legislator 結果共153筆

Hsiao Bi-khim, a former lawmaker, is set to launch her first campaign rally in Hualien, reigniting her political efforts in the region. Despite facing setbacks in the past, Hsiao has spent a decade building strong ties in Hualien. In 2016, she made history for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) by capturing more than half of the votes, defeating the former Kuomintang legislator Wang Ting-son. However, her 2020 bid for re-election ended in defeat. Nevertheless, Hsiao’s passion for local engagement, campaign experience, and oratory skills are highly regarded within the DPP. As she prepares for the joint rally with Lai Ching-te, there is a renewed sense of vigor and unity within the party. Hsiao’s exceptional achievements in international diplomacy make her an ideal candidate to lead Taiwan forward and ensure national security and stability.

The latest poll from the ＂Formosa＂ website reveals a close race in Taiwan’s presidential election, with Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) leading by a slim margin of 31.4%, followed closely by Hou Yu-ih of the Kuomintang (KMT) at 31.1%. Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) trails in third place with 25.2%, over 6 percentage points behind the front-runners. Former legislator Shen Fu-hsiung, speaking on TVBS Situation Room, analyzed the situation, highlighting that the close polling between Hou and Ko does not give Lai a significant advantage. However, he cautioned against calls for a collaboration between the KMT and TPP at this time. Shen further explained that in presidential system countries like Taiwan, cooperation talks are not typically pursued, unlike in parliamentary systems where post-election coalitions may form. With the widening gap in support between Hou and Ko, Shen urged political observers to abandon the idea of a pan-blue alliance. He also emphasized that if the KMT aims to surpass the DPP in the upcoming elections, they should focus on diminishing the TPP’s support and consolidating the pan-blue vote without relying on a formal alliance.

Cynthia Wu, the newly appointed vice presidential candidate for Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), brings a global perspective and financial expertise to the party’s election campaign. As the granddaughter of Shin Kong Group founder Wu Ho-su, Wu is known for her efficient time management skills. Growing up in a family with diplomatic ties, including her father’s role as ambassador-at-large, Wu has had substantial international exposure, even meeting former U.S. President Bill Clinton. With her family’s involvement in promoting the Taiwan Relations Act and her uncle’s relationship with former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao, Wu has a strong network. As a legislator, she worked closely with TPP leader Ko Wen-je on international diplomatic issues and proposed the inclusion of Taiwan in the ＂Santiago Principles＂ through the ＂Taiwan Sovereign Wealth Fund,＂ garnering interest from U.S. officials.

As the 2024 presidential election registration deadline approaches, rumors of a possible breakdown in the coalition between the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) have caused panic. Former legislator Shen Fu-hsiung broke the silence by asserting that TPP candidate Ko Wen-je would choose to form a ＂blue-white coalition＂ with KMT candidate Hou Yu-ih as his running mate. Shen based his observation on a conversation with TPP campaign office director Cho Yu-hsiu, who seemed unsure of Ko’s true thoughts. Shen’s prediction of a KMT-TPP joint ticket in October was proven true when Ko confirmed the collaboration on November 15, leading to a backlash from Ko’s supporters. However, Shen emphasized that Ko’s actions were not meant to deceive but were part of a secretive and strategic approach to political success.

The Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) has announced its list of 34 candidates for the legislator-at-large positions for the 2024 elections. Former Taipei Deputy Mayor Vivian Huang and former lawmaker Huang Kuo-chang are the top candidates on the list. Notably, the candidates recommended by independent presidential hopeful Terry Gou were not included. TPP’s presidential candidate Ko Wen-je clarified that Gou declined the invitation to provide recommended names. Ko highlighted the growth of TPP, which he founded four years ago, and emphasized the party’s commitment to recruiting competent individuals dedicated to serving Taiwan’s interests in the legislature.

Taiwan’s Minister of National Defense, Chiu Kuo-cheng, stated that the Ministry will not interfere with general aviation enthusiasts taking photographs, but any behavior involving scaling walls to capture military installations will be considered reconnaissance activities. This announcement was made during a review of the draft ＂Military Base Security Maintenance Regulations＂ bill at the Legislative Yuan’s Foreign and National Defense Committee. According to the draft bill, unauthorized reconnaissance activities directed at military camp areas, such as measurement, filming, photography, depiction, or description, can result in fines ranging from NT＄30,000 to NT＄150,000 if they compromise national security. The committee discussed potential issues related to dash cameras unintentionally filming the area or residents of high-rise buildings next to a base. Deputy Chief of Combat Planning, Chen Wen-Hsing, clarified that the draft bill mainly targets harmful reconnaissance activities, while general photography activities remain unaffected. Minister Chiu emphasized that unauthorized photography in restricted areas is considered reconnaissance. Kuomintang legislator Chen I-hsin raised concerns about possible conflicts between existing ＂Vital Area Regulations＂ and the proposed new law, suggesting the incorporation of maintaining military base security into existing regulations as a specific chapter.

