China Taiwan Province (ROC): News, Discussions & Images

[ahfatzia]

China Zhigong Party pledges to improve political participation


BEIJING, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- China Zhigong Party, a non-communist political party, has pledged to improve the way it participates in deliberation and administration of state affairs.

The party made the pledge as it opened its 14th National Congress on Monday in Beijing.

Wan Gang, standing chairman of the congress's presidium, delivered a work report at the opening ceremony on behalf of the party's 13th Central Committee.

Wan pledged in his report that China Zhigong Party will further study the spirit of the Communist Party of China's (CPC) 18th National Congress, further consolidate ideological and political foundation of China's multi-party cooperation system.

China Zhigong Party will also promote its comprehensive capability to participate in deliberation and administration of state affairs, and actively expand the party's connections with overseas communities, Wan said.

Also at the ceremony, Zhang Dejiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, gave a congratulating speech on behalf of the CPC Central Committee.

Zhang Dejiang, Chinese Vice Premier and a member of the Standing Committee of Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee,

Zhang said the China Zhigong Party has made an important contribution to the nation's independence and people's liberation as well as the country's development, progress and peaceful reunification.

With about 20,000 members, China Zhigong Party was founded in October 1925. It mainly comprises of overseas Chinese who returned to mainland, relatives of nationals living abroad as well as those with close connections with overseas Chinese.

Zhang said that the multi-party cooperation and political consultation system led by the CPC had witnessed prosperous development in the past five years, and the CPC will give full play to the system to add more vitality to socialist democracy.

Zhang Dejiang shakes hands with delegates attending the 14th National Congress of China Zhi Gong Party in Beijing, China, Dec. 3, 2012.

The CPC believed that China Zhigong Party, under its new leadership to be elected during the congress, will hold up socialism with Chinese characteristics and make more of a contribution in encouraging overseas Chinese and those who returned to mainland to engage in China's socialist modernization construction, the country's peaceful reunification, and the nation's rejuvenation, Zhang said.

Sang Guowei, chairman of Central Committee of Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party, also gave a speech on behalf of the country's other non-communist parties.

Sang said that China Zhigong Party had made an active contribution to the country's economic and social development which had won wide acclaim from all circles.

The 14th National Congress of China Zhigong Party will be held from Dec. 3 to 6, during which an amendment to the party's constitution will be passed and its 14th Central Committee will be elected.

Representatives of the 20,000 members Zhigongdang of china attended the 14th National congress of China.


China Zhigong Party pledges to improve political participation - Xinhua | English.news.cn


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China Zhi Gong Party


Wan Gong 万钢, chairman of the Zhigongdang of China (ZGD) 中国致公党

The party was founded on October 1925 in San Francisco, and was led by Chen Jiongming and Tang Jiyao, two ex-Kuomintang warlords that went into opposition. Their first platform was federalism and multi-party democracy. The party moved its headquarters to Hong Kong in 1926. After the Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1931 it began engaging in anti-Japanese propaganda and boycotts. The party was nearly wiped out during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong. The party turned to the left during its third party congress in 1947. Today composed of returned overseas Chinese, their relatives, and noted figures and scholars who have overseas ties.

After the People's Republic of China was founded, at the invitation of the CPC, representatives of the CZGP attended the First Plenary Session of the CPPCC in 1949. They participated in drawing up the CPPCC Common Program and electing the Central People's Government. Since then, the CZGP has made an important contribution[citation needed] to implementing overseas Chinese policies and strengthening ties with Hong Kong and Macau as well as overseas Chinese for the reunification of China.

In April 2007, Wan Gang, Deputy Chair of the Zhi Gong Party Central Committee, was appointed Technology Minister of the People's Republic of China. This was the first non-Communist Party ministerial appointment in China since the 1950s.

China Zhi Gong Party - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[ahfatzia]

Taiwanese aborigines 原住民


Taiwanese aborigines 原住民 is the term commonly applied in reference to the indigenous peoples of Taiwan estimated about 2% of the population . Research suggests their ancestors may have been living on the islands for approximately 8,000 years before major Han Chinese immigration began in the 17th century. Taiwanese aborigines are Austronesian peoples, with linguistic and genetic ties to other Austronesian ethnic groups, such as peoples of the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Madagascar, Polynesia, and Oceania. Most of them have their distinct verbal languages although most of the younger generations take up Chinese as their mother tongues.

