FEATURE: Local teachers eye footing for Taiwan at US schools
Mandarin teacher Michael Chang, center, is pictured during a lesson at the US Military Academy at West Point, New York, in 2019. Chang was no stranger to teaching Mandarin to foreign students. Before and after he visited the US, he has been teaching at National Taiwan University’s International Chinese Language Program (ICLP), which was established in 1962. Her job was to assist the female teacher with grading students’ assignments and preparing teaching materials, Chou said. Now teaching Mandarin at Shih Chien University, Chou emphasizes speaking and listening activities.
Source:Taipei Times
February 18, 2021 15:56 UTC
Premier taps minister as Executive Yuan spokesman
Premier taps minister as Executive Yuan spokesmanCOMMUNICATION: The premier has high hopes that Lo Ping-cheng, a renowned lawyer, would be able to convey government policy in a clear and concise mannerBy Jake Chung / Staff writer, with CNAPremier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) yesterday appointed Minister Without Portfolio Lo Ping-cheng (羅秉成) as the Executive Yuan’s new spokesman, a position that had been vacant for nearly three months after former spokesman Ting Yi-ming (丁怡銘) stepped down amid controversy. Earlier that same month, media reports said that Ting’s office had produced online propaganda to attack opposition parties. New Cabinet spokesman Lo Ping-cheng gestures at a news conference at the Executive Yuan in Taipei yesterday. A Cabinet spokesperson represents the government and is responsible for delivering its policies to the public, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Johnny Chiang (江啟臣) said. Taiwan People’s Party caucus deputy convener Ann Kao (高虹安) said that with his background in law and as a staunch supporter of human rights, Lo Ping-cheng was a good choice to help bridge communication between the Executive Yuan and the Legislative Yuan on constitutional amendments and human rights issues.
Source:Taipei Times
February 18, 2021 15:56 UTC
Life insurers’ cap to rise in steps: FSC
Life insurers’ cap to rise in steps: FSCEASY DOES IT: The FSC does not approve of a sudden increase of 10 percentage points in the cap, as even a change of 1 percentage point can affect the marketBy Kao Shih-ching / Staff reporterThe Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) yesterday said that it is considering raising the cap on sales of insurance policies denominated in foreign currencies from 35 to 40 percent, which would allow life insurers an additional NT$690 billion (US$24.36 billion) of overseas investment. However, a recent proposal by the Life Insurance Association prompted the commission to review its regulations, Shih said. If life insurers are allowed to sell more policies denominated in foreign currencies, they must inform policyholders of the foreign-exchange risks, she added. However, FSC Chairman Thomas Huang (黃天牧) said that he would not in the short term consider relaxing the 45 percent cap on total overseas investments that life insurance companies must follow. “Life insurers still have demand to put their money overseas, but the demand is expected to be lower than before, as growth of first-year premiums has slowed,” Huang said.
Source:Taipei Times
February 18, 2021 15:56 UTC
‘Semiconductor academy’ proposed to train talent
‘Semiconductor academy’ proposed to train talentBy Angelica Oung / Staff reporterRepresentatives from Taiwan’s top chipmakers yesterday met with government officials to discuss establishing a “semiconductor academy” that would supply the local industry with talent, the Ministry of Economic Affairs said. The semiconductor industry would have a “big say” in how the academy is to be structured, as the private sector is paying for half of it, Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Mei-hua (王美花) said. “It will be conducted in an experimental sandbox, where existing rules can be relaxed as talent is trained for the industry,” Wang said. The bill, which is under review by the Legislative Yuan, aims to alleviate a shortage of talented workers in the local semiconductor industry, as well as other key areas, the ministry said. It calls for leading universities — National Taiwan University, National Cheng Kung University, National Tsing Hua University and National Chiao Tung University — to join the industry in launching the semiconductor academy.
Source:Taipei Times
February 18, 2021 15:56 UTC
Students need 30-minute breaks
As for what activities can be arranged for students and teachers during the 30-minute break, here are some of the practices at my school:First, students should be encouraged to engage in outdoor activities to promote diversified learning. The school where I work is located in a remote area, and during the big break, students are encouraged to play soccer, run and play with playground equipment. The big break is also suitable for organizing teaching activities involving students from more than one class or mixed-age sports competitions. The 30-minute break gives teachers time for a coffee, to relax, prepare lessons, and exchange teaching and class management experiences. The 30-minute big break is also a good time to coordinate between administrative and teaching staff.
