SA-TAIWAN Enews AUGUST 23RD 2019 PUBLISHER: MATTHEW CHOU ISSUE 8

Taipei Liaison Office in the RSA SA-TAIWAN eNews AUGUST 23RD 2019 PUBLISHER: MATTHEW CHOU ISSUE 8

I, and the South African Government, have enormous appreciation for the contribution that the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) has made to the commitment of the Govern- ment sector in the economic development in Africa. The ROC (Taiwan) further, made a gener- ous and much appreciated contribution to South Africa's transition to democracy .

Statement by President Nelson Mandela—27 November 1996 Tsai Opens Ketagalan Forum: 2019 Asia -Pacific Security Dialogue

President Tsai Ing-wen opened from Taiwan’s security and prosper- the Ketagalan Forum: 2019 Asia- ity, which will be safeguarded by Pacific Security Dialogue in Taipei government efforts to bolster the City, reaffirming the government’s indigenous defence industry and commitment to working with like- enhance defensive capabilities. minded partners in advancing regional peace, prosperity and stabil- Organised by Taipei-headquartered ity. think tank The Prospect Foundation, the daylong dialogue involved top President Tsai Ing-wen opens the Economic, military and political con- academics, officials and experts such ditions in the Asia-Pacific are rapidly Ketagalan Forum: 2019 Asia-Pacific as Australia’s ex-Defence Minister changing, Tsai said. In light of this Security Dialogue in Taipei City. Christopher Pyne, Deputy Foreign uncertainty, the government will (Courtesy of Presidential Office) Minister Hsu Szu-chien and former continue creating opportunities for U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defence regional cooperation under the New Lt. Gen. Wallace C. Gregson. Southbound Policy (NSP), she added. (Source: Taiwan Today) According to Tsai, authoritarian A key plank in the government’s na- forces are seeking to exploit the tional development strategy, the freedom and openness of democ- NSP is enhancing Taiwan’s ties with ratic societies to nefarious ends. As a the 10 Association of Southeast bastion of democracy in the Asia- Asian Nations member states, six Pacific, Taiwan will continue to stand South Asian countries, Australia and in opposition to such efforts and in New Zealand. Last year, the coun- support of human rights, she said. try’s trade with NSP target countries hit US$117 billion, up 6 percent year These values must be protected by on year. ensuring regional and global security, Tsai said. They are inseparable

Left: Taiwan rock band The Chairman is named one of this year’s Taipei Culture Award winners by the city government. The other honourees are glove puppetry master Chen Hsi-huang, magazine editor Feng Te-ping and arts group Dance Forum Taipei. (Courtesy of Taipei City Government) Centre: Central Taiwan Film Studios in Taichung is set to build the city into a major regional movie production powerhouse. (CNA) Right: Officials and performers take part in a promotional parade for the sixth Taiwan Season at the Fringe in Edinburgh. (Courtesy of TRO in U.K.) ISSUE 6

SA-TAIWAN ENEWS Headline News Page 2 Asian-Pacific Parliamentarians’ Union Annual Meeting Kicks off in Taiwan Co-organised by the Ministry of Foreign effectiveness of the Legislative Yuan’s Affairs (MOFA), the three-day event is parliamentary diplomacy while spotlight- themed Ocean Democracy and a Sustain- ing the central role of the country in ad- able Indo-Pacific Region. It involves vancing sustainable development in the around 100 lawmakers and officials Indo-Pacific, the ministry added. from 17 countries and territories, includ- ing allies Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Taiwan, along with Japan, the Philip- Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands and Tu- pines, South Korea and Thailand, valu, as well as Australia, Germany, founded Tokyo-headquartered APPU in Guam, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mon- 1965. The organisation serves as an ex- President Tsai Ing-wen delivers open- golia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea change platform among the legislative ing remarks at the 49th General As- and Thailand. bodies of 21 member nations. (Source: sembly and 83rd Council Meeting of Taiwan Today) the Asian-Pacific Parliamentarians’ Participants are expected to address Union in Taipei City. (CNA) issues spanning economic cooperation, low-carbon and sustainable homeland The 49th General Assembly and 83rd initiatives, marine ecology and conserva- Council Meeting of the Asian-Pacific Par- tion, sea waste management and oce- liamentarians’ Union kicked off in Taipei anic cultural innovation. City, reaffirming the government’s commitment to promoting regional peace The MOFA said it is the 10th time for and prosperity. Taiwan to host the annual meeting. This long-standing involvement illustrates the

