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Taiex soars to 20,131 points following Wall Street rally

Taiwan’s stock market soared on Wednesday after Wall Street rallied for a second straight day. The Taiex climbed 542 points to close at 20,131, on turnover of NT$427.5 billion.

Nvidia stock surged overnight on the Nasdaq, giving a boost to Taiwan tech stocks like TSMC, Hon Hai, and MediaTek. TSMC closed up NT$29 at NT$783. One analyst says the Taiex has the potential to rise further, so long as Wall Street’s rally continues. But the analyst expects short-term volatility and warns traders against chasing highs.

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Time：2024-04-24

最新消息 Latest News

President-elect Lai meets bipartisan US congressional delegation

A bipartisan delegation from the U.S. Congress is visiting Taiwan. It’s led by Secretary of the House Republican Conference Lisa McClain, and it was received by President-elect Lai Ching-te on Tuesday. During the meeting, Lai thanked the U.S. Congress for its recent pro-Taiwan legislation. McClain said Taiwan was a linchpin for regional stability, adding that China was not a friend of the U.S.

Ahead of the presidential inauguration on May 20, Secretary of the House Republican Conference Lisa McClain has led a bipartisan delegation to Taiwan. The group met with President-elect Lai Ching-te on Tuesday.

Lai Ching-te
President-elect
In the future, in addition to implementing the four-pillar plan for peace I mentioned previously, my administration will continue the efforts of Tsai Ing-wen to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. We will also collaborate more with likeminded nations such as the U.S. and promote deeper Taiwan-U.S. ties.

Waves of U.S. lawmakers have visited in recent weeks to show support for Taiwan. McClain had high praise for Taiwan’s people on Tuesday.

Lisa McClain
House Republican Conference secretary
The people of Taiwan have built a vibrant democracy, a thriving economy. Their success stands as testament to the power of freedom and the indomitable human spirit. It’s a linchpin of stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

Dan Kildee
US Congressman (Democratic Party)
… to get the Taiwan Relations Act approved by Congress 45 years ago. The U.S. Congress and the American people stand with the people of Taiwan. There’s no disagreement between Republicans and Democrats on this point.

McClain also spoke on U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to China.

Lisa McClain
House Republican Conference secretary
My hope would be that he talks about the importance of peace. China’s not our friend, economically, educationally and militarily. We need to make sure that we stand strong as a leader.

Amid China’s frequent provocations in the Taiwan Strait, South China Sea, and East China Sea, U.S. officials voiced hope for closer cooperation with Taiwan and other likeminded countries to safeguard stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

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2024-04-24

Congress passes US$95 billion in aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan

The U.S. Congress has passed a US$95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. The package cleared the House over the weekend, and the Senate has passed it 80 to 19.

Ben Lujan
Senator
The yeas are 80, and nays are 19. Three-fifths of the Senators duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative, the motion is agreed to.

Chuck Schumer
Senator
We tell our allies: We stand with you. We tell our adversaries: Don’t mess with us. We tell the world: The United States will do everything to safeguard democracy and our way of life.

Mitch McConnell
Senate minority leader
Alliances matter. Foreign nations’ respect for American interests depends on our willingness to defend them.

The package of bills includes US$61 billion for Ukraine and US$26 billion for Israel. Another US$8 billion will be used to support Taiwan and maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The package also includes a ban on TikTok in the U.S., if its Chinese owner doesn’t sell its stake within a year.

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2024-04-24

KMT bill seeks to extend lifespan of nuclear power plants

The KMT wants to prolong nuclear power generation in Taiwan. It’s pushing a bill that will make it possible to extend the lifespan of nuclear power plants, by removing the deadline for extension applications. The bill is drawing strong opposition, with civic groups set to stage a protest on April 27. A DPP lawmaker slammed the proposal, saying the KMT was being irresponsible over the issues of nuclear waste and nuclear safety.

Broadcasting Corporation of China Chair Jaw Shaw-kong and KMT lawmakers rally in support of nuclear power.

