office 結果共332筆

Tainan police have arrested six individuals involved in a gambling ring on a Facebook group, which was taking bets on the 2024 General Election outcomes totaling over NT$6.55 million. The case has been handed over to the Tainan District Prosecutors Office for investigation under several acts, including the Presidential and Vice Presidential Election and Recall Act, the Money Laundering Control Act, and the Anti-Infiltration Act. The ring recruited bettors on Facebook to place wagers on various outcomes related to the forthcoming elections, including potential collaborations between political parties and candidates such as Lai Ching-te, Ko Wen-je, Hou Yu-ih, and Terry Gou. The Tainan City Police Department Criminal Investigation Corps initiated the investigation after spotting the illicit activity online and tracked down suspects across multiple locations. The investigation has revealed that the gambling funds were being converted into Tether (USDT), a popular cryptocurrency stablecoin, by unidentified individuals abroad, and transferred to other gambling organizations, potentially violating election-related gambling laws.

The Taipei Urban Planning Commission has approved the removal of height restrictions on buildings around the National Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, except for the north side due to flight path restrictions. This policy shift, effective from January next year, aims to revitalize the aging infrastructure in the Daan district and address issues such as leaking roofs. The height limit, which had been in place for over 30 years, will be increased from 60 meters to 120 meters under the new regulation. However, buildings on the north side of Zhongxiao East Road must still comply with Songshan Airport’s height restriction of 95.49 meters. The height restrictions also apply to buildings behind the Presidential Office, ranging from 50 to 78 meters, to protect the capital’s skyline.

The Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China (MOFCOM) has concluded its investigation into Taiwan’s ban on importing certain products from the mainland, deeming it a trade barrier. The investigation, conducted under the Foreign Trade Law and Foreign Trade Barrier Investigation Rules, found that the ban hinders cross-strait trade relations. The ban, which covers 2,455 Taiwanese goods including agricultural products, minerals, chemicals, and textiles, was announced by Beijing in April. Originally scheduled to release the findings on October 12, 2023, MOFCOM extended the deadline to January 12, 2024. Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) spokeswoman Zhu Fenglian criticized the ban, stating that it goes against the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA), which aims to reduce or eliminate tariffs and non-tariff barriers between the two sides. Zhu emphasized that such restrictions harm the interests of both sides and pledged support for measures based on the investigation’s results.

The story discusses the response of Changhua County Chief Wang Hui-mei to rumors that village chiefs from Changhua County were treated to trips to China. Wang questioned the nation’s confidence in itself and challenged the notion that hospitality could sway one’s allegiance. Reports of possible Chinese intervention in the electoral process, including invitations to village chiefs for travel to the mainland, have emerged ahead of the 2024 presidential and vice-presidential elections. The Changhua District Prosecutors Office has detained a suspect allegedly organizing these trips and has summoned 22 individuals for questioning. Wang interpreted the scrutiny her county is under as a ＂swing county＂ and expressed trust in the wisdom of the village chiefs to handle the situation.

The campaign office of Lai Ching-te, Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) presidential candidate, has released a new video titled ＂Taiwan in the world,＂ highlighting Taiwan’s reduced dependence on China and its increasing global recognition. Pan Men-an, head of the DPP’s campaign headquarters, expressed concern over opposition parties’ attempts to marginalize Taiwan and emphasized the significance of the 2024 election in determining Taiwan’s alignment with either the world or China. The video emphasizes Taiwan’s democratic development through international engagement and value-based diplomacy, while also strengthening ties with other nations. Lai’s campaign office spokesperson, Tai Wei-shan, pointed out that Taiwan’s trade dependence on China decreased from 40 percent during former President Ma Ying-jeou’s presidency to 34 percent. Additionally, a report by The Economist in August stated that under President Tsai Ing-wen’s seven-year rule, Taiwan has become the 21st largest economy globally, surpassing South Korea in terms of gross domestic product (GDP) per capita. Lai’s campaign office underscores the importance of the 2024 election in shaping Taiwan’s future trajectory and urges the public to make the right choice.

