ICRT

Posted on 2026-01-03 15:08:13

The Ministry of Labor says the number of workers on formal unpaid leave in
Taiwan in the second half of December rose slightly from the first half of
the month, with the old-economy sector feeling the pinch the most.

The number of workers placed on furlough rose by 3.6 percent from 15 days
earlier to 7,371 as of the end of December. The Dec. 15 number was a
three-month low thanks to an increase of rush orders ahead of the holidays.

The metal and electric machinery industry reported the largest number of
furloughed workers, at 5,140, accounting for about 70 percent of the total in
the export-oriented manufacturing sector.

Analysts said the rebound in furloughed workers at the end of December showed
the manufacturing sector remained haunted by US tariff policies.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2026-01-03 14:08:14

The Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics expects Taiwan's
armed forces to curtail activities in 2026 due to the legislature's failure
to review the government's full budget.

The DGBAS has submitted a report to the Legislative Yuan's finance committee
ahead of an appearance scheduled for Monday by its director-general.

According to the report, the total unreviewed amount of 299 billion NT
includes 180 billion NT for recurring expenses and continuing projects.

If the budget is delayed, the report said, it will affect reserve force
enhancement, troop combat training and exercises as well as military
preparedness and personnel training.

Other impacts include disruption of planned upgrading of Coast Guard
equipment, including outdated 3G and 4G mobile reconnaissance systems and
even needed repairs to unsafe piers.

CNA_zh_JvW

Posted on 2026-01-03 14:08:14

1 year: NIA

The National Immigration Agency says the foreign parents of naturalized
Taiwanese citizens with household registration can now extend their stays in
Taiwan for up to one year to assist with the care of grandchildren under the
age of 2.

Only naturalized citizens whose parents are from places other than China,
Hong Kong or Macau are eligible, given that the residency and entry rules for
residents of the People's Republic of China are governed by different laws.

The Ministry of the Interior said the new policy is part of a broader effort
to care for newly naturalized Taiwanese nationals with household
registration, giving them more flexibility for childcare and the option of
returning to work earlier than might otherwise be possible.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2026-01-03 13:09:13

Former President Chen Shui-bian says he'll host a show on a local cable TV
news provider's YouTube channel, in a move that's likely to stir debate over
the conditions of his medical parole.

In a Facebook post, Chen said his interview-based program, which will feature
"unprecedented in-depth discussions," is scheduled to premiere on the YouTube
channel operated by Mirror TV tomorrow morning.

Chen was granted medical parole in January 2015, after serving over six years
of a 20-year sentence stemming from multiple corruption-related convictions.

The Taichung Prison said that it has issued an official letter warning Chen
to strictly abide by the regulations governing medical parole, one of which
involves not being engaged in political activities.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2026-01-03 13:09:13

The Presidential Office has announced the appointment of former Vice
President Chen Chien-jen as the next Academia Sinica president.

He'll replace James C. Liao whose term ends in June. Chen's posting will last
five years, ending in June 2031.

The announcement follows a recent meeting of the Academia Sinica Council,
which selected the top three candidates and submitted their names to
President Lai Ching-te for final selection.

Chen has served in various posts at Taiwan's elite research institution,
including as a distinguished research fellow in the Genomics Research Center
from 2006 and as vice president from 2011 to 2015.

He specializes in epidemiology, human genetics, public health, and preventive
medicine.

Chen Chien-jen served as Taiwan's vice president from 2016 to 2020 and as
premier from 2023 to 2024.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2026-01-03 12:08:13

The Ministry of Labor's Bureau of Labor Funds says investments it manages are
expected to post gains exceeding a trillion NT in 2025.

The bureau said on-year gains as of November totaled NT$976 billion on the
back of strong financial markets. The gain for November alone was NT$117
billion.

The 11-month gains translate into a return of 14.1 percent.

During the same period, the Taiex gained 20 percent. The Taiex gained 26
percent in the full year.

The bureau says, 58 percent of the investments in labor funds were overseas
in the 11 months, with the remainder invested in the local market.

The combined value of the funds was just short of NT$7.7 trillion as of the
end of November, with the biggest fund being the new Labor Pension Fund,
which was launched in 2015. Its value was NT$5.1 trillion at the end of
November.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2026-01-03 12:08:13

The Central Weather Administration has issued a low-temperature warning for
New Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu and points south as far as Yunlin County -- with
temperatures expected to dip below 10 degrees overnight.

The CWA says a continental cold air mass and radiative cooling are
responsible for the lower temperatures. It urges residents to take
precautions ... including while driving on potentially icy mountain roads.

CWA_zh_JvW

Posted on 2026-01-03 11:07:19

Taiwan's manufacturing activity expanded for the third consecutive month in
December, as strong global demand for AI applications continued to bolster
the export-oriented manufacturing sector.

Data from the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research showed the
purchasing managers' index rising 3.9 points from a month earlier to 55.3 in
December. That's the highest level in 18 months.

A level of 50 or higher indicates expansion.

The non-manufacturing index fell 1.2 points to 54.6 in December. It was still
the 10th consecutive month of expansion for the service sector.

The five major factors that make up the PMI all moved higher last month, with
the subindexes on new orders and production rising 6.7 percent and 7.7
percent, respectively.

CIER President Lien Hsien-ming said Taiwan is the major supplier of AI
devices, with an 80-90 percent global market share, so the technology is
expected to continue to drive Taiwan's PMI higher in the future.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2026-01-03 11:07:23

Taipei Metro and buses in Taipei and New Taipei have started accepting QR
code ticket payments.

The system works with QR codes from EasyWallet, iPass Money, iCash Pay,
Jkopay and PXPay Plus.

Other acceptable QR codes include E.SUN Wallet, PLUS PAY and LINE Pay.

Transfer discounts will be available only for EasyWallet, iPass Money and
iCash Pay users.

Metro officials say QR users will still qualify for the same MRT loyalty
rebates as EasyCard, iPass and iCash card riders.

Posted on 2026-01-02 17:07:13

President Lai Ching-te says Taiwan's rapid aging is driving a major expansion
of long-term care services.

He says the Long-term Care Plan 3.0 budget is set to rise to $120 billion NT
as the policy rolls out this year.

Lai made the comments during a visit to a long-term care facility in Yilan
County earlier today.

He says long-term care service sites have grown from 720 under former
President Ma Ying-jeou to more than 15-thousand today.

Lai adds that Taiwan now has over 100-thousand long-term care workers,
through central-local and public-private cooperation.

He says the new plan expands institution-based care, caregiver respite
services, and support for milder dementia and disability cases.

Lai warns the budget has not yet cleared the legislature, and delays could
affect services for older adults.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-01-02 17:07:13

KMT lawmaker Fu Kun Chi will continue on as his party's legislative caucus
whip.

That's following a caucus vote today that also elected Lin Pei Xiang as the
caucus' secretary-general, replacing Luo Zhi Qiang...

while Xu Yu Zhen will take over as the deputy secretary-general.

