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Photo: Theerasak Sakskritawee Theerasak Photo: Taiwan INFO FORBES RANKS PRESIDENT TSAI 15TH IN MOST POWERFUL WOMEN LIST President Tsai Ing-wen ranked 15th on The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women in 2017 list released Nov. 1 by Forbes magazine. Named among the top 20 for the sec- sentative for Foreign Affairs and Security ond consecutive year, Tsai moved up two Policy Federica Mogherini in fifth. Other spots from the 2016 edition. Leading the prominent figures on the list included rankings was German Chancellor Ange- Queen Elizabeth II in eighth, Myanmar la Merkel, followed by U.K. Prime Minis- State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi in ter Theresa May, Bill and Melinda Gates 11th and former U.S. presidential candi- Foundation Co-Chair Melinda Gates, date Hillary Clinton in 20th. Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl According to the New York-based publi- Sandberg and General Motors Chairper- cation, Tsai – Taiwan’s first female leader son and CEO Mary Barra, in that order. – shattered precedent in December last Based on the 2017 list, Forbes also com- year by engaging in a telephone conversa- piled a ranking of the world’s most power- tion with then-U.S. President-elect Don- ful women politicians, with Tsai in third ald Trump, the first between the leaders behind the German and British leaders of Taiwan and the U.S. since 1979. During and ahead of Chilean President Michelle the call, they shared their views on signif- Bachelet in fourth and EU High Repre- icant issues including the need to boost Forbes also highlighted Tsai’s five-plus- two innovative industries initiative, a comprehensive economic revitalization program targeting the five emerging and high-growth sectors of biotech and pharmaceuticals, green energy, national defense, smart machinery and Internet of Things, as well as the promotion of two core concepts: the circular economy Today Taiwan Source: and a new paradigm for agricultural de- velopment. According to the magazine, the initiative seems to be paying off, with cross-strait trade up as of July this year. President Tsai Ing-wen ranks 15th among the 100 most powerful The latest statistics from the Bureau of women in the world in the latest rankings released Nov by U.S.- Foreign Trade under the Ministry of based Forbes magazine (Courtesy of the office of the President) Economic Affairs show that Taiwan’s economic development and strengthen total trade for the first eight months of national defense so citizens can enjoy 2017 increased 13.1 percent year on year better lives and increased security. to US$371.24 billion. , EPA chief reaffirms Taiwans renew- ables commitment in interview with Deutsche Welle Taiwan is committed to complying with cent to 50 percent, respectively, in the same the goals of the Paris Agreement under the period. Lee said these restructuring efforts Today Taiwan Source: U.N. Framework Convention on Climate are expected to lower the nation’s carbon Change through reducing fossil fuel use emissions from energy generation by some and fostering renewable energy generation, 40 percent while eliminating nuclear power. The government is also working to reduce Environmental Protection Administration greenhouse gases from the industrial sector Minister Lee Ying-yuan said Nov. 13 in a TV through the introduction of a cap-and-trade interview with Germany’s Deutsche Welle. system by 2020, he added. Though the country is not a signatory In preparation for establishment of this to the accord, Taiwan is playing its part in system, the government has begun issuing global efforts to tackle climate change by certificates to companies that have installed transforming the nation’s power generation renewable power generation technologies. structure within the next decade, Lee said. Participating firms are awarded one certifi- According to the minister, the government cate for every 1,000 kilowatt-hours of green aims to reduce the proportion of energy energy produced, with a total 2,544 issued as produced using coal from 45.5 percent to 30 of June, according to the National Renew- percent by 2025. Power from renewables and able Energy Certification Center under the natural gas will be increased from about 5 Ministry of Economic Affairs. percent to 20 percent, and around 20 per- Lee said new carbon reduction measures EPA Minister Lee Ying-yuan addresses Taiwan’s commitment to renewable energy during a Nov. 13 interview with Germany-based international news network Deutsche Welle. (Courtesy of EPA) will be introduced in consultation with in- to boost energy efficiency on the demand dustries so as to support economic growth side through the introduction of smart grid and sustainable development. The govern- technology. ment will also tailor renewable energy pro- The approximately five-minute interview grams to local needs and strengths, he said, was broadcast in English on DW, a Bonn- citing related measures in central Taiwan to based international news network. It fol- harness abundant wind power resources. lowed a brief report on the structure of Regional