Major 結果共124筆

Taipei mayoral candidate Ko Wen-je criticized his opponent Lai Ching-te’s ＂Bilingual 2030＂ policy, arguing that it lacks a comprehensive plan and causes panic among educators and parents. Ko identified three major issues in Taiwan’s education system: limited social mobility for underprivileged children, a gap between school curriculum and society’s needs, and a lack of alignment with international practices. He also highlighted the disparity in educational opportunities between higher socio-economic families and disadvantaged ones. Ko criticized the existing bilingual education policy for lacking a concrete path to realization.

The smartphone market is set to rebound in 2024, according to Rick Tsai, chairman of MediaTek Inc., a global chip leader. Tsai attributes this growth to the increasing popularity of AI applications, which is driving the replacement of mobile phones and PCs and creating a higher demand for devices. Under Tsai’s leadership, MediaTek has released advanced products such as the Tianji 9300, a flagship 5G chip that supports generative AI applications. Qualcomm, another major chip company, is also capitalizing on the AI trend with its latest 5G handset chip, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which offers AI support for enhanced user experiences. Both companies anticipate a surge in AI smartphone upgrades due to improved computing power and a wider range of applications.

Deputy Trade Representative Yang Jen-ni of Taiwan’s Office of Trade Negotiations (OTN) criticized China’s recent trade barriers against Taiwan, highlighting four major concerns. Yang pointed out that China’s investigation process is biased, unfair, nontransparent, and not in line with international norms. Documents such as applications, comments, respondent summaries, and non-confidential data were undisclosed or restricted to foreigners. Additionally, Yang condemned China for bypassing the Taiwan government during the investigation, prioritizing political objectives over economic ones. She also accused China of misinterpreting trade policies and creating a false narrative that Taiwan is unwilling to address disputes. Lastly, Yang criticized China for producing inflated and unverifiable data in its impact assessment, without solid evidence to support its claims. Yang urged China to abandon its one-sided political manipulation and suggested initiating consultations through the World Trade Organization (WTO) mechanism to resolve trade disputes.

任何搭機旅行都可能帶來壓力，尤以長途飛行最令人卻步，擔心難以吃飯、睡覺、無法脫鞋、自由活動等。擁有24年經歷的英國空服員、歐洲運輸工人聯合會聯合機組人員委員會主席梅傑（Kris Major）接受《CNN》專訪，為充滿疑惑的旅客提供長途飛行的7個密技。

Taiwan’s investments in New Southbound countries in the first 11 months of 2023 have surpassed investments in Mainland China, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA). Investments in the New Southbound countries reached US＄5.13 billion, a 7.26% year-on-year increase, outstripping investments in Mainland China, which stood at US＄2.96 billion. This trend is driven by the supply chain diversification, accelerated by the U.S.-China trade war and major manufacturers’ strategies to decentralize operations. Investments in New Southbound countries now account for around 20% of Taiwan’s total overseas investments, whereas China accounts for approximately 11.5%. From January to November 2023, there were 2,102 approved cases of overseas-focused investments by Taiwanese and foreign entities, a decrease of 8.89% compared to last year. The amount invested reached about US＄10.8 billion (approximately NT＄323.7 billion), the second-highest for the period in the last 15 years but still representing a 13.04% decline from the previous year. Investments from New Southbound countries into Taiwan saw 609 approved cases within the same timeframe, an annual increase of 41.30%. The investment totaled approximately US＄2.5 billion (about NT＄75.7 billion), up 25.20% from the previous year, with the most significant inflows originating from Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia. On a broader scale, the 504 approved cases of outbound investments from Taiwan marked a 2.44% annual increase, surging by 145.61% financially to roughly US＄22.8 billion (approximately NT＄684.4 billion). Investments in New Southbound countries revealed 195 approved cases, rising by 35.42% year-on-year, totaling around US＄5.1 billion (approximately NT＄ 154.1 billion) and constituting 20% of Taiwan’s total foreign investments. Singapore, Vietnam, and Thailand were the leading recipients. Conversely, approved investments in Mainland China amounted to 305 cases, down by 7.58%, with the approved investment sum decreasing by 33.91% to approximately US＄2.96 billion (about NT＄88.9 billion). Mainland Chinese investments in Taiwan experienced a 45.45% decline in approved cases to 24, with the investment figure falling 21.65% to about US＄27.4 million (approximately NT＄821.6 million).

