Headline News

 

Biden administration urges China to cease military pressure against Taiwan

 

The new Joe Biden administration of the United States called on China on Saturday January 23, to stop its ongoing military coercion towards Taiwan while calling on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to engage in peaceful dialogue.

 

The statement issued by the U.S. Department of State was released after 13 Chinese warplanes flew into Taiwan's southwest air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Saturday, the highest number observed in a single day this year, according to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense.

 

The U.S. "notes with concern" the pattern of ongoing PRC attempts to intimidate its neighbors, including Taiwan, according to a statement issued by State Department Spokesman Ned Price.

 

"We urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure against Taiwan and instead engage in meaningful dialogue with Taiwan's democratically elected representatives," it said.

 

"We will stand with friends and allies to advance our shared prosperity, security, and values in the Indo-Pacific region and that includes deepening our ties with democratic Taiwan," it added.

 

A US aircraft carrier group led by the USS Theodore Roosevelt also entered the South China Sea on Saturday, to conduct routine operations “to ensure freedom of the seas” and “build partnerships that foster maritime security,” the US Indo-Pacific Command stated.

 

“With two-thirds of the world’s trade traveling through this very important region, it is vital that we maintain our presence and continue to promote the rules-based order which has allowed us all to prosper,” said Rear Admiral Doug Verissimo, commander of the strike group.

 

EU resolutions call for strengthening and protecting Taiwan’s democracy

 

The European Union (EU) passed two resolutions on January 20, which called for continued support for Taiwan's participation in international organizations and also encouraged member countries to "re-examine their engagement policies with Taiwan."

 

Both resolutions expressed serious concerns about recent tensions in the Taiwan Strait and China's recent military provocations against Taiwan and also called on the EU and its member states to support Taiwan's participation as an observer in the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international organizations.

 

Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that for the first time the resolutions called on members to "re-examine their engagement policies with Taiwan," and added that as an "important member of the Indo-Pacific region, Taiwan will continue to deepen its active cooperation with like-minded partners including the EU to firmly defend the values of democracy and freedom, and jointly promote regional peace, stability, and prosperity."

 

Economy & Society

 

Taiwan records high export orders in 2020

 

Taiwan registered a record high in export orders for 2020, driven by demand for electronics products as well as information and communications devices, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) said.

 

The export orders reached US$533.66 billion last year, which was an annual growth of 10.1 percent and the biggest spike in three years.

 

The growth has been driven by strong demand for smartphones, notebooks, tablets, game machines, graphics cards, servers, and internet and communications products.

 

Taiwan received US$161.62 billion, US$137.66 billion, and US$108.89 in export orders from the U.S., Europe, and China (including Hong Kong), respectively.

 

Hou Hsiao-hsien wins Career Achievement Award

 

Hou Hsiao-hsien was chosen by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA) as one of the winners of the 2020 Career Achievement Awards.

 

The award ceremony was scheduled for January, but is cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

In a statement on its website, LAFCA said that Hou is widely recognized as one of the world's greatest, most influential filmmakers.

 

"Hailed for their exquisite visual beauty, narrative innovation, historical depth and formal mastery, Hou's films have won numerous international prizes, including the Golden Lion at the 1989 Venice International Film Festival for 'A City of Sadness' and Best Director at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival for 'The Assassin'," said LAFCA.

 

Hou is also a recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2020 Golden Horse Awards, one of the most prestigious and time-honored film awards in the world of Chinese-language cinema.