Flu, COVID levels high ahead of Spring Festival

Flu, COVID levels high ahead of Spring Festival

2024-01-16

Spring Festival is coming up, and holiday cheer isn’t the only thing that’s spreading. Seasonal flu is continuing to rise with 127,000 related doctors’ visits last week, the most in 10 years. According to the Taiwan CDC, there are 59,000 children under 10 years old who have only received one dose of the flu shot. Parents are urged to get their kids fully vaccinated to boost protection.

Meanwhile, COVID-19 levels are on the rise. Last week, reported cases hit a five-month high. There were 55 COVID-related deaths, the most in four months. Ahead of the Lunar New Year travel rush, Taiwan will expand its free rapid test kit program beyond Taoyuan International Airport. Starting Jan. 17, free tests will be distributed at Kaohsiung International Airport and Kinmen’s Shueitou Port.

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

新冠肺炎疫情又升溫高雄國際機場將跟進免費發新冠快篩

2024-01-16

歲末年終活動多，助攻病毒傳播，類流感上週就診12.7萬人次，創10年同期新高，疾管署提醒家長9歲以下初次接種疫苗的15萬名小朋友，尚有5.9萬人還沒去打第2劑，儘速完成第二劑，才能有效提升保護力。

領外，國內上週本土共新增538例新冠確診病例，創5個月來新高，死亡則新增55例，創4個月來新高，3個多月來已經累積逾500例新冠死亡。為迎接新年返鄉人潮，1/17起將擴大免費發放快據點，除了原有的桃園機場之外，將納入金門小三通港埠及高雄國際機場，預計將發放至2月底。

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Taiwan condemns China for dollar diplomacy after losing Nauru

The foreign ministry says China once again used “dollar diplomacy” to poach a diplomatic ally. The remarks come after the Pacific nation of Nauru switched ties from Taipei to Beijing. According to a deputy foreign minister, Nauru broke ties after China offered a significant amount of financial aid. Experts say China made a move on Nauru to put pressure on Taiwan’s new president-elect.

The island nation of Nauru severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan on Monday. Nauru had reportedly asked Taiwan for aid amounting to NT$2.6 billion. While Taiwan was still seeking a solution, Nauru broke off ties.

Jeff Liu
Foreign ministry spokesperson
Nauru’s financial problems had it weighing monetary offers from us and from China. But after China lured it with the offer of a large amount of economic assistance, Nauru decided to break off diplomatic ties with us. China is using dollar diplomacy to erode Taiwan’s international space, and it took action just two days after Taiwan held democratic elections. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs most severely condemns China’s meddling and manipulation.

The foreign ministry did not confirm reports that Nauru wanted NT$2.6 billion. But it made clear that money was at the heart of Nauru’s decision.

On Jan. 13, after the election results were announced, Nauru issue a congratulatory message to winner Lai Ching-te, only to cut ties two days later. According to deputy foreign minister Tien Chung-kwang, Nauru may have sent the message to cover up its plans to break ties. Before 2019, Taiwan had six diplomatic allies in Oceania: the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Nauru, the Marshall Islands and Palau. In 2019, China poached the Solomon Islands and then Kiribati. Now in 2024, it’s won over Nauru. Of Taiwan’s remaining allies, the Marshall Islands and Palau have defense agreements with the U.S. Former ally Nauru is important to the U.S., due to its location along the strategic second island chain. Its switch of allegiance from Taipei to Beijing is seen as a major coup for Beijing. Experts say that China aimed to send a message to Taiwan’s president-elect, to pressure him on cross-strait policy.

Jeff Liu
Foreign ministry spokesman
While the whole world was congratulating Taiwan on the election and the victory of democracy, Beijing chose to use these means to suppress our international presence. This is an act of retaliation against democratic values.

Taiwan currently has 15 personnel in Nauru, including interns, technical staff and conscripts on alternative military service. They will be repatriated according to international conventions.

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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First cohort of 1-year conscripts to start Jan. 25

New details are out on the training program for one-year conscripts. This year, 9,127 conscripts will serve in 12 cohorts, the first of which will start on Jan. 25. Their basic training will last eight weeks and will be divided into four stages. Officials say the new regime will be more demanding than before.

Taiwan has extended conscription from four months to one year. The first cohort of conscripts starts Jan. 25. The defense ministry has released new details on their training.

