Taiwan free-market 結果共4筆

Explore how Premier Chen Chien-jen addresses Taiwan’s wealth gap, highlighting the disparity between the top and bottom income groups and the government’s commitment to narrowing this gap through economic and social welfare measures.

Taiwanese job market trends are shifting, with professional certifications carrying more weight than before, according to a report by 104 Human Resource Consulting Services Company. The study found that the number of job openings requiring certifications in 2023 had increased by 8.1% compared to the previous year. Prospective employees with certifications received 35% more interview invitations than those without. English, Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Thai are the most sought-after languages by employers, with the rise of the Korean Wave contributing to a significant increase in demand for Korean translation. Similarly, Thai language proficiency has witnessed an 11.9% increase due to businesses expanding into Southeast Asia. The sectors most in need of language capabilities are media, research and development, and senior management. Young professionals under 39 focus on acquiring career-boosting professional and language skills, while those over 40 diversify their learning to prepare for their career’s ＂second curve.＂ Despite the availability of free online resources, working professionals prefer paid learning, with 30.8% setting a learning budget within NT＄5,000. When it comes to investing in certifications, 37.5% are willing to spend over N＄$20,000, reflecting the value placed on formal qualifications in today’s competitive job market.

Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) is set to undergo corporatization on January 1, 2024, with the aim of improving punctuality and reducing delays. The agency believes that this transformation, along with the introduction of new trains next year, will enhance its competitiveness in the transport market. The Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) has experienced increased passenger numbers recently, leading to capacity shortages and overcrowding in non-reserved seating. Concerns have been raised about the decline in THSR service quality, with some referring to it as ＂high-speed rail becoming like local trains.＂ Under the new Taiwan Railways Corporation, TRA plans to offer services on the eastern main line and support the western short-to-medium-haul network, creating a cooperative yet competitive relationship with THSR. TRA aims to enhance the passenger experience by updating ticket gates and passenger information systems across all railway stations in Taiwan over the next three years. To address the capacity issue, TRA plans to provide shuttle services at Changhua Station and improve inter-rail transfer services. The establishment of the TRA corporation aims to clarify its market positioning, including strengthening intercity transport service between the eastern and western main lines and improving regional commuting transport on the western line. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) has established a debt repayment fund to address TRA’s short-term debt of around NT$170 billion, with the goal of making TRA debt-free by 2025 and profitable by 2028. Post-corporatization, TRA plans to increase revenue and optimize asset management through flexible approaches such as joint development initiatives and land rights establishment.

The George Washington University Professor Robert Sutter argues that Taiwan’s elections have little impact on U.S. policy towards the island, but the upcoming U.S. presidential election in 2024 could be significant. Both political parties in the U.S. and Congress have prioritized defending American interests and countering China’s actions, with Taiwan playing an increasingly important role. Taiwan’s strategic position, high-tech development, democratic politics, and free market economy have influenced the international order and led to stronger U.S. support. Sutter predicts that if Lai Ching-te, the Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate, wins the election, U.S.-Taiwan cooperation will further deepen. However, Sutter also suggests that the 2024 U.S. election, particularly if a candidate with an ＂America First＂ stance like Donald Trump prevails, could bring a shift in U.S. policy consistency towards Taiwan and pose challenges in countering China’s provocations.