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NTNU, TSMC launch joint semiconductor program
National Taiwan Normal University and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) have partnered to introduce a new semiconductor program, attracting 340 students. The course includes subjects from five departments and offers exclusive events and classes by senior TSMC instructors. Students completing the program will receive a certificate and a guaranteed interview opportunity at TSMC, with employment bonuses for high achievers. Planning study timetables wisely is encouraged to enhance resume competitiveness.
2024/02/22 14:41
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Taiwan considers Indian migrant workers for caregiving roles
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.
2024/02/17 15:23
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Cross-party talks: TPP reaches out to KMT
Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman Ko Wen-je has announced that the party’s legislative caucus will initiate contact with the Kuomintang (KMT) for potential legislative cooperation. The TPP hopes to establish a mutually convenient schedule for visits between the two parties, with interactions expected to commence next week. This move comes as reform bills promised by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) remain stalled, and the TPP has proactively proposed collaboration with the KMT to further these reforms. TPP caucus whip Huang Kuo-chang has expressed optimism about the cross-party cooperation, stating that it is a good thing for opposition parties to work together to quickly pass bills that the DPP has failed to deliver on. The TPP caucus is open to this collaboration, pending the KMT’s response.
2024/02/16 16:47
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President Tsai commends Yuan Ye Award winners
President Tsai Ing-wen met with representatives of the winners of the 2023 Yuan Ye Awards, emphasizing the government’s commitment to collaborating with local governments on vital construction projects. She also encouraged stronger collaboration between private enterprises and the government to drive Taiwan’s architectural progress. The winning projects were praised for showcasing Taiwan’s diverse and robust architectural design, positively impacting the country’s urban-rural scenery. The Yuan Ye Awards, with a nearly 30-year history, recognize Taiwan’s unique architectural products and landscape designs through a rigorous judging process, making it a prestigious honor sought after by county and city governments, as well as private enterprises.
2024/02/05 15:56
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Taiwan’s new Congress: a stage for strategic party maneuvers
Controversy arises between the DPP and TPP following the election of the Legislative Yuan’s speaker and deputy speaker, with allegations of a "phone gate" incident and conspiracies over a cabinet leader dispute. The anticipated dynamics within the Legislative Yuan, including the Blue-White Cooperation between the KMT and TPP, may undergo significant changes due to each party’s objectives. Despite holding only eight seats, the TPP has established itself as a third force in this general election. The TPP promptly proposes four reforms to Congress, attracting attention with their strategic approach. Both the DPP and KMT express cautious apprehension towards the TPP’s growth and influence, shaping the new congress as a battleground for collaboration and competition among the three parties.
2024/02/05 10:39
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Taipei Mayor to ride revamped gondola during LNY
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an plans to take his family on a ride on the newly renovated Maokong Gondola during the Lunar New Year holidays to visit the zoo. The gondola cabins have been redesigned in collaboration with "Animal Rescue Team Taiwan" and the popular "Maji Meow" (cat) to promote animal conservation, rescue efforts, and life education. From Feb. 3 to Feb. 14, customers who purchase three one-day passes will receive a limited edition New Year magnet set. Each one-day pass purchase also includes a single limited edition magnet. The cabins feature images of the gondola’s mascots, including the "Landlord" (a sloth), the Maji Cat, EMMA, and a calf. QR codes inside the cabins provide access to real conservation stories, promoting respect for all life and equality among creatures. Visitors to the Camphor Tree Trail during the New Year period can enjoy blooming lupines, the "Maokong Light Halo" at night, and sporadic God of Wealth blessings at various gondola stations. Limited quantities of sweets and cookies will be given away at the gondola stations from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 10 to Feb. 12.
2024/02/02 16:03
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Taiwan eyes stronger ties with UK post-Brexit
Following the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union (EU), Taiwan’s representative to the UK, Vincent Yao, stated that Brexit has allowed the UK to establish closer economic ties with Taiwan, potentially helping Taiwan resist China’s attempts to isolate it. Taiwan is also increasingly investing in the UK, with the goal of becoming the UK’s primary trading partner in Europe. Additionally, strengthening UK-Taiwan trade relations could benefit the UK by providing access to Taiwan’s key industries, such as semiconductors. The bilateral relationship between Taiwan and the UK is reflected in the increase of UK government officials posted to Taiwan and the expansion of the UK office in Taipei. Collaboration between the two countries extends to areas such as artificial intelligence, offshore wind power, and electric vehicle batteries. However, there is still room for further development in bilateral cooperation.
2024/01/30 12:41
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Keelung partners with UC Berkeley for remote courses
Keelung City Mayor George Hsieh has announced a collaboration with the University of California, Berkeley to offer a remote course for high school students in Keelung. Out of 249 applicants, 30 students will be selected for the program, which will begin next month. This initiative is part of Hsieh’s plan to promote academic excellence locally and he aims to introduce more courses in 2024 to provide Keelung’s top high schoolers with high-quality international education. The selected students will participate in a course focused on the autonomous vehicle industry, learning programming in Python and various algorithms. Classes will be held twice weekly from February 24 to March 24 at the city hall briefing room. Upon completion, students will receive a certificate of completion from UC Berkeley. This collaboration aims to encourage local education and retain talented students in Keelung.
