Yen touches 30-year low against Taiwan currency

Yen touches 30-year low against Taiwan currency

2024-02-15

Thinking about going to Japan? Now’s a great time. Cherry blossom season is coming up, and the New Taiwan dollar is trading strong against the Japanese yen. At one point on Thursday, Japan’s currency fell to a 30-year low, hitting 0.2121 New Taiwan dollars.

And experts say that the New Taiwan dollar’s purchasing power will only get stronger, so long as the Bank of Japan keeps its negative interest rates unchanged. The weak yen has led to the German economy outperforming Japan in 2023, since GDP comparisons are in U.S. dollar terms.

日幣直直落! 兌新台幣"0.2121" 匯率創30年來新低

2024-02-15

櫻花季即將來臨，也讓不少哈日族蠢蠢欲動，週四新台幣兌日圓，還一度來到0.2121匯價，寫下30年新低紀錄。

分析師認為，在日本央行，還沒有決定脫離負利率之前，日幣恐怕還有得貶。而在日幣與美金，拉開距離後，日本2023年名目GDP、4兆2106億美元，遭德國超車，落居世界第四大經濟體。

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Taiex jumps 548 points on first trading day of Year of the Dragon

2024-02-15

Premier, president thank staff on first workday of Year of the Dragon

On the first workday of the Year of the Dragon, Premier Chen Chien-jen convened his Cabinet to mark a new beginning. In his opening address, Chen said that even as an outgoing administration, his Cabinet must continue to serve the nation. Remarking on the latest election, Chen said the results showed the need for unity across political factions. Over at the Presidential Office, President Tsai Ing-wen and her deputy also marked the new lunar year with their traditional tour of the Presidential Office.

For the last time in her tenure, President Tsai Ing-wen strolled the halls of her office on Thursday to give New Year’s greetings to staff. With Vice President Lai Ching-te at her side, she spread good wishes on the first workday of the new lunar year.

Much work lies ahead as the government starts a new year, they said. Meanwhile at the Executive Yuan, Premier Chen Chien-jen was also celebrating the first workday of the Year of the Dragon.

Joined by Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan and Executive Yuan Secretary-General Li Meng-yen, Chen shared his hopes for the year ahead.

Chen Chien-jen
Premier
Of course I need to engage in self-reflection. I’ve made a great many mistakes over the past year, and I hope the people can excuse me. What I pray for is the Earth’s sustainability, world peace, favorable weather, national prosperity, social stability, economic prosperity, as well as cross-strait peace and health for all. When I told my wife she said, “Wow, that’s a lot of requests. You’re going to give God too much stress.”

In his New Year’s remarks, Chen also referenced the results of the general election, in which no party earned a legislative majority. He stressed the need for cross-party unity.

Chen Chien-jen
Premier
None of the three parties was the absolute winner. None was the absolute loser. I told my wife that this is a sign from God. He’s saying that Taiwan’s ruling and opposition parties must stand united. Only when we are united can our nation move forward. Although we are now a lame duck Cabinet, we must still move forward every day. Every day that we serve as a lame duck Cabinet, we must work to benefit the people.

The Tsai administration is set to step down in May. On the first workday of the new lunar year, top officials thanked government staff and reflected on their time together in office.

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

2024-02-15

Woman gives birth on EVA Air flight bound for Taipei

An EVA Air flight landed in Taipei 19 minutes early on Thursday, with one more passenger than it did upon takeoff. A pregnant woman went into labor during the flight, leading to a mid-air emergency delivery. Thanks to the help of crew and four doctors onboard, both mom and baby are safe and well.

Lin Yung-chi
FTV reporter
This is the first time in almost 10 years that Songshan Airport had a passenger give birth while on a plane. This plane was an EVA Air flight that departed from Haneda Airport at 9:55 a.m. and was flying to Taiwan. The plane just happened to have four doctors on board who ended up working together.

According to a passenger, flight attendants had called for help over the plane’s speakers.

