Liu Ko-ping, Academia Sinica Institute of Atomic and Molecular Sciences distinguished research fellow, was recently awarded a Humboldt Research Award by the Germany-based Alexander von Humboldt Foundation for his lifetime achievements in research and instruction. Liu is known for his mode-specific and bond-selective chemistry, and state-to-state chemical dynamics. He is also a fellow of the American Physical Society (1998) and a member of the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (2005).
The Financial Supervisory Commission approved Feb. 10 an application by the state-owned Bank of Taiwan to upgrade its representative office in Shanghai, mainland China, to a branch. The bank set up the representative office more than a year ago and therefore qualifies for the upgrade under the cross-strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA), according to the FSC.
The Executive Yuan passed amendments to the Insurance Act Feb. 10 to enhance supervision over insurance providers. Under the revised act, unlicensed individuals engaging in insurance activities could face imprisonment for up to three years and a fine of between NT$3 million (US$103,022) and NT$20 million. The draft revisions would also allow insurance businesses, after implementation of the Personal Data Information Act, to collect, process and use the personal data of individuals under specific conditions, and with their consent. (SB)