government support 結果共73筆

Explore Taiwan’s new approach to supporting families: Premier Chen Chien-jen announces plans for more flexible unpaid parental leave, expanded childcare services, and increased subsidies to ease the childcare burden. With a focus on diverse family roles and improved work-life balance, these measures aim to reduce childcare costs and encourage shared parental responsibilities.

Explore the clash between KMT Legislator Hsu Chiao-hsin and Taiwan’s MOFA over the concealment of Czech public information regarding Ukraine aid, raising concerns about transparency and fairness in Taiwan’s procurement practices.

Explore the latest on former Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian’s confidence in the people’s support for the government, amid speculation of a pardon before Tsai Ing-wen’s term ends. Learn about the challenges facing the new administration with a divided legislature.

Explore how Taiwan is addressing its low fertility rates with new government initiatives, including flexible parental leave, enhanced childcare subsidies, and support for pregnant women.

Starting July 1, Lambai Island, also known as Xiaoliuqiu, will impose a NT$60 marine conservation fee on visitors entering designated intertidal zones. This initiative, aimed at balancing tourism and ecology for sustainable development, will also limit the number of visitors to these areas. Funds collected will be used for the maintenance and restoration of natural ecological resources. The Pingtung County government and local ecotourism organizations support this measure to protect the island’s environment, which receives over 1 million visitors annually.

Taipei government considers comprehensive aid for child care, extending to regular revisions. Ministry of Civil Service to add childcare leave for civil servants, with proposed seven days of paid leave for parents of children under six. Various measures implemented to improve childcare environment, including increased allowances and resources.

Deputy Minister Tien Chung-kwang to visit Tuvalu as Taiwan’s special envoy, showcasing support for the newly elected government led by Prime Minister Feleti Teo. Ambassador Andrew Lin conveys congratulations on behalf of Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen, emphasizing the solid friendship and continued diplomatic relations between the two nations. Taiwan and Tuvalu, with a 45-year-old diplomatic relationship, share democratic values and aim to promote peace and development in the Indo-Pacific region.

Taiwan Power Co. (Taipower) faces a potential financial crisis by year-end without government aid or electricity price hikes, warned Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Mei-hua. An upcoming electricity price review may see rates for ultra-high-voltage users surge by over 10%. Wang emphasizes the need for discussion in the committee meeting and assures efforts to minimize impacts on the public. Taipower’s efficient management has helped curb price spikes and inflation, with plans in place for financial support and program development. Current electricity costs for major consumers stand at around NT$1.63, while Taipower’s generation cost, pre-tax, is NT$3.93, expected to surpass NT$4 post-tax.

Honduras owes Taiwan approximately US＄440 million (NT＄13.8 billion) in debt, which has accumulated over several years and remains unpaid even after severing diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favor of China. The decision to end over eight decades of relations with Taiwan and establish diplomatic ties with China was made on March 25, 2023. The current president of Honduras, Xiomara Castro, did not borrow any additional funds from Taiwan, with the last loan of US＄300 million being acquired by her predecessor, Juan Orlando Hernández, in 2019. These funds were primarily used for housing reconstruction, school facilities, and nutritional lunches. Honduras hoped that establishing diplomatic relations with Beijing would result in greater economic support and loans from the Chinese government. However, the country’s white shrimp exports were affected following the diplomatic break with Taiwan. As a result, Honduras has turned to China for similar tariff preferences.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has announced that its Japan subsidiary, JASM, will construct a second wafer fabrication plant by the end of 2024. The plant is expected to be operational by the end of 2027. With support from the Japanese government, TSMC plans to begin production at its first JASM wafer fabrication plant in 2024, with a total investment exceeding US＄20 billion. The construction of the second plant is driven by increasing customer demand. The expansion aims to optimize JASM’s cost structure and supply chain efficiency, resulting in increased production. Once both plants are operational, JASM’s Kumamoto wafer fabrication plant will have a monthly capacity of over 100,000 12-inch wafers. The Japan fab will offer process technologies ranging from 40nm to 6nm, catering to automotive, industrial, consumer, and high-performance computing applications. TSMC also mentioned that capacity planning can be adjusted based on client requirements. The Kumamoto wafer plant is expected to create more than 3,400 high-tech professional jobs.

Outgoing Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Kausea Natano, expressed confidence that the majority of newly elected parliament members will support diplomatic relations between Tuvalu and Taiwan. Despite failing to regain his position in the recent elections, Natano emphasized his continued support for the relationship between the two countries. He stated that both novice and seasoned politicians, as well as senior MPs, share this sentiment and will likely continue to support the ties with Taiwan. After the elections, the 16 newly-elected members of Parliament will engage in complex negotiations to form different factions, with the faction holding the most members ultimately forming the new government and electing a prime minister.

