Analyst says US may shelve Pelosi visit as leverage for Biden-Xi talk

2022-07-25

Debate continues over whether U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will visit Taiwan in August. Reports had indicated she was planning a Taiwan trip, prompting protests from China, which has also threatened consequences. One analyst says the Biden administration may cancel the trip to improve its leverage in upcoming talks with Beijing. Meanwhile, former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on social media that he’d be willing to join Pelosi to Taiwan should the visit go ahead.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo could soon visit Taiwan for a second time. On Twitter, the former secretary tagged U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, saying, “Nancy, I’’ll go with you. I’’m banned in China, but not freedom-loving Taiwan. See you there!” Pompeo’s support for Pelosi’s Taiwan visit came after Beijing expressed fierce opposition to the planned trip, putting the U.S. in a dilemma.

Joe Biden
US president
The military thinks it’s not a good idea right now, but I don’t know what the status of it is.

Nancy Pelosi
US House speaker
My travel plans – it’s a security issue. If we’re going to have a discussion about that, I think that it’s important for us to show support for Taiwan. I think what the president was saying is, maybe the military was afraid our plane would get shot down, or something like that, by the Chinese. I don’t know exactly. I didn’t see it, and hear it.

China has expressed objections to the visit, and has said that if Pelosi’s trip goes through, it would take actions. A columnist at The Washington Post wrote that if Pelosi does visit Taiwan, the U.S. would likely dispatch aircraft carriers or fighter jets to provide air support for the military plane that would carry Pelosi.

Su Tzu-yun
Institute for National Defense and Security Research
It is impossible that Pelosi, who is second in line to the presidency, would be scared into changing her travel plans over Chinese threats. The U.S. Air Force’s fighter jets, its navy’s carriers and fighter jets, and its defensive positions throughout the region would ensure that its key personnel can travel freely and safely.

Several U.S. representatives have also voiced their support for Pelosi’’s visit to Taiwan in recent days. Some have encouraged Pelosi to speak out against the U.S.’ “One China” policy. However, one researcher said that with U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping due to hold a video conference in the coming days, and with China’s national congress on the horizon, the Pelosi visit comes at a sensitive time.

Arthur Ding
NCCU Graduate Institute of Asian Studies
The U.S. government may have some expectations of China they hope to bring to the table, which would be totally shelved if Pelosi visits Taiwan.

Su Tzu-yun
Institute for National Defense and Security Research
I think China will face a strong backlash, and its attitude is not that of a responsible power. It is just confirming the so-called China threat theory.

Pelosi has been a force behind many Taiwan-friendly laws in the U.S., and has spared no effort to strengthen Taiwan-U.S. ties. She’s also been vocal on the need to assist Taiwan in developing its asymmetric warfare capabilities. A visit to Taiwan by Pelosi would send a strong signal on U.S. support for Taiwan’s democracy. Though detractors say a visit at this sensitive time could also worsen an already tense situation.

傳裴洛西8月訪台中國跳腳揚言"以軍事手段"回應

2022-07-25

美國眾議院議長裴洛西傳出可能在8月訪問台灣，但引發北京激烈反對，外媒報導，中國已向拜登政府私下發出強硬警告，甚至揚言以軍事手段回應，讓美國政府陷入兩難局面。不過外傳近期可能再度訪台的、美國前國務卿龐培歐，則發Twitter力挺裴洛西訪台行，並高呼「我和你一起去，到時台灣見。」

傳出近期可能二度訪台的、美國前國務卿龐培歐在推特發文，[[CG]]TAG眾議院議長裴洛西，高呼「我和你一起去」，表示自己雖然被中國被禁入境，但並不包含熱愛自由的台灣，直說「到時候台灣見」。力挺裴洛西的訪台行，因為在消息傳出後，引發北京激烈反對，也讓美國政府陷入兩難。

[[美國總統拜登(07.20) ]]
“軍方認為現在不是個好主意，但我還不知道目前狀況如何。”

[[美國眾議院議長裴洛西(07.22) ]]
“我的出訪計畫，這是安全問題。如果你真的要討論，我認為展現對台灣的支持很重要。我認為總統的意思是，也許軍方害怕我們的飛機，會被中國打下來還是怎樣，我不太清楚，我沒有實際看到或聽到(拜登說法)。”

面對中國官方多次嚴詞恫嚇，指出如果美方一意孤行，必定採取有力措施。「華盛頓郵報」專欄作家就分析，美軍可能調動航母或是戰機，為裴洛西搭乘的軍機提供空中支援。

[[國防院軍事戰略暨產業所長蘇紫雲]]
“一個美國的第三號政治菁英，不可能會被中國恫嚇就改變她的行程。美國空軍的戰機，或海軍航空母艦的艦載機，甚至是戰區的防空的單位，都會確保這些要員的飛行的自由跟安全。”

