Weekly Roundup: Key Developments in Tech, Politics, and Global Affairs in Taiwan - September 20, 2024
Technology
Enhancing Corporate Digital Resilience: Taiwan Mobile Launches Multi-Layered DDoS Defense Service
Taiwan Mobile introduces a "Multi-Layered DDoS Defense Service" to counter DDoS attacks due to recent threats from pro-Russian hackers. Taiwan Mobile launched the "Anti-Scam Police Enterprise Edition" with a free one-month trial for businesses to detect impersonation threats across websites, social media, apps, and logos.
Taiwan Mobile emphasizes the integration of AI in cybersecurity. Taiwan Mobile’s Multi-Layered DDoS Defense has a nearly 100% detection accuracy and has already identified over 130 million suspicious domains for various industries. DDoS attacks exploit normal traffic to overwhelm servers, with Taiwan Mobile reporting over 2,000 suspicious threats detected in the past year.
Source: Yahoo Taiwan
TikTok's Parent Company ByteDance Plans to Develop Its Own AI Processor Using TSMC's 5 nm Process Technology
ByteDance, the parent company of Tiktok, is planning to develop its own artificial intelligence processor while utilizing TSMC’s advanced 5 nm process technology known for its cutting-edge efficiency and performance, with an expected launch in 2026.. The move is partly a reaction to the escalating US-China trade war and potential export restrictions on technology products and reduced reliance on NVIDIA and similar companies.
ByteDance previously ordered around 200,000 HGX H20 GPUs from NVIDIA for the Chinese market, valued at about $2 billion. By developing their own processors could lead to better performance and significant cost savings for ByteDance compared to the limitations of the ordered GPUs.
Source: UDN News
https://tech.udn.com/tech/story/123153/8236482
Tesla Opens 106 Supercharger Stations in Taiwan: Non-Tesla Vehicles Can Now Use Its Supercharger Stations
Tesla has opened 106 supercharger stations in Taiwan, with over 630 charging stalls available. Tesla has included access for non-Tesla vehicles to use their supercharger stations which leads to better electric vehicle infrastructure. A timeout occupancy mechanism will charge fees if utilization exceeds 50%, then doubling it when it reaches 100% to maximize efficiency with a grace period of five minutes after charging is completed.
The allowance of non-Tesla vehicles to charge at their supercharger stations are divided into five phases of locations:
Taoyuan-Yangmei
Miaoli-Yuanli
Chiayi-Zhuci
Tainan-Xinying
Tainan-Shanhua
Source: UDN News
https://tech.udn.com/tech/story/123153/8227328
Politics
Legislative Yuan's People’s Party Proposes Report on Participation in International Organizations and Electricity Pricing Policy
The Legislative Yuan's People’s Party is pushing for a report from Premier Su Tseng-chang on Taiwan's participation in international organizations, Energy ratios and electricity pricing policies, and implementation of the NCC Organizational Law. Huang Kuo-chang highlighted financial issues at Taiwan Power Company, pointing out that its operations are inconsistent with state-owned enterprise regulations, with significant government subsidies provided.
There are concerns about the upcoming electricity price increases, with calls for a report on energy planning before any changes are made. Huang criticized the appointment of Weng Po-tsung as the acting chairman of the National Communications Commission (NCC), saying it ignores the qualifications set by the new law. Huang is willing to talk with the Kuomintang about the committee chair elections, but he wants to wait until they confirm their leaders first.
Source: LTN News
https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/4803352
Academia Sinica Vice President Huang Ching-Hsing Resigns for Health Reasons; Secretary General Peng Hsin-Kuan to Assume Office
Huang Ching-Hsing resigns as Vice President of the Humanities and Social Sciences Division due to health reasons after nearly 20 years of administrative experience and contributing significantly to economic policy recommendations for the Taiwanese government. Peng Hsin-Kuan, currently the Secretary General specializing in regional economics and international trade, will take over the vice presidency.
The transition in leadership may influence ongoing research directions and institutional policies, as new leadership often brings fresh perspectives. The academic community has expressed gratitude for Huang's contributions and wishes him well in his recovery.
