Digital Tour Buddy for International Backpackers Exploring Taiwan

1.To Promote Tourism in Taiwan Among International Youth, approved by official Executive Yuan document 0940037554, of 26th August, 2005.

2. Organization of the main services and facilitating measures of the Promotion Plan for Youth Travel in Taiwan 2006-2008.

3. Tour Taiwan Year 2008-2009: National Youth Commission might broaden the range of service age about “ Digital Tour Buddy program” for a more convenient environment to international backpackers.”

Two. Purpose

1. To provide international youth backpackers traveling in Taiwan with                      convenience and security.

2.      To take advantage of Taiwan’s strengths in science and technology to enable international travelers to experience the applications of that science and technology.

Three. Organizers:

1.      Sponsor: National Youth Commission (Executive Yuan)

2.      Co-sponsors: Tourism Bureau Ministry of Transportation and Communication, Rep. of China (Taiwan), China Telecom Corporation Limited, Inventec Appliances Corporation

Four. Effective dates:

From 1^st May, 2008 date to 31^st December, 2009

Five: Target applicants:

1. 500 Digital Tour Buddies will be in circulation. They will first be given to the service category comprising international travelers entering and visiting Taiwan to travel as backpackers (special short-term entry visa, limited to those who are sightseeing or studying). People outside of this category will not be eligible.

2. Each applicant will be limited to one application per entry to Taiwan. There are two types of application. Rules of use.

a. Before-entry application: the maximum period of each loan will be 30 days.

b. After-entry application: the maximum period of each loan will be 15 days.

Six. Digital Tour Buddy functions and equipment.

1.      Digital Tour Buddy functions:

(1)   Phone calls and text message

(2)   Brief messages to assist with daily life (providing general travel news and related news, at concessionary rates.)

(3) Speed dialing (including 24-hour Bureau of Tourism tourist information hotline, the special line for foreigners in Taiwan, the National Youth Commission’s Youth Hub, Chinese Taipei Youth Hostel Association, the Greater Taipei taxi service line, and so on.)

(4) Dictionary

2.      Digital Tour Buddy equipment.

Includes cell phone account and basic equipment (OKWAP A272-Cell phone, SIM card, lithium cell, battery charger, operations manual and user instructions), phone bag. 

Seven. Concessionary measures:

In order to encourage backpackers to make use of this service, the first 2,008 borrowers will be given NT$200 worth of free calls (limited to calls made in the Taiwan Area) by the National Youth Commission, and China Telecom Corporation.

Eight. Application procedure:

1. Type of application:

(1) Before-entry application: online application

          International backpackers should visit the National Youth Commission youth travel website, http://youthtravel.twand complete the online booking application form seven days to thirty days before entering Taiwan.

(2) After-entry application:

   A. online application

              International backpackers should visit the National Youth Commission youth travel website,http://youthtravel.tw and complete the online booking form three days before picking up the Digital Tour Buddy.

          B. on-the-spot application

              International backpackers can visit the Youth Hub and fill in the on-the spot application form at the service counter at 10:00~21:00 Tuesday to Sunday.

(3) For online application, on receipt of the National Youth Commission’s approval, they should print the approved booking form.

2. Obtaining the equipment.

(1) Before-entry application:

 International backpackers entering the country must bring relevant documents with them, including approved booking form、passport、passport copy、one extra valid ID (Pleas see additional remarks 1). Issuing of equipment will take place at tourist service center in Terminal One and Terminal Two of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport or Service Counter at Youth Hub of National Youth Commission (1F, No.31, ZhongXiao E. Rd. Sec. 1, Taipei 100). Applicants whose applications have been approved, having left the copy of their passport and the other ID document as security, will be issued with the Digital Tour Buddy.

(2) After-entry application:

   A. Online application:

      After-entry application is limited to pick up the equipment at Youth

Hub of National Youth Commission only (1F, No.31, ZhongXiao E. Rd. Sec. 1, Taipei 100). International backpackersmust bring relevant documents with them, including approved booking form、passport、passport copy、one extra valid ID (Pleas see additional remarks 1). Applicants whose applications have been approved, having left the copy of their passport and the other I.D document as security, will be issued with the Digital Tour Buddy.

 B. On-the-spot application:

              International backpackers must bring relevant documents with them, including passport、passport copy、one extra valid ID (Pleas see additional remarks 1) and fill in the on-the-spot application form at Youth Hub at 10:00~21:00 Tuesday to Sunday. Applicants, having left the copy of their passport and the other I.D document as security, will be issued with the Digital Tour Buddy.

(3) This service is not an inalienable right of international backpackers entering Taiwan; in the case of persons whose applications have been approved prior to their entry to Taiwan, if their visas or other application credentials are not those stipulated, has the right to cancel the loan, and the applicant will have no form of redress.

3. Returning the equipment.

Before the expiry of the loan period, borrowers are to take their passport, Digital Tour Buddy and accessories, and the customer’s copy of the booking form, to tourist service center in Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, or the National Youth Commission’s Youth Hub service counter (1F, No.31, ZhongXiao E. Rd. Sec. 1, Taipei 100), to return the equipment. When the equipment has been checked, confirmed to be undamaged, and accepted, the copy of the passport and other ID document will be returned to the borrowers.

Nine. Matters to note when applying. 

1.      The National Youth Commission will provide a total of 500 Digital Tour Buddies. Once all these have been issued to applicants, no further applications will be accepted, until equipment has been returned and sterilized, when Digital Tour Buddies will again become open to applications online.

2.      This service has its roots in faith in international backpackers. Its only security is the copy of the passport and the second ID document; no financial deposit is charged. We ask the international backpackers who will be availing themselves of this service to cherish the equipment and to return it within the stipulated period, so that it can circulate and enable more backpackers to enjoy convenient information services and travel safety (Pleas see additional remarks 2 & 3).

