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Taiwan intends to follow the U.S. lead and outlaw the import and export of goods made using forced labor. With a preliminary resolution to alter the ＂Human Trafficking Prevention Act＂ by the Ministry of the Interior to establish a legal foundation, the Executive Yuan has called for many inter-ministerial discussions.  Following the amendment’s completion and implementation, the Ministry of Labor will be in charge of identifying goods made using forced labor. Border control will be managed by the Ministry of Finance’s Customs Administration. ＂Import and export are both prohibited. A representative of the administration stated, ＂The regulation is bidirectional.

Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen embarks on her first overseas visit in four years to Singapore, discussing various topics including sustainable development and disaster resilience. Many view this trip as a potential precursor to her presidential run in the 2028 elections.

South Korean girl band aespa’s leader, Karina, faces backlash over her public apology for dating actor Lee Jae-wook. Fans’ reactions vary from support to protests, with some calling for Karina to end the relationship to protect her career. Despite the controversy, many fans continue to stand by Karina.

HeySong Corporation, a Taiwanese company, has announced price adjustments for some of its products after 10-20 years of unchanged prices. The adjustments, set to take effect in March, will see prices increase by 10-20%. The most notable increase will be for the popular 330-milliliter HeySong Sarsaparilla, which will surge by up to 25%. The company attributes the price adjustments to rising costs of raw materials, packaging, transportation, and personnel. The recommended retail price adjustments will mainly affect packages less than one liter, with some increasing by NT$4 and others by NT$5-6. Other beverage brands, such as Taisun Enterprise, have also indicated rising drink prices due to increased international raw material costs. The King Car Group had already adjusted the price of its Pocari Sweat drink in November 2020, marking the first price adjustment in 17 years. Public opinion on the price changes seems to be accepting, with many stating that they understand most products are experiencing price increases as long as the surge isn’t too high.

Renowned human rights lawyer Chen Chun-han, a legislator-at-large from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), passed away at the age of 40 due to complications from a cold. Despite living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), Chen earned law doctorates from National Taiwan University, Harvard University, and the University of Michigan. DPP caucus whip Ker Chien-ming and his office are assisting with the funeral arrangements to ensure Chen’s life ends on a fulfilling note. Chen’s passing has left many in shock and mourning, not only for his political role but also for his exceptional contributions as a champion of life in the face of adversity.

The Japan Meteorological Corporation (JMC) has announced its fourth forecast for the cherry blossom season in 2024, predicting that blossoms in Tokyo will start opening on March 23 and reach full bloom on March 30. The JMC attributes the earlier bloom dates to higher-than-normal temperatures this year. In Kyoto, sakura is expected to start blooming on March 24 and reach peak bloom on April 1, according to the JMC’s estimation. The latest forecast also suggests that Northern Japan will see the blossom a day or two earlier compared to the previous forecast, while there will be a delay of one to two days for many areas in Eastern and Western Japan. The JMC anticipates the earliest blossoms to appear in Kochi on March 20, followed by areas such as Kanto Koushin, Tokai, and Kyushu. Additionally, Weathernews, a private weather information provider, has released its ＂third sakura bloom forecast,＂ which aligns with the JMC’s prediction of an earlier bloom period this year, particularly in the Hokuriku Region and Northern Japan, where it will start over a week ahead of schedule.

Renowned restaurant Din Tai Fung and the Taipei City Government are partnering for a massive recruitment event, offering 150 vacancies with salaries up to NT$57,000. The job fair will take place on Feb. 24 at the Taipei Youth Salon. Over 90% of the positions are open to applicants without prior work experience, as part of Din Tai Fung’s efforts to invest in talent recruitment, salary welfare, and training. The available positions include catering service specialists, cashiers, restaurant tidying staff, pastry apprentices, chefs, dish quality inspectors, dishwashers, and in-store timing staff. Part-time workers can earn up to NT$240 an hour on weekends. Salaries start at NT$48,000 for waitstaff, with the potential to reach NT$55,000 after assessments. Chefs have the opportunity to make up to NT$57,000. The average monthly salary from previous recruitment drives with Din Tai Fung is NT$40,000, and many companies have increased salaries due to labor shortages caused by the pandemic. The catering industry has seen a rising salary trend, with Din Tai Fung increasing salaries by 3% to 6% in 2023, totaling a 16% increase over three years. This recruitment drive is open to talents in Taipei, New Taipei, Hsinchu, Taichung, and Kaohsiung.

