95563250https://english.ca.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=C2FB6DFC5ACB41B7&s=32B0D8DAD627C68EFire Prevention at Tomb Sweeping FestivalDuring the Tomb Sweeping Festival, the frequent tomb-sweeping and ancestral worship activities lead to an increased risk of fires in cemetery areas, prompting Taipei City Fire Department to fully upgrade its technological disaster prevention capabilities this year. In addition to continuing disaster reduction measures such as "Fire-free tomb sweeping" and "Centralized burning of joss paper," the department has introduced drone-based high-altitude patrols and thermal monitoring mechanisms, which, combined with ground-level alerts and patrols, enhance early fire detection and real-time response efficiency in cemetery zones. The fire department stated that drones are planned for high-altitude surveillance in this year, utilizing preset flight paths to expand the coverage area and employing multi-stage zoom lenses alongside thermal imaging technology to identify abnormal heat sources and smoke in real-time. This allows for the rapid determination of fire locations, fire scale, and potential spread directions, significantly shortening search times and effectively enhancing on-site response efficiency. At the same time, through cross-agency horizontal communication and information sharing, the department has integrated resources from the Department of Information and Tourism, Department of Environmental Protection, Police Department, Mortuary Services Office, Geotechnical Engineering Office to clear weeds and combustibles in cemetery areas ahead of time. These efforts, which include strengthened patrols and public outreach, form a "three-in-one" fire prevention strategy encompassing technological monitoring, ground-level surveillance, and environmental management, thereby comprehensively reinforcing safety and protection capabilities throughout the cemetery zones. To minimize the risk of fire, the public is urged to adopt fire-free tomb-sweeping practices by manually clearing weeds and properly bagging them for disposal; additionally, joss paper should be handled through centralized incineration services, or replaced with alternatives such as "Donations instead of joss paper " or "Rice instead of joss paper," while avoiding firecrackers, the improper disposal of cigarette butts, and ensuring all trash is taken away to reduce the accumulation of combustibles. Any fire caused by the burning of joss paper or weeds that results in air pollution or casualties will be strictly investigated and penalized in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. The fire department reminds citizens to make good use of digital disaster prevention tools by downloading the “Taipei City Disaster Prevention App” and the “The First Scene App” in advance to receive real-time push notifications regarding weather changes and disaster information; such technology enhances self-protection and immediate response capabilities, making it a vital partner in ensuring safety. We urge the public to balance the tradition of honoring ancestors with public safety and environmental protection, taking practical action to reduce fire risks and working together to maintain the safety of our city and the peace of our homes.[][][][]Department of Civil Affairs,Taipei City Government94292060https://english.ca.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=C2FB6DFC5ACB41B7&s=26865D1B24519B362025 Taipei Participatory Budgeting Education and Promotion Course Proposal Exchange Forum for Senior High Schools Youthful Creativity Shines as Civic Engagement Takes RootThe “2025 Taipei Participatory Budgeting Education and Promotion Course Proposal Exchange Forum” took place today (June 14)! A total of 19 schools submitted 22 simulated proposals. After professional evaluation, 4 were selected as Outstanding Proposals, 7 as Merit Proposals, and 11 received Honorable Mentions. The proposals addressed a wide range of topics including transportation, social care, pedestrian safety, and environmental improvement, demonstrating the students’ passion for public affairs and their innovative ideas for city development. All student proposals were showcased at the forum venue, where Secretary-General Lee Tai-Hsin of the Taipei City Government engaged directly with participating students, commending their thoughtful and well-prepared ideas. During the event’s highlight, the “Championship Showdown,” Secretary-General Lee, together with a panel of five academic experts—Professor Lung-Teng Hu (Department of Public Administration and Policy, National Taipei University), Professor Chun-Ta Li (Department of Social and Public Affairs, University of Taipei), Associate Professor Hsin-Chung Liao (Department of Public Administration, National Chengchi University), Assistant Professor Yu-Chang Su (Department of Public Policy and Management, Shih Hsin University), and Assistant Professor Yang-Chung Chen (Department of Public Affairs and Administration, Ming Chuan University)—carefully evaluated the proposals and selected the top three entries. Certificates of recognition were presented to encourage student engagement in public affairs. In addition, students whose proposals were awarded merit prizes were invited to present their concepts and share their experiences. Representatives from relevant government agencies attended the forum to listen to and exchange ideas with the younger generation, demonstrating Taipei’s commitment to fostering civic awareness and supporting youth participation in municipal development.  The City’s participatory budgeting education program for senior high schools is a joint initiative led by the Department of Civil Affairs, the Department of Education, and each District Office, with strong support from the Taipei City Government-Academia Alliance and dedicated faculty mentors. Under the guidance of experienced teachers, students engaged in brainstorming and teamwork to develop creative and feasible proposals, fully embodying the spirit of civic literacy while offering thoughtful suggestions for the improvement and future development of Taipei’s municipal policies. Examples include Datong High School’s proposal “Safe Steps with Barriers”, Chengyuan High School’s “Chengyuan’s Better Way Forward”, and Nanhu High School’s “Life’s Tough Road: Walking Is No Easy Task”, all of which reflect students’ concerns about the safety of their commuting environments and their aspirations to improve pedestrian infrastructure and urban traffic safety. Meanwhile, Dazhi High School’s proposal “Art Across Generations—Building Connections Between Youth and Seniors” highlights the value of intergenerational interaction, promoting the transmission of language and art while fostering empathy and cultural continuity. Zhonglun High School’s project “Dry Floors, Safe Steps: No More Slippery MRT Stations” creatively addresses everyday inconveniences in public spaces, aiming to enhance overall quality of life through practical innovation. Dali High School’s proposal, “Stray Animal Shelter Project,” integrates the concept of rehabilitation with animal sheltering, offering a fresh perspective on animal protection. The proposal reflects students’ deep concern for social issues and their proactive spirit in contributing to the public good. The Taipei City Government’s Department of Civil Affairs remains committed to promoting participatory budgeting education and promotion courses, inspiring both students and citizens to engage in public affairs. As civic awareness continues to deepen and expand, the city looks forward to building a more inclusive, thoughtful, and vibrant future for Taipei! [][][][]Department of Civil Affairs,Taipei City Government94146970https://english.ca.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=C2FB6DFC5ACB41B7&s=27EC4F16544974FETaipei City 2025 Golden Wedding Recognition EventTaipei City Honors 80 Couples in Golden Wedding CelebrationThe Taipei City Government hosted the “2025 Golden Wedding Anniversary Celebration” today (May 3) at Regent Taipei, honoring 80 devoted couples who have shared over half a century of marriage. Among them were 4 platinum couples (married for over 70 years) and 76 golden couples (married for over 50 years). The event was filled with warmth, joy, and heartfelt moments as families gathered to celebrate the enduring love and companionship of these remarkable couples.Held just ahead of Mother’s Day, Mayor Chiang Wan-an delivered remarks at the ceremony, offering his heartfelt congratulations to the honored couples and expressing deep gratitude to all mothers for their dedication and care. Mayor Chiang also commended the golden couples for their lifelong commitment to family, noting that their love and perseverance serve as a shining example of stability and harmony in society. Family is the Foundation of Social CohesionEvery golden wedding story is a testament to the unwavering love and dedication of two people who have weathered life’s ups and downs together and built a family through shared effort and devotion. From meeting in their youth to walking hand in hand for more than 50 years, these couples embody the most touching interpretation of love—steadfast companionship and mutual care over a lifetime. Their love not only strengthens their families but also nurtures new generations who contribute meaningfully to society. These stories are deeply inspiring and reflect the enduring power of family.Family is the most fundamental unit of society, and it plays a vital role in providing emotional support and passing down values. In the face of an aging population and declining birthrates, family caregiving and interdependence have become more essential than ever. Strong and healthy family relationships enhance social cohesion and infuse our society with the energy needed for sustainable development. Bridging Generations: Inspiring Youth through Golden Couple Role ModelsTo strengthen family bonds, the event featured a special family portrait session, creating lasting memories and encouraging meaningful intergenerational interaction. Through this golden wedding celebration, the Taipei City Government hopes to highlight the core values of happy and resilient