DIPLOMACY
US criticizes Beijing
The US Department of State on Thursday expressed concern over changes to China’s M503 flight path, saying the US was opposed to any unilateral changes to the cross-strait “status quo” by either side. In an e-mail response, a department spokesperson said the US urged Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic and economic pressure against Taiwan and instead engage in “meaningful dialogue” with Taipei. “Issues related to civil aviation and safety in the Taiwan Strait should be decided through dialogue between both sides,” the spokesperson said. The Civil Aviation Administration of China on Tuesday announced that it was canceling an “offset” of its north-south M503 flight path agreed with Taiwan in 2015. As a result, the flight path, used mostly by Chinese airlines, but also some foreign airlines on flights between China and Southeast Asia, would revert to its original status, coming as close as 4.2 nautical miles (7.8km) to the median line of the Taiwan Strait.
WEATHER
Cold weather to remain
Taiwan is forecast to see cooler weather continue through today due to strengthening northeasterly winds, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Northern Taiwan can expect highs of 20°C to 23°C, a major drop from about 30°C in Taipei and New Taipei City on Thursday, CWA forecaster Chang Cheng-chuan (張承傳) said. The cold air is expected to be relatively mild, with lows of 17°C to 19°C forecast nationwide through today, Chang said. Brief showers can be expected in parts of northern Taiwan and the eastern half of the country, as well as the Hengchun Peninsula today, he said. Temperatures are forecast to begin to rise as the wind system weakens tomorrow, while brief showers are forecast to continue in some areas, he added. Cool weather is expected to return next week with the arrival of a cold front, Chang said. The mercury is forecast to plummet to as low as 13°C to 14°C in central and northern Taiwan in the early morning on Thursday, while other areas could see lows of 16°C, he said. The cold front is expected linger until Saturday next week to Sunday, during which time lows of 11°C to 12°C could be experienced in the north.
CULTURE
Sheeran arrives in Taiwan
British singer Ed Sheeran on Thursday arrived in Kaohsiung for his concert scheduled for today. The concert at the National Stadium is part of the singer’s ongoing “Mathematics Tour” to promote his sixth album, -, and seventh album Autumn Variations, according to organizers Kuang Hong Arts. After his arrival, Sheeran spent some time sightseeing in the city and posted Instagram stories of various locations, including the Pier-2 Art Center (駁二藝術特區) and the inflatable yellow ducks at Love River Bay. His last performance in Taiwan was his 2019 “Divide World Tour” show in Taoyuan. Today’s concert is to be opened by British singer Calum Scott at about 7pm, and Sheeran is to take the stage at about 8pm, according to the Kuang Hong Arts Web site. Eyeing the economic boost the concert could bring, the Kaohsiung City Government has launched a program whereby fans can receive coupons by showing their concert tickets. The coupons, worth NT$50 each, can be picked up until tomorrow at six metro stations — Formosa Boulevard, Zuoying, Kaohsiung Main Station, Sanduo Shopping District, Kaohsiung Arena and Yanchengpu — and can be used until April 30, the Kaohsiung Economic Development Bureau said.
‘OBNOXIOUS MAN’: The KMT’s Chen Ching-hui moved into Chung Chia-pin’s path atop the podium and reached for him before he grabbed at her legs with both hands Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Chung Chia-pin (鍾佳濱) yesterday said he slipped and lost his balance, and did not know who was around him, after jumping onto the speaker’s podium at the legislature in Taipei. He apologized after a collision with Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Chen Ching-hui (陳菁徽), who moved to intercept him as he mounted the podium. There was pushing and shoving when the session started in the morning as KMT lawmakers attempted to block access to the podium to shield Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) so he could preside over the session. Video footage showed Chung step on a chair and
Three passengers and the assailant were reportedly injured in a knife attack on the Taichung MRT on Tuesday. The Rapid Transit Brigade of the Taichung Police Department is still investigating the incident, with no motive immediately apparent. Taichung Police Commissioner Lee Wen-chang (李文章) said that at least four people were injured in the attack, and the suspect has been taken into custody. The incident occurred at about 11:15am on a train car near Taichung City Hall Station. Witnesses reported seeing a man attacking others with a knife, while other passengers tried to grab his hair or fend him off with umbrellas. Three people were reportedly
While it is common to see bumper stickers informing other drivers about important information, such as “baby on board” or “rookie driver,” some motorist in Taiwan are using creative statements to warn other drivers to keep a safe distance to avoid a collision. A photograph recently circulating on the Internet showed a van in Changhua City with a bumper sticker saying that the driver received their license after taking the test three times, so it is dangerous to drive close to the vehicle. The person who took the photograph said all vehicles behind the van appeared to “subconsciously” maintaining a safe distance. Some
Taipei police on Saturday arrested 24 female Thai tourists on suspicion of working as hostesses and engaging in illegal activities at an underground bar in Zhongshan District (中山), the distict’s police precinct said in a statement yesterday. The police also arrested five other people involved in the operation, including the 29-year-old bar owner surnamed Chiang (蔣), and 17 customers, the statement said. The 24 Thai women were fined an undisclosed amount in accordance with the Social Order Maintenance Act (社會秩序維護法) by the police and transferred to a National Immigration Agency (NIA) special brigade in Taipei for repatriation to Thailand. The cases of