A new survey conducted by Cathay Financial Holding reveals that 59.3% of respondents expect their year-end bonuses for 2023 to be between one to three months’ worth of salary. Additionally, 45.9% of those polled anticipate a salary increase in 2024, with 9.2% expecting the raise to exceed 3%. However, only 8.3% foresee year-end bonuses topping three months’ salary, while 32.4% predict bonuses will fall below one month. In terms of regular monthly earnings in 2024, 47.6% of participants project stability. The survey also indicates that the average growth expectation for Taiwan’s economy in 2024 stands at 2.52%, with 70% of those surveyed predicting a growth rate above 2%. Respondents expect the inflation rate in 2024 to be 2.21%, with 55% believing it will remain above 2%. These figures differ from the projections by the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics, which forecasts a 3.35% growth rate and a 1.64% inflation rate for Taiwan in 2024. In December, the optimism index for Taiwan’s stock market rose sharply to 16.1 from -0.4 in November, and the risk appetite index increased from 10.3 to 13.9, indicating market anticipation of potential rate cuts by major central banks next year. The survey, conducted from Dec. 1 to 7, gathered 13,379 valid questionnaires via email from members of Cathay Life Insurance’s official website and customers of Cathay United Bank.

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) announced that three drug-sniffing dogs have completed their service, one continuing under the Customs Administration’s evaluation and the other two retiring in October. The MND deployed 18 additional detection dogs across various regions in December 2022. Major General Chen Heng-wei stated that the detection squads conducted 467 assigned smell duties through educational recalls and base applications. Throughout the year, operational areas designated 211 smell duties, with 145 requests from military bases. The government mandates a service limit of four years for these canines, but dogs in good condition may serve up to seven years. The establishment of drug-sniffing dog units began in 2020 as part of efforts to deter military personnel from bringing drugs into the barracks, showcasing the ministry’s commitment to maintaining zero tolerance for drugs within military facilities.

Shares of Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp. experienced a surge in volume, with over 70,000 shares traded, ranking in the top five in terms of transaction volume. This follows the suspension of services through the Red Sea by major container shipping companies, including Evergreen Marine Corp., Yang Ming, and Wan Hai Lines Ltd., due to attacks by Yemeni militants. The crisis in the Red Sea has led to global shipping lines rerouting, potentially alleviating excess capacity and boosting international freight rates. The stock performance of these ＂Big Three＂ container shipping firms has drawn significant attention. Evergreen Marine’s stock exhibited volatility, reaching a post-ex-dividend high of NT$148 but later dipping to NT$144.5. Yang Ming’s stock price also reached a morning peak but corrected downwards, with a trading volume surpassing 70,000 shares. Wan Hai Lines experienced a similar downward trend. These movements in the shipping sector are closely monitored amid the ongoing situation in the Red Sea, which impacts shipping routes worldwide.

According to a recent survey by Yes123 job bank, 71% of Taiwanese workers expect to receive a year-end bonus, with 21.1% predicting a larger payout compared to last year. Dissatisfaction with bonus amounts could lead 64.2% of office workers to consider resigning. However, 70.9% of employees anticipate receiving their 2023 bonus before the 2024 Lunar New Year holiday, which is a five-year high. Reasons for not expecting a bonus include company profit declines (15.8%), non-full-time employment status (5.2%), insufficient tenure (4.7%), and personal performance (3.4%). Among those expecting a bonus, 18.6% believe they will receive less than last year, while 60.3% expect a similar amount. The main intended uses for the bonuses are savings (45.5%), honoring parents (43.2%), loan payments (40.5%), handing out red envelopes (39.3%), and investing (31.4%). Workers believe that the ideal distribution of bonuses should be proportionate to personal performance (41.9%), equitable for all employees (32.6%), or tied to company profit (25.5%). Factors that could impact the size of year-end bonuses include company profits (69.2%), personal performance (52.3%), moods of bosses or major shareholders (51.4%), years of service (50.4%), job rank (26.7%), and relationships with bosses or supervisors (25.5%).

