taipei, the political center of taiwan. it is home to 2.6 million people.r 10% of the total population. in december 2019, the elections were just a month away. the city streets were covered with posters for the candidates. this election held once every four years shapes the future of taiwan. in the general election, tsai ing-wen of the democratic progressive party, or dpp, south election. her opponent was han kuo-yu. the election was by and large a showdown between these two candidates. one point of contention was the distance maintained from mainland china. han kuo-yu advocating improving relations and restructuring the economy. conversely, the dpp which maintains a self-reliant stance had tsai ing-wen promoting distance from china and sovereignty for taiwan. >> the ngo taiwan fact check center based in central taipei takes on the mission of verifying information around the election. it was founded in 2018 and continues to operate thanks to private endowments and donations. the chief editor is a veteran of the media who worked for nearly two decades at maj

let's bring in in taipei so good morning or i should say good evening there so how important is china's quick recovery to this relatively strong economy that we're seeing in taiwan. or china is the only major economy to recover from the pandemic and taiwan has become more dependent on the chinese market because of this exports account for about 60 percent of taiwan's g.d.p. and for the past few months more than 46 percent of taiwanese exports go to china while it's only 14 percent of the u.s. and 7 percent of the whole europe and from january to october this year and has enjoyed a trade surplus of 131000000000 dollars was china so from these numbers we know taiwan has greatly benefited from china's quick recovery clearly a very significant business relationship there what does that mean we're seeing growing tensions between china and taiwan at the moment well taiwanese and chinese economies are highly interdependent 3 of the 12 china's most popular consumer brands are taiwan's brands and apples 3 major manufacturers in china foxconn pick a try and was trying to companies and china is st

so bring us the latest from taipei thank you very much. let's go back to our main story now the u.k. has approval of a vaccine a correspondent carrados in is in mines for a press conference at biotech the company that developed the vaccine conrad. what kind of achievement is this for the small firm biotech. it is a huge must own for biotech stephen you know this small biotech company never has turned out a profit now it's facing a huge profit from this. advanced and this very innovative vaccine and let me tell you this is not only a milestone for this relatively small company it's a must own for germany for this region here at the rhine mine area i was born 51 years ago in mines and i can tell you everyone here is pretty proud that this vaccine is coming from this city and the u.k. starts to get its vaccines 1st what does that mean for other countries in terms of getting the vaccines can production keep up with the demand. very good question the u.k. will now be getting 800000 doses and as you know countries like the united states the euro

. >> reporter: they are rebooting their lives from los angeles to taiwan's capital, taipei. their children now physically go to school. >> the kids were not in school for six months. >> i am immunocompromised. so even if school went back for the kids, it would not be wise to send them. >> reporter: the yangs have been free to move after a mandatory two-week president. taiwan has been praised worldwide fors it covid success. from january 3rd, screening air passengers from wuhan. border defense starts on arrival. passengers, queue up for health interviews, scanning qr codes to register names and phone numbers. people getting sprayed with disinfectant along with their bags driven in a designated quarantine taxi to their hotel. a mandatory two weeks. meals are left outside the room three times a day. people that break quarantine can be fined more than $33,000. the authorities know based on the signals, not gps to avoid major privacy issues. seven more days of temperature checks from home. the health department calls each day and then you are cleared. new flare ups were contact t

refuses to communicate with the government in taipei which seems to be the case even if the epidemic were to directly threaten the taiwanese. taiwan sure taiwan is part of china there is only one china not me or you go to war you go to taiwan are certain that every international organizations including the w.h.o. and the united nations and the vast majority of governments will all admit that the people's republic of china is the only legal representative their only partner. which means they all agree with the one china policy just taiwan has to agree with this principle if it is to become an observer of the w.h.o. but without any problems how yami or good confidence. paradoxically that exclusion may well have saved taiwan from a worse fate the island nation was obliged to develop its own warning and response systems in december 29th teen with the w a h a receiving no information from beijing the time when his government immediately took steps to protect its population. despite its proximity to mainland china taiwan among the 1st countries affected has seen minimal deaths since the st

