Search the Community

Hooray finally Taiwan will be liberated from the imperialists! Go CCP go! https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-08-02/china-announces-military-drills-encircling-taiwan-from-aug-4-7-l6cc5ljn China Plans Four Days of Military Drills in Areas Encircling Taiwan - Beijing declares provocative show of force after Pelosi lands - Taiwan’s ruling party calls on China to be ‘responsible power’ By Sarah Zheng, 2 August 2022 at 22:29 GMT+7Updated on3 August 2022 at 00:12 GMT+7 China will conduct large-scale military drills and missile tests around Taiwan in a defiant show of force after House speaker Nancy Pelosi became the highest-ranking US politician to land on the island in a quarter century. Beijing announced six exclusion zones encircling Taiwan to facilitate live-fire military drills from Thursday to Sunday, with some of the areas crossing into the island’s territorial waters. The size and scope of the areas could set the stage for the Chinese military’s most provocative actions near Taiwan in decades. An aircraft carrying US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrives in Taipei, Aug. 2. Photographer: Lam Yik Fei/Bloomberg Separately, the People’s Liberation Army said exercises could start as soon as Tuesday, leaving open the possibility of military activities around Taiwan while Pelosi was visiting. The operations include “long-range live firing in the Taiwan Strait” and “regular-guided fire testing in the eastern waters” off Taiwan from Tuesday evening, the PLA said. “This action is targeted at the US’s shocking recent major escalation on the Taiwan issue, and serves as a serious warning to Taiwanese independence forces or those seeking independence,” Shi Yi, a spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command, said in a statement. A map released by the Xinhua news agency in China details areas that will be used for military drills encircling Taiwan from Aug. 4-7. Source: Xinhua. During the military drills, “relevant ships and aircraft should not enter the above sea areas and airspaces during this period,” the official Xinhua News Agency said in a report late Tuesday, which gave coordinates for the exercises. The exercises highlight the risk that Taiwan tensions could exacerbate existing supply chain woes. The Taiwan Strait is the primary route for ships passing from China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan to points west. Almost half of the global container fleet and 88% of the world’s largest ships by tonnage passed through the waterway this year, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Taiwan’s defense ministry said 21 Chinese military aircraft entered its air-defense identification zone Tuesday, compared to four the day before. The PLA has stepped up its flights near Taiwan in recent months, and ramps ups the show of force around key events, including visits by US poltiicians. Pelosi became the first US House speaker to visit the island in 25 years when her military aircraft arrived at Songshan Airport shortly before 11 p.m. local time. China considers Taiwan part of its territory and protests diplomatic visits to the democratic island. The planned drills would be the most serious show of force by China around Taiwan since at least 1995, when Beijing test-fired missiles into the sea near the island. That move was part of China’s protests against President Bill Clinton’s decision to let Taiwan’s first democratically elected president, Lee Teng-hui, visit the US. Back then, China also declared exclusion zones around target areas during the tests, disrupting shipping and air traffic. Pelosi plans to hold a joint press briefing with President Tsai Ing-wen at about 10:50 a.m. Wednesday, the Taiwan leader’s office said in a statement. She is expected to depart the island later that day to continue her Asia tour visiting US allies South Korea and Japan. Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party called on China to exercise restraint and stop acts of military and political intimidation. China should “demonstrate the demeanor of a responsible power,” DPP spokeswoman Hsieh Pei-fen said in a statement late Tuesday. “No threatening remarks or provocative actions can reduce even slightly the determination of Taiwan and its international friends to defend democracy and freedom,” she added.

