YU 結果共752筆

During a campaign event in New Taipei City, Kuomintang (KMT) vice-presidential candidate Jaw Shaw-kong mistakenly referred to the election day on Jan. 13 as ’Jan. 15.’ He quickly corrected himself, stating that they would be a president-elect on Jan. 15 next year, which received enthusiastic applause from supporters. This is not the first verbal gaffe from Jaw, as he has made other slips of the tongue recently. He called out the rival Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Lai Ching-te instead of his own party’s presidential hopeful Hou Yu-ih during a policy presentation by the Central Election Committee (CEC). Furthermore, he referred to former KMT chairman Johnny Chiang as a ’terrorist of peace for Taiwan’ instead of DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te during a campaign event in Taichung. Jaw also criticized the DPP’s governance record over the last eight years, arguing that their belief in a change of personnel and party now resonated with the DPP itself.

Dr. Chiang Kuan-yu, a prominent figure, criticized the inadequate security measures on campuses following a severe assault on a teenage student in New Taipei City. Dr. Chiang expressed concern that the victim’s life could be permanently altered due to the attack. He emphasized the potential long-term consequences, even if extracorporeal life support successfully saves the victim’s life and restores breathing. Dr. Chiang pointed out that prolonged absence of vital signs can deprive the brain of oxygen, leading to significant cognitive changes during recovery. The incident occurred when a 15-year-old male student scolded a female classmate for entering another classroom, which provoked her to seek help from a male classmate who then physically attacked the victim with a switchblade. Although the victim was revived through extracorporeal life support, his prognosis remains uncertain. Dr. Chiang condemned the incident as a serious campus safety issue and questioned how a juvenile delinquent managed to bring a knife into the school. He called for a ＂zero-tolerance＂ policy towards violence in educational institutions. Dr. Chiang further expressed concerns about the overall safety of students in what he described as a ＂dark campus＂ environment and stated that as a parent, he would not allow his child to continue attending the school.

Presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih pledges to reinstate Constitution Day as a public holiday in Taiwan if elected. He argues that the Constitution carries the founding spirit of the Republic of China (ROC) and forms the foundation of the rule of law. Hou criticizes his rival, Lai Ching-te, for suggesting that the ROC constitution hinders Taiwan’s unity, calling it a myth. He also accuses Lai of attempting to erase the spirit of the nation’s founding and the rule of law by cutting Constitution Day and other public holidays. Hou promises to protect the spirit of the country and uphold workers’ rights by restoring Constitution Day as a public holiday.

The latest poll from My-formosa.com shows that Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Lai Ching-te has a narrow lead over Kuomintang (KMT) candidate Hou Yu-ih in the 2024 presidential election. Lai and his running mate Hsiao Bi-khim received 37.5% support, while Hou and his running mate Jaw Shaw-kong received 32.6% support. Taiwan People’s Party’s (TPP) Ko Wen-je and his running mate Cynthia Wu received 16.3% support. The poll results indicate a 4.9 percentage point difference between Lai and Hou, and a 16.3 percentage point gap between Hou and Ko. Lai’s counterattack after the scandal involving his family’s property in Wanli may have contributed to the slight decrease in support for Hou and Ko. The poll was conducted through telephone interviews using the Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) method, covering all 22 municipalities in Taiwan. A total of 1,470 individuals aged over 20 were interviewed, with a maximum margin of error of ±2.6% at a 95% confidence level.

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an celebrated his first year in office, focusing on policy achievements in sustainability, youth entrepreneurship, and capital planning. He emphasized the role of AI in developing Taipei as a smart city and outlined future goals for making the city safe, sports-oriented, and technology-driven.

Taipei’s renowned Eslite bookstore in Xinyi District, a symbol of Taiwan’s literary and cultural scene, prepares to close its doors this Sunday. The anticipated successor, Songyan store, opens Jan. 20, promising to continue Eslite’s legacy in a new, expansive setting.