further to the south most wet weather will affect taipei. there is a chance of heavy rainfall.dia we have a depression over the bay of bengal. this may be the next storm system to hit southeastern india in a week as a cyclonic storm. the previous storm caused major floods and deadly landslides last week. unfortunately, we are expecting more heavy rainfall and storm surges as it moves closer and pushes into southeastern india and sri lanka over the next couple days. total rainfall may reach 300 millimeters. the ground is already saturated. so additional rainfall could cause further flooding and landslides. finally, in north america a strong winter storm known as nor'easter is creating destructive weather in the northeastern u.s. and eastern canada on tuesday. heavy snowfall will be seen in the eastern great lakes region, as much as 30 centimeters. in addition, strong winds could produce blizzard-like conditions in places like toronto, causing some -- that's all for now. stay safe. ♪ ♪ ♪ >>> that's all for this hour on nhk "newsline." i'm keiko kitagawa in tokyo. thank you for jo

starlux launched its first flight near taipei and consay airport in osaka on tuesday. only nine passengers were onboard, and some expressed relief they were finally able to travel. >> translator: i was supposed to land in july but there's been months of delays. i just couldn't wait any longer. >> starlux was founded only two years ago. the carrier is focused on serving the southeast asian market but plans to expand links to other parts of japan as well. >>> the tokyo metropolitan government says it plans to scale back public viewing events during next summer's olympics and paralympics. the restrictions will be aimed at preventing the spread of the coronavirus. officials say they plan to require reservations and limit the number of spectators at six sites including two parks in tokyo. they also plan to strengthen anti-virus measures at the venues including disinfection. a viewing event at the metropolitan government building is expected to be scrapped, but the officials are considering allowing visitors to take photos with the olympic mascot. they say they want to draw

. >> and the ai system we saw, they're alrey eicladient they h taipei and they introduced their systemland china. instead of using it restaurants, they are using it one of shanghai's largest buildings to avoid overly crowded systems. >> that's interesting. most important. >> with travel restrictions still in place, many are looking a safe place to enjoy local leisure. >> this restaurant is located at tokyo bay. in the middle of the pandemic, this location is mostly booked from july through august. beyond offering the ocean breeze, a reason to switch to regular table and chairs, offer customers even more peace of mind. compare to the previous lay out, not only there is more space and the distance between other tables have increased significantly. >> it is great because it does not feel like we are social distancing. >> this place is pretty fancy but super laid back. >> reporter: offering 1,000 seats, the management changetod new lay out and forcing them to lower capacity by 20%. they compensated for this drastic cut by increasing the entrance fee from $15 to just $20. >> we shutdown in

the cold air of this northeast monsoon suggest you will get regular showers on the east north of taipeind the heaviest ones have gone through vietnam and are on their way to the far south of thailand. at the same time, generating egger showers for southern luzon or the philippines. otherwise, daily big thunderstorms. ricarda could get a concentration -- certainly the western side. the forecast for jakarta does give thunderstorms for the next three days. in the southern day of bengal, and other tropical depression is heading toward sri lanka. ♪ >> these explosions were not an act of war. these nuclear bombs were experiments by the soviet union. to the kazakh people who lived in the vicinity, the motives make little difference. rewind -- silent bombs on al jazeera. ♪ ♪ anchor: a reminder of our top stories this hour -- u.s. drugmaker, moderna is seeking emergencies for its coronavirus vaccine. cases are rising steadily across the u.s. with 139,000 new infections confirmed on sunday. the battleground states of arizona and wisconsin are the latest to certify joe biden's election victory. do

control of the over the spread of the virus taiwan rang in the new year with a fireworks display at the taipei one a one skyscraper giving the residents a view from all sides of the city. the top stories around his era china has detected its 1st imported case of a new coronavirus variant in a 23 year old woman who returned from the u.k. the country's also authorized its 1st homegrown coated 19 maxin for general use the sun a farm vaccine has already been given to health care professionals and essential workers under emergency guidelines china's government says the doses are around 79 percent effective but has not released enough data for international scrutiny. more than 25000 deaths have been recorded in the u.s. state of california as medical workers struggle to cope hospitals or housing patients in hallways conference rooms a cafeteria and gift shops fewer than 3000000 people across the u.k. u.s. have been vaccinated against code 19 falling far short of the government's target of inoculating 20000000 by now america's top infectious diseases expert dr anthony found she has told hundreds ther

