decrease 結果共60筆

Explore the shifting landscape of Taiwan’s higher education in 2023, as revealed by the Ministry of Education’s latest statistics. Discover the significant rise in technology students, the decline in humanities enrolment, and the overall decrease in student numbers due to a falling birth rate. Uncover the trends in high school education and the changing dynamics in STEM fields, highlighting the evolving priorities and challenges in Taiwan’s academic sector.

Temperatures rise across Taiwan as northeast monsoon weakens, with highs of 31°C in the north and 34°C in the south. Brief showers expected in the east and southeast, while other regions remain mostly sunny. Unstable weather and thunderstorms possible as a front approaches on Saturday.

In Taipei City, a study reveals an increasing trend of poor vision among elementary and junior high students with age, with first graders showing a 25.9% rate, escalating to 77.4% in ninth graders. Female students exhibit higher rates of poor vision compared to males. Despite a slight decrease in elementary students and a minor increase among junior high students in the 2023 academic year, overall vision health has improved since 2014, attributed to the city’s efforts in annual professional vision screenings and promoting eye care awareness. The study also notes differences in vision health across school types, with public elementary schools and private junior high schools showing the highest rates of poor vision.

A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck Hualien on April 3, followed by 739 aftershocks. The quake caused damage to buildings and infrastructure in the area. The number of aftershocks has been decreasing daily.

Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Mei-hua discusses electricity rate adjustments in Taiwan, emphasizing the impact on household usage below 330 kilowatt hours. Kuomintang Legislator Yang Chiung-ying opposes price hikes, proposing solutions to address citizen hardships amid inflation. Wang highlights considerations for nuclear power and renewable energy costs, amidst concerns over safety regulations and nuclear waste. Yang challenges Taipower’s deficits and criticizes passing on costs to residents through price increases.

Taipei City Egg Merchants Association announces wholesale egg prices will decrease from NT＄52 to NT＄49 per Taiwan catty due to unsold stock from before the Lunar New Year. The egg market was closed during the holiday, resulting in no quotations. To alleviate pressure on sales, the farm-gate price has been reduced by NT＄3, now at NT＄42.5. The association is monitoring demand and potential price adjustments as primary and secondary schools reopen. Current pricing remains unchanged.

Taiwan’s export performance reached a historic high from 2021 to 2023, but experienced a 9.8% decline in 2023 compared to the previous year, according to the Ministry of Finance. Despite this setback, exports to the U.S. continued to soar with a 49.7% year-on-year increase, while exports to countries covered by Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy also saw significant growth. However, exports to mainland China decreased to 35.2%. Taiwan’s total export tally for 2023 amounted to US$432.48 billion, ranking behind only 2022 and 2021. The demand for communications and electronic products during the pandemic-induced work-from-home trend boosted Taiwan’s exports. The Taiwan Institute of Economic Research predicted significant international trade growth in 2024, which would benefit export-oriented economies like Taiwan. In December 2023, Taiwan’s exports to the U.S. reached $8.49 billion, and exports to southern countries surged by over 50%. However, due to the limited coverage of free trade agreements (FTAs), many traditional Taiwanese industries chose to restructure risks and production in Southeast and South Asia. The return of Taiwanese businesses and the expansion of local factories after the U.S.-China trade war, as well as global economic circumstances, significantly impacted the decline in 2023 exports. The Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) estimated the first-quarter export volume for 2024 to be around US$106.1 billion, which is an improvement compared to the same period in 2023, but a 10% decrease from 2022.

Get the latest weather forecast for Taiwan on Thursday, with cooler temperatures and brief showers expected in eastern regions, Hengchun Peninsula, and northern hills. The Matsu area will also experience intermittent showers. As a front passes and the northeastern monsoon intensifies, cold weather will sweep across the north and northeast parts of Taiwan, bringing brief showers to these regions as well as the east and Hengchun Peninsula. Daytime temperatures will range from 25 to 29 degrees Celsius, with the south mountainous area possibly reaching 29-30 degrees. Night temperatures in the north and northeast will drop to 13-15 degrees, while other areas will hover between 16-19 degrees. On Friday morning, there will be a significant temperature drop in northern Taiwan as the front passes and the northeast monsoon strengthens. Saturday morning will see a decrease in temperatures due to radiative cooling, but northern Taiwan’s temperature will rebound during the day. From Sunday to next Tuesday, the western regions will experience large temperature differences between day and night, with cloudy to clear weather. On Wednesday, a brief shower is projected for the east and northern mountainous regions as a front approaches, while other areas will continue to enjoy sunny weather. Stay informed and plan your activities accordingly.

