ICRT

Posted on 2026-04-24 15:53:13

Two Asian elephants at the Taipei Zoo have moved in next door to an African
elephant whilst their regular enclosure undergoes renovations, giving
visitors a rare chance to watch two different elephant species size each
other up for the first time.

The zoo's Asian elephants You-shin and You-kai have temporarily relocated to
the African animal zone whilst their tropical rainforest habitat is being
upgraded.

Their new neighbor is African elephant Chian-huei.

After a gradual desensitisation program, the animals officially began living
side by side on April 10th, two Fridays ago.

The zoo says the temporary arrangement offers the elephants a richer
environment and valuable social stimulation.

They encourage visitors to head to the African animal zone to catch the rare
inter-species interactions whilst they last.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-04-24 15:53:13

Tainan City is reaching out to landowners along the planned Blue Line of its
metro ahead of construction, offering joint development opportunities at
eight designated transit development zones.

The city's Bureau of Transportation will hold public consultation sessions on
April 28th and April 30th (next Tuesday and Thursday) at community centers in
the Yongkang and East districts, giving landowners a chance to learn about
and discuss the joint development plans before formal urban planning
procedures begin.

The first phase of the Tainan Metro Blue Line is scheduled to break ground by
the end of this year, running at just over 8 kilometers.

Its ten stations are all in prime urban development areas, and the city has
identified eight transit development zones centred around certain stations.

The bureau says the arrangement is designed to increase land use efficiency
and share development benefits between the public and private sectors.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-04-24 13:55:13

Police in central Taiwan have broken up a major drug trafficking ring that
used popular cartoon characters and trendy toys to market illegal narcotics.

The Taichung City Police Department announced today that officers seized
4,200 drug-infused coffee packets with a street value of more than NT 1.6
million.

As well as the coffee packets, officers seized ketamine and NT 250,000 in
cash.

Four suspects, including a warehouse manager and several delivery drivers,
were arrested during the raids.

Two of the suspects are currently being held in custody as the Taichung
District Prosecutor's Office moves forward with drug trafficking charges.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-04-24 13:55:13

Taiwan is sending a delegation of 27 startups to one of Asia's largest
technology conferences in Tokyo this weekend, with a memorandum of
cooperation between Taiwan and Japan set to be signed on the sidelines.

The National Development Council will lead the delegation to SusHi Tech Tokyo
2026, running from April 27th to 29th.

The annual event, organised by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, is expected
to draw more than 60-thousand attendees and 700 startups from around the
world.

Officials say Taiwan will operate what organisers say is the largest national
pavilion at the venue, showcasing the island's strengths in artificial
intelligence, sustainability, and deep technology.

And during the event, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Taiwan's smart
mobility sector will sign MOUs with Japanese counterparts, to share resources
and expand opportunities for collaboration.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-04-24 07:02:14

provisions

Legislative party caucuses have failed once again to reach a consensus on
several of the major provisions of the Cabinet's 1.25-trillion N-T special
defense budget.

They did, however did reach a preliminary consensus on basic administrative
provisions.

One of the agreements: for the Ministry of National Defense would be required
to submit a special report to the legislature on the progress and performance
of projects that are included in the special defense act.

They also agreed that the special defense budget takes effect from the date
of its promulgation until December 31 of 2033.

But they remain divided over key elements, including the specific procurement
items and a ceiling for the budget.

The latest round of cross-party negotiations was hosted by Legislative
Speaker Han Kuo-yu and took place after a similar session last week failed to
produce any substantive discussions.

The Legislative Speaker has now slated a new round of negotiations for next
Monday.

Lawmakers from the K-M-T and the Taiwan People's Party continue to demand
that President Lai Ching-te brief lawmakers directly on the defense budget
proposal.

Posted on 2026-04-24 07:02:14

The Mainland Affairs Council is slamming Chinese authorities for saying there
is no such thing as the president of the Republic of China.

The statement comes after China's Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhang
Han earlier this week told reporters at a press briefing in Beijing... that
there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China and there is
no such thing as a Taiwan president.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jia-kun that same day also said
that "the so-called 'president of the R-O-C has long ceased to exist in the
world."

Both of those remarks were made in response to questions concerning the
cancellation of President Lai Ching-te's planned state visit to Eswatini.

Mainland Affairs Council spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh said the comments
reflect Beijing's position that "it does not recognize the existence of the
R-O-C" and that "the R-O-C has no president."

Posted on 2026-04-24 07:02:14

The Fair Trade Commission says Grab Holdings planned acquisition of
foodpanda's Taiwan operations has yet to enter the formal review stage.

The commission says regulators are still waiting for supplementary
documentation from the Singapore-based ride-hailing and delivery giant.

Acting F-T-C Chairman Chen Chih-min says although Grab submitted its
application on March 27, the case has not been officially accepted because
the required materials remain incomplete.

Chen also told lawmakers that the F-T-C will launch a formal probe into the
deal, focusing on issues such as cross-shareholding and potential
restrictions on market competition one the filing has been finalized.

Grab announced in March that it plans acquire foodpanda's Taiwan business
from Germany-based Delivery Hero.

The deal is worth about 600-million U-S dollars and subject to regulatory
approval.

If the sale is approved, Grab expects to close the deal in the second half of
this year and complete platform integration by the first half of 2027,
migrating all foodpanda users to its own app.

Posted on 2026-04-24 07:02:14

The Centers for Disease Control says Taiwan has over half a year's supply of
condoms.

The statement comes amid reports of deepening supply chain disruptions caused
by the US-Israel war on Iran.

C-D-C spokeswoman Tseng Shu-hui, her agency has contacted Taiwan's three
largest condom manufacturers ...

.. and they have confirmed that current domestic supplies were sufficient for
at least half a year and that they had not received notifications from their
parent companies to raise prices.

Tseng says the delivery time of future batches of condom shipments is being
delayed by geopolitical constraints, and will depend on price quotations from
international manufacturers.

However, the C-D-C spokeswoman says an initial assessment is that the supply
of condoms will not be affected for the next six months.

The supply disruptions stem from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

And concern about condom supplies has been sparked by a B-B-C report saying
that Karex, which supplies global brands like Durex and Trojan, relies on
materials derived from oil, including the ammonia used to preserve latex, and
silicone-based lubricants.

Posted on 2026-04-24 07:02:14

The Supreme Court has upheld Liang Yu-chih's life sentence for the 2020
murder of a Malaysian university student.

