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Approval ratings for Tsai, Lin at new lows

Taipei Times
Date: Sep 15, 2016
By: Chen Wei-han / Staff reporter

The approval ratings for President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) and Premier Lin Chuan (林全) have fallen to 40.8 percent and 31.7 percent respectively, their lowest since the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration took office in May, according to a Taiwan Indicators Survey Research poll.

Of those polled, 40.8 percent said they are satisfied with Tsai’s performance, down 2 percentage points from a survey conducted by the firm last month, while 41.8 percent said they are dissatisfied, a decline of 3.2 percentage points from last month, according to the foundation’s Taiwan Mood Barometer Survey released yesterday.

On the question of trust, 48 percent said that they trust Tsai, down 5.4 percentage points from last month’s poll, while 33.1 percent said that they do not trust her, a rise of 0.2 percentage points from last month.

Tsai’s approval ratings and trust ratings were at their highest in late June, at 54.6 percent and 59.8 percent respectively, but they have since fallen consistently, according to the foundation’s polls.     [FULL  STORY]

Food firms busted over expired produce

The China Post
Date: September 15, 2016
By: Sun Hsin Hsuan

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Officials seized over 50,000 kilograms of expired produce after raiding two

A batch of expired frozen squids is seen at in a Kaohsiung-based food supplier's cold storage facility on Wednesday, Sept. 14. More than 50,000 kilograms of expired food, including 11-year-old shrimp, were confiscated by the police in Kaohsiung in an attempt to crack down on illegal food-related activities. (CNA)

A batch of expired frozen squids is seen in a Kaohsiung-based food supplier’s cold storage facility on Wednesday, Sept. 14. More than 50,000 kilograms of expired food, including 11-year-old shrimp, were confiscated by the police in Kaohsiung in an attempt to crack down on illegal food-related activities. (CNA)

Kaohsiung food suppliers on Wednesday.

The haul, which included several boxes of 11-year-old frozen shrimp, was held by the two companies with the intent of selling it to restaurants.

A day ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival weekend, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — in a joint operation with the Kaohsiung City Government’s Health Department and the Kaohsiung District Prosecutors’ Office — raided the two food suppliers.

The owner of both firms later admitted to selling out-of-date food with fake expiry-date labels.

The FDA’s team uncovered the expired and unlabeled frozen food at cold storage facilities owned by Bai Xian Wu Enterprise Co. Ltd. (百鮮屋股份有限公司) and rented by Yen Jing International Pty Ltd’s (源進國際有限公司).

According to the FDA, the two companies are affiliates run by Wu Wei-chi (吳韋琦).

Wu admitted wrongdoing and was released on bail Wednesday.     [FULL  STORY]

Taiwan, EBRD celebrate 25 years of collaboration

Taiwan Today
Date: September 13, 2016

The Republic of China (Taiwan) and London-based European Bank for Reconstruction and

MOFA Secretary-General Paul Wen-liang Chang (right) and his EBRD counterpart Enzo Quattrociocche exchange gifts during a ceremony Sept. 12 in Taipei City. (MOFA)

MOFA Secretary-General Paul Wen-liang Chang (right) and his EBRD counterpart Enzo Quattrociocche exchange gifts during a ceremony Sept. 12 in Taipei City. (MOFA)

Development celebrated 25 years of collaboration and 10 years since the establishment of the Taiwan Office of EBRD Business Development Sept. 12 in Taipei City, with the two sides announcing their commitment to enhancing cooperation and strengthening industry participation.

“Taiwan is the EBRD’s fourth largest donor country as well as a constructive, reliable and effective partner,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary-General Paul Wen-liang Chang said during a ceremony marking the event.

He added that Taiwan hopes to continue working with the EBRD to further promote the development of green energy, smart cities, small and medium-sized enterprises, and knowledge-based economies.