According to the KMT's former internal policy, Fu had been set to be
term-limited out of office at the end of this month, but changes made last
year allowed him to run again.

After the election, TPP chair Huang Kuo-chang and former chair Ke Wen Zhe
visited the KMT caucus leadership before praising the collaboration between
the two parties in the current legislative term.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-02 17:07:13

Taipei's Astronomical Museum says the Quadrantids meteor shower will reach
its peak this coming Sunday.

It says the shower opens Taiwan's first major skywatching event of 2026.

Officials estimate a zenith rate of about 80 meteors an hour.

They say the moon will be near full, so actual visibility may drop to around
25 an hour.

The museum says the best viewing time is after midnight through before dawn.

It adds the Quadrantids can still deliver bright fireballs despite strong
moonlight.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-01-02 13:08:13

The Central Weather Administration has just revised its low temperature alert
from yellow to orange for areas north of Miao-li, including greater Taipei.

An orange alert means the temperature can drop to 10 degrees Celsius or lower
and stay that way for the next 24 hours.

The CWA says with the arrival of the continental strong cold air mass, the
central and southern regions are affected as well.

Forecasters have put areas from Taichung to Kaohsiung, as well as outlying
Kin-men under a yellow alert, which means low temps can slide to below 10.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-01-02 13:08:13

New Taipei City is increasing its subsidies for electric scooters, offering
residents up to nearly $40-thousand NT to make the switch.

The city’s Environmental Protection Department announced today that the 2026
program includes higher bonuses for people who retire older, polluting
scooters.

In addition to the original subsidies of up to $10-thousand NT for replacing
an old gas scooter, the city is also offering an "early bird" bonus of
another $10-thousand NT for the first 4-thousand-500 applicants.

And a limited number of New Taipei residents who scrap two old scooters to
buy one new electric one and will also receive $9-thousand NT.

Officials say when combined with central government rewards and scrap fees,
the total payout can reach $39-thousand-600 NT.

Low-income residents can receive an extra $10-thousand regardless of
whether they are buying a new scooter or replacing an old one.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-01-02 13:08:13

With a continental cold air mass likely to bring temperatures in Taipei below
10 degrees celsius, the city is upping efforts aimed at helping the homeless
avoid the cold.

The city's Department of Social Welfare says, it's already begun making the
rounds to let homeless individuals know about temporary shelter available.

They add that their efforts aim to ensure the safety of the 400 homeless
individuals in the city.

Officials say that they carry out such efforts when temperatures drop to 12
degrees and lower where most homeless people in the city stay...

near Taipei Main Station and in Wanhua district.

They note that they also offer clothing and sleeping bags to the residents,
while offering a place to sleep, no questions asked.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-02 13:08:13

Three men have been detained after a chain of "sesame oil chicken"
restaurants in Taipei and New Taipei City reported that an unknown powder was
poured into their soup pots on New Year’s Eve.

Police say ten different branches were targeted, including shops in the
Beitou, Shilin, and Tamsui districts. Investigators believe the substances
added to the soup were wasabi powder and sugar.

Authorities arrested three suspects within hours of the incidents, after
tracking the men’s vehicles through surveillance footage.

Prosecutors have charged the trio with criminal intimidation, property
damage, and involvement in organized crime.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-01-02 08:13:13

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

President Lai Ching-te says moves by opposition lawmakers to impeach him will
be "impossible to clear the legislative floor" and therefore are a "waste of
time."

According to Lai, they should instead focus on reviewing budgets.

Lai says the impeachment vote will amount to nothing but a "waste of time" -
as the opposition does not have a two-thirds majority of all lawmakers to
advance to the Constitutional Court for deliberation,

And he say lawmakers from the K-M-T and Taiwan People's Party should be
spending their time reviewing the general budget, the special defense budget,
and bills that would drive the country's economic growth.

Opposition caucuses have stalled the review of the 2026 general budget
proposal submitted by the Cabinet ..

.... and have blocked Lai's 1.25 trillion N-T special defense budget bill
from being placed on the agendas of plenary sessions for review five times.

K-M-T spokesperson Niu Hsu-ting says Lai is calling for reconciliation, while
at the same time failing to address demands raised by opposition parties, and
with those demands unmet, there is now way the budget review process can
proceed smoothly.

Posted on 2026-01-02 08:13:13

K-M-T Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun is calling for political reconciliation --
saying cooperation is needed to enable the Legislature to "function
normally."

Speaking during the party's New Year's Day flag-raising ceremony at its
headquarters in Taipei, Cheng said she hopes ruling and opposition parties
can work together, put aside past prejudices, and actively pursue
reconciliation for the sake of the country and its people.

Cheng said the goal is to "break the current constitutional deadlock and
jointly promote important policies."

The K-M-T chair also responding to Xi Jin-ping's New Year's address - saying
the meaning of the "1992 consensus" that Xi spoke of in reference to Taiwan
was "not open to doubt."

And according to Cheng, the consensus means that both sides of the Taiwan
Strait belong to one China, and while she respect that the other side has its
own expectations, policies and positions," Taiwan and its outlying islands
"also have their own way of life and systems."

Cheng also attended the New Year's Day flag-raising ceremony at the
Presidential Building - and said she was "very happy and very excited" to
participate in that.

She said she briefly greeted Premier Cho Jung-tai, but did not meet President
Lai Ching-te in person at the flag-raising ceremony.

Posted on 2026-01-02 08:13:13

The New Taipei Metro Coporation says it set a ridership record in 2025 --
carrying more than 30-million passengers over the year.

According to the coporation, the Danhai Light Rail Transit, the Ankeng Light
Rail Transit and the Circular Line also posted single-day ridership record
highs during the city's New Year's Eve celebrations in Tamsui.

The Danhai L-R-T carried more than 36,000 passengers on New Year's Eve
despite the rainy weather, marking the second-highest single-day total on
record.

Single-day ridership on the Circular Line, which was boosted by heavy
transfers from the Taipei Metro and bus systems, exceeded 90,000 passengers
on Wednesday.

And together, the Danhai L-R-T, the Circular Line and the Ankeng L-R-T
carried more than 135,000 passengers in a single day, breaking the system's
previous single-day ridership record.

Posted on 2026-01-02 08:13:13

And finally,

The Central Weather Administration says a continental cold air mass that
began affecting the north yesterday will likely weaken on Sunday.

The cold front has seen the mercury in some low-lying areas drop to below
10-degrees and possible to has low a 7-degrees.

Residents of some areas north of Taichung could continue to see temperatures
are 10-degrees or less through this evening.

The weather administration has issued a "yellow" cold surge advisories for
parts of Keelung, Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Miaoli and Yilan ...

.. and those advisories are in effect until this evening.

A "yellow" cold surge advisory means there's the chance of minimum
temperature dropping below 10-degrees.

The mercury is forecast to rebound on Sunday, when sunny skies can be
expected pretty much islandwide.