but speaking to the bbc‘s taipei correspondent cindy sui, taiwan's health minister warned that even thoughs important to remain vigilant. translation: the vaccines probably do have their effectiveness and do provide some immunity. but everyone is not really clear how long they can protect people from the virus. right now everyone is assuming the person who has been vaccinated can't contract the virus. but there is no real evidence indicating this. because the three stages of clinical trials haven't been completed yet. in other words, the observation period is insufficient. in the past we observed for at least half a year. so i think during the upcoming half year we should carry out individual protection well. we need to closely evaluate whether the vaccines effectiveness is sufficient and what happens when the antibodies reach a low level. pretty soon the countries of the us or the uk will be vaccinating its people. do you think that the world can actually relax now? translation: i think when vaccinations become more widespread the virus will ease. but at the same time we are worried that

the cold air this northeast monsoon suggests you get regular showers on the east and north of taipei, and it will enhance the sharpness, us china sea. but the heaviest ones have gone through vietnam and on their way to the far south of thailand or peninsula malaysia. same time we're generating bigger showers, the east and south a loser, all central philippines. otherwise is pretty daily big thunderstorms jakarta could well get a bit of a concentration or if not carter, the western side of jobs across forecasts does give thunderstorms for the next 3 days. in the sudden, by a bang, although a tropical depression is trying to what it saw up head towards for lanka. and tell nadi jump into the stream and join our global community. bio diversity is bio security. it is that essential for our species to survive. be part of the debate. i know you have ideas to be part of this conversation. when no topic is off the table, the police are not neutral and all of these cases here is to terrorize and gives the other part of this. there's no consequence to this stream on out is there the only watchin

wednesday, the cold air this northeast monsoon suggests you get regular showers on the east north of taipeiand it will enhance the sharpness asked china sea. but the heaviest ones have gone through vietnam. and on their way to the far south of thailand all peninsula malaysia, the same time we're generating bigger showers, the east and south a loser, all central philippines. otherwise is pretty daily big thunderstorms jakarta could well get a bit of a concentration or if not carter. so the western side of jobs across forecast does give thunderstorms for the next 3 days, in the sudden by a bang, although a tropical depression is trying to what it's so hot head towards for lanka. and tell nadi these it's persians were not an act of war. these nuclear bombs were experiments by the soviet union to the kazakh people who lived in the vicinity. the motives make little difference. rewind, silent. on al-jazeera. the in the the in store charge. there are a reminder of our top stories this hour. u.s. drug maker dirtier is seeking approval from american in your european regulations for emergency use of

and taipei in taiwan saw in the new year with a large fireworks show at 101 skyscraper to mark the new0,000 people to attend — half the normal number. in bangkok eco—friendly" fireworks made of sticky rice brighten the sky to see in 2021. surges in coronavirus meant outdoor celebrations had to be scaled back from original plans. and this is wuhan — the capital of hubei province in china — where they're celebrating new year — exactly one year after the city reported an unknown pneumonia outbreak to the world health organization — that was later named covid—19. and an extraordinarily strict lockdown they had there, but these the pictures in the last hour or so, with lockdown they had there, but these the pictures in the last hour or so, with huge numbers of people gathering right there in the city centre wearing masks, but they of course not reported any cases locally since back in may, so they have successfully navigated covid—19 and that's the reason so many people out in the numbers, and such a contrast these pictures with what we have been seeing in europe. we saw the bells ring out

the lack of sunshine in beijing so about 2 degrees who hands at 10 hong kong is going down to 20 taipei catches this persistent breeze and rain of course for the next 3 days but this is right at the time the year of the monsoon the northeast monsoon as it is keeps blowing as it doesn't the bay of bengal as well now that has already cost one side well to actually in the last 3 weeks this may reform because in this mass is the remains of the last one might turn into something more in the arabian sea come tuesday but even if it doesn't the still a continuation of the showers the rain from chennai science was industry lanka which is typical this time of year is just topping out floods it is still on the ground interesting weather still coming in from the east side of the mediterranean some interesting pictures a live sky over the dead sea result of a good shower now those showers and movies with iraq and the concentrate going to iran for the rest of sunday. al jazeera world needs some extraordinary women. who are making things happen their way. following their daily struggle to survive. for

