Lai signs contested amendments into law, vows to continue fight

Lai signs contested amendments into law, vows to continue fight

2024-06-24

President Lai Ching-te has promulgated a package of amendments that expand the legislature’s investigative powers. Lai was obligated to sign the amendments into law, after the Cabinet’s “reconsideration” motion was rejected last Friday. At the signing, Lai said that he would fight the legislation by seeking a constitutional interpretation. Until the Constitutional Court issues a verdict, he said he would refuse all orders to report to the Legislative Yuan.

Lai Ching-te
President
Because this legislation may violate the Constitution, and a request for a constitutional interpretation is being filed, we need to wait for the ruling to come out before deciding whether to report to the legislature. At the same time, I want to urge the opposition to respect the gravity of the Constitution. Before the Constitutional Court makes a decision, the opposition should avoid taking rash action.

Ker Chien-ming
DPP caucus whip
On Wednesday, we will submit our requests for a constitutional interpretation and an injunction to the judiciary. Due to issues concerning the separation of powers and human rights, we believe that it is reasonable and just to file these requests.

Requests for a constitutional interpretation and temporary injunction are being filed by the Presidential Office, as well as the DPP caucus, Executive Yuan, and Control Yuan. As it’s unclear how long the verdicts will take, the stage could be set for a protracted showdown.

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依法簽署公布國會擴權法案賴總統親上火線:將聲請釋憲

2024-06-24

立院擴權法案上週五在立法院覆議失敗，總統賴清德今天依法簽署公布新法，並且宣布將聲請釋憲及暫時處分。賴清德也強調釋憲結果出來前，不會來國情報告。

[[總統賴清德]]
“既然這次立法院三讀通過的法律涉及違憲，而且也已經提出釋憲，我們還是應該要等到釋憲結果之後再做決定，同時我也要呼籲在野黨，應該要尊重憲法的嚴肅性，在大法官還沒有做出釋憲結果之前，也不宜貿然採取行動”

[[民進黨團總召柯建銘]]
“我們禮拜三就會送釋憲以及暫時處分(聲請書)到司法院。基於權力分立、人權保障上面，這幾個面向上提出來(釋憲)，我們認為這是合理、應當的”

除了府方跟黨團，行政院也將提釋憲，加上監察院，有四個機關同時提出，並聲請暫時處分，希望讓擴權法案暫緩生效。但真正的戰場還是在釋憲結果，不過釋憲會耗費多久時間，還很難說。

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Lai welcomes St. Kitts and Nevis PM with military honors

President Lai Ching-te welcomed the prime minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Terrance Drew, for a state visit on Monday. The prime minister was greeted with military honors, complete with a 21-gun salute. This is the first time Lai has received a foreign guest with such ceremony since taking office. Lai thanked St. Kitts and Nevis for supporting Taiwan on the global stage, while Drew vowed to continue to deepen bilateral ties.

A 21-gun salute was followed by the national anthems of St. Kitts and Nevis and Taiwan. President Lai Ching-te hosted the prime minister of St. Kitts and Nevis on Monday, providing military honors for the first time since taking office.

Lai Ching-te
President
This is Prime Minister Terrance Drew’s second visit to Taiwan since taking office. It demonstrates St. Kitts and Nevis’ strong commitment to bilateral ties. Taiwan and St. Kitts and Nevis share the values of human rights and democracy. Over the years, our two nations have deepened our friendship, working together in a variety of fields to achieve substantial results.

Terrance Drew
Saint Christopher and Nevis PM
It fortifies the solid foundation built over more than four decades, allowing us to implement projects under the broad rubric of functional cooperation. It places us at the threshold of a new era of enhanced partnership, where we can explore creative solutions that challenges that may hinder our development objectives.

Taiwan and St. Kitts and Nevis are marking 40 years of diplomatic ties. Prime Minister Terrance Drew said his country would continue to advocate for Taiwan on the global stage.

Terrance Drew
Saint Christopher and Nevis PM
We are equally grateful for your assistance we receive in agriculture, health care, public infrastructure, ICT, and environmental conservation, among others. As friends, the government of St. Kitts and Nevis is always ready to use its influence in international fora to advocate for values and principles that we share with Taiwan.

Lai Ching-te
President
I want to thank Prime Minister Drew for his forthright international advocacy on Taiwan’s behalf, for being Taiwan’s strongest source of support. With this visit, our two nations will make progress in our various collaborative projects, to deliver even greater benefits to our people.

Lai later hosted a state banquet for the delegation to celebrate the enduring friendship between the two nations.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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2024-06-24

AIT backs Taiwan’s global participation as China unveils penalties

Last Friday, China announced severe punishments for “Taiwan independence diehards,” including those who promote Taiwan’s participation in global bodies. In a meeting that same day, Taiwan and the U.S. discussed ways to expand Taiwan’s participation in the U.N. system. U.S. officials reportedly said that no restrictions should be placed on developing strong bilateral ties. According to Legislator Wang Ting-yu, such rhetoric opens up more diplomatic space for Taiwan.

