Kaohsiung issues construction license for TSMC fab

Kaohsiung issues construction license for TSMC fab

2022-09-23

TSMC is making progress on its plans to build a new fab in Kaohsiung. The city government says it issued a construction license for the project on Thursday. The semiconductor giant says it plans to start work on the site later this year. Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai says his administration will offer all the help it can give so that the fab can start mass-production by the end of 2024. Let’s hear from the mayor.

Chen Chi-mai
Kaohsiung mayor
There are some areas in which the central and local governments will have to work together, and we will offer our full support. This is an extremely important step toward the development of a comprehensive semiconductor ecosystem in Kaohsiung in Southern Taiwan.

Lee Po-yi
DPP Kaohsiung councilor
Local residents are looking forward to TSMC setting up shop in the areas as soon as possible. There are people in certain parties who don’t want to see Kaohsiung prosper before the elections, sharing pessimistic views. Or they say that TSCM has problems. Time will tell who is right.

Huang Xiang-shu
KMT Kaohsiung councilor
What we are concerned about is just how many jobs TSMC will bring, and how big the opportunities arising from this will be for Kaohsiung down the line. That’s what we are concerned about.

Since TSMC announced expansion plans in Kaohsiung, suppliers and clients of the firm have followed suit and announced plans to set up shop in the southern city.

台積電高雄廠建照核發! 邁:全力配合2024量產

2022-09-23

台積電高雄廠正式進入開發階段，高雄市工務局證實，台積電已經在19日動土，市府22日核發工廠建築物的建照。市長陳其邁表示，會全力協助配合台積電2024年量產的期程。

[[高雄市長陳其邁]]
“有一些中央地方必須協調的事項，我們都會全力的來支持，我相信這是我們高雄建立一個南部地區最完整的一個半導體的生態系，非常重要的一步。”

[[高雄市議員(民) 李柏毅]]
“當地的居民都很樂見台積電趕快來進駐，所以對於選前不願意看到高雄大發展的政黨的人一直在唱衰，或者是一直在認為台積電有什麼問題，我覺得都會用時間在證明一切。”

[[高雄市議員(國)黃香菽]]
“我們所在關心的，還是台積電到底能夠帶來多少的就業機會、周邊效應包括連鎖效應能夠帶給高雄多大的機會，我覺得這才是我們重視的。”

不只台積電，上下游的供應商也同步進駐高雄，陸續動工。

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Travel agents optimistic as Taiwan plans to end mandatory arrival quarantine

Travel agencies say enquiries about overseas travel are through the roof after the government announced plans to end arrivals’ quarantines as early as Oct. 13. An especially popular destination is proving to be Japan, which will open to independent tourists on Oct. 11. The transport ministry says it has already made plans to do away with quarantine hotels and quarantine taxi services, and resume normal operations at Taiwan’s international airports.

If you’re dreaming of experiencing autumn in Japan, now’s the time to make it happen.
Taiwan is expected to remove travel quarantines as early as Oct. 13, and Japan is opening up to independent travelers around that date. Phones are ringing off the hook at travel agencies.

Shan Feng
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Japan is allowing entry to travelers without visas, and that’s driving up business for us. Before the pandemic, travel to Japan accounted for 40% of our revenue. We hope that Japan’s lifting of restrictions on visa-free travel can once again allow Japan travel to account for 30% of our revenue from mid-October to year’s end.

Travel agents warn that plane tickets to Japan are much more expensive than before.

Shan Feng
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The price of tickets to Japan is up by 30% to 40%. But it’s worth it if you visit as an independent traveler, because shopping and other expenses are cheaper thanks to the weaker yen.

Airlines are ready for a travel boom. Tigerair Taiwan says it will add 220 flights in October to destinations in Japan, South Korea and Thailand.

Starlux Airlines has at least four weekly flights to 10 destinations, including Macau, Penang and Osaka. It is also resuming its daily flights to travel hotspots such as Singapore and Bangkok.

