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Taiwan quick take

Earthquake: No casualties from tremor
An earthquake measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale rocked northeastern Taiwan yesterday, seismologists said. There were no reports of casualties or damage. The tremor struck at 12:43 pm from an epicenter 13.1km northeast of Nanao. It originated 11.5km below the earth's crust. A quake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale on March 31 killed five people and its aftershock on May 15, with a magnitude of 6.2, left a three-month-old boy dead.

Investment: Delegation goes to Russia
A 27-member delegation led by DPP Secretary-general Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) is set to leave for Vladivostok, Russia, tomorrow to attend an APEC-sponsored investment exhibition. The exhibition will open on Monday. Chang is also the chairman of a private group promoting economic exchanges between Taiwan and Russia. Other delegates participating in the trip include Minister of Transportation and Communications Lin Ling-san (林陵三), Council of Labor Affairs Chairwoman Chen Chu (陳菊), DPP Legislator Yu Jane-daw (余政道) and local business leaders. The delegation will visit the Vladivostok City Government and visit several Russian business groups before they return home next Friday.

Politics: DPP to open academy
DPP Secretary-General Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) announced yesterday that the Ketagalan Academy, a place where the DPP will foster talent, will officially open next year and that President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) will be the first chancellor of the institute. Chang made the announcement at the closing ceremony of the DPP's second legislative aide training program. Chang said he had reported to Chen on the progress of the institute's preparatory work and that a preparatory office for the academy's opening would be set up soon. Chang said the establishment of the institute is aimed at attracting young people interested in political affairs and to encourage them to devote themselves to the development of Taiwanese democracy. Chang said the institute would be located in Taipei City and that its operations would be independent of the party's headquarters.

Typhoon: Residents told to boil water
The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) yesterday advised the public to boil tap water before drinking it during the typhoon period. The EPA has also demanded local environmental protection agencies strengthen safety tests on drinking water. The EPA recommended the public drink bottled water if their tap water changes color or smells different. The EPA said that though Typhoon Sinlaku hadn't caused any damage in Taiwan as of last night, water from cisterns located in basements will become polluted during floods. If there is flooding, the EPA advised building owners to pump out the cistern water and disinfect the cisterns after the floodwaters recede. The EPA also warned people to boil well and spring water during the typhoon period. An alert to residents was issued yesterday as Sinlaku approached, bringing strong winds and heavy rain that weather forecasters said could cause landslides, mudslides and flooding. With maximum sustained winds of 145kph and gusts of up to 180 kph, Sinlaku is capable of causing serious damage, the Central Weather Bureau said.

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