title: 觀光局染病員工發聲明 強調毋是主動接機

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針對日前，基層員工接待觀光局主任秘書的後生，煞染著武漢肺炎的風波。這位員工也透過交通部發出聲明掰會，強調伊無主動去接待，也毋捌長官的後生，更加無親情關係。交通部次長黃玉霖表示，會共代誌查清楚。

交通部觀光局駐桃園機場旅遊服務中心的約聘員工，案269，日前接待觀光局官員返台的兒子，因此感染武漢肺炎，就連自己五歲大的孩子，也被牽連染疫。

案269在1號首度對外發表聲明，強調，接待官員的孩子，是基於工作職責，絕對不是外界說的主動接機。從頭到尾都不認識長官的兒子，並沒有無所謂的「叔姪關係」。說我心並無大志，只求穩定工作生活，身體健康陪伴孩子成長。倘若定調為由我「主動陪同」，有拍馬屁，抱大腿的意圖，會不會太過沉重？！最後，我也要慎重對無辜遭波及的幼兒園師生及家長，表達最深地歉意。

由於觀光局機場主任曾公開表示是染疫員工自願前往接機,但約聘員工聲明顯然和觀光局說詞有相當大的落差,中央流行疫情指揮中心指揮官陳時中坦承,案269和觀光局長官兒子案277是叔姪關係，這個第一時間收到的訊息，並不正確。

究竟接待任務，是指派，還是員工主動接機，觀光局到截稿前，尚未回應。

周永暉也證實觀光局新人事令出爐，內勤主管遭撤職，改調簡任秘書，張姓主任，也被調回局本部原先秘書工作。同時表示針對這位約聘員工，不會祭出懲處，並指派專人，致送慰問金,希望讓他們父子生活照應的支持。


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新冠疫情(COVID-19)全球發威，防疫基本功就是外出佩戴口罩，長時間被罩著，不少美眉發現肌膚開始鬧憋扭，紛紛出現粉刺、敏感、脫屑等問題，保養達人提醒，口罩下的肌膚務必使用保濕修護維持油水平衡，有效修復提升肌膚抵抗力，美肌實力突破「罩」門，才能安然度過疫情非常時期。

夏季的腳步還沒到，不少人最近猛冒痘！肌膚長時間悶在口罩裡，說話、呼吸產生的水氣卻因為空氣不流通、皮膚又常接觸摩擦，讓原本狀況不錯的肌膚出現泛紅、敏感變成問題肌，這些蠢蠢欲動的口罩痘真讓人大感困擾！

非常時期對應口罩問題肌症候群，知名日系保養品牌黛珂提出居家「罩」護清潔、保濕修護、強化肌膚三步驟。早在1992年採用多重層微脂囊體技術的「保濕美容液」，20年多年來就是因為優異保濕效果成為女性保養經典、必備單品。只要確實做好清潔、利用保濕修護來強化肌膚屏障，相信拿下口罩肌膚依舊水嫩動人。

「保濕美容液明星組」是母親節必搶組合。 圖／黛珂 提供
想像一下洋蔥剝開層層疊疊的結構，黛珂「保濕美容液」就是運用多重層微脂囊體，把蘊含其中的高密度潤澤和美容成份提供肌膚潤澤，和肌膚每個部位融合一體，滲透到肌底，從囊體外側一點一滴不間斷、長時間的釋放。調理紊亂不平整的肌膚紋理，使用過後會感覺肌膚表面當飽滿、亮透，整個膚質的保水度維持在最佳狀態，再加上不含活性介面劑與酒精的成分，可以說是打造現理想美肌的夢幻逸品。

全日本製造的黛珂「保濕美容液」建議在洗臉後第一步驟使用，在掌心按壓保濕美容液2到3次輕拍，讓生化玻尿酸、問荊淬取液、維他命E、白樺淬取液吸收，瞬間感受來自高品質保養品的安心呵護。

現在上官方購物網站，母親節四重優惠享不完。 圖／黛珂 提供
隨疫情升溫，防疫主管機關一再呼籲減少群聚，不少宅在家的消費者紛紛轉向網路購物，利用電子商務解決生活大小事。看準這波新型態的消費趨勢，黛珂同步推出官方購物網站優惠，母親節檔期線上線下美麗不漏接！現在註冊新會員即有100元購物金，還有隱藏版超殺入門組合優惠活動。

黛珂官方EC: https://ecshop.cosmedecorte.com.tw/

title: 口罩下護膚對策 這一瓶必備


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大樂透頭獎再度摃龜，台灣彩券公司預估，4月3日頭獎金額上看新台幣4億元；若一注獨得，將為大樂透今年最高頭獎！

大樂透自今（109）年2月7日在桃園市開出3.73億元頭獎、1注獨得後，至今頭獎已連續15期都摃龜。台灣彩券公司預估，週五開獎的大樂透銷售金額可望達到1.45億元，也使得本期開獎的大樂透頭獎，有望進一步衝上4億元。

title: 今年最高！大樂透4/3頭獎衝4億


title: 英國新增新冠肺炎563死 單日死亡人數達新高

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英國連續兩天刷新武漢肺炎病故人數，今天新增563例死亡，比昨天381人大幅增加，總數來到2352人。71歲的英國王儲查爾斯王子今天在確診後第一次現身，描述在隔離期間的體驗。

根據官方數據，截至今天上午9時，英國的2019冠狀病毒疾病（COVID-19，武漢肺炎）確診人數為2萬9474人，比昨天新增4324例。

英國正在實施嚴格的3週禁足令，目前邁入第2週。政府呼籲民眾保持社交距離，但專家表示，可能要一段時間才能見到成效。

英國國家醫療保健服務（NHS）醫療總監波維斯（Stephen Powis）曾表示，將會先看到感染人數降低，接著是住院人數降低，然後才會出現死亡人數降低。「這會花上一段時間。」

英國知名政要先後傳出確診。英國首相強生（Boris Johnson）正在隔離當中，查爾斯王子（PrinceCharles）則是已經解除隔離。

在王室臉書張貼的影片中，查爾斯王子坐在書桌前表示，他之前感染新型冠狀病毒，幸運的是症狀相對輕微。

他表示，隔離是一段奇怪、令人沮喪，而且壓力很大的體驗，無法見到親友，生活也無法維持常態。

查爾斯王子表示，全國上下不分年齡的人都受到這個病毒影響，有許多善心的鄰居、義工正在幫助最容易受病毒感染的脆弱族群。他也感謝所有醫護人員的奉獻。

他表示，英國正面對嚴峻的挑戰，沒有人知道這段挑戰什麼時候會結束，但它必定會結束。直到那時，希望大家懷抱希望，對自己和他人保持信心，期待更好的時刻終將到來。

events: 新冠肺炎 死亡 冠狀病毒 COVID-19 武漢肺炎


countries: 新加坡 澳洲

events: 新冠肺炎 武漢肺炎 COVID-19 冠狀病毒

content_text:
2019冠狀病毒疾病（COVID-19，武漢肺炎）疫情加劇，新加坡今天新增74起確診病例，其中有20起是境外移入，確診累計達到1000起。

新加坡衛生部晚間公告，新增的74起確診病例中，有54起是本地感染病例，其中的29起與先前病例有關，25起沒有關連，有關當局正追蹤曾與患者接觸的人。

新增的20起境外移入患者曾赴澳洲、歐洲、南美、非洲、東協國家與其他亞洲地區。

由於從英美返國人數下滑，新加坡境外移入病例降低，防疫措施重心將轉向控制本地病例散播。

title: 新加坡新冠肺炎增74例 確診累計達1000起


content_text:
今天是愚人節，國民黨青年團在臉書粉絲團PO出「K（KMT）←1.5M→Young」自嘲國民黨與年輕人的距離相差1.5公尺，並標籤「不解釋、保持安全距離」，呼應中央指揮中心明定室內社交距離要保持1.5公尺的新規，不過另一個粉絲團「國民黨青年部」竟留言酸：「才1.5M？」

國民黨青年團是國民黨中央委員會革命實踐研究院的單位之一，馬英九在2006年當選國民黨主席後成立。國民黨青年部則是屬於國民黨中央委員會組織發展委員會下的單位。由於青年團比較晚成立，兩個青年單位過去就不時有內訌、不合傳言流出。

但國民黨與年輕人的距離到底有多遠？有網友在底下說，「應該是不止....笑著笑著就哭了」，還有人說「我猜是km」。不過也有網友替國民黨加油，說國民黨與年輕人只剩1.5米，慢慢接近中。

國民黨青年團在臉書粉絲團PO出「K（KMT）←1.5M→Young」自嘲國民黨與年輕人的距離相差1.5公尺。圖／翻攝國民黨青年團臉書

references: 臉書 網友

title: 與年輕人距離不只1.5M？國民黨青年部臉書酸青年團


title: ICE棉花期貨下跌5%至48.5美分/磅。

content_text: 如果您繼續閱讀，視同您同意我們隱私條款。This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By clicking agree you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy..


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日期:2日凌晨，美股周三午盤繼續下滑。冠狀病毒疫情造成的經濟衝擊使避險需求提高。美國總統特朗普警告稱未來兩周將「非常艱難」。多位華爾街大佬預計美股暴跌遠未結束。

道指跌695.66點，或3.17%，報21221.50點；納指跌210.42點，或2.73%，報7489.68點；標普500指數跌88.36點，或3.42%，報2496.23點。

美股銀行股下挫，摩根士丹利、高盛、摩根大通、美國銀行、紐約梅隆銀行等普遍走低。受油價下跌影響，原油板塊也普遍下滑。

美國疫情繼續蔓延 特朗普預計未來兩周「非常艱難」

美國約翰斯-霍普金斯大學發佈的實時統計數據顯示，全球累計確診885687例，累計死亡44156例。其中，美國確診190089例，死亡超4000例。目前，全美已有26個州確診病例超過千人。

美國官方對冠狀病毒爆發的前景預期越來越悲觀。據白宮預計，美國死於冠狀病毒肺炎疫情的人數將達到24萬。

在周二晚間舉行的白宮簡報會上，美國總統特朗普表示，隨著美國冠狀病毒疫情在美國繼續蔓延，預計未來兩周「將非常非常艱難」。

周二美國新冠病毒死亡病例達到800例，為迄今單日最高死亡人數。特朗普敦促所有美國人在4月底之前都要遵守聯邦政府的保持社交距離相關指引，他還強調，遵守防疫指南「事關生死」

美國國家過敏和傳染病研究所所長安東尼-福西博士（Dr． Anthony Fauci）對美國有線電視新聞網表示，社交隔離措施正在幫助減少冠狀病毒的傳播，他開始看到「一線希望」。

病毒疫情的蔓延使全球各國普遍實行居家隔離令，導致旅遊等行業實質性中斷，並導致其他許多業務運營暫停，整體經濟都受到巨大影響。

高盛周二進一步大幅下調美國第二季經濟預估，預測美國第二季度的國內生產總值（GDP）將環比下降34%，並預計到今年年中失業率將升至15%。

美聯儲宣布已委派貝萊德金融市場諮詢委員會代紐約聯儲開展救市計劃。貝萊德稱，兩項公司債購買機制，PMCCF（一級市場公司信貸融資）的具體細節條款會儘快發佈，SMCCP（二級市場公司信貸融資）也會儘快實行。

美股一季度暴跌 華爾街大佬預計暴跌遠未結束

冠狀病毒大流行已經導致美國全國經濟停滯，商業生產停頓，並使數百萬的美國工人失業。前所未有的社會動蕩造成了前所未見的財務困境和動蕩，最終導致道指和標普500指數錄得歷史上最大的第一季度跌幅。

隨著全球冠狀病毒的爆發，美股三大股指在今年第一季度都出現了驚人的下跌。道指在3月重挫13.74%，創2008年10月以來最大月度跌幅；該指數在第一季度下跌23.2%，創1987年以來最大季度跌幅，以及有史以來最大的第一季度跌幅。

標普指數在3月暴跌12.51%，創2008年以來的最大月度跌幅。該指數在第一季度下跌20%，創2008年以來的最大季度跌幅，以及1938年以來最大的第一季度跌幅。納指在3月下跌10.12%，在第一季度下跌14.18%。

能源板塊成為標普500指數中最大的落後者，今年迄今下跌了51%。這與原油價格的急劇下跌相吻合——同期美國WTI原油錄得史上最大季度和月度跌幅。截至本周二，WTI原油在第一季度下挫超過66%。在冠狀病毒疫情打擊原油需求的同時，沙烏地阿拉伯已發誓要在4月份將其石油產量提高到創紀錄水平，這進一步加大了原油價格的下行壓力。

DoubleLine Capital首席執行官、號稱「新債王」的岡拉克（Jeffrey Gundlach）周二表示，冠狀病毒驅動的市場潰敗將在4月份再次惡化，屆時美股將跌破3月份的低點。

岡拉克表示：「我敢打賭，美股將會跌破我們在3月中旬觸及的低點。現在市場確實遇到了阻力位，並且從最低點有所反彈，走出了3月份的低谷，但我們還會經歷一個更加持久的低谷。」