Taiwan’s export performance reached a historic high from 2021 to 2023, but experienced a 9.8% decline in 2023 compared to the previous year, according to the Ministry of Finance. Despite this setback, exports to the U.S. continued to soar with a 49.7% year-on-year increase, while exports to countries covered by Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy also saw significant growth. However, exports to mainland China decreased to 35.2%. Taiwan’s total export tally for 2023 amounted to US$432.48 billion, ranking behind only 2022 and 2021. The demand for communications and electronic products during the pandemic-induced work-from-home trend boosted Taiwan’s exports. The Taiwan Institute of Economic Research predicted significant international trade growth in 2024, which would benefit export-oriented economies like Taiwan. In December 2023, Taiwan’s exports to the U.S. reached $8.49 billion, and exports to southern countries surged by over 50%. However, due to the limited coverage of free trade agreements (FTAs), many traditional Taiwanese industries chose to restructure risks and production in Southeast and South Asia. The return of Taiwanese businesses and the expansion of local factories after the U.S.-China trade war, as well as global economic circumstances, significantly impacted the decline in 2023 exports. The Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) estimated the first-quarter export volume for 2024 to be around US$106.1 billion, which is an improvement compared to the same period in 2023, but a 10% decrease from 2022.

Taiwan’s ally Guatemala is considering establishing formal trade ties with China, according to the country’s Foreign Minister Carlos Ramiro Martinez. He proposed the creation of a ’trade representative office’ to assist Guatemalan products in finding a market in China. While many Central American countries have switched recognition to China, Guatemala remains one of the twelve countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

The first group of conscripts for the one-year compulsory military service in Taipei enlisted on January 25. These 670 young men will undergo an eight-week enlistment training. The extension of mandatory military service, approved by President Tsai Ing-wen last year, has posed emotional challenges for many young couples. Girlfriends accompanied their conscripted boyfriends to the Department of Compulsory Military Service’s Alternative Service Center, offering encouragement and expressing hope that military service would help their partners overcome bad habits and become more responsible. Despite the year-long separation, conscripts expressed faith in their relationships, although they couldn’t help but worry about the lack of constant communication. Various girlfriends reassured their worried boyfriends, saying, ＂Don’t worry!＂ The Ministry of National Defense stated that the decision to extend mandatory service was influenced by changing international situations, authoritarianism, defense combat needs, and the intensity of the four-month military training. It was also based on a comparative study of conscription systems in other countries.

Residents in Taiwan are facing difficulties in getting food delivery services due to persistently low temperatures. The Central Weather Administration issued a cold weather warning, with the lowest temperature dropping to eight degrees Celsius across the country. As a result, many people have chosen to stay indoors, leading to a surge in online complaints about limited delivery options and self-pickup only. Some speculate that couriers are avoiding orders due to the cold weather and low delivery fees, which are as low as NT＄30-40 per delivery. This has prompted discussions about the need for higher wages and better working conditions for couriers.

Hong Kong actor Daniel Wu criticizes Barbie’s new doll collection, claiming it perpetuates stereotypes about Asians. The dolls were released following the success of the ＂Barbie＂ film in 2023, which grossed over US $1.4 billion. The Asian doll in the collection, portrayed as a violinist or a panda doctor, has faced strong backlash from Wu and others. Wu expressed his concerns on Weibo, suggesting that the limited options for the Asian doll reinforce parental expectations rather than promoting genuine diversity. His post has garnered widespread support online, with many users agreeing that the doll design demonstrates a lack of understanding of Asians by the toy’s creators.

