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2025 Guoguang Awards Highlight Taiwan’s Athletic Success on the Global Stage
To honor Taiwanese athletes who have brought glory to Taiwan on the international sporting stage, the Ministry of Sports hosted the 2025 Guoguang Athletic Medal and Sports Science Research Award Presentation Ceremony on December 11. Minister of Sports Lee Yang noted that this year’s ceremony marked a meaningful transition for him—from award recipient to award presenter—symbolizing the passing of the torch. He expressed his hope that Taiwanese athletes competing in the Olympic Games and other international events will continue to be a source of pride for Taiwan. He also reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to improving the sports environment, strengthening Taiwan through sports, and nurturing even more recipients of the Guoguang Athletic Medal in the years ahead. This year’s ceremonyrecognized outstanding athletes and coaches who excelled in 55 multisport and individual international sporting events. A total of 747 Guoguang Athletic Medals were awarded to 450 athletes, along with one coach. In addition, NT$164,475,000 in Guoguang scholarships and coaching bonuses were distributed. 19 sports science research achievements were also honored—one with top distinction, four with first-class awards, and fourteen with honorable mentions, with trophies presented at the ceremony. The Ministry emphasized that the ceremony not only recognizes the dedication of athletes and coaches, but also expresses deep appreciation for the sports science experts and support teams whose efforts underpin every medal. ­

2025 Guoguang Awards Highlight Taiwan’s Athletic Success on the Global Stage

2026-01-13
To honor Taiwanese athletes who have brought glory to Taiwan on the international sporting stage, the Ministry of Sports hosted the 2025 Guoguang Athletic Medal and Sports Science Research Award Presentation Ceremony on December 11. Minister of Sports Lee Yang noted that this year’s ceremony marked a meaningful transition for him—from award recipient to award presenter—symbolizing the passing of the torch. He expressed his hope that Taiwanese athletes competing in the Olympic Games and other international events will continue to be a source of pride for Taiwan. He also reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to improving the sports environment, strengthening Taiwan through sports, and nurturing even more recipients of the Guoguang Athletic Medal in the years ahead. This year’s ceremonyrecognized outstanding athletes and coaches who excelled in 55 multisport and individual international sporting events. A total of 747 Guoguang Athletic Medals were awarded to 450 athletes, along with one coach. In addition, NT$164,475,000 in Guoguang scholarships and coaching bonuses were distributed. 19 sports science research achievements were also honored—one with top distinction, four with first-class awards, and fourteen with honorable mentions, with trophies presented at the ceremony. The Ministry emphasized that the ceremony not only recognizes the dedication of athletes and coaches, but also expresses deep appreciation for the sports science experts and support teams whose efforts underpin every medal. ­
Aesthetic Education Teachers from Taiwan Enjoy Cross-Cultural Creative Learning Exchanges in Austria
Taiwan’s Ministry of Education launched the International Visiting Program for Aesthetic Education Teachers in 2019. This interdisciplinary international study and training initiative is designed to help art educators expand their understanding of how aesthetic and creative learning can be taught, and broaden their global outlook by exploring and learning from international examples and diverse artistic teaching approaches to aesthetic education. In October 2025, a group of 23 teachers from schools at a range of levels travelled to Austria and the Czech Republic as part of the Ministry of Education's 2025 International Visiting Program for Aesthetic Education Teachers. The group began their visit in Vienna, giving them an opportunity to experience the city’s rich cultural diversity while learning about the Austrian education system and the approaches used to teach creative subjects. The Education Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vienna, coordinated two school visits for the group, with the support of the Vienna Board of Education, and Dr. Elisa Hsiang-Yueh Wang, Director of the Education Division had the pleasure of accompanying the group on these school visits, and facilitating discussions and interactions between the educators from Taiwan and those in Austria. On October 14, Ms. Romy Höltzer from the European Office of the Vienna Board of Education—the office responsible for coordinating international activities—gave them a comprehensive outline of the Austrian education system before the group visited OVS Kaisermühlen, a primary school with a strong bilingual German–English curriculum which encourages creativity in the classroom in visual arts and hands-on craft activities. A teacher at the school told the visiting teachers about the school’s daily operations and how these put emphasis on the role of diversity and intercultural exchanges—this is especially appropriate given that the school is located close to the United Nations headquarters. The group then had an opportunity to observe a number of classroom lessons, giving them a direct impression of the teaching environment and the positive, respectful interactions between teachers and students. On the following day, the group visited BORG Hegelgasse, an upper secondary school in central Vienna which specializes in offering art and music education in a range of creative areas. The school principal Mr. Thomas Grubhofer welcomed the visiting teachers in the assembly hall and explained the school’s educational philosophy and how the school encourages artistic expression and independent thinking. The students can select to focus on photography, visual design, drama, or music, and then develop their artistic skills in their selected learning area in depth. The group then observed art, choir, and drama classes to see how activities that nurture art-related learning are integrated into everyday teaching. The teachers particularly valued the interactions they were able to have with the teachers and students at BORG Hegelgasse. With the assistance of Dr. Elisa Hsiang-Yueh Wang they were able to generously share details of their daily school life and current projects. In this school also, the warm and trusting atmosphere between the teachers and students left a strong impression. The visit concluded in the school’s assembly hall with a mutual exchange of impressions and reflections about aesthetic education. Another group of teachers is scheduled to visit Austria in early November as part of the 2025 International Visiting Program for Aesthetic Education Teachers to further enhance aesthetic education exchanges between educators in Taiwan and Austria and help those working in art education to broaden their understanding of creative thought and teaching aesthetics, and their global outlook. The Education Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vienna is pleased to witness the strong mutual interest in these exchange visits and looks forward to continuing to assist in advancing cross-border engagement in aesthetic education.

