The government is considering allowing foreign nationals who hold Alien Permanent Resident Certificates (APRC) to buy into its economic stimulus voucher programme, according to Minister of Economic Affairs, Wang Mei-hua.

The cabinet has announced a plan to offer families a one-off subsidy payment for each child.

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) says the government has signed contracts with two domestic companies to purchase a total of 10 million coronavirus vaccine doses.

Cooler weather has brought a return of stable power supplies while rainfall over the weekend has partially replenished reservoirs.

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) says it has no immediate plans to impose a full Level 4 coronavirus lockdown.

The ECCT's Human Resources committee hosted a half-day forum on the topic "New challenges, critical employment, and other legal Issues in the pandemic era".

Taiwan's Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) has confirmed eight new coronavirus infections and another two deaths, which brings the total number of confirmed cases here in Taiwan to 306 and the total death toll to five.

Addressing the fundamental demographic issues facing Taiwan will require drastic structural change

By Brian Hioe

Recorded at the National Taiwan University's GIS Convention Center, this special show features regular ICRT commentator Ross Feingold, Albert Chiu, an Associate Professor of Political Science at Taichung's Donghai University and National Taiwan University Professor of Political Science Huang Min-hua -- who discuss the ramifications for Taiwan be it a Donald Trump re-election or a Joe Biden White House for the next four years. 

Taiwan's Gross Domestic Product rose 3.3% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2020 (3Q20).

The ECCT hosted a Premium Event lunch with Dr Wu Tsung-tsong, Minister of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST).

New subsidies to be introduced to encourage local travel agencies to organise more charter flights to Taiwan

By Matt Kovac

The contractor to build Taoyuan International Airport's much-delayed third terminal has finally emerged.

A new study finds that coronavirus has negatively impacted young people's willingness to join the labour force.

According to an official press release on the website of the European Council, the EU is taking swift action to make available money to help tackle the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Central Weather Bureau says Taiwan experienced the hottest May since records began in 1947 with an average temperature of 27.8 degrees.

Taipei, New Taipei and Kaohsiung will begin vaccinating senior citizens who have not yet received their coronavirus vaccines, as well as some categories of indigenous people, from tomorrow, when the central government's expanded vaccine rollout begins.

Taiwan's health minister, Chen Shih-chung, has confirmed that Taiwan is in talks with foreign companies to manufacture coronavirus vaccines on a contract basis.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs announced that the government will continue to requisition eight million surgical face masks per day until the end of July, despite the coronavirus situation easing off here in Taiwan.

Minister without Portfolio Audrey Tang is encouraging the public to pre-order their government-issued stimulus vouchers and to choose the digital format if possible to avoid long lines when they are made available from tomorrow.

Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau says the mercury in Taipei rose to 38.9 degrees at 13:15 on Monday, 29 June, marking the highest temperature ever recorded in the capital in the month of June since the city's weather station was established in 1896.

Legislative Speaker You Si-kun says an extraordinary legislative session will run until 22 July as scheduled, during which lawmakers will vote on whether to approve President Tsai Ying-wen's nominees for the Control Yuan, among other issues.

Taiwan's economy grew 2.98% in 2020, beating a November forecast because of strong electronics and information technology exports in the fourth quarter, according to an advance estimate by Taiwan's statistics bureau, the Directorate General of Budget Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS).

ECCT directors give their predictions for the year ahead and what trends to watch

By Duncan Levine

Taiwan's official manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) rose to 61.2 in December, the sixth straight month of gains and the highest level since March 2017.

Based on the advanced estimate, Taiwan's real gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 12.93% on a quarter-on-quarter seasonally-adjusted annualized basis (SAAR) and 8.16% on a year-on-year (yoy) basis in the first quarter of 2021 (1Q21), according to the Directorate General of Budget Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS).

The government is offering rescue loans for labourers facing financial difficulty due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The United States' economy has had its worst performance since the great recession in 2008 in the first quarter of 2020 (1Q20).

A foreign resident's first-hand perspectives on Taiwan's coronavirus pandemic response and healthcare system

By Douglas Habecker

The ECCT hosted a webinar on the topic "Recovering from Covid-19 - Personal experiences and perspectives from Case 50, a coronavirus survivor in Taiwan" with guest speaker Douglas Habecker, Co-Publisher of Compass Magazine.

Taiwan's Minister of Health and Welfare, Chen Shih-chung, says if ongoing trials of a domestically-produced coronavirus vaccine prove successful, mass production could begin by mid-2021.

Female filmmakers say women still pit motherhood and career against each other

By Joanna Lee

The jury is still out on how much life will change when the pandemic is finally over but while we wait for a vaccine and effective treatments for Covid-19, businesses and consumers will have to find innovative ways to adapt

By Duncan Levine

Provisions in Taiwan's laws that treat adultery as a criminal offense have been ruled unconstitutional and declared invalid effective immediately, according to an announcement by Constitutional Court Chief Justice Hsu Tzong-li today.

The newly opened Taichung metropolitan rail (MRT) line has attracted hundreds of thousands of riders over its first few days of operation.

The Ministry of Labour (MOL) says young people are being paid more than before.

National Sun Yat-sen University, located in Kaohsiung city, has become the base for cultivating bilingual education teachers.

The Taichung District Prosecutors' Office has indicted four people involved in a labour brokerage company on charges of exploiting migrant workers through wage manipulation.

A new report indicates that Taiwan continues to uphold an image of clean government.

The Legislative Yuan (LY) has passed a resolution proposed by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to decommission Taichung Power Plant's coal-fired generators by 2035, and to preserve the generators in the event of a national security emergency.

Global stocks fell sharply last week over fears that the ongoing spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (Covid-19) will severely hurt the economy.

Taiwanese journalists are not jailed or censored by the state, but media groups are vulnerable to foreign political interference, libel laws may be abused, and journalists are suffering from a polarised media environment dominated by sensationalism and the pursuit of profit

By Brian Hioe

Transport Minister Wang Kwo-tsai is stressing that the government fully supports the corporatisation of the Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) within three years.

Taiwan's minister of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) Wang Mei-hua is seeking to play down reports that Taiwan's leading semiconductor manufacturers could build new plants in Europe.

Taiwan's Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) reported that Taiwan has seen a fourth consecutive day with no new coronavirus infections.

The European parliament's Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety held a debate with Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, on stepping up Europe's 2030 climate ambition.

The decennial national population and household census will begin in November, with 16,000 census workers set to visit more than 1.2 million households around Taiwan.

Researchers at National Chiao Tung University (NCTU) have developed a rapid Covid-19 test.

Facebook says it will no longer remove claims that Covid-19 is man-made or manufactured from its apps.

The National Development Council says it plans to allocate an additional NT$210 billion budget to the government's coronavirus relief fund.

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) says the latest batch of AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccines are now being distributed.

The ECCT, in conjunction with ICRT, hosted a briefing by the Taipei City Government on the latest Covid-19 situation in Taipei.

Foreign nationals whose Alien Resident Certificates (ARCs) are about to expire will receive an automatic 30-day extension with immediate effect due to the heightened Covid-19 situation.

Health Minister Chen Shi-chung says Taiwan is preparing to negotiate with the United States over producing American coronavirus vaccines here.

The European Commission has published its guidance on how the Code of Practice on Disinformation, the first of its kind worldwide, should be strengthened to become a more effective tool for countering disinformation.

The ECCT's Low Carbon Initiative (LCI) invited Ethan Tu, one of Taiwan's early tech pioneers, to give a speech at a lunch to coincide with its mid-year meeting.

Taiwan's Directorate General for Budgeting Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) has revised its 2020 GDP forecast downwards by 0.7 percentage points to 1.67% to take into account the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Taipei officials are discussing how night markets will be reopened.

Taiwan's system for childcare leave is getting some updates.

The Central Epidemic Command Center has announced a precautionary ban on all inpatient visits to hospitals in Taipei, New Taipei, and Taoyuan until 9 February.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has announced that it is resuming regular passenger flights to Taiwan, starting on 1 September.

A testing programme for coronavirus antibodies by the National Taiwan University's College of Public Health has found low rates of exposure to the virus among high-risk population groups.

Local drug maker Adimmune has started the first phase of human trials for its experimental coronavirus vaccine.

Taiwan's current renewable energy targets and roll-out plans are probably underestimating future demand

Interview with James Liu, General Manager, Industrial Services & Cybersecurity, TÜV Rheinland Taiwan Ltd.

Andreas Gursch, 1963 – 2020
With the passing of Andy Gursch, the world has lost a passionate environmentalist and the ECCT, one of its finest ambassadors

By Duncan Levine

After the initial shock of the Covid-19 pandemic, how have people adapted and how are they feeling and acting one year on?

By Mike Jewell

Taiwan's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased by 3.92% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2020 (3Q20), according to a report by the Directorate General of Budget Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS).

The annual report, produced by Michael Page in association with the ECCT, was released at a Premium Event lunch. A summary of the report’s highlights was presented at the lunch by the guest speakers. After the lunch the report was released to the media at a press conference.

The Central Election Commission has officially announced this year's referendums.

The Swiss government has withdrawn from negotiations with the European Union (EU) over a stalled EU-Swiss framework agreement after years of talks.

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) reported 667 domestic Covid-19 cases today, four imported cases and 13 deaths in its daily press conference today.

Cybersecurity has been an important topic in Taiwan recently, one that touches several areas of the technology business. A recent case concerns the Covid-19 pandemic when the central government prohibited all government agencies from using a popular video conferencing service based on cybersecurity concerns.

By John Eastwood, Wendy Chu, Nathan Snyder, and David Rosenthal

Taiwan's industrial production increased for the eleventh consecutive month by 9.9% in December and 6.8% for the full year, according to a report by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA).

The cabinet is accepting an agreed reduction of NT$25.5 billion from the government's proposed 2021 budget after lawmakers from the ruling and opposition parties reached a consensus on budgetary cuts during their ongoing negotiations.

How are British businesses adapting to life outside the EU and how do Taiwanese firms now view the UK?

By Mike Jewell

Taiwan has established a connection with one of its recently launched satellites.

Taiwan's Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) has published its Covid-19 vaccination priority list, ahead of a planned national immunisation campaign, set to start sometime in March.

