“The invisible barriers put up by some people in recent years are becoming widespread and pushing the world into fragmentation and even confrontation,” China’s No. 2 official said at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Tianjin, China. Chinese Premier Li Qiang speaks at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Tianjin, China, yesterday. He added that the nation would “roll out more practical and effective measures” on expanding domestic demand and stimulating market dynamism. “China seems to be rather confident in terms of maintaining its growth target,” Natixis SA senior economist Gary Ng (吳卓殷) said.

New China export curbs soon: ASMLExport limits: Following US pressures on Dutch chipmaker ASML, new export controls are to be published as soon as 30 June to limit Chinese high-tech advances The Dutch government is planning to publish as soon as next week new export controls that would restrict more of ASML Holding NV’s chipmaking machines from being sent to China, sources said. The measures, which the government previously pledged to publish before the summer, would not mention China or ASML. However, they are designed to restrict the shipments of three models of the company’s machines to the Asian country, Bloomberg previously reported. Lawmakers crafted the export-control regulation as a blueprint that can be used by other EU member states and aim to publish it as soon as next week or in the

Japan to put South Korea back on trade ‘white list’AFP, TOKYOJapan is next month to restore South Korea to a list of trusted trade partners, the government said yesterday, reversing its 2019 removal during a dispute over historical forced labor. The move, which reciprocates Seoul’s reinstatement of Japan to its own trade “white list” earlier this year, is the latest step in efforts by the neighbors to thaw ties. Trade with South Korea would again enjoy a fast-track approval process from July 21, the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said. However, since South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol came to power last year, he has worked to quickly bolster ties with Japan in the face of North Korean threats. Also this year, Japan ended export controls on materials for semiconductors destined for South Korea, while Seoul dropped a WTO complaint against Japan and has moved to normalize a military intelligence-sharing pact.

New China export curbs soon: ASMLExport limits: Following US pressures on Dutch chipmaker ASML, new export controls are to be published as soon as 30 June to limit Chinese high-tech advances The Dutch government is planning to publish as soon as next week new export controls that would restrict more of ASML Holding NV’s chipmaking machines from being sent to China, sources said. The measures, which the government previously pledged to publish before the summer, would not mention China or ASML. However, they are designed to restrict the shipments of three models of the company’s machines to the Asian country, Bloomberg previously reported. Lawmakers crafted the export-control regulation as a blueprint that can be used by other EU member states and aim to publish it as soon as next week or in the

EDITORIAL: Taiwanese firms need to changeTaiwanese businesses need to come up with new ideas to manage their overseas employees, as they face risks to their competitive edge and profit base amid increasing globalization. There have been reports of its US employees complaining about long working hours, rigid management and unfair treatment. The chipmaker has said it has sent a human resources team to Europe to prepare for recruitment and comprehend the labor culture there. It has said one of its major challenges abroad has been negotiating with workers’ unions, an area Taiwanese companies are unfamiliar with. Most Taiwanese companies have to respect the differences in workplace culture and learn how to handle possible issues before they can profit from globalization.

Clock tells story of Indian populationAFP, MUMBAIIndia’s first population clock, made up of 10 white numbered cards on a large green metal board, attracts curious passersby who watch it record the story of the world’s most populous nation. A pedestrian walks past a population clock outside the International Institute for Population Sciences in Mumbai, India, on June 2. Photo: AFP“An extra slot had already been made in the clock, expecting that we were going to cross 1 billion,” International Institute for Population Sciences professor Chander Shekhar said in Mumbai, where the clock is. However, it was a controversial enforced-sterilization push in the 1970s that sparked public debates and spurred the institute to create the clock, Shekhar said. “We feel good when we update the board, as passersby can also see the growing population numbers,” 56-year-old security supervisor Salunkhe V.V.

New China export curbs soon: ASMLExport limits: Following US pressures on Dutch chipmaker ASML, new export controls are to be published as soon as 30 June to limit Chinese high-tech advances The Dutch government is planning to publish as soon as next week new export controls that would restrict more of ASML Holding NV’s chipmaking machines from being sent to China, sources said. The measures, which the government previously pledged to publish before the summer, would not mention China or ASML. However, they are designed to restrict the shipments of three models of the company’s machines to the Asian country, Bloomberg previously reported. Lawmakers crafted the export-control regulation as a blueprint that can be used by other EU member states and aim to publish it as soon as next week or in the

Could Ko’s push for a renewed services pact change their minds? STRUCTURE OF TRADE PACTMany have forgotten how the services pact was structured. The agreement opened only services in Fujian Province to Taiwan competition (but all of Taiwan was opened), making Taiwan in effect a territory of Fujian. Ko’s insistence that the “cross-strait agreement supervisory act” be passed was probably intended to blunt criticisms that the services pact was undemocratic. The services pact was backed by big business and big finance.

Taiwanese Lin, Chen win WTT doubles in TunisStaff writer, with CNATaiwanese paddlers Lin Yun-ju and Chen Szu-yu yesterday won the mixed doubles title at the World Table Tennis (WTT) Contender Tunis, beating South Korea’s Lim Jong-hoon and Shin Yubin 11-6, 13-11, 11-9 in just under 29 minutes. Although Lin and Chen started the third game strong, at one point boasting a 7-4 lead, Lim and Shin were determined to keep their title hopes alive, with the pairs eventually equalizing at 7-7 and then 9-9. Taiwanese table tennis star Chen Szu-yu, left, poses for a selfie with partner Lin Yun-ju after they won the mixed doubles final at the World Table Tennis Contender Tunis yesterday. Photo: screen grab from the World Table Tennis Web siteA strong forehand strike ended the game 11-9, handing Lin and Chen the victory. The title in Tunis was the second won by the duo, who also won in their debut together at the WTT Contender Almaty in September last year.

