title: 新北重陽禮金即將發放     郵局10/22、銀行10/23入帳     領現金者10/23起公所發放

taiwan-subdivisions: 新北 新北市

content_text:
記者黃俊育 / 新北報導

新北重陽禮金郵局10/22入帳、銀行及農漁會帳戶10/23入帳，領現金者10/23起可至公所領取。

新北社會局表示，符合今(114)年領取新北重陽敬老金的長輩，如選擇匯款至「郵局帳戶」者，預計於10月22日撥入指定帳戶；選擇匯款至「各家銀行及農漁會帳戶」者，將於10月23日撥入指定帳戶。

選擇領取現金者，可於10月23日起至12月12日至戶籍地區公所指定地點領取。請攜帶身分證和印章到戶籍區公所指定地點領取，如本人不便領取，可由代領人攜帶自己和長輩的身分證及印章領取。如未能在期限前到區公所領取者，可於12月15日至12月31日止，逕至新北市社會局領取，逾期則無法保留。

114年新北市重陽禮金致贈標準為百歲人瑞2萬元，90至99歲5,000元，80至89歲2,000元，65至79歲1,500元，此外凡設籍新北市年滿55歲原住民，亦能領取新臺幣1,500元重陽禮金。目前新北市100歲以上的人瑞有996人，將由各區長代表市府致贈重陽敬老禮金2萬元。

社會局也提醒，市府不會主動打電話、送簡訊或電子郵件通知領取，不明連結請勿點選，以避免受騙，如有相關問題請聯繫社會局查明，或撥打165反詐騙諮詢專線查證。


title: 勞工局灌溉希望     新北「大安庇護工場」喬遷土城頂埔捷運共構大樓     打造更便利工作環境

taiwan-subdivisions: 大安 新北 土城 土城區 樹林 新北市

content_text:
記者黃俊育 / 新北報導

為打造更好的工作環境及方便的交通，新北市大安庇護農場正式從樹林遷至土城頂埔共構大樓場地，並更名為「新北市大安庇護工場」，新北市勞工局(21)日舉辦喬遷活動，局長陳瑞嘉與新北市視障協會理事長陳嗣民、議員江怡臻、議員洪佳君及土城區長周晉平，共同為庇護工場灌溉象徵希望的植栽，寓意為工場注入生機與活力。

陳瑞嘉致詞時表示，大安原來的場地位處山坡，如發生颱風或豪大雨，容易造成危險及事後修繕，為了讓身心障礙者能有安全的工作環境，勞工局協助媒合搬遷至土城頂埔捷運共構大樓場地，未來將持續協助民間團體成立庇護工場，提供身心障礙者就業機會、減輕更多家庭負擔，最後，他也期許大安庇護工場業績能夠蒸蒸日上。

▲陳瑞嘉、視障協會陳理事長與貴賓們共同為庇護工場灌溉象徵希望的植栽。(圖/新北市勞工局 提供)

陳嗣民表示，協會與勞工局合作經營庇護工場已超過20個年頭，感謝勞工局提供公有場地，讓大安能有更好的環境，協會將繼續深化經營，並感激各單位不間斷支持，讓身心障礙者能夠穩定就業。

今日活動由身障藝人林哲任以一曲〈堅持〉揭開序幕，感動人心的歌聲象徵著不放棄與希望的精神。焦點儀式後，陳瑞嘉、陳嗣民理事長、江怡臻議員、洪佳君議員等貴賓也與庇護夥伴一同體驗製作綠植水苔球，由庇護員工親自指導，現場笑聲不斷、氣氛溫馨，讓大家感受到庇護就業背後滿滿的用心與溫度。

勞工局邀請各位市民朋友們用實際行動支持「大安庇護工場」，有園藝、盆栽、清潔相關需求請洽詢02-26852017，讓庇護性員工走出家庭，透過工作賺取收入、參與社會。更多庇護工場商品，請搜尋「新北市庇護工場網路商城」。


title: 永續餐飲成主軸     新北客家局與德霖科大辦「陸羽盃」     全面導入電子發證落實淨零碳執行力

content_text:
記者黃俊育 / 新北報導

由新北市政府客家事務局與宏國德霖科技大學共同辦理的「2025陸羽盃客家茶飲暨茶餐料理競賽」，（20）日於宏國德霖科技大學登場。這項持續推動客家飲食文化創新與傳承的競賽，今年邁入第十年的里程碑，以「永續餐飲」為核心主軸，更全面導入電子發證制度，落實淨零碳執行力，為國內餐飲賽事樹立綠色典範。本屆賽事反應相當熱烈，共吸引全國27所大專校院及268支高中職隊伍報名參賽，再創歷史新高。

十年深耕 客家文化與永續思維的完美融合。

▲創意客家餐桌佈置大專組金牌，宏國德霖科技大學餐旅管理系丁氏梅芳《心想柿成》。(圖/新北市客家事務局 提供)

本次競賽涵蓋「創意客家飲調組」、「創意客家廚藝組」、「創意客家餐桌佈置組」、「創意客家客房造型組」及「綠色餐飲海報設計組」等五大類別。其中，「綠色餐飲海報設計組」強調結合客家文化、永續美學與低碳行動，鼓勵學生以視覺設計傳達食當季、吃在地、惜食減碳的理念；而「創意客家飲調組」與「創意客家廚藝組」則在傳統中創新，評分特別納入食材永續性、廚餘減量與環保包裝應用等項目，展現年輕世代對永續餐飲的實踐思維。此外，「創意客家餐桌佈置組」與「創意客家客房造型組」則巧妙融合客家藍染、竹編、花布、植物等元素，讓客家生活美學與綠色巧思完美結合。

▲「創意飲調無酒精組」競賽作品。(圖/新北市客家事務局 提供)

成果展同步舉行 深度體驗客家綠生活

活動當日也同步舉行新北市政府客家事務局補助私立大專院校推廣客家文化計畫「惜食客豐風味．淨零綠生活計畫成果展」，現場設有客家創意料理展示區、酸柑茶及擂茶互動的體驗區，讓所有參與者親身體驗客家飲食文化之美，成為本次活動的一大亮點。競賽成功展現了客家餐飲文化的綠色創新力，更為客家文化的未來發展開創了多元契機。

▲2025年新北市政府客家事務局與宏國德霖科技大學共同辦理「2025陸羽盃客家茶飲暨茶餐料理競賽」頒獎典禮合影。(圖/新北市客家事務局 提供)

新北市客家事務局局長劉冠吟表示，「陸羽盃」以永續為主軸，不僅展現新北市推動客家文化與綠色飲食教育的決心，更以實際行動落實低碳及電子化管理。客家文化中「愛物惜物」的勤儉精神，與當前環境永續保護的全球共識不謀而合。期盼藉由競賽，能激發台灣餐飲教育對永續飲食的思考與創意，讓客家文化不僅被保存，更能「煮出新味道、喝出新未來」。

宏國德霖科技大學多年來致力於客家文化與綠色餐飲推廣，希望透過「陸羽盃」將客家勤儉精神與聯合國永續發展目標（SDGs）接軌，讓客家餐飲文化在綠色思維中創造全新生命力。

taiwan-subdivisions: 新北 新北市 成功


title: 侯友宜出席樹林槌球場     新北原民文健站聯誼活動     首度導入大溪地舞蹈健康操

content_text:
記者黃俊育 / 新北報導

新北市一年一度的「原住民族文化健康站槌球聯誼活動」已連續舉辦4年，與會的長者一年比一年多，今年共吸引超過680位長者熱情參與，其中80歲以上長者高達60人，創下歷年新高。活動於(21)在樹林體育園區木槌球場盛大登場，新北市長侯友宜親自出席，與現場長者齊聚同樂。今年更首度將大溪地舞蹈結合健康操，將南島熱情帶入球場，展現出健康與文化兼具的獨特魅力。

▲侯友宜與原民局長Siku Yaway林瑋茜及貴賓們一起開球，象徵槌出健康。(圖/新北市原民局 提供)

新北市長侯友宜表示，今年槌球賽共有14支隊伍、92名長者參賽，而趣味競賽也吸引來自全市27站文健站的525位長者、照服員及志工踴躍報名，較去年的26站、496人再度成長，顯示活動參與度與凝聚力逐年提升。特別令人感動的是，今年80歲以上的高齡長者就有60人，其中55人參加趣味競賽、5人參加正式槌球賽，展現長者堅韌的活力！在槌球比賽中表現亮眼的樹林部落文健站長者，更是連續4年報名參賽，前三年皆獲得前3名的好成績，去年更一舉拿下A組冠軍，展現長者們的堅持與團隊默契。

▲「南島大溪地藝術工作室」帶領全場一起跳結合大溪地舞蹈的健康操。(圖/新北市原民局 提供)

