News Backgrounder
June 30, 2010
I. Taiwan Set to Sign ECFA with Mainland China
A preparatory meeting for the fifth round of talks between Taiwan’s Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) and mainland China’s Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) was held on June 24 in Taipei. Led by SEF Vice Chairman Kao Koong-lian and his ARATS counterpart Zheng Lizhong, the two sides finalized the ‘early harvest’ list under the proposed economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA), and agreed on the texts of the ECFA and of another pact on intellectual property rights protection. The two sides signed these agreements at the fifth round of SEF-ARATS talks on June 29 in the mainland city of Chongqing.
According to the SEF, a total of 539 goods and services proposed by Taiwan have been included in the early harvest list for immediate tariff or market concessions. These consist of petrochemical products (including petrochemical and plastic materials), textiles, transportation tools (automobile components), machinery (machine tools) and other products. Taiwan negotiators also strived for the inclusion of 18 agricultural and fishery products for zero-tariff treatment when exported to the mainland, benefiting many farmers in central and southern Taiwan. Meanwhile, Taiwan has agreed to include 267 items proposed by the mainland.
According to the Executive Yuan, the signing of the ECFA is a critical step toward upgrading national competitiveness that can open more business opportunities for local industries. It will not only enhance Taiwan’s international competitiveness and lure foreign investors, but will also put Taiwan in step with globalization and regional economic trends.
Studies by the Chung-hua Institution for Economic Research indicate that the signing of the ECFA will help Taiwan’s economy grow by 1.65 to 1.72 percentage points and create 257,000 to 263,000 job opportunities. Other benefits for Taiwan include earlier entry into the mainland market over competitors, attracting foreign investment, transformation of Taiwan’s economic structure and turning the island into a gateway and preferred business partner for the Chinese market.
The agreement will now pass to the Executive Yuan for approval and to the Legislative Yuan for review before it can be implemented. The Legislature will convene a special session in July to review the pact.
Many renowned economists hold the view that the ECFA will bring tremendous benefits for Taiwan’s economic development. Economics Nobel laureate Oliver Williamson pointed out that the ECFA would benefit both Taiwan and mainland China by promoting mutual prosperity and development. Nevertheless, he also emphasized the importance of self-protective measures. Business strategist Kenichi Ohmae described the cross-strait economic pact as “a carefully crafted vitamin for Taiwan.” Combined with a 17-percent business income tax rate and 370 direct cross-strait flights every week, Ohmae said that Taiwan could well become a business operations hub for Greater China.
II. Progress Made in Post-Morakot Reconstruction Efforts
On August 8, 2009, Typhoon Morakot brought torrential rain to southern Taiwan, causing deaths, inflicting severe losses on the tourism industry and damaging basic infrastructure in the mountainous regions of Kaohsiung County and other areas. At the time, President Ma Ying-jeou pledged that reconstruction efforts would be expeditious.
An all-weather remote emergency video communication system began operation in Namaxia Township on June 26. It is the first installation of its kind in Taiwan and will allow for more effective response to severe weather. The president stressed that the system can function under extreme conditions. Such a system, he said, is important for people living in remote areas, as they are more susceptible to the effects of climate change.
Meanwhile, on June 25, the premier announced that Provincial Highway No. 18 to Alishan reopened. This decision was in response to the needs of local residents and hopeful tourists. Along with the reopening of the Alishan Railway, this will help increase tourism to the area. Premier Wu pointed out that Alishan is a favorite destination for both domestic tourists and those from Japan and mainland China. Meanwhile, to attract more foreign tourists to Alishan, the Tourism Bureau will implement new marketing campaigns.
The reconstruction commission stated that the largest amount of rainfall dumped on Taiwan by Typhoon Morakot — nearly 3,000 millimeters — fell on the Alishan area. This was nearly a world record. The torrential rains inflicted terrible damage on the region’s environment and transportation system. As such, restoring regular operation of the Alishan Railway and tour buses is key to stimulating economic development there.
Source: Government Information Office, Republic of China (Taiwan)
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Weekly News Background from Taiwan's Government Information Office
News Background
Taiwan’s industrial sector currently suffers from over-concentration, insufficiently diversified development and susceptibility to international economic downturns. To map a developmental direction for future industries, the Executive Yuan compared Taiwan’s advantages in human capital and information technology with global trends to draw up the “Six Key Emerging Industries Plan.” Two of the “emerging industries” targeted by this plan are biotechnology and green energy.
In biotechnology, the Executive Yuan launched the “Diamond Action Plan for a Biotech Takeoff” on March 26, 2009. The plan has four principal elements: boosting the capacity to commercialize R&D, setting up a biotech venture capital fund, promoting an integrated cultivation mechanism and establishing a food and drug administration. The biotech venture capital fund’s primary objective is to inject funds into the biotech industry, with at least US$155.8 million planned for investment during the initial period.
Meanwhile, the developmental direction set forth by the Executive Yuan for green energy focuses on renewable energy, electric cars, solar photonics and solar batteries, and light emitting diode (LED) lighting. Public investment of at least US$623.2 million in R&D on related technologies is planned for the next five years, a move that is expected to attract in excess of US$6.23 billion in private investment. It is estimated that the green energy industry’s production value will rise from around US$5 billion in 2008 to US$36 billion in 2015, a process that will create 110,000 jobs.
Vice President Vincent C. Siew said, at photonics industry event, that photonics is set to follow semiconductors and motherboards as a US$30 billion industry this year. Photonics technologies are central to the development of “green” industries, and also essential to promoting the Six Key Emerging Industries. Moreover, the industry meshes with the global trends of saving energy and cutting carbon emissions.
