Category: News

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Taiwan’s National Central Library and the British Library Signed an MOU

Taiwan, UK national libraries ink academic cooperation pact

Tseng Shu-hsien (right), director general of Taiwan’s National Central Library, and British Library Chief Executive Roly Keating display the memorandum of understanding on academic cooperation Jan. 13 during a virtual signing ceremony. (Courtesy of NCL)

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Taiwan’s National Central Library and the British Library inked a memorandum of understanding on academic cooperation Jan. 13, spotlighting government efforts to boost bilateral cultural exchanges, according to the NCL.

Overseen by Kelly Wu-chiao Hsieh, head of Taipei Representative Office in the U.K., and British Office Taipei Rep. John Dennis, the signing was completed by NCL Director General Tseng Shu-hsien and BL Chief Executive Roly Keating. The three-year agreement lays the foundations for collaboration on issues like digitization of Chinese collections, joint research and exhibitions, and staging seminars and workshops on restoration.

Hsieh, who described the pact as a strong step forward in Taiwan-U.K. relations, said it will also play a key role in raising the country’s profile among members of the international academic community.

Echoing Hsieh’s remarks, Dennis praised the NCL’s abundant classic Chinese book collections and said he was glad that such a development was unimpeded by the pandemic.

According to Tseng, the wide-ranging agreement springboards off successful cooperation between the facilities in 2013 and 2015. It further demonstrates the value of Taiwan’s soft power as an effective way of expanding resource sharing for academics from both sides, she said.

In response, Keating said there is widespread anticipation regarding the effectiveness and potential applications of two-way projects set to take place under the pact.

Established in 1933, NCL features diverse collections of Chinese books and abundant resources for related studies. Organizational objectives include conserving important cultural assets, facilitating scholarly communication and supporting Taiwan libraries in growing global exchanges. (YCH-E)

Source: Taiwan Today

 

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Offshore Wind: a UK-Taiwanese success story

In recent years Taiwan has also been a pioneering leader in the field of green energy and as an island, much like the UK, offshore wind has been a big focus of that push. Similarly to the UK Government, the Taiwanese Government is committed to a transition to green energy.

In this paper, the British-Taiwanese APPG highlights the significant achievements that have already been delivered. But there is scope for closer cooperation in this and other sectors too and the APPG urges the British Government to do the right thing and work closer with Taiwan on these issues, starting by extending a full invite to Taiwan to participate in the COP26 Conference in Glasgow this November.

As the offshore wind space shows, closer relations between the UK and Taiwan are beneficial for both of these island nations. Furthermore, those benefits also extend to the wider world.

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Taiwan Brings a Trendy Look to Rush Weaving at London Craft Week

The traditional craft of Taiwanese rush weaving is set to feature at this year’s London Craft Week 2021, with the exhibition Lines of Possibilities: Taiwanese Rush Weaving. Supported by the Ministry of Culture, Taiwan, and created in collaboration with the Taiwan Yuan-Li Handiwork Association, the exhibition will mark the fifth year Taiwan has participated at the festival. The exhibition will run from the 30th September to 10th October, giving UK audiences the chance to experience the centuries-old craft at London’s iconic gallery@oxo.

Taiwan’s particular strain of cyperus malaccensis is unique to the island. Famous for its triangular shape and firm texture, the plant provides greater variety in pattern design, giving rush-woven products a distinctive look and a higher quality. Taiwan’s indigenous Taukat people began weaving this rush plant into high quality mats to sit on during the mid-eighteenth century. Soon spreading amongst local Hakka and Minnan ethnic groups, centuries of interdependence and integration, from dynastic times to the Japanese Empire and now the modern day, have made Taiwanese rush weaving a unique multicultural craftsmanship.

Lines of Possibilities: Taiwanese Rush Weaving will be presented in a hybrid format, with the physical exhibition being accompanied by an online viewing room (https://www.linesofpossibilities.com), showing off a variety of products from the modern rush weaving industry. The online viewing room also presents a short documentary on the development of the rush weaving industry in the small town of Yuanli, Miaoli, drawing on the personal experiences of the town’s craftspeople. The exhibition will also give the British public the opportunity to learn the basics of rush weaving themselves, with interactive workshops running on the 2nd and 9th October between 14:00 and 15:00.

“The exhibition isn’t just about presenting Taiwanese craftsmanship,” noted Dr. Chen Pin-Chuan, Director of the Cultural Division at the Taipei Representative Office in the UK, “it’s about finding similarities and noting differences in Taiwanese and British culture. Both island nations have a tradition of plant weaving and basketry – so this exhibition presents an opportunity to further explore what our countries have in common, and foster interest in each other’s craft industries.”

London Craft Week is one of the largest annual festivals celebrating craft, attracting established and emerging makers, designers, brand and galleries from around the world. Now in its seventh year, the festival will feature more than 300 events, exhibitions, workshops and forums, creating a spiritual feast for lovers of craft. With authenticity at the heart of London Craft Week, Lines of Possibilities: Taiwanese Rush Weaving is set to present the island nation’s creativity and craftsmanship on the international stage.

 

 

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Question / CPTPP

03 September 2020

Volume 679

Chris Green (Bolton West) (Con)

What recent discussions she has had with her international counterparts on the UK joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. [905349]

Mrs Heather Wheeler (South Derbyshire) (Con)

What recent discussions she has had with her international counterparts on the UK joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. [905364]

The Minister for Trade Policy (Greg Hands) 
We have taken strong steps towards joining the CPTPP through engaging with all 11 member countries on UK accession to the CPTPP. In July, my right hon. Friend the Secretary ​of State chaired an event with all CPTPP Heads of Mission in London, and next week she will join a CPTPP meeting chaired by Mexico.

[…]

Mrs Wheeler
I thank my right hon. Friend for his answers so far. Next door to the CPTPP grouping area is Taiwan. Could the Minister provide an update on the UK’s trade relationship with Taiwan?

Greg Hands
I thank my hon. Friend for that question. I take a very strong interest in our superb bilateral trade relationship with Taiwan, which has actually provided a lot of assistance to the United Kingdom during the pandemic. This autumn we will hold our annual trade talks with my Taiwanese counterpart, with whom I first engaged in such talks in 2016.

Like us, Taiwan, through its membership of the World Trade Organisation, is committed to the same values of free trade and free markets as we are, and we look forward to deepening our relationship with Taiwan in the coming trade talks.

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Taiwan APPG expresses condolences at passing of Taiwan’s former President Lee Teng-hui

Please read our letter of condolence for the sad passing of Taiwan’s former President Lee Teng-hui, signed by Co-Chairs Lord Rogan and Martin Vickers MP

 

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31 July 2020

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing away of Dr LEE, Teng-Hui, former President of Taiwan, on 30 July 2020 in Taipei. We, as Co-Chairs of the British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group, would like to express our most sincere condolences and sympathy on behalf of our parliamentary colleagues, to the government and people of Taiwan.

Late President Lee made important contributions to Taiwan’s vibrant democracy, freedom of speech, and protection of human rights, which are the shared values between Taiwan and the UK today. His passing is truly a great loss to Taiwan and beyond.


Lord Rogan, Co-Chair       Martin Vickers MP, Co-Chair

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Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Taiwan Lord Richard Faulkner and Trade Policy Minister Greg Hands talked with Taiwan Economy Minister via video call

Downing Street Trade Envoy to Taiwan Lord Richard Faulkner and Minister of State for Trade Policy Greg Hands MP engaged with Taiwan Economy Minister Wang Mei-hua in a three-way video call.

Greg Hands MP thanked Minister Wang Mei-hua for Taiwan’s PPE donation to the UK during the call, where the matters of British lamb, renewable energy and the Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) were also discussed.

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Question / Taiwan: Interpol

Q Asked by Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes)
Asked on: 12 May 2020

Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Taiwan: Interpol / 46032

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make it his policy to support the (a) granting of observer status to Taiwan at the 89th INTERPOL General Assembly and (b) attendance of Taiwan in that organisation’s (i) meetings, (ii) mechanisms and (iii) activities.

A Answered by: Nigel Adams
Answered on: 22 May 2020

The UK’s longstanding policy on Taiwan and international organisations has not changed. The British Government continues to hold the view that the people of Taiwan have a meaningful contribution to make towards global issues such as combatting organised crime. We therefore support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organisations, such as INTERPOL, where there is precedent for their involvement, where they can contribute to the global good and where there is no pre-requisite of nationhood for participation. The UK has not made any representations on Taiwan’s observer status at INTERPOL this year but will work with international partners on this issue.

