Asia 結果共332筆

Acclaimed South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun, known for his roles in popular films and television dramas such as ’Coffee Prince,’ ’My Mister,’ and ’Parasite,’ was found dead in his car in a suspected suicide. Lee had gained extensive popularity across Asia, including Taiwan, where he had visited in 2019 to promote his film ’Take Point.’ His performance in ’My Mister’ had received rave reviews, and ’Parasite’ had won both the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film and the Academy Award for Best Picture. Despite his success, Lee’s career was overshadowed by suspicion of drug involvement, ultimately leading to his tragic end, deeply saddening fans worldwide.

知名韓國男網紅Won Jeong Man（원정맨）在YouTube、TikTok等平台擁有破千萬訂閱，極具人氣，還曾被《富比士》列入「30 位30 歲以下精英」（Forbes 30 under 30 Asia）亞洲榜。怎料，看似人畜無害的他，竟疑似和友人涉嫌性侵酒醉女子，警訪透露已依特殊準強姦罪名移送檢方偵辦，恐面臨最高７年有期徒刑，如今受害者的供詞曝光，還原了整起案發經過。

Taiwan’s badminton player Tai Tzu-ying, the silver medalist at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, has been recognized as ＂one of the top players in the world＂ by Malaysian newspaper ＂The Star＂ after winning the World Tour Finals. With victories at the Badminton Asia Championships, 2023 Taipei Open, and the World Tour Finals, the 29-year-old earned a prize of US$200,000 (approximately NT$6.3 million) and 12,000 world ranking points, positioning her well for the Paris Olympics seedings. Tai’s competitors in Paris include China’s Chen Yufei, South Korea’s An Se-young, Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi, and Spain’s Carolina Marin. In an interview with the Badminton World Federation (BWF), Tai emphasized the importance of maintaining her health as she prepares for the Olympics. She also confirmed that the Paris games will be her last, making it her most crucial opportunity to win a gold medal.

韓國一位知名男性網紅，在YouTube與TikTok平台都有超過千萬人追蹤，還被列入《富比士30 位30 歲以下精英》（Forbes 30 under 30 Asia）亞洲榜。但他自今（2023）年7月起突然消失在網路上，引發外界各種臆測。韓媒最新消息指出，他涉嫌夥同朋友性侵酒醉女友人，遭到警方逮捕起訴。

U.S. President Joe Biden has signed the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (FY2024 NDAA), which includes a comprehensive training program for Taiwan’s military. The program aims to enhance Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities and will be overseen by the U.S. Secretary of Defense. The legislation, which has received approval from both houses of the U.S. Congress, allocates a total of US＄886 billion for this purpose. The training program will focus on layered defense, asymmetric defense strategies, cross-communication between the U.S. and Taiwan’s military, information sharing, and the improvement of professional military education and civilian control over the military. Additionally, the act emphasizes collaboration between the U.S. and Taiwan on military cyber security and requires regular updates on Taiwan arm sales proceedings. It also mandates the Secretary of Defense to submit biannual reports to Congress on the military developments of the People’s Republic of China, particularly in areas such as Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and the South China Sea, covering topics such as weapon upgrades, procurement, and military operations.

今年曾來台參與並擔任金曲獎表演嘉賓的日本高人氣樂團King Gnu，在典禮上帶來炫目炸裂的演出之後，引爆歌迷高度話題討論，敲碗來台演唱會的呼聲不斷。King Gnu今（22）天正式宣布以King Gnu Asia Tour「THE GREATEST UNKNOWN」為名，展開2024年亞洲巡迴演唱會，台灣站時間也確定了！

The Taiwan Carbon Solution Exchange (TCX) has launched its first international carbon credit transactions, offering credits sourced from various regions in Asia, Africa, and South America. Notable companies such as TSMC, Foxconn, China Steel Corporation, and Taiwan Financial Holding have expressed interest in participating in the inaugural trade event. The initial batch of credits available on the Taiwan Carbon Exchange is estimated to range from 50,000 to 100,000 tons and has been certified by the Gold Standard. Once procured, these credits cannot be resold on the carbon exchange platform, and their use will be determined by each company’s individual needs. It is important to note that these credits have international ＂voluntary＂ carbon rights and do not fall under ＂mandatory＂ carbon pricing, meaning they cannot be used to offset Europe’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

