On the vibrant streets of Kaohsiung, representatives from the city government, the French Office, and the Alliance Francaise de Taiwan gathered to promote the upcoming Kaohsiung French Festival, set to take place from May 23 to 25 at the Pier-2 Art Center. This year’s festival celebrates the allure of the “French Riviera” and aims to enhance cultural exchanges between Taiwan and France through an array of French art, music, gastronomy, and technology, including a spectacular mural by comic artist Christopher Boyd.
In a significant political move, Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency announced that it would revoke the dependent-based residence permit of Liu, a Chinese social media influencer. She had allegedly made statements supporting military unification with Taiwan, leading to this decision under Article 14 of the residency regulations for people from Mainland China residing in Taiwan. The agency acted swiftly upon receiving reports of her remarks, underscoring Taiwan’s vigilance regarding its sovereignty.
In a dramatic turn of events, a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck off the coast of Taitung County at 1:09 PM, as reported by the Central Weather Administration. The quake, originating 53 km from Taitung County Hall at a shallow depth of 12.5 km, registered an intensity of 4 in Taitung and Hualien Counties, prompting a rush of concern, although no immediate damage has been reported. The seismic event served as a reminder of Taiwan’s geographical volatility.
Actor Darren Wang is set to begin his one-year alternative military service in light of ongoing legal troubles, as confirmed by the Ministry of the Interior. The 33-year-old, released on bail for allegedly attempting to evade military duties, is scheduled to report to Taipei Railway Station tomorrow at 9 AM. He will join around 1,300 conscripts receiving training at a Taichung military centre, amid extensive media attention regarding his situation.
Meanwhile, Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport faced a minor disruption due to a power outage in Terminal 2, which began around midday and lasted for just over an hour. The outage affected check-in processes and security screenings, leading to a brief period of confusion among travellers. However, the airport quickly activated backup power sources and restored full electricity by 1:13 PM, ensuring that runway operations continued without major interruptions.
The Kaohsiung French Festival, themed “French Riviera,” is set for May 23-25, promoting cultural exchanges. Taiwan’s NIA will revoke a Chinese influencer’s residence permit for advocating military unification. A 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit Taitung with no reported damage. Actor Darren Wang begins alternative military service amidst legal issues, while a minor power outage at Taoyuan Airport caused temporary confusion but was swiftly resolved.
In summary, Kaohsiung prepares for a vibrant celebration of Francophone culture, while Taiwan maintains a firm stance on sovereignty issues affecting its residency laws. Following a significant earthquake, the community remains alert but unscathed. Additionally, Darren Wang’s military service highlights the intense scrutiny surrounding celebrity obligations in Taiwan, and the airport’s prompt response to a power outage showcases operational resilience amid unexpected challenges.
Original Source: www.taipeitimes.com