3.      Papers: International backpackers collecting the equipment must take their passport (original and copy), approved booking form (for online application) and valid ID document (Pleas see additional remarks 1) to prove their identity, and leave the copy of their passport and the ID document as security for the loan.

4.      The equipment: Includes a Taiwan OKWAP A272-Cell phone, SIM card (The first 2,006 borrowers have NT$200 worth of free calls), lithium cell, battery charger, operations manual and user instructions, phone bag, and the applicant’s portion of the application form. 

5.      Service Hours and Locations:

(1) Tourist Service Centers at Terminal One and Terminal Two of Taiwan

Taoyuan International Airport: 7:00~23:30, All Year Round.

(2) Youth Hub Service Counter of the National Youth Commission, (1F, No.31, ZhongXiao E. Rd. Sec. 1, Taipei 100): 10:00~21:00, Tuesday to Sunday.

(3) International backpackers may obtain and return the equipment at the

location appointed on the application form during the service hours. If you wish to change the appointed location, please notify NYC three days in advance by phoning 02-33225550 or e-mailing digitaltourbuddy@nyc.gov.tw, Thank you.

6.      Contract: All international backpackers applying for a Digital Tour Buddy must sign a short-term loan contract with the National youth commission.

Ten. Other points:

1. If the international youngster has run out free credit (NTD200), he or she can top up mobile by purchasing ideal card (recharge voucher) launched by Chungwha Telecom from convenience stores, such as 7-11, Family Mart, Hi-Life, OK & Nikomart. In conjunction with their Digital Tour Buddy, International backpackersmay also utilize their own original cell phone’s roaming functions or choose to purchase a Taiwan IF card, available at retailers throughout the island, and providing unrestricted communication throughout the Taiwan Area. Users of Digital Tour Buddies who choose to purchase an IF card will only receive travel briefings, high-speed dialing and pre-paid calls when the Digital Tour Buddy’s original SIM card is installed.

2. This project will end on 31^st December 2009. The National Youth Commission will review the demands of the project before deciding whether to continue with it.

Austria's Delegates visit to NTUST, Taipei

To promote bilateral cooperation with Austria in technological and vocational education, the Ministry of Education on September 8, 2008 signed a memorandum on cooperation in general and vocational training with the Ministry of Education, Art and Culture of the Federal Republic of Austria.

Witnessed by Political Deputy Minister Lu Mu-lin and Mrs. Sieglinde Spanlang, head of Austria's Tourism Department, Chen Ming-yin, Director General of the Department of Technological and Vocation Education (TVE) and Dr. Theodor Siegl, Director General of the Department of Technological and Vocational Education, the Ministry of Education, Art and Culture of the Federal Republic of Austria sign the memorandum.

After sign a memorndum with Taiwanese officals, Austria deligates visitied my university (National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, NTUST). Our school presented a nice introduction about university, Taiwan Building Technology Centre (TBTC), University- Industry Cooperative Centre (UICC), Taiwan NCP programme.

NTUST opens lotto, gaming research center

The National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST) established on 29th November 2007,  the first Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming in Taiwan to conduct the research on the thriving gaming business and help train industry professionals.

Officially named the Taiwan Lottery and Gaming Research Center, it will start offering relevant courses to postgraduates in the university’s MBA programs.

Future steps will include providing undergraduate courses and setting up a department of gaming.

Professor Chen Shih-shun, NTUST president, conceded that personally he has never purchased a lotto ticket. But he said he recognizes the role of the gaming industry in a modern and democratic society like Taiwan.

He said the new center is part of the university’s aspiration to internationalize its study program by cooperating with other higher learning and research institutions in other nations.

Prof. Liu Dai-yang, director of the center, has been engaged in gaming research after he started teaching business management at NTUST in 1988.

Liu was consigned by the Ministry Finance (MOF) and other government agencies to carry out research before the government revived the public-interest lottery several years ago.

In addition to the current Taiwan Lottery, the government is ready to launch the sports lottery soon.

Liu said the sports lottery game alone will create annual revenues for over NT$100 billion to support sports activities and social welfare programs.

With proper management Liu believes the gaming business will help reenergize business activities, create more job opportunities, and attract more tourists to the island when the number of jobs in the manufacturing sector continues to decrease.

Both neighboring Macau and Singapore have been recruiting staff from Taiwan for their gaming business. The wages they offer range from more than NT$50,000 a month to NT$1 million each year.

The figure are highly attractive for college graduates whose starting pay has declined to a little over NT$20,000 as the local economy has been trapped in prolonged doldrums for almost eight years.

A couple of universes and colleges in Taiwan have already been offering gaming courses to meet the demand from both domestic and overseas markets.

William Eadington, professor of economics and director of the Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming at the University of Nevada, Reno, was among the guests invited to participate the ceremony marking the establishment of the NTUST’s lotto and gaming study center.

He said the gaming industry has become more mature with the extensive development in both upstream and downstream business.

The Internet has also vastly globalized modern business operations and created tremendous business opportunities, he said.

He suggested that the government here follow the examples of Melbourne, Australia and Singapore to integrate developments in the gaming business and tourism industry.

As an internationally recognized authority on the legalization and regulation of commercial gambling, Prof. Eadington has written extensively on issues relating to the economic and social impacts of commercial gaming,

He organized the First through Eleventh International Conferences on Gambling and Risk Taking between 1974 and 1997.

Dr. Eadington has also served as a consultant and advisor for governments and private sector organizations throughout the world on issues related to gaming laws, casino operations, regulation, legalization and public policy. He is a founding member of the International Academy for the Study of Tourism, and a former Associate Editor of the Annals of Tourism Research and the Journal of Gambling Studies.

