Taiwan Panorama 2017 Sep

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Vol. 42 No. 9 September 2017

CHINESEENGLISH BILINGUAL MONTHLY ISSN 1991-525X
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World Games Legacy
6
A t 6 a.m. early risers are exercising, circling the
oval at the National Stadium in Kaohsiung.
Although it has been eight years since the sta-
2009
8 dium served as the main venue for the 2009 World
Games, the precious spirit of that international
sporting event lives on, offering enduring value.
(photo and text by Chuang Kung-ju/tr. by Jonathan Barnard)

10691 2017 Vegan

6511

Publisher: David Tawei LEE

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Ready to Shine EDITORS NOTE
on the World Stage
W ith the height of summer upon us,

Taiwans athletes are preparing to
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Taiwan has been an active participant in the
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CONTENTS 1069 42 9 Vol. 42 No. 9 September 2017
Cover Story
6
6
Universiade Taipei 2017

8

Top Taiwan Athletes Prepare for the Games

18

Showcasing Brand Taiwan
8
The Power of Design

28
Bito Studio
Taipei: Images in Rhythm
Bito Studio Bites the Bullet
Bito Studio
36
Expert Guides for the Summer Universiade

44
36

Wu Ching-kuo, Ambassador of Sport:
Taiwans International Sports Competitions,
Present and Future

Editors Note Postcards from Home
2 1 52
Ready to Shine on the World Stage World Games Legacy Variety Pages

1069 42 9

Vol. 42 No. 9 September 2017
CHINESEENGLISH BILINGUAL MONTHLY ISSN 1991-525X
Taiwan Panorama

Photo Essay
60

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-cover.indd 1 2017/7/26 10:43

Penghu, Basalt Island Paradise

2017
Spotlight

Cover: All eyes are on badminton star Tai Tzu-ying to win 70
gold for Taiwan at the upcoming Taipei Universiade.
(photo by Li Tien Chu)
Taiwan, Global Vegan Capital
An Eco-Friendly Lifestyle

Urban Spaces
80

Turning Over a New Leaf
Taipei Libraries Find Their Way in a New Era
70

TV and Film
90

Hit Show Points to New Paths for TV
Industry Success

Southeast Asian Focus
98 93

80
93Army Coffee
Granddaughter of a Forgotten Army

Artists and Artisans
106

Answering Questions in Contemporary
Sculpture: Kuo Chin-chihs Life in Art

Overseas Assistance
116
90

Taiwan Youth Overseas Service:
Creating Wonderful Memories of Foreign
Assignments

Universiade
Taipei

COVER STORY
8 Taiwan Panorama 2017/09

Top Taiwan Athletes

Prepare for the Games
Having already won gold medals at the London and Rio Olympics, Hsu
Shu-ching has set her mental state as just another day in preparation
for the Universiade.
9

Having cast aside her
disappointment at
failing to win gold at
Rio, Kuo Hsing-chun
has set her sights firmly
on preparing for the
Universiade.
2212

6 2016

2016

4
104137241

2014
140


T rack, basketball, diving. These and 19 other
sports will be on show over the 12 days of the
2017 Taipei Universiade. Athletes including weight-
Olympics and the 2016 Rio Olympics, Hsu originally
planned on taking time out from competitions this year.
But because of this rare opportunity of Taiwans hosting
lifters Hsu Shu-ching , Kuo Hsing-chun, and Chen an international sporting event, Hsuwho has already
Shih-chieh, as well as badminton ace Tai Tzu-ying brought home honors not only from the Olympics but
(currently ranked first in the world in womens sin- also from other first-class international tournaments in-
gles), plus many other young people representing Tai- cluding the the Asian Games and the World Weightlifting
wan for the first time, will try to take advantage of Championshipshas decided once again to appear on
the rare opportunity presented by Taiwans hosting behalf of her country.
the Universiade, bringing into play the home-field Ready to rock
advantage as they display the elite skills they have Although this is an international competition, Hsu,
honed over many years of hard training. looking out over the familiar equipment at the venue, is
not in the least nervous, and in fact when she speaks she
It is six years since Hsu Shu- appears as relaxed and smiling as if this were a domes-
ching last competed in the tic event. As the countdown to the Universiade rapidly
Universiade. Attending proceeds, Hsudescribed by her coach Tsai Wenyi as
for the second time this extremely strong psychologicallyacts no differently than
year, Hsus attitude in the past, following her own rhythm and facing the com-
and mood are very petition as if it were just another day.
different. After win- Seen by others as one of the top hopefuls for a gold
ning gold medals medal, Hsu is laid back about winning one. If you are con-
at the 2012 London stantly fixated on wanting to win a gold, in fact you wont

Taiwan badminton empress Tai Tzu-ying, ranked
number one in the world in womens singles, focuses
on an incoming shuttle.
11
20133

3
2017

3

2016


be able to. Its better to not take it so seriously, and just Taiwan at these games, and although she is ranked #1 in
advance slowly but surely, one step at a time, she says. the world, she does not take the competition lightly. There
Another outstanding female weightlifter, Kuo Hsing- is nothing absolute about any competition. Whether or
chun, who won a bronze medal at Rio, is coming back not she can win depends on her own and her opponents
prepared to do even better at the Universiade. condition and performance at the time of their contests.
To get her back into the rhythm of competing, last Tai, who currently studies at the University of Taipei,
year her coach, Lin Jingneng, made a special point of has been known since being introduced to badminton
taking Kuo to the World University Weightlifting Cham- in third grade for her killer smash shot that is her top
pionships in Mexico. Following that outing, at the Asian weapon in subduing opponents. After winning the Hong
Weightlifting Championships held in Turkmenistan this Kong Open in 2016, she found herself with enough rank-
past April, Kuo lifted a total of 241 kilograms (104 in the ing points to be named the world number-one womens
snatch and 137 in the clean and jerk) to break the Olym- singles player, becoming the first ever empress of the
pic gold medal record. world in Taiwans badminton history.
Kuos sporting career has not been without its share Jump! Taiwanese mens teams
of setbacks and disappointmentssuch as in 2014, when Ma sao Ha mada, the Japanese head coach of the
she suffered an injury to her right thigh while preparing Taiwan mens gymnastics team, says that while the
for the Incheon Asian Games when things went amiss team did not win any medals at the last Universiade in
on a 140-kilo lift. But Kuo, for whom talk about winning Gwangju, South Korea, there is an excellent chance they
and losing at competitions is just part of her daily rou- will come away with medals this time.
tine, now has a more mature mindset, and knows how Tang Chia-hung, who currently studies at National
to cope. Enthusiastic and sunny by nature, she hopes to Taiwan Normal University, is most skilled at the high
build upon her brilliant performance at the 2013 Uni- bar and floor exercises.
versiade, when she broke three records on her way to a Tang, who has been inclined to be hyperactive since
gold medal, and she has high hopes of winning a gold childhood, first took up gymnastics at the suggestion of
for the home team. a doctor, and he enrolled as a student of gymnast Lin
Badminton empress Tai Tzu-ying, who passed up Yu-hsin, whose real-life story inspired the film Jump
this years World Badminton Championships to compete Ashin! Tang believes that compared to other competi-
for Taiwan, is also getting into her best frame of mind for tors, his movements are especially crisp and clean, and
the Universiade. This year is her third time representing he feels especially good when flying through the air.

The youthful gymnast Tang Chia-
hung, who will this year be competing
in the Universiade for the first time, is
especially adept at the high bar and
the floor exercises. He most enjoys
the feeling of flying through the air.
13

52

In his decade-plus-long career in gymnastics, Tang ing), will this year be included among the competitive
has already accomplished great things, including taking events in the Universiade for the first time, giving
the title at the National Intercollegiate Athletic Games, audiences something to really look forward to.
and winning the gold medal for floor exercises at the Tsai Zemin, who currently studies at National Tai-
2017 FIG Artistic Individual Apparatus World Cup. wan Sport University, is most skilled in the martial
With his first appearance in the Universiade just com- art of chang quan (long fist or long boxing). In
ing up, Tang says that compared to competing abroad, the space of less than a minute and a half, we see the
where one has to get accustomed to the venue, this year precise movements of Tsais fists and feet vigorously
in what will be his first international competition in his demonstrating the forms of changquan. Tsai, who only
home country he hopes to deliver his finest performance. started formal training in changquan in middle school,
Martial arts to make Universiade debut is one of the top three in the country at his event. He
Wushu, or Chinese martial arts, which includes the explains that chang quan places the most importance
major categories of taolu (routines) and sanda (free fight- on a clear distinction between action and inaction.
Meanwhile Chen You wei, currently a fourth-year
student at the University of Taipei, has a father who
was a coach of traditional tai chi sword, and, sur-
rounded by this environment as a child, he learned tai
chi sword. Unlike traditional tai chi sword, Chen has
Wushu (Chinese martial arts), divided into the two major added a number of high-difficulty movements to his
categories of sanda (free fighting) and taolu (routines), will be part
of the Universiade for the first time this year. Chen Weiting (facing
routine, and has inserted leaps and other motions that
page, left, a competitor in sanda, and Tsai Zemin (below), a call for great lower-limb balance. As a representative
practitioner of changquan, will both be there to exhibit their skills.
of the host country, Chen has set out to change the
soft and beautiful musical style that had previously
accompanied tai chi sword routines, and made a point
of selecting powerful and imposing music from Hua
Mu lan for accompaniment. This time it is Taiwan
that is holding this international sporting event, so as
a host, I definitely have to draw out all my capability
and give a powerful performance, says Chen.
Participating this time in the sanda 52-kilo weight
class at the Universiade, Chen Wei ting is a student
at National Taiwan Sport University. She changed
direction only two years ago, following in the foot-
steps of an older female classmate to shift away from
her nine years of training in boxing to sanda training.
Although boxing and sanda are both competitive dis-
ciplines, and the foundational movements are similar,
Chen still has had to invest a great deal of time in
adjusting.
In particular, boxing mainly focuses on upper limb
movements and balanced postures, and you have to
observe subtle movements of your opponents shoul-
ders to decide when to strike, whereas sanda brings
together kicking, striking, and throwdowns, so the
training level and complexity of the actual fighting
are higher.
15
15

4
2012
U23 32

l

competition would get only one or two points. But
this huge gap with her competitors did not reduce
her determination. The real opponent is myself, and
even though my abilities were still far removed from
those of my opponents, if I could get even one or two
points more than in my previous match, that was prog-
ress. With help from her teammates, Cheng rapidly
upgraded her own fencing skills. In her career of only
five-plus years, she has already won her event in the
National Intercollegiate Athletic Games three straight
years and taken a bronze medal in the Asian Under-23
Fencing Championships.
With the approach of the Universiade, Cheng hopes
that more members of the public will come to under-
stand her event, which she finds enthralling.
The quick forward and backward footwork, attacking
and defending with sword in hand in a battle of wits
with her opponent, and scoring points in the blink of an
eye these are the reasons why Cheng finds fencing so
fascinating. Asian fencers tend to lack experience com-
pared to their Western counterparts, and also often face
a height disadvantage. But each time Cheng sees an op-
ponent make a move in the way that she had anticipated
and she is able to gain a point, in that instant she feels
filled with an incomparable sense of accomplishment.
In contrast to Cheng, who is making her first appear-
With her big eyes and dimpled look, fencing sweetheart ance at the Universiade, Hsu Jo-ting, who is currently in
Cheng Hsin hopes that people will not only come to cheer the the MA program at National Taiwan Sport University,
competitors on, but will also be able to feel the beauty and
excitement of fencing events. has already represented Taiwan at the Universiade four
times. Hsu also represented Taiwan in the 2012 Olym-
pics, and made it into the round of 32, making her the
first ever woman fencer from Taiwan to fight her way
Fencing: Fancy footwork and a battle of wits into the Olympics. Making her return to the Universi-
Cute and dimpled, with big eyes, the fencer Cheng ade, Hsu this time comes with an additional identity:
Hsin has represented Taiwan in several international new mom. Busy on the one hand with preparations for
events. Currently a third-year student in the Depart- the competition and on the other with a baby of just
ment of Physical Education at Fu Jen Catholic Univer- over a year old, Hsu admits that sometimes she is so
sity, she only got involved in fencing five or so years exhausted when she comes back from practice that she
ago. Cheng was originally a figure skater, but when she cant even play with her daughter. Although this life
was in the phys ed class at Taipei Municipal Yucheng of burning the candle at both ends is very tiring, Hsus
Senior High School, she followed the advice of an older mindset is much more relaxed, and she has rid herself
schoolmate and switched over to the foil, one of the of the must win pressure, so she can enjoy the compe-
three categories of weapons used in fencing. tition much more. l
With her limited experience, Cheng Hsin encoun- (Liu Yingfeng/photos by Chuang Kung-ju/
tered many superior fencers and often in a 15-minute tr. by Phil Newell)
17

COVER STORY
courtesy of UID Create

Showcasing
Brand Taiwan
The Power of Design

2017

T aipei is about to host the Summer Universiade 2017! As the time

of the games draws near, visitors and residents alike may notice
the main roads of the city lined with flags and banners promoting the
event, while a variety of activities are also being held in the lead-up.
The Taipei 2017 Summer Universiade Organizing Committee (TUOC)
has spent more than a year on preparations, from advertising, logis-
tics, and uniforms to preparing venues. The whole event is a showcase
for Taiwans capabilities in terms of design, goods and services. As
TUOC chief executive Su Li-chiung has remarked, the games will show
Taiwan to the world.