Source:Taipei Times
February 17, 2021 16:11 UTC
Elan net profit grows 30%
Elan net profit grows 30%By Lisa Wang / Staff reporterElan Microelectronics Corp (義隆電子), a supplier of touchpad controllers and fingerprint sensors, yesterday reported that net profit last year rose 30 percent to a record NT$3.25 billion (US$114.52 million), thanks to increased demand for laptops amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Hsinchu-based company said that the work-from-home and distance-learning trends increased demand for notebook computers, which boosted shipments of its touchpad controllers. Earnings per share last year reached NT$11.14, up from NT$8.57 in 2019, it said in a filing with the Taiwan Stock Exchange. Elan Microelectronics Corp’s logo is pictured at the company’s headquarters in the Hsinchu Science Park on Aug. 11, 2017. Elan Microelectronics is to release more financial details and this year’s business outlook at an investors’ conference on Tuesday next week.
Source:Taipei Times
February 17, 2021 15:56 UTC
Bank of Taiwan looks to housing loans for growth
“Bank of Taiwan will continue to focus on mortgage operations to support the government’s efforts to help young people buy a home by offering preferential interest rates,” Lyu said. Bank of Taiwan chairman Joseph Lyu, left, and president Hsu Chih-wen are pictured at a branch in Taipei on Feb. 3. Photo: Chen Mei-ying, Taipei TimesIn addition, the lender would seek to increase housing loans to government employees, military personnel and public school teachers, as these groups have relatively stable income to meet debt payments, he said. The state-owned lender commands a market share of 26.26 percent for housing loans to young people, translating into 85,000 houses, he said. The continued transfer of electronics orders to Taiwan and supply chain realignment would continue to bolster private investment and fuel loan demand, he said.
Source:Taipei Times
February 17, 2021 15:56 UTC
NCC to consult local government officials on Channel 52 bid
NCC to consult local government officials on Channel 52 bidBy Shelley Shan / Staff reporterThe National Communications Commission (NCC) yesterday said that it would not begin deliberating over Homeplus Digital Co’s application to fill the vacant Channel 52 with Chinese Television System’s (CTS) news channel until it has consulted with local government officials. Homeplus, the nation’s largest multiple system operator, had previously proposed moving Global News from Channel 85 to Channel 52, but it retracted the application without providing an explanation. Photo: Lo Chi, Taipei TimesOn the same day, the commission rejected four cable operators’ applications to occupy Channel 52 with CNN News or France 24’s English-language channel. Asked why the commission had to ask for their input again, Wong said that Homeplus has proposed that a different channel occupy Channel 52, so it is a new case. The commission’s rejection of cable operators’ proposals to move CNN News or other English-language channels to Channel 52 was criticized for contradicting the government’s policy of building a bilingual nation.
Source:Taipei Times
February 17, 2021 15:56 UTC
Lite-On, Delta Electronics report annual growth in consolidated sales last month
Lite-On, Delta Electronics report annual growth in consolidated sales last monthBy Angelica Oung / Staff reporterElectronic components supplier Lite-On Technology Corp (光寶科技) yesterday reported consolidated revenue of NT$14.08 billion (US$496.12 million) for last month, up 4.74 percent month-on-month and 24.42 percent year-on-year. Lite-On’s optoelectronics unit — which contributed 20 percent to sales last month and includes LED components, lighting products, camera modules and automotive electronics — reported a 20 percent annual increase in revenue, the company said. Separately, Delta Electronics Co (台達電), the nation’s leading power and thermal solutions provider, yesterday reported consolidated revenue of NT$25.12 billion for last month, down 6.7 percent month-on-month, but up 29.92 percent year-on-year. The company attributed the annual growth in sales to robust demand for power electronics used in notebook computers and gaming devices. In addition, electronic components, such as passive components that are applied in portable devices and cloud computing equipment, as well as products used in industrial automation, contributed to the sales increase from a year earlier, Delta said.
Source:Taipei Times
February 17, 2021 15:56 UTC
PLA’s uncrewed vehicles threaten region: analysts
PLA’s uncrewed vehicles threaten region: analystsStaff writer, with CNAChina’s aggressive development of uncrewed air, ground and underwater vehicles is an increasing threat to Taiwan and the region, analysts at a government-funded think tank said. Sheu Jyh-shyang (許智翔), a postdoctoral fellow at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, said that in the past few years, uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs) and drones have been used increasingly by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Photo: Tu Chu-min, Taipei TimesOn Jan. 6, state-controlled China Central Television reported a PLA military exercise that included a number of drones and UGVs, Sheu said. Meanwhile, Ou Si-fu (歐錫富), another research fellow at the institute, said that China might be using uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs) for spying in regional waters. The appearance of the research vessel and the UUV led to speculations that China was conducting underwater mapping in the area.