If Kuomintang (KMT) candidate Hou Yu-ih wins the election, Taiwan’s political and economic situation could undergo significant changes, potentially easing tensions with China, according to a report by Nikkei Asia. Hou, a former police officer, has risen quickly in the political scene and is seen as a ＂law and order＂ poster child. Many Taiwanese voters are tired of President Tsai Ing-wen’s eight-year reign, especially regarding the increasing threat from China and slowing economic growth. Hou frames the election as a choice between peace and war, emphasizing the need to maintain good cross-strait relations. He accepts the 1992 Consensus and promises to restart the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement (CSSTA). Additionally, Hou advocates for a tough stance against crime and opposes the abolition of the death penalty, vowing to execute capital punishment if elected.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has begun distributing COVID-19 rapid test kits to travelers at Taoyuan International Airport in Taipei. The kits are available in the reception areas and exit halls of both terminals, and each traveler is eligible to receive one kit regardless of age. The decision was made in response to the increasing rates of respiratory diseases worldwide. The CDC Deputy Director-General, Philip Lo, stated that the peak of the COVID-19 surge in Taiwan is expected to be in mid-to-late January, with a possible rise after the Lunar New Year holidays. Travelers have expressed appreciation for the policy, with many noting how thoughtful and helpful the Taiwanese government is. The distribution of test kits may continue after the Lunar New Year holidays, depending on the international and domestic pandemic conditions.

The National Federation of Education Unions (NEU) has called on Taiwan’s Ministry of Education (MOE) to take full responsibility for incidents like the recent student stabbing in New Taipei City. The NEU insists on changes to improve the current situation and prevent students from bringing prohibited items to school. The NEU believes that amendments made by the MOE have unfairly disempowered teachers, as many schools struggle to address students who bring banned items due to fear of backlash or being accused of bullying. NEU President Lin Shuo-chieh pointed out that teachers are hesitant to correct and punish behavior out of fear of being accused of ＂targeting＂ students or being reported for bullying. In 2022, the MOE amended regulations on the management of dangerous items carried by students. According to Article 28, unless explicitly stated by law or sufficient evidence suggests the student is involved in criminal activity or carries banned items, their bodies and belongings are not to be searched. Article 29 states that for high school inspections, two or more representatives of parents, student council members, or teachers must be present to examine students’ belongings or spaces. Lin claimed that the MOE’s rules are difficult for grassroots teachers to implement and can easily be twisted into accusations of bullying. He urged the MOE and local education departments to redefine regulations for handling protected students in order to prevent further deterioration of campus safety and safeguard the rights of other students.

Former President Chen Shui-bian expresses nostalgia and regret as the popular Eslite Xinyi Store in Taipei closes its doors on Christmas Eve 2023. Reflecting on the closure of the world’s first 24-hour bookstore, Eslite Dunnan branch, Chen emphasizes the significance of Eslite in Taipei. He recalls the store’s relocation in 1995, which sparked the concept of 24-hour service and became a landmark in Taipei tourism. Chen expresses gratitude to the Shin Kong Group for their 25-year commitment to the Eslite Dunnan store. The closure of the Eslite Xinyi Store, where Chen has many youthful memories, weighs heavily on him.

DPP vice-presidential candidate Hsiao Bi-khim praised Israel’s military service training and suggested that Taiwan could learn from their use of dual-use technology. Hsiao acknowledged the differences between the two countries in terms of military obligations and defense budgets. She emphasized the need for Taiwan to find its own path while learning from different countries, considering its unique historical and geopolitical context. Hsiao also advocated for extending Taiwan’s current four-month military service training period to a year, as many other nations do. She proposed that Taiwan could adopt advanced dual-use technology from other countries to provide servicemen with valuable skills and enhance their contributions to national defense.

The Eslite Xinyi Store, a popular local bookstore in Taipei, closed its doors on Christmas Eve 2023. The farewell was emotional, with many visitors leaving thank you and goodbye messages on a memorial board. Over its 18-year tenure, the store welcomed an estimated 200 million people, averaging 10 million visits annually. The closure was due to the Uni-President Group reclaiming the land for redevelopment. The torch of being a 24-hour bookstore will be passed on to the Songyan store starting Jan. 20, 2024. The Songyan store is expected to triple its book capacity and draw increased traffic to Taipei’s Eastern District once renovations are complete.

