* Ma asks legislators to pass energy bill Apr 16, 2009
Ma also promised to establish 60,000 hectares of national parks in Chiayi, Pingtung and Hualien counties, and another 1,000 hectares of national forest. In response, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus secretary-general Yang Chiung-ying () said the caucus was ready to support the bill. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
* Giant expanding from bikes to travel firm Apr 14, 2009
Meanwhile, Pingtung County-based Yoho Bike Hotel (y]), a joint venture between Giant and Yoho Beach Club and Spa (yRo), plans to cooperate with at least 30 hotels within five years to promote bike tourism, Yoho chairman Tseng Chung-shin (H) told the paper on Saturday. Yoho Bike Hotel, with 68 rooms, is the nations first bike hotel. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
* Hundreds to race in Dapeng Bay windsurfing event Apr 11, 2009
It was originally part of celebrations surrounding Pingtung Countys Black Tuna Season ... The event became an independent competition last year and was jointly hosted by the Pingtung County Government, the Dapeng Bay National Scenic Administration (DBNSA) and the Pingtung County Sailing Association ... Yang Jui-chi (N), general secrety of the Pingtung County Sailing Association, said approximately 260 athletes have registered for the race this year, including windsurfers and participants... (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
* FEATURE : From kamikaze bombers to squid balls: Dapeng Bay Apr 8, 2009
Waves lap against Liouciou islands coral coastline in Pingtung County last month ... A lagoon located between Donggang (F) and Linbien (L) in Pingtung County, Dapeng Bay was known by locals as the Big Lake and was used as an airport for seaplanes during the Japanese colonial era ... Yang Jui-chi (N), general secretary of the Pingtung County Sailing Association, said the water in Dapeng Bay is around 4m deep, allowing sailboats of various sizes to operate their. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
* FEATURE: Activists slam changes to agriculture land bill Apr 5, 2009
Huang Chin-linag (i}), a 55-year-old farmer who has cultivated sugar apples in Tungkang (F), Pingtung County, for more than 10 years, said major landowners may welcome the bill, but small farmers would see very little benefit. There is a substantial gap between what farmers need and what the government wants farming villages to be, said Huang, the winner of the 2006 Shennong Award (A), which recognizes achievements in agriculture. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
* Taiwan to boost aid to African allies, MOFA says Apr 3, 2009
The government has also commissioned National Taipei University of Technology and National Pingtung University of Science and Technology to offer classes on technology for women in Gambia. In other news, MOFA yesterday urged online shoppers and vendors to be vigilant of an Internet scam originating in Nigeria. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
* Taiwan News Quick Take Apr 3, 2009
A Pingtung County farmer keeps 12 wild pigs as pets and has trained them to trot behind his motor scooter for kilometers at a time and to stop at traffic lights. The pigs, all less than a year old, fall into line whenever Lee Tung-cheng () lets them out of his yard and starts up his scooter. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
Man brings home the bacon Apr 2, 2009
The pigs, all less than a year old, fall into line whenever Lee Tung-cheng lets them out of his rural Pingtung county yard and starts up his scooter. They go out together almost every day and know the rules of the road, he told Reuters on Wednesday. (Yahoo News)
* Number of measles cases shows year-on-year rise Apr 1, 2009
The first case this year was a 55-year-old man from Daliao (jd), Kaohsiung County, who worked on a pineapple farm in Pingtung County. On March 22, he showed typical symptoms of the disease, including fever, joint soreness and a skin rash, the CDC said. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Taiwan)
* Catholics mark 150th anniversary Mar 29, 2009
A float with a 130-year-old statue of the Virgin Mary from Pingtung Countys Wanchin Basilica arrives in Taipei yesterday on a tour around the country to mark 150 years of Catholicism in Taiwana ... Thousands of Catholics joined a parade to honor a 130-year-old statue of the Virgin Mary from Pingtung Countys Wanchin (U) Basilica that arrived in Taipei yesterday on a tour around the country to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the second coming of Catholicism ... After the Immaculate... (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
* FEATURE: Battle of trenches in shoreline erosion war Mar 22, 2009
