Oct. 24 has been designated "Taiwan UN Day," Premier Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) announced yesterday.
The day marks the anniversary of the coming into force of the UN Charter and is celebrated around the world as United Nations Day.
The premier made the announcement during yesterday morning's weekly Cabinet meeting after hearing a report by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Taiwan's bid for UN membership and another report by the Sports Affairs Council on a plan to hold a torch relay on Oct. 24 to promote the nation's UN membership bid.
Not a public holiday
Chang ordered the Ministry of the Interior to process the paperwork as soon as possible to facilitate the declaration of the commemorative day, which will not be observed as a public holiday.
He said that even though the application had failed, the government had taken a "big step forward" this year by applying for UN membership under the name "Taiwan."
"Today, we want to declare to our citizens and to the international community that we will not be discouraged. Taiwan's drive to join the United Nations will not stop here," he said.
Out of touch
Chang said that many Taiwanese have lost touch with UN-related issues since the Republic of China's withdrawal from the organization in 1971.
"We want to remind the public of the importance of the issue so that more people will support the idea," Chang added.
Cabinet Spokesman Shieh Jhy-wey (
"It is my understanding that President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) will carry a torch and lead the activity," Shieh said.
Shieh said that the relay would be held from 7am to 7pm and that a total of 25 counties would join in.
More than 12,500 baseball hats and T-shirts will be distributed to participants, Shieh said.
Additional reporting by Jimmy Chuang
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) on Friday laid out the Cabinet’s updated policy agenda and recapped the government’s achievements ahead of the one-year anniversary of President William Lai’s (賴清德) inauguration. Cho said the government had made progress across a range of areas, including rebuilding Hualien, cracking down on fraud, improving pedestrian safety and promoting economic growth. “I hope the public will not have the impression that the Cabinet only asked the legislature to reconsider a bunch of legal amendments,” Cho said, calling the moves “necessary” to protect constitutional governance and the public’s interest. The Cabinet would work toward achieving its “1+7” plan, he said. The
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
RSS