Taiwanderful - Taiwan Travel n Culture Guide aggregator

Google news - Taiwan: Taiwan LCD giant plans big China factory as rules ease - BusinessWeek

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:45:12 -0500

Taiwan LCD giant plans big China factory as rules ease
BusinessWeek
AU Optronics became the first major Taiwanese LCD screen maker to apply to the Taiwan government to build an advanced LCD factory in China ...
Taiwan to seek tax-free status for LCD panels in China talks Reuters
Taiwan's AU Optronics to build three bln dlr China plant AFP
AU Optronics wants to build LCDs in China Tech Eye
Digitimes - Trading Markets (press release)
all 66 news articles »

Google news - Taiwan: HTC Launches the HTC HD mini in Taiwan - MobileTechReview.com

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:01:53 -0500

SlashGear (blog)

HTC Launches the HTC HD mini in Taiwan
MobileTechReview.com
HTC today launched the HTC HD mini Windows Mobile 6.5 smartphone in Taiwan. The device will go on sale in early April for 15900 TWD. ...
HTC Touch Pro3 to Land in Summer Softpedia

all 38 news articles »

Google news - Taiwan: Tibetans Rally in Taipei, Taiwan for Uprising Anniversary - NTDTV

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:58:35 -0500

India Talkies

Tibetans Rally in Taipei, Taiwan for Uprising Anniversary
NTDTV
In Taiwan, hundreds of Tibetans and their supporters commemorated the second anniversary of the Lhasa Uprising in 2008. Tibet supporters gathered at Taipei ...
Tibetan National Uprising Day rally in Taipei, Taiwan Demotix

all 36 news articles »

Google news - Taiwan: Taiwan says it won't loan half of famous painting to China - AFP

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:30:46 -0500

CNBC

Taiwan says it won't loan half of famous painting to China
AFP
TAIPEI — Taiwan's national museum on Monday said it would not lend its half of a famous ancient painting to China for an exhibition because it feared it ...
Historic China-Taiwan Economic Pact Ahead Forbes
Taiwan stocks fall, Hon Hai leads tech lower on outlook woes Reuters
China CAAC vice minister arrives in Taiwan for seminar eTaiwan News
China Daily - Reuters India - Alibaba News Channel
all 71 news articles »

Google news - Taiwan: Taiwan to seek tax-free status for LCD panels in China talks - Reuters

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:25:09 -0500

SAMAA TV

Taiwan to seek tax-free status for LCD panels in China talks
Reuters
TAIPEI, March 15 (Reuters) - Taiwan will seek duty-free status for LCD panel exporters under a proposed economic cooperation framework agreement with China, ...
Taiwan LCD Giant Plans Big China Factory as Rules Ease PC World
Taiwan's AU Optronics to build three bln dlr China plant AFP
AU Optronics Applies to Set Up First China LCD Plant BusinessWeek
Tech Eye - Digitimes - Trading Markets (press release)
all 64 news articles »

Google news - Taiwan: Taiwan won't loan half of painting - Straits Times

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:14:33 -0500

Focus Taiwan News Channel

Taiwan won't loan half of painting
Straits Times
TAIPEI - TAIWAN'S national museum on Monday said it would not lend its half of a famous ancient painting to China for an exhibition because it feared it ...
Historic China-Taiwan Economic Pact Ahead Forbes
Taiwan stocks fall, Hon Hai leads tech lower on outlook woes Reuters
Mainland, Taiwan weigh up benefits of economic pact China Daily
Reuters India - AFP - eTaiwan News
all 64 news articles »

Google news - Taiwan: Taiwan students show high enthusiasm despite UN exclusion - Focus Taiwan News Channel

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:21:15 -0500

Focus Taiwan News Channel

Taiwan students show high enthusiasm despite UN exclusion
Focus Taiwan News Channel
Taipei, March 15 (CNA) Taiwan's exclusion from the United Nations has not diminished Taiwanese students' interest in world affairs as they eagerly joined ...
World Model UN Conference kicks off in Taipei Radio Taiwan International
Mock UN conference opens in Taipei Focus Taiwan News Channel
NTU job fair offers 8000 openings Focus Taiwan News Channel

all 9 news articles »