NCP-Taiwan Bridging the technology R&D between EU and Taiwan

On September 1st (2008), the "national contact point of EU-FP, Taiwan office (NCP-Taiwan)” will officially open at the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST) funded by the National Science Council (NSC). The establishment of NCP-Taiwan will initiate the cooperation in technology research and development between Taiwan and the European Union (EU); this will be a new milestone in Taiwan. Cross-border cooperation will be beneficial and helpful for excellent R&D teams of both Taiwan and EU. By actively participating in the EU FP7 program, Taiwan can benefit from this world-class research program.

“The Seventh Research Framework Programme (EU-FP7)" is launched in 2007. EU-FP7 provides some advantages exclusively for EU’s Member States, such as a platform of integrating international technology development and the financial support. Except for members, if other countries intend to cooperate with the EU members countries, setting up a "National Contact Point (NCP) of EU framework program" will facilitate the participating at EU-FP7 for making use of this platform.

The technology research and development of every country and EU countries have been studied by NTUST which has already hired several experts who profoundly understand the EU technology development, academic system and cultural environment of the European Union. NTUST will work with National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) and National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) on the coordination of NCP-Taiwan office under the National Science Council. The major scopes of NCP-Taiwan are to closely coordinate with the "European Economic and Trade Office", to promote the "national program" and to provide assistance and support to local outstanding R&D teams and experienced research scholars for joining EU-FP7.

The first exclusive website of NCP-Taiwan will be placed on http://www.ncp-Taiwan.ntust.edu.tw. The information provided on this website will serve as the contact window which provides latest information of EU-FP7 and represents an international community actively assisting academic research units in Taiwan for participating at the EU-FP. In addition, Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) is appointed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) to promote the "Bridging Taiwan’s Industry and European Innovation via Joint Research under EU-FP7" project. The domestic industries and academia will be supported by these two projects for entering international markets. Through this collaboration between Taiwan and EU, a new model of cooperation of science and technology can be created.

The government of Taiwan has heavily invested in projects on industrial R&D. As the result, the technological capability of Taiwan has been demonstrated to the world. Due to globalization, the cooperation model has become an important issue far beyond national and regional borders. EU also demonstrates noticeable strengths of technology research capability and faster economic growth by integrating research resources and technology experts. The scholars of Taiwan and EU have been cooperating together on few projects so far. Through participating at the EU-FP program, Taiwan and EU can share experiences with each other by collaborating on cross-border science and technological R&D, and thus expand cooperation range and establish a solid partnership in the future.

Having founded the "EU framework program", EU has set up 1262 "NCP of EU-FP " throughout the world since 1984, including mainland China, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and other countries outside EU. Amongst all NCP’s, 233 are established according to different R&D areas. All NCP will function as a service center to connect the researchers between regions and the EU, and also explore benefits of complementary integration. The budget of Euro 53.2 billion will be maintained until 2013.

NCP –Taiwan project integrate R&D resources internationally

Academic research has become more and more important over the years in Taiwan. The cooperation between Europe and Taiwan on scientific and technological development has been greatly promoted by the government of Taiwan. Because of that, Taiwan’s science and technology research activities have been effectively connected with those European countries. The partnership between Taiwan and European countries has been reinforced. Since 2003, the R&D team of Taiwan has officially been participating at EU FP5, FP6 and FP7. The results are the 16 projects within the EU-FP, showing remarkable research output. However, the range of FP7 program is wide and huge, including its complex application system and the long review process. The necessity for setting up a service unit is essential, a service unit which can communicate with EU, match up projects and apply for EU-FP7 for industries and universities. With the opening of NCP-Taiwan today, it represents an important millstone in bridging EU’s and Taiwan’s scientific and technological R&D.

Taiwan's first humanoid robot from NTUST

Taiwan's first humanoid robot performer "Janet," which can speak, sing and walk, made its debut at a news conference on Monday.

"Janet" was unveiled ahead of the 11th National University and Technical College Creative Robot Design and Manufacturing Contest organized by the Ministry of Education. The contest will be held Oct. 19 to Oct. 21 at Cheng Shiu University in Kaohsiung County.

Lin Chi-yu (林其禹), a professor at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST), whose researchers developed Janet over two years, said the school plans to create a similar robot -- to be named "Thomas."

Lin said the two robots would be used on a trial basis in performances for disadvantaged groups beginning next summer before making their international debut.

Automaker Honda created ASIMO, the world's most advanced humanoid robot, but ASIMO has no facial features or performance-related functions, Lin said.

The HUBO robot developed by Oh Jun-ho, a professor at the Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, can display facial expressions, but lacks the capability to stage a show, he said.

"Janet" was developed to have interactive and performing functions, Lin said, adding that the state-of-the-art performing technology was created through the concerted efforts of NTUSC and several Japanese robotics labs.

Seven professors and scores of doctoral and masters degree students at NTUSC took part in Janet's development, Lin said.

He said the hardware needed to build the robot cost NT$10 million (US$307,000).

Lin said the team plans to set up a "Taiwanese robotic theater" in major amusement parks around the world in five year

Taiwan IT companies to invest in India

Taiwan now looks forward to Indian shores as a market with huge potential for the ICT sector.

Thomas Chang, Director, Taipei World Trade Center announced the growing presence of Taiwan’s top 5 ICT brands in India - Acer, Asustek, BenQ, D-Link and Gigabyte. With the Indian economy surging ahead Taiwanese companies now see India as a market with a huge potential for ICT products. Acer, Asustek, BenQ, D-Link and Gigabyte are some of the top ICT companies that have presence in India. These companies have significantly increased the value of their brands from last year, with Asustek and Acer remaining at the top for the third consecutive year.