families, inspiring younger generations to embrace marriage with courage, build strong family foundations, and work together toward a warmer, more harmonious society. Compilation of Taipei City 2025 Golden Wedding Anniversary Honoree Couples<div align="center"><table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" width="100%"><thead><tr><td style="background-color: rgb(209, 213, 216);" width="14.029850746268657%">Story Highlight</td><td style="background-color: rgb(209, 213, 216);" width="11.044776119402986%">Stage Number</td><td style="background-color: rgb(209, 213, 216);" width="14.328358208955224%">District/  Names of Couple (Age)</td><td style="background-color: rgb(209, 213, 216);" width="11.044776119402986%">Years Married</td><td style="background-color: rgb(209, 213, 216);" width="49.55223880597015%">Story Description</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td valign="top" width="14.029850746268657%">A Childhood Bond That Stood the Test of Time</td><td valign="top" width="11.044776119402986%">1</td><td valign="top" width="14.328358208955224%">Songshan DistrictKo-Shun Chu (98)Shou-Chi Li (97)</td><td valign="top" width="11.044776119402986%">76</td><td valign="top" width="49.55223880597015%">Mr. Chu and Ms. Li were childhood sweethearts who grew up playing together in the neighborhood park. Life separated them for many years—Ms. Li’s family moved away, and Mr. Chu later joined the Youth Army. But fate brought them back together, and the love they rekindled became even more precious. Mr. Chu credits his wife’s frugality and quiet strength for their family’s stability. He gives heartfelt thanks to God for such a wise and loving partner, and expresses his gratitude to Zhaoru Nursing Center and social workers who have supported them in later years.</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="14.029850746268657%">A Lifetime Bond Forged in Jinguashi</td><td valign="top" width="11.044776119402986%">3</td><td valign="top" width="14.328358208955224%">Wenshan DistrictA-Tzu Lin (93)Hsiu-Lien Liu (92)</td><td valign="top" width="11.044776119402986%">70</td><td valign="top" width="49.55223880597015%">Mr. Lin and Ms. Liu met while working as accountants at the Taiwan Metal Mining Corporation in Jinguashi. They married at the age of 21 and went on to raise three children in a warm and loving household. While Mr. Lin was stationed in Kinmen during his military service, his daughter was born. He stayed emotionally connected through handwritten letters on newspaper, sending blessings and love across the sea—moments that deeply strengthened their bond. Over a decade ago, the couple chose to move into a care center where they made new friends and became active members of the community, embracing a vibrant and fulfilling chapter in their sunset years.</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="14.029850746268657%">Love Amid the Chaos of War</td><td valign="top" width="11.044776119402986%">6</td><td valign="top" width="14.328358208955224%">Datong DistrictJun-Hsing Pan (93)Miao-Mei Liang (88)</td><td valign="top" width="11.044776119402986%">64</td><td valign="top" width="49.55223880597015%">Their love story began in the 1930s amid the chaos of war. Mr. Pan and Ms. Liang met as young adults but were soon separated when conflict forced them to relocate to Hong Kong. Later, Mr. Pan came to Taiwan to pursue his studies at a teacher’s college. Despite having many admirers, Ms. Liang remained true to him. When Mr. Pan proposed, she didn’t hesitate—leaving everything behind to join him in a rural village where dirt roads were the norm. Together, they raised five wonderful children. Though they often exchange playful banter and lovingly tease each other, their deep affection has never waned. Their enduring bond is a shining example of love and devotion for generations to follow.</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="14.029850746268657%">A Love That Bridged Cultural Divides</td><td valign="top" width="11.044776119402986%">7</td><td valign="top" width="14.328358208955224%">Da’an DistrictTao Tang (96)Yu-Ying Lin (85)</td><td valign="top" width="11.044776119402986%">63</td><td valign="top" width="49.55223880597015%">Mr. Tang came to Taiwan from his hometown in Anhui in 1949 and dedicated his life to military service. Ms. Lin, on the other hand, was born and raised in Jisui, Zhonghe Township (today’s Zhonghe District, New Taipei City). The couple met in 1959, at a time when marriages between mainlanders and native Taiwanese were still uncommon and often met with societal resistance. Yet, their bond was strong and unwavering—they overcame cultural and social barriers and entered into marriage in 1962. Their children fondly recall that in all the years they lived together, their parents never had a major argument or physical conflict. Now, more than sixty years later, their deep bond and mutual respect continue to serve as a beautiful example of marital harmony. Their love story not only reflects the evolving landscape of Taiwanese society but also stands as a powerful testament to love, resilience, and acceptance across cultural lines.</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="14.029850746268657%">A Theater Romance Spanning 67 Years</td><td valign="top" width="11.044776119402986%">12</td><td valign="top" width="14.328358208955224%">Zhongzheng DistrictPo-Ching Lin (88)Chin-Huan Lin Ho (89)</td><td valign="top" width="11.044776119402986%">67</td><td valign="top" width="49.55223880597015%">Nearly seven decades ago, a passionate young man from Fuzhou and a sweet girl from Tainan met for the first time at the Baogong Theater on Jinshan South Road in Taipei—an arranged meeting through a matchmaker. Shyness and language barriers kept them silent that day, but their next meeting the following year became their wedding day. To today’s younger generation, such a whirlwind path to marriage might seem almost mythical. In the decade that followed, they raised five children under challenging circumstances. Their marriage wasn’t built on grand philosophical ideals or poetic declarations, but on quiet support, mutual resilience, and unwavering companionship. Growing old side by side, they have shown the truest form of what marriage can be.</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="14.029850746268657%">A Centenarian Celebrates a Golden Love</td><td valign="top" width="11.044776119402986%">21</td><td valign="top" width="14.328358208955224%">Songshan DistrictCho Sun (100)Tsai-Yun Sun Chen (88)</td><td valign="top" width="11.044776119402986%">63</td><td valign="top" width="49.55223880597015%">Mr. Sun and Ms. Chen met as colleagues at a military textile factory in Miaoli. They were married in 1962, with the factory director officiating their wedding. After their children were born, Mr. Sun later joined a toy company that manufactured Barbie dolls, where he worked until his retirement to help improve the family’s living conditions.For over 40 years, the couple has enjoyed American square dancing, even participating in international square dance events in both Japan and the U.S. Ms. Chen also pursued folk dancing, later founded a Yuan Ji dance club, and became an active volunteer with the Buddhist Tzu Chi Charity Foundation. Now 100 years old, Mr. Sun remains sharp and active—he hears and sees clearly, walks steadily, shops independently, and enjoys leisure activities such as outings and playing family mahjong to stay mentally agile. Their 60 years of marriage are not only a testament to enduring love but also a vivid portrait of a close-knit, joyful family life built on mutual care and lasting companionship.</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="14.029850746268657%">A Bicycle Ride That Led to a Lifetime of Love</td><td valign="top" width="11.044776119402986%">22</td><td valign="top" width="14.328358208955224%">Xinyi DistrictLung-Hsiung Wang (88)Kuei-Ying Chang (79)</td><td valign="top" width="11.044776119402986%">62</td><td valign="top" width="49.55223880597015%">Back in 1963, when matchmaking was still the norm, a group of spirited young men from Shulin Township in Banqiao organized a modern twist on romance—a bicycle outing with young women working at a local textile factory. Each man paired with a woman, pedaling together on a day-long ride from New Taipei’s Shulin District all the way to Hsinchu. Among them was a kind-hearted 26-year-old man who rode with a shy 17-year-old girl. That chance encounter sparked a connection that blossomed into a love lasting over six decades.Throughout their 62 years of marriage, they have weathered life’s joys and challenges hand in hand. Every morning, Mr. Wang rises early to cook a warm pot of sweet potato porridge for Ms. Chang. Once, when she was hospitalized, Mr. Wang—despite his limited mobility—carefully packed the porridge into a lunchbox and took the bus to deliver it to her. When she opened it, the porridge was still steaming. No matter how long or difficult the road ahead may be, they remain each other’s most steadfast companion.</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="14.029850746268657%">A Courageous Love Behind a Fighter Pilot’s Wings</td><td valign="top" width="11.044776119402986%">30</td><td valign="top" width="14.328358208955224%">Neihu DistrictTe-Jun Liu (84)Ling-Ling Sung (82)</td><td valign="top" width="11.044776119402986%">60</td><td valign="top" width="49.55223880597015%">Their story began with sincerity and simplicity. Ms. Sung worked at the Hsinchu Air Force Base, where Mr. Liu was serving as an F-86D all-weather tactical fighter pilot. Introduced by an older comrade, the two soon found their paths leading to marriage. At the time, meeting a fighter pilot was the dream of many young women. But becoming a pilot’s wife required far more than admiration—it demanded immense courage and unwavering resolve. The life of a pilot was fragile, with every mission carrying the risk of never returning home. After their marriage, Ms. Sung made a bold and selfless choice: she resigned from her job to devote herself fully to their home and family. Her unwavering support allowed Mr. Liu to serve the country without distraction, soaring confidently through the skies.