2016/02/04 |
Amazon Reportedly Plans to Open Hundreds of Physical Bookstores
Amazon reportedly plans to open as many as four hundred bookstores. This prompts many to ask why the company that destroyed the physical bookstore industry would possibly want to operate a physical bookstore and vigorously expand it.
2016/01/20 |
UN Labor Agency: Global Unemployment to Rise by 2.3 Million in 2016
The number of unemployed people is estimated to rise by 2.3 million in 2016 and 2.5 million in 2017, which is very likely to top 200 million for the first time ever. The trend will probably cause instability in societies and leave existing jobs vulnerable.
2016/01/18 |
Is The Sovereignty Clause Influencing Taiwan's Attendance in AIIB?
Bank Group President of AIIB emphasizes the "sovereignty clause” in the AIIB Agreement, leading concerns to Taiwan’s official attendance in the investment bank.
2016/01/16 |
Taiwan Canada Tax Agreement Signed
The deal expects to avoid double taxation and promote bilateral investments in the future while protecting the rights and interests of overseas Taiwanese in Canada starting from January 1, 2017.
2016/01/04 |
Taiwanese Companies Struggle in Southeast Asia Under Lack of Government Support
The Taiwanese government has been providing less support for ASEAN countries either in political loans or other support, using the excuse of financial crisis and modifications on external policies. But due to the strong support provided by other countries, Taiwan has become increasingly less visible in ASEAN.
2015/12/25 |
Thirteenth Negotiation for Cross-Strait Trade in Goods Postponed
Council of Agriculture Minister Chen Bao-ji says that negotiations on agriculture give Taiwan a lot of opportunities. Thai edamame beans exported to China are not charged tariff, but Taiwanese ones are charged a 6% tariff while orchids are also charged a 12% tariff. However, after Taiwan joins the TPP, highly competitive local products will have more influence if no tariff is charged.
2015/11/05 |
Taiwan Will Complete Preparation for TPP by November 2016
Director-General of the Bureau of Foreign Trade Jenni Yang says after the full text of the TPP was released, the government will compare the text with existing regulations in Taiwan. They will explain the gaps the government should deal with, assess TPP’s impact and provide each ministry with advice for amending laws.
2015/11/03 |
ECCT Annual Report Calls for Taiwanese Companies to Relax Restrictions on Working Hours
Taiwan obviously lags behind in the Asia-Pacific region in attracting foreign talent and is facing a serious challenge in ensuring labor supply and retaining technical talents, not to mention the difficulties in maintaining short-term and mid-term economic growth and competitiveness. The report notes that despite regulations concerning the employment of expats have been loosened in recent years, some unreasonable restrictions still exist.
2015/10/30 |
Is China's Two-Children Policy Too Late?
The two-child policy seems too late for the older generation. It is estimated that young people born after 1980 are the ones that can benefit from the new policy. People.cn mentions that the government should provide relevant support for education, childcare and medical equipment to improve the environment for raising children. They also have to make sure the milk powder is safe.
2015/10/06 |
12 Nations Reach Consensus in TPP Negotiation, But What About Taiwan?
So far Taiwan has signed economic cooperation agreements with Singapore and New Zealand, and the government is now reviewing if our current regulations meet international standards. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to explain to the TPP members Taiwan's determination in trade liberalization and request to join the second round of negotiation in TPP.
2015/10/04 |
Chinese Tourists Storm Tokyo and Taiwan During Golden Week
Weibo users title their posts with words like, "Shinjuku occupied! Akihabara occupied! Shibuya occupied! Ikebukuro occupied! Tokyo basically has been under our control!" Japan has even created a new word, bakubai, to describe Chinese tourist's crazy shopping spree.
2015/09/16 |
The US Has Three Noes for Taiwan's 2016 Presidential Election
Former White House National Security Council (NSC) Senior Director for Asian Affairs Michael J. Green says that Washington D.C. and Taiwan should each have "three Noes." Taiwan's three noes are no surprises, no change of the status quo, and no free rides for the new government.
2015/09/04 |
Will Taiwan Be The Next Greece?
The generation that is receiving pension now is overspending and has already maxed out the welfare of the next generation to the point they are even leaving debt to them.
2015/08/11 |
China Allowing the Middle Price of RMB to Devalue by 2%
The China Foreign Exchange Trading System announced the middle price between RMB and USD has devalued nearly 1.9 percent and US$ 1 now equals RMB$ 6.2298. People are saying this is the doing of The People's Bank of China to encourage export.