The government of Taiwan officially recognizes distinct tribes among the indigenous community based upon the qualifications drawn up by the Council of Indigenous Peoples (CIP). To gain this recognition, tribes must gather a number of signatures and a body of supporting evidence with which to successfully petition the CIP. Formal recognition confers certain legal benefits and rights upon a group, as well as providing them with the satisfaction of recovering their separate identity as a tribe.

As of May 2008, 14 tribes have been recognized:

Ami, Atayal, Bunun, Kavalan, Paiwan, Puyuma, Rukai, Saisiyat, Tao, Thao, Tsou, Truku, Sakizaya, and Sediq.

Others have yet to recognize:

Babuza, Basay, Hoanya, Ketagalan, Luilang, Makatao, Pazeh/Kaxabu, Papora, Qauqaut, Siraya, Taokas, Trobiawan.


General distribution of indigenous people of Taiwan with a population of about 500,000 in 2009

Amis people 阿美族 is the largest indigenous group numbered about 149,000 (37.5%) in the year 2000. They speak Amis, one of the 14 official language, and their traditional territories are the valleys between the Central Mountain Range and the Coastal Mountains, as well as on the coastal plains east of the mountains and the Hengchun Peninsular. The Amis are primarily fishermen due to their coastal location and are matrilineal. Their village are rather large, consist of 500-1000 people, and today they comprise the majority of "urban aboriginals" and have developed many "urban tribes" all around the island. In recent decades, Amis have also married exogamously to Han as well as other indigenous tribes.


Worship virtual hosted by female shamans

Some chieftains at Harvest Festival

Harvest Festival dances

Amis traditional dance

Swordfish festival

The most famous Amis: Yang Chuan-kwang 楊傳廣 a silver Decathlon medalist in 1960 Rome Olympic

 

[ahfatzia]

Atayal people 泰雅 is the second largest indigenous group with a population of about 92,000 (23.1%) in the year 2,000. Evidence suggests that they are the descendants of those who crossed over the Taiwan Strait almost 7,000 years ago from regions that are now inside southern China, northern Laos or Vietnam. The first record of Atayal inhabitant is found near the upper reaches of the Zhuoshui River. However, during the late 17th century they crossed the Central Mountain Ranges into the wilderness of the east. They then settled in the Liwu River valley. Seventy-nine Atayal villages can be found here. The Atayal people are very advance in hunting, fishing and crop gatherings and traditionally great warriors. Most are bilingual and the Atayal language remains active use by them.


The Atayal people circa 1936

Traditional village houses, an attraction for tourists

An elderly woman

Atayal children singing chorus in China

Traditional weapons

Warriors and lovers

Many Taiwan's modern designs are based on Atayal traditional houses

Atayal sculpture in Wulai

 

[ahfatzia]

Bunun people 布農 are best known for their sophisticated polyphonic vocal music. They are the 4th largest indigenous group with a population of about 41,000 (10%) in the year 2,000. They were fierce warriors and headhunters that lived high mountains in small villages and very hostile to outsiders.They were the last group pacified by the Japanese. Mostly they were hunters and practiced slash and burn agriculture.


An old picture

Women weaving

Traditional Bunun dress style

Outdoor activities

Paiwan people 排灣 are the 3rd largest indigenous group with a population of 70,331 (17.7%) in the year 2,000. The Paiwan had a fearsome reputation as head-hunters and ceremony rites were celebrated when the warriors came back with enemies' heads.


A Paiwan house (restored)

Ceremony rack full of enemies' skulls (note: don't read too much into this. It could have been a self promoted strategy to keep enemies away and these warriors could have went out everyday to look for skulls)

Traditional Paiwan formal costumes

Paiwan dancing in front of the chieftain's house

 

[ahfatzia]

Puyuma Tribe 卑南族 is the 6th largest Aboriginal group in Taiwan and are numbered 9,606 (2.4%) in the year 2,000. They most reside in Taitung County on the east coast. The Puyuma language is in danger of dying.


