Taipei Liaison Office in the RSA

SA-TAIWAN eNews MAY 27TH 2020 PUBLISHER: MATTHEW CHOU ISSUE 5

I feel immensely grateful to stand here once again today and take on the responsibility entrusted to me by the Taiwanese people. This inauguration ceremony is unique in the history of the Republic of China. What makes it special is not its size or the number of people in attendance. It is special because we know how difficult it has been for us to get to this point. I want to thank the people of Tai-wan for making such a difficult feat possible. I particularly want to thank a group of people who have not received a lot of attention over the past four months in our fight against COVID-19. I want to thank every single per-son who waited in line outside of the pharmacy in the early days of the coronavirus outbreak. Thank you for your patience, and thank you for trusting the government. You have shown the world Taiwan's commitment to civic virtues, even in times of greatest distress. I also want to thank everyone who was quarantined or isolated at home, putting up with inconven-ience in your daily life to keep oth-ers safe and healthy. Thank you for exemplifying humanity's best quali-ties and helping us successfully bring the coronavirus outbreak un-der control. This sense of pride in our country, this community's shared destiny, and the memories of these past months will live on in all of our hearts. This is what solidarity feels like.

Many ambassadors and representa-tives from other countries are here today, and I trust that many coun-tries around the world are watching Taiwan as well. I want to take this opportunity to tell you that the country you see is populated by kind and resilient peo-ple. No matter the difficulties we face, we can always count on our democracy, our solidarity, and our sense of responsibility towards each other to help us overcome chal-lenges, weather difficult times, and stand steadfast in the world.

The coronavirus has profoundly af-fected our world. It has changed the global political and economic order, accelerated and expanded the reor-ganization of global supply chains, restructured the global economy, and changed the way we live and shop. It has even changed the way the international community views Taiwan and developments in the surrounding region. These changes present us with both challenges and opportunities. I want to ask that my fellow citizens be prepared, because countless chal-lenges and difficulties remain ahead of us. Over the next four years, only those

who can end the pandemic within their borders, lay out a strategy for their country's survival and develop-ment, and take advantage of oppor-tunities in the complex world of tomorrow, will be able to set them-selves apart on the international stage. It takes more than fervor to govern a country. Leadership means calmly taking the right direction in a chang-ing world. That is precisely what I have done over the past four years. I said before that I will leave you with a better country. So over the next four years, I will proactively develop our industries, foster a safe society, ensure national security, and deepen our democracy. I am going to reinvent Taiwan and lead our country into the future.

I truly hope that all of my fellow citizens will remember how it felt to come together to overcome the challenges of the past few months. The Republic of China can be united. Taiwan can be safe. Being Taiwan-ese can be an honor that makes you hold your head high. My dear citizens, the path ahead of us is long, and we are about to be-gin a new chapter in Taiwan's story. Taiwan's story belongs to each and every one of us, and it needs each and every one of us. I ask that the 23 million people of Taiwan act as our guides and part-ners. Let us pool our wisdom and courage and make this country a better place together. Thank you.

Inaugural address of ROC 15th-term President Tsai Ing-wen

Full Article link: https://www.taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=2&post=177764&unitname=Politics-Top-News&postname=Inaugural-address-of-ROC-15th-term-President-Tsai-Ing-wen

Helping hand Miguel Li-jey Tsao (right), vice minister of foreign affairs, and Robert Seraki Matsebe, representative of the Liaison Office of South Africa in Taiwan, take part in a Taiwan Can Help mask donation ceremony May 26 in Taipei City. (MOFA)

Headline News Page 2 SA-TAIWAN ENEWS

ISSUE 5

MOFA thanks dignitaries for messages congratulating

President Tsai and VP Lai on inauguration

Messages of congratulations from

Taiwan’s allies and like-minded part-

ners around the world following the

May 20 inauguration of President

Tsai Ing-wen and Vice President La

Ching-te are sincerely appreciated by

the government and people, the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

According to the MOFA, as of May

20, a total of 263 dignitaries from 47

countries, territories and organiza-

tions, including the heads of state of

Taiwan’s 15 allies, have offered their

congratulations via letters, official

statements, social media posts and

video recordings.