Liang was initially sentenced to death by the Ciaotou District Court in March
2022 after being found guilty of rape resulting in death, robbery causing
death, abandoning a corpse, and attempted rape in a separate case.

The High Court's Kaohsiung Branch upheld the death sentence on appeal.

However, the Supreme Court ordered a retrial on the rape and murder
charges... even as it finalized separate sentences of two years and two years
and 10 months for abandoning a corpse and attempted rape, respectively.

The death sentence was upheld in the first retrial, but the Supreme Court
ordered a retrial.

In the second retrial in January, the High Court's Kaohsiung Branch
overturned the death sentence and instead imposed life imprisonment.

The court ruled that Liang's primary intent was robbery and sexual assault
rather than premeditated murder, and that the crime did not meet the
threshold of the "most serious crimes" required for capital punishment.

Posted on 2026-04-24 07:02:14

A study by the National Taiwan University has found that nearly 90-per cent
of drinks sampled from beverage shops contained more sugar than requested by
customers.

Researchers collected 125 samples of both sugar-free and half-sugar drinks
plain tea, milk tea and fruit tea from major chain beverage outlets
islandwide that have a significant market share.

The study found that 85.6-per cent of the drinks tested contained more sugar
than requested.

While 55.6-per cent of "no added sugar" drinks still contained detectable
sugar.

The research team said this could be due to naturally occurring sugar in
ingredients such as fruit juice, dairy products or toppings, which could
mislead consumers.

An online survey conducted in 2024 found that respondents consumed an average
of 329-milliliters of beverages per day, with intake higher among men than
women, particularly those aged between 31 and 40.

Posted on 2026-04-24 07:02:14

And,

The Taiwan Creative Content Agency says Taiwan will achieve its
strongest-ever showing at this year's Far East Film Festival in Italy, with
six films selected for competition.

The festival opens today in Udine and is one of Europe's largest showcases of
Asian cinema.

The selected titles include "A Foggy Tale," which won best feature film at
the 2025 Golden Horse Awards and "Sunshine Women's Choir", which is the
highest-grossing Taiwan film of all time.

The other three works are "Deep Quiet Room," "Kung Fu," "A Mighty Adventure"
and "I Blew Out the Candles Before Making a Wish."

Agency Chairperson Sue Wang says the six films span everything from
action-packed spectacles to deeply rooted historical narratives.

Three digitally restored Taiwanese classics will also premiere in the
festival's "Restored Classics" section.

The Far East Film Festival is scheduled to announce its awards on May 2.

Posted on 2026-04-23 19:44:13

Construction on the Taipei Metro's Xinyi Line East Extension is now more than
90 percent finished.

Officials say the project is expected to be submitted for inspection by the
Ministry of Transportation and Communications in June, with opening possible
as early as late June.

Once inspections are completed and an operating permit is issued, a launch
date will be set.

The extension runs about 1.4 kilometers east from Xiangshan Station, along
Xinyi Road Section 6, to the new Guangci–Fengtian Temple terminal.

A one-month free trial period is also under consideration.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-04-23 19:44:17

Taichung visit

NASA astronaut Kjell Lindgren is visiting Taiwan this week, sharing images of
the island taken from space.

Lindgren described Taiwan as a green jewel in the mist, one of the most
breathtaking sights from orbit.

He visited the Liu Bread Factory in Taichung this morning, accompanied by
A-I-T Director Raymond Greene and Taichung Mayor Lu Hsiu-yen.

Lindgren has a personal connection to Taichung; his father was stationed at
Ching Chuan Kang Air Base, and his parents met and married there.

He said returning to the city felt like completing a circle in his life.

Lindgren also encouraged Taiwanese students to pursue careers in space,
saying this is a golden age for spaceflight.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-23 18:37:13

The Taoyuan District Prosecutors' Office has indicted the head of a cosmetics
supplier accused of selling ingredients contaminated with toxic Sudan Red
dyes.

Authorities say the suspect knew the materials contained banned Sudan Red
substances but continued selling them to clients for profit.

The tainted ingredients were later used in products including lipstick.

Prosecutors say he received test results confirming the presence of the toxic
dyes, which are considered potentially carcinogenic, but chose to conceal the
findings.

The case emerged after regulators detected the substances in cosmetics last
year, triggering recalls involving multiple companies.

Officials say the suspect has admitted to the allegations and is now facing
fraud charges, with prosecutors seeking a heavy sentence.

Experts warn the dyes pose health risks, particularly if ingested, and are
banned in all cosmetic products in Taiwan.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-04-23 18:37:13

status

Taiwan Sugar Corporation says it plans to complete 13 new pig farms this
year, as part of a push to supply 500-thousand pigs annually by 2030.

The company is also eyeing overseas markets after Taiwan regained its status
as a disease-free zone for African swine fever in April.

Taiwan is now the only country in Asia free from African swine fever,
foot-and-mouth disease, and classical swine fever.

That designation has opened the door for pork exports to Japan, South Korea,
and Singapore, with foreign buyers already visiting the new facilities.

Chair Wu Ming-chang (吳明昌) says initial export targets were around
200-thousand pigs, but volumes are under review as domestic supply tightens.

Local demand remains the priority.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-23 18:37:13

A new study found that over 85 percent of bubble tea and other hand-shaken
drinks in Taiwan contain more sugar than listed on their labels.

The research from National Taiwan University also shows that more than half
of drinks labeled 'sugar-free' still contain sugar.

Experts say hidden sugars often come from ingredients like fruit juice, milk,
and toppings.

They found a typical so-named 'half-sugar' 700-milliliter drink contains
about 46.5 grams of sugar ...

... effectively reaching or approaching the World Health Organization's
recommended daily limit of 50 grams.

The study also found that some drinks — especially fruit-based ones —
contain artificial sweeteners that could affect your gut health and lead to
problems like insulin resistance.

Researchers warn that drinking sugary beverages regularly might increase the
risk of obesity and fatty liver disease.

They're urging clearer labeling so people know what they're really consuming.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-04-23 17:21:13

The United States is condemning what it calls an abuse of the international
civil aviation system after three African nations blocked Taiwan's
presidential aircraft from crossing their airspace.

Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar revoked overflight permits for
President Lai Ching-te's planned trip to Eswatini, one of Taiwan's 12
remaining diplomatic allies.

