Major 結果共124筆

Taiwan’s Health and Welfare Minister, Hsueh Jui-yuan, has announced that a major overhaul of hospital evaluation standards is underway, with the possibility of abolishing limits on the number of medical centers. This has sparked discussions and concerns about the reliability of hospital assessments, particularly after rumors circulated that Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital may replace Taipei Municipal Wanfang Hospital as a frontrunner in the northern region’s medical center. Minister Hsueh assured that the core concepts of tiered medical treatment will remain unchanged, and this year’s evaluation plans will not be affected. However, he acknowledged that the evaluation standards for medical centers, which have not been updated in over 20 years, need to be reviewed. The Minister highlighted the need to amend criteria that have become outdated, such as the mandatory inclusion of an Institutional Review Board (IRB), which is now a standard practice in all hospitals. The new evaluation standards will be announced publicly after a meeting, and medical centers willing to participate will undergo a trial evaluation. A draft of the updated standards is expected to be implemented within two years, in time for the next evaluation round in three years.

The Taipei Game Show, featuring over 300 games, opened to a crowd of nearly a thousand enthusiastic gamers who braved the cold temperatures and long waits. Despite some complaints about ticket scalpers and system malfunctions, the event was a major success, drawing in over 350,000 visitors over its four-day run. Nintendo’s return to the exhibition was a major highlight, with meet-and-greet sessions featuring beloved characters like Mario and Pikachu, and over a hundred machines available for trial of more than 25 games. With exhibitors given ample time to design their booths, the 2024 edition of the show was the largest in recent years.

A survey conducted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) suggests that a crisis similar to the large-scale military exercises China conducted near Taiwan in 1995-96 is likely to occur in 2024. The survey, conducted in late 2023, revealed that about 67% of American and 57% of Taiwanese scholars anticipate such a crisis. However, experts believe that China is currently unable to successfully invade Taiwan. Instead, they suggest that China may pursue actions of isolation or blockade against Taiwan within the next five years. The survey defines a ＂Taiwan Strait crisis＂ as a significant escalation of tensions accompanied by major People’s Liberation Army exercises aimed at intimidating Taiwan and reaffirming China’s threats of force. Factors contributing to these views include China’s reaction to Taiwan’s election results, negative assessments of U.S.-China relations, and the belief that the November meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping did not sufficiently stabilize relations to reduce the potential for a crisis.

EVA Air pilots, represented by the Taoyuan Union of Pilots, have voted overwhelmingly in favor of a strike. The union demands include a 20 percent salary increase, higher international allowances, and a ban on illegal foreign pilot hiring. The strike, set around the Lunar New Year Holidays, threatens major international flight disruptions.

Taiwan’s recent elections see the DPP securing a third term, a historic feat, but a legislative majority eludes major parties. Ko Wen-je’s appeal among young voters and improving gender balance in the legislature are key highlights.

According to a survey by the U.S think tank Pew Research Center, Taiwanese residents overwhelmingly identify themselves as Taiwanese rather than Chinese. The survey, conducted between June and September 2023, found that 67% of respondents identified as Taiwanese, while only 3% identified primarily as Chinese. Additionally, 28% considered themselves both Taiwanese and Chinese. These identity categories were reflected in political preferences, with self-identifying Taiwanese more likely to align with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Among residents below 35 years old, 83% identified as purely Taiwanese, and among women, 72% identified as exclusively Taiwanese. Despite this, 40% of respondents still had emotional ties to mainland China, with 11% maintaining strong emotions towards it. The survey also revealed a bearish outlook on China, with 66% of adults perceiving China’s power and influence as a threat. Both DPP and Kuomintang (KMT) voters considered China a major threat to Taiwan, with 78% and 59% respectively. However, KMT supporters were more likely to view the U.S. as a principal threat compared to DPP supporters. In terms of domestic issues, only 10% of KMT supporters were satisfied with the current state of living, compared to 48% of DPP supporters.

National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) has been named the top university in the ’Most Favored University Among Companies 2024’ survey by Cheers Magazine. The top ten universities include NCKU, National Taiwan University, National Tsing Hua University, National Chengchi University, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, National Sun Yat-sen University, National Central University, National Taipei University of Technology, and Tamkang University. In terms of private universities, Tamkang University ranks first, followed by Fu Jen Catholic University, Chung Yuan Christian University, Feng Chia University, and Soochow University. The survey also revealed a significant increase in the number of professional and technical institutes among the top 30, surpassing general private universities. Minghsin University of Science and Technology and Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages experienced the largest climb in rankings, closely monitored by the semiconductor industry. Notably, National Chengchi University excelled in the high-tech services industry, while Soochow University stood out in the finance industry as the only private university in the top five. The survey, conducted by Commonwealth Magazine, gathered data from 2,000 major companies’ HR departments and received a response rate of 30.39%.

Taiwan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang confirms a major diplomatic setback as Nauru severs ties, reducing Taiwan’s global allies to 12. The unexpected move, termed an ’ambush’, marks a significant shift in the South Pacific’s geopolitical landscape and raises questions about future collaborations.