</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="14.029850746268657%">A Marriage That Blossomed from Tradition into True Love</td><td valign="top" width="11.044776119402986%">31</td><td valign="top" width="14.328358208955224%">Da’an DistrictChih-Kung Chang (94)Chieh-Hua Chou (83)</td><td valign="top" width="11.044776119402986%">60</td><td valign="top" width="49.55223880597015%">The marriage between Mr. Chang and Ms. Chou was both arranged by their families and nurtured through mutual affection. Their fathers, once elementary school classmates in Fengqiu County, Henan Province, were unexpectedly reunited in Taipei after the mainland fell to communist control. From then on, the two families became close once again. At the time, Mr. Chang was pursuing a master’s degree in the United States, while Ms. Chou was a university student in Taipei. Though both families were eager to see them matched, they respected their children’s wishes and encouraged them to get to know each other through letters. Over a year of heartfelt correspondence allowed their bond to grow. After Mr. Chang completed his studies abroad and Ms. Chou graduated, they married in 1965. Reflecting on their 60 years of marriage, Ms. Chou quoted the Qing dynasty statesman Li Hung-chang: “A Western marriage is like placing a hot pot on a cold stove, while a Chinese marriage is like placing a cold pot on a hot stove.” Their story began with family ties but deepened through mutual understanding, support, and commitment—ultimately blossoming into a lifelong partnership.</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="14.029850746268657%">Devoted Partners in Community and Service</td><td valign="top" width="11.044776119402986%">65</td><td valign="top" width="14.328358208955224%">Nangang DistrictChao-Hsien Hsieh (83)Pao-Chu Hsieh Peng (82)</td><td valign="top" width="11.044776119402986%">56</td><td valign="top" width="49.55223880597015%">Mr. Hsieh and Ms. Peng moved from Miaoli to Taipei in pursuit of a better life. In his early years, Mr. Hsieh worked at China Shipbuilding Corporation before becoming an instructor at the Ministry of Labor’s Northern Vocational Training Center, where he served until retirement. After retiring, Mr. Hsieh joined the volunteer service community and remained active in giving back to society. In 2024, he was honored with the Songhe Award  for Outstanding Senior Volunteers by the Taipei City Government, a testament to his continued dedication and spirit of service well beyond retirement.Ms. Peng has also been deeply committed to public service, serving as the neighborhood chief of Zhongyan Village for over 20 years. Married for 56 years, the couple has weathered life’s ups and downs together, building a life from humble beginnings to a flourishing family full of children and grandchildren. They now look back with gratitude—having endured both hardship and joy, and having walked every step side by side with love, respect, and unwavering companionship.</td></tr></tbody></table></div> <div id="_com_3" language="JavaScript" onmouseout="msoCommentHide('_com_3')" onmouseover="msoCommentShow('_anchor_3','_com_3')"> </div>[][][][]Department of Civil Affairs,Taipei City Government93226070https://english.ca.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=C2FB6DFC5ACB41B7&s=25F108BB32551AA42024 Outstanding Taipei Citizens Awards Presentation CeremonyThe Department of Civil Affairs, Taipei City Government, will host the “2024 Outstanding Taipei Citizens Awards Presentation Ceremony” on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at 10:00 AM in the atrium of the Taipei City Hall (No. 1, Shifu Road, Xinyi District, Taipei). Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an will present certificates and medals to four exceptional citizens: Mr. Hung Wen-ho, Mr. Chiu Da-ping, Ms. Wu Shih-yi, and Mr. Tang Chia-hung, recognizing their remarkable contributions to social welfare and exceptional achievements in sports. This year’s awardees were selected through a rigorous process by the “Taipei Outstanding Citizens Selection Committee,” which consists of representatives from Taipei City Government departments, past awardees, and impartial community leaders. Candidates recommended by various organizations and institutions underwent a thorough review process, including preliminary and final evaluations. Mr. Hung Wen-ho, a driving force behind the transformation and revitalization of local business districts; Mr. Chiu Da-ping, a philanthropist dedicated to supporting local students and giving back to the community; as well as medalists from the 2024 Summer Olympics, women’s boxing athlete Ms. Wu Shih-yi and men’s artistic gymnast Mr. Tang Chia-hung. These awardees, through their commitment to public welfare, local community engagement, and stellar performances on international athletic stages, embody the vibrant spirit of Taipei. They bring pride and inspiration to the city, enriching it with their light and energy.The Taipei Outstanding Citizens (formerly Honorary Citizens) Recognition Program has been held annually for 33 years. Previous awardees include prominent figures from various fields, such as Morris Chang, the “Father of Taiwan’s Semiconductor Industry”; Sun Tsui-feng, a champion of traditional performing arts; and Wang Chi-lin, who made Olympic history by winning consecutive gold medals in men’s doubles badminton at the 2024 Paris Olympics.In addition to the awards ceremony, this year’s event will also welcome previous recipients of the Outstanding Citizen honor. Through this public recognition, the Taipei City Government aims to inspire civic pride, encourage active participation in municipal affairs, and promote the spirit of social welfare.  Achievements of the 2024 Outstanding Taipei Citizens<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td valign="top" width="24.382716049382715%">Mr. Hung Wen-ho – Driving Force Behind the Transformation of Local Business Districts</td><td valign="top" width="75.61728395061728%">Mr. Hung has dedicated nearly 40 years to the Wanhua District, where he has played a pivotal role in revitalizing the area. His efforts include utilizing participatory budgeting proposals to gradually improve Wanhua’s tourism environment and uniting local stakeholders to drive urban transformation. His work has brought comprehensive and tangible changes to the district. Acting as a vital bridge between the local community and the city government, Mr. Hung has integrated diverse opinions and fostered consensus. His commitment to fostering positive influence and his exemplary leadership make him a role model.</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="24.382716049382715%">Mr. Chiu Da-ping – Philanthropist Supporting Local Students</td><td valign="top" width="75.61728395061728%">A successful businessman in Dadaocheng, Mr. Chiu has consistently contributed to education by providing financial assistance to underprivileged students. He is also an advocate for preserving traditional folk customs and actively participates in local cultural and artistic events. His dedication to assisting the disadvantaged, from planning initiatives to mobilizing resources, reflects his unyielding commitment to community welfare. By embodying the principle of giving back to society, Mr. Chiu serves as a shining example of philanthropy and social responsibility.</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="24.382716049382715%">Ms. Wu Shih-yi – Women’s Boxing Medalist</td><td valign="top" width="75.61728395061728%">Born in Taipei, Ms. Wu has established herself as a formidable athlete in women’s boxing. She won a silver medal at the 2019 Asian Boxing Championships and a bronze medal in the 60kg category at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou. She secured first place in the fourth weight class at the 2023 National Games, representing Taipei City. Most notably, she earned a bronze medal in the women’s 60kg category at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Her outstanding achievements and perseverance exemplify the highest standards of athletic excellence.</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="24.382716049382715%">Mr. Tang Chia-hung – Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Medalist</td><td valign="top" width="75.61728395061728%">Mr. Tang is a trailblazer in men’s artistic gymnastics. At the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, he achieved seventh place in the individual all-around competition with a total score of 84.798, setting a record as the best result for a Taiwanese gymnast in this category. Representing Taipei City, he won gold in the horizontal bar event at the 2019, 2021, and 2023 National Games. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, he secured a bronze medal in the horizontal bar event. Mr. Tang’s relentless dedication and unyielding spirit serve as a testament to his remarkable athletic accomplishments.</td></tr></tbody></table> [][][][]Department of Civil Affairs,Taipei City Government92323590https://english.ca.