Sun, May 31, 2026
‘NO SECURITY RISK’: The Railway Bureau reassured the public that the technicians’ activities were limited to technical guidance and did not involve sensitive systems The Railway Bureau yesterday said it had invited eight Chinese technicians to assist with an airport MRT construction project.The bureau issued the confirmation after an Internet user said Chinese nationals had entered the construction zone of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport’s Terminal 3 projec
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth yesterday at a defense conference assured Pacific allies that Washington remained committed to the region, but toned down previous comments calling China a threat.Speaking to a group of world leaders, diplomats and top security officials at the Shangri-La Dialogu
The outer belt of Tropical Storm Jangmi is forecast to bring rain to Taiwan this week, although the system is unlikely to have a direct impact on the country, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday.As of 8am yesterday, the eye of the storm was about 1,110km east-southeast of Oluanpi
Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing yesterday embarked on an official visit to India, one of the country’s key regional partners, for high-level meetings aimed at bolstering bilateral ties.It is the first time Min Aung Hlaing has traveled to the neighboring country since he was sworn into office as pr
ISSUES: Lawmakers passed resolutions to address concerns such as funding gaps, ensuring drones’ strike capabilities and survivability, as well as cost discrepancies The Legislative Yuan yesterday approved a special defense procurement budget for this year of more than NT$8.811 billion (US$280.75 million) to fund purchases of five US weapons systems.Lawmakers also passed 35 accompanying resolutions, including a call for the government to fill a funding gap of mo
MORE INCREASES: Exports and imports are projected to jump 39.77% and 33.53% respectively as chipmakers expand production capacities to meet demand for AI Taiwan yesterday sharply raised its economic growth forecast for this year after a blistering first quarter, as surging global demand for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure fueled exports, investment and corporate profits across the technology-driven economy.The Directorate-General of Budge
GLOBALGIVING: ‘ Caving to external pressure is not acceptable for an organization that has cultivated justice reform and human rights for 30 years,’ one NGO said A slew of non-government organizations (NGOs) have withdrawn from the GlobalGiving fundraising platform after it announced it would use “Chinese Taipei” instead of “Taiwan” from next month.The Taiwan Good Rice Association wrote on Facebook on Friday that it was informed on April 28 via a teleconfere
President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday listened to senior high school students’ suggestions on how Taiwan could counter the influence of Chinese apps such as TikTok and RedNote, and discussed the regulation of AI in education.Lai made the remarks at a youth forum in Taipei hosted by the Chinese-l
In-demand Patriot interceptors and a valuable air defense integration system make up more than half of the US$14 billion weapons deal with Taiwan that has become a flashpoint in broader US-China relations, people familiar with the situation said.The potential weapons package that US President Donald
Taiwan and the Czech Republic, as free and democratic countries, should support each other and boost bilateral cooperation, Czech Senate President Milos Vystrcil said in an interview with the Central News Agency published on Friday ahead of his upcoming visit to Taiwan.Vystrcil is scheduled to lead
GOVERNMENT GRIDLOCK: An ex-official said the plan to limit temporary posts at agencies is an attempt to expand legislative powers and curtail presidential powers There should be a six-month limit and other restrictions on appointees to acting leadership positions at government agencies to ensure the legislature’s right to ratify appointments, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Wen Hsiao-ling (翁曉玲) said on Friday.Wen proposed the time limit on acting
FIGHTING BACK: The mechanism could stop scammers from ensnaring innocent third parties in crimes by wiring money to their account without their consent A doctor’s initiative to implement a mechanism for wire transfer recipients to consent to receiving money has garnered 2,200 signatures since its launch on May 10, the government-run public policy participation platform showed yesterday.The proposal to verify payee consent for inbound transfers (PCI
Smoking in the pedestrian zones of Taipei’s Ximending shopping area and at the entrance to Exit No. 4 of Ximen MRT Station would be banned starting tomorrow as part of efforts to make Taipei a smoke-free city, the Taipei City Government said. Except in designated smoking areas, violators would face
VIGILANCE: If hikers spot a bear, they should leave as quickly as possible without taking any photos and be careful of disturbing cubs in particular, the park said The Yushan National Park Headquarters yesterday called on hikers to be careful of bear activity following incidents of people being chased by mother bears with cubs around Taiwan’s Yuli and Jhuosi mountains. The headquarters also received reports of bear activity around the section of the Southern C
