Government 結果共525筆

Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Eric Chu aims to secure a parliamentary majority and form a coalition government with the assistance of the Hou-Jaw ticket. Chu believes that voters will intelligently concentrate their votes at the last moment. The aversion to the Hou-Jaw ticket among competing candidates is relatively low at 13.6 percent, making it the second choice for many voters. The KMT is focused on obtaining over half of the parliamentary seats and establishing a coalition government. The party’s youngest group of legislative at-large candidates, averaging 47 years of age, reflects a youthful push in the KMT’s legislative presence. In the presidential race, the KMT is unwavering in its support for its nominated candidate Hou Yu-ih and vows to fight fiercely to unseat the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) with the wisdom of the electorate.

Yunlin County plans to increase childbirth subsidies in four townships starting January 1, 2024, as part of efforts to boost birth rates. Dongshi Township, Citong Township, Dounan Town, and Erlun Township will offer subsidies of NT＄20,000, NT＄12,000, NT＄10,000, and NT＄6,000 respectively. The county government is also working on further augmenting childbirth allowances. Currently, seven townships in Yunlin County provide additional childbirth or nutritional subsidies, as the county has seen a decline in newborns from 3,340 in 2022 to 2,939 by November 2023. With 11 townships reporting fewer than 100 newborns, the declining birth rates are a wider issue affecting the entire region. Yunlin County Commissioner Chang Li-shan recognizes Taiwan’s demographic crisis and emphasizes the county’s proactive approach in addressing the challenge, with more details on enhanced benefits for expecting families to be announced soon.

Taiwan’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Wang Mei-hua, has confirmed that discussions will soon take place with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) regarding the inauguration date for its Kumamoto fab. The progress of TSMC’s Kumamoto fab is said to be outpacing other global expansion efforts. Wang expressed gratitude for the support provided by Japan’s central and local government authorities in establishing the plant. Equipment installation is already underway at TSMC’s Kumamoto site, with trial production set to begin in April 2024. The opening ceremony may be scheduled as early as February 24. Wang emphasized the importance of reinforcing cooperation between Taiwan and Japan, particularly in the semiconductor supply chain, and encouraged mutual investment to foster closer bilateral relations.

The Minister of Labor, Hsu Ming-chun, expressed hope that the draft for the national minimum wage bill will soon pass its final hurdle. The Legislative Yuan is set to vote on the bill tomorrow, after failing to reach a consensus on Friday due to issues concerning the review committee’s composition, deliberation indicators, research groups, and the exclusion of law-violating companies from government procurement. Hsu emphasized the importance of a minimum wage law, which aims to elevate the legal status of the minimum wage, enhance the review mechanism, and clarify the indicators for deliberations. Hsu called for joint efforts to pass the legislation by tomorrow, as there is broad agreement on the need for a minimum wage law after years of discussion.

A story about the capture of a record number of 400 green iguanas in southern Taiwan has sparked online discussion. One photo, in particular, shows a green iguana kneeling before a Mazu temple in Neipu, Pintung, leading to humorous comments suggesting the iguana was ＂applying to be a divine steed.＂ Experts clarified that while green iguanas pose no threat to humans, they do cause problems for farmers by nibbling on crops. To protect local agriculture, the government has intensified measures to remove these non-native creatures and maintain ecological balance.

The TVBS Charity Foundation hosted its fifth fundraising party in Fengshan, Kaohsiung, in collaboration with the Chinese Christian Relief Association (CCRA). Over a hundred participants gathered to review the spread of love in Kaohsiung and Pingtung, with the theme of ＂Sharing Endless Love＂ at the heart of the event. The party aimed to express gratitude to churches, social welfare workers, and beneficiaries for their collaboration throughout the year. Kaohsiung City Government Deputy Secretary-General Chang Chiah-sing thanked the TVBS Foundation and the city government’s Social Affairs Bureau for their continuous support, which has aided local social charities and cared for about 12,000 middle and low-income households. Pastor Wang Chung-wu of The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan shared that the ＂Endless Love＂ project helped approximately 100 households, thanks to the enthusiastic participation of brothers and sisters. President Chen Wen-ch’i of the TVBS Foundation expressed gratitude to Jesus for allowing everyone to understand the meaning of love and the essence of Christmas, while acknowledging the event’s role in expanding the power of love.

