Yang Ming-jou sworn in as Kaohsiung acting mayor
Yang Ming-jou sworn in as Kaohsiung acting mayorStaff writer, with CNAKaohsiung City Councilor Yang Ming-jou (楊明州) yesterday took the helm as Kaohsiung acting mayor, stepping into the vacancy left by the recall of former mayor Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜). Yang, who served as deputy mayor under former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) mayor Chen Chu (陳菊), is to remain in the post until the city chooses a new mayor in an Aug. 15 by-election. Kaohsiung Acting Mayor Yang Ming-chou is sworn in yesterday at Kaohsiung City Hall. Photo: Wang Jung-hsiang, Taipei TimesThe 64-year-old Yang has been working for the Kaohsiung City Government since 1984. After Han became mayor in December 2018, he appointed Yang to be the city’s secretary-general.
Source:Taipei Times
June 13, 2020 15:56 UTC
FEATURE: Taiwan-Japan ties ‘always good,’ official says
FEATURE: Taiwan-Japan ties ‘always good,’ official saysBy Lin Chia-nan / Staff reporterTaiwan-Japan relations are “always good,” but as with any couple, the occasional dispute is inevitable, a government official said, as interaction between the two nations has recently experienced ups and downs. Ties between Taiwan and Japan have been informal since Tokyo switched recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1972. The group of uninhabited islands in the East China Sea, known as the Senkaku Islands in Japan, are claimed by Taiwan, Japan and China. “Taiwan-Japan ties are a rare jewel among bilateral relations around the world,” the ministry official said. Democratic values bond Japan and Taiwan together, while mutual benefit and honesty are essential for sustaining enduring ties, he said.
Source:Taipei Times
June 13, 2020 15:56 UTC
Brothers’ win puts them on top
Brothers’ win puts them on topBy Jason Pan / Staff reporterThe Rakuten Monkeys and the CTBC Brothers traded places atop the CPBL table for the second day in a row yesterday, with the Brothers on top after an 8-5 win at the Taoyuan International Baseball Stadium. Chou Szu-chi of the CTBC Brothers, right, slides into third during their game against the Rakuten Monkeys at the Taoyuan International Baseball Stadium yesterday. They looked good for a comeback win, with closer Chen Yu-hsun holding the Brothers scoreless in the eighth. Photo: Huang Chih-yuan, Taipei TimesIn Friday’s opener of the three-game series, Rakuten starting pitcher Lisalverto Bonilla handcuffed the Brothers hitters for a 4-0 win in Taoyuan. In the other game yesterday, the Uni-President Lions edged the Fubon Guardians 3-2 in Tainan.
Source:Taipei Times
June 13, 2020 15:56 UTC
NTU quashes students’ transitional justice proposal
NTU quashes students’ transitional justice proposalBy Lee I-chia / Staff reporterNational Taiwan University (NTU) yesterday rejected a proposal by students to establish a transitional justice task force to deal with authoritarian symbols on campus and review the school’s history. The NTU Student Association proposed that historical researchers and representatives from the Gallery of NTU History, as well as students and faculty from each college, could be invited to form a campus transitional justice task force. Photo: George Tsorng, Taipei TimesAfter a university affairs meeting yesterday, NTU Student Association president Tu Chun-ching told reporters that the proposal had been voted on and rejected. “Many people mistakenly believe that the transitional justice task force would lead to political struggle and chaos,” he said. NTU vice president Chou Chia-pei (周家蓓) told a news conference that 109 people had voted against the students’ proposal and 24 had voted for it.
Source:Taipei Times
June 13, 2020 15:56 UTC
Taiwan-US talent alliance unveiled
White papers are to be published annually, with this year’s offering five suggestions for the nation: “Develop a national strategy for talent circulation, facilitate international academic exchange, leverage foreign talent already in Taiwan, encourage the free circulation of start-up talent and increase the participation of women in Taiwan’s professional life.”President Tsai Ing-wen, center, applauds the release of the first Annual Talent Circulation Alliance white paper alongside others at a news conference in Taipei yesterday. The white paper’s primary goal is to transform the nation into an international talent hub, Christensen said, citing last year’s Talent Circulation Summit, the Fulbright Fellowship and a collaborative project between Microsoft and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) to train chief executives as examples of US efforts to help Taiwan achieve talent circulation. The Talent Circulation Alliance aims to help Taiwan replicate its economic success in the digital age by bringing in expertise from the US and other nations, Christensen said. The alliance seeks to help the nation’s talent grow and prevent a brain drain, he said. “The best way to prevent the loss of talent is to create a viable alternative, namely easy circulation of talent among like-minded economies, in particular the United States,” Christensen said.