Congratulatory message from Shen Jong-chin, Minister, Ministry of Economic Affairs

The National Development Council (NDC) has outlined its plans for the new stimulus voucher programme.

The cabinet has approved the central government's proposed 2022 budget of NT$2.2391 trillion

Dynamic and constantly evolving

By Mike Jewell

Taiwan's Health Minister Chen Shih-chung says people who arrive in Taiwan and who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus could be allowed to shorten their quarantine from 14 to seven days by mid-May.

The 2021 ECCT EU-Taiwan Healthcare Forum brought together experts from Europe and Taiwan to discuss solutions for today's most urgent healthcare challenges.

Taxpayers in Taiwan are expected to be allowed to use their smartphones to file taxes in 2021, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

Central Epidemic Command Center advisor Zhang Shan-chun says seniors who contract the coronavirus should be hospitalised.

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) has announced that the island-wide level 3 alert will be extended until 14 June, citing the severity of domestic transmission rates.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs says the island's food and beverage industry had its worst sales month in April since November of 2014, as more consumers opted to stay at home and eat due to concerns about the coronavirus.

 
Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE) and Hai Long Offshore Wind (Hai Long) have announced that the new SG 14-222 DD offshore wind turbine is intended to be used in its 300MW Hai Long 2 project in Taiwan. According to a press release issued today, the deployment of the new turbine for the rest of the 1,044 MW Hai Long pipeline is also being considered.

Taiwan's successful energy transition requires grid investment

By Tim Ferry

The UN's sustainable development goals are even more relevant to business sustainability today in the face of a global pandemic and devastating climate change

By Duncan Levine

ECCT member companies across multiple industry sectors are working to reduce the impact of their operations on the environment

Most EU member states are not on track to reduce air pollution and its related impacts by 2030.

The government will lower the Level 3 Covid-19 alert to Level 2, starting from Tuesday, 27 July.

Taiwan's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has approved the inclusion of a locally developed Covid-19 vaccine in the country's rollout.

7% of Taiwan's labourers say they were either laid off or suffered reductions in payments due to the impact of coronavirus last year, according to the Ministry of Labour (MOL).

Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan has cancelled all extracurricular winter activities at all schools in the city.

The Tourism Bureau expects fewer than one million visitors will come to Taiwan this year.

We are pleased to welcome the following new members to the ECCT in February!

A majority of EU governments have agreed to push ahead with plans for more corporate tax transparency, unblocking progress on draft rules that have stalled for half a decade.

Pupils all across Taiwan returned to school yesterday following a mandatory three week extension of their Chinese New Year holidays as a precautionary measure in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak.

The Ministry of Labor set this year's Equal Pay Day on 21 February, two days earlier than last year, based on estimates that women needed to work that far into the year to earn the same amount that men did last year.

The ECCT is pleased to announce that the chamber has formed a news sharing partnership with ICRT. Under the new cooperative agreement, the ECCT will publish selected ICRT news stories in the News section of Euroview online as well as ICRT's weekly “Taiwan this Week” podcast. In return, ICRT will draw on or cite selected content from Euroview and the ECCT's website.

Will the US withdrawal from Afghanistan accelerate trends toward self-reliance in Taiwan?

By Brian Hioe

The local real estate market is heating up.

Central bank Governor Yang Jin-long says interest rates are likely to remain unchanged for the time being, as the local economy is not overheating.

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) says strict border control measures will remain in place until the national vaccination rate rises.

Tai-Power says its supply system flashed a "yellow" warning light due to high demand on Monday, after a coal-fired generator in Taichung suffered a breakdown.

Health Minister Chen Shih-chung says medical experts have suggested that the Level 3 coronavirus alert be extended due to the current level of transmission rates.

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) says it is adjusting measures to ensure that there is enough space in hospitals to care for Covid-19 patients.

The ECCT's Low Carbon Initiative (LCI) organised a forum on the topic "Risk management in solar financing - Due diligence and bankability" in conjunction with the EU Taiwan Centre and TÜV Rheinland.

Taiwan's industrial production index increased 3.51% in April 2020 compared with the same month in 2019. According to a report by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), an annual comparison by main industrial division showed that manufacturing increased 4.15%, mining & quarrying increased 21.89%, electricity & gas supply decreased 5.35% and water supply decreased 0.19%.

Premier Su Tseng-chang says the Executive Yuan is introducing a new employee disaster insurance bill.

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) has confirmed the first case of a serious allergic reaction to the AstraZeneca (AZ) coronavirus vaccine, a nurse, who has existing allergies to eggs, peanuts and antibiotics.

Taiwan's government is continuing to step up measures to tackle COVID-19.

Taiwan takes on Covid remote learning one year later, but challenges still remain

By Joanna Lee

Taiwan's cabinet says the vaccination appointment platform is now ready but it won't be used until the vaccination programme is open for all.

Taipei has been named the best leisure destination in Asia for the fourth straight year, in a survey conducted by the American magazine, Global Traveler.

Taiwan's National Federation of Teachers Unions says elementary and secondary schools will start the new school year on 1 September.

The Central Epidemic Command Center says coronavirus testing stations set up near wholesale vegetable markets in Taipei and New Taipei will remain in place to ensure the disease has not spread into local communities.

Members of the European Parliament have endorsed the EU's Climate Law, which was agreed informally with member states in April, with 442 votes to 203 and 51 abstentions.

Taiwan is making progress on its 2025 and beyond goals, but will it be enough?

By Tim Ferry

Lawmakers from across party lines are pushing for a new law to fight against climate change.

The Water Resources Agency has introduced tougher water restrictions from today due to shortages in some parts of the island – meaning industrial water usage in certain areas has now been cut by up to 11%.

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) will be partially lifting restrictions on the entry of foreign visitors from 1 March.

Global stock markets suffered some of their worst drops in more than two years on Monday, following fears that the outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus (Covid-19) will be much more damaging to the economy than originally feared.

Taiwan's Legislative Yuan (LY) has passed a bill authorising a series of measures aimed at supporting businesses and workers in Taiwan affected by the 2019 novel coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak. The Special Act on COVID-19 Prevention, Relief and Restoration was shortly afterwards signed into law by President Tsai Ing-wen. The act authorises the use of NT$60 billion (US$1.9 billion). Implementation is backdated to activities starting from 15 January this year and will end on 30 June next year.

The Ministry of Education says Chinese students enrolled in tertiary-level schools here in Taiwan are now allowed to enter the country. According to the ministry, the new regulation will benefit some 5,000 students from China.

In the absence of rules in the Internet age, artists make their own

Taiwan's rigid localisation requirements risk raising costs and slowing development, while belying real opportunities for Taiwanese champions in the global market.

By Tim Ferry

The government is optimistic about Taiwan's economic growth this year. The National Development Council says the Taiwan economy could grow by over 1.8% in 2020, thanks to better-than-anticipated export orders and exports in the fourth quarter.

Health Minister Chen Shih-chung says the government is hoping to procure at least 30 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine. 

President Tsai Ing-wen is voicing her hope that English proficiency here in Taiwan can improve over the next decade.

The 2021 Sustainable City Forum was organised by the Taoyuan City Government, the International Climate Development Institution (ICDI) and co-organised by the ECCT's Low Carbon Initiative (LCI) and ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability.

Over the past few days, major central banks globally have announced massive monetary expansion plans while governments in European countries have announced a slew of fiscal stimulus plans to offset the huge drop in both supply and demand caused by the coronavirus epidemic.

Taiwan's jobless rate remained relatively stable in February despite the growing battle with the novel coronavirus disease during the month.

With relaxed social distancing laws, Taiwan's film industry seems on track for recovery, but filmmakers and festival organisers are not breathing sighs of relief just yet.

By Joanna Lee

Taiwan's export orders in January 2021 increased 49.3% to US$52.7 billion year-on-year, according to a report from the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA).

Message from the chairman

European companies start to assess how the coronavirus outbreak is affecting their operations and supply chains 

By Duncan Levine

Halted travel and manufacturing slowdown mean a drop in carbon emissions, at least in the short term.

By Duncan Levine

Authorities in Italy have imposed strict quarantine restrictions in the two northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto, close to Milan and Venice, following a large coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.

The European Commission has announced a new aid package worth €232 to support global efforts to tackle the Covid-19 outbreak.

New Taipei Mayor Ho Yo-yi has announced that the “conditional opening” of water-related recreational activities and supporting measures begins today.

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) plans to test 5,000 randomly selected blood donation samples for coronavirus antibodies as it seeks to better understand the prevalence of the disease during its peak here in Taiwan.

The government says the island's unemployment rate fell from a month earlier in July as the local job market has now stabilised.

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) says it will be launching a series of measures to combat the spread of the more infectious Delta variant of the coronavirus.

Taiwan's official unemployment rate reached 4% in July, according to the monthly Manpower Survey Results report by the Directorate General of Budget Accounting & Statistics (DGBAS).

As you can read in our latest Feature article, retail purchases have not registered much change in total spending during the pandemic, but the shift in product demand has changed the profile of channel use quite significantly.

Taiwan's Central Epidemic Command Center says restrictions on flights to and from China and an entry ban on transit passengers will remain in effect after the initial end date later this month

The cabinet says it has now allocated the bulk of the government's special NT$150 billion coronavirus relief and revitalization budget.

Restaurants continue to suffer under the influence of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Fisheries Agency has issued a new draft regulation for a system to better manage derelict fishing gear that causes marine pollution.

Taiwan's wholesale, retail and food services sales all rose in August compared with the same month in 2019.

Taiwan's industrial production index increased 10.73% in September 2020 compared with the same month in 2019.

Compared with the same month in 2019, sales of wholesale trade in September 2020 increased 8.2% to NT$952.1 billion while retail sales in September 2020 increased 2.9% year-on-year to NT$320.6 billion.

The ECCT held its annual Premium Event lunch with Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je and senior officials from the Taipei City Government (TCG), marking the 23rd year since the ECCT held its first round table lunch with the TCG.

Canada and the United States have launched coordinated sanctions against Chinese officials over human rights abuses in China's far western Xinjiang region. The sanctions include travel bans and asset freezes.

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) is continuing to administer the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine.

Throughout the globe, Clarins have acted responsibly, at both the individual and collective levels. Due to the unprecedented impact of Covid-19, especially in EU in recent days, Clarins believes that it's a vital time to take social responsibilities as a global citizen.

