■ LANGUAGE
Dispute rages over ‘Chinese’
The Presidential Office yesterday said it was not against calling Chinese “Huayu (華語)” or “Huawen (華文),” but said that the Executive Yuan must explain the government’s position to the public. Presidential Office Spokesman Lo Chih-chiang (羅智強) said “Guoyu (國語)” refers to the national and official language of a country, a principle that should be reflected in school textbooks. Chinese courses for elementary and junior high schools next year will still be called “Guoyuwen (國語文)” but be changed to “Huayuwen (華語文)” in guidelines for teachers and textbook writers and editors. Huang Kuang-kuo (黃光國), a national policy advisor, threatened to resign should the Ministry of Education decide to change “Guowen” to “Huawen.”
■ HEALTH
Kids stay home, get myopia
Nearly 90 percent of the school children visiting ophthalmology clinics recently have been diagnosed with worsening myopia because of excessive eye strain suffered during the summer break, an eye doctor said, adding that television and computer games could be to blame. Most students prefer indoor activities during the summer vacation, which tends to cause worsening of any existing eye problems, said Liao Chang-bin (廖昶斌), director of the Shu-tien Urology and Ophthalmology Clinic.
■ TRADE
Taipei, Manila talk pact
The Philippines is likely to sign a free-trade agreement (FTA) with Taiwan within a year on the basis of the recent trade pact between Taiwan and China, Philippine Deputy Trade Secretary Adrian Cristobal said yesterday. Although the Philippines is a member of the ASEAN plus one grouping, which includes China, and has an economic agreement with Japan, it will benefit from an FTA with Taiwan, Cristobal said. “We hope to start formal FTA negotiations with Taiwan within a year,” Cristobal said. However, the Philippine government will have to consult with the country’s parliamentarians, academics and business leaders on the issue and close internal divisions before it could hold discussions with potential FTA partners, he said. In late June, then-Secretary of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry Jesli Lapus said that because the Philippines adheres to the “one China” policy, the issue of an FTA with Taiwan was quite sensitive.
■ RETAILING
Post office moves online
Chunghwa Post said yesterday it was considering branching out into online shopping. The company said in a presentation at the Ministry of Transportation and Communications that the move was part of a strategy to increase revenue as its mail delivery service shrinks because of the increased use of electronic mail and documents. Trumpeting the advantage of having 1,320 outlets nationwide and a comprehensive logistics network, the company said it was ready to compete with the main players in the market, including Yahoo-Kimo, PC-Home and PayEasy. To distinguish itself from competitors, Chunghwa Post said it would focus on the sale of health-related products, produce and special snacks in different localities. Based on preliminary plans, sellers would pay between 4 percent and 5 percent of the closing price as well as a NT$10,000 guarantee. The company said it would waive the annual NT$12,000 fee to use Chunghwa’s online shopping network for the first year, for those vendors that use the postal company’s boxes to package their products.
The Taipei Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Wanda-Zhonghe Line is 81.7 percent complete, with public opening targeted for the end of 2027, New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) said today. Surrounding roads are to be open to the public by the end of next year, Hou said during an inspection of construction progress. The 9.5km line, featuring nine underground stations and one depot, is expected to connect Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall Station to Chukuang Station in New Taipei City’s Jhonghe District (中和). All 18 tunnels for the line are complete, while the main structures of the stations and depot are mostly finished, he
The first global hotel Keys Selection by the Michelin Guide includes four hotels in Taiwan, Michelin announced yesterday. All four received the “Michelin One Key,” indicating guests are to experience a “very special stay” at any of the locations as the establishments are “a true gem with personality. Service always goes the extra mile, and the hotel provides much more than others in its price range.” Of the four hotels, three are located in Taipei and one in Taichung. In Taipei, the One Key accolades were awarded to the Capella Taipei, Kimpton Da An Taipei and Mandarin Oriental Taipei. Capella Taipei was described by
Taipei is to implement widespread road closures around Taipei 101 on Friday to make way for large crowds during the Double Ten National Day celebration, the Taipei Department of Transportation said. A four-minute fireworks display is to be launched from the skyscraper, along with a performance by 500 drones flying in formation above the nearby Nanshan A21 site, starting at 10pm. Vehicle restrictions would occur in phases, they said. From 5pm to 9pm, inner lanes of Songshou Road between Taipei City Hall and Taipei 101 are to be closed, with only the outer lanes remaining open. Between 9pm and 9:40pm, the section is
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vancouver, Canada, on Saturday hosted a reception to celebrate Double Ten National Day. Conservative Canadian lawmaker Marc Dalton called Taiwan a “beacon of courage and resilience in the face of rising authoritarianism,” according to a post on the Taiwan in Vancouver Facebook page. Also in attendance were fellow conservative caucus members Tako Van Popta and Chak Au, who said that Taiwan plays an “indispensable role” in ensuring global peace, prosperity and stability due to its strategic position in the Indo-Pacific region, it said. Canadian lawmaker Michael Cooper also recorded a message wishing Taiwan a
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