美國多位眾議員，近日也接連發聲，支持裴洛西訪台，甚至有議員進一步呼籲裴洛西，應該表態終結美國官方過時的「一中政策」。但專家指出，考慮到美中元首「拜習通話」即將登場，以及中國將在11月召開二十大，時機點敏感，讓拜登政府確實有所顧忌。

[[政大東亞所名譽教授丁樹範]]
“美國現在可能對於中國有一些期待，如果裴洛西來訪會讓拜登跟習近平的通話，可能會就完全斷掉。”

[[國防院軍事戰略暨產業所長蘇紫雲]]
“我想北京它會面對很大的後座力，那這些都不是北京它作為負責任大國所該有的態度，只是更加自己認證，所謂的中國威脅論。”

裴洛西曾主導多項友台法案，強化美台關係不遺餘力，更強調要協助台灣，發展不對稱戰力。如果來台成行，無疑是相挺台灣民主的強烈訊號，但也讓原本就相當敏感的美中台關係，更加緊繃與詭譎。

Taiwan’s recurve mixed team wins gold at 2022 Archery World Cup Stage 4

2022-07-25

Video tells life story of Chen Chi-tsun, wood sculptor and Living National Treasure

2022-07-25

Taitung road safety experts hold contest to crown slowest scooter rider

Road safety experts in Taitung recently held a contest to find the slowest scooter rider. That’s right, contestants had to take as long as possible to complete the “race.” The winning contestant managed to spend a good 32 seconds on just 15 meters of road. The tournament aimed to encourage riders to take riding lessons, building skills and improving road safety. Never say safety and fun don’t go hand in hand.

A student rides a motorbike down a thin green strip, wobbling to and fro. Pressing carefully on the accelerator, but steadying with the brake, is the way to maintain balance. Hitting a black line is a no-no. This is the Straight Line Balance Scooter Riding Championship at Taitung Motor Vehicles Supervision Station, where students are duking it out for the title of slowest rider.

The champion managed to take 30 whole seconds to complete the line. The audience demanded an encore. You can see how he’s holding his breath as he sways side to side, continuously joggling the accelerator pedal. In the end he broke his own record and managed a new score of 32 seconds for a 15-meter “race.”

Lu Shao-cheng
Champion scooter rider
You have to relax but hold your breath. You have to grip the brake well, keep balanced and use your core.

The station organized this slow-riding contest to encourage people to brush up their riding skills in proper classes, with professional instruction from experts. Contestants had to ride as slowly as possible down a 15-meter strip just 30 centimeters wide. The prize was NT$5,000 cash and lots of students tried their luck. But riding slowly requires a steady hand. It can be harder than riding fast. This rider was braking too much, making his whole bike shudder along, ending with a wail of frustration.

Hsiao Chang-ching
Taitung Motorbike Racing Association
The front wheel should be nice and full, and the back broad, to be stable. Then it depends on your physical coordination. If you have that you’ll probably do great, you can get it to stop on a short line like this.

This unique contest was both a way to get scooter riders up to speed – or down to speed? – and to blow off some steam in the summer sun.

2022-07-25

Northern Taiwan halts for 30 minutes for Wanan air defense drills

2022-07-25

CDC orders monkeypox medication as WHO declares disease global health emergency

The CDC has finalized an order for monkeypox medication, which could be delivered to Taiwan as early as next month. So far Taiwan has reported just two cases of the disease, both imported. But on Sunday, the World Health Organization declared the disease a global health emergency.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
WHO secretary-general
I have decided that the global monkeypox outbreak represents a public health emergency of international concern.

The WHO has officially designated monkeypox as a public health emergency of international concern, after cases have been confirmed in more than 70 countries. So far Taiwan has reported just two cases of the disease, both imported. But to be prepared, the CDC has placed orders for monkeypox vaccines and treatments. An order for oral drugs has already been finalized, and could be delivered as early as next month.

Huang Li-min
NTU Children’s Hospital
This prevents the monkeypox virus from reproducing inside cells. It makes the virus less effective at reproducing. That prevents infection to another person and also makes symptoms milder for the patient.

Tecovirimat can be used to treat smallpox, monkeypox and cowpox. It disrupts the proteins on the surface of the virus, inhibiting its normal reproduction. It can be used in adults and on children weighing at least 13 kilograms. It is available as an oral drug or an intravenous injection. Taiwan’s purchase is for the oral form, and could be delivered as early as August.

With border controls easing, the number of people entering Taiwan is growing. Doctors say that the current regulations won’t stop monkeypox from entering Taiwan, as the disease spreads by close contact between people.

