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Taiwan defense minister warns draft dodgers face prosecution
Taiwan cracks down on military service evasion, targeting celebrities. Defense Minister Koo Li-hsiung warns of legal action. New conscription standards are set.
2025/05/15 08:00
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Taiwan’s cardiologist explains military exemption criteria
Actor Darren Wang was arrested in Taipei for allegedly attempting to evade military service by faking a heart condition. He was released on bail.
2025/05/14 12:00
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Justice minister proposes new life sentence classifications
Justice Minister Cheng Ming-chien announced plans for a tiered life imprisonment system, following a court ruling on the death penalty. The proposal aims to offer judges more sentencing options.
2024/10/07 14:05
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Taiwan to launch new earthquake early warning system Sept. 1
Discover how Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration is enhancing earthquake preparedness with a new early warning system starting Sept. 1. Learn about the updated alert criteria and the use of cell broadcast technology for immediate notifications.
2024/08/30 21:00
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Taipei leads with highest housing loan interest subsidy
Explore the details of Taiwan’s 2024 self-purchased housing loan interest subsidy program, including eligibility criteria and the impact on first-time homebuyers in Taipei and New Taipei City.
2024/08/23 15:57
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Taiwan sees COVID-19 cases drop for sixth week in a row
Discover how Taiwan’s CDC plans to rename COVID-19 and reduce reporting burdens on medical institutions as cases decline for the sixth consecutive week. Learn about the new criteria and strategic adjustments.
2024/08/20 18:05
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Taiwan passes bill to preserve historical injustice sites
Taiwan is working on honoring its history with a new draft bill aimed at preserving historical sites of injustice, including the Tianma Tea House and former Taipei Post Office. Learn about the criteria for these sites and the first batch of 25 locations recognized for their roles in human rights violations during authoritarian rule from 1945 to 1992.
2024/07/18 17:49
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Scholar stresses risks in China’s national security measures
Discover the implications of China’s new national security regulations for Taiwanese travelers, as experts warn of increased risks and vague criteria that could affect individuals. Learn about the potential for political retribution and the concerns raised by Taiwan Thinktank’s researcher Wu Se-chih.
2024/04/29 11:53
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Taiwan to expand SMA treatment coverage
The National Health Insurance (NHI) Administration in Taiwan has announced the approval of new applications for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) treatment coverage. This decision comes after the passing of lawyer Chen Chun-han, a prominent advocate for wider medication coverage for SMA. SMA is a progressive neuro-muscular degenerative disease caused by a mutation in the SMN1 gene, impacting muscle functionality and activities such as sitting, walking, speaking, breathing, and eating. The NHI Administration has included the gene therapy drug Zolgensma, which carries a price tag of NT$49 million, in its benefits since the second half of 2023. The criteria for medication eligibility include an upper limb motor function index (RULM) score of at least 15. There are over 400 SMA patients in Taiwan, and by the end of 2023, 158 people applied for medication, with 145 approvals. The NHI Administration plans to hold an expert meeting in March to discuss expanding access to the drugs for all SMA patients, with a potential approval in the first half of 2024.
2024/02/16 13:28
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Taiwan to revamp hospital evaluation after 20 years
Taiwan’s Health and Welfare Minister, Hsueh Jui-yuan, has announced that a major overhaul of hospital evaluation standards is underway, with the possibility of abolishing limits on the number of medical centers. This has sparked discussions and concerns about the reliability of hospital assessments, particularly after rumors circulated that Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital may replace Taipei Municipal Wanfang Hospital as a frontrunner in the northern region’s medical center. Minister Hsueh assured that the core concepts of tiered medical treatment will remain unchanged, and this year’s evaluation plans will not be affected. However, he acknowledged that the evaluation standards for medical centers, which have not been updated in over 20 years, need to be reviewed. The Minister highlighted the need to amend criteria that have become outdated, such as the mandatory inclusion of an Institutional Review Board (IRB), which is now a standard practice in all hospitals. The new evaluation standards will be announced publicly after a meeting, and medical centers willing to participate will undergo a trial evaluation. A draft of the updated standards is expected to be implemented within two years, in time for the next evaluation round in three years.
2024/01/26 14:16
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EVA Air ranks 14th in global safety rankings for 2024
Taiwan’s EVA Airlines has been ranked the 14th safest airline in the world in 2024 by Australian airline review site AirlineRatings.com. The annual list features the top 25 safest airlines, assessed from 385 carriers. Air New Zealand holds the title of the world’s safest airline for 2024, followed by Qantas, Virgin Australia, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Emirates, All Nippon Airways, Finnair, Cathay Pacific Airways, and Alaska Airlines. EVA Air is the only company from Taiwan to make it into the top 25. Japan Airlines, which was involved in a collision on Jan. 2, landed in the 20th spot. AirlineRatings.com evaluates carriers based on safety measures, flight records, serious accident records, pilot training, the age of their fleet, and more. The top 25 airlines are considered the creme de la creme of the aviation industry, known for their strong reputation in safety, innovation, and the introduction of new airplanes.
2024/01/22 14:50
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Taiwan’s MND sets strict criteria for military service bonus
The Ministry of National Defense in Taiwan has announced new training assessment rules for recruits, emphasizing strict criteria to qualify for additional allowances and professional certificates. This comes as Taiwan extends its mandatory military service to one year, with enhanced training activities including realistic military drills.
2024/01/16 18:07
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Taiwan legislators urge clear labeling for ’fresh milk’
Legislators at the Legislative Yuan are demanding that the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) clearly define "fresh milk" to differentiate between imported milk and domestically-produced fresh milk in order to protect local dairy farmers. This demand comes as the 10-year anniversary of the economic cooperation agreement known as ANZTEC between New Zealand and Taiwan approaches, which will bring about a zero-tariff policy by 2025. The MOA has committed to collaborating with the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) to discuss the criteria for defining ’fresh milk.’ Proposals suggest establishing a clear distinction between domestic raw milk and imported liquid milk to ensure stability in contracts between dairy farmers and milk product manufacturers. It is argued that due to high-temperature sterilization and long-distance transportation, imported milk products should be categorized differently from fresh milk produced and stocked within Taiwan. The Acting Agriculture Minister Chen Junne-jih stated that the storage period and processing issues for ’fresh milk’ will be discussed in consultation with the MOHW, and milk labels will be revised to emphasize "Taiwan fresh milk" for market segmentation, preserving the label exclusively for domestically produced fresh milk. Currently, the national definition of "fresh milk" refers to raw cow’s milk processed with heating, sterilization, and refrigeration for consumption without specifying a shelf life.
2023/11/29 14:17
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Ministry of Labor to introduce Indian migrant workers
Taiwan’s Ministry of Labor (MOL) plans to introduce Indian migrant workers to address labor shortages. The initiative will adhere to domestic regulations and is not an immediate importation of 100,000 workers. The MOL will negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on labor service cooperation with India to ensure quality workers without disrupting social stability. Several countries have had positive experiences importing Indian labor, and currently, around 2,700 Indian laborers work in Taiwan. Taiwan’s economic and trade relationships with India are strong, making labor cooperation a priority. After signing the MOU, discussions on industrial quotas will occur. The MOL will rigorously assess qualification criteria such as language skills, professional abilities, educational background, and good behavior. The aim is for the introduction of migrant workers to contribute positively to Taiwan’s economic and societal development.
2023/11/19 16:37
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Taiwan homebuyers look for these amenities in new appartment
As the pandemic situation gradually stabilizes in Taiwan, more and more home-buyers are seeking out apartments with ventilation systems that connect to the outside and separate restrooms for its residents.
2022/11/17 09:00