Jaw Shau-kong
BCC chair
How many outages have there been in Taoyuan? They have also happened in Taipei’s Eastern Shopping District, and in Tainan. There isn’t enough electricity. Haven’t we had a lot of earthquakes recently? They struck Hualien hard. Were the nuclear power plants affected? The lifespan of the first, second, and third nuclear power plants should be extended, and construction should resume on the fourth plant after an expert evaluation.

Taiwan has already decommissioned its first and second nuclear power plants, based in New Taipei’s Shimen and Wanli, respectively. Two units at the third plant in Pingtung are slated for decommissioning this July and next May, when their 40-year licenses expire. Under current regulations, applications to extend the service of nuclear power plants must be submitted five years before a license expires. The KMT argues that there should be no time limit on renewal applications, and that nuclear units should be allowed to operate as long as safety conditions are met. But environmental groups have repeatedly demonstrated over issues including nuclear waste storage, the functionality of aging units, and their seismic resistance.

Hung Sun-han
DPP lawmaker
The KMT is focused on using nuclear power. But they aren’t showing a responsible attitude about problems including nuclear waste. That is everyone’s biggest concern. Since Taiwan is in an earthquake-prone area, how can we ensure nuclear safety?

Chen Tung-yang
Nuclear Safety Commission
We will of course respect any amendments passed by the Legislative Yuan.

With the KMT advocating for extending the plants’ lifespan, civic groups plan to demonstrate outside the Legislative Yuan on April 27 to voice their opposition.

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2024-04-24

TV show ‘Taiwan History’ gets English subtitles as part of education ministry plan

As part of the government’s policy to increase English proficiency in Taiwan, the government is encouraging local news outlets and media producers to add English subtitles to their programs. As part of the government’s "2030 Bilingual Nation" policy, the goal is not only to increase foreigners’ understanding of Taiwan, but also help locals improve their English skills. One such TV program that is embracing the policy is "Taiwan History." With Mandarin audio and English subtitles, it narrates a detailed history of Taiwan with a scope that covers food, nature, society and industry.

Memories of delicious food that resonate with the Taiwan public have been collected in a series of videos. This version is bilingual, with a Mandarin audio and English subtitles.

The Ministry of Culture has launched an international digital communication development program, encouraging news and media outlets to develop creative skills and reach out to the world. The program “Taiwan History” has joined the plan, producing episodes with English subtitles that are broadcast on television and online.

From Taiwan’s culinary culture, to natural landscapes and industrial development, the program chronicles Taiwan’s history and society in detail. The goal is to not just let foreign audiences better understand Taiwan, but help locals improve their English skills.

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2024-04-24

Success for project to hatch fireflies in Tianmu, Taipei

April is firefly season, and there’s a new location in Taipei where the glowing insects can be seen. A project to hatch fireflies outside an office in Tianmu has been a big success. Local people are amazed to find fireflies on their own doorsteps for the first time. The project is a collaboration between the National Training Institute for Farmers’ Organizations and New Taipei Farmers’ Association. They hope the population of fireflies will remain and become part of the local ecosystem.

Tiny green lights flicker and flash in a sea of black. Visitors are delighted by these fireflies dancing in large groups. Even if you’ve seen them before, you probably haven’t seen them in Taipei City.

Member of public
It’s a real surprise, because I think it’s very hard to cultivate fireflies here in Tianmu. They have a green light on their bum, so we call them “green bums.”

Member of public
I think it’s surprising. We used to go Jingtong and that area to see them.

These ponds are outside the National Training Institute for Farmers’ Organizations. They realized the ponds might be suitable for firefly larvae, because they had fresh running water and snails. In March, 1,000 aquatica ficta fireflies were hatched in the area. Come April, the clouds of dancing “green bums” are visible every night after sundown.

Hsi An-hung
National Training Institute for Farmers’ Organizations spokesperson
We hope to achieve an ecological equilibrium, and for it to be environmentally sustainable. With the support of New Taipei City Farmers’ Association, who have been guiding us through it, we brought in some firefly larvae and set them free here. There’s the good water quality they need, and plenty of food, so they were able to grow into maturity successfully. It’s a wonderful surprise for our own employees to find the fireflies flying like this in our own city.

