Annual oil painting show opens in Sun Yat-sen hall
Annual oil painting show opens in Sun Yat-sen hallBy Sherry Hsiao / Staff reporterThe 44th Oil Painting Exhibition in Taiwan (全國油畫展) opened on Saturday at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Taipei, featuring 122 works, with Deputy Minister of Culture Hsiao Tsung-huang (蕭宗煌) saying the exhibition expresses a “vigorous vitality.”Established in 1974 by several Taiwanese artists, the Oil Art Society of the Republic of China holds an annual competition and exhibition to highlight the works of its members and others. The annual exhibition is an important booster of oil painting in the nation, and has helped elevate the standard of art education and oil painting, the hall said. Visitors on Saturday look at works on display in the 44th Oil Painting Exhibition in Taiwan at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Taipei. The presidents of the art society have, over the years, dedicated their lives to passing down the profession of painting, memorial hall director-general Liang Yung-fei (梁永斐) said. By hosting the competitions and exhibitions, society members have built a “priceless” Taiwanese art history, and supported numerous students and young artists passionate about oil painting, he said.
Source:Taipei Times
August 23, 2020 15:56 UTC
New 5G phones approved to hit the market next month
New 5G phones approved to hit the market next monthStaff writer, with CNAThe National Communications Commission (NCC) yesterday said it has approved the sale of 20 5G-compatible phone models in Taiwan, including nine models that have not yet been released. Since 5G services were launched in Taiwan on July 1, demand for monthly plans has remained low, with consumers deterred by high prices, limited network coverage and a narrow choice of available phones. Eleven 5G-compatible phone models are currently available in Taiwan — seven made by Samsung, two by Oppo, and one phone each by Sony and LG. Several industry insiders have also expressed confidence that 5G phone sales would increase when new and more affordable phones are brought to market in the second half of the year. However, the NCC has already approved the sale of 5G phone models made by Chinese companies, NCC Vice Chairman Wong Po-tsong (翁柏宗) said.
Source:Taipei Times
August 22, 2020 15:56 UTC
Plan aims for bilingual daily living
Plan aims for bilingual daily livingNEW TAIPEI CITY: Each school should attempt to have at least one bilingual class, but a specific number would not be mandated, the Primary Education Division head saidBy Chou Hsiang-yun and Jake Chung / Staff reporter, with staff writerThe New Taipei City Government is launching a program aimed at making the English language a part of everyday life by 2030. New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi on Friday holds a sign with the text “New Taipei bilingual NTPC Give me five” while attending the school year’s first meeting of New Taipei City school deans. The project hopes to fine-tune all aspects of the curriculum, the teachers and the integration of English into everyday life, Education Department Commissioner Chang Ming-wen (張明文) said. Every school should endeavor to have at least one bilingual class, but schools would not be mandated to have a certain number per week, Primary Education Division head Lin Yi-cheng (林奕成) said. A lack of bilingual materials hampers teachers’ efforts to plan their courses, Guangfu Elementary School administrator Chang Kuei-chen (張桂珍) said, adding that the varying vocabulary levels of students could affect their learning.
Source:Taipei Times
August 22, 2020 15:56 UTC
Taiwan in Time: The snails strike back
The protesters called themselves “snails without shells” (無殼蝸牛), which became a symbol for the battle against housing prices that is still used to this day. But in six months, Taipei’s housing prices surged so much that he couldn’t even buy back his original home, which had nearly doubled in price. Snails Without Shells movement leader Lee Hsing-chang carries a large snail on his back during a 2010 protest against housing prices. “Owning a home should be a human right, housing prices are not stakes for corporations to play the money game,” they declared. “But I won’t give up until housing prices go down,” he declared.
Source:Taipei Times
August 22, 2020 15:56 UTC
Public split over Chinese students: poll
Public split over Chinese students: pollA BIG RISK? According to the ministry, Chinese students who are to graduate this semester have been allowed to return since July 22. Asked whether the government’s policy on Chinese students hinges on political considerations, 48 percent agreed, while 38 percent disagreed. “Our democracy can be an inspiration to Chinese students,” he said. Taiwan from Jan. 26 suspended the entry of Chinese students due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while China in April stopped Chinese graduates from pursuing further study or work in Taiwan.
Source:Taipei Times
August 22, 2020 15:56 UTC
Presidential Office rebuts Ma’s ‘1992 consensus’ claims
Presidential Office rebuts Ma’s ‘1992 consensus’ claimsBy Sean Lin and Chung Li-hua / Staff reportersThe Presidential Office yesterday said it was regrettable that former president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) had attributed China’s recent military activities near Taiwan to President Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) refusal to acknowledge the so-called “1992 consensus,” saying that narrative ignored the real situation in the Taiwan Strait. China’s military activities extend beyond the Taiwan Strait to the Pacific, and anyone with a grasp of the international situation understands that China’s disturbance of regional peace is unprovoked, Presidential Office spokesman Alex Huang (黃重諺) said. The shift in China’s attitude toward his and Tsai’s administrations was prompted by Tsai’s refusal to acknowledge the “1992 consensus,” which eliminated the basis of mutual trust between Taipei and Beijing, he said. It said that Chinese expansionism has caused escalating tensions in the East China Sea, the Taiwan Strait, the South China Sea and on the China-India border, and threatens democratic countries. Rather, it should address the views of international observers on the situation in the Taiwan Strait, he said.
