ICRT

Posted on 2026-02-04 19:55:14

Orsi

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has rebuked the statement issued by the
President of the Oriental Republic supporting the one-China policy.

MOFA says the statement by Uruguay Yamandu Orsi "seriously distorts the
facts,” and reiterated that Taiwan and China are not subordinate to each
other.

MOFA says it strongly disagrees with the Uruguayan government for echoing
China’s political position.

President Orsi is visiting China and met Chinese leader Xi Jin-ping today.

The two sides later released a joint statement that included claims that
“Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory”.

MOFA has expressed its strong protest against the Chinese government for
continuing to spread malicious rhetoric internationally that undermines
Taiwan’s sovereignty.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-02-04 19:55:18

Two incumbent County Magistrates have been nominated for reelection by the
ruling DPP.

DPP chairman Lai Ching-te says Zhou Chun-mi (周春米) and Chen Guang-fu
(陳光復) have both performed well during their first term, adding that he has
confidence in them to continue leading Ping-dong and Peng-hu for a brighter
future.

He touted Zhou's warm, caring leadership style, saying that she has
strengthened her county through efforts in cultural branding, long-term care
services, family and parenting policies.

Lai also praised Chen, saying he has worked hard to bring change and drive
local development and his “pragmatic governance” has focused on bringing
the government’s public debt down to zero.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-02-04 19:55:18

Tigerair Taiwan is adding four Airbus A321neo jets to its fleet, marking a
major push toward more fuel-efficient regional travel.

The new aircraft will be configured with 232 seats, allowing the low-cost
carrier to boost capacity on high-demand routes.

Because Tigerair already uses an all-Airbus fleet, the company says the move
will streamline training and maintenance.

To date, the A320neo family has secured more than 10 thousand orders
worldwide as airlines shift toward more sustainable aviation fuels.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-02-04 19:54:14

The Ministry of Agriculture says fresh fruit, vegetable and various meat
supplies will be plentiful throughout the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday.

Officials say overall supply levels for produce, seafood, livestock, and
flowers are all significantly higher than usual, helping keep prices largely
stable.

Fruit shipments are up more than twenty percent, with items like wax apples,
mandarins, dates, and other seasonal citrus now in peak season.

Vegetable supplies have also increased by more than thirty percent, led by
cabbage, radishes, and cauliflower.

Seafood supplies are also up more than thirty percent … while pork and
poultry supplies have been boosted to meet holiday demand.

The ministry adds that compared with last year, prices for many fruits,
vegetables, and flowers have actually fallen, easing holiday shopping
pressure for consumers.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-02-04 19:54:14

The government has announced that year-end bonuses for government workers
will be paid out on February 6th, just ahead of the Lunar New Year.

According to the Directorate-General of Personnel Administration, civil
servants, teachers, military personnel, and eligible support staff will
receive a year-end work bonus worth up to one-and-a-half months' salary.

On top of that, performance bonuses could add another half to a full month's
pay, depending on annual evaluations.

Officials say bonus payments are based on time served, and may also apply to
those who retired or left their posts during the year.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-02-04 19:54:14

Miaoli County Police shot and killed a 40-year-old man following a knife
attack at a traditional market.

Officials say the suspect, surnamed Chung, ignored orders to drop his weapon
and continued to move toward people despite the use of pepper spray.

During the confrontation, an officer was stabbed twice in the head,
sustaining a skull fracture.

Police added that a second officer fired two shots, hitting the suspect.

But a bystander was also struck in the hand during the gunfire.

Chung was later pronounced dead at a hospital, while the injured officer is
currently in intensive care with stable vital signs.

Authorities said Chung had a criminal record, including attempted murder, and
local media reported he had a long history of mental illness and substance
abuse.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-02-04 19:54:14

Taipei began construction today on the C-F-710 contract of the Metro Circular
Line's East Ring Line in Neihu Technology Park.

Mayor Chiang Wan-an says the section is a key link between Zhongshan and
Neihu districts.

The project includes 3 underground stations and 4 shield-tunnel segments
along Jingye (敬業) 3rd Road, Lequn (樂群) 2nd Road, and Ruiguang (瑞光)
Road.

City officials say 4 of the East Ring Line's 6 section contracts have now
been awarded.

They say the remaining 2 contracts could be awarded as soon as the end of
this year, with another section, C-F-720, set to start as early as April.

Officials say traffic disruption will grow from the second half of this year
as major wall construction begins.

The city says it may adjust streets near the work zone into paired one-way
routes to ease congestion.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-02-04 17:16:13

The field of candidates eyeing the New Taipei Mayor's race is getting crowded.

The opposition TPP has decided to nominate party leader Huang Guo-chang for
the office, and has also passed the first batch of nominees for city and
county councils.

Huang has pledged to give citizens a "whole new New Taipei city", one that
will make them proud.

As the KMT has two potential candidates, Deputy Taipei City Mayor Li Si-chuan
and Deputy New Taipei mayor Liu Ho-ran, vying for nomination, Huang has also
addressed the possibility of cooperation between the blue and white camps.

He says he will approach the situation with “the greatest grace and
sportsmanship,” adding that all healthy competition is a sign of democracy.

Noting that anyone with political ambitions should face the challenge
head-on, Huang says he wants to prove he's the best candidate and the best
choice.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-02-04 17:16:13

Engineering departments have always been popular university majors, and
according to U-News, programs that combine engineering with AI have become
even more in demand.

U-News is a website dedicated to helping students choose their majors and
better understand individual universities.

The website analyzed nearly 55 million pageviews from the past year to
compile a ranking of the 100 university programs most closely followed by
high school students.

It noted that National Taiwan University continues to enjoy strong brand
appeal, with many of its departments ranking near the top.

In terms of selecting majors, almost all engineering fields, including
electric, materials, mechanical, and chemical engineering, have benefited
from Taiwan's booming semiconductor sector.

Basic science subjects such as physics and chemistry have also attracted a
lot of attention.

