VP Lai welcomes LDP delegation from Japan
Vice President William Lai, front right, shakes hands with Japanese Liberal Democratic Party Youth Division director Norikazu Suzuki, center, at the Presidential Office in Taipei yesterday. The relationship between Taiwan and Japan is “a true friendship” based on universal values such as democracy and human rights, Suzuki said. Photo: Lai Hsiao-tung, Taipei TimesThe Youth Division constantly thinks about what actions it can take to promote peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, he added. The delegation also met with New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜), the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) presidential candidate, at the New Taipei City Central Emergency Operations Center yesterday. The city established its Youth Department last year and hopes to engage in more exchanges with the LDP Youth Division, Hou said.
Source:Taipei Times
August 21, 2023 20:42 UTC
Growing community
Intel cancels deal with TowerFOUNDRY DISAPPOINTMENT: An analyst said the failed deal would be ‘modestly disappointing’ for Intel’s foundry efforts, which were not going to be easy with Tower Intel Corp yesterday said that it is walking away from its attempt to acquire Tower Semiconductor Ltd, abandoning a US$5.4 billion deal after failing to win regulatory approval in time. Intel has mutually agreed with Tower Semiconductor to terminate the agreement reached in February last year, it said in a statement. The purchase of the Israeli company was the keystone of Intel chief executive officer Pat Gelsinger’s plan to get into a faster-growing part of the semiconductor industry, the foundry market dominated by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電). Tower has a relatively small presence in that area — where companies make chips
Source:Taipei Times
August 21, 2023 20:06 UTC
US calls on China to end pressure against Taiwan
The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) yesterday also urged Beijing to stop pressuring Taiwan. Photo: EPA-EFE / Taiwan navyOn Saturday, the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) Eastern Theater Command launched joint air and sea patrols, and navy and air force drills near Taiwan proper. Making a fuss about the trip “is unhelpful to cross-strait stability,” he said in the interview that was conducted during his visit overseas. Hou yesterday added that he hoped that conflict across the Taiwan Strait could be reduced through dialogues and exchanges. He called for cross-strait dialogue instead of confrontation, saying that people hope for stability in the Taiwan Strait, a safe Taiwan and peace of mind.
Source:Taipei Times
August 20, 2023 20:05 UTC
EDITORIAL: China’s economy may prove risky
EDITORIAL: China’s economy may prove riskyWith rising default risks from Country Garden Holdings Co to China’s leading asset management firm, Zhongzhi Enterprise Group Co, concerns are growing that a slump in the Chinese property market could trigger a wider financial crisis, creating a potential spillover effect that would impact the broader economy. Taiwanese financial firms have slashed their exposure to the world’s second-largest economy quickly and sizably. Bad news has repeatedly broken out in China’s real-estate industry in recent years with the risk of a snowballing economic downturn. However, more actions are still needed if Taiwanese financial firms aim to promptly respond to any major financial events in China. To tackle headwinds, firms must review and adjust their holdings of Chinese securities and bolster risk management after extending loans to the Chinese market.
Source:Taipei Times
August 20, 2023 16:43 UTC
Taipei Zoo holds public memorial service
Taipei Zoo holds public memorial serviceGHOST MONTH: This year’s special arrangement was made to offer a memorial service to fans of the zoo’s stars so that they can pay respects, Taipei Zoo saidBy Yang Hsin-hui and Jason Pan / Staff reportersTaipei Zoo has invited the public for the first time to participate in a memorial service for animals that recently passed away at the zoo. The memorial is to take place from today until Aug. 30 and coincides with Ghost Month. The Taipei Zoo’s Life Memorial Cenotaph is pictured in an undated photograph. This year people are welcome to join in the event billed “Learning from Life, Memorial to Star Animals,” it said. The deaths of several animals at Taipei Zoo in recent years included giant panda Tuan Tuan (團團), male giraffe Chu Chung (菊忠), female giant anteater Koudaisha (口袋莎) and Malayan tapir Moko (貘克), the release said.
Source:Taipei Times
August 20, 2023 15:51 UTC
Hoop siblings from US make mark in Taiwan
Taiwan B players Adam Hinton, left, and Robert Hinton hold gifts at the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium on Thursday. Photo: CNAHowever, it is something bigger than basketball that brings the brothers back to their “second home,” Taiwan. And we love everything about the culture, especially the food,” Adam Hinton said. While the NBA is their top priority as basketball players, Robert and Adam Hinton said that they have dreams outside the sport. Making it to the NBA is still a dream, but given the uncertainties the future holds and their experience of playing in Taiwan, Robert Hinton said that he would keep his options open.
Source:Taipei Times
August 19, 2023 20:06 UTC
Pedestrians’ safety is the priority
Pedestrians’ safety is the priorityBy Jeremy Wang 王英明There were 2,990 people killed in traffic accidents in 2021, a mortality rate of 0.000124, which is five times higher than in many other countries. In Taiwan, drivers and pedestrians often do not abide by traffic rules. As long as drivers are “forced” to follow the rules and stop at crosswalks to yield the right of way to pedestrians, Taiwan would no longer be a living hell for pedestrians. Vision Zero should advocate that pedestrians and drivers are not to be set against each other, promoting the idea that both are on the same side. In this sense, “return the roads to the people” is not only for the sake of the pedestrians, but for everyone.
Source:Taipei Times
August 19, 2023 17:54 UTC
The US’ ‘new’ China narrative
The US’ ‘new’ China narrativeBy James K. GalbraithThree recent articles in the New York Times have signaled a “new” narrative about China. Only weeks ago, China was the US’ fearsome “peer competitor” on the world stage, but now, everyone is told, it is a wounded dragon. “The president has moved aggressively to contain China’s rise and to restrict its ability to benefit militarily from the use of technologies developed in the United States,” Shear wrote. Should China have more vehicles but worse roads and fewer gas stations, not to mention subways and high-speed trains? Chinese workers are paid for building the factories, homes, rail lines, roads and other public works that have transformed China within our lifetimes.