岡拉克還說，股票很長時間都不會達到近期高點，他將當前的股票狂跌與1929年、2000年和2007年的情形進行了比較。他說，在1929年的拋售期間，市場「橫盤整理」了將近一年，然後經濟再次惡化。

資深投資者吉姆-羅傑斯（Jim Rogers）昨日也警告稱，情況將會進一步惡化。羅傑斯表示，在出現極度悲觀情緒之後，目前的市場反彈可能會持續一段時間，但另一輪崩跌即將來臨。這是由於新冠病毒疫情造成經濟損失、高債務水平和低利率的三重打擊。

羅傑斯在接受電話採訪時表示，「未來幾年，我們將遭遇我有生以來見到的最糟糕熊市。」

ADP就業數據減少2.7萬 專家稱其尚未完全反映疫情影響

經濟數據面，有「小非農」之稱的美國3月ADP就業人數下降2.7萬，為2017年9月以來首次下降，預期降15萬，前值增18.3萬。

ADP就業數據公司副總裁表示，3月份的數據並沒有完全反映出冠狀病毒肺炎疫情對就業形勢的最新影響。

本周美國就業市場遭遇大考，ADP就業、初請失業金和3月非農就業相繼出爐。作為非農的先行指標，ADP衡量的是非農業私營部門就業情況的月度變化，而私營中小企業在此次冠狀病毒肺炎疫情的衝擊下損失慘重。在美國，僱員人數低於500人的中小企業佔了總僱用人數的47%。

分析師指出，今日的ADP就業人數錄得下降2.7萬人，這突出了該調查的「缺陷」，因為3月就業崗位減少的數量遠大於此。本周五的非農數據也難以體現就業崗位的下降，因為調查是在大規模封鎖措施之前進行的。

穆迪估計，目前約有40%中小企業只能裁員。美國一般中小企業握有的現金只能支撐30-60天，但政府貸款撥款的時間可能是在數周或數個月之後。

不過，由於統計周期和統計方式的原因，3月ADP和非農就業數據料有所「失真」，無法完全反映疫情的衝擊。儘管名義上是反映3月就業市場表現的指標，但ADP、非農報告和勞工部大部分此類就業報告一樣，統計時是基於涵蓋當月第12天所在周或工資期的調查。

ING集團認為，考慮到3月非農就業報告的調查覆蓋時間，疫情對本次非農數據的影響可能還相對較輕，但鑒於3月初美國企業就開始裁員且停止招聘，我們仍可能會看到非農數據轉為負數，失業率可能飆升。到了4月，非農降幅恐將達到數百萬人。

也有官員認為，美國就業市場大幅走軟可能只是暫時的。美國聖路易斯聯儲主席布拉德表示，美國的失業數據是空前的，但這是一個特別的季度，等疫情結束，並且政府應對正確，那麼大家很快就能重返工作崗位，一切都會好起來。

據美國抵押銀行家協會（MBA）周三表示，截至3月27日當周，經季節性調整的美國的抵押貸款申請較前一周增長了15.3%。而在截至3月20日的一周，此項貸款申請下降29.4%。

美國3月Markit製造業PMI為48.5，前值49.2，預期48。IHS Markit公司表示，對企業關閉的時間長度以及此後復甦的擔憂導致消費者信心降至2012年7月以來最差。

機構評美國3月Markit製造業PMI數據：美國製造業在三月萎縮，製造業的經濟活動創2009年以來新低，因冠狀病毒肺炎大流行導致出現大範圍的短缺。製造商們裁員的速度為2009年十月以來最快。需求疲軟導致企業處理手頭工作速度為2009年以來最快。

焦點個股

德意志銀行、美國銀行、富國銀行、巴克萊等銀行股普遍走低。

在美上市英國銀行大跌，滙豐控股、蘇格蘭皇家銀行、巴克萊銀行、勞埃德等銀行均表示將取消去年分紅，並暫停今年的股息支付，也不會進行任何股票回購。

美國航空集團、美國聯合航空、達美航空、波音等航空股表現疲軟。

埃克森美孚、哈利伯頓、斯倫貝謝、雪佛龍等石油股下挫。

蘋果股價走低。富士康向投資者保證5G iPhone可在今年秋季推出。

梅西百貨下跌，此前該公司遭剔除出標普500指數。

摩根大通下調AT&T評級至中性。

富國銀行將美國國際集團目標價從66美元降至38美元。

其他市場

因對冠狀病毒疫情惡化侵蝕著全球經濟基礎，周三亞洲股市收跌，其中日本日經225指數收盤重挫4.5%。

歐洲股市面，富時泛歐績優300指數初步收跌3.15%，報1220.59點。 歐元區STOXX 50指數收跌4.39%，報2664.55點。 西班牙IBEX 35指數收跌2.93%。

WTI原油拉升轉漲，目前漲0.7%，報20.63美元/桶。布油跌幅收窄至3.7%，重回25美元關口。

除了美元反彈，歐元、英鎊、澳元、紐元等G10貨幣悉數下跌。

things: 油價 iPhone 經濟 防疫

events: 死亡 冠狀病毒 新冠病毒

countries: 日本 英國 西班牙 美國 沙烏地阿拉伯

title: 午盤：美股維持跌勢 特朗普稱未來兩周將「非常艱難」


title: 農銀匯理基金2019凈利降39% 公募產品規模縮水180億元

content_text:
新浪財經訊 近期上市公司年報陸續披露，許多基金公司作為上市公司的重要參股公司，經營業績也隨著上市公司年報一同浮出水面。

iFind數據顯示，2019年金鷹基金，農銀匯理基金，國聯安基金，長盛基金，申萬菱信基金，華富基金，光大保德信基金，中銀基金，建信基金，招商基金凈利增速為負。

農銀匯理基金管理有限公司成立於2008年3月，註冊資本人民幣17.5億元，農業銀行持股51.67%。公司業務性質：基金募集、基金銷售、資產管理。主要產品有股票型、混合型、債券型、貨幣市場基金。截至2019年12月31日，農銀匯理基金管理有限公司總資產35.95億元，凈資產31.67億元，全年實現凈利潤2.67 億元，比2018降低39%。


title: 盧森堡新增新冠肺炎確診病例141例 累計確診2319例

content_text: 當地時間4月1日下午，據盧森堡衛生部門最新通報，過去24小時，其境內新增新冠肺炎確診病例141例，累計確診2319例。其中死亡病例新增6例，共計29例。另據統計，自疫情暴發以來，盧森堡已進行了18690次新冠病毒檢測。（央視新聞）...

events: 新冠肺炎 新冠病毒 死亡


title: 美國副總統彭斯表示，正在研究發佈將口罩作為預防性措施的命令。


content_text:
原標題：入選央視「品牌強國工程」，平安福20保險產品計劃重磅上市

4月1日，中國平安人壽保險股份有限公司（下稱「平安人壽」或「公司」）主力保障型產品平安福煥新上市。同日，平安福20保險產品計劃（以下簡稱「平安福20」）登陸中央電視台，於央視綜合頻道及新聞頻道《新聞聯播》播出前時段與全國觀眾見面。作為保險業內首家入選中央廣播電視總台2020「品牌強國工程」的企業，中國平安將依託央視平台，打造保險旗艦品牌名片，助力品牌強國戰略推進。

平安人壽表示，公司積極響應監管號召，堅持「保險姓保」，對包括平安福在內的多款產品進行改造優化，以更好地服務客戶保險保障需求。作為平安人壽保障旗艦產品，平安福問世7年以來，歷經多次迭代升級，保障深度、廣度不斷提升，系列產品累計已銷售超過2000萬件，賠付超過100億元，為千萬家庭構築健康風險防線。

據了解，平安福20兼具「健康促進、保險保障、保障增長」等特點，為客戶打造覆蓋「疾病發生前、疾病發生時、疾病發生后」的保障閉環，守護客戶健康幸福生活。

事前：運動有獎，促進健康習慣養成

平安福20客戶可參與「健康行･平安RUN･健行天下」計劃(以下簡稱「平安RUN」)。該計劃由平安人壽與平安健康險聯合推出，將保險保障與健康管理緊密結合，對傳統保險保障服務進行了拓展。這種「保險+健康」的模式旨在改變傳統保險只為客戶提供經濟補償的後端保障機制，把對客戶的健康管理前置，是平安人壽踐行「產品+」戰略的重要舉措。

具體而言，平安RUN設置周月年三重運動目標，長短結合、由易到難，達成相應運動步數即可獲得相應獎勵。周獎勵、月獎勵容易達成、獲得頻率高;年獎勵跟責任結合，達成年目標后，重疾、身故保障將增加5%或10%的基本保額，且終身有效。

事中：輕症重疾保障全，多次賠付更安心

平安福20保障責任覆蓋100種重疾和50種輕症，身故保障終身有效。50種輕症提供重疾基本保額20%的保障，最多可賠付三次，每種輕症限賠付一次，且不影響100種重疾的賠付。為應對惡性腫瘤轉移、復發等情況，在滿足合同約定的條件下，惡性腫瘤可得到第2、3次賠付，為高額醫療費用提供及時有效的支持。

此外，平安福20可靈活附加暖心保惡性腫瘤、心腦血管及肝腎疾病保障，定向強化特定疾病保障，客戶確診相關疾病後且達到賠付條件的，除重疾保險金外，還可獲得特定疾病保險金。除了特疾保障，客戶還可根據自身需要附加長期意外傷害保險及意外醫療保險，保障更加靈活，滿足自身個性化需求。

事後：輕症發生后保障額度增加，築牢健康後防線

為應對客戶患輕症后再度罹患重疾的風險，平安福20延續「輕症漲保障」的特點。70周歲保單周年日前，被保險人每發生一次合同約定的輕症，身故及重疾保障額度分別增加主險基本保額的20%。根據保險合同，輕症最多可賠付三次，則客戶最多可額外獲得60%的保額提升。更高額的保障為客戶應對疾病風險增添更多底氣。

據了解，「品牌強國工程」是中央廣播電視總台助推品牌強國戰略的重要舉措。「品牌強國工程」將依託總台各平台，通過全媒體傳播品牌強國戰略，助力培育能代表中國參與全球經濟文化交流的新時代國家級品牌。

平安人壽表示，入選「品牌強國工程」是對公司品牌實力的高度肯定。公司將積極落實中國銀保監會關於保險業回歸保障本源的要求，依託「產品+」策略，以客戶需求為導向，構建多層次產品體系，堅定向高質量發展轉型，為客戶美好幸福生活保駕護航。

title: 入選央視「品牌強國工程」，平安福20保險產品計劃重磅上市


title: 巴西雷亞爾兌美元下跌1%，刷新歷史低點至5.2581雷亞爾。


things: 防疫 經濟

events: 新冠肺炎 豬瘟

countries: 中國 泰國 哈薩克 埃及 阿根廷 巴西 美國 越南 塞爾維亞 柬埔寨

content_text:
原標題：「糧食危機」來了？專家：中國主糧充足

隨著新冠疫情全球蔓延，近期已有越南、泰國、哈薩克、埃及、塞爾維亞和柬埔寨等6國相繼宣布禁止糧食出口。

全球糧食危機來了嗎？在多位專家看來，疫情不會對全球糧食的生產和供給帶來太大的影響，但會對全球糧食供給鏈條帶來較大的影響。有專家提醒，疫情之下，全球糧食問題的核心在非洲。「一旦疫情在非洲大規模蔓延，會進一步加劇全球糧食的危機。」

3月31日，世界衛生組織、聯合國糧農組織和世界貿易組織發表聯合聲明，呼籲各國在採取措施遏制疫情的同時，應最大限度減少疫情對糧食供應鏈的衝擊，防止這場公共衛生危機引發糧食危機。

中國是否將面臨糧食危機？在多位專家看來，從數量上看，中國的水稻、小麥等主糧的數量是足夠的。不過，作為世界上最大的大豆進口國，預計大豆的供給問題會是今年中國糧食的一個「坎」。

「中國水稻、小麥等主糧數量充足」

部分國家限制糧食出口、全球糧食供應鏈不暢，這引發了很多人對中國糧食供給的擔憂。

其中，股票市場首先聞風而動。截至4月1日收盤，金健米業過去8個交易日內6天漲停，農發種業過去5個交易日內3天漲停，京糧控股過去5個交易日內3天漲停，惠發食品連續2天漲停。

「目前糧食的生產端和供給端並未出現問題，但在多個國家封國封城的背景下，部分糧食供應鏈暫時中斷。作為應急物資的糧食和食品最容易引起恐慌，而恐慌本身會加劇糧食的囤積，也容易帶來資本市場的炒作。」 中國人民大學經濟學院院長劉守英說。

在劉守英看來，目前中國糧食的問題不是總量的問題，而是結構的問題。「從數量上看，中國的水稻、小麥等主糧的數量是足夠的。」

數據顯示，中國小麥的產量在1.3億至1.4億噸，已經保持了多年，作為調劑品的進口量在500萬噸左右；2019年中國稻穀及大米總進口量255萬噸，占當年國內消費量的1.28%。中國的玉米需求也主要依靠國內供給，2019年玉米進口量佔國內消費量比重為1.72%。