今年活動的一大亮點是「樂齡健康操」，由「南島大溪地藝術工作室」帶領全場，以南島民族舞蹈結合律動健康操，帶動長者們暖身。隨著鼓聲與旋律響起，大家手舞足蹈、揮動雙手，長者們隨音樂擺動身軀，笑聲此起彼落，現場氣氛宛如大型文化派對，不僅促進身心健康，展現銀髮族堅韌又充滿活力的一面。

為持續擴大服務範圍與照顧更多族人，新北市原民局今年於4月及7月分別於土城區與萬里區設立第26、27處文健站，讓更多長者能在熟悉的社區據點獲得文化連結與健康支持。此外，原民局也關注第一線照服員的心理健康，特別在7至9月辦理兩梯次音樂團體療育課程，協助照服員在照顧長者之餘，也能調適情緒、紓解壓力，參與照服員分享，自己在音樂節奏中能感受到彼此的默契與快樂，不僅放鬆心情，也重新充電。

taiwan-subdivisions: 大溪 新北 樹林 萬里區 土城區 新北市


title: 癒見自己、幸福在己！新北社會局攜手揚生基金會     以沉浸式策展推動銀齡健康與藝術體驗

content_text:
記者黃俊育 / 新北報導

新北市政府社會局推動「晚美人生我做主」政策，與財團法人揚生慈善基金會合作，即日起至23日，在艋舺龍山寺板橋文化廣場大樓舉辦「2025銀齡樂活節－幸福大飯店」，以癒見自己、照顧自己、幸福在己為主題，透過沉浸式策展與工作坊，結合藝術體驗與健康促進，邀請長者與民眾一同探索健康老化與幸福生活的新可能。

▲參加體驗的民眾從行旅箱中取出情緒任務版 依指示進行互動遊戲。(圖/新北市社會局 提供)

社會副局長許秀能表示，新北市高齡人口即將邁入80萬大關，為使長輩能有尊嚴自主的晚美人生，市府持續推動「晚美人生我做主」政策，其中與揚生基金會合辦「幸福大飯店」，有別於傳統的健康課程，強調參與者的感官與心靈投入，每一個活動設計都像是一段寓教於樂的旅程，融合靈性療癒與藝術體驗，讓長者更容易理解、吸收與共鳴，進而將自我照顧的健康概念落實於日常生活中，提升自癒力與幸福感。

▲許秀能副局長（右）參與體驗 在通關後在許願池內取得祝福卡 中為揚生基金會執行長許華倚。(圖/新北市社會局 提供)

揚生基金會執行長許華倚表示，揚生與新北市合作多年，一直以推廣自癒力為核心，陪伴長者在社區中實踐健康老化與幸福生活。「幸福大飯店」的策展，是自癒力2.0版，從身體的自癒延伸到心靈的自癒。透過藝術與體驗，讓長者在感官與情緒的互動中重新連結自己，學會照顧自己，也感受幸福就在自己手中。

▲許秀能副局長（右）參與體驗 在通關後在許願池內取得祝福卡 中為揚生基金會執行長許華倚。(圖/新北市社會局 提供)。(圖/新北市社會局 提供)

「幸福大飯店」以飯店旅程為創意核心，將抽象的身心健康化為具體體驗，現場設計融入大型互動教具，專屬「幸福房卡」，引導參與者在笑聲與感動中，重新認識情緒管理與自我照顧的重要性。參與者以「入住飯店」的啟程，透過遊戲化的體驗，學習身心協作與情緒平衡，並藉由冥想與祈願，練習接納、感恩與規劃幸福未來。

活動中並推廣飲食、運動、生活習慣與人際關係3加1，以提升長者自我療癒的能力，並強調「自我照顧」與「自己做主」的健康理念，參加的民眾可享受一場 120分鐘的身心探索之旅，從中發現身心連結的奧秘，感受幸福的力量。艋舺龍山寺板橋文化廣場大樓位於板橋區文化路二段242號4樓。

taiwan-subdivisions: 新北 板橋區 新北市 板橋


title: 新北青創寶高數位基地釋出全新空間     即日起召募新團隊     提供量身打造創業課程接軌市場

content_text:
記者黃俊育 / 新北報導

新北市政府青年局轄下的「新北青創寶高數位基地」，自即（21）日起開放召募最新一期創業團隊。今年特別釋出兩間全新完工的辦公空間，並將導入「智門影音」線上課程平台，提供進駐團隊量身打造創業課程、實戰工作坊及業界交流論壇等創業輔導課程，歡迎對數位內容、資訊服務、雲端科技及智慧物聯等領域的新創團隊加入，讓新北市青年局協助你接軌市場。

▲寶高數位基地內提供可供12人與會的會議室。(圖/新北市青年局 提供)

新北市青年局長邱兆梅表示，「寶高數位基地」設立於新店寶高智慧產業園區內，已匯聚如台灣國際航電Garmin、特斯拉、益興生醫、研揚科技、太陽鳥、華電聯網及立象科技等智慧城市相關國際大廠與標竿型企業進駐，可說是北台灣智慧科技產業的重要交流中心，因此將有助於新創團隊拉近相關生態系的距離。

新北市青年局於市內各地設立不同主題的新創基地，皆由專業顧問團為進駐團隊量身打造創業輔導資源。「寶高數位基地」是專門以數位內容、資訊服務、雲端科技與物聯網等新創領域量身打造的創業基地，並且可提供營業登記的辦公室、多功能活動區及專業會議室，同時舉辦創業課程，率領團隊參加國內外各式商展，接觸潛在客戶，直接與市場面對面。

輔導團隊領濤新創執行長蘇榮智表示，在新北青創基地內，讓新創團隊在初期建構商業模式的階段，提供更穩定的輔導資源，縮短從想法到商業化的距離。

▲寶高數位基地每年率隊參與國內各大展會(圖為2024InnoVex資料照片)。(圖/新北市青年局 提供)

目前進駐在寶高數位基地的「全日罩」創辦人萬宣慶表示，在基地專業輔導下，團隊成功確立精準的市場戰略，大幅擴展產業能見度，並且在今年3月成功與東碩資訊簽訂300萬元的合作備忘錄（MOU）；同年6月獲得教育部青年圓夢補助基金計劃的肯定與資助，前往紐西蘭推廣台灣科技輔具。

「聽力行動」在今年4月獲得「新創驅動高齡驗證獎勵補助」，6月更成功入選IP2台灣新創紐約落地加速計畫。「富據智能」團隊的AI探測系統受國際矚目，今年8月登上日本《琉球放送RBC NEWS》報導，該系統即使在清澈水域中也能偵測溺水者消失不見的風險，並已獲縣內飯店導入，成功將新北智慧科技解決方案輸出海外。

「寶高數位基地」最新一期招募計畫自即（21）日起上線，至11月21日止，預計將招募2組實體及2組虛擬進駐團隊。書面審查將於11月25日至27日進行，通過書面審查的團隊將於12月初參加第二階段線上簡報審查，最終結果將於12月15日前公布。歡迎熱愛數位創新與智慧科技的青年團隊踴躍報名，到新北市青年局官網申請進駐！

【新北青創寶高數位基地 – 第 4 期進駐招募資訊】

招募時間：即日起至 11 月 21 日（五）

進駐時間：115 年 1 月 1 日至 115 年 12 月 31 日止

聯絡電話：(02) 8914-7969

電子郵件：[email protected]

報名方式：填寫線上表單並於表單內傳送申請文件

報名連結：https://ntpcyouth2022.pse.is/89flxc

如欲了解進一步資訊，請至Facebook搜尋新北青創寶高數位基地。

招募流程：

1.書面審查收件截止：即日起至 11 月 21 日（五）

2.第一階段書面審查：11 月 21 日至 11 月 28 日，於11月28日(五)公告。

3.預計第二階段簡報審查會：12 月 5 日（五）

4.公告評選結果：預計 12 月 15 日（一）

countries: 台灣 日本 紐西蘭

taiwan-subdivisions: 新北 成功 新店 琉球 新北市


countries: 台灣 希臘 臺灣

content_text:
圖： KIRABASE推多元女團KIRIS！攜手台科大產學合作，引國際IP開創新頁。(圖/KIRABASE提供)

(記者鄭康玉報導)

KIRABASE 宣布與國立臺灣科技大學攜手合作，希望將更多國際 IP 與偶像培育資源引入校園，為學子打造多元學習與實踐平台，樹立台灣產學合作的新標竿。台灣娛樂產業再添亮點！以「養成式偶像」為核心理念的 KIRABASE，歷經兩年精心培訓與籌備，正式推出首支「多元跨界女團」KIRIS。KIRIS的誕生象徵偶像養成模式邁入全新階段，也展現KIRABASE 打造新世代偶像的遠見與企圖心。