Discover America Committee in Taiwan President Brenda Tang revealed that the U.S. travel market from Taiwan has rebounded to 84% of pre-pandemic levels, according to data from the Tourism Administration. Taiwanese travelers heading to the United States surged by 185% from January to October this year, reaching 396,913, as reported by the National Travel and Tourism Office. Flights to the U.S. during the peak summer season had load factors of over 90%, while the off-peak months of September and October maintained load factors of at least 85%. China Airlines and EVA Airways have nearly returned to pre-pandemic flight levels, and Starlux Airlines is set to launch its San Francisco route. United Airlines plans to double its Taipei to San Francisco flights, and Delta Air Lines is preparing to commence a Taipei to Seattle route. Tour package prices to the U.S. for the first quarter of next year and the Lunar New Year peak season are expected to increase by no more than 25%, offering travelers some price assurance amid growing demand.

Taiwan/Ireland Poetry Translation Competition announces Li Lo from Taiwan and Michael Sharkey from Northern Ireland as winners in the Hakka poetry category. The competition focused on translating Hakka poetry, with a piece titled ＂Daylight＂ by Taiwanese poet Tseng Gui-hai. Tseng expressed delight over the exceptional English translations, emphasizing their ability to connect people worldwide to Hakka culture and draw parallels between Taiwan and Ireland’s histories. Director James Hadley commended the winning entries for their creative interpretation and capturing the musicality of English while resonating with Hakka’s phonetic variations and cultural sentiments. Taiwan’s representative to Ireland, Yang Tzu-pao, highlighted the importance of understanding Hakka culture in comprehending Taiwan as a whole.

Chairman Mitsuo Ohashi of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association visited the Kaohsiung City government to discuss enhancing industry, education, and tourism cooperation exchanges with Mayor Chen Chi-Mai. Ohashi emphasized the significance of Kaohsiung in Japan’s relations with Taiwan. Mayor Chen expressed enthusiasm for deeper interactions between Taiwan and Japan, highlighting the crucial role of Taiwan’s semiconductor industry in global supply chain security. He cited the collaboration between Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) in Kaohsiung and Kumamoto, Japan, as an example of potential economic cooperation. Chen described the Taiwan-Japan relationship as a deepening bond, referencing their long-standing friendship and mutual support during crises. Ohashi, who visited Kaohsiung 40 years ago and has maintained connections with past Mayor Chen Chu and Taiwan’s representative to Japan, Frank Hsieh, expressed admiration for Kaohsiung’s recent development. He believes that Japan-Kaohsiung cooperation should extend to the private enterprise level and is hopeful for the future of Japanese-Taiwanese relations. Ohashi frequently speaks at the annual National Day reception at the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan, advocating for promoting friendly Japan-Taiwan relations as an example for the international community.

The story discusses the defense of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Lai Ching-te by his campaign director, Yao Li-ming. Yao defends Lai as a victim of the system, using Lai’s family home in Wanli District as an example. This defense comes in response to criticisms from Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) legislator-at-large candidate Huang Kuo-chang, who suggested that Lai should empathize with the hardships faced by the people. Yao criticizes Huang for hypocrisy, questioning his sincerity in displaying emotions. Yao highlights the struggles of residents living in mining areas and compares their situation to the limited residential rights of military dependents’ villages in the past. He argues that seeing distressed individuals as privileged is an unsupportive stance for voters. Yao expresses hope that if Lai becomes president, he will focus on improving miners’ housing rights and interests through legal and institutional reforms, similar to past government efforts to address the housing rights of military village residents.

