Taiwan

Dozens killed as train crashes and derails in tunnel

The eight-carriage train reportedly hit a construction vehicle that had slipped onto the tracks at the tunnel's mouth.

Rescuers combed badly damaged carriages inside the tunnel to find survivors, some of whom smashed windows to flee.

The train, from the capital Taipei to Taitung, was carrying people travelling for a long-weekend annual holiday.

Many people may have been standing because the train was so full.

The 408 train is one of the fastest deployed on a network that is generally considered safe. It can reach speeds of 130km/h (80mph).

Taiwan donates Covid-19 rapid kit tests to Nauru

Nauru Media News – NTV reports Ambassador Dean Wang handed over the equipment and cheque to the Minister for Health, Isabella Dageago at RON Hospital.

An MOU signing was also witnessed at ceremony between the two countries to enhance Nauru's medical referral to Taichung Veteran General Hospital Taiwan.

Minister Dageago signed the MoU in the presence of the Ambassador and other officials.

 

Photo Nauru Media News - NTV 

     

Taiwan donates egg sale proceeds to Nauru Persons Disability Organisation

Ambassador Dean Wang presented the proceeds from the egg sale to the Secretary for People with Disability Riddell Akua, who thanked the Embassy and the TTM for their generous donation.

According to Mr Akua, the donation will go towards the organisation's independent advocacy.

The Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM) sold eggs at its stall at the Civic Centre market day last Saturday.

Nauru Media News NTV reports many people queued up at the stall to buy the eggs which sold for $12 a tray.

Taiwan Embassy hosts farewell reception for Nauru-Taiwan scholarship students

The students were farewelled at an official ceremony held at the Taiwan Embassy office last week.

Nauru Media News – NTV reports Deputy Minister for Education, Richard Menke thanked the Government of Taiwan for their continued support.

He spoke in the vernacular to the students echoing what the Taiwanese Ambassador Dean Wang said about not giving up.

Deputy Minister Asterio Appi, a Taiwan Alumni spoke at length to the students about his experience and to the parents about supporting their children

Nauru and Taiwan sign port MOU

The MoU is to enhance the relationship between the two entities and to further realise the opportunities for future communications regarding port operations and management and personnel training and development.

Taiwan Ambassador Dean Wang said he is pleased that Taiwan is able to assist Nauru in this new development and industry for Nauru into the future in terms of ongoing management and operations of the port.

Taiwan continues to work closely with other Nauru government and state –owned enterprise initiatives for the advancement of Nauru.

Taiwan-funded Nauru penal farm helps boost food self-sufficiency

"The project, under the concept of waste minimization, officially started in January, with a poultry and pig farming section to be completed in August," Daniel Lee chief of the Taiwanese technical mission told CNA in a telephone interview Sunday.

Capacity building for crop planting, livestock raising, fertilizer making, and cooking skills will start in June with the goal being to transfer the farm to the Nauru government at the end of 2020 or early 2021, Lee added.

Nauru is one of 15 countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

Why Taiwan has become a problem for WHO

But despite its efforts, it is still effectively locked out of membership in the World Health Organization (WHO) due to its complex relationship with China.

This all exploded over the weekend when a top WHO official appeared to avoid questions about Taiwan in a TV interview that has gone viral, attracting criticism and even accusations of bias.

What happened?

On Saturday, Hong Kong broadcaster RTHK aired an interview with Bruce Aylward, the WHO assistant director-general, who spoke to journalist Yvonne Tong on a video call.

Nauru congratulates Taiwan’s Tsai Ing-wen on re-election

Ms Tsai has secured a second term as President.

 “You are a great friend of Nauru & the Pacific region & we look forward to continuing to stand with Taiwan & stand up for democracy across the world,” the Nauru Government tweeted on its Twitter account.

In response the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan thanked Nauru for the warm congratulatory message.

Taiwan, Nauru sign aviation services agreement in Taipei

The pact was inked by Transportation Minister Lin Chia-lung and visiting Nauru President Lionel Aingimea at a ceremony witnessed by President Tsai Ing-wen at the Presidential Office in Taipei.

Under the agreement, all commercial flight operators from Taiwan and Nauru will be allowed to operate inbound and outbound flight services between the two countries.

According to Tsai, Nauru Airlines in November sent its representatives to Taiwan to discuss airline cooperation, such as extending flight routes to Taipei.

Nauru president reaffirms ties with Taiwan

Aingimea arrived in Taiwan on Friday for a five-day state visit, his third to Taiwan and first as president.

In an exclusive interview with the CNA on Saturday, Aingimea said bilateral relations are significant and reiterated that he sees Taiwan as family, which he also told Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen during a welcome banquet Friday.

"When you start using words like family, it takes it up to a different level, a level that ensures that when things happen within family, family sticks together," Aingimea said.