Kuomintang’s presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih respects the decision of Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je, regardless of the outcome of the Blue-White alliance. Hou attended an event in Chiayi County with Chiayi County Magistrate Weng Chang-liang and DPP Legislator Tsai Yi-yu. Ko Wen-je announced that he will continue to run as the presidential candidate for the Taiwan People’s Party. Hou chose not to comment on this or on Ko’s meeting with Terry Gou. When asked about a statement by the spokesperson for DPP’s Lai Ching-te that China has no plans to invade Taiwan in 2027 or 2030, Hou questioned whether Lai Ching-te now trusts Xi Jinping. Hou believes in sincere dialogue to minimize risk and restart cross-strait interactions, emphasizing the importance of Taiwan’s own defense capabilities.

Lai Ching-te, the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) presidential candidate, has announced on Facebook that he has invited Hsiao Bi-khim to be his running mate in the 2024 Presidential Election. Lai believes that Hsiao, Taiwan’s representative to the U.S., is an excellent choice and has fostered extraordinary closeness in Taiwan-U.S. relations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) also praised Hsiao’s significant contributions to Taiwan-U.S. relations, and she is widely recognized as an exceptional diplomat. Hsiao, a former DPP legislator, has submitted her resignation, which is expected to take effect in a few days. Foreign Minister Joseph Wu has granted her leave during this period.

NPP legislator Chiu Hsien-chih criticized DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te over rental subsidies, suggesting that some landlords prefer reducing rents rather than allowing tenants to apply for subsidies. During a forum, Lai proposed that landlords offering rental subsidies receive reductions in taxes and funds for home maintenance and administrative fees. Chiu argued that some landlords would rather lower rental rates than enable tenants to apply for subsidies, as it could lead to them paying more income tax. Chiu also highlighted that the government expanded the rental subsidy amount to NT$300 billion last year, aiming to support 500,000 households, but only 278,000 households received assistance, achieving an implementation rate of 55.74%.

The Bahwan Tribe of Taiwan’s Bunun people are demanding that National Taiwan University (NTU) return ancestral remains taken without permission from a Bahwan public cemetery 63 years ago. NTU has been accused of shirking its historical responsibilities, leading to disagreements with the tribe. The issue dates back to the 1960s when the NTU College of Medicine Physical Anthropology Research Team took remains from the Bahwan Tribe’s cemetery, ’Lilieq,’ for academic research. The ’Return Bahwan Bunun Ancestors’ Remains Committee’ has approached the Executive Yuan, urging the government and NTU to return the remains and cease depriving indigenous people. NTU claims to have 43 boxes of the remains stored in its research room and has been participating in discussions with the government and legislature since the tribe’s request in 2017. However, indigenous legislator candidate Savungaz Valincinan expressed disappointment with NTU’s lack of effort to establish a relationship with the tribe and refusal to cover transportation and accommodation costs for their trips to Taipei. NTU has recently expressed willingness to return the remains, erect a memorial, honor the deceased as ＂Great Body Teachers,＂ and provide medical, educational, and sanitary services to the tribe. However, as a public school, NTU argues that it cannot establish a foundation or provide compensation of NT＄1.49 billion, citing Ministry of Education regulations. This issue has sparked discussion in Taiwan about addressing historical wounds and the journey toward transitional justice for indigenous tribes, who constitute 2.5% of the population and have historically faced exploitation and discrimination.

The Chinese Taipei Football Association (CTFA) has come under criticism from New Power Party Legislator Claire Wang for failing to make progress in paying salaries to players and facing accusations of gender discrimination. These issues have reportedly persisted since the CTFA’s appointment in March. Wang revealed that players have been owed millions in wages since 2021. The Taiwan Women’s Football Players Association has accused the CTFA of negligence, claiming that the women’s national team’s long-term training plans were abruptly halted. The association has called on the Ministry of Education’s Sports Administration to take responsibility. The Sports Administration has stated that there may be misunderstandings and has requested the CTFA to submit a comprehensive plan for international events such as the 2026 Asian Games. Wang believes that the planned suspension of training is due to the CTFA’s failure to submit a planning document on time, rather than a problem with the National Sports Training Center. Wang has called for a re-evaluation of the CTFA by the Sports Administration to prevent further damage to football development in Taiwan. Under the current chairman, Wang Lin-hsiang, the CTFA is facing a debt problem of over NT＄90 million from previous administrations, including player salaries, referee fees, and vendor costs. Chairman Wang has sent a lawyer’s letter to former chairman Chiou I-jen seeking clarification on these issues.

