CPI growth soars to 3.05% in October, officials forecast dip this month

CPI growth soars to 3.05% in October, officials forecast dip this month

2023-11-07

Taiwan’s inflation rate soared to 3.05% in October, its highest level so far this year. Growth in the core consumer price index, which excludes fruit, vegetables, and energy, rose 2.49%, comparable to the preceding month.

Officials said that October’s CPI rate was mainly due to the impact of heavy rains on fruit and vegetable prices. The cost of eating out and fuel prices also increased in October. Officials expect produce prices to stabilize in November and bring inflation rates below 3%.

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10月CPI年增率3.05%破警戒線主計處:11月有望回降

2023-11-07

主計總處公布10月物價，CPI年增率3.05%，又回到今年一月高點，核心CPI則是2.49%，和九月差不多。

主要是因為先前颱風和豪雨影響，造成蔬菜水果、肉類、外食費和油料費都上漲。主計總處預估，11月少了天候因素，蔬菜價格回穩，有很大的機率能把通膨壓到3%以下。

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DPP’s Lai Ching-te unveils campaign team

DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te has officially assembled his campaign team. The core members were unveiled on Tuesday. The team will be led by former lawmaker Yao Li-ming. Former Premier Su Tseng-chang will serve as its honorary chair. Lai says the lineup includes both party members and outside talent. The DPP will announce its party list next week, before finally revealing Lai’s running mate.

The DPP’s Lai Ching-te has appointed the core staff of his campaign team. Leading the campaign is former lawmaker Yao Li-ming, while the honorary head is former Premier Su Tseng-chang. Former Presidential Office Secretary-General Chiou I-jen will serve as convener of the decision-making committee.

Lai Ching-te
DPP presidential candidate
This campaign team has talent from within and without the party. Together, we will fight this battle to ensure we emerge victorious in this election.

Lai tapped both party members and outside talent for his campaign office. But what everyone wants to know is who he’ll pick as his running mate. Lai’s lips remain sealed.

Lai Ching-te
DPP presidential candidate
Next week we will announce the people on the party list. And the week after that, we will announce our vice presidential pick.

The DPP’s party list will be revealed Nov. 15. The week after that, an announcement will be made for VP. Lai chaired a meeting on Monday to discuss the list of legislators-at-large. Tennis star Lu Yen-hsun had been offered a spot, but he declined to focus on his sports career.

Lai Ching-te
DPP presidential candidate
As a talented individual, he has his own aspirations in life. It wouldn’t have been possible for him to accept our invitation and participate.

Lai said the DPP would form a “democratic alliance” that collaborates across parties and disciplines. He said that, should he win the election, his Cabinet would also be inclusive.

Lai Ching-te
DPP presidential candidate
I am deeply aware of the many challenges and critical issues that our country is facing currently. We must bring together all the various forces in society to work together for our country. As president, I will uphold this spirit and fill positions in the Executive Yuan with talent from our society.

Lai pledged to consider members of opposition parties when appointing his Cabinet. The olive branch could bring a boost to his campaign as Election Day draws near.

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2023-11-07

China’s Shandong aircraft carrier conducts 570 landings in Pacific

The Chinese aircraft carrier, Shandong, has sailed to the South China Sea after nine days of training in the Pacific. According to Japan’s defense ministry, the Shandong and its fleet carried out 570 aircraft landings between Oct. 28 and Nov. 5. Experts say the maneuvers are meant to deliver a message, ahead of joint exercises led by the U.S. and the Philippines.

The Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong recently carried out hundreds of aircraft landings near the Philippines, according to Japan’s defense ministry.

The ministry said that between Oct. 28 and Nov. 5, the Shandong conducted exercises south of Japan’s Miyako Islands and east of the Philippines. It completed at least 420 fighter jet landings and 150 helicopter landings, for a total of 570 maneuvers over a nine-day period. The carrier came closest to Taiwan last Sunday.

Su Tzu-yun
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As far as its geostrategy goes, China has continually strengthened its long-range maritime force projection, including by developing the Shandong and Liaoning carriers, along with the Fujian carrier, which will begin sea trials next year. These ships are important symbols of the PLA Navy’s power projection capabilities. China is increasing its frequency of pilot training, and its domestic capabilities for engine production are maturing. So the availability rate is rising for the turbofan engines used in its J-15 fighter jets. That’s a tactical and technical point that warrants our attention.

The Shandong has since sailed to the South China Sea. Its operations come just before the U.S. and the Philippines begin the 11-day KAMANDAG 7, joint training exercises that will include troops from Japan and South Korea. The drills will start Thursday on Batan Island, less than 100 kilometers away from Taiwan. More than 1,800 marines from the four countries will participate, while the U.K. will send observers. Experts say the Shandong’s appearance was timed to send a message.