Among those who sent messages

was U.S. Secretary of State Mike

Pompeo, who said Tsai’s “courage

and vision in leading Taiwan’s vibrant

democracy is an inspiration to the

region and the world.” He was joined

by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi,

Acting Senate President Chuck

Grassley and former VP Joe Biden in

offering well-wishes.

Lawmakers, officials and political fig-

ures from other like-minded coun-

tries were also among those to send

messages of congratulations, includ-

ing those from Australia, Austria,

Canada, Czech Republic, France, Ger-

many, India, Italy, Japan, Kuwait,

New Zealand, Singapore, South Ko-

rea, Sweden and the U.K., as well as

senior officials and parliamentarians

from the European Parliament and

Central American Integration System.

The MOFA said such supportive ges-

tures underscore the firm friendships

these nations and organizations

share with Taiwan. Moving forward,

the government will continue to

grow the country’s global stature by

strengthening existing partnerships

while also seeking new opportunities

for collaboration, the ministry added.

President Tsai voices solemn protest over Taiwan’s noninvitation to WHA

President Tsai Ing-wen expressed a

solemn protest yesterday against the

World Health Organization secre-

tariat’s decision not to invite Taiwan

to the May 18-19 virtual World

Health Assembly.

Tsai said Taiwan Can Help and is

helping countries around the world

combat the COVID-19 pandemic by

donating medical supplies and shar-

ing its disease-fighting experience.

Political considerations should not

override the human right to health,

and excluding the country from the

WHA is not in the common interests

of the international community, she

added.

Tsai made the remarks during a visit

to the Central Epidemic Command

Center in Taipei City where she paid

tribute to frontline staffers, inviting

them to attend the inauguration

ceremony for her second term as

ROC (Taiwan) president set for the

following day.

According to Tsai, Taiwan’s success

managing the coronavirus pandemic

has garnered worldwide attention,

with many countries including the

U.S. issuing statements of support.

Despite not receiving a WHA invite,

Taiwan will always strive for its right-

ful place in global affairs, she said,

adding the government will continue

to raise the country’s international

profile.

In a statement released the same

day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

thanked the country’s diplomatic

allies and like-minded partners for

speaking up for Taiwan during the

WHA.

One example was U.S. Secretary of

Health and Human Services Alex

Azar, who said the health of Taiwan’s

23 million people should never be

sacrificed for political point scoring.

Such unprecedented support under-

scores global recognition of Taiwan’s

bid for pragmatic and professional

engagement in the U.N. agency, the

ministry said.

The MOFA urged the WHO to remain

professional and neutral, resist politi-

cal intervention from China and fa-

cilitate Taiwan’s full participation in

all relevant activities, mechanisms

and meetings.

COVID-19 Page 3 SA-TAIWAN ENEWS

ISSUE 5

TaiwanICDF, Terre des Hommes stage virtual forum on COVID-19

Taipei City-headquartered Interna-

tional Cooperation and Develop-

ment Fund (TaiwanICDF) and

Lausanne-based Terre des Hommes

staged a virtual forum on COVID-19

contact tracing technology app

tracking May 19 in Taipei City.

Participants included Chen Shih-

chung, minister of health and wel-

fare and commander of the Central

Epidemic Command Center; Parng I

-ming, director general of the

MOHW’s Department of Informa-

tion Management; Tony Wu, a pro-

ject manager with TaiwanICDF; Mo-

hini Bhavsar, senior partnerships

director with U.S.-based social en-

terprise Dimagi Inc.; Rahul Mat-

than, a partner with India-

headquartered law firm Trilegal;

and Joseph Wu, technical adviser

with Norway-based health, church

and social services association Luke

International.

