Taiwan's economy grew at a double-digit pace in the first half of the year, and the government says that windfall lets it hand every citizen NT$10,000 in cash without borrowing — good news for households and for Taiwan's fiscal credibility.

• First-half growth hit 11.05%, giving the government room to spend NT$235.7 billion on the cash payout.
• Premier Cho Jung-tai says the handout adds no new debt and takes money from no other program.
• Government debt has fallen to 22.4% of GDP, well under the 40.6% ceiling, because the economy expanded.
• Next year's central budget is balanced at NT$3.93 trillion, with defense, welfare, and grants to local governments each topping NT$1 trillion.
• A NT$373 billion population plan is included, with a monthly NT$5,000 allowance for children up to age 18.

Outlook: The cash payments and the balanced budget now go through the legislature, where this year's budget was already held up for nearly a year.