Taiwan's main international airport has reached a significant milestone in dropping passenger numbers.

Foreign nationals in Taiwan are getting a break on their visas.

Travellers from Taiwan will be allowed to visit the Netherlands without having to quarantine or present a negative coronavirus test result from tomorrow.

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) says all people arriving in Taiwan will be tested for the coronavirus on the last day of their mandatory 14-day quarantine.

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) today announced that the current coronavirus alert level (Level 3) will be extended for an additional two weeks until 12 July.

Wholesale, retail and food services sales all fell in May compared to the same month in 2019.

President Tsai Ing-wen has apologized for the handling of the coronavirus cluster infection on board a navy supply ship, saying "as commander-in-chief, she holds ultimate responsibility for the military."

Premier Su Tseng-chang says some 900,000 people will have received coronavirus relief payments from the government by the end of this week.

Unlike their confrontational counterparts in Europe, Taiwan's chapter of the Extinction Rebellion takes a creative approach to raising environmental awareness

The coronavirus pandemic is making people more cautious about going out and changing how and what they buy

By Mike Jewell

An economic think tank is getting more optimistic about the local economy.

Taiwanese views of US president Donald Trump and his Democratic Party challenger, Joe Biden, are nuanced and shaped by the complex interplay of relations involving the US, China and Taiwan.

By Brian Hioe

Taiwan's jobless rate rose slightly last month.

The ECCT's Low Carbon Initiative cooperated with CommonWealth Magazine to arrange the full-day forum, which was recorded live for broadcast later.

Water conservation efforts and heavy rainfall over the past few days have further eased water shortages in Taiwan, allowing for the lifting of strict water rationing in central and southern Taiwan.

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) is now allowing all pregnant women in Taiwan to choose the Covid-19 vaccine they want.

Taiwan's unemployment rate rose by 0.4 percentage points to 4.07% in May, compared with the same month in 2019.

Health Minister Chen Shih-chung says the government is moving towards lifting the ban on foreign visitors next month.

In a packed agenda over three days, the delegation held a series of meetings with senior officials from the European Commission (EC) and several other important industry associations and other organisations including the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), Wind Europe, BusinessEurope (the pan-European federation of European industries), the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), Cosmetics Europe and the European Centre for International Political Economy (ECIPE).

Is it a sign of an agile, dynamic company or a further devaluation of the employee as an individual?

By Mike Jewell

Lawmakers have voted to increase funding for a coronavirus response, relief and revitalization bill from NT$60 billion to NT$210 billion.

Taiwan's battery sector has surged on the Covid-fuelled consumer electronics boom. Electric vehicles and energy storage will drive future growth

By Tim Ferry

Taiwan's personal data protection regimen: Essential approaches to prevent gaps in compliance

By John Eastwood, Wendy Chu and Nathan Snyder

Religious groups in Taiwan strive to maintain services amid the coronavirus pandemic

By Mark Caltonhill

Taiwan's export orders in April 2020 increased 2.3% to US$38.53 billion from the same month in 2019, according to a report by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, although, when measured in New Taiwan dollars, given the local currency's appreciation, the report said export orders were approximately NT$1,159.2 billion, which was down 0.3% year-on-year.

A shipment of 2.5-million doses of the Moderna coronavirus vaccine donated by the United States government arrived in Taiwan on Sunday (20 June).

The value of export orders placed by foreign companies with Taiwanese businesses in May rose by 34.5% year-on-year to reach NT$52.29 billion, the highest level on record for the month.

EU leaders have agreed to a recovery package and the 2021-2027 budget that will help the EU to rebuild after the coronavirus pandemic and will support investment in "green and digital transitions".

Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je has postponed the city's Lantern Festival and cancelled the annual Di-Hua Street Lunar New Year market due to the recent rise in coronavirus cases.

The Ministry of the Interior (MOI) has halted the plan for electronic national ID cards.

Taiwan top envoy to the US, Hsiao Bi-khim, has attended US President Joe Biden's swearing-in ceremony in Washington DC.

Leaders across Europe have expressed hope for improved relations with the United States following the inauguration of President Joe Biden on 20 January.

The number of confirmed 2019 novel coronavirus (Covid-19) cases in Taiwan continues to rise, although at a scale and pace much slower than in China. Taiwan's Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) has reported two more confirmed coronavirus cases in Taiwan, bringing the total number of cases in Taiwan to 24, with one death since the outbreak began.

Electric trains have now begun running on Taiwan Railways Administration's South Link line.

A growing list of European Union nations and Canada have barred flights from the UK and others are considering similar action.

The EU has granted conditional marketing authorisation to the vaccine produced by BioNTech and Pfizer.

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) is reporting Taiwan's first domestic coronavirus case since April 12.

Taiwan has seen the rise and fall of several third parties over the past 30 years but creating a true Third Force to challenge the two major parties continues to prove extremely challenging

The European Council and the European Parliament's negotiators have reached a provisional political agreement setting into law the objective of a climate-neutral EU by 2050, and a collective, net greenhouse gas emissions reduction target (emissions after deduction of removals) of at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990.

Air Liquide has announced plans to invest close to €200 million euros to build production capacities in Taiwan's Tainan and Hsinchu science parks.

Premier Su Tseng-chang has waded in the disputes over influenza vaccinations, saying infants and those aged beyond 65 should get the shot first.

The ongoing drought in the south is likely to affect agricultural irrigation.

Taiwan's export orders set a monthly record high in September 2020, rising by almost 10% from a year earlier, on the back of solid demand for consumer electronics, according to a news report on CNA, citing the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA).

Approved foreign direct investment (FDI) in the first nine months of 2020 has surpassed US$6 billion, according to a report by the Ministry of Economic Affairs' Investment Commission.

Wealth effects from stock market fuel sales

By Matt Kovac

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) has raised its coronavirus alert to Level 3 islandwide after recording over 100 locally-transmitted cases for the fifth consecutive day.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen was inaugurated for a second four-year presidential term today together with Vice President Lai Ching-de. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that 92 foreign dignitaries from 41 countries congratulated President Tsai Ing-wen on her inauguration via pre-recorded video messages.

When the coronavirus epidemic finally ends, which beneficiaries will maintain momentum and which business sectors are likely to recover quickly?

By Duncan Levine

The average number of people employed in the industrial and service sectors in Taiwan fell in 2020 for the first time in 11 years because of the economic disruption caused by the global Covid-19 pandemic, according to Taiwan's statistics bureau.

Taiwan’s real GDP increased by 5.09% on a year-on-year basis in the fourth quarter of 2020, taking full year GDP growth to 3.11%, according to a news release of a revised preliminary estimate by the Directorate General of Budget Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS).

The tourism industry is taking the hit from the 2019 novel coronavirus (Covid-19) by the drop in the number of both international and local tourists. Airlines and hotels have been the most affected given their large operating costs.

Filip Grzegorzewski arrived in Taiwan in September 2019 to assume the position as Head of the European Economic and Trade Office (EETO) in Taiwan. Euroview sat down with the new EETO head to talk about his initial impressions of Taiwan and how he sees the future of EU-Taiwan relations developing

A ban on the use of disposable tableware at restaurants and food courts in shopping malls will take effect in 10 municipalities in Taiwan next year, the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) said.

What the ECCT delegation learnt from the recently-completed Open Door Mission

By Duncan Levine

Taiwan's export orders in July rose 6.9% compared with the same month in 2019 when measured in NT dollars.

The Taiwan Food & Drug Administration has approved Taiwan's first clinical trial for a coronavirus vaccine.

The ECCT hosted a Premium Event lunch with Dr Chen Chien-jen, Former vice president and currently Distinguished Professor at Academia Sinica.

Reservations for self-paid coronavirus vaccinations are now open.

The new minister of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) has said that his top priority on the job is to fully implement the reform plan for the Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA).

Food delivery workers to unionise

Taiwan's export orders for the month of March set a new record of US$56.3 billion, 33.3% higher than the same month in 2020, according to a report by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA).

The head of the European Economic and Trade Office in Taiwan says the European Union's strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific is expected to provide more opportunities for cooperation between the EU and Taiwan.

The second in the ECCT's Next Generation Business and Leaders Series was held on the topic "The future of Taiwan tourism - MICE, business, and leisure travel".

Deputy Defence Minister Chang Che-ping has defended the navy's decision to carry out its "Fleet of Friendship" mission, despite 24 naval personnel having now tested positive for the coronavirus following their return to Taiwan.

More than 90% of the rubbish collected was discarded equipment from the fishing industry. The fact that so much fishing waste was collected from just a tiny section of Taiwan's coastline clearly showed the disproportionate level of damage caused by the fishing industry along Taiwan's coast.

The Hong Kong Economic, Trade and Cultural Office in Taipei has suspended its operations

The European Commission has adopted a "Communication on Business Taxation for the 21st century" aimed at promoting "a robust, efficient and fair business tax system" in the European Union.

The government has ordered Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) to submit an improvement plan within a week following supply shortages that have resulted in two large-scale power outages over the past week.

President Tsai Ing-wen says phase 2 clinical trials of locally developed coronavirus vaccines are nearly complete and doses are expected to be available by the end of July.

The government has taken delivery of 400,000 doses of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine from the global COVAX vaccine sharing programme. The vaccines were shipped from Amsterdam to Taoyuan International Airport.

The Central Epidemic Command Center says Taiwan is in talks with Stanford University to create a protocol for travellers that will help shorten the amount of time they have to stay in quarantine when they go abroad.

Jerry Fong is retiring after 23 years at the ECCT. During this time he has witnessed dramatic events and changes and made valuable contributions to the chamber's development

By H Henry Chang

The ECCT arranged a webinar on the topic of the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI), decoupling global supply chains and the challenges facing European business in China.

Air Liquide has completed the first phase of the construction of its planned 25 MW electrolysis hydrogen plants in the Tainan Technology Industrial Park.

The government has now banned entry to all foreign nationals into Taiwan, with some exceptions, as it seeks to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

GNSS.asia arranged an EU-Taiwan online workshop on GNSS for unmanned traffic management.

Crisis management through force majeure - Legal implications and advice for businesses

By H Henry Chang, Lai Chien-hung and Hong Hui-heng

The ECCT was invited to join a joint regional European chamber webinar featuring guest speaker Harald Schwager, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board of Evonik Industries.