A State Department spokesperson told Reuters the countries were acting at
China's behest.

Taiwan's security officials say China threatened the three nations with
economic sanctions, including revoking debt relief.

China denied the claim but praised the countries for adhering to the
one-China principle.

The EU and Britain's de facto ambassador to Taiwan also expressed concern,
saying airspace decisions should not be used as political tools.

It is the first time a Taiwan president has had to cancel a foreign trip over
denied airspace access.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-23 17:21:13

Taiwan's government has instructed police to increase security for the
upcoming local elections this November.

The move follows an incident involving former TPP chair Ko Wen-je, who was
accidentally sprayed with pepper spray by an officer during a campaign event
at Feng-Chia Night Market in Taichung.

The Ministry of the Interior says it will not comment on the case, but has
directed the National Police Agency to boost protection for candidates,
campaign offices, and public events ...

... while strengthening risk assessments and intelligence gathering.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-04-23 17:21:13

Artworks commemorating Hualien's "shovel superheroes" have been revealed at a
local train station.

The Global Federation of Chinese Business Women unveiled the two statues at
Guangfu Station, one depicting a man, woman, and child in superhero outfits,
with shovel in hand.

The federation says over 500-thousand volunteers came to Hualien's aid after
the Ma-tai-an Barrier Lake overflowed and flooded the region last year.

Representatives hope that the installations are a reminder of warmth and
kindness during that difficult time, and also help draw visitors back to the
region to boost the local economy.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-04-23 15:32:13

think tank says

Nikkei Asia reports that Taiwan's drone exports to Europe in the first
quarter of this year have already exceeded the total for all of 2025.

The Taipei-based research institute D-SET estimates around 136-thousand
completed drones were shipped to Europe in the first three months of 2026.

That surpasses the 107-thousand units exported in all of last year -- itself
a more than 40-fold jump from 2024.

Most shipments have gone to Poland and the Czech Republic, seen as key
transfer points for Ukraine.

D-SET warns that most sales are still driven by private buyers rather than
government procurement, leaving the market potentially unstable.

The think tank is urging Taiwan to deepen cooperation with Ukraine, citing
Taiwan's strengths in chips, motors, and batteries alongside Ukraine's
battlefield experience.

It also calls for a trusted, Europe-facing procurement framework to help
Taiwanese firms meet emerging China-free certification requirements.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-23 15:32:13

Taiwan became Singapore's largest trading partner last year, with
semiconductors driving the relationship on both sides.

Taiwan's representative Tung Chen-yuan said around 85-percent of Taiwan's
exports to Singapore are semiconductor-related, with about 80-percent of
Singapore's exports to Taiwan in the same sector.

In the first quarter of 2026, Taiwan's exports to Singapore surged nearly
85-percent year-on-year to 17-point-6 billion US dollars.

Singapore's investment in Taiwan also hit a historic high, reaching 4-point-4
billion US dollars -- more than 72-percent of Taiwan's total foreign
investment intake for the quarter.

Tung says that jump was largely driven by Micron's Singapore subsidiary
converting around 4-point-3 billion US dollars in claims into equity
investment in Taiwan.

Singapore's central bank expects the A-I-driven semiconductor boom to keep
supporting trade through the rest of the year.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-23 15:32:13

The health minister says Taiwan is considering a generational smoking ban,
following a landmark move by the U-K.

The U-K Parliament has passed a law permanently barring anyone born on or
after January 1st, 2009 from buying tobacco products.

Minister Shih Chung-liang (石崇良) says tobacco is a recognized carcinogen
and even light smoking carries cancer risks.

He noted that New Zealand had introduced a similar ban but repealed it in
2024.

Shih says any move toward a ban in Taiwan would require broad public
discussion and consensus.

The Health Promotion Administration will study the matter further.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-23 15:04:13

Kaohsiung City's Transportation Bureau is pushing back against concerns that
a Chinese navigation app may be accessing local traffic signal data,

A city councilor claimed he tested a Chinese navigation app and found it
could accurately display countdown timers for traffic signals at certain
Kaohsiung intersections.

The Transportation Bureau says it launched an immediate review, and confirmed
it has no data sharing agreement or technical connection of any kind with the
Chinese app.

The bureau says Kaohsiung's core traffic signal control system is housed in a
physically isolated environment, with no physical or wireless connection to
the internet.

No interfaces have been opened for external access, meaning no outside
parties can read or interfere with signal control data through the internet.

The bureau says it will continue monitoring the system and conduct regular
security assessments with cybersecurity experts to ensure the system remains
secure.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-04-23 15:04:13

The government is lowering the age at which older drivers must renew their
licenses with additional health checks, with the new rules expected to take
effect May 31st.

The Ministry of Transportation announced today that the license renewal age
for elderly drivers will drop from 75 to 70.

Under the new system, drivers aged 70 and above must pass a physical
examination and complete a road safety education course to renew their
license, which will then be valid until they turn 75.

Drivers aged 75 and above must continue renewing every three years, and will
additionally be required to pass a cognitive function assessment alongside
the physical exam and safety course.

The ministry estimates roughly 1.1 million drivers fall in the 70 to 74 age
bracket.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-04-23 15:04:13

A number of labor insurance pension recipients will see their monthly
payments increase starting in May, as the government adjusts benefits in line
with consumer price index growth.

The Ministry of Labor says the adjustment applies to recipients who began
drawing pensions in 2011, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018, or 2022.

Each persons eligible may receive an average of 1-thousand-224 NT per month.

The higher payments will take effect in May and appear in June bank accounts.

The ministry says nearly 770-thousand people will benefit.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-04-22 13:07:13

The Nuclear Safety Commission says it's rigorously reviewing Taiwan Power's
plan to restart the number 3 nuclear power plant, adding that the process
cannot be sped up.

The comments come after President Lai Ching-te admitted at the 23rd National
NGOs Environmental Conference yesterday that the government is facing
difficulties in energy supplies.

Participants also said the President believes that nuclear energy development
should be reconsidered in light of strong demand for electricity and advances
in safety technology.

The N-S-C received TaiPower's plan on March 27th and confirmed on April 8th
that all necessary documents were complete and the review process had begun.

N-S-C chair Chen Ming-zhen (陳明真) today stressed that the process cannot be
rushed and must proceed step by step to ensure every stage meets safety
requirements.