Google news - Taiwan: Newport Digital Technologies, Inc. Announces the Appointment of Steve Ruey ... - MarketWatch (press release)

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 08:12:00 -0500

Newport Digital Technologies, Inc. Announces the Appointment of Steve Ruey ...
MarketWatch (press release)
Many of these solutions have been successfully developed and implemented in Taiwan through NPDT's technology partners, the Industrial Technology Research ...

and more »

Google news - Taiwan: Newport Digital Technologies, Inc. Announces the Appointment of Steve Ruey ... - MarketWatch (press release)

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 08:12:00 -0500

Google news - Taiwan: Newport Digital Technologies, Inc. Announces the Appointment of Steve Ruey ... - MarketWatch (press release)

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 08:12:00 -0500

Google news - Taiwan: Newport Digital Technologies, Inc. Announces the Appointment of Steve Ruey ... - MarketWatch (press release)

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 08:12:00 -0500

Google news - Taiwan: Gas Utilities In Taiwan - New Market Report Published - OfficialWire (press release)

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 07:46:10 -0500

Gas Utilities In Taiwan - New Market Report Published
OfficialWire (press release)
by Press Office The Gas Utilities in Taiwan industry profile is an essential resource for top-level data and analysis covering the Gas Utilities industry. ...

and more »

Google news - Taiwan: INTERVIEW - Taiwan ruling party to take more time over China pact - Reuters India

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 07:08:15 -0500

Focus Taiwan News Channel

INTERVIEW - Taiwan ruling party to take more time over China pact
Reuters India
TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan's ruling party has no timeline to complete a controversial trade pact with China that has buoyed its $390 ...
Historic China-Taiwan Economic Pact Ahead Forbes
Taiwan stocks fall, Hon Hai leads tech lower on outlook woes Reuters
Taiwan eyes 30 percent stake in China banks: report AFP
eTaiwan News - Alibaba News Channel - CRIENGLISH.com
all 53 news articles »

Google news - Taiwan: Taiwan Central Bank: Strong Taiwan Dollar To Ease Imported Inflationary Pressure - Wall Street Journal

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 06:56:34 -0500

Taiwan Central Bank: Strong Taiwan Dollar To Ease Imported Inflationary Pressure
Wall Street Journal
TAIPEI (Dow Jones)--Taiwan has been facing growing imported inflationary pressure since the beginning of this year, but a stronger New Taiwan dollar will ...
Taiwan c.bank: stronger T$ to ease inflationary pressure Interactive Investor

all 3 news articles »

Google news - Taiwan: Taiwan Stock Exchange Submits Study To Relax Stock Trading Limit - NASDAQ

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 06:16:42 -0500

Taiwan Stock Exchange Submits Study To Relax Stock Trading Limit
NASDAQ
TAIPEI -(Dow Jones)- Taiwan Stock Exchange Corp. has submitted a study to the island's financial regulator on extending the bourse's daily trading limit to ...

and more »

David's recommended Taiwan: Ghosts and Angels on the Beautiful Island

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 05:34:37 -0500

Photograph courtesy of fishtail@taipei on Flickr

When I woke up around nine that Sunday morning my cell phone showed that I had 33 missed calls. It rang again in my hand. It was the head teacher from the school I worked at. “We’re at the hospital.” She told me. “Jana was hit by a bus.” On the way to the hospital I zipped and dodged through the heavy Sunday traffic on my motorcycle. The scents of sewage, fried food, and exhaust alternately wafted into my helmet. Westerners find driving in Taiwan, like in most Asian countries, to be lawless and chaotic. Cars pull slowly out in front of you without looking. Taxicabs whip by just inches from your shoulder. People drive without helmets, run red lights, and do u-turns on crowded thoroughfares as a matter of course. Driving in Taiwan, however, is not lawless; the laws are just different. There are two unspoken rules of the road: first, you’re responsible for not hitting the vehicles in front of you no matter what they do. Second, you can drive in front of anyone as long as you can force him to stop and let you by; driving in Taiwan is basically a game of chicken. The larger your vehicle is, the greater your advantage in the game.