Passenger on plane
Over the speakers, I heard that they needed the help of health care professionals. But I didn’t know what was happening. I didn’t see anything happen. Everyone was very quiet. We were very calm.

This plane was scheduled to land at 1:25 pm. But with a woman about to give birth, EVA Air contacted the control tower to get permission for a priority landing. With an ambulance at the ready, the plane landed at 1:06 p.m., and the mother and newborn were sent to the hospital. A Taiwanese influencer revealed that of the four doctors on board, one was her husband.

Wife of one doctor
My husband, he works in the U.S. He specializes in anesthesiology and internal medicine. When they were called to help, that pregnant mother was already up in first class. They had originally discussed with the chief flight attendant whether the plane should make an emergency landing in Fukuoka, but it seems like when they were talking the mom’s water had broken. The other three doctors weren’t OB-GYN doctors either, but, despite it being a close call, in the end it all worked out, because the mom and child are both doing well.

The airline’s policy is that passengers 36 or more weeks pregnant with one child are not permitted to board. Passengers 28 or more weeks pregnant must have a doctor’s note. This passenger was believed to be less than 28 weeks pregnant. But even at this stage, the risk of an in-flight premature delivery is not negligible.

Liu Wei-Min
Taipei Medical University Hospital
In a normal operating room, if there’s an emergency because the baby can’t be delivered naturally, then a C-section can be done if necessary. If you’re on a plane and the baby won’t come out, then that’s the most dangerous point in time. If this type of situation doesn’t happen, once the child is delivered you still need to be careful about caring for the child and cleaning it up. But I think the overall risk here and the risk of getting an infection isn’t all that high.

The doctor said that now that the birth was over, all that was needed to be done was to care for the baby. Some speculate that the baby would be awarded a lifetime of free flights from EVA Air. In response, the airline said this perk was not company policy.

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

2024-02-15

Obstetrics struggling with aging doctor problem: survey

2024-02-15

Cafe in Douliu City combines art and flowers with eco-friendly principles

A cafe in Yunlin’s Douliu City combines art with eco-friendly principles. After more than 30 years as a flower arrangement expert, Lin Hsiu-ling has branched out to food. Her interest in eco-friendly farming leads the cafe to focus on local, eco-friendly ingredients. She combines her flower arrangement skills with baking to produce sweets that look as delightful as they taste. And the cafe even has an exhibition space, where diners can enjoy a moment of art.

This old building in Yunlin’s Douliu City has been remodeled into a cafe. Everywhere you look, it’s decorated with art. The exquisite sweets brim with perfect aesthetics as well as baking expertise. Here you can get far from the crowd and enjoy the present moment.

Owner Lin Hsiu-ling is a flower arrangement teacher. Seven years ago, she happened to attend an agricultural education event, and was inspired to combine flower arranging with baking. Collaborating with friends, she threw herself into local farming and marketing concepts. The cafe combines support for local small farmers, eco-friendly production, and fresh ingredients to make delectable sweets.

Lin Hsiu-ling
Flower arrangement teacher
For our baked goods, we expect to combine aesthetics and eco-friendly ingredients. So I think they’re showing our respect for the earth from inside and out.

Lin has been working in flower arrangement for over 30 years. Apart from the cafe, she maintains her flower arrangement career, holding classes monthly. In recent years, she’s expanded her skills by studying horticultural therapy, aiming to help people through the beauty of plants, both visual and culinary.

Lin Hsiu-ling
Flower arrangement teacher
As we come into contact with food farming, and with art, we internalize our own feelings, and then we can be creative. I think food and art come alive. They’re not some superficial, merely pretty thing. Once they have been internalized, I think they’re more powerful.

The cafe also has an exhibition space, where visitors can view works from artists of different fields. The beautiful, cozy atmosphere of the cafe is a perfect environment in which to admire art.

Lin Hsiu-ling
Flower arrangement teacher
In our cafe space, we have art, we have healthy ingredients, and we combine it with aesthetics. Both in terms of the food and the space, you can enjoy a space like this, and let the environment and the thinking of it spread to each person.

