Wed, Feb 11, 2026
The Mainland Affairs Council yesterday dismissed Beijing’s call for “reunification,” describing it as a rehash of its longstanding stance with the ultimate goal of Taiwan’s annihilation.Addressing the meeting of Beijing’s annual “Taiwan Work Conference” yesterday, Chinese People’s Political Consulta
Independent Legislator May Chin (高金素梅) and 17 others were questioned yesterday after prosecutors searched her office over alleged corruption involving national security concerns tied to campaign finances and assistant expenses.The Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau’s national security unit sea
DEMOCRACIES SLIPPING: Most countries are failing to keep corruption under control, including advanced nations like the US and the UK, whose scores dropped Taiwan jumped one spot to rank 24th globally in Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index, marking the country’s best-ever result, the Agency Against Corruption said yesterday.Taiwan showed steady progress in the evaluation, outperforming 86 percent of the 182 countries and terr
China yesterday released a policy white paper on Hong Kong’s practice of safeguarding national security to ensure stability in a volatile world, emphasizing that Beijing has “fundamental responsibility” for national security affairs in the territory.The white paper was released by China’s State Coun
LANDSLIDE WIN: Wishing the Japanese leader the best, the president said that he looks forward to working with her to promote peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region President William Lai (賴清德) on Sunday night congratulated Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on their historic landslide victory in Japan’s general election earlier in the day.The decisive win “clearly demonstrates the trust and expectations of Japanese vot
The sentencing yesterday of former Hong Kong media magnate Jimmy Lai (黎智英) raised concerns from international governments, while Chinese and Hong Kong authorities defended it, saying it reflected the spirit of the rule of law.Lai, a 78-year-old prominent democracy advocate, was sentenced to 20 years
Taiwan is expected to be hit by two cold fronts in the coming days, bringing occasional brief showers across some areas, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday.Brief, localized showers are expected along Keelung's coasts, Taiwan's eastern half, and the Hengchun Peninsula (恆春半島) in t
Three cast members of an unreleased film about the unsolved 1980 murders of democracy advocate Lin I-hsiung's (林義雄) family, yesterday demanded their likenesses and voices not be used, seeking to block the movie's release.Jian Man-shu (簡嫚書), Hsia Teng-hung (夏騰宏) and River Huang (黃河), the lead actors
‘EXTREMELY UNFAIR’: Claire Lai called her father’s 20-year sentence ‘laughable,’ adding that no one should be under the illusion that there is rule of law in Hong Kong President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday called for the immediate release of Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai (黎智英), who was on Monday sentenced to 20 years in prison for breaching Hong Kong’s National Security Law.“Taiwan stands with Mr Jimmy Lai and all the people who safeguard freedom,” the presiden
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) yesterday reiterated Taiwan’s support for nuclear power as the world’s chipmaking hub looks to secure a stable electricity supply.“We will fully embrace advanced nuclear technologies from around the world,” Cho said at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Industrial Technol
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to host 12 international press tours this year to boost Taiwan’s international visibility and global voice, its Department of International Information Services said yesterday.The plan would continue to promote the ministry’s “integrated diplomacy” efforts, whil
STAY SAFE: Public Wi-Fi is often not secure and vulnerable to cyberattacks, while public USB chargers are often infected with malware, the cybersecurity agency said The Administration for Cybersecurity yesterday issued cybersecurity and privacy guidelines for Taiwanese who plan to travel to China during the Lunar New Year holiday.National security legislation passed by Beijing in the past decade and the prevalence of surveillance tools in the country have made
A think tank forum held between the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Chinese Communist Party (CCP) last week was not political, but focused on helping Taiwanese businesses, KMT Vice Chairman Hsiao Hsu-tsen (蕭旭岑) said yesterday.Hsiao, alongside National Policy Foundation deputy chairman Lee Hong-y
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) yesterday said it has been in talks over the potential rebuilding of the Taiwan government-owned Chinatown Cultural Plaza in Honolulu, following repeated complaints from the city’s Mayor Rick Blangiardi that the property has become a magnet for crime.MOFA’s com
GROUP EFFORT: The number of inbound travelers rose 11 to 12 percent last month, with a significant increase in tourists from Europe and North America, an official said The government aims to attract 9.4 million visitors this year, the Tourism Administration said yesterday, citing last year’s success in diversifying tourist markets.Taiwan last year drew about 8.57 million international arrivals, 72.3 percent of pre-COVID-19 levels. By contrast, the nation had about
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE BOOM: Winbond Electronics Corp’s net profit last quarter surged 479 percent to NT$3.42 billion from NT$2.94 billion in the previous quarter Winbond Electronics Corp (華邦電) yesterday said it is planning record capital expenditure (capex) of NT$42.1 billion (US$1.33 billion) this year as the demand for memory chips continues to rise amid the artificial intelligence (AI) boom.This year’s capital outlay, a spike from NT$5.5 billion last year