With the Summer Universiade drawing near,
a series of events has been organized to promote it,
including transforming the interior of Taipei Metro
carriages into imitation swimming pools for a little
midsummer refreshment.

19

From gifts decorated with Bravo the Bear to impeccably designed

sportswear, there is a wealth of Universiade paraphernalia to buy
and get into the spirit of the games with.

20132015
22017

8193012
10
2009


Following the 2013 Kazan games in Russia and the
2015 Gwangju games in South Korea, the biennial Sum-
mer Universiade is now about to bring the spotlight
onto its 2017 host, Taipei.
From August 19 through 30, the city will host almost
10,000 competitors and crew members from over 150
countries. Focused, as the name would imply, on student
athletes, the Universiade will be the highest-level inter-
national sporting event Taiwan has held, with the largest
number of participating countries and people.
Through this rare opportunity, says Su Li- chiung,
chief executive of the Taipei 2017 Summer Universiade
Organizing Committee (TUOC), Taipeis hosting of the
Universiade will help the world see Taiwan at her best.
Innovative ideas
To ensure the preparations are perfect, the Taipei City
Government and the TUOC have worked together on
them for over a year, putting forward a number of re-
freshingly innovative ideas along the way.
For example, in order to avoid athletes losing equip-
ment and so being unable to compete, the Universiade
has for the first time joined forces with local logistics
firms to create a Logistics League that works with
the various teams and athletes to ensure the massive

amount of gear arrives in Taiwan without a hitch.
To ensure a unified branding for the games, the TUOC Taipeis hosting of the Universiade will help the world see
Taiwan at her best, says TUOC chief executive Su Li-chiung.
established a Branding Advisory Committee, bringing on
board branding, design, and marketing experts to keep a
tight rein on things. that has a strong visual sense of inkwork. Through a red,
Compared with past international sporting events white, and blue color scheme, Huang has created a visual
that Taiwan has hosted, the Universiade has stricter rules design that captures the Universiades youthfulness, en-
regarding identity design and usage, as well as being on ergy, and vibrancy.
a larger scale. The hope is that through a coherent visual Eschewing traditional sportswear, Huangs use of pip-
aesthetic, the event will be able to create a stronger sense ing and color not only highlights his printwork, but also
of atmosphere for the public. creates a more delicate cuta masterful effort. For exam-
A young, vibrant Taipei ple, through the use of diagonal cuts, Huang has been able
The uniforms for the Universiade torchbearers, to create a sense of litheness and completely change the
which Su Li-chiung has called a showcase for Taiwan- look of the female torchbearers leggings. The windbreak-
ese design, are the work of designer Jasper Huang. ers, meanwhile, employ a collage effect, while also using
Huang, who spent several years in the United States Taiwanese firm Singtexs S.Caf functional fabric for
and specializes in incorporating elements of printwork comfort and breathability.
and Eastern design into his works, cleverly transformed Previous Taiwanese team uniforms, Huang says, never
the Chinese character (bei), meaning norththe quite lived up to expectations. After taking on the task of
second character in the name Taipeiinto a logo designing the torchbearers uniforms, he was determined
21
3D
45
FISU

logo

Designer Jasper Huang designed the uniforms worn by
the torchbearers, taking inspiration from the Chinese
character for north (also part of the name Taipei) and
combining it with a floral splash-ink effect in red, white,
and blue to create a youthful, dynamic feeling.

to use a style unlike those of previous Universiades. De-
spite all of this being Huangs first foray into designing
sportswear, the final product ended up only about 10% dif-
ferent from the original design and received similarly rave
reviews, leaving Huang feeling satisfied with his work.
Sparks of tradition and innovation
Next we turn our attention to the 70-centimeter-long,
1.2-kilogram aluminum alloy torch, which, with its flow-
ing lines, also became a showcase for Taiwanese design
and manufacturing capabilities.
Creative director of UID Create Jimmy Chang, the
designer of the torch, says that even though Taiwan
has hosted international sporting events like the World
Games and the Deaflympics, this is the first time weve
designed our own torch for one.
For the base of the torch, Chang looked to one of Tai-
wans former leading traditional industries, bamboo, and
enlisted the help of Nantou craftsman Su Su-jen, who ap-
plied a traditional hexagonal woven design. As Chang ex-
plains, in Chinese art bamboo is one of the Four Gentle-
men of the plant world (along with plum blossom, orchid
and chrysanthemum). It represents the season of summer,
and the virtues of modesty, honesty and decency. Through
its use, Chang hopes to encourage the athletes to compete
with decency regardless how heated the competition gets.
The copper-colored metal body of the torch is sourced
from a metalworks in Wuri District, Taichung. According
to Chang, the aluminum alloy used was much harder to
work with than steelsteel is harder and holds its shape
better. In the end, he had to rely on the metalworks to
deal with the soft, difficult to work alloy.
The burner cone that shrouds the upper part of the

torch has an open hexagonal lattice that echoes the bam-

boo pattern of the base. For this, the design team sought From visual design to textile selection, designer Jasper
the help of JKE, a precision medical equipment manu- Huang put in a masterful effort on the torchbearers uniforms,
hoping to showcase some of what makes Taiwan unique.
facturer based in Taichungs Taiping District who used (courtesy of Jasper Huang)
advanced five-axis laser cutters to realize the design.

The torch relay for these games included a trip up Changs torch design incorporates both tradition and
Yushan, nearly 4000 meters above sea level, where the innovation not only in the materials used for the torch
flame was lit. To solve the problems that come with try- body, but also in the use of LED lighting inside the bot-
ing to light a torch at such a high elevation, Chang went tom part that echoes the flame atop the torch.
to Pro-Iroda, a company that produces butane-powered With such a bold, innovative design, says Chang,
tools, to get a special high-pressure valve designed to Taiwan might for the first time be able to set the stan-
address the reduced air pressure that would otherwise dard for an international competition and establish an
make it difficult to ignite the gas. ideal for others to work toward.
23

LED

The bamboo work on the base of the torch was done by
Nantou craftsman Su Su-jen, who employed a traditional
hexagonal woven design. The LEDs installed in the bottom
light up in the dark to project the Universiade logo.
(courtesy of UID Create)
701.2

5

3,000

LED

LED


Taiwans first Lego swimming pool
701.2
Taiwans display of industrial and design talent isnt
the only thing that has caught international attention,
thoughtheres also the decision to use the floating

The 70-cm-long, 1.2-kg Universiade torch
brings together the work of Taiwanese
Skypool system. designers and traditional craftspeople.
(courtesy of UID Create)
This is the first time that a floating-type prefabricated
pool has been used in Taiwan, says Bobby Chung, Tai-
wan regional manager of Fluidra, the Spanish company
Once the outer structure of the pool
that is responsible for making the pool.
is assembled, he explains, the pool then
However, he continues, while it may be Taiwans first
needs to be filled with some 2,500 tons of
time, its certainly far from unprecedented internationally.
water, with each square meter of ground
Prefab pools not only save on the cost of building ded-
beneath having to support a load of 500
icated venues, but can also help address a lack of con-
kg. However, with the chosen venue for
struction time, seating, or other issues. However, while
the swimming and divingNational
the rapid construction and the portability of such pools
Taiwan Sport Universitys gymnasium
are strengths, they also come with a particular challenge,
being many years old, it was difficult to
Chung says, which is whether the ground beneath can
judge whether the ground would hold
carry the load.
up. Given this, after taking on the job
last year, Fluidra immediately launched
a geological survey of the venue, fortu-
nately finding out that there should be
UID Create creative director Jimmy Chang hopes to highlight the
beauty of Taiwanese innovation and tradition through the torch design. no safety concerns.
25

Fluidra
150

2003

2,500500
Fluidra
Fluidra

15085%
15%

1 54321
Fluidra

2016

l

A further headache is the fact that once the pool is 2017

full, the steel plates making up the outer structure will The 2017 Universiade marks the first use in Taiwan of a floating
be susceptible to bending outward from the pressure, prefabricated pool, which some have nicknamed the Lego pool.
(courtesy of TUOC)
but the International University Sports Federation, the
governing body for the Universiade, has strict regu-
lations regarding the dimensions of the pool, with a also, through the resulting video, has successfully pro-
tolerance for only 1 cm error in the length of swimmers moted the games to the world, says Chung.
lanes. To address this, Fluidra specially used the float- The countdown to the start of the 2017 Taipei Sum-
ing Skypool system which can be adjusted at any point, mer Universiade is underway. What has caught your
helping prevent any divergence in length. attention so far? The lovable mascot Bravo the Bear?
The entire process of constructing the pool was The fascinating, photorealistic floor decor of the Taipei
recorded and edited into a short video which, once Metro, which gives a sense of really being in a pool? Or
uploaded to the Internet, attracted the attention of no is it the fighting spirit of Taiwans youthful competitors?
small number of people. As of writing, the video had Whether youre a sports fan or not, be sure to join us at
racked up 1.5 million hits, 85% from Taiwan and 15% the event venues and help cheer on Taiwans best! l
from abroad. The use of the Skypool system for these (Liu Yingfeng/photos by Chuang Kung-ju/
games has not only been a milestone for Taiwan, but tr. by Geof Aberhart)
27

COVER STORY

Bito Studio
Taipei: Images in Rhythm
Bito Studio Bites the Bullet
Bito Studio
29
Bito Studio5

Bito Studio
90

Taipei in Motion

motion designBito Studio

Bito Studio


promotion. One viewer even claimed: I burst into tears
and ended up kneeling on the floor in front of the screen.
So how did the film originate, and from where?
The answer is clear: it was produced by Bito Studio,
led by creative director Keng Liu with three teams totaling
about 30 staff. It took them just five months to create this
outstanding piece of work.
Let the world see Taipei
Liu himself is a great sports fan who loves watching Tai-
wanese players like Wang Chien-ming, Chen We-yin, and
Lin Tzu-wei who are currently working in US major league
baseball. And like most Taiwanese people, hes passionate
in his support for the sporting community in general.
Taipei in MotionBito
Studio
Bito Studios creative director Keng Liu used three teams to
produce the stunning promotional film Taipei in Motion for the 2017
Taipei Summer Universiade. (photo by Lin Min-hsuan)
I n mid-May, a promotional video for the 2017 Taipei

Summer Universiade was launched online, attract-
ing more than 3 million viewers. With absolutely stun-
ning imagery, the one-and-half-minute clip introduces
Taipei to the world. The video was produced by pro-
duction house Bito Studio over a five-month period.
An arrow is loosed at a target; a sprinter kicks off

the blocks at high speed; various scenes captured from
the Tai pei MRT flash by; traffic surrounds Tai peis
North Gate. The short film features images reflecting
the power and beauty of the athletes, interspersed with
bursts of the Taipei streetscape.
Launched with the title Taipei in Motion, the video
features neither words nor heroes, but its captivating
rhythm and unique visual style have won great accla-
mation from viewers. Typical online comments include:
I was covered in goose-bumps after watching it; and
It could easily compete with Tokyos 2020 Olympics
31

5
Bito Studio

101

90


Although Liu has quite a lot of experience filming is its vitality, says Liu. Compared to Europe or other
internationally, this is the first time that hes taken com- countries with a long history, Taiwan is rather young
plete responsibility for shooting an official video. This is and is still searching for its own identity. And because
Taiwans first opportunity to host such a prestigious in- that identity is still to some extent in question, this gives
ternational sporting event, presenting us with the chance Taiwan almost unlimited possibilities and great vitality.
to show Taiwan to the world. Our team was not going to Many people, for example, criticize Taiwans unap-
miss out on such a rare break, says Liu. pealing streetscapes, full of untidy signage and count-
Bito Studio specializes in motion design, so they eschew less noisy scooters flying through the traffic. But in Lius
common video shooting techniques, instead using an eyes, these scenes are representative of the vitality of the
enormous number of stills, combined visually with a fast city. People ride scooters everywhere to get to work to
rhythm. The completed work is a far cry from what many make a living. Such apparent bedlam is in fact one of
viewers are accustomed to. But the director isnt worried. the great charms of Taipei.
Hes confident that this is what the world wants to see. Innovating the everyday
Lius confidence stems from his immense experience Liu refuses to use the same idea twice. In meetings,
working with media. He spent many years working in he is always urging his colleagues to bypass the first idea
New York before returning to Taiwan five years ago to that occurs to them. Its often the one that most people
establish Bito Studio. And back in Taiwan, he also gained would have anyway, he says.
rich experience producing promotional films for multina- Bito Studio chose to shoot the film from different
tional companies such as Mercedes-Benz. perspectives using a range of innovative techniques.
As well as introducing new shooting techniques, Liu Although some elements of the film, such as daily life
also avoids common Taipei vistas. Looking through past events, would be familiar, the team was able to offer new
promotional films for Taiwan, they all tend to focus on interpretations and novel angles. For example, a scene
Taipei 101 and the night markets, says Liu. showing the casting of moon blocks at Dalongdong Baoan
He questions whether these scenes really represent Temple was given renewed significance in the film.
Taiwan: The greatest attraction of this youthful nation This isnt the first time that Liu has employed scenes
33

