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Taiwan intends to follow the U.S. lead and outlaw the import and export of goods made using forced labor. With a preliminary resolution to alter the ＂Human Trafficking Prevention Act＂ by the Ministry of the Interior to establish a legal foundation, the Executive Yuan has called for many inter-ministerial discussions.  Following the amendment’s completion and implementation, the Ministry of Labor will be in charge of identifying goods made using forced labor. Border control will be managed by the Ministry of Finance’s Customs Administration. ＂Import and export are both prohibited. A representative of the administration stated, ＂The regulation is bidirectional.

Explore the rich flavors and unique identity of Taiwanese cuisine with Clarissa Wei and Ivy in their new cookbook, ＂Made in Taiwan.＂ This culinary journey offers a fresh perspective on the island’s diverse food culture, distinct from its neighbors.

Vice President and President-elect Lai Ching-te’s visit to Quanta headquarters in Taipei to discuss AI and 5G applications with Chairman Barry Lam, as part of his ongoing industry exchange tour. The meeting highlighted Taiwan’s ICT industry success and Quanta’s pivotal role in seizing AI opportunities, reflecting critical decisions made by Lai during his tenure as premier.

New Taipei City Deputy Mayor Liu Ho-jan remains noncommittal on potential 2026 election candidacy, focusing on current municipal duties. Liu’s career trajectory from science teacher to deputy mayor discussed in interview with journalist Huang Wei-han. Liu refrains from commenting on potential rivals and emphasizes importance of grassroots discussions in all 29 districts. No decisions made yet on future political plans.

Experience the electrifying concert that made history in Yilan as Accusefive’s ’Around the New World’ tour drew over 40,000 fans, boosting local tourism and setting records. Witness the spectacle of 8,000 fireworks and the band’s unforgettable performances, including their chart-topping hits.

Taiwan’s Premier Chen Chien-jen announced that travel to mainland China is possible for pre-arranged tour groups before May 31, pending China’s cooperation. The decision, made in response to a query from Kuomintang caucus whip Fu Kun-chi at the Legislative Yuan, was explained as a temporary measure due to China’s failure to reciprocate group tourism efforts. Chen highlighted that the possibility of lifting the ban hinges on China’s willingness, emphasizing that existing tour groups can still travel before the end of May.

Honduras owes Taiwan approximately US＄440 million (NT＄13.8 billion) in debt, which has accumulated over several years and remains unpaid even after severing diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favor of China. The decision to end over eight decades of relations with Taiwan and establish diplomatic ties with China was made on March 25, 2023. The current president of Honduras, Xiomara Castro, did not borrow any additional funds from Taiwan, with the last loan of US＄300 million being acquired by her predecessor, Juan Orlando Hernández, in 2019. These funds were primarily used for housing reconstruction, school facilities, and nutritional lunches. Honduras hoped that establishing diplomatic relations with Beijing would result in greater economic support and loans from the Chinese government. However, the country’s white shrimp exports were affected following the diplomatic break with Taiwan. As a result, Honduras has turned to China for similar tariff preferences.

Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. revealed in a letter to U.S. senators that China had tried to convince Palau to sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan in exchange for hotel bookings. The letter, made public by Cleo Paskal of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, detailed China’s proposal to fill Palau’s hotels and operate a call center at an annual cost of US$20 million. Whipps Jr. warned that without immediate approval for COFA aid, pro-China factions in Palau could threaten its diplomatic relationship with Taiwan.

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) has abruptly halted the solicitation of tours to China, reversing its previous policy. Originally scheduled to open on March 1, tours from Taiwan to China were limited to a daily reference cap of 2,000 people, with the possibility of adjustments based on the travel industry’s ability to attract customers. The decision to halt the tours immediately was made in response to China’s failure to organize tours to Taiwan and its unilateral change of the M503 flight route without goodwill, which poses a threat to flight safety. The Tourism Administration, a part of the MOTC, believes that given the current circumstances, it is not in the best interest of Taiwanese nationals to travel to China. They continue to appeal to China to demonstrate goodwill and promote cross-strait tourism exchange. Tours that have already been solicited and are due to depart between March 1 and May 31, 2024, will proceed as planned to protect passenger rights, but tours after June 1 are not permitted to depart. Travel companies are urged to refrain from soliciting customers to avoid potential disputes.