新世代無邊界女團「KIRIS」，代表著從 KIRABASE 開始起點的「K」與代表著希望、勇氣、讚美的鳶尾花「IRIS」組成，IRIS 在希臘神話中也是彩虹女神的名字。女團的組成由曾發行過個人單曲的婷婷Kimi擔任隊長，成員語晴77更曾擔任過「AKB48 TeamTP」第二代隊長，璦昀Yumi則是職棒啦啦隊女孩、絜妮Nina、依函Ivy也都擁有超高人氣之外，也被網友封為「最有潛力女團」。

圖：KIRABASE代表人Naco表示：未來將持續以創新精神推動跨界合作與國際交流，透過多元平台與海外舞台，把台灣偶像文化推向世界。(圖/KIRABASE提供)

KIRIS的首支出道曲《Set On Fire》以融合日文與英文的歌詞，描繪 KIRIS 成員從KIRABASE 基地登艦啟航，對抗籠罩宇宙的「灰暗能量體」一種象徵人類內心消極與悲觀情緒的能量。當一切攻擊都無效時，KIRIS 用歌聲與舞蹈的力量點燃希望之火，讓光重新照亮銀河。

國際經典動漫IP《鋼彈》首度以主題店形式進駐 KIRABASE台科店，結合主題咖啡體驗，並搭上《新機動戰記鋼彈W》30週年紀念熱潮，重現跨世代粉絲心中的熱血記憶。這項跨界合作不僅為粉絲打造沉浸式的主題體驗，也展現 KIRABASE 結合娛樂與文化的創新實力。

KIRABASE自成立以來一直秉持「從零開始、全面養成」的理念，為懷抱夢想的年輕人打造專業而完整的培訓環境，不同於傳統娛樂公司，KIRABASE 著重於個人特質開發與跨界學習，讓學員在歌唱、舞蹈、表演、時尚、數位互動與媒體應對等多面向中全面成長，獨特養成軌跡，打造新世代全方位偶像。

圖：新世代無邊界女團「KIRIS」左至右-語晴(77)、Ivy (依函)、璦昀(Yumi)、Nina (絜妮)、Kimi (婷婷)。(圖/KIRABASE提供)

KIRABASE 也積極探索產學合作的可能性，這次與國立臺灣科技大學攜手合作，將娛樂產業與學術資源結合，KIRABASE將把偶像才培育的專業知識與硬體資源引進校園，提供台科大師生更多參與及使用的機會，將來可在校園內舉辦更多元的演出活動。這項合作不僅能讓學子深入了解IP及偶像產業的運作模式，也為校園注入活力，搭建理論與實務之間的橋樑。

KIRABASE表示，這將成為推動台灣娛樂產業教育化與專業化的重要一步，更希望藉此培養出新世代具有跨界能力的人才，為產業注入新血。KIRABASE 強調，KIRIS 的出道只是開始。未來將持續以創新精神推動跨界合作與國際交流，透過多元平台與海外舞台，把台灣偶像文化推向世界。

同時，公司也將啟動 「KIRIS Mini」 計畫，持續招募與培育新一代偶像，延續「養成式偶像」理念，協助年輕人實現夢想與自我價值。KIRABASE 期盼，透過不斷創新與合作，讓台灣的創意與實力被全球市場看見，開創屬於新世代偶像的無限可能。

title: KIRABAS經典國際IP「鋼彈」主題店   進駐臺科大


title: 東港警關懷弱勢　偕善心人士贈物資

content_text:
▼新園分駐所得知後，與新園鄉草地關懷協會前往關心慰問，並由協會致贈慰問金共2萬4千元及白米、沙拉油等愛心物資。（圖／屏東縣政府警察局東港分局）

【記者何勁陞／東港報導】 屏東縣政府警察局東港分局新園分駐所巡佐郭俊明、警員高煜程，日前得知轄內有鄉民經濟狀況拮据，生活陷入困境，經聯繫地方慈善團體前往關心慰問，致贈慰問金及愛心物資，獲家屬感謝。

據了解，新園鄉林姓老婦(29年次)為低收入戶獨居老人，近期因腿部開刀行動不便，僅靠微薄補助金度日，生活十分艱辛；另一名鄉民周男(50年次)因腦部開刀，須終日坐輪椅，持有重度身心障礙證明，生活完全無法自理，需由家人全天候照料；新園分駐所得知後，與新園鄉草地關懷協會前往關心慰問，並由協會致贈慰問金共2萬4千元及白米、沙拉油等愛心物資，林姓老婦及周男家屬對警方關懷之舉，表示感激。

屏東縣政府警察局東港分局表示，警察工作除治安、交通工作外，為民服務亦是警方著重的工作之一；如遇弱勢個案及家庭時，亦適時主動給予關心及轉介相關社福單位，以展現警察溫馨助人的形象。

taiwan-subdivisions: 東港 屏東縣 新園


content_text:
▼警方立刻通知119內埔消防分隊，將潘民送往屏東榮民總醫院龍泉分院診治，隨後警方也通知家屬有關本案相關處置情形。（圖／屏東縣政府警察局內埔分局）

【記者何勁陞／內埔報導】 屏東縣政府警察局內埔分局內埔所警員高偉鈞，日前一早7點備勤時，接獲110轉報，有民眾在內埔鄉育文路段路倒，請警方到場處理。

員警到場後發現，有一老翁躺臥在民宅前，意識清醒，經瞭解該名年約70歲的潘姓老翁，家住內埔鄉展興路段，一早起外出散步時，兩腿突然無力，在失去平衡後跌倒，導致額頭、手掌等部位輕微擦挫傷。警方立刻通知119內埔消防分隊，將潘民送往屏東榮民總醫院龍泉分院診治，隨後警方也通知家屬有關本案相關處置情形。

內埔警分局長江世宏表示，近日早晚溫差大，長輩於清晨運動時，可攜帶或添加保暖衣物，避免因氣溫遽變，而造成身體不適。若突發緊急況狀，需要警消人員幫忙，請立即撥打 110 或 119專線。

內埔警受理遺失手機 迅速通知失主領回

▼譚女表示係前往內埔鄉中林路段購物時，不慎遺失手機，發現後心急如焚，非常感謝拾獲手機的人。（圖／屏東縣政府警察局內埔分局）

屏東縣政府警察局內埔分局龍泉派出所警員丁偉哲，日前 下午3點多值班時，受理一件熱心民眾拾獲蘋果手機案（手機殼為米色貓咪圖案），丁員隨即透過手機內通訊軟體聯繫上失主領回。

經員警操作該部手機，順利聯繫上失主，經查證手機主人為屏東科技大學，年約24歲的譚姓女學生，譚女表示係前往內埔鄉中林路段購物時，不慎遺失手機，發現後心急如焚，非常感謝拾獲手機的人，也很感謝警方熱心的幫忙。

內埔警分局長江世宏表示，警方受理遺失或拾得物後，會積極尋求各種方法，協助找回失物或聯絡失主領回。民眾若拾獲有價物品，請立即與警方聯繫，以便及時通知憂心的遺失人領回。

taiwan-subdivisions: 內埔 屏東縣 屏東

title: 民眾晨運不慎跌倒　內埔警消協助送醫


title: 迷途穿山甲困車底　枋警暖心助萌獸脫困

taiwan-subdivisions: 屏東縣 枋寮

content_text:
▼所幸穿山甲毫髮無傷，由動保人員帶回妥善安置，並擇期野放，使其重返自然棲地量。（圖／屏東縣政府警察局枋寮分局）

【記者何勁陞／枋寮報導】 屏東縣政府警察局枋寮分局建興派出所日前接獲民眾報案，表示家中車庫自小客車底盤疑似有穿山甲躲在裡面，不知如何是好，急忙報警請求警方協助處理。

警員鄭貽尹及柳延融獲報後隨即馳赴現場，對車輛仔細檢查，並在自小客車右後輪與底盤的夾縫間，發現保育類動物穿山甲。員警遂立即通報屏東縣政府農業處「動物保護及保育科」人員到場，惟救援途中，穿山甲疑因受驚嚇，本能地蜷縮躲入縫隙深處，大幅增加救援難度。經動保人員評估後，警方協助將車輛移往修車廠架高頂起，才得以順利將穿山甲救出。所幸穿山甲毫髮無傷，由動保人員帶回妥善安置，並擇期野放，使其重返自然棲地。