Taiwan’s Minister of Labor, Hsu Ming-chun, has pledged to propose a plan within the next three months to support the 330,000 women in Taiwan who have left the workforce to care for their families. During a legislative interpellation, a Democratic Progressive Party legislator pointed out the government’s oversight of this potential source of manpower, considering the country’s need for more workers. Hsu acknowledged the relatively high number of women who have quit their jobs due to family care duties and stated that the Ministry of Labor is actively promoting measures to help women balance their work and family responsibilities. Suggestions were made to make the parental leave system more flexible and introduce family care leave. Hsu admitted that finding a solution is challenging but expressed her eagerness to address the issue. The Ministry of Labor has commissioned studies to inform their improvement plan, which will be developed in the next three months.

Taipei was filled with political debate as Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je criticized Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Lai Ching-te over his family home’s illegal construction. Ko questioned why Lai’s illegal buildings were not demolished like his mother’s and former legislator Huang Kuo-chang’s. This controversy emerged after the formation of the TPP-KMT alliance, which Lai publicly criticized as a blatant power grab. Lai argued that the alliance does not represent Taiwan’s mainstream public opinion and accused the candidates of lacking national security protection and comprehensive national plans. Ko retaliated by claiming that the DPP’s election strategy relies solely on rallying the Chinese Communist Party. This ongoing dispute between the two parties intensifies as they compete for control of Taiwan’s political future. In response to Lai’s criticisms, Ko admitted that they cannot guarantee being the best choice for Taiwan but questioned why Lai considers himself the better option. As the election approaches, this war of words further strains Taiwan’s domestic politics.

Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Lai Ching-te is set to announce Hsiao Bi-khim as his vice-presidential running mate. The announcement, slated for November 20, follows DPP’s unveiling of its legislator-at-large list and precedes the Central Election Commission’s candidate registration period. Amidst these developments, Hsiao attends the APEC summit in San Francisco, focusing on the summit’s successful conclusion.

Taiwan’s application to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) has been delayed since 2021, according to Kuomintang legislator Johnny Chiang. Chiang expressed concerns about the government’s progress in establishing a task force for the CPTPP and questioned the allocation of a NT$12 million budget for hosting discussion forums. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has proposed three strategies to take relevant action when Canada assumes leadership of the CPTPP Commission next year. These strategies include building informal communication channels with CPTPP attendees, facilitating effective communication teams with key opinion leaders, and engaging with members who hold unfavorable stances towards Taiwan’s CPTPP entry. The MOFA sees the year 2024 as a gateway for Taiwan to access international opportunities.

Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) minister has stated that multiple channels have been used to raise awareness of the ＂Online Registration System for Taiwanese Citizens Visiting Mainland China.＂ The system was implemented in January 2023 to improve emergency assistance services for travelers. However, out of over one million Taiwanese nationals who visited China from January to September, only around 2,000 registered with the system, resulting in a usage rate of just 0.19%. MAC Minister Chiu Tai-san acknowledged the low uptake and stated that efforts have been made to promote the system, including engaging travel agencies. Legislator Chuang Jui-hsiung highlighted that in August alone, over 200,000 people traveled from Taiwan to China, but only 554 registrations were made. Minister Chiu explained that registration is voluntary, and if citizens do not anticipate encountering problems in mainland China, it is challenging for the ministry to enforce it. In response to calls for increased promotion, Chiu promised that MAC colleagues would intensify efforts to raise awareness about the registration system.

DPP chairman and presidential candidate Lai Ching-te has proposed including mainland Chinese students in Taiwan’s healthcare system, citing medical human rights and the strengthening of the epidemic prevention system. Lai’s plan, which treats mainland Chinese students as international students and includes them in the National Health Insurance (NHI) system, has faced objections from some party legislators. However, Lai has stated that after providing necessary clarification, fellow party members have generally accepted the idea. Lai has emphasized the human rights perspective of his proposal and distinguished it from criticism of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) for nominating a legislator connected with China. Lai believes that including mainland Chinese students in the NHI system will make the healthcare network more comprehensive, especially after three years of pandemic prevention efforts.

Taiwan’s Minister of Science and Technology Council (MOST) has acknowledged the country’s investments in high-temperature plasma and fusion research. While recognizing the potential of collaborating with overseas partners for the development of fusion power plants, the Minister stated that the current high cost of research funds makes it unfeasible at present. The issue was raised during an inquiry at the Executive Yuan Education and Culture Committee by Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) legislator Jang Chyi-lu, who expressed concerns about Taiwan’s ability to invest in nuclear fusion research. Jang highlighted the global interest in fusion power as a clean energy source. The Minister confirmed that Taiwan is actively advancing in controlled fusion research, particularly in magnetic confinement fusion, which aids in reducing carbon emissions. However, he cautioned that commercializing nuclear fusion may take 20 to 30 years. Kuomintang legislator Cheng Li-wun pointed out that the budget allocated for net-zero emissions research this year is significantly larger than the funds allocated for nuclear fusion research. Minister Wu acknowledged that Taiwan’s investment efforts in this area are conservative compared to other countries but did not rule out the possibility of participating in future global research opportunities.

