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TAEF BRIEF
March 15, 2024
No. 129 |
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CONTENT
-TAEF Updates
-TAEF Media Gallery
-TAEF Commentaries
-New Southbound Policy News
-Regional Headlines |
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Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation (TAEF) successfully conducted the 2024 Disaster Prevention Summit |
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April 24, 2024
The Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation (TAEF), in partnership with the Taiwan Association for Disaster Prevention Industry (TADPI), successfully organized the 2024 Asian Disaster Prevention Summit with the theme of
“Turning Point in Crisis - Collaboration and Technology in Disaster Management” last April 24, 2024 at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center. The summit explores how innovative technology and international collaboration can provide a solution for more resilient disaster prevention in the Asian Region.
During the summit, TAEF Chairman Hsin-Huang Michael Hsiao remarked that Asia has become prone to disasters, especially in the case of Taiwan. Last April 3, 2024, Taiwan experienced a strong earthquake in Hualien, which caused significant damage to Taiwan and its neighboring countries, including Japan and Southeast Asia. For instance, TADPI Chairman Chi-Ming Peng noted that during an earthquake, the earthquake warning system, which TADPI designed, provided a close collaboration between the private and public sectors in providing the most significant benefits for the people of Taiwan regarding disaster preparedness.
Despite its tragedy, Taiwan became an exemplary example of remarkable effectiveness in improving disaster resilience through the collaboration of the government and civil society, indicating a great result from the New Southbound Policy. The summit also further explored different perspectives regarding disaster prevention through expert insights, panel discussions, international cooperation, technological application, and industry development to build a better future for a fruitful collaboration in disaster management. |
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2023 Asian Artists Exchange Program |湄公河藝術家來台交流 |
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The Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation launched its first
“Asian Artists Exchange Program” with the theme of
“The Open Boat” in conjunction with the National Culture and Arts Foundation Association, Mekong Cultural Center, and Taiwan Art Space Alliance to facilitate the exchange between Taiwan and Southeast Asian countries.
During the event, Chairman Hsin-Huang Michael Hsiao said that social exchanges regarding culture, arts, and organization are rare opportunities. They hope to contribute to an artistic and sustainable exchange between Taiwan and other Southeast Asian countries. During the event, the delegates could share their artworks inspired across their communities. For instance, Phongsavath focused on the disabled women of the Mekong Culture hub in Laos. Additionally, Nguyẽn Thi Thanh Mai focused on artwork where people can see what is happening in real life, not what they hear or read in digital platforms or newspapers.
Indeed, the delegates have tried their best to break away from the commercial art space and allow their artwork and creative spirits to be immersed in a greater space where their presence can be seen and heard to make a real difference. Before the event ended, Chairman Hsiao noted the importance of building a dialogue platform for both public and private sectors and allowing Taiwan to connect with other Asian countries to foster mutual understanding and collaboration among culture and arts communities in the region.
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CIVICUS
Taiwan:
"Civil Society plays key roles in tackling natural disasters and man-made threats, notably from China"
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April 20, 2024
By: Chairman Hsin-Huang Michael Hsiao
The article highlights how Taiwan's public and private sectors handled the natural disasters faced by Taiwan and how the country handled China's offer and threat to Taiwan.
Last April 03, 2024, Taiwan suffered from a massive earthquake in Hualien County and received much support and donations worldwide. For instance, the People's Republic of China offered aid to the recent earthquake in Taiwan. The offer was widely viewed as a political tactic towards the unification of Taiwan and China. The declining offer from China received widespread support from the public, civil society, and even opposition parties. Taiwan's government has consistently reformed its building codes and regulations to enhance buildings' resistance against earthquake damage in recent years.
Furthermore, Taiwan's civil society has increasingly organized and mobilized to counter external threats from China. This article highlighted the importance of Taiwan's Civil Society Organization support and work to counter the man-made and external threats that Taiwan has been facing.
Read more
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NEW SOUTHBOUND POLICY NEWS |
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The Press Unites
PO thanks leaders of US, Japan, Philippines for supporting cross-strait peace
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April 15, 2024
Remarks from U.S. President Joe Biden, Japan's Prime Minister Fumuo Kishida, and Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reaffirm its support for cross-strait peace and stability.
The article highlights diplomatic efforts and acknowledgments by Taiwan's leadership towards these countries for their role in promoting regional stability. It emphasizes the critical importance of Taiwan Strait peace and stability to global security and prosperity, as reaffirmed in a joint vision statement issued after a trilateral summit in Washington, D.C. Furthermore, Taiwan is pleased to see this strong global consensus on preserving cross-strait peace and stability. It is committed to strengthening its self-defense capabilities and working with like-minded partners to uphold the rules-based international order. China's military intimidation and gray-zone coercion in the region have elicited significant international concern. Taiwan will continue collaborating with partners such as Japan, the Philippines, the U.K., and the U.S. to advance peace, stability, and prosperity.
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Taiwan News
Ministry of Agriculture Supports Taiwanese Tea's Entry into Singapore Market to Boost Global Presence
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April 25, 2024
The 2024 Taiwan-Singapore Tea Industry Business-matching and Exchange Event held in Singapore to assist Taiwan's tea industry in expanding overseas markets. The event attracted numerous professionals from the food and beverage industry including Chairman Mr. Hong Poh Hin (BBM) of Singapore Foochow Coffee.
