Mon, Apr 12, 2010 page3

• Taiwan News Quick Take

  • STAFF WRITER, WITH AGENCIES
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  ■ SOCIETY

  KRTC increases security

  The Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corp (KRTC) yesterday vowed to enhance its security measures after a drug addict passed out after using drugs in a KRTC restroom. In a press release, the company said it regretted the incident and that it would take remedial action to ensure that such things did not happen again. KRTC police have promised to increase the frequency of security patrols to prevent the KRTC’s restrooms from being used by drug addicts, the company said. Yang Feng-jung (楊豐榮), a KRTC official, told reporters that KRTC cleaning crews found an unconscious man inside a restroom with needles and drugs next to him two days ago. The man was taken to a police station for questioning after being woken up, Yang said.

  ■ TEMBLORS

  Moderate earthquake hits

  A magnitude 5.5 earthquake hit off the coast of Taiwan yesterday, the Seismology Center said. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. The quake struck at 12:57pm, about 75km east of Chengkung (成功), a coastal township in Taitung County. The epicenter was 10km under the seabed.

  ■ HEALTH

  Chinese tiles no health risk

  The Atomic Energy Council (AEC) said on Saturday it conducts random checks on tiles sold locally and that there is no need for the public to worry about health risks. The AEC made the remarks one day after domestic tile manufacturers went to the legislature to bring attention to claims that the government has been allowing substandard Chinese tiles to enter Taiwan. The Taiwan Ceramic Industries Association estimates Taiwan’s tile market is worth about NT$25 billion (US$793 billion) a year, with tiles from China now accounting for 40 percent of that figure. Lin Chin-tsai (林進財), secretary-general of the association, said the Chinese tiles are not examined, are uneven and brittle. He also claimed that they could have high levels of radioactivity. AEC test results showed that the Chinese tiles fall within 0.07mSv/h and 0.09mSv/h, which is well within tolerance levels for radioactivity. There is no need for concern, the AEC said. “The council will continue to conduct checks on tiles to ensure public safety,” the AEC said.

  ■ POLITICS

  PRC targets flag in Belgium

  The Republic of China (ROC) flag was the target of Chinese malcontent at an international stamp show in Antwerp, Belgium, on Friday. This year’s Antverpia 2010 marks the first time Taiwan was represented at the show. Hanging the ROC flag along with those of the other countries attending the international exhibition reflects the organizer’s respect for such a special guest, officials of the representative office in Belgium said. The move, however, drew strong protest from officials at the Chinese embassy in Belgium. Frank Daniels, project manager of the event, dismissed the protest and told the Chinese officials that they were in Belgium and should show some respect, Taiwanese officials said. The protest by the Chinese officials shows a different face of China that is not good for its international reputation despite a recent warming in relations, the Taiwanese officials said. Antverpia 2010 is an international stamp fair organized by the Royal Belgian Federation of Philatelic Associations to celebrate the 120th anniversary of the founding of the group. The show opened on Friday and is scheduled to end today.
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