Since the easing of restrictions on newspapers, this medium has thrived in Taiwan. For instance, the number of Chinese-language newspapers has skyrocketed from 31 to 239. Before the advent of the Taipei Times in 1999, for more than four decades only two English-language newspapers were published in Taiwan. From its first issue, the Taipei Times has created a new and dynamic atmosphere for the local English-language newspaper market, symbolizing a new beginning for the industry.
\nThe Taipei Times bears witness to the pride stemming from the evolution of Taiwan's society. Like its Chinese-language sister paper, the Liberty Times, the Taipei Times stresses the ideal of identifying with Taiwan and putting Taiwan's interests first. It also emphasizes "bringing Taiwan to the world, and bringing the world to Taiwan." That is, while helping to foster Taiwan's national identity, the Taipei Times never fails to build ties between Taiwan and the international community. This paper provides more choices for the Taiwanese and foreign readers in Taiwan. On top of this, by fully advancing Taiwan's viewpoints, it makes an enormous contribution to the integration of Taiwan into the international community and the maximization of Taiwan's role as a responsible member of it.
\nI would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Taipei Times for its accuracy and professionalism. It accurately reports the aspirations of Taiwan's people and understands well Taiwan's political, economic and social nuances. By the same token, it exemplifies impartial reporting by the media and clarifies current affairs through its editorials.
\nThe Taipei Times plays an indispensable role in providing a channel for foreigners in Taiwan to understand Taiwan's current state, thereby enhancing their understanding, appreciation and support of Taiwan. I am happy to learn that over recent years, the Taipei Times has strived to be the best by adopting Internet technology to further serve its readers with real-time reports. In addition, because the Taipei Times has a wealth and profusion of talent, it often wins international accolades for reporting and design. One can easily understand how the high quality and unremitting efforts of its staff have won recognition by its peers in the industry.
\nWhen I first arrived at the office of Government Information Office (GIO) last month, I made it clear that the GIO's primary mission would be to "let the world see Taiwan and let Taiwan understand the world." This happens to be the aim of the Taipei Times as well. Being a long-time reader of the Taipei Times and an old friend of many of its core founders, I take delight in recommending it to foreign officials stationed in Taiwan as well as to foreign businessmen, researchers from think tanks and other guests from abroad. On this occasion, the fifth anniversary of the founding of the Taipei Times, I am honored to extend congratulations on behalf of the government, and wish the Taipei Times a prosperous future.
\nLin Chia-lung
NOVEMBER ELECTIONS: The KMT urged the CECC to exclude Taiwanese from the arrivals cap, as they would lose their right to vote if they could not return by July 26 The COVID-19-related border control measures and the cap on the number of international arrivals are not being eased, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said yesterday as it reported 112 imported cases of the Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 of SARS-CoV-2. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Deputy Director-General Chuang Jen-hsiang (莊人祥), who is CECC spokesperson, said a meeting was held yesterday morning in which the Cabinet decided that current border control measures would remain in place. He said the main considerations were global COVID-19 cases increasing 21 percent last week, imported cases of Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 continuing to be detected
Samsung Electronics Co yesterday commenced mass production of 3-nanometer chips that are more powerful and efficient than predecessors, beating rival Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) to a key milestone in the race to build the most advanced chips in the world. South Korea’s largest company said in a statement that it was beginning with 3-nanometer semiconductors for high-performance and specialized low-power computing applications before expanding to mobile processors. By applying so-called Gate-All-Around transistor architecture, Samsung’s 3-nanometer products reduce power consumption by up to 45 percent and improve performance by 23 percent compared with 5-nanometer chips, it said. Samsung’s push to be first
Hong Kong singer Jacky Cheung (張學友) has been criticized by the “Little Pink” — a term used to describe young, jingoistic Chinese nationalists on the Web — for saying “Hong Kong jia you [加油, an expression of encouragement].” To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong’s return to Chinese rule on Friday, China Central Television made a series of programs in which it interviewed Cheung and other celebrities. Cheung, speaking in Cantonese, said in the interview that “Hong Kong has been through a lot in the past 25 years, including ups and downs” and ended with the phrase “Hong
FLASH POINT: The ministry said it was aware of Chinese and Russian warships being detected in waters near the disputed islands and was closely monitoring the situation The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday reaffirmed the nation’s sovereignty claim over the Diaoyutai Islands (釣魚台) after Japan, which controls the islands in the East China Sea, accused Chinese and Russian warships of operating near the disputed islands. “It is an indisputable fact that the Diaoyutai Islands are an inherent part of the territory of the Republic of China (Taiwan). Any unilateral action taken by other parties will not change the fact,” ministry spokeswoman Joanne Ou (歐江安) said. Citing the government’s stance in calling on all parties concerned to resolve disputes in a peaceful manner, Ou said the government was aware of