MOFA draws up action plan for Taiwan’s accession to CPTPP

2023-11-14

Officials say that 2024 will be a “window of opportunity” for Taiwan to join the CPTPP, or the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. That’s because Canada, which is open to Taiwan’s participation, will be the trade bloc’s rotating chair. To support Taiwan’s membership bid, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has drawn up a three-part action plan.

Chen Chien-jen
Premier
Our membership application is already submitted. Japan, Canada, and Australia all support Taiwan’s bid.

Taiwan is continuing on its campaign to join the CPTPP, or the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. Premier Chen Chien-jen says a working group will be formed to coordinate operations.

Chen Chien-jen
Premier
We have contact channels for the head negotiators of some of the members, or their ministers and deputy ministers. We’re stepping up our efforts and setting up a working group for Taiwan’s bid.

Wang Mei-hua
Economics minister
On this trip I met Hagiuda Koichi, the head of the Liberal Democratic Party’s Policy Research Council. I expressed Taiwan’s desire to join the CPTPP, and he responded positively. The world is seeing Taiwan’s industrial strengths more and more, and that will be helpful to our CPTPP bid.

Freshly returned from Japan, economics minister Wang Mei-hua says that the Office of Trade Negotiations will represent Taiwan in CPTPP talks. To build support for Taiwan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has formulated an action plan with three strategies.

The first is to forge informal communication channels with chief negotiators over the course of the next year, and to engage with member economies via those channels. The second is to engage with influential nations like Japan, Canada and the U.K., to shape views conducive to Taiwan’s membership. The third is to create a pro-Taiwan atmosphere in countries less friendly to Taiwan, by conducting exchanges with think tanks and industry representatives.

Voice of Lien Yu-ping (Nov. 13)
MOFA International Cooperation and Economic Affairs Dept.
Canada will be the rotating chair next year. So next year offers a key window of opportunity. We should make the most of that time.

Taiwan submitted its application in 2021. Other countries with applications pending are China, Ecuador, and Costa Rica. Officials say 2024 will be a key year for negotiations, saying that the government will do all it can to speed up the accession process and show Taiwan’s economic prowess to the world.

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2024入會關鍵之年! 陳建仁:積極運作台灣加入CPTPP

2023-11-14

台灣申請加入CPTPP，明年由加拿大擔任輪值主席國，外交部評斷2024將是台灣入會的"關鍵機會之窗"，特別擬定三項行動方案，把握各式溝通管道。行政院長陳建仁也透露，包括日本、加拿大、澳洲都表態支持台灣加入，未來國內將成立入會工作小組，談判步調，也將由"談判辦公室"主導。

[[行政院長陳建仁]]
“已送入了我們的入會的申請書，包括日本、加拿大還有澳洲等國家，也都支持台灣。”

台灣持續努力，申請加入"跨太平洋夥伴全面進步協定" CPTPP，行政院長陳建仁透露，台灣將設置入會工作小組，積極運作。

[[行政院長陳建仁]]
“有些會員國的談判主談人，或者是他們的部、次長，也都有聯繫管道。加緊設置台灣入會的工作小組。”

[[經濟部長王美花]]
“我這一次也見到了日本自民黨，政調會的會長萩生田光一，我也跟他表達台灣要加入CPTPP，得到很好的正面回應。台灣產業的強項愈來愈被世界看見，這個對我們加入CPTPP都是會有幫助的。”

才剛從日本返台的經濟部長王美花強調，加入CPTPP的談判步調，將由"談判辦公室"主導。為了掌握加入契機，外交部已擬定三項具體行動方案。

包括明年成立主談人的非正式溝通管道，與會員進行全面非正式溝通；另外，針對日本、加拿大、英國等意見領袖國，台灣規劃展開意見領袖溝通團，向他們形塑有利台灣入會的模式、意見。針對不友台成員，則透過智庫、產業等交流，營造有利台灣氛圍。

[[聲源: 外交部國經司司長連玉蘋(11.13)]]
“明年是加拿大擔任CPTPP的輪值主席國，所以針對明年，我們覺得是我們有一個關鍵的機會之窗，我們要特別掌握這時間。”

台灣2021年申請入會，同樣爭取加入的還有中國、厄瓜多及哥斯大黎加。2024是台灣入會關鍵年，各部會拚加速時程，盼世界看見台灣經濟實力。

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Gou qualifies for election, Hon Hai says it will prepare for all scenarios

2023-11-14

Taiwan issue on the agenda at Biden-Xi summit

Taiwan is set to be on the agenda at the upcoming summit between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The meeting will be held on the sidelines of APEC this Thursday, Taiwan time. According to the New York Times, Biden will warn Xi against meddling in Taiwan’s presidential election. According to the Financial Times, Biden will refuse Xi’s request to explicitly oppose Taiwan independence. Given the two sides’ differences on a vast range of issues, a joint statement after the meeting is not expected.