Bito Studio
GoPro

from Chinese folk religion. The rituals of burning in- audio possible, Liu invited a Canadian team to produce
cense and prayer are very familiar for Liu, who was the sound and music. Links to unconscious memories
born in Taipeis Wanhua District. Liu remembers that evoke a resonance as viewers watch the film with these
in his childhood, the family would often visit Lung- familiar sounds as background.
shan Temple for family events or festivals. So burning The film has been extraordinarily well received by
incense and praying has been a daily ritual for him, as the public. Liu says frankly that he had no expectation
it is for many in Taiwan. Such folk beliefs are deeply of such a remarkable outcome. In order to produce this
rooted in Taiwan society, and the inclusion of temple type of composite media which integrates animation and
culture into peoples daily lives is quite unique, differ- reality, the Bito Studio team was augmented by the inclu-
ent from the tradition in other Chinese communities sion of short film director Howard Cheng and animation
such as in mainland China or Singapore. director Gavin Yin.
By incorporating elements of folk religion such as After they took up their responsibilities last year, cre-
the casting of moon blocks, Liu meant to bring good ative ideas began to flow and ended up pasted over the
luck to the 2017 Taipei Universiade. Casting the blocks transparent wall in their meeting room. In order to achieve
means putting your future into the hands of fate, which the best possible vision, two teams used a range of equip-
reflects the spirit of sport where you can never be sure ment including high-speed cameras, drones, GoPros and
of the result until the final second. a special underwater camera to capture scenes from above
The flow of traffic and the vibrant nightlife echo and below that people would never see in daily life.
the energy of the city, and demonstrate the immediate Each scene was discussed in great detail before shoot-
potency of the young athletes. Watching the 90-second ing took place. But despite the precise preparation, there
film is like riding an invisible light beam, transporting were some surprises: for example, the geometric beauty
one swiftly through Tai pei, powered by rapid bursts of the tennis and basketball courts as shot by one of their
of energy from the athletes. The rhythm keeps up from drones was impressive enough to stun even Liu.
beginning to end, never running out of steam. The entire task has been a novel experience for Liu
Sound effects and his team. Government-sponsored films are some-
Aside from the dual visual focus on the energies times the subject of criticism, but from the very begin-
of the city and the athletes, sounds also have a key ning of this project, Liu determined to correct that im-
role: familiar announcements from the Taipei MRT are pression: this one would be different. The international
intermixed with the intense breathing and pulse of the standard of this work speaks highly of his skills. l
sportspeople. As viewers hear the sounds, images are (Liu Yingfeng/images courtesy of Bito Studio/
created in their minds, says Liu. To achieve the best tr. by Geoff Hegarty and Sophia Chen)
35

COVER STORY

Expert Guides for the
Summer Universiade

photo by Chuang Kung-ju

s h o w

show
W hat are the various ways to watch a sporting competition?

Sports events are in many ways performances. From this per-
spective, the outcome is not particularly important. Everyone has their
own particular way of enjoying the spectacle: watching athletes dis-
play their vigor, beauty and competitive spirit; exploring the delights
of the host city around the various venues; or joining in street events.
In this issue, we invited authorities in sport, event management,
travel, music, design, and even the games mascot to provide different
perspectives on the 2017 Summer Universiade in Taipei. Lets all cheer
on this spectacular show when the whistle blows!
(Lynn Su and Cathy Teng/photos by Jimmy Lin/
tr. by Geoff Hegarty and Sophia Chen)
courtesy of TUOC

photo by Chin Hung-hao

Cheering On

the Teams

Chan Chun-chih
Chan Chun-chih, once a track and
field star on his school team, is

now chairman of the Chinese Taipei
International Sports Volunteers
Association. He served as an
Olympic volunteer at both the
s h o w Athens and the Rio Olympic Games,
and traveled at his own expense
to the London and Beijing Olympics
l to promote exercise back home.
T he Taipei Universiade provides

Taiwan with a rare opportunity
to hold a large-scale sports competi-
Contestants will include badminton
player Tai Tzu-ying and weightlifters
Hsu Shu-ching and Kuo Hsing-chun,
immerse themselves in the games
once they start and better under-
stand a previously unfamiliar sport.
tion. Chan Chun-chih notes that the all of whom are former Olympic He also suggests that people check
organizers have made the most of competitors. Fans will have the the time and the best viewing spots
the home-field advantage and se- rare good fortune of being able to cheer on runners competing in the
lected disciplines that Taiwans to see them perform firsthand. half- marathon that will be routed
student athletes The Tai pei Universiade will along Tai peis Renai Road and in
excel in, such also showcase events that are which some well-known runners
as badminton, less often broadcast on local tele- from Japan will be taking part.
weightlifting, vision, including archery, diving, Chan thinks that watching an
and tae- gymnastics, and water polo. Chan athletic competition should be
kwondo. recommends that people brush treated as a pleasant pastime with
up beforehand on the events little concern for who wins and who
t h e i r ru l e s , s c o r i n g loses. Sports competitions are like
methods, and ranking shows in which competitors exhibit
systemsso they can their prowess and the grace of their
sport, he says.
The Universiade will allow
people to share in the spirit of
the athletes themselves and join
together with other viewers to cheer
for impressive performances. l
(Lynn Su/tr. by Robert Green)

Wang feels that the Taiwanese

p u b l i c h o l d s a n a r ro w v i e w o f
Building the Legacy competitions as a zero-sum game
between two opponents, while the
government regards sports as a
way to cultivate the body and build
2017
moral character. But he believes that

athletics is a manifestation of phys-
Wang Yao-pang (Gezi) ical aesthetics and should be seen
Wang Yao-pang, director of

Superman as a cultural wellspring. Athletics is
InFormat Design Curating
and InFormat Paper, has been also related to the consumer econ-
absorbed for many years in the omy, manufacturing, medicine, and

fields of design, architecture,
and culture, building other industries and so is especially
integrated multidisciplinary in need of strategic thinking.
teams and taking part in
Our seeking to host the Universi-
publicprivate exhibitions and
various planning projects. He ade shows the positive direction of
was curator of the Theme Taiwans ambitions. The experience

Pavilion for the 2017 Creative
Expo Taiwan. of holding a large-scale sports event
offers the opportunity to reassess
our capabilities in this area. It also
or Wang Ya-pang, sports are the offers the chance to make creative
ultimate showcase of the human use of the physical infrastructure

body. Athletes movements are char- that remains after the sports event,
acterized by superlatives: highest, to increase public participation in
farthest, fastest, most explosive. sport and raise fitness, and to shift
Athletes make real our fantasies of focus from constructing sports in-
being Superman, he says. frastructure to the cultivation of

athletes who strive for excellence.
By exploring these athletes per-
sonal narratives people can develop

a richer understanding of sports.
These are all opportunities presented
to Taiwanese society by this years
Universiade.
What is the ideal legacy of the
Universiade? That is the real ques-
tion, says Wang. Many cities that

max
have hosted the Olympics have
experienced lasting benefits long

after the games have ended. Only
time will tell whether Tai pei will
enjoy those same benefits as a post-
Universiade city. l
l (Lynn Su/tr. by Robert Green)
39

13
All Together Now:
Music for the

I-WANT
Universiade

i u giugi senasena i

Howie B. l
2017
Bravo
The 2017 Taipei Universiade mascot.
He is fond of playfully teasing
Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je. He has
been popping up all over Taiwan
and cant wait to meet members of
the public everywhere.
courtesy of TUOC

2.8
Bravo the Bear:
Mascot with
a Mission

V

45 l

T o give the international com-
munity a sense of the power
of music in Taiwan and draw local
peoples attention to the Universiade,
says Jack Wang, we chose the harder
path: giving the people the power to
select the song.
To choose from among over 200
candidates one song that would con-
vey the vitality of Taiwans youth and
courtesy of Click Music
a sense of freedom, sunshine, joy and
love, 13 judges tirelessly debated the The refrain i u giugi senasena i As part of the preparations
songs merits. Ultimately, they selected is Paiwan for all together now, sing for the Universiade, the musicians
Embrace the World, written by Pai- and dance. We can be confident wanted to put together something
wan singer Ut jung Tjaki valid that thanks to the Universiade, this fun and joyous, says Wang. An
(Kris Wu) and performed by the phrase will become another important promotor of independent
group I-Want Star Taiwan. greeting from Taiwan sung out Taiwan bands, he has called on the
to the world. musical energy of every ethnic group
Howie B., an internationally on the island in assembling a diverse
known master of electronic musical lineup, including the Chair-

music, was invited to arrange man Band, Sizhukong, and Sibongie,
2017
the official version. He trans- as well as the Chio-Tian Folk Drums

formed the traditional Paiwan and Arts Troupe and ZenKwun. The
Jack Wang
melody by mixing in rumba and music is sure to give everyone in
Click Music vice president. He
took on a mission impossible in other Latin beats. As soon as the attendance a good sense of Taiwans
leading efforts to find the theme first drumbeat sounds, listeners creative vitality. l
song for the Taipei Universiade.
cant help but want to start dancing. (Cathy Teng/tr. by Jonathan Barnard)
B ravo, a Formosan black bear

native to Taiwan and marked
with the telltale white V-shaped
District of Kaohsiung to cheer on the
athletes at the National Sports Train-
ing Center. He brought them towels
28,000 of them on Facebook. As well
as traveling all around Taiwan he
entertains followers on Facebook.
pattern on his chest, has been scram- to wipe away their perspiration, Dont let his girth fool you into
bling about promoting the Tai pei managed to make weightlifter Hsu thinking that Bravo doesnt love ex-
Universiade since he was enlisted as Shu-ching blush and took personal ercise. An athletes spirit lives in his
the games mascot last year. He has lessons in table tennis from Chen bones. Running about is his daily ex-
experienced the rare sight of snow Szu-yu. He is quite the lucky bear. ercise, but hes also no slouch when
on Mt. Yangming with local crowds, Bravo is black from head to foot it comes to golf, basketball, rock
and secured a passport and flown to (except for the white V) and his climbing, baseball, judo, the horizon-
New York to promote the Universi- smile slopes up on both sides in 45 tal bar and bicycling.
ade. Its no exaggeration to say that degree angles. His eyes never squint Everyone to the stadium! Cheer
Bravo is Taiwans busiest black bear. when he laughs but always retain on the home team! Bravo roars
In the run-up to the competition, their large round appearance. He while gesticulating energetically. l
Bravo has traveled to the Zuo ying loves to bear-hug fans and has some (Cathy Teng/tr. by Robert Green)
41

Creating Urban
Exercise Corners

Agua Chou
Head of the City Yeast project,
Chou is a veritable fount of
ideas about the city. She is
also an ace at skipping with
a rope.

2017

cartoons courtesy of City Yeast

H ow do you calculate the

age of a city? asks Agua
Chou. Look at the relative size of
Within our living environment,
lets design some small reminders
in out-of-the-way corners of the city
now and then. Why are the people
depicted all overweight? Its to con-
vey to city residents that if they dont
the population that exercises. that tell people to take the time to exercise theyll get even fatter!
Taipei City won its bid to host the get exercise. For the Universiade, boxing speed
2017 Universiade, games that draw This year City Yeast has designed balls have been installed in exercise
college and university students from small cartoon icons around the slo- corners around Tai pei City Hall
around the world. Its the most im- gan Tai pei people love exercise Plaza. As you scurry between event
portant international sporting event and placed them on street lights in locations during the games, note
that Tai pei has ever staged, and or near the Taipei Arena, Nangang, for a moment those icons on street
Chou, a tireless urban activist, hopes Tianmu and National Taiwan Uni- lamps, and heed their instructions to
to leverage these games to foster an versity. They feature images such as move more. One option would be to
environment that is more support- pudgy old men or little kids swing- use street lamps for pole dancing
ive of athletics, thus bolstering the ing their arms or stretching. They because the entire city should be our
vitality of the city and extending the are meant to remind city residents sports arena. l
games impact. to take the time to get some exercise (Cathy Teng/tr. by Jonathan Barnard)

943

An Opportunity

40
to Promote the City

943
943
Travel expert 943 (which in
I K E A Mandarin is a near-homophone with
a phrase meaning to save money)
is an experienced backpacker
and travel club president. Having
943 personal experience of traveling to
over 100 countries on a total of
only NT$400,000, she is keen on
helping others travel abroad on a
limited budget.

943
943
l
943 believes tourism

in Taiwan has a
bright future. Tai pei, for example,
ucts and designs. In fact, these stores
are often the birthplace of creative
ideas that will invigorate local indus-
such as IKEA, Core Pacific City, and
Carrefour, perfect for a little window
shopping. Core Pacific City provides
has a number of heritage attractions try. As venues for the Universiade free shuttle buses to the Taipei City
such as the Red House and the his- are spread across the city, visitors Hall MRT station, from where vis-
toric Tai pei Guest House. She par- will have ample opportunities to ex- itors can take a train back to their
ticularly recommends walking the plore the many sides of Taipei. hotels. Accommodation around the
citys narrow lanes to explore the 943 specially recommends the Ximen MRT station is very popular
array of distinctive local businesses. Taipei Arena area in the center of the with tourists. And along Nan jing
Rents in such back streets are much city. With minimum spending as a East Road there are many bakeries
lower, allowing owners to experi- goal, she has designed a route that such as Chia Te, Snowflake, and Yu
ment with more imaginative prod- can be followed by tourists. The Man Jan Shin. These stores are perfect for
Fang Cafe and Big Two Gourmet, overseas visitors wanting to buy gift
located in nearby lanes, are well pat- packs for family back home.
ronized by local office workers. The We should be making the most
latter s Hong-Kong-style barbecue of this fantastic opportunity to
dishes are delicious and excellent promote our city! says 943. Taipei
value. For foreign visitors in partic- awaits the inquisitive eyes of many
ular, 943 recommends the Jin Shan tourists exploring every inch of the
Hakka Restaurant, where they can city this summer. l
taste the flavors of authentic Taiwan (Lynn Su/tr. by Geoff Hegarty and
cuisine. Nearby are malls with stores Sophia Chen)
43

COVER STORY

Wu Ching-kuo,
Ambassador of Sport:
Taiwans International
Sports Competitions,
Present and Future

2016

T he art of entertaining requires a host to plan for all contingen-

cies. Holding an international sports competition is much like
entertaining at home or in a restaurant. One must decide if the space
is large enough and if the cooks will be able to whip up enough food
for the guests, and if the food is sufficiently presentable. Beyond the
basics, there are always the guests unexpected needs. But meeting all
those expectations will ensure a hosts success.

Wu Ching-kuo hopes that the

development of athletics in Taiwan and
greater media coverage will lead to
sports playing a greater role in peoples
lives. (photo by Chuang Kung-ju)
45

2014

Peace through sport

2011

Wu Ching-kuo traveled to Russia to promote peace through sport at the World Series of Boxing.

A 2016 recipient of the prestigious Olympia trophy, After Wus repeated efforts to calm tensions, the
sports administrator Wu Ching-kuo is like a beacon in a two countries put aside their differences and agreed to
tumultuous international environment. Wu is president of honor travel documents, ensure security and meet other
the International Boxing Association (AIBA) and a member requirements that allowed for mutual participation and
of the executive board of the International Olympic Com- enabled the tournament to proceed.
mittee (IOC). On the eve of the Universiade, he offers up Wu believes deeply in the concept of peace through
insightful observations and practical strategies on Taiwans sport. This has underpinned many international sport-
current and future hosting of international sports events. ing competitions, such as the AIBAs 2011 World Boxing
The far-reaching influence of sports Championships held in Azerbaijan. The host country
Hosting international sports events often entails grap- not only welcomed the participation of competitors
pling with unforeseen issues and obstacles. During the from Armenia, a country with which it had a longstand-
2014 World Series of Boxing, for example, Ukraine and ing enmity, but also took the opportunity to express its
Russia were on the verge of a crisis over Crimea, and their goodwill by providing accommodations, security per-
mutual distrust made athletic cooperation difficult. I im- sonnel, and even telephones for athletes to communicate
mediately flew to Moscow and told the minister of sport with family members. You are my competitor, not my
that he had to welcome the Ukrainian athletes, and that if enemy. This is the idea we must strengthen, Wu says.
he didnt I would have to withdraw their right to organize Sports as a national unifier
the event, Wu recounts. When both sides agreed to re- Respect lies at the heart of Olympic ideals, because
spect fundamental sporting principles, things ultimately without it there can be no coexistence. From that respect,
went off without a hitch. friendship can grow, and the next step is the pursuit of
In 1978 Wu Ching-kuo brought Englands Milton Keynes All-Stars basketball team to

Taiwan to play in the annual William Jones Cup.
47
2000

2828
2011

2009

2017
l
2009
The 2009 World Games in Kaohsiung was praised as one of the most
successful in the events history. (photo by Chuang Kung-ju)

1992

Taiwans baseball team
won the silver medal
at the 1992 Barcelona
Olympics.
excellence. The competition, embrace, and ultimate tran- were acclaimed as one of the most successful World Games
scendence of differences that occur during athletic com- in the events history. The major sporting events we have
petitions are the embodiment of the Olympic spirit. held in the past, including the World Games, have proven
The media also plays a key role in cultivating interest that we have the capability to hold such events. But with so
and solidarity among the public, says Wu. If people are much competition to host the events, we have to compete
to have a spontaneous enthusiasm for sports, beyond the fiercely to get to stage them in Taiwan, Wu says earnestly.
role of education in instilling a sporting ethos, the media By letting sporting competitions be just about sport,
needs to treat sports news as important in its own right, and keeping politics out of the equation, we can play to
not just as secondary stories. our own strengths and gain international approval. For
The 2000 Sydney Olympics, for example, was one of the example, Hsu Shu-ching, an Olympic gold medalist in
most successful in Olympic history. Juan Antonio Sama- weightlifting, has spoken to the international community
ranch, IOC president at the time, couldnt have been hap- through her accomplishments. This is the best kind of in-
pier with its success. Why? Because people didnt need to ternational publicity.
be encouraged to watch the games; they just followed their Raising national awareness for sports, however, is
passions and poured into the stands, Wu says. He hopes not something that can be done overnight. Taiwan first
that media coverage of athletic competitions in Taiwan will competed to hold Asian regional sporting events and
focus on the sport itself and not just political topics. then bid for international events. Through the efforts of
As for the government, whether at the national or the the government and the media, Taiwan can gradually
local level, there should be a single purposeto highlight cultivate public interest in particular sports. The Taipei
Taiwans strengths. Both the public and the government Universiade will rely on the media both to spread the
should seek to express this in thought and action. word about the various international competitors and
Raising Taiwans profile through sports the performance of Taiwans athletes, and to showcase
The 2009 World Games in Kaohsiung were the first Taiwan by highlighting the athletic spirit shown by both
large-scale comprehensive sporting event organized in Tai- government and the populace. l
wan. They received high praise from Ron Froehlich, pres- (Ivan Chen/photos courtesy of IOC Members Office,
ident of the International World Games Association, and Taipei/tr. by Robert Green)
49

B a T u

360 288

G D P

Ph M
Hng

53


* * *

280 240

55

350 320


57


59


Penghu, Basalt Island Paradise

photo by Jimmy Lin
I f it is true that local differences in the character of the land lead to different sorts of people, then surely
tenacious is the best adjective to describe the residents of Penghu.
Tens of millions of years ago Penghu rose from the water as a volcano in the seabed poured out magma.
As the scalding lava gushed out into the cool ocean water, it formed basalt columns pointing skyward. Over
the millennia, monsoon winds and ocean currents have sculpted the black crystalline rock here into a variety
of shapes. The islands rugged sea caves and waterfalls that pour over towering cliffs bear witness to those
transformations.
Penghus earliest inhabitants somehow managed to find a way to survive in this hardscrabble environment.
Today women still make good use of the resources at hand by gathering seaweed from the reefs at low tide.
The weathered houses mottled walls show in places the coral stone from which they were made. The eyes
peering out from the sun-darkened faces of local passersby express a fearless spirit.
Penghu is a paradise where man and nature coexist in harmony, where Indian blanket flowers cover the
dunes in their loving embrace. l
(photos and text by Chuang Kung-ju/tr. by Jonathan Barnard)
61

These local women are all old hands at shucking oysters.
(Wanggong, Changhua County)

Just as grain farmers must check their fields,
so too do oyster farmers need to patrol their oyster beds.
(Fangyuan, Changhua County)
The columnar basalt on Qimei Island offers the best evidence of Penghus geologic history.

Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) in bloom near the foot of a
basalt cliff above Neian Beach.
63

A woman of the Nanliao community takes advantage of low tide
to gather seaweed from the reef.

Oyster beds in the Caiyuan community of
Penghus Magong. (photo by Jimmy Lin)

65

Abandoned residences on Wangan Island hint at the prosperity of a bygone era.

The mottled walls of dilapidated structures in the Nanliao community

reveal traces of the coral stone from which they were made.
(photo by Jimmy Lin)
67

The twin-heart stone fish
weir off Qimei Island bears
witness to the wisdom and
resourcefulness of
Penghus people.

69
SPOTLIGHT
CNN20174

201512COP21
N G O1318

Vegan

Vegan 1/3
10

Taiwan, Global Vegan Capital
An Eco-Friendly Lifestyle
I n an April 2017 report, CNN once again ranked

Taipei among the worlds top ten most popular
cities for vegan cuisine. This is not the first time
and lifestyle. The mere absence of animal ingredients
does not qualify as vegan; rather, it should be de-
fined as a lifestyle that is friendly to the environment,
that international media have praised Taiwans animal life and mankind.
vegan fare. Aside from baseball, xiao long bao Speaking up for Taiwans vegan world
steamed buns, night markets and other familiar In December 2015 when the United Nations Climate
points of pride, the impact of veganism in Taiwan is Change Conference (COP 21) took place in Paris, lo-
not to be underestimated. cated in the NGO pavilion were 18 Meatless Monday
bodies from 13 countries that participated in this grand
Besides avoiding consumption of food derived from event. Chang Yu-chuan, organizer of the Meat Free
animals, such as eggs, milk, cheese and honey, vegan- Monday Taiwan campaign, noted in his speech that
ism extends to all levels of the environment, education the rapid expansion of meat consumption by human
71
20122,328 NGO
700

Andrew NichollsElbert GuMichel Cason

Vegan
Miki Haimovich 9Andrew

Gent 1988
Diet for a New America

Vegan
Vegan25
40 8

Chang Yu-chuan in his role as organizer of Meat Free Monday Taiwan, speaking at the 2015
Paris Climate Change Conference. (courtesy of Chang Yu-chuan)

beings has caused devastat-
ing damage to rainforests,
the oceans and the land.
Farm-raised animals may
even gobble up one-third of
grain globally. He also re-
ported to the international
attendees that as the result
of a nearly decade-long
vegan campaign, according
to statistics from Taiwans
Ministry of Education, in
2012, for example, some
2,328 elementary, middle
and high schools instituted
meatless Mondays and
students consumed up to
7 million vegetarian meals
per day. During this period,
not just schools but many
central government and lo-
cal officials also did their bit. At the end of the forum,
friends from Switzerland and Norway came to inquire
Chang Yu-chuan (left), organizer of Meat Free Monday Taiwan,
how Taiwan had managed to obtain such results, and with Wilderness Foundation Formosa chairman Hsu Jen-shiu (right).
they heaped praise on Taiwans promotion of vegan
eating, says Chang.
Chang points out that the one-meatless-day-a-week ence and sports education from Australia, and special-
activity is being promoted in about 40 countries and izes in coaching athletes. He is also a Pilates Interna-
territories. Although the launch of this global vegetar- tional instructor. While reading Diet for a New America
ian and vegan campaign has been managed by local in 1988, he discovered that the inhumane treatment
NGOs in each country, in terms of the shared global and killing of animals described in the book closely
environmental theme, the goal remains consistent. In resembled the scenes of butchery he had witnessed
Taiwan, including support for activities such as Meat on his familys farm as a child. A practicing vegan for
Free Monday by groups in various sectors, the con- nearly 25 years, he feels strongly about how veganism
cept of vegetarianism among Taiwanese has evolved has evolved in Taiwan over the last eight years. When
from religious factors initially, to one in which increas- he first arrived here vegetarian fare was available but
ing numbers of people prefer a plant-based diet for vendors placed little emphasis on nutrition and taste,
reasons such as health, and protection of animals and whereas nowadays it seems as if every month or two a
the environment. new vegan eating spot pops up somewhere. In Taiwan,
Vegans worldwide fix their eyes on Taiwan Nicholls has found his second home outside Australia.
Andrew Nicholls, Elbert Gu and Michel Cason hail Now promoting vegan dining in Taiwan via her
from Australia, the US and South Africa, respectively. own restaurant, Michel Cason was inspired to become
Despite their different nationalities and backgrounds, a vegan thanks to the Taiwanese. She first came to Tai-
they became acquainted in Taiwan thanks to their sim- wan purely for travel, but soon discovered the wide-
ilar vegan concepts. Nicholls, who arrived in Taiwan spread practice of vegetarianism, and the respect and
nine years ago, holds a masters degree in sports sci- importance accorded to those who do not eat meat,
73
AndrewCheese Pie
Andrew Nicholls with his tasty vegan cheese piesans
milk or eggs.
Vegan
Andrew
VeganMichel
Vegan
Vegan
Michel7 4Elbert

