Page Two

One more chance for people failing first road test

Taiwan News
Date: 2016-03-01
By: George Liao, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

To encourage people to take the new road test as part of the whole exam for a regular driver 6738418license, people opting for the road test will be given a second chance on the same day to retake the driving test, Taiwan’s Directorate General of Highways (DGH) said on Tuesday.

Starting from March 1, People taking driver’s license exam will be given an option to choose between taking the traditional exam entirely on a specified field and taking a new form of exam that requires taking the exam partially on a test field and partially on the road.

The new form of exam requires certain items to be tested on the test field and certain items to be tested on the road.

A combination of the scores obtained from the field test and the road test will determine whether the examinee can pass the exam or not.     [FULL  STORY]

Strong cold air mass sends mercury down to 10 degrees C

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2016/03/01
By: Chen Wei-ting and Christie Chen

Taipei, March 1 (CNA) A strong continental cold air mass that arrived in Taiwan on Sunday 61326153sent temperatures lower around the country on Tuesday, the Central Weather Bureau (CWB) said.

The lowest temperature in a low-lying area on Taiwan proper as of 7 a.m. Tuesday was 10.9 degrees Celsius in Chiayi City, followed by 11.2 degrees in Tamsui in New Taipei and 11.4 degrees in Wuqi in Taichung, CWB data showed.

The mercury could drop to around 10 degrees in areas north of Chiayi and in coastal and open areas in Yilan County on Tuesday night, the bureau forecast.

Temperatures during the day will range from 12 to 20 degrees in the north, 14 to 19 degrees in the northeast, 14 to 23 degrees in central Taiwan, 16 to 19 degrees in the east, and 17 to 24 degrees in the south, according to the bureau.

The mercury will remain low on Wednesday and Thursday, with the difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures as much as 10 degrees around Taiwan in the following week because of radiative cooling effects, the bureau predicted.     [FULL  STORY]

2016 Velo-City showcases Taipei’s cycling pedigree

Taiwan Today
Date: March 1, 2016

Asia’s first-ever Velo-City Global Conference wrapped up March 1 in Taipei City, underscoring

Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (fourth left) is joined by ECF President Manfred Neun (center) in launching the Velo-City parade Feb. 28 in the northern Taiwan metropolis. (CNA)

Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (fourth left) is joined by ECF President Manfred Neun (center) in launching the Velo-City parade Feb. 28 in the northern Taiwan metropolis. (CNA)

achievements of the northern Taiwan metropolis in promoting sustainable transport.

Kicking off Feb. 27 at Taipei International Convention Center, the four-day event took place in conjunction with the annual Taipei International Cycle Show and Tour de Taiwan professional road race.

It drew over 1,000 participants from 43 countries, including 160 expert speakers and city officials. These comprise representatives from major cycling metropolises in the Asia-Pacific and Europe, such as Adelaide, Arnhem, Austria, Barcelona, Brussels, Copenhagen and Hokkaido.

Taipei Deputy Mayor Charles C. R. Lin said the occasion highlights the city’s commitment to transit-oriented development. “Efforts in this regard form a central plank in our Taipei Vision 2050 Project.”

The project aims to enhance resident mobility through raising awareness of environmental issues and smart technology. One key initiative is YouBike—the internationally acclaimed public bike rental system boasting the world’s No. 1 usage rate.     [FULL  STORY]

Premier quizzed about Dalai Lama visa

OPEN MINDFULNESS:A DPP lawmaker pressed Simon Chang about the government’s willingness to provide a visa, while Apollo Chen again called for a visit before May 20

Taipei Times
Date: Mar 02, 2016
By: Stacy Hsu / Staff reporter

Premier Simon Chang (張善政) yesterday promised to keep an open mind on a possible visa

Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Apollo Chen yesterday speaks at a news conference in Taipei about his petition calling on President Ma Ying-jeou to approve a visa for the Dalai Lama. Photo: Lo Pei-der, Taipei Times

Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Apollo Chen yesterday speaks at a news conference in Taipei about his petition calling on President Ma Ying-jeou to approve a visa for the Dalai Lama. Photo: Lo Pei-der, Taipei Times

application from the Dalai Lama, saying the government would not reject his application on political grounds.