U-News said interdisciplinary programs that combine information technology
with finance and economics are in the upper tier of the top 100 university
programs as well, reflecting the recent rise of "fintech".

(JL)

Posted on 2026-02-04 14:20:13

The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency says travelers must get approval
before bringing canned bear meat into Taiwan.

It issued this reminder after bear sightings in Japan drew attention and
online users asked about bringing back canned bear meat.

It says products from protected wildlife are tightly controlled under Taiwan
law and international rules.

The agency says violations can bring criminal penalties of up to 5 years in
prison.

It also says offenders can be fined up to $1.5 million NT.

Officials say applications must be filed in advance through the Agriculture
Ministry's online customs and permit platform.

If a CITES-listed species is involved, the agency says an export permit from
the source country is also required.

The agency says reviews can take 3 to 4 weeks, so last-minute purchases
during travel may not get approved in time.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-02-04 14:20:14

Taroko National Park says it has reopened parts of the Lushui (綠水)
Recreation Area starting this month.

The park says the area was closed for repairs after the April 3rd earthquake
two years ago.

It says two trails near Tianxiang (天祥) are now partly open, and weekend
guided tours have resumed.

The park says the Lushui Trail is open for about 250 meters to a small
suspension bridge, a 15-minute one-way walk.

It says the Lushui-Wenshan (文山) Trail is open for about 450 meters to
Tuoyouen (陀優恩), taking about 30 minutes one way.

The park also says the Lushui exhibition hall, viewing platforms, and parking
lot have reopened.

Officials say the area is open daily from 8:30 AM to 4 PM, but visitors
should check Highway 8 traffic control times before going.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-02-04 13:55:13

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an says the city and Nvidia will sign a contract
before the Lunar New Year to build its Taiwan headquarters.

He says the site will be in Beitou Shilin Technology Park.

Chiang says the city is reviewing land rights and royalties for plots T17 and
T18 today.

He says the process will then move to valuation, negotiations, and final
signing steps.

The Lunar New Year falls on February 17th this year, and Taiwan's holiday
period runs from February 14th to 22nd.

Jensen Huang has just finished a four-day Taiwan visit, including meetings
with major suppliers such as TSMC.

(CNA-PB)

Posted on 2026-02-04 13:55:13

Taipei's Animal Protection Office has compiled a list of more than 30 clinics
that will stay open during the Lunar New Year holiday.

It says the city has 272 animal hospitals in total, and most will be closed
during the holiday.

The office says it often gets calls during the break from owners who cannot
find emergency care.

It urges owners to check nearby clinic information in advance, especially for
pets with chronic illnesses.

It also says owners should call first to confirm hours and appointment rules
to avoid long waits or sudden closures.

Pet owners can access the list by visiting the Taipei City Animal Protection
Office's Mandarin website.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-02-04 13:55:13

Online book retailers have reported fast growth in e-book sales and
subscription services amid the ongoing Taipei International Book Exhibition.

Books.com.tw said its e-book service has posted double-digit growth for eight
consecutive years, with its catalog now exceeding 300-thousand titles.

It noted that new titles in the e-book category added in 2025 were more than
20 percent higher compared with 2024, indicating the steady growth of the
digital reading market.

The company said e-book sales now account for more than 13 percent of the
platform’s overall book sales.

Rakuten Kobo, meanwhile, said it launched a subscription service in 2024,
allowing users unlimited access to more than 2.5 million e-books worldwide
and 300-thousand audiobooks.

It added that subscriber numbers have been doubling each year.

Fubon Multimedia also reported that Momo member figures show overall e-book
sales in the fourth quarter of last year rose by nearly 40 percent
year-on-year.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-02-04 13:55:13

Taiwan shares are up while Asian markets are mixed, with Japan and China
dragging lower by selling of tech-related stocks.

Here in Taiwan, the TaiEx ended up 94 points to end the session at 32,290.

The turnover reached 685.4 billion NT.

Posted on 2026-02-04 13:10:13

The Finance Ministry says it has revised various tax deductions, with the
personal exemption raised to $101-thousand NT per person.

Adding that to the standard deduction and the special deduction for salary
income, the tax-free threshold for a single office worker who rents a house
will be $644-thousand NT.

Finance officials say the personal exemption will rise to $151-thousand 500
for those aged 70 and above, and the standard deduction, at $136-thousand.

It will be doubled for taxpayers with a spouse.

People can take advantage of those deductions when filing their personal
income tax returns in May next year.

For those who need to take care of young children or disabled elderly family
members, there are extra tax exemptions if their income falls under a certain
threshold.

Finance officials say the tax system will continue to be reviewed and
adjusted according to consumer price index changes and the nation's economic
sitution.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-02-04 13:10:13

The Travel Quality Assurance Association has released its reasonable group
tour price ranges for the second quarter.

It says Japan and South Korea tour prices are down about 10 to 20 percent
from a year earlier, linked to airfare and hotel factors.

U.S. and Europe tours are up about 10-percent, mainly due to exchange rates.

For Japan, most regions are about 10-percent higher than the first quarter as
spring peak season begins, with cherry blossoms expected from March 22nd.

For South Korea, lower airfares are pushing prices down, with year-on-year
drops of 15 percent for Seoul.

Vietnam tours are down 2 to 5 percent from the first quarter, while Central
Asia and Africa are up 20 to 30 percent due to inflation and higher fuel
costs.

For domestic travel in Taiwan, prices are slightly lower than the first
quarter but up 3 to 5 percent from a year ago.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-02-04 13:10:13

Taiwan Tigerair says it will start a new route from Taichung to Japan's
Okinawa on March 30th.

The service begins with 2 flights a week.

Capacity will be shifted from its existing Taichung-Macau route to support
the new flights.

Tigerair says it will be the only Taiwan-based carrier with direct Okinawa
flights from Taoyuan, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung.

Promotional launch fares go on sale starting today.