Another cold air mass will move in next Monday afternoon or early Tuesday
morning and temperatures will fall again through Friday, but that front is
forecast to bring little moisture and clear to sunny skies are expected for
much of early next week.

Posted on 2026-01-02 06:53:13

President Lai Ching-te has used his New Year's address titled "Island of
Resilience - Light of Hope"-- to call for continued resilience, awareness and
unity.

Lai thanked the people of Taiwan for their unity and resilience in the face
of challenges - which he said had allowed Taiwan to move steadily forward...
this despite the continuing rise of China's expansionist ambitions and the
occurence of natural disaster and heartbreaking social events.

The president also outlined his four overall goals for Taiwan in 2026.

Those goals include building a safer and more resilient Taiwan, advancing
toward a smart and prosperous Taiwan, achieving even more balanced
development and promoting nationwide democratic unity.

Lai said the government will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the
people, unite social forces, strengthen national resilience, and promote
various policies to move Taiwan further forward.

Posted on 2026-01-02 06:53:13

cooperation

Meanwhile...

The opposition K-M-T responded to President Lai Ching-te's New Year address
by calling on Lai and the D-P-P need to to show respect for legislative
oversight.

The statement comes after Lai used his address to call for cross-party
cooperation in the new year and for lawmakers to break the political
gridlock.

K-M-T spokeswoman Chiang Yi-zhen says Lai's speech "failed to address any of
the opposition party's demands," and instead resorted to "emotional
blackmail."

Chiang said although Lai listed numerous achievements from the past year, he
failed to address issues the public cares most about, including high housing
prices, low wages, public safety and energy stability.

Chiang also says although Lai has repeatedly called for cooperation between
the ruling and opposition parties in the name of national unity, he should
first respect legislative oversight instead of oversimplifying differing
opinions as "boycotts or confrontations."

Posted on 2026-01-02 06:53:13

President Lai Ching-te and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim greeted members of
the public and handed out commemorative items and snacks during the Office of
the President's New Year's Day public opening.

The compound opened its doors to the public at 9AM.

Areas of the presidential compound which wer opened to the public included
the Main Entrance, the third-floor Reception Hall, the South Courtyard and
the North Courtyard.

A special exhibition set up by the Ministry of Economic Affairs titled
"Resilient Taiwan" also opened on New Year's Day... and Lai toured the
exhibition accompanied by Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin.

The president also visited a baseball merchandise market where he signed
items at booths selling candied fruit and tofu.

Posted on 2026-01-02 06:53:13

The Pentagon says Lockheed Martin has been awarded a contract that allows
Taiwan to meet what Washington is describing as an "urgent operational need"
of Taiwan's Air Force.

The contract has a ceiling value of 328-million U-S dollars.... and is said
to be for the procurement and delivery of 55 Infrared Search and Track Legion
Enhanced Sensor Pods, processors, pod containers and processor containers.

The work is expected to be completed by June of 2031.

The announcement comes after the Trump administration announced an
11.1-billion U-S dollars arms sales to Taiwan.

Posted on 2026-01-02 06:53:13

A rescue helicopter airlifted has five people from a tugboat off the coast of
Hualien. after a crew member was injured while trying to assist a drifting
bulk carrier.

The Coast Guard Administration says the tugboat crew member sustained a head
injury when the tugboat became entangled in a cable due to poor weather and
lost propulsion.

A coast guard patrol vessel sent to the scene requested a helicopter from the
National Airborne Service Corps, as rough seas prevented the use of small
boats to evacuate the crew members.

The Port of Hualien dispatched the tugboat to assist the bulk carrier that
was waiting to dock and unload cargo, when it suffered an engine failure,
resulting in it being swept away by strong winds.

All 17 crew members on board the Panama-registered cargo ship owned by China
Steel are safe.

Posted on 2026-01-02 06:53:13

Alishan

The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency says a Formosan black bear broke
into a worker's hut in Alishan's Dabang Village and pilfered food from a
refrigerator and from canned goods.

Agency personnel were sent to inspect the site and set up infrared cameras
to track the bear after receiving the report.

It has since released photos showing an open refrigerator, broken eggs in a
carton, and empty food cans inside the hut - which sits at an elevation of
1,190-meters in Alishan.

Experts found footprints near the worker's hut and, based on the damaged
canned food, concluded that a Formosan black bear was responsible.

Although Formosan black bears are occasionally sighted in the Alishan area,
the Dabang Village incident marks the first officially recorded case of a
bear entering a worker's hut and eating food.

People hiking in the area are urged to carry bear bells or devices that make
noise to keep bears away and bear spray.

Posted on 2026-01-02 06:53:13

And,

The Taipei Metro and buses in Taipei and New Taipei will begin accepting Q-R
code payments from five electronic payment providers from tomorrow - January
3rd.

The move means passengers will be able to use transportation QR code features
from EasyWallet, iPass Money, iCash Pay, Jkopay and PXPay Plus.

Other platforms including E.SUN Wallet, PXPay Plus, PLUS PAY, and LINE Pay
will also be accepted.

While transfer discounts will only be available for passengers using
EasyWallet, iPass Money and iCash Pay....

... QR code users will qualify for the same M-R-T loyalty rebates as those
who use the existing system for transit cards such as EasyCard, iPass and
iCash cards.

The Taipei Metro Corporation completed its hardware setup for the Electronic
Gate Main Unit Module Reset Project in October.

It has said it will accept mobile wallets such as Apple Pay, Google Pay and
Samsung Pay beginning in July following a trial period.

The metro operator says the system is now in line international standards
used in Japan, the United Kingdom, and Singapore's advanced transit payment
systems... making travel more convenient for tourists.

Posted on 2026-01-01 17:54:13

President Lai Ching-te has again vowed to defend Taiwan's sovereignty in the
face of China’s “expansionist ambitions,” days after Beijing wrapped up
live-fire military drills around the island.

Lai said in his New Year’s address that the international community is
watching to see whether the Taiwanese people have the resolve to defend
themselves.

He said as President, his stance is to strengthen national defense and the
resilience of the whole society, and construct an effective deterrence and
democratic defense mechanism.

Lai's speech was met angrily in Beijing, where a Taiwan Affairs Office
spokesperson said "no matter what Lai and the DPP authorities say or do, they
cannot change the fact that Taiwan is part of China."

Beijing earlier expressed anger at a planned U.S. arms sales to Taiwan,
valued at more than $11 billion US dollars.

It's so far the U.S.’s largest arms sales to Taiwan.

Posted on 2026-01-01 17:54:13

cooperation

The opposition KMT has responded to President Lai Ching-te's New Year's day
speech, saying that he needs to show respect for legislative oversight.

In the speech, Lai called for cross-party cooperation in 2026, saying the
political gridlock seen last year must not continue into 2026.

He accused the opposition-controlled Legislative Yuan of blocking many
government-proposed bills, including a 1.25-trillion NT special national
defense budget spent over 8 years.