The Cato Institute and the Fraser Institute have co-published the 2023 Human Freedom Index, revealing that Switzerland maintains its position as the country with the highest levels of human freedom. Taiwan, on the other hand, ranks 12th globally and claims the top spot for human freedom in Asia. The report highlights that the COVID-19 pandemic has generally led to a decline in human freedom, particularly in areas such as the rule of law, action, speech, assembly, association, and trade. Taiwan performs well in individual freedom, securing the 12th spot with a score of 8.98 out of 10, and ranks 11th in economic freedom with a score of 7.79, resulting in an overall score of 8.56. The Human Freedom Index is a comprehensive assessment of personal, civil, and economic freedoms worldwide, based on data from 2021 encompassing 165 jurisdictions.

AU Optronics Corp. (AUO) plans to close its display production line in Singapore by the end of December, affecting around 500 employees. The company is moving its manufacturing equipment back to Taiwan and offering Taiwanese staff in Singapore the choice to relocate to Taiwan or transfer to Vietnam. AUO aims to expand its display module capacities in Vietnam. The company confirmed that its Singapore base will transform into a hub for providing smart solutions and will serve as its operations center in Southeast Asia. This move is in response to the growing preference for Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) technology in smartphones, tablets, and laptops, posing challenges to the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) industry. Most of the equipment will be relocated to AUO’s Longtan plant, which is actively developing microLED displays in line with Apple’s strategy.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has highlighted the increase in foreign media presence in the country due to its freedom in the media environment. Currently, there are 82 international media organizations and 174 journalists stationed in Taiwan. MOFA spokesman Jeff Liu emphasized that Taiwan’s open and free society, ranked sixth in internet freedom by Freedom House, is the main attraction for journalists. Taiwan’s freedom of the press, transparent flow of information, rule of law, respect for diverse opinions, and strategic location in the Indo-Pacific region contribute to its appeal as a hub for international media. MOFA is committed to assisting foreign media personnel with entry, residency, settling in, and work-related matters.

The VisaGuide World Passport Index has revealed the most powerful passports in the world for December, with Taiwan ranked 70th overall. Spain tops the list, followed by Germany in third place, and the United States in 40th place. The ranking is based on the Destination Significance Score (DSS), which considers various factors. The Spanish passport allows visa-free entry to 43 countries and visa-free access to an additional 106 countries. Singapore holds the second spot and is considered the strongest passport in Asia, granting its citizens visa-free entry to 156 destinations. In comparison, the Taiwanese passport allows visa-free entry to 100 countries and regions, placing it lower than some other countries. China ranks 117th, offering its citizens visa-free access to 46 countries.

Evergreen Marine Corp, a Taiwanese shipping company, has temporarily suspended its shipping services through the Red Sea due to security threats posed by Houthi militants. This decision comes after a series of attacks on commercial ships by the Yemen-based group, which has escalated tensions in the region. Evergreen joins other global shipping giants, including Orient Overseas Container Line, CMA CGM, Maersk Group, Hapag-Lloyd, and Mediterranean Shipping Company, in halting passage through the Red Sea. The attacks by the Houthis, aimed at blocking ships en route to Israel, have led to the interception of drones and missiles by the U.S. Navy, British Navy, and French Navy. In response to the exacerbating security situation, Evergreen has rerouted its ships from Asia to the Mediterranean and the U.S. East Coast to avoid the Red Sea. British Petroleum (BP) has also suspended its oil transit through the Red Sea due to increased risks.

