pandemic 結果共151筆

Chinese children are increasingly experiencing antibiotic resistance when treating Mycoplasma pneumoniae, which poses a global health and economic concern. By 2050, drug-resistant diseases could result in healthcare costs of NT＄31 trillion and economic losses of up to NT＄106 trillion, according to the World Bank. The overuse of antibiotics has led to the rise of superbugs, diminishing the effectiveness of these medicines and compromising treatment outcomes. Azithromycin, a commonly used antibiotic in China for Mycoplasma pneumoniae, now faces an alarming resistance rate of nearly 80% to Macrolides. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns of the dangers of antibiotic overuse and refers to the situation as a ＂silent pandemic.＂ WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expresses concern that antibiotic resistance could bring us back to an era where minor infections are untreatable.

Discover the groundbreaking ＂Taiwan as a Pioneer＂ (TAP) project, a four-year research initiative by Trier University, Bochum University, and Tuebingen University, aimed at elevating Taiwan studies in Europe. Supported by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the project has already made significant progress, including workshops, fieldwork in Green Island, and funding for scholars’ trips to Taiwan. With a budget of approximately NT＄68 million, TAP seeks to enhance the profile of Taiwan research, while a handbook on Taiwan research methodologies is set to be published by 2025, marking a milestone in European academia.

LINE TODAY, an information site by LY Corporation, reveals the top 10 news topics in 2023. Entertainment news, mainly linked to #MeToo movement sexual harassment incidents involving Taiwanese celebrities, tops the list. Coco Lee’s passing, a Hong Kong-American Mandarin pop singer-songwriter, ranks second. Relaxed pandemic policies causing a resurgence of viruses takes the third spot. Taiwanese people show high sensitivity to international affairs, reflected in comments and shares on the ＂TODAY Sees the World＂ channel. Popular polls and quizzes cover leisure, entertainment, livelihood, and policy topics, including Apple products, the president’s salary, and the ＂Slam Dunk＂ manga quiz.

Taiwanese singer and actress Vivian Hsu and Singaporean businessman Li Yun-feng have announced the end of their nine-year marriage. Despite their best efforts, the couple was unable to resolve their differences and recently signed a divorce agreement. The strain of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced them into a long-distance relationship, along with personality differences, contributed to their split. Speculation about their marriage began last September, and Hsu hinted at her unhappiness in a recent social media post.

Following the pandemic, Taiwanese travelers have significantly increased their overseas spending, with credit card expenditures reaching new heights. The Financial Supervisory Commission reports a notable surge in tourism consumption, with Taiwanese visitors leading in Japanese spending.

The Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) announced on Friday (Dec. 8) the progression of Kaohsiung Airport’s new terminal. With the preliminary engineering’s essential design phase completed, the project is set to be tendered, according to CAA official Lin Hung-hsien. The new terminal at Kaohsiung Airport marks the largest construction project following Taoyuan International Airport’s third terminal. This infrastructure advancement reflects Taiwan’s push to modernize its aviation facilities and enhance passenger capacity.

Foreign investors have purchased a net 8,926 shares of Eva Air, making it the fourth most bought by foreigners in the session. The recovery in travel and business after the pandemic has improved operations in the aviation industry, with staff shortages at airports in northeast Asia finally relaxing. Demand for flights to China, Hong Kong, and Macao is gradually increasing, with booking rates for northeast Asian routes exceeding 90 percent. Eva Air plans to focus on routes in northeast Asia and to China, Hong Kong, and Macao as its operational priority next year, with an expected increase in weekly flights to a total of 538. The airline is also set to take delivery of two Boeing 787-10 aircraft, enhancing its fleet deployment flexibility.

