KMT’s Chiang throws hat into party chairperson race
KMT’s Chiang throws hat into party chairperson race‘KINGMAKER’? Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Johnny Chiang announces his decision to run for a second term as party chair in Taipei yesterday. Wang was recalled as Taoyuan city councilor, while Huang remains a Kaohsiung city councilor. The party must change from within as it is challenged from without, and areas such as its cross-strait policy, its policy to foster younger members, and improvements to party finances and organization all need to change, Johnny Chiang said. Johnny Chiang defeated former Taipei mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) in the party’s chairperson by-election on March 7 last year.
Source:Taipei Times
February 20, 2021 15:56 UTC
Four ex-officials charged in spy case
A security guard scans retired Military Intelligence Bureau (MIB) colonel Chang Chao-jan’s temperature as MIB agents escort him into the Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office for questioning on Oct. 21 last year. Photo: Peter Lo, Taipei TimesChang was recruited to spy for China by Wei, who enticed Chang with money and travel, prosecutors said, adding that Wei instructed Chang to provide names of MIB personnel and their job functions. The three flew to Macau in 2012, where they met with Wei, who worked with Yueh to identify more than 20 MIB agents from photographs, prosecutors said. After being promised money, Yueh allegedly agreed to provide other classified information on the bureau’s operations, hierarchy and structure, they said, adding that Yueh was paid HK$6,000 (US$774) and received other gifts. Chang in 2016 allegedly persuaded Wang to visit China, as Wang also had family there, prosecutors said.
Source:Taipei Times
February 20, 2021 15:56 UTC
FEATURE: CTS seeks Channel 52 approval, despite flak
FEATURE: CTS seeks Channel 52 approval, despite flakBy Shelley Shan / Staff reporterOn Nov. 18 last year, when National Communications Commission (NCC) Chairman Chen Yaw-shyang (陳耀祥) urged cable operators to consider “giving Taiwan Broadcasting System [TBS] a chance” to take over Channel 52, it was widely perceived as an unprecedented and inappropriate move. Critics said that the cable channel lineup is based on negotiations between cable system operators and channel operators, not the NCC. Bolstered by the NCC’s endorsement, the management of Chinese Television System (CTS) — the only TBS network that has a news channel license — in December last year announced a plan to move CTS News and Info to Channel 52. “However, most people can see from subsequent developments that the umpire has a preferred candidate to occupy Channel 52 and is clearing all hurdles for it,” he said. “Those who say we will definitely lose money if we take over Channel 52 are mistaking the effect for the cause,” he said.
Source:Taipei Times
February 20, 2021 15:56 UTC
Iinfrastructure expansion
FEATURE: Local teachers eye footing for Taiwan at US schoolsCULTURAL CAPITAL: Taiwanese can act as ambassadors while teaching in the US, by exchanging views with their colleagues and friends, one Mandarin teacher said Most US students take Chinese classes because they want to know more about China, but Taiwanese teachers can make a change with more flexible pedagogic approaches and cultural exchanges, two local teachers said. Since the US last year canceled its Fulbright programs with China and Hong Kong, Taiwan has been granted a larger quota of scholarships, including the Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Fulbright Program, which is funded by the US Department of State and comanaged in Taiwan by the Foundation for Scholarly Exchange. American Institute in Taiwan Director Brent Christensen last month encouraged Taiwan to fill the gap left by the closuresBy Lin Chia-nan
Source:Taipei Times
February 19, 2021 15:56 UTC
Taoyuan hospital reopens one month after COVID-19 cluster infections
Taoyuan hospital reopens one month after COVID-19 cluster infectionsStaff writer, with CNATaoyuan General Hospital, the site of a recent cluster of 21 COVID-19 infections, partially reopened yesterday, more than a month after the cluster’s first case was confirmed. Taoyuan General Hospital staff take selfies with Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung at the hospital’s reopening event yesterday. The hospital’s COVID-19 ward is to be upgraded to an intensive care unit for COVID-19 patients in serious condition, he said. Hospital superintendent Hsu Yung-nien (徐永年) would for now decide whether the hospital accepts COVID-19 patients, Chen said. Last year, the hospital in received COVID-19 cases almost every day, due to its proximity to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Hsu said.
Source:Taipei Times
February 19, 2021 15:56 UTC
FEATURE: Year of the Ox coins meet slumping demand
A woman on Jan. 13 holds up two Year of the Ox coins. From 1993 to 2004, the central bank issued square zodiac sign coins, which made them rare and much sought-after. However, that year marked the high point for the zodiac sign coins, and after the central bank in 2017 initiated “round three” of commemorative coins, sales began to decline. In response to the trend, the central bank last year began reducing the coins’ edition, and this year only minted 100,000 Year of the Ox coins. “People bought zodiac sign coins for their own collection or as gifts to family and friends, and especially for those who recently had children.
Source:Taipei Times
February 19, 2021 15:56 UTC
URE aims to build more than half of nation’s solar units
URE aims to build more than half of nation’s solar unitsBy Angelica Oung / Staff reporterUnited Renewable Energy Co (URE, 聯合再生) plans to build more than half of the nation’s solar panel modules this year, the company said yesterday. In a statement, the nation’s biggest solar module supplier said that it has secured new government solar farm projects through open bidding. Photo copied by Chen Kuan-pei, Taipei TimesAfter missing the quota for increased solar capacity last year by 0.68 gigawatts (GW), the government’s new goal for new added solar capacity is 2GW. To cope with rising demand, the company said it plans to add more than 500MW of solar module capacity this year. Its solar modules are also used in solar projects in Pingtung, Yunlin and Chiayi counties, it said.
Source:Taipei Times
February 19, 2021 15:56 UTC
Legislative session to start on Feb. 26
Legislative Speaker You Si-kun holds up Lunar New Year calligraphy in Taipei on Feb. 2. New Power Party deputy caucus whip Chen Jiau-hua (陳椒華) and Taiwan People’s Party deputy caucus whip Ann Kao (高虹安) seconded the motion. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus whip Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) said that he supported the KMT’s motion and hoped that this would be the beginning for the parties to form rational conversations and build a new culture. Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che (黃偉哲), a former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator, yesterday said he supported lowering the voting age to 18. In other developments, DPP caucus whip Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) on Wednesday said that mechanisms are being set up for the Executive Yuan, the Legislative Yuan and legislative caucusese to deal with proposed amendments to the Constitution and to handle cross-party negotiations.
Source:Taipei Times
February 18, 2021 16:05 UTC
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
Chiang features in ‘Time’ list of emerging leaders
Chiang features in ‘Time’ list of emerging leadersBy Sherry Hsiao / Staff reporterChinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Johnny Chiang (江啟臣) has been featured in Time magazine’s second annual “TIME100 Next” list, which recognizes “emerging leaders who are shaping the future.”In a profile of Chiang written for “TIME100 Next,” Time East Asia correspondent Charlie Campbell described Chiang as “the youngest-ever leader of Asia’s oldest political party.”Chiang, who was elected chairman in March last year, “knew that reforming Taiwan’s Kuomintang (KMT) wouldn’t be easy,” Campbell wrote. Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Johnny Chiang greets reporters at the Legislative Yuan in Taipei yesterday. Asked for comment, Chiang told reporters at the Legislative Yuan in Taipei yesterday that he is honored to have received such recognition. The list, which was released on Wednesday, is “an expansion of our flagship TIME100 franchise that highlights 100 emerging leaders who are shaping the future,” Time editor-in-chief and CEO Edward Felsenthal wrote in a statement. The KMT said in a statement yesterday that Chiang is the first Taiwanese politician to be named to the list.
Source:Taipei Times
February 18, 2021 15:56 UTC
Winbond net profit edges up 3.17% on demand for chips
Winbond net profit edges up 3.17% on demand for chipsBy Lisa Wang / Staff reporterMemorychip maker Winbond Electronics Corp (華邦電子) yesterday reported that net profit last year increased 3.17 percent thanks to strong demand for chips as telecommuters and distance learners required notebook computers and networking equipment amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Net profit increased to NT$1.3 billion (US$45.89 million) from NT$1.26 billion in 2019, a company filing with the Taiwan Stock Exchange showed. Winbond Electronics Corp’s logo is pictured at its Taichung headquarters on Oct. 26 last year. Winbond president James Chen (陳沛銘) told investors in July last year that demand for notebook computers — mostly Chromebooks for students — would continue to drive the chip market. Winbond reported consolidated revenue of NT$6.9 billion for last month, up 87.45 percent year-on-year and 1.32 percent month-on-month.
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
MOTC touts NT$8.5bn for electric bus development
The government aims to upgrade gasoline and diesel-powered public buses across the nation to ones powered by electricity by 2030, he said. Minister of Transportation and Communications Lin Chia-lung, left, attends a forum on the development of electric buses in Taoyuan yesterday. The pilot project is also to subsidize electric vehicle purchases by local bus operators, Lin said, adding that the firms can apply until May. To participate in the project, the two electric vehicle makers passed a two-phase review of their manufacturing expertise and business plans, the MOTC said. Operators purchasing electric buses from Master Transportation or RAE would be subsidized up to NT$10 million per vehicle, while those buying electric buses from other firms would receive a maximum subsidy of about NT$6.3 million per vehicle.
Source:Taipei Times
February 18, 2021 15:56 UTC
GDP may grow 4% thanks to exports: NDC
GDP may grow 4% thanks to exports: NDCBULLISH: The Ministry of Finance said that last month’s exports spiked 36.8 percent year-on-year and are likely to expand by 3 to 8 percent this month, despite the holidayBy Crystal Hsu / Staff reporterTaiwan’s GDP could expand more than 4 percent this year on the back of strengthening exports, private investment and consumer spending, despite lingering uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Development Council (NDC) said in a statement on Wednesday. Exports last month spiked 36.8 percent year-on-year and are likely to expand by 3 to 8 percent this month, despite the week-long Lunar New Year holiday, the Ministry of Finance said last week. The entrance to the National Development Council in Taipei is pictured in an undated photograph. Photo: Taipei Times file photoThe DGBAS forecast a 5.2 percent increase in exports this quarter, but the actual showing could prove twice as strong, the ministry said. Research bodies at home and abroad are forecasting GDP growth of 3.2 percent to 4.3 percent in Taiwan this year, the council said.
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