Business and Economy

Central Bank Coinage Cost Increased due to Claw Machine Craze

Taiwan Central Bank Governor Yang Chin-long
Business and Economy 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ,

The governor of Taiwan’s Central Bank told the legislature that an increase in coinage costs in this year’s budget was due to the popularity of claw machines. Central Bank Governor Yang Chin-Long was responding to a question by Legislative Yuan member Chiang Yung-Chang who noted that according to the bank’s 2019 budget, the cost of issuing coins is nearly NT$1.7 billion, of which NT$1 billion, more than 60% is devoted to NT$10 coins. Governor Yang responded that because claw machines

Read more

Tamsui Light Rail to start Trial Operations next Month

Danhai Light Rail
Business and Economy 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , ,

[Picture: Taipei Metro.] The Danhai Light Rail, the newest extension of New Taipei City’s Metro system, will begin operating to the public in December this year, after New Taipei City Mayor Eric Chu and a delegation of officials and local government representatives took a test ride this morning, November 29. Mayor Chu expressed satisfaction with the system, saying that the levels of comfort and stability are very high. “In addition to art installations inside the stations, passengers can enjoy the

Read more

Australia Kowtows to China: Scraps Taiwan FTA Plan

Wang-yi and Julie Bishop
Business and Economy 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ,

Australia has abandoned plans for a free trade agreement with Taiwan after China warned the deal would harm relations with Beijing, according to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned former Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop that China opposed any boosting of ties between Australia and the independence-leaning government of Tsai Ing-wen at a series of meetings in 2017 and 2018, according to the October 24 report. “The Chinese government made it clear to

Read more

Ill-Fated Taiwan Tour Group Pawns in a United Front Propaganda Game

MOFA spokesman Andrew Lee
Travel and Tourism 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , ,

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs today denied that Chinese embassy officials had gone to the assistance of a group of Taiwanese tourists after one was killed in a hippo attack, and 16 were injured in a bus accident. The Chinese embassy in Kenya had offered to help, but the offer was declined, MOFA said. On Saturday, August 11, Chang Ming Chuang, 66, died after being attacked by a hippopotamus at the Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort. Chang was rushed to hospital

Read more

Three Survive Crash-landing in Ocean

Apec Flight Academy Diamond Aviation Industries trainer plane
Aviation 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ,

Three occupants of a light aircraft were rescued after the pilot put the plane down in the ocean off the coast of Kaohsiung City this evening, July 9. The Diamond Aircraft Industries 4-seat, single-engine DA40 aircraft belonging to Apex Flight Academy disappeared from radar screens southwest of Kaohsiung International Airport after sending a mayday message at around 5:10pm. The National Search and Rescue Command Center reported that two people had been airlifted out of the water by helicopter, while a

Read more

Police Prepare Riot Shields as Disgruntled Cruise Ship Passengers Disembark at Keelung

police with riot shields at the Port of Keelung
Travel and Tourism 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , ,

A large contingent of police armed with riot shields gathered at the cruise terminal at the Port of Keelung last night, as the Star Cruises vessel SuperStar Virgo arrived after a voyage that saw passengers occupy the casino in a collective protest over changes to the itinerary. On July 1, passengers embarked on a 6 day, 5 night cruise scheduled to take them to the cities of Naha and Osaka. However, the path of Typhoon Prapiroon led to the crew

Read more

Alishan Forest Railway to Resume Service Tomorrow

Alishan Forest Railway train
Travel and Tourism 
Phillip Charlier 4 Comments ,

Taiwan Railways Administration(TRA) Alishan Forest Railway Management Office announced today that normal services on the Alishan Railway would resume tomorrow, June 27, after improvements to the track and rolling stock have been completed. Services were suspended on the mountain line March 12, after a series of four derailment accidents in January and February this year. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications Railway Bureau conducted preliminary inspections on June 14, and the improvement program was completed June 25. Trial operations began

Read more

Taiwan’s Newest Airline starts Recruitment Drive for Pilots

starlux airlines plane
Aviation 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ,

Starlux Airlines announced today that it would do its best to cultivate Taiwanese pilots, saying that the company would inculcate safety as an attitude, not just a requirement. Starlux Chairman Chang Kuo-wei said that anyone with ROC nationality who has a university degree , and English language certification, can apply to become a pilot. Military officers can also apply. As well as relevant qualifications, applicants should have team spirit, good communications skills, and a sense of mission. Applications can be

Read more

10,000 Bottles of Quality Australian Wine to be Destroyed by Customs

smuggled shipment of Australian Wine intercepted a Port of Kaohsiung
Business and Economy 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , ,

More than 10,000 bottles of Penfold’s wine will be destroyed after customs officers intercepted the undeclared shipment in a container at the Port of Kaohsiung yesterday, May 21. The estimated value of the haul is NT$30 million (AUD $1.3 million). Customs officers studying the manifest of a cargo ship were suspicious about the contents of a 40-foot container originating in Hong Kong and slated for re-export to Busan, Korea. Upon opening the container, the officers found that alongside the documented

Read more

Serial Groper shows up in Court to face Groping Charges, and Gropes More Women

man arrested for groping
Business and Economy 
Phillip Charlier 1 Comment ,

An American man due to face charges for multiple groping offences after an incident on Chongshan Road in Taipei City, January 4, was arrested again today, after showing up to the Shilin District Court, and groping a female bailiff, and other women, prior to his hearing. [See Previous Article: Drunk American Arrested After Harassing People in the Street] The 36 year-old man, named only as “Joseph” in reports of the original incident, and as “Joseph Aron,” in today’s Chinese language

Read more

Vietjet Air Launches Direct Flights between Taichung and Hanoi

Vietjet Air Taiwan
Aviation Travel and Tourism 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , , ,

From June 22, Vietjet Air will offer direct flights between Taichung and Hanoi 5 times per week, the company announced today. The new route is designed to meet increasing demand from travelers, and promote trade and regional integration, the company said. Flights will operate daily except Tuesdays and Thursdays, departing Taichung at 5.30pm and arriving in Hanoi at 7:20pm. Flights from Hanoi will depart at 1:00pm and arrive in Taichung at 4:30pm. The Hanoi-Taichung route is the 7th route between

Read more