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Tsai promises to fight for Pingpu legal recognition

APOLOGY:The DPP presidential candidate said that if elected, she would apologize to Aboriginal peoples on behalf of the nation for their disadvantaged situation

Taipei Times
Date: Aug 02, 2015
By: Loa Iok-sin / Staff reporter

Aboriginal representatives join Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Tsai

Tsai promises to fight for Pingpu legal recognition

Ing-wen, center, at a news conference in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Liao Chen-huei, Taipei Times

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday vowed to push for legal recognition of Pingpu Aborigines as well as Aboriginal autonomy once elected president.

Tsai made the vows during a news conference in Taipei to present her Aboriginal policy platform, marking her first policy presentation since she received the DPP’s official nomination as its presidential candidate.

“The DPP has not forgotten that Pingpu Aborigines are also members of Taiwan’s indigenous peoples, and they are entitled to the same degree of protection of their rights [as legally recognized Aboriginal people are] once their Aboriginal status is restored,” Tsai said, triggering a round of loud applause. “We will recognize the Pingpu Aborigines’ identity and right to make policy and laws, as well as actively preserve Pingpu languages and cultures, and, of course, as the population of [legally recognized] Aborigines increases, we will also increase relevant budgets.” [FULL STORY]

Taiwan sees blue moon on last day of July

Want China Times
Date: 2015-08-01
By: CNA

Astronomy buffs in Taiwan could see on Friday a rare “blue moon,” which refers to the

A blue moon photographed from Taipei, July 31. (Photo/CNA)

appearance of a second full moon in a calendar month, the Taipei Astronomical Museum said.

The moonrise, which took take place at 6:23pm, was the second full moon in July after the first one on July 2, the museum said.

People were able to easily spot the moon by looking up to the lower eastern sky some time after 6:30pm, said museum researcher Chang Kuei-lan.

Chang said however that it would look like any other full moon.

According to Chang, the modern usage of “blue moon” can be attributed to a Sky & Telescope Magazine misinterpretation. [FULL STORY]

Taiwan, Japan sign agreements on doctor exchanges during emergencies

Want China Times
Date: 2015-07-31
By: CNA

The Taiwan Medical Association and its Japanese counterpart on Thursday signed an

Japan Medical Association president Yoshitake Yokokura, left, and Taiwan Medical Association president Su Ching-chuan shake hands after signing the agreement at Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, July 30. (Photo/CNA)

agreement on emergency mutual support in case of disasters that allows medical personnel to give low-level medical treatments in each other’s country under the supervision of the host country.

Su Ching-chuan, president of the Taiwan Medical Association, signed the agreement with Yoshitake Yokokura, president of the Japan Medical Association, at a ceremony at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The medical personnel of the two countries have long hoped for mutual support in emergencies, Su said, adding that after years of negotiations, they have worked out details to put that idea into practice.

Under the agreement, members of a medical team sent from the contracting association are allowed to work under the command and control of the local medical association in the disaster area. The licensed physicians from the dispatch country will be able to execute minimum medical relief work and the activities should be under the direction of the physicians in the recipient country, according to the agreement. [FULL STORY]

FEATURE: Fusion artist Hsieh performs at Special Olympics

Taipei Times
Date: Aug 01, 2015
By: Chen Wei-han / Staff reporter

From her musical virtuosity and exuberant performance at the star-studded award ceremony

A poster promotes Taiwanese-American musician Maki Hsieh’s scheduled performances for the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles. Photo Courtesy of Maki Hsieh

of the Special Olympics in Los Angeles on Thursday one might not guess that Taiwanese-American musician Maki Hsieh (謝明錦) was born with a hearing impairment and lives largely in a world of vibration.

Hsieh showcased her diverse artistry as she alternated between playing an orchestral piece with an electric LED violin; singing a gospel rendition of Lean On by Major Lazer; performing a piano piece and soloing an electronic opera song for a choreographed dance troupe and artists who did portraits of her during the performance.

“My shows are not just about me playing music but integrating visual and dance elements to create a unifying synergistic immersible soundscape for the audience,” Hsieh said in an e-mail interview with the Taipei Times.

She was one of 30 performers chosen from 17,000 applicants to perform at the ceremony officiated by the US’ first lady, Michelle Obama.

Hsieh’s ambition to unify different art forms is a message about overcoming obstacles and boundaries that resounded through much of the Special Olympics — the world’s largest sports event for athletes with disabilities and an occasion where all athletes come together to work as a team. [FULL STORY]

Lawmakers may meet next week to decide on extra session

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2015/07/31
By: Y.C. Tai and Flor Wang

Taipei, July 31 (CNA) A coordination meeting among lawmakers from across party lines has been set for Aug. 4 to decide whether an extra legislative session should be held to discuss controversial curriculum revisions to senior high school textbooks by the Education Ministry, Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) announced Friday.

Wang made the announcement even though lawmakers of the ruling Kuomintang (KMT) and opposition parties failed to reach consensus on holding an extra session during a two-hour round of cross-party negotiations that was also attended by Education Minister We Se-hua (吳思華).

