Opening a Window on Taiwan

Among Taiwan’s resurgent industries, salt, shell ginger, camellia seeds, and bamboo have unique ecological and economic value. Traditional salt-making techniques are combined with modern technology to develop high-quality sea salt, meeting market demand and promoting local economic development. Cultivation of shell ginger is earning growing attention, not only for use in food, but also in fragrances and biotechnology. The promotion of oil-seed camellia farming is making this healthy oil available to consumers and driving community revitalization. Meanwhile, bamboo is a portable material whose eco-friendly characteristics make it a material of choice for many innovative products, such as furniture and buildings, and it is attracting attention from young consumers.

The revival of these industries is strengthening local economies and advancing the aims of sustainable development. In this issue we visit these industries and, through their craftspeople, discover local stories.

New Taipei City has the largest population among Taiwan’s six special municipalities, with an expansive territory and over 120 kilometers of coastline. The theme of this month’s Readers Photos is “New Taipei Cityscapes.” The photos include the picturesque Nanya Rocks and Fist Rock along the Northeast Coast and a night view of the historic mining town of Jiufen, as well as crowded Shenkeng Old Street, the cultural experience of Pingxi’s sky lanterns, Tamsui Presbyterian Church on a rainy night, and New Year’s Eve fireworks over the Danjiang Bridge. We thank readers for their submissions, which provide touching images from various cities and counties around the island.

In Taiwanese dietary culture, soy sauce plays a critical role as a fundamental seasoning and a source of unique flavors. The wide variety of soy sauces in Taiwan satisfies varied tastes and promotes the diverse development of Taiwanese cuisine. In this issue we guide you on an exploration of soy sauce and Taiwanese food.

Other stories focus on conservation of the eastern grass-owl and the pheasant-tailed jacana. Protecting these birds’ habitats is critical to preserving biodiversity, for they play an important role in their ecosystems. Various conservation measures have not only enabled these species to survive, but have also raised public consciousness of the importance of environmental protection and of maintaining harmonious co-existence between nature and humankind. We also report on the green technology of electric vehicle chargers developed in India by Delta Electronics, and the part played by “Si-Sol-Mi” Western music bands in Taiwan’s popular culture. Reading Taiwan Panorama offers you a window on Taiwan.