Taipei Liaison Office in the RSA SA-TAIWAN eNews APRIL 30TH, 2019 PUBLISHER: MATTHEW CHOU ISSUE 4

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 President Tsai Pledges to Advance Women’s Economic Empowerment

President Tsai Ing-wen said that she In politics, Tsai said, women account is committed to advancing women’s for nearly 40 percent of legislators economic empowerment and ensur- and mayors in Taiwan, adding that ing all members of society can fully the younger generations are also contribute to boosting prosperity in making waves with the inclusion of the Indo-Pacific. four home-grown talents in such prestigious global listings as Forbes When more women are able to pur- Magazine 30 Under 30 Asia list. sue their aspirations, countries be- come more prosperous and the re- Taiwan is ready, willing and able to gion more stable, Tsai said. The gov- President Tsai Ing-wen delivers a share its know-how in encouraging ernment will continue working to keynote address at the Women’s more women to start businesses and create an environment where Empowerment Summit in Taipei creating work environments in which women can grow, succeed and pur- they are visible and supported, Tsai City. (Courtesy of PO) sue their dreams, she added. added. (Source: Taiwan Today)

Tsai made the remarks while deliver- ing a keynote address at the According to Tsai, the summit is a Women’s Economic Empowerment valuable platform for unlocking the Summit in Taipei City. Co-organised potential of women and promoting by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Taiwan’s credentials as a global (MOFA) with the American Institute leader in gender equality. Examples in Taiwan and Small and Medium of the latter include the recent com- Enterprise Administration under the missioning of the country’s second Ministry of Economic Affairs navy captain, third active army gen- (MOEA), the one-day event attracted eral and the training of more air over 500 attendees from more than force combat pilots. 15 countries.

Left: Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaushieh Joseph Wu (left) applauds as His Majesty King Mswati III cuts his 51st birthday cake while former South African President Jacob Zuma looks on in the King- dom of Eswatini. (Courtesy of ROC (Taiwan) Embassy in Eswatini). Centre: A cheerleading squad performs at the opening of the 2019 National Intercollegiate Athletic Games in Chiayi County, southern Taiwan. (Courtesy of Presidential Office) Right: A cat with a watermelon-shaped cap nibbles on a tasty treat during a promotional event for 25 courses and workshops on pet behav- iour at Chinese Culture University in Taipei City. (CNA) ISSUE 4

SA-TAIWAN ENEWS WHAT’S ON 2 Taiwan Cultural Festival

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SA-TAIWAN ENEWS Headline News Page 3

Tsai, People of Taiwan Honoured for Promoting Democracy, Human Rights at India Literary Prize Organisers of the event described Tai- Established in 2018, the Rabindranath wan as a beacon of these values, and Tagore Literary Prize is presented annu- called on the international community to ally in honour of the late Indian artist, support the “vibrant and resilient coun- poet and musician Rabindranath Tagore, try of Taiwan.” the first non-European winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature. It comprises a Representative Tien Chung-kwang, head literary award as well as one or more of Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre in social achievement honours. India, accepted the award on behalf of TECC Representative Tien Chung- the people and president at the cere- The literature prize at this year’s event kwang (right) accepts the Social mony in New Delhi. Expressing gratitude was conferred on Rana Dasgupta for his Achievement Prize on behalf of Presi- to the jury, he described Tsai as an active novel “Solo,” described by organisers as dent Tsai Ing-wen and the people of promoter of peace, democracy and hu- a “hauntingly beautiful recital about es- Taiwan from Rabindranath Tagore man rights since assuming office in May trangement and the ultimate failure of Literary Prize CEO Peter Bundalo in 2016. material existence.” New Delhi. (CNA) As India is the largest democracy in the Yohei Sasakawa, chairman of Japanese President Tsai Ing-wen and the people of world and Taiwan a beacon of democ- charitable organisation The Nippon Taiwan were awarded the Social racy in Asia, the two sides can strengthen Foundation, was also named winner of a Achievement honour at India’s Rabin- collaboration in preserving these shared Social Achievement Prize for efforts to dranath Tagore Literary Prize in recogni- values, Tien said, adding that the award tackle leprosy and foster world tion of their efforts to advance democ- will shortly be delivered to the Presiden- peace. (Source: Taiwan Today) racy, freedom and human rights. tial Office in Taipei City.