Had Jana, driving her scooter, played chicken with a bus?

* * *

Taiwan is a sub-tropical island that straddles the tropic of Cancer. When Spanish explorers first visited Taiwan they named it Isla Formosa, the Beautiful Island. That doesn’t begin to describe it. The mountains are steep and foreboding and crisscrossed with smooth narrow gorges carved out by rivers. The mostly uninhabited East coast is a visual splendor where the mountains plunge into the Pacific Ocean, the last land until Mexico. The beaches in the West are fine white or beige sand and often flanked by coral. Most of the country, however, is covered with dense jungle.

Western lore, from Heart of Darkness to Lost, has portrayed the jungle as a mystical force, and the cultures around them as haunted and bloodthirsty. It’s worth noting that several Taiwanese aboriginal tribes were fearsome tattoo covered headhunters. I’ve even heard rumors of tombs of skulls still hidden in the jungle, their location known only to a few elderly aboriginals.

Most Taiwanese people now, though, are of Chinese descent and adhere to a unique polytheistic mixture of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and local superstition. Colorful temples can be found on most city blocks and are dedicated to one of the many Confucian gods. Almost everybody in Taiwan believes in ghosts. Taiwanese people regularly burn ghost money and set out offerings marked by incense to provide for the ghosts of their dead ancestors in the afterlife. A religious medium called Ji Tom in Chinese (or, more commonly, Tang Ki in the Taiwanese dialect) will enter a trance during a religious procession, become possessed by a god, and flagellate himself with long knives and maces until he’s dripping with blood. There are also higher-level mediums that don’t flagellate themselves. They channel gods and ghosts so that the living may speak with them. Most of the older generation believes strongly in this system and well-known mediums are paid exorbitant sums for their services.

* * *

I’ve never been religious. The opposite in fact; I have a degree in sociology. One event in Taiwan, however, made me question my skepticism. My girlfriend, Christine, had broken her toe very badly in a scooter accident. Her foot was swollen to nearly twice its normal size. We were walking (she on crutches) past a liquor store when the owner called us in. He told me in Chinese that he had seen a ghost following Christine. He wanted to help her. He didn’t want any money. He was a traditional doctor and was concerned about the ghost.

He took us to the back of his shop. There the walls there were lined with clear jars of dried herbs and roots. The doctor motioned for Christine to sit down on a stool. He waved his arms in the air making various Tai Chi-like motions for several minutes and then, suddenly, grabbed the back of Christine’s head with one hand, and pushed his other palm forcefully into her forehead letting out a sharp yell. He repeated this action several times.

Afterwards we thanked him. He told me that Christine needed to come back two more times before the end of ghost month (the month of the year when the fabric dividing our world and the ghosts’ is the most permeable) to complete the treatment. He also told me that the swelling in her foot would go down. We drove home joking about the doctor’s antics. However, within two hours Christine’s foot returned to it’s normal size. The swelling subsided so quickly that her skin was left loose and wrinkled like an oversized sock.

* * *

Jana died.

Jana had only worked at my school for about six months, yet my employer, a Taiwanese man named Daniel, and his niece Sarah who supervised the teachers, took responsibility for her. Daniel had Jana’s parents sign a form authorizing him to make legal decisions in Taiwan regarding the body. He oversaw her body’s removal from the hospital and subsequent storage. When he found out that Jana’s parents couldn’t afford to ship her body back to Eastern Canada for the funeral, rather than have it cremated, Daniel paid the very substantial cost of a refrigerated medical flight halfway around the world so that Jana’s parents could see their daughter one last time.

Taiwanese people believe very strongly in the sanctity of family.

Two weeks later Sarah confided in me. She’d been having strange dreams in which Jana had appeared. She thought that Jana’s ghost was lost in limbo, confused and unable find her way to the next world. I had known Jana much better than she. Sarah wanted to know, did I think this was possible?