Kuomintang presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih and running mate Chao Shao-kang reaffirmed that Beijing has not renounced the use of force against Taiwan, emphasizing the importance of Taiwan’s democracy in countering Chinese pressure. In an interview with NBC, Hou stated that Taiwan’s future should be determined by its 23 million inhabitants, asserting that Taiwan is an independent sovereign country. Hou advocated for preparedness without provocation and maintaining a deterrence capability amid growing tensions. Chao stressed the necessity of peace for cross-strait development, with strength as a crucial support. He emphasized the importance of U.S. support for Taiwan’s defense measures. Hou also highlighted the critical role of the U.S. in Taiwan’s self-defense efforts and expressed confidence in the deepening of the Taiwan-U.S. relationship. Chao argued that Taiwan’s democracy will inevitably influence mainland China, challenging the Chinese government to explain why democracy cannot thrive in a place with a shared heritage and culture across the Strait.

The Control Yuan revealed that Taiwan has approximately 82,000 missing migrant workers, a result of low wages and labor abuse. Out of the 740,000 migrant workers in Taiwan, over 200,000 have gone missing in the last decade. Contrary to public perception, these missing workers arrived in Taiwan seeking employment opportunities but chose to disappear due to mistreatment and excessive control by their employers. A new book highlights 33 documented cases of migrant workers facing improper treatment, including threats from debt collectors and spouses remarrying due to their prolonged absence. Control Yuan members involved in the investigation emphasized the systemic issues underlying these personal struggles and questioned the government and society’s understanding of the situation. They hope the book will resonate with all sectors and prompt the government to reform the current system, protecting the rights of foreign workers and ending their suffering.

The Kyoto Tachibana Senior High School marching band, known as the ＂Orange Devils,＂ arrived in Taiwan to a warm welcome at Taoyuan International Airport. Their visit is a testament to the strong ties between Taiwan and Japan, which were first sparked during their performance at the 2022 Taiwan National Day celebration. The band’s invitation this year, alongside Taipei First Girls High School, is an effort to further strengthen cultural bonds, as they are set to participate in the upcoming celebration of TGH’s 120th Anniversary. The visit has been made possible through corporate support, including an invitation from the Kaohsiung City Government for school exchanges and performances. Over the next five days, the Tachibana SHS band will showcase their talent at prestigious venues such as Kaohsiung’s Time Avenue, TAI Urban Resort, New Taipei’s Fuji Grand Hotel, Ximending, and the National Theater & Concert Hall.

Premier Chen Chien-jen criticizes political parties for spreading fake news in the wake of a political hoax orchestrated by agricultural blogger Lin Yu-hung. Lin initially claimed that his family received threats after exposing issues with imported eggs, but it was later revealed that he colluded with a former Kuomintang worker to stage the entire scandal. Premier Chen condemned the incident, stating that it caused public panic and market instability. He called for the truth to be revealed promptly and urged individuals and political parties to respect the law. The case is still under investigation by judicial authorities.

Taiwan is among the potential beneficiaries of Indonesia’s contemplation to offer visa-free entry for tourists from 20 major source countries, following the example set by Thailand. Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, disclosed in an interview that the government is discussing the launch of a visa exemption policy to attract more tourists and boost local economic development. Currently, travelers, including short-term tourists, need to secure a visa to visit Indonesia, including the option of Visa on Arrival (VOA) at designated entry points. Taiwanese passport holders can apply for VOA at 15 airports across Indonesia, such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan, and Bali, allowing them to stay up to 30 days with a one-time extension option. Given Taiwan’s place within the top 20 sources of foreign tourists to Indonesia, there is a significant chance that it will be included in the visa exemption program. This move could simplify travel for Taiwanese citizens and deepen tourism-based interactions between the two nations.

The Ministry of the Interior in Taiwan has announced that it will allocate NT＄10 million for the implementation of the Provisional Act Governing Religious Groups Registering Real Estate in the Name of a Natural Person. This legislation aims to address issues surrounding properties acquired by religious groups but registered under individual names. Minister Lin Yu-chang made the announcement during a visit to Bali Zihuang Tianyi Zhenqing temple, emphasizing the outreach to temples across Taiwan to communicate the details of the Act. In addition, the Ministry plans to increase government subsidies for temple activities, committing an additional NT＄15 million to support these communities, a significant increase from the previous annual subsidy of NT＄420,000. The Department of Religious and Ceremonial Affairs, established last year, will administer these initiatives, with the new budget allocations facilitated through local governments to ensure a seamless implementation and the preservation of Taiwan’s religious landscape.