In response, the KMT said Lai's speech "failed to address any of the
opposition party's demands," and instead resorted to "emotional blackmail."

While Lai listed numerous achievements from the past year, the KMT said
issues the public cares most about, including low wages, public safety and
energy stability, were not addressed.

(CNA)

Posted on 2026-01-01 16:06:13

New sick leave rules for workers took effect today, strengthening protections
for employees who fall ill.

Under the changes, workers who take up to 10 days of sick leave a year must
not face penalties, and any attendance bonuses can only be deducted
proportionally.

The Ministry of Labor says the aim is to prevent employees from working while
sick and risking serious incidents.

In updated guidance, the M-O-L stressed that attendance bonuses are
considered part of wages.

It said If an employer cancels such a bonus and this results in a pay cut,
the change must be negotiated with employees.

However, if the bonus is removed while base pay is raised so total wages
remain the same or increase, the adjustment is allowed.

The ministry made the move after a flight attendant with EVA Air fell ill
while on duty, and although she sought medical treatment after landing, she
passed away 16 days later.

She reportedly continued working despite feeling ill, allegedly out of
concern about taking sick leave.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-01-01 15:07:14

The Ministry of Environment's data show a significant drop in last year’s
national average PM2.5 levels compared with 2019.

The Ministry said its density level was 12.6 micrograms per cubic meter, much
better than 2019's 16.

It also stressed that the goal is to reduce the average PM2.5 concentration
to 10 micrograms per cubic meter by 2030.

Additionally, the number of "Ozone Red Alert" days maintained an improvement
rate of approximately 70%.

However, the Air Clean Alliance pointed out that the Ministry's data includes
readings from the Yangmingshan and Hengchun monitoring stations.

They expressed concerns that this may be an attempt to pull down the national
average, potentially misleading the public.

Posted on 2026-01-01 15:07:14

The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency says a construction team has
begun removing a rock and sediment blockage from the barrier lake on Matai'an
Creek.

The move is aimed at draining the water from the area and restoring river
flow.

According to the agency's Hualien Branch, it commissioned a contractor that
had previously removed a blockage that created Yan-zi-kou barrier lake in
Taroko Gorge to carry out the work.

Teams are also working to construct a second access road along the south bank
of the creek that, when completed will serve as a long-term route.

The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency says that the new road is
expected to be completed by June and will enable work teams to continue slope
stabilization, sediment control and emergency response operations.

Posted on 2026-01-01 13:07:13

A strong continental cold air mass is moving south today, bringing
significantly colder weather on January 2nd and 3rd.

The Central Weather Administration has issued a low temperature alert, saying
there's a chance of the mercury dropping below 10 degrees Celsius.

From this afternoon through tomorrow night, areas north of Hsinchu may see
sustained temperatures around 10 or lower, prompting an Orange Cold Alert.

New Taipei, Taipei, Keelung, Taoyuan, and Hsinchu County are under the
alert, while Miaoli, Yilan, and Kinmen face a Yellow Cold Alert.

A yellow alert means the mercury can fall below 10.

Residents are advised to take precautions against the cold.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-01-01 13:07:17

Major automakers are unveiling their new models at the Taipei Auto Show -
which opened yesterday at the Taipei World Trade Center.

Organizers say a key attraction is the Tesla booth - as the American
automotive and clean energy company will be highlighting its new electric
vehicles, electric pickup truck and a new humanoid robot.

The second-generation Tesla bot, named Optimus, has been designed to perform
repetitive or physically demanding tasks and to showcase the company's
advances in robotics and A-I.

Tesla's best-selling car models in Taiwan are the Model Y.

Another undisputed star of the show is the Foxtron Bria, a Taiwanese-made
all-electric crossover SUV that officially went on sale on December 25th.

The Bria is Foxtron’s first mass-production electric vehicle under its own
brand, showcasing Hon Hai’s ambition and technical capability as it moves
into the global EV market.

Foxtron completed its acquisition of Luxgen earlier this month, gaining full
control of the brand—from sales channels to after-sales services.

The move is seen as a milestone in the deep integration and restructuring of
Taiwan’s domestic automotive brands.

The Taipei Auto Show will run through January 4.

Posted on 2026-01-01 13:07:21

Taiwan's manufacturing sector continues to benefit from a strong demand for
AI applications, high-performance computing and cloud serices.... that's
according to the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research or TIER.

Its most recent data shows year-on-year rates for exports, export orders, and
export prices reached their highest levels since June 2010, May 2021, and
September 2022 respectively.

Demand for high-performce computing increased demand for capital equipment
investment, which in turn supported demand for raw materials.

Domestic manufacturers were more optimistic over current conditions and the
outlook for the next six months... and that, in turn lifted the business
environment indicator.

But it wasn't all good news, because there are rising concerns over a
potential AI bubble.

Posted on 2026-01-01 11:55:13

President Lai Ching-te issued his New Year's address earlier this morning
following a flag raising ceremony outside the Presidential Office.

Titled "An Island of Resilience, A Beacon of Hope," Lai thanked the people of
Taiwan for their unity and resilience in the face of challenges - which he
said allowed Taiwan to move steadily forward amidst change ...

.. despite the continuing rise of China's expansionist ambitions and several
natural disasters and heartbreaking social events.

Lai touted the island's economic growth this year - which is projected to
reach 7.3-per cent.

He stressed that the Tai-Ex has repeatedly set new record highs this year and
said the island is seeing its best employment situation in 25 years - the
average unemployment rate remained at around 3-per cent in 2025.

Lai looked ahead to this year - and emphasized that his government will
continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people, unite social forces,
strengthen national resilience, and promote various policies to move Taiwan
further forward.

And he called for political unity saying he hopes all parties will work
together to successfully pass his special defense bill and next year central
government general budget ..

.. and Lai went on to say he will actively work to promote cooperation
between the ruling and opposition parties and is willing to deliver a
state-of-the-nation address to the Legislative Yuan, in accordance with the
Constitution.

That means he will not take questions from lawmakers should he be invited by
the Legislature to deliver state-of-the-nation address.

Posted on 2026-01-01 11:55:13

In sports news and last night's Taiwan Professional Basketball League.

The second place New Taipei C-T-B-C D-E-A beat the second from bottom New
Taipei Kings 94-82 at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium in New Taipei.

Next up in the T-P-B-L ...

The league leading Taiwan Beer Leopards meet the bottom of the table
Kaohsiung Aquas at the Kaohsiung Arena in Saturday's 2:30PM game ...

.... while the C-T-B-C D-E-A play the Hsinchu Lioneers in the day's 5PM game
at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium.

Posted on 2026-01-01 11:06:14

The Kinmen County Government says 190,000 Chinese tourists visited the
outlying island last year via the "Mini Three Links" ...

... and it will continue to promote the links between the island and China
based in the existing foundation to ensure exchanges can continue.

According to the county government, data shows that the cumulative number of
round-trip passengers via the "Mini Three Links" routes between Kinmen and
Xiamen/Quanzhou surpassed 1.84 million in 2025 ....