The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall Management Office has announced a comprehensive smoking ban and the elimination of designated smoking areas in order to maintain the integrity of the park’s recreational environment. This decision comes after Taiwanese entertainer Tai Chih-yuan criticized the memorial’s park administration for cutting down trees to establish a smoking zone, which he deemed harmful to the environment. However, the office clarified that the smoking area was established in 2009 and had no connection to the removal of the trees, which were infested with brown root rot disease. The decision to cut down the trees was made to ensure public safety and prevent the spread of the disease to other trees in the area, according to a statement from the office. Once the condition of the trees was confirmed by the Ministry of Agriculture’s Forestry Research Institute, the office promptly provided public notice and carried out necessary operations.

Taipei’s top five reports from Monday include the indictment of an army officer on charges of defection and espionage, an investigation into a professor for engaging in technological collaboration with China, the draw for presidential and vice presidential candidate ballots, railway reforms following a train derailment, and intense debate on the Minimum Wage Act in the Legislative Yuan.

Taiwanese singer and actress Vivian Hsu and Singaporean businessman Li Yun-feng have announced the end of their nine-year marriage. Despite their best efforts, the couple was unable to resolve their differences and recently signed a divorce agreement. The strain of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced them into a long-distance relationship, along with personality differences, contributed to their split. Speculation about their marriage began last September, and Hsu hinted at her unhappiness in a recent social media post.

The Tourist Administration of the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC) organized a two-day event at the Toronto Eaton Centre in Canada, showcasing Taiwan’s attractions. The event featured various activities, including VR experiences, calligraphy bookmark crafting, pinball games, indigenous beadwork, and oil-paper umbrella painting workshops. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Toronto reported a significant increase in Canadian visitors to Taiwan, with a 1366.17 percent rise compared to the previous year. However, the number of visitors has not yet returned to pre-COVID-19 levels. In an effort to boost tourism, Taiwan has waived visa requirements for Canadians, positioning itself as an ideal winter getaway. Taiwan’s picturesque mountains, coastlines, and diverse urban and small-town landscapes make it a perfect destination for leisurely exploration.

DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te has released a new set of LINE stickers titled ＂Cats and Dogs Love Taiwan＂ ahead of Taiwan’s upcoming elections. Collaborating with illustrator Stupid Sheep, Lai introduced this new set 10 months after their previous collaboration. The sticker pack includes illustrations of cats, dogs, and caricatures of Lai and his running mate Hsiao Bi-khim. Building on the popularity of the ＂cat and dog badge＂ illustrations, this release adds more design movements and patterns to the LINE platform. The cartoon versions of Lai and Hsiao feature iconic memes like ＂I want it all,＂ aiming to appeal to both feline and canine fans and bring laughter to their supporter base. Lai’s campaign office spokesperson, Kuo Ya-hui, hopes that these new stickers will encourage supporters to download and join the ＂Taiwan side,＂ regardless of their preference for cats or dogs.

The spokesperson for Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Lai Ching-te’s campaign office expressed regret over inaccurate and malicious media reports about the upcoming presidential debates. The spokesperson demanded corrections from outlets that claimed certain media were favored during the debates and alleged a coalition aiming to gang up on fellow candidates Hou Yu-ih and Ko Wen-je. It was emphasized that the decision for 11 media organizations to jointly host the debates is a longstanding practice resulting from two rounds of negotiations without interference from any campaign offices. The spokesperson also highlighted misinformation circulated by China Times, one of the debate co-hosts, despite its involvement in the meetings. The 2024 presidential election debates are scheduled to be held at Public Television Service (PTS) on December 30 at 2 p.m., with the vice presidential debates tentatively scheduled for January 1, 2024, also at 2 p.m. The 11 media entities collaboratively organizing the debates include Central News Agency (CNA), China Times, Liberty Times, United Daily News, SET News, Taiwan Television, Formosa Television, Chinese Television System (CTS), Mirror Media, TVBS News, and Public Television Service. PTS will produce and broadcast the debates, including comprehensive sign language services for the hearing impaired.

