Taiwanese citizens 結果共40筆

A new poll conducted by Formosa Magazine shows that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) ticket of Lai Ching-te and Hsiao Bi-khim is leading with 40.1% support, followed by the Kuomintang (KMT) duo Hou Yu-ih and Jaw Shaw-kong with 31.6%. The Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) pair Ko Wen-je and Cynthia Wu received the lowest support at 14.8%. The survey also revealed that 3.3% of respondents would not vote or cast an invalid vote, and 10.2% were undecided. The poll shows a slight increase of 1.8 percentage points for the Lai-Hsiao alliance, a 0.2 percentage point rise for the Hou-Jaw ticket, and no change for the Ko-Wu ticket compared to the previous poll. In terms of party governance preferences, 35.3% favored the DPP staying in power, while 29.1% supported a handover to the KMT, and 13.3% were in favor of the TPP. Additionally, 47% disagreed with the idea of voting for the opposition party with the highest level of support to remove the ruling party, while 41.1% agreed. The poll interviewed 1,201 Taiwanese citizens aged 20 and above across 22 counties and cities using computer-assisted telephone interviewing from Dec. 4 to Dec. 6. The confidence level was at 95% with a maximum sampling error of ±2.8%.

Taipei City Councilor Chen Yi-chun has expressed concerns about stealthy trips organized by local community leaders to China, questioning whether they could be instances of ＂red infiltration.＂ Chen highlighted a heavily subsidized trip advertised as a ＂Wuxi Community Exchange Study,＂ which cost participants just NT＄15,000 and included flights, hospitality, and lodging. She suggested that the trip seemed imbued with Chinese propaganda, as it included visits to historical towns, canal boat tours, and a Belt and Road Initiative silk factory, with a guide from the National People’s Congress Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party. Chen raised concerns about potential organized red infiltration, as local leaders covertly rallied groups and secretly canvassed like-minded community members to join the trip. She also questioned whether the Chinese Communist Party could be using these excursions to influence the votes of Taiwanese local residents in anticipation of Taiwan’s 2024 Presidential Election. Chen argued that the CCP could be engaging in a multifaceted campaign, including cognitive warfare and expansive propaganda, with the latest strategy involving ground-level infiltration to sway Taiwan’s electorate. She called for Taiwan’s national security agencies to remain vigilant and advised citizens to foster security awareness to guard against possible election meddling strategies by the CCP.

The Taiwanese government plans to prioritize repaying public debt by using tax revenue that exceeds budget projections, according to Finance Minister Chuang Tsui-yun. The total budget for debt repayment in 2023, amounting to NT＄111 billion, was fully executed by June, with an additional NT＄15 billion paid in November. Chuang emphasized that if there is a surplus in the year-end financial outcome, the nation’s resources should be allocated for optimal use. The surplus in tax revenue will be apportioned first to debt repayment in accordance with the regulations of the Public Debt Act. Tax revenue for the first ten months of the year reached NT＄3.0223 trillion, setting a record high for the same period compared to previous years, with a 6.9% increase. It is expected that full-year tax revenue will surpass budget estimates by NT＄300 billion to NT＄370 billion. The opposition party has called for a redistribution of the tax benefits back to the citizens.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is currently verifying reports that Myanmar has handed over six Taiwanese telecom fraudsters to China. The MOFA is working with the Ministry of Justice, National Police Agency, and National Immigration Agency to bring these stranded citizens back to Taiwan. Myanmar’s Wa State, known for its independent judicial system and close ties with China, is where the transfer took place. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Myanmar is actively assisting Taiwanese citizens in their return. This is the first public announcement by Myanmar of transferring Taiwanese individuals involved in telecom fraud.

Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) minister has stated that multiple channels have been used to raise awareness of the ＂Online Registration System for Taiwanese Citizens Visiting Mainland China.＂ The system was implemented in January 2023 to improve emergency assistance services for travelers. However, out of over one million Taiwanese nationals who visited China from January to September, only around 2,000 registered with the system, resulting in a usage rate of just 0.19%. MAC Minister Chiu Tai-san acknowledged the low uptake and stated that efforts have been made to promote the system, including engaging travel agencies. Legislator Chuang Jui-hsiung highlighted that in August alone, over 200,000 people traveled from Taiwan to China, but only 554 registrations were made. Minister Chiu explained that registration is voluntary, and if citizens do not anticipate encountering problems in mainland China, it is challenging for the ministry to enforce it. In response to calls for increased promotion, Chiu promised that MAC colleagues would intensify efforts to raise awareness about the registration system.

Taiwanese citizens express their dissatisfaction with the new road regulations implemented on July 1 through social media, sharing stories of the consequences of violating the rules. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) amended Section 43 of the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act, imposing fines and driving bans for drivers exceeding the speed limit by more than 40 kilometers per hour. Offenders also face a six-month license suspension. Despite Taiwan’s reputation for bad traffic behavior, some argue that the previous threshold of exceeding the speed limit by 60 kilometers per hour should be reinstated. The MOTC asserts that managing speed is crucial for road safety worldwide and considers excessive speeding a serious offense. They emphasize that higher speeds limit a driver’s field of vision and reaction time, urging citizens to comply with traffic rules without presuming luck.

The All-Out Defense Mobilization Agency, in collaboration with Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense and Ministry of the Interior, is working to enhance citizens’ defense capability in response to a legislator’s proposal to arm every citizen in Taiwan. This comes as the Republic of China faces frequent military exercises from mainland China, leading to increased tensions in the Taiwan Strait. Authorities pledge to adjust civil defense team grouping to achieve the concept of all-out defense.

A poll released by the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) shows that nearly 90% of Taiwanese citizens support the government’s stance on defending the nation’s sovereignty and independence against increasing pressures from China. The poll also reveals that 80% of the people disagree with China’s proposal to rule over Taiwan based on the ＂one country, two systems＂ policy.

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Australia has alerted Australian law enforcement agencies to help apprehend a Taiwanese con artist. The fraudster, identified as a woman named Yang, has defrauded several Taiwanese citizens of approximately NT$20 million. Yang, who is on the wanted list, fled from Singapore to Australia and has been hiding in various states. She has used multiple aliases and previously targeted Taiwanese holiday workers in Australian meat processing factories, promising to help them obtain Permanent Residencies through ＂visa laundering.＂ Recently, she has posed as an immigration consultant in LINE group chats and defrauded Taiwanese individuals through investment migration schemes. Authorities are urging the public to use legal immigration channels and remain vigilant against this wanted scam artist.

Former President Ma Ying-jeou spoke at New York University, urging the US and the global community to encourage cross-strait dialogue instead of making Taiwan ＂the next Ukraine.＂ He disagreed with the suggestion of arming Taiwanese citizens with AK-47s and emphasized the need for the new president to oppose Taiwan’s independence and accept the 1992 Consensus for cross-strait peace.

Presidential candidate Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People’s Party is pushing for a transition from Taiwan’s current presidential system to a parliamentary system. If elected, Ko aims to establish the role of prime minister in the history of the Republic of China. Ko argues that the current system lacks efficient checks and balances, with the President and mayors of the special municipalities having significant control over politics without adequate oversight. He emphasizes the importance of long-term stability and prosperity for Taiwan, rather than focusing solely on the term of office. With the upcoming 2024 election seen as a crucial turning point, Ko is advocating for a more people-centric form of governance that truly empowers the citizens.

Taiwan Premier Chen Chien-jen issues a safety warning to Taiwanese citizens in China, urging them to prioritize personal safety and stay in contact with the government. The alert comes after the recent arrest of a Taiwanese woman during a family visit to China, raising suspicions of political motives.

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) has dismissed national safety concerns raised by some Taiwanese citizens regarding the flight path of China Eastern Airlines. 

The Taiwanese government recently announced that citizens will receive a one-off NT＄6,000 cash payment due to a national tax revenue surplus, but public opinion remains divided on whether this would actually help locals and their businesses.  

Taiwanese citizens will vote for local leaders and council members in 22 cities and counties around the country on Nov. 26 (Sat.).