The ECCT held a Premium Event lunch with Dr Lin Chia-lung, Minister of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC).

All schools in Taipei and New Taipei, from high schools down to kindergartens, will be suspended from 18-28 May.

Taiwan is once again closing its borders to foreigners, except legal residents.

Germany and France have jointly proposed a €500 billion recovery fund to be distributed to EU countries worst affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Taiwan-based contract semiconductor manufacturer Taiwan Semiconductor Company (TSMC) has declined to say whether it has stopped accepting purchase orders from Huawei.

Taiwan's Air Force Chief of Staff Huang Zhi-wei says the upgrade of 42 of its 141 F-16A/B fighter jets to F-16V variants has now been completed.

Taiwan's Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) says a much-anticipated travel bubble between Taiwan and Palau will open on 1 April, becoming the first of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region.

Taiwan's Ministry of the Interior is taking steps to ease restrictions on the opening of foreign non-profit organization (NPO) branch offices in Taiwan.

Taiwan's Health Minister Chen Shih-chung says the government plans to begin administering the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine next Monday at the earliest.

What do early moves by the Biden administration signal for future US-EU trade relations and where does that leave Taiwan?

By Brian Hioe

Government officials are responding to growing speculation about whether the Central Epidemic Command Center's (CECC) current coronavirus restrictions could be relaxed.

Dragon Boat weekend traditionally brings a surge in travel, as people head back to their family homes to celebrate, but, in the midst of the widespread domestic coronavirus outbreak, the government had repeatedly urged the public ahead of time not to travel, to reduce the chances for further spreading of the disease.

By Mike Jewell

Residents in Taiwan should soon be allowed to visit member states of the European Union (EU) for any reason after the regional bloc included Taiwan on its safe travel list on Friday.

The government is set to officially authorize private companies to purchase vaccines on its behalf.

Whether you are managing the immediate crisis, stabilizing operations or looking beyond to what a world after COVID-19 will look like, this series features key practical insights intended to strengthen your organization's capacity to respond, recover and thrive.

The nation's on-going ban on international visitors continues to impact guest residences to different degrees

By Douglas Habecker

Education Minister Pan Wen-chung says more than 2,000 foreign students from 11 countries and areas, who are graduating this year, will be allowed to return to Taiwan soon.

Health Minister Chen Shih-chung says business travellers arriving from certain countries will be allowed to apply to shorten the length of their mandatory 14-day quarantine upon entering Taiwan, starting from 22 June.

The ECCT's Technology committee hosted a webinar on the subject "The day after the coronavirus crisis - Multidisciplinary and comparative research on corona exit strategies" with guest speaker Professor Deborah Shmueli from the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at the University of Haifa in Israel.

The Ministry of Labour (MOL) is beginning labour inspections in the logistics industry.

Representatives of teacher groups are demanding that the government raise their salaries.

Vaccine nationalism in Taiwan touches on conflicted identity issues

By Brian Hioe

The Financial Supervisory Commission says eighteen local banks are now offering bilingual services at their branches.

The cabinet says a proposal for the establishment of a Ministry of Digital Development will be submitted to the legislature during the current plenary session, which runs from February until May.

Tech companies are bracing themselves for an overhaul of internet rules later this year by EU regulators that are aimed at clarifying rules drafted two decades ago on illegal content, disinformation and advertising transparency. While Facebook founder and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, has called for more regulation of big tech companies like Facebook, EU regulators have rejected Facebook's most recent proposals for how online content should be regulated, warning that the social media company will have to assume more responsibility for illegal material on its platforms.

In lieu of diplomatic relations, Taiwan pursues artistic ones, transforming arts and culture into the next big export

By Joanna Lee

The European Commission has published recommendations by a group of experts on how to transform the EU’s energy-intensive industries so they help reach EU-wide objectives for a circular and climate-neutral economy by 2050. These objectives were put forward in the Commission’s A Clean Planet for All strategy in November 2018.

Premier Su Tseng-chang says Taiwan will not collapse like Afghanistan in the event of a Chinese invasion and Beijing should not be "deluded" into thinking that it can easily take the island.

MOFA says vaccination proof is not always required when travelling to other countries.

Two Taiwan airlines are joining an international travel pass trial programme.

The Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER) has cut its forecast for Taiwan's gross domestic product (GDP) for 2020 to 1.03% to account for the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The European Parliament has adopted a resolution urging the European Union to negotiate a Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA) with Taiwan

Listen in to a discussion and analysis of the important stories that affected Taiwan over the past seven days.

Health, innovation and convenience are the key themes for success

By Mike Jewell

The Judicial Yuan has started seminars in preparation for a new jury system that involves ordinary citizens.

Lawmakers from the Legislative Internal Affairs Committee are moving to freeze some of the government's budget for the issuance of the new eID cards.

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) has announced subsidies for electric long-haul buses.

Courtesy of ICRT Taiwan's Council of Agriculture (COA) is assuring the public that there are ample supplies in aquatic products and agricultural produce that can be ordered online.

The Taiwan government has rolled out a slew of coronavirus control measures for medical institutions due to the surge in domestic infections.

Health Minister Chen Shih-chung says more vaccines should be arriving in Taiwan soon, although he did not provide a precise date.

The European Commission is proposing to create a Digital Green Certificate to facilitate safe free movement inside the EU during the Covid-19 pandemic. According to a press release on the EU's official website, Europa, the Digital Green Certificate will be a proof that a person has been vaccinated against Covid-19, received a negative test result or recovered from Covid-19.

The ECCT's Technology committee hosted a webinar on the topic of "Covid-19 vaccination practice: Lessons from Israel" featuring guest speaker Dr Manfred Green, Professor of Public Health at the University of Haifa in Israel.

Cheap oil and Covid-19 could slow down EV roll-out and airline upgrades

By Duncan Levine

Nearly 90-percent of German businesses in Taiwan say they are pleased with the island's anti-coronavirus efforts.

Taiwan's Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) reported 170 new coronavirus cases and 18 deaths yesterday, marking the fourth consecutive day that Taiwan has seen fewer than 200 new cases.

Taiwan's tourism sector says demand for US-bound flights is soaring and pushing up ticket prices to most destinations in North America.

Some thoughts on attempting to translate 1,200-year-old poetry. The writer's translation of a jueju poem by Du Fu during China's Tang dynasty was recently accepted for publication by a UK-based online poetry magazine. Here, he explains some of the considerations behind his adaptation.

By Mark Caltonhill

Taiwan's export value in May 2021 was US$37.41 billion, an increase of 38.6% compared to May 2020, according to a summary of trade statistics released by the Bureau of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

The government has notified member economies of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership that Taiwan is seeking to join the regional trade deal.

Representatives of foreign chambers are praising the government's decision to change the numbering system of Alien Resident Certificates and Alien Permanent Resident Certificates.

The Central Epidemic Command Center is indefinitely suspending entry to all Indonesian migrant workers amid concerns Jakarta is unable to improve the accuracy of its coronavirus test results.

The Fisheries Agency (under the Council of Agriculture) is questioning why Taiwan has been listed as one of the countries engaging in illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in a new report by the US government.

The cabinet says the upcoming round of government stimulus vouchers will not require an upfront payment - meaning the NT$5,000 in vouchers will be issued to residents free of charge.

The Taipei European School is set to reopen for the new semester on 23 August.

Health Minister Chen Shih-chung says over 300,000 people have made appointments to get the locally produced Medigen coronavirus vaccine next week.

The European Commission has reached a first agreement with the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca to purchase a potential vaccine against Covid-19 as well as to donate to lower and middle income countries or redirect to other European countries, according to a press release on the EU's official website, Europa.

Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy has officially inaugurated the company’s first offshore nacelle assembly facility outside of Europe

Restaurants in New Taipei will be allowed to resume dine-in services from today, while public sports and amusement venues in the city are also reopening.

Education Minister Pan Wen-zhong says some 93% of students aged between 12 and 18 are expressing a willingness to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.

As the coronavirus outbreaks appear to be under control, health minister Chen Shih-chung says more easings of restrictions may be coming.

Foreigners wait for Taiwan to reopen its doors

By Douglas Habecker

Economics Minister Wang Mei-hua says the government will continue efforts to join a free trade agreement involving Japan and 10 other Asia Pacific countries, in an effort to cushion the impact of the just signed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Taichung City's Green Line, the city's first metro rail (MRT) route, has finally become operational after years of delay.

Taiwan's front-line workers are getting ready for the first wave of AstraZeneca vaccines.

Facing a water shortage crisis, the Water Resources Agency says it is planning to invest some NT$160 billion over the next several years to secure water supply.

Following Italy's move to lock down the whole country in an effort to contain the spread of Covid-19, over the weekend the German government joined a host of other countries in announcing that it will shut its borders with Austria, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg and Denmark.

MOFA is thanking top US and EU officials for their statements in support of Taiwan.

Over a million people have applied for childcare subsidies already.

The EU and the US have committed to continuing to support the COVAX Facility and encourage more donors to make two billion vaccine doses available worldwide by late 2021.

EU member states, with the support of the European Commission, have agreed on a set of technical specifications to ensure a safe exchange of information between national contact tracing apps based on a decentralised architecture, according to a press release on the EU's Europa website.

Sanofi has detailed plans on how the company will make significant investments in France to increase its vaccines research and production capacities, and contribute in responding to future pandemic risks.

Euroview is taking a break for the summer. No new articles will be added and news updates will be limited until mid-August. 

Taiwan's Ocean Affairs Council has ambitious plans and resources to stop pollution and clean up Taiwan's surrounding oceans

By Duncan Levine

It is not the Grinch who will steal Christmas in Europe this year but the Covid-19 pandemic as a new wave of infections has prompted governments across Europe to impose restrictions on gatherings.

The EU has announced a new EU cybersecurity strategy and new rules aimed to make physical and digital critical entities more resilient.

From 'Covid refugees' to 'overseas turtles', can Taiwan seize its sudden pandemic 'brain gain'?

By Joanna Lee

President Tsai Ing-wen has met with members of an American delegation at the Presidential Office, during which she reiterated Taiwan's willingness to work with the US to preserve peace and stability in the region.

