Central Weather Bureau upgraded to Central Weather Administration｜Taiwan News

Central Weather Bureau upgraded to Central Weather Administration｜Taiwan News

2023-09-15

And the Tourism Bureau is not the only government agency getting an upgrade. The Central Weather Bureau has been upgraded to the Central Weather Administration, which will continue to improve its monitoring and forecasting technology, while providing meteorological information to different sectors. It will also collaborate on plans for national weather policies, response measures to climate change and initiatives to boost the resilience of related industries. Transport minister Wang Kwo-tsai attended the plaque unveiling ceremony for the upgraded body on Friday.

Wang Kwo-Tsai
Transport minister
It’s been upgraded to the Central Weather Administration, but the staff size won’t be increased. The agency’s structure has been simplified and strengthened. The most important thing is we’re dealing with the digital transformation, and a lot of this change comes from new technology and equipment. What I’m referring to is super computers and the facilities of weather stations; the transport ministry will throw its full support behind getting this technology. As for the lower salaries of public servants, this is a problem in most government agencies. I’ve seen a lot of our forecasters being poached by TV stations. So, in terms of significantly raising salaries in the future, our Department of Personnel will probably do some planning to deal with this issue.

There’s been a lot of talk about weather forecasters being given more duties without any increase in their pay, and even contract forecasters have lower wages than public servants. Wang emphasized that the ministry look into the possibility of significantly raising salaries, as he hopes to keep talented forecasters in the CWA instead of being lured away by the private sector.

｜Taiwan News

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氣象局今起升格為氣象署王國材主持揭牌典禮

2023-09-15

除了觀光局升格，每天提供國人天氣資訊的氣象局，今天也升格為氣象署，未來除了持續精進氣象監測及預報技術，積極提供各界所需的氣象資訊，還包括規畫國家之氣象發展政策、因應全球氣候變遷、協助強化各產業之韌性等重要任務，交通部長王國材也親自主持揭牌典禮。

[[交通部長王國材]]
“氣象署升格，員額沒有增加，把組織做一些精簡，然後強化，最重要因應現在數位轉型，很多是來自於科技，還有一些設備，所以我想這部分包括他們的超級電腦，還有氣象站的一些設施，這部分在交通部都會全力支持。至於公務人員薪資比較低的部分，大部分都是這種狀況，我也都看到我們的預報員都將被挖角去很多電視台，未來在薪資是否大幅調整，這部分可能會在我們人事總處那邊，做一些規劃”

傳出儘管氣象署人員任務加重，薪資沒有調整，甚至約聘的氣象預報員，待遇都比公務員還要低，對此王國材也強調會研究薪資是否有大幅調整的空間，也希望能夠藉此留下優秀的氣象專業人員，避免被外界來挖腳。

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MOTC’s Tourism Bureau upgraded to Tourism Administration｜Taiwan News

The Tourism Bureau under the transport ministry has been upgraded to the Tourism Administration. Today, the ministry held a ceremony to celebrate the tourism agency’s new name. With the name change comes new lofty goals. The transport ministry already has its sights set on 2024, which it expects will bring in 12 million international visitors, a number twice as big as 2023’s goal of 6 million.

The Tourism Bureau has earned a promotion that comes with a new title. The Executive Yuan’s Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan and the Ministry of Transportation and Communications’ Minister Wang Kwo-tsai were in attendance for a ceremony that unveiled the agency’s new name: the Tourism Administration.

Cheng Wen-tsan
Vice premier
We established the Tourism Administration to restructure the agency in a way that gets everyone on the same page. We know this agency’s upgrading has been a long time in the making, and so we hope to give the Tourism Administration more energy and more resources. In the future, we’ll definitely prioritize any good proposal brought to the table that’s part of the major policies for the tourism industry.

The establishment of the Tourism Administration is an important milestone that signifies Taiwan’s tourism development is moving forward. Many former director-generals of the Tourism Bureau came to witness this historical moment. In fact, the Tourism Administration’s first director general was once a director-general of the Tourism Bureau.

