Taiwan has created several new programs that offer promising opportunities for application developers. It is estimated that by 2050, over 70% of the global population will live in cities, including at least 29 “megacities” with populations exceeding 10 million people. Surging urban populations will increase challenges with regard to transportation, security, pollution, healthcare, and other…
Taiwan has made important improvements in its rules-making procedures. But some additional steps are needed. The Tsai Ing-wen administration deserves hearty applause for its extension of the notice and comment period for new laws and regulations from 14 to 60 days, an initiative that propels Taiwan to the front rank in Asia in the area…
In its 2017 Taiwan White Paper released on June 8, the American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei assessed the performance of the first year of the Tsai Ing-wen administration from the viewpoint of the foreign business community. Introducing the content of the White Paper at a Chamber luncheon attended by more than a hundred members…
The government is seeking to strengthen trade, investment, tourism, education, and cultural relations with South and Southeast Asia. Southeast Asia may be close to Taiwan geographically, but Taiwanese traditionally tended to see its people as little more than a source of cheap labor. Even in academia, says Edwin Yang, an instructor in the College of…
In the face of China’s rapid military build-up and Beijing’s pressure on other countries not to sell weaponry to Taiwan, “what can Taiwan do except develop its own defense industry?” asks National Chengchi University professor Arthur Ding, a defense specialist. “It’s the inevitable outcome of China’s interference.” The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has long made…
The Tsai administration is making a heavy commitment of resources to promoting seven sectors of the economy as the key to transforming Taiwan’s industry. The initial five “pillar industries” were the Internet of Things (also referred to as Asia·Silicon Valley), Biomedical, Green Energy, Smart Machinery, and Defense. Added later were high-value agriculture and the circular…
Faced with lackluster growth, stagnant salaries, and complaints from young people that it’s hard to find a job, Taiwan is seeking to follow the example of rival Asian tiger Korea by undergoing industrial upgrading. To this end, President Tsai Ing-wen and her administration have announced plans to develop five major innovative industries: smart machinery, green…
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…
Minister of National Defense Yen Ming resigned January 27, citing personal and professional reasons. He was replaced by Chief of the General Staff Kao Kuang-chi, who had previously briefly held the position of acting Defense Minister in August, 2013. Two days later, Premier Mao Chi-kuo also accepted the resignation of Minister of the National Development…