Tigerair also says it plans a 30-plane new-generation fleet by 2033 to
improve fuel efficiency.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-02-04 11:15:14

The KMT is pushing back against a US senator's comments stating that he was
"disappointed" that the KMT and TPP had "slashed" a Cabinet-proposed defense
budget.

Senator Roger Wicker said on social media that he was disappointed in the
opposition parties' moves to "dramatically" cut President Lai's proposed
defense budget.

He called on the legislature to reconsider, especially, he says, given
"rising Chinese threats."

In response, the KMT said in a press release that it has "always supported
the defense budget" and said that Wicker's remarks were made with
"insufficient information."

The KMT also rhetorically asked if the US Congress would "approve an
eight-year blank-check budget with no content."

Posted on 2026-02-04 11:15:15

nationals

Taiwanese banks have been instructed to freeze suspected mule accounts held
by foreign nationals who leave Taiwan under certain circumstances.

Financial Supervisory Commission officials say that those circumstances may
include departing after the expiration or early termination of a work
contract, being reported as missing, or being detained for illegal entry or
unlawful employment.

Banks are now required to cross-reference accounts against a list of departed
foreign nationals provided by the National Immigration Agency.

They may exercise discretion to freeze accounts following a review.

While the policy applied to all foreign nationals, it is mostly aimed at
migrant workers, in response to reports of fraud rings using the accounts of
workers who have departed Taiwan to carry out fraud.

KMT lawmaker Lai Shi Bao previously urged the FSC to mandate account closures
for departing migrant workers...

but the FSC raised concerns that these workers may still need those accounts.

As a result, the FSC says that oustanding payments can be issued by other
means.

Posted on 2026-02-04 09:55:13

The Ministry of Education says tuition and miscellaneous fees will not rise
for the 2025 to 2027 academic years.

The ministry says the policy follows an Executive Yuan special budget to
support public and private colleges and universities.

Officials estimate the freeze will benefit about 910-thousand students each
year.

The ministry says it is also continuing broader measures to reduce education
costs, including fee reductions, grants, loans, and scholarships.

It says private college students can get up to $35-thousand NT a year in fee
cuts, and disadvantaged students can receive up to NT$55-thousand NT.

The ministry also says students from families earning under $1.2 million NT a
year can get student loans with zero interest while enrolled.

It adds a pilot scholarship for 8-thousand low-income top students in 2025,
paying $8-thousand or $10-thousand NT a month for nine months.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-02-04 09:55:13

Weather expert Wu Der-Rong (吳德榮) says Taiwan will stay sunny and stable
through Friday, with big temperature swings between day and night.

He says daytime highs may top 25 degrees, but nights and early mornings will
feel chilly.

Wu says a front is expected to arrive around midnight on Friday, bringing
cold weather to the north.

Over the weekend and into Monday, he says cold air may reach cold-wave
strength, bringing wet and chilly weather to central and northern Taiwan.

Model forecasts suggest Taipei could drop below 10 degrees, and lows on the
main island plains could fall to about 6 degrees.

The Central Weather Administration says today's lowest early-morning
temperature was 10.6 degrees in Fenglin, Hualien.

Wu says a tropical depression southeast of the Philippines may become
Tropical Storm Penha tomorrow, but it is not expected to affect Taiwan.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-02-03 19:49:13

Six new at-large TPP lawmakers were sworn in earlier today, replacing their
predecessors, including party chairman Huang Guo-chang.

The arrangement is in compliance with the opposition party's 2-year term
rules.

Huang said his party will announce its priority bills for this legislative
session tomorrow, and the TPP legislative caucus leaders will also meet their
KMT counterparts to exchange opinions about the bills.

The TPP has designated Taichung City Councilor Chen Qing-long (陳清龍) as the
caucus convener.

The new lawmakers include Chinese spouse Li Zhen-xiu, who has come under
pressure to renounce her Chinese nationality.

Li said she tried to do so in her hometown in China, but the application was
not accepted.

The Interior Ministry, meanwhile, said she should provide proof.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-02-03 19:49:13

The Justice Ministry's Prosecutors Evaluation Committee has referred Lin
Jun-yan (林俊言), the prosecutor on the Core Pacific City case, to the New
Taipei Prosecutors Office for administrative oversight.

The ruling is made after Core Pacific Group chairman Shen Qing-jing requested
(沈慶京) that the Committee probe into Lin's improper conduct during the
investigations into the case.

According to Shen, Lin conducted excessively long interrogation sessions,
discussed matters unrelated to the case during those sessions, and met the
defendant privately without notifying defense counsel.

Shen also accused Lin of leaking investigation information to the media.

Lin defended his behavior by saying it was all within the realm of his
official duties, stressing that he didn't pressure or intimidate the
defendant.

The Committee ruled that while it did not find Lin had acted illegally or
improperly during the investigations, he did fail to comply with a part of
the Prosecutors’ Ethics Code.

The New Taipei Prosecutors Office, where Lin works now, will continue to
monitor his conduct.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-02-03 18:09:13

The National Development Council says Taiwan is aiming for 4.56% economic
growth this year ... driven by AI and investment

NDC officials say domestic and international forecasters have recently
revised Taiwan's growth outlook for this year to above four percent.

They say two key drivers include the conclusion of Taiwan–U-S tariff talks,
and continued expansion in capital spending by global cloud service
providers—boosting demand for Taiwan's A-I and semiconductor supply chains.

The council's baseline forecast puts growth at about four-point-one-one
percent ....

.... but the government plans to lift it further through increased public
spending, stronger private investment, higher consumer demand, as well as
growth in net exports.

If successful, officials say these policies could add about
zero-point-four-five percentage points, helping Taiwan reach the new growth
target.

The council also expects per-capita G-D-P to reach around forty-two thousand
one hundred and seventy U-S dollars.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-02-03 18:08:13

Taipei has reported its first death due to Hantavirus this year—and the
city's first in 25 years.