Chou Yung-hui
Tourism Administration director-general
You know, this environment is not new to me, but we will be starting out on a new path, especially now that COVID-19 is behind us. In terms of when we will be able to meet the needs of the industry itself, our goal is actually the year 2025. We want to make this place be a travel destination people are drawn to.

As for this year’s goal of attracting 6 million tourists from other countries, Transport Minister Wang Kwo-Tsai is confident that the goal can be met ahead of schedule. In fact, Wang has even set a 2024 goal of 12 million tourists, a number Taiwan regularly hit in the pre-COVID days.

Chou Yung-hui
Tourism Administration director general
I hope we’ll quickly be able to say we’re in the 10 million visitors club; the higher the number the better. So, as the director general of this agency, my goal is to have everyone in the Tourism Administration working hard.

Chou said that the Tourism Administration is focusing on three major tasks: forming a team of consultants that will seek advice from different industries, increase collaboration between businesses and universities to ease worker shortages and cultivate tourism talent, and develop an international tourism market that will attract foreign visitors to Taiwan.

｜Taiwan News

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2023-09-15

President Tsai visits Taipei Aerospace and Defense Technology Exhibition｜Taiwan News

The Taipei Aerospace and Defense Technology Exhibition entered its second day on Friday, with a special visit by President Tsai Ing-wen. At the show, Tsai learned about the latest developments in unmanned aerial vehicles made in Taiwan. Besides inspecting the latest defense technologies, she also showed off her marksmanship, shooting an XT112 assault rifle in a simulation.

President Tsai Ing-wen on Friday visited the Taipei Aerospace and Defense Technology Exhibition, now on its second day. Tsai listened attentively to explanations from vendors, and visited the USA pavilion. She also tried her hand at shooting an XT112 assault rifle at an Armament Bureau-developed simulation that debuted at the exhibition.

The instructor next to Tsai praised her precise shooting, drawing a smile from the president.

At the event, the exhibits by the Ministry of National Defense were especially popular, with a showcase of weapons developed by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology. There were also videos comparing the Taiwan-made Hsiung Feng II and III missiles with the U.S.-made Harpoon anti-ship missiles.

Weng Yu-chi
FTV reporter
The video explains that the NCSIST’s Hsiung Feng II missile and the U.S.-made Harpoons are roughly similar in power, whereas the Hsiung Feng III is significantly more powerful. The exhibition also has 1:1 scale models of the Hsiung Feng II and III.

The supersonic Hsiung Feng III missile can penetrate the hull of a ship and create holes 3 to 4 meters wide. Another highlight at the exhibition were unmanned aerial vehicles.

An animation shows a swarm of UAVs loaded with cruise missiles on their way to enemy targets. Also at the exhibition were four models of the Chien Hsiang drone series showcasing the anti-radiation and decoy versions of the UAVs.

Chi Li-ping
NCSIST Aeronautical Systems
We’re the second country in the world to develop this kind of weapon, only after Israel. I am proud to say that this UAV model is almost 100% made in Taiwan. It’s made domestically.

The exhibition has attracted military enthusiasts and members of the public wanting to learn more about the latest developments in Taiwan’s defenses.

｜Taiwan News

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2023-09-15

Transport ministry in talks with TRA union amid collective leave plans｜Taiwan News

2023-09-15

Is giant panda program in US a victim of US-China tensions? ｜Taiwan News

The giant pandas that have been living at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington for 23 years will return to China by the end of this year. What kind of diplomatic moves were taken to bring the animals to the U.S. and how politics and new conservation strategies might impact the species’ future? Voice of America’s Veronica Balderas Iglesias investigates.

Hsing-Hsing and Ling-Ling arrived in the United States in 1972. The rare gift from China was a sign of not only goodwill but also soft power after then-U.S. President Richard Nixon and first lady Pat Nixon had paid a historic state visit to the East Asian country.

In 1984, when the giant panda was declared an endangered species, Beijing began lending bears instead of gifting them. Ten-year agreements with a price tag of up to 10 million dollars were put in place.

Dennis Wilder
Georgetown University Asian Studies
They decided that in order to help panda conservation in China, they would charge for the pandas. Zoos were willing to pay these kinds of prices because, as I said, they are a major attraction.

