星期六, 4月 09, 2016

西安高新區代表團首次訪波士頓 扶持創業資助最高5000萬元

西安高新區副書記楊仁華(左)回答現場提問。(周菊子攝)
             (Boston Orange 周菊子劍橋市報導) 西安高新技術業開發區代表團一行六人,四月八日在劍橋市艾美酒店(Le Meridien)舉辦“海外高層次人才創新創業洽談會”,闡述到西安創業,有營運開銷平均是沿海城市的60~70%左右,政府扶持資金最高人民幣五千萬元等優勢,請有心人到西安看看。
西安高新區副書記楊仁華(左起),馬寧,白聞之等人現場回
答問題。(周菊子攝)
        中國大陸各省市派到波士頓來招商引智的代表團,這些年絡繹不絕,北京市投資局更是幾乎每年報到一次,但仍有許多省市還從沒來過,地處內陸的陝西省西安市就是其中之一。8 日晚在紐英崙中華資訊網路協會(NECINA)協助推廣下,有不下五、六十人出席。
            西安高新區副書記楊仁華,投資促進一局副局長馬寧,人才服務中心主任白聞之,綜合保稅區管理辦公室主任孫臻等人,8日晚在會中分別介紹了西安市及高新區概況,以及特殊人才跨越計畫等政府配套扶持政策。
楊仁華(中)現場聽取企業計畫簡報。(周菊子攝)
            西安高新區是1991年首批成立的國家高新產業開發區,既是科技部確定的六大建設世界一流科技園區之一,也在2015年獲國務院批為國家自主創新示範區。2015年的園區營收1.27萬億元,在中國高新區中排名第三。
楊仁華指出,西安刻正打造“一帶一路”的創新之都,要以新一代信息技術和高端裝備製造為方向,推動生物醫藥,節能環保,新材料和科技服務等領域的發展。為吸引人才,政府訂出了“千人計畫”,“萬人計畫“,留學回國人才創業,科技人才創業,在校或畢業未滿五年大學生創業等許多優惠政策,
白聞之匯報,西安高新區現有37萬從業人員,其中13%有博士學位,78%學歷為大專以上,教育水平在全國高新區中排名在前。為吸引人才,團隊到西安創業,高新區內不但設有一站式服務處,也提供醫療護理,子女就學等各種配套優惠。
西安的目標行業包括電子信息,生物製藥,新材料,新能源,環保等。 世界五百強公司中,例如強森製藥(Johnson & Johnson)已投資三億元,進駐西安。

西安高新區綜合保稅區管理辦公室主任孫臻(中)為段可(左起),
Selina,莫升元夫婦,解答商稅問題。(周菊子攝)
西安代表團此行訪美,預定八天內拜訪四個城市,包括洛杉磯,達拉斯,波士頓,以及多倫多。波士頓市第三站。

星期五, 4月 08, 2016

MFA展亞洲藝術 芬紐市場水果上樹了


               (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)波士頓美術博物館(MFA)從4月3日起到7月17日止,正以“亞洲巨型城市(Megacities Asia)“為主題,展出11名藝術家的19件雕塑或裝置藝術作品。
               這些藝術家,來自北京,上海,德里,孟買,首爾等亞洲超大城市,用碟子,塑膠袋,自行車及學童揹包等等,各城市人們日常見得到物品或生活用品,別出心裁的做成各種藝術品,讓人思考藝術家們對那些城市的政治,環境及社會狀況的觀察,看法。
韓國領事館駐波士頓總領事OHM Song-jun(右一)特地出席,
和波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)合影。(周菊子攝)
               這些作品,從杭廷頓道波士頓美術館門前的一巨型紅色蓮花起,如巨型城市的蜿蜒迴轉,佔據了波士頓美術博物館的每一個角落,還延展到芬紐廳的昆西市場(Quincy Market)。
              4月8日那天,波士頓美術博物館還邀請波士頓市長馬丁華殊到市政府大樓對面的昆西市場(Quincy Market),主持高23呎水果蔬菜樹充氣儀式,在幾十人圍觀中,看著五彩繽紛,形狀如水果,蔬菜的氣球,慢慢的充氣,膨脹,升高。
             那是南韓藝術家崔正華(Choi Jeong Hwa)用市場及99分錢店買來的廉價塑膠品做成的的“煉金術”充氣水果樹。
              中國著名異議藝術家艾未未(Ai Weiwei)有兩項作品獲選參展,其中之一2003年作品,放在“夏丕若家族庭院( Shapiro Family Courtyard)”,名為“永遠”,用64輛永遠牌鋼鐵自行車做成的高塔,以及2009年作品, 放在家族廊,用學童書包堆成的“蛇天花板(snake ceiling)“。