maybe shanghai where it's rather try idea it's gone back to being raised reasonable weather ones for taipei still in the shower regime and there are a big shower still being developed to hit the coast of vietnam i think we'll see bigger ones in good policy matter particular sas and in java and still i think in northern sumatra singapore all saying afternoon showers develop which is right for this time of the year this is called impulse forecasts just if you like repeating what i've just said the ne monsoons for the bay bang goals we can do little bit massive the forecast next few days is wet but not excessively so chennai could end up being sunny by the end of wednesday and the disturbance in the atmosphere of the west to the wave coming out of afghanistan into pakistan and the far northern plains of india is good news so the wind on the surface doesn't pick up thunderstorms or showers do tention the atmosphere and improve the air quality. in 1958 charles de gaulle made a famous speech in algeria creating music in tanzania. but take a don't hold back the tide of algerian independence o.-p.

temperature drops again invited all stuck in beijing it's cold but it's sunday so taiwan's forecasts if the taipei not much variation the temperature or indeed the wind or indeed the rain is just wet there's more rain to come for time and put the cherry as the remains of the psycho down they are temporarily remains just cross over the far side of the delta now we do end up with possible redevelopment in the arabian sea come monday or tuesday here it is reemerging but all that time the rain still keeps falling from chennai southwards it's already flooded here that could be more of the same. equally as the weather is changed recently we've got persistent rain in saudi and kuwait. so me al jazeera london broil constantine 2 special guests in conversation people think that racism is having personal vitriol towards black people right and there's no understanding of what systemic racism is unprompted uninterrupted success comes with a physician if you're not upsetting people you're not saying anything and for her. there is not a family in britain i believe has not been touched by empire be unscripted on

control of the over the spread of the virus taiwan rang in the new year with a fireworks display at the taipei 101 skyscraper giving the residents a view from all sides of the city. top stories around his era china has detected its 1st imported case of a new coronavirus variant in a 23 year old woman who returned from the u.k. the country's also authorized its 1st her groom coded 19 vaccine for general use the sunnah from vaccine has already been given to health care professionals and essential workers on the emergency guidelines china's government says the doses are around 79 percent effective but has not released enough data for international scrutiny.

world will be glad to close the door on 2020 is just gone midnight in taiwan he's alive but just from taipei. so the country the 1st attack to coronavirus one year ago has just approved its 1st locally made vaccine for public use china has given the state backed sign of farm the green light to produce a vaccine it says is something. in percent effective life it will hardware covert 19 was 1st reported as not largely returned to normal and around the world other vaccines are beginning to be rolled out but he united states that's the hardest hit country there's criticism that it's just taking too long some 2000000 shots have been given well short of the 20000000 promised by now the new variant to create a virus from the u.k. has led to a surge in infections across several countries south africa south korea and the czech republic are the latest report recalled daily numbers of infections and china has just confirmed its 1st case carried by a woman who arrived in shanghai from britain 2 weeks ago and around the globe millions of people remain under lockdown it's only in the u.k. are among those

this is the scene in taipei as taiwan begins its celebrations. and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. let's stick with those fireworks in taiwan to celebrate the new year. very welcome in the new year and of course gci’oss very welcome in the new year and of course across the world, we've seen some of these scenes, new zealand and australia for example, but invasion, the fireworks display, we normally see a bear, it's been cancelled. hong kong, as well, but this time of the day, but taiwan, the great success story of coping with this covid pandemic, a light show going ahead. they have had a sense pandemic began, only 799 cases and seven deaths, their plans and quarantine, contact tracing, on the wide availability and acceptance of masks all kicking in and all successfully coping with coronavirus, hence their ability and their desire to actually have this fireworks display and light show to welcome in 2021, so there's a nice pictures coming us from taiwan. the united kingdom will complete its transition from the european uni

refuses to communicate with the government in taipei which seems to be the case even if the epidemic were to directly threaten the taiwanese. washer toward taiwan as part of china there is only one china not to me or you go to war you go to taiwan are certain that every international organizations including the w.h.o. and the united nations and the vast majority of governments you will all admit that the people's republic of china is the only legal representative their only partner should work which means they all agree with the one china policy just. taiwan has to agree with this principle if it is to become an observer of the w.h.o. without any problems for me or conflict. paradoxically that exclusion may well have saved taiwan from a worse fate the island nation was obliged to develop its own warning and response systems in december 29th teen with the w h a receiving no information from beijing the time when his government immediately took steps to protect its population. despite its proximity to mainland china taiwan among the 1st countries affected has seen minimal deaths since