According to the MOFA, Taiwan’s cooperation with the bank is a model of reciprocal, mutually beneficial and sustainable relations. Over the past 25 years, the EBRD Taiwan Technical Cooperation Fund has provided investments totaling US$43 million and sponsored 270-plus projects implemented by the organization, generating more than US$500 million in business opportunities.     [FULL  STORY]

Visit Tianliao’s ‘Moon World’ during Moon Festival

Taiwan News
Date: 2016-09-13
By George Liao, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

The well-known mudstone badlands located in Tianliao District, Kaohsiung City is an expanse of 6773485undulating barren hills capped with jagged ridges and knife-sharp peaks. People in Taiwan call this type of landform “moon world,” and therefore it’s considered as an appropriate place to visit on the occasion of the Moon Festival.

This type of spectacular landscape can also be found in Tainan’s Longci and Juojhen districts, Kaohsiung’s Neimen and Yanchao districts, Taitung’s Liji as well as Pingtung’s Hengchun Township.

Tianliao’s “Moon World” has been the scene of dozens of movies. The barren ridges are reflected on 6773486the surface of a lake below them during good weather, making the place even more desolate and mystical, especially at night.

To provide better services for the tourists, the Tourism Bureau of Kaohsiung City Government has created Tianliao Moon World Landform Park, featuring ecological parks, lakeside walkways, the Path to the Moon Walkway, and the moon platform.     [FULL  STORY]

Tsai hopes for better relations with US

LONG-STANDING EFFORTS:The president thanked outgoing AIT Chairman Raymond Burghardt for spending 12 years of his career on furthering Taipei-Washington relations

Taipei Times
Date: Sep 14, 2016
By: Stacy Hsu / Staff reporter

President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday expressed the hope for deepening Taiwan-US cooperation

President Tsai Ing-wen, right, shakes hands with outgoing American Institute in Taiwan Chairman Raymond Burghardt at the Presidential Office in Taipei yesterday. Photo: CNA

President Tsai Ing-wen, right, shakes hands with outgoing American Institute in Taiwan Chairman Raymond Burghardt at the Presidential Office in Taipei yesterday. Photo: CNA

on trade, security and international participation as she acknowledged the achievements of outgoing American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Chairman Raymond Burghardt over the past decade.

Tsai made the remarks during a meeting at the Presidential Office with Burghardt, who is on his 20th and final visit to Taiwan as chairman of the AIT, which represents US interests in Taiwan in the absence of diplomatic ties.

“Last year, during my visit to the US, and this year when I transited at Los Angeles, Ambassador Burghardt accompanied me throughout the entire trip. This not only bears testament to the friendly relations between Taiwan and the US, but also demonstrates Burghardt’s long-standing efforts in promoting relations between the two sides,” Tsai said.

Tsai also conveyed her appreciation to Burghardt for having spent 12 years of his more than 40 years as a diplomat on furthering Taipei-Washington relations, saying Burghardt would always be welcome in Taiwan.    [FULL  STORY]

AIT chair calls on Taipei, Beijing to show ‘flexibility and creativity’

The China Post
Date: September 14, 2016
By: Joseph Yeh

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Outgoing American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Chairman Raymond Burghardt called

Outgoing American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Chairman Raymond Burghardt is pictured during an interview with The China Post in Taipei, Tuesday, Sept. 13. (Joseph Yeh, The China Post)

Outgoing American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Chairman Raymond Burghardt is pictured during an interview with The China Post in Taipei, Tuesday, Sept. 13. (Joseph Yeh, The China Post)

on both Taiwan and Mainland China to show “creativity and flexibility” in solving the current cross-strait impasse, during an interview Tuesday with The China Post,

The AIT represents U.S. interests in Taiwan in the absence of official ties.

Burghardt, who is visiting Taiwan for the last time in his capacity as AIT chair, said both Taipei and Beijing had shown “patience” in terms of cross-strait relations.