Premier Su Tseng-chang has approved the resignation of transport Minister Lin Chia-lung.

Taiwan's cabinet has approved a draft amendment to a foreign talent act as part of government efforts to relax regulations governing foreign professionals in the country will attract more such talent.

The job market in Taiwan is being driven by technology as the pace of digital transformation is accelerated across sectors in the wake of the pandemic, according to the first-ever fully digital Salary Survey 2021 by Robert Walters, co-launched together with the ECCT at a Premium Event lunch.

While there are some exciting and valuable new platforms, tools and materials available, online learning is not going to replace the traditional classroom

By Duncan Levine

Taiwan's Academia Sinica has announced licensing opportunities for rapid screening of the Covid-19 virus antigen.

Taiwan's Legislative Yuan has established an ad hoc committee tasked with revising Taiwan's constitution.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) is keeping the basic electricity rate at the current price of NT$2.6253 per kilowatt-hour.

With the creative industries hard-hit, Taiwan's artists are rethinking their practice and reimagining their futures

By Joanna Lee

At the event co-hosted with ICRT, guest panellists discussed the outlook for the forthcoming presidential and legislative elections on January 2020.

Despite its limitations, the European Union has been an outstanding success story and delivered exceptional value to its citizens and the world

By Duncan Levine

The European Commission has adopted the first strategic plan for “Horizon Europe”, the new EU research and innovation programme worth €95.5 billion in current prices.

Just a week after announcing an emergency 50 basis point rate cut, the US Federal Reserve cut rates today by a further full percentage point to a range of 0-0.25%.

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) says it will allocate 10% more Covid-19 vaccines to Taipei and New Taipei.

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) reported fewer than 200 new coronavirus cases for the second consecutive day yesterday for the first time since 15 May.

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) is tightening quarantine regulations for flight crew members who have not received a coronavirus vaccination and mandating antibody tests for those who are fully vaccinated.

The ECCT arranged a webinar with Dr Roy Lee, Senior Deputy Executive Director of the Taiwan WTO and RTA Center at the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER).

The government has suspended a plan to cap the amounts patients pay out-of-pocket for certain special medical devices. The move follows strong opposition from the medical sector.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has announced that foreigners in Taiwan will be allowed to remain in the country for another 30 days.

The European Commission, in cooperation with the President of the European Council, has announced a European roadmap to phase-out the containment measures due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Dr Sabine Lutz, responsible for Group Research, Sustainability & RD functions at Mercedes-Benz gave a presentation in a webinar on the topic "Sustainability, technology, and innovation: on the way to a carbon-neutral and digital future".

The Ministry of Labour says women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are still banned from working shifts late at night or in the early morning hours, even though women who don't fall into these categories are now allowed to do so without restrictions.

The government is partially lifting an entry ban on foreign spouses of Taiwanese citizens and their underage children with immediate effect.

​​​​​​​The Tourism Bureau is extending quarantine hotel subsidies until the end of the year.

Immigration officials are once again allowing foreigners to stay in Taiwan longer due to coronavirus travel restrictions.

The Taipei City government has launched a public electric motorcycle share scheme, offering discounted rental rates to holders of MRT monthly passes.

The National Immigration Agency (NIA) is urging foreigners with the new ARC cards to file their taxes early.

President Tsai Ing-wen says a locally-developed coronavirus vaccine is expected to be available in the coming months.

The Ministry of Education is ready to allocate NT$100 million this year for developing international education at the elementary, junior high and high school level.

Premier Su Tseng-chang led the cabinet to resign en masse earlier today ahead of President Tsai Ing-wen's 20 May inauguration.

The ECCT hosted a Special Lunch examining the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Taiwan’s economy.

ECCT directors give their insights on the business and economic trends to watch in the year ahead

By Duncan Levine

The EPA is planning to offer cup rentals on outlying islands to cut down on waste.

The National Immigration Agency has again extended the duration of stay for foreigners who arrived in Taiwan before 21 March.

The Council of Agriculture is downplaying concerns about a looming food shortage.

A new report finds that this year's average annual bonus is at its lowest in nine years.

Taiwan's cabinet has passed a proposed amendment to the Civil Code to lower the legal age of majority to 18 from 20.

Taiwan has signed a new deal on organic foods with the US and Canada.

Taiwan's Directorate General of Budget, Accounting & Statistics (DGBAS) has cut its official 2020 forecast for Taiwan's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 0.11 percentage points to 1.56%, following lower than expected growth in the first half of 2020.

China Airlines has cancelled its scheduled 17 April flight to Palau under the bilateral "travel bubble" due to low demand.

New e-book by Robert Walters

The Ministry of Labour has announced the government is providing 10,000 part-time positions for workers affected by the coronavirus pandemic and up to 50,000 more jobs will be made available in the future.

Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has revealed more details about mask donations to Europe.

As part of BASF's "Helping Hands" campaign in the fight against the corona pandemic, BASF is donating 100 million protective masks to the Federal Republic of Germany.

Premier Su has agreed that relaxing border restrictions that are currently keeping foreign spouses and family members apart is a humanitarian issue

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised its forecast for Taiwan's gross domestic product (GDP) for 2020, on the grounds that Taiwan is performing better than most other countries at dealing with the health and economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Premier Su Tseng-chang has announced that all permanent foreign residents holding Alien Permanent Residence Cards (APRCs) and diplomats will soon be eligible for the government’s so-called “triple stimulus” consumer vouchers.

As concerns over domestic coronavirus infections rise, the vaccination rate is going up quickly.

Health Minister Chen Shih-chung says the Central Epidemic Command Center will implement a six-point plan to curb the recent rise in domestic coronavirus cases.

European representatives in Taiwan give their views on the state of the European Union 70 years on from the Schuman Declaration

The Taiwan government's tax revenues have continued to rise despite the hit to the economy from the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Mobile payments in Taiwan have hit a new high.

Transport Minister Lin Chia-lung says the first trial tour groups could make the rounds in Taiwan as soon as the end of May.

The ECCT, in conjunction with ICRT, hosted a lunch on the topic "Dealing with the coronavirus outbreak - Precautions and contingencies for business".

In the absence of a vaccine or definitive treatment, authorities are focusing on containment while individuals should focus on their personal hygiene and staying healthy

By Duncan Levine

Yang Ming-chou, a Kaohsiung City Government counsellor, took the helm today as the acting mayor of the city to fill the void left by Han Kuo-yu, who was recalled in a vote last week.

One of the world's biggest computer and technology trade shows - Computex - has been cancelled amid fears over the continuing spread of Covid-19 in other parts of the world.

Archaeologists' contributions to the ongoing debate

By Mark Caltonhill

Taiwan has made respectable improvements in its battle against corruption, rising from a ranking of 36 out of 177 in the 2013 Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index to 28 in 2019.

The cabinet says it plans to amend the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals. The bill is currently slated to take effect on 1 January 2023.

The National Immigration Agency has once again extended the term of stay for visitors in Taiwan who arrived before 21 March last year.

TSMC's Executive Chairman has expressed confidence that direct foreign investment can consolidate economic competitiveness.

Several industry heavyweights will be taking part in this year's Computex.

The ECCT was the co-organiser of the three-day 2020 Global Offshore Wind Summit Taiwan - Virtual together with the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC).

While we are living in a VUCA world, the global economy is still growing at a reasonable rate of around 3%, powered by the United States and is now in the longest expansionary period on record (since June 2009), although it is weakening.

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) on Tuesday raised its local transmission stage warning to level 2 and announced a ban on large-scale gatherings as it tightened Covid-19 prevention measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus amid an increase in domestically transmitted cases in recent weeks.

The European Commission has adopted the EU Action Plan: "Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil" – a key deliverable of the European Green Deal.

The ECCT hosted a webinar on the role of ventilators in the Covid-19 pandemic, covering the medical use of ventilators as well as the business of the ventilator market.

Taiwan's Minister of Labour Hsu Ming-chun says officials from Taiwan and Indonesia are scheduled to hold a fresh round of talks later this month in a bid to resolve a dispute over Jakarta's pending policy on placement fees for its migrant workers.

The Cabinet has approved a draft amendment to the Income Tax Act aimed at curbing short-term real estate speculation.

The ECCT's Technology committee hosted a webinar in cooperation with the Swedish Chamber of Commerce Taipei and AmCham on the topic “The future enterprise: digitalisation, dematerialization, sustainability, global workforce”.

Taiwan's Central Epidemic Command Center has issued Level 2 travel alerts for 10 European and Mid-East countries due to the spread of the coronavirus.

The successful recall of Han Kuo-yu illustrates a robust democratic system and an engaged populous but there are risks of future misuse of the recall mechanism and an over-concentration of political power

By Duncan Levine

The Taiwan government’s Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) has officially cut its forecast for gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2020 to 2.37% in 2020, a downgrade from its earlier forecast of 2.72% made in November 2019, on fears that the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (Covid-19) will have an impact on both the domestic and international economy.

The European Council has endorsed a binding EU target of a net domestic reduction of at least 55% in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.

Athletes and organisers made the best of extraordinarily difficult circumstances to deliver an outstanding performance at the Tokyo 2020 (2021) Olympics. They demonstrated why the games are important and offer some valuable lessons for hosting future events.

By Duncan Levine

The Ministry of Finance (MOF) says NT$567.3 billion in tax revenue was collected last month.

The Ministry of Labour (MOL) says it's extending a subsidy programme that offers a one-time payment of NT$10,000 to designated workers who have lost at least 20% of their income due to the recent domestic coronavirus outbreak.

Health Minister Chen Shih-chung says the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) will begin administering Medigen's locally-produced coronavirus vaccine on 23 August.

Education Minister Pan Wen-chung says some 13,000 foreign students will be granted visas to travel to Taiwan before the new school year begins next month

The delicate balancing act between free speech and security concerns is complicated by Taiwan's political spectrum

By Brian Hioe

The ECCT hosted the 2020 ECCT EU-Taiwan telecom forum for the sixth time since 2009 with the theme of “5G - Opportunities and challenges in the new decade”.

The ECCT's 2021 Position Papers were officially released at a Premium Event lunch.

The Taipei European School (TES) has reported the successful completion of a summer vacation programme aimed at helping senior students get their first experience of working in the real world.

