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Political Warfare Bureau to probe housing deals

REAL-ESTATE RUMPUS:Amid the controversy surrounding the sale of military housing units by Jennifer Wang, the ministry said it was working to prevent underhanded sales

Taipei Times
Date: Dec 04, 2015
By: Stacy Hsu  /  Staff reporter, with CNA

Ministry of National Defense Political Warfare Bureau Director Wen

Minister of National Defense Kao Kuang-chi, fields questions from reporters about the sale of military housing units at the Legislative Yuan in Taipei yesterday. Photo: CNA

Minister of National Defense Kao Kuang-chi, fields questions from reporters about the sale of military housing units at the Legislative Yuan in Taipei yesterday. Photo: CNA

Chen-kuo (聞振國) yesterday pledged to review all dealings involving military housing units to ascertain whether any of them were sold during the five-year prohibition period.

Wen was responding to a request made by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Chiu Chih-wei (邱志偉) at a question-and-answer session at a meeting of the legislature’s Foreign and National Defense Committee in Taipei yesterday, during which Chiu urged the ministry to take a stance against real-estate agents’ blatant promotion of military apartment sales.

“Since the promulgation of the Act for Rebuilding Old Quarters for Military Dependents (國軍老舊眷村改建條例) in 1996, [owners of military houses] are barred from transferring the units to another person within five years of the registration of the property,” Wen said.     [FULL  STORY]

Ex-president’s office dismisses rumors of failing health

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2015/12/04
By: Yeh Su-ping and Christie Chen

Taipei, Dec. 4 (CNA) Former President Lee Teng-hui’s (李登輝) rehabilitation 201512040036t0001is proceeding smoothly, and he has no problem walking, sitting and eating, a spokesman for his office said Friday, dismissing rumors that Lee’s health had taken a turn for the worse.

The 92-year-old former president suffered a minor stroke Sunday morning and was taken to Taipei Veterans General Hospital after he complained about numbness in the fingers of his right hand.

Rumors began circulating online on Friday evening that Lee was in critical condition, and there was speculation at one point that he had died.     [FULL  STORY][

MOFA showcases Taiwan’s climate solutions at UN summit

Taiwan Today
Date: December 3, 2015

An event highlighting Taiwan’s commitment to combating climate change and its adverse

An event organized by MOFA and ITRI will be held Dec. 4-10 in Paris showcasing the nation’s achievements in reducing carbon emissions through the application of cutting-edge recycling technologies. (Courtesy of ITRI)

An event organized by MOFA and ITRI will be held Dec. 4-10 in Paris showcasing the nation’s achievements in reducing carbon emissions through the application of cutting-edge recycling technologies. (Courtesy of ITRI)

effects will commence Dec. 4 at Grand Palais in Paris, according to organizer ROC Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The show, staged jointly by MOFA and Hsinchu County-based Industrial Technology Research Institute, comprises an exhibition showcasing the nation’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address related environmental concerns, as well as a diverse array of interactive activities designed to enhance eco-awareness among attendees.

Targeting representatives from more than 190 nations gathering in Paris Nov. 30 to Dec. 11 for the 21st Conference of the Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, the event will underscore Taiwan’s steadfast support for the international body’s goals.

“Although not a party to the UNFCCC, the ROC has been a strong proponent of green energy and sustainable development in the global community,” a MOFA official said. “The country remains a pioneer in applying state-of-the-art solutions to address environmental concerns.”     [FULL  STORY]

Legislature questions irregularities over AAV-7 purchase

Taiwan News
Date}: 2015-12-03
By: Ko Lin, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

Minister of National Defense Kao Kuang-chi denied speculations that there are irregularities

LY questions irregularities over AAV-7 purchase. Central News Agency

LY questions irregularities over AAV-7 purchase. Central News Agency

concerning the purchase of 12 AAV-7 assault amphibious vehicles from the United States, reports said Thursday.

Rumors recently stemmed within the legislature that the 2015-2019 budget request made by the defense ministry for 36 AAV-7s totaling NT$5.3 billion (US$177 million) do not exactly correspond with the sources quoted by Bloomberg View columnist Josh Rogin.

Earlier last month, a report by Rogin revealed that the Obama administration was prepared to fulfill the list of arms procurements requested by Taiwan, which includes: 12 AAV-7 assault amphibious vehicles, one Apache attack helicopter, FIM-92 Stinger, Javelin fire-and-forget anti-tank missiles, TOW, and among several others.

“Why is it that there is a discrepancy between the two?” Kuomintang Legislator Lin Yu-fang questioned during an interpellation at the legislature in the morning.     [FULL  STORY]

Dengue fever cases in Taiwan climb to nearly 40,000

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2015/12/03

Taipei, Dec. 3 (CNA) The number of dengue fever cases in Taiwan has risen to 39,898 since

A city worker spread pesticide in Kaohsiung. (CNA file photo)

A city worker spread pesticide in Kaohsiung. (CNA file photo)

the start of May, with 247 new cases recorded Wednesday, according to data released by the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) for Dengue Outbreak Thursday.

On Wednesday, Kaohsiung alone had reported 234 new cases, bringing the total cases in the southern city to 16,449, the updated data on the dengue fever outbreak showed.

The figures indicated the outbreak remains at its peak in the port city, the CECC said.

In neighboring Tainan, the number of dengue fever cases had reached 22,667, with only six new cases reported on Wednesday, it said.     [FULL  STORY][

Finance row threatens climate pact

FRUSTRATION:Greenpeace East Asia senior climate and energy campaigner Li Shuo described talks related to the financing of a shift away from fossil fuels as ‘quite messy’

Taipei Times
Date:  Dec 04, 2015
By: AFP, LE BOURGET, France

Developing nations on Wednesday warned that a bitter row over money was threatening

Indigenous Environmental Network Executive Director Tom Goldtooth, right, native American Sioux and indigenous Amazonians attend “The Vision of Indigenous Peoples to Climate Change” event at the World Climate Change Conference in Le Bourget, France, on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Indigenous Environmental Network Executive Director Tom Goldtooth, right, native American Sioux and indigenous Amazonians attend “The Vision of Indigenous Peoples to Climate Change” event at the World Climate Change Conference in Le Bourget, France, on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

efforts to seal a historic pact to tame global warming, as hosts France pleaded for compromise.

The UN-brokered talks involving 195 nations are facing a tight deadline of Friday next week to forge an agreement aimed at cutting the greenhouse gases blamed for climate change, and averting its catastrophic impacts.

However, despite more than 150 world leaders opening the talks on Monday with lofty rhetoric about the urgency of the task, bureaucrats became quickly ensnared in familiar rows that have condemned previous efforts to failure.

“My message is clear: We must accelerate the process because there is still a lot of work to do,” said French Minister of Foreign Affairs Laurent Fabius, who is presiding over the negotiations.     [FULL  STORY]

Goldfish Tea Is All the Rage in Taiwan

Eater
Date: Dec 2, 2015
By: Clarissa Wei

What is goldfish tea?

The ultimate tea lover gift for the drinker who has it all? Charm Villa’s feverishly

Charm Villa's goldfish tea.

Charm Villa’s goldfish tea.

popular—and pricey—goldfish tea. Though Charm Villa, a creative agency based in Taipei, launched the limited production teabags two years ago, they’re still as desired as ever (the company often sells out, so supply has been an ongoing issue) and they’re now for sale in the U.S. Well, not officially, but via third party stores on Amazon, one can purchase a box of 12 teabags for $80 (as compared to $35 in Taiwan).

Fashioned from Japanese fabric and infused with Taiwanese tea leaves, the bags were designed by 28 university students from St. Johns University in Taipei. “There are 16 steps that go into making the teabag. Nine of those require manual, handicraft skill,” a Charm Villa rep said via email. “As for the details of the production, those are trade secrets.”

Since launch, the bags have racked up two prestigious design awards: the iF Design Award 2015 for Discipline Packaging and the Red Dot Communication Design Award a year earlier.

“The goldfish in Asian culture represents wealth and good fortune,” the rep explained.     [FULL  STORY]

I-Mei CEO Luis Ko explores oil and fat in new book

Taiwan News
Date: 2015-12-02
By: Matthew Strong, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – As Taiwan has been racked by repeated food safety scandals, I-Mei

Mei CEO Luis Ko explores oil and fat in new book. Taiwan News

Mei CEO Luis Ko explores oil and fat in new book. Taiwan News

Foods Co., Ltd. General Manager Luis Ko on Wednesday published the second book in his series about “a small revolution in food safety” under the title of “All Animals Need Oil & Fat – It Is Difficult to Find Good Oil,” a tome designed to teach the public how to select “good oil.”

Ko has long been noted for his concerns about the health and safety of food produced in Taiwan.

The new book has been published in two versions, a practical “family kitchen” version and a more academically focused “campus scientific” edition. People use a wide variety of oils and fats, but professional knowledge is not necessary for every person.     [FULL  STORY]

Restrictions on hiring foreign nationals in Taiwan eased

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2015/12/02
By: Ta Ya-Chen and Lilian Wu

Taipei, Dec. 2 (CNA) The Executive Yuan on Wednesday decided to ease restrictions on 39179299hiring or retaining foreign professionals, students and laborers in Taiwan, which is expected to keep an additional 6,000 to 7,000 foreign nationals in Taiwan a year.

Premier Mao Chi-kuo (毛治國) approved the easing of restrictions proposed by the Ministry of Labor at a meeting of the Cabinet.

Under the new regulations, which will take effect at the beginning of next year, companies hiring foreign nationals will no longer have to have paid-in capital of NT$5 million (US$152,855) and sales of NT$10 million, and foreign hires will no longer be required to have two years of work experience in their field.     [FULL  STORY]

Taiwan’s green efforts showcased at UN summit

Taiwan Today
Date: December 2, 2015

An exhibition showcasing Taiwan’s achievements in promoting carbon reductions through

Delta Electronics Inc. has constructed 21 green buildings in the past decade, including Taiwan’s first diamond-grade green production facility at the Southern Taiwan Science Park in Tainan City. (UDN)

Delta Electronics Inc. has constructed 21 green buildings in the past decade, including Taiwan’s first diamond-grade green production facility at the Southern Taiwan Science Park in Tainan City. (UDN)

green architecture is set to kick off Dec. 4 on the sidelines of the 21st Conference of the Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change taking place in Paris, according to organizer Delta Electronics Inc.

Highlighting the diverse range of eco-friendly buildings the firm has constructed over the last 10 years for educational, industrial and residential purposes, the exhibit will underscore Taiwan’s pioneering efforts to minimize its carbon footprint via smart architecture, said Bruce Cheng, founder of the Taipei City-based electronics company.

“This exhibition marks a new milestone for Delta’s participation in UNFCCC-related events over the last eight years,” Cheng said. “We have demonstrated that by making our architecture green, we have been able to reduce energy use by 80 percent, with the remaining 20 percent capable of sustaining operations.     [FULL  STORY]