Agi Chan
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We hope the government will be more proactive in opening up to more people, so that we can gradually revive our economy. I think it would be very helpful toward economic recovery in Taiwan and abroad.

Go into Taoyuan Airport now, and all you’ll see are empty corridors, even during business hours. A local industry representative says he hopes Taiwan will open up as soon as possible to boost economic recovery.

Wang Kwo-tsai
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We have finished up the guidelines for arrivals and departures, and conducted the relevant training courses. On this front, things will return to normal. We hope more tourists will come to Taiwan.

The transport ministry says that starting Oct. 13, quarantine hotels and taxis will cease to exist. Taoyuan International Airport will return to operating as it did before COVID, ready to welcome travelers once again.

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Hoteliers voice concern over government plans to phase out quarantine hotels

Hoteliers are voicing concern over government plans to phase out quarantine hotels, which will be rendered obsolete with the end of quarantines for international arrivals. Some say the transition to normal tourism operations won’t be easy, given the current shortage of labor in the hospitality sector. Others say there are oversights in the phaseout plan. They say there are no clear instructions on what to do with travelers who have to isolate after catching COVID in Taiwan. Some suggest that a handful of quarantine hotels could be converted into centers that cater specifically to this demographic, taking advantage of the experience garnered over the past years.

Wearing a full set of protective clothing, he sprays disinfectant to thoroughly sanitize the room. Mandatory quarantines for travelers could be removed as early as Oct. 13, spelling the end for quarantine hotels. Hoteliers say that, although they knew this day would come, they still have a few concerns about the future.

Michael Hsueh
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Tseng Mei-chuan
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Quarantine hotels can be transformed into specialized hotels for housing COVID patients. Their staff have been trained for a while now, and they have the expertise. People who catch COVID and have to isolate should absolutely not stay at regular hotels. The infection rate for international arrivals is still very high.

Hoteliers say tourists who test positive while staying at a regular hotel could pose an infection risk for other guests. They say one way to avoid this is by turning some of the quarantine hotels into specialized accommodation for infected travelers. Meanwhile, some quarantine hotels say that going back to normal tourism operations is not easy, as there is a shortage of manpower.

Michael Hsueh
Hotel group
There is a massive shortage of housekeepers. Our employees have gone through training to be able to perform each other’s jobs. At least in the short term, they can support each other, so we should be OK on that front.

Tseng Mei-chuan
New Taipei City Hotel Association
I call on our government to assist our industry with recruiting migrant workers. Otherwise, there will be insufficient personnel in the tourism industry.

A short-term manpower shortage has become a major challenge in the hospitality sector. Some hoteliers say they hope the government will release supporting measures, explain procedures clearly and provide subsidies and training, to help quarantine hotels ease back into normal business.

Victor Wang
CECC
We might need a little longer to completely phase out quarantine hotels. But we can’t wait forever. We can’t wait for them all to reconvert before we lift quarantine restrictions. So we can open up while putting in place policies with medium-term plans.

The CECC says it will discuss plans to phase out quarantine hotels with the Tourism Bureau. With only three weeks left before the potential end of quarantines, hoteliers say they hope they will be given enough time to prepare for the arrival of international tourists.

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Raknus Selu Trail: a pilgrimage route for Hakka and Indigenous history

The Raknus Selu Trail is an ancient path that stretches almost 400 kilometers down Taiwan’s central mountain range. Along the track are dozens of ancient villages that carry the histories of Indigenous and Hakka people. It’s a pilgrimage route not only for nature buffs, but also those who want to connect with ancestral stories. A new TV show produced by the Hakka Affairs Council is bringing this hidden gem to light.

Provincial Highway No. 3 runs through the beautiful mountains of central Taiwan. Near the highway lies the legendary Raknus Selu Trail. Its reputation enticed professional trail runner Chou Ching to return from Europe to check it out. Travel show hosts Gigi and Stanley were also enthralled by the trail.

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This is a trail of hardship for our Hakka forebears, and a trail of blood for our Indigenous forebears. It’s also a pilgrimage trail for all Taiwanese people to get closer to the land and get to know our history.