Twenty years ago along the coast of Pingtung Countys Dawu Township (jZ), there used to be wide, sandy beaches covered with pandanus X palmlike trees with a crown of narrow leaves X but the vegetation has long since disappeared, along with a major portion of the beaches. What remains is now blighted by rows of concrete breakwaters X artificial blocks attempting to slow down beach erosion. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
* Residents mixed on plans for nuclear waste dumps Mar 19, 2009
The ministry committee tasked with selecting potential sites eliminated Pingtung Countys Mu-tan Township (d) as an option. Regulations for selecting sites require that the decision be open for public comment for 30 days. (Taipei Times, Taiwan)
* Pingtung eyeing Asia's animal vaccine market Mar 15, 2009
Pingtung eyeing Asia's animal vaccine market. HUB: Pingtung biotechnology park is hoping to attract more vaccine companies to set up operations in Taiwan to tap into the rich opportunities offered by the region STAFF WRITER, WITH CNA Sunday, Mar 15, 2009, Page 2 ... With an eye on Asia's vast market, Pingtung Agricultural Biotechnology Park is working hard to attract a European vaccine maker to set up operations in the park in a bid to make Taiwan a regional vaccine hub. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
* A Green Island itinerary Mar 5, 2009
But the island was home for thousands of years to various Aboriginal groups, including the Amei, before Han Chinese from Siao Liouciou Island (p[y), off Pingtung County, migrated there in the 19th century. Employees at the Visitors Center said the indigenous people fled due to conflicts with the Han Chinese and little remains of their history on the island. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
* Goodwill over 228 dissipated so quickly Feb 28, 2009
One story I often heard as a child was the public execution of Pingtung Assembly Council deputy speaker Yeh Chiu-mu () ... As Pingtung County commissioner, I submitted a special budget, which was approved by the county council, to erect Taiwans first officially sponsored 228 memorial. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
* Plains Aborigines seeking renewed indigenous status Feb 24, 2009
Pingpu refers to assimilated Aborigine tribes that dwell on the plans, who once lived throughout the flat areas of the country from Keelung all the way to Pingtung before Han migrants from China and colonial powers arrived in Taiwan. Its not easy to find Pingpu today, since most have been culturally assimilated into Han society through intermarriage or were forced to change their identities. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
* MOI chief hopes to see municipal mergers soon Feb 22, 2009
Its therefore time for change, he said, adding that the ministry would turn the 17 cities and counties in the western part of the country, from Keelung to Pingtung, into three major metropolitan regions, with Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung as hubs. The design corresponds to President Ma Ying-jeous (^E) campaign promise to divide the country into three prefectures with 15 counties under them. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* COA aims at kumquats Feb 18, 2009
A Pingtung Citrus Producers Cooperative member displays packs of a newly developed fruit juice drink containing slices of round kumquat on Sept. 15 last year. PHOTO: CNA. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
* PCCT land Taiwan Cricket Power title Feb 16, 2009
Led by captain Mujahids 61 not out, PCCT chased down FCCs total of 148 for 5 off 16 overs with just one over to spare, gaining revenge for their defeat to Formosa in Decembers tournament in Pingtung and Kaohsiung. Formosa won the toss and elected to bat and it looked a wise decision early on as openers Paul Turner and Formosa captain Charl Esterhuizen settled in quickly, reaching 50 in the sixth over and bringing up the 100 in the 10th. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
* Analysis: DPP faces most testing period in its history Feb 9, 2009
The DPP holds power in six of the cities and counties that are holding elections this year X Yunlin County, Chiayi County, Tainan City and County, Kaohsiung County and Pingtung County. DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (^) has said the party should be able to win another six regions at least and was hoping to win eight. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
* Presidential election 2008: Winning Ticket: ANALYSIS: Ma's win reflects desire for change: analysts Mar 23, 2008
Hsieh prevailed in Kaohsiung County, Tainan County, Yunlin, Chiayi and Pingtung, which are considered traditional strongholds of the DPP.. However, Hsieh suffered defeat in two major DPP strongholds -- Tainan City and Kaohsiung City, where he had served two terms as mayor. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* Presidential election 2008: Losing Ticket: ANALYSIS: Hsieh had odds stacked against him, analysts say Mar 23, 2008
