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Taiwan’s bubble milk tea craze is sweeping the United States, with a surge in shops and market growth projected to reach US＄2.2 billion within a decade.

Taiwan Power Co. (Taipower) faces a potential financial crisis by year-end without government aid or electricity price hikes, warned Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Mei-hua. An upcoming electricity price review may see rates for ultra-high-voltage users surge by over 10%. Wang emphasizes the need for discussion in the committee meeting and assures efforts to minimize impacts on the public. Taipower’s efficient management has helped curb price spikes and inflation, with plans in place for financial support and program development. Current electricity costs for major consumers stand at around NT$1.63, while Taipower’s generation cost, pre-tax, is NT$3.93, expected to surpass NT$4 post-tax.

National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) is set to debut its Traditional Chinese Medicine department at a college fair on Feb. 24. The new department integrates artificial intelligence and information technology in its curriculum, aiming to cultivate ＂new traditional Chinese physicians＂ with interdisciplinary characteristics. The university seeks to enhance Taiwan’s traditional Chinese medicine industry by training talents for hospital clinics, scientific research, and the biotech industry.

Taiwan reports its first domestic measles case of 2024, with a man in his 30s testing positive in the Northern part of the country. The Centers for Disease Control are investigating possible sources of infection and monitoring 199 individuals who had contact with the patient. Vaccination is urged, especially for infants older than one year.

Japanese singer LiSA is set to hold a concert in Taiwan on June 1, marking her return after six years. Known for her hit theme songs for ＂Demon Slayer＂, LiSA will perform at the National Taiwan Sport University Sports Center. Tickets go on sale on Feb. 24. LiSA expressed excitement for the event, promising a new setlist for her Taiwanese fans, including popular tracks ＂Gurenge＂ and ＂Homura＂. She also mentioned her love for Taiwan’s pearl milk tea.

Stay updated on the weather forecast in Taiwan this week. Expect warm temperatures on Monday, with a chance of scattered showers in certain regions. Cooler weather is anticipated by Thursday, followed by a cooling trend towards the weekend due to the strengthening northeasterly monsoon.

Discover how Taipei’s sports scene is embracing cutting-edge technology, from VR cycling experiences to AI-driven badminton training. Explore how the ’Sports Everywhere’ Project aims to revolutionize the sector with NT$4.6 billion investment.

Taiwan is considering allowing migrant workers from India to work as caretakers, pending decisions from the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The recent memorandum of understanding between Taiwan and India outlines cooperation for labor recruitment and training. The current focus is on meeting the demand for caregivers in Taiwan, with considerations for both domestic and residential settings. Taiwan is also exploring strategies to address long-term care workforce needs, including collaboration with the ＂New Southbound Policy＂ and encouraging international students to work in the country after graduation. The Ministry of Health and Welfare emphasizes the importance of quality care and language communication skills for foreign workers.

The opening of TSMC’s new plant in Kikuyo, Japan, has revitalized the local economy and nightlife, with customers spending up to 1 million yen daily. The community’s transformation has garnered international attention, boosting sales in various industries and reshaping Kumamoto’s nightlife. TSMC’s significant investment in the project is expected to increase production capacity and potentially lead to the establishment of additional factories in the area.

The Taipei Lantern Festival’s main lantern will be lit on Feb. 17. No official meeting was arranged between the Shanghai delegation and Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an. Mayor Chiang is expected to visit various lantern areas, potentially encountering the Shanghai representatives. The festival features lanterns from 16 cities, including Shanghai. The level of Shanghai’s representation has reportedly been downgraded this year. The Mainland Affairs Council aims to keep a low profile on the delegation’s visit for their safety.

Garbage collectors in Taoyuan City receive unexpected bonuses totaling over NT$156,000 in cash gifts from citizens during Lunar New Year. Despite refusing red envelopes, the city’s cleanup teams were still gifted with tokens of appreciation. The workers plan to donate the entire amount to local social welfare institutions. Taoyuan City’s Department of Environmental Protection emphasizes that garbage collection is a routine duty and urges the public to avoid gifting cash or presents, instead promoting proper waste segregation and eco-friendly habits.

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi urges the U.S. to take concrete action against Taiwan’s independence during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the Munich Security Conference. Wang emphasizes that Taiwan is an inseparable part of Chinese territory and attributes any attempt to alter this status quo to Taiwan separatist activities and external forces. He calls for the U.S. to lift unilateral sanctions on Chinese companies and individuals and cease baseless harassment of Chinese citizens. Both parties agree to retain dialogue and communication and explore further exchanges between the two nations. Discussions also cover geopolitical flashpoints such as the Ukraine crisis, the Israel-Hamas conflict, and issues on the Korean Peninsula.

