Taiwan’s future 結果共131筆

In a significant moment for Taiwan’s democracy, TPP candidate Ko Wen-je rallied supporters in Taipei on the eve of the general elections, aiming to alter the long-standing political landscape dominated by KMT and DPP. His campaign, focusing on pragmatic reforms and targeting the youth vote, signifies a potential shift in Taiwan’s political dynamics.

Lai Ching-te, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate, highlighted the significance of every citizen’s vote in shaping the world’s future during an election rally in Xihu, Changhua County. He emphasized the importance of supporting democracy and the future, stating that Taiwan’s presidential election holds the key to the nation’s course and the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region.

KMT vice presidential candidate Jaw Shaw-kong declared during a livestream interview that Lai Ching-te, Taiwanese independence, and war are synonymous, describing them as the ＂trinity.＂ He criticized Beijing’s imprisonment of Hong Kong merchant Jimmy Lai and accused the DPP of advocating for a cabinet system when out of power but refusing to do so in office. Jaw Shaw-kong vowed to implement reforms if elected and reaffirmed the KMT’s stance on abolishing the death penalty. He mentioned former President Chen Shui-bian and firmly stated that even if Lai Ching-te were elected, Chen would not be granted special amnesty. Jaw Shaw-kong accused the DPP of being a ＂democratic dictatorship＂ and warned that Lai Ching-te’s election would bring uncertainty to Taiwan’s future.

Taipei (TVBS News) — Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je urges young voters to consider their role in shaping the country’s future, stating that the nation is ultimately theirs to inherit and it is their responsibility to ＂save their country.＂ Ko’s comments come after at-large legislative nominee Huang Kuo-chang emphasized that a youth voter turnout of 85% could pave the way for Ko’s victory in the presidential race. Huang has been actively encouraging young people to vote, asserting that reaching the aforementioned youth voter turnout could potentially break the longstanding political divide between Taiwan’s Kuomintang (KMT) and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) parties. When questioned about how to realistically achieve this 85% youth voter participation rate, Ko calls on young people to reflect on their responsibilities towards their country and emphasizes that they should be at the forefront of saving their nation. These statements highlight the critical role of young voters in potentially reshaping Taiwan’s future political landscape as the presidential race unfolds.

Taiwanese presidential candidate Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has called on the Taiwanese people to use their votes as a defense against what he considers the most serious Chinese interference in the upcoming elections. Lai emphasized that while China has interfered in Taiwan’s elections before, the current situation is the worst. He believes that the best way to counter this interference is to ensure that the candidate supported by China does not win. Lai urged citizens to stand up against this interference by using their ballots to continue Taiwan’s progress and guarantee societal stability, economic growth, and the well-being of its people. He positioned the DPP’s battle not only against opposition parties but also against the Chinese Communist Party, underscoring the importance of maintaining a majority in the legislative yuan to prevent potential government functioning disputes. Lai kicked off his election campaign across 22 counties and cities, stating that this election is crucial for Taiwan’s future and Indo-Pacific peace stability. He encouraged the people to maintain the spirit of the past, choose the right person, and follow the right path.

President Tsai Ing-wen highlights Taiwan’s growing global relevance and indispensability, as she reflects on the substantial changes during her seven-year presidency. Taiwan’s GDP has risen from NT＄17.5 trillion to an impressive NT＄23 trillion under her administration, thanks to initiatives aimed at investment and infrastructure development. Advanced semiconductor chip production has thrived, contributing to Taiwan’s economic stability and rapid advancement, surpassing the progress of the Four Asian Tigers. Tsai attributes this success to the unity and resilience of the Taiwanese people. She hopes that her administration’s efforts will have a lasting impact, sustaining Taiwan’s forward momentum for future leaders.

President Tsai Ing-wen defends her economic policies against accusations of creating future debt burdens, emphasizing that her administration’s actions are investments for the future. She asserts that her government has maintained fiscal discipline and reduced the country’s debt ratio, ultimately alleviating any excessive burden on future generations.

Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je became emotional during a debate when reminiscing about his father’s wishes for him to become a hospital director. During the debate, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Lai Ching-te accused Ko of devaluing farmland by converting it into parking lots. Ko admitted that his father had purchased the land for him but emphasized that it was intended for agricultural use, not for building a hospital. Ko expressed regret for not fulfilling his father’s expectations but defended his land purchases, stating that the focus of the debate should be Taiwan’s future rather than his personal real estate affairs.

Kuomintang’s presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih expressed his opposition to Taiwan’s independence and support for democratic freedom, rejecting ＂one country, two systems.＂ During a debate, he criticized Democratic Progressive Party’s candidate Lai Ching-te for his vague policy toward China and questioned his remarks about sharing bubble tea with China’s president Xi Jinping. Hou emphasized that any consensus between Taiwan and China should be based on Taiwan’s Constitution and the basic cross-strait framework, clarifying that the 1992 Consensus does not imply recognition of ＂one country, two systems.＂ He emphasized that the future of Taiwan should be decided by its 23 million citizens, engaging in dialogue under the constitutional framework to reduce risks. Hou also advocated for the development of Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities to maintain peace and suggested that cross-strait exchanges should start from the civil sector before moving to official government interactions to minimize risks.

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.

Taiwan’s selection of ＂Que＂ (缺), reflecting shortages and challenges in 2023, sets a pivotal backdrop for the upcoming General Elections. Key events like diplomatic shifts, the #MeToo movement, defense upgrades, TSMC’s global expansion, and political alliances define Taiwan’s future.

Jaw Shaw-kong, the vice presidential candidate for the Kuomintang (KMT) party, reaffirmed his party’s anti-communist stance in response to criticism from Lai Ching-te, the presidential candidate for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Jaw highlighted his past support for the Tiananmen Square protests and the Hong Kong democracy movement to counter Lai’s accusations. During a policy presentation event, the presidential candidates from the KMT, DPP, and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) debated their platforms, with Lai accusing the KMT of leaning towards communism. Jaw refuted this claim, emphasizing his party’s opposition to communism. He emphasized that Taiwan’s defensive strength lies in its democratic system rather than military might. If elected, Jaw and KMT presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih would not push for reunification negotiations with China, as the current conditions do not meet the prerequisites for such discussions. Instead, Jaw expressed a focus on creating a future where both sides of the Taiwan Strait can develop independently under their respective systems.

Dr. Lan I-chen has been appointed as the new president of Fu Jen Catholic University (FJU), marking a new chapter for the institution. Lan’s appointment was authorized by the Vatican’s Congregation for Catholic Education and is awaiting final approval from Taiwan’s Ministry of Education. As a seasoned scholar and administrator, Lan, 54, is expected to lead the century-old university towards an innovative future. Lan has proposed a five-point development plan for the FJU, known as G.R.A.C.E, which focuses on global positioning, student recruitment, international partnerships, collaboration with hospitals, academics, government, community, and industries, as well as entrepreneurship and charity involvement. These objectives aim to enhance the university’s international reputation, increase enrollment of both domestic and foreign students, and foster collaborations across various sectors for sustainable development. In response to Taiwan’s declining birthrate, Lan plans to establish overseas outposts in collaboration with Catholic universities to expand student intake while ensuring educational quality.

The National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) has decided to stop accepting students into its Industrial Education department starting from the 2025 academic term, but will retain its master’s and doctoral programs. The Office of Academic Affairs at NTNU has proposed three solutions to protect students’ educational rights, including offering guidance for transfers, continuing to offer courses, and extending the limit on student enrollments. The department will also continue to offer three specialized courses to cultivate future educators. The rights of the department’s teachers and assistants will not be affected, and existing teachers can continue teaching in the master’s and doctoral programs. Administrative Deputy Minister Lin Teng-chiao of Taiwan’s Ministry of Education (MOE) hopes that the department can collaborate with other departments to cultivate industrial education teachers in the future, despite the department’s transformation into research-oriented programs.

Kuomintang’s vice presidential candidate, Jaw Shaw-kong, proposes that AI should be considered Taiwan’s next ＂guardian mountain god＂ in a bid to position Taiwan as a leader in artificial intelligence. He advocates for the creation of an ＂AI Minister＂ position within various ministries, including the Ministry of National Defense and the Executive Yuan. Jaw questions the government’s plans for AI legislation and calls for a foundational AI law to address future challenges. He highlights the rapid advancements in AI technology and their ethical implications, praising the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company for its contributions. Jaw emphasizes the importance of supporting academic research and corporate AI initiatives, arguing that integrating AI technologies could enhance military efficiency, a crucial consideration given Taiwan’s limited armed forces personnel.

