Chang Li-shan leads delegation to Vietnam to attract investment and encourage businesses to return
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
The Yunlin County Government announced that County Magistrate Chang Li-shan will visit Vietnam and hold the “2030 Moving Yunlin Forward—International Investment Promotion Briefing” in Ho Chi Minh City. During the visit, she will meet with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vietnam, Taiwanese business associations and key companies to learn about trends in ASEAN supply chains. The county is promoting its “9+1 Industrial Parks” to attract investment in areas including smart machinery, green energy, cold-chain logistics and seafood processing. Yunlin cites its advantage of having adequate water, electricity and talent, and is also strengthening its role as an international logistics hub.
Australian war hero arrested over alleged killing of unarmed Afghan civilians
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Roberts-Smith, a former Australian Defence Force (ADF) soldier once hailed as a national hero, was arrested at Sydney Airport on suspicion of war crimes in Afghanistan. He is expected to be charged with killing 5 unarmed civilians between 2009 and 2012; each charge could carry a life sentence. Allegations of war crimes against him emerged in 2018 media reports, prompting an investigation by Australian police. The arrest is part of a broader investigation into alleged war crimes by Australian forces.
Taitung jewelry store overcharges customer by 0.5 qian of gold, seeks police help to issue refund
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
A jewelry store in Taitung accidentally overcharged a customer by 0.5 qian of gold. With no contact information on file, the store sought police help to locate the customer. Police reviewed surveillance footage and helped contact the customer, successfully completing the refund.
On Cheng Li-wun's China visit, Tung Tzu-wei says more trips would help his election campaign
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
On a program hosted by the Confluence Media Network, Tung Tzu-wei commented on Kuomintang Chair Cheng Li-wun’s visit to China, saying her actions may go beyond the party’s intentions. He questioned Cheng’s discussion of the “One China policy” in China while the Kuomintang is not reviewing defense budgets and other matters in the Legislative Yuan. Tung stressed that Xi Jinping has explicitly said there is no place for the Republic of China in “One China,” and said he did not believe Cheng’s visit would benefit the Kuomintang. He sarcastically remarked that repeated visits to China would likely benefit Cheng’s own election prospects.
基輔芭蕾舞團 to visit Taiwan in August; “Swan Lake” showcases Ukrainian strength
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
The Kyiv Ballet will visit Taiwan from August 21 to 23 and perform “Swan Lake” at the Taipei Performing Arts Center. The performance symbolizes Ukraine’s resilience and artistic strength.
Chiayi County's Yizhu pigeon-bell culture festival kicks off; 8 villages compete for about 20 days
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Yizhu Township in Chiayi County is holding its pigeon-bell culture festival, featuring pigeon competitions, displays, and painting activities. The event aims to encourage interaction among villages and pass down traditional folk culture.
Cathay Financial and OpenAI build enterprise-grade workstations, a first for Taiwan's financial industry
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Cathay Financial Holdings has launched a long-term strategic partnership with OpenAI, the first collaboration of its scale in Taiwan’s financial industry. The partnership will strengthen AI research and development, deployment and governance capabilities through the adoption of agentic AI. The companies will build an “enterprise AI workstation” that integrates OpenAI’s LLMs with Cathay’s knowledge base to serve as an AI assistant for employees. It is expected to improve efficiency in tasks such as summarizing documents, integrating data, creating presentations and generating code. For financial applications, the companies will jointly develop a smart-agent engine with multi-agent coordination capabilities for specialized work in areas such as corporate finance and insurance.
Economic Affairs Ministry adds dedicated customs code to track imports of glass curtain walls
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs has introduced a dedicated customs code for imported glass curtain walls to track them more accurately. The change will clarify data on import volumes and sources, making it easier to monitor market conditions.
