Politicians decry violence, push for a crackdown
Police officers gather evidence from the crime scene of a shooting yesterday evening near Jioucyutang Railway Station in Kaohsiung. The main suspect, a 64-year-old man surnamed Fang (方), was arrested yesterday. He allegedly tried to shoot Chien, but the bullets hit Chien’s two friends, surnamed Liu (劉) and Wu (吳), who were mediating the dispute, police said. In Nantou County’s Puli Township (埔里), a man surnamed Huang (黃) allegedly stabbed a woman to death yesterday, police said. The woman died of her wounds, while Huang was still in intensive care at press time last night, police said.
Source:Taipei Times
March 08, 2021 16:07 UTC
KMT to hand referendum signatures to CEC today
KMT to hand referendum signatures to CEC todayBy Sherry Hsiao / Staff reporterThe Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) today plans to submit to the Central Election Commission (CEC) signatures it has collected backing its petitions to hold referendums on imported pork containing racotpamine residue and when referendums should take place, the party said yesterday. Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Johnny Chiang, second right, and members of the KMT Women’s Department prepare bromelain, an enzyme extract derived from pineapples, to mark International Women’s Day and promote domestic pineapples in Taipei yesterday. The Referendum Act (公民投票法) stipulates that referendums from this year are to be held once every two years on the fourth Saturday of August. The two petitions have each garnered more than 700,000 signatures, Chiang announced in Taipei at an event organized by the KMT Women’s Department to mark International Women’s Day. Chiang and Lin would take the signatures from the KMT’s headquarters in Taipei and deliver them to the commission’s offices by car this morning, the KMT said.
Source:Taipei Times
March 08, 2021 16:07 UTC
Monsoon to bring some rain, colder temperatures
Cloudy skies are forecast in the plains of central and southern Taiwan, the bureau said. The bureau forecast the monsoon to become strong again on Friday and to affect the nation until Sunday. Reservoirs in central and southern Taiwan are in the mountainous areas, which would not receive significant rainfall until the plum rain season, which is in May and June, Cheng said. Because of a strong subtropical system, spring rain this year would mostly fall on the plains, which worsens the water shortage problem, Cheng said. “A regional high-pressure system is hovering above southern Taiwan at the moment, which helps stabilize the weather and makes it less likely to rain,” he said.
Source:Taipei Times
March 08, 2021 16:07 UTC
Pro baseball starts on Saturday, when Lions meet Brothers
Pro baseball starts on Saturday, when Lions meet BrothersBy Jason Pan / Staff reporterTaiwan leads world baseball again this year, with the CPBL set to start the season on Saturday, ahead of other leagues. The opener comes before the start of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball on March 26, US Major League Baseball on April 1 and South Korea’s Korea Baseball Organization League on April 3. CPBL commissioner Tsai Chi-chang, back row center, baseball players and cheerleaders attend a news conference on Sunday in Tainan to promote the start of the new CPBL season on Saturday. Regarding the slogan, Tsai said it was important for people to unite to support Taiwanese professional baseball, as running a club puts a heavy burden on the sponsor companies. While family members and small groups of friends can sit together, others would be separated to meet social distancing guidelines, they said.
Source:Taipei Times
March 08, 2021 16:07 UTC
Taipei Fubon becomes first domestic bank to issue SLL
Taipei Fubon becomes first domestic bank to issue SLLBy Kao Shih-ching / Staff reporterTaipei Fubon Commercial Bank (台北富邦銀行) yesterday approved a three-year sustainability-linked loan (SLL) to audio electronics maker Merry Electronics Co (美律實業), the first such loan granted by a local bank. DBS Bank Taiwan (星展銀行) provided NT$2 billion (US$70.66 million at the current exchange rate) of SLLs to AU Optronics Corp (友達光電) in 2019, followed by HSBC Bank (Taiwan) Ltd’s (匯豐台灣商銀) two SLLs totaling NT$450 million to Taya Group (大亞集團) and Sinbon Electronics Co (信邦電子) last year. A Taipei Fubon Bank sign is pictured in Kaohsiung on July 11, 2015. Photo: CNALike HSBC Taiwan and DBS Taiwan, Taipei Fubon would lower the loan’s interest rate if the borrower’s sustainability performance improves, which includes greenhouse gas emissions, power management and energy efficiency, the bank told the Taipei Times. HSBC Taiwan also encouraged its borrowers to use the loans for their operations related to green energy or greenhouse emissions reduction, but Taipei Fubon said it has no such requirements.
