The sixth season of “Taiwan to the World,” a documentary series produced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in partnership with National Geographic Channel, is premiering April 9-10 on cable TV platforms in 37 countries and territories.
 
Featuring inspirational tales of men and women from all walks of life, the four-episode series themed Taiwan’s Toughest recognizes these unsung heroes and raises the country’s profile on the international stage, according to the MOFA.
 
The first episode centers on firefighters putting themselves in harm’s way day in and day out, while the second focuses on dog handlers performing a variety of unusual tasks such as sniffing out fire ants threatening to ruin airport runway lights. Other series highlights include renowned biologist Li Chia-wei and his team journeying deep into a tropical rainforest in search of rare plant specimens and promising young baseballers battling to reach the major league.
 
Airing throughout the Middle East, North Africa, Pacific and Southeast Asia, the series is also available in many of the New Southbound Policy countries like Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, the MOFA said, adding that plans are in the pipeline to launch the show in more markets across Africa and Europe between June and September.
 
A key plank in the government’s national development strategy, the New Southbound Policy seeks to deepen agricultural, business, cultural, education, tourism and trade ties with the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states, six South Asian countries, Australia and New Zealand.
 
Since launching in 2003, the series has reached millions of viewers at home and abroad. Its 23 episodes have won widespread critical acclaim and bagged 18 local and overseas industry awards. (KWS-E)
 
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw