A representative of the US-based Chinese-language New Tang Dynasty Television (NTDTV) station called on the people of Taiwan yesterday to support the company's fight for freedom of communication, which the representative claimed has been jeopardized because of China's suppression.
Liu Ying-chuan (劉鶯釧) made the appeal ahead of the scheduled termination on Friday of a contract between NTDTV and European satellite operator Eutelsat. NTDTV claims that Eutelsat has refused to renew the contract under pressure from China.
According to Liu, NTDTV has since March last year leased an Asian satellite channel from Eutelsat to broadcast uncensored programs into China.
Liu said Beijing is unhappy with NTDTV's reporting on Chinese persecution of dissidents and religious groups and has tempted Eutelsat to end its contract with NTDTV in exchange for a deal to broadcast the 2008 Olympic Games.
Liu argued that Chinese suppression of freedom of the media and information will lead to internal conflicts in China and pose a threat to the overseas Chinese community and the international community.
The first of 10 new high-capacity trains purchased from South Korea’s Hyundai Rotem arrived at the Port of Taipei yesterday to meet the demands of an expanding metro network, Taipei Rapid Transit Corp (TRTC) said yesterday. The train completed a three-day, 1,200km voyage from the Port of Masan in South Korea, the company said. Costing NT$590 million (US$18.79 million) each, the new six-carriage trains feature a redesigned interior based on "human-centric" transportation concepts, TRTC said. The design utilizes continuous longitudinal seating to widen the aisles and optimize passenger flow, while also upgrading passenger information displays and driving control systems for a more comfortable
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Taiwan's first indigenous defense submarine, the SS-711 Hai Kun (海鯤, or Narwhal), departed for its 13th sea trial at 7am today, marking its seventh submerged test, with delivery to the navy scheduled for July. The outing also marked its first sea deployment since President William Lai (賴清德) boarded the submarine for an inspection on March 19, drawing a crowd of military enthusiasts who gathered to show support. The submarine this morning departed port accompanied by CSBC Corp’s Endeavor Manta (奮進魔鬼魚號) uncrewed surface vessel and a navy M109 assault boat. Amid public interest in key milestones such as torpedo-launching operations and overnight submerged trials,
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