SA-TAIWAN Enews FEBRUARY 25TH, 2019 PUBLISHER: MATTHEW CHOU ISSUE 2
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Taipei Liaison Office in the RSA SA-TAIWAN eNews FEBRUARY 25TH, 2019 PUBLISHER: MATTHEW CHOU ISSUE 2 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 Eyes Greater Global Participation for Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen reiterated The visiting officials were Melusi that Taiwan is committed to expand- Martin Masuku from the Kingdom of ing its contribution to the global Eswatini, Tukabu Tauati from Ki- community through seeking mean- ribati, Deborah Barker-Manase from ingful participation in the U.N. sys- the Marshall Islands and Fakasoa tem. Tealei from Tuvalu. Globalisation has led to increasingly According to the president, the gov- frequent people-to-people interac- ernment attaches great importance President Tsai Ing-wen (center) tions and trade exchanges among to its relationships with the coun- countries, while issues such as avia- receives Eswatini Permanent Rep- try’s diplomatic allies as they are key tion safety, global health and sus- resentative to the U.N. Melusi avenues through which Taiwan con- tainable development require col- Martin Masuku (fourth left), Ki- nects with the world. laboration between all members of ribati Deputy Permanent Repre- the international society, Tsai said. The government is looking forward sentative to the U.N. Tukabu to enhancing information exchanges It is important that Taiwan is not Tauati (second left), Marshall Is- and promoting bilateral projects in excluded in the process so that a lands Deputy Permanent Repre- areas spanning agricultural technol- sound global network can be sentative to the U.N. Deborah ogy, green energy, medical care and achieved to address these chal- Barker-Manase (first left) and Tu- resilient cities with these nations to lenges, she added. fast track achieving sustainable de- valu Deputy Permanent Represen- velopment goals, she added. Tsai made the remarks while receiv- tative to the U.N. Fakasoa Tealei ing a delegation of the permanent (fourth right) at the Office of the Tsai also thanked the members of and deputy permanent representa- President Jan. 24 in Taipei City. the delegation for consistently tives to the U.N. of four of Taiwan’s (Courtesy of Office of the Presi- speaking up for Taiwan at interna- diplomatic allies at the Office of the dent) tional venues, including at the U.N. President in Taipei City. (Source: Taiwan Today) (Left) Thambo Gina, minister of economic planning and development in the Kingdom of Eswatini, inspects Taipei Lantern Festival signage in Wanhua District’s Ximen area. (Staff photo/Chen Mei- ling) (Centre) An oversized clog planter is expected to feature heavily on social media platforms during the Chiang Kai-shek Shilin Residence Tulip Show. The popular event runs until March 3 in Taipei City. (Courtesy of Taipei City Government) (Right) A flock of shovelers and wigeons fly over Jiading Wetlands in southern Taiwan’s Kaohsiung City. The area usually attracts migratory birds until the end of April. (Courtesy of Kaohsiung City Government) ISSUE 1 SA-TAIWAN ENEWS What's on Page 2 The 2019 Chinese New Year and Cultural Festival Zodiac. In life, every end is a new begin- ning, and it is in that spirit that today we look forward to the coming year with hope and aspirations in our hearts." Representative Matthew Chou (far right) with the The Mentor of the Nan Hua Temple, Venerable I-Chun (second from right). Representative Matthew Chou deliv- The Nan Hua Temple once again pro- ering his remarks. 2019 ushers in the year of the Pig, vided the stunning backdrop for the Chi- the twelfth sign of the Chinese nese New Year and Cultural Festival. At- Zodiac. tendees could be forgiven for thinking Red envelopes symbolising good luck they had been transported to the Far were handed out to the thousands of East as they stood in the shadow of the people. Inside was a beautiful blessing magnificent buildings while hundreds of for the New Year and money, as is the firecrackers echoed loudly around the tradition for the New Year. temple, creating small explosions in or- der to drive away old ghosts and The rows and rows of mouth watering evil spirits. food stalls did not disappoint and is al- ways a highlight of the festival. From The mesmerising Dragon and Lion vegetable fritters, stinky tofu, fried noo- Dances were performed to the pulsating dles, bubble tea, matcha ice cream, ve- beat of drums which simulated the gan dogs, and fake fish and chips, each heartbeat of the auspicious creatures. vendor had a unique take on the strictly Both dances were performed as a means vegetarian street food. Over the years to