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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) joins the Community Fair at the Yale Model United Nations, Taipei, Taiwan. |
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March 15, 2024
On March 15, 2024, the Taiwan Asia Exchange Foundation (TAEF) was invited to the Yale Model United Nations Taiwan (YMUNT) community fair at the GIS National Taiwan University Convention Center. The YMUNT is a locally sourced platform to empower and enrich delegates’ academic experiences and provide an avenue and capacity to excel during the conference. During the community fair, the TAEF had an opportunity to interact with around 400 YMUNT Delegates from various countries. In particular, TAEF is delighted to see peers and delegates from Taiwan’s like-minded partner countries, including the Philippines, New Zealand, and the US. Furthermore, TAEF had an opportunity to introduce its work, upcoming events, and Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy.
During the event, TAEF also had an opportunity to promote its upcoming event called the Southeast Asia-South Asia Taiwan (SEASAT) Youth Camp. The event is an annual flagship event organized by the TAEF since its establishment. This year, the event will run from July 24-26, 2024, bringing together 40 young leaders aged 18-27 across Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Taiwan, as well as like-minded countries worldwide. The YMUNT delegates witnessed how TAEF continues to empower the young leaders of the society through collaboration and exchange of ideas between and among peer members. |
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2023🏔️Yushan Forum | Highlights II | 2023玉山論壇精華集錦(二) |
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The Yushan Forum: Asian Dialogue for Innovation and Progress was launched last 2017 to provide a platform for regional dialogue and expand Taiwan's cooperation and exchange of ideas, talent, social initiatives, and technologies across the world. On October 11-12, 2023, the sixth Yushan Forum happened at the Grand Mayfull Hotel in Taipei, Taiwan.
The event brought together distinct and important guests across the Indo-Pacific region to discuss the critical issues shaping Asia in today's century. During the forum, distinguished global leaders, including Taiwan's President, H.E Tsai Ing-wen, emphasized the importance of Taiwan in the international arena. Furthermore, other distinguished leaders, including Miss Kelly Craft, highlighted the importance of maintaining Taiwan's vibrant democracy and how it inspires the people and other countries to pursue the kind of democracy that Taiwan maintains. The highlights started with an opening remarks from TAEF's chairperson, Prof. Hsin-Huang Michael Hsiao, together with speeches from renowned global leaders across the world, including the following:
- H.E. Tsai Ing-wen, President, R.O.C. (Taiwan)
- H.E. Russ Joseph Kun, President, Republic of Nauru
- The Hon. Scott Morrison MP, the 30th Australian Prime Minister
- Kelly Craft, The 30th US Permanent Representative to the United Nations, USA
- Matt Murray, United States Senior Official for APEC, Department of State, USA
- The Hon. Keiji FURUYA, Chairman, Japan-ROC Diet Members' Consultative Council, Japan
The forum reaffirmed its role as a bridge for addressing today's current issues and how Taiwan can help Asia and vice versa.
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The Sunday Guardian
Joint action imperative: India and Taiwan against China’s disinformation campaign
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April 07, 2024
By: Alan H. Yang and Sana Hashimi
The article highlights Taiwan's experience with Chinese disinformation during its elections, noting the extensive use of artificial intelligence and deep fake technology to influence the results of the elections. To counter these disinformation campaigns, Taiwan continuously invests in addressing disinformation through a collaborative effort between the public and the government. For instance, in 2022, Taiwan launched the Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA) of Taiwan to counter disinformation together with various think tanks and civil society organizations that extensively focus on research to counter disinformation warfare.
The article further suggests that countries like India should prioritize understanding and countering Chinese disinformation tactics. Collaboration between India and Taiwan is also emphasized, particularly in light of the expanding influence of AI and the need to combat disinformation. Furthermore, the article also underscores the need for strategic responses to effectively counter Chinese disinformation tactics and protect the interests of both countries from external interference.
Read more
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NEW SOUTHBOUND POLICY NEWS |
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Taipei Times
Taiwan-NZ deal allows pineapple exports to start
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April 10, 2024
Taiwanese pineapples are now approved be exported to New Zealand after the two countries signed an export agreement on fresh fruit and vegetables. The deal was signed on April 9, 2024, allowing Taiwanese pineapples to be imported into New Zealand under certain management conditions. This marks the first time Taiwan has been granted access to export pineapples to New Zealand. The agreement is expected to boost trade between the two countries and is part of Taiwan's strategy to diversify its exports and strengthen its regional trading relationships.
Besides New Zealand, Taiwanese pineapples are also exported to Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Palau, Guam, the Netherlands, and Russia.
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Focus Taiwan
Australian MPs seek closer cooperation with Taiwan on cybersecurity
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April 10, 2024
Visiting Australian parliamentarians on Wednesday said Australia should cooperate more closely with Taiwan to increase the level of cyber security and further enhance bilateral trade and economic relations.
During the media roundtable in Taipei, Julian Hill, a member of Australia's ruling Labor Party, highlighted that Taiwan is one of the most frequently cyber-attacked places in the world. Hill noted that the Australia can learn from Taiwan's experiences on how to carefully manage the threats for cybersecurity. Furthermore, he also mentioned that cyber espionage is hitting Australia's industrial base hard, affecting companies and intellectual property. The article further noted that Australian parliamentarians are interested in exploring a closer economic relationship with Taiwan, given the size of Taiwan as a market and that both countries are members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. The visit by the Australian parliamentarians included meetings with President Tsai Ing-wen and Foreign Minister Joseph Wu.
