First batch of next-gen COVID vaccines to reach Taiwan late September

2022-08-31

Taiwan reported 34,389 local COVID infections on Wednesday, a marked increase from previous days. The CECC says Taiwan is entering a new COVID wave driven by the BA.5 subvariant. Health officials urge the public to get vaccinated as soon as possible. They say a meeting will be held soon to approve Moderna’s next-gen COVID vaccine for use in Taiwan. Let’s hear from the CECC.

Victor Wang
CECC
The documents regarding Moderna’s next-gen vaccines have all been received, according to the FDA. They will be reviewed the day after tomorrow, on Sept. 2, at an EUA review committee. If the vaccine is approved, we will convoke a meeting with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices as fast as possible, on Sept. 5, to discuss administration. The step after that would be to place orders with the manufacturer, to have a timeline on deliveries. Currently, we expect the vaccine to be delivered in late September. If we can make that a bit earlier, we will. But we still have to carry out inspections on sealing.

Starting Sept. 1, several restrictions will be eased for overseas arrivals. Travelers arriving in Taiwan will be allowed to drive to their quarantine destination in their own vehicles. In addition, arrivals on the 3+4 quarantine model will no longer be required to stay alone in their residences during their self-health management period.

莫德納次世代疫苗估後天審查估9月底到貨

2022-08-31

台灣今天新增34389例COVID-19本土疫情，指揮中心表示，台灣可能已經進入下一波流行，提醒未完整接種疫苗的民眾趕快接種。至於次世代疫苗EUA目前也加快審查中。

[[疫情指揮中心指揮官王必勝]]
“關於莫德納次世代，它的文件，據食藥署回報，都已經補齊了，預計就是後天會開始審查，9月2號會開EUA審查會。接下來如果EUA審查是通過，我們也會緊鑼密鼓地安排9月5號，來做ACIP的會議，看看是怎麼樣去施打，再後續就是跟廠商訂貨，請他們安排交貨的期程，現在估是估在9月底(交貨)，可以往前一點我們就盡量往前，因為還有封緘檢驗的問題。”

9月1日開始，也有幾個個新政策上路，包括入境檢疫有條件開放自駕，但不可以租車方式開車返家。入境3+4最後4天也放寬為1人1室。

Defense ministry confirms four more Chinese drones were spotted in Kinmen on Tuesday

The Ministry of National Defense has confirmed that four more drones approached areas of Kinmen on Tuesday. Three of them were spotted at three islands of the archipelago at about 4 p.m. and left the scene after the military fired warning flares. The fourth one showed up at around 6 p.m. and only left after the military fired a live-fire "defensive shot." Meanwhile, Japan’s Defense Ministry says it tracked another Chinese drone to the east of Taiwan, near Hualien. The medium-sized drone flew past Taiwan via the Miyako Strait before heading south into Taiwan’s airspace off the east coast of Taiwan.

In recent days several Chinese drones have approached areas of Taiwan’s Kinmen County. In previous days, the military has responded to the intrusions by sending warnings to drive the drones away, a measure that critics say is too lax. During a visit to a military base in Penghu on Tuesday, President Tsai Ing-wen ordered stronger responses.

Tsai Ing-wen (Aug. 30)
President
We should still exercise restraint. But that doesn’t mean that we won’t respond. I have ordered the Ministry of National Defense to adopt necessary and strong response measures.

Shortly after President Tsai spoke on the topic, more Chinese drones approached Kinmen. According to the Ministry of National Defense, at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, the Kinmen Defense Command detected three Chinese civilian drones at Dadan Island, Erdan Island and Shi Islet. The military fired signal flares as a warning, after which the drones flew back toward Xiamen in China. Later, at 5:59 p.m., another drone was detected above a restricted marine area near Erdan Island. But this time, warning flares did not drive away the aircraft, which stayed put. The military followed up by firing a live-fire “defensive shot,” after which the drone left the area.

Wang Ting-yu
DPP lawmaker
Our people support a tougher stance by the military. Issuing warnings, forcing landings and intercepting flights, and even shooting down drones are all ways to deal with the issue. This is something that happens internationally. They are all legitimate actions to protect ourselves.