Taipei actor Greg Hsu’s appearance in a music video by Mandopop legend Jay Chou at the age of 13 has shocked fans online. In a throwback clip from Chou’s ＂Class 3-2＂ music video, a young Hsu can be seen playing table tennis while wearing black-rimmed glasses. Despite his rounder face, his distinctive features are already evident. The discovery of this footage has sparked surprise and admiration for Hsu’s transformation from a young table tennis player to a heartthrob. Now 32 years old, Hsu gained fame through his breakout role in the Taiwanese drama ＂Someday or One Day＂ and has become immensely popular across Asia, particularly in China and South Korea. Hsu has revealed that he took up sports, including table tennis, to manage his childhood asthma. His talent in the sport earned him a spot on the elementary school team and eventually led to his cameo in Chou’s music video. ＂Someday or One Day,＂ which co-stars Alice Ko, is considered a landmark Taiwanese television series and has garnered such acclaim that South Korea produced its own remake titled ＂A Time Called You.＂

The CPC Corporation, under the Ministry of Economic Affairs, has announced a reduction of NT$0.3 in gasoline prices and an increase of NT$0.3 in diesel prices starting midnight on Monday. This adjustment is part of the ongoing implementation of the dual stabilization mechanism for oil pricing. The pricing measures absorbed NT$0.2 for both gasoline and diesel this week, following a decline in the 7D3B weekly average price. The floating oil pricing mechanism originally predicted a decrease of NT$0.1 in gasoline prices and an increase of NT$0.5 in diesel prices. However, due to currency appreciation in neighboring Asian countries, Taiwan’s price adjustments fell below those of its neighbors, resulting in a net absorption of NT$0 for both types of fuel. CPC has stated that it will continue to adjust domestic fuel prices in accordance with the oil pricing formula and government tax reductions to maintain the lowest possible prices in Asia and stabilize domestic oil prices through its stabilization measures.

The Yomiuri Giants, a Japanese professional baseball team, will be playing two exhibition games in Taiwan next March. They will face off against two Taiwanese teams, the CTBC Brothers on March 2 and the Rakuten Monkeys on March 3, at the Taipei Dome. Tsukasa Imamura, the president of the Giants, emphasized the importance of promoting baseball culture in Asia and expressed his hope for more Taiwanese players to join the team in the future. He mentioned that the Giants’ scouts have a high regard for Taiwanese high school players but have noticed a perceived stagnation in their skills after reaching college. Imamura hopes that Taiwan can produce more legendary players like Kuo Tai-yuan and Kuo Yuen-chih, who have already made a name for themselves in Japanese baseball. Throughout the years, 10 Taiwanese players, excluding the iconic Sadaharu Oh, have played for the Giants in Japan’s professional leagues, highlighting the ongoing baseball exchange between the two neighboring countries.

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.

Lai Ching-te’s national campaign headquarters, led by campaign manager Pan Men-an and spokesperson Tai Wei-shan, unveiled their latest campaign commercial during a press conference titled ＂The World’s Taiwan.＂ Tai highlighted Taiwan’s increased visibility on the international stage, emphasizing the international community’s growing confidence in Taiwan and their willingness to collaborate. The campaign event follows Taiwan’s recognition as the top democracy in Asia by The Economist and its 6th place ranking in competitiveness worldwide according to the IMD Business School’s 2023 World Competitiveness Yearbook. Taiwan’s economic standing as the 21st largest economy globally and the 18th largest trading nation, with a higher GDP per capita than South Korea, was also praised. The campaign video emphasizes the importance of selecting the right leader to continue Taiwan’s advancement towards a more significant global presence.

During the 2023 Asian Baseball Championship game between Japan and South Korea at the Taipei Dome, technical difficulties caused the main and side screens to go black. The Farglory Group attributed this outage to an unexpected system crash. The interruption, which occurred in the top of the seventh inning, lasted for approximately ten minutes before the manufacturer resolved the issue. Earlier in the game, Japanese player Ryosuke Aizawa collided with the home run wall while catching a deep fly ball in the fourth inning, resulting in leg injuries. Deputy general manager Jacky Yang of the Farglory Group clarified that the impact did not break the wall, but rather Aizawa’s spike shoes accidentally cut through the padding at the bottom. The Farglory Group assured that the stadium’s design complied with safety standards and that subsequent games would proceed unaffected.

