Taipei, May 14 (CNA) The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with three foreign major enterprises on the sidelines of an annual WiMAX technology conference Monday, with the goal of solidifying Taiwan's position as a technology leader.
"Taiwan has been delving into the infrastructure of WiMAX applications for years, " said Economics Minister Chen Rey-long, who added that by signing MOUs with three key players -- NEC, Nortel and Rohde and Schwarz -- from three different continents, Taiwan hopes to raise its global competitiveness in the WiMAX industry.
WiMAX technology is described as "a standards-based technology enabling the delivery of last-mile wireless broadband access as an alternative to cable and DSL."
Signing the memorandum were Chen, Nortel President of WiMAX and Wireless Mesh Peter McKinnon, NEC President Kaoru Yano and Rhode and Schwarz President and Chief Operating Officer Christian Leicher. The three enterprises will open up their core network system interfaces and cooperate with at least two Taiwan manufacturers in developing the latest MIMO and other Smart Antenna technology.
Chen said WiMAX is a key technology being promoted by the government and that the participation of the three companies will help create a high quality state-of-the-art wireless broadband network, enabling Taiwan to become the world's first Wi-Fi/WiMAX dual network services environment.
The cooperation is expected to be the catalyst for Taiwan's expansion in the highly competitive technology, McKinnon said, adding that Nortel established a WiMAX partnership with Chunghwa Telecom since last December.
It is only natural for NEC to work with Taiwan, given the company's long history of operations in Taiwan since 1940, and its understanding of the island, said Yano, who also announced that NEC is setting up a research and development center in Taiwan.
Asia-Pacific WiMAX Conference and Exhibition 2007 Taipei Summit, organized by the MOEA, is taking place in Taipei May 14 - 15. Over 400 experts are participating in the summit to share their experience in promoting WiMAX and related technology.
In addition, the world's first mobile WiMAX exhibition is being held, enabling visitors to get a feel for super high speed mobile broadband and other practical applications.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
FILIPINO WORKERS CAST BALLOTS IN PHILIPPINES MIDTERM ELECTION
Taipei, May 14 (CNA) More than 2,400 Filipino workers in Taiwan cast their votes in the Philippines' midterm election Monday, the first time voting-by-mail has been allowed for the country's overseas workers, the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) said.
However, a rough count showed that just 12.9 percent of the 18,767 Filipino registered voters in Taiwan bothered to cast their votes, Carlo L. Aquino, overall coordinator for Philippines overseas absentee voting in Taiwan told CNA.
The Philippine Commission on Elections (COMELEC) approved personal voting for the first time for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the 2004 election. This year marks the first time OFWs have been able to vote by mail, said Aquino.
"We didn't have the kind of turnout rate we would have liked though, "Aquino admitted, saying the turnout rate was probably because most OFWs in Taiwan are only allowed to go out one Sunday every month and do not have easy access to MECO offices.
In addition, due to registration and postal errors, some ballot packets were not sent to the correct addresses in Taiwan, Aquino added.
Aquino also encouraged Taiwan's legislation to pass its own absentee voting act to respect the basic civil right of every Taiwanese national.
However, a rough count showed that just 12.9 percent of the 18,767 Filipino registered voters in Taiwan bothered to cast their votes, Carlo L. Aquino, overall coordinator for Philippines overseas absentee voting in Taiwan told CNA.
The Philippine Commission on Elections (COMELEC) approved personal voting for the first time for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the 2004 election. This year marks the first time OFWs have been able to vote by mail, said Aquino.
"We didn't have the kind of turnout rate we would have liked though, "Aquino admitted, saying the turnout rate was probably because most OFWs in Taiwan are only allowed to go out one Sunday every month and do not have easy access to MECO offices.
In addition, due to registration and postal errors, some ballot packets were not sent to the correct addresses in Taiwan, Aquino added.
Aquino also encouraged Taiwan's legislation to pass its own absentee voting act to respect the basic civil right of every Taiwanese national.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
BTCO CALLS FOR FLEXIBILITY IN TAIWAN'S WHO PARTICIPATION
Taipei, May 11 (CNA) The British Trade and Cultural Office in Taipei (BTCO), the United Kingdom's representative office in Taiwan, Friday called for the World Health Organization (WHO) Secretariat to show "flexibility" in allowing Taiwan to participate in WHO activities.