Taiwan Journalists Get UN Backing by Reporters Without Borders The right of Taiwan journalists and other under pressure from China to deny re- members of the country’s media to quests for press accreditation from Tai- cover the activities and events of U.N.- wan journalists and other members of affiliated organisations was strongly sup- the country’s media on the pretext their ported by Paris-based Reporters Without passports are unrecognised. Borders (RSF). Over the past few years, China has been Taiwan journalists should be allowed to lobbying in every possible way to isolate cover the 72nd World Health Assembly Taiwan on the international stage, RSF May 20-28 in Geneva, the 74th U.N. The right of Taiwan journalists and said, citing the World Health Organisa- General Assembly Sept. 17-30 in New tion’s refusal to issue press passes for other members of the country’s media York and the 40th International Civil the country’s reporters seeking to cover Aviation Organisation Assembly Sept. 24 to cover the activities and events of the WHA in 2018. to Oct. 4 in Montreal, RSF said in a state- U.N.-affiliated organizations like the ment. WHO is supported by RSF. (CNA) Taiwan is a bastion of media freedom. It ranks 42nd out of 180 countries and ter- In a tweet on its official Twitter account, ritories surveyed in the latest RSF World the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) expression as stated in Article 19 of the Press Freedom Index, while China lan- acknowledged the backing of RSF. “We Universal Declaration of Human Rights. guishes at 176th. (Source: Taiwan Today) thank @RSF_eastasia & @RSF_en for supporting #Taiwan journalists & de- Accrediting bona fide journalists and fending global #PressFreedom.” other members of the media is not a political move and should not hinge on RSF Secretary-General Christophe nationality nor the geographical location Deloire said U.N. restrictions on Taiwan of the outlet they represent, Deloire journalists and other members of the added. country’s media contravene the funda- mental right to freedom of opinion and According to RSF, the U.N. is increasingly ISSUE 4

SA-TAIWAN ENEWS Business and Economics Page 4 Taiwan Delegation Attends Global Business Roundtable World Congress A delegation of Taiwan officials and tise in nurturing small and medium en- companies attended the ninth annual terprises, he said. Global Business Roundtable (GBR) World Congress for Trade and Investment in Launched in 2009, the GBR is a global Johannesburg, according to the Ministry platform for SMEs, corporations and of Economic Affairs (MOEA). government officials to discuss trade and investment developments. This year’s Organised by the MOEA’s Bureau of For- congress was themed Achieving Sustain- eign Trade (BOFT), the group was led by able Economic Growth and Equitable BOFT Deputy Director-General William Distribution of Resources, and also ad- Liu and comprised more than 16 compa- BOFT Deputy Director-General William dressed topics like digital impacts and nies in sectors spanning functional Liu (left) joins other officials from trade transformation. sportswear and LED lighting. Liu deliv- home and abroad in visiting the Tai- ered a speech on the current economic wan booth at the 2019 GBR World More than 200 people from 25 countries situation and industrial innovation in Congress exhibition March 27 in Jo- and territories participated in the event. Taiwan, while the enterprises showcased hannesburg, South Africa. (Courtesy of The speakers also included former Presi- 39 cutting-edge products at the GBR dent of Ghana John Mahama and South exhibition. Africa Deputy Minister of Economic De- essing and textiles, he added. velopment Madala Masuku. (Source: In his address, Liu said that there is a Taiwan Today) high degree of complementarily be- According to Liu, as the world’s 19th tween Taiwan and emerging African largest economy and 17th largest ex- economies. Given Taiwan’s advanced porter, Taiwan is committed to promot- technological capabilities, abundant op- ing free and fair trade and deepening portunities exist for mutually beneficially ties with African partners. The nation is collaboration in industries like food proc- also willing and able to share its exper-

