Harassed family planners hope to bring down population growth to 1.62 per cent a year by 1982. The government is giving them NT$581 million to do the job.
Taiwan has the second highest population density in the world. Bangladesh is No, 1. The population density of Taiwan was 468 persons per square kilometer at the end of 1977.
Population stood at 17,409,579 as of the end of October. Males outnumbered females by 776,943 persons.
The Executive Yuan has approved a second three-year family planning program for fiscal 1980 through 1982.
The rate of natural increase reached 3.68 per cent in 1956 and family planning began in 1964. The natural increase was 1.82 per cent in 1975 but rose to 2.12 per cent in 1976, the auspicious Year of the Dragon by the lunar calendar.
Popular belief has it that babies born in a Dragon year will do well. As a result, 423,000 babies were born in 1976 compared with 368,000 in 1975.
City population density increases
Population density in Taipei City has increased to 7,818 persons per square kilometer and in Kaohsiung City to 9,155 persons. This reflects acceleration of the farm-to-city movement.
A Taiwan Provincial Health Department report noted that the two cities are plagued by traffic jams, soaring land and housing costs and an insufficiency of public facilities.
Most of those leaving the countryside are young. In 1977, the average age of farmers and fishermen was 40.4 compared with the 33.2 for the whole working population.
Officials fear that the exodus of more highly educated young people from rural to urban areas will obstruct government efforts to modernize agriculture.
The department also reported a growing imbalance between the populous western plain and eastern Taiwan.
Juvenile crime prevention stressed
The First Asian-Pacific Conference on Juvenile Delinquency in Taipei agreed that prevention is more important than treatment.
Dr. Hwang Chen-hou, professor of educational psychology at National Taiwan Normal University summed up these other conclusions of the three-day meeting:
- Juvenile delinquency involves the changing conditions of society.
This is everybody's problem.
- Research is important.
- Roots of the problem must be found in individual cases.
- Different cultural back grounds require specialization.
Too many graduates, too few jobs
Although workers are in short supply, many college graduates cannot find jobs.
The National Youth Commission helps place college graduates in suitable jobs and sponsors vocational training.
Classes in business administration and secretarial skills have been held for college graduates.
The government offers loans to young people to start businesses. Amounts may be increased.
The commission hopes to help find jobs for 80 percent of 23,000 college graduates in 1981.
Western Pacific problems studied
A seminar on Western Pacific community problems was held in Taipei with some 60 scholars and experts from home and abroad participating.
The three-day seminar was sponsored by the Freedom Council, a private organization established to promote people-to-people diplomacy after severance of Taipei-U.S. diplomatic ties.
Dr. Chang King-yuh, professor and deputy director of the Institute of International Relations of National Chengchi University, presided.
Dr. Norman Podhoretz, editor of Commentary of New York, said the Iranian crisis has brought national unity among Americans. He said Americans will be more willing to participate in world affairs.
Dr. Joseph K. Twanmoh, president of Soochow University, said economic development is not a universal panacea.
"Economic development creates an interdependence which can be a curse as much as a blessing," he said. "We have to work to create the community relations which make this interdependence an asset rather than a liability. We need to work toward a viable community in the Western Pacific."
IOC criticized for playing politics
U.S. Representative Jack Kemp of New York criticized the International Olympic Committee for caving in to the pressure of the Peiping regime.
In a written statement in the Congressional Record. Kemp said IOC's order to the Republic of China to change its national flag and its national anthem is contrary to the principles of brotherhood, fair competition and universality.
Kemp, a former athlete, said the victims of IOC politics are the athletes of the Republic of China. "Years of disciplined training and hard work as well as their pride will be lost if the IOC's decision is allowed to prevail," he said.
Noting that the Republic of China had not broken any rules of the International Olympic Committee, the U.S. Congressman said he could not comprehend the IOC decision.
