Taipei Liaison Office in the RSA SA-TAIWAN eNews JUNE 28TH, 2019 PUBLISHER: MATTHEW CHOU ISSUE 6 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 PPSEAWA Conference, Pledges to Keep Empowering Women President Tsai Ing-wen said that she by Indo-Pacific ally the Marshall Is- will continue promoting policies aimed lands in March. Both countries are at empowering women in Taiwan and collaborating on various gender equal- throughout the Indo-Pacific so as to ity initiatives in tandem with like- enable all members of society share in minded partner the U.S. to great ef- the fruits of prosperity. fect, she added. As the first female president of Tai- Another is Taiwan’s Long-term Care wan, ensuring women’s empower- Plan 2.0., Tsai said, adding that its ment remains a central plank in the President Tsai Ing-wen delivers her overarching goals echo the theme of government’s policymaking platform is opening address at the 27th the conference: “Life’s Journey to Well a top priority, Tsai said. This has paid PPSEAWA International Conference -being.” dividends as illustrated by a raft of in New Taipei City. (Courtesy of measures enhancing women’s labour Overseen by the Ministry of Health participation rate and encouraging Presidential Office) and Welfare, the 10-year plan seeks to more females to re-enter the work- establish a comprehensive care system force or start their own businesses, promoting aging in place—the ability she added. committed to addressing key issues to live safely and independently in concerned with women and families one’s home or community regardless Tsai made the remarks while opening while promoting peaceful lives for all. of age, ability or income level. the international conference of the This dovetails with PPSEAWA’s Mission Pan-Pacific and Southeast Asia Statement, and demonstrates the po- Tsai said it is hoped participants will Women’s Association (PPSEAWA) in tential for Taiwan to contribute even take full advantage of the conference New Taipei City. Taking place in Tai- more in supporting the Hawaii-based to share insights on this important wan for the first time in the 91-year nongovernmental organisation’s good issue, as well as related topics like history of the triennial event, the six- work, she said. improving access for women to finan- day conference involves representa- cial decision-making and literacy pro- tives from 11 PPSEAWA chapters. One high-profile example, Tsai said, is grams. (Source: Taiwan Today) her participation in the Pacific Women According to Tsai, the government is Leaders’ Coalition Conference hosted Left: President Tsai Ing-wen waves the Taiwan Universiade flag in Taipei City to support local athletes ahead of the upcoming Summer Universiade set for July 3-14 in Naples, Italy. (Courtesy of Presidential Office) Centre: An official from New Taipei City’s Animal Protection and Health Inspection Office scans a dog to see if it has been microchipped, part of a series of random checks for compliance at parks across the city. (Courtesy of New Taipei City Government) Right: Renowned director and playwright Stan Lai shows off his Sibiu Walk of Fame certificate during the Sibiu International Theatre Festival in Romania; Lai is the first Taiwan individual to win the honour. (Courtesy of Performance Workshop) ISSUE 6 SA-TAIWAN ENEWS Headline News Page 2 MOFA’s 2019 Mosaic Taiwan Gets Underway in Taipei more about Taiwan’s culture, economy, demic backgrounds and extensive work history and society. or volunteer experience in international affairs. MOFA Vice Minister Tsao Li-jey said dur- ing the opening ceremony that Mosaic This year’s program features seminars Taiwan aims to expand bilateral ex- and workshops, as well as meetings with changes and strengthen the bonds of representatives of the academic, private friendship. It also provides unique and and public sectors. Other highlights in- valuable firsthand experiences helping clude trips to many of Taiwan’s impor- participants assume leadership roles in tant cultural, historic and tourist sites. MOFA Vice Minister Tsao Li-jey (front, the future, he added. (Source: Taiwan Today) fifth left) is joined by officials and participants from Canada and the According to Tsao, the program show- U.S. in giving the thumbs-up to Mo- cases Taiwan’s standing as one of the saic Taiwan in Taipei City. (MOFA) freest democracies in Asia while spot- lighting the government’s commitment to promoting freedom, democracy, hu- The 2019 edition of Mosaic Taiwan, an man rights and rule of law. The passage international leadership program for May 24 of a bill legalising same-sex mar- young opinion shapers organised by the riage offers further proof of the high Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), was standard of human rights enjoyed by the officially launched in Taipei City. people, he said. Involving 30 young students and profes- Mosaic Taiwan was launched in 2014 for sionals from Canada and the U.S., the