ICRT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(IG)

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

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

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

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

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

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

(IG)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(IG)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ICRT's Southern Taiwan reporter Michael Smith has more:

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

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

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

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

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

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

(IG)

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

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

The turnover was 778.7 billion NT

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

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

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

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

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

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

(NS)

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

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

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

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

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

(NS)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(AH)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(JL)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(CNA)

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

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

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

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

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

Those changes were made as of yesterday.

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

CNA_JvW

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

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

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

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

CNA_zh_JvW

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

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

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

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

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

CNA_zh_JvW

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

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

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

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

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

CNA_zh_JvW

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CNA_JvW

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CNA_zh_JvW

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

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

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

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

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

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

CNA_zh_JvW

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

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

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

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

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

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

CNA_JvW

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

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

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

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

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

CNA_zh_JvW

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

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

This is in response to concerns over possible drug shortages.

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

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

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

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

CNA_JvW

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CNA_JvW

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

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

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

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

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

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

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2026-04-10 20:07:13

A planned housing project in Taipei is receiving heat from civil groups and
city councillors.

Councillors from the DPP, TPP, and the Social Democratic Party have all
called on the city government to axe the plan.

It would entail building 725 units near MRT stations around the city.

Several NGOs as well as SDP councillor Miao Poya 苗博雅, DPP councillor Chien
Shu-pei 簡舒培, and TPP councillors Chen You-cheng 陳宥丞 and Huang
Ching-ying 黃(水靜)瑩 held a press conference today...

during which they called on the city government to convert some of the
planned joint development housing into social housing, particularly given the
exorbitant cost of housing in Taipei.

Critics say that the plan actively goes against Mayor Chiang Wan-an's
promises to construct more social housing in Taipei, and may even drive up
the cost of housing in the areas affected.

Councilor Miao Poya noted that the 725 units planned for sale is equal to the
total number of social housing units built during Chiang's 3 years in office.

Meanwhile the MRT said that the plan is necessary to help them pay off
significant debt.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-04-10 20:07:13

Japan's Kenzo Maeda has been named head coach of Taiwan's women's national
basketball team.

Maeda, 43, is currently head coach of B.League side the Akita Northern
Happinets and will succeed American Michael Olson.

He will lead the team at the William Jones Cup here in Taiwan this summer and
at the Asian Games in Japan in September.

"I will emphasize team defense, tactical flexibility and timely rotations,
while focusing on the long-term development of young players as we work
together to build a team culture," Maeda said in a statement.

He has also served multiple stints on the coaching staff of Japan's men's
national team.

The Happinets went 19-22 in the 2019-20 season and are currently last in the
Eastern Conference with an 8-42 record.

Maeda is currently learning Chinese and reviewing game footage of Taiwanese
players, and he is expected to meet the team in Taiwan in mid-April, the
Chinese Taipei Basketball Association said.

Taiwan finished seventh at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou (held in 2023),
its first finish outside the top four in the last nine editions.

Posted on 2026-04-10 19:58:13

Taiwan's main opposition leader Cheng Li-wun of the KMT met with Chinese
President Xi Jinping earlier today at Beijing's Great Hall of the People, the
first such encounter in over a decade.

Cheng described the atmosphere of the talks as positive and friendly, saying
that both sides have affirmed the need for maintaining peace across the
Taiwan Strait.

They have also said they would uphold the 1992 Consensus and opposed Taiwan's
independence, as well as move toward closer ties.

The meeting started at around 11 AM and lasted an hour behind closed doors,
and it was followed by a lunch with Xi as the host.

At a news conference this afternoon, Cheng said she made it clear at the
meeting that both sides can work together in preserving shared history,
promoting Chinese culture, and boosting people’s well-being through
cooperation.

(In Mandarin, pot Burli channel down half way through)

Cheng said she's also proposed to Xi that Taiwan and China should resume
dialogue mechanisms, expand mutually beneficial exchanges and increase
Taiwan’s international participation.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-04-10 19:58:13

A former television producer has been indicted on charges of spying for China
and could face up to 12 years in prison.

The Taipei District Prosecutors Office says Lee Neng-chien (李能謙) is
accused of being recruited by Chinese intelligence and directing others to
collect sensitive military information in Taiwan.

Authorities say he provided thousands of pieces of confidential data,
including information on military personnel, posing a serious threat to
national security.