The DPP ticket managed narrow victories in Yunlin County, Chiayi County, Tainan County, Kaohsiung County and Pingtung County. A DPP supporter in Kaohsiung City, who wished to remain anonymous, said that vote-buying was a major factor. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* Presidential election 2008: 1 days to go:Profiles of presidential candidates Mar 21, 2008
Birthplace: Pingtung County ... Pingtung County commissioner (1989-1993). (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* Migrating buzzard eagles seen flying over south Taiwan Mar 20, 2008
Officials speculated that the birds might spend the night in Kaoshu Township in Pingtung County. Citing historical data, park management personnel said that the birds' typical migration period through southern Taiwan was between mid-March and May each year. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* INTERVIEW: Environment chief shares views Mar 17, 2008
The EPA is already subsidizing Pingtung County's development of biofuel with pig farm waste water, he said. "If successful, not only would we clean up rivers in southern Taiwan, we would transform waste into gold," he said. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
* Aboriginal groups seek reform Mar 9, 2008
Members of the community walked to Pingtung carrying a traditional Puyuma warrior's spear and a bamboo tube with soil from the community's lands. Once in Pingtung, members of the Paiwan tribe took over the spear, added soil from their lands to the tube and walked on ... After Pingtung, the relay made similar stops in a Tsou village in Chiayi County, a Thao community in Nantou County, a Saisiat village in Miaoli County and the Atayal town of Smangus in Hsinchu County before reaching their final... (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* Kaohsiung toddler dies of enterovirus complications Mar 8, 2008
Thirteen of the cases reported occurred in the southern Taiwan areas of Kao-hsiung City, Kaohsiung County and Pingtung County. Two patients remain in pediatric intensive care units, where they were admitted over a month ago, Lin said. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* EPA gives green light to racetrack Mar 8, 2008
Meanwhile, a rival racetrack set to open in Pingtung County's Dapeng Bay (jPW) said in a press conference that it would open shop before the end of this year. Environmental groups, however, said the EPA had approved the Yunlin proposal despite unresolved pollution concerns. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* Presidential election 2008: 21 days to go: DPP plans nationwide pro-democracy parade Mar 1, 2008
Lin Kuo-ching (Ly), director of DPP presidential candidate Frank Hsieh's () campaign department, said the southernmost points of the eastern and western lines will be Fugang (I) in Taitung County and Donggang (F) in Pingtung County. The two lines will join up in Taipei. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* 228 Incident: Hsieh urges public to vote for `dream' of their forefathers Feb 29, 2008
The 22-day, 500km south-to-north march, dubbed "Walk Against the Wind," kicked off at the lighthouse at the southern tip of Taiwan in Oluanpi (Zq), Pingtung County, on Lunar New Year's Eve. Led by former National Youth Commission chairwoman Cheng Li-chun (GRg) and former DPP chairman Yu Shyi-kun, 228 youths met up with another group of marchers at the National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall yesterday afternoon before continuing on to Zhongshan Soccer Stadium. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* Scientists team up with US colleagues to study coral reefs Feb 28, 2008
Academics from California State University (Northridge) and experts from eastern Taiwan's National Dong Hwa University yesterday opened the Taiwan Coral Research Center, based in the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium in Pingtung County. The center's scientists will study the unique nature of the nation's coral reefs, which are found mostly off the southern coast, as well as encircling its smaller islands. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* Preserving Penghu's natural beauty Feb 22, 2008
However, one is tempted to ask why, under the same climatic conditions, the cobia fish farms in Little Liouciou (p[y), Pingtung County, were unaffected. I believe the Penghu disaster was a result of both natural and manmade factors. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* Rose prices increase for Valentine's Day Feb 14, 2008
The foundation praised Ming Sheng (b) in Pingtung City for bucking the trend by cutting its bouquet price by NT$500 to NT$3,500 today. The survey found that 14, or 30 percent, of the 47 florists polled had more than doubled their rose prices. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* LETTERS: Ending the exploitation Feb 12, 2008