President Tsai Ing-wen visited a quantum computer project funded by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) and Academia Sinica, witnessing the creation of Taiwan’s first self-developed, five-qubit superconducting complete system quantum computer. The president praised Academia Sinica for developing the five-qubit quantum computer in just two years and expressed her hopes for the quantum team to maintain Taiwan’s important position in the field. Academia Sinica’s president, James C. Liao, announced that the institution will continue investing in the quantum base, transitioning from basic experimental development to practical application through vertical integration. Academia Sinica has accumulated significant research and development capabilities in quantum technology, including achievements in quantum computer chip design, production, and state control and reading techniques for quantum bits. In 2023, Academia Sinica successfully developed Taiwan’s first five-qubit quantum chip and made the quantum computer system available on the cloud for partner testing, placing Taiwan among the countries with self-made superconducting quantum computers. This accomplishment has had a significant impact on domestic quantum technology research, serving as a demonstration and inspiration for further advancements.

The Taiwan Lantern Festival 2024 will be held in Tainan on February 3, featuring lantern areas in Anping and the High Speed Rail (HSR), covering a combined area of about 50 hectares. The Anping Lantern Area will be open from February 3 to March 10, while the HSR Lantern Area will be open from February 24 to March 10. The HSR lantern area, spanning about 28 hectares, is located around the International Convention Center Tainan (ICC Tainan) and consists of three main sections: the main exhibit, ＂Light in the City,＂ and a ＂green-energy＂ zone. The main exhibit will have 11 themes, while ＂Light in the City＂ will guide visitors through Tainan’s 400-year history using sound, light, and art. One of the main attractions in ＂Light in the City＂ is the art installation called ＂Infinity Cube,＂ a 16-meter-high structure funded by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) at a cost of over NT$10 million. The Infinity Cube is made up of thousands of mirror-reflective plates, creating diverse visual effects that reflect the surrounding environment during the day and illuminate the city at night. Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che expressed gratitude to TSMC for its sponsorship and believes it will attract more visitors to the festival. TSMC sees this artwork as an embodiment of its ESG vision, focusing on green manufacturing, responsible supply chains, a diverse workplace, talent development, and caring for the underprivileged.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture has launched the ＂Culture Points＂ program, which allows Taiwanese youth aged 16 to 22 to receive at least 1,200 points, with each point equivalent to one New Taiwan dollar. These points can be used for various cultural and artistic experiences and consumption, such as museum tickets, community cultural center activities, music exhibitions, and art performances. However, there have been controversies as some vendors have violated the regulations by presenting beauty and nail care products as artistic and cultural items. Investigations have been launched, and the disqualified vendors have had their funds withdrawn. It is important to note that the Culture Points cannot be resold, bought, or cashed, and violators will be legally prosecuted. The points are valid until December 31, 2024, and recipients are required to scan the QR code at relevant venues or present the QR code for scanning. Receipts or invoices equivalent to the original value must be issued by stores during purchases made with Culture Points, and violating shops may be reported to the National Taxation Bureau.

Taiwan’s government confirms budget surplus, prioritizes debt repayment and infrastructure investments. Cabinet spokesman Lin Tze-luen expresses gratitude for joint efforts leading to economic growth. Taiwan’s annual tax revenue exceeds target, reaching NT$367.1 billion in fiscal year 2023, marking the third-highest record. Speculation arises on possible cash rebate as government distributed NT$6,000 to citizens in 2022 surplus. Lin Tze-luen declares government will consider public opinion on surplus utilization. Surplus will be applied with fiscal discipline, focusing on debt repayment and infrastructure investments. Efforts will be made to meet national and individual needs for sustainable development.

