New Zealand in good headspace after visit with Dalai Lama on their day off
New Zealand in good headspace after visit with Dalai Lama on their day offReutersA first World Cup loss to hosts India has done little to dampen spirits in the New Zealand camp, with players soaking up the delights of Dharamsala and reveling in a visit to the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama, center, arrives to attend a long life prayer offered to him by his students and devotees at a temple in McLeod Ganj, India, yesterday. Photo: AFPWith the town also the base of the Tibetan government-in-exile, New Zealand players jumped at the chance to meet the organization’s spiritual leader. “This morning most of the group went to meet the Dalai Lama in person at his residence, which was amazing,” batsman Will Young said. New Zealand players celebrate after taking the wicket of India’s Suryakumar Yadav during their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup match in Dharamsala, India, on Sunday.
Source:Taipei Times
October 26, 2023 12:18 UTC
US senators reintroduce bill to boost Taiwan ties
US senators reintroduce bill to boost Taiwan tiesTHIRD TRY: Marco Rubio and Jeff Merkley said the bill ‘is more important than ever,’ as ‘Taiwan’s democracy is critical to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region’Staff writer, with CNA, WASHINGTONTwo US senators have reintroduced the Taiwan Relations Reinforcement Act, which they said is aimed at updating and bolstering US policy to support Taiwan amid China’s military and diplomatic aggression. Republican Marco Rubio and Democrat Jeff Merkley on Tuesday introduced the act for the third time, after previous attempts in to get the legislation through Congress stalled. US Senator Jeff Merkley speaks during a US Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in Washington on Oct. 4. Photo: Bloomberg“This bipartisan bill is more important than ever, as it reinforces our nation’s commitment to our democratic ally Taiwan, and strengthens our bilateral ties,” Rubio said in a joint news release with Merkley. The United States’ support for Taiwan’s democracy plays a crucial role in defending that peace,” Merkley said.
Source:Taipei Times
October 25, 2023 23:36 UTC
Securities account balance falls as confidence slips
Securities account balance falls as confidence slipsBy Chen Cheng-hui / Staff reporterThe nation’s securities account balance, a gauge of retail investors’ confidence in local equities, fell to the lowest level in five months last month, as the TAIEX continued to consolidate and stock trading momentum slowed, the central bank said on Tuesday. The securities account balance declined to NT$3.25 trillion (US$100.5 billion) from NT$3.35 trillion in the previous month, data compiled by the central bank showed. A man walks past an electronic stock board at a securities firm in Taipei in an undated photograph. The TAIEX averaged 17,072 points in July, but fell to 16,648 in August and dropped further to 16,570 last month, central bank data showed. The securities account balance decreased by NT$203.9 billion in the past two months and foreign institutional investors net sold NT$188.9 billion of local shares over the same period.
Source:Taipei Times
October 25, 2023 18:03 UTC
Indian official urges business partnerships
Indian official urges business partnershipsCOLLABORATION: India, with a huge market, pluralistic democracy and longstanding credible partnerships, meets businesses’ needs, Manharsinh Laxmanbhai Yadav saidBy Lee I-chia / Staff reporterIndia is a favorable destination for Taiwanese manufacturers with a huge market, many young and skilled talent, a pluralistic society with strong rule of law, and credible long-term partnerships, India Taipei Association (ITA) Director-General Manharsinh Laxmanbhai Yadav said yesterday. The delegation comprises key figures from the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Electronic Industries Association of India. Photo: Lee I-chia, Taipei TimesSingh is the highest-ranking Indian official that has visited Taiwan this year. India Taipei Association Director-General Manharsinh Laxmanbhai Yadav speaks at a luncheon held by the association in Taipei on Tuesday. Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh speaks at a luncheon held by the India Taipei Association in Taipei on Tuesday.