Health officials say the victim was a man in his seventies living in Da'an
District, with underlying chronic health conditions.

He developed respiratory symptoms in early January and died eight days later.

Tests later confirmed the infection.

In response, Taipei's Department of Environment Protection launched
large-scale rodent control and disinfection efforts around the area,
targeting markets, and nearby public spaces.

City officials are urging residents to keep homes and surroundings clean ...
and to report any rodent sightings in public areas to authorities.

Mayor Chiang Wan-an has also ordered intensified cleanup efforts ahead of
Lunar New Year to reduce the risk of further infections.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-02-03 18:08:13

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is warning citizens not to misuse visa-free
entry privileges to engage in illegal activities while traveling abroad.

This follows a rise in the number of Taiwanese arrested in South Korea this
year over alleged involvement in telecommunications scams.

According to MOFA, six Taiwanese nationals have been detained in South Korea
since the start of 2026, a pace faster than in previous years.

Officials said similar cases have also occurred in Thailand, where some
visa-free travelers later moved on to Myanmar or Cambodia to join online
gambling or fraud operations.

Thai authorities have tightened screening of visa-free visitors at border
checkpoints in response.

The foreign ministry stressed that visa-free travel is limited to permitted
activities and does not allow paid work or other illegal behavior.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-02-03 18:08:13

A Taichung egg farm operator has been detained and held incommunicado on
suspicion of illegally disposing of chickens that died during an outbreak of
bird flu.

Prosecutors allege the operator concealed the outbreak and buried dead
chickens at his property and on land in neighboring Miaoli County.

A second suspect, who owns the land in Miaoli, was released on 200 thousand
NT bail and barred from leaving his residence.

Authorities said chickens at the farm began dying in large numbers between
mid- to late-January.

Prosecutors suspect the farm operator violated waste disposal laws and
committed fraud, while the landowner allegedly allowed hazardous waste to be
dumped illegally.

The Taichung City government said the outbreak has been contained, with no
signs of spread after all chickens and related materials at the farm were
destroyed.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-02-03 17:08:13

Prosecutors have cracked down a major illegal dumping operation linked to the
so-called “Mei-nong Grand Canyon” case in Kaohsiung.

Prosecutors have indicted 12 suspects involved, including a former assistant
to Kaohsiung City Councilor Zhu Xin-qiang (朱信強), on charges of violating
the Waste Disposal Act.

Authorities estimate more than 140-thousand tons of construction waste were
illegally dumped and used to backfill farmland in Mei-nong, generating over
$240-million NT in illicit profits.

Through a cross-agency law enforcement team involving prosecutors, police and
investigators, the organized crime group was found to span waste generation
at construction sites, transportation, falsified paperwork, and illegal
dumping.

Officials said the excavated farmland and state-owned land cover a total area
of more than six hectares, with some of the pits as deep as 20 meters and
there's water in them.

Prosecutors are seeking heavy prison terms, with more than four years
requested for the alleged ringleader.

The Environment Ministry says it's helping local authorities take in
construction waste and speed up its disposal.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-02-03 17:08:14

Uber Taiwan is partnering with the Hondao Senior Citizen's Welfare Foundation
to help elderly residents facing poor nutrition and limited mobility.

The foundation says that a survey of more than one thousand seniors found
that ninety-four percent don't meet recommended nutrition standards.

It also found just over 21 percent go out just up to two times per month.

To address the problem, Hondao is working with Uber and Uber Eats on a
campaign combining donations, food delivery, ride support, and digital
training — to help seniors order balanced meals and travel independently
with dignity.

Uber Eats says it will mobilize delivery partners to bring meals to isolated
seniors, while also donating through qualifying orders.

Organizers hope the effort will help older adults eat better, get out more,
and stay connected to their communities.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-02-03 14:23:13

The Ministry of National Defense says it plans to procure nearly 1-thousand
vehicles starting in 2028 as part of a five-year force buildup.

A local media report says the plan includes 468 reconnaissance and
surveillance vehicles and 500 Cheetah armored vehicles from 2028 to 2033.

The report says the Armaments Bureau 209th plant produced 4 prototypes in
March 2024 and finished initial operational tests in December 2024.

It says major changes later turned the reconnaissance vehicle into an
electric, unmanned platform with autonomous driving and remotely controlled
weapons.

The report says the vehicle weighs more than 10 metric tons and can reach up
to 100 kilometers per hour.

It says the Cheetah armored vehicle is expected to complete evaluations in
June, with lower height and higher ammunition capacity.

The report says it carries a 105-millimeter main gun, machine guns, and a
12-tube smoke grenade launcher after upgrades by National Chung-Shan
Institute of Science and Technology and the Armaments Bureau.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-02-03 14:23:19

Kinmen has started trial operations for its newly built Kinmen Port Passenger
Service Center for the mini three links.

County magistrate Chen Fu-hai (陳福海) visited the site and welcomed arriving
travelers.

Chen says he hopes the terminal will become a new milestone for cross-strait
ties and support friendlier development.

The county government says the project reflects support from successive
presidents, central ministries, and the local team.

The first ferry from Xiamen arrived at about 9 a.m., and one visitor said the
new building feels cleaner and more convenient.

Another traveler said passenger flow is mostly smooth, but only one X-ray
machine for baggage checks caused congestion.

A Kinmen traveler said the design looks too similar to Xiamen's Wutong
terminal and could show more local character.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-02-03 14:14:13

The Foreign Ministry says 6 Taiwanese have been arrested in South Korea in
fraud-related cases since January.

MOFA spokesperson Hsiao Kuang-wei (蕭光偉) says more people are using
visa-free entry to places like South Korea and Thailand to join illegal work.

He says some suspects work as fraud couriers, or cross from Thailand into
Myanmar and Cambodia for scam and gambling operations.

Hsiao says some people have been arrested and sentenced, while others were
controlled by scam groups and forced to work.

