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Following the pandemic, Taiwanese travelers have significantly increased their overseas spending, with credit card expenditures reaching new heights. The Financial Supervisory Commission reports a notable surge in tourism consumption, with Taiwanese visitors leading in Japanese spending.

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 distributor Hotai Motor, responsible for TOYOTA and LEXUS, reported a backlog of around 23,400 orders during an earnings call on Dec. 8. Despite an expected slight decrease in sales volume, the outlook remains optimistic. Hotai Motor dominates Taiwan’s auto market with a 33.3% share, as TOYOTA and LEXUS sold a combined total of 144,522 vehicles from January to November. The profit for the first three quarters was driven by the company’s core operations, particularly the more profitable LEXUS brand. With 19,000 pending orders for TOYOTA and 4,400 for LEXUS, the current order book suggests business for the next two months. Hotai Motor’s diversified investees, including Carmax, Hotai Finance, and Hotai Leasing, continue to grow. Hotai Insurance also experienced significant growth, except for the investing channel in China, which was affected by competitive pricing from domestic electric vehicle brands like BYD.

The Minister of the Interior in Taiwan warns of the prevalence of ＂cognitive warfare＂ tactics ahead of the upcoming election, describing the misleading information as a mixture of truth and falsehoods that are difficult to distinguish. He urges the public to exercise discernment and caution, emphasizing the importance of smooth elections. The warning follows reports that surveillance data from Taiwanese intelligence agencies is being sold on the dark web, potentially compromising the privacy of political figures and foreign personnel in Taiwan. The Minister assures that relevant departments are addressing the breach in surveillance data.

Taipei City Police Department reports no cases of illegal ticket-purchasing bots linked to the ongoing Asian Baseball Championship. Concerns raised by fans about ＂ticket grabbing bots＂ with instruction manuals. Consumers face challenges competing against automated systems to buy tickets. Legal gap leaves bots unpunishable. Baseball game tickets not protected against scalping. Taipei city officials urge fans not to buy tickets from scalpers.

The Federation of Taiwan Pharmacists Associations (FTPA) has implemented monitoring of drug purchase patterns, specifically focusing on individuals buying 10 to 20 boxes of cold and cough medicine in one visit. These purchases must now be reported. The FTPA has received reports of bulk purchases by spouses from China and Taiwanese businesspeople, who claim these medications can be sold for a higher price in China. The FTPA emphasizes that medications should not be sold without a prescription and any violations will be reported to authorities. Additionally, there has been a growing trend of spouses from China taking chronic disease medications back to their home country, despite the prohibition of private sale. This development coincides with China’s respiratory disease outbreaks, particularly with an increase in mycoplasma cases.

Stay informed about the changing weather conditions in Taipei. Wu Der-rong, an adjunct associate professor of atmospheric sciences at National Central University, advises dressing warmly due to significant temperature fluctuations between day and night. Layering clothing is important during this period. From Saturday to Monday, expect mostly sunny to cloudy skies with sporadic rainfall in the eastern half of the island. Temperatures will gradually rise and maintain a larger diurnal range. On Tuesday, the northeast monsoon will bring local showers to areas north of Taoyuan and parts of the eastern region, cooling temperatures in northern Taiwan. However, the cold air mass is weak, indicating a limited decrease in temperatures. By Wednesday, the northeast monsoon is expected to weaken, leading to clear skies in western regions and occasional brief showers in the east. Temperatures will rebound. Stay updated with the latest weather reports and be prepared for the changing conditions.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare has addressed reports of an extramarital affair involving Secretary General Hsu Chao-cheng, expressing hopes that he will handle the matter appropriately. Hsu himself acknowledged the affair on Facebook, apologizing to his wife, family, and colleagues. The affair was brought to light by Mirror Media, which revealed frequent interactions between Hsu and a female subordinate, identified as Chen. Colleagues reported seeing them together watching movies and shopping. Deputy Minister Jih-Haw Chou of the Ministry of Health and Welfare stated that if any aspect of the affair relates to official duties, it will be further investigated.