Meanwhile with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing's plan of building five
2-nanometer foundries in Kaohsiung, environment groups have expressed grave
concerns.

They said it means the coal and natural gas-fired Xing-da (興達) power plant
is set to add new generators, leading to more pollution.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-04-22 13:07:16

Kaohsiung’s Agriculture Bureau is promoting smart farming through a subsidy
program aimed at helping modernize the agricultural sector.

The program covers items such as smart sensing systems, environmental control
systems, smart production equipment, and related services.

Applications are open through April 30th.

At a matchmaking event held yesterday, 14 companies showcased products, and
nearly 100 farmers and businesses took part,.

Agriculture officials said Kaohsiung has developed 133 smart farms over the
past five years, covering more than 1,300 hectares.

Through continued matchmaking events, the city aims to expand that to over
170 sites and 1,400 hectares this year, while helping farmers address
challenges and connect with private-sector solutions.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-04-22 08:14:13

The K-M-T is describing the cancellation of President Lai Ching-te's planned
visit to Eswatini as being "deeply regrettable," and is calling on Beijing to
exercise restraint, "reduce its suppression," and give the Republic of China
government diplomatic space.

According to K-M-T Culture and Communications Committee Director Yin
Nai-ching, the cancellation of Lai's Eswatini trip was "not connected" to the
meeting earlier this month in Beijing between K-M-T Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun
and Xi Jinping.

While Taiwan People's Party has slammed China for allegedly forcing the
cancellation of Lai trip.

The party says if Beijing continues to "aggressively constrict Taiwan's
diplomatic space and intimidate the Taiwanese people," it will only
exacerbate tensions in the Taiwan Strait and push the Taiwanese people
farther away."

The statements came after Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Men-an
announced that Lai had been forced to cancel the visit, due to what he
described as "economic coercion" by China.

Pan told reporters that the Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar
"unexpectedly and without justification rescinded overflight permission."

Those three countries are located along the flight path of the chartered
plane that Lai, his delegation and members of his national security team were
scheduled to take to Eswatini.

Posted on 2026-04-22 08:14:13

The Cabinet's 2026 general budget proposal has been sent to committee review
after Premier Cho Jung-tai briefed lawmakers on its planning.

The budget had been stalled in the Legislature for more than six months,
prior to Cho briefing lawmakers on the compilation of the budget and
answering questions during a legislative hearing on Tuesday.

According to the premier, certain budget items have been deferred due to
concerns over parity among public servants and constitutional issues.

Deputy Legislative Speaker Johnny Chiang presided over the hearing - after
which he announced that the proposal would be sent to the Finance Committee
and distributed to other committees in accordance with a set schedule.

Lawmakers agreed during cross-party negotiations last week to invite Cho to
present the budget and take questions before referring it to committee.

They also agreed that the Cabinet should, within six months of the start of
the review, propose bills to provide pay raises for active-duty military
personnel and pension increases for retired police officers and firefighters.

Posted on 2026-04-22 08:14:13

The Financial Supervisory Commission has confirmed that publicly-traded
companies will be able to distribute cash dividends in foreign currencies as
early as next year.

According to the commission, the move is aimed at creating a more
investor-friendly environment and aligning local regulations with
international practices.

The F-S-C says the measure will help reduce currency exchange costs for both
the investors and securities custodians, due to foreign investors holding up
to 46.9-per cent of the total market value of Taiwan's stock market.

The announcement comes after the stock market recently overtook the U-K to
become the world's seventh-largest by total market capitalization.

Starting next year, companies listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange, the Taipei
Exchange, and the emerging stock market, will be able to distribute cash
dividends in foreign currencies upon request.

However, the F-S-C is stressing that the arrangement applies foreign
shareholders only.

Posted on 2026-04-22 08:14:13

The Centers for Disease Control says the number of confirmed Mpox cases so
far this year has doubled from last year.

According to the C-D-C, a total of 12 infections have been reported as of
Monday of this week.

That's an increase from six cases during the same period of last year.

This year's cases include 11 domestic infections and one imported infection.

The C-D-C says all of the cases involve men aged between the ages of 25 and
50 and nearly 80-per cent had not been vaccinated.

The C-D-C is warning that both domestic and overseas transmission risks
remain and high of is urging people in higher-risk groups to complete the
two-dose vaccination program.

Over 107,000 people here in Taiwan have received at least one vaccine dose,
but over 31,000 still need their second shot for full protection.

Posted on 2026-04-22 08:14:13

And finally,

Barista Lin Shao-hsing says a simple request from a guest for milk tea
resulted in him discovering his passion for latte art and winning the World
Latte Art Championship title.

Lin took top honors at the event in San Diego earlier this month.

The 37-year-old beat competitors from Malaysia, China, Thailand, South Korea,
and Japan.

According to Lin, winning the long-sought title was a dream come true after
finishing third in his previous two attempts.

Lin won the title after presenting raccoon, giraffe and red panda designs on
his latte's in the final round.

The World Latte Art Championship is organized by the Specialty Coffee
Association and is now its 20th year.

The competition evaluates baristas on visual presentation, creativity,
pattern consistency, contrast and overall performance.

Posted on 2026-04-22 06:50:13

President Lai Ching-te has cancelled his planned visit to Eswatini.

Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Men-an blames the cancellation on
what he's described as "economic coercion" by China.

The Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar are said to have "unexpectedly and
without justification rescinded overflight permission."

Those three countries are located along the flight path of the chartered
plane that Lai, his delegation and members of his national security team were
scheduled to take to Eswatini.

The five-day trip would have been Lai's first visit to Africa and only his
second overseas trip since he took office in May of 2024.

The Presidential Office secretary-general has not said whether a new date is
being considered for the trip, but is describing China's move as
"unprecedented."

Posted on 2026-04-22 06:50:13

cancellation

Meanwhile,

President Lai Ching-te says "Taiwan's sincere wishes" to Eswatini's King
Mswati III on his Ruby jubilee will not be affected, despite political
interference by China forcing him to cancel a visit to the African diplomatic
ally.

Lai said via social media that he "regretted" to inform the public that he
had to suspend his trip on the advice of his national security team, but
Taiwan continues to cherish its friendship with Eswatini ...

... and he will send special envoys to attend events marking the 40th
anniversary of the monarch's accession to the throne and the king's 58th
birthday."