Michel

12


Elbert

Elbert Gu, who has
traveled the world teaching
oil painting and holding
exhibitions, expounds
upon the convenience of
eating vegan in Taiwan.
attitudes that are unmatched in other countries. Once

she acquired a deeper understanding of veganisms
benefits for both human health and animal welfare,
she naturally became a member of the vegan tribe.
Cason has been in Taiwan for seven years. As a chef,
she has been deeply impressed with the rich and var-
ied assortment of vegetables available here. There
are many kinds of vegetables in Taiwan, including
Chinese kale, chayote leaves, water spinach, birds-
nest fern and so on. Variety like this cant be found
South Africa, she says. Fruits and vegetables are
plentiful year-round, with specific types abundant
depending upon the season. Taiwan is indeed blessed
with a unique environment.
Based upon experience acquired traveling the world
while teaching oil painting and exhibiting his own
works, Elbert Guwho is a visiting scholar at Nanjing
University of the Artssays eating vegan has been no
easy feat. He has resided in Taiwan for four years now,
however, and to him it seems that at almost every cor-
ner one finds food and drink fit for vegetarians. He
believes that this is because Taiwan has undergone
many different waves of cultural baptism, and thus
it exhibits an eclectic taste for vegetarian cuisine. Re-
cently he has undertaken an artistic project with vegan
Michel
overtones, in which he hopes to show that behind the
jolly images of animals on meat and dairy product Drawing upon her childhood memories, Michel
Carson combines Italian spices and Taiwans year-
packaging, there lie hidden tragedies and slaughter. round ingredients to make a vegan spaghetti sauce.
75

Whenever he speaks of the art of cooking, Feng Pei-ge virtually
radiates with delight, which leaves a deep impression on others.
UNESCO2008
Livestock in a Changing Landscape
30%
8% 22
N G O
9%37%
65%

10


Linking the wilderness with the green revolution
For the natural ecosystem, each species is equally im-
portant. Hsu Jen-shiu, chairman of Wilderness Founda-
tion Formosa, who has devoted his energies to protecting
wilderness over several decades, advocates for a green rev-
olution from the perspective of protecting our planet. Man-
kinds rapacious desire far exceeds the concrete needs of
human survival, and in order to earn profits he recklessly
fells mountain forests and undertakes huge construction
projects. In order to reduce the cost of raising livestock, cluding Sabah), and Central America. In Malaysias Sa
meat and bone meal made from rendered bovine carcases rawak there is a place called Uru Air. Originally, massive
was added to cattle feed, resulting in outbreaks of mad felling of mountain forests was planned. Our approach
cow disease. But with the emergence of the vegan concept was to go into the forest and persuade the tribal chiefs
in Taiwan, many health and environmental issues can be to reconsider, as well as communicating directly with
resolved. Hsu Jen-shiu mentions that a group of wilder- the governor. Thanks to the constant efforts and coordi-
ness protection volunteers has gone to Taitung to engage nation of volunteers such as Hsu Jen-shiu, local leaders
in fertilizer-free nature farming, in the hopes of reducing were ultimately convinced of the forests value, and thus
environmental hazards caused by foodstuff production. this swathe of precious natural assets was preserved.
In order to promote the establishment of bodies devoted Grassroots campaign among the young
to teaching ecology among overseas Chinese, Hsu has rep- In Taiwan, members of the younger generation are
licated the methodology of Taiwans Society of Wilderness, using their own strengths to respond to the global vegan
going to places such as Nicaragua, Australia, Malaysia (in- trend. A table overflows with a banquet of vegan dishes
77

A band of young people have penetrated to Taiwans every nook and cranny, where they
invest their own money and efforts into advocating veganism and animal rights.

Vegan

30

Vegan

Vegan Vegan

Vegan
VeganVegan

Vegan

l

prepared by the hand of Chef Feng Pei-ge. When
I was at university, I simply wanted to take care
of three daily meals that were cheap, simple, and
healthy. But as things turned out, along the way I
became a vegan. After graduating with an MS from
the Department of Food Science at National Ping-
tung University of Science and Technology, Feng
worked in vegetarian restaurants for a few years.
By virtue of self-study and food-related concepts
acquired at universityand after repeated failures
and experimentationhe gradually integrated his
school learning with cooking ingredients.
Foreign chefs tend to make good use of bitter,
astringent and sour flavors. After careful study, I
discovered that they use bitterness to bring out a
foods depth and to balance other flavors. They use
astringency to endow certain ingredients, originally
very satisfying and luxurious, with a sense of lay-
ered freshness. Whenever he speaks of the art of
cooking, Feng virtually radiates with delight, which
leaves a deep impression on others. This is how he
conveys his response to the vegan way of life.
In addition, a band of young people have pen-
etrated to every corner of Taiwan, where they pro-
mote the concepts of veganism and of equal rights
for animals. They include people like Wusdom,
the Taiwan organizer of 30-Day Vegan, who in his
spare time uses his own money and efforts, and calls
on like-minded volunteers to spread the word on the
streets of Taipei, Taichung and Tainan; or Jessi Chang,
consultant to National Taiwan Universitys Animal
Rights Club, and Dai Yu-sheng, a fresh graduate from
National Taiwan Normal University, both of whom
promote the vegan lifestyle via on-campus speeches,
setting up stalls, food-sharing and other activities.
The selfless sacrifice of these young people, and
their tenacious adherence to their ideals, also reflect
the vitality of the new generation. As the world
greets the vegan wave, fortunately Taiwan will not
only be presentit also has the potential to serve as
the leader of Asias green revolution. l
(Ivan Chen/photos by Jimmy Lin/
tr. by Bruce Humes)
79
URBAN SPACES

Turning Over a New Leaf
Taipei Libraries Find
Their Way in a New Era

81

50

Lightbox

2014

Lightbox

Lightbox

Stages
Tsao Liang-pin recommends photographer Sheng Chao-liangs
photography collection Stages.

Lightbox
Tsao Liang-pin, founder of the Lightbox Photo Library.
I n an increasingly virtual age, there is still a need

for bricks-and-mortar libraries. A 50-year flood
of digital technology cannot wash away the 5000
creates mental fireworks. It ought to be suffused in joy.
Although all three items fall within the realm of the
arts, a lightbox should be distinguished from a white
years when books were the planets main receptacles box (an undecorated museum room) or a black box (a
of knowledge. People possess largely short-term small and simple theater).
memories that seem ever thinner and more fleeting. The founding of Lightbox stemmed from two of Tsaos
Fortunately, two physical spaces devoted to long- personal experiences. In 2014, his first photography col
term memories are nestled within the city of Taipei. lection was published thanks to financial support from
the National Culture and Arts Foundation. After the
A visitor holds a phone in the air as if planning to book came out, he had the feeling of being on a journey
take a photo, before quickly putting it back in his pocket. and stopping half way. Now what? he thought. He be
The place he is in already holds more than 2000 books gan to consider potential meanings that his photographs
of photographs. What would be the point of taking any would hold for certain kinds of people and how to attract
more? Pressing the shutter button would seem superflu those persons interest. Then he took part in a research
ous. The builders of this place simply had to be photo program on the history of photography in Taiwan spon
graphy lovers, a fact that is apparent in its name: Light sored by the National Taiwan Museum.
box. The space is as simple and bright as its appellation. A member of the authors group, Tsao discovered
Lightbox Photo Library as he gathered materials on the early history of photo
From the large vocabulary related to photographic graphy in Taiwan that related documents and mate
techniques, why choose lightbox? Founder Tsao rials were widely scattered. That dispersion made the
Liang-pin offers this thoughtful explanation: A lightbox research more difficult. Consequently, when I later
is a piece of equipment that is used to inspect negatives considered creating a space connected to photography,
and slides. I hope that this space will have a certain I thought about how Taipeidespite having plenty of
sense of energy, like a box that emanates light, and that exhibition spaceslacked places where lovers of photo
these books of photographs will allow lovers of photo graphy could look at books and engage in study on their
graphy to gain stimulation from crosspollination that own. Likewise, there were few places where they could
83
Lightbox
The Lightbox Photo Library, located near

Guting MRT station, offers space for sharing
knowledge that is open to the public.

2,272
400

24

IMA Lightbox
Robert
Frank
2018
3

Lightbox

Archive
S u s a n
SontagOn Photography

Lightbox

190

hold discussions with fellow enthusiasts. In terms of the
social exchange functions that go beyond lectures, we
may need to move to a larger, better equipped space.
More than 2000 donated volumes
Tsao first donated 400 volumes himself. That move
attracted the notice of Professor Kuo Lihsin of National
Chengchi University, who packed his own collection into
24 boxes and personally delivered them to the library. It
took staffers three months before they had sorted through
them all. The Japanese quarterly IMA shipped by air three
large boxes of photo magazines. When Tsao visited New
York, the American documentary photography master
Robert Frank gave him several outstanding volumes. And
when Tsao went to France on a cultural exchange pro
gram, he brought several dozen volumes by Taiwanese
photographers to give to government institutions there.
Three months later, French counterparts sent a stack of
documents to him, with a detailed list of their contents
on top. Some readers who are members of fan clubs have
called in asking if the library has a certain volume by
this or that Japanese photographer. When the answer is
no, the callers have been known to place an order for the
book, with the recipients address given as the librarys.
Collections of photo graphs comprise most of the
books here. Books on the history of photography, photo
graphic criticism, photography periodicals, photographic
exhibition catalogs and so forth make up the rest. As far
as Tsao is concerned, the crowdfunding process is a
particularly intriguing way of building the collection.
So far, 190 donors have provided books. In this manner,
Lightbox can keep in contact with the various quarters
of Taiwans photographic community and gain an un
derstanding about their concerns and interests regarding
contemporary photography.
While social interest organizations can easily attract
groups of likeminded individuals, they cant help but also
engender a sense of barriers and divisions. We hope to
be professional without becoming exclusionary. We want
the group to expand by drawing in people from different
realms. Its very important to us. Apart from the ex
change of books, Lightbox also invites foreigners working
in the field of photography to come to Taiwan and hold
workshops here. The aim is to spur conversations be
tween local and foreign photography communities.
In On Photography, the renowned American arts critic
Susan Sontag noted that book collections provide the
85

33

3

2

Not Just Library (formerly the Design Information Library) is
operated by the Taiwan Design Center and located on the second
floor of the old tobacco factory at Taipeis Songshan Cultural and
Creative Park. As the design information center with the greatest
expertise in Taiwan, it offers content and services that are mostly
related to design.

most impactful method of arranging photographs and that sign, industrial design, architecture, fashion, and arts and
they also ensure that the photographs live on. Although crafts, as well as over 100 domestic and foreign periodi
the book industry is in decline and the future of photo cals. Each years additions to the collection are calibrated
graphy doesnt look too bright either, there is the expecta to meet changing needs. This year many domestic and
tion that Lightbox can gather energy from within the field foreign periodicals have been added, with an emphasis
of photography and focus on the value of photography for on those of a noncommercial nature.
Taiwan, so that the culture of photography here will gain Regarding the question of how to select books, the
a sense of selfawareness and selfdetermination, and will current director, Leslie Liu, apart from paying attention
continue to shine in the years ahead. to design trends and taking suggestions from publishers
Not Just Library: A space for innovation and agents, also keeps an eye on independent bookstores.
Upon entering, one immediately notices that Not Just You only need a quick look around to discover that
Library somehow filters out all the hubbub from the there are many books here that arent directly or exclu
Songshan Cultural and Creative Park outside. The lat sively related to design. For instance, there are books on
ticed windows provide warm light, and the black metal cooking and diet, photography, music, aesthetics, and
bookshelves offer a calm and cool ambience. Although so forth. We have also bolstered our collection of books
the many available magazines cover all the latest trends, about art and lifestyle, Liu says. The term design is no
time moves slowly here. Apart from the books about longer restricted to objects. Rather it should be defined as
design, which fill the space, there is also a small three anything or any endeavor that supports life. If the focus
meterssquare exhibition space, which is used to hold is placed solely on designed objects, it is easy to get lost
lectures, concerts and swing dances. in the currents and end up blindly adopting a foreign
There are more than 30,000 volumes in Not Just Li perspective. With a more aesthetic approach, there can
brarys collection, including works related to graphic de be greater consideration given to independent thinking

This year Not Just Library has started taking
out subscriptions to independent foreign and
domestic design magazines.
3X3

......
At the entrance to the library is a space they call Not
Just 3x3, which offers experimental and interesting
ways of sharing the works, concepts, attitudes and
collections of designers, artists and authors.
87

Not Just Librarys director, Leslie Liu.

and less exclusive focus on design results. Consequently,
the earlier [more theoretical and philosophical] stages of
design also get considered when choosing books.
With the Internet so well developed in modern society,

why still read books at all? When its so easy to get infor
mation about design, why make a trip to the library? Les
lie Liu cites three reasons: First, in an age of information
overload, there is an even greater need for bookssince
amid the oceans of information, so much has been copied
and pasted or is otherwise redundant.