The longest national trail affords walkers not just stunning views of Taiwan’s forests, but also many insights into the history and cultures of the island. As we head into autumn, the Raknus Selu Trail is a perfect travel destination for nature lovers.

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Japan PM Kishida Fumio says he fears that today’s Ukraine may be tomorrow’s East Asia

The ever-growing tense relationship between Taiwan and China has cought the attention of another global leader. This time, it was Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio. In a press conference following the United Nations General Assembly, Kishida was asked if Japan would fight alongside the U.S. if China invaded Taiwan. He responded that Japan would take "concrete measures" to protect its citizens and their livelihoods. He also said he felt a sense of impending doom and that today’s Ukraine could be tomorrow’s East Asia.

After attending the U.N. General Assembly in New York, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio held a press conference, where he was asked what Japan would do if there was a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

Reporter
Bloomberg
President Biden recently said that the U.S. is prepared to deploy U.S. forces in the case of China invading Taiwan. Is Japan prepared to deploy its forces alongside the U.S.?

Kishida Fumio
Japanese prime minister
Regardless of the circumstances, in order to protect the nation and the lives and livelihoods of our citizens, we must abide by our legal framework based on our domestic laws, including the constitution and the Legislation for Peace and Security, and respond with concrete measures. This will not change under any circumstances.

A few days ago, U.S. President Joe Biden said for the fourth time the U.S. was willing to defend Taiwan. Kishida apparently did not say much about how Japan would act. However, he reiterated that a new Japanese security strategy would be formulated within this year and that defense capabilities would be thoroughly strengthened within five years. Next year, Japan’s defense budget is expected to reach a new high of 5.6 trillion yen, which is about NT$1.24 trillion.

Kishida Fumio
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Some countries do not abide by norms and use military force and coercion to trample over the peace and security of other countries. In order to prevent these kinds of situations from occurring, increased defense budgets can have a deterrent effect.

Kishida did not name or openly criticize China. He noted that Japan did not seek confrontations and would pursue dialogue — but he still felt a strong sense of crisis.

Kishida Fumio
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We have witnessed Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. I think Ukraine may be tomorrow’s East Asia. I have a strong sense of crisis.

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Yao Wen-chih
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Liumagou is the only natural spring on Green Island. In those days, all the political prisoners were given the code “Liumagou No. 15.” What I’m looking forward to is everybody understanding that era better, and understanding how our democratic freedoms came to evolve.

“Untold Herstory” tells the true stories of Taiwanese women who were convicted of political crimes in the 1950s. They were sent to a concentration camp on Green Island to undergo “ideological reeducation.” The contrasting stories of three women of different generations are told side by side. But what they share in common is being seized and sent to the camp for reading unacceptable books or singing controversial songs. Yao says that if these stories aren’t captured, the picture of Taiwan’s history will be incomplete.

Yao Wen-chih
Former lawmaker
If we don’t tell these stories enough, then our next generation won’t know how we got here. If you’ve seen the Korean film “A Taxi Driver,” it shows the evolution of the era from the perspectives of ordinary people. For the last decade or two decades, I’ve been wishing there would be people with the breadth of vision, and more financiers, who would do things like this. But I never saw it. Now that I’m no longer a legislator, I can do it.

Tsao Chin-jung
Author of ‘Untold Herstory’
I’m really looking forward to it. There are no films that are based on material from oral accounts of Taiwanese history.

Yao was under immense pressure at certain points during filming when finances were tight.

Yao Wen-chih
Former lawmaker
The hardest thing was spending a million dollars every day, just burning through it while filming is underway. At that point we had a funding shortfall of NT$40 million. We were continuously managing the crew there. I hope we can expand on Taiwan’s history with many movies. What I’m planning now is the story is Chen Cheng-po, as well as a love story against the backdrop of the 1935 Taiwan Exposition.

Despite the financial strain, Yao says he will stay in the movie business. He wants to use the silver screen to ignite more conversations about the roots of Taiwan’s history and society.

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