Huang Li-min
NTU Children’s Hospital
Monkeypox has a long incubation period, and it’s hard to tell when symptoms start. The current 3+4 quarantine model won’t stop it from entering Taiwan. In the future, more people will be able to travel to Taiwan. That means that the chances of someone with monkeypox entering will be higher.

Wu Chang-teng
Chang Gung Memorial Hospital
In terms of border controls, imposing quarantines on people suspected of having monkeypox is a very important measure. For now, it seems that most patients got infected during sex.

Globally, the number of infections is growing most rapidly among people aged 20 to 50. Doctors say there is no need to be overly worried, just cautious.

2022-07-25

Taiwan reports 16,921 local COVID cases, confirms two cases of BA.5 subvariant

2022-07-25

Stampede of viewers check out a house up for auction at cheap price

The auction of a house in Tainan is attracting unprecedented attention. The old house will be sold off at a surprisingly cheap price. Officials are selling it to write off the debts of its late owner. But they’re amazed that hundreds of people have come out to view the property. In today’s market, a good house at a low price is bound to cause a stampede.

What building could attract so much interest? People have come here all the way from Taipei just to see this house on an alleyway off Tainan’s You’ai Street. Its upcoming auction has caused a real stir.

Member of public
My little sister likes Tainan, so she thinks there are old houses near here, and the pace of life is good, so she’s planning to retire here.

Member of public
I make art. I’d get people to come here to see it and drink coffee. My daughter-in-law makes coffee.

The two-story house is about 60 years old. The previous owner died a long time ago with no heirs but more than NT$10,000 of unpaid land tax bills. The Administrative Enforcement Agency has decided to auction off the building to cover the debt. But at the low price of less than NT$4 million, it’s attracted a storm of attention.

Chang Jung-cheh
Administrative Enforcement Agency
It’s being auctioned cheaply at NT$3.76 million. Over the course of one morning, 110 groups of viewers came to see the house.

Lin Wen-po
Real estate agent
What’s caused this massive influx of people viewing the house is the explosion in people doing rental accommodation recently, and the development of creative business travel.

Although tucked away in an alleyway, the house is in an iconic part of Tainan city center, making it hot property. But all this interest might drive the price up.

Member of public
There are so many people viewing the house. It will probably be hard to win it. There are so many people, the chances are very low. The winning bid will be on a knife edge. It won’t be pretty.

The real estate agent warns that the old house needs attention. Renovations won’t be cheap. The buyer will need some savings ready.

2022-07-25

Fossilized dino embryo on display as NCHU opens natural history museum

2022-07-25

June food and drink revenue grows by 61.7% from last year

2022-07-25

Central bank may hold interim meeting as Fed readies rate hike

The Fed is preparing to raise interest rates this week, in a response to record-high inflation. Taiwan may follow suit and raise its own rates, but when and by how much will depend on U.S. action. One analyst says the board of directors of Taiwan’s central bank may hold an interim meeting if the U.S. raises its rates by 1 percentage point.

Impacted by world events, inflation in the U.S. reached 9.1% in June – a 41-year record high. The situation has people watching closely as the U.S. Federal Reserve readies a large rate hike.

Chang Chuan-yi
Taiwan Institute of Economic Research
If the U.S. raises rates by 1 percentage point, then we’ll have to watch what the central bank governor does. I think we can’t rule out the possibility that the board of directors will hold an interim meeting. As for whether a rate hike can curb inflation, actually the impact will be limited. There appears to be pent-up demand, but overly pent-up demand can affect economic growth.

If the U.S. raises rates by 1 percentage point, the analyst believes the board of directors may hold an interim meeting. However, the analyst advised the central bank governor to avoid raising Taiwan’s own interest rates too much. He said that in the face of inflation, a sharp correction in the financial market coupled with the impact of the COVID epidemic could further reduce consumer demand. Already, the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research has adjusted Taiwan’s projected annual GDP growth downward to 3.81%, and the CPI upward to 2.95%. A number of uncertainties remain for the second half of the year.

Gordon Sun
Taiwan Institute of Economic Research
The U.S. has about 50 days worth of reserves left, and if its reserves are increased, the price of oil will rise sharply again. The way things look at present, if the three major economies – the U.S., the EU and China – continue to decline throughout the second half of the year, then that decline will likely continue. However, you may have noticed that worldwide nobody is saying there will be a recession this year. Everyone is saying a recession will come next year. For example, the U.S. inverted interest rates recently, and interest rate inversion is not immediately followed by recession. You’ll have to wait until next year for that to happen.

Some have speculated that if the U.S. raises its interest rate by only 0.75 percentage points, then Taiwan’s central bank is likely to wait until September to follow suit. The rate hike in the U.S. will also affect currency exchange rates. However, the extent of its impact will depend on what the Fed does this week.

2022-07-25

Analyst says US may shelve Pelosi visit as leverage for Biden-Xi talk