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New Taiwan research ship expected to be ready in spring 2017

Want China Times
Date: 2015-10-11
By: CNA

Nearly one year after the Ocean Research V sunk in waters off

The Ocean Research V sinks. (Photo/Maritime Patrol Directorate General)

The Ocean Research V sinks. (Photo/Maritime Patrol Directorate General)

southwestern Taiwan, the National Applied Research Laboratories said Friday that a new research ship is expected to be ready no later than the spring of 2017.

According to Wang Jough-tai, vice president of the NARabs, the institution expects to purchase a 2,000-ton research ship, and a tender for the new ship was opened in September, with the result expected to be announced at the end of November.

In response to doubts over the competence of the sunken ship’s crew, which was contracted out and working on a three-month rotation when the accident happened, Wang said the NARabs will recruit its own new crew, and the new staff is expected to welcome the new ship in March 2017.     [FULL  STORY]

Introverted expat: 10 ways to get away in Taipei

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2015/10/11
By: Rachel McGuffin

Taipei, Oct. 11 (CNA) Although Taipei is full of great tourist destinations,

Sharing a drink with a new friend by Brian Cherry

Sharing a drink with a new friend by Brian Cherry

sometimes all you want is an escape away from the crowds where you can relax without having to pay an arm and a leg to do so. Whether you’re looking for a place to think or a fun activity to do alone, these tips will satisfy all your introverted needs while keeping your budget on track.

1.Relax in a café. Going to a café to work on a project or relax with a cup of coffee may seem like common sense, but cafes here in Taipei are unlike any other in the world. Gone are the days of monopolized coffee culture, now on almost every corner one can find a unique, hole in the wall café with its own cool vibes and dark corners. Try a cat café where you can chill with a feline friend, or try creating your own art at an art café to explore your hidden talents. It’s not just about getting a great cup of coffee, but experiencing a new way to decompress from your day. Check out the plethora of blogs on google for more café info!     [FULL  STORY]

Taiwan’s KMT predicament lies in lack of leadership

Asia One
Oct 11, 2015

The producers of “House of Cards” could use some inspiration from the

(L to R) Eric Chu, chairman of Taiwan's ruling Kuomintang (KMT), Tsai Ing-wen, chairwoman of Taiwan's main opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), and James Soong, chairman of the opposition People First Party (PFP) attend a National Day ceremony in front of the presidential palace in Taipei on October 10, 2015. Photo: AFP

(L to R) Eric Chu, chairman of Taiwan’s ruling Kuomintang (KMT), Tsai Ing-wen, chairwoman of Taiwan’s main opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), and James Soong, chairman of the opposition People First Party (PFP) attend a National Day ceremony in front of the presidential palace in Taipei on October 10, 2015. Photo: AFP

ruling Kuomintang’s “House of Farce” if they ever wanted to add a dash of absurdity to the political drama franchise.

The last time the KMT saw a major open conflict among its ranks was an ugly power struggle between the party-picked candidate Lien Chan and James Soong, a hugely popular figure who stood a much better chance of winning the election in the 2000 presidential race.

But the latest conflict is less about a struggle for power than for survival. Underlying the farcical development is a strong sense of desperation to keep the Titanic from sinking.

The climax of the drama is clearly misplaced: It will climax with the KMT replacing its unpopular presidential candidate, and from there it is going to be a continuation of the struggle until the much-expected downfall. No surprises.     [FULL  STORY]

New urban canvas for Taiwan’s graffiti artists

Yahoo News
AFP
Date: October 11, 2015
By: Laura Mannering, Michelle Yun

Taipei (AFP) – Once vilified by the authorities and threatened with jail, Taiwan’s graffiti artists are now being encouraged to get out their spray cans to revive urban areas.

Rundown districts around the island have become legalised graffiti zones as Taiwan seeks to cast itself as a hub for creativity and design.

But while some artists welcome the chance to show off their skills without repercussions, others say sticking to areas approved by authorities goes against the spirit of the anti-establishment art form.

In Taipei’s Ximending shopping district, drab city walls have been brightened with large scale technicolour graffiti.

A few blocks away from the area’s main neon-lit hub of chain stores and food vendors, a network of alleyways is home to smaller boutiques and a thriving street culture scene.      [FULL  STORY]

Taichung to continue with denture subsidy program for the elderly

Taiwan News
Date: 2015-10-11
By: Ko Lin, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

The Taichung city government disclosed Sunday that it plans to continue

Taichung to continue with denture subsidy. Central News Agency

Taichung to continue with denture subsidy. Central News Agency

with its denture subsidy program for the city’s elderly people next year, reports said Sunday.

A new NT$400 million (US$13.4 million) budget has been drafted for the next fiscal year to benefit an estimated 10,000 senior citizens living in Taichung, according to local health authorities.

As of September 30, the denture program has already benefitted 11,891 elderly residents, a move that the government plans to continue after its initial year of introduction.