枋寮警分局長盧恒隆特別呼籲，穿山甲為台灣珍稀的一級保育動物，民眾如發現其蹤跡，應立即通知警方或林業單位，切勿自行飼養或買賣，讓我們攜手保護這塊土地上的生態珍寶。


title: 屏東警分局「打詐」再傳捷報　海豐所智擒車手

taiwan-subdivisions: 屏東 麟洛 屏東縣

content_text:
【記者何勁陞／屏東報導】 屏東縣警察局屏東分局海豐派出所日前接獲民眾報案，稱其遭遇詐騙集團圈套，損失金額高達新臺幣上百萬元，讓被害人痛心不已。警方遂積極展開偵查與部署，經過連日埋伏，終於順利擒獲詐團車手。

被害人翁姓女子（約60歲）日前透過網路交友進行投資，沒想到投資新台幣上百萬元後卻遲遲無法領出現金，因此心生警覺，這次對方說要再投入新台幣90萬元才能領出現金時，翁女終於確認自己遭詐而前來報案，於是配合警方順利逮補黃姓車手（男、約45歲），並查獲新臺幣1萬8千餘元、工作證及印章等工具。此舉不僅有效遏止車手繼續犯案，也讓被害人免於遭受更大的財產損失。

屏東警分局長林明波表示，近年來詐騙手法日新月異，利用各種假投資、假網購、假檢警等話術誘騙民眾，造成巨大損失。並呼籲，民眾對來路不明的電話、訊息務必提高警覺，切不可輕忽大意，更不要輕易相信陌生人的投資或匯款要求。特別推薦民眾可善用內政部警政署推動的「打詐儀表板」，了解目前最新的詐騙手法與真實案例，從別人的慘痛經驗中記取教訓，強化自身防詐免疫力。警方也將持續透過高強度掃蕩和預防宣導，全力守護民眾的財產安全。

治安除死角、犯罪零容忍、屏東警偵破校園竊案

▼屏東地檢署及屏東地方法院核發之拘票、搜索票將其拘提到案，依竊盜罪嫌移送偵辦。（圖／屏東縣政府警察局屏東分局）

屏東警察分局麟洛分駐所於15日接獲某技職學校代表人報案，稱該校多次遭竊，近日又有鋁門框不翼而飛。警方到場勘查發現，雖該校後門設有柵欄，但仍留有機車及行人可進出的空隙，成為宵小可乘之機。

警方受理後立即組成專案小組，調閱周邊監視器深入追查，鎖定43歲廖姓男子涉有重嫌，並於10月20日持屏東地檢署及屏東地方法院核發之拘票、搜索票將其拘提到案，依竊盜罪嫌移送偵辦。

分局長林明波表示，雖該校目前無人管理、環境偏僻，但警方仍秉持「治安無死角、犯罪零容忍」的精神，積極追查、守護治安。警方並提醒民眾，閒置或未使用場所應加裝防護設施、留意周邊動態，以降低遭竊風險。


people: 張耀元 蘇玉龍

taiwan-subdivisions: 臺中 臺中市

content_text:
圖:臺中科大「智慧工程虛實學習辦公室」揭牌合影。 臺中科大校長 陳同孝(右3)、臺中科大副校長 鄭經偉(右1)、臺中市政府數位治理局長 林谷隆(右4)、海外聯合招生委員會主任委員 蘇玉龍(右2)、智慧工程虛實學習辦公室主任 李固遠(後右2)、智慧工程虛實學習辦公室執行長 賴嘉均(左1) 。(圖/國立臺中科技大學 智慧工程虛實學習辦公室提供)

(記者張耀元報導)

國立臺中科技大學舉行「智慧工程虛實學習辦公室」揭牌與成果發表。現場由主任李固遠開場說明、執行長賴嘉均示範教學；校長陳同孝、臺中市政府數位治理局長林谷隆、海外聯合招生委員會主任委員蘇玉龍等貴賓到場致詞，一同見證新場域啟用。

李固遠主任表示，辦公室的做法很單純：先在虛擬世界練習，再到真實設備操作，老師給即時回饋，難的工程概念就像闖關一樣一步一步學會。課程也會接上證照、專題與實習，讓不同科系的學生「學得會、用得上」。

圖:智慧工程虛實學習辦公室主任 李固遠開場致詞。(圖/國立臺中科技大學 智慧工程虛實學習辦公室提供)

陳同孝校長指出，成立辦公室有三個目的：課程與產業同頻、資源向高中職與大學共享、建立可複製的智慧教學模式。學校會把成果與經驗開放給外界合作，回應教育部推動的數位轉型與產學鏈結方向，從臺中擴散到全國。

林谷隆局長說，市府正在打造智慧城市，今天的課程就是未來中台灣接軌中央AI十大建設一個關鍵。市府將提供城市場域與專案媒合，鼓勵師生把課堂所學用在真實問題上，讓成果留在臺中、服務市民。

蘇玉龍表示，臺中科大的虛實整合場域將是吸引海外學生的重要亮點。未來會配合雙語／英語課程、國際競賽與企業實習，讓「在臺學習、連接世界」成為常態，外籍生與本地生一起成長。

圖:中科大智慧工程虛實學習辦公室 賴嘉均執行長(右1) 透過AR、VR設備進行現場講解以及教學。(圖/國立臺中科技大學 智慧工程虛實學習辦公室提供)

賴嘉均執行長補充，團隊以「平台化」方式整合課程、證照、競賽與企業題目；推動小班VR實作、教材共備與多語學習支援，把學習路徑畫成清楚的「里程碑」，讓學生產生興趣並且知道下一步要學什麼、能拿到哪些證照、可以去哪裡實習與就業。

辦公室要帶來三件事：1.對學生：先模擬後上機，更安全、效率更高，畢業更有實力； 2.對產業：企業題目進課堂，提前銜接人才； 3.對城市與國家：協助數位轉型、培育跨域人才，與國際接軌。

未來將持續與市府、企業與學校各學院合作，把「做中學、學中做」變成日常，培養兼具實作力、創新力、就業力的智慧工程人才。

活動介紹：https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfhdXc6HQEA

title: 臺中科大啟用「智慧工程虛實學習辦公室」用AI＋VR把難技術變簡單，學校、產業、城市一起育才


title: 改裝、噪音、超速擾民又危險　里港警台24線聯合稽查開罰16件

content_text:
▼屏東縣政府警察局里港分局於18日結合環保局在三德檢查所執行聯合稽查，取締改裝排煙管及車體變更等違規。（圖／屏東縣政府警察局里港分局）

【記者何勁陞／里港報導】 台24線為連結三地門鄉與霧臺鄉的重要交通要道，沿線風景優美，吸引許多遊客駕駛前往谷川大橋、阿禮瀑布、谷川部落、巴冷公主部落遺址及小鬼湖等景點，惟部分駕駛人因改裝車體、排氣管及超速等違規，造成部落居民安寧受擾，也影響道路安全，為維護用路秩序及居民生活品質，屏東縣政府警察局里港分局於18日結合環保局在三德檢查所執行聯合稽查，取締改裝排煙管及車體變更等違規，並搭配移動測速照相，共計動員警力、環保局人員10人次，取締違規16件，其中無照駕駛2件、越級駕駛3件、違規改裝車輛排氣管2件、違規改裝機車後照鏡9件，另外通報噪音車召回檢驗1部。

屏東縣政府警察局里港分局自5月起結合警察局交通隊假日於台24線強力執法，並不定時結合監理站、環保局聯合稽查，採不定時定點方式加強取締超速、改裝車體等違規行為，統計今年截至目前共舉發超速1,377件、變更車體設備650件。

組長巴龍祥指出，臺24線進出霧臺各部落路段均設有速限警示標誌，提醒駕駛人遵守速限，避免因車速過快導致事故；另違規改裝車體易造成車輛結構改變，影響行車安全，可依《道路交通管理處罰條例》第18條處新臺幣2400元以上罰鍰，並責令檢驗、一年內違反二次以上吊扣牌照三個月；三年內經吊扣牌照二次，再違反者，吊銷牌照。

里港分局長邱逸樵表示，警方執法沒有假期，將持續針對民眾反映改裝噪音車輛常行駛區域或危險駕車路段加強巡查，加強取締各類交通違規行為，以防止事故發生，維護用路人安全及居民安寧的生活品質。

民眾未登記闖三德檢查哨 里港警當場發現制止告誡

18日中午，2台機車行經里港分局三德檢查所疑未注意到停車辦理入山告示牌面，未進行入山臨櫃申請即擅自通過，遭檢查所員警即時發現制止，當場告誡並宣導相關規定。另發現其中一台機車照後鏡不符規定及排氣管未申報，分別依道路交通管理處罰條例第16條舉發，處汽車所有人新臺幣九百元以上一千八百元以下罰鍰。

根據人民入出台灣地區山地管制區作業規定，申請入出山地經常管制區者，應填具申請書。未依規定申請入山許可，經勸離不聽依社秩法71條規定，於主管機關明示禁止出入之處所，擅行出入不聽勸阻者，處新臺幣六千元以下罰緩。