Under one of those research and breeding agreements, which would later be extended several times, panda pair Mei Xiang and Tian Tian began living at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington in December 2000. They are not the only pandas who have made the U.S. their temporary home.

Deborah Seligsohn
Former counselor at US embassy in Beijing
We had a pair at the Atlanta Zoo. The Memphis and San Diego pandas have already gone back to China.

The Washington-based giant pandas and their cub are now also expected to depart to China by the end of this year. There’s been some speculation that economic, political and security tensions between the U.S. and China might be at play in the non-extension of the agreements.

Chinese authorities did not reply to VOA’s repeated requests for comment. The success of breeding and other conservation efforts in U.S. zoos, however, should not be overlooked, some analysts say. The zoos have helped improve the species’ status from “endangered” to “vulnerable.” But others say it is time for a new strategy.

Deborah Seligsohn
Former counselor at US embassy in Beijing
I think the public understands more now than it did back then that zoos are not necessarily the way you preserve animals in the wild.

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is planning to hold several events in Washington to bid farewell to its pandas. Zoo Atlanta has also announced its four giant pandas will return to China in 2024.

Veronica Balderas Iglesias, VOA News, Washington.

｜Taiwan News

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2023-09-15

More than 1 million parents to resubmit flu shot form after wrong version sent by CDC｜Taiwan News

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VP touts Taiwan as a reliable AI supply chain partner｜Taiwan News

The Taiwan AI Academy Annual Conference kicked off on Friday in a ceremony attended by tech leaders and Vice President Lai Ching-te. In his address, Lai stressed that amid the current geopolitical trends, Taiwan is a reliable supply chain partner for artificial intelligence components. Also in attendance was Quanta Computer founder Barry Lam, who stressed that Taiwan stood to benefit greatly from the surge in demand for AI and cloud computing.

Vice President Lai Ching-te on Friday attended the Taiwan AI Academy Annual Conference. There, he discussed how the AI boom and the rising demand for chips and computing power could present big opportunities for Taiwan’s strong ICT industry.

Lai Ching-te
Vice president
AI is power. Amid the current geopolitical changes, the world is looking for reliable supply chains. Our window of opportunity will become bigger and bigger and allow our country to become increasingly powerful.

Wu Tsung-tsong
NSTC chair
Taiwan’s AI action plan was started by Vice President Lai Ching-te. The emergence of OpenAI’s ChatGPT marks another chapter in the AI revolution.

At the conference, Quanta Computer Chair Barry Lam spoke on working with generative AI. He stated that the world was seeing the dawn of the era of AI, meaning that the next five to 10 years hold vast growth potential.

Barry Lam
Quanta Computer chair
AI technology is national power. This is not an overstatement. It’s no hyperbole.

Lam said demand for AI servers and cloud computing will be high, indicating growth momentum in the second half of the year. He warned that the current supply chains were insufficient to keep up with the growth.

Barry Lam
Quanta Computer chair
I’m not worried about orders. I just want to have supply chains. It’s not like we can cook rice without rice. Demand is significant, but supply chains can’t keep up. We need to make adjustments to supply chains. Fortunately, they are all in Taiwan, which puts Taiwan in an advantageous position.

Lam voiced confidence in Taiwan’s AI server and cloud computing supply chains, but added that TSMC would continue to be Taiwan’s biggest geopolitical asset.

Barry Lam
Quanta Computer chair
TMSC will continue to be the guardian of Taiwan. It’s thanks to their chips that we can have all these products. So TSMC will remain as Taiwan’s guardian.

Back on Wednesday, the U.S. Congress held a meeting with tech leaders to discuss AI regulations and set up protective measures against what could be a double-edged sword. Lam has a positive outlook on the technology, saying it can be harnessed to solve many problems. He says humanity will be able to find ways to address any potential side effects as the AI revolution gets started.

