Ten for Taiwan 結果共21筆

A bipartisan U.S. delegation led by Chairman Mike Gallagher expresses strong support for Taiwan during meetings with President Tsai Ing-wen and President-elect Lai Ching-te. Discussions center on bolstering defense capabilities and managing cross-strait relations amidst geopolitical challenges. #Taiwan #USsupport

National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) has been named the top university in the ’Most Favored University Among Companies 2024’ survey by Cheers Magazine. The top ten universities include NCKU, National Taiwan University, National Tsing Hua University, National Chengchi University, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, National Sun Yat-sen University, National Central University, National Taipei University of Technology, and Tamkang University. In terms of private universities, Tamkang University ranks first, followed by Fu Jen Catholic University, Chung Yuan Christian University, Feng Chia University, and Soochow University. The survey also revealed a significant increase in the number of professional and technical institutes among the top 30, surpassing general private universities. Minghsin University of Science and Technology and Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages experienced the largest climb in rankings, closely monitored by the semiconductor industry. Notably, National Chengchi University excelled in the high-tech services industry, while Soochow University stood out in the finance industry as the only private university in the top five. The survey, conducted by Commonwealth Magazine, gathered data from 2,000 major companies’ HR departments and received a response rate of 30.39%.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a detrimental effect on Taiwanese students’ eyesight, with 81.61% of high-school students, 73.16% of junior high school students, and 45.23% of elementary students experiencing poor eyesight in the 2022-2023 academic year. Excessive use of electronic devices, such as smartphones and tablets, is a major contributing factor to the prevalence of myopia, the most common eye condition among children. A survey conducted by the Child Welfare League Foundation in 2019 found that the average age at which children own their first phone is ten. Ophthalmologists warn that individuals with myopia over 500 degrees are three times more likely to develop glaucoma and 5.5 times more likely to develop cataracts compared to their peers. The risks escalate for those with myopia over 700 degrees, as they are 44 times more likely to experience retinal detachment and 127 times more likely to suffer macular degeneration. Even successful myopia laser correction does not eliminate the potential risks of ocular diseases, as thinning of eye tissues and elongation of the eye axis persist. The golden period for myopia control is considered to be between 3 to 18 years of age, and various strategies such as increased outdoor activities, the use of mydriatic agents, Orthokeratology, daily disposable contact lenses designed for myopia control, and the latest children’s vision management lenses can be employed. These alarming rates highlight the urgent need to strike a balance between technology use and effective prevention strategies and early treatment for Taiwanese children.

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.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has stated that Taiwanese citizens are allowed to enter Cuba with a passport valid for more than six months and a Cuban Tourist Card, according to Central News Agency (CNA). However, MOFA has urged the public to suspend travel to Cuba or check the official Cuban government website or airlines before departure due to unclear information. This response comes after a Taiwanese-Canadian and his family were denied entry into Cuba because ＂China doesn’t recognize Taiwan as a country.＂ The family’s passports were confiscated, and they were sent back to Canada after ten hours at the airport. MOFA has instructed the Taiwanese representative office in Bogota, Colombia, to investigate the issue and protect the travel rights of Taiwanese citizens.

Taipei’s military, national defense, and aerospace stocks experienced notable performances in early trading as Taiwan’s presidential election approaches. AirAsia, Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC), and Thunder Tiger stood out, attracting investor attention. With the United States reporting a slowdown in inflation growth, the market anticipates a lower probability of further interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve (Fed). AirAsia reported a net zero profit for the first ten months of the year, with optimism in the commercial maintenance market. AIDC exceeded last year’s total revenue in the first ten months, aiming for its highest annual profit since listing. AIDC Chairman Hu Kai-hung is working towards enhancing Taiwan’s aerospace industry through the A-Team 4.0 alliance. Thunder Tiger is planning collaborations with domestic electric vehicle supply chains and aiming to introduce innovative solutions in the defense sector.

Taiwan’s manufacturing sector shows signs of recovery with increased overtime hours in October, according to the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS). Manufacturers’ overtime climbed to 15.4 hours, a 1.6-hour increase from the previous year, marking continuous growth over four months and a return to 2021 levels. The average regular wage from January to October 2022 was NT$45,441, a 2.49% year-over-year increase. The total average salary within the same period was NT$59,270, up by 1.53%. However, when adjusted for inflation, the real average regular earnings only inched up 0.06%, and the real total earnings witnessed a slip of 0.87% year-over-year, the first negative growth in nearly seven years. This decline in total real wages is attributed to tepid exports and the rising cost of living. Employment in the industrial and service sectors stood at 8.19 million people as of October, with a slight increase compared to September 2021 and largely unchanged from October 2021. The service sector gained 41,000 employees in October, offsetting the decrease in the industrial sector. Throughout the first ten months of 2022, the average number of employed workers was 8.175 million, with the accommodation and food services and arts, entertainment, and recreational services sectors seeing new hires while the manufacturing sector lost jobs. In October 2022 alone, the average regular salary for employed workers was NT$45,564, a 2.31% annual rise, and the average total wage for the month was NT$51,143, a 1.35% increase from the previous year.

Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih has unveiled a new housing policy aimed at helping young people in Taiwan purchase their first homes. The initiative is targeted at individuals under 40 years old who have never owned property and face income restrictions. Under the plan, qualified buyers can receive a loan of up to NT＄15 million with no down payment required. They will also enjoy a 0.5% subsidy on their mortgage interest rates, with public banks cutting the rates in half after five years. The policy will last for five years and includes restrictions on reselling the purchased properties for a maximum of ten years to address housing market speculation concerns. Hou criticized the current New Residential Loans Policy for its lack of age and income restrictions, allowing affluent individuals to benefit and non-first-time buyers to take advantage of policy perks. The plan aims to ensure fairness and accessibility for those in genuine need of support in purchasing their first homes.

