TAIPEI, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Taiwan’s central bank left its policy rate unchanged on Thursday, as expected, as the export-dependent economy bounces back from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The central bank kept the benchmark discount rate at 1.125%, where it has stood since March when it lowered the rate to a historic low. All 16 economists in a Reuters poll had expected the central bank to keep rates on hold at its quarterly monetary policy meeting. (Reporting by Yimou Lee and Liang-sa Loh; Writing by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Ana Nicolaci da Costa and Alison Williams)