Taiex to face futures trading ban from US

Taiex to face futures trading ban from US

2024-05-01

For 46 days in a row, the Taiex has met the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s criteria for a "narrow-based security index." This classification will lead to a regulatory change as early as July 29. U.S. investors will be prohibited from trading futures and mini-futures contracts based on the Taiex.

The impact of this ban will be limited, according to Taiwan’s Financial Supervisory Commission. Officials say U.S. transactions account for just 0.7% of Taiwan’s futures transactions. This isn’t the first time the Taiex became a "narrow-based security index" under U.S. law, due to TSMC’s heavy weighting. The Taiex was first listed in April 2021, and it maintained that status until October 2022. During that time, the index fell from 16,571 to 12,856 points, losing nearly 4,000 points.

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

台積電"一個人的武林"! 台股落入窄基指數金管會:影響有限

2024-05-01

台股加權指數因台積電權重超過3成，至今已滿 46 天，達到美國商品期貨交易委員會 (CFTC)「窄基指數」的標準，預估最快7/29，美國境內投資人皆不得交易大小台指期。

金管會強調，台股外資交易美國只佔0.7%，而且窄基指數不包含現貨市場，對台股影響有限。其實，台積電上演"一個人的武林"，導致台股列為窄基指數，不是第一次，2021年4月也發生過，直到隔年10月才恢復，當時台股指數從16571點跌到12856點，跌了近4000點。

更多新聞內容，請鎖定：
民視台灣台（152頻道）週日至週五晚上9:30
民視新聞台（53頻道）週二至週六凌晨1:00

Related News

Safeguarding Taiwan is top priority: House committee chair

2024-05-01

US official blasts Beijing for distorting UN Resolution 2758

A top U.S. state department official says China is misusing U.N. Resolution 2758 to advance its own interests. Mark Lambert is the state department’s China coordinator and deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. Speaking at a Washington seminar, he criticized Beijing for falsely conflating the resolution with its own "one China" principle, in order to put pressure on Taiwan. This marks the fifth time that Washington has publicly opposed China’s use of the resolution.

The Washington-based German Marshall Fund held a seminar on Monday. U.S. deputy assistant secretary Mark Lambert accused Beijing of misusing Resolution 2758.

Lambert said Resolution 2758 does not endorse, equate to, or reflect an international consensus on the “one China” principle, and has no bearing on countries’ sovereign choices with respect to their relationships with Taiwan. He said it also does not constitute a U.N. institutional position on the political status of Taiwan, or exclude Taiwan from meaningful participation in the U.N. and other forums. Lambert criticized Beijing for conflating the resolution with its own “one China” principle, leading to confusion in the international community.

Voice of Jeff Liu
Foreign ministry spokesperson
This is the fifth time the U.S. government has expressed strong opposition to the resolution’s distortion. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sincerely welcomes and appreciates these statements. Resolution 2758 only resolves the issue of China’s representation in the U.N. It does not mention Taiwan or define it as part of the PRC.

During a visit to Taiwan in January, American Institute in Taiwan Chair Laura Rosenberger expressed disappointment over the misuse of Resolution 2758 as a tool against Taiwan. From such explicit statements to recent congressional action, Washington’s support for Taiwan has garnered global attention.

Tsai Ming-yen
National Security Bureau director-general
China is proactively deploying its “one China” framework and mischaracterizations of Resolution 2758 to restrict Taiwan’s international space. Taiwan must clearly articulate its position on its own international status and strengthen cooperation with likeminded nations.

Wang Ting-yu
DPP lawmaker
The “one China” principle is not a part of Taiwan’s future. Lambert’s statement on Resolution 2758 contains new rhetoric. But if we compare it to President Tsai’s “Four Commitments,” we’ll find that although the wording is different, the sentiments are similar.

Due to Chinese oppression, Taiwan is barred from participation in global forums such as the World Health Assembly. Washington is vocally condemning Beijing, taking concrete action to support Taiwan.