Lai went on to say "the Taiwanese people have the right to engage with the
world and cooperate with like-minded partners" and "China's coercion has
disrupted the status quo, to the dismay of the Taiwanese people."

Posted on 2026-04-22 06:50:13

The Ministry of National Defense has released details of a list of weapons
systems it intends to procure via direct commercial sales or commissioned
manufacturing.

The planned purchase all come under the Cabinet's proposed 1.25-trillion N-T
special defense budget proposal.

The items include drones and various types of ammunition.

The procurement process is expected to involve the National Chung-Shan
Institute of Science and Technology and the Armaments Bureau.

Defense officials say about 24-per cent of the eight-year special budget will
be allocated to direct commercial sales or commissioned manufacturing.

While 76-per cent of the proposed budget will be spent on U-S weapons
systems, including those already approved for sale to Taiwan by Washington or
identified by Taiwan as items of interest through the Foreign Military Sales
program.

The Cabinet's 1.25-trillion N-T special defense budget proposal was sent to
lawmakers for review late last year, but remains frozen in the Legislative
Yuan.

Lawmakers from the K-M-T and the Taiwan People's Party are demanding that
President Lai Ching-te brief lawmakers directly on the proposal.

Posted on 2026-04-22 06:50:13

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that it's in the process of
purchasing property to house its representative office in Australia.

The Department of General Affairs says it is finalizing the deal to complete
the transfer of ownership of a property in Sydney and the aim is to move into
the new office before the end of 2027.

Officials have not released any information concerning the exact location of
the property in the city.

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Sydney is currenty located in a
rented office.

The foreign ministry also says it's also planning to purchase properties to
house its representative offices in Boston, Houston, and Denver, and is now
adjusting its proposals for buying properties in the three U-S cities based
on the Cabinet's recommendations.

The ministry currently operates 111 overseas offices, 19 of which are housed
in government-owned properties.

Posted on 2026-04-22 06:50:13

The Army has demoted a company commander after he was accused of using a
racial slur against a Japanese-Taiwanese conscript serving under his command.

The 6th Army Corps Command says the captain was removed from his post in the
Yilan-based 153rd Infantry Brigade with immediate effect.

Further disciplinary action could also be taken... pending the results of an
ongoing internal probe and that the case would also be referred to
prosecutors for an investigation into possible public insult charges.

The Army has stressed that all conscripts should be treated equally, without
discrimination based on ethnicity or nationality and the brigade has sent
senior officials to apologize to the conscript and his family.

The conscript involved was serving his four months of compulsory military
service.

He posted a complaint on social media earlier this week accusing his company
commander of repeatedly calling him a derogatory ethnic slur in Chinese.

Posted on 2026-04-22 06:50:13

A former gymnastics coach has been suspended by the National Taiwan Normal
University following an investigation into the alleged bullying of students.

Weng Shih-hang had coached Olympic bronze medalist Tang Chia-hung.

Weng was suspended from his post as a associate professor in the Department
of Sport and Kinesiology two years, while his assistant coach, Mai Liu
Hsiang-han has had her contract terminated.

The university says the decisions have been submitted to the Ministry of
Education for review.

The Humanistic Education Foundation is calling for stricter punishments -
arguing they were disproportionate, as the investigation committee failed to
account for Weng's position of authority.

The foundation says the students involved ranged from preschool-aged children
to university students.

The allegations against Weng include inappropriate physical contact,
humiliation and the use of overly offensive language.

Posted on 2026-04-22 06:50:13

The Centers for Disease Control says the number of enterovirus cases are on
the rise this year.

C-D-C data shows that outpatient and emergency visits totaled 3,500 over the
past week, representing an increase of more than 16-per cent from the same
period of last year.

Health officials are warning that the surge in enterovirus cases is expected
to continue - as cases are increasing by about 1,000 per week.

That could mean cases could surpass 10,000 weekly visits in early June and
exceeding the epidemic threshold of around 12,000 by mid-to-late June.

The most common enterovirus strains currently circulating are the Coxsackie
A-6, A-4, and A-16.

Officials are urging the public to take precautions by maintaining good
hygiene, and staying home if sick to help curb the spread of the virus.

Posted on 2026-04-22 06:50:13

And,

The National Immigration Agency's Hualien Service Station has hosted a
traditional batik dyeing class to mark the birthday of Indonesian women's
rights pioneer Raden Ajeng Kartini.

Rovina Wiana, an Indonesian resident who has lived in Hualien for 25 years,
led participants in a hands-on batik experience -- guiding them through the
process from sketching designs and applying wax to dyeing the fabric.

She also shared the cultural background of Kartini Day and introduced
Indonesia's batik tradition.

Officials with the Hualien service station say the event allowed participants
to experience traditional batik, deepen cross-cultural understanding and
express appreciation to immigrant women and migrant workers, with the aim of
fostering a more inclusive society.

Indonesia's batik tradition was inscribed on UNESCO's intangible cultural
heritage list in 2009.

Posted on 2026-04-21 18:12:13

Taiwan's three major carriers have announced sharp increases in cargo fuel
surcharges starting in early May.

China Airlines says that starting May 1st, cargo fuel surcharges for
shipments to Europe and the United States will rise from 41 to 81 NT per
kilogram, and from 14 to 28 NT within Asia.

While EVA Air and STARLUX Airlines say that on May 2nd they will implement
the same rates.

Industry analysts say the increases will push overall air freight costs above
300 NT per kilogram on some routes.

The price hike is expected to trigger a rush of shipments before the new
rates take effect, with demand for cargo space likely to spike in late April.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-04-21 18:12:13

The Centers for Disease Control says local enterovirus cases are rising
quickly.

CDC data shows that outpatient and emergency visits were up more than 16
percent in the past week to over 3 thousand 500.

Health officials warn the surge is expected to continue, with cases
increasing by about 1 thousand per week ...

... potentially surpassing 10 thousand visits in early June and exceeding the
epidemic threshold of around 12 thousand by mid-to-late June.

Officials are urging the public to take precautions, especially when caring
for infants and young children, who are most at risk.

They recommend frequent handwashing, good hygiene, and staying home when sick
to help curb the spread.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-04-21 18:12:13

In related news,

The CDC says Mpox cases in Taiwan have doubled so far this year, with 12
infections confirmed as of April 20th.

That's up from six cases during the same period last year, with 11 domestic
infections and one imported.

All of the cases involve men aged between 25 and 50, and nearly 80 percent
had not been vaccinated.

