Office 結果共352筆

President Tsai Ing-wen inaugurates the 32nd Taipei International Book Exhibition (TiBE), promoting exploration through reading and knowledge. The event, themed ＂Catch the Reading Wave,＂ showcases strategies to support the publishing industry and features 509 publishers from 34 countries. Attendees include Deputy Culture Minister Lee Ching-hwi and the Netherlands Office in Taipei director. The fair offers incentives like ticket discounts and free entry for readers under 18, with the Netherlands as the theme country, highlighting Dutch diversity and inclusivity.

Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu and Deputy Speaker Johnny Chiang meet with AIT Director Sandra Oudkirk, presenting a New Year couplet to enhance Taiwan-U.S. relations. Oudkirk, the first ambassador Han has met since taking office, showed proficiency in Chinese during the meeting. The event included a public reception and a private discussion lasting about 50 minutes.

Renowned human rights lawyer Chen Chun-han, a legislator-at-large from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), passed away at the age of 40 due to complications from a cold. Despite living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), Chen earned law doctorates from National Taiwan University, Harvard University, and the University of Michigan. DPP caucus whip Ker Chien-ming and his office are assisting with the funeral arrangements to ensure Chen’s life ends on a fulfilling note. Chen’s passing has left many in shock and mourning, not only for his political role but also for his exceptional contributions as a champion of life in the face of adversity.

New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih calls for appropriate resolution of issues between Taiwan and China following a tragic incident where a Chinese speedboat capsized, resulting in two fatalities. Hou acknowledges the efforts of the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) and expresses regret over the incident. The Chinese speedboat trespassed into Kinmen waters and evaded the CGA before capsizing, leading to condemnation from China’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO). Hou emphasizes the need to address minor incidents to prevent larger disputes and conflicts. He suggests treating each other equitably and proactively confronting potential catalysts for confrontation, seeking appropriate solutions to avoid future disputes.

A recent fishing boat incident involving a Chinese fishing boat illegally crossing boundaries and subsequently capsizing due to the Taiwanese coast guard’s expulsion efforts has caused tension between Taiwan and China. Two individuals tragically drowned in the incident. Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council has assured prompt communication of investigation results with Chinese authorities, aiming to maintain solid cross-strait ties. China has accused Taiwan of precipitating such events, blaming aggressive boat seizures and assertive treatment of mainland fishermen. The Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) has strongly condemned the incident, laying blame on the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration. Former Global Times Editor-in-Chief Hu Xijin has criticized Taiwan’s law enforcement, suggesting it may constitute involuntary manslaughter. In 2023 alone, there were 1,191 registered cases of Chinese fishing boats crossing the maritime boundary, consistently surpassing a thousand annually. Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration, in accordance with the ＂Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area,＂ retains the right to expel, detain, hold in custody, fine, confiscate fishing equipment, and seize hauls and boats.

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) strongly condemns Taiwan for its treatment of Chinese fishermen after a speedboat capsized in Kinmen waters, resulting in two deaths. The mainland speedboat had breached the Kinmen maritime boundary and was pursued by Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration. After refusing inspection, the boat capsized and two crew members died. The TAO expresses condolences to the victims’ families and demands Taiwan to investigate the incident and assist the families. They also warn Taiwan to respect the historical fishing operations in the Taiwan Strait and ensure the safety of mainland fishermen.

Taiwan’s ally Guatemala is considering establishing formal trade ties with China, according to the country’s Foreign Minister Carlos Ramiro Martinez. He proposed the creation of a ’trade representative office’ to assist Guatemalan products in finding a market in China. While many Central American countries have switched recognition to China, Guatemala remains one of the twelve countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

Taipei’s Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare questions Taichung City’s decision to publicly announce the presence of Cimbuterol in local pork produce, insisting on a thorough investigation before disclosure. Taichung City’s Office of Food and Drug Safety found the banned substance in frozen pork slices produced by TaiSugar. The city health bureau defended the immediate announcement, citing the need to protect consumers and citizens’ health interests. The Executive Yuan expressed doubts about the test results, citing unusually low levels of Cimbuterol detected and suggesting further investigations. Taichung City’s Office of Food and Drug Safety informed Pingtung County’s Public Health Bureau and Tainan’s Public Health Bureau for further investigation. Organizations like the Executive Yuan’s Consumer Protection Committee and the Consumers’ Foundation tend to directly announce results when adulterated products are found, justifying Taichung’s disclosure. The office conducted three tests using two methodologies, with one result exceeding the quantitative limit. Only TaiSugar’s product tested positive for Cimbuterol. TaiSugar has called for a re-examination of the test results and sent the sample to the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Food and Drug Administration for reinspection.

National Taiwan University (NTU) has announced the graduate thesis quality and review standards for over 40 departments or degree programs, with the exception of the department involved in past plagiarism disputes. The Graduate Institute of National Development, which was implicated in the rescission of degrees awarded to former Hsinchu City mayor Lin Chih-chien and Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan, has not yet released its thesis verification policy. In response, NTU’s Office of Academic Affairs expressed regret over the disputes and implemented measures to enhance the quality of graduate theses. Some departments are still discussing the new directions. Under the new policy, each department is required to establish their own evaluation mechanisms, which may include limitations on the number of graduate students per professor, originality standards for theses, and a threshold for acceptable content similarity.

