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Taiwan News Quick Take

■ RESEARCH

Grant for AIDS research

Academia Sinica recently received a NT$19 million (US$583,000) grant from the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) — a global nonprofit foundation — for its research on an AIDS vaccine, the institution said in a press release yesterday. The grant was given to the Genomics Research Center (GRC) in July and will be paid in installments over the next three years. The grant will be a boost to the GRC team, as it is now halfway through a five-year grant, received in 2006, from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for its research in developing a new glycolipid adjuvant, to be used in developing an HIV vaccine, the release said. The UN estimates that the HIV virus affects more than 33 million people worldwide. The GRC team, led by Academia Sinica President Wong Chi-huey (翁啟惠), had developed a compound known as “glycodendron,” which was proven to inhibit transmission of the HIV virus and has triggered an immune response in lab rats, it said.



■ TOURISM

New hotel in Tamsui

An international tourist hotel will be built at Fishermen’s Wharf in Tamsui to enhance the port’s attractiveness. Taipei County Commissioner Chou Hsi-wei (周錫瑋) signed a contract with Lih Pao Construction Co yesterday, under which the conglomerate will construct and manage the hotel on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis. Lih Pao will invest about NT$2 billion in the property, which will be called the Tamsui Fishermen’s Wharf Hotel. The hotel will feature 169 rooms, a banquet hall, several restaurants, a 100m tower and a street for art vendors, Wu said. The NT$100 million tourist tower will provide visitors with a 360˚ panoramic view of the Tamsui area.



■ TOURISM

Chen Chu in Hong Kong

Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu (陳菊) arrived in Hong Kong on Sunday to promote tourism. Chen, a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) member, was accorded courteous treatment upon her arrival at Hong Kong International Airport. It was Chen’s first visit to the territory since becoming mayor. Chen was expected to host a news conference yesterday to introduce Kaohsiung’s major tourist attractions and a number of preferential tour packages designed for Hong Kong residents. The Kaohsiung City Government is collaborating with China Airlines and the Kaohsiung Visitors Association in organizing the promotional program.



■ EVENTS

Panda postcard contest

The Taipei Zoo said yesterday it will hold a “panda conservation” postcard design competition as part of activities surrounding the arrival of two giant pandas presented by Beijing as a gift to Taiwan. Entries will be accepted between Nov. 1 and Nov. 14 and must respect the theme of conservation of pandas and Taiwan’s indigenous animals, the zoo said. Zoo director Jason Yeh (葉傑生) said the competition was organized to help people better understand “the importance of conservation.” The contest is divided into three categories — junior high students, high school students and the general public — with contestants restricted to one entry, the zoo said. Entries will be judged on several criteria, with 50 percent of the overall score aw arded for creativity, 20 percent for aesthetics, 20 percent for composition and 10 percent for artistic layout. Entries can be sent by mail to Chen Hsiang-yin at No. 30 Xinguang Rd, Sec. 2, Taipei City. More information is available at www.zoo.gov.tw.




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