ICRT

Posted on 2026-04-14 17:07:13

The DPP is urging calm following concerns from the general public over the
possibility of Taiwan opening to some Indian migrant workers later this year.

DPP Legislative Caucus leader Fan Yun said they would strictly supervise any
future developments and added that they're hoping the public would not
discriminate against any one people or country.

The Ministry of Labor previously said that the first batch of migrant workers
from India may arrive this year.

Minister Hong Shen Han also reiterated that opening up to Indian migrant
workers has bipartisan support...

and said that these workers must both fill a need by local businesses and
also be properly vetted by New Delhi.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-04-14 17:07:13

Activists of Nantou's Mingjian township today showed up at another
environmental impact assessment meeting to propose alternatives to the
contentious incinerator project.

The Mingjian Township Anti-Incinerator Self-Help Group said that they believe
the county governemtn should do more to find alternative means of dealing
with waste in a sustainable means rather than relying on just an incinerator.

At today's meeting, activists and other Mingjian residents said that there
should be more emphasis on sorting and reducing waste as well as regional
cooperation...

echoing an earlier proposal made by DPP magisterial candidate Wen Shi Zheng.

Activists voiced their concerns over how the incinerator may impact fruit and
tea crops in a township that is significantly economically reliant on
agriculture.

Meanwhile New Power Party Chair Claire Wang accused the Nantou County
government of becoming an "incinerator public relations company" and
attempting to prevent citizens from participating in public affairs.

County officials say they have advanced cooperation with other municipalities
but it hasn't been enough to combat the waste problem.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-04-14 17:07:13

Doctors are warning that cutting calories alone may not be an effective or
healthy way to lose weight.

Medical experts say many people focus too much on the number on the scale,
while ignoring body composition.

They caution that extreme dieting can lead to muscle loss, causing weight to
drop while body fat remains high.

Doctors say this can lead to fatigue, hair loss, brittle nails and other
health issues, as well as rapid weight regain once normal eating resumes.

Instead, experts recommend combining a balanced diet with regular exercise,
along with sufficient protein intake to help maintain muscle mass.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-04-14 16:14:13

The DPP Election Strategy Committee has announced that it plans to nominate
Huang Shi-jie 黃世杰, the deputy Justice Minister, to run for Taoyuan mayor
and Zhuang Jing-cheng 莊競程 for Hsin-chu city.

DPP spokesperson Wu Zheng said that Huang, a former lawmaker is deeply rooted
in Taoyuan, with experience primarily in legal affairs.

He'll face incumbent KMT's Simon Zhang.

Meanwhile Zhuang Jing-cheng, also a former lawmaker, comes from an academic
background with experience in technology and engineering, making him
especially fit for Hsinchu city.

He will be pitted against Gao Hong An, who's an independent.

The DPP is yet to decide on a name to run the capital city.

Meanwhile in Hsinchu County, it is understood that, although calls have been
rising for Zhubei Mayor Zheng Chao Fang to run, he is still considering.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-04-14 16:14:13

Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu is set to host negotiations tomorrow on the
proposed special defense budget and the central government budget.

The DPP legislative caucus says, they're optimistic, but still say they hope
their KMT counterparts will step up to the plate.

DPP Caucus leaders Fan Yun and Chen Pei yu noted that KMT lawmakers recently
did not show up for talks at the Legislative Defense and Foreign Affairs
committee over the budget.

Meanwhile, Han is planning to lead a cross-party delegation to Europe next
month at the invitation of France and the U.K., and the DPP caucus says it
will encourage its lawmakers to join.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-04-14 16:14:13

Taiwan Railway is urging passengers to be extra careful with power banks ...
after one exploded on a commuter train this morning ... filling the carriage
with smoke.

The incident happened just after 6:30 AM at Hsinchu Station.

Station staff and police quickly extinguished the flames and evacuated
passengers onto the platform.

No injuries were reported.

However, the blast caused a 32-minute delay on the Nei-wan Line as forensic
teams collected evidence ... and the affected train was replaced.

Officials remind travelers to only use certified power banks.

They also warn against charging devices inside bags where air cannot
circulate, as poor ventilation can lead to dangerous overheating ...

... and to avoid using phones while they are plugged into a power bank to
prevent overheating.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-04-14 15:07:13

Tai-nan city officials are looking forward to awarding the contract of
building the city's first MRT line by the end of this year.

