This Week in Taiwan 0822-0828
August 23: The Central Disaster Response Center on the African swine fever stated that the authorities seized for the first time smuggled meat infected with the virus, totaling more than 71 kilograms. The products were imported by air from Vietnam. Premier Su Tseng-chang went to Taoyuan International Airport to supervise the X-ray inspection of air express parcels. He furiously criticized the Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance, for ineffective inspection control.
The Customs Administration briefed that due to lack of manpower, the meat products could not be inspected individually.
August 23: The day marked the 63rd anniversary of the Kinmen artillery battle in 1958, also known as the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis in English. Due to epidemic prevention considerations, President Tsai Ing-wen did not travel to Kinmen to attend the commemorative event. Instead, she visited the Material Production Center, Armaments Bureau, Ministry of National Defense, as well as the Air Force Air Defense and Artillery Command, in Taipei. She stated that in this battle, the people of Taiwan, regardless of ethnic group, military or civilian, fought a bloody battle to defend the front line, as well as Taiwan. According to President Tsai, no one party or faction alone can resist external aggression. Only by working together can we protect the country.
On Facebook, former President Ma Ying-jeou stated that only through reconciliation can both sides of the Taiwan Strait turn the battlefield of the past into a peaceful boulevard. He hopes that both sides can continue to resume disrupted negotiations and exchanges on the basis of the 1992 Consensus.
August 23: The Taiwan Railway's Taroko line accident on April 2 resulted in 49 deaths and more than 213 injured. The Transportation Safety Board released a 200-page factual report, revealing that 30 of the dead passengers were standing passengers, accounting for about 64 percent of all dead passengers. The Taiwan Railways Administration said that it will carefully consider whether to cancel standing tickets.
August 25: The Yushan mountain fire in May was extinguished only after 12 days, and the area burned reached 79.7 hectares (about 197 acres), and a large number of rare trees were destroyed in flames. The prosecution investigated five individuals including Chiao Chien-chung, former senior executive officer of the National Communications Commission, saw a tree and started a campfire, causing the fire. Public charges were placed on August 25, with a maximum sentence of seven years. The Forestry Bureau, Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan also sought compensation of NT$228 million (about US$8.2 million), a historic nigh.
According to the NCC, Chiao was transferred from his original post after the incident. Chiao is now suspended from official duty in accordance with Article 5 of the Public Functionaries Discipline Act.
August 26: The five-time stimulus vouchers plan was released, and both paper and digital vouchers will be issued. All citizens and foreigners holding permanent residence permits may receive a set of 10 coupons with a total value of NT$5,000 (about US$179) for free. They will be available through channels including the official website, convenience store machines, and the Chunghwa Post website. The public may start to obtain the vouchers in October, and they will not expire until the end of April next year.
Since the lowest denomination of the five-time vouchers is NT$200 (about US$7), many small vendors were disappointed. New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih announced that the "New Taipei Double Coupon" will be launched simultaneously, which people may exchange with the five-time stimulus vouchers. The smallest denomination is NT$50 (about US$2), which may solve the problem of returning change. The move is seen as competing with the central government.
August 26: Premier Su Tseng-chang finalized the central government budget for 2022. Although the budget for next year did not include a salary adjustment plan for military, civil service, and public education personnel, and the relevant review committee also decided not to adjust salaries, Premier Su nevertheless proposed a salary hike, in order to commend government personnel for their hard work and demonstrate the government's taking the lead in raising wages. He asked the Directorate-General of Personnel Administration, Executive Yuan, to evaluate. The salaries of military, civil service, and public education personnel, which have been frozen for three years, are expected to rise.
August 27: The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) participated in a video conference with Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (DPP) to exchange opinions on foreign and defense policy. This was the first ever 2+2 security dialogue between the ruling parties of Taiwan and Japan. According to participants, the Japanese representatives mentioned the threats and challenges posed by mainland China and stated that Taiwan and Japan are a community with a shared destiny and must face it together. In addition to its clarity, Japanese representatives also stated that in the face of China's continuous oppression of Taiwan in the international community, Japan will actively support Taiwan's participation in international organizations and help Taiwan maintain relations with its diplomatic allies.
August 28: Taiwan table tennis player Tian Hsiao-wen lost to a Brazilian player in the Tokyo Paralympic Games, earning a bronze medal. This is Taiwan's first medal in the Paralympic Games this time.
The Tokyo Paralympics is being held from August 24 to September 5. There are 10 players in the Chinese Taipei delegation, participating in table tennis, track and field, fitness, judo, badminton, and swimming.