I was recently in Taiwan for a short getaway, and amidst the hiking, shopping and gastronomical indulging, naturally couldn’t pull my eyes away from the cars. One of the more interesting phenomena I noted on my first day already was just how dominant the Toyota Corolla Cross is. A quick search revealed that the car has been the island’s bestselling model for five years running – and is still going strong, with its numbers in 2025 representing a 32.6% jump year-on-year increase. But even more eye-catching was a brand badge I had never seen before in my life stuck onto a not insignificant number of cars: One bearing an ‘L’ in fancy font. Considering how widespread mainland Chinese brands have become, my mind initially went to "Oh, this must be another Chinese name I’ve never heard of" (a silly thought on retrospect, considering the fraught political relations between Taiwan and China). Some quick sleuthing, however, revealed the real answer: Luxgen. The beginnings of Luxgen In 2009, Luxgen emerged from the ambitious vision of Yulon Motor Company, Taiwan's largest automaker, which sought to establish the first Taiwanese car brand – and a distinct one at that, focused on innovation. Drawing from Yulon’s robust experience in building licensed Nissan models and importing well-known marques such as Infiniti and Renault, Luxgen cars were meticulously developed at the firm’s HAITEC research and development centre, bringing together local craftsmanship with global engineering prowess. This leap apparently represented not just a new chapter for the company, but for Taiwan's position in automotive history. Luxgen was birthed as the brain (First-generation Luxgen U6 pictured) The automotive space is one with high barriers to entry, so Luxgen naturally had to find a special way to stand out. Its initial strategy? Combining robust engineering prowess with advanced technology, to produce vehicles that would hopefully resonate with both domestic and international markets. It’s worth noting that Luxgen’s hope wasn’t built on thin air. By leveraging Yulon's existing infrastructure and resources, the homegrown marque was able to position itself uniquely within the automotive landscape, especially with their ‘Designed in Taiwan, Made in Taiwan’ branding. Luxgen quickly gained recognition, selling initially in Taiwan and Oman, and later expanding plans for production in China through a collaboration with Dongfeng Motor. With a focus on integrating cutting-edge technology, the first Luxgen models consistently reflected the brand's proactive approach to meeting evolving industry demands. The M7 - a mid-sized MPV - was the first model to be built by Luxgen (Image credit: Editorial Team) Luxgen’s first model Luxgen’s inaugural vehicle, the Luxgen7 MPV (later rebranded to the Luxgen M7), quickly exemplified this vision, debuting technology-forward innovations that set Luxgen apart in the industry. Among its standout features was an advanced onboard computer system co-developed by HTC (for the folks that still remember!) that integrated the car’s multimedia, navigation and telecommms functions, a panoramic camera and a blind-spot monitoring system, as well as a night vision feature that helped to enhance visibility in pitch-dark conditions. The Luxgen 7 also had a unique anti-theft seat that could slide forward on its on lean against the steering wheel – to resist getaway-car use. Interestingly, Wikipedia states that the Luxgen 7 EV+ even debuted as the world’s first electric MPV, featuring a 240hp electric motor (though not much in terms of electric range). Initially, Luxgen focused on creating vehicles that combined opulent features with cutting-edge technology, attracting mostly domestic attention. Over time, the brand expanded its lineup to include sedans, SUVs, crossovers, and MPVs, eventually branching into electric vehicles to align with global sustainability goals. The brand responded to market demands by extensively integrating electric and hybrid technologies, thus enhancing its portfolio and broadening its appeal. Its successful penetration of the Asia-Pacific, Middle Eastern, and Latin American markets indicates Luxgen’s adeptness at navigating competitive landscapes worldwide. Quick aside: Most popular Luxgen car models? Luxgen M7 MPV: As mentioned earlier, this was the torch-bearing pioneer in Luxgen's lineup, debuting as its flagship model upon launch in 2009. Inspired by the Renault Espace, the M7 catered to consumers seeking versatility and space. Though discontinued, its legacy as Luxgen’s first production model remains influential. The S5 remains the only sedan that Luxgen has built to date (Image credit: Wikimedia Commons) Luxgen S5: The Luxgen S5 sedan, introduced in 2012, was a milestone for the brand as its first self-developed Taiwanese car. Despite facing challenges, the S5 aimed to provide a compelling combination of advanced features and sleek design. Its ambition continues to resonate with those familiar with Luxgen's innovative roots. The U6 quickly established itself as a Taiwanese car market staple upon release (Image credit: Editorial Team) Luxgen U6: The Luxgen U6, a compact crossover introduced in 2013, quickly established itself as a staple in the Taiwanese car market. Crafted to combine performance with flexibility, it was offered with multiple engine options, including a turbocharged variant. Continuous updates in design and features have been rolled in a bid to keep the model relevant for both urban and suburban Taiwanese car-buyers. One of the later models to be introduced by Luxgen, the URX can seat up to seven (Image credit: Wikimedia Commons) Luxgen URX: Building on the U6 platform, the Luxgen URX entered the market in 2019 