F-16s, Hercules to use civilian airport in drillsHAN KUANG EXERCISES: Military runways might be attacked during wartime, so civilian airports would play a critical role, a retired air force officer saidStaff writer, with CNAF-16 jets and C-130H Hercules transport aircraft are to take part in an emergency landing and takeoff drill next month held for the first time at a civilian airport, a military source said on Friday. An F-16V takes off from Hualien Jiashan Air Force Base during live-fire exercises on March 20. Taitung Fengnian Airport was ideal for the exercises, as it would be difficult to practice such drills at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Taipei International Airport (Songshan airport) or Kaohsiung International Airport given how busy they are, Chang said. The runway is only 400m shorter than the one at the Air Force Academy in Kaohsiung’s Gangshan District (岡山), he said. The landing distances for a F-16V Block 20 and Mirage 2000 are 810m and 610m respectively, he said.

The war has almost entirely halted the workings of Ukraine’s insurance market, which must be unlocked to private investors if its economy is to recover from the ravages of the conflict, the ministry said. Photo: Yang Cheng-yu, Taipei TimesTaiwan, Ukraine and other partners agreed that the ERBD should establish the Ukraine Recovery Guarantee Facility to make insurance products available in Ukraine while reducing risks to private insurers involved in the effort, the ministry said. The nation’s signing of the joint statement attested to Taiwan’s commitment to helping Ukraine, it said. In aiding Ukraine’s economic recovery Taipei is demonstrating once again that Taiwan can help, it said. The nation strives to be a force for good and Taipei is dedicated to providing aid to maintain Ukraine’s economy during the war and post-war reconstruction, it said.

TPP seeks presidency by splitting electorateBy Pan Wei-yiu 潘威佑Looking at this year’s presidential and legislative nomination process, the national development planning of the candidates and their pan-blue, green and white camps can be seen. Within the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), there has been a dispute over its nomination mechanism, as Hon Hai Group founder Terry Gou (郭台銘) again sought the party’s presidential nomination. Although the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), the main party in the pan-white camp, was expected to ally with the KMT, the rise of pan-blue camp support was seen as unfavorable to the TPP, which has gradually been marginalized. A TVBS poll released last month said that support for the KMT, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the TPP was 23, 22 and 12 percent respectively. A surprise surge such as that by the TPP and its candidate is rarely seen, and the phenomenon deserves attention.

Crusaders deliver against ChiefsSEVEN IN SEVEN: Despite the Chiefs having won 15 from 16 going into the final and injury worries for the Crusaders, the visitors battled to another trophyAP, HAMILTON, New ZealandScott Robertson yesterday ended his seven-year tenure as head coach of the Canterbury Crusaders with a seventh title after his team beat the Waikato Chiefs 25-20 in the Super Rugby Pacific final. The Canterbury Crusaders celebrate with the trophy after their win in the Super Rugby Pacific final against the Waikato Chiefs at FMG Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand, yesterday. The Waikato Chiefs’ Samisoni Taukei’aho runs with the ball during the Super Rugby Pacific final against the Canterbury Crusaders at FMG Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand, yesterday. The Waikato Chiefs’ Emoni Narawa, front, dives over for a try during the Super Rugby Pacific final against the Canterbury Crusaders at FMG Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand, yesterday. Canterbury Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson break dances after his team won the Super Rugby Pacific final against the Waikato Chiefs at FMG Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand, yesterday.

MOL working on raising female re-employmentBACK TO WORK? The government would offer companies willing to reduce working hours NT$3,000 in monthly subsidies to help women better balance work and life, Ho said. The goal is to reintroduce 70,000 women to the job market and raise the female labor participation rate to 53 percent, Ho said. According to the Key Points for Trialing the Special Subsidized Employment Project to Alleviate the Labor Shortage (專案缺工就業獎勵試辦實施要點), those working full-time at “short-staffed positions” are eligible for a monthly subsidy of NT$6,000. People working full-time in remote areas or outlying islands would be entitled to an additional NT$3,000.

Here’s how the first bite of ‘cell-cultivated’ meat tastesBy Jonel Aleccia / APWhen I told friends and family I was reporting on the first chicken meat grown from animal cells, their first comment was “Eww.” Their second comment was: “How does it taste?”The short answer (you’ve probably heard this sentence before in other contexts): Tastes like chicken. Yes, it’s strange to think of eating a totally new kind of meat — chicken that doesn’t come from a chicken, meat that will be sold as “cell-cultivated” chicken after the US Agriculture Department on Wednesday gave the green light to two California firms, Upside Foods and Good Meat. And in this case, to the larger question behind it: Is this new material in fact chicken, or is it an impostor? And the texture was both tender and chewy, like a well-cooked chicken thigh should be. There are still huge hurdles — how to scale up manufacturing and pare back costs, experts say, and the lingering question of whether chicken without the bird is, in fact, chicken — but if you’re basing it on authentic taste, I’ll leave you with this:Please pass the “chicken.”