Inflation nears 3% to hit 8-month high

Inflation nears 3% to hit 8-month high

2023-10-05

Taiwan’s consumer price index rose 2.93% year-on-year in September, setting an eight-month high. According to officials, inflation was mainly driven by higher fruit and veg prices due to storms, coupled with the continued increase in international fuel costs. Another contributor was the increased demand for entertainment services. Officials say that the core CPI, which excludes volatile food and fuel costs, should start to go down starting October. Let’s hear from the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting, and Statistics.

Tsao Chih-hung
DGBAS official
As for the core CPI, we know that in the fourth quarter of last year – specifically around mid-October, border controls were eased. So the figures for entertainment services, particularly for international tour packages, went up quite a bit last October. Not only that, the rate of increase to dining out fees is continuing to slow. So we project that October’s core CPI will be lower than September’s.

The cost of a basket of 17 government-monitored household necessities, including rice, bread, pork, chicken, and eggs, rose by 3.57% annually. This rate is the lowest in 19 months. Officials say that if damages from Typhoon Koinu are not significant, the CPI in October should be close to September’s.

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通膨率直逼3% 9月CPI年增率2.93%創8個月新高

2023-10-05

行政院主計總處公布9月消費者物價指數(CPI)，年增率達2.93%，創下8個月以來新高。主要是因為颱風推升蔬果價格，加上油料費、娛樂服務費等續漲的緣故。但預期10月的核心CPI會再縮減，主計總處提到兩個原因，一起來聽聽。

[[行政院主計總處專員曹志弘]]
“核心CPI，我們知道去年第四季，也就是10月中旬，有放寬邊境管制，所以依規相關的娛樂服務，尤其是國外旅遊團費，它的基數就變得相對就高很多。再加上外食，外食的漲幅，也持續緩步的縮小，所以可以預見，10月的核心CPI一定會比9月要繼續縮小。”

17項重要民生物資，包括米、麵粉、豬肉、雞肉和雞蛋等，年增率3.57%，已經有趨緩的情況，是19個月新低。主計總處預估，如果小犬颱風災損不大，10月的CPI可能和9月CPI相近。

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Typhoon Koinu moves out to sea after brief landfall

2023-10-05

Typhoon Koinu shatters national gust records at Orchid Island

Typhoon Koinu passed through the waters near Orchid Island on Wednesday, unleashing record-topping winds. An island weather station recorded speeds of 95.2 meters per second, exceeding Level 17 on the Beaufort scale. That’s the fastest speed even seen in Taiwan since records began 126 years ago. The fierce winds left a trail of devastation on the island, with heavy damage at ports, schools, and homes. Work and classes will be suspended on Friday, so that locals can begin repairs.

Three doors are blown right off their frame by a strong gust. Typhoon Koinu battered Orchid Island with strong winds Wednesday night, leaving some homes without a roof.

Broken glass covers the floor. Locals say Orchid Island hadn’t seen such strong gales in 18 years. At 9:53 p.m. on Wednesday, the island’s weather station recorded gusts reaching 95.2 meters per second, topping the highest grade of 17 on the Beaufort scale. This intensity is the highest ever recorded in Taiwan, and it broke off the anemometer at the meteorological station.

Wu Wan-hua
CWA forecaster
As the typhoon passed over Orchid Island, it brought destructive, record-breaking gusts to the Orchid Island meteorological station, which registered a wind speed of 95.2 meters per second. That’s more than 17 on the Beaufort scale.

After the stormy night, 90% of vessels at Kaiyuan Port had capsized or gone missing.

A local with a cane heads down to the pier for a look.

Voice of Wu Li-hua
DPP lawmaker
Locals are devastated by the damage. They’ve cried to me how their fishing boats were damaged or turned over. They don’t know whether the government will help them. So this morning I contacted all the relevant government agencies one by one.

Voice of Lai Kuen-cheng
Former Taitung City mayor
Many boats in the fishing harbor have sunk. I tried making 20 to 30 calls to Orchid Island, but only two of them got through. The signal came and went.

The storm wreaked havoc at schools as well.

This ceiling has mostly collapsed, leaving just a few tiles hanging and cables all over the place. At Lanyu Junior High, shelves and storage units inside classrooms were knocked over, and windows lay strewn on the floor in the corridor. Outside, even the flagpole was bent over completely. It’s a similar scene at other schools.

Here, palm trees were torn apart by the strong winds and metal roofing was blown to the ground. Windows were smashed, letting water into the classrooms. It’s a true scene of destruction.

Yao Ching-ling
Taitung commissioner
The damage to schools is quite severe. Classes will only resume after the environment is safe for students. Work and classes in Orchid Island will be suspended tomorrow, Oct. 6.

