Business and Economy

Plane Damaged After Tail-strike

China Airlines A330 Airbus
Business and Economy 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , ,

China Airlines confirmed that an A330 Airbus was damaged after a tail-strike incident during landing. The plane was forced to abort the landing and do a fly-around. The Aviation Safety Council has confirmed that damage to the aircraft structure is substantial and extends to the pressurized section. The council will carry out a full investigation of the incident. The accident occurred on a flight from Manila as it was attempting to land at Taipei Taoyuan International Airport. A tail-strike can

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UK Minister Visits Taiwan to Foster Closer Ties

UK Minister of State for Trade, Greg Hand speaks in Taiwan
Business and Economy 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , ,

UK Minister of State of the Department for International Trade, Greg Hands MP met President Tsai Ing-wen during a 2-day visit, and spoke to government, business leaders, and students. In a speech delivered at National Chengchi University, Mr Hands spoke about the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union, and assured Taiwan that Britain will remain a strong ally and trusted partner. Transcript of speech: “Good morning.Thank you for the warm welcome – It is great to be back

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Electric Buses Brought into Service in Hualien

Kaison Green Electric Technology Co. (KGET) K9 electric bus in Hualien, Taiwan
Business and Economy 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , ,

Seven electric buses have been put into service in Hualien on the National Dong Hwa University and Taroko Gorge National Park routes. Three more units are expected to be added to the fleet before the end of the year. The buses were put to the test by being driven from the west coast to Hualien. The buses left a factory in Miaoli County, and were driven via the National Highway and the notorious Suhua Highway. The Suhua Highway offers spectacular

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National Pumpkin Contest in Danshui

Giant pumpkins from the 13th annual National Pumpkin Contest in Danshui, New Taipei City
Business and Economy 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , ,

A New Taipei City farmer won the prize for the biggest pumpkin, and broke the record at the 13th annual National Pumpkin Contest in Danshui, New Taipei City, today June 25. The winning pumpkin weighed in at 656.98 catty (1 catty = 0.5kg). The pumpkins were put on display at Taipei Metro’s Danshui Station. New Taipei City Mayor Eric Chu turned up to present the award, and noted that only 5 years ago, approximately 46 hectares of New Taipei City

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Vietnam Marine Environmental Disaster a Threat to Taiwan’s New South Policy

the greiving wife of a fishing vessel's captain who was killed by a naval missile strike
Business and Economy Environment 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , ,

Democratic People’s Party legislator Su Chih-fen (蘇治芬) today urged the government of Taiwan to confront the issue of the massive fish-kill in Vietnam that the Vietnamese people are blaming on pollution from a steel mill in Ha Tinh Province controlled by Formosa Plastics Group. Su also called on the Taiwanese industrial giant, and other Taiwanese corporations investing in the region to show corporate responsibility, including respect for the environment and human rights. Su, who represents constituents in Yunlin County pointed

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Air Crews Threaten to Ground China Airlines as Negotiations Break Down Again

Flight crew protest in Taoyuan, Taiwan, May 2016
Business and Economy 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ,

As the peak summer travel season looms in Taiwan, unions representing flight attendants, pilots, and other airline workers are turning up the heat on China Airlines to fulfill promises made last year to increase rest days for pilots and reduce overtime for all crew members. Pilots threatened collective action after negotiations broke down earlier this month. Unions representing flight attendants have joined in protest after the airline failed to resolve the issue of excessive overtime work at a meeting between

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China Airlines Pilots Threaten Collective Action During Dragon Boat Festival Holidays

China airlines plane in flight
Business and Economy 
Phillip Charlier 1 Comment , , ,

A breakdown in negotiations between a pilot’s union and Taiwan-based China Airlines has resulted in pilots threatening to take collective action during the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival Holiday. This year the holiday which falls on June 9, will give Taiwan residents a four day holiday, and many will use the opportunity to fly domestically and abroad. Collective action would come in the form of 800 members of the pilot’s union applying for leave at this time: the same leave that

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Atlantic Salmon Made in Taiwan Spawns Cold-water Aquaculture Industry in the Sub-Tropics

Salmon from a hatchery in Taiwan
Business and Economy 
Phillip Charlier 2 Comments , ,

The Fishing Agency of the Council of Agriculture held a press conference today, Wednesday,May 11. to announce that scientists had successfully bred and raised Atlantic salmon in Taiwan. The COA believes that the first domestically raised Atlantic Salmon will hit the market two years from now. A spokesman forecast that within 3 years, local producers will be able to replace around 20 percent of imports, and that production should be able to increase to a 50 percent market share in

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Tesla Seeking Business Development Manager for Taiwan Operations

A Tesla Motorcar driving by the Presidential Palace in Taipei
Business and Economy 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , ,

Although Tesla has made no official statements about setting up operations in Taiwan, yesterday, May 9, the company posted an ad seeking a Business Development Manager to be based in Taipei. (See ad) Job ads for a variety of positions based in Taiwan first appeared on Taiwan’s 104 Jobbank in March this year (See related article Tesla in Taiwan). In April, an ad appeared on retailingjobs.com for a store manager -Taiwan. The position being advertised today seeks a person whose

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Tourism Operators Introduce Combined Orchid Island and Green Island Ferry Route

Orchid Island Ferry
Business and Economy 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , , , , , ,

Tourism operators in Taitung today introduced a new ferry route that will allow travelers to purchase one ticket to visit both Green Island and Orchid Island. Daily services will begin May 1. Up till now visitors who went to either Island had to take a ferry back to Fugang Harbor to board a separate ferry to go to the other island. An industry spokesperson said the new route offers provides convenience and cost savings for visitors to the islands. A

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