During a question-and-answer session at the Legislative Yuan, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Chuang Ruei-hsiung (莊瑞雄) asked Chang what the attitude of President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) administration was toward allowing the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader to visit Taiwan.

“The Dalai Lama has visited Taiwan three times. As I understand, he has not applied for another visa. As long as he files an application, we will process his request accordingly,” Chang said.

Approval of a visa application would hinge on the purpose of the proposed visit, the premier said, adding: “If the visit is beneficial to both sides, I do not see any reason why we should not let him come.”     [FULL  STORY]

Taiwan’s nuclear waste management ‘careless’

FLAWED SYSTEM:A visiting nuclear waste management specialist has called on Taipower to conduct radioactivity tests on nuclear waste both before and after incineration

Taipei Times
Date: Mar 01, 2016
By: Chen Wei-han / Staff reporter

Japanese nuclear waste management specialist Masako Sawai yesterday

Japan’s Citizens’ Nuclear Information Center researcher Masako Sawai yesterday explains the dangers of Taipower’s handling of nuclear waste at a news conference in Taipei. Photo: Chen Wei-han, Taipei Times

Japan’s Citizens’ Nuclear Information Center researcher Masako Sawai yesterday explains the dangers of Taipower’s handling of nuclear waste at a news conference in Taipei. Photo: Chen Wei-han, Taipei Times

identified flaws in Taiwan Power Co’s (Taipower) nuclear waste management, describing the contingent measures at the Guosheng Nuclear Power Plant in New Taipei City’s Wanli District (萬里) and a radioactive waste repository on Orchid Island (Lanyu, 蘭嶼) in Taitung County as “ill-planned and careless.”

Sawai, a member of Japan’s Citizens’ Nuclear Information Center, spoke at a forum in Taipei to conclude her three-day visit to look into nuclear facilities and exchange opinions with local experts.

After visiting the Guosheng plant, she said that the methods utilized by Taipower to incinerate low-level radioactive waste were outdated and poorly managed.

The purpose of incinerating radioactive waste is to reduce waste volume, Sawai said, adding that using a plasma torch is the common incineration method around the world, as it generates temperatures of up to 15,000oC to melt mixed waste materials into liquid for storage as high-level radioactive waste, she said.     [FULL  STORY]

New Taiwan president’s dilemma: to host or not to host the Dalai Lama?

Yahoo News
February 29, 2016
By:: Benjamin Kang Lim and J.R. Wu, Reuters

BEIJING/TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan President-elect Tsai Ing-wen’s diplomatic

Tsai Ing-wen waves as she arrives at the headquarters of DPP, following the DPP's victory in Saturday's presidential and parliamentary elections, in Taipei, January 18, 2016. REUTERS/Stringer

Tsai Ing-wen waves as she arrives at the headquarters of DPP, following the DPP’s victory in Saturday’s presidential and parliamentary elections, in Taipei, January 18, 2016. REUTERS/Stringer

honeymoon with China could be shortlived if she allows the Dalai Lama to visit the self-ruled democratic island that Beijing claims as its own, two senior political sources said.

China regards Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader as a separatist, and Ma Ying-jeou, the outgoing president who favors closer economic ties with the mainland, refused the Dalai Lama entry several times since his last visit to Taiwan in 2009.

On that occasion Ma did allow him in, although he did not meet the 80-year-old.

With invitations pending from Buddhist groups that are likely to be renewed after Tsai and her pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party easily won January elections, the incoming leader faces a dilemma, said a Taiwanese source close to the DPP and another with direct knowledge of the matter.

