Amid global acclaim and with just 48 hours' rations left, the 33 trapped Chilean miners were rescued from a collapsed mine. Who could forget that scene? Still now we can remember the emotional scenes but less is known about the technology behind the dramatic rescue.

The Chilean-made 'Phoenix' capsule, played the main part and hauled the miners to safety after they had been trapped 600 metres below the earth's surface for 69 days. From Planet Technology, two types of electronic equipment were used - infrared internet cameras and a 'Media Converter'; These devices also played a less heralded but significant part in this rescue mission. The Taipei-based Planet Technology company has explained that this type of equipment is usually used by industrial companies for their waterproof and dust-repellent properties.

In order to aid the rescue, the IR internet camera was lowered down the tiny borehole drilled into a collapsed mine to allow the miners to communicate with the outside world and for their activity to be viewed through image sensors. This enabled the miners, plus mining officials and rescue workers above ground to prepare and plan for the rescue with more detailed information.

Reflecting on the success of the operation, Lin Man-zu of Planet Technology, said, "It was a task to enable the cameras and converters to work under a humid, hot and dark environment that was 624 metres underground. But we are delighted to have contributed to the release of the miners." Mr. Lin believed completely in the contribution made by their equipment in the rescue and he believes it may result in a rapid change attitude in general towards products from Taiwan. He has been leading his company members to concentrate more on product quality and innovationon rather than on quantity for mass production. According to Martin Banks, the author of The Parliament.com, in his report he indicated that the message of Mr. Lin Man-zu is likely to resonate with the European commission, one of whose "EU2020" flagship policies - the so-called 'Innovation Union' - aims to promote innovative practices in the EU.

Renowned for its manufacturing prowess, with the participation in international assistance and charitable work, Taiwan will continue to earn global respect for its technological innovations as well as for its good deeds.