TOTAL 結果共131筆

Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je, the presidential candidate for the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), aims to win a total of 10 seats in the upcoming Legislative Yuan elections. He plans to maintain President Tsai Ing-wen’s foreign affairs policies while adopting a friendlier approach to cross-strait relations and emphasizing Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities. Despite his pro-Democratic Progressive Party stance, Ko aims for a non-partisan approach to governance, drawing on his experience as a physician. He believes that the key to his success lies in the turnout of young voters and aspires to make Taiwan a ＂normal country.＂ Ko has been using his media platform, ＂KP TV,＂ and participating in interviews to enhance his media presence. Cynthia Wu has been chosen as the vice-presidential candidate for the TPP. Ko hinted at the possibility of involving Terry Gou, founder of Foxconn, in the campaign after discussing economic policies with Gou’s team. While Ko did not provide specific vote estimates, he mentioned that around 5.5 million votes are needed to win the presidency. He also suggested that if the TPP and the Kuomintang (KMT) were to part ways, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) might gain a majority in the Legislative Yuan.

Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation (THSRC) will be adding 21 weekly train services, with 11 heading southbound and 10 going northbound, starting on January 3, 2024. This expansion plan will bring the total number of weekly train services to 1,060 for passengers. Tickets for these additional services can be purchased starting from midnight on December 6. The aim of this service enhancement is to improve the travel experience for passengers north of Taichung, especially during peak commute hours and tourist seasons. The additional train services primarily target business commuters during weekdays. THSRC has previously executed two ＂regular service increase＂ plans in July and October, raising the fixed weekly services from 1,016 to 1,025 and then further to 1,039. In addition, a ＂short-term service increase＂ plan was implemented in November and December. THSRC intends to monitor the outcomes of this short-term increase to guide future adjustments in long-term service offerings. This initiative reflects THSRC’s commitment to adapting its services to the evolving travel patterns and needs of the public, aiming for greater convenience and efficiency for its users.

Taiwan’s Finance Minister, Chuang Tsui-yun, projects that Taiwan’s total export value for this year will exceed US$400 billion, marking the third-highest record in Taiwan’s history. The nation’s exports for the first ten months of the year have already reached US$355.1 billion. Despite a slight decline in October, Taiwan’s export sector has shown signs of resilience, with positive growth in September. Chuang advises industry leaders and government departments to closely monitor global economic factors, such as inflation and the interest rate hike cycle, which may impact exports. Cautious optimism is emphasized for exports in the fourth quarter and beyond.

Foxtron, a joint venture of Yulon Motor’s Luxgen Motor, has received over 9,100 pre-orders for its n7 electric vehicle (EV), making a significant impact on Taiwan’s domestic EV industry. Deliveries of the highly anticipated n7 model are set to begin in mid-January next year and be completed by the end of June. The n7’s pre-order numbers, achieved in just two days, equal three years of total EV sales in Taiwan, signaling a bright future for the EV market. Foxconn CEO Young Liu, leading the electric transformation of the trillion-dollar corporation, sees the increasing global competition in the EV sector as beneficial for Foxconn and its business models. Platformization, modularization, and standardization are key strategies for achieving cost control and timely product launches, which are at the core of Foxconn and Foxtron. The n7 model, benefiting from the shared platform provided by Foxtron, enjoys a competitive edge in cost, aligning with Foxconn’s global EV aspirations. The success of Foxtron’s n7 could potentially usher in a new era for Taiwan’s presence in the international EV landscape as the demand for sustainable transport continues to grow.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) clarified that school teacher bonuses are not part of salary raises, in response to the National Federation of Teachers Unions (NFTU) advocating for improved benefits for elementary and secondary school teachers. The MOE stated that homeroom teacher bonuses reached NT$3,000 before 2017, while the hourly wage for substitute teachers has increased. However, the bonuses for special education teachers still require approval from the Executive Yuan. The NFTU held a press conference to propose better conditions for kindergarten, elementary, and secondary school teachers, highlighting the government’s focus on universities and neglecting the needs of these teachers. With 250,000 out of the total 300,000 teachers in Taiwan working in elementary and secondary schools, the NFTU emphasized the significant remuneration gap, unadjusted overall salaries, and the lack of increase in special education teacher bonuses that need consideration. The NFTU chairman, Hou Chun-liang, emphasized the urgency of addressing the issue, as homeroom teacher and special education teacher bonuses have remained unchanged for 10 and 31 years, respectively. The NFTU’s publicity director, Luo Te-shui, urged that anything beneficial to education should not be delayed until the elections.