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=C2FB6DFC5ACB41B7&s=B867D2323F7E071ESupporting Each Other for a Prosperous Tomorrow The 2024 Taipei City Civil Affairs Team Joint Awards CeremonyTo recognize and commend the senior and outstanding members of the civil affairs team, the Department of Civil Affairs of the Taipei City Government held an awards ceremony on June 21st (Friday) at 10 AM at the Minsheng Community Center. This event recognizes the contributions of senior Village and Neighborhood  Chiefs, outstanding Village Clerks, senior Village Clerks, exemplary household registration and civil affairs staff, and outstanding household registration volunteers. Mayor Chiang, Wan-An personally presented the awards and participated in a commemorative photo session as a gesture of gratitude and encouragement. This year's honorees for senior Village Chiefs include Chen Ming-Hsiung from Shezi Village in Shilin District, who has served for over 40 years; Hung Fu-Chou from Jinglian Village in Xinyi District, among 10 others who have served for over 30 years; Wu Sheng-Yang from Xinxing Village in Zhongshan District, among 2 others who have served for over 20 years; and Yeh Chien-Hui from Yuanshan Village in Zhongshan District, who has served for over 10 years. Senior Neighborhood Chiefs include Pan Kung-Chao from Songshan District, among 6 others who have served for over 50 years; Wang Huai-Hsin from Xinyi District, among 14 others who have served for over 40 years; Huang Hsu Shu-Yun from Xinyi District, among 70 others who have served for over 30 years; and Shen Mei-Yu from Xinyi District, among 104 others who have served for over 20 years. Additionally, senior Village Clerks include Sun Tsui-Hua from Da’an District, who has served for over 30 years; and Chuang Wan-Ting from Songshan District, among 4 others who have served for over 20 years. The Taipei City Government deeply appreciates their long-term dedication and contributions to the development and administration of Taipei City, which are truly moving and commendable. Additionally, the ceremony also honored excellent household registration volunteer Liu Han-Bin among 15 others; outstanding household registration personnel Chou Pin-Hui among 20 others; outstanding Village Clerk Sheng Yi-Ying among 91 others; and outstanding civil affairs personnel Lu Ming-Chu among 23 others. These exemplary district and household registration office staff members have excelled in handling emergency incidents, promoting various post-pandemic municipal recovery efforts, and assisting citizens through difficult times, earning widespread admiration for their exceptional performance. This year, the most senior honoree is Chen Ming-Hsiung, the Village Chief of Shezi Village in Shilin District, who has served for over 40 years. Chen fully exemplifies the motto, "If you commit to it, serve to the end." He is known for his enthusiastic service and proactive concern for the residents, earning the profound trust of local residents. Hung Fu-Chou, the Village Chief of Jinglian Village in Xinyi District, actively revitalizes space utilization, promotes community greening, and works tirelessly to improve the quality of the community environment. Kao Ming-Hung, the Village Chief of Zhulun Village in Zhongshan District, promotes elder care and child-friendly initiatives within the village, showcasing the community's vitality and warmth. Chou Chih-Hsien, the Village Chief of Chienkung Village in Datong District, has transformed the old Jiancheng Roundabout into a parent-child recreation space and is dedicated to serving the residents and enhancing the community environment. Wu Tso-Jung, the Village Chief of Wanhe Village in Wenshan District, focuses on environmental recycling and energy-saving initiatives, fostering neighborhood relations and strengthening community care. Wang Hsing-Kuo, the Village Chief of Xikang Village in Neihu District, has overseen the transformation of farmland into a hi-tech industrial park, creating community green spaces and planning convenient transportation to promote a better community life. Chiang Kuang-Hui, the Village Chief of Ruiyang Village in Neihu District, cares for the elderly, new immigrants, and new parents by organizing training courses to support their life experiences. Huang Sheng-Tsung, the Village Chief of Jiqing Village in Beitou District, effectively utilizes resources to create a friendly and livable community. Each Village Chief demonstrates commitment to fostering a vibrant and beautiful community environment, working tirelessly to enhance the well-being and welfare of the residents. Senior Neighborhood Chiefs such as Pan Kung-Chao (87 years old) from Songshan District, Chen Meng-Chieh (88 years old) from Zhongzheng District, Yeh Li-Fu (83 years old) from Wanhua District, and Tseng Mei-Hsiang (83 years old) from Da’an District, who have served for over 50 and 40 years respectively, continue to demonstrate unwavering dedication to their neighborhoods despite their advancing age. They are proactive and passionate local volunteers, who care for the residents, actively maintain the neighborhood environment, and support the implementation of policies, selflessly backing the Village Chiefs, District Chiefs, and the Mayor, ensuring smoother municipal governance. Chen Ying-Chih, the Village Clerk of Dazhi Village in Zhongshan District, was deeply involved in the local response to the Kee Tai Dazhi incident in 2023. The collapse of neighboring houses due to excavation works on the construction site on Lane 94 of Dazhi Street left a lasting impression on him. Throughout the process, he upheld the principle that helping others brings happiness. When disaster-stricken residents were left helpless and uncertain after their homes collapsed, he maintained composure and empathy, actively helping them resolve their issues. Despite occasionally facing emotional reactions from the affected residents, he always communicated patiently and kindly, alleviating their anxiety and helplessness. Lu Ming-Chu, the Section Chief of Civil Affairs in Wanhua District, has served in this role for many years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she efficiently allocated colleagues to handle various pandemic prevention tasks, achieving effective control. She also focused on improving the environment in Wanhua District, transforming it into a clean and safe community. By mobilizing the community, she strengthened civil defense and mutual aid, transforming Wanhua into a model community for public safety nationwide. Additionally, she compiled work manuals for election duties, enabling staff to quickly absorb essential election management knowledge and successfully complete election tasks. Lu's promotion of civil affairs deserves recognition and commendation. Volunteer Liu Han-Bin from the Nangang District Household Registration Office, residing in Taoyuan City and now 72 years old, formed a connection with Nangang District due to his work. After retiring from his company in Nangang District, he now travels north weekly to volunteer at the Nangang District Household Registration Office. Liu not only assists with basic inquiries and provides friendly guidance but also excels in simple repairs, helping with the maintenance of desks, chairs, and lights. His dedication to "using one's skills for joyful service" exemplifies the spirit of volunteering. Chou Pin-Hui, a household registration officer at the Nangang District Household Registration Office, helped a stateless person who had lived in Taiwan for 17 years but repeatedly faced obstacles in obtaining citizenship due to not meeting the Nationality Act. Chou proactively liaised with the Ministry of the Interior, courts, financial institutions, and hospitals, documenting the individual's work situation to prove his stable life and work in Taiwan. Her efforts successfully secured Taiwanese citizenship for the individual, providing them the person with a sense of belonging. Chou's husband, Fu Kuang-Yi, is also an outstanding household registration officer at the Xinyi District Household Registration Office. The couple was both selected as outstanding household registration personnel in the city this year. Their enthusiastic service in their respective positions makes them a model couple in household registration agencies. The senior and outstanding members of the civil affairs team being honored are the cornerstone of municipal services. They actively care for the community, remain vigilant about community issues and dynamics, and respond positively to the public's needs. Commissioner Chen Yung-Te of the Department of Civil Affairs of the Taipei City Government expressed his pride and gratitude for the dedication and support shown by grassroots civil affairs personnel toward Taipei's sustainable prosperity. He remarked that the collective effort being made to create a livable environment in Taipei is enhancing the capital city with joy and beauty.[][][][]Department of Civil Affairs,Taipei City Government91094210https://english.ca.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=C2FB6DFC5ACB41B7&s=157AC5723FFBCE12Taipei City Youth Development and Family Education Center - Free Seminars<div class="simple-text title" data-child="1" data-type="0" id="isPasted"><div class="in"><div class="ct"><div class="in">The Taipei City Youth Development and Family Education Center's 2024 Professional and Family Collaboration Program includes three main components: Promotional classes, digital classes, and professional and family classes.</div></div></div></div><div class="area-essay page-caption-p" data-child="1" data-type="0" style="margin-top: 10px;"><div class="in"><div class="ct"><div class="in"><div class="div" title=""><div class="essay"><div class="p" style="margin: 5px 0px; line-height: 1.7;"><p style="margin: 0px; position: static; inset: auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; border-radius: 0px; list-style: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em; font-weight: normal; transition: initial;">Class Topics:<p style="margin: 0px; position: static; inset: auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; border-radius: 0px; list-style: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em; font-weight: normal; transition: initial;">1. How should parents in the digital age act? New parenting method in a world full of electronics.<p style="margin: 0px; position: static; inset: auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; border-radius: 0px; list-style: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em; font-weight: normal; transition: initial;">2. A love triangle between teenagers, internet media, and parents.<p style="margin: 0px; position: static; inset: auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; border-radius: 0px; list-style: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em; font-weight: normal; transition: initial;">3. My Strength Card - Strengths Perspective in Positive Relationship Management<p style="margin: 0px; position: static; inset: auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; border-radius: 0px; list-style: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em; font-weight: normal; transition: initial;">4. Tabletops for Romantic Loves (emotional education through love).