Headline News
Reporters Without Borders supports Taiwan media coverage of WHA
The global press freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls for Taiwanese reporters to be allowed to cover the World Health Assembly (WHA) from 20-28 May in Geneva.
“In recent years, the UN has been under pressure from China to turn down requests for press accreditation from Taiwanese nationals and media on the pretext that Taiwan and its passport are not recognized,” RSF said in a press release.
“The current ban contradicts the fundamental right to free information stated in article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Accrediting bona fide journalists and media is not a political move and should not depend on their nationality or the geographical origin of the outlet they represent,” RSF Secretary-General Christophe Deloire is quoted.
Taiwanese media should also be granted access to cover other upcoming events later this year, including the U.N. General Assembly in New York and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly in Montreal.
World Medical Association calls on WHO for Taiwan’s participation
The World Health Organization (WHO) has been called on to reconsider its unethical treatment of Taiwan and its submission to China’s political will to exclude Taiwan from participation in the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.
“We as physicians are very much concerned that all nations, regions and territories should be able to participate in and profit from the work of WHO. We therefore hope that delegates from Taiwan will again be allowed to observe the World Health Assembly and experts from Taiwan will have a real chance to participate in technical meetings,” the World Medical Association (WMA) stated in a letter to the WHO.
Taiwan’s exclusion represents a potential hazard to the health of the 23 million people in Taiwan as well as that of other people across the world.
Economy & Society
Madaster introduces material passport
Dutch innovative company Madaster signed agreements with the Taiwan Construction and Research Institute (TCRI) and Topone International Consultants for the introduction of material passports to eliminate waste in the construction sector in Taiwan TCRI is one of Taiwan’s leading organizations promoting the circular economy in the construction sector with a vast network herein, as well as among government and knowledge institutes.
An agreement was also signed with Topone International Consultants to register 49 residential properties on the Madaster Platform as part of a demonstration project in Taoyuan City.
“It is good to see that Taiwan intends to make the transition to a circular economy, and we are very proud to be a part of this,” says Simone Sars, Business development Manager Asia of Madaster, one of the participants of the delegation of innovative Dutch companies which visited Taiwan.
Heritage Foundation: Taiwan ranks 10th for Economic Freedom
Taiwan was ranked 10th out of 180 countries by the Heritage Foundation in its 2019 Index of Economic Freedom, ahead of Japan and South Korea. Taiwan’s overall score was 77.3, an increase of 0.7 points from 2018, with improvements in labor freedom and monetary freedom outpacing declining scores for government integrity and the tax burden.
Taiwan wine wins gold medal in Paris
The Vino Formosa Rosso, produced with dark, black and deep colored Black Queen grapes by Taichung’s Shu-Sheng Leisure Domaine (SSLD), won a gold medal at the Vinalies Internationales Competition in Paris.
Around 130 experts from around the world tasted samples of each wine for making their judgement.
A total of 3,340 wines from 45 countries competed in this international wine tasting event.