Source:Taipei Times
February 17, 2021 15:56 UTC
KMT to appoint six Central Advisory Committee members, including Jaw
KMT to appoint six Central Advisory Committee members, including JawBy Chen Yun and Jake Chung / Staff reporter, with staff writerThe Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) yesterday announced plans to appoint six new members, including Broadcasting Corp of China (BCC) chairman Jaw Shaw-kong (趙少康), to its Central Advisory Committee. Photo: Wang Yi-sung, Taipei TimesMeanwhile, Jaw said that he has not chosen a running mate for the 2024 presidential election. Jaw, whose KMT membership application was recently accepted, has also said that he intends to run for party chairperson in this year’s election. Asked if he would partner with Han, Jaw said that he had not talked with him about the issue, nor had he given it much thought. Should Han wish to arrange a meeting between himself, Jaw and Chiang, Jaw said that he would gladly attend.
Source:Taipei Times
February 17, 2021 15:56 UTC
TAIEX advances 560 points after break
The TAIEX ended 559.89 points, or 3.54 percent, higher at 16,362.29 on turnover of NT$413.177 billion (US$14.56 billion). Photo: Chen Chih-chu, Taipei TimesYesterday’s increase was the second-highest single-day rise in the market’s history, trailing only the 590.19 points jump on Nov. 29, 1989. Huang was referring specifically to the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index, which rose more than 7 percent during the break in Taiwan. Non-tech stocks also narrowed their gap with their foreign counterparts, especially the petrochemical sector, Huang said. “In addition, the gains helped the TAIEX overcome stiff technical resistance ahead of 16,239 points, the intraday high on Jan. 21, so I expect the uptrend to continue.”
Source:Taipei Times
February 17, 2021 15:56 UTC
Taipower urges Taichung to back LNG generators
Taipower urges Taichung to back LNG generatorsBy Angelica Oung / Staff reporterTaiwan Power Co (Taipower, 台電) yesterday continued to urge the Taichung City Government to approve new liquefied natural gas (LNG) generators to further the utility’s emissions-cutting plan of phasing out its coal-fired generators. Taipower’s remarks came as the city government demanded that Taipower decommission four coal-fired plants before constructing the LNG generators, a timetable that the utility has rejected. “It is unreasonable for Taichung to ask for the old generators to be decommissioned before the new generators are built,” Chang said. Construction would take “at least three years” for the generators, and “longer” for the terminal, which would ensure a steady supply of LNG to the generators. “With LNG generators, we can more easily compensate for that volatility.”Asked if Taipower intends to decommission the coal plants once the LNG generators are built, Chang said that they planned to keep the plants “on standby.”“It is an insurance policy to ensure the stability of the system,” Chang said.
Source:Taipei Times
February 16, 2021 15:56 UTC
COVID-19: Taoyuan General to resume operations
COVID-19: Taoyuan General to resume operationsRETURN TO NORMAL: The Taoyuan City Government is working on an initiative to restore confidence in the city and revive tourism, Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan saidStaff writer, with CNAThe Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Taoyuan General Hospital is expected to resume normal operations on Friday, following the successful containment of a COVID-19 cluster infection at the facility, Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung (陳時中) said yesterday. Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung speaks at a news conference at the Central Epidemic Command Center in Taipei yesterday. Chen said the hospital would report to the ministry after the Lunar New Year holiday and is likely to resume normal operations on Friday, barring any unforeseen issues. The nation also reported no new COVID-19 infections for a third consecutive day yesterday. Of the total, 859 patients have recovered, nine have died and 69 are in hospital, CECC data showed.
Source:Taipei Times
February 15, 2021 15:56 UTC
Taisugar land set to be developed for industry
Taisugar land set to be developed for industryBy Angelica Oung / Staff reporterThe Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) aims to develop 423 hectares of land currently held by Taiwan Sugar Corp (Taisugar, 台糖) for industrial use by the end of the year, the Industrial Development Bureau (IDB, 工業局) said yesterday. The land will be rented to businesses seeking to establish or re-establish manufacturing facilities in Taiwan, Yang said. While many have chosen to set up shop in Southeast Asia on larger land parcels with cheaper labor, the ministry has made a coordinated attempt to provide suitable land to attract manufacturers in Taiwan. The Ministry of Economic Affairs’ InvesTaiwan Service Center provides “matchmaking” services for businesses looking for manufacturing sites, interim spokeswoman Nicole Chen (陳明珠) said. “Whether or not you are a returning Taiwanese business or a foreign business wanting to set up Taiwanese manufacturing, we will help you find a suitable site,” Chen said.
Source:Taipei Times
February 15, 2021 15:56 UTC