<p style="margin: 0px; position: static; inset: auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; border-radius: 0px; list-style: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em; font-weight: normal; transition: initial;">5. Gender identity and respect.<p style="margin: 0px; position: static; inset: auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; border-radius: 0px; list-style: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em; font-weight: normal; transition: initial;">6. Learning about diverse family structures.<p style="margin: 0px; position: static; inset: auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; border-radius: 0px; list-style: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em; font-weight: normal; transition: initial;"> <p style="margin: 0px; position: static; inset: auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; border-radius: 0px; list-style: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em; font-weight: normal; transition: initial;">Registration Website: <a class="link" href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScLLMxMf2_ocPGp09T5zR-iNyzNojgbptRv_sLBFlD-lM7NnQ/viewform" rel="noreferrer" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(6, 125, 184); text-decoration: underline; cursor: pointer; word-break: break-all;" target="_blank" title="(open a new window)">(open a new window)</a><a class="link" href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScLLMxMf2_ocPGp09T5zR-iNyzNojgbptRv_sLBFlD-lM7NnQ/viewform" rel="noreferrer" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(6, 125, 184); text-decoration: underline; cursor: pointer; word-break: break-all;" target="_blank" title="(open a new window)">[Link]</a><p style="margin: 0px; position: static; inset: auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; border-radius: 0px; list-style: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em; font-weight: normal; transition: initial;"><br style="color: rgb(52, 52, 52); font-family: Arial, 微軟正黑體修正, 微軟正黑體, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif, 新細明體; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>[][][][]Department of Civil Affairs,Taipei City Government90806640https://english.ca.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=C2FB6DFC5ACB41B7&s=801B185D6A10B6A3Mayor Chiang and Jolin Tsai Champion the Fight Against Smoking (11-10)<p id="isPasted" style='margin: 0px; position: static; inset: auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; border-radius: 0px; list-style: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; transition: initial; color: rgb(52, 52, 52); font-family: Arial, 微軟正黑體修正, 微軟正黑體, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif, 新細明體; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;'>In light of the new Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act, Mayor Chiang and Jolin Tsai are actively campaigning against the dangers of emerging tobacco products, such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. Their efforts aim to heighten public awareness about the importance of rejecting smoking and to safeguard the health of the residents.<p style='margin: 0px; position: static; inset: auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; border-radius: 0px; list-style: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; transition: initial; color: rgb(52, 52, 52); font-family: Arial, 微軟正黑體修正, 微軟正黑體, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif, 新細明體; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;'> <p style='margin: 0px; position: static; inset: auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; border-radius: 0px; list-style: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; transition: initial; color: rgb(52, 52, 52); font-family: Arial, 微軟正黑體修正, 微軟正黑體, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif, 新細明體; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;'>Seven Key Highlights of the New Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act:<p style='margin: 0px; position: static; inset: auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; border-radius: 0px; list-style: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; transition: initial; color: rgb(52, 52, 52); font-family: Arial, 微軟正黑體修正, 微軟正黑體, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif, 新細明體; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;'> <p style='margin: 0px; position: static; inset: auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; border-radius: 0px; list-style: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; transition: initial; color: rgb(52, 52, 52); font-family: Arial, 微軟正黑體修正, 微軟正黑體, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif, 新細明體; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;'>▪️ A complete ban on the sale and use of e-cigarettes.<p style='margin: 0px; position: static; inset: auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; border-radius: 0px; list-style: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; transition: initial; color: rgb(52, 52, 52); font-family: Arial, 微軟正黑體修正, 微軟正黑體, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif, 新細明體; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;'>▪️ Stricter regulation of heated tobacco products.<p style='margin: 0px; position: static; inset: auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; border-radius: 0px; list-style: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; transition: initial; color: rgb(52, 52, 52); font-family: Arial, 微軟正黑體修正, 微軟正黑體, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif, 新細明體; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;'>▪️ Prohibition of the sale and distribution of flavored cigarettes.<p style='margin: 0px; position: static; inset: auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; border-radius: 0px; list-style: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; transition: initial; color: rgb(52, 52, 52); font-family: Arial, 微軟正黑體修正, 微軟正黑體, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif, 新細明體; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;'>▪️ Increase in the legal smoking age to 20 years.<p style='margin: 0px; position: static; inset: auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; border-radius: 0px; list-style: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; transition: initial; color: rgb(52, 52, 52); font-family: Arial, 微軟正黑體修正, 微軟正黑體, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif, 新細明體; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;'>▪️ Expansion of smoke-free environments in public areas.<p style='margin: 0px; position: static; inset: auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; border-radius: 0px; list-style: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; transition: initial; color: rgb(52, 52, 52); font-family: Arial, 微軟正黑體修正, 微軟正黑體, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif, 新細明體; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;'>▪️ Enlargement of health warning images and texts on cigarette packs to cover 50% of the surface area.<p style='margin: 0px; position: static; inset: auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; border-radius: 0px; list-style: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; transition: initial; color: rgb(52, 52, 52); font-family: Arial, 微軟正黑體修正, 微軟正黑體, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif, 新細明體; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;'>▪️ Implementation of heavier penalties for violations by tobacco companies.<p style='margin: 0px; position: static; inset: auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; border-radius: 0px; list-style: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; transition: initial; color: rgb(52, 52, 52); font-family: Arial, 微軟正黑體修正, 微軟正黑體, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif, 新細明體; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;'><a class="link" href="https://health.gov.taipei/cp.aspx?n=E1E523C25EFC2425&s=CECFA26A4C2685B6" rel="noreferrer" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(6, 125, 184); text-decoration: underline; cursor: pointer; word-break: break-all;" target="_blank" title="(open a new window)">(open a new window)</a><a class="link" href="https://health.gov.taipei/cp.aspx?n=E1E523C25EFC2425&s=CECFA26A4C2685B6" rel="noreferrer" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(6, 125, 184); text-decoration: underline; cursor: pointer; word-break: break-all;" target="_blank" title="(open a new window)">[Link]</a>[][][][]Department of Civil Affairs,Taipei City Government90806790https://english.ca.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=C2FB6DFC5ACB41B7&s=62B1C1F9E80F4DFFThe Highway Bureau: A Better Tomorrow Begins with Pedestrian Courtesy (10-8)<p id="isPasted" style='margin: 0px; position: static; inset: auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; border-radius: 0px; list-style: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; transition: initial; color: rgb(52, 52, 52); font-family: Arial, 微軟正黑體修正, 微軟正黑體, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif, 新細明體; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;'>The Highway Bureau has released a promotional video for 2023 titled 'A Better Tomorrow Begins with Pedestrian Courtesy.' This video is designed to enhance road safety awareness, helping drivers establish an empathetic connection with pedestrians and treat pedestrians as if they were family members or friends. The video encourages drivers to slow down and yield to pedestrians when passing through intersections.