Su Tzu-yun
Institute of National Defense and Security Research
The Shandong is declaring that China can seal off and control the South China Sea – including the important strategic waterway of Taiwan’s Bashi Channel – and that it can counter U.S. air and naval bases in Guam. It symbolizes the CCP’s growing capabilities in long-range maritime force projection. That makes Taiwan’s strategic positioning even more important. Besides our various shore-mounted and air-launched anti-ship missiles, we have also successfully built an Indigenous submarine, the Narwhal. After it enters service, our submarine fleet can be used to effectively counter the CCP’s growing long-range power projection.

The expert says that once Taiwan’s submarine fleet is fully operational, it will be able to counter China’s aircraft carriers and potentially deter aggression.

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Israel envoy Maya Yaron thanks Taiwan for outpouring of support

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67% of Taiwanese companies plan to offer end-of-year bonuses in 2024

The end of the year is approaching, leading many employees to think about their end-of-year bonus. Expectations for bonuses vary widely this year, according to a survey by a jobseekers’ website. Almost 70% of companies are expecting to hand out bonuses at Lunar New Year, with the average bonus worth one month of normal pay. But some companies plan to give out much more than that, while others won’t offer bonuses at all. In this precarious economy, there’s enormous variety in the confidence of different industries.

A singer onstage pumps up the atmosphere, as employees in the audience enjoy their end-of-year banquet. It’s that time of year again, and big companies are preparing huge celebrations. Lots of white-collar workers are also thinking about their end-of-year bonuses.

A survey conducted by a jobseekers’ website found that almost 70% of companies have confirmed they will offer an end-of-year bonus. Nine percent have said they won’t offer a bonus, but a higher proportion, 25%, are still undecided. Among government-owned banks, Mega Bank has announced an end-of-year bonus likely to exceed last year’s, which was worth 8.3 months’ pay, and First Bank is also expecting to offer a bonus worth more than seven months’ pay. The average office worker can only dream of a bonus like that.

Member of public
I’m quite envious. We get the same bonus every year, which I guess feels like a guaranteed minimum.

Member of public
I’m just a normal white-collar worker. If it’s good enough, it’s good enough. First you need to have a job, then maybe you can think about getting a better one.

The survey found that 30% of workers were not expecting an end-of-year bonus. Those who did expect one mainly counted on one month’s worth of pay. With economic prospects for the end of the year unclear, bonus offers vary widely between companies.

Yang Tsung-pin
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In comparison with the domestic industries, what we see in export-oriented industries like technology and manufacturing is that demand has fallen. Some have even put employees on unpaid leave. So employees in those industries can’t be so optimistic about their end-of-year bonuses.

Company owners and employees are all hoping for a strong end to the year, but 62% of employees also revealed that they might consider quitting their current job if their bonus doesn’t meet their expectations.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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Pat Gelsinger attends 2023 Intel Innovation Taipei

Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger is in Taiwan to attend the 2023 Intel Innovation Taipei. It’s his fifth trip to Taiwan since becoming CEO, and his second visit this year. At the event, Intel unveiled its latest hardware designed for advanced AI capabilities. The crowd was a who’s who of Taiwanese tech players, including Acer and ASUS.

On his way to the stage, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger embraces Wiwynn Chair Emily Hong and has a quick chat with Wiwynn CEO Chang Sun-lai. Also present are ASUS Chair Jonney Shih and Acer Chair Jason Chen. It’s the 2023 Intel Innovation Taipei tech forum.

Pat Gelsinger
Intel CEO
This is a composition of Intel silicon over a UCIe interface and an advanced package combining a TSMC N3E test chip as well, over an EMIB interconnection as well.

Intel worked with TSMC to produce a UCIe interface, which offers a more compact and power-efficient connection between processors and graphics cards. Gelsinger has clearly prioritized the Taiwan supply chain, having visited Taiwan five times since becoming Intel CEO. This year alone, he’s visited twice.

Yeh Wei-hsiang
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In the past, Intel had only held smaller innovation events in Taiwan. But this year, its Innovation Day is quite large. The computer giant has 31 partners, 28 of which are Taiwanese. Its fastest CPU yet is expected to hit the market next year.

At the event, the company showcased its high-end processors, designed for demanding tasks such as artificial intelligence. The technology can render 2D images into 3D and features vast improvements in heat dissipation, from the previous 500 watts to 1,500 watts. Gelsinger says Intel’s 20A and 18A chips, comparable to TSMC’s 2- and 1.8- nanometer chips, may be unveiled as early as next year.

Pat Gelsinger
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18A, No. 5 of the five nodes in four years. So this to me is sort of the finish of this incredible march that we set ourselves on, this path to delivering the next generation in scale.