Taipei’s Executive Yuan Spokesperson, Lin Tze-luen, announced a budget surplus for the 2023 fiscal year, attributing the achievement to the combined efforts of civil society and the government. The surplus will be allocated responsibly to maintain fiscal discipline, primarily focusing on debt reduction and infrastructure investment. Taiwan’s economy has experienced consistent growth, resulting in a budget surplus for seven consecutive years. In 2022, the surplus reached an impressive NT$500 billion, leading to a proposed special budget of NT$380 billion. This special budget aims to enhance economic and social resilience, with provisions such as a cash payment of NT$6,000 per citizen, support for labor and health insurance programs, and assistance for Taiwan Power Company. Additionally, the special budget includes programs to aid residential loan holders from the middle class and below. Lin emphasized the government’s commitment to considering public opinion and promoting national affairs to facilitate Taiwan’s sustainable development.

Tuvalu’s Finance Minister Seve Paeniu has stated that the nation will review its diplomatic relationship with Taiwan following its recent election. Concerns have been raised regarding the bilateral relationship with Taiwan and the security and migration pact with Australia. This marks the first time a Tuvaluan official has suggested the possibility of abandoning its diplomatic ties with Taiwan, which have been in place since 1979, and switching allegiance to Beijing. The decision will depend on which partner country can support Tuvalu’s developmental priorities and expectations.

Tainan City Mayor Huang Wei-che has given schools in the city the authority to determine their own holiday schedules based on student count and weather conditions. While winter vacation has already started for junior high and elementary schools, students attending tutoring and after-school programs will continue classes unless the schools themselves decide to give them days off. The Tainan City Government is also taking steps to support the homeless population by providing warm clothing and hot meals. They have urged the homeless to seek shelter in available accommodations, with adequate bed spaces promised. Currently, there are 219 registered homeless people in Tainan City, with 130 living on the streets and the rest placed in local facilities. Rehabilitation centers have been set up in the South District and Xinying District to provide support and help these individuals rebuild their lives.

The Minister of Economic Affairs, Wang Mei-hua, plans to help Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) seek budgetary support from the Executive Yuan to alleviate its financial distress. Taipower reached out to the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) for assistance, citing escalating international fuel prices caused by the Russia-Ukraine war. Other global power companies, such as Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), and Électricité de France (EDF), have already experienced significant price hikes. Taipower’s rates are relatively low compared to the cost of power generation, resulting in policy-driven losses. As of 2023, Taipower has accumulated losses of NT$382.6 billion due to absorbing price increases to protect Taiwan from global inflation. The MOEA disclosed that Taipower and the CPC Corporation have discrepancies in predicting natural gas prices, leading Taipower to observe international coal prices for cost estimates in 2024. While mitigating Taipower’s financial woes in the short term poses challenges, Wang aims to prevent further losses. The MOEA will assist Taipower in lobbying the government for budget support once financial situation estimates are finalized. The decision to adjust electricity prices will be made by the Electricity Price Review Committee.

In Taiwan, private universities like Tamkang University are merging departments due to declining student numbers and birth rates. Experts question the effectiveness of these mergers while education groups call for government support to maintain teaching quality and protect teacher and student rights.

New Taipei City mayor Hou Yu-Ih pledges to support Taiwan Strait security and reassure the U.S. as an opposition party member after his presidential election defeat. He emphasizes the need for the newly elected government to carefully address global difficulties and stresses that Taiwan’s unity is crucial in facing future challenges. Hou dismisses claims that alleged fake polls by the Taiwan People’s Party caused the Kuomintang’s electoral defeat and urges acceptance of voters’ decision. Sun Yat-sen School President Chang Ya-chung calls for KMT chairman Eric Chu to step down, but Hou takes responsibility for the election failure as the commander of the campaign.

Tigerair Taiwan transported six boxes of disaster relief goods, including winter blankets, to Japan following the devastating earthquake. Chairman Kevin Chen believes the airline’s extensive network and frequent flights can provide significant support to disaster areas. Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare has established a dedicated disaster relief account to receive donations. The Taiwan Development Association for Disaster Medical Teams, the first non-governmental organization from Taiwan, has entered the hard-hit Suzu City in Japan to provide medical relief. Relief efforts from Taiwanese civil groups continue, despite the Japanese government’s refusal of official aid from several countries. This demonstrates Taiwan’s commitment to assisting international neighbors in times of crisis.

Taiwan’s Executive Yuan spokesman, Lin Tzu-lun, announced that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 2.71% in December 2023. Due to the CPI surpassing the legal threshold for two consecutive years, the government supports increasing stipends for retired military, civil, and education personnel by at least 4%. Fixed pension benefits for these individuals will be adjusted to account for inflation. The Executive Yuan has allocated NT$4.4 billion in the 2024 central government budget as a reserve fund for price fluctuations. The necessary adjustment mechanisms have been initiated, with a specialized assessment panel deliberating on the rate adjustment. The government aims to complete the related processes and backtrace the adjustments to January 1, 2024, to ensure the living standards of retired personnel.