<p style='margin: 0px; position: static; inset: auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; border-radius: 0px; list-style: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; transition: initial; color: rgb(52, 52, 52); font-family: Arial, 微軟正黑體修正, 微軟正黑體, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif, 新細明體; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;'> <p style='margin: 0px; position: static; inset: auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; border-radius: 0px; list-style: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; transition: initial; color: rgb(52, 52, 52); font-family: Arial, 微軟正黑體修正, 微軟正黑體, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif, 新細明體; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;'>For more details, please watch the short film here: <a href="https://youtu.be/NVWV8Z-mMfw" rel="noreferrer" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(6, 125, 184); text-decoration: underline; cursor: pointer; word-break: break-all;" target="_blank" title="(open a new window)">(open a new window)</a><a href="https://youtu.be/NVWV8Z-mMfw" rel="noreferrer" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(6, 125, 184); text-decoration: underline; cursor: pointer; word-break: break-all;" target="_blank" title="(open a new window)">[Link]</a>[][][][]Department of Civil Affairs,Taipei City Government89926760https://english.ca.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=C2FB6DFC5ACB41B7&s=5EA11EE707DC7FAFNTD1,200 monthly transport pass for Northern Taiwan (covers Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, and Keelung), June 15 pre-order, July 01 online.A new NTD1,200 monthly transport pass for Northern Taiwan covers Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, and Keelung, is set to start pre-orders on June 15, and online on July 1, 2023. Offering 30 days unlimited rides on MRT systems, buses, TRA trains, Highway buses, and also enjoy the first 30 minutes of YouBike in Taipei as well as New Taipei and the first 60 minutes of YouBike in Taoyuan City are free.  Click here for more details：<a href="https://www.easycard.com.tw/en/" id="isPasted" title="EASYCARD CORPORATION">https://www.easycard.com.tw/en/</a>[][][][]Department of Civil Affairs,Taipei City Government89593460https://english.ca.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=C2FB6DFC5ACB41B7&s=03AE70584C8D3D05Press Release Department of Civil Affairs, Taipei City GovernmentPopulation Policy Committee to Be Established to Address Population Issues in Taipei City.The population of Taipei City has been decreasing in recent years mainly due to the impact of COVID-19, causing a surge in the number of households moving abroad (household deregistration). Since border restrictions were lifted on October 13, 2022, the number of reinstated household registrations has increased and the city's population has gradually rebounded. However, on domestic migration, since the housing price to income ratio in Taipei City is much higher than that in New Taipei City and Taoyuan City, while the MRT network has significantly reduced transportation barriers and commuting time costs, this has resulted in out-migration of the registered population. The exacerbating problems of declining population, falling birth rates and super-aged population in Taipei City cannot be dealt with by a single agency or a single policy. The city government has been actively working on the establishment of a Population Policy Committee to effectively focus on the planning, formulation, integration, and coordination of population policies in Taipei City, and to engage in inter-agency discussions on issues related to marriage, childbirth, livability, employment, LOHAS, and long term care to foster a happy and livable city for sustainable development. Encourage Citizens to Have More Children by Increasing Birth Incentive Bonuses On March 21, the Taipei City Council approved the amendment to the “Taipei City Childbirth Incentive Payment Regulations”, which increases the amount of incentive bonuses for the first child to NT$40,000, the second child to NT$45,000, and the third child or more to NT$50,000; all newborns born after April 4, 2023 (inclusive) can benefit from the new regulations. The increase in incentive bonuses means that the bonus payment for the first child tops any other city or county in the country. Because the current regulations are based on the combined period of domicile in the Taipei-New Taipei-Keelung region, as long as one of the parents has been domiciled in Taipei-New Taipei-Keelung for at least 10 months at the time of the birth of the newborn, and is domiciled in Taipei City at the time of the final application, the increased birth incentive bonus shall apply. The number of births in Taipei City has been declining year by year since 2015 and fell to a record low of 14,528 in 2022. In order to reduce the burden on families raising children and to encourage people to have children with peace of mind, the increase in  birth incentive payment was introduced. Social Housing Childcare Family Assistance Program Foster Care Assistance for School-Age ChildrenFor families with two or more children aged 0-6, the Taipei City Government will adopt an additional lottery system to increase the chance of moving into social housing by two times, and shall apply to the Huarong Public Market Urban Renewal and Fuxing Social Housing Project, both of which are expected to be completed at the end of the year. In addition, in order to alleviate the burden of childcare on young families and encourage childbirth, families with children aged 0-12 living in social housing in Taipei City can apply for additional childcare rental subsidies in addition to the tiered rental subsidy system of NT$3,000 to NT$11,000 per month, with each child entitled to a monthly rental subsidy of NT$1,000, up to a maximum of NT$3,000 per month. Applications will be accepted starting in May 2023, and direct rent deductions will begin in June after applications are approved. The Taipei City Government added that it has continued to inventory the city's property assets and the social housing capacities in the city to increase the stock of social housing in a diversified approach, so that more resources can be provided to help young families with children.    Reducing Burden of Childcare: Friendly Childcare Subsidies and Abolishing Tax Rate LimitationsTaipei City's Friendly Childcare Subsidy abolished tax rate restrictions in 2023. Considering the heavier burden for families that send children to quasi-public infant daycare centers or employ quasi-public childcare workers at home, and on account of a general rise in inflation, starting from April 4, 2023, the subsidies for the quasi-public infant daycare services will be increased from NT$4,000 to NT$5,000 per month for children attending quasi-public infant daycare centers and childcare workers at home, and from NT$6,000 to NT$7,000 per month for families with a second child or more. Together with the childcare subsidy of NT$8,500 from the central government for quasi-public childcare services, the parental burden will be reduced from NT$7,000 - NT$10,000 to NT$6,000 to NT$9,000, with 5,200 children expected to benefit from the increased subsidies. Supporting Families with Children: Let’s Cherish your Children Together!Up to NT$52,000 in Subsidies Per Year for Children Attending Private Kindergartens!The Taipei City Government will launch the “Baby I Love You - Private Kindergarten Education Assistance Program” in August 2023 to provide a maximum subsidy of NT$52,000 per school year for private kindergarten schooling. In line with the Central Government's “National Policy to Address Low Birth Rate”, the city's “6-6 Incentive Plan” tuition subsidy program will be retired in the second semester of the 2022 academic year. However, due to the special position of Taipei City and in recognition of the heavy burden on families with children, starting from August 2023, if a child between the ages of 2 and 4 attends a private kindergarten in Taipei City, and if any parent or guardian of the child is domiciled in Taipei City, and if the applicable comprehensive income tax rate for the most recent year does not reach 20%, different amounts of subsidies will be granted depending on the total fees charged by the kindergarten attended. For kindergartens charging less than NT$7,276 per student per month, the subsidy is the difference in tuition fees after deducting the central government’s childcare subsidy; for kindergartens charging between NT$7,277 and NT$11,276 per month, the subsidy is NT$13,660 per student per semester; for kindergartens charging more than NT$11,277 per month, subsidies will be granted from NT$13,661 to a maximum of NT$26,000 per student per semester, with a maximum subsidy of NT$52,000 per student per academic year. Details of the program are expected to be posted on the Bureau of Education’s website in June 2023. Encouraging Births, Assisting in Care, and Providing Good Living “Good Pregnancy” Goes Full ThrottleThe increase in childbirth incentive bonuses, the increase in the number of social housing units, the increase in the number of social housing units for families with two or more children, the elimination of the tax rate restrictions for friendly childcare subsidies, and the private childcare education subsidy program are some of the key childcare friendly policies that Mayor Chiang has implemented since taking office. However, as there are many reasons for low birth rates, the city government will continue to invest resources in public support for childcare and early childhood education, continue to provide more public childcare facilities, increase the number of spots offered in public and non-profit kindergartens to reduce the cost of raising young children, and will strive to formulate other innovative childcare policies to provide a more diverse social environment to support and give the most concrete help to families raising children.[][][][]Department of Civil Affairs,Taipei City Government89497050https://english.ca.