■ Trade
US beef imports may resume
Taiwan is expected to announce in about a month the results of its inspections, that if positive would allow US beef back into the local market following the suspension of imports in 2003 after the discovery of a case of mad cow disease, an official with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said Sunday. Taiwan suspended beef imports from the US in December 2003 due to safety concerns over bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), also known as mad cow disease, after the discovery in the US state of Washington of a single BSE-infected cow. According to the USDA official, who asked not to be identified, Taiwanese health and agriculture officials have traveled to the US to conduct on-site inspections of the implementation of safeguards against mad cow disease. Taiwanese officials have completed the reviews necessary for resuming the beef trade, the USDA official said, adding that officials from the American Institute in Taiwan have also been contacting relevant officials in an effort to speed up the paperwork necessary for the approval.
■ Earthquakes
Tawu shaken by temblor
An earthquake measuring 4.8 on the Richter scale rocked the southeast of the nation yesterday, the Central Weather Bureau said, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. The quake hit at 6:10pm, with an epicenter 11km northeast of Tawu, a coastal village in southern Taitung County. The temblor was reported to have had a depth of 12km.
■ Charity
Tzu Chi helps Sri Lankans
The Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation has begun to distribute relief supplies to thousands of tsunami victims in Sri Lanka, members of the charity, based in Hualien County, said yesterday. The operation, which began last Saturday, was Tzu Chi's first effort to help the South Asian country. Tzi Chi members from the US, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia and local volunteers helped distribute rice, sugar, cooking oil and powdered milk, according to the foundation. The supplies should cover the needs of 1,490 households, or 5,788 people, it said. Meanwhile, textile companies presented a joint donation for tsunami victims in a ceremony yesterday in Taipei, presided over by Taiwan Textile Federation chairman Ho Chun (何鈞). The federation said textile companies and associated organizations donated over NT$2 million, as well as surgical masks, clothing and tents to aid the tsunami and earthquake victims.
■ Diplomacy
Lu eyes Latin America
Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) said yesterday she will survey potential sites for the establishment of a "Taiwan Park" during a visit she is scheduled to make to Latin America next month. Lu said the site for the industrial park, which will be 200 to 500 hectares, will be selected from among the Taiwan's diplomatic allies in Latin America. She made the remarks while making an inspection tour of the Institute for Information Industry with the Presidential Office's technology advisory committee. According to Lu, the park will bring together traditional, agricultural and technological industries, and the government hopes it will bring results and become a major showcase for Taiwan within three years. Lu said Taiwan will be able to enter the vast Spanish-speaking market with the support of its strong information technology and manufacturing capability if the project is successful.
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
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
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) on Friday laid out the Cabinet’s updated policy agenda and recapped the government’s achievements ahead of the one-year anniversary of President William Lai’s (賴清德) inauguration. Cho said the government had made progress across a range of areas, including rebuilding Hualien, cracking down on fraud, improving pedestrian safety and promoting economic growth. “I hope the public will not have the impression that the Cabinet only asked the legislature to reconsider a bunch of legal amendments,” Cho said, calling the moves “necessary” to protect constitutional governance and the public’s interest. The Cabinet would work toward achieving its “1+7” plan, he said. The
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