Voice of Clarence Wu
People First Party
China’s gray-zone tactics are quite like guerrilla warfare. The point of this is to put out a winner’s narrative. If we have no other options, we can just put up posters of Winnie the Pooh over there, and have soldiers do stabbing drills with them. Winnie the Pooh is a taboo across the strait. So if they capture images that show Winnie, they won’t dare make them public.

Experts say that, in face of gray-zone tactics, high-ranking military officials should abandon rigid approaches in favor of non-traditional response measures. Chinese drones have not just been spotted in Taiwan’s outlying islands close to China. According to Japan’s Ministry of Defense, on Tuesday afternoon, a Chinese TB-001 reconnaissance and strike drone crossed the Miyako Strait from the East China Sea. It headed westward, to a spot off the coast of Hualien, after which it returned to China via the same path.

Wang Ting-yu
DPP lawmaker
It must have taken off from a vessel on the East China Sea. For medium-sized and bigger drones, we have asked the military to have different standards of procedure for different kinds of intrusions.

Military experts say China is trying to establish a “new normal” in the Taiwan Strait, adding that Taiwan’s military must come up with creative countermeasures.

2022-08-31

Biden administration to ask Congress to approve US$1.1 billion arms package for Taiwan

In the face of rising cross-strait tensions, the Ministry of National Defense has announced a NT$415.1 billion budget for 2023. That’s more than 15% of the government’s total annual budget. Combined with other special funds, the total may come to NT$586.3 billion, or 2.4% of the GDP. Meanwhile, reports say the Biden administration is set to ask the U.S. Congress to approve a US$1.1 billion arms sale to Taiwan, which will include 60 Harpoon anti-ship missiles and 100 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles.

During an airdrop drill, a Humvee is dropped from a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.

As the military continues to fortify its defense capability, reports say the Biden administration is set to ask Congress to approve an arms sale to Taiwan. The deal would include 60 Harpoon anti-ship missiles for US$355 million, and 100 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, which can be mounted on F-16V fighter jets, for US$856 million, bringing the total to more than US$1.1 billion.

Su Tzu-yun
Institute for National Defense and Security Research
The Harpoon missiles can be launched from the air or submarines, which can ward off the enemy’s fleet and warships in asymmetric warfare. The Sidewinder missiles can launch off-axis strikes. They can be paired with F-16V jets and integrated head protection systems, and they are not limited to a straight line for launch. They can even be launched sideways, in a 90-degree angle, or even 180 degrees from center axis, at an enemy plane trailing behind.

The military expert said the arms in the deal are promising. But apart from the two types of missiles mentioned, the military also hopes to be able to purchase the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or the HIMARS, which played a key role in Ukraine against Russia.

In this year’s national defense budget plan, the army allocated more than NT$15.4 billion for 11 HIMARS. For the coming year, since the army is no longer buying the M109A6 “Paladin” self-propelled howitzers, the budget for that will go toward 18 HIMARS. In addition, there will be a budget for 84 missiles for the army Tactical Missile System, or ATACMS, as well as 864 precision rockets, bringing the total budget to more than NT$32.5 billion.

Meanwhile, the military is also boosting its drone forces. The Air Force has signed a NT$16.8 billion procurement agreement with the U.S. for four MQ-9 "Reaper" unmanned aerial vehicles. That pushes the defense budget for next year to NT$415.1 billion, accounting for 15.3% of the government’s total annual budget. Adding in special funds for non-profit purposes at NT$62.9 billion, a special budget of NT$45.1 billion for new fighter jets, and an additional NT$63.2 billion special budget for upgrading the Navy and Air Force, the total amount may add up to NT$586.3 billion, or 2.4% of the GDP. All these funds will go to enhancing Taiwan’s combat capability.

2022-08-31

Dozens of classes islandwide called off due to strict COVID rules

It’s the second day of the new school year, but already some schools have had to call off physical classes due to COVID. In Changhua County alone, 49 classes have been called off so far. Parents say the strict COVID rules are a hassle, while schools say teachers are prepared for online and hybrid teaching over the next few weeks.

The long summer break is over and school is back. So where are the students? This teacher has had to start off the new term online due to rising COVID numbers and strict class closure rules.