Source:Taipei Times
June 12, 2020 16:00 UTC
New immigrants are an integral part of Taiwan: minister
New immigrants are an integral part of Taiwan: ministerStaff writer, with CNANew immigrants are an integral part of Taiwanese society and are a key to making the country beautiful, Minister of the Interior Hsu Kuo-yung (徐國勇) said yesterday at a charity sale for the benefit of migrant workers. New immigrants are defined as foreigners who have emigrated to Taiwan within the past two decades, many of whom have married Taiwanese spouses. Zongzi, or traditional glutinous rice wraps, from Vietnam were sold to raise funds for sheltering migrant workers who are unable to return to their countries of origin. The funds will go toward migrant workers’ living expenses and for airfare back home, the National Immigration Agency (NIA) said in a statement. The association includes many new immigrants who provide services to each other and should be commended, Hsu said.
Source:Taipei Times
June 12, 2020 15:56 UTC
No Computex, organizers say
No Computex, organizers sayHEALTH AND SAFETY: Show organizers said that COVID-19, travel restrictions and lockdowns would likely prevent many participants from attending the eventBy Natasha Li / Staff reporterComputex Taipei’s organizers have canceled the annual computer and technology trade shows due to lingering concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic and large-scale travel restrictions, the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA, 外貿協會) said. Originally scheduled to take place earlier this month, Computex was initially postponed to late September as the pandemic wreaked havoc across the globe. “Preserving the health and safety of Computex’s participants remain our top priority... After careful deliberation, we have decided to cancel this year’s show,” TAITRA said. “Nobody can afford to shoulder this kind of responsibility” of new COVID-19 cases in the nation, Huang said. Computex, one of the largest trade shows of its kind, is cohosted by the Computer Association and attracts more than 40,000 visitors annually.
Source:Taipei Times
June 12, 2020 15:56 UTC
Civic group to buy 228 victim Tang Te-chang’s house
Civic group to buy 228 victim Tang Te-chang’s houseBy Hung Jui-chin and Dennis Xie / Staff reporter, with staff writerThe Tainan Cultural Heritage Protection Association has raised more than NT$20 million (US$671,998) from about 8,000 donors to purchase the former residence of 228 Incident victim Tang Te-chang (湯德章) from a private owner, saving it from demolition. The civic group initiated the fundraising campaign after learning that the owner of the property planned to turn it into a private parking space. The appeal was backed by several politicians, including Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che (黃偉哲) and former Tainan mayor George Chang (張燦鍙). The house of lawyer Tang Te-chang, who was executed without a trial following the 228 Incident, is pictured in Tainan on May 23. The park was renamed Tang Te-chang Memorial Park in 1997.
Source:Taipei Times
June 12, 2020 15:56 UTC
Taishin urges ministry to give it CHB
Taishin urges ministry to give it CHBCLAIMS OF DECEPTION: Taishin said that a CHB statement that said the ministry had better managed the bank since 2014 was false and meant to deceive its foreign investorsBy Kao Shih-ching / Staff reporterTaishin Financial Holding Co Ltd (台新金控) yesterday asked the Ministry of Finance to let it take over state-run Chang Hwa Bank (CHB, 彰化銀行), and end their legal dispute over the management of the bank, Taishin chairman Thomas Wu (吳東亮) told a shareholders’ conference in Taipei. Wu made the remark after CHB shareholders said they were concerned about the position Taishin would take on CHB’s board during its shareholders’ meeting next week. The conglomerate has been contesting the ministry’s right to manage CHB since 2014, when it lost a majority on the CHB board to the ministry, as the ministry had in 2005 agreed that Taishin should keep the rights. Taishin Financial president Welch Lin speaks to reporters at the company’s shareholders’ meeting yesterday in Taipei. Taishin did a good job running CHB, given that its average ROE was 11.6 percent from 2006 to 2014, higher than all banks’ average of 6.6 percent during the same period, Lin said.
Source:Taipei Times
June 12, 2020 15:56 UTC
Hong Kongers welcome, director says
A year after the first large demonstration against the bill, the protests in Hong Kong have continued, and many Hong Kongers have been bludgeoned, raped or killed by members of the Hong Kong Police Force, Chou said. Citing efforts by President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) and lawmakers to support Hong Kongers looking to flee the territory, he said Taiwan welcomes Hong Kongers and would forever accept them with open arms. He called on Taiwanese and Hong Kongers to help each other through desperate times. In a separate video, Hong Kong actor Chapman To (杜文澤) said that he felt inferior to the young Hong Kongers of today. Beijing is planning to turn Hong Kong into an “inferno,” and democratic Taiwan would always be ready to embrace Hong Kongers, he said.