Facebook Opens New Taiwan Headquarters in Taipei Facebook Inc. opened its new Taiwan preneurship and start-up ecosystem. headquarters at the Nan Shan Plaza sky- scraper in Taipei City, underscoring the Dan Neary, Facebook’s vice president for U.S.-based social media giant’s confi- Asia Pacific, described Taiwan as a key dence in the local economy. market for the company. The new head- quarters evinces Facebook’s belief in The 2,658-square-meter office will en- Taiwan’s limitless potential and under- able the company to expand its work- scores its determination to expand its force, Facebook said. It also houses a local investments, he said. training centre designed to facilitate a joint talent cultivation initiative with the Vice Premier Chen Chi-mai (second According to the MOEA, Taiwan is mak- Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA). ing headway in transitioning to a digital, right) and MOEA Deputy Minister innovation-based economy. The success Under the Made by Taiwan, Loved by the Wang Mei-hua (left) are joined by of these efforts is highlighted by many of World program, the two sides are work- Facebook Inc. representatives at the the world’s leading tech enterprises ex- ing to nurture 50,000 digital talents by opening of the social media com- panding their local presence in recent 2020. pany’s new Taiwan headquarters months, the ministry added.

President Tsai Ing-wen, who visited the Facebook aside, Amazon Web Services office the previous day, congratulated velopment Plan. announced that it is establishing a sec- the company on her official Facebook ond innovation hub in Taiwan, while page. In the post, she spotlighted the Launched in 2016, the initiative has two Google Inc. is developing a new head- government’s commitment to providing primary objectives: promoting R&D in quarters in New Taipei City. (Source: opportunities for youth tech talents, as devices and Internet of Things applica- Taiwan Today) evidenced by the Asia Silicon Valley De- tions, and upgrading the nation’s entre- ISSUE 4

SA-TAIWAN ENEWS Science & Technology Page 5

Tsai Reiterates Government’s Commitment to Fostering AR/VR, Games Sectors

With the government bolstering AR, VR Tsai also pointed to the Reality Technol- and extended reality R&D under the five- ogy Service Self-Regulatory Rules un- plus-two innovative industries initiative veiled by the Ministry of Economic Af- and Forward-looking Infrastructure De- fairs. This creates a tailored supervisory velopment Program (FIDP), this potential framework for the AR, VR and XR indus- -laden sector is expected to scale even try, providing participants with greater greater heights going forward, she freedom in developing innovative cross- added. sector applications, Tsai said.

President Tsai Ing-wen (right) plays a Tsai made the remarks at the opening of A key plank in the president’s national shooting game at the opening of GTI GTI Asia Taipei Expo, the nation’s largest development strategy, the five-plus-two Asia Taipei Expo, the nation’s largest arcade game trade show. The event is initiative targets the high-growth sectors spotlighting the latest amusement ma- of biotechnology, green energy, national arcade game trade fair. (Courtesy of chines and related digital and manufac- defence, smart machinery and Internet Presidential Office) turing products at around 450 booths by of Things, as well as two core concepts: more than 50 exhibitors. the circular economy and a new para- President Tsai Ing-wen said that the gov- digm for agricultural development. ernment is committed to fostering digital According to Tsai, AR, VR and XR are ex- and smart technologies like augmented pected to prove critical in a host of The FIDP aims to meet Taiwan’s develop- and virtual reality so that the world’s emerging digital economy sectors. To ment needs for the next 30 years. It cov- best video games are Made in Taiwan. ensure Taiwan stays at the leading-edge, ers eight categories: aquatic environ- the government has launched a four- ments, child care facilities, digital infra- The nation’s games sector is registering year, NT$1 billion project under the FIDP structure, food safety, green energy, impressive growth, Tsai said, adding that to facilitate the incorporation of sensory human resources, railways and urban- total industry output reached NT$58 technologies in areas spanning educa- rural renewal projects. (Source: Taiwan billion (US$1.88 billion) in 2018, the high- tion, entertainment and medical care, Today) est figure in seven years. she said. SMEA, Amazon Sign Deal to Establish Cloud Computing Innovation Centre An agreement on establishing a cloud the soon-to-be-launched Start-up Ter- advantages and the presence of indus- computing innovation centre was signed race, a complex at the former site of the trial leaders like AWS will spur the devel- by the Small and Medium Enterprise athletes’ village for the Taipei 2017 Sum- opment of Taiwan unicorns, start-ups Administration under the Ministry of mer Universiade. valued at US$1 billion or above, he said. Economic Affairs and Amazon Web Ser- vices (AWS), a subsidiary of U.S.-based Speaking at the signing ceremony, Vice The first AWS innovation centre in Tai- online retail giant Amazon.com Inc. in Premier Chen Chi-mai said the innova- wan was set up in collaboration with Taipei City. tion centre is expected to help Taiwan New Taipei City Government last August start-ups and SMEs tap opportunities at Taipei Far Eastern Telecom Park in the Scheduled to open in New Taipei City’s and resources in global markets. metropolis’s Banqiao District. Linkou District in June, the facility aims to encourage Taiwan start-ups and small The government is committed to foster- In addition to cultivating start-ups, both and medium enterprises in emerging ing Taiwan’s economic transformation sites are intended to serve as training industries like artificial intelligence, Inter- and upgrading, Chen said. This is evi- hubs for cloud-based technologies, with net of Things and machine learning to denced by the establishment of interna- the Linkou centre expected to cultivate adopt cloud computing solutions. It will tional incubation bases such as the Lin- 2,000 talents per year through courses, also cooperate with accelerators from kou site in line with the five-plus-two seminars and workshops. (Source: Tai- home and abroad to help new Taiwan innovative industries initiative, he added. wan Today) businesses expand to international mar- kets and attract foreign start-ups to set According to the vice premier, Start-up up offices in the country. Terrace offers abundant benefits to ten- ants including low rents and early testing The facility—the second AWS innovation access to fifth-generation mobile net- hub in Taiwan—is set to be located at work technology. It is hoped that such ISSUE 4