“India is a big market for Taiwan after China and Japan. Its enormous potential is evident from the fact that 100 plus Taiwanese companies are already operating in India"

He further added, “Foxconn International Holdings Ltd have started on a plan to build an industrial park in Chennai to produce electronic connectors and components. Foxconn has invested $120 million. This is the largest hi-tech investment so far by a Taiwanese company in India and this is bound to attract some more Taiwan companies to follow in this Indian market”.

As an early participant in the technology revolution, Taiwan has become the world's largest maker of notebook computers, LCD monitors and motherboards. Taiwan also has maintained its domination in the global production share of Wireless LAN, Optical storage devices, Game Consoles, ADSL modems, Network products and Servers. Taiwanese companies are all set to explore the Indian frontiers with an all new mantra ‘Go South - to India’.

According to W.S. Mukund, Managing Director, Acer India, “Taiwan over the years has become a recognised leader in the global IT hardware industry. Acer India has its roots in Taiwan, being global has helped us bring the latest tested technology to the Indian market and establish ourselves quickly as one of the leading IT vendors in India.”

Information for Foreigners (IFF)

Taiwan Railway

Taiwan railway systems were constructed in the early years of the Kuang Hsu period of the Ching Dynasty from a request by the Taiwan Governor Liu Ming Chuan 109 years ago. In the 20th year of Guang Shue (1894 A.D. ), the Ching Empire severed Taiwan and the island became a colony of Japan. Used railway materials were dismantled from Japanese domestic lines and shipped to Taiwan to extend various lines to exploit natural resources. Therefore, the loading capacity of bridges along the lines differed from place to place. Railway cars could not continue through the full length of the line.

After the restoration of Taiwan from the war with the Japanese, the railroads in Taiwan were in ruins and there was privation everywhere owing to the bombardment by the allied forces. Furthermore, with the scarcity of materials plus damage by typhoons and floods, the railroads were in serious need of repair. At the time, the Japanese TRA personnel returning to Japan said the Taiwan railway would be paralyzed within six months. This was not far from the truth. Fortunately, the railway personnel from Mainland China with locals overcame all of the obstacles and maintained service on the railway. Later on the railway systems were gradually trimmed and extended according to priorities.

The Taiwan High Speed Rail (traditional Chinese: 台灣高速鐵路, also known as the THSR) is a high-speed rail network that runs along the west coast of Taiwan. It is approximately 335.50 kilometers (208 mi), and runs from Taipei City to Kaohsiung City. It began operation on January 5, 2007. Adopting Japan's Shinkansen technology for the core system, the THSR uses the Taiwan High Speed 700T train.

Taiwan Railway : Ticket Enquiry
http://new.twtraffic.com.tw/TWRail_en/index.aspx

Taiwan Railway: Online Ticket Booking
http://railway.hinet.net/net_eng.htm

Taiwan Railway: Toll free Hot line
0800765888

Taiwan High Speed Railway :Online Ticket Booking
https://irs.thsrc.com.tw/IMINT/?wicket:bookmarkablePage=wicket-1:tw.com.mitac.webapp.thsr.viewer.Home

Taipei MRT

The Taipei Rapid Transit System (traditional Chinese: 台北大眾捷運系統), also known as the MRT (Metropolitan Rapid Transit). At present, The network includes 76.6km of rail with 67 stations. In addition to the rapid transit system itself, the TRTC operates several public facilities such as the Maokong Gondola, underground shopping malls, parks, and public squares.

The metro system operates from 6 am to midnight daily, with extended services during special events. The trains operate at intervals of 3 to 15 minutes (depending on time of day and network line).

Smoking is forbidden in the entire metro system, eating, drinking, chewing of gum and beetel nuts are forbidden within the yellow line of each station. Through operations are made between the Xindian Line and Danshui Line. In addition, trains from the Zhonghe Line go on to run on the Danshui Line before terminating at Beitou station. Only one train operates on the following shuttle lines: Xinbeitou Branch Line, Xiaonanmen Line, and Xiaobitan Branch Line.

RFID IC Tokens and EasyCard smart cards are used to collect fares for day to day use, with the exception of grouptickets and bicycle access tickets (which use paper tickets). Fares range from NT$20 to NT$65 with most locations accessible for around NT$20-30.

Automated station announcements are recorded in Mandarin, Taiwanese, Hakka, and English.

Each passenger is allowed access with one bicycle during weekends at certain allocated stations for NTD80.

MRT to Taoyuan International Airport

As per the statement of "Bureu of High Speed Rail", Taiwan "Fast economical development and urbanization in recent years, the travel demands of the Taoyuan Metropolitan area have rapidly increased, and the existing transportation system was unable to meet the need of the populace. In order to prevent the worsen situation in future, and taking into account of the need to link with the High Speed Rail stations in the west corridor of Taiwan, improving the public transportation system and controlling the growth of private transportation as well, the Government therefore plans to construct a comfortable and convenient MRT system. It will promote the whole prosperity and the balanced development of the Taoyuan Metropolitan area."

"The long-term network includes red, blue and green lines. The total length is approximately 48.6km. There are 36 stations. The red line is from Jhongli City to Gueishan, the blue line is from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to Longgang, and the green line is from Zhuangjing Road to Danan. The priority line is the section of blue line from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (B1) through the HSR Taoyuan Station District to Jhongli Railway Station(B10), which is approximately 17km long with 11 stations"

China Visa for Foreigners in Taiwan

Taiwan and China agreed Friday (13th June 2008) to expand charter flights and tourism, a step toward ending a 59-year break in transport links and a likely harbinger of further progress in ties between the long-estranged rivals. The pact, signed in Beijing during their first formal talks since 1999, comes one day after Taiwan's representatives said they had reached a consensus with their Chinese counterparts on exchanging permanent representative offices. Such missions would mark a huge step forward in establishing contacts and mutual trust, although Taiwan's chief negotiator, Chiang Ping-kun, emphasized that officials in Taipei still needed to approve the measure.

