Headline News
Taiwan urges new model for cross-strait ties
Responding to Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s reiteration to quash any Taiwanese pro-independence forces, Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) called on Beijing to think of a new model in its dealing with Taiwan.
The MAC expressed regret to Xi’s remarks about Taiwan at the 19th Communist Party Congress and stated that long-term political disputes can be resolved, but man-made barriers and hostilities led to confrontation and stalemate. “Respect and communication are the only keys to narrowing the differences between the two sides,” the Council said.
Premier Lai Ching-te also responded that the government has “the resolve to protect Taiwan's sovereignty, freedom and human rights, and remains committed to developing the economy, deepening peaceful development in cross-strait interaction, and safeguarding the right of Taiwan's people to determine their own future.” The Premier also reiterated President Tsai Ing-wen’s pledge that “we will keep our promises and will not bow to pressure.”
“We encourage the authorities in Beijing and Taipei to engage in constructive dialogue that seeks a peaceful resolution of differences acceptable to the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait on the basis of dignity and respect,” the US State Department responded.
President Tsai congratulates Prime Minister Abe
President Tsai Ing-wen has sent a congratulatory message to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the landslide victory of his Liberal Democratic party (LDP) in the recent parliamentary elections in Japan.
In the congratulatory message, Tsai said that Taiwan is grateful to Abe for the close attention he had been giving to cooperation between Taiwan and Japan and his support for Taiwan's participation in international organizations and activities.
Under Abe’s continued leadership, Taiwan and Japan are expected to deepen bilateral ties, and work together to boost the welfare of their people and achieve prosperity and stability in the region, Tsai said.
Economics
Taiwan's export orders up for 14th straight month
Data released by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) shows that Taiwanese exporters received US$45.92 billion in orders in September, the highest-ever monthly level, up 6.9 percent from a year earlier, marking the 14th straight month for a year-on-year growth after a 7.5 percent increase in August.
In the third quarter, Taiwan's export orders totaled US$125.42 billion, the highest quarterly level, up 11.2 percent from the second quarter and up 8.2 percent from a year earlier.
In the first nine months of this year, Taiwan received US$349.04 billion in orders, up 10.1 percent from 2016.
Society & Culture
Kaohsiung MRT Station ranked 7th in the world
The Formosa Boulevard Station in Kaohsiung city has been named as one of the 7 Most Stunning Subway Stations in the World by Popular Mechanics.
The subway station in Kaohsiung city amazes for its stained glass architecture, normally reserved for cathedrals. The station featuring the “Dome of Light” is described as a “cathedral by virtue” for its massive colorful glass panels and is the world’s largest public art installation made from individual pieces of colored glass. This magnificent piece of the art was created by the notable artist Narcissus Quagliata and took almost four years to complete.
Taiwan Week with Art, Literature and Films
From 27 October to 4 November 2017 there will be art, literature and films from Taiwan featuring in the Hague, Leiden and Amsterdam.
Writer-artist Tsou Yung-shan and poet-filmmaker Ye Mimi are visiting the Netherlands for the Taiwan Week, supported by Taiwan Spotlight Project and Leiden Asia Year.
Activities include an exhibition of Tsou Yung-Shan’s work at SinArts gallery in The Hague, a dialogue between Ye Mimi and Leiden City Poet Outer Ydema in Old School in Leiden, and a workshop on poetry writing led by Ye Mimi in Philo Café, also in Old School in Leiden.
There will also be a Film Festival at Leiden University College LUC Auditorium in The Hague.
For more Info: www.facebook.com/Taiwan-
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