Junyi Academy has pointed out the growing disparity in mathematics achievement among students in Taiwan. While Taiwanese students ranked third internationally in mathematics, with an average score of 547, there is a significant gap between the top and bottom performers. The top 10 percent scored an average of 623 points, while the bottom 10 percent scored an average of 434 points. This ＂M-shaped＂ divergence in proficiency is attributed to the unequal access to digital learning. Children from higher socioeconomic status households have benefited more from digital devices for educational purposes, widening the gap. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital teaching methods, but there has been a decline in platform usage recently. Junyi Academy emphasizes the need for guided learning in technology and equitable teaching to address urban-rural and learning disparities. The chairman, Lu Kuan-wei, also highlighted the potential of generative AI, such as ChatGPT, as an educational tool but raised concerns about students misusing AI for homework completion. Lu urged presidential candidates to develop comprehensive educational policies that address the challenges and opportunities brought by technological advances.

President Tsai Ing-wen expresses gratitude to the overseas Chinese community for their unwavering support and efforts in advocating for Taiwan’s inclusion in international organizations and expanding its global presence. During a reception for the ＂2023 North American Taiwanese Associations Delegation,＂ President Tsai acknowledges the vital role of Taiwanese compatriots in forging connections between Taiwan, the U.S., and Canada. Despite challenges such as the pandemic and shifts in the international landscape, Taiwan has persistently promoted its policies, overcoming obstacles and strengthening the nation. President Tsai encourages the visiting delegation to frequently return to Taiwan, share their experiences with friends and family abroad, and enhance their understanding and support for Taiwan. Vice President Lai Ching-te also attends the event, joining President Tsai in greeting the delegation team members.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) may face obstacles in establishing a factory in Germany due to a shift in German subsidies. Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Mei-hua has confirmed that the German government is actively addressing the budget issues involved. The recent ruling by Germany’s Federal Constitutional Court, which deemed the diversion of pandemic funds for the ＂Climate and Transformation Fund＂ unconstitutional, has raised concerns about the fulfillment of financial promises to TSMC and other tech giants like Intel Corporation. If Germany decreases its subsidies, TSMC may need to renegotiate or even abandon its plans for the factory. The Taiwanese government is closely monitoring the situation and is prepared to provide support if necessary. This investment dispute has significant implications for the global supply chains and the semiconductor industry, as TSMC’s advanced semiconductors are in high demand worldwide.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and Vice President Lai Ching-te welcomed the 2023 Taiwan Centers from North America delegation at the Presidential Office. They expressed gratitude for the expatriates’ support of Taiwan, particularly in its efforts to join international organizations and promote Taiwanese culture abroad. The delegation has played a vital role in fostering exchanges between Taiwan and countries like the United States and Canada. Despite challenges from the pandemic and international tensions, Tsai remarked that Taiwan’s steady policies have fortified its strength, with the island ranking sixth in global competitiveness and third for its entrepreneurial environment. The government remains committed to propelling industrial transformation and pursuing a net-zero transition. The visiting group’s agenda includes tours in Taipei, Changhua, Tainan, and Kaohsiung, with hopes that they will share Taiwan’s progress and achievements with their communities overseas. Notable invitees include Simon Lin, President of the Taiwan Center Foundation/Greater Los Angeles, Su Chun-hwai, President of the Taiwan Center NY, and Huang Mei-hsing, chief of staff of the Taiwanese American Center of Northern California.

Taiwan has been facing a persistent flu season since the beginning of the year, with three concurrent viruses spreading. Physician Huang Li-min from National Taiwan University Hospital warned of the severity of the flu outbreak and projected a potential two-year ’immunity debt’. Huang also highlighted the heightened risk of a Mycoplasma outbreak in Taiwan, urging the public to practice preventative measures such as vaccinations and adherence to public health guidelines. The Centers for Disease Control in Taiwan has implemented targeted surveillance and testing at international airports, leading to the detection of various viruses, including influenza, COVID-19, and adenoviruses. The World Health Organization is monitoring the Mycoplasma situation in China, urging vigilance despite a decline in the pandemic.

