Taiwan’s economy grew by 3.08% in second quarter: government statistics agency

Taiwan’s economy grew by 3.08% in second quarter: government statistics agency

2022-07-29

Taiwan’s economy grew by 3.08% in the second quarter, according to Taiwan’s statistics agency. That’s 0.23 percentage points lower than originally projected. So far this year, the GDP has grown by 3.85%, which is 0.06 percentage points lower than what was forecast in May.

The economy was affected by lockdowns in China, which reduced production at several Taiwan-owned plants. But when it came to exports, emerging technology applications and digital business remained strong over the quarter. That, coupled with easing material shortages, allowed goods and service exports to grow by 4.31% from Q2 in 2021. Domestic consumption grew 2.96% from the previous year, but experts say the base line was on the low side due to the Level 3 COVID alert.

主計總處概估! Q2經濟成長率3.08%不如預期

2022-07-29

今天行政院主計總處，公布第二季GDP概估，第二季經濟成長率3.08%，低於先前預測0.23個百分點。今年全年經濟成長率為3.85%，較五月預測的3.91%下修0.06個百分點。

今年4月份中國因疫情封城，有設廠的台商受到影響。外需方面，新興科技應用與數位轉型商機依然強勢，加上缺料狀況的緩解，讓商品及服務輸出成長4.31%。而內需方面，則因為去年第二季，受到三級警戒影響，基期較低，國內消費成。

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The whale-watching boat Haijing is back on the water, much to the joy of its owners and fans. The boat was one of two that burned down while at port in January, and the pandemic meant delays to its repair. The boat’s operator said the pandemic had already chipped away at his business, so the fire was an especially hard blow. Now, Haijing - a boat that many have fond memories of from its 20 years in operation - is back in action, ready to take ocean-lovers off into the horizon.

Three dolphins swim in unison next to the boat, diving in and out of the water. It’s a captivating sight for the passengers on board this whale-watching boat.

This boat is the Haijing. Before it sets off on its inaugural trip, the crew set off firecrackers to christen the vessel. However, this is not a new vessel. It is more of a phoenix that has reemerged from the ashes.

In January this year, Haijing and one other boat moored at Shitiping Fishing Harbor caught fire. The two boats were more than 20 years old.

Lin Kuo-cheng
Boat captain
When we sent the boat off for repair, we had knots in our heart. Due to the pandemic the workers at the factory were away from work, which caused a long delay in the repairs. Actually, these past few years the business has experienced negative growth, and after the boat caught fire we felt like we had to just give up. After all the years we had that boat, of course we had feelings toward it.

Voice of Ms. Yu
Dolphin researcher
It’s very touching, because it’s our old friend. Actually, when Haijing was damaged it was hard for us. Now, it’s been restored – and restored to even newer, even greater, even better condition. It can once again take those of us who are passionate about the sea, or passionate about dolphins back out onto the open water.

Haijing, which is registered to Hualien’s Fengbin Township, was Taiwan’s first whale-watching boat. Its popularity kicked off a surge in interest in whale watching. Now, after being out for repairs for half a year, Haijing has been reborn anew.

Lin Kuo-cheng
Boat captain
It took about a month to do the inspection after the repairs. The deck had burned up, so that was completely replaced, which means that all the equipment is the same as that of a new boat. Therefore, it had to undergo all the same safety tests as a new boat. So, my friends, there is no need to worry – it is completely safe.

After half a year out of water, Taiwan’s first whale-watching boat is back at sea. For sea lovers, Haijing’s resurrection is like the return of an old friend.

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Yilan celebrates first day of Ghost Month with water lanterns

Friday marks the first day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar, also known as the Ghost Month. On this day, the doors to the underworld, swing open, allowing spirits to roam the streets of Taiwan. In Yilan, the day is celebrated with parades featuring local folk gods as well as a water lantern ceremony. Though activities were scaled back this year due to COVID, participants say the event was as spectacular as ever.

Colorful paper lotus flowers with lit candles float on the river.

A paper house lantern is set ablaze and set in the water too. Its flames illuminate the entire Yilan River. It’s the first day of the Ghost Month, meaning the doors to the underworld are now open. In Yilan, locals release water lanterns as a blessing. They burn paper money, and put out offerings for the spirits that come to the mortal realm.

Lin Cheng-fang
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Chen Wen-pin
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Nowadays the water lanterns are made from bamboo, which is more environmentally friendly.

The traditional water lantern festival kicked off on Thursday night at around 11 p.m. Owing to the pandemic, street parades were canceled and replaced by motorcades around the city. The main event went ahead, with guests presenting lotus flowers and 13 large environmentally-friendly lanterns, one by one, in the water. In addition to praying for peace, this time of the year is also a time to remember relatives who have passed away. The annual festival drew visitors from abroad.

Paraguayan Student
We are very interested in Taiwanese culture, so we thought this was fascinating.

Standing on a bridge, participants marveled at the beauty of the flames reflected on the river. The lotus flowers scattered on the river and the flickering flames, are a way for Yilan locals to remember their dear ones, while paying respect to the visitors from the underworld.

