Bank association launches online mortgage platform

Bank association launches online mortgage platform

2024-09-10

The Bankers Association of the ROC has launched a new one-stop online platform offering information about mortgages. Users can click in to check which banks can still offer loans and which banks require getting in line.

Taiwan’s real estate market is off the charts. A surge in mortgage applications has pushed banks close to the limits regulating real estate loans. Mortgages are still available at 35 banks, including the Chunghwa Post and the Agricultural Bank of Taiwan. But at 11 banks, mostly government owned, mortgage applicants will have to wait for disbursements. How long the waits will be is not yet known. The only bank to have provided a timeline is Far Eastern International Bank, which says mortgages will have to wait until at least January next year.

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「銀行房貸資訊平台」上線 11家銀行需排隊等撥款

2024-09-10

銀行公會專設「銀行房貸資訊平台」，9號正式上線，包括有沒有額度可以承接、排隊撥款的是哪一家銀行，通通查得到。

全台房市熱度爆表，因為房貸申請量爆增，各大行庫不動產放貸比例逼近滿水位。包括35家銀行、郵局、農業金庫都有房貸額度，需要排隊撥款的，有11家，大多是公股行庫，但要等多久，沒有明講，只有遠東明確表態，排隊等撥款至少要等到明年1月。

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Related News

US House unanimously passes Taiwan Conflict Deterrence Act

A new legislative session has begun at the US House of Representatives, which has unanimously passed the Taiwan Conflict Deterrence Act. The act will authorize relevant US authorities to publish the finances of senior CCP officials, as well as impose sanctions on related financial accounts, in the event that China invades Taiwan. To counter the extensive Chinese threats, up to 25 related bills are scheduled to be voted on by the end of the week.

On Sept. 9, the Taiwan Conflict Deterrence Act was passed unanimously by the US House of Representatives, on the first day of the new legislative session.

Young Kim
US representative (Rep.)
If Beijing chooses to invade Taiwan, this bill requires the treasury secretary to publish the ill-gotten gains of the Chinese Communist Party’s top leadership, no matter where they may be held around the world.

The Taiwan Conflict Deterrence Act was introduced in January 2023 by House Representatives French Hill of the Republican Party and Brad Sherman of the Democratic Party. The bill aims to deter Chinese aggression towards Taiwan through financial means.

French Hill
US representative (Rep.)
If we want to see the world’s communists and autocratic dictatorships change course, we must expose their wealth, corruption and financial privilege of their elites to the citizens suffering daily under their rule.

The Taiwan Conflict Deterrence Act states that once informed of Chinese aggression towards Taiwan, Congress will require the US treasury secretary to publish a report on financial accounts linked to senior CCP officials, as well as restrict financial services in the US to such officials and their immediate family members.

Brad Sherman
US representative (Dem.)
So it is time for China to give up the idea of intimidating the people of Taiwan, and to recognize that America’s response will involve the military, will involve broad-based economic response, and will involve very personal economic disclosures and response.

Other acts passed on Sept. 9 concerning Chinese threats to the US included issues such as drones, batteries, contracts with biotechnology providers, infiltration in telecom networks, and a “malign influence fund.” Up to 25 acts are scheduled to be voted on by the end of the week, showing the US’ resolve in countering threats posed by the CCP regime.

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

2024-09-10

Fewer troops in Penghu amid lower birth rate and high employment

The 2025 budgeting plan for the Ministry of National Defense was made available online Monday morning, sparking attention for cuts to the number of troops to be stationed in the outlying islands. According to the official document, there will be 15% less soldiers to Penghu in 2025, a decrease of more than 1,000 people. The ministry clarified earlier that the cuts could be attributed to low birth rates and higher employment rates, and reiterated that all budgetary decisions were made after careful assessments.

President Lai-Ching-te stopped at Penghu to recognize troops stationed on the archipelago. The visit sparked attention to the defense ministry’s budgeting plan for 2025, which revealed cuts to the number of military personnel in outlying islands.