Delivery Hero, the parent company of Foodpanda, will close its global tech hub in Taipei as part of a major restructuring. This decision comes as Delivery Hero faces reduced investor confidence and aims to achieve efficient profitability and sustained growth. However, Taiwan’s Foodpanda assured that its operations in Taiwan will not be affected by the closure. The company also clarified that the recent organizational adjustments will not impact its operations or organizational structure in Taiwan, and no staff members in Taiwan will be laid off as part of this restructuring.

The Ministry of Labor in Taiwan has announced significant revisions to the regulations governing work permits for foreign professionals in arts and performing arts. The new regulations, which will take effect on December 20, aim to attract more foreign artistic talent to Taiwan’s cultural scene. One major change is the acceptance of documents from important international organizations, such as the United Nations, for residents of Hong Kong and Macau who are unable to obtain official recommendation or certification documents. The framework for foreign artistic professionals’ work is divided into four main types: performance and visual arts, publishing, film and broadcasting, and popular music and crafts. The qualifications for the publishing industry have been relaxed to recognize individuals with over five years of publishing experience who demonstrate originality and special performance in their field. Similarly, the qualifications for crafts-related work have been broadened to accept assistant professors or individuals with equivalent qualifications. Prior to these revisions, the application process for foreigners undertaking artistic work in Taiwan was stringent, requiring an application through an employer or by the professionals themselves if they met the necessary qualifications. As of October 2023, Taiwan had 245 self-employed foreign artists holding valid working permits, highlighting the country’s growing reputation as a hub for international art professionals.

Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih criticizes Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) opponent Lai Ching-te for lacking clarity on cross-strait economic and trade policies. Hou emphasizes the importance of maintaining trade with China and accuses the DPP of not participating in major trade agreements. He vows to join these agreements and secure Taiwan’s position in regional economics. KMT vice-presidential candidate Jaw Shaw-kong also criticizes the DPP for not engaging with mainland China and increasing banned items from China. He argues that the KMT is better equipped to initiate cross-strait dialogues.

Three major food service companies in Taiwan, Jhu Jian Group, Family International Gourmet Co., Ltd., and Mercuries F&B Co., Ltd., are set to list on the emerging stock market next week. Jhu Jian Group will join the Pioneer Stock Board on Dec. 21 and plans to transition to the emerging stock market trading by Jan. 2, 2024. The group’s revenue has already surpassed that of the previous year, with projections indicating an expansion to 175 outlets by year’s end. Family International Gourmet Co., Ltd. will also list on Dec. 21, with a robust year-over-year revenue increase of 28.4% in the first eleven months. Mercuries F&B Co., Ltd. will enter the emerging stock market on Dec. 22, reporting an impressive revenue increase of 10.82% in the first eleven months. These listings reflect the strong recovery and growth in Taiwan’s food and beverage sector.

Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Eric Chu expressed optimism about the nomination of the Hou-Jaw ticket, stating that it has boosted party morale and is projected to increase the party’s number of legislative constituencies by more than ten. Chu estimated that the KMT is likely to secure 14 to 15 legislator-at-large seats, which would give them an absolute majority in the Legislative Yuan. He highlighted the stable political landscape in the Taipei-Keelung area, the advantage in the Taoyuan-Hsinchu-Miaoli area, and potential progress in the southern regions, including Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Pintung. Chu also mentioned the strong performance of Mayor Chang San-cheng in Taoyuan and the popularity of former legislator Li Yen-hsiu in Taipei’s 4th election district. Despite criticism over the presence of second-generation officials on the KMT legislator-at-large list, Chu defended their selection, citing their substantial contributions to the public and their professions.

President Tsai Ing-wen attended the Ministry of National Defense’s semi-annual promotion ceremony for military officers, where she commended their contributions to national security and defense reforms. She highlighted the achievements of the indigenous warship-building program, including the launch of the ＂Hai Kun＂ (Narwhal) sub and the keel-laying ceremony for a prototype air-defense patrol ship. The ceremony saw the promotion of 26 officers, with seven elevated to lieutenant general and 19 to major general. President Tsai expressed gratitude to the promoted officers and their families for their commitment to the nation’s safety and emphasized the importance of continuous improvement in troop training and talent development.

