LAWMAKERS’ PRESSURE: Joseph Wu responded to questions from members of the Foreign and National Defense Committee about efforts to attend the annual meeting

Taipei Times
Date: Apr 12, 2018
By: Stacy Hsu  /  Staff reporter

The government will not accept any demeaning titles in exchange for its attendance at this

year’s World Health Assembly (WHA), Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) vowed yesterday during a meeting of the legislature’s Foreign and National Defense Committee.

The committee was reviewing the government’s efforts to push for Taiwan’s participation at the WHA, which is scheduled to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, from May 21 to May 26.

When Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Wang Ding-yu (王定宇) asked if the government would accept observer status under China at the WHA, Wu said: “A major precondition for the nation’s participation [in international events] is that it will not be subject to belittlement. The situation you mentioned is not something we can accept.”

Allies that submitted proposals to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom for Taiwan to attend the have made it clear that Taiwan’s participation, if granted, would represent the nation’s 23 million people, the minister said.    [FULL  STORY]

A white label manufacturer is showing the way for Taiwan’s companies to fall into line with a greening global supply chain.

The News Lens
Date: 2018/04/10
By: Nate Maynard

In February, TCI, a white-label bioscience company that makes dietary supplements and cosmetic products, became the first company in Taiwan to sign on by committing to reach 100 percent renewable energy by 2030 with an interim target of 30 percent by 2020.

This commitment, from a company without a consumer facing brand, sends a strong signal. It tells utilities, that companies and customers will continue to demand a transition to cleaner energy.

And with Taiwan having just re-launched its renewable energy certificates (RECs) program, known as T-REC, it is now easier than ever for businesses, institutions, and individuals to vote with their electricity bill and follow TCI’s lead.

TCI, a public company listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange, represents the vanguard of what the Taiwan government hopes will be a significant shift in the power purchasing habits of it’s the country’s major companies. To this end, the government has introduced reforms to the Electricity Act and Renewable Energy Development Act to promote private investment in Taiwan’s renewable energy industry.    [FULL  STORY]

The cruise ship offers a variety of stateroom choices, dining cuisine and dazzling entertainment activities

Taiwan News 
Date: Date: 2018/04/10
By: Alicia Nguyen, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The Norwegian Jewel, a cruise ship operated by Norwegian Cruise Line, arrived at the Port of Kaohsiung today (April 10), bringing 2248 passengers from the U.S., reported Liberty Times.

At 8 a.m., The Norwegian Gem landed at Kaohsiung Port with thousands of tourists divided into 24 groups heading to several scenic spots in Kaohsiung city, Tainan city and Pingtung County.

According to operators at the Port of Kaohsiung, the Norwegian Jewel was completed on August 4, 2005. It has the length of 294.13 meters, the beam is 32.2 meters wide and has a capacity of 2,883 passengers and 1,000 crew members.     [FULL  STORY]

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2018/04/10
By: Justin Su, Wen Kuei-hsiang and Evelyn Kao

Taipei, April 10 (CNA) The Legislative Yuan on Tuesday passed the third and final reading of a bill on international mutual judicial and legal assistance in criminal matters with the aim of facilitating cooperation between Taiwan and other countries in the field of criminal justice.

The bill states that transnational crimes have grown rapidly in recent years as international drug cartels, money laundering rings and criminals of all shades have taken advantage of remote border areas or differences in legal systems to evade criminal investigation, prosecution and sentencing.

To close these loopholes, nations should work together to coordinate criminal investigations and bring criminals to justice through mutual legal assistance, according to the bill.    [FULL  STORY]

GOING ‘GREEN’: As the first country to develop civil nuclear power, the UK can help Taiwan deal with its end of life of nuclear plants, a British trade representative said

Taipei Times
Date: Apr 11, 2018
By: Stacy Hsu  /  Staff reporter

British Undersecretary of State for International Trade Graham Stuart yesterday set an

optimistic tone for the possibility of a trade agreement between Taiwan and the UK after Brexit, touting the productive environment created by bilateral trade talks.

Stuart made the remarks at a news conference in Taoyuan at the vertical vegetable farming company YesHealth iFarm (源鮮智慧農場), which is to invest ￡18 million (US$25.5 million) to establish its first European base with a vertical farming factory in York, England.

“This is only the latest announcement in a pattern of mutual trade and investment that has flourished between our economies in recent years,” Stuart said, adding that the firm’s 14-story vertical farm is Asia’s largest indoor plant producer and is at the cutting edge of an industry that, while still in its early stages, has truly global implications.

He also announced that frozen food manufacturer Han Dian Frozen Prepared Food Co (漢典食品) would invest ￡3.5 million to expand its UK manufacturing operation, following an initial investment in London in September last year.    [FULL  STORY]

Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) on April 3 announced this year’s first case of hantavirus hemorrhagic fever in a 44-year-old male who resides in northern Taiwan and works in the food and beverage industry

Taiwan News 
Date: 2018/04/09
By: George Liao, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News)–Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) on April 3

announced this year’s first case of hantavirus hemorrhagic fever in a 44-year-old male who resides in northern Taiwan and works in the food and beverage industry.

On March 9, the case developed symptoms, including fever and dizziness, according to Taiwan CDC. The case’s primary areas of daily activities include places around his work place, residence and the nearby mountain, Taiwan CDC said, adding that he had not recently traveled domestically and internationally. None of the family members residing in the same household with the case has developed suspected symptoms, the agency added.

According to the surveillance statistics compiled by Taiwan CDC, each year a few cases of hantavirus infection are confirmed. Since 2008, a total of 12 cases of hantavirus hemorrhagic fever have been confirmed.    [FULL  STORY]