Bloomberg report names Taiwan, chips and energy three flashpoints for 2023

2023-01-16

An article on U.S.-based news outlet Bloomberg says the Taiwan Strait could be one of three global flashpoints for 2023. That’s alongside chips, which are closely related to Taiwan as well. The last flashpoint is in energy, which the article says is at the heart of the economic war that’s pitting U.S. and its allies against Russia, with both sides trying to weaponize the issue. Let’s hear from an analyst from the Taiwan institute of Economic Research.

Darson Chiu
TIER
New technological developments can also be used militarily. In countries with more say in the world, being less reliant on others for chips has become a major trend. For Taiwan, the most beneficial development would be to leave the highest-level processes in Taiwan. The situation in the Taiwan Strait will also make the leaders of other countries pick sides. Natural gas and semiconductors are being used as tools for standoffs.

The Bloomberg says that semiconductors and energy are strategic resources that are being weaponized around the world. For instance, Russia relies on its own natural resources to withstand the sanctions imposed by other countries. If the supply chain is cut off, crude oil prices would skyrocket, in turn raising prices for everything else, and bringing severe challenges to the world economy.

彭博提今年經濟3大重點 "能源、晶片、台海"

2023-01-16

根據彭博報導，在俄烏戰爭引發能源飆漲，以及美中兩大強權競爭的情況下，世界經濟面臨兩極化、選邊站的局面。報導中甚至指出，2023年的經濟有三大重點，包含俄羅斯能源武器化、晶片戰和台海局勢緊張，其中兩項都跟台灣有關。

[[台經院研究員邱達生]]
“高科技的發展，它可能也會應用在軍事方面，在全球比較有話語權的國家，晶片供應鏈的自主化，變成一個未來的主要趨勢，對台灣最有利的發展，就是說台灣把最高階留在國內。台海的情勢也是會讓世界主要的這些國家領導者，必須要面臨這種選邊站的壓力，天然氣還有半導體，會被作為進一步對抗的工具”

不只半導體成為戰略資源，能源也被武器化，俄羅斯對抗西方國家經濟制裁，仰仗的就是天然資源，一旦完全切斷供應，原油價格飆升，通膨壓力會加大，也讓2023年的經濟面臨嚴峻挑戰。

Lawmakers from Japan’s largest opposition party meet with cross-party legislators

A Japanese opposition-party delegation met with the ruling DPP and opposition parties on Monday. The delegation shared ideas with each of the parties, and expressed a desire for greater exchanges in the future. Commenting on the visit, DPP lawmaker Mark Ho said that Taiwan’s government must have exchanges with Japan’s opposition parties, as well as its ruling party. He said that democracy and regional security are of shared concern among all political parties.

A delegation from the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, the largest opposition party in Tokyo, visited the headquarters of the Democratic Progressive Party on Monday.

Aoyama Yamato
Japanese lawmaker
I’m Aoyama Yamato, head of the Constitutional Democratic Party’s youth department. I’m very happy that I had this opportunity, arranged through the Asia Pacific Youth Association, to visit the DPP headquarters. I look forward to meeting with party chair-elect Lai Ching-te in the coming days. Also, in Japan I have been well received by Representative to Japan Frank Hsieh.

Aoyama, who is on his second visit to Taiwan since 2019, said members of his party have formed a Taiwan Alliance. The alliance aims for a greater number of exchanges with Taiwanese politicians in the future.

Aoyama Yamato
Japanese lawmaker
Last year, due to our concerns over Taiwan-related issues, the Constitutional Democratic Party formed a Taiwan Alliance with others similarly concerned about Taiwan. We hope that through this current exchange we can lay the groundwork for more interactions and exchanges of ideas.

Mark Ho
DPP legislator
The DPP headquarters must exchange ideas with Japan’s ruling party, but must also listen to what Japan’s opposition parties have to say. The future security and stability of the region will require the combined strength of everyone. Democracy comes from gathering energy bit by bit, to create a better future.

The Japanese delegation received a warm welcome, and sparked discussion on regional security.

Mark Ho
DPP legislator
Obviously, moving forward, we will be aiming to maintain the status quo of cross-strait relations, and of regional governance.

Before its visit to the DPP headquarters, the Japanese delegation met with New Power Party lawmakers to exchange ideas.

In the afternoon the delegation also met members of the Taiwan People’s Party and KMT, hoping to get a better understanding of the current state of politics in Taiwan.

2023-01-16

10 retailers join plan to set up shelves with affordable products to fight inflation

The Ministry of Economic Affairs has teamed up with 10 retailers and two state-run companies to set up shelves with affordable products for the Lunar New Year. The move comes amid high inflation. Some retailers say they will keep prices of some products low, despite rising costs. Some even say they will have affordable products available even after the Lunar New Year.

With just a few days to go until the Lunar New Year, concerns remain over constant rising prices. The Ministry of Economic Affairs has teamed up with 10 retailers, as well as state-run companies Taisugar and Taiyen Biotech, to set up shelves selling affordable items.

Chen Cheng-chi
Ministry of Economic Affairs
We hope that retailers can share the fruit of their economic performance with the general public, so that everyone can have a happy Lunar New Year.

The retailers in the plan are: convenience store chains 7-Eleven, Family Mart, Hi-Life and OK Mart; hypermarkets Carrefour, A Mart and RT-Mart; and supermarket chains PX Mart, Funcom, and Simple Mart. Two government-run companies are also part of the plan: Taisugar and Taiyen Biotech. The latter says it will launch its biggest discount programs of the year during the Lunar New Year. Still, with prices of raw materials on the rise, retailers say pressure is on.

Tsai Ying-tun
PX Mart
We’re offering a 20% discount to consumers. Of course we’re seeing some pressure, but I think we’ll continue doing this.

Chang Chun-hung
Carrefour
Pressure from rising raw material costs is being felt during the three holiday seasons. But for now we can keep it under control. We hope to work together on more fronts, such as discussing ways to share the purchasing needs of customers.

Lee Chih-ho
7-Eleven
Last year, we saw some pressure over raw material costs. But we seized upon our advantages in making procurements. We also made internal optimizations to keep prices under control. The economic ministry’s ‘affordable products section’ is a plan that we view as a long-term strategy. So we’re not just looking at the Lunar New Year. We will also maintain these strategies to maintain affordable prices after the Lunar New Year.

Taiwan’s leading convenience store chain says it will keep prices unchanged after the Lunar New Year, even amid rising costs, using supply and demand mechanisms to determine prices. With a time for many expenses over the Lunar New Year, the economics ministry is working with local retailers so that everyone can have an affordable holiday.

2023-01-16

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an inspects Taipei Dome, speaks about seating, first game

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an on Monday visited the Taipei Dome, which is nearing completion. During the inspection, Chiang spoke about the color of stadium seating, expressing concerns over possible distractions for players. Chiang also described plans for the dome’s first match. Let’s hear from the mayor.

Mayor Chiang Wan-an on Monday stepped inside the nearly-complete Taipei Dome, taking a seat in the stadium seating area to experience a sports fan’s point of view.

Concerned about the viewing experience for baseball fans, Chiang asked contractor Farglory to make adjustments. Chiang also took a look at the seating area from the field, discovering an issue with the color of the seats.

Chiang Wan-an
Taipei mayor
Looking at it like this right now, the seating is mainly a lighter color such as white or gray. This will cause the players to lose sight of the ball. It will be a problem for the batters, and for the outfielders when they’re catching fly balls.

Voice of Chen Hsing-hsien
Farglory
In accordance with international regulations, we’ve used dark-colored seats in the middle. So this won’t cause any interference for the batter.

Farglory says work on the dome will be finished by the end of March, and the company will apply for an operating license by the end of July, with the hope of opening the dome to the public before year’s end. However, the biggest challenge still facing the contractor is how to clear the dome of 50,000 people in under 15 minutes in the event of an emergency.

Chiang Wan-an
Taipei mayor
We will follow up with all relevant tests, and we will do an inspection. Everything must be in accordance with the law before we can issue an operating license.

After a meeting of city officials on Saturday last week, several senior officials alleged that Taipei Deputy Mayor Lee Ssu-chuan was behind many of the Chiang administration’s major policies, and that Chiang himself was incapable. Chiang on Monday responded to the allegations.

Chiang Wan-an
Taipei mayor
Deputy mayor Lee is outstanding, and he’s very experienced. He has also been very diligent, and has worked hard on promoting our municipal policies. My cooperation with Lee is seamless, and our communication is unhindered. The city government is a team, and it’s not impacted by outside forces. We will continue to put our full effort into governing the city.

Chiang assured that his administration was cooperating smoothly. He also spoke about plans for the dome’s first baseball game.

Chiang Wan-an
Taipei mayor
Before we formally open the dome we will run stress tests. We are also looking at inviting baseball teams to hold a game, so we can get feedback from the players, which will allow us to make adjustments to the field. Of course, for the first match after we formally open the facility, we will give priority to local players.

