Taiwan has pledged a donation of US$500,000 in humanitarian aid to Venezuela, a move seen as a show of support for Venezuelan National Assembly President Juan Guaido, who has declared himself interim president.
Representative to the US Stanley Kao (高碩泰) on Thursday announced the donation at the Organization of American States’ Global Conference on the Humanitarian Crisis in Venezuela in Washington.
“Taiwan of course is very proud to be amongst the first Asian countries that is committed to joining like-minded states in providing humanitarian assistance to Venezuela during this very tough and transitional process,” Kao said in his speech.
Photo courtesy of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the US
Taiwan sees the promise of a free and democratic Venezuela where human rights, the rule of law and economic prosperity have the opportunity to flourish, Kao said.
“Taiwan is always willing and available to step up when being called upon to address global and regional challenges,” he said. “Taiwan will be there as a true friend and credible partner as we restore the great promise that is the future of Venezuela.”
He also called on Taiwanese non-governmental organizations and private sector actors operating in the region to seek areas where they could be of further assistance.
Kao was the only representative of an Asian country to make a speech at the conference, which was also attended by US Special Envoy to Venezuela Elliott Abrams and senior officials from more than 60 other countries, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the US said.
Venezuela has plunged into a deep political crisis since Guaido declared himself the interim president late last month.
Guaido is recognized by many Latin American countries, most EU countries and the US, and has called for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Venezuela to help people affected by the political turmoil and shortages of basic necessities.
On Thursday, Guaido tweeted that Venezuela had managed to raise more than US$100 million at the conference for food and medicine.
Taiwan’s pledge attracted attention yesterday, as the government had been seen as reluctant to take a clear position on the Venezuelan crisis.
When asked whether the gesture constituted an expression of support for Guaido, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not give a direct answer, saying only that the donation demonstrated Taiwan’s determination to forge cooperation with like-minded countries and increase its international participation.
Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) said on Twitter that Taiwan wants to help bring back democracy, stability and prosperity in Venezuela.
“The people deserve a brighter future,” he said.
SEE NATIONS ON PAGE 7
A Taipei veterinarian is urging pet owners to avoid using insecticides around their homes, as their ingredients can be toxic to pets. Commercial-grade insecticides contain pyrethroids — organic compounds similar to natural pyrethrins, pesticides produced by flowers such as chrysanthemums — in quantities that are harmless to humans, but potentially fatal to cats and dogs, Asian Veterinary Specialist Referral Center veterinarian Chua Man-ling (蔡曼琳) said. Even in small quantities, pyrethroids are hazardous to cats, as they lack the metabolic enzymes needed to process them, Chua said. Cockroach sprays and ant traps are especially dangerous to pets as they contain boric acid, she
DREAMING OF TRAVEL: About 7,000 people applied for the experience, with about 60 chosen for the first flight yesterday, which includes boarding an airplane Starved of the travel experience during COVID-19? Taipei International Airport (Songshan airport) has the solution — a fake itinerary where you check in, go through passport control and security, and even board the aircraft. You just never leave. The airport yesterday began offering travelers the chance to do just that, with about 60 people eager to get going, albeit to nowhere. About 7,000 people applied to take part, with the winners chosen by random. More fake flight experiences are to take place in the coming weeks. “I really want to leave the country, but because of the pandemic, lots of flights cannot fly,”
DOING ENOUGH? The HPA budgets NT$1.3 billion to prevent the health hazards of tobacco, but has no separate budget to fight teen drinking, a doctor said The government should step up alcohol education and prevention efforts, and allocate more of the budget to it, doctors said on Friday, citing the high consumption of alcohol among Taiwanese adolescents. One out of four 12-to-17-year-olds has consumed alcohol, said Yen Tsung-hai (顏宗海), director of Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital’s Department of Clinical Toxicology. The Health Promotion Administration (HPA) budgets NT$1.3 billion (US$43.9 million) annually to prevent the health hazards of tobacco, but it has not allocated a separate budget for preventing teenage drinking or excessive alcohol use, Yen said. “There is no so-called ‘safe drinking level’ for minors,” because any amount consumed
A DEPRIVATION? The Taiwan Higher Education Union said the program, which drew much student criticism, undermined students' right to an education The Taiwan Higher Education Union on Monday accused Ming Chuan University (MCU) of sacrificing its students’ right to education by altering the English-language instruction for first-year students. The university, which has long emphasized the value that it places on English-language education, in the 2019-2020 academic year changed its English program for first-year students to a combination of self-learning through online videos and weekly lab sessions, during which students would take online tests, the union said. The change has deprived more than 3,000 students of in-person instruction and of interaction with their teachers, the union added. The online program drew much criticism from students
RSS