Inflation rises to 2.52% in August, marking 7-month high

2023-09-06

Taiwan’s inflation picked up last month, driven mainly by weather events and rising oil prices. The government’s consumer price index increased more than 2.5% from a year earlier. This marks the first time since May that the rise exceeded 2%. It’s also the single biggest jump in seven months.

Officials say two typhoons, Doksuri and Khanun, had damaged crops and raised vegetable prices by 13.3% in August. Fuel prices went up, too, surging 5.3%. Officials say, however, that both factors are short-term. Once agricultural production and oil prices stabilize, consumer prices are expected to sharply fall.

高通膨又回來了? 8月CPI年增率2.52% 七個月新高

2023-09-06

行政院主計總處今天公布8月物價指數，受到天候跟國際原油價格影響，年增率一口氣來到2.52%，不只終止連兩個月低於2%的通膨警戒線，也創下7個月以來的最大漲幅。

主計總處說明， 7月底至8月初杜蘇芮及卡努颱風帶來豪雨影響，使得蔬菜類上漲13.33%，加上油料費隨國際行情上漲，漲幅高達5.33%，兩者都屬於短期因素，一旦恢復生產後，價格會明顯回跌。

Forum explores ways to enhance quality of corporate sustainability disclosures

Hiroshi Komori, a board member of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), visited Taiwan to serve as a keynote speaker at the "14th Taipei Corporate Governance Forum" held on September 4. His topic was "Sustainability Disclosures and Corporate Governance: Applying IFRS ISSB S1 and S2 Standards." After the event, he visited the Accounting Research and Development Foundation (known as ARDF) to discuss ongoing work and challenges related to promoting sustainability disclosure standards.

Hiroshi Komori states that the ISSB is currently focusing on promoting the S1 standard "General Requirements for Sustainability-related Financial Disclosures" and the S2 standard "Climate-related Disclosures," and discussing the sustainability issues that should be prioritized for future disclosure standards. He emphasized that ISSB’s international sustainability disclosure standards differ from those issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) in that ISSB standards focus on "forward-looking information," whereas IASB standards mainly focus on historical information. Integrating these two types of standards will be a significant challenge, requiring external consultation.

Doris Yi Hsin Wang, Chairperson of ARDF, agrees with Hiroshi Komori’s views on the differences between sustainability disclosures and financial reporting. For instance, financial holding companies and industrial holding companies may both be the holding companies, but they differ significantly in organizational structure and business models. Financial holding companies deal more with cross-border transactions and financial instruments, requiring different accounting and tax treatments for foreign exchange earnings, loan interest, etc. In contrast, industrial holding companies are more concerned with the accounting and tax treatments of production and operational activities, including raw materials, labor, and machinery.

Additionally, Hiroshi Komori participated in an online discussion hosted by ARDF Chairman Wang, alongside ISSB Technical Staff Tim Kasim and Owen Jones from the IFRS Foundation headquarters in London. They discussed practical applications and challenges related to the S1 and S2 XBRL classification standards. Albert Chou, CEO of ARDF’s XBRL Committee, addressed the challenges companies might face when adopting these standards, including the granularity of disclosure content, and provided professional opinions and recommendations. Kasim and Owen advised ARDF to provide feedback on the IFRS Foundation’s "IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Classification Standards" for ISSB’s future consideration.

To enhance the capabilities of Taiwanese companies in disclosing sustainability information and compiling sustainability reports, ARDF will host the "2023 ESG Summit" on November 16 at the Taipei International Convention Center. The summit, themed "Aligning Sustainability Disclosures with International Standards," will feature four professional seminars and a sharing session on sustainability disclosure examples. The event aims to actively advocate for ESG and improve the quality of sustainability disclosures in Taiwan. Event details have been released, and for the latest information, please visit the ARDF official website at www.ardf.org.tw.

