SOCIETY
Tapei 101 to extend display
Taipei 101’s New Year’s Eve fireworks display next year is going to be between 20 and 50 seconds longer than this year’s 218-second show and is to focus on the theme of nature, Taipei 101 spokesman Michael Liu (劉家豪) said on Tuesday, adding that the display is set to cost about NT$45 million (US$1.38 million). “Nature is the Future” is to be theme of the display, and images of fish, flowers and plants are be shown for the first time, Liu said. Taiwan is surrounded by oceans and has a rich and diverse ecology, Liu said, adding that Taipei 101 hopes to raise awareness about environmental protection. A total of 23,000 rounds of fireworks were set off at Taipei 101 this year. Liu said next year’s display would also be choreographed by the French pyrotechnic design company Group F.
TECHNOLOGY
Smart city apps deal inked
The Industrial Development Bureau on Wednesday signed a pact with four wireless carriers to develop smart city applications nationwide using 4G. The bureau has approved 19 proposals put forward by Chunghwa Telecom Co, Taiwan Mobile Co, Far EasTone Telecommunications Co Ltd and Asia Pacific Telecom that are estimated to cost NT$5.82 billion over the next three years. The project is likely to attract more than 2 million users, who would pay for the proposed 4G-based services such as cash flow management, entertainment, transportation, and security, thus creating up to NT$30 billion worth of business opportunities, the bureau said. Chunghwa Telecom president Shih Mu-piao (石木標) said his company’s 4G smart city applications are supported by 15 of the nation’s 23 counties and municipalites.
CHARITY
Social equality event begins
United Way of Taiwan began its annual fundraising event yesterday — “One-day Salary Donation” — which is aimed at improving the lives of disadvantaged people and promoting social equality. The charity group’s fundraising efforts in the first half of the year did not meet its expectations due to the nation’s poor economic environment and donations being channeled to people affected by major disasters, which led to a contraction of the groups resources, deputy director Huang Chiu-ping (黃秋萍) said. She hopes the goal of raising NT$10 million can be achieved with the campaign in order to continue the group’s social welfare service.
DIPLOMACY
Ally to back nation in UN
St Christopher and Nevis Prime Minister Timothy Harris yesterday said that his country will continue to make the case for Taiwan’s participation in UN agencies when the the UN General Assembly convenes next month. Describing his nation as “perhaps Taiwan’s most consistent and reliable friend in the Caribbean region,” Harris said the Caribbean nation has strongly advocated Taipei’s participation in all agencies of the UN and would continue to do so. The story of the nation’s development over the past decades can serve as an inspiration to other developing countries, he added. He also stressed the importance of Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, such as the WHO and the International Civil Aviation Organization, as well as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Saint Christopher and Nevis established diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1983. It is one of the nation’s 22 diplomatic allies, half of which are in Central America and the Caribbean.
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