Lin’s focus on aesthetics and care for the earth, combined with her expertise in flowers, makes this cafe unique. She also brings her flower arrangement into community and school settings, using art as a force for good.

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

2024-02-15

Two Chinese fishermen die during pursuit by Taiwanese Coast Guard

Two Chinese fishermen have drowned while trying to avoid capture by Taiwan’s Coast Guard. Coast Guard officials said the fishermen’s boat trespassed into waters near Kinmen on Wednesday. The four crew on board resisted inspection, and their boat overturned when Taiwan authorities gave chase. The Mainland Affairs Council says it informed China of the incident immediately. China has accused Taiwan of causing the deaths by pursuing the fishermen in a “violent and dangerous” way.

Rescue workers struggle to lift an unconscious Chinese fisherman onto the boat. But the fisherman won’t budge, as his water-soaked clothing adds too much weight.

Eventually a spine board is placed on the water for support. With careful coordination, each fisherman is pulled from the water.

All four men who capsized were fishers from China. On Wednesday, they entered Taiwanese waters to fish. Taiwan’s Coast Guard gave chase, and the Chinese boat capsized during the pursuit.

Chen Chien-wen
Coast Guard’s 9th Offshore Flotilla in Kinmen
They had crossed the border illegally to fish. Their boat resisted inspection and tried to escape in a zigzag formation, at one point using an evasive maneuver that caused the boat to capsize. All four crew were thrown into the sea. Two of them survived. The other two were sent immediately to Kinmen Hospital for emergency care and were declared dead upon arrival.

Chang Chung-lung
Coast Guard Administration deputy director-general
During border enforcement, the Chinese vessel fled in a zigzag formation, resisting inspection and capsizing. The vessel involved in this case was unnamed, lacking certification and port of registry, making it a common concern and target for law enforcement on both sides of the strait.

Chiu Tai-san
Mainland Affairs Council minister
We do still maintain a degree of communication with the Coast Guard and the other side of the strait. We informed them of the situation right away.

Despite the circumstances, China has strongly condemned the incident. Its Taiwan Affairs Office blasted Taiwan for using “violent and dangerous methods” against Chinese fishermen.

Su Tzu-yun
Defense analyst
I feel that in its statement, China reverses cause and effect, transforming the situation into something else altogether. In reality, Chinese fishermen’s habit of trespassing is the cause of disputes over fishing rights. Actually Chinese fishermen have long engaged in overfishing in surrounding waters. They’ve had clashes with South Korea’s coast guard, resulting in deaths and injuries to Chinese fishermen.

Ko Wen-je
Taiwan People’s Party chair
We do still need to strive for peace. So with respect to the deaths and injuries caused, of course we must express our condolences. As for the issue of fishing rights, it’s best to be able to sit down and talk about it.

But despite calls for peaceful talks, a resolution appears unlikely without a Chinese crackdown on its own illegal fishing.

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

2024-02-15

Rubber ducks share 10-minute kiss on Valentine’s Day

Over at Kaohsiung’s Love River, two giant yellow ducks puckered up for a kiss on Valentine’s Day. This first-of-its-kind performance lasted just 10 minutes. But it called for a team of professionals who worked through the night, getting the ducks ready ahead of schedule for their romantic moment.

A giant rubber duck floats up Love River Bay, where a second rubber duck is waiting.
The two ducks impress the crowd with a 10-minute kiss, the world’s first romantic encounter of the kind.

Member of public
I’d thought that when I came today I’d just be able to see the big yellow duck. But today just so happened to be Valentine’s Day and so I got to see the ducks kiss. I feel really lucky.

Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai and other officials bore witness to the happy moment.

Kao Min-lin
Kaohsiung Tourism Bureau director
Kaohsiung is known for its ship-building skills and waterfront events. We also wanted to be the first in the world to create this moment of having the two ducks meet beak-to-beak.

But getting the two ducks to meet was no easy feat.