The Executive Yuan has responded to concerns raised by Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Chang Liao Wan-chien regarding the reporting of traffic violations. The authority to issue traffic citations still rests with the police, who verify and consider whether to proceed with the report. Chang Liao has expressed concerns about the new point-based traffic violation system, arguing that citizen reports, often captured using dashcams or smartphones, raise accuracy and privacy issues. He warns that without proper legal regulation, these practices could potentially violate constitutional rights. The Executive Yuan maintains that the regulations aim to encourage public assistance in maintaining road traffic order while upholding personal privacy.

Taiwan is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 complications and deaths, with the CDC reporting the highest weekly count in a month. Authorities are encouraging vaccinations, especially for high-risk groups, as the country braces for a peak in infections.

Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) legislator Lai Hsiang-ling has called for the inclusion of a formula in the Minimum Wage Act to guarantee that wage adjustments are not lower than the inflation rate. Meanwhile, New Power Party legislator Chiu Hsien-chih has demanded that representatives from the Ministry of Labor (MOL) be involved in the wage deliberation committee and that evaluation reports be made public before meetings. Lai has expressed concern about the lack of changes in the current draft of the Minimum Wage Act and the limited number of academic representatives on the committee. She has proposed increasing the number of labor representatives and considering factors such as the consumer price index annual increase rate, previous year levels, rent, and employment dependency ratios in annual wage adjustments. Lai has also suggested barring non-compliant small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from participating in government tenders.

Recent bed bug sightings in a Taipei hotel raise concerns in Taiwan. The Ministry of Environment advises on prevention methods and stresses the importance of public education and government initiatives to tackle the resurgence.

Explore the latest on mycoplasma pneumonia in Taiwan. The CDC reports low transmission rates, emphasizing mild symptoms and recovery in children. Learn more about the impact on Taichung schools and health advice.

This news story covers the comprehensive submission of third-quarter financial reports by TWSE-listed companies, with Mutto Optronics Corporation being the only exception. It highlights significant revenue changes in various sectors, including the automotive, financial, and semiconductor industries.

President Tsai Ing-wen expresses gratitude to Taiwan’s APEC delegation led by Morris Chang for conveying her four critical messages to all APEC member participants. Tsai emphasizes the government’s commitment to adjusting Taiwan’s industrial structure and leveraging its advantages for regional development. She thanks Chang for attending the economic and trade cooperation forum, enabling Taiwan to play a vital role internationally. Tsai highlights Chang’s conversations with foreign dignitaries, including U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, which will strengthen future bilateral cooperation. Chang reports that this year’s APEC economic leaders’ meeting covered technology-related topics and expresses gratitude for the opportunity to represent Taiwan at the conference.

The Taiwan Research Institute (TRI) reports a decrease in electricity demand in September, following the end of the summer peak period for consumption. The TRI’s October Taiwan EPI shows a 0.16% growth in high voltage electricity usage across national industries compared to the same period in 2022. However, this growth is smaller than the increase seen in September. TRI President Wu Tsai-yi attributes the deceleration in economic growth to global inflation, interest rate hikes, and ongoing geopolitical crises. Despite these challenges, the domestic electronic technology industry has experienced successful inventory turnover due to the rise of AI applications, the launch of new consumer electronics, and stockpiling for the end-of-year shopping season. With sustained private consumption momentum and negative economic growth factors in the fourth quarter of 2022, a significant increase in economic growth to 4.4% is estimated for October. Wu predicts a gradual return to normalcy for global economic and business activities as the effects of inflation and interest rate increases diminish.

Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan reveals his oversight of the planning and construction of 23 libraries during his tenure as Taoyuan mayor, with 15 libraries costing approximately NT＄8 billion. The announcement comes ahead of the Taiwan Reading Festival, seen as a symbol of civilization and a mark of a nation’s progress. Education Ministry reports show a rise in library visits, card applications, and book borrowing by Taiwanese residents. The festival, now in its 11th year, has gained international recognition and is expected to further promote Taiwan’s literary and cultural richness.