Source:Taipei Times
March 08, 2021 15:56 UTC
Hiyes International revenue more than doubles on demand in Hsinchu, Tainan
Hiyes International revenue more than doubles on demand in Hsinchu, TainanBy Crystal Hsu / Staff reporterHiyes International Co (海悅國際開發), the nation’s largest housing broker, on Friday said its revenue last month more than doubled from a year earlier to NT$478 million (US$16.89 million), driven mainly by demand for housing in Hsinchu and Tainan. The monthly figure was the second-highest next only to December last year’s NT$536 million, Hiyes said in a statement. Photo: Hsieh Wu-hsiung, Taipei TimesDemand for new housing is strong near technology clusters in Hsinchu and Tainan, where Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (台積電) has announced plans to build new foundries to make advanced chips, Hiyes said. Stable economic growth also lends support to the property market, boosting demand for housing in New Taipei City, Taipei and Kaohsiung. The first quarter, normally the low season for the housing market, might fare well this time around, Hiyes said.
Source:Taipei Times
March 08, 2021 15:56 UTC
GIS Holding benefits from tablet, notebook demand
GIS Holding benefits from tablet, notebook demandBy Lisa Wang / Staff reporterGIS Holding Ltd (業成), which supplies touch modules for Apple Inc’s iPads and MacBooks, yesterday said its net profit last year grew 10 percent annually, benefiting from increased demand for notebook computers and tablets as the stay-at-home trend persisted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Net profit rose to NT$3.73 billion (US$131.79 million), compared with NT$3.39 billion in 2019, the company said in a filing with the Taiwan Stock Exchange. Photo: Chen Mei-ying, Taipei TimesEarnings per share rose to NT$11.04 last year from NT$10.02 the prior year. The Miaoli-based company has aimed to increase shipments of higher-definition touch modules equipped with mini-LED backlights for tablets and OLED touch modules for smartphones. Yuanta Securities Investment Consulting Co (元大投顧) said GIS has benefited from pandemic-driven demand for notebook computers and tablets with touch modules, with a revenue contribution of 75 to 80 percent.
Source:Taipei Times
March 08, 2021 15:56 UTC
Taipower to issue bonds
Taipower to issue bondsBy Angelica Oung / Staff reporterTaiwan Power Co (Taipower, 台電) yesterday announced a plan to issue NT$17.65 billion (US$623.6 million) of unsecured corporate bonds next month, as the state-run utility aims to raise funds to build new liquefied natural gas (LNG) generators at the Taichung Power Plant, a combined-cycle LNG generator project in Taoyuan’s Datan Power Plant, the 7th Transmission and Substation Project as well as other investments. The debt would comprise NT$3.4 billion of five-year bonds with a yield of 0.45 percent, NT$10.55 billion of seven-year bonds with a yield of 0.55 percent and NT$3.7 billion of 10-year bonds with a yield of 0.62 percent, Taipower said in a statement. The entrance to Taiwan Power Co headquarters is pictured in Taipei on June 7, 2018. Photo: Lin Jing-hua, Taipei TimesThe power generation projects would increase the diversity and strength of Taiwan’s power supply, Taipower said. Inaugurated on Saturday, the transmission line, which spans 105 towers across 40km, is running at full capacity, Taipower said, adding that it would help stabilize the electricity supply in northern Taiwan.
Source:Taipei Times
March 08, 2021 15:56 UTC
Taiwan in two rooms
An overview of the cultural history portion of the National Taiwan Museum exhibition, Exploring Taiwan. Fossils are displayed in the natural history portion of the National Taiwan Museum exhibition, Exploring Taiwan. Photo: Han Cheung, Taipei TimesBoth sides of the exhibition end with a MIT (Made In Taiwan) display, arranging the letters with mini models of the natural creatures of Taiwan (pineapple and Formosan magpie) and its human-made products (including bubble tea). We often forget how unique Taiwan is, especially during these times when it’s difficult to travel overseas, and this show reminds us to appreciate Taiwan more. Photo: Han Cheung, Taipei TimesViewers of a nature video can enjoy the company of a Formosan black bear and a clouded leopard.
Source:Taipei Times
March 08, 2021 15:56 UTC
FSC forecasts non-cash payment to rise to NT$6tn in 2023
FSC forecasts non-cash payment to rise to NT$6tn in 2023By Kao Shih-ching / Staff reporterThe total of non-cash payments for private consumption might rise to NT$6 trillion (US$212.2 billion) in Taiwan in 2023, up from NT$3.85 trillion last year, the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) said on Thursday. The FSC has previously recorded payments by credit cards, stored-value cards such as EasyCard and iPass card, as well as electronic payment services Jkopay and Line Pay Money as non-cash payments, the commission said. If these transfers were considered in last year’s data, non-cash payment for private consumption would be NT$4.95 trillion, or 51.5 percent of total payments, he said. As more people prefer electronic payment tools and credit cards, non-cash payments might rise to NT$6 trillion in 2023, Lin said. More non-cash payments would benefit the economy in multiple aspects, as non-cash tools are more transparent and efficient, and the cost of producing coins and paper money would drop, he said.