Source:Taipei Times
October 25, 2023 18:02 UTC
EDITORIAL: Cooperating to limit China
EDITORIAL: Cooperating to limit ChinaAmid the global turbulence of the Israel-Palestine conflict and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the US on Friday released a report showing that China increased warplane incursions into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone by 79 percent from last year, indicating that Beijing might create unrest in the Asia-Pacific region. China has for a long time used military and political pressure to pursue its goal of taking over Taiwan. The wars in Ukraine and Gaza have raised concern that China might use the opportunity to take action against Taiwan. If the Chinese military causes a major incident — even accidentally — it might spark a military conflict in the region, which has a long history of territorial and sovereignty disputes. Events in Ukraine and the Middle East might embolden China as it oppresses its neighbors and intensifies its international activities.
Source:Taipei Times
October 24, 2023 21:40 UTC
Ko Wen-je asks China for new framework for talks
Ko Wen-je asks China for new framework for talksBy Yimou Lee / Reuters, TAIPEIChina should propose a new framework for engagement with Taiwan and explain what Beijing has to offer Taiwan, Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) said yesterday. China has stepped up military and political pressure with Taiwan’s presidential and legislative elections scheduled for January. Taiwan People’s Party Chairman and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je speaks at a news conference at Regent Hotel in Taipei yesterday. It’s their obligations, not mine,” Ko said when asked about how he planned to restart talks with China, which have been frozen since the DPP government took office in 2016. Beijing should define what “one China” means — whether it is political, or economic, he said.
Source:Taipei Times
October 24, 2023 18:17 UTC
Ko rejects Hou’s compromise timeline as an ‘ultimatum’
The New Taipei City mayor in an interview with the Liberty Times (sister paper of the Taipei Times), China Times and United Daily News on Monday suggested compromising by giving equal weighting to each method. New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi presents a sample primary ballot during an interview with the Liberty Times (sister paper of the Taipei Times) on Monday. Ko held a news conference in the afternoon to respond to the proposal, in which he blasted the rushed timeline. Hou’s office said that Hou and KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) are to hold a news conference at 5pm to respond. "For the KMT-TPP alliance to be completed and achieve a transition of power, the names of both individuals [his and Ko's] must be on the same ballot," Hou said.
Source:Taipei Times
October 24, 2023 12:52 UTC
Toyota lobbies India to cut hybrid vehicle taxes: letter
Toyota lobbies India to cut hybrid vehicle taxes: letterReuters, NEW DELHIJapan’s Toyota Motor Corp is lobbying the Indian government to cut taxes on hybrid vehicles by as much as one-fifth, saying they are far less polluting than gasoline-only cars, but do not get commensurate policy treatment, a company letter shows. India taxes EVs at just 5 percent, while the levy on hybrids is as high as 43 percent, just below the 48 percent imposed on gasoline-only cars. Models pose at the unveiling of Toyota’s new hybrid Urban Cruiser Hyryder in New Delhi on July 1 last year. Toyota has begun developing EVs while also championing hydrogen-powered vehiclefs, saying a “multi-pathway” approach is needed to solve the climate crisis. In its letter, Toyota also asks India to bring hybrid vehicles under a government incentive program that offers discounts to buyers, a scheme now available only for EVs.
Source:Taipei Times
October 24, 2023 00:29 UTC
Beijing pressures businesspeople
Beijing pressures businesspeopleBy Huang Wei-ping 黃惟冰In response to requests from businesspeople, the Straits Exchange Foundation arranged an investment event in Kinmen County. Li, who had most of his assets in Hong Kong, started to off-load his major property investments in China, a move that triggered a series of discussions in Beijing. How does Beijing interpret the moves of Taiwanese businesspeople who have been trying to bring their investments back to Taiwan? They want to diversify their risk, but Beijing has prevented them from doing so. Even so, Beijing dealt with the matter bluntly, preventing locals from benefiting and stopping Taiwanese businesspeople from investing in Kinmen.
