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Speculations of a planned alliance within the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for the 2024 presidential election are increasing. Rumors suggest that DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te may team up with Taiwan’s representative to the U.S., Hsiao Bi-khim, as a potential matchup against non-ruling parties. These rumors gained traction after it was discovered that renovation work was being done on a conference room in the DPP central committee’s building, allegedly to accommodate Hsiao’s campaign needs as Lai’s rumored running mate. Further speculations arose that Hung Yao-fu, a prominent figure in mobilizing young social activists and appointees for the DPP’s past electoral successes, may return to Taiwan to assist Hsiao’s campaign. However, a seasoned party staffer dismissed these rumors, stating that the running mate’s campaign strategy would be dependent on the presidential candidate. The candidate’s team for the vice presidency is mainly responsible for routine administrative work. Hsu Chia-hua, a former director of Hsiao’s legislative office, is also considered among the potential campaign members for Lai’s running mate, despite currently being abroad.

Germany is looking to strengthen its ties with Taiwan in various sectors, including academics and trade, according to Petra Sigmund, the German Director General for Asia and Pacific. Despite not having diplomatic relations with Taiwan, Germany is committed to maintaining and expanding connections with the country. While Germany adheres to the ＂One China Policy,＂ it does not preclude official interactions with Taiwan, which can extend up to a ministerial level. Germany’s top representatives, such as the president, chancellor, and foreign minister, do not establish contact with Taiwan, but the country intends to utilize other open contact spaces. Sigmund emphasized that Germany will strive to preserve these spaces, even if it disturbs China, as Taiwan holds significant importance to Germany.

The National Health Insurance Committee will discuss using non-anticipated risk funds and the insurance reserve fund in Taiwan on November 15, according to the National Health Insurance Administration Director-General. The insurance premium rate is expected to remain unchanged in 2024. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on all sectors, including traditional Chinese medicine, which reported increased medical expenses in the first two quarters of 2023. Western medicine also experienced a drop in the second quarter. The insurance reserve fund is projected to reach 1.97 months by the end of 2023, higher than the previous estimate of 1.5 months, largely due to a government budget allocation of NT＄24 billion.

The story discusses the role of Ko Wen-je, chairman of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), in splitting the Kuomintang (KMT) votes since the 2018 Taipei Mayoral election. Yao Li-ming, campaign director for Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential hopeful Lai Ching-te, claims that the DPP’s decision to nominate Pasuya Yao for the mayoral race was a strategic move to distinguish themselves from Ko. Yao also highlights how Ko has shifted his focus away from securing the green camp’s vote in the 2022 election. Additionally, Yao argues that the KMT and TPP cannot form a union due to their differing natures and suggests that the potential candidacy of Foxconn founder Terry Gou has a greater impact on Ko and Hou than on Lai.

Former Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou supports the idea of Kuomintang (KMT) presidential hopeful Hou Yu-ih and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) presidential hopeful Ko Wen-je deciding on a merger through public polling. This suggestion comes amidst rumors that Representative to the US Hsiao Bi-khim could potentially be the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) Lai Ching-te’s running mate. Former Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu also supports Ma’s proposal, emphasizing that unity is crucial for strength. Ko has expressed willingness to resume cross-party discussions if Hou and the KMT agree to decide their merger through public polling. However, the KMT has stressed that public polling must align with the opinions of individuals and the party to maintain the spirit of the KMT-TPP alliance. These differences have led to difficulties in negotiations, which are at risk of collapsing. Hsu-tsen Hsiao, the director of the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, has conveyed Ma’s views to Hou and the KMT central committee, highlighting the potential losses the KMT could face in the upcoming elections if they fail to unite against the DPP.

Taiwan’s most common cancer has shifted from colorectal cancer to lung cancer, according to the Health Promotion Administration (HPA). This change was observed in 2021, ending a 15-year record held by colorectal cancer. The HPA’s report listed the top 10 cancers, with lung and colorectal cancers being the most common. Other cancers on the list include breast, liver, oral, prostate, thyroid, stomach, skin, and pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer notably made the list for the first time. Dr. Chen Jin-shing, chief of surgery at National Taiwan University Hospital, explained that the shift is not surprising as lung cancer has been the leading cause of cancer-related deaths for the past decade. The HPA’s Cancer Prevention and Control Division director, Lin Li-ju, highlighted an increase in early lung cancer detection following the introduction of low dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening in 2022. In 2021, there were 121,762 new cases of cancer registered in Taiwan, marking the first decline in new patient numbers. On average, a person was diagnosed with cancer every 4 minutes and 19 seconds. HPA Director-General Wu Chao-chun urged individuals to reduce their risk factors and recommended regular screenings for early detection and treatment, especially for those at high risk.

