<來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/87bdc75e-4b2f-431b-bb6e-f0cafae1c636 <標題>2026 Urban Resilience Exercises to boost whole-of-society defense preparedness <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of National Defense report on the 2026 Urban Resilience (All-Out Defense Mobilization) Exercises, which will take place in counties and cities nationwide from April through August. The premier said the exercises are intended to bolster whole-of-society defense resilience in the face of disasters and emergencies, adding that recent developments—from the Russia-Ukraine war to conflicts in the Middle East—have heightened awareness among countries around the world of the need for preparedness and resilience.Premier Cho highlighted the three key focuses of this year’s Urban Resilience Exercises. The first focus is to further increase the proportion of conflict-based scenarios, helping the public better understand how military and civilian efforts are coordinated. The exercises will emphasize preventive evacuations, mass casualty management, the establishment of emergency medical care areas, traffic management and psychological resilience, with the aim of protecting lives and maintaining normal societal functioning.The second focus is to further strengthen exercise intensity. This entails conducting practical drills under realistic conditions—covering personnel, equipment, locations and scenarios—as well as incorporating, for the first time, cross-county and city collaboration to enhance the intensity and realism of the exercises.The third focus is to continue expanding public participation—which involves conducting drills on setting up first-aid stations, relief centers and rationing stations—in order to assess the effectiveness of medical response, shelter operations and supply distribution. These efforts will ensure that the nation’s all-out national defense capabilities are firmly established at the community level.Premier Cho directed all ministries, agencies and local authorities to work more closely together to enhance central-local government coordination in developing defense resilience. Such cooperation is essential for enabling rapid and effective responses to emergencies, disasters or extreme scenarios, and for building a resilient national defense system. <上版日期>115-04-16 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/bf822256-2446-4694-897b-627d76dd9281 <標題>Executive Yuan approves draft amendments to Employment Service Act <內容>To strengthen Taiwan’s employment service framework, align with international conventions and further enhance the trustworthiness of Taiwan’s products across global supply chains, the Executive Yuan on Thursday approved the Ministry of Labor’s (MOL) proposed amendments to the Employment Service Act.Premier Cho Jung-tai said that the amended law will prohibit employers or intermediaries from certain practices when recruiting, hiring or providing employment services. These include withholding the identification documents of job seekers or employees, misappropriating their personal property or collecting security deposits, with violators subject to penalties. The proposed amendments will better safeguard workers’ autonomy over their identification documents, strengthening labor rights protections and allowing both local and migrant workers to work with greater peace of mind.The premier emphasized that enhancing labor rights protections reflects both international trends and universal values, and expressed confidence that consensus will be reached across party lines. He instructed the MOL to actively communicate and coordinate with all legislative caucuses after the bill is submitted to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation, in order to facilitate the swift completion of the legislative process. <上版日期>115-04-09 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/624e94c5-ebb2-4d93-b55c-08f0063a87eb <標題>Cabinet approves draft amendments to two laws for environmental sustainability <內容>The Executive Yuan on Thursday approved the Ministry of Environment’s draft amendments to the Resource Recycling Act and the Waste Disposal Act, including renaming the Resource Recycling Act as the Resource Circulation Promotion Act. The proposed amendments will now be submitted to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation.Premier Cho Jung-tai stated that, in response to the challenges of environmental sustainability and limited global resources, Taiwan is actively pursuing a dual transition toward green growth and circular governance models. He said the proposed legislative changes would not only help curb illegal waste dumping, but also facilitate the development of a circular economy, holistically addressing issues from industrial, environmental and societal perspectives.Premier Cho noted that the amendments aim to maximize resource circulation benefits and minimize final waste disposal, transforming the Resource Recycling Act into a Resource Circulation Promotion Act in line with international trends. Key changes include stipulating the responsibilities of relevant central government agencies in advancing resource circulation; establishing green design principles for commercial products and construction projects, along with fostering the “Green Made in Taiwan” (gMIT) brand; adopting measures such as circular labeling and circular procurement; ensuring the supply of Taiwan’s critical resources; and creating a more robust legal framework and a supportive environment to realize the vision of a circular economy.The premier also pointed out that the amendments to the Waste Disposal Act would strengthen end-to-end waste management mechanisms from the point of generation to the final user. By imposing heavier penalties and establishing procedures to protect creditor rights, the proposed legislation would deter illegal waste dumping and uphold environmental justice. <上版日期>115-04-09 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/b9e328dc-2e7e-4f76-852e-b7854233d409 <標題>Vice Premier outlines seven measures to stabilize energy supplies, prices and supply chains <內容>At a press conference following Thursday's weekly Cabinet meeting, Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun outlined the government’s seven key measures in response to the evolving situation in the Middle East, with a focus on (1) ensuring the safety of nationals and expatriates; (2) stabilizing energy supplies; (3) maintaining domestic price stability for essential goods; (4) stabilizing supply chain operations; (5) maintaining market order; (6) ensuring financial stability, including the stock and foreign exchange markets; and (7) enhancing cooperation between the central and local governments.The vice premier said that since the outbreak of the U.S.-Iran conflict, Premier Cho Jung-tai has been holding weekly special meetings to review supplies of key energy resources and essential goods and ensure they remain stable. In addition, the Executive Yuan’s price stabilization task force now convenes weekly to reinforce policy measures, maintain market order and protect consumer rights.Regarding the safety of nationals and expatriates, Vice Premier Cheng noted that as of April 1, the government has repatriated 5,289 citizens and raised travel advisories for the Middle East.On energy, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and CPC Corporation, Taiwan, are actively managing oil and gas supplies, with crude oil and natural gas stockpiles remaining above the legally mandated minimums, while diversifying procurement to include non-Middle East sources and secure stable supply.To stabilize prices for essential goods, the government is monitoring prices in Asia and implementing a special stabilization mechanism to moderate fuel price increases in Taiwan and keep them below the levels of neighboring countries. It has also frozen the prices of natural gas for residential use, bottled gas and electricity; reduced taxes on key raw materials; and kept transport fares stable.To stabilize supply chain operations, the government has established reporting and coordination platforms. In response to recent concerns about fluctuations pertaining to petrochemical raw materials, it will closely track production and supply from upstream to market, and ensure the continued availability of medical services, medical supplies and medicines. Additionally, business taxes on specific commodities will be reduced to lower production costs in the domestic livestock industry.To maintain market order, a joint inspection mechanism has been activated to conduct rigorous checks for hoarding and price gouging, while on the financial front, movements in the stock and foreign exchange market are being closely monitored and inter-ministerial stabilization measures will be applied if needed.Vice Premier Cheng highlighted that the central and local governments have set up a collaborative framework to jointly safeguard supply and price stability. Based on projections from the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics, Taiwan’s consumer price index (CPI) is expected to rise by less than 1.5% in March and stay below 1.5% for the current quarter, with the annual target remaining at 2% or under. <上版日期>115-04-02 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/1d600ff8-0e93-49e8-8722-3917a65e21ba <標題>Proposed virtual asset services act to bolster industry operation and development <內容>To bolster the operation and development of virtual asset businesses, protect traders'rights and increase market trust, the Executive Yuan on Thursday approved the Financial Supervisory Commission's (FSC) draft virtual asset services act, which will now be submitted to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation.Premier Cho Jung-tai highlighted that the proposed act provides virtual asset service providers (VASPs) and stablecoin issuers with a comprehensive and clear regulatory framework that will support industry compliance and growth, while also establishing rules to strengthen financial soundness, ensure segregated custody of assets and guard against unfair trading, thereby safeguarding clients'assets.The premier directed the FSC to reinforce their supervision of VASPs and anti-fraud capabilities, protect citizens'assets and bring Taiwan's virtual asset regulations in line with international standards, so as to promote market stability and enhance the competitiveness of Taiwan's financial industry. <上版日期>115-04-02 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/2c5d360e-db0d-457f-91f1-a2327a87a173 <標題>Premier highlights five measures for price stability amid Middle East conflict <內容>At Thursday’s weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai addressed recent developments in the Middle East and their impact on domestic commodity prices. The premier said the situation in the Middle East is evolving rapidly and remains highly tense. Since February 28, Taiwan’s ministries and agencies have devoted full efforts to ensuring the safety of overseas Taiwanese nationals. Regarding oil and natural gas supplies, the government is exercising great caution and actively monitoring supply conditions for the March to June period. It has also taken steps to minimize increases in domestic fuel prices, helping to ease the burden on people’s livelihoods. In addition, the Executive Yuan’s price stabilization task force is working with emergency response teams across ministries and agencies to continuously monitor key economic indicators and ensure the stability of raw material supply chains.As the Middle East conflict is still ongoing, Taiwan is experiencing some instability in market supply and prices, the premier said. In response to concerns over petrochemical import prices, he directed relevant ministries and agencies to strengthen monitoring efforts and take swift measures when necessary. These measures include: (1) ensuring that domestically produced petrochemical products and raw materials are allocated to meet the needs of local industries and supply chains first; (2) helping private petrochemical firms secure alternative overseas sources and diversify supply; (3) taking strict actions against hoarding, price gouging and other unlawful activities; (4) actively tracking fertilizer supply and prices and promptly regulating market supply and demand as needed; and (5) maintaining domestic price stability by closely monitoring price fluctuations for essential goods, increasing the frequency and intensity of joint inspections, and employing price stabilization mechanisms when appropriate. <上版日期>115-03-26 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/5e313a2c-8434-4a77-b948-7fbedf78c0b1 <標題>Premier Cho receives Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association Chairman Eto Seishiro <內容>Premier Cho Jung-tai on Wednesday received a delegation led by Eto Seishiro, a former member of Japan’s House of Representatives and current chairman of the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association. The premier thanked Chairman Eto for his enduring commitment to fostering Taiwan-Japan ties both during his time as a legislator and his current role as chairman, noting his substantial contributions to advancing bilateral exchanges and cooperation over the years.Premier Cho highlighted the many similarities between President Lai Ching-te’s Five Trusted Industry Sectors and the 17 strategic fields identified by Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae—proposed in response to international trends and Japan’s domestic development needs—and noted the broad scope for collaboration in these areas. This year, the Executive Yuan has also announced its focus on 13 strategic industries, spanning a wide range of sub-fields such as silicon photonics, quantum technologies, AI robotics, drones, biotechnology, medicine, critical minerals, public infrastructure, urban renewal, culture, sports and a trillion-NT-dollar tourism industry, among others. The premier anticipates that their advancement will complement Prime Minister Takaichi’s 17 strategic fields and support future cooperation on economic security and supply chain resilience. Through the strong partnership between Taiwan and Japan, both sides can work together to obtain greater development opportunities around the world.In his remarks, Chairman Eto said that, in today’s rapidly changing global landscape, Taiwan’s democracy, freedom, human rights and rule of law are not only highly regarded by the international community but also serve as an increasingly important force for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. He added that Japan will continue to fully support Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), World Health Organization (WHO), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and International Criminal Police Organization (ICPO). <上版日期>115-03-25 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/10a1b978-7d83-4108-9f44-7c29460b0811 <標題>New eligibility rules expand access to foreign domestic helpers for families <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of Labor (MOL) briefing on new eligibility criteria for hiring foreign domestic helpers, aimed at prioritizing support for households with special needs. The premier said the MOL is introducing the new system to ease pressure on families and enable workers to remain in the workforce with confidence. Under the revised criteria, any household with a child under the age of 12 can apply for a foreign domestic helper, with priority given to disadvantaged families and those with special or high care needs.Premier Cho added that the MOL, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Welfare, will implement three complementary measures. First, to safeguard the rights and interest of Taiwanese workers, the government will expand job opportunities for parenting educators, strengthen job matching for child care and housework services, and provide both employment incentives and professional skills training for local workers. Second, to ensure the quality of household services, domestic helpers will be classified as household assistants and therefore receive training in basic skills and knowledge, as well as in-home guidance from parenting educators. Third, for families with special needs, the government will streamline administrative review processes, provide priority assistance and reduce employment stability fees.Premier Cho stressed that these new measures are designed not to replace the existing child care and care service systems, but to provide an alternative for household assistance. He directed the MOL to establish proper review and management processes to ensure the smooth launch of the new system on April 13, 2026, and to support citizens in balancing family and work responsibilities. <上版日期>115-03-19 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/3f00e9de-5a21-4e01-b609-3f95c2104104 <標題>NT$6.25 billion earmarked for integrated care network for seniors living alone <內容>At Thursday's weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai was briefed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) on its efforts to expand services for seniors living alone. The premier said that Taiwan became a super-aged society last year, and that as of the end of February this year, its elderly population has exceeded 4.7 million, with more than 700,000 living alone. To strengthen their care services and risk prevention, the Executive Yuan on November 21, 2025, approved version 2.0 of its social safety net program which includes expanded support for this group. Starting this year, NT$6.25 billion (approximately US$196.3 million), drawn from the government’s special budget to strengthen economic, social, livelihood and security resilience in response to international developments, will be used to develop an integrated service system for seniors living alone.The premier outlined four key components of the program. First, it will expand home visits, with the goal of completing all on-site visits within two years. Second, it will increase home safety by coordinating with local governments to provide 24-hour emergency assistance services. Third, it will introduce meal delivery services; through in-person delivery and on-site check-ins, providers can better understand the physical, mental and safety conditions of seniors living alone. Fourth, it will actively enhance care services by establishing a needs-based, tiered system of support, including care visits, telephone check-ins, daily living assistance and accompaniment to medical appointments.Premier Cho instructed the MOHW to work with the Ministry of the Interior and local governments to improve personnel training for outreach visits, heighten sensitivity for risk detection, and ensure that seniors living alone feel cared for and reassured. Public awareness efforts will also be boosted to encourage broader community support for these individuals. <上版日期>115-03-19 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/13665655-265b-4de6-8e77-9c57285a56e3 <標題>Government moves to stabilize energy supply, financial markets, consumer prices amid Middle East developments <內容>At Thursday’s weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai was briefed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) and Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) on the government's response to recent developments in the Middle East. The premier said the evolving situation in the region has significantly affected global energy supplies and prices. On March 9, the Executive Yuan convened a meeting with relevant ministries and agencies to coordinate measures to stabilize Taiwan’s energy supply, financial markets and consumer prices.With regard to assisting overseas Taiwanese nationals and travelers, Premier Cho noted that the MOFA helped 1,794 citizens depart the Middle East between March 4 and March 11. As some Taiwanese continue to travel to the region, he instructed relevant agencies to proactively provide travel alert reminders at airports and urge the public to avoid travel to destinations with an alert level of orange or higher.Regarding financial market stability, the premier said the FSC has asked the Taiwan Stock Exchange Corporation (TWSE) and Taipei Exchange (TPEx) to closely monitor changes in international financial markets and establish a stock market stabilization task force to conduct rolling reviews of key financial market indicators.On energy supply, Premier Cho said the MOEA has directed the CPC Corporation to coordinate natural gas supply sources and has confirmed a stable supply for March and April. He also instructed the MOEA to arrange alternative sources for May, as well as to increase natural gas imports from the U.S. starting June. In addition, the MOEA has tasked the Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) with formulating response plans to secure energy supply and stabilize power generation, thereby reassuring the public and industries alike. The premier emphasized that his administrative team will continue to closely follow developments in the Middle East, track potential impacts—including fluctuations in international oil and gas prices—and evaluate their effects on domestic supply chains and industries. A price stabilization task force will also continue meeting to conduct rolling reviews of response measures, as the government takes all necessary steps to ensure overall economic stability and protect people’s livelihoods. <上版日期>115-03-12 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/8ad7f93d-46af-458b-93db-6d7d563538e8 <標題>Old housing renewal program to improve building safety, livability <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of the Interior briefing on a 2025-2027 program to extend the lifespan and renew the functionality of old housing. The premier said the program seeks to promote broader improvements in building safety, complementing existing government initiatives for urban renewal and the reconstruction of aging homes.With more than half of Taiwan’s buildings now aged 30 years or more, many face problems such as insufficient space functionality, inadequate barrier-free facilities, aging pipelines and inconveniences for older residents. Actively upgrading the functionality of existing buildings and improving the living environment is a critical task for the government to protect people’s lives and property while strengthening the nation’s overall resilience, the premier said.Premier Cho highlighted that NT$5 billion (approximately US$157.8 million) has been allocated to the program, which aims to accomplish three key goals: (1) improving access to financial assistance by extending eligibility for renovation subsidies to all legally registered buildings nationwide aged 30 years or older; (2) expanding services by covering subsidies for facade and rooftop solar installations, as well as for facilities catering to long-term care or elderly residents; and (3) promoting the use of domestic materials by requiring that all equipment and materials used be locally produced or local brands.With the integration of cross-ministerial resources for financial assistance and the participation of local governments and building owners, the program is expected to channel more than NT$10 billion (approx. US$315.5 million) into boosting domestic demand in Taiwan’s construction and traditional industries. <上版日期>115-03-05 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/901047bf-2413-47d7-801b-ccb56c3eb811 <標題>Government boosts caregiving, education and job support for young caregivers <內容>At Thursday's weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) report on measures to strengthen support for young caregivers. The premier said that the enhanced assistance will benefit youth aged 25 and under who attend school while serving as primary caregivers in families without assistance from hired care workers. By integrating support across the social welfare, education and labor dimensions, the measures aim to promote equity and justice for young people.Premier Cho clarified that eligible individuals will receive assistance in caregiving, covering government-funded institutional care placement and community long-term care services provided based on assessed needs; in education, measures will include campus identification of students with caregiving responsibilities and related support networks, as well as scholarships, grants, tuition and fee reductions, and other academic assistance for economically disadvantaged students; and in employment, skill enhancement, career guidance and various employment support initiatives will be provided.The premier emphasized that implementing the measures will require cooperation between the central and local governments. He instructed the MOHW to coordinate with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Labor, local governments and schools at all levels to proactively identify young people who may have been overlooked, and ensure they are included in the initiative and provided with support. <上版日期>115-03-05 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/80d70921-5266-40b5-aa91-a1f95651a892 <標題>Premier: Ensure nationals’ safety and market stability amid Middle East developments <內容>At Thursday's weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai was briefed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) and Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) on the government’s responses to recent developments in the Middle East. The premier said that, on March 2 and 4, the Executive Yuan held meetings with the relevant ministries—including the MOFA, Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC), Ministry of Finance (MOF), MOEA and FSC—and implemented several contingency measures.Concerning assistance for overseas Taiwanese nationals and travelers, Premier Cho stressed that MOFA missions abroad have promptly activated emergency response procedures and, in line with ongoing developments, taken action to protect Taiwanese nationals overseas. Moreover, the MOTC has asked travel agencies to oversee the safety of travelers and provide appropriate support.On financial stability, including the stock and foreign exchange markets, the premier noted the sharp rise in Taiwan’s stock market today, but he nevertheless directed the MOF and FSC to closely monitor financial market conditions and the situation in the Middle East, and to adopt stabilization measures as needed.On energy supply, Premier Cho pointed out that the government has long implemented three key strategies—diversifying import sources, prioritizing long-term procurement contracts and maintaining strategic reserves—to gradually reduce reliance on any single country or shipping route. In response to the potential impact of the Strait of Hormuz closing, the CPC Corporation has been actively coordinating with multiple suppliers in recent days. The natural gas supply has been secured through the end of March, while additional dispatch arrangements are being made to guarantee a sufficient material supply for April. The premier also directed the Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) to develop multiple contingency mechanisms to ensure a stable electricity supply under all scenarios.Regarding commodity prices, the premier noted that a task force meeting was convened Wednesday to carry out various price stabilization measures. Moving forward, weekly meetings will be held to review price stability measures, monitor the newest developments and respond in advance, with the policy goal of keeping consumer price index (CPI) growth below two percent this year. <上版日期>115-03-05 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/c9762c6a-21d1-4567-a94c-0198cad8e46a <標題>Education drives national progress in transitional justice <內容>At Thursday’s weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a report from the Executive Yuan’s Department of Human Rights and Transitional Justice on the results of the government’s national transitional justice education initiative. The premier said that education is a vital pillar within the broader transitional justice process. Only by teaching local history, remembering the suffering of those who came before, and reflecting upon the injustices of state violence during the authoritarian era, can the recurrence of such wrongs be prevented. The premier stated that many former victims of political persecution and their families have stepped forward to dedicate themselves to transitional justice education. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude and respect for their contributions, and voiced hope that society will draw upon these memories and this history to honor the legacy of past generations who endured persecution.Premier Cho noted that transitional justice education is a statutory responsibility of the nation, one the government cannot abdicate. In 2026, the Executive Yuan will continue advancing transitional justice education in five major areas: mobilizing universities to lead nearby schools in developing teaching materials, assisting key government agencies in reviewing their education efforts, ensuring stable resource allocation to help organizations and schools advance education initiatives, supporting civil society’s use of the Promoting Transitional Justice Fund to expand education outreach, and improving the legal framework for transitional justice education. <上版日期>115-02-26 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/0595e921-9e89-4a65-9990-2c630b5fd3a0 <標題>Vice Premier reaffirms Taiwan’s comparative advantages and most preferential treatment under bilateral trade deal following US tariff policy developments <內容>Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun, alongside Minister without Portfolio Yang Jen-ni and the heads of relevant ministries and agencies, convened a press conference on Tuesday to address the latest developments in U.S. tariff policy. Vice Premier Cheng stressed that the government remains committed to its core objectives, and that changes in U.S. tariff policy will not deter Taiwan from continuing active dialogue with the U.S., building on the preferential treatment achieved through the Taiwan-U.S. Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART). These efforts will ensure that Taiwan’s industries maintain their comparative advantages and receive most preferential treatment, thereby maximizing national and industrial interests.Vice Premier Cheng noted that the U.S. Supreme Court’s February 20 ruling primarily targeted the U.S. government’s invocation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose reciprocal tariffs globally, with the court finding that such action exceeded statutory authority and was therefore invalid. She emphasized that the ruling has no bearing on Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, and that the Taiwan-U.S. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on investment and Taiwan’s most-favored-nation (MFN) treatment under Section 232 are therefore unaffected. Furthermore, most preferential treatment has already been secured for semiconductors and their derivative products, with further details to be announced in due course. Regarding new Section 232 investigations that could arise from the ruling, the vice premier said that the MOU explicitly includes provisions allowing Taiwan and the U.S. to continue negotiating preferential treatment for items under Section 232 investigations, substantially mitigating uncertainty for affected industries.The vice premier said that, moving forward, Taiwan will proactively engage with the U.S. to ensure that its comparative advantages and most preferential treatment are secured. Once confirmed, the ART, the investment MOU and a comprehensive impact assessment will be submitted to the Legislative Yuan.Vice Premier Cheng reiterated that Taiwan has already reached an agreement with the U.S. and obtained preferential treatment. This provides a strong foundation for responding to subsequent shifts in U.S. tariff policy. As the U.S. recalibrates its tariff policy instruments—whether through Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act of 1974 or other legal mechanisms—Taiwan will continue to monitor developments closely.The vice premier added that the Taiwan-U.S. ART and investment MOU already provide terms for most preferential treatment. Taiwan’s treatment under the investment MOU is expected to remain unchanged despite recent developments. However, with respect to the ART, the government will actively communicate with the U.S. on the basis of the existing preferential terms to ensure that Taiwan’s industries continue to enjoy comparative advantages and most preferential treatment amid future U.S. policy adjustments. This will be the key focus of the government’s near-term efforts, she said. <上版日期>115-02-24 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/e5112206-4256-449b-9b8c-8fcb3d2daf61 <標題>Premier delivers announcement on signing of Taiwan-US reciprocal trade agreement <內容>Premier Cho Jung-tai convened a press conference on Friday to announce the formal signing of a Taiwan-U.S. Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART). He expressed special gratitude toward Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun and Minister without Portfolio Yang Jen-ni for leading Taiwan’s negotiating delegation and faithfully carrying out the mandate entrusted to them by President Lai Ching-te and the people of Taiwan throughout the 10 months of bilateral talks. Premier Cho stated that the negotiating team successfully upheld the interests of the nation and its industries, marking the start of a new chapter in Taiwan-U.S. economic, trade and technological cooperation. He furthered voiced his sincere hope that the Legislative Yuan will lend its support by conducting a thorough review and approving the passage of the ART, thereby completing the final stage of the process.Premier Cho noted that the latest negotiations achieved for Taiwan a reduced reciprocal tariff rate of 15% exempt from most-favored-nation (MFN) rate stacking, in addition to most preferential tariff treatment under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. He described the 15% rate as practically a new global benchmark for U.S. tariffs, placing Taiwan on equal competitive footing with Japan and the European Union.Under the ART, Taiwan will also implement tariff reductions on selected U.S. imports, the premier said. According to a think tank assessment commissioned by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, economic projections for Taiwan’s industrial output, GDP and industrial employment—previously expected to decline—are now forecast to shift into positive growth, demonstrating that the overall outcome of the negotiations is favorable to Taiwan and will deliver tangible benefits.The premier stated that Taiwan’s exports to the U.S. totaled US$113.76 billion in 2024. Of that amount, 76%—equivalent to US$86.2 billion—consisted of products subject to Section 232 tariffs, including high-tech, semiconductor, and information and communications technology (ICT) products, all of which have now secured most preferential tariff rates under the ART. The remaining 24%—or US$27.5 billion—comprised US$17.6 billion worth of products that will be subject to a 15% reciprocal tariff, as well as US$9.9 billion worth of products that have obtained exemptions from that 15% rate.Premier Cho added that most U.S. industrial goods imported into Taiwan are either raw materials or products targeting distinct market segments. As such, they will generate complementary supply chain effects that, in turn, boost the competitiveness of Taiwan’s industries. With respect to U.S. agricultural imports, 85% are products for which Taiwan has low self-sufficiency or no domestic production. Tariff reductions on these imports will thus benefit downstream processors and consumers.The premier stressed that the government must honestly address the industries that will face significant impacts as a result of the trade agreement. Accordingly, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Ministry of Labor have launched support measures for the automotive sector, particularly passenger vehicles and automotive parts, allocating special funds of NT$3 billion (US$95.2 million) to provide targeted assistance. A dedicated advisory team will also be established to strengthen export capacity and facilitate upgrading and transformation in the automotive sector. As for the agricultural sector, the Ministry of Agriculture will create a NT$30 billion (US$951.8 million) agricultural security fund to maintain the competitive advantages of Taiwan’s agricultural products, bolster industry resilience, assist farmers and expand export opportunities.Regarding non-tariff trade barriers, Premier Cho said Taiwan and the U.S. reached consensus on a range of issues, including labor rights protection, environmental conservation and sustainable fisheries. He emphasized that public health remains the government’s foremost policy priority. Taiwan will align with science-based international standards, he said, while adhering to four principles of “no change”: no change to existing bans on sensitive products; no change to country-of-origin labeling requirements; no change to domestic sourcing for school meals; and no change to food safety oversight mechanisms. These four principles will preserve food security and safeguard public health.Regarding Taiwan-U.S. economic and trade cooperation, the premier noted that, for the nation’s long-term development, both sides must work together to deepen economic security cooperation and strengthen high-tech democratic supply chains. To this end, the government has proposed a “Taiwan Model,” under which US$250 billion will be invested independently by private enterprises, while government-backed credit guarantees will enable financial institutions to extend up to US$250 billion in corporate financing. The U.S., in turn, will provide corresponding support through infrastructure and regulatory facilitation, delivering mutually beneficial outcomes for Taiwan, the U.S. and industries.Premier Cho stated that the negotiations fulfilled six key objectives: maintaining the global competitiveness of Taiwan’s industries; ensuring food security; protecting public health; enhancing the Taiwan-U.S. economic and trade framework; establishing trusted and secure industrial supply chains; and solidifying the Taiwan-U.S. high-tech strategic partnership. Tariffs on Taiwan’s exports to the United States have been reduced from 32% applied in addition to existing MFN rates to a standalone 15% rate exempt from MFN stacking, lowering the effective average tariff rate to 12.33% and successfully preserving the global competitiveness of Taiwan’s industries. <上版日期>115-02-13 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/f79fe211-3ed3-4d3f-a9fb-e88d89915e97 <標題>Taiwan, US sign reciprocal trade agreement, securing preferential tariff status <內容>On February 12 (Eastern Standard Time), Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun and Yang Jen-ni, Chief Trade Representative at the Executive Yuan's Office of Trade Negotiations, led Taiwan’s negotiating delegation—including representatives from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health and Welfare—to Washington, D.C., where they reached a consensus with the U.S. delegation led by U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) between Taiwan and the United States. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick joined the two sides in witnessing the signing of the ART by Ambassador Alexander Tah-Ray Yui of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) and Managing Director Ingrid D. Larson of the Washington Office of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT).The signing of the ART follows the January 15 culmination meeting on tariff negotiations and the signing of a Taiwan-U.S. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on investment with the U.S. Department of Commerce. The ART includes sections on tariffs, non-tariff barriers, digital trade, economic security and commercial opportunities. Together, the ART and MOU formally establish Taiwan’s most preferential tariff treatment with respect to reciprocal tariffs and tariffs imposed under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. Moving forward, the Executive Yuan will promptly submit the ART, together with the MOU, to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation in accordance with the Conclusion of Treaties Act, and will seek the Legislature’s support to pave the way for a new chapter in the Taiwan-U.S. strategic economic and trade partnership.The Executive Yuan’s Taiwan-U.S. Economic and Trade Task Force stated that, following several months of bilateral talks, Taiwan’s negotiating team has achieved six major objectives: (1) Obtaining most preferential treatment for reciprocal tariffs and Section 232 tariffs, thereby strengthening the international competitiveness of Taiwan’s industries.(2) Ensuring food security and defense industrial resilience.(3) Protecting public health through scientific evidence-based alignment with international standards.(4) Enhancing the Taiwan-U.S. economic and trade framework to create a more friendly and transparent environment for business.(5) Advancing cooperation on economic security and building trusted industrial supply chains.(6) Expanding two-way investment to solidify a Taiwan-U.S. high-tech strategic partnership.The Task Force emphasized that, beyond promoting balanced trade and establishing a mutually beneficial economic framework, the ART will also foster a Taiwan-U.S. high-tech strategic partnership centered on technological innovation, supply chain resilience and economic security. By shaping a new Taiwan-U.S. supply chain configuration, the ART will help to ensure the technological leadership, economic prosperity and peaceful stability of democratic nations. <上版日期>115-02-13 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/1809d87d-b319-423a-8bc9-aa8517f182c9 <標題>Four-year program to further boost micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises <內容>At the Cabinet's weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai was briefed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) on a 2026-2029 program to further develop micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). The premier said that in 2025, a plan for the diversified revitalization and development of MSMEs provided consultation and guidance to 247,830 businesses, leading to NT$9.746 billion (approximately US$309.6 million) in output. Building on those results, the government is implementing a program spanning 2026-2029 to continue investing in MSMEs’ capacity for both digital and net-zero transformation, thereby promoting inclusive growth.Premier Cho noted that the four-year program will expand its scope by targeting four dimensions: (1) identifying MSMEs with growth potential and enhancing their artificial intelligence (AI) application capabilities through digital platform adoption; (2) supporting enterprises in need of transformation by facilitating partnerships with startups to develop solutions using innovative technologies and expertise; (3) assisting MSMEs in managing both financial and carbon accounting through collaboration with professional accounting associations; and (4) helping MSMEs seeking international market development and global expansion by providing a one-stop service platform to support the establishment of overseas distribution channels.The premier further stated that the plan is expected to train 53,000 professionals in digital and net-zero transformation, generate NT$3.2 billion (US$101.7 million) in business opportunities, compile 100,000 carbon emissions data records from MSMEs and reduce carbon emissions by 82,000 metric tons. He instructed the MOEA to step up implementation efforts so that Taiwan’s MSMEs can maintain their unique competitive advantages amid the AI wave, global supply chain restructuring and evolving post-tariff landscape. <上版日期>115-02-12 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/7c75d671-8d3d-4dcc-b019-30503f65e661 <標題>Government to offer uninterrupted services during Lunar New Year holiday <內容>At Thursday's weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai received briefings from the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC), Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of the Interior, Financial Supervisory Commission and Ocean Affairs Council (OAC) on measures to ensure readiness during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, which will begin next week and last for nine days. The premier thanked government staff who will remain on duty to meet the needs of people returning home for family reunions or traveling on vacation, and praised their commitment to maintaining uninterrupted services throughout the holiday, allowing the public to enjoy a peaceful Lunar New Year.Concerning preparations for outbound and inbound travel, Premier Cho noted that Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport expects to serve between 137,000 and 164,000 passengers daily during the festive period, and directed the MOTC and Taoyuan International Airport Corporation to minimize waiting times by implementing orderly queuing and efficient passenger processing.During the Lunar New Year period, the risk of animal diseases entering the country is expected to rise alongside the anticipated surge in passenger and cargo traffic. The premier therefore called on relevant government bodies—including the MOA, MOTC, OAC, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Economic Affairs—to continue rigorously enforcing border control measures to prevent disease entry.Regarding national security, Premier Cho asked the Ministry of National Defense to commend all members of the armed forces for their role in protecting the nation and its people. He also extended special thanks to coast guard personnel for their perseverance and dedication to border readiness, and instructed the OAC and Coast Guard Administration to remain vigilant against illegal cross-border vessels and smuggling activities in order to firmly secure Taiwan’s maritime borders. <上版日期>115-02-05 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/1a10d089-adb8-401a-a60f-e7dd64e53aa2 <標題>Construction soil and rock management plans ensure environmental sustainability <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a report from the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) on strategies to accelerate end-to-end management of surplus construction soil and rock. To safeguard sustainable land use, uphold environmental justice and curb illegal dumping practices by unscrupulous operators, the premier has approved an action plan for waste management and resource recycling, as well as a plan for the final disposal of surplus construction soil and rock. He expressed hope that the central and local governments will work hand in hand to achieve win-win outcomes for both industrial development and environmental protection.Premier Cho further stated that the government will inventory final disposal sites across land, marine and port areas; promote source reduction and excavated soil reuse measures; improve methods for processing surplus soil and rock; direct transport and treatment operators to enhance oversight through technologies such as GPS tracking, satellite monitoring and aerial drone imaging; and strengthen law enforcement and inspections. These measures will enable end-to-end management and facilitate the effective circulation and proper utilization of surplus soil and rock.Premier Cho noted that the current challenges in the disposal of construction soil and rock should be addressed pragmatically by identifying land suitable for temporary storage, so as to allow construction projects to proceed smoothly. Temporarily stored materials can then be allocated to large-scale projects where they are required. The premier directed the MOI to continue implementing its strategies, and called on all involved ministries and agencies to actively ensure that source reduction and earthwork balance measures are applied from the planning and design stage of projects under their jurisdiction. He also instructed the Ministry of Transportation and Communications and the Ministry of Economic Affairs to expedite land reclamation projects, and urged local governments to jointly establish public sites for temporary surplus soil and rock storage. <上版日期>115-01-29 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/c2e427a6-cfc6-4e13-b8f7-45fd069644d2 <標題>Taiwan-U.S. economic dialogue yields consensus on seven key areas <內容>At Thursday’s weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai underscored Taiwan’s crucial role in the democratic supply chain for artificial intelligence (AI), as exemplified by the recent signing of the Joint Statement on the Pax Silica Declaration and U.S.-Taiwan Cooperation on Economic Security at the sixth Taiwan-U.S. Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue (EPPD). The premier expressed hope that Taiwan and the U.S. will continue leveraging this platform to deepen collaboration across various fields, thereby enhancing public welfare and economic prosperity. The premier noted that the sixth Taiwan-U.S. EPPD was recently held in Washington, D.C., where the two sides reached specific conclusions and key decisions on seven major areas: AI supply chains, digital infrastructure, critical minerals supply chains, drone supply chains, high-tech talent development, Taiwan-U.S. collaboration in third countries and bilateral economic cooperation. Both sides agreed that the latest round of dialogue, held under the EPPD framework launched in 2020, achieved fruitful results.Premier Cho emphasized that the talks reaffirmed Taiwan’s strategic partnership with the U.S. in democratic supply chains. U.S. representatives also highlighted that the partnership serves as a foundation for building a trustworthy framework for future technological cooperation. The premier directed all ministries and agencies to enhance coordination within their respective areas of responsibility in order to advance follow-up initiatives that maximize the impact of the dialogue’s outcomes and further deepen bilateral economic and trade partnerships. <上版日期>115-01-29 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/8c2f8053-5697-4e25-99d1-be56a076106e <標題>Premier Cho receives delegation from the US-Taiwan Business Council <內容>Premier Cho Jung-tai on Tuesday received a delegation from the US-Taiwan Business Council (USTBC). The premier said that after nine and a half months of reciprocal tariff negotiations, Taiwan and the U.S. have achieved tangible progress with the signing of a Taiwan-U.S. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on investment cooperation. The premier expressed hope that the two sides will continue to deepen mutually beneficial partnerships and jointly build robust democratic supply chains, as Taiwan’s government advances its 10 major AI projects and strengthens national security, energy stability and industrial growth.Addressing two-way investment, the premier said Taiwanese companies, including MediaTek, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and GlobalWafers, are expanding investment in the U.S. Meanwhile, American companies are increasing their presence in Taiwan: Amazon Web Services (AWS) is establishing data centers serving the Asia-Pacific region; NVIDIA and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) will set up overseas headquarters in Taipei and Kaohsiung, respectively; Google is expanding its R&D infrastructure; and Micron Technology and Lam Research also plan to bolster investment in Taiwan.At the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit, Taiwan fielded the largest foreign delegation, spanning industries such as semiconductors, AI, quantum technology and drones. Premier Cho stressed the substantive necessity of advancing the Taiwan-U.S. Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (ADTA) to enhance bilateral trade and economic relations.In his remarks, USTBC Chairman Keith Krach said that Taiwan-U.S. relations have come far over the past five years, with the two sides regularly convening the Taiwan-U.S. Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue (EPPD) since 2020, leading to the signing of a Taiwan-U.S. Science and Technology Agreement (STA). He also highlighted TSMC’s May 2020 announcement to invest US$12 billion in the U.S. All these exchanges have laid the groundwork for a free trade agreement and the signing of the investment cooperation MOU.Chairman Krach further pointed out that U.S. business investment in Taiwan can create a halo effect, encouraging additional investments from other U.S. allies. At the same time, TSMC’s investment in the U.S. has catalyzed further investment by other semiconductor manufacturers, boosting investment and employment opportunities in the country. <上版日期>115-01-27 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/5129440b-ef02-4721-8657-06d8021207d5 <標題>Cabinet approves draft amendments to combat terrorist, proliferation financing <內容>The Executive Yuan on Thursday approved the Ministry of Justice’s proposed amendments to the Counter-Terrorism Financing Act, which include renaming the act to emphasize its role in preventing the funding of not only terrorism but also the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). The draft amendments will be submitted to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation.Premier Cho Jung-tai noted that the draft amendments introduce restrictions on activities that facilitate proliferation financing, fortifying the legal framework in response to growing international concern over risks associated with the financing of WMD proliferation, as well as the actions recommended in the third round of mutual evaluation by members of the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG). The draft amendments also broaden the mandate of an existing review committee on counter-terrorist financing to include proliferation financing, strengthening targeted financial sanctions, suspicious transaction reporting and other related mechanisms.With regard to enhancing international cooperation, the premier said the amendments also propose new articles that prohibit any person from engaging in trade or goods transactions with countries or regions sanctioned by the United Nations Security Council and publicly designated by Taiwan as subject to trade bans or controls. These changes will reinforce the integrity of Taiwan’s legal framework for combating both terrorist financing and proliferation financing. <上版日期>115-01-22 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/dc85005a-187d-41ec-b1e4-ea6f7dc74de3 <標題>Voucher programs boost engagement in cultural, athletic and Hakka activities <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received reports from the Ministry of Culture (MOC), Hakka Affairs Council (HAC) and Ministry of Sports (MOS) on the implementation and outcomes of the Culture Points, Hakka Coin and Sports Coin programs. The premier said these initiatives aim to encourage active youth participation and spur the growth of related industries by issuing digital vouchers redeemable toward spending on corresponding cultural and athletic activities. The MOC began issuing Culture Points in 2023, making Taiwan the first country in Asia to promote a cultural voucher policy. The HAC launched Hakka Coin in August 2025, and the MOS is transforming its Youth Sports Voucher program into the Sports Coin program in 2026, expanding the pool of eligible recipients. Premier Cho noted that the Culture Points program has been expanded this year to cover individuals aged 13 to 22, with each recipient receiving NT$1,200 (approximately US$38) worth of points. In the first 19 days of January, over 40% of eligible recipients have already claimed their Culture Points. He instructed the MOC to continue actively promoting the program to encourage young people to explore a broader range of cultural experiences and foster the growth of Taiwan’s cultural industries.The premier said that Hakka Coin vouchers are being issued to individuals who obtained Hakka language proficiency certification in 2025, Hakka-speaking households, and citizens aged 18 to 49 selected by lottery. Each eligible person will receive NT$1,000 (approx. US$32) in Hakka Coins, intended to encourage the public to visit Hakka villages and experience the richness of Hakka language, culture and cuisine, thereby cultivating real-world Hakka-speaking environments and promoting the revitalization of Hakka language and culture.The Sports Coin program will expand sports voucher eligibility to all citizens aged 16 or older to advance the goal of sports for all, Premier Cho said. In total, 600,000 vouchers, each worth NT$500 (approx. US$16), will be issued for spending on exercise activities, sports event attendance and athletic equipment purchases. By boosting sports-related consumption, the initiative aims to stimulate new momentum for the sports industry and promote exercise as a part of everyday life for all. <上版日期>115-01-22 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/2086b186-66bc-46dc-9e47-6b29eab38b5b <標題>Taiwan-US negotiation results to boost Taiwan’s strategic position, support reciprocal trade deal <內容>Premier Cho Jung-tai, accompanied by Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun, Minister without Portfolio and Chief Trade Representative Yang Jen-ni, and Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin, held a press conference on Tuesday to brief the public on the outcomes in the latest stage of Taiwan-U.S. tariff negotiations, progress toward a Taiwan-U.S. Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART), and how the negotiation outcomes and corresponding response measures will affect Taiwan’s industries.Premier Cho emphasized that, compared with other countries, Taiwan has achieved more substantial, thorough and comprehensive results in its talks with the U.S., strengthening Taiwan’s strategic position. He also expressed confidence that the negotiation team will continue its diligent efforts to finalize the Taiwan-U.S. ART.Vice Premier Cheng highlighted that the negotiations led to consensus on four key areas, including a reduced reciprocal tariff rate of 15% exempted from stacking; a U.S. commitment to grant Taiwan most preferential tariff treatment, as well as zero tariffs within quota limits for semiconductors and their derivative products under Section 232; the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on investment between Taiwan and the U.S; and the planned signing of the Taiwan-U.S. ART in the coming weeks. The vice premier also expressed hope that the U.S. will swiftly ratify the Taiwan-U.S. Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (ADTA).Regarding the credit guarantees and financing mechanism for Taiwanese investment in the U.S., Vice Premier Cheng noted that a national financing guarantee system has already been established under the National Development Council. Based on this system and a projected credit line of up to US$250 billion, the total required guarantee funding is estimated to range from US$6.25 billion to US$10 billion. Concerning Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s (TSMC) investments, the government respects its plans and has long supported its expansion in Taiwan.Vice Premier Cheng noted that the government has long promoted the motto “Taiwan can help,” adding that she looks forward to a future in which “Taiwan and the U.S. can lead.” She also stressed that the investment MOU’s strategic objectives are to leverage a “Taiwan Model” to support the development of industries that are “rooted in Taiwan, deploying globally,” and to build a high-tech democratic supply chain and further elevate strategic partnerships in artificial intelligence (AI) and mutually beneficial trade by leveraging the strengths and complementarities of both nations.Concerning progress on the signing of the ART, Chief Trade Representative Yang stated that Taiwan and the U.S. are currently conducting the legal scrubbing of the agreement text and verifying items subject to reciprocal tariff exemptions and tariff reduction schedules. With regard to U.S. requests for Taiwan to fully open its market, she said that Taiwan’s negotiating team continues to adhere to the principles of safeguarding national and industrial interests, ensuring food security and maintaining defense resilience. Once signed, she added, the agreement will help bring Taiwan’s economic and trade policies into full alignment with international standards.Economic Minister Kung stated that Taiwan has secured a 15% reciprocal tariff rate, exempt from stacking, and went on to elaborate on response measures and the effects of the new rates on various domestic industries. For the machine tool, machinery and automotive parts industries, tariff parity with competitors such as Japan and South Korea will enhance competitiveness in the U.S. market. In the bicycle, plumbing hardware and hand tools industries, Taiwan has obtained more preferential tariff rates than competitors such as China and Vietnam, strengthening its competitive advantages. Other industries, including plastic, textiles and medical devices, also enjoy tariff rates superior to those of competitors. Regarding the semiconductor industry, Minister Kung pointed out that Taiwan’s information and communications technology (ICT) industry is continuing to expand globally, and he anticipates that deeper integration can be achieved in the future through two-way Taiwan-U.S. investment cooperation. He stressed that, in AI and semiconductors, the world needs Taiwan, and Taiwan needs the world, and he expressed confidence that the outcome of these negotiations will enable Taiwan to continue playing a critical role in the global high-tech sector. <上版日期>115-01-20 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/293a9d04-4531-4dcb-abdf-9396c273a9d5 <標題>Premier Cho delivers remarks on outcome of US tariff negotiations <內容>Premier Cho Jung-tai on Friday delivered remarks on the outcome of the Taiwan-U.S. tariff negotiations. The premier stated that early this morning, Taiwan time, the Taiwanese negotiating delegation led by Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun and Chief Trade Representative Yang Jen-ni held a culmination meeting in Washington, D.C. with the U.S. delegation led by Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The two sides finalized arrangements concerning reciprocal tariffs, tariffs under Section 232 of the U.S. Trade Expansion Act of 1962, and investment cooperation, jointly witnessing the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on investment by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) and the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT). Premier Cho emphasized that all four negotiation objectives pursued by Taiwan’s delegation were achieved. First, Taiwan secured a reduced reciprocal tariff rate of 15%, exempted from tariff stacking and calculated using the same methodology applied to Japan, South Korea and the European Union. This represents a stepwise reduction from 32% in April of last year to 20% last July, and now to 15%, aligning Taiwan’s tariff treatment with that of Japan and South Korea.Second, Taiwanese companies that invest in semiconductors, semiconductor-derived products and other designated sectors within the U.S. will enjoy preferential Section 232 tariff treatment. In addition, the delegation secured a 15% tariff rate, exempted from stacking, for automotive parts, lumber and other products, as well as preferential Section 232 tariff treatment for various goods, including zero tariffs on steel-, aluminum- and copper-derived products used in aircraft components.Third, in order to advance supply chain collaboration and deepen economic and trade ties, a “Taiwan Model” was established to help Taiwanese companies expand their presence in the U.S. semiconductor and information and communications technology (ICT) sectors. Under this framework, Taiwanese businesses will make direct investments of US$250 billion, while Taiwanese government-backed credit guarantees will support US$250 billion in bank financing. Investments will target areas such as the U.S. semiconductor and ICT supply chains, involving collaboration with the U.S. government to foster industrial clusters and a more favorable investment environment for Taiwanese businesses.Fourth, the negotiations advanced efforts to promote a more balanced Taiwan-U.S. trade relationship and ensured a strategic partnership in the global AI supply chain.Premier Cho stressed that these outcomes were not easily attained. Over the past nearly 10 months, the government has pursued intensive negotiations with the U.S., while simultaneously advancing a special statute, with the support of the Legislative Yuan, to strengthen Taiwan’s resilience. Late last July, Taiwan obtained a provisional tariff rate of 20%, reduced from 32% and applied in conjunction with most-favored-nation (MFN) rates. Among nations that account for the largest U.S. trade deficits, Taiwan has now achieved most preferential tariff treatment, emphasizing U.S. recognition of Taiwan as a key strategic partner.The premier concluded by expressing his gratitude to Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun, Chief Trade Representative Yang Jen-ni and all of the ministries and agencies involved in the negotiations for achieving such excellent results through their dedicated collaboration. With further negotiations to follow, he urged all ministries and agencies concerned to maintain momentum and successfully advance the Taiwan-U.S. trade agreement, which will be submitted to the Legislature for deliberation, with the hope of securing support across political caucuses. <上版日期>115-01-16 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/061c07f7-613b-4e2b-acf4-9b7608dcdc0c <標題>Taiwan secures 15% reciprocal tariff rate with no stacking, most preferential semiconductor treatment <內容>On January 15 (Eastern Standard Time), Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun and Yang Jen-ni, Chief Trade Representative at the Executive Yuan's Office of Trade Negotiations, led Taiwan’s negotiating delegation in a culmination meeting with their U.S. counterparts, headed by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The meeting successfully secured various objectives, with the two sides jointly witnessing the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on investment by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) and the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT).The Cabinet’s Taiwan-U.S. Economic and Trade Task Force noted that Taiwan ranks sixth among the largest sources of the U.S. trade deficit, with 90% of that deficit coming from semiconductors, information and communications technology (ICT) products and electronic components. As these goods are subject to investigation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which concerns the restriction of imports deemed to threaten U.S. national security, Taiwan’s delegation focused on negotiations covering both reciprocal tariffs and Section 232 tariffs, engaging in multiple rounds of negotiations with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Department of Commerce. These efforts culminated in the attainment of four objectives:First, reciprocal tariff rates on Taiwanese goods were reduced from 20% to 15% and exempted from stacking with preexisting most-favored-nation (MFN) tariffs, thereby conferring treatment equivalent to other major U.S. trade-deficit partners, including Japan, South Korea and the European Union.Second, Taiwan became the first U.S. trading partner to obtain most preferential tariff treatment for semiconductors and their derivative products for companies investing in the U.S. In addition, the delegation secured preferential Section 232 tariff treatment for automotive parts, lumber and other products.Third, the “Taiwan Model” was put in place to guide Taiwanese companies into the U.S. supply chains, foster industrial clusters and further expand the global competitiveness of Taiwan’s technology sector. Fourth, the negotiations advanced two-way investment between Taiwan and the U.S. in high-tech industries, and ensured a Taiwan-U.S. strategic partnership in the global AI supply chain. <上版日期>115-01-16 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/b44fe0a4-8dea-4bc6-9ae2-9cab759a0cc1 <標題>Cabinet approves draft amendments to raise elderly farmers’ welfare allowance <內容>The Executive Yuan on Thursday approved the Ministry of Agriculture’s proposed amendments to Articles 2, 4 and 7 of the Provisional Act Governing the Welfare Allowance for Elderly Farmers, with the aim of better caring for farmers in later life. The draft bill will be submitted to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation.Premier Cho Jung-tai noted that the welfare allowance is an old-age benefit for retired farmers, and that the proposed amendments increase the monthly allowance to NT$10,000 (approximately US$316) per person to reflect the rising cost of living, while also taking into account equity across social welfare programs and the central government’s fiscal capacity. In addition, to address rising prices and strengthen benefit guarantees, the draft amendments relax existing means-testing criteria and introduce an adjustment mechanism that triggers when the consumer price index (CPI) growth rate reaches 3%. These changes recognize farmers’ contributions and value to food security and national development, putting into practice the government’s commitment to supporting farmers in their later years.Premier Cho added that, with respect to reviews of the national pension and other welfare benefits, the Executive Yuan is gradually conducting those reviews and will propose further legislative amendments, guided by three principles: improving people’s livelihoods, protecting vulnerable populations and maintaining fiscal sustainability. <上版日期>115-01-15 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/99a96a71-fc46-4ed4-b9fd-754e44787529 <標題>Premier calls for legislative review of special defense procurement bill <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai stated that two major bills—the central government’s 2026 general budget proposal and the draft special act on procurement to enhance defensive resilience and asymmetric capabilities—have yet to be referred by the Legislative Yuan for committee deliberation. Given the evolving international situation and the unprovoked intrusions of military vessels and aircraft by the Chinese Communist Party, the need to reinforce Taiwan’s defense resilience and preserve national security has never been more pressing. The special act on procurement proposed by the Ministry of National Defense is specifically intended to address these developments. The premier directed the defense ministry to proactively communicate with all legislative caucuses and promptly clarify any factually incorrect statements, thereby preventing misinformation from spreading and compromising national security. <上版日期>115-01-15 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/766b95ba-539b-42e4-88db-18050c0a00c7 <標題>Premier urges Legislature to review 2026 central government budget proposal <內容>Several days into the new fiscal year, the Legislative Yuan has yet to examine the central government’s 2026 general budget proposal, an unprecedented occurrence in Taiwan’s constitutional history that has seriously disrupted both central government operations and local public finances. Addressing the situation, Premier Cho Jung-tai led the heads of relevant ministries and agencies to convene a press conference following the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday. The premier once again called on the Legislature to promptly and rationally review the general budget proposal so that the government can devote its full efforts toward caring for and serving the people.The premier said that because the 2026 budget proposal has yet to be passed, NT$299.2 billion (approximately US$9.5 billion) in planned spending has been frozen. This includes NT$101.7 billion (approx. US$3.2 billion) for new programs; NT$180.5 billion (approx. US$5.7 billion) in increased funding for recurring expenditures and ongoing programs compared to 2025; and NT$17 billion (approx. US$538.5 million) for the disaster reserve fund and the first and secondary reserve funds. The Legislative Yuan’s continued failure to deliberate on the general budget proposal has not only impeded central government administration but has also severely impacted local government finances, stalling the implementation of a total of NT$63.7 billion (approx. US$2 billion) in new programs related to local infrastructure and social welfare.Premier Cho pointed out that Taiwan is in a race against time in a competitive global environment, and that slowing the nation’s progress would undermine its competitiveness. With a booming national economy and the stock market repeatedly reaching record highs, the government requires more time and resources to ensure a fairer distribution of benefits across society. Technologies such as silicon photonics, quantum technology, artificial intelligence (AI) robotics and unmanned vehicles are all key focuses of the government’s 10 major AI projects, being crucial to Taiwan’s technological development. In response to various pandemic impacts, the government is also pursuing domestic vaccine research and development while strengthening the safety and resilience of pharmaceutical supply chains. This is an important commitment by the government to safeguard the health of its citizens. At the same time, Taiwan’s ability to hold influence in the international community is dependent on broadening its diplomatic reach, enhancing international connections and deepening cooperation with its diplomatic allies and democratic partners.The premier emphasized that the Legislative Yuan is responsible for budget deliberation, while the Executive Yuan is responsible for budget preparation. He directed the heads of all ministries and agencies to clearly and thoroughly explain the government’s rationale for requesting and maintaining the proposed budget, so as to gain the understanding and support of the Legislature. He also expressed hope that all party caucuses can work together, stressing that they must seize the present and invest in Taiwan’s future to safeguard its security and strengthen the nation. <上版日期>115-01-08 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/7c236d11-8e1b-496a-b683-9ec528851ff0 <標題>Government to launch various key measures benefiting the public in 2026 <內容>At a Cabinet meeting Friday, Premier Cho Jung-tai was briefed by the Executive Yuan’s Department of Coordination and Planning on major policies and public-benefit measures that will be implemented starting January 2026. The premier said that over the past year and seven months since his administrative team took office on May 20, 2024, they have consistently pursued key policy objectives focused on improving people’s well-being, economic development, public security and national security. In spite of the daunting political and economic challenges at home and abroad, the government has steadily and pragmatically advanced new policies, progressively realizing President Lai Ching-te’s “National Project of Hope” policy vision. Premier Cho noted that from January 2026 onward, the government will introduce various key measures to bring greater benefits and convenience for the public. These include a minimum wage hike, marking the 10th consecutive year of raises; tax reductions that benefit both individuals and families; a more flexible parental leave without pay system that better aligns with parents’ child care needs; and expanded maternity benefits across various social insurance programs to strengthen support for families raising children.Premier Cho further said his administrative team is doing its utmost, in accordance with the constitutional order, to ensure the continued implementation of major policies and programs. He expressed hope that all party caucuses in the Legislative Yuan can complete deliberations on the central government’s 2026 general budget proposal as soon as possible. Looking ahead to the new year, the premier said his administrative team will continue to safeguard Taiwan’s democratic constitutional system, protect national security, stimulate economic growth, improve people’s well-being, and advance vital infrastructure and policy initiatives, thereby fostering a more peaceful and content society and enabling Taiwan to move forward confidently into the future. <上版日期>114-12-26 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/7096e6f5-0f2f-4a99-ad69-ee541211290a <標題>Premier Cho receives Japanese House of Representatives Member Kono Taro <內容>Premier Cho Jung-tai on Wednesday received a visiting delegation led by Kono Taro, a member of Japan’s House of Representatives and former Minister for Foreign Affairs. The premier said that Taiwan and Japan have always provided mutual support and assistance to each other during their times of greatest need, and are currently cooperating in several areas including regional peace, economic security, and science and technology. He emphasized that both sides share the common goal of promoting peaceful development throughout the Indo-Pacific region.Premier Cho pointed out that innovation and development in the field of AI technology is among these areas of bilateral cooperation. The Executive Yuan is planning 10 major AI projects, while the National Center for High-performance Computing under the National Institutes of Applied Research has officially announced a collaboration with Taiwan’s Chunghwa Telecom and Japan’s NTT to develop All-Photonics Network (APN) infrastructure. APNs are expected to substantially reduce energy consumption and enable higher-speed data transmission, the premier said, which is certain to have an enormous impact on the development of AI technologies worldwide.Premier Cho further highlighted that Japan is Taiwan's third-largest trading partner, while Taiwan is Japan's fourth-largest, with bilateral trade surpassing US$76.7 billion as of the end of November this year. He expressed hope that all Japanese legislators in the delegation will continue to promote Taiwan-Japan cooperation, particularly through digital technology exchanges in fields such as AI, data technologies, robotics and unmanned vehicles.In his remarks, Representative Kono said that visitor arrivals from Taiwan to Japan exceeded 6 million in 2024, and that arrivals for January to November 2025 have already surpassed that total. He also pointed out that Taiwan’s investment in Japan last year stood in excess of US$5 billion. All of these figures represent record highs. In addition, Representative Kono expressed confidence that economic ties between the two sides will continue to deepen, pointing out that Taiwan and Japan have signed a digital trade agreement and memorandums of understanding (MOUs) on regional customs cooperation, while Taiwan has also lifted restrictions on food imports from five Japanese prefectures affected by the 2011 Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster. <上版日期>114-12-24 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/8e9bc3a0-4996-4967-8829-4fc0c652e197 <標題>Premier receives Japanese House of Councillors Member Takinami Hirofumi <內容>Premier Cho Jung-tai on Tuesday received a visiting delegation led by Takinami Hirofumi, a Liberal Democratic Party member of Japan’s House of Councillors and chair of the TY Group, a pro-Taiwan group within the chamber. The premier extended his highest regard to Councillor Takinami, thanking him for regularly organizing TY Group delegations to visit Taiwan and for his continued efforts to promote pro-Taiwan voices within the House of Councillors. He also commended Councillor Takinami for frequently speaking up for Taiwan in Japan’s National Diet, and for successfully advocating for the Japanese government to revise the family register system so that Taiwanese nationals with household registration records in Japan may list “Taiwan” as their place of origin.Highlighting the strong complementary relationship between Taiwan and Japan, Premier Cho expressed his hope that the two sides can work together to build a robust industrial supply chain and strengthen cooperation in national strategy, regional affairs, social resilience, and high-tech and other economic sectors, in order to realize the vision of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”Councillor Takinami noted that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the House of Councillors unanimously passed a resolution supporting Taiwan’s participation as an observer in the World Health Organization (WHO). He anticipates that, building upon this shared conviction, the TY Group can continue to advance support within the National Diet for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations.Councillor Takinami further remarked that following the recent earthquake that struck Aomori Prefecture in Japan, Premier Cho promptly conveyed his condolences, demonstrating Taiwan and Japan’s true friendship during times of need, and how each will extend a helping hand to the other when hardships arise. Comparing the Taiwan-Japan relationship to that of one family, Councillor Takinami expressed hope that bilateral ties can continue to deepen. <上版日期>114-12-23 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/88aad194-4ec8-49bf-9ba4-f0723b43904b <標題>Premier Orders Overnight Investigation into Suspect in Taipei MRT Attacks <內容>In response to a series of violent attacks that occurred Friday evening at Exits M7 and M8 of MRT Taipei Main Station and near the exits of MRT Zhongshan Station, Premier Cho Jung-tai immediately traveled to the incident site at Taipei Main Station to receive briefings on the situation and promptly addressed the public regarding the information available to law enforcement authorities. The premier instructed authorities to conduct an overnight investigation into the suspect, surnamed Chang. He emphasized the need to determine the motive for the crimes, clarify the circumstances of the case, and provide a clear account to the public and to the victims’ families as swiftly as possible. He also directed all major transportation hubs—including railways, highways, metro systems and airports—to maintain a heightened state of alert.Speaking to the media, Premier Cho said preliminary investigations indicate that incidents at both stations were perpetrated by the same individual. The suspect was allegedly wearing a gas mask and threw multiple smoke grenades near Exits M7 and M8 of MRT Taipei Main Station, injuring an innocent bystander. The suspect then moved to the vicinity of MRT Zhongshan Station, where he continued to carry out indiscriminate attacks on members of the public. During the subsequent police pursuit, the suspect fell from an elevated location and died despite emergency medical efforts.Premier Cho said that he has tasked the Ministry of Health and Welfare with notifying all hospitals receiving emergency cases to spare no effort in treating all injured individuals. He also directed the Taipei City Police Department and the National Police Agency (NPA) under the Ministry of the Interior to work in close coordination and fully assist with prosecutorial investigations. In addition, the premier instructed the NPA and relevant ministries and agencies to maintain a heightened state of vigilance at major transportation hubs nationwide. <上版日期>114-12-20 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/02a11484-4c56-47d0-9f97-f43469f23028 <標題>Premier approves version 2.0 of social safety net program <內容>At the Cabinet's weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) report on version 2.0 of a program to strengthen Taiwan's social safety net, covering 2026-2030. The premier praised the ministries, agencies and local governments involved for their long-term efforts to protect at-risk individuals and families through the first version of the program, which was launched in 2018 to build a more comprehensive social safety net system and was previously implemented over two phases.Premier Cho stated that from 2026 to 2030, the government plans to invest NT$81.96 billion (approximately US$2.6 billion) to actively expand primary prevention resources, reach a wider service population, improve service mechanisms and promote cross-sector collaboration. The government will also continue to strengthen its professional workforce and expand service centers to 710 locations nationwide.The premier further noted that, in addition to the social safety net program, the government is rolling out the 10-year Long-term Care Plan 3.0. At last week’s Cabinet meeting, the Executive Yuan also approved a restructuring of the MOHW, which will result in the creation of a child and family support administration and a long-term care and social development administration. Together, these moves demonstrate the government’s full commitment and concrete actions to protect vulnerable populations, support families and promote social stability. <上版日期>114-12-18 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/8b1e3f93-9349-48a4-aae9-d6cd83f5d09d <標題>Premier refuses to countersign unconstitutional amendments to fiscal law <內容>Premier Cho Jung-tai on Monday convened an Executive Yuan press conference to announce his decision to defend constitutional order by refusing to countersign amendments to the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures. The premier stated that the amendments, which passed their third and final reading in the Legislative Yuan on November 14, 2025, are clearly unconstitutional. To faithfully fulfill his role and responsibility as the head of the country’s highest administrative organ, and in accordance with Article 37 of the Constitution of the Republic of China (Taiwan), the premier decided to withhold his countersignature from the amendments. By halting these unconstitutional amendments, the decision defends the constitutional principle of separation of powers; upholds popular sovereignty, democratic principles and lawful governance; and protects the nation’s development and fiscal stability.Premier Cho said the Legislative Yuan’s amendments to the Act contain clear violations of the Constitution. First, the amendments contravene the constitutional principle of separation of powers and substantially infringe upon the executive power of the Executive Yuan. Second, the legislative process for passing the amendments contradicted the principles of transparency and deliberation, thereby undermining democratic procedures. Third, the implementation of the amendments would inflict irreparable and serious harm to national development.Premier Cho further explained that the amendments would lead to inequitable distribution of financial resources among counties and cities, resulting in a widening urban-rural gap and betraying the intent of Article 147 of the Constitution. Once implemented, the amended Act would inflict irreparable and serious harm on the public interest, and the Executive Yuan has a responsibility to ensure national development and fiscal stability.The premier stressed that under the Constitution’s framework of checks and balances, the Legislative Yuan may, in accordance with Subparagraph 3 of Paragraph 2 of Article 3 of the Additional Articles of the Constitution, initiate a vote of no confidence against the premier if it objects to the Executive Yuan’s decision not to countersign the bill. Therefore, the Executive Yuan’s decision does not constitute an overreach of executive power or an act of executive dictatorship. Faced with unconstitutional and unlawful legislation, the premier, in the exercise of his constitutional responsibilities, is obliged to refuse to countersign in order to prevent harm to the nation. <上版日期>114-12-15 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/10563e90-f44a-471f-a3f9-0b9e73fbb9d3 <標題>Restructuring will create two new agencies under health ministry <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun received a report on the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s (MOHW) planned organizational restructuring. The vice premier said the MOHW is reorganizing in response to structural changes in society and the evolving care and development needs of children, youth, seniors, people with disabilities and women. The ministry will establish two new subordinate bodies—a child and family support administration and a long-term care and social development administration—to advance the vision of a healthier Taiwan and ensure that the public’s care and development needs are met.Vice Premier Cheng said the child and family support administration will integrate child and youth protection, child care, family support and related health policies to foster a more secure developmental environment for the next generation. As for the long-term care and social development administration, it will oversee welfare policies for long-term care, seniors, people with disabilities and women, as well as services related to the National Pension Program and other social development issues. Overall, the restructuring aims to promote a more forward-looking and inclusive approach to social welfare policy.Vice Premier Cheng noted that the restructuring also includes the establishment of two non-departmental public bodies: the National Institute of Health Technology Assessment and a national research institute of Chinese medicine. In addition, it will strengthen the MOHW’s legal framework, international cooperation and management structure for affiliated institutions, providing the ministry with the organizational resilience required to meet the challenges of the coming decade. <上版日期>114-12-11 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/1e7965cc-78f2-4334-8074-2425121d60e0 <標題>Executive Yuan approves draft amendments to Assisted Reproduction Act <內容>The Executive Yuan on Thursday approved the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s draft amendments to the Assisted Reproduction Act, aimed at upholding women’s reproductive autonomy and safeguarding the best interests of children. The draft will now be submitted to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation.Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun said that since its implementation in 2007, the Assisted Reproduction Act has restricted the use of assisted reproductive technologies to heterosexual married couples, leaving women who are unmarried, divorced, widowed or in same-sex marriages without equal ability to exercise their basic right to start a family.Vice Premier Cheng said the draft amendments are grounded in the fundamental principle of respecting women’s reproductive autonomy and would expand eligibility for assisted reproduction to include both unmarried women and women in same-sex marriages. The proposed changes would also safeguard the best interests of children, clarify the legal status of children born through assisted reproduction, strengthen maternal and child rights, and improve family support systems, ensuring that all families can develop equally under the protection of the law. <上版日期>114-12-11 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/c4a5076b-31a4-4ff7-a326-7e570bb84525 <標題>Premier Cho receives Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Chairman Sumi Shuzo <內容>Premier Cho Jung-tai on Friday received a visiting delegation led by Sumi Shuzo, chairman of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association. The premier stated that during this visit, Chairman Sumi attended the 49th Taiwan-Japan Economic and Trade Conference, at which the two sides signed a digital trade agreement, establishing new standards to advance personal data protection, online consumer protection and communications security. The conference also saw the signing of a Taiwan-Japan memorandum of understanding (MOU) on regional customs cooperation. This MOU will enable more secure, convenient and efficient customs clearance between Kaohsiung Customs and Kobe Customs, facilitating broader economic and trade cooperation and exchanges in the future.The premier recalled Chairman Sumi’s recent statement that any attempt to change the status quo through coercion or force is unacceptable, and that Taiwan is an extremely important partner and cherished friend with whom Japan shares fundamental values. Premier Cho said he was deeply moved by these remarks, as well as by Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae’s recent reaffirmation of the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. He emphasized that his sincere hope is safety for Taiwan, safety for Japan, and peace for the world. He added that peace depends upon strength, and that only with strong capabilities can we secure true peace and ensure that no crises arise.Premier Cho further noted that regarding industrial cooperation, Taiwan’s government supports Taiwanese businesses in expanding their global presence and contributing to prosperity and progress in Japan, the U.S., Europe and beyond. In addition, it will continue to position Taiwan as a hub for research, development and manufacturing, with the premier expressing confidence that combining these efforts with Japan’s advanced materials, equipment and technologies will enable the two partners to amplify each other’s strengths.In his remarks, Chairman Sumi highlighted that the successful signing of the digital trade agreement and the MOU on regional customs cooperation will enhance the security of online transactions and data exchanges, and speed up bilateral efforts to combat smuggling and streamline customs clearance. The chairman on Friday will also attend the eighth edition of a Taiwan-Japan business cooperation committee meeting on expanding into third-country markets, where he hopes to foster stronger economic collaboration and bilateral ties. <上版日期>114-12-05 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/f5773c23-ad3d-41e5-af3c-2259c502666c <標題>Drug resilience program to strengthen Taiwan’s self-sufficiency and supply chains <內容>At the Cabinet's weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a report from the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) on a program to strengthen Taiwan’s drug resilience and advance biomedical development for a "Healthy Taiwan." The premier said that the globalized nature of pharmaceutical supply chains, coupled with overreliance on a few active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) suppliers, poses a significant risk of disruptions due to pandemics, natural disasters or geopolitical factors. In response, the MOHW formulated the program to bolster the nation’s self-sufficiency and supply chain resilience for critical drugs.Premier Cho noted that the program, which comprises five key objectives and six major action plans, will focus on domestic API production, generic drug promotion, independent biologics development, reinforcement of critical medical devices, smart monitoring implementation, regulatory improvements and international cooperation. In addition, NT$24 billion (approximately US$765.8 million) will be allocated under the program to foster the growth of a trillion-dollar biomedical industry and fortify the nation’s health care defenses.The premier further highlighted that drug resilience is crucial to Taiwan’s whole-of-society defense, expressing hope that the program will facilitate flexible medicine allocation, expand domestic alternatives, and increase overall supply chain resilience and adaptability. In turn, this will help safeguard public health and strengthen the biomedical industry’s competitiveness. <上版日期>114-12-04 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/dde0f267-f1d2-41b8-a579-d737a6b46186 <標題>Cabinet approves 2026-2029 extension of TPASS program <內容>At Thursday's weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) briefing on the Executive Yuan's TPASS program, including its results and subsequent implementation. The premier said that since the launch of the program in July 2023, TPASS passes have been purchased 19.133 million times and utilized on public transportation 1.456 billion times, with service satisfaction reaching 85%.Premier Cho pointed out that overall public transport ridership in 2024 grew by 27.4% from 2022, indicating the initiative’s success in boosting public transport usage, reducing carbon emissions and footprints, and fostering a more environmentally friendly society.The premier further said that the Executive Yuan has approved the extension of the MOTC’s TPASS monthly travel pass program for 2026 to 2029, along with its NT$36.38 billion (approximately US$1.2 billion) budget, and has submitted the 2026 budget proposal to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation. The aim is to broaden the initiative’s user base and encourage greater public transportation usage, thereby supporting the nation’s goal of net-zero carbon emissions. <上版日期>114-12-04 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/ca8813ba-ec5d-4dab-a4b9-8f74d60ca3ab <標題>Cabinet approves draft act for defense resilience and asymmetric capabilities <內容>The Executive Yuan on Thursday approved a draft special act on procurement aimed at enhancing the nation’s defense resilience and asymmetric capabilities. Prepared by the Ministry of National Defense, the draft bill will be submitted to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation.Premier Cho Jung-tai said that in light of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) ongoing, multifaceted efforts to harass and threaten Taiwan, our government has been striving to reassure the public of its ability and resolve to safeguard national sovereignty and security. However, in the face of the CCP’s increasingly frequent and varied incursions, the nation must further bolster its self-defense capabilities, while making it clear to like-minded partners around the world that Taiwan possesses sufficient strength for them to provide meaningful assistance.The premier further noted that many countries and regions around the world are currently reassessing and substantially increasing their defense budgets, including the European Union, Germany, the United States, and Indo-Pacific nations such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines. Given Taiwan’s key position both in the first island chain and in a highly geopolitically sensitive area, it has even greater reason to enhance its self-defense capabilities.Premier Cho stated that the special act aims to strengthen democratic defense capabilities and support the development of national defense-related industries. The goal is both to acquire more advanced and sophisticated new armaments and to facilitate the upgrading and transformation of Taiwan’s defense and military-related industries, enabling them to become a new engine of economic growth alongside the nation’s high-tech sector. The premier emphasized that as countries around the world evaluate global defense production capacity, they increasingly recognize Taiwan as an emerging and crucial force. The government must therefore take prudent initiative to seize this moment, turning external threats into an opportunity for strengthening national capabilities and bolstering industrial growth. <上版日期>114-11-27 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/cb6c164b-f3be-48f1-932d-f84ea21990fd <標題>Executive Yuan requests reconsideration of fiscal allocation act amendments <內容>In accordance with Subparagraph 2 of Paragraph 2 of Article 3 of the Additional Articles of the Constitution of the Republic of China, the Executive Yuan on Thursday approved a request for the Legislative Yuan to reconsider amendments to the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures, which passed their third and final reading during the ninth sitting of the fourth session of the 11th Legislature on November 14, 2025.Premier Cho Jung-tai stated that the Legislative Yuan's amendments to the Act were deemed difficult to execute due to six main issues: (1) The current and previous rounds of amendments would require the government to borrow NT$563.8 billion (approximately US$18 billion), exceeding the 15% borrowing cap stipulated by the Public Debt Act; (2) the amendments encroach upon the Executive Yuan’s budgetary authority, jeopardizing fiscal health and the central government’s policymaking and administrative powers; (3) the amendments deprive the central government of flexibility in managing fiscal surpluses and deficits; (4) the amendments do not reasonably reflect the fiscal capacities of local governments; (5) the amendments hinder the central government’s ability to supervise local governments in handling autonomous affairs and fulfilling statutory obligations; and (6) the amendments result in insufficient central oversight of local governments’ fiscal affairs. For these reasons, the Executive Yuan will, following approval by the President, submit its request for reconsideration to the Legislative Yuan.Premier Cho further emphasized that, with Taiwan’s economic growth ranking first among the Four Asian Tigers (Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea) since 2024, it is all the more crucial that the nation’s public infrastructure and social welfare do not fall behind other countries. In light of this, the Executive Yuan stands firm in rejecting the Legislative Yuan’s latest amendments to the Act and, on November 20, submitted its own proposed amendments for legislative deliberation. These proposed changes aim to foster a more balanced quality of life, more rational vertical distribution, more equitable horizontal distribution, stronger local autonomy, and enhanced partnership between the central and local governments. The premier also expressed hope that all legislative caucuses will engage in rational discussion and fairly review the Executive Yuan’s request for reconsideration. <上版日期>114-11-27 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/76b38e80-d482-499a-990e-0f7d9801ac52 <標題>Executive Yuan approves draft amendments to fiscal allocation act <內容>The Executive Yuan on Thursday approved draft amendments to the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures. Proposed by the Ministry of Finance (MOF), the bill aims to ensure the nation’s sustainable development and people’s well-being, and will be submitted to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation.Premier Cho Jung-tai said that the Legislative Yuan’s amendments to the Act on December 20, 2024, gave rise to three major issues: inconsistency between the statutory wording and the allocation formula, inequitable allocation between the central and local governments, and imbalanced allocation among local governments. On November 14, 2025, the Legislative Yuan amended the act again, further widening the urban-rural divide and intensifying wealth concentration. The premier added that the two rounds of amendments combined would require NT$563.8 billion (approximately US$18 billion) in debt, exceeding the 15% ceiling set under the Public Debt Act.Premier Cho emphasized that the MOF’s proposed amendments address both central and local governance needs, aiming to safeguard the nation’s sustainable development and public welfare while promoting balanced regional development across Taiwan. The proposed legislation aligns fiscal resources with administrative responsibilities to help foster a more balanced quality of life, more rational vertical distribution, more equitable horizontal distribution, stronger local autonomy, and enhanced partnership between the central and local governments. <上版日期>114-11-20 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/58c4959c-8c6a-42f3-aa93-abb6770953b8 <標題>Cabinet approves draft amendments to Labor Insurance Act <內容>The Executive Yuan on Thursday approved draft amendments to the Labor Insurance Act. Proposed by the Ministry of Labor (MOL), the draft amendments stipulate that the central government will bear ultimate responsibility for the finances of the national labor insurance system.Premier Cho Jung-tai stated that labor insurance is one of the most important retirement security systems for workers. Since 2020, the government has allocated annual budgetary subsidies to strengthen the financial stability of the Labor Insurance Fund. These subsidies have increased each year and, combined