2024/01/29 17:08
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Lai Ching-te commits to democracy and Indo-Pacific stability
Vice President and President-elect Lai Ching-te reaffirms commitment to democracy and peace in Taiwan Strait and Indo-Pacific region during meeting with U.S.-Taiwan Business Council. Lai highlights alignment of Taiwan-U.S. economic cooperation with Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. Expresses gratitude for U.S. support following election, acknowledges solidarity against Chinese authoritarianism. Thanks U.S. for commitment to Taiwan’s security and efforts to address double taxation issue. Anticipates strengthened supply chain partnerships between Taiwan and U.S. through enacted double-tax relief act.
2024/01/24 16:17
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Taiwan travel agents urge for earlier pre-strike notices
The Travel Agent Association of R.O.C., Taiwan, has urged aviation unions to give a one-month notice before going on strike to mitigate social repercussions. They warned that another strike could have a devastating impact on the aviation industry. This call comes as EVA Air pilots, in collaboration with the Taoyuan Union of Pilots (TUP), have secured the right to strike. The planned strike is set for the Lunar New Year period, which is a peak travel period. The pilots aim to safeguard their rights, but the Travel Agent Association emphasized that such action would significantly affect consumers and travel agencies. They criticized past unplanned strikes by China Airlines’ cabin crew, pilots, and EVA Air’s cabin crew for disregarding consumer rights. The association emphasized the adoption of international pre-strike notice processes to allow sufficient time for negotiations and consensus-building, benefiting both consumers and labor.
2024/01/23 17:33
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TVBS News draws global media attention in Taiwan’s elections
Global media spotlight on Taiwan’s 2024 elections with TVBS News at the forefront. International collaboration, record-breaking viewership, and insightful analysis.
2024/01/22 20:27
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Eric Chu unveils youth-focused political growth plans
The Kuomintang (KMT) held a post-election gratitude tea ceremony in Yunlin County, where Chairman Eric Chu emphasized the party’s reform strategies and plans to nurture young members for political roles. Chu, along with New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih and Yunlin County Commissioner Chang Li-shan, announced the party’s commitment to increasing engagement with social and web media to appeal to younger voters. Chu highlighted the success of young KMT candidates in the recent legislative elections, with 10 out of 15 securing victory. Mayor Hou emphasized the need for unity and collaboration within the KMT caucus in the Legislative Yuan, particularly with proportional representation legislators from the south. He also urged the party to present facts, rectify misconceptions, and attract new voters while strengthening support from existing ones. The KMT has been actively nurturing young talent in its key structure in recent years.
2024/01/22 11:28
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Taiwan’s youth mental health initiative reaches 17,000
Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) has successfully implemented a mental health support program for young people, serving 17,000 individuals by the end of 2023. The program offers three free counseling sessions for individuals aged 15 to 30, with 33% of users assessed as high-risk and referred for medical treatment. The majority of users are between the ages of 24 and 30, comprising 66% of the total users. The program has received positive feedback, with a satisfaction rate of 96% and 95% of participants finding the counseling services beneficial. The initiative has utilized approximately 50% of its budget and will continue to provide counseling even after its completion. Currently, 406 partner institutions nationwide contribute mental health services to the program. MOHW aims to combat the stigma surrounding mental health counseling and encourages young people to actively seek help. The ministry plans to further accumulate psychological medical resources to serve the needs of young people. The program was launched on August 1, 2022, through collaboration between seven leading professional medical and psychological associations.
2024/01/18 16:10
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Philippines president breaks norms with Taiwan congrats
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. breaks tradition by congratulating Taiwan’s president-elect Lai Ching-te on his victory, a rare gesture due to the Philippines’ adherence to the "One-China policy" since 1975. Marcos Jr., in his social media post, referred to Lai as "Taiwan’s president" for the first time since taking office. He expressed his hopes for stronger ties between the two nations, emphasizing collaboration, mutual interests, peace, and prosperity in the future.
2024/01/16 12:06
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Taiwan legislative elections unfold: KMT 52, DPP 51, TPP 8
Taiwan’s legislative election results from Jan. 13 show a close race, with the Kuomintang (KMT) gaining a slight lead over the Democratic Progress Party (DPP). The Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) also made gains. This article explores the implications of the election on Taiwan’s parliamentary dynamics and potential challenges in legislation and governance.
2024/01/14 13:51
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Cynthia Wu promises tighter security after rally scare
Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) vice-presidential candidate Cynthia Wu pledges to reinforce security measures in response to an incident where an individual was caught with an air gun at a TPP rally in Taichung. Wu visits Taichung after TPP presidential candidate Ko Wen-je held rallies there for two consecutive days. Wu’s campaign trail proceeds to Nantou County. When asked about the chants at the previous night’s rally, Wu expresses that election campaigning is tough and everyone should encourage and support each other. Wu’s final stop in Taichung is Wanhe Temple, where she is accompanied by the temple’s chairman for prayers and blessings. During a photo session with supporters, a vehicle carrying KMT legislative candidate Liao Wei-hsiang passes by, and the KMT’s Taichung branch director greets him, emphasizing collaboration between the TPP and KMT in Taichung.