KMT presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih returns to his hometown of Chiayi’s Puzi City to pay respects to his late parents and campaign for votes. He shares his family’s struggles in poverty, highlighting his rise from a grassroots police officer to Director-General of the National Police Agency. Hou emphasizes the importance of unity among citizens, regardless of political affiliation, to enhance the nation’s well-being. He recounts his parents’ generation navigating tough conditions after World War II, with his father working as a butcher to make a living. Hou’s experiences drive him to run for president, aiming for a unified Taiwan that transcends party lines and improves the national welfare of the Republic of China.

The Customs Tariff Commission of China’s State Council has announced that starting from January 1 next year, it will suspend the application of preferential tariffs for 12 categories of chemically imported goods from Taiwan, including propylene and paraxylene. China claims that Taiwan violates ECFA regulations by imposing discriminatory trade measures for products exported from China, and a trade barrier investigation by China’s Ministry of Commerce confirmed these restrictions as a trade barrier. Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) accuses China of political manipulation and bypassing WTO dispute mechanisms. The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) states that the export value of ECFA’s early harvest list to China has been decreasing, projected to retract to pre-ECFA levels by year-end. The MOEA proposes managing cross-strait economic disputes under the WTO mechanism and encourages China to do the same.

China has announced the suspension of preferential tariffs on certain products under the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA), potentially impacting cross-strait trade. Li Zhenguang, deputy dean of the Taiwan Research Institute at Beijing Union University, suggests that this move could lead to the complete termination of the ECFA, creating uncertainty for the future. Tang Yonghong, deputy director of the Taiwan Research Center at Xiamen University, considers the suspension to be moderate and emphasizes that China will respond with corresponding measures if Taiwan imposes trade bans or limitations. The development of cross-strait trade is contingent on the relationship between the two sides, with trade being affected if relations become confrontational. China’s suspension of tariff concessions for 12 imported items is seen as a warning to Taiwan in defense of the ＂1992 Consensus,＂ indicating China’s unwavering stance on cross-strait relations.

Deputy Trade Representative Yang Jen-ni of Taiwan’s Office of Trade Negotiations (OTN) criticized China’s recent trade barriers against Taiwan, highlighting four major concerns. Yang pointed out that China’s investigation process is biased, unfair, nontransparent, and not in line with international norms. Documents such as applications, comments, respondent summaries, and non-confidential data were undisclosed or restricted to foreigners. Additionally, Yang condemned China for bypassing the Taiwan government during the investigation, prioritizing political objectives over economic ones. She also accused China of misinterpreting trade policies and creating a false narrative that Taiwan is unwilling to address disputes. Lastly, Yang criticized China for producing inflated and unverifiable data in its impact assessment, without solid evidence to support its claims. Yang urged China to abandon its one-sided political manipulation and suggested initiating consultations through the World Trade Organization (WTO) mechanism to resolve trade disputes.

The Taiwan Central Election Commission (CEC) responded to concerns about commercial interruptions during the presidential TV debate held on December 20. The CEC clarified that the entire event was broadcast without interruption and reaffirmed that Formosa Television (FTV) followed the law in broadcasting the debate. The CEC also addressed rumors circulating online, confirming that no irregularities were found in regards to ad insertions or candidate speech snippets. The full event was available for viewing on the official CEC website and Facebook page.

A renowned Taiwanese traditional restaurant in Taipei’s Songshan district has been ordered by the Taipei District Court to vacate its premises due to rent arrears of five and a half months. The establishment, favored by non-partisans in its early years, temporarily closed after the founder’s death in February 2022 but reopened on Renai Road in May of the same year. However, due to structural irregularities in the kitchen, the restaurant relocated to Bade Road in 2021. The landlord claimed that the eatery had been persistently defaulting on rent, accumulating a debt of NT＄760,000. After receiving no response to a notice of lease termination, the landlord filed a lawsuit demanding the return of the premises, compensation for the owed rent, and a monthly rental payment of NT＄140,000 until the property is surrendered. The court ruled in favor of the landlord, terminating the lease agreement and ordering the restaurant to vacate the premises and continue paying rent until it does so.

