This Week in Taiwan 1018-1024
October 19: October 21 marks the second-year anniversary of the Puyuma Express train derailment incident. The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) released a final investigation report. According to four key pieces of evidence, the train was speeding at 140 kilometers (about 87 miles) per hour before it overturned. But the TSB stressed that the operator should not assume all the blame. Multiple factors led to the train's overturn.
October 19: The inoculation of middle-aged adults between ages 50 and 64 with publicly-provided influenza vaccines has been postponed. Premier Su Tseng-tseng apologized to the people. He said that although the government prepared more doses this year compared to last year, but factors like the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic stimulated demand, and the government failed to properly plan the distribution order of vaccination.
October 20: The National Day banquet organized by the Taipei Trade Office in Fiji on October 8 was attended by about 100 guests. Two mainland Chinese diplomats entered by force and took photos of guests. Taiwanese diplomatic officers attempted to thwart the disruption but were struck by the intruders, which led to light brain concussion. The disruption was revealed by Fiji media 10 days later and provoked uproar across political parties within Taiwan and criticism of China's so-called "wolf warrior diplomacy."
October 22: The U.S. Department of State approved and notified Congress on October 21 the sale of three articles of arms, including AGM-84H/K SLAM-ER cruise missiles, M142 HIMARS rocket launchers, and multi-spectral sensors for General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon jets. The arms sale will amount to US$1.8 billion and is the eighth arms sale to Taiwan under the administration of President Donald Trump.
October 24: Thus far, a total of 48 people have died after being vaccinated against influenza in South Korea, stirring concern within Taiwan. According to the Centers for Disease Prevention, Ministry of Health and Welfare, more than 4 million doses have been inoculated throughout Taiwan. A total of 51 cases exhibited adverse reaction, including 12 more serious cases, but they may not be related to the vaccines. At the moment, no abnormality has been observed.
October 24: The Hoover Institution at Stanford University publicized the diaries of late President Chiang Ching-kuo in February. Upon the invitation of Fair Winds Foundation, Research Fellow Kuo Tai-chun of Hoover Institution delivered remarks on Chiang's diaries. According to Kuo, the diaries reveal that Chiang was sick almost every week in his final years. While enduring immense bodily pain, President Chiang used his determination to promote Taiwan's democratic reform.