SA-TAIWAN ENEWS Art and Culture Page 6 Fulong International Sand Sculpting Art Festival to Kick off in New Taipei tion, the 12th edition of the annual exhi- world. bition runs through Aug. 25. A total of 25 sand sculpture artists from seven coun- On June 15, the festival will also host an tries and territories have been invited to attempt to break the Guinness World produce works around the theme Cross- Record for the largest number of people ing the Town to Find Atlantis. simultaneously creating sand sculptures. A total of 300 participants will attempt The event will be comprised of three to produce depictions of dolphins under exhibitions areas, each featuring pieces the supervision of professional artists. inspired by the mythical Greek city. The Taiwan's beloved Oh Bear joins two first focuses on the origin story of Atlan- First staged in 2008, the festival is held dancers in strutting his stuff at a pro- tis—said to have been created by the sea along the popular golden beach between motional event for the upcoming god Poseidon—and features sand sculp- Fulong and Yanliao on Taiwan’s northern Fulong International Sand Sculpting tures intended to make visitors feel like coast. The soft, highly cohesive white Art Festival in Taipei City. (Courtesy they are strolling through the legendary quartz sand makes the site ideal for pro- of Tourism Bureau) metropolis. ducing sculptures. (Source: Taiwan To- day) The Fulong International Sand Sculpting Themed around Atlantis’ embrace of Art Festival is set to kick off in New technology and its ultimate fall, the sec- Taipei City, drawing visitors from home ond area will comprise artworks show- and abroad to the golden beach on Tai- casing the co-existence of ancient and wan’s northern coast. modern worlds. The final section con- sists of sculptures based on marine envi- Organised by the Northeast and Yilan ronments and wildlife, and aims to en- Coast National Scenic Area Administra- courage visitors to cherish the natural CIP Touts Maori Cultural Exchanges