里港警分局呼籲，民眾進入台24線三地門、霧臺山區需辦理入山登記，除三德檢查哨外，位於台24線上的三地門分駐所、里港分局均可以辦理，亦可於3日前上縣警局網站登錄，以節省排隊時間。

高雄失智翁遇BLACKPINK演唱會封路迷途 里港警助平安返家

▼遇上演唱會周邊封路，因患有失智症，一時迷失方向竟一路騎車到屏東縣九如鄉，經過24小時20多公里迷航。（圖／屏東縣政府警察局里港分局）

韓國女團BLACKPINK世界巡迴演唱會高雄站於18、19日在世運主場館登場，吸引大批粉絲湧入港都，場館周邊實施交通管制。一名74歲鄒姓老翁就住在高雄市左營區世運主場館附近，前（19）日上午原打算騎腳踏車在家附近繞繞，不料遇上演唱會周邊封路，因患有失智症，一時迷失方向竟一路騎車到屏東縣九如鄉，經過24小時20多公里迷航，終於在里港警分局九如分駐所員警協助下平安返家。

屏東縣政府警察局里港分局九如分駐所警員黃兆毅接獲民眾報案，稱在高屏溪堤防疏浚道路發現一名疑似失智迷途的老翁。黃員趕抵現場後，見老翁神情疲憊、語焉不詳，立即先將其帶返所休息。

經黃員耐心詢問與查證身分，這才發現該名74歲鄒姓老翁竟從高雄左營一路騎腳踏車至屏東九如。值班警員陳奕竹隨即聯繫家屬，家屬得知消息後又驚又喜，表示老翁自前一日上午外出後即失聯，應是住家附近因演唱會封路才會迷失方向，正準備報警，對警方熱心協助深表感謝。隨後警員何泓駒更主動陪同家屬返回現場尋回損壞之腳踏車，圓滿完成此次為民服務工作。

里港分局分局長邱逸樵呼籲，家中若有失智或年長家人，應隨時注意其動向，可配戴防走失手鍊或使用定位裝置，以利警方迅速協助尋回，避免危險發生。

countries: 韓國 台灣

taiwan-subdivisions: 里港 九如 屏東縣 高雄 高雄市 三地門 左營區 霧臺


title: 全球投資者與商界領袖將於 11 月齊聚巴林，參加第三屆 Gateway Gulf

content_text:
此論壇主題為「全新貿易動力，全球投資反思」，僅限 200 名受邀高級領袖參加，促進轉化為長期合作夥伴關係與投資機會的對話。

巴林麥納瑪2025年10月21日 /美通社/ — 巴林王國將歡迎來自美洲、歐洲、亞洲和海灣地區的高級國際代表參加 2025 年 11 月 2 日至 3 日假巴林灣四季酒店舉行的第三屆 Gateway Gulf。這項僅限受邀者參加的活動將匯聚 200 位貴賓，當中包括全球投資者、商界領袖、政策制定者、政府官員和業界先驅，共同探索海灣地區的高價值投資機會與合作夥伴關係。該論壇主題為「全新貿易動力，全球投資反思」，提供展示巴林王國策略措施與促進國際合作的平台。

該論壇由 Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB) 主辦，除了得到巴林王國的商業、投資和工業界高級政府官員支持，並將重點關注海灣地區的充滿活力經濟轉型。該地區 GDP 目前超過 2 兆美元，並預計 2050 年將達 6 兆美元。巴林的非石油產業佔當地 GDP 超過 86%，而提供高度多元化兼為迎合未來的環境。這環境為全球投資者可擴展兼可持續發展的成長，提供獨特機會。

繼 Gateway Gulf 2024 的成績（已宣佈投資和策略協議總額超過 120 億美元）後，Gateway Gulf 2025 計劃建基於此動力之上，並訂立更深入兼更具影響力的議程。參加者將受惠於精心策劃的討論小組、一對一投資者會議，以及來自海灣地區的可投資項目展示，輔以突顯巴林獨特商業與社會環境的文化活動。該論壇期間的討論將強調區域和地方趨勢（例如數碼轉型、能源轉型和可持續發展等），以及高價值行業（包括金融服務、ICT、製造、物流和旅遊等）的新興機會。該活動將匯聚多位政府官員與企業高層人士討論這些領域的機會，並確定相互合作的途徑。

Gateway Gulf 鞏固巴林作為可靠全球合作夥伴的地位，向持份者提供進入全球發展最快地區之一的途徑。該活動得到巴林王國的先進基礎設施、迎合未來的人力資本，以及商業友好環境支持。該論壇是高級對話、切實可行合作與長期夥伴關係的策略平台。該論壇目的是促進未來經濟成長投資的對話，同時鞏固巴林作為區域與全球連結的重要樞紐地位。


title: Taiwan, US in close contact: official

content_text:
PROTECTING TAIWAN:  Taipei has a ‘smooth communication channel’ with Washington, and would keep a close eye on the latest high-level US-China talks, a MOFA official said

Taipei is in close contact with Washington to make sure its interests are protected ahead of a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平), who are expected to also discuss Taiwan, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) official said yesterday.

Taiwan always keeps close tabs on high-level exchanges between Washington and Beijing, North American Affairs Department Director-General Wang Liang-yu (王良玉) said.

Taipei also maintains “a smooth communication channel” with Washington at all times, and would keep a close eye on the latest high-level talks between the US and China, Wang told a news briefing.

US President Donald Trump, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping leave a business leaders’ event at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Nov. 9, 2017. Photo: AFP

“We will make sure that the bilateral relations between Taiwan and the US continue to deepen steadily and that Taiwan’s interests are protected,” she said when asked about the US president’s earlier statement that Taiwan would be on the agenda of his upcoming meeting with Xi.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said “rare earths, fentanyl, soybeans and Taiwan” are some of the divisive topics that are to be discussed when he meets with Xi next week at the APEC summit in South Korea, Bloomberg reported.

Before meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the White House on Monday, Trump told reporters that he expects to reach a trade deal with Xi soon, and he downplayed the risks of the two superpowers clashing over Taiwan.

Asked about an earlier Pentagon assessment that Xi could attempt to seize Taiwan in the next six years, Trump said he doubts that China would invade Taiwan.

“I think we’ll be just fine with China. China doesn’t want to do that,” Trump told reporters.

However, Taiwan is probably a key issue for Xi, he said.

“Now that doesn’t mean it’s not the apple of his eye, because probably it is, but I don’t see anything happening,” Trump said.

Without explicitly pledging to defend Taiwan in case of a Chinese invasion, Trump said China knows that the US “is the strongest military power in the world by far.”

“We have the best of everything, and nobody’s going to mess with that. And I don’t see that at all with President Xi,” Trump said. “I think we’re going to get along very well as it pertains to Taiwan and others.”

Since taking office in January, Trump has not made any clear statements on the protection of Taiwan in the event of an invasion by China.

The US’ long-standing position on the issue has been one of “strategic ambiguity,” which is aimed at deterring Beijing from an attempted invasion without committing to involvement in such a war.

However, former US president Joe Biden had said publicly on several occasions that the US would defend Taiwan if China attacked.

Each time, Biden administration officials later walked back his statements, signaling that the US policy on Taiwan had not changed.

Additional reporting by Reuters


content_text:
CHALLENGES: Geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, AI and aging populations are risks and opportunities for the region, the APEC envoy said

President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday urged regional leaders to collaborate in technology and secure supply chains ahead of the APEC summit in South Korea on Friday next week.

Presidential adviser and Taiwania Capital chairman Lin Hsin-i (林信義) has accepted the government’s request to again act as Taiwan’s envoy to the meeting in Gyeongju, Lai told a news conference in Taipei.

The delegation would enhance Taiwan’s global visibility, ties with world leaders and economic cooperation with regional governments, he said.

President William Lai, left, shakes hands with presidential adviser and Taiwania Capital chairman Lin Hsin-i at the Presidential Office in Taipei yesterday before Lin departs for South Korea to represent Taiwan at the annual APEC meeting.

Photo: Lo Pei-de, Taipei Times

The theme of this year’s APEC summit of “building a sustainable tomorrow through connections, innovation and prosperity” is in line with Taiwan’s economic strategy for dealing with rising global challenges and uncertainty, he said.

Taiwan’s foremost priority is to strengthen its economic resilience in collaboration with regional partners to facilitate shared growth in a free, equal, rules-based and predictable multilateral trade environment, he said.

Taiwan is willing to share its experience in developing pioneering industries through public-private cooperation as the nation transitions from manufacturing to an innovation-based economy, Lai said.

Taipei welcomes like-minded nations as economic partners in advanced industries such as chipmaking and other sectors in which Taiwan is a leader, he said.