as a mid-sized crossover with the ability to seat up to seven. Known for its spacious interior and robust design, the URX has garnered attention for potentially being the first Luxgen model to reach European shores. The n7 is the first EV from Luxgen to ride atop of a Foxtron platform (Image credit: Wikimedia Commons) Luxgen n7: This one’s probably the most important one in the lineup today, since it marks Luxgen's foray into the electric vehicle sector. Unveiled to the tune of an impressive 25,000 pre-orders in 2022, the n7 symbolised the brand's push towards sustainability and innovation. A large part of its appeal comes from its apparently competitive pricing: The base model starts at NT$999,000 (approximately US$31,149), making it a cost-effective choice in the electric SUV market as detailed by the Taipei Times. Meanwhile, mid-range and top-tier trims are priced at NT$1.29 million and NT$1.34 million, respectively, offering various features and enhancements. Its allure has propelled it towards becoming the best-selling BEV in Taiwan. Upcoming Luxgen n5: Further headlines have been made by Luxgen with the upcoming N5. Set to launch in the burgeoning Taiwanese electric vehicle market by the end of 2025, the N5 is built on Foxtron's Model B platform. Initially planned to debut with 300 units for display and test drives in November 2025, Luxgen anticipates additional production in subsequent months. This vehicle integrates cutting-edge technology and is poised to enhance the brand’s presence in the competitive EV landscape. Luxgen never really established itself as a luxury brand despite its offering of bang-for-buck features and tech (Image credit: Wikimedia Commons) Is Luxgen a luxury car brand? Since its name seems to hint at it, it’s certainly valid to ask the question of whether Luxgen contains any luxury. And while the ambitions of luxury have certainly emerged over time (the brand has strived to integrate cutting-edge technology and modern design into its vehicles), Luxgen doesn’t quite appear to satisfy the conventional benchmarks associated with a luxury label. To give credit where it’s due, Luxgen did initially build its name on its ability to offer modern features (such as state-of-the-art infotainment systems and comprehensive safety measures) without the premium price tags typically associated with luxury vehicles. The approach gave it the ability to appeal to tech-savvy and budget-conscious consumers looking for affordable luxury options as detailed by Luxgen's profile. The U6 nameplate continues in the form of the U6 Neo today (Image credit: Wikimedia Commons) Models such as the U6 are still known for their advanced technological offerings and style, yet they are accessible at a competitive price point. Particularly, some online sources note that this approach helped to burnish their appeal early on in markets like the UAE, where consumers appreciated the blend of modern features and affordability against pricier Japanese and European models. In fact, the Luxgen U6 apparently still competes against the likes of the Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-30 in the UAE. However, Luxgen’s global presence remains limited, primarily due to challenges in long-term reliability and availability of parts outside Asian markets. Despite efforts to project a premium image, then, Luxgen remains more a savvy, tech-focused alternative rather than a definitive luxury car brand. Luxgen's future as its own independent car brand seems short, given its recent acquisition by Foxtron Vehicle Technologies (Image credit: Editorial Team) Recognition and future prospects: No more Luxgen…? For the better part of the nearly two decades during which it has been active so far, Luxgen was noted for consistently investing in R&D - a testament to its commitment to innovation, from autonomous driving to connectivity advancements. These efforts paid off most notably with Luxgen topping Taiwan's J.D. Power Customer Service Index multiple times. Here’s where things start to take a less luminous turn, though. Clearly, Luxgen’s global market presence remains limitet; in fact, it took a hit in 2020 with the announcement that it was withdrawing from the mainland Chinese market due to low sales. Concurrently, its reputation has also been challenged by past quality issues and a waning brand identity as documented by discussions on Luxgen's performance. The new Luxgen logo Furthermore, as efforts were made to fortify and future-proof the brand and embrace the future, its parent Yulon also started to collaborate more closely with Taiwanese tech firm, Foxconn. The result: A joint venture by the name of ‘Foxtron Vehicle Technologies’ established 2020, built on the goal of producing next-generation electric vehicles. Underpinning the Luxgen n7, in fact, is a Foxtron platform; ditto for the upcoming Luxgen n5. Then, in December 2025 (just last month!), Foxtron Vehicle Technologies announced that it would be acquiring Luxgen, with the US $25 million to see Foxtron “acquire 100 per cent of Luxgen, ‌including its five sales subsidiaries, sales outlets and employees”, per a CNA article. The deal now unfortunately throws the future of Luxgen (as Taiwan used to know) up into the air. (Image credit: Wikimedia Commons) For what it’s worth, Foxtron is still a thoroughly homegrown brand, so it’s not that the sun is setting on the Taiwanese automotive industry yet, if at all. Still, one can’t help but feel some sense of loss at this turn of events - for a brand that once arguably exemplified Taiwan’s spirit of innovation and excellence, and which in challenging both bigger and more powerful players, as well as the status-quo of Taiwan’s car market itself. - Matt