discuss cultural exchanges between the with their counterparts. two sides. Another key development is the upcom- According to Icyang, Taiwan indigenous ing launch of the headquarters for the groups and the Maori share a cultural, Taiwan-initiated Austronesian Forum, genetic and linguistic heritage as they lie Icyang said. Expected to open later this along the Austronesian-speaking peo- year in Palau, this venue will facilitate ples’ migration pathway. Exploration of expanded cooperation in fostering cul- these historical ties can benefit both tural ties and sustainable development sides, he said. among nations that share Austronesian heritage, he added. CIP Minister Icyang Parod (right) pre- Related efforts in this regard include a sents glass beads from Taiwan’s in- trip by Maoris from the Ngati Manu tribe Indigenous peoples have lived in Taiwan digenous Paiwan tribe to Te Ururoa in New Zealand’s Karetu region to Tai- for millenniums. The latest CIP statistics Flavell, CEO of Maori educational in- wan last August. Sponsored by the CIP, it revealed that the population of the stitution Te Wananga o Aotearoa, at included visits to the annual harvest fes- country’s 16 officially recognized tribes the CIP in New Taipei City. (Courtesy tival of the Amis tribe and the Indigenous stands at around 560,000, or 2.3 percent Peoples Cultural Development Centre in of the total 23.5 million. (Source: Tai- of CIP) southern Taiwan’s Pingtung County. wan Today)

Council of Indigenous Peoples (CIP) Min- This was followed by a similar trip in Feb- ister Icyang Parod met with Te Ururoa ruary by 10 Amis teenagers to the Maori Flavell, CEO of Maori educational institu- Ngati Manu community in which they tion Te Wananga o Aotearoa and former learned the ceremonial haka dance, mu- New Zealand minister of Maori develop- sic and traditional hunting and fishing ment, at the CIP in New Taipei City to methods. They also shared Amis customs ISSUE 4

SA-TAIWAN ENEWS Medical & health care Page 7 VP Chen Reaffirms Government’s Commitment to Strengthening Paediatric Care to Dr. Tien Yin-chun, head of the College Reducing infant mortality is a target of of Medicine at Kaohsiung Medical Uni- these efforts, with the Ministry of Health versity, for his work in paediatric ortho- and Welfare (MOHW) planning to ex- paedics. Dr. Tsai Wen-yu, who retired pand care for high-risk pregnancies, last year as a paediatric endocrinologist Chen said. Related measures will include at National Taiwan University Hospital in offering women more wide-ranging pre- Taipei, received the lifetime achieve- and postnatal services, he added. ment prize.

Chen made the remarks at the Taiwan Dr. Kuo Meng-fai, director of paediatric Children Healthcare Excellence Award neurosurgery at NTUH, picked up the Vice President Chen Chien-jen (front, ceremony in Taipei City. The honours are honour for outstanding veteran physi- left) presents the Taiwan Children sponsored by the MOHW and organised cian, while Dr. Lin Hsin-chia, a paediatric Healthcare Excellence Award to by New Taipei City-based Raising Chil- cardiologist at NTUH’s Yunlin branch in Cheng Hsueh-fang, deputy head dren Medical Foundation. western Taiwan, earned the emerging nurse at Tri-Service General Hospital doctor award. Penghu Branchin, Taipei City. This year’s winners include the child abuse unit at Kaohsiung Medical Univer- In the nursing categories, the honours (Courtesy of Presidential Office) sity Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital in went to Cheng Hsueh-fang, deputy head southern Taiwan. Established in 2014, nurse at Tri-Service General Hospital’s The government is committed to devel- the team cooperates with law enforce- branch in outlying Penghu County, and oping a more comprehensive health ser- ment and social workers to identify, pro- Liu Wan-sheng, head nurse of the chil- vices network for children and newborns tect and provide care to mistreated dren’s ward at Kaohsiung Veterans Gen- so as to provide the next generation with youths. eral Hospital in southern Taiwan. the best standard of care, according to (Source: Taiwan Today) Vice President Chen Chien-jen. The contribution award was presented

VP Chen Vows to Advance Taiwan’s Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sectors

