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In the heated run-up to Taiwan’s presidential elections, political parties, notably the Taiwan People’s Party, are competing for the symbolic Ketagalan Boulevard for their final rallies, with historical implications for the election’s outcome.

The 2024 Taiwan Lantern Festival is returning to Tainan for the first time since 2008, taking place from Feb. 24 to March 10. The main lantern, ＂Dragon Comes to Taiwan,＂ was unveiled by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications’ Tourism Administration. Inspired by the dragons on the stone columns at the Tainan Grand Mazu Temple, the 18-meter-tall dragon lantern is accompanied by a 22-meter main lantern. This year’s lantern design transforms the dragon into a small round lantern with the same pronunciation as the Taiwanese snack ＂xiaolongbao,＂ adding a touch of tradition and children’s anticipation. The festival will illuminate the ＂High-Speed Rail Lantern Area＂ and ＂Anping Lantern Area＂ in Tainan. In celebration of Tainan’s 400th anniversary, the city government will light up the ＂Anping Lantern Area＂ in advance on Feb. 3, allowing residents and tourists to enjoy the spectacle during the Lunar New Year holiday. Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che expressed high hopes for the festival, praising the main lantern design for its unique representation of Tainan and Taiwan’s lantern festival through a blend of culture, nostalgia, and playful creativity.

The Central Election Commission in Taiwan announces a comprehensive ban on publicizing, discussing, or referring to poll data in the lead-up to the General Election, aiming to ensure fairness and impartiality in the electoral process.

Taiwan braces for its January 13 elections, with no party poised for a legislative majority. The race will decide the president and all 113 parliamentary seats, setting the stage for potential cooperation challenges.

Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je clarifies his past remarks questioning the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) apparent favor towards his Kuomintang (KMT) rival, Hou Yu-ih, and small donations from Taiwanese businessmen in China to the KMT. Hou takes offense and accuses Ko and the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) presidential candidate, Lai Ching-te, of ＂smearing＂ tactics. Hou also opposes foreign interference in Taiwan’s elections. Hou accuses Ko and Lai of property-related irregularities, implying potential illicit behavior. Ko reiterates that he was only inquiring about the CCP’s regard for Hou and refuses to discuss the property issues raised by Hou.

SYM Dominates Taiwan’s Motorcycle Market in 2023 with 38.4% Share, Selling 334,589 Units. Kymco and Yamaha Follow with 30.7% and 15.9% Market Share Respectively. Gogoro Holds 6.5% Share. Total of 870,620 Motorcycles Sold in Taiwan. SYM’s December Sales Reach 36,479 Units, Up 66.63% from November. SYM’s Total 2023 Sales Increase by 30.99% from Previous Year. Special Promotion and Phasing Out Older Designs Boost Sales. WOO, Vivo, and Duke Models Lead with 38% Sales Increase. CLBCU and Fiddle See 24% Surge, JET, DRG, and MMBCU with 12% Increase. SYM to Offer Additional NT$2,000 Subsidy in 2024.

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.

DPP candidate Lai Ching-te campaigned at a traffic intersection in Taipei, echoing President Tsai Ing-wen’s previous bid in the same location. The DPP has launched a nationwide campaign to solicit votes at over 1,000 intersections across Taiwan. Lai has called on citizens to vote for the DPP at 22 municipalities and 817 traffic intersections. He emphasized the importance of having a majority in the legislative yuan to ensure the smooth advancement of Taiwan. Lai and his vice presidential candidate Hsiao Bi-khim are positioned as candidates who can continue Tsai Ing-wen’s political course and guide Taiwan forward.

陳昊森跨界歌壇，今年推出首張專輯《Almost Human》，跨年獨家為「2024桃園星際城STAR UP跨年晚會」獻唱。近來時間幾乎被拍戲佔滿的他，特別向劇組請假，他選唱〈刻在我心底的名字〉〈貼〉和〈晚安〉三首歌曲，代表2023一整年的經歷和心情，「希望大家跟著我一起大合唱，讓越來越多人聽到我的音樂。」

閻奕格今年發行新輯《Changing Room》的，年底各種商演、尾牙、校園邀約不斷，跨年則在「台南好YOUNG跨年晚會」以及「2024桃園星際城STAR UP跨年晚會」演出，將帶來完全不同的造型和歌單，她開心說：「今年發了新專輯，幾乎每一天都可以見到歌迷們唱歌給大家聽，我覺得很幸福，非常開心跨年可以見到南部和北部的朋友們。」新的一年她也預告有大型的計畫即將來臨，請大家拭目以待。

