Cooperation between Taiwan and Vietnam on marine science research was strengthened last week in Hanoi when the two countries agreed to carry out studies in coastal waters and the South China Sea, the Taipei Times learned yesterday.
According to Lee Chung-pan (李忠潘), a professor of marine environment and engineering at National Sun Yat-sen University, scientists of four leading universities in Taiwan will soon work with their counterparts in Vietnam in diverse fields related to marine sciences. The decision was made at a Taiwan-Vietnam workshop on marine geology held by Taiwan's National Science Council (NSC) last week in Hanoi.
At the workshop, dozens of scientists from both sides, which share no official diplomatic ties, presented research articles on themes ranging from seismology, hydrographic surveys, coastal management, unmanned underwater vehicles for monitoring of coral reef habitats and sustainable development.
Lee said that the Hanoi University of Science agreed to launch collaborative projects with four Taiwanese universities, including National Sun Yat-sen University, National Taiwan University, National Central University, and National Taiwan Normal University. Through collaborative projects, Taiwanese universities will offer talented Vietnamese researchers scholarships for doctoral degrees and post-doc positions. Contracted universities said they welcome Vietnamese scientists to come to Taiwan to use equipment and research ships.
"They are also welcome to work at an international marine research station on the Dongsha Islands (
Since the end of World War II, the Dongsha Islands, which include Dongsha Island itself and and two coral reefs, the North Vereker Bank and the South Vereker Bank, have been administrated by Taiwan. However, the archipelago, located in a strategically important position along the major sea route connecting the Pacific and Indian oceans, is one of the disputed island groups in the South China Sea.
Lee said ecological conservation on the Dongsha Islands had been a challenge because of inappropriate activities involving Chinese fishermen, who sometimes use dynamite to catch fish.
Lee said Taiwan can also offer coastal management experience to Vietnam, which has a 3,200km coastline that will soon be ecologically affected by numerous harbor development projects. Next year, a conference on coastal pollution prevention will be held by the NSC and local universities to allow Taiwan to share its experience with Vietnam.
According to Wang Yu-lung (
"By taking advantage of our science and technology achievements, Taiwan can offer knowledge to promote sustainable development in the region," said Wang, who spoke with the Taipei Times yesterday from Hanoi.
To further boost collaborative scientific projects between Taiwan and Vietnam, the first bilateral agreement on science and technology will be signed by governments by the end of the month, Wang said.
Wang said that at the workshop last week, Vietnamese representatives expressed their interest in the operations of Taiwan's National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, which attracts 2.5 million tourists annually. That museum's experience might be used as a model for two planned science museum projects in the northern and central parts of Vietnam, in a bid to promote eco-tourism.
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
President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday thanked Palau for its continued support of Taiwan's international participation, as Taipei was once again excluded from the World Health Assembly (WHA) currently taking place in Switzerland. "Palau has never stopped voicing support for Taiwan" in the UN General Assembly, the WHO and other UN-affiliated agencies, Lai said during a bilateral meeting with visiting Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. "We have been profoundly touched by these endorsements," Lai said, praising the Pacific island nation's firm support as "courageous." Lai's remarks came as Taiwan was excluded for the ninth consecutive year from the WHA, which is being held in
RESOLUTIONS DEBATE: Taiwan’s allies said that UN and WHA resolutions cited by China and other nations ‘do not determine Taiwan’s participation in WHO activities’ A proposal to invite Taiwan to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was rejected on Monday, resulting in Taipei’s absence from the annual meeting for a ninth consecutive year, although partners spoke up for Taiwan’s participation at the first day of the meeting. The first agenda item after the opening was a “two-on-two debate” on a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate at the WHA as an observer. Similar to previous years, two countries made statements in favor of the proposal, while two others expressed their opposition. Philippine Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa, president of the 78th WHA, accepted the WHA General Committee’s
At least three people died and more than a dozen were injured yesterday afternoon when a vehicle struck a group of pedestrians in New Taipei City’s Sansia District (三峽). The incident happened at about 4pm when a car rammed into pedestrians at an intersection near Bei Da Elementary School. Witnesses said the sedan, being driven at a high speed, ran a red light, knocking scooters out of the way and hitting students crossing the road before careening into a median near the intersection of Guocheng and Guoguang streets. The incident resulted in three deaths and 13 injuries, including the driver, a 78-year-old man
RSS