Mobile apps highlight changing behaviour during the pandemic

By Mike Jewell

Cultured meat has the potential to reduce the environmental impact of meat compared to animal farming, but the lack of a regulatory framework and economies of scale mean that it may take some time before it becomes commercially viable.

By Duncan Levine

Average regular monthly earnings of full-time employees with Taiwanese nationality (excluding the foreigners and part-time employees) was NT$45,423 in April (the latest figures available), representing an increase of 2.77% from the same month in 2019.

Local drug maker, Medigen, says it is seeking an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for its coronavirus vaccine candidate after its Phase II clinical trials showed promising results.

To jab or not to jab, that is the question

By Mike Jewell

Taiwan's domestic carriers have been bleeding cash and reeling from the coronavirus pandemic.

Major travel agencies saw revenues plunge even further in May as border shutdowns continued.

The government is set to issue agriculture and culture stimulus vouchers later this month.

Far EasTone has become the island's second telecom operator to receive a fifth generation mobile telecommunications (5G) license.

In November 2020, the average regular salaries/wages of full-time employees with Taiwan nationality (excluding the foreigners and part-time employees) was NT$44,926, an increase of 1.37% from the same month in 2019, according to a report by the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting & Statistics (DGBAS).

Tsai Ing-wen wins second term
Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen has secured a second term after sweeping to victory in an election dominated by the island's relationship with China. Tsai secured just over 57% of the ballot, which was a record 8.2m votes, well ahead of her rival Han Kuo-yu from the opposition Kuomintang party (KMT).

With the worst outbreak of a communicable disease for a century creating headlines around the world, the efforts of Taiwan's agency tasked with preventing non-communicable diseases has continued its work largely out of the limelight.

By Mark Caltonhill

As students head back to school this month, it might not be 'business as usual' just yet

By Joanna Lee

Taiwan's cabinet has approved a proposal to allocate an additional NT$160 billion in funding for coronavirus relief and prevention.

The Central Epidemic Command Center has placed Hong Kong back on its list of regions from which business travellers can apply for shorter quarantine periods on their arrival in Taiwan.

A Covid-19 vaccine being developed by Pfizer of the United States and Germany's BioNTech has been found to be more than 90% effective, according to new independent analysis.

Premier Su Tseng-chang is dismissing speculation the government could consider activating the 4th Nuclear Power Plant to produce electricity.

Global stock markets yesterday added to losses accumulated over the past two weeks following a massive drop in global oil prices. The dramatic drops were attributed to growing fears over the impact on global oil market demand and the overall economy from the coronavirus.

Italian authorities have extended emergency measures to cover the entire country in an attempt to stop the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (Covid-19).

The Ministry of Labour has announced that the period of time for which workers who take unpaid leave can claim financial relief has been increased from 12 to 24 months.

South Korea says it will seek to accelerate talks on quarantine-free travel bubble agreements with several countries, including Taiwan.

The Central Epidemic Command Center says it will soon be administering the 1.24 million shots of AstraZeneca vaccine received last week from Japan.

Taiwan's Ministry of Finance (MOF) reported that total net tax revenue was NT$293.2 billion in May.

A poll by TVBS shows that 86% of respondents are willing to get vaccinated against coronavirus, nearly double the number in an early April survey.

The ECCT's Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Enhancement committees jointly hosted a lunch on the topic "Sustainability of Taiwan's national health insurance system - challenges and opportunities" featuring guest speaker Dr Donald TF Shang, Director-General of the Department of Social Insurance, under the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW).

Taiwan's court system offers some good options for rights holders to enforce their intellectual property rights. This article offers some background and pointers to follow.

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) is extending its level 2 coronavirus alert for another two weeks, but swimming pools and national parks will be allowed to conditionally re-open from today.

Taiwan's total exports rose 34.7% year-on-year in July to reach US$37.95 billion, the highest ever figure for a single month, according to data released by the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

The coronavirus pandemic has given companies and employees a mandatory crash course in remote working, offering valuable insights and best practices

By Duncan Levine

The New Taipei City government has banned all on-site dining from today following confirmation that coronavirus cluster cases in the Banqiao District are of the Delta variant. The ban will remain in effect for one week.

The Transitional Justice Commission has announced the outline of a plan for the transformation of National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei

Health Minister Chen Shih-chung says the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) currently has no plans to elevate the nationwide level 2 coronavirus alert

Taiwan's tax revenue in the first eight months of 2021 reached nearly NT$2 trillion, according to a news release by the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

The Ministry of Finance has reported that Taiwan's exports in October rose by 11.2% year-on-year to reach US$32.2 billion.

Reflections on the state of the European Union 70 years since the Schuman Declaration from the head of the European Economic and Trade Office in Taiwan

Taiwan's exports in the month of April shrank 1.3% year-on-year to US$25.24 billion, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

The Water Resources Agency says water levels in six reservoirs have fallen to below 20% of capacity and recent days of rainfall have done little to help alleviate the problem.

Taiwan's consumer price index (CPI) rose 1.37% in February compared to a year earlier, according to a report by the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS).

As the number of people infected by the 2019 novel coronavirus (Covid-19) continues to rise all across the globe, employers are facing a number of challenges. This article takes a look at the legal obligations and offers some advice to employers.

Academia Sinica, Taiwan's national research academy, says it has synthesized monoclonal antibodies that are able to identify the protein of the virus that causes Covid-19.

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have completed the legislative work on the EU digital Covid Certificate package to facilitate travel within the EU and contribute to the economic recovery.

Taiwan's passport has ranked joint 31st on a list of the world's most powerful passports, according to the Henley Passport Index for the third quarter of 2021.

A new online system for scheduling coronavirus vaccine appointments has begun accepting registrations from eligible recipients nationwide.

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) is extending its nationwide level 3 coronavirus alert, but easing some regulations to allow more social activities.

The ECCT's Planet-Friendly Eating & Living (PEL) Platform hosted a lunch on the topic "Medical innovations and insights on obesity - Advice on diet, lifestyle and the science of sleep".

The Ministry of Culture says a new coronavirus relief programme offering subsidies of up to NT$2.5 million to arts and cultural groups will be launched in the coming weeks.

People will soon be able to get the locally-produced coronavirus vaccine.

President Tsai Ing-wen is calling on government agencies to fast-track disaster relief efforts in areas affected by the recent heavy rains.

Seismic shifts are taking place in how work gets done, but can society handle them and how will Taiwan adapt?

By Mike Jewell

Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) made a compelling case for investing in his city to European investors at the EC CT's first Premium Event lunch with the mayor since he took office last year.

Taiwan's lawmakers have passed amendments meant to curb real estate speculation.

The ECCT's Technology committee hosted a webinar on the subject of "Working From Home - Best practice and how to prepare your business" featuring host and presenter Thomas Kuiper, General Manager of Gandi.net.

President Tsai Ing-wen has invited World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to visit Taiwan.

The Ministry of Labour has announced an official minimum wage hike.

Taiwan's convenience store operators continue to innovate and increase the number and range of products and services to their customers

By Mike Jewell

Taiwan's consumer prices fell for the eighth straight month in September compared to the same month in 2019.

The full-day forum was arranged by the ECCT's Mobility committee in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Affairs' (EPA), the Ministry of transportation and Communication (MOTC) and the European Economic and Trade Office (EETO). The purpose of the forum was to offer international insights and best practices on topics that are crucial to the future development of NEVs, namely, policies, charging infrastructure and business models. At the event opening re-marks were made by the guests of honour. This was followed by three sessions featuring senior officials and industry experts from Europe and Taiwan. Each session was concluded with a panel discussion in which all speakers from the session PARTICIPATED THE MORNING SESSION FOCUSED ON THE TOPIC "POLICIES, SUCCESSFUL CASES and challenges" while the two afternoon sessions focused on "Charging infra-structure and business models".

President Tsai Ing-wen has taken to Twitter to congratulate Joe Biden on winning the U-S presidential election.

Zhang Congyuan, founder of contract shoe maker Huali Industrial, has taken the title as the richest person in Taiwan, with a net worth of US$13.8 billion, according to Taiwan's Richest 2021 list released by Forbes magazine.

Clarins Taiwan prepared more than 1,100 caring sets for Taiwan's heroic healthcare professionals, showing our gratitude and also demonstrating positive energy during the unprecedented time.

Ahead of International Women's Day, the European Commission published its 2021 report on gender equality in the EU, that shows the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on women.

Premier Su Tseng-chang says the government is ready for a large-scale inoculation campaign.

Taiwan's official Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 1.89% year-on-year in June.

Taiwan's total exports surged by 35.1% year-on-year to reach US$36.65 billion in June while total imports rose by 42.3% from a year earlier to US$31.51 billion.

Ørsted and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) have signed a corporate power purchase agreement (CPPA).

In her interview with Euroview, TÜV Rheinland Taiwan's new Managing Director Jennifer Wang spoke about her desire to promote environmental protection, increase diversity, and bring a dose of youthful dynamism to local operations

In December 2020, Taiwan's total exports expanded 12% year-on-year to US$33.00 billion while total imports rose by 0.9% from a year earlier to US$27.24 billion, according to report from the Ministry of Finance, resulting in a trade balance of US$5.76 billion.

The EPA is getting ready to introduce stricter controls on industrial emissions.

Taiwan's consumer price index rose 1.26% in March 2021, compared with the same month of 2020.

Private individuals may soon be able to get the coronavirus vaccine.

Taiwan's government will soon be offering preferential short-term loans to individuals who have suffered losses of income due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Taiwan's cabinet has banned government agencies from using the popular video-conferencing software Zoom.

ECCT members are working together with the European Economic and Trade Office (EETO), EU Member State representative offices, local partners and Taiwan authorities in the process to procure and ship medical supplies and equipment to Europe that are urgently-needed to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic.

Education Minister Pan Wen-chung says the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) will begin the vaccination of some 1.25 million 12-17 years olds with the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine on 23 September.

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) is extending its current level 2 coronavirus alert until at least September 20 due to the continuing confirmation of domestically transmitted cases with unknown sources of origin.

Taiwanese lawmakers have established a constitutional reform committee.

Members of the European parliament voted in favour of backing an EU-wide 2030 emissions reduction target of 60% (compared to 1990 levels).