Economic coordination and investments are essential for nations in the region to revitalize high-value-added industries amid global challenges, Lai said.

Taiwan is committed to establishing a robust artificial intelligence (AI) sector, which would be key to reshaping the global economy and social order, he said.

That would involve comprehensive investments to facilitate the application of algorithmic technology to every sector of the economy, which would contribute to APEC’s goals on “smart” medicine and sustainable governance, Lai said.

Lin thanked the president for the opportunity to represent Taiwan at APEC for a fifth time, adding that South Korea’s emphasis on AI and demographic issues reflected the region’s shared challenges.

Geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, aging populations, AI and digital transformation are all opportunities and risks to the Indo-Pacific region, the engine of global economic growth, he said.

The organization must find a way to maintain stability, collaboration and shared economic growth for the good of the world, as the GDP of APEC’s 21 members account for 61 percent of the global economy, Lin said.

people: 賴清德 林信義

title: Lai urges regional tech, supply chain cooperation


content_text:
GENDER GAP:  Despite her pledge to sharply increase the number of women in the Cabinet, Sanae Takaichi appointed only three, who backed her LDP chair bid

The Japanese parliament yesterday elected conservative Sanae Takaichi as the nation’s first female prime minister, a day after her struggling party struck a coalition deal with a new partner expected to pull her governing bloc further to the right.

Takaichi replaces Shigeru Ishiba, ending a three-month political vacuum and wrangling since the Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) disastrous election loss in July.

Ishiba, who lasted only one year as prime minister, resigned with his Cabinet earlier in the day, paving the way for his successor.

Sanae Takaichi, center, acknowledges her fellow lawmakers after being elected as the new Japanese prime minister during the general assembly of an extraordinary parliamentary session in Tokyo yesterday.  Photo: EPA

Takaichi won 237 votes — four more than a majority — compared with 149 won by Yoshikoko Noda, head of the largest opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, in the lower house, which elects the prime minister.

Even though her coalition was two seats short of a majority, Takaichi received enough votes to win in the first round. She likely received votes from lawmakers in fringe minority parties from whom she has sought cooperation.

As the results were announced, Takaichi stood up and bowed deeply.

Takaichi, 64, appointed former Japanese minister of defense Minoru Kihara as chief Cabinet secretary.

Takaichi appointed her leadership rivals within the party to her government along with other veteran lawmakers. Toshimitsu Motegi, who previously served as both trade and foreign ministers, was named minister for foreign affairs. Former minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries Shinjiro Koizumi was named minister of defense, and former chief Cabinet secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi was named minister for internal affairs and communications.

She also appointed Ishiba’s chief trade negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, as minister of economy, trade and industry.

Despite her earlier pledge to drastically increase the number of women in the Cabinet, she appointed only three, all of them supporters in the party leadership vote — former minister of state for regional revitalization Satsuki Katayama as minister of finance, Kimi Onoda as minister in charge of economic security and Midori Matsushima as the prime minister’s aide.

The LDP’s alliance with the Osaka-based right-wing Japan Innovation Party (JIP), ensured her win because the opposition is not united.

Takaichi’s untested alliance is still short of a majority in both houses of parliament and will need to court other opposition groups to pass any legislation — a risk that could make her government unstable and short-lived.

Tackling rising prices and other economic measures is the top priority for the Takaichi government, LDP Secretary-General Shunichi Suzuki told NHK public television as he apologized over the delay because of the party’s internal power struggle since the July election.

He said the new coalition would cooperate with other opposition parties to quickly tackle rising prices to “live up to the expectations of the people.”

JIP does not hold ministerial posts in Takaichi’s Cabinet until his party is confident about its partnership with the LDP, Yoshimura has said.

Takaichi is running on deadline, as she prepares for a major policy speech later this week, talks with US President Donald Trump and regional summits.

While she is the first woman serving as Japan’s prime minister, she is in no rush to promote gender equality or diversity.

Takaichi is among Japanese politicians who have stonewalled measures for women’s advancement. She supports the imperial family’s male-only succession, and opposes same-sex marriage and allowing separate surnames for married couples.

Takaichi has backed financial support for women’s health and fertility treatment as part of the LDP policy of having women serve in their traditional roles of being good mothers and wives. However, she also acknowledged her struggles with menopause symptoms, and stressed the need to educate men about female health to help women at school and work.

Takaichi has resisted acknowledging Japanese wartime aggression and atrocities and denied that coercion was used against Korean laborers and women held as sexual slaves for Japanese troops. She was part of a campaign to remove references to wartime sexual slavery from school textbooks.

However, she has toned down her hawkish rhetoric. On Friday last week, she sent a religious ornament instead of going to Yasukuni Shrine.

title: Japan elects its first female PM


title: Celebs fingered in draft dodge probe

content_text:
By Fion Khan and Jonathan Chin / Staff writers, with CNA

Authorities are investigating up to 120 people suspected of dodging their military service amid a widening probe into celebrities who allegedly evaded service by forging medical documents, the Ministry of the Interior said yesterday.

The latest wave of investigations would target those not yet named by police, but are believed to have faked blood pressure reports to fully or partially exempt themselves from service, the ministry said.

On Monday, New Taipei City police summoned at least four entertainers for questioning over allegations of evading compulsory military service. They are actors Hsiu Chieh-kai (修杰楷) and Chen Bo-lin (陳柏霖), boyband Energy member Chang Shu-wei (張書偉) and former boyband Lollipop member Leow Jun-jie (廖俊傑).

Actor Chen Bo-lin speaks to reporters outside the New Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office yesterday. Photo: Chen Yi-chuan, Taipei Times

The case is linked to an ongoing investigation connected to actor Darren Wang (王大陸), who was indicted alongside 27 others in June for similar offenses.

Hsiu, 42, yesterday admitted to paying NT$150,000 for forged medical documents and was released on NT$500,000 bail.

Chen, 42, who was released on NT$500,000 bail, admitted to paying NT$100,000.

After being released, the Golden Bell Award winner for Best Actor in 2012 said he was grateful to prosecutors and police for giving him the chance to face what he called a “absurd choice” he made in his youth.

Chang, 44, admitted to paying NT$150,000 and was released on NT$500,000 bail.

Leow, 39, admitted to paying NT$300,000 and was released on NT$350,000 bail.

Police said all four paid a suspect surnamed Chen (陳) to arrange falsified high blood pressure reports.

Police also detained three civilians — surnamed Liu (劉), Lee (李) and Yuan (袁) — for questioning.

Police said Hsieh Kunda (謝坤達), another member of Energy, did not appear for questioning as he is working overseas in Canada.

In a statement issued through his management company, Hsieh apologized to the public and fans, and said he had “mistakenly” applied for a military exemption 15 years ago.

He said he canceled his overseas work after learning of the investigation and has contacted police to arrange an early return to Taiwan.

Officials have uncovered evidence that up to 120 military-aged men might have evaded compulsory military service this year, the ministry said, adding that 16 district prosecutors’ offices are investigating the cases.

Evading mandatory military service is an offense punishable by imprisonment of up to five years under the Punishment Act for Violation of the Military Service System (妨害兵役治罪條例), it said.

Forgery of medical documents is a separate crime under the Criminal Code, the ministry added.

The ministry’s probe stemmed from an annual review of suspected draft dodging in which investigators discovered an overlap between their cases and ongoing proceedings initiated by New Taipei City prosecutors, it said.

Separately, officials yesterday requested household registration authorities to revoke the service-exempt status of people currently under investigation for evading military service, it said.

Military-aged men, medical professionals or other members of the public engaged in attempts to avoid the draft would be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, it said.

Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo (顧立雄) told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting at the legislature that defense officials are reviewing physical examination protocols in collaboration with Tri-Service General Hospital to thwart draft dodgers.

The alleged offenders appeared to have taken advantage of older physical exam procedures that have since been replaced, he said.

The military revised the protocols after discovering a suspicious number of men showing blood pressure levels that made them unfit for service, Koo said.

The current methods require men undergoing the examinations to stay in hospital for 24 hours, he added.

This is to prevent the examinees from engaging the services of someone else with a disqualifying medical condition to take their tests for them, Koo said.

The Ministry of National Defense is planning to promulgate testing protocols in April next year, if not sooner, he said.

Additional reporting by Lu Yun-feng,

Hsu Sheng-lun and Hsieh Chun-lin


people: 吳釗燮 習近平

content_text:
By Chen Yu-fu and Jake Chung / Staff reporter, and staff writer

Beijing aims to annex Taiwan and reshape the international order, National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) and Jamestown Foundation president Peter Mattis told an international forum in Taipei yesterday.