Orchid Island bore the brunt of Typhoon Koinu, which left the entire island without electricity and internet. With heavy damage to industry and schools, work and school have been called off for Friday, to give locals time to make repairs.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

2023-10-05

Former President Ma declines National Day invite

With National Day coming up, organizers held a press conference on Thursday to promote the events. There will be a parade at the Presidential Office, a gala in Tainan, and fireworks in Taichung. National Day celebrates Taiwan’s tenacity and commitment to freedom, said Legislative Speaker You Si-kun, who chairs the organizing committee. He also criticized former President Ma Ying-jeou for refusing to attend the Presidential Office parade.

The theme of this year’s National Day logo is “Democratic Taiwan, Resilient and Sustainable.” Soft intertwining curves represent the gentle yet resolute Taiwanese people and their spirit of sustainability.

You Si-kun
National Day organizing committee
Let us carry on the spirit of Taiwan’s century-old struggle against colonialism and authoritarianism in pursuit of democracy – that tireless and unyielding Taiwanese spirit. As long as we do so, Taiwan’s democracy, freedom, and place in the world will continue to grow sustainably.

Legislative Speaker You Si-kun, who also chairs the National Day organizing committee, said that Taiwan has faced China’s diplomatic provocations with courage in recent years. Taiwan has stood its ground to show the world its tenacity and determination to defend its freedom, he said.

This year on National Day, there will be a military flyover, a concert, and 29,000 fireworks set off to a big band performance. The fireworks will be hosted by Taichung, while the National Day gala will unfold in Tainan. But as many look forward to the events, former President Ma Ying-jeou has announced he will not attend. He’s objected the English name of the holiday, billed as “Taiwan National Day.” Ma accused the DPP of making the change to push for Taiwan independence. In response, You displayed the National Day logo used in 2010 under the Ma administration. The logo also included the word “Taiwan,” he said, urging Ma not to be hypocritical.

You Si-kun
National Day organizing committee
Everyone look at this piece of paper. Who was president in 2010? But here it says Taiwan. If the argument is that back then it just said “Taiwan” without saying “National Day” then consider this. We’ve been using “National Day” on the visuals for three years now. And all three years, Ma Ying-jeou took part. He didn’t have objections then, but now he does. Isn’t that strange? How can you just change your mind on a whim like that?

You said that the term “Taiwan National Day” was easier for foreigners to understand. He said the same term had been used in 2021 and 2022, making it unclear why Ma was suddenly refusing to attend the nation’s birthday celebrations. In a last attempt at persuasion, he called on Ma to be there on the big day.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

2023-10-05

Spotlight on Taiwanese audio brand founder Jimmy Chang

Today we meet Taiwanese entrepreneur Jimmy Chang, who launched his own audio brand in 2015. In collaboration with a French industrial designer, he aims to provide high-quality audio systems featuring advanced acoustic technology and user-friendly designs. FTV reporter Stephany Yang caught up with Chang to find out about his journey founding the company and the challenges they overcame.

She removes the record from its sleeve and places it on the turntable. The components of this speaker include a 1.5-inch ring-type tweeter with a circular horn diffuser and a double magnetic subwoofer, which allows the music to be dispersed 360 degrees. Unlike most other speakers on the market, which are made out of plastic, this one is crafted with wood and aluminum, which are not only recyclable but provide better sound quality.

Jimmy Chang
Founder
We used wood majority because wood usually brings better for speakers. Wood is recyclable material. We want to utilize this. It has optical in, it has airplay. The cabinet is a bit bigger than the previous version. But it doesn’t have a CD anymore so it is more of a connected device instead of a CD player.

The founder of the brand is Jimmy Chang. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin Madison in 2009. Then he moved back to Taiwan and launched his brand in 2015 after being inspired by other audio brands. In collaboration with French industrial designer Jules Parmentier, he aims to utilize the expertise of both France and Taiwan to provide high-quality audio systems that combine advanced acoustic technology with a user-friendly design.

Jimmy Chang
Founder
Resources in Taiwan, especially in terms of designing and electronics wise. We had a lot of support from Taiwan. That is why we wanted to start from Taiwan with the exceptional quality of parts and exceptional quality of WIFI modules. Jules Parmentier is in charge of the industrial design. We are in charge of the acoustic design as well as the mechanical engineering.

Chang said the pandemic was a huge hurdle for the team. The brand’s latest product had to be delayed for nearly two years due to the lack of MCU chips.

Jimmy Chang
Founder
There are a lot of adapters and a lot of components were missing. We were deeply impacted by the shortage of the MCU chips. We weren’t able to get any of those chips, so we weren’t able to supply new products in 2022. Therefore, we postponed the new product release until now. Which is 2023.

