Translated by Marie Fole
The international community depends on the Central News Agency for information about Taiwan. The agency’s website, Focus Taiwan (http://focustaiwan.tw), is one of the few English-language websites to cover local news and the only English-language website in Taiwan to provide real-time news coverage. The website is being revised in two stages to create a sharper, more effective layout. The revamped website opens Taiwan up to English-speakers by featuring a variety of news in a format that even allows users to browse round-the-clock coverage on their mobile phones.
中央通訊社一直是國外人士了解台灣的重要資訊來源。其英文網站（http://focustaiwan.tw）是台灣少數英文新聞網站之一，也是台灣唯一以英文即時報導要聞的網站。Focus Taiwan近期內進行兩次改版，呈現更為簡潔的版面設計，讓英語閱讀的網路使用者能透過這個即時、多元化的新聞平台認識台灣，同時也可透過無線網路在手機瀏覽Focus Taiwan的即時新聞。
As an English-language news channel, Focus Taiwan publishes original content from the Central News Agency, editorials from local newspapers, and top stories from Taiwan’s headlines. For example, after the devastating earthquake that struck Japan on the afternoon of March 11, Focus Taiwan reported 15 stories about the disaster before the day had even ended. Story topics included tsunami warnings for Taiwan, the government response to the disaster, developments concerning overseas compatriots residing in Japan, and plans to dispatch rescue teams.
Focus Taiwan作為台灣英文新聞的平台，除了中央社社稿，也提供台灣主要報紙的社論摘譯，以及當日台灣最受關注的議題或事件。以3月11日日本發生強震當天為例，Focus Taiwan從下午事發到午夜，就發出15則台灣日本震災反應的相關報導，內容涵蓋台灣海嘯警報、政府因應措施、旅日台僑安危和救難隊準備出發等等。
Focus Taiwan’s home page includes two special sections, “Talk of the Day” and “Taiwan Editorial Abstracts,” which draw stories from various media outlets and diverse points of view. The general news is displayed on the home page in eight sections: “Politics,” “Economy,” “Sports,” “Culture,” “Society,” “Living,” “People,” and “Arts & Recreation.” Sections are accessed by clicking on the section tab. Users can also view a sampling of the best images in the news at “Photos of the Day.” And on the right side of the home page, users can read special reports compiled from magazines in “Magazine Digest,” and keep track of the expatriate community and their interactions with local Taiwanese in “International Communities.” Focus Taiwan’s revamped website is more interactive and integrates social media such as Facebook and Twitter into the new layout, allowing users to voice their comments.
Focus Taiwan針對不同媒體不同角度報導的摘要整理，分別呈現在Talk of the Day及Taiwan Editorial Abstracts兩個欄位。而各類新聞綜覽分成八個部分：政治、經濟、運動、文化、社會、生活、人物，以及藝術與休閒，點選類別即可看到所有相關新聞。此外還有當天的精彩新聞照片，在Photos of the Day專區。頁面的右邊有兩個專區，Magazine Digest裡面有各雜誌的專題報導，而International Communities專欄則記載在台灣的外國機構、社團和外籍人士的活動，以及他們與台灣的互動。另外，改版後的Focus Taiwan加強與讀者互動，有「臉書」和「推特」平台讓讀者發表意見。
Taiwan is an international economic power that maintains close ties with mainland China and plays a key role in Southeast Asia. Focus Taiwan is a free and convenient source of information for non-Chinese speakers in government, academia, and business who need to keep abreast of political, economic, and social developments in Taiwan. At the same time, as an English-language news channel, Focus Taiwan is an invaluable resource for local students and members of the public who would like to learn how to use English to discuss current events in Taiwan.
台灣是世界經貿大國，與中國大陸關係緊密，在東亞佔有重要地位，許多外國官員、學者和企業界人士高度關注台灣政經與社會發展，完全免費的Focus Taiwan為這些無法閱讀中文的讀者提供便捷、豐富的新聞資訊。此外，對於想要以英文表達台灣各項發展與新聞事件的台灣學生或一般民眾而言，Focus Taiwan的新聞也有很大助益。
The website has even garnered the praise of President Ma Ying-jeou, who acknowledged Focus Taiwan’s role as a quality news channel serving the international community. The president asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Government Information Office to promote the website to more Americans and to ensure that the international community can focus on Taiwan.
總統馬英九也對於Focus Taiwan提供國外多元資訊管道表示肯定，他同時要求外交部與行政院新聞局應讓更多美方相關人士，也能透過Focus Taiwan了解台灣，透過這個網站，讓國際更能「Focus Taiwan」。
