The government is not engaged in currency manipulation, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said today, adding that the nation’s currency has always been stable as he promised to investigate any illegal activities.
The New Taiwan dollar has increased in value relative to the US dollar by NT$1.872 in two days, leading to major movements in foreign exchange markets and central bank Governor Yang Chin-long (楊金龍) bringing up the possibility of currency traders influencing the exchange rate.
Photo: Taipei Times
The rapid appreciation of NT dollar happens as Taiwan and the US continue their trade negotiations.
Prior to a legislative hearing today, Cho answered questions from the media.
Taiwan is not a country that manipulates exchange rates, Cho said, adding that currency speculators would not be allowed to undermine or influence it.
The government has asked the central bank and other financial institutions to conduct strict investigations, he said.
The government hopes that the exchange rate would quickly stabilize, he said.
The central bank would hold discussions with affected industries and financial institutions, he said, expressing optimism that the public would maintain its confidence in Taiwan’s past economic growth and continued development.
Cho also answered questions about tariffs and how the first round of negotiations between Taiwan and the US has proceeded.
The US set a deadline in early this month for other countries and negotiating partners to submit their comments, but this does not mark a new stage of negotiations, he said.
Last week’s in-person negotiations went well, he said, adding that discussions did not touch on exchange rates or other currency matters.
The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association has cautioned Japanese travelers to be vigilant against pickpockets at several popular tourist spots in Taiwan, including Taipei’s night markets, the Yongkang Street area, Zhongshan MRT Station, and Jiufen (九份) in New Taipei City. The advisory, titled “Recent Development of Concerns,” was posted on the association’s Web site under its safety and emergency report section. It urges travelers to keep backpacks fully zipped and carried in front, with valuables placed at the bottom of the bag. Visitors are advised to be especially mindful of their belongings when taking photos or speaking on the phone, avoid storing wallets and
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A fourth public debate was held today about restarting the recently decommissioned Ma-anshan Nuclear Power Plant, ahead of a referendum on the controversial issue to be held in less than two weeks. A referendum on Aug. 23 is to ask voters if they agree that “the Ma-anshan Nuclear Power Plant should continue operations upon approval by the competent authority and confirmation that there are no safety concerns.” Anyone over 18 years of age can vote in the referendum. The vote comes just three months after its final reactor shut down, officially making Taiwan nuclear-free. Taiwan People’s Party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) represented
Scoot announced yesterday that starting in October, it would increase flights between Taipei and Japan’s Narita airport and Hokkaido, and between Singapore and Taipei. The low-cost airline, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, also said it would launch flights to Chiang Rai in Thailand, Okinawa and Tokyo’s Haneda airport between December and March next year. Flights between Singapore and Chiang Rai would begin on Jan. 1, with five flights per week operated by an Embraer E190-E2 aircraft, Scoot said. Flights between Singapore and Okinawa would begin on Dec. 15, with three flights per week operated by Airbus A320 aircraft, the airline said. Services between Singapore