According to the city’s Transportation Bureau, the 8.5-kilometer line will
run through Yong-kang (永康), East District, and Ren-de (仁德), forming a
Y-shaped route with 10 elevated stations.

The line will eventually connect to extensions reaching the high-speed rail's
Tai-nan station and link with other metro lines, with future integration into
Kaohsiung’s MRT system.

The Public Construction Commission today conducted an on-site inspection and
review of the first-phase Blue Line.

According to the Executive Yuan–approved plan for the project, the total
cost is estimated at $32.7 billion NT.

Of that, $19 billion will be funded by the central government, with the
Tainan City government covering the remaining $13 billion NT.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-04-14 15:07:13

The New Taipei Reading Festival is set to kick off this weekend, moving
outdoors for the first time with a lively reading market party in
San-chong.

Organized by the New Taipei City Library, this year’s festival runs under
the theme “Hear the Joy of Reading,” with main events taking place on April
18th and 19th at Sunflower Plaza, and activities continuing through the end
of May.

Visitors can enjoy six hours of non-stop music, including live jazz bands,
vinyl DJ sets, swing dance sessions, and unplugged performances.

There will also be a stamp-collecting challenge across 25 booths and winners
can join a lucky draw to win iPad or Bluetooth speakers.

There are fun activities designed for children as well, with registrations
starting at noontime tomorrow.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-04-14 15:07:13

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung has pledged to deepen ties with Lithuania, as
the Baltic nation calls for increased Taiwanese investment.

Lin met Lithuania’s new trade representative, Karolis Pili-pauskas, in
Taipei this week, saying Taiwan is ready to expand cooperation in key areas
such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, green energy, and drone
technology.

The move follows a Lithuanian proposal aimed at boosting Taiwanese
investment, building on growing ties since both sides opened representative
offices in 2021 and 2022.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-04-14 14:06:13

The management committee of the National Financial Stabilization Fund has
decided not to step in to support Taiwan's stock market despite disruptions
caused by ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The Ministry of Finance said there's no such need due to Taiwan's sound
economic fundamentals and the government's price-stabilization measures.

The MOF also said Taiwan's exports remained strong and many listed companies
continued to report growth in sales and earnings.

The fund, worth 500 billion NT, withdrew from the market earlier this year on
Jan. 12 after an intervention period lasting 279 days to limit volatility
caused by the Trump administration's tariff policies.

Finance officials said the benchmark Taiex had risen about 16 percent as of
Monday, indicating the fund's withdrawal did not affect the market.

In the first quarter of this year, the stabilization fund disposed of some of
the shares it bought and cleared a net profit of $8 billion NT.

(CNA-JL)

Posted on 2026-04-14 14:06:13

The DPP is calling for Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu to "put his money where
his mouth is" and act to expedite review of the 2026 central government
budget.

Spokesperson Lin Chu Yin noted that its now been over 200 days since the
budget was handed off to the legislature for examination.

She accused the KMT of intentionally delaying review of the budget due to the
meeting between the leaders of the KMT and Chinese Communist Party.

She added that the failure to examine the budget proposal does not only
affect internal government operations but also is a blow to public welfare in
the form of birth subsidies as well as disaster preparation measures.

Han and deputy speaker Jiang Qi Chen expressed their intention earlier this
month for the Legislature to review the budget as quickly as possible.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-04-14 14:06:13

Taiwan shares are up today, with the benchmark tai ex closing at 36296, a new
record high, after gaining 838 points.

The turnover was 971.7 billion NT

Posted on 2026-04-14 13:07:13

Former DPP lawmaker Chen Ou Po 陳歐珀 has been sentenced to 16 years in
prison on corruption charges.

Chen is accused of taking bribes and embezzling assistant fees, earning 8.7
million NT in illegal profits... according to Taipei prosecutors.

Prosecutors sought 24 years for Chen, but the Taipei District Court sentenced
him to 16 years with 6 years' deprivation of civil rights.

Prosecutors say that, from 2012 to 2023, Chen not only used his position as a
lawmaker to provie special benefits to private companies but also took
millions in fraudulent assistant fees together with his wife.

She was sentenced to 4 and half years in the same case.

The ruling may still be appealed.

Menawhile the DPP says it will discuss next week whether or not to strip Chen
of his party membership.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-04-14 13:07:16

Many pilgrims taking part in the Bai-sha-tun Mazu Pilgrimage, which set off
from Miao-li on Sunday, have been treated for exhaustion, dehydration, and
muscle cramps.

