Election puts cross-strait services pact back in spotlight

Election puts cross-strait services pact back in spotlight

2023-06-28

With the presidential election heating up, the decade-old Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement with China is back in the spotlight. On Wednesday, the KMT once again declared its support for the treaty, which was never ratified due to public opposition. The DPP lashed out at the KMT, saying the pact would wipe out small businesses in the service-sector. Both parties blasted the TPP presidential candidate Ko Wen-je, accusing him of changing his position on the treaty to win votes.

Presidential contender Ko Wen-je has been in a war of words with the green camp, over whether to restart the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement. On Wednesday, KMT lawmakers joined the fray, declaring their support for the agreement.

Lai Shyh-bao
KMT lawmaker
A complete ECFA has to cover trade in both goods and services. That’s always been the position of the KMT. Ko Wen-je claimed that what he had opposed back then was the secretive negotiations, not the services treaty itself. But please, no matter what his reasons were – even if he opposed the treaty because of its procedural technicalities, he did still stand opposed to the treaty. Out of campaign considerations, he now wants to court KMT votes, so he’s switched to supporting the services treaty.

The KMT blasted Ko for flipping his stance to win votes. Meanwhile, the DPP spoke out against the treaty once again, saying Chinese capital must not be allowed to enter the Taiwan market.

Chuang Jui-hsiung
DPP lawmaker
What we’re all worried about is a price war. All these laundromats could go under, all these hair salons and other small businesses. Aren’t you all worried?

Hung Sun-han
DPP lawmaker
What we’re even more opposed to is the blue camp and the white camp pushing Taiwan into the “one China” framework, forcing unification through economic ties.

The DPP took aim at both Ko and the KMT.

Hung Sun-han
DPP lawmaker
During the Sunflower Student Movement, Ko Wen-je had really just appeared briefly at the scene to show his face. Actually everyone can see that Ko Wen-je is very good at short-term participation, he’s good at making short-term gains, at reaping what he can from the zeitgeist.

During a visit to the Dajia Jenn Lann Temple, Ko was asked if he was using the services treaty to win deep-blue votes. Ko replied that he wasn’t only after deep-blue votes, but after everyone’s vote. He said the question that should be asked is whether the treaty will benefit Taiwan.

服貿議題波瀾再起! 藍綠白三方陷入混戰

2023-06-28

近期民眾黨討論重啟服貿引發爭議，藍營立院黨團週三批評，柯文哲過去實質反服貿，如今改口，就是為了選舉考量。民進黨則痛批國民黨與柯文哲陣營，重申服貿對於台灣的影響實在太大，還酸藍白現在相爭。柯文哲仍強調，他認為當年太陽花學運，是反對買辦，才會走上街頭。

近日綠營與柯文哲為了要不要重啟服貿，不斷隔空叫陣，國民黨立委也加入戰場，表態力挺服貿。

[[立委(國) 賴士葆]]
“完整的ECFA就是要包含貨貿跟服貿，這是中國國民黨一向的立場。柯文哲說他當初反對的是黑箱，他不反服貿，各位不管你是什麼樣，你程序上反對服貿，就是反服貿。為了選舉的考量，開始要吃藍軍票，所以倒過來要服貿。”

藍營也批柯文哲，為了選票，態度才轉彎。民進黨則堅持，絕對不能讓中國資金，直接進入到台灣市場。

[[立委(民) 莊瑞雄]]
大家擔心的就是價格戰，這麼多洗衣店全掛，美容美髮這些小型的，大家不擔心嗎?

[[立委(民) 洪申翰]]
“更反對藍營跟白營把台灣綁進一中的架構，以經逼統。”

綠營兩面作戰，痛批國民黨與柯文哲陣營。

[[立委(民) 洪申翰]]
“(柯文哲)他在太陽花學運的現場，其實他只是秀了一下而已，其實大家可以看得出，柯文哲其實就是很善於這種短期參與，短期獲利，然後收割各種當下社會輿情氛圍。”

柯文哲到大甲鎮瀾宮參拜，被問到，國民黨認為他拋服貿議題是要搶深藍選票，柯文哲回應，不是只有深藍票，所有人的票都要，應該問這對台灣是不是好的。

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On June 26, 2023, at 8:30 PM Taiwan time, the International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation (IFRS Foundation) and the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) announced the official versions of the International Sustainability Standards: IFRS S1 and IFRS S2, marking the beginning of a new era for global capital markets and sustainable disclosure. These sustainability standards will enhance stakeholders’ trust and confidence in companies’ sustainable disclosures and provide the necessary information for investors to make informed decisions.

On the afternoon of the 27th, ARDF, in collaboration with the U-Town Management Committee at Xi Zhi Science Park Headquarter, organized the "Carbon Reduction New Economy Seminar," chaired by ARDF Chairman Yi Shin Wang. The seminar featured keynote speeches from Ding Wang Jeng, the Chairman of the ARDF Sustainability Standards Committee, and Chin He Chen, the President of Shih Hsin University, as well as presentations by several experts.