rebecca written welcome to the program taiwan is welcoming in 2021 days a live images from the capital taipei there you can see the 101 skyscraper one of the tallest buildings in the world. championship pelting gala most of the employees. since she was the feel. good she says. she's in. there we say taiwan ringing in the new well that it has been a serious. the paper this year but one of the 1st countries to ring in 2021 was easy and i was. feeling is one of the few places in the world that's managed to successfully eliminate code and that meant the party could go ahead as usual without masks or distancing. meanwhile the stranger was going to give frontline workers a special ticket so they would have the best view of the spectacular fireworks of sydney harbor bridge but a recent outbreak in the city ruined those plans and authorities urged people instead to stay at home and watch the show on television but. it's still quite spectacular pictures that german chancellor angela merkel has called on germans to help bait the pandemic by sticking to the rules in the wakes and months ahead in what is

right, you see , you see theown head of the taipei rebellion. 1864, as many as 20 million chinese people died in that war. if you take about that as about the same time in the united states we are having our civil war, this was, for all intents and purposes, civil war. hong was a very interesting man. one of the accounts is key, after failing his civil service exam the fourth time, he had a nervous breakdown. and during that breakdown, he had a vision. that vision came out of some of the baptist tracts he was reading that he picked up in hong kong. he believed he was jesus christ's younger brother. him a largeund group of people and began to move north. to take down the government in beijing. came very his forces close to doing that. and almost nobody has ever heard of it. jonathan spence, the noted china scholar at yell, has book called gods's chinese son, and it is about hung -- hong. notednathan spence, the china scholar at yale, has book called, god's chinese son and it is about hong. these stories appear in short blurbs and mao zedong's book on guerrilla war. occupation,ional humili

by covid-19 north korea, for example, kim jong-un, for a very pressured china with regard to what taipei is doing and taiwan in general, and in the situation with iran where we have them just waiting. these are the kinds of things that trump could leave as a blow to the country and it would wind up being a significant blow to the country and the new administration. >> colonel lawrence wilkerson, always great to get your insight and experience shared with us. thank you very much. >> thank you for having me. >>> still to come, a rare walk-back from right-wing media outlets about one of their favorite election fraud conspiracy theories. the potential lawsuit that has them worried, after this. e ti lives to get home to they use stamps.com print discounted postage for any letter any package any time right from your computer all the amazing services of the post office only cheaper get our special tv offer a 4-week trial plus postage and a digital scale go to stamps.com/tv and never go to the post office again! >>> so, ever since the election, there's been all kinds of outlandish, untrue claims

by covid-19 north korea, for example, kim jong-un, for a very pressured china with regard to what taipei is doing and taiwan in general, and in the situation with iran where we have them just waiting. these are the kinds of things that trump could leave as a blow to the country and it would wind up being a significant blow to the country and the new administration. >> colonel lawrence wilkerson, always great to get your insight and experience shared with us. thank you very much. >> thank you for having me. >>> still to come, a rare walk-back from right-wing media outlets about one of their favorite election fraud conspiracy theories. the potential lawsuit that has them worried, after this. e potes them worried, after this with mi. nurtec odt has worked wonders for me. don't take if allergic to nurtec. the most common side effect was nausea. for more information, go to nurtec.com the most common subaru created the share the love event.n years ago, where our new owners could choose a national or hometown charity. and subaru and our retailers would proudly make a donation. but now, in times

refuses to communicate with the government in taipei which seems to be the case even if the epidemic were to directly threaten the taiwanese. washer toward taiwan as part of china there is only one china not to me or you go to war you go to taiwan are certain that every international organizations including the w.h.o. and the united nations and the vast majority of governments you will all admit that the people's republic of china is the only legal representative their only partner . which means they all agree with the one china policy just. taiwan has to agree with this principle if it is to become an observer of the w.h.o. without any problems for me or great confidence. paradoxically that exclusion may well have saved taiwan from a worse fate the island nation was obliged to develop its own warning and response systems in december 29th teen with a w h o receiving no information from beijing the time when his government immediately took steps to protect its population. despite its proximity to mainland china taiwan among the 1st countries affected has seen minimal deaths since the