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Publisher launches book on former President Lee Teng-hui’s agricultural contributions

Saturday marks the second anniversary of the death of former President Lee Teng-hui. Though known internationally as "Mr. Democracy," Lee’s initial career was actually in agriculture. A local publisher launched a book Friday on Lee’s contributions to Taiwan’s agricultural policies. The event was attended by the current minister of agriculture and representatives from the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, among others.

Saturday will mark two-year anniversary of the death of former President Lee Teng-hui. To celebrate the occasion, a local publisher on Friday launched a new book titled: “Mr. Agriculture Lee Teng-hui.” It covers the late president’s contributions to farming in Taiwan. The book contains many old photographs showing Lee operating farm equipment, inspecting crops and interacting with local farmers. Lee’s daughter, Annie Lee, who now heads a foundation in his name, attended the event and shared some stories about her father.

Annie Lee
Lee Teng-hui Foundation head
Many people know my father as a politician. But back then, that was not who my father was. The memories I treasure the most is when I was young and my father was a scholar.

Before becoming a pioneering figure in Taiwan’s democratic evolution, Lee Teng-hui was an agroeconomics scholar. He started his career in agriculture while studying in Japan. Later, he attended National Taiwan University, where he studied agricultural science. Even when he entered politics, he always stressed that agriculture is the foundation upon which nations are built.

Chen Chi-chung
Council of Agriculture
If you go to the minister’s office at the Council of Agriculture, you’ll see calligraphy with four characters that says “agriculture is the foundation of our country.” This calligraphy was personally inked by Lee Teng-hui.

The book has a foreword by President Tsai Ing-wen, and is a complete record of Lee’s agricultural policies. The event was also attended by a representative from the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, who said that Lee and former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo had worked together to improve ties between their two countries.

Murashima Ikuyo
Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association
We recently lost former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, who saw Lee Teng-hui as a mentor. But we can’t stop now. President Lee Teng-hui and Prime Minister Abe Shinzo are above us, watching our work to strengthen ties between Taiwan and Japan. Let’s keep working toward that goal.

Annie Lee
Lee Teng-hui Foundation head
It was a loss for everyone, which will leave its mark on all. These few days some delegations of Japanese representatives have come to Taiwan, and we’re going to have some events to go up to Wuzhi Mountain Military Cementery.

The Japanese representative said Abe respected Lee as a teacher, and had on many occasions expressed a wish that he would like to visit Lee’s grave in Taiwan. Although such a visit did not happen due to Abe’s untimely death, the fruits of the friendship between the two former leaders will live on.

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DPP Taipei mayoral candidate announces 12 groups to help with campaigning

The DPP’s mayoral candidate for Taipei Chen Shih-chung, announced Friday the formation of 12 campaign support groups, one for each of the city’s districts.
The DPP’s Taipei mayoral candidate Chen Shih-chung and his campaign director announced the formation of official support groups for Chen’s campaign in each of Taipei’s 12 districts.

The former health minister personally put a sash on Yan Chih-fa, the head of a Tsai Ing-wen friendship group. Yan will serve as president of the umbrella organization above the support groups. He has harnessed his connections to find 12 people who will serve as district heads for each of Chen’s local support groups.

Chen Shih-chung
Taipei mayoral candidate (DPP)
We’ve seen Taipei stagnate. I and the people of Taipei hope that Taipei will continue to improve. Moving forward, the heads of our district groups will be my representatives.

Chen Chien-jen
Former vice president
The heads of our support groups for each of the 12 districts are like tigers. They will lead all the members well and give good support to Ah-chung. Let’s do this.

It was a grand ceremony, with many big names. After the event, Chen addressed criticism directed at him over traffic problems in Neihu District. The KMT’s Chiang Wan-an has said that Chen is full of idle talk, merely repeating empty slogans on the matter. Meanwhile Taipei Deputy Mayor Huang Shan-shan has said that Chen had not done his homework and therefore did not understand the problem.

Chen Shih-chung
Taipei mayoral candidate (DPP)
I don’t need to do any cramming on the issue. Everyone agrees that the traffic in Neihu Technology Park is bad. They roads were planned poorly. But I think that bringing former Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou into the matter is a little bit ridiculous. Lawmaker Chiang is young and promising. But he needs maturity. He shouldn’t take the wrong path, he should take the right path in life. COVID prevention is still a matter that we have to handle, but all Chiang does on that front is repeat slogans.

Huang Shan-shan
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Please, everyone, get it right. Neihu Technology Park is not Neihu District. The Neihu Technology Park is the Neihu Technology Park. There are traffic jams during commuting hours, but Neihu District as a whole is well connected. It is an excellent residential area. Let’s not tarnish Neihu’s reputation.

Chen chased away verbal attacks on two fronts. Will he be able to keep it up until the elections? It remains to be seen.The former health minister also fended off attacks from his two rivals concerning traffic problems in Neihu.

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