2023-09-06

Taiwan, Eswatini sign three MOUs including sister-city pact

President Tsai Ing-wen has arrived in Eswatini, Taiwan’s one remaining African ally. Shortly after landing, her delegation signed three cooperation deals with the south African country. One agreement forged a sister-city relationship between Kaohsiung and Eswatini’s capital. In another deal, Taiwan committed to providing support for Eswatini’s female entrepreneurs. During the signing ceremony, Eswatini’s king said he considered Taiwan a home away from home. Tsai is on a four-day state visit to celebrate 55 years of friendship between the two countries.

Upon arriving in Eswatini, President Tsai Ing-wen was welcomed by the nation’s prime minister, Cleopas Dlamini, and a traditional dance ceremony. Taiwanese expats flocked to shake her hand, but Tsai didn’t stay long, as she had a full schedule ahead.

Lynne Chen
FTV reporter
After President Tsai got off her plane, she went directly to Eswatini’s palace for the signing of three cooperation deals.

Taiwan and Eswatini signed agreements, including a sister-city pact between Kaohsiung and Eswatini’s capital, Mbabane. Another deal focused on microloans for female entrepreneurs. In his remarks at the signing, King Mswati III conveyed a warm welcome to Taiwan’s president.

King Mswati III
King of Eswatini
We have great relationship and it continues to grow. When I visited Taiwan, I’ve been there now, I don’t know, it’s countless, because Taiwan is also my home.

Tsai Ing-wen
President
Your majesty, Mswati the Third, the king. The first two celebrations of course are about the founding of Eswatini 55 years ago, and the second one is of course the king’s birthday, so happy birthday to you.

Later at a banquet with Taiwanese expats, Tsai announced upcoming changes to her “Africa plan.”

Tsai Ing-wen
President
We will revise the “Africa plan” when we return. If I’m unable to finish the task, I will pass it along to the next president. Then I’ll tell everyone, the “Africa plan” is already in the hands of the next president, you can go after him. Maybe we can even manage it so that the next time a Taiwan president comes, he’ll not only be able to visit Eswatini, but other places as well.

During her remarks, Tsai was joined onstage by Eswatini’s chief aide-de-camp to the president and top police and military officers, in a sign of respect. Taiwan expats drove as long as nine hours from other African nations to hear her speak and show support for their homeland.

2023-09-06

DPP’s Lai kicks off ‘project of hope’ policy presentations

DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te has kicked off a series of policy presentations. At the inaugural session on Wednesday, he gave a broad introduction to the "National Project of Hope," his blueprint for building a better Taiwan. More details will be unveiled in the coming weeks. During Wednesday’s event, Lai was joined by former culture minister Cheng Li-chiun. Her presence fueled rumors about her being Lai’s running mate, but she firmly denied any plans to enter the election.

DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te held his first national policy briefing on Wednesday. He said his blueprint for the country addresses three key issues: democracy and peace, innovation and prosperity, and justice and sustainability. Campaigning is on.

Lai Ching-te
DPP presidential candidate
To promote Taiwan’s balanced development, I will establish a mechanism that deepens cooperation between the central government and local governments. That way, we can leverage the power of the central government to resolve all sorts of infrastructure problems. We have to be bold with investing in innovation for future generations. And we must provide opportunities for everyone. Only then can our society and our country progress.

Lai added that he would reform child subsidies for young families and long-term care for older adults.

Lai Ching-te
DPP presidential candidate
The Tsai administration launched a policy where the government helps families with children aged 0 to 6. I want to upgrade that policy to version 2.0. I have also proposed three key strategies for housing justice. My administration will also continue work to implement long-term care 3.0, boosting the government’s investment in society.

The event was held in collaboration with New Frontier Foundation Vice President Chiou I-jen, Foundation for Future Generations Chair Cheng Li-chiun, and Taiwan Thinktank Honorary Chair Chen Bor-chih. In addition, more than 60 specialists have endorsed his proposals. Cheng is rumored to be a potential pick for Lai’s running mate or premier.

