Headline News
U.S. condemns China for threatening stability
U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence condemned China last week for threatening stability across the Taiwan Strait and accused China for resorting to economic aggression to extend its global reach. Pence also alleged that Beijing is using so called “debt diplomacy” to expand its influence across the world.
Pence noted that Beijing has convinced three Latin American nations to cut ties with Taipei and recognize China. “These actions threaten the stability of the Taiwan Strait and the United States of America condemns these actions. And while our administration will continue to respect our one China policy, as reflected in the three joint communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act, America will always believe that Taiwan’s embrace of democracy shows a better path for all the Chinese people,” Pence said.
Companies relocating
from China to Taiwan
Taiwanese companies in the server, network communication equipment and bicycle sectors are returning to reposition their production in Taiwan.
As the trade war between the United States and China continues to rage, Taiwanese businesses are caught in the escalation of tariffs due to their production in China. Around 30 companies indicate to prepare for moving the production out of China.
Bicycle makers Giant and Merida decided to scale down their China-based production of high-value items destined for the European Union and the U.S., while top Taiwanese suppliers Quanta and Inventec are also leaving China.
23 foreign companies to invest US$1.75 billion in Taiwan
Twenty-three foreign companies originating from Belgium, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, U.K. and the U.S. have signed a letter of intent with Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs for investments worth US$1.75 billion over three years.
The investment from the 23 companies mainly in the field of ICT, Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, biotech and wind power, is expected to create more than 13,000 new jobs in Taiwan.
Performing arts center opened in Kaohsiung
The world’s largest single roof performing arts center, designed by Dutch architect Francine Houben of Mecanoo in Delft, held its grand opening on 13 October with music, aboriginal dance, traditional theater, opera, street culture, puppetry and dazzling technology art.
The National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts took 15 years to complete and costs US$348 million. It includes a 2,260-seat opera house, a 2,000- seat concert hall, a flexible theater for 1,094 to 1,254 persons, a 470-seat recital hall and outdoor performance stage for an audience up to 20,000.
President Tsai Ing-wen praised Kaohsiung at the opening’s ceremony for transforming itself from a center of heavy industry to a center of the arts for southern Taiwan.
EVA Air receives first 787-9 Dreamliner
Taiwan’s EVA Air and Boeing celebrated the delivery of EVA’s first 787-9 Dreamliner in Boeing’s delivery center in South Carolina.
The delivery marks the first of 24 Dreamliners to be acquired by EVA Air, member of Star Alliance serving international routes with about 565 weekly flights.
The 787-9 offers 20% to 25% better fuel efficiency per seat and lower emissions and can carry 290 passengers.
The Dreamliner is expected to enter into service in November.
Petition to scrap ‘Çhinese Taipei’ for ‘Taiwan’
The Central Election Committee (CEC) has officially accepted a petition calling for a nationwide referendum to change Taiwan’s Olympic team name from “Chinese Taipei” to “Taiwan” before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The threshold of 281,745 was far exceeded by the 429,395 signatures verified as valid.
If approved, the petition will go on the ballot in the Nov. 24 elections.
