Nanya to start on new fab next month
Nanya Technology expects the fab, to be built in New Taipei City’s Taishan District (泰山), to start commercial operations in 2025. Nanya Technologies Corp chairman Wu Chia-chau speaks at the chipmaker’s annual shareholders’ meeting at its fab in Taoyuan yesterday. Photo courtesy of Nanya Technologies CorpIt had expected the fab to start operations in 2024 with a monthly capacity of 15,000 wafers. The new factory would help Nanya Technology solve capacity bottlenecks, it said. A second chip, a DDR5 DRAM, is entering pilot production using 10-nanometer technology, Nanya Technology chairman Wu Chia-chau (吳嘉昭) told the company’s annual shareholders’ meeting yesterday.
Source:Taipei Times
May 27, 2022 11:53 UTC
Doctor sorry after saying wine helps stop infection
Doctor sorry after saying wine helps stop infectionBy Liu Tzu-hsuan / Staff writer, with CNAA doctor on Monday apologized for saying that sorghum wine could help prevent COVID-19. In the clip, he said that drinking half a glass of sorghum wine while eating could kill bacteria in the throat. Eight people who attended a Friends of the Police Association gathering in Yunlin’s Douliou City (斗六) did not test positive for COVID-19 because they had drunk sorghum wine, he said in the recording. Chen said that he would remember this experience and provide accurate, evidence-based information, especially as Taiwan is facing an outbreak of COVID-19. He also apologized to the police association and the hospital, adding that he would accept any punishment that his employer imposes.
Source:Taipei Times
May 27, 2022 04:40 UTC
Belize ‘saddened’ by WHA rejection of Taiwan’s bid
Belize ‘saddened’ by WHA rejection of Taiwan’s bidStaff writer, with CNA, GenevaBelizian Minister of Health Kevin Bernard on Wednesday expressed sadness over the exclusion of Taiwan from the 75th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, Switzerland, saying he hopes Taiwan can be present at future discussions on global health issues. Bernard had spoken in defense of Taiwan’s right to be at the WHA when the issue was discussed at a closed-door meeting of the assembly’s general committee on Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The rejection of Taiwan’s motion marked the sixth consecutive year the Democratic Progressive Party administration, which took office in 2016, has been unsuccessful at securing an invitation to the WHA. Lee told reporters that Taiwan’s exclusion this year was “very regrettable,” but that the government “would not relent in its efforts” for inclusion. The delegations of Taiwan’s allies said that they would continue to support the country’s WHO bid, Lee said, adding that “the door will open one day.”
Source:Taipei Times
May 27, 2022 03:12 UTC
Live-fire drills likely to be scaled down
Asked at the meeting whether the exercises would be postponed as the number of domestic COVID-19 infections continues to rise, Chiu responded that the live-fire exercises would not be suspended, but would likely be downsized, with the number of military personnel participating in the drills to be reduced. The 38th Han Kuang military exercises include simulated tabletop war games and live-fire drills. The tabletop exercise concluded on Friday last week, while the live-fire component is scheduled for July 25 to 29. Minister of National Defense Chiu Kuo-cheng, right, and Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Lee Guei-min argue at the legislature in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Fang Pin-chao, Taipei TimesThe tabletop exercise simulated the military’s tactics against possible Chinese invasion scenarios drawn from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Ministry of National Defense said.
Source:Taipei Times
May 26, 2022 21:14 UTC
Listed companies’ pretax profits hit 10-year high
Listed companies’ pretax profits hit 10-year highBy Kao Shih-ching / Staff reporterThe nation’s listed companies posted pretax profits of NT$1.26 trillion (US$42.7 billion) last quarter, up 26.6 percent year-on-year and the highest first-quarter performance in the past decade, data released by the Financial Supervisory Commission showed. The overall pretax profits of all 946 firms listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE) grew 27.31 percent year-on-year to NT$1.14 trillion in the first quarter, also the best performance in 10 years, commission data showed. However, the financial sector posted a decline in pretax profits because of lower investment income due to interest rate increases and uncertainty on financial markets amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The photovoltaic and plastics sectors also posted contractions in pretax profits as rising inflation reduced demand, TWSE data showed. Pretax earnings posted by the 794 firms listed on the Taipei Exchange (TPEX) grew 11.63 percent year-on-year to NT$76.8 billion last quarter, also the best performance in 10 years, commission data showed.