Source:Taipei Times
August 19, 2023 17:54 UTC
Stokes to play as batsman only in India
Stokes to play as batsman only in IndiaAFP, LONDONEngland are prepared to play Ben Stokes as a batsman only when they defend their 50-over men’s ICC World Cup title in India after the Test captain reversed his decision to retire from one-day internationals. England’s Ben Stokes celebrates taking a catch against Australia on the fourth day of the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval in London on July 31. Photo: Reuters“It wasn’t really a case of changing his [Stokes’] mind,” England national selector Luke Wright said after the squad was unveiled on Wednesday. “Once his body was in a good place and he’d had a rest, he was really keen to play. The injured Archer, the Super Over star of the 2019 World Cup final, is recovering from his latest elbow injury.
Source:Taipei Times
August 17, 2023 20:02 UTC
TPP to pursue legal action over ‘fabricated’ tape
TPP to pursue legal action over ‘fabricated’ tapeBy Huang Ching-yu and Kayleigh Madjar / Staff reporter, with staff writerThe Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) yesterday said it would pursue legal action against people who allegedly fabricated and disseminated a recording of TPP Chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) commenting on Vice President William Lai’s (賴清德) stopovers in the US. Taiwan People’s Party spokesman Adam Lee, second left, speaks to reporters in Taipei yesterday. Photo courtesy of the Taiwan People’s PartyThe e-mail said that the recording was made during an internal TPP meeting in the first week of this month. At a news conference yesterday, TPP spokesman Adam Lee (李頂立) said the voice in the recording was “clearly not Ko.”The TPP would pursue legal action, but is first investigating who made the recording, how it was made and who disseminated it, he said. If investigated through legal channels, it would show that all political parties — not just the one in power — are affected by misinformation, he said.
Source:Taipei Times
August 17, 2023 17:45 UTC
Permutations of a Gou candidacy
Permutations of a Gou candidacyBy Tzou Jiing-wen 鄒景雯Everyone who cares about elections in Taiwan is wondering whether Hon Hai Group Precision Industry Co founder Terry Gou (郭台銘) would declare his candidacy in the presidential election scheduled for Jan. 13 next year. After all, Gou started out in the KMT’s “deep blue” camp and has close connections within it. Furthermore, the KMT has long-term links with local factions and has a well-organized network in local areas. The party is now propped up more by local factions than the political elite in Taipei. If Gou is not ready to start collecting signatures, his political fireworks would end next month, when calm would be restored.
Source:Taipei Times
August 16, 2023 16:43 UTC
Ruthless England beat Australia 3-1
England’s Lauren Hemp, left, scores past Australia goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, right, as Australia’s Ellie Carpenter tries to block during their FIFA Women’s World Cup match at Stadium Australia in Sydney yesterday. “The one thing I’ve always wanted to do is get to a World Cup final,” Bronze told the BBC. It’s been amazing to play against Australia, in Australia, what a fantastic tournament they had but we’re in the final,” she said. Despite losing, Australia have enjoyed their best World Cup ever, with a third-placed playoff against Sweden on Saturday still to play. At the other end, goalkeeper MacKenzie Arnold rescued Australia minutes later, deflecting Georgia Stanway’s strike with her legs as the game opened up.
Source:Taipei Times
August 16, 2023 16:42 UTC
PLA raising fears throughout Asia
PLA raising fears throughout AsiaBy Ray Song 宋磊Former Japanese prime minister Taro Aso last week visited Taiwan and spoke at the Ketagalan Forum: Indo-Pacific Security Dialogue in Taipei. He was the highest-ranking former Japanese official to visit Taiwan since the countries severed diplomatic relations in 1972. Meanwhile, amid the rapid growth of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), security in the Indo-Pacific region is full of uncertainties. Although New Zealand, in the southern hemisphere, is far from Taiwan, it addressed China in its National Security Strategy released on Aug. 4. Taiwan, Japan and New Zealand are all “island states” in the Indo-Pacific region.
Source:Taipei Times
August 15, 2023 21:38 UTC
EDITORIAL: Energy yo-yoing with Hou and Ko
EDITORIAL: Energy yo-yoing with Hou and KoThe Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) presidential candidate, New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜), on Thursday last week revealed his energy policy, saying that he would not phase out nuclear power if elected. He would also reopen all decommissioned nuclear power plants, and review the decision to stop construction of the never-finished Fourth Nuclear Power Plant in New Taipei City’s Gongliao District (貢寮). Taiwan Power Party Chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), who is also running for president, has similarly called for restarting and extending the life of nuclear power plants. Still, he does not rule out keeping some nuclear power capability in case of emergencies such as a Chinese-led blockade or an invasion. They also have not addressed issues with storing nuclear waste, especially highly radioactive waste.
Source:Taipei Times
August 15, 2023 17:47 UTC
Holger Chen lost on women’s issues
Holger Chen lost on women’s issuesBy Hung Yu-jui 洪昱睿Taiwanese Internet celebrity Holger Chen (陳之漢), who often uses chauvinistic and vulgar expressions, has changed. On July 16, Chen and former New Power Party legislator Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) collaborated to host a rally. Those in the know understood that the event was meant to elevate the status of the opportunist Ko. In a livestream, Chen defended the event, saying that DPP Legislator Lai Pin-yu’s (賴品妤) cosplaying also “objectified women.”It seems that Chen does not know what cosplay is. It is almost certain that the number of cosplay fans is larger than that of Chen’s livestream audience.
Source:Taipei Times
August 15, 2023 17:47 UTC