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications has announced that the Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) will implement an online system for train drivers to apply for leave by the end of this year. This decision comes after reports of drivers sleeping on the office floor or ＂fighting for time off＂ due to the current in-person system for leave applications. Currently, the Taipei Rolling Stock Branch of the TRA uses an in-person queuing system for leave scheduling, which often leads to disputes during extended holidays. MOTC head Wang Kwo-tsai explained that the demand for drivers exceeds the available staff, making it impossible to accept all leave requests. Wang also mentioned that recruitment examinations for railway staff will take place after the corporatization of the TRA in 2024, with some specialized railway examinations already causing disruptions in June.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is currently verifying reports that Myanmar has handed over six Taiwanese telecom fraudsters to China. The MOFA is working with the Ministry of Justice, National Police Agency, and National Immigration Agency to bring these stranded citizens back to Taiwan. Myanmar’s Wa State, known for its independent judicial system and close ties with China, is where the transfer took place. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Myanmar is actively assisting Taiwanese citizens in their return. This is the first public announcement by Myanmar of transferring Taiwanese individuals involved in telecom fraud.

Taiwan experiences a record 25% increase in foreign relocations, reaching 85,814 in 2022, as government initiatives and a stable economic environment make it an increasingly attractive destination for skilled foreigners.

Taiwan experiences a surge in travel as global restrictions ease, leading to a phenomenon known as ＂vacation vengeance.＂ The Ministry of Finance reports that approximately 8.42 million passengers traveled in the first nine months of 2023. However, strict tax exemption regulations have caused public frustration as returning residents face customs inspections for exceeding the purchase limit. The current tax exemption limit is NTD$20,000, but citizens argue it is insufficient. The Ministry of Finance is considering raising the limit to NTD$30,000 to NTD$40,000. The regulations governing duty-free privileges for inbound personal luggage have remained unchanged for over three decades. The Ministry of Finance is discussing potential changes to address the rising cost of overseas goods and the country’s gross national income compared to Japan and South Korea.

Arizona-based popsicle shop, AZ Pops, has received its largest order to date - a purchase order of over 6,500 popsicles. Local media reports that the shop’s owner, Pam Raphael, credits the boost in business to large local corporations becoming their customers. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) is the most recent company to place a bulk order. AZ Pops takes pride in offering popsicles that are free from artificial colors, fillers, flavors, and sweeteners. Raphael believes that their popsicles not only make people happy but also boost morale, making them a popular choice among large company employees.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) reassures that Taiwan has sufficient land for the semiconductor industry, despite concerns over shortages in land, water, energy, labor, and talent. Media reports claimed that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (TSMC) had abandoned its Longtan plant, highlighting potential issues in the semiconductor industry. However, the MOEA states that it is actively working on land allocation and expansion plans in science parks and industrial parks. The government aims to meet all land requirements for industry expansion and new factories, while providing full services to manufacturing businesses. The MOEA is fully committed to assisting semiconductor companies in developing in Taiwan, with the goal of maintaining Taiwan’s dominant role in global semiconductor manufacturing.

The National Security Bureau (NSB) of Taiwan is actively investigating polling companies suspected of having strong ties with China and engaging in illicit financial activities. Concerns have been raised about potential Chinese intervention in the upcoming 2024 general elections. China’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) has been accused of attempting to influence election results by inviting pro-Kuomintang (KMT) commentators and polling officials to China. There are reports of generative AI technologies being used to spread disinformation through edited viral clips, potentially impacting the elections. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislators have called for offensive counter-espionage techniques to combat these opposing forces. The NSB is working to trace the origins of these financial flows and is closely monitoring the situation. The NSB has also warned that legal action will be taken if any manipulative activity or election fraud is detected.

Launch Technologies Co, a golf ball manufacturer, has announced losses of NT$1.329 billion resulting from a catastrophic factory explosion in late September. The losses include NT$273 million worth of inventory, NT$599 million in property and equipment damages, NT$2.71 million in other asset losses, and NT$455 million as a liability reserve. The company’s third-quarter financial report, approved by the board, reveals total revenues of NT$2.776 billion during the first three quarters. Operations have been suspended following the incident, which is expected to further impact the company’s operations. The factory fire in Pingtung County on September 22 resulted in 10 fatalities and over 100 injuries.