KMT presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih expresses commitment to a brighter future for youth, highlighting his pragmatic and steady approach. Despite lower support among young voters compared to TPP candidate Ko Wen-je, Hou aims to attract their support through initiatives like a housing subsidy and tax deductions. He emphasizes the importance of engaging with young people and understanding their perspectives for the future.

President Tsai Ing-wen emphasizes the need for a stable government in the face of future challenges in Taiwan. She expresses her hopes to entrust the nation to reliable individuals during her visit to Hsien Heng Temple. Tsai highlights the experience and comprehensive backgrounds of the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) presidential and vice-presidential candidates, Lai Ching-te and Hsiao Bi-khim. Reflecting on her own tenure, Tsai acknowledges the public support that has strengthened Taiwan’s economy. She discusses global events such as the pandemic, the Ukraine-Russia war, and Taiwan’s drought, noting Taiwan’s resilience and growing international support. Tsai emphasizes the importance of maintaining a parliamentary majority and urges the public to support the Lai-Hsiao ticket and cast their party votes for the DPP for a brighter future for Taiwan.

A survey by Cathay Financial Holdings reveals a rise in Taiwan’s economic confidence, with the outlook index turning positive and stock market optimism rebounding. The December survey shows that 70% of the population expects the economic growth rate to exceed 2% in 2024, while 55% anticipate the inflation rate to remain above 2%. These expectations differ slightly from projections by the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting, and Statistics (DGBAS), which forecasts a 3.35% economic growth rate and an inflation rate of 1.64% for 2024. The DGBAS data suggests that people may be more conservative about economic expansion and anticipate higher inflation. Additionally, expectations for salary adjustments have improved compared to 2022, with 45.9% of those surveyed predicting wage increases. Of these, 9.2% believe raises will exceed 3%, and 47.6% expect monthly regular wages to stay the same. Taiwan’s current situation confidence index has climbed from -23.2 in November to -3.0 in December, while the future outlook confidence index has improved from -9.1 to 3.6, signaling growing optimism about Taiwan’s upcoming economic climate.

DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te criticized the KMT and TPP, stating that neither party reflects mainstream public opinion in Taiwan and lacks the ability to promote stable development. Lai outlined the challenges Taiwan faces, including its future in the Indo-Pacific region, the global struggle between autocracy and democracy, the challenge posed by China, digital transformation, and transitioning to net-zero emissions. He emphasized that the upcoming presidential election will determine Taiwan’s fate and the future of the Indo-Pacific region. Lai aims to ensure Taiwan’s sovereignty and long-term stability, continuing the path toward democracy initiated by President Tsai Ing-wen. He criticized the KMT and TPP for their dependency on China, aligning with the ＂One China principle.＂ Lai warned that a DPP defeat could hinder policy implementation, cause societal unrest, and cast doubts within the international community. Support for DPP-nominated candidates in the elections is crucial for continuing democratic progress.

Presidential candidate Lai Ching-te emphasizes the importance of culture in advancing Taiwan’s international identity, stating that without cultural recognition, the world would remain unaware of Taiwan’s existence. Lai urges voters to choose the right path for Taiwan’s future, highlighting that the island cannot afford to backtrack. The rally to support DPP legislator Wu Szu-yao saw more than 150 cultural figures in attendance, showcasing broad support for her exceptional qualities. Wu emphasizes that culture could serve as Taiwan’s strongest form of national defense and foreign relations, drawing a parallel with Ukraine’s use of cultural heritage to garner international protection. She expresses confidence in Lai’s future leadership to enhance Taiwan’s cultural ties globally.

