Headline News
Taiwan’s medical relief arrived in India
A first batch of medical aid from Taiwan to India, arrived in Delhi on Sunday (May 2). The relief comprises 150 oxygen concentrators and 500 oxygen cylinders, with more to follow.
The supplies to help fight COVID-19 were deliverable within one week thanks to a coordinated effort by the health and economic ministries as well as local businesses, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) stated.
The shipment will be handled by the Indian Red Cross Society, which collects and distributes international donations of medical supplies to those in need.
Taiwan can and is willing to join global efforts against deadly diseases and to contribute to public health through humanitarian assistance. Currently, only around 100 Taiwanese still reside in India after a large number of them have returned to Taiwan, MOFA said.
Taiwan awaits invitation to World Health Assembly
Despite having earned widespread praise for its success in fighting COVID-19, Taiwan is still waiting for its invitation to attend the annual World Health Assembly (WHA) from May 24 - June 1, in Geneva.
The tide of international support for Taiwan’s efforts to attend as an observer has been rising, with more governments, legislators, and prominent medical figures backing the country’s bid for meaningful participation in the World Health Organization (WHO).
WHO has sent invitation letters to members and observers in early April, but Taiwan has not yet received one.
German chancellor fears conflict in Taiwan Strait
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, following a Council of Europe meeting on April 20, expressed concern about rising tensions in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait and worried that a provocation might turn into a military conflict.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) states in a press release, that Merkel’s statement is in a similar vein to that of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s comment during the Raisina Dialogue in India on April 13, saying that “China’s increasingly powerful actions are challenging the rules-based international order, such as openly threatening Taiwan, coercing regional neighbors, and harming the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.”
MOFA said it is happy to see more international leaders attaching importance to regional security in the Taiwan Strait and being concerned about provocative actions that undermine regional peace and stability.
Economy & Society
Taiwanese companies among Top 100 Global Innovators
In its 10th annual report released on Tuesday (April 20), Clarivate Analytics, a global information service company, named the Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) as one of the world's most innovative research organizations for the fourth consecutive year.
The ITRI, together with Taiwanese tech giants Foxconn, Quanta, Asus, and Kinpo Electronics, have been named Clarivate Top 100 Global Innovators in recognition of their research and development and industrial innovation.
This is the fifth time the ITRI has received this recognition, making it the most-awarded research institution in Asia. Quanta and Foxconn have been recognized by Clarivate three and four times, respectively, while Asus and Kinpo were first-timers.
The list further includes renowned companies like Apple, Microsoft, Intel, Samsung, and Qualcomm.
'Toy Story' world premiere concert in Taiwan
With the "Toy Story" concert making its world premiere in Taiwan, the animated movie will be brought to life on May 23 in Taipei through music, performed by the Evergreen Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Young Shih-hung.
Concerts authorized by Disney usually premiere in Los Angeles or in Tokyo before traveling elsewhere. But thanks to Taiwan’s successful handling of the coronavirus pandemic, the "Toy Story" concert will make its first stop in Taiwan this year instead, the organizer, Management of New Arts (MNA), said.
"Toy Story" became a perennial favorite for families around the world since its release in 1995 with four Academy Award nominations, including Best Original Song for, "You've Got a Friend in Me," by Randy Newman.