Controversy has erupted in China and Taiwan over a Shaanxi province man’s decision to put a ＂cone of shame＂ typically used on pets on his 5-year-old granddaughter as a deterrent from using a cellphone. The incident, reported by the South China Morning Post, drew criticism online, with many considering it child abuse and a violation of the child’s dignity. The girl’s mother claimed the collar was effective in curbing her daughter’s phone usage, but the video of the girl wearing it went viral on Weibo, eliciting outrage from users who found it abusive and disrespectful. The incident has sparked a wider debate on parenting techniques and the challenge of balancing technology use among children.

The Carrefour Market Fuzhong Store in Banqiao District, New Taipei, will close on January 14, 2024, after operating for 14 years. The store, which has been open 24 hours a day since its grand opening in 2009, will shut down due to the expiration of its lease contract. Carrefour plans to find a new location and announce a grand reopening once a site is selected. The news of the closure has disappointed many customers, particularly those who rely on the store’s round-the-clock services. Residents in the area have been discussing the impending closure, with some expressing shock and pity for the loss of the convenient late-night operation.

Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen expresses support for enhancing the morals of Taiwanese nationals and promoting traditional virtues of propriety, righteousness, integrity, and a sense of shame. This goal is seen as beneficial for the nation’s development and transcends political leadership and time. City Councilor Lin Pi-hsiu highlights the removal of an essay on ’integrity and shame’ by Gu Yanwu from the 108 Curriculum Guidelines, sparking widespread discussion. Lin endorses the adoption of the school motto ’propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame’ and expresses concern about the distortion of moral values among many people. Mayor Lu emphasizes the importance of character and integrity in children, stating that schools should impart character education alongside regular subjects. Promoting the common school motto is seen as pivotal in elevating the quality of citizens.

Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Eric Chu aims to secure a parliamentary majority and form a coalition government with the assistance of the Hou-Jaw ticket. Chu believes that voters will intelligently concentrate their votes at the last moment. The aversion to the Hou-Jaw ticket among competing candidates is relatively low at 13.6 percent, making it the second choice for many voters. The KMT is focused on obtaining over half of the parliamentary seats and establishing a coalition government. The party’s youngest group of legislative at-large candidates, averaging 47 years of age, reflects a youthful push in the KMT’s legislative presence. In the presidential race, the KMT is unwavering in its support for its nominated candidate Hou Yu-ih and vows to fight fiercely to unseat the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) with the wisdom of the electorate.

The Democratic Progressive Party’s vice presidential candidate, Hsiao Bi-khim, has emphasized the need for improved governance and fairer distribution of resources in Taiwan. Despite the country’s impressive economic growth, many citizens have yet to benefit from this boom. Hsiao acknowledged the challenges faced by the youth, including education, employment, and rising housing prices, and stressed the importance of a multifaceted approach to address these issues and meet the aspirations of the younger population.

民眾黨副總統候選人吳欣盈日前被問及擔任副手有跟家人討論嗎？她沉默幾秒後回：「妳當記者有問過妳爸媽嗎」接著說「I wanna ask I wanna know，How many of you？」接著用台語說「大家都幾歲的人？」每個成年人都要為自己行為負責，對此，醫師姜冠宇點出她「犯了2大忌」。

Taipei City Hospital’s Chiang Kuan-yu commented on Lai Pei-hsia’s decision to give up her U.S. citizenship, stating that Taiwan’s lighter healthcare and tax burdens outweigh the benefits of U.S. citizenship. Lai, an entertainer, relinquished her U.S. citizenship in order to qualify as the running mate for Foxconn founder Terry Gou in Taiwan’s vice-presidential election. However, the Gou-Lai ticket failed to register for the race, leading many online users in Taiwan to describe Lai as the biggest loser in the electoral contest. Chiang highlighted that many elderly Americans choose to return to Taiwan for superior elderly care and more familial support, as incapacitated seniors in the U.S. often do not survive beyond three years. He characterized Taiwan as ＂a paradise for the elderly, a promised land for retirement,＂ promoting the country as an ideal place for a comfortable and supported aging experience. Chiang questioned the significance of retaining U.S. citizenship once one’s children are independent, suggesting that Lai may not have lost much by forfeiting her American nationality.