He says Thailand has tightened entry screening to stop abuse of visa-free
entry.

Hsiao says each country decides who can enter, and travelers must state their
true purpose and follow local laws.

He urges people to distrust ads offering high-paid overseas jobs with free
flights and housing, and says they can call Taiwan's 165 anti-fraud hotline
if unsure.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-02-03 14:14:16

The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency Pingtung Branch says it will
expand its Payments for Ecosystem Services program in Pingtung County.

The move follows the discovery of the southernmost known nest of Taiwan's
endangered eastern grass owl near the Linbian River.

Assistant professor Hung Hsiao-yu at National Pingtung University of Science
and Technology says his team found the nest in early December.

He says four eggs were seen at first, and two chicks survived to fledge by
the end of January.

The agency says the program will now cover Shinpi Township and Fangliao
Township because farmland and grasslands can be vital habitat.

Farmers who avoid herbicides and rat poison and do not feed stray cats and
dogs can receive up to $20-thousand NT per hectare.

The agency also says it plans to create more eastern grass owl habitat north
of the county.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-02-03 13:48:13

President Lai Ching-te says the Taiwan-US Economic Prosperity Partnership
Dialogue focuses on supply chain security, critical minerals, third-country
cooperation and bilateral cooperation.

He spoke at a Presidential Office news conference this morning on the next
steps for Taiwan-US cooperation.

Lai says the sixth round of the talks was held last week in Washington.

He says the dialogue mechanism was created during U.S. President Donald
Trump's first term, and this was the first meeting in Trump's second term.

Lai says the two sides' lead negotiators met in person for the first time
since the first E-P-P-D in 2020.

He says future cooperation will stress "economic security," an "innovative
economy," and a "prosperous future," including work on AI, digital
infrastructure and drone supply chains.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-02-03 13:48:13

The Food and Drug Administration says 2 well-known restaurant brands had food
containers and packaging imported from China flagged in border inspections.

One shipment of meal boxes tested positive for a fluorescent whitening agent,
which is not allowed.

The FDA says checks on that importer and at the border will be tightened from
random sampling to enhanced inspections.

Another shipment of paper bags failed a migration test, with evaporated
residue at 40 parts per million above the 30 p-p-m limit.

The FDA says all of the noncompliant packaging was stopped at the border and
did not reach stores.

In the same release, the FDA says 20-thousand kilograms of Vietnamese black
peppercorns with Sudan Red must be destroyed and cannot be returned.

The agency says Vietnam black peppercorns are under 100-percent testing for
Sudan dyes during its current monitoring period.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-02-03 13:48:13

Taiwan have surged, along with other Asian markets, led by a 5-percent jump
in South Korea's benchmark.

The TaiEx ended up 571 points to end the session at 32-thousand-195...

Turnover reached 794 billion NT.

Posted on 2026-02-03 13:07:13

The Health Ministry said it handled 2,900 reports last year involving
websites containing child and youth sexual imagery, and is getting ready to
launch an active monitoring system in August.

The Ministry's Department of Protective Services said that they also received
reports and handled 3,700 websites involving adult sexual images, with a
takedown rate in both categories reaching around 90 percent.

Amendments to the Child and Youth Sexual Exploitation Prevention Act
stipulate that the Ministry use surveillance software to track suspected
child pornography websites.

Officials said the active monitoring system is being developed from last year
to this year, and will enter a trial phase starting this August.

They said AI technology will be used to scan for suspected keywords and
identify websites that may contain child sexual imagery, and if the content
found is confirmed to contain child porn, they'll be taken off the shelves.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-02-03 13:07:13

Taipei officials have ordered 12 vendors at the Di-hua Street Lunar New Year
Market to correct violations, including improper price labeling.

The city's Legal Affairs Department said it has joined forces with the
Consumers Protection office, the Health Bureau and the Fire Department to
randomly check hygiene, fire prevention and other issues.

Such checks will go on for the duration of the market.

Officials say violators will be given a deadline to improve, and repeated
offenders will face fines of between 20-thousand and 100-thousand NT based on
consumers protection regulations.

For food makers, if they use unverified ingredients, the fine can go up to 4
million NT.

The Di-hua Street Lunar New Year Market kicked off on Sunday and will last
until February 15th.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-02-03 13:07:13

The Fubon Guardians say foreign hitter Luis Libe-rato and pitcher Shawn
Morimando arrived in Taiwan late Monday.

The club says their arrivals mean all 6 foreign players for the new season
are now in place.

The Guardians are set to hold their spring training opening ceremony tomorrow
in Chiayi.

Liberato is a Dominican outfielder who throws and bats left, and the team
says he can help on both offense and defense.

Morimando returned after starting 23 games for the Guardians last season with
a 2.98 ERA and 111 strikeouts.

The team says it has added four foreign pitchers, one development pitcher,
and one foreign hitter for 2026.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-02-03 11:06:13

KMT Deputy Chair Hsiao Hsu-tsen says, his trip to Beijing will serve as a
peacemaking effort.

That's as Hsiao and a delegation of "scholars and experts" are in the Chinese
capital today for what the KMT is calling a "think tank exchange" with the
CCP.

He added that the exchange will focus on advocating for Taiwanese companies
and advancing peace.

The main focus of the 3 day trip trip, scheduled for today, will be a think
tank forum.

Prior to the main event today, the delegation attended a dinner hosted by
China's Taiwan Affairs Office last night.

Tomorrow, they're scheduled to visit Tsinghua University.

Posted on 2026-02-03 11:06:15

Taiwan's manufacturing activity expanded for the fourth consecutive month in
January.

That's after the US said it would cut tariffs on Taiwanese goods.

Data released by the Chung-hua Institution for Economic Research shows that a
gauge of fundamentals in the manufacturing sector rose 1.9 points from a
month earlier, marking a nearly 4 year high.

In the service sector, the non-manufacturing index also rose ,7 points,
marking nearly a year of expansion.