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=C2FB6DFC5ACB41B7&s=AFBBEF7F9BA671D4Beware of Fire Hazards During Qingming Festival Worship Rituals: Eco-Friendly Rituals Are the Healthier Choice Traditional cemeteries are mostly located in suburban hillside areas. With the approach of the Qingming Festival, the Mortuary Services Office (MSO) urges the elderly to bring companions and carry their mobile phones to maintain safety. To prevent cemetery fires, members of the public are reminded to remember the "4 no's and 1 remember" mantra when participating in tomb-sweeping activities: "NO" fires during weeding, "NO" burning of joss paper, "NO" setting off firecrackers, "NO" littering of cigarette butts, and "REMEMBER" to take garbage away. Members of the public are encouraged to make more use of the centralized burning of gold and silver joss paper and online ancestor worship services offered by the MSO, which is both convenient and can reduce the occurrence of fire hazards. Since many citizens visit the Fude Memorial Tower in Fude Public Cemetery, Yangmingshan’s Zhen-Ai Memorial Building and Yangmingshan Memorial Pagoda during the Qingming Festival every year, to avoid crowding, the Taipei City Government recommends that citizens pay their respects at the Memorial Buildings (Towers) in batches and visit the cemeteries or memorial buildings as early as possible or postpone to later, and to visit on weekdays. Taipei City Department of Civil Affairs Commissioner Chen Yung-Te pointed out that during the Qingming Tomb-sweeping Festival, in order to provide the public with quality tomb-sweeping services, members of the public can access the "<a href="https://w10.mso.taipei/oomedia_2023/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Qingming Information">Qingming Information</a>" section on the "Mortuary Services Office" official website of the Taipei City Government. The site allows the public to easily inquire about the latest traffic information during the Qingming Festival. In light of the rising awareness of environmental protection in recent years, the custom of burning joss paper and setting off firecrackers to pay respect to ancestors has been decreasing year by year. The MSO urges the public to burn gold and silver joss paper centrally (Fu De Memorial Building, Yangmingshan Memorial Pagoda, Yangmingshan’s Zhen-Ai Memorial Building all offer centralized paper-money burning services) to maintain air quality for Taipei citizens. The MSO also stressed that due to the large number of crowds expected to converge during the Qingming Festival, in order to avoid traffic congestion and the danger of crowding, it is recommended to send representatives to participate in the ancestor worship rituals in the mountains. The MSO is also providing "<a href="https://w6.gov.taipei/taipei_rwd/index.php" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Life in Remembrance">Life in Remembrance</a>" online ancestor worship. Members of the public can enter the names of relatives and friends, click on the final resting place of the deceased, and then choose Chinese or Western-style worship according to respective religious beliefs, and dedicate and convey the remembrance of the deceased. In addition, the MSO urges members of the public to pay attention to fire hazards while engaging in Qingming rituals. Before leaving the place of worship, please be sure to put out fires and avoid burning plants and trees to ensure the safety of life and property.[][][][]Department of Civil Affairs,Taipei City Government85047750https://english.ca.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=C2FB6DFC5ACB41B7&s=4CF44A079A95002AInnovation of Taipei City's Refined Worshipping Culture Shilin Shennong Temple “Substitutes Joss Paper for Tea” to Protect the Environment – Foreign Languages Available for the Online Lottery Poem PlatformInnovation has been introduced to Taipei City's refined worshipping culture! Shilin Shennong Temple has become the first temple in Taiwan to implement the concept of “substituting joss paper for tea”, encouraging pilgrims to express their respect and gratitude for deities through Peace Tea in order to prevent the excessive burning of joss paper by creating an eco-friendly way to pay tribute to God. Besides the eco-friendly “substituting joss paper for tea” initiative, the Shilin Shennong Temple also supports the Department of Civil Affairs' Lottery Poem Online Platform to promote friendly, multilingual measures in the temple, demonstrating the progressive creativity and vigor of the Shennong belief.   To minimize the burning of joss paper, the Taipei City Department of Civil Affairs launched the “substituting joss paper for rice” campaign in 2016 to encourage the pilgrims to use rice in place of joss paper during worshipping. The campaign was well received. In 2021, Shilin Shennong Temple continues to uphold its core values of “leading by example” and “treating others as you would yourself,” complemented by the legend of Shennong, the inventor of tea, to collaborate with local tea farmers in Taiwan and come up with the eco-friendly concept of “substituting joss paper for tea”. The intention is to promote the idea of using premium tea to pay respect to God. From now on, when the pilgrims go worshipping in Shennong Temple, they can choose to use the “Peace Tea” in addition to joss paper in a bid to support the eco-friendly way of honoring the deities.   According to the Chairman of the Shilin Shennong Temple He I-sung, it is hoped that the most historic temple in Shilin will lead by example to promote the eco-friendly worshipping approach, so as to foster the sustainable development of the ecological environment while preserving traditional faith.   Apart from the eco-friendly “substituting joss paper for tea” initiative, the Shilin Shennong Temple also supports the Department of Civil Affairs' Lottery Poem Online Platform in preparation for tourism developments in the post-pandemic era. In the future, foreign visitors to the Shilin Shennong Temple will be able to follow the traditional worshipping ritual, draw lots, and jiaobei (tossing of divination blocks). Thereafter, they can use their cell phone to scan the QR code and link to the lottery poem online platform, where they can obtain the meaning of their lottery poem in 4 different languages (Chinese, English, Japanese, and Korean) and gain further insight into the profound depth of Taiwan's religious belief. After the current phase of the Shennong Temple's restoration project is completed, various multilingual services signs and measures will also be implemented to make the temple the new attraction of the city's temple tourism.   Taipei City Department of Civil Affairs Commissioner Lan Shih-Tsung thanked the Shilin Shennong Temple for launching the “substituting joss paper for tea” campaign; the alternative solution to burning joss paper not only emanates temple characteristics, endowing the worshipping culture with tradition and eco-friendly qualities but also attracts more youth engagement by incorporating creative ideas that can facilitate the sustainable development of religion. The Shennong Temple joined forces with the Department of Civil Affairs to implement a multilingual temple environment and facilities to allow pilgrims and tourists from Taiwan and abroad to appreciate the beauty of religion in Taipei and the warm hospitality of the Taiwanese people.  <div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="The online lottery poem platform" src="https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/0/relpic/31011/8504709/b9493843-e019-40f1-a8c6-0d0ab97759e9.jpg" style="width: 100%;" /></div><div>The online lottery poem platform offers lottery poem interpretation in 4 languages (Chinese, English, Japanese, and Korean).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="“Substituting joss paper for tea”" src="https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/0/relpic/31011/8504709/9dbc990e-b010-4d8c-b34b-9562f9c3a2f9.jpg" style="width: 50%; height: 50%;" /></div><div>“Substituting joss paper for tea” encourages pilgrims to replace joss paper with tea when worshipping the deities.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="The “substituting joss paper for tea” is given to pilgrims who have made donations as a token of appreciation" src="https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/0/relpic/31011/8504709/5705f4db-9a4d-4246-b5b6-266de7295450.jpg" style="width: 100%;" /></div><div>The “substituting joss paper for tea” is given to pilgrims who have made donations as a token of appreciation.</div>[][][][]Department of Civil Affairs,Taipei City Government82123640https://english.ca.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=C2FB6DFC5ACB41B7&s=808B7C1620615143Wanna to go abroad? Come to New Immigrants Special Bazzar to have great fun now! Malay Nyonya Cake, Korean Spicy Pancake, Japanese Water Balloon Hooking Game, Vietnamese Jelly Flower DIY, are waiting for you to try!The New Immigrants Special Bazzar, which is full of exotic tastes,will be held in the Central Square of Xinyi Citizen Hall, at 1:00 p.m to 6:00 p.m on July 5, 2020(Sunday).New immigrants from countries including Japan, Korea, United Kingdom, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand,and Malyasia will start 21 special counters, showing their homeland dishes, interesting games, cultural and creative commodities DIY, inviting all of you to join a special afternoon having fun of different countries. Taipei City is a multi-cultural friendly city. Until the end     Of June, 2020, there are totally over 36,000 new immigrants living     here, bringing different diverse cultural exchange to us. Many new immigrants have even invested into microentrepreneurship or     developed E-commerce positively. They offer many exotic restaurants or commodities stores in Taipei lanes and streets. This year, we shall firstly have New Immigrants Special Bazzar in Taipei City, inviting new immigrant friends from all countries to gather and start their counters, so as to let us try yummy tastes, play games, watch shows and have wonderful and satisfactory experience. From the “Crazy Malay”counter of the Malaysian new immigrants,they will prepare 8 types of Malay Nyonya Cakes and Nyonya Rice Dumplings, and all kinds of dazzling Malay Nyonya Cakes will give you a feast to your eyes.”En-Ying”from “Taiwan Korean Woman Organization”and other Korean girls have planned a“Spicy Team”, using Korean Pancakes and Spicy Fried Rice Cakes, to challenge your taste buds!  Shinbo Kazuko and her friends from「Japanese Spouse Fellowship」 will present a “Water Ball Fishing”game that must be played in the traditional Japanese festivals. It has always fascinated the children!  Besides that, David from UK will make us special English tea, our Lao and Myanmar immigrant friends will present their most authentic “Lemon Fragrant Rice Noodle” and “Iced milk tea”.  