students and professionals from North initiative enables participants to learn America aged 20-35 with proven aca- MAC Urges HK Government to Revoke Extradition Bill The government of Hong Kong must lis- the expectation of its residents and de- ten to the voice of the people and re- mocracy-loving societies around the voke its extradition bill, according to globe, the council said. The government Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council and people of Taiwan stand shoulder to (MAC). shoulder with those taking to the streets of Hong Kong in defence of freedom, Allowing residents to be sent from Hong human rights, free speech and rule of Kong to China infringes on the rights of law, the MAC added. (Source: Taiwan the people in the special administrative Today) region and Taiwan’s sovereignty, the MAC said. Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council The legislation is rejected by the people, calls on the government of Hong Kong ethnic Chinese the world over and the to listen to the voice of the people and international community, the council revoke the extradition bill. (Courtesy said, adding that it also demonstrates the abject failure of Beijing’s “one coun- of MAC) try, two systems” model. The MAC’s statement follows a series of crime-fighting under the auspices of the large-scale protests against the bill in the “one China policy.” The government and former British colony involving more people of Taiwan absolutely oppose this than a million residents. political manoeuvring under the guise of judicial assistance, the MAC said. According to the council, the legislation attempts to place Taiwan-Hong Kong A stable and prosperous Hong Kong is ISSUE 6 SA-TAIWAN ENEWS Business and Economics Page 3 VP Chen Lauds New Applied Materials Facility in Tainan The manufacturing and R&D facility estab- cultivation. lished by U.S.-headquartered Applied Materi- als Inc. in Tainan City, southern Taiwan, is a As international businesses seek to adjust vote of confidence in the country’s continu- global strategies in the wake of trade friction ously improving business environment, ac- between the U.S. and China, such govern- cording to Vice President Chen Chien-jen. ment measures have attracted investment of NT$310 billion by 61 companies this year and Since setting up shop in Taiwan 30 years ago, created more than 30,000 job opportunities, Applied Materials has been a major partner Chen said. of the local high-tech sector, Chen said. As a provider of quality jobs, it is helping trans- These sentiments were echoed by American form the country into a front-runner in the Vice President Chen Chien-jen Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Brent Chris- global semiconductor and display industries, (center) is joined by AIT Director tensen, who said the expanded presence of he added. Brent Christensen (third left), Ap- Applied Materials is yet another sign that major U.S. technology outfits view Taiwan as plied Materials Chairman Thomas According to Chen, the newly inaugurated a critical link in the global supply chain. NT$3 billion (US$95.57 million) facility, along Iannotti (fourth left), President and with the presence of Applied Materials Chair- CEO Gary Dickerson (fourth right) Occupying 5.1 hectares in the Southern Tai- man Thomas Iannotti and President and CEO and other officials at the U.S. com- wan Science Park, the facility is dedicated to Gary Dickerson, underscores the commit- pany’s new facility in Tainan City, developing equipment for the production of ment of the firm to deepening ties with local southern Taiwan. (Courtesy of Presi- large-sized liquid crystal displays, organic partners. dential Office) light-emitting diodes and other flexible de- vices, according to Applied Materials. Since President Tsai Ing-wen took office in wan’s economic fundamentals through fast- (Source: Taiwan Today) May 2016, Chen said, the government has tracked infrastructure development, intellec- left no stone unturned in strengthening Tai- tual property rights protection and talent 1st Taiwan-EU Digital Economy Dialogue Wraps up in Brussels The first Taiwan-EU Dialogue on Digital values. The meeting marks a new chap- Economy concluded in Brussels, ter in related cooperation, with the in- strengthening exchanges on topics span- depth discussions expected to lay the ning artificial intelligence, e-governance, foundations for a follow-up event in technological transformation of tradi- Taipei, he added. tional businesses, and related opportuni- ties and challenges. Taiwan’s delegation comprised officials from the Board of Science and Technol- Delegations to the two-day event were ogy under the Executive Yuan, Industrial headed by Chen Mei-ling, minister of the Development Bureau under the Ministry Cabinet-level National Development of Economic Affairs, as well as the Minis- NDC Minister Chen Mei-ling (left) and Council (NDC), and Roberto Viola, head try of Science and Technology.