Business and Economy

Nobel Laureate Calls for Taiwan Carbon Tax

Wind generators juxtapositioned with a coal-power station
Business and Economy 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , ,

Former President of Academia Sinica, and Nobel Laureate for his services to Chemistry, Yuan Tseh Lee, today urged the government of Taiwan to impose a carbon tax to deal with the country’s worsening air pollution. Speaking at the opening of an exhibition at the National Museum of Natural Science, Professor Lee said pollution should be converted into a price in order to achieve an ideal state of clean energy. Professor Lee drew attention to the costs of pollution in terms

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Tesla Supercharger Stations in Taiwan Early 2017

mpa of tesla supercharger stations Asia-Pacific
Business and Economy 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ,

A map on Tesla Motor’s website shows five supercharger stations located in Taiwan, and the company has revealed that the first one will come on-line at Taipei Expo Park in the first quarter of 2017. Tesla updated its global supercharger station network map earlier this month. The new map reflects a significant expansion of the network in North America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific. Tesla Taiwan opened its Taiwan flagship store in September 2016. Superchargers are a network of 480-volt

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Local Tour Guides Panic about Foreign Tour Guides

taiwan tourism slogan Taiwan touch your heart
Business and Economy 
Phillip Charlier 4 Comments ,

A bill put to the legislature that proposes “Westerners” be allowed to act as tour guides in Taiwan has caused a panic among local tour guides, according to a report in United Daily News. Liberty Times Network reported that legislator Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) put forward the proposal to amend the law to allow expatriates in Taiwan to act as tour guides. Under the proposal, Taiwan residents of foreign nationality, including foreign spouses, expatriates, and students, would be allowed to “assist

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TransAsia Airways Grounded

transasia airways
Business and Economy 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ,

Rumors that began this morning saying that TransAsia Airways would suspend flights have been confirmed by Taiwan’s Civil Aviation Authority this afternoon. The embattled Taiwan-based airline failed to regain consumer confidence after two crashes in succession rattled the nerves of passengers and aircrew. TransAsia Airways denied the rumors this morning, and refused to comment further on the issue. Ticket ordering systems at the airport, and on the company’s website went offline at around 1:00pm. The website currently says the ordering

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Gas Station Rooftops Become Solar Farms

cpc gas station fitted with solar panels in Taiwan
Business and Economy 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ,

Cover Photo: Big Sun Group. Taiwan’s state-owned petroleum company CPC, has turned 7 gas stations into solar-power generators, and plans to roll out solar panels on 100 more in 2017. The company has identified 365 stations so far as suitable to host solar arrays, and is searching for more locations among 612 gas stations and 12 oil depots. As well as generating solar electricity, the company’s stations are also implementing energy-saving measures. Lighting in all CPC gas stations and depots

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First Made in Taiwan Light Rail Train Rolls Out

Taiwan's first domestically produced light rail train made for the Tamsui light rail system
Business and Economy 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , ,

Cover picture: United Daily News. The first train for the Tamsui Light Rail project rolled off the production line today at a factory in Hsinchu. It is the first light rail train to be manufactured in Taiwan. The LRTs are being manufactured by Taiwan Rolling Stock Company in cooperation with German company Voith Engineering Services. An unveiling ceremony was attended by New Taipei City Mayor Eric Chu (朱立倫). A Taipei Metro spokesperson said the light blue color represents the clear

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Air Canada Resurrects Vancouver to Taipei Direct Flights

Air Canada 787-8
Business and Economy 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ,

Air Canada is taking reservations for direct flights between Vancouver and Taipei, after a 14 year hiatus. Discounted fares start at $9,999NTD ($423CAD) return for limited periods between June and September. Air Canada first introduced direct flights between the cities in 2009, but ceased the service in 2003. Since then, passengers traveling between the two cities have had to transit in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul, Shanghai, or Beijing. Air Canada will employ the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner to serve the

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UAVs in Agriculture: Kaohsiung City Supports Initiatives

unmanned aerial vehicle UAV agriculture
Business and Economy 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , ,

Photo: UDN College students in Kaohsiung County will be given the opportunity of part-time employment, and farmers will be freed from exposure to potentially dangerous pesticides in an innovative program launched in Kaohsiung City. College students will control Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to spot spray pesticides on crops.

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Last Train Rolls Out of Taichung Station

Business and Economy 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ,

Photo Credit: United Daily News The last train departed Taichung’s 110 year-old train station last night at 8:55pm, October 15, 2016. Trains now run on a new elevated line and stop at a new elevated station. Taichung Mayor Lin Chia-lung was joined by hundreds of residents to see the last train off. Today, October 16 will see an opening ceremony at the new station. The old Taichung Railway Station was built during the Japanese colonial era, and reflects the architectural

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Penghu Residents Vote Against Casinos

Penghu Islands Taiwan
Business and Economy 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ,

Residents of the Penghu Islands voted overwhelmingly against the legalization of gambling, and the development of casinos on the archipelago, in a referendum held today, Saturday, October 15, 2016. At the close of counting votes against stood at 26,598, with votes for at 6,210. There were a total of 32,808 valid votes, with 216 invalid, from a voter turnout of 39.56 percent. Votes against at today’s referendum exceeded those of a 2009 referendum when 17,359 residents voted against the development

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People Injured in Worker’s Protest

Business and Economy Protest 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , ,

Sixty people, including police and reporters were injured during a protest in Changhua County when protesters clashed with police over the closing down of a chemical plant. Workers at the Formosa Plastics Group factory are facing unemployment after the Changhua County Environmental Protection Agency refused to renew the plant’s operating license. Seven people required treatment at a local hospital after the clash, including a police officer who suffered a fractured finger. A news reporter was also injured. Protesters hurled full

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