[Politics] 2026/08/04 RTI Selected News

Premier Cho Jung-tai points out four major advantages of next year's general budget, balancing technology, national security, and debt. The Executive Yuan is currently preparing the central government's general budget for the upcoming year. Premier Cho Jung-tai stated at a forum on the 3rd that the budget will be the most extensive in terms of services, the fastest in technological development, the most comprehensive in national security, and will achieve debt balance, marking a new era that has been difficult to reach in recent years. Kung Ming-hsin: If local governments checked more frequently beforehand, the carcinogenic oil incident would not have happened. The carcinogenic oil incident continues to escalate. Formosa Petrochemical Corporation (台糖) is questioned for knowing about the excessive levels of benzo(a)pyrene in Zhonglian Petrochemical's (中聯油脂) oil beforehand but failing to report it. Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen also questioned the Ministry of Economic Affairs for protecting Formosa Petrochemical. In response, Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin stated on the 3rd that if local governments had conducted more checks beforehand, this incident would not have occurred. Zhonglian Case: 5 Major Q&As - Formosa Petrochemical Refuses to Accept Non-Notification, Food Safety Inspection Responsibilities Explained. The Zhonglian problematic oil case continues to unfold. Formosa Petrochemical refuses to accept that the problematic crude collagen oil from Zhonglian Petrochemical requires no notification. The public questions why only downstream業者 Nan Chiao (南僑) is fined and not Formosa Petrochemical. Furthermore, the responsibility for food safety inspections, whether central or local, is unclear. A Central News Agency reporter has compiled 5 major Q&As from a regulatory perspective. New Rules for Taiwan Stock Exchange's Disciplinary Actions to Take Effect on the 10th; Exchange to Review Every Six Months. The Taiwan Stock Exchange announced new rules for individual stock disciplinary actions on the 3rd, including adjustments to the disciplinary period, trading session times, and criteria for announcing attention-grabbing trading information. Du Hui-chuan, spokesperson for the Taiwan Stock Exchange, stated that after this revision, a regular review mechanism will be established, with reviews conducted every six months in principle, to adapt to market changes. July NMI Drops; CIER: Stock Market Volatility Weakens Wealth Effect. The Chung Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER) announced on the 3rd that the July PMI rose to 61.5%, maintaining expansion for 10 consecutive months. However, the NMI dropped from 59.9% in the previous month to 57.3%. CIER President Lien Hsien-ming stated that the slight cooling of the non-manufacturing sector is related to recent stock market volatility and a slight contraction in the wealth effect. EZWAY Real-Name Verification Raises Concerns; Ministry of Finance: State-Owned Shares at 36.1% Allow for Monitoring. The cross-border online shopping customs clearance system "EZWAY Easy Way" has been questioned for its improper fee structure and the security of personal data handled by its outsourced operations. The Ministry of Finance's Directorate General of Customs clarified on the 3rd that EZWAY is built and maintained by Trade-Van Inc., and the Ministry of Finance is the largest shareholder with a 36.1% stake. The cybersecurity measures also comply with international certifications and are under national-level monitoring. Legislative Public Hearing Focuses on Civil Servant and Teacher Compensation; Scholars and Civil Groups Call for Transparent and Legalized Salary Adjustment Review. Regarding reforms to the compensation and personnel systems for civil servants and teachers, the Legislative Yuan's Judiciary and Organic Laws Committee held a public hearing on the 3rd. On the direction of reforms for civil servant and teacher compensation adjustments, many experts, scholars, and stakeholder groups agreed that the process should be legalized and transparent. Democratic Reef Dispute Affects Regional Security; Experts: Conflict May Continue if US and Japan Intervene. The Philippines recently announced the establishment of its baseline for territorial waters in the Democratic Reef. China subsequently conducted joint air and sea exercises around the Democratic Reef. Experts predict that Taiwan may not be able to stay out of the maritime conflict and legal battles between China and the Philippines. If countries like the US and Japan intervene, this conflict may not subside quickly. Household Secondhand Smoke Exposure Rate at 35.6%; 1 in 3 People Suffers from Smoke Harm. According to data from the 2024 "Survey on Smoking Behavior of Taiwanese Residents" by the Health Promotion Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare, the household secondhand smoke exposure rate in Taiwan is 35.6%, meaning 1 in 3 people is exposed to the harm of household secondhand smoke. The household secondhand smoke exposure rate has also shown an upward trend in recent years. Chiang Wan-an and Hou Yu-ih Ride the First MRT Bannan Line Train; Aiming for Completion Next Year. The dynamic testing of the main line for the first phase of the Taipei MRT Bannan Line began on the 3rd. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an and New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih rode the first test train together. The project aims for completion next year. Kumamoto Earthquake / July Disaster May Be Designated "Severe Disaster"; Sanae Takaichi: Promoting Secondary Evacuation Using Hotels. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi visited the earthquake-stricken areas in Kumamoto Prefecture on the 3rd and interacted with affected residents. She stated that the government will actively promote "secondary evacuation" measures using hotels and inns, and plans to designate the current earthquake disaster as a "severe disaster." Three Lions Die at Tokyo Tama Zoo; Suspected to Be Caused by Extreme Heat. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government announced on the 3rd that three lions at the Tama Zoological Park in Hino City, Tokyo, have recently died one after another, suspected to be due to the high temperatures. The zoo has temporarily suspended lion exhibits and is strengthening cooling measures in the lion enclosures. The detailed cause of death will be further investigated by an external professional organization. Thousands of Migrants Still Stranded in Spain's Ceuta; EU to Hold Emergency Meeting on August 4th. Following the large influx of migrants into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta last week, thousands are still stranded there. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for "united action" on border security on the 3rd, and EU interior ministers will hold an emergency meeting on August 4th to discuss the crisis. Yen Plummets to a 40-Year Low; Key Points of US-Japan Joint Effort to Save the Yen. After the Japanese yen recently fell to a 40-year low, the US has once again joined forces with Japan to intervene in the foreign exchange market to boost the yen. What are the four major factors exacerbating the yen's weakness? Why is the US intervening at this time? What are the underlying calculations regarding the bond market, geopolitics, and trade? What other measures can Japan take to support the yen? Will the US-Japan joint effort to save the yen be counterproductive? Key points explained. Denmark Extends Military Service to 11 Months; New Recruits to Be Stationed in Greenland. Approximately 1,600 Danish new recruits began their new, extended 11-month military service on the 3rd. Influenced by Arctic security pressures and the war in Ukraine, Denmark is accelerating its defense buildup. (Editor: Wang Zhi-xin)