"There is still a long way to go for normalization of cross-strait economic and trade exchange," Chiang told reporters following the signing of the transport and tourism pacts.

"There are still many issues to be discussed including expanding weekend charter flights into regular charter flights," Chiang said. Taiwan has banned direct scheduled flights ever since the sides split in 1949 amid civil war.

The expansion of charter flights was a key agenda item for the talks that began Thursday. Those flights are now limited to four annual Chinese holidays and are usually packed with Taiwanese residents on the mainland returning home to visit family.

Newly elected Taiwanese President wants to gradually expand the charter schedule and supplement it with regularly scheduled flights by the summer of 2009. His target is to have 1 million Chinese tourists go to Taiwan every year, well above the current level of 80,000. The agreement signed at a state guesthouse in western Beijing on Friday will allow for 36 charter flights to cross the 100-mile-wide (160-kilometer-wide) Taiwan Strait running from Friday to Monday beginning on July 4. Flights will be shared equally between Chinese and Taiwanese airlines, servicing routes between the Chinese cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xiamen and Nanjing and Taiwan's capital, Taipei, and seven other cities on the island.

Flights would be open to anyone carrying valid documents, a change from the past when they were limited to just Taiwanese and Chinese.

China has tightened visa procedures for foreigners from Taiwan. Until early 2000 foreign passport holders were able to apply for a China visa through Taiwan-based travel agencies, which sent the applicant's passport and visa documents to Hong Kong for processing. Once the visa was issued the traveler simply had to change flights in Hong Kong or Macao to travel to China. However, since April 17, foreigners living or traveling in Taiwan need to apply for their China visas in Hong Kong, forcing them to make a costly and often time-consuming stopover.

"Effective from April 17, 2000, visas will not be granted to an applicant currently not in Hong Kong SAR," says a notice issued by the consular department of the Hong Kong branch of the Chinese Foreign Ministry on April 13.

Ma Ying-Jeou Visit to India [22-06-2007]

Taiwanese opposition leader and presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou, whose party enjoys good relations with Beijing, Tuesday called for enhancing trade and investment between India and Taiwan and underlined the need for Taipei to seek permanent peace with Beijing.
“We are here to rediscover India and let India rediscover Taiwan,” said Ma here in the first visit by a leader of Kuomintang (KMT) or Nationalist Party to India in the last 60 years. “I come here to seek a new beginning with an old friend. We could prepare for even closer ties between India and Taiwan,” said Ma, the presidential candidate of his party for the 2008 presidential polls. He spoke in glowing terms about the transformation of India into a new age economy. “There is enough room for India and Taiwan to develop trade and investment between them,” said Ma while alluding to the steadily increasing business ties between India and Taiwan.
Bilateral trade between India and Taiwan, the hub of computer manufacturing and LCD units, is estimated to be around $3 billion. Ma also took positive view of growing economic and strategic relations between India and China and said Taiwan, with its vibrant economy and a healthy appetite for foreign trade, can play a “not so significant role in this process.”

Tibetan Olympic Torch in Taipei

The Taipei leg of the torch relay for the 2008 Tibetan Olympics took place 24-02-2008 with Tibetan expats in Taiwan, several Tibet support groups and Miss Tibet 2006 Tsering Chungtak in attendance [Tsering Chungtak, a sociology major from the University of New Delhi, made headlines last December when she was expelled from the 2007 Miss Tourism competition in Malaysia for standing up against the Chinese government and refusing to wear a sash that read "Miss Tibet-China."] "I feel very, very happy to be here today? to celebrate the spirit of the Olympics," Chungtak told spectators, supporters of the free Tibet campaign and reporters gathered in front of the National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall, Taipei where the relay took place.

The Tibetan Olympics has been organized by Tibetans in exile, and will take place in Dharamshala, India -- the seat of the Tibetan government-in-exile -- between May 15 and May 25. The events include long-distance running, swimming, shooting and archery, and six track and field events, according to the Tibetan Olympics Web site. Tibetans in exile have filed an application to the International Olympic Committee to participate in the Beijing Olympics as "Team Tibet," but it was rejected. The Tibetans therefore decided to organize their own Olympics. The relay began in New Delhi, India, on Jan. 30 and Taipei is the second stop for the relay after it passed through Sydney, Australia, on Feb. 17.

The organizers of the torch relay purposely chose Jan. 30 to begin the relay, because that was the birthday of Mohandas Gandhi, the leader of the non-violent resistance movement against British colonial rule, Chow told the audience at the ceremony.

After Taipei, the torch will travel to Dharamshala, India for a ceremony to mark the 49th anniversary of the March 10 Tibetan Uprising. The relay will then continue through eight other cities in six countries -- including Japan, the US, Bolivia, the UK, South Africa and Israel -- before the torch finally returns to Dharamshala on May 25 for the Games' closing ceremony.

Radio Taiwan International to meet its listeners in India in Feb

Radio Taiwan International will hold Listeners’ Club Meetings in India

Schedule*

February 23, 2008 (Saturday) –limited to 35 listeners

Time: 11:00 AM-14:30, Chennai (Madras)

February 24, 2008 (Sunday)-limited to 70 listeners

Time: 11:00AM-14:30, Kolkata (Calcutta)

March 1, 2008 (Saturday)-limited to 35 listeners

Time: 11:00 AM-14:30, New Delhi

Qualifications:

1. Please write an email and state which meeting you would like to attend by writing “Chennai”, “Kolkata” or “New Delhi” in the email “subject”.