VP Chen Reaffirms Taiwan’s Commitment to Combating Human Trafficking Taiwan is willing and able to work with freedom, democracy and human rights, like-minded partners around the world Taiwan is actively involved in related to combat human trafficking and ensure global efforts and initiatives, he said, the well-being and safety of all, accord- adding that the country will continue ing to Vice President Chen Chien-jen. taking a key role in tackling this pressing global issue. Protecting human rights is a key compo- nent of the government’s policy plat- Recent examples in this regard, Chen form, Chen said. Taiwan’s achievements said, include pledging US$500,000 in in this regard are best evidenced by its June to the Nadia’s Initiative, a non- 10 consecutive years of Tier 1 status in profit organisdation founded by Nobel the Trafficking in Persons Report issued Vice President Chen Chien-jen ad- Peace Prize laureate Nadia Murad in by the U.S. Department of State, he dresses participants at the opening of 2018, as well as signing cooperation added. the International Workshop on Com- agreements with other countries to fight cross-border crime. bating Human Trafficking in Taipei Chen made the remarks during the opening of the International Workshop City. (Courtesy of Presidential Office) Quoting Pope Francis from the pontiff’s on Combating Human Trafficking in video message released in February, Taipei City. Organised by the Ministry of Department’s 2018 TIP report. They at- Chen said no one can turn a blind eye to the Interior, the two-day event involved tended keynote speeches and panel dis- human trafficking without being an ac- 250-plus experts and officials from cussions on corporate social responsibili- complice to a crime against humanity. nearly 40 countries. ties, major international trends and re- Taiwan will continue staging the work- gional cooperation, as well as shared shop and implementing other initiatives Participants included members of the respective experiences and strategies. to promote cooperation and eradicate Taiwan diplomatic corps, representatives this scourge, he added. (Source: Taiwan of global nongovernmental organisations According to Chen, human trafficking is Today) like Rome-based Caritas Internationalis an internationally condemned practice and South Korean Kim Jong-chul—one of that can only be halted through cross- the heroes honoured in the U.S. State border collaboration. As a champion of ISSUE 6

