Name change not on KMT agenda, chairman says
Name change not on KMT agenda, chairman saysBy Sherry Hsiao / Staff reporterChanging the name of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) is not on its agenda, KMT Chairman Johnny Chiang (江啟臣) said yesterday, after comments by KMT legislative caucus whip Lin Wei-chou (林為洲) prompted discussion of the topic. Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Johnny Chiang speaks to reporters at an event in Taichung yesterday. This stance has not changed, the KMT said, adding that discussion of a name change has never been included on the agendas of the party’s reform committee or its National Congress, which convened on Sept. 6. Suggestions related to a name change from party members show that no topic is closed to discussion within the KMT, it said. The KMT “firmly believes that reform is the focus, rather than a name change,” it said.
Source:Taipei Times
October 11, 2020 15:56 UTC
Fewer centers specialize in OB-GYN, study shows
The wall in front of the Ministry of Health and Welfare in Taipei is pictured in an undated photograph. Of them, 111 OB-GYN clinics and 73 pediatric clinics have closed over the past decade, a decline of 10.1 percent and 4.1 percent respectively, it said. The birth rate tends to be higher in the second half of the year, Taiwan Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology secretary-general Huang Min-chao (黃閔照) said, estimating that there would be about 170,000 births this year. The declining number of dedicated OB-GYN clinics could be attributed to the advanced age of the average OB-GYN, the transformation of many clinics to family medicine and the growing trend of opening polyclinics, he said. To address the falling birth rate, the ministry in October last year expanded screening of newborns for congenital metabolic disorders and raised the childcare subsidy allowance.
Source:Taipei Times
October 11, 2020 15:56 UTC
Focus turns to academic-founded firms
The characters for the Ministry of Education are pictured above the ministry’s main entrance in Taipei in an undated photograph. “Scholastic entrepreneurship should be the model for the next stage of Taiwanese industry,” said Chen, who used to help run the TRUST-U program. Hung said that he recognized the trend toward scholastic entrepreneurship and decided to draw upon his experience working with industry leaders while at the Industrial Technology Research Institute. However, not all start-ups go smoothly, as Sean Chen (陳學仕), a professor of materials science and engineering at Shida, can attest. After researching quantum materials for two decades, Chen founded HsinLight in 2018 to respond to needs in the display panel industry.
Source:Taipei Times
October 11, 2020 15:56 UTC
China trying to force US’ hand: speaker
Although repeated crossings into Taiwan’s airspace have caused public concern, China has made concessions in its territorial claims in the South China Sea, he said. Legislative Speaker You Si-kun, left, is accompanied by Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan, right, as he speaks to reporters at an event in Taipei yesterday. Over the past several months, China has shown restraint, and weakness, in the South China Sea, he said. Wang had expressed hope for a “rebooting of the South China Sea norms,” and a desire for it to become a “sea of hope, friendship and peace,” You said. You said the statements appeared to be China shrinking back, and greatly reduced tensions in the South China Sea.
Source:Taipei Times
October 11, 2020 15:56 UTC
‘Time for independence’: protesters
‘Time for independence’: protestersBy Jason Pan / Staff reporterIndependence advocates yesterday rallied outside the cordoned-off area for the Double Ten National Day celebration around the Presidential Office Building, urging the government to normalize diplomatic relations with the US and draft a new constitution. Taiwan Republic Office director Chilly Chen (陳峻涵) called on President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) to not betray the majority of Taiwanese who hope that Taiwan achieves normal nationhood and the name “Republic of China (ROC)” will be dropped. Chilly Chen said that it is a critical time, because China has been increasingly making hostile moves toward Taiwan and threatens to go to war against numerous democratic countries. “US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that if China attacks Taiwan, the US will do everything it can to reduce tension in the region and fulfill its commitments to Taiwan,” he said. “This is the right time to go for independence and establish formal relations with other democratic countries.”
Source:Taipei Times
October 10, 2020 16:00 UTC
KMT’s Lin Wei-chou moots axing ‘zhongguo’
KMT’s Lin Wei-chou moots axing ‘zhongguo’‘PRAGMATIC’: Changing the party’s name should be discussed, the caucus whip said, referring to people’s ‘negative perception’ of being a pro-China partyBy Chen Yun / Staff reporterChinese Nationalist Party (KMT) legislative caucus whip Lin Wei-chou (林為洲) yesterday said it might be best if Zhongguo (中國) were dropped from the party’s official name. Of course, our understanding is that Zhongguo refers to the Republic of China, but it is easily confused with the People’s Republic of China,” Lin wrote on Facebook. Hopefully the question would be openly discussed among fellow party members, he said. Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus whip Lin Wei-chou speaks during a committee meeting at the Legislative Yuan in Taipei on Wednesday. “I raise this issue so that party members can discuss it.
