Radio Taiwan International
Date: 2018-08-16

President Tsai Ing-wen has encouraged exchanges between footballers in

Taiwan and Paraguay. The president is in the South American country to attend President Mario Abdo Benitez’s inauguration.

On Wednesday night, local time, Tsai held a banquet in the capital city of Asuncion for Taiwanese expatriates there. Some came from Argentina and Brazil to attend.

Tsai said Taiwan will continue to strengthen bilateral cooperation with Paraguay and will make large inroads into Latin America through the ally. She said Taiwan has adopted a win-win strategy to push for pragmatic diplomacy over the past two years.
[FULL  STORY]

The ultimate question is whether 29 helicopters will change the balance of power between China and Taiwan, or whether the Apaches are largely symbolic.

The National Interest
Date: August 16, 2018  
By: Michael Peck
With great fanfare, Taiwan has recently activated a brigade of U.S.-made AH-64E Apache attack helicopters.

The 601st Air Cavalry Brigade is equipped with 29 Boeing AH-64Es in a $1.9 billion sale by the Obama administration in 2011. Though the deal was denounced by China, the 30 helicopters (one crashed into a building during a 2014 training flight) were delivered in 2013 and 2014, and the two Apache squadrons have since been training for their debut.

“The 601st brigade is responsible for the defense of Taipei and the rest of northern Taiwan,” according to Asia Times . “It has two combat squadrons that provide air support alongside armor, artillery, special forces and infantry units.” The Apaches will be supplemented by Taiwan’s 61 AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopters. Their counterparts across the Taiwan Straits are Communist China’s Z-10 attack helicopter .

There is no doubt that the AH-64E is a powerful weapon. Armed with a Longbow radar, 16 Hellfire anti-tank missiles or four Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, the Apache can deliver a horrific amount of firepower. A brigade of 29 Apaches is even more deadly.    [FULL  STORY]

The first free Taiwan YouTube FanFest is set for September 15

Taiwan News
Date: 2018/08/16
By: Alicia Nguyen, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – A bilingual Taiwanese girl composed a song to simply introduce Taiwan to her Japanese friends in a chill and musical way, while YouTube just announced its first Taipei Fanfest will be held on Sept. 15.

The Taiwanese girl, identified by her YouTube account Sandy H. (黃小玫), uploaded a 3-minute music video titled “Let’s meet in Taiwan” in the Japanese language on August 11.

With a clear Japanese voice, a chill and ear-catching rhythm as well as vivid images, her self-composed song received 56,118 views on Facebook and 3,693 views on YouTube along with thousands of likes and shares.

Her video has also gained attention among Japanese netizens as they said the music video was really well-produced with very interesting contents and they would love to widely share it.    [FULL  STORY]

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2018/08/16
By: Shih Hsiu-chuan

Taipei, Aug. 16 (CNA) Taiwan’s Supreme Court Thursday upheld liability of

Radio Corporation of America (RCA) and its successor companies for deaths and illness of workers due to exposure to toxic chemicals while working at RCA factories in Taiwan between 1970 and 1992.

The court, however, returned to the Taiwan High Court for reconsideration part of its decision in October last year that found the defendants also liable for emotional distress caused to their workers.

RCA, the former American home appliance maker, was taken over by American multinational conglomerate General Electric (GE) in 1986, which sold it to French firm Thomson Consumer Electronics in 1998, the U.S. subsidiary of the French company Technicolor SA.

The Supreme Court ordered RCA, GE, Thomson, and Technicolor SA to pay 262 former RCA workers and the family members of some of the deceased workers about NT$500 million (US$16.07 million).
[FULL  STORY]

Taipei Times
Date: Aug 17, 2018
By: Chien Hui-ju, Chen Hsin-yu and Jake Chung  /  Staff reporters, with staff writer

The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)

and other politicians yesterday weighed in on 85°C’s declaration of support of the so-called “1992 consensus,” with some showing support for the bakery chain and others accusing rival parties of inaction.

In a live broadcast on Facebook, KMT Taipei mayoral candidate Ting Shou-chung (丁守中) said that 85°C does not support Taiwanese independence, while holding a cup of coffee from the business as a show of support.

