An exhibition to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the World Federation of Taiwanese Associations (WFTA) opened yesterday in Taipei, with President William Lai (賴清德) issuing a congratulatory message.
Founded in Vienna on Sept. 7, 1974, the WFTA is the largest Taiwanese organization abroad. Its mission calls for the determination of Taiwanese in asserting their identity, national sovereignty and democratic values.
This 50th anniversary exhibition, which first opened in Vienna, is on display at the National 228 Memorial Museum until Nov. 30.
Photo: Lo Pei-de, Taipei Times
At the opening ceremony yesterday, presidential adviser Yao Chia-wen (姚嘉文) read Lai’s message, in which he said hoped the exhibition would reflect Taiwanese patriotism, reinforce the importance of national sovereignty and shine a light on the country’s future.
Taipei City Councilor Chien Shu-pei (簡舒培) of the Democratic Progressive Party said in a speech that while Taiwanese can today travel, study abroad and return without issue, that was not the case 50 years ago.
During the authoritarian regime, students returning from overseas were closely monitored by the government, she said, adding that young people might not understand the struggles of previous generations.
She commended the WFTA for collecting historical records to remind visitors that today’s freedoms were not easily achieved.
The goal of the exhibition is to evoke the emotions of those who left Taiwan years ago and trace the history of the overseas Taiwanese movement, especially their efforts in promoting democracy in their homeland, the WFTA said.
GENSLER SURVEY: ‘Economic infrastructure is not enough. A city needs to inspire pride, offer moments of joy and foster a sense of belonging,’ the company said Taipei was named the city with the “highest staying power” in the world by US-based design and architecture firm Gensler. The Taiwanese capital earned the top spot among 65 cities across six continents with 64 percent of Taipei respondents in a survey of 33,000 people saying they wanted to stay in the city. Rounding out the top five were Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City (61 percent), Singapore (59 percent), Sydney (58 percent) and Berlin (51 percent). Sixth to 10th place went to Monterrey, Mexico; Munich, Germany; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Vancouver; and Seoul. Cities in the US were ranked separately, with Minneapolis first at
The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association has cautioned Japanese travelers to be vigilant against pickpockets at several popular tourist spots in Taiwan, including Taipei’s night markets, the Yongkang Street area, Zhongshan MRT Station, and Jiufen (九份) in New Taipei City. The advisory, titled “Recent Development of Concerns,” was posted on the association’s Web site under its safety and emergency report section. It urges travelers to keep backpacks fully zipped and carried in front, with valuables placed at the bottom of the bag. Visitors are advised to be especially mindful of their belongings when taking photos or speaking on the phone, avoid storing wallets and
Scoot announced yesterday that starting in October, it would increase flights between Taipei and Japan’s Narita airport and Hokkaido, and between Singapore and Taipei. The low-cost airline, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, also said it would launch flights to Chiang Rai in Thailand, Okinawa and Tokyo’s Haneda airport between December and March next year. Flights between Singapore and Chiang Rai would begin on Jan. 1, with five flights per week operated by an Embraer E190-E2 aircraft, Scoot said. Flights between Singapore and Okinawa would begin on Dec. 15, with three flights per week operated by Airbus A320 aircraft, the airline said. Services between Singapore
ENDORSING TAIWAN: Honduran presidential candidate Nasry Afura said that Honduras was ‘100 times better off’ when it was allied with Taipei The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday said it would explore the possibility of restoring diplomatic relations with Honduras based on the principle of maintaining national interests and dignity. The ministry made the remarks in response to reporters’ questions regarding an article titled: “Will Taiwan Regain a Diplomatic Ally?” published in The Diplomat on Saturday. The article said Honduras’ presidential election in November could offer Taiwan the chance to regain an ally, as multiple candidates have promoted re-establishing diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Honduras severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in March 2023 in favor of Beijing, but since switching its diplomatic recognition,
RSS