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6Pz-SEh0ZU Taiwanese variety show. Latest episode is filmed at singapore and aired in Taiwan on 8 August. One of the games involved the hosts to go Chinatown hawker centre to buy food. The jwee kweh uncle at attitude is farked up. Very hostile towards the hosts and filming crew. And inflexible, insists on paying $ first before giving them the food. Later give also cannot. Really throw sg face knn. The jwee kweh uncle famous in tw liao. Are sinkies really that inflexible and money-minded? The bolehland ppl took the chance to scold us liao on fb and youtube

HuaLien had 7.4 mag earthquakes 30 minutes ago

Its been 3 years since my last visit to Taiwan. Used to visit Taiwan twice a year for work visiting suppliers. Now that they are fully opened its time to go again. Monday morning 6.15am at the Suvarnabhumi Airport Had breakfast at the Singapore Airlines lounge At the gate My ride Many mothballed aircraft still on ground Brunch on flight Arriving Taoyuan Airport

Was planning to go Shilin Night Market @ Turf Club tmr night. Then I saw this report https://mothership.sg/2019/04/shilin-night-market-singapore-crowds/. The q looks terribly long. Wonder anyone went there tdy? Maybe can give some comments whether worth going anot.

Hey guys, planning a driving holiday to taiwan end oct. anyone done a driving trip with an itenary to share? 6d 5 night thanks! Starting city is taipei

I am not a strong fan of WU BAI, but he gotta be one of the best mandarin / hokkien rock stars....

Haiz.. all of us will return to the source, no matter rich or poor, rip LWZ 😔.. https://tw.news.yahoo.com/「一代巨星」劉文正過世享壽70歲！-好友夏玉順證實-064012239.html

🙏 https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/china/story20230205-1360056 台媒：佛光山开山宗长星云大师离世享年96岁 发布 / 26 分钟前 台湾媒体报道，台湾佛光山开山宗长、国际佛光会的创办人星云大师星期天（2月5日）下午安详离世，享年96岁，但佛光山还没有公布。 联合新闻网报道，佛光山还没有宣布，佛光山与医疗团队预计星期一（6日）对外说明。 报道称，有身边的弟子哀痛说：“不便多说”，间接证实星云大师离世。 地方人士称，这两天佛光山本来预计要放天灯，但在活动前几天喊卡，也没有说明原因。 中时新闻网和壹苹新闻网也证实星云法师5日圆寂。中时新闻网报道，他晚年仰赖洗肾维持健康，但多次出入医院，近期因血压过低、入住高雄长庚医院加护病房，星期六（4日）还一度喘到无法进食，惊动医护人员紧急为他洗肾，才得以舒缓。 星云法师1927年8月19日生于江苏省江都县，1949年迁居台湾，1967年创办佛光山，逐渐发展为台湾佛教四大名山之一，与法鼓山、中台山、慈济齐名。 星云大师中风后身体状况走下坡，每两天要进高雄长庚医院洗肾。星云意志力强韧，他曾告诉医疗团医师：“出家人不怕死。” 国际佛光会中华总会总会长赵怡说，星云大师近年身体状况时好时坏，需要洗肾。重要会议上，弟子们会先预录好大师的影片在场播放，就是避免他身体劳累。 赵怡说，星云大师晚年腿部不良于行，但遇到主持会议、接待访宾等重要场合，还是会坚持站起来，让旁人感受到他强韧的意志力。

Ma is leading at this time with a slim lead

Anyone has experiences with driving around Taiwan? And tips to provide for left hand drive countries, car rental company etc. Generally public transport such as the Metro is far more convenient than a car (no need to find parking etc) but if we're talking about going out of Taipei, would you recommend driving or just taking the bullet train?