Aesthetic Education Teachers from Taiwan Enjoy Cross-Cultural Creative Learning Exchanges in Austria

2026-01-13
Taiwan’s Ministry of Education launched the International Visiting Program for Aesthetic Education Teachers in 2019. This interdisciplinary international study and training initiative is designed to help art educators expand their understanding of how aesthetic and creative learning can be taught, and broaden their global outlook by exploring and learning from international examples and diverse artistic teaching approaches to aesthetic education. In October 2025, a group of 23 teachers from schools at a range of levels travelled to Austria and the Czech Republic as part of the Ministry of Education's 2025 International Visiting Program for Aesthetic Education Teachers. The group began their visit in Vienna, giving them an opportunity to experience the city’s rich cultural diversity while learning about the Austrian education system and the approaches used to teach creative subjects. The Education Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vienna, coordinated two school visits for the group, with the support of the Vienna Board of Education, and Dr. Elisa Hsiang-Yueh Wang, Director of the Education Division had the pleasure of accompanying the group on these school visits, and facilitating discussions and interactions between the educators from Taiwan and those in Austria. On October 14, Ms. Romy Höltzer from the European Office of the Vienna Board of Education—the office responsible for coordinating international activities—gave them a comprehensive outline of the Austrian education system before the group visited OVS Kaisermühlen, a primary school with a strong bilingual German–English curriculum which encourages creativity in the classroom in visual arts and hands-on craft activities. A teacher at the school told the visiting teachers about the school’s daily operations and how these put emphasis on the role of diversity and intercultural exchanges—this is especially appropriate given that the school is located close to the United Nations headquarters. The group then had an opportunity to observe a number of classroom lessons, giving them a direct impression of the teaching environment and the positive, respectful interactions between teachers and students. On the following day, the group visited BORG Hegelgasse, an upper secondary school in central Vienna which specializes in offering art and music education in a range of creative areas. The school principal Mr. Thomas Grubhofer welcomed the visiting teachers in the assembly hall and explained the school’s educational philosophy and how the school encourages artistic expression and independent thinking. The students can select to focus on photography, visual design, drama, or music, and then develop their artistic skills in their selected learning area in depth. The group then observed art, choir, and drama classes to see how activities that nurture art-related learning are integrated into everyday teaching. The teachers particularly valued the interactions they were able to have with the teachers and students at BORG Hegelgasse. With the assistance of Dr. Elisa Hsiang-Yueh Wang they were able to generously share details of their daily school life and current projects. In this school also, the warm and trusting atmosphere between the teachers and students left a strong impression. The visit concluded in the school’s assembly hall with a mutual exchange of impressions and reflections about aesthetic education. Another group of teachers is scheduled to visit Austria in early November as part of the 2025 International Visiting Program for Aesthetic Education Teachers to further enhance aesthetic education exchanges between educators in Taiwan and Austria and help those working in art education to broaden their understanding of creative thought and teaching aesthetics, and their global outlook. The Education Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vienna is pleased to witness the strong mutual interest in these exchange visits and looks forward to continuing to assist in advancing cross-border engagement in aesthetic education.
'Culture Points' program to expand to youths aged 13-22
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) and Minister of Culture Li Yuan jointly announced that the 2026 Culture Points program will officially expand to include youths aged between 13-15, offering residents aged 13-22 with 1,200 Culture Points. The Ministry of Culture (MOC) launched 1200 Culture Points intiative in 2025 for youths aged 16-22, and later extended the program on a trial basis to include residents aged 13-15. As of Dec. 29, nearly 80 percent of eligible recipients have claimed their Culture Points, with total spending reaching approximately NT$1.5 billion, reflecting strong participation and public reponse. Starting Jan. 1, 2026, the 1,200 Culture Points will be available to Taiwanese residents born between Jan. 1, 2004, and Dec. 31, 2013. The points can be claimed through the designated mobile application and must be used within the 2026 calendar year. Minister Li encouraged youths to take advantage of the program engaging in wide range of cultural activities, including watching Taiwanese films, purchasing books and comics, and experiencing performing arts. He also expressed hope that the intiative will continue to expand, further strengthening Taiwan's cultural ecosystem and supporting the development of cultural sector. For more information, visit the official website of the Culture Points program. ­