 

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Question / Taiwan: Interpol

Q Asked by Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes)
Asked on: 12 May 2020

Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Taiwan: Interpol / 46033

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to member states of INTERPOL to (a) grant observer status to Taiwan at the 89th General Assembly of INTERPOL, and (b) enable Taiwan to have access to that organisation’s I-24/7 Global Police Communications System and key training programmes.

A Answered by: Nigel Adams
Answered on: 22 May 2020

The UK’s longstanding policy on Taiwan and international organisations has not changed. The British Government continues to hold the view that the people of Taiwan have a meaningful contribution to make towards global issues such as combatting organised crime. We therefore support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organisations, such as INTERPOL, where there is precedent for their involvement, where they can contribute to the global good and where there is no pre-requisite of nationhood for participation. The UK has not made any representations on Taiwan’s observer status at INTERPOL this year but will work with international partners on this issue.

 

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Martin Vickers MP: Why Taiwan’s success has become a problem for WHO

Please read our Co-Chair Martin Vickers MP’s article published on “Comment Central“.

Taiwan first notified the WHO of Covid-19 on 31 December 2019, but regrettably the WHO chose to respond by publicly dismissing these concerns. Instead the WHO has chosen to accept, with no scrutiny or criticism, the word of the Chinese government, argues Martin Vickers MP

As the coronavirus gripped the world, closing all but essential services, separating citizens from their loved ones and changing our way of life in a way few would have previously imagined, one shining light defied the new world order. To date, Taiwan has contained the outbreak to just 428 confirmed cases and six deaths. As such, the Taiwanese people are largely able to carry on with their lives as normal. This is even more amazing if you consider the country’s links, through trade, economic activity and geography, with China.

Learning from the SARS outbreak in 2003, Taiwan knew that swift action was the key. Long before COVID-19 was a matter of public consciousness in the western world, Taiwan was putting in place measures to protect itself and its citizens. The screening of Chinese citizens entering the country began immediately followed by a complete border closure to anyone who had been in China as the situation developed. For its citizens, strict quarantine measures were introduced, production and distribution of PPE was ramped up and every effort to trace the flow of contact was made.

Taiwan benefits from a world-leading healthcare system. Just as in the United Kingdom, coverage is universal, but rather than being entirely taxpayer funded, the system revolves around a national health insurance plan, run by the government, covering everybody. The system has endured for 25 years and has public support over 80 percent. About 1 percent of its funding is spent on administration, compared to the NHS which spends £8 billion of its £100 billion budget. As the earliest signs of coronavirus began to emerge, officials at Taiwan’s National Health Command Centre began taking action to respond to the potential threat.

Sadly, the efforts being made were not fully appreciated at the time. Taiwan first notified the World Health Organisation (WHO) of the virus on 31 December 2019, specifically in relation to its concern regarding for potential for human-to-human transmission. But, regrettably, Taiwan are not members of the WHO and they chose to respond by publicly dismissing these concerns. Instead the WHO has chosen to accept, with no scrutiny or criticism, the word of the Chinese government.

Despite this, Taiwan is now outperforming the rest of the world and this will only advantage them more in the long run. It has been estimated that the economic cost of a one-month lockdown is a 3 percent contraction of full year GDP. Whilst the rest of the world is going to have to take tough economic decisions to bring their finances back on track after the pandemic passes, Taiwan will find itself in a very fortunate position.

This small but determined country has now refocussed its efforts to helping the rest of the world deal with the crisis. They are currently distributing 10 million facemasks globally, with a delivery arriving in London last week for use by the brave medical staff providing frontline care through the National Health Service.

Clearly, the middle of a global pandemic is not an appropriate time for an inquiry. However, once the worst is over and the world has returned to something resembling normality it will be imperative that answers are given to some of the burning questions that, arguably, should have been asked a long time ago. It is disappointing that it took such an extreme event to raise these questions but now they are being asked, it is essential that the opportunity to resolve them is not missed.

Taiwan is now a model. Economists around the world are studying the country’s handling of the greatest pandemic of a generation in order to determine how to avoid similar events happening in future. The WHO must acknowledge the legitimate and independent place of Taiwan in dealing with international health matters.