The DPP’s inability and unwillingness to handle cross-strait affairs in addition to populist anti-China actions have closed off channels of communication across the Taiwan Strait, leaving 85°C — an exemplary Taiwan-based company — to become a scapegoat, Ting said.
[FULL  STORY]

Radio Taiwan International
Date: 2018-08-15

President Tsai Ing-wen has said members of Taiwan’s technical missions

abroad will receive more in government subsidies starting next year.

Tsai was speaking Tuesday while meeting with members of one such mission in Paraguay.

Tsai heard progress reports on a variety of projects Taiwan is undertaking to assist the country, Taiwan’s sole South American ally. These projects include plans to breed orchids and a local species of fish, a plan to improve the management of medical information, and a program to promote the teaching of Mandarin Chinese.    [FULL  STORY]

CNN
Date: 15th August 2018
By: Marian Liu, CNN

Pingxi, Taiwan (CNN) — It’s one of Taiwan’s most breathtaking spectacles.
Every year, thousands travel to the village of Pingxi for its annual Lantern Festival, where they write their wishes on paper lanterns and release them into the sky in the hopes that their ancestors will answer their prayers.
“It’s a tradition you have to do it once in your life,” says local guide Wang Chaw-Jing.

According to legend, during the Three Kingdoms period, Chinese statesman Zhuge Liang, also known as Kongming, created lanterns to send military signals. Because their shape resembled his hat they were called “Kongming lanterns.”

The practice of lighting sky lanterns grew more widespread in the mid-19th century, when bandits often ravaged towns.

“These were once used as signals for villagers to let their families know they were safe and sound but now they carry people’s wishes and hopes for the new year into the night sky,” says Ally Su of the New Taipei City Government Tourism Planning Division.

“Over time, the Pingxi Lantern Festival has gained a reputation for being the brightest, happiest and most heartwarming event in Taiwan.”
[FULL  STORY]

Taiwan’s Justice Minister said DEA operations in Taipei could bring Taiwan U.S. closer in an effort to combat drug-related crimes

Taiwan News
Date: 2018/08/15
By: Teng Pei-ju, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

is seeking to operate in Taipei, said Phillip Chad Esch, director of DEA’s Hong Kong office, Tuesday.

A workshop co-hosted by Taiwan and the U.S. convened on Tuesday morning in Taipei. Law enforcement officers and experts from 16 countries gathered to share their experiences in tackling transnational crime and conducting forensic science.

Esch, also a keynote speaker, said the DEA intends to seek cooperation with Taiwan’s law enforcement authorities by setting up an office in Taipei to fight against transnational drug dealing and trafficking, reported Central News Agency.

Esch said he is impressed by the dedication of Taiwan’s law enforcement institutes, such as the Investigation Bureau, to their work, and he hopes the two countries can work out more ways to share intelligence in the future. He also said however there is not yet a timeline for the DEA to launch operations in Taipei.    [FULL  STORY]

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2018/08/15
By: Lee Hsin-Yin

Taipei, Aug. 15 (CNA) Taoyuan International Airport Corporation, which

oversees the country’s main gateway, said Wednesday it will inaugurate a new taxiway on Thursday, which will make the airport’s operations more efficient.

The new 740-meter taxiway W2 runs north-south, connecting the two major runways at the airport, and will help improve the flow of traffic, the company said.

With the opening of the new taxiway, the airport will be better able to handle the world’s largest commercial aircraft, the Airbus A380, since its other taxiways have been inadequate, although its runways can land such planes, the company indicated.

The 33-month taxiway project was part of the extensive work being carried out at the airport in preparation for the construction of a third terminal.

To accommodate the new terminal, another taxiway is being built, while an existing one is being relocated, the company said.    [SOURCE]

PERFORMANCE: The KMT Taipei mayoral candidate questioned Mayor Ko Wen-je’s accomplishments, saying he had done little to advance the city’s development

Taipei Times
Date: Aug 16, 2018
By: Chien Huei-ru  /  Staff reporter

Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Taipei mayoral candidate Ting Shou-chung

(丁守中) yesterday introduced his team of Taipei policy advisers, headed by Taipei City Council Speaker Wu Pi-chu (吳碧珠), as he began a series of campaign events to promote his platforms.

The former legislator visited the KMT Taipei City Council caucus for the first time and asked KMT city councilors to lend him their support in the Nov. 24 election.

Ting said he welcomes any criticism from city councilors, who are more familiar with city policies, functions and local needs.

With their support, Ting said he is confident of winning.    [FULL  STORY]