Headline News

 

“Zero surprises” in Trump-Xi summit lauded

 

Taipei had been in close communication with Washington following the Trump-Xi summit and “as a whole, we welcome the smooth progression of Sino-US relations and the ‘no surprises’ between Taiwan and the US,” the Presidential Office said in a statement. It also thanked US think tank members and other supporters for highlighting the US commitments to Taiwan, including the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances to Taiwan.

 

“We understand that the US places a strong emphasis on stability in the East Asian region. As a member of this region, we hope that the Trump-Xi meeting benefits stability in East Asia. We also expect to work together in promoting stability and prosperity,” the Presidential Office stated.

 

Amnesty International urges for release of Taiwanese activist

 

Amnesty International (AI) and other local civic groups urge mainland China to release Taiwanese human rights activist Lee Ming-che, whose detention has been confirmed by Beijing on suspicion of “endangering national security” without providing details about the charges.

 

At a joint press conference in Taipei, AI and representatives from more than 20 Taiwan civic groups urged Beijing to reveal Lee's whereabouts and to release him. It also called on the Chinese government to provide guarantees that Lee would not be tortured and that he be given contact with his family and lawyers.

 

“Lee Ming-che's detention on vague national security grounds will alarm all those that work with NGOs in China. If his detention is solely connected to his legitimate activism he must be immediately and unconditionally released,” said Nicholas Bequelin, AI's director for East Asia, in a statement issued by the international human rights group last week.

 

Lee, an NGO worker supporting activists in China, went missing after he entered the mainland last month, according to AI. He was last heard from on March 19.

 

Reporters Without Borders opens office in Taipei

 

The global press freedom watchdog Reporters sans Frontieres (RSF), announced to open its first Asia bureau in Taipei. Its focus will be on East Asian countries and territories, including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, North Korea, South Korea and Mongolia, said RSF.

 

Taiwan was chosen not only because of its central geographical location and ease of operation logistics, but also because of its top-ranking in Asia on the RSF annual Press Freedom Index. “The opening of an East Asia office corresponds to the ongoing international expansion of our association and to better address the new challenges of media freedoms in this increasingly influential region of the world,” said Secretary General Christophe Deloire of RSF.

 

Cabinet spokesman Hsu Kuo-yung said that the government welcomed the decision by RSF and its appreciation of Taiwan’s contribution to press freedom and human rights protection. He said that the RSF has the same spirit as Taiwan and that freedom of speech played a key role in Taiwan’s transition from an authoritarian system to a democracy and continues to be a core value in its democratic development.

 

Society

 

First in Asia: Taiwan bans eating of cat and dog meat

 

Taiwan has passed landmark animal protection laws imposing fines for the consumption of dog and cat meat as well as jail time for those who kill and torture animals.

 

The Animal Protection Act amendments punish the sale, purchase or consumption of dog or cat meat with fines ranging from NT$50,000 to NT$2 million. The penalty for killing or intentionally injuring animals has been raised to two years jail plus a NT$200,000 to NT$2 million fine.

 

The violator's name, photograph and offense could also be made public.

Violators will also be banned from registering any pets and from applying to adopt a pet.

 

The amendments, after being signed off by the Cabinet and the Presidential Office, can take effect by the end of this month.

 

Travel

 

Taoyuan airport named as having best airport staff

 

British consultancy Company Skytrax named Taoyuan International Airport for having the world’s best airport staff in its 2017 World Airport Awards. The award for Best Airport Staff recognizes airport workers engaged in customer service across a wide range of areas, including help counters, immigration and security, shops, food and beverage outlets.

The ranking is based on a survey of 13.82 million customers from 105 countries, covering 550 airports worldwide.