The Control Yuan also instructed the Presidential Office and the National Security Bureau (NSB) to conduct reviews. Control Yuan members Kao Yung-cheng (高涌誠), Wang Mei-yu (王美玉) and Peter Chang (張武修) held a news conference at the Control Yuan in Taipei to make the announcement. From left, Control Yuan members Peter Chang, Kao Yung-cheng and Wang Mei-yu attend a news conference at the Control Yuan in Taipei yesterday to announce corrective notices issued to several government ministries and the Customs Administration over a cigarette smuggling case last year. The airline, in addition to proposing six major measures to prevent similar incidents, has held personnel involved in the case accountable, the MOTC said. “We will review any more suggestions from the Control Yuan and comply accordingly,” the it added.

Virus Outbreak: Minister cautious over Japan’s travel plansBy Dennis Xie / Staff writer, with CNAJapan’s plan to negotiate with Taiwan over mutually easing travel limitations shows Tokyo’s confidence in Taiwan’s efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19, but tourists returning from Japan could add pressure to the nation’s health system, Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung (陳時中) said yesterday. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday evening announced that his nation would begin talks with 12 countries, including Taiwan, to allow entry of businesspeople. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a news release that the Japanese move shows that Tokyo recognizes Taiwan’s achievement in curbing the pandemic. Vice President William Lai, right, and Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Chief Representative Hiroyasu Izumi, left, hold a discussion at the Presidential Office in Taipei yesterday. Taiwanese athletes selected for the postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympics model their Olympic kits at a news conference in Taipei yesterday.

Tsai touts local biomed sector at event openingBy Dennis Xie / Staff writer, with CNADuring the opening ceremony of the BIO Asia-Taiwan Exhibition yesterday in Taipei, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) expressed the hope that advancements in Taiwan’s biotechnology industry would usher in major business opportunities from abroad, allowing the sector to reach NT$1 trillion (US$339.50 billion) in annual production. Despite COVID-19, the annual biotech trade show attracted pharmaceutical and medical device companies from more than 500 nations, including the US, the UK, Australia, Switzerland and Malaysia. The five-day exhibition is the first in-person international biotechnology trade show in Asia since the outbreak of COVID-19. The nation would deregulate relevant laws to expedite the growth of the sector, she said. Meanwhile, the National Biotechnology Research Park in collaboration with several multi-national pharmaceutical companies, accelerators and venture capital firms yesterday opened an accelerator hub for biomedical start-ups.

Tuofu Bao allows people to use the electronic payment service of Jkopay Co Ltd (街口支付), fully owned by Jko Fintech, to buy into the “JKO Multi-Asset Fund,” which is managed by Jko Asset Management Co (街口投信). Jko Fintech chairman Kevin Hu (胡亦嘉) has said that the investment service would generate a return of 1.2 to 2.5 percent. The bureau on Wednesday barred Jko Asset Management from accepting any new capital through Tuofu Bao until the issue is resolved Tsai said. “Although Jko Fintech expects to sidestep FSC regulation, as it is not a financial company, the commission could still address the matter by regulating Jko Asset,” FSC Deputy Chairman Jean Chiu (邱淑貞) said. Jko Asset has an obligation to ensure the services offered by its partners are legal and compliant, even though the company is 25 percent owned by Jko Fintech, Chiu said.

Tourists should consider alternatives to east coastBy Shelley Shan / Staff reporterA large share of the subsidies for the second phase of “disease-prevention tours” have been spent on tours to five destinations — Hualien, Yilan, Taitung and Penghu counties, and Taichung — Tourism Bureau data showed yesterday. The bureau dismissed reports about a funding shortage, saying that there is still sufficient funding to cover subsidies to be paid out until October. A whale-watching tour boat is pictured off the coast of Hualien County yesterday. Photo: Wang Chun-chi, Taipei Times“To subsidize accommodation for independent travelers, funding is to be allocated to local governments in different stages. If they have used up 80 percent of funds allocated to them, they can apply for a second round of funding,” the bureau said.

Inter draw leaves Juve one win from gloryAFP, MILAN, ItalyInter’s goalless draw with ACF Fiorentina on Wednesday left Juventus needing just one more win to claim a ninth consecutive Serie A title. Inter’s Romelu Lukaku, top, heads the ball against ACF Fiorentina in their Serie A match at San Siro in Milan, Italy, on Wednesday. Elsewhere, AS Roma moved back into fifth place ahead of AC Milan, who beat US Sassuolo on Tuesday, after routing already-relegated SPAL 6-1. Roma are two points ahead of Milan, with the two teams already assured of a spot in the UEFA Europa League next season. At the bottom of the table, Genoa beat city rivals UC Sampdoria 2-1 to stay four points ahead of US Lecce, who occupy the final relegation place.

Notwithstanding its “one-China” policy, India is looking at ways to strengthen its ties with Taiwan. Intensifying business ties with Taiwan would also reduce India’s dependence on Chinese electronics and communication supplies. Taiwan sees India as a key partner in its New Southbound Policy, which focuses on developing its ties with South and Southeast Asia. An official report by the Indian Parliamentary Standing Committee in 2018 on India-China relations, called for stronger ties with Taiwan. Many Indian experts are urging their government to collaborate with Taiwan on India’s Indo-Pacific strategic vision, and to not see Taiwan through China’s lens.

Legislature votes to update passport and CAL’s nameBy Sean Lin / Staff reporterThe Legislative Yuan yesterday resolved to update the nation’s passport to highlight the Chinese and English for “Taiwan,” and to devise “feasible” ways to rename state-run China Airlines Ltd (CAL, 中華航空) to differentiate it from its Chinese counterpart, Air China. Taiwan Statebuilding Party Legislator Chen Po-wei comments on a resolution in favor of highlighting the word “Taiwan” on the passport at the Legislative Yuan in Taipei yesterday. The ministry in the long term should devise feasible ways to change the English-language name of China Airlines, it says. The ministry said that it has instructed the China Aviation Development Foundation (中華航空事業發展基金會) — China Airlines’ largest shareholder — to form a consultancy team to discuss the legislature’s resolution. China Airlines said that it had no comment on the resolution.