with diversified investments, the fund has grown to NT$1.2 trillion (approximately US$38.4 billion), demonstrating the direct, positive impact of government contributions on its finances. The new draft amendments codify the government’s current practice of providing annual subsidies, as well as its role in assuming ultimate financial responsibility, reflecting its determination to keep the labor insurance system stable.Premier Cho said that the bill will be submitted to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation, and directed the MOL to actively engage with all legislative caucuses to expedite the completion of the legislative process. <上版日期>114-11-20 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/6ef49d0c-52a2-486c-be8d-bcb59829f8e4 <標題>ASF measures focus on border controls, pork market stability and food waste <內容>At the Cabinet's weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received briefings from the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) and Ministry of Environment (MOENV) regarding measures to prevent further outbreaks, stabilize pork production and sales, and manage food waste following the lifting of pig transport and slaughter bans imposed in response to African swine fever (ASF). The premier noted that the ASF outbreak has currently been brought under control through the government’s rapid response and three successive rounds of containment and contingency measures, and that the fourth round will continue to reinforce early warning and monitoring systems. He also urged pig farmers to proactively conduct biosecurity inspections and protocols, and directed the relevant ministries and agencies—including the MOA, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, and Ocean Affairs Council—to thoroughly implement enhanced border controls to safeguard Taiwan’s zero-infection status.Premier Cho further stated that, due to the ongoing ban on feeding food waste to pigs, food waste must currently be disposed of through incineration or landfill. In the long term, however, effort must be directed toward promoting sustainable disposal methods such as composting, bioenergy generation and black soldier fly farming. The premier instructed the MOENV to facilitate the establishment of new food waste recycling facilities in counties and cities that lack adequate infrastructure capacity, and to refine policy measures and related efforts to ensure a smooth transition toward sustainable food waste management. <上版日期>114-11-13 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/41701f40-54e4-4c6c-b7f3-60772e1272e8 <標題>Cabinet approves draft amendments to Fraud Crime Hazard Prevention Act <內容>The Executive Yuan on Thursday approved draft amendments to the Fraud Crime Hazard Prevention Act. Premier Cho Jung-tai stated that combating fraud is one of the government’s key policy priorities. Although statistics indicate a downward trend in the number of fraud cases, total monthly financial losses from fraud still amount to billions of NT dollars. The premier instructed his administrative team to remain vigilant, stay prepared and continue strengthening anti-fraud efforts.The Fraud Crime Hazard Prevention Act was originally promulgated on July 31, 2024. The newly proposed amendments focus on strengthening collaborative mechanisms between judicial police authorities, financial institutions and virtual asset service providers (VASPs); expanding the scope and severity of penalties for high-value property crimes; improving compensation for victims; and factoring a perpetrator’s extravagant spending into sentencing decisions.Premier Cho said that the bill will be submitted to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation, and instructed the involved ministries and agencies to actively engage with all legislative caucuses to facilitate the swift completion of the legislative process. <上版日期>114-11-13 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/26ec5f22-f4bb-43a4-b073-a0a2941aab23 <標題>New tourism program will develop areas on and south of the Tropic of Cancer <內容>At Thursday's weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai was briefed by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications on a 2026-2029 program to develop tourist areas located on and south of the Tropic of Cancer. The premier noted that Taiwan, owing to its geographic location on the Tropic of Cancer and at the intersection of the Eurasian and Philippine Sea plates, is endowed with diverse landscapes and ecosystems that make it a highly attractive tourist destination. Efforts to promote Taiwan, he said, should integrate local history and cultures, leverage storytelling to create attractions with rich cultural value, and take into account geography and climate. Furthermore, promotional strategies should be tailored to the preferences and habits of travelers from different countries and regions, supported by smart app-based systems that provide them with timely, easy-to-access travel information.Premier Cho directed the Tourism Administration to swiftly implement the program so that initial development in three zones—Chiayi; Penghu, Taitung and southern coastal Taiwan (Tainan, Kaohsiung and Pingtung); and Hualien and Yuli Township—can be completed by 2027, and that key initiatives can be finalized by 2028, thereby establishing a corridor of world-class attractions and landmarks for tourists to enjoy. <上版日期>114-11-06 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/56526eaf-aaed-4f69-91ea-b1dfc7c7c2da <標題>Government will help stabilize markets as pig transport, slaughter bans lift <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of Agriculture briefing on measures to provide guidance and stabilize pork production and sales following the upcoming lifting of pig transport and slaughter bans imposed in response to African swine fever (ASF). The premier noted that the first domestic case of ASF was confirmed on October 21. On October 22, the ASF central emergency operations center promptly initiated three successive rounds of containment and contingency measures, and a central government forward operations post was established in Taichung to assist the Taichung City Government with epidemiological investigations, disinfection and other related efforts.Premier Cho said that, based on the findings of the central government’s investigation team, the current ASF outbreak is confined to a single farm in Taichung, the site of the only confirmed case, with no indication of further spread. Accordingly, following an assessment by the ASF central emergency operations center, the government will remove the bans on pig auctions, slaughter, carcass transport and pork sales, effective midnight on November 7.The premier nevertheless emphasized that disease prevention efforts must not weaken despite the lifting of these bans. He called for closer collaboration between the central and local governments to identify and promptly address potential vulnerabilities, and urged local authorities to closely monitor pig farms within their jurisdictions and implement robust biosecurity measures. The sustainability of Taiwan’s pig farming industry can only be ensured through nationwide cooperation, he said. <上版日期>114-11-06 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/6d9e246b-f8e7-44f5-8917-c31e47e17558 <標題>Disease control and subsidy measures protect pig farming and food safety <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received briefings from the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), Ministry of Finance (MOF) and Ministry of Digital Affairs regarding a subsidy plan, border controls and other government measures to manage the spread of African swine fever (ASF). The premier said that to effectively curb the spread of ASF, the MOA on October 26 announced a 10-day extension of the ban on pig transportation, slaughter and feeding of food waste to pigs. At the same time, the MOA launched a second round of strengthened measures, including graded inspections, enhanced disinfection, targeted epidemiological investigations and expanded tracing. The premier asked the MOA, Ministry of the Interior (MOI) and Ministry of Environment to join forces with local governments in achieving the strategic goal of eradicating ASF area by area.Premier Cho said that the central government is also implementing guidance and support measures to ease the impact on pig farming operations and the livelihoods of related workers during the ban period. These measures include feed subsidies to cover the extra cost for pig farms transitioning away from using food waste, as well as a subsidy plan for personnel and businesses across the primary industry chain, including pig farmers, wholesalers, meat markets, slaughterhouses and food vendors.Premier Cho emphasized that, aside from containing the outbreak domestically, vigilance in border disease prevention must also be maintained. To this end, he directed the MOF, MOI and Ministry of Transportation and Communications to continue enforcing X-ray screening of all parcels, express deliveries and luggage from high-risk areas, while further increasing the proportion of items manually inspected to at least 20%. The premier also called for increased oversight of overseas e-commerce platforms and private freight consolidators, and enhanced inspections of high-risk contractors and customs brokers. In addition, he instructed the Ocean Affairs Council to continue strengthening anti-smuggling operations, with the aim of preventing the further entry of ASF from abroad. <上版日期>114-10-30 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/5a3838db-7530-4fa3-86d0-c0e422ec4150 <標題>New labor plan to prioritize locals, promote transnational workforce <內容>At the Cabinet's weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of Labor (MOL) report on a plan to enhance the use of transnational labor. The premier said that, with Taiwan’s domestic labor workforce steadily shrinking, the government must improve domestic labor participation, wages and employment conditions, while also tackling industry labor shortages and promoting a system where both employers and employees can thrive.He emphasized that the plan follows the principle of prioritizing local workers while safeguarding the rights of transnational workers, with a focus on raising local wages, increasing migrant worker quotas and easing retention rules for experienced migrant workers. In addition, the government will advance measures to introduce more foreign technical personnel into the hospitality and commercial port sectors. Premier Cho also noted that the MOL will establish new overseas recruitment centers starting in the first quarter of 2026 to boost administrative efficiency, as well as to ensure fair recruitment practices and labor rights protections for transnational workers. <上版日期>114-10-30 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/aaab9837-47bb-42f1-a138-bead80e723fc <標題>Comprehensive ASF containment plan to safeguard Taiwan’s pork industry <內容>At Thursday's weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a report from the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) on the response and follow-up prevention measures concerning a suspected African swine fever (ASF) case. The premier said that after China reported Asia’s first ASF case on August 3, 2018, Taiwan’s government promptly responded by strengthening prevention efforts across all fronts—from border controls to domestic biosecurity measures—and, with the joint efforts of the public, successfully kept ASF from reaching the island’s shores. However, on October 21, 2025, samples from pig carcasses collected by the Taichung City Animal Protection and Health Inspection Office tested positive for ASF. Following this, Premier Cho swiftly directed the MOA and other relevant ministries and agencies to implement the appropriate emergency response mechanisms.The premier likened disease prevention to waging a battle, calling on all levels of government to maintain the strictest discipline and highest safety standards. In addition to a thorough review of all key aspects of the disease prevention system to identify any lapses, the government has temporarily suspended the feeding of food waste to pigs and is implementing an active and effective containment plan to minimize the impact of the incident. He also stressed that counties and cities near the outbreak site must conduct comprehensive epidemiological investigations to help determine the source of the suspected case.The premier said that the central government has set up a forward operations post in Taichung to monitor the front-line situation of the suspected outbreak and efficiently coordinate response measures, with the goal of closing any gaps in containment as quickly as possible. He directed all relevant ministries and agencies—including the MOA, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Education, Ministry of the Interior, Ocean Affairs Council, Mainland Affairs Council and Ministry of Labor—to fully mobilize in the fight against the disease. He also instructed them to strengthen public communication about the ongoing containment policy and to provide accurate information, ensuring that the public understands the government is taking rigorous action to halt any potential outbreak and will not allow contaminated pork from deceased swine to enter the market. Premier Cho emphasized that at this juncture, all ministries, agencies and local governments must work hand in hand to carry out response measures. Only through such joint efforts, he said, can a robust and comprehensive disease prevention network be established to minimize the potential impact of the animal disease. <上版日期>114-10-23 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/f3affbca-bd4e-43a4-ad95-8d06d2a38ba5 <標題>Vice Premier receives EU deputy director-general for business and industry <內容>Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun on Wednesday received Deputy Director-General Hubert Gambs of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW). The vice premier said that Taiwan-EU relations continue to deepen and expressed hope that, building on this existing foundation, both sides can work together to address future challenges in areas such as green and clean technologies, the circular economy, the establishment of democratic supply chains and the development of artificial intelligence (AI). She also thanked EU member states for their investments in Taiwan’s offshore wind power and other renewable energy industries in recent years, and anticipates that these efforts will help Taiwan achieve its goal of sourcing 30% of its power from green energy by 2030. Vice Premier Cheng further stated that through the Smart Taiwan 2.0 initiative under her leadership, as well as through President Lai Ching-te’s policy of promoting Five Trusted Industry Sectors—semiconductors, AI, military, security and surveillance, and next-generation communications—Taiwan seeks to cooperate with like-minded nations to jointly establish safer and more resilient democratic supply chains. In his remarks, Deputy Director-General Gambs said that Europe’s experience with various crises in recent years, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war, underscores the need for the EU to build resilient supply chains. Taiwan is the EU’s 13th largest trading partner, while the EU is Taiwan’s 4th largest, and both sides are already collaborating in a wide range of fields, with the hope of further strengthening these ties for the benefit of people in both Taiwan and Europe.He also commended Taiwanese enterprises for their strong innovative and technological capabilities, noting that the 2025 European Innovation Week is organized to foster partnerships between Taiwanese and European businesses and to deepen cooperation and exchanges across multiple fields. These include the energy transition to address climate change—such as wind and geothermal energy—and technological development aligned with President Lai’s Five Trusted Industry Sectors. <上版日期>114-10-22 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/6884645f-0fbe-4630-a8f3-e66933545dd1 <標題>Drone industry development to follow three goals, four strategies <內容>At the Cabinet's weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) report on a comprehensive program to develop the drone industry, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). The premier said that amid global geopolitical shifts, secure and trusted supply chains are becoming increasingly vital. In this context, drones not only play a pivotal role in asymmetric warfare but also hold significant potential for emerging civilian applications.Premier Cho pointed out that the drone industry—part of the Five Trusted Industry Sectors announced by President Lai Ching-te—is being developed based on the three key policy goals of advancing industrial development, achieving national defense autonomy and building democratic supply chains. He said the government will promote the drone industry through four main strategies: on the market front, by expanding domestic and international demand to guide industrial development; on the technology front, by fostering technological advancement and international cooperation; on the environmental front, by forming industry clusters and ecosystems; and on the legislative front, by improving regulations related to unmanned vehicles.The premier instructed the MOEA, National Science and Technology Council, and Ministry of National Defense to collaborate with other ministries and agencies in accelerating the expansion of domestic demand and the development of new drone applications, while capitalizing on business opportunities arising from the international shift of orders to non-red supply chains. The goal is to establish Taiwan as the Asia-Pacific hub of the democratic drone supply chain—enabling the nation’s drone industry to expand globally, demonstrating its industrial autonomy and highlighting the values of democratic supply chains. <上版日期>114-10-16 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/5540405c-f076-4bfe-8134-f2dcdaf1204a <標題>Premier urges stronger disaster preparedness after barrier lake flood in Hualien <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received briefings from the Executive Yuan’s Office of Disaster Management, the Public Construction Commission (PCC) and the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) regarding the status of disaster recovery operations following the overflow of the Matai'an Creek Barrier Lake in Hualien County. The premier said that all homes in the affected area—except for some in remote locations or narrow alleyways—have been cleared to a certain extent, thanks to the dedicated effort of many volunteers, the ROC Armed Forces, and the central and local governments. He said that water and electricity services have also been almost fully restored, but emphasized that these represent only the initial steps in the broader recovery and reconstruction process. The premier called for continued cooperation between the central government’s on-site forward coordination post and the Hualien County Government’s forward command post, in order to help disaster victims return to normal life as soon as possible.On October 7, the Executive Yuan opened a one-stop disaster relief service station in Guangfu Township, Hualien County, integrating multiple central government services to provide consultations and on-site applications for government assistance. Premier Cho expressed gratitude to the PCC, MOA, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Environment, Financial Supervisory Commission, Council of Indigenous Peoples, Taiwan Foundation for Disaster Relief and other public bodies for their cooperation in launching the station. He instructed his administrative team to learn from this experience as they continue to streamline procedures, expedite the distribution of relief funds and ensure the swift completion of all recovery operations.Premier Cho further directed the MOA to continue monitoring slope conditions and the status of the barrier lake, develop medium- to long-term governance improvement measures, and properly plan and implement mitigation works. As long as the barrier lake remains, disaster scenario simulations and risk analyses must continue, and timely reviews and enhancements of existing response mechanisms, such as alert and notification systems, must be carried out. Furthermore, support must be provided to the local government to enable prompt evacuations and ensure the safety of downstream residents. Every effort must be made to ensure thoroughness and completeness.The premier said that the disaster serves as an invaluable learning opportunity from which the government must draw lessons, identify weaknesses in prevention and response mechanisms, and enhance mitigation measures and preparedness training. Facing the challenges of climate change, teamwork and cooperation are crucial in order to more effectively safeguard people’s lives and property. <上版日期>114-10-09 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/7692b06b-238e-48fc-8c25-ee4e384f3cfb <標題>Premier calls for amendments to disaster response special act, increased budget <內容>At Thursday's weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai offered his deepest condolences to the victims of the Matai'an Creek Barrier Lake overflow caused by Typhoon Ragasa. He also led attendees in a minute of silence. The premier noted that some individuals remain missing and that rescue operations are ongoing, with all personnel fully engaged and seizing every opportunity in hopes of achieving the best possible outcome.During the meeting, Premier Cho was briefed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Executive Yuan’s Department of Transportation, Environment and Natural Resources on the progress of recovery operations following the overflow disaster. To accelerate overall recovery and help residents return to normal life as quickly as possible, the premier said the Executive Yuan had swiftly established a forward coordination post under the Central Emergency Operations Center in Hualien, mobilizing all available personnel and resources to ensure an effective response and expedite reconstruction.The premier pointed out that, following the disaster, the government has carried out rescue and recovery operations in phases according to established planning: first, saving lives; second, assisting in the rebuilding of homes; third, clearing waste and silt; and fourth, restoring local transportation and the environment. The operations aim to help residents return to basic living conditions by the Mid-Autumn Festival, he said. More comprehensive reconstruction will follow, covering private housing, agriculture, industry and public infrastructure. The government will also conduct a thorough review of the disaster’s causes and overall emergency response to address shortcomings, clarify responsibilities, and enhance early warning and prevention capabilities for future extreme weather events. Premier Cho noted that, as the formation of the Matai'an Creek Barrier Lake occurred after Typhoon Danas, all of Hualien County has been designated as a disaster-affected area under the recently passed special act for post-disaster recovery and reconstruction following Typhoon Danas and the extremely heavy rainfall that started on July 28. The Executive Yuan is working with urgency to calculate the funding required to provide financial assistance for reconstruction and relief, and will soon propose amendments to the special act with a corresponding increase in budget, currently projected at NT$20 billion (approximately US$657.6 million). The premier expressed hope that all party caucuses can support the proposed amendments and the subsequent special budget to ensure the swift and comprehensive delivery of financial assistance. <上版日期>114-10-02 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/f9b02905-677b-4eee-bcf6-a268c448548e <標題>Premier: Step up disaster response for Hualien flooding, rescue the missing <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received briefings from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of the Interior on the impacts of Typhoon Ragasa and the overflow of the Matai’an Creek Barrier Lake in Hualien County. The premier instructed the Central Emergency Operations Center to maintain close communication with Hualien County’s Emergency Operations Center in order to seize the critical early window for rescue efforts and make every effort to locate missing persons. The premier noted that many fatalities occurred on the ground floor, and in addition to expressing his deepest condolences, he emphasized the need to investigate the causes of death to improve evacuation procedures in the future.To accelerate recovery operations and help residents return to their normal lives as soon as possible, the premier said the Executive Yuan has established a forward coordination post. This post links the Central Emergency Operations Center with local disaster response efforts to jointly mobilize all available resources, ensuring that relevant ministries and agencies can continue responding promptly to ongoing developments and expedite recovery and reconstruction.Premier Cho directed the Ministry of Agriculture to swiftly restore water level monitoring at the dam wall of the barrier lake—weather and personnel safety permitting—so as to enable accurate, technology-based surveillance. He also instructed the ministry to promptly assess and formulate mid- to long-term measures for discharging the remaining water in the barrier lake, with the aim of reducing the water pressure on the dam. Until the situation is fully resolved, the government must continually update all scenario simulations, dynamically adjust alert and response mechanisms, and refine early warning systems. Furthermore, it must carry out preventive evacuations when necessary to mitigate the effects of potential disasters.The premier stressed that this challenge highlights the need to strengthen Taiwan’s national resilience and disaster prevention systems, and more importantly, to focus on conducting comprehensive reviews and implementing effective measures to prepare for such scenarios in the future. <上版日期>114-09-25 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/7a85cdef-489c-4813-bd43-03aad522b361 <標題>Premier: Advance three initiatives to tackle declining fertility rates <內容>At Thursday's weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai was briefed by the Ministry of Labor and Ministry of Health and Welfare on a plan to tackle declining fertility rates through three major initiatives. The premier noted that the government is actively advancing various policies to support families raising children, in line with version 2.0 of its national child care policy for children aged 0-6, part of President Lai Ching-te’s National Project of Hope.Premier Cho said that beginning January 1, 2026, the government’s childbirth allowance will be raised to NT$100,000 (approximately US$3,321) per child. Furthermore, based on the principle of equitable access to welfare services, the allowance will also be made available to women with Taiwanese nationality not enrolled in social insurance, as well as to foreign spouses who give birth to children with Taiwanese nationality.The premier added that starting November 1, 2025, the government will launch version 3.0 of its in vitro fertilization (IVF) subsidy program. The updated program increases existing financial support, with infertile couples under age 39 eligible for up to NT$150,000 (approx. US$4,982) for their first IVF treatment cycle, and up to NT$100,000 (approx. US$3,321) for the second and third treatment cycles for each pregnancy. For infertile couples aged 39 to under 45, support for the first cycle will increase to a maximum of NT$130,000 (approx. US$4,318) and to NT$80,000 (approx. US$2,657) for the second and third cycles for each pregnancy. In addition, beginning September 1, 2025, the government will launch a pilot program providing financial assistance for fertility preservation among patients undergoing medical treatment. <上版日期>114-09-18 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/aa4a36e2-f63b-47f7-a267-b78658ac8ded <標題>Cabinet approves draft amendments to seven laws to protect undersea cables <內容>To strengthen the protection of submarine cables, conduits and pipelines, the Executive Yuan on Thursday approved draft amendments to seven laws: the Telecommunications Management Act, Electricity Act, Natural Gas Enterprise Act, Water Supply Act, Meteorological Act, Commercial Port Law, and Law of Ships. The Executive Yuan’s Office of Homeland Security also presented a report outlining how the amendments aim to safeguard undersea infrastructure, ensure vital public services and enhance national security. The proposed legislation will now be submitted to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation.Premier Cho Jung-tai said that the protection of undersea infrastructure is crucial to maintaining essential domestic services—such as communications, electricity, water and gas—and safeguarding national security. He noted that since the start of 2025, numerous violations by vessels operating under flags of convenience have damaged Taiwan’s undersea communication cables, posing serious threats to homeland and critical infrastructure security. The amendments will not only define categories of violations but also designate negligent acts as punishable offenses, thereby strengthening the legal basis for enforcement, increasing liability for offenders and raising enforcement efficiency. In addition, the changes will include provisions for seizing vessels and equipment used in such unlawful activities. <上版日期>114-09-18 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/00f84fc3-6494-4626-b78d-8a8689531685 <標題>Premier receives Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Chairman Sumi Shuzo <內容>Premier Cho Jung-tai on Wednesday received a delegation led by Sumi Shuzo, chairman of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association. The premier said that Taiwan and Japan share universal values such as democracy, freedom, human rights and the rule of law, and that both sides enjoy long-standing historical ties, with their peoples holding positive impressions of each other. He voiced confidence that the association, under Chairman Sumi’s leadership, will help lay a stronger foundation for Taiwan-Japan cooperation across various sectors and drive continued progress. Premier Cho further noted that strengthening collaboration in disaster prevention and mitigation, as well as in high-tech industries, is a key focus of bilateral cooperation going forward, especially as both Taiwan and Japan are situated in disaster-prone regions and share a responsibility to ensure sustainable development for future generations. He also emphasized that Taiwan and Japan are aligned in their commitment to peace and stability. He expressed hope that Chairman Sumi’s extensive experience and influence in Japan’s financial and economic sectors will help accelerate exchanges and cooperation on the economy and trade, paving the way for the signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) or Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), thus creating mutually beneficial opportunities and promoting regional peace and prosperity.In his remarks, Chairman Sumi said that Taiwan and Japan currently face numerous intractable challenges, including the impact of natural disasters such as typhoons and earthquakes. He recalled how, during the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, he witnessed Taiwan take the lead among the world’s nations in offering generous aid to Japan in its hour of need. He took this opportunity to express his gratitude once again to the people of Taiwan. Chairman Sumi also highlighted that both Taiwan and Japan are grappling with common challenges such as population aging, global warming and maintaining energy stability. He said that the path toward effective solutions to these issues will require close cooperation, and expressed hope that Taiwan and Japan’s collaborative relationship can continue to expand and strengthen in the future with the support of both peoples. <上版日期>114-09-17 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/1e54a548-8f4e-4e6e-be21-ff45617bca61 <標題>Cabinet approves special budget for national resilience amid global challenges <內容>The Executive Yuan on Thursday approved a proposed special budget for the central government to strengthen economic, social, livelihood and security resilience in response to international developments. Prepared by the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics, the special budget aims to provide prompt assistance to industries and individuals impacted by recent U.S. tariffs, and to enhance Taiwan’s economic momentum and international competitiveness. The bill will now be submitted to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation.Premier Cho Jung-tai said that although Taiwan-U.S. tariff negotiations have not yet concluded, in order to help industries swiftly adapt to emerging needs and the new global trade order, the Executive Yuan is proposing the special budget of NT$550 billion (approximately US$18.1 billion) under the recently passed special act to strengthen Taiwan's economic, social, livelihood and security resilience in response to international developments. The bill includes allocations of NT$78 billion (approx. US$2.6 billion) to support industries, NT$15 billion (approx. US$494.9 million) to stabilize employment, NT$307 billion (approx. US$10.1 billion) to safeguard people’s livelihoods and NT$150 billion (approx. US$4.9 billion) to enhance national resilience.The premier directed relevant ministries and agencies to actively communicate with the Legislative Yuan to facilitate the successful passage of the special budget proposal, thereby ensuring timely support for industries and the public. <上版日期>114-09-11 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/63891a53-6848-45aa-95d8-95047819e1cf <標題>New sports ministry to kick off new era of sports for Taiwan <內容>At Thursday's weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a report from the newly inaugurated Ministry of Sports (MOS) on its plans to drive a new era of sports in Taiwan. The premier noted that the MOS was officially established on September 9, 2025, coinciding with National Sports Day, and that NT$24.8 billion (approximately US$818.2 million) will be allocated in the central government’s 2026 general budget to support sports development. He further thanked everyone involved in the sports ministry’s formation, lauding their efforts in working together with the government to take this crucial first step.Premier Cho said that the newly formed Sports for All Agency and the planned Taiwan Sports Industry Development Center will serve as two key arms of the sports ministry. He called on the MOS to take proactive steps to realize its core vision of “sports for all” and to implement plans for the Taiwan Sports Industry Development Center in order to grow the sports economy and stimulate domestic demand. <上版日期>114-09-11 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/6540b1ef-0be4-42cd-939c-ae8925548c04 <標題>Premier receives delegation from US-Taiwan Business Council <內容>Premier Cho Jung-tai on Tuesday received Rupert Hammond-Chambers, president of the US-Taiwan Business Council (USTBC), and his delegation. The premier said that, considering the increasingly close cooperation between Taiwan and the United States, many Taiwanese companies intending to invest in the U.S. hope that the two sides can sign an avoidance of double taxation agreement (ADTA) soon to further reduce investment barriers. The premier thanked the USTBC for its longtime support of the ADTA and expressed hope that the council will, at this key juncture, continue using its influence to relay the business community’s calls for a swift conclusion to Taiwan-U.S. tariff negotiations.Premier Cho noted that one of the delegation’s aims during this visit is to gain a deeper understanding of Taiwan’s advancements in technologies such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing. He added that the Executive Yuan has recently introduced 10 major AI projects with a focus on the research, development and manufacturing of critical technologies such as silicon photonics, quantum, smart robotics and unmanned vehicles. The premier anticipates that these initiatives could align with America’s AI Action Plan, put forward by U.S. President Donald Trump, thus enabling Taiwan and the U.S. to further support each other and build a more resilient foundation for cooperation in non-red supply chains.President Hammond-Chambers said that the USTBC and its members are working closely with Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States to promote joint interests. These include the ADTA, which is currently pending review in the U.S. Congress, and the ongoing Taiwan-U.S. tariff negotiations.He further emphasized that the USTBC is focused on advancing two-way investment to drive economic growth in both Taiwan and the U.S., thereby creating a win-win outcome. The council is also committed to supporting the development of technologies such as next-generation AI and quantum computing, seeking to draw on the decades of trust built between the two sides. <上版日期>114-09-09 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/8facdc22-14e9-485d-83a7-9e6ed6ac5e03 <標題>Enhanced flexibility in parental leave begins in 2026 <內容>At Thursday's weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of Labor (MOL) report on a plan to support more flexible use of parental leave without pay. The premier said that the plan provides employees with greater workplace flexibility, including the option to apply for parental leave without pay in single-day units. This enables parents to care for their children without having to leave their jobs, thereby increasing workforce retention.Premier Cho pointed out that micro- and small enterprises may encounter significant challenges under the new plan due to staffing and cost constraints. In response, the MOL is planning to offer incentives that encourage employers to establish more family-friendly work environments. The premier instructed the MOL to proactively complete the necessary legal and administrative preparations to ensure that the relevant funding and allowances are ready for the plan’s expected launch on January 1 next year. <上版日期>114-09-04 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/ab9b5b4b-eea3-4e0c-955f-2112a0a28104 <標題>New rental support plan prioritizes married, childrearing families <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of the Interior (MOI) briefing on a plan to provide further rental housing assistance to young, married couples raising children. The premier noted that the government has been advancing its national child care policy 2.0 for ages 0-6 in response to declining birth rates. Building on that effort, the new plan will support married households with children by giving them higher priority for social housing, increasing rent allowances, expanding eligibility criteria and introducing additional items of financial assistance—all with the aim of fostering a friendlier environment for marriage and childrearing. To stabilize long-term rental relationships, ensure reasonable rental rates for lease renewals and enhance legal protections for both tenants and landlords, Premier Cho directed the MOI to study and propose amendments to the Rental Housing Market Development and Regulation Act, with the goal of promoting the healthy development of the rental housing market. He further instructed the Public Construction Commission and the MOI to intensify efforts to explore how the government can expand social housing, emphasizing cooperation with the private sector to meet the needs of the public. <上版日期>114-09-04 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/89da216e-5741-43e4-aac8-af4551a21499 <標題>Executive Yuan approves draft bill for basic law on AI <內容>The Executive Yuan on Thursday approved the draft bill for a basic law on artificial intelligence (AI), intending to create an environment conducive to AI development and application and to promote Taiwan as an “AI island.”Premier Cho Jung-tai said that to meet these goals, the Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA) drafted the legislation to establish the fundamental principles for AI research, development, application and governance. The new law aims to encourage technological innovation and alignment with international standards, while also protecting intellectual property rights and personal data. It anchors Taiwan’s key development priorities for AI, supporting the nation’s “AI island” aspirations and positioning it as a global leader in AI development.The premier instructed the MODA to actively engage with legislative caucuses and all sectors of society once the bill is submitted to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation, clearly articulating the proposed law’s legal framework and spirit to build broad support and ensure the swift completion of the legislative process. <上版日期>114-08-28 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/8b8aa2cd-53f3-4488-9d19-4bb5551441f1 <標題>Government policies support youth success from classroom to career <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of Education (MOE) briefing on government policies supporting Taiwan’s youth. The premier said that, ahead of the new academic year starting in September, the MOE is reporting progress on a range of innovative initiatives aimed at youth development. These initiatives empower young people at every stage of learning and growth, from campus life and academic advancement to career planning, with the goal of cultivating talent across all sectors of the nation.Premier Cho highlighted several key MOE policies, including efforts to reduce the cost disparities between public and private schools; provide financial aid for college and university housing; create new, improved school dormitory environments; and offer scholarships to doctoral students. These policies have effectively eased students’ financial burdens, improved the quality of student accommodations and encouraged youth engagement in advanced research. Given these positive outcomes, the premier directed the MOE to continue these efforts.Regarding the NT$10 billion (approximately US$327 million) Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative, Premier Cho instructed relevant ministries and agencies to maintain support for collaborative projects, and the MOE to continue advertising the initiative, so as to encourage youth participation, broaden their international outlook, and enhance the global visibility and competitiveness of Taiwan’s young talent. <上版日期>114-08-28 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/ad990b88-baf5-4316-bde8-abfc5034fec9 <標題>Executive Yuan approves 2026 administrative plan with AI focus <內容>The Executive Yuan on Thursday approved a draft of its 2026 administrative plan, proposed by the National Development Council. The draft, together with the central government’s 2026 general budget proposal, will be submitted to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation.Premier Cho Jung-tai noted that Taiwan is currently navigating an evolving global landscape marked by political and economic shifts, growing geopolitical risks, supply chain restructuring and the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. To meet these challenges, the premier’s administrative team must take active steps and embrace innovative thinking to advance a wide range of policies that serve the public interest and support the nation’s development. With the goals of implementing smart industry strategies and positioning Taiwan as a global leader in AI, the administrative plan lays a strong foundation for prosperous and sustainable development. <上版日期>114-08-21 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/688f6ca2-69fb-4b07-b450-3fe474b0e875 <標題>Cabinet approves draft amendments to special act to boost Taiwan’s resilience <內容>The Executive Yuan on Thursday approved the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ draft amendments to a special act to strengthen Taiwan’s economic, social, livelihood and security resilience in response to global challenges. The proposed amendments will now be submitted to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation.Premier Cho Jung-tai stated that, as Taiwan-U.S. tariff negotiations are still ongoing, the draft amendments allocate increased funding for industry support measures to promptly address the needs of various sectors during this period. The aim is to strengthen and expand the scope of assistance. The amendments also introduce financial support for power supply systems, in line with the requirements for maintaining industrial stability; expand support for disadvantaged groups and enhance care services; and allocate the funding necessary for the distribution of cash payouts to bolster social resilience.He added that the bill sets a budget ceiling of NT$590 billion (approximately US$19.7 billion), and directed all ministries and agencies to enhance communication efforts to facilitate the swift completion of the legislative process, with the goal of strengthening national resilience and delivering timely support to industries and the public. <上版日期>114-08-14 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/9629da6c-66d0-4167-8835-1f0aaaa1b9a2 <標題>‘Intelligent rainforest’ program to drive regional growth and tech deployment <內容>At Thursday’s weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai was briefed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs on an “intelligent rainforest” industrial revitalization program. To advance President Lai Ching-te's policy vision of transforming Taiwan into an “AI island,” the premier said that the government’s plan to promote a new Silicon Valley in southern Taiwan should serve as a foundational and pilot platform for the “intelligent rainforest” program, which will subsequently be expanded to other counties and cities. The program will address common industry needs by leveraging the expertise of colleges and universities, focusing on representative areas and building replicable innovation models. It will also facilitate AI integration and digital transition to increase operational efficiency and reduce production costs for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These efforts will accelerate the upgrading and transformation of industries in southern Taiwan, foster a resilient and scalable innovation ecosystem, drive regional prosperity and enable practical implementation of new technologies.Premier Cho emphasized that the program should be advanced in tandem with the government’s policy of creating smart living environments for all. Together, these initiatives will actively promote smart medicine, smart dining, smart manufacturing, and various other projects to introduce smart conveniences into everyday life, thereby extending AI applications across a wide range of industries, spurring innovation and ensuring inclusive access to the technology. <上版日期>114-08-14 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/ed1d45cc-7b82-4ca9-9c05-3e7db060b74b <標題>Taiwan continues to seek better US tariff rate, exemption from tariff stacking <內容>Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun convened a press conference on Monday to address U.S. tariffs and the Taiwanese government’s measures to support affected industries. The vice premier stated that Taiwan and the United States have conducted four rounds of in-person negotiations and 10 videoconference discussions to date. She said the current 20% tariff rate is provisional as talks are ongoing. The goal of subsequent negotiations is to secure a more favorable and reasonable rate, and to exempt the new rate from stacking with preexisting tariff rates. Once a final agreement is reached with the U.S., the Executive Yuan will promptly provide a full explanation of the agreement’s contents to the public and the Legislative Yuan, along with an impact assessment, and the full text of the agreement will be submitted to the Legislature for deliberation.The vice premier noted that one reason the negotiations could not be finalized before August 1 was that Taiwan ranked as the sixth-largest source of the U.S. trade deficit, which reached approximately US$73.9 billion in 2024, with 90% of that stemming from the information and communications technology (ICT) sector, including semiconductors, ICT hardware and electronic components. These products are also under the investigation pursuant to Section 232 of the U.S. Trade Expansion Act of 1962, adding complexity to the negotiations. As a result, Taiwan and the U.S. require additional time to continue dialogue on related issues as well as supply chain cooperation. Vice Premier Cheng said that one of the challenges in the negotiations has been the U.S. side’s push for the complete opening of markets. She emphasized that on the issue of non-tariff trade barriers, Taiwan’s negotiating team has consistently advanced talks guided by the principles of safeguarding national and industrial interests, protecting public health and ensuring food security.Regarding the calculation of tariff rates, Vice Premier Cheng said that, after the U.S. announced its tariff policy in April, the Executive Yuan had publicly clarified that, under the relevant U.S. executive orders, tariffs on Taiwanese exports would be calculated by adding the new tariff rate to the existing most-favored-nation (MFN) rates applied to Taiwan. In effect, the overall tariff rates would be the MFN rates plus the current provisional rate of 20%.The vice premier highlighted that the Executive Yuan has announced a range of support measures to address the tariffs’ impact on Taiwanese industries. The initiatives include financial assistance as well as plans to enhance industry competitiveness, develop diverse markets, offer tax incentives and stabilize employment. For sectors that are hit harder by foreign competition, the government will also launch programs to provide targeted support.Given the longstanding complementary partnership between Taiwan and the U.S. in the high-tech supply chain, not to mention growing Taiwanese investment in the U.S., Vice Premier Cheng noted that the government must examine ways to approach these negotiations holistically, so as to ensure a fair and favorable environment for Taiwanese businesses in the U.S., promote long-term Taiwan-U.S. supply chain cooperation, and strengthen the global positioning of Taiwan’s industries. <上版日期>114-08-11 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/99838314-f8f2-4741-a7f5-5dee165c5c38 <標題>Taiwan on track to eliminate hepatitis C by 2025, ahead of WHO target <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) briefing on the progress and strategies behind Taiwan’s policy goal of eliminating hepatitis C by 2025, five years in advance of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) target. The premier said that the MOHW issued the Taiwan Hepatitis C Policy Guideline in response to the WHO’s goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health problem by 2030. The government has comprehensively addressed hepatitis C through a treatment-led approach, integrating screening and control measures via a precisely targeted public health prevention system.Premier Cho noted that the MOHW’s Health Promotion Administration has been providing government-funded hepatitis screening services since 2011, with a total of 7.34 million people screened to date. He added that the government is confident it will achieve the WHO’s goal of eliminating viral hepatitis ahead of schedule by the end of 2025.The premier further directed the MOHW to submit, as scheduled, an application for hepatitis C elimination certification to the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific, as a step toward establishing Taiwan as a model for the international community and contributing to the government’s policy vision of a “Healthy Taiwan.” <上版日期>114-08-07 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/f54930d5-6acf-451f-921f-00199d66836f <標題>Cabinet approves draft act for Typhoon Danas and severe rainfall recovery <內容>In July this year, Typhoon Danas caused severe damage when it struck the coastal areas of Chiayi and Tainan. The scale of the disaster expanded significantly due to heavy rainfall brought by southwesterly airflows, as well as continuous intense downpours that have affected cities and counties, including Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung and Pingtung, since July 28. This resulted in substantial damage to numerous roads, water infrastructure and agricultural and livestock facilities.To ensure sufficient resources for post-disaster recovery and reconstruction at all levels of government, the Executive Yuan on Thursday approved the draft bill of a special act to facilitate post-disaster recovery and reconstruction following Typhoon Danas and the extremely heavy rainfall since July 28. The proposed act aims to assist impacted communities in rebuilding their homes through prompt and comprehensive measures.Once the bill is submitted to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation, the Executive Yuan will continue engaging with all political caucuses to facilitate the swift completion of the legislative process. Upon the act’s third and final reading in the Legislature, the Executive Yuan will promptly prepare and submit an associated special budget proposal for further deliberation. The premier expressed hope that the special budget will be passed as soon as possible to provide funding for the recovery and reconstruction of affected areas. <上版日期>114-08-07 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/001f1ac9-bdb1-4a04-be15-c6a463689fd9 <標題>Premier Cho: Attain goals of NT$100 billion flood control program by 2029 <內容>At Thursday's weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai was briefed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) on a program to help local governments improve rivers and drainage systems to address climate change impacts. The premier said that in response to the extreme rainfall due to climate change, long-term and sustained investment in flood control and prevention projects is essential for strengthening disaster resilience. The program, which will be centrally coordinated and jointly implemented by multiple ministries and agencies, will adopt a precise, smart and systematic approach to flood management, supporting local governments in improving their management of rivers and drainage systems. Premier Cho emphasized that the government needs to accelerate the pace of its flood control and prevention projects. He therefore instructed the MOEA to revise the program’s implementation timeline, shortening it from six years to four, with a completion deadline of 2029, while maintaining the total budget of NT$100 billion (approximately US$3.4 billion). Premier Cho also called for the full cooperation of local governments in pursuing new policy goals: minimizing flood-affected areas, maximizing drainage speed and meeting the highest safety standards. <上版日期>114-07-31 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/4e3d5360-493a-4030-85dc-e06da56c3bce <標題>Yunlin-Chiayi-Tainan command center coordinates typhoon and flood recovery <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a briefing on the government’s response measures to Typhoon Danas, which struck Taiwan in early July; the extremely heavy rains on July 28; and the current operations of the Yunlin-Chiayi-Tainan forward command center for post-disaster recovery. The premier said that Typhoon Danas caused severe damage in the Yunlin, Chiayi and Tainan region, and that the heavy precipitation recently brought by southwesterly air currents posed further serious challenges to disaster-stricken areas. In response, the government established a forward command center in the Yunlin-Chiayi-Tainan region to accelerate post-disaster recovery by coordinating the work of ministries and agencies.Premier Cho emphasized that timely allocation of resources is crucial to carrying out post-disaster recovery and reconstruction. Thus, in addition to the previously announced Typhoon Danas relief plan, the Executive Yuan has also approved the issuance of home reconstruction payments to help residents repair damaged housing; work allowances to incentivize labor participation in reconstruction efforts; and assistance grants for shops and street vendors impacted by the disaster. In addition, financial aid for flood relief will be provided to areas flooded by heavy rain to support the recovery and reconstruction of affected homes.With more than 30,000 households impacted by the typhoon, Premier Cho further highlighted the need to provide longer-term and more reliable support through special legislation. To this end, the Executive Yuan will propose a special act to facilitate Typhoon Danas recovery efforts. The bill, intended to enhance and expedite reconstruction, will be submitted to the Legislative Yuan for review. <上版日期>114-07-31 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/0f22ffc8-4030-41b1-80ea-c2a87a7ad1d0 <標題>Chip initiative drives industrial innovation in biomedicine and agriculture <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a National Science and Technology Council briefing on the results of the newest government initiative to upgrade chip-based industrial innovation, with a focus on the fields of biomedicine and agriculture. The premier noted that the Taiwan Chip-based Industrial Innovation Program leverages critical technologies—semiconductor chips and artificial intelligence (AI)—to spur industrial innovation and expand access to technological applications, thereby serving as a vital foundation for implementing President Lai Ching-te’s policy visions of building a healthier Taiwan and advancing the nation as an “AI island.”Premier Cho stated that promoting the application of key semiconductor technologies in the biomedical and agricultural sectors is essential to advancing precision health and smart agriculture. He instructed relevant ministries and agencies to continue expanding application scenarios, enabling the meaningful integration of technological innovation into everyday life and driving the creation of a smart living environment for all. The premier also directed all ministries and agencies to further enhance the global competitiveness of Taiwan’s industries while reinforcing the nation’s critical role in the democratic supply chain. <上版日期>114-07-24 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/414600f2-0801-4c61-a430-bbdbf7db0e4e <標題>Premier: Continue to advance waste reduction, recycling and resource circulation <內容>At Thursday’s weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of Environment (MOENV) report on a program to promote waste reduction, recycling and resource circulation. The premier instructed the MOENV to continue implementing the program, with an emphasis on achieving its objectives by promoting source reduction and developing diverse channels for waste recycling and treatment.To realize the sustainable vision of net-zero emissions and zero waste by 2050, the MOENV has also proposed a draft bill to promote resource circulation, along with draft amendments to the Waste Disposal Act. Premier Cho said that the legislation aims to shift conventional thinking around waste management and remove regulatory obstacles to resource circulation. He directed the MOENV to strengthen public communication and collect feedback from all sectors of society during the bills’ public consultation period, so that the legislative proposals can be finalized and swiftly submitted to the Executive Yuan for review. <上版日期>114-07-24 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/b236b602-beea-40aa-9f06-1693ad2daa3b <標題>Cabinet-level One Health policy committee to enhance public health security <內容>At Thursday's weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a report from the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) on the progress of Taiwan’s national One Health joint action plan. The premier said that the plan is a crucial step in enhancing the nation’s public health security system in line with international standards, bringing together the MOHW, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of the Interior and academic experts in the formation of a Cabinet-level policy committee to monitor global epidemic prevention trends and address future challenges.Premier Cho directed the MOHW to utilize internationally recognized assessment tools to properly evaluate and plan the core capabilities of all relevant administrative systems, and requested full cooperation from all related ministries and agencies. He further tasked the MOHW with benchmarking the evaluation results against those of other countries and submitting them to the national One Health policy committee for rolling review, in order to enhance the overall effectiveness of the plan. <上版日期>114-07-17 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/81deb070-dfaa-4d26-833f-9c40d9fe6966 <標題>NT$27 billion, six-year plan to boost next-gen communications <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a National Science and Technology Council briefing on a plan to develop next-generation communications technology. The premier said that as 6G and broadband satellite communications gain global momentum, Taiwan should seize this opportunity to build up its next-generation communications technology industry, in line with President Lai Ching-te’s policy vision of advancing the Five Trusted Industry Sectors (semiconductors, artificial intelligence, military, security and surveillance, and next-generation communications).Premier Cho stated that NT$27 billion (approximately US$926.2 million) will be allocated over a six-year period to support the plan, with a focus on three key strategies: deploying critical application services, constructing experimental networks while accelerating technology R&D and trials, and enhancing cross-sector collaborations within the industry ecosystem. The plan will be aligned with the updated third phase of the National Space Technology Long-term Development Program, and will be implemented through a public-private partnership model to build a self-reliant development framework fueled by technology-driven industrial innovation. These efforts aim to deepen international cooperation, strengthen Taiwan’s strategic role in the global supply chain and enhance the influence of the nation’s next-generation communications industry on international decision-making, thereby positioning Taiwan as a vital and trusted partner in the global democratic community. <上版日期>114-07-10 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/1146a68f-683f-468b-becb-316c0c5e1a12 <標題>Three Major Programs for Investing in Taiwan 2.0 to continue through 2027 <內容>At Thursday’s weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of Economic Affairs briefing on the outcomes of and updates to the Three Major Programs for Investing in Taiwan. The premier said that the programs—which launched their first phase in 2019 during the U.S.-China trade war—have attracted investments exceeding NT$2.5 trillion (approximately US$86.7 billion) from over 1,600 enterprises, surpassing their targets ahead of schedule and creating more than 160,000 job opportunities. He expressed hope that the second phase, known as the Three Major Programs for Investing in Taiwan 2.0, will attract an additional NT$1.2 trillion (approx. US$41.6 billion) in investment and generate 80,000 more jobs.Premier Cho further announced that the 2.0 initiative will extend the programs through 2027, and that eligibility will be expanded to include overseas Taiwanese businesses worldwide and foreign investing enterprises. The focus will include industries under the “five plus two” innovative industries plan, the Six Core Strategic Industries, the Five Trusted Industry Sectors, the health industry and the service sector. In addition to continuing its promotion of energy-saving transformation, the government will intensify efforts to help businesses adopt AI transformation. This support aligns with the global trend of accelerating industry transformation among suppliers and aims to provide greater assistance to micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises.The premier also noted that Taiwan ranked 6th out of 69 countries in the 2025 World Competitiveness Yearbook, recently published by the Switzerland-based International Institute for Management Development (IMD), marking a two-spot improvement from 2024. Taiwan also jumped from 26th to 10th place this year in the report’s economic performance index, demonstrating the soundness and effective implementation of the nation’s economic and trade policies in recent years. <上版日期>114-07-03 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/a5d50874-fbc9-4a9a-a378-510f0453bdf5 <標題>Second round of Taiwan-US tariff talks makes headway <內容>Following the first round of in-person Taiwan-U.S. talks on tariffs and related trade issues, completed on May 1, 2025, Vice Premier Cheng Li-Chiun and Yang Jen-ni, trade representative at the Executive Yuan’s Office of Trade Negotiations, led another government delegation to Washington, D.C., on June 25 (Eastern Daylight Time) for two days of further discussions on various topics.During the talks, both sides addressed a range of trade and economic issues, including tariffs, non-tariff barriers, trade facilitation and supply chain resilience, gradually fostering consensus on promoting trade balance, enhancing the trade and economic system, and creating more opportunities for industrial and economic development between Taiwan and the U.S. Each side also expressed that expanding bilateral investment would further promote shared prosperity and development, building upon the longstanding complementary nature of Taiwanese and U.S. industries. Notably, Taiwanese companies have been investing more in the U.S. in recent years, and the U.S. is also glad to see its businesses expanding investment in Taiwan.Vice Premier Cheng said that both sides believe the talks have made constructive progress thus far. She noted that Taiwan and the U.S. are important strategic partners in areas such as the economy, trade and technology, with deep-rooted cooperation in supply chains, and she anticipates that the talks will yield a mutually beneficial outcome for both sides. <上版日期>114-06-29 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/56002901-decb-4cdf-b17e-4ff140c30a69 <標題>Taiwan Culture Base policy to integrate culture into everyday life <內容>At Thursday's weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of Culture briefing on a policy to promote 110 “culture bases” that highlight key cultural locations across Taiwan. Regarding these sites, which are spread across all 22 counties and cities, the premier said they offer windows into the distinct cultural charm of each region and reflect the vitality and diversity of Taiwanese culture.Premier Cho urged ministries and agencies to fully leverage the culture bases to harness the vibrant energy of Taiwan’s communities and to provide spaces for implementing and showcasing national policies. This could include promoting environmental education, advancing food and agriculture education, incorporating the bases into tourism routes, and other efforts that would enable all people to gain a deeper appreciation of Taiwan’s diverse local cultures and rich regional character. He also instructed the transportation, agriculture, environment and education ministries to collaborate in gathering stories from across Taiwan so they can be shared with international audiences, as part of a broader push to promote tourism. <上版日期>114-06-26 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/c05c085a-f00f-472b-bbae-8c96c3f913e5 <標題>Central Taiwan to become new core industry hub for precision and smart tech <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of Economic Affairs briefing on a plan to promote precision and smart technologies as new core industries in central Taiwan. The premier said this initiative supports President Lai Ching-te’s policy vision of balanced development across Taiwan. By incorporating regional governance concepts into industrial development and public infrastructure, the plan paves the way for new approaches to managing the cultivation of industries and living spaces across six key regions spanning the entire country.Premier Cho noted that the plan is based on three main strategies: the digital and low-carbon transformation of core industries, the reinvention of existing core industry hubs into new centers of development, and the utilization of legal entity resources to drive industrial innovation. It aims to further enhance the competitive advantages of industries including precision machinery, semiconductors and optical communications, while improving the basic amenities needed to support industrial development. In doing so, the plan seeks to draw local and international talent, and transform the central Taiwan region—comprising Taichung, Changhua, Yunlin and Nantou—into a leading global hub for precision and smart technologies. <上版日期>114-06-26 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/06efa3aa-300f-4307-b02a-d8bb30108a9a <標題>Long-term Care Plan 3.0 to begin in 2026, support healthy aging <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) briefing on the newest version 3.0 of the government’s Long-term Care Plan. Recognizing that Taiwan will become a super-aged society this year, the premier said that the MOHW will launch the Long-term Care Plan 3.0 in 2026 to address the increasing pressures and workforce challenges associated with elderly care. The plan will also help achieve the policy goals of President Lai Ching-te’s National Project of Hope, which include expanding social investment, easing the burden on families, strengthening the integration of medical and care services, and building a healthier Taiwan.Premier Cho noted that the plan’s third iteration will expand its target population, continue to increase service locations and offerings, and provide greater support for family caregivers and long-term care institutions. Through the integration of health care and social welfare resources, the plan aims to improve care for people with disabilities, while also achieving the vision of healthy aging, aging in place and a dignified end of life. The premier further directed the MOHW to coordinate with the relevant agencies in establishing a comprehensive care system, focusing on integrating resources and encouraging private sector participation, as well as leveraging institutional innovation, technology adoption and community connections to build an inclusive society where every older person can live long and live well. <上版日期>114-06-19 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/752c01ef-c12b-4e54-95ef-8bd376609e4a <標題>Sustainable ecosystem for home health care tech to support tiered care system <內容>At Thursday's weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a National Science and Technology Council report on a policy for promoting home health care technology. The premier said that the policy, as part of the government’s “Healthy Taiwan” vision, will leverage technology integration to extend medical and care services into homes and communities. This approach supports the implementation of Taiwan’s tiered health care system while also helping to drive industrial innovation and development.Premier Cho also directed all involved ministries and agencies to work together in promoting the home health care technology policy, noting that it integrates resources across industry, government, academia, research and health care. He called on them to consider the needs of front-line health care workers and the public, make timely adjustments and improvements to policy tools and implementation mechanisms based on those needs, and regularly conduct rolling reviews of progress and outcomes, in order to build a sustainable ecosystem for home health care technology. <上版日期>114-06-12 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/1c891dae-237b-4f35-9a25-d8e6b0a4cb05 <標題>Premier Cho lauds anti-fraud platform, calls for stronger anti-fraud collaboration <內容>At the Cabinet's weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai was briefed by the Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA) on the effectiveness of the Anti-Fraud Reporting and Inquiry Platform, a digital platform that enables the public to verify or report suspicious online advertisements in real time. The premier said that the platform has helped establish a nationwide collaborative anti-fraud network and achieved significant results, with 219,616 reports filed since its launch on September 30, 2024, through June 5, 2025, leading to the removal of 122,119 advertisements.In response to the ever-evolving nature of online scam advertisements, Premier Cho called on MODA to continue conducting risk assessments of online advertising platforms, while also consolidating data on scam cases, user behavior patterns and the characteristics of fraudulent advertisements, with the goal of achieving more accurate fraud risk predictions and improving real-time interceptions. <上版日期>114-06-12 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/18679209-8610-4c84-a987-1eff529275c2 <標題>Executive Yuan advances TPASS program extension, Taiwan Railway discounts <內容>At Thursday’s weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a report from the Ministry of Transportation and Communications on the results of the Executive Yuan’s TPASS program, as well as planned discount measures for Taiwan Railway users residing in Hualien or Taitung County. The premier said that the Executive Yuan is expediting approval of the TPASS program’s extension for 2026 to 2029, which will encompass both TPASS 1.0 (a travel pass offering one month of unlimited rides across multiple modes of public transportation) and TPASS 2.0 (a system that provides monthly rebates to registered public transportation cards based on usage frequency). The program aims to continue boosting public transport ridership and fostering balanced regional development between urban and rural areas.The premier noted that NT$20 billion (approximately US$668.4 million) was allocated to implement the TPASS program from 2023 to 2025. Since its launch, TPASS 1.0 passes have been purchased 14.538 million times and utilized on public transportation more than 1.1 billion times, solidifying their role as an essential tool for commuters traveling to work or school. The program has been highly effective in encouraging greater use of public transportation and reducing commuting costs.Regarding the new Taiwan Railway discount measures, Premier Cho emphasized that the Hualien-Taitung region relies heavily on railway transportation. In response, the premier has decided to increase membership reward point multipliers for local residents using Taiwan Railway services, offering an eightfold increase to points on Mondays through Thursdays (approx. an 8% discount) and a fivefold increase to points on Fridays, weekends and national holidays (approx. a 5% discount). These enhanced rewards are designed to significantly ease the transportation burden on residents in the region. <上版日期>114-06-05 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/2df8e08d-3373-4a51-8390-925aa5d19d8e <標題>Executive Yuan promoting AI literacy in the public sector <內容>At Thursday’s weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a report from the Directorate-General of Personnel Administration on smart government and the cultivation of artificial intelligence (AI) talent in the public sector. The premier noted that, in light of the global rise of AI technology, the Executive Yuan approved a program in 2024 to enhance AI literacy among its civil servants. The program aims to actively promote AI applications in the public sector, integrating AI into the daily operations of government agencies and leveraging the technology to help the public solve problems.Premier Cho encouraged government colleagues to embrace the idea of seeking new solutions for old problems and effective solutions for new problems, urging them to foster a spirit of collaboration and apply innovative thinking to address challenges, with the key being the practical application of what is learned. He called on ministries, agencies and local governments to take proactive steps in advancing AI literacy, so as to bring the government’s vision of a smart nation to life. <上版日期>114-05-29 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/a65547c5-af7c-48f7-a02c-50602699c249 <標題>Executive Yuan approves draft amendments to foreign professionals act <內容>The Executive Yuan on Thursday approved draft amendments to the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals. Proposed by the National Development Council (NDC), the amendments will be submitted to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation.Premier Cho Jung-tai stated that in order to strengthen Taiwan’s ability to attract top global talent, expand into international markets, and accelerate industrial upgrading, transformation and innovation, it is essential to further improve the employment, residency and social security systems for foreign professionals and their families. Creating more conducive environments for attracting and retaining talent, he said, will help ensure that global professionals converge in Taiwan and contribute to the strength of the nation’s industries.The premier further noted that after the amendments are submitted to the Legislature, the NDC and relevant ministries and agencies will actively engage and coordinate with all legislative caucuses to facilitate the swift completion of the amendment process. <上版日期>114-05-29 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/aef00aee-3b06-4749-865e-1133b322d757 <標題>Taiwan sets ambitious phase three carbon reduction goals <內容>At the Cabinet's weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of Environment report outlining new national climate targets as part of phase three of the government’s periodic regulatory goals for greenhouse gas emissions. The premier stated that President Lai Ching-te has announced more ambitious interim reduction targets through the National Climate Change Committee under the Office of the President, aiming to advance Taiwan’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Compared to 2005 baseline levels, national greenhouse gas emissions are to be reduced by 28% (plus or minus 2%) by 2030, 32% (plus or minus 2%) by 2032, and 38% (plus or minus 2%) by 2035. At the same time, the government remains focused on driving green economic growth.Premier Cho said that the phase three targets will be gradually implemented through Taiwan’s Comprehensive Carbon Reduction Action Plan. In addition to individual programs developed by the ministries and agencies involved, the Executive Yuan’s Net-Zero Pathway Task Force has also proposed 20 flagship carbon reduction initiatives covering six major areas: energy, manufacturing, residential and commercial buildings, transportation, agriculture and the environment. These measures are expected to bolster emissions reduction efforts. The premier furthermore anticipates that Taiwan will achieve the policy target of lowering the electricity emission factor—a measure of the amount of carbon emitted per unit of electricity generated—to 0.319 kg CO2e per kilowatt-hour by 2030. <上版日期>114-05-22 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/110c7b31-d344-4413-90e4-a3b7430ea9e6 <標題>Smart robot program to drive development of new AI tech <內容>At the Cabinet's weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a National Science and Technology Council briefing on a program to develop smart robots powered by new AI technology. The premier said that, thanks to the joint efforts of industry, government, academia and research institutions, Taiwan has already achieved outstanding results in the fields of semiconductors and information and communications technologies, providing an excellent foundation for the development of the smart robotics industry.The premier emphasized that Taiwan's smart robotics industry is still in its nascency and must accelerate deployment of real-world applications, while also safeguarding national cybersecurity and addressing future societal needs, in order to strengthen global competitiveness.Premier Cho said that the new program integrates the R&D capabilities of Taiwan’s academic, industrial and research sectors through four strategies: deploying key technologies, establishing an industrial ecosystem, enhancing cybersecurity regulations and cultivating talent. He directed all relevant ministries and agencies to actively collaborate in promoting this initiative to achieve technological autonomy, system innovation, increased production value and the widespread adoption of smart robots, ultimately aiming to transform Taiwan into an “AI island.” <上版日期>114-05-15 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/b34b65f7-2c23-4248-9a99-e6a478059084 <標題>Executive Yuan approves draft bill on status of plains indigenous peoples <內容>The Executive Yuan on Thursday approved a draft bill for an act pertaining to the status of plains indigenous groups (also known as the Pingpu peoples), which was proposed by the Council of Indigenous Peoples (CIP) and will be submitted to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation. Premier Cho Jung-tai said that Taiwan’s ethnic diversity is one of its defining strengths and a point of pride, as well as a key focus of the government’s efforts to advance ethnic equality. He also highlighted that the nation’s plains indigenous peoples hold an important place in its history and culture.To uphold the constitutional guarantees of identity rights and cultural rights for indigenous peoples, and to address over 20 years of name rectification efforts by plains indigenous groups, Premier Cho directed the CIP to enhance public understanding of the legislation, thereby helping to collectively foster a diverse, inclusive and open Taiwanese society. <上版日期>114-05-15 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/7c3401a4-5d76-4b0d-b6ce-7f5363d29262 <標題>Secretary-General Kung concludes successful trip to Washington DC <內容>On the evening of May 13 (Eastern Daylight Time), Kung Ming-hsin, secretary-general of the Executive Yuan, concluded a successful trip to Washington, D.C., where he attended the SelectUSA Investment Summit. The secretary-general said that this visit not only facilitated exchanges with Taiwanese corporations and startups in attendance at the summit, but also enabled meetings with members of the U.S. administration and Congress. He emphasized that Taiwan’s active participation in the U.S. government’s SelectUSA investment program serves as a testament to the importance of Taiwan-U.S. cooperation for both sides.Secretary-General Kung pointed out that the efforts of Taiwanese enterprises to establish a presence and invest in the U.S. have been met with strong interest from the American side, with several Taiwanese firms already announcing new investment initiatives. He therefore urged the U.S. Senate to expedite the passage of legislation pertaining to an avoidance of double taxation agreement (ADTA) between Taiwan and the U.S. In addition, Taiwan’s government intends to increase its procurement of U.S. goods and services to help promote balanced bilateral trade.The secretary-general noted that global supply chains began restructuring after the onset of the 2018 U.S.-China trade war, spurring overseas Taiwanese businesses to move operations from China back to Taiwan or relocate production to Southeast Asia. The challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic further refined these supply chains, making them even more resilient. He expressed hope that during U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term, further progress can be made in strengthening global economic security and supply chain resilience.During his trip, Secretary-General Kung also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Chairman Joseph Jye-Cherng Lyu of the Chinese International Economic Cooperation Association, Taiwan, and President Rupert Hammond-Chambers of the US-Taiwan Business Council. The secretary-general looks forward to the two organizations’ joint cooperation in further advancing Taiwan-U.S. economic and trade relations. <上版日期>114-05-14 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/434f5861-8b23-484e-9c36-b12050c5fc20 <標題>Secretary-General Kung hails deepening trade ties at US investment summit <內容>Kung Ming-hsin, secretary-general of the Executive Yuan, led a Taiwanese delegation on May 11 (Eastern Daylight Time) to attend a SelectUSA Investment Summit welcoming reception organized by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States. At the reception, Secretary-General Kung stated that Taiwan has become the U.S.’s seventh largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching US$157.9 billion, marking a 34% increase compared to the previous year. Not only have Taiwanese exports to the U.S. increased, he said, but U.S. exports to Taiwan have also seen double-digit growth, demonstrating that the Taiwan-U.S. relationship has grown closer.Secretary-General Kung pointed out that, in addition to bilateral trade, Taiwan’s investment in the U.S. also continues to grow. In 2024, Taiwan’s overseas investment in the U.S. grew by 45% to reach US$14.126 billion. To date, Taiwanese companies have invested over US$100 billion in the U.S., creating more than 400,000 job opportunities. Notably, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s (TSMC’s) investment in the U.S. state of Arizona is not only the largest single foreign direct investment project in U.S. history, but also instrumental to developing the semiconductor supply chain in the U.S. To foster a more diversified trade relationship, Taiwan’s government will also expand its procurement of U.S. agricultural products, energy and defense equipment.Secretary-General Kung further urged the U.S. Senate to expedite the passage of an avoidance of double taxation agreement (ADTA) between Taiwan and the U.S., which would help create a more favorable investment environment for businesses. He also highlighted the potential for Taiwan and the U.S. to collaborate on research and development in fields such as advanced semiconductors, artificial intelligence and quantum computing. <上版日期>114-05-12 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/21237231-b0f7-4b41-a245-0fee07097d77 <標題>Proposed child care law to safeguard children’s well-being and safety <內容>At Thursday's weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of Health and Welfare briefing on a proposed law to enhance the safety of child care services and provide parents with greater peace of mind. Based on the core principle of prioritizing the best interests of children, the proposed act will set strict legal standards for the qualifications and responsibilities of child care workers, strengthen the establishment and oversight of child care institutions, and ensure comprehensive protection for children in care with respect to their physical, mental and educational development. The Executive Yuan has approved the draft bill for the act, which will be submitted to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation.Premier Cho also highlighted that the government’s efforts to create a high-quality child care system are grounded in the belief that supporting children’s growth is a shared social responsibility. The government will continue to promote public child care policies while also encouraging private sector involvement to maximize support for families, working hand in hand with parents to create safe, nurturing and high-quality environments where children can thrive. <上版日期>114-05-08 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/3cee52d1-96e4-48e0-b0a3-a7a9ba000ee3 <標題>National Cybersecurity Development Program enters seventh phase <內容>At the Cabinet's weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a report from the Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA) on the seventh phase of the National Cybersecurity Development Program (2025-2028). In response to new forms of cyber threats and the information security challenges posed by the rise of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the premier instructed all ministries and agencies to conduct security planning in accordance with the program and to ensure robust cybersecurity safeguards are put in place.Premier Cho also directed MODA to build a national cybersecurity defense system that inspires public confidence, following the strategies laid out in the development program and in alignment with Taiwan’s National Cybersecurity Strategy 2025 vision. This includes promoting whole-of-society cybersecurity defense, enhancing the cybersecurity resilience of critical infrastructure, bolstering the domestic cybersecurity industry, and advancing the application and collaborative development of new AI cybersecurity technologies. <上版日期>114-05-08 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/fbba9b28-bd8c-4c69-91fc-840bbc269a78 <標題>Taiwan and US conclude first round of tariff talks <內容>Taiwan has concluded its first round of in-person tariff talks with the U.S. in Washington, D.C., on May 1, 2025 (Eastern Daylight Time). The two sides held extensive discussions and exchanged views on a range of issues, including tariffs, non-tariff trade barriers and other aspects of Taiwan-U.S. economic and trade cooperation. They expressed hope for creating more opportunities for industrial and economic development on the basis of mutual benefit and reciprocity, and agreed to continue discussions in the near future, with a view to building consensus and exploring avenues for deepening cooperation.Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun, who led Taiwan’s delegation, stated that the Taiwanese and U.S. economies are highly complementary, and that close cooperation between the two sides will enhance their respective industrial systems and strengthen their global competitiveness. She expressed confidence that the ongoing talks, grounded in openness and mutual understanding, will help forge the broadest possible consensus. <上版日期>114-05-03 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/f6fc60dc-728e-43c4-bc3c-b836ffe0f754 <標題>Labor ministry developing amendments to update occupational safety law <內容>At the Cabinet's weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of Labor (MOL) report on advancing comprehensive occupational safety and zero tolerance for workplace bullying. With the meeting coinciding with Labor Day, the premier, together with the heads of all ministries and agencies, extended their deepest respect and gratitude to Taiwan’s labor force.Premier Cho highlighted that the nation’s labor force is the source of its productivity, as well as the key driver of economic development. Furthermore, the Occupational Safety and Health Act is the primary legislation ensuring the health and safety of workers. To align with both global development trends and local industry conditions, the MOL is actively seeking to update the law, aiming to strengthen hazard prevention, enhance contractor oversight, prevent workplace bullying and increase maximum penalty amounts. The MOL’s proposed amendments would reinforce workplace safety responsibilities and foster friendlier working environments. <上版日期>114-05-01 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/69658c0d-e2de-4d87-ad75-22ea8e096449 <標題>Youth policies promote family building and global connections <內容>At the Cabinet's weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of Education (MOE) report on policies aimed at supporting youth and helping them move forward in life. The premier said the government is actively addressing the challenges facing Taiwan’s youth, such as by continuing to refine policies related to taxation and childrearing; advancing support programs for child care, educational subsidies and childrearing allowances; and implementing a comprehensive care policy for children ages 0-6. The government is dedicated to fostering more family-friendly environments to give young people the confidence to marry and raise children of their own.Premier Cho directed the MOE to continue promoting the NT$10 billion (US$312.3 million) Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative across various sectors, encouraging young people to submit proposals to achieve their overseas aspirations, expanding their international perspectives and raising the competitiveness of Taiwan’s new generation.Furthermore, the Executive Yuan has approved a draft bill of a basic law for youth affairs, proposed by the MOE with the goals of advancing the concept of youth mainstreaming, ensuring ample opportunities and channels for youth participation in public affairs, and cultivating democratically literate global citizens. The draft bill will now be submitted to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation. <上版日期>114-05-01 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/1b3adf0e-c663-47a7-8bc7-e3ff959a24e5 <標題>Premier approves draft bill of special act to boost Taiwan’s resilience <內容>At Thursday’s Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai approved the draft bill of a special act to strengthen Taiwan’s economic, social and homeland security resilience in response to international developments, specifically the current U.S. tariff policy affecting Taiwan’s industries and workforce. At a post-meeting press conference, the premier explained that the bill, backed by a proposed budget of NT$410 billion (US$12.6 billion), focuses on the four priorities of providing support to industries, stabilizing employment, safeguarding people’s livelihoods and enhancing national resilience. The bill will be submitted to the Legislative Yuan for review and, upon its passage, a special budget will be drawn up and likewise submitted for legislative deliberation.The premier pointed out that the key factors shaping Taiwan’s future are not limited to U.S. tariff and trade policies, highlighting that the restructuring of the global trade order will also impact the overall international landscape. Taiwan still faces complex and rapidly evolving geopolitical shifts, making it all the more crucial for the government to be thoroughly prepared.The premier emphasized that, through this bill, the government seeks to provide comprehensive support across multiple fronts—from industrial economy to public welfare, from homeland security to information and communications resilience. He expressed hope that the bill will garner support from all party caucuses in the Legislative Yuan, enabling it to meet the public’s high expectations and ensuring that the government remains the strongest pillar of support for Taiwanese society. <上版日期>114-04-24 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/21fc86e6-aba7-4650-9849-59f39b3c0e13 <標題>Executive Yuan’s ongoing anti-fraud efforts yield initial results <內容>At the Cabinet's weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a report from the Executive Yuan’s anti-fraud command center on the government’s strategies and discussions addressing current fraud trends. The premier said that both the number of fraud cases and the associated financial losses have recently shown a downward trend, indicating that the government’s anti-fraud policy is beginning to yield results. Nevertheless, he urged ministries and agencies to remain vigilant and continue strengthening their fraud prevention efforts.The premier directed the Ministry of the Interior to carry out education campaigns targeting groups at higher risk for fraud, increase public awareness of relevant laws and legal resources, and improve the general public’s ability to identify scams. The National Communications Commission was instructed to oversee telecommunications operators in implementing real-name registration systems for mobile numbers and enhancing the application of artificial intelligence technologies for fraud prevention. The Ministry of Digital Affairs was tasked with reinforcing regulatory measures and information disclosure requirements for advertising platforms, aiming to curb the dissemination of fraudulent information at its source. The Financial Supervisory Commission was directed to supervise financial institutions in tackling dummy accounts, bolstering anti-money laundering measures for virtual assets, improving credit card fraud controls and fast-tracking the development of an electronic reporting mechanism. Additionally, the Ministry of Justice was instructed to deepen international judicial cooperation to strengthen the recovery of illicit assets and enhance victim protection. <上版日期>114-04-24 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/20359cb0-bbdc-4882-ab4b-99ff3e4ed617 <標題>‘888’ health program tackles leading chronic health conditions <內容>At Thursday's weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai was briefed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) on the 888 Program to tackle the “three highs” (high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high cholesterol) and advance President Lai Ching-te's “Healthy Taiwan” policy vision. Launched in 2024 by the MOHW, the 888 Program aims to enroll 80% of individuals affected by the three highs in Taiwan’s care network by 2030, while ensuring that 80% of those enrolled receive lifestyle counseling and 80% achieve effective management of their conditions.Chronic illnesses linked to high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high cholesterol are the primary threats to the health of the Taiwanese public, the premier said. The program therefore aims to cut the standardized mortality rate associated with these conditions by one-third by 2030. Through a preventive medicine approach, addressing root risk factors and improving lifestyle habits, the program will help empower people to manage their own health and protect overall public well-being. <上版日期>114-04-17 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/f308df89-dbab-4c67-8b68-31af578ec974 <標題>Premier receives new British Representative Ruth Bradley-Jones <內容>Premier Cho Jung-tai on Monday received Ruth Bradley-Jones, representative at the British Office Taipei. The premier noted that the U.K. officially joined the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) last year, becoming the trade bloc’s first European member economy. He stated that, as a crucial link in the global supply chain, Taiwan can greatly contribute to enhancing the economic and trade integration benefits of the CPTPP, and he expressed hope that the U.K. will continue to assist Taiwan’s accession, so that together, both sides can foster a value-driven, advanced industrial supply chain, safeguard the international economic and trade order, and ensure global prosperity rooted in freedom.Premier Cho also pointed out that Taiwan and the U.K. signed an Enhanced Trade Partnership arrangement in 2023, marking the first time a European country has established an institutionalized economic and trade framework with Taiwan. The arrangement focuses on deeper cooperation in investment, digital trade, energy and net-zero emissions. Looking ahead, Taiwan and the U.K. share tremendous room for further cooperation in areas such as economic and energy security; digital and financial resilience; and high tech and manufacturing innovation. The premier believes the two sides can achieve new heights of cooperative development across these diverse sectors.In her remarks, Representative Bradley-Jones said that, in economic and trade cooperation, Taiwan’s Five Trusted Industries and the U.K.’s new industrial strategy are complementary, with real potential for closer alignment in the four strategic areas of digital technologies, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and financial services. She added that the U.K. government continues to support Taiwan and U.K. businesses through the Enhanced Trade Partnership and annual trade talks.In digital technologies, Representative Bradley-Jones highlighted that both sides are well-positioned to collaborate on new technologies such as in artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors and cyber, working together to develop a secure and resilient global supply chain. Regarding clean energy, she noted that the U.K. has long been a top partner in supporting Taiwan’s development of offshore wind power. On the topic of Taiwan’s resilience and security, Representative Bradley-Jones emphasized that the U.K. is a strong supporter of Taiwan’s efforts to achieve whole-of-society resilience, and that both sides have much to learn from each other, whether that is in telecommunications resilience, cyber or the resilience of democratic systems. <上版日期>114-04-14 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/9658dcf3-0841-4ca0-8045-80828c55d767 <標題>Premier: Taiwan will engage in direct tariff negotiations with the US <內容>At Thursday's weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of Economic Affairs report on the government’s plan to support Taiwan’s export supply chains in response to U.S. tariffs. Following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 90-day pause on his tariff plans, during which a 10% baseline tariff will still be imposed for most of the U.S.’s trading partners including Taiwan, the premier said that the government will seize this opportunity to conduct direct and effective negotiations with the U.S., seeking to pursue Taiwan’s best interests and maintain the international competitiveness of its industries.Faced with global changes in the economic and trade landscape, the government will focus on enhancing the global presence and resilience of Taiwan’s industries, enabling them to keep firm roots in Taiwan while expanding internationally, and bolster both U.S. and global market outreach, the premier said.Regarding the plan to support Taiwan’s export supply chains, the premier said that the plan’s 20 core measures will remain largely unchanged. The government will continue to review and adjust the plan as appropriate, in line with the progress of future negotiations. Premier Cho emphasized that economic security is essential to national security, and that maintaining balanced, stable economic and trade relations with other countries will further strengthen Taiwan’s position in the global industrial supply chain. <上版日期>114-04-10 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/26fe5453-e2b7-42b4-9dc0-5ea136f161b9 <標題>Premier announces economic stability plan in response to US tariff policy <內容>Premier Cho Jung-tai led a press conference with the heads of related ministries and agencies on Friday, addressing U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement on April 2 (Eastern Daylight Time) of a “reciprocal tariff” policy affecting many nations around the world, including Taiwan. The premier said Taiwan’s government has already formulated a support plan in response, comprising nine key areas, 20 measures and a total budget of NT$88 billion (US$2.7 billion) to stabilize the nation’s economy, maintain steady industrial development and secure people’s livelihoods.Premier Cho emphasized that Taiwan has long been a staunch and trusted trading partner of the U.S. From collaborating on the creation of non-red supply chains to supporting the U.S.’s needs in artificial intelligence (AI) development, both sides share numerous opportunities for cooperation. The premier hopes Taiwan and the U.S. can continue to strengthen their bilateral partnership and pursue mutually beneficial initiatives, adding that the government will make every effort to work toward these goals.The premier emphasized that his administrative team developed the new support plan based on industry impact assessments. Of the plan’s nine key areas, six focus on the industrial sector, aiming to provide financial support, reduce administrative costs, enhance industry competitiveness, develop diverse markets, offer tax incentives and stabilize employment. The remaining three target the agricultural sector, also providing financial support, enhancing industry competitiveness and developing diverse markets.Premier Cho further stated that the nine key areas encompass 20 measures, including enhanced financing and loan incentives, tax reductions, strengthening export capabilities, guiding industry transformation, expanding into diverse markets and bolstering the international competitiveness of industries. The government will also pay special attention to traditional industries and micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises, implementing appropriate measures to support them.Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun stated that the government will fully engage in negotiations with the U.S. to minimize the impact of the tariffs, strive for the best interests of Taiwan’s industries, ensure fair competition and cultivate a fair and mutually beneficial relationship between Taiwan and the U.S. <上版日期>114-04-04 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/27c01ac0-4227-4311-9f4f-cbc2bc849605 <標題>Premier Cho: Enhance national health via Healthy Taiwan Cultivation Plan <內容>At the weekly Cabinet meeting on Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai was briefed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) on the Healthy Taiwan Cultivation Plan for 2025-2029. Noting the substantial funding required for the plan, the premier directed the MOHW to facilitate appropriate preparations and implementation and to prudently handle solicitation, review and subsidy processes, so as to ensure that all medical professionals can receive support and all resources are properly allocated. He further said that existing health care systems and service models should continue to operate and be promoted to achieve the policy goal of sustainable, deep-rooted development.The premier emphasized that his administrative team will implement the Healthy Taiwan Cultivation Plan—part of President Lai Ching-te’s broader Healthy Taiwan policy initiative—to help the medical system overcome its current limitations and build a more resilient and inclusive health care model. By comprehensively upgrading the health care environment, the plan aims to enhance national health and well-being and to realize the vision of transforming Taiwan into the most medically advanced country in the Asia-Pacific region. <上版日期>114-03-27 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/60e011a3-1e0f-4dbe-a7d1-a4fa3cb76dbc <標題>Open Government National Action Plan enters new phase <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly Thursday meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a report from the National Development Council on the next phase of the Open Government National Action Plan for 2025 through 2028. The premier said that the plan, launched in 2021, has adhered to the core values and citizen participation standards defined by international organizations, and has established a solid foundation for advancing open government through joint efforts by the government and civil society.Premier Cho said the new phase of the action plan will focus on addressing challenges in five major areas and introduce seven key commitments: climate change governance, transparency in personal data management, openness in cross-ministry data sharing and governmental software development, youth engagement in Hakka affairs, narrowing of the digital divide for indigenous communities, greater transparency in political donations, and safety information services for ocean recreation. He emphasized that the spirit and core values of open government—transparency, participation and accountability—must be effectively integrated into the operations of all ministries and agencies. <上版日期>114-03-20 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/3cca0a06-8a50-4e8c-ae9b-36266864a929 <標題>Taiwan exports smart disaster prevention tech to New Southbound countries <內容>At the Cabinet's weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) briefing on the development of smart technologies for disaster prevention and their export to countries under Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy. The premier said that exporting these technologies, along with Taiwan’s experience, resources and expertise in disaster management, can not only deepen talent exchanges and cooperation with New Southbound countries, but also effectively enhance regional disaster warning capabilities.Taiwan and its southern neighbors face similar threats from natural disasters such as typhoons and earthquakes, the premier said. However, by employing updated disaster management methods and technologies, alongside more unified action strategies, they can work together to save more precious lives. To this end, Premier Cho directed the NSTC to continue deepening and expanding cross-border collaboration opportunities, building on existing progress and enabling Taiwan's smart disaster prevention technologies to make a greater global impact..e:after{content:""\00E9""} <上版日期>114-03-20 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/c0c913bb-ac54-40f7-b358-9a34d52ed84e <標題>Long-term Care Plan 3.0 to launch in 2026 <內容>At Thursday’s weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai was briefed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) on the latest results and outlook of the Long-term Care Plan 2.0. Taiwan has been implementing the plan in 10-year phases since 2006, the premier said, and nearly 20 years later, it continues to uphold the principle of promoting diverse and accessible services for aging in place, accelerating resource distribution and expanding offerings, so that the people can enjoy convenient and affordable care. The Long-term Care Plan 2.0 has garnered high praise from the public, with service satisfaction reaching 90%.Premier Cho said the MOHW will launch the Long-term Care Plan 3.0 in 2026, building on the foundation and achievements of the Long-term Care Plan 2.0 to swiftly advance President Lai Ching-te’s “Healthy Taiwan” policy vision. The new plan will enhance the integration of home, community, institutional, medical and social welfare services for greater continuity of care, while promoting healthy aging, aging in place and a peaceful end of life. <上版日期>114-03-13 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/3939e1f9-8c22-4fa0-a172-639fa3a48100 <標題>Zero tolerance for gender-based violence in new national action plan <內容>At the Cabinet's weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a briefing from the Executive Yuan’s Department of Gender Equality on a 2025-2027 national action plan to prevent gender-based violence. The premier stated that it is the nation’s responsibility to create a gender-equal society. He asked all relevant ministries and agencies to coordinate with the Judicial Yuan and local governments to actively implement the action plan, which aims to foster social environments with zero tolerance for gender-based violence so that people of all genders can live safely and without fear.Furthermore, the premier directed the Ministry of Health and Welfare to establish an effective, welcoming and trustworthy service system for victims and an investigative research center for gender-based violence, aiming to strengthen the research in this area and deepen its application. He also instructed the Ministry of Justice to work with the Judicial Yuan to create a supportive legal environment for victims, and to review offender treatment measures for preventing recidivism.Noting that the coming Saturday, March 8, is International Women's Day, Premier Cho also expressed gratitude to women across the country for their hard work and outstanding contributions in various fields, which drive the development and progress of Taiwanese society. <上版日期>114-03-06 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/20bf45d6-5840-4578-a823-40b603f78c76 <標題>Premier Cho: Expedite formulation of national One Health plan <內容>At the Cabinet's weekly meeting on Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai was briefed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare on the formulation of a national One Health joint action plan. The premier said that, in the post-COVID-19 era, where we are confronted with complex challenges related to the health of humans, animals and ecosystems, it is necessary to establish a national One Health policy committee. The policy committeewill oversee a government-led joint action plan aimed at developing integrated response strategies, guided by the One Health concept and approach.Premier Cho directed the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Environment and Ministry of the Interior to collaborate in accelerating the formulation of the national action plan, and to refer to the six action tracks laid out in the One Health Joint Plan of Action previously developed by four international agencies (the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, World Health Organization, World Organisation for Animal Health and United Nations Environment Programme). He instructed the ministries to complete a practical inventory of resources, establish joint work projects and priorities, and devise specific cross-ministry implementation strategies, with the goals of upgrading Taiwan’s ability to monitor and identify health threats, strengthening international connections, reducing public health risks and promoting the country’s sustainable development. <上版日期>114-03-06 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/9c026dc9-d352-4471-8908-99c6911b7cf7 <標題>Organic agriculture to promote sustainability and net-zero transition <內容>At Thursday's weekly Cabinet meeting, the Ministry of Agriculture reported to Premier Cho Jung-tai on the current status and outlook of efforts to promote organic agriculture in Taiwan. The premier said that since the Organic Agriculture Promotion Act came into force in May 2019, notable progress has been made. He highlighted that advancing organic agriculture helps create an ecosystem that protects the environment and public health, while also promoting the sustainable development of Taiwan’s agricultural sector and serving as a key strategy for the nation’s transition toward net-zero carbon emissions.To ensure sustainable agricultural practices, safeguard public health and protect consumer rights, Premier Cho directed all ministries and agencies to assist in the work of promoting organic agriculture. For example, he said, the Ministry of Economic Affairs can support the integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives with organic agriculture and expand the use of state-owned lands for organic farming; the Ministry of National Defense and Ministry of Education can facilitate greater use of organic ingredients in meal programs for the military and for schools, respectively; and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can continue to negotiate international bilateral agreements on organic equivalence. <上版日期>114-02-27 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/ff18cd05-9b12-42aa-a7c3-4da2f515101c <標題>Premier receives Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association Chairman Eto Seishiro <內容>On Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a delegation led by Eto Seishiro, former member of Japan's House of Representatives and current chairman of the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association. The premier thanked Chairman Eto for taking concrete actions to demonstrate his strong support of Taiwan’s participation in international affairs, saying that Taiwan will continue strengthening its self-defense capabilities while collaborating with Japan and other like-minded countries to safeguard the freedom and openness of the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region.Premier Cho expressed his hope that Taiwan and Japan can further strengthen a reliable democratic supply chain to avoid economic coercion from authoritarian countries, while also enhancing disaster prevention cooperation to build safer and more resilient societies.In his remarks, Chairman Eto said that Japan and Taiwan share universal values such as equality, freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Both sides also enjoy friendly and frequent people-to-people exchanges, with close economic, trade and industrial ties. For example, in 2023, Taiwan was Japan’s third-largest export market—with Japanese exports to Taiwan exceeding ¥6 trillion (US$39.7 billion)—as well as the third-largest export market for Japan’s agricultural specialty products.Chairman Eto further emphasized that Taiwan’s safety is Japan’s safety, and Japan’s safety is Taiwan’s safety. He anticipates that both sides will continue working together in this direction, and added that the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association will do its utmost to further deepen the mutual friendship and contribute in various aspects moving forward. <上版日期>114-02-20 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/8e08bddc-a2c9-4ab2-bbb9-15f0418cde8f <標題>Youth crime prevention plan to allocate NT$7.6 billion over four years <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting on Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received the Ministry of the Interior's report on its plan for preventing child and juvenile crime. The premier said that in the past decade, the juvenile offender rate has been rising, notably among those aged 15 to 18, with school dropouts in this age group at high risk of being lured into criminal activities by delinquent gangs and groups. To address this issue, the premier directed the ministries and agencies involved to formulate follow-up counseling and assistance programs, particularly to help disadvantaged juveniles overcome unfavorable conditions.Premier Cho said the government will allocate NT$7.6 billion (US$232.1 million) to the child and juvenile delinquency prevention plan from 2025 to 2028. He instructed relevant ministries and agencies to develop suitable strategies and approaches and strengthen horizontal coordination, with the aim of collaboratively establishing a robust guidance network and enhancing services such as career counseling, health care and other forms of support, ultimately improving the situation of children and adolescents at their roots. <上版日期>114-02-20 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/336494b6-d615-4721-960a-58e6fc960b9c <標題>Premier Cho: Taiwan to maintain stable growth in 2025 <內容>At the Cabinet's weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a report on the nation's overall economic outlook for 2025 from the National Development Council. The premier said that in recent years, Taiwan has been maintaining steady development while accelerating the transformation of its economy. Despite uncertainties stemming from factors such as geopolitical tensions and trade protectionism, Taiwan's economy grew by 4.3% in 2024. This performance was driven by the global economy’s stable growth, easing inflationary pressures, and the continued strong demand for emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI). Additionally, both private sector investment in Taiwan and the nation’s tax revenue have increased significantly.With Taiwan continuing to maintain its growth momentum in private sector investment and in consumption, its economy is projected to grow moderately in 2025, the premier said. He pledged that the government will continue guiding Taiwanese businesses worldwide and leading international corporations to invest in Taiwan, while also actively promoting Taiwan's Five Trusted Industry Sectors (semiconductors, AI, military, security and surveillance, and next-generation communications), a program to develop industries and living spaces across Taiwan’s six regions, and other key programs. These efforts will help enhance Taiwan’s investment environment, strengthening its economic resilience and industrial competitiveness, and ensuring its leadership in the global supply chain. <上版日期>114-02-13 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/d4425496-bf05-48cf-ac5e-f8db324ad5f2 <標題>Vice Premier Cheng receives Eswatini Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla <內容>Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun on Tuesday received a delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla of the Kingdom of Eswatini. The vice premier said that Taiwan and Eswatini have continually been deepening their cooperation in various areas, such as trade and economy, agriculture, health care and education. Notably, the Taiwan-Eswatini Economic Cooperation Agreement, which came into effect in 2018, has helped to bolster economic cooperation between the two nations. She further thanked Eswatini for consistently supporting Taiwan and speaking up for it on multiple occasions in international organizations, a testament to the strong friendship between Taiwan and Eswatini.Vice Premier Cheng stated that Taiwan and Eswatini signed a memorandum of understanding in 2023 to help women in Eswatini to start businesses and secure employment. She expressed her hope that the two nations will continue to expand their collaborations in this area, as well as her confidence that both countries will have a wealth of experiences to share regarding the implementation of related initiatives.In her remarks, Deputy Prime Minister Dladla said that Eswatini and Taiwan have maintained unbroken diplomatic ties for more than half a century despite facing various challenges, with Eswatini committing to never abandon Taiwan. She praised Taiwan for its resilience in development, highlighting its numerous contributions to medical services globally and expressing her pride for Taiwan.The deputy prime minister further stated that gender equality pertains not only to social justice but also human rights, economic development and sustainable progress. In the future, Eswatini and Taiwan will continue to strengthen their diplomatic relations, while working together to address gender-based violence, advance women's rights and empower women to take on key leadership roles. <上版日期>114-02-11 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/ced2e36f-5041-4609-b1a6-94c89805afc1 <標題>High-performance computing systems to advance Taiwan’s digital sovereignty <內容>At Thursday's weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai was briefed by the National Science and Technology Council on its progress and planning pertaining to the development of next-generation, high-performance computing systems. The premier said that achieving this goal will help promote the research and development as well as industrial applications of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in Taiwan, thus enhancing the nation’s international competitiveness and strategic position. To safeguard Taiwan’s digital sovereignty, the government will continue to strengthen the nation’s digital infrastructure by supporting the development and research of high-performance computing systems, data centers and cloud service platforms, the premier said.He further stated that these efforts will be integrated with six major regional flagship projects that promote balanced development across Taiwan, aiming to boost local job opportunities and economic prosperity, as well as direct resources toward small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and emerging industries. Taiwan’s overall computing power will be progressively enhanced to develop an infrastructure better suited for large language model (LLM) services and applications. This will accelerate AI industrialization and its transformation of industries, as well as foster sustainable, inclusive growth in the digital economy, ensuring that AI innovations will benefit all industries and remain accessible to the wider public. <上版日期>114-02-06 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/9131cd28-d517-4ecd-96b4-9b52237ed121 <標題>Premier Cho considers remedies following central government budget cuts <內容>On Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai held a press conference in response to the Legislature’s decision to reduce the central government’s 2025 general budget by NT$207.6 billion (US$6.3 billion). The premier noted that the cuts target specific items and agencies, impeding the government’s ability to implement policies. He stated that these budget cuts and freezes undermine the constitutional system, and that the Executive Yuan has the duty and responsibility to propose necessary remedies based on constitutional mechanisms and procedures.Premier Cho said that through the collective efforts of the people of Taiwan, the nation’s economic growth rate for 2024 is forecast to reach 4.27%, the second-highest in the past decade. This economic growth and the accompanying increase in revenue should also be reflected in government spending, particularly by expanding public services, improving industry guidance policies and strengthening national defense.The premier explained that the central government’s proposed general budget for the 2025 fiscal year was NT$3.1325 trillion (US$95.6 billion), an increase of NT$280.6 billion (US$8.6 billion), or 9.8%, over the previous year. This increase covers several areas, including public infrastructure, national defense, financial assistance for the National Health Insurance fund, the “Healthy Taiwan” initiative, national cancer prevention programs, social housing development through a government housing fund, the National Pension Program, National Science and Technology Council research programs, and funding for child care and other services for children aged two to under six. However, the Legislature has now passed cuts of NT$207.6 billion (US$6.3 billion), amounting to 6.6% of proposed total expenditures. These cuts are over six times greater than the average budget cuts passed in the last three years, and will make it far more difficult for the government to move forward with its planned policies.Premier Cho emphasized that the government exists to provide better living conditions for the people, accelerate the development of industries and firmly maintain the nation’s sovereignty. He urged opposition party groups to pull back from the brink and change course. <上版日期>114-01-23 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/ca9c3f18-68ef-4572-bb3a-10b04773af99 <標題>Updated TPASS 2.0 to ease commuting and advance sustainability goals <內容>At Thursday’s weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai was briefed by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) on TPASS 1.0’s performance and the new TPASS 2.0 plan. The premier said that since the July 2023 launch of TPASS—a monthly travel pass providing unlimited travel across various modes of public transport—more than 11 million passes have been purchased as of the end of 2024. Furthermore, in 2024, public transportation ridership from January to October reached approximately 890 million trips—an increase of about 30% compared to the same period in 2022. These results clearly highlight the successful efforts of both the central and local governments.The premier said the MOTC’s promotion of TPASS 2.0—a new plan offering rebates to frequent users of public transportation—will provide more diverse reward options to encourage greater use of public transportation. This initiative not only aligns with the government’s policy goals of sustainability, energy saving and carbon reduction, but also eases the public’s commuting burden. He praised the plan and asked the MOTC to proactively follow up with its implementation. <上版日期>114-01-16 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/5e4fa2f3-e95c-4ede-92d0-afb14a7623df <標題>Integrated inpatient care services expanding to help more patients <內容>At the Cabinet's weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) briefing on the expansion of integrated inpatient care services. The premier said the MOHW launched these services through the Inpatient Integrated Care Trial Program in 2022, effectively alleviating the caregiving and financial burdens on patients’ families.Premier Cho said that satisfaction ratings for the program have exceeded 80% among patients, their families, nursing staff and hospitals, with the services helping to reduce per-day hospitalization cost from NT$2,700 (US$83) to NT$1,050 (US$32), a significant decrease of approximately 60%.He urged the MOHW to continue expanding integrated inpatient care services by increasing the number of participating hospitals and beds each year, establishing a human resources framework for nursing support, and refining the nursing hierarchy and task allocation models within hospitals to continue benefiting patients and their families. <上版日期>114-01-09 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/076bced8-fe9f-4c35-b75a-05cb0c94ffe2 <標題>Premier Cho: Additional funding to reduce water leakage rate to 10% by 2031 <內容>At Thursday’s weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai was briefed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs on its Water Leakage Rate Reduction Plan. The premier said that under this plan implemented by the ministry over the past 12 years, Taiwan Water Corporation’s leakage rate has decreased significantly, from 19.55% in 2013 to 11.99% in 2024.In order to achieve environmental and industrial sustainability in the face of the extreme weather challenges posed by climate change, the government must ensure that the nation’s water resources are both sufficient and secure, the premier said. To that end, the Executive Yuan has approved an additional NT$80.77 billion (US$2.5 billion) in funding over the next eight years, with one goal being to reduce the leakage rate to 10% by 2031, in line with the leakage benchmarks of other advanced countries. The plan also aims to implement smart management systems for Taiwan’s tap water supply network, thereby strengthening the nation’s water supply resilience. <上版日期>114-01-09 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/7474dad2-80ba-4df6-b441-fca7636b944d <標題>Vice Premier Cheng receives Israeli Representative Maya Yaron <內容>Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun on Tuesday met with Maya Yaron, representative of the Israeli Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei (ISECO). The vice premier said that in recent years, exchanges between Taiwan and Israel have deepened, encompassing close collaboration in areas such as the economy and trade, technological innovation, culture, education and health care. To date, 34 agreements have been signed between Taiwan and Israel, including a joint declaration on tourism cooperation and an agreement on cultural collaboration, which were signed last year. On behalf of the Executive Yuan, Vice Premier Cheng expressed gratitude to Representative Yaron for her efforts in promoting bilateral cooperation and exchanges during her tenure at the ISECO. She also thanked Israel for its support of Taiwan’s participation in international organizations.Furthermore, Vice Premier Cheng emphasized that through innovation and the effective use of technology, we can address various societal issues and build a secure and trustworthy technological industry supply chain to support the greater global supply chain between democracies. She also expressed her hope that Taiwan and Israel will continue to strengthen their collaborations in technological innovation.In her remarks, Representative Yaron said Israel has a culture of innovation, driven by a willingness to question things, while Taiwan excels in smart manufacturing. This is where our two economies complement each other, she said, and where we can cooperate to play a more crucial role in international democratic supply chains.Representative Yaron also expressed gratitude for Taiwan’s long-standing friendship and support for Israel, emphasizing that both sides share a commitment to human rights, upholding democracy and other common values. <上版日期>114-01-07 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/4e31e13d-2ef5-43a0-aec8-5f43e3a084ab <標題>Premier Cho receives delegation from US-Taiwan Business Council <內容>Premier Cho Jung-tai on Tuesday received a delegation from the US-Taiwan Business Council (USTBC). During the visit, he noted the first agreement under the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade came into effect on December 10, 2024. The premier expressed his hopes that the negotiations on the second agreement can proceed swiftly and looked forward to further deepening cooperation between Taiwan and the U.S. through bilateral frameworks such as the Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue (EPPD) and the Technology, Trade and Investment Collaboration Framework (TTIC).Premier Cho expressed special thanks to the U.S. executive and legislative branches for taking an active stance on resolving the double taxation issue between Taiwan and the U.S., which would help to promote bilateral investment and cooperation. He also voiced his hope that the USTBC will continue to emphasize the importance of this issue to the U.S. government, creating investment benefits for the industries and people on both sides.Rupert Hammond-Chambers, president of the USTBC and head of the delegation, noted in his remarks that avoidance of double taxation has become an important issue in U.S.-Taiwan economic relations, given that approximately 30% of Taiwan’s outbound investment is currently flowing into the U.S. The USTBC thus believes the signing of a U.S.-Taiwan tax agreement will add additional momentum to bilateral investment in both markets.President Hammond-Chambers said the U.S. business community seeks continuity, transparency and stability in its relationship with Taiwan. He added that the USTBC is waiting to see what the trade policy of U.S. President-elect Trump’s administration will truly look like, but whatever challenges or opportunities may come, the USTBC will remain committed to working with Taiwan and its government. <上版日期>114-01-07 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/8481b346-0802-4d60-b5ea-be79f9b1141a <標題>Southern Taiwan semiconductor corridor to become ‘new Silicon Valley’ <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a National Science and Technology Council briefing on a plan to create a “new Silicon Valley” in the greater southern region of Taiwan. The premier said the plan will drive a new vision for southern Taiwan, noting that advancements in technology are opening up new opportunities for domestic industries. In promoting this new version of a Silicon Valley, the plan will continue to capitalize on the region’s existing international advantages in industries such as semiconductors, biotechnology, medical devices, precision machinery and solar green energy, while also expanding into sectors such as drones, the space industry and smart agriculture.Premier Cho added that the “new Silicon Valley” area will begin at Tainan's Shalun Smart Green Energy Science City and extend outward to the surrounding S-shaped semiconductor cluster, linking science parks and technology industrial parks in Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung and Pingtung. The plan will comprehensively upgrade industrial capabilities, from AI technology R&D to systems development, to facilitate Taiwan’s entry into the era of AI applications. It will also drive digital and net-zero transformations across a wide range of industries. <上版日期>114-01-02 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/164d66a4-7a9e-490c-bcf7-32ac49b045ca <標題>Executive Yuan to seek remedies for amendments to three major laws <內容>On Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai delivered a statement regarding the Legislative Yuan’s passage of amendments to three laws last week—the Public Officials Election and Recall Act, the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures, and the Constitutional Court Procedure Act. The premier said that these amendments will have a huge impact on people’s rights and Taiwan’s five-Yuan system of constitutional government, with even more severe consequences for the finances of the central government.Regarding the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures, Premier Cho said the new version of the law focuses only on money allocation without addressing authority or responsibilities, and its rushed passage with no detailed calculations was a major flaw in the legislative process. He also questioned whether legislators’ passage of bills to protect their own interests honors the electoral contract between the people and their representatives, whether it upholds the spirit of constitutional government, and how it could limit the people’s right to recall elected officials. Furthermore, the premier said that, due to the Legislature’s failure to approve any of the recent Constitutional Court justice nominees, the amendments in the Constitutional Court Procedure Act will effectively prevent the Constitutional Court from functioning.In light of the reasons above, the Executive Yuan will take the appropriate position of protecting the various rights and interests at stake, and upon receiving the official documentation will consult with experts and scholars to explore potential remedies to address the new amendments. <上版日期>113-12-26 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/f088963c-9cb2-48ff-92f7-f45f44668fb9 <標題>12th National Science and Technology Conference shapes future tech policy <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a National Science and Technology Council briefing on the 12th National Science and Technology Conference. The premier expressed his gratitude to relevant ministries and agencies for collaborating with the scientific community and gathering input from scholars and experts, which contributed to the success of the conference. The results of the conference will shape the direction of the National Science and Technology Development Plan for 2025 to 2028, which serves as a key reference for guiding the government’s future science and technology policies.The premier pointed out that for technological development to drive forward national development, the government has allocated a science and technology budget of NT$196.5 billion (US$6 billion) for the 2025 fiscal year. This funding will support scientific advancements tailored to Taiwan’s unique strengths, foster the continued growth of the Five Trusted Industry Sectors, and facilitate the transition to an era of widespread artificial intelligence applications, thereby helping both traditional industries and micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) achieve digital and net-zero transformations. Additionally, the government is promoting a program to develop industries and living spaces across Taiwan’s six regions, along with over 140 key infrastructure projects nationwide, to realize the vision of a healthy, balanced, united Taiwan that is technologically, socially, environmentally and economically resilient. <上版日期>113-12-26 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/6108e99f-c882-4a6c-853d-f746b2572f2d <標題>Cabinet approves draft amendments to industrial innovation law <內容>The Executive Yuan on Thursday approved the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ draft amendments to the Statute for Industrial Innovation. The proposed amendments will now be submitted to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation.Premier Cho Jung-tai said that fostering innovative entrepreneurship is crucial to enhancing Taiwan’s industrial competitiveness. To support industries’ digital transformation and net-zero transition, the amendments propose extending the tax credit eligibility period until 2029 for businesses investing in new equipment or technologies. Additionally, to align with the latest trends in industry innovation, new provisions addressing artificial intelligence, energy saving and carbon reduction aim to accelerate the adoption of smart technologies and low-carbon business models across a broad range of industries. The premier also pointed out that the draft amendments would lower investment thresholds for new startups, providing greater access to capital and helping more new businesses survive the most challenging phase of their initial growth. Other proposed amendments would adjust supervisory mechanisms for foreign investment to protect key domestic technologies, maintain Taiwan’s industrial competitiveness and safeguard national economic and social security. <上版日期>113-12-19 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/ba383162-601e-406b-a4fb-dc77ea0c3518 <標題>Taiwan strengthens ocean accessibility for elderly and disabled people <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received an Ocean Affairs Council briefing on the current status and future plans of a policy aimed at promoting welcoming, accessible ocean environments. The premier said Taiwan is a maritime nation, shaped by the openness, freedom and diversity the sea provides. He emphasized that comprehensively strengthening equal access to the ocean for elderly and disabled people reflects the civil values of Taiwanese society.Premier Cho thanked the Ocean Affairs Council for paying attention to the real mobility needs of elderly and disabled people, and for enhancing the ability of the elderly, disabled and their companions to connect with and enjoy the ocean, thereby fostering a virtuous cycle in Taiwanese society. <上版日期>113-12-19 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/60aa332e-ffe3-432b-8431-d2c86bacbd1a <標題>New national development plan facilitates public infrastructure investment <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a National Development Council report on the Trillion NT Dollar Investment National Development Plan. The premier said the plan utilizes three main strategies: innovative mechanisms to advance public-private partnerships; improved financing and investment conditions for public construction; and expanded financial products related to public construction. These strategies aim to channel abundant private capital into new infrastructure for the National Project of Hope, balanced development across Taiwan and other initiatives.The premier instructed ministries and agencies to follow the government’s public-private partnership mechanisms when reviewing newly proposed programs within their jurisdiction, prioritizing those that balance public interest with long-term stable returns and are conducive to private sector participation, thereby expanding project opportunities from their inception. He also directed the Financial Supervisory Commission to coordinate private sector proposals to ensure that monetary targets for private participation in public infrastructure projects are met nationwide over the next four years. Premier Cho noted that the National Development Council’s report also mentioned the government’s issuance of sustainable development bonds. Considering the various types of debt issued by the government to finance public works, these bonds serve as an important channel for directing funds into national infrastructure, and he encouraged ministries and agencies to be more proactive in continuing to deliberate on this matter. Additionally, to facilitate a greater flow of insurance funds into strategic industries related to public infrastructure, he asked that the relevant government authorities take the initiative in disclosing which categories of strategic industries are closely linked to public construction. <上版日期>113-12-12 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/a56570b1-8642-4dd0-af00-2d68ff72e8da <標題>Central, local governments continue push for residential rooftop solar power <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) briefing on a program to accelerate the installation of residential rooftop solar power systems. Promotion of solar power is a very important component of the government’s energy policy, the premier said, and since there is still considerable potential for growth in rooftop solar photovoltaic systems, the government must continue to intensify efforts in this area.Premier Cho asked the MOEA, Ministry of the Interior and local governments to maintain open communication and, if there is a need to establish subsidiary regulations or operational guidelines, to submit them for approval according to the proper procedures. <上版日期>113-12-05 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/60819cf0-b10f-4b99-bb25-12f82583a26a <標題>Updated anti-fraud strategy introduces stronger protections <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received briefings from several ministries and agencies regarding version 2.0 of the government’s next-generation anti-fraud strategy guidelines. The premier pointed out that the Fraud Crime Hazard Prevention Act, along with three complementary laws and legal amendments, were enacted in 2024 to comprehensively address the existing problem of fraudulent crime and respond to emerging forms of online and telecom fraud. The new legislation has granted law enforcement agencies more powerful tools for enforcement and regulation.The premier went on to say that the updated anti-fraud guidelines not only consolidate issues related to digital economy industries but also establish a new approach to combating fraud. Specifically, the guidelines address the current situation by formulating new strategies and measures to enhance AI-based prevention, deepen cross-border cooperation, regulate anti-fraud industries and strengthen victim protections. Premier Cho urged relevant ministries and agencies to collaborate with local governments, ensuring that each fulfills its designated role, so that the public can see tangible results from these measures. <上版日期>113-11-28 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/8c4e6af5-5b5f-4ea9-9660-02837a44a6fd <標題>New plan to boost brand marketing of local shopping districts <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) report on a plan to strengthen the brand marketing of commercial districts. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) form the foundation of Taiwan’s economic development, the premier said, and local shopping districts are crucial to fostering regional prosperity. To showcase the vibrant diversity of these areas and bolster regional revitalization, the initiative will focus on tourism, with an estimated NT$850 million (US$26.1 million) allocated over four years to support brand marketing, promotion and economic guidance for commercial districts.Premier Cho instructed the MOEA to work closely with local governments to actively implement four key strategies: optimizing shopping experiences, attracting tourists, holding benchmark competitions and building organizational capacity. These efforts will aim to create new models of success for commercial districts and enhance the value of local brands. <上版日期>113-11-28 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/de565e28-5357-49e3-89c3-eaa3909e51e8 <標題>Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative unlocks international horizons for youth <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of Education briefing on the NT$10 billion (US$307.3 million) Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative. The premier said the initiative’s purpose is to encourage young Taiwanese in different fields to engage in international exchanges, expand their global horizons and acquire professional expertise. By helping young people fulfill their dreams, they in turnwill help Taiwan fulfill its dreams. Premier Cho said the initiative will be executed through a “dream workshop team,” a “soaring overseas team,” and an “annual flagship plan.” As a national-level cross-ministerial collaborative initiative, it will require the support of all relevant ministries and agencies in developing new opportunities such as internships at overseas organizations and institutions, and the premier thus requested full cooperation in its implementation. <上版日期>113-11-21 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/86801b65-342f-46e5-8549-139db86ac9e2 <標題>Premier: Promote unique local industries to boost nation’s soft power <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) briefing on a program to promote urban and rural local industries. The premier directed the MOEA, along with relevant ministries and agencies, to cooperate with local governments in actively implementing the program, so that the distinctive industries of Taiwan’s cities and countryside can enhance the nation’s soft power.Premier Cho pointed out that micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) form an important foundation for Taiwan’s thriving local economies and stable society. He said the program will meet the needs of local industries and complement related government policies by deploying three key strategies—shaping unique urban and rural brands, introducing diverse support measures, and establishing marketing channels. The program’s measures aim to facilitate the upgrading and transformation of local industries, expand their marketing and distribution channels, and create distinctive brands to represent Taiwan’s cities and countryside. <上版日期>113-11-21 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/a09da8ba-b68a-4a57-a817-ce2249b522ad <標題>Third phase of anti-drug strategy aims for a drug-free, healthier Taiwan <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of Justice report on the planned third phase (2025-2028) of the government’s New Generation Anti-drug Strategy Guidelines. The premier said that combating drugs is integral to societal safety and the nation’s development. He urged all levels of government to cooperate in the fight against drugs, in order to foster a healthier Taiwan and create a future where homes and schools are drug-free.The premier noted that the first and second phases of the New Generation Anti-drug Strategy Guidelines launched in 2017 and 2021, respectively, and have already achieved considerable results. The third phase, set to run from 2025 to 2028, will allocate substantial funding across five key areas—drug enforcement, drug screening, drug rehabilitation, drug education and integrated planning—with the aim of reducing the physical and mental harm drugs inflict on the public. <上版日期>113-11-14 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/6748328f-b470-4aaa-9f80-bb6a0cb601a0 <標題>Executive Yuan approves plan to boost micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting on Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a briefing from the Ministry of Economic Affairs on a plan to diversify and revitalize the nation’s micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). The premier said that Taiwan’s economic achievements and the strength of its industrial chains derive from the nation’s 1.63 million MSMEs operating across a wide range of industrial sectors. As the government promotes hi-tech industries, it will provide fulsome support to MSMEs, so that they can build up strength and branch out into international markets.Starting from 2025, the government will invest NT$11.6 billion (US$360.5 million) to assist MSMEs with digital and net-zero transitions, as well as domestic and international channel development; provide loan and tax incentives as well as additional supporting measures such as credit guarantee inducements; and establish a one-stop service portal for MSMEs.Premier Cho explained that, under the plan, MSMEs which employ 30 people or less will receive inclusive loans to assist the transitions to digital and net-zero as well as channel development; the plan also provides subsidies of up to NT$100,000 (US$3,108) for each MSME transitioning to digital, in order to support employee training and facilitate the acquisition of digital skills. <上版日期>113-11-07 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/c128458a-c1f0-4e94-8e2d-ec6e34218005 <標題>Government to use AI to enhance national food safety network <內容>At the Cabinet's weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a briefing from the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) on a program to achieve excellence in food safety management. Focusing on three main areas—food source risk management, chain of custody certification and community monitoring—the program will invest NT$1.85 billion (US$57.7 million) over four years to promote the integration of food safety mechanisms, strengthen their management, inspection and guidance processes, and expand the introduction of AI technologies.The promotion of food safety forms part of the Executive Yuan’s core policy agenda to crack down on five types of crime—organized crime, financial crime, gun crime, drug crime and fraud crime—and uphold seven types of safety—public safety, food safety, road safety, occupational safety, school safety, housing safety and cyber safety.Premier Cho explained that a key feature of the program is the use of innovative digital technologies to bolster food safety management. He instructed the MOHW to facilitate the adoption of AI technologies to optimize risk management and early warning mechanisms for food safety incidents, monitor international alerts, ensure safe sourcing of imported food products, improve customer service systems and regulate food advertisements. These efforts will further strengthen the national food safety network. <上版日期>113-10-24 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/3eb57dd9-22e5-4fa3-a4d1-240399825ad5 <標題>Future sports ministry will champion equal access, sustainable development <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a report from the Ministry of Education (MOE) on the status of planning for a new ministry of sports. The premier said the Executive Yuan is undertaking rigorous preparations for the establishment of this new central government ministry dedicated to sports and athletics. The ministry will aim to ensure equal opportunities, social inclusion and sustainable development in sports, as well as strengthen Taiwan’s influence and participation in international sports.Premier Cho said the ministry’s organizational structure will include the ministry itself, one subordinate agency and three subordinate centers. The ministry’s overall mission is to promote sports-related affairs nationwide, while the subordinate agency will develop sports initiatives for the general public. Two of the centers will be the existing National Sports Training Center and Taiwan Institute of Sports Science, which will carry out training of athletic talent and conduct research into sports science and related applications. This will be done in cooperation with a third center, which will focus on promoting the growth and development of the national sports industry.Premier Cho instructed the MOE to continue advancing arguments for organic law amendments and proposals related to the new ministry’s creation, and to properly communicate with all legislative caucuses as well as wider society, with a view to inaugurating the ministry of sports in the latter half of next year. <上版日期>113-10-17 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/b2f337ea-5508-4943-aac5-62243dcda800 <標題>Premier Cho receives EU Representative Lutz Güllner <內容>Premier Cho Jung-tai on Wednesday received Lutz Gllner, head of the European Economic and Trade Office in Taiwan. The premier said that Taiwan and the EU are very important democratic partners and economic allies. Furthermore, the main focus of Taiwan-EU cooperation overlaps with areas that are of crucial importance to the international community: semiconductors, supply chain resilience, and digital and green transformations.Premier Cho pointed out that the Executive Yuan is actively developing Taiwan's Five Trusted Industry Sectors: semiconductors, AI, military, security and surveillance, and next-generation communications. The premier said he hopes Taiwan and the EU will consider moving forward on a basis similar to the U.K.