According to the article Yang Yi-te (楊義德), the Commissioner of Taipei County’s Department of Civil Affairs , said the County Government chose “Xinbei City” as the official name because “New Taipei City” would be too similar to Taipei City.

The Taipei Times also reported on a group of Tongyong Pinyin advocates protesting against the use of the Hanyu Pinyin “Xinbei”. Chang Shu-feng (張淑芬), director of Taiwan Pinyin League, said the government should use “Sinbei City” or “New Taipei City” as the English name. The article also says a final decision on the English name of the city will be made by the Taipei County Council in September.

An article (中文) in the United Daily News (聯合報) says that both the KMT and DPP candidates for mayor of the new municipality favor “New Taipei City”. KMT candidate Eric Chu (朱立倫) says that this is the original public consensus. DPP candidate Tsai Ing-wen says that it’s most important for foreigners to know what the city is called. Foreigners won’t know that “Xinbei” is just the transliteration of some Chinese characters, but “New Taipei City” makes it very clear that this is a newly developed metropolitan area.

The United Daily News article also quotes Deputy Commissioner of Taipei County, Lee Shu-chuan (李四川), saying that the Ministry of Interior determined last year that place names should be transliterated using Hanyu Pinyin. Therefore “Xinbei City” met the standard. This decision was sent to the Ministry of Interior and Taipei County Council in April this year and won’t be changed.

A survey of Taiwan’s major English-language media organisations shows a variety of usages. The China Post, Taiwan News and Focus Taiwan (published by CNA) use Xinbei City. The Taipei Times, which supports Tongyong Pinyin, uses Sinbei City. While Taiwan Today (published by the GIO) uses New Taipei City.

In an e-mail Kaihsu Tai suggested the name Běixīn Shì (北新市) which could be written in English as “Basin City”. This is a reference to the Taipei Basin, a key geographical feature of the Taipei area.

There is a thread at Forumosa.com discussing the issue. Screaming Jesus suggests that they should go back to “Taihoku”, the Japanese name for Taipei. ludahai writes, “If India can handle Delhi and New Delhi, I think Taiwan can handle Taipei and New Taipei.”

Other uses I have seen around the web include “New North City” and “Sin City”. The latter should really be used for Taichung though!

My opinion is that the regardless of whether it is written as Xinbei City, Sinbei City or New Taipei City the name for the upgraded municipality simply lacks originality. While I have no specific suggestion for a new name I think it should be something that better reflects local history and culture. It is also important that there is public consultation on the issue and a range of alternatives be considered. Taiwan still has a long way to go in addressing issues of name rectification. The renaming of Taipei County is a good place for a fresh start.

• Clear day, brown haze
• More on population density
• North Korean wins human rights award
• Exploring the city of Kaohsiung
• 4 May is Bike Day

              

On Saturday the Amis community of Sanying (三鶯部落) in Sanxia held its end of year celebration. The event attracted a crowd of about 500 people which was more than last year’s event. The community had also undergone a lot rebuilding after its demolition in February 2008.

The afternoon began with dancing by members of Sanying and also the nearby riverside community of Saowac. As the evening approached the dancing ended and there was a generously catered meal enjoyed by everyone in attendance.

After the meal there was a great line up of musicians beginning with Kou Chou Ching (拷秋勤). They performed a new song “Taipei covers Dulan” (台北蓋都蘭) with Suming (pictured above). The other bands performing were The Peppermints (薄荷葉), Black Hand Nakasi (黑手那卡西) and The Village Armed Youth (農村武裝青年). There were also several well known people from the world of music and movies in the audience including Deserts Chang (張懸) and Lou Yi-an (樓一安), director of A Place of One’s Own (一席之地), which includes several scenes shot in Sanying.

*More photos in the Sanying Community end of year celebration set at flickr.

• Sanying Community end of year party
• Freak Out Beast 2010 edition
• Kou Chou Ching win awards
• New media in Taiwan
• Rock and roll movie

              

The streets of Taipei came alive this afternoon with the vibrant, noisy and colorful Hope Parade (世界夢想嘉年華). The parade is an annual event organised by the Dream Community (夢想社區) in Xizhi (汐止), Taipei County.

The parade began at Freedom Square before a short march through the streets to Ketagalan Boulevard. After arriving on the boulevard in the late afternoon there was a stage set up with a concert going on into the evening.

Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) was on hand to start off the parade and rode on one of the floats for part of the parade.