Second, when you go online to search for informa
tion, the first links listed in search engines are likely to be
more mainstream in orientation. Yet when designing, it

is important to have your own point of view. By leafing
through books from different eras, you can gain different
l kinds of stimulation. Third, the Internet too often fosters

Architect Yao Cheng-chungs design for Not Just Library preserves the character
of the former Songshan Tobacco Factory building. The expansive windows
flood the space with warm light, and the interior design makes use of metal
bookshelves and dark glass.
echo chambers. But sometimes inspiration comes from theyre better suited for an exhibition at the design mu
contact with individuals with whom you are unfamiliar. seum, says Liu with a laugh. This is an arena where
The necessity of books and libraries is found herein: They creativity of any kind can happen. They are subverting
can provide equal access to different levels of knowledge. the traditional conception of a library.
Subverting traditional concepts With the goal of bringing greater functional integra
The library is more than a space; it is also a medium. tion, the library is being moved in September from the
When holding exhibitions, its curatorial themes are all re second floor on the north side of the old tobacco factory
lated to some form of design. The goal is to get the public in the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park to the Tai
to become interested in its collections. Take, for instance, wan Design Museum on the first floor. After finishing at
the embroidery show recently held in the 3 x 3meter the museum, visitors can go to the library to check out
exhibition space. It attracted people who were interested related books. The new space represents a departure
in fashion or sculpture to come into the library and find from the original venues industrial style. Dont miss
related books. the opportunity to see for yourself the makeover in
When the library considers which designers to invite store for this old Taipei friend. l
for exhibits, it leans toward those who are highly experi (Wu Ching-wen/photos by Lin Min-hsuan/
mental, with ideas that are not fully mature: Otherwise, tr. by Jonathan Barnard)
89
TV AND FILM
Hit Show Points to New Paths

for TV Industry Success


S tar Knows My Heart and One Plum Blossom

from the 1980s, Flame-Bathing Phoenix, Justice
Bao, and My Fair Princess from the 1990s how
the magic that emanated from televisions in those

decades moved audiences to laughter and tears! But
Taiwans blockbuster TV serials are now a thing of
the past. What remain are a few shows featuring

young pop idols, as well as a few with small-town
or rural settings. The glory days of Taiwan televi-
sion are long gone. Confronting the years of industry
weakness head on, the Q Series plan, which tack-
les such issues as development of talent, produc-
tion of various genres of programming and creative
cross-disciplinary adaptations, represents much

soul-searching and reflection about Taiwans film and
3
television industry by professionals in the field.
Musician Crowd Lu and veteran actor Tsai Chen-

nan argue heatedly on the screen, in a show that also
features several other brilliant actors: Long Shao-hua,
Ko Shu-yuan and Kang Kang. Have you seen A Boy
Named Flora A? The question is asked by cult-like fans
4
as if sharing a splendid secret. Yet the fact that A
Boy Named Flora A achieved an audience rat-

2016 ings point score of over 4 demonstrates that
the secret is out, and the shows success has
8 nothing to do with luck.
Wang Shau-di serves as producer on
Q Series programs, and a variety of famous

monitor

48Q Place

Director Qu You-ning. (photo by Chuang Kung-ju)

directors have participated by invitation, including Qu Cultivating a new generation
You-ning, Hsu Fu-chun, and Tsai Ming-liang . Eight With his gentle and cultured image, Crowd Lu has
refreshing dramatic serials have been released so far, moved from performing and recording music to acting
engendering enjoyment, analysis and rumination. They in dramatic series, achieving notable success in both
include Life Plan A and B, Close Your Eyes Before Its Dark, fields. Liu Guan-ting, a new generation actor with a
and House of Toy Blocks, as well as the wide-ranging, lot of potential, plays Zheng Huaming, a taike (rough-
issue-oriented A Boy Named Flora A. Whether in terms of hewn Taiwanese) with bad teeth and blond-dyed hair.
acting, scripts, directing or marketing, the Q-Series pro- Liu wasnt overmatched in the least when he appeared
gramming has emerged as a force to be reckoned with. in scenes with screen veterans. These young actors have
earned praise and aroused the curiosity of audiences
while bringing greater popularity to these shows.
Qu You-ning, who directs A Boy Named Flora A, says:
Actors are the lifeblood of TV and film. When the ac-
tors are well liked, audiences will like the show. Taiwan
used to have a lot of excellent and popular actors, but
they gradually got poached away to mainland China.
With that drain of acting talent, the whole industry
went downhill. A trend toward tired, clichd pro-
gramming took hold, leading to a general decline. The
Q Series has broken with that trend, producing eight
outstanding shows in four genres: romance, detective,
supernatural and literary adaptation. Its programming
has been bolstered by the Q Place performance class-
room, which offers promising newcomers compre-
hensive training in different genres, in areas such as
movement and vocal techniques as well as professional
ethics. It is serving to cultivate the next generation of
Taiwans acting talent. In addition to providing young
actors with performance experience, Q Place also gives
them opportunities to compare notes with veteran ac-
tors, leveraging the power of mentorship.
Multidisciplinary conversation
A Boy Named Flora A was adapted from a short story
by the young author Yang Fu min. We have filmed
adaptations of works by Yang Qingchu, Wang Zhenhe,
and Kenneth Pai, but they were all written a while back.
So this time we hoped to find a work by a younger au-
thor. From its script to its cinematography, the show
earned praise as a successful adaptation, and it was
widely viewed in literary circles.

Crowd Lu and Tsai Chen-nan have at each other; Yang
Fumin, author of the short story from which the show was
adapted, makes a cameo appearance; characters appear as
half human, half grub. Excellent scenes such as these have
earned A Boy Named Flora A great popularity.
93

The original short story collection
containing A Boy Named Flora A
has been reprinted, to rave reviews.
(photo by Chuang Kung-ju)

Qseries Fb
The shows marketing team
generates topics of discussion from
hairstyles, facial expressions and
social media stickers. (images from
A Boy Named Flora A courtesy of
the Q Series Facebook fan page)

Facebook


Q Series has intentionally fostered a conversation
between music, fashion, animation, literature and other At a hair-washing event for fans, A Boy Named Flora A
enthusiasts get a chance to re-experience the show first hand.
arts. In A Boy Named Flora A, Crowd Lu played the main (photo by Chuang Kung-ju)
character, and he also composed the shows opening
and closing theme songs. With their warm guitar play-
ing, lyrics that blend Mandarin and Taiwanese, and
soft emotive singing, the two songs He-R and Hope words. For the adaptation, that was the first challenge
One Day add a lot to the whole show. On Facebook, he had to overcome.
the outfits of the characters generated discussion about Working with the TV series makers, I learned a lot
clothing and fashion. The show is also going to be about various narrative methods, he says. Previously,
turned into a cartoon, providing creative fodder for Tai- I only knew how to use words to tell a story. But during
wans animators. this process of cooperation, the people, the script, the
In fact, the move from solo industry efforts toward setting and every link in the chain all had to be consid-
greater cross-disciplinary exchange and cooperation is ered differently. The same event had to be understood
still in its early stages. What is most important is that from many different angles. That was the most reward-
this interchange produces greater creative vitality on all ing part of the experience for me.
sides and adds to the robustness of the works produced. A rising tide for genre shows
Only then will it have produced value. Qu says: Lit- A Boy Named Flora A lacks the typical melodramatic
erature enriches the imaginative potential of images, plots of traditional 8 p.m. serials. Whether describing
allowing imaginations to fly free. the difficulties of navigating middle age, or the complex
Yang Fumin says that the opportunity provided by emotions of intimacy and alienation from their families
this adaptation has prompted him to take another look experienced by the younger generation, the show docu-
at the general context for literary adaptations and at ments the ups and downs and struggles of regular people
the differences between creating with images and with going about their lives and doing their best. The realistic
95

Director Wang Shau-di (right), a Q Series initiator.

11

l

from traditional downhome dramas about local life in
Qseries Fb Taiwan. Whats more, it was strategically decided that
Qseries Fb
In rapid succession Q Series has released several the shows soundtrack would feature only guitar, which
genre serials, which have opened the eyes of Taiwans lightened the tragicomic mood of the drama and cast the
public to the charms of these types of shows. (images
from Q Series Life Plan A and B and What She Put on entire genre of local-life television serials in a new light.
the Table courtesy of Q Series Facebook fan page)
In fact Qu says that well before the Q Series Taiwan
had its share of genre serials, such as the detective
situations and emotions invite audiences to relate them shows A..S..T.. and Black and White, but their successes
to their own experiences, bringing even greater reso- were short lived. By serving as an identifiable package,
nance. The plot involves grandparents raising children, the Q Series can attract more peoples attention.
the experiences of foreign laborers and spouses, the gap The significance of the Q Series lies in its explora-
between city and countryside, and death. The show is a tion of and conversation with the greater [social and
true portrait of life in Taiwan during this era. cultural] environment, he says. In particular, A Boy
Qu has used Franz Kafkas novella Metamorphosis as a Named Flora A has served as a shot in the arm for this
model, with an opening scene featuring two humanoid group of television professionals. The potential of
insects, a scene involving a flying Fanxing No. 5 School young newcomers, the possibilities for genre serials in
Bus, or a depiction of the dead turning into astronauts Taiwan, and the hopes for the future of Taiwanese TV
as a way of representing the next passage of life. These drama serials are all spotlighted by this hit show. l
magical narrative techniques, which he describes as (Lynn Su/photos courtesy of Q Place/
deceits, create an aesthetic thats altogether different tr. by Jonathan Barnard)
97
SOUTHEAST ASIAN FOCUS

93Army Coffee
Granddaughter of a Forgotten Army

1990
T he Alien Realm, a war novel by Taiwan-based
author Bo Yang, its 1990 film adaptation A Home
Too Far, and the documentary Stranger in the Moun-
tains by Taiwanese director Lee Li-shao, all tell the
story of Nationalist soldiers stranded in northern

518 Thailand at the end of the Chinese Civil War, a gen-
eration that is nearly extinct and slowly fading from
93 memory.
On the afternoon of May 18th, a group of coffee lov-
ers gather at a venue in Taipei to sample coffee from
northern Thailand. They sip organic pour-over coffee
from the 93Army Coffee Plantation while listening to
Phatang
Liz Shen, founder of a coffee shop in Bangkok, talk about
her sense of local identity. She is the granddaughter of

27 one of the soldiers from that stranded Chinese army.
Liz Shen (Thai name Chamaiporn Charoentangsom

but) hails from the village of Pha Tang in northern Thai
lands Chiang Rai Province.
Twentysevenyearold Shen is fond of wearing
armygreen shirts and eyeball finger rings that she

93Army Coffee93
believes bring her good luck. Petite with shoulder
length hair, she speaks Chinese fluently. While studying
in Taiwan, she worked parttime at the Lao Chai Caf

House near her university. She learned the basics of
93A r m y C o f f e e serving coffee, from the beans to brewing techniques.
BTSEkkamai After returning to Thailand, she opened 93Army Cof
fee, which serves coffee made from beans grown in her
hometown, allowing her to keep alive the story of the
lost Chinese army through the aroma of coffee.
Hometown coffee and a communitys evolving story

Visitors to 93Army Coffee, located near Bangkok
University, are drawn in by the aroma of brewing cof
fee. A martial atmosphere permeates the industrialstyle
99
93
93Army? What?!
9393
1949
197093

During the Chinese Civil War some of the Nationalist
forces retreated over the borders of Thailand and
1969 Burma and became a forgotten army. Pictured here are
Commander Shen Jiaen (middle), Deputy Chief of Staff
Qu Shucheng (left), and Political Warfare Director Lu
Thailand Royal Project Dazhan (right).(courtesy of Liz Shen)
Foundation
Royal Project

