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Kinmen officials to visit Beijing for tourism talks
Explore how Kinmen County Council Speaker Hung Yun-tien and KMT legislator Chen Yu-chen aim to boost cross-strait tourism by leading a delegation to Beijing on Aug. 21. They plan to discuss reopening tourism and propose initiatives to strengthen ties.
2024/08/21 10:47
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VP highlights benefits of Taiwan-U.S. medical collaboration
Discover how Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao highlights the significance of Taiwan-U.S. cooperation in public health during a meeting with Brad Wenstrup, focusing on mutual support and the impact of COVID-19.
2024/08/21 09:38
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Taiwan sees COVID-19 cases drop for sixth week in a row
Discover how Taiwan’s CDC plans to rename COVID-19 and reduce reporting burdens on medical institutions as cases decline for the sixth consecutive week. Learn about the new criteria and strategic adjustments.
2024/08/20 18:05
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Taiwan reports record COVID-19 complications in a week
Discover the latest on Taiwan’s COVID-19 surge: CDC reports a record high in complications and predicts a peak in mid-July, with a stark warning on vaccination rates.
2024/07/02 17:21
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Taoyuan police cafeteria keeps lunch prices low for 20 years
Discover how the Taoyuan Police Department’s cafeteria has kept its lunch prices unchanged at NT$60 for nearly 20 years, offering a cost-effective dining option amid rising living costs. Learn about the historic cafeteria’s operations, post-pandemic changes, and the retirement of key figure Fan Yang-lung.
2024/07/01 16:44
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Taiwan braces for COVID-19 surge, peak expected in July
Discover the latest on Taiwan’s COVID-19 situation: CDC predicts the sixth wave’s peak in mid-July with cases possibly exceeding 100,000. Learn about the government’s response and antiviral drug supply updates.
2024/06/28 09:58
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Pandemic boom in Taiwan’s food delivery fades as fees bite
Discover how high commission fees charged by food delivery platforms are causing restaurants to reconsider their use, amidst a shifting market dynamic and consumer behavior, according to a recent report.
2024/06/27 16:17
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Taiwan battles triple virus outbreak, including COVID surge
Discover how Tainan is leading the way in outdoor education safety and curriculum development, making it the first among Taiwan’s six municipalities to implement new regulations.
2024/06/26 10:49
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Taiwan to distribute 3M free COVID-19 tests amid sixth wave
Discover how Taiwan is combating the latest COVID-19 wave by distributing 3 million free home testing kits nationwide through clinics, aiming to enhance early detection and support public health.
2024/06/12 17:04
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Taiwan aims to share health expertise despite WHA exclusion
Discover why Taiwan’s exclusion from the World Health Assembly sparks debate over its global health contributions and the quest for international recognition. Read insights from Ray Ming-tse Lu on Taiwan’s readiness to share its health care expertise.
2024/05/27 15:46
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Taiwan’s military faces recruitment challenge
Explore how Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense is tackling the challenges of declining conscription and volunteer numbers due to lower birth rates and COVID-19, with strategies for improvement.
2024/05/27 11:04
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Guatemala supports Taiwan’s bid for WHO observer status
Taiwan’s ambassador to Guatemala, Miguel Tsao, advocates for Taiwan’s inclusion in the World Health Assembly, highlighting the nation’s effective response to public health emergencies like COVID-19. Despite contributions to global health, political barriers prevent Taiwan’s WHO participation. Tsao urges international support for Taiwan’s observer status, emphasizing the benefits of Taiwan’s expertise in combating pandemics.
2024/05/08 16:54
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Taiwan rolls out 10M free COVID-19 test kits at pharmacies
Explore the initiative by Taiwan’s CDC and the Federation of Taiwan Pharmacists Associations to distribute 10 million free COVID-19 home test kits across over 4,500 pharmacies. Starting May 6, with full availability by May 8, each visitor can receive a test kit, aiming to maintain vigilance against COVID-19 amidst ongoing cases and deaths. This measure follows the WHO’s classification of COVID-19 as a persistent health issue and extends the support previously given to international travelers. The initiative encourages responsible collection and use of these crucial health tools.
2024/05/06 14:29
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Xi Jinping to visit Europe, first trip since COVID outbreak
Explore Chinese President Xi Jinping’s first visit to Europe since the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to enhance China-Europe relations and address trade disputes from May 5-11.