Source:Taipei Times
August 22, 2020 15:56 UTC
One-month project aims to reduce traffic accidents
One-month project aims to reduce traffic accidentsPEDESTRIANS’ RIGHTS: The program includes fines for vehicles or scooters failing to yield to pedestrians, with the number of incidents rising fast over the yearsBy Cheng Wei-chi and Jake Chung / Staff reporter, with staff writerA collaborative one-month project by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications and the National Police Agency (NPA) is to commence next month in hopes of reducing traffic accident rates. Vehicles illegally turning right on a red light are to be fined between NT$600 and NT$1,800, while pedestrians failing to observe pedestrian crossings or jaywalking are to be fined NT$300, it said. A police officer holds signs urging drivers to give way to pedestrians on a crosswalk in Nantou County on Thursday. Photo: Hsieh Chieh-yu,Taipei TimesIf a vehicle proceeds over a crossing within 3m, or one lane, of a pedestrian, it would be considered not yielding, NPA Traffic Division chief Wang Feng-hui (王鳳輝) said. The safety of pedestrians must be guaranteed as they comprise the largest group of those using the roads, which is the impetus for the project, Hsieh said.
Source:Taipei Times
August 21, 2020 15:56 UTC
TSU urges Trump re-election support
TSU urges Trump re-election supportSTRONG SUPPORT: Amid US-China tensions, TSU acting chairwoman Chen Nia-an expects Trump to further side with Taiwan during a potential second presidential termBy Jason Pan / Staff reporterThe Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) yesterday called on Taiwanese and Taiwanese-Americans to support US President Donald Trump’s re-election bid, saying Trump has pursued policies to consolidate political and economic ties with Taiwan, and has proven to be a strong leader, standing up against China’s hegemonic ambitions and military provocations in Asia and the Indo-Pacific region. Taiwan Solidarity Union acting chairwoman Chou Ni-an, second left, holds a picture of US President Donald Trump at a news conference in Taipei yesterday. Chou said that the TSU had received a phone call from the Presidential Office yesterday, after the office found out about the TSU’s plan to endorse Trump. She said that the call came from a government official of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) who expressed their “concern” about the TSU’s support for Trump’s re-election bid. Stanton added that Biden’s support for Taiwan could be stronger than that of past Democratic administrations.
Source:Taipei Times
August 21, 2020 15:56 UTC
China Steel to raise local steel prices 3.36%
China Steel to raise local steel prices 3.36%A SIX-YEAR HIGH: The steelmaker said that China has returned to business, boosting demand, while Brazil, the prime iron ore producer, remains hard-hit by the virusBy Angelica Oung / Staff reporterChina Steel Corp (中鋼), Taiwan’s largest steelmaker, yesterday said that it would raise steel prices by an average of 3.36 percent for domestic delivery in response to an uptrend in global steel and iron ore prices — the biggest price hikes in about two years. Domestic steel prices in China have increased by US$40 per tonne, domestic and exported steel prices in Vietnam are to increase by US$45 per tonne and the export price for October delivery in Japan is to become US$550 per tonne, China Steel said in a statement. The logo and name of China Steel Corp are pictured at its Kaohsiung headquarters yesterday. In the fourth quarter, prices for steel plates would increase NT$800 per tonne, while electro-galvanized steel coils would increase NT$1,000 per tonne and steel rods would increase NT$750 per tonne, the company said. China Steel said that it would also increase prices for most steel categories, with hot-rolled steel plates increasing NT$500 per tonne, cold-rolled coils NT700 per tonne and electrical steel NT$1,000 per tonne.
Source:Taipei Times
August 21, 2020 15:56 UTC
Building collapse defendants ordered to pay
Building collapse defendants ordered to payStaff writer, with CNAThe Tainan District Court on Thursday ordered six defendants to pay NT$450 million (US$15.25 million) to 128 victims and family members after 115 residents of their shoddily constructed building died in a magnitude 6.4 earthquake on Feb. 6, 2016. The lawsuit was brought by 128 victims and relatives of those who died when the Weiguan Jinlong housing complex collapsed, seeking compensation of nearly NT$5 billion. A person walks past the Tainan District Court on April 13. On Jan. 16, the Tainan District Court handed down its ruling in that case, requiring the defendants to pay more than NT$700 million to compensate victims and family members of those who died in the building collapse. The Tainan District Prosecutors’ Office also filed a suit against the five individuals and the district court on Jan. 17 ruled that they should pay NT$75.36 million and interest to victims and family members of the victims.