The case was uncovered during an investigation into an investment scam that
used fake advertisements featuring public figures.

Further evidence revealed alleged links to Chinese intelligence operatives,
including contacts in China who offered payment for sensitive information.

Prosecutors have indicted Lee and four others on charges including violations
of the National Security Act, Intelligence Services Act, and Personal Data
Protection Act.

They say Lee also attempted to recruit active-duty military personnel, though
those efforts were unsuccessful.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-04-10 19:58:13

Taiwan Railway Corporation has unveiled a range of souvenir items ahead of
two major religious events honoring the sea goddess Mazu.

The state-owned company says the launch coincides with the Baishatun Mazu
pilgrimage starting Sunday in Miaoli County, and the Dajia Jenn Lann Temple
procession set to begin in Taichung on April seventeenth.

The collection includes long towels and ribbon key chains featuring
cartoon-style Mazu designs, along with small bags and stainless steel lunch
boxes printed with blessing messages.

The items are being sold in discounted sets on the company's website and at
selected Taiwan Railway shop locations.

The promotion runs through April thirtieth, which is this coming Monday.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-04-10 19:58:13

In business news,

Local supermarket chain PX Mart says it's targeting 230 billion NT in revenue
this year, after posting more than 220 billion last year.

The company says it plans to continue expanding, aiming to reach about 1,280
stores nationwide, up from around 1,260 currently.

PX Mart says it will keep investing in physical stores as well as e-commerce
and rapid delivery services to better serve customers.

The company is also testing electronic shelf labels in a small number of
stores, with a full rollout planned in the coming years to improve efficiency
and reduce labor demands.

Addressing online criticism, Lin says the company will review feedback
carefully and continue making improvements, adding that any shortcomings will
be corrected.

He also emphasized PX Mart's commitment to supporting local farmers and
Taiwan’s domestic market.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-04-10 17:15:13

With the 2026 central government budget still stalled in the legislature, the
ruling and opposition parties have reached a concensus to discuss it next
week with Legislative Speaker Han Guo-yu as the convener.

They've also agreed that the bill should be at top of the agenda of the next
plenary session.

KMT Legislative Caucus Whip Fu Kun Chi has stuck with his party's line on the
issue...

insisting that the budget won't be referred for committee review until the
Executive Yuan "acts according to the law" to include pay raises for military
members and police in the budget.

Meanwhile, DPP heavyweight Wu Si-yao accused the KMT of backtracking on its
pledge to review the special defense budget, after its lawmakers skipped a
Legislative Defense committee meeting on the bill yesterday.

Wu accused the KMT of intentionally delaying the examination of the defense
budget due to Chair Zheng Li Wen's meeting today with Chinese leader Xi
Jinping.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-04-10 17:15:13

opposes Mingjian incinerator

The DPP's pick to run for Nantou magistrate has come out against the current
county government's plan to build a incinerator in the county's Mingjian
township.

Wen Shi Zheng, accompanied by lawmaker Luo Mei Ling at a press conference
today, proposed 5 measures to deal with waste in Taiwan's only
incinerator-less municipality.

Wen said that he hoped the county could diversify its waste management so
that it would not have to rely on the contentious incinerator.

He said that the problem with trash in Nantou is caused by a series of
complex factors that only a series of solutions can address.

The measures Wen put forward include strengthening recycling infrastructure,
the separation of compostables, and private and public cooperation, among
others.

The Mingjian incinerator proposal has attracted criticism across the board,
with local residents raising concerns over how the incinerator may affect tea
plants and other crops.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-04-10 17:15:13

The Criminal Investigation Bureau has dismantled a major money-laundering
operation that used mobile phone shops as cover.

Police say the group worked with fraud rings using fake investment and fake
online relationship scams.

Victims were first drained of their savings, then pushed to raise credit
limits and sent to designated stores for 'card-for-cash' deals.

Investigators say the shops helped convert credit card payments into cash,
taking a cut and disguising the transactions as normal purchases.

Victims were then instructed to pass the cash to couriers or move it through
cryptocurrency, making it harder to trace.

Authorities estimate illegal profits is over 40 million NT.

They also seized cash, vehicles, card machines, and other evidence.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-04-10 16:07:13

ASE Technology Holding has begun construction of a new facility in Kaohsiung
to meet rising global demand for AI-related chips.