A pair of Puyuma warriors



Adulthood ceremony

The Payuma tribe and their holy mountain, Dulan Mountain, the only place where sapphire stones are found in Taiwan

A typical Puyuma abode

A-Mei 阿妹 or full name Chang Hui-mei 张惠妹 a diva of the Mandarin pop music scene and the "Pride of Taiwan"

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Rukai Tribe 魯凱族 is the 5th largest group numbered 12,084 (2%) in the year 2,000. The Rukai People honor the Clouded Leopard and the hundred pacer, which they believe to be the spirit of their ancestor


A Rukai musician, notice the nostril oriented

A remote Rukai village

A church in the same village

 

[ahfatzia]

Sakizaya Tribe 撒奇萊雅族 numbered from 5,000 to 10,000 and primarily live in the counties of Keelung, Taoyuan, and New Taipei, as well as on Hualien. In 2007 the tribe satisfied the Taiwanese government's requirements for full tribal status. Prior to this, the tribe was previously classified as Amis or Kavalan because they are somewhat related.

There was a story of Japanese troops in Taiwan stripped off their uniforms and donned on Sakizaya tribal clothes soon after WWII and the Chinese couldn't tell the differences when they went to arrest them.


A Sakizaya village in Sandimen 三地門

A wall sculpture of a Sakizaya warrior

Sakizaya women celebrate harvest

A woman showing off her broom

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Seediq Tribe 賽德克族 were officially recognised as Taiwan's 14th indigenous group on 23 April 2008. Previously, the Seediq, along with the closely related Truku people, were classified as Atayal.

In 1901, in a battle with the Japanese, indigenous people defeated 670 Japanese soldiers. As a result of this, in 1902, the Japanese isolated Wushe. Between 1914 and 1917, Japanese forces carried out an aggressive 'pacification' program killing many resisting people. At this time, the leader of 馬赫坡社, Mona Rudao, tried to resist rule by Japan, but he failed twice because his plans were divulged. At his third attempt, he organized seven out of twelve groups to fight against the Japanese forces.


"Warriors of the Rainbow" a movie depicts Mono Rudao as a hero fighting the Japanese in Wushe Incident

 

[ahfatzia]

Tao Tribe 達悟族 originally recognized as Yami are numbered 3,872 (1%) in the year 2,000. They are natives to tiny outlying Orchid Island off Taiwan's southeastern coast so their cultures are very similar to the tribal cultures of northern Philippines.


Tao in Orchid Island

Tao youngsters are playing on the beach today

Another bay on the island

Fish drying

A Tao village

A traditional Tao buildings

Traditional Tao dance

Dance on ancestor worship

 

[cirr]

Kaoshiung is THE stronghold of the DPP，a party that's pro-independence。

Published December 19, 2012

Chinese set to invest in Taiwan port for first time

TAIPEI - Taiwan's Yang Ming Marine said on Wednesday it has agreed to sell a Chinese consortium a 30 per cent stake in a container terminal for US$135 million, in the first such deal between the island and the mainland.

Under the investment, which is pending final government approval, Kao Ming Container Terminal Corp owned by Yang Ming Marine would sell a 30 per cent holding in the terminal in the southern city of Kaoshiung, Yang Ming said in a filing to the Taiwan Stock Exchange.

Yang Ming did not give details of the buyers, but Dow Jones Newswires said China Merchants, Cosco Pacific and China Shipping will each hold 10 per cent in the joint venture.

Taiwan's economy ministry in March eased its controls on Chinese investment amid fast-warming ties, although the island's telecoms sector remains off-limits to mainland investment.

Chinese set to invest in Taiwan port for first time

Dec. 19, 2012, 9:37 p.m. EST

UMC gets Taiwan's OK to invest in mainland China

By Lorraine Luk

TAIPEI--Taiwan contract chip maker United Microelectronics Corp. /quotes/zigman/482145/quotes/nls/umc UMC -1.50% has received regulatory approval to buy a majority stake in Chinese chip foundry He Jian Technology (Suzhou) Co.

Taiwan's Investment Commission said late Wednesday in a statement it approved UMC's proposal to buy a 51.85% stake in He Jian for US$157 million.

The investment comes as UMC--the world's second-largest contract chip manufacturer by revenue after Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.--seeks to diversify its business globally and find new sources of growth.

The latest stake purchase is UMC's second attempt to integrate with He Jian after the Taiwanese firm scrapped a merger agreement between the two companies in 2010 due to regulatory hurdles in Taiwan.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/umc-gets-taiwans-ok-to-invest-in-mainland-china-2012-12-19

 

[Methu_Xie]

That will be a challenge for Taiwan to become an important political voice as Beijing currently opposes any ideas. Sure, Taiwan is welcome to tie closer with ASEAN, in non sensitive fields such as economics.

Didn't you know that RoC is also announced they own the South China sea?