Taiwan is expected to experience gloomy and rainy weather from the eve of the Lunar New Year on Thursday to New Year’s Day on Friday, according to meteorologist Peng Chi-ming. The weather is expected to improve from February 10 to February 12. Windward areas, including Taoyuan, Greater Taipei, Keelung’s North Coast, eastern parts of Yilan and Hualien, and the Hengchun Peninsula, are likely to receive rainfall due to the impact of the northeast monsoon. The central and southern mountainous areas may witness sporadic showers with more cloud coverage in the plains. The southwestern monsoon will intensify rainfall north of Taichung and in Yilan from Tuesday night until Wednesday, with the northern and northeastern mountainous areas receiving the most rain. The entire island will experience showers and heavy rain, especially in the central and northern regions, Yilan, and Hualien, between the eve of the Lunar New Year and New Year’s Day. Rainfall will gradually decrease from the evening of February 8, but showers may potentially occur throughout the day on February 9. The weather will gradually improve beginning on New Year’s Day, with the western half of Taiwan turning partly cloudy to sunny. However, the eastern half will still see an increased amount of clouds with occasional showers. Weather conditions are expected to enhance further from the second to the third day of the Lunar New Year, potentially resulting in clear skies in the western half and partly cloudy to clear skies in the eastern half. In terms of temperatures, the north, northeast, and mountain regions will experience the coldest weather on New Year’s Day, with lows between 10 and 12 degrees Celsius. The southern and eastern regions of Hualien and Taitung will have lows of 12 to 14 degrees, with temperatures slowly warming thereafter.

Vietnam’s oyster exports experienced a substantial increase of 56% in 2023, surpassing US＄14 million in value. Taiwan played a significant role in this growth, accounting for over 77% of Vietnamese oyster exports, marking a 26% increase compared to the previous year. The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) reported that the export value of Vietnamese shellfish products, including oysters, clams, and snails, reached US＄127 million in 2023, showing a decline of 12% compared to the previous year. Among the shellfish exports, clams accounted for 62%, snails for 12%, and oysters for 11% of the total. While the export of Vietnamese clams and snails experienced decreases, oyster exports saw a remarkable surge, with Taiwan alone contributing to more than three-quarters of this growth, amounting to almost US＄11 million. Other significant markets for Vietnamese oysters include Laos, Cambodia, and Japan. Clams remain Vietnam’s most crucial shellfish export, with an export value of nearly US＄79 million in 2023, showing a 17% decrease from the previous year. This decline can be attributed to a significant reduction in imports by key markets such as Spain and Italy, which decreased by 15% and 36% respectively.

Weather experts have warned that a weak northeast monsoon will briefly impact Taiwan, resulting in temporary showers in the northern and eastern regions. Coastal winds will increase and central and southern regions will experience slightly cooler temperatures, but the effects are not significant. The weekend weather will return to warm and stable conditions. As the Lunar New Year holiday approaches, scattered early showers may occur in the north and center regions. On Monday, there may be brief showers across Taiwan with a decrease in high temperatures as a front passes. Starting from Tuesday next week, the weather will transition to a northeast monsoon pattern, but the incoming cold air is not strong and will mainly affect daytime temperatures on the windward side. From Wednesday evening to New Year’s Eve on Thursday next week, the South China rain area will move eastward, resulting in widespread rain nationwide and significantly lower temperatures.