Source: Government Information Office, Republic of China (Taiwan)
I. Taiwan Inventions and Designs Shine on World Stage
Taiwan was the biggest winner among 15 participating countries at the 2010 Invention and New Product Exposition (INPEX) held in the United States. According to the award list, released June 19, Taiwan’s delegation garnered 24 gold, 25 silver and five bronze awards, as well as seven special awards.
Apart from the INPEX event in Pittsburgh, Taiwan also stood out at two other top invention shows—the iENA trade fair in Nuremburg, Germany and the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, Switzerland. Taiwan obtained 26 gold awards at the iENA trade fair in late 2009, and 28 more golds at the Geneva event this April.
The Taiwan delegation to INPEX this year included 42 members with 56 invention entries. The youngest member of the delegation was You Jun-bo, aged 13. To better study the growth process of the silkworm, You invented the “multi-angle ecological observation video camera” with a rotatable lens that can provide 75 to 150 times magnification power. For its convenience and practicality, the invention earned a gold medal.
Another invention that received a gold medal was an apparatus for storing the heat generated by air conditioners, developed by Professor Weng Kuo-liang of National Chin-Yi University of Technology. The apparatus recovers energy through heat exchanges during the repeated vaporization of water and, when affixed onto a water supply line in the air conditioning system, heats up water that can be dispensed through an outflow pipe for home use.
In addition to scientific research and development, Taiwan’s creative craftworks have come into the international limelight as well. The National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute presented the Yii design brand at the prestigious Milan International Furniture Fair this year and received widespread acclaim from master designers and major media from around the world. At a news conference held on June 17, Minister Emile Sheng of the Council for Cultural Affairs said that Yii’s display at the Milan Triennale Museum was an honor for the nation’s handicraft industry. For example, in Yii’s Cocoon Plan collection, inspired by silkworms, Rock Wang and Chen Kao-ming developed a series of cocoon-shaped sofas and stools made from bamboo and silk. Three years after the launch of the Yii brand, its products have received global recognition and are exhibited alongside items from Japan and other countries.
II. Solid Progress Seen in Taiwan’s Promotion of Emerging Industries
Apart from the INPEX event in Pittsburgh, Taiwan also stood out at two other top invention shows—the iENA trade fair in Nuremburg, Germany and the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, Switzerland. Taiwan obtained 26 gold awards at the iENA trade fair in late 2009, and 28 more golds at the Geneva event this April.
The Taiwan delegation to INPEX this year included 42 members with 56 invention entries. The youngest member of the delegation was You Jun-bo, aged 13. To better study the growth process of the silkworm, You invented the “multi-angle ecological observation video camera” with a rotatable lens that can provide 75 to 150 times magnification power. For its convenience and practicality, the invention earned a gold medal.
Another invention that received a gold medal was an apparatus for storing the heat generated by air conditioners, developed by Professor Weng Kuo-liang of National Chin-Yi University of Technology. The apparatus recovers energy through heat exchanges during the repeated vaporization of water and, when affixed onto a water supply line in the air conditioning system, heats up water that can be dispensed through an outflow pipe for home use.
In addition to scientific research and development, Taiwan’s creative craftworks have come into the international limelight as well. The National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute presented the Yii design brand at the prestigious Milan International Furniture Fair this year and received widespread acclaim from master designers and major media from around the world. At a news conference held on June 17, Minister Emile Sheng of the Council for Cultural Affairs said that Yii’s display at the Milan Triennale Museum was an honor for the nation’s handicraft industry. For example, in Yii’s Cocoon Plan collection, inspired by silkworms, Rock Wang and Chen Kao-ming developed a series of cocoon-shaped sofas and stools made from bamboo and silk. Three years after the launch of the Yii brand, its products have received global recognition and are exhibited alongside items from Japan and other countries.
II. Solid Progress Seen in Taiwan’s Promotion of Emerging Industries
Taiwan’s industrial sector currently suffers from over-concentration, insufficiently diversified development and susceptibility to international economic downturns. To map a developmental direction for future industries, the Executive Yuan compared Taiwan’s advantages in human capital and information technology with global trends to draw up the “Six Key Emerging Industries Plan.” Two of the “emerging industries” targeted by this plan are biotechnology and green energy.
In biotechnology, the Executive Yuan launched the “Diamond Action Plan for a Biotech Takeoff” on March 26, 2009. The plan has four principal elements: boosting the capacity to commercialize R&D, setting up a biotech venture capital fund, promoting an integrated cultivation mechanism and establishing a food and drug administration. The biotech venture capital fund’s primary objective is to inject funds into the biotech industry, with at least US$155.8 million planned for investment during the initial period.
Meanwhile, the developmental direction set forth by the Executive Yuan for green energy focuses on renewable energy, electric cars, solar photonics and solar batteries, and light emitting diode (LED) lighting. Public investment of at least US$623.2 million in R&D on related technologies is planned for the next five years, a move that is expected to attract in excess of US$6.23 billion in private investment. It is estimated that the green energy industry’s production value will rise from around US$5 billion in 2008 to US$36 billion in 2015, a process that will create 110,000 jobs.
Vice President Vincent C. Siew said, at photonics industry event, that photonics is set to follow semiconductors and motherboards as a US$30 billion industry this year. Photonics technologies are central to the development of “green” industries, and also essential to promoting the Six Key Emerging Industries. Moreover, the industry meshes with the global trends of saving energy and cutting carbon emissions.
Source: Government Information Office, Republic of China (Taiwan)
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