EDITORIAL: Monetary outlook for the yearBenefiting from Taiwan’s strong economic growth and stable inflation, the central bank at its quarterly board meeting on Dec. 18 last year kept its policy rates unchanged for the seventh consecutive quarter since its most recent rate hikes in March 2024. This year, the central bank’s monetary policy would remain a focus of the market. Based on messages delivered at last month’s board meeting, the central bank seems determined to follow its own path. In a nutshell, there is adequate leeway for the central bank to keep rates unchanged this year, while observing how the global economy evolves and what monetary policies its global peers implement. The main challenge for Taiwan is whether it could take advantage of the evolution of AI to pave the way for its long-term, sustainable economic growth.

Vice Minister of National Defense Hsu Szu-chien, center, speaks to reporters in Taipei yesterday. At the legislative committee meeting on this year’s defense budget, Hsu told lawmakers that Venezuela’s weapons, obtained from China and Russia, proved to be far inferior to US weapons. The issue was not only the origin of the weapons, but that they had been poorly maintained, Hsu said. Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Wu Ping-jui (吳秉叡) said that the opposition’s continued blocking of a proposed NT$1.25 trillion special defense budget bill would impact national security. Each day that the defense budget is delayed consumes precious preparation time, it added.

Sunset serenade for Taiwan’s squatty pottiesBy Wu Po-hsuan / Staff reporterThe Ministry of Environment yesterday called for the public to abandon squat toilets and switch to seated toilet. Additionally, environmental and bacterial contamination in the bathroom from squat toilets is thousands of times greater than that of sitting toilets, he said. People look at a toilet-themed art installation at the main lobby of the Ministry of Environment in Taipei yesterday. Friends of Daan Forest Park Foundation managing director Tsai Chien-sheng (蔡建生) said that many countries generally use seated toilets, and some visitors from Europe or the US have never used squat toilets in their lives. “When they visit Taiwan and open the bathroom door, they may be shocked,” he said, adding Taiwan is the only country in Asia still adding squat toilets.

An additional NT$17 billion for the first and second reserve funds, and disaster preparedness would also be unavailable, she said. Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics Minister Chen Shu-tzu speaks at a meeting of the Legislative Yuan’s Finance Committee in Taipei yesterday. The Finance Committee yesterday heard from the DGBAS, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Finance and the Ocean Affairs Council on the effects of the stalled budget. Another NT$72.5 billion for reserve force readiness, military exercises, force development and personnel training would also be affected, she said. “Failure to pass the general budget would undermine national defense and security, and hinder public infrastructure and social welfare projects,” Chen said.

A Taiwanese in Venezuela shares perspective on Maduro arrestStaff writer, with CNAWhile some Venezuelans celebrated the arrest of their president in a US raid over the weekend, others were conflicted about the violation of the nation’s sovereignty and the future of their country, a Taiwanese resident of the South American nation said on Sunday. A government supporter holds an action figure of Super Bigote, based on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, during a protest demanding his release from US custody, in Caracas on Sunday. You, 39, came to Venezuela in 1998, when his father was sent by a Taiwan-based company to work in the South American nation. Among poorer Venezuelans, many fear having their benefits cut if they speak out against the government, he said. He expressed hope that the country could someday return to the “golden era” he found when he arrived in the late 1990s.

Habibullah was among 15 bodies returned from Iran, an Afghan border source said on condition of anonymity. A further three migrants who died were recovered on the Afghan side of the frontier, an army official said. They are drawn to Iran due to greater job opportunities and a common language, but legal routes are limited. Afghan Deputy Minister for Labor and Social Affairs Abdul Manan Omari on Sunday said that it was “necessary to do more” to facilitate work permits for migrants. The Taliban government has taken “serious steps to fight the smugglers,” Afghan Ministry of Interior Affairs spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani said.

Vessel traffic monitoring center for offshore wind farms inauguratedStaff writer, with CNAThe Offshore Wind Farms Channel Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Center was inaugurated on Saturday at the Port of Taichung to strengthen maritime traffic safety around offshore wind farms, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications said. Premier Cho Jung-tai, center, and other officials attend the inauguration of the Offshore Wind Farms Channel Vessel Traffic Service Center at the Port of Taichung on Saturday. He also underscored the need for continued improvements in vessel traffic monitoring. About 30,000 vessels pass through offshore wind farm areas in Changhua each year, making safety a top priority, he said. Taiwan's installed offshore wind power capacity reached 3.5 gigawatts by the end of last year, he added.

Cold air mass to drive temperatures downStaff writer, with CNAA strong continental cold air mass is to move southward from tonight night into tomorrow, bringing overnight temperatures in low-lying areas across Taiwan down to about 10°C to 14°C, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. In Taichung, Nantou County, Yunlin County, Chiayi County, Tainan and Kaohsiung, temperatures could drop below 10°C early tomorrow morning due to radiative cooling, the agency said. Taiwan is to remain under the combined influence of the cold air mass and radiative cooling through Thursday, Cheng said. While the cold air is expected to weaken slightly on Friday and Saturday, radiative cooling would continue to keep temperatures low. Daytime highs in northern Taiwan could return to about 20°C, although parts of western Taiwan may see day-night temperature differences of 10°C to 13°C.

