Xin Yage

An aging population and low birth rate are a threat to the country's pension funds. Those for military, civil service and teachers are in fact expected to go bankrupt between 2019 and 2027. The issue has sparked an intense debate between and within parties.

After a history of industrial anarchism and pollutants, there are now laws and checks on air, water, fertilizers and waste. The importance of ecological limits for agriculture in Taiwan, whose fruit is famous all over the world. Questions and criticism even on the opening of a new nuclear power plant.

Revealed in a study by the Child Welfare League Foundation in Taipei. The peers who live in rural areas lag behind because they lack technical tools. The disparity causes a loss of self-esteem, and 25% of children in the provinces do not want to enroll in high school.

The island is fourth worldwide and second in Asia after Singapore. Strong competition in the area, especially with South Korea Helping young people to be more creative and better justice in the workplace.

For three days the prelates have learned how to give interviews, press conferences, pay attention to their posture before the cameras and manner of speech. All this is important to communicate the work of the Church on the island and the great task of evangelization to young people.

As government seeks savings, private sector and opposition criticise the privileges of public servants and employees in state-run enterprises. Taiwan's per capita GDP is now higher than that of France, Finland and Japan. Opposition plans a rally this Sunday to protest budget.

A new book presents the 50 best pastry recipes. Cooking is one way of "taking care of others." Proceeds from book sales will be devolved to the Camillian hospital in Luo Dong.

Students from Catholic schools raise funds to renovate a retirement home through designing, making and selling more than 4,000 t-shirts. Taiwan Lourdes Association launches outreach and awareness campaign for HIV/AIDS patients.

Founded in 1952 by two Canadians and an Italian priest, the parish is the largest Catholic structure in Taiwan. Each week, 1,500 faithful attend Masses in Mandarin, English and Taiwanese. On Christmas night, a great turnout of non-Christians. At Easter, 68 new baptisms.

Collections of clothes to be donated to families in economic difficulty, in Taiwan and abroad. High School students visit the inmates of Taipei prison, organizing a show with songs, dances and comedy sketches.

Many Christmas initiatives: marches, marathons, works of charity. Students of economics and business decide to live the festive season with the homeless and those without family. It is not enough - and it is not just - to only live for profit at the expense of others. A banking foundation sponsors events, but anonymously to avoid publicity.

Together with local Catholics, Filipino homecare workers and Indonesian nannies bear witness to love, truth and faith, converting other migrants, children and families.