Several artists conveyed their opposition to nuclear power and the Miramar Resort Hotel in Taitung’s Shanyuan Bay (杉原灣) during the 24th Golden Melody Awards ceremony on Saturday night.
Several celebrities expressed their views through the outfits they wore on the red carpet at the Taipei Arena.
Veteran hip-hop artists and social activists Kou Chou Ching (拷秋勤) wore customized black-and-white suits printed with the message “What is happiness? Zero nuclear power,” as well as anti-nuclear stickers on their face.
Photo: CNA
Post-rock band Sorry Youth (拍謝少年) walked the red carpet while holding an anti-nuclear flag.
A group led by Aboriginal musician Dakanow (達卡鬧) arrived holding a towel that read: “Tear down the Miramar Resort Hotel,” which was made by civic groups that have long been fighting the controversial construction plan and used in many social movements against the project.
“We make music that is like social activism, we must act like warriors, becoming braver in each battle,” Hakka musicians Liu Shao-hsi (劉劭希) and Lo Sirong (羅思容) said as they presented the award for best Hakka musician.
While receiving the Best Instrumental Album Award, Baby C (鍾興民) also showed his opposition to nuclear power by saying: “I am a human being, I am against nuclear power.”
Best Aboriginal Singer Award winner Sangpuy (盧皆興) asked other nominees to join him on stage with hand-held signs bearing messages such as “Protect the eastern coastline,” “Against nuclear power and nuclear waste” and “Refuse illegal development.”
The musicians’ declarations on these issues received mixed responses from the audience, with some saying they did not appreciate political messages at an entertainment event, while others praised the musicians for caring about public issues.
The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association has cautioned Japanese travelers to be vigilant against pickpockets at several popular tourist spots in Taiwan, including Taipei’s night markets, the Yongkang Street area, Zhongshan MRT Station, and Jiufen (九份) in New Taipei City. The advisory, titled “Recent Development of Concerns,” was posted on the association’s Web site under its safety and emergency report section. It urges travelers to keep backpacks fully zipped and carried in front, with valuables placed at the bottom of the bag. Visitors are advised to be especially mindful of their belongings when taking photos or speaking on the phone, avoid storing wallets and
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A fourth public debate was held today about restarting the recently decommissioned Ma-anshan Nuclear Power Plant, ahead of a referendum on the controversial issue to be held in less than two weeks. A referendum on Aug. 23 is to ask voters if they agree that “the Ma-anshan Nuclear Power Plant should continue operations upon approval by the competent authority and confirmation that there are no safety concerns.” Anyone over 18 years of age can vote in the referendum. The vote comes just three months after its final reactor shut down, officially making Taiwan nuclear-free. Taiwan People’s Party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) represented