「2024桃園星際城STAR UP」跨年晚會將於今晚在高鐵桃園站前盛大開唱，桃園市政府今年邀請超人氣韓團N.Flying李承協、柳會勝擔任壓軸演出，下午彩排時已吸引大批粉絲到場應援，更有粉絲從30日早上10點就到場排隊，只為與偶像近距離跨年。隊長李承協在彩排時表示，台灣粉絲超熱情，很期待能和大家在桃園跨年；成員柳會勝則於昨晚抵台時先品嚐了臭豆腐、滷雞冠等道地小吃，相當入境隨俗。

Taiwan’s investment in China has reached its lowest point in a decade, making up just over 10% of the island’s total overseas direct investment, according to a report by Nikkei Asia. Recent official data from Taiwan reveals that foreign direct investments surged by 87% to reach $257 billion through November this year. However, investments in China plummeted by 34% to only $29 billion, representing a mere 12% of the total. Since 2010, Taiwanese investments in China have been steadily declining and are projected to drop below the lowest point recorded since 1999. In contrast, investments in the United States have increased ninefold to $96 billion, accounting for around 37% of the total outbound direct investment. Additionally, Taiwan’s direct investment in Germany has soared 25-fold to $39 billion, largely driven by the operations of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. Sun Ming-te, Director of the Business Development and Research Center at the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research (TIER), predicts that if tensions between the United States and China persist, Taiwan’s investment in China will continue to decline.

The Xinyi Precinct of the Taipei City Police Department has established an anti-trampling team in high-density areas around the Taipei 101 fireworks display to ensure safety during New Year’s Eve celebrations. Drone interceptors will be used to force unauthorized drones to land. Mobile police stations will be set up at five major venues, providing services such as traffic control and lost and found handling. Anti-trampling teams will be organized in key areas, and LED signs, megaphones, whistles, and strong lighting equipment will be used for emergency evacuations. Prompt intervention and contact with on-site paramedics will occur in cases of overcrowding or falling incidents.

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.

金曲歌王陳奕迅舉辦「FEAR AND DREAMS」世界巡迴演唱會，另外也推出新專輯《CHIN UP!》，因應新歌〈空城記〉MV將在近日首播，唱片公司今（29）在台北舉辦「【空陳記】歲末治癒體驗空間VIP搶先淨化場」，由他「獻聲」陪伴大家告別2023年空掉的內心與過不去的遺憾，在填補和療癒的同時，好好整理自己，正式開展則只有明（30）日限定1天。

Stay up to date with the latest weather forecast for Taiwan. Expect rainfall on Thursday, particularly in mountainous areas, with minimum temperatures of 16-17 degrees Celsius on the plains. On Friday, water vapor will shift eastward, resulting in clear skies in the south and occasional rainfall in the north and east. Saturday will be mostly sunny with some cloud cover in the west, and brief rainfall in mountainous and eastern regions. For the New Year holiday, Sunday will be sunny in the west, partly sunny in the east, and occasional brief rainfall. Monday and Tuesday are expected to be predominantly sunny and stable, with a slight chance of scattered rain in the east. Northern Taiwan will be comfortable during this period, while the south will be slightly hot, with temperatures dropping in the evening. Remember to adjust your clothing accordingly if spending extended periods outside.

Taiwan’s health ministry has announced the establishment of the Center for Health Policy and Technology Assessment (CHPTA) with an investment of nearly NT＄200 million from the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA). The CHPTA aims to expedite the review process for newly insured drugs by implementing parallel reviews. Starting from New Year’s Day in 2024, the new system is expected to significantly shorten the time required for reviewing newly insured drugs from an average of 13 months to 6 months. Health Minister Hsueh Jui-yuan emphasized that national health insurance plays a stabilizing role in Taiwanese society and disapproved of major amendments, ruling out the possibility of a ＂third generation health insurance.＂ He also expressed the belief that drug pricing policies under the health insurance system need reform, making the launch of CHPTA a significant reform effort.

Q Burger, a restaurant chain in Taipei, is making waves with its generous end-of-year bonus of up to 27.8 months for staff. In addition, the company plans to increase salaries by 23.4% in 2024, aiming to break away from the low-paying norms of the industry. Newly hired employees can expect a high basic salary of up to NT＄35,000, while reserve executives start at NT＄37,000. To address regional differences in living costs, Q Burger is also offering a substantial regional subsidy, with store employees in Taipei receiving an extra NT＄4,000 per month. In a unique move to motivate employees, the company has introduced the ＂Dream Reward Plan,＂ which grants 20% of net profits to store chiefs. Q Burger’s success is evident, with its expansion to 340 stores across Taiwan and over one million app members in 2023.