SA-TAIWAN ENEWS Business and Economics Page 3 Cabinet Delivers Strong Taiwan Economic Growth Report Card Taiwan’s economy grew 2.41 percent in the parts, the Cabinet added. second quarter of the year, 0.63 of a percent- age point above the May forecast, according On the foreign trade front, exports grew 0.5 to the Directorate-General of Budget, Ac- percent year on year in June to reverse a counting and Statistics. seven-month downward trend. Shipments to the U.S. were a high point, gaining 17.38 The strong showing is largely due to robust percent during the first half of the year to a domestic investment and better-than- record US$22.04 billion. expected exports, the Cabinet said, adding that this reflects the effectiveness of related At the same time, imports of capital equip- government policies and regulatory amend- Increasing semiconductor capital ment surged to an all-time high of 16 percent ments in addressing challenges at home and equipment investment is cited by the and remain on track to post a world-leading abroad. Cabinet as a major reason for Tai- growth rate of 21 percent for the year. Ac- wan’s robust economic perform- cording to global industry association Semi- According to the Cabinet, ongoing trade fric- conductor Equipment and Materials Interna- ance. (Courtesy of Industrial Tech- tion between the U.S. and China has tional, this should see Taiwan edge out South prompted a large number of Taiwan-based nology Research Institute) Korea to become the biggest market for re- businesses operating on the other side of the lated products and services in the world. strait to move production home or expand figures exceed annual targets and augur well local manufacturing activities. for the future. The Cabinet said it will continue implementing programs spurring domestic consumption More than 100 firms have made homebound The additional business initiatives are ex- and homebound investment so as to main- investment commitments totalling NT$504.7 pected to create 43,900 new job opportuni- tain the growth momentum of Taiwan’s billion (US$16.07 billion) during the first ties in sectors spanning bicycles, information economy going forward. (Source: Taiwan seven months of the year, with a further 50 communication technology, network equip- Today) cases under review. The Cabinet said both ment, and semiconductor components and Tsai Reaffirms Commitment to Expanding Taiwan-US Trade Ties President Tsai Ing-wen said that Taiwan In light of changing international trade is committed to starting negotiations conditions, Tsai said, the government is with the U.S. on a bilateral trade agree- encouraging Taiwan businesses operat- ment and expanding related exchanges ing abroad to move production home or across all sectors. step up investment in the U.S. or New Southbound Policy (NSP) target coun- Taiwan and the U.S. have enjoyed in- tries. creasingly close industrial cooperation since the government took office in May A key plank in the government’s national 2016, Tsai said. This is evidenced by the development strategy, the NSP seeks to number of U.S. business heavyweights enhance Taiwan’s agricultural, business, President Tsai Ing-wen (right) greets such as Cisco Systems Inc. and Google cultural, education, tourism and trade LLC setting up innovation and R&D cen- USTBC Chairman Michael R. Splinter ties with the 10 Association of Southeast tres in Taiwan, she added. at the Presidential Office in Taipei Asian Nations member states, six South City. (Courtesy of PO) Asian countries, Australia and New Zea- In addition, Tsai said, Taiwan Bio Indus- land. try Organisation was joined for the first According to Tsai, this healthy state of time last month by U.S. Biotechnology affairs is further illustrated by the nearly Tsai said USTBC remains an important Innovation Organisation in staging the 20 percent increase in Taiwan exports to conduit for clear communication be- largest Bio Asia-Taiwan Conference and the U.S. during the first half of the year. tween companies in Taiwan and the U.S. Exhibition to date in Taipei City. Information communication technology It is sincerely hoped the council will con- products recorded the biggest growth, tinue fulfilling this role and strengthen- Tsai made the remarks while receiving a Tsai said, adding that Taiwan’s fast- ing two-way trade relations, she added. delegation led by Michael R. Splinter, tracked industrial transformation will (Source: Taiwan Today) chairman of the U.S.-Taiwan Business enable the country to capitalise on re- Council (USTBC), at the Presidential Of- lated sector opportunities as the global fice in Taipei. industrial supply chain continues to read- just. ISSUE 6

