Focus Taiwan
Date: 2015/11/25
By: Hsieh Chia-chen and Elizabeth Hsu

Taipei, Nov. 25 (CNA) President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) called on Taiwan’s citizens Wednesday not to panic about a video purportedly released Nov. 24 by the Islamic State, a radical Islamist group also known as ISIS or ISIL, in which a Republic of China (Taiwan) national flag was shown.

After a national security meeting with high-ranking officials last week, he has instructed national security units and the Executive Yuan — the highest administrative organ of Taiwan — to take necessary precautions and protective measures based on conclusions of that meeting, Ma said in response to media questions about the video.

Ma urged the public not to panic because of the video, but reminded them to be on the alert while traveling to foreign countries.     [FULL  STORY]

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2015/11/24
By: Hsieh Chia-chen, Wang Cheng-chung, Elizabeth Hsieh and S.C. Chang

Taipei, Nov. 24 (CNA) President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) said Tuesday that there are “a wide range” of methods to combat terrorism and helping refugees weather harsh winters is one way to do it.

During a chat with the press in central Taiwan, the president was asked to comment on a statement by U.S. President Barack Obama that Taiwan is one of the Asia-Pacific countries in a coalition against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

The government has been in cooperation with the United States on many fronts since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S., Ma said, noting that “our objective is to help ensure world peace.”     [FULL  STORY]

Taiwan Today
Date: November 24, 2015

The 12th round of negotiations on the cross-strait trade in goods agreement

Yang Jen-ni, director general of the Board of Foreign Trade (second right).

concluded Nov. 23 in Taipei, with delegates from Taiwan and mainland China reaching consensus on several key issues.

Beginning Nov. 21, the talks were led by Yang Jen-ni, director-general of the Bureau of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Economic Affairs, with Wu Ming-ji, director-general of the MOEA Industrial Development Bureau, and their counterpart Sun Tong from mainland China’s Ministry of Commerce.

“Given the ongoing regional integration, the agreement is imperative for Taiwan’s economic growth,” Yang said at a press conference following the conclusion of the talks. “Other than leveling the playing field for all parties involved, it will promote sustainable growth for locally based businesses.”     [FULL  STORY]

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2015/11/23
By: Chiu Chun-chin and Kay Liu

Taipei, Nov. 23 (CNA) Two men of Georgian nationality were deported Monday

Photo courtesy of National Immigration Agency

after they were caught using fake passports at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, according to the National Immigration Agency.

The two men were transiting through Taiwan on false Estonian passports, awaiting a flight bound for Canada Sunday when they were stopped by immigration officers, the agency said.

After officers found Georgian passports in concealed pockets in their backpacks in further checks, the two men admitted that they had spent US$2,500 each to acquire the fake Estonian passports in Istanbul.     [FULL  STORY]

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2015/11/23
By: Yu Kai-hsiang and Kay Liu

Taipei, Nov. 23 (CNA) Closer attention will be paid to the security of Taipei American School, which reportedly received new threats from a former student who had been found guilty of making such threats in the past, police said on Monday.

In a letter sent to parents and faculty, Sharon Hannessy, the head of the school, said “a former, disgruntled student,” who was found guilty of making threats over a year ago, “reappeared with new threats,” according to a report published on the Apple Daily’s website.

Hannessy said the school is working with the police, prosecutor’s office and the American Institute in Taiwan and has enhanced security measures, but did not name the person who made the threats in the letter.     [FULL  STORY]