2009
93


space. It is decorated with military memorabilia, mak work at Lao Chai Caf House near the National Taipei
ing visitors feel like they have entered an exhibit on the University branch campus in Sanxia, and learned about
history of the abandoned Nationalist soldiers. coffee firsthand. She planned to open a coffee shop of
The name often piques the curiosity of foreign visi her own in her hometown after graduation.
tors, who pipe up and ask, 93Army? What?! An entrepreneurs precious brew
The logo for 93Army Coffee is an image of Shen While many students studying abroad end up stay
Jiaen, a commander of the 93rd Division of the National ing in the host country and seeking jobs after gradua
Revolutionary Army of the Republic of China. In 1949, tion, Shen was intent on returning home to Thailand
at the end of the Chinese Civil War, remnants of the and starting a career that would put her studies to
NRA made an arduous journey through the mountains practical use. She worked hard to develop a business
in Chinas Yunnan Province and crossed into Thailand around the local coffee crop.
and Burma, after which they became known as the lost Pha Tangs coffee is cultivated in highlands between
army. Up to 1970 the 93rd Division helped Thai forces 1,200 and 1,600 meters above sea level. Production is
suppress a communist insurgency and protect northern limited by the paucity of arable land, and competition
Thailand. In return the Nationalist soldiers were granted with largescale producers is not possible.
Thai citizenship and were able to peacefully settle in the Moreover, the retail price of roasted coffee beans is
north. After the conflict, they put down their arms and many times the wholesale cost of the raw beans. The
settled down to farm in the area.
Northern Thailand has long been known as part of
the Golden Triangle, once used to cultivate poppies for
opium production. However, the opium trade harmed
Thailands image and caused environmental degradation
in the area. In 1969 Thailands late king, Bhumibol Adu 93

lyadej, visited northern Thailand and initiated the Royal A martial atmosphere permeates 93Army Coffee, and
Project Foundation. army green is also featured in the food and beverages.
(courtesy of Liz Shen)
The Royal Project founded by King Bhumibol, the
ROCs Vocational Assistance Commission for Retired Ser
vicemen (now the Veterans Affairs Council), and agricul
tural assistance teams from the International Cooperation
and Development Fund have since been working together
to improve farming methods in northern Thailand and to
replace opium poppies with other highvalue cash crops.
After completing studies in Taiwan, Liz Shens father,
Shen Qingfu, returned to northern Thailand and began to
cultivate cash crops. In 2009 he established the 93Army
Coffee Plantation, beginning what would become a last
ing involvement in the coffee business.
At the time Shen Qingfu was familiar only with cof
fee cultivation techniques. He had never had a cup of
coffee, which was a completely foreign thing to him. It
was not an uncommon phenomenon for the planters to
be unable to afford a cup of coffee.
Her fathers encouragement convinced Liz Shen to
study in Taiwan. She wanted to put her academic studies
to good use when she returned home and chose to focus
on business management. She eagerly took up parttime
101

Good coffee can be bad coffee, but bad coffee
is still bad coffee.

1,2001,600

20
100

20141093
93
Liz Shen brought 93Army coffee beans to Taiwan for a coffee
tasting event.

coffee sold in the shop, which costs 100 baht and up per through each step from harvesting to selling. The skillful
serving, is far too pricey for the farmers who grow it. application of professional knowledge can increase the
It is one of the highquality products that have value of the coffee. These were the skills she had learned
resulted from support by the Royal Project. They are in Taiwanbusiness management, marketing, how to pro
popular among Thai customers and foreign tourists who cess coffee beans and how to assess their quality. Each step
often buy them as gifts. must be given its proper attention to produce good coffee.
Shen is well aware that the coffee grown in northern Such was her thinking when she started her business.
Thailand is widely known only in Thailand and that But looking back at how she opened her shop in
among the coffee-growing regions of Southeast Asia, cof her twenties without much of a plan, she thinks that
fee produced in Indonesia and Vietnam is more famous. her impulsiveness was really risky. She admits that the
During our interview this seems to pain her, yet it only inexperienced entrepreneur that she was back then had
increases her determination to promote northern Thai thoughts about giving up on the business.
coffee and ensure that the world learns that good coffee is Being a coffee drinker doesnt mean youll be suc
also to be found in the plantations of northern Thailand. cessful at opening a coffee shop, and studying manage
Good coffee can be bad coffee, but bad coffee is still ment doesnt mean youll know how to run it, she says.
bad coffee, she says. She has persevered through all her hardships, learn
Each step in the process of making a rich cup of coffee, ing through experience. Since the shop opened in Octo
from planting to pouring, takes specialized professional ber 2014, 93Army Coffees customers have been able to
skills. Cultivating coffee requires specialist knowledge drink a brew made from pure Arabica coffee beans and
nibble on Taiwanesestyle guabao sandwiches.
Interested in all things coffee, she also earned her

barista certification in the United States and is often
Liz Shen and representatives of the Specialty Coffee Association
of Thailand regularly visit northern Thailand to help with
invited to serve as a judge or consultant for coffee com
cultivation techniques and planting. (courtesy of Liz Shen) petitions. She is both an entrepreneur and an educator
and is frequently sought out by visitors from Thailand
and abroad who want to study her specialized knowl
edge or learn how to become baristas.
Embracing sustainability and fair trade
Shen has never forgotten that her motivation for
starting her business was to help raise the incomes of
farmers by improving the quality of their coffee beans.
At harvest time, pickers are often in short supply. The
ripe red beans must be painstakingly plucked one by one
from the clusters, leaving semiripe and unripe beans for
harvesting at a later date. It is very tempting for farmers
to try to reduce their wage costs by harvesting all the
beans at the same time.
But if the maturity of the harvested beans is not consis
tent, roasting and quality will be affected. Shen therefore
uses her considerable understanding of coffee to advise
farmers on harvesting. She also leads people involved in
the coffee trade to experience coffee farming themselves,
helping them to understand that a good cup of coffee
earns its name only through an arduous process.
To this end Shen, a member of the Specialty Coffee
Association of Thailand, regularly accompanies other
103

A lot of hard work goes into

making a good cup of coffee.

93


association members and volunteers on visits to assist
the coffee farmers in the highlands of northern Thailand.
They pitch simple tents in the countryside and spend

S p e c i a l t y
their days at the coffee plantations distributing and
Coffee Association of Thailand, SCATH planting seedlings.
Wearing rubber boots, Shen squats down and with a
trowel in one hand digs a hole for the seedling that she
holds in the other. Each seedling that she plants with
her own hands represents hope for the future, and no
matter what else she does in life, she likes to describe
herself as a simple farmer.
Each night, the enthusiastic coffee lovers sip coffee

together and talk about coffee late into the night. Shen
says that mountain-brewed coffee is especially delicious.
Shen has turned the coffee from the northern Thai
plantations into a boutique product. Coffee beans sold
under the 93Army brand reflect her embrace of supe
rior quality and sustainable growing methods, and each

step of production is transparent. She also pays fair
prices to the farmers, believing that as their quality of
life improves they will also more meticulously care for

the coffee plants, so that superior-quality coffee is pro
duced for the enjoyment of consumers. This results in
93 positive feedback and further encourages the farmers.
Shen has developed 93Army Coffee one step at a
time, from implementing sustainable development and
fair trade practices to building a business based on local
coffee beans and on understanding and accessing the
highestquality resources, in the hope that each cup of

coffee will win the approval of coffee drinkers.
93 Shen also travels regularly between Thailand
and Taiwan, where she attends coffee exhibitions
and recently held a coffee tasting event at which she
launched the sale of 93Army Coffee in Taiwan. She
also hopes to open a branch of her coffee shop in Tai

wan. While the company helps keep alive the story
of the stranded Nationalist soldiers, it also represents

93
the increased sharing between Taiwan and Thailand of
93 agricultural techniques, including environmentally sus
tainable methods and fair trade practices. l
(Lung Pei-ning/photos by Lin Min-hsuan/
l tr. by Robert Green)
105
ARTISTS AND ARTISANS

Answering Questions in Contemporary Sculpture:
Kuo Chin-chihs Life in Art

1999 Forjar El Espacio
Eduardo Chillida

K uo Chin-chih, an early postwar Taiwanese sculptor, has

been recognized around the world for his remarkable
work. Japans Asahi Shimbun newspaper lavishly praised his
Gate of Saha, and the 1999 exhibition Forjar el Espacio: La Es-
cultura Forjada en el Siglo XX, a retrospective of 20th-century
metal sculpture, included his Entrance of the Sun alongside the
work of the renowned sculptor Eduardo Chillida. Kuo has spent
his life addressing the questions facing contemporary sculpture,
while pursuing innovations in his art and international recogni-
tion for his work.

1999 Forjar El Espacio
Kuo Chin-Chihs Entrance of the Sun was included in the 1999 metal sculpture
exhibition Forjar el Espacio.
107

2011
By reflecting the surrounding environment, the mirror-like surfaces
of the stainless-steel sculpture Advancing Generation (2011) offer
different views when seen from different angles.

1939


Kuo Chin-chihs wife recalls a conver- He formed the Xingxiang Sculpture Club with friends
sation she had with Kuo when they were in the 1960s, and became one of the founding members
young: of the ZODIAC Sculpture Group, a pioneer in modern
Which matters more to you, money or Taiwanese sculpture, in the 1970s.
ideals? she asked. Whither modern sculpture?
Ideals, of course. Money doesnt interest In world sculptural history, the period up to the
me, he replied. 19th century is regarded as the era of stone sculpture.
You dont love money any more than I The use of molds didnt become mainstream until the
do, so lets pursue our ideals! time of Rodin, more or less the 50 years from 1880 to
At the time, Kuos dream was to create 1930. Modern sculptors were pursuing numerous lines
innovative work and earn international rec- of development by the 20th century, leading to the
ognition. Decades of hard work have enabled emergence of composite media, combining materials
him to achieve both of those ambitions. such as bronze, brass, and stainless steel.
A pioneer When Kuo started sculpting, most stone sculptures in
Born in Da jia, Tai chung, in 1939, Kuo Taiwan were produced for traditional temples. No one
graduated from the arts department of Tai-
wan Provincial Taipei Normal School (todays
National Taipei University of Education) and 1982
became an elementary-school arts teacher.
New Moon (1982) contrasts the physical sculpture and the
On a trip back to Taipei to visit friends, he surrounding space. (courtesy of Kuo Chin-chih)
chanced to observe a technique for sculpting
using plaster molds. Thinking that it looked
pretty straightforward, he began studying
and experimenting with the technique. When
a friend subsequently invited him to take part
in a central Taiwan arts exhibition, Kuo chose
to show one of his new sculptures. To Kuos
surprise, the piece won second prize, prompt-
ing him to quit his job and join the sculpture
program at the National Academy of Arts
(now the National Taiwan University of Arts).
He went on to win first prize at the Taiwan
Provincial Fine Arts Exhibition, a gold medal
at the National Art Exhibition, ROC, and the
top prize at the Taiyang Fine Arts Exhibition while a stu-
dent at the NAA.
In those days, one part of Taiwans sculpture commu-
nity was dedicated to a traditional realism, while another
was pursuing an experimental revolution influenced by
Western modernism. While the second group was also
rooted in realism, it was using it as a jumping off point to
explore the question: What is modern sculpture?
A member of the second group, Kuo was a meticu-
lous and tireless experimenter who was seeking to create
his own stylistic vocabulary. His experiments took him
first to steel and clay, and then later into abstract forms.
109

Kuo Chin-chih still sketches out his ideas by
hand.

(right) Symphony of Life, located outside the
Academia Sinicas Genomics Research Center,
makes use of white marble, bronze, and brass,
as well as a variety of inlaying techniques.
was doing modern sculpture. Kuo began working in

stone because he wanted modern stone sculpture to exist
in Taiwan. To that end, he used to ride his motorcycle to
Mt. Guanyin, which was a prime source for andesite and

home to many stonemasons, to observe how traditional
masons produced stone sculptures. He then bought tools

and began to practice shaping small pieces from andesite.
When Citibank established a branch in Taiwan in
1969, the company asked Kuo to design a stone sculpture
for it. Drawing inspiration from the use of cowries as one
of the earliest forms of currency, he created Song of Cur-
rency, a 1.6-meter-tall piece that was his first large work
1960
in stone.
1970
Kuo created new work continuously for the next 20
years, diving deep into his study of stone sculpture. He
also traveled widely during this period, following the
artistic traces of ancient civilizations, finding inspiration

in their work, and wondering what defined his own vo-
18 cabulary and work.
50 Composite media
I spent too long working on form, and was already
20
more than 50 years old when I switched my focus to
working in composite media, says Kuo.
Kuo found nothing to call his own while feeling his

way through basic forms, so he decided to try exper-
imenting with composite materials instead. He tried
combining stone with brass, bronze and stainless steel,
but none of his experiments succeeded. I considered
a piece a failure if I was unable to make the materials

111

1969
1994
2005

The Healthy Way (2005), located at the
National Taiwan University College of
Public Health.