Pingtung This story has been viewed 381 times. Advertising. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* Science council, environmental agency release top picks for domestic tourists Feb 9, 2008
Southern gems include the Anping Tree House Ruin (w) in Tainan City, the west bank of Kaohsiung City's Love River and South Bay Recreation Area in Kenting, Pingtung County, he added. Travelers in eastern Taiwan may wish to visit Ilan County's Plum Blossom Lake, Chihpen () hot springs in Taitung County, or Seven Star Basin (CP) in Hualien County, Yuan said. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* Professor back in Taiwan after jail term in China Feb 5, 2008
Lin, a native of Pingtung County, was arrested by Chinese police on July 12, 1997, as he was traveling to Beijing to visit friends. He was thrown in jail after a Chinese court found him guilty of espionage. (Taipei Times, Taiwan)
* College entrance test mix-up has parents worried Feb 3, 2008
The blunder was discovered at 8:40am yesterday when a proctor in Pingtung City found a box of answer sheets that were meant for the 11 testing centers in Kaohsiung. The answer sheets for the Kaohsiung students winded up in Pingtung. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* President visits disputed islands Feb 3, 2008
According to the Central News Agency, Chen boarded a C-130 transport plane before dawn at an air force base in Pingtung County, accompanied by Minister of National Defense Lee Tien-yu (), Minister of the Interior Lee Yi-yang (hv) and Coast Guard Administration Minister Wang Jinn-wang (i). While the Ministry of Defense declined to give further details, the Chinese-language Liberty Times (the Taipei Times' sister newspaper) learned from sources that the navy, in order to provide... (Taipei Times, Taiwan)
* Broadband coverage to hit 100% soon, NCC predicts Jan 19, 2008
Haocha Village (n) of Pingtung County, one of the 46 villages, was forced to relocate its infrastructure after Typhoon Wutip last August ... Bao Shui-sheng (]), chief of the Sandimen Township (Ta) in Pingtung County, said that while the broadband service is now available in every village, the government should also try to offer opportunities for residents to learn how to use a computer. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* KMT wins two-thirds majority Jan 13, 2008
The DPP managed to win two seats in Tainan City by narrow margins and two out of the three seats in Pingtung County. Among the five southern cities and counties, the DPP only managed to retain its predominance in the three districts of Tainan County -- the home of the president. (Taipei Times, Taiwan)
* Parties issue final appeal for support Jan 12, 2008
Presidential Office Secretary-General Yeh Chu-lan () yesterday appealed to fellow Hakkas in Pingtung County to vote for DPP candidate Su Cheng-ching (_M) ... KMT presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou (^E) spent most of the day in Kaohsiung and Pingtung to accompany party candidates in soliciting votes before rushing back to attend the campaign party in Sanchong. (Taipei Times, Taiwan)
* DPP eyes independent voters, seeks 50 seats Jan 6, 2008
In southernmost Pingtung County, the DPP said it stood a good chance of seizing two of the three seats available. The elections will mark the first time the single-member district, two-vote system is used. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* Kaohsiung-Little Ryukyu direct service now open Jan 5, 2008
The sun shines down on a beach on Little Ryuku, an island in Liouciou Township, Pingtung County, yesterday ... Little Ryukyu is an island located southwest of the Donggang (F) Harbor in Pingtung County. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* Taiwan leads in broadband access, NCC chairman says Dec 24, 2007
86 million) in broadband infrastructure setup in 43 barely accessible townships in mountain or offshore regions in Miaoli, Hualien, Pingtung, Taitung, Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung and Nantou counties. The "broadband for every township" project was originally scheduled for completion by the end of this year, but all the work was completed by Dec. 15, except in Haucha Village (n) in Pingtung where it was delayed by typhoon damage. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* EPA to unveil plan for global body next month Dec 22, 2007
5 percent by 2011 and improving the water quality of five urban rivers in Taipei County, Keelung City, Tainan County, Kaohsiung County and Pingtung County, Dang said. On environmental diplomacy, Dang said an air monitoring station that Taiwan is helping to set up in Guatemala is expected to be completed next year. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* We could do more with all this pig excrement Dec 11, 2007