"We hope that the Secretariat, and others organizing meetings under the WHO, will show flexibility in finding mechanisms to allow Taiwanese medical and public health officials to participate in the activities, " BTCO said in a statement regarding Taiwan's participation in the WHO.
"We hope that the Secretariat, and others organizing meetings under the WHO, will show flexibility in finding mechanisms to allow Taiwanese medical and public health officials to participate in their activities, " BTCO said.
"The EU has therefore chosen to press for more practical and meaningful measures to allow Taiwan to participate in the activities of the WHO, " BTCO said.
President Chen Shui-bian called for support from the international community to give Taiwan a seat in the WHO via a satellite video conference with international media in Geneva Friday.
"We hope that the Secretariat, and others organizing meetings under the WHO, will show flexibility in finding mechanisms to allow Taiwanese medical and public health officials to participate in the activities, " BTCO said in a statement regarding Taiwan's participation in the WHO.
"We hope that the Secretariat, and others organizing meetings under the WHO, will show flexibility in finding mechanisms to allow Taiwanese medical and public health officials to participate in their activities, " BTCO said.
"The EU has therefore chosen to press for more practical and meaningful measures to allow Taiwan to participate in the activities of the WHO, " BTCO said.
President Chen Shui-bian called for support from the international community to give Taiwan a seat in the WHO via a satellite video conference with international media in Geneva Friday.
2007 TAIPEI FILM FESTIVAL NOMINEES ANNOUNCED
Taipei, May 11 (CNA) The 2007 Taipei Film Festival released a list of 31 nominees in four categories ahead of one of the largest film festivals in Taiwan at press conference Friday.
Notable nominees at the festival, which will be held from June 22 to July 9 in Taipei, include "I Don't Want to Sleep Alone," directed by internationally-renowned director Tsai Ming-liang, "The Most Distant Course" and "Island Etude, " both of which were earlier nominated in the International New Talent Competition.
Promising local young directors are also being recognized, with Kao Bing-chuan having two films -- "The Soul of the Bread" and "A Starry Silent Night" -- on the list of nominees. Awards fall into four categories: best narrative films (12 films) , best documentary films (6), best experimental films (6) and best animated films (7).
Six documentary nominees, a genre which has been relatively successful in recent years in Taiwan, touch on a wide range of social topics, including beach preservation, journalism in Taiwan, home-rebuilding in Jhongliao, Nantou after the massive earthquake in 1999, and the Loshen Sanatorium, are also worth watching, said organizers.
All nominated films will be screened during the 18-day festival, one of the most important and high-profile international cultural events in Taiwan.
The festival attracts not only everyday moviegoers, but also film professionals. Of the approximately 100,000 attendees each year, the majority is made up of a decidedly young audience.
Notable nominees at the festival, which will be held from June 22 to July 9 in Taipei, include "I Don't Want to Sleep Alone," directed by internationally-renowned director Tsai Ming-liang, "The Most Distant Course" and "Island Etude, " both of which were earlier nominated in the International New Talent Competition.
Promising local young directors are also being recognized, with Kao Bing-chuan having two films -- "The Soul of the Bread" and "A Starry Silent Night" -- on the list of nominees. Awards fall into four categories: best narrative films (12 films) , best documentary films (6), best experimental films (6) and best animated films (7).
Six documentary nominees, a genre which has been relatively successful in recent years in Taiwan, touch on a wide range of social topics, including beach preservation, journalism in Taiwan, home-rebuilding in Jhongliao, Nantou after the massive earthquake in 1999, and the Loshen Sanatorium, are also worth watching, said organizers.
All nominated films will be screened during the 18-day festival, one of the most important and high-profile international cultural events in Taiwan.
The festival attracts not only everyday moviegoers, but also film professionals. Of the approximately 100,000 attendees each year, the majority is made up of a decidedly young audience.
Friday, May 11, 2007
TURKISH FOLK DANCE TO DEBUT IN TAIWAN
Taipei, May 10 (CNA) Turkish folk dance will be introduced to Taiwan for the first time with four performances in three major cities May 10-13, organizer Anatolia Formosa Association (AFA) said Thursday.
The four shows have been arranged for Taichung May 10 at Feng Chia University Library and Taichung City's Lecture Hall of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, May 11 at the Tainan Municipal Cultural Center, and May 13 at Taipei Municipal Zhongshan Girls High School, said AFA secretary-general Ersin Ozkan.