Taiwanese entertainer Aaron Yan has been cleared of charges related to sexual offenses, including secret photography and assault, according to the Shilin District Prosecutors Office. The allegations were made by internet celebrity Chiu Yao-le in June, leading to the suspension of Yan’s entertainment career and side business. Prosecutors found that Yan had shared private videos of Chiu with friends, a violation of the Child and Youth Sexual Exploitation Prevention Act. Yan will only be indicted on charges related to filming and possessing videos depicting the sexual conduct of a minor. The case is scheduled to be heard behind closed doors on December 21.

Six men have been indicted by the Taichung District Prosecutor’s Office for alleged sexual exploitation offenses under the Child and Youth Sexual Exploitation Prevention Act. Led by Chen Tso-wei, the group imitated the infamous ＂South Korea’s Nth Room case＂ and used deceptive tactics to lure their victims, promising easy money for photos or offering iPhones. They profited over NT＄8 million from their illicit activities. Authorities discovered that the syndicate blackmailed the young girls involved with explicit videos and threatened to leak their nude photos if they didn’t comply. A total of 86 girls were found to have fallen prey to this exploitation, with the youngest victim being just nine years old. Some of the victims resorted to self-harm as a result of the abuse. The Taichung District Prosecutor’s Office is seeking a substantial sentence of 30 years imprisonment for three of the accused, including Chen, who played a particularly malicious role with a severe impact on human dignity. The remaining three face sentencing recommendations of five to ten years.

Tsai Yu-chen, a freshman at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, has made history by being the first student admitted into the prestigious Computer Science program through a special recruitment process that now includes cybersecurity. Tsai’s interest in technology began in junior high when he taught himself networking skills to set up a Minecraft server. He then used his English proficiency to manage the server online and modify Pokémon modules using Google Cloud services, allowing over 100 people to game simultaneously. Tsai’s talent and experience in cybersecurity were further developed during his vocational high school years through the Ministry of Education’s cybersecurity talent development program. As a result, he will soon intern with a leading international AI cybersecurity tech company, focusing on cloud security research. The Office of Recruitment for Specialized Technical Colleges and Universities recognizes the importance of cybersecurity in national security and actively promotes relevant courses in technical high schools. This allows students to acquire cybersecurity skills and pursue further education through specialized college entrance exams and exceptional talent selection processes.

Taiwanese actor Wu Kang-ren, winner of the best leading actor award at the 60th Golden Horse Awards, surprised attendees at the trial of a man surnamed Chung, who is accused of killing his father with a dumbbell. Despite wearing a mask, Wu’s presence caused a stir as he was recognized by the crowd. Wu declined to comment on his reasons for attending. The case involves a dispute over the purchase of a boxed meal that allegedly led to the fatal blow. The Taipei District Prosecutors Office filed charges in May, making this the second case to involve citizen judges. Due to Chung’s mental illness and lack of impulse control, the court ordered a temporary placement for six months. The court selected citizen judges prior to the trial, with six judges and four alternates chosen through a rigorous process.

Get your tickets now for Keelung’s year-end concert on Dec. 23 at the Keelung Gymnasium! With just 6,143 seats available, residents wasted no time in lining up at district offices to secure their tickets. The demand was so high that the allocation of 680 tickets per office quickly ran out. This year, Mayor George Hsieh decided to move the festivities indoors to avoid the rainy weather that often plagued previous open-air New Year’s Eve concerts. Hosted by Daniel Chen, Lin Yu-Pin, and Haze Chen, the concert promises an evening of entertainment with performances by Amber An, 911, Ailing Tai, Kimberley Chen, U:NUS, NEXT GIRLZ-CRYXTAL, and pianist Hsu Che-cheng. Don’t miss out on this highly anticipated event and enjoy a comfortable and enjoyable experience as you celebrate the end of the year with fanfare.