The association has set up an information sign next to the hatching pond, to warn visitors not to use strong lights or camera flashes when they admire the fireflies, as these will scare them away.

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2024-04-24

School back in session in Hualien after earthquake cluster

Hualien residents went back to school and work on Wednesday, following a string of earthquakes the day before, which are believed to be aftershocks of the magnitude 7.2 earthquake on April 3. At Hwa-Gang Junior High School, the temblors left cracks on the walls and on a basketball court. School administrators plan to offer psychological support, to help students process their emotions after the quakes.

Lee En-ming
Hwa-Gang Junior High School principal
This was caused by the April 3 earthquake, but the quakes on April 23 made it worse.

Here in a school restroom, large cracks cover the walls, and broken tiles litter the floor.

Lee En-ming
Hwa-Gang Junior High School principal
We are on top of a fault zone. So whenever there is a movement, we get running cracks like these.

There’s damage even at an outdoor basketball court. Large fissures run across the surface, and a large hole renders the court unusable.

Lee En-ming
Hwa-Gang Junior High School principal
This crack was caused by the earthquakes on April 23.

After a day’s suspension, class was back in session on Wednesday. Students seemed unfazed by the recent seismic activity, but for parents, it was a different story.

Parent
Of course I’m worried, because the earthquake left heavy damage in our area. We live on Gongzheng Street. Now, I tell my kid to hurry back to our shop after class, and to avoid going to dangerous places.

Following the recent cluster of quakes, the school plans to ramp up its disaster response education.

Lee En-ming
Hwa-Gang Junior High School principal
We carry out routine disaster drills. Today, we also plan to reinforce proper disaster response concepts. It’s especially important after an earthquake. We need to remind our students routinely of these things. Besides that, one of our top priorities is helping students process any psychological distress they may have.

Following multiple earthquakes, the people of Hualien are returning to normalcy. Across the county, infrastructure repairs are underway, to restore peace of mind to the community.

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2024-04-24

ITRI wins 1 gold, 3 silvers at 2024 Edison Awards

The winners are out for this year’s Edison Awards, which are known as the "Oscars of Innovation." The Industrial Technology Research Institute, or ITRI, claimed its highest number of awards yet: one gold and three silvers. It won gold for its pioneering eye drop therapy for glaucoma. ITRI said the awards are a testament to Taiwan’s strengths in biomedical, textile, and display technologies.

It’s an eye drop that effectively reduces eye pressure. This first-in-Taiwan technology, known as the Novel Dual-Targeted Therapy for Glaucoma, is shown to be three times more effective than existing medications on the global market. It also comes with fewer side effects. Already patented in Europe and the U.S., the therapy earned a gold medal at the 2024 Edison Awards, a first for any ophthalmic innovation from Taiwan.

Eric Chuang
Director of ITRI’s biotech lab
This award is proof of Taiwan’s research capabilities in developing new medications. We hope to break into a new ophthalmic drug market and compete at an international level.

Another award-winning technology is the Key Functional Cell Identity. Designed to support allogeneic cell therapy, it is a precise and standardized screening platform that quickly filters out unsuitable therapeutic cells. This technology can be applied to treat more than 40 medical conditions, including myocardial infarction and diabetes. It won a silver at this year’s Edison Awards.

Edwin Liu
ITRI president
Being recognized by the Edison Awards is no small feat. It requires not just innovative research and development, but most importantly, the ability to reach the commercial market.

Frank Bonafilia
Edison Awards executive director
You’re like an innovation factory. And you take not just the product that you’re looking at, but you’re looking at the entire process and how it fits within the supply chain, how it’s making people’s lives better. We couldn’t be happier for your attendance this year as well.

This is the eighth consecutive year that ITRI was honored at the Edison Awards. This year, the awards received nearly 400 submissions from around the world. ITRI won a gold and three silvers, its highest number of medals yet. The accolades testify to Taiwan’s strengths in biomedical, textile, and display technologies.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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2024-04-24

Taipei City unveils second double-decker restaurant bus

Here’s a good way to combine the senses of taste and sight. Taipei has launched its second double-decker restaurant bus. The bus serves up Taiwanese delicacies from a five-star hotel while traveling across the city. FTV reporter Stephany Yang has the highlights.

