TAA San Francisco Chapter

06/01/2026

🌌 Have you ever seen the ocean glow in the dark?

Each spring, the waters around Taiwan’s Matsu Islands come alive with the magical “Blue Tears” — a breathtaking bioluminescent phenomenon that transforms the sea into a shimmering blue dreamscape.

Discover the stories, science, and beauty behind one of Taiwan’s most enchanting natural wonders in this fascinating article from Taiwan Panorama.

Read more at the link below! ✨💙

https://www.taiwan-panorama.com/en/Articles/Details?Guid=4c8df5e7-f225-4af2-ade9-c6b7302c5667&langId=3&CatId=10&postname=Tales%20of%20the%20Bioluminescent%20Sea%3A%20-Chasing%20the%20%E2%80%9CBlue%20Tears%E2%80%9D%20of%20Matsu%20

台灣光華雜誌 Taiwan Panorama

Between April and June each year, the most common question locals on the Matsu Islands are asked is: “Will there be tears tonight?” These “tears” refer to the now-famous phenomenon known as “Blue Tears.” This glowing marine spectacle, once listed by CNN as one of....

05/28/2026

【2026 RunSpace Innovation Challenge 】 – Apply Now
To boost Taiwan’s space industry capabilities, the Executive Yuan has launched the “Space Industry Promotion and Talent Development Plan”. This initiative, supported by the National Science and Technology Council, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Digital Affairs, and the Ministry of Education, focuses on satellite technology development, industry advancement, and talent cultivation. The aim is to elevate Taiwan’s space technology and the whole industry, while promoting growth in the local satellite sector.
The RunSpace Innovation Challenge, organized by the Industrial Development Administration (IDA), is now officially open for its 5th year!
Welcome talents from all backgrounds, nationalities, and age groups. In previous years, we’ve seen successful teams combining expertise in Engineering, Information Management, Business, Design, and Law to create groundbreaking space applications. Now, it’s your turn to define the frontier of space!

🔹Application Deadline: Now until June 30, 13:00 (Taiwan Time, UTC+8)

🔹 Two Main Categories: 🛰️
Implementation Category: Focuses on technical mastery and theoretical depth to enhance space technology and its practical applications. Proposed by international space companies

🔹 Sponsor Special Topic: Partnering with Japanese lunar exploration company ispace. Challenge the "Micromission to the Moon" by proposing innovative payload design concepts (No hands-on required).

💰Awards
🏆 Implementation Category: 1st Prize NTD 350,000; 2nd Prize NTD 150,000; 3rd Prize NTD 100,000; Finalist Award NTD 6,000 (15 teams)
🏆 Sponsor Special Topic: Winner NTD 20,000 + visit to ispace’s Tokyo headquarters and industry exchange

🔎 More details & registration: https://eii.nat.gov.tw/satcom/zh-tw/runspace

05/26/2026

🌲 Taiwan’s forests hold stories far older than many people realize.

The Island and the Trees (神木之島) follows a journey deep into Taiwan’s ancient forests in search of the island’s tallest trees, revealing a side of Taiwan that many have never seen before.

Discover the beauty, biodiversity, and hidden wonders of Taiwan through this remarkable documentary. 🎬

05/21/2026

📚🌞 Registration for the 2026 Bay Area Library Summer Mandarin Classes is Now Open!
Interested in learning Mandarin and exploring Taiwanese culture? This summer, the Education Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco is partnering with libraries across the Bay Area to offer free Mandarin classes for adults, children, and learners of all ages!
🗓 Program Dates: June–August 2026
📍 Locations: Participating libraries throughout the Bay Area
💰 Cost: Free and open to the public
Participating library locations include:
📖 San Francisco
📖 Cupertino
📖 Berkeley
📖 San Leandro
📖 Campbell
📖 Fremont
🔎For course information and registration links, please visit:
https://2026summermandarinclass.my.canva.site/
Feel free to share with friends and family who may be interested, and join us for a summer of language learning and cultural discovery! ✨

05/20/2026

🏆 A Historic Win for Taiwan! "Taiwan Travelogue" Wins the 2026 International Booker Prize! 🎉
History has been made! Huge congratulations to Taiwanese author Yang Shuang-zi and translator Lin King! Their incredible novel, Taiwan Travelogue, has officially won the prestigious International Booker Prize 2026! 👑

This is a monumental milestone—marking the first time ever that a book from Taiwan, and the first-ever Mandarin-language original, has taken home this world-class literary award.

