A Deep Dive into Taiwanese Charm

Taiwan straddles tropical and subtropical climate zones, boasting richly varied terrains that rise from coastal lowlands to vertiginous heights. These geographical factors contribute to the remarkable abundance and diversity of trees across our islands. What are the “Four Legendary Trees of Taiwan”? What local myths and legends surround the areca palm? Many plants in Taiwan have practical uses in everyday life. The tree ferns that adorn our hiking trails are actually very rare in the wider world, and are listed as protected species in numerous countries. This month, Taiwan Panorama takes you into our nation’s woodlands to meet trees both precious and familiar.

“As auto-trishaws chug along a quiet street named Paschimi Marg in New Delhi, though it is not yet 9 a.m. there are already Indian visitors lining up outside the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in India waiting to deal with visa matters.” In previous issues we have reported on Taiwan’s presence in Vietnam and the Philippines. Starting this month, we visit India to tell the story of our two nations’ bilateral collaboration, exploring themes such as our improving relations, smart cities, Taiwanese hidden champions in India, and agricultural exchanges. Watch this space.

In this issue we also look at misua (wheat vermicelli), a familiar and ubiquitous Taiwanese dish. A small bowl of misua may contain a tremendous array of local ingredients, while an ingenious cook can bring out savory flavors with a rich variety of textures. Rice wine, another vital element in our daily lives, not only graces the dining table, but also accompanies our traditional rites of passage. Follow us as we dive deep into the multifarious uses and cultural meanings of rice wine in Taiwan.

Chern Jenn-chuan, CEO of the Tang Prize Foundation, remarks that this year’s Tang Prize laureates are trailblazers in sustainable development and environmental justice who have made innovative and insightful contributions to these urgent global issues. Meanwhile, at the 2024 SDG Asia Summit in August, various leading health institutions showcased cutting-­edge health technologies as well as their achievements in energy conservation and carbon reduction. These milestones all tie in with Taiwan’s sustainability efforts.

Our theme for this month’s Readers’ Photos is “A Paradise for Cyclists: Wheeling across Taiwan.” Celebrating cycling as an environmentally friendly way to travel, the images capture wonderful moments across the length and breadth of Taiwan. As one of the contributors writes, “Cyclists enjoy whooshing through the boundless rural landscape, basking in a serene atmosphere surrounded by the fragrance of tea.” We hope to bring precisely this blissful feeling to our readers.