Advancing Taiwan’s biomedical and taking place at National Biotechnology northern Taiwan, as well as two clusters pharmaceutical sectors while realising Research Park in Taipei’s Nangang Dis- in central and southern Taiwan specialis- the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) trict. It serves as a world-class platform ing in medical equipment and supplies. major objective of Health For All is a top for sharing experiences and ideas, as well priority for the government of Taiwan. promoting key developments in fields Another accomplishment is Taiwan’s relating to the role of TGF-β, or trans- ascension to the International Council for Biomedicine is a key component of the forming growth factor beta, in cancer Harmonisation of Technical Require- five-plus-two innovative industries initia- prevention and therapy. ments for Pharmaceuticals for Human tive, Vice President Chen Chien-jen said. Use in June 2018, Chen said, adding that Promotional efforts focus on building the According to Chen, an important meas- this confirms the success of government necessary infrastructure for industry ure contributing to the development of efforts to bring Taiwan’s laws more in development and strengthening Tai- Taiwan’s biomedical and pharmaceutical line with global standards. wan’s related regulations, he added. sectors is the establishment of the Tai- wan Clinical Trail Consortium. Compris- The government will leave no stone un- Chen made the remarks while receiving ing 12 medical centres around Taiwan, turned in spotlighting Taiwan’s biomedi- Carl-Henrik Heldin, chairman of the the initiative positions the country to cine advantages and showing the world board of the Nobel Foundation, at the maintain leadership in clinical trials and Taiwan Can Help realise Health For All, Presidential Office in Taipei City. The promote more international cooperation Chen said. (Source: Taiwan Today) Swedish scholar is in country for the 2nd and exchanges. International Symposium on TGF-β in Cancer. At the same time, Chen said, several re- search centres and industrial clusters Co-organised by the Taiwan Research- have been created to foster business and based Biopharmaceutical Manufacturers technology activity. He cited NBRP and Association, the one-day annual event is Hsinchu Biomedical Science Park in ISSUE 4

SA-TAIWAN ENEWS Entertainment Page 8 Creative Expo Taiwan gets Underway in Taipei shan Cultural and Creative Park, Taipei The 7-hectare creative park also fea- Expo Park, Taiwan Contemporary Culture tures pavilions on the cultural scenes of Lab and Taipei Railway Workshop. four regions: the northern city of Taoyuan, the southeastern county of According to MOC Minister Cheng Li- Taitung, and Tainan City and Pingtung chiun, as a free and democratic nation County in southern Taiwan. Special edi- and melting pot of various ethnic groups, tion magazines on the development, Taiwan boasts a deep creative talent crafts and tourism sectors of these areas pool. are on offer at the event.

Members of renowned drumming In line with this year’s theme Culture on Highlights at the other venues include an troupe U-Theatre perform at the the Move, the event aims to highlight image licensing fair, forums on topics opening ceremony of Creative Expo the full breath of Taiwan’s design and spanning climate change, digital media Taiwan in Taipei City. (Courtesy of performing arts landscape from the clas- and photography, and “Hi, Story,” an arts Taiwan Design Centre) sical to the contemporary, while provid- and history exhibition displaying items ing insights into the country’s inclusive from the collections of five national mu- Creative Expo Taiwan kicked off in Taipei society, Cheng said. seums. City, drawing a record 570 exhibitors from 25 countries and territories to Titled Stage on Move, the main pavilion Launched in 2010, the annual CET plays a showcase the latest cultural and design at Huashan is hosting an eclectic mix of key role in the strategic promotion of the trends. traditional and modern performances by cultural and creative industry by the such artists as glove puppeteer Chen Hsi- MOC. The sector was first included in the Organised by the Ministry of Culture huang, indigenous singer-songwriter Illid national development plan in 2002 and (MOC), the 12-day fair is spotlighting Kaolo and rapper Dwagie. Participants' further prioritized following promulga- Taiwan crafts, design concepts, history, creative processes are also being spot- tion of the Law for the Development of lifestyles and performing arts at five ven- lighted through documentary screenings, the Cultural and Creative Industries in ues: Huashan 1914 Creative Park, Song- talks and workshops. 2010. (Source: Taiwan Today)

‘More Than Blue’ Flies Flag for Taiwan at Filmfest DC

Lin is a touching romantic drama charting nage and crime, comedy, and music, the relationship between isolated stu- respectively. (Source: Taiwan Today) dent K and rebellious girl Cream.