Yen Shu-chu
Changan Elementary School principal
The student tested positive in a rapid test. So the whole class has to go online for three days. Our teachers have made all the necessary preparations for hybrid classes or for online classes. They are ready for it all.

The school principal says she’s sad to see some classes completely empty, while others get back together for the new school year. That’s the way it is with the current COVID regulations, which force classes to go online.

Currently, classes at elementary and middle schools have to go online for three days if just one student tests positive for COVID. Starting Sept. 12, the rules will be eased, so that classes will continue even if a positive is found. All students will have to get a rapid test. Parents say they can’t wait for the updated rules.

Parents are back at the school entrance gate to pick up their children just moments after dropping them off. Some say they were getting ready to go to work when they received a notice that classes were canceled and that their kids had to go back home.

Nanguo Elementary School in Changhua says eight classes have been canceled so far. Countywide, 25 classes were called off on the first day of the school year, on Tuesday. Now, on the second day, the number of classes that have gone online has hit 49. Parents islandwide have voiced discontent with the rules.

Parent
There’s nothing we can do. The government doesn’t have any complementary regulations. The pandemic is not a one- or two-day affair. What are they doing?

Parents say they feel helpless amid the strict regulations. It’s looking like the first two weeks of class will be a testing time for many.

2022-08-31

Postal drones tested in new project by Chunghwa Post and MOTC

The transport ministry and Chunghwa Post are developing new postal drones. They aim to deliver parcels fast, even to isolated locations. They’ve got a new model which they’re testing in the mountains of Jianshi Township, Hsinchu. It can travel faster to many locations than a postal officer on the ground. It can also play a special role after natural disasters occur.

A drone gently lifts a parcel from the ground into the air. It follows a fixed course as it carries the letters and medical supplies in the parcel to Xinguang Village, in the mountains of Jianshi Township. The delivery used to take 100 minutes or more. Now it’s arrived in just 45 minutes.

Tsou Yu-cheng
Postal officer
In our deliveries, the distance is fine but the journey is rather arduous. This is something we have to deal with in the mountains currently.

Member of public
This is good government action. If you had this in every township office, you could speedily deploy them to help in disaster rescue operations. Or simply for making deliveries more convenient.

Delivery drones are not just for letters. When natural disasters block the road, they can be used to assist emergency rescue teams, bringing essential equipment swiftly to affected areas. Minister of Transportation and Communications Wang Kwo-tsai says that the delivery drone technologies, as well as the design of their flight routes, is not simple. Using test runs, engineers can create models to bring essential deliveries to more areas across the country.

Wang Kwo-tsai
Minister of Transportation and Communications
This is a very important milestone for Taiwan. It’s the first drone weighing over 25 kilograms. The transport ministry, the Civil Aeronautics Administration have made all the regulatory preparations. We invite everyone to come together with industry and develop things like these that can develop transport and industry. We hope that can create a virtuous circle and form a national team.

Chunghwa Post is working on a drone strategy with the transport ministry. The test runs in Jianshi Township will help optimize the technologies to roll them out further afield.

2022-08-31

CWB says sea warning likely on Friday as Typhoon Hinnamnor draws closer

2022-08-31

DPP’s Chen and independent Huang formally register to run for Taipei mayor

On Wednesday, the DPP’s Chen Shih-chung and independent candidate Huang Shan-shan registered to take part in the Taipei mayoral race. Chen showed up at the registration office escorted by the DPP’s candidates for city councilors and other party officials. For her part, Huang was accompanied by members and candidates of the Taiwan People’s Party, which is endorsing her. Another person who threw his hat into the ring is former Tainan County commissioner Su Huan-chih, who is running on the Taiwan Renewal Party’s ticket.

Accompanied by former Vice President Chen Chien-jen, DPP Taipei mayoral candidate Chen Shih-chung on Wednesday formally registered for the race at the Taipei City Election Commission.

The former VP, who is serving as leader of Chen Shih-chung’s campaign team, as well as all 26 DPP Taipei City councilor candidates, all wore vests bearing Chen Shih-chung’s name in a show of supporrt. Other than the DPP members, 10 parents brought their children to the scene to show support for the former health minister.