Taipei People’s Party (TPP) Chairman Ko Wen-je has expressed his intention to establish an internal public opinion center in order to improve the accuracy of future polls. This decision follows the TPP’s defeat in the presidential election and the subsequent launch of a post-defeat review. Ko believes that implementing out-of-district voting is a key change that needs to be made. He also highlighted the need for voting methods to adapt to the changing times, which he sees as a contributing factor to the election loss. In the meantime, concerns have been raised about legislator-at-large-elect Huang Shan-shan’s alleged dual party membership. Huang has responded by threatening legal action against those spreading false information, as the TPP prepares to establish a legal department. Additionally, TPP Taipei party headquarters chairman Lin Kuo-cheng has offered to resign due to disappointing post-election results. The TPP has clarified that staff turnovers are a result of job positions and organizational adjustments, as current legislative workloads are burdensome. The party plans to release a defeat review report to identify the main causes of the election loss.

The Minister of Economic Affairs, Wang Mei-hua, plans to help Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) seek budgetary support from the Executive Yuan to alleviate its financial distress. Taipower reached out to the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) for assistance, citing escalating international fuel prices caused by the Russia-Ukraine war. Other global power companies, such as Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), and Électricité de France (EDF), have already experienced significant price hikes. Taipower’s rates are relatively low compared to the cost of power generation, resulting in policy-driven losses. As of 2023, Taipower has accumulated losses of NT$382.6 billion due to absorbing price increases to protect Taiwan from global inflation. The MOEA disclosed that Taipower and the CPC Corporation have discrepancies in predicting natural gas prices, leading Taipower to observe international coal prices for cost estimates in 2024. While mitigating Taipower’s financial woes in the short term poses challenges, Wang aims to prevent further losses. The MOEA will assist Taipower in lobbying the government for budget support once financial situation estimates are finalized. The decision to adjust electricity prices will be made by the Electricity Price Review Committee.

Yangmingshan Elementary School, located in Taipei, Taiwan, has become the first school in the country to implement a two-day cold break due to a cold front. Principal Liang Chih-huan made the decision to prioritize student safety, considering the potential for snowfall at students’ homes and icy roads. The suspended classes will be made up on the following Monday and Tuesday. Additionally, there is a possibility of snow at Yangmingshan’s Erziping trail, leading to an increase in snow tourists. Nearby Chinese Culture University is already on winter break, but administrative staff will take time off based on actual conditions. In the event of snowfall, vehicle restrictions will be imposed on Yangde Boulevard, the main road to Yangmingshan, with only vehicles with passes permitted to proceed. Snow chains will be required for vehicles accessing the mountain’s control and snow viewing points, and buses will not be allowed in the controlled areas.

Former Kaohsiung mayor Han Kuo-yu and Kuomintang legislator Johnny Chiang have announced their joint bid for the positions of President and Vice President of the Legislative Yuan. The Kuomintang made a triumphant return to the legislature in the 2024 election, becoming the largest party after eight years. Han, who received considerable attention as a potential presidential nominee within the legislature, aims to revitalize the Legislative body’s supervisory and balancing responsibilities. Han and Chiang, in their partnership called ＂Han-Chiang,＂ seek to restore oversight and balance of power roles in the legislature. Chiang has agreed to collaborate in order to fulfill promises made to over 8 million voters and achieve unity within the opposition. However, Chiang hopes to prioritize the vice-president candidacy for a nominee put forth by the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP). Han remains committed to tirelessly working for the welfare and benefits of the Taiwanese people, regardless of the outcome.

A Singaporean man named Jake fell into a coma on his first day visiting Taiwan, prompting a fundraising campaign to cover his medical expenses. The campaign has raised 89,000 Singapore dollars (about NT＄2.09 million) as of January 18. Jake was airlifted back to Singapore after a month-long hospital stay, but remains in a vegetative state. His hospital expenses and air ambulance charges have depleted his family’s savings, amounting to 66,166 Singapore dollars (approximately NT＄1.55 million). Currently receiving treatment at Singapore General Hospital’s intensive care unit, Jake’s nightly charges are 426 Singapore dollars (roughly NT＄10,000). Although he regained consciousness on December 30 and was transferred to a general ward, severe brain damage prevents him from communicating with his family. Despite this, Jake has made progress in physical rehabilitation, being able to sit up, stand with support, and actively learn to walk.