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Taiwan News
Tourists from Brunei arrive in Taiwan earthquake region.
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April 10, 2024
Despite the fear of aftershocks, more than 80 tourists arrived in Hualien County Tuesday (April 9) on a charter flight straight from Brunei.
Recently, Taiwan experienced the strongest earthquake after 25 years, with a magnitude level of 7.2 earthquake that caused a widespread devastation to the country and left at least 13 people dead and six missing. The visitors arrive on a charter flight from Brunei and will spend three days and two nights in the county, visiting popular tourist destinations such as Qixingtan Beach, Liyu Lake, and the Farm Dream Estates in Fenglin Township. The local authorities are hopeful that the flight from Brunei marks the start of a tourism revival in Hualien after the earthquake, and similar charter flights are scheduled to arrive in the coming weeks. Despite fears that the earthquake would negatively impact Hualien's tourism sector, several efforts are being made to arrange charter flights from overseas to support the region's recovery.
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Taipei Economic and Trade Office in Surabaya
TETO Surabaya and the Surabaya Islamic Hospital jointly established a medical channel for Chinese expatriates in East Java who are living in poverty or have urgent medical needs
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April 02, 2024
Director General TETO Surabaya Isaac Chiu and Dr. Dodo Anondo, director of the Surabaya Islamic Hospital (RSI A. Yani), jointly signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two institutions to promote medical and health cooperation in the Surabaya Islamic Hospital auditorium on April 1 to expand Taiwan's new southbound medical service. The soft power link demonstrates Taiwan's positive image in East Indonesia.
The collaboration between the two parties aims to provide medical assistance to Taiwanese expatriates and overseas Chinese in East Java who are in need. The partnership aims to facilitate barrier-free procedures for the admission of Taiwanese businessmen and overseas Chinese for emergency medical treatment and establish medical channels for those who are financially challenged or have urgent medical needs. The agreement is expected to benefit Taiwanese expatriates and overseas Chinese in the country by providing them with timely and necessary medical assistance.
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Bangkok Post
Thailand Ministry confident in plastic recycling goals
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April 11, 2024
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in Thailand is confident that the country can recycle all plastic waste by the year 2027. The said goal is part of the government's efforts to reduce plastic consumption under the ministry's plastic waste management roadmap for 2018-2030. The roadmap was created due to concerns over the increasing number of single-use plastics, and the ministry has discussed the issue with the private sector, asking for cooperation in producing plastic materials that can be recycled.
At present, Thailand is experiencing a shortage of landfills due to increasing waste, but the ministry is confident that all waste will be recycled. The Department of Pollution Control is drafting a law to facilitate plastic recycling, following the government's bio-circular green economy policy. The country has already banned importing plastic waste, which could help reduce the amount of plastic scrap nationally.
Pavich Kesavawong, deputy director-general of the Department of Climate Change and Environment, fully supports the bio-circular green economy in reducing plastic waste. The department works with 31 franchised coffee shops and restaurants, operating 9,530 outlets countrywide, to stop using plastic goods, including straws and cups.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in Thailand is convinced that the country will be able to recycle all plastic waste by 2027 as part of the government's efforts to reduce plastic consumption. The country has already banned importing plastic waste and is working with coffee shops and restaurants to reduce plastic use.
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CNA
Vietnam's Viettel to develop semiconductor industry, prime minister says
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April 10, 2024
Vietnam's military-run telecom company, Viettel, is being encouraged by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to advance the semiconductor chip industry in a more
"efficient and diverse manner." This move follows the growth of Vietnam's semiconductor industry over the past decade, with a 7.1% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2016 to 202. At present, Vietnam is one of the top ten global exporters of semiconductor devices and integrated circuits. The country commands a substantial market share, contributing around 2% of the total value derived from exports in these sectors.
Additionally, Vietnam's semiconductor industry relies heavily on foreign direct investment (FDI), and the country's role in the supply chain is primarily limited to assembling, testing, and packaging. The Vietnamese government aims to foster self-reliance and cultivate domestic champions in the sector, with plans to produce chips domestically.
Despite the tough competition, Vietnam's semiconductor industry has seen remarkable growth over the past decade and is expected to continue expanding in the coming years. The government is encouraging companies like Viettel to advance the semiconductor chip industry, and there are plans to train a 50,000-strong workforce for the sector by 2030.
Vietnam's semiconductor industry is poised to play a more substantial role in the global semiconductor industry, moving beyond assembly and testing to design and innovation.
Read more
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Nikkei Asia
Malaysia's largest port to double capacity to chase Singapore
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April 10, 2024
Malaysia's largest port, Port Klang, plans to double its capacity to 27 million TEUs, aiming to compete with Singapore, the second-largest port in Southeast Asia. Currently, the Port Klang serves as the largest port in Southeast Asia.
The expansion is part of a broader trend in the region, as Southeast Asia's logistics sector is experiencing significant growth due to factors including rapid economic growth, population growth, urbanization, and the rising e-commerce trend. However, the expansion will take over forty years, and the starting point will mainly be in 2024. According to Emir Gnanalingam, the Executive Chairman of Westports, the funding will come first internally and increase their Islamic bond program to Billion ringgit.
The expansion of Port Klang is part of a broader effort to capitalize on the growing demand for logistics services in the region. Furthermore, the expansion comes from Malaysia diversifying away from China to lessen the risks arising from geopolitical tensions and focus mainly on Southeast Asia.
Furthermore, it can be noted that the expansion of Port Klang is a response to this trend, aiming to capitalize on the growing demand for logistics services in the Southeast Asian Region.
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