Chen Shih-chung
DPP Taipei mayoral candidate
I will take on the responsibility of being a worthy candidate, and come up with more concrete ideas for the campaign in order to gain the recognition and support of Taipei residents. I’ve emphasized time and again that the ideas we’ve come up with—our proposals—may not necessarily be perfect, but they’ll be out there for everyone to debate on. That’s a responsible way of doing things. We’ll also reflect on the campaign as we go forward so I’ll have a mature set of policies to start with upon taking office. I also want to thank the parents here today with their kids. The 10 of you here today. We have kids from many age groups, all here today. That goes to show how big our responsibilities are going forward.

About an hour later, the Taiwan People’s Party-supported mayoral candidate Huang Shan-shan also arrived at the Taipei City Election Commission for registration. Huang was accompanied by Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je and the TPP’s city councilor candidates. Speaking to the cameras, Huang said she hopes there can be policy discussions on a weekly basis.

Huang Shan-shan
Independent Taipei mayoral candidate
And now the race officially begins. After the race begins, we hope all candidates can discuss ideas and policies. We also hope that we’ll all stop fighting with words, or further stoke tensions between pan-blue and pan-green parties, or rally for our own candidates at the expense of other parties’ candidates. Whether it’s social housing, or public safety, or traffic congestion issues, let us gather weekly for an open debate.

Ko Wen-je
Taipei mayor
Regarding the two main parties, some were left disappointed, some have gave up all hope, but we should at least give the people of Taiwan a sliver of hope. With this campaign we wish to give Taiwan a new hope. So if you cast a vote to the Taiwan People’s Party, you’re not actually voting for the Taiwan People’s Party, but for hope in yourself.

Another candidate also threw his hat in the ring for the Taipei mayoral race: Taiwan Renewal Party convener Su Huan-chih. The race for the capital is on.

2022-08-31

Taiwan businesses say Chinese COVID lockdowns greatly impacting operations

2022-08-31

Mahi mahi enters TRA bento box range as limited edition only for Hualien

The beloved Taiwan Railways bento boxes have a new recruit! The popular mahi mahi fish now has a spot in the bento line for the first time. But the box is only available at Hualien Station in a limited edition featuring local ingredients. Meanwhile, other new bento boxes are springing up across Taiwan just in time for the fall season. One airline is offering a boxed meal inspired by MasterChef winner Liya Chu.

A fish steak grilled to a golden yellow, with miso sauce and bonito flakes as well as enokitake mushrooms, a specialty of Hualien, and side of asparagus. This is the first mahi mahi bento box produced by TRA. Just 50 limited edition boxes will be made each day until the end of September and sold at Hualien Station.

Member of public
I think this type of fish is probably quite good for you.

Member of public
Mahi mahi has a very firm texture, like I just said. I love that kind of fish, it has a bite to it.

On the first day the mahi mahi was available, customers were keen to try the novelty. One customer bought five at once. Alongside the fish, there’s also tamagoyaki or Japanese omelette, and diced chicken. It’s a highly nutritious lunch allowing visitors to Hualien to support sustainable fishing and sample the local catch.

Chen Wen-chuan
TRA Subsidiary Concerns Center
The ingredients all have a high nutritional value. This is quite distinctive among our different types of bento boxes. If the sales show that this box is appreciated by the public, then we will turn it into a regular specialty lunchbox.

Another seasonal bento sold by TRA is this giant grouper steak box. It’s also proved to be a hit.

But TRA is not the only purveyor of bento boxes to watch out for. Tigerair Taiwan has this U.S. MasterChef Junior bento, featuring the winner of the hit reality show, Taiwanese American teenager Liya Chu. Two of her hit recipes have been reimagined: honey drumsticks with rice-flour noodles, and sweet and sour prawns with walnuts and pineapple. These brand-new options will be available on flights from Oct. 30 onward. As fall approaches, Taiwan’s bento boxes are getting more and more irresistible.

2022-08-31

Delivery rider soups up scooter with serious DIY chops

2022-08-31

First batch of next-gen COVID vaccines to reach Taiwan late September