Taiwan’s Executive Yuan has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with India to facilitate the hiring of Indian migrant workers. The MOU states that Taiwan will determine the sectors and numbers for employment, while India will recruit and train the workers according to regulations. Contrary to online rumors, the plan does not involve the introduction of 100,000 Indian workers. The signing ceremony occurred online between the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in India and the India-Taipei Association. Taiwan’s Ministry of Labor will submit the MOU to the Legislative Yuan for record and will hold meetings with Indian counterparts to discuss further details. Once all preparations are completed, India will be recognized as a new source of migrant labor, allowing employers to hire based on individual demand. This move is part of Taiwan’s efforts to address issues such as an aging population, decreased birth rate, and labor shortages by developing new sources of migrant labor.

Hsinchu County Government announces a monthly wage subsidy of NT＄10,000 for bus drivers on its routes from January to December 2024. The decision aims to address challenges faced by urban bus operations in Taiwan and reduce employee turnover. The subsidy is intended to help recruit talent and ensure the rights of citizens using public transport. Hsinchu County hopes to alleviate the severe shortage of workers in the public bus industry through this measure. The subsidy will be reviewed every three months.

Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman Ko Wen-je has announced that the party’s legislative caucus will initiate contact with the Kuomintang (KMT) for potential legislative cooperation. The TPP hopes to establish a mutually convenient schedule for visits between the two parties, with interactions expected to commence next week. This move comes as reform bills promised by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) remain stalled, and the TPP has proactively proposed collaboration with the KMT to further these reforms. TPP caucus whip Huang Kuo-chang has expressed optimism about the cross-party cooperation, stating that it is a good thing for opposition parties to work together to quickly pass bills that the DPP has failed to deliver on. The TPP caucus is open to this collaboration, pending the KMT’s response.

Taipei City Egg Merchants Association announces wholesale egg prices will decrease from NT＄52 to NT＄49 per Taiwan catty due to unsold stock from before the Lunar New Year. The egg market was closed during the holiday, resulting in no quotations. To alleviate pressure on sales, the farm-gate price has been reduced by NT＄3, now at NT＄42.5. The association is monitoring demand and potential price adjustments as primary and secondary schools reopen. Current pricing remains unchanged.

The Japan Meteorological Corporation (JMC) has announced its fourth forecast for the cherry blossom season in 2024, predicting that blossoms in Tokyo will start opening on March 23 and reach full bloom on March 30. The JMC attributes the earlier bloom dates to higher-than-normal temperatures this year. In Kyoto, sakura is expected to start blooming on March 24 and reach peak bloom on April 1, according to the JMC’s estimation. The latest forecast also suggests that Northern Japan will see the blossom a day or two earlier compared to the previous forecast, while there will be a delay of one to two days for many areas in Eastern and Western Japan. The JMC anticipates the earliest blossoms to appear in Kochi on March 20, followed by areas such as Kanto Koushin, Tokai, and Kyushu. Additionally, Weathernews, a private weather information provider, has released its ＂third sakura bloom forecast,＂ which aligns with the JMC’s prediction of an earlier bloom period this year, particularly in the Hokuriku Region and Northern Japan, where it will start over a week ahead of schedule.

The National Health Insurance (NHI) Administration in Taiwan has announced the approval of new applications for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) treatment coverage. This decision comes after the passing of lawyer Chen Chun-han, a prominent advocate for wider medication coverage for SMA. SMA is a progressive neuro-muscular degenerative disease caused by a mutation in the SMN1 gene, impacting muscle functionality and activities such as sitting, walking, speaking, breathing, and eating. The NHI Administration has included the gene therapy drug Zolgensma, which carries a price tag of NT＄49 million, in its benefits since the second half of 2023. The criteria for medication eligibility include an upper limb motor function index (RULM) score of at least 15. There are over 400 SMA patients in Taiwan, and by the end of 2023, 158 people applied for medication, with 145 approvals. The NHI Administration plans to hold an expert meeting in March to discuss expanding access to the drugs for all SMA patients, with a potential approval in the first half of 2024.

The Central Weather Administration (CWA) reports that northern and northeastern Taiwan experienced temperatures between 14 and 17 degrees Celsius on Feb. 16, due to the influence of the northeast monsoon. However, a warm-up is expected over the weekend. Starting from Sunday, the weather will trend towards being excessively warm, with only a few brief showers expected on the east coast and Hengchun Peninsula. Meteorological experts predict that warm south winds will stabilize the weather next week, with clear skies and high temperatures likely to exceed 30 degrees Celsius. The CWA anticipates a front approaching by Wednesday next week, which may bring increased moisture to eastern regions and mountain areas of the north, resulting in brief, localized showers. Other areas will experience partly cloudy to clear weather. Until the arrival of the new front, the overall climate will remain warm, providing a good opportunity to enjoy the sunshine.

The Body Shop Taiwan declares independence from its British subsidiary following the latter’s administration announcement. The strategic change in the UK is not expected to impact the operations of the Taiwan branch, which will continue business as usual. Consumers’ rights and interests will remain unaffected.