50
20
50

2016
2012
1993 4

appear distinctively different, to make them contrast By this time, Kuo had already developed a unique
and set off one another, explains Kuo. vocabulary, and at 50 he began to free himself from the
He achieved success with his combination of gran- limitations of his materials. He moved freely between
ite and stainless steel in 1993s New Vision, a piece that the concrete and the abstract; contrasted fantasy and
combines concrete and abstract elements to create con- reality, light and shade; produced harmonious blends
trasts between brightness and shadow. It consists of a from combinations of clashing materials; and success-
base comprising two rough granite columns of differ- fully expressed his ideas in works created in a variety of
ent heights, with an eye carved into the taller column, materials.
and twisting lines of stainless steel mounted atop the Pouring feeling into sculpture
shorter. While some people interpret these lines as hair, In 2016, Kuo joined the Tung Ho Steel Foundations
Kuo says they represent a brain in the act of thinking. Tung Ho Steel International Artist Residency Program.
He explains further that the eye, carved with a few sim- Kuos creative process during the residency empha-
ple lines, represents the idea of looking ahead. Kuo is sized working by hand and focusing on feelings, just as
relatively satisfied with how it turned out. it had for many years. He still sketches out his plans by
In 1994, Kuo showed Gate of Saha at Japans third As- hand, and then makes a small model from cardboard
sociation of Asian Contemporary Sculptors domestic ex- that he can study from a variety of angles. Once he has a
hibition. As the newspaper Asahi Shimbun described the good sense of the design, he tweaks it until it is perfect.
piece: Its two eyes are carved into red granite. Gold Kuos design for The King, a piece he produced
wings on the left and right reflect these eyes from a va- during the residency, includes many triangular holes
riety of angles, causing the sculptures look to change punched through a steel plate. Kuo, who is now nearly
with the movement of the sun, as if in different dimen- 80, had laborers build him a near-5-meter-tall scaffold-
sions. It was a truly pioneering work, with mirror-like ing to facilitate his work on the sculpture, and insisted
stainless-steel surfaces taking on surprising new aspects
when seen from different angles.
Kuos career underwent a turning point at the age of

50, and he says that it is his work since then that finally
Lovers, located in Taichungs Mt. Tiezhen Sculpture Plaza, mixes
made his international reputation. concrete and abstract elements. (courtesy of Kuo Chin-chih)
113

Kuo Chin-chih studies a cardboard
mock-up, a technique that has
been part of his creative process
for many years. He also still
emphasizes working by hand and
focusing on his feelings. (courtesy
of Kuo Chin-chih)

Now nearly 80 years old, Kuo Chin-Chih thinks constantly about
the feasibility of certain forms. His The King cuts open a sculpted
form, making it into a permeable space. (courtesy of the Tung Ho
Steel Foundation)
on climbing onto it himself to check the placement, size

and orientation of the holes. He was adamant that all
the details be just right.
Kuo Chin-chih remains as artistically experimental
as ever. In the past, most of his sculptures were physical
objects that were, in a sense, sealed. For this project, he
metaphorically sliced his work open. He made it per-

meable, exploring spaces that were originally closed up
tight. He also designed a round turntable that would
move with the wind to transform the sculptures nor-

mally static forms into something dynamic. He says he
has given the question of dynamism much thought in
recent years.
But sculpting is weary work and the white-haired
Kuo is no longer able to devote all his time to it. None-
theless, he continues to think about his art form. Having

sought innovation and international recognition ever
since his early years pioneering modern stone sculp-
ture, he remains as committed as ever to spending his

days making art. l
(Cathy Teng/photos courtesy of Kuo Chin-chih/
l tr. by Scott Williams)

115
OVERSEAS ASSISTANCE

Taiwan Youth Overseas Service:
Creating Wonderful Memories of Foreign
Assignments
2001

S ince 2001, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tai-

wan Youth Overseas Service program has as-
signed more than 1,000 young men to technical mis-
sions serving our diplomatic partners. These young
people have brought new blood to teams providing
technical assistance in areas ranging from agricul-
tural technology and horticulture to nutrition and
medicine, while also gaining an international per-
spective from their time abroad.

Lai Yijuns work in Palau has furthered his

passion for and understanding of agriculture.
(courtesy of Lai Yijun)
Young conscripts slated to perform alternative civilian

4 service by participating in the Taiwan Youth Overseas Ser
vice program of the ROC Ministry of Foreign Affairs first
undergo basic military training at Chenggongling in Tai

162016
chung, and then receive four additional weeks of training in
1010
international etiquette and language before being assigned
to a mission. Members of the TYOSs 16th class began arriv
ing in the nations they would serve in October 2016.

Agricultural ambitions
The Republic of Palau is a wellknown tourist destina
tion that has few natural resources and must import much
of its food. Moreover, many of its residents have a relaxed

attitude towards life and tend not to save. Often strapped
for cash at the end of the month, they make do with meals
made from canned foods and instant noodles.

The International Cooperation and Development
Funds (ICDF) technical mission in Palau is seeking to in
crease the availability of food on the islands by improving
local agricultural technology. Lai Yijun, a TYOS partici
pant assigned to Palau, is a graduate of the Department
of Horticulture and Landscape Agriculture at National
Taiwan University. Lai has been interested in agriculture
since high school, and used to spend his free time helping
his father manage the familys farmland. He also spent

one year of his university career as an exchange student in
Japan, studying Japanese agriculture in Akita Prefecture
and reaffirming his desire to pursue a career in the field.
The Palau technical missions horticultural produc
tion program has been conserving seeds and producing

seedlings on a model farm for a number of years. More
117

Lai Yijun explains

seedling production
techniques to local
students visiting the
technical missions
farm. (courtesy of
Lai Yijun)

Lai is a keen photographer who has used his camera to capture
scenes of life in Palau. (courtesy of Lai Yijun) WHO

recently, the program has also begun promoting campus Over the last few years, Lai has applied the horticul
gardens. The team provides participating schools with tural skills he learned in Taiwan to both temperate Japan
both resources and advice, and inspects the gardens and tropical Palau. The experience has taught him how
every Tuesday. to adjust his cultivation techniques to different environ
When Lai first arrived in Palau, he helped technicians ments, and enabled him to combine the techniques he
grow seedlings. A few months later, he tried his hand has acquired in the field with the fruits of his academic
at planning seed and seedling quantities and varieties, research.
which required him to make use of the plug seedling With interest in agricultural work in decline, Lai be
techniques hed learned in school. The timing and effec lieves it is more essential than ever for young people to
tiveness of separating and transplanting seedlings deter take up farming. He says he is happy to be one of them.
mines how well they will ultimately grow, explains Lai. Nutritional vanguard
The farm also works with a Japanese travel agency in Many of the ICDFs technical missions also work on im
Palau to bring Japanese tourists in for visits. When they proving the diets of our diplomatic partners. Jian Yongan
come, Lai uses his Japanese language skills to help out is a TYOS participant who was assigned last year to the
the guides. Republic of Kiribati. A nutritionist by training, Jian guided
The farms Japanese visitors often exclaim in surprise a group of IKiribati through a weightloss program.
at how different the crops grown in Palaus tropical
rainforest climate are from those grown in Japans tem
perate climate.

Lai also handles correspondence with a Palaubased
Japanese research group that sometimes requests re Jian Yongan teaches I-Kiribati schoolchildren about nutrition,
helping them establish a foundation for their future health.
sources from the technical mission. (courtesy of Jian Yongan)
119

12

2014
The technical missions cooking class teaches school kitchen

staff how to turn fruits and vegetables into delicious meals.
(courtesy of Jian Yongan)

Jian designed a weight-loss course suited to I-Kiribati
tastes in hopes of teaching locals about healthy diets
and lifestyles. (courtesy of Jian Yongan)

Kiribatis diet has become Westernized and suffers
from a lack of fruits and vegetables. Its citizens are also
In addition to testing local soils, Chen Tongyun (right) also helps
extremely fond of sweet drinks. IKiribati add large the technical mission in St. Kitts and Nevis promote food safety.
amounts of sugar to all kinds of beverages, including (courtesy of Chen Tongyun)
water, Milo [a beverage made from chocolate and malt

powder], and fruit juices, says Jian. Over time, those
calories add up. Educating people about nutrition is a gradual pro
Under its nutritional enhancement program, the cess, and results take time. Nonetheless, Jian is happy to
technical mission provides fresh fruits and vegetables have helped instill a better understanding of nutrition
to schoolchildren. But with the IKiribati struggling to in Kiribatis schools.
cook unfamiliar items such as winter melons and toma Testing fields
toes, Jian and the missions other nutritionists devel Located in the Caribbean Sea, the Federation of Saint
oped recipes that could be prepared using the schools Christopher and Nevis (better known as St. Kitts and
cooking equipment. They also provided cooking classes Nevis) faces the same problem as many other island
to school kitchen staff. tourism destinations: they are dependent upon agricul
Every week, Jian accompanies mission personnel to tural imports to eat. Seeking to address the problem,
the schools with which the mission is working to hold Taiwans technical mission to the islands began imple
nutrition classes. He uses slides and films to share infor menting its Vegetable, Fruit and Upland Crop Quality
mation about healthy diets, and sometimes even leads and Safety Improvement Project in 2014. Among the
the students through some simple aerobic exercises. projects achievements has been implementing Taiwans
After being invited to visit a local clinic in January of system for the safety testing and labeling of the fruits
this year, Jian followed up by helping the adults there and vegetables grown on the islands. Chen Tongyun, a
plan a weightloss course. He then used the course to graduate of the Department of Soil and Environmental
introduce them to basic nutritional concepts and the Sciences at National Chung Hsing University, is a mem
health effects of obesity, and also mapped out a diet ber of the current TYOS class assigned to St. Kitts and
plan that suited local eating habits. After two months of Nevis.
weightloss classes, participants had lost an average of His function there has been to help the technical
one to two kilograms. mission test fields at nearly 400 locations. Chen is also
121

Chen has participated in several exciting carnivals on St. Kitts,

dancing and having a good time with the locals.
(courtesy of Chen Tongyun)

Chen has depicted the feelings hes gotten from the culture of St.
Kitts and Nevis in his poetry and sketches.
(courtesy of Chen Tongyun)
GIS
analyzing soil fertility with reference to Taiwans stan
dards for the application of fertilizers, and using this
data to create a GIS map aimed at facilitating the devel
opment of cultivation plans suited to the local farmland.
As a tourist destination, St. Kitts and Nevis attracts

visitors from all over the world. Chen says that the
daily conflicts between cultures have been a source of

great inspiration for the poetry that he likes to write. In
fact, hes written more than 100 poems since his arrival,
addressing topics as diverse as the venting of feelings,
local scenery, and even the history of slavery in the
Caribbean. Once he returns to Taiwan, he plans to pub
lish his poems and sketches in an illustrated volume
that will document his wonderful time overseas.
After more than ten months stationed abroad, these
young people have added a brilliant new chapter to

their lives, one that has allowed them to apply and
build on what they learned in school, and to gain a
much broader international perspective. l
l (Chen Chun-fang/tr. by Scott Williams)

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1069 42 9

Vol. 42 No. 9 September 2017

World Games Legacy

10691 2017 Vegan

Ready to Shine EDITORS NOTE

on the World Stage

W ith the height of summer upon us,

together a number of environmental issues. (Ivan Chen/tr. by Scott Williams)

-cover.indd 1 2017/7/26 10:43

Southeast Asian Focus

Artists and Artisans

8 Taiwan Panorama 2017/09

Top Taiwan Athletes

10 Taiwan Panorama 2017/09

12 Taiwan Panorama 2017/09

14 Taiwan Panorama 2017/09

chi sword. Unlike traditional tai chi sword, Chen has

16 Taiwan Panorama 2017/09

T aipei is about to host the Summer Universiade 2017! As the time

18 Taiwan Panorama 2017/09

From gifts decorated with Bravo the Bear to impeccably designed

20 Taiwan Panorama 2017/09

22 Taiwan Panorama 2017/09

advanced five-axis laser cutters to realize the design.

24 Taiwan Panorama 2017/09

thoughtheres also the decision to use the floating

26 Taiwan Panorama 2017/09

28 Taiwan Panorama 2017/09

30 Taiwan Panorama 2017/09

I n mid-May, a promotional video for the 2017 Taipei

An arrow is loosed at a target; a sprinter kicks off

32 Taiwan Panorama 2017/09

34 Taiwan Panorama 2017/09

W hat are the various ways to watch a sporting competition?

36 Taiwan Panorama 2017/09

T he Taipei Universiade provides

38 Taiwan Panorama 2017/09

Wang Yao-pang, director of

absorbed for many years in the omy, manufacturing, medicine, and

was curator of the Theme Taiwans ambitions. The experience

our capabilities in this area. It also

ultimate showcase of the human use of the physical infrastructure

being Superman, he says. frastructure to the cultivation of

By exploring these athletes per-

sonal narratives people can develop

tion, says Wang. Many cities that

experienced lasting benefits long

Music for the

40 Taiwan Panorama 2017/09

B ravo, a Formosan black bear

H ow do you calculate the

42 Taiwan Panorama 2017/09

943 believes tourism

T he art of entertaining requires a host to plan for all contingen-

44 Taiwan Panorama 2017/09

Wu Ching-kuo hopes that the

46 Taiwan Panorama 2017/09

In 1978 Wu Ching-kuo brought Englands Milton Keynes All-Stars basketball team to

48 Taiwan Panorama 2017/09

54 Taiwan Panorama 2017/09

56 Taiwan Panorama 2017/09

58 Taiwan Panorama 2017/09

60 Taiwan Panorama 2017/09

(photos and text by Chuang Kung-ju/tr. by Jonathan Barnard)