「中國進口的主糧並不多，主要是工業用糧、種子用糧、飼料用糧等。中國有比較完善的糧食儲備體系，庫存的量非常大，可以應對危機。」中國社會科學院農村發展研究所研究員黨國英說。

而在近期，國家糧油信息中心高級經濟師王遼衛接受新華社採訪時也表示，我國糧食總產量連續5年穩定在6.5億噸以上，近年來糧食儲備體制機制不斷完善，糧食儲備充足，小麥稻穀等口糧品種庫存處於歷史最高水平。「主要出口國採取限制出口措施，可能會加劇國際市場糧食價格的波動，但對目前我國糧食市場的影響不大。」

「大豆會是今年中國糧食的一個『坎』」

不過，值得注意的是，與小麥、稻穀、玉米不同，中國大豆的需求主要依靠進口來解決，是世界上最大的大豆進口國。據海關總署發佈的數據，中國2019年大豆進口總量8551.1萬噸，為歷史第二高峰。其中，巴西、美國、阿根廷是中國大豆的主要進口國。

「雖然美國、巴西、阿根廷地區疫情對大豆出口的影響還需要評估，但在短期內中國無法把這部分短缺補上，中國大豆市場的供應量都會受到影響。進一步來看，如果經濟活動之間的暢通不能及時恢復，大豆進口難的壓力就會傳導到價格上，價格會上漲。」劉守英說，疫情對中國糧食的總量供給不會帶來太大的影響，但會加劇結構性矛盾，大豆的供給問題會是今年中國糧食的一個「坎」。

黨國英也表示，大豆等飼料進口受影響，會給豬企或者養豬場帶來壓力。「非洲豬瘟至今，今年養豬的數量明顯增加，對豆粕等飼料需求也相應地增加了。在當前糧食的供給中，飼料糧食的供給會比較短缺。」

目前看，巴西、阿根廷的疫情形勢嚴峻。截至當地時間3月30日18時，巴西全國共確診新冠肺炎病例4579例。巴西政府宣布3月30日起，所有不持有巴西身份證的外國公民均不得搭乘飛機入境巴西。作為全球第一大豆粕和豆油出口國的阿根廷，目前已有820例新冠肺炎病例，阿根廷總統費爾南德斯3月29日表示，將把全國強制隔離期延長至4月中旬。

「全球糧食問題的核心在非洲」

疫情是否會導致全球糧食危機？

黨國英認為，全球糧食生產並未因疫情而出現明顯減產，主要是國際流動不暢帶來的國際貿易受阻問題，疫情不會帶來嚴重的問題。「而且一般國家都會有至少三個月以上的儲備糧食，以應對自然災害或者突發事件。」

劉守英持有類似的看法。在劉守英看來，疫情對全球糧食生產和供給不會帶來太大的影響，但會對全球糧食供給鏈條帶來較大的影響。

「疫情的主要發生地在大城市，對糧食生產地的農村影響不會太大，因此不會對全球的糧食生產和供給量帶來太大的問題。」劉守英同時表示，疫情的傳染性太快，每個國家都必須在生命至上和經濟損失之間做出平衡，全球多個國家不得已實施戰疫體制，嚴格限制境外人流和物流入境，切斷了全球經濟活動的正常流通，這也同時切斷了糧食在全球的供給鏈條。

劉守英特別提醒，討論全球是否會出現糧食危機，應特別關注疫情在非洲的蔓延情況。「一旦疫情在非洲大規模蔓延，會加劇全球糧食的危機，全球糧食問題的核心在非洲。」

「非洲地區的糧食生產能力本來就不夠，非洲地區的醫療防疫體系非常不完善，醫療資源更是不足。一旦疫情在非洲大規模蔓延，有大量的人群需要救助——既需要醫療方面的救助，也需要食品糧食方面的救助。」劉守英說，疫情衝擊之下，全球各個國家必須參與到對非洲的人道主義救助中去，這會給全球的糧食市場帶來較大的衝擊，進一步加劇全球糧食的供給壓力。「我現在最擔心，也是我目前認為最值得關注的是——疫情一旦在非洲蔓延，勢必會加重全球更大人群的健康、生命和全球糧食食品的安全問題。」

新京報記者 侯潤芳

title: 「糧食危機」來了？專家：中國主糧充足


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content_text: 新浪財經訊 近期上市公司年報陸續披露，許多基金公司作為上市公司的重要參股公司，經營業績也隨著上市公司年報一同浮出水面。 　　iFind數據顯示，2019年金鷹基金，農銀匯理基金，國聯安基金，長盛基金，申萬菱信基金，華富基金，光大保德信基金，中銀基金，建信基金，招商基金凈利增速為負。 　　國聯安基金2019凈利降低38%。                         　　公司主要人員如下：                       ...


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title: 美國副總統彭斯表示，將在合適的時候將建議告知總統特朗普。


content_text: 日期:4月2日消息，國際網球聯合會發表聲明，稱由於新冠肺炎疫情影響，暫停所有ITF賽事至7月13日。聲明如下： 　　ITF國際網球聯合會將所有ITF世界網球巡迴賽繼續延期至2020年7月13日。 　　ITF主席大衛-哈格蒂：「保護所有參與網球運動的人和公眾的健康一直是我們的首要任務，我們知道這一決定的影響，也絕不輕易做出決定，我們將繼續以專家意見和實際情況為指導。 　　我們正處於一個未知的時期，但...

title: 國際網聯聲明:因疫情影響 暫停網球賽事至7月13日


title: 法國跨國電力公用事業公司Engie撤銷2020年業績指引，並取消針對201...


content_text: 西班牙《馬卡報》發起了足壇歷史最佳球員投票，該媒體列出了足壇有史以來的天王巨星，讓網友進行投票選擇，如今4進2結果出爐，梅西和C羅挺入決賽，爭奪最終的歷史最佳球員稱號。 　　在4強投票中，梅西的對手是大羅，結果梅西得票52%，淘汰了得票48%的大羅；C羅的對手是馬拉多納，結果C羅得票59%，淘汰了得票41%的馬拉多納。最終梅西和C羅會師決賽。 　　此前的8強分別是：梅西、迪-斯蒂法諾、大羅、貝利；馬拉多納、克魯...

title: 足壇歷史最佳票選：梅西KO大羅 C羅KO馬拉多納


title: 英國商務大臣夏爾馬：財政大臣將在未來幾天宣布更多的消息。


title: 荷蘭政府提議歐盟針對新冠疫情設立價值200億歐元的特別基金。

countries: 歐盟 荷蘭


title: 懸在歐洲的「達摩克里斯之劍」 ——論歐洲債務危機（海通宏觀宋瀟、應鎵嫻）

content_text:
懸在歐洲的「達摩克里斯之劍」

——論歐洲債務危機

（海通宏觀宋瀟、應鎵嫻）

概要

歐洲成為疫情重災區。自2月底義大利疫情持續擴散以來，歐洲各國感染人數均出現明顯增加。截至3月27日，歐洲累計確診病例數超32萬例，佔全球比重超53%，已成為疫情重災區。而其實19年歐洲經濟增速已出現下行，當前疫情的爆發更使得歐洲經濟雪上加霜，市場對歐洲債務違約風險擔憂加劇。那麼疫情是否會導致歐洲債務違約？又會帶來什麼影響？

11年的歐債危機。危機如何爆發？隨著歐元區成立，部分國家利用貨幣一體化優勢吸引大量海外資金流入，實現經濟短期提速。但貨幣一體化也削弱了部分國家出口競爭力，導致經常項目收支惡化。例如，希臘的經常項目逆差明顯擴大，08年達到348億歐元規模。而由於金融機構持有大量美國次貸相關資產，為抵禦08年美國金融危機、托底經濟，希臘政府採取大量援助政策，從而導致政府債務大幅上升。加之經常項目逆差的持續擴大，國際市場對希臘政府的償債能力產生質疑，並縮減對其的投資。希臘政府不能借新債以還舊債，從而爆發了債務危機。而後債務危機從希臘逐步傳染到葡萄牙、西班牙和愛爾蘭等同樣存在政府債務大幅上升問題的國家，並推動這些國家的國債收益率迅速上行。而由於歐洲各國銀行均持有大量其他歐元區國家的國債，部分國家主權債務違約導致歐洲各國銀行出現大幅虧損，危機傳染到整個歐洲。隨後面對危機的持續擴散，歐盟開始積極行動，擴大對債務違約國家的援助力度，並且歐央行提供大量流動性，債務危機逐步平息。危機帶來的影響。儘管危機逐漸平息，但其對經濟的影響仍在持續。一方面，歐債危機使得歐洲銀行對實體經濟提供的信貸規模下降顯著，另一方面，多國縮減政府財政支出以應對違約風險，但導致經濟難以得到有效刺激。因而，歐洲經濟在債務危機後期，特別是銀行信貸擴張受阻后開始陷入困境，整體失業率也明顯上升。同時，全球經濟和資本市場也受到一定程度波及。11年全球製造業PMI指數明顯回落，同年5月-10月MSCI全球指數也累計下跌超20%。對於我國，對歐盟的出口金額占我國出口總規模比重超過15%，歐洲需求的疲軟也導致同期我國出口增速出現回落。

警惕歐債危機的重演。考慮到作為疫情重災區，歐洲多國已出台了防控疫情的管制措施，歐洲經濟短期或面臨大幅下滑。而為了托底經濟，各國均出台了財政救助政策，比如3月17日西班牙和法國政府分別出台了2000億歐元和450億歐元的經濟援助計劃。但由於目前歐洲多數國家債務水平已超09年末歐債危機發生初期，財政刺激政策將進一步提升其政府債務。從債務到期看，今年同時還是歐洲主權債務償還的高峰期，其中4月和7月的到期量最高。從債務國別看，20年4月-7月的到期債務中法國和義大利規模最高，而考慮經濟狀況和債務率，義大利和西班牙的違約風險相對較高。同時，歐洲企業債務違約風險也持續上升。一方面，多國企業槓桿率已超發達國家平均水平。另一方面，防控措施的升級將嚴重衝擊企業現金流，比如信用最好的德國企業債利率已從2月20日的1.75%升至3月26日的4.53%。從債務到期看，20年也是歐洲企業債券償還的高峰期，其中6、9和12月到期規模最大。關注歐洲疫情變化，警惕歐債危機。若疫情在歐洲持續時間較長，經濟將遭受明顯衝擊，一方面迫使政府被動擴大債務規模托底經濟，另一方面也會導致歐洲企業的生產經營受到巨大壓力，而這些會導致歐洲政府和企業債務違約風險上升。未來需密切關注歐洲疫情變化，警惕可能發生的債務危機。

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1. 歐洲成為疫情重災區

近期，歐洲成為新冠疫情重災區。自2月底義大利新冠肺炎疫情持續擴散以來，歐洲各國新冠肺炎感染人數均出現了明顯增加。截至3月27日，歐洲新冠肺炎累計確診病例數超32萬例，佔全球累計確診人數的比重超過53%。其中義大利和西班牙是歐洲的疫情重災區，累計確診人數分別超過8萬和6萬例，而德國、法國和瑞士的累計確診人數也均超過1萬例。更值得注意的是，目前大部分歐洲國家的確診病例增速一直保持在日增10%以上，這說明疫情沒有得到有效控制。

疫情導致歐洲經濟雪上加霜。其實19年歐洲經濟增速已經出現下滑，歐盟的GDP同比增速從2019年1季度的1.7%下滑至4季度的1.2%，特別是作為歐洲領頭羊的德國，在19年出現了明顯的經濟增長疲軟跡象。而當前新冠肺炎疫情的爆發無疑導致歐洲經濟雪上加霜，市場對於歐洲債務違約風險的擔憂也逐步上升。

疫情是否真的會導致歐洲債務違約？歐洲如果出現債務違約又會帶來什麼影響？我們首先來看看11年的歐洲主權債務危機。

2. 11年的歐債危機

2.1 危機如何爆發

部分歐洲國家利用貨幣一體化吸引大量海外資金。隨著歐元區成立，歐洲各國一體化加強，部分國家利用貨幣一體化的優勢吸引了大量資金流入本國，實現了經濟短期的快速發展。以希臘為例，2002年以來大量海外資金通過國際收支下的金融賬戶流入希臘國內，2008年這一規模達到299億歐元。同時期，在信貸擴張的支持下，希臘GDP同比增速中樞保持在4%左右，實現了短期繁榮發展。

但貨幣一體化也削弱了部分國家出口競爭力，導致經常項目收支惡化。貨幣一體化的代價是各國利用貨幣政策調節經濟的能力被削弱，歐洲各國本身經濟發展狀況存在明顯的差異，部分經濟狀況較弱的國家難以通過匯率調節機制增加自己的外貿競爭力。同時，部分國家沒有利用流入的資金改善經濟結構，反而加大超前消費和福利支出，這導致經常項目逆差逐年擴大。仍然以希臘為例，隨著海外資金的大量流入，希臘經常項目逆差也出現明顯擴大，2008年這一規模達到348億歐元，而這為後面的危機埋下隱患。

