More than 33,000 people have expressed interest in an event promoted on Facebook aimed at honoring the nation’s armed forces in the wake of an incident seen as highly damaging to the military’s image.
As of 5pm on Saturday, 33,932 Facebook users said they would participate in the event, while another 8,913 said they would probably take part.
Peng Shao-kang, the campaign’s organizer, is asking participants to dress in uniforms, camouflage or wear military paraphernalia, such as medals or arm patches, tomorrow — Armed Forces Day — or upload photographs of themselves dressed in military uniforms or camouflaged clothing.
The event seeks to encourage the public to “give support and encouragement to the military” since most servicemen and women “are working hard in their posts,” Peng said on Facebook.
Peng identified himself as an organizer of outdoor activities, such as rock climbing, and not an active-duty serviceman.
He said he served as a conscript in the Army Aviation Special Forces Command.
His campaign has drawn support from the families of active-duty soldiers and retired military personnel.
Military officers and officials from the nation’s three forces, including Ministry of National Defense spokesman Major General David Lo (羅紹和), also expressed support for the event.
Lo joined many others in posting a photograph of himself dressed in an army uniform on the campaign’s Facebook page.
With supporters of the campaign expected to reach 50,000 in the next two days, Peng announced on Saturday that he would perform 1,000 jumping jacks in front of the Presidential Office to show his support for the military.
On Aug. 9, Peng initiated the “cheering our troops” campaign, following the controversy over the death of army corporal Hung Chung-chiu (洪仲丘), who died on July 4 after strenuous exercise at a detention barracks.
The incident sparked a public outcry and caused untold damage to the military’s image and morale at a time when the country is shifting to an all-volunteer force.
PROCEDURE: Although there is already a cross-strait agreement in place for the extradition of criminals, ample notice is meant to be given to the other side first Ten Taiwanese who were involved in fraud-related crimes in China were extradited back to Taiwan via Kinmen County on Wednesday, four of whom are convicted fraudsters in Taiwan. The 10 people arrived via a ferry operating between Xiamen and Kinmen, also known as the “small three links.” The Kinmen County Prosecutors’ Office yesterday said that four of the 10 extradited people were convicted in Taiwan for committing fraud and contravening the Money Laundering Control Act (洗錢防制法), and were on the wanted list. They were immediately arrested upon arrival and sent to Kinmen Prison to serve their sentences following brief questioning, the office said.
Taipei and Kaohsiung have extended an open invitation to Japanese pop star Ayumi Hamasaki after Chinese authorities abruptly canceled her scheduled concert in Shanghai. Hamasaki, 47, had been slated to perform on Saturday before organizers pulled the show at the last minute, citing “force majeure,” a move widely viewed as retaliation for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent remark that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could draw a military response from Tokyo. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) yesterday said the city “very much welcomes” Hamasaki’s return and would continue to “surprise” her. Hamasaki, who has a large global fan base, including
‘REGRETTABLE’: Travelers reported that Seoul’s online arrival card system lists Taiwan as ‘China (Taiwan),’ the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday urged South Korea to correct the way Taiwan is listed in its newly launched e-Arrival card system, saying the current designation downgrades the nation’s status. South Korea rolled out the online system on Feb. 24 to gradually replace paper arrival cards, which it plans to phase out by next year. Travelers must complete the electronic form up to 72 hours before entering the country. The ministry said it has received multiple complaints from Taiwanese travelers saying that the system lists Taiwan as “China (Taiwan)” in dropdown menus for both “place of departure” and “next
VIGILANT: Enterovirus activity remains in the epidemic phase, with the CDC urging caregivers of infected children to be on the lookout for signs of severe illness Influenza activity is rising in neighboring countries, and, with temperatures forecast to drop this week, flu cases are expected to increase in the next two weeks, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. Hospitals reported 87,162 visits for flu-like illnesses between Nov. 23 and Saturday, which remained about the same level as the previous week, but nine deaths and 24 cases with serious flu complications were also confirmed last week, CDC Epidemic Intelligence Center Director Guo Hung-wei (郭宏偉) said. Flu activity reached a peak in late September before declining for eight consecutive weeks, CDC Deputy Director-General and spokesman Lin Min-cheng (林明誠)
RSS