MEDIA
Olympics to be shown in HD
Five terrestrial television networks announced on Thursday they would deliver high-definition broadcasts of this year’s London Olympic Games, in line with the government’s implementation of a nationwide switch to digital broadcasting this summer. The five networks are China Television Co, Taiwan Television Enterprise, Chinese Television System, Formosa TV (FTV) and Taiwan Public Television Service. FTV general manager Chen Gang-sin (陳剛信) said starting on July 1 this year, the government would implement a nationwide switch to digital broadcasting, providing the public with better sound and viewing quality. “It would be a pity not to broadcast the green sports fields in high definition,” Chen said.
MEDIA
‘Seediq Bale’ comic planned
A French edition of the Seediq Bale comic by artist Chiu Ruo-lung (邱若龍) is to be released soon, an official of the company that is publishing the book said. Dominique Veret, editorial director of the France-based Akata publishing house, confirmed his company would translate the graphic novel into French. The book is to be launched during next year’s Angouleme International Comics Festival, Veret said. Chiu is the artistic director of the Taiwanese hit film Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale, about an uprising by the Sediq Aboriginal tribe against Japanese rule in 1930 known as the Wushe Incident. Chiu’s Seediq Bale is the first time the historical event has been depicted in a graphic novel format.
DIPLOMACY
Friendship body established
The legislature established a body yesterday to promote friendship with the European parliament and encourage closer exchanges in the future. Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) was named honorary chairman of the group — called the Republic of China-European Parliamentary Amity Association — and Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Lu Hsueh-chang (呂學樟) was made chairman. KMT Legislator Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕), People First Party Legislator Thomas Lee (李桐豪) and Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Yu Mei-nu (尤美女) were named deputy chairmen of the body. Wang thanked the European parliament for supporting Taiwan’s participation in international organizations and also for backing visa-waiver treatment for Taiwanese nationals in the Schengen Area. Lu said 66 of Taiwan’s 113 legislators are members of the friendship promotion group, and he expects the association to provide strong support to bilateral economic, tourism and cultural exchanges. Tamas Maczak, the deputy head of the European Economic and Trade Office in Taipei, said he was happy to see the establishment of the group.
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
President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday thanked Palau for its continued support of Taiwan's international participation, as Taipei was once again excluded from the World Health Assembly (WHA) currently taking place in Switzerland. "Palau has never stopped voicing support for Taiwan" in the UN General Assembly, the WHO and other UN-affiliated agencies, Lai said during a bilateral meeting with visiting Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. "We have been profoundly touched by these endorsements," Lai said, praising the Pacific island nation's firm support as "courageous." Lai's remarks came as Taiwan was excluded for the ninth consecutive year from the WHA, which is being held in
RESOLUTIONS DEBATE: Taiwan’s allies said that UN and WHA resolutions cited by China and other nations ‘do not determine Taiwan’s participation in WHO activities’ A proposal to invite Taiwan to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was rejected on Monday, resulting in Taipei’s absence from the annual meeting for a ninth consecutive year, although partners spoke up for Taiwan’s participation at the first day of the meeting. The first agenda item after the opening was a “two-on-two debate” on a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate at the WHA as an observer. Similar to previous years, two countries made statements in favor of the proposal, while two others expressed their opposition. Philippine Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa, president of the 78th WHA, accepted the WHA General Committee’s
At least three people died and more than a dozen were injured yesterday afternoon when a vehicle struck a group of pedestrians in New Taipei City’s Sansia District (三峽). The incident happened at about 4pm when a car rammed into pedestrians at an intersection near Bei Da Elementary School. Witnesses said the sedan, being driven at a high speed, ran a red light, knocking scooters out of the way and hitting students crossing the road before careening into a median near the intersection of Guocheng and Guoguang streets. The incident resulted in three deaths and 13 injuries, including the driver, a 78-year-old man
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