-Taiwan Enhanced Trade Partnership Arrangement and the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade, as a route to the signing of an economic partnership agreement and to further cement the bilateral relationship.In his remarks, Representative Güllner said there are many opportunities for the EU and Taiwan to work together that go beyond classical trade and investment, including issues such as the energy transition that the EU and Taiwan are experiencing, and the need to develop clean industrial policies, often linked to innovation, where there are tremendous possibilities for cooperation.Representative Güllner added that the EU and Taiwan have very strong people-to-people relations and have worked together on education, digital issues and many other areas, with great potential for further advancement. He said he is very happy to have a clear mandate to come to Taiwan and to help develop these relations..u:after{content:""\00FC""} <上版日期>113-10-16 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/20c95962-971e-4f9f-b306-14753a95f7cf <標題>Net-zero strategies unveiled for the nation’s construction sector <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of the Interior (MOI) briefing on strategies to promote the nation’s transition to net-zero buildings. The premier said the MOI examined international trends when developing its outline for pathways and measures to reach net-zero carbon emissions in the construction sector by 2050. He instructed relevant ministries and agencies to work side by side with local governments to actively implement the outlined strategies.Premier Cho emphasized that the transition to net zero will have an impact on people’s lifestyles and modes of production. He instructed the MOI to strengthen communication with various sectors of society as the strategies are carried out, and to conduct rolling reviews of the outlined pathways through civic engagement and social dialogue, so that the net-zero emissions target can be achieved on schedule. <上版日期>113-09-26 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/55ea1072-7f59-496a-abef-698accc49fc3 <標題>Government to launch One Health antibiotic resistance management plan <內容>At Thursday’s weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai was briefed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare on a national action plan for One Health antibiotic resistance management (2025-2029). The premier instructed the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Environment to cooperate closely in order to facilitate a national cross-sector effort for the prevention and treatment of antibiotic resistance, including establishing national guidance on the proper use of medication, drug storage and correct methods for the disposal of medicines upon their expiration.The premier said that the plan, approved to begin in 2025, will allocate funding of nearly NT$1.9 billion (US$59.7 million) over five years. Its holistic One Health framework will strengthen integration of ministries and agencies related to agriculture, medicine and food, and establish a national-level platform for treatment and prevention, so as to improve the management, monitoring and analysis of antibiotic resistance in humans, animals, foodstuffs and environments, as well as to reduce related harms. <上版日期>113-09-26 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/ceeca7a2-1c15-44d2-98fa-dc5f913a1778 <標題>Taiwan's WorldSkills Competition wins reflect strong investment in education <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of Labor briefing on Taiwan’s participation in the WorldSkills Competition 2024, which was held in Lyon, France last week. Taiwan’s national team won 2 gold, 3 silver and 10 bronze medals, as well as 28 medallions for excellence, placing fourth overall out of 69 countries and regions. The premier praised this outstanding achievement and thanked colleagues at the Ministry of Labor, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their joint cooperation in ensuring the athletes’ participation in the competition went smoothly. In addition, Taiwan has been selected to host the 2025 WorldSkills Asia competition. The premier instructed the relevant ministries and agencies to work together with local governments to ensure the proper organization of this international event. Premier Cho noted that the Executive Yuan introduced the Higher Education Sprout Project in 2018, which is now in its second phase, in order to promote the cultivation of technical and vocational education. The project has injected a total of more than NT$65 billion (US$2 billion) to assist technical and vocational colleges in developing distinctive teaching programs and promoting industry-academia cooperation. The government will continue to invest in budgets and resources to build better-quality learning environments for young Taiwanese..u:after{content:""\00FC""} <上版日期>113-09-19 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/28bb7017-5bd2-46d0-923f-d13a333cf3a0 <標題>Government to expand investment in talent training and recruitment <內容>At Thursday's weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a briefing from the National Development Council on a program to boost the nation’s talent competitiveness. The premier said that the government must expand its investment in skills, training talented individuals domestically and recruiting from abroad, in order to advance the artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transition, and add impetus to Taiwan’s innovation-driven model of economic development. This investment will ensure that the nation continues to be a critical force within the thriving global economy.The premier said the program revolves around two main pillars: strengthening the competitiveness of the nation’s future talent and attracting global talent. By 2028, the program aims to provide professional training to 450,000 people across fields including AI, and to attract 120,000 foreign professionals and 80,000 foreign technical personnel, so as to provide the ample talent needed for the next stage of national development and to fortify Taiwan’s competitive advantages. <上版日期>113-09-19 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/9fe08457-6223-4d77-8ae1-fb204d087a15 <標題>Promoting Taiwan's art history, enriching the nation’s culture <內容>At Thursday’s weekly Cabinet meeting, the Ministry of Culture (MOC) provided a briefing on the Reconstruction of Taiwan’s Art History project. Premier Cho Jung-tai said the project, which has received an update, implements President Lai Ching-te’s vision of revitalizing the nation through promoting art, and will enrich Taiwan’s cultural content.The project to reconstruct Taiwan's art history began in 2018 and has already accumulated considerable achievements, the premier said. The government will continue to build and augment Taiwan’s cultural DNA and cultural memory by managing the collection, research and promotion of the history of Taiwan's art, music, literature, architecture and traditional opera, in order to promote a revitalization of the arts and cultivate the nation's soft power.The premier instructed the MOC to continue developing local art scenes, providing data collected by this project for use in training the Taiwan-built Trustworthy AI Dialogue Engine (TAIDE) large language model, and planning the completion of a national art gallery at Tainan Art Museum Building 2. <上版日期>113-09-12 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/dee951b2-da42-4478-b057-c0d2fff30567 <標題>Annual nationwide earthquake drills to strengthen disaster resilience <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of the Interior (MOI) briefing on strengthening mobilization drills and international cooperation exercises during National Disaster Preparedness Month in September. The premier said climate change’s effects have intensified in recent years, and to face the possible threat of large-scale compound disasters, Taiwan must consider risk even in times of safety, and bolster whole-of-society defense and resilience.To honor the memory of those who lost their lives in the Jiji Earthquake on September 21, 1999, we must be vigilant and prepared, the premier said. The government thus designated September 21 as National Disaster Preparedness Day, during which earthquake drills are conducted nationwide with the goal of minimizing future casualties.The earthquake which struck Hualien County on April 3 this year and July’s Typhoon Gaemi both greatly impacted the nation. Fortunately, Taiwan's resilience and its ability to respond to earthquakes, strong winds and floods continue to improve. This is the result of the joint efforts of the central government, local governments, and all the people of Taiwan over a number of years, the premier said. He instructed the MOI and other ministries and agencies to work together with local governments to jointly implement mobilization preparations for potential disasters, and to continue to enhance the nation’s overall disaster resilience and response capabilities. <上版日期>113-09-12 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/c39fd063-0f0a-48ad-ac04-ed952192baa2 <標題>Premier Cho receives Canadian trade office executive director Jim Nickel <內容>Premier Cho Jung-tai on Monday received a delegation from the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei led by Executive Director Jim Nickel. The premier thanked Executive Director Nickel for his many contributions to advancing Taiwan-Canada relations since he took office in September 2022. The premier noted that both the governments and the peoples of Taiwan and Canada share a belief in the universal values of freedom and democracy, and continue to cooperate and support each other in maintaining regional peace and security.The premier highlighted that, in light of the complementary nature of our economic, trade and industrial sectors, Taiwan and Canada signed an avoidance of double taxation agreement in 2016 and a foreign investment promotion and protection agreement last year, and he said that such agreements will undoubtedly provide a solid foundation on which to build bilateral economic and trade relations in the future. In addition, the premier encouraged more young people to partake in Taiwan-Canada youth exchange programs to continue expanding cooperation and deepening friendship between the two nations. In his remarks, Executive Director Nickel said that to strengthen our democratic resilience, Canada wants to deepen cooperation with Taiwan in areas such as countering disinformation and foreign interference, strengthening cybersecurity, and protecting critical infrastructure. Canada has also stated clearly in its Indo-Pacific Strategy, and in concert with its G7 partners, that Canada opposes the use of coercion or force to unilaterally change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.Executive Director Nickel said he is very pleased that Canada has now joined the Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF) as a full member with Taiwan, the U.S., Japan and Australia. Canada sees the GCTF as a valuable platform for exchanging best practices on issues of domestic and transnational importance, and for bringing Taiwan to the world and the world to Taiwan. Furthermore, Taiwan is also a valuable partner for Canada as we transition to a green and digital future and grow our economies together through trade, investment and co-innovation. <上版日期>113-09-09 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/80b759a0-3db6-4165-a8f5-c40c6f319667 <標題>Expanded training for disaster relief volunteers to boost societal resilience <內容>At the Cabinet's weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai was briefed by the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) on disaster relief volunteer training and utilization. The premier said that Taiwan is situated in a geographic environment where earthquakes, typhoonsand other natural disasters pose a frequent threat. Since 2018, the MOI has promoted a training and certification system for disaster relief volunteers in order to establish a mechanism that allows for civic and private sector participation in disaster prevention and relief. This has had a positive effect in enhancing the public's awareness of risks and strengthening professional knowledge relating to disasters.Strengthening whole-of-society defense and resilience is a key focus of the government’s current administrative agenda, and investing in disaster relief volunteers is an essential part of this effort, the premier said. He directed the MOI to coordinate with social services, civil administration, police and civic organizations to jointly expand training resources for disaster relief volunteers. Moving forward, the government must continue to organize and systemize volunteer capacity, and implement mechanisms that allow volunteers to participate in the work of local disaster coordination centers. <上版日期>113-09-05 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/02c3ee36-f365-49fe-861c-8c5facac1e64 <標題>Premier: Five Trusted Industry Sectors will strengthen Taiwan’s global position <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a National Development Council briefing on a plan to promote Taiwan’s Five Trusted Industry Sectors. The premier said the plan carries great strategic importance and forms part of the national policy vision outlined by President Lai Ching-te.Premier Cho said that development of the Five Trusted Industry Sectors—semiconductors, AI, military, security and surveillance, and next-generation communications—will not only strengthen Taiwan’s key position in global supply chains and forge closer ties with democratic partners, but will also boost Taiwan’s competitiveness across all sectors, create more high-salary employment opportunities, and reinforce the nation’s overall security and resilience.Premier Cho instructed the Ministry of Economic Affairs, National Science and Technology Council and other relevant ministries and agencies to strengthen their cooperation with industries on semiconductors, AI and drones; accelerate the push toward sovereign AI and complete the related laws and regulations; and enhance R&D into drone technology and strengthen associated technology transfers. <上版日期>113-09-05 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/c27c7844-5ef2-419d-93e2-71d1a0ba85ee <標題>Premier Cho receives US-Taiwan Business Council delegation <內容>Premier Cho Jung-tai on Wednesday received a delegation from the US-Taiwan Business Council (USTBC). The premier said that Taiwan views the USTBC as a very important partner in the private sector, and he thanked the council for its tremendous assistance in continuing to promote inter-government and private sector relationships between Taiwan and the U.S., and enhancing bilateral business exchanges and U.S. trust in the Taiwan market.Premier Cho said Taiwan looks forward to the signing of an avoidance of double taxation agreement (ADTA) to further resolve obstacles to bilateral trade and economic relations, and create even more opportunities especially in the areas of semiconductors and electric vehicles. This will also help Taiwan lay a solid foundation for its future accession to the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), the premier said, so that we can together jointly advance prosperity and development in the Indo-Pacific region.Keith Krach, the delegation’s leader and the chairman of the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue University, said that some of the most prominent American companies, and tech companies in particular, are visiting Taiwan to promote innovation and adoption of trusted technology, and also to deepen investment from both sides, in order to ensure the development of a vibrant business ecosystem and a secure supply chain.Last year, the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue announced the creation of the Taiwan Center for Innovation and Prosperity, which aims to facilitate two-way investment between the U.S. and Taiwan, and elevate Taiwan’s international standing, the chairman said. The Krach Institute recently also launched the Tech Diplomacy Academy, an online platform for training global leaders from both the private and public sector in technologies that impact national security. The institute intends to partner with Taiwan in this area and develop courses on technology directly related to Taiwan’s Five Trusted Industry Sectors. <上版日期>113-09-04 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/2a154eb0-3f15-4db1-be39-2dfb325529c9 <標題>Economic Development Commission convenes first advisory meeting <內容>At the inaugural advisory meeting of the Executive Yuan’s Economic Development Commission on Tuesday, Premier Cho Jung-tai heard concluding reports delivered by various advisory groups. The premier thanked advisory group members for outlining the current and future issues facing the nation and for putting forward practical recommendations, and he said the government will work diligently to tackle all challenges.The Executive Yuan established the Economic Development Commission in July 2024 to address challenges raised by geopolitical developments, net-zero transition, the advent of AI, and domestic and international economic issues, the premier said. To implement resolutions reached in July’s inaugural meeting and incorporate input from all levels of society, the Commission’s first advisory meeting on Tuesday invited representatives in economics-related fields from Taiwanese industry, government, academia and research institutes to discuss the three main topics of innovative economy, balanced Taiwan and inclusive growth.On the subject of building a sovereign AI ecosystem, which was discussed by the advisory group on innovative economy, the premier pointed out that Taiwan excels in high-tech manufacturing. Moving forward, the government will bolster software design and applications, establish large-scale Taiwanese databases, develop large language models, and introduce AI technologies into public sector services. Through AI-driven innovation aimed at benefiting everyone, Taiwan can become an island of smart technology that enhances people’s daily lives.Regarding the expansion of manpower and talent needed for industrial development, which was discussed by the advisory group on balanced development across Taiwan, the premier said the government will establish a mechanism to periodically assess industries’ human resource needs in order to facilitate the timely filling of manpower gaps. In addition, the government will formulate a high-level framework for national industrial development, which will serve as a basis for planning implementation. Plans for reasonable and appropriate use of national land will also be devised that take into account ecological issues, industrial development, and the needs of the public.On the subject of diversification and reinvigoration of micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), discussed by the advisory group on inclusive growth, Premier Cho has instructed the Ministry of Economic Affairs to consolidate resources to provide streamlined one-stop services, so that the public can feel tangible benefits from the government's introduction of technologies. Regarding diversified youth development, the premier said the government is planning the establishment of a NT$10 billion (US$311.9 million) Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative encouraging young people to travel abroad to widen their international horizons, unlock knowledge and creativity, and acquire the competencies needed for the nation's future strategic industries, so as to facilitate their participation in major national infrastructure projects on returning to Taiwan.Addressing the issue of raising salaries, Premier Cho said the government is not only focused on adjusting salaries for military personnel, civil servants and public school teachers, but also has a firm desire to quickly stimulate salary growth for a broader range of workers. Regarding expanding social investment, the premier pointed out that when international companies set up factories in Taiwan, the government stands ready to work with them to train Taiwanese talent, and will also help domestic MSMEs to train high-tech AI talent, allocating national capital to advance social investment. The premier also said that when salaries do not meet expectations, it is necessary for the government to alleviate and reduce the burdens of families through expanding social investment. To address this issue, the government will assess its financial capacity, and while adhering to fiscal discipline, make reasonable allocations within the scope of the central government's general budget. <上版日期>113-09-03 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/7e66d1be-96e4-4b9c-92cd-e594059fc583 <標題>Premier Cho receives British Representative John Dennis <內容>Premier Cho Jung-tai on Monday received John Dennis, representative at the British Office in Taipei. Britain is Taiwan’s third-largest trading partner in Europe and this creates a strong case for further enhancing the Taiwan-U.K. trade relationship, the premier said. As a member of the international community, Taiwan will always shoulder its responsibility to uphold the universal values of freedom, democracy and human rights. Furthermore, Taiwan hopes to be able to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in order to contribute to the maintenance of security in the Indo-Pacific region and the Taiwan Strait.Premier Cho pointed out that last year Taiwan and the U.K. signed an Enhanced Trade Partnership Arrangement to promote deeper cooperation across three areas: investment, digital trade, and green energy and net-zero carbon. Additionally, June this year saw both nations co-host the 5th UK-Taiwan Energy Dialogue. Meanwhile, more than 40 British offshore wind power companies have established bases in Taiwan for cooperation on engineering and technology R&D.In his remarks, Representative Dennis said the U.K.’s longstanding policy toward Taiwan has not changed and our common interests remain the same. He also emphasized that by working closely and practically in the aforementioned areas of cooperation, the U.K. and Taiwan are not only generating growth and prosperity for our people, but also improving our collective resilience against shared challenges and unlocking expertise to contribute to solving the global problems that all societies face. To that end, the U.K. will continue to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations such as the World Health Assembly and the World Health Organization.Regarding the CPTPP, Representative Dennis said the U.K. looks forward to becoming a full member later this year, now that other affiliated parties have finalized their ratification processes, and he said the U.K. will continue to share its experiences of the CPTPP accession process with Taiwan to help inform the latter’s approach. More broadly, the U.K. will also continue to stress the indivisibility of stability and prosperity between the Euro-Atlantic region and the Indo-Pacific region. <上版日期>113-09-02 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/df32cd97-3144-4773-a586-03cabcc2a774 <標題>Tech initiative will create digital twins of real locations in Taiwan <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA) briefing on a program to develop applications and infrastructure for digital modeling and digital twins of locations in Taiwan’s city and countryside. The premier said the program’s aim is to promote digital infrastructure and encourage local governments to team up with industries on this endeavor. The program will introduce new applications for digital models and digital twins that simulate real-world urban and rural environments, as well as create innovative services targeting specialized fields, thereby accelerating development, applications and interdisciplinary collaboration around related technologies, and driving the transformation and upgrade of local industries.Premier Cho asked MODA to partner with local governments and businesses to expand the linking up of innovative applications across different fields, and continue to promote the diversified development of Taiwan's digital industries while ensuring that information security is protected. <上版日期>113-08-29 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/e0a631e6-dc11-410f-9b98-020c54e7df4d <標題>New plan promotes whole-of-society mental health resilience <內容>At the Cabinet meeting on Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a briefing from the Ministry of Health and Welfare on a plan to strengthen whole-of-society mental health resilience. The premier said that mental health is a universal human right and is a key focus of the government’s current administrative agenda. He requested ministries and agencies ensure that they adopt a “mental health in all policies” approach to policy planning and implementation, in order to comprehensively enhance the mental health and wellbeing of the public.The premier said the plan comprises six major strategies and combines the resources of 13 ministries and agencies, approaching the issue from the perspectives of resource deployment, primary prevention, medical care and crisis management, in order to build improved and more universally accessible mental health support systems. The plan not only follows President Lai Ching-te’s policy vision of creating a healthier Taiwan, but also aligns with the World Health Organization statement that “without mental health there can be no true physical health.” Premier Cho instructed all relevant ministries and agencies to devote their full efforts to carrying out the plan. <上版日期>113-08-29 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/012ee2fb-18f0-4266-b0da-0bce2d622078 <標題>Premier Cho outlines government strategy and goals after 101 days in office <內容>Premier Cho Jung-tai on Wednesday held a press conference to mark the 101st day since the Executive Yuan’s “active and innovative Cabinet” was appointed to office by President Lai Ching-te. On this occasion, the premier outlined the government’s “Action 101 Strategy” and detailed the administration’s current progress and achievements, as well as major policy directions moving forward.Premier Cho said the “Action 101 Strategy” focuses on a new era, new policies and new infrastructure projects. Centered around the twin pillars of “care” and “development,” the strategy puts forth eight major administrative goals to concretely realize President Lai’s visions of a new Taiwan with innovation-driven prosperity, just sustainability and democratic peace, aiming not only to lighten people’s burdens and make society safer, but also to push forward industry innovation and boost environmental sustainability.The premier said the eight major administrative goals are: expanding investment in society and easing household burdens; expanding medical investment and building a healthier Taiwan; achieving a pluralistic, egalitarian and prosperous society; forging a resilient Taiwan and upholding security and peace; powering the economy with innovation and smart technology; promoting green growth and net zero by 2050; balancing development to spread hope across Taiwan; and cultivating soft power and building a national brand.The Executive Yuan will also work together with the Presidential Office’s Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee, National Climate Change Committee and Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee to promote important related policies, such as the Long Term Care Plan 3.0 to achieve the goal of a healthier Taiwan. To address the challenges of climate change, the Executive Yuan has approved the latest phase of a program to utilize smart technologies for flood prevention, under which the government continues to upgrade disaster prevention technologies and early warning capabilities. The government is also proactively developing reliable large language model AI and establishing sovereign AI capabilities.Regarding the goal of expanding investment in society and easing household burdens, the premier pointed out that 26.5% of the central government’s planned 2025 general budget will be used to buttress social welfare and social security programs, including increasing child care subsidies; strengthening campus mental health support systems; expanding budgets for vocational education and higher education; raising salaries by 3% for military personnel, civil servants and public school teachers; promoting a program to provide housing support for 1 million renter households; advancing amendments to the Public Assistance Act; and injecting additional capital into the Labor Insurance and National Health Insurance funds. The Executive Yuan has also been taking steps to realize the administration’s goal of expanding medical investment and building a healthier Taiwan, such as by establishing a NT$10 billion (US$313 million) fund for new cancer medicines; extending the coverage of a plan to provide mental health support for the young generation from ages 15 to 45; promoting a 12-point strategic plan to boost the nation's nursing workforce; and approving phase two of a child health care improvement program to further protect the lives and health of newborns and children.Taiwan’s pluralism and egalitarianism are examples of democratic values in action, the premier said. The Executive Yuan has recently approved a draft bill for the establishment of a center for the research and development of national languages. In addition, draft amendments to the Name Act have passed their third and final reading in the Legislative Yuan, enabling indigenous peoples to use their ethnic names on national identification cards or other official documents. A basic law for new immigrants has also been approved by the Legislature, continuing to advance friendlier care and services for new immigrants in Taiwan.With regard to forging a resilient Taiwan and upholding security and peace, the premier said the Executive Yuan is comprehensively upgrading the nation’s anti-fraud capabilities, allocating 4.8 times greater funding to combat fraud in its 2025 general budget compared to this year, and establishing a cross-ministry command center for fighting fraud. Meanwhile, to support pedestrian safety, the Executive Yuan will oversee the completion of safety improvement projects for 799 dangerous road intersections by the end of 2024. The Executive Yuan is also advancing draft amendments to the Fire Services Act to improve occupational safety, and has approved draft amendments to the Cyber Security Management Act. All these initiatives aim to uphold and strengthen national security at every level.The premier expressed his delight at investment in Taiwan by global semiconductor and technology companies including AMD, Infineon Technologies, NVIDIA and Vantage Data Centers, and expressed confidence that more internationally renowned companies will choose to come to Taiwan in the future. Meanwhile, the government will continue to take care of Taiwan’s micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) as well as its traditional industries. Next year, the budget for the government’s MSME diversification and revitalization plan will rise to NT$11.6 billion (US$363.1 million), an increase of 53.8% over this year's budget. This administration is also promoting amendments to the Act for Development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Statute for Industrial Innovation to encourage SMEs to invest in R&D and innovation. Furthermore, to actively promote the Five Trusted Industry Sectors of semiconductors, AI, military, security and surveillance, and next-generation communications, next year's science and technology budget allocates NT$14.6 billion (US$457 million) to semiconductor industry development, NT$9.4 billion (US$294.2 million) to AI, and NT$6 billion (US$187.8 million) to space and communications. Complemented by the Asia Silicon Valley Development Plan 3.0, it is envisaged that these measures will comprehensively drive industrial innovation, and create a smart and resilient society.To address the global trend towards carbon reduction, the government has published an action plan for 12 key strategies for net-zero transition, the premier said, and will allocate a total budget of NT$116.1 billion (US$3.6 billion) next year—an increase of 21.6% over this year's figure—with the overarching goal of ensuring a safe and stable electricity supply. At the same time, the government is actively assisting industry to introduce deep energy saving services, as well as accelerating the implementation of a construction program to enhance the resilience of the national power grid through strengthening and improving grid infrastructure. Additionally, the government plans to open up SMEs to short-term, low-volume purchases of green power, to facilitate their transition to digital and net-zero carbon business models.The premier emphasized that in order to realize President Lai's vision of balancing regional development to spread hope across Taiwan, the Executive Yuan has identified 140 national infrastructure projects and is proactively building a smart technology industrial ecosystem. In addition, next year’s budget for water resource management projects will reach NT$55.1 billion (US$1.7 billion), an increase of NT$11.5 billion (US$360 million) over this year's figure, which will be invested in systematic water management and flood prevention projects to enhance disaster resilience.To cultivate Taiwan’s soft power and build a national brand, the Executive Yuan has formally established preparatory and advisory groups for a new ministry of sports, the premier said. The intention is that the ministry will bring together three strands of sports policy: international competitions, the sports industry and society-wide sports, to realize the government’s new policy of “sports for all.” In addition, next year's culture budget will exceed NT$30 billion (US$939 million) for the first time to reach NT$30.393 billion (US$951.3 million), with the goal of supporting high-quality creative productions so that the “Taiwanese Wave” pop culture export economy can glow brightly on the world stage.Premier Cho said that the Cabinet has adopted Taipei 101 as the spiritual symbol for its “Action 101 Strategy,” and will continue to make efforts along three lines: evolving open government, appointing chief sustainability officers for government units, and expanding youth advisory committees, in order to uphold the spirit of open government. This will allow the public to see the nation’s direction of travel, and facilitate public participation in policy discussions and the sharing of ideas through the use of open platforms. <上版日期>113-08-28 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/e97ce386-ef6b-497d-8084-82b354049ee5 <標題>Vice Premier receives Japanese House of Representatives Member Kaneko Yasushi <內容>Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun on Tuesday received Japanese House of Representatives Member Kaneko Yasushi. The vice premier said that as a member of the Indo-Pacific region, Taiwan hopes to cooperate with Japan to realize its vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific and together uphold regional peace.The global supply chain of the future will transition from emphasizing cost to valuing partnerships based on security, trust and resilience, the vice premier said. To address this trend, Premier Cho Jung-tai will convene ministries and agencies from across government to jointly promote comprehensive economic, trade and technology diplomacy, in order to strengthen cooperation along the industrial supply chain with like-minded nations. Vice Premier Cheng emphasized that Japan is an important partner for Taiwan, and expressed hope that through both sides’ efforts, extensive industrial cooperation can be carried out to jointly create a “technology island chain” in Asia.In his remarks, Representative Kaneko said that before Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) established a presence in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan had faced a semiconductor shortage which seriously impacted the development of its electronic and automotive industries. He therefore expressed gratitude to TSMC for building its fabrication plant in Kumamoto Prefecture and contributing to the strong growth of Japan’s industries. In addition, he said Japan will continue to cooperate with the U.S. to jointly uphold peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific Region, and to preserve security and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Moving forward, Representative Kaneko hopes Taiwan and Japan can cooperate with regard to addressing economic security guarantees, and continue deepening their friendship. <上版日期>113-08-27 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/e45435c0-13e1-40ab-8e02-dec0a070deb4 <標題>Premier Cho receives Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Chairman Ohashi Mitsuo <內容>Premier Cho Jung-tai on Monday received a delegation led by Ohashi Mitsuo, chairman of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association. The premier thanked Chairman Ohashi for actively advancing and deepening Taiwan-Japan bilateral relations, and he looks forward to both sides making further progress in advancing Taiwan’s bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which he is confident will contribute to regional economic strength and prosperity.The premier said Taiwan shoulders its responsibility for maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region, and he expressed hopes that Taiwan can participate substantially in more international affairs, and that Japan will continue to extend more support for Taiwan’s role in international organizations in the future.In his remarks, Chairman Ohashi said that the Japan-Taiwan relationship is a model to the world, which he hopes to continue to maintain and further develop. Chairman Ohashi said the Japan-Taiwan relationship is precious and he views it as his mission to promote the friendship, which he hopes and believes can serve as an example for other nations to follow, and help spread peace throughout the globe. <上版日期>113-08-26 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/e7457a27-dfda-4f9a-b2e2-d2d1a7fa9571 <標題>Effective water management reducing impact of extreme weather <內容>At Thursday’s Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai received briefings from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of the Interior on systematic water management. Despite the extremely torrential rain experienced during Typhoon Gaemi in July, which caused severe flooding in parts of southern Taiwan, the scope and extent of the damage has been reduced by the government’s promotion of flood control projects over successive years and the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program, the premier said. This focus on water management, the result of close cooperation between the central and local governments, has begun to show its effect.Regarding ongoing post-typhoon recovery work, Premier Cho instructed government officials to continue keeping abreast of the damage and disaster conditions in each county and city, and to maintain tight control over the implementation and management of all recovery projects and subsidy programs. Furthermore, to adapt to the impacts of intensifying extreme weather events, he said ministries and agencies must strengthen cooperation, examine and propose measures for systematic water management, and assist local water management efforts, so as to reduce the damage and suffering caused by floods, and create a safer, more sustainable homeland for the people of Taiwan. <上版日期>113-08-22 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/80a1aee6-d4e3-4732-a6a8-a90a5b9315d2 <標題>Planning for new sports ministry follows Taiwan’s success at Paris Olympics <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of Education (MOE) briefing on Taiwan’s achievements at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics and the creation of a new ministry of sports. The premier said Taiwan’s national team had an excellent performance at the Paris Olympics, winning two gold medals and five bronze medals. The premier gave thanks and recognition to the MOE’s Sports Administration, the National Sports Training Center, and the Taiwan Institute of Sports Science, as well as related ministries and agencies, for dedicating their full support to the team’s affairs, providing top-notch logistical assistance, and enabling the athletes to deliver their finest performances.To implement President Lai Ching-te’s policy of strengthening Taiwan through sports, the Executive Yuan will with immediate effect establish a planning team for the new ministry of sports, the premier said. In September, a consultation group will also be formed, inviting participation from individuals and experts across the sports sector and sports industries, with a view to formulating a comprehensive plan for the nation’s sports policy and building a solid support base for Taiwanese athletes. <上版日期>113-08-15 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/db7c0801-a830-4e77-8e12-76017bbcb64e <標題>Premier reaffirms commitment to assist renter households <內容>At the Cabinet meeting on Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a progress update from the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) on the government’s NT$30 billion (US$928.7 million) expanded rent subsidy program. The premier said that access to housing is a basic human right and forms part of a fair and just society. He instructed the MOI to vigorously promote the government’s program to support 1 million renter households, which aims to achieve a cumulative total of 250,000 newly constructed social housing units; 250,000 rental units through a government subleasing and management program; and 500,000 rent-subsidized households by the year 2032.While maintaining a balanced budget, the Executive Yuan will make every effort to provide rent subsidies and alleviate the needs of more renter households, the premier said. Within the scope of the current budget, the central government will offer subsidies to all those who apply and meet the requirements of the program in 2024. <上版日期>113-08-15 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/79e27177-5dfa-4994-b995-1daa378e1033 <標題>Government continues to expand programs for energy saving and efficiency <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) briefing on a program to promote deep energy saving. The premier said energy service companies (ESCOs) play an important role in helping businesses achieve the twin goals of energy saving and carbon reduction, and he thus instructed the MOEA to focus on ESCOs as key drivers of deep energy saving. He also asked the MOEA to continue expanding its subsidy program for home appliance purchases, which encourages people to replace old appliances with new ones that meet Taiwan’s highest energy efficiency labeling standards.Premier Cho said that energy saving helps enhance energy independence and strengthens the resilience of nations and businesses; furthermore energy efficiency is classified by the International Energy Agency as the strategy with the greatest potential for moving toward net-zero carbon emissions. Achieving the goal of net zero will involve comprehensive transformations in production and lifestyles, the premier said, and he instructed the MOEA and other ministries and agencies to work with the private sector and the public to accelerate the promotion of energy saving and net-zero related efforts. <上版日期>113-08-08 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/9393e2a4-8968-43d2-933f-c5f388e70d72 <標題>Enhanced legislation to boost nation’s defenses against fraud crime <內容>At the Cabinet's weekly meeting on Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received briefings from the Ministry of the Interior and Ministry of Justice on one new and three amended laws related to the combating of fraud. The premier said the legislation, which was recently passed by the Legislative Yuan, will strengthen the nation’s legal system and enhance law enforcement tools for fighting fraud. He instructed the relevant ministries and agencies to complete work on complementary measures and supporting legislation, and revise the next-generation anti-fraud strategy guidelines to version 2.0 as soon as possible, in order to maximize efforts to curb fraud.The premier said a comprehensive crackdown on fraud, organized crime, corruption, drugs and illicit money flows is part of the Executive Yuan’s initiative to promote public safety, which forms one of the government’s two central policy pillars alongside promoting economic development. In addition to ensuring that this year’s anti-fraud measures are reliably implemented, the central government currently plans to allocate substantially increased funding to combat fraud crime in its 2025 general budget, demonstrating its concrete support and commitment toward the new legislation and updated measures.The four pieces of anti-fraud legislation are: a new law governing fraud crime harm prevention, amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure, amendments to the Communication Security and Surveillance Act, and amendments to the Money Laundering Control Act. <上版日期>113-08-08 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/380ffab9-8ceb-438a-9069-1e0685d1cbf9 <標題>Premier: Local typhoon relief is top priority in government budget <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received briefings from the Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of National Defense, the Executive Yuan’s Public Construction Commission, and the Council of Indigenous Peoples regarding the emergency response to Typhoon Gaemi and the subsequent recovery and reconstruction work. The premier gave thanks and recognition to all the ministries and agencies, local governments, police, firefighters and military personnel involved in disaster relief, adding that it is especially during times of natural disasters that the central and local governments must work more closely together so that the public can safely rely on them.Premier Cho said he has already instructed the Public Construction Commission to set up a Typhoon Gaemi recovery project to assist local recovery and reconstruction work. In addition, he said this year’s central government budget will prioritize the most urgent needs of local governments through swift and targeted funding, and next year the central government will carefully review and allocate the funding necessary to strengthen water management and transportation infrastructure. The government is fully committed to supporting reconstruction efforts for individuals, small and medium-sized enterprises and other businesses impacted by the typhoon. Premier Cho made five further remarks. First, in a future of extreme weather, the probability of heavy rainfall will be high. The premier expects the Central Weather Administration will continue to provide accurate information as well as early warning and response. Second, the restoration of rail services and public roads should afford top priority to the safety of repair workers while ensuring the timely resumption of transportation services. Third, county and city governments should report agricultural damage punctually and the related compensation system should be generous and streamlined, to ensure assistance reaches affected farmers. Fourth, since there have been many cases of crop flooding, to avoid the spread of pests and diseases, the premier requested agricultural units within the disaster areas to fully disinfect their environments. Fifth, the premier instructed that steps be taken to prevent artificial price fluctuations, so that people can return to their normal lives as soon as possible. <上版日期>113-08-01 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/8839cc8e-6557-402a-87c2-882c8561a5a7 <標題>Government to further enhance indigenous rights protections <內容>On August 1 Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Premier Cho Jung-tai paid tribute to Taiwan’s indigenous peoples on behalf of the government, whom he said have proactively protected the nation’s mountains, forests and land, and developed rich and unique cultures, all the while coexisting and sharing prosperity with the nation’s other ethnic groups. They have helped develop Taiwan’s tapestry of diverse values and cultures into a precious asset which the nation can draw upon to project itself externally and engage with the world.The premier made the remarks at the Cabinet’s weekly meeting, after receiving a briefing from the Council of Indigenous Peoples on a new policy blueprint for Taiwan’s indigenous communities.In the last eight years, the government has made concrete progress in promoting indigenous cultures and safeguarding indigenous rights, the premier said. Moving forward, the government will build on this foundation to further enhance indigenous rights protections and advance the development of indigenous people across a wide range of fields. The government will also employ relevant policy measures to support the rights and interests of indigenous populations in urban areas, encompassing daily life, education, health and employment. <上版日期>113-08-01 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/301b7fc6-9a96-4bf1-b76e-63d129bb364f <標題>New updates to child care policy for ages 0-6 will assist young families <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of Education (MOE) briefing on version 2.0 of the national child care policy for ages zero to six. The premier said the government is working hard to build an affordable, high-quality and accessible child care system, and continues to expand both public and quasi-public services. Currently, the policy has already helped provide a total of 600,000 slots at care facilities for children ages zero to six.Since January 2024, government subsidies for public and quasi-public care facilities for children below two years of age have increased to NT$7,000 (US$215) and NT$13,000 (US$399), respectively, the premier said. Between 2017 and 2024 the MOE also opened up a cumulative total of 1,078 preschool classes dedicated to facilitating the entry of two-year-olds into the education system, leading to a rise in the preschool enrollment rate of two-year-olds from around 15% to 53% since 2017.In addition, starting from this year’s winter vacation in January, the MOE is implementing extended care services for weekdays and extra care services for summer and winter vacations. Starting in August, public preschools will also begin offering drop-in care services on a trial basis.Premier Cho pointed out that in order to establish a childrearing-friendly labor environment and allow more parents to balance work and family life, starting May this year the Ministry of Labor has begun trialing flexible parental leave without pay, allowing workers with child care needs to apply for parental leave on a single-day, five-day or seven-day basis. <上版日期>113-07-18 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/e5a6be8c-d8ff-4e1c-8d0f-269fd955c57a <標題>Cabinet approves updated child health care improvement program <內容>At Thursday's Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a briefing from the Ministry of Health and Welfare on the second phase of the government’s child health care improvement program. Starting in 2025, the Executive Yuan will expand funding for the program in order to comprehensively optimize the nation’s medical care network for infants and children, and to protect their safety, the premier said.The increase in investment through a second phase of the program will realize the government’s vision of a healthier Taiwan, protecting the lives and health of newborns and children to reduce the number of preventable deaths and disabilities. Premier Cho added that in responding to the diverse needs of pediatric health care, the program will improve continuity of care for perinatal (prenatal to neonatal) newborns and infants; upgrade the effectiveness of childhood developmental screenings and referrals; strengthen pediatric primary care and health management; and enhance medical personnel training and quality of care for severe and rare pediatric diseases. <上版日期>113-07-18 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/db4a037d-7eeb-49cd-b85d-9f7e74b80ab8 <標題>New Economic Development Commission convenes inaugural meeting <內容>Premier Cho Jung-tai on Thursday chaired the inaugural meeting of the Executive Yuan’s Economic Development Commission. At a post-meeting press conference, the premier said the meeting yielded several concrete resolutions. Firstly, regarding its future schedule, the Commission will convene at least once every quarter, and will convene its first advisory meeting this August. The initial discussion results of Thursday’s meeting will be submitted to the advisory meeting’s panel of experts and scholars for further exchange and discussion, in hopes of gaining more valuable insights to guide which tasks and topics the Commission should focus upon in the future.The premier also said that a plan to invest trillions into national development was proposed during Thursday’s meeting. The plan’s initial objective is to attract NT$3 to 4 trillion (US$92 to 122.7 billion) of domestic and foreign capital to invest in major infrastructure and important industries in Taiwan. In the future, through cooperation across ministries and agencies, the Executive Yuan will establish a one-stop service window to facilitate regulatory compliance related to the plan. The Executive Yuan will also establish a related platform to accelerate the implementation of a program for large-scale investment in Taiwan.In addition, the premier said the government plans to transform Taiwan into Asia’s center for asset management while retaining unique Taiwanese features, thereby enhancing the flexibility of Taiwan’s capital flow and capital deployment, bringing about greater economic well-being for more people, and realizing the goals of inclusive finance and green finance.Finally, a program to boost the nation’s talent competitiveness was also proposed during the meeting. The program will promote the strategy of nurturing, retaining and recruiting talent according to the highest standards, and integrate the capabilities of ministries and agencies to cultivate the 200,000 artificial intelligence talents that the nation needs, while simultaneously bringing in 120,000 foreign talents to strengthen Taiwan’s competitiveness.Premier Cho said in this new era of information abundance and rapid technological advancement, the convening of the Economic Development Commission is a necessary new action. Both at the individual level and the industry level, many in Taiwan are concerned about the issues due to be discussed by the Commission, and the government pledges it will address these concerns with concrete methods and in a clear-cut manner.By fusing the strengths of the public and private sectors with the power of the people and cross-disciplinary collaboration to solicit a broad range of opinions and engage in thorough discussion, the government will be in a position to take innovative actions in order to achieve its objectives, the premier said. <上版日期>113-07-18 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/17131ed4-e2d7-4b67-863a-5e1f53ec9a58 <標題>Vice Premier receives Japanese delegation led by Representative Suzuki Keisuke <內容>Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun on Tuesday received a Japanese delegation led by Suzuki Keisuke, House of Representatives member and chair of the Liberal Democratic Party’s Taiwan Policy Review Project Team. The vice premier said creating a secure and reliable industrial supply chain will be crucial to the future restructuring of the global supply chain. Taiwan and Japan are already important partners in the technology industry, and Taiwan looks forward to continuing to strengthen cooperation and exchanges in areas such as net-zero technology, smart health care and artificial intelligence.Vice Premier Cheng pointed out the inaugural meeting of a new Executive Yuan-led economic development commission, chaired by Premier Cho Jung-tai, will take place on July 18 focusing on three main areas: Innovative Economy, Balanced Taiwan, and Inclusive Growth. The Executive Yuan team has also put forward its new strategy to accelerate cooperation with likeminded democratic nations in the fields of technology, economics, trade and diplomacy, in order to maintain the status quo of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and the Taiwan Strait.In his remarks, Representative Suzuki said that Taiwan can be considered a world leader in the field of semiconductors. He cited the example of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), which possesses the most cutting-edge semiconductor technology and has invested in the construction of a new fabrication plant in Japan. Moving forward, Representative Suzuki hopes Taiwan and Japan can grow together in the spirit of mutual coexistence and shared prosperity. <上版日期>113-07-16 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/06f7ccbb-0219-4e9b-b3d5-cd05072d65f3 <標題>Premier Cho receives new AIT Director Raymond Greene <內容>Premier Cho Jung-tai on Friday received Raymond Greene, the new director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Taipei Office. The premier noted that this is Director Greene’s third time coming to Taiwan to assume an official post. He said he firmly believes the director will serve as a vital conduit for future communication between Taiwan and the U.S., and will be witness to this administration’s efforts to maintain steady relations with the U.S. and other democratic partners around the world in order to jointly uphold security and stability in the Asia-Pacific and Indo-Pacific regions, as well as promote the development of peace across the Taiwan Strait.Premier Cho emphasized that Taiwan stands ready to be a nation that fulfills its international responsibilities to itself, its partners, and the region. In relation to security cooperation, Taiwan hopes for deeper defense industrial cooperation with the U.S., with Taiwan incorporated into the U.S. defense industrial supply chain in order to support the joint research, development and production of a range of high priority items needed for Taiwan's national defense. Regarding economics and trade, Taiwan hopes both sides can deepen bilateral cooperation to drive forward Taiwan’s participation in the U.S.