This double-decker restaurant bus stops at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Taipei 101, the Taipei Dome and other local attractions. Only a few double-decker dining cars like this exist in the world.

Lin Yi-hua
Taipei deputy mayor
Only six cities in the world have such a double-decker dining car. So in that sense, coming to Taipei is like going to Paris, Tokyo, Osaka, Hong Kong, and Bangkok.

The car’s menu was created by a five-star hotel. It features the hotel’s beef noodles for lunch, French desserts for afternoon tea, and a spicy beef brisket set meal for dinner. The dining experience lasts approximately an hour and a half.

Wang Chiu-tung
Taipei tourism commissioner
Our data shows that about 30% of riders are foreigners. Singaporeans and Hong Kong people are the most common, so we just think that unique cars like this are worth promoting. Since December 2022, about 39,000 people have experienced our double-decker restaurant bus. We hope that with support from the city government and through the efforts of our industry members, we can drive up passenger numbers.

Taipei’s first double-decker restaurant bus took off in December 2021, but it faced challenges due to the pandemic. The Taipei City government hopes that the new bus will attract more visitors to Taiwan.

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2024-04-24

Convenience stores adopt drink sealing machines for takeout ease

Convenience stores have been diversifying their offerings in recent years, even selling things like freshly made honey-roasted chicken cutlets. Looking to meet summer demand, one chain is banking on two special fruit teas. It has even installed cup-sealing machines at 3,500 locations to make the drinks easier to take out.

Lin Yung-chi
FTV reporter
I’m giving my cup a good shake, but this isn’t a drink shop. It’s a convenience store. It recently installed a sealing machine to make takeout easier.

No need for a lid. With a sealed top, there’s no difference between a tea from a convenience store and a drink shop.

Passerby
It’s not bad. It’s easier for workers to drink from.

Passerby
It doesn’t have as many options as a drink shop, but if I’m looking for something convenient, the price is about the same, so I’ll still get it.

Taiwanese love to buy from drink shops, with nearly 1.1 billion cups sold every year. Convenience stores see potential in the market, with one chain installing sealing machines in 3,500 locations.

Tien Nai-wen
Public affairs manager
There are three elements to it: the taste of the fruit tea, the texture of the toppings and the fun of shaking it. Combined with the convenience of being available 24 hours a day and the ubiquity of locations, we hope that it will boost overall sales by 10% or 20%.

Another chain has turned into a chicken shop by selling freshly made honey-roasted cutlets topped with an irresistible sauce. It’s now offered at 80 locations.

Convenience stores are constantly thinking up new services to carve out a niche in the competitive market. Yet with every new offering, workers are left to juggle even more on the job.

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2024-04-24

Wireless earbuds top list of items lost in Taipei gutters

Have you ever dropped something into a storm drain? In Taipei, all you need to do is call 1999 and a sanitary worker will help you retrieve it. According to the Taipei Department of Environmental Protection, more than 900 items were lost in gutters last year. Yet whereas 10 years ago the most common items were keys; now wireless earbuds are lost most often.

Chen Jou-an
FTV reporter
When walking along the street, you need to pay attention to the storm drains and hold on to your stuff. If you’re not careful, things could fall in. Do you know what the most common item is?

Pedestrian
Probably rings or a piece of jewelry or something.

Pedestrian
I think it’s wireless earbuds, because it happened to my friend. When passing storm drains, I’ll pay extra careful attention.

According to the Taipei Department of Environmental Protection, over 900 items were retrieved from storm drains last year. Earbuds topped the list at 352, followed by keys and phones. Other things like credit cards, EasyCards and other small items are particularly easy to lose. The department has even received a call about a lost family ring, but it was thankfully able to be retrieved.

Ho Tzu-hui
Sanitary worker
If people aren’t careful when walking, they can drop small things into the drains. We get calls at all hours of the day and will quickly send help to fish the item out.