In response to the global release of Sustainability Standards S1 and S2,Yuan Pin Tsai, Deputy Director of the Securities and Futures Bureau of the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC), stated that the FSC will formulate relevant policy directions and blueprints next week to provide guidance for domestic companies to comply with the standards.

During her keynote speech on "Net Zero Transformation and Introduction of the Climate Change Response Act," Lin Yi Tsai, Director of the Climate Change Office at the Environmental Protection Administration, mentioned the carbon tax in Taiwan. She emphasized that the "tax" is for general revenue and the "fee" is for specific purposes, with the key focus being on how much carbon emissions businesses can reduce through the use of new technologies. Green finance is seen as an important means to prompt businesses to engage in carbon disclosure and reduction initiatives.

The seminar also included practical insights on carbon reduction, such as a sharing of energy-saving experiences by Wen Yin Liu, Director of International Affairs at Si Sin University, a presentation on intelligent energy-saving strategies by Yi De Fei, Executive Director of the Trend Foundation, and a discussion on green building and health building certification by Mang Son Wang, Manager at SGS Taiwan Inspection Technology, as well as a session on the application of carbon-neutral information technology strategies by Hsin Yi Cheng, Executive Vice President of M-Power Information. The presentations were highly informative, and lively exchanges of ideas took place during the event.

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Tsai welcomes US delegation led by Representative Mike Rogers

President Tsai Ing-wen received a nine-member U.S. congressional delegation on Wednesday. The group was led by Mike Rogers, chairman of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee. In her remarks at the reception, Tsai thanked the armed services committee for its longstanding support for Taiwan, and for passing a 2024 defense bill with pro-Taiwan provisions. She said Taiwan will continue to work with the U.S. to safeguard the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region. This is what she said.

Tsai Ing-wen
President
All the members of the delegation pay close attention to developments in the international situation and the challenges facing liberal democracies. Serving on the Armed Services Committee, you have continued to protect the national security of the United States and its democratic allies through hearings, bills, resolutions, and other active steps. Here, I would like to thank the U.S. Congress for the longstanding and bipartisan attention it has shown to Taiwan’s security and for expressing support for Taiwan through concrete actions. Taiwan is on the front line of defense of democratic values. We will continue to work hand in hand with the U.S. in such areas as the economy and national defense to jointly safeguard the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region. I look forward to an in-depth discussion with you today on ways to develop even closer cooperation between Taiwan and the U.S.

Mike Rogers
US House Armed Services Committee chair
The United States and Taiwan have had a long and important friendship. Our shared commitment to the rule of law, democracy, and a free and open Indo-Pacific has only deepened that friendship. As you can see from the delegation with me today, our support for Taiwan is bipartisan and unwavering.

Making up the largest congressional delegation to visit Taiwan in recent years, the Americans arrived on Tuesday for a three-day visit. Members of the group include U.S. House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith, as well as Congressman Cory Mills, who previously worked as a defense contractor.

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Taiwan hosts blockbuster Disney and Detective Conan exhibitions

2023 is gearing up to be the summer of cartoons and animation. Taiwan will host two blockbuster international exhibitions this summer. Both celebrate visual storytelling: the Art of Disney, and the Detective Conan Exhibition. The Disney exhibition features hundreds of original drawings from the American animation giant’s studio, providing a magical trip down its storied history. Meanwhile, the Detective Conan exhibition promises fans immersive digital games and lifelike stages, where you can play out your Detective Conan daydreams from childhood.

Yen Yi-ge sings her heart out. It’s not her first performance of the live action Little Mermaid. Today she’s a fan enjoying the magic of Disney.

Yen Yi-ge
Singer
For me, Disney is about the courage to follow your dreams. Especially later – I think something it talks about is how girls don’t necessarily need a prince to succeed. In the last few years lots of movies have focused on girls, on girl power and empowering girls.

The walls are crowded with priceless hand-drawn images, and a series of stills from the Disney Studio are on display for the first time. Step inside the magical world behind the curtain, and get to know the new era of digital animation. Meanwhile, animation fans are also enthralled by another very special exhibition…

Grasp a steering wheel and put the pedal to the metal, or let your fists fly in these thrilling immersive games. The first stop on the global tour of this Detective Conan exhibition is Taiwan.

Take a trip down memory lane by stepping into these classic scenes, sitting down next to Conan and snapping a selfie. And these beloved still photos are gathered all together in one place, providing a full timeline of Conan’s growth over 25 years.

Chin Chi-hua
Exhibition organizer
The Conan Pilgrimage events include this exhibition and also we’ve had flash stores in north, central and south Taiwan. And at the same time, the Conan Road Runs are gradually starting to open for applications.

The exhibition features seven major interactive games with many sound and lighting special effects, brought here from Japan. This summer, why not step into the world of cartoons, for a sensational, refreshing or perhaps fantastical journey?