Chiang has hopes the dome will open this year and will host a game with local players. If his plans come true, the city may finally get the stadium it’s been waiting years for.

2023-01-16

Taiwan is preparing to assist Ukraine with digital reconstruction: Audrey Tang

2023-01-16

CECC mulls lifting indoor mask mandate after Lunar New Year

2023-01-16

Take measurements several times a day: new guidelines for high blood pressure

Almost one in three adults in Taiwan has high blood pressure, according to the Health Promotion Administration. A new set of official guidelines has been published to help the public avoid the condition. Officials say adults should measure their blood pressure annually, to keep track of their health. But going to a doctor isn’t the best way. Instead, take several readings at home over the course of a week. Then take an average of those measurements. That way, you get a more accurate sense of your overall health, say doctors.

Lunar New Year: lots of gatherings with loved ones. Lots of rich food. And perhaps, without noticing it, lots of calories, fat, and sugar. Throw in a bit of sleep deprivation, and it’s a recipe for high blood pressure. Statistics are out from the HPA’s “Taiwan Nutrition and Health Survey” from 2017 to 2020. They show that 26.8% of adults over the age of 18 have high blood pressure.

Wei Hsi-lun
Health Promotion Administration deputy head
Food that high in fat, in salt, in sugar; low in fiber: these things are fatal for blood pressure.

The HPA recently published its 2022 guidelines for managing high blood pressure. It urges caution if your readings go over 120/80. And it advises measuring your blood pressure at home instead of going to a clinic. If you see a doctor, the stress can increase your blood pressure and skew the results.

Lin Yen-hung
Taiwan Hypertension Society
What that means in a general sense is that blood pressure is usually higher at a medical center. But it goes down when you go home. So it just gets higher when you go to a medical center.

Wei Hsi-lun
Health Promotion Administration deputy head
We’ve launched the motto, “722.” It means, for seven days straight, measure your blood tension twice back-to-back, and do that on two separate occasions each day. Then take an average of all the readings, to understand whether you have a tendency towards high blood pressure.

The HPA says everyone over 18 should measure their blood pressure at least once a year. If you use the 722 method, you’ll be more likely to get an accurate picture of your health.

2023-01-16

Financial delivery service company Chunghwa Express mulling strike

The worker’s union of Chunghwa Express has announced it may launch a strike before the Lunar New Year after. An internal vote on the matter approved the motion last week, with 83% of union members supporting a strike. Workers say they are dissatisfied with the company’s performance bonus of just one month of pay. The company is a subsidiary of state-run postal service company Chunghwa Post and caters to making deliveries to financial institutions in Taiwan.

The workers complain that their performance bonuses have dried up to be just one month’s worth of pay. That’s about NT$30,000 to NT$50,000 less than previous years. The union is considering calling a strike later this week. On Monday, union members held a protest outside the Executive Yuan.

The union says the company was not fulfilling the conditions it had agreed on with the union. The union has three appeals: pay raises of NT$800 every year, an additional performance bonus of 1.5 months of pay and bigger pay raises for employees with more seniority.

Chen Hung-chun
Chunghwa Express
The company made bigger profits last year than in the previous two years. There are more than 200 people in the company, which makes a difference of a few million NT. Now, the company is saying they won’t issue the money. There is less than 10 days to go until the Lunar New Year and they still haven’t said anything on how the money will be given out. We find that hard to accept.

The Chunghwa Express union held a vote between Jan. 11 and Jan. 14 on whether to strike. The move was supported by 83% of union workers. The union says it is considering launching a strike before the Lunar New Year. The company’s main services include delivering checks and banking documents. If the strike goes ahead more than 1,400 banks branches around Taiwan could be affected, disrupting the flow of payments with businesses.

Hsueh Men-chien
Chunghwa Express
On Jan. 10, we issued bonuses of two months. One month was the year-end bonus. And the other month was the performance bonus. After the company settles its finances for the year, we will issue more bonuses to make up for the difference. As for the appeals from the union, we will hold a board meeting on Jan. 31 to discuss them.

Executive Yuan and Chunghwa Express representatives went to the protest to collect the petition from the union. Company reps said the matter of the performance bonuses would be discussed after the Lunar New Year. But with union members planning a strike before the holiday, tensions are rising.

2023-01-16

Secrets of Taoyuan’s giant thermometer, powered by LED sensors

2023-01-16

Sweet treats with international bank bill designs make tasty counterfeit money

2023-01-16

‘If I slept badly, we’re shut’: Noodle shop owner wins fans with honest sign

2023-01-16