The Taiwanese government plans to prioritize repaying public debt by using tax revenue that exceeds budget projections, according to Finance Minister Chuang Tsui-yun. The total budget for debt repayment in 2023, amounting to NT＄111 billion, was fully executed by June, with an additional NT＄15 billion paid in November. Chuang emphasized that if there is a surplus in the year-end financial outcome, the nation’s resources should be allocated for optimal use. The surplus in tax revenue will be apportioned first to debt repayment in accordance with the regulations of the Public Debt Act. Tax revenue for the first ten months of the year reached NT＄3.0223 trillion, setting a record high for the same period compared to previous years, with a 6.9% increase. It is expected that full-year tax revenue will surpass budget estimates by NT＄300 billion to NT＄370 billion. The opposition party has called for a redistribution of the tax benefits back to the citizens.

Taiwan’s foreign investment landscape has undergone a significant shift, with investments in Southeast Asia surpassing those in mainland China for the first time in 30 years. From January to October this year, Taiwan invested US＄4.96 billion in Southeast Asia compared to US＄2.63 billion in China. The total number of approved foreign investments during the same period decreased by 8.18%, totaling 1,864 investments. The total investment amount was US＄8.39 billion, marking a 27.35% decrease compared to the previous year. Jiangsu Province emerged as the main beneficiary of Taiwan’s investments in mainland China this year. The changes in Taiwanese investment behavior can be attributed to shifts in global supply chains caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the China-U.S. trade war. Notably, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), Foxconn, and Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation played a significant role in foreign investment, with TSMC investing US＄8 billion in U.S. companies and €3.5 billion in German firms, while Foxconn and Yang Ming Marine each injected US＄800 million into Singaporean businesses. This year marks the first time in three decades that investment in Southeast Asia has exceeded that in mainland China.

The dengue fever outbreak in Taiwan continues to surge, with Tainan reporting 40 new local cases on Sunday (Nov. 19), pushing the total to 26,160. Kaohsiung added 51 cases on the same day, raising its cumulative count to 2,054. However, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) indicated a decreasing trend in 10 dengue fever hotspots in Tainan. The Tainan Dengue Fever Prevention and Control Center reminded people that the development time of mosquito larvae increases in temperatures below 20 degrees Celsius, but their growth and activity are only inhibited in conditions under 16 degrees. As temperatures drop, disease-carrying mosquitoes may seek shelter indoors.

Terry Gou and Lai Pei-hsia, independent candidates for Taiwan’s presidential elections, have surpassed the required threshold of signatures, according to the Central Election Commission (CEC). The CEC announced that Gou and Lai gathered over 900,000 signatures, allowing them to register as official candidates from November 20 to 24. After verification, the final count revealed that they received 1,038,031 signatures, despite initially submitting 1,036,778. After invalidating 135,642 signatures, the CEC confirmed a total of 902,389 verifiable signatures, meeting the necessary requirement. Out of the ten groups collecting signatures, only Gou and Lai gathered enough, while the other nine groups fell short and will not have their nomination deposits returned.

The total semiconductor industry output is projected to reach NT＄4.3 trillion in 2023, with a year-on-year decrease of 11.2%, according to a revised forecast by Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Investment Corporation (ITRI). The wafer foundry industry is expected to have an output value of NT＄2.46 trillion, surpassing the earlier forecast of NT＄2.38 trillion, and showing an 8.2% yearly decrease. The semiconductor manufacturing industry, including wafer foundry and DRAM, is set to have an output value of NT＄2.64 trillion, with a year-on-year decrease of 9.6%. TSMC’s operational growth is likely to contribute to an anticipated 8.1% growth in Taiwan’s semiconductor manufacturing output in the fourth quarter.

First Commercial Bank announces a net income of NTD＄192 billion for the first ten months of 2023, close to its total 2022 profits, and plans generous employee bonuses and pay raises. Bank Sinopac also reveals plans for significant salary increases and food subsidies.

Taiwanese airlines, including China Airlines, EVA Air, Tigerair Taiwan, and Starlux Airlines, have reported record revenues in October and for the first ten months of the year. Starlux Airlines achieved a monthly operating income of NT＄2.087 billion in October, the third highest in its history. China Airlines saw a 7.85% monthly increase and a 28.56% annual increase in October, with total revenue reaching NT＄16.076 billion. EVA Air’s October revenue increased by 6.8% monthly and 46.57% annually to NT$17.525 billion. Tigerair Taiwan experienced the most significant growth, with October revenue increasing by 13.7% from September and skyrocketing 1040% from last year to NT＄1.22 billion. The industry expects this revenue trend to continue as flight operations resume, driven by the northeast Asia leaf-viewing and skiing season, as well as peak travel periods such as Christmas markets and New Year’s Eve in Europe, America, New Zealand, and Australia.