"This unjust decision reaffirms my belief that the integrity of the IOC's governing body began crumbling when the Trudeau government in Canada insisted that the Republic of China change its name as a condition for participation in the 1976 games in Montreal," he said.
The Washington Star criticized the International Olympic Committee for acquiescing in Chinese Communist political demands.
The paper said the IOC demand that the Republic of China's name be suppressed "will not appeal to fair-minded people."
Three films entered in Texas festival
The Republic of China announced plans to participate in the HEMISFILM '80 competition by submitting three films to the festival in San Antonio, Texas.
Chia Lee, director of the Southern Office of Information and Communication Division, Coordination Council for North American Affairs, called on Louis Reile, executive director of HEMISFILM '80, to present the ROC's list of entries: "That Unforgettable Day," a feature film, and two documentaries, "Dr. Lee's World of Insects" and "Tidbits of Taiwan."
Reile noted that Free China has won three awards in the international film festival. "Buffalo Revolution" was a documentary winner in 1979.
The 14th annual international festival will make awards in 11 categories.
Christmas cards more popular
The demand for Christmas cards increased by 10 to 12 per cent last year.
The number was estimated at 9.2 million.
This reflects a rising living standard and acceptance of the concept of card exchange as an expression of friendliness.
International mail is catching up with local mail in Taipei.
In the December 15-19 period, the number of inter national pieces exceeded that of local Taipei mail.
Philharmonic hits last sour note
The Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra, plagued by cacophony from the beginning, struck its last discord.
The Cathay Organization, which supported the orchestra, decided to disband it. Musicians were given separation pay.
The board of trustees blamed disinterest and said it is difficult to recruit and keep qualified musicians.
New members of the board did not agree on the use of funds for the orchestra.
Funds will be shifted to support of dance, Peiping opera and drama.
The Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra was established in September, 1978. It gave a dozen concerts under conductor Helen Quach, who protested against the disbandment.
Five foreigners cited for deeds
Five foreigners selected as "good persons of exemplary deeds" attended a citation ceremony at the Taipei City Auditorium.
Sister Stella Smith, 75, American, provides medical care to the needy of Matsu inland and teaches English.
Graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Sister Smith came to the Republic of China because of her interest in Chinese culture. She established a clinic treating patients without charge.
Dr. David Landsdorough, president of a Christian hospital in Changhua, west central Taiwan, has provided medical care and helped the poor for 27 years.
The 65-year-old Englishman was born in Changhua. He served Chinese soldiers in Fukien during World War II.
"Bill," an American engineer, came to Taiwan to help search for oil.
He is training Chinese technicians.
Ted Skiles established a home for children at Ilan in eastern Taiwan.
Sister Madeleine Seberens from Belgium helps the old and ailing of Matsu and gives shelters to orphans.
Fifty-eight persons were selected as "good persons of exemplary deeds" this year.
Cabinet supports sports expansion
The Cabinet has approved a sports promotion program and appropriated NT$370 million for this year.
Premier Y.S. Sun called on the business community to provide support.
Major projects include a 50,000-seat stadium in Taipei and improvement of existing stadiums elsewhere.
Counties and cities without stadiums are asked to build them in two years.
A national sports park is planned at Linkou near Taipei.
Other activities include training, participation in more international competitions and exchange visits with foreign athletes.
Drumrights return for Taiwan visit
Their memories of the Republic of China have never faded. But after a 17-year absence, Everett Drumright, former U.S. ambassador to Taipei (1958-62), and his wife, Florence, found a new and even more attractive country.
Continuing economic development is most impressive. The Drumrights describe progress as "from pedicab to Mercedes Benz."
The indomitable spirit of the people and government here impressed the couple, especially after the severance of Taipei-Washington ties.
"We're distressed by the regrettable U.S. action," Drumright said. "Angry," added Mrs. Drumright. "It was a completely unjustified, unnecessary tragedy," Drumright said.
"When I was in Taipei, the top priority was to assist the government and people in promoting prosperity and stability and to ensure security and defense against the Communists," the former envoy said.