2. In the email, please state your name, address, telephone number, your ID number and how many years you have listened to RTI.

3. Only listeners with passes will be allowed entry.

4. Attire: casual, but proper as requested by the management of the venue.

5. Please send your email to rti@rti.org.tw  by January 25, 2008

P.S.

1. Priority will be given to listeners with RTI ID since we have received a number of letters stating their interest in attending the meeting(s).

2.  RTI will not be responsible for any transportation/lodging and other expenses

*Venues will be announced later

Kinetic signs pact with Taiwan firm

                    The board of directors of Kinetic Motor Company has recommended a preferential allotment of equity shares to Taiwan-based Sanyang Industry Co. Ltd. (SYM). Kinetic will issue 20.65 lakh shares at a price of Rs. 66 per share aggregating Rs. 13.63 crore as per Securities and Exchange Board of India guidelines amounting to SYM holding about 11.1 per cent stake in the enhanced capital of Kinetic Motor. Kinetic has also entered into collaboration with SYM for technology and manufacturing of the latter's models in India, according to a release.

Date:14/01/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/01/14/stories/2006011407641800.htm

Taiwan IT companies to invest in India

 

          Taiwan now looks forward to Indian shores as a market with huge potential for the ICT sector.

          Thomas Chang, Director, Taipei World Trade Center announced the growing presence of Taiwan’s top 5 ICT brands in India - Acer, Asustek, BenQ, D-Link and Gigabyte. With the Indian economy surging ahead Taiwanese companies now see India as a market with a huge potential for ICT products. Acer, Asustek, BenQ, D-Link and Gigabyte are some of the top ICT companies that have presence in India. These companies have significantly increased the value of their brands from last year, with Asustek and Acer remaining at the top for the third consecutive year.

          “India is a big market for Taiwan after China and Japan. Its enormous potential is evident from the fact that 60 plus Taiwanese companies are already operating in India and 100 plus companies will begin their operations by 2007,” he said.

          He further added, “Foxconn International Holdings Ltd have started on a plan to build an industrial park in Chennai to produce electronic connectors and components. Foxconn has invested $120 million. This is the largest hi-tech investment so far by a Taiwanese company in India and this is bound to attract some more Taiwan companies to follow in this Indian market”.

One-stop shop! : View Special

As an early participant in the technology revolution, Taiwan has become the world's largest maker of notebook computers, LCD monitors and motherboards. Taiwan also has maintained its domination in the global production share of Wireless LAN, Optical storage devices, Game Consoles, ADSL modems, Network products and Servers. Taiwanese companies are all set to explore the Indian frontiers with an all new mantra ‘Go South - to India’.

          According to W.S. Mukund, Managing Director, Acer India, “Taiwan over the years has become a recognised leader in the global IT hardware industry. Acer India has its roots in Taiwan, being global has helped us bring the latest tested technology to the Indian market and establish ourselves quickly as one of the leading IT vendors in India.”

Saturday, 07 October , 2006, 11:03

 

Taipei World Trade Center, Chennai

TAIPEI WORLD TRADE CENTER,

CHENNAI

chennai@taitra.org.tw

Tel: 91-44-43561520 / 43561510

Fax: 91-44-43596888

Taiwan-India: New Friends?

         If reports appearing in Taiwan media and sections of Indian and world press are true, Taiwan’s Kuo Ming Tang (KMT) Presidential candidate, Ma Ying-Jeou is to pay a visit to India on Jun 12-13, 2007. Ma is basically a politician and had held the high posts of Minister for Justice, KMT Chairman and Taipei Mayor and is now being considered by many as a front-runner in the next year’s Presidential elections in Taiwan. It is not yet known who in India will be hosting the Taiwan leader and whether or not he will meet any Indian government or political personality. Under its ‘one-China’ policy, India has so far taken care to avoid any high level official contacts with Taiwan. It even did not permit the proposed visit of the then Taiwan Vice President Annette Lu to Gujarat in 2001 to distribute earthquake relief material. New Delhi is likely to persist with such policy while dealing with Ma’s visit, so as not to jeopardise its strategically important ties with Beijing. Expectations are that the KMT leader’s visit will be treated by New Delhi as purely ‘unofficial’ and that the hosts will be from non-governmental bodies in India. Can there be any hidden political meaning then behind the proposed visit? This question may look justified, as every one is aware that a leader of Ma Ying-Jeou’s standing cannot come to India without the tacit understanding of the government there.

         The chances of the Taiwan leader’s contacts with some of India’s political figures, not holding official positions, cannot be ruled out under the circumstances. Events in the past, particularly since the establishment of respective non-official Trade Offices in 1995, confirm such pattern. Not long ago, the Indian politician George Fernandez visited Taiwan (2004) to attend a symposium organised by the authoritative ‘Taiwan Think tank’, an institution sponsored by all the political parties there. A Taiwan delegation led by Ms Maysing Yang came to India (October-November 2005), which met I.K.Gujral, L.K.Advani among others. The process providing for contacts between the parliamentarians of the two sides, which began in 2006, also merits viewing from a political angle. For the first time, a group of Taiwanese legislators led by Hou Shui-Sheng of the ruling, but independence leaning, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) paid a visit to India in February that year and met some politicians (e.g Dr Satyanarayan Jaitia, a member of Indian Parliament, former Central Minister and leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party). Hou later claimed that the visit could take place in spite of Chinese protests to India.

