The nation’s Aboriginal population has increased by 90,000 in the past 10 years, from more than 420,000 in 2001 to the more than 510,000 last year, according to latest statistics released by the Ministry of the Interior.
Among the increases, 120,000 more children between the age of 15 and 19 registered their Aboriginal identity last year, compared with 10 years ago, which is a 33.66 percent increase, the data showed.
Commenting on the phenomenon, Association of Taiwan Indigenous Peoples’ Policies member Pasang Hsiao (蕭世暉) said the increase in Aboriginal identity registration among adults shows that identifying oneself as Aborigine is rising, however, the increase among students could mean that those Aboriginal students want to take advantage of bonus points allocated for Aboriginal students in school entrance exams.
Mayaw Biho, a documentary director from the Amis tribe, agreed with Hsiao’s interpretation, saying that many students are changing their ethnic identity out of practical considerations, but added that many people are also doing so for “ethnic justice.”
Council of Indigenous Peoples Minister Sun Ta-chuan (孫大川) said the increase in the Aboriginal population is related to welfare incentives, but he believes that increased harmony among ethnic groups and less ethnic discrimination have also continued to increase the self-identity of Aborigines.
Currently, Aborigines enjoy benefits such as bonus points on entrance exams, as well as subsidies for pre-school education, study abroad, tuition, better old-age pensions and the right to buy or sell Aboriginal reserve lands to make up for the disadvantages experienced by Aborigines in the economy, education and employment.
However, Sun said that, based on the concept of equality as stated in the Constitution and the improvements in education and gaps in resources as many Aborigines move into cities, he has asked officials to look into setting up a threshold to exclude wealthier Aborigines from enjoying the benefits and welfare reserved for Aborigines.
The minister said the new measure is to avoid making non--Aborigines feel that they are deprived of certain rights due to ethnicity and thus prevent ethnic conflicts that such feelings could trigger, and leave the limited resources of the state to those who are most in need.
TRAFFIC SAFETY RULES: A positive result in a drug test would result in a two-year license suspension for the driver and vehicle, and a fine of up to NT$180,000 The Ministry of Transportation and Communications is to authorize police to conduct roadside saliva tests by the end of the year to deter people from driving while under the influence of narcotics, it said yesterday. The ministry last month unveiled a draft of amended regulations governing traffic safety rules and penalties, which included provisions empowering police to conduct mandatory saliva tests on drivers. While currently rules authorize police to use oral fluid testing kits for signs of drug use, they do not establish penalties for noncompliance or operating procedures for officers to follow, the ministry said. The proposed changes to the regulations require
The Executive Yuan yesterday announced that registration for a one-time universal NT$10,000 cash handout to help people in Taiwan survive US tariffs and inflation would start on Nov. 5, with payouts available as early as Nov. 12. Who is eligible for the handout? Registered Taiwanese nationals are eligible, including those born in Taiwan before April 30 next year with a birth certificate. Non-registered nationals with residence permits, foreign permanent residents and foreign spouses of Taiwanese citizens with residence permits also qualify for the handouts. For people who meet the eligibility requirements, but passed away between yesterday and April 30 next year, surviving family members
Taipei, New Taipei City, Keelung and Taoyuan would issue a decision at 8pm on whether to cancel work and school tomorrow due to forecasted heavy rain, Keelung Mayor Hsieh Kuo-liang (謝國樑) said today. Hsieh told reporters that absent some pressing reason, the four northern cities would announce the decision jointly at 8pm. Keelung is expected to receive between 300mm and 490mm of rain in the period from 2pm today through 2pm tomorrow, Central Weather Administration data showed. Keelung City Government regulations stipulate that school and work can be canceled if rain totals in mountainous or low-elevation areas are forecast to exceed 350mm in
China Airlines Ltd (CAL) yesterday morning joined SkyTeam’s Aviation Challenge for the fourth time, operating a demonstration flight for “net zero carbon emissions” from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to Bangkok. The flight used sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at a ratio of up to 40 percent, the highest proportion CAL has achieved to date, the nation’s largest carrier said. Since April, SAF has become available to Taiwanese international carriers at Taipei International Airport (Songshan airport), Kaohsiung International Airport and Taoyuan airport. In previous challenges, CAL operated “net zero carbon emission flights” to Singapore and Japan. At a ceremony at Taoyuan airport, China Airlines chief sustainability
RSS