Taiwanese researchers have reported the discovery of a new fish species, naming it Lentipes ptasan after the extinct practice of facial tattooing among Taiwanese indigenous peoples.National Sun Yat-sen University doctoral student Jhuang Wei-cheng (莊維誠) said on Friday that he and the team first found
Africa’s next generation of power projects is increasingly being anchored around solar and wind power and battery storage, as governments and investors shift away from coal and large hydropower dams in search of cheaper, faster and more reliable power.The shift is visible in a US$1.5 billion energy
Cairo’s new monorail slices across the city skyline, running above the familiar chaos of blaring horns and aging buses’ exhaust fumes that mark rush hour below.The US$4.5 billion monorail, opened this month, is among Egypt’s most prominent new transport projects, part of a debt-funded infrastructure
Tomatoes, ubiquitous in everything from fast-food burgers to haute cuisine, are taking on a new role beyond the plate: A nagging reminder of rising costs.Prices for the produce have soared more than any other food product over the past year to cement a spot as one of the consumer headaches du jour.“
A single photograph can cut through a lot of noise, but it can also be used to misrepresent the truth. At the very least, it can concentrate the mind on something that requires further investigation. On Monday last week, Ma Ying-jeou Foundation CEO Tai Hsia-ling (戴遐齡) and former National Security Co
I first met Professor Ray Jiing (井迎瑞) as a film and documentary student at Shih Hsin University’s (SHU) Department of Radio Television and Film in 1988. The following year, he went on to become the director of the Chinese Taipei Film Archive — forerunner of the Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute
As Taiwan continues to attract international students, more people are quietly learning what it means to live between cultures. I have lived in Taiwan for almost four years as an international student. Although many people say I do not look like a foreigner, my Chinese-speaking ability often says ot
PRAISE: ‘Huge credit to Joao for really deserving to win the match. Without a doubt, he was the better player in crucial moments,’ Djokovic said of his teenage rival Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca on Friday knocked Novak Djokovic out in the third round of the French Open to scupper the Serbian great’s latest quest for a record 25th Grand Slam. Taiwan’s Liang En-shuo and Japan’s Shuko Aoyama defeated Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko and New Zealand’s Erin Routliffe 7-5
Liverpool yesterday sacked head coach Arne Slot after a disastrous defense of their English Premier League title. The club, who finished fifth in the table, said the Dutchman, who has been at Anfield for two seasons, would “depart his role as head coach with immediate effect.” Liverpool fans turned
For some, Cristiano Ronaldo remains the essential spearhead for Portugal’s FIFA World Cup bid, while others believe his presence would prevent Roberto Martinez’s strong side from flourishing. The debate around the five-time Ballon d’Or winner rages on, as it did at UEFA Euro 2024 and four years ago
Houston right-hander Teng Kai-wei, the only Taiwanese pitcher active in the MLB, on Friday recorded a no decision after allowing three runs over five innings in the Astros’ 5-4, 10-innings loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. Teng, who won his previous two starts, struck out seven while giving up three hi
‘CROSSING THE LINE’: China’s embassy in Seoul criticized US Forces Korea Commander General Xavier Brunson, asking if his ‘hostile’ remarks were authorized by Washington South Korea and the US are in talks over recent public remarks by the commander of US Forces Korea, Seoul’s presidential office said yesterday, after the comments drew sharp criticism from China.In a recent podcast interview, US Forces Korea Commander General Xavier Brunson described South Korea as
Voters in Malta yesterday cast their ballots in a general election likely to secure a record-setting fourth term for the Labour government, despite concerns about over-construction and corruption in the Mediterranean nation.Opinion polls point to a win for Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela, 48, wh
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday said his country’s forces had pushed deeper into Lebanon, even as military delegations from both countries held landmark security talks in Washington.Israel kept up its heavy bombardment of south Lebanon, with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun emphasi
June 1 to June 7"If all Taiwanese were as afraid of dying as you, then what would happen?” Physician Shih Chiang-nan (施江南) reportedly said this to his wife Chen Chiao-tung (陳焦桐) after she urged him to stop intervening on behalf of Taiwanese soldiers stranded overseas after serving in the Jap
There are shadowy cabals plotting to sell out Taiwan to be annexed by China, by invasion if necessary. Fortunately, they are buffoons. In 2019, former Bamboo Union gangster and founder of the China Unification Promotion Party (CUPP), Chang An-le (張安樂, colorfully known as “White Wolf”), led a protest
Have you applied for a new job? If you’ve been shortlisted, get ready to be interviewed by artificial intelligence.Deluged by a flood of AI-generated job applications from easy-apply job boards, recruiters are turning to AI to cope. Companies are using chatbots to interview candidates, typically at