.. compared to the 1.96-million round-trip passengers in 2019.

The local government say last year's number represents over 90-per cent of
the pre-COVID peak levels.

Officials in Kinmen say tourism numbers for 2025 broken down .....

..... show that of the passengers entering and leaving the Kinmen via the
"Mini Three Links," Taiwanese tourists accounted for approximately 73.7-per
cent, those from China, Hong Kong, and Macau accounted for approximately
24.9-per cent ...

.. while foreign tourists accounted for approximately 1.3-per cent of the
total trips.

Posted on 2026-01-01 11:06:14

Independent meteorologist Daniel Wu says the strong cold front that is moving
south will result in temperatures gradually falling today and it will get
colder from this evening.

According to Wu, from tomorrow until Sunday morning, low-lying areas will see
lows of below 7-degrees as the strongest cold air mass so far of this winter
affects nearly all of the island.

The front is expected to weaken from Sunday daytime.

Another cold air mass will move in next Monday afternoon into Tuesday morning.

However, Wu says temperatures are likely to fall again from Wednesday -- as
what could be the first real cold wave of this winter affects the island
through Friday.

Posted on 2026-01-01 10:06:13

And,

The Ministry of Labor has confirmed that it will open its first overseas
recruitment center in Manila in order to ease housing rules that will allow
certain migrant workers to arrange their own accommodation in Taiwan.

The recruitment center will be located at the Taipei Economic and Cultural
Office in Manila.

According to the ministry's Workforce Development Agency, the center is
expected to be launched in the first quarter of this year and when
operational will enable Taiwanese employers to directly recruit Filipino
migrant workers.

The Manila Economic and Cultural Office says it "welcomes" the plan to set up
a cross-border recruitment center in the Philippines.

Posted on 2026-01-01 09:06:13

flag-raising ceremony

President Lai Ching-te has overseen the New Year's Day flag-raising ceremony
in front of the Presidential Building.

The event was attended by senior government officials including Vice
President Hsiao Bi-khim, Premier Cho Jung-tai and National Security Council
Secretary-General Joseph Wu as well as Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu, and
K-M-T Chairwoman Cheng Li-wen.

The President shook hands with Han, but had no interactions with Cheng.

Taiwan People's Party chairman Huang Kuo-chang did not attend the event.

This year's New Year's Day flag-raising ceremony was jointly organized by
four major medical organizations and held under the theme of "Healthy Taiwan,
United in Protection."

It featured series of performances and began at 5AM with the Taipei First
Girls' High School Marching Band.

The national anthem was sung by medical personnel and ultramarathon runner,
Tommy Chen.

The flag-raising ceremony was opened to the public and many people braved the
cold and rainy weather to see the event from Ketagalan Boulevard.

Posted on 2026-01-01 09:06:17

And,

Thousands of people flocked to the Alishan National Forest Recreation Area
early this morning to attend the "Alishan Sunrise Impression Concert" and to
see first sunrise of 2026.

However, the sun was hidden being thick cloud cover and heavy fog.

The concert began at 5:30 and the Skyline Fusion Jazz Band played a jazz
version of "Ode to Joy" to welcome the sunrise - despite the first rays of
dawn in 2026 being rather obscured.

Posted on 2026-01-01 08:06:13

Tens of thousands of people packed the plaza outside Taipei City Hall last
night for the annual New Year's Eve countdown.

The event featured a six-minute fireworks display launched from the Taipei
101, while South Korean all-girl group KARA returned to Taipei after a
12-year hiatus to headline the event.

According to police and city government officials, some 200,000 people
attended the New Year's Eve countdown last night in Taipei based on
telecommunications signaling data.

The Taipei Metro Corporation says, as of midnight on December 31, the total
ridership of the entire metro system stood at approximately 2.75-million
passengers.

That was a decline of approximately 1,000 passengers compared to the average
ridership during last year's New Year's Eve period.

The four stations surrounding Taipei City Hall, including Taipei City Hall
Station, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Station, Taipei 101/World Trade Center
Station, and Elephant Mountain Station, saw a ridership of 222,000 passengers
from 4PM to midnight.

And that was decrease of approximately 56,000 passengers compared to last
year.

Posted on 2026-01-01 08:06:13

And,

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is thanking countries for expressing their
concerns over China's live-fire military drills near Taiwan this week.

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung says numerous countries and international
organizations have been demonstrating their support for maintaining peace,
security and the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.

And according to Lin, as a responsible member of the international community,
Taiwan will continue to work with like-minded partners to safeguard peace,
stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world.

It comes after U-S lawmakers, and the government's of Australia, France,
Germany, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the Philippines, and the UK as well
as the European Union and several parliamentary groups ...

... all issued statements expressing its concern about China's military
exercises around Taiwan and calling for restraint and dialogue and stressing
the need for all sides to avoid actions that could escalate the situation.

Posted on 2026-01-01 07:06:14

The Ministry of National Defense says it's finished adjusting its
joint-service deployments and is maintaining the capability to respond
appropriately to further Chinese military drills, or actions around Taiwan.

According to the ministry, the adjustments were made due to the considerable
number of Chinese aircraft and vessels operating within Taiwan's air defense
identification zone over the past several days.

The defense ministry says the armed forces will continue to respond in a
calm, measured and controlled manner, resolutely safeguarding national
sovereignty, democratic freedoms, and the lives and property of the people of
Taiwan.

The statement comes after President Lai Ching-te said China's latest drills
were not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of escalating
coercion.

Speaking at a promotion ceremony for senior military officers, Lai said
China's authoritarian expansion has increased the risk to regional stability
and affected global shipping, trade and peace.

Posted on 2026-01-01 07:06:14

And,

The Tai-Ex closed out 2025 at a record high on Wednesday.

The weighted index closing up 256-points, or 0.89-per cent, at 28,963.

That's the highest year-end closing level on record.

Turnover for the final session of 2025 stood at 536-billion N-T.

The Tai-Ex has now risen more than 20-percent for three straight years ....

.... and the Taiwan Stock Exchange says data shows the combined market
capitalization of all listed companies reached a record 94.3-trillion N-T
following Wednesday session.

That's an increase of about 20.4-trillion N-T from a year earlier.

Posted on 2025-12-31 18:24:14

Taipei is deploying more than three thousand security personnel for tonight's
massive New Year's Eve celebrations.

To maintain order, Taipei City Police are stationing two thousand officers
and one thousand civilian staff across key areas.

They'll be supported by national, traffic, and metro police units.

For the first time, police are utilizing advanced drone monitoring and metal
detector checkpoints at every entrance to ensure a smooth and safe start to
2026.

Huge crowds are expected in the Xinyi District, centered around the main
countdown at City Hall Plaza and a Jolin Tsai concert at the Taipei Dome.

Authorities say the goal is to ensure a smooth and safe start to the new year.

