today) exhibition on Taiwan’s outlying home and abroad to travel to one of the islands in Taipei City. (Courtesy of islands. He added the exhibition is part of the government’s Year of Bay Tourism Tourism Bureau) campaign under the Tourism 2020 pro- gram launched in 2017 that sets a new An exhibition promoting Taiwan’s outly- theme every year to promote the sector ing islands as travel destinations opened in Taiwan. Taiwan Hosts International Forum on Making Museums More Inclusive Scholars and museum staff from home NMTH Director Lin Chung-hsi said the and abroad are meeting at a three-day forum will bring new ideas to promote forum in Taiwan to share strategies on cultural equity among museums in Asia. making the institutions more inclusive, He added his museum is promoting highlighting the country’s efforts to en- equal cultural rights by offering friendlier sure everyone has equal access to cul- facilities and launching educational pro- tural resources. grams aimed at more diversified groups.

Sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, The institution has audio and hand ges- the symposium Cultural Accessibility in ture guides for visitors who are visually Asia: New Trends in Museum Education A guide (second left) from Catholic and hearing-impaired, easy-to-read bro- is taking place at National Museum of Luway Opportunity Center presents an chures and videos for mentally disabled Taiwan History (NMTH) in the southern artwork to local and overseas atten- persons and customised tours for suffer- city of Tainan and the following day at dees of a forum on making museums ers of Alzheimer’s disease. National Human Rights Museum in New more inclusive Nov. 14 at NMTH in Taipei City. In addition to the forum, participants southern Taiwan’s Tainan City. visited an exhibition at the museum co- Discussions focus on ways to make mu- organised by the non-profit Catholic Lu- seums more welcoming and accessible way Opportunity Centre. On display for a wider range of people including fostering cultural equity. The concept were paintings and photographs by men- children, seniors and those with mental argues for all people—including those tally and physically impaired young and physical disabilities. historically underrepresented based on adults, some of whom are also training factors like disability, gender and socio- to be guides. (Source: Taiwan Today) Local speakers and attendees from Aus- economic status—to be represented in tralia, Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea cultural policies, practices and resource are exchanging experiences and ideas on distribution. ISSUE 11

SA-TAIWAN ENEWS Sport Page 9

Kuo Hsing-chun Grabs 2 Gold, 1 Silver at World Weightlifting Championships

Taiwan’s Kuo Hsing-chun claimed two Taiwan’s star athlete won two gold med- gold medals and one silver, setting two als at the IWF World Championships in world standards in the women’s 59- 2013 and again in 2017. She holds the kilogram weight class at the 2018 Inter- world record for clean and jerk in the national Weightlifting Federation (IWF) women’s 58-kg class when she lifted 142 World Championships in Ashgabat, Turk- kg at the Taipei 2017 Summer Univer- menistan. siade, the largest sporting event ever staged in Taiwan. Kuo set a world standard by completing a gold-winning snatch of 105 kg and se- Born in south-eastern Taiwan’s Taitung cured silver by lifting 132 kg in the clean County, Kuo emerged in 2010 when she and jerk, giving her another gold medal claimed silver at the Youth Olympics and world standard with 237 kg in the Games at the age of 17. She brought overall category. This year’s event is the home a bronze at the 2016 Olympics in first IWF contest to use new weight Rio de Janeiro and won her first gold at classes introduced in July that include the Asian Games in August. (Source: replacing the women’s 58-kg game— Taiwan Today) Taiwan’s Kuo Hsing-chun powers her Kuo’s original weight class—with a 59-kg way to gold in the women’s 59-kg competition.

weightlifting class at the Interna- China’s Chen Guiming claimed overall tional Weightlifting Federation silver with a total of 231 kg while Rebeka World Championships in Turkmeni- Koha from Latvia bagged bronze with a stan. (Courtesy of IWF) combined 227 kg in that weight cate- gory.

Esports World Championship Wraps up in Kaohsiung

International Esports Federation (IESF)- for local players and work to build Kaoh- sanctioned tournament comprised con- siung into one of the region’s foremost tests in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, esports hubs, she added. League of Legends and Tekken 7. According to Kaohsiung City Govern- The team from Finland won the CS:GO ment’s Bureau of Cultural Affairs, hosting championship, with Sweden claiming the championship has helped shine a second and Romania third. South Korea global spotlight on the city as well as captured the LOL title ahead of Macau foster business opportunities for its cul- and Taiwan, while Saudi Arabia, Japan tural and creative industry. With the in- The IESF Esports World Championship and South Korea topped the Tekken 7 auguration of the esports center, this takes place at Kaohsiung Arena in competition, in that order. sector is expected to bolster local eco- nomic development going forward, the southern Taiwan. (Courtesy of Office Speaking at the opening ceremony, bureau said. of the President) President Tsai Ing-wen said that the tour- nament—the largest esports event ever Overseen by the South Korea-based IESF, The Esports World Championship staged in Taiwan—underscores the gov- the Esports World Championship has wrapped up in Kaohsiung Arena, south- ernment’s commitment to promoting been held annually since 2011. It is the ern Taiwan, with more than 700 players the sector. only global event of its kind for national from 48 countries and territories show- teams. (Source: Taiwan News) casing their skills at one of the leading Kaohsiung City is playing a central role in global gaming competitions. these efforts, Tsai said, citing the inaugu- ration of a dedicated esports facility last Jointly organised by Chinese Taipei e- year at the municipality’s Maritime Cul- Sports Association and Kaohsiung City tural and Popular Music Centre. The gov- Government, the 10th edition of the ernment will continue to provide support