U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are set to meet on the sidelines of the APEC summit in San Francisco for bilateral talks. According to the New York Times, Biden is set to warn Xi against interfering in Taiwan’s January elections.

Jake Sullivan
White House national security adviser
I’m not going to preview what exactly President Biden will say to President Xi because I think he should have the opportunity to speak directly, in person, without me proclaiming it from the podium. I will say that the president broadly speaking, is going to set out a vision for peace and stability and for the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

According to U.S. officials cited by the Financial Times, Xi wants Biden to express opposition to Taiwanese independence, instead of taking his usual stance of “not supporting it.” But Biden is not considering making such a statement, sources say.

Mao Ning
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson
The U.S. needs to honor its commitment to “one China” and oppose “Taiwan independence” with concrete actions.

According to the report, Biden and Xi will not issue a joint statement, as, quote, “the two sides remain very far apart on fundamental issues.” One official says the goal of the talks is to manage the competition, prevent the downside risk of conflict and ensure that channels of communication are open.

Jake Sullivan
White House national security adviser
President Biden believes that there is no substitute for leader-to-leader, face-to-face diplomacy to manage this complex relationship between the United States and China.

Biden and Xi are also expected to discuss the Russia-Ukraine war and the latest Israel-Hamas war. Biden may ask China to use its sway over Iran to prevent an expansion of conflict in the Middle East.

Jake Sullivan
White House national security adviser
The PRC of course has a relationship with Iran and it’s capable, if it chooses to, of making those points directly to the Iranian government.

The White House says the talks aim to halt the deterioration of ties, rather than to warm relations. The two sides are expected to leave the meeting separately and will not be dining together afterward.

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2023-11-14

Taiwanese doctor returns safely from Gaza after medical mission

2023-11-14

Ex-Premier Sean Chen pitches ‘fat tax’ after mayor gains 10 pounds

Could a fat tax reduce obesity? A former premier has pitched a tax on fattening foods, after Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che admitted to gaining 10 kilograms since assuming office. Such a tax has been implemented before, by some 50 countries worldwide. But here in Taiwan, the proposal has sparked a mixed public reaction.

Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che says he weighs nearly 90 kilograms, that he’s gained 10 kilograms since taking office. The admission led ex-Premier Sean Chen to propose a “fat tax” – a tax on foods likely to pack on the pounds.

Majid Ezzati (April 2, 2016)
Imperial College London professor
It’s a hard battle, but it’s a battle that is costing…that is influencing people’s health.

Several countries already have taxes on fattening foods, particularly on sugary drinks. For instance, the U.K. imposes a NT$7 per liter tax on drinks containing 50 to 80 grams of sugar per liter. France’s soda tax is about NT$247 per 100 liters, while Saudi Arabia has a 50% tax on carbonated beverages. Denmark once decreed a tax on foods containing more than 2.3% saturated fat, charging NT$80 per kilogram.

Member of public
I think it’s pretty reasonable. Because if you consume too much sugar, you can develop diabetes.

Member of public
I really have a sweet tooth. If prices went up, I might buy less sugary foods.

Member of public
I feel that the tax needs some supportive measures. Otherwise it would just feel like price inflation.

Public reactions to the fat tax are mixed. And the data is inconclusive on how effective a fat tax really is. Denmark, for instance, repealed its fat tax after just over a year, because there was no change to consumer behavior. The tax also had a harmful effect on employment. Research shows that lowering the price of fruits and vegetables is a more effective way to shape dietary habits, particularly among low-income consumers.

Huang Wei-che
Tainan mayor
We respect the fat tax proposal. We also want to encourage people to live healthier lives.

Su Hsiu-yueh
Taipei Medical University Hospital Dept. of Dietetics
When it comes to weight loss, it needs to start from a young age, so you need to have healthy foods in the home environment from childhood. School education and providing healthy foods in schools is also a way of creating a healthy environment.