Jana was often indecisive, I told her. Frightened and alone Jana could very possibly have gotten lost.

Sarah visited a medium. The medium helped Sarah to speak to Jana’s ghost. She told Jana’s ghost to follow her and vowed to visit Jana’s home in Nova Scotia to return her to her final resting place.

That was four years ago. Sarah hasn’t visited Canada yet because she hasn’t yet been able to afford the trip, but she hasn’t forgotten her promise. Sarah is going to be married this year. She and her husband will honeymoon in Ireland. But before they arrive in Ireland they’re going to fly 2,500 miles out of their way so that Sarah can shepherd Jana home.

This story is not a strange one. Every expatriate who has lived in Taiwan tells stories about the extreme kindness of the Taiwanese people. Although the Beautiful Island may be inhabited by ghosts, I’ve never been to a country where the national character was nearer to that of an angel.

Google news - Taiwan: Taiwan's AU Optronics to build three bln dlr China plant - PhysOrg.com

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 05:30:21 -0500

Taiwan's AU Optronics to build three bln dlr China plant
PhysOrg.com
AU Optronics, a leading Taiwanese flat screen manufacturer, said Monday it plans to spend three billion US dollars building a new plant in China as it looks ...
AU seeks Taiwan approval of new China LCD plant Reuters
Taiwan LCD Giant Plans Big China Factory as Rules Ease PC World
AU Optronics Applies to Set Up First China LCD Plant BusinessWeek
Tech Eye - Digitimes - Trading Markets (press release)
all 50 news articles »

David's recommended Taiwan: Unearthing Asia: A Tale of Four Cities – Issue 2 is Here!

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 04:54:50 -0500

Unearthing Asia is a popular Asian e-zine offering a glimpse into some of the most captivating regions in Asia. Our team of dedicated and passionate travel writers work hard to bring stunning photography and well-researched, informative articles on Asian attractions, cultures, and lifestyles to your door.

In these pages, we journey to some of Asia’s most vibrant urban landscapes: Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, Seoul, and Taiwan. We hope you’ll find the inspiration you need to take that vacation you’ve always dreamed of.

The second issue of Unearthing Asia magazine is available for free viewing online. The magazine is also available for purchase at bookstores in Singapore, Malaysia, and major cities in Indonesia.

Drop by and let us know what you think. We’d love to hear your comments and feedback.

Spotlight Taipei: Article and photography by Carrie Kellenberger. Pages 28-31.

Tasty Taiwan: Article by Carrie Kellenberger. Photos by Craig Ferguson. Pages 99-104

Unearthing Asia: A Tale of Four Cities – Issue 2 is Here! is a post from: My Several Worlds

Share and Enjoy:

Google news - Taiwan: Taiwan LCD Giant Plans Big China Factory as Rules Ease - PC World

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 04:00:49 -0500

Taiwan LCD Giant Plans Big China Factory as Rules Ease
PC World
AU Optronics became the first major Taiwanese LCD screen maker to apply to the Taiwan government to build an advanced LCD factory in China under regulations ...
AU seeks Taiwan approval of new China LCD plant Reuters
AU Optronics Applies to Set Up First China LCD Plant BusinessWeek
AUO Submitted Application to Establish Subsidiary in Kunshan, Jiangsu PR Newswire (press release)

all 31 news articles »

Google news - Taiwan: Taiwan DPP lashes out at China Premier talk of favorable ECFA treatment - eTaiwan News

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 03:55:39 -0500

Focus Taiwan News Channel

Taiwan DPP lashes out at China Premier talk of favorable ECFA treatment
eTaiwan News
TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's promise to give favorable treatment to Taiwan in negotiations over an Economic Cooperation Framework ...
Historic China-Taiwan Economic Pact Ahead Forbes
Taiwan stocks fall, Hon Hai leads tech lower on outlook woes Reuters
Taiwan eyes 30 percent stake in China banks: report AFP
Alibaba News Channel - Interactive Investor - Focus Taiwan News Channel
all 44 news articles »

