US deputy assistant commerce secretary’s visit likely to further provoke Beijing

South Asia Morning Post 
Date: 22 March, 2018
By: Lawrence Chung

The United States has sent another senior official to Taiwan on Thursday, the second such visit since Washington infuriated Beijing by passing a law promoting ties with the self-ruled island.

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Manufacturing Ian Steff is visiting after US President Donald Trump last week signed into law the Taiwan Travel Act, which allows high-level officials to meet their Taiwanese counterparts and vice versa.

His trip follows that of US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Alex Wong.

“While this is not Steff’s first trip to Taiwan, this is his inaugural visit in his official capacity as deputy assistant secretary,” the American Institute in Taiwan, which represents US interests in the absence of formal ties, said in a statement.    [FULL  STORY]

Taoyuan also among the cleanest and the most improved airports

Taiwan News 
Date: 2018/03/22
By: Matthew Strong, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport is the 15th best airport in

the world, up six places from last year, while it is the best in the world for immigration, the Skytrax airline quality review said.

The review published a list of the 100 best airports in the worlds, with half the top 20 consisting of Asian airports. Taoyuan was one of the biggest climbers on the list, moving from No.21 last year to No.15 for 2018.

Finishing on top for an unprecedented sixth year running was Singapore’s Changi Airport, with Incheon near Seoul, South Korea, pushing Tokyo’s Haneda down one place to end at No.2. Hong Kong and Hamad Airport in Doha, Qatar, rounded out the top five.

Taoyuan fared even better in several other categories. Taiwan’s main international airport is the best in the world for immigration, beating out Centrair Nagoya in Japan and Hong Kong, according to the World Airport Awards presented in Stockholm on March 21.
[FULL  STORY]

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2018/03/22
By: S.C. Chang

Taipei, March 22 (CNA) A magnitude 4.6 earthquake struck Chiayi County in southern Taiwan at 10:27 p.m. Thursday, with Gukeng in neighboring Yunlin County registering an intensity of five, according to the Central Weather Bureau.

The epicenter of the quake was located in Meishan, 37 km east-northeast of Chiayi County hall at a depth of 6.6 km.

No casualties or damage were immediately reported.     [SOURCE]

FISHING: Tokyo lacks hard evidence that the Taiwanese fishing boat had breached any agreements between the two countries before it attacked the vessel, Joseph Wu said

Taipei Times
Date: Mar 23, 2018
By: Sean Lin  /  Staff reporter

The Japanese government has rejected Taiwan’s protests over its use of excessive force

against a Taiwanese fishing boat suspected of fishing earlier this month in disputed waters, Representative to Japan Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) said yesterday.

The Tung Pan Chiu No. 28 on March 3 was chased off by Japanese patrol boats when it allegedly encroached and fished in an area where the two nations’ exclusive economic zones overlap.

It was driven away from that area again the next day by Japanese boats, which also attacked it with a water cannon.

Hsieh told a meeting of the legislature’s Foreign and National Defense Committee that the Representative Office of Taiwan in Tokyo on March 5 lodged a protest with Japanese authorities.    [FULL  STORY]

The New York Times
Date: March 21, 2018
By Chris Horton

TAIPEI, Taiwan — A State Department official on Wednesday reasserted America’s

commitment to Taiwan’s defense at a dinner attended by its president, a day after China’s leader issued a stern warning against any challenges to China’s claim to the island.

“The aim of U.S. policy is to ensure that Taiwan’s people can continue along their chosen path, free from coercion,” the official, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Alex Wong, said at the banquet in Taipei, Taiwan’s capital, as President Tsai Ing-wen looked on.

Speaking to 700 people, including representatives of top American companies and senior Taiwanese officials, at an American Chamber of Commerce function, Mr. Wong said the United States wanted “to strengthen our ties with the Taiwan people and to bolster Taiwan’s ability to defend its democracy.”

“Our commitment to those goals has never been stronger,” added Mr. Wong, whose remarks came less than week after President Trump, over China’s objection, signed the Taiwan Travel Act, a measure encouraging official, high-level visits between the United States and Taiwan.    [FULL  STORY]

Radio Taiwan International
Date: 2018-03-21

The health minister, Chen Shih-chung, says Taiwan will continue its efforts to secure an

invitation to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA).

The WHA is the convening body of the World Health Organization. Taiwan attended the annual assembly as an observer from 2009 to 2016 using the name “Chinese Taipei.” However, Taiwan was not invited to last year’s WHA due to pressure from Beijing.

Chen said China will press even harder this year to block Taiwan from attending the event and the chances of receiving an invitation are low. However, he said that Taiwan will not give up.

Chen said he will lead a delegation to Geneva, where the WHA takes place, even if no invitation is extended. He said that Taiwan needs to participate in the WHA and that the WHA also needs Taiwan’s contributions on issues concerning global health.
[FULL  STORY]

A few taboos to avoid during the Flying Fish Festival on Orchid Island 

Taiwan News 
Date: 2018/03/21
By: Renée Salmonsen, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Orchid Island’s traditional Flying Fish Festival has begun and

the Orchid Island Chief, Chang Ching-lai (夏曼．迦拉牧 or 張慶來), reminds the public of a few easy-to-avoid taboos during this sacred time.

The Flying Fish Festival is observed by the Tao indigenous tribe on Orchid Island and is a coming-of-age ritual for young men as well as a celebration of the natural world.

Beginning in March through sometime in June, depending on the year, only fish that appear on or above the surface of the water may be caught and eaten, according to CNA. Spear nets and drift nets are not allowed and neither is the use of fire or strong lights at night to coax the fish to the surface.

Those that violate these rules are said to be cursed.

Instead traditional fishing nets are used, which drag behind a boat.    [FULL  STORY]

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2018/03/21
By: Lee Hsin-Yin

Taipei, March 21 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) and Alex Wong (黃之瀚), deputy

assistant secretary of the U.S. State Department, on Wednesday promised to continue the efforts to build Taiwan-U.S. ties on the basis of shared values such as democracy and free market.

Speaking at the annual dinner party held by the American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei, Tsai said the Taiwan government is very grateful to U.S. President Donald Trump and members of the U.S. Congress for supporting the Taiwan Travel Act, which was signed into law last week.

The act encourages the U.S. government to allow high level meetings and visits between Taiwan and U.S. government officials.

Tsai also welcomed Wong, deputy assistant secretary of state in charge of East Asian and Pacific affairs, as the latest among a growing number of U.S. government officials to visit Taiwan.    [FULL  STORY]