The Fire Bureau of Changhua County reported 53 emergency medical cases in the last 24 hours, including five instances of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), possibly linked to a sudden dip in temperatures due to an extreme cold wave in Taiwan. The OHCA victims, aged 65 to 87, had yet to have the exact causes determined. Although the number of emergency cases is consistent with the daily average of 54, the number of non-responsive patients increased from three to five. The CHFD advises older adults, those with cardiovascular diseases, and others susceptible to cold weather to dress warmly. The Changhua County Public Health Bureau urges anyone experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest tightness to seek immediate medical care.

The National Property Administration (NPA) in Taipei expects to exceed its goal of 200,000 social housing units by next year by 107 percent. Currently, there are already 94,023 social housing units completed or under construction, surpassing this year’s target of 20,000 units. The NPA provides rental housing matchmaking services to socioeconomically disadvantaged groups using private residential resources and professional management. Additionally, the NPA has proposed a new housing policy goal for 2025-2032, aiming to establish 250,000 direct social housing units, 250,000 units under rental management, and 500,000 units with rent subsidies. The NPA plans to implement more comprehensive housing policies to address the housing needs of different groups and alleviate the public’s housing burden.

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an celebrates his first year in office with a video message emphasizing his commitment to change and development. The video, titled ＂Everything has started, change is underway,＂ showcases the life journey of a Taipei native, highlighting key policies implemented during Chiang’s tenure. These include enhanced birth rewards, AI-powered learning spaces, the Taipei Dome, reinstatement of Chongyang respect for the elderly money, and increased support for startups. Chiang takes on various roles in the film, symbolizing his dedication to providing policy support and services at every stage of citizens’ lives. The video creatively uses different frame sizes and scene transitions to present Taipei from various perspectives, reflecting a hopeful vision for the city’s future as a sustainable and inclusive capital.

The Kuomintang (KMT) has called for a public rally in front of Taiwan’s Presidential Office Building on Saturday night, urging citizens to voice their dissatisfaction with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government. This is the KMT’s first large-scale rally organized by the central committee. The KMT Secretary-General, Justin Huang, expressed the intention to rally constituents against corruption and dual-standard governance, striving for Taiwan’s national security, social justice, and economic prosperity. Huang hopes this rally will bring down the incompetent government and emphasized the KMT’s commitment to a final election victory. Among the three sets of presidential and vice-presidential candidates, Huang highlighted the ＂Hou-Jaw ticket＂ as the nation’s best option for peace.

Lai Ching-te, the Democratic Progressive Party’s presidential candidate, began a four-day campaign trip in Yilan County, emphasizing Taiwan’s commitment to democracy and opposition to authoritarianism. Lai highlighted the significance of Yilan as the birthplace of Hokkien opera, a traditional drama that has helped promote Taiwan globally. He promised increased support for local culture and discussed his policies aimed at balancing Taiwan’s national development plans and restoring pride to Yilan residents.

Former Taoyuan City Councillor, Kuo Li-hua, of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), and her assistant Liu Tsai-jou have been indicted for allegedly purchasing private information in support of Foxconn founder, Terry Gou, during his independent presidential candidacy. The indictment states that Kuo, under Liu’s direction, secured 325 blank endorsement forms on six separate occasions, totaling a transaction of NT＄88,400. Law enforcement officials seized critical evidence, including endorsement registers and text messages, which implicated Kuo and Liu. Despite Kuo’s denial, the Taiwan Taoyuan District Prosecutors Office (TYC) emphasized that they and six others had clearly committed the crime and were officially prosecuted. The TYC has also requested a heavier sentence for Kuo due to her hostility after committing the crime.

