The 2021 Global Muslim Tourism Index (GMTI) released on July 14th ranked Taiwan 2nd among all non-Organization for Islamic Cooperation (non-OIC) countries in terms of Muslim-friendly travel, up from 3rd place in 2019. The GMTI is jointly published by MasterCard-CrescentRating. Taiwan tied for 2nd place with the United Kingdom, and trailed only Singapore. This was Taiwan’s highest ranking in the GMTI to date, and it maintained Taiwan’s position as the highest-ranked destination among its nearest
The recent outbreak of COVID-19 in Taiwan has highlighted the important roles that collective wisdom and action have played in battles against epidemics throughout history. Following Academia Sinica’s launch of the “Reflections on COVID-19” website this year (2021), its companion result is being published today (July 15), a book entitled Reflections on COVID-19.
The International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have cooperated for the first time to host the online training on Health Workforce Management and Data Systems: A Focus on Pacific Island Countries and Health System Resilience. The training was officially launched on July 13, 2021 at 09:00 Taipei Time, with a total of 40 participants from 10 countries.
Taiwanese films have received worldwide acclaim during the pandemic period, with best feature film by director Chen Yu-hsun (陳玉勳) “My Missing Valentine (消失的情人節)” at the 57th Golden Horse Awards winning Crystal Mulberry Award (Gelso di Cristallo) and Black Dragon Award at Italy’s 23rd Far East Film Festival (FEFF). Chosen out of 46 films from 11 countries, “My Missing Valentine” became the only film to win two awards at the same time. Culture Minister Lee Yung-te congratulated director Chen Yu-hs
Taiwan retained Tier 1 status for the 12th consecutive year in the 2021 Trafficking in Persons Report released July 1 by the U.S. Department of State.
Despite facing a more severe pandemic challenge this year, Taiwan’s long-term accumulated art and cultural works have become popular in the world recently, from receiving awards for pictures, illustrations, films to participating in important film festivals, performing arts and architectural exhibitions.
Supported by the Ministry of Culture (MOC), the Taiwan Cultural Center in Paris launched a French webpage “Taiwan in Avignon,” presenting the works of Taiwanese artists and troupes who have performed at the "OFF Festival" between 2016 and 2019, in Avignon, France.
Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions in Taiwan, ITRI held its 48th anniversary celebration ceremony online on July 5. It is the first time in its history that the Institute has celebrated its anniversary virtually. Thousands of employees participated via live streaming and ITRI Elite Awards were presented online to outstanding staff for their excellent performance in R&D activities and services.
“Fragrance of First Flower (第一次遇見花香的那刻),” starring Taiwanese actresses Mathilde Lin (林辰唏) and Lyan Chen (程予希), is in competition for the French drama festival Series Mania’s Short Forms award, setting the record as the first film from Taiwan to enter the competition.
The Taipei Music Academy & Festival (TMAF), led by renowned Taiwanese violinist Lin Chao-liang (林昭亮), will present a total of four music concerts at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM) as well as Stanford University campus in California, from July 25 to Aug. 7.