-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, and together contribute to enhancing regional economic and trade standards. <上版日期>113-07-12 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/7d1f5bb7-e195-4cfe-b3ab-9ca858c087a5 <標題>Building a healthier Taiwan: NT$10 billion fund for new cancer drugs <內容>At Thursday's weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a briefing from the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) on initiatives to enhance access to new cancer drugs and establish a NT$10 billion (US$306.9 million) fund for new cancer medicines. The premier said this administration is committed to improving the prevention and treatment of cancers, with the goal of reducing cancer deaths by one-third by 2030. This is in accordance with President Lai Ching-te's policy of building a healthier Taiwan, which includes a three-pronged approach to combating cancer: improving early-stage cancer screening, focusing on genetic testing and precision medicine, and establishing a NT$10 billion new cancer drugs fund.The premier said that to improve the window for early diagnosis and treatment, the government next year will allocate an additional NT$4 billion (US$122.8 million) to the original NT$2.8 billion (US$85.9 million) cancer screening budget. He also asked the MOHW to continue looking into the feasibility of broadening the age guidelines for cancer screenings. Premier Cho emphasized that achieving the goal of a healthier Taiwan means improving everyone’s health. He instructed the MOHW to strengthen health policy initiatives that incorporate exercise and nutrition management, as well as integrate new applications of artificial intelligence technology, in order to enhance precision and effectiveness in the implementation of future policies. <上版日期>113-07-11 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/eb355576-fde3-433b-bb48-d20799249dda <標題>Government assists national athletes with sports science for Paris Olympics <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of Education report on Taiwan’s national team preparations for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, and a Ministry of Culture report on Taiwan’s participation in the accompanying Paris 2024 Cultural Olympiad. The premier said this Olympics will be the first time that Taiwan has employed a sports science support team, as well as provided an apartment where Taiwanese-style food can be prepared, a physical therapy clinic, a sports center and other on-site services for Taiwan’s national delegation to ensure more comprehensive training and logistical assistance. He emphasized that the government is committed to throwing its full support behind its national athletes.Taiwan’s delegation to the Paris Olympics comprises a total of 60 athletes across 16 sports. In addition to Taiwan’s traditional strengths in weightlifting, archery and table tennis, the national team has also qualified for the first time in canoe sprint and breaking, which represents a promising start to the games, the premier said.This year, Taiwan is also participating in the illustrious Cultural Olympiad, which is held in conjunction with the games. The premier stressed that this is an important opportunity to promote civic exchanges and cooperation, showcasing Taiwan on the world stage and enhancing the global community’s appreciation of Taiwan’s culture and its diverse values. <上版日期>113-07-11 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/166e0970-f662-464d-9040-9b315b3f8c57 <標題>12-point plan to boost nurse numbers and improve work conditions <內容>At Thursday’s weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a briefing from the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) on a 12-point strategic plan to boost the nation’s nursing workforce. The premier said the MOHW is forging ahead with this administration’s policy to expand medical investment and build a healthier Taiwan, adopting a diverse range of workforce retention measures to ameliorate nursing staff shortages and supply and demand imbalances.The premier said the plan will create more positive workplace environments to improve nursing staff retention by employing a wide range of measures such as directly increasing pay for night-shift nursing staff, rewarding hospitals that meet specific nurse-patient ratios across all three work shifts, awarding recognition to exemplary nurse-friendly workplaces, and developing clinical mentorship systems for new nurses. These efforts will also prepare the nation to have enough nursing staff to meet the needs of the aging population projected for 2030. <上版日期>113-07-04 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/3c059c1e-c818-4ba7-9538-12aa4ff5c381 <標題>New public transportation program pushes sustainability and equity <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) briefing on a 2025-2028 program to promote sustainable highway public transportation and transportation equality. The premier said the recovery of domestic bus service passenger volume has been slow after the pandemic, and in order to accelerate the return to pre-pandemic levels, he asked the MOTC to continue to assist bus service operators in increasingdriver manpower, expanding service capacity, and upgrading operational capabilities.Premier Cho said the MOTC will work with county and city governments to promote low-carbon and green transportation that prioritizes people and equality of access. Measures will include making the bus fare structure and subsidy system more robust; improving the service efficiency of bus operators; encouraging the public to change their choice of transportation; promoting diversified transport services in remote areas and areas with super-aged populations; and enhancing the environment of bus shelters and other facilities. <上版日期>113-07-04 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/70a80a30-f091-476d-bbc0-af22e348c0cd <標題>Vice Premier receives Katayama Kazuyuki, chief representative of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office <內容>Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun on Thursday received Katayama Kazuyuki, chief representative of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association's Taipei Office. The vice premier said that since taking office in November 2023, Chief Representative Katayama has actively promoted friendly exchanges between Taiwan and Japan. After the earthquake that struck Hualien County on April 3, the chief representative organized a group tour of Hualien by Japanese living in Taiwan as a concrete way to show care and support for the local community, fully displaying the spirit of mutual support upon which the Taiwan-Japan friendship is founded.Vice Premier Cheng remarked that three key national security documents published by the Japanese government in 2022— the National Security Strategy, the National Defense Strategy and the Defense Buildup Program—as well as Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2024 Diplomatic Bluebook, all raise the importance to Japan of a peaceful Taiwan Strait. In addition, world leaders have repeatedly emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the strait, such as in a communiqufrom the G7 Hiroshima Summit in May 2023, a joint statement by G7 foreign ministers in November 2023, and a joint leaders’ statement from a U.S.-Japan summit in April 2024. As a responsible member of the Indo-Pacific region, Taiwan will strive to safeguard the status quo and contribute to upholding regional peace, and looks forward to working together with Japan to realize the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific..e:after{content:""\00E9""}In his remarks, Chief Representative Katayama said Japan and Taiwan are not only economic partners, but also share very close cultural ties and people-to-people exchanges. Although it has only been a few months since he assumed his post in Taiwan, Chief Representative Katayama has genuinely felt the nation’s support and assistance, and he will continue doing what he can to promote friendship and trust on both sides to advance the Japan-Taiwan relationship. <上版日期>113-06-27 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/8ffac62b-d9e8-49fa-b00f-864478dd86d2 <標題>New housing loan program offers greater support for young homebuyers <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of Finance (MOF) briefing on the results of a new housing loan program to support young homebuyers along with related improvement measures. The premier said the loan program was launched by the MOF in August 2023; it increases loan amounts, provides additional loan interest subsidies, and extends both loan repayment deadlines and grace periods. The program has alleviated financial burdens for many young families, assisting home purchases for over 50,000 previously non-homeowning households by the end of May 2024.Premier Cho said this administration remains committed to promoting housing justice, combating property speculation and taking care of young people, and will not sit idly by when disruptive elements undermine the orderly functioning of real estate market transactions. The premier instructed the MOF to step up its supervision of the market and fully implement the Bankers Association of the Republic of China’s regulations on property speculation and the use of dummy buyers to apply for preferential housing loans by investors. Premier Cho also asked the MOF to closely cooperate with the local governments in thoroughly investigating all forms of real estate speculation, in order to facilitate the sound development of the overall housing market. <上版日期>113-06-27 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/bcf6a197-3bd9-402f-b9ab-9ce0637e5312 <標題>Government continues to invest in national languages <內容>At the Cabinet's weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a briefing from the Ministry of Culture (MOC) on the promotion of national languages. In 2022, the Executive Yuan passed a plan for the comprehensive development of national languages, investing NT$32.4 billion (US$995.3 million) over five years to promote the revitalization and growth of at-risk national languages, the premier said. This investment is ensuring the sustainable transmission of each of Taiwan’s ethnic languages to future generations and advancing the development of the nation’s diverse cultures.The premier said considerable progress has already been made, as evidenced by the MOC’s report regarding the collection of basic language data, establishment of language input methods, compilation of teaching materials, and training of qualified educators, in addition to the promotion of national languages in everyday conversation, theater, songs, videos and other media. He instructed related ministries and agencies to continue promoting these efforts and proactively implement the plan, so that all of Taiwan’s national languages can be heard, spoken, read and written, becoming truly embedded in the fabric of people’s lives. <上版日期>113-06-27 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/66c7750c-f1f5-4c10-a1be-1463ac7b97cc <標題>Cabinet approves draft bill for new immigrants' rights protection act <內容>To comprehensively enhance the well-being and rights protections of new immigrants and provide them with friendlier living environments, the Executive Yuan on Friday approved the Ministry of the Interior’s (MOI) draft bill for an act to protect the rights of new immigrants. The proposed act would establish a government body dedicated to managing these issues, as well as codify into law the promotion of various rights-related measures. The act aims to advance the rights and interests of new immigrants in the areas of employment services, culture and education, health and medical care, social welfare and participation in public life.Premier Cho Jung-tai said the proposed legislation would signal to the world that Taiwan is open to foreign professionals with skills and capital, and welcomes them to put down long-term roots and ultimately become naturalized citizens. He instructed the MOI to proactively communicate and coordinate with all legislative caucuses once the bill is submitted to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation, in order to facilitate the bill’s swift passage and respond to the expectations of society. <上版日期>113-06-21 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/b749e8ee-5ea9-4d83-9817-52f416c46703 <標題>Premier advocates public-civic cooperation to improve pedestrian safety <內容>At the Cabinet's weekly meeting on Friday, Premier Cho Jung-tai was briefed by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) on a package of recent measures for improving pedestrian traffic safety with a focus on joined-up government and civic engagement. The premier said building a pedestrian-centric road environment forms part of the “active and innovative” Cabinet’s key policy agenda to crack down on five types of crime and uphold seven types of safety. Premier Cho instructed the MOTC and relevant ministries and agencies to make an all-out-effort and ensure all of the planned measures for pedestrian traffic safety are fully implemented.The premier requested that the MOTC, Ministry of the Interior and local governments join forces to ensure 799 urgently needed road intersection improvement projects subsidized by central government are completed by the end of 2024. In addition, on June 24 the MOTC will officially launch an online platform to facilitate two-way communication between the general public and the government on road safety issues, providing transparency and strengthening management and evaluation mechanisms. Through public-civic cooperation we will create a better road environment together, the premier said. <上版日期>113-06-21 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/35064ab7-d9f2-4bbb-9ca7-92a8353673c4 <標題>New policies and draft amendments to improve safety of firefighters <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of the Interior (MOI) briefing on a plan to enhance safety for firefighting services. The premier said the MOI has proposed short-, medium- and long-term management strategies for firefighting safety, and the Executive Yuan has approved 22 medium-term projects to gradually strengthen the security and government care of those in the firefighting profession. The premier instructed the MOI to promote its strategies in order to implement seven firefighting policies that will strengthen public safety, assure occupational safety, increase manpower, restock equipment, replace old vehicles, improve facilities and enhance training. He anticipates that the central and local governments can combine their efforts on this front to build a safer Taiwan.In addition, the Cabinet on Thursday approved draft amendments to the Fire Services Act prepared by the MOI, which will now be submitted to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation. Premier Cho said the amendments focus on promoting public safety and advancing occupational health and safety protections for firefighters. Thus they include the addition of a new chapter dedicated to health and safety protections, as well as clauses strengthening disaster risk management by private sector companies based on experiences and lessons from major past fires. These amendments will create safer work environments for the public and safer working conditions for on-duty firefighters, the premier said. <上版日期>113-06-13 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/bb8d1bb6-e6e4-47bf-b17d-23d82c8d898b <標題>Premier receives Czech delegation led by Senate First Vice President Jiří Drahoš <內容>Premier Cho Jung-tai on Wednesday received a delegation from the Czech Republic led by Senate First Vice President Ji Draho. The premier said the Czech Republic is an important democratic friend of Taiwan, and has shown staunch support for Taiwan’s international participation over many years. Since 2016, both sides have signed more than 20 memoranda of understanding in fields including technology, education, culture and trade—and with the Czech Centre Taipei opening on Friday, this further symbolizes the deepening Taiwan-Czech friendship.Premier Cho said the administrative philosophy of Taiwan’s new Cabinet is driving innovation to benefit everyone. As such, he looks forward to more comprehensive cooperation between Taiwan and the Czech Republic on advanced semiconductor research and supply chain resilience, so that people and industries in both nations can derive mutual benefit. The premier also expressed hope that democratic partner nations can stand in even firmer solidarity with one another to weather future economic fluctuations and geopolitical challenges.In his remarks, First Vice President Draho said he fully supports the Czech government’s policy statement which identifies Taiwan as a key democratic partner in Asia. To manifest the two nations’ friendship, the Czech Republic has been taking concrete steps to support Taiwan’s efforts to join the international arena, including international organizations and institutions.First Vice President Draho emphasized that Czech-Taiwan joint projects have improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in the eastern part of Ukraine, and we should continue looking for more ways to strengthen our cooperation in supporting Ukraine. With regards to scientific cooperation, during the first vice president’s previous visit in September 2022, the foundations were laid for a Czech-Taiwan democratic partner supply chain resilience and capacity-building cooperation plan, and the Czech Republic is also ready to be part of the global semiconductor ecosystem..r:after{content:""\0159""}.i:after{content:""\00ED""}.s:after{content:""\0161""} <上版日期>113-06-12 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/3de2b472-18ac-477d-a405-08916010e74a <標題>Executive Yuan to return legislative reform bills to Legislature for reconsideration <內容>The Executive Yuan on Thursday announced it will request reconsideration of amendments to a law governing the Legislative Yuan’s exercise of powers, as well as amendments to add Chapter 5-1 and Article 141-1 to the Criminal Code of the Republic of China, which were passed by the first session of the 11th Legislature on May 28, 2024. The Executive Yuan deems both bills to contain provisions that would be difficult to execute, and therefore, in accordance with Subparagraph 2 of Paragraph 2 of Article 3 of the Additional Articles of the Constitution of the Republic of China, will request, following approval by the President, that the bills be submitted to the Legislative Yuan for reconsideration.Premier Cho Jung-tai said that, after reviewing the bills, they were deemed difficult to execute due to concerns regarding violations of the Constitution, democratic process, due process of law, and human rights. These concerns include: that the Legislature’s deliberation procedures violated democratic principles; that the requirement that the President regularly deliver reports on the state of the nation and respond to interpellation is unconstitutional; that the bills expand the Legislature’s interpellation and investigatory powers, as well as its power to hold hearings, in such a way that would both violate the principle of separation of powers and infringe on people's basic rights; that the changes to government personnel consent rights could impede the ability of constitutional and statutory organs of state to exercise their powers; and that the introduction of a contempt of legislature charge violates the principles of legal certainty, proportionality and due process.Premier Cho emphasized that as the nation’s highest administrative body, the Executive Yuan has a duty to administer government in accordance with the law, and is also responsible for defending the constitutional order and protecting people’s basic rights. The premier therefore requests that legislators reconsider the contents of the bills and reach a general consensus that is consistent with both the Constitution and the national interest. <上版日期>113-06-06 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/7d94ec31-3a74-428f-8b11-5159be3a54ff <標題>Premier Cho calls for Taiwan to be readmitted to the WHA <內容>At Thursday’s weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a briefing from the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) on Taiwan’s delegation to the 77th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva and future prospects for Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization. The premier said that although Taiwan faces suppression by China, at this year’s WHA, as on previous occasions, the Taiwan delegation achieved fruitful results, not only holding bilateral meetings with many countries and international organizations, but also organizing numerous specialist forums to share Taiwan's medical achievements with the world.The premier said health is a fundamental human right and a universal value. On the grounds of safeguarding public health and global epidemic prevention, Taiwan should not be excluded from the WHA due to political interference or any other factor. Accordingly, the Taiwan government must express strong regret and dissatisfaction on behalf of its people.The premier pointed out that during the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan demonstrated excellent medical and public health standards, while at the same time assisting its allies and facilitating a virtuous cycle of international cooperation. Against this backdrop, this year’s WHA saw statements issued by 11 allies endorsing Taiwan’s participation as an observer at the WHA. Altogether, 26 nations and the European Union voiced their support for Taiwan, clearly showing that there is a rising tide of support for Taiwan from the international community and within public opinion.In accordance with the government’s overall strategic planning, the premier instructed the MOHW and related ministries and agencies to continue efforts to deepen cooperation with various countries and garner more international support, harnessing Taiwan’s strengths in public health and shared values so as to achieve the goal of rejoining the WHA as soon as possible..r:after{content:""\0159""}.i:after{content:""\00ED""}.s:after{content:""\0161""} <上版日期>113-06-06 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/8a74ddd9-31f4-44a3-ae62-1893c4264ceb <標題>Premier Cho receives Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office envoy <內容>Premier Cho Jung-tai on Thursday received a delegation from the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association’s Taipei Office, led by Chief Representative Katayama Kazuyuki. The premier expressed gratitude to the Japanese government for its longstanding support of Taiwan, and said he looks forward to Chief Representative Katayama’s help in seeking further government support to facilitate Taiwan’s bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and other international institutions. Membership would enable Taiwan to have a voice for itself on the international stage and become a dedicated contributor to the global community.The premier thanked Japan’s government and people for their longtime support and assistance. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan took the initiative to donate vaccines to Taiwan, and, on many important international occasions, the Japanese government has reiterated that the international community shares a consensus on the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. In addition, after the earthquake that struck Hualien County on April 3, the Japanese government pledged a donation of US$1 million to aid disaster relief.Premier Cho emphasized that people-to-people exchanges between Taiwan and Japan have made good progress and expressed hope that more Japanese tourists will visit Taiwan. He is confident that enhanced bilateral cooperation and exchanges between Taiwan and Japan will help promote regional peace and stability, as well as economic development.In his remarks, Chief Representative Katayama said Japan and Taiwan not only share fundamental values, but in times of natural disasters and difficulties, our respective governments and peoples immediately offer the side in need heartfelt condolences and generous donations. Both sides have made considerable progress in economic, cultural, and civil exchanges, he said, while peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is also a shared issue of concern, adding that no side should use force to unilaterally alter the status quo.Chief Representative Katayama said Japan attaches great importance to its relations with Taiwan. Taiwan is an important and indispensable partner and friend, and Japan looks forward to the continued development of bilateral relations. <上版日期>113-05-30 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/6db81553-2fcd-499e-9e84-19b44109e9a1 <標題>Premier: continue push to make tourism Taiwan's next ‘trillion-dollar’ industry <內容>At the weekly Cabinet meeting on Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a briefing from the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) on promoting tourism to create the nation’s next “trillion-dollar” industry. The premier said Taiwan possesses rich cultural resources and world-class tourist attractions, and asked the MOTC to continue expanding its publicity efforts across a diverse array of channels, to quickly achieve the goal of attracting 10 million visits by foreign tourists this year.Starting June 1, the Executive Yuan will begin rolling out three major programs and six related measures under a plan to revitalize Hualien’s tourism industry, following the earthquake that struck the county on April 3. The premier instructed the relevant ministries and agencies to strengthen cooperation with local governments and step up publicity in conjunction with summer vacations and festivals, so as to derive maximum benefit from the revitalization plan.Premier Cho emphasized that there has been no change in the government’s policy stance which welcomes Chinese tourists to Taiwan, and said Taiwan is ready and willing for both sides to move forward in reopening equal tourism exchanges. The premier hopes China can also demonstrate corresponding goodwill and effort on this issue, and contribute jointly to peace and exchanges across the Taiwan Strait. As regards travel agencies that have already organized tour groups to visit China, the government has decided to relax the group tour ban and allow tours scheduled before June 1, 2024, to continue as planned, so as to uphold the rights of travelers and travel agencies. Moving forward, the government will also conduct rolling reviews as appropriate based on the circumstances, to ensure that travel-related policies serve the best interests of Taiwan’s populace and the tourism industry. <上版日期>113-05-30 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/a51510dd-a8a0-4de8-8c95-3f2a6e93f8c7 <標題>Premier: continue investing in society and strengthening the economy, industry <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly Thursday meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a briefing from the National Development Council on the current economic situation and related measures. Over the past eight years exports, investment and innovation have all seen dramatic improvement and the new administration will build upon this excellent foundation to further strengthen the nation’s economy and its industries, the premier said.The domestic economy in the first four months of this year has bounced back and exports have recovered, spurring on growth in the manufacturing sector, while domestic consumption has also risen. Furthermore, according to the latest data for April, published by the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics, Taiwan’s unemployment rate is now at a 24-year low of 3.36% for the same period. The premier said this is thanks to the collective efforts of the entire nation and pledged that the new administration will continue supporting a variety of measures to ensure price stability, expand investment in society and provide for people’s well-being, so that everyone can share in the fruits of economic growth.Premier Cho pointed out that President Lai Ching-te has announced his policy vision for the future, which includes the National Project of Hope (peaceful democracy, innovative prosperity and sustainable fairness); attaining more balanced development across Taiwan; and fostering a healthier populace. Premier Cho said this vision will serve as the guiding principles around which his administrative team’s work will revolve. To bolster Taiwan’s economic and industrial strength, Premier Cho directed his team to proactively channel their energies toward three directions for development as set out by President Lai: (1) having a clear view of our future, and making Taiwan technologically smarter and more sustainable; (2) setting our sights on the space industry while further developing our strengths as a maritime nation; and (3) helping enterprises expand their global presence and international markets by building from a solid base in Taiwan. <上版日期>113-05-23 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/256f0ce1-08d7-4d36-8a0a-a584c8ad2691 <標題>Premier Cho touts trailblazing potential of Taiwan-built AI dialogue engine <內容>At the Cabinet's weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) briefing on the development of the Trustworthy AI Dialogue Engine (TAIDE) which utilizes generative AI. Premier Cho said that construction of TAIDE’s large language model (LLM), designed specifically for Taiwan, is a crucial step toward fulfilling President Lai Ching-te’s vision of promoting the nation as an “AI island.” The premier said Taiwan plays an indispensable role in global supply chains between democratic nations, and in order to maintain that key strategic position, the nation must keep abreast of current trends in artificial intelligence development, and ramp up investment in AI infrastructure and talent training.In April 2023, the NSTC initiated a research and development project to build Taiwan’s version of a generative AI chatbot. Based on Taiwanese culture and incorporating Taiwan-specific elements including language, values and customs, the project team behind TAIDE has built a generative AI engine with a foundation model that has trustworthiness at its core, and their achievements are deserving of praise, the premier said.Premier Cho asked the NSTC to continue to refine AI technology and applications, and to work with the relevant ministries and agencies to help accelerate the introduction of value-added applications into industries to increase business productivity, as well as into government and across public services to provide a greater range of convenient services for the public and improve administrative efficiency. <上版日期>113-05-23 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/5bbd0393-013c-43a5-85dc-ea8d3fd4fb9d <標題>Premier Cho receives former Singapore parliament speaker Abdullah Tarmugi <內容>Premier Cho Jung-tai on Wednesday received a congratulatory delegation from Singapore, led by Abdullah Tarmugi, former speaker of the Parliament of Singapore. The premier expressed gratitude to former Speaker Abdullah for heading this delegation to attend the inauguration of President Lai Ching-te and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim. He also offered his congratulations to newly appointed Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong who took office on May 15.Taiwan and Singapore have enjoyed decades of longstanding cooperation and exchanges across a wide range of fields, the premier said. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Agreement between Singapore and the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu on Economic Partnership (ASTEP), and economic investment from both sides continues to grow. Singapore is Taiwan’s top destination for investment in Southeast Asia, and last year Singapore also became Taiwan’s largest source of foreign direct investment. Over 5,000 high school students have participated in the official R.O.C.-Singapore Student Exchange Program, launched in 1983. In addition, Taiwan and Singapore have engaged in fruitful cooperation on medicine and public health in recent years.Premier Cho said Taiwan can learn from Singapore in respect of government efficiency, economic development and trade and investment. He expressed hope that both sides will continue to pursue good democratic governance and deepen bilateral exchanges and cooperation on the basis of this profound friendship.In his remarks, former Speaker Abdullah said the relationship between Singapore and Taiwan is longstanding, deep and wide-ranging. He added that the people-to-people relationship is also very strong, with 460,000 tourists visiting Taiwan from Singapore last year, representing a recovery to 80% of pre-COVID-19 levels.Former Speaker Abdullah also noted that this year is the 10th anniversary of ASTEP, which he emphasized is the foundation of Singapore and Taiwan’s economic and investment relationship. Lastly, he expressed confidence that Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s new administration will continue on the same trajectory of closer cooperation and interaction in the years ahead. <上版日期>113-05-22 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/c813cce9-7c08-455e-a128-81102c688bf8 <標題>Incoming Premier Cho Jung-tai pledges innovative and proactive approaches to address the public's most pressing needs <內容>A handover ceremony for the new Cabinet was held on May 20 at the Assembly Hall of the Executive Yuan. Under the officiation of Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, incoming Premier Cho Jung-tai received the seal of office from outgoing Premier Chen Chien-jen. Premier Cho said that the new "active and innovative (AI) Cabinet" will build upon the solid foundation laid by the outgoing administration of President Tsai Ing-wen over the last eight years, to create a more stable environment for economic development.In his inauguration speech delivered this morning, President Lai Ching-te clearly outlined the future direction of Taiwan’s development, while simultaneously paying tribute to the leadership of former President Tsai and the tireless efforts of her entire executive team, the premier said. During the past eight years, the Tsai administration has fundamentally transformed the nation for the better: creating a secure living environment, strengthening economic resilience for the benefit of the entire population, as well as achieving unprecedented results in promoting Taiwan’s digital transformation and transition to net zero. The new Cabinet is determined to build on this solid foundation and continue moving the nation forward.Premier Cho pointed out that after the pandemic, Taiwan has not only regained its economic growth momentum, but is also performing an important and indispensable role within the global industrial supply chain. Additionally, the government has led from the front with a plethora of progressive policies: expanding investment in and care for people and society, gradually lightening various burdens for young people and child-rearing families, making huge strides towards becoming a more diverse and equitable society, and actively addressing the issue of intergenerational justice. The government has also actively promoted green energy, initiating a strategy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, while getting ahead of the curve on digital transformation to ensure that Taiwan is well-placed to enhance its global presence in the years ahead.Premier Cho said the new Cabinet will prioritize cracking down on five types of crime—organized crime, financial crime, gun crime, drug-related crime and fraud crime—in addition to upholding seven types of safety in society—public safety, food safety, road safety, occupational safety, school safety, housing safety and cyber safety. He noted that the Executive Yuan on May 9 already approved four draft bills and draft amendments on legislation to bolster anti-fraud capabilities, which he hopes the Legislative Yuan will pass swiftly. Premier Cho said Taiwan’s high-tech industry has become an indispensable link within international supply chains, and this government will not shirk from its responsibility to continue fostering the industry’s development and stabilizing global supply networks. The new Cabinet is therefore committed to building a more stable environment for economic development, not only providing a safe and steady power supply, but also continuing to develop new sources of green energy. To fulfill our responsibilities toward future generations and the Earth, he said, the government will never give up its goal of achieving a nuclear-free homeland.The premier said the new Cabinet will continue to expand funding for social programs including education and long-term care. He said that through everyone’s collective efforts, the nation’s finances are continually improving, and as a result of Taiwan’s robust fiscal health, the government is capable of catalyzing even greater investment in the nation and society, contributing to the welfare of vulnerable groups and the next generation.Premier Cho emphasized that the new Cabinet will prioritize the promotion of policies that benefit the nation and the public. For the time being, it will set aside controversial or less pressing legislation, in order to seek parliamentary support on tackling the most urgent needs of the Taiwanese people. The premier called on members of his Cabinet team to serve Taiwan’s populace with selfless dedication. He also said that the Taiwanese people themselves can be a force that contributes to the nation’s internal stability and external development, helping to build a stronger nation and encourage the world to embrace Taiwan. <上版日期>113-05-20 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/fc37f605-359b-4e68-a1dd-d93af68034fc <標題>Premier Chen thanks executive team for building compassionate, resilient Taiwan <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Chen Chien-jen received a briefing from the Executive Yuan’s Department of Coordination and Planning on the government’s policy accomplishments since President Tsai Ing-wen took office on May 20, 2016. The premier said that under President Tsai’s steady leadership, this administration has secured numerous substantial achievements that have made a tangible difference in people’s lives. We have worked hand in hand to build a compassionate and resilient Taiwan, the premier said, garnering widespread recognition in various international assessments and raising the nation’s visibility on the world stage.Premier Chen praised members of the administration for their dedication and teamwork over the past eight years, seamlessly relaying responsibilities from one team to the next to promote the government’s wide range of beneficial policies and development projects that have revitalized the economy, improved care and welfare services, protected the nation, strengthened democracy and enriched people’s livelihoods. Of particular note, this Cabinet came together to implement the post-pandemic special budget and promote the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program, both of which have yielded significant achievements.Premier Chen added that a brand new “active and innovative (AI) Cabinet” will take over on President-elect Lai Ching-te’s inauguration day on May 20. The premier requested all ministries and agencies to continue their exertions in order to build upon the achievements of the outgoing administration, and ensure a proper handover so that the wheels of government turn seamlessly. Finally, the premier said he hopes that everyone within government will continue to work toward enhancing Taiwan's competitiveness and the well-being of all its people, uniting as one to propel the nation forward and create an even better homeland. <上版日期>113-05-16 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/075117fd-6122-4f0e-bb38-a658306d6c59 <標題>Cabinet approves four draft bills to bolster anti-fraud capabilities <內容>To enhance the nation’s anti-fraud strategy, laws and regulations, the Executive Yuan on Thursday approved two draft bills—one on fraud crime harm prevention and another on the use and oversight of science and technology in investigations—as well as draft amendments to the Communication Security and Surveillance Act and Money Laundering Control Act. The four laws will now be submitted to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation.Premier Chen Chien-jen said in order to keep abreast of changing patterns and evolving methods employed by fraudsters, the government conducts rolling reviews and periodic studies to enhance its anti-fraud policy, continually fine-tuning various measures with reference to international fraud prevention experience and legal norms. Following a consultation process encompassing a broad range of sectors and stakeholders, the government formulated the fraud crime harm prevention bill, which is tailored to Taiwan‘s specific situation and requirements, remedies shortcomings in existing laws and regulations, and would place the nation at the forefront of the international community’s efforts to combat fraud.The premier went on to say that the proposed bill for the use and oversight of science and technology in investigations, and the proposed amendments to the Communication Security and Surveillance Act, were drafted by the Ministry of Justice to enable law enforcement agencies to utilize new scientific and technological tools to enhance investigative operations and crack down on fraud crimes. In addition, the proposed amendments to the Money Laundering Control Act update the law to penalize new money laundering techniques in accordance with international standards. The new raft of proposed legislation aims to uncover and dismantle fraud crime organizations at the earliest opportunity.The premier said the codification and amendment of these four anti-fraud laws would create more specialized legal procedures to facilitate the government’s anti-fraud policy. This would mark a new milestone in the development of Taiwan’s legal framework against fraud, realize the government’s commitment to stamp out fraud, and ensure greater security for people’s property and assets. <上版日期>113-05-09 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/62a011fe-5041-4eca-8b8c-59cf40dcb279 <標題>NT$28.55 billion reconstruction plan to aid Hualien earthquake recovery <內容>Premier Chen Chien-jen on Thursday received a briefing from the Executive Yuan’s Department of Coordination and Planning regarding the government’s disaster recovery and reconstruction plan following the earthquake that struck Hualien County on April 3. The premier said the Executive Yuan proposed the plan swiftly in the aftermath of the earthquake, allocating an estimated total budget of NT$28.55 billion (US$878.6 million) for reconstruction. Emphasizing generous, swift and streamlined support, the plan provides full backing to local governments in all aspects of reconstruction, so as to restore stability to the lives of those impacted by the disaster as soon as possible.On the morning of April 3, a shallow earthquake of magnitude 7.2 on the Richter scale struck the waters off Hualien County, severely impacting the lives and property of the Taiwanese people, as well as causing damaging effects to the nation’s business operations and tourism, the premier said. In order to carry out post-disaster reconstruction work with optimum efficiency and stabilize the lives of those affected, the Executive Yuan immediately consolidated the existing budgets of the central and local governments to formulate the earthquake recovery and reconstruction plan.Premier Chen said in addition to facilitating the reconstruction and recovery work of various organizations and providing the necessary funding for financial relief and revitalization efforts, the plan also includes a range of aid, subsidies and benefits that address the pressing concerns of people affected by the earthquake. The premier instructed ministries and agencies to continue listening closely to the needs of local governments and victims, expeditiously propose post-disaster recovery measures, and formulate focused reconstruction programs that are conducive to local revitalization and development. <上版日期>113-05-02 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/8b321412-228e-4d25-8dc9-048840552b8d <標題>Premier receives French delegation ahead of inaugural bilateral symposium on scientific research <內容>Premier Chen Chien-jen on Monday received a French delegation visiting Taiwan for the inaugural France-Taiwan symposium on scientific research. The premier said Taiwan and France signed a ministerial-level Science and Technology Cooperation Convention (STC) in November 2023, marking a new milestone in scientific research cooperation. He anticipates that under the framework of such agreements, both nations will be able to jointly plan future bilateral cooperation across various key strategic fields of science and technology with greater precision and a high-level vision.Premier Chen noted that the delegation led by Claire Giry, director general for research and innovation at France’s Ministry for Higher Education and Research, includes representatives from important French research and academic institutions. Their participation at the inaugural symposium will begin a dialogue and set the direction of future cooperation according to the six key areas of the agreement. The premier said he believes the strengths of France’s scientists in theory and critical thinking, combined with the strengths of Taiwan’s scientists in innovation and implementation, will produce an optimum partnership for the pursuit of excellence in scientific research.In her remarks, Director General Giry said France and Taiwan have a very strong basis for cooperation, with multiple agreements already signed between institutions on both sides. The STC signed in November last year provides a new tool that will further strengthen cooperation on the six key areas of mutual importance and deepen connections between the research communities of Taiwan and France. Director General Giry said the members of the delegation are very committed not only to the six key areas of the STC, but are also ready to go further in adding helpful perspectives from the humanities to these key areas in order to tackle the technologies and challenges that we face. <上版日期>113-04-29 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/8d36dd5e-7c25-4203-bb9f-fa2d8c73f3df <標題>Cabinet approves two draft bills on regenerative