Source:Taipei Times
June 12, 2020 15:56 UTC
Insurance agents, unions seek greater work rights
Insurance agents, unions seek greater work rightsBy Kao Shih-ching / Staff reporterInsurance agents and labor unions’ representatives yesterday criticized the Regulations Governing the Supervision of Insurance Solicitors (保險業務員管理規則) for giving too much power to insurance companies to penalize their sales agents. For example, Taiwan Life Insurance Co (台灣人壽保險), had punished agents for “disrupting order in the office,” while Mercuries Life Insurance Co (三商美邦人壽保險) required its agents to sign non-disclosure declarations and give up their legal rights, Chuang said. Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Chiang Yung-chang, on dias, yesterday speaks at a public hearing at the Legislative Yuan in Taipei about disputes between insurance companies and their sales agents. Companies can impose rules on their employees, according to the Labor Standards Act (勞基法), but most insurance agents are contracted workers and deserve fewer restrictions, Yan said. DPP Legislator Chiang Yung-chang (江永昌) said the Insurance Act (保險法) should also be amended to be comply with labor regulations.
Source:Taipei Times
June 11, 2020 15:56 UTC
Han says goodbye, vows not to take up new positions
A supporter of Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu yesterday signs an umbrella to be sent to Han as a sign of support after he was recalled on Saturday last week. Photo: Ko Yu-hao, Taipei TimesMore than 97 percent of the ballots were cast in favor of recalling Han. He was apparently referring to what Democratic Progressive Party Taipei City Councilor Liang Wen-chieh (梁文傑) wrote on Facebook, which linked Hsu’s death to underground betting. The rally was not organized by Han’s supporters, Wu said, adding that Han has distanced himself from it, so it would be an issue for him to participate. “I ask Han Kuo-yu to come out with courage — Han must not abandon his supporters,” Huang said yesterday, adding that in quitting and running away, Han and Wu have “no guts.”
Source:Taipei Times
June 11, 2020 15:56 UTC
Dalinpu villagers call for clear relocation plan
Dalinpu villagers call for clear relocation planBy Hung Chen-hung, Lo Chi and Jake Chung / Staff reporters, with staff writerPlans to move Dalinpu Village (大林蒲) in Kaohsiung’s Siaogang District (小港) hit another setback after villagers on Tuesday said they would not attend Minister of Economic Affairs Shen Jong-chin’s (沈榮津) June 21 presentation if the ministry fails to provide a clear relocation plan. It last year allocated NT$16.4 million to facilitate the relocation, along with NT$12.3 million annually from this year to 2023, Lai added. The government has negotiated a deal for a ping (3.3m2) for ping exchange rate for the relocation, Lai said. The government would be able to negotiate pricing with the villagers after the assessment passed and would even be able to expropriate land, Hung said, adding that he felt the environmental assessment would render villagers helpless against the law. The government, after a meeting in April, agreed to allow the environmental assessment to move into the second stage.
Source:Taipei Times
June 11, 2020 15:56 UTC
Culture ministry to issue vouchers
Culture ministry to issue vouchersBy Jake Chung / Staff writer, with CNAThe Ministry of Culture is to issue a separate stimulus voucher to stimulate the arts and culture industries, which have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Minister of Culture Lee Yung-te (李永得) said that the ministry is to issue separate vouchers, as the Executive Yuan’s Triple Stimulus Voucher program would not feed into culture and arts without government policies to lead the way. The ministry’s vouchers are expected to add NT$5 billion (US$168.16 million) to the industries, with more than 10,000 businesses to benefit, Lee said. Expenses for the ministry’s vouchers are estimated at NT$1.2 billion, Lee said. A stimulus program has not been planned for international travel, but the transport ministry is mulling whether a relief program is needed to help travel agencies, he said.
Source:Taipei Times
June 11, 2020 15:56 UTC
Yilan councilors approve new name for Diaoyutais
Yilan councilors approve new name for DiaoyutaisSTAYING CORDIAL: Legislative Speaker You Si-kun said that Taiwan and Japan should work together in the face of Chinese threats and set aside differencesBy Jake Chung / Staff writer, with CNAThe Yilan County Council yesterday passed a provisional motion recommending that the Diaoyutai Islands (釣魚台) be renamed Toucheng Township Diaoyutai (頭城釣魚台). The sovereignty controversy over the islands, which are claimed by Taiwan, Japan and China, resurfaced after Chinese Coast Guard vessels this week entered waters near the islands. Photo: Chiang Chih-hsiung, Taipei TimesThe Yilan County councilors approved the motion with 29 votes. Yilan County Government Secretary-General Lin Mao-sheng (林茂盛) said that the county government would examine the issue and inform the council of how to implement the motion. Lin Tzu-miao yesterday said that she is having a discussion about visiting the islands with fishers and the local fisheries association.
Source:Taipei Times
June 11, 2020 15:56 UTC