 

[yusheng]

Thanks ，

Ahfatzia ，

great pictures，

 

[ahfatzia]

Taiwan's place in global econome


(CNN) It is home to roughly 23 million people, living on a small island the size of Portugal. But economically, Taiwan punches well above its weight. Its electronics and machinery sector accounts for nearly 50% of its exports, yet it hasn't been immune from the global economic slowdown of the last few years. From semiconductors to saxophones, CNN takes a look at Taiwan’s economic machinery.


A video: Taiwan's place in the global economy – Business 360 - CNN.com Blogs

 

[cnleio]

Ths ahfatzia, great thread.

 

[faithfulguy]

Thanks. Some of my ancestors are aboriginal Taiwanese

 

[cirr]

Xiaomi smartphones to hit Taiwan market soon

CNA

December 28, 2012, 12:44 am

TweetTAIPEI -- Xiaomi Technology, a China-based smartphone maker, is planning to bring its products to Taiwan soon in a bid to extend its reach beyond mainland China, market sources said yesterday.

To stir up interest in the Taiwan market, Xiaomi has launched a lottery campaign on its Facebook page, offering the “Xiaomi Phone 2” as gifts to Taiwanese consumers. That model runs applications in the traditional Chinese language used in Taiwan.

Xiaomi will also launch the Xiaomi Phone 2 model in Hong Kong, using the same lottery approach to attract potential customers in the territory, the sources said.

The promotion campaign has drawn plenty of attention from Facebook visitors in the two markets, according to the sources.

However, there is no information on a specific date for the Xiaomi Phone 2, which is powered by Qualcomm's APQ8064 SoC chip, to go on sale in Taiwan and Hong Kong.

The company launched its Xiaomi Phone 2 in China at the end of October at a price of 1,999 Chinese yuan, half the cost of the iPhone 5 in that market.

In the 3C world, many tech pundits see the Xiaomi Phone 2 as a close competitor to Samsung's Galaxy S III and Apple's iPhone, based on its high quality.

With the Xiaomi phone unlikely to sell for more than NT$10,000 in the Taiwan market, it represents good value for money, the market sources said.

While many local consumers value Xiaomi phones highly, some others are afraid that it will not be easy to find maintenance services in Taiwan and they therefore will be reluctant to buy the product soon after its launch, the sources said.

Xiaomi Technology, established in Beijing in 2010, launched its first smartphone model in the second half of 2011. According to a report in Tech in Asia, the company has since sold about 6.5 million phones.


http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...v943hKda8w0hg&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.dGY&cad=rjt

 

[ahfatzia]

Taiwan begins transition toward all-voluntary armed forces

TAIPEI, Taiwan - Men born after 1994 will only have to receive four months of military training as opposed to 12 months starting from this year, as part of the transition to an all-voluntary armed forces.

According to the National Conscription Agency (NCA), every year 100,000 men of conscription age will benefit from the new regulation. Approximately 160,000 men will have reached conscription age this year, and of these, around 70 per cent will qualify for the four-month training session, the NCA said.

According to conscription regulations, eligible men who are studying at college or university can now apply for two-phase military training during their summer holidays.

The NCA said that last year 4,796 men applied for the two-phase training programme, which means the draftees will spend eight weeks in summers this year and next year at boot camps across the nation.

Starting this year, the number of volunteer soldiers will increase and eventually make up the majority of those serving in Taiwan's military. In order to provide better incentives for men and women to join the military, the Ministry of National Defence said that people will be allowed to apply on any given day in the year, and that in the near future it will accept the results of the Education Ministry's physical fitness examination in place of its own fitness test so that people don't have to take two exams.

As part of the military's reorganisation, the number of military police (MPs) will be reduced to 5,000 from 12,000, a move which has drawn concern from the public.

According to the Military Police Command (MPC), MPs are usually tasked with security-related missions that have little in common with most of the jobs offered by private enterprises; therefore, when MPs leave the service, they usually have a hard time finding a job, leading to a drop in the number of people willing to volunteer as MPs.

In order to solve this problem, the MPC is considering whether or not to relax its requirements, such as its height limit and ban on people with tattoos.

Most young people nowadays get tattoos because they think it's cool; not because they are members of the mafia, a member of the MPC said, adding that the command is thinking about allowing those with tattoos to join up so long as the marks on their bodies can be covered by their uniforms.

Taiwan begins transition toward all-voluntary armed forces


That's good news, it means Taiwan doesn't view the mainland a much as a military threat anymore.