This year, 9,127 conscripts will be called up in 12 cohorts. Among them, 7,514 will serve in the Army. The eight-week basic training is divided into four stages, starting with basic fitness training. The second stage includes rifle shooting, mechanical training on pistols and machine guns, and basic combat training. The third stage will focus on advanced rifle shooting skills, combined combat training, battlefield simulations, and nighttime shooting. The final stage features a final assessment of physical combat skills and marksmanship, along with a comprehensive three-day combat exercise.

Chen Chien-yi
Army Command Headquarters
After they complete the basic training, they are assigned to different units. When the conscripts are sent for training in these units, we take into account their skills and strengths. They will still have to undergo training at the stations and bases, and participate in a major year-end training course. They are assigned to different positions based on their fields of expertise outside the military, so they can contribute the things they have learned. That way, in the military, they will be part of a team that makes use of the relevant skills.

Each conscript will receive his own first aid kit and combat gear. Their training will be more demanding than before, the ministry says.

Liu Shen-mo
Military Training Division
In the basic training assessment, we focus on core skills. If they fail combat training and weapons training, they have to stay behind for another week and sit the test again. If they fail again, they won’t be issued a certificate of completion at the end. During the retest week, their peers will have already moved on to different units. So after the individuals undergo the extra training and resit the exam, the relevant units will be notified to take them in.

One-year conscription has made its return. The government hopes it will strengthen Taiwan’s ability to respond to incidents in the Taiwan Strait.

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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Philippine president congratulates Lai on election as ‘Taiwan’s next president’

In a rare move, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos has congratulated Taiwan’s president-elect on his election. In a social media post on Monday, Marcos referred to Lai Ching-te as, quote, Taiwan’s next president. This was the first time Marcos used the term, and it’s likely to draw the anger of Beijing. It comes as tensions become increasingly strained between China and the Philippines, due to Chinese expansionism in the South China Sea.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos congratulated Taiwan’s president-elect on Monday, saying that he looked forward to close collaboration. It was a rare gesture from the Philippines head of state, even more so for using the words “Taiwan’s next president.” Despite the Philippine foreign ministry reiterating the “One China” policy, the congratulatory message still flirted with China’s wrath.

CNA reporter
Military Chief Romeo Brawner says that Manila wants to upgrade its outposts in the disputed waters as to make them more habitable for its troops stationed there.

The Philippines has also been making moves in the South China Sea. Military official Romeo Brawner announced a plan to upgrade outposts on nine Philippine-controlled islands and atolls, to make them more livable for troops. Among the islands targeted is the Thitu Island near the Fiery Cross Reef and Mischief Reef, which China has turned into artificial islands with military bases.

Eduardo Ano
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Experts say China’s expansion in the South China Sea has fueled anti-China sentiment in the Philippines. That’s prompted President Marcos to defend the country’s national sovereignty and pursue stronger alliances with democratic partners such as the U.S. Philippines-China relations remain tense after a string of conflicts in the South China Sea in 2023. More recently, two Chinese warships shadowed a U.S.-Philippines joint maritime patrol that included an aircraft carrier.

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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Taiwan Lottery unveils 5 scratch card games for Spring Festival

Taiwan Lottery has unveiled limited-edition games marking the Year of the Dragon. At a Tuesday press event, it unveiled five scratch card games with more than NT$19.9 billion in prizes. One game offers 10 chances to win NT$2 million plus an imported SUV. Taiwan Lottery will also raise the stakes for Big Lotto, its most popular game. Besides adding extra prizes, it will hold draws for 19 days in a row, starting Feb. 6.

With fanfare and a flourish, Taiwan Lottery kicks off its Year of the Dragon press event. Spokesperson Lulu Huang invited the public to try their luck with limited-edition lotto games.

Lulu Huang
Entertainer
Jackpot winners always get to go into a secret room to meet you and shake your hand. Would you allow me to fulfill this dream, even if I haven’t won yet?

Huang shook hands with the head of Taiwan Lottery. Then she tried her hand at this Spring Festival’s “NT$20 million Super Red Envelope” scratch card game.

Lulu Huang
Entertainer
Every year I go into it hoping to win, so that I don’t need to go to work. So next year if you can’t find me, it’s because I struck it rich.

For the Year of the Dragon, Taiwan Lottery launched five scratch card games with a total prize of more than NT$19.9 billion. Its “NT$20 million Super Red Envelope” has eight grand prizes of NT$20 million each, plus 10 second-tier prizes of NT$2 million and an SUV. An extra NT$970 million will be added to the prize pool of three popular games: Big Lotto, Super Lotto, and Bingo Bingo. Notably, Big Lotto will offer draws for 19 days in a row, starting Feb. 6.