latest movements of santa claus as he zips across the world of the living presidents just left a taipei taiwan was last seen there now he's over the philippines are he will be there in one minute. 5 seconds norad is tracking him to the second has there following his signal. more than one 0.2 billion gifts delivered so far and as we anxiously await his arrival here in california john. what are we looking like weather wise. well, good news for santa is we will be staying dry through christmas eve tonight. >>tomorrow morning is when the rainfall does arrive in santa of already been through the bay area by that point so good news there looking outside this morning across the bay from sausalito at san francisco skies are pretty clear look at what you look across the bay but for the north bay, especially northern contra costa and then southern portions of solano counties we are in the midst of some dense fog in the spot. so watch the travel up around here even right along san pablo bay in bayside marin and sonoma counties we are seeing some dense fog too the rest of the bay area will just be

as well as in taiwan, where fireworks shot out from taipei's largest skyscraper state tv in north rea also showed large crowds watching performances and fireworks. the tightly controlled country has given no indicion of how widespread covid-19 is there.an meile, here at home, the iconic ball will drop in times square in new york, but for the trst time in decades, the site will be closed othe public. the countdown will be televised, but only the production crew and selected front line workers an their families will be in attendance. firework displays in las vegas and san francisco are also canceled this year. >> brown: for most, then, a new enars eve like no other, t a year like no other. for the pbs newshour, i'm jeffrey brown. >> woodruff: president trump is spending new year's eve in washington, after returning early from his mar-a-lago resoro inrida. he arrived at the white house this afternoon, but took nos questid gave no reason for coming back a day before he had planned. president-elect biden spent new year's eve privately, in rehoboth beach, delaware. nebraska senator ben sass

they wrap up some of the military, political and economic pressure that has been deployed against taipei over the past few years. how concerned are you about that problem? and what steps do you think? in addition to the other issue of arms sales, can be other like-minded partners as well preserves international states for taiwan. >> guest: this goes back to one thing i been pleasantly surprised by the administration. they have been engaging significantly with taiwan both economically and on measures related to covid-19. the administration has taken a number of steps that signals investment in the relationship including something senior officials visited the island earlier this year. hhs secretary is there the under secretary for growth environment was there. these are the highest ranking members of the u.s. government to visit taiwan and literally decades. i think that while it has been an unprecedented, those visits are in line with the established u.s. policy. i think we need to continue this type of visits. and to raise up the level of engagement with more secretary or cabinet level b

i think a tougher stance towards taipei, the territorial disputes in the south china sea, also they want to remain a key player in the korea peninsula and i think they also are very much -- seeing their approach to how their fighting epidemics and pandemics as a better model for the world. but i do agree with tom that china is a bubble that never pops, edit the were to pop there would be many other things that would be popping first. >> ninety, joyce. really appreciate that. let's turn to helge now. >> all right. thank you. scott, you can hear me? >> yes. >> super. tom, this is a fantastic book. i already told you earlier i actually bought it even though i didn't have to and so i didn't have to take the pledge. i think it has important messages for china today but i think it's also -- someone who knows a country so will there still want to learn and is looking back to history to do it, i think we all need to. what i would like as in the site is you are describing a very competent subject. there are many things architecting to form the whole and it's really hard to think about general cri

among other things he authored the taipei act which the president signed into law earlier this year. legislation that makes it u.s. policy to support taiwan's efforts to strengthen its relationships with countries in the indo-pacific and around the world. a free, prosperous, and safe taiwan is in the interest of the united states and cory understands this well. madam president, in addition to being one of the hardest working people you will ever meet, cory also is one of the most pleasant. he has an upbeat personality and a contagious cheer. in committee hearings and melgs are always -- meetings are always more enjoyable when he's around. he's been called a happy warrior and i think it's a fitting title. he's an eternal optimist. i don't mean that in a naive, wide eyed sort of way. he's well aware of the challenges we face in our nation and around the world but he generally believes in our country and our ability as citizens and members of congress to make life better for our fellow americans. over six years here in the senate he has helped make life better. for his constituents and