Drumming was a popular activity in the parade. The photo above shows some indigenous school children drumming.

There were quite a few groups of indigenous students from all over Taiwan although their costumes could not really be described as traditional. The parade is inspired by the Brazilian Carnival so it draws on that influence as well as having its own unique Taiwanese flavour.

There were several Indian-themed groups. The ladies pictured above put on a Bollywood dance performance in the evening. There was also a group from ISKCON, better known as the Hare Krishna Movement.

This young lady loved posing for the camera. The event was great fun for participants, photographers and spectators alike. There will be more color and excitement on the streets of Taipei when the annual LGBT Pride Parade takes place on Saturday 31 October.

*More photos in the 2009 Hope Parade set at flickr. I will upload more photos over the next few days.

• Xinzhuang temple parade video
• LGBT Pride Parade in Taipei
• New home for David on Formosa
• Loving out loud and proud
• Assembly Law amendments restrict rights

              

When I got off the train in Fulong (福隆) yesterday afternoon there was a bit of cloud cover and a sea breeze making the temperature a little more bearable than in Taipei. While many people come to Fulong to cool off at the beach I headed to the area in front of the Dongxing Temple (東興宮) for the No Nukes Concert (諾努客之環境音樂會).

An article by T.C. Chang explains the reasons for holding the concert. Chang writes that Gongliao is a very important place in the history of Taiwan’s environment movement. In 2000 the Taipei County Government began holding the Ho Hai Yan Music Festival (海洋音樂祭)  on Fulong Beach. In the early years of this annual festival the Green Citizens’ Action Alliance (GCAA; 綠色公民行動聯盟) held activities to inform people about the nuclear power plant. However, Ho Hai Yan has become very commercialised the GCAA decided to hold their own concert to return to the original spirit of Gongliao.

The fourth nuclear power plant is clearly visible at the end of the beach (see top photo) and served as a constant reminder of the reason for holding the concert. The construction of the plant has been subject to many delays and it is not expected to commence operating until 2012.

The concert featured many bands and musicians who are dedicated to social and environmental causes. A few of the bands composed anti-nuclear songs especially for the concert. Wu Chih-ning (吳志寧) of 929 is pictured above performing “Gongliao, How are you?” （貢尞，你好嗎？) with the Lao Lin Jia Band (老林家樂團).

Nabu and Panai are actively involved in the anti-nuclear movement through their opposition to the proposed nuclear waste facility in Taidong County. They will also be at the Taitung Music Festival with their group Message from 5-9 August.

As well as music local farmers had some of their produce on sale. One stall was selling goat milk and they even brought along the goat and its kid.

And while some enjoyed the music others enjoyed the surf. Let’s hope the future in Fulong holds more surfing, more music and no nukes!

*More photos in the No Nukes Concert set at flickr.

• Hiking the historic trail
• Ling Jiou Mountain Monastery
• Free Burma concert in Kaohsiung on 19 June
• U-Theatre 20th anniversary concert
• Concert for Burma in Taipei

              

The Taiwan Free Burma Network held a concert in Zhonghe last night to mark the birthday of Burmese democracy movement leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The concert called for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners in Burma. A Free Burma CD featuring music by Taiwanese artists was also released at the concert.

The concert in Zhonghe’s No. 4 Park kicked off with the Taiwan hip hop sounds of Kou Chou Ching  (拷秋勤). They gave a typically energetic performance and included shouts of “Free Burma” in some of their songs.

Kou Chou Ching were followed by T.C. Chang (張鐵志) & Blaire Ko (柯智豪) performing “Golden Flower” a song dedicated to Aung San Suu Kyi that is also on the Free Burma CD.

Indulge was the next band. The last band of the night was Tonic (主音樂團) pictured above.

Fish Lin of Kou Chou Ching is promoting the Free Burma CD in the photo above. The CD includes songs specially composed with lyrics related to Burma such as LTK’s “Burma’s Secret War”, Noun & Kane’s “Free Burma” and Punkgod’s “Happy Birthday to Aung San Suu Kyi”. Another Burmese connection is Underflow whose lead singer is from Burma. The CD is a wonderful show of Taiwanese support for the Burmese freedom struggle and a great collection of music by Taiwanese musicians. Details of where to buy the CD are here.

• Free Burma concert in Kaohsiung on 19 June
• Concert for Burma in Taipei
• Action for Burma in Taipei
• Words and music for Burma
• Free Burma protest in Taipei

              

Another interesting article, from Reuters correspondent Ralph Jennings, reports on the promotion of bicycle tourism on the east coast. It is a good example of the things Kelly writes about being put into action.

