The industrial transformation of southern Taiwan hinges on smart technology, Vice President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday, adding that digital innovation could enhance the value of traditional heavy industries.
“Kaohsiung is known as the city of heavy industries in Taiwan, with petrochemicals being one of them. With the aid of digital technology, we can upgrade the industrial chain, which would benefit the residents of southern Taiwan,” Lai said at the National Competitiveness in Digitization — Talent Circulation Alliance in Kaohsiung.
The event was organized by the Digital Information and Governance Innovation Association of the Legislative Yuan (DIGIA-LY), the American Institute in Taiwan and the Ministry of Economic Affairs to highlight industrial innovation.
Photo: CNA
New and emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of things (IoT), cloud computing, big data analysis, blockchain and Industry 4.0 are areas that can help transform and add more value to the city’s industries, Lai said.
Hopefully, the event can help nurture more talent in southern Taiwan and narrow the rural-urban gap in human resources, he added.
The Talent Circulation Alliance was established in April last year by the AIT in conjunction with several ministries and government agencies to transform Taiwan into a hub for international talent, said Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Liu Shih-fang (劉世芳), who also heads the DIGIA-LY.
The government and the AIT also released a Talent Circulation Alliance White Paper last month at a ceremony attended by President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), Liu added.
Former vice premier Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) said that Taiwan should allocate more resources to the development of 5G and artificial intelligence of things (AIoT), and facilitate more cooperation between Taiwanese and foreign talent.
If elected as Kaohsiung mayor, Chen, who is representing the Democratic Progressive Party in the Aug. 15 by-election, said that he plans to set up a committee dedicated to the promotion of the digital economy, and use smart technology to upgrade transportation in the city’s remote areas.
Pingtung County Commissioner Pan Men-an (潘孟安) said the county has incorporated big data analysis into the fields of transportation and agriculture.
Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che (黃偉哲) talked about the importance of promoting digital awareness, citing data showing that only about 16 percent of the Triple Stimulus Vouchers claimed were in digital form, which means more expenditure on printing.
Asked whether he would stump for Chen in his campaign rallies, Lai said that arrangements have yet to be made.
Additional reporting by CNA
The Taipei Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Wanda-Zhonghe Line is 81.7 percent complete, with public opening targeted for the end of 2027, New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) said today. Surrounding roads are to be open to the public by the end of next year, Hou said during an inspection of construction progress. The 9.5km line, featuring nine underground stations and one depot, is expected to connect Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall Station to Chukuang Station in New Taipei City’s Jhonghe District (中和). All 18 tunnels for the line are complete, while the main structures of the stations and depot are mostly finished, he
Taipei is to implement widespread road closures around Taipei 101 on Friday to make way for large crowds during the Double Ten National Day celebration, the Taipei Department of Transportation said. A four-minute fireworks display is to be launched from the skyscraper, along with a performance by 500 drones flying in formation above the nearby Nanshan A21 site, starting at 10pm. Vehicle restrictions would occur in phases, they said. From 5pm to 9pm, inner lanes of Songshou Road between Taipei City Hall and Taipei 101 are to be closed, with only the outer lanes remaining open. Between 9pm and 9:40pm, the section is
The first global hotel Keys Selection by the Michelin Guide includes four hotels in Taiwan, Michelin announced yesterday. All four received the “Michelin One Key,” indicating guests are to experience a “very special stay” at any of the locations as the establishments are “a true gem with personality. Service always goes the extra mile, and the hotel provides much more than others in its price range.” Of the four hotels, three are located in Taipei and one in Taichung. In Taipei, the One Key accolades were awarded to the Capella Taipei, Kimpton Da An Taipei and Mandarin Oriental Taipei. Capella Taipei was described by
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vancouver, Canada, on Saturday hosted a reception to celebrate Double Ten National Day. Conservative Canadian lawmaker Marc Dalton called Taiwan a “beacon of courage and resilience in the face of rising authoritarianism,” according to a post on the Taiwan in Vancouver Facebook page. Also in attendance were fellow conservative caucus members Tako Van Popta and Chak Au, who said that Taiwan plays an “indispensable role” in ensuring global peace, prosperity and stability due to its strategic position in the Indo-Pacific region, it said. Canadian lawmaker Michael Cooper also recorded a message wishing Taiwan a