The pair, played by Jasper Liu and Ivy Chen respectively, becomes inseparable after losing their families. When K is di- agnosed with leukemia, he dedicates himself to helping Cream find love be- Actor Bruce Hung appears in a scene fore his time runs out. from “More Than Blue,” Taiwan’s entry in Filmfest DC running in the "More Than Blue” is a remake of a 2009 U.S. capital. (Courtesy of Filmfest DC South Korean movie. It was screened at last year’s Busan International Film Festi- 2019) val and proved a critical and box-office success upon its release. Taiwan movie “More Than Blue” is fea- turing in the Washington DC Interna- The 33rd edition of Filmfest DC com- tional Film Festival in the U.S. capital. prises screenings of more than 80 movies from 45 countries and territories. Pro- Participating with support from the Min- gram highlights include FoodFlix, Trust istry of Culture and Taipei Economic and No One, the Lighter Side and Global Cultural Representative Office in the Rhythms, selections spotlighting interna- U.S., the 2018 release by director Gavin tional films in the genres of food, espio- ISSUE 4

E EWS SA-TAIWAN N Tourism Page 9 Southeast Asian Visitor Numbers to Taiwan Hit Record High in 2018

MOI. This marked the ninth consecutive bound passengers reached 55.26 million year of visitor growth from the region. in Taiwan last year, equating to a more than 100 percent increase from 2008. The top five sources of foreign arrivals to Taiwan in 2018 were China, 2.66 million; In terms of outbound travel, Japan re- Japan, 1.96 million; Hong Kong and Ma- mained the destination of choice for Tai- cao, 1.53 million; South Korea, 1.01 mil- wan visitors, followed by China, Hong lion; and the U.S., 550,000. In the terms Kong, South Korea, and Thailand. The of visitor number growth, the Philippines latter registered the largest growth in The number of Southeast Asian led the way, followed by Vietnam, Japan, 2018 at 18.46 percent to 679,145. visitors to Taiwan surged 13.8 per- Thailand, and Indonesia, the MOI data cent to a record 2.42 million last showed. A key plank of President Tsai Ing-wen’s national development strategy, the NSP year, according to the MOI. According to the ministry, the surge in is deepening Taiwan’s agricultural, busi- (Courtesy of Tourism Bureau) arrivals from Southeast Asia is due to a ness, cultural, education, trade and tour- host of measures enacted under the NSP ism links with Association of Southeast The number of Southeast Asian visitors such as the easing of visa regulations. Asian Nations member states, six South to Taiwan rose 13.8 percent to a record Asian countries, Australia and New Zea- 2.42 million last year, spotlighting the Other factors include the growing popu- land. (Source: Taiwan Today) success of the government’s New larity of budget airlines and rise in the Southbound Policy (NSP), the Ministry of number of flight routes. A total of 30 the Interior (MOI) said. new routes were launched in 2018, with 70 percent of these serving airports in Arrivals from Southeast Asia accounted East and Southeast Asia, the MOI said. for 21.89 percent of the 11 million-plus total recorded in 2018, according to the Overall, the number of inbound and out-

Taiwan Taoyuan Airport Earns Recognition for Carbon Reduction Efforts

Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport 2017. TTIA is committed to further bol- earned an award and certificate from stering such environmental initiatives Montreal-based Airports Council Interna- going forward, he said. tional (ACI) for wide-ranging efforts to lower its carbon footprint, according to In addition to ACI accreditation, the air- facility operator Taoyuan International port has received certification for adher- Airport Corp (TIAC). ence to ISO 14064 standards on green- house gas accounting and verification, In the ACI Asia-Pacific Green Airports and ISO 50001 criteria on energy man- Recognition program, the country’s main agement. TIAC Chairman Wang Ming-teh gateway picked up the top-ranked plati- num prize in the category for facilities (fourth left) is joined by company TTIA is a regular recipient of interna- serving 10-45 million passengers per staff in spotlighting recent recogni- tional honours. It was named No. 1 glob- year. It was recognized for a project to tion of TTIA’s carbon reduction ef- ally for immigration service and airport optimize the energy supply chain of ex- forts in northern Taiwan. (Courtesy staff in 2018 and 2017, respectively, by isting boarding bridges, which lowered U.K.-based air travel research group Sky- of TIAC) carbon emissions by 32,200 tons year on trax, and came third worldwide for facili- year in 2018, TIAC said. tives and switching out traditional bulbs ties serving over 40 million passengers for light-emitting diodes. per year in ACI’s 2017 Airport Service The airport was also presented with a Quality Awards. (Source: Taiwan Today) third-level optimisation certificate—the According to TIAC Chairman Wang Ming- second-highest of four grades—under teh, the airport slashed its carbon foot- ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation sys- print and electricity consumption per tem for such efforts as replacing gas- passenger by 21.7 percent and 27.1 per- powered vehicles with electric alterna- cent, respectively, between 2013 and ISSUE 4