Cheng Li-chiun
Foundation for Future Generations
I do not have any political ambitions or plans to run for election. As a think tank, we hope to contribute by making suggestions for our vision for the future of our country. I have not engaged in discussions about whether I’ll be on the party list. I’ve told you all. I have no plans to run in the election, none at all.

Cheng denied that she was considering a government role, either as running mate, premier, or a legislator-at-large. The guessing game continues on who will join Lai’s ticket for 2024.

2023-09-06

Chiayi rocked by 5.5-magnitude quake, more temblors likely

2023-09-06

National Central Library’s Open Lab wins ALA nod

National Central Library in Taipei has been recognized by the American Library Association for providing an innovative space for creation. At the library’s Open Lab, you can compose music, do livestreams, learn DIY crafts, and even shoot videos. FTV reporter Stephany Yang takes us in for a look.

Stephany Yang
FTV reporter
We are reporting live at Taipei 101. At first glance, you might think that I am in the FTV news studio, but I am actually at the National Central Library’s Open Lab.

The room is equipped with cameras, lights, a green screen, and a computer filled with different virtual backgrounds. You can choose a virtual background and report live. We are at the National Central Library’s Open Lab.

Aside from a broadcast studio, there is a room for people to livestream and edit videos. There’s also a room for people to practice and compose music. There is an electric piano and drum set for music lovers to play. Many entrepreneurs come here to work.

Andrew Klerck
Taiwan Impact Entrepreneurs
We come here to create our music. We do our podcasting and video-castings from here. It is absolutely amazing that the government offers these facilities to people like ourselves. Best of all, it is for free. It is super high-quality equipment that they have. It is absolutely mind-blowing.

Hannah Koo
Taiwan Impact Entrepreneurs
We have been using all of the equipment actually almost every day, as much as we can. As Andrew mentioned, we do a lot of podcasting and videos.

The library also has a maker space for DIY lessons like sewing, 3D printmaking, carpentry, and more. People interested in these classes can sign up on the Open Lab website.

Tseng Shu-hsien
National Central Library
We provide a lot of learning courses here, such as DIY courses. There are sewing courses, 3D printing courses, and audiovisual courses. People can use our facilities and equipment to pursue their inspiration. We often have such courses, so you can sign up on our "Open Lab" website.

The library opened its Open Lab Multimedia Center in November 2022. The space used to be an old office. It was converted with the help of architects, interior designers, educators, and librarians.

Tseng Shu-hsien
National Central Library
Over the past few years, we have been thinking about how to pivot and create a library that meets current trends and is a space for creative pursuits. It was initially an administrative office space. So for example, its floor is very low, and there are many compartments and office equipment. The entire construction period was just 206 days. I hope that through this space, the public will have some ideas after reading and getting inspiration, and then implement their inspiration here.

The Open Lab won the American Library Association Presidential Citation for Innovative International Library Projects award in 2023.

2023-09-06

Popular Kinmen landmark destroyed by downpour

2023-09-06

Supermodel Lin Chi-ling denies rumors of a VP bid with Terry Gou

2023-09-06

Exhibition showcases artists’ experiences at Tafalong Indigenous tribe

Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei has launched a new exhibition titled "Humus." Six artists from the Czech Republic, Belgium, and Taiwan visited an Indigenous tribe in Hualien to investigate and create works based on their observations. Our reporter Stephany Yang takes us in for a look!

Czech artist Matej Machacek utilized a texture painting technique to create this artwork. He captured native dogs that he saw while climbing sacred mountains.

Along the way, he also captured trees and tribal community members. These artworks were all inspired by Machacek’s trip to a tribal village in Hualien.