美國金融危機導致希臘政府債務激增。08年美國次貸危機爆發，由於歐洲各國金融機構持有了大量美國次貸相關金融資產，導致歐洲各國也受到較大衝擊。希臘GDP同比增速在09年1季度一度跌至-6.7%。為了托底經濟和緩解金融風險，希臘政府採取了大量援助政策導致政府債務大幅上升。根據BIS的統計，希臘政府債務/GDP的比重從2008年1季度的103.3%上升至2010年4季度的145.8%，累計擴大42.5個百分點。

償債能力遭受質疑，債務危機從希臘開始爆發。在美國發生次貸危機之前，由於海外資金持續大量流入，儘管希臘的經常項目逆差持續擴大，但是國際收支並沒有出現明顯惡化，這一平衡未被打破。但由於救助經濟導致希臘政府債務短期出現了大幅上升，而長年的貿易逆差反映出希臘國際收支的明顯失衡，這導致國際市場對希臘政府的償債能力產生質疑，並會縮減對其的投資，進而導致政府不能通過借新債償還到期債務，引發政府的違約風險。

債務危機從希臘逐步傳染到葡萄牙、西班牙和愛爾蘭等同樣存在政府債務大幅上升的國家。在希臘債務危機發生之初，歐元區其他國家認為希臘債務危機僅是個例，對希臘的救助也比較遲緩。但隨後國際市場投資者發現不光希臘存在政府債務短期過快上升的情況，其實其他歐元區國家也存在相同的問題。例如葡萄牙、西班牙和愛爾蘭在2008-2010年救助經濟期間，其政府槓桿率也分別上升了25.6、28.7和59.7個百分點。同時，這些國家也存在長期的貿易逆差問題。於是，債務危機從希臘逐步蔓延到其他自身存在明顯問題的國家，這些國家的國債收益率均出現大幅上升。

部分國家主權債務違約導致歐洲各國銀行出現大幅虧損，危機傳染到整個歐洲。由於歐洲各國銀行均持有大量其他歐元區國家的國債，在部分國家爆發主權債務危機之後，這些國家的國債價值出現大幅下降，導致持有這些資產的歐洲銀行出現明顯虧損，進而引發對歐洲各國金融體繫系統性風險的擔憂。歐洲股市出現明顯下跌，德國、法國等國家的主權信用評級也被下調，債務違約風險傳染到整個歐洲。

隨後歐洲各國開始積極行動，歐央行提供大量流動性，債務危機逐步平息。面對債務危機的持續擴散，歐洲各國開始積極行動，對已經陷入主權債務危機中的希臘、葡萄牙和愛爾蘭等國提供融資支持。同時歐洲央行於2011年12月啟動兩輪三年期的再融資計劃（LTRO），為銀行提供足夠的流動性。隨後歐洲央行又於2012年9月啟動直接貨幣交易（OMT）， 直接從二級市場購買國債，歐洲主權債務危機逐步平息。

countries: 西班牙 美國 愛爾蘭 義大利 希臘 德國 歐盟 葡萄牙 法國 瑞士


content_text:
Virus Outbreak: Number of workers taking unpaid leave rises to 7,916: data

The number of furloughed employees has in the past two weeks risen sharply to nearly 8,000 due to the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Labor said yesterday.

As of Tuesday, 7,916 workers at 308 companies had agreed to go on unpaid leave, up from 3,835 at 109 firms in the first two weeks of last month, ministry data showed.

Employers that in the past two weeks began furloughing workers were mainly in the metal and electromechanical; information and electronics; wholesale and retail; food and beverage and lodging; and service sectors, the data showed.

The food and beverage and lodging industry had the greatest number of furloughed workers in the period at 2,693, followed by the metal and electromechanical sector with 2,247 and the wholesale and retail sector with 903, the data showed.

Eighty-one employers in the food and beverage and lodging industry, 63 in the service sector and 61 in the wholesale and retail sector launched unpaid leave programs, the data showed.

Two employers ended their furlough programs, but another 201 initiated them after reaching agreements with their employees, as required by law, resulting in a net addition of 199, the data showed.

Most of the companies implementing unpaid leave schemes are small enterprises with workforces of fewer than 50 people, the ministry said.

Their unpaid leave programs typically last for less than three months and require their employees to take five to eight days of unpaid leave per month, it said.

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title: USTR praises and criticizes Taiwan in annual report

content_text:
The US has praised Taiwan for adopting a patent dispute mechanism, but reiterated concerns over Taiwan’s restrictions on imports of US pork and beef in its annual report highlighting significant foreign barriers to US exports.

The Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) said in its 2020 National Trade Estimate Report covering 63 countries, customs territories and regional associations that Taiwan has introduced legal revisions that would help reduce barriers to US exports, including amendments to the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act (藥事法).

“The establishment of a mechanism for early resolution of potential patent disputes, including coverage for biologics, represents a promising step forward for Taiwan in its efforts to develop an innovative pharmaceutical sector,” the report said.

The report also highlighted amendments to the Trade Secrets Act (營業秘密法) passed on Dec. 31 last year that gives prosecutors the authority to issue protective orders during investigation proceedings.

“These changes, long sought by USTR, are expected to improve Taiwan’s ability to effectively prosecute cases of trade secrets theft by protecting information from unauthorized disclosures,” it said.

However, Taiwan was criticized over its ban on imports of US beef and beef products, in place since the detection of an animal with bovine spongiform encephalopathy in the US in 2003 and for not implementing a maximum residue limit (MRL) for the leanness-enhancing feed additive ractopamine in pork or for other beta-agonists.

“The United States continues to urge Taiwan to open its market fully to US beef and beef products based on science, World Organization for Animal Health guidelines, the United States’ negligible risk status, and the beef protocol,” it said.

It said the US would continue to urge Taiwan to implement the remaining proposed MRLs for ractopamine and to accept and approve new applications for MRLs for beta-agonists based on science.

The US last year had a merchandise trade deficit with Taiwan of US$23 billion, a 51.6 percent increase over 2018.

It exported US$31.2 in goods to Taiwan, up 2.2 percent from 2018, but the value of its imports of goods from Taiwan was up 18.6 percent to US$54.3 billion.

Taiwan was the US’ 14th-largest export market last year, the report said.

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content_text:
Virus Outbreak: Lawmakers slam MOTC for abruptly introducing new train, bus measures

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) yesterday faced criticism from members of the Legislative Yuan’s Transportation Committee for announcing on Tuesday that all train and freeway bus passengers would need to wear masks and have their temperatures taken before boarding as part of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

While most commuters adapted to the new measures when they went into effect yesterday, many who were not aware of the changes argued with train and bus station staff, and complained that being forced to wear masks and wait in long lines to have their temperature taken caused them to miss their train or bus.

Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Hung Meng-kai (洪孟楷) said that while he does not disagree with the policy, the ministry should not announce new measures and institute them the next day, adding that such an abrupt move would definitely draw public ire.

As the Ministry of Economic Affairs has announced that adjustments to its mask sales policy would not be implemented until Thursday next week, when people can begin purchasing nine masks every two weeks instead of the current three per week, the MOTC’s new policy could cause commuters using public transport to not have enough masks, he said.

Some local government officials have signaled trouble enforcing the measure and have chosen to disregard it, leaving the nation with two policies regarding mask use, he added.

Independent Legislator Chao Cheng-yu (趙正宇) said that Minister of Transportation and Communications Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) should not consider his notification of lawmakers an announcement of the policy, adding that the ministry should host a news conference to explain the new measures to the public.

Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Lin Chun-hsien (林俊憲) asked what the ministry would do if train or bus passengers defy the rules and insist on traveling, as well as what people should do if they are denied access to public transportation.

It should consider expanding disease-prevention taxi and rental car services so that people still have ways to commute, he said.

As many small train stations lack infrared imagers, trains could still be delayed in peak hours because station staff must take passengers’ temperatures one at a time, he added.

Deputy Minister of Transportation and Communications Huang Yu-ling (黃玉霖) said that the policy is compulsory and that those who do not comply would be prohibited from boarding trains and intercity buses.

The MOTC has planned for the policy’s enforcement and conducted drills since the Taiwan Lantern Festival in February, he said.

The policy applies only to Taiwan Railways Administration and Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp trains and freeway buses, Huang said, adding that whether MRT metropolitan rail networks enforce the measures depends on local governments.

Lin Chia-lung on Tuesday said that the policy would also apply to agencies supervised by the ministry, including 1,298 Chunghwa Post Co post offices and freeway rest areas.

The MOTC yesterday held a meeting to evaluate the implementation of the policy.

Apart from addressing the issues of passengers not wearing masks and long waits for temperature checks, it also required post offices, freeway rest areas and airports to enforce “social distancing” ordered by the Central Epidemic Command Center, by placing signs on floors indicating safe distances in areas where people have to line up for service.

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people: 趙正宇 洪孟楷 林佳龍 林俊憲


people: 陳時中 蔡英文

content_text:
HELPING HAND:
 Taiwan is ready to help other nations and will not sit idly by while the global fight against the coronavirus continues, President Tsai Ing-wen said

Taiwan, as a responsible member of the international community, is to offer humanitarian assistance to nations hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic by sending them masks and medicine, as well as sharing with them an electronic system that the government has been using to track down people that need to be quarantined, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said yesterday.

With the nation’s daily production having reached 13 million masks and soon to reach 15 million, the government is to donate 10 million masks to medical personnel in nations most severely affected by the coronavirus, Tsai said at the Presidential Office in Taipei.

The nation would donate more masks when production capacity permits, she added.

President Tsai Ing-wen speaks at a news conference at the Presidential Office in Taipei yesterday.
 Photo: CNA

With a number of clinical reports concluding that quinine can help treat patients with mild symptoms, the government has asked pharmaceutical companies to increase production of the medication so that it can contribute to the supplies of nations in need, Tsai said.

The nation is also to provide technological support, by sharing with other nations a system that uses “big data” to accurately locate people that have come into close contact with those that have tested positive for COVID-19, effectively curbing the spread of the coronavirus, she said.

When the outbreak first occurred, Taiwan had formed a “national team” to combat COVID-19, which is now ready to join the international community in an all-out effort to fight the pandemic, she added.

American Institute in Taiwan Director Brent Christensen, left, and Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung, who heads the Central Epidemic Command Center, are pictured at the Ministry of Health and Welfare in Taipei yesterday.
 Photo courtesy of American Institute in Taiwan

Taiwan will step up its cooperation with other nations and not sit idly by while the global fight against the coronavirus continues, Tsai said, adding that the nation is already helping its diplomatic allies, enabling their citizens to acquire medical supplies locally.

“Taiwan can help, and Taiwan is helping,” Tsai said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement said that the nation is to make a one-time donation of 2 million masks to the US on top of a weekly donation of 100,000 previously announced.

The nation is to donate 7 million masks to the most-affected nations in the EU, as well as to the UK and Switzerland, it said.

It is also to donate 1 million masks to its diplomatic allies, it added.

Academia Sinica and the nation’s leading vaccine companies have entered into talks with the US, the EU, Canada and the Czech Republic on collaborating to develop testing kits and vaccines, the ministry said.

The ministry has collaborated with private firms to donate ventilators, ventilator filters, masks and disinfectant to hospitals in the Czech Republic, it said, while Catholic groups have donated goggles, masks, endotracheal tubes and mucus extractors to Italy.

The British Office Taipei, the Netherlands Trade and Investment Office, the French Office in Taipei and the Polish Office in Taipei thanked the nation for its help on social media.

“#Taiwanhelps is the new hashtag,” European Economic and Trade Office in Taiwan Director Filip Grzegorzewski yesterday wrote on Twitter, also thanking Taiwan.

The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) shared photographs of AIT Director Brent Christensen meeting Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung (陳時中) with the comment: “Taiwan is a real friend.”

In related news, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Prague and the Czech Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei issued a joint statement listing eight areas of bilateral cooperation on COVID-19.

Additional reporting by Lin Chia-nan

title: Virus Outbreak: Taiwan joins global COVID-19 battle


content_text:
CRIME

Man caught with cetaceans

Coast Guard Administration personnel yesterday seized 97kg of cetacean meat from a Yunlin County man surnamed Lin (林), 54. They said that they found two heads belonging to cetaceans, but could not determine the species. Lin reportedly loaded the meat onto his truck in Pingtung County’s Donggang Township (東港) and drove along Formosa Freeway (Freeway No. 3). Coast guard personnel stopped him at the rest area in Tainan’s Sinhua District (新化), where city officials collected samples of the meat from his truck and handed him over to police for breaching the Wildlife Conservation Act (野生動物保育法). Coast guard personnel said that Lin might have been planning to sell the meat at seafood stores in Yunlin County. In July last year, Lin was caught transporting cetacean meat in Yilan County. Whales and dolphins are protected under the act, and those caught killing them face six months to five years in prison, or a fine of NT$200,000 to NT$1 million (US$6,599 to NT$32,995).

