Central bank keeps interest rates unchanged after US Fed cut

Central bank keeps interest rates unchanged after US Fed cut

2024-12-19

Taiwan’s central bank has decided to keep interest rates unchanged after the US Federal Reserve cut rates by a quarter point on Wednesday. It marks the third quarter in a row that rates remain unchanged in Taiwan at 2% which is the highest rate in 16 years. Let’s hear from the central bank governor.

Yang Chin-long
Central Bank governor
Economic and trade policy changes by the incoming US administration will be an important variable to take into account for next year’s economic growth. There are still a lot of uncertainties regarding the timing and intensity of the policy shifts. So an interest rate revision may come in the next quarter, when we have a closer grasp on what’s really going on.

The Central Bank governor says that, although the Trump factor has not yet been taken into account in its policy, a plan has already been laid down. The Central Bank has also decided to not implement any further control measures on the real estate market, the reason being that the past seven waves of anti-speculation measures have been successful at reducing transaction volume.

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

不跟進聯準會! 央行利率"連三凍" 未加碼第8波房市管制

2024-12-19

美國聯準會如預期降息一碼，央行第四季理監事會後決議不跟進、利率連三凍，維持現行2%、16年高點。

[[央行總裁楊金龍]]
“美國新政府的經貿政策變動，是明年經濟成長的重要變數，實施的時程跟強度是多少，這都非常不確定，等到我們下一季恐怕會修正，那個時候會比較接近事實。”

最大變數「川普」還沒納入考量，但總裁已經先埋伏筆。至於全民最關心的房市，因為連續7波打炒房有成，交易量縮減，央行沒有進一步推管制措施。

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Wednesday night was the first of the three-day Bluebird Movement protests against the opposition parties’ controversial legislative bills. Thousands of protesters braved the freezing cold outside the KMT headquarters. Meanwhile, the KMT also staged a satire against the activists. The exchanges that transpired had since turned into a meme, stoking more anger for those on the protesters’ side, and glee on the opposition parties’ side.

Almost 6,000 people gathered outside the KMT headquarters to protest against their controversial legislative bills. Even K-pop fans are unhappy.

Protester
We’re a group of star chasers. We’re gathering here today, not only for Taiwan’s democracy, but also for our lifestyle and our culture.

On the other side, the KMT staged their commentary against the protesters.

Hsieh Ke-yang
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The louder you are the crazier you appear. Please keep it down. The neighbors are going to complain later.

Protester
The KMT really thinks all of us protesting are going mad. But let me make it clear. We’re only getting started.

The confrontation was made into a reel by those on the protesters’ side, Korean and English subtitles included. It’s stoked the anger of even more K-pop star chasers, who’s saying they’ll join the remaining scheduled protests, during which they’ll proudly don their fan merch.

The KMT also prepared a video for the activists. Dubbing the event a “Job fair and Audition for leadership positions at the DPP,” several high-profile participants were “congratulated” for their “future roles,” such as covener Lai Chung-chiang as “Future Minister of Justice.”

Lin Yu-chang
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The KMT’s attitude and response really is quite pathetic for such a storied party. I think, to use such a taunting way to respond to the public’s voice, is questionable.

DPP Secretary-General Lin Yu-chang criticized the KMT’s spectacle at their headquarters, and said he believes people will come to the right conclusions on their own.

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

2024-12-19

ITRI awards intergenerational talents in power engineering

Since 2019, ITRI has honored 358 emerging talent in power engineering with a scholarship, including 47 this year. And since last year, industry veterans have been recognized alongside the youngsters. ITRI hopes that the awards will encourage more talents to join and solve the country’s collective challenge of sustainable development, as well as provide a platform to facilitate exchanges between established and emerging talents.

On Wednesday, ITRI held an award ceremony to recognize new talent in power engineering as well as outstanding engineers. This year, 47 students received the
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Mars Lin
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During my last year in high school, I obtained the Level 2 certificate for industrial electrical wiring. I believe that was the year I mastered the basics of industrial wiring. I encourage students to aim for at least a Level 2 certificate while still at school, because it really helps. And on top of that, learn to become a team player.

A key theme at the ceremony was the emphasis on low-carbon electricity, which will help Taiwan achieve net-zero emissions in line with international trends.

B. F. Hsu
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Especially in the US. As you may all know, there’s an energy shortage. So anyone would be tasked with solving that. And the way is grid installation. So I think from now on, whether for Fortune Electric, the entire Taiwan and even the entire world, grid installation will become more and more important.

According to ITRI, job opportunities are booming in power engineering. What’s more, it’s no longer engineers who get a slice of the pie. With AI integration, the power industry needs IT talent, while graduates of humanities and social science can help with policy implementation.

Edwin Liu
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Most importantly, there’s a huge demand for talent and opportunities for career development. In this industry, it’s possible to make up to NT$3 million a year. But it’s not only about the money. It’s also a chance to contribute to the country and society, as well as sustainable development.

With attendance by experts across industry, government and academia, the event was also a platform for exchanging views on the best practices on grid management. ITRI hoped that through the awards, they’ll attract bright talents to take on the challenge of sustainable development.

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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OCAC joins hands with Taiwanese-Americans for outreach

In a recent FTV talk show, we invited representatives from the Overseas Community Affairs Council to discuss efforts in promoting Taiwanese culture in the US. Member of the OCAC Li Shu-ying is a developer in Houston, Texas. A new development project headed with her husband is envisioned to gather Asian communities in the area. Meanwhile, OCAC Vice Minister Roy Leu explains how the OCAC is helping to connect Taiwanese- Americans to their cultural heritage.