Matej Machacek
Czech artist
The inspiration is basically because I really like nature and the landscape. It is based and the memories of my personal experience of staying in nature. I used the motif of this painting the huge scale of the dog, as an animal as a fragment of the really important friend or animal of the people in the village. I started to use large-scale rice paper and paint directly on the floor. After the painting is finished, I glued the painting on a canvas. On a cotton canvas. After it is dried, I stretched the complete painting on the wooden frame.

Taiwanese and Belgium artist Wang Aymei’s work drew inspiration from a documentary that investigated the cultural ownership of pillars and beams from an ancestral house in the Tafalong tribe. The Tafalong tribe asked Academia Sinica to return seven carved pillars to the tribe. They eventually reached a compromise where the tribal members brought the ancestral spirit in the pillars back to the tribe, and the museum got to keep the wooden pillars. Wang created porcelain fragments as well as nets.

Wang Aymei
Artist
I used the seven pillars and made a ceramic version of them. I wanted to reverse the process of the story from the community to the museum. This time make it reversed from the art gallery back into what people considered was the natural community for them. Visitors of the exhibition can come and see the artowrk and take the fragment to take them home. I wanted to work on this idea of having a net that gathers. Even if maybe people from multiple ethnicities you don’t really have a place you belong or you are not sure about your identity. You still have fragments of your ancestors or beliefs. I wanted to make them into a fish net or something that retains and both ties you to the land but also ties you to the culture that seems a bit fragmented.

The exhibition "Humus" is a long-term curatorial project that began in 2020. The curators and artists visited Cilangasan, a tribal mountain in Hualien, to explore and create artworks that bring to light the relationship between land and culture, as well as the artists’ interpretation of dealing with identity. The exhibition features the work of six artists from the Czech Republic, Belgium, and Taiwan. One featured Taiwanese artist is Kao An-bo. He drew animals from an Amis mystical tale, as well as clouds he saw at the tribe.

Kao An-bo
Artist
These three are ink paintings. They were inspired by our experience of following an Amis group to Cilangasan. I collected inspiration from the paths we took to paint these works. I also used local water sources such as Cilangasan water and rainwater, because it was raining at that time. I also mixed local soil to make different ink colors.

The exhibition will be held at the Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei till Oct. 15.

2023-09-06

Military veteran and physical abuse survivor dedicates himself to charity

Today we meet a military veteran who has dedicated himself to charity since his retirement. Former defense ministry spokesperson David Lo grew up in an abusive family, and was sent to a children’s home before being adopted. After a successful military career, he turned to charity endeavors in his golden years. Now leading the Andrew Charity Association, he’s committed to supporting other families in need. And he is sharing stories of the inspiration he finds among the people he works with.

Former Ministry of National Defense spokesperson David Lo talks about a charity food box project aimed at diverse recipients. Now the CEO of Andrew Charity Association, Lo has dedicated himself to charity since he retired from the military in 2016.

David Lo
Andrew Charity Association
There have been so many benefactors and better people who have helped me in my life.

Lo has not had an easy life. He was just a child when his father was injured in the 1958 Taiwan Strait Crisis and forced to retire from the military, falling into alcoholism and becoming violent toward his family. The young Lo and his little brother were sent to a children’s home and later adopted. It’s that childhood adversity which now inspires Lo’s charity work.

Lo has been researching the lives of people in Taiwan’s lower social classes, and he says he’s seen firsthand how many people have it even harder than he did as a child. But he’s moved by witnessing so many people in difficult financial situations give everything to help others.

David Lo
Andrew Charity Association
I was visiting an older lady who we were helping, and as I was leaving, she pulled a crumpled NT$200 note out of her pocket and made me take it. I sent her a receipt for her donation, and told her not to hesitate to contact us anytime she needed our care or help.

Lo says that while a few people in desperate circumstances get onto a newspaper page and attract much attention and support, there are many more who don’t receive the same attention. That’s what inspires him to keep going, with the wish not to leave anybody out.

2023-09-06

NBA sensation Michael Porter Jr. lands in Taiwan

2023-09-06