SA-TAIWAN ENEWS Science & Technology Page 4

MOST Celebrates 60 Years of Scientific Achievement the MOST was initially tasked with over- billion) in 2018 and headcounts of more seeing Taiwan’s research organisation than 270,000, he added. planning and tertiary education. It was renamed National Science Council and Talent cultivation is another area where elevated to Cabinet-level status in 1969 the MOST has made a real impact, Chen before taking its present form in 2016. said, citing the many researchers and scientists supported by the ministry that Vice President Chen Chien-jen said dur- have gone on to become role models for ing his remarks at the event that the the youth of Taiwan. MOST played a key role in spurring na- Vice President Chen Chien-jen (right) tional development while enhancing the Chen said the fruits of the MOST’s la- is joined by MOST Minister Chen Liang well-being of the people. bours are further illustrated by Taiwan’s -gee on a tour of a special exhibition strong showing and description as a celebrating the ministry’s 60th anni- According to Chen, the launch in June of “super innovator” alongside Germany, Formosat-7/COSMIC-2, a group of six Switzerland and the U.S. in the latest versary in Taipei City. (Courtesy of satellites jointly developed by Taiwan edition of the Global Competitiveness Presidential Office) and the U.S., as well as related projects Report published by Geneva-based A special event marking the 60th anni- in the run-up to the launch, are also im- World Economic Forum. versary of the Ministry of Science and portant MOST milestones. Technology (MOST) was staged in Taipei It is hoped the MOST will keep imple- City, underscoring the MOST’s achieve- In addition to enhancing Taiwan’s tech- menting more innovative projects such ments in shaping the technological land- nological prowess, Chen said, the MOST as the artificial intelligence research cen- scape of Taiwan. is contributing to the success of the tre and Taiwan Tech Arena, so as to en- country’s science parks. The three facili- sure Taiwan’s sustainable development Established in 1959 as the National Long- ties recorded best-ever combined reve- going forward, Chen said. (Source: Taiwan Term Science Development Committee, nues topping NT$2.6 trillion (US$82.79 Today) Artificial Intelligence R&D Cooperation Pact Inked by ITRI, UCLA the northern Taiwan county. through the adoption of smart technolo- gies and reforming regulations to foster Inked by ITRI President Edwin Liu and cutting-edge R&D. engineering school dean Jayathi Murthy, the pact enables the institutions to fos- Established in 1973, ITRI is a state- ter related exchanges in cultivating AI backed outfit working to enhance Tai- talent and jointly developing advanced wan’s industrial competitiveness. Over robots. The first group of ITRI research- the years, it has acquired around 30,000 ers will visit UCLA next month, according patents and incubated more than 280 to the institute. companies. (Source: Taiwan Today) ITRI President Edwin Liu (right) and Jayathi Murthy, dean of UCLA’s Liu said Taiwan possesses strong R&D Samueli School of Engineering, cele- capabilities and a solid industrial founda- brate the inking of a memorandum tion, while UCLA boasts a deep talent pool. The combination makes it possible of understanding on artificial intelli- to create high-value AI solutions, he gence R&D cooperation in northern added. Taiwan’s Hsinchu County. (Courtesy of ITRI) AI is one of the key high-growth sectors targeted for promotion by the govern- A memorandum of understanding on ment under such initiatives as the AI artificial intelligence R&D cooperation Taiwan Action Plan launched in January, was signed by Hsinchu-based Industrial 2018. With an annual budget of NT$9 Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and billion (US$287 million), the four-year University of California, Los Angeles’s AITAP is deepening the country’s exper- (UCLA) Samueli School of Engineering in tise, boosting industrial upgrades ISSUE 6

SA-TAIWAN ENEWS Art and Culture Page 5 Tsai Celebrates Indigenous Peoples’ Day Other milestones include a presidential Justice and Transitional Justice Commit- apology in 2016 to indigenous peoples tee in 2017 to address related issues. for four centuries of pain and mistreat- ment and the enactment of the Indige- The enactment in 2017 of the Indigenous nous Peoples Basic Law in 2005, she Languages Development Act giving na- added. tional status to the dialects of the officially recognized tribes, and recent revi- Tsai made the remarks at a forum in sions to the Education Act for Indigenous Taipei City celebrating Indigenous Peo- Peoples and Slopeland Conservation and ples’ Day. Attendees included Icyang Utilisation Act are equally important, President Tsai Ing-wen delivers open- Parod, minister of the Cabinet-level Tsai said. ing remarks at a forum celebrating Council of Indigenous Peoples, as well as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Taipei representatives from Taiwan’s 16 offi- Going forward, Tsai said, the invaluable City. (Courtesy of PO) cially recognised tribes. contributions of academics, lawmakers and members of civic groups must con- President Tsai Ing-wen said that the gov- Since taking office in May 2016, Tsai tinue so aboriginals have every opportu- ernment is committed to promoting the said, she has prioritised government nity to fulfil their potential and make rights of Taiwan’s indigenous peoples measures aimed at establishing a clear- even greater contributions to enriching and enhancing public awareness of their cut aboriginal historical perspective the fabric of Taiwan society. (Source: culture and history. while advancing autonomous govern- Taiwan Today) ance and preserving tribal culture and Great strides have been made in improv- language. ing the lives and well-being of the country’s original owners since their designa- According to Tsai, a high-profile example tion was changed in a constitutional in this regard is the establishment of the amendment 25 years ago, Tsai said. Presidential Office Indigenous Historical Taiwan Launches Specially Adorned Train for Indigenous Peoples’ Day