(IG)

Posted on 2025-12-31 18:24:14

Taiwan has officially met its national air quality targets for 2025, but
officials say new challenges are emerging.

The Ministry of Environment reports the annual average level of PM2.5 fine
particles has dropped to 12.6 micrograms per cubic meter, beating the
government's target.

In addition, "red-level" ozone warning days also fell, hitting 88 this year
... five less than the year before.

However, officials note that average hourly ozone concentrations have risen,
partly due to higher temperatures and slower pollution dispersion linked to
climate change.

Looking ahead, the focus is shifting to even smaller particles known as PM0.1
... which experts say is a global issue.

Taiwan has already begun monitoring these ultrafine pollutants in major
cities like Taipei, Taichung and Tainan ... to build long-term data and
better understand potential health risks.

(IG)

Posted on 2025-12-31 18:24:14

Health officials are urging warning pregnant women to quit smoking ... as it
may jeopardize their children's bone health.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare cited an international study ... showing
that children aged five to fifteen ... whose mothers smoked over ten
cigarettes a day during pregnancy are more likely to suffer bone fractures
requiring medical treatment.

The research, based on data from children born in Finland, found a clear
dose-related effect, with the highest risk seen among heavy smokers.

Officials say the nicotine and other toxins in cigarettes interfere with bone
metabolism, reduce calcium absorption, and limit oxygen and nutrients to the
fetus.

Authorities remind the public that free quit-smoking support is available via
the Health Promotion Administration's hotline ... as part of efforts to
protect the next generation's health.

(IG)

Posted on 2025-12-31 17:49:13

Convenience stores across Taiwan are bracing for a New Year's Eve sales surge
... as nighttime crowds are expected to top two million.

To cope with the rush, chains are ramping up staffing and supplies at key
locations.

7-Eleven says it's boosting manpower and inventory by up to five times at
nearly one thousand stores near major event sites ... and is deploying mobile
shopping carts in busy areas, like Taipei 101 and Tamsui.

FamilyMart is scaling up operations at more than 40 New Year's Eve and
concert venues nationwide, adding outdoor food stalls and extra checkout
counters at key stores.

In Taipei's Xinyi District, Hi-Life is removing doors at entrances and
refrigerators at its busiest locations to improve crowd flow ... and ensure
safety.

Meanwhile, OK Mart says it has increased inventory by up to five times at
selected stores, with ready-to-eat foods expected to be the top sellers.

(IG)

Posted on 2025-12-31 17:49:15

The Criminal Investigation Bureau said authorities have identified 118 cases
of spreading false information and online threats since the deadly random
attacks at Taipei Main Station on the 19th.

The C-I-B said with 23 cases investigated and 22 suspects tracked so far,
with daily reporting and enforcement efforts ongoing.

Justice Minister Zheng Ming-qian also said a total of 40 cases of violent
attacks have been investigated since the 19th, which involved 38 defendants,
with 5 having been indicted.

Authorities have also filed 18 motions for detention, resulting in 13
suspects being detained, 9 released on bail, and one individual placed in
temporary shelter.

(JL)

Posted on 2025-12-31 17:49:15

Taiwan Railway Corporation says, they will add 41 trains today and tomorrow
due to increased demand accompanying the new year.

Of those 41, 25 will be after the clock strikes midnight tonight in the
north, center, south, and Yilan area.

The other added trains will be tomorrow and on Sunday.

The added trains will depart tonight between 12:15 and 3:25.

8 of the added trains tonight will depart from Taipei stations.

(AH)

Posted on 2025-12-31 16:19:13

The Ministry of Education has announced a pay raise for elementary, junior
high and high school teachers, which will be applied retroactively from
September 1st, 2025.

The raise includes hourly pay for part-time and substitute teachers as well.

The MOE says the the monthly homeroom teacher stipend will also be raised to
4-thousand NT a month from 3-thousand.

Education official say more than 300-thousand teachers will benefit from the
measures, which will cost about $43.7 billion NT a year, split between
central and local governments.

Several Teachers' Unions have welcomed the policy, noting that hourly pay is
being increased by 20-percent, the largest hike on record.

They say with the worsening teacher shortage, it's important to enhance their
salaries and work environment.

(JL)

Posted on 2025-12-31 16:19:13

Agricultural officials are urging farmers to protect their crops with covers
and bags before a strong cold front arrives on New Year’s Day.

The Agriculture and Food Agency says a strong continental cold air mass is
set to hit Taiwan tomorrow.

Farmers are encouraged to use plastic sheets, non-woven fabric, or straw to
keep plants warm.

The agency also recommends adding potassium fertilizer to flowers and fruit
trees to help them resist the cold.

Officials note that if the cold weather causes damage, farmers can use a
government mobile app to document the loss with photos.

This allows local officials to process disaster aid more quickly.

If the app shows damage is more than 20 percent, the government may skip a
physical inspection so farmers can start replanting sooner.

(NS)

Posted on 2025-12-31 16:19:13

Police in Taichung detained a woman earlier today after she tried to enter
the district court with a knife in her bag.

Security staff at the Taichung District Court discovered the knife while
scanning the woman’s backpack and hand luggage through an X-ray machine.

When security told her she could not bring the knife inside, the woman became
agitated.

Ten officers were dispatched to the scene and took the woman into custody.

Police are currently investigating the woman to see if she violated criminal
laws or the Social Order Maintenance Act.

(NS)

Posted on 2025-12-31 15:12:13

Several countries are expressing concerns over this week's Chinese live-fire
military drills and urging restraint to avoid escalating tensions.

The European Union said that China's action "furhter increases cross-strait
tensions..."

while Germany and France issued similar statements through their own foreign
ministries.

And the UK, Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines voiced their disapproval
of unilateral attempts to change the status quo.

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung expressed Taiwan's gratitude to global
partners for voicing their concerns.

Military officials said yesterday that the PLA fired 27 rockets during the
second day of drills, 10 of which landed at sea within Taiwan's 24-nautical
mile contiguous zone.

Those were the closest Chinese live-fired armaments have come to Taiwan.

(AH-CNA)

Posted on 2025-12-31 15:12:13

The Taiwan High Court is upholding the Taipei District Court's ruling that
acquitted former President Ma Ying-jeou of charges dating back to his time as
KMT chairman.

In addition to Ma, also found not guilty are former China Investment
Corporation chair Zhang Zhe Ｃhen 張哲琛　and general manager Wang Hai
Qing汪海清.

In 2018, They were charged of causing financial losses estimated at 7.2
billion NT to the KMT by selling three then KMT-owned companies.

However, the High Court has also upheld the lower court's sentence of 3 years
and 6 months for former Central Pictures Corporation chair Cai Zheng
Yuan蔡正元, who was convicted of embezzlement.

Today's verdict can still be appealed.

(AH)

Posted on 2025-12-31 15:12:13

Taipei officials say that, starting tomorrow, they will no longer sort
compost into two bins...

as the waste is no longer allowed to be used as pig feed.

