Sino Horizon to invest in Taiwan development sites
Sino Horizon to invest in Taiwan development sitesBy Crystal Hsu / Staff reporterSino Horizon Holdings Ltd (鼎固開發) on Tuesday said that it has put together a team to scout suitable properties for development in Taiwan. Sino Horizon is mainly engaged in developing and managing commercial and residential properties in Shanghai, Chongqing and other first-tier cities in China. Sino Horizon Holdings Ltd on Tuesday said that it has put together a team to scout suitable properties for development in Taiwan. Sino Horizon said that it prefers to buy idle land that could be turned into affordable residential complexes. Sino Horizon said it has proposed distributing a cash dividend of NT$1.2 per share, suggesting a payout ratio of 176.47 percent.
Source:Taipei Times
March 17, 2021 15:56 UTC
COA says hands tied on stopping drain to China
Xinhua news agency reported that China’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) unveiled a policy package to incentivize Taiwanese to invest in Chinese agriculture. China’s Taiwan Affairs Office spokeswoman Zhu Fenglian speaks during a broadcast on Chinese television yesterday. While other government agencies have referred numerous alleged infringements to the council, Chen said that “sufficient evidence” had not been presented for the council to take action. Council personnel and academics participating in the research and development of crucial agricultural technologies must obtain a permit to visit China, he said. The Mainland Affairs Council said that the incentives package was part of China’s “united front” efforts aimed at coercing Taiwan into unifying with China.
Source:Taipei Times
March 17, 2021 15:56 UTC
Government must clarify stance on energy, KMT says
Government must clarify stance on energy, KMT saysENERGY COMPOSITION: The government should define ratios for different sources of energy instead of asking local authorities to do it, the KMT saidBy Sherry Hsiao / Staff reporterThe Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) yesterday called on the government to draw up a clearer energy policy. KMT spokeswoman Chiang I-chen (江怡臻) wrote on Facebook that Taiwan faces a choice of whether it is to rely mainly on nuclear energy, or energy generation from coal or natural gas, and the government should offer a clear solution. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) should define reasonable ratios for different sources of energy, instead of leaving the problem to local governments, she said. Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) spokeswoman Chiang I-chen speaks at a news conference on July 7 last year. As an opposition party, the KMT would respect the will of Taiwanese concerning the fate of the power plant when they cast their vote on Aug. 28, he said.
Source:Taipei Times
March 17, 2021 15:56 UTC
Egis outlook downbeat due to poor smartphone sales
Egis outlook downbeat due to poor smartphone salesBy Lisa Wang / Staff reporterFingerprint sensor supplier Egis Technology Inc (神盾) expects revenue this quarter to continue declining quarter-on-quarter, as stagnant smartphone sales are still curbing demand for chips, a company executive said yesterday. “The [COVID-19] pandemic has significantly affected the company,” Egis chief financial officer George Chang (張家麒) told a videoconference. To regain revenue growth, Egis is expanding its product portfolio to supply versatile chips used in smartphones, including lower-priced chips, Chang said. Egis hopes to capture early business opportunities from Android smartphone makers, who are likely to follow Apple Inc in using TOF technology. Egis is also developing new chips used in “true wireless” earphones, Lo said.
Source:Taipei Times
March 17, 2021 15:56 UTC
Dozens change name to ‘salmon’
Dozens change name to ‘salmon’By Kayleigh Madjar / Staff reporter, with CNAHousehold registration offices nationwide have since Tuesday been flooded with people applying to change their name to “salmon” (guiyu, 鮭魚), after Japanese sushi restaurant chain Akindo Sushiro promised free meals for anyone with the name. Twenty-eight people had claimed free meals as of 3pm yesterday, while at least 1,000 people had participated in the promotion, Akindo Sushiro said. A student surnamed Lee, bottom, applies to change her name to Lee Yuwang Tachan Kuiyuwang — “Lee Fish King Challenges Salmon King” — in Kaohsiung yesterday. In Taichung, a college student surnamed Kuo (郭) changed her name to Kuo “Salmon Rice Bowl” (郭鮭魚丼飯) to treat her friends, but told reporters that she plans to change it back tomorrow. “Each person has three chances to change their name,” the ministry wrote on Facebook.