Air quality to deteriorate nationwide from tomorrowBy Kayleigh Madjar / Staff writer, with CNAA strong continental cold air mass is to bring pollutants to Taiwan from tomorrow, the Ministry of Environment said today, as it issued an “orange” air quality alert for most of the country. All of Taiwan except for Hualien and Taitung counties is to be under an “orange” air quality alert tomorrow, indicating air quality that is unhealthy for sensitive groups. A strong continental cold air mass would bring the pollutants to Taiwan from tomorrow, worsening PM2.5 concentrations in the north to between 40 and 60mg/m³, it added. Air quality is to improve in central and northern Taiwan from Thursday, although downwind areas in the south would still see the effects of accumulated pollutants, it said. As air quality is significantly influenced by meteorological conditions, the ministry advised keeping up to date on the latest forecasts and taking necessary precautions.

Ministry encourages flushing toilet paper, seated toiletsBy Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNAThe Ministry of Environment today unveiled a new toilet-themed art installation as part of efforts to promote seated toilets and encourage people to flush toilet paper. The display features transparent toilet bowls to promote flushing toilet paper, as well as seated toilets over squat toilets for better hygiene and accessibility. The rollout would begin with government agencies, although no date has been set to entirely replace squat toilets, he added. Neighboring countries such as Japan and Singapore have also set goals to reduce the number of squat toilets, he added. Meanwhile, the ministry said it has conducted testing with 26 different brands of toilet paper, showing that they are completely flushable.

More people using AI, mostly for transport, language and research: NCCBy Sam Garcia / Staff writer, with CNAThe proportion of people using artificial intelligence (AI) rose to 56.3 percent last year, primarily for transportation in daily life and research and analysis at work, a survey by the National Communications Commission (NCC) showed. The second most common use was language assistance, with 64 percent of users using it for voice input and control, translation and text-to-speech. The third was security and monitoring, with 45 percent of users using AI for smart security systems and biometric authentication. In terms of work, 41 percent of users reported using AI to look up, process and analyze data, the survey showed. More than 30 percent of people reported not using AI at work, the NCC added.

Plaque to be placed at Taipei Main for stabbing heroBy Tung Kuan-yi and Hollie Younger / Staff reporter, with staff writerA commemorative plaque is to be placed in Taipei Main Station for Yu Chia-chang (余家昶), the man killed defending against a knife-wielding attacker during last month’s mass stabbing, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) said this morning. Nearly 590 messages were posted on a temporary memorial wall at the Taipei MRT’s Zhongshan Station. Taipei Rapid Transit Corp has designed and created a plaque to commemorate Yu, which is expected to be placed at Taipei Main Station Exit M8 on floor B1, Chiang said. A person views messages and flowers left in memory of the victims of a stabbing attack in Taipei last month at MRT Zhongshan Station. Photo: Tung Kuan-yi, Taipei TimesThe company is still in discussions with Yu’s family regarding details, including its installment date, and would continue to respect their wishes, he added.

Costco to raise membership fees for first time in decadeStaff writer, with CNACostco Taiwan today said it would raise its membership fees for the first time in 10 years, with the changes taking effect on April 1. The annual cost of Gold Star membership in Taiwan is to increase from NT$1,350 to NT$1,500, Business membership from NT$1,150 to NT$1,500, and Business Add-on membership from NT$900 to NT$1,500, the company said. Photo: Wu Hsin-tien, Taipei TimesExecutive membership fees would remain unchanged, and exclusive services and rebates of up to NT$30,000 — the highest in Asia and the second-highest globally — would be maintained, Costco said. Each Business Add-on membership would continue to include one free household card, allowing entry for one cardholder and two accompanying persons, the US big-box retailer said. Costco Taiwan said it last adjusted its membership fees in 2016 and has since invested in logistics improvements and professional service centers, such as hearing and optical centers, as well as gas stations.

Taiwan ‘prepared’ for Venezuela-style attack: MNDBy Chen Yu-fu and Hollie Younger / Staff reporter, with staff writer and CNATaiwan’s armed forces have established response protocols for a wide range of sudden contingencies, including the “Wan Chun Plan” to protect the head of state, the Ministry of Defense (MND) said today. Vice Minister of National Defense Hsu Szu-chien, center, speaks to reporters before a meeting at the legislature in Taipei today. At the legislative committee meeting on this year’s unreviewed defense budget, Hsu told lawmakers that Venezuela’s weapons, obtained from China and Russia, proved to be far inferior to US weapons. Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Wu Ping-jui (吳秉叡) said that the opposition's continued blocking of a proposed NT$1.25 trillion (US$39.829 billion) special defense budget bill would impact national security. Each day that the defense budget is delayed consumes precious preparation time, it added.

Women still spending over three hours daily on unpaid care: MOHWBy Lin Chih-yi and Sam Garcia / Staff reporter, with staff writerTaiwanese women spent more than three hours per day on average providing unpaid care in 2024, only slightly less than five years before, with married and partnered women doing more housework than others, Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) data showed. However, traditional division of labor within families remains, with women providing more care for family members and doing more housework, it added. This is only nine minutes less than the average time women spent providing daily unpaid care in 2019, the ministry said. Married and partnered women spend 2.6 times more time on unpaid care than their spouses or partners, primarily on childcare and housework. With generational change, women would continue to spend less time providing unpaid care, Social and Family Affairs Administration Acting Director Chou Tao-chun (周道君) said.