Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislators asked yesterday for the military to stop sing war songs honoring China or the Chinese.
"Taiwan's war songs must be de-sinicized. It is very ridiculous to sing war songs such as China Must Be Strong (
"The Ministry of National Defense has regulated a total of 180 war songs sung in the military. Most of them honor China or the Chinese," Lin and Hsueh said.
JULY 1 DEADLINE
"We are asking the ministry to ban those songs before July 1," the two lawmakers said.
Lin along with fellow DPP lawmakers Chai Trong (
The ministry said that as of March 1, I Love Chunghwa would no longer be sung.
Lin said several war songs that commemorate Chiang Kai-shek (
`NOT FAVORITES' LIST
Lin said there are 10 pro-China but anti-Taiwan songs which must be immediately banned, including China Must Be Strong, China Is Strong Because Of Me (有我在中國一定強), Chinese Exist All Over The World (四海都有中國人), The Hearts Of Chinese Parents (中國父母心), The Chinese Camel (中國駱駝), Chinese (中國人), Everlasting Big Love (千秋大愛), Whampoa War Song (黃埔戰歌), War Song Of Our Age (時代的戰歌) and The Air Force Hero (空軍英雄).
Those songs have too many Chinese elements in them, such as "We are new age Chinese youth," "I am dying for China" or "I am the Chinese air force," and they confuse our soldiers as to who their enemies are, Lin said.
Hsueh said while China enacted "Anti-Secession" Law, threatening to use military force against Taiwan, the nation's military still sings war songs cheering for China or Chinese.
"Is there anything more absurd than this?" she said.
ANTI-JAPANESE LYRICS
In addition, Lin said, Taiwan views Japan as a strategic partner and the US and Japan have said they see the Taiwan Strait as a common strategic objective, yet a Japanese delegation watching this year's military exercise would hear Taiwanese soldiers singing I Won't Go Back to My Hometown If Japanese are not Expelled (
Both Lin and Hsueh said they would ask the ministry to compose new marching songs which would better represent Taiwan's spirit and promote the military's morale.
Aftershocks from a magnitude 6.2 earthquake that struck off Yilan County at 3:45pm yesterday could reach a magnitude of 5 to 5.5, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Seismological Center technical officer Chiu Chun-ta (邱俊達) told a news conference that the epicenter of the temblor was more than 100km from Taiwan. Although predicted to measure between magnitude 5 and 5.5, the aftershocks would reach an intensity of 1 on Taiwan’s 7-tier scale, which gauges the actual effect of an earthquake, he said. The earthquake lasted longer in Taipei because the city is in a basin, he said. The quake’s epicenter was about 128.9km east-southeast
GENSLER SURVEY: ‘Economic infrastructure is not enough. A city needs to inspire pride, offer moments of joy and foster a sense of belonging,’ the company said Taipei was named the city with the “highest staying power” in the world by US-based design and architecture firm Gensler. The Taiwanese capital earned the top spot among 65 cities across six continents with 64 percent of Taipei respondents in a survey of 33,000 people saying they wanted to stay in the city. Rounding out the top five were Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City (61 percent), Singapore (59 percent), Sydney (58 percent) and Berlin (51 percent). Sixth to 10th place went to Monterrey, Mexico; Munich, Germany; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Vancouver; and Seoul. Cities in the US were ranked separately, with Minneapolis first at
The New Taipei City Government today warned about the often-overlooked dangers of playing in water, and recommended safe swimming destinations to cool off from the summer heat. The following locations in the city as safe and fun for those looking to enjoy the water: Chienshuiwan (淺水灣), Baishawan (白沙灣), Jhongjiao Bay (中角灣), Fulong Beach Resort (福隆海水浴場) and Sansia District’s (三峽) Dabao River (大豹溪), New Taipei City Tourism and Travel Department Director-General Yang Tsung-min (楊宗珉) said. Outdoor bodies of water have variables outside of human control, such as changing currents, differing elevations and environmental hazards, all of which can lead to accidents, Yang said. Sudden
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
RSS