the train’s livery is inspired by the 16 related forum on aboriginal activism at winning works from an aboriginal chil- National Central Library and the Grand dren’s painting contest held in October Hotel, respectively, in Taipei, as well as 2018. The Taroko Express locomotive, the as the Taiwan Pasiwali Festival in which runs between New Taipei City and Taitung. The latter features perform- Taitung County in south-eastern Taiwan, ances by singers from Bolivia, Japan, will remain in service until October 28. Madagascar, Malaysia, Palau and the Philippines. CIP Minister Icyang Parod said during the launch ceremony that by spotlighting Indigenous peoples have lived in Taiwan A Taroko Express train sporting im- elements of indigenous culture such as for millenniums. The latest official statis- customs and folklore, the train will help tics reveal that the population of Tai- ages inspired by elements of Taiwan’s the public better appreciate the signifi- wan’s 16 officially recognised tribes indigenous culture idles near a TRA cance and immense value of Taiwan’s stands at around 567,000, or 2.4 percent depot in Taipei City. (Courtesy of TRA) tribal communities. of the total 23.58 million. (Source: Tai- wan Today) According to the CIP, the train’s interior A train bearing iconic images represent- is decorated with indigenous artefacts, ing Taiwan’s aboriginal culture was as well as booklets and QR codes linking launched in Taipei City as part of celebra- to websites offering information on Tai- tions leading up to Indigenous Peoples’ wan’s aboriginals and the history of In- Day. digenous Peoples’ Day.

A collaboration between Taiwan Rail- Other activities and events planned for ways Administration and the Cabinet- next month as part of Indigenous Peo- level Council of Indigenous Peoples (CIP), ples’ Day include a special exhibition and ISSUE 6