“The Dalai Lama could visit as early as around national day,” said the source close to the DPP, requesting anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.     [FULL  STORY]

Shezidao’s future remains uncertain despite vote

Taipei Times
Date: Mar 01, 2016
By: Peggy Yu / Staff reporter

Development of the Shezidao (社子島) peninsula in Taipei’s Shilin District (士

The Shezidao peninsula in Taipei’s Shilin District is pictured on Sunday. Photo: Liu Hsin-de, Taipei Times

The Shezidao peninsula in Taipei’s Shilin District is pictured on Sunday. Photo: Liu Hsin-de, Taipei Times

林) is still up in the air, despite residents voting to support Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je’s (柯文哲) plan to turn the area into an “Ecological Shezidao,” because there remains a difference of opinion over the details of the redevelopment plan.

Results of the poll, which began on Saturday and ended on Sunday, showed that only about 35 percent of eligible voters cast their votes. Among the votes cast, 59.56 percent supported the “Ecological Shezidao” plan. None of the plans gained more than 900 votes.

The city has not allowed any major construction on Shezidao since 1970 in the name of flood prevention. Ko has pushed for redevelopment of the reclaimed peninsula since he took office in 2014, and he proposed four solutions for Shezidao residents to choose from in an online poll called “i-Voting.”

The “Ecological Shezidao” plan, which was favored by the mayor, would include an eco-reserve covering 240 hectares and the construction of a light-rail system and a park.    [FULL  STORY]

Southern Taiwan suffers poor air quality Monday

Taiwan News
Date: 2016-02-29
By: By Christie Chen and Zoe Wei, Central News Agency

The air quality in southern Taiwan was poor on Monday due to a lack of wind to disperse atmospheric pollutants, according to data from the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA).

As of 1 p.m., the index for fine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5) was as high as level 8 on the 1-10 PM2.5 index in Kaohsiung’s Fongshan and Cianjin districts, and as high as level 7 in Kaohsiung’s Daliao, Zuoying and Xiaogang districts, as well as in Chaozhou Township in Pingtung County, according to readings from EPA stations in those areas.

Level 7, or concentrations of 54-58 micrograms of PM 2.5 particulates per cubic meter, or above are severe enough to cause tangible discomfort and health problems, the EPA has said.     [FULL  STORY]

New road test for driver’s license goes into effect March 1

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2016/02/29
By: Wang Shu-fen and S.C. Chang

Taipei, Feb. 29 (CNA) It’s getting more difficult to get Taiwan’s driver license, as a new road test that will be implemented in step with the existing field test on March 1 will have up to 34 items failing any of which means failure to pass the test.

For example, “observation” before going through a road intersection or pedestrian crossing is valued at 32 points. Failing to observe means a deduction of 32 points, and the passing grade is 70 out of 100 points.

Failure to follow the “changing lane” rule — including observing oncoming cars or pedestrians — will also get a 32-point deduction and thus fail a test.

The Directorate General of Highways launched a pilot project on road test in 2011 but has not make them official until March 1, 2016.     [FULL  STORY]

China’s mention of ROC Constitution no landmark: academic

Taipei Times
Date: Mar 01, 2016
By: Peng Hsien-chun / Staff reporter

Not too much should be read into Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi’s (王毅) mention of Taiwan’s Constitution, Soochow University professor and former DPP legislator Julian Kuo (郭正亮) said yesterday.

When asked about the future of cross-strait relations at a Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) forum last week, Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi (王毅) said that he “hoped and expected” that president-elect Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) would “accept the provision in Taiwan’s own Constitution that the mainland and Taiwan belong to one, the same China” before taking power on May 20.

While Wang appeared to equate the constitutional provision with Beijing’s “one China” principle, his remarks drew attention because they were reportedly the first time Beijing officials have explicitly mentioned the Constitution instead of referring to “Taiwan’s laws and relevant regulations.”

They also drew notice for mentioning the “political foundation of cross-strait relations” without explicitly referring to the so-called “1992 consensus.”

The “1992 consensus,” a term former Mainland Affairs Council chairman Su Chi (蘇起) admitted making up in 2000, refers to a tacit understanding between the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Beijing that both sides of the Taiwan Strait acknowledge there is “one China,” with each side having its own interpretation of what “China” means.    [FULL  STORY]