Kuomintang (KMT) legislator Han Kuo-yu has been elected as the speaker of Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan, with Johnny Chiang as his deputy. As speaker, Han is responsible for maintaining order in the legislative body and overseeing legislative matters. According to the ＂Act Governing the Discipline of Legislators,＂ Han’s monthly salary is equivalent to that of central government department heads, amounting to NT$346,960, with an additional special remuneration of NT$79,100. Johnny Chiang, as deputy speaker, will earn a monthly salary of approximately NT$229,860. Legislators in Taiwan receive an average monthly salary of about NT$190,500, along with an annual bonus equivalent to 1.5 months’ salary. Han’s role grants him decisive power in the event of tied votes or disputes over legislation, giving him a significant role in shaping future policy.

Former agent of CPBL Rakuten Monkeys’ cheerleading team, Stanley Chen, was arrested by the Taoyuan District Court for private dealings involving the cheerleaders. Chen confessed to breach of trust and misappropriation of business, with evidence supporting serious suspicions, involving approximately NT＄26 million. The case was initially reported by the Rakuten Monkeys team to the Taoyuan District Prosecutors Office and the Agency Against Corruption in 2023. Chen and the team’s former manager, Pu Wei-ching, were questioned after searches were conducted. Four cheerleaders, business persons, and others were also summoned for statements. Pu was released on bail for NT＄500,000, while the prosecutor requested the court to detain Chen.

Newly elected legislators, including prominent figures from various parties such as Han Kuo-yu and Hsieh Lung-chieh from the Kuomintang (KMT), Wang Shih-chien from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), and Huang Kuo-chang from the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), gathered at the Legislative Yuan to take the oath of office and participate in a group photo. Legislative Speaker You Si-kun, despite only serving one term, was placed in the center of the photo, flanked by the DPP’s caucus convener Ker Chien-ming and the KMT’s Lai Shyh-bao, who has served eight straight terms. The event was filled with a dynamic ambiance due to the presence of these experienced legislators.

The 11th session of the Legislative Yuan commenced on February 1, with legislators taking their oaths of office under the supervision of Grand Justice Lu Tai-lang. Before the inauguration, the lawmakers gathered for group photos and exchanged congratulations. Following the oath-taking, each legislator signed their pledge, which was then sent to the Judicial Yuan for record-keeping. A group photo was taken to commemorate the occasion. The day’s events also included a vote for the speaker of the Legislative Yuan, with the counting of votes expected to begin at noon. These solemn ceremonies serve as a reminder to legislators of their responsibilities and commitments as representatives of the people.

Following the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union (EU), Taiwan’s representative to the UK, Vincent Yao, stated that Brexit has allowed the UK to establish closer economic ties with Taiwan, potentially helping Taiwan resist China’s attempts to isolate it. Taiwan is also increasingly investing in the UK, with the goal of becoming the UK’s primary trading partner in Europe. Additionally, strengthening UK-Taiwan trade relations could benefit the UK by providing access to Taiwan’s key industries, such as semiconductors. The bilateral relationship between Taiwan and the UK is reflected in the increase of UK government officials posted to Taiwan and the expansion of the UK office in Taipei. Collaboration between the two countries extends to areas such as artificial intelligence, offshore wind power, and electric vehicle batteries. However, there is still room for further development in bilateral cooperation.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Finance’s National Treasury Administration is reminding parents to claim their remaining NT$6,000 subsidies for newborns before 5 p.m. on Jan. 31. Out of the 35,000 eligible newborns, approximately 33,500 have already received their benefits. Parents need to present identification papers and the birth certificate of their newborn at the post office counter to receive the subsidies. If someone else is collecting on their behalf, they must also provide identification. In cases where the birth mother is not eligible, birth registration and confirmation of the father’s eligibility are required. The government does not send text messages or emails regarding money collection or enrollment, and will not ask for bank transfers over phone calls. If individuals encounter suspicious websites or messages, they should report it immediately by dialing the 165 anti-fraud hotline.

Housing prices in the Science Park in Taibao, Chiai County, have significantly increased due to the possibility of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) establishing a 1-nanometer factory in the area. Although the news is not confirmed, the anticipation has led to a surge in pre-sale housing prices, with pre-sale apartment buildings increasing by 8.8% and townhouses rising by 12.6% between 2019 and 2023. TSMC has expressed its land needs to the Southern Taiwan Science Park Management Office, but the final decision to set up the factory depends on various factors. According to the Ministry of the Interior’s statistics, the price per ping in Chiayi County has soared by 65% from NT$101,500 to NT$167,100 between the first quarter of 2018 and the third quarter of 2023. Analysts believe this trend could continue as Chiayi County actively promotes industrial transformation and has six emerging industrial parks, including the potential site for the TSMC factory, the Chiayi Science Park. With the addition of nearby Tai Sugar Corporation’s land, it may meet TSMC’s requirement for a 100-ping plant. Despite the migration issue in predominantly agricultural Chiayi County, TSMC’s factory has the potential to stimulate the housing market by attracting younger out-of-town individuals and influencing the county’s buying and leasing market.

The Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) China Affairs Department has called on Beijing to realistically confront cross-strait relations. This plea comes in response to a recent statement by China’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO), which claimed that the Taiwan election results do not represent the majority’s views and reiterated that ＂Taiwan is China’s Taiwan.＂ Following Taiwan’s elections, Nauru, a Pacific island nation, severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan. The DPP criticized the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for exploiting Nauru’s financial difficulties and coaxing the country into establishing diplomatic relations with China. The DPP’s China Affairs Department reaffirmed that its chairman, Lai Ching-te, has consistently stated his commitment to maintaining the status quo under the constitutional system of the Republic of China (R.O.C.). Lai advocated for dialogue and cooperation with China based on parity and dignity. The DPP’s China Affairs Department condemned the CCP’s suppressive measures against Taiwan and urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to publicly pledge not to unilaterally alter the status quo across the Taiwan Strait using military force. Despite Lai Ching-te’s stance on dialogue and cooperation, Beijing has continued to disregard Taiwan.

Premier Chen Chien-jen’s planned mass resignation was averted by President Tsai Ing-wen, leading to concerns of potential government paralysis as the old cabinet faces a new legislature. Kuomintang (KMT) legislator Lee De-wei warned of a standstill, while DPP legislator Chung Chia-pin argued for the president’s right to choose cabinet members. The government’s decision to stay in office until May 20 could have significant consequences with the new legislature commencing on Feb. 1.

In a recent TAO briefing, spokesperson Chen Binhua addressed foreign media queries on Taiwan’s unification with China and the impact of the island’s local elections on cross-strait relations. The session reiterated China’s steadfast stance on unification as a core interest, despite changing political dynamics in Taiwan.

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) spokesperson, Chen Binhua, insists that cross-strait communication can only proceed based on the 1992 Consensus, which upholds the principle of one China. President-elect Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has called for dialogue instead of confrontation, emphasizing that cross-strait exchanges can minimize risks and achieve peace. However, TAO argues that the DPP’s insistence on Taiwanese independence hinders interactions with China. Professor Kuo Yu-jen of National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU) criticizes the KMT candidate’s acceptance of the 1992 Consensus but rejection of ＂one country, two systems＂ as naive and dangerous. Kuo highlights that the One China principle places Taiwan at a disadvantage in negotiations.

President Lai Ching-te has announced his departure from the New Tide faction of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) following the conclusion of the 2024 presidential race. The decision was supported by the New Tide office, recognizing the president’s role in leading the government and symbolizing party unity. Discussions about Lai’s withdrawal began prior to the election, making it unnecessary to explore who initiated the departure. Former legislator Tuan Yi-kang expressed that it is better for the country if President Lai, as the head of state, is no longer a member of New Tide. The New Tide faction, established in 1983, is one of the main factions within the DPP and consists of editors and writers from ＂The Movement＂ magazine. Known for its firm beliefs and strict discipline, the faction is considered the most combat-ready within the DPP. The decision of President Lai is further emphasized by frequent public criticisms from Ko Wen-je, chairman of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), who has targeted issues of corruption and fraud within the New Tide faction.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China objected to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s congratulatory message to President-elect Lai Ching-te, citing a violation of the ＂One China＂ principle and the diplomatic tie agreement between China and the Philippines. China’s Foreign Affairs office expressed strong dissatisfaction with Marcos Jr.’s remarks and lodged a vehement protest. An assistant minister of the Agricultural Finance Ministry summoned the Philippine ambassador to China over the matter. China urged the Philippines to refrain from making erroneous statements and actions regarding Taiwan and to respect the ＂One China＂ principle in order to maintain robust and stable China-Philippine relations.

Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. breaks tradition by congratulating Taiwan’s president-elect Lai Ching-te on his victory, a rare gesture due to the Philippines’ adherence to the ＂One-China policy＂ since 1975. Marcos Jr., in his social media post, referred to Lai as ＂Taiwan’s president＂ for the first time since taking office. He expressed his hopes for stronger ties between the two nations, emphasizing collaboration, mutual interests, peace, and prosperity in the future.

Taiwan expresses strong regret and denounces the Republic of Nauru’s decision to sever diplomatic relations and establish ties with China as misguided and not beneficial for its people or regional stability. The Taiwanese Presidential Office highlights that Beijing’s diplomatic suppression is seen as retaliation against democratic values and a challenge to international stability. This move by Nauru reduces Taiwan’s diplomatic allies to twelve, marking the loss of its tenth ally since Tsai Ing-wen became president in 2016. Financial shortfalls resulting from the closure of Australia’s Nauru Regional Processing Center and other factors, such as Nauru’s request for economic aid and the closure of the Nauru branch of the Australian Bendigo Bank, have contributed to the strained Taiwan-Nauru relations.

In Taiwan’s latest election, with a turnout expected to rival 2020’s, citizens eagerly await the announcement of their new president. The election’s outcome, especially its impact on Taiwan-China relations, is closely monitored.