The Taiwanese government plans to allocate at least NT＄20 billion next year to raise the salaries of healthcare workers in response to recent protests by medical professionals. Premier Chen Chien-jen advocates for increased respect, appreciation, and compensation for frontline staff, stating that a health insurance system should not be built on the ＂sweat and tears＂ of healthcare professionals. Discussions are underway with President Tsai Ing-wen, National Health Insurance Administration Director-General Shih Chung-liang, and Health Minister Hsueh Jui-yuan on methods to enhance salaries through health insurance and public budget funds. The financial assistance will be directed at healthcare personnel excluding doctors, with specific details of the plan still under discussion. The Ministry of Health and Welfare has highlighted the global shortage of healthcare workers as a significant concern, and with COVID-19 still a threat, the government aims to increase healthcare investment and address the welfare of those on the medical frontline.

The Taiwanese government plans to allocate at least NT$20 billion in 2024 to subsidize healthcare workers’ salaries, according to Premier Chen Chien-jen. The aim is to ensure that the health insurance system is not built on the sweat and tears of medical staff. Chen emphasized the need for healthcare workers to be respected, appreciated, and adequately compensated within the healthcare system. President Tsai Ing-wen, Minister of Health and Welfare Hsueh Jui-yuan, and National Health Insurance Administration Director Shi Chong-liang have held discussions on enhancing medical personnel’s salaries through health insurance and public budget. The proposed funds will be budgeted from public expenditures, although the details are still being planned. The budget for fiscal year 2024 has been submitted to the Legislative Yuan, and if approved, the new subsidies will officially roll out the following year. The specific manner and target of the subsidies are still being formulated.

Former President Ma Ying-jeou supports conducting a public poll to determine the final candidate combination for the upcoming presidential race in Taiwan. The Kuomintang’s (KMT) Hou Yu-ih and Taiwan People’s Party’s (TPP) Ko Wen-je have yet to decide who will run as the presidential or vice presidential candidate if a party alliance is formed. Executive director Xiao Xucen of the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation revealed that a prominent blue camp figure visited Ma and suggested comparing the ＂Hou-Ko＂ and ＂Ko-Hou＂ combinations with the Democratic Progressive Party’s ＂Lai Ching-te and Hsiao Bi-khim＂ combination through a public poll. Ma Ying-jeou expressed strong agreement with this proposal. Xiao has shared this information with Hou’s campaign office and the party.

A civil alliance of local NGOs in Taiwan has launched a new moral code for reporting on Taiwanese elections. The code emphasizes fairness, accuracy, professional tones, respect for privacy, and media transparency. The initiative aims to enhance public trust in the media as elections approach. The alliance, consisting of Reporters Without Borders, Citizen Media Watch, and the Taiwan Media Watch Foundation, received widespread support from labor unions in the new media industry. The director of RSF Taipei Bureau highlighted the challenges faced by Taiwanese media, including political polarization and excessive commercialization. As the presidential campaigns intensify, more media organizations are expected to participate. The director of the Taiwan Media Watch Foundation emphasized the importance of press freedom in Taiwan’s democracy, warning of the negative impact manipulative activities could have on the democratic environment.

The Ministry of Labor in Taiwan has announced that 364 companies have implemented reduced work shifts, affecting a total of 9,809 employees. Among these companies, four manufacturing firms have halted or prematurely ended these initiatives due to urgent orders. The manufacturing industry has been the most impacted, with 203 businesses and 8,791 individuals affected by reduced work hours. The Department of Labor Standards and Equal Employment Director Huang Wei-chen noted that large-scale businesses are typically the first to cease these initiatives when economic conditions improve. Huang also predicted that the number of companies implementing unpaid leave may decrease by the end of the year or early next year. This situation highlights the delicate balance between ensuring employee welfare and meeting business requirements, especially in the face of current economic uncertainties. The Ministry of Labor continues to oversee work policies to protect workers while promoting strong industrial performance.