             獲選參展的華裔藝術家及作品,還包括北京尹秀珍(Yin Xiuzhen)用建築物拆遷遺留橡膠改造成的藝術品。宋冬的2005-2006年作品,“貧民智慧:與鴿為伍(Wisdom of the Poor: Living with Pigeons ),讓人們回憶起北京人如何把屋頂都建成合作公社的互動建築雕塑,以及上海胡項城的2016年作品,“家外之門,回家之門(Doors Away from Home—Doors Back Home ),用明清朝代房屋拆下來的門窗,和視頻影像投射交錯,創造出別有一番味道的感覺。(更新版)



緬因州參、眾議會通過友好決議,讚揚臺灣民主

緬因州參、眾議會於本(4)月7日晚間通過共同決議案,重申該州與中華民國的友好關係,讚揚中華民國選出首位女性總統之民主成就,支持加強美國及緬因州與臺灣之雙邊關係,並支持臺灣積極參與國際社會。
駐波士頓辦事處指出,該決議案重申中華民國與美國基於自由、民主、法治與市場經濟等共同價之重要關係;讚揚馬總統致力民主、維繫繁榮、提高臺灣國際地位及強化臺美關係之貢獻。
決議案並恭賀臺灣人民於今(2016)年元月選出蔡英文女士為首位女性總統之成就,她自1200餘萬張選票中獲56%之支持而當選,並將於5月20日就任。
該決議案另強調中華民國與美國及緬因州悠久密切之雙邊經貿、教育、文化、科技及觀光交流,臺灣也是美國「免簽證計畫」之一員。臺灣且為全球第19大貿易國家,為「亞太經合會」(APEC)之一員,經濟實力強大。
該決議案也支持臺灣加入「聯合國氣候變遷綱要公約」(UNFCCC)及其他國際組織與協議。
駐波士頓辦事處表示,根據統計去(2015)年全美計32個州議會通過各類友好決議案,今年新英格蘭地區迄已有羅德島州、佛蒙特州及緬因州議會通過類似決議案。緬因州除議會昨日通過該決議案外,州長Paul LePage及參議長Michael Thibodeau、眾議長Mark Eves日前亦分別致函我國總統當選人蔡英文女士,祝賀當選。

(駐波士頓台北經文處供稿) 

MAYOR WALSH ENSURES ACCESS TO EARLY VOTING IN BOSTON

MAYOR WALSH ENSURES ACCESS TO EARLY VOTING IN BOSTON
Early Voting Sites to be available in each City Council District with extended hours
BOSTON - Friday, April 8, 2016 - With high-turnout expected in Boston for the November 2016 election, Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced that the City of Boston will open nine early voting sites, one in each City Council District with weekend and evening hours, to ensure that all voters have equitable access to the polls this November.  
 
The Early Voting Initiative will make participation more convenient for all, particularly those with work schedules, family obligations or other obstacles to going to the polls. To promote access across the city, the Mayor has committed $670,000 to meet and exceed the state requirement of one early voting site to be open during normal business hours.
"A vibrant democracy is one where every resident has the opportunity to have their voice heard," said Mayor Walsh. "I am pleased that in Massachusetts, we have taken a significant step forward by passing election reforms that allow for early voting. Here in Boston, we are committed to giving all of our residents the opportunity to participate."  
 
In 2014, Massachusetts passed an election reform law allowing for early voting. This year, the Early Voting period will begin on Monday, October 24, 2016 and end on Friday, November 4, 2016. Election Day is Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
 
The Mayor's Election Advisory Committee and the Boston Redevelopment Authority's Research Department are currently assisting the Election Department in developing a detailed plan that incorporates several early voting proposals for public input and feedback. A plan will be submitted to the Boston Election Commission for approval by summer 2016. 