With the verdict still out on the fat tax, experts suggest starting out with dietary interventions in homes and schools.

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2023-11-14

AIT director lauds Taiwan’s progressiveness at women entrepreneurship summit

The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs Indo-Pacific Women in Tech Summit is underway. Co-hosted by the American Institute in Taiwan and the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the three-day event kicked off in Taipei on Tuesday. AIT Director Sandra Oudkirk spoke at the opening ceremony, lauding Taiwan as one of the most progressive societies in the Asia-Pacific region.

AIT Director Sandra Oudkirk stops by the Taiwan stand to sample a baked treat.

Sandra Oudkirk
AIT director
You should find Lady Jessy. They are an excellent sales platform.

Oudkirk was clearly a fan. The AIT officials accompanying her also munched on the snacks with gusto. At the New Zealand stand, Oudkirk and other officials struck a pose.

The event’s exhibitors hailed from countries including Taiwan, New Zealand, Malaysia, and the Philippines. They’re participants in an exchange program of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs, the brainchild of the U.S. state department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The goal of the program is to empower women with the networks and access they need for entrepreneurship. The program was established in 2019, and already has participants in almost 100 countries. This year, its annual summit was held in Taiwan, in collaboration with the AIT and the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

Sara Mathews
US state department’s Bureau of East Asia and Pacific Affairs
We were not surprised when we heard that Taiwan was chosen to host this event. Taiwan’s AWE program is the best in the region thanks to the support it receives from the Small and Medium Enterprise and Startup Administration.

Sandra Oudkirk
AIT director
There is no other place better than Taiwan to host such a regional summit. During the past four decades, Taiwan has become one of the most progressive societies in the Indo-Pacific. It is a thriving economy and a technological powerhouse. These programs enable AIT to continue developing the flourishing economic and people-to-people ties, which serve as a foundation for the shared values that underpin the relationship between the people of the United States and the people of Taiwan.

Oudkirk underscored the shared values of Taiwan and the U.S. With the Biden-Xi summit approaching, she steered clear of sensitive political questions, including those on Taiwan’s elections. Even so, through concrete action from government officials, the U.S. has continued to show its support for Taiwan.

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2023-11-14

Chiba Governor Kumagai picks Taoyuan as first stop of first official trip

On his first trip abroad since taking office, Chiba Prefecture Governor Kumagai Toshihito chose to visit Taiwan – and to make Taoyuan his first stop. Chiba and Taoyuan have shared a friendship agreement for seven years. During his visit, Kumagai noted that the COVID pandemic showed the strength of the Japan-Taiwan bond, as the two sides helped each other in times of need. In a gesture of friendship, Taoyuan Mayor Chang San-cheng gave his guest an interlocking puzzle symbolizing the firm ties between the two sides.

Taoyuan’s two mascots wait by the elevator, ready to welcome a special guest. Chiba Prefecture Governor Kumagai Toshihito visited Taoyuan, as the first stop of his first overseas trip since taking office. His presence underscored the bond between Taoyuan and Chiba.

Kumagai Toshihito (voice of interpreter)
Chiba Prefecture governor
We went through a pandemic for nearly two years. It is because of this pandemic that we gave each other gifts of masks, protective gear, and vaccines at times of urgent need. We were able to witness what it means to be true friends in times of need.

Taoyuan and Chiba have shared a friendship agreement for seven years. Kumagai reflected on the years of the pandemic and how it deepened his country’s bond with Taiwan.

Chang San-cheng
Taoyuan mayor
I am extremely grateful to Governor Kumagai for choosing Taiwan for his first official visit since taking office. We very much welcome him. He is very familiar with the history of exchanges between Chiba and Taoyuan. I believe that his visit will spark deeper exchanges between Taoyuan and Chiba.

The host, Mayor Chang San-cheng, presented the governor with wood art made in Daxi – a burr puzzle shaped like Chiba’s official emblem. The interlocking woodwork symbolized the unbreakable bond between Taoyuan and Chiba. In return, Governor Kumagai presented an indigo dye work from Chiba, to cement the firm bilateral friendship.

Chang San-cheng
Taoyuan mayor
Taoyuan and Chiba can further deepen their exchanges in sports, as well as smart cities and tourism. I believe that in these areas, Taoyuan and Chiba will have very productive exchanges.

Chang called for more substantive projects that can strengthen the two sides’ post-pandemic bond and carry on the legacy of the Taiwan-Japan friendship.