SA-TAIWAN ENEWS Medical & health care Page 6 MOFA Touts Success of Medical Fund in Taiwan’s Pacific Allies Launched during the 2018 Pacific Islands in areas spanning clean energy, infra- Forum (PIF), the fund involved six major structure, information communication hospitals in Taiwan and facilitated first- technology, maritime safety and non- class treatment for 955 patients in Ki- communicable disease prevention. ribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu. More projects are in the pipelines, Wu said, citing a cooperation agreement MOFA Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu said signed last month with the PIF Secre- during the Taiwan/ROC Forum Countries tariat covering the Scholarship Scheme Dialogue in Tuvalu—hosts of the 2019 and the Smaller Island States Attachment PIF—that the treatment made possible Program, as well as a host of other re- MOFA Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu via the fund is highly appreciated by the gional development projects such as (fourth left) is joined by the presi- allies. It also demonstrates how Taiwan digital opportunity centres and e- dents, prime ministers and foreign Can Help realise the U.N. Sustainable government service systems. ministers from Taiwan’s Pacific allies Development Goals in the Indo-Pacific, during the Taiwan/ROC Forum Coun- he added. During Wu’s visit to Tuvalu, he also met tries Dialogue in Tuvalu. (MOFA) with Taiwan Medical Program personnel Held on the sidelines of 2019 PIF, the at Princess Margaret Hospital in the capi- daylong dialogue was hosted by Wu and tal Funafuti and took part in a bilateral A 12-month, US$2 million government- attended by presidents, prime ministers clean energy pact signing ceremony with administered medical fund has enhanced and foreign ministers from the allies. Prime Minister Enele Sosene Sopoaga. the health and well-being of the people (Source: Taiwan Today) in Taiwan’s Pacific allies, according to the According to Wu, the government is Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). sparing no efforts to assist the allies address challenges and development needs Taiwan Stages APEC Conference on Medical Information Sharing An Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation at NT$1.2 billion over the same period, he (APEC) conference on medical information added. sharing wrapped up in Taipei City, spotlighting the government’s success in advancing According to the MOHW, during meetings APEC health and well-being initiatives. between Health Minister Chen Shih-chung and his foreign counterparts on the side- Organised by the Ministry of Health and lines of the World Health Assembly in Ge- Welfare (MOHW), the event involved more neva, many were deeply impressed by Tai- than 300 academics, business representa- wan’s success in promoting cloud-based tives, experts and officials from Taiwan and medical information sharing and expressed other APEC member economies like Austra- great interest in learning from Taiwan. Health experts and officials give the lia, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, Peru, Russia, Singapore, South Korea and the U.S. thumbs-up during the APEC medical The conference provided an excellent op- information sharing conference in portunity for Taiwan to showcase its medi- Over the course of the two-day conference, Taipei City. (Courtesy of MOHW) cal high-tech prowess while sharing achieve- participants discussed the key topics such as ments with like-minded partners, the harnessing the power of medical informa- MOHW said, adding that it also helped pro- tion exchanges in improving health care, Record and other health ICT programs by mote the country’s related sectors on the best practices for collecting and utilising Cheng Ooi Low, chief medical informatics global stage. related data, employing information com- officer of the city-state’s Ministry of Health. munication technology to strengthen ser- Since joining APEC in 1991, Taiwan has vices and treatment standards in medical Lee said since the NHI introduced the Phar- made substantial contributions to the re- facilities. maCloud medical record management sys- gional economic forum. These span a broad tem in 2013 and expanded its function three spectrum of areas such as disaster preven- The event also featured keynote speeches years later, total savings from eliminating tion, food security, small and medium en- on Taiwan’s National Health Insurance (NHI) duplicate or excessive medication stands at terprise development and women’s empow- MediCloud System by NHI Administration around NT$370 million (US$11.8 million) as erment. (Source: Taiwan News) Director-General Dr. Lee Po-chang, as well of June 2019. Savings from cloud-based as Singapore’s National Electronic Health sharing of clinical test results are estimated ISSUE 6

SA-TAIWAN ENEWS Entertainment Page 7 Taiwan Musicians to Perform at SummerStage in New York The talents will take the stage during lished a global fan base, the band has Taiwanese Waves, a four-hour concert at already performed at world-renowned Rumsey Playfield Aug. 3 in Central Park music festivals like Fuji Rock in Japan and organised by Taipei City-based General South by Southwest in the U.S. Association of Chinese Culture and the Ministry of Culture. Focused on female Rounding out the bill is 9m88, also musicians, the line-up comprises indige- known as Baba, a Big Apple-based musi- nous Paiwan musician Abao, pop singer cian who blends retro visuals into her One-Fang, rock band Tizzy Bac and performances. She is scheduled to re- emerging jazz performer 9m88. lease her debut album later this year. Lily L. W. Hsu (third left), director- Abao, also known as Aljenljeng Tjatjal- Founded in 1986, SummerStage is organ- general of Taipei Economic and Cul- juvy, is famous for combining traditional ised by New York’s City Parks Founda- tural Office in New York, and GACC tribal songs with a western R&B style. tion, with Taiwanese Waves first held in Vice President Chiang Chun-nan (left) She won Best Aboriginal Album at the 2016. Last year’s concert attracted more are joined at a news conference by 2017 Golden Melody Awards, Taiwan’s than 5,000 people, making it the most participants in Taiwanese Waves set answer to the Grammys. popular event at the festival. (Source: Taiwan Today) for in the Big Apple. (Courtesy of Veteran Mandarin pop singer and ballad- GACC) lovers’ favourite One-Fang has almost 30 years of experience in the music industry. Last year, she proved her enduring Three solo artists and a group are flying popularity by selling out a concert at the the flag for Taiwan at SummerStage, a 15,000-capacity Taipei Arena. large-scale arts festival running until Sept. 24 in New York. Tizzy Bac’s songs are renowned for their dark, humorous lyrics. Having estab- Traditional Arts, Music Stars Honored at Golden Melody Awards

