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Taiwan Quick Take

■ MILITARY
Ministry defends missiles
The government rebuffed US criticism of its plan for surface-to-surface missiles capable of striking China yesterday, insisting they were not "offensive" weapons. Taiwan would use the missiles -- which are still being developed but were showcased during computer-simulated military exercises last month -- only if attacked first, the Ministry of Defense and a presidential office spokesman said. "Our country would not make provocations on its own," the defense ministry said in a statement. "Only if we suffered an enemy attack would we actually strike back." Top US envoy to Taiwan Stephen Young on Thursday said he opposed the development of any offensive weapons in China or Taiwan, and specifically referred to Taiwan's surface-to-surface missile plans.

■ CULTURE
Culture network planned
The Council for Cultural Affairs is organizing performances and exhibitions at 44 community museums and cultural centers nationwide to create a stronger cultural network. Three theater troupes, including the renowned puppetry troupe operated by the Lee Tien-lu Puppet Museum, Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra, and a Taichung traditional handicraft museum, are participating in the event. "There are nearly 300 community museums and cultural centers around the country ... Through these activities, we'd like to make them centers of local cultural activities and connect them to each other to build a wider cultural network," said Li Wu-kun (李戊崑), a division director at the Council. The performances and exhibitions will be held starting today until mid-November.

■ HEALTH
German measles confirmed
The first case of German measles in the country this year, involving a recent immigrant from Vietnam, has been confirmed. The patient is a 25-year-old woman married to a Taiwanese man who returned to Vietnam for a visit between Feb. 21 and March 9, officials from the Center for Disease Control said on Wednesday. The patient developed a fever, cough, fatigue, sore throat, headache and red spots all over her skin around March 23, the center said. As the incubation period for German measles is 14 to 21 days, officials believe that she was infected during her most recent visit to Vietnam. CDC officials urged recent immigrants, particularly those from China and Southeast Asian countries, to get free German measles vaccinations at local health offices to prevent them from contracting the disease.

■ SOCIETY
Today is Bike Day
The country's first national Bike Day will take place today, after the National Council on Physical Fitness and Sports announced on Thursday that the first Saturday of May would be Bike Day. Council Chairman Yang Chung-ho (楊忠和) said today's Bike Day would be celebrated in 25 cities and counties. In Taipei County, two carnivals with cyclists will be held. The sports chief also called on the public to ride bicycles to maintain physical fitness. He recommended riding 50 minutes per day five days a week. Compared with many other developed countries, cycling is not very popular in Taiwan, council officials said, adding that only Taipei, Taichung and Pingtung counties have laid out significant bike paths, totaling more than 500km.


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