SA-TAIWAN ENEWS Sport Page 10

Taiwan’s Kuo Hsing-chun Wins 3 Golds and Sets 3 World Records 105 kg set at the 2018 World Weightlift- Kuo, raised in south-eastern Taiwan’s ing Championships. Her second was in Taitung County, claimed silver at the the clean and jerk when she lifted 137 kg 2010 Youth Olympic Games and bronze to break the record of 136 kg set by at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. She China’s Chen Guiming at the 2019 World also won a total of six golds at the 2013, Cup. 2017 and 2018 editions of the WWC. (Source: Taiwan Today) Kuo’s third was for the total of 243 kg, 6 kg more than her own record set at the Taiwan’s Kuo Hsing-chun is the win- 2018 WWC. This placed her ahead of ner of three golds and the holder of Chen, 233 kg and Japan’s Ando Mikiko, 225 kg. three new world records at the 2019

Asian Weightlifting Championships. The gold haul repeats Kuo’s success at the 2017 AWC and brings her career gold Kuo Hsing-chun of Taiwan won three medal tally to 10 at the annual champi- gold medals and set three world records onships. in the women’s 59-kilogram category at the 2019 Asian Weightlifting Champion- As the AWC also serves as a qualifying ships (AWC) in China. tournament for the 2020 Tokyo Olym- pics, Kuo is a hot favourite to win a berth Kuo’s first was in the snatch when she at the Summer Games. lifted 106 kg to break her own record of Taiwan Golfer Pan Cheng-tsung Claims Maiden PGA Tour Title holes and secure victory. from No. 113 in the Official World Golf Ranking. He is now expected to earn an Speaking after the win, Pan said that his invitation to the Augusta National next near-miss at the PGA Wyndham Champi- year, and is in line to make Ernie Els’ in- onship last year—in which he lost out on ternational team for the Dec. 9-15 Presi- the title with a double bogey on the dents Cup. 18th—changed his approach to the con- cluding holes. The key was focusing on Born in northern Taiwan’s Miaoli County, the small details and staying in the pre- Pan claimed silver at the 2006 Asian sent, he added. Games in Doha, and was ranked No. 1 on Pan Cheng-tsung displays his first the World Amateur Golf Ranking in 2013. PGA Tour trophy at the RBC Heritage Pan also took the opportunity to offer his He debuted as a professional at the U.S. in South Carolina. (Courtesy of PGA congratulations to Taiwan teenager Lu Open in 2015, bagging two PGA Tour Hsin-yu, who won the girls’ division at Canada events the same year and finish- Tour) the C. T. Pan Junior Championship co- ing as runner-up at two PGA Tour events, organised by the golfer and the Ameri- in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Taiwan’s Pan Cheng-tsung claimed his can Junior Golf Association in Houston. first Professional Golfers’ Association Lu was among 10 Taiwan competitors Pan is now the second Taiwan player to Tour title at the RBC Heritage in South that Pan brought over to the U.S. for the have won a PGA Tour title following Carolina. event. Chen Tze-chung’s victory at the Los An- geles Open in 1987. (Source: Taiwan Pan finished the tournament 12 under Inspiring the next generation of Taiwan News) par, one stroke ahead of runner-up Matt golfers is a major focus for Pan. “This is Kuchar of the U.S. The 27-year-old dem- one of the best weekends I’ve ever had,” onstrated considerable poise in a thrill- he said. ing final round, grabbing the lead with a birdie on the 16th before holding his Victory earned Pan US$1.242 million in nerve to register pars on the next two prize money and moves him up to No. 55