There are follow-up volumes proposed on books on Taiwan translated from Chinese and gay Asia in 100 books. Taiwan in 100 Books, in other words, is just the beginning. TAIWAN IN 100 BOOKS by John Grant Ross. John Ross, one of the triumvirate that runs Camphor Press, is a veritable polymath, and the extent of his knowledge is astonishing. And his praise at the end of his book for John Groot’s Taiwanese Feet: My Walk Around Taiwan came as a surprise; I found the book interesting at best.

Lin made the announcement before attending the Taiwan Island-Hopping Cruise Ship Tours Summit in Taipei. The Tourism Bureau said that the subsidies had not been canceled, just suspended. The Maritime and Port Bureau and Tourism Bureau have also been preparing for the launch of the “Year of Island-Hopping Tour” in 2023, Lin added. Starting in October, there would be cruise ship tours around Taiwan proper, which would stop at Keelung, Taichung, Kaohsiung and Hualien before returning to Keelung. Should the pandemic ease, the bureau would allow international tourists to fly to nation and join the island-hopping tours, it said.

Virus Outbreak: CIER lifts GDP forecast on stimulusWEALTH EFFECT: The Triple Stimulus Vouchers might boost GDP growth by 0.44 percentage points and private consumption to 1.33 percent, the CIER head saidBy Crystal Hsu / Staff reporterThe Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER, 中華經濟研究院) yesterday raised its forecast for Taiwan’s GDP growth this year to 1.77 percent, from a previous estimate of 1.03 percent, as private consumption might stage a comeback fueled by the government’s Triple Stimulus Vouchers. It is the first upgrade to Taiwan’s GDP growth forecast since COVID-19 broke out in late January, prompting research institutes at home and abroad to cut projections, citing concerns over tepid consumer spending and exports. A sales clerk accepts a customer’s payment using a Triple Stimulus Voucher in Taichung yesterday. Photo: Chang Ching-ya, Taipei Times“The stimulus vouchers of NT$3,000 per person might boost GDP growth by 0.44 percentage points,” meaning the institute would have to raise the growth rate anyhow, CIER president Chang Chuang-chang (張傳章) said. Taiwan’s quick control of the virus outbreak has enabled people to lead a normal life with minimal social distancing requirements, the economist said.

DPP councilor criticizes silence on twin-city forumBy Lee I-chia / Staff reporterTaipei City Councilor Chien Shu-pei (簡舒培) yesterday criticized city officials for refusing to disclose the names of people participating in this year’s Taipei-Shanghai forum. Democratic Progressive Party Taipei City Councilor Chien Shu-pei, center, speaks to reporters in an undated photograph. Photo: Yang Hsin-hui, Taipei TimesThe forum, which begins today, is being held online, as the COVID-19 pandemic has prevented Shanghai officials from traveling to Taiwan. Asked about Chien’s criticism, Chou said the city government does not have to get a nod from China to make its decisions. The names of Chinese participants have always been released after the forums to help protect the their privacy, he said.

Oxford wants to establish ties with Taiwanese townBy Lin Chia-nan / Staff reporterThe Oxford City Council on Monday passed a motion to establish sister-city ties with a municipality in Taiwan, adding that such a move would be separate from the UK’s official recognition of China. The motion was made by Oxford City Councilor Stephen Goddard and seconded by Oxford City Councilor Elizabeth Wade — members of the Liberal Democrats party — and passed after a proposal from Oxford City Councilor Mary Clarkson of the Labour Party to find a candidate from a grassroots-level municipality was added. Oxford has twin city and town ties with several places in Europe, the Middle East and the Americas, but not in East Asia, the motion on the council’s Web site read. Photo: Lu Yi-hsuan, Taipei TimesNo UK town or city is twinned with any municipality in Taiwan, it added. Oxford is renowned for its history, the University of Oxford and high-tech firms, Ou said, adding that the motion would advance city-to-city and people-to-people interactions.

Lawmakers slog through lay judge system reviewRIVAL VERSIONS: The KMT said the DPP had sold out the public by opting for a system that would allow professionals to dominate the lay judge processBy Jake Chung / Staff writer, with CNALawmakers yesterday continued to slog through a review of a draft “national judge act” that began on Monday afternoon, covering only one-third of the act, or 37 articles, by noon. Lawmakers in the main chamber of the Legislative Yuan in Taipei yesterday review draft bills, including those for a lay judges system, during yesterday’s meeting of an extraordinary session. As of press time last night, lawmakers were expected to review draft articles on lay judges obtaining days off from work, and on whether lay judges would have access to the dossier and evidence. The KMT’s version of the act is that of a moderated lay judge system, which was formulated after much discussion with experts and civic groups, Lin said. The KMT’s version, which would utilize a lay judge system and jury system simultaneously, shows the true spirit of reform, he said.

Solar panels are pictured on the rooftop of the Legislative Yuan’s Zhengjiang House in Taipei yesterday. Changing the transmission frequency of the power inverters could disrupt the electricity grids, sending them into safety mode and triggering blackouts, they said. No central government departments or agencies are using Huawei products, the source added. It would comply with the government’s information safety rules and not use Chinese products, it said. Legislative Yuan Secretary-General Lin Chih-chia (林志嘉) yesterday said that he had ordered that the power inverters be promptly torn down, adding that Huawei products are strictly prohibited.