Officials say two new cases reported in April were linked to high-risk sexual
behavior.

The agency warns that both domestic and international transmission risks
remain, and is urging people in higher-risk groups to complete the two-dose
vaccination series.

Authorities add that more than 107-thousand people have received at least one
vaccine dose, but over 31-thousand still need their second shot for full
protection.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-04-21 18:12:13

Kaohsiung MRT is reporting record-high ridership for the first quarter of the
year — and is adding an extra weekday after-school service.

The metro operator says average daily ridership across the Red and Orange
lines and the light rail system topped 248 thousand passengers — up over 4
percent from the same period a year earlier.

Officials say the increase is being driven by more commuters and students, as
well as wider use of discounted monthly passes like TPASS and MeNGo.

The extra train will run from Xiaogang to Gangshan.

Services will run every five to six minutes starting at 4:12 PM, with peak
operations beginning 20 minutes earlier to help students get home.

The company says it will continue aligning with city transport policies to
provide more punctual and comfortable service as ridership continues to grow.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-04-21 18:12:13

Local doctors are warning that not getting enough sleep may lead to weight
gain.

They say research shows people who don't get enough sleep may consume an
extra 200 to 500 calories a day.

Those sleeping just 5.5 hours per night are more likely to snack,
particularly between 7 PM and 7 AM, often choosing high-calorie, high-carb
foods.

Doctors say poor sleep disrupts hormones that control hunger and fullness,
while also affecting the brain's reward system.

This can trigger cravings even when the body doesn't need more energy.

Doctors stress that sleep is just as important as diet and exercise for
weight control.

They recommend getting around 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-04-21 17:47:13

Deputy Legislative Speaker Johnny Chiang says the government's proposed 2026
general budget will now be sent to relevant committees for review.

Premier Cho Jung-tai appeared before the Legislature earlier today to deliver
a report and answer lawmakers' questions.

Lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties had already reached a
consensus to move the proposal forward after the briefing.

Under that agreement, the Executive Yuan must submit within six months
proposed amendments to military and police personnel laws, along with broader
protections for civil servants.

Officials say the review will focus on fairness, sound legal and
institutional frameworks, and long-term fiscal sustainability.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-04-21 17:47:20

Taiwan's customs authorities are reminding travelers that carrying large
amounts of gold out of the country requires advance paperwork and a
declaration at the border.

Under current regulations, travelers leaving Taiwan with gold, including gold
bars, nuggets, coins, and pure gold jewelry, valued at more than $20-thousand
U.S. dollars must first obtain an export permit from the Ministry of Economic
Affairs.

The travelers must then declare the gold to customs before departure.

Kaohsiung Customs says several travelers have recently been penalized for
being unaware of the regulations, resulting in significant financial losses.

Officials are urging anyone planning to carry gold abroad to check the rules
carefully beforehand to avoid fines.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-04-21 17:47:20

The Taipei Guest House will open its doors to the public on May 9th in
celebration of Mother's Day.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the opening today, saying the venue
has been open to the public on holidays since June 2006, supported by nearly
40 volunteer guides.

And the guest house has hosted more than 200 open house events since 2006,
welcoming over 370-thousand visitors in total.

Officials say on May 9th, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung will personally
prepare carnation bouquets for visitors as a gesture of appreciation for
mothers.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-04-21 14:36:13

2027

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says its Taipei Economic and Cultural Office
in Sydney is in the final stages of negotiating a property purchase contract.

Ministry Director-General Chen Jin-ling (陳錦玲) said this morning that once
the contract is signed, the office will proceed with title transfer,
renovation, and equipment procurement.

The target move-in date is the end of 2027, which would mark the ministry's
first newly purchased overseas property since late 2023.

Chen said plans to acquire properties for offices in Houston, Denver, and
Boston are still being revised following feedback from the Executive Yuan,
with updates to be provided as the process moves forward.

The ministry currently owns office premises at 19 of its 111 overseas
missions, accounting for around 17 percent of its total overseas presence.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-21 14:36:15

Taipei hosts the 13th Asia International Darts Tournament this weekend, with
competitors participating from across the region.

The tournament draws participants annually from Thailand, Singapore, Hong
Kong, South Korea, Japan, and other Asian countries.

Organizers say registration is open and attendance is expected to reach a new
high this year.

The event takes place April 25th and 26th at Taipei Expo Park,

(NS)

Posted on 2026-04-21 12:27:13

line

President Lai Ching-te has told a visiting delegation from the Center for
Strategic and International Studies that Taiwan stands at the front line of
democracy's defense.

Meeting the C-S-I-S group at the Presidential Office, Lai said the threat of
authoritarianism is part of daily life for Taiwan's people.

He reaffirmed Taiwan's core security belief: "peace relies on strength, and
strength is the moat of peace."

Lai said Taiwan's defense budget has already exceeded 3 percent of G-D-P by
N-A-T-O standards, with a target of 5 percent before 2030.

C-S-I-S president John Hamre said Taiwan has made significant progress on
self-defense since the group's last visit three years ago and called Taiwan's
flag "the flag of freedom in Asia."

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-21 12:27:13

Two separate water outages are set to affect more than 70-thousand households
across Taiwan.

In Keelung, around 34-thousand households in Ren'ai, Xinyi, and Zhongzheng
districts will have their water cut or pressure reduced for 23 hours starting
at 9 P-M this Sunday, April 26th.

That work is tied to sewage system construction along Zhongzheng Road and
will run through 8 P-M Monday.

The Taiwan Water Corporation will set up water supply stations at seven
locations across the affected areas, and residents are advised to switch off
water pumps during the outage to prevent damage.

In Tainan, more than 36-thousand households across the East, North, and
Zhongxi districts face a separate 23-hour outage from 9 A-M Tuesday, April
28th, through 8 A-M Wednesday.

That disruption is linked to pipeline replacement work tied to reconstruction
of the traffic circle at the plaza in front of Tainan Railway Station.

In both cases, Taiwan Water Corporation says schedules may shift if heavy
rain or a typhoon warning occurs, and updated notices will be issued
accordingly.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-21 12:27:13

averaging CEFR A2

Middle school students in Taiwan have maintained stable English scores on the
TOEIC /TOE-ick/ Bridge test, according to a 2025 report released today.

The TOEIC Bridge is designed for beginner to intermediate learners and tests
practical English in everyday settings.