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/powerful-earthquake-hits-southeast-taiwan-2022-09-18/

https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Taiwan-tensions/Taiwan-report-sounds-alarm-over-China-hybrid-warfare-capabilities?utm_campaign=GL_asia_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_source=NA_newsletter&utm_content=article_link&del_type=1&pub_date=20220901123000&seq_num=11&si=44594 Taiwan report sounds alarm over China hybrid warfare capabilities Taipei warns it will counterattack if Chinese forces enter territorial waters or airspace This Taiwanese air base on the Penghu Islands in the Taiwan Strait is on high alert amid China's ongoing provocations. (Photo by Yu Nakamura) YU NAKAMURA, Nikkei staff writerSeptember 1, 2022 00:09 JST TAIPEI -- China plans to use hybrid warfare, including cyberattacks and disinformation along with conventional armed forces, in its efforts to unify Taiwan with the mainland, the Taiwanese defense ministry warns in a new report. The annual report on Chinese military capabilities finds that Beijing is already capable of using electronic warfare to damage Taiwanese infrastructure and cut off some military communications. It also expresses concern over military buildup around the Taiwan Strait and notes that China has been expanding military airfields along the coast within its Eastern Theater Command, which covers Taiwan, and the Southern Theater Command, which includes the South China Sea. The report was submitted Wednesday to the Legislative Yuan. In a news conference that day, the ministry discussed the recent state of so-called gray zone operations by China -- tactics that aim to harm Taiwan without going as far as an armed attack. It confirmed that Chinese drones have repeatedly flown near areas including the Kinmen Islands -- Taiwan-controlled islets near the Chinese mainland. If Chinese military aircraft or ships come within 12 nautical miles of Taiwan, Taipei will "exercise the right of self-defense," said Maj. Gen. Lin Wen-huang, head of planning at the defense ministry. Taiwan fired warning shots Tuesday at Chinese drones flying near the Kinmen Islands -- a first for Taipei in this context. Amid mounting pressure from Beijing, Taiwan's government proposed Aug. 25 a record defense budget of 586.3 billion New Taiwan dollars ($19.3 billion) for 2023, a 13.9% increase from this year.

TAIPEI (REUTERS) - Taiwan raised its Covid-19 alert level on Saturday (May 15) for the capital, Taipei, and New Taipei City, ushering in a two-week clampdown on gatherings as well as the closure of many venues, while announcing 180 new domestic infections. Separately, major universities in northern Taiwan are shifting to online learning and some museums will shut as the island grapples with a rare spike in domestic Covid-19 infections, taking urgent measures to stop the spread. The new rules will not mean offices, schools or restaurants have to close, but will cause the shutdown of cinemas and other entertainment spots, while limiting family get-togethers to five people indoors and 10 outdoors. Taipei’s government has already ordered bars, nightclubs and similar venues to shut. Since the pandemic began, Taiwan has reported fewer than 1,500 cases among a population of about 24 million, most of them imported from abroad, but a recent rise in community transmissions has spooked residents. The island has never gone into a full lockdown and its people are used to life carrying on near normal, despite the pandemic ranging in many other parts of the world. Although Taiwan has just 1,290 cases, most of them imported from abroad, among a population of about 24 million, a recent small rise in community transmissions has spooked residents used to life carrying on as normal, despite the global pandemic. Late on Friday, several universities, including the elite National Taiwan University, said they would immediately switch to remote learning, telling students to stay away from campuses. "As Covid-19 is still wreaking havoc, please be reminded to wear a mask at all times when you go out, wash hands frequently, and keep appropriate social distancing," National Taiwan University said in a statement. The Taipei Fine Arts Museum, where people have queued for a hugely popular exhibition by Japanese artist Shiota Chiharu opened this month, said it would close from Saturday to comply with the city's prevention rules. "The re-opening date will be announced according to the epidemic situation and city regulations," it said. Taipei's National Palace Museum, home to one of the world's best and most extensive collections of Chinese art, said it too would close from Saturday. The current cluster of infections has centred on the north and Taipei, but cases have also cropped up elsewhere, such as the major southern port city of Kaohsiung. Its mayor, Chen Chi-mai, said authorities would disinfect wide range of public spaces, including the night markets that are usually a big draw for hungry tourists. https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/taiwan-universities-shift-online-museums-shut-in-battle-with-covid-19

