Taiwan's economics ministry denied a newspaper report that it rejected an application submitted by a group led by Primus Financial Holdings Ltd. to buy the local unit of American International Group Inc.

China Strategic Holdings Ltd. aims to maintain long-term control of Taiwan's Nan Shan Life Insurance Co. after buying it from American International Group Inc., Chief Executive Officer Raymond Or said.

Perng Fai-nan, governor of Taiwan's Central Bank, ruled out Thursday the possibility for him to work in the private sector after retirement, although his pay is relatively low compared with the central bankers of major countries.

The government is going to ease restrictions for Taiwan screen panel makers to invest in China as long as they keep their focus on the island, a local newspaper yesterday quoted Premier Wu Den-yih as saying.

Taiwan has seen a decline in speculative capital from overseas, central bank Governor Perng Fai-nan said, more than a week after the island's financial regulator banned foreigners from placing funds in time deposits.

Premier Wu Den-yi said Thursday clinical trials on humans have shown that a locally produced swine flu vaccine is on par with the imported one in terms of safety and efficacy.

Chou Shu-yi, an up-and-coming Taiwanese choreographer, has won the top prize in a tightly contested global choreographic competition sponsored by the renowned London dance house Sadler's Wells.

President Ma Ying-jeou has ruled out the possibility of Taiwan entering into political discussions with China soon, despite growing ties between the two sides.

A local anti-smoking group on Thursday accused duty-free stores at the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport of breaking the law by promoting cigarette sales.

The chairman of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) will visit Taiwan next week to give a briefing on the details of U.S. President Barack Obama's visit earlier this week to China, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Lyushun Shen said Thursday.