CULTURE

Eslite auctioning collection

Eslite Bookstore’s Dunnan branch in Taipei is hosting an old book auction until April 15, as the three-decade-old outlet is to close on May 31. Established in 1989, the branch was the chain’s first store and made its name with books on arts and the humanities. The auction features a collection of art by Chinese painter Zhang Xiaogang (張曉剛), The Beatles: The BBC Archives 1962-1970 and US photographer Annie Leibovitz’s collection Annie Leibovitz: The Early Years,1970-1983, which includes the iconic photograph of John Lennon and Yoko Ono cuddling.

HEALTH

New Taipei extends closures

New Taipei City’s public spaces, sports centers and museums are to remain closed for another 14 days, after having been shut on March 20 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Ahead of the long Tomb Sweeping Festival weekend, which begins today, New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) yesterday said that containing the disease is the most important thing right now, especially when the number of people in home isolation or quarantine continues to rise. A total of 9,635 people in the city are in home quarantine, while the number of people using the city government’s online memorial services for ancestors has grown 40 percent from last year, city government data showed.

HEALTH

Doctor warns on screen use

A Taipei City Hospital doctor cautioned against the excessive use of digital devices, citing a case in which a woman, complaining of persistently seeing a shadow out of her left eye, was diagnosed with acute posterior vitreous detachment. Huang Che-hung (黃哲宏), an ophthalmologist at the hospital’s Heping branch, on Sunday said that the vitreous humor is a gel-like substance in the eye that can slowly liquify from age and use. The posterior vitreous, suffering from a lack of support, can then detach from the retina and shrink toward the center of the vitreous cavity. For the most part, posterior vitreous detachment would not affect a person’s vision, but it is irreversible, Huang said. If there are no complications, people should only see small dots like flies, he said. However, if a person experiences vitreomacular adhesion, or the strong adhesion of the vitreous to the retina, the condition could cause them to see lightning-like flashes, he said. If a person experiences any of these symptoms, they should consult a doctor, Huang said.

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taiwan-subdivisions: 新化 東港

title: Taiwan News Quick Take


title: Hau contributed greatly to nation: Tsai

content_text:
PRESIDENTIAL CITATION:
 The former premier had said he would never accept a certificate of recognition for his service from a DPP administration, a friend said

Honoring former premier and chief of the general staff Hau Pei-tsun (郝柏村), who passed away on Monday, with a presidential citation is proper, as he had made great contributions to the nation, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said yesterday.

Hau served as premier under then-president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) from 1990 to 1993, athough the two belonged to different Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) factions, with Lee leaning toward localization and democratization.

Hau’s contributions were especially important during the 823 Artillery Bombardment — the bombardment of Kinmen by China’s People’s Liberation Army on Aug. 23, 1958 — and so “conferring an official certificate of recognition upon him is proper and a matter of course,” Tsai said.

Former Taipei mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌), one of the former premier’s sons, said in a statement released by his office on Monday that the family was opening to discussing such a citation if contacted by the Presidential Office.

Hau Pei-tsun did not wish for any large funeral event, and preferred that things be kept simple, the office said.

Examination Yuan member Chou Yu-sun (周玉山), a long-time friend, yesterday showed reporters the former premier’s office on Dunhua S Road and some of his personal manuscripts.

The office has a study room, a bedroom and a reception area.

Asked whether Hau Pei-tsun hoped to receive a presidential citation, Chou said the former premier once told him that he would never accept a certificate of recognition from a Democratic Progressive Party administration.

Hau Pei-tsun had often said that he “loved China, but did not love the Chinese Communist Party [CCP], and loved Taiwan, but did not love [the idea of] Taiwanese independence,” Chou said.

After stepping down as premier, Hau Pei-tsun still went to the office every day to write, and over the course of 27 years wrote about 5 million words, including his memoirs and an analysis of former president Chiang Kai-shek’s (蔣介石) personal diary, Chou said.

“I had never before seen a retired person work so diligently,” he said.

Hau Pei-tsun went to his office daily up until April last year, when he was hospitalized, Chou said, adding that his desk was still covered in papers that he was writing at the time.

One of the documents was a poem in which he lamented that he would never see the day when China was peacefully united, he said.

Hau Pei-tsun’s office is simply furnished, which was demonstrative of his frugality, despite having held such high offices, Chou said.

He refuted claims that Hau Pei-tsun had been friendly with the CCP.

“This sort of claim is extremely ignorant. Hau Pei-tsun had criticized the CCP for distorting historical facts — he was completely anti-communist,” Chou said, adding that while Hau Pei-tsun was anti-communist, he did not support Taiwanese independence.

people: 郝龍斌 李登輝 蔡英文


content_text:
The US on Tuesday offered a path for the Venezuelan government to remove sanctions in the face of a mounting humanitarian crisis by accepting a transitional government that excludes US ally Venezuelan National Assembly President Juan Guaido.

The tactical shift came after more than a year of faltering US-led efforts to oust Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and as fears grow that the COVID-19 pandemic could spread rapidly both inside and from the poverty-stricken nation.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that Guaido, as well as Maduro, should step aside for a transitional government comprising members of both their parties that would arrange elections in six to 12 months.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo attends a news conference at the US Department of State in Washington on Tuesday.
 Photo: Reuters

If fully implemented, the US and EU would lift sanctions, including sweeping US restrictions on Venezuela’s key export of oil, the US Department of State said.

The IMF and other international lenders would be invited to plan economic relief for Venezuela, from which millions have fled as they face dire shortages of food and other necessities.

The plan also calls for the departure of foreign forces from Venezuela, a reference to the government’s support from Russia and Cuba.

“We believe this framework protects the interests and equities of all Venezuelan people who desperately seek a resolution to their dire political, economic and humanitarian crisis, and who know Venezuelans can have something better,” Pompeo said, urging all sides to consider it “carefully and seriously.”

Maduro has repeatedly ruled out ceding power and his government quickly rejected the framework, which is similar to a proposal put forward last year by Guaido in failed Norwegian-brokered talks.

“Venezuela is a free, sovereign, independent and democratic nation that does not and shall never accept instructions from any foreign government,” Venezuelan Minister of Foreign Affairs Jorge Arreaza said.

US Special Representative for Venezuela Elliott Abrams downplayed the reaction as predictable, but said that Washington hoped to jump-start private talks within the regime and the military, which has remained loyal to Maduro.

The US has not shifted its goals, with Pompeo renewing support for Guaido — a 36-year-old engineer who has been recognized as interim president by about 60 nations since January last year — and while the framework says that any Venezuelan can run for president, Pompeo said that the US wanted Maduro out.

“We’ve made clear all along that Nicolas Maduro will never again govern Venezuela,” Pompeo told reporters.

Abrams later said that, while the US would accept any results of a free election, it did not believe Maduro could win.

“There is no possible way that Nicolas Maduro remains in power if Venezuelans get to choose their own fate and get to elect their own leaders,” Abrams said.

Asked if Guaido could run, Pompeo said: “Absolutely, yes.”

“I think he’s the most popular politician in Venezuela. I think if there were an election held today, he could do incredibly well, but more importantly we continue to support him,” he said. “When we put together this pathway to democracy, we worked closely with him.”

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title: US offers Venezuela sanctions relief deal that omits Guaido


title: Mega Financial Holding aims growth despite obstacles

content_text:
State-run Mega Financial Holding Co (兆豐金控) aims to grow its core businesses this year, despite an increasingly unfavorable operating environment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and aggressive rate cuts by central banks around the world, top-ranking executives said yesterday.

The company seeks to improve its profitability by increasing fee incomes and cross-selling effects at different units, as well as deepening cooperation with other state-run financial institutions, Mega Financial president David Hu (胡光華) told an online conference with investors.

The efforts are expected to boost revenue by 9.31 percent annually, Hu said.

The company reported that net profit rose 3.1 percent to NT$28.96 billion (US$955.52 million) last year, or earnings per share of NT$2.13, as investment and trading incomes soared 64 percent to NT$17.73 billion, which more than offset the slowdown in interest and fee incomes, Hu said.

Mega International Commercial Bank (兆豐銀行) president Robert Tsai (蔡永義) said that the pandemic has so far had little impact on its lending operation or asset quality as most clients are large corporations with sufficient liquidity.

Efforts in the past few years to prevent money-laundering helped strengthen asset quality, Tsai said, adding that Mega Bank also lowered its exposure to China amid US-China trade tensions to rein in risks.

However, Mega Bank in February increased its provision costs by NT$500 million for taking part in a troubled syndicated loan to Powtec ElectroChemical Corp (寶德能源), which filed for bankruptcy.

The lender has the greatest exposure to Powtec at NT$2 billion, compared with other state-run banks.

Mega Financial in the first two months of this year generated NT$3.49 billion in net income, or earnings of NT$0.26 per share.

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title: NCC clears way for Chunghwa Telecom’s 5G service

content_text:
Chunghwa Telecom is on track to launch 5G services in the third quarter of this year after the National Communications Commission (NCC) yesterday approved its information security plan.

To offer 5G services, a telecom must submit a business plan and an information security plan, which must be approved by the telecommunications authority.

Chunghwa Telecom’s business plan was approved last week by the commission. It is the only telecom to have secured approval for both its 5G business and information security plans.

With the approvals, it can start preparing to launch 5G services.

The telecom’s information security plan was approved after it provided additional information on how it plans to gauge risks; enforce measures to safeguard and control information security; install infrastructure to protect information security; and detect potential threats within a specific time frame, as well as protect users’ personal data when implementing such measures, the commission said, adding that it would inspect the company’s 5G services based on these items.

Taiwan Mobile’s business plan has also been approved, the NCC said, but added that because the telecom had previously leased its 4G network to Asia Pacific Telecom without first seeking its permission — which resulted in each firm being fined NT$16.5 million (US$544,411 at the current exchange rate) — the approval came with several conditions.

Taiwan Mobile is required to focus on its capacity to handle consumer complaints in the initial stage of offering 5G services, the NCC said.

If it plans to share its core network with other telecoms, it should first file an application to change its business plan based on telecommunications regulations, the commission said, adding that subscribers using the same 5G network must be treated equally and must be clearly informed about the partnership in the user agreement.

If Taiwan Mobile wants to share its spectrum with other carriers, it must also file an application in advance, which has to be approved by the commission, it said.

The company is obligated to increase its network capacity if it proves inadequate to serve all subscribers, the commission added.

Taiwan Mobile has indicated that it would continue its partnership with Asia Pacific Telecom, which dropped out of the bidding for 5G spectrum in the 3.5 gigahertz frequency band, NCC spokesman Hsiao Chi-hung (蕭祈宏) said, adding that Taiwan Mobile’s information security plan was still under review.

Far EasTone Telecommunication’s business plan was approved last week, but it was asked to provide more information for its information security plan before a review could continue.

Asia Pacific Telecom and Taiwan Star have yet to secure approvals for their business and information security plans.

Separately yesterday, Television Broadcasts Satellite (TVBS) vice chairman Arthur Ting (丁廣鋐) told the NCC that the TV network has not held a board meeting in eight months, adding that he does not have any information about the network’s financial status or personnel changes.

Ting, who holds a 35 percent stake in the network, made the remarks in an interview with the agency’s commissioners, who are reviewing the network’s application for management change.

The agency quoted Ting as saying that he had recommended against TVBS chairman Chen Wen-chi (陳文琦) also assuming the position of president.

The network has two news channels, so it would be better to hire a professional as president, Ting was quoted as saying.

Ting also reportedly said that he agreed with the commission’s proposal that the network stipulate ethical guidelines for its newsroom.

Following the interview, the commission said it has asked TVBS to address three issues in written statements before it continues reviewing the management change application.

The network’s management came under public scrutiny because Chen, who is also chairman of VIA Technologies and is married to HTC founder Cher Wang (王雪紅), does not have experience managing a media organization.

The network was also asked to explain why it removed an interview with American Institute in Taiwan Chairman James Moriarty from its Web site after broadcasting it just once on cable TV before local elections in November 2018.

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content_text:
STRENGTH IN UNITY:
 The Executive Yuan respects KMT legislators’ viewpoints, but has no comment on calls for the premier to step down, spokeswoman Kolas Yotaka said

The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus yesterday accused Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) of treating the Legislative Yuan with disdain and demanded that he apologize or step down for saying that KMT Legislator Chen Yu-jen (陳玉珍) is unfit for her job.

Prior to a question-and-answer session at the legislature on Tuesday, Su was asked by reporters to comment on Chen’s remark on Monday that Taiwan is not a country.

“Then she is not qualified to be a lawmaker,” the premier said.

Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Chen Yu-jen at a news conference in Taipei yesterday holds up her national identification card, which she said identifies her as a resident not of Taiwan, but of Kinmen County, Fujian Province, Republic of China.
 Photo: Liu Hsin-de, Taipei Times

Chen made the remark during a question-and-answer session with Mainland Affairs Council Minister Chen Ming-tong (陳明通), when she asked him about his view on the “growing anti-China sentiment” among the public.