Taiwan’s Health and Welfare Minister, Hsueh Jui-yuan, has announced the launch of a telemedicine project next week to meet the growing demand for virtual diagnosis and long-distance clinical services. The telehealth initiative, set to debut in April next year, will not only cover acute and long-term care but also extend to chronic treatments, serious accidents, infectious cases, and care for people with disabilities. The National Health Insurance Administration estimates that over seven million people will benefit from these telehealth reforms. However, concerns have been raised by Legislator Lai Hui-yuan regarding the overdue project and the NHIA’s plans to boost digital health in Taiwan. The NHIA Department of Medical Affairs Director, Liu Lin-yi, responded by stating that telemedicine services became accessible to general patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 460 thousand patients receiving diagnoses through video calls. To ensure a smooth digital transition, MOHW Health Division Chief Liu Yueh-Ping emphasized the need for standards and the completion of necessary setups within six months.

The National Security Bureau (NSB) will hold a ceremony to mark the completion of the Anwei No. 8 field exercise, which aimed to enhance national security in light of the upcoming presidential election. The exercise involved 220 specialized task force officers from various law enforcement agencies and the military. The ceremony will showcase the achievements of the officers, including newly procured equipment and intensive field training. The NSB’s goal was for the officers to achieve three objectives during training, and the public will have the opportunity to witness their performance during the ceremony.

DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te asserts that repairing the roof of his family home in Wanli is a resident’s ＂right＂ rather than a ＂privilege＂ after multiple typhoons. Lai calls attention to the housing problems faced by residents in mining areas and urges local governments and relevant departments to address these issues. Lai’s response comes after criticisms from TPP presidential campaign director Huang Shan-shan and Professor Hsu Shih-jung for not paying taxes and focusing only on his own house. Lai rebuts these comments, stating that similar situations exist in Jinshan and Ruifang within New Taipei City.

The Kaohsiung City Tourism Bureau has fined four hotels in Taiwan between NT＄10,000 to NT＄50,000 for increasing room rates during Coldplay’s concerts on November 11 and 12 at the Kaohsiung National Stadium. To prevent the tourism and accommodation industry from exploiting such opportunities, the Tourism Bureau conducts proactive inspections of hotel room rates. Reports indicate that four hotels were found to have inflated their prices, with one hotel seeing a 60% increase, resulting in a fine of NT＄50,000. The Kaohsiung City Government is making efforts to establish the city as a major global concert destination, with performances by international and domestic acts scheduled for 2023. While these events stimulate the tourism economy and increase demand for hotel accommodations, some operators take advantage of the situation by raising room prices. The director of the Tourism Bureau, Kao Min-Lin, has urged industry operators not to inflate prices during festivals, major events, or concerts. The Tourism Bureau will continue to inspect hotel room rates, maintain tourism and accommodation quality through strict supervision, inspections, and fines, and protect consumer rights and interests.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) in Taiwan will increase monthly academic research grants for professors, associate professors, and assistant professors at public universities starting next year. This move aims to address low wages for academic talent in Taiwan. The Executive Yuan has committed to investing NT＄33.29 billion over the next five years to support this initiative. The research grants for teaching staff at public universities will increase by NT＄6,000 to NT＄9,000 per month. Additionally, the Ministry will invest an additional NT＄860 million to encourage private universities to raise their faculty salaries, bridging the salary gap between public and private institutions. The efforts also include the introduction of new doctoral scholarships and subsidies for part-time teaching assistant positions for doctorate students. The MOE’s Department of Higher Education Director-General, Chu Chun-chang, stated that if private universities can increase academic research funding by 15%, the MOE will cover 70% of the cost. Furthermore, starting next year, the ＂flexible pay＂ system for outstanding teachers will be expanded, with increased subsidies.

The Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) has stated that the reintroduction of early bird tickets for the Tze-Chiang Limited Express will not be considered until the occupancy rate reaches at least 70% or exceeds 80%. Liu Shuang-huo, Director of the TRA Transportation Division, mentioned that early bird tickets could impact the performance of early morning, late-night, and off-peak trains.