According to Chen, Taiwan is willing

and able to share its experiences in

combating coronavirus, which was

first reported in the Chinese city of

Wuhan late last year. The Taiwan

Model saves lives and can

strengthen the global response to

managing the COVID-19 pandemic,

he said.

Echoing Chen’s remarks, Parng de-

tailed the role of information and

communication technology in the

Taiwan Model. Linking the data-

bases of the National Health Insur-

ance system, Customs Administra-

tion under the Ministry of Finance

and National Immigration Agency

under the Ministry of the Interior

played a key role in enhancing pub-

lic sector cooperation and facilitat-

ing an all hands on deck approach,

he added.

TaiwanICDF’s Wu, Bhavsar and

LIN’s Wu shared experiences using

contact tracing in countries with

developing ICT infrastructure such

as Madagascar, Malawi, Paraguay

and Togo, while Matthan high-

lighted related privacy issues.

TaiwanICDF is the country’s fore-

most foreign assistance organiza-

tion, while Terre des Hommes is

one of Switzerland’s leading global

providers of children’s aid.

Ta i w a n d o n a t e s U S $ 7 0 0 , 0 0 0 t o A P E C s u b - f u n d s Taiwan donated a total of US$700,000 to two sub-funds of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum earlier this month to help member states better manage trans-mittable diseases using digital tech-nology, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs May 26. At a news briefing, Bob Chen, direc-tor-general of the MOFA’s Depart-ment of International Organizations, said US$500,000 was donated to the Human Security Sub-Fund, while US$200,000 went to the Digital Inno-vation Sub-Fund. According to Chen, the coronavirus

pandemic is threatening health secu-rity while damaging economic growth and free trade around the world. The money will be directed toward formulating programs sharing Taiwan’s experiences combating COVID-19 and helping member states enhance their disease-fighting capa-bilities, he said. The APEC Extraordinary Senior Offi-cials’ Meeting on COVID-19 is set to take place online on the evening of May 27, wherein participating mem-ber economies will exchange ideas and share their respective govern-ments’ measures for managing the pandemic, assisting hard-hit indus-

tries and stimulating their econo-mies. Since joining APEC in 1991, Taiwan has made substantial contributions to the regional forum. These span a broad spectrum of areas including disaster prevention, food security, small and medium enterprise devel-opment and women’s empower-ment.

Medical & health care Page 4 SA-TAIWAN ENEWS

ISSUE 5

Taiwan, Australia cooperate on COVID-19 drug development

Taiwan’s Chang Gung University

and Australia’s Monash University

are cooperating on developing

drugs with possible applications in

fighting viruses such as COVID-19,

according to the Ministry of Science

and Technology May 14.

The tie-up between Taoyuan City-

based CGU’s Research Center for

Emerging Viral Infections in north-

ern Taiwan and Melbourne-

headquartered Monash Biomedi-

cine Discovery Institute centers on

ivermectin—a pharmaceutical used

to treat parasitic infections and

widely available due to its inclusion

on the World Health Organization’s

model list of essential medicines.

Research carried out by MBDI and

Melbourne-based Peter Doherty

Institute for Infection and Immunity

indicates ivermectin is an inhibitor

of the COVID-19 causative virus

SARS-CoV-2 in vitro.

Under a pact between RCEVI and

MBDI, the former will provide bio-

safety level 1 and 2 laboratories, as

well as virus strains. The latter is to

supply substances for pharmaceuti-

cal experiments on the inhibitory

effect of ivermectin on COVID-19.

BSL is a set of biocontainment pre-

cautions implemented to isolate

hazardous biological agents in a

designated facility. Levels range

from 1, the lowest, to 4, the high-

est.

Founded in 2009, RCEVI specializes

in responding to the impact and

threat posed by bird flu- and SARS-

like viruses on society. The institute

was recognized for excellence in

2018 by the MOST.

