【精英翻譯】的部落格

The top officials responsible for cross-Taiwan Strait relations were in Nanjing today for a meeting that Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council minister described as “a day worth noting.” It was the first time that an incumbent MAC minister visited China. 

Wang Yu-chi, Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council minister, met his Chinese counterpart, Zhang Zhijun, today. It was their second meeting, following a brief visit on the sidelines of an APEC meeting last year. Today they were officially seated at the negotiating table.

Zhang Zhijun 
Taiwan Affairs Office Director
This is the second time I have met Minister Yu-chi. We hope that from today onward, we can continue to have frequent interactions and become good friends.

After Zhang omitted part of Wang Yu-chi’s official title, namely the organization he represents, Wang stepped forward to speak about the matter.

Wang Yu-chi 
MAC Minister 
One day the Mainland Affairs Council minister and the Taiwan Affairs Office director will be able to shake hands and talk, addressing each other by their official title.

Zhang used language favored among those who advocate unification.

Zhang Zhijun
Taiwan Affairs Office Director
I believe that as long as the two sides continue on the correct path of peaceful development, they will be able to move closer together. We are one family. Our closeness makes interaction a necessity.

There was no comment from Wang on this statement. But Wang did invite Zhang to visit Taiwan someday.

王張會登場

眾所矚目的王張會，今天下午在南京登場，這是主管兩岸事務官方，首度互稱官銜上談判桌，張志軍雖然稱呼王郁琦主委，但完全省略陸委會的官方稱謂，王郁琦趕緊補上，針對張志軍呼籲兩岸是一家人，王郁琦則是沒有搭腔。

Shares of Cosmos Bank fall following announcement of acquisition (2014/02/11)

Today was the first day of trading after Taiwan’s China Development Financial announced it will buy Cosmos Bank at a discount from Monday’s closing price. China Development Financial closed up over one-and-a-half percent, compared to a half a percent gain on the Taiex, while Cosmos Bank closed down. 

Actor Rob Schneider accepts tourism contribution award (2014/02/11)

On his sixth visit to Taiwan, Hollywood actor Rob Schneider accepted an award for his contributions to local tourism. Schneider expressed his love for the people of the island and the many things there are to do here. 

Transformers, Monkey King to grace Kaohsiung Lantern Festival parade (2014/02/11)

Lantern Festival is this Friday. Among the most anticipated events is an evening parade in Kaohsiung that will feature favorite fictional characters. 

Yanshui prepares for annual fireworks festival (2014/02/11)

The Yanshsui Beehive Fireworks Festival takes place on Thursday and Friday. Hundreds of thousands of fireworks will be launched at visitors, making this a celebration unlike any other in the world. 

Interior Ministry plagued by problems in new, upgraded household registration system (2014/02/10)

The Interior Ministry’s new, upgraded household registration system has experienced problems since going on-line on Feb. 5. The system crashed twice this morning, leaving areas like Taipei, Kaohsiung, and Changhua temporarily unable to issue ID cards.

Taipei Urban Development (2014/02/10)

After 15 years of delay, Taipei City Government has revealed its plan to demolish the Zhengyi Public Housing Complex, and redevelop this prime piece of real estate. 

Sweet Rice Dumplings 
This year’s Lantern Festival falls on Friday, and a number of restaurants in Taipei hope to capitalize on this opportunity to sell sweet rice dumplings which are traditionally consumed at this time. This year, some are turning these dumplings a special color by adding green tea or red yeast to make this traditional treats more attractive.

Yenshui Beehive Fireworks 
To improve safety at the upcoming Yenshui Beehive Fireworks Festival, Tainan City Fire Chief Lee Ming-feng has deployed a team of investigators to inspect local beehive firework fortresses. They are checking to ensure that all fireworks used have passed inspection. If any such fireworks are found to be high risk, including those with a plastic top, they will be in violation of a fireworks ordinance, potentially liable for a fine between NT$30,000 to 150,000.

Handan Festival 
A warm-up activity was held this morning in Taitung to prepare for an upcoming celebration of the Taoist deity, Lord Handan. A man was topless, clad only in red shorts, standing on a palanquin as many tossed fireworks at him. This year’s festival will be a little different, as international exchange students will be given the chance to experience this extreme test of courage, and a hip-hop group is also expected to perform.

彩色湯圓 
周五就是元宵節了，湯圓、元宵業者摩拳擦掌，台北有餐廳，將湯圓外皮，揉進抹茶、紅麴、原味三種口味，外型色彩繽紛。

查鹽水炮城
鹽水蜂炮即將到來，為了確保安全，台南市消防局長李明?特別率隊，檢查民眾製作的炮城，通過檢查的炮城，會被貼上合格貼紙，如果被取締到使用危險性高的塑膠炮頭的炮城，立刻依煙火爆竹條例，可以處3至15萬元！

台東炸寒單
年度元宵炸寒單，上午在台東先為活動暖身，上身赤裸只穿著紅色短褲的寒單爺，站在神轎上接受鞭炮轟炸，要告訴大家，今年元宵節台東的炸寒單很不一樣，到時不只會有國際交換生一起體驗炸寒單之外，更還有嘻哈舞團一起鬧元宵

New Taipei City craftsman spurns mass production methods to produce premium ink sticks (2014/02/10)

Adding to the spirit of Lunar New Year are the couplets that adorn the entryways of homes. Today most of the ink used to make these couplets is mass produced, but a few artists still insist on using premium, handmade ink sticks. Tonight we head to New Taipei City to visit one of the few ink stick manufacturers who still adheres to traditional methods. The products he creates are valued for their color, their flexibility and even their unique scent. 

Tsai Ing-wen reveals she is considering a run for DPP chairperson (2014/02/09)

The DPP will hold an election to select a new chairperson at the end of May. Previously, this position has been a stepping stone to a presidential run, the next one taking place in 2016. Former DPP chairperson, Tsai Ing-wen, announced she is considering running in the election, joining a field that already includes Su Tseng-chang and Frank Hsieh.