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

2024-05-01

The 307 bus in Greater Taipei served 15 million journeys in 2023

Do you know which bus route in Taiwan is the most popular? New figures show that one bus route in greater Taipei served a staggering 15 million journeys last year. It would seem that the 307 is the king of buses. Its nearest rival lags way behind. But what is so irresistible about this route? And where does its popularity fit in with wider public transportation trends? It’s time for the lowdown on Taipei’s buses.

It’s mid-afternoon, not rush hour. But the 307, run by Taipei Bus Corporation, is busy with passengers. The Greater Taipei bus network is broad, and has many frequent lines. But new statistics have provoked debate.

Chen Yao-chi
FTV reporter
The route of this 307 bus is 49 kilometers long. It runs from New Taipei into central Taipei City. That’s why, for several years in a row, it’s been the highest-earning bus on the network.

Figures from Taipei City Public Transportation Office show that in 2023, the bus route that served the largest number of single journeys was the 307. More than 15 million journeys were made on the route in 2023, earning the operator NT$350 million. It’s the only bus in Taiwan that served more than 10 million journeys that year.

307 bus passenger
It stops at the MRT station, and there are lots of commuters. They think, “If I’m living a bit far from the MRT, I have to walk there. But I can take this bus to the station and it’s more convenient.”

Luo Yuan-kai
Taipei Bus Company Minsheng Station
The main route of the 307 is from Banqiao, Zhonghe, to Wanhua, and then to Songshan. It serves many students and commuters. It also passes by shopping centers and the Taipei Arena. Sometimes there are huge numbers of passengers when there are special events. Right now, on an average weekday rush hour, the bus comes every three to five minutes.

There are currently 59 vehicles running the 307 route. More than half have already been converted to electric. Since the pandemic, overall bus ridership levels in Taipei have been slowly returning to their previous norm.

Voice of Kuo Chien-chen
Taipei City Public Transportation Office head
We still haven’t recovered the number of passengers that we had before the pandemic. We’re at about 90% of pre-pandemic levels.

Taipei City Public Transportation Office continues to add new routes to the network. With help from the Executive Yuan’s TPASS monthly commuter ticket, officials hope that ridership and turnover will eventually return to their former glories, and the public will also get better service.

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

2024-05-01

Hard-to-read bus schedule changes draw complaints in Taipei

Bus schedule changes are a fact of life in Taipei, where more than 390 million bus trips are taken each year. But the way these changes are announced has left some commuters frustrated. Schedule updates are often made in tiny print on small notices, which are stuck high up on bus stop posts. One local councilor criticizes the approach, saying you shouldn’t need to be tall or strain your eyes just to catch a bus.

Taipei City has a dense bus network, and navigating it can be daunting. Riders say that one big hurdle is the tiny notices that go up when there are changes to bus schedules and frequency.

A small note crammed with text is taped to the bus stop sign. It’s stuck so high up that it’s barely noticeable.

Member of public
If you’re young you might be able to read it. But I can’t.

Member of public
The print is too small. It’s not clear at all. And who would look up? You don’t know what it is and you’d just assume it’s an ad.

Chen Jou-an
FTV reporter
We’re here at a bus stop to create a scenario. The notice is up on the stop sign. If you look up from below, you wouldn’t be able to make it out properly. Want to pull the paper down for a closer look? I’m stretching my arm out, but it’s too high out of reach.

To keep up with the latest schedule changes, you’d have to be tall and eagle-eyed. A councilor says these notices test the limits of human faculties.

Chen Yi-chun
Taipei City councilor (DPP)
Visitors from outside Taipei say the font is too small and the note too far up. They wonder, “Is it because Taipei people are tall?” “Is their eyesight that good?” The notices should take ergonomics into account. Taking the bus shouldn’t depend on passing a physical test.

Voice of Ho Yu-ting
Taipei City Public Transportation Office official
Perhaps the placement of the notice isn’t appropriate. We will ask operators to review this issue.