The Hsinchu City Government has confirmed that a farmland owned by Taiwan People’s Party presidential candidate Ko Wen-je in Hsinchu has been rented out as a parking lot for tour buses. The government has given a 30-day deadline for improvements to be made. Ko has stated that he has contacted other landlords and businesses for car relocation and hopes the land can be restored to its original condition. An inspection has revealed that the farmland is being partially used for non-agricultural purposes. The authorities are demanding correction and restoration for agricultural use within 30 days, with potential fines ranging from NT$60,000 to NT$300,000 if not complied with. The Hsinchu City Government is also investigating whether income tax has been paid on the rent collected from the land.

Taiwan’s export orders in November reached US$50.6 billion, showing a 1% year-on-year growth after 14 consecutive months of decline, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ Department of Statistics. However, export orders decreased by US$2.24 billion, or 4.2%, from October, with a seasonal-adjusted decrease of 5.4%. Notably, information and communication equipment orders increased by 10% annually to reach US$16.2 billion, ending nine months of negative growth. Electronic product orders also saw a 3.5% annual increase, amounting to US$17.8 billion and ending a 12-month downturn. Despite these positive developments, the overall export orders from January to November showed a decrease of US$97.38 billion, or 15.8%, compared to the previous year.

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.

The Central Weather Administration (CWA) has issued a low-temperature warning for Keelung, New Taipei, Hsinchu County, and Taoyuan. The forecast predicts temperatures to drop below six degrees Celsius due to a passing cold wave. Tomorrow morning, the north of Taiwan will experience temperatures between 11 to 13 degrees, while central and southern regions will be at 13 to 15 degrees. The East Longitudinal Valley region will see temperatures between 15 to 17 degrees, with extreme lows possibly reaching one or two degrees. Northern regions, including Yilan, are expected to have lows of 9 to 11 degrees, while other areas will be at 12 to 14 degrees. Despite a weakening cold front on Saturday, regions will remain relatively cold. However, Meteorologist Wu Te-jung predicts that the cold will ease by next Tuesday into Wednesday, with temperatures rebounding and sunny weather.

The Ministry of Environment (MOENW) has recognized 59 Taiwanese and American eco-friendly schools for their successful integration of environmental education practices. This year’s tally of green flag certifications, which signify a long-term commitment to sustainability, is the highest on record. Taoyuan had the most certified schools with six. The green flag certificates symbolize the extensive efforts and dedication to fostering sustainable principles and active engagement within the school environment. The ＂Taiwan-American Eco-School Partnership Program,＂ jointly promoted by the MOENW and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) since 2014, aims to cultivate student autonomy in participating in environmental protection discussions and decision-making. The Ministry of Education (MOE) joined the effort in 2021. The MOENW is dedicated to aligning Taiwan’s eco-friendly schools with global standards and increasing the number of schools participating in eco-friendly programs.

Bookings for additional flights to Taiwan’s outlying islands during the Lunar New Year holiday will open next Tuesday, according to the Civil Aviation Administration. The first wave of extra flights and regularly scheduled flights have been available for booking since December 5. The upcoming Spring Festival rush will see 6,646 seats available for Penghu routes and 4,334 seats for Kinmen routes. The number of additional seats for Matsu has not been disclosed, but the total number of extra seats reaches nearly 11,980. Travelers are reminded to issue their tickets within three days of booking to facilitate airline companies in managing reservations. The CAA also advises that seats are still available for off-peak dates and times across various routes.

U.S. Department of State English language specialist Maureen Rooney visited Heti Elementary School in Kaohsiung to introduce American holiday traditions to students through an interactive English language program. Rooney’s effortless English and expressive body language helped the children overcome their anxiety about fully English-taught lessons. The course, rich with audiovisual aids, guided students through the historical context of Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations, enhancing their understanding of cultural nuances. Using the festive tune ＂12 Days of Christmas,＂ Rooney stimulated thoughtful discussions among students about the meaning of gifts and encouraged heartfelt English expressions of gratitude and well wishes for their families. HTPS Principal Tu Chang-lin expressed gratitude for the American Institute in Taiwan’s collaboration with U.S. officials in advancing bilingual education at the school, highlighting the value of such cultural learning opportunities to enrich the students’ English proficiency.