Agricultural authorities need to prioritize Pingtung and Yunlin counties, as these areas have the highest concentration of pig farms and form a renewable energy model village that uses both pig feces and agricultural produce as biomass. Lastly, we should implement policies such as energy purchasing and investment incentives and provide education on the use of biogas. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* Foreign students share stories in Mandarin contest Dec 7, 2007
Kalkhof came to Taiwan as a volunteer at Pingtung Bethany Home for 10 months for his substitute military service ... "I stayed with a Paiwan host family. Although they lived in Pingtung City, we often went to Dewen Village [w] where they originally came from during weekends or holidays," Kalkhof said. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* Young volunteers' work feted Dec 3, 2007
Volunteers from National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, accompanied by Aboriginal children from Majia Township, Pingtung County, take photos as they receive an award on the eve of the Global Youth Service Day ... National Pingtung University of Science and Technology's department of social work received three honors this year for its Aboriginal children outreach program, doggie companionship project and work with juvenile delinquents. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* Bus routes in remote areas could be canceled Dec 2, 2007
The five bus firms that issued a joint statement were Chiayi Bus, Singing Bus, Sinen Bus, Kaohsiung Bus and Pingtung Bus. The routes of these companies cover seven counties in the south and provide the only public transportation in some remote or sparsely populated areas, such as Wutai Township (x) and Manjou Township ({) in Pingtung County. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* Protection of gray-faced buzzards is improving Dec 1, 2007
The task force, convened by Chen, involves several governmental and private agencies, such as the Kenting National Park Administration Office, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Education, Pingtung County's Manjhou Township ({), the Raptor Research Group of Taiwan (RRGT) and the Environmental Ethics Foundation of Taiwan ... "Buzzards from several countries congregate at Pingtung County's Manjhou Township and disperse to different southern destinations; the record was about 36,000 in one... (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* Global warming demonstrations to take in eight cities Nov 29, 2007
Starting Saturday, "anti-global warming" rallies will be held in eight cities and counties -- Kaohsiung, Pingtung, Tainan, Chiayi, Yunlin, Changhua, Taichung and Hualien before the large-scale march on Dec. 8. This story has been viewed 856 times. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* Aboriginal autonomy draft falls quite short Nov 27, 2007
Moreover, in May, several Paiwan Tribe members in Shihtzu Township (l) in Pingtung County were arrested after the Forestry Bureau accused them of larceny for collecting horn snails from within their traditional land. Last month, the government announced the first traditional Aboriginal territory when it proclaimed both the Hsiujuan Village (qr) and Yufeng Village (p) in Chienshih Township in Hsinchu County as a traditional Aboriginal area. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* The north-south split is losing its relevance Nov 23, 2007
According to polls conducted by Focus Survey Research, in Yunlin, Chiayi, Nantou, Kaohsiung and Pingtung counties, 77 ... Moreover, in Yunlin, Chiayi, Kaohsiung and Pingtung counties, annual disposable income came in at below NT$23,000 -- only about 60 percent of the annual disposable income in Hsinchu. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* TSU's Tseng drops out after losing poll Nov 17, 2007
Meanwhile, TSU member Lan Chun-chieh (s) registered for the legislative election as an independent candidate in Pingtung. Lan said that he had run for the legislature twice as a TSU candidate but lost both times. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* `Rail murder' suspect out on bail Nov 17, 2007
The Pingtung man convicted of being an accessory in the murder of his sister-in-law and sabotaging the southern link railway last year was released on bail yesterday ... According to the verdict, Lee Shuang-chuan, the husband of the victim Chen Shi Hong-chen (`), was the chief orchestrator of the plot to murder his Vietnamese bride by causing several derailments in Pingtung County. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* Lee Sen-zong to run for DPP in legislative polls Nov 14, 2007
