Scarlett Yu 結果共265筆

Legislative candidate Chen Kai-ning suspends her campaign activities after it was revealed that the retired air force officer turned delivery person featured in a viral video by Taiwanese stand-up comedian Brian Tseng is her estranged father. Chen confirms her father’s identity but clarifies that her mother is alive and was her primary caregiver. Chen temporarily halts her campaign activities for a week out of respect for those affected by the incident.

Lai Ching-te, the Democratic Progressive Party’s presidential candidate, and his running mate Hsiao Bi-khim have launched a social media campaign urging supporters to film themselves taking ’2 steps in 6 strides.’ The campaign aims to rally support and votes for the DPP ticket (represented by the number 2) and for the DPP (represented by the number 6) in the upcoming elections. Lai incorporated the lyrics from his new campaign ad in a promotional video, encouraging supporters to respond by recording and posting their own ’2 steps in 6 strides’ walk on social media. Supporters are to tag the official accounts of Lai and Hsiao on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, using the hashtag ＂#113StandUpTaiwan＂ for a chance to be re-posted, thus aligning themselves with other supporters. This social media event, titled ’Walking the Right Path,’ aims to attract more supporters in the final stage of their campaign and drive voter turnout.

The 2024 presidential election in Taiwan will feature a live televised debate among the candidates, including Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party, Hou Yu-ih of the Kuomintang, and Ko Wen-je of Taiwan’s People Party. The debate will consist of four rounds, including candidate speeches, media inquiries, inter-candidate questioning, and conclusions. Lai has criticized the KMT-TPP joint ticket and urged viewers to support him, while Hou has been preparing intensively for the debate to communicate his election concepts and political views. Ko has expressed his intention to question Lai on promoting Taiwan’s independence without U.S. government support. The debate will be co-hosted by Liberty Times Net and other media outlets and will be aired on Public Television Service, with Hu Yuan-hui serving as the host.

KMT presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih vows to sue those smearing his family over ongoing accusations about their real estate holdings. The DPP has targeted Hou’s family’s rental apartments and land case in Xinzhuang district, making it a focal point of the election campaign. Hou, a former criminal police, emphasizes his wife’s role in managing the home while he is away for work. He claims the apartments and land were inherited from his wife’s parental family. Hou condemns the DPP’s use of malicious language and views it as a violent electoral tactic. He expresses his outrage and announces his intention to use legal means to protect his family.

Popular Taiwanese band Mayday received encouragement from Executive Yuan Premier Chen Chien-jen to continue giving strength, despite pressure from China to endorse the ＂One China＂ stance. Chen criticized China’s use of false information to attack the world. Mayday is feeling pressure from the Chinese government ahead of the presidential election. Chen praised Mayday for their creative contributions under Taiwan’s culture of freedom, democracy, diversity, and openness. Legislator-at-large candidate Puma Shen of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) also highlighted China’s interference in nations worldwide, including luring artists to develop in China and gradually dictating their speech. Shen explained that these tactics typically last from three to six years, causing victims to fall prey to China’s united front tactics.

50 Lan, a renowned tea beverage chain in Taipei, is set to raise its prices in 2024 due to increased operational and sales costs. Influenced by ingredient costs and labor shortages, the hike marks a potential trend in Taiwan’s popular hand-shake beverage market.

Explore the controversy surrounding campaign tactics in Taiwan’s presidential race, including allegations of election bribery and the Ministry of Justice’s evaluation of giveaways.

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.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Finance clarifies that the property at Lai Ching-te’s permanent residence was not illegally transferred from public to private ownership. The Finance National Property Administration states that land registry data show the property has always been privately owned and has no record of being expropriated from state ownership. Accusations of profiteering corruption against Lai by former legislator Chiu Yi and media personality Mao Chia-ching are refuted by the FNP, which reiterates that the land has been privately owned since 1940 with no records of state ownership or transfer.

The urban planning committee of Taiwan’s Ministry of the Interior (MOI) has approved phase two of the Central Taiwan Science Park (CTSP) expansion project, which is closely linked to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). This project aims to meet the advanced manufacturing needs of Taiwan’s semiconductor industry. The CTSP administration received support from committee members, and the land is expected to be handed over to factories by mid-2024 for public works construction. The expansion will convert agricultural and institutional land into a specialized area and public facility space spanning 89 hectares. In addition to creating 4,500 jobs to strengthen the semiconductor industry, the project will also align with climate change strategies and targets for a net-zero path by 2050. This includes a timeline for the supply of reclaimed water and renewable energy. The MOI emphasizes that these strategies and targets will respond to international sustainability goals while balancing global competitiveness with local sustainable development.

The Taiwan Higher Education Union (THEU) has criticized the government for playing a false game with wage increases. While civil servants, including military and education personnel, are set to receive a 4 percent pay increase next year, over 21,000 technical and administrative staff at universities, about 70 percent, remain unsure of their raises. This uncertain group includes employees at private universities. The THEU believes that the government should not leave salaries of non-certified staff to the discretion of universities, as it causes division and lowers morale. Only around 9,000 public employees out of the approximately 31,000 full-time staff members at universities and colleges are certain about their pay rise next year. The THEU is concerned that the hardships of grassroots workers in tertiary education institutions are being overlooked amidst the upcoming presidential elections. They urge that national wage increases should apply to all university staff, with appropriate subsidies provided.

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.