The CIER President called the growth in the business outlook factor better
than expected, indicating the removal of uncertainties caused by US tariff
policies.

Posted on 2026-02-03 09:57:13

The KMT's New Taipei party chief Huang Chih-hsiung (黃志雄) says the party
plans to settle its mayoral nominee by Feb. 15th.

Speaking in an interview, he says the main prospects are Taipei Deputy Mayor
Lee Szu-chuan (李四川) and New Taipei Deputy Mayor Liu Ho-ran (劉和然).

Huang adds that talks are underway, and the party wants a decision before the
Lunar New Year holiday.

He says the KMT prefers coordination instead of a primary because both men
are serving as deputy mayors...

...and that if talks fail, the party could still hold a primary.

Huang says the party plans to nominate 36 council candidates and aims to win
34 seats.

The New Taipei City Council says the 2026 election will have 68 seats, up
from 66 in 2022, so a majority will be 35.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-02-03 09:57:13

Nvidia's Jensen Huang is confirming that he will return to Taiwan in June to
attend Computex.

He said before departing Taiwan on Monday that the company would plan to make
several new announcements and to deliver a keynote address.

Huang said that the purpose of his latest weekend visit to Taiwan was to
celebrate the Lunar New Year and to thank Nvidia's partners for their
support.

He added that he would try to attend any related ceremonies or large events
for the signing for Nvidia's new Taiwan headquarters later this month.

Posted on 2026-02-03 09:57:14

LINE Pay Money says it has updated its registration system after users
flagged a problem with the nationality field.

The service launched in December, and some users said the sign-up process did
not fit people verifying identity with a residence permit.

Under Taiwan's Nationality Act, some residence permit holders are ROC
nationals without household registration, not foreign nationals.

Users said the system originally offered only foreign nationalities, leaving
those ROC nationals without a valid option to complete sign-up.

One user later found a new choice listed as "Taiwan, Province of China" and
called it inaccurate under Taiwan's legal classifications.

LINE Pay Money told reporters it overlooked the need for a local nationality
option when using residence-permit verification.

The company says it has now added an option shown as "Taiwan, R.O.C." to
address the issue.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-02-02 20:08:13

Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen says an avian influenza outbreak at a Fengyuan
District poultry farm has been effectively contained with no further spread
reported.

City officials say that symptoms of the virus at the Fengkang farm began on
January 10th, resulting in the deaths of over 17 hundred chickens mid- to
late-January.

The site was fully cleared yesterday.

During the containment operation, authorities culled 5 thousand birds and
destroyed 375 kilograms of eggs, along with 66 thousand kilograms of
contaminated feed and bedding.

While the farm continued to sell eggs and operate trucks during the initial
infection period, health officials are now tracking and recalling any
products that reached the market.

The site and surrounding roads have since been fully disinfected by
environmental and agricultural agencies.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-02-02 20:07:13

The Directorate General of Highways says snowmelt and rain could refreeze on
high sections of Provincial Highway 14A in Hehuanshan.

Officials say temperatures were about 1 degree, with cloudy skies and rain,
and much of the snow has melted.

They warn road icing is possible above 3-thousand meters, so the Cuifeng to
Dayuling section will close from 5 PM today to 8 AM tomorrow.

During the closure, vehicles may exit the area but may not enter.

The agency says the Wuling to Songxue Lodge stretch has icy patches and
unmelted snow, and snow chains are required when open.

It also says a nearby part of that Wuling to Songxue Lodge stretch is steep
and winding and will be fully closed to traffic.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-02-02 20:07:15

Taiwan Mobile says it has teamed up exclusively with Amazon to offer a Prime
Video telecom plan in Taiwan.

The company says the deal expands its international OTT lineup and adds Prime
Video to its one-stop subscription channels.

Taiwan Mobile says the plan is open to all users at a discounted price, with
an annual-plan offer at $120 NT per month.

The telecom provider's New Media deputy general manager Prime Video is a
major global streaming platform with popular originals.

Taiwan Mobile says customers can also subscribe to Netflix, Disney , HBO Max,
and its own MyVideo through the same channels.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-02-02 18:11:13

Air quality across Taiwan is deteriorating tonight as a continental cold air
mass brings pollution south from China.

The Ministry of Environment says fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) has built
up along China's eastern coast, from Shanghai to Shandong, and is expected to
temporarily raise pollution levels in Taiwan, especially in the north this
evening.

Much of the island is forecast to reach 'moderate' or 'orange alert' levels
... meaning "unhealthy for sensitive groups".

Conditions are expected to improve by tomorrow afternoon in central and
northern Taiwan as the pollution weakens.

However, forecasters say southern Taiwan may remain under orange alert
through February 6th due to weaker winds and downwind conditions.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-02-02 18:11:13

In related news,

Fire authorities are issuing a stark warning ... as cold weather increases
the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The National Fire Agency reports that eighteen people have already been
hospitalized this year—including a family of four in Taipei's Neihu District
who were rushed to the ER early yesterday morning.

Officials say the family was exposed while showering, likely due to an
improperly installed gas water heater without a forced exhaust system.

Carbon monoxide levels at the scene reached 70 parts per million before
ventilation cleared the gas.

Firefighters warn that winter is the peak season for carbon monoxide
poisoning, as people tend to keep doors and windows shut during cold weather,
which can allow toxic fumes to build up unnoticed.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-02-02 18:11:13

Kaohsiung is strengthening ties with the local Hong Kong community this Lunar
New Year.

From February 18th to 20th, the city will host the 'Hong Kong Lunar New Year
Fair' at Central Park, running daily from 1 PM to 8 PM.

Now in its fourth year, the festival features classic street food like
"sa-yung" donuts and sausage rolls, alongside handmade crafts, art
exhibitions, and live music from groups such as K-pop girl group "APRIL".

There's even going to be a family-friendly football workshop.

