Radio Taiwan International
Date: 27 August, 2019
By: Paula Chao

Danei district in the southern county of Tainan is home to Taiwan’s avocado farms. In recent years, innovative avocado products have revitalized the local economy and community.

Avocadoes are very healthy and add a creative twist to Taiwanese dishes. Avocado oil mixed with soy sauce and sesame seed paste makes a delicious noodle sauce.

Avocado oil can also be used to make a natural mosquito repellent that is friendly to your skin.

Tea bags with grounded avocado seeds are a popular and healthy twist on local tea. And there’s also hand-made soap made with avocado oil. The soap products make a perfect gift!
[FULL  STORY]

UK urged to throw open doors for Hongkongers while Taiwan looks to woo talent to spur growth

Asia Times
Date: August 27, 2019
By: KG Chan

Britain and Taiwan are rolling out the welcome mat in expectation of a mass exodus of citizens from strife-torn Hong Kong, which has been plagued by months of protests.

Other countries in the region such as Malaysia, Thailand, plus Australia and New Zealand have also reported a jump in interest from Hongkongers wanting to buy local real estate.

In the United Kingdom, The Sun newspaper said in an editorial recently that “Britain should throw open doors to Hong Kong’s brightest after Beijing breaks handover promises,” stressing that the Hong Kong elite should be granted full nationality to live and work in the country.

“We can throw our doors open to the best and brightest in the small territory, giving them a ticket to the front of the immigration queue,” suggests the newspaper. “Leaving the European Union, we will have the chance to build an immigration system fit for the 21st century… Even before that, we can send a signal that Britain is still a home for those [in the former crown colony of Hong Kong] who want to get on in a free society,” it said.    [FULL  STORY]

This group of Taiwan's youths is part of the country’s international youth ambassador corps

Taiwan News
Date: 2019/08/27
By: George Liao, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Taiwan’s international youth ambassadors have interacted with more than 20 handicapped Thai youths, teaching them how to say a few Chinese words and sing popular Chinese songs, after they left for Thailand on Sunday (Aug. 25) for a four-day exchange tour.

This group of Taiwan's youths is part of the country’s international youth ambassador corps, which consists of 72 students. They are divided into three missions—“the Philippines-Malaysia,” “Thailand-India,” and “Kiribati-Solomon Islands.”– to complete exchange tours to six countries in 10 days.
[FULL  STORY]

Radio Taiwan International
Date: 26 August, 2019
By: Natalie Tso

Taiwan’s foreign ministry thanked the US Democratic Party for its support of Taiwan on Monday. The

Democratic National Convention (DNC) was held from August 22 to 24 in San Francisco. During the convention, a resolution commemorating the 40thanniversary of when the Taiwan Relations Act was passed. The act shows US support of Taiwan to defend itself.

The resolution expressed support for the act and the party’s commitment to US-Taiwan ties. It described Taiwan as an important and reliable partner for the US in Asia and affirmed Taiwan’s free and open society and democracy. It also said bilateral ties should be strengthened by signing a bilateral trade agreement and other ways.    [FULL  STORY]

Taiwan’s Cultural Diplomacy and Cultural Relations

Asia Dialogue
Date: August 26, 2019
By: Chun-Ying Wei.

The definition of ‘cultural intermediaries’ can be confusing and vague. The concept was first described by Bourdieu to refer to occupations and workers involved in the production and circulation of symbolic goods and services in an expanding cultural economy. Although Bourdieu referred to cultural intermediaries in the context of postwar Western societies, the term has evolved in different countries’ contexts. Jennifer Smith Maguire and Julian Matthews suggested the term has been used as a descriptive catch-all phrase for any creative or cultural occupation or institution. Such a vague and contested subject of discussion requires clarification.

From the perspective of cultural policy studies, arts councils can be considered as a type of cultural intermediary. In the UK, Arts Council England is an executive non-departmental public body (NDPB) sponsored by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport and operates by the arm’s-length principle. As per the quango debate of 2005, the Council controls its internal employment decisions and grants to arts and cultural organisations.

Taiwan’s  semi-official international relations status allows cultural intermediaries to sign Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) or establish partnerships with similar organisations in lieu of signing state-to-state agreements    [FULL  STORY]

The Awa Odori dance troupe from Japan and Tendrum Art Percussion Group will take part in the event

Taiwan News
Date: 2019/08/26
By: George Liao, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The 2019 International Folklore Festival of Tudingong (土地公國際民俗藝術節) will take place at Taoyuan Arts Plaza (桃園藝文廣場) from Sept. 7-8, and at Fu Ren Temple (福仁宮) in Daxi (大溪) on Sept. 7, Taoyuan Department of Tourism said on Monday (Aug. 26).

Taking place at Taoyuan Arts Plaza on Sept. 7, 5:15 – 6 p.m., will be a performance from the Awa Odori dance troupe, who hail from Japan’s Tokushima. This will be followed by Tendrum Art Percussion Group (十鼓擊樂團) and local folklore groups from 6 – 7:30 p.m.

At Daxi, in the morning on Sept. 7, Awa Odori will also present a performance. On Sept. 8, at Taoyuan Arts Plaza, the Hands Percussion Malaysia will put on a spectacular show.

For more information, please refer to the event’s Facebook page.    [FULL  STORY]

Focus Taiwan
Date:\ 2019/08/26
By: Huang Li-yun and Evelyn Kao

Taipei, Aug. 26 (CNA) Police seized 10,655 packets of drugs disguised as instant coffee with an estimated street value of NT$4 million (US$127,390) from a residence in Keelung last week, the Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) said Monday.

After receiving a tip-off that narcotics were being disguised as instant coffee for distribution at a residence in northern Taiwan, a joint investigation was launched by a special team of investigators and police officers earlier this month, the CIB said at a news conference.

After several days of surveillance and evidence collection, a rented property from where a 34-year-old surnamed Tu was believed to be running a drug operation was raided on Aug. 19, according to the CIB.

The raid resulted in the seizure of 40g ketamine, 10,655 packets of drugs weighing 110kg, two mobile phones, zipper bags and an electronic scale. Tu, who has a prior conviction for a drug related offense, was also arrested.    [FULL  STORY]