Those failing to turn themselves in will not enjoy reduced penalties

Taiwan News
Date: 2019/06/26
By: Huang Tzu-ti, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The National Immigration Agency (NIA) is calling on foreign nationals who overstay their visas to turn themselves in by June 30 before an amnesty program expires.

The program, conducted between Jan. 1 and June 30, sees the fine dropped from NT$10,000 to NT$2,000, and includes a ban on re-entry to Taiwan.

Individuals residing in Taiwan on an expired visa should self-report by midnight at the end of June 30 at NIA branches. Visa overstays who fail to surrender themselves to the authorities by the deadline will no longer enjoy the reduced penalty, the NIA said.

According to the NIA, a total of 15,608 individuals reported to the relevant authorities during the period of the amnesty program, posting a 100 percent rise compared to a year ago. The mechanism, first introduced in 2011, allows people who overstay visas to be granted preferential treatment for self-reporting.

For further inquiries, call the toll-free hotline 0800-024-881 or visit NIA stations.    [SOURCE]

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2019/06/26
By: Chang Hsiung-feng and Chung Yu-chen

Taipei, June 26 (CNA) Starting July 1, single-use plastic straws will no longer be available to people eating at a wide range of venues in Taiwan, as part of a government effort to limit ocean pollution, the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) said Wednesday.

The ban on single-use plastic straws will take effect at government agencies, public and private schools, department stores, shopping malls and fast food chain outlets for onsite drinking or dining, the EPA said at a press conference.

First-time violators will not be punished, but if they violate the regulation again after the first warning, they will be subject to a fine of between NT$1,200 (US$39) and NT$6,000, according to the EPA.

Customers who place orders for take-out or delivery, however, will still be provided with plastic straws for now, EPA said.    [FULL  STORY]

Radio Taiwan International
Date: 25 June, 2019
By: Natalie Tso

The Tunnel of Nine Turns[/caption] The Taroko National Park has just reopened its popular Tunnel of Nine Turns after closing for 6 years.  

The Taroko Gorge is one of Taiwan’s most beautiful destinations. Its Tunnel of Nine Turns is right above the Liwu River.  After closing for reconstruction for 6 years, it reopened this week.

A Taroko National Park guide is happy to show visitors around on Monday. One visitor says it’s been too long since he’s been here. Another says Taiwan has world class scenery.

The walk through the Tunnel of Nine Turns is 700 meters, The three cement tunnels are arch-shaped and have flower carvings on them.  It takes less than 30 minutes to walk the entire trail and back.

This path used to be part of the Zhongheng Highway     [FULL  STORY]

The News Lens
Date: 2019/06/25
By: SME.Sandbox

Facing the impacts that technological innovation might bring on the industries, how should the government coordinate among the existing business owners, new players, and the consumers, update the current laws, and create a three-way win? What kind of “warm power” does Taiwan have to build a better and more convenient life for its people, and raise the international publicity at the same time?

The rapid development of emerging technologies activate the change of industrial structure, and opens the indefinite possibility of the future life of all human beings. High technology industry is the strength of Taiwan. The government has been proactively promoting the industrial innovation programs such as Asia Silicon Valley, green energy technology, and biomedical technology in recent years, and encouraging the business providers to innovate. However, facing the impacts that technological innovation might bring on the industries, how should the government coordinate among the existing business owners, new players, and the consumers, update the current laws, and create a three-way win? What kind of “warm power” does Taiwan have to build a better and more convenient life for its people, and raise the international publicity at the same time?

Digital Minister of the Executive Yuan, Audrey Tang, who has been dedicated in promoting the innovative regulatory sandbox (hereinafter referred to as the “Innovative Sandbox”) in Taiwan, said that the government understands that pain points of the business owners, especially when an innovative player wants to carry out a new business model, it is usually unclear whether such business would conform to the current law, or drift along the ambiguities in law enforcement, sometimes, the law even provides unclear rules.    [FULL  STORY]

Plastic attacks have become a global movement to call for an end to excess packaging

Taiwan News
Date: 2019/06/25
By: Huang Tzu-ti, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Taiwan's first “plastic attack” was launched between June 22 and 24 to raise awareness on the issue of excess packaging.