Cheng Li-wun's China visit: DPP says KMT's passivity amounts to submission to Xi Jinping
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
The Democratic Progressive Party criticized Cheng Li-wun’s visit to China, arguing that the Kuomintang is submitting to Xi Jinping and sacrificing Taiwan’s sovereignty and security. DPP spokesperson Wu Cheng said the Chinese Communist Party is increasing military spending and escalating military intimidation of Taiwan. In the first quarter of this year alone, Chinese military aircraft entered airspace around Taiwan more than 420 times, while Chinese coast guard vessels entered waters around Kinmen 12 times. Wu said Cheng’s visit was being entirely directed by the Chinese Communist Party, and criticized the Kuomintang for obstructing the general budget in the Legislative Yuan and delaying deliberations on the “Arms Procurement Act,” thereby weakening Taiwan’s ability to defend itself. He also urged Cheng to clearly oppose Xi Jinping’s “One Country, Two Systems” proposal for Taiwan.
Energy expert: Bombing power plants will not defeat Iran's military; civilians will suffer
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Former President Donald Trump warned that the United States would bomb Iran’s infrastructure if Iran did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Energy expert Shokri said Iran’s power system is geographically spread out and draws on a diverse range of generating sources, making it resilient to partial destruction. Iran’s electricity grid relies mainly on fossil fuels and consists of about 150 power plants, but its 15 to 20 largest plants account for only 15% of total national generation. An attack could cause widespread power outages. Critical services such as hospitals could use backup diesel generators, but keeping them running over the long term would be difficult. Experts say it would be extremely difficult to attack electricity supplies to military facilities separately from those serving civilians.
April electronic and financial futures both closed higher. Electronic futures rose 49.35 points and financial futures gained 26.4 points, while spot prices also increased.
Taiwan stock index futures for April rise 654 points
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Taiwan stocks rose today, with the benchmark index closing up 657.39 points at 33229.82. April TAIEX futures also gained 654 points, indicating active market trading.
Taiwan's stock market benchmark index surged 657.39 points at the close today, climbing above 33000. Most of the eight major industry groups rose, with electronics stocks standing out.
Cheng Li-wun arrives in Shanghai to begin visit; head of China's Taiwan Affairs Office Song Tao greets her
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Cheng Li-wun arrived in Shanghai, where she was greeted by Song Tao, director of the Chinese Communist Party’s Taiwan Affairs Office. Her visit runs from April 7 to 12 and lasts 6 days. It includes a visit to Sun Yat-sen’s mausoleum in Nanjing, a discussion with Taiwanese businesspeople in Shanghai and a trip to Beijing. The visit comes amid differing positions between the ruling and opposition parties over a proposed arms purchase from the United States, drawing attention to Cheng’s political shift “from green to blue” and her cross-strait views. Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council urged Beijing to recognize the existence of the Republic of China and immediately stop military aircraft from flying around Taiwan.
U.S. fighter jet crashes in Iran and pilot is rescued; Trump threatens to jail journalist who leaked information
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
U.S. President Donald Trump said at a press conference that he would investigate and prosecute media outlets and journalists who leaked information about the rescue of the pilot after a U.S. fighter jet crashed, claiming the disclosures threatened national security.
Cybersecurity Institute reveals incident reports from past six months; communications and biomedical industries top the list
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
The National Institute of Cyber Security released a report on major cybersecurity incident notifications over the past half-year. Telecommunications and biomedical industries accounted for the largest shares, at 16.1% each, followed by electronic components and automotive manufacturing, at 9.6% each. The most common cause of unauthorized access was the use of applications or packages from unknown download sources, at 52.1%, followed by application vulnerabilities, password brute-force attacks and social engineering. The institute said cybersecurity risks are not concentrated in any particular industry and called for a shift from post-incident response to proactive management, as well as stronger monitoring of endpoint behavior.
Vietnam approves general secretary to also serve as president; scholar says power is now concentrated in one person, as in China
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Vietnam’s 16th National Assembly approved the election of Communist Party General Secretary To Lam as state president for 2026 to 2031 by a unanimous vote of 495 to 0. The move breaks with Vietnam’s longstanding tradition of dividing power among the “four pillars,” making To Lam the country’s most powerful leader in decades. Analysts say this will change Vietnam’s system of collective leadership by concentrating power in one person, which could speed up decision-making but also carries the risk of a rise in authoritarianism. To Lam has pledged to build a new growth model driven by “science, technology, innovation and digital transformation,” while prioritizing the development of an independent defense industry.