Taiwan’s rich cultural heritage. Other highlights include Ku Yi-fan claim- ing Best Actor for his performance in the Organised by the National Centre for Taiwanese opera piece “Battle of the Traditional Arts under the Ministry of Right to Life,” as well as Yeh Chwei-ching Culture, the awards saw 18 prizes pre- and Wang An-chi, who were honoured sented to local artists and groups drawn with Special Awards for their contribu- from 1,078 submissions. tions to the country’s traditional arts in the fields of audio publishing and Peking In the performance category, Tang Mei- opera, respectively. yun Taiwanese Opera Company won the Taiwanese opera performer Tang Mei most prestigious prize of Best Ensemble Launched in 1990, the GMA were divided Performance with the group’s 2018 pro- into two classifications in 2007 to sepa- -yun (third left) holds the award for duction “The Cursed Royal Family,” rate prizes for achievements in popular Best Ensemble Performance alongside which impressed the jury with its atten- music from those for traditional arts and other members of her troupe at the tion to detail and nuanced characters. music. (Source: Taiwan Today) GMA for Traditional Arts and Music ceremony in Taipei City. (Courtesy of For music, this year’s Best Traditional MOC) Album winner was “The Voices of Rukai,” a 12-track album by an indigenous choir from Maolin Primary School in southern Taiwan’s Kaohsiung City. The record was The 30th Golden Melody Awards (GMA) also praised by the event organiser for its for Traditional Arts and Music was held ability to cross boundaries and deepen in Taipei City, spotlighting the diversity of appreciation of indigenous culture. ISSUE 6

E EWS SA-TAIWAN N Tourism Page 8 Taiwan’s Presidential Office Launches Trailblazing Sleepover Promotion

Initiated by the PO, Taipei-based General During the registration period running Association of Chinese Culture (GACC), until Aug. 31, applicants must submit Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tourism Bu- proposals to the promotion’s website on reau under the Ministry of Transporta- how to raise Taiwan’s profile on the in- tion and Communications, and Taiwan ternational stage. Starting October, a Visitors Association, the promotion also total of 20 winners will be invited to stay serves to help winners better understand overnight at Lixing Building, a two-story Taiwan and its democratic way of life. guardhouse adjacent to and with a clear view of the century-old PO Building. In a special video, President Tsai Ing-wen Tourism Bureau Deputy Director- described the PO Building as a crown Guests, required to observe security jewel in Taiwan’s democracy and invited regulations at all times, can attend the General Chang Shi-chung promotes participants to visit the country and feel daily flag-raising ceremony, tour the PO the trailblazing Presidential Office the warmth and hospitality of the peo- Building and take part in a customised sleepover promotion in Taipei City. ple. itinerary prepared by the GACC. (Source: (Courtesy of PO) Taiwan Today) PO Spokesman Xavier Chang said at a news conference that most foreign friends are quick to learn about Taiwan’s A trailblazing sleepover promotion af- world-famous bubble tea and mouth- fording international visitors the oppor- watering cuisines. But it is important tunity to experience firsthand Taiwan’s they also have the chance to get to grips historic Presidential Office (PO) Building with Taiwan’s freedom, democracy and was launched in Taipei City. open society, he added.

