Taiwan Plus (Taiwan+), the first English-language international streaming platform of Taiwan, was unveiled by Vice President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), Legislative Speaker You Si-kun (游錫堃), Central News Agency Chairman Liu Ka-shiang (劉克襄), Taiwan+ Chief Executive Officer Joanne Tsai (蔡秋安), and H.E. Ambassador Jasmine E. Huggins of Embassy of Saint Christopher and Nevis at the plaza in front of the National Taiwan Museum in Taipei on Aug. 30.
Golden Melody-award winning singer Sanpuy Katatepan Mavaliyw (桑布伊) opened the launch event with a music performance. Held with COVID-19 prevention measures in place, the event was joined by several representatives including Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Chief-Representative Hiroyasu Izumi, Canadian Trade Office in Taipei Executive Director Jordan Reeves, the American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan (AmCham Taiwan) President Andrew Wylegala and Senior Advisor to AmCham Taiwan Don Shapiro, and the European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan (ECCT) Chairman H. Henry Chang and the ECCT Vice Chairman Giuseppe Izzo.
President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) expressed her pleasure to join the launch of Taiwan+ with a video message, saying "Taiwan+ is an exciting new initiative to tell Taiwan's story. Generations of Taiwanese fought to transform this country into a vibrant democracy that protects freedom of speech and expression."
Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) in a video congratulatory message wished the platform success. He stressed that Taiwan is a democratic and free country guided by the rule of law, and cares about universal values of human rights, freedom of speech and diversity, noting that this is why many countries are willing to make friends and do business with Taiwan.
Vice President Lai said he had actively promoted English as the city's second language during his term as Tainan mayor and hoped Taiwan will turn into a bilingual nation by the year 2030.
Taiwan+, a project commissioned by the Ministry of Culture to the Central News Agency, marks an important milestone in the country’s history of mass media, as it is an independent media organization that serves to voice Taiwan to the world, Minister Lee Yung-te said.
Joanne Tsai, a senior media professional with more than 25 years of experience in international media outlets, hopes to make this platform a form of expansion, connection, and infinite possibilities, just like how Taiwan incorporates ethnic, cultural and linguistic diversity within a nation, and introduce Taiwan to the world through dynamic storytelling and news.
Targeting English-speaking audience, Taiwan+ offers the latest news about Taiwan and international affairs, as well as special reports covering a wide range of topics spanning culture, tech, nature, and lifestyle. In addition to its own programs, the platform also sources from Taiwan’s public and private media organizations to tell the vibrant stories of Taiwan.
The content of Taiwan+ can be played on the Taiwan Plus app or viewed on its official website and social media platforms, such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram.