Taiwan’s CPI hit an 11-year high in January

Taiwan’s CPI hit an 11-year high in January

2025-02-07

Inflation rose more than expected in January. The government’s statistics bureau on Friday announced that the Consumer Price Index increased 2.66% on the same month a year earlier. This was mainly because the Lunar New Year break last year fell in February and this year fell in January, so taxis and some travel services were charging a surcharge that wasn’t seen in the same month a year earlier. In addition, there was a continual increase in the prices of vegetables, fruits, meats, eating out and rent, which pushed the January figure to an 11-month high following last February’s Lunar New Year break.

Tsao Chih-hung
Statistics official
This January’s CPI rose 0.55% from the previous month and 2.66% compared with the same month of the previous year. Among the seven major indexes, five rose and two fell. February’s increase will be smaller than January’s. According to our forecast in November last year, overall comsumer price increases stood roughly at 2%, so January and February should be about the same.

In addition, the public is concerned about whether more tariffs from US President Donald Trump will affect consumer prices. Statistics bureau officials said in the short term it will have little impact on domestic prices and there is no need to worry too much for the time being.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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春節漲價效應 1月CPI年增率飆2.66% 創11個月新高

2025-02-07

主計總處發布1月消費者物價指數，年增率2.66%，主要是因為去年春節是2月，今年是1月，包括旅遊及計程車等費用加成，加上蔬果、肉類及外食費、房租持續上漲，推升1月物價指數，創去年春節2月以來、11個月新高。

[[主計總處簡任視察曹志弘]]
“今年一月的CPI，較上個月上漲0.55%，較上年同月上漲2.66%。7大類指數中，有五類上漲，兩類下跌。2月漲幅一定比1月小，根據我們去年11月預測，第一季整體物價漲幅，大概是2%左右，所以一二月應該也差不多啦。”

另外，外界關心，美總總統川普上任漲關稅，會不會影響到物價，主計處指出，短期內對國內物價影響不大，先不用太過擔心。

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A group of US lawmakers are calling for the US to restore formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Twenty-four House Republicans led by Representative Tom Tiffany say the US should abandon its outdated one-China policy. Tiffany, a long-time Taiwan supporter, says Taiwan has never been controlled by the PRC and is a free, democratic and independent country. The US, he says, should speak up for Taiwan and support it to have full membership in international organizations where statehood is a requirement. While the resolution reflects the stance of some US lawmakers, it does not have legal force.

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These directives do not help the United States and they do not help Taiwan. But they do help the Chinese Communist Party.

There’s another wave of support for Taiwan in the US. Led by long-time Taiwan supporter, Republican Representative Tom Tiffany, 24 lawmakers from his party have proposed a joint resolution calling on the US to abandon its one-China policy and restore formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

The resolution begins by stating that the US should not only restore formal diplomatic ties. That there should also be talks on a bilateral free trade pact and support for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. It also states that Taiwan and its outlying islands have never been under the control of the Beijing authorities. It condemns China for unreasonably claiming sovereignty over Taiwan and uses the US “one China policy” as a weapon to block Taiwan’s full membership in the UN, the WHO and the Olympics. It also notes that the “one China policy” is outdated and is not applicable to the people of Taiwan and the US. It also fails to reflect the clear reality that Taiwan has been a sovereign and independent country for more than 70 years.

Puma Shen
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Some people have established diplomatic relations with China, but they can also establish diplomatic relations with Taiwan. How should we communicate this with other countries and can we slowly move in this direction? Of course we hope that our allies can join in on this discussion.

Chang Po-yang
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Our allies have extended an olive branch to us, so of course we must express our stance even more proactively and respond to the US so as not to miss out. During the process of Trump taking the lead to restructure the world order, Taiwan must make sure not to miss the first train.

Tiffany called on US President Donald Trump to recognize Taiwan’s democratically-elected government, restore diplomatic relations with Taiwan, appoint ambassadors from both sides and abandon internal guidelines restricting exchanges between US and Taiwanese officials.

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Taiwan is a normal country and we need to restore normal diplomacy. Our rotten neighbor China is too awful. I hope we really go full steam ahead.

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This is an issue between two great powers. I think Taiwan may have to take its own path.

US lawmakers have once again proposed a resolution to express a pro-Taiwan stance. The Taiwanese people welcome this and look forward to a continued warming of Taiwan-US relations.

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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US tariffs on Mexico, Canada pause for a month

US President Donald Trump’s announcement of tariffs on Canada, China and Mexico sent global markets in a downward spiral Monday. They recovered some lost ground when Trump announced he would postpone a 25% tariff on Mexican goods for a month in exchange for concessions. He later announced a similar pause with Canada. VOA’s Anita Powell reports from the White House.

President Donald Trump’s weekend tariff announcement is being felt in Ottawa, in Mexico City, in Beijing — and here, in New York, Hong Kong, Seoul, and Taipei. Around the world, markets fell Monday after Trump dropped 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada, and 10% on China.

In Washington, Trump spoke of his agreement Monday with Mexico to pause the tariffs for a month in exchange for concessions from Mexico City meant to stop migration flows and the movement of illegal drugs across the southern border. Markets quickly made up some losses after his announcement. He also announced a similar pause with Canada later on Monday.

Donald Trump
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Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum sounded a hopeful note on Monday.

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China’s ambassador to the United Nations, Fu Cong, on Monday said Beijing would turn to the World Trade Organization for recourse.

Fu Cong
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Trump acknowledged that the move could raise prices but said the higher tariffs would be “worth the price” to bolster US interests.

Anita Powell, VOA News, the White House.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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National Museum of History holds currency exhibition

The National Museum of History is holding an exhibition showcasing the museum’s and Central Bank’s collection of currencies dating all the way back to at least the third century BCE. FTV reporter Stephany Yang takes us in for a look!

The earliest currencies in Ancient China were shells because they were durable, portable, and easy to preserve. By the Zhou dynasty, which began in the 11th century BCE, coins were introduced; and by the Qing dynasty some 400 years later, shells were replaced with money. The exhibition showcases currencies throughout history, ranging from pre-Qing dynasty artifacts to modern coins, silver ingots, and banknotes collected by the Central Bank and the National Museum of History.

Kuo Pei-i
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This is one of the important antiquities in our museum. It is a standardized ingot from the Yuan dynasty. On the back is written Yuanbao, which means treasure of the Yuan dynasty. This is a standard type, 50 tael. It weighs 50 tael. The sides will be molded in, and the middle will be indented, which allows them to be stackable, which was convenient for tax collection. This was mainly used in the Yuan the Ming dynasties, and was used all the way until the Qing Dynasty. At that time, paper money was issued for a while. But people were accustomed to using ingots and copper coins. Copper coins were used for small transactions, while ingots were used for large transactions.

The Central Bank’s collection of animal-themed banknotes from Taiwan and other countries are also on display.

Kuo Pei-i
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The Central Bank collects lots of banknotes and coins from all over the world to study their design. This time they have collected all 12 zodiac animal. Abroad, the rabbit is especially popular. Several countries use the rabbit for their banknotes. In addition, the horse is also popular. The most popular zodiac animal coin sets are usually dragon, tiger and horse. These three are especially popular. The bestsellers are usually dragons, tigers and horses.

The National Museum of History is holding a currency exhibition showcasing collections from the National Museum of History and the Central Bank. The exhibition also unveils the minting production processes.

Kuo Pei-i
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We hope to take this opportunity to educate the public about the identification, use and production process of currencies. The main exhibition area has three sections. The first one introduces the coins throughout history, all the way to modern times. The second exhibition area is centered on the zodiac animals. The third area is the interactive area, where banknote stickers are placed, and everyone can use stamps to emboss money cards.

Money makes the world go round. To find out more, head to the National Museum of History by April 6.

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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Researcher leaves Academia Sinica job to produce eco-friendly reed straws

A research assistant at Academia Sinica gave up his job to move to Hualien and start a drinking straw business. But he doesn’t sell your regular straws. They are made out of reeds, an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic. The entrepreneur hopes to expand his reed business in the future to branch into traditional Chinese medicine. Reed roots are an ingredient used in some preparations, and due to a lack of local industry, Taiwan currently has to import all its reed roots from China.

Reeds can be tied up to make an adorable art installation. Or you can arrange them to make a lantern with fairy lights. These reed works are all the ideation of Chang Chen-yu who’s made the move from Taipei to Hualien.

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Originally I just wanted to reduce plastic use. But then I moved to Hualien and I really got into planting reeds, which strengthened my bond with the land.

Chang used to be a research assistant at Academia Sinica, specializing in carbon emissions. His work took him to Hualien, where he started a company that makes drinking straws out of reeds. He decided to stop doing research and immerse himself fully in environmental protection. By chance he discovered the ecological and environmental uses of reed overseas, and seeing a company making straws out of bamboo, he decided to do the same but with reeds. Cultivating reeds and creating products is now his mission.

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When it came to making straws out of reeds, we were like “Huh, the reeds along the Xiuguluan River could also be turned into straws!”

Chang Chen-yu
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As everyone knows, global warming is a severe issue. So every little thing that we can do matters, even if it is just a small change. We want everyone to see all the possibilities that exist, so that more people get to it.

In addition, reed root is an ingredient in traditional Chinese herbal preparations. As there is currently no industrial cultivation in Taiwan, all reed roots have to be imported from China. Chang hopes to get into the market to produce medicinal ingredients alongside his eco-friendly straws.

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A thick layer of frost is glazed over the flooring at Paiyun Lodge in Yushan and over tree branches. At 6 a.m., the mercury dipped to -2°C. The third cold wave this winter season is not to be taken lightly. It’ll be colder starting on Friday all the way through the weekend, especially in the north and northeast.

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The coldest time will be around daybreak this coming Saturday and Sunday. And due to less air moisture and radiative cooling, it’ll feel even colder on Sunday. According to the Central Weather Administration, the zero-degree temperatures will be found even at just 1,000m above sea level. Therefore, even Qixing Mountain and Datun Mountain in Taipei have a chance of snow.

Lee Meng-hsuan
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It’s expected that from the 7th to early morning on the 8th, there may be a chance of snow in tall mountains more than 3,000m above sea level in Central Taiwan. As for the evening of the 7th to early morning on the 9th, in the northern and northeastern regions, there may be a chance of snow in tall mountains more than 1,000m above sea level.

The number of cold days in which temperatures dipped below 14°C in Taipei this winter season broke a 10-year record, making it the coldest winter of the decade. So be sure to bundle up and stay warm.

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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