Source:Taipei Times
March 17, 2021 15:56 UTC
Sports-betting ads need regulation: DPP lawmaker
Although gambling is forbidden in Taiwan, online platforms such as YouTube are allowed to air commercials that encourage people to bet on sports games, Lin said. Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Lin Chun-hsien speaks at a news conference in Taipei on Jan. 7. Photo: Chien Jung-fong, Taipei Times“These commercials are designed to attract people to join sports-betting clubs. Such commercials have become a major source of consumer complaints, but the government has not done anything about it, he said. The commission had drafted a digital communications act, which could have been used to deal with problematic content on online platforms, Lin said.
Source:Taipei Times
March 17, 2021 15:56 UTC
Taoyuan LNG terminal ‘key to energy plan’
Taoyuan LNG terminal ‘key to energy plan’REFERENDUM RISK: The minister of economic affairs said that there is no plan B for the proposed third LNG terminal if Taipei wants to phase out nuclear power by 2025By Angelica Oung / Staff reporterThe government’s energy transition plan depends on the construction of the proposed third liquified natural gas (LNG) terminal off the coast of Datan Borough (大潭) in Taoyuan’s Guanyin District (觀音) to increase LNG power generation, Minister of Economic Affairs (MOEA) Wang Mei-hua (王美花) said yesterday. The two existing LNG receiving terminals are already running at full capacity, necessitating the third LNG terminal, Wang said. Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Chiu Chih-wei (邱志偉) asked Wang whether the ministry has a backup plan if a referendum to block the terminal plan prevails. “The MOEA calls for the swift construction of the third LNG terminal to reduce the amount of coal burned.”“Gas from the third LNG terminal would fulfill the power needs of 10 million Taiwanese and close the power gap in the north of Taiwan,” Wang said. “This would allow us to generate power where it is used, lowering systemic risk.”LNG power generation releases approximately 50 percent less greenhouse gas than coal-fired power generation, and much fewer pollutants.
Source:Taipei Times
March 17, 2021 15:56 UTC
Taiwan Cooperative Financial pursues stable profit growth
Taiwan Cooperative Financial pursues stable profit growthBy Crystal Hsu / Staff reporterState-run Taiwan Cooperative Financial Holding Co (合庫金控) is pursuing stable profit growth this year on the back of economic improvement at home and abroad, although the operating environment remains challenging, the company said yesterday. Vehicles drive past a Taiwan Cooperative Bank branch on Guan Chien Road in Taipei on Feb. 12, 2019. Taiwan Cooperative Financial Holding Co yesterday said it is pursuing stable profit growth this year on the back of economic improvement at home and abroad, although the operating environment remains challenging. It said that its main subsidiary, Taiwan Cooperative Bank (合庫銀行), which generated 85.15 percent of overall earnings last year, would boost reverse mortgage operations and lending to urban renewal projects. Taiwan Cooperative Bank would seek to expand its business overseas, especially in Southeast Asia and the US, it said.
Source:Taipei Times
March 16, 2021 15:56 UTC
ChipMOS expects revenue increase this year
ChipMOS expects revenue increase this yearBy Lisa Wang / Staff reporterChipMOS Technologies Inc (南茂科技), a driver IC and memorychip tester and packager, expects revenue to increase by a double-digit percentage this year, fueled by strong demand and price hikes amid a supply crunch, company chairman Cheng Chih-chieh (鄭世杰) told an investors’ teleconference yesterday. “We are quite bullish about ChipMOS’ business outlook this year, as the company is benefiting from improving semiconductor demand and short chip supply,” Cheng said. The driver IC and memorychip tester and packager yesterday said it expects revenue to increase by a double-digit percentage this year, fueled by strong demand and price hikes amid a supply crunch. To cope with strong demand, ChipMOS plans to allocate 20 to 25 percent of its revenue this year to add new capacity, the firm said. ChipMOS said that it expects to distribute a higher cash dividend next year.
Source:Taipei Times
March 16, 2021 15:56 UTC
EDITORIAL: Charge hikers for needless rescues
EDITORIAL: Charge hikers for needless rescuesAs a hiking craze continues to boom in Taiwan, the strain it is putting on the nation’s emergency rescue services has become a serious issue. Some incidents have been serious, and the government and hiking experts have urged people to research, prepare and train before heading into the mountains. The headline of an article in the Liberty Times (sister paper of the Taipei Times) in August last year read: “Treating helicopters as taxis,” showing how bad the problem has gotten. The government should perhaps charge for all search-and-rescue missions — not just helicopter rescues — that are clearly due to neglect. Missions typically involve more than 20 personnel, but while no law prevents hikers from calling for help, neither does a law allow departments to charge for rescues.