In other words, the Taipei City Department of Environmental Protection says
that people need not sort their compost between red and blue bins anymore and
can use just the blue bins.

All the compostable waste will be used only for composting.

That's following changes made by the Executive Yuan to prohibit kitchen waste
from being used as pig feed after an African Swine Fever scare.

(AH)

Posted on 2025-12-31 14:07:13

Taiwan has named a new ambassador to Paraguay.

Until now, Ivan Lee has served as Taiwan's representative to Mexico.

He will replace current ambassdor to Paraguay, Jose Han, who's returning to
Taipei to serve as chief of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Department of
Latin American and Caribbean Affairs.

Before serving in Mexico, Lee was MOFA's chief liasion officer to the
Legislative Yuan, and also served as ambassador to Nicaraugua.

Paraguay is one of only 2 of Taiwan's Spanish-speaking allies, the other
being Guatemala.

(AH)

Posted on 2025-12-31 14:07:13

Kaohsiung officials say all bird flu tests in the city came back negative
this year.

The Kaohsiung City Animal Protection Office released its annual inspection
report today, for over 2-thousand-600 tests on aquatic animals and 85 tests
on livestock and poultry.

The report indicated that every test for bird flu was negative.

The office also rescued and treated 227 wild animals, which was well above
their original target.

The office says these inspections protect the livelihoods of 200-thousand
farmers and ensure food safety for the public.

The testing program currently covers cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry, and
seafood.

(NS)

Posted on 2025-12-31 14:07:13

Taiwan shares are up today, with the benchmark tai ex closing at 28963 after
gaining 256 points.

The turnover was 536.1 billion NT

Posted on 2025-12-31 13:06:13

KMT lawmaker Lin Si Ming has announced that he will drop out of his party's
primary for the Hsinchu Magistrate race.

He cited the importance of working together for the party, and emphasized
that his dropping out was not due to any compromise or pressure.

Lin says, he felt that there had already emerged a level of infighting, which
not only is unhelpful to winning the election, but is also weakening morale.

Lin emphasized that, going forward, he would support whoever the KMT
nominated.

Currently KMT lawmaker Xu Xin-ying (徐欣瑩) and Deputy Hsin-chu Magistrate
Chen Jian-xian (陳見賢) are still vying for the party's nomination for the
magistrate's race.

(AH)

Posted on 2025-12-31 13:06:13

For those who are keen to see the very first light of dawn in 2026,
astronomers say it would appear at 6:03:46 a.m. tomorrow at the top of Mt.
Bo-nan in Hua-lien.

But since the mountain is 3-thousand 443 meters in altitude, the Taipei
Astronomical Museum says the earliest lowland location to see the new year's
first sunrise will be E-luan-bi Lighthouse, at 6:10 a.m.

The Museum says tomorrow’s sunrise will be roughly in the east-southeast,
meaning the farther east and south you go, the earlier the sun will appear.

It says higher elevations will also see the first light of the new year
earlier.

The T-A-M has put online its New Year’s First Light Map, and by clicking on
a location, you can find local times for the first light and sunrise to ring
in 2026.

(JL)

Posted on 2025-12-31 08:14:13

In in news from and about Taiwan this morning,

The Ministry of National Defense says China fired 27 rockets during the
second day of its latest military drill near Taiwan and 10 of them landed in
the sea within Taiwan's 24-nautical mile contiguous zone.

Defense officials say it was the closest ever Chinese live-fire exercise to
Taiwan proper.

The rockets were fired in two batches using multiple rocket launchers from
the Pingtan and Shishi areas in Fujian Province.

Seventeen missiles were fired from Pingtan fell into the sea off northern
Taiwan in a China-designated drill zone, outside the 24-nautical-mile
contiguous zone.

While 10 missiles launched from Shishi all landed in a designated drill zone
southwest of Taiwan, within the 24-nautical-mile zone off Tainan.

The Coast Guard Administration says it closely monitored the movement of the
15 Chinese patrol boats.

Eight of those vessels briefly breached the 24 nautical-mile line but were
promptly warned away.

Posted on 2025-12-31 08:14:13

Meanwhile,

Tai-Power says it received liquefied natural gas shipments from overseas,
despite China's military exercises around Taiwan.

According to Taipower Chairman Tseng Wen-shen, two C-P-C ships delivered
L-N-G as planned on Tuesday morning and the company had emergency measures in
place to respond to the military drills.

Taipower spokeswoman Huang Mei-lien says that company was in close contact
with C-P-C to make sure it would receive the L-N-G shipments as planned ...

Huang is also stessing that Tai-Power has a reserve supply of coal for up to
40 days, well above the legally required 30 day limit.

Posted on 2025-12-31 08:14:13

Lawmakers from the K-M-T and the Taiwan People's Party have blocked the
government's 1.25 trillion N-T special defense budget bill from being placed
on the agenda for Friday's Legislative plenary session.

It's fifth time the bill has been blocked from moving forward for review.

The K-M-T and T-P-P blocked the D-P-P's proposal to include the budget in the
agenda of session during a meeting of the Legislature's Procedure Committee
with a 10 to 8 vote.

The blocking of the special budget came as China was conducted a second day
of military drills around Taiwan.

Referencing the drills, K-M-T Legislative caucus Secretary-General Lo
Chih-chiang argued that the D-P-P bore responsibility for the military
exercises and that his party's position remains focused on investing in both
combat readiness and peace.

Lo also accused President Lai Ching-te of blocking the special defense budget
by refusing to address the Legislature and take questions, as his party and
the T-P-P have demanded.

Lai has said he's open to delivering a state-of-the-nation address in the
Legislature, but argues that his being questioned by lawmakers would violate
the principle of separation of powers set out in the Constitution.

The special defense budget was approved by the Cabinet on November 27.

Posted on 2025-12-31 08:14:13

The Centers for Disease Control says it saw declines in HIV and gonorrhea
cases this year, but syphilis infections rose.

According to the C-D-C, the sharpest increase was seen among people aged
between 15 and 24 and data shows syphilis cases among that age bracket
increased by 9-per cent year-on-year from January to November.

The C-D-C says it is planning to expand free syphilis screening services for
young people from next year due to the increase in cases.

C-D-C spokesman Lin Ming-cheng says the number of medical institutions
offering free rapid syphilis testing to people aged 24 and under will be
increased from 18 to 79 in from next year and that will boost capacity for
about 10,000 screenings.

The C-D-C earlier this year launched an anonymous sexually transmitted
infections consultation service, providing one-on-one confidential counseling
at 14 hospitals nationwide.

Health officials say the anonymous consultation service recorded 1,455 visit
between July and November, mostly involving questions about S-T-I knowledge,
testing, symptoms and treatment.

Posted on 2025-12-31 08:14:13

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing says it officially began volume production
of its 2-nanometer chips in the fourth quarter of this year.

The low-key announcement was made in a recent update on the company's website.

It confirms that T-S-M-C has met its original roadmap for the next-generation
technology.