Da-jia (大甲) Lee’s General Hospital says 12 pilgrims in their 20s to 50s
sought treatment at its emergency room yesterday alone when the procession
reached Taichung.

Doctors said one patient was diagnosed with Influenza A, which is highly
contagious.

Doctors said some pilgrims collapsed after walking through the night or being
exposed to the sun for too long.

They remind people that drinking too little water can result in heat
exhaustion, while more severe cases may develop into rhabdomyolysis, a
serious, potentially fatal syndrome caused by rapid skeletal muscle
breakdown.

Doctors are urging the public to drink plenty of water and rest when tired,
and not to push themselves too hard.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-04-14 13:07:17

A senior Belizean education official is in Taiwan this week for a visit aimed
at deepening academic and educational ties.

Belize Deputy Minister of Education Dian Maheia is leading a four-person
delegation that includes University of Belize President Vincent Palacio.

The group is in Taiwan from Sunday through Wednesday.

Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi hosted a luncheon for the delegation
yesterday, calling education a key pillar of the bilateral relationship, and
expressing hope that the visit would open new avenues for cooperation and
further strengthen the partnership.

Maheia previously visited Taiwan in May 2024, accompanying Belizean Prime
Minister John Briceno to attend the inauguration of President Lai Ching-te
and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-04-14 11:07:14

Southern Taiwan is under heat advisories again today, with parts of Tainan
and Pingtung at risk of temperatures hitting 36 degrees Celsius or above for
extended periods.

The Central Weather Administration has issued a heat warning, with Tainan and
Pingtung under an orange alert, meaning sustained highs of 36 degrees or
above are possible throughout the day.

Kaohsiung is under a yellow alert, with temperatures also expected to reach
36 degrees.

Independent meteorologist Wu Der-rong says a strong southern air mass is
keeping skies clear and hot across the island today.

But Wu says a weak front drifting near northern Taiwan on Wednesday and
Thursday will bring slightly cooler temperatures to the north along with
occasional brief showers, while the rest of the island stays warm.

Another weak front expected on Friday and Saturday will bring intermittent
showers to the north and east, with central and southern areas staying partly
cloudy.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-04-14 11:07:14

The Mao-kong Gondola system will be halted for annual maintenance work
between April 20 and 24, as well as between June 8 and 28.

Taipei Metro Recreation Company, which operates the system, says the
gondola's cable has gradually elongated over time due to its own weight and
the load from cabins and passengers.

The company says in accordance with the manufacturer’s manual, a
second-stage cable shortening needs to be carried out.

The annual maintenance work also includes overhauls and testing of key
equipment such as gearbox and main motor.

Opened in July, 2007,the gondola system stretches 4 kilometers and includes
four stations: Taipei Zoo, Taipei Zoo South, Zhi-nan (指南) Temple, and
Maokong.

The system was designed to ease weekend traffic congestion in the Maokong
area, while also boosting the local tea industry and tourism.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-04-13 20:08:13

Taiwan stocks closed at a record high today, bucking a broader regional
downturn.

The benchmark Tai-ex rose 39 points to close at 35,457, with turnover topping
780 billion NT.

Most Asian markets fell and oil prices climbed after the U-S threatened to
blockade the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route amid tensions with
Iran.

Concerns over energy supplies weighed on sentiment earlier in the session.

However, dealers said that late-session buying helped lift the index, with
T-S-M-C leading the rebound.

Analysts say investor confidence remains strong, with hopes tensions could
ease and optimism ahead of upcoming tech sector outlooks.

Posted on 2026-04-13 20:08:13

The Taiwan People's Party (TPP) voted to expel China-born lawmaker Li
Chen-hsiu (???) from the party on Monday over repeated disciplinary
violations, which means she will also be removed from the Legislature.

In a statement, the TPP said an investigation by its Central Review Committee
found that Li had made numerous statements and actions that harmed the
party's reputation and damaged party unity.

The statement went on to say that Li showed a "disregard for public office"
by telling TPP officials on April 7 that she would only resign from her seat
in the Legislature in return for money.

The decision to expel Li from the party means that she will also lose her
seat in the Legislature and be replaced by National Cheng Kung University law
professor Hsu Chung-hsin (???), the next person on the TPP's party list.

Posted on 2026-04-13 18:37:13

Taiwan's machinery industry is seeing strong momentum, with exports in March
reaching nearly 2.97 billion U-S dollars.