Coldplay’s concert in Kaohsiung attracted a record-breaking attendance of nearly 85,000 people, surpassing the previous record set by BLACKPINK in March 2023. Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai announced the unprecedented high of 84,858 individuals in the stadium’s vicinity. After the concert, transportation authorities reduced the Metro frequency to three minutes to disperse the large crowd, taking a total of 82 minutes to completely clear the stadium. The Transportation Bureau of Kaohsiung City Government reported that around 30,000 concertgoers took the city’s metro to the venue, out of a total daily transportation volume of approximately 266,000. The bureau encouraged the use of public transportation due to traffic control near the concert venue.

Over 1.01 million people have benefited from Taiwan’s ＂Employment Insurance Parental Leave Allowance＂ since its initiation in 2009. This allowance, available to parents with at least one year of cumulative employment insurance, allows them to take unpaid parental leave before their children turn three. The subsidy is calculated at 60% of the average salary for the six months preceding the leave, with an additional 20% wage subsidy provided since July 2021, bringing the total to 80%. Since January 2022, both parents can simultaneously apply for the allowance, allowing them to apply for a subsidy for 12 months within half a year if they meet the criteria and take leave together. Assuming an average monthly salary of NT＄42,000, each parent can receive NT＄33,600 monthly, totaling NT＄403,200 for the half-year period. The program has also seen a rise in male applicants, with over 20,000 annually compared to the initial 4,000 during the inaugural year, indicating a growing willingness of men to share childcare responsibilities.

Taiwanese health authorities plan to include Chinese students in the island’s health insurance starting from the 2024 school year, according to Minister of Health and Welfare Hsueh Jui-yuan. Currently, international students must wait six months after arriving in Taiwan to be eligible for health insurance. The reform was prompted by concerns from Paraguay about the health rights of its students in Taiwan and was supported by Vice President Lai Ching-te, who advocated for equal treatment of Chinese students. Currently, international students with a residence permit and six months of residency in Taiwan can apply for health insurance at a cost of NT$826 per person per month. The Ministry of Health and Welfare, along with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Mainland Affairs Council, has been considering this measure for some time and has evaluated its financial impact. The inclusion of Chinese students in the health insurance program will require adjustments to premiums for all international students, but the overall impact is expected to be minimal. The new measure will not apply to students who are in Taiwan for short periods and not pursuing a degree. However, it could be implemented as early as September 2024 for international students with a residence permit. Despite a halt on Chinese students coming to Taiwan since 2020, 378 students registered in 2022. The peak of Chinese students in Taiwan was in 2016, with a total of 41,975 students.

The Ministry of Labor in Taiwan has announced that 364 companies have implemented reduced work shifts, affecting a total of 9,809 employees. Among these companies, four manufacturing firms have halted or prematurely ended these initiatives due to urgent orders. The manufacturing industry has been the most impacted, with 203 businesses and 8,791 individuals affected by reduced work hours. The Department of Labor Standards and Equal Employment Director Huang Wei-chen noted that large-scale businesses are typically the first to cease these initiatives when economic conditions improve. Huang also predicted that the number of companies implementing unpaid leave may decrease by the end of the year or early next year. This situation highlights the delicate balance between ensuring employee welfare and meeting business requirements, especially in the face of current economic uncertainties. The Ministry of Labor continues to oversee work policies to protect workers while promoting strong industrial performance.

Over 60% of U.S. military sales owed to Taiwan consist of traditional capabilities, with F-16 fighter jets and M1 tanks accounting for over half of the total amount. This is according to data compiled by the Washington D.C.-based Cato Institute. The total U.S. arms sales backlog to Taiwan is NT＄617.2 billion, as per data from the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The Cato Institute further breaks down the U.S. arms sales backlog into three main categories: conventional, asymmetric, and munition capabilities, making up 63.2%, 22%, and 14.8% of the total backlog respectively. Uncompleted deliveries of traditional equipment amount to around NT＄390 billion, while delayed asymmetric capabilities total about NT＄135.9 billion, and munition accounts for approximately NT＄91.3 billion. The dominance of traditional arms in the backlog consumes a large part of Taiwan’s limited defense resources, despite the U.S. government not officially releasing a detailed breakdown of the weapons sold to Taiwan.

Launch Technologies Co, a golf ball manufacturer, has announced losses of NT$1.329 billion resulting from a catastrophic factory explosion in late September. The losses include NT$273 million worth of inventory, NT$599 million in property and equipment damages, NT$2.71 million in other asset losses, and NT$455 million as a liability reserve. The company’s third-quarter financial report, approved by the board, reveals total revenues of NT$2.776 billion during the first three quarters. Operations have been suspended following the incident, which is expected to further impact the company’s operations. The factory fire in Pingtung County on September 22 resulted in 10 fatalities and over 100 injuries.