Put the Cart Before the Horse 本末倒置Iris: I think I’m in love.Carl: What?Iris: We just have so much in common. We like all of the same things.Carl: Yes, but you’ve only chatted with him online.Iris: It doesn’t matter. I know we’ll end up getting married.Carl: I’m afraid you’re putting the cart befor
When you buckle up in a car or on a plane, you probably feel safer. So, when you board a train and find no seatbelts, you might wonder why. This absence is not due to neglect. __1__ The challenge comes down to how seatbelts would work on trains. Take the two-point belt for example. It secures only
A: In the 2026 Time 100 list, besides TSMC chairman C.C. Wei in the Pioneers category, Blackpink’s Jennie also stands out in the Artists group.B: What about the Titans and Icons?A: The Titans include legendary fashion designer Ralph Lauren, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and Intel CEO Tan Lip-bu. The
Two moves show Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) is gunning for Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) party chair and the 2028 presidential election. Technically, these are not yet “officially” official, but by the rules of Taiwan politics, she is now on the dance floor. Earlier this month Lu confirmed in an interview in Japan’s Nikkei that she was considering running for KMT chair. This is not new news, but according to reports from her camp she previously was still considering the case for and against running. By choosing a respected, international news outlet, she declared it to the world. While the outside world likely paid little attention, domestically the message was unmistakable: She is moving on to a larger stage. Part of the dance is to leave options open before formally committing, and with the chair race due in late September, she has time. If something goes wrong in the meantime, or if power brokers in the party offer her a deal that provides more benefits than taking on the role of chair, she can pivot accordingly. Earlier this year, I suggested that strategically, she would be better off concentrating on her job as Taichung mayor until she is term-limited out of office in December next year. Taichung mayor is obviously a full-time job, and concurrently running the Taipei-headquartered party runs the risk of doing one or both jobs poorly and making mistakes that could imperil her shot at the presidency in 2028. The situation has changed. Current KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫), knowing he is likely to face challengers of a higher caliber than the three relative nobodies already declared, has gone all in on appealing to the base. The base is more likely to turn out to vote in the chair election, so this makes some strategic sense in the short term.
Among Thailand’s Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) villages, a certain rivalry exists between Arunothai, the largest of these villages, and Mae Salong, which is currently the most prosperous. Historically, the rivalry stems from a split in KMT military factions in the early 1960s, which divided command and opium territories after Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石) cut off open support in 1961 due to international pressure (see part two, “The KMT opium lords of the Golden Triangle,” on May 20). But today this rivalry manifests as a different kind of split, with Arunothai leading a pro-China faction and Mae Salong staunchly aligned to Taiwan. Last spring at Arunothai’s Jiaolian School, principal Wang Mingming (王明明) had forewarned me of the division between villages, saying, “We are not like the people in Mae Salong. They are rich. Because of the Taiwanese.” Arunothai has in recent years become split in its loyalties between Taiwan and China (see part one, “A tale of two schools,” on May 15), but in Mae Salong, links to Taiwan remain strong. Taiwan-funded monuments pay homage to the Lost Army, villagers wear T-shirts emblazoned with the Republic of China (ROC) flag and tea plantations grown Taiwan’s most famous tea varieties, including Dong Ding (“frozen peak”) Oolong, Oriental Beauty and Jin Xuan (Golden Daylily or Milk Oolong). Even the numerical classifications of the teas — Oolong No. 12 or No. 17, for example — are the same, and the shops resemble those found on Alishan. At the tomb of General Tuan Hsi-wen (段希文) — perched on a Mae Salong hilltop with a view of his ancestral homeland in China’s Yunnan province — a third generation villager wearing a vintage KMT army uniform, Yan Si-Chung (岩思中), greets visitors with sharp military salutes. “Both my father and my grandfather were soldiers in the KMT army,” the 44-year-old
| New Taipei City | 27-28 | 20% |  |
| Hsinchu County | 26-27 | 10% | |
| Hsinchu City | 26-27 | 10% | |
| Taipei City | 27-28 | 20% |  |
| Miaoli County | 24-26 | 10% | |
| Taoyuan City | 26-27 | 10% | |
| Keelung City | 27-28 | 20% | |
| Yunlin County | 26-27 | 10% | |
| Taichung City | 26-28 | 10% | |
| Nantou County | 25-26 | 10% | |
| Changhua County | 27-28 | 10% | |
| Chiayi County | 26-27 | 10% | |
| Chiayi City | 25-27 | 10% | |
| Tainan City | 27-28 | 10% | |
| Kaohsiung City | 27-28 | 10% | |
| Pingtung County | 26-27 | 10% | |
| Yilan County | 25-26 | 30% |  |
| Hualien County | 25-26 | 30% | |
| Taitung County | 25-27 | 30% | |
| Kinmen County | 27-28 | 10% | |
| Penghu County | 27-27 | 20% | |
| Lienchiang County | 27-28 | 20% | |
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