'Culture Points' program to expand to youths aged 13-22

2026-01-10
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) and Minister of Culture Li Yuan jointly announced that the 2026 Culture Points program will officially expand to include youths aged between 13-15, offering residents aged 13-22 with 1,200 Culture Points. The Ministry of Culture (MOC) launched 1200 Culture Points intiative in 2025 for youths aged 16-22, and later extended the program on a trial basis to include residents aged 13-15. As of Dec. 29, nearly 80 percent of eligible recipients have claimed their Culture Points, with total spending reaching approximately NT$1.5 billion, reflecting strong participation and public reponse. Starting Jan. 1, 2026, the 1,200 Culture Points will be available to Taiwanese residents born between Jan. 1, 2004, and Dec. 31, 2013. The points can be claimed through the designated mobile application and must be used within the 2026 calendar year. Minister Li encouraged youths to take advantage of the program engaging in wide range of cultural activities, including watching Taiwanese films, purchasing books and comics, and experiencing performing arts. He also expressed hope that the intiative will continue to expand, further strengthening Taiwan's cultural ecosystem and supporting the development of cultural sector. For more information, visit the official website of the Culture Points program. ­
Taiwan Top Night Honors 2025 Performing Arts Groups
The Ministry of Culture (MOC) hosted the inaugural “Taiwan Top Night” on Jan. 5 at the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying), honoring outstanding performing arts groups under the 2025 Taiwan Top program. This year, 16 groups were selected, sharing a total of NT$5 million in prize funding. Among them, Kaohsiung City Wind Orchestra (高雄市管樂團), HORSE (驫舞劇場), Taipei Puppet Theater (臺北木偶劇團), and Riverbed Theatre (河床劇團) were named Taiwan Top Performing Arts Groups of the year, with each group receiving NT$500,000. In addition, 12 performing arts groups were awarded NT$250,000 eash, including Counterpoint Ensemble (對位室內樂團), Hung Dance (翃舞製作), Sun Son Theatre (身聲劇場), and Rom Shing Hakka Opera Troupe (榮興客家採茶劇團). During the event, Minister of Culture Li Yuan also announced an additional NT$5 million in prize funding for this year’s Taiwan Top program to further support the development of Taiwan’s performing arts sector. He also noted that the ministry will organize arts festivals and invite international art groups to collaborate in local productions, aiming to strengthen cultural exchange. For more information, visit Taiwan Top’s official website.

Taiwan Top Night Honors 2025 Performing Arts Groups

2026-01-10
The Ministry of Culture (MOC) hosted the inaugural “Taiwan Top Night” on Jan. 5 at the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying), honoring outstanding performing arts groups under the 2025 Taiwan Top program. This year, 16 groups were selected, sharing a total of NT$5 million in prize funding. Among them, Kaohsiung City Wind Orchestra (高雄市管樂團), HORSE (驫舞劇場), Taipei Puppet Theater (臺北木偶劇團), and Riverbed Theatre (河床劇團) were named Taiwan Top Performing Arts Groups of the year, with each group receiving NT$500,000. In addition, 12 performing arts groups were awarded NT$250,000 eash, including Counterpoint Ensemble (對位室內樂團), Hung Dance (翃舞製作), Sun Son Theatre (身聲劇場), and Rom Shing Hakka Opera Troupe (榮興客家採茶劇團). During the event, Minister of Culture Li Yuan also announced an additional NT$5 million in prize funding for this year’s Taiwan Top program to further support the development of Taiwan’s performing arts sector. He also noted that the ministry will organize arts festivals and invite international art groups to collaborate in local productions, aiming to strengthen cultural exchange. For more information, visit Taiwan Top’s official website.
2026 Taipei International Book Exhibition to Spotlight Thailand as Guest of Honor
The 2026 Taipei International Book Exhibition (TiBE) will be held at the Taipei World Trade Center from Feb. 3 to 8. Under the theme Reading Is Amazing (閱讀泰精彩),” the exhibition has invited Thailand as this year’s Guest of Honor. Organized by the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) under the Thai Trade Office and the PUBAT, the Thai Pavilion—under the theme “CreaTHAIvity (泰式創意生活)”—will feature 37 publishing houses. The main exhibition will present 50 representative Thai titles. In addition to book displays, more than ten Thai writers and creators have been invited to participate in talks and sharing sessions throughout the event. TiBE will also bring together publishers from around the world, including Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, India, and Italy, further promoting intenational exchange and corss-cultural dialogue through books. For more information, visit TiBE’s official website.

2026 Taipei International Book Exhibition to Spotlight Thailand as Guest of Honor

2026-01-10
The 2026 Taipei International Book Exhibition (TiBE) will be held at the Taipei World Trade Center from Feb. 3 to 8. Under the theme Reading Is Amazing (閱讀泰精彩),” the exhibition has invited Thailand as this year’s Guest of Honor. Organized by the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) under the Thai Trade Office and the PUBAT, the Thai Pavilion—under the theme “CreaTHAIvity (泰式創意生活)”—will feature 37 publishing houses. The main exhibition will present 50 representative Thai titles. In addition to book displays, more than ten Thai writers and creators have been invited to participate in talks and sharing sessions throughout the event. TiBE will also bring together publishers from around the world, including Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, India, and Italy, further promoting intenational exchange and corss-cultural dialogue through books. For more information, visit TiBE’s official website.