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Cross-Cultural Diversity: International Dance in TaiwanPhotos - New Southbound Policy
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Cross-Cultural Diversity: International Dance in Taiwan

Cultural diversity is a valuable asset in Taiwan’s performing arts world. This is expressed not only in large-scale performance groups moving from the local to the international level, but also in some small-scale young dance companies that are introducing exotic elements into Taiwan. These demonstrate the plasticity of Taiwanese society—its ability to accept cross-cultural mixing—which makes it possible for each individual to develop their own unique character and nurture their identity.

Pointing the Way to Sustainability in the 21st Century—Ten Years of the Tang PrizePhotos - New Southbound Policy
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Pointing the Way to Sustainability in the 21st Century—Ten Years of the Tang Prize

The Tang Dynasty, founded in 618 CE, brought one of the world’s great periods of cultural flower­ing. Different peoples intermingled as East met West, resulting in an open, advanced, and inclusive age whose culture influenced surrounding countries.
In 2012, Taiwanese entrepreneur Samuel Yin founded the Tang Prize in Taiwan, treating “618” as something of a cipher—the prize recipients are announced once every two years on June 18.

Jazz Played with Freedom in Taiwan—Muddy Basin Ramblers and Tokyo Chuo-LinePhotos - New Southbound Policy
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Jazz Played with Freedom in Taiwan—Muddy Basin Ramblers and Tokyo Chuo-Line

Jazz arose in the American south in the late 19th century, and its spirit of freedom from limitations has helped it to spread around the world. Taiwan’s freedom and cultural richness have enabled a diverse array of contemporary jazz bands to thrive, and some have integrated elements from genres such as Chinese classical music, Hakka folk songs, and indigenous people’s music into their work. Meanwhile, two of Taiwan’s major cities, Taipei and Taichung, hold international jazz festivals annually.

Energizing Tradition: The Zhen Zong Performance TroupePhotos - New Southbound Policy
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Energizing Tradition: The Zhen Zong Performance Troupe

Temple-based folk arts performance troupes (yizhen), which developed around religious celebrations and temple processions, use the most downhome music and skilled artistry to venerate deities. They embody one of the liveliest of Taiwan’s popular cultural traditions.

Triton Set to Soar: Taiwan to Launch Second Homegrown SatellitePhotos - New Southbound Policy
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Triton Set to Soar: Taiwan to Launch Second Homegrown Satellite

Most of us recognize “To infinity and beyond!” as Buzz Lightyear’s catchphrase in the movie Toy Story, but it also describes an ambition shared by many nations on our blue planet. With vast realms to explore and curious to learn new things, humanity has learned from past mistakes and now prefers cooperation to competition to further its incremental march into space.

The Electric Charm of Green Tech: Taipower D/S OnePhotos - New Southbound Policy
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The Electric Charm of Green Tech: Taipower D/S One

Founded in 1946, Taiwan Power Company has been providing power to Taiwan for 77 years. Generally considered a rather staid and conservative state-run enter­prise, the company began intense internal discussions about its future direction and standing in 2016. It initiated a document preservation program in that year, and has been hard at work reframing its image ever since.

Energy Saving and Net Zero—The Future of Taiwan’s Machine Tool IndustryPhotos - New Southbound Policy
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Energy Saving and Net Zero—The Future of Taiwan’s Machine Tool Industry

Faced with waves of change such as the trend toward intelligent manufacturing and the drive for net zero carbon emissions, Taiwan, the world’s fifth largest exporter of machine tools, has organized a carbon neutrality alliance and is actively pursuing carbon reduction by developing energy-saving technology for the spindle drives of advanced machine tools, as well as smart energy-saving products.

Open Your Ears to the Multiverse: The Age of the Audio Economy is HerePhotos - New Southbound Policy
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Open Your Ears to the Multiverse: The Age of the Audio Economy is Here

In an era in which we rely on images for everything, the idea of encouraging people to close their eyes and listen to the pure emotion of the human voice, a mode of communication completely different from the more visually oriented ones, is giving rise to a new wave of tech­no­logical innovation.

Metamorphosis: Revitalizing Old MarketsPhotos - New Southbound Policy
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Metamorphosis: Revitalizing Old Markets

While landmark structures in every country articulate the idiosyncratic visions of eminent architects, those public spaces that are closely intertwined with our everyday lives have a greater emotional resonance for us. Traditional markets are important sites in popular culture. In recent years, many of Taiwan’s tin-clad old markets have been rebuilt, but what else has changed aside from physical renovation?

Freshness in the Heart of the City: Shi-Dong Market and Hope Plaza Farmers’ MarketPhotos - New Southbound Policy
Enlarge Freshness in the Heart of the City: Shi-Dong Market and Hope Plaza Farmers’ Market Photos

Freshness in the Heart of the City: Shi-Dong Market and Hope Plaza Farmers’ Market

Whenever I go abroad, I like to visit local markets to check out the local produce and get a feel for how people interact. It was with this mindset that I strolled through two markets in Taipei City. One is Shi-Dong Market, known as the “five-star food market.” It is spacious and comfortable, and the vendors’ booths are presented with a sense of design. It feels like a depart­ment store, but with a friendlier atmosphere.