Source:Taipei Times
October 23, 2023 21:40 UTC
Kohli hits 95 as unbeaten India beat NZ at World Cup
Kohli hits 95 as unbeaten India beat NZ at World CupAFP, DHARAMSALA, IndiaVirat Kohli on Sunday hit 95 to lead India to a four-wicket victory over New Zealand and a fifth win in five matches at the World Cup, although the superstar batsman just missed equaling Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 one-day international centuries. Fast bowler Mohammed Shami returned figures of 5-54 to help bowl out New Zealand for 273, a total India overhauled with 12 balls to spare in Dharamsala. India’s Virat Kohli plays a shot during their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup match against New Zealand in Dharamsala, India, on Sunday. He backed himself to do the job,” India captain Rohit Sharma said of his star batsman after the win. I have experienced it before in first class cricket in Karori Park in Wellington when the fog came in,” he said.
Source:Taipei Times
October 23, 2023 17:54 UTC
EDITORIAL: No need to fear a ‘polycrisis’ — yet
EDITORIAL: No need to fear a ‘polycrisis’ — yetThe past few years have served as a lesson to expect the unexpected. Even before Hamas’ attack, the idea of a “polycrisis” was beginning to gain traction. As tempting as it is to view global conflict as an inevitable collective, a flare-up in one place does not necessitate a total conflagration. In global politics, Beijing wishes to present itself as a great power alternative to the US. As the “polycrisis” feels more salient than ever, it is important to remember that no crisis is inevitable with the right preparation and balance.
Source:Taipei Times
October 23, 2023 17:19 UTC
Give a choice in vaccine brand
Give a choice in vaccine brandBy Wang Fong-yu 王宏育Every year, Taiwan purchases about 7 million doses of influenza vaccines. By the end of the year, about 5 million to 6 million doses would have been used. This year, due to the “immunity debt” factor, a lot of people have recently been coming down with the flu, and there is quite a strong demand for flu vaccines. This year, a flu vaccine marketed by Taiwan’s Medigen Vaccine Biologics Corp has been added to the list. The authorities have only bought 700,000 doses of the Medigen vaccine this year.
Source:Taipei Times
October 22, 2023 21:42 UTC
Ko to suggest cross-party committee to Hou, Chu
Ko to suggest cross-party committee to Hou, ChuStaff writer, with CNATaiwan People’s Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) would communicate with New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜), the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) presidential candidate, about forming a cross-party consultative committee before Thursday, Ko’s office said. Chen said Ko would talk to Hou and KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) about the planned consultative committee before Thursday to form a cross-party stance. Photo: CNAChen did not mention if Ko, Hou and Chu would meet in person. Chen said the proposed cross-party consultative committee would aim to ease concerns among KMT members that the TPP would take the entire government for itself, if the opposition camp wins the presidential election. However, further talks are unlikely to be arranged after Thursday if the KMT and Hou continue to insist on a primary instead of polling to select a presidential candidate, Chen added.
Source:Taipei Times
October 22, 2023 17:59 UTC
Nestle among companies facing back taxes in India
Nestle among companies facing back taxes in IndiaBloombergSeveral multinationals doing business in India are on the hook for significant back taxes, interest and potential penalty payments after the Indian Supreme Court overturned a lower court’s interpretation of tax treaty implementation. The companies were covered by tax treaties between India and the Netherlands, France and Switzerland — all three Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development members with a similar most favored nation clause in the treaties. Lower taxes paid or withheld based on the earlier interpretations might need to be topped up. “This will raise once again the issue of the lack of certainty for MNCs [multinational corporations] operating in India,” tax advocate Rohan Shah said. “Not notifying beneficial clauses or partly notifying or notifying after a length of time effectively amounts to a unilateral treaty override,” Kanabar said.
Source:Taipei Times
October 22, 2023 17:59 UTC
Pakistan’s three-time PM Sharif returns from exile
Supporters of former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif wave flags as they await his arrival at a park in Lahore yesterday. Photo: AFPIsrael says that about 1,500 Hamas fighters were killed in clashes before its army regained control of the area under attack. The crossing — the only one into Gaza not controlled by Israel — closed again after the trucks passed. “Much more” aid needs to be sent, he told a peace summit in Egypt yesterday. US President Joe Biden said he was “overjoyed” and thanked Qatar, which hosts Hamas’ political bureau, for its mediation in securing the release.
Source:Taipei Times
October 22, 2023 09:28 UTC