The authorized TOEIC representative in Taiwan, says scores have risen
steadily with age.

8th graders averaged at the A2, or elementary level.

More than half of all test-takers reached A2 in both listening and reading.

The company credited government bilingual education initiatives for the
steady improvement.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-21 11:00:13

A 64-year-old man has been indicted after approaching the Presidential Office
with a fruit knife in March.

The Taipei District Prosecutors Office says the man walked into the plaza in
front of the office at around 2:50 in the morning on March 9th.

He was heard saying he wanted to, quote, "kill Lai Ching-te, who is being
impersonated by the Chinese Communist Party," end quote.

Military police spotted him and alerted officers, who quickly arrived and
took him into custody.

No one was hurt.

Prosecutors found Li's mental state to be unstable and secured court approval
for six months of temporary placement.

He now faces charges of threatening public safety and intimidating the public
under the Criminal Code.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-21 11:00:14

Heritage Week

A documentary about Taiwan's democratic journey is set to air on America's
Public Broadcasting Service starting May 1st.

"Invisible Nation" will broadcast throughout Asian American and Pacific
Islander Heritage Month, with its premiere timed to lead into Taiwanese
American Heritage Week, which falls in the second week of May.

The Formosan Association for Public Affairs helped organize the broadcast
alongside a university campus screening tour across the U-S.

The tour has reached more than one-thousand viewers so far and is scheduled
to visit 19 universities in 11 states, including Yale, U-C Berkeley, and the
University of Florida.

Screenings include panel discussions featuring diplomats, policymakers, and
academics.

F-A-P-A president Lin Su-mei says Taiwan's struggle for democracy and its
long experience of marginalized identity resonates deeply with Taiwanese
Americans.

She says the initiative aims to help broader American audiences connect with
Taiwan's story and pass it on to younger generations.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-21 08:13:13

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

Taiwan's top envoy in London has testified at a hearing of the U-K
Parliament's Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy.

Vincent Yao shared details of efforts to build societal defense resilience in
Taiwan, presented the Ministry of National Defense's civil defense handbook
and emphasized the Lai administration's policies to resist aggression.

The National Security Strategy Committee is composed of members of the House
of Lords and the House of Commons.

Yao told the committee about President Lai Ching-te's Whole-of-Society
Defense Resilience Committee ..

... and stressed its focus on organizing civilian personnel to support
defense and emergency efforts, protecting and maintaining essential
infrastructure and preparing shelters and ensuring medical services remain
operational in disaster scenarios.

Yao also told the committee how the Lai administration attempts to
communicate with the public in an easy-to-understand way, and seeks to
disclose as much information as possible related to security threats from
China.

The last time a top Taiwan diplomat or a senior official was invited to give
in-person testimony in the U-K parliament was in 2019.

Posted on 2026-04-21 08:13:15

Former President Ma Ying-jeou is urging a three-member task force at his
foundation to expedite its investigation into alleged breaches of financial
discipline involving two former employees.

According to Ma, the foundation presented relevant evidence and witness
information at a board meeting late last month in a case involving Hsiao
Hsu-tsen and Wang Kuang-tzu.

Ma says the materials were shared with all board members for a second time
via text messages and the LINE messaging app twice earlier this month and
were also sent by registered mail.

Hsiao is currently a vice K-M-T chairman and previously served as the
foundation's chief executive, while Wang was a foundation staff member.

Ma is also calling on Hsiao and Wang to present their case or
counter-evidence through the investigation process, rather than making media
statements that could harm the foundation or his reputation in an attempt to
influence the probe's outcome.

Hsiao and Wang left the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation in late February.

Their departure sparked claims of a "power struggle" at the foundation, which
was established by Ma in 2018.

Posted on 2026-04-21 08:13:17

And finally,

The palanquin carrying two statues of sea goddess Mazu from Bai-sha-tun
Gongtian Temple in Miaoli County returned home on Monday.

It concluding an eight-day pilgrimage to Chiaotian Temple, also a Mazu
temple, in Yunlin County and back again.

The statues were escorted into the main hall and formally seated in the
Gongtian Temple on their return by tens of thousands of devotees.

Volunteer groups and businesses set up refreshment stations, offering a
variety of drinks and snacks to ease the fatigue of those who made the long
journey over the past eight days.

The Bai-sha-tun Mazu pilgrimage set off on April 13 from Tongxiao Township,
led by a palanquin carrying three Mazu statues, one of which was from
neighboring Shan-bian Mazu Temple.

Organizers say this year's procession was joined by a record 460,000-plus
devotees.

The pilgrimage is known for having no fixed route, with directions and stops
believed to be guided by the deity's will through the movements of the
palanquin.

Posted on 2026-04-21 06:51:13

cities

Taiwan Realty says data shows that Taichung suffered the steepest decline in
completed home prices among the six municipalities in the first quarter of
this year.

The data is based on the government's price registration platform.

According to Taiwan Realty, the average transaction price for completed homes
in Taichung fell 8.0-per cent from a year earlier to stand at 299,000 N-T per
ping in the January to March period.

Taiwan Realty says the average transaction price in the city moved lower in
the first quarter as many home buyers for self-dwelling purposes tend to
choose relatively affordable used homes instead of newly built homes in
Taichung's prime property market.

A survey by realty company shows that of the six municipalities, only Taipei
recorded a 0.9-per cent year-on-year increase in transaction prices for
completed homes to 818,000 N-T per ping in the first quarter.

New Taipei, Tainan and Kaohsiung also saw decline in completed home prices.

Posted on 2026-04-21 06:51:13

And finally,

The Taiwan Space Agency says it will be hosting a major international space
industry forum in November - which will likely see the attendance of more
than 3,500 professionals from over 18 countries.

The third edition of the Taiwan International Assembly of Space Science,
Technology, and Industry will be taking place at the I-C-C Tainan from
November 8 through 11.

The event is being jointly organized by the Taiwan Space Agency and the
Tainan City government under the guidance of the National Science and
Technology Council.

A parallel exhibition will be running from November 8 through 10 - featuring
more than 75 domestic and international companies across five themed zones,
including supply chains, satellite applications, and testing.

The expo's first day will be open to the public free of charge, though
registration will be required.

The event will be held under the theme of "Trusted in Space, Resilient on
Earth."

And the Taiwan Space Agency says the event is aimed at positioning Taiwan as
a reliable partner in the global space supply chain.