medicine <內容>The Executive Yuan on Thursday approved the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s (MOHW) draft bills for a regenerative medicine act and a regenerative pharmaceuticals act. These two bills aim to ensure the safety, quality and efficacy of regenerative medicine, and to protect the rights of patients with urgent medical needs to receive timely access to advanced regenerative medical treatment. The bills will now be submitted to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation.Premier Chen Chien-jen said emerging biomedical technologies are developing rapidly worldwide, and regenerative medicine is an important area of focus internationally. Regenerative medicine is also a key part of the precision health component of Taiwan’s Six Core Strategic Industries. The premier said the proposed bills were formulated by the MOHW to promote Taiwan’s development of regenerative medicine and to accelerate and expand the application of regenerative medicine R&D in clinical medicine. This will strengthen management and integration of regenerative medicine technologies and pharmaceuticals, ensure the safety, quality and efficacy of treatments, and safeguard the rights of patients with urgent medical needs to receive timely access to advanced treatments.Premier Chen instructed the MOHW to proactively communicate and coordinate with the legislative caucuses of all political parties to ensure swift passage of the bills into law. <上版日期>113-04-25 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/18836647-5e79-4b29-816a-2fc5bcbc4567 <標題>Ministries report successful results of post-pandemic special budget <內容>At Thursday’s Cabinet meeting, Premier Chen Chien-jen received briefings from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Education on the implementation and results of the government’s special budget to boost economic and social resilience and share the proceeds of growth in the post-pandemic era. The premier thanked the ministries and agencies for coming together to provide a range of convenient services in the wake of the pandemic, which have touched the public with the government’s warmth and care. This includes providing a one-off cash payment for every person to share the fruits of economic growth, and strengthening care for low income and lower-middle income households, disadvantaged students and other vulnerable groups.Premier Chen added that ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Transportation and Communications and Ministry of Culture, have also been promoting a variety of related measures to upgrade industries and small and medium-sized enterprises, strengthen agricultural resilience, and revitalize domestic tourism and cultural industries. The premier welcomes travelers from all over the world to visit and experience for themselves how Taiwan has emerged from the pandemic more enchanting and resilient than ever. <上版日期>113-04-18 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/1ee87630-384c-4b1f-9a97-bd1158250af5 <標題>Reconstruction efforts advance swiftly in aftermath of Hualien earthquake <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Chen Chien-jen received briefings from the Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Ministry of Education and the Executive Yuan’s Public Construction Commission (PCC) regarding disaster recovery and reconstruction efforts following the earthquake that struck Hualien County on April 3. The premier said that government relief efforts have entered the post-disaster recovery phase. He directed the PCC to expedite reviews of infrastructure repair projects and related planning, and he called on relevant government bodies to provide full assistance with funding.Premier Chen also instructed the central government’s dedicated earthquake task force to communicate closely with local governments to understand the needs of each affected county and city, and to supplement any capability gaps within local governments. The premier reminded all those involved in the recovery and reconstruction work to maintain a proactive attitude and a humane and caring perspective to provide comprehensive, timely and convenient assistance to victims of the earthquake, so that they can rebuild their homes as soon as possible. <上版日期>113-04-18 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/d755ff75-4386-483e-aae6-4495dfdd5a52 <標題>Premier receives cross-party parliamentary delegation from Kosovo <內容>Premier Chen Chien-jen on Wednesday received a cross-party parliamentary delegation from Kosovo. The premier noted that all members of the delegation are trailblazers who led the way in expanding the partnership between Taiwan and the Baltic states. As a global leader in the ICT and semiconductor industries, Taiwan has the capital, technology and industrial management experience, as well as a vibrant small and medium-sized enterprises sector, all of which can serve as a jumping-off point for deeper bilateral exchanges and cooperation between Taiwan and the Baltic states.Premier Chen said he hoped that the visit will prove fruitful in expanding bilateral economic and trade exchanges, and that on returning home delegation members will share their experiences with fellow Kosovans, so that the Taiwan-Kosovo relationship can scale even greater heights. The premier also expressed hope that Kosovo would add its weight behind the European-based Formosa Club’s joint statement in support of Taiwan's participation in the World Health Assembly to expand and strengthen international solidarity with Taiwan.Avdullah Hoti, former prime minister of Kosovo, member of parliament and the delegation’s leader, said in his remarks that Taiwan faces challenges due to various economic developments around the world, but the country has managed to build a resilient and stable economy. When it comes to international relations and dealing with international institutions in particular, Taiwan and Kosovo face the same challenges, and Taiwan has managed to do very well in the international arena. MP Hoti said Taiwan is a country that is working to maintain regional peace, just as Kosovo has also been working to contribute to peace in the Western Balkans.MP Hoti said he believes Kosovo and Taiwan can work together as two economies that complement each other; Kosovo looks forward to working with like-minded partners such as Taiwan across many economic sectors. The delegation this time has brought a small group of business representatives who already have some clear ideas about how Kosovo and Taiwan can work together, he said, starting from organizing strategic economic dialogue between the two countries. <上版日期>113-04-17 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/96279e14-9848-4ef8-8d7c-237f69edf3fa <標題>Ministries work together to assist Hualien earthquake recovery <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Chen Chien-jen received briefings from the Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Ministry of Education regarding disaster recovery and reconstruction efforts following the earthquake that struck Hualien County on April 3. The premier thanked disaster relief personnel from all levels of central and local government for their full commitment to rescue efforts. He has instructed Minister without Portfolio Wu Tse-cheng to organize a task force dedicated to the earthquake, which will better understand and catalog the needs of local governments and integrate resources across ministries and agencies to proactively assist recovery and reconstruction work.The earthquake has caused much structural damage, the premier said, and we can all sympathize with the plight of those who have suddenly lost their homes. He instructed the Ministry of Interior to continue communicating with local governments to gain a full understanding of the post-disaster situation and where further assistance is needed, and to expeditiously submit to the Executive Yuan a residential recovery and reconstruction subsidy plan, so that affected households are given the help they need to rebuild their homes and resume their normal lives as quickly as possible.Premier Chen also instructed the Ministry of Transportation and Communications to complete the repairing of affected provincial highways on schedule, and asked the Ministry of Economic Affairs to provide comprehensive support and assistance to affected business owners through streamlined and convenient measures. The premier also directed the Ministry of Education to fully assist affected schools with reconstruction and building reinforcement work, and to continue promoting campus disaster risk reduction education and emergency drills. <上版日期>113-04-11 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/9355a6b3-6977-469a-a8d3-77e92aa6f9d1 <標題>Premier directs agencies to boost stability and resilience of nation's water supply <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting on Thursday, Premier Chen Chien-jen received a briefing from the Ministry of Economic Affairs on the near-term outlook for the nation's water supply and proposed response measures. With Taiwan now in the latter half of the dry season and before the plum rain season arrives—which will bring sustained rainfall from late spring to early summer—the government must prudently ensure it is able to respond to unpredictable rainfall patterns caused by climate change, the premier said. He instructed ministries and agencies to ready all necessary drought prevention resources in order to ensure a stable water supply and resilient water allocation adjustment.Taiwan has experienced significantly reduced rainfall since January, with actual rainfall in reservoirs and water catchment areas reaching only 30% to 60% of the average in recent years for the same period. Climate studies indicate that Taiwan in the future will experience a gradual increase in the number of days without rainfall; furthermore, on days when rainfall occurs, there will be higher chances of heavy rainfall, the premier said.In light of this, the government has been implementing measures to develop new water sources, improve water conservation, reallocate water supplies and expand reserve capacity. The government’s comprehensive response policies include initiatives to connect water supply networks along the western corridor of Taiwan, and to leverage new water sources such as desalinated seawater and reclaimed water, thus reducing dependence on rainfall. The premier instructed ministries and agencies to continue working together on these tasks to proactively strengthen Taiwan’s water resilience. <上版日期>113-03-28 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/406d3754-cb19-46b3-8465-9589c9c60f83 <標題>Premier lays out improvements to social service systems to protect children <內容>Premier Chen Chien-jen on Thursday received a Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) report on the handling of and government response to the case of a one-year-old boy who died allegedly from abuse while placed in foster care last year. The premier said this case demonstrates that the nation still requires a more thorough and strong social safety net. Following a detailed investigation, the MOHW has proposed five major areas for improvement to build a more solid and effective protection network.Ensuring the full, healthy development and well-being of children and youths is not only an issue of great concern for the Taiwanese people, but also one of the most important, fundamental tenets of the Convention on the Rights of the Child upheld by both the United Nations and Taiwan. The premier said the central government, local governments and civic organizations must work together to actively confront and examine this case, taking an open-minded and pragmatic approach to conduct a comprehensive review of the issues involved, and put forward concrete and detailed measures to regulate, prevent and monitor such incidents in the future.Premier Chen said the proposed five major areas for improvement are: (1) establishing a comprehensive mechanism of standards and processes to strengthen foster care and adoption placement, needs assessments, and frequency of visits to child care services; (2) strengthening cooperation between social work and health care administrative networks; (3) clarifying lines of responsibility between the central and local governments, as well as means of cooperation with civic organizations; (4) reviewing mechanisms for handling cases of severe child abuse; and (5) enhancing the skills and sensitivity of specialized workers and professionals. The premier instructed the MOHW to rapidly complete the relevant planning and implementation work.Premier Chen said that the government has continued to increase funding in this area in recent years, and has also been actively promoting a program to strengthen Taiwan’s social security net. The program aims to augment social service systems, increase the specialist staff of local governments, and closely integrate private sector resources to expand the locations and scope of social welfare services. By effectively integrating and linking up the various standalone systems and specialist services, Taiwan hopes to build a secure and protective network that extends from families into the wider community. <上版日期>113-03-21 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/71fa0b39-fe74-4e6e-bfa4-41198878fb4f <標題>Premier Chen receives Eswatini Prime Minister Russell Dlamini <內容>Premier Chen Chien-jen on Wednesday received a delegation led by Prime Minister Russell Dlamini of the Kingdom of Eswatini. The premier said Taiwan and Eswatini have been diplomatic allies for more than 55 years and thanked Eswatini for its enduring and steadfast support for Taiwan on the international stage, and for speaking out for Taiwan at international events. He hopes the kingdom will continue to voice support for Taiwan’s participation in international affairs.Premier Chen said he hopes for everlasting friendship between Taiwan and Eswatini and a steady deepening of bilateral cooperation. He trusts the delegation will feel the warmth and friendliness of the Taiwanese people during its visit, and will have the opportunity to learn more about recent political, economic and social developments, as well as experience Taiwan’s diverse culture.In his remarks, Prime Minister Dlamini congratulated Taiwan for successfully conducting its democratic, free and fair presidential election in January, noting that Taiwan’s ballot boxes open in the morning and close in the late afternoon, and election results are announced on the night of the very same day. The prime minister said such capacities are unheard of in most parts of the world, and are a true reflection of how Taiwan’s government is guided in formulating its laws and procedures on how to operate as a country. He said Eswatini looks forward to learning from Taiwan’s experiences in this area.Prime Minister Dlamini said Eswatini and Taiwan are two brotherly countries that enjoy strong and good relations and have journeyed together for more than five-and-a-half decades. His current visit not only offers a chance for Eswatini to learn from Taiwan, but also affords another chance to renew this mutual commitment. The prime minister is assured that the delegation’s discussions in these past few days guarantee a good future for Taiwan and Eswatini and will yield mutual benefit for both countries. <上版日期>113-03-20 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/fb4e8453-f860-40b0-b00a-56a11ddc1e5f <標題>Enhanced measures to swiftly improve Taiwan’s food safety <內容>Premier Chen Chien-jen on Thursday received a briefing from the Executive Yuan’s Office of Food Safety concerning the government’s response and implementation of enhanced safety measures after the recent detection of banned Sudan dye in imported food items. The premier said this incident reflects major systemic issues in food safety, and illustrates that Taiwan’s entire current system of food safety management—including border inspections, auditing of market products, self-regulation by companies, and existing systems for tracking and tracing food products—must be closely reexamined and swiftly improved.Noting the large impact this incident has had across all sectors of society, Premier Chen emphasized that the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) and local governments acted quickly to trace the circulation of affected food products within the domestic supply chain, and have halted sales of contaminated chili powder and related products. To rebuild the public’s trust in food safety, the government is conducting batch-by-batch border inspections of 100% of imported dried chili peppers and chili powder. The premier instructed the MOHW to conclude its investigation and all necessary checks within one month, and to formulate a management plan to immediately and effectively stop illegal imports at the nation’s borders. Regarding market controls, in addition to more rigorous government inspections, the premier also asked the food industry to strengthen self-inspection measures.Additionally, the premier directed the relevant ministries and agencies to research and discuss preparations for the establishment of a food safety inspection fund to improve the efficiency of food safety management through tripartite collaboration between government administration, industry self-regulation and civic participation, thereby ensuring continued strict control of food safety on behalf of the public. <上版日期>113-03-14 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/61aee805-3bcc-4dba-ad01-031468de2b48 <標題>Premier Chen receives Estonian parliamentary delegation <內容>Premier Chen Chien-jen on Thursday received a delegation from the Estonian parliament’s Estonia-Taiwan Support Group. The premier thanked Estonia for taking concrete actions every year since 2020 to support Taiwan's meaningful participation in the World Health Organization, and said he greatly looks forward to expanding cooperation and exchanges in areas of shared interest, including information and communications security, military technology R&D, national defense mobilization, and the software networking industry.Taiwan and Estonia are both threatened by authoritarian neighbors and stand on the frontlines of democracy, the premier said, while both nations also share in common the values of human rights and the rule of law. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan has actively participated in the international condemnation of and sanctions against Russia since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, and has provided Ukraine with a wide range of humanitarian assistance. The premier looks forward to cooperating with Estonia in the future recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine, and said he is confident that Taiwan’s partnership with Estonia will become more solid, sustainable and resilient.Kristo Enn Vaga, chair of the Estonia-Taiwan Support Group, said in his remarks that both countries face very unpredictable, bigger neighbors. But despite this pressure, Taiwan still finds time and resources to help a country in need—Ukraine—and this shows Taiwan’s attitude and willingness to stand for democracies all over the world. Chair Vaga pointed out that Estonia and Taiwan have a lot of knowledge to share in this area, to help each other stand against authoritarian regimes so that eventually democracy will prevail.Chair Vaga said Estonia and Taiwan are likeminded in their desire to use new technology for the greater good of their societies and to strengthen their economies. He said the delegation during its visit has obtained much practical information that can be taken back to Estonia to initiate deeper cooperation, especially in the information and communications technology sector. He added that Estonia is eager to cooperate with Taiwan’s public and private sectors, science parks and universities. <上版日期>113-03-07 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/7fce598e-4464-4648-9144-69b315bf8ce8 <標題>Amendments to three gender equality laws take force on International Women’s Day <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Chen Chien-jen wished all women a happy holiday for International Women’s Day on Friday, March 8. The premier expressed his gratitude for the ongoing hard work and contributions of women across diverse fields, which are a critical force lifting up Taiwanese society.The premier said tomorrow is also an important day since it coincides with amendments to three gender equality laws coming into force, with all necessary preparatory work for the amendments now complete. He called on the public and private sectors to work together to implement and promote the amended laws, and to continue proactively building a gender-friendly society with zero tolerance for sexual harassment. <上版日期>113-03-07 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/df067b34-c3c4-459d-9219-9126f232aa0e <標題>Expanded rent subsidies to benefit more than 500,000 households <內容>At the Cabinet's weekly meeting on Thursday, Premier Chen Chien-jen received a progress update from the Ministry of Interior (MOI) on the government’s expanded rent subsidy program for the period 2023-2024. The premier said the program provides subsidies to ease the burden of rentals for young singles, newlyweds, childrearing households, and socially or economically disadvantaged renter households, and said he anticipates the policy will continue to be refined into the future to ensure Taiwan’s renter population is properly taken care of.The MOI is actively promoting the program in addition to other housing policies, including a social housing strategy that will provide 200,000 additional social housing units through a combination of direct construction and the provision of rental units through a subleasing and management program. The premier recognized the achievements that have been made toward building a more comprehensive rental welfare system and realizing housing justice.To provide housing support for the public, in 2022 the central government initiated an NT$30 billion (US$950.1 million) expanded rent subsidy program to alleviate living costs for 500,000 renter households annually. From July 2023 to the end of February 2024, the program received applications from over 610,000 households and approved applications for 430,000 households, including previously subsidized households that were carried over. The program is thus projected to surpass its forecast capacity of 500,000 households. The premier directed the MOI to swiftly submit a revised program to ensure that all those who apply and qualify for rent subsidies can receive them.Premier Chen expressed his gratitude to local governments for cooperating with the central government on this issue. He hopes local governments will in the future assist further by providing more land for social housing, and work together with the central government toward the goal of constructing new social housing. <上版日期>113-03-07 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/c5b6d832-192f-42c9-ae84-0c5e2c21a321 <標題>Government fosters future talent through industry-academia collaboration <內容>At the Cabinet's weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Chen Chien-jen received a Ministry of Education (MOE) briefing on the progress of government initiatives to jointly cultivate talent through collaboration with industry and academia, specifically by setting up regional talent training bases and establishing specialized colleges for research in key industry-related fields. The premier said the government is providing students in higher education and vocational education with instructional environments that correlate with the needs of industries, while also spurring industries to assume a more proactive role in fostering the talent they require, thus building a mutually beneficial model of industry-academia cooperation. The premier emphasized that talent training bases have been an important component of vocational and technical education policy under President Tsai Ing-wen’s administration, with 18 bases already active last year. He instructed the MOE to bring the number of talent training bases up to 20 as soon as possible by continuing to coordinate the current policy of supporting key national industries, and taking into account President-elect Lai Ching-te’s campaign platform of expanding investment in vocational education.The premier said the government’s innovative operating model—establishing research colleges that promote industry-academia cooperation and talent cultivation—can lead the way forward for new innovations in industrial technology. It is anticipated that close collaboration between industry, government, academia and research institutes will cultivate high-tech talent that propels forward the development of key national sectors and enhances Taiwan’s industrial competitiveness.Premier Chen instructed the MOE to continue to promote the Industry-Academia Cooperation Program 2.0, in order to effectively integrate research in key fields into vocational and technical senior high schools, colleges and universities, thereby ensuring that Taiwan makes significant strides forward in talent cultivation. <上版日期>113-02-29 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/b6139a2a-9c9e-4590-a045-758b44cdb813 <標題>Asia Silicon Valley 3.0 plan will spur industry transitions to digital, net zero <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Chen Chien-jen received a National Development Council briefing on the Asia Silicon Valley Development Plan 3.0. The premier said this third phase of the plan will focus on the development of technologies including artificial intelligence, 5G and satellite networks in order to accelerate both the digital transition and net-zero carbon transition of Taiwan’s industries. The plan is of great importance for transforming Taiwan into a resilient society of smart technologies and innovative industries, he said, and it can help develop large-scale smart solutions exportable to international markets. The premier pointed out that the Asia Silicon Valley Development Plan has been investing in the artificial intelligence of things (AIoT) for the past seven years and has produced plentiful and concrete achievements. For example, the output value of the internet of things (IoT) in Taiwan surpassed NT$2 trillion (US$67.2 billion) in 2022, and has led the information and communications technology industry to gradually shift from hardware manufacturing toward system application services integrating software and hardware. The plan has also driven vigorous development within Taiwan's tech startup ecosystem, nurturing more than 7,400 domestic startups, including four Taiwanese unicorns (a startup company valued at more than US$1 billion), and significantly increased the amount of funding raised by startups from US$840 million in 2015 to US$2.22 billion in 2023—feats that are worthy of recognition, the premier said.The plan’s third phase introduces a number of breakthrough approaches, including encouraging the insurance industry and other private capital to invest in startups; broadening tax benefits for angel investors; proposing amendments to relevant regulations to provide tax incentives for enterprises to invest in startups; and aiming to enlarge the amount of funding raised by startups to US$5 billion over the next four years. The premier instructed the relevant ministries and agencies to pool and consolidate their resources in order to accelerate the expansion of Taiwan's global presence. <上版日期>113-02-22 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/f1185ac5-55c8-4a6f-8a14-4b26cc756fea <標題>Cabinet approves ‘new Silicon Valley’ plan for Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Miaoli <內容>At Thursday’s Cabinet meeting, Premier Chen Chien-jen received a briefing from the National Development Council on a “new Silicon Valley” plan to connect tech hubs in Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Miaoli. The premier said that the plan will promote the transformation and upgrade of science and technology industries in northwestern Taiwan, as well as spur on employment opportunities and help raise wages, to build a complete regional industrial ecosystem.The premier pointed out that the Taoyuan-Hsinchu-Miaoli area is an important regional cluster for the semiconductor, biotechnology, international logistics, and information and communications technology industries, and is one of the most important semiconductor industry clusters in the world. The plan is vital for the future overall development of the nation, but it is also designed to address the specific development needs of the region, he said.Premier Chen said the plan employs four main strategies: (1) cultivate future-oriented technologies locally to propel industry-wide innovation; (2) support the growth of deep tech startups; (3) meet local demand for talent recruitment and training; and (4) improve park infrastructure to facilitate the creation of technology corridors. In addition, the plan sets out the complementary measures and infrastructure necessary to meet the development needs of industries with regards to water and electricity supplies, transportation, medical care, transitioning to net-zero emissions, as well as employee housing and child education services. These measures will promote a balance between achieving industrial development and building a secure and comfortable living environment in the Taoyuan-Hsinchu-Miaoli region. <上版日期>113-02-22 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/72dc9544-d47c-42a8-8622-3429816c9f88 <標題>Cabinet approves draft bill for marine conservation act <內容>The Executive Yuan on Thursday approved a draft proposal for a marine conservation act by the Ocean Affairs Council (OAC). The bill will now be submitted to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation.Premier Chen Chien-jen said the proposed act contains new amendments that will help expand designated marine conservation areas around Taiwan, conserve and restore marine biodiversity, and complement the Climate Change Response Act and other related laws. The bill will enable more proactive contribution toward marine conservation, building healthy ecosystems that balance environmental sustainability alongside the “blue economy” of ocean-related industries.The premier instructed the OAC to communicate and coordinate with the legislative caucuses of all political parties to ensure swift passage of the bill into law. <上版日期>113-02-15 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/0a2cfa81-34d1-48ad-8a2a-ee477da1a1dc <標題>Premier reassures public of the safety and high quality of Taiwanese pork <內容>Premier Chen Chien-jen on Thursday received a briefing from the Executive Yuan's Office of Food Safety clarifying the risk of domestically-produced pork products containing leanness-enhancing additives and outlining additional safety measures taken by the government. The premier said that following Taichung City Government’s detection of the additive cimbuterol in a sliced pork shoulder product sold by Taiwan Sugar Corp, extensive trace-based testing by the relevant government agencies has determined that the case is an isolated incident, and there is no risk of systemic contamination within the domestic pork supply chain.In order to reassure the public and protect food safety, Premier Chen emphasized that the government will continue to strengthen monitoring and inspections of pork products when they enter Taiwan’s borders, as well as before and after they appear on the market. He said consumers can feel confident in the safety and high quality of domestic pork. <上版日期>113-02-15 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/c3dadcd6-9228-4a57-b2ef-533c6d68fdcb <標題>Executive Yuan approves draft amendments to Act for Distant Water Fisheries <內容>The Executive Yuan on Thursday approved Ministry of Agriculture draft amendments for Articles 14-1, 36-1 and 47 of the Act for Distant Water Fisheries. Premier Chen Chien-jen said Taiwan has consistently advocated combatting illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which forms a key element of the government’s efforts to work with the international community to promote sustainable fishing industries.The draft amendments contain new measures that prohibit and penalize imports of IUU catches to correspond with existing penalties for exports of IUU catches. These measures will deter people from taking the risk of importing IUU catches or IUU fishery products and establish more consistent and comprehensive standards under the Act, to help ensure the healthy development of Taiwan’s distant water fishing industry and demonstrate Taiwan’s determination to cooperate with nations around the globe to crack down on IUU fishing. <上版日期>113-02-15 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/cffb626b-6cab-4ac7-ad3c-ef899201e2b2 <標題>NT$6 billion earmarked for regional revitalization over next four years <內容>At Thursday’s Cabinet meeting, Premier Chen Chien-jen received a National Development Council (NDC) briefing on a new regional revitalization plan that builds sustainable benefits for all (2025-2028). The premier said the government has been promoting a regional revitalization policy for over five years and has witnessed promising initial results. The new plan is expected to allocate NT$6 billion (US$191.7 million) over the next four years to continue these efforts, so that outstanding proposals for local revitalization can obtain the backing of government resources.The government has been promoting its regional revitalization policy in order to advance balanced urban-rural development throughout Taiwan, with ministries and agencies steadily investing resources and effort over the past five years and more, the premier said. In numerous cases, we have seen young people devise and put forward creative solutions to address the issues and difficulties that their hometowns face. Through passion, action and effective use of government resources, their contributions to regional revitalization are gradually encouraging more people to return or remain in their hometowns to live and start new businesses.Premier Chen said that promotion of the 2025-2028 plan will require collaboration between 11 different ministries and agencies including the NDC, Council of Indigenous Peoples, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of the Interior and Ministry of Economic Affairs. He instructed each ministry and agency to give their full and active participation and to continue optimizing delivery mechanisms. He also asked them to explore further cooperation with other countries for the joint promotion of Taiwan’s achievements in regional revitalization. <上版日期>113-02-01 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/b19208fe-b4b5-4290-a953-4bcba8f53228 <標題>Executive Yuan publishes 2024 gender equality report <內容>The Executive Yuan's Department of Gender Equality (DGE) on Monday published the 2024 Gender at a Glance in R.O.C. (Taiwan) report. In 2023, the nation ranked sixth globally and first in Asia in Taiwan's first ever inclusion in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's Social Institutions and Gender Index. Last year, the Executive Yuan also adopted its own gender equality index, which measures Taiwan’s performance against the European Union’s (EU) Gender Equality Index (GEI), and placed Taiwan 12th against 27 EU member nations.The DGE stated that the criteria for its gender equality index were chosen to parallel the EU’s GEI framework, in addition to incorporating further local indicators for gender equality. This enables Taiwan’s progress on gender equality to be measured while also aligning closely with EU benchmarks. The criteria are divided into six core domains (work, money, knowledge, time, power, health) and an additional domain (violence).The 2024 Gender at a Glance in R.O.C. (Taiwan) report (https://gov.tw/Xri) and Taiwan’s gender equality index (https://gov.tw/QMm) are available on the website of the Gender Equality Committee of the Executive Yuan. <上版日期>113-01-29 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/621f83e1-2094-4632-a9a8-2acec6fb934c <標題>Premier Chen receives Lithuanian parliamentary delegation <內容>Premier Chen Chien-jen on Friday received a delegation from the Lithuania-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group. The premier said the delegation’s visit immediately following Taiwan’s presidential election demonstrates to the world Lithuania’s staunch support for Taiwan, and inspires likeminded partners around the globe to uphold their free, democratic ways of life through concrete action.The premier pointed out that since the establishment of the Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania, both nations have cooperated extensively to launch close exchanges across a wide range of fields including the economy, agriculture, semiconductors and laser technology. Looking forward, the premier said Taiwan will continue to deepen collaboration with Lithuania to create a more strong, sustainable and resilient partnership.In his remarks, Matas Maldeikis, head of the Lithuania-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group, said the eyes of the whole world have been watching Taiwan’s recently concluded presidential and legislative elections. It is both a big responsibility and a big privilege, and demonstrates Taiwan’s importance to other democratic nations. It shows that Taiwan is not only the best at semiconductors, but is now one of the best democracies in the world.In additional remarks, Vytautas Mitalas, deputy speaker of Lithuania’s parliament, said both Lithuania and Taiwan are familiar with rapid change with regard to strengthening democracy, surviving hardships and evolving economically. Deputy Speaker Mitalas added that he sees many cooperation possibilities that could strengthen economic and cultural ties, and enhance the security of both nations. <上版日期>113-01-26 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/32151bd3-c574-4526-9110-c8893d25a7d9 <標題>Premier oversees government preparations for Lunar New Year holiday <內容>At the Cabinet's weekly meeting on Thursday, Premier Chen Chien-jen received briefings from the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health and Welfare, and Financial Supervisory Commission on measures related to the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday period. The premier said this year’s holiday stretches across seven days from February 8 to February 14, with large numbers of the public expected to return to their hometowns and go traveling. During this time, the government will continue to provide fast and convenient public transport and ensure stable commodity supplies, while also strengthening financial services, medical services and epidemic prevention, so that the public can celebrate a peaceful and joyful Lunar New Year.The premier reminded all ministries, agencies and local governments to embrace the spirit of public service as they diligently maintain the high quality of their institutions’ services during the holiday period. By taking preemptive steps to ensure proper management and planning, as well as making full use of technology to keep abreast of situations, the government can swiftly resolve various issues affecting people’s daily lives, and ensure all members of the public enjoy uninterrupted access to government services all year round. <上版日期>113-01-25 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/bf85ee03-b5ca-45a7-b627-d6d54917061d <標題>Premier receives US-Taiwan Business Council delegation <內容>Premier Chen Chien-jen on Monday received a delegation from the US-Taiwan Business Council (USTBC). The premier said USTBC has been a solid, long-term partner in Taiwan’s efforts to deepen trade and economic relations with the U.S. The delegation comprises members from industries including high tech, energy and finance, demonstrating the importance that U.S. businesses place on the Taiwanese market and working together with Taiwanese companies.The premier pointed out that the launch of the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade was announced in June 2022, the first agreement under the initiative was signed in June 2023, and both sides continue to hold further discussions under the initiative’s framework. Taiwan and the U.S. also continue to bolster cooperation in various areas including supply chain resilience, science and technology, and green energy transition, through platforms such as the Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue (EPPD) and Technology, Trade and Investment Collaboration (TTIC). These mechanisms for establishing institutional exchanges on trade and economic issues contribute to the strengthening of the Taiwan-U.S. economic partnership.The premier emphasized that the government will continue improving Taiwan’s investment environment to enhance the Taiwan-U.S. trade and economic relationship. Additionally, in order to promote two-way investment, Taiwan seeks to expeditiously reach a double taxation avoidance agreement with the U.S. The premier hopes that USTBC will continue to help convey the importance of this issue to the U.S. government, and provide strong support to Taiwan as all sides work together to achieve new milestones in the future of Taiwan-U.S. relations.Leading the delegation, Keith Krach, chairman of the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue, said the mission of the USTBC delegation is to tighten U.S.-Taiwan ties and increase bilateral investment between the two nations. He added that members of USTBC are doing everything they can to achieve progress on the issue of double taxation with the U.S. Congress. Furthermore, the Global Tech Security Commission, which Chairman Krach co-chairs, is building a global trusted tech network and views Taiwan as a trustworthy partner—the delegation is here to build those relationships, he said. <上版日期>113-01-22 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/196b5cd2-aae5-41dc-b50b-2cf445cd2f0c <標題>Premier lauds Taiwan's democracy, praises conduct of election officials and public <內容>At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting on Thursday, Premier Chen Chien-jen received a briefing from the Central Election Commission (CEC) on the 16th presidential and 11th legislative elections. The premier said that polls closed on January 13, 2024, and the entire process from the casting of votes to the counting of ballots proceeded peacefully and smoothly, earning a high level of acclaim both at home and abroad, and demonstrating that Taiwan has matured into a model democracy within the Asia region.The premier thanked colleagues from ministries, agencies and local governments for their unified efforts in fulfilling election-related tasks, and thanked all Taiwanese for cherishing and upholding the nation’s democracy. During this election cycle, many interested parties both foreign and domestic emerged online, deliberately fabricating and disseminating election mis- and disinformation in attempts to interfere with election affairs and popular opinion. Fortunately, countermeasures were swiftly deployed in each case, thereby reducing the spread of false information. The premier directed the CEC to continue its close monitoring of mis- and disinformation in the election’s aftermath, and to strengthen the handling of clarifications, reporting, and transferring of cases to prosecutorial, police and investigatory authorities. <上版日期>113-01-18 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/a6718ed8-72dc-4056-89ae-1f0e31b1b47f <標題>Premier Chen Chien-jen’s Cabinet resignation address <內容>The following is a translation of selected sections from the premier's speech.The 16th presidential and 11th legislative elections concluded on January 13, 2024. Taiwan’s people have successfully and smoothly elected a new president to lead the nation forward into the future, alongside new members of the Legislative Yuan to represent the will of the people, thus writing a new chapter in the development of Taiwan’s democracy.I anticipate that the Executive Yuan administrative team will work closely with the Legislative Yuan to continue promoting a wide range of polices to benefit the nation and its people. However, in keeping with the conventions of our constitutional government, as well as to respect the new popular mandate represented by the incoming president and legislators, I have tendered the Cabinet’s mass resignation to President Tsai Ing-wen.Nearly one year ago, on January 31, 2023, at the request of President Tsai, I took up the mantle of premier. I would like to thank members of my administrative team for energetically discharging their duty as public servants, and for their full cooperation in actively promoting many important policies during this period to build a more compassionate and resilient living environment for the people of this nation. Once again, I wish to express my deepest respect and gratitude to each and every one of my team.We now enter a new period as a caretaker Cabinet until we hand over our roles to the incoming administration. During this time, I would ask that each minister and agency head keeps a firm grip on the tiller and continues proactively taking forward the business of government; we must maintain a careful approach in looking after the public’s daily needs and as we continue laying a resilient, solid foundation for the benefit of Taiwan’s long-term development. <上版日期>113-01-18 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/aaf2b7e1-0680-4408-9418-269ece66ce10 <標題>Cabinet approves new measures to foster domestic high-tech talent <內容>At the Cabinet's weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Chen Chien-jen received a briefing from the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) on enhanced measures to improve the cultivation of high-tech talent. The premier said the council’s proposed additional measures—incentivizing outstanding scientific researchers and assisting doctoral students with their research—will encourage more talented individuals to engage in scientific research, nurturing and expanding a new generation of young researchers with diverse and multidisciplinary capabilities.High-tech researchers are one of Taiwan’s most valuable assets, the premier said. To reinforce the nation’s strengths in science and technology, the government will expand investment in the development of key fields including semiconductors, quantum, space, net-zero emissions, age tech and 6G, as well as continue its focus on cultivating domestic talent in science and technology.The premier directed the NSTC, Ministry of Education, National Development Council and other relevant ministries and agencies to foster a friendly scientific research environment with optimized measures for talent cultivation, recruitment and childbirth, as well as increase the number of women in science and technology, in order to amass talent within key areas of research. <上版日期>113-01-11 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/7b8d786f-7ac5-4c5d-ac2e-e215d8bef61f <標題>Premier backs defense ministry’s decision to issue emergency alert <內容>At the Cabinet's weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Chen Chien-jen gave a statement addressing the nationwide emergency air raid alert sent by the Ministry of National Defense (MND) on Tuesday. The premier supported the MND’s decision to ensure the safety of Taiwan’s citizens by issuing the text message alert during the brief window of time available. However, he said the procedures of the emergency alert system should continue to be improved upon, and in the event of related alerts in the future, the government must also carry out simultaneous, real-time risk communication with the public.The alert was issued in response to a Chinese rocket carrying a satellite that deviated from its expected trajectory and crossed Taiwan’s airspace. The premier said the emergency alert system exists to notify the public of possible urgent danger within the shortest possible time, enabling everyone to take caution and have sufficient time to respond. He added that certain interested parties have sought to depict the issuing of the alert as “election interference” or “election manipulation,” which is not only unjust and unfair, but also irresponsible.Premier Chen said he hopes everyone will use this occasion as an opportunity to learn. He instructed government officials to ensure word accuracy in foreign language translations, and to carry out parallel risk communication when similar alerts are issued in the future. To address any doubts and concerns, it is imperative to allow the public to gain a full picture of unfolding events in real time, so as to prevent the spread of mis- and disinformation. <上版日期>113-01-11 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/79b0f46a-ed2d-4766-b523-36ca4255d374 <標題>Precision health improving health and well-being of all Taiwanese <內容>At the Cabinet's weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Chen Chien-jen received a briefing from the National Science and Technology Council on the promotion of precision health as a strategic industry to improve the health and well-being of people of all ages. The premier said that the initiative has produced significant results and helped grow Taiwan’s biomedical industry to a market value exceeding NT$1 trillion (US$32.2 billion).Precision health is one of the Six Core Strategic Industries as set out by President Tsai Ing-wen, the premier said. Through the concerted efforts of ministries and agencies, concrete progress has been achieved in the areas of biomedical clusters, ecosystem development, marketization of new drugs and medical devices, applied digital and smart technologies, precision epidemic prevention technology R&D, and startup incubation. These efforts have boosted overall year-on-year revenue growth, propelling the nation’s biomedical sector to a trillion-NT-dollar industry.Taiwan has also placed No. 1 globally for the fifth consecutive year in the 2023 mid-year Health Care Index published by online database Numbeo.The premier emphasized that the synthesis of innovative science and technology with multidisciplinary perspectives is the path Taiwan must follow to develop the industries of the future. He directed related ministries and agencies to be forward-looking in promoting the growth and flourishing of chip industries for smart medicine and smart agriculture, to achieve a vision of society that ensures health maintenance, disease prevention, diagnostics, therapeutics and long-term care for people of all ages. <上版日期>113-01-04 <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/a17fd15f-fe21-49de-a332-e24b4d6c2dc6 <標題>Premier Chen orders agencies to root out foreign election interference <內容>At the Cabinet's weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Chen Chien-jen received a Ministry of Justice (MOJ) briefing on foreign election interference and the government’s response strategies. The premier said that authoritarian countries intervene in the elections of democratic countries in a multitude of ways, and special attention must be paid to the current situation so that we can together protect Taiwan’s culture and environment of freedom, democracy and rule of law, while also maintaining national security. The premier pointed out that tensions across the Taiwan Strait have grown severe in recent years, and multiple instances of foreign interference have been uncovered during the current election cycle. In addition to funding specific groups and candidates, foreign actors have also used disinformation and the manipulation of election betting odds to sway public discourse on certain political issues and influence voter preferences.The premier instructed MOJ and other responsible agencies to coordinate their full efforts in investigating persons suspected of meddling in elections on behalf of foreign powers, in addition to prosecuting cases of foreign election interference under the principles of swift investigation and strict penalties. Efforts should also be made to continue tracking down related accomplices, and to crack down on foreign influence operation networks and bases in Taiwan. It is crucial to ensure that the 16th presidential and 11th legislative elections, to be held on January 13, 2024, are free from foreign manipulation. <上版日期>112-12-28