Cathay Pacific plans to hire 5,000 additional employees in 2024 to address a staff shortage caused by a rapid rebound in travel demand. The airline’s Chief Financial Officer, Rebecca Sharpe, announced the plan during an analyst meeting, stating that the strong performance in the first half of the year is expected to continue. This comes after Cathay Pacific already expanded its workforce by 4,000 this year. The positions to be filled range from ground staff and cabin crew to pilots. The airline had to enact major staff reductions in 2019, cutting around 11,000 employees due to the impact of the pandemic. However, the resurgence of travel demand in 2023 led to severe staffing shortages. Despite this, Cathay Pacific achieved a net profit of HK$ 4.27 billion in the first half of 2023, a significant turnaround from a loss of HK$ 5 billion in the same period last year. Passenger numbers also soared to 14.57 million in the first 10 months of 2022, nearly ten times higher than the same period in 2021. This expansion reflects the recovery of the travel industry from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) demanded an apology from Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) chairman Ko Wen-je for his corruption allegations against the government in producing face masks. The MOEA refuted Ko’s claims, stating the lack of evidence and emphasizing the need for public servants to ensure mask supply during the pandemic. Ko made the accusations during a campaign event, implicating the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in corruption cases involving masks, the Medigen COVID-19 vaccine, and egg imports. The MOEA referred to a previous incident where former Minister of the Interior Lee Hong-yuan apologized for baseless accusations and urged Ko to do the same.

Taiwan’s major contract manufacturer, Quanta Computer, has announced that it will adjust its employee salary structure in response to inflation and talent retention. Starting in December, the salary adjustments will be based on job grades, with employees in the 8th job grade receiving an increase of NT＄3,000. According to the Taiwan Stock Exchange’s corporate employee salary information from June, the average annual salary for non-supervisory full-time employees at Quanta in 2022 reached NT＄1.501 million. This marks the third consecutive year that Quanta has raised salaries, with structural pay adjustments also made in 2021 and 2022. The company has clarified that the current restructuring will not affect the annual raises based on performance and division alignment. Additionally, Quanta plans to implement a flexible working hours system, reinstating the flexible work hour system adopted during the pandemic period at its headquarters in Taiwan. This will allow employees to start their day between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and leave between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Taiwan’s foreign investment landscape has undergone a significant shift, with investments in Southeast Asia surpassing those in mainland China for the first time in 30 years. From January to October this year, Taiwan invested US＄4.96 billion in Southeast Asia compared to US＄2.63 billion in China. The total number of approved foreign investments during the same period decreased by 8.18%, totaling 1,864 investments. The total investment amount was US＄8.39 billion, marking a 27.35% decrease compared to the previous year. Jiangsu Province emerged as the main beneficiary of Taiwan’s investments in mainland China this year. The changes in Taiwanese investment behavior can be attributed to shifts in global supply chains caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the China-U.S. trade war. Notably, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), Foxconn, and Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation played a significant role in foreign investment, with TSMC investing US＄8 billion in U.S. companies and €3.5 billion in German firms, while Foxconn and Yang Ming Marine each injected US＄800 million into Singaporean businesses. This year marks the first time in three decades that investment in Southeast Asia has exceeded that in mainland China.

The number of Japanese tourists visiting Taiwan has only recovered to 33% of pre-pandemic levels in the first half of 2023. One reason for this is the depreciation of the Japanese yen, but the major concern is the growing cross-strait tensions. The instability in the Taiwan Strait has created unease among Japanese tourists. Maintaining stability and peace in the Taiwan Strait is a key task for the new line-up of top government leaders. Another contributing factor to Japan’s decreased tourism in Taiwan is the rising interest in South Korea, including its Korean pop culture, local delicacies, casinos, and cosmetic surgery services, despite its more expensive cost to visit after the pandemic.

The National Health Insurance Committee will discuss using non-anticipated risk funds and the insurance reserve fund in Taiwan on November 15, according to the National Health Insurance Administration Director-General. The insurance premium rate is expected to remain unchanged in 2024. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on all sectors, including traditional Chinese medicine, which reported increased medical expenses in the first two quarters of 2023. Western medicine also experienced a drop in the second quarter. The insurance reserve fund is projected to reach 1.97 months by the end of 2023, higher than the previous estimate of 1.5 months, largely due to a government budget allocation of NT＄24 billion.