The 2023 ITF Taipei International Travel Fair concluded with a total of 344,475 visits, representing a 76.3% growth from the previous year. The event, organized by the Taiwan Visitors Association, recorded a single-day attendance of 75,917 visitors on its final day. Numerous hotel groups and travel agencies reported strong sales performances, with some generating daily revenues in the millions and cumulative four-day returns exceeding a billion dollars. Exhibited travel products showcased Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia as preferred destinations, while long-haul trips to the Americas, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand also garnered significant interest. The 2024 ITF Taipei International Travel Fair is set to begin exhibitor registration on March 1, 2024, and will take place from November 1 to 4, 2024, at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center.

Ruentex Development Co.’s new real estate property, ’Ruentex Yangbei (潤泰央北),’ in New Taipei City attracted hundreds of buyers who queued up for up to two hours to view the three homes up for sale. The property, located in the readjustment Yangbei district, set a new record for the highest price per ping in the area, with homes selling for over NT＄900,000 per ping after negotiations. Each Ruentex Yangbei property is priced between NT＄25.92 million and NT＄29.52 million, with an average unit price of around NT＄720,000 per ping. Situated at the intersection of Sixin First Road and Yangbei Second Road in Xindian, the property consists of three underground floors and 20 above-ground floors, housing a total of 185 units. Despite concerns about a cooling property sector, the strong demand for these properties since their launch in 2021 has surprised many. One online user commented, ＂It is hard to believe the housing market is cooling, seeing people buying properties like buying vegetables.＂

Taiwan’s Minister of Education, Pan Wen-chung, has announced plans to review universities’ proposals to adjust their departmental structures in February and March next year. Pan emphasized the importance of cultivating talents in the humanities, social sciences, and engineering for the nation’s development, regardless of the current industrial state. Concerns have arisen over the potential closure of Shih Hsin University’s Department of Chinese Literature by the 2025 academic year and rumors of Aletheia University’s Department of Taiwanese Literature ceasing operations. Pan stated that universities have the right to ponder their future development and adjust departments, but changes should be approved by university board meetings and involve adequate communication within university governance. Additionally, the Ministry of Education has launched an initiative allowing university students to earn credits in areas of interest and have them documented in their diplomas. According to the Ministry’s statistics, there were a total of 846 arts and humanities departments among bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in the 2024 academic year. During the period from 2020 to 2024, 65 new departments were established, 45 stopped recruiting, and nine merged.

Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) canceled a total of 86 train services on November 6 and 7, with an additional 13 services operating on a shortened route due to the Railway Staff Promotion Examination. As TRA prepares for corporatization in 2024, a significant staff shortage has arisen, with 297 drivers signing up for the exam conducted by the Examination Yuan. To address the shortage, TRA has adjusted the schedules of drivers who did not take the examination and enlisted reserve workforce, cross-unit drivers, and driving supervisors. Some freight train services and special train operations have been suspended. Despite these measures, the administration still faces a shortage of 60 crew members, resulting in a notable impact on railway schedules. The Jiji Line was particularly affected, with its entire service suspended on both days. To compensate, TRA launched a shuttle bus service between Ershui Station and Checheng Station.

Four winners of the May-June uniform invoice lottery in Taiwan have yet to claim their NT＄10 million prizes, which will expire on Nov. 6, according to the Ministry of Finance. The winning number for the special prize is ＂29268886,＂ with a total of 21 tickets bearing this number. The unclaimed winning tickets were obtained through everyday activities such as shopping, refueling, or food purchases.

The New Taipei City Police Department conducted a 10-day operation resulting in the uncovering of 42 cases related to gang activity and fraud, leading to the arrest of 180 individuals. The operation aimed to prevent gang involvement in the upcoming elections, with a particular focus on criminal organizations like the Bamboo Union. During the operation, 73 members from 12 gang branches, including the Bamboo Union, were arrested. Additionally, the police uncovered 30 instances of fraud syndicates, resulting in the arrest of 107 individuals and the seizure of five modified firearms. The total amount of illicit earnings confiscated was over NT$10.23 million. The New Taipei City Police Department emphasized their commitment to maintaining order during the election season and expressed zero tolerance for election gambling or any violence that could disrupt the election. They will continue to carry out specialized operations targeting gang organizations, illegal firearms, drugs, and gambling crimes.

Tainan’s traffic fatalities have decreased by 4% from January to August, according to Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che. The city has seen a decrease in motorbike accidents and incidents involving the elderly, down by 7.9% and 6% respectively. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications has identified 26 traffic junctions in Tainan that need improvement out of a total of 1,000 nationwide. Additionally, eight locations in the city have been targeted for improvement. Tainan has also made progress in pedestrian safety, with the highest increase nationwide in the ＂exclusive pedestrian phase and early start phase＂ indicator, with improvements made to 111 spots.