Kao Chih-hsiung
Ministry of National Defense
The number of personnel to the Penghu Region has diminished by 15%. This is mainly due to lower birth rates of recent years and more hiring by businesses, among other factors. Therefore after considering the number of officers currently in service and the number entering retirement, the ministry slashed the number of volunteer soldiers for the year 2025.

This year, 7,185 military personnel are stationed in Penghu. The number will fall by 15% to 6,093 persons next year. Both conscripts and volunteer soldiers will have a smaller presence. Meanwhile, the number of troops to Kinmen and Matsu, currently at around 8,200 persons, will see a slight increase next year. Although the number of conscripts to Kinmen and Matsu will decrease by nearly 500, there will be 550 more volunteer soldiers.

Chen Chien-yi
ROC Army
As for stationed troops, having defensive personnel in outlying islands has always been our utmost priority. There’s no such thing as too few soldiers in current enrollment.

Wang Ting-yu
Lawmaker (DPP)
Balancing the duties of conscripts and volunteer soldiers has nothing to do with whether they’re stationed in outlying islands or not. They play an important role for Taiwan, for the country, regardless. So the ministry will make the most suitable arrangements.

Although the number of volunteer soldiers had decreased due to low birth rates, the defense ministry reiterated the importance of outlying islands, stating that personnel arrangements were done after holistic assessments of the military’s defense capabilities.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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2024-09-10

CSBC begins building new-gen fishery patrol vessels

The CSBC has begun work on a project to build six state-of-the-art fishery patrol vessels. The ships will be able to operate in faraway areas of the Pacific Ocean, to crack down on illegal fishing and other illegal activities. They are larger than previous models, and have the latest equipment to help out in emergencies. Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling says their range will cover practically all of the areas where Taiwan fishers operate.

Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling and CSBC Corporation Chair Huang Cheng-hung press a button to cut the first steel panel for the Shun Hu No. 10, a third-generation fishery patrol vessel that’s ushering in a new chapter for Taiwan shipbuilding.

Kuan Bi-ling
Ocean Affairs Council
When Mr. Huang was in the evaluation committee for this project, he said this was the best plan possible. Now, as the head of the CSBC Corporation, the plans he envisioned are becoming reality and going head without a hitch.

The Coast Guard Administration has four patrol vessels of this kind in operation. One of them is a first-generation model built more than 30 years ago. The remaining three are second-generation models, and have been in service for 11 to 13 years each.

The government is investing NT$12.9 billion to build six new third-generation fishery patrol vessels. They’ll have a length of more than 100m and width of 14.95m, and will be able to reach speeds above 18 knots.

They’ll be equipped with ship systems developed by the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology, including 20 remote-control turrets, fire control systems and optoelectronic directors. To better assist in rescue missions the vessels will come in two versions: marine reconnaissance and transport supply.

Kuan Bi-ling
Ocean Affairs Council
Their capacity has been increased to accommodate 53 beds. They also have quarantine wards. Expandable modules on the deck allow for the placement of two 20ft containers to transport relief supplies and resources to the destination.

The new generation of ships will be able to navigate between the 55th parallel north and the 55th parallel south. That covers the Western, Northern and Southern Pacific Ocean, which is where most of Taiwan’s offshore fishing operations take place. Their main mission will be to crack down on illegal fishing and other illegal activities.

The six fishery patrol vessels were the last project for domestic shipbuilding approved under the Tsai administration. The CSBC Corporation aims to hand over one vessel per year to deliver all six by 2031.

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

2024-09-10

Hunter captures rare images of bear mother with cubs

A mama bear and her two cubs have recently been spotted around Alishan in Chiayi. As part of a project by the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency, a Tsou hunter set out to capture their whereabouts on camera. Lookouts were installed around their potential stomping grounds on Xingaoko Mountain between Chiayi and Nantou. In June and July, bears were even glimpsed as far away as the Kaohsiung mountains.

Through infrared cameras set up in the mountains, you can see a mama bear leading her two cubs through the forest. You can also see a male bear standing on his hind legs to dig honey out of a tree. The footage clearly shows that black bears are active in these mountains.