Officials say the event helps Hong Kong residents feel at home while giving
locals a deeper look into the culture.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-02-02 15:38:13

Both KMT prospective candidates for Taichung mayor have promised that they'll
sign the nomination deal proposed by the party headquarters.

Deputy legislative speaker Johnny Chiang said he's already signed it, while
his opponent, KMT lawmaker Yang Qiong-ying (楊瓊瓔) said she'll do so as
well.

Local KMT representatives are urging the party to finalize a single candidate
as soon as possible, so that city governance and infrastructure projects in
Taichung can continue without disruption.

The nomination has been dragging on despite that the DPP named its nominee Ho
Xin-chun (何欣純) three months ago.

A recent poll done by My-Formosa e-newspaper showed that in a head-to-head
match-up between Chiang and Ho, 44-percent supported Chiang, compared with
29-percent for Ho.

But if it's Yang vs. Ho, the support rate was nearly the same.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-02-02 15:38:13

The Intellectual Property and Commercial Court has extended the detention of
3 defendants in the TSMC 2-nanometer leak case.

The court says former TSMC engineer Chen Li-ming (陳力銘) and current
engineers Wu Bing-jun (吳秉駿) and Ge Yi-ping (戈一平) will be held 2 more
months from February 1st.

The extension also keeps a ban on visits and communication, except for
spouses and direct blood relatives.

Prosecutors say Chen left TSMC and later joined Tokyo Electron in marketing,
then sought key TSMC technology and trade secrets.

They allege the information was used to help improve etching equipment and
compete for supply roles in TSMC's 2-nanometer process.

TSMC reported suspected wrongdoing on July 8th last year, and investigators
carried out searches and questioning later that month.

Prosecutors indicted the 3 on last August under trade secrets and national
security laws, and are seeking prison terms of 14 years, 9 years, and 7
years.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-02-02 15:38:13

Pingtung County has opened Hengchun Fire Geological Park, built around a rare
natural underground gas flame.

Officials say the park is about 1 kilometer outside Hengchun Township, and an
opening event was held Sunday evening.

Organizers say about 3-thousand people attended, with performances and a
traditional blessing ceremony.

County Magistrate Chou Chun-mi (周春米) says the site is being redesigned as
an ecological park for daytime walks and night stargazing.

The county's tourism office says new walking routes are planned to let
visitors view the area more safely.

Officials say outdoor areas is free to the public starting today.

They say a later trial period will use ticketed entry, with free admission
for residents of Hengchun, Mudan, Checheng, Manzhou, and nearby townships.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-02-02 14:38:13

The Coast Guard Administration is strengthening radar and patrol work to
respond to rising Chinese incursions and gray zone tactics.

The Ocean Affairs Council says it has secured more than $29.5 billion NT for
new systems, according to Nikkei Asia.

Officials say the plan includes new radar and a fleet of 40 new patrol boats.

Deputy Director-General Hsieh Ching-chin (謝慶欽) says intelligence and
surveillance upgrades are expected by next year.

The report says the package also covers drones and unmanned vehicles,
infrared imaging, mid-range coastal radar, and an AI-based image detection
platform.

OAC Minister Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲) says the Coast Guard carried out 805
patrol actions in 2025 to expel Chinese intrusions.

Officials say the goal is a 24-hour surveillance network to give early
warning and support rapid military or law enforcement response in the Taiwan
Strait, including areas near Kinmen.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-02-02 14:38:13

The Customs Administration carried out a joint market crackdown in Kinmen
ahead of the Lunar New Year.

They say they found a warehouse storing smuggled goods from China, including
shiitake mushrooms.

Officials seized over 760 kilograms of the mushrooms, valued at more than
$300-thousand NT.

They also seized nearly 2-thousand kilograms of Chinese-made foods that had
not gone through required food inspections.

Items included luosifen rice noodles, canned sauces, shredded squid snacks,
chestnut kernels, and dried betel nut.

Kaohsiung Customs says unquarantined farm products may carry pests, plant
diseases, or pesticide and heavy metal risks.

It says uninspected foods may contain banned preservatives, artificial
colors, illegal sweeteners, or excessive heavy metals.

Authorities say the goods were confiscated and the case has been referred for
investigation under anti-smuggling laws.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-02-02 14:37:13

The Ministry of National Defense has released a controlled procurement list
covering the second half of last year.

The Navy says it will expand domestic shipbuilding with follow-on orders
across 6 types of vessels.

Those plans include building 1 submarine rescue ship between 2027 and 2033.

The ministry puts the cost at about $13.2 billion NT, and says it will not
include a combat system.

It says the rescue ship is planned at 112 meters long, 20 meters wide, with a
draft of about 5.2 meters.

The list also includes follow-on ships for the Yushan-class amphibious
transport dock and the Panshih-class fleet oiler and ammunition ship.

The Navy also plans 10 light frigates, split between air-defense and
anti-submarine versions, plus 2 more rescue ships.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-02-02 14:37:16

Taiwan Railways says it will add a third wave of Lunar New Year services,
with 64 extra trains systemwide.

The agency says this year's Lunar New Year holiday runs from Feb. 14th to
22nd, with a 12-day transport period from Feb. 12th to 23rd.

It says the new additions include 6 reserved-seat trains on the eastern line
and 6 reserved-seat trains on the western line.

TRA expects overall holiday capacity to be about 8-percent higher than on
regular days.

Tickets for these added trains go on sale at 12 a.m. on Thursday through
online booking, the TRA e-Booking app, convenience stores, and phone booking.

TRA also says E-M-U-3000 trains on the western main line will suspend
non-reserved seating during Feb. 12th to 23rd.

Instead, it says 200 limited no-seat tickets will be sold on travel days, and
those ticket holders will not be allowed into Car 6.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-02-02 14:37:17

Taiwan shares fell today, with the benchmark tai ex losing 440 points to
close the session at 31,624.

The turnover was 740.4 billion NT.

Posted on 2026-02-02 13:20:13

Here's some good news for nearly 13 million workers under the Labor
Insurance System.

