increase 結果共286筆

Taiwan’s National Health Insurance (NHI) has achieved a satisfaction rate of 91.2% in 2023, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW). This is the first time the satisfaction rate has not decreased despite an increase in insurance costs. Previous reductions in satisfaction were observed in 2002 and 2006 due to premium increases, and in 2013 following the implementation of the second-generation NHI. The highest-rated aspects of the NHI were accessibility to medical treatment and the quality of medical care, with increased insurance costs ranking third. The satisfaction rate reached its peak during times of pandemic, likely due to the introduction of home-based medical care services and improved medical accessibility. Since 2021, the satisfaction rate has consistently remained above 90% and even reached a new all-time high during the pandemic. Taiwan has been ranked number one in the global healthcare index published by NUMBEO for the past five years. The NHI budget has also seen significant growth, increasing by over 48% from NT$590.5 billion in 2015 to NT$875.5 billion in 2024. The survey involved 3,257 participants aged 18 in Taiwan, and while public satisfaction with the NHI is high, physicians generally express lower levels of satisfaction.

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.

Taipei is set to experience two waves of the Northeast Monsoon, which will result in decreasing temperatures and possible brief, isolated showers in the northern and northeastern regions. The monsoon is expected to weaken on Tuesday and Wednesday, but an increase in rainfall across most regions, except for the south, is anticipated due to influence from South China’s rainfall zone. The second wave of the monsoon is scheduled to hit next Friday, intensifying during the night and bringing chilliness and chances of rainfall in the north and Yilan. The air quality in central and southern regions may worsen due to foreign influences, while Yilan and Hualien currently have ＂good＂ air quality and Taipei, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Kaohsiung, Pingtung, Matsu, and Penghu regions have a ＂fair＂ level. The central region, Yunlin, Chiayi, Tainan, and Jinmen, are under an ＂orange alert＂ for air quality.

The Taipei City Department of Transportation will announce the implementation date of the free 30-minute YouBike rental policy after the 2024 budget is passed. The policy aims to reduce carbon emissions by 40% and increase the use of green transportation to 70% by 2030. It was previously implemented in 2012 but ended in 2015. A public opinion poll in 2023 showed support for the policy among motorcyclists and the YouBike community, with over 60% of motorcyclists willing to switch to using YouBike for short trips. To address potential bike shortages, the department has added 1,780 bikes in May and 1,500 bikes in December 2023, increasing the availability of bikes citywide from 80% to 90%. In 2024, the department plans to add another 6,000 YouBikes and improve scheduling and personnel to meet the increased demand.

The Taiwan Railway Corporation (formerly, the TRA) plans to increase train schedules from Feb. 6-15 to meet Lunar New Year travel demand. This will include adding 234 train runs across all lines, resulting in a 6% capacity increase. Compared to the 2023 Lunar New Year holiday, an average of 7,994 seats per day will be added, increasing the seat-kilometer capacity by 791,645.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) leads Taiwan’s stock market with expectations of over 20% annual revenue increase. TSMC’s stock price stabilizes, opening at NT$580, raising market capitalization to NT$15.03 trillion. In contrast, major U.S. indices closed negatively on Wednesday. TSMC’s American Depositary Shares (ADR) decreased by 1.34%, closing at $100.17.

Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih emphasizes the need for greater school safety and government attention to adolescent crime. Responding to his running mate Jaw Shaw-kong’s comments on a talk show, Hou proposes amendments to the juvenile incident handling law, taking inspiration from Japanese laws. He vows to prevent gang incursion into schools and increase criminal responsibility for those involved in crimes. Hou also advocates for supporting teachers and implementing guidance mechanisms. His zero-tolerance policy towards school safety issues reflects his commitment to preventing similar events in the future.