Stores in Taiwan are introducing intelligent shopping carts equipped with either a Barcode Reader (BCR) or Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) system for a modern shopping experience. The BCR option requires shoppers to scan items individually for a self-checkout experience, while carts with RFID systems display item information and total amount due on a chip embedded in the item tags, allowing for faster checkouts. However, the RFID system is ten times more expensive than BCR technology. Retailers rely on an Internet of Things (IoT) system to resolve discrepancies if customers forget to scan or intentionally conceal items. Some patrons find the self-checkout process cumbersome, especially when item scans are inaccurate. Shoppers are advised to double-check their post-checkout details to avoid overpaying due to machine errors.

Taiwan’s exports for 2023 are projected to exceed US＄400 billion, making it the third-highest on record. Minister of Finance Chuang Tsui-yun expressed confidence in the sustained positive trend, with monthly exports in the fourth quarter expected to surpass US＄30 billion each. The country has accumulated US＄355.1 billion in export figures for the first ten months, putting it on track to achieve the forecast. Year-end stockpiling needs, emerging technologies, and opportunities in artificial intelligence contribute to cautious optimism for November and December’s export performance. Taiwan’s full-year exports are anticipated to trail behind the US＄446.4 billion seen in 2021 and the US＄479.4 billion in 2022. Since 2017, Taiwan’s annual exports have consistently surpassed US＄300 billion, a significant increase from the figures prior to 2016. The Directorate General of Budget, Accounting, and Statistics forecasts a 6.3 percent export growth rate for the coming year.

Hsiao Bi-khim, the Democratic Progressive Party’s vice-presidential candidate, warned against complacency during her campaign stop in Taichung, Taiwan, emphasizing the intense electoral competition across the country. She embarked on her first-ever campaign sweep in a specialized vehicle provided by the National Security Bureau and joined forces with Legislator Lin Ching-yi of Taichung’s 2nd electoral district. Hsiao visited Lin’s campaign headquarters in Wuri District and held a press conference with the legislator. She then boarded a high-security campaign vehicle, complete with bulletproof glass and guarded by national security personnel. Hsiao’s campaign received presidential-level support, including a motorcade of ten vehicles and police motorcycles dedicated to her protection. Reflecting on the challenges of the campaign trail, Hsiao acknowledged the contrast to her past electoral experiences in Hualien. This visit to Taichung was significant for Hsiao, as she expressed her honor in supporting Lin, a colleague known for her strong sense of justice and camaraderie. Hsiao and Lin have long championed foreign affairs and gender equality issues together. Today’s itinerary will take Hsiao through four electoral districts in Taichung, underscoring the importance of each district in her campaign tour.

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.

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.

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.

Asian-Pacific workers, including those in Taiwan, are expected to experience the highest global growth in real wage increases in 2024, according to recent data. India leads the way with a projected rise of 5.1%, while Taiwan contributes with a 2.5% increase. The ECA International’s Salary Trends Report indicates that real wages for Asian-Pacific workers will increase by 2.2% in 2024, more than double the global average of 1%. Taiwan ranks sixth in the real salary forecast growth rate in the Asia-Pacific region, surpassing Macau, Malaysia, the Philippines, Cambodia, and South Korea. Vietnam and Thailand are expected to see real wage surges of 3.6% and 3.4% respectively, while Singapore is projected to have modest growth of 0.5%. The region’s advantage of lower inflation rates compared to the rest of the world contributes to these increases. Greater China locations, excluding Hong Kong, are expected to be among the top ten globally in terms of real wage increases in 2024.

Prominent YouTuber Joeman, internet celebrity Lyla, and DJ Tang Yu publicly apologized for their involvement in a drug-related scandal. Joeman confessed to consuming and possessing marijuana in Taiwan and abroad throughout 2023, vowing he would never repeat his actions. Lyla, a mother herself, followed suit with an emotionally charged apology, acknowledging her use of marijuana in Taiwan and Thailand. Taiwanese singer Hsieh Ho-hsien, an advocate for marijuana legalization, commented on the matter, suggesting that there’s no need for hysteria. Joeman, Lyla, and Tang Yu were arrested for allegedly using and possessing marijuana, shocking their fans. The New Taipei City Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Corps launched a raid that led to the arrest of ten individuals, including Joeman and Lyla, bringing Taiwan’s drug laws into sharp focus.

Find out the latest weather forecast for Taiwan in this story. Meteorologist Chia Hsin-hsing predicts a slight cooling in temperatures over the next ten days. The weather will remain stable from Wednesday to Friday, but southern Taiwan should be cautious of potential air pollution.

A survey reveals high-stress levels among recent graduates in Taiwan, with 70.9% facing mental pressure and 94.9% experiencing financial stress during their job search. The Jobless Pain Index reaches a ten-year high at 76.5. Experts recommend acquiring new skills for better job market competitiveness.

From Oct. 6 to Oct. 11, Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) will provide additional transport services to cater to the four-day Double Ten holiday need. Ticket sales commenced at midnight on Sept 8.

Taichung MRT has come under scrutiny following an incident involving a crane boom that fell onto the tracks, resulting in the death of one passenger and injuries to ten others. 

Rising interest rates for housing mortgages make owning a home an even more elusive dream for many Taiwanese, including Ms. Chang, an office worker and a mom of three. After being married for over ten years, her family is still unable to buy a house.