Kelly concludes his article by noting that there is still room for improvement in promoting Taiwan to Westerners.

the 2008-09 report states that international travel bloggers will be invited to Taiwan to write about its attractions. Yet Taiwan already has many dedicated and highly informed foreign bloggers. On their own, these people are getting the word out about Taiwan’s appeal to thousands. Harnessing their enthusiasm, and giving them a little official boost, can only help to spread the message even further.

It is an important point because the English language websites and web based promotion of the tourist industry is often poorly done. As far as I know there have never been any attempt by the Tourism Bureau to engage with local English-language bloggers. Kelly’s own blog, Pashan, does a far better job than any government website for promoting hiking in Taiwan. The same could be said for a number of other Taiwan bloggers who communicate their passion for the island through writing and photos on their blogs.

• Free holiday in Taiwan
• Free trips in Taiwan
• Letter in Johnny Neihu’s mailbag
• Clare Wang is a winner!
• Taiwan travel videos on YouTube

              

Wuliao Jian (五尞尖) in Sanxia (三峽) has been on my list of hikes to do for quite a while now. Beautiful weather made today the day I finally did it.

The hike goes along a spectacular ridge and it is not for the faint hearted. There are many sections that need to be climbed with the aid of ropes.

Here is a closer view of the ridge. Hikers are lined up here to use the ropes to descend down the other side of the ridge.

It is currently the peak of the Tung flower (桐花) season. In many places the trail was littered with a lovely carpet of Tung flowers.

This is the magnificent view of Sanxia and beyond from the summit of Wuliao Jian Shan (五尞尖山). The white patches amongst the green the Tung flower blossoms.

The summit is 639 metres above sea level. It was empty when we arrived, but it soon filled up with people. One observation was that most of the hikers were older, in their fifties or sixties. Getting up here is pretty physically demanding so you have to admire them for their fitness and determination.

If you plan on doing this hike be prepared. You need a good fitness level and to be able to confidently climb up and down some fairly steep rock faces with the aid of ropes. Wear good boots and carry plenty of water. Gloves would also be useful for holding the ropes. Don’t do the hike if the weather is wet.

*Neil Wade and Stu Dawson also have blog posts on this hike with great photos and description. More photos in the Wuliao Jian set at flickr.

• Hiking the Yinhe Cave Trail
• Hiking around Xindian & Maokong
• A monkey in the mountains
• Hiking in Wulai
• Taipei panorama

              

Yerboli Ahmethan (葉爾波利) is a Kazakh musician from Xinjiang, China. He plays a two-stringed instrument called a dombra. David Chen wrote a great article about Yerboli in the Taipei Times. He played on 7 & 8 March.

Dana Wylie Band, with Dana and Jez, supported Yerboli on 7 March.

On 15 March I caught the final set of Thai band Blue Sky featuring MJ Klein on guitar. They will be playing a show for the Thai New Year (Songkran) at the Taoyuan Stadium on 12 April.

David Chen & the Muddy Basin Ramblers played the finale of the festival on Sunday 29 March. Although it was a rainy afternoon quite a crowd gathered to hear them play. The band are no strangers to Bitan as they sometimes use the riverside as a rehearsal venue. They played a lively set that extended over two hours.

*More photos in the Bitan Music Festival set at flickr.

• Links 5 November 2007
• Changes in Bitan
• Interesting weather
• Taipei then and now
• It’s raining again…

              

Sanying Community (三鶯部落) held an “end of year protest party” at their village in Sanxia (三峽), Taipei County yesterday. The community located by the Dahan River is made up of Amis aborigines who settled there after coming to Taipei to seek work in the 1970s. In February 2008 the Sanying village was demolished after protestors clashed with police while trying to protect their homes. For more background information see: No City for Old Aborigines at Global Voices and the Sanying Community’s blog (中文).

The Taipei Times reported on the event quoting the community’s chief Kacaw.

“I’m very excited to see so many friends here today. I know all of you have work today, but you still take the time to come out and support us when you hear about the troubles we’re in,” Sanying’s Community chief Kacaw told more than 100 supporters and residents before introducing members of the Sanying Self-Help Association.

“I want you to know that your help and support mean a lot to us, and we want to say thank you,” Kacaw said as the self-help group’s members bowed to the audience.