Production is currently centered at Fab 22 in Kaohsiung, utilizing the
company's first-generation nanosheet transistor technology.

The company is describing its 2-nanometer process as being the most advanced
in the semiconductor industry in terms of transistor density and energy
efficiency ...

.. and says it has been designed to "address the increasing need for
energy-efficient computing," particularly for A-I and mobile applications.

T-S-M-C is already developing the N-2-P manufacturing process, which is an
enhanced version of the 2-nanometer node, and is slated for mass production
in the second half of next year.

Posted on 2025-12-31 06:58:13

President Lai Ching-te has slammed China's latest large-scale military drills
around Taiwan.

Lai used social media to accuse Beijing of continuing to escalate regional
tensions, which he said "is not the behavior of a responsible world power."

Lai stressed that maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific
is an international consensus, and Taiwan, as a responsible regional partner,
will continue to uphold this goal ...

... and Taiwan will not provoke a confrontation, nor seek conflict with China.

The president also thanked military and coast guard personnel for responding
to what he described as threats and coercion from China with "a strong sense
of duty and a high level of professionalism."

Posted on 2025-12-31 06:58:13

Meanwhile,

The Ministry of National Defense's Political Warfare Bureau says it
identified 46 pieces of disinformation related to China's military exercise
on Monday and Tuesday.

The bureau says the disinformation mainly focused on attacking the Lai
administration's policies, slandering the armed forces, and eroding trust in
the United States.

One piece of disinformation published by the Chinese state-run media platform
Global Times claimed that China Coast Guard vessels had quarantined the ports
of Keelung, Tainan, Kaohsiung and Hualien.

Another claim, which appeared in online videos, alleged that Chinese forces
had advanced to within 9-kilometers of Taiwan's southern shores.

While a video released by China's state-run news broadcaster C-C-T-V included
what appeared to be drone footage of the Taipei 101 skyscraper, accompanied
by a caption suggesting that an aircraft had flown close to the building.

Defense ministry spokesman Sun Li-fang says that every major Chinese military
exercise since August 2022 has combined military and non-military actions
aimed at influencing public opinion here in Taiwan, as well as in neighboring
countries and Taiwan-friendly countries.

President Lai Ching-te urged the public in a social media post to be mindful
of disinformation accompanying the exercise ...

.. saying "at this critical moment, unity between the military and civilians
in countering misinformation and disinformation constitutes the strongest
defense of our democratic homeland."

Posted on 2025-12-31 06:58:13

In other news...

Lawmakers have passed amendments to the Fraud Crime Hazard Prevention Act.

Under the amended Act, judicial and prosecutorial authorities are authorized
to notify financial institutions and virtual asset service providers to flag
bank accounts, e-payment accounts, credit cards and virtual asset accounts
suspected of fraud.

Judicial and prosecutorial authorities are also authorised to temporarily
suspend related transactions on any suspicious accounts linked to fraud.

The amendments add new penalty tiers - meaning those found guilty of
high-value fraud exceeding 10-million N-T face a prison sentence of up to
10-years and a maximum fine of 300-million N-T.

While for fraud cases exceeding 100-million N-T, the statutory prison term
has been increased to 7 years, with a maximum fine of 500-million N-T.

But it offers reduced sentences for offenders who voluntarily surrender to
authorities and compensate victims in full.

The amendments also introduce a "luxury ban" clause targeting high-profile
fraud cases - and courts may take into account extravagant or wasteful
spending... if it occurs before victims are fully compensated or settlements
are paid.

Posted on 2025-12-31 06:58:13

The Taichung District Prosecutors' Office has indicted 13 people over a
deadly gas explosion at the city's Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Zhonggang store
earlier this year.

The blast left five people dead and injured 35 more.

Those indicted include a department store manager and contractors.

Investigators linked the February 13 blast to multiple layers of negligence
during renovation work, which included inadequate safety checks and the
absence of required permits.

Prosecutors say Shin Kong Mitsukoshi should have upheld the highest safety
standards, but these systemic management failures resulted in what is the
most serious industrial accident in Taiwan's department store history.

The indictment states that the store allowed contractors to begin after-hours
renovation work on February 9 without legally required interior renovation
permits or a construction-period fire safety plan.

The store manager failed to verify the status of the 12th-floor main gas
shutoff valves and pipelines before work began, while a deputy manager and a
renovation contractor also failed to ensure the site was free of gas hazards.

Posted on 2025-12-31 06:58:13

The Health Promotion Administration says it recorded 138,051 new cancer cases
in 2023.

Officials say that figure rose by 7,758 from 2022, with the standardized
incidence rate reaching 331.3 cases per 100,000 people.

That represents an increase of about eight per 100,000 compared with the
previous year.

The head of the administration's Cancer Prevention and Control Division says
on average one person here in Taiwan is diagnosed with cancer every three
minutes and 48 seconds.

That was 14 seconds faster than in 2022 and the pace has accelerating since
2021.

Lung cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Taiwan for the
third consecutive year, while colorectal cancer, previously the most
prevalent cancer for 15 years, ranked second.

The next most common cancers in 2023 were breast cancer, liver cancer and
prostate cancer.

Posted on 2025-12-31 06:58:13

The Central Weather Administration says data shows that the average
temperature here in Taiwan this year stood at 24.53-degrees.

That's 1.22-degrees higher than the 1901 to 2000 average and ranks at the
12th highest since record-keeping began in 1897.

Forecast Center Director Huang Chun-hsi says the global average temperature
from January to November reached 14-degrees, the second-highest since 1850,
trailing only 2024's figure.

Data shows that overall accumulated rainfall here in Taiwan this year was
relatively high.

However, Huang says the number of rainy days stood at 128.2 - and that ranks
as the ninth lowest since 1951.

Rainfall was largely concentrated in July, which recorded its highest monthly
total since 1951 - and much of that rainfall was brought by Typhoon Danas.

Meanwhile, the weather administration's Seismological Center says 35,516
earthquakes were recorded this year in Taiwan.

Of that total 156 were felt, which is close to the 10-year average of 150.

Six of the earthquakes exceeded magnitude 6 and this past Saturday's
magnitude 7 offshore quake near Yilan County was the strongest of 2025.

Posted on 2025-12-31 06:58:13

And,

Major automakers will be unveiling their new models at the Taipei Auto Show -
which opens today at the Taipei World Trade Center.

Organizers say a key attraction is expected to be the Tesla booth - as the
American automotive and clean energy company will be highlighting its new
electric vehicles, electric pickup truck and a new humanoid robot.

The second-generation Tesla bot, named Optimus, has been designed to perform
repetitive or physically demanding tasks and to showcase the company's
advances in robotics and A-I.

Tesla's best-selling models in Taiwan are the Model Y, Model 3 and Model X.

Tesla says deliveries of the Model Y remain steady in Taiwan, with
registrations of the electric S-U-V expected to exceed 10,000 units this
year.

The Taipei Auto Show will run through January 4.

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