Xin Yage

Students have held Taiwan's legislative building for five days now, calling on President Ma Ying-jeou to meet them. Now, the standoff is turning into a political confrontation between the ruling KMT and the opposition.

Thousands of young people stop parliament to express opposition to the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement with mainland China. As police surround the protesters, political leaders appeal for calm.

The tragic death of a young soldier, who died from excessively harsh punishment, sparked a heated debate in the island over the military and its internal rules. Now new regulations have been adopted to ensure justice for soldiers.

Missionaries need to understand the ecclesial and cultural context, not just the local language. Topics include: overcoming the culture shock, communications, university life, young people, immigrants.

Beijing recognises Taipei's importance as an international stopover for Chinese nationals travelling to other destinations. Direct flights across the Strait are also set to increase in April to 858 each year.

A digital and animated exhibition in Taipei, a movie about his life ( 1688-1766 ) . He painted pictures of emperors, concubines and especially horses. His gifts of spiritual and cultural dialogue also appreciated by actors and directors. DVD soon to be released in Chinese, English and Italian.

Born to a Brazilian mother and a Taiwanese father, the young man is back in Taiwan after losing his family in South America. Through the efforts of the Taiwan Catholic Mission Foundation, he was able to close a long chapter in his life. He can always come "when he wants to visit the place where his Dad is buried."

Beili, 35, has spent 10 years in prison where he learned to paint. He now works with Fr. Barry, a well-respected Catholic artist, to produce religious stained glass and mosaics. And he goes back to jail but as an art teacher: "I thank God for all the gifts you gave me ."

Catholics and secularists are discussing a bill that would recognise a new kind of family, to include same-sex partners, common law couples and extended families. Terms would also change as "man" and "woman" would be replaced by "two parties", and "husband and wife" would be replaced by "spouses" or "companions".

The "Golden Horse , the oldest and most important film festival in the Asian world, awards Singapore's Anthony Chen’s "Ilo Ilo" best film. It analyzes the relationship between a wealthy family in the city - state and their Filipino maid. Awards also go to a Taiwanese documentary on environmental protection and the "disarming honesty" of the Chinese "Back to 1942 ", which brings the horrors of famine during the war with Japan to the big screen.

The John Tung Foundation presented in Taipei the results of a survey conducted this summer on depression among women, an issue that touches about 1.2 million in Taiwan. Engaging in sport activities is a way to counter the problem. This coming Sunday, a cycling race will be held to support research and help prevention.

The government fines two companies that made edible oils adulterated with a copper complex of chlorophyllin and sold it as 'extra-virgin olive oil'. Consumers are exasperated by the constant problems with food safety.