Screening programs and improved technology are boosting early detection, but the disease remains the top cause of cancer deaths in the country. The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) announced in July that a national government-funded screening program had discovered 531 cases of positive results for lung cancer among nearly 50,000 people in its first…
Without new policies such as greater use of technology and conscripted national service for women, maintaining an adequately sized military could become increasingly difficult. The impending transformation of Taiwan into a super-aged society by 2025, when at least 20% of its population will be aged 65 or above, is poised to usher in significant consequences…
The US$11 billion Dresden facility will boost Germany’s automotive chipmaking capabilities and give TSMC a foothold on the European continent. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) announced in August that it would build a US$11 billion fab in Germany, its first facility in Europe and third outside Taiwan and China. The fab will be constructed in…
While its unofficial ties with major democracies are paramount, Taiwan still values its remaining formal diplomatic relationships because they affirm its sovereignty. In July, Taiwan rolled out the red carpet for Paraguayan President-elect Santiago Peña, who visited the island democracy to reaffirm ties following his re-election. President Tsai Ing-wen and Vice President Lai Ching-te jointly…
Participation in international trade agreements, whether bilateral or multilateral, would benefit Taiwan’s economy and reduce its excessive dependency on China. But entry into some pacts is more likely to be feasible than others. In mid-April, China announced it would start investigating whether nearly 2,500 Taiwan export products conform to its fair-trade rules. The products to…
Market woes in China and geopolitical tensions have caused Taiwanese banks and other financial institutions to gradually draw down their cross-Strait exposure. In the first half of the 2010s, Taiwanese financial institutions viewed China as the most promising international market. They had few opportunities to expand in their saturated home market and hoped to boost…
In the wake of significant losses incurred by users of the collapsed FTX exchange, questions arise as to whether minimal regulation focused on preventing money laundering is still sufficient. Taiwan’s financial services sector is known for its conservatism, and its regulators for their caution. These factors usually help reduce financial risk and protect investors. But…
In light of rising tensions between China and the free world, resilience is becoming paramount, while a bifurcation of supply chains seems inevitable. Eyebrows were raised in December when Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) founder Morris Chang, speaking at the opening ceremony of the chipmaking giant’s Arizona fab, remarked that “free trade is almost dead…
Taiwan continues to play a leading role in Apple’s supply chain as the U.S. tech giant works to reduce overreliance on China manufacturing. Apple has long relied on manufacturing facilities in China operated by Taiwan’s Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. – better known as Foxconn – to produce the lion’s share of its flagship electronic…
During a visit to Taiwan in July, former U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper urged the island to extend its mandatory military conscription from four months to at least one year, citing the rising threat from China. The recommendation did not receive enthusiastic support in Taiwan, with scholars raising concerns about cost, insufficient manpower, and…