Health authorities attributed this year’s success to the Taiwan Dental Association and the city’s dental clinics and community district offices, who helped promote the program to those in need.     [FULL  STORY]

Foot-washing event held to promote filial piety

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2015/10/11
By: Wang Cheng-chung and Elizabeth Hsu

Taipei, Oct. 11 (CNA) Nearly 20,000 people attended a foot-washing event

Weng Li-you, winner of the 20th Golden Melody Awards for Best Taiwanese Male Singer, washes his mother's feet.

Weng Li-you, winner of the 20th Golden Melody Awards for Best Taiwanese Male Singer, washes his mother’s feet.

in the Presidential Office plaza Sunday to advocate and promote the traditional family value of filial piety and mark the National Sports Day.

Chang Chao-kuo (張朝國), president of the event’s organizer, the Republic of China Sports Federation (ROCSF), said that the activity aimed to spread the traditional culture of filial piety, which he believes is “the essence of Chinese and Taiwanese culture.”

It was the third year in a row that the large-scale foot-washing event was held to heighten awareness among young people of the importance of filial piety and inspire people to treat their parents and other senior citizens better.     [FULL  STORY]

Ship at center of EU fishing warning to Taiwan has catch probed

Want China Times
Date: 2015-10-11
By: CNA

The European Commission is concerned about the illegal fishing practices

The Shuen De Ching No. 888 has its shark catch taken away on arrival in Kaohsiung, Oct. 9. (File photo/Liu Yu-ting)

The Shuen De Ching No. 888 has its shark catch taken away on arrival in Kaohsiung, Oct. 9. (File photo/Liu Yu-ting)

of a Taiwanese fishing ship, the head of Taiwan’s Fisheries Agency said Saturday.

Tsay Tzu-yaw, director-general of the agency, said the EU issued a yellow card to Taiwan on Oct. 1, warning it risked being identified as an uncooperative country in the fight against “illegal, unreported and unregulated” (IUU) fishing.

He said the EU wanted to learn about the measures the agency will take to discipline the ship involved in the illegal practices.

At issue was a Pingtung-registered vessel, the Shuen De Ching No. 888, which Greenpeace reported as having illegally harvested shark fins and thrown the bodies of the sharks into the sea near Papua New Guinea in early September.     [FULL  STORY]

Tour guide touts Taiwan in Japan

Taipei Times
Date:  Oct 12, 2015
By: Huang Hsu-lei and Jake Chung  /  Staff reporter, with staff writer

Taiwanese guide Hsieh Ming-huang (謝銘煌) has taken to using the nation’s

Taiwanese tour guide Hsieh Ming-huang’s Republic of China flag flies from a rickshaw in Kyoto, Japan, in an undated photograph provided by Hsieh. Photo copied by Huang Hsu-lei, Taipei Times

Taiwanese tour guide Hsieh Ming-huang’s Republic of China flag flies from a rickshaw in Kyoto, Japan, in an undated photograph provided by Hsieh. Photo copied by Huang Hsu-lei, Taipei Times

flag to guide groups of Taiwanese tourists in Japan, as he says it is a useful way to shepherd his charges and to promote the nation abroad.

A graduate of Okinawa University who lived in Japan prior to becoming a tour guide, Hsieh said that it is unusual to see Taiwan’s national flag in Japan, and he brings at least one with him whenever he leads a tour.

For more than 17 years, Hsieh has led tour groups to many of Japan’s most famous sites — such as Arashiyama in Kyoto, Otarushi in Hokkaido and many places in Tokyo — while waving the national flag.

When people asked him what flag it was and if he had any spares, Hsieh said he does not hesitate to pull one out of his backpack and give it to them saying: “I am from Taiwan and this is our national flag.”     [FULL  STORY]

Taipei Zoo to celebrate Halloween with pumpkin shows

Focus Taipei
Date: 2015/10/10
By: Lee Hsin-Yin

Taipei, Oct. 10 (CNA) The Taipei Zoo said on Saturday it will host shows

(Photo courtesy of Taipei Zoo)

(Photo courtesy of Taipei Zoo)

that allow animals to either eat pumpkins or interact with them to celebrate Halloween.

The zoo said it will introduce the pumpkins to four newborn red pandas and three young otters, who have never seen them before.

The pumpkin show with red pandas will take place at 2 p.m. on Oct. 17, while the one with otters will be held at 3 p.m. Oct. 25, it said.

In addition, an exhibition featuring the living environments of endangered species such as otters and pangolins will run from now through Nov. 1 in an effort to raise awareness of the need for animal protection, the zoo said.     [FULL  STORY]

Hung invites supporters to rally

Taiwan News
Date: 2015-10-10
By: Matthew Strong, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Kuomintang presidential candidate Hung Hsiu-chu

Hung invites supporters to rally. Central News Agency

Hung invites supporters to rally. Central News Agency

on Saturday invited her supporters to a rally later in the weekend, even though it was clear a KMT congress would replace her with chairman Eric Liluan Chu later this month.

While agreeing to have the special congress decide her fate as a candidate in the January 16 election, Hung has also insisted she wanted to defend her case and if possible, discuss her arguments with each congress delegate.

On her Facebook page Saturday, she invited 120 supporters to show up at her campaign headquarters Sunday evening to feel free to voice their opinions and interact with her.     [FULL  STORY]