"My government may not reject relations with Peiping but it will not abandon the Republic of China."
Cyclists don't like helmets
Gentle persuasion has failed to make motorcyclists wear crash helmets. The government is not sure whether compulsory measures will work.
Reviewing the "helmet for your own safety" drive, the Ministry of Communications came to the conclusion it had been a flop.
Over 300,000 helmets the government ordered for sale to motorists are gathering dust in a warehouse.
The number of motorcyclists dying of head injuries is in creasing.
However, the ministry is hesitant to resort to compulsion because the helmets are rejected as hot and uncomfortable.
Taiwan has about 3 million motorcycles.
Rural health program planned
The provincial administration will initiate a rural health insurance program in fiscal 1981 on an experimental basis, Governor Lin Yang-kang said.
If the experiment turns out well, the program will be enlarged.
Lin said the Cabinet has appropriated NT$400 million to improve health facilities in rural areas.
The governor said the provincial budget for fiscal 1980 includes an agricultural development fund of NT$2,260 million, up 57.77 per cent compared with fiscal 1979.
Government will promote a proxy farming system to enlarge the size of farms.
Other measures will include stepped-up research and development, balancing of supply and demand and guaranteed minimum prices for crops.
Survey times child accidents
Kindergarten children are most accident prone between 10 and 11 a.m., a survey by the National Defense Medical Center showed.
The survey was conducted by Professor Tu Yu-lan of the Public Health Department, National Defense Medical Center. She observed 3,000 children at 18 Taipei kindergartens over a year's period with the help of nurses and parents.
Kindergarten children are most accident prone between 10 and 11 a.m. and again between 2 and 4 p.m. She thinks children are either hungry or tired during these hours.
Forty-one per cent of accidents occurred at home, 26 per cent at school, 13 per cent on the streets and 9 per cent in the classroom.
Of the 859 injured, 689 required little or no treatment. Only 5 required hospitalization.
The Department of Social Medicine of the National Defense Medical Center reported accidental deaths have inched up to the No. 3 spot among the top 10 killers, next only to heart attacks and cancer, in the last 20 years.
Deaths in motorcycle accidents have shown the fastest rise —24 times among men and 8 times among women.
Center observes Year of the Child
More than 500 children joined in games arranged by the Free China Relief Association to mark the International Year of the Child at the Taipei Child Welfare Center.
The center gives shelter to children aged 3 to 15 who have lost one or both parents, for refugee children and for those whose families are impoverished.
More than 400 children are housed in 38 cottages, each with a housemother.
Children are encouraged to participate in activities according to age.
Assistance is given by Boy and Girl Scouts and youth associations.
Facilities include a reading room, swimming pool and basketball court.
Lung cancer takes more lives
Incidence of lung cancer is on the rise in Taiwan, Dr. Peng Jui-peng, chief of the Chest Disease Center, Veterans General Hospital, warned.
Lung cancer was the No. 3 killer in 1977. Since 1972, lung cancer patients have accounted for 46 per cent of in-patients at the Chest Disease Center.
Lung cancer is closely related to smoking, air pollution and arsenical poisoning.
In the United States, deaths from lung cancer have doubled in 10 years.
More mainlanders suffer from lung cancer than those born in Taiwan. People from Szechwan and Shantung are especially susceptible.
The rate of recovery is relatively low, mainly because lung cancer is not easy to spot.
Culture series to be published
The Committee for Chinese Cultural Renaissance will publish 50 titles in the Chinese Culture Series within the next two years to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of China, former President C. K. Yen announced.
Yen said the committee has decided to publish 159 titles in five years.
The editorial board has divisions for philosophy, ethics, literature, arts, politics, law, economic affairs, education, social affairs, social conduct, national defense and science and technology.
Yen said the compilation is aimed at fusing China's culture with the academic thought of the West and promoting Chinese cultural renaissance.