The AFA is a private, non-profit organization established in 2006 by Turkish and Taiwanese members living in Taipei who share the goal of promoting Turkish culture and strengthening the friendship between Turkish and Taiwanese peoples in Taiwan.
The four shows have been arranged for Taichung May 10 at Feng Chia University Library and Taichung City's Lecture Hall of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, May 11 at the Tainan Municipal Cultural Center, and May 13 at Taipei Municipal Zhongshan Girls High School, said AFA secretary-general Ersin Ozkan.
The AFA is a private, non-profit organization established in 2006 by Turkish and Taiwanese members living in Taipei who share the goal of promoting Turkish culture and strengthening the friendship between Turkish and Taiwanese peoples in Taiwan.
'GOOD TEAMMATE' TAIWAN SHOULD NOT BE LEFT OUT OF WHO: CIVIL GROUPS
Taipei, May 10 (CNA) Taiwan has been described as a "good teammate" in the game of world health, one which the world can not afford to lose, and which does not deserve to be left out in the cold, civil groups said Thursday in a press conference to announce an urban hike to promote for Taiwan's application to enter the World Health Organization (WHO).
Taiwan has been making a contribution to improving global health, sending medical missions worldwide, and is always on the frontlines in providing international emergency relief where needed, representatives from various organizations said.
For example, Taiwan sent medical missions overseas during the tsunami in South Asia, the earthquake in Indonesia, and to a number of small countries in need, such as Tuvalu and Solomon Islands. The International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) has been sending medical missions abroad since 1962, and the Taiwan Nurses Association has been offering international relief services for the past 20 years.
Despite the international community's awareness that "diseases knows no boundaries, and there shouldn't be any gaps in the international disease-prevention network, " Taiwan has been unable to participate in the WHO since it withdrew from the organization in 1972.
"The WHO was established with the goal of helping all peoples attain the highest possible levels of health. However, the 23 million people of Taiwan were treated like orphans during the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak in 2003, " said former health minister Lee Ming-liang.
Taiwan has had its WHO bids constantly rejected despite the fact that, according to a public poll, 94.7 percent of Taiwanese people support Taiwan's bid for membership in the WHO, and 111 legislators supported the latest bid.
Taiwan's membership bid has become an annual activity -- and disappointment -- but supporters were jubilant over this year's new tactics, which saw Taiwan apply to enter the WHO as a full member rather than joining the World Health Assembly (WHA) , the decision-making body of the WHO, as an observer.
"Now we're bidding for full membership. Even though it is still very difficult [to win approval] this year, we will be coming back strong every year, " said Tsuang Ming-sion, superintendent of Sin Lau Hospital. Tsuang will lead a group of 70 persons to promote Taiwan's WHO bid in Geneva, where the WHA annual meeting will be held from May 14.
Taiwan has obviously been excluded from the WHO for political reasons, given that the nation's medical systems globally rank in the top 30 percent, said Lee Tzu-yao, a veteran doctor who is a member of the Foundation of Medical Professional Alliances in Taiwan (FMPAT).
"We are human, not animals. The people of Taiwan should stand up and speak for themselves," Lee stressed.
The hike "Be WHO! Taiwan, " jointly organized by the Taiwan International Health Action (Taiwan IHA) and eight other organizations, will be held simultaneously in Taipei and Kaohsiung May 12, with the expected number of participants pegged at 20,000, said Taiwan IHA, an ad hoc inter-ministerial body established in 2006 to integrate public and private resources for Taiwan's international humanitarian and medical relief efforts.
Taiwan has been making a contribution to improving global health, sending medical missions worldwide, and is always on the frontlines in providing international emergency relief where needed, representatives from various organizations said.
For example, Taiwan sent medical missions overseas during the tsunami in South Asia, the earthquake in Indonesia, and to a number of small countries in need, such as Tuvalu and Solomon Islands. The International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) has been sending medical missions abroad since 1962, and the Taiwan Nurses Association has been offering international relief services for the past 20 years.
Despite the international community's awareness that "diseases knows no boundaries, and there shouldn't be any gaps in the international disease-prevention network, " Taiwan has been unable to participate in the WHO since it withdrew from the organization in 1972.
"The WHO was established with the goal of helping all peoples attain the highest possible levels of health. However, the 23 million people of Taiwan were treated like orphans during the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak in 2003, " said former health minister Lee Ming-liang.