龍應台 4/9 到波士頓大學台灣論壇演講

Taiwan Forum Public Lecture at Boston University

Topic: Leadership in Social Activism and Policy in Asia Today
Speaker: Dr. Lung Yingtai, Former Minister of Culture of Taiwan, Celebrated Writer & Public Intellectual
Time: Saturday, April 9, 11:15 am – 12:45 pm
Place: 765 Commonwealth Ave., Room 103, Law School, Boston University
Lung Yingtai, former Minister of Culture, is also a celebrated writer, literary critic and public intellectual. Having written 30 books, Lung not only has a large number of devoted readers in her native Taiwan, but her works also have great influence in the Chinese-language world in Hong Kong, China, and North America.
Please click the link below for registration:
bu.edu/asian
著名作家暨前文化部長龍應台女士,應波士頓大學亞洲研究中心辦理臺灣論壇之邀,將於4/9在該校演講。

時間: 4/9 上午 11:15am - 12:45 pm 
地點: BU Pardee School of Global Studies, 121 Bay State Rd.,
講題: Leadership and policy Making 

詳細資料,請參見經文處教育
組網站: 
有意參加者, 請務必先上網 http://www.bu.edu/asian,進入RSVP填資料, 勾選 Workshop Session 2 (Saturday, April 9)

星期四, 4月 07, 2016

“燎原”匯聚星火建平台助留學生創業


“燎原”的四名共同創辦人,右起,李琛,王涵,伭奧,
沈瞳一起切蛋糕,慶祝公司正式推出產品。(周菊子攝)
 大波士百分之百由留建,針對創業籌劃的社交路平台燎原46日晚在波士事置地中心(Landmark Center8正式推出品,4名共同創辦人首次袂亮相。燎原王涵,營運長伭奧,技術長沈瞳,市銷長李琛四人都是留生,在留生活中遇上正在創業的彼此,越聊越投契,分享經驗時發現問題差不多,管他原本各自有不同的創業項目,一,二年下,他琢磨出一共同方向,整合他已有的經驗,利用大數據科技,助其他的留創業,融,招聘,拓展市
紐約眾本等投150200元之後,燎原從華森市搬到波士市,租下2000多平方呎的公室,陸續招兵買馬,如今已是一有十名全,加上兼共三十多人的公司。
管他目前的經營方式是走公益路,盈利模式不明,但展前途似乎非常明亮,在洛杉,矽谷,紐約,波士,上海都公室。燎原,填詳實資料,在燎原平台上和有心創業者互會員,都已有上人。
46日晚,他們辦產發佈會,一方面燎原社交平台正式上,一方面自己招聘,甚至出推成功有一千元的鼓












MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF LEAD REPLACEMENT INCENTIVE PROGRAM FOR BOSTON'S HOMEOWNERS

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF LEAD REPLACEMENT INCENTIVE PROGRAM FOR BOSTON'S HOMEOWNERS
Program Designed to Protect the Health and Safety of Boston's Residents from Lead 
BOSTON - Thursday, April 7, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the expansion of Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC) Lead Replacement Incentive Program to encourage Boston's homeowners to replace private lead water service at their property.

"The health and safety of our residents is our top priority and in Boston we are making significant strides towards replacing the remaining lead pipes across the city," said Mayor Walsh. "It is our hope that residents will take advantage of this program to replace lead water service at their property to help us move the City of Boston towards a safer housing stock and a healthier city."

This program expands eligibility to properties of all types including commercial, with lead service lines two inches or smaller. The expansion doubles available financial assistance in the form of a credit of up to $2,000 to homeowners who utilize a BWSC contractor to replace lead pipes on their property. Another incentive includes an interest free loan for up to 48 months for eligible property owners.

Under the previous incentive program, eligibility was restricted to one, two and three family residential properties and financial assistance was limited to a credit of up to $1,000 with an interest free loan of 24 months.

The redesigned program highlights the Administration's commitment to protecting the health and safety of Boston's residents. Excessive amounts of lead in the body can cause health risks, especially to young children and pregnant women.

Since 2005, the Program was responsible for replacing 1,391 private lead services.  

For more information about the program, residents are encouraged to call the Lead Hotline at: 617-989-7888 or click here.