2024/04/30 16:14
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Cross-Strait tourism: Taiwan ready, awaiting China’s reply
Explore the ongoing discussions and developments in cross-strait tourism between Taiwan and China, highlighting the efforts and challenges faced by both sides in resuming travel exchanges amidst diplomatic tensions and the COVID-19 pandemic.
2024/04/26 13:20
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Joseph Wu: From top diplomat to national security chief
Joseph Wu Jaushieh, with over six years as Taiwan’s foreign minister, is set to become the National Security Council’s secretary-general. Known for his "unconventional" approach and handling of crises like the China-US trade war and COVID-19, Wu significantly enhanced Taiwan-US relations and worked on expanding ties with Central and Eastern Europe. Despite losing eight diplomatic allies under China’s pressure, his extensive international experience is seen as a valuable asset in his new role.
2024/04/25 17:34
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Sinologist Dali Yang discusses new book on pandemic
Dali Yang, an American sinologist, discusses his book "Wuhan" which analyzes China’s initial Covid-19 response. He highlights the need for transparency and the impact on international relations.
2024/04/25 09:59
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Taiwan’s rising rents: pandemic, war, and interest rates
the year-over-year (YoY) rate in the rent index has been around 2% for the past two years, a relatively high level. The YoY growth rate in March was 2.24%, the highest increase in the past year. Over the past decade, the average annual increase in the rent index was 1.1%. However, since July 2022, the growth has exceeded 2% and has remained at this level. DGBAS officials pointed out three main factors that contributed to the rise in rent. First, the cost of maintaining houses has increased. In recent years, the increase in residential maintenance costs has been significant, with a sharp rise of 5.8% in 2022 and increases of over 3% in 2023 and 2024.
2024/04/12 18:00
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Wang Kwo-tsai addresses Taoyuan airport’s ranking plunge
Taiwan’s Minister of Transportation and Communications Wang Kwo-tsai addresses the decline in Taoyuan International Airport’s global ranking, citing the closure of airport shops during the COVID-19 pandemic as a key factor. The airport’s drop from 13th to 82nd in passenger voting for the world’s best airports over the last four years has prompted calls for review by the Taoyuan International Airport Corporation Ltd. Wang emphasizes the impact of passenger perception on airport rankings, highlighting the challenges faced by the airport due to the closure of shops and recent delays caused by maintenance work on the South Runway.
2024/03/06 11:45
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Flu emergency visits decline amidst high vaccination rates
This year’s flu season during the Lunar New Year has been relatively mild, potentially due to higher flu vaccination rates and continued mask-wearing, according to Philip Lo, the Deputy Director-General and spokesperson for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Typically, flu cases surge before and after the Lunar New Year, with the second day of the new year being the busiest for emergency rooms. Despite higher numbers in recent years, this year’s figures are considered mild compared to the pre-pandemic period. On the second day of the Lunar New Year, 6,787 individuals sought emergency care for flu-like symptoms. In previous years, the corresponding numbers were 4,313 in 2023, 1,564 in 2022, 2,458 in 2021, 9,240 in 2020, and 7,983 in 2019. Lo emphasized the need to monitor the potential impact of large gatherings as schools reopen and the travel season begins. In terms of vaccine stock, there are still 82,000 doses of the flu vaccine available, along with 226,000 doses of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine and 4.38 million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Lo urged eligible individuals to get vaccinated promptly to enhance their protection.
2024/02/15 17:26
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Excessive screen time contributes to Myopia surge in Taiwan
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a detrimental effect on Taiwanese students’ eyesight, with 81.61% of high-school students, 73.16% of junior high school students, and 45.23% of elementary students experiencing poor eyesight in the 2022-2023 academic year. Excessive use of electronic devices, such as smartphones and tablets, is a major contributing factor to the prevalence of myopia, the most common eye condition among children. A survey conducted by the Child Welfare League Foundation in 2019 found that the average age at which children own their first phone is ten. Ophthalmologists warn that individuals with myopia over 500 degrees are three times more likely to develop glaucoma and 5.5 times more likely to develop cataracts compared to their peers. The risks escalate for those with myopia over 700 degrees, as they are 44 times more likely to experience retinal detachment and 127 times more likely to suffer macular degeneration. Even successful myopia laser correction does not eliminate the potential risks of ocular diseases, as thinning of eye tissues and elongation of the eye axis persist. The golden period for myopia control is considered to be between 3 to 18 years of age, and various strategies such as increased outdoor activities, the use of mydriatic agents, Orthokeratology, daily disposable contact lenses designed for myopia control, and the latest children’s vision management lenses can be employed. These alarming rates highlight the urgent need to strike a balance between technology use and effective prevention strategies and early treatment for Taiwanese children.