Explore the vibrant atmosphere of Taiwan’s Election Day, characterized by high voter turnout and active participation from major political figures. Delve into the complexities of securing a parliamentary majority and the efficient vote-counting process, upholding the democratic integrity of the elections.

Taiwan gears up for a pivotal general election on Jan. 13, featuring a three-way presidential race and significant legislative changes, signaling a major shift in the island’s political landscape.

The upcoming Taiwan presidential election is expected to have a significant impact on the country’s economic growth, according to a research report by France’s Natixis Corporate and Investment Banking company. The report suggests that regardless of the election outcome, Taiwan is poised for economic growth, with the consumer and tech industries leading the way. The research predicts that economic growth could increase from 1.2% in 2023 to 2.9% in 2024. While candidates share similar social and labor policies, the report highlights the major differences in their positions on industrial and energy areas, as well as Taiwan’s economic relationship with China. The report also mentions the potential role of Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) candidate Ko Wen-je in triggering legislative instability. The incumbent Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), leading in polls, is expected to continue pushing for diversified trade and investment policies, shifting focus from China to the U.S. and other Asian regions. However, achieving these targets may be challenging as Taiwan has missed out on regional trade and economic agreements such as RCEP, CPTTP, and the U.S.-led IPEF. If the Kuomintang (KMT) wins the election, they might seek closer trade and investment links with China by expanding the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA), according to Natixis.

Taiwan’s stock market rose to 17,595.01 on Friday morning, despite Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) shares falling to NT＄578. This contrasts with major U.S. stock indices, as the Dow Jones rose by 10.15 points while the Nasdaq fell by 81.91 points. TSMC’s American Depositary Receipt (ADR) price also dropped below US＄100 to US＄99.13, causing a decline of around 1.04%. This decrease in TSMC’s value affected the main index by approximately 16 points, and its market capitalization dipped below NT＄15 trillion. Meanwhile, Asus Chairman Jonney Shih announced the company’s intensified efforts in artificial intelligence (A.I.) development, resulting in Asus shares rising by 6 points to open at NT＄460.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) leads Taiwan’s stock market with expectations of over 20% annual revenue increase. TSMC’s stock price stabilizes, opening at NT$580, raising market capitalization to NT$15.03 trillion. In contrast, major U.S. indices closed negatively on Wednesday. TSMC’s American Depositary Shares (ADR) decreased by 1.34%, closing at $100.17.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a detrimental effect on Taiwanese students’ eyesight, with 81.61% of high-school students, 73.16% of junior high school students, and 45.23% of elementary students experiencing poor eyesight in the 2022-2023 academic year. Excessive use of electronic devices, such as smartphones and tablets, is a major contributing factor to the prevalence of myopia, the most common eye condition among children. A survey conducted by the Child Welfare League Foundation in 2019 found that the average age at which children own their first phone is ten. Ophthalmologists warn that individuals with myopia over 500 degrees are three times more likely to develop glaucoma and 5.5 times more likely to develop cataracts compared to their peers. The risks escalate for those with myopia over 700 degrees, as they are 44 times more likely to experience retinal detachment and 127 times more likely to suffer macular degeneration. Even successful myopia laser correction does not eliminate the potential risks of ocular diseases, as thinning of eye tissues and elongation of the eye axis persist. The golden period for myopia control is considered to be between 3 to 18 years of age, and various strategies such as increased outdoor activities, the use of mydriatic agents, Orthokeratology, daily disposable contact lenses designed for myopia control, and the latest children’s vision management lenses can be employed. These alarming rates highlight the urgent need to strike a balance between technology use and effective prevention strategies and early treatment for Taiwanese children.

KMT vice-presidential candidate Jaw Shaw-kong claimed that he invited Taylor Swift to perform in Taiwan in 2023, but she declined due to concerns over the island’s geopolitical risks. Jaw warned that without a peaceful environment, investors would be discouraged from investing in Taiwan, potentially hindering the modernization and progress of businesses. He criticized the DPP for escalating tensions across the Taiwan Strait and believed that the U.S.’s harsh rhetoric and threats could deter potential investors. However, Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs disputed these claims, stating that foreign investment in Taiwan reached US＄10.7 billion by November 2023, the second-highest rate in 15 years. The MOEA emphasized that ＂war risk＂ did not deter foreign capital, citing major semiconductor companies and AI companies that have recently invested significantly in Taiwan. With the general elections approaching, the MOEA urged Jaw not to damage Taiwan’s reputation for political gain.

The Xinyi Precinct of the Taipei City Police Department has established an anti-trampling team in high-density areas around the Taipei 101 fireworks display to ensure safety during New Year’s Eve celebrations. Drone interceptors will be used to force unauthorized drones to land. Mobile police stations will be set up at five major venues, providing services such as traffic control and lost and found handling. Anti-trampling teams will be organized in key areas, and LED signs, megaphones, whistles, and strong lighting equipment will be used for emergency evacuations. Prompt intervention and contact with on-site paramedics will occur in cases of overcrowding or falling incidents.

The Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate, Hou Yu-ih, listed the ten major policy failures of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) during a livestream presidential debate. These failures include ineffective energy policies, food safety violations, deteriorated public security, debt burdening future generations, critical issues in people’s livelihoods, housing injustice, rising cross-strait military threats, plummeting wages, skyrocketing house prices, and ineffective pandemic responses. Hou elaborated on specific examples such as solar power corruption, tainted food black market dealings, overspending on ＂forward-looking＂ infrastructures, a lack of electricity and water, regulatory failure in the National Communications Commission (NCC), failed social housing policies, the threatening potential of military conflict, income inequality at a ten-year high, and around 20,000 deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hou expressed regret over his opponent, DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te’s campaign methods, accusing him of slander and displaying incompetence and unscrupulousness. Hou confirmed his opposition to Taiwanese independence while claiming that Lai advocated for it. He also criticized former Taipei Mayor and current Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je for not responding to this issue. Hou emphasized his lifelong pledge to remain loyal to the Republic of China’s flag and safeguard Taiwan’s democratic freedom.

As Taiwan’s elections approach, voter concerns over low wages and the Labor Insurance Fund’s bankruptcy are at the forefront. Labor groups criticize major parties for inadequate labor reforms, with a focus on enhancing labor rights and wages.

Chinese authorities are allegedly pressuring Taiwanese rock band Mayday to make pro-China statements ahead of Taiwan’s major election in January 2024, according to foreign media reports. China’s National Radio and Television Administration has reportedly asked Mayday to endorse Beijing’s claim that ＂Taiwan is part of China＂ and align with China’s media propaganda on Taiwan. The aim is believed to be influencing the votes of young people in Taiwan. Mayday’s management company, B’in Music, has not responded to inquiries, and higher authorities from the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council have also not commented on the matter.

Taiwan’s health ministry has announced the establishment of the Center for Health Policy and Technology Assessment (CHPTA) with an investment of nearly NT＄200 million from the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA). The CHPTA aims to expedite the review process for newly insured drugs by implementing parallel reviews. Starting from New Year’s Day in 2024, the new system is expected to significantly shorten the time required for reviewing newly insured drugs from an average of 13 months to 6 months. Health Minister Hsueh Jui-yuan emphasized that national health insurance plays a stabilizing role in Taiwanese society and disapproved of major amendments, ruling out the possibility of a ＂third generation health insurance.＂ He also expressed the belief that drug pricing policies under the health insurance system need reform, making the launch of CHPTA a significant reform effort.

In the countdown to Taiwan’s national election, major political parties are intensifying efforts to secure the support of young voters, seen as crucial for determining the outcome. Strategies include increased social media engagement and direct interactions with university students.

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) has clarified that the presence of Chinese aerial balloons in Taiwanese airspace this year is not related to any election activities. The MND spokesperson, Major General Sun Li-fang, explained that the frequency of these balloons is due to the prevailing northeast monsoon winds from October through February. The MND views the increasing number of balloons as potential reconnaissance tools and will respond accordingly to their encroachment within 24 nautical miles of Taiwanese airspace. The MND maintains administrative neutrality regarding elections and is coordinating with national security teams to counter Chinese misinformation efforts. Any potentially misleading Chinese activities will be publicized by the MND to safeguard citizen morale.

The Taiwan Carbon Solution Exchange (TCX) has launched international carbon credits trading, marking the start of a zero-carbon era. The Ministry of Environment (MOEV) is committed to achieving the net-zero goal and plans to implement carbon fees on businesses by 2024. Around 1,700 publicly traded companies in Taiwan will undergo carbon inspections within seven years, with those emitting 25,000 metric tons annually being the first to be taxed. However, the voluntary review report by the Climate Change Administration (CCA) revealed that three major greenhouse gas emission reduction goals were not met between 2020 and 2022, largely due to labor constraints. To accelerate progress, the CCA has doubled the number of inspection agencies from seven to 14 in the past two years.

The Transportation Bureau of Kaohsiung City Government (TBKC) has announced plans to regulate traffic around 10 major tourist spots in anticipation of the increased activities expected for the New Year’s holiday season. Measures will be implemented based on the transportation status on the day, with the aim of ensuring smooth traffic flow during the annual New Year’s Eve party in Kaohsiung and the New Year’s Eve fireworks show at Eda World. TBKC has released a guide on Facebook outlining phased road controls, entry routes, and parking plans, while also imposing stricter rules against illegal parking and towing in surrounding areas. To effectively disperse crowds, the Kaohsiung Metro (KRTC), circular light rail (LRT), and railway system will increase their services and operating hours. Residents are advised to check radio broadcasts and real-time online traffic updates before leaving home and are recommended to use public transportation like the metro instead of driving.

Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih highlights his achievements in public childcare in New Taipei City, having established 121 facilities, surpassing other major cities in Taiwan combined. Hou criticizes his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) opponent, Lai Ching-te, for lacking concrete efforts in providing care for children up to the age of 22. Hou also questions Lai’s commitment to waiving high-school fees and granting university subsidies, suggesting irresponsibility towards young people. Additionally, Hou points out Lai’s failure to plan social housing during his tenure as mayor of Tainan, while New Taipei City completed 11,000 units under his leadership.