Google news - Taiwan: US lawmakers attack China ahead of Nov. elections - The Associated Press

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 03:20:25 -0500

Telegraph.co.uk

US lawmakers attack China ahead of Nov. elections
The Associated Press
US-China ties are already battered following the recent announcement of a multibillion dollar US arms sale to Chinese rival Taiwan and a meeting between ...
Rising China Defies The West Huffington Post (blog)
China's Bad Bet Against America Korea Times
US responsible for bad ties, China says Press TV
Telegraph.co.uk
all 105 news articles »

Google news - Taiwan: Taiwan stocks fall 1.46 pct after China comments - Alibaba News Channel

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 02:27:37 -0500

Focus Taiwan News Channel

Taiwan stocks fall 1.46 pct after China comments
Alibaba News Channel
TAIPEI, March 15 - Taiwan stocks fell 1.46 percent on Monday to a one-week closing low, with Hon Hai Precision <2317.TW> and other exporters lower, ...
Historic China-Taiwan Economic Pact Ahead Forbes
Taiwan stocks fall, Hon Hai leads tech lower on outlook woes Reuters
Taiwan eyes 30 percent stake in China banks: report AFP
Interactive Investor - Focus Taiwan News Channel - China Post
all 42 news articles »

Google news - Taiwan: Dodgers pitchers shine in Taiwan finale - MLB.com

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 01:56:53 -0500

MLB.com

Dodgers pitchers shine in Taiwan finale
MLB.com
PHOENIX -- The Dodgers' 12 1/2-hour return flight from Taiwan landed in Phoenix early Sunday night with manager Joe Torre saying he ...

and more »

Google news - Taiwan: AU seeks Taiwan approval of new China LCD plant - Reuters

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 01:39:46 -0500

AU seeks Taiwan approval of new China LCD plant
Reuters
TAIPEI, March 15 (Reuters) - Taiwan's AU Optronics Corp (2409.TW), the world's No. 3 LCD maker, said on Monday it has applied to the Taiwan government for ...
Taiwan LCD Giant Plans Big China Factory as Rules Ease PC World
Taiwan's AU Optronics to build three bln dlr China plant PhysOrg.com
AU Optronics Applies to Set Up First China LCD Plant BusinessWeek
Tech Eye - Digitimes - Trading Markets (press release)
all 55 news articles »

Taiwan blog links: Daily Links, March 16, 2010

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 01:26:00 -0500

Drew flipped me this photo from China posted to a bike forum with the invitation to caption this photo. Good luck!

BLOGS

Peking Duck with an excellent post comparing brainwashing in China to the recent decision by the Texas School Board to brainwash its own students by omitting and distorting US history. When you legitimate your values via Transcendent Absolute, be it the Laws of History, God, Allah, or the State, the end result is always the urge to control the minds and bodies of others.What is your god but a claim to my mind?
Dixteel on the health care issue, says if Taipei City repays its debt, no fee raises for NHI will be necessary. Just another way in which the rest of the island subsidizes the lifestyle of those in Taipei.
David writes on Tears and Transitional Justice, reminding us that for all the debates about the death penalty, there is no debate whatsoever on how KMT officials and the associated torturers and murders of the martial law era are to be punished.
Photos of rally for Tibet.
Michael C with more pics of our trip to Laos.
1.3 billion people left sobbing: Dodgers prefer Taiwan to China.
Taiwan Airpower on the U2 training for Taiwan
Drew with an excellent piece on our saturday ride around Chingshui, an area rife with interesting local history. A little local knowledge really helps improve rides through urban areas. Drew also writes on his excellent local bike shop and gives advice on choosing your Taiwan bike.
May the Froth Be With You.
ESWN, always a great place to find T&A, has a post collecting information on the nude woman in Hualien who appeared in Google Drive-by.