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus whip, Ker Chien-ming, has urged the Kuomintang (KMT) to avoid excessive showmanship in response to their request for an extraordinary session at the Legislative Yuan on February 17th. Ker emphasized that extraordinary sessions are typically held during recess periods and that there is no need for an additional meeting since the new session of the Legislative Yuan officially began on February 1st. The KMT caucus had called for an early meeting and invited Premier Chen Chien-jen to give a special report on the issue of ractopamine being detected in Taisugar’s sliced pork. They warned that any delay could obstruct the inaugural policy address. To convene an extraordinary session, the KMT’s Han Kuo-yu must first hold party group consultations, according to Ker. He suggested that once that is done, Premier Chen could be invited to provide a ＂food safety special report＂ on February 20th.

Renowned restaurant Din Tai Fung and the Taipei City Government are partnering for a massive recruitment event, offering 150 vacancies with salaries up to NT$57,000. The job fair will take place on Feb. 24 at the Taipei Youth Salon. Over 90% of the positions are open to applicants without prior work experience, as part of Din Tai Fung’s efforts to invest in talent recruitment, salary welfare, and training. The available positions include catering service specialists, cashiers, restaurant tidying staff, pastry apprentices, chefs, dish quality inspectors, dishwashers, and in-store timing staff. Part-time workers can earn up to NT$240 an hour on weekends. Salaries start at NT$48,000 for waitstaff, with the potential to reach NT$55,000 after assessments. Chefs have the opportunity to make up to NT$57,000. The average monthly salary from previous recruitment drives with Din Tai Fung is NT$40,000, and many companies have increased salaries due to labor shortages caused by the pandemic. The catering industry has seen a rising salary trend, with Din Tai Fung increasing salaries by 3% to 6% in 2023, totaling a 16% increase over three years. This recruitment drive is open to talents in Taipei, New Taipei, Hsinchu, Taichung, and Kaohsiung.

Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) chairman Ko Wen-je dismisses talk of a blue-white coalition for the 2026 local elections as premature. Speculation suggests that TPP may field eight legislators at-large in the 2026 local government elections. There are rumblings within political circles that TPP’s legislator Huang Shan-shan may run for Taipei mayor, Legislator Huang Kuo-chang for the New Taipei City chief, Legislator Chang Chi-kai for Chiayi City mayor, and Legislator Lin Kuo-cheng for the Pingtung County magistrate race. Ko emphasizes that discussing matters for 2026 is premature in 2024, as there are 22 counties and cities in Taiwan, and the scenario is subject to potential changes. When asked about a possible blue-white collaboration in 2026, Ko deems it too early to discuss.

Health costs are set to rise at three newly designated medical centers in Taiwan from March 1, with an increase of NT$180 in outpatient fees and NT$350 for emergency services, according to the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA). The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) announced on February 6 the elevation of three hospitals in northern Taiwan to medical center status: The Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Taipei Medical University Shuang-Ho Hospital, and the National Taiwan University Hospital Hsinchu Branch were upgraded following the 2023 medical center hospital evaluation. NHIA Deputy Director General Parng I-ming expressed concern that the increase in basic outpatient and emergency care charges resulting from the upgrade may impact patients’ willingness to seek treatment. He vowed continuous monitoring and evaluation of the impact on the national health insurance scheme. Following the elevation of these three hospitals, it is estimated that outpatient visits will reach around 10,000 per day, and 500 emergency visits. The MOHW will closely observe potential changes in patients’ willingness to seek care and the impact on health insurance resources.

Taiwan’s export performance reached a historic high from 2021 to 2023, but experienced a 9.8% decline in 2023 compared to the previous year, according to the Ministry of Finance. Despite this setback, exports to the U.S. continued to soar with a 49.7% year-on-year increase, while exports to countries covered by Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy also saw significant growth. However, exports to mainland China decreased to 35.2%. Taiwan’s total export tally for 2023 amounted to US$432.48 billion, ranking behind only 2022 and 2021. The demand for communications and electronic products during the pandemic-induced work-from-home trend boosted Taiwan’s exports. The Taiwan Institute of Economic Research predicted significant international trade growth in 2024, which would benefit export-oriented economies like Taiwan. In December 2023, Taiwan’s exports to the U.S. reached $8.49 billion, and exports to southern countries surged by over 50%. However, due to the limited coverage of free trade agreements (FTAs), many traditional Taiwanese industries chose to restructure risks and production in Southeast and South Asia. The return of Taiwanese businesses and the expansion of local factories after the U.S.-China trade war, as well as global economic circumstances, significantly impacted the decline in 2023 exports. The Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) estimated the first-quarter export volume for 2024 to be around US$106.1 billion, which is an improvement compared to the same period in 2023, but a 10% decrease from 2022.