Set in 1930s colonial Taiwan, the book was praised by judges as a "deeply moving, intellectually thrilling book that celebrates the power of fiction to cross boundaries."

"Taiwan has its own history, its own voice... This award belongs to that voice." > — Author Yang Shuang-zi in her acceptance speech.

Thank you for bringing Taiwan’s unique voice, history, and stories to global readers! 🇹🇼📚

Photo credit: The Booker Prizes

05/18/2026

Sustainable Silicon:
TSMC’s Innovative Model of Environmental Stewardship

As the world advances in technology, how can sustainability keep pace? Discover how Taiwan is exploring new ways to balance high-tech development with environmental responsibility.

Read the full story below ↓

https://www.taiwan-panorama.com/en/Articles/Details?Guid=af44488b-f290-47ed-8f17-f495e1353a93&langId=3&CatId=9&postname=Sustainable%20Silicon%3A%20-TSMC%E2%80%99s%20Innovative%20Model%20of%20Environmental%20Stewardship

台灣光華雜誌 Taiwan Panorama

It cannot be overstated how important water is to semiconductor wafer fabs. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has set a goal of becoming “water positive” by 2030, meaning that the company will replenish more water than it consumes. Striving to maximize the efficient use o...

05/15/2026

Uncover the treasures of Taiwan! 🔍
From traditional glove puppetry to the breathtaking views of Mt. Jade, there’s so much beauty to discover while learning the language. Check out these cultural highlights!

🔍 Uncover the Treasures of Taiwan: What's Inside the Taiwan Lightbox?

✨ Curious about Taiwan? Beyond being the ultimate destination to learn Mandarin, it's an island packed with rich heritage and breathtaking views.

🎭 1. Glove Puppetry
Dive into traditional Taiwanese folklore! These intricately crafted puppets bring ancient myths and martial arts epics to life through mesmerizing traditional theater and music.

⛰️ 2. Mt. Jade
Conquer the roof of East Asia! Standing proudly at 3,952 meters, Taiwan's highest peak offers stunning alpine sea-of-clouds vistas and unforgettable hiking adventures.

🖌️ 3. Calligraphy Brush
Experience the elegance of Traditional characters. Calligraphy is more than just writing; it’s a meditative art form that connects you to centuries of history and linguistic beauty.

Explore Taiwan’s treasures—start with these key words:
🎭 Glove Puppetry 布袋戲 bù dài xì
⛰️ Mt. Jade 玉山 yù shān
🖌️ Calligraphy Brush 毛筆 máo bǐ

Catch Us on Your Commute:
✈️ Taoyuan Airport (TPE): Terminal 1 Arrival Concourse
🚇 Taipei MRT: Nangang Exhibition Center Station, Xinpu Station
🚇 Kaohsiung MRT: Yanchengpu Station

The world's best classrooms are right here. Immerse yourself in the culture, nature, and art in Taiwan!

學華語到臺灣 (Xué Huá Yǔ Dào Tái Wān) — Come learn Mandarin in Taiwan!

🚩If you want to learn more practical knowledge, visit the Taiwan Mandarin Educational Resources Center (臺灣華語教育資源中心) website and find the self-learning area for more information.

🔗 https://lmit.edu.tw/lc/learning

#臺灣華語教育資源中心

05/13/2026

Step into the misty forests of southern Taiwan and discover the timeless beauty of Grandma Baleng 🌲✨

05/11/2026

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2026 Outstanding Graduate Student Award! 🎓✨
Their stories reflect the growth, resilience, and meaningful experiences gained through studying in Taiwan. From academic achievement to personal transformation, these journeys highlight the impact of international education and cultural exchange. 🌏🇹🇼

05/07/2026

A masterpiece made to burn. ✨

Check out the incredible craft of Master Li Qingrong. Blending tradition with a modern soul, he brings Taipei’s "Fire Lion" to life. A beautiful ritual of faith and fire!