One of the new government's biggest headaches has been labor-group dissatisfaction over proposed work-week and holiday policies. Photo: CNA

Senior government officials have cited Taiwan’s recent labor unrest as their biggest short-term economic problem, saying that continuing controversy could undermine investor confidence. Recent ruckuses in the Legislative Yuan suggest that an immediate solution is not in sight. In late October, Kuomintang (KMT) lawmakers sided with labor groups, waving placards and occupying the Speaker’s podium…

In both technological capabilities and local implementation, Taiwan is taking the lead in “smart city” development. On October 19, the think tank Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) announced that five communities in Taiwan were among the 21 recipients of the ICF Smart21 2017 awards. The prize recognizes communities that apply “information and communications technology (ICT) to create…

Third Quarter Brings Improved Results As discussed in this issue’s cover story, the Taiwan economy rebounded in the third quarter, registering a growth rate of 2.06% from the same period last year according to preliminary calculations. The improvement was attributed mainly to stronger exports of electronics products, particularly components related to the Apple iPhone 7….

RESOLUTE - KMT Chairwoman Hung Hsiu-chu has faced down criticism over her planned trip to China and stress on the "1992 Consensus" Photo: CNA

U.S. and Taiwan Hold TIFA Council Meeting In early October, U.S. and Taiwan trade authorities concluded the tenth Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) Council meeting under the pact designed to foster trade and investment ties between the two countries. Ambassador Robert Holleyman, Deputy United States Trade Representative, and Wang Mei-hua, Taiwan’s Vice Minister of…