T a i w a n p a s s e s p u b l i c h e a l t h s p e c i a l i s t s a c t

The final reading of the public

health specialists act passed the

Legislature May 15 in Taipei City,

spotlighting the government’s con-

tinued commitment to improving

the well-being of local residents,

according to the Ministry of Health

and Welfare.

Comprising 40 articles, the act de-

fines the qualifications, rights, obli-

gations and scope of operation of a

public health specialist.

Since Taipei-based National Taiwan

University set up the country’s first

department of public health in

1972, Taiwan’s tertiary institutions

have trained tens of thousands of

public health professionals. For

more than four decades, these indi-

viduals have shaped the country’s

public health landscape by engag-

ing in related policy making, provid-

ing health education to communi-

ties and taking part in epidemiol-

ogical research, the ministry said.

Given the country’s economic and

social development, the legislation

will greatly enhance the ability of

Taiwan’s public health system to

manage challenges such as the

COVID-19 pandemic, it added.

On her official Facebook page,

President Tsai Ing-wen lauded the

legislation as proof of the govern-

ment’s belief in rewarding exper-

tise. Taiwan’s success in containing

coronavirus is thanks to the dedica-

tion of the country’s frontline medi-

cal staffers and public health spe-

cialists, she added.

By providing more protection to

these workers, Tsai said, the legisla-

tion will enhance public health

awareness and strengthen the

country’s disease-fighting network.

Business and Economics Page 5 SA-TAIWAN ENEWS

ISSUE 5

A p r i l i n d u s t r i a l o u t p u t u p 3 . 5 1 p e r c e n t i n T a i w a n

Taiwan’s industrial production in-

dex rose 3.51 percent year on year

to 107.3 in April, highlighting the

strength of the local electronics

industry, according to the Ministry

of Economic Affairs May 25.

Manufacturing, which accounts for

nearly 92 percent of industrial pro-

duction, grew 4.15 percent from a

year ago while quarrying and min-

eral extraction surged 21.89 per-

cent. Conversely, water supply re-

ported losses of 0.19 percent and

electricity and gas supply dropped

5.35 percent.

A breakdown of manufacturing re-

vealed electronic components and

parts up 22.15 percent, continuing

a five-month double-digit gain,

while computers, electronics and

optical products saw a modest rise

of 1.75 percent, with growth lim-

ited by weakening demand for

camera lenses due to a decline in

smartphone sales amid the COVID-

19 pandemic.

The electronics industry was the

main driver of overall growth as it

continues to benefit from emerging

technologies such as 5G networks,

artificial intelligence, cloud-based

services and high-performance

computing devices, the MOEA said.

Also contributing to the rise were

increased shipments of liquid crys-

tal panels and chips caused by the

recent spike in remote work and

online learning, the ministry added.

Demand for high-tech gadgets is

expected to continue in May, sup-

porting overall industrial produc-

tion, the MOEA said, though it cau-

tioned that coronavirus may con-

tinue to impact domestic produc-

tion. Trade friction between China

and the U.S. and low global oil

prices may also cast uncertainties

over the country’s economy going

forward, the ministry added.

Taiwan moves up to 3rd in BERI’s latest global investment report

Taiwan ranked third best invest-

ment destination among 50 major

countries and territories surveyed

in the latest Profit Opportunity Rec-

ommendation report by U.S.-based

Business Environment Risk Intelli-

gence S.A.

Scoring 61 out of 100 in the trian-

nual report, Taiwan finished behind

Switzerland, 71 and Norway, 62.

The country took the lead in Asia,

outdoing neighbors Singapore and

South Korea, 58; Japan, 54; and

China, 45.

Taiwan’s 1C ranking—also awarded

to Norway, Singapore and South

Korea—was assessed on the basis

of its performance in three indexes:

Operations Risk, Political Risk, and

Remittance and Repatriation Fac-

tor. Switzerland was the only coun-

try to earn the top 1A rating.