2024/01/03 20:06
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CDC provides COVID-19 test kits tests at Taoyuan Airport
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has begun distributing COVID-19 rapid test kits to travelers at Taoyuan International Airport in Taipei. The kits are available in the reception areas and exit halls of both terminals, and each traveler is eligible to receive one kit regardless of age. The decision was made in response to the increasing rates of respiratory diseases worldwide. The CDC Deputy Director-General, Philip Lo, stated that the peak of the COVID-19 surge in Taiwan is expected to be in mid-to-late January, with a possible rise after the Lunar New Year holidays. Travelers have expressed appreciation for the policy, with many noting how thoughtful and helpful the Taiwanese government is. The distribution of test kits may continue after the Lunar New Year holidays, depending on the international and domestic pandemic conditions.
2024/01/03 18:05
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Premier Chen defends Medigen vaccine confidentiality deal
Premier Chen Chien-jen discusses the pricing process and confidentiality agreements surrounding Medigen vaccines, stating that negotiations with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are ongoing. As a publicly listed company, any decisions about publicizing the government contract require shareholders’ approval. Chen emphasizes the government’s belief in vaccination as the best measure against the pandemic. Medigen had positive results from phase one trials and clinical experiments, leading to phase two development. The World Health Organization (WHO) conducted unity trials with four other countries after being unable to proceed with phase three trials due to Taiwan’s low COVID-19 case statistics. Chen disputes rumors about a 30-year embargo on clinical results, calling it fake news and clarifying that all official documents have a preservation period. He also refutes accusations that over a thousand Medigen shareholders are members of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), calling them "imaginary numerical figures." Chen hopes to disclose the information as soon as possible to maintain public trust, but it can only happen after negotiations and respecting existing confidentiality agreements.
2024/01/03 17:07
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Hou Yu-ih lists DPP’s ’top ten’ policy failures in 8 years
The Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate, Hou Yu-ih, listed the ten major policy failures of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) during a livestream presidential debate. These failures include ineffective energy policies, food safety violations, deteriorated public security, debt burdening future generations, critical issues in people’s livelihoods, housing injustice, rising cross-strait military threats, plummeting wages, skyrocketing house prices, and ineffective pandemic responses. Hou elaborated on specific examples such as solar power corruption, tainted food black market dealings, overspending on "forward-looking" infrastructures, a lack of electricity and water, regulatory failure in the National Communications Commission (NCC), failed social housing policies, the threatening potential of military conflict, income inequality at a ten-year high, and around 20,000 deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hou expressed regret over his opponent, DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te’s campaign methods, accusing him of slander and displaying incompetence and unscrupulousness. Hou confirmed his opposition to Taiwanese independence while claiming that Lai advocated for it. He also criticized former Taipei Mayor and current Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je for not responding to this issue. Hou emphasized his lifelong pledge to remain loyal to the Republic of China’s flag and safeguard Taiwan’s democratic freedom.
2023/12/30 15:47
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KMT’s Hou Yu-ih slams DPP’s COVID-19 response in debate
Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih criticized the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for their mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic during a live presidential debate. Hou specifically targeted DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te, accusing him of neglect during the outbreak. Hou further claimed that Lai focused on issues surrounding his family home’s illegal expansion claim instead of caring for the public. As the former mayor of New Taipei City, Hou stated that any pandemic-related advice proposed to the central government was denied. He also criticized the DPP government for shortages of anti-epidemic supplies and food safety issues. Hou emphasized the need to establish a special investigation team to probe malpractices in the DPP’s pandemic approach. Additionally, he questioned Lai’s advocacy for Taiwanese independence, suggesting that it could escalate cross-strait tensions. Hou criticized Lai’s tactics as underestimating the intelligence of the Taiwanese people and disrespecting the Republic of China (Taiwan). He portrayed Lai as ungrateful and not trustworthy for Taiwan.
2023/12/30 15:23