I find taiwanese car products to be inferior or a knock off of something established. My friend has a 4 Piston D1 Spec brake caliper. He recently got ripped off the the local dealer of D1 Spec products when he had to change his brake pads. 300 bucks for supposedly good quality D1 Spec pads. That's just nonsense. I decided to get him to remove the brake pads and get it measured. I searched the internet high and low for pads that would meet those measurements. Turns out that you can use brake pads meant for Brembo Calipers. You can easily get original brembo pads for that application for less than 100 sgd if you order it online. Heck you can even get dixcel pads for around 170 sgd if you prefer that brand. Don't believe that you cannot use anything other than D1 Spec Brake pads in a D1 Spec Brake Caliper. Most of these taiwanese brake companies copy the design from other established brake companies. If you own a D1 Spec BBK, please note that you have options when it comes to what brake pads. You just need to measure your existing brake pads and use the internet to search. The dealer of D1 spec BBK will definitely say you cannot use anything other than their pad so that they can hold you ransom. But f**k them!

https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Dalai-Lama-says-China-can-learn-a-lot-from-Taiwan?utm_campaign=GL_asia_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_source=NA_newsletter&utm_content=article_link&del_type=1&pub_date=20211110190000&seq_num=14&si=44594 Dalai Lama says China can learn a lot from Taiwan Relations between Beijing and Taipei 'delicate,' spiritual leader says Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama speaks from his home in India during an online press conference on Wednesday. (Screenshot from FCCJ Youtube) ANDREW SHARP, Nikkei Asia deputy politics and economics editorNovember 10, 2021 16:50 JST TOKYO -- The Dalai Lama said that China can learn a lot from Taiwan and described relations between Beijing and Taipei as "delicate." Speaking in a sometimes rambling online press conference to the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan, the Buddhist monk mostly discussed spiritual matters but was steered by questions into political affairs. When asked if Taiwan could become the next Tibet -- a Chinese territory since 1951 -- the 86-year-old said that the democratic island has a lot that China can learn from. "I really find that the true Chinese heritage and traditions are in Taiwan. Taiwan has kept a 1,000-year-old Chinese tradition and culture," he said from his home in Dharamsala, India. "Economically, Taiwan gets a lot of help from Mainland China. But Chinese culture, including Buddhism, many Chinese brothers and sisters can learn a lot from Taiwanese brothers and sisters." "I really pray that Taiwan and mainland China are unified peacefully," he said, without clarifying whether that should be under the government in Beijing or Taipei. Tensions across the Taiwan Strait have grown increasingly fraught since President Tsai Ing-wen came to power in 2016. Beijing frequently flies warplanes near the island, and Taiwan's defense minister recently warned that China already has the ability to invade and will be capable of mounting a "full scale" invasion by 2025. The Dalai Lama said he had no plans to visit Taiwan. "The relations between Taiwan and China are quite delicate. I don't want to cause local political difficulties," he said. "I can communicate with people in Taiwan like I am talking to you now [online]." The Dalai Lama has lived in exile in northern India since he fled his Chinese-ruled homeland in 1959. China considers him a separatist even though he long ago abandoned the goal of Tibetan independence in favor of it gaining greater autonomy. At least 130,000 Tibetans live in exile, including 85,000 in India. But most of the world's 6 million Tibetans live in the autonomous Tibetan region of western China and regard the Dalai Lama as their spiritual leader. Asked if he wanted to return to Tibet one day, the Dalai Lama said he is happy to remain in exile in India. "I'm very happy in India. We see snow mountains, lakes, forests. I love this place," he said. "India has complete freedom and religious harmony... The followers of all religious traditions exist in India. It has very good harmony." His word could be interpreted that the Dalai Lama wants Indian government of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party to continue supporting Tibetan refugees. New Delhi has been offering citizenship to Tibetans in India instead of abandoning refugee status. In 2017, at the behest of the Indian government, the Tibetan government-in-exile changed the English name for its political leader from "prime minister" to "president." The Dalai Lama said he was willing to travel to Beijing to meet with Chinese leaders including President Xi Jinping. "China itself is changing," he said. "[Chinese leaders] are sometimes too extreme. They try to control [people]." On spiritual matters, the Dalai Lama said "religion is too politicized, that's a problem." "Your enemy is your best teacher. With an enemy, you can practice patience. That is one of the important factors for peace of mind," he said. "Tibetans generally have a peaceful mind. Inside Tibet also, you can see they are very faithful and often have a smiling face."