MEDIA

Textbook example of how China uses the manufacture of "tensions" to attempt gain leverage over the US: China blames US for recent "tensions". Luckily it seems, from watching US officialdom, that the Obama Administration is slowly waking up to the reality of China, the demon summoned by US elites into the international system, which can neither be banished nor shoved back into its pentacle. China Matters argues that the Obama Administration is rolling back Chinese influence in Africa.
John Tkacik's remarks that ECFA is a bad idea draw return fire from KMT officials. Also in that article, DPP Chair Tsai Ing-wen observes that identification with Taiwan does not necessarily mean support for Taiwan nationalism. Interesting to see a public acknowledgment of that fact by a DPP leader.
The Taipei Times today prints another anti-science propaganda screed from Bjorn Lomborg, the Screwtape demon of denialism. Isn't it time to stop giving the corporate anti-science crowd a voice in Taiwan's most important newspaper? And no, I'm not giving a link to that poisonous crap. Instead, Climate Progress has a discussion of a new book about Lomborg.
Rising pay, labor shortages in China have Taiwan industry sourcing staff from Taiwan, or even moving back.
Ma promotes ECFA to farmers, saying no ag imports will be allowed. They are not needed; smuggling is already rife. There's a good story there, local journalists!
Criticism of government's plans to lower housing prices by massive infrastructure investments in Greater Taipei. Can someone explain to me how local improvements lower housing prices? "What? A park and metro going in next door? I think I'll drop the asking price on my house!"
"It was not very strange, then, that Wen juxtaposed an ECFA and peaceful unification on Friday last week, because one is a natural and necessary prerequisite for the other." Good commentary.
Central bank is monitoring hot money inflows.
Why China drags its feet on Iran. A CS Monitor piece that misses the key advantage China gets by inexpensively reinforcing America's crazed obsession with the Middle East, keeping it from a vigorous effort to confront China in Asia and elsewhere. Once again showing that Israel's most important occupied territory is American foreign policy debates.
Civic groups urge government to stop building reservoirs. Like health fees, water prices are too low, encouraging overuse. Building more dams conserves water use the way building more roads lowers vehicle use.
DPP candidate for Kaohsiung stupidly claims the DPP mayor of Kaohsiung had him under surveillance.
The Apple Daily argues, like a number of other publications, that elections are preventing progress in Taiwan.
The Smangus Three win the in Taiwan High Court. Good news for aborigines, says Wild at Heart
Taiwanese-American Goodwin Liu nominated for Ninth Circuit Court by Obama (Wiki).

UPCOMING BIKE RIDES AND HIKES:
If you want to come along, everyone is invited!

April 3-4 (tentative): Biking the East Coast Rift down 193
April 10-11: Reprise of recent ride in Nantou: from Shuili leaving at 10:00 AM to give Taipei residents time to join (take HSR/early train to Taichung, then local train to Shuili) to Hsitou the first day, second day to Shanlinhsi and then down to Linnei for train back to Taipei. Date moved up one week due to friend's wedding. Note to JM: time to unpack that Cannondale.
April 24-25: East Coast two day ride -- first day to Changbin, second day leave early to make afternoon train in Taitung and home via south link line and Kaohsiung HSR.
April 24: Drew is going on a Paris-Roubaix Tribute Ride. Taichung-Kaohsiung on Highway 17. 260km in one day.
Check Pashan for updates on their latest hikes.
As always, let me know if you are coming down to Taichung with a bike on the weekend. Although it appears that Taichung is located in a strange tesseract that has no direct connection to Taipei, for the denizens of Taipei appear quite unable to find it and often pass by without stopping.

EVENTS: Next meet up is the 20th, same time and place as always. Speaker is Pavel Suian Ph.D. Professor at Bogdan Voda Unviersity, Romania.Born in Transylvania, Romania, in 1940
Studies of law and international relations in Romania and Amsterdam University (Holland). Ph.D. in international relations.
Topic: Romania as it experienced Communism and later changed directions.
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[Taiwan] Don't miss the comments below! And check out my blog and its sidebars for events, links to previous posts and picture posts, and scores of links to other Taiwan blogs and forums!