Taiwan’s economy has demonstrated its resilience during the past two years of the pandemic, thanks to strong demand for the island’s exports. In the long term, however, some reforms to monetary policy are needed as Taiwan faces the dual challenges of a hot housing market and an aging population. While post-pandemic inflation continues to impact…
This school year, students in 85 selected Taiwanese elementary and junior high schools – an increase from 65 last year – are gaining exposure to English in courses aside from the usual language classes. In those schools, English is being used as a language of instruction in courses such as the arts, humanities, health, and…
The government has yet to include hydrogen in its renewable energy policies, but the private sector is already investing in this fast-growing area. The Star of Hope ferry carries up to 90 passengers several times a day across Sun Moon Lake, a routine journey made exceptional by the boat’s drive system: electric motors powered by…
Although hydrogen gas emits only water, it does not naturally exist in its pure form and must be generated from another hydrogen-carrying source – usually methane (CH4) – through a process called steam-methane reforming. Cheap and well-established, this process is also highly polluting, generating 10 tons of greenhouse gases for every ton of hydrogen. Hydrogen…
The numbering system used on foreign nationals’ alien resident certificates (ARCs) changed in January to match that of Taiwanese citizens’ IDs, removing a longstanding hindrance to carrying out everyday activities such as online banking, ticket booking, and registration for medical appointments. Before the change was made, whether an ARC number could be entered successfully online…
As newly inaugurated President Joseph R. Biden Jr. took office last month, many questions remained about what direction U.S.-Taiwan relations would take under his leadership. While Biden and his Cabinet picks did espouse strong support for Taiwan policy during his presidential campaign, most observers agree that the opening months of his presidency will mostly be…
Taiwan’s foreign community has been delighted to see the overwhelming international recognition of Taiwan’s success in battling the COVID-19 pandemic. However, many foreign residents have also been dismayed at the lack of compassion and consideration for their interests conveyed in a number of recent policies. A series of decisions that exclude or unfairly target foreigners…
When I arrived in Tainan in the summer of 1991, not even the city’s main roads had bilingual signs. As an English tutor, I had to visit households in different neighborhoods, and thus quickly had to learn how to read Chinese addresses. A few years later, romanization began to appear at major intersections. More recently,…
For two days in late January, a total of 173 delegates – government officials, legislators, scholars, business leaders, and representatives of civic groups – attended a National Energy Conference called by the Ministry of Economic Affairs. The group debated the crucial issue facing Taiwan following President Ma Ying-jeou’s decision last year to suspend construction of…