Minister of Justice Tsai Ching-hsiang has called for increased efforts from investigators, police, and intelligence agencies to combat bribery and prevent foreign interference in the 2024 elections. During a visit to the Keelung District Prosecutor’s Office, Tsai emphasized the importance of maintaining the fairness and integrity of the electoral process. He encouraged prosecutors to work together to create a judicial environment that inspires trust and visibility. Tsai highlighted the need to ＂block foreign powers from meddling in the election,＂ ＂eliminate the influence of gambling on electoral outcomes,＂ and ＂put an end to the disruption caused by fake news.＂ Active investigations are crucial to ensuring fair and just elections. Tsai also discussed the formalization of the system for assistants to prosecutors and money laundering involving cryptocurrencies with prosecutors.

KMT campaign office spokesman, Chen Po-han, criticizes DPP’s Lai Ching-te for vague and inconsistent responses on key issues including a kindergarten drug administration case, ＂Trojan Horse＂ military exercises, and opening Taiwan’s labor market to Indian workers. Chen accuses Lai of spreading false information about Chinese students working in Taiwan and highlights the Ministry of National Defense’s military exercises simulating attacks by Chinese military aircraft hiding among civilian planes. The Taiwan FactCheck Center has debunked the rumor of opening up to 100,000 Indian workers. Chen defends Hou Yu-ih’s opposition to the ＂one country, two systems＂ framework and emphasizes his clear plans for various policy areas. This critique occurs in a politically charged atmosphere focused on misinformation and policy debates.

Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) vice presidential candidate Cynthia Wu’s campaign office has announced that they are working with the Central Election Commission (CEC) to handle the declaration of her foreign spouse’s assets. This is the first time a vice presidential candidate in Taiwan has a non-Taiwanese spouse. The registration process has faced challenges due to deadlines and complexity, resulting in some assets not being managed promptly. However, the campaign office assures the public that all matters will be handled in accordance with the law. Wu’s husband is Belgian lawyer Reinout van der Elst, and they celebrated their wedding in Europe in September.

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) responded to allegations from the Kuomintang (KMT) that DPP vice presidential candidate Hsiao Bi-khim was excessively pro-American. Chen Shi-kai, spokesperson for DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te’s campaign office, criticized the KMT for its lack of understanding of economic trade issues and Taiwan-U.S. relations. The KMT, led by legislator candidate Hsu Chiao-hsin, accused Hsiao of being subservient to the U.S. during her time in Washington, citing a classified communication log documenting a bilateral meeting discussing the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity proposed by U.S. President Joe Biden. Chen defended Hsiao by highlighting recent milestones in Taiwan-U.S. cooperation, such as the signing of the Taiwan-U.S. 21st Century Trade Initiative and efforts to resolve double taxation issues. Chen criticized the KMT candidate for illegally disclosing classified documents for political gain and called for an explanation of the motives and authenticity of the disclosure. This defense by the DPP spokesperson reflects the tensions leading up to Taiwan’s presidential elections, with U.S.-Taiwan relations remaining a significant political issue. The political drama highlights the intensity of Taiwan’s electioneering, where U.S. ties and Taiwan’s global economic positioning are crucial issues for voters. The impact of these debates on public opinion remains to be seen as Taiwan prepares for the polls.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and Vice President Lai Ching-te welcomed the 2023 Taiwan Centers from North America delegation at the Presidential Office. They expressed gratitude for the expatriates’ support of Taiwan, particularly in its efforts to join international organizations and promote Taiwanese culture abroad. The delegation has played a vital role in fostering exchanges between Taiwan and countries like the United States and Canada. Despite challenges from the pandemic and international tensions, Tsai remarked that Taiwan’s steady policies have fortified its strength, with the island ranking sixth in global competitiveness and third for its entrepreneurial environment. The government remains committed to propelling industrial transformation and pursuing a net-zero transition. The visiting group’s agenda includes tours in Taipei, Changhua, Tainan, and Kaohsiung, with hopes that they will share Taiwan’s progress and achievements with their communities overseas. Notable invitees include Simon Lin, President of the Taiwan Center Foundation/Greater Los Angeles, Su Chun-hwai, President of the Taiwan Center NY, and Huang Mei-hsing, chief of staff of the Taiwanese American Center of Northern California.