The Asian Men’s U20 Volleyball Championship, originally scheduled to be held in Taiwan in July, has been relocated to Indonesia, according to the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC). The change of venue was reportedly triggered by a protest from China, although the Chinese Taipei Volleyball Association has not confirmed this. The competition, originally planned for July 20 to 27, will now take place from July 23 to 30 in Surabaya, Indonesia. The outcome of the Asian U20 Men’s Championship will impact eligibility for next year’s FIVB Volleyball Men’s U21 World Championship. China has refrained from sending teams to sporting events in Taiwan since the 2017 Universiade Taipei. In December of last year, China expressed its desire to change the host country and submitted a protest, leading to a voting procedure. The final decision was made during an online meeting organized by the AVC.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Education Sports Administration inspects the athletes’ village at the Paris 2024 Olympics, noting that Taiwan’s delegation has been allocated 39 single rooms for a comfortable rest environment. The Taiwan team has been granted an independent seven-story apartment in the village, which is located in Saint-Denis and features green construction designs. The village uses 100% renewable energy and will transform into a residential community and public activity area after the Olympics. The floors assigned to the Taiwan team are near completion, including 39 single rooms, 33 double rooms, and a two-story sky garden. The beds in the athletes’ dorms use thick cardboard frames and mattresses made from a special fishing net material. The athlete’s village won’t have air conditioning but will use a ＂floor cooling system＂ with cold water pipes installed under wooden floors. Portable air conditioners may be rented to ensure athletes get the best rest at night. Each country’s athletes’ village exterior can be self-designed, and Taiwan plans to discuss with the National Sports Training Center how to decorate and design the exterior to promote recognition of Taiwan and its athletes.

Taiwan’s commitment to renewable energy remains strong despite the recent general election results, according to Taipower. The acting chairman emphasized that the development of renewable energy is now a significant trend, no longer dependent on political parties. While Taipower’s total electricity sale in 2023 decreased by 1.6% due to reduced industry consumption, power use in commercial and domestic sectors has increased. The chairman highlighted the importance of green energy for Taiwan’s export-oriented industries and expressed the relentless drive for renewable energy. Regarding potential adjustments or innovative approaches, further evaluation is necessary. In response to questions about nuclear energy, Taipower stated that the new congress would hold discussions on power use and choice, and the company is prepared to provide data and respect any decisions made by the parliament.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) has received nearly 120,000 donations, amounting to over NT＄392 million for the ＂Noto Peninsula disaster relief fund.＂ Following a 7.6-magnitude earthquake on New Year’s Day 2024, the MOHW established a specialized account for aid and reconstruction efforts in Japan, which will accept donations until Friday. The Department of Social Assistance and Social Work, under the MOHW, has been accepting contributions since January 5. Donations can be made through convenience stores and bank transfers, and the collected funds will be handed over to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for disaster relief. To ensure transparency and facilitate tax purposes, the MOHW has created a service website where donors can provide their relevant information after making a contribution.

Taiwan’s legislative election results from Jan. 13 show a close race, with the Kuomintang (KMT) gaining a slight lead over the Democratic Progress Party (DPP). The Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) also made gains. This article explores the implications of the election on Taiwan’s parliamentary dynamics and potential challenges in legislation and governance.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has begun distributing COVID-19 rapid test kits to travelers at Taoyuan International Airport in Taipei. The kits are available in the reception areas and exit halls of both terminals, and each traveler is eligible to receive one kit regardless of age. The decision was made in response to the increasing rates of respiratory diseases worldwide. The CDC Deputy Director-General, Philip Lo, stated that the peak of the COVID-19 surge in Taiwan is expected to be in mid-to-late January, with a possible rise after the Lunar New Year holidays. Travelers have expressed appreciation for the policy, with many noting how thoughtful and helpful the Taiwanese government is. The distribution of test kits may continue after the Lunar New Year holidays, depending on the international and domestic pandemic conditions.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump criticizes President Joe Biden’s soft response to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s threats against Taiwan. Trump questions Biden’s decision to vacation during this tense period. Xi’s New Year’s message emphasized the inevitability of unifying with Taiwan, drawing international attention. Trump’s team accuses Biden of insufficient response while vacationing in St. Croix. Despite the U.S.’s ＂strategic ambiguity＂ on defending Taiwan, Biden has made clear statements indicating support for Taiwan if China invades.