Taiwan’s donation for disaster relief in Japan after a powerful earthquake has garnered gratitude from Japanese netizens. The government announced a donation of 60 million Japanese yen (NT＄13 million) on Jan. 4, prompting comments from Japanese internet users expressing gratitude for Taiwan’s consistent support during times of distress. The funds will aid Japan’s government in relief and reconstruction efforts, with Taiwan’s Executive Yuan setting up an account to facilitate domestic and international donations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and related units in Taiwan remain in close contact with Japan, ready to provide further aid as the death toll rises and the search for missing individuals continues.

The San Francisco overseas Chinese community hosted a New Year flag-raising ceremony, with Fremont Mayor Lily Mei encouraging the next generation to run for office and speak out for Asians. Mei also urged the community to vote robustly in the upcoming T U.S.-Taiwan relations and reminded them not to underestimate individual power. Director-General Scott Lai of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco reviewed Taiwan’s accomplishments last year, highlighting its rise in various indices, ranking second in freedom in Asia and sixth in global competitiveness. Lai also noted the meeting between Morris Chang, founder of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), and key U.S. officials at the 2023 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, praising it as a symbol of U.S. executive branch support for Taiwan. However, Lai acknowledged challenges lie ahead for Taiwan, particularly in its tourism, sightseeing, and restaurant industries’ recovery, as well as social issues such as declining birthrates and wealth disparity. Lai assured that the government would take a more proactive and responsible stance to make positive changes felt by the public.

A survey conducted by ETtoday revealed that 73.5% of respondents oppose the abolition of the death penalty, while 21.8% support its abolition. Among those opposing, 52.1% were vehemently against the notion, with 21.4% somewhat against it. Among advocates for abolition, 14.1% were strong supporters, and 7.7% moderately so. The survey also found that 85.0% of interviewees believe current laws excessively protect offenders, with 47.2% considering the protection extremely excessive and 36.8% believing it is merely excessive. Only 3.1% thought the protection was insufficient. The recent fatal slashing of a junior high school student in New Taipei has brought the issue of capital punishment back into the spotlight. In response to the tragedy, 41.4% of respondents primarily blame parents or guardians, 25.1% the central government, 17.4% school management, and 12.0% the local government. The survey was conducted from Dec. 31 to Jan. 1, with a valid sample size of 1,557 targeting Taiwanese aged 20 and above. The margin of error was plus or minus 2.48%. The survey was delivered via a mobile text message link to an online questionnaire and sample weighting was done using population statistics provided by the Ministry of the Interior.

Kuomintang’s presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih expressed his opposition to Taiwan’s independence and support for democratic freedom, rejecting ＂one country, two systems.＂ During a debate, he criticized Democratic Progressive Party’s candidate Lai Ching-te for his vague policy toward China and questioned his remarks about sharing bubble tea with China’s president Xi Jinping. Hou emphasized that any consensus between Taiwan and China should be based on Taiwan’s Constitution and the basic cross-strait framework, clarifying that the 1992 Consensus does not imply recognition of ＂one country, two systems.＂ He emphasized that the future of Taiwan should be decided by its 23 million citizens, engaging in dialogue under the constitutional framework to reduce risks. Hou also advocated for the development of Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities to maintain peace and suggested that cross-strait exchanges should start from the civil sector before moving to official government interactions to minimize risks.

The 2024 presidential election in Taiwan will feature a live televised debate among the candidates, including Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party, Hou Yu-ih of the Kuomintang, and Ko Wen-je of Taiwan’s People Party. The debate will consist of four rounds, including candidate speeches, media inquiries, inter-candidate questioning, and conclusions. Lai has criticized the KMT-TPP joint ticket and urged viewers to support him, while Hou has been preparing intensively for the debate to communicate his election concepts and political views. Ko has expressed his intention to question Lai on promoting Taiwan’s independence without U.S. government support. The debate will be co-hosted by Liberty Times Net and other media outlets and will be aired on Public Television Service, with Hu Yuan-hui serving as the host.

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Lai Ching-te accuses the Kuomintang (KMT) of endangering society in three ways in his second televised policy presentation. Lai highlights the KMT’s adherence to the One-China policy, corruption, and ruthless tactics to seize power as the three harms inflicted upon society. He expresses concern that electing political neophyte Hou Yu-ih, representing the KMT, would indirectly support the revival of former president Ma Ying-jeou’s regime and those who support One-China, leading to the rise of a ＂Corruption Dynasty＂ that could significantly harm Taiwan’s national development. Lai also criticizes the KMT for bribery, pointing out the numerous confirmed bribery cases under judicial ruling. He further accuses the KMT of creating fake news, distorting facts, and attacking opponents and the government to win elections. Lai also criticizes the KMT for leveraging foreign power, particularly from China, to support a pro-China regime, mentioning China’s regular attempts to meddle in Taiwan’s elections.