Source:Taipei Times
March 16, 2021 15:56 UTC
Ministry announces Europe scholarship program
Ministry announces Europe scholarship programBy Lin Chia-nan / Staff reporterThe Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday announced a Taiwan-Europe Connectivity Scholarship program to attract more European students to study Mandarin in the nation and advance bilateral relations. Photo: Lu Yi-hsuan, Taipei TimesThe umbrella program includes three projects targeting the Czech Republic, Hungary and the UK, Chen said. In the project targeting Hungary, 11 local universities would provide 30 scholarships per year to students from nine Hungarian universities, Chen said. The foreign ministry offers subsidies to local universities based on their scholarship quotas, while they should provide a monthly stipend of at least NT$15,000 to each recipient, Chen said. The ministry plans to extend the program to other European countries, especially those that have established representative offices in Taiwan, Chen said.
Source:Taipei Times
March 16, 2021 15:56 UTC
Taishin Financial upbeat over income, silent on life deal
Taishin Financial upbeat over income, silent on life dealBy Kao Shih-ching / Staff reporterTaishin Financial Holding Co (台新金控) yesterday gave a rosy outlook for fee income and the interest rate spread this year, but was silent on progress toward acquiring Prudential Life Insurance Co of Taiwan (保德信人壽). Taishin Financial in December last year submitted an application with the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) regarding its bid for the local unit of US-based Prudential Financial Inc. The commission has not yet approved the deal and on Monday said that Taishin Financial had failed to explain the financial resources it would use for the acquisition. The entrance of Taishin Financial Holding Co’s headquarters in Taipei is pictured on Dec. 9, 2019. Taishin Financial has a 22.55 percent stake in CHB.
Source:Taipei Times
March 16, 2021 15:56 UTC
The Liberty Times Editorial: Taiwanese take pride in Tim Wu
People like these are seen to exemplify the emotional connection and the contributions that overseas Taiwanese have made to their birthplace. Tim Wu is equally at home in academia and the real world. In 2014, Tim Wu ran as the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor of New York, receiving 40 percent of the popular vote. Tim Wu has said that he inherited his father’s anti-authoritarian ways, and these have greatly informed his connection with politics. In Tim Wu, Taiwanese see an exemplary second-generation Taiwanese who has not forgotten his roots.
Source:Taipei Times
March 16, 2021 15:56 UTC
Bus crashes into mountain, killing six
Bus crashes into mountain, killing sixBOROUGH OUTING: The cause of the accident along the Suhua Highway is still being investigated, with the driver saying that it was because the brakes were not workingBy Jake Chung / Staff writer, with CNASix people died yesterday when a tour bus carrying 45 passengers crashed into the side of a mountain along the Suhua Highway. A tour bus is pictured in Yilan County’s Suao Township after it crashed into the side of a mountain along the Suhua Highway yesterday afternoon. Photo: Chiang Chih-hsiung, Taipei TimesThe bus had been manufactured in January 2018 and had passed its regular inspection this year, the Directorate-General of Highways said. New Taipei City’s Sindian District (新店) Office said that the bus was carrying residents of the district’s Fusing Borough (復興). That includes a basic coverage of NT$2 million in compulsory vehicle liability insurance and NT$2 million in travel agency liability insurance, Insurance Bureau Director-General Shih Chiung-hwa (施瓊華) said.
Source:Taipei Times
March 16, 2021 15:56 UTC
The divine bovine
Photo: Wang Chu-hsiu, Taipei TimesThe Japanese introduced the practice of eating beef to Taiwan after they took over in 1895. On Lunar New Year’s Day worshippers come to the Water Buffalo General Temple to rub the temple’s wooden effigy for good luck. Visitors generally offer water, fruit, flowers, sugarcane and grass for the divine bovine. It typically involves whipping an effigy of an ox or water buffalo to symbolize getting ready for the planting season after a winter of idleness. Yilan City’s Wugu Temple (五穀廟) even brings in a live water buffalo for people to rub while reciting similar sayings as Chiayi’s event.
Source:Taipei Times
March 16, 2021 15:56 UTC