After dialing 1999, a sanitary worker will be dispatched immediately to help dig in the gutter to retrieve their things from the dark depths of the sewers.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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2024-04-24

Damp week ahead, heaviest rains expected Friday

A weather front brought downpours across the west coast on Wednesday. As of 5 p.m., the heaviest rainfall was recorded on Henglong Mountain in Miaoli, with accumulation reaching 160 millimeters. In Taipei’s Neihu, strong winds toppled a large tree, briefly halting traffic. Widespread flooding was also reported.

Huang En-hung
CWA forecaster
The rainfall will be most significant on Friday. Intermittent showers or thunderstorms are expected nationwide. The central and southern parts of the island, marked in red, are at risk for heavy rain or even extremely heavy rain. The north and northeast can also expected localized heavy rain.

The Central Weather Administration forecasts a respite from the rain Thursday morning. But this break will be short-lived. By the afternoon, another front is set to sweep in with even more downpours, and so keep your rain gear close at hand.

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2024-04-24

Two buildings partially collapse in Hualien after series of earthquakes

Over the past two days, Hualien has been rocked by a string of earthquakes, including two over magnitude 6. The quakes led to the partial collapse of two buildings in Hualien. One was a hotel that had been vacant due to renovations. The other was a residential building that was heavily damaged after the April 3 quake. No casualties were reported.

At 2:26 a.m., a magnitude 6 earthquake struck Hualien, sending the Full Hotel building tilting to one side.

Police and firefighters rushed to the scene, calling out to potential casualties. During the rescue effort, another earthquake struck.

First responders cordoned off the area to prevent public access. After inspecting the site, they confirmed that the hotel was empty, as it had been closed for renovations. No casualties were reported.

Teng Zeu-yu
Hualien County Economic Affairs Department
We’re starting by dismantling public facilities in the vicinity, such as that traffic light. The procedure will be similar to the demolition of the Uranus Building. We’ll fill in the ground first to provide support to the building, so that it doesn’t tilt as much.

The temblor also further tilted the Tong Shuai Building, which was unoccupied after being marked for demolition following the April 3 earthquake. The first floor caved in, leaving the second floor at ground level. The Hualien County government established a disaster response command center, and Commissioner Hsu Chen-wei proceeded to the scene soon after.

Tong Shuai Building spokesperson
The building had already been marked for demolition. They had put support beams on the side. It was all normal before 5 or 6 today. But this last time, when we tried to go near after 5, they didn’t let us through.

Teng Zeu-yu
Hualien County Economic Affairs Department
If reinforcements can come over immediately, demolition work can start at the Tong Shuai Building. Due to the building’s size, the process should take about two weeks.

Work and classes were suspended in Hualien on Tuesday. The county government has advised residents to stay in open spaces in case another quake strikes.

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2024-04-23

Partial collapse of Hualien’s Full Hotel raises safety concerns

The Full Hotel had partially collapsed during Hualien’s recent earthquakes. But the building had not previously been listed as risky or unsafe. The collapse of an apparently sound building has left locals fearing for the safety of their homes.

Member of public
During the earthquake and the shaking, the noise was so scary, it was impossible to sleep. So I just drove out in the car and slept here.

Member of public
That’s right, I ran outside. I didn’t dare to sleep last night.

Hu Ren-shun
Hualien County councilor
It is apparent that in Hualien City, there are still many cases of a building being damaged, but the owner not reporting it. I think that the Hualien County government should take responsibility for this and take proactive action.

After the April 3 earthquake, locals reported dozens of damaged buildings, and inspectors designated just over 100 of them as unsafe or risky to inhabit. But a local councilor says there are many more damaged buildings that have gone unreported or unnoticed. He wants the local government to carry out its own building inspections, so that locals no longer need to live in fear.

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2024-04-23

Quake cluster closes roads, damages bridge in Hualien

Widespread damage has been reported in Hualien as a result of the quakes. At Xiulin Township, the piers of Tongmen Bridge were shifted out of place, and big cracks have appeared on the asphalt. Provincial Highway 8 is now closed off to traffic until repairs are made and debris is cleared. Taroko National Park will remain closed until May 7.