A junior high school student in New Taipei City has tragically died after being stabbed by another student. The victim suffered five knife wounds to his neck and lungs, despite receiving emergency treatment at the hospital. The incident occurred after a female student, who felt rebuked by the victim, recruited a male student to retaliate. The victim was stabbed twice in the lungs and neck, resulting in significant blood loss. Speculation of his death was confirmed by the Education Department. Following this incident, the department has pledged to strengthen measures to ensure student safety, including dispatching counselors and social workers for follow-up guidance and collaboration with police agencies. The Education Department is also providing support to the victim’s family through legal consultation and coordination with relevant departments. Additionally, efforts will be made to enhance teachers’ campus security capabilities.

In 2021, approximately 664,000 Taiwanese taxpayers received disability deductions and 354,000 received long-term care deductions from their individual income tax, in accordance with the rules of the ＂Income Tax Act.＂ The total deductions for disability and long-term care amounted to NT$137.4 billion and NT$42.5 billion, respectively. Since 2014, the number of households benefiting from disability deductions has exceeded 600,000, reaching 635,000 in 2021. The income tax reform in 2018 increased the disability deduction to NT$200,000, resulting in a rise from NT$89.1 billion in 2017 to NT$135.2 billion, with subsequent years remaining around NT$138 billion. Starting from 2019, individuals could deduct up to NT$120,000 for long-term care. By 2021, a total of NT$42.5 billion was deducted, benefiting 330,000 households, which accounted for 5.1% of all reporting households. Over the past five years, the number of individuals benefiting from disability deductions ranged from 664,000 to 698,000, representing 55.2% to 59.6% of all disabled Taiwanese. The number of individuals benefiting from long-term care deductions has been increasing annually for the past three years, with 336,000, 350,000, and 354,000 people, respectively. The beneficiaries of the long-term care 2.0 service also experienced an increase, from 389,000 in 2019 to 554,000 in 2021, indicating an improvement in the capabilities of the long-term care service.

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.

The Alishan Forest Railways in Taiwan has introduced the Vivid Express, a train with a transparent cockpit, in celebration of its 111th anniversary. The train, modified from an existing model, features large-pane glass windows that offer passengers a 70-degree view, allowing them to see the track ahead and the driver’s seat. The design also includes 360-degree rotating seats for a comprehensive view. The upgrades aim to create comfortable and spacious conditions for passengers while significantly improving their views. The transparent compartments will be put up for tender and are expected to be operational by April, enhancing the visual experience for travelers exploring the scenic mountainous landscapes of Alishan.

Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih highlights his achievements in public childcare in New Taipei City, having established 121 facilities, surpassing other major cities in Taiwan combined. Hou criticizes his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) opponent, Lai Ching-te, for lacking concrete efforts in providing care for children up to the age of 22. Hou also questions Lai’s commitment to waiving high-school fees and granting university subsidies, suggesting irresponsibility towards young people. Additionally, Hou points out Lai’s failure to plan social housing during his tenure as mayor of Tainan, while New Taipei City completed 11,000 units under his leadership.

今年冬天最美展覽日本「NAKED FLOWERS花之舞光影展」開展一週人潮滿滿，網路上話題不斷，爭相吸引眾多民眾前往逛展體驗，今年來台發展的韓國女團CLC前香港成員，也是子瑜閨密的Elkie莊錠欣，更在百忙之中抽空朝聖，日前才推出個人中文單曲〈Speed Up〉，最近更忙著錄製全新綜藝節目，行程滿檔的她一聽到來自日本的光影展就超級期待，馬上排除萬難來親自體驗。

Taiwan People’s Party presidential candidate Ko Wen-je criticized his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) competitor Lai Ching-te for avoiding the nuclear energy debate and lacking long-term planning. Ko argued that Lai’s commitment to a nuclear-free homeland by 2025 would cost him votes, particularly from the business sector. He questioned the feasibility of turning nuclear power on and off at will. Ko also criticized his Kuomintang rival, Hou Yu-ih, for impeding the operation of dry storage facilities at nuclear plants one and two, resulting in a stalemate where spent fuel rods cannot be removed. Ko expressed support for extending the service lives of nuclear plants two and three and called for a thorough check-up of plant four before making any decisions. He emphasized the need for a pragmatic approach to nuclear power rather than treating the idea of a nuclear-free homeland as an ideology. Ko highlighted the goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and mentioned that 22 nations proposed tripling nuclear power by then at COP28.