Taiwan’s northern and northeastern regions are experiencing cold temperatures, with the mercury hovering around 10 degrees Celsius or lower. Despite a weakening cold wave, warmer weather is expected next week. The Central Weather Administration has issued a cold warning for 17 cities, urging residents to take precautions. Friday’s humidity will decrease, with mostly sunny to cloudy weather in regions south of Hsinchu. However, areas facing the wind, such as the northern coast of Keelung, parts of the east, the Hengchun Peninsula, and the mountainous areas of Taipei, may still see localized rain. Former CWA Weather Forecast Center director Daniel Wu predicts a wind transition from northeastern to easterly and then southeasterly from Monday to Thursday, leading to a daily rise in temperature. This shift will bring clear weather in the west and sporadic, brief rain in the east, with the possibility of fog in western regions and surrounding Kinmen and Matsu islands.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) has responded to a citizen-led initiative calling for changes in traffic practices. The ministry announced that the regulation allowing two-stage left turns will not be abolished entirely but should be evaluated based on site-specific characteristics. The initiative also called for the prohibition of motorbikes on inner lanes of general roads and reform of the driver’s license test system. The MOTC stated that local governments should assess and plan motorbike lanes and two-stage left turn control measures according to their specific road traffic conditions. The ministry emphasized that motorbike riders should follow road sign guidance, and universal rules should only be followed in the absence of signs. In terms of the licensing system, the ministry has implemented a motorbike training program since 2019 to enhance driving quality and response capabilities. The program has been successful, resulting in a 56% decrease in traffic violations and a 35% decrease in accidents by 2022. The Highway Bureau of MOTC plans to continue promoting the program and implementing road training measures in 2024, periodically reviewing and adjusting the test content to optimize the training system for motorbike operators.

Expect fair weather through Friday, followed by cooler and wetter conditions from Saturday to next Wednesday, according to WeatherRisk meteorologist Ke Yu-ning. Temperatures in Taiwan will continue to rise on Thursday, with increased cloud cover in mountainous areas. Coastal areas will see a 1-2 degree drop in high temperatures on Friday, while inland regions will remain warm. The chance of rain is relatively high in eastern parts and the Hengchun Peninsula. The expected weather front has been delayed and is now forecasted to pass over Taiwan from Saturday morning to Sunday morning. Northern temperatures will fall from 16-21 degrees to 14-17 degrees over the weekend and into next week, while central and southern regions will experience a daily decrease of 1-2 degrees. A significant temperature drop is expected on Monday and Tuesday, with the coldest weather occurring Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning, when temperatures may fall to around 9-10 degrees Celsius in most urban areas. Despite a slight warming during the day on Wednesday, conditions will remain chilly. High-altitude regions may experience snowfall next week, with the snowfall altitude potentially increasing to 2500 meters as cold air diminishes. Temperatures in these areas may approach or drop to freezing from Monday evening through Thursday, creating the opportunity for snow.

Foxsemicon Integrated Technology Inc., a semiconductor entity of Hon Hai Technology Group, experienced a 2.3% decrease in stock price on January 17th after announcing a cyberattack that posed a threat to job security. The company’s website had been hacked, with a message posted on the homepage warning of job loss if management did not contact the hackers. The hackers claimed to possess 5TB of sensitive internal data, including customer information, which they had encrypted within the company’s system. Foxsemicon confirmed the intrusion and activated its defense mechanism while implementing recovery operations. Despite these efforts, some pages on the official website remained inoperable. The stock price initially dropped from NT＄210 to NT＄205 but rebounded to NT＄207 by 9:28 a.m.

Taiwan’s stock market rose to 17,595.01 on Friday morning, despite Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) shares falling to NT＄578. This contrasts with major U.S. stock indices, as the Dow Jones rose by 10.15 points while the Nasdaq fell by 81.91 points. TSMC’s American Depositary Receipt (ADR) price also dropped below US＄100 to US＄99.13, causing a decline of around 1.04%. This decrease in TSMC’s value affected the main index by approximately 16 points, and its market capitalization dipped below NT＄15 trillion. Meanwhile, Asus Chairman Jonney Shih announced the company’s intensified efforts in artificial intelligence (A.I.) development, resulting in Asus shares rising by 6 points to open at NT＄460.

The United Daily News pre-closure poll shows that Lai Ching-te and Hsiao Bi-khim, the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) presidential and vice-presidential candidates, maintain a 5-percentage-point lead over their Kuomintang (KMT) rivals, Hou Yu-ih and Jaw Shaw-kong. The Lai-Hsiao ticket received 32% support, while the Hou-Jaw ticket received 27%, a decrease of four percentage points from previous polls. Ko Wen-je and Cynthia Wu, the Taiwan People’s Party’s (TPP) presidential and vice-presidential candidates, trailed with 21% support. Among different age groups, the Ko-Wu ticket led among voters aged 20 to 39 with a 42% support rate. Among 40-59 year-olds, the Hou-Jaw ticket led by 1%, and among voters over 60, the Hou-Jaw ticket polled at 37%, while the Lai-Hsiao ticket polled at 35%. The survey was conducted from Dec. 26-30, 2023, with a sample size of 1,215 adults. The sampling error is within plus or minus 2.8 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. The survey used a dual telephone register for random sampling, including landline and mobile phones, with weighting by gender, age, and population structure. The funding for the survey came from United Daily News.

