Bikes, Voices, Labor: Taiwan Uniquely

Each week, we tell you just three things from Taiwan. It’s a quick and unique way to connect with the society and culture of this quirky and cozy little spot in Asia, featuring our News Director William Yang with a showcase of his project Taipei Love Notes.

Stay tuned as we update the look and feel of our series!

Park Your oBike Properly

• oBike, a “smarter” version of Youbike, came under fire from New Taipei City’s campaign against illegal parking, after oBikes were found parked in spots designated for scooters. The bike sharing system lets customers rent bikes through a mobile app, eliminating physical stops (like Youbike). Will this move have a chilling effect on the newly launched bike-sharing program? And how much can Youbike, a government program, benefit from this twist?

Heavenly Voices Help Taiwan Shine Again

• Two children’s choirs from Pingtung and Kaohsiung, as well as a children’s orchestra from Nantou, won awards in Rome and Vienna respectively. The recognition shows the strength of Taiwan’s soft power; is this further support for President Tsai Ing-wen’s adopting an alternative diplomatic game plan?

Poor Labor Treatment Continues to Worsen

• Apple Daily revealed that over 9,000 companies have breached Taiwan’s labor laws in the past year, a 7% increase comparing to the year before. Several prominent corporations like retailer Carrefour made the list. Just when labor rights might improve after the five day work week was standardized earlier in the year, there seems to be more issues ahead.

Where to Be for Sunset in Taipei

• Who doesn’t enjoy a beautiful sunset view at the end of a long day? In the latest Taipei Love Note, I share two of my favorite spots in Taipei where you can watch some of the most memorable sunsets. Check out where you should be for tomorrow evening and maybe I’ll run into you!

(Feature photo by William Yang)