Radio Taiwan International
Date: 2018-03-05

Foreign Minister Joseph Wu says he is planning to invite foreign diplomats and

representatives stationed in Taiwan to visit the eastern city of Hualien. Wu was speaking Monday.

Hualien’s tourism industry has seen a slump since a 6.0 earthquake that struck in February. The earthquake left 17 dead and 291 injured.

Wu said many diplomats stationed in Taiwan have never been to Hualien before. He said the invitations will help them gain a better understanding of Taiwan while helping the local tourism industry.

Wu just assumed his position as foreign minister a week ago. Wu says he will make an all-out effort for Taiwan’s diplomacy. He also says he will work to become familiar with his duties step by step.    [FULL  STORY]

As Taiwan’s economy races to embrace AI and automation, some question whether the government is doing enough to prepare the workforce for the future.

The News Lens
Date: 2018/03/05
By: Rosemary Chen

In the first of a two-part series, Rosemary Chen looks at the state of readiness of Taiwan’s educations sector for the sweeping changes that will engulf the workforce as governments and industry rush to embrace various forms of automation.

“I’m not worried about being replaced by robots because I am an emotional being and robots cannot replace the connection between humans,” says Lin Hung-yu (林泓宇), a junior student studying business at National Taiwan University (NTU).

But when asked about recent Artificial Intelligence (AI) developments, Lin is more circumspect. “It’s not really my field,” he says.

Lin’s confidence in the future is shared by many college students in Taiwan.
[FULL  STORY]

International airlines are flocking back to Taiwan after a long absence to cash in on Taiwanese tourists and trade opportunities

Taiwan News 
Date: 2018/03/05
By: Keoni Everington, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Despite pressure to not recognize Taiwan as a country on their

websites by China, several international air carriers are restoring their services to Taiwan because of the potential for increased tourism and trade.

In spite of pressure on airlines such as Delta Air Lines and Qantas by China to classify Taiwan as a part of the communist country, and the recent spat over Chinese unilateral use of the controversial M503 route, many international carriers have started to reopen old direct routes to Taiwan.

In the 1990s, many international airlines services discontinued services to Taiwan due to threats from China that they would retaliate with the confiscation of landing rights if they continued to fly directly to Taiwan. At the time, Beijing claimed the sole right to negotiate landing rights for Taiwan, as it claims the country to be part of China.    [FULL  STORY]

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2018/03/05
By: Wu Hsin-yun and Frances Huang

Taipei, March 5 (CNA) In late February, acclaimed Taiwanese chef Andre Chiang (江振誠)

was informed he will receive the 2018 Diners Club Lifetime Achievement Award – Asia, the first Taiwanese chef to be honored.

Part of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants awards program, the Diners Club Lifetime Achievement Award is voted on by members of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, which is made up of more than 300 leaders in the restaurant and culinary industries in Asia.

“While I was thrilled to be the first Chinese chef to appear on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, I am equally honored to be the first Chinese chef to receive this prestigious award,” Chiang said in a statement in response to the honor.

“My focus has always been to put Asia on the culinary world map and this recognition reinforces that goal. I will remember this moment forever,” Chiang said.    [FULL  STORY]

Radio Taiwan International
Date: 2018-03-04

Cabinet Minister John Deng responded on Sunday to reports of a new US tariff on steel

imports.

US President Donald Trump announced last week that a 25% tariff will be imposed on steel imports and a 10% tariff on aluminum imports starting this week. The move was met with a swift protest from the EU and China. Taiwan’s economics ministry said the tariffs are rooted in protectionism and will damage international free trade.

Cabinet Minister John Deng said Sunday that Taiwan will monitor forthcoming comments from Trump, and any word of how the US plans to put the tariff in place. He said if it hurts Taiwan’s interests, then Taiwan will attempt to enter negotiations with the US. He said that Taiwan would not give up any of its rights as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO).    [FULL  STORY]

While the government remains enthusiastic about railways, others suggest large-scale spending on new infrastructure is misguided.

The News Lens
Date: 2018/03/04
By: Matthew Fulco

The high-speed rail (HSR) has pride of place among Taiwan’s contemporary

infrastructure. Modeled after Japan’s shinkansen (bullet train), the HSR is fast and efficient. Running along the island’s populous West Coast at top speeds of 300 km/hour, it reaches 90 percent of the population in just 90 minutes. In its decade of service, the HSR has boasted an impeccable safety record as well.

While the HSR faced daunting debt at its launch in 2007, surging ridership in recent years has brought the company into the black. In 2016, it posted net profits of NT$4.1 billion (US$137 million) and NT$40.6 billion in revenue.

The government has vowed to integrate the HSR and TRA, boost rail service in eastern Taiwan, expand urban rapid mass transit, and use rail transport to promote tourism in central and southern Taiwan.

In contrast, outside of greater Taipei, the rest of Taiwan’s rail system is ailing. The Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA), operator of Taiwan’s largest rail system, estimates that it will lose NT$2.8 billion (US$93.4 million) this year. That unenviable performance will actually be an improvement over 2017, when TRA recorded NT$3.4 billion in losses.
[FULL  STORY]

The main attraction of this year’s Calla Lily Festival at Zhuzihu in the Yangmingshan National Park in Taipei will be the combination of music concerts and landscape beauty, according to Taipei City’s Department of Economic Development

Taiwan News 
Date: 2018/03/04
By: George Liao, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News)–The main attraction of this year’s Calla Lily Festival at Zhuzihu in the Yangmingshan National Park in Taipei will be the combination of music concerts and landscape beauty, according to Taipei City’s Department of Economic Development (DOED).

The participating calla lily farms will take turn hosting concerts throughout the activity period, offering visitors a relaxing stay in the vicinity as they watch the sea of calla lilies under the afternoon sun, the DOED said.    [FULL  STORY]