Taiwan’s standout results included

third in operations, placing the

country behind Switzerland and the

U.S., in that order.

Of the 15 subindexes used to calcu-

late operations risk, Taiwan came

out on top in monetary inflation as

well as communications and trans-

portation. The country finished sec-

ond in labor cost/productivity and

professional services and contracts.

Taiwan continued to lead the way

in remittance and repatriation de-

spite the country’s merchandise

trade surplus dropping to US$3.3

billion in February from US$5.06

billion the same month last year

due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Of the four subindexes comprising

remittance and repatriation, Tai-

wan outperformed in accumulated

international reserves, foreign debt

assessment and foreign exchange

generation. The country finished

fourth in legal framework.

Science & Technology Page 6 SA-TAIWAN ENEWS

ISSUE 5

Winners of Taiwan-US coronavirus Hackathon announced in Taipei

Winners of an online hackathon co-organized by Taiwan and the U.S. with the goal of developing sophisti-cated solutions for managing the coronavirus pandemic were an-nounced May 18 in Taipei City. Co-hosted by the Executive Yuan and American Institute in Taiwan in col-laboration with the Ministry of For-eign Affairs, Ministry of Health and Welfare, National Development Council, National Center for High-performance Computing under the National Applied Research Laborato-ries and Institute for Information In-dustry, the event attracted 53 entries from countries around the world in-cluding Canada, Germany, Hungary, Japan, the U.K. and the U.S. Teams Autonomy, LogBoard, Team-

sEP, Interdisciplinary Laboratory and Gemini Data were declared winners, with the first four groups from Tai-wan and the latter from the U.S. Recognized for creating geographical disease forecasts by merging local governmental and institutional data with individual information, Auton-omy submitted an early warning sys-tem that provides essential informa-tion to government officials and helps citizens avoid risky locations. Meanwhile LogBoard and TeamsEP focused on collecting individual data, respectively designing a personal health recording tool and offering an application tracking body tempera-ture and location data for those un-der mandatory 14-day home quaran-tine. Equally impressive are Interdiscipli-nary Laboratory’s guidance platform for disseminating information on re-lief acts, medical services and tempo-

rary shelters and Gemini Data’s inter-active contact tracing tool. According to the Executive Yuan’s Board of Science and Technology, creative solutions offered by the win-ning teams will greatly contribute to collecting comprehensive informa-tion, strengthening public-private collaboration on disease manage-ment and making a smooth transition to normalcy after the pandemic. The government will continue sharing such technology with allies and like-minded partners around the world, the board added. Organized under the auspices of the Taiwan-U.S. Joint Statement on a Partnership against Coronavirus an-nounced by the MOFA and AIT March 18, the event was held May 5-12. A panel of judges selected winners May 15, evaluating entries based on fac-tors such as innovation, feasibility, social influence and citizen participa-tion.

I n a u g u r a l F a l l i n g W a l l s L a b w r a p s u p i n Ta i p e i The inaugural edition of Falling Walls Lab, a competition promoting the creation of innovative solutions to problems impacting science and soci-ety, wrapped up May 21 in Taipei City. Staged by the Ministry of Science and Technology in partnership with Ger-man Institute Taipei and German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the daylong event at Taipei 101 in-volved 25 young academics, entre-preneurs and experts. The three winners, selected by a jury including MOST Deputy Minister Shieh Dar-bin and German Institute

Taipei Director General Thomas Prinz on the strength of 3-minute presen-tations, were students Sabin Para-schiv, Kao Yu-tung and Khoa Nguyen in that order. Paraschiv of National Taipei University of Technology won for a battery charging submission; Kao, Taipei Medical University, air-borne pathogens; and Khoa, National Taipei University of Technology, en-ergy storage.

According to the MOST, the event underscores the effectiveness of long-term Taiwan-Germany collaboration in key areas such as training and R&D. It is also in line with the govern-ment’s commitment to supporting the pursuit of excellence among uni-versity students in Taiwan, the minis-try said. Paraschiv, a Romanian national, is eligible to participate in the global finals of FWL later this year, as well as a sideline conference attended by 600-plus delegates from 75 countries and territories.

SA-TAIWAN ENEWS

ISSUE 5

Taiwan films Page 7

Virtual Taiwan International Children’s Film Festival gets underway

A virtual edition of Taiwan Interna-

tional Children’s Film Festival com-

menced May 25 on streaming plat-

form Public Television Service-plus.

Staged by PTS Taiwan and Fubon Cul-

tural and Educational Foundation,

the biannual TICFF themed Under-

standing and Tolerance runs until

Aug. 5. It was scheduled to start at

the end of March, but coronavirus—

first reported in the Chinese city of

Wuhan late last year—forced a post-

ponement on health grounds.

TICFF brings together a wide variety

of productions spanning genres such

as animation, documentary, drama

and TV. A total 28 films selected out

of 748 submissions from 82 countries

and territories are vying for top hon-

ors set to be announced in mid-June.

According to PTS Taiwan, the open-

ing and closing films are “Fritzi—A

Revolutionary Tale” and “Team

Marco.” The former is an animation

adapted from a novel of the same

name about the political events of

1989 in the German city of Leipzig

that triggered the fall of the Berlin

Wall, while the latter is comedy

about a boy who gains a new per-

spective on life and love of the Italian

game bocce from his grandfather.

Launched in 2004, TICFF is held in

conjunction with Children’s Day—a

national holiday in Taiwan. It is one

of the highest profile and most pres-

tigious events of its kind in Asia.

PTS Taiwan, founded in 1998, is an

independent nonprofit organization

operating three free-to-air TV chan-

nels.

Ta i p e i F i l m F e s t i v a l u n v e i l s o p e n i n g , c l o s i n g f i l m s

The 2020 Taipei Film Festival an-

nounced its opening and closing films

May 25, kick-starting the event with

the work of a burgeoning new talent

and ending with an award-winning

picture by one of the most renowned

Second New Wave directors in Tai-

wan.

The festival will open June 25 with

the world premiere of “The Silent

Forest,” director Ko Chen-nien’s fea-

ture film debut. Adapted from real

events, the story begins with a hear-

ing-impaired teenager’s discovery of

a girl being bullied in the back of a

school bus and goes on to explore

the issue of sexual assault on cam-

pus.

Wrapping up the event July 11 is

“Days,” the latest work by acclaimed

director Tsai Ming-liang. The film

captures the chance encounter of

two men living predictable and re-

petitive existences, presenting Tsai’s

signature minimalist aesthetics

through 46 long takes without any

dialogue.

“Days,” which won the Teddy Award

at the 70th Berlin International Film

Festival in February, has been nomi-

nated for Best Narrative Feature,

Best Director and Best Actor at this

year’s TFF.

According to organizers, the screen-

ings and award ceremony will pro-

ceed in accordance with recommen-

dations from the Central Epidemic

Command Center. As foreign film-

makers are unable to attend this

year, winners of the festival’s Inter-

national New Talent Competition will

be announced online, they added.

Launched in 1998 by Taipei City Gov-

ernment, TFF aims to support the

homegrown film industry, promote

cinema education and boost interna-

tional exchanges. This year’s festival

attracted 331 submissions competing

for prizes in 20 categories including

Best Documentary, Best Animation

and Award for Outstanding Artistic

Contribution.