Hsu Yu-ching
Forestry Agency Chiayi branch
The photos and videos show that the bears are in good condition, their health and coat color, as well as body condition are relatively healthy.

To improve understanding of these creatures in mountain communities and recruit their help in conservation efforts, the Forestry Agency starting last year distributed automatic infrared wildlife cameras to people living in Formosan black bear hotspots. Any images captured in these areas could get a reward of up to NT$50,000 each time.

Hsu Yu-ching
Forestry Agency Chiayi branch
The area from Alishan to Tataka has 40 cameras set up.

Bears were not only caught on camera on Chiayi’s Xingaokou Mountain. In June, they were even photographed in the mountains of Maolin in Kaohsiung, marking the first time this year they were spotted in the municipality. It shows significant improvement in Taiwan’s conservation efforts.

Lu Hui-hsuan
Maolin Wanshan Community Development Association
Black bears can be found in our area. We want to find a way to coexist together, humans and bears.

The Formosan black bear is a beloved animal. Through programs like this that capture their images, conservationists can not only better understand their numbers, distribution, and activity, but also decrease conflict with humans and share the fruits of conservation.

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

2024-09-10

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Locals recommend Wanhua dishes from seafood noodles to shaved ice

Taiwan is known around the world for its cuisine. Recently, a guidebook called “500 Dishes” was released, recommending all types of food around the country. But when it comes to Wanhua, locals say the restaurants listed are not actually the most popular. So, they published their own “Wanhua’s 100 Dishes,” recommending local favorites from seafood noodles to meatballs and rice cakes. Wanhua residents grew up eating these delicious foods.

With grilled shrimp, squid, milkfish, and lots of oysters, this bowl of seafood noodles is overflowing with ingredients. Although it’s only been open for five years, this shop in Wanhua has become incredibly popular, offering dishes with unique ingredients such as squid and preserved egg.

Mr. Liao
Noodle shop owner
For an up-and-coming restaurant like us, we are incredibly happy to be chosen by locals for “Wanhua’s 100 Dishes.”

After Taiwan’s “500 Dishes” guidebook was released, Wanhua residents commented the list of restaurants is not accurate. So, they decided to release their own guide to local food, “Wanhua’s 100 Dishes.”

Wanhua resident
I grew up eating Chang Hung Noodles. Since I’ve been eating noodles, I’ve eaten their noodles. This year I’m 66.

Voice of Shih Ching-yao
Muyuing COO
After seeing the “500 Dishes” restaurant list, the choices for Wanhua were pretty limited, and over half of them aren’t ones what Wanhua locals would have chosen. So, we wrote our own “100 Dishes” to promote Wanhua and the food locals usually eat.

In addition to Chang Hung Noodles, Su Family Meatballs and Rice Cakes, which has been running for three generations, also made it on the list. They fry meatballs at a low temperature of 80 degrees to keep the surface chewy and give generous amounts of meat and bamboo shoots. Their taro cakes are also packed with large pieces of taro. Many customers grew up eating their dishes.

Customer
I’ve eaten here since his father’s generation. They’re the third generation. This place is one of Wanhua’s top restaurants.

Su Chao-shu
Restaurant owner
The restaurant opened in 1946 and now the third generation has taken over. We can only make a certain amount of these handmade dishes. We get up around 5 a.m. and are busy by 5:30.

Other locals revealed Wanhua’s hidden specialties.

This plum shaved ice is topped with a traditional syrup made with Chinese herbs and smoked plum, simmered for 15 hours. They also make fresh jelly every day, served over shaved ice or in a cane sugar syrup that isn’t too sweet.

Dessert shop owner
I use traditional recipes because I think things from the past have more of a homemade touch. Customers’ feedback made me happy; they say traditional foods like this are becoming more and more rare.

This family-run pork noodle shop on Guiyang Street has also been open for more than a generation. The pork, cooked to order, is sweet and juicy. Customers usually pair it with spicy pickled vegetables and fried rice cakes. Although taste is subjective, Wanhua residents show their affection for their area through what they eat.

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

2024-09-10