The premise for US-Chinese interaction and co-commitment to peace dissolved with the end of the Cold War and both sides are now locked in an institutional struggle, Mattis said at the International Conference on US-China Strategic Competition in 2025: Implications for China and Cross-Strait Relations organized by the Mainland Affairs Council.

Both sides are fighting skirmishes on a global scale, he said in his segment, titled “The Illusion of Stability in the Taiwan Strait.”

National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu speaks at a conference in Taipei organized by the Mainland Affairs Council yesterday.  Photo: Tien Yu-hua, Taipei Times

Taiwanese have the right to self-determination regardless of how Taiwan’s status is viewed by the international community, but the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is trying to deprive them of that right, as it does not even recognize that Chinese have the right to choose their own future, Mattis said.

Taiwan was too slow to increase its national defense spending and had been inefficient in using the funds, he said, adding that Taiwan poorly understood the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

Young Taiwanese are uninterested in the CCP, “but the CCP is very interested in you,” he said.

Taiwan should be looking into defense collaborations with the US, and should consider similar collaborations with the EU, Mattis said.

Where Taiwan is short on funds, it could make up for it with intelligence about China, as both sides speak Mandarin, he said.

Wu said that Taiwan is not the only target in Beijing’s sights, and Chinese threats to Taiwan are direct threats to global peace.

The PLA’s influence has already spread beyond the first island chain, he said, citing a PLA exercise near Australia this year as an example.

States within the first island chain are facing the possibility of war because of the PLA, Wu said.

Taiwan plans to increase its defense spending from 3 percent of GDP this year to 5 percent by 2030, and has updated its Han Kuang exercises to show the public that the military can protect them in times of war, he said.

China is more interested in expansionism than solving its own pressing economic and social issues, he said.

“Even though we see worrisome trends in the Chinese economy, the news these days is not how the PRC [People’s Republic of China] leadership [is] coming up with good or big packages to bring their economy up from the slump, it’s about the purge of top PLA generals,” he said.

Last week, ahead of its plenum, China announced that two top military leaders had been expelled from the party and the military on corruption charges, the most senior officers to be purged in an anti-graft drive that began in 2023.

Wu also mentioned the scenes from last month’s military parade in Beijing held by Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

“The footage of the Sept. 3 military parade gave an impression of China still seeking global dominance, not solving domestic economic and social problems. This doesn’t make too much sense to me,” he said.

Hudson Institute researcher Walter Russell Mead said that the US belief that a strong economy would foster democracy had evidently not been the case with China.

The US must find other methods, as its previous policy has not been successful, Mead said.

In addition, under US President Donald Trump, the US is no longer taking the lead in resolving global conflicts, he said.

Compared with NATO, Trump evidently prefers allies such as Israel, as it is willing to commit to national defense, he said, adding that Trump would like to see a change in its relationship with nations such as Japan, which uses the US’ Aegis Combat System, but still maintains close economic ties with China.

Although meaningful talks on the Taiwan issue are unlikely with China, Trump would not relent on matters of US interests, while Xi must uphold the propaganda currently spread in China, Mead said.

Additional reporting by Reuters

title: Beijing wants new global order, Wu and Mattis warn


content_text:
US, Australia ink rare earths deal to counter China

US President Donald Trump on Monday signed a landmark pact with visiting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to boost the US’ access to rare earths and other critical minerals, an effort to counter China’s tight grip on the supply chains of key metals.

The two governments are to jointly invest in a swathe of mines and processing projects in Australia to boost production of commodities used in advanced technologies from electric vehicles to semiconductors and fighter planes.

Australia has an US$8.5 billion “pipeline that we have ready to go,” Albanese said at a meeting between the two leaders at the White House.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, left, speaks during a meeting with US President Donald Trump, center, as US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth listens in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington on Monday. Photo: AP

“In about a year from now, we’ll have so much critical mineral and rare earths that you won’t know what to do with them,” Trump said.

The US has been locked in a rare earths tussle with China since Beijing fought back against Trump’s trade offensive earlier this year, imposing export curbs on the materials. It has since expanded those restrictions. The prospect of even tighter supply has injected momentum into a US push to build alternative production capacity, even as industry executives and analysts caution that replacing a vast network of mines and refining would not be swift.

The leaders said the agreement would include Australian processing of rare earths and other critical minerals, with Albanese adding that Australia had “capacity” to expand those efforts.

The US and Australia pledged to protect their domestic markets from “unfair trade practices,” including through adopting trading standards that involve “price floors or similar measures,” according to the text of the deal circulated by Albanese’s office.

The deal is to begin with the US and Australia each paying more than US$1 billion over the next six months for initial projects, with some further projects in both countries, Albanese said.

The document did not include details on which entities would provide that financing.

The Pentagon would help fund the construction of the planned 100 tonne-a-year Alcoa-Sojitz gallium refinery in Western Australia as part of the deal, the White House said.

The Export-Import Bank of the US is also issuing letters of interest for more than US$2.2 billion in financing on critical mineral projects.

Asked about the pact, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Guo Jiakun (郭嘉昆) said that “the formation of global production and supply chains is the result of market forces and business decisions.”

“Countries rich in critical mineral resources should play an active role in ensuring the security and stability of industrial and supply chains, and in safeguarding normal economic and trade cooperation,” he told a regular news briefing in Beijing.


content_text:
Democracies should build secure supply chains, MOFA says

Democracies should unite to establish global democratic supply chains, with Taiwan as a trustworthy and key partner for Europe and the world, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said yesterday, responding to a European think tank’s report suggesting that EU members help bolster Taiwan’s resilience in the face of China’s hybrid tactics.

The International Crisis Group, a Brussels-based independent think tank, biannually releases an EU Watch List, which identifies where the EU and its members can enhance prospects for peace and stability.

In its Autumn Update published on Thursday last week, the report included a section titled “Taiwan Strait: Managing Europe’s Risk in a Global Hotspot,” which said that China is exerting greater pressure on Taiwan, and that cross-strait tensions have increased.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emblem is pictured in Taipei in an undated photograph. Photo: Taipei Times

To mitigate “the escalatory potential of a cross-strait conflict and the devastating impact such a clash would likely have on global trade,” the group urged EU members to take five actions.

These included “working to align its contingency planning for a Taiwan crisis with that of regional governments and deepening cooperations with them” and “help bolster Taiwan’s resilience in the face of China’s hybrid tactics in the Taiwan Strait by adapting lessons learned from Russian operations on Europe’s eastern flank — and, conversely, learning from Taipei’s experience with China to bolster European capabilities.”

The report also recommended deploying naval assets to the Indo-Pacific and urged EU members to “consider conducting freedom of navigation operations through the Taiwan Strait more regularly.”

At the ministry yesterday, MOFA spokesman Hsiao Kuang-wei (蕭光偉) was asked whether Taiwan would be willing to cooperate with EU members on the actions suggested in the report.

Hsiao said it is natural and necessary for democratic countries to support and help each other.

“Facing authoritarian regimes constantly damaging and challenging the rules-based international order, the government’s long-term attitude has been that democratic countries should come together in solidarity and jointly respond to it,” he said.

Hsiao added that in a speech delivered by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) at the Warsaw Security Forum last month, Lin had called on European countries to build closer partnerships with Taiwan.

At a time of changing geopolitics, democratic countries should cooperate to establish global democratic supply chains, Hsiao cited Lin as saying.

Taiwan is a trustworthy and key partner for Europe and the world, Lin said.

“The ministry is glad to see organizations, think tanks and people of different fields in Europe show concern for the security issues in the Taiwan Strait and Indo-Pacific region,” Hsiao said.

The ministry hopes Taiwan and Europe can build on their strong foundation of cooperation to deepen exchanges on information security, cognitive warfare, foreign information manipulation and interference, and democratic governance, he said.


title: Lai congratulates Takaichi on election as Japan PM

people: 賴清德 李逸洋 林佳龍

content_text:
President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday congratulated Sanae Takaichi on becoming Japan’s first female prime minister, following her victory in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership election, Presidential Office spokeswoman Karen Kuo (郭雅慧) said.

In an extraordinary session of the National Diet earlier yesterday, Takaichi secured majority support in both the lower and upper houses to become Japan’s 104th prime minister.

The 64-year-old veteran lawmaker, who served as minister of state for economic security from 2022 to last year, defeated Shinjiro Koizumi in a runoff for the LDP presidency on Oct. 4.

President William Lai, right, greets then Japanese Diet member Sanae Takaichi at the Presidential Office in Taipei on April 28. Photo courtesy of the Presidential Office

Speaking on behalf of the government and the Taiwanese public, Lai expressed hope that under Takaichi’s leadership, the new Japanese government would continue to advance national development, ensure Japan’s continued prosperity and deepen Taiwan-Japan relations, Kuo said.

