The General Association of Chinese Culture and Taiwan Bar have released episode one of a series to promote tourism in Taiwan

Taiwan News
Date: 2019/08/22
By: Lyla Liu, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

Beeru the Taiwan black bear (GACC photo)[/caption] TAIPEI (Taiwan News)— The General Association of Chinese Culture (GACC) and Taiwan Bar, the short film production company, have launched “Meet Charming Taiwan,” episode one in a series to promote Taiwan’s tourism.

GACC recently launched a "Spend a Night at Taiwan's Presidential Office Building”event to international tourists. This offered the prize of being able to spend a night in the Presidential Office Building.

GACC and Taiwan Bar launched “Meet Charming Taiwan” to introduce the country’s culture and famous scenic spots in a 5-minute long animation, in English. The main character, Beeru (黑啤), is a Taiwan black bear.

GACC said the clip had generated significant interest and good comments, such as: “This (Taiwan) is absolutely one of the best countries in the world,” from an unnamed Chicago backpacker.
[FULL  STORY]

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2019/08/22
By: Ku Chuan and Evelyn Kao

 

Taipei, Aug. 22 (CNA) The Cabinet approved Thursday a plan to issue electronic identification cards (eIDs) that combine the functions of the existing national ID cards and Citizen Digital Certificates starting October 2020.

The plan, proposed by the Ministry of the Interior with the aim of replacing the ID card currently in circulation with a multi-functional anti-forgery one that could require a budget of NT$4.8 billion (US$155.52 million), was approved during a regular Cabinet meeting.

The new version will feature the Republic of China flag and can be used as a Citizen Digital Certificate, according to the ministry.

In the future, the multi-functional card could also be used as a National Health Insurance card and a driver's license, it added.   [FULL  STORY]

Radio Taiwan Internatinal
Date: 21 August, 2019
By: John Van Trieste

Snails and other pests are causing damage to Taiwanese fruit orchards, encouraged by a week of heavy rain.[/caption] Heavy rains have hammered large parts of Taiwan in recent days, and fruit farmers are hurting as a result.

Across central and southern Taiwan, the past week has brought torrential downpours and flooding. Some of the most extensive damage has been to fruit orchards, as the wet weather creates the perfect conditions for pests and diseases. Farmers in some areas say that much of their fruit is now spoiled.

In Changhua County, heavy rain has brought snails into dragon fruit orchards. At one award-winning local orchard that does not use pesticides, workers have recently collected at least three full buckets of snails each day. However, the snails are destroying the dragon fruit faster than they can be caught, and at least 30% of the orchard’s fruit has now been ruined- this during the peak season for dragon fruit.    [FULL  STORY]

Taiwan News
Date: 2019/08/22
By:  Central News Agency

Taipei (CNA) A giant ornate spiny lobster (panulirus ornatus) was caught off the coast of eastern Taitung County and released Wednesday by a local voluntary group that has released more than 300 lobsters over the past six years, according to environmental activist Chi Hsiang-yu (池祥鈺).

The lobster, weighing around three kilograms and 40 centimeters in length, was caught by a fisherman and released by Chi.

The lobster, carrying roe on its underside, is five times heavier than the common species of spiny lobster (panulirus homarus) found along the east coast of Taiwan, which weigh up to only 600 grams and are 20 cm in length, Chi said.

The released lobster is also the heaviest ornate spiny lobster caught in Taitung in recent years. Two were caught and set free in 2014 and 2018, respectively, both weighing 2.4 kg, the conservationist said.    [FULL  STORY]

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2019/08/21
By: Flor Wang and S.F. Wang

Taipei, Aug. 21 (CNA) The 11th Pacific storm of the year has formed east-southeast of Taiwan and is expected to bring heavy rains to eastern parts of the country as it moves closer, the Central Weather Bureau said Wednesday.

As of 2 p.m., Tropical Storm Bailu was located 1,400 kilometers east-southeast of Taiwan, moving in a northwesterly direction at a speed of 16 kilometers per hour, the bureau said.

On its current track, Bailu is highly likely to hit Taiwan, but its path over the next few days will depend on the development of a high pressure system near the island, the bureau said.

In any event, the storm is expected to begin affecting Taiwan on the weekend, with the east coast and other parts of the country experiencing heavy rains, CWB said.    [FULL  STORY]

Taipei Times
Date: Aug 22, 2019
By: Jason Pan  /  Staff reporter

Prominent performing groups, rising Taiwanese stars and artists, and Aboriginal musicians, together

with heavy doses of Taike (台客) culture, are to take center stage at this year’s TaiwanFest in Canada, which opens tomorrow in Toronto.

Founded in 1990 by the Vancouver Formosa Academy, the festival is also known for showcasing Taiwanese food and specialty dishes, which visitors can sample at the “Friendship Kitchen” program and stalls around the venue.

The festival is to run from tomorrow to Sunday at the Harborfront Centre, Asian-Canadian Special Events Association managing director Charlie Wu (吳權益) said.

It is then to move to Vancouver on Labor Day weekend, from Saturday next week to Sept. 2, along Granville Street and areas around the Vancouver Art Gallery.    [FULL  STORY]

Radio Taiwan International
Date: 20 August, 2019
By: Paula Chao

Taiwan will not face a power shortage crisis by 2030. That’s the word from Economics Minister Shen

Jong-chin on Tuesday.

Speaking at a seminar on energy transformation and a green economy, Shen said local reserves of electrical power should surpass 15% by 2030. Taiwan is developing advanced energy technologies. Shen said green energy should surpass 20% of Taiwan’s energy mix by then.
[FULL  STORY]

The New Arab
Date: 20 August, 2019
By: Austin Bodetti

In contrast to China's persecution of Uighurs, Taiwan is defending the rights of Taiwanese Muslims, promoting its relationship with Muslim-majority countries, and welcoming Muslim immigrants and tourists.

While China has courted controversy by confining its Muslim minority groups to concentration camps and all but outlawing Islam itself, Taiwan has chosen another path. 

The island country has made a point of embracing its Muslim minority, improving its ties to Muslim-majority countries, and welcoming Muslim immigrants as part of a wider bid to distance itself from China's authoritarian reputation. 

Taiwan is even attempting to attract Muslim tourists, an atypical but effective initiative to demonstrate that, unlike China, the island country sees Islam as a component of its cultural heritage and foreign policy.

China considers Taiwan a Chinese province, a claim that most of the international community has respected. Even so, the island country has acted as a sovereign state in all but name since 1949, managing its own domestic and foreign policies.     [FULL  STORY]