DPP legislator Wang Ting-yu challenged the truthfulness of Taiwan People’s Party presidential candidate Ko Wen-je’s statements on Facebook. Wang criticized Ko for denying ever meeting Hsu Chun-ying, an honorary president of the Taiwanese New Immigrants Development Association, despite accusations to the contrary. Wang accused Ko of lying and planning to include Hsu on the TPP’s legislator-at-large list, contradicting Ko’s public declaration on Nov. 1 that he had never met Hsu. Wang questioned the inclusion of someone Ko claimed not to know, calling it irresponsible behavior. To support his argument, Wang cited Hsieh Li-Kung, former secretary-general of the TPP, who publicly stated that he introduced Hsu to Ko at the end of last year and early this year. Wang further claimed that Ko did meet Hsu at an event on Dec. 21, 2019, where Ko attended as mayor. Ko has yet to respond to the allegations.

Patty Tsai, daughter of the founders of the Red Bean Dining Group and wife of Kuomintang (KMT) deputy chairman Sean Lien, sparked speculation of a political run after posting a picture resembling an election campaign on her Facebook page. However, the picture was actually promoting her brand’s participation in the Double 11 Shopping Festival in 2023. Tsai’s intention was to combat unscrupulous products, address food safety risks, and provide better services and culinary products to the public. Her playful evocation of an election campaign garnered support online, with many users endorsing her and referring to her as ＂Legislator Tsai.＂

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.

Get the latest updates on the 2024 presidential elections in Taiwan, as Foxconn billionaire Terry Gou and former music show presenter Belle Yu enter the political arena. Ukrainian-born actress Larisa Angela Bakurova, who became a Taiwanese citizen, is rumored to be a candidate for the Democratic Progressive Party. Discover her inspiring journey in promoting gymnastics in Taiwan and her potential inclusion in the upcoming elections. Stay tuned for more information as factional variations within the DPP could influence the final candidate list.

Taiwan’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Wang Mei-hua, has promised to address a tax cut for young workers in continued negotiation with the Ministry of Finance. Kuomintang (KMT) Legislator Yang Chiung-ying has highlighted concerns over low salaries in Taiwan, noting that the median wage is NT＄42,000, the lowest among the Four Asian Tigers. To address this issue, Yang has suggested increasing the age for tax incentives for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) hiring young employees from under 24 to under 30. This policy change, according to the legislator, could significantly help young people struggling with low wages. In response, Wang stated that the government would discuss the proposal with the Ministry of Finance and emphasized their efforts to reduce taxes to tackle the issue of low wages for young workers.

The National Security Bureau (NSB) chief Tsai Ming-yen has announced that Mainland Chinese spouses who accept funding from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will be handed over to judicial authorities. Tsai stated that while he respects the activities of Mainland Chinese spouses in Taiwan as long as they are legal, he urged vigilance in monitoring collaborations with united front work operations, activities with political objectives, and accepting funding from the CCP and its organizations in Taiwan. He emphasized that if there is concrete evidence, individuals will be handed over to judicial authorities. The potential inclusion of mainland China-born Xu Chunying in the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) at-large legislative candidate list has raised national security concerns. Xu claims to no longer carry any Chinese status and therefore believes she is not obligated to observe its laws. Tsai did not publicly comment on Xu’s case. In other news, Tsai stated that the case involving Democratic Progressive Party legislator Chao Tien-lin’s alleged extramarital affair partner being a spy is now in the courts for examination. Tsai respects the outcome of the investigation and refrained from further commenting as the case has entered judicial proceedings.

Legislators and veterinarian groups in Taiwan are calling for an expedited process to grant treatment approval for Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), a highly fatal disease for cats. FIP is particularly prevalent in cats with weakened immune systems, such as older or younger cats, and has an almost 100% mortality rate. Diagnosing and preventing the disease is challenging, and currently, there are no legal medications for FIP in Taiwan. Legislator Kao Chia-yu, in collaboration with veterinarian groups, is working to provide hope for cats suffering from FIP. Research has shown that GS-441524 tablets have curative effects, but the application process for animal medication has been halted due to the COVID-19 outbreak. During a press conference, the president of the Taiwan Academy of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Chung Sheng-hua, highlighted that Remdesivir, a COVID-19 medication, and Molnupiravir from MSD have also demonstrated effectiveness against FIP. Chung urged relevant authorities to expedite the legalization of these drugs to obtain the necessary animal medication permits.