That's a jump of about 28 percent from February, and marks 14 consecutive
months of growth.

The Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry says demand for semiconductor
and AI-related equipment continues to drive exports, particularly in
electronic equipment.

Despite disruptions caused by the U-S-Israel war on Iran .... including
shipping delays and higher energy costs, officials say the impact on March
exports has been limited.

Electronic equipment exports saw strong gains, rising more than 70 percent
year-on-year, helping boost overall industry performance.

However, the association warns that global uncertainty remains, and a
relatively strong Taiwan dollar compared with weaker regional currencies
could continue to weigh on export competitiveness.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-04-13 18:37:13

The National Development Fund says it has no plans to sell its holdings in
TSMC, even as the contract chipmaker's stock reaches record highs.

Deputy chair Kao Shien-quey (高仙桂) says after years of stock and cash
dividends, the government's cost basis for its TSMC shares is now almost
zero.

The fund currently holds around a 6.5 percent stake in the company, making it
one of the largest shareholders.

Officials say TSMC remains a core strategic asset, given its key role in the
global semiconductor supply chain.

They add that no shares have been sold in recent years, and there are no
short-term plans to do so.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-04-13 17:14:13

The CPC Corporation says the first of four oil tankers carrying crude oil
from the Middle East is expected to arrive in Taiwan in early May.

The shipment comes as the U-S-Iran conflict continues to disrupt transport
routes through the Strait of Hormuz.

The state-run utility says it has coordinated alternative shipping routes,
with tankers now traveling via the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Officials say the remaining three tankers are scheduled to arrive at a rate
of one per month.

The shipments, totaling about 8 million barrels of crude oil, are expected to
help ease pressure on Taiwan's energy supply.

Authorities add that current oil and natural gas reserves remain above legal
safety thresholds, and operations have not been seriously affected so far.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-04-13 17:14:13

A group of KMT lawmakers are aiming to push for a referendum on the
introduction of caning as punishment for serious crimes including sexual
assault, child abuse, and large-scale scamming.

Hong Mong Kai (洪孟楷) and others announced today that they aim to respond to
what he called the public's hopes for safety and protection.

Hong and several opposition lawmakers said the measure aims to deter those
serious crimes.

They stressed that the proposal follows the Referendum Act by putting a major
policy direction to a public vote, so as to establish a clear, legitimate,
and democratically grounded mandate from the people.

They also claimed that most respondents in polls support introducing caning
as a punishment for crimes such as sexual assault and child abuse.

They said that, in the process of the referendum, the public can debate
"whether the human rights of criminals are more important than the well-being
of the general public."

Posted on 2026-04-13 14:07:13

Drivers on two wheels in Kaohsiung will soon begin noticing it's getting
easier to turn left.

ICRT's Southern Taiwan reporter Michael Smith has more:

Posted on 2026-04-13 14:07:13

New Taipei City says the new Sanying MRT line is targeting a June opening,
though the timeline remains up in the air.

The new line will connect with the Taipei Metro’s Ban-nan Line at Ding-pu
頂埔 and the under-construction Tao-yuan Metro Green Line, cutting travel
time between the Sanxia/Yingge area and central Taipei city by about 20
minutes.

Mayor Hou You-yi says dynamic testing has been completed, and the system has
been submitted for initial inspection.

The next step will be a final inspection by the Ministry of Transportation
and Communications before the line can open to passengers.

He said the Sanying line is expected to boost development in the
San-xia/Ying-ge (鶯歌) area to the tune of nearly 49 million NT in
investment.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-04-13 14:07:13

Taiwan shares are up today, with the benchmark tai ex gaining 39 points to
close the session at 35457.

The turnover was 778.7 billion NT

Posted on 2026-04-13 13:07:13

President Lai Ching-te will travel to Eswatini later this month for a state
visit marking twin milestone celebrations in the African kingdom.

The Presidential Office announced today that Lai is scheduled to visit from
April 22nd to 27th.

Officials say the president is set to hold bilateral talks with King Mswati,
sign a joint communique, and witness the signing of a customs cooperation
agreement between the two countries' foreign ministers.

The trip comes as Taiwan and Eswatini mark 58 years of diplomatic relations,
and as the kingdom holds a series of celebrations for King Mswati the Third's
40th anniversary on the throne and his 58th birthday.