SYM Dominates Taiwan’s Motorcycle Market in 2023 with 38.4% Share, Selling 334,589 Units. Kymco and Yamaha Follow with 30.7% and 15.9% Market Share Respectively. Gogoro Holds 6.5% Share. Total of 870,620 Motorcycles Sold in Taiwan. SYM’s December Sales Reach 36,479 Units, Up 66.63% from November. SYM’s Total 2023 Sales Increase by 30.99% from Previous Year. Special Promotion and Phasing Out Older Designs Boost Sales. WOO, Vivo, and Duke Models Lead with 38% Sales Increase. CLBCU and Fiddle See 24% Surge, JET, DRG, and MMBCU with 12% Increase. SYM to Offer Additional NT$2,000 Subsidy in 2024.

50 Lan, a renowned tea beverage chain in Taipei, is set to raise its prices in 2024 due to increased operational and sales costs. Influenced by ingredient costs and labor shortages, the hike marks a potential trend in Taiwan’s popular hand-shake beverage market.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture (MOC) has announced that the eligibility for its ＂culture points＂ system will be expanded starting in 2024. The age range will be widened to include individuals aged 16 to 22, compared to the current range of 18 to 21. These points can be redeemed for cultural activities and goods and will be distributed from January 20, 2024. Each person will be able to claim the points seven times in their lifetime, starting at age 16, and the points will remain valid until December 31, 2024. The culture points can be utilized for various cultural activities such as watching local films, performances, buying books, visiting museums, and engaging in other forms of creative cultural consumption. The uptake rate for the culture points in 2023 was 80%, and it is expected to become a regular policy incorporated into the MOC’s annual budget from 2024 onwards. The number of recipients for culture points is projected to increase significantly from one million to 1.5 million in 2024.

Taiwan is set to increase its minimum wage for 2024, benefiting approximately 2.39 million workers. Monthly basic wages will rise from NT$26,400 to NT$27,470, a 4.05% increase, benefiting 1.79 million workers. Hourly wages will also see a boost from NT$176 to NT$183, benefiting around 600,000 workers. The changes will affect labor insurance premiums, with employers bearing an extra cost of NT$2,307, workers contributing NT$659, and the government chipping in NT$329. This marks an increase of NT$89, NT$25, and NT$13, respectively, compared to the existing system. The adjustment will also impact the categorization of labor insurance premiums and retirement monthly contributions schedules. While the wage hike will increase labor costs, it provides an important boost for workers in challenging economic times.

Q Burger, a restaurant chain in Taipei, is making waves with its generous end-of-year bonus of up to 27.8 months for staff. In addition, the company plans to increase salaries by 23.4% in 2024, aiming to break away from the low-paying norms of the industry. Newly hired employees can expect a high basic salary of up to NT＄35,000, while reserve executives start at NT＄37,000. To address regional differences in living costs, Q Burger is also offering a substantial regional subsidy, with store employees in Taipei receiving an extra NT＄4,000 per month. In a unique move to motivate employees, the company has introduced the ＂Dream Reward Plan,＂ which grants 20% of net profits to store chiefs. Q Burger’s success is evident, with its expansion to 340 stores across Taiwan and over one million app members in 2023.

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%.

Taiwan Taxi Company has clarified that all fees charged to its drivers comply with regulations and have been reported to the responsible authorities. The company defended itself against recent allegations of unlawfully collecting excessive profits from drivers. It stated that all charges are transparent and published on its website. Among the controversial charges are fees for corporate invoices, Easycard processing, and duties. Accusers also claimed that drivers are required to install televisions in their passenger seats to play advertisements, including those featuring actress Ruby Lin, on behalf of Thermage FLX, without receiving compensation. Taiwan Taxi stated that it is undergoing a digital transformation and developing new platforms, with the vehicles’ media players serving functions beyond playing advertisements. The company reassured its drivers that the digital transformation would not increase management costs for them, emphasizing that their monthly charge has not been raised in nearly 20 years.

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.

DPP Presidential candidate Lai Ching-te proposes using 5% of land in New Taipei City’s Wen Tzu-tsun redevelopment area to build 10,000 public housing units, surpassing his KMT contender’s plan of 2,100 units. Lai suggests that if local officials are unable to implement his suggestions, they can sell the land back to the government for construction. He also aims to exceed the 200,000-unit goal set by President Tsai Ing-wen, with plans for over 130,000 additional units and an increase of 170,000 units through trustee management, ultimately reaching a 300,000-unit goal. Lai suggests that non-special municipalities offer 3% of land area for public housing, while special municipalities offer 5% during urban land redesignation or district expropriation.