The Presidential Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are expressing their gratitude to the G7 foreign ministers for a statement voicing support for Taiwan's inclusion in the annual World Health Assembly.

Taiwan's total exports expanded 38.7% year-on-year to reach US$34.96 billion in April, according to a report from the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

The Central Epidemic Command Center says Taiwan's Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) will be allowed to open its stadiums to 1,000 fans from tomorrow.

Taiwan's core inflation rate decreased in April, according to an official press release yesterday by the Directorate General of Budget Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS).

A realistic understanding of the Taiwanese healthcare system's positives and negatives remains essential for international patients

By Douglas Habecker

European Chambers of Commerce around the world that are members of the European Business Organisations Worldwide Network (EBO WWN) recently surveyed their members to gauge the economic impact of Covid-19 in their respective countries.

Taiwan's official Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) came in at 63.2 in February, according to data released by the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER).

Taiwan's Central Epidemic Command Center says shopping time at traditional markets will be limited to one hour in order to avoid overcrowding.

Taiwan's top trade negotiator is calling for the elimination of trade restrictions to speed up the flow of coronavirus vaccines.

Premier Su Tseng-chang says vaccines donated by Japan will go first to the elderly and those who are immunocompromised.

The cabinet has approved a policy plan on prenatal care, infertility treatment and parental leave as part of its efforts to tackle Taiwan's low fertility rate.

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) has lifted some of its restrictions on large gatherings, social distancing and the need for face masks, after reporting no new locally-transmitted coronavirus cases for 56 consecutive days.

Like 59 other countries that aim to reach net zero emissions by 2050, Taiwan will face challenges

By Tim Ferry

​​​The Central Epidemic Command Center says it hopes to expand its coronavirus vaccination programme after 1.75-million more AstraZeneca vaccine doses arrive in two shipments this week.

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) today reported 40 new cases of Covid-19, all but one of which were domestic infections, marking the 13th consecutive day that the number of new cases has been below 100.

Taiwan's total exports contracted 3.8% year on year in June to US$27.13 billion compared to the same month in 2019 while total imports fell 8.6% from a year earlier to US$22.29 billion.

Taiwan's Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 0.06% in December 2020, compared with the same month in 2019.

Taiwan's exports fell 7.6% year-on-year (yoy) in January 2020, breaking a two-month rising streak, according to figures released by the Ministry of Finance (MOF). The drop can be attributed to a reduced number of working days due to the long Lunar New Year holiday that fell in January this year. Imports for January were down 17.7% from a year earlier.

Taiwan's central bank has tightened credit controls for real-estate financing in an attempt to reign in speculation in Taiwan’s real estate market.

Taiwan exported products worth US$31.99 billion in November, up 12% from the same month in 2019, according to data released by the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

​​​​​​​Taiwan's exports in July expanded 0.4% year-on-year to US$28.20 billion while imports fell 6.8% from a year earlier to US$22.83 billion, according to a News Release from the Ministry of Finance.

The Chinese National Federation of Industries (CNFI) is warning that large numbers of Taiwanese businesses in China are facing financial problems because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Taiwan's Minister of Interior Hsu Kuo-yung says the government will begin issuing new electronic I-D cards nationally in the middle of next year following trial runs in certain locations.

A new generation of Taiwan university interns gains international experience and skills

By Douglas Habecker

Three Taiwanese athletes are in Tokyo this week to compete in an event that could boost their chances of participation in the Summer Olympic Games.

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) says people who receive the coronavirus vaccine here in Taiwan will be entitled to take two days off work.

Taiwan's health minister Chen Shih-chung says the government has now granted authorisation for emergency use of the Moderna coronavirus vaccine.

Taiwan’s official Consumer Price Index (CPI) in April 2021 increased by 2.09% compared with the same month of 2020. According to a news release by the Directorate General of Budget Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS), the rise was main attributed to the increase in fuels and lubricants, up 47.95% due to a relatively lower comparison base, while the index for transportation fees rose 14.75% due to the increase in airfares, and indices for eggs and vegetables also rose 5.52% and 4.95%, respectively.

DEKRA provides 5G testing and certification value-added solutions to the ICT supply chain

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it will start a third round of mask donations soon, giving more than seven million surgical face masks to countries to help with their response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The EU has revised down its official growth forecast for 2020 to account for the drop in economic activity from the coronavirus pandemic.

The outbreak of Covid-19 is testing how well businesses are prepared to deal with disruptions to their operations

By Duncan Levine

Taiwan's Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has released a series of guidelines for the hosting of large events, which are defined as those being attended by at least 1,000 people.

The ECCT held a productive working meeting with Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan and senior officials from the Taoyuan City Government at Taoyuan City Hall.

Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu was successfully recalled today in a vote held today.

The ECCT's Low Carbon Initiative (LCI) jointly arranged the second in a series of workshops with Taiwan Power Company (TPC) on the topic: "Advanced hydrogen technologies & applications".

Renewable energy certificates generate opportunities in Taiwan's renewable energy sector

By Tim Ferry

Tourists who took the inaugural "travel bubble" flight from Taiwan to Palau have returned to Taiwan.

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) says it plans to file a lawsuit demanding compensation from the truck driver and contractor suspected of being responsible for last Friday's deadly train crash, which resulted in the death of 50 people.

Soft drink stores need to be more specific about the sugar and calories for their products in the future.

Manufacturing activity in Taiwan expanded in September for the third consecutive month. According to a report by the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER), Taiwan's official Purchasing Manager's Index (PMI) rose by 1.7 points to 57.7, driven in part by the launch of new smartphones and automobiles.

The ECCT hosted a Premium Event lunch with the Taitung County Magistrate April Yao (Ching-ling).

Taiwan's official consumer price index (CPI) fell 0.24% in October, compared with the same month of 2019.

The European Commission has projected a contraction of 7.4% in GDP activity for the European Union in 2020.

The ECCT's 2020 Position Papers were officially released at a Premium Event lunch. 
A copy of the annual publication was officially handed over by ECCT Chairman Giuseppe Izzo to the Taiwan government, represented by Chen Mei-ling, Minister of the National Development Council (NDC). The event was also attended by around 100 guests, including board directors, committee chairpersons, European trade office representatives and other ECCT members. A summary of the main theme and overview were presented at the event by the chairman. Following the lunch, the papers were released to the media at a press conference, which was attended by around 30 journalists from print, television and online media groups.

The government says it will provide a one-time grant of NT$10,000 to people not enrolled in social insurance plans as well as to farmers and fishermen who have not qualified for other forms of financial aid.

Taiwan has been ranked the second freest country in Asia with a total score of 93 points in the latest edition of the "Freedom in the World" report by the US-based NGO, Freedom House. That ranking was the same as that of last year.

The Water Resources Agency says the Second Baoshan Reservoir has reached full capacity for the first time since 22 June of last year. The reservoir supplies water to the Hsinchu Science Park.

The Taoyuan International Airport Corporation says it will be expanding the number of coronavirus testing facilities this week as part of efforts to ensure that no cases of the coronavirus Delta variant enter Taiwan undetected.

The cabinet's Gender Equality Committee says a self-assessment shows that Taiwan ranks first in Asia and sixth worldwide in terms of gender equality.

Some may attempt to draw comparisons between the storming of the US Capitol to Taiwan's Sunflower Movement but there are stark differences and a recent court ruling reinforced Taiwan's protection of the right to civil disobedience.

Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) spokesman Zhuang Ren-xiang says Taiwan and other non-United Nations member countries will be allotted 1.3 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine in the first round of COVAX vaccine distribution.

ECCT members voted in new boards of directors and supervisors for 2020 at the 2019 Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Once again the ECCT was the first to kick off the festive season with its annual Christmas Lunch party. Over 100 ECCT members, colleagues, friends and families gathered for a lively celebration

A few encouraging signs exist for people wanting to further their careers. Many Taiwanese say they want to work overseas, as they believe bigger opportunities are available in other countries.More than 60% of Taiwanese said they are inclined to work overseas in 2020 as the country continues to face a serious brain drain due to its comparatively lower salary levels, recruitment experts said.

Taiwanese filmmaking, as is the case with Taiwanese democracy, makes advances, but there are growing pains

By Joanna Lee

Taiwan's healthcare system is admired the world over but faces big challenges as it moves into the "digital health" era. Market research is facilitating this development and is also changing in line with the environment in which it works

By Mike Jewell

Taiwan's official manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) expanded at the fastest rate since July 2012, to reach 68.7 in April, indicating continuing economic expansion for the next six months.

New Taipei City will start to gradually re-open shuttered public venues today.

Global survey: worried consumers are switching to non-contact options

By Mike Jewell

Taiwan's official manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) for April fell to 47.6, down sharply from 52.7 in the previous month, according to the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER).

Taiwan ranks the second freest country in Asia in the annual Freedom in the World report.

The European Commission has unveiled the "European Climate Law". According to the EU's official website, Europa, the proposed legislation would enshrine into law the EU's political commitment to be climate neutral by 2050, to protect the planet and its people.

Taiwan's cabinet has allocated an additional NT$79.2 billion in funding for the procurement and development of coronavirus vaccines.

The United States has announced that it plans to send 25 million coronavirus vaccine doses to countries around the world, including Taiwan, by the end of this month.

Taiwan's Directorate General of Budget Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) has raised its forecast for Taiwan’s full year 2021 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth to 5.46%.

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) says it plans to relax its coronavirus control measures on trains and domestic flights, as the disease continues to slow in Taiwan.

While the players and technology have evolved and the scale of data has increased exponentially, valuable insights still require strategic thinking by humans

By Mike Jewell

The ECCT hosted a Premium Event lunch on the topic "The EU's Covid-19 response - Actions to safeguard public health and support the economy" featuring guest speaker

Filip Grzegorzewski, Head of the European Economic and Trade Office in Taiwan.

The government says slow growth of Taiwan's workforce in 2020 can be attributed to the coronavirus pandemic and the country's low fertility rate.

The Ministry of Transport says national scenic areas and theme parks island wide will be observing government mandated capacity restrictions in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus during the Lunar New Year holiday.

Taiwan has jumped 20 places in the 2020 Democracy Index rankings to 11th place globally from 31st in 2019 and now ranks top in Asia - that, according to the latest report by the Economist Intelligence Unit.