“The crux of the matter is that Beijing refuses to acknowledge the ROC [Republic of China] or renounce the use of force to achieve its goal of unification with Taiwan,” the minister said, urging Chen Yu-jen to call on Beijing to acknowledge the ROC’s existence.

“Without a doubt we are a country... However, I must stress that the ROC is a country; Taiwan is not,” the lawmaker said.

The KMT caucus said in a statement that Su should apologize to all legislators or resign, as he has treated the legislature and the Constitution with disdain.

Su should be condemned for exploiting the issue of the nation’s title, touching a raw nerve as the nation strives to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, the caucus added.

KMT caucus secretary-general Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) asked Su whether he is the premier of the ROC or the “Taiwan Republic.”

The Democratic Progressive Party’s words do not match its actions, as four years after winning a legislative majority and reclaiming the Presidential Office, the party has not pushed for a constitutional amendment to change the nation’s title, Chiang said.

The national identification cards of Kinmen County residents show their place of birth as “Fujian Province,” said Chen Yu-jen, who represents the county, adding that Su continually talks about “Taiwan” as if Kinmen residents were orphans.

“For the DPP, every day is April Fool’s Day, because without officially changing the nation’s title through a constitutional amendment, it is only fooling the public,” she said.

“Su’s remarks struck a chord with many Taiwanese,” President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said yesterday when asked by reporters to comment on the issue.

“The Republic of China, Taiwan” has the broadest consensus among people and hopefully this consensus would continue to grow, she said, adding that the nation has found strength in unity in its fight against the coronavirus, a unity that would hopefully persist.

“Is Taiwan not a country?” Executive Yuan spokeswoman Kolas Yotaka said. “Taiwan is a sovereign nation whose constitutional title is the ROC. This is the consensus of the majority of the public and how most people identify the nation.”

The Executive Yuan respects KMT legislators’ various viewpoints, but has no comment on calls for the premier to step down, she said.

Additional reporting by Su Yung-yao and Lee Hsin-fang

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people:
Kolas Yotaka
蔣萬安
陳明通
蘇貞昌
陳玉珍
蔡英文

title: Su must apologize: KMT caucus


content_text:
Virus Outbreak: Experts share with US, Canada doctors

INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH:
 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it is working with six hospitals to share their experiences with Latin American and Caribbean allies

About 100 doctors from the US and Canada on Tuesday joined a video conference with disease-control experts from Taoyuan’s Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital to learn about Taiwan’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, after officials and doctors from Latin America and Caribbean allies met with Taiwanese doctors in a similar way on Monday.

Hospital vice superintendent Lai Chyong-huey (賴瓊慧) yesterday said in a statement that Padmini Murthy of the Medical Women’s International Association reached out to the hospital hoping to gain a better understanding of the response to COVID-19 by Taiwan’s hospitals and government.

During the teleconference, which lasted about 90 minutes, doctors from 52 hospitals, private clinics and other institutions in the US and Canada exchanged their experiences in fighting the pandemic and learned from Taiwanese experts, Lai said.

The hospital’s medical team shared the disease-prevention measures the government has implemented, including a ban on mask exports, border controls and the screening and isolation of at-risk individuals from before Wuhan, China — the origin of the outbreak — went into lockdown to now, she said.

The hospital said that it shared its patient flow design — its separation of people with different levels of risk for infection into a safe “green zone” and a “red zone” for confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases.

The US and Canadian doctors commended the Taiwanese experts for wearing masks during the teleconference and shared their experiences with COVID-19 cases, including clinical features, the selection of medications and the amount of time the coronavirus is detected in patients’ systems after infection, it said.

As the situation in the US continues to develop, the hospital hopes that the teleconference gave the US and Canadian doctors lessons from Taiwan’s valuable experience, Lai said, adding that it also looks forward to learning from their experiences treating patients.

In related news, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday said in a statement that it has partnered with local hospitals to share their experiences in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic with the nation’s diplomatic allies in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The ministry said that it has partnered with Chi Mei Medical Center, Cathay General Hospital, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, National Taiwan University Hospital and Mackay Memorial Hospital for the initiative.

Chi Mei Medical Center chief medical deputy superintendent Lin Hung-Jung (林宏榮) on Monday led a team of medical experts in holding a teleconference with senior health officials and healthcare workers in Belize, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, it said.

Cathay General Hospital on March 20 held a conference on COVID-19 prevention with Paraguayan health officials, it added.

Far Eastern Memorial Hospital was yesterday scheduled to hold a teleconference to share Taiwan’s COVID-19 experience and response with health officials in Nicaragua, the ministry said.

Taiwan values global public health and prevention efforts, and hopes to work with the international community to halt the spread of COVID-19, among other global health issues, it said.

“Taiwan can help and Taiwan is helping,” the ministry said.

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content_text:
Virus Outbreak: New reporting criteria for virus cases announced

The Central Epidemic Command Center yesterday released a set of revised criteria for reporting suspected COVID-19 cases, while also announcing its guidelines for disclosing patients’ personal information.

The center said that its advisory specialist panel revised the definition for “severe pneumonia with novel pathogens” — COVID-19 infection — by expanding the criteria needed to report suspected cases.

Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung (陳時中), who heads the center, said that physicians should report people for testing if they meet one of three clinical conditions: They have a fever, acute respiratory infection, or a lack of smell or taste; there is a clinical, radiological or pathological diagnosis of pneumonia; or the patient is suspected of having community-acquired pneumonia, but has no history of recent overseas travel.

“A lack of smell or taste is a new symptom added to the definition,” he said.

Chen added that doctors should also report people for testing if they meet one of three epidemiological criteria: They have had close contact with an infected person, including caring for them, spending time with them or being exposed to their bodily fluids; a cluster of cases occurred near the patient; or one of the first two criteria occurred in the 14 days before the patient experienced symptoms, visited or lived in another country, or had close contact with people from a country with cases of fever or respiratory symptoms.

“Generally, we hope that when doctors see a local patient that meets any of the criteria and the possibility of a COVID-19 infection cannot be excluded, they would send the patient for testing,” Chen said.

Asked about speculation that a lack of smell or taste might be associated with a mutated coronavirus strain in Europe, center advisory specialist panel convener Chang Shan-chwen (張上淳) said that a lack of smell or taste was not reported by people infected earlier, most of whom returned from China, but that several infected people returning from Europe or the US have reported it.

Panel experts suspect that a lack of smell or taste might be related to a mutation, but so far there is no scientific evidence to confirm their suspicion, he added.

Only 31 of 329 infected people (9.4 percent) reported the symptom, Chang said.

Some patients have reported a lack of smell and taste, while some have only reported a reduced sense of smell or taste, but the panel has so far not determined from observation of these cases how long the symptoms might last.

People have asked what information can be shared about infected people, so the center reviewed its regulations — including the Freedom of Government Information Act (政府資訊公開法), the Communicable Disease Control Act (傳染病防治法) and the Special Act on COVID-19 Prevention, Relief and Recovery (嚴重特殊傳染性肺炎防治及紓困振興特別條例) — and established guidelines for handling patients’ personal information, Chen said.

“The general guideline remains unchanged: We will only publicize patients’ information if it benefits the nation’s disease-prevention efforts,” he said.

Generally, an infected person’s age group, gender and residential area — city or county — as well as which public transportation they rode or public places they visited, and the types of people they came into contact with — such as a family member they lived with or a healthcare professional who treated them — would be disclosed, Chen added.

The person’s name, information from medical records, occupation or job title, as well as their place of work — private company or government sector — and hospital would typically not be made public, he said.

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content_text:
Virus Outbreak: Authorities investigating 46 profiteering cases

The Criminal Investigation Bureau yesterday said that it was handling 46 cases involving suspects allegedly attempting to profit from the COVID-19 pandemic by disrupting the supply of sanitizers, masks and other items.

Bureau Deputy Commissioner Chu Tsung-tai (朱宗泰) yesterday told a news conference in Taipei that the agency was investigating suspects believed to be involved in the stockpiling of masks and illegal gambling based on its findings and anonymous tip-offs.

The bureau has since January uncovered 113 cases of illegal online gambling involving 247 suspects, he said.

Masks and bottles of hand sanitizer confiscated from alleged profiteers and scammers are displayed at a Criminal Investigation Bureau news conference in Taipei yesterday.
 Photo: CNA

Ten of the stockpiling cases have already been sent to prosecutors, including one in which a 24-year-old Taichung man surnamed Wang (王) allegedly sold masks online, but did not deliver them to customers, the bureau said.

Police obtained a warrant for Wang’s arrest after several people filed complaints with authorities, it said.

Investigators found that Wang’s bank account was tied to several online accounts used to sell masks, Ninth Investigation Corps squad leader Chiu Cheng-ti (邱承迪) said, adding that 80 people transferred money to the account, but none received masks.

Investigators tracked Wang down using surveillance footage after he withdrew money from the account at an automated teller machine, Chiu said.

Police on March 19 searched Wang’s residence and found five bank books, five bank cards, three mobile phones, two SIM cards, several relevant computer files, two small pouches of amphetamine and a bullet, he said.

Wang received an estimated NT$210,000 (US$6,929) in transfers to the bank account, he added.

In another case, an online account was selling masks, hand sanitizer and digital thermometers online at 1.5 times the market price, Third Investigation Corps squad leader Lee Chi-hsun (李奇勳) said.

The Keelung District Prosecutors’ Office, which was handling the case, on Tuesday traced the account to a 27-year-old man in New Taipei City, who made an estimated NT$200,000 through the account, Lee said.

Police searched the man’s residence and confiscated one laptop, two mobile phones, 4,257 masks, 1,399 bottles of hand sanitizer and six thermometers, he said.

Keelung prosecutors are to continue their investigation and might charge the man with breaching Article 12 of the Special Act on COVID-19 Prevention, Relief and Recovery (嚴重特殊傳染性肺炎防治及紓困振興特別條例), which prohibits the stockpiling of supplies used to combat the spread of COVID-19, he added.

The bureau said that the Sixth Investigation Corps has been cooperating with Taichung police in an investigation of an illegal online gambling ring, whose members were allegedly operating out of an office building in Situn District (西屯).

Police have taken 41 suspects into custody in relation to the case, it said.

The bureau said that the Seventh Investigation Corps has been working with Chiayi police to investigate a gambling ring selling lottery tickets to people in China through messaging app WeChat.

Police have arrested seven suspects in the case and confiscated NT$2.33 million allegedly earned through the sale of the tickets, it said.

People should avoid buying masks through social media or messaging apps, and should instead use the National Health Insurance Administration’s mobile app to order masks, the bureau said.

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content_text:
Virus Outbreak: Seven new coronavirus cases reported, all imported

The Central Epidemic Command Center yesterday reported seven new cases of COVID-19, all of them Taiwanese who returned from the UK and the US, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 329.

Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung (陳時中), who heads the center, said that the new cases were relatively less complicated, as five were tested at an airport upon arrival, while the other two developed symptoms while they were in home quarantine and tested positive at a hospital.

The cases are four women and three men, who developed symptoms between Feb. 29 and Monday. One of them returned from the UK and six from the US between March 19 and Monday, data showed.

Seats on the Skytrain shuttle, which runs between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, are marked with tape yesterday to remind passengers not to sit next to each other, while a sign on the window instructs passengers to stand 1m apart.
 Photo courtesy of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport

Two of them are friends who traveled to the US with another friend between Feb. 6 and Monday, Chen said.

The two lost their sense of smell and taste on Monday and Tuesday last week, so they notified airport quarantine officers upon their arrival and underwent testing, he said.

Their friend is in home isolation, he added.

Chen said that of the 329 cases, 283 were imported and 46 domestic, including five deaths and 45 patients who have been discharged from hospital.

Five cases are receiving more attention, as they are domestic cases with unknown sources of infection, he said.

People who had come into contact with three of them — cases 100, 134 and 156 — tested negative, Chen said.

The 14-day incubation period for the 100th case has passed, while cases 134 and 156 are two to three days from the end of the incubation period, he said.

However, the center and local health departments are still carrying out contact investigations for two other domestic cases — 268 and 322 — he added.

Separately yesterday, National Taiwan Normal University announced that all of its classes from Monday next week to April 17 would be conducted online after a student tested positive for COVID-19.

Additional reporting by Rachel Lin

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people: 陳宗彥 陳時中

content_text:
Virus Outbreak: Health minister lays out rules for social distancing

HOME AWAY FROM HOME:
 The central government is offering subsidies to hotels to house people who have been ordered to undergo 14-day home quarantine

Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung (陳時中) yesterday elaborated on the rules for “social distancing” and said that the government is providing subsidies to encourage more hotels to become quarantine hotels.

Chen on Tuesday urged the public to practice social distancing by keeping at least 1m apart outdoors and 1.5m apart indoors.

If maintaining such distances is not possible due to confined or crowded spaces, then everyone should wear a mask, Chen yesterday told a daily news briefing at the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) in Taipei.