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TSMC’s new Arizona fab delayed but employees settling in

TSMC’s new silicon fab in the U.S. state of Arizona is delayed by multiple challenges, according to international media. The construction work is behind the original schedule, and water shortages in the desert are a concern. FTV reporters visited the city of Phoenix, where TSMC employees are already starting to settle in. Let’s take a look at the construction site, and see how the families of TSMC workers plan to settle into their new lives in the U.S.

Cranes tower over the site of the fab, behind metal fences. Global media is watching and waiting to see when phase one on construction of TSMC’s new Arizona fab will be completed.

Yang Ying-chao
Foreign capital analyst
The fab was originally intended for 5 nm chips. Now it’s changed to 4 nm, and some equipment may need to be replaced or adjusted. Now, TSMC itself has said that it will be delayed by about one year. So it’s quite clear and we can see that there’s basically no movement at the back of the fab. We’re actually in a desert here so drought is a big issue. The wafer foundries of TSMC or Intel can recycle water, so that will help to some extent. But I think the scariest thing about the lack of water is the price of water or electricity going up.

TSMC is challenged by water shortages in Arizona as well as by issues with the progress of construction. Meanwhile, TSMC employees are starting their new lives in Phoenix. And one of the new Arizona residents has started a “TSMC Mom’s Lunchbox” company, to give TSMC employees in Arizona the taste of Taiwan.

Kate
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In Taiwan, you can buy Taiwanese bubble tea or Taiwanese chicken everywhere. But they’re very uncommon here, almost non-existent, and especially because TSMC is towards the north, where there’s even less Taiwanese or Chinese food, we thought we could open a store, to make chicken lunchboxes and braised pork rice lunchboxes.

Jennifer
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We have one of the most diverse backgrounds, and a representation of those, that live in our community. So we have for years had not only translation services by actual physical telephones, where I could hand one to you, and I could have one, and we ask for the correct language interpreter, and we can talk, real time, with privacy.

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Dadaocheng fireworks festival expanded to 51 days

The annual Dadaocheng fireworks festival is getting an upgrade. This year, Taipei will expand the single-day event into a 51-day extravaganza that begins July 1. Local councilors fear the festival will cause pollution and traffic jams. But Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an promises a carefully orchestrated event that keeps disruptions to a minimum.

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Visitors can hop on a yacht to enjoy music, food, and sunset views. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an has big plans for his first Lovers’ Day in office. The Taipei Dadaocheng Fireworks Festival is typically a single-day event, but will now be extended to 51 days, with each day centered on a theme to draw crowds. Fireworks will go off each week: There will be three minutes of themed fireworks each Wednesday and an eight-minute finale on Aug. 20.

Hsiao Chun-chieh
Taipei Department of Information and Tourism
By expanding this festival into a linear series of events, we’re hoping to design a summer-long celebration. We hope to keep visitors rolling in over the long term.

With visitors come revenue, and the prospect of an expanded Dadaocheng festival has local businesses in high spirits. But city councilors fear the impact on residents’ quality of life.

Chen E-jun
Taipei City councilor (DPP)
The lawns by the riverside are very beautiful. The fireworks event may result in trash and bring more pollution and traffic congestion to Dadaocheng. That’s what local residents are concerned about.

Chiang Wan-an
Taipei mayor
We have considered all of these factors and convened cross-departmental meeting to discuss the traffic issues – we have studied the problem at length.

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A black box in the ground blinks continuously. This is an ultrasonic dog repeller.

Qixingtan is one of the most popular tourist spots in Hualien and a must-visit for many travelers. It’s also a favorite exercise and dog-walking spot for locals. But there are occasionally attacks made by stray dogs here, leading to anxiety among some local residents.

Mr. Ho
Local resident
One time I came across four or five dogs. I saw them over there, stayed there, and then I thought they’re probably fine. I walked over and, oh my, suddenly they all came up to me. So I do get worried.

Hualien County government recorded 424 reports of “dog attacks” last year. Now officials have set up these traps in areas where such reports are frequent. When necessary, a vet will be called to dispatch a dog. They’ve also installed these ultrasonic repellers in the hope of driving the dogs away.

Chou-huang Te-jung
Hualien Animal and Plant Disease Control Center
The principle is that humans can hear certain audio frequencies, but animals can pick up different frequencies. Different frequencies stimulate them in different ways and it switches between them.

Humans can hear sounds between a range of 20 to 20,000 Hertz. But dogs can hear sounds at 30,000 Hertz. So repellers can drive away dogs without being audible to humans, by producing sounds above the level audible to humans.

Lin Hsiao-hui
Hualien animal protection activist
It’s just sending the dog from one place to another. The problem continues to exist.

Stray dogs are disturbed by the noise and avoid them. But pet owners are concerned that their animals could also be disturbed during walks. Experts suggest that if your animal has a bad reaction to the repeller, take them away from the location as soon as possible.

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