Here at Hualien’s Xiulin Township, the bridge’s piers have been displaced. This is the Tongmen Bridge, the only access road to the Mukumugi Valley. Large cracks appeared on the asphalt after the quakes.

Chung Ming-hsien
Dowmung Village
We’re still getting a lot of aftershocks, everyone is scared. Even I haven’t slept. We don’t know how much damage the bridge has sustained.

After a preliminary assessment, it was determined that the misalignment was caused by loosened soil. Though the bridge is still passable, traffic has been limited to just one direction at a time to ensure safety.

At the 34.5 kilometer mark of Provincial Highway 11, excavators clear large rocks blocking Mingde Tunnel and push them to the side of the road. Landslides have left debris on the road and eroded its foundation. Over at Provincial Highway 8, rockslides have blocked the eastern section connecting Tianxiang and Taroko in many areas. The road has been closed. Its reopening on Wednesday will depend on the progress of repairs.

On Monday afternoon, Silks Place Taroko Hotel announced that it would remain closed until June 30. Taroko National Park will remain closed until May 7. One Hualien resident reported seeing a large swarm of millipedes on the road Monday evening, leading himto suspect that a big earthquake was on its way.

Mr. Wu
Hualien resident
It was along the riverside near Tzu Chi Elementary School. I was taking a stroll and saw that the ground next to the gazebo was covered with millipedes. We walk past there every day and had never seen that before.

At the Qixingtan Security Checkpoint, a security camera captured a dog running amok during a temblor. Surveillance at Nanbin Park shows trees swaying. At Dashibishan in Fengbin Township, the shaking was so intense that it sent a camera toppling over. Tuesday’s cluster of quakes left Hualien all shook up.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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2024-04-23

Missed out on earthquake alerts? Here’s why

Earthquake warnings go out to smartphones when the quake’s intensity is expected to reach Level 4. Last night in Taichung, some residents received alerts as many as three times, while others got it only once. The local fire department released an infographic to explain why.

A top reason for a missed alert is that the phone is in use when the warning is sent. The user might be in a voice conversation, or using the 3G network to browse the internet. Another reason is that the phone is set up to refuse alerts. To accept alerts on an iOS system, navigate to “Settings,” find “Notifications,” and turn on government alerts.

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2024-04-23

AI singing platform creates official versions of Chinese-speakers’ voices

In the rising world of AI, Taiwan has a new AI voice platform. It specializes in creating official versions of Chinese speakers’ voices. A special song featuring the voices of four beloved folk singers has been released to mark the platform going online. Users will be able to put their own compositions and lyrics on the platform, and get them sung by one of these beloved singers within two or three minutes.

Four folk singers collaborated on this new release. But the whole track, from the singers’ voice to the music video, was made by AI.

Li Ming-teh
Singer
I can tell my grandson, “Grandpa sang this song,” and then he’ll say he doesn’t believe it. And I’ll say, “No, really, we recorded it 60 years ago.”

This is the first time these singers have heard their own voices produced by AI.

The singer faces off against her AI rival, showing just how lifelike the imitation is. She says she likes to listen to it.

Fan Yi-wen
Singer
It’s just like my real voice. I don’t usually sing such high ranges, songs in such high keys. So when I heard it, it was very interesting.

Tu Pei-tsen
Singer
It gave me goosebumps. I feel touched. I personally feel it’s very like myvoice’s real timbre.

The driving forces behind the AI music platform are Taiwan AI Labs founder Ethan Tu, and famous campus singer Li Chien-fu.

Li Chien-fu
Singer
It took way less time and money, because, for example, getting a singer into the studio means you have to pay the singer, pay for the studio. All that is a burden on the creator.

Ethan Tu
Taiwan AI Labs founder
In the past, people were always talking about “deepfakes” which were pirate versions and imitations. But we use the same profit-sharing model, and we tidy up the workflows. We’re telling people this could be the future model of the AI voice economy.