A male police officer was found dead in his bedroom at the National Police Agency’s Special Police Sixth Headquarters in Taipei’s Zhongzheng district. The Taipei City Fire Department is conducting a primary investigation into the incident, with the possible cause of death believed to be sudden death triggered by cold weather. Paramedics confirmed the officer’s death upon arrival. While initial reports suggest the cold weather may have played a role, the exact cause of death is still under investigation. Further details will be released following a more thorough probe.

Russian woman Lana Korotkova lost her wallet at a Christmas party in Taichung but was able to retrieve it within ten minutes with the help of local police. The wallet contained important documents, including her residency permit. Authorities located the missing items through surveillance footage and found the taxi cab where she had left them. The quick response from the police is part of their commitment to providing excellent service to all citizens, regardless of nationality, and aims to create a positive impression on foreign visitors and foster good diplomatic ties.

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.

Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has identified two batches of Japanese strawberries as non-compliant due to pesticide residue issues. The strawberries, imported from Fukuoka and Tochigi, failed to pass border inspections and will now undergo 100 percent batch inspection. Out of the 1,084 batches of Japanese strawberries inspected this year, 19 were found to be non-compliant, accounting for a rate of 1.75 percent. The FDA will continue to conduct thorough inspections until April 30, 2024, to ensure compliance with pesticide residue regulations.

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an celebrated his first year in office, focusing on policy achievements in sustainability, youth entrepreneurship, and capital planning. He emphasized the role of AI in developing Taipei as a smart city and outlined future goals for making the city safe, sports-oriented, and technology-driven.

Taipei’s renowned Eslite bookstore in Xinyi District, a symbol of Taiwan’s literary and cultural scene, prepares to close its doors this Sunday. The anticipated successor, Songyan store, opens Jan. 20, promising to continue Eslite’s legacy in a new, expansive setting.

The Customs Tariff Commission of China’s State Council has announced that starting from January 1 next year, it will suspend the application of preferential tariffs for 12 categories of chemically imported goods from Taiwan, including propylene and paraxylene. China claims that Taiwan violates ECFA regulations by imposing discriminatory trade measures for products exported from China, and a trade barrier investigation by China’s Ministry of Commerce confirmed these restrictions as a trade barrier. Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) accuses China of political manipulation and bypassing WTO dispute mechanisms. The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) states that the export value of ECFA’s early harvest list to China has been decreasing, projected to retract to pre-ECFA levels by year-end. The MOEA proposes managing cross-strait economic disputes under the WTO mechanism and encourages China to do the same.

China has announced the suspension of preferential tariffs on certain products under the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA), potentially impacting cross-strait trade. Li Zhenguang, deputy dean of the Taiwan Research Institute at Beijing Union University, suggests that this move could lead to the complete termination of the ECFA, creating uncertainty for the future. Tang Yonghong, deputy director of the Taiwan Research Center at Xiamen University, considers the suspension to be moderate and emphasizes that China will respond with corresponding measures if Taiwan imposes trade bans or limitations. The development of cross-strait trade is contingent on the relationship between the two sides, with trade being affected if relations become confrontational. China’s suspension of tariff concessions for 12 imported items is seen as a warning to Taiwan in defense of the ＂1992 Consensus,＂ indicating China’s unwavering stance on cross-strait relations.

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.

The Taiwan Central Election Commission (CEC) responded to concerns about commercial interruptions during the presidential TV debate held on December 20. The CEC clarified that the entire event was broadcast without interruption and reaffirmed that Formosa Television (FTV) followed the law in broadcasting the debate. The CEC also addressed rumors circulating online, confirming that no irregularities were found in regards to ad insertions or candidate speech snippets. The full event was available for viewing on the official CEC website and Facebook page.

A renowned Taiwanese traditional restaurant in Taipei’s Songshan district has been ordered by the Taipei District Court to vacate its premises due to rent arrears of five and a half months. The establishment, favored by non-partisans in its early years, temporarily closed after the founder’s death in February 2022 but reopened on Renai Road in May of the same year. However, due to structural irregularities in the kitchen, the restaurant relocated to Bade Road in 2021. The landlord claimed that the eatery had been persistently defaulting on rent, accumulating a debt of NT＄760,000. After receiving no response to a notice of lease termination, the landlord filed a lawsuit demanding the return of the premises, compensation for the owed rent, and a monthly rental payment of NT＄140,000 until the property is surrendered. The court ruled in favor of the landlord, terminating the lease agreement and ordering the restaurant to vacate the premises and continue paying rent until it does so.

The Fire Bureau of Changhua County reported 53 emergency medical cases in the last 24 hours, including five instances of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), possibly linked to a sudden dip in temperatures due to an extreme cold wave in Taiwan. The OHCA victims, aged 65 to 87, had yet to have the exact causes determined. Although the number of emergency cases is consistent with the daily average of 54, the number of non-responsive patients increased from three to five. The CHFD advises older adults, those with cardiovascular diseases, and others susceptible to cold weather to dress warmly. The Changhua County Public Health Bureau urges anyone experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest tightness to seek immediate medical care.

The National Property Administration (NPA) in Taipei expects to exceed its goal of 200,000 social housing units by next year by 107 percent. Currently, there are already 94,023 social housing units completed or under construction, surpassing this year’s target of 20,000 units. The NPA provides rental housing matchmaking services to socioeconomically disadvantaged groups using private residential resources and professional management. Additionally, the NPA has proposed a new housing policy goal for 2025-2032, aiming to establish 250,000 direct social housing units, 250,000 units under rental management, and 500,000 units with rent subsidies. The NPA plans to implement more comprehensive housing policies to address the housing needs of different groups and alleviate the public’s housing burden.