The Examination Yuan donates 6,600 books in Chinese and English to support library services in Taiwanese schools abroad, including the Surabaya Taipei School in Indonesia. The Ministry’s International and Cross-strait Education Department emphasizes the competitiveness of overseas students in Taiwanese schools, and hopes the book donation will foster closer ties between international Taiwanese institutions and domestic government bodies. The books cover a wide range of subjects and are expected to expand students’ imaginations and nurture global talent.

Taiwan’s National Development Council Minister, Kung Ming-hsin, expressed the hope for Taiwan to swiftly sign an Economic Cooperation Agreement (ECA) with Australia. In his speech, he emphasized the potential for collaboration in the hydrogen energy sector to boost industrial development between the two countries. Kung, on behalf of Taiwan’s government, accepted the official release of the 2023 White Paper by the Australia New Zealand Chamber of Commerce (ANZCHAM). He highlighted the record high trade of US$34.08 billion among Taiwan, New Zealand, and Australia last year. Kung also emphasized Australia’s crucial role as a major supplier of energy and agricultural products for Taiwan, emphasizing the complementarity between their economic industries. He mentioned Taiwan’s involvement in offshore wind financing operations with the Macquarie Group and its target of 10% of its energy mix coming from hydrogen, particularly green hydrogen, illustrating the potential for energy cooperation with New Zealand and Australia.

The Taipei City Government Transportation Department plans to open additional parking lots and exits at Taipei Metro stations to ease congestion at the Taipei Dome, which is expecting a full-capacity crowd of 40,000 people in future games. The department aims to address the increasing audience numbers for the Asian Baseball Championship by unlocking exit 5 of the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Station on the Bannan Line, which connects directly to the underground passageways of Taipei Dome. Despite the availability of parking facilities, more than 90 percent of attendees prefer to take public transportation. The department encourages the public to continue using mass transit systems and envisions that the additional metro station exits will promote smoother traffic dispersion as seating capacity increases.

Several civic groups in Taiwan, including the Modern Women’s Foundation and the Garden of Hope Foundation (GOH), are urging presidential candidates to prioritize violence prevention as an investment to end violence against women. According to the United Nations, one-third of women globally experience physical or sexual abuse at least once in their lives. The Modern Women’s Foundation Executive Secretary, Wu Zi-ying, highlighted the lack of investigation on these issues within Taiwan. Social work and policy professor Wang Pei-ling revealed that around 70 percent of individuals aged 18 to 74 in Taiwan have experienced online gender-based violence, with image-based violence accounting for 4.6 percent. Wang also emphasized the increasing number of male victims, which now stands at 20 percent. GOH CEO Wang Yueh-hao called on the government to promote interdepartmental initiatives and establish think tanks for gender violence prevention, emphasizing that gender violence is a violation of human rights.

Discover the sustainable achievements of Tainan City in Taiwan as Director-General Hsu Jen-tse shares the city’s strategies for net-zero sustainability at the COP28 conference. Learn about Tainan’s initiatives to combat extreme weather, promote sustainable development, and achieve low-carbon adaptation. Explore their efforts in constructing an electric bus transport system and implementing smart parking solutions to reduce air pollution. With a focus on renewable energy, Tainan aims to become a solar-powered city with 4GW of solar panel installations. Additionally, the city is actively harnessing renewable water sources, projecting a future water supply of 83,000 cubic meters per day.

DPP Councilor Lin Yen-feng accuses Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an of disrespecting the council and presents a ＂disdain for the council＂ placard. Lin criticizes the Taipei City Government for the controversial NT$190 million associated with the Taipei Music Center and holds former Mayor Ko Wen-je accountable. Chiang threatens legal action if the Ministry of Culture withholds payment. The Taipei City Council’s Education Committee passes a resolution allowing the city government to cover the disputed amount temporarily.