Fake voices abound on the internet already. But a platform like this shows that an official AI voice can beat a pirate version. The project gives artists protections and works with a charity for the visually impaired, and gives more creators a platform to make music.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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2024-04-23

Hualien night market to launch voucher programs to draw crowds back

The earthquake on April 3 in Hualien has dealt a devastating blow to the county’s tourism sector. Tourist spots, such as Dongdamen Night Market, have seen profits crumble. In a bid to lure crowds back, the Ministry of Economic Affairs will launch a night market voucher scheme starting in May. Let’s hear from those affected in Hualien.

Huang Chia-ming
Dongdamen Night Market
There are more market stands than visitors. Crowds aren’t even 10% of what they used to be during weekdays. Vendors selling food aren’t even opening up shop. Because if they do, their ingredients will go bad and they’ll have to throw it all out.

Chang Chih-hsiang
Hualien Tourism Department
The April 3 earthquake caused very big losses for Hualien’s tourism industry. Especially at night markets, and commercial districts. Immediately after the quake, the Hualien government sought relief and revitalization packages from the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

The first voucher scheme will launch in May and last through July. Buy a voucher for NT$100 to get NT$200 to spend at Dongdamen Night Market. The second scheme will launch in August. Show proof that you are staying overnight in Hualien to get a NT$100 cash voucher at the market.

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2024-04-23

Six more Cabinet members announced, including finance, agriculture ministers

More officials have been named to the Lai administration’s Cabinet. Premier-designate Cho Jung-tai announced six appointments, including the ministers of finance and agriculture. The lineup is mostly familiar faces. The one newcomer is Chen Shu-tzu, who will head the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics. Chen had served in the Tainan City government when Lai Ching-te was mayor. She is credited with reducing Tainan’s expenses and expanding its financial resources.

More appointments have been unveiled for Cho Jung-tai’s Cabinet. They’re mostly familiar faces, with the exception of Chen Shu-tzu, who will head the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics. When Lai Ching-te served as Tainan mayor, Chen headed the city’s Research, Development and Evaluation Commission. She turned Tainan from a debt-wracked city to a model for financial management.

Cho Jung-tai
Premier-designate
She helped reduce Tainan’s debt significantly, and set aside a budget for water management. She excels in both saving funds and expanding financial resources. I’m not exaggerating in the slightest.

Chen Shu-tzu
Statistics minister-designate
Reducing national debt is a must. If we want healthy finances, that’s something we’ll have to do. But at the same time, we have to take into account Taiwan’s economic development.

Remaining in their current posts will be Minister of Finance Chuang Tsui-yun, Overseas Community Affairs Council Minister Hsu Chia-ching, Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling and Directorate-General of Personnel Administration Director Su Chun-jung. Meanwhile, acting Minister of Agriculture Chen Junne-jih will formally take up the role. Amid criticism over the low proportion of women in previous appointments, four of the six posts announced on Tuesday went to women.

Cho Jung-tai
Premier-designate
I’m relieved that we are announcing several women today. It’s just how the Cabinet is taking shape. We didn’t deliberately arrange to announce the women Cabinet heads today. We’re just following the order that was established previously.

Twenty-seven days remain until Lai’s inauguration. Ministers without portfolio, and positions related to national security, are expected to be announced later this week.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

2024-04-23

China ramps up military activity ahead of Taiwan’s Inauguration Day

China has been ramping up its activity in the Taiwan Strait. PLA aircraft made a close approach last Saturday, testing Taiwan’s territorial sea baseline of 24 nautical miles. Earlier this week, a Chinese naval vessel confronted Taiwan’s Chang Chien frigate near Penghu. It even went as far as to issue taunts via broadcast.

Wang Chih-sheng
Cross-Strait Policy Association scholar
Beijing is launching a variety of gray-zone operations to put pressure on us. The CCP has two main goals. The first is to test our reactions and attitudes ahead of May 20. It hopes to put some pressure on Lai Ching-te before May 20, to influence his inauguration speech to some degree.

The Chang Chien frigate was in a maritime area that’s routinely patrolled by Taiwan. The navy says that front-line troops are closely monitoring all Chinese activity and are prepared to appropriately respond to any situation.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

2024-04-23