To promote positive image of our country and enhance our visibility, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) cooperated with “National Geographic” to produce the documentary “Taiwan to the World 6: Taiwan’s Toughest”. Themed on people of special profession in the country, this documentary series with five episodes – “Firefighters”, “Sniffer Dogs”, “Plant Hunters”, “Road to MLB” and “Air Rescue” – will be broadcasted in “National Geographic” at 10 pm every Monday starting from February 12 of this year (2018) to present the country’s spirit of going forward and not being afraid of difficulties. This documentary series will also be broadcasted in other 39 countries in Asia Pacific and Middle East.
Held in West Hall 5 of Huashan 1914 Creative Park on February 7 this year (2018), the Premiere Press Conference of this documentary was hosted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs David T. Lee and vice president of programming and production at Fox Networks Group Asia, to which “National Geographic” belongs, Laura Glassman. The Vice President Chen Chien-Jen and Minister of the Interior Yeh Jiunn-Rong was also invited to deliver a speech. At the Conference, the vice president and Taiwanese heroes who attended this event lighted up the sky lanterns together to pray for blessings of Taiwan together.
In his speech, Vice President Chen pointed out that, in the documentary, Taiwanese heroes who completed difficult missions in a dangerous environment have demonstrated the dauntless and indomitable spirit of “true Taiwanese people”. Vice president Chen also expressed his respects and gratitude to all Taiwanese heroes of different industries for their contributions, and appealed to the entire country to pray for the missing Black Hawk and for the blessing of Hualien Earthquake.
In his speech, Minister Lee expressed that MOFA has been dedicated to promote positive image of Taiwan and long been cooperated with “National Geographic”. Not only has many extraordinary achievements and touching stories of this country been recorded, but also these splendid programs have become the window for the international society to get to know about Taiwan. Minister Lee also expressed his concerns in regard to the disconnected Black Hawk and Hualien Earthquake, and hope that all members on the helicopter and victims of the Hualien Earthquake will be safe.
Minister Yeh rushed from the Central Emergency Operation Center to this press conference, encouraged airborne rescuers who continuously search for the missing helicopter and firefighters who joined the Hualien Earthquake rescue mission at the conference.
Other guests include Nicaragua Ambassador to the ROC William M. Tapia and other members of the foreign diplomatic corps in Taiwan; NASC of MOI who assisted in the filming; personnel of New Taipei City Fire Bureau; co-founder of Dr. Cecilla Koo Botanic Conservation Center Li Chia-Wei; and the two Beagles who joined the episode of “Sniffer Dogs” as the leading roles, Snoopy and Lulu, have all attended this event.
To enhance international advocacy, the Taiwanese government has been cooperated with National Geographic starting from 2003 and filmed nine documentary related to national conditions. Among them, the “Taiwan to the World” series, which has broadcasted 23 films and received 18 awards, is a popular documentary. For related details, please refer to the MOFA website.