Month: April 2016

Greenpeace Releases Scathing Report on Taiwan

frozen tuna on a fishing boat
Environment 
Phillip Charlier 2 Comments , , , , , ,

A comprehensive report on Taiwan’s fishing industry was released by Greenpeace International, Thursday April 14, which accuses the country’s government of failing to take responsibility for the actions of of its fishing fleet in global waters; and warns of damage to the Made in Taiwan brand. The report is the result of a 12-month investigation that included interviews and observations of Taiwanese vessels and crew operating in the Pacific Ocean as far away as Fiji. Investigators visited major fishing ports

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Biggest Drug Bust in Taiwan’s History: Trojan Pandas Intercepted.

Pandas used to smuggle drugs into Taiwan
Drugs 
Phillip Charlier 1 Comment , , , ,

A total of 1,783.5 kg of illicit drugs were intercepted in a shipment of goods that included children’s playground ornaments, tea, and car wax. Some of the drugs were hidden in fibreglass Panda statues and giant mushrooms designed to be placed in playgrounds. The drugs were first detected by Taichung customs officers on March 31. Police special investigation units were notified, and a coordinated effort was made between different agencies to track and arrest the recipients of the shipment. The

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Township Mayor Indicted in Murder of Police Officer

Mayor Wan Kun-hong being brought in to be arraigned on charges of paying to murder his rival in love
Crime and Criminals 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ,

The mayor of a small town in Taiwan’s Chiayi County has been indicted as the prime suspect in a murder investigation after a search was made in 10 locations in the township, including the mayor’s home and his office. The Mayor of Jhuqi (Jhuci) Township, Wang Kun-hong, along with a cousin, was subpoenaed to appear in court today March 12, 2016. The mayor and his cousin have been named as a suspects in the case, and five other family members,

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Tainan’s Electric Buses Not as Environmentally Friendly as You Think

Environment Politics 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ,

Residents in Tainan met local government representatives to protest against the Tainan City Transport Bureau’s use of diesel powered generators at a bus charging station next to their homes. Residents who live in the vicinity of the charging station in the Anping District complained that the diesel generators emit diesel fumes and an ear-splitting noise. The Tainan City Government rolled out the buses after a ceremony March 22, where Mayor William Lai praised the buses as part of the government’s

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Shark Finner Confesses in Hsinchu

Dead sharks in Hsinchu after having their fins cut off.
Environment 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment

A man responsible for dumping dead sharks in a local stream after cutting off their fins confessed to police in Hsinchu yesterday. In early February a large number of dead baby and juvenile sharks were seen washed up on the levee bank under Old Harbor Bridge. Coast guard and local government authorities responding to reports of a possible environmental catastrophe found that the sharks had been dumped after having their fins cut off. Shark fin is an expensive culinary luxury

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Tourism Operators Introduce Combined Orchid Island and Green Island Ferry Route

Orchid Island Ferry
Business and Economy 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , , , , , ,

Tourism operators in Taitung today introduced a new ferry route that will allow travelers to purchase one ticket to visit both Green Island and Orchid Island. Daily services will begin May 1. Up till now visitors who went to either Island had to take a ferry back to Fugang Harbor to board a separate ferry to go to the other island. An industry spokesperson said the new route offers provides convenience and cost savings for visitors to the islands. A

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South China Morning Post Drops Paywall: Get Your China News Free: But There’s a Catch

picture of the frontpage of the China Morning Post October 6, 2016
Media Issues 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , ,

The South China Morning Post announced tonight that their online content is now available for free. They have dropped their subscription model, and the paywall has been removed; but there’s a catch: SCMP has been bought out by Alibaba, the biggest online company in China. One of the most important International voices in East Asia, was once not free, but now is free; was once free, but now is not free. Welcome to The Wild East.

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