Hsieh Chih-hung
Taiwan Lottery general manager
Let’s play and collect some red envelopes and year-end bonuses for ourselves. Buying lottery tickets during Spring Festival is good old holiday fun. We’re projecting an increase in sales totaling NT$5.8 billion.

To welcome the Year of the Dragon, Taiwan Lottery is offering more extra prizes and bonus draws than ever before, to drive sales and mint new millionaires in 2024.

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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Retailers launch branded pots and pans to attract consumers

Winter is hotpot season in Taiwan. Retailers and brands are launching new lines of pots and pans to attract consumers. These branded goods are often offered only as limited editions, which need to be paid for partly by redeeming points from past purchases. But lots of consumers are willing to go the extra mile for a specially branded item. From induction stoves with Korean characters, to iron pots with Winnie the Pooh details, if you’re coveting cutesy kitchenware, now’s the time.

A pot of bubbling spicy soup with duck blood. It’s a warming treat for winter. More exciting is this special induction stove, decorated with hit characters from Korea. A convenience store has co-launched a range of cookware, but they’re only available as rewards, not for direct sale, to encourage consumers to buy fresh food.

Liu Hung-chih
Convenience store marketing manager
Young people like products with characters on. We’re working on this project with Kakao Friends, which is popular with young people. We expect that this fresh produce rewards scheme will increase our fresh produce profits, perhaps by 10% or more.

Member of public
If the brand decorating the product is something we like, for example, Hello Kitty, which the children like, or maybe Mickey Mouse, then I might get it sometime, for the children.

An easy to store stove. A soup pot with double handles. A cute kitchen timer. A garlic press. By collecting points from three produce purchases you can claim the soup pot, and save 55% of the retail price.

At another retailer, there’s a collaboration with a Korean cookware brand. The seven items include peach pink or milk tea colored non-stick pans and soup pots. The minimum spend is two redeemable purchases plus a discount price. The scheme began in November, and more than 7,000 customers have already redeemed purchases to get the items.

Member of public
We’re buying things to redeem the points. They are items that we use all the time.

Huang Li-chi
Retail PR manager
The items come in special colors. And with the attraction of the famous brand, we expect that this year our points-redemption profits will exceed NT$10 million. The best-selling item is the 28-centimeter pan, which is quite large, and useful for a large number of people. The pots are selling the best.

Meanwhile, a French cookware brand is collaborating with Winnie the Pooh to create these iron pots that can be used for frying, sauteing and boiling. These cute and cheeky little honey pots can store condiments. Taiwan loves a hotpot, and all these pots and pans are a big commercial opportunity.

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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Tours sell fast as cherry blossom season in Japan approaches

The cherry blossom season in Japan is just around the corner. Japan’s meteorological agency has just published forecasts for the dates of the cherry blossoms, causing flower-lovers to kick their travel plans into gear. The blossoms are expected from mid-March to mid-May at different locations across Japan. Numerous Taiwanese travel agencies offer all-inclusive sakura-viewing tours, but only for those willing to splash serious cash.

A spray of delicate pink sakura sparkles in the sunlight. Japanophiles are gearing up for their travels – if they didn’t visit Japan for skiing, they might go for the spring cherry blossoms.

The Japan Meteorological Corporation has published first predictions for the cherry blossom season 2024. The first wave of blossoms will appear in mid-March in Kochi in southern Japan. Taiwanese travelers love Tokyo, where blossoms are expected on March 23. Those flowers will be in full bloom by March 30. The overall cherry season across Japan will last from mid-March to mid-May.

Liao Pei-chuan
ezfly Japan group vice president
The cherry blossom season will be a tiny bit early this year, according to the forecast. It’s going to be about one week early. For the spring holiday season, the area where Sakura will be in full bloom is probably the Kansai region - that’s where it might be best.

Viewers who want to spend a spring holiday admiring the cherries might need to head to the northeast, to areas of Japan like Kagoshima, Kanazawa or Nagano.

To take advantage of the sakura season, travel agency ezTravel launched a cherry blossom package in early January. In less than two weeks the scheme was over 50% full. Demand for the Kansai region is the highest. Tours with ezfly are also 50-60% booked. But international flight prices are still very high at the moment, and Japanese hotel expenses have been driven up by a labor shortage and a supply problem. A trip to Japan won’t come cheap.

Kimberley
ezTravel PR manager
The price of the Japan cherry blossom tour this year is about NT$40,000-50,000. It’s increased about 20% since before the pandemic.

The cost of these tours to Japan are uniformly NT$40,000 and above. If you’re dreaming of a pink paradise, be ready to part with your cash.

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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