How blissful it is, to have an exotic cold drinks in the hot summer! It is particularly worth mentioning that the host of “The Cooler”, Zhenyuan from Indonesia, she was graduated from the thesis of the“ New Immigrant Beverage Class” organized by the Civil Affairs Bureau and the relevant Development Institute last year.  She and her sisters integrated what they learned from the course into their hometown creative drinks “Dragonfly Taps Water”. The ingredients include spices, pandan leaves, coconut water, and mountain powder . She has proved her success of her learning and ready to challenge the public's taste experience! In addition to the special stand experience, you can not miss the brilliant stage performances on the day, which will be performed by the new immigrant Wu Yaohong of Vietnam, the Xinxin Performing Arts Group of china,and the New Immigrants’ Children in Thailand. Wu Yaohong is a relatively reputable singer in Vietnam. He currently runs a nail shop and live webcast in Taiwan. He is an eye-catching little celebrity; the Tahitian hula dance of Xinxin Performing Arts Group shows the enthusiasm of tropical island countries in a graceful dance. Vitality; Thailand's new Immigrants’ children bring traditional Thai and northern dances, showing lively and lovely vitality![][][][]Department of Civil Affairs,Taipei City Government81994540https://english.ca.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=C2FB6DFC5ACB41B7&s=9DD5D58014703493While the threat of coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19) gradually abates, the Residents' Activity Centers and the Public Halls of Taipei City will reopen according to the principles as follows<div>While the threat of coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19) gradually abates, the Residents' Activity Centers and the Public  Halls of Taipei  City will reopen  according to the principles as follows:</div><div> I. Be sure to maintain social distancing or wear a face mask in case it’s not possible to do so.</div><div>II. Implement real-time registration and sound management with rosters of personnel while indoors. </div>[][][][]Department of Civil Affairs,Taipei City Government81739130https://english.ca.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=C2FB6DFC5ACB41B7&s=86EECAD7B0E4546FComprehensive Body Temperature Checks and wear a mask during transportation!1.  Please use face masks all the time while taking buses, the MRT, trains, high speed rails and taxis. 2.  Cooperate with temperature checking procedure before entering the stations. Please do not take the transportation and seek medical advices immediately, if your temperature is higher than 37.5 degrees Celsius. 3. Do not eat in a public transportation.   Violation of the regulations will be imposed a maximum penalty of NT $ 15,000![][][][]Department of Civil Affairs,Taipei City Government81739150https://english.ca.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=C2FB6DFC5ACB41B7&s=47932337750832CDFace masks mandatory on public transportations! Refusing to put on a mask could be fined between NT$3,000 to NT$15,000! In order to contain the spread of COVID-19 and to help public transportation passengers feel safe, on April 4 the Central Epidemic Command Center announced that all public transportation passengers are required to wear a face mask. A warning will be given to passengers without face masks, those refuse to comply will be fined NT$3,000 to NT$15,000. In compliance with the announcement made by the Central Epidemic Command Center on April 4, Taipei City has started the enforcement of the new face mask mandate on April 5. Those without face masks will not be permitted to take a bus or enter into Taipei Metro ticket gates. We ask all public transportation passengers to follow the safety rules and wear a face mask at all times to protect the health of yourselves and others. Buses, MRT cars and other public transportations are considered to be enclosed space. To avoid the risk of virus infection, started on April 4, public transportation operators are required to advise those who wants to ride the public transportation without a mask to put on a mask. Public transportation operators can deny service to those refuse to put on a face mask and issue a fine between NT$3,000 to NT$15,000 in accordance with Article 70 of the Communicable Disease Control Act. In extreme cases, public transportation operators can notify the police and enforce the face mask mandate in accordance with the Social Order Maintenance Act. Public transportation passengers can wear any type of face masks, and not limited to surgical masks. Taipei City asks passengers to refrain from talking when taking public transportations and keep a safe social distance to mitigate the chance of contracting a disease through the mouth. Finally, Taipei City would like to remind all residents, if you are experiencing a fever or respiratory issues (e.g. coughing), use personal protective measures, and do not take public transportations to avoid infecting others. Go to a hospital for medical treatment. Public Service Video: <a href="https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8OPy0RH0tlI" name="Public Service Video" target="_blank" title="Public Service Video URL">https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8OPy0RH0tlI#</a>[][][][]Department of Civil Affairs,Taipei City Government81739140https://english.ca.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=C2FB6DFC5ACB41B7&s=8A0ED7CD71DE27E2Starting on April 9, every person entering Taipei City public buildings are required to wear a face maskIn response to the severe outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic and to strengthen the protection of Taipei City workers and residents, starting on April 9, every person entering public buildings are required to wear a face mask and have the body temperature taken. Those who do not wear face masks will not be permitted to enter public buildings.   Taipei City pointed out, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, and the Ministry of Transportation and Communications announced that starting on April 1 all public transportation (including public buses, Taiwan railway, and high speed rail) passengers are required to wear face masks and have their body temperature taken. To ensure Taipei City Government continues to operate normally and to strengthen the health protection for city workers and residents, on April 9, the pandemic prevention measures will increase once more. All Taipei City public buildings, (including Taipei City Hall, district offices, police stations, Taipei public libraries, Taipei City Public Transportation Office, Traffic Adjudication Office, Taipei Metro Administration Building, Substitute Military Service Center, Taipei City Soldiers Cemetery, agencies under the Department of Social Welfare, community centers and assembly halls, Fire Department, Fire Safety Museum, Taipei City incineration plants, Taipei Confucius Temple, public mortuaries, employment service centers under Taipei City Department of Labor, Taipei Astronomical Museum, and Taipei City Youth Development Office) will require all visitors to wear face masks in addition to taking their body temperature when entering public buildings. Those who do not wear face masks will not be permitted to enter public buildings.   Taipei City Government urges all visitors to public buildings to wear masks and wash hands diligently for the purpose of maintaining your health and the health of others. Please also be mindful of the time, especially for business with deadlines. Be sure to wear a mask and schedule plenty of time for your business, so as not to affect your rights.[][][][]Department of Civil Affairs,Taipei City Government81739100https://english.ca.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=C2FB6DFC5ACB41B7&s=54F4365D048330B0There is a fine of NT.3000 to NT. 6000 for disposing used face masks indiscriminately.<img alt="There is a fine of NT.3000 to NT. 6000 for disposing used face masks indiscriminately-DM" src="https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/335/relpic/31011/8173910/d7738e93-f137-4c61-bf84-919142254588.jpg" style="width: 100%;" title="There is a fine of NT.3000 to NT. 6000 for disposing used face masks indiscriminately-DM" />[][][{"title":"There is a fine of NT.3000 to NT. 6000 for disposing used face masks indiscriminately-DM","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/335/relpic/31011/8173910/d7738e93-f137-4c61-bf84-919142254588.jpg"}][]Department of Civil Affairs,Taipei City Government81662290https://english.ca.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=C2FB6DFC5ACB41B7&s=75F8432244237024CECC raises travel notice for all countries to Level 3: Warning; advises against all nonessential travelThe Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced on March 20 that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has become a global pandemic, as the number of recently confirmed cases in Latin America, Africa, and Oceania continues to rapidly increase. Since international travelers currently run a heightened risk of infection, the CECC has announced that in addition to the countries already at Level 3: Warning on the travel notice list, including those in Asia, Europe, and north Africa, as well as the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, the travel notice for all countries will now be raised to Level 3: Warning, effective 00:00 Taipei Standard Time (GMT+8) on March 21. The CECC emphasizes that citizens should avoid any nonessential travel abroad and that all inbound travelers will be subject to a 14-day home quarantine upon arrival in Taiwan. The CECC reiterates that upon returning to Taiwan, citizens must complete a Health Declaration Card and report any symptoms of illness to quarantine officers at the airport. It is essential that all inbound travelers abide by these measures to ensure the safety of the entire nation.<h3>For related information, please refer to the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov.tw/En/Bulletin/Detail/qaBvfAzLOukWMMGyNubKWw?typeid=158" target="_blank" title="Taiwan Centers for Disease Control official website ，new_blank">Taiwan Centers for Disease Control official website </a></h3>[][][][]Department of Civil Affairs,Taipei City Government