The center also suggested that people avoid exhibitions, sports events, concerts and other social activities that require close interaction with others, as well as nonessential visits to entertainment venues, whose owners — if they are likely to have close interactions with others and cannot wear masks — should consider suspending operations.

The flexible policy that has been implemented is mainly aimed at persuading people to observe proper social distancing, said Chen, who heads the center.

Stricter regulations and corresponding penalties might be introduced if the virus crisis worsens, but the center has not set a time frame or conditions for their implementation, he added.

People should wear a mask when traveling on MRT metropolitan rail networks and high-speed trains, where it is difficult to maintain a safe distance, Chen said.

Students in the same class are not random strangers, so they do not necessarily have to wear a mask if the classroom has proper ventilation, he said.

Restaurant owners can consider installing divider boards to separate customers to reduce the risk of infection, he added.

In addition, the Tourism Bureau is providing a subsidy of NT$1,000 per room per night until June 30 to encourage more hotels to become quarantine hotels for people in home quarantine, Chen said.

Hotels would be required to comply with establishment and management regulations for quarantine hotels published by the center and cooperate with the bureau and local government policies, the CECC said.

While people who break home quarantine orders were previously fined and taken to a centralized quarantine center if they breached the order twice, Chen said that they would now be remanded to a quarantine facility after the first offense, deprived of a government quarantine subsidy and required to pay for additional expenses, including their accommodations.

Deputy Minister of the Interior Chen Tsung-yen (陳宗彥), who is deputy head of the CECC, said that the number of people in mandatory home quarantine hit a high of more than 55,000 on Saturday last week, but had fallen to about 48,000 as of yesterday.

Effective immediately, residents of outlying islands who are placed in home quarantine would be banned from taking domestic flights or boat rides, so they would have to complete the 14-day quarantine on Taiwan proper, he said.

In addition, a temporary ban on international transit flights is to be extended until April 30, he added.

Separately yesterday, the Environmental Protection Administration increased the minimum fine for dumping masks from NT$1,200 to NT$3,600.

People caught dumping masks face a fine of NT$3,600 for a first offense and NT$6,000 for each repeat infraction, it said.

Additional reporting by Lin Chia-nan


content_text:
NO RECENT PARALLEL:
 UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the pandemic was ‘the most challenging crisis we have faced since the Second World War’

The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed more than 30,000 lives in Europe alone, a global tally showed yesterday, in what the head of the UN has described as humanity’s worst crisis since World War II.

Italy and Spain bore the brunt of the crisis, accounting for three in every four deaths on the continent, as the grim tally hit another milestone even though half of the planet’s population is already under some form of lockdown in a battle to halt contagion.

Spain reported a record 864 deaths in 24 hours, pushing the nation’s number of fatalities past 9,000.

A street cleaner in protective clothing cleans a sidewalk in Paris on Tuesday on the 15th day of a lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19.
 Photo: AFP

The toll is only dwarfed by Italy, where the virus has killed nearly 12,500 people.

Since emerging in China last year, COVID-19 has spread across the globe claiming more than 43,000 lives and infecting more than 860,000 people, data showed.

US President Donald Trump has warned of a “very, very painful two weeks” as the nation registered its deadliest 24 hours of what he called a “plague.”

In a scramble to halt the contagion, governments have shut schools and shops, and ordered millions of people to work from home.

Cancelations of key events have swept both the sports and cultural worlds, with Edinburgh’s arts festivals the latest to be scrapped.

For UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the extraordinary upheaval spurred by the coronavirus presents a real danger to the relative peace the world has seen over the past few decades.

The pandemic “represents a threat to everybody in the world and ... an economic impact that will bring a recession that probably has no parallel in the recent past,” Guterres said.

“The combination of the two facts, and the risk that it contributes to enhanced instability, enhanced unrest and enhanced conflict, are things that make us believe that this is the most challenging crisis we have faced since the Second World War,” he said.

With most business activity grinding to a halt for an undetermined period, scenes of economic desperation and unrest were emerging across the globe.

In Italy, lines were lengthening at soup kitchens, while some supermarkets were reportedly pillaged.

Half a million more people now need help to afford meals, Italy’s biggest agriculture sector union said, adding to the 2.7 million already in need last year.

“Usually we serve 152,525 people, but now we’ve 70,000 more requests,” said Roberto Tuorto, who runs a food aid association.

The focus is now turning to how asymptomatic cases could be fueling the spread.

China yesterday said that it has more than 1,300 asymptomatic cases, the first time it has released such data following public concern over people who have tested positive, but are not showing symptoms.

Experts agree that asymptomatic patients are likely to be infectious, but it remains unknown how responsible they are for spreading the coronavirus.

Germany and France were ramping up testing of the population to establish how many already have immunity.

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title: Virus Outbreak: European death toll tops 30,000


title: China Development told to close China Life deal

content_text:
UNDER FSC REVIEW:
 The company decided to delay the deal, saying that China Life’s retail shareholders would not be interested in selling low-priced shares

The Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) on Tuesday said that China Development Financial Holding Corp (CDFHC, 中華開發金控) should honor its commitment to fully acquire China Life Insurance Co (中國人壽).

“The financial conglomerate had many reasons when it applied to us to delay the deal in February. We found some acceptable, whereas others were not,” Banking Bureau Chief Secretary Phil Tong (童政彰) told a news conference in New Taipei City.

“We are still reviewing the case and will concentrate on whether the delay would affect the company’s shareholder equity and impact the order of the financial market,” Tong said.

“We will also confirm whether it is necessary and reasonable for CDFHC to delay the deal, and what efforts the company has made to close the deal,” he said. “Then we will decide whether to grant a grace period for the company and how long that period should be.”

The commission would make a decision by the end of this month, he added.

CDFHC holds a 34.82 percent stake in China Life after it acquired 25 percent of the insurer’s shares at NT$35 per share on Sept. 13, 2017.

The commission, which encourages financial conglomerates to fully own their subsidiaries, at the time required CDFHC to complete the acquisition within two-and-a-half years, and the company had promised that it would fully acquire China Life by March 13 this year.

However, the company in January said that it decided to delay the deal as it predicted China Life’s retail shareholders would not be interested in selling their shares at a time when prices were low.

Shares in China Life, the nation’s fifth-largest life insurer by market share, steadily retreated from NT$33.88 on Sept. 13, 2017, to NT$17.25 yesterday.

Tong said that being unable to follow through on its original acquisition plan might demonstrate the quality and effect of the company’s corporate governance.

“Financial institutions should keep their promise to the regulator, as in this highly supervised industry, [keeping a promise] is as important as complying with the law,” Tong said.

Even though the commission could not fine CDFHC for breaking a promise, it could adopt other administrative measures to address the issue, he said.

Meanwhile, CDFHC on Monday announced that it would issue debentures worth NT$8 billion (US$263.96 million) with maturities of up to 15 years, to help repay its debts.

The firm is the second financial conglomerate planning to issue bonds to take advantage of lower interest rates after the central bank cut its policy interest rate by 25 basis points on March 19.

Shin Kong Financial Holding Co (新光金控) on Friday last week announced that it would issue five-year bonds worth NT$3 billion.

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title: Taiwan Business Quick Take

content_text:
EQUITIES

TAIEX down due to festival

Local equities moved lower yesterday to close below 9,700 points, as investors grew more cautious about the spread of COVID-19 during the four-day Tomb Sweeping Festival that begins today. The TAIEX ended down 44.43 points, or 0.46 percent, at the day’s low of 9,663.63. Turnover totaled NT$117.37 billion (US$3.67 billion) during the session, Taiwan Stock Exchange data showed. Foreign institutional investors sold a net NT$4.71 billion of shares on the main board, compared with a net sell of NT$5.81 billion on Tuesday, the data showed. This week, the TAIEX fell 35.29 points, or 0.36 percent, from the closing level of 9,698.92 on Friday last week, the data showed.

ENERGY

CPC cuts LPG, LNG prices

State-run oil refiner CPC Corp, Taiwan (CPC, 台灣中油) yesterday announced price cuts for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) for this month. Effective today, prices of household LPG are to drop by NT$5 per kilogram, which is expected to reduce the price of a 20kg gas cylinder by NT$100, the company said. An identical reduction is also to apply to industrial-use propane, butane and propane-butane mixture, while the price of LPG used in vehicles is to fall by NT$2.7 per liter. The average price of LNG is to decline 5.03 percent from last month. The price cut translates into a decreased cost of NT$14.7 to NT$22.05 for households that use 30m3 to 45m3 of LNG per month respectively, CPC said, attributing the price cuts to a decline in international contract prices of LPG.

FINANCIAL REPORTS

Listed firms’ revenue falls

Companies listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange reported total revenue of NT$32.72 trillion for last year, down 0.68 percent from a year earlier, while aggregate pretax profit decreased 9.01 percent year-on-year to NT$2.38 trillion. The exchange said that 936 listed firms met Tuesday’s deadline to report their results, with the banking and insurance, cement, and computer and peripheral sectors serving as major drivers for listed firms’ profit growth last year. Meanwhile, plastics, semiconductor and optoelectronic companies were the major sectors that reported lower profits for last year, it said. The Financial Supervisory Commission yesterday fined LED firm Unity Opto Technology Co (東貝光電) NT$240,000 for failing to submit its financial statement by the deadline.

MACHINERY

Quaser shares down 6.25%

Shares of Quaser Machine Tools Inc (百德機械) yesterday fell as much as 8 percent in Taipei trading after the Chinese-language Economic Daily News reported that the company would cut about 40 jobs in Taiwan due to the pandemic, before closing at NT$30.75, down 6.25 percent. In a regulatory filing, Quaser confirmed the job cuts and said that its European clients have postponed some orders amid the outbreak. The company said the job cuts would have a limited effect on its operations and that it expects orders to increase after the pandemic is brought under control. Quaser reported revenue of NT$1.92 billion for last year, down 5.14 percent year-on-year, with net losses of NT$90.83 million, or net losses per share of NT$2.23. In September last year, Quaser received the Investment Commission’s approval to invest US$635 million in Winbro Group UK Ltd to tap into the world’s aviation and industrial turbine generator sectors.

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content_text:
The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) yesterday announced the members of its new reform committee, including Su Chi (蘇起), the former Mainland Affairs Council minister who in 2006 admitted making up the term “1992 consensus.”

The list of members was approved at a Central Standing Committee meeting, with KMT Chairman Johnny Chiang (江啟臣) appointed as convener, KMT Secretary-General Lee Chien-lung (李乾龍) as deputy convener and KMT Deputy Secretary-General Ko Chih-en (柯志恩) as executive secretary, the party said in a statement.

The 62-member committee is divided into four groups focused on cross-strait policy, organizational reform, youth participation and financial stability.

The cross-strait policy group consists of 16 members, including Wang Hsin-hsien (王信賢), chair of National Chengchi University’s Graduate Institute of East Asian Studies; Shih Wei-chuan (施威全), a consultant at the KMT-affiliated National Policy Foundation; and Taipei Forum chairman Su Chi, a list released by the party showed.

The organizational reform group’s 15 members include KMT Legislator Liao Kuo-tung (廖國棟), Central Standing Committee member Hsieh Kun-hung (謝坤宏) and Taoyuan City Councilor Huang Ching-ping (黃敬平).

New Taipei City Councilor Chen Wei-chieh (陳偉杰), Tamkang University Department of Global Politics and Economics professor Pao Cheng-hao (包正豪), and Taipei city councilors Hsu Chiao-hsin (徐巧芯) and Chung Pei-chun (鍾沛君) are among the 18 members of the youth participation group.

Ten people, including National Policy Foundation chief executive Kao Yuang-kuang (高永光), foundation members Chu Yun-peng (朱雲鵬) and Lin Chu-chiao (林祖嘉), and KMT Legislator William Tseng (曾銘宗), have been appointed to the financial stability group.

The four groups are expected to select their conveners before April 13 and the committee is to submit a report on its recommendations for reform on May 22.

Six former KMT chairpersons — former president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), former vice presidents Lien Chan (連戰) and Wu Den-yih (吳敦義), former New Taipei City mayor Eric Chu (朱立倫), Wu Poh-hsiung (吳伯雄) and Hung Hsiu-chu (洪秀柱)— are to serve as advisers.

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people: 曾銘宗 廖國棟 連戰 柯志恩 吳敦義 李乾龍 馬英九 江啟臣 朱立倫 洪秀柱

title: KMT introduces members of new reform committee


title: Ministry to help retailers, eateries expand online

content_text:
The Ministry of Economic Affairs yesterday said that it has set aside NT$265 million (US$8.74 million) to help restaurants and retailers transform digitally as they face a decline in business due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Funded by a NT$20.49 billion special government budget to provide support to the sectors of the economy that have been affected by the pandemic, the aid would be divided into two parts, the ministry said.

Restaurants would receive a bigger share, the ministry said, adding that the main focus would be on helping them launch food delivery services.