Posted on 2026-04-21 06:48:13

The Ministry of National Defense says it closely monitored the movements of
China's aircraft carrier, the Liaoning as it passed through the Taiwan Strait
yesterday.

The ministry has released a black-and-white surveillance photograph showing
an aerial view of the vessel - which shows several fixed-wing aircraft and
helicopters on the carrier's flight deck.

Defense officials have not specified where or when the photo was taken .. and
have also not disclose whether it was taken by a drone, an aircraft, or radar
system.

The last time the defense ministry reported a Chinese aircraft carrier in
the Taiwan Strait was mid-December of last year - when China's newest and
most advanced carrier, the Fujian, passed through the waterway.

The Liaoning is the oldest of China's three operating aircraft carriers.

Posted on 2026-04-21 06:48:15

The General Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of China is urging the
government to "ease or lift" restrictions in response to a slate of tourism
and commercial measures announced by China.

According to chamber chairman Paul Hsu, both the government and opposition
should not be swayed by "partisan and non-economic considerations" ..

.. and the government "should not use any means to prevent us from speaking
out."

Hsu made the statements flanked by representatives from the tourism, food and
transportation sectors at a chamber event on Monday - at which he also argued
that the easing of restrictions would benefit both businesses and the public.

Beijing released its 10 Taiwan-focused measures on April 12, two days after
K-M-T Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun met with Xi Jinping in Beijing.

They include the resumption of individual travel by residents of Shanghai and
Fujian to Taiwan, the "full normalization" of direct cross-strait passenger
flights, and expanded access for Taiwanese agricultural, fishery and food
products to the Chinese market.

The Mainland Affairs Council has slammed the measures and warned groups and
individuals "not to echo the Chinese Communist Party or allow themselves to
be used as tools to pressure the government."

However, speaking at Monday's event, Hsu said none of the chamber's members
have faced pressure from China.

Posted on 2026-04-21 06:48:15

K-M-T Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun says she plans to visit the U-S in June and has
been invited to meet with "heavyweight" members of Congress.

Speaking during an interview on the "HistoryBro Show 2.0" YouTube show Cheng
said her team has not yet begun making formal contact with the members of the
U-S Congress who have invited her ...

... but she also dismissed claims she would be unable to meet with U-S
lawmakers.

According to Cheng, there's no evidence she won't be able to meet with
members of Congress when she travels to Washington - as some have been
expressing their hope for a visit sooner rather than later.

Cheng said she plans to take her impressions from the recent meeting with Xi
Jinping to the U-S and and he message will be that the world should not
return to Cold War-era divisions.

Posted on 2026-04-21 06:48:15

The Taichung Police Department says an investigation into an office who
repeatedly pepper-sprayed people at a local election campaign this past
weekend, was due to faulty equipment and poor judgment.

The campaign event had been organized by the Taiwan People's Party for city
councilor candidate Liu Tsen-yu.

It was attended by party founder Ko Wen-je - who was one those affected by
the pepper spray.

Liu filed an official report with Taichung police over the incident - saying
two unidentified individuals on a scooter sprayed pepper spray into the air
and towards people in the procession while she and Ko were campaigning at the
Fengchia Night Market.

According to the city's police commissioner, Ko and Liu, as well as several
T-P-P workers and supporters, were affected by the officer's leaking pepper
spray - but it was not a deliberate attack.

The commissioner says the police office was solely responsible for the
incident because he failed to immediately withdraw and handle the situation
in accordance with regulations after discovering that his pepper spray was
leaking.

Posted on 2026-04-21 06:48:16

The Ministry of Environment says it expects to collect around 4.5-billion N-T
in carbon fees by the end of May.

The statement comes as major greenhouse gas emitters are facing the first
mandatory payment deadline.

The payment window runs through May 31 and is the first collection cycle
since the carbon fee system took effect on January 1 of last year.

Under the scheme, companies emitting at least 25,000 metric tons of carbon
dioxide annually must calculate and pay fees based on their total emissions
in 2025.

Those companies are mainly in the power, gas supply and manufacturing sectors.

Based on the latest data from the environment ministry, between 512 and 550
companies have been identified as major emitters subject to the first phase
of carbon fee collection.

The standard carbon fee rate is 300 N-T per metric ton.

However, companies hat submit and obtain approval for voluntary emissions
reduction plans can qualify for preferential rates of 50 or 100 N-T per
metric ton.

The government has said the collected funds will be used to support emissions
reduction technologies.

Posted on 2026-04-21 06:48:16

The Ministry of Agriculture is insisting that individual imported processing
potatoes found to be sprouted, rotten or moldy will be discarded in their
entirety.

The statement comes amid charges the government's decision to ease import
restrictions on American potatoes used for processing has resulted in the
import of sprouted processing potatoes.

Critics are accusing the government of ignoring food safety standards to
appease the U-S as part of the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade - which was
signed by the two sides in February.

According to the agriculture ministry, the "Quarantine Requirements for the
Importation of Processing Potatoes from the United States" maintain existing
standards requiring shipments to be free of eight specified pests and
diseases ..

.... while also adding stricter measures such as enhanced use of sprout
inhibitors and a requirement that potatoes be free of sprouts and soil at
export.

The ministry says any shipment found to contain sprouted, rotten or moldy
potatoes will be reported to the Food and Drug Administration, with the
affected potatoes removed and disposed of at designated processing
facilities.

Posted on 2026-04-21 06:48:16

The Ministry of Agriculture says the number of pet cats here in Taiwan
surpassed that of pet dogs for the first time in 2025.

The number of pet cats totaled 1,742,033 last year.

That's a 32.8-per cent increase from 2023.

According to the ministry, data shows the number of pet dogs declined by
1.2-per cent over the same period to 1,462,528.

However, despite the shift, households with dogs still slightly outnumber
those with cats by 1.2-per cent.

The number of households with multiple dogs has remained relatively stable,
but households keeping more than two cats have increased, contributing to the
overall rise in the feline population.

The agriculture ministry says the trend reflects broader social changes,
including a growing number of single-person households - as in urban areas,
cats are often seen as more suitable pets than dogs.

Registration rates for both dogs and cats have also risen in recent years.

Dog registration increased from 69.5-per cent in 2021 to 77.2-per cent last
year, while cat registration rose from 58.45-per cent in 2023 to 66.48-per
cent in 2025.

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