Headline News
Taiwan donates rice to countries amid COVID-19
During the first five months of the year, Taiwan donated 10,980 tons of rice in humanitarian aid to nations suffering from derailed food supply chains due to the coronavirus pandemic, said deputy director-general Chuang Lao-ta of the Agriculture and Food Agency.
Recipients in the food relief program of 36,410 tons of rice include Taiwan’s diplomatic allies and the poorest areas in Africa exposed to natural disasters and food shortages.
Since 2002, Taiwan has committed an accumulated 400,000 tons of rice to 40 countries and areas suffering from famine, poverty, and upheaval.
The international relief is conducted in collaboration with NGOs and on the condition that domestic supply will not be affected.
Website launched to share COVID-19 experience
The Ministry of Health and Welfare has launched the website: https://covid19.mohw.gov.tw/en/mp-206.html to share with the world the successful policies that Taiwan has implemented in its prevention efforts against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The website provides information about major developments and policies in Taiwan relating to its battle against the coronavirus since Dec. 31, 2019, said CECC administration department chief Cheng Shun-ping.
Taiwan has been praised by countries around the world for its swift and successful coronavirus prevention efforts, which have kept its confirmed COVID-19 cases at only 443, with seven deaths. Some of the main factors behind Taiwan's success are its universal health care system, its adequate medical supplies and its public health resources, said Cheng.
The site also has a record of Taiwan's border restrictions and policies regarding the supply and sale of surgical face masks.
Black Lives Matter (BLM) rally in Taipei
Around 500 Taiwanese and foreign nationals rallied at the 228 Peace Memorial Park in Taipei on June 13, to show their support for the global BLM movement with banners such as "White supremacy is the deadliest virus," "We stand with you," and "Silence is violence."
"We would like to call on Taiwanese society or even the world to see that many more groups are being discriminated against and receiving this unfair treatment, be it indigenous groups, the LGBTQ community, migrant workers or the immigrants," said Savungaz Valincinan of the Taiwan Indigenous Youth Front.
"It is inspiring to see now in 2020 that an event like this is possible here, and without threat of police violence and danger," said Sheridan Harris, a supporting member of the event's organizer, Taiwan-based Black Lives Solidarity Global Initiative.
Aviation & Tourism
Taoyuan Airport 2nd best for immigration service
Taiwan's Taoyuan International Airport was voted in the 2019/2020 World Airport Survey as having the world's second best airport immigration service.
In the best airport category, Taoyuan ranks 18th in the world (ranked 13th last year).
Among the airports with 40 to 50 million passengers a year, Taoyuan Airport ranks the 3rd best in the world, 10th in airport security processing, 8th in baggage delivery, 9th with regard to airport staff, and 8th in accessible facilities according to the U.K. based consultancy Skytrax.
Taitung Int’l Balloon Festival to kick off on July 11
The Taitung government announced that the tenth Taitung International Balloon Festival will run from July 11 to Aug. 30 at the Luye Highland for a total of 51 days.
In addition to the balloon festival, Taitung features the “Light Display Concert” and the “Starry Taitung Night Concert,” to be held across the area.