The company says it will invest more than 108 billion NT in the project,
which will expand advanced chip testing capacity.

Production for the first phase should begin in April 2027, with a second
phase set to follow later that year.

ASE, the world's largest IC packaging and testing provider, says the new
plant will strengthen its operations in Kaohsiung and improve efficiency.

The facility will also feature AI-driven production systems, including
automated handling and advanced inspection technology.

Officials say the project will help build a major semiconductor cluster in
the city and support growing demand for high-performance computing devices.

The investment reflects continued expansion in Taiwan’s semiconductor
industry amid the global AI boom.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-04-10 16:07:17

Health officials are urging precautions ahead of the Bai-sha-tun Mazu
pilgrimage, which begins this Sunday.

The Health Promotion Administration says participants should stay hydrated
and watch for air pollution, as smoke from incense and firecrackers can cause
PM2.5 levels to spike, increasing risks for asthma and allergies.

Pilgrims are advised to wear medical masks throughout the journey and dress
in layers to manage large temperature swings that may affect blood pressure.

With long hours of walking, people with chronic conditions should monitor
their health, take medication regularly, and carry necessary medicine.

Officials also warn of risks including heatstroke, exhaustion, and
overeating, and recommend sun protection, balanced meals, and frequent
hydration.

Anyone experiencing serious symptoms should seek help at nearby medical
stations.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-04-10 16:07:21

Villagers in Taitung helped to rescue a trapped Formosan black bear in the
mountains yesterday evening.

One villager, from Yanping township's Wuling tribe, discovered an adolescent
bear trapped in the mountains in the area.

Local forestry officials say that they received the report and immediately
dispatched rescue and medical personnel...

while seven members of the Wuling tribe participated in the operation as
well.

Authorities note that the bear's injuries are minor and that he will be
released back in to the wild soon.

They add that the bear, which weighs only about 36 kilograms, only showed
slight redness and swelling on the nose.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-04-10 15:08:13

Taiwan's opposition leader Cheng Li-wun met with Chinese President Xi Jinping
earlier today at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, the first such
encounter in over a decade.

Both sides have affirmed the need for maintaining peace across the Taiwan
Strat, saying they wanted to move toward closer ties.

They have also said they would uphold the 1992 Consensus and opposed Taiwan's
independence.

The meeting started at around 11 AM and lasted an hour behind closed doors,
and it was followed by a lunch with Xi as the host.

At a news conference this afternoon, Cheng said it would take time and
patience to bridge the differences between Taiwan and China.
>(Mandarin, pod down after 6 or 7 seconds)

She said both sides are hoping for increasing mutual understanding and
goodwill, adding that she's willing to do whatever it takes to help promote
peace across the Strait.

Her delegation is scheduled to return to Taiwan on Sunday.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-04-10 15:08:14

The opposition TPP has proposed a motion to demand that the Executive Yuan
promptly issue appointment orders for four approved members of the Central
Election Commission.

The proposal passed without objection and has been sent directly to a second
reading, with the TPP set to coordinate cross-party negotiations.

It comes after the Cabinet said yesterday that it would complete the
appointments based on the law.

The Legislature on March 13th approved 4 of the 7 C-E-C candidates that the
Lai Administration proposed, but Premier Chuo Rong-tai has refused to issue
their appointment orders citing the Legislative Yuan's "lack of integrity".

Chuo said the opposition parties had promised to cooperate on the C-E-C
nominations, a claim that refuted by both the TPP and KMT.

Meanwhile, the TPP is proposing to extend the current legislative session to
the end of July instead of the usual May 30th, citing the need for more time
to review the 2026 general budget and the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-04-10 14:13:13

The Ministry of National Defense is calling for the swift examination of its
special defense budget proposal...

after the legislative committee tasked with handling the review of that and
other proposals failed to convene yesterday.

DPP Lawmaker Chen Guan Ting, who convenes the national defense and foreign
affairs committee, noted that KMT lawmakers had previously requested to move
back yesterday's meeting...

leading some to wonder if the delay had to do with today's meeting between
the leaders of the KMT and CCP.

Defense Minister Wellington Koo said that he hoped lawmakers would examine
the Executive Yuan's version of the proposal as soon as possible.

Lawmaker Chen also noted that Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu would facilitate
negotiations going forward.

