Former Environmental Protection Administrator Lin Chun-yi (
Lin, 61, said in an interview that he accepted with great pleasure his new assignment to serve the country.
Lin, a biologist and environmental activist, said he will focus his efforts on improving bilateral relations, particularly on promoting civilian, economic and cultural exchanges.
Lin is no stranger to Africa. During his service with a Christian church in the US, Lin recalled, he had been assigned to Tanzania, Kenya and several other African states to help establish biological sciences educational facilities.
"I also took the opportunity to conduct biological and ecological research there. I have many fond memories of my life and work in those countries. After leaving Africa, I still harbored a special affection for the continent," Lin said, adding that he was excited about his new mission.
Lin said that although he is a novice in the diplomatic world, he would devote his full energy to fulfilling his duty and contributing to Taiwan's diplomatic cause.
He said he has been endeavoring to obtain more knowledge about Gambia through the Internet. Noting that Gambia upholds freedom and democracy and has a stable investment climate, Lin said he will push for increased Taiwan investment in the West African nation after taking his new job.
Lin also said that local entrepreneurs should consider investing in the electronics, power, agricultural, aquacultural and livestock sectors in Gambia.
Touching on the heavy human cost and property damage inflicted by Typhoon-triggered mudslides in Taiwan's mountainous regions in the central county of Nantou and the eastern county of Hualien, Lin said he was very saddened by the typhoon tragedy.
Lin said he sounded warnings more than 10 years ago against over-exploitation of mountainous regions and Taiwan's lax soil and water resource conservation efforts.
"We are now paying the price for our past mistakes. In the face of the recent disaster, we must pay more heed to environmental protection and forestation. Otherwise, we will encounter much more adversity," he noted.
Lin resigned from the top EPA post early this year to take the blame for the handling of the wreck of the Greek cargo ship MV Amorgos which contaminated coral reefs off the southern coast.
One of two tropical depressions that formed off Taiwan yesterday morning could turn into a moderate typhoon by the weekend, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday. Tropical Depression No. 21 formed at 8am about 1,850km off the southeast coast, CWA forecaster Lee Meng-hsuan (李孟軒) said. The weather system is expected to move northwest as it builds momentum, possibly intensifying this weekend into a typhoon, which would be called Mitag, Lee said. The radius of the storm is expected to reach almost 200km, she said. It is forecast to approach the southeast of Taiwan on Monday next week and pass through the Bashi Channel
NO CHANGE: The TRA makes clear that the US does not consider the status of Taiwan to have been determined by WWII-era documents, a former AIT deputy director said The American Institute in Taiwan’s (AIT) comments that World War-II era documents do not determine Taiwan’s political status accurately conveyed the US’ stance, the US Department of State said. An AIT spokesperson on Saturday said that a Chinese official mischaracterized World War II-era documents as stating that Taiwan was ceded to the China. The remarks from the US’ de facto embassy in Taiwan drew criticism from the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, whose director said the comments put Taiwan in danger. The Chinese-language United Daily News yesterday reported that a US State Department spokesperson confirmed the AIT’s position. They added that the US would continue to
The number of Chinese spouses applying for dependent residency as well as long-term residency in Taiwan has decreased, the Mainland Affairs Council said yesterday, adding that the reduction of Chinese spouses staying or living in Taiwan is only one facet reflecting the general decrease in the number of people willing to get married in Taiwan. The number of Chinese spouses applying for dependent residency last year was 7,123, down by 2,931, or 29.15 percent, from the previous year. The same census showed that the number of Chinese spouses applying for long-term residency and receiving approval last year stood at 2,973, down 1,520,
EASING ANXIETY: The new guide includes a section encouraging people to discuss the threat of war with their children and teach them how to recognize disinformation The Ministry of National Defense’s All-Out Defense Mobilization Agency yesterday released its updated civil defense handbook, which defines the types of potential military aggression by an “enemy state” and self-protection tips in such scenarios. The agency has released three editions of the handbook since 2022, covering information from the preparation of go-bags to survival tips during natural disasters and war. Compared with the previous edition, released in 2023, the latest version has a clearer focus on wartime scenarios. It includes a section outlining six types of potential military threats Taiwan could face, including destruction of critical infrastructure and most undersea cables, resulting in
RSS