chase away evil spirits and welcome in the food has been drawing foodies to the prosperous times, and to show respect festival and to anyone who wants to try to Buddha. authentic Asian street food. Amid all the noise and jubilation, the Balloon sculpting, lantern painting, go- smell of incense wafted out from the cart racing, paint ball, trampoline jump- The Lion and Dragon Dances proved Temple where people offered silent ing with bungee cords were but some of firm favourites with the crowds. prayers for the New Year and to their the activities for the little ones, while ancestors. cultural events around the Temple and meditation sessions provided food for 2019 ushers in the year of the Pig, which the mind, body and soul and got every- is believed to be a good year to make one in to the right mindset to tackle the money and friends. The portly pig is as- New Year. (Dominique Spalovsky) sociated with wealth, good fortune, emotion and intuition. Representative Matthew Chou form the Taipei Liaison Office wished everyone a happy Lunar New Year saying, "The Pig represents the completion of a cycle, as the Pig is the twelfth sign of the Chinese ISSUE 1 SA-TAIWAN ENEWS Headline News Page 3 MOFA Gears up for Taiwan Relations Act 40th Anniversary Celebrations tween Taiwan and the U.S., he added. of State Mike Pompeo last July in Wash- ington. According to Yao, the events will be held in Taiwan and the U.S. They include the Other program highlights include the Indo-Pacific forum on religious freedom Indo-Pacific Security Dialogue in Taipei; a and Global Cooperation and Training special reception on Capitol Hill; a short Framework workshops on digital econ- film about Taiwan-U.S. ties; and a series omy, energy security, indigenous lan- of Taiwan Day events organised by Tai- guage preservation, law enforcement, wan’s representative offices in various media literacy, public health and U.S. cities. The MOFA is staging a series of women’s economic empowerment. events throughout the year to cele- The American Institute in Taiwan is also brate the 40th anniversary of the Tai- The forum—organised by Taiwan Foun- marking the milestone. Its TRA@40: An wan Relations Act. (UDN) dation for Democracy—is taking place Enduring Partnership campaign, A yearlong program of events celebrat- March 11-12 in Taipei. It will be attended launched by AIT Director Brent Christen- ing the 40th anniversary of the Taiwan by Sam Brownback, head of the U.S. sen Feb. 1, focuses on a different aspect Relations Act (TRA) was announced by State Department’s Office of Interna- of Taiwan-U.S. relations each month for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in tional Religious Freedom, as well as aca- the coming year. Taipei City. demics, experts and officials from more than 10 like-minded countries. Signed into law April 10, 1979, following These activities underscore the impor- the switch of recognition from Taipei to tance of the TRA in cementing bilateral According to the MOFA, the event is Beijing by the U.S., the TRA authorises relations and ensuring cross-strait peace, seen as playing a key role in protecting the continuation of substantive relations stability and security, said Vincent Chin- religious freedom while promoting free- between the two sides in the absence of hsiang Yao, director-general of the dom, democracy and human rights diplomatic ties to help maintain Indo- MOFA’s Department of North American throughout the region. It was inspired by Pacific peace, stability and security. Affairs. They also illustrate the firm the inaugural Ministerial to Advance Reli- (Source: Taiwan Today) friendship and expansive exchanges be- gious Freedom hosted by U.S. Secretary Premier Su Convenes First Cabinet Meeting, Pledges Tangible Results Premier Su Tseng-chang convened his people clearly understand the steps that first Cabinet meeting in Taipei City, are being taken to address their needs. pledging to lead his team in delivering tangible results so that the public can Su and the new Cabinet members as- experience and share in the achieve- sumed their posts earlier the same day ments of government reforms. in a swearing-in ceremony hosted by President Tsai Ing-wen at the Office of Ministries must collaborate closely and the President in Taipei. forge ahead on the existing foundation of economic transformation laid down Afterward, Su received the seal of office by outgoing Premier Lai Ching-te, Su from Lai at the Executive Yuan. He said Premier Su Tseng-chang (centre) ad- said, vowing to step out of his comfort that he accepted the immense responsi- zone, roll up his sleeves and dive into the dresses his first Cabinet meeting bility out of passion for Taiwan and a work.