Taiwan has had its WHO bids constantly rejected despite the fact that, according to a public poll, 94.7 percent of Taiwanese people support Taiwan's bid for membership in the WHO, and 111 legislators supported the latest bid.
Taiwan's membership bid has become an annual activity -- and disappointment -- but supporters were jubilant over this year's new tactics, which saw Taiwan apply to enter the WHO as a full member rather than joining the World Health Assembly (WHA) , the decision-making body of the WHO, as an observer.
"Now we're bidding for full membership. Even though it is still very difficult [to win approval] this year, we will be coming back strong every year, " said Tsuang Ming-sion, superintendent of Sin Lau Hospital. Tsuang will lead a group of 70 persons to promote Taiwan's WHO bid in Geneva, where the WHA annual meeting will be held from May 14.
Taiwan has obviously been excluded from the WHO for political reasons, given that the nation's medical systems globally rank in the top 30 percent, said Lee Tzu-yao, a veteran doctor who is a member of the Foundation of Medical Professional Alliances in Taiwan (FMPAT).
"We are human, not animals. The people of Taiwan should stand up and speak for themselves," Lee stressed.
The hike "Be WHO! Taiwan, " jointly organized by the Taiwan International Health Action (Taiwan IHA) and eight other organizations, will be held simultaneously in Taipei and Kaohsiung May 12, with the expected number of participants pegged at 20,000, said Taiwan IHA, an ad hoc inter-ministerial body established in 2006 to integrate public and private resources for Taiwan's international humanitarian and medical relief efforts.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
TERRACOTTA ARMY TO RETURN TO TAIWAN
Taipei, May 8 (CNA) The Terracotta Army exhibition, one of the most popular exhibitions in recent memory in the world, will be held at the National Museum of History (NMH) in Taipei from May 12 - July 31, organizers said Tuesday.
The "Terracotta Army of Qin Shi Huang Di" exhibition, which is being held in Taiwan for the second time since 2000, will showcase 116 of the more-than 8,000 terracotta warriors and other articles discovered in the early 1970s in the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China, in the Chinese province of Shaanxi.
Over1.65 million visitors visited the 2000 exhibition in Taipei and Taichung to see some of what historians call the eighth wonder of the world and what is listed by the United Nations as a World Heritage site, said NMH Director Huang Yung-chuan.
While items displayed in the 2000 exhibition came mostly from Pit One of the site, which houses a battle formation of over 6,000 warriors, the exhibits this year come from Pit Two, which was not discovered until March 1999, Huang said.
The most valuable exhibits will be two colored terracotta warriors and items such as a bronze crane and stone armor, Huang said.
"The exhibition will be very helpful for those who want to know more about Chinese culture of 2,200 years ago, " Huang said of the exhibition, a collaboration between the NMH and China's Shaanxi Bureau of Cultural Relics.
The "Terracotta Army of Qin Shi Huang Di" exhibition, which is being held in Taiwan for the second time since 2000, will showcase 116 of the more-than 8,000 terracotta warriors and other articles discovered in the early 1970s in the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China, in the Chinese province of Shaanxi.
Over1.65 million visitors visited the 2000 exhibition in Taipei and Taichung to see some of what historians call the eighth wonder of the world and what is listed by the United Nations as a World Heritage site, said NMH Director Huang Yung-chuan.
While items displayed in the 2000 exhibition came mostly from Pit One of the site, which houses a battle formation of over 6,000 warriors, the exhibits this year come from Pit Two, which was not discovered until March 1999, Huang said.
The most valuable exhibits will be two colored terracotta warriors and items such as a bronze crane and stone armor, Huang said.
"The exhibition will be very helpful for those who want to know more about Chinese culture of 2,200 years ago, " Huang said of the exhibition, a collaboration between the NMH and China's Shaanxi Bureau of Cultural Relics.
NEW VIETNAMESE REPRESENTATIVE IN TAIWAN TO ASSUME OFFICE
Taipei, May 7 (CNA) The new head of the Vietnamese Economic and Cultural Office (VECO) in Taipei, Nguyen Ba Cu, will arrive in Taipei this weekend to assume office, the VECO said Monday.
Nguyen, 58, will replace Hoang Nhu Ly as the top Vietnamese representative in Taiwan, said acting head Pham Manh Hai, who is the VECO's incumbent deputy head.