The Presidential Office says the visit reflects the two countries'
partnership at a significant moment and their commitment to deepening
cooperation.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-04-13 13:07:13

Two of Taiwan's largest petrochemical companies say a shortage of raw
materials caused by the U.S.-Iran conflict and the blockade of the Strait of
Hormuz could accelerate a recovery for Asia's petrochemical industry

Formosa Plastics says the conflict has dealt severe blows to energy
production infrastructure across the Middle East, and even after the conflict
ends, energy and petrochemical raw material supplies will remain tight,
benefiting Asian producers as global supply contracts.

Formosa Chemical and Fiber Corporation says the supply shortage will likely
last through year end, and the company will prioritize domestic customers for
now, encouraging them to stock up while supplies are available.

The company says it will keep inventories lean in the second quarter to avoid
exposure to high raw material prices.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-04-13 13:07:13

TPP Chair Huang Kuo-chang says, at-large lawmaker Li Zhen Xiu has failed to
meet supporters' expectations.

This comes as the China-born lawmaker has been embroiled in controversy over
her qualifications to hold office.

Li recently said on a live broadcast that Hsinchu Mayor Gao Hong-an, formerly
of the TPP, had accepted 7 million NT from founder Ke Wen Zhe, leading Li to
be referred to the party's Central Review Committee.

Huang says that at-large lawmakers- of which all TPP lawmakers are- are meant
to respond to the hopes of those that voted for them, rather than advocating
for their own person gain.

He added that the case was ultimately up to the TPP's Central Review
Committee to decide.

Huang emphasized that it was not to do with Li's citizenship status, rather
said that her performance as a lawmaker was the issue at hand.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-04-13 11:07:13

Wu An-qi, a veteran anchor woman at TVBS, has confirmed that she was laid off
by the local cable company.

Wu, who's 57, said the media landscape is rapidly changing, with many demands
and approaches now differing from those of traditional media.

TVBS issued a brief announcement saying it will continue to move forward with
adjustments in a prudent and pragmatic manner.

TVBS, a leading TV news network in Taiwan, is reportedly undergoing
restructuring as traditional TV advertising revenue declines.

Layoffs have extended to senior staff and management, with speculation that
more veteran anchors could be affected in the next round.

Those already let go include some field-based and technical personnel, and
they said reporters are now being asked to use AI tools themselves, raising
concerns among staff about professionalism and quality.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-04-13 11:07:13

Taiwan's three major international airlines are all aggressively expanding
their fleets and route networks, with a particular focus on new openings in
North America.

From the second half of 2025 to the present, China Airlines has added Phoenix
as a new destination, EVA Air has expanded into Dallas and will soon launch a
new Washington, D.C. route, while Starlux Airlines has moved into Ontario,
California and Phoenix.

These routes will add around 20 direct flights per week between Taiwan and
the United States, a market in which Taiwanese carriers have also worked out
codeshare agreements with domestic U.S. airlines.

Analysts say the aim of those three carriers is to find new sources of
customers as they are now relying more on transit passengers.

They say Taiwan's aging population is bound to contrain future growth in the
outbound tourism market, and while a surge in travel to Japan and South Korea
pushed that number to nearly 19 million last year, it did not change the
underlying trends.

Taiwan's geographic location positions it as a natural transit hub linking
North America and Southeast Asia

(CNA)

Posted on 2026-04-11 16:11:14

South Korea has adjusted its electronic arrival card system to no longer list
Taiwan as part of China, in a move that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says
will help facilitate exchanges between the two sides.

South Korea listed "Taiwan" as "Taiwan (China)" in dropdown menus of a
recently updated online entry system.

Taiwan's foreign ministry responded by requesting a revision and threatening
to change a "Korea, Republic of" dropdown listing to "KOREA (SOUTH)" on
Taiwan's own online immigration system.

The standoff was eased when South Korea said it would remove "previous
departure place" and "next destination" fields from its e-arrival card
system.

Those changes were made as of yesterday.

According to a previous report by Yonhap News Agency, a South Korean foreign
ministry official said the change was aimed at simplifying entry procedures
for all inbound travelers and aligning the digital form with the paper
version, which didn't have the fields in question.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2026-04-11 16:11:14

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an says that the city is installing negative-pressure
smoking rooms around town as part of recently announced plans to make Taipei
a smoke-free city.

Chiang says that Zhongshan and Ximending shopping districts will be the first
two areas to get outdoor smoking rooms. He says the move respects the right
of smokers to pursue their habit ... and the right of non-smokers to avoid
second-hand smoke.