A flag mishap occurred at the Hualien County Reserve Command during a flag-raising ceremony, resulting in an upside-down national flag being displayed. This sighting, typically a distress or occupation signal, sparked social concern after a passerby noticed it at Hualien Beibin Park. The command quickly responded, attributing the mistake to a rookie soldier’s error in low light conditions.

The Travel Agents Association Chairman, Hsiao Po-jen, has announced that the Taiwanese government may lift travel group bans to China before Chinese New Year in 2024. Minister Wang Kwo-tsai of Transportation and Communications and Mainland Affairs Council revealed that the MOTC Tourist Administration Director General, Chou Yung-Hui, confirmed plans to lift restrictions on Taiwanese travel groups just before the holiday next year. The ban on private arrangement of group tours to China has been in place since the Covid-19 pandemic, making this decision a significant move to enhance diplomatic relations between the two states. The MAC has also announced plans to restore cross-strait group tours, initially allowing 2,000 visitors per day from China. The lift on travel restrictions may come earlier than expected if China expresses goodwill to welcome tourists from across the Strait.

The Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) has announced an 8.6 percent rebound in output, driven by developments in solar and wind power. Taiwan’s renewable energy market is expected to reach NT$200 billion in 2024. This was revealed during an ITRI industry forum that focused on cross-discipline cooperation in carbon solution exchange. Jay Wang, Vice Director of ITRI Industrial Economics and Knowledge Center, highlighted the challenges faced by the global economy due to high inflation and interest rates, which have increased investment costs for renewable energy development. Wang emphasized the importance of renewable energy in achieving a net-zero economy by 2050, but noted that oversupply has resulted in lower prices and the need for different approaches. Despite these challenges, Taiwan has excelled in the development and innovation of renewable energy, particularly offshore wind power, with an accumulated capacity of 2GW to date.

Taiwan has experienced a relatively low number of typhoons this year, with only 16 recorded between January and October, according to Chia Hsin-hsing, the director of Taiwan Integrated Disaster Prevention of Technology. This figure is the third-lowest since 1951 and is significantly below the long-term average of 22.5 typhoons. While minor rainfall is predicted along Taiwan’s north and northeastern coast, extending to eastern Yilan and Hualien on October 31, the weather is expected to remain stable across the country from November 2 to November 5.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has received approval from the Ministry of Economic Affairs to establish a fabrication facility in Germany. At the CDKWV 90th Anniversary International Conference, optimism abounded as experts discussed the potential of this 3.5 billion-euro investment. Dr. Jörg Polster, Director General of the German Institute Taipei, highlighted the compatibility of cultures, while Stan Shih, Acer’s co-founder, raised concerns about cultural differences. The partnership is expected to deepen as German investments in Taiwan reach record levels.

Three esteemed search and rescue dogs, Iron Xiong (鐵雄), Leggy (雞腿), and Penwan (本丸), retired from the Fire Bureau of Taichung City Government. Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen personally presented them with retirement certificates at the ＂Graduation Ceremony for Retired Search and Rescue Dogs.＂ These four-legged heroes played a crucial role in disaster response efforts, including the Hualien and Türkiye earthquakes, tirelessly searching for signs of life amidst the ruins. The event was a heartfelt episode as the dog handlers passed the dogs on to their new adopters. Mayor Lu emphasized the dogs’ relentless efforts to protect the citizens of Taichung, deserving high honors and a fitting send-off. Sun Fu-you, the director-general of the Fire Bureau, expressed gratitude for their service and wished them happiness and peace in retirement.

Explore the deepening industrial relationship between Taiwan and Germany as German Institute Taipei Director-General Jörg Polster praises the long-standing ties. Following TSMC’s announcement of its first European factory in Germany, Polster emphasizes mutual growth opportunities and highlights plans for student exchanges in 2024.

The Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation (KRTC) has announced a significant milestone in the construction of the Circular light rail, as the final track of its rail line has been successfully welded. KRTC director Wu Yei-long has assured that all road traffic controls causing public inconvenience will be lifted by the end of the month, prioritizing the well-being of local residents.