The Democratic Pacific Union (DPU), a new international institution initiated by Taiwan, will promote understanding among member countries' peoples and governments, Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) said yesterday.
A two-day inaugural DPU forum, attended by representatives from 28 Pacific Rim countries, wrapped up yesterday in Taipei with the participants resolving to promote regional cooperation in trade, technology transfer, information sharing and sustainable development.
Lu, the DPU chairwoman, said that more practical strategies would be carried out soon in this country and others to promote the three core values stressed by the group -- democracy, peace and prosperity.
"If we let others know and love more about the people in Taiwan, then they would eventually know and love more about Taiwan's government. Friendliness will eventually benefit Taiwan's relations with these countries," Lu said.
She stressed that over the next two years, 150 fellowships will be created to offer college graduates and professionals from DPU member states the opportunity to learn more about Taiwan. Research centers for oceanic exploration, remote sensing and disaster prevention will also be established. Next year, Taiwan plans to invite political analysts from DPU members to observe the year-end elections, she said.
Lu said that the DPU would make an effort to ensure justice in politics, economics, society, gender relations and international affairs.
She said that Taiwan should be given an opportunity to participate in international affairs since it is qualified to participate in and contribute to international groups.
"However, Taiwan has an unfriendly neighbor called the People's Republic of China. We hope all peace-loving people will urge China to abandon its prejudice against Taiwan ... Such a regime only increases international tensions," Lu said.
She said that "Taiwan's rise" had been "gentle and soft," in stark contrast to China's "rigidness." Lu urged other countries to remember that Beijing's government is autocratic.
"Taiwan is a soft power, which is soft but powerful," Lu said.
She said that through the DPU, a soft triangle formed by Taiwan, South Korea and Japan would ensure regional peace.
South Korean delegates said the DPU's establishment would play an important role in the region to check regimes that violate human rights and make nuclear threats, such as North Korea.
To ensure the effectiveness of the DPU, Chen Wei-chao (
The DPU is also planning to establish two schools -- the Pacific Internet University and the Pacific University at Sea.
The former aims to facilitate sharing of experiences and expertise through the Internet, while the latter will promote lifelong learning, oceanic culture, tourism and education.
Next year, it will sponsor an international conference on disaster prevention.
A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck off Taitung County at 1:09pm today, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. The hypocenter was 53km northeast of Taitung County Hall at a depth of 12.5km, CWA data showed. The intensity of the quake, which gauges the actual effect of a seismic event, measured 4 in Taitung County and Hualien County on Taiwan's seven-tier intensity scale, the data showed. The quake had an intensity of 3 in Nantou County, Chiayi County, Yunlin County, Kaohsiung and Tainan, the data showed. There were no immediate reports of damage following the quake.
A Taiwanese woman on Sunday was injured by a small piece of masonry that fell from the dome of St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican during a visit to the church. The tourist, identified as Hsu Yun-chen (許芸禎), was struck on the forehead while she and her tour group were near Michelangelo’s sculpture Pieta. Hsu was rushed to a hospital, the group’s guide to the church, Fu Jing, said yesterday. Hsu was found not to have serious injuries and was able to continue her tour as scheduled, Fu added. Mathew Lee (李世明), Taiwan’s recently retired ambassador to the Holy See, said he met
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