The mayor added that the smoke-free-city plan will also soon see one model
smoke-free neighborhood established in each of the city's 12 districts

CNA_zh_JvW

Posted on 2026-04-11 15:08:13

Health Minister Shi Chong-liang (石崇良) says Taiwan will introduce a new
color-labeling system for foods in the second half of the year that will be
easier for customers to understand than current labeling standards.

Shi said Taiwan is borrowing the idea from places including Australia, New
Zealand and Europe in adopting the red, yellow and green color-coding system
for salt, sugar and saturated fats on product labels.

Eventually, Taiwan will launch "health tokens," which could be accumulated by
buying items with green labels that could in turn be used to purchase healthy
foods.

The health minister noted that current nutritional labeling, which is reliant
on numbers, is inscrutable for most consumers, who just want to know how
healthy a product is.

CNA_zh_JvW

Posted on 2026-04-11 15:08:13

The so-called "First Tuna of Su'ao" was auctioned off for nearly 2 million NT
(NT$1.9872 million) today.

The bluefin tuna weighing in at 276 kilos was sold at NT$7,200 a kilo at
Nanfang'ao Port.

Every year, the first tuna caught by a Su'ao-registered fishing vessel and
weighing at least 180 kilograms gets the title of First Tuna of Su'ao. This
year, the Quanchanglong No. 168 was a repeat titleholder. It also brought in
the first tuna last year and in 2020.

The boat called in the catch on Tuesday morning and motored into port at
Nanfang'ao the next day to weigh the fish that was auctioned today.

CNA_zh_JvW

Posted on 2026-04-11 15:08:13

The Central Weather Administration says Taiwan is expected to continue to
experience summer-like weather into next week.

Temperatures are expected to fall to 21-23 degrees around Taiwan tonight.

Stable weather is expected to continue into next week, although the CWA says
moisture in the air will increase in northern Taiwan, which will lower
temperature highs slightly to around 29 degrees on Thursday.

Posted on 2026-04-11 14:08:13

Lion Travel says rising airfares and geopolitical tensions are reshaping
travel demand, with bookings shifting away from routes that transit the
Middle East ... toward Asia, Oceania and North America.

The travel agency says bookings have remained strong despite higher costs,
with group tour bookings rising about 15 percent on year since last month.

Demand for Australia and New Zealand has surged around 40 percent, while
bookings to the United States and Canada have also increased.

Lion Travel said Japan tour bookings are up about 40 percent, with South
Korea up around 20 percent.

Rising global oil prices linked to Middle East tensions have led airlines to
increase fuel surcharges, which took effect on April 7.

Lion Travel says it has raised the cost of short-haul group travel trips by
less than NT$2,000 and long-haul tours by about NT$4,000.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2026-04-11 14:08:13

Taiwan watchers are reflecting on the meeting yesterday of KMT Chair Cheng
Li-wun and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Kharis Templeman of the Hoover Institution says Cheng's visit to China hasn't
changed the dynamics much ... but he did observe that her remarks show her to
be even more aligned with Beijing than her predecessors.

Cheng and Xi both rejected Taiwan independence and affirmed the so-called
1992 Consensus as the basis for continuing communication.

Bonnie Glaser of the German Marshall Fund said that Cheng's decision not to
express concern about Beijing's military pressure on Taiwan is most
noteworthy ... as it implies that military coercion is legitimate because its
target is so-called "separatists."

Templeman said that this visit may help Cheng consolidate her power within
the KMT, at least in the short term, as Beijing seems to be giving her
deference as a leader.

He added that many in Washington continue to distrust Cheng, particularly
because her party has been slow to approve Taiwan's special defense bill,
which involves the acquisition of billions of dollars of US defensive
weapons.

CNA_zh_JvW

Posted on 2026-04-11 13:07:15

Taiwan's foreign minister says Asian-Pacific countries need to view the First
Island Chain as a single military theater and not a series of island nations
to be defended individually.

Speaking at an event themed around democratic first-chain islands, Lin
Jia-long said that deterrence from aggressors -- and ultimately peace -- can
only be achieved if democratic nations cooperate to defend the First Island
Chain holistically.

Lin's audience included former top regional commanders of US and Japanese
navies, among other leading lights in the naval community around the region.

He called the First Island Chain a crucial frontline for global freedom,
democracy and order.

Speaking of Taiwan's role, he said that while producing more products will
continue to be important, it should also be seen as an indispensable hub for
unmanned systems and a key node in the democratic supply chain.