｜Taiwan News

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2023-09-15

Telecoms fined NT$76 million for canceling promotional benefits in 2018｜Taiwan News

Chungwha Telecom and Taiwan Mobile have been fined a total of NT$76 million for jointly canceling certain bonuses attached to an unlimited mobile data plan promotion.In 2018, the two companies removed incentives such as free voice calls from a monthly data plan costing NT$699. The move was taken after the two companies found the number of subscribers with more expensive plans was decreasing. The Fair Trade Commission says their joint cancelation amounted to an unlawful concerted action.

Nowadays it’s all about swiping and tapping away on your phone, making “all-you-can-eat” internet contracts a must. In 2018, Chungwha Telecom and Taiwan Mobile made changes to their 4G unlimited data plans, which cost NT$699 a month. Yet, they removed bonus features from the plan including free calls within the network and lower rates for calls to other networks. After a five-year investigation, the Fair Trade Commission has determined that the move was unlawful concerted action. It has issued a fine of NT$40 million to Chungwha Telecom, and NT$36 million to Taiwan Mobile. The combined amount of NT$76 million has set a record for the highest fine ever imposed on telecom companies.

Voice of Chen Chih-min
Fair Trade Commission
We have evidence that top executives at both companies communicated with each other to remove those extras from the plan. That constitutes as unlawful concerted action under the Fair Trade Act.

The Fair Trade Commission believes the two operators arranged to make changes together to get customers to sign up for pricier plans and reduce revenue losses from voice calls. The Consumers’ Foundation also says that cutting the features from the promotional plans was foul play.

Wu Jung-ta
Consumers’ Foundation
Canceling the plan makes it very difficult for consumers to prove damages or to succeed in litigation if they try to fight for their rights. We urge the companies involved to restore the plans to what they were.

Chungwha Telecom has responded, saying that any decisions and adjustments to the plans were done due to operational considerations. It added that five years had already passed since they offered the promotional monthly plan and that therefore, the Fair Trade Commission may not have had the information necessary to clarify the situation. It said the company would investigate administrative measures to protect the company’s rights and interests. Meanwhile, Taiwan Mobile expresses it finds the decision deeply regrettable, saying it will explore response measures.

｜Taiwan News

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2023-09-15

Entrepreneurs create platform to help people find sports partners｜Taiwan News

Today we take you to meet two entrepreneurs in Taiwan who want to help people find sports partners. Mandy Chen and Calum Brolly have designed a platform that matches people interested in the same sports and recreational activities. They’re currently testing the platform for the climbing community, but they have big plans for expansion. FTV reporter Stephany Yang spoke to them to find out more.

Some sports, such as hiking or swimming, can be done alone. Other sports require a partner. A new app aims to help people find sports partners easily. Users just need to answer a few questions to fill out their profiles. After submitting answers about their skill levels, preferences, available schedules, and locations, the app quickly matches them up with others who are interested in the same sports.

Mandy Chen
Co-founder
It was created to make it to make it so easy to find people to do sports together anytime. We want to create sports profiles for people to easily fill out their sports ability according to every sport so it will be multi-sports. Each sport will have a sports profile with criteria that matters to that sport.

The app was created by Taiwanese entrepreneur Mandy Chen and Irish entrepreneur Colum Brolly. Chen worked for a major international sports company for six and a half years. After the pandemic, she decided to leave the company and start her own business in the sports tech industry. Brolly was previously a software engineer for a global aviation software company. In 2018, he moved to Taiwan after receiving a Gold Card.

Mandy Chen
Co-founder
We did some research. We did some data scraping. We found that currently just in Taiwan there is like so many groups that is just for finding sports partners.There is over one million people in these groups.

Chen and Brolly are now testing their app, which is currently open only to the climbing community. They plan to expand to more sports in the future.

Mandy Chen
Co-founder
We will start off with the climbing community. Then, we will expand to other sports. Right now, we are thinking maybe hiking but we are open when there is a community that really calls for the need. Taiwan, we have such great resources of unlimited hikes and are very accessible. You can just do it in half a day and in a couple of hours. The traveling time is so short. There are also other sports that I noticed for example badminton is not a new sport, but then the people who are looking for sports partners in badminton grew exponentially.

Chen and Brolly hope to officially launch the app before the end of the year, and eventually expand internationally.

｜Taiwan News

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2023-09-15