Taiwan has strengthened its measures for preventing an outbreak of African swine fever and remains on high alert, according to the Cabinet-level Council of Agriculture.

In order to enhance the exchanges of vision and knowledge between the tourism industry and government departments and to promote the concept of sustainable development, the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications has been holding an annual international tourism forum since 2017. This year, the 2019 Taiwan Modern Tourism Forum finale is being held in Kaohsiung City, which has natural ecology and a diverse ethnic culture, from October 15 (Tuesday) to 16 (Wednesday).

Taipei, Oct. 8 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Tuesday unveiled a suite in the century-old Presidential Office building, where 18 foreign nationals will take turns to stay overnight as their prize in a video blogging competition hosted by the government to promote Taiwan internationally. In a recorded video on Facebook, Tsai gave a tour of the suite in the Lixing Building, a two-story structure in the Presidential Office compound, and highlighted the locally made furnishings and decor.

A Taiwan co-organized Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation workshop on women’s participation in smart agriculture wrapped up Oct. 2 in La Serena, Chile, spotlighting the government’s work on promoting gender equality and boosting exchanges among fellow member economies.

Over 100 pieces of Australian Aboriginal artwork painted on tree bark were shown at the opening of an exhibition in Taipei on Friday, to promote indigenous culture, according to the organizers.

Under the theme of "Celebrating for the Land: Dialogue between Countryside Festivals and Intangible Cultural Heritage," the 2019 Asia-Pacific Traditional Arts Festival has invited overseas groups that perform tradition folk music and dance recognized by the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, as well as prestigious traditional artisans from four different Asian countries.

The Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) held the 2019 Taiwan Youth and Overseas Compatriot Bridging Program during this summer vacation. The results presentation meeting was held on September 21 in which the 233 participants shared their experiences by video. Accompanied by OCAC Minister Wu Hsin-Hsing, Vice President Chen Chien-jen attended to witness the growth of the participating students.

The National Museum of Australia's collection of bark paintings is one of the Oceanic nation's great cultural treasures. Its international traveling exhibition, "Old Masters," will be hosted by the National Taiwan Museum from Oct. 4, 2019 to Feb. 9, 2020 to showcase one of the world's oldest undisrupted art traditions that stretch back for over 50,000 years.

In order to foster Taiwan’s agricultural development as well as international agricultural exchange, the Council of Agriculture(COA) launched the Indonesian Young Farmer Internship Program in Taiwan. The interns are expected to strengthen the practical ability of agricultural management and absorb the knowledge and experience of agriculture through Learning by doing in host farms, which provide basic allowance, facilities of the dorm and life care management.

A total of 10 winning entries were announced Sept. 24 for a trailblazing sleepover promotion that grants a chance to stay in the Presidential Office compound.