Taiwan Presentation

Submitted by Anna

Since there are some audio issues, Anna has submitted her script:

Taiwan VP urges corporate social responsibility

Taipei, Dec. 22 (CNA) Vice President Vincent Siew called for members of Taiwan's business sector Thursday to care for the less-privileged, protect the environment and respect humanity and personal integrity while seeking prosperity.  

Addressing an event hosted by the Taiwan Business Council for Sustainable Development, Siew said the world, including Taiwan, has witnessed unprecedented votality triggered by the global financial storm, the European debt crisis and other adversities over the past year. 

Link (submitted by Anna)

Taiwan’s attempt to defuse a trade row with America backfires

THOUSANDS of pig farmers throwing dung in the streets of Taipei. Demonstrators marching on America’s informal embassy wearing Uncle Sam hats and leering cow masks. Opposition lawmakers chanting slogans and occupying the speaker’s podium in parliament, disrupting the opening session and delaying the prime minister’s inaugural speech. These are all episodes in a growing row over meat imports into Taiwan that is pitting America, the island’s most important ally, against the vast mass of public opinion—and forcing the government of the recently re-elected president, Ma Ying-jeou, to manoeuvre frantically between the two.

Link (submitted by Anna)

Taiwan Bonds Drop, Currency Strengthens on US Recovery Signs

Taiwan’s government bonds dropped
and the local dollar advanced as signs the U.S. economic
recovery is gaining momentum brightened the outlook for exports
and fueled demand for higher-yielding assets. 

Global funds bought $378 million more of the island’s
stocks than they sold yesterday, the highest net purchases in a
month, according to exchange data. Taiwan’s overseas sales
gained 10.3 percent in February from a year earlier after
slumping 16.8 percent the previous month, official data show.
The central bank, which left its benchmark interest rate at
1.875 percent in December, will next review monetary policy on
March 22. The Ministry of Finance will release its second-
quarter bond auction plan the next day.

Link (submitted by Anna)

Russian LDP leader urges greater cooperation with Taiwan

Moscow, March 21 (CNA) Vladimir Zhirinovsky, leader of the opposition Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR), called Wednesday for closer cooperation and exchanges between Taiwan and Russia.  

During an interview in Moscow with CNA, Zhirinovsky said he looks forward to long-term bilateral collaboration on various fronts such as sports, politics, and economics, through the establishment of bilateral associations in a variety of fields.  

Turning to U.S. influence in the region, Zhirinovsky also warned that although the U.S. might seem on the surface to support Taiwan, its real motive is to maximize its own economic interests.

Link (submitted by Anna)

National Youth Commission fosters Taiwan entrepreneurship

Taiwan is known for its entrepreneurs, inspired by its long history as an island frontier where people had to be resourceful to overcome the many difficulties they faced. 

In 2010, more than 15,900 small and medium enterprises were established, according to government sources.

Link (submitted by Anna)

Taiwan tries to cut Iranian oil imports at behest of the US

Taiwan is trying to cut its crude oil imports from Iran after the US expressed its wish for Taiwan’s inclusion in a collaborative international sanctions scheme to curb Iran’s nuclear program, sources told the Taipei Times yesterday. 

The US and the EU last month approved sanctions on imports of Iranian crude oil and a freeze of assets of the Iranian central bank, agreeing on a July 1 deadline for countries to end their oil contracts with Iran.

Link (submitted by Anna)

Stocks, TWD rise on sentiment among investors

Taiwan stocks clinched a four-day winning streak yesterday, while the New Taiwan dollar surged, as investors became more upbeat over the economy of Taiwan as well as the rest of the world. 

Taiwan share prices rose further yesterday amid improved sentiment after China, the United States and Germany reported expansion in their manufacturing activities, dealers said.

Link (submitted by Anna)

Taiwan offers baby bonus to fix plummeting birth rate

"It is, says the president, an issue that threatens Taiwan's very existence. Authorities are mustering every weapon to see the problem off: from money to Chinese astrology and blind dates for its citizens. The island's plummeting birth rate is one of the lowest in the world, experts say, prompting a warning from the president himself, Ma Ying-jeou, that it is 'a serious national security threat'."

Link (submitted by Anna)

DPP should update cross-strait policy: Hsu

"The China Post--Former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) chairman Hsu Hsin-liang (許信良) yesterday urged the party to build Tsai Ing-wen's cross-strait policy into its official platform.

Tsai ran a great campaign that faltered only in the last mile — that is, when it came to cross-strait policy, said Hsu."

Link (submitted by Anna)