Current regulations require that notices be placed at the lower edge of bus signs, or on the announcement board of bus shelters. The city’s transport office says it will conduct public information campaigns about the notices, and ask operators to use larger fonts so that the updates are easier to read.

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

2024-05-01

Annual arts festival on Taiwan’s east coast with Indigenous and green themes to kick off

2024-05-01

Taipei tax office packed on first day of filing

Today is May 1, meaning it’s the start of tax season. Taipei’s tax office was packed with people filing on the first day. With plenty of staff on hand, the process was quick and painless, lasting an average of one hour per person. As before, taxpayers are encouraged to take advantage of the online filing system.

Taipei’s National Taxation Bureau is packed with people. May is tax season, and many were eager to file on the first day.

Member of public
Today was just like the other times. There are always a lot of people here on May 1. But the whole process was quite fast, it took about an hour. I’m always afraid of forgetting to do it, so even though we have a whole month, I file my taxes early, to get it done sooner.

Member of public
I thought perhaps there would be fewer people on the first day. I didn’t think it’d be so crowded. It shows that we all love our country.

Filing taxes at the counter takes about one hour on average. The National Taxation Bureau has mobilized all its clerks for the task. There are also accountants, tax agents and even university students on hand to move things along.

Member of staff
You can use your phone to file your taxes. All you need is your phone number and your NHI card.

And there are options besides filing at the counter. Taxpayers are encouraged to file online to save a trip to the tax office.

Lee Ching-hua
Finance deputy minister
There are about 110,000 households that have already filed, and nearly 1 million people have completed income verification. There are a lot of people at all our tax bureau branches and offices. So we hope that more people will use our mobile or web-based filing systems.

This year’s tax season features several changes. The deduction for basic living expenses has been raised by NT$6,000 to NT$202,000. For the first time, 18-year-olds now have to file their own tax returns. Controlled foreign corporations owned by individuals will have to file a tax return if their income in Taiwan and overseas comes to NT$1 million or more. Tax season comes and goes fast, so don’t forget to fulfill your civic duty.

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

2024-05-01

Mayday postpones Hong Kong concert after stage decoration catches fire

2024-05-01

Tainan launches virtual stamps to celebrate 400th anniversary

A technology company has partnered with the Tainan City Government to create a website where visitors can collect virtual stamps. Themed around festivals and performance culture, the FunTainan website utilizes the latest in web design to bring visitors on a journey of Tainan’s 400 years of history.

The Tainan City Government in collaboration with a private technology company are launching a digital “stamp collection” website. By simply scanning a QR code, visitors to Tainan can collect virtual mementos of their travels.

Tung Wan-wei
Technology company CEO
You can see the QR code over there. Take out your phone and scan it, and you can collect a stamp. We’ve put these in a lot of places frequented by travelers.

The stamps are themed around Tainan’s rich cultural heritage from the past 400 years, but with a modern spin merging the physical with the digital. Through the platform, visitors have a new way to experience the city’s many temples, shopping centers and cultural landmarks.

Yeh Tse-shan
Tainan deputy mayor
Through use of these modern technologies, visitors can experience Tainan in a different way.

The company also worked with digital payment platforms and local shopping associations to bring an array of payment methods to traditional stores.

Ho Min-yi
Bakery manager
If all the different payment methods could be integrated into one platform, it would be really convenient for us.

Representatives from Kanazawa City even came especially from Japan to learn how to use modern technologies to promote a historic city.

Yeh Tse-shan
Tainan deputy mayor
Kanazawa and Tainan are both historic cities. We can link the two through digital platforms like this, whether in terms of history and culture or tourism.

The first digital stamp was made for Grand Matsu Temple, and will be expanded to encompass more shopping districts, giving visitors a brand-new way to enjoy the charms of Tainan.

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

2024-05-01

Taitung coffee is famous for its unusual notes of saltiness

2024-05-01

Plum rains replenish reservoirs, sunny weekend ahead

2024-05-01