Wang expressed hope that the implementation of curriculum changes set for Aug. 1 could be held off and added he has asked the executive branch to rethink his proposal. [FULL STORY]

Wu, students end talks on sour note

‘WU, GO TO HELL’:Officials initially told protesters Wu did not have time to meet them. When he did appear, he would not say if he would withdraw the guidelines

Taipei Times
Date: Aug 01, 2015
By: Abraham Gerber / Staff reporter

Talks between student activists and Minister of Education Wu Se-hwa (吳思華) broke down

A student leader, front center, declares the breakdown of negotiations with Minister of Education Wu Se-hwa, center back, yesterday in Taipei. Photo: CNA

yesterday, after Wu refused to agree to withdraw controversial adjustments to high-school curriculum guidelines and step down.

“We never would have guessed that there would be a minister of education who cannot even answer an elementary true-or-false question,” student leader Liao Chung-lun (廖崇倫) of Taichung First Senior High School said. “He isn’t able to tell us whether curriculum guidelines will be withdrawn — he is only able to thank us for our opinions, a phrase we are fed up with hearing.”

The “fine-tuned” guidelines’ allegedly “China-centric” focus has sparked waves of student protests.

Wu appeared at the Ministry of Education building’s entrance early in the afternoon, advancing through ranks of police officers. He called for a moment of silence for student activist Dai Lin (林冠華) before falling back behind police officers to address the crowd gathered in the ministry’s outer courtyard. [FULL STORY]

Bon appetit: Restaurant Week Taipei to kick off on Sept. 1

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2015/07/30
By: Chang Ming-hsuan and Brook Hsiao

Taipei, July 30 (CNA) Restaurant Week Taipei is scheduled to kick off on September 1 for an eight-day run in Taipei, many quality restaurants will join in this event and will offer special discounts to customers, according to the organizer of the culinary festival.

(Photo courtesy of Lawry’s Taipei)

Eztable, an only restaurant reservation service, will introduce its version of New York City’s Restaurant Week to Taiwan for the first time. Some 20 of the finest restaurants in Taipei, including Diamond Tony’s 101, Lawry’s Taipei and The Terrace will offer lunches and dinners with discounts of up to 50 percent.

For instance, Lawry’s Taipei will offer a NT$1,599 (US$51) dinner special which is regularly priced at NT$3000 (US$95), and The Terrace will offer a NT$899 (US$28) lunch combo consisting of an appetizer, main course and dessert. [FULL STORY]

First overseas Anpanman shop to open in Taiwan in September

The Japan Times
Date: Jul 30, 2015
By: Kyodo

The first overseas shop specializing in goods from the popular anime character Anpanman is set to open in September in Taipei, with many goods available exclusively at the outlet to attract local families and tourists, toymaker Bandai Co. said.

Anpanman (an-bread man), a superhero whose head is a bun filled with an bean jam, is one of Japan’s most popular anime characters.

He is also popular in Taiwan where the television animation program “Soreike! Anpanman,” known locally by the title “Mien Bao Chao Ren,” started broadcasting in 2000, said Bandai.

The Anpanman Official Shop Taipei, which is set to open Sept. 10 at the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi shopping mall in the Xinyi district, will also feature a play area for children.

The outlet has been co-established by Froebel-kan Co., which publishes the Anpanman series picture books, animation production company TMS Entertainment Co. and Nippon Television Network Corp.

The shop will be operated by Bandai Namco Taiwan Co., the company said.

Weather bureau warns of inclement weather

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2015/07/30
By: Lee Hsin-Yin

Taipei, July 30 (CNA) The Central Weather Bureau issued a heavy rainfall warning Thursday

(CNA file photo)

afternoon due to a strong convective system above Taiwan, although it said the weather could be less violent than that of the past few days.

Northern and central Taiwan, as well as mountainous areas north of Kaohsiung, should be on the alert against torrential rain, strong wind and lightning, forecasters said.

There is a chance of hail in mountainous areas, the bureau went on, adding that the severe weather should last into the evening.

Weather conditions are expected to improve Friday as a Pacific high pressure system is expected to approach Taiwan, marking the start of a week of sunny and hot weather, it said. [FULL STORY]

Formosa Fun Coast death toll reaches 10

Taiwan News
Date: 2015-07-30
By: Matthew Strong, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The tenth victim of the June 27 color powder explosion at the

Formosa Fun Coast death toll reaches 10. Central News Agency

Formosa Fun Coast water park died Thursday and was named as Kuo Li-chun, 31.

Almost 500 people were injured when the cornstarch powder ignited during an event in New Taipei City’s Bali District inspired by the Indian festival of Holi.

Kuo had been transferred to a hospital in Tainan the day after the disaster to be closer to her relatives in the city.

Doctors said that infections caused her health to break down, eventually resulting in death Thursday. Her condition was similar to the other victims who died, most of them young people around the age of 20.

Half of the young woman’s body had been covered in second- to third-degree burns, reports said, with the injuries concentrated on her head, arms and legs. She had undergone surgery several times but in the end, the infections still overpowered her, according to media reports.

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