The labor funds investment in 2025 made a total profit of $1 trillion and 117
billion NT for the year, that's a record high.

Among them, the Labor Insurance Fund earned nearly $160 billion, providing a
fresh boost to the system’s finances and bringing the fund’s total size to
$1.303 trillion.

The Bureau of Labor Funds has also reported record-high returns for its new
pension fund last year, reaching 747 billion NT, with a return rate of
15.6-percent.

That means every worker covered by the new system can receive some
57-thousand 800 NT on average.

The Bureau reminds workers that actual profit allocations will vary, since
each worker contributes for different periods and in different amounts.

According to the Bureau of Labor Funds, profit distributions under the new
labor pension scheme will be credited in March each year.

Workers can check the amount in their individual accounts, but the funds
cannot be withdrawn until they turn 60.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-02-02 13:20:16

A group from the Taiwanese Designers in Australia association represented
Taiwan at the Midsumma Pride March in Melbourne on Sunday.

The march is the city's largest LGBTQIA parade and a key event of the annual
Midsumma Festival.

The association said the event drew more than 45-thousand spectators and
featured about 10-thousand marchers from 400 groups.

The group said it marched to show support for LGBTQIA people and diverse
communities, alongside politicians and community organizations.

It cited Taiwan's role as the first place in Asia to legalize same-sex
marriage as part of Taiwan's public image.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-02-02 13:20:16

The Ministry of National Defense says it tracked 6 Chinese warships operating
around the Taiwan Strait from 6 a.m. Sunday to 6 a.m. today.

It says Taiwan's military used mission aircraft and naval vessels to monitor
the situation.

The ministry also says shore-based missile systems were deployed as part of
the response.

Officials say forces maintained close surveillance and were prepared to act
as needed.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-02-02 11:06:13

Nvidia's Jensen Huang says that TSMC may be able to double its production
capacity over the next 10 years as surging AI demand strains the
semiconductor supply chain.

Huang said that Nvidia alone would need more than twice as many wafers in the
coming years...

while he said that, over the next decade, TSMC will likely increaes its
capacity by well over 100 percent.

He praised the company for doing an "incredible job" as it ramps up
production of Nvidia's latest AI processors.

Huang says, Nvidia has entered volume production of its Blackwell platform
while also manufacturing its next-generation Vera Rubin chips, comprising 6
advanced designs.

Posted on 2026-02-02 11:06:13

A new report from the Ministry of Education shows that Taiwan's education
indicators outperformed global and East Asian averages.

The report says that Taiwan's education completion rates in 2024 stood at
100% for primary education, nearly 99.7% for lower secondary education...

and over 98.8% for upper secondary education.

That's significantly higher than global averages.

In East and Southeast Asia, the average completion rates are higher than
global averages, but still below Taiwan's figures.

Meanwhile, Taiwan's gross enrollment ratio for tertiary education was nearly
95%, compared with the global average of over 43%.

Posted on 2026-02-02 11:06:13

Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation says, most passengers are now in support
of its "quiet train" policy.

The policy had a rocky start after launching in September.

But THSR says, two surveys conducted online indicate that 95% of passengers
approve of the policy.

They also found that over 90% of people were satisfied with hwo the policy
was being enforced.

The "quiet carriage" policy requires passengers to use headphones when
watching videos or listening to music on the trains.

It also asks passengers to go to the vestibules to make phone calls and to
keep their voices down.

The policy began drawing criticism shortly after its launch, with a social
media post claiming that a mother traveling with 2 kids had been shown a sign
by staff asking her to lower the children's voices.

Afterwards, THSR said it would review implementation mechanisms.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-02-02 09:59:14

Weather expert Wu Derong says a continental cold air mass strengthens
slightly today as moisture decreases.

He says plains lows are near 12 degrees Celcius, with rain easing from
central Taiwan northward and brief showers still possible in the east.

The Central Weather Administration says the lowest plains temperature earlier
today was 12.5 degrees in Hukou Township, Hsinchu County.

Wu says snow may still fall on mountains above 3-thousand meters, and
tomorrow's plains low may dip to about 11 degrees.

He says Wednesday through Friday will turn drier and cold at night, with big
day-night swings and some plains areas near 10 degrees or lower.

Wu says a front arrives late Friday, bringing rain and cooling in northern
Taiwan, with wet and cold weather on Saturday from central Taiwan northward.

He says another very strong cold surge may arrive in the upcoming weekend,
with plains lows around 8 degrees, but forecasts are still being adjusted.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-02-02 09:59:14

The Executive Yuan had released a new report detailing steps to improve
conscription training for the military.

The report says the 8-week basic program now includes machine guns, drones,
anti-armor rockets, and Stinger missiles.

It says conscripts will get role-based training after unit assignments, plus
larger combat drills and more live-fire exercises.

The Ministry of National Defense plans infantry battalions of one-year
conscripts to train with combined-arms brigades in live-fire drills.

The Cabinet says it is also trying to retain volunteers by easing some
enlistment rules and improving welfare, pay, and benefits.

It says the military is building tools and mechanisms to respond to gray-zone
pressure, cyberattacks, and cognitive warfare linked to China.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-02-02 09:59:14

The Taipei Zoo says its 12-year-old giant panda Yuanzai passed a full medical
exam.

The zoo says the biennial check on Friday was led by its veterinarians with
help from National Taiwan University and National Taiwan University Hospital
specialists.

The tests included blood work, X-rays, ultrasounds, a CT scan, and eye and
dental exams.

The zoo says Yuanzai's organ functions and blood values were within ideal
ranges.

Veterinarians found normal tooth wear and no signs of dental disease,
crediting keepers' daily care.

Imaging showed minor spinal bone spurs, described as a common age-related
change, and they will be monitored.

The zoo says Yuanzai recovered smoothly and has returned to her normal
routine in Taipei.

(PB)

Username
Password
Lost your password