“Consumers have opted to stay home to prevent the coronavirus from spreading,” Department of Commerce Deputy Director-General Chen Mi-shun (陳秘順) told a media briefing in Taipei.

As a majority of restaurants do not have experience in food delivery, the ministry would help them reach agreements with delivery service providers, Chen said.

The aid program would also include assistance in more complex marketing services, such as creating online menus and taking photographs, the ministry added.

Each restaurant contracting local delivery service providers for the first time would be eligible for a maximum of NT$15,000 in subsidies, which would be given directly to service providers, the ministry said.

Meanwhile, the remaining NT$100 million would be given to 1,000 retailers looking to sell their products via online channels, it said.

Retailers would be allowed up to NT$100,000 to subsidize the establishment of online sources of income through e-commerce platforms, which would help facilitate the process, the ministry said, adding that the sum would be given directly to e-commerce operators.

The ministry yesterday began accepting applications from local delivery service providers and e-commerce operators.

The final list of service providers and operators approved by the ministry would be published by Friday next week, it added.

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content_text:
Shares of LCD panel makers AU Optronics Corp (AUO, 友達光電) and Innolux Corp (群創) yesterday rallied by almost the 10 percent daily limit in Taipei, one day after South Korean panel maker Samsung Display Co said it would cease all production of LCD panels by the end of this year.

Samsung Display’s exit would breathe new life into the volatile LCD industry, as the cutback in supply would help mitigate a prolonged oversupply of LCD panels, market researcher TrendForce Corp (集邦科技) said in a report yesterday.

The industry has been locked in a long-term downward spiral in panel prices due to a persistent supply glut.

The South Korean firm’s move indicates that it is speeding up production of quantum dot and organic-LED displays, a hybrid panel developed by Samsung Display, TrendForce said.

The researcher said it had expected a severe glut in the supply of monitor panels this year — similar to what happened with TV panels last year — pushing global shipments of LCD monitor panels to 1.7 million units, up 18.3 percent from 1.44 million units last year.

“Now that Samsung Display has decided to withdraw from the LCD market earlier than expected, it will help alleviate the market’s oversupply pressure,” the Taipei-based researcher said.

AUO and Innolux shares rose 9.94 percent each to NT$6.97 and NT$5.75 respectively in Taipei trading.

They have slumped more than 30 percent this year amid a gloomy outlook due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Samsung Display’s exit might cause supply constraints regarding vertical-alignment (VA) LCD panels for monitors, as the firm is the world’s No. 1 supplier of such panels with a 35 percent market share, TrendFroce said.

AUO and China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co (華星光電) would become the world’s only two suppliers of VA monitor panels, before HKC Optoelectronics Technology Co (惠科) starts ramping up a new production line next year in China, the researcher said.

Samsung Display’s move is also expected to bring a supply-demand parity for in-plane switching LCD panels at a time when major manufacturers, including LG Display Co, BOE Group Co (京東方) and Taiwanese companies, are expanding capacity by adjusting existing equipment, TrendForce said.

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title: Panel shares soar on Samsung exit


title: Virus Outbreak: Japan business confidence plummets

content_text:
‘INCREASING RISKS’:
 Supply chain disruptions in China, falling visitor numbers and the cancelation of major sporting events have taken a toll on sentiment, an economist said

Confidence among Japan’s biggest manufacturers has plunged into negative territory for the first time in seven years, a key survey showed yesterday as the COVID-19 pandemic hits demand and disrupts production.

The Bank of Japan’s Tankan business survey — a quarterly poll of about 10,000 firms — last month showed a reading of minus-8 among major manufacturers, the first negative reading since March 2013.

The short-term business sentiment survey reports the difference between the percentage of firms that are upbeat and those that see conditions as unfavorable.

A man walks past temporarily closed shops in Tokyo’s Ginza shopping district on Saturday.
 Photo: AP

A negative reading means more firms are pessimistic than optimistic. It is considered to be the broadest indicator of how Japan Inc is faring.

The index for non-manufacturers fell to plus-8 from 20 in December last year survey as the virus also hit tourism, entertainment and other service industries.

The confidence index for the hotels and restaurant service industry came in at a staggering minus-59.

“Negative impacts are spreading broadly in various sectors,” NLI Research Institute senior economist Tsuyoshi Ueno said in a report ahead of the Tankan release.

They range from slower exports and the disruption of parts supply from China, to plunges in foreign visitors, cancelations of sports and other events, and weaker stock prices combined with a higher yen, he said.

The headline index was also at the lowest level since March 2013 just before the central bank embarked on unprecedented massive monetary easing in tandem with then-new Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s pro-spending policy, known as Abenomics.

Norinchukin Research Institute chief economist Takeshi Minami said the reading was the same last month and in March 2013, but the direction was “totally different.”

“Back in March 2013, negative sentiment was receding on hopes for ‘Abenomics,’ but the situation is far more serious this time,” he said. “There are increasing risks that confidence will sink further now.”

The world’s third-largest economy is “bound to fall” into a recession, Minami said. “The problem is nobody knows how long these woes will last, hitting business confidence hard.”

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc senior economist Naoya Oshikubo said that “the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics can be seen as the emblem of the great sense of uncertainty about the future, felt across Japan and the world, which is slowing demand.”

However, economists said the gloomy Tankan report is unlikely to push the Bank of Japan into taking new easing measures soon.

The bank had already brought forward its last policy meeting and decided on additional easing measures on March 16.

“It would be a different story if the yen appreciates rapidly ... but otherwise the bank is expected to maintain a wait-and-see stance for a while, given the little room it has for further easing,” Ueno said.

Japan has reported fewer infections and death than other major economies, but authorities have warned the nation is at crossroads to prevent an explosive rise in cases.

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content_text:
Guatemala has eliminated duties on Taiwanese exports of bicycles and motorcycles, the Bureau of Foreign Trade said yesterday after a newly amended free-trade agreement between the two nations took effect.

The agreement has been in place since 2006 and was revised earlier this year to remove duties on a number of goods from both nations.

Taiwan is Guatemala’s third-largest source of bicycles and 14th-largest source of motorcycles, a bureau official surnamed Chen (陳) told the Taipei Times by telephone, adding that Guatemala previously levied duties of 15 percent and 10 percent on each product respectively.

In exchange for Taiwan enjoying duty-free exports of bicycles and motorcycles, Guatemala’s annual tariff-free sugar quota, which includes raw and refined sugar, has increased to 125,000 tonnes from an average of about 94,000 tonnes per year, the bureau said.

“Sugar is one of Guatemala’s main exports to Taiwan and the country is also one of our largest sources” of sugar, Chen said, adding that Taiwan imported 100,000 tonnes of sugar from Guatemala last year.

Coffee beans from Guatemala, Taiwan’s biggest source of the product, were already exempt from duties.

In the revised agreement, the bureau also lifted duties on roasted chicory and other coffee substitutes.

Other Guatemalan imports now also exempt from customs duties include mascarene grass, fruit or nut-bearing trees, shrubs, and bushes, the bureau said.

As imports from Guatemala totaled US$417,000 in 2018, the removal of tariffs on such goods would not negatively affect Taiwan’s local industries, but would help solidify the relationship between the two countries, the bureau said.

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title: Guatemala removes duties on bicycles, motorcycles


content_text:
US President Donald Trump has signed off on a plan to defer US tariffs on goods from countries with most-favored nation status for three months, to help ease the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, a source familiar with the decision said on Tuesday.

The plan would not apply to tariffs on Chinese and European goods subject to Section 301 tariffs or to steel and aluminum subject to Section 232 tariffs.

The source said it remained unclear when Trump would sign an executive order deferring the levies.

Once signed, it would give the US Department of the Treasury the authority to direct US Customs and Border Protection to delay collecting tariffs on those imports for 90 days.

About 400 chief executives of small, medium and large companies from across the country on Tuesday urged Trump in a letter to delay the collection of duties for a period of 90 to 180 days to give companies access to cash that would normally be paid to the US government, given coronavirus-related shutdowns.

“Delaying duties helps us preserve cash flow — critically important during a prolonged period of little to no revenue,” the CEOs wrote.

“At the same time, delaying duties does not undermine the effect of tariffs on trade flows, because the money is still due,” they wrote.

Trade ministers from the US and other G20 major economies on Monday agreed to keep their markets open and ensure the continued flow of vital medical supplies, equipment and other essential goods as the world battles the pandemic.

The deferral would apply to duties imposed on items from countries with most-favored nation status, such as footwear and apparel, giving US importers of such items a temporary reprieve.

White House National Trade Council Director Peter Navarro last week denied a report that the administration was considering a broader tariff relief measure that would have included goods from China.

The modified plan affects a smaller subset of imports.

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title: Virus Outbreak: Trump signs off on tariff deferral


content_text:
Virus Outbreak: Asia factory activity dives as virus shock deepens

WIDENING DAMAGE:
 The survey period for PMIs missed more recent lockdowns in Malaysia and Thailand an economist said, adding that things will likely get worse

Factory activity last month contracted sharply across most of Asia as the COVID-19 pandemic paralyzed economic activity across the globe, with sharp falls in export power houses Japan and South Korea overshadowing a modest improvement in China.

Manufacturing gauges also tumbled in Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines, according to various purchasing managers’ index (PMI) surveys released yesterday, underscoring the widening damage brought by the pandemic that has infected more than 873,000 people, upended supply chains and led to city lockdowns worldwide.

RISE IN CHINA

China’s Caixin/Markit manufacturing PMI rose to 50.1 from February’s record low of 40.3, and just a notch above the 50-mark that separates growth from contraction, but growth was marginal, highlighting the intense pressure facing businesses as domestic and export demand slumps.

South Korea’s IHS Markit PMI plunged to 44.2, its lowest since January 2009, as many of its trading partners imposed dramatic measures to curb the virus’ spread. The index was 48.7 in February.

Japan’s PMI fell to a seasonally adjusted 44.8 from a reading of 47.8 in February, its lowest since April 2009, adding to views that the world’s third-largest economy is likely already in recession.

CALL FOR STIMULUS

Japan’s ruling coalition has called on the government to secure a stimulus package worth at least ￥60 trillion (US$553 billion), with ￥20 trillion in direct spending.

Elsewhere in Asia, the pain was felt acutely, with the Philippines dropping to 39.7, the lowest since records began in 2016 and Vietnam slipping to 41.9, while Taiwan’s PMI rose above 50.

“Things are likely to get a lot worse in the months ahead,” Capital Economics Ltd economist Alex Holmes said in a note to clients, adding that the survey period for the PMIs likely did not capture more recent lockdowns such as those in Malaysia and Thailand.

The consultancy expects global GDP to fall by more than 3 percent this year.

Policymakers across the globe, including in Asia, have announced massive monetary and fiscal stimulus measures to try to mitigate the economic fallout from the pandemic, keep cash-starved businesses afloat and save jobs.

However, many measures have been short-gap steps to deal with the immediate damage to corporate funding and shore up banking systems amid worries of a credit crisis.

‘MASSIVE’ SPENDING

The IMF has said the pandemic was already driving the global economy into recession, calling on countries to respond with “very massive” spending to avoid bankruptcies and emerging market debt defaults.

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content_text:
New vehicle sales nationwide last month soared 36.3 percent monthly to 37,279 units, with Tesla Inc posting the highest growth, the Chinese-language auto information Web site U-car.com reported yesterday, citing Directorate-General of Highways data.

The result marked the best sales figure for March since 2005.

On an annual basis, sales rose 15 percent, bucking a global downtrend as the outbreak of COVID-19 dragged down consumer sentiment and disrupted vehicle production worldwide, the report said.

Last quarter, new vehicle sales totaled 104,046 units, up 8.2 percent from the same period last year, the report said.

Imported auto brands accounted for more than half of the sales, it said.

“As the pandemic is relatively under control in Taiwan, the disease has less impact on the local auto market,” U-car said.

It said that Tesla emerged as a dark horse, as sales spiked 14-fold from February to 1,517 units, thanks to robust sales of its Model 3, the report said.

The model was the second-most popular imported passenger car with sales of 1,293 units, it added.

Tesla ranked the nation’s No. 8 auto seller last month, the first time the electric-vehicle maker broke into the top 10 list in Taiwan, U-car said.

Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz rose to No. 3, unseating Nissan Motor Co, as the German brand said sales climbed 8.2 percent month-on-month to 2,693 units, the report said.

Nissan ranked No. 4 after selling 2,328 vehicles, up 12.79 percent from 2,064 units in February, it said.

Hotai Motor Co (和泰汽車), which distributes Toyota and Lexus vehicles in Taiwan, retained its top position as sales surged 34.11 percent to 11,700 units from 8,724 in February.

Hotai’s robust growth was attributed to two popular models: the imported Toyota RAV4, which sold 2,754 units, and the locally made Corolla Altis, which sold 2,563.

Hotai seized a 31.5 market share percent last month, little changed from February.

China Motor Corp (中華汽車) came second with sales totaling 3,812 vehicles, up 20.59 percent month-on-month.

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title: New vehicle sales rise as Tesla posts highest growth