Fake tree-planting scheme used to backfill waste; Taoyuan prosecutors seek confiscation of 400 million in illegal gains
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
The Taoyuan City Government’s Environmental Protection Department discovered illegal waste burial on 10 plots of land in the Longtan and Yangmei areas. The volume of waste is estimated at 40,000 to 50,000 cubic meters, with illegal profits exceeding NT$400 million. Suspect Lin and others allegedly formed a criminal operation that handled everything from finding land to disposing of waste. They were indicted under the Waste Disposal Act and on fraud charges under the Criminal Code. Prosecutors sought a fixed-term prison sentence of more than 4 years for Lin and applied for confiscation of the illegal proceeds.
Peonies in full bloom at Sun Link Sea in Nantou; 200-meter wisteria tunnel a stunning sight
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Peonies are in full bloom at the Sun Link Sea Forest Recreation Area in Nantou, which has moved peonies outdoors for display for the first time and erected a shaded walkway. A 200-meter-long wisteria tunnel is also in bloom, with the flowering season lasting until late April and April 25.
Michigan beats UConn for second title in program history, returns to NCAA throne after 37 years [Video]
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
The University of Michigan basketball team beat the University of Connecticut in a hard-fought NCAA championship game to claim the program’s second national title, returning to the top after 37 years. Cadeau led the team with 19 points, while a clutch 3-pointer by freshman McKenney gave Michigan the lead. Despite Michigan’s poor 3-point shooting and star player Lendeborg being hampered by an injury, the team sealed the win with its free-throw shooting. UConn fell short of its goal of winning three titles in four seasons amid serious foul trouble and poor shooting. The victory was especially meaningful for Michigan, surpassing the achievements of the “Fab Five.”
KMT-TPP joint nominee Chang Chi-kai wins Chiayi mayor selection; Huang Min-hui pledges support and campaign efforts
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
The Chiayi mayoral race is set, with Chang Chi-kai, jointly nominated by 國民黨 and 民眾黨, facing Wang Mei-hui, the nominee of 民進黨. Incumbent Mayor Huang Min-hui voiced support for the result and pledged to work together to campaign for Chang.
Lin Yu-ting wins bronze on return to international competition after 19 months, says, “The ring looked unfamiliar”
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
After winning gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting was sidelined for 19 months because of unclear gender-testing rules set by World Boxing. Following coordination by the Chinese Taipei Boxing Association, Lin was finally cleared to compete at the Asian Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, where she won a bronze medal in her international comeback. She spoke candidly about the ordeal of being sidelined and the unfamiliar feeling of returning to the ring, but said she was facing the challenge with a positive attitude, comparing life to a boxing match and stressing that as long as you are not knocked down, you have a chance to turn things around.
Middle East war drives up oil prices; IMF chief warns of rising inflation and slowing economy
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva warned that the war in the Middle East would push up oil prices, accelerate inflation and slow global economic growth. The war has closed the Strait of Hormuz, reducing global oil supplies by 13%. The IMF is expected to lower its global growth forecast and raise its inflation forecast, even if the conflict ends quickly. She noted that poor countries with limited energy reserves would be hit hardest.
Take care not to overexert yourself during religious processions; experts recommend sarcopenia screening at age 50
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Ahead of the Baishatun Mazu and Dajia Mazu pilgrimages, experts are recommending sarcopenia screening from age 50. Dietitian Lin Yu-hsuan said muscle strength in Asians begins to decline at age 45 and the decline accelerates after age 55. She cited aging, hormonal balance and hidden obesity as the main causes of muscle loss, explaining that 3% to 8% of muscle is lost every 10 years after age 30. As preventive measures, she recommended consuming 1.1–1.2 g of high-quality protein per 1 kg of body weight and doing basic exercises such as squats.
According to statistics from Nikkei Chinese, the combined net profit of 5 major Chinese automakers, including BYD, fell 16% year over year to about 60 billion yuan in fiscal 2025 amid intensifying price competition. Revenue rose 7% to about 2.12 trillion yuan, but growth slowed. BYD's net profit fell 19%, while Guangzhou Automobile Group posted a net loss of 8.7 billion yuan. The companies are facing excessive competition, rising production costs and falling selling prices, while spending on research and development of new technologies is also increasing. An economic slowdown and tax changes are expected to make market conditions even tougher in 2026.
