Headline News
China’s unilateral new flight routes are ‘destabilizing’
President Tsai Ing-wen called on China to observe the status quo across the Taiwan Strait in a post on Twitter and called the recent unilateral actions on new flight routes as destabilizing. The post is a response to the announcement by Chinese Civil Aviation Administration on opening the M503 route and other connecting routes to northbound commercial flights, close to the median line of the Taiwan Strait.
Brian Hook, senior policy advisor to United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, said, “We are concerned about reports that Beijing has modified the use of civil aviation flight routes in the Taiwan Strait without consulting with Taiwan authorities.” He added, “Issues related to civil aviation and safety in the strait should be decided through dialog between both sides.”
Taiwan tells Nigeria to relocate its office out of Taipei
After Nigeria ordered Taiwan to change the name of the trade office and relocate it out of the capital Abuja late last year, Taiwan issued a Note Verbale to the Nigerian trade office ordering its relocation out of the capital Taipei on the principle of reciprocity. The office is to relocate as soon as possible.
Science and Technology
Technology ministry to work on AI development with Microsoft
The Ministry of Science and Technology signed a memorandum of understanding with Microsoft on artificial intelligence (AI). The focus will be on three areas of AI: big data technology, AI platform development and the cultivation of a talent pool.
Microsoft will provide resources and technical support to develop platforms in AI development, and provide opportunities for post-doctoral students to study at its research laboratories in the United States.
Economic
Eva Air ranked among top 20 safest airlines for 2018
AirlineRatings ranked EVA Air among the top 20 safest airlines for 2018 for the fifth consecutive year. The airline is mentioned in alphabetical order with a host of other airlines from
Asia, Australia, Europe, Middle East and the United States.
Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas selected these airlines because they “are standouts in the industry and are at the forefront of safety, innovation, and launching of new aircraft.” He said the list is based on operational practices of airlines and professionalism of flight crews.
Art & Culture
Huang Yi & KUKA
Huang Yi & KUKA is an intriguing and touching performance about loneliness and self-actualization, expressed in a perfectly calibrated pas de deux between robot and dancer.
As a child, Taiwanese choreographer and dancer Huang Yi wanted to be a perfect child and in this regard wanted a robot friend and companion. As an adult he created a robot, KUKA, to be his dance partner.
Dutch premiere ● Holland Dance Festival 2018
Date: 1 & 2 February 2018
Location: Theater de Veste, Delft
http://www.holland-dance.com/en/performance/huang-yi-kuka/
Dutch welcome to visit Taiwan
Ambassador Tom Chou of the Taipei Representative Office visited the Taiwan booth at the Vakantiebeurs 2018 in Utrecht on January 9. He said Taiwan’s beautiful landscape, agreeable weather, delicious food and friendly people deserve Dutch people’s visit. In 2016 a total of 23,254 Dutch visited Taiwan.
Two Taiwan films at 2018 Film Festival
Two Taiwan films will premiere at the 47th edition of the International Film Festival Rotterdam. These are “Father to Son” by Hsiao Ya-Chuan and “An Impossibly Small Object” by Dutch director David Verbeek, but which is set in Taipei. Both explore social issues in Taipei.