Source:Taipei Times
October 10, 2020 15:56 UTC
Tsai seeks ‘meaningful’ cross-strait talk
“At this stage, the most pressing cross-strait issue is to discuss how we can live in peace and coexist based on mutual respect, goodwill and understanding,” Tsai told Double Ten National Day participants. A girl with Taiwan’s national flag painted on her face smiles at Double Ten National Day celebrations in Taipei yesterday. President Tsai Ing-wen delivers her Double Ten National Day address in front of the Presidential Office Building in Taipei yesterday. The Thunder Tiger Aerobatics Team lay red, white and blue smoke trails as they fly over the Presidential Office Building in Taipei yesterday. Photo: CNAMilitary police take part in a motorcycle display during Double Ten National Day celebrations in front of the Presidential Office Building in Taipei yesterday.
Source:Taipei Times
October 10, 2020 15:56 UTC
Hsinchu exposition attracts record crowd
Hsinchu exposition attracts record crowdBIG DATA HELP: Using information collected by Chunghwa Telecom, the city was able to determine traffic flows at the expo to optimize bus schedules and evaluate the eventBy Tsai Chang-sheng / Staff reporterThe Taiwan Design Expo in Hsinchu on Friday attracted a record 640,000 visitors, most of whom were younger than 29 years old, the city government said yesterday. The exposition opened on Thursday last week and closes today, with Hsinchu Park and the old town area on either side of the Hsinchu Railway Station serving as the main venues. Visitors clink cans at the Taiwan Design Expo in Hsinchu on Friday. People from Taipei, Taoyuan, New Taipei City and Hsinchu city and county made up more than 70 percent of the attendees, while Japanese were among the largest group of foreign visitors, he said. Big data tools allow the city to optimize shuttle bus schedules and evaluate if the event attracts its target audience as planned, he added.
Source:Taipei Times
October 10, 2020 15:56 UTC
Guardians win; CTBC clinch spot
Guardians win; CTBC clinch spotBy Jason Pan / Staff reporterThe Fubon Guardians grabbed all the runs they needed in the opening frame at the Taoyuan International Stadium last night, although they added more, leading all the way to beat the Rakuten Monkeys 6-2 as the race for post-season berths heats up with two weeks remaining in the CPBL’s regular season. Fubon Guardians starter Manny Banuelos winds up against the Rakuten Monkeys during their game at the Taoyuan International Stadium yesterday. He is now second for wins among pitchers in the league, only trailing Rakuten lefty Wang Yi-cheng, who has a 10-6 record, with a 5.42 ERA. “It’s great to ensure we will get into the finals this year, but we will not relax,” CTBC manager Chiu Chang-jung said. That cannot be surpassed by the Rakuten Monkeys in second, who have 58 wins and 56 losses (0.509) through 113 of 120 games.
Source:Taipei Times
October 10, 2020 15:56 UTC
Draft Amendment seeks to improve mental illness care
Draft Amendment seeks to improve mental illness careBy Jake Chung / Staff writer, with CNANew Power Party (NPP) Legislator Claire Wang (王婉諭) on Thursday proposed an amendment to the Mental Health Act (精神衛生法) in the hope of providing better community services for people with mental illness. The law, enacted about two decades ago, aims to assist people to live independently and ultimately reintegrate with society, but does not spell out how the government is to help communities to accommodate people with mental illness, she said. Wang said that her proposal clarifies the kinds of social support that people with mental illness need and increases the standards of services offered by communal mental health centers. New Power Party Legislator Claire Wang, center, speaks at a public hearing on a draft amendment to the Mental Health Act at the Legislative Yuan in Taipei on Thursday. Meeting the needs of people with mental illness requires public health services and community support, Chen said.
Source:Taipei Times
October 09, 2020 15:56 UTC
National Day revelry nationwide
People attend a Proud of Taiwan party on the eve of Double Ten National Day at the Port of Keelung’s West No. Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei Times“We hope that we will continue to provide a stabilizing force on international affairs,” she said. Twenty-one representatives of people who have made significant contributions to COVID-19 prevention efforts would lead the national anthem alongside the Taipei Medical University Sing Song Chorus, event organizers said. National flags fly in Taichung yesterday ahead of Double Ten National Day today. F-16V jets and the Thunder Tigers aerobatics team are to conclude the morning’s events in Taipei with a flyby, organizers said.