2024/01/07 18:18
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Convenience chain launches Sichuan peppercorn ice cream
Discover a new winter ice cream flavor in Taipei, featuring vanilla and a Sichuan peppercorn oil infusion. This collaboration between a convenience chain and a spicy hotpot restaurant offers a sweet and numbing taste without intense spiciness. With winter ice cream sales reaching over a million units, this co-branding strategy could result in double growth. Primarily popular among customers over 40 years old, winter ice cream flavors tend to be richer compared to refreshing summer varieties. Explore the unique business opportunities and challenged consumer perceptions created by promoting ice cream during the winter season.
2024/01/03 19:48
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Education Dept. confirms death of stabbed student
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.
2023/12/27 10:45
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King of Mandopop Jay Chou drops surprise Christmas single
Taiwanese singer Jay Chou surprised fans with the release of his new song, "Christmas Star," during the holiday season. Chou revealed details about the song, including its three-character title and the inclusion of firewood crackling sounds, during a livestream. The music video was shot in a European town setting, featuring scenes inside a gingerbread-like house decorated for Christmas. Chou collaborated with Gary Yang on the song, who not only provided vocals but also appeared in the music video. "Christmas Star" is a unique holiday-themed song in Chou’s extensive repertoire. The song was originally scheduled to be released on Friday Taiwan time but was made available earlier for Taiwanese fans on December 21.
2023/12/22 17:56
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Lan I-chen appointed as FJU’s new president
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.
2023/12/22 15:40
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DPP’s Lai promises High Speed Rail, expressways for Pingtung
Lai Ching-te, the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) Presidential candidate, announced at a rally in Pingtung his plans to construct a Taiwan High-Speed Rail line and two expressways in the area. Lai aims to balance Taiwan’s national development projects and bring more support and assistance to Pingtung, transforming it into a "beautiful new homeland." His promises include extending the high-speed rail to Chaozhou Township, reducing travel time from Taipei to less than two hours. Lai also intends to attract high-tech industries, introduce agricultural technology, and enhance the export competitiveness of local farm produce. Additionally, he plans to uplift tourism service quality in Pingtung, transforming Kenting into a destination similar to Bali and developing Dapeng Bay into a Hawaii-like getaway. Lai emphasized Pingtung’s importance in the implementation of the New Southbound Policy, highlighting its potential contribution to Taiwan’s development in collaboration with other southern counties and cities. He credited his past contributions to Pingtung’s development, such as the Pingtung Veterans General Hospital, to the efforts of former Pingtung County Commissioner Pan Men-an, current commissioner Chou Chun-mi, and legislators. Lai seeks local residents’ support to make Pingtung glorious again.
2023/12/22 11:00
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U.S. language expert shares holiday joy at Kaohsiung school
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.
2023/12/20 21:30
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Taipei mayor defends assembly ban on TPP supporters
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an defends his administration’s adherence to the law after Taiwan People’s Party supporters were denied permission to hold a public assembly in front of Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Lai Ching-te’s campaign headquarters. The review process for such applications, overseen by the Taipei City Government’s New Construction Office in collaboration with the Taipei City Police Department, follows regulations established before 2017. Chiang refutes accusations of leniency in a past scandal and asserts that both the police department and the NCO exercise their authority impartially, upholding administrative neutrality.
2023/12/20 19:32
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Military Police process 415 drug cases, arrest 27 in 2023
The Military Police Command (MP) in Taipei processed 415 drug cases in 2023, resulting in the apprehension of 27 suspects and the seizure of 50.2 kilograms of drugs. The MP, in close collaboration with law enforcement agencies, carried out specialized drug interdiction operations as part of the government’s anti-drug strategy. Unannounced inspections by military police teams, accompanied by drug-sniffing dogs, led to the confiscation of over 50 kilograms of narcotics. More than 400 individuals were referred to judicial authorities for prosecution. The MP serves as judicial police officers and plays an integral role in the anti-drug task force, with a commitment to combat drug trafficking. The MP’s Forensic Science Center supports these efforts by analyzing controlled substances and urine samples collected during operations. These measures aim to protect the living environment and security of the nation’s people.
2023/12/20 14:46
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TSMC Chairman Mark Liu to step down after shareholder meet
Mark Liu, Chairman of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), will step down after the next shareholders’ meeting. C.C. Wei, currently the vice chairman, has been recommended to succeed Liu as the new chairman. Liu, who took over in 2018, focused on solidifying corporate governance and competitiveness during his tenure. He plans to continue contributing his semiconductor expertise in different capacities after retirement. Liu expresses gratitude for his collaboration with TSMC and intends to spend more time with his family. He remains confident in TSMC’s future performance and is committed to bolstering corporate governance until his term’s end.
2023/12/19 22:03