Slowing China demand dampens Taiwan growth
Apr 30th
Taiwan’s export-reliant economy expanded by just 0.36 percent in the three months to March, the slowest since 2009, dampened by weakening demand from the key Chinese market, the government said Monday. The first-quarter preliminary growth forecast, released by the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics, compared with a February prediction for first-quarter year-on-year growth of 1.19 percent. “Slowing demand from Mainland China indeed has had an impact on the export sector,” an official with the directorate told AFP.
Taiwan’s Industrial Output Falls Less Than Forecast
Apr 23rd
Industrial production in Taiwan dropped less than forecast by economists in March, data from the Ministry of Economic Affairs showed Monday.
Production fell 3.42 percent year-on-year in March, slower than the 6.75 percent drop forecast by economists. Manufacturing output fell 3.77 percent year-on-year in March. Mining output declined 1.84 percent, while there was a 2.17 percent rise in electricity and gas supply.
Taiwan stages anti-China military exercise
Apr 16th
Taiwan began annual military exercises on Monday to simulate attacks by communist China, with a new emphasis on fending off drones that are believed to have become a major, cost-cutting part of the Chinese military strategy. The Defence Ministry said thousands of troops will participate in the five-day Han Kuang, or Chinese Glory, manoeuvres at air bases and along the island’s coasts.
Taiwan monitoring North Korean rocket launch
Apr 2nd
Taiwan said Monday it was keeping an eye on North Korea’s planned rocket launch amid reports the island was deploying air defence systems to shoot down any wreckage that might endanger its people.
“We’ve ordered the responsible units to collect information on North Korea’s plan and to take proper countermeasures so as to ensure the safety of our compatriots,” defence ministry spokesman David Lo said.
Taiwan’s HTC unveils phone with powerful camera
Mar 26th
Taiwan’s HTC on Monday unveiled the smartphones that it said would allow users to “retire” their digital cameras, as it sought to fight back against rivals Apple and Samsung.
The “One” series of phones, which will hit Asian markets on April 2, have cameras that can autofocus in just 0.2 seconds, making them the equal of many modern digital cameras, the company said.
Taiwan not to restrict investments in Pingtan project
Mar 19th
The government will help protect local businessmen’s investments in China without setting specific limitations, a senior official said Monday, after China introduced an economic zone established based on the “One China, two systems” principle. More >
Slightly Higher Open Called For Taiwan Stock Market
Mar 12th
The Taiwan stock market has finished higher now in two straight sessions, rising more than 110 points or 1.3 percent along the way. The Taiwan Stock Exchange finished just above the 8,015-point plateau, and now investors are expecting another slightly higher open for the market when it opens on Monday.
Taiwan official quits over ‘bird flu cover-up’
Mar 5th
A top Taiwan agriculture official has stepped down amid allegations he covered up bird flu outbreaks, a day after authorities said they had culled thousands of chickens.
Hsu Tien-lai, the chief of the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine had tendered his resignation, Council of Agriculture spokesman Wang Cheng-taung told AFP on Sunday.
Jeremy Lin asks media to respect family in Taiwan
Feb 20th
Jeremy Lin, whose meteoric rise from obscurity to dazzling court general for the New York Knicks has become a global story, had a rare favor to ask of the massive media turnout for his team’s 104-97 victory over the NBA champion Dallas Maverickson Sunday. More >
Taiwanese YouTube Sensation Mourns Houston
Feb 13th
Pop stars and music lovers around the world are paying tribute to Whitney Houston, but one Asian singer in particular owes her an unlikely career: reality-show star Lin Yu-chun. More >