A civilian group from Taiwan, the Taiwan Youth Climate Coalition (TWYCC), unveiled the ＂Songshan Declaration＂ at a side event related to the upcoming 28th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai. The declaration calls for fair transition strategies to combat climate change. TWYCC representative Gina Lee highlighted the controversial solar energy development in Tainan’s Qigu area, discussing its negative impact on local aquaculture fishers. The group also explored examples of just transition, such as solar development in Cigu and the electrification of scooters, expressing concern about the government’s lack of dialogue with youth. The ＂Songshan Declaration＂ was jointly initiated by stakeholders from Taiwan’s industries, government, academia, and civil society, pledging to enforce the Climate Change Response Act and engage in the global stocktake. Chen Hui-ping, Chairperson of the Taiwan Green Energy for Charity Association, shared experiences of enabling social change through the ＂Green Well (GW) 100+＂ initiative, which has installed solar power systems for underprivileged communities and conducted energy audits and equipment replacements in social welfare institutions. The association emphasized that their model of green charity fosters wider stakeholder participation and contributes positively to the energy transition.

Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih and his running mate, Jaw Shaw-kong, have pledged to crack down on Taiwan’s rampant fraud industry. If elected, they plan to conduct a sweeping operation against fraud groups in their first year, aiming to reduce fraud cases to a third of the current number in the second year and cutting them by half in the third year. Hou, drawing on his past anti-fraud experience, criticizes the current government for its investment in a national anti-fraud team that has seen an increase in fraud cases and arrests. He advocates for stronger surveillance by the National Communications Commission (NCC) in telecom facilities and emphasizes the need for cooperation with mainland China. Hou aims to leverage the Organized Crime Prevention Act to produce tangible results in the fight against fraud by the fourth year of his presidency.

The Farglory Group has confirmed the addition of 4,700 second-level infield seats at the Taipei Dome for the final game day of the 30th Asian Baseball Championship. The decision to expand the seating capacity was made due to high demand from fans, allowing more supporters to witness the championship in person. With the new seats, the anticipated total attendance for the game is expected to reach nearly 22,000 people. Farglory has expressed its commitment to upgrading the venue and thanked fans for their support. The group also emphasized its responsibility for maintaining the stadium’s facilities and pledged to provide top-notch services in collaboration with the Taipei City Government and the Chinese Taipei Baseball Association (CTBA). The ongoing 30th Asian Baseball Championship has attracted significant crowds, with the opening game between Taiwan and South Korea teams drawing nearly 17,000 fans. The ongoing appeal for more seats from eager fans has been a major talking point throughout the tournament.

Italy has confirmed its decision to withdraw from China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with formal notification given to Chinese authorities. This strategic move by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government will see Italy cease its participation in the BRI by the end of this year. Italy’s initial decision to join the initiative in 2019 made it the only major Western country to take part, drawing severe criticism from the U.S. and other nations. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated that the agreement ＂has not produced the expected results＂ and is no longer a ＂priority.＂ Despite the withdrawal, the Italian government still intends to strengthen bilateral relations with China.

Get ready for the 2023 New Taipei City Christmasland, featuring a star-studded concert at the New Taipei City Civic Plaza on Dec. 9 and 10. To handle the expected crowds, the New Taipei City Government has implemented traffic controls around the venue, including increased enforcement of parking violations and towing actions. To avoid congestion, the public is encouraged to use public transportation, with the Transportation Department recommending residents from Hsin Chuang, Zhonghe, Yonghe, and Hsintien districts to take the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Circular Line to Banqiao station. Visitors from other counties and cities can opt for the Taiwan Railway, Taiwan High Speed Rail, or Intercity Bus to reach the Banqiao Bus Station.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare has addressed reports of an extramarital affair involving Secretary General Hsu Chao-cheng, expressing hopes that he will handle the matter appropriately. Hsu himself acknowledged the affair on Facebook, apologizing to his wife, family, and colleagues. The affair was brought to light by Mirror Media, which revealed frequent interactions between Hsu and a female subordinate, identified as Chen. Colleagues reported seeing them together watching movies and shopping. Deputy Minister Jih-Haw Chou of the Ministry of Health and Welfare stated that if any aspect of the affair relates to official duties, it will be further investigated.

The Executive Yuan has responded to concerns raised by Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Chang Liao Wan-chien regarding the reporting of traffic violations. The authority to issue traffic citations still rests with the police, who verify and consider whether to proceed with the report. Chang Liao has expressed concerns about the new point-based traffic violation system, arguing that citizen reports, often captured using dashcams or smartphones, raise accuracy and privacy issues. He warns that without proper legal regulation, these practices could potentially violate constitutional rights. The Executive Yuan maintains that the regulations aim to encourage public assistance in maintaining road traffic order while upholding personal privacy.