Source:Taipei Times
May 26, 2022 20:31 UTC
Large OTT TV operators subject to new regulations under NCC’s latest draft act
Large OTT TV operators subject to new regulations under NCC’s latest draft actBy Shelley Shan / Staff reporterLarge over-the-top (OTT) television operators would be required to register with the government and subject to other special obligations under a new draft act regulating Internet audiovisual services (網際網路視聽服務法草案), the National Communications Commission (NCC) said yesterday. The OTT TV operators regulated by the draft act are those that establish service bases in Taiwan or have substantial ties with the nation, he said. The draft stipulates obligations common to all OTT TV operators and obligations that only apply to registered operators, Wong said. Overseas operators without local agents or operators failing to register as required would face penalties, he said. The draft act provides tax incentives for operators that produce local content, as long as the incentives comply with tax laws, Wong added.
Source:Taipei Times
May 25, 2022 19:03 UTC
Property, manufacturing sectors lose hope: survey
Property, manufacturing sectors lose hope: surveySURPRISE: The service sector’s confidence gauge rose in part because restaurants, hotels and travel agencies are expecting Taiwan to reopen as COVID-19 cases dropBy Crystal Hsu / Staff reporterAn increase in COVID-19 cases and China’s lockdowns have cast a shadow over business prospects for local manufacturers, and property builders and brokers, the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research (TIER, 台灣經濟研究院) said yesterday. The confidence reading for the manufacturing industry declined 4.49 points to 99.1 — its lowest since July 2020 — as sales of machinery equipment, optical devices and plastic products slowed, although foundries held strong, the survey found. From left, Gordon Sun, director of the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research’s Economic Forecasting Center, institute president Chang Chien-yi and researcher Arisa Liu hold a news conference in Taipei on March 25. The number of manufacturers with positive outlooks dropped from 27.9 percent to 25.5 percent, while the number of those with dim outlooks climbed 7.1 points to 14.7 percent, the survey said. As for property developers and brokers, their confidence score tumbled 7.85 points to 96.1 after housing transactions shrank 11.2 percent in the six special municipalities, the survey said.
Source:Taipei Times
May 25, 2022 18:58 UTC
TPP lawmakers lament US trade framework snub
TPP lawmakers lament US trade framework snubBy Chung Li-hua and William Hetherington / Staff reporter, with staff writerThe government must not describe those who scrutinize its foreign relations as “looking down on Taiwan,” as the nation’s diplomatic predicament is “a plain fact and clear to everyone,” Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Legislator Chiu Chen-yuan (邱臣遠) said yesterday. “Taiwanese were shocked by the news that Taiwan was left out” of the US-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), Chiu told a news conference in Taipei after the membership of the framework was announced. “Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) had told the legislature that in principle, Taiwan was likely to be included,” Chiu said. “President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) also spoke of ‘rock solid’ ties with the US.”From left, Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) legislators Tsai Pi-ru and Chiu Chen-yuan, and TPP New Taipei City councilor candidate Chang Kai-chun attend a news conference in Taipei yesterday. The government would still negotiate with the US about other ways Taiwan could meaningfully participate in the trade framework, and on the possibility that Taiwan and US could work out a bilateral trade agreement, Chiu said.
Source:Taipei Times
May 25, 2022 08:49 UTC
Qualcomm maintains multiple sourcing strategy
Qualcomm maintains multiple sourcing strategyBy Lisa Wang / Staff reporterQualcomm Inc yesterday said it would maintain its supply chain strategy of sourcing chips from multiple foundry partners, including advanced chips from two major suppliers, to ensure a sufficient chip supply amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualcomm is sourcing chips made by mature technologies from several foundry partners, the company said. Photo: ReutersAlex Katouzian, general manager of Qualcomm Technologies Inc’s mobile, compute and XR business, told a virtual media briefing that the strategy helped the firm deal with a chip shortage. Qualcomm Technologies is a wholly owned subsidiary of Qualcomm. “You can see the Wi-Fi 6 adoption rate and how fast the ramp was.
Source:Taipei Times
May 24, 2022 22:06 UTC
India unveils US$26 billion plan to combat inflation
India unveils US$26 billion plan to combat inflationBloombergIndia unveiled inflation-fighting fiscal measures estimated to cost US$26 billion that include lower fuel taxes and import levies, raising speculation the government would expand its bond borrowing program and potentially easing pressure on the central bank. A worker reacts as wheat is poured from a truck at a wholesale market in the Narela District of New Delhi, India, on Sunday. The revenue hit from the fuel tax would likely result in an extra 1 trillion rupees of government borrowing, people familiar with the matter said. The government’s steps follow a recent shift toward inflation fighting by the RBI, which announced a surprise rate hike earlier this month. India had earlier budgeted to raise about 14.3 trillion rupees through debt issuances in the fiscal year through March next year.