Legislator questions poor box office results for subsidized films; Hakka Affairs Council pledges review
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
At a Legislative Yuan session, lawmaker Lin Szu-ming questioned a 57 million Taiwan dollar subsidy from the Hakka Affairs Council for the film “The Us in That Photograph.” The film grossed just 9.05 million Taiwan dollars, and he said its impact on promoting Hakka culture was limited. Hakka Affairs Council Minister Koo Hsiu-fei acknowledged dissatisfaction with both the box office and the film's content, saying there was room for review. The session also discussed a proposal for advance spending on new initiatives totaling 71.8 billion Taiwan dollars, including TPASS. The Executive Yuan said the proposal did not comply with the Constitution and the Budget Act.
Reading U.S. tariff policy through “facade-ism,” Lee Chun estimates Taiwan will maintain 15% without stacking
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
At the 2026 “New Framework for Taiwan-U.S. Economic and Trade Agreements” forum, Lee Chun interpreted U.S. tariff policy as “facade-ism” and predicted Taiwan would maintain a 15% tariff. He said Taiwanese companies' $250 billion in investment in the United States represented an opportunity, and noted that Taiwan had not hollowed out despite investing $800 billion to $1 trillion in China over the past 40 years. The Taiwan-U.S. Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) was the best solution for Taiwan, he said, explaining that the increase in the U.S. trade deficit was due to supply chains shifting to the United States. He also stressed the importance of the U.S. presence in strategic industries such as AI, quantum technology and new energy, as well as the bifurcation of semiconductor supply chains. He concluded that 3 elements were essential to Taiwan's economic security: maintaining competitiveness in global supply chains, economic autonomy and economic resilience.
U.S.-Iran war threatens global energy supplies; NYT says China shows resilience
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
The New York Times reported that as the U.S.-Iran war disrupts global energy supplies, China has shown greater resilience than other countries thanks to its longstanding efforts to achieve energy self-sufficiency. China relies on imports for 3/4 of its oil, but since 2019 it has moved toward coal-fired power generation and petrochemical production to reduce its dependence on oil. In 2020, under General Secretary Xi Jinping, it released a roadmap promoting self-reliance and encouraged the expansion of the petrochemical industry and the use of coal. It also established emergency oil reserves in 2004 and invested in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and hydropower. The growth of the electric vehicle market has also reduced demand for refined oil products.
Memorial service for Cheng Nan-jung; President Lai reiterates four pillars of peace
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
A memorial was held to mark the 37th anniversary of Cheng Nan-jung's death as a martyr, and President Lai Ching-te reaffirmed the “Four Pillars of Peace” action plan. Lai said Cheng's death had awakened society and led to democratic reforms. He also stressed that peace can only be achieved through strength in the face of threats from China, calling for stronger national defense, economic resilience, cooperation with the democratic camp, and exchanges with China based on equality and dignity. He asserted that Taiwan is a sovereign, independent country and that its people have the right to decide their own future.
Dense fog strands more than a thousand travelers on Kinmen; military aircraft and extra flights to help clear backlog
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Dense fog stranded more than a thousand travelers on Kinmen. Although the fog later cleared and flights resumed, all flights to Taiwan were full. To help clear the backlog, additional military aircraft and extra flights by 華信航空 and Uni Air have been arranged.
Legislature to review voting age reform for 18-year-olds tomorrow; youth groups urge support across party lines
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
The Legislative Yuan’s Internal Administration Committee will review draft amendments to certain provisions of the Civil Servants Election and Recall Act and the Presidential and Vice Presidential Election and Recall Act, aimed at implementing voting rights for 18-year-olds. Youth groups held a news conference at the Legislative Yuan, urging support for the amendments across party lines. Since 2005, civic groups have continued to push for lowering the voting age, and a 2022 constitutional amendment referendum received 53% support. The Youth Basic Law was passed last year, requiring the Legislative Yuan to complete the relevant legal framework no later than before the 2028 presidential election.
Tai Ma Star to add evening sailing to transport Matsu travelers
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Due to rough seas and dense fog, sea transport on the Taiwan-Matsu route was disrupted yesterday and air transport was affected today. To transport travelers, the Tai Ma Star will add a Matsu-to-Keelung sailing tonight. The New Tai Ma Ferry is also operating as scheduled.