Going to Taiwan next week for free & easy. Identified 2 cities to go, Taipei and Tainan. Other cities visit next year. Apart from the norm (night markets, temples, sceneries, 101 & shopping) anything exciting in Taipei or Tainan not mention in tour companies itineraries. Thanks.

After yakun whats their next target? Capitaland? DBS? SQ? JJ lin? 😂 https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/chinese-netizens-flame-ya-kun-kaya-toast-for-listing-taiwan-as-a-country?utm_campaign=stfb&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR3EymBW92Qrx_HXoVUykG_2xVrq5YYIReFNxbGZaPaMlOCQOsW3MybjTpM “ BEIJING - China's cyber warriors - known infamously as Little Pinks - have targeted Singapore coffee-and-toast chain Ya Kun Kaya Toast for listing Taiwan as a country in its promotional material. The attacks quickly gained traction on Chinese social media platform Weibo on Wednesday (Oct 20) after a news outlet posted a clip showing a promotional video played at one of Ya Kun's outlets in the eastern Chinese city of Nanjing. In the Ya Kun video, a graphic showing the chain's international operations can be seen, and it lists Taiwan among 10 countries, including China, Japan, South Korea and Myanmar. The accompanying Chinese subtitles said: "Our over 40 retail stores in 10 countries overseas have all been warmly welcomed." Since news outlet btime.com released its news clip on Tuesday night, the hashtag - Singapore's food and beverage shop in Nanjing lists Taiwan as a country - has drawn more than 90 million views on Weibo. It has also sparked 2,500 discussions on the microblogging site. State media Beijing Radio and Television Station owns btime.com, which shares bite-sized videos online. Beijing considers Taiwan a renegade province and has punished corporations and chastised governments for referring to Taiwan as a country. In the 44-second news clip, which has attracted 3.9 million views, btime.com interviewed a mall employee, who said that the shop has been closed for at least two days after the mall received notification that it had "inappropriate advertising". "We are awaiting instructions from the state on follow-up actions," the employee was heard saying in the clip. When reached by The Straits Times, Ya Kun branding and market development director Jesher Loi said that the chain is working with the authorities on the issue. He declined to comment further. A staff member at another of Ya Kun's outlets in Nanjing told The Straits Times that the one singled out in the news clip was closed, without elaborating. Ya Kun has 16 outlets in China in cities such as Guangzhou, Chengdu and Hangzhou, according to online marketplace Anxingjiameng. A search on Ya Kun's website returned an error message after clicking on its overseas locations tab. Netizens called for Ya Kun's closure, and urged Chinese consumers not to patronise businesses that promote "Taiwan separatism". "Ya Kun doesn't even have basic respect for China's sovereignty, but still wants to make money off Chinese citizens? Classic case of breaking the bowl after eating the rice!" user Fengmintianxia said, referring to a Chinese proverb. Singaporean singer Stefanie Sun was also dragged into the fray, with some Little Pinks accusing her of having made comments referring to Taiwan as a country in the past. In an interview, Ms Sun was asked to list the places where she had held concerts, and she said: "Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong and China". The Little Pinks felt that she should have used "nei di" (mainland) instead of "zhong guo" (China) when referring to China. In 2018, Japanese retailer Muji was fined 200,000 yuan (S$42,077) in Shanghai for using packaging that listed Taiwan as a country. Swedish furniture giant Ikea also came under fire that year for listing Taiwan and Hong Kong separately from China on its packaging. Netizens felt that Ikea should have used "China-Hong Kong" and "China-Taiwan" instead, of Hong Kong and Taiwan. The controversy died down later. American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines were made to remove references to Taiwan as a separate country on their websites after the Civil Aviation Administration of China demanded the changes.