Source: Storm News
https://www.storm.mg/article/5240791
China Stops Tariff Exemptions on Taiwanese Agricultural and Fishery Products; DPP Highlights Proportion of Investments in China: Economic Pressure on Politics Will Not Succeed
The State Council of China’s Tariff Commission announced that starting September 25, it will stop enforcing the import tariff exemption policy for 34 agricultural products from Taiwan, including fresh fruits, vegetables, and seafood.The DPP condemned China's actions as economic coercion and an attempt to intimidate Taiwan politically.
China has a history of using economic measures as political tools. Reports indicate that China's economic stabilization policies are failing, with investment and employment metrics declining. Taiwan’s investment proportion in China has decreased significantly, from 83.8% in 2010 to 11.4% last year.
Source: Storm News
https://www.storm.mg/article/5240821
International
South Korea Fully Promotes Nuclear Power Revival! First New Nuclear Units Approved in 8 Years, Expected Completion by 2032
South Korea is pushing for a revival of nuclear energy. The Atomic Energy Safety Commission held its 200th meeting and approved the construction of the new Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4 for the first time in eight years. Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4 will be built in Yeongdeok-gun, with a capacity of 1,400 megawatts each and a total cost of about 11.7 trillion won (approximately NT$280 billion).
Unit 3 is expected to be completed in 2032 and Unit 4 in 2033. The government plans to build more nuclear plants, with three potentially constructed by 2038 and small modular reactors starting operations by 2035. It has been forecasted that by 2038, over 70% of South Korea’s electricity is projected to come from carbon-free sources.
Source: Storm News
https://www.storm.mg/article/5239812
China Launches "Thousand Talents Program" to Steal Technology from Taiwan
Since 2008, China has been infamous for its "Thousand Talents Program," aimed at recruiting talent globally to steal sensitive technology from various countries. After being caught, it renamed the initiative to "Qiming Program" but continued to lure overseas talent with high salaries to gain advanced technology and benefits.
A company named OWTIC PTE LTD is reaching out to Taiwanese scholars with annual funding offers between 2 million to 5 million NT dollars. The company is registered in Singapore to avoid Taiwan's legal restrictions and claimed they would share details through WeChat. Zhang Yao urges Taiwanese to be cautious of such recruitment and calls for stricter government regulations to protect semiconductor technology.
Source: LTN News
https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/world/breakingnews/4802599
Federal Reserve Cuts Rates by 50 Basis Points; Will Global Central Banks Follow Suit?
The Federal Reserve has recently cut rates by 50 basis points (2%), marking its first reduction in over four years. Many emerging market central banks quickly followed with similar rate cuts as of the Federal Reserve. This action by The Fed provides more policy flexibility for Asian central banks, potentially increasing capital inflows and economic activity.
Even though the market is increasing in value due to capital inflow, the currencies may not react as strongly to this change. Being an important event in the economic world, the Fed’s cut could influence the bank of Japan’s future policy decisions regarding interest rates.
Source: Yahoo Taiwan
Taiwan’s Weather Update
This Week’s Recap
Monday: Mostly sunny with highs around 30°C. Light winds.
Tuesday: Occasional rain in the afternoon, temperatures ranging from 24°C to 28°C.
Wednesday: Overcast skies with scattered showers. Highs around 26°C.
Thursday: Cooler temperatures with rain throughout the day. Highs around 24°C.
Friday: Continued rain, especially in the northern regions. Highs around 25°C.
Saturday: Mostly cloudy with some clearing later in the day. Highs around 27°C.
Sunday: Partly cloudy with isolated showers. Highs around 29°C.
Next Week’s Forecast
Monday: Partly cloudy with a chance of afternoon showers. Highs around 28°C.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny with warm temperatures, highs around 30°C.
Wednesday: Increasing cloudiness with possible rain late in the day. Highs around 29°C.
Thursday: Cloudy with rain expected. Highs around 26°C.
Friday: Cooler temperatures with rain likely. Highs around 25°C.
Saturday: Partly sunny with scattered showers. Highs around 27°C.
Sunday: Mostly sunny with warm temperatures, highs around 30°C.