DPP chairman and presidential candidate Lai Ching-te has proposed including mainland Chinese students in Taiwan’s healthcare system, citing medical human rights and the strengthening of the epidemic prevention system. Lai’s plan, which treats mainland Chinese students as international students and includes them in the National Health Insurance (NHI) system, has faced objections from some party legislators. However, Lai has stated that after providing necessary clarification, fellow party members have generally accepted the idea. Lai has emphasized the human rights perspective of his proposal and distinguished it from criticism of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) for nominating a legislator connected with China. Lai believes that including mainland Chinese students in the NHI system will make the healthcare network more comprehensive, especially after three years of pandemic prevention efforts.

Taiwan’s Health and Welfare Minister, Hsueh Jui-yuan, has announced the launch of a telemedicine project next week to meet the growing demand for virtual diagnosis and long-distance clinical services. The telehealth initiative, set to debut in April next year, will not only cover acute and long-term care but also extend to chronic treatments, serious accidents, infectious cases, and care for people with disabilities. The National Health Insurance Administration estimates that over seven million people will benefit from these telehealth reforms. However, concerns have been raised by Legislator Lai Hui-yuan regarding the overdue project and the NHIA’s plans to boost digital health in Taiwan. The NHIA Department of Medical Affairs Director, Liu Lin-yi, responded by stating that telemedicine services became accessible to general patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 460 thousand patients receiving diagnoses through video calls. To ensure a smooth digital transition, MOHW Health Division Chief Liu Yueh-Ping emphasized the need for standards and the completion of necessary setups within six months.

The Taipei International Travel Fair concluded with attendees taking advantage of travel deals. Industry experts believe that high travel costs are inevitable due to factors such as flight recovery, labor shortage, and inflation. Japan, a popular destination for Taiwanese tourists, also faces similar challenges. The weakening Japanese Yen has led to more domestic travel, increasing competition for hotel rooms. The imbalance between supply and demand has contributed to rising travel costs. To alleviate financial pressures, experts suggest taking advantage of fair benefits and choosing low-cost airlines. For those interested in traveling to Western countries, transferring through Chinese airports may offer relatively lower ticket prices.

Tigerair Taiwan reported impressive third-quarter results, with revenues of nearly NT＄3,600,000,000, representing a remarkable year-on-year increase of 2,378% and a 23.87% increase from the previous quarter. The airline attributed its Q3 performance to the summer vacation peak and a steady recovery in passenger movement following the Covid pandemic.

The Travel Agents Association Chairman, Hsiao Po-jen, has announced that the Taiwanese government may lift travel group bans to China before Chinese New Year in 2024. Minister Wang Kwo-tsai of Transportation and Communications and Mainland Affairs Council revealed that the MOTC Tourist Administration Director General, Chou Yung-Hui, confirmed plans to lift restrictions on Taiwanese travel groups just before the holiday next year. The ban on private arrangement of group tours to China has been in place since the Covid-19 pandemic, making this decision a significant move to enhance diplomatic relations between the two states. The MAC has also announced plans to restore cross-strait group tours, initially allowing 2,000 visitors per day from China. The lift on travel restrictions may come earlier than expected if China expresses goodwill to welcome tourists from across the Strait.

A survey conducted by the McKinsey Health Institute (MHI) revealed that Japan ranks last in terms of employees’ physical, psychological, social, and mental health conditions at the workplace. The survey evaluated the health conditions of over 30,000 employees from 30 countries, with Japan scoring a mere 25%. Turkey, India, and China topped the ranking with scores of 78%, 76%, and 75% respectively.

Former premier Su Tseng-chang has been invited by President Tsai Ing-wen to speak at the 40th anniversary celebration of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). Su’s long-standing commitment to Taiwan’s democracy and freedom, which began during the authoritarian era, has been praised by President Tsai. The NED, which recognized President Tsai’s contribution to democracy and human rights during its 40th year, awarded her the ＂Democracy Service Medal＂ during their president’s visit to Taiwan in July. Su’s participation in the event is significant, as he advocated for marriage equality during his term as premier and defended Taiwan’s democratic freedoms during the global pandemic. The NED celebration will take place on the evening of November 14 Eastern Time, with Su scheduled to arrive in Washington D.C. on the evening of November 13 Eastern Time.