Poor folks, hope those alive get rescued. they are in deformed train carriages stuck inside the tunnel. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/taiwan-train-carrying-350-people-derails-truck-rescue-tunnel-14543694

the bully has replied. https://www.straitstimes.com/life/entertainment/actor-patrick-lee-hits-back-at-bullying-allegations-by-co-star-elvin-ng?utm_campaign=stfb&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR2p_jRwO2Q78JW3JAkg7Jz23D9HOMWlHtXlejYhTJF6LbIgrOmaAw77bns

TAIPEI: A Taiwanese air force pilot was killed and another was missing on Monday (Mar 22) after their fighter jets disappeared in a suspected mid-air collision off the island's southern coast, officials said. The two F-5E jets disappeared from radar around 3pm (0700 GMT) around 2.6km off the coast of rural Pingtung county, the National Rescue Command Centre said. They were among four F-5Es that took off around 30 minutes earlier for a routine training mission, the centre said, adding helicopters and coastguard ships had joined the search. One of the pilots was found unconscious in the sea but could not be resuscitated and was pronounced dead at hospital. Rescuers were still searching for the remaining pilot. Police confirmed they found a seat with parachute attached on a local highway. The apparent collision was the third such incident in the past half year, at a time when the Beijing-claimed island's armed forced are under increasing pressure to intercept Chinese aircraft on an almost daily basis. While Taiwan's air force is well-trained and well-equipped, mostly with US-made equipment, it is dwarfed by China's. Beijing views the democratic island as its own territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under Chinese control. The official Central News Agency said the air force had now grounded the F-5 fleet that operates from the Chihhang air base, where the aircraft are based. The US-built F-5 fighters first entered service in Taiwan in the late 1970s and have been mostly been retired from front-line activities, though some are still used for training and as a back-up for the main fleet. Another F-5 crashed in October, killing the pilot. The following month a much more modern F-16 crashed off Taiwan's east coast, whose pilot also died. In January of last year, Taiwan's top military official was among eight people killed after a helicopter carrying them to visit soldiers crashed in a mountainous area near the capital Taipei. The incidents have raised concern about both training and maintenance, but also the pressure the air force is under to respond to repeated Chinese flights near the island. Taiwan's Defence Ministry has warned Chinese aircraft, including drones, are flying repeatedly in Taiwan's air defence identification zone, seeking to wear out Taiwan's air force.

Taiwan reports first locally transmitted coronavirus case since April source: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/taiwan-reports-first-locally-transmitted-coronavirus-case-since-april TAIPEI (REUTERS, BLOOMBERG) - Taiwan's government on Tuesday (Dec 22) reported its first locally transmitted case of Covid-19 since April 12. The individual who tested positive for Covid-19 was a friend of a person who had already been confirmed to have been infected with the virus, Health Minister Chen Shih-chung told a news conference. The announcement ends what was the world's longest stretch without a domestic infection and providing a reminder of the virus's ability to outfox even the most successful efforts to contain it. The re-emergence of a local outbreak threatens to derail one of the standout success stories in the global fight against the pandemic. Taiwan has managed to keep its total number of cases to 766, with just seven deaths, through a combination of restricting travel into the island early in the outbreak and implementing a strict quarantine and contact tracing strategy. Taiwan currently holds the No. 2 spot in Bloomberg's Covid Resilience Ranking, a measure of the best places to be in the Covid-19 era. The continued spread of the coronavirus worldwide, however, has meant Taiwan's authorities have had to remain on their guard. Since the last case of domestic transmission in April, more than 300 cases have been brought in by people returning from overseas.

Breakfast was not bad, had chunky red snapper porridge for main course but started with some fruits and a fritter So my trip will be starting from the south of Taiwan in the city of Kaohsiung then will move to Taipei Friday evening. So, when I arrive at Taoyuan Airport (near to Taipei) I have to take their High Speed Rail (HSR) to the Kaohsiung in the south. But before that I need to get to the Taoyuan HSR Station, by bus Follow the sign to go to the bus station at B1 level, just outside the glass door go to number 12 kiosk for bus number 705 and pay just $30 Inside the bus Train ticket $1,980 (non-reserve seat cost $1290, standard reserve seat costs $1330) from Taoyuan station to Zuoying Station (this is the name of the HSR station for Kaohsiung) Here comes the train https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vKVaVpHMl0 Inside the train