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office announced severe punishments for “Taiwan independence diehards” last Friday. Punishable offenses include promoting Taiwan’s official exchanges with foreign countries or its participation in global organizations that are limited to sovereign states. The AIT quickly hit out at the announcement.

In a news release, the AIT said it held consultations with TECRO in Taipei last Friday. Representatives from the U.S. state department and Taiwan’s foreign ministry discussed how to expand Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the U.N. system and other international fora. Officials at the meeting reiterated the U.S.’ longstanding commitment to Taiwan’s international participation, including at the World Health Organization and International Civil Aviation Organization.

Chung Chia-pin
DPP legislator
I think the U.S. right now is a very important country with the most power internationally. In this sense, of course it has to say something and push back against China.

This U.S.-Taiwan Working Group Meeting was held the same day as Beijing’s announcement. It’s unknown whether it was a coincidence, or if China knew about the meeting in advance.

In their low-profile visit, U.S. state department officials Daniel Kritenbrink and Mark Lambert emphasized to other international envoys in Taipei that China was mischaracterizing U.N. Resolution 2758. The agreement holds no sway over other countries’ relations with Taiwan, nor does it constitute the U.N.’s final determination on its political status, they said, emphasizing that it does not preclude Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the U.N. system or other multinational fora. Officials said that “as long as it’s not mentioned, we can do it,” as there should be no restrictions on countries deepening their relationship with Taiwan.

Wang Ting-yu
DPP lawmaker
The U.S. sent two assistant secretaries of state to Taiwan at the same time. This is already a rare move. You could say there are new developments in how Taiwan can engage with other nations without having diplomatic relations. Global society, especially the U.S., is building a new legal foundation.

The lawmaker said that, despite China’s efforts to suppress Taiwan, the working group meeting will help Taiwan expand its international space.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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Han Kuang drills to shift focus amid Chinese harassment

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TSMC sets aside NT$600 million for bonus with each employee to receive NT$8000

TSMC made headlines last year when it gave every employee in Taiwan a special bonus of NT$16,000 for Sports Day. Now the world’s largest contract chipmaker is being creative again. Starting from July, every full-time worker can apply for an employee welfare bonus of NT$8,000, which could be used for travel, a child’s tuition, insurance, or even entertainment, and it could be used anywhere in the world.

TSMC is known for taking care of its employees, offering them great benefits. For example, the company’s cafeteria serves up everything from foreign cuisine to Taiwanese-style buffet options. Now it has announced that starting in July, full-time employees around the world can receive a flexible employee welfare bonus of NT$8,000 per year.

Member of the public
I’m so envious. NT$8,000?! I don’t even get NT$800! I bet the benefits they offer are much more generous than ours.

Member of the public
We are considered a small to medium-sized enterprise, so if we say we’d like to go abroad, our boss will subsidize the trip. Of course, I hope my children will work at TSMC. It pays a high salary, and I’d feel very proud.

TSMC hopes that in addition to using the NT$8,000 on medical insurance, family care or entertainment, its employees can also contribute to public welfare. However, with the seven-figure annual starting salary that TSMC employees receive, experts believe that the NT$8,000 would do little to boost morale, and the NT$600 million that the company has set aside for this undertaking is just a drop in the bucket in comparison to the company’s overall operations and investment expenditure.

Nobunaga Chai
Industrial economics analyst
If you work at the Dresden or Arizona facility, the simplest breakfast would probably cost 20 to 30 euros. Next to a TSMC income, a bonus of NT$8,000 would just be a morsel to nibble on. But what is more noteworthy in terms of TSMC’s costs is that the Hsinchu City government hopes TSMC, being a large company, can build employee dormitories, and that would raise its operating costs.

This expert warns that if the government wants a big tech company to help build employee housing, it would in fact be shirking its responsibility to build social housing.

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2024-06-24

Team Taiwan uniforms unveiled month out from Paris Games

There’s one month to go before the Paris Olympics. On Monday, athletes took to the runway to show off their brand-new uniforms. The garments don’t just look sharp, but they use material that’s more breathable and flexible than before.

Looking dapper in a navy blue suit, judo star Yang Yung-wei struts down the runway. This outfit is to make its debut next month, when Team Taiwan marches in the Parade of Nations at the Paris Olympics.

Justin Chou
Fashion designer
Look up and you see the sky, look around and there’s the sea. So we hoped to use the ocean, the feeling of the waves, to create a raised pattern that represents the landscapes and Indigenous culture of Taiwan. For the women’s version, the waves have a bit of yellow to represent a hopeful peek of sunlight.