SA-TAIWAN ENEWS

ISSUE 5

Green Island Human Rights Art Festival promotes international cultural, creative exchanges

The Green Island Human Rights Art Festi-val, running May 15 to Sept. 15 in south-eastern Taiwan’s Taitung County, is strengthening cultural and creative ex-changes between artists from home and abroad. Organized by the National Human Rights Museum under the Ministry of Culture, GIHRAF features 21 pieces by 14 artists and groups spanning categories like ar-chaeology, immersive theater, installa-tion, performance, picture book and video. Sideline activities include guided tours, interactive presentations and workshops. GIHRAF is held at Green Island White Terror Memorial Park, which along with Jing-Mei White Terror Memorial Park in New Taipei City, is Taiwan’s most impor-tant historical site documenting persecu-tion of political dissidents during 38 years of martial law. NHRM Director Chen Chun-hung said this year’s event is significant as it is the first time for overseas artists to participate.

Some of the standouts are Ashmina Ran-jit and Baan Noorg Collaborative Arts and Culture from New Southbound Policy target countries Nepal and Thailand, respectively. It is hoped the international flavor of GIHRAF will fast-track its development into a leading regional festival for con-temporary artists addressing human rights, Chen added. A key plank in the government’s national development strategy, NSP seeks to en-hance Taiwan’s agricultural, business, cultural, education, tourism and trade ties with the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states, six South Asian countries, Australia and New Zea-land According to GIHRAF curator Sandy Hsiu-chih Lo, the inclusiveness of the event is complemented by a thematic explora-tion of unrealized human rights among the marginalized. Showcasing such seri-ous issues will encourage these at-risk groups to challenge societal norms and

seek alternative paths to reversing op-pression, she added. Another highlight of GIHRAF is the “Remembrance and Marginalization” exhibition by Taipei National University of the Arts. Curator Wang Pao-hsuan said the specially selected creation invoke the painful memories of the past as Taiwan transitioned to a full-fledged democracy. NHRM is the country’s primary facility for collecting and preserving historical documents and materials relating to hu-man rights from the end of Japanese colonial rule (1895-1945) to the lifting of martial law five years after Taiwan proper in outlying Kinmen and Matsu islands Nov. 7, 1992.

14 National Palace Museum entries win at Houston film festival

National Palace Museum won 14 awards at the 53rd WorldFest-Houston Interna-tional Film Festival, one of the oldest independent film events in the U.S., ac-cording to the Taipei City-based institu-tion May 20. Triumphing over more than 4,570 sub-missions from 74 countries and territo-ries, NPM entries bagged five platinum awards, five gold, three silver and one bronze in the categories of New Media, TV Commercials and Public Service An-nouncements, and Film and Video Pro-duction. Among the platinum winners is the web-page of an exhibit titled “Betwixt Reality

and Illusion,” honored in the website subcategory under New Media for its engaging content and distinctive design. The page is dedicated to the museum’s prized collection of jade pieces dating from 475 B.C. to A.D. 220. The museum’s introduction video “Come Across Future” and maps showcased in the multimedia exhibition “Wandering in Ancient Sazum: A Journey Through His-torical GIS from Qing Dynasty Docu-ments” achieved the highest awards in TV commercials and the high-definition new technologies subcategory under New Media, respectively. Topping in subcategories recognizing excellence in interactivity are the exhibi-tions “Friends Through Culture,” for util-izing fifth-generation augmented reality guides, and “Eco-Rethink,” for inter-weaving art and ecological educational elements. Other awards went to the NPM 3D Ac-

tion Theater as well as to videos, web-sites, interactive technologies of exhibi-tions titled “The Epitome of Aesthetics,” “Marvels Within the Sea,” “New Hori-zons—New Media Art Exhibition,” “Reflections Along the River” and “The Tibetan Dragon Sutra.” According to the NPM, the recognized works help raise Taiwan’s museum pro-file on the global stage. The institution will continue sparing no efforts in com-bining arts and technology to bring more profound experiences for visitors going forward, it added. Founded in 1961, the WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival is one of the three largest international film festivals in North America, ranking with San Francisco Independent Film Festival and New York Film Festival. Other categories in this year’s edition include independent experimental films and videos, independent theatrical fea-tures, screenplays and music videos.

Art and Culture Page 8