According to a recent poll conducted by ETtoday, the ＂Lai-Hsiao＂ (Lai Ching-te, Hsiao Bi-khim) ticket of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is leading in Taiwan’s presidential election in 2024 with 38.1% of voter support. The ＂Hou-Jaw＂ (Hou Yu-ih) ticket of the Kuomintang (KMT) follows closely behind with 34.8%, while the ＂Ko-Wu＂ (Ko Wen-je, Cynthia Wu) ticket of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) stands at 19.2%. The approval rating for the Lai-Hsiao ticket has increased by 1.9 percentage points since the last poll, while the Hou-Jaw ticket has remained constant, and the Ko-Wu ticket has experienced a slight decrease of 1.5 points. As a result, the gap between Lai and Hou has grown from 1.4 to 3.3 points. In terms of demographics, Lai is leading in Taiwan’s southern regions and among people aged 40-49, with respective approval ratings of 49.7% and 38.1%. Hou, on the other hand, is leading in the north, outlying eastern islands, and among those aged 60 and older, with approval ratings at 38.6%, 42.5%, and 52.7%, respectively. Ko is leading among younger voters aged 20-39. Lai’s support has seen a significant increase of 15.9 points among voters aged 50-59, indicating improvement in a previously weaker demographic. However, Lai’s support has decreased by 20 points among DPP supporters. In contrast, Hou’s support has remained steady, and Ko’s approval has surged by 10.6 points among pan-DPP supporters. The poll was conducted on December 25-26, surveying Taiwanese aged 20 and older about the 2024 presidential elections. The sample size was 1,618, with a margin of error of plus or minus 2.44% and a confidence level of 95%.

WeatherRisk has reported that there will be generally cloudy weather in Taiwan due to the shift of clouds in the south. There may also be sporadic rainfall in the mountains of central and southern Taiwan. The impact of the continental cold air mass moving out to sea along the coast of China has weakened the cold air around Taiwan, causing minimal low temperatures to rise. The Liyu Lake in Hualien and Luye Township in Taitung recorded temperatures of 11 and 12.4 degrees Celsius, respectively. The continued shift of clouds in the south might slightly increase the chance of rainfall in the central and southern regions, as well as affect the eastern areas with sporadic downpours. With no significant weather systems nearby, Taiwan will experience an increase in daytime temperatures under the influence of northeast to east winds. Northern regions will see temperatures of 23-26 degrees Celsius, while the central and southern regions will hover around 24-26 degrees Celsius. On Friday, environmental moisture will gradually decrease under the influence of the northeast monsoon, resulting in mostly cloudy weather with possible sporadic rainfall across Taiwan. Saturday, the start of the New Year holiday, will see a weakening of the northeast monsoon, raising the temperature and bringing mostly cloudy weather, with sporadic rainfall possible only in the eastern parts. However, Sunday will see a stronger northeast monsoon, leading to stable but cloudy weather with sporadic showers in eastern Taiwan. On New Year’s Day next Monday, Taiwan will experience generally sunny to cloudy weather under the influence of the northeast monsoon, with no significant chance of rain. The general public is advised to consider this weather information when planning holiday activities.

Taipei City plans to install four more traffic enforcement cameras at intersections starting from January 1, 2024, to maintain traffic order. The new technology will assist in enforcing traffic regulations, including stopping for pedestrians, obeying traffic lights, making proper turns, and following traffic signal directions. Violations captured by the cameras will be penalized under the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act. Since 2019, Taipei has already installed such cameras in 34 areas, resulting in over a 90% decrease in traffic violations according to the Traffic Division’s data. The introduction of tech-based traffic enforcement aims to reduce violations and ensure smooth traffic flow, with the authorities urging drivers to prioritize traffic safety. These additional installations are expected to contribute to safer road conditions in the city.

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.

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.