Bank of America Corp nearly doubled its forecast for the nation’s economic growth this year, adding to a slew of upgrades even after a rip-roaring last year propelled by demand for artificial intelligence (AI).The firm lifted its projection to 8 percent from 4.5 percent on “relentless global demand”
Central Depository Insurance Corp (CDIC, 中央存保) has auctioned a 15.1 percent stake in Taipei 101 operator Taipei Financial Center Corp (TFCC, 台北金融大樓), with two affiliates of the Hung Tai Group (宏泰集團) winning the bid for NT$8.6 billion (US$272.6 million).The shares, previously held by China United Tru
Former Hong Kong media magnate Jimmy Lai (黎智英), who on Monday was sentenced to 20 years in jail for his role in the 2019 Hong Kong democracy movement and “colluding with foreign forces,” once called on members of the US government for support in his struggle against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
Japan’s general election on Sunday delivered a decisive victory to the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), reshaping Tokyo’s political balance in a way not seen for years. Almost immediately, Beijing responded with a familiar warning, urging Japan to retract what it called “erroneous” remarks rel
In her victory speech on Sunday after her party won its largest post-World War II parliamentary majority, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reiterated her ruling coalition’s determination to tackle up front economic issues, and enhance national security and defense policy.As soon as news broke
FIVE EJECTED: Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff pinned the blame for the mass brawl on Charlotte’s players, saying Jalen Duren was defending himself Cade Cunningham on Monday scored 33 points as the Detroit Pistons ended the Charlotte Hornets’ nine-game winning streak with a stormy 110-104 victory overshadowed by a mass brawl that saw four players ejected.A bruising clash between the Eastern Conference-leading Pistons and the red-hot Hornets eru
After an action-packed weekend at the T20 World Cup, Monday was sedate with undemanding wins by South Africa, Zimbabwe and late replacements Scotland.South Africa notched a tournament-high 213-4 against Canada and won by 57 runs in Ahmedabad, India.Zimbabwe bowled out Oman for 103 and won by eight w
Swiss skier Franjo von Allmen won the first gold medal of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics over the weekend, and he added another on Monday.It is turning into quite the Olympic debut for Von Allmen, who partnered with Tanguy Nef to win the team combined in the event’s Olympic debut.Unlike on Satur
Donyell Malen on Monday scored in each half as AS Roma beat Cagliari 2-0 to stay in touch with the chasing pack at the top of Serie A.Leaders Inter are eight points clear of city rivals AC Milan and nine ahead of reigning champions SSC Napoli. Roma are three points further back along with Juventus.D
BONDI SHOOTING: Police arrested 27 people, some for allegedly assaulting officers, while people protesting Isaac Herzog’s visit accused police of using pepper spray Australian leaders yesterday urged calm and called on protests to remain peaceful after clashes between police and demonstrators opposing Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Australia erupted in Sydney. Police said 27 people were arrested, including 10 for allegedly assaulting officers, after
Comparing social media platforms to casinos and addictive drugs, lawyer Mark Lanier on Monday delivered opening statements in a landmark trial in Los Angeles that seeks to hold Instagram owner Meta and Google’s YouTube responsible for harms to children who use their products.Instagram’s parent compa
GLORY FACADE: Residents are fighting the church’s plan to build a large flight of steps and a square that would entail destroying up to two blocks of homes Barcelona’s eternally unfinished Basilica de la Sagrada Familia has grown to become the world’s tallest church, but a conflict with residents threatens to delay the finish date for the monument designed more than 140 years ago.Swathed in scaffolding on a platform 54m above the ground, an enormous st
Taiwan is especially vulnerable to climate change. The surrounding seas are rising at twice the global rate, extreme heat is becoming a serious problem in the country’s cities, and typhoons are growing less frequent (resulting in droughts) but more destructive. Yet young Taiwanese, according to inte
The collection on temporary display at the Neiwei Art Center in Kaohsiung bears the subtitle How He Learned to Stop Conventional Art Style and Love to Draw the Girls. This is indeed what the Japanese artist known solely by the nickname “Mr” is expressing: letting go of traditional art and its norms
In 2012, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) heroically seized residences belonging to the family of former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), “purchased with the proceeds of alleged bribes,” the DOJ announcement said. “Alleged” was enough. Strangely, the DOJ remains unmoved by the any of the extensive
The UK government has unveiled plans to lower the national voting age from 18 to 16, a transformation set to take effect in the next general election. With youth turnout at historic lows, the reform is framed as a way to reengage younger citizens and restore trust in the political process, though re
Russian figure skater Petr Gumennik has been forced to change his short program music two days before the men’s program at the Milan Cortina Olympics after joining a growing list of figure skaters dealing with copyright issues.Gumennik, who is participating as a neutral athlete at the Winter Games,
對話 Dialogue清清：這個週末就是情人節了，你打算送什麼禮物？Qīngqing: Zhè ge zhōumò jiù shì qíngrénjié le, nǐ dǎsuàn sòng shénme lǐwù ?華華：老實說，我有一點煩惱。我覺得心意比較重要，不一定要送禮物。Huáhua: Lǎoshí shuō, wǒ yǒuyìdiǎn fánnǎo. Wǒ juéde xīnyì bǐjiào zhòngyào, bú yídìng yào sòng lǐwù.清清：可是如果什麼都沒送，對方會不會覺得你不夠用心？Qīngqing: Kěshì rúguǒ shénme dōu mé
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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