The team will travel to France to participate in the Paris Audio Video Show and Kuala Lumpur for the KL International AV Show 2023. It hopes to explore cross-industry collaborations and provide customers with the best audio experience.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

2023-10-05

19-year-old Liu Chiao-hsi skates to gold at Asian Games

2023-10-05

Boxers Kan Chia-wei, Lai Chun-en clinch silver at Asian Games

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ITRI ICT TechDay returns to Taipei with showcase of forward-looking technologies

After a two-year hiatus, the ITRI ICT TechDay made its return to Taipei on Tuesday. Jointly organized by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Industrial Technology Research Institute, or ITRI, TechDay showcased forward-looking technologies developed domestically. Organizers hope that through tech transfers, Taiwan manufacturers can expand their foothold on the global stage.

A drone zips in at low altitude, nimbly avoiding obstacles. It’s just one of the advanced technologies on show.

Andy Jeng
ITRI deputy division director
It can overcome obstructions to the line of sight, just like an X-ray, seeing through the vehicle in front of us.

ITRI’s world-leading “V2X See Through” technology lets drivers look through vehicles up ahead, improving traffic awareness and reducing accidents. It was displayed at the 2023 ITRI ICT TechDay, which was jointly organized by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and ITRI. After a two-year hiatus, the event returned to the Taipei International Convention Center on Tuesday. A forum was held as well, where experts explored the latest trends.

Chiou Chyou-huey
MOEA Department of Industrial Technology head
We have developed Taiwan’s first domestically produced RFID chip for ground station equipment. It can connect to a satellite in one second, so its connection speed is very fast. Manufacturers using this ground station equipment solution have already gotten orders from the world’s top three satellite companies.

Eric Peng
Compal executive vice president
As we integrate more satellites, from B5G to 6G satellites, we will see coverage extending to that remaining 80% -- areas that currently don’t have coverage. All the future development will be built on this foundation. As far as applications are concerned, we will be able to provide even better services and products for consumers.

The event showcased beyond 5G and 6G, ground station equipment for low Earth orbit satellites, direct smartphone connectivity with satellites, generative AI, and 3D displays that don’t require a wearable. These forward-looking technologies were a sample of Taiwan’s R&D capabilities.

Ting Pang-an
ITRI info and communications research lab head
A great deal has been achieved using AI. At corporations with large carbon emissions, it’s been used a lot to optimize scheduling and for digitization.

According to the Market Intelligence & Consulting Institute, the output value of Taiwan’s ICT hardware sector will reach US$226 billion in 2023. Taiwan will account for 3.8% of the global share, rivaling Germany and the U.K. To showcase the nation’s capabilities, the MOEA and ITRI are working on R&D and tech transfers, to help Taiwan manufacturers expand abroad and seize more international orders.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

2023-10-05

Tipping 101: the ins and outs of tipping in high-end restaurants

Now let’s explore the ins and outs of fine dining, and how to tip in Taiwan’s restaurants. Upscale restaurants have many different systems for tipping. Most include a 10% service charge on the menu. Others put a “tip” line on the bill for the customer to fill in freely. And at high-end restaurants, customers may be nudged to leave a tip by special gifts from the kitchen, or other fees being waived. But with all these customs usually left unspoken, how do you know what’s expected? We spoke to restaurant experts for Tipping 101.

When a pregnant customer arrives, the restaurant staff immediately bring out extra cushions so she can dine in comfort.

The diner’s preferences for the steak, side dishes and seasoning are all checked repeatedly. These are the foundations of good service in an upscale steakhouse.

Grace
Restaurant owner
The customer perhaps glances over, and then we go to them. When a customer feels truly satisfied, or really touched by the service, they may give an extra tip. We’ve had NT$3,000, NT$5,000 before, one-off. And it’s different again at Lunar New Year, then it’s a bit like giving a red packet.

Apart from the 10% service charge listed on the menu, the bill may have a special line for tips, which the customer can fill in according to their degree of satisfaction. Tipping by card or cash are both acceptable. The restaurant divides tips equally between staff at the end of the day, unless a customer specifies that a tip is for a particular server.

Fei Chi
Food writer
At restaurants where it’s hard to get a table or the bill that day has gone over your norm. Ifthere’s a request not to have a corkage fee, then they will specially prepare a tip. For a big talent, the chef might get NT$5,000. For the waiters and waitresses who serve at the table, it usually depends on the number of people. They’ll give those two servers NT$2,000 to split evenly.

Member of public
They don’t write a number. They let you decide how to reward them.

Member of public
It’s written, “You can tip me,” or there’s a tip box – there’s no rules about it.

Restaurants often go out of their way to make guests feel at home, and while they subtly encourage diners to leave a tip, they try to make it feel like a choice. When you get into it, the world of tips is full of surprises.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

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