Taiwan’s investments in New Southbound countries in the first 11 months of 2023 have surpassed investments in Mainland China, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA). Investments in the New Southbound countries reached US＄5.13 billion, a 7.26% year-on-year increase, outstripping investments in Mainland China, which stood at US＄2.96 billion. This trend is driven by the supply chain diversification, accelerated by the U.S.-China trade war and major manufacturers’ strategies to decentralize operations. Investments in New Southbound countries now account for around 20% of Taiwan’s total overseas investments, whereas China accounts for approximately 11.5%. From January to November 2023, there were 2,102 approved cases of overseas-focused investments by Taiwanese and foreign entities, a decrease of 8.89% compared to last year. The amount invested reached about US＄10.8 billion (approximately NT＄323.7 billion), the second-highest for the period in the last 15 years but still representing a 13.04% decline from the previous year. Investments from New Southbound countries into Taiwan saw 609 approved cases within the same timeframe, an annual increase of 41.30%. The investment totaled approximately US＄2.5 billion (about NT＄75.7 billion), up 25.20% from the previous year, with the most significant inflows originating from Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia. On a broader scale, the 504 approved cases of outbound investments from Taiwan marked a 2.44% annual increase, surging by 145.61% financially to roughly US＄22.8 billion (approximately NT＄684.4 billion). Investments in New Southbound countries revealed 195 approved cases, rising by 35.42% year-on-year, totaling around US＄5.1 billion (approximately NT＄ 154.1 billion) and constituting 20% of Taiwan’s total foreign investments. Singapore, Vietnam, and Thailand were the leading recipients. Conversely, approved investments in Mainland China amounted to 305 cases, down by 7.58%, with the approved investment sum decreasing by 33.91% to approximately US＄2.96 billion (about NT＄88.9 billion). Mainland Chinese investments in Taiwan experienced a 45.45% decline in approved cases to 24, with the investment figure falling 21.65% to about US＄27.4 million (approximately NT＄821.6 million).

A survey by Cathay Financial Holdings reveals that Taiwanese are increasingly optimistic about year-end bonuses and economic prospects. 59.3% of respondents expect bonuses ranging from one to three months’ salary, surpassing last year’s 55%. Furthermore, 8.3% anticipate bonuses exceeding three months’ pay, reflecting an improvement in attitudes towards Taiwan’s economy. The Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics predicts a 3.35% economic growth in 2024 with an inflation rate of 1.64%, but the public is more cautious, expecting a 2.52% growth and a 2.21% inflation rate. The optimism index for the local stock market has also improved. Additionally, 45.9% of Taiwanese anticipate salary increases, a 13.2 percentage point increase from 2022, while those expecting a steady monthly income dropped by 10.9 percentage points to 47.6%. Only 32.4% believe their year-end bonus will be less than one month’s salary, a decrease of 5.6 percentage points from the previous year.

The number of approved overseas Chinese and foreign investments in Taiwan decreased by 8.89% to 2,102 cases in the first 11 months of 2023 compared to the same period last year. However, the investment amount from these sources reached US$10.79 billion (NT$323.7 billion), the second-highest in the past 15 years, with significant contributions from the offshore wind power sector. French company TotalEnergies Renewables SAS and British firm OSW Investments Taiwan JVCO 2 Limited increased their capital in Haiding Two International Investment Co., Ltd. by NT$5.03 billion. New companies established during this period amounted to 1,124 cases, with an investment value of US$680 million (NT$20.37 billion). Investments from Southeast Asian countries increased notably, with 609 cases, a 41.3% year-on-year increase, and a monetary surge of 25.2% to US$2.52 billion (NT$75.68 billion), mainly from Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia. However, Chinese investments in Taiwan declined, with only 24 approved cases, a 45.45% decrease from the previous year, and investment figures dropping by 21.65% to US$27.38 million (NT$820 million). On the other hand, overseas investments from Taiwan increased, with a moderate rise in approved cases by 2.44% to 504 and a substantial annual increase of 145.61% in investment total to US$22.81 billion (NT$684.42 billion). Key overseas investments included TSMC’s US$8 billion capital injection into its Arizona subsidiary and a €3.5 billion investment in Germany’s ESMC GmbH. Foxconn Technology Group also made a significant investment of US$8 billion in its Singapore subsidiary, and Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp. invested a similar amount in Singapore-based Yang Ming (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.