AirAsia to Remove Booking Fees for Flights to Malaysia The airline said that it would also remove Starting on Oct. 1, people booking AirA- the processing fees for Thailand, Indone- sia flights to Malaysia would not be re- sia and the Philippines by Dec. 31. quired to pay booking fees, the Kuala Lumpur-based low-cost carrier an- nounced yesterday. The current booking fee for flights to any of the three countries is NT$150 per per- The policy would apply to AirAsia passen- son for a one-way ticket. (Source: Taipei gers worldwide, AirAsia Taiwan repre- Times) sentative Jessica Tseng said.

Currently, the booking fee for flights charges at klia2 [Kuala Lumpur Interna- from Taiwan to Malaysia is NT$220 per tional Airport 2]. We want to cut travel person for a one-way ticket. costs so our guests don’t suffer, and we believe every little helps,” AirAsia Group The company said in a statement that president for airlines Bo Lingam said. the fee is related to ongoing administra- tive, maintenance and developmental The airline said it hopes the policy will costs of its online systems to ensure a also encourage more people to travel to secure and safe booking environment, and within Malaysia. which it would fully absorb. “We want to make it an incredible suc- “AirAsia is synonymous with affordable cess. This will be great for the tourism air travel, and by doing this, we will stay industry as well as the Malaysian econ- true to our promise. Now everyone can omy, and it’s one of the ways we want to fly. We feel this is especially relevant give back to the country,” Lingam said. now with higher passenger service ISSUE 6

SA-TAIWAN ENEWS Sport Page 9

Taiwan Wins Gold at 2019 Asian Men’s U23 Volleyball Championship strength of its robust defence and pow- of AVC countries. Taiwan finished third in erful attacks of opposite spiker Chang Yu the first two editions of the tourna- -sheng. India fought back to capture the ment. (Source: Taiwan Today) third set 25-19 before eventually suc- cumbing 23-25.

According to championship organiser Bangkok-based Asian Volleyball Confed- eration (AVC), Taiwan dominated the 16- Team Taiwan members proudly dis- team tourney, losing only once to Paki- play gold medals won at the Asian stan in the preliminary before defeating Australia, Sri Lanka, China and Japan in Men’s U23 Volleyball Championship that order to win a berth in the champi- in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. (Courtesy onship game. of AVC Facebook) Taiwan players also won three of the Taiwan overcame a spirited India to eight individual awards on offer at the claim its first gold in the Asian Men’s event. Chang was named best opposite Under-23 Volleyball Championship in spiker; Jhang Yun-liang, best libero; and Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. Chan Minhan, MVP.

In a best-of-five matchup, Taiwan took First held in 2015, the biennial tourna- the first two sets 25-21 and 25-20 on the ment is contested by the national teams Chou Tien-chen Claims 1st Win for Taiwan in Men’s Singles at Thailand Open In the second set, Ng kept Chou moving with a series of clever drop shots to level the match. The decider saw Chou fall behind 8-2, but the 29-year-old demon- strated his mental fortitude to even at 20 -20 before wrapping up the set 23-21.

After the match, Chou said that Ng’s ability to open up the court combined with his speed had proved a stiff challenge. Taiwan badminton ace Chou Tien- He was confident though in his ability to chen unleashes a smash in the final of turn the match around as long as he con- the men’s singles at the Thailand tinued to work hard and execute his game plan, he added. Open in Bangkok. (CNA)

Chou’s victory will see him rise one place Taiwan ace Chou Tien-chen claimed the to No. 2 when the world rankings are men’s singles at the Thailand Open in updated. The next stop for the badmin- Bangkok to win his second Badminton ton star will be the BWF World Champi- World Federation (BWF) tour title of the onships in Switzerland. season. In July, Chou became the first Taiwan The world No. 3 outlasted Angus Ng Ka player to win the men’s singles at a BWF Long of Hong Kong 21-14, 11-21, 23-21 in Super 1000 series event with his victory 67 minutes. Chou, who did not drop a set at the Indonesia Open. He has also previ- in the competition’s earlier rounds, be- ously won titles in France, Germany, Sin- gan the final confidently by racing out to gapore and South Korea. (Source: Tai- an early lead. wan Today)