In the article, it discusses that the Ministry of Agriculture and the Taiwan Tea Manufacturers' Association led by four local tea producers—HGT, HIGH TEA, GOOD YOUNG, and SHYE YUE participated in this event. The event offers a fresh interpretation of Taiwan's tea craftsmanship and marks a new beginning for Taiwan's tea industry on the international stage. The event demonstrated the diversity of Taiwanese tea leaves and aimed to deepen Taiwan's presence in the Singaporean market and elevate the visibility of Taiwan's tea industry in Singapore. Through Singapore's vast food and beverage market and diverse marketing channels, Taiwanese tea is expected to gain recognition and approval from Singaporean consumers.
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Focus Taiwan
Thailand week 2024 to feature concert, food, cultural events.
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April 18, 2024
The Thailand Week 2024, organized by the de facto Thai Embassy in Taiwan, will be held from April 24-30, 2024, featuring concerts, food, and cultural events.
Thailand’s government announced last October 2023 that Taiwanese travelers are now granted a visa-free stay for 30 days from November 10, 2023, to May 10, 2024. With the increasing engagement in bilateral ties, the concert will be staged by the Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music Youth Orchestra from Thailand, and the food festival will showcase Thai cuisine. The week-long festival is expected to attract many visitors from Taiwan, with the government having announced in October 2023 that Taiwanese travelers would be granted a visa-free stay of 30 days from November 10, 2023, to May 10, 2024. Thailand is a popular tourist destination for Taiwanese people, with 750,000 visits recorded in 2023. The event aims to promote cultural exchange and tourism between Taiwan and Thailand.
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Taiwan Today
Foreign Minister Wu gives interview to India's WION
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April 15, 2024
Foreign Minister Wu gives an interview to India's WION as Taiwan and India continues to expand its bilateral cooperation in several fields including culture, economy, and labor.
The article noted that Taiwan's Foreign Minister Wu was interviewed by India's WION, highlighting the importance of the relationship between the two countries. Additionally, Taiwan is expanding its presence in India by opening a representative office in Mumbai, aiming to advance further trade, science, technology, and critical supply chains. India has been cautious in its engagement with Taiwan, avoiding high-level political exchanges that might worsen relations with China. However, there has been a significant increase in business ties between the two countries, with bilateral trade growing from $1 billion in 2001 to $7.7 billion in 2021. Taiwanese companies have a relatively small footprint in India compared to other Asian countries, but this could change as India emerges as a quickly growing economy. The article also mentions the potential for India to attract Taiwanese talent as part of its New Southbound Policy, which aims to draw individuals with diverse skill sets to address Taiwan's demographic challenges.
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The Sun Post
Indonesia officially declares Prabowo Subianto as president
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April 24, 2024
Indonesia's General Election Commission (KPU) declared Prabowo Subianto as Indonesia's new president on Wednesday after appeals from two defeated presidential candidates concerning a dispute over presidential polls in February were rejected by the constitutional court.
In the article, the country officially declares Prabowo Subianto as the eighth president. The KPU Chairman, Hasyim Asy'ari, announced that Prabowo and his running mate Gibran Rakabuming Raka have been selected as president and vice president for 2024 until 2029.
Furthermore, Prabowo and Gibran received around 96 million or nearly 59 percent of the total votes. In contrast, their opponents, Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar and Ganjar Pranowo-Mahfud MD received around 41 million and 27 million votes, respectively. Prabowo, currently serving as the Southeast Asian country's defense minister, is scheduled to be inaugurated on Oct 20 this year.
Furthermore, authorities in Indonesia blocked the streets, leading to the General Election Commission, which was called Subianto. They elected Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka waved to their supporters upon their arrival in the building.
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CIO Bulletin
Singapore Hosts Global Food Safety Summit, Inks Research Pact with Germany
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April 10, 2024
Singapore recently hosted the fifth annual meeting of the International Heads of Food Agencies Forum (IHFAF), which brought together leaders from 17 countries and 22 international organizations to discuss food safety. The conference, held from April 16 to 20, focused on
"Food Safety for a Resilient and Sustainable World."
During the conference, leaders and participants emphasized collaboration and knowledge exchange. Attendees included representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Codex Alimentarius Commission. During the summit, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) signed a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) to foster cooperation on emerging trends in food safety, cutting-edge research, and risk assessments.
The agreement outlines a multi-year work plan that includes bridging research and data gaps, sharing knowledge, and addressing emerging challenges in the food safety landscape. Scientific experts from BfR and SFA engaged in discussions on the safety of alternative proteins, environmental contaminants, food contact materials, and genetically modified foods, aiming to foster greater understanding and cooperation in tackling global food safety issues.
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Xinhua Net
Vietnam's fruit vegetable exports up nearly 33 pct in 4 months
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April 25, 2024
Vietnam's fruit and vegetable export turnover hit over 1.8 billion U.S. dollars in the first four months of this year, up 32.9 percent from the same period last year, Vietnam News Agency reported Wednesday, citing the General Department of Vietnam Customs.
In this article, it highlights that the People’s Republic of China (PRC), South Korea, the United States of America (USA), and Thailand were Vietnam's biggest importers of these products during this period. In April alone, exports are estimated to reach about 539.8 million dollars, an increase of nearly 14.9 percent over the previous month and 37.8 percent from a year earlier.
The Agency of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Industry and Trade expects fruit and vegetable exports to continue rising this year, with an estimated export turnover of 6 billion to 6.5 billion dollars, a 15-20 percent increase compared to last year. Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development forecasts that the fruit and vegetable industry will continue to set new records this year, with an estimated export turnover of 6 billion to 6.5 billion dollars. In 2023, Vietnam generated a record 5.69 billion dollars from fruit and vegetable exports, up over 70 percent year on year.
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