The U.S. House Armed Services Committee has agreed to include provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24 NDAA) to assist in the training of Taiwan’s armed forces. The bill, with a budget of ＵＳUS＄876.8 billion, requires the U.S. Department of Defense to develop a comprehensive training and advisory program for Taiwan’s military. The program will only proceed with the consent of the Secretary of State and after consultations with Taiwanese officials. The legislation aims to enhance Taiwan’s multilayered defense capabilities, including asymmetric defense strategies and interoperability with U.S. forces. It also promotes cybersecurity cooperation and the protection of military networks. The NDAA mandates biannual reporting on China’s military developments in Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and the South China Sea. Additionally, a classified report will evaluate the absorption of U.S.-provided military capabilities by Taiwan’s armed forces. After approval by Congress, President Joe Biden is expected to sign the bill into law, strengthening U.S.-Taiwan defense relations.

Get ready for an exciting New Year’s Eve bash in Kaohsiung! Pop diva Jeannie Hsieh will be the closing act, making a comeback after a three-year hiatus. The event, held at Dream Mall, promises a departure from Hsieh’s traditional holiday repertoire. The celebration will be hosted by comedy duo Plungon and celebrity Chung Hsin-yu, with Thai singer and social media sensation Jeff Satur adding an international flavor to the lineup. Satur, who boasts 3.8 million Instagram followers, will be performing for the first time abroad. The event will also feature popular artists like Nine One One, WeiBird, GBOYSWAG, and more. Don’t miss the spectacular 240-second firework display over Asia New Bay Area, symbolizing the transition to 2024.

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.

President Tsai Ing-wen presented the Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award to Amihan V. Abueva at a ceremony in Taipei. Abueva, the Regional Executive Director of the Child Rights Coalition Asia, was recognized for her advocacy against violence on children, including human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Tsai commended Abueva’s selflessness and bravery in creating a safer world for children and highlighted Taiwan’s efforts to incorporate international child rights standards into domestic law. Legislative Speaker You Si-kun emphasized Taiwan’s commitment to democracy and human rights, stating that the award reflects the country’s support for democratic values.

The upcoming Taiwanese presidential election on January 13, 2024, has been dubbed ＂2024’s most influential election in Asia＂ by Nikkei Asia. Three tickets are vying for the presidency and vice-presidency: the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) with Lai Ching-te and Hsiao Bi-khim, the Kuomintang (KMT) with Hou Yu-ih and Jaw Shaw-kong, and the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) with Ko Wen-je and Cynthia Wu. The election takes place amidst heightened global tensions and increasing cross-strait strains. The DPP advocates for fortified self-defense, the KMT promotes benign communication and economic ties with China, and the TPP leans towards dialogue with China. The KMT’s cross-strait policy stance has been criticized as less convincing compared to that of the DPP. The election will test whether Taiwanese voters will stand firm in defending their sovereignty against China’s growing influence.

Taiwanese vice presidential candidate Hsiao Bi-khim, a member of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), has been targeted by Chinese misinformation campaigns, which label her as an ＂American agent.＂ Due to her mixed heritage and former dual citizenship, Hsiao’s loyalty and identity have been questioned on Chinese social media platforms. False claims about her inability to speak Mandarin have been circulated, along with accusations of her ＂appeasing America＂ and ＂betraying Taiwan.＂ Hsiao has refuted these allegations, asserting that she renounced her American citizenship in 2002 and holds only Taiwanese citizenship. Taiwan’s 2024 presidential election has become a prime target for China’s disinformation warfare, with strict state censorship filtering information about the election.

Taipei Dome proves its resilience during the Asia Baseball Championship, according to veteran baseball coach and legislative candidate Tsai Ming-tang. Despite heavy rains the day before, the indoor game proceeded smoothly, showcasing the Dome as Taiwan’s only international-grade indoor baseball stadium immune to weather disruptions. Tsai praised the venue’s performance and criticized politicians for hindering infrastructure development. He also highlighted the Dome’s potential as a landmark national structure due to its prime location and accessibility. Additionally, Tsai expressed personal pride as five players from his coached team participated in the opening match. He emphasized the importance of grassroots baseball and advocated for the development of idle school properties into baseball fields to benefit more students.