Huang said on Monday that his party was willing to drop the nominations of Huang Chao-chan (Li) in Pingtung County and Chien Lin Whei-jun (Lzg) in Tainan City in exchange for the DPP's goodwill. Huang Kun-huei asked the DPP to make a goodwill gesture by Friday and let opinion polls decide who should run for the pan-green camp in three of the constituencies where TSU candidates Tseng Tsahn-deng (O), Lo Chih-ming () and Lin Jih-jia (L) are running. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* Lawmaker calls for action against counterfeit alcohol Nov 13, 2007
In a recent case, the police seized 450 bottles of bootleg Kinmen Kaoliang from a factory in Pingtung. An estimated 10,000 bottles of bootleg liquor are estimated to have entered the market from that factory. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* TSU member wants national convention to discuss charter Nov 13, 2007
Huang Kun-huei said that the party was willing to drop the nomination of Huang Chao-chan (Li) in Pingtung County and Chien Lin Whei-jun (Lzg) in Tainan City in exchange for the DPP's goodwill. Huang Kun-huei, however, criticized the DPP for luring TSU members to join its ranks, including TSU Legislator Ho Min-hao (), rumored to be the latest TSU member considering joining the DPP.. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* Green Party Taiwan names five candidates Nov 6, 2007
Pan will contest Taipei City's Songshan (Qs) and Xinyi (Hq) districts, Calvin Wen () Taipei County's Shulin (L) and Yingge (aq), Mary Chen (R) Taipei County's Yonghe (M), Hung Hui-hsiang (x) Pingtung and Chung Pao-chu (_]) Hualien. Pan said the party may yet decide to nominate Chung and Chen for legislator-at-large seats to maximise their participation in environmental debates. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* Taiwan Quick Take Nov 5, 2007
Hsieh Meng-han (;;;) and Liu Hsing-hung (;;;), two students of National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, and Liu Yen-hung (;;;), a student of Shih Chien University, jointly designed an engine that can burn a variety of fuels. diplomacy Taiwan to donate more cash Taiwan will donate an additional US$200,000 to the Dominican Republic to help with relief operations after Hurricane Noel battered the Caribbean nation last week, inflicting a heavy toll on human lives and property, an... (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* Art around southern Taiwan Nov 1, 2007
The Pingtung Peninsula Arts Festival (FbqNu), which has been held annually for the last seven years, has branched out into hotels this year. In an effort to move the event from the county into the city, organizers have arranged solo exhibitions at Pingtung branches of the Caesar Park Hotel, Howard Beach Resort, Leofoo Resort and many others ... "We have invited artists from all around the island," Lin said, "and they have produced works inspired by Pingtung and the Hengchun Peninsula.... (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* Su condemns ballot boycott proposal Oct 26, 2007
Speaking as a former Pingtung County and Taipei County commissioner, Su said he had never seen local governments resist central government policies. Meanwhile, the KMT caucus threw its support behind the 18 local governments yesterday. (Taipei Times, Taiwan)
* Common rail plan is ridiculous Oct 22, 2007
But the ministry did not listen, and insists on pushing for a plan that will take a crippled high speed train into Pingtung ... The Ministry of Transportation and Communications has once again brought up the idea of a rail system between Kaohsiung City, Kaohsiung County and Pingtung County that would integrate the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) and the Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA), thereby allowing THSR trains to go to Pingtung ... But the ministry did not listen, and insists on pushing... (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* On the path to a better democracy Oct 15, 2007
Recent conferences have been held in Keelung, Ilan, Beitou (_), Neihu (), Banciao (O), Sanchong (T), Danshui (H), Tainan and Pingtung. This collaborative network brings together civil society, expands public participation in deliberative democracy to local communities, and diversifies its possibilities. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* THSRC may share tracks with Taiwan Railway: ministry Oct 15, 2007
PROJECTS: The proposal suggested that a third rail line be built, which would allow the high speed rail to operate from Taipei to Pingtung By Shelley Shan STAFF REPORTER Monday, Oct 15, 2007, Page 2. Faced with questioning from the nation's railway enthusiasts, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) said yesterday that it is still evaluating the possibility of having the nation's two largest railway systems share the same railway tracks from Kaohsiung to Pingtung ... The... (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