specialization of renewable proj- Taiwan’s energy sector, the challenges the ects will upgrade power transmission, the nation faces due to climate change and its minister said, adding that Taiwan also plans efforts to embrace renewables. NEW CULTURAL HEIGHTS Chiayi in southern Taiwan is fostering sustainable tourism develop- ment by highlighting its diverse historical assets and unique intan- gible heritage. Located in Chiayi County’s Taibao ing the arts and tourism environments City, the Southern Branch of the Na- of Chiayi, while expanding awareness tional Palace Museum (NPM) is the of the region’s historic sites and intan- most significant recent addition to gible heritage. “Our aim is to promote Taiwan’s cultural landscape. Opening the museum’s priceless treasures and its doors in December 2015 following local culture on the world stage,” said over a decade of planning and con- Lu Ching-rong , chief curator of NPM’s struction, the institution had received Department of Southern Branch. more than 2.2 million visitors by the Founded in 1965, NPM manages a end of August. This influx is invigorat- collection of almost 700,000 antiqui- ties ranging from calligraphy, embroi- ures, the Southern Branch was built to dery, jade and lacquer pieces to books, showcase artifacts from diverse Asian bronzes, ceram- civilizations. Source: Taiwan Review Taiwan Source: ics and paintings. Of the Taibao fa- These items span cility’s five perma- some 7,000 years nent exhibitions, from the Neolith- four explore cul- ic to modern era. tural evolution While the muse- across the conti- um’s headquar- nent. These com- ters in Taipei City prise a multimedia focuses on dis- introduction to Exhibitions such as The Far-Reaching Fragrance of Tea at the Southern Branch playing Chinese utilize the latest multimedia effects to create more authentic viewing atmospheres. Asian art as well cultural treas- (Photo by Jimmy Lin) as collections of Rainbow Military Dependents’ Village in Taichung City, central Taiwan, is one of two local weird and wonderful sights featured in guidebook “Secret Mar- vels of the World” by Lonely Planet. (Courtesy of TCG) artifacts on the art and culture of tea, animated films, antique maps, artifacts Buddhist art and textiles. In contrast to and historical documents. these macro-level examinations of Asian cultural development, the fifth perma- WORLD-CLASS RESOURCES nent exhibition zeroes in on the history Prior to the museum’s launch, Chiayi of Chiayi. Assembled using a multimedia City and County, which are admin- approach, it spotlights the region’s arts, istered separately, were best known culture and religious customs through to local and international visitors as stop on their Chiayi itinerary, the ad- dition of the Southern Branch is en- couraging more comprehensive ex- plorations of the region. The recent tourism boost is benefiting attractions like Puzi Embroidery Cultural Muse- um as well as Bantaoyao, a studio dedi- cated to promoting traditional ceramic crafts. Also garnering increasing at- tention are historic places of worship like Shuixian Temple. Built in 1739, the Alishan Forest Railway, constructed to transport lumber in 1912 during the Japanese colonial era (1895-1945), is one of the world’s great narrow-gauge national monument is decorated with train lines. (Photo courtesy of Chiayi County Government) exquisite pottery ornaments and intri- cate wooden sculptures of birds, flow- gateways to the famed scenic area atop ers and mythical creatures like drag- Alishan. The mountain region, one of Taiwan’s foremost tourist destinations, is celebrated for its stunning views, towering forests and unique rail line. Today : Taiwan Source The latter, constructed to transport lumber in 1912 during Japanese co- lonial rule (1895-1945), is the highest Traditional wooden buildings are reborn as cafes, restaurants and work- shops under a repurposing program administered by Chiayi City Govern- ment. (Photo courtesy of Chiayi City Government) ons and phoenixes. To capitalize on the growing interest in the region, the Culture and Tourism Bureau last year established a dedicated website called Dashiye Cultural Festival is a major religious ritual held in Chiayi County’s Explore Chiayi detailing the county’s Minxiong Township to pray for peace and prosperity during the Mid-Sum- mer Ghost Festival. (Photo courtesy of Chiayi County Government) cultural assets. Available in English, Japanese and traditional Chinese, the narrow-gauge railway in Asia. It winds site lists arts and crafts studios, his- from 30 meters to 2,451 meters above toric buildings and monuments, mu- sea level through tropical, temperate seums, scenic spots, a monthly events and alpine vegetation. calendar, recommended itineraries as Whereas once tourists typically made well as accommodation, dining and Alishan National Scenic Area the sole transportation information. ARCHITECTURAL IDENTITY toys. “These homes exude a relaxing Among the unique facets of Chiayi ambience owing to their excellent ven- City’s architectural identity is the large tilation and pleasant natural aromas,” number of traditional Japanese-style the 45-year-old said.