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 ISSUE 4 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.