Authors fear book may be targeted by authorities, citing freshly enacted national security law

Taiwan News
Date: 2020/07/06
By: Huang Tzu-ti, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A new book compiling interviews of Hong Kong activists in the anti-extradition bill movement will be published in Taiwan to avoid the risk of legal consequences if it is printed in the Chinese city.

The Umbrella Men (傘下的人), a group of media workers from the semi-autonomous territory, were planning to publish a book of first-hand accounts of the pro-democracy campaign last year. However, the recent enactment of the highly controversial national security legislation for Hong Kong has raised concerns about possible charges being brought, wrote Ming Pao, a Hong Kong newspaper.

The book, titled "Our Final Evolution" (我們最後的進化), will contain 30 interviews, including with protestors and those wounded in the months-long movement. Sensitive content such as the slogan "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution in our times" (光復香港，時代革命) could constitute an offense given the ambiguous wording of the law, said A-Mu (阿木), a member of the project.

Albert Chen Hung-yee (陳弘毅), a professor at the University of Hong Kong's Faculty of Law, has said on a radio show that penning articles criticizing the government would not be deemed a violation of the law as long as there is no incitement to violence. Nevertheless, Ronny Tong Ka-wah (湯家驊), a senior Hong Kong lawyer, reckoned publishers and authors of such books could face relevant charges "based on their intentions," according to the report.
[FULL  STORY]

Focus Taiwan
Date: 07/06/2020
By: Liang Pei-chi and Evelyn Kao

Taipei, July 6 (CNA) A seventh birthday celebration for Yuan Zai, the first giant panda born in Taiwan, was held at Taipei Zoo on Monday but the pseudopregnant panda was not in the mood to feast on the seven special cakes prepared for the occasion.

The seven cakes all had Taiwanese food themes — grilled stinky tofu, sausage with glutinous rice, pearl milk tea, buns, sugar coated fruit on a stick, shaved ice, and cold sweet balls — but were made from the female panda's favorite foods.    [FULL  STORY]

The Dong-A Ilbo
Date: 06, 2020

“Quickly,” “Slowly” and “I trust you, and you trust me,” are the sentences Lee Seung-gi, 33, said most often to Taiwanese actor Jasper Liu who travels with him on “Together,” a Netflix travel documentary released on June 26 where they travel to six Asian cities and visit their fans. Liu has built a fandom in South Korea with “Take Me to The Moon.” Staring two popular Asian actors, the show has attracted much interest and made it to the top 10 most popular TV shows on Netflix in Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

In a virtual interview on Friday, Lee confessed filming a travel documentary with someone who does not speak the same language was challenging. “We used 10 Chinese words and 100 English words to communicate,” said Lee. Another challenge was that there were only Lee and Liu to lead the show unlike in other shows where five to six people team up.   [FULL  STORY]

Bridge spacious enough for 550 people to cross at once, boasts lookout to provide scenic viewTaiwan News
Date: 2020/07/05
By: George Liao, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s first pedestrian swing bridge, which now connects Kaohsiung's Peng-lai Commercial Harbor area with Pier-2 Art Center, will be inaugurated on Monday (July 6).

The Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC) spent a total of NT$320 million (US$10.67 million) to build the Dagang Bridge, which is located at Kaohsiung Port's Pier No. 3. TIPC Chairman Lee Hsien-yi (李賢義) said that the bridge is not only the first pedestrian swing bridge in Taiwan but also the longest cross-harbor swing bridge in Asia, according to CNA.

Dagang Bridge is 110 meters in length and varies in width from 5-11 meters. The bridge allows for 550 pedestrians and cyclists to cross at the same time, shortening the walking time between the Peng-lai Commercial Harbor area and Pier-2 Art Center by 30 minutes, per CNA.

The uniquely designed bridge also boasts a scenic lookout at its center that affords an extensive view of the expansive harbor, incoming and outgoing ships, and waterfront high-rises. The bridge is expected to become a new hot spot in the city, per CNA.    [FULL  STORY]

Focus Taiwan
Date: 07/05/2020

Taipei, July 5 (CNA) Timothy Lane (藍亭), a neuroscience researcher from the United States who recently gained Taiwan citizenship, said that he hopes his field of study can flourish in Taiwan and eventually become a source of pride for the country.

Lane, the founder of the Brain and Consciousness Research Center at Taipei Medical University (TMU), is one of eight foreign professionals who were recently granted Taiwan citizenship without having to give up their own.

In an interview with CNA, Lane said he first visited Taiwan in the 1980s to find participants in a study for his PhD thesis.

Lane said he wanted to study the brainwaves of people who believed that an external force was speaking through them, in order to prove a theory on consciousness proposed by Princeton University professor Julian Jaynes.    [FULL  STORY]

Focus Taiwan
Date: 07/04/2020
By Yu Hsiao-han and Lee Hsin-Yin

Taipei, July 4 (CNA) A major aviation safety incident involving loss of all three primary flight computers and other flight control systems on a China Airlines (CAL) A330 aircraft after its landing last month is currently under investigation, CAL said Friday.

CAL flight CI202 from Shanghai Pudong Airport to Taipei Songshan Airport encountered a loss of the three computers, the thrust reverser system and its automatic braking system shortly after landing on June 14, according to the Civil Aeronautics Administration's (CAA's) Aviation Safety Bulletin on June 24.

CAA's initial investigation had ruled out the possibility that the plane was struck by lightning that day, which was a rainy day with the runway wet.

It said mechanical problems had affected aircraft deceleration.    [FULL  STORY]