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2023-11-14

Stressed coral reefs get relief from summer typhoons

2023-11-14

Taiwanese business in Thailand makes big profits from golden perch

Now for a spotlight on a Taiwanese businessman in Thailand, whose golden perch empire is a big player in the world of aquaculture. Lai Hsiao-feng was originally in technology, but took up fish farming in mid-life. He applies the statistics- and detail-oriented mindset of big tech to fish farming. Assisted by his son, Lai developed golden perch for the Thai market. He also trades in fish fodder, bringing another stream of income to the business.

Fish are chased into corners with nets. Then it’s time to sort them into small and large. Many people work together to fill the buckets and get them to shore to be weighed.

The golden perch, with their lustrous colors, are nicknamed the Louis Vuitton of perch. They’re worth four times as much as giant sea perch. They’ve been brought here by Edmond Lai, a Taiwanese businessman based in Thailand.

Edmond Lai
Thailand-based aquaculturist
I was lucky enough to get a contact with Taiwanese fish food. The fish have a very slight golden color. I had a sudden spark of inspiration, because Thai people love gold, so we developed a new type of fodder.

Lai was originally in technology. He was sent by his company to Thailand 35 years ago, and after retirement, he enjoyed fishing. In his fifties, his hobby developed into a second career. Now he owns 27.2 hectares of fish farms. He also imports Taiwanese fish fodder to Thailand.

Edmond Lai
Thailand-based aquaculturist
My wife said I seemed like a jobless vagrant, just going out fishing in different places. She said I was setting a bad example. If I don’t work, what will my son do in the future? It would be dreadful if he copied me. So I said, “OK, I’ll find a job to do.”

Lai’s oldest son, Yen-po, joined the team five years ago. He cleans the water sources, cultivates the fish fry, manages workers and develops retail channels. At first, they sold just 300 kilograms of golden perch a day. Now that number has grown to 20 tons a day.

Edmond Lai
Thailand-based aquaculturist
Often, the children of Taiwanese businesspeople living abroad don’t take over the family business. So I’m lucky. Fish farming is a difficult business, as well. So it’s lucky that my oldest son is very interested in it, and is even upgrading the business.

Lai Yen-po
Thailand-based aquaculturist
The most vital thing is the water quality, and giving the fish the most comfortable environment to live in. I suppose we have entered aquaculture from the tech industry, so we’re more exacting about getting every detail as perfect as possible.

Having found methods to keep the fish alive while keeping costs down, these techno-aquaculturists have managed to build a fish empire, with annual turnover of more than NT$1 billion a year.

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2023-11-14

Guandu Flower Carnival held till Nov. 26

The annual Guandu Flower Carnival has kicked off at Guandu Plain. This year’s festival will feature performances, photography classes, DIY activities, and guided tours. FTV reporter Stephany Yang has the highlights.

Stephany Yang
FTV reporter
The Guandu Flower Carnival has kicked off. The floral sea has expanded to 4.44 hectares this year.

The field is covered with zinnias, sunflowers, and cosmos. Behind it are the majestic peaks of Guanyin Mountain, Datun Mountain, and Qixing Mountain.

Visitor
I think it’s very beautiful. I think I like the dark red flowers better. The field is quite unique.

Visitor
Actually, we love taking pictures so we came here for a walk.

Guandu Flower Carnival is underway. Many locals cycled to Guandu Plain to admire the flowers.

Visitor
We rode our bikes from Da’an Station. From Gongguan, we rode from the riverside to Guandu.

Visitor
This place is very suitable for riding bicycles and admiring flowers. It is also a great place to bring children.

Visitor
Maybe because the weather has been dry, so it’s not as beautiful as I imagined. The bicycle lanes are very good.

The festival features performances, photography, DIY and sketch classes, and guided tours. Online registration has already opened. Organizers are asking visitors not to step into the flower fields.

Liu Wei-Chen
Landowner
The information about the DIY classes is posted on our Facebook page and website. You can sign up there. Our flower sea this year is larger than in previous years, and we have some fences around it. We want to remind everyone to please walk on the ridge of the field. This year we’ve also set up spots for people to take photos and check in on social media.

Organizers encourage people to get to the festival by shuttle bus or bicycle. Visitors can ride along the Keelung riverside bike path between Guandu and Shilin to Baxian Pumping Station. Once there, walk down the stairs to reach the flower fields. The festival will be held till Nov. 26.

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

2023-11-14