Source:Taipei Times
March 07, 2021 15:56 UTC
Water levels in south remain low
Water levels in south remain lowStaff writer, with CNAWater levels in many of the nation’s reservoirs remain low, despite a weather system dumping significant rain in northern Taiwan last week. Several major reservoirs in central and southern Taiwan, where the water shortage has been the most serious, were still at low capacity yesterday, Water Resources Agency (WRA) data showed. As of 10am, the Baoshan Second Reservoir (寶二水庫), which provides water for the Hsinchu Science Park, was at 12 percent capacity. Taoist priests and worshipers pray to the sea goddess Matsu for rain at Jenn Lann Temple in Taichung’s Dajia District yesterday. To cope with the drought, tap water pressure in Hsinchu County, Miaoli and Taichung has been lowered, and water would be trucked from Taoyuan to Hsinchu, the agency said.
Source:Taipei Times
March 07, 2021 15:56 UTC
Acer given ‘stable’ credit outlook
Acer given ‘stable’ credit outlook‘FASTER GROWTH’: Acer, which has a 6.9 percent share of the global PC market, could take advantage of the growing Chromebook demand to retain its placeBy Chen Cheng-hui / Staff reporterTaiwan Ratings Corp (中華信評) on Thursday affirmed its long-term “twA” and short-term “twA-1”’ credit ratings for Acer Inc (宏碁), with a stable credit outlook for the PC vendor. The credit rating of a corporation is a financial indicator to potential investors of debt securities such as bonds. “However, Acer could take advantage of fast-growing gaming PC and Chromebook demand to sustain its market share with moderately strengthening profitability over the next two years,” it added. Acer secured a 6.9 percent share of the global PC market last year, up from 6.4 percent in 2019, International Data Corp has said. Acer remains positive for the global PC market this year, as PC demand is still far greater than supply, chairman Jason Chen (陳俊聖) said on Wednesday, local Chinese-language media reported.
Source:Taipei Times
March 07, 2021 15:56 UTC
Johnny Chiang marks first year as chairman
Johnny Chiang marks first year as chairmanREFLECTING ON SERVICE: Over the past year, the KMT has worked to rebuild public trust, while reflecting on past setbacks and working to break down prejudices, he saidBy Sherry Hsiao / Staff reporterChinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Johnny Chiang (江啟臣) yesterday stressed unity in a message on Facebook to mark one year since he was elected chairman. Chiang defeated former KMT vice chairman Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) on March 7 last year in a by-election to replace former KMT chairman Wu Den-yih (吳敦義), who stepped down from the position following the party’s losses in last year’s Jan. 11 presidential and legislative elections. Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Johnny Chiang, center, poses at the leadership handover ceremony of the KMT Department of Youth Affairs in Nantou County on Saturday. Photo: Liu Pin-chuan, Taipei TimesChiang, who served his mandatory military service in Kinmen County, wrote on Facebook that he often recalled watching the waves off the coast of Kinmen over his past year as KMT chairman. Chiang, who has been a legislator since 2012, on Feb. 20 announced he would seek re-election in this year’s KMT chairperson election.
Source:Taipei Times
March 07, 2021 15:56 UTC
The KMT, food and trade agreements
The KMT, food and trade agreementsThe main opposition party has consistently used food and trade to sour Taiwan’s relations with the US and Japan in favor of ChinaBy Michael Turton / Contributing reporterIn September last year the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) launched its campaign for a public referendum to ban the importation of pork products containing ractopamine. The KMT was ostensibly responding to President Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) decision to open Taiwan’s markets to US pork products containing ractopamine. Legislators from the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) in November last year dump pig guts on the floor of the legislature. IMPORTS FROM FUKUSHIMAChinese Nationalist Party (KMT) then-chairwoman Hung Hsiu-chu, front third right, attends a demonstration along Taipei’s Ketagalan Boulevard in December 2016 against the proposed lifting of a ban on food imports from five Japanese prefectures. Photo: CNAThis is not the first time that the KMT has drummed up a campaign against food imports in the midst of trade talks.
Source:Taipei Times
March 07, 2021 15:56 UTC
Hon Hai records its best sales figure for February
Hon Hai records its best sales figure for FebruaryStaff writer, with CNAHon Hai Precision Industry Co (鴻海精密), a key supplier to Apple Inc, on Thursday said its sales last month soared 84.81 percent annually to NT$401.89 billion (US$14.21 billion), its highest-ever figure for February. A Foxconn Technology Group logo is pictured at the ceremonial opening of the Hon Hai Research Institute in Taipei on Jan. 4. Photo: Chen Rou-chen, Taipei TimesHowever, as last month had fewer working days than January, Hon Hai’s consolidated sales dropped 19.66 percent from NT$500.22 billion a month earlier. Hon Hai said its consumer electronics division was the best performer on a month-on-month basis, followed by its cloud technology-based device division, computers and related devices division, and its electronic components division. Compared with a year earlier, its consumer electronics operations was the best performer last month, ahead of the electronic components operations, computer and related operations, and cloud technology-based operations, Hon Hai said.
Source:Taipei Times
March 07, 2021 15:56 UTC