More than 200 individuals participated in the event, which was initiated by the non-profit environmental organization Greenpeace, reported Central News Agency.

Participants were asked to remove all the plastic packaging that came with merchandise purchased at ten retailer outlets across Taipei. A man dressed in plastic garments would then join the Greenpeace representatives as they returned the waste to the stores.

The campaign, which originated in the UK, has become a global movement and receives support from environmental groups around the world, reported CNN. Those taking part in "attacks" appeal to supermarkets to take responsibility and reduce single-use packaging waste.    [FULL  STORY]

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2019/06/25
By: Joseph Yeh and Chung Yu-chen

Taipei, June 25 (CNA) The top two contenders of the opposition Kuomintang's (KMT's) presidential primary both pledged Tuesday to focus on improving the strained cross-Taiwan Strait relations and to boost the economy if elected.

Speaking during a televised forum involving various candidates, Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) said cordial cross-strait relations are crucial to the survival of the Republic of China (Taiwan).

A majority of Taiwanese people support maintaining the status quo rather than announcing independence or unification with China, according to Han.

If elected president, Han said, he will promote cross-strait peace and push for the two sides to sign a cross-strait trade-in-goods agreement to boost Taiwan's economy, which he said has been sluggish under the current Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government.    [FULL  STORY]

ADDITIONAL SECURITY: The CAA said that travelers heading to Japan should arrive at airports earlier due to enhanced luggage inspections for the G20 summit

Taipei Times
Date: Jun 26, 2019
By: Shelley Shan  /  Staff reporter

EVA Airways is today to announce which flights would be canceled from Monday to Friday next

week due to a strike by its flight attendants, Deputy Minister of Transportation and Communications Wang Kwo-tsai (王國材) said yesterday, adding that the airline’s transport capacity this weekend is to exceed 50 percent of its regular capacity following the return of cabin crew from overseas.

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications yesterday held its seventh emergency response meeting as the strike entered its sixth day.

As planned, the airline yesterday maintained about 40 percent of its transport capacity, with 103 of 179 flights canceled, affecting about 19,000 travelers, Wang said.

The carrier on Monday announced which flights would be canceled on Saturday and Sunday, but its transport capacity on both days is to increase to 52 percent and 55 percent respectively, he said.
[FULL  STORY]

Radio Taiwan Internatinnal
Date: 24 June, 2019
By: Leslie Liao

President Tsai Ing-wen says she hopes the EVA Air flight attendant strike can conclude in a rational manner. She was peaking at a flag ceremony for Taiwan’s athletes attending the 2019 Napoli Summer Universiade on Monday. Tsai says that she hopes the two sides of the labor dispute could come together and compromise. Such would result in a ‘triple-win,’ one each for EVA and the union, and another for stranded passengers.

Now in its fifth day, members of the EVA Air flight attendants union convened outside of Taiwan’s presidential office to demonstrate. This morning, transport minister Lin Chia-lung presided over the sixth contingency meeting to address shortages due to the strike.

Deputy transport minister Kent Wang says that EVA Air is currently working at around 40% capacity. The airline is working to maintain a seven day flight schedule to keep passengers informed of cancellations and delays.    [FULL  STORY]

Taiwan Today
Date: June 24, 2019

President Tsai Ing-wen said June 23 that she will continue promoting policies aimed at empowering

women in Taiwan and throughout the Indo-Pacific so as to enable all members of society share in the fruits of prosperity.
 
As the first female president of Taiwan, ensuring women’s empowerment remains a central plank in the government’s policymaking platform is a top priority, Tsai said. This has paid dividends as illustrated by a raft of measures enhancing women’s labor participation rate and encouraging more females to re-enter the workforce or start their own businesses, she added.
 
Tsai made the remarks while opening the international conference of the Pan-Pacific and Southeast Asia Women’s Association June 23 in New Taipei City. Taking place in Taiwan for the first time in the 91-year history of the triennial event, the six-day conference involves representatives from 11 PPSEAWA chapters.
 
According to Tsai, the government is committed to addressing key issues concerned with women and families while promoting peaceful lives for all. This dovetails with PPSEAWA’s Mission Statement, and demonstrates the potential for Taiwan to contribute even more in supporting the Hawaii-based nongovernmental organization’s good work, she said.    [FULL  STORY]