英倫翻譯社/ Trsmaster

A poor showing by domestic films at the recently concluded Golden Horse Awards led a group of opposition lawmakers to call for an end to the event. Today most pulled back from their controversial comments and instead suggested more support for local filmmakers. 

The Golden Horse Awards have become politicized due to the strong performance by Chinese and Hong Kong films. Some opposition lawmakers even called for an end to the local awards ceremony, which sparked a stern rebuke from filmmakers and other supporters.

Wang Jin-pyng
Legislative Speaker
The awards ceremony is well run. Since we only took a few awards, we should try to work a little harder.

Over the past few days, DPP Legislator Lin Chia-lung had called for a review of the policies supporting domestic films. He says he was improperly targeted as the person who called for an end to the awards ceremony.

After the finance minister criticized local governments for lavish New Year’s Eve celebrations, today Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin struck back. Hau took exception to the claim that spending money on fireworks is a waste of money, arguing that it brings substantial economic value to the city. 

Fireworks are the highlight of New Year's Eve celebrations throughout Taiwan. And in the past few years, events such as the Taipei 101 fireworks display have attracted lots of public attention.

To welcome in the year 2013, a special French fireworks team has been commissioned for the first time. This team has worked on past displays such as the Eiffel Tower, the Burj Khalifa and the Doha Asian Games. The show is expected to last 188 seconds and cost a whopping NT$30 million.

Michael Liu
Taipei 101 Spokesman 
I think that fireworks are a sort of memory that everyone can share. It’s also a rare festive event that makes everyone happy for a few moments.

The Financial Supervisory Commission has announced that it’s considering easing rules on day trading to boost low turnover. But some investors think it will have little effect and will simply add more risk. 

After a rebound for two consecutive days, the Taiwan Stock Exchange appeared anemic, rising by just three-tenths of a percentage point. Turnover fell to NT$71.4 billion. This is despite the cabinet’s economic vitalization plan that could permit certain types of day trading.

Investor
The government seems to be doing its utmost with this policy, but it is having little effect. Turnover changed only slightly. Over the long term, I am not bullish. I think it will create more chaos in the market

By allowing certain day trades, investors may be able to make transactions with minimal capital or little cost. However, potential day trading losses can lead to the risk of default when it comes to account settlements, and could adversely affect market stability.

Lo Shu-lei

Before the Next Media sale took place in Macau, protesters converged outside the Executive Yuan building in Taipei. They worry the deal will give the pro-China businessman Tsai Eng-meng a monopoly over local media. 

Nearly a hundred student activists rallied to form a youth association that opposes media monopolies. Since last night the group has been protesting the proposed sale of Next Media’s Apple Daily, Next Magazine and Next TV to a syndicate that includes the Want Want China Times Group. The group is headed by the controversial businessman and media mogul Tsai Eng-meng.

Student Activist
After the acquisition of Next Media’s newspaper unit is complete, it will constitute a monopoly. One voice will ring out louder than all others, and China will be able to disrupt Taiwan’s media freedom.

The first round of protests ended at around 1 o’clock in the afternoon. Academics joined the chorus of people calling on the government to keep big business from monopolizing the media. Premier Sean Chen responded.

Sean Chen

Boracay is a popular place for Taiwanese tourists who are visiting the Philippines. But one couple is complaining about overcharging which took place at seafood restaurant where they paid NT$4,700 for a single lobster. 

Boracay is known for its beautiful beaches and bountiful seafood. Unfortunately, Mr. Ho and his girlfriend were unwittingly duped when they went to a local restaurant that had a sign advertising lobster for the equivalent of NT$128. When they finished their meal, they learned the price was actually NT$128 per 100 grams, meaning their 3.7 kg lobster ultimately cost NT$4,700. Worse yet, the couple didn’t have the cash on them to pay this exorbitant bill and they were soon taken to the local police station.

While many people may be shocked by this news, the reality of the situation is that the price of such lobster at markets in Taiwan may be even more expensive.

Fishmonger
It’s impossible. NT$128 is impossible. Even at a 70 percent discount it would be impossible to cost just NT$120.

Chen Yi-chuan of Taiwan’s Travel Quality Assurance Association reminded tourists to pay more attention when visiting the Boracay Fish Market. He warned that such vendors may deceptively label prices and said it’s important to know just how much you are spending before you commit to a meal.