Taiwan's social media environment has characteristics in common with western countries but also has some unique generational divisions and dynamics related to the generation and spreading of disinformation

By Brian Hioe

The ECCT held its Annual General Meeting to elect boards of directors and supervisors for 2021 (see below for full list).

The election of H Henry Chang marks an exciting milestone for the ECCT as it welcomes its first Taiwanese chairperson

Taiwan's Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for July rose back into positive territory for the first time in four months.

Taiwan received its first batch of 930,000 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine yesterday. A rollout is expected to begin as early as mid-September

The cabinet approved a draft bill on Thursday to establish a national development centre for Taiwan's 2030 bilingual goals

The European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday passed a report to enhance EU-Taiwan relations.

A new passport design has been revealed, with the reactions to the design split along party lines.

A rollercoaster of Covid-19 challenges, opportunities keeps local companies coasting

By Douglas Habecker

Due to a 0.6% decrease in energy consumption (including electricity consumption) in 2019 compared to 2018 and a 4.5% decrease in the electricity emission coefficient, Taiwan's CO2 emissions from fuel combustion fell 3.2% to 258.72 million metric tons in 2019.

The ECCT hosted a Premium Event lunch with Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan and senior Taoyuan City Government officials.

Health Minister Chen Shih-chung has confirmed that a total of 117,000 doses of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine have arrived in Taiwan.

Taiwan's official manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) rose by 1.4 points to 52.7 in February from the month before, according to the monthly survey conducted by the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER).

The ECCT hosted a lunch on the topic "Dealing with the coronavirus in China - Plans and contingencies of European businesses".

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) says it's preparing to set up thousands of community vaccination stations in the next few months, with the goal of administering one million doses of coronavirus vaccine per week.

Industry welcomes added capacity and local flexibility made possible under Taiwan's third round auction rules, but warns of lingering issues

By Tim Ferry

The ECCT's Wind Energy committee hosted a webinar featuring Lee Chun-li, Deputy Director-General of the Bureau of Energy (BOE), under the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA).

Carrefour, the France-based supermarket and hypermarket chain, has announced that it will acquire Wellcome Taiwan Co. Ltd, which operates supermarket chains Wellcome and Jasons Market Place in Taiwan.

Taiwanese legislators have passed amendments to the Act of Irrigation Association Organization, meaning the island's 17 irrigation associations will be combined into a new government body under the Council of Agriculture.

Taiwan's Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) is relaxing regulations regarding the timeframe for coronavirus testing of foreign nationals travelling to Taiwan.

The ECCT hosted the first of its Next Generation Business and Leaders Series Premium Events on the subject of Taiwan’s place and prospects in the digital era.

Researchers have found that the mortality rate of pneumonia and influenza in Taiwan dropped to the lowest level in a decade last year.

The ECCT's Low Carbon Initiative (LCI) cooperated with Taiwan Power Company (Taipower), to arrange the forum to discuss technologies and strategies to improve energy efficiency, renewable energy trading and corporate Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) in Taiwan. The forum featured two keynote speeches and two sessions on the topics of “Holistic energy saving strategy and efficiency programmes” and “Corporate renewable purchase agreement (PPA) structures and case studies”, featuring presentations by speakers from government and industry.

Foreign governments and political leaders are sending their condolences after a train crash in eastern Taiwan earlier in the day left at least 50 people dead and scores injured.

Taiwan's official manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) came in at 62.1 in August, according to a report by the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER)

Sometimes after I've finished working on a translation, or maybe just in a coffee-and-snack break, my attention will drift to one of the dictionaries open around me.

By Mark Caltonhill

Visiting Czech Senate President Milos Vystrcil has invited his Taiwanese counterpart to visit the Czech Parliament.

The opposition Kuomintang (KMT) is planning a referendum concerning the government's plan to open to more US meat imports, which was announced earlier in the week.

The ECCT's 2020 Europe Day Dinner was attended by over 600 distinguished guests including President Tsai Ying-wen, Filip Grzegorzewski, Head of the European Union's (EU) European Economic and Trade Office (EETO) in Taiwan, senior government officials and executives from European and Taiwanese companies.

Taiwan's official Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for October rose 1.6 from a month earlier to 59.3.

The Ministry of Labour reported that a group of labour funds managed by the Bureau of Labour Funds had suffered massive losses of more than NT$470 billion (US$15.67 billion) as of the end of March, when equity markets at home and abroad plunged amid an escalation of the Covid-19 pandemic.

A slew of events and activities scheduled to be held in Taiwan have been postponed or cancelled over fears of contagion from the 2019 novel coronavirus (Covid-19), including international shows, religious, school and sporting events.

Two Control Yuan members have started investigating the CECC's decision to loosen quarantine restrictions on airline pilots and crew.

Spokesperson for the Central Epidemic Command Center Zhuang Ren-xiang said it will announce adjustments to the country's vaccination priority list for long-term care facility workers within the next few days.

Healthcare and cosmetic chains will begin selling unrationed surgical masks this week. Prices will range from between NT$5-15.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says it's planning to rank countries based on their coronavirus risks, as the government seeks to determine how to allow travellers and tourists to return to Taiwan once the island's borders are re-opened.

Microsoft says Taiwan is one of five countries in the Asia Pacific region that have seen the largest percentage increase in ransomware attacks over the past 18 months.

Taiwan's official seasonally adjusted Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) remained in expansionary territory at 64 in June for the eighth consecutive month, although the rate of expansion has slowed for two consecutive months.

The Central Epidemic Command Center will be testing all arriving travellers for the coronavirus from today and they will also be required to test negative two more times before the end of their 14-day quarantine period.

Car sales in Taiwan for June 2021 plunged to a 12 year-low due to the pandemic but are higher than last year for the first six months of 2021.

Taiwan's official purchasing managers' index (PMI) came in at 47.2 in June, up 2.4 points from 44.8 in May, indicating an easing of the contraction in manufacturing activity, although still below the neutral level of 50, which would have indicated an expansion ahead.

Taiwan's official Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rose 3.8 points to 65.1 in January, according to a report by the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER).

​​​​​​​Taiwan's official Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) expanded for the fifth consecutive month in November, rising by 1.9 percentage points to 61.2, the fastest expansion rate since March 2017.

Book publications in Taiwan last year have hit a two-decade low.

Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has confirmed that a BBC correspondent working in China has relocated to Taiwan after facing threats.

Taiwan's official manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) reading came in at 62.7 in March, slightly lower than the previous month but remaining in expansionary territory for the ninth consecutive month and above 60 for the fifth consecutive month.

As Taiwan closes its borders to foreign nationals during the current global coronavirus outbreak, those hoping to put roots down in Taiwan have their plans upended, and face uncertain futures 

By Joanna Lee

Taiwan's official manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) rose by 1.4 points month-on-month to 52.7 in March, according to a report published on the website of the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER).

Several items sold by beverage chains have failed government inspections

Taiwan's labour funds had made good gains totalling NT$322 billion as of the end of July this year, putting the overall rate of return at 7%

Construction for the main building of Taoyuan International Airport's third terminal has finally begun

Health Minister Chen Shih-chung says, the rollout of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in Taiwan can begin as early as mid-September, after the first shipment arrives in the country today

Taiwan's official manufacturing purchasing manager's index (PMI) increased 1.9 percentage points to 56.0%, indicating growth in Taiwan's manufacturing sector for two consecutive months.

The European Commission has adopted a banking package to help facilitate bank lending to households and businesses throughout the European Union.

President Tsai Ing-wen is defending the development of domestic coronavirus vaccines - saying the government has tried its best to take delivery of 20 million doses ordered from overseas to ensure people here can be vaccinated.

Lawmakers have passed a draft amendment to increase the special budget supporting coronavirus economic relief measures from NT$420 billion to N840 billion.

New research shows the domestic coronavirus situation has hit the service industry hard.

Taiwan's manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) fell 2.8 points month-on-month to 44.8 in May, owing to the impact from the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report by the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER).

Migrant workers continue to face discriminatory treatment while the failure of many Taiwanese companies to enable remote working places employees at risk of infection

By Hilton Yip

Thailand is welcoming back international visitors from today to its famous southern resort island of Phuket without having to be cooped up in a hotel room for a 14-day quarantine but only if they're vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Taiwan's state-run power company, Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) says the No. 1 generator at its second nuclear power plant will be shut down for good and enter its decommissioning stage this evening.

A survey by the Taiwan Fund for Children and Families shows that the recent domestic coronavirus outbreak that has forced people to stay at home is affecting the relationships between parents and their children, with more than half of parents feeling negative emotions.

The Central Epidemic Command Center yesterday reported 56 new coronavirus cases, including a new case in a cluster infection caused by the Delta variant in Pingtung.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs says the production of Taiwanese enterprises in China for the US market has been affected by rising trade and technology tensions between Washington and Beijing.

How to understand reactions to Black Lives Matters in Taiwan

By Brian Hioe

The EU has named 14 countries whose citizens will be allowed to travel to the EU, despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Taiwan's national health insurance premium rate has been increased from the current level of 4.69% to 5.17%, effective from 1 January 2021.

The ECCT is pleased to welcome its newest member of staff. Li Kuo (first name Li, surname Kuo) has been hired as Committee Officer for the Wind Energy committee. In this role, as a dedicated staff member for the committee, Li will coordinate the committee's affairs, including arranging meetings with government, public events, visits and other activities for the committee.

The European Union says vaccine maker AstraZeneca has agreed to supply nine million additional doses to the 27-nation bloc during the first quarter.

The United Kingdom (UK) formally left the European Union (EU) at 23:00 GMT on 31 January 2020, almost three years since the UK government formally announced its intention to leave the EU, which followed a June 2016 referendum in which 52% of participants voted to leave.

The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) is getting ready to crack down on noisy vehicles.

All incoming travellers to Taiwan must now provide a negative coronavirus test. According to the new "Fall-Winter" regulations beginning today, all travellers to Taiwan, including Taiwanese citizens, must include a Covid-19 nucleic acid test before boarding their flight.

Despite facing difficulties such as language barriers, high staff turnover, problems with landlords and importing ingredients, many foreign restauranteurs enjoy great success in Taiwan

By Douglas Habecker

Bosch Taiwan motivates its associates to volunteer

By Bosch Taiwan