         China’s attitude towards India-Taiwan contacts has so far been positive, based on its realisation that New Delhi adheres to ‘one-China’ policy. The PRC Ambassador in New Delhi has himself praised such policy. Also, China does not seem to make an issue out of India’s hesitation, unlike other nations like Pakistan and Bangladesh, to use the terminology of “inalienable part of China ” while describing Taiwan in its official documents. Coming to the proposed KMT leader’s visit to India, Beijing can be expected to be watchful, but it may not oppose the event as long as India keeps it ‘unofficial’. Setting China’s general policy in this regard, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson stated (April 26, 2006) , “China does not challenge Taiwan’s exchange with other parts of the world of non-official nature. China has taken many flexible measures on the basis of one-China principle to facilitate Taiwan’s overseas economic and cultural exchanges. But China is firmly opposed to secessionist activities of Taiwan authorities in various disguises”.

         Beijing would have certainly come out with harsh criticism against New Delhi, if any high-ranking Taiwan representative from the ruling pro-independence DPP is to visit India. As Ma Ying-Jeou is from the opposition KMT for which Beijing seems to have a soft corner albeit by design, China may show tolerance to his visit. At the same time, it needs to be noted that there are convergences as well as divergences between the KMT and the Chinese communist Party (CCP). From the point of view of former, what strikes first is the common goal of the KMT and CCP to reunify the country. The two parties are firmly opposed to Taiwan’s independence, with KMT in particular rejecting the DPP’s latest “Second Republic Constitution” outright of late. Main divergences include the KMT’s criticism of China’s Anti-Secession Law and human rights violations. Also, on the issue of Tibet, the KMT appears to have shifted to a line favourable to the Dalai Lama’s demands. In addition, the KMT is not critical of the Taiwan Relations Act of the US, which binds Washington to defend to Taiwan in the event of a mainland attack.

         China’s has at the moment chosen to downplay the divergences with KMT and instead optimise the advantages of convergences, in order to address the urgent need to isolate the DPP in Taiwan’s politics. China’s recent measures are a case in point. Beijing has hosted visits to the mainland by the KMT Honorary Chairman Lien Chan for three years in a row – 2005,2006 and 2007, with President Hu Jintao meeting the Taiwan leader every time.

         The particular case of Ma Ying-Jeou’s visit to India (also to Singapore) needs to be examined in such a context. Beijing despite its opposition to Ma’s precondition that China should remove its missiles targeted at Taiwan before resumption of negotiations with the mainland, may feel pleased with the Taiwan leader’s policies of not accepting Taiwan independence as an option for the KMT (January 28,2007), reaching a consensus with China on the basis of ‘pragmatism and playing no zero sum game’, while working for ending Taiwan’s diplomatic isolation and entering international economic bodies like the World Bank and the IMF and preferring to sign a Peace Agreement with the mainland, if he wins the Presidential election in 2008. Against the background of Ma’s moderate position on the reunification question and the perceived need to counter any push abroad by the DPP for Taiwan’s independence, China may positively regard the KMT leader’s visits abroad in general, and to India and Singapore in particular.

         Going beyond the specifics involving Ma Ying-Jeou’s visit to India, what is being witnessed at present relate to the rapidly changing regional strategic perceptions of both Taipei and New Delhi; these perceptions stem from reasons different for each side, but in the end provide a common ground to both for getting closer. In early 90s, Taiwan and India initiated their respective “ Go South” and “Look East” policies, aimed at achieving integration of their economies with that of ASEAN growth. The rapid rise of China in the later years broadened their outlook; Taiwan became apprehensive of the high risks involved in becoming more and more dependent on the overheated Chinese economy. Its cross- strait investment reached the level of US$ 100 billion. China turned into the biggest market for Taiwan. Strategically, Taipei is becoming more and more unsure of Beijing’s intentions on reunification, not ruling out the use of force. Also, some in Taiwan may fear that the US is allowing China to play a bigger role on regional affairs, thus creating regional imbalance. Politically, Taipei is becoming increasingly aware of the rising geo-political importance of India and the latter’s potential in countering China’s growing clout in the region. It has come to view Indian democracy as a source of strength. Also, the changing views of the West, particularly the US, on India’s future role in the region, especially attract Taipei.

         On the part of India, its desire to play an expanded role in East Asia, through forging strong ties with ASEAN nations, establishing a relation of strategic partnership with China and Japan as well as improving ties with Taiwan, without factoring Taipei-Beijing relations, has come to dominate policy directions. New Delhi also eyes on benefits from economic cooperation with Taiwan. On a number of fields like counter-terrorism, WMDs, environment etc, India might consider teaming up with Taiwan, useful. In a nutshell, while for Taiwan, the China factor and compulsions to end diplomatic isolation, appear to be the main motivating factors in promoting India ties, India while engaging China, sees in its connectivity to Taiwan, an East Asian entity, a helpful factor not tapped earlier, for its efforts to integrate with the whole of East Asia; The fact that India is already participating in the East Asian summits could be relevant in this regard.

         In a background of their rather overlapping motivating factors as given above, Taiwan and India are searching for new ways to get closer to each other. Former Taiwan Premier Yu Shih-kun launched the second wave of the Government’s “Go South policy” to include India in 2005. Since then, Taiwan has been expressing its keenness to sign a FTA with India. The Taiwan-India Cooperation Council (TICC), a brainchild of National Security Council of Taiwan, with Yu Shih-kun as its first Director, started functioning in Taipei in 2006, with the aim of promoting governmental level contacts between the two sides. A representative of President Chen Shui-bian was present at the time of TICC’s inauguration. Information Technology and Infrastructure have been identified as two key areas for Cooperation.