Source:Taipei Times
October 09, 2020 15:56 UTC
Tsai commits to improve tank fleet
Tsai commits to improve tank fleetACCIDENT INVESTIGATION: The remarks came after Thursday’s tank crash in Kinmen, killing one, for which the president promised a comprehensive investigationStaff Writer, with CNAPresident Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday said that the military is planning to purchase the most advanced tanks to quickly replace older models. Tsai made the remarks after meeting the family of a soldier killed after a drill in Kinmen County when a M41A3 Walker Bulldog light tank crashed into an embankment next to a road on Thursday. Police officers on Thursday collect evidence after a tank crashed into an embankment near Kinmen County’s Lieyu Township. Tsai urged Taiwan’s soldiers not to let the incident demoralize them, adding that she hoped that the public would continue to show its support for the military. The tank, part of the Kinmen Defense Command’s Lieyu Garrison Battalion, was on its way back to its base when it crashed near Lieyu Township (烈嶼).
Source:Taipei Times
October 09, 2020 15:56 UTC
Housing transactions last month gained 36 percent
Housing transactions last month gained 36 percentBy Crystal Hsu / Staff reporterHousing transactions last month totaled 24,356 units in the nation’s six special municipalities, a 36 percent increase from a year earlier, catapulted by real-estate needs and investment demands coupled with low interest rates, brokers said. The data affirmed a concrete recovery in the property market that was earlier pushed back by the COVID-19 pandemic, said Sinyi Realty Inc (信義房屋), Taiwan’s only listed broker. The number of property deals in Taipei surged 44 percent from a year earlier to 3,133, supported in part by low borrowing costs, Evertrust Rehouse Co (永慶房屋) said. Properties in Taipei, while relatively expensive compared with housing elsewhere in Taiwan, are resilient in value compared with other investment tools amid intense market volatility, Hsieh said. Transactions in Taoyuan rose 37 percent from a year earlier to 4,389 units, while deals in Kaohsiung grew 32 percent to 3,505 units, local government data showed.
Source:Taipei Times
October 09, 2020 15:56 UTC
Dumpling chain to buy majority stake in Dante
Dumpling chain to buy majority stake in DanteGROWING CHAINS: The acquisition of Dante Coffee adds to Bafang Yunji’s businesses, including a pork rice chain, a noodle outlet and boxed meal vendorStaff writer, with CNAA leading dumpling chain has agreed to acquire a 69 percent stake in coffee-shop chain Dante Coffee and Foods Co (丹堤咖啡), to diversify its business, it said yesterday. The dumpling vendor said it would pay cash to acquire Dante Coffee, which has 67 outlets in Taiwan, but did not disclose any financial details. New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi makes pan-fried dumplings during a visit to an outlet of pan-fried dumpling chain Bafang Yunji in the city on Sept. 4. As of the end of last year, Bafang Yunji owned 981 dumpling stores, and another 51 outlets of its other brands. On Thursday, Bafang Yunji shares traded between NT$160 and NT$177.50 on the emerging market.
Source:Taipei Times
October 09, 2020 15:56 UTC
Prosecutors charge Lien Tai-sheng over KTV fire
Prosecutors charge Lien Tai-sheng over KTV fireSIX OTHERS: Prosecutors said that a search of Cashbox Partyworld offices found a key document authorizing operations amid repairs was stamped with Lien’s chopsBy Jason Pan / Staff reporterTaipei prosecutors yesterday indicted media mogul Lien Tai-sheng (練台生) and six others over a fire on April 26 that killed six people and injured 67 at a Cashbox Partyworld KTV in Taipei. Police escort Cashbox Partyworld Co chairman Lien Tai-sheng, left, in Taipei in an undated photograph. Photo: Chen Wei-tzu, Taipei TimesLien is chairman of Cashbox Partyworld Co and owner of Tee Kuang International Co, which leased the building to the KTV operator. “The executives continued operating the KTV business while the repair work was ongoing, instead of closing down,” prosecutors said. The executives and site managers were negligent in their responsibilities to monitor and supervise the repair work, and they failed to conform to bylaws on fire prevention, prosecutors said.
Source:Taipei Times
October 08, 2020 15:56 UTC