Intel showed off its latest technologies at the event, which was held in the homeland of TSMC and other chip giants. With a semiconductor war raging, tech firms around the world are coming together to push the sector’s limits.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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Doctor’s assistant uses spare time to serenade patients

And now, a spotlight on a hospital employee who uses his spare time to serenade patients. Kao Jung-hsing is a talented musician and member of the Indigenous Bunun tribe, as well as an army veteran and doctor’s assistant. Now working at Taipei Veterans General Hospital Yuli Branch in Hualien, Kao plays the guitar and sings in the hospital’s waiting rooms. He’s won the praise of patients, as well as the hospital’s superintendent, for his joyful, creative gift to the whole hospital community.

A man in a gray jacket plays the guitar and sings outside a consulting room, bringing joy to this somber waiting room. The musician is a clinical assistant at the hospital.

Kao Jung-hsing is a member of the Indigenous Bunun tribe from Hualien’s Zhuoxi Township. After retiring from a military career, he began work at Taipei Veterans General Hospital Yuli Branch. That was 32 years ago, but in the last two years he started a new project: playing the guitar in the hospital whenever he has a spare moment off work. He sings poetry and songs in his tribe’s language, hoping to bring musical therapy to listeners.

Ms. Chang
Patient
It calms the heart, so you’re less emotional when you go to see the doctor.

Kao’s talent for singing and playing bring joy and lightness to patients, even while they wait to see a doctor.

Liu Chun-cheng
Taipei Veterans General Hospital Yuli Branch superintendent
Mr. Kao uses his free time, when he’s not engaged in public duties, to give musical performances, to help patients gain some spiritual calm. I think this is extremely praiseworthy.

Kao Jung-hsing
Taipei Veterans General Hospital Yuli Branch assistant
When I see patients and their families come in for consultations, they look emotionally heavy and in pain. So I want to share the love of songs with patients, so they can feel happy, and receive all the care of our doctors.

Kao’s music not only soothes the hearts of visitors to the hospital, patients and employees, but creates a warm and loving atmosphere for everyone to share.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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Spotlight on Brazilian saxophonist, Diogo Pinheiro

Today we take you to meet Diogo Pinheiro, whose saxophone has led him on an adventure across Taiwan. FTV reporter Stephany Yang caught up with the Brazilian musician, to find out more about his career and life.

Since moving to Taiwan, Pinheiro has worked with prominent musicians such as Jay Chou. Pinheiro was invited to play with the Chou at his Carnival World Tour in December 2022.

Diogo Pinheiro
Saxophone player
I did the show in Singapore first. We did two shows in Singapore. He is on tour to celebrate 20 years, now 23 after COVID. It was 20 years of his career. It was just a whole new level of performance and organization and everything. I was really happy with this opportunity.

Pinheiro started playing saxophone when he was 6. Since then, his dream has been to be a professional and perform on big stages. To fulfill his dream, he attended the Stetson University Saxophone Workshop in the U.S. in 2007. After that, Pinheiro performed at the NAMM Show, the biggest music trade fair in the world as a guest artist. He moved to Taiwan in 2019 where he performs in a variety of events.

Diogo Pinheiro
Saxophone player
Coming from Brazil the thing I love the most about Taiwan is the safety. It is so safe here. I mean, last week I forgot my saxophone in my parking lot because I was so tired. Too many gigs this year so I forgot my saxophone in the parking lot. In Brazil, in two seconds I would never see my saxophone again. But it is Taiwan. Taiwan is super safe. The second thing and mostly that I like most about Taiwan is that Taiwanese people are so nice, really polite, really helpful, especially with foreigners. I feel that Taiwan is a very foreigner-friendly country. I like the safety, I like the country, I like the food. I love Taiwan. I just like everything about here.

When public performances were suspended during the COVID pandemic, he began teaching the saxophone.

Diogo Pinheiro
Saxophone player
I found out that the students they don’t really have the open ears for music. They must read but they are not really listening for real what they are playing. So, I try to focus mostly on opening their ears to imagine that instead of just reading music, they should sing with their instrument.

Pinheiro is currently working on a new CD, which will feature original music inspired by his experiences in Taiwan. One original song on the CD is titled “First Kiss.”

Diogo Pinheiro
Saxophone player
When we compose a song, we need to have some kind of experience related right? This song "First Kiss" was a situation in Taiwan. The first. This song for me was like trying to transmit that feeling that we have when we meet this person and we have this first moment of intimacy. I feel that when I play this song and I just kind of relive that moment. I love Taiwan very much. Taiwan has opened arms to receive me in very lovely ways. My project is to have a copyrighted CD, like my own compositions all talking about Taiwan. It doesn’t have lyrics but music is kind of you don’t need lyrics sometimes to tell how you feel right?

Pinheiro is passionate about Taiwan and the saxophone. He hopes to continue to tell stories about Taiwan through his music.

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Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

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