Premier Chen Chien-jen celebrated the release of Human Rights Stamps by Chunghwa Post, showcasing Taiwan’s advancements in human rights. The event was attended by notable figures such as Chen Chu, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission, and Wu Hong-mo, Chairperson of Chunghwa Post. Premier Chen, an avid philatelist, emphasized the universality of human rights and the power of stamps in raising awareness. Taiwan’s progress in human rights was highlighted, including the implementation of the National Human Rights Action Plan in 2022, incorporating five out of nine major human rights conventions into domestic laws. Taiwan’s junior high students also achieved top scores internationally in civic education assessments, particularly excelling in gender equality, ethnic equality, immigrant rights, and environmental awareness. Chen Chu recalled a previous stamp featuring Eleanor Roosevelt during martial law in 1964, introducing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The new set of four stamps features acronyms of major human rights documents, each illustrated with distinct colors and symbols representing their respective themes. Wu expressed hope that these stamps would showcase Taiwan’s human rights achievements as they circulate.

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 Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has reported the first case of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in a child detected during airport screening. A teenage boy developed a fever upon arriving from mainland China on December 4 and tested positive for the pathogen the following day. This detection has raised concerns amid an outbreak of respiratory illnesses in mainland China. The CDC has initiated targeted surveillance at the country’s four major international airports, urging travelers to undergo voluntary testing. Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections account for only 1.2 percent of the cases identified through airport screenings, indicating a downward trend overall. The current respiratory diseases in mainland China are predominantly attributed to influenza viruses, with Mycoplasma infections declining. Health officials have reassured the public that airport testing protocols will continue and are expected to be maintained through the Lunar New Year period to ensure monitoring of incoming travelers and the containment of potential infectious diseases.

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 Fire Department and Taipei City Hospital have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen collaboration between firefighters and medical personnel. The MOU includes joint training exercises, combined rescue efforts during major disasters, emergency medical response for mass casualty events, and the development of shared educational programs. Taipei City Hospital sees this partnership as an opportunity to improve rescue success rates and ensure the safety of search-and-rescue teams, as well as enhance overall operational effectiveness. The integration of real-world disaster response with training aims to enhance team coordination and achieve mutual benefits.

Amidst escalating tensions regarding allegations of vote-buying in Taiwan’s political arena, Wang Shih-Chien, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislative candidate for Taipei City, dismissed the accusations against him as ＂boring＂ on Thursday (Dec. 7) without providing further details. The allegations surfaced when his opponent, Kuomintang (KMT) candidate Yu Shu-hui, shared a Facebook post revealing beer boxes featuring images of DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te and Wang at a local banquet. This incident adds to a series of controversial campaign tactics in Taipei, including KMT candidate Hsu Chiao-hsin’s alleged distribution of noodles as a form of vote-buying. Hsu criticized the DPP for distributing lunch boxes and beer with Lai’s campaign slogans, suggesting a double standard. In response, Wang presented photos demonstrating that Yu had also distributed campaign items such as small bags, dishwashing liquid, and snacks. This exchange underscores the ongoing debate over what constitutes inappropriate campaign gifts, as both major parties scrutinize each other’s activities leading up to the elections.

Don Quijote, the popular Japanese retail brand, has opened its largest flagship store in Taiwan, located in Kaohsiung. The store, situated in the Dalee Department Store, spans an impressive area of nearly 1,000 pings and features three distinctive zones catering to different shopping desires. These include an Outdoor section for camping and trekking gear, the Donki Sake area for Japanese alcohol enthusiasts, and the Coco Kawaii section for all things cute and adorable. In addition, the store offers a selection of ready-to-eat food restaurants. The opening day saw over 600 people queuing up outside the store, showcasing the excitement surrounding the new establishment. The Kaohsiung Mayor attended the opening, expressing astonishment at the turnout and lauding the decision of these two major Japanese brands, Muji and Don Quijote, to invest in Kaohsiung. With this new addition, Don Quijote now operates five stores across Taiwan, further solidifying its presence in the country’s retail landscape.

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.