November 20: The consumer price index (CPI) and producer price index (PPI) announced by the United States were all lower than market expectations. The market expects the Federal Reserve to end its rate hike cycle, stimulating the exchange rate of the New Taiwan Dollar (NTD), breaking a three-month high, and reaching a cumulative increase of NT$0.694 (about US$0.22). With hot money flowing into emerging markets in Asia, the NTD appreciated by 2.19 percent, surpassing South Korea, Japan, mainland China, and other major trade competitors.
November 20: On November 3, American and mainland Chinese warships appeared on the east of Taiping Island in the South China Sea. The Coast Guard Administration (CGA) of the Ocean Affairs Council stated that the ships were about 13.4 nautical miles away from the island, but the Ministry of National Defense (MND)confirmed in the Legislative Yuan that at the time, both American and Chinese warships were together, and American warships were about 12 nautical miles away from the island. Kuomintang (KMT) Legislator Charles Chen criticized the CGA for lying openly; he demanded that the MND not retreat on sovereignty issues. According to the lawmaker, if we do not make any claim, then we will be considered as having no sovereignty.
November 21: According to a Bloomberg report, the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has informed its supply chain partners that it is considering building a third plant in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, designated as the "Fab-23 Phase 3 Project," but there is no clear start time yet. TSMC responded that it is currently focusing on evaluating the possibility of setting up a second semiconductor factory in Japan and has no additional information to share.
November 23: Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) vice-presidential candidate Bi-khim Hsiao held a press conference for the international media. On cross-strait relations, she stated that dialogue is the only solution to resolve differences, and war is not an option. On Chinese President Xi Jinping denying plans to attack Taiwan in 2027 or 2035, Hsiao quoted U.S. President Ronald Reagan's statement on Soviet negotiations at the time: "Trust, but verify."
November 23: The Executive Yuan announced that starting from February next year, mainland Chinese students who have enrolled and been studying for more than six months in Taiwan will be included in the National Health Insurance system the same way as other foreign and overseas Chinese students. About 2,000 mainland Chinese students will benefit from this policy.
November 23: Compulsory military service will be restored to one year next year. The MND announced that it plans to recruit 9,127 people next year, and units to which conscripts will be distributed include important facilities in the Navy and Air Force, information and communication stations in the mountains, and station platforms for weapons and equipment. After distribution, professional military training will be conducted according to the unit's combat mission and organization. The training focus will include strengthening individual combat skills, operating new weapons, and implementing civil defense tasks.
November 24: Talks to formalize a coalition between the Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP) for the presidential election have failed. Registration for the 2024 presidential election has closed. There are three candidate tickets, including the DPP's William Lai and Bi-khim Hsiao, the TPP's Ko Wen-je and Cynthia Wu, as well as the KMT's Hou Yu-ih and Jaw Shaw-kong. In a statement, Terry Gou, independent candidate and founder of Hon Hai Precision Industry Company (Foxconn), announced his withdrawal from the presidential race.
November 24: Electronic newsletter My Formosa issued its latest presidential poll. The DPP's Lai maintains the lead with only 31.4 percent support, followed by the KMT's Hou with 31.1 percent. The TPP's Ko was rated last with 25.2 percent support. The difference between Lai and Hou is a mere 0.3 percentage point.