The Taiwan Higher Education Union (THEU) has criticized the government for playing a false game with wage increases. While civil servants, including military and education personnel, are set to receive a 4 percent pay increase next year, over 21,000 technical and administrative staff at universities, about 70 percent, remain unsure of their raises. This uncertain group includes employees at private universities. The THEU believes that the government should not leave salaries of non-certified staff to the discretion of universities, as it causes division and lowers morale. Only around 9,000 public employees out of the approximately 31,000 full-time staff members at universities and colleges are certain about their pay rise next year. The THEU is concerned that the hardships of grassroots workers in tertiary education institutions are being overlooked amidst the upcoming presidential elections. They urge that national wage increases should apply to all university staff, with appropriate subsidies provided.

In 2021, approximately 664,000 Taiwanese taxpayers received disability deductions and 354,000 received long-term care deductions from their individual income tax, in accordance with the rules of the ＂Income Tax Act.＂ The total deductions for disability and long-term care amounted to NT$137.4 billion and NT$42.5 billion, respectively. Since 2014, the number of households benefiting from disability deductions has exceeded 600,000, reaching 635,000 in 2021. The income tax reform in 2018 increased the disability deduction to NT$200,000, resulting in a rise from NT$89.1 billion in 2017 to NT$135.2 billion, with subsequent years remaining around NT$138 billion. Starting from 2019, individuals could deduct up to NT$120,000 for long-term care. By 2021, a total of NT$42.5 billion was deducted, benefiting 330,000 households, which accounted for 5.1% of all reporting households. Over the past five years, the number of individuals benefiting from disability deductions ranged from 664,000 to 698,000, representing 55.2% to 59.6% of all disabled Taiwanese. The number of individuals benefiting from long-term care deductions has been increasing annually for the past three years, with 336,000, 350,000, and 354,000 people, respectively. The beneficiaries of the long-term care 2.0 service also experienced an increase, from 389,000 in 2019 to 554,000 in 2021, indicating an improvement in the capabilities of the long-term care service.

The Transportation Bureau of Kaohsiung City Government (TBKC) has announced plans to regulate traffic around 10 major tourist spots in anticipation of the increased activities expected for the New Year’s holiday season. Measures will be implemented based on the transportation status on the day, with the aim of ensuring smooth traffic flow during the annual New Year’s Eve party in Kaohsiung and the New Year’s Eve fireworks show at Eda World. TBKC has released a guide on Facebook outlining phased road controls, entry routes, and parking plans, while also imposing stricter rules against illegal parking and towing in surrounding areas. To effectively disperse crowds, the Kaohsiung Metro (KRTC), circular light rail (LRT), and railway system will increase their services and operating hours. Residents are advised to check radio broadcasts and real-time online traffic updates before leaving home and are recommended to use public transportation like the metro instead of driving.

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Lai Ching-te defended his party’s energy policy against criticisms from the Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) on Tuesday (Dec. 26), reiterating that the ’2025 Non-Nuclear Homeland’ is not forcible termination. The plan, launched by President Tsai Ing-wen, is not meant to abruptly end the operation of existing nuclear power plants. The Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant’s No. 2 Reactor will cease operations by 2025 in accordance with the law. Lai praised Tsai’s initiative in developing the renewable energy industry and questioned the stance of KMT’s presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih and TPP’s presidential candidate Ko Wen-je on nuclear power. Lai also cast doubts on the candidates’ proposals to resurrect the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant, questioning the disregard of the referendum’s legal effects. He announced plans to invest NT＄900 billion by 2030 in motivating corporate investment for the goal of ’carbon neutrality by 2050.’ Lai emphasized the importance of aligning with international standards, establishing carbon trading systems, promoting green electricity, reducing carbon emissions from the Taiwan Power Company, and addressing climate change’s impact on industrial development. He dismissed concerns about future green energy supply sufficiency, citing the Taiwan Power Company’s prediction of an electricity demand increase to 7 million kilowatts by 2030, with supply surpassing 9 million kilowatts. Lai predicted an end to power shortages and the advent of a diverse green energy era.