Source:Taipei Times
May 24, 2022 05:54 UTC
US forces would defend Taiwan: Biden
US forces would defend Taiwan: BidenFATES LINKED: The US president said that sanctions on Russia over Ukraine must exact a ‘long-term price,’ because otherwise ‘what signal does that send to China?’By Kayleigh Madjar / Staff writer, with AFP and CNAUS President Joe Biden yesterday vowed that US forces would defend Taiwan militarily in the event of a Chinese attack in his strongest statement to date on the issue. Asked if Washington was willing to get involved militarily to defend Taiwan, he replied: “Yes.”President Joe Biden speaks during a news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at Akasaka Palace, Monday, May 23, 2022, in Tokyo. Photo: ReutersIn Washington, the White House said that Biden was not diverging from the US’ official “one China” policy, which includes the commitment to “provide Taiwan with the military means to defend itself.”“Our policy has not changed,” an official said. In Taipei, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Joanne Ou (歐江安) thanked Biden and the White House for their “rock solid” commitment to Taiwan. In both instances, the White House made statements shortly afterward saying that US policy toward Taiwan had not changed.
Source:Taipei Times
May 24, 2022 04:00 UTC
Ministry mulling need for hate crime legislation
Ministry mulling need for hate crime legislationBy Shelley Shan / Staff reporterThe Ministry of Justice yesterday said that it is considering whether the nation should enact legislation to target hate crimes after a shooting targeting the Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church last week killed one person and injured five. Minister of Justice Tsai Ching-hsiang, center, walks to the legislature in Taipei yesterday to attend a meeting. Photo: CNAChou is believed to have targeted the Irvine congregation as the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan has been supporting Taiwanese independence. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Lo Chih-cheng (羅致政) last week told a news conference in Taipei held by the Presbyterian Church that he would propose legislation to punish hate crimes. “Many countries have taken similar legal actions to deter hate crimes and hate speech,” Lo said.
Source:Taipei Times
May 23, 2022 19:05 UTC
Indo-Pacific: Taiwan not included in trade pact
Indo-Pacific: Taiwan not included in trade pactAP, TOKYOUS President Joe Biden is expected to unveil a list of nations today who would be joining a long anticipated Indo-Pacific region trade pact, but Taiwan will not be among them. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said that Taiwan is not among the governments included in the launch of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, a trade pact that is meant to allow the US to work more closely with key Asian economies on issues including supply chains, digital trade, clean energy and anticorruption efforts. The US president is scheduled to highlight the launch of the framework as he meets with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida today. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan speaks at a daily press briefing in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington on Wednesday. Beijing has criticized the US effort to form the trade pact.
Source:Taipei Times
May 23, 2022 11:04 UTC
Indo-Pacific: Biden in Japan to launch regional economic plan
Indo-Pacific: Biden in Japan to launch regional economic planCOUNTERING CHINA: Joe Biden is to attend a meeting of the Quad and launch the IPEF trade pact to give an economic pillar to Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategyReuters, TOKYOUS President Joe Biden yesterday arrived in Japan to launch a plan for greater US economic engagement with the Indo-Pacific region, facing criticism even before the program is announced that it would offer scant benefit to countries in the region. On the second leg of his first Asia trip as president, Biden is to meet with leaders of Japan, India and Australia, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), another cornerstone of his strategy to push back against China’s expanding influence. US President Joe Biden arrives at Yokota US Air Force Base in Fussa, Japan, yesterday. Biden plans to roll out the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), a program to bind regional countries more closely through common standards in areas including supply chain resilience, clean energy, infrastructure and digital trade. Tomorrow in Tokyo, Biden is to join the second in-person Quad summit.
Source:Taipei Times
May 23, 2022 11:04 UTC
COVID-19: Rapid test diagnosis to cover everyone
The center on Saturday announced that it was expanding the rapid test diagnosis policy to people living in indigenous townships and outlying islands, starting today. Some PCR testing capacity would remain at the stations, as people who tested positive with a rapid test but do not agree with the result and people who have COVID-19 symptoms but tested negative using a rapid test can still undergo a PCR test for clarification, he said. Chen said 198 new moderate cases and 58 new severe cases were confirmed, while 15 moderate cases developed into severe cases. Separately, Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) yesterday tested positive using a rapid test. He later had a PCR test at a hospital and it came back positive with a cycle threshold value of 16.
Source:Taipei Times
May 22, 2022 22:08 UTC