         Both Taiwan and India have become keen to promote bilateral trade, which was around US$ 2.27 billion in the first eleven months of 2005, with projections for 2007 being US$ 7 billion. Taiwan’s direct investment in India was US$ 116 million by end 2004. The figures are no doubt below the potential, as trade with India forms only 0.67% of Taiwan’s total trade and in comparison, Taiwan’s investment in China was as high as US$ 41.7 billion in 2004. Exchange of business delegations between Taiwan and India has become regular. Notable has been the visit of a 130-member business-government delegation headed by Taiwan’s Economic Affairs Minister Shi An-Xiang, in May 2006 at the invitation of India’s prominent commercial chambers, to discuss bilateral matters relating to economy, trade and investment. From India, the visit of a NASSCOM delegation to Taiwan recently has been illustrative of Taiwan’s growing interest in India’s software industry. Taiwan also seems to aim at entering the other South Asian markets through India.

         A word of caution to politicians in India, who may be meeting the visiting KMT leader, may be appropriate. The KMT’s position on the Sino-Indian boundary does not differ from that of the PRC. In the past, the KMT had criticised the PRC for discussing with India matters relating to China’s possible concessions to India on the Sino-Indian boundary question. Also, the KMT considers the whole of Tibet and Mongolia as part of China as per Articles 119 and 120 of the “Republic of China” Constitution, though there has been a nuanced change in recent years in the position concerning Tibet, with the formation in 2003 of a new Taiwan-Tibet Cultural Exchange Foundation, to replace the existing Tibetan-Mongolian Commission. Though the visit of Ma to India is expected to be basically economic in nature, it would be advisable for the Indian interlocutors to bear in mind the KMT’s positions on India-China border and Tibet during talks.

      (The writer, Mr.D.S.Rajan, is former Director in the Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India. He is presently Director of the Chennai Centre for China Studies, Chennai, India. Email: dsrajan@c3sindia.org, dsrajan@gmail.com )

Taiwan based Institute for Information Industry (III) opens Offshore Development Center (ODC) in Chennai

                  Taiwan-based Institute for Information Industry (III), today, announced the opening of its Offshore Development Center (ODC) at Olympia Technology Park in Chennai. This is the first such initiative undertaken by a Taiwanese firm in India. Dr. Y. S. Shih, Vice Minister of Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taiwan, inaugurated the centre and Mr. Kiran Karnik, President of NASSCOM, was the chief guest.

         Dr. Y. S. Shih, Vice Minister of Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taiwan, who is also leading a delegation of Taiwanese industrialist to India, said, " We believe that India and Taiwan are natural partners in dominating the ICT sector. I expect many more Taiwanese ventures to come to India in the near future." Currently, trade between India and Taiwan is $2.5bn. India accounts for 0.67% of Taiwan's external trade whereas 0.87% of India's external trade ends up in Taiwan. This is likely to change as Taiwan and India complement each other because Taiwan has the expertise in hardware and manufacturing, while India is known for software and system designs. Many Taiwanese manufacturing giants have already announced setting up of manufacturing base in India.

         III's offshore development centre represents the first partnership in software between India and Taiwan. The centre will be engaged in software development in the field of networking, security and embedded software among others.

         Speaking about the operations in Chennai, Dr. G. J. Huang, Executive Vice President, Institute for Information Industry, Taiwan said, "The Chennai centre will play a key role in III servicing its clients in diverse industries." Housed in a 8,500 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility, III will recruit 60 IT professionals by 2006 and plans to ramp up the operations to 200 employees by end of 2008.

         Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Kiran Karnik, President of NASSCOM, India, said, "The decision of III, the key promoter of the Information Industry and Information Society of Taiwan, is acknowledgement of the fact that India is the desired destination for software development. I am hopeful that many such relationships will be forged between the two nations in the coming days."

About Institute for Information Industry (III)

         The Institute for Information Industry (III) was established in 1979 as a joint government-private sector think tank and management consultancy, to help promote the development of the ICT industry and deploy the information society. Funded by both government and the private sector, the III provides a neutral source of expertise independent of both partisan politics and individual corporate agendas. It is active in research and development, promotion of the ICT industry, and support and administration. As the most important promoter of the Information Industry and Information Society of Taiwan, III committed to increasing Taiwan's global competitiveness through the development of its information technology infrastructure and industry. The goal of III is to empower Taiwan for the realization of knowledge economy, digital equality and digital e-Quality.

         Since its inception in 1979, III has been a key technology contributor to Taiwan's ICT industry, while also playing a vital role in promoting the adoption of ICT in both public and private sectors. With over 1400 employees and more than 70% of them possessing Ph. D. or Master Degree in Computer Engineering and other associated fields, III plays a crucial and pivotal role in Taiwan's ICT industry. Headquartered in Taipei, with a goal to develop a World-class Taiwan Information Industry and Information Society, III is leading its way through vigorous pursuits of R&D development, serving as the think tank on ICT policy to the government, proliferating ICT applications, bridging the digital divide, seeking opportunities for international collaboration, and cultivating ICT talents.

T      o strengthen Taiwan's ICT industry competitiveness, III has endeavored to collaborate with major companies and organizations, through information exchange, technological cooperation, and strategic alliances. III also works closely with standard organizations, industry associations, and research institutions around the world on the important issues such as protection of intellectual property rights, technology standards, international market, digital divide, etc. in order to assist Taiwan's ICT industry to meet international standards.

Chennai, Tn, IND, 2006-05-15 19:27:40

For further details contact

Keng Lee

E-mail: keng@iii.org.tw

M: 98406-51416

Michelle Tsai

Institute for Information Industry (III)

E-mail: mt@iii.org.tw

R Sriganesh/Twinkle Xavier

20:20 MEDIA

P: 28260145/55519908

E-mail: Sriganesh