Designed to highlight cultural inclusivity, the uniforms feature lapel pins representing plum blossoms, Taiwan’s national flower, and rapeseed blossoms. The material is also more flexible than the last design worn for the Tokyo Olympics.

Yang Yung-wei
Olympic judoka
Aside from being eye-catching, it’s actually very comfortable to wear. When moving around, especially when we were crouching down just now, it was extremely comfortable and stretchy.

Ting Hua-tien
Olympic gymnast
It’s special for all the thought that went into it. The color of the fabric is also very lively.

Next to hit the runway were the uniforms athletes will wear when competing. They feature the red, white and blue of the national flag. Since athletes will be competing in France’s summer heat, the material is breathable and cooling. Detailed patterns add a touch of ingenuity to the uniforms.

Tai Tse-yu
Fashion designer
At various stages, plants are able to adapt to their environment. So I wanted to express that when Taiwan’s athletes go abroad to compete in different environments and venues, they can rely on their abilities and training to adapt to their environment and give their best performance.

Huang Hsiao-wen
Olympic boxer
By putting on the uniform and stepping out here, it made me really want to represent Taiwan at the Olympics again.

With only a month to go, the nation’s athletes are steeling themselves for the competition ahead. These uniforms are the armor they’ll need before stepping into battle.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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Quake Chan books Taiwan’s first Olympic ticket for breakdancing

Taiwanese breakdancer Sun Chen, a.k.a. Quake, is going to the Paris Olympics. Following last week’s qualifier in Budapest, Quake is now 10th in the world and bound for Paris. Breakdancing, or breaking as the sport is officially called, will make its Olympic debut this year. Quake says he’s eager to show off his moves and make Taiwan proud.

Taiwanese breakdancer Quake busts a move. Aiming for Olympic qualification, he braved an injury to compete at a Shanghai event in May, ultimately reaching the Top 8. Following a month of recovery, he competed in Budapest, where he booked a prized spot for Paris.

Olympic ticket in hand, this B-boy has already put Taiwan on the map. At the Shanghai and Budapest qualifiers, he racked up 60 points to rank 10th in the world. For the first time this year, each country can send two male and two female breakdancers to compete in the Olympics. Quake is now Taiwan’s very first dancer to qualify. It’s been a long and difficult journey, and he’s eager to make the most of his Olympic opportunity.

Quake (June 13, 2024)
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I’ll get to Europe two weeks early to train, settle into the schedule there, and get a feel for things. I’ll definitely get over jet lag before the competition. I’ll work very closely with my nutritionists and coaches so that I’ll be in top form.

After qualifying for Paris, Quake took to social media, saying that he had managed something quote, “fantastical” and “unprecedented.” He said he would try to make the most of his Olympic experience.

Quake (June 13, 2024)
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As someone who’s been at it for 13 or 14 years now, I really want more people to learn breakdancing, because it can change your life.

As a child, Quake taught himself to dance by watching videos. He says that it helped to change his life. At breakdancing’s Olympic debut, he’ll compete on Taiwan’s national team, making history on the global stage.

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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Retired couple grows cacao trees in Pingtung

In the past few years, more and more people in Pingtung have invested in cacao planting. Preparing for their ideal retirement, Xu Nanyun and her husband bought a plot of land in Gaoshu Township to plant cacao trees. They even created their own chocolate brand. Originally from China, Xu also discovered Taiwan is the only place aiyu can be grown. She decided to plant aiyu and promote it at local markets by offering a DIY aiyu washing activity. Xu and her husband are truly living a vibrant retired life.

This cacao farm in Pingtung’s Gaoshu Township is a key part of Xu Nanyun’s world. Xu is originally from Fujian, China. More than 10 years ago, she and her husband came across Pingtung’s special cacao crop. It inspired them to buy a piece of land there to prepare for retirement.

Xu Nanyun
Chinese immigrant
My husband said that cacao trees don’t need a lot of care, so he bought a small plot of land to plant them. He found online that cacao has a high economic value. About 20 years later we retired, and our children were all grown up, so the two of us went there to grow cacao.

To ensure an outlet for their cacao crop, Xu created her own chocolate brand. From growing the bean to making the chocolate, she does it all herself, giving customers the chance to taste the purest chocolate.

In addition to growing cacao, Xu also grows Taiwan’s unique aiyu. She often takes it to local markets and gives customers the chance to wash the aiyu to make jelly.

Xu Nanyun
Chinese immigrant
Taiwan is the only place in the world where people grow aiyu. Washing the seeds to make jelly is a joyful experience for Taiwanese because you don’t have the chance to do it anywhere else, right? So, I thought since we have this opportunity, we should take it.

With a busy retired life in the country, 10 years have passed in the blink of an eye. Every plant and tree on this land has been meticulously nurtured by Xu as she makes her dream retirement a reality.

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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