Prior to his current post, Nguyen served as the senior consultant of Vietnam's Chamber of Commerce and Industry and worked in Vietnam's Embassy in China from the 1980's through to the 2000's.
Hoang served as the head of the VECO in Taipei from October 2002 to April 2007.
Nguyen, 58, will replace Hoang Nhu Ly as the top Vietnamese representative in Taiwan, said acting head Pham Manh Hai, who is the VECO's incumbent deputy head.
Prior to his current post, Nguyen served as the senior consultant of Vietnam's Chamber of Commerce and Industry and worked in Vietnam's Embassy in China from the 1980's through to the 2000's.
Hoang served as the head of the VECO in Taipei from October 2002 to April 2007.
KALMYK SONG AND DANCE GROUP TO LAUNCH TAIWANESE PERFORMANCE TOUR
Taipei, May 7 (CNA) The Lotos Mongolian song and dance group, which comes from the Republic of Kalmykia, will embark on a performance tour to provide Taiwanese audiences with a rare glimpse of this European nation, organizers said Monday.
The Kalmyk group will stage six free-of-charge performances of its "White Lotus in the Steppe" tour in Taichung, Chiayi, Tainan, Taipei, Kaohsiung and Hualien from May 9 - 13, main organizer Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Commission said.
Kalmykia, a country with a population of 300,000, is situated on the northwestern shores of the Caspian Sea. Its cultural has been strongly influenced by Mongolia and Russia, being a constituent of the Russian Federation but populated by decedents of nomadic Mongol herdsmen.
"The shoulder-shivering, horse-riding and eagle-flying gestures in the dance are very Mongolian, while the footwork is obviously from Kazakhstan, " said organizer Peter Yu, who has extensively researched Mongolian history.
"The throaty aria and traditional dombra, used to accompany dances, are also from Mongolia, " Yu added.
Kalmykia is the only Buddhist nation in Europe and reveres the Dalai Lama. As Tibetan Buddhism is its dominant religion, the country is unique in the Russian Federation, most of which is Orthodox Christian.
The Kalmyk group will stage six free-of-charge performances of its "White Lotus in the Steppe" tour in Taichung, Chiayi, Tainan, Taipei, Kaohsiung and Hualien from May 9 - 13, main organizer Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Commission said.
Kalmykia, a country with a population of 300,000, is situated on the northwestern shores of the Caspian Sea. Its cultural has been strongly influenced by Mongolia and Russia, being a constituent of the Russian Federation but populated by decedents of nomadic Mongol herdsmen.
"The shoulder-shivering, horse-riding and eagle-flying gestures in the dance are very Mongolian, while the footwork is obviously from Kazakhstan, " said organizer Peter Yu, who has extensively researched Mongolian history.
"The throaty aria and traditional dombra, used to accompany dances, are also from Mongolia, " Yu added.
Kalmykia is the only Buddhist nation in Europe and reveres the Dalai Lama. As Tibetan Buddhism is its dominant religion, the country is unique in the Russian Federation, most of which is Orthodox Christian.
BTCO TO FUND NPO PROJECTS ON CLIMATE CHANGE, HUMAN RIGHTS
Taipei, May 7 (CNA) Non-profit organizations will be able to bid for funding support from the British Trade and Cultural Office (BTCO) for Taiwan-based projects under the theme of climate change and human rights protection, BTCO said in a press release Monday.
Priority will be given to projects that take a strategic approach to both of these areas, and which are likely to make a sustained difference. Projects must be completed by March 2008, and preference will be given to projects that are scheduled for completion by December this year, BTCO said.
"This is the first year that we have used open competition to invite bids for project work. We plan to use the projects to strengthen our ties with non-profit organizations and to promote our objectives of increasing awareness of climate change and driving progress towards a low-carbon economy here in Taiwan, " said BTCO Director Michael Reilly.
Funding of up to NT$ 300,000 per project is available. The deadline for applications is May 30.
Priority will be given to projects that take a strategic approach to both of these areas, and which are likely to make a sustained difference. Projects must be completed by March 2008, and preference will be given to projects that are scheduled for completion by December this year, BTCO said.
"This is the first year that we have used open competition to invite bids for project work. We plan to use the projects to strengthen our ties with non-profit organizations and to promote our objectives of increasing awareness of climate change and driving progress towards a low-carbon economy here in Taiwan, " said BTCO Director Michael Reilly.
Funding of up to NT$ 300,000 per project is available. The deadline for applications is May 30.
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