CNA_zh_JvW

Posted on 2026-04-11 13:07:15

President Lai Ching-te has officially opened the National Center for AI
Robotics in Tainan, calling it a crucial step toward Taiwan's goal of
becoming a technology-oriented island.

The center was created in line with the government's "Ten AI Initiatives
Promotion Plan" to give Taiwan a competitive edge in the global tech market.

Lai expressed hope that the AI initiatives plan will benefit a million SMEs.

He said he expects the center to become an engine for local robotics R&D,
provide a platform for nurturing talent in the field and serve as a bridge
between the tech education sector and industry.

At the same event, National Applied Research Laboratories President Tsai
Hung-yin unveiled a government program to promote the local robotics industry
that will be launched this year -- with plans to invest NT$20 billion from
2026-2029.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2026-04-11 12:09:21

Taiwan's annual Han Kuang war games kicked off yesterday and will run through
April 24th.

Minister without Portfolio Chi Lien-cheng (季連成) stressed that the Han
Kuang drills _aren't_ live-fire exercises ... with the focus this time on
simulating the normal operation of government mechanisms during wartime.

Aside from a Central Joint Response Center, the exercises will also set up
local-government response centers in New Taipei, Yilan, Kaohsiung and
Pingtung.

Chi noted that during peacetime, the military can be called upon to support
civilian government, for example in providing aid and labor after natural
disasters. In wartime, the situation is reversed, he said, with local
governments expected to provide support to the military, which will be
focused on defending bases that will be the enemy's most likely targets.

CNA_zh_JvW

Posted on 2026-04-11 12:09:26

Agricultural authorities have suspended the rollout of a pet medication
regulation originally slated for July 1.

This is in response to concerns over possible drug shortages.

The regulation would have mandated that manufacturers of a class of 701
human-grade drugs register with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency
as a prerequisite for selling to veterinary hospitals.

For medicines not yet registered, the regulation stipulated that owners must
use a "purchase certificate" provided by a veterinarian to acquire drugs from
pharmacies ... and then give those drugs to the veterinary clinic for
treatment.

Most such drugs haven't yet been registered, fueling concerns that vets won't
be able to deal with emergencies late at night, when most pharmacies are
closed.

Deputy Agriculture Minister Tu Wen-jane said the policy won't take effect
until complementary measures are in place, relenting after pet owners, animal
welfare activists and veterinarians gathered in front of the agency to demand
a delay.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2026-04-11 11:08:13

Taiwan's exports hit a fresh monthly high in March, soaring by more than 60
percent from a year earlier, as global demand for AI applications continued
to increase,

Data compiled by the Ministry of Finance showed the country's exports
exceeded US$80 billion, up 62 percent from a year earlier ... and marking the
29th consecutive month of year-on-year growth.

The ICT-slash-audio/video device industry continued to lead Taiwan's exports,
accounting for nearly half of the total (at a new high of US$39.73 billion).

On the other hand, the data show that base-metal exports fell 7.4 percent to
US$2.4 billion on a decline in steel and copper sales.

The ministry said Taiwan's imports in March rose 38 percent from a year
earlier to reach a record high of nearly US$59 billion as the AI boom
prompted Taiwanese suppliers to buy equipment for expansion.

The trade surplus was US$21 billion, tripling on year.

In the first quarter, Taiwan posted US$196 billion in exports, up 51 percent
from a year earlier.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2026-04-11 11:08:13

The Mainland Affairs Council is warning that KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun's framing
of cross-strait ties as an "internal matter" and her request that foreigners
butt out could shape how the international community responds to Taiwan,
including arms sales and other forms of support.

The MAC said that the KMT and the Chinese Communist Party share a political
foundation that ultimately seeks to eliminate the Republic of China. The
Taiwanese agency that handles cross-strait affairs reiterated its rejection
of the so-called 1992 consensus that Cheng has been touting as a basis for
seeking peace with Beijing.

The "1992 consensus" refers to a tacit understanding ostensibly reached in
1992 between Taiwan's then KMT government and the Chinese government, under
which both sides acknowledge there is "one China," while differing on its
definition.

The MAC argues that there's no room for interpreting "China" as the Republic
of China under the consensus.

Meanwhile, the American Institute in Taiwan stressed the importance of
dialogue between Taipei and Beijing being conducted between democratically
elected leaders on both sides without coercion or preconditions.

CNA_JvW

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