Source:Taipei Times
August 21, 2020 15:56 UTC
Misusing freedom to back China
Misusing freedom to back ChinaBy Chen Kuan-fu 陳冠甫Veteran entertainer Lisa Cheng (鄭惠中) was once more thrust into the public eye on Friday last week when she threw red paint on a portrait of former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) at the memorial set up for him at the Taipei Guest House. Last year, Cheng caused a scene when she slapped Minister of Culture Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君) in the face. There have been many examples of individuals defacing or beheading statues as a way to express their opinion. One could interpret this kind of action as “symbolic speech,” conforming to freedom of expression as guaranteed by the Constitution. Following three transitions of political power, Taiwan’s independence from China has become a majority position and the dangwai group has long become a party of government.
Source:Taipei Times
August 21, 2020 15:56 UTC
Changhua health chief defends rapid test campaign
Changhua health chief defends rapid test campaignBy Chang Tsung-chiu and Jake Chung / Staff reporter, with staff writerChanghua County Public Health Bureau Director Yeh Yen-po (葉彥伯) yesterday defended the county’s testing of people under home quarantine who have no symptoms of COVID-19, saying that if he could turn back the clock, he would have made the same decision. Yeh had instructed the county to conduct a pathology investigation for COVID-19 and since April has been conducting rapid diagnostic tests of people under home quarantine who have no symptoms. He was a Taiwanese teen living in the US who arrived on Aug. 5 for a family visit. Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung (陳時中), who heads the center, on Tuesday instructed the health ministry’s Department of Civil Service Ethics to launch an investigation into the bureau to clarify the matter. Chen on Thursday said he understood Yeh’s position that studies support testing asymptomatic people for COVID-19, but the bureau should have informed the CECC first.
Source:Taipei Times
August 21, 2020 15:56 UTC
MOFA rejects anti-China Web campaign accusations
MOFA rejects anti-China Web campaign accusationsBy Lin Chia-nan / Staff reporterThe Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) yesterday said that China was lying when Beijing claimed that Taiwan had paid social media users to post negative comments on China-Kiribati relations. The logo of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is pictured at the ministry in Taipei in an undated photograph. Photo: Lu Yi-hsuan, Taipei TimesTang is Beijing’s first ambassador to the Pacific Island nation after China and Kiribati resumed diplomatic relations in September last year. “When the then-Australian high commissioner to Kiribati visited the island in 1998, local people welcomed him with the same ceremony,” Zhao said. MOFA spokeswoman Joanne Ou (歐江安) yesterday said that Taiwan did not know of the matter or have any contact with social media users who were singled out by Beijing for “pursuing an anti-China agenda.”China is “despicable for blatantly lying and trying to smear Taiwan,” she said.
Source:Taipei Times
August 21, 2020 15:56 UTC
MAC says it is monitoring Chinese recruitment drive
MAC says it is monitoring Chinese recruitment driveBy Chung Li-hua, Lin Chia-nan and Jake Chung / Staff reporters, with Staff WriterThe Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) yesterday said it was keeping a close watch on China’s latest recruitment initiative targeting young Taiwanese scientists. The council’s remarks follow the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology’s announcement on Thursday that it was seeking to recruit Taiwanese scientists in certain prioritized areas with an offer of a monthly subsidy of 15,000 yuan (US$2,167). The title and logo of the Mainland Affairs Council are pictured on a podium at the council’s offices in Taipei in an undated photograph. It added that the program was prioritizing research in health sciences, ecological agriculture and information science. Full-time teachers at public or private schools are also banned from taking up a teaching position in China, the ministry said at that time.
Source:Taipei Times
August 21, 2020 15:56 UTC
KMT pushes for judicial mental facility
KMT pushes for judicial mental facilityOUTRAGE: Amid an uproar over the acquittals of two men on murder charges due to impaired judgement, the KMT called for concrete plans to build such hospitalsBy Shih Hsiao-kuang / Staff reporterThe government must put forward a timetable for establishing “judicial mental hospitals,” the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) said yesterday. More than three months have passed since a man diagnosed with schizophrenia was acquitted for killing Railway Police Bureau officer Lee Cheng-han (李承翰), prompting public calls for the government to establish judicial mental hospitals for criminals with mental illnesses, the KMT said. The High Court’s acquittal of Liang showed that there is a long road ahead for judicial reform, and Tsai should accelerate efforts to improve the judicial system, so that it can properly serve its purpose of serving justice and regain people’s trust, the KMT said. The DPP should back the proposed amendments, which are feasible and in line with public expectations, the KMT said. Executive Yuan spokesman Ting Yi-ming (丁怡銘) said the establishment of judicial mental hospitals would involve intergovernmental discussions on treatment, prevention and staffing.
Source:Taipei Times
August 21, 2020 15:56 UTC