The China Post
Date: October 28, 20173
By: Ralph Jennings, Associated Press

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen left Saturday for the

United States and three South Pacific nations in an effort to crack the diplomatic isolation imposed by rival China.

Tsai will visit the Marshall and Solomon Islands along with Tuvalu while transiting through Hawaii and the U.S. territory of Guam. The three are among just 20 countries that extend Taiwan formal diplomatic recognition.

Tsai’s travels follow Panama’s switching of diplomatic relations to Beijing in June in what was seen as a major diplomatic setback for Taiwan.

“We want to prove to the world that Taiwan is capable of, and is willing to, make more contributions to the international community,” Tsai said Saturday ahead of her departure.    [FULL  STORY]

The News Lens
Date: 2017/10/24
By: Mark Stocker

Taiwan is an engine of global sportswear and textile innovation, providing much of the

knowhow that goes into garments and equipment made by companies like Nike, Adidas and Under Armour. Yet few people know of Taiwan’s contribution to their clothes, and the country must do more to cultivate its brand image with end consumers.

Outdoor sports are all the rage in Taiwan today. Interest in running, cycling, hiking, and camping has experienced tremendous growth in recent years. Last year alone there were more than 600 running races hosted on the island—that’s the equivalent of a staggering 1.7 events per day! Taipei City is now home to hundreds of micro-gyms and running clubs, and the city’s bike paths are overflowing with cyclists. This interest in outdoor sports has been matched by growing demand for branded performance sportswear. Little known to many, however, the technology and know-how that puts the performance in performance sportswear originates from right here in Taiwan.    [FULL  STORY]

Taiwanese girl accidentally found her mini clay models selling on Chinese online shopping website

Taiwan News  
Date: 2017/10/24
By:  Taiwan News

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – A Taiwanese gamer accused Chinese online shopping websites Taobao of selling clay models that superficially resembled her without her acknowledgment.

On Tuesday, an online gamer of the Survival Game posted an article on her Facebook page saying that she unexpectedly discovered some mini clay models which looked like her, selling on Taobao but without having informed her. She denounced this act as a form of copyright infringement and described the items as “weird dolls” while asking for advice from netizens to take them down.

According to her investigation, the company behind the infringement products was Yu Fan Wan Wu (與帆玩物) which is a specialist in clay models. The company reportedly used her online photo to illegally create 5-cm-high clay models and also used her photo to advertise for the products.    [FULL  STORY]

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2017/10/24
By: Elaine Hou and Ko Lin

Taipei, Oct. 24 (CNA) Taiwanese passport holders will soon be able to enjoy speedy

entry into the United States through the U.S. Global Entry program, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) official said Tuesday.

Eligible Taiwanese who have obtained U.S. approval beforehand will be able to use the Global Entry program, meaning they can enter major U.S. airports without waiting in long lines for immigration checks, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The offer of Global Entry is being reciprocated by Taiwan, which will allow pre-approved U.S. visitors to Taiwan the opportunity to use Taiwan’s E-Gate program, likewise enabling them to avoid long lines at Taiwan immigration.

A ceremony to announce the launch of the bilateral agreement will be held at the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Thursday, according to the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT).    [FULL  STORY]

HUFF OVER HAKKAS:The KMT’s Hsu Chen-wei said the Hakka Affairs Council minister insulted her, but the premier said Cabinet members need to communicate better

Taipei Times
Date: Oct 25, 2017
By: Chen Wei-han  /  Staff reporter

Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Hsu Chen-wei (徐榛蔚) yesterday

demanded an apology from Premier William Lai (賴清德) for Hakka Affairs Council Minister Lee Yung-te’s (李永得) insult of her, while Lai said that Lee should adjust his tone when addressing a legislative review.

During a legislative committee meeting on Wednesday last week, Lee rejected Hsu’s budget request for Hakka affairs in Hualien County, saying that he had “an issue with” Hsu and that she was trying to “hijack the budget.”

The comment triggered days of dispute between the pair, and Hsu yesterday raised the issue again during a plenary session at the legislature.

She demanded that Lai apologize for Lee’s “personal insult” against her.
[FULL  STORY]

Radio Taiwan Internatiional
Date: 2017-10-23

Premier William Lai says promoting Taiwanese culture is a top priority of the

government. Lai was speaking Monday, during a tour of three culture-related government agencies.

Lai said that only once the public is proud of Taiwanese culture and identifies with Taiwan, will they be able to truly strive for their country.

Lai said culture is not something that is purely abstract, it’s also closely related to Taiwan’s economic development.
[FULL STORY]

With mountains everywhere, hiking is a popular leisure activity in Taiwan.

Taiwan News 
Date: 2017/10/23
By: George Liao, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News)—Taiwan has been endowed with forests and has 258 mountain

peaks at an elevation of more than 3,000 meters, making it geographically different from any other country in the world. With mountains everywhere, hiking is a popular leisure activity in Taiwan.

One can choose to walk in the mountains on the outskirts of a city, take the challenge of climbing a more challenging mountain, trace rivers back to their sources, or cross entire mountain ranges. What you choose to do, the scenery is certain to be breathtaking, and it will not be long before you are enchanted by the natural beauty of Taiwan’s mountains.

Some of Taiwan’s nine national parks are home to the country’s most beautiful mountains and offer very different landscapes. These parks also provide the best places for hiking in the country.   [FULL  STORY]

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2017/10/23
By: Chen Wei-ting and Ko Lin

Taipei, Oct. 23 (CNA) A southbound Puyuma Express was stopped for more than 30

minutes after brushing against a passenger at Badu Station in New Taipei on Monday evening, causing delays for about 890 passengers.

The train, bound for Hualien from New Taipei’s Shulin Station, apparently brushed a waiting passenger who stood too close to the edge of the platform as it approached Badu at around 9:09 p.m.

The individual, who has not been identified, was taken to the hospital, but no details have been provided on the person’s condition.

Train service returned to normal in both directions at 9:46 p.m.     [SOURCE]