(AＨ）

Posted on 2026-04-10 14:13:13

New Taipei reports the number of people seeking medical care in a suspected
food poisoning case linked to the Chin Liu Cuisine bento chain has risen to
162.

Health officials say 14 new cases were added as of this morning, with 35
people still hospitalized or under observation.

Patients developed symptoms including abdominal pain and fever after eating
lunch boxes from two branches — 111 cases at Gongsuo and 51 at Zhongxing —
purchased on April 4th and 5th.

Authorities say Salmonella infection is one possible cause, with symptoms
typically appearing within 6 to 72 hours.

While new cases appear to be slowing, officials continue follow-ups and are
submitting data to investigators.

All three branches remain closed, and the case has been referred to the
Taipei District Prosecutors Office.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-04-10 14:13:13

Asian shares dropped on opening this morning, but are mostly higher now...

with markets in South Korea, Japan, and China all gaining today.

Taiwan shares are up today, with the benchmark tai ex gaininng 556 points to
close the session at 35417.

The turnover was 829.5 billion NT

Posted on 2026-04-10 13:07:13

Heavy fog is once again affecting transport to and from Kinmen.

The Central Weather Administration has issued a dense fog advisory for
Kinmen, with visibility dropping below 200 meters in some areas.

As of 9 this morning, eight flights to and from Taiwan had already been
canceled.

Kinmen port authorities announced this morning that ferry routes between
Kinmen and the Chinese cities of Xiamen and Quanzhou have been halted since
7:50 a.m. due to poor visibility at sea.

Passengers are advised to confirm their bookings directly with ferry
operators before heading to the port.

This comes just two days after authorities finished clearing a backlog of
stranded passengers from the Tomb Sweeping holiday weekend.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-04-10 13:07:14

As registration for the Bai-sha-tun (白沙屯) Mazu pilgrimage has exceeded a
record-breaking 463-thousand people, police departments along the pilgrimage
route are gearing up for the crowds.

The pilgrimage begins just before midnight on April 12 from Bai-sha-tun
Gong-tian Temple (拱天) in Miao-li, and arrives in Bei-gang (北港) Chao-tian
(朝天) Temple in Yun-lin on April 16.

Key rituals will follow, before the procession returns on April 20.

To manage the huge crowds, Miao-li police will deploy traffic control
measures centered around the Gong-tian Temple and nearby major roads on April
12 and 13 and again on April 19 and 20.

The
Number 1 Provincial Highway will be closed in both directions in stages
from 8 a.m. on April 12 to 8 a.m. the following day.

Entrances and Exits to and from the Number 61 West Coastal Expressway in
Miao-li could be closed as well depending on the situation on Saturday and
Sunday.

Police strongly urge participants to take Taiwan Railway or High-speed Rail
trains instead of driving.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-04-10 11:09:13

KMT chair Cheng Li-wun is set to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jin-ping in
Beijing today....

...and Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reminded Cheng to deliver the
message that the Republic of China and the PRC are not subordinate to each
other.

Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-qi also said today that Cheng should tell
Xi that Taiwan’s future must be decided democratically by its people, and
that “China should immediately stop military aircraft and naval harassment
around the island.

Chen emphasized that the messages represent the mainstream opinion of
Taiwan’s people instead of the position of any single party or individual.

He said conveying them clearly would send an unambiguous message to China and
the world.

Meanwhile Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an said cross-strait exchanges should aim
to avoid conflict and reduce misjudgment, adding that “the more tense the
situation, the greater the need for communication and dialogue.”

(JL)

Posted on 2026-04-10 11:09:13

Animal rights groups are raising alarm over new regulations regarding the
use of human medications in pets.

The new rules, set for full implementation this July are designed to bring
the use of human drugs in cats and dogs under a formal legal framework and
prevent misuse.

But advocates say preparations are inadequate.

Drug registration, which will be required before a human medication can be
legally used on pets under the new system, stands at less than 30 percent.

The alliance is calling instead for all drugs to be permitted except those
explicitly listed on the registry, giving veteri-narians greater flexibility
while still allowing the government to restrict high-risk or addictive
substances.

They are also urging the government to set up a dedicated, easy-to-find
online information page to track drug registration progress, and including
pet owners and animal protection organizations to be included in
consultations.

(NS)

Username
Password
Lost your password