■ Diplomacy
Lin assumes office at WTO
The new head of the Permanent Mission of the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu to the WTO was warmly greeted by mission members upon his arrival in Geneva, Switzerland, Friday. Lin Yi-fu (林義夫), an experienced official in foreign trade affairs, attended the 2003 WTO Ministerial Conference in Cancun, Mexico, in his previous capacity as minister of economic affairs. His mission in the new post is to join in the WTO's efforts to conclude the Doha round of trade talks.
■ Diplomacy
Taiwanese Americans help
Three New York Taiwanese community leaders headed for Geneva to help with Taiwan's bid to enter the World Health Organization (WHO). Lee Cheng-san (李正三), who is president of a pro-Taiwan overseas Taiwanese group, the Global Alliance for Democracy and Peace, Huang Chin-chih (黃靜枝) and Huang Man-yu (黃滿玉) said before they departed that they want to boost Taiwan's chances of entering the World Health Assembly (WHA) -- the governing body of the WHO. Lee called on China, which has forced the WHA to exclude Taiwan's bids from its agenda since 1997, to reach out to the Taiwan people by stopping its unreasonable blockage. Huang Chin-chih said it is a shame that Taiwan has been excluded from the world health body despite its generous contributions to international disaster relief operations. It denies the WHO a valuable member and denies the Taiwan people, he said. The WHA is gathering in Geneva for its annual conference from May 16-25. Taiwan sent a delegation of veteran diplomats and leading politicians to Geneva to try once again to get included on the agenda.
A NT$39 receipt for two bottles of tea at a FamilyMart was among the NT$10 million (US $312,969) special prize winners in the January-February uniform invoice lottery. FamilyMart said that two NT$10 million-winning receipts were issued at its stores, as well as two NT$2 million grand prizes and three NT$200,000 first prizes. The two NT$10 million receipts were issued at stores in Pingtung County and Yilan County’s Dongshan Township (冬山). One winner spent just NT$39 on two bottles of tea, while another spent NT$80 on water, tea and coffee, the company said. Meanwhile, 7-Eleven reported three NT$10 million winners — in New Taipei
Considering that most countries issue more than five denominations of banknotes, the central bank has decided to redesign all five denominations, the bank said as it prepares for the first major overhaul of the banknotes in more than 24 years. Central bank Governor Yang Chin-lung (楊金龍) is expected to report to the Legislative Yuan today on the bank’s operations and the redesign’s progress. The bank in a report sent to the legislature ahead of today’s meeting said it had commissioned a survey on the public’s preferences. Survey results showed that NT$100 and NT$1,000 banknotes are the most commonly used, while NT$200 and NT$2,000
ANNUAL EVENT: Two massive Pokemon balloons are to be set up in Daan Park, with an event zone operating from 10am to 6pm This year’s Taipei Floral Picnic is to be held at Daan Park today and tomorrow, featuring an exclusive Pokemon Go event, a themed food market, a coffee rave picnic area and stage performances, the Taipei Department of Information and Tourism said yesterday. Two massive Pokemon balloons are to be set up in the park as attractions, with an exclusive event zone operating from 10am to 6pm, it said. Participants who complete designated tasks on-site would have a chance to receive limited-edition souvenirs, it added. People could also try the newly launched game Pokemon Pokopia in the trial area, the department said. Three PokeStops are
Taiwan is concerned that China could exploit the US’ war in the Middle East, with state media citing examples from the conflict to cast doubt on the efficiency of US weapons Taiwan would use to repel an invasion. Taiwanese officials said the resumption of Beijing’s large-scale air force incursions near Taiwan after an unusual decline show that China wants to take advantage of the redeployment of US forces from East Asia to the Middle East. “This is a moment for China to exercise influence,” a senior Taiwanese security official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “What China is trying to create is a
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