However, referencing remarks made by the AIT’s Director during a media roundtable in June, Burghardt said, “I think probably there is still a need for the other two things we called for, ‘flexibility and creativity.'” Relations between Taipei and Beijing have cooled since the election of President Tsai Ing-wen in May.

Tsai’s recognition of the existence of a “1992 meeting,” but not necessarily a “1992 Consensus,” in her inaugural speech has reduced Beijing’s willingness to openly engage with the new government.    [FULL  STORY]

Ferry services to be interrupted due to Strong Typhoon Meranti

Taiwan News
Date: 2016-09-12
By: Central News Agency

Strong Typhoon Meranti will force ferry suspensions in some parts of Taiwan from Tuesday in anticipation of gusty wind and heavy rain, the authorities said Monday.

All services between Taitung County in southeastern Taiwan and outlying Orchid Island and Green Island will be canceled Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the Maritime Port Bureau under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications.

While boat operators have been helping evacuate tourists from the islands Monday, two Chinese women insisted on sticking to their itineraries and went to Green Island.

In addition, a charter ship service between Taichung in central Taiwan and outlying Kinmen County, scheduled for 11 p.m. Wednesday, will be canceled, the Kinmen County government said.     [FULL  STORY]

VP Chen meets Grand Master of Knights of Holy Sepulchre in Taipei

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2016/09/12
By: Tai Ya-chen and Romulo Huang

Taipei, Sept. 12 (CNA) Vice President Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) met Cardinal Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem Edwin O’brien on Monday at the Presidential Office, and expressed the hope that Taiwan and the Holy See continue to increase bilateral exchanges in all areas.

Extending a warm welcome to Cardianl O’Brien for his visit to Taiwan, Chen said that he was pleased to meet with Cardinal O’Brien in Taipei after having missed opportunities for such a meeting in the Vatican earlier this month when he was there for attending the canonization ceremony of Saint Teresa of Calcutta.

The vice president said that he also shared the honor of new members of the Holy Sepulchre Taiwan Lieutenancy bestowed by Cardinal O’Brien during his current visit.

Chen, who is a devoted Catholic, lauded the Catholic order of knighthood for its long-term dedication to charitable and social works.     [FULL  STORY]

Former adviser calls on premier to quit

URGENT:It would be worse for the government if Premier Lin Chuan’s replacement is delayed until absolutely necessary, former presidential adviser Koo Kwang-ming said

Taipei Times
Date: Sep 13, 2016
By: Chen Wei-han / Staff reporter

Former presidential adviser Koo Kwang-ming (辜寬敏) yesterday called on Premier Lin Chuan (林全) to resign, the second such call from the pan-green camp in two weeks.

“Lin can make an excellent adviser, but is not leadership material,” Koo said in a radio interview while talking about President Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) Cabinet picks.

It was a severe mistake to appoint Lin as premier and it would harm Tsai’s authority if he is not replaced immediately, Koo said.

“Although some do not think Lin is unqualified, it will cause greater damage if his replacement is delayed until it becomes absolutely necessary,” he said.     [FULL  STORY]

DPP lawmakers push former NPM director to quit Beijing position

The China Post
Date: September 13, 2016
By: CNA

TAIPEI — Legislators from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) on Monday stepped up their pressure on former National Palace Museum (NPM, 故宮博物院) Director Feng Ming-chu (馮明珠) over a controversy surrounding her new position as an adviser to Beijing’s Palace Museum.

The lawmakers, including Ho Hsin-chun, Hsu Chih-chieh, Wu Szu-yao, Lee Li-feng and Su Chiao-hui, demanded that the NPM, the Cabinet and the Control Yuan, the government’s top watchdog agency, launch an investigation into Feng immediately for allegedly violating Taiwan’s revolving door regulations and a ban on travel to China.

Under the Civil Servant Service Act, civil servants are forbidden within three years of their retirement from becoming board directors, supervisors, managers, shareholders or advisers in companies with direct relations to their work.     [FULL  STORY]