Using two tugboats, Duck No. 1 was pulled onto the paved shore, a task made difficult by at least 2 extra tons in water weight. Crew worked through the night, and re-inflated the duck in the morning.

A 66-meter-high industrial crane lifted the duck by its head as air was pumped into its body. The huge rubber inflatable rose up inch by inch, taking shape slowly but surely. There were four high pressure air pumps inside the duck. With air being pumped from the outside, the duck’s internal pressure could withstand winds of Force 6 on the Beaufort scale, which is strong enough to move large branches on trees.

Lin Li-han
Inflatable objects business owner
Once it’s around 80%, 90% inflated, we shut off two of the pumps. Then to get it to form its shape, we keep slowly inflating it until it has the internal air pressure that we’d determined at the onset.

To keep the duck cute and curvy, the quality of the rubber and the correct internal air pressure are key. Also critical is the experience and judgment of the workers. Thanks to the unnamed heroes behind the scenes, the public was treated to a one-of-a-kind rendezvous on Love River Bay.

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

2024-02-15

Taoyuan International Airport upgrades services amid travel boom

To serve the growing number of transfer passengers, Taoyuan International Airport has upgraded its transfer signs, routes, and catering services. FTV reporter Stephany Yang has the details.

Taoyuan International Airport has updated its food services to handle an influx in passengers. There is a "Grab&Go Takeaway Area," providing takeaway boxed meals such as French Herb Chicken Breast and Indian Cumin Beef. There’s also a fast checkout counter and a self-service ordering machine that provides a one-stop “drive-thru.”

There are also a variety of Taiwanese delicacies such as Michelin-starred meals and the restaurant “Smart Fish,” which was featured on Netflix. There is also a prayer room for travelers.

Traveler
Oh, it was wonderful. This is a wonderful airport. It is a nice little airport. It is actually beautiful. I really enjoy the prayer room down there. It is very accommodating for a traveler.I have been here for about seven hours now. I walked all around. There are a lot of shops. There are a lot of shops here.

Tsao Hui-chun
Duty-free store manager
Terminal 2 has a new food court with a street food area next to the boarding gate of C3. The food area offers some of Taiwan’s special local delicacies.

Many travelers were impressed by the airport’s new transfer signs. A new addition is a green wall that shows passengers where to transfer.

Traveler
It is very nice and very clear. The signs are. You can see the signs all over there. So it is very nice. I think this Taiwanese international airport is well operated. The stores and restrooms are very clean.

Traveler
Very good. Very clean and easy to see and recognize.

Traveler
I live in the airport. We check the board on how to transit. This place. I like that there is so many.

Traveler
I went through the whole process of dropping off my bag and security and immigration. It was pretty easy.

Yang Ching-yu
China Airlines
In the past, the fonts displayed were relatively small. In the first half of this year, Taoyuan International Airport made larger signs. This is very helpful for transiting passengers, and now we can just say, “Head toward the green sign.”

Taoyuan International Airport hosted 35.35 million passengers last year, reaching 73% of pre-pandemic levels. It’s also seen strong growth in transfer passengers. The airport had a record 6.25 million transfers last year, an increase of 17.5% compared to 2019, which was before the pandemic.

Yang Ching-yu
China Airlines
Most of the passengers transferring in Taipei are from Southeast Asia. Travelers from Southeast Asia fly to North America or Europe through Taiwan, accounting for 60% of the total travelers. Taking China Airlines as an example, we transport approximately 2,000 transfer passengers to various destinations in Southeast Asia every morning. The afternoon wave in Europe is also about 2,000 passengers, who are traveling North American and European routes.

The airport offers a one-stop security inspection service to save transfer time.

Yang Ching-yu
China Airlines
The current security regulations in the United States are stricter than those at Taoyuan International Airport. When these passengers come to Taiwan, they do not need to undergo a special plane security inspection in Taiwan.

With travelers hungry for travel, Taoyuan International Airport hopes to continue to upgrade its facilities and services to cater to the needs of its travelers.

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

2024-02-15