Film director Hou Hsiao-hsien (侯孝賢) was amongst the crowd and he is one of several well known people who have actively supported the people of Sanying in their battle with the government. A number of special items, including Cape No. 7 posters autographed by director Wei Te-sheng (魏德聖), were auctioned off to raise funds for the community.

The party featured a variety of musical performances by indigenous students from NCCU and NTU, Zheng Bei-long (鄭焙隆) and Black Hand (黑手). The highlight of the night was a rousing set from Taiwanese hip hop group Kou Chou Ching (鄭焙隆). Although it was billed as both a protest and party, the event was held in a wonderfully happy spirit. Let’s hope the people of Sanying can celebrate again next year without having to worry about the future of their community.

*More photos in the Sanying end of year party set at flickr.

• Sanying Community celebrates another year
• Kou Chou Ching win awards
• Freak Out Beast 2010 edition
• New media in Taiwan
• Assembly Law attacks freedom of speech

              

Today ARATS Chairman Chen Yunlin (陳雲林) arrived in Taiwan via a flight from Beijing. Around 11 o’clock this morning I went to Zhongshan North Road near the Grand Hotel to observe and record some of the happenings. Police lined the road and prevented people from accessing the hotel grounds.

Media and a handful of protestors gathered around the corner of Zhongshan North Road and Tonghe Road. There were about ten to fifteen people wearing t-shirts with pro-Taiwan slogans and carrying orange balloons printed with the words “Taiwan is my country”. Occasionally they shouted, “The Communist bandits have come!” Police made no attempt to disperse them even though they could have done so using Taiwan’s Parade and Assembly Law. However, they did prevent them from moving any closer to the Grand Hotel area.

The photos that follow help document some of the incidents and happenings during the few hours I was there.

This truck drove past broadcasting anti-Communist songs from the 1950s. The slogan on the side of the truck means “Demand sovereignty, defend Taiwan”. Many people find it ironic that the KMT was once rabidly anti-communist yet now seeks to rush into the Chinese Communist Party’s arms.

There was quite a scene as a man entered the area carrying a long fishing pole. There were two small signs dangling from the end of it. One was a dog with the label Ma Ying-X and the other a slogan about betraying the country. He was surrounded by police and media and moved to the side of the road after some discussions.

A black car emblazoned with “Communist Party” in red characters was quickly stopped by police. Two men in the car claimed to represent the Taiwan Communist Party. After police moved them to the side of the road they gave interviews to the media and also unfurled a banner saying, “Taiwan Communist Party welcomes ARATS Chairman Chen Yunlin to Taiwan”.

A shower of rain sent everybody, including the police, running for cover. Once the police put on their raincoats they went back out to line the road.

This car drove past flying the ROC flag. I didn’t have time to catch the what the other signs on the car said. Police didn’t stop the vehicle, perhaps because it was already travelling away from the hotel.

This man had made quite a costume covered in slogans saying “Oppose Chinese Communist bandits” and “Make Taiwan an independent country”. (Check the photo at flickr which has notes with translations of the slogans.)

I was told police were not allowing anyone to display the ROC flag, but didn’t actually see them confiscating flags. And as pictured above at least one car drove past flying the ROC flag. An article in the Taiwan News notes several incidents where police tried to stop people displaying the flag. This lady found a way to protest by stealth with the ROC flag on her umbrella.

I use the term ROC flag above because the national flag of Taiwan is the symbol of a colonial regime. Taiwan doesn’t officially have a flag that it can truly call its own. Even the ROC flag is banned at many international events. The lady in the photo above is waving the flag of the World Taiwanese Congress.

A member of Falun Dafa (法輪大法), also known as Falun Gong, sat and quietly meditated.

What I saw was only a small snapshot of the events of the day. Memories of Past Tense reports on another incident where police used violence against some protestors who were waving Tibetan and ROC flags.

The actions of police can be considered as an attack on freedom of speech. Although they might seem like minor incidents they are part of a pattern which is making people afraid to speak out and protest. Nobody (in the area I was at) was arrested or assaulted so it might be a little extreme to claim Taiwan has returned to the days of martial law or White Terror. However, the Ma government is slowly undermining the foundations of democracy and civil society. Now is a moment when Taiwanese must speak out and make their voices heard.

*More photos in the protests against Chen Yunlin set at flickr. I will add more photos to the set during the week.

• Is Taiwan becoming a police state?
• Human rights under attack in Taiwan
• Freedom House sounds a warning
• Photos of police and protests
• Links 30 July 2007