Kuomintang’s (KMT) presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih criticizes the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) over recent sexual harassment cases in the party. Hou highlights the lack of response from the DPP’s Department of Gender Equality to these incidents. He challenges Lai Ching-te, asking if he believes this is a virtue. Hou pledges to rigorously address sexual harassment and maintain high moral standards among officials. His zero-tolerance approach towards corruption and sex scandals sets the tone for his campaign. In the third round of the television policy presentation, Hou focuses on gender issues, proposing policies to increase women’s representation in governance, improve maternal and child health care, and alleviate family care pressure. These proposals demonstrate his commitment to gender equality and addressing women’s challenges in Taiwan.

Taiwanese shipping companies Evergreen Marine Corp. and Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp. have chosen not to resume their Red Sea route following Maersk’s decision to do so. Maersk reinstated the route due to the ＂Red Sea crisis＂ caused by increased violence from Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The deployment of the multinational naval task forces under the U.S.-led Operation Prosperity Guardian (OPG) has allowed maritime trade to pass through the Red Sea/Gulf of Aden and resume using the Suez Canal. However, Maersk warns that the overall risk in the region has not been eliminated. The decision has led to concerns about container prices and resulted in a decline in Evergreen and Yang Ming’s stock prices. Freight rates for European and American shipping liners saw a significant increase after Maersk’s announcement.

Taipei mayoral candidate Ko Wen-je criticizes the lack of long-term vision and planning in economic policy by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and Kuomintang (KMT). Despite a 120% increase in Taiwan’s GDP since 2000, real wages have only increased by 4% and the country ranks sixth in total working hours globally. Ko believes that low wages and poor living conditions are not the fault of Taiwanese people but rather the result of the government’s lack of global strategic planning. He questions what keyword might define 2024 if the DPP and KMT continue to be in power, and asserts that a change in leadership is needed. Ko suggests that he should be elected president in 2024 to address these ongoing issues, emphasizing the absence of comprehensive strategic planning as the underlying reason behind the problems.

Presidential candidate of the Kuomintang (KMT), Hou Yu-ih, pledges to enforce strict sexual harassment prevention measures and demands ＂zero tolerance＂ on financial and sexual misconduct among officials if elected. He criticizes the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for recent sexual scandals, mocking them as the ＂Peach Blossom Party.＂ Hou also emphasizes plans to empower women and reduce the burden of home care, proposing to increase the proportion of women in government and corporate decision-making to at least 30%. He highlights the need for expanded healthcare for women and children. In contrast, he points out that during DPP candidate Lai Ching-te’s tenure as Premier, women constituted only 20% of cabinet members, while former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je’s ＂minority cabinet＂ had only a quarter of women. The 2024 presidential election will feature Hou, Lai, and Taiwan People’s Party’s (TPP) Ko, each having their policy presentation meetings. Each candidate had three turns to address their policies, with each speaking opportunity lasting for 10 minutes.

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson, Zhu Fenglian, has announced an increase in the quantity of Kaoliang liquor passengers can carry between the coast of Fujian Province and Kinmen and Matsu islands. The limit has been raised from four to six bottles, in response to the desire from residents to loosen restrictions. This is the second adjustment to the regulations, with the initial change in 2006 raising the previous limit from two to four bottles. These policy changes aim to promote an interconnected living plan between Xiamen and Kinmen, as well as Fuzhou and Matsu, contributing to the integrated development of both sides of the strait. Zhu expressed confidence that these measures will bring further benefits to the people of Taiwan, particularly the residents of Kinmen and Matsu, and emphasized China’s commitment to implementing measures that deepen cross-strait integration and enhance welfare for the Taiwanese.