Taiwan policy 結果共254筆

Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi reaffirms the One China policy during a press conference at the 14th National People’s Congress, warning Taiwan against seeking independence and emphasizing China’s stance on peaceful reunification.

Stay informed about Taiwan’s Ministry of Education’s recent revision of the ’Regulations for the Individual Recruitment of Universities’ impacting university admissions. Learn about the changes affecting private high schools and exceptions for religious, artistic, and athletic sectors. Discover how this update will impact institutions like CTBC Business School, Kainan University, and Huafan University.

The Directorate-General of Personnel Administration Personnel Division Director in Taipei supports adding mental health leave days for civil servants. The proposal includes granting one day of mental health leave each month without wage deductions. Discussions with the Ministry of Civil Service are ongoing to modify leave regulations. Democratic Progressive Party legislator Rosalia Wu advocates for this change, emphasizing no reduction in pay for civil servants taking mental health leave.

Premier Chen Chien-jen addresses potential cash payments to the public in response to economic conditions for 2025 and 2026 during a Legislative Yuan hearing. Discussions highlight the government’s focus on National Health Insurance, labor insurance, and subsidies for Taiwan Power Company, with implications for Taiwan’s social policy and fiscal decisions in the future.

Lawmakers and health advocates in Taipei call for gender equality in cancer prevention policy, pushing for junior high school boys to be included in the public HPV vaccination program. Data shows higher rates of oral HPV infections and head and neck cancer in males. Taipei City has already allocated funds for HPV vaccinations for boys, with calls for nationwide implementation. Suggestions include using increased tobacco health surcharge revenue to fund vaccinations. Calls for equal opportunities in cancer prevention measures for all students and a focus on lowering cancer risks for children.

The Ministry of Labor clarifies remarks about Indian migrant workers by Minister Hsu Ming-chun, emphasizing no discrimination. Taiwan and India aim to address labor shortages through a recent MOU. Taiwan’s labor policies uphold human rights and equal treatment, rejecting discrimination. The MOL promotes labor cooperation with India and urges the public to focus on constructive bilateral cooperation.

Former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je, now chairman of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), discusses the new policy of free YouBike use for 30 minutes, emphasizing the need for policy discourse. Taipei City Government’s Department of Transportation announced the change effective Feb. 28. Ko highlights the shift from completely free to charging NT$5 due to recreational rather than commuting use. He stresses the original purpose of YouBike for transportation, not leisure. Ko dismisses DPP’s criticism of TPP as a ＂parasite＂ in parliament as aggressive and unworthy of attention.

The U.S. House of Representatives’ Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party extends an invitation to President Tsai Ing-wen to visit the United States after her tenure. The committee, led by Chairman Mike Gallagher, commends Tsai’s leadership and vision, highlighting Taiwan’s strong ties with the U.S. and discussions on cross-strait issues. Tsai expresses gratitude for U.S. support in strengthening Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities and endorses Taiwan policy reports presented by the committee. The delegation, including members like Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, visits Taiwan for three days to meet with leaders and officials, fostering bilateral relations.

President Tsai Ing-wen and Vice President Lai Ching-te of Taiwan are set to meet with U.S. Select Committee on the CCP Chairman Mike Gallagher and a bipartisan delegation to discuss Taiwan-U.S. trade and the Indo-Pacific regional situation. The visit underscores the strong bipartisan support from the U.S. Congress for Taiwan and aims to deepen exchanges and cooperation for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

Former NSC senior director Evan Medeiros delves into US-China dynamics, highlighting Congress’s focus on China issues and Xi Jinping’s domestic policy shifts. As the US elections approach, Medeiros urges resilience and diversification in global relations.

Minister of Ocean Affairs Council, Kuan Bi-ling, addresses Taiwanese vessels’ response to mainland Chinese coast guard inspections. The incident involving a Kinmen tourist boat prompts calls for caution and avoidance of interactions with China’s maritime authorities. Taiwan’s Ministry of Transportation and Communications and Ministry of National Defense emphasize adherence to international customs and a policy of non-intervention. Premier Chen Chien-jen urges rational cooperation for maritime security.

The Executive Yuan unveils plans for the Taiwan Community Emergency Response Team (T-CERT) in a recent policy report, aiming to establish 320 teams with 8,000 members within five years. Training will involve various sectors, drawing parallels to the civilian defense concept of the Kuma Academy. Despite opposition from Kuomintang legislators, the initiative focuses on disaster response, not military operations, in line with Taiwan’s Disaster Prevention and Protection Act. The teams, inspired by FEMA recommendations, are supported by the Ministry of the Interior and Ministry of National Defense.

A joint survey reveals Taiwan’s staggering plastic waste production, prompting concerns over packaging in supermarkets. Despite efforts to reduce plastic bag usage, statistics show high consumption rates, leading to questions about policy effectiveness. Environmental groups urge the government to implement stronger measures amid rising global environmental awareness.

Taiwan is considering allowing migrant workers from India to work as caretakers, pending decisions from the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The recent memorandum of understanding between Taiwan and India outlines cooperation for labor recruitment and training. The current focus is on meeting the demand for caregivers in Taiwan, with considerations for both domestic and residential settings. Taiwan is also exploring strategies to address long-term care workforce needs, including collaboration with the ＂New Southbound Policy＂ and encouraging international students to work in the country after graduation. The Ministry of Health and Welfare emphasizes the importance of quality care and language communication skills for foreign workers.

Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu plans a multi-party meeting to discuss Premier Chen Chien-jen’s food safety report proposal. Expectations are for the 11th legislative term to begin on Feb. 20, with a focus on food safety issues under the DPP’s eight-year tenure. The KMT and DPP are engaging in discussions, with the TPP expressing support for the report.

Solomon Islands gears up for elections, reigniting discussions on diplomatic ties with Taiwan and China. Peter Kenilorea Jr. advocates for reevaluating the security agreement with China, proposing a ＂dual recognition＂ policy.

Taiwan’s export performance reached a historic high from 2021 to 2023, but experienced a 9.8% decline in 2023 compared to the previous year, according to the Ministry of Finance. Despite this setback, exports to the U.S. continued to soar with a 49.7% year-on-year increase, while exports to countries covered by Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy also saw significant growth. However, exports to mainland China decreased to 35.2%. Taiwan’s total export tally for 2023 amounted to US$432.48 billion, ranking behind only 2022 and 2021. The demand for communications and electronic products during the pandemic-induced work-from-home trend boosted Taiwan’s exports. The Taiwan Institute of Economic Research predicted significant international trade growth in 2024, which would benefit export-oriented economies like Taiwan. In December 2023, Taiwan’s exports to the U.S. reached $8.49 billion, and exports to southern countries surged by over 50%. However, due to the limited coverage of free trade agreements (FTAs), many traditional Taiwanese industries chose to restructure risks and production in Southeast and South Asia. The return of Taiwanese businesses and the expansion of local factories after the U.S.-China trade war, as well as global economic circumstances, significantly impacted the decline in 2023 exports. The Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) estimated the first-quarter export volume for 2024 to be around US$106.1 billion, which is an improvement compared to the same period in 2023, but a 10% decrease from 2022.

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.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump pledges to reapply tariffs on Chinese goods, potentially exceeding 60%, if he wins the November presidential election. He offers no clear answer on whether he would assist Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack. Trump plans on imposing a 60% tariff on Chinese goods, a number that may increase. He is leading in the Republican primary and is expected to face incumbent President Joe Biden in November. Trump imposed tariffs amounting to US$250 billion on Chinese imported goods during his term, sparking a trade war. Biden retained Trump’s tariff policy and banned the export of advanced semiconductors and semiconductor production equipment. Trump disputes rumors of another trade war with China, stating that he has handled all matters related to China well. He also criticizes Taiwan for taking semiconductor jobs from the U.S. and suggests imposing tariffs and trade barriers on Taiwan.

National Taiwan University (NTU) has announced the graduate thesis quality and review standards for over 40 departments or degree programs, with the exception of the department involved in past plagiarism disputes. The Graduate Institute of National Development, which was implicated in the rescission of degrees awarded to former Hsinchu City mayor Lin Chih-chien and Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan, has not yet released its thesis verification policy. In response, NTU’s Office of Academic Affairs expressed regret over the disputes and implemented measures to enhance the quality of graduate theses. Some departments are still discussing the new directions. Under the new policy, each department is required to establish their own evaluation mechanisms, which may include limitations on the number of graduate students per professor, originality standards for theses, and a threshold for acceptable content similarity.

Kuomintang (KMT) legislator Han Kuo-yu has been elected as the speaker of Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan, with Johnny Chiang as his deputy. As speaker, Han is responsible for maintaining order in the legislative body and overseeing legislative matters. According to the ＂Act Governing the Discipline of Legislators,＂ Han’s monthly salary is equivalent to that of central government department heads, amounting to NT$346,960, with an additional special remuneration of NT$79,100. Johnny Chiang, as deputy speaker, will earn a monthly salary of approximately NT$229,860. Legislators in Taiwan receive an average monthly salary of about NT$190,500, along with an annual bonus equivalent to 1.5 months’ salary. Han’s role grants him decisive power in the event of tied votes or disputes over legislation, giving him a significant role in shaping future policy.

Former Legislative Speaker You Si-kun has resigned from his at-large legislator position, citing personal plans. This decision was reported to President-elect Lai Ching-te on January 19. Former Democratic Progressive Party legislator Julian Kuo disclosed that Lai had selected two departing Taiwan People’s Party legislators for his cabinet and arranged for You to assume another high-level position. The vacant at-large legislator position will be filled by Dr. Wang Cheng-hsu, Chairman of HOPE Foundation for Cancer Care. Additionally, DPP policy head Wang Yi-chuan may potentially take on the at-large legislator role if more vacancies arise. DPP legislator Chuang Jui-hsiung, who is rumored to be appointed as the Minister of Agriculture, has not yet received any official appointment.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) will closely monitor developments in Tuvalu post-election, as most elected officials have established frequent interactions and friendly stances with Taiwan, ensuring solid diplomatic ties. MOFA condemns China’s attempt to influence the election by buying off local media in Tuvalu. The loss of Tuvalu’s pro-Taiwan Prime Minister has sparked speculation about a potential shift in foreign policy and diplomatic alliance with Beijing. However, MOFA notes that the majority of elected Tuvalu officials maintain good relations with Taiwan and support upholding the amicable relations between the two countries. MOFA urges the international community to pay attention and counter autocratic dictatorial countries that manipulate elections in democratic states. This development reflects the ongoing competition between China and Taiwan for diplomatic allegiances in the Pacific region, with countries sometimes switching allegiances for economic or political support.

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.

Explore how Taiwan is positioned in the global geothermal energy landscape. Professor Song Sheng-rong categorizes leading nations and advocates for robust policies to unlock Taiwan’s vast underground potential, aiming to elevate the island into a sustainable energy powerhouse.