Focus Taiwan
Date: 2017/03/08
By: Rita Cheng and Elizabeth Hsu

Washington, March 7 (CNA) The U.S. State Department said Tuesday that there has been no change to the country’s “one China” policy since President Donald Trump took office in January.

At a news conference, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said in response to a reporter’s question that the United States’ long-standing policy on cross-Taiwan Strait issues remained the same.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson made that clear during his confirmation hearing in January and President Trump later agreed in a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) to honor the “one China” policy, Toner said.    [FULL  STORY]

Taipei Times
Date: March 8, 2017
By: CNA

A number of Taiwan-based hotels have made it into Forbes Travel Guide 2017’s Star Award list. Mandarin Oriental Taipei obtained a five-star rating, while Grand Hyatt Taipei (seen above), Regent Taipei, Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel Taipei and W Taipei each got four stars. Mandarin Oriental Taipei’s spa was awarded a five-star rating as well, while Regent’s Wellsping Spa received four stars.
[SOURCE]

Radio Taiwan International
Date: 2017-03-07

The defense ministry has dismissed media reports of a plan to purchase mothballed

submarines from Japan.

The reports claimed that the defense ministry might consider purchasing the mothballed Harushio-class and Oyashio-class submarines. The subs would be imported in disassembled parts to maintain a low profile, the reports claimed, and would be reassembled by experts from the United States.

Vice Defense Minister Lee Hsi-min dismissed the report on Tuesday. Lee said the ministry is proceeding with an undisclosed plan to produce indigenous fighter jets and battleships. Lee also declined to comment on the development of the country’s drone prototype.   [FULL  STORY]

The 2017 Holi in Taipei festival will be held at the Luguanghe’an riverside park in Taipei on March 12

Taiwan News
Date: 2017/03/07 18:32
By: Keoni Everington, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Bringing a splash of color to mark the beginning of spring in the

Hindu calendar, the 2017 Holi in Taipei festival will be hosted by the Indian festival Committee at the Luguanghe’an riverside park (綠光河岸公園) on March 12.

Holi, also referred to as the “festival of colors,” is a celebration of the arrival of spring, the victory of good over evil, and an opportunity to rekindle relationships. One of the largest festivals during the year in India, Holi is celebrated on the first full moon of the 12th month in Hindu calendar, which usually falls at the end of February or early March on the Gregorian calendar.

Currently in it’s fifth year, the annual festival festival saw over 800 participants last year. Traditionally, a highlight of the festival is the tossing of a rainbow of brightly colored powders in all directions, resulting in all participants covered in a splash of colors.
[FULL  STORY]

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2017/03/07
By: Chang Min-hsuan and Elizabeth Hsu

Taipei, March 7 (CNA) The Philippines has reported over 100 cases of cholera, an acute diarrhoeal disease, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said Tuesday, warning people traveling there to refrain from eating raw food or drinking unboiled water in the affected areas.

The cholera outbreaks were reported in Bohol, in the Visayas archipelago, and on Camasa Island in Cebu Province, with at least 100 people confirmed to have been infected with the disease as of Feb. 28, the CDC said in a statement.

One 4-year-old has been confirmed to have died of cholera, the agency said, urging those planning trips to the affected areas to take precautions.   [FULL  STORY]

Taipei Times
Date: Mar 08, 2017
By: Alison Hsiao / Staff reporter

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Javier Hou (侯清山) yesterday denied that there are

any diplomatic issues with Saint Lucia, after Minister of Foreign Affairs David Lee (李大維) on Monday told lawmakers that relations with one or more of the nation’s diplomatic allies in the Caribbean are “kind of unstable.”

Diplomatic relations with Caribbean nations are somewhat unstable, Lee said, but added “they are still under control.”

It has been speculated that Saint Lucia — one of Taiwan’s 12 diplomatic allies in Central and South America and the Caribbean Community — might be the nation in question, as Taiwan’s ambassador to Saint Lucia has recently been replaced, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Jason Hsu (許毓仁) told the media on Monday.

Hou denied that the situation was unstable.    [FULL  STORY]

Radio Taiwan International
Date: 2017-03-06

Foreign Minister David Lee says it remains unclear whether Taiwan will be invited to

attend this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA). Lee was speaking on Monday in an interview.

The WHA is the decision making body of the World Health Organization (WHO). This year’s meeting is scheduled to be held in Geneva in late May.

While the WHA normally begins sending letters of invitation in March, Lee says it’s too early to tell what will happen. He said a WHA official told Taiwanese diplomats stationed in Geneva that the situation is unclear.

“The WHA case is still a bit fuzzy with the situation remaining unclear. Of course, when it comes to the foreign ministry, all of our personnel — stationed in Geneva, at the ministry and around the world — will work hard to find ways to increase our chances of receiving a letter of invitation,” said Lee.    [FULL  STORY]