Join the rally against air pollution and global warming in Taichung, central Taiwan on December 24. Environmental organizations are demanding a coal-free central Taiwan and urging Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen to take immediate action to phase out coal at the Taichung Power Plant by 2026. Central Taiwan is responsible for over 60% of the nation’s coal-fired power generation, causing long-term pollution. The International Energy Agency advises developed countries to achieve coal phase-out by 2030 to control temperature rise within 1.5 degrees Celsius. Taiwan’s current energy policy does not align with international trends, with proposed energy-use proportion still including 14 to 20% coal by 2030. However, data from the Ministry of Economic Affairs suggests that increased generation from natural gas and renewable sources can allow for a full coal phase-out at Taichung Power Plant by 2026, a decade earlier than Taipower’s claim. Local governments in central Taiwan are criticized for insufficient efforts to reduce coal use, and residents are urged not to wait another 12 years for a healthier environment.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) in Taiwan is planning to promote digitalization in healthcare, with a focus on incorporating digital development into healthcare quality metrics. This initiative aligns with national policy directives and aims to support the national plan for digital policy. The successful pilot of virtual National Health Insurance (NHI) cards during the COVID-19 pandemic was highlighted as part of the broader commitment to digitalization. The MOHW, with support from the Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA), is providing technological budget support for the cloud-based transition of health insurance systems at grassroots clinics. The goals of Taiwan’s digitalization healthcare system include reducing manpower on the medical end, improving healthcare quality, and increasing convenience for patients. The future strategy of the MOHW will combine financial subsidies with policy mandates, starting with medical centers. The plan is to encourage the integration of digital development into healthcare quality assessment, with the aim of fostering innovation, reducing labor costs, and enhancing healthcare quality.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Education’s ’108 curriculum’ has brought about new educational outcomes, as noted by Premier Chen Chien-jen. The 2022 International Civic and Citizenship Education Study (ICCS 2022) by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) reveals that Taiwanese students have achieved top global rankings in civic knowledge, gender equality, and ethnic group equality. The government’s efforts to strengthen education through the new curriculum have also been recognized by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Among 81 countries assessed, Taiwanese students ranked third in mathematics literacy, fourth in science, and fifth in reading. Premier Chen emphasized that these achievements highlight Taiwan’s exceptional students and demonstrate the nation’s commitment to investing in education. The OECD evaluation further solidifies Taiwan’s position on the world stage for educational accomplishments, showcasing the effectiveness of its educational policies and curriculum advancements. Premier Chen expressed confidence in Taiwan’s youth and the government’s education approach, stating that these high rankings represent a valuable investment in the future generations of Taiwan.

Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih emphasizes a ＂middle-of-the-road＂ approach for Taiwan, distancing himself from the ＂localized Blue＂ faction and asserting his own identity. In an interview with Chinese Television Service (CTS), Hou advocates for the ＂1992 Consensus＂ that opposes Taiwan’s independence and supports the ＂One-China policy,＂ while upholding democracy and freedom. He emphasizes a middle way for Taiwan, seeking shared prosperity and unity. Hou emphasizes that Taiwan’s future should be determined by its 23 million inhabitants. He expresses satisfaction with Jaw Shaw-kong as his running mate, praising Jaw’s more confrontational approach. Although a potential collaboration with Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) candidate Ko Wen-je fell through, Hou remains optimistic about a potential alliance with Jaw.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) expressed ＂confusion and regret＂ five times in a statement regarding comments made by Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) vice presidential candidate Cynthia Wu. The MOFA highlighted that Wu’s proactive analysis and attendance at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) conferences could jeopardize Taiwan’s interests. Following her participation in the 28th United Nations Climate Change conference (COP28) in Dubai, Wu criticized the event’s low standards, stating it was a disservice to taxpayers. MOFA responded to Wu’s criticism, indicating that her conspicuous announcement to attend COP28 provided China with an opportunity to repress Taiwan’s participation, hindering the entire delegation and damaging Taiwan’s future international engagement, as well as the nation’s dignity. Wu’s office released a statement asserting that MOFA had not informed her of the risks of Chinese suppression. When asked about MOFA’s response, Wu declined to comment further. The MOFA expressed regret over the limitations imposed on Wu’s candidacy due to Chinese pressure, directly countering her doubts. MOFA emphasized that condemnation should be directed at China for obstructing Taiwan’s participation. The MOFA expressed bewilderment and regret that Wu criticized domestic institutions but failed to condemn China, the true suppressor of Taiwan’s international voice.