Li Shu-ying
OCAC member
In 1986, as you all may know, the US economy saw a downturn. So we thought it was time to start a business. We began investing in 1988, and back then many hotels were on sale, so we decided to enter the hotel business.

OCAC member and dance teacher Li Shu-ying, also known as Sue Hsu, has built a new life in the US over four decades. In the late 1980s, the Hsus saw an investment opportunity in real estate development and hotels. They’ve since become a major developer in what’s now known as Houston’s Asiatown.

Li Shu-ying
OCAC member
In 2004 we began to build our own hotels in Houston. I’m very proud of how we’ve helped put the area on the map. It’s no longer just Chinatown. There are many ethnic groups in the area. So we thought we’d build the Asian City Center.

The mixed-use Asian City Center broke ground in 2022, and will soon become a new platform for local Taiwanese and Asian communities. Before Li became a member of the OCAC, her family has actively contributed to OCAC efforts in Houston. This allowed their children to stay connected to their Taiwanese heritage.

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My parents have always been actively involved with the OCAC, so I’ve participated in many events with them since I was a kid. So I’m quite familiar with Taiwanese culture. I speak the same language and eat the same food as the Taiwanese. I really like hotpot.

The Hsus’ connectedness to Taiwan is evident in Jenny’s fluent Mandarin, which can also be credited to the OCAC’s outreach efforts with overseas Taiwanese communities.

Roy Leu
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Together with local Taiwanese-American communities, the OCAC creates opportunities for expats and their children to stay connected with their heritage. This contributes to US multiculturalism and create stronger ties between the US and 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

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Free rides on MRT’s Green Line on New Year’s Day to disperse crowds

Taipei is getting ready for its annual crowd control operation, as tens of thousands of revelers congregate around the Taipei 101 to ring in the New Year. This time around the challenge will be even more intense, as there is the addition of some 30,000 concertgoers attending a New Year’s concert by A-Mei at the Taipei Dome. In order to relieve the burden on the MRT’s Blue Line, people are encouraged to walk to the Green Line to take the MRT home for free.

Taipei’s New Year’s fireworks extravaganza is a must-see for many. And this year, clearing out crowds after the countdown is going to be an even bigger challenge than before.

Hsieh Ming-hung
Taipei Department of Transportation
It will be the first time that the New Year’s countdown event will coincide with a concert at Taipei Dome. So we’ve held some simulations to see how it may play out.

The area from the Taipei 101 skyscraper and all the way to Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall station is expected to get packed with some 100,000 revelers on New Year’s Eve. Across the road from the memorial hall is Taipei Dome, with more than 30,000 concertgoers. Both events end at roughly the same time, pushing the Taipei MRT’s Blue Line to its limits.

Chou Jung-hsuan
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After midnight, all passengers that enter the Taipei MRT at the Nanjing Sanmin and Taipei Arena Stations on the Green Line can ride for free.

Whether the free ride policy will help disperse crowds to MRT stations further away from the 101 area remains to be seen.

Hsieh Ming-hung
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We didn’t set a concrete time for A-Mei’s concert, but we spoke with the organizer and know that it’s going to end at around half past midnight. With some interactive activities, we can slow down some people, to avoid a swarm of people entering the Blue Line at once. Of course, we won’t force anyone to move away.

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We will have four additional trains on standby for the Green Line. If there is crowding, we can dispatch the trains on the tracks to better disperse crowds.

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For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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Member of public
It’s quite exciting, I’ll find some time to come and take a look. It can draw tourists. Not bad at all.

The second season of “Squid Game” is getting released this month, and Kaohsiung is joining the promotional campaign. While the inflatable was getting tested, a mother brought her daughter dressed up in the Squid Game player uniform for a game of red light, green light.

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Passenger
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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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Today we meet Ghanniy Oyedele from Nigeria. He’s a member of the Yoruba people, a group that lives in southwestern Nigeria, Togo and Benin. Oyedele is the general secretary of a group called Yoruba in Taiwan. He’s also a teacher and founder of a bilingual theater. FTV reporter Stephany Yang spoke to Oyedele to find out more about his mission to promote Yoruba culture in Taiwan.

Attendees are dressed in traditional attire and dance to Yoruba music. This was the first-ever Yoruba Day in Taiwan, showcasing a variety of dance performances, along with art and music.

Ghanniy Oyedele
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Oyedele is from Nigeria and lived in the UK for a few years before moving to Taiwan 14 years ago. Besides serving as a general secretary of the Yoruba in Taiwan group, Oydele is the founder of a bilingual theater in Taiwan and an elementary school teacher in Taiwan. He hopes to build a center for Yoruba culture at his elementary school.

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Nigeria alone has about five ethnic groups represented in Taiwan. There is the Abriba, Anambra, Edo, and Enugu. Many ethnic groups like that so this cultural diversity opens up exciting possibilities for joint events and cultural exchanges.

Winnie Hsiung
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I attended the festival. I thought it was so amazing so we are planning that definitely we try to include Yoruba culture in our curriculum.

Having lived in Taiwan for 14 years now, Oyedele says he loves Taiwan’s culture and it reminds him of his home.

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There are so many Taiwanese or Chinese traditions that remind me of Yoruba culture. It is almost surreal. Sometimes walking the streets of Taiwan feels like strolling through a Yoruba city. Honestly. You turn a corner, there is a temple. It is just like being at Ojuelegba in Lagos. I once saw a woman frying dumplings, and it immediately took me back to Yoruba Ojojo. We have a food called Ojojo prepared almost the same way. Your dragon dances with their rich stories. They are strikingly similar to Yoruba Egungun masquerades with their vibrant displays and ancestral connections.

Oydele’s mission in Taiwan is to tell stories of African and Taiwanese culture and let more people learn about its beauty.

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Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

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