Taiwan and Japan have long supported each other in times of need. Just last week, the Japanese government donated a water-level observation buoy to assist flood-prevention efforts in Hualien County, Kuo cited Lai as saying.

Lai also extended his appreciation to outgoing Japanese prime minister Shigeru Ishiba for his steadfast support of Taiwan and for advocating, in bilateral and multilateral statements, Taiwan’s participation in international organizations and opposition to any attempt to alter the “status quo” by force or coercion, Kuo said.

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party President and newly appointed Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi leaves the prime minister’s office for the investiture ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo yesterday. Photo: AFP

Ishiba took concrete action to ensure peace and stability across the Strait, and the people of Taiwan have been deeply moved by his support, Lai was quoted as saying.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) also extended his congratulations to Takaichi, instructing the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan to send a congratulatory message, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Takaichi has long been a staunch supporter of Taiwan, and many members of her incoming Cabinet have maintained close ties with Taiwan, having led multiple delegations for in-depth exchanges over the past few years, the ministry said, adding that it looks forward to promoting a “comprehensive partnership.”

Taiwan and Japan share the values of democracy, freedom, human rights and the rule of law, and have long maintained close bilateral exchanges across diplomacy, international alliances and economic partnership, it said.

As Japan’s first female prime minister, Takaichi embodies forward-looking leadership and initiative, it said, expressing hope that both sides would continue to jointly contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

Representative to Japan Lee Yi-yang (李逸洋) also offered his congratulations, citing the historical significance of Takaichi’s election and the formation of a new coalition government between the LDP and the Japan Innovation Party.

Lee said he looks forward to deepening bilateral cooperation not only in semiconductors, but also in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, drones, low-Earth orbit satellites, robotics, information and communications technology, and quantum science.


title: US can help boost defense integration: official

content_text:
‘T-DOME’: The Ministry of National Defense is studying ways to merge Taiwan’s air defense with communications and information systems, a defense official said

Producing defense equipment in Taiwan would help counter the “red” supply chain and bolster the defense industries of Taiwan and the US, Deputy Minister of National Defense for Armaments Chung Shu-ming (鍾樹明) said on Monday at a defense conference in the US.

The 24th US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference ran from Sunday to yesterday in Ellicott City, Maryland.

Chung at the conference emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Deputy Minister of National Defense for Armaments Chung Shu-ming arrives at the US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference in Ellicott, Maryland, on Monday. Photo: CNA

He called for the US to assist Taiwan in integrating its defense and information systems under its new “T-Dome” initiative, a large-scale project that would establish a comprehensive protection network capable of intercepting Chinese missiles.

The Ministry of National Defense is studying ways to integrate Taiwan’s existing air defense, communications and information management systems, and hopes to receive US assistance to enhance coordination and interoperability, Chung told reporters.

He also urged deeper collaboration in defense industrial supply chains and Indo-Pacific region security cooperation

Taiwan bears the brunt of China’s growing aggression and military pressure as Beijing seeks to expand its regional influence, Chung said.

Comparing China to a spear seeking to pierce the Pacific island chains and expand its maritime power, Chung said the US, Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines and Australia together form a shield to defend regional stability.

Taiwan is enhancing its asymmetric warfare and reserve combat capabilities, as well as its defense resilience and “gray zone” responses, while mobilizing civilian production to develop a “non-red” drone supply chain with international partners, he said, adding that a new special resilience budget has raised defense spending to more than 3 percent of GDP.

Producing defense equipment in Taiwan is not only a strategic move, but also an opportunity to upgrade the industry, as it would block risks of the “red” supply chain and ensure the security and technological autonomy of the US and Taiwan defense industries, Chung said.

The US and Taiwan could cooperate more in trade, defense and technology innovation to build a “non-red” supply chain, he said.

Chung also welcomed US efforts to resolve arms-delivery delays, saying that the US has demonstrated goodwill and that the problems “are gradually being resolved,” he said.

Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Wang Ting-yu (王定宇) also spoke at the meeting, saying that Taipei plans to present a seven-year, NT$1.3 trillion (US$42.36 billion) special defense budget early next month.

It would focus on four priorities: the T-Dome initiative, asymmetric warfare capabilities, expanded strategic reserves and greater self-sufficiency in domestic arms production, Wang said.

About 200 participants attended the annual bilateral defense industry conference this year, which gathers officials, defense industry representatives and think tank experts from Taiwan and the US.


content_text:
SOFT SOIL:  The new lake on the river in Hualien County is expected to drain within 24 hours, raising the water level downstream by 50cm to 70cm, a local official said

A new barrier lake has formed on the Mataian River (馬太鞍溪) in Hualien County and is expected to overflow before 10am today, local authorities said yesterday.

The new lake has a capacity of about 600,000 tonnes of water — far smaller than the main barrier lake about 1km upstream, the Hualien County Government said.

The breach of the larger dam last month amid Super Typhoon Ragasa killed 19 people in downstream areas.

Two barrier lakes on the Mataian River in Hualien County, the newer one at the bottom, are pictured in an aerial photograph yesterday. Photo courtesy of the Hualien branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency

As of yesterday morning, the new lake held about 100,000 tonnes of water, but was expected to reach capacity within 24 hours amid persistent rain, officials said.

As a precaution, the county ordered all machinery and personnel to leave the river area immediately, while residents in low-lying areas of Guangfu Township’s (光復) Dama Village (大馬) were evacuated.

A temporary access road near the Mataian River Bridge on Provincial Highway No. 9 would be closed if necessary and people are advised to plan alternative routes in advance, the county said.

The water level of a barrier lake nearly reaches Provincial Highway No. 8 near Swallow Grotto in Hualien County’s Taroko National Park yesterday morning. Photo courtesy of the Highway Bureau

As the soil forming the barrier is soft, the new lake is expected to drain within 24 hours, raising the water level downstream at the Mataian River Bridge by 50cm to 70cm, said Huang Chun-tse (黃群策), director of the Hualien branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency.

Elsewhere in Hualien County, Taroko National Park remained closed to the public as excavation work on a barrier lake on the Liwu River (立霧溪) continued, the agency said.

The risk posed by the dam, which was created by a landslide that was discovered on Friday last week, prompted the evacuation of more than 900 residents, and the closure of Taroko and part of Provincial Highway No. 8.

After rainfall on Monday night, the Liwu River lake’s level rose from 4.8m below the top of the natural dam the previous day to 2.94m below, Huang told reporters.

Operations at the site are focused on clearing out space for workers to evacuate to in case of flooding, Huang said.

The ultimate goal is to clear 10m of material from the top of the dam so that it is lower than the adjacent Provincial Highway No. 8, he said.

As falling rocks are a continuous hazard in the area, the work has been broken up into stages and it is unclear when each would be completed, he added.

Heavy rain advisories were issued by the Central Weather Administration (CWA) from yesterday morning through early this morning.

Torrential rain advisories, warning of rainfall exceeding 350mm in 24 hours, or more than 200mm in three hours, were issued for Keelung and mountainous areas of Taipei, New Taipei City and Yilan County.

Extremely heavy rain, exceeding 200mm in 24 hours or 100mm in three hours, were forecast for Taipei, New Taipei City and Yilan County, as well as mountainous areas in Taoyuan and Hsinchu County.

In Taoyuan, Hsinchu County, Miaoli County and Hualien County, the CWA issued heavy rain advisories, warning of rain expected to exceed 80mm within 24 hours or 40mm in one hour.

CWA forecaster Kuan Hsin-ping (官欣平) said that the rain would be heaviest yesterday and today, but precipitation might persist into Friday and Saturday.

Additional reporting by Kayleigh Madjar

title: New lake forms in the Mataian River


content_text:
CHINA TRAVEL:  Kinmen health authorities conducted mosquito density surveillance and implemented chemical controls, and urged others to monitor their own health

Two people who had traveled in China’s Guangdong Province were diagnosed with chikungunya fever, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday.

Two members of the same family who live in the same household in Kinmen County traveled to Guangdong’s Chaozhou City early this month and returned on Oct. 7, CDC Deputy Director-General Tseng Shu-hui (曾淑慧) said.

They developed fevers, joint pain and rashes on Oct. 9 and sought medical treatment on Monday last week, Tseng said, adding that test results came back positive for the chikungunya virus.

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Deputy Director-General Tseng Shu-hui, center, speaks at a news conference in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Chiu Chih-jou, Taipei Times

The two people have recovered, she said.

As they were in Guangdong during the incubation period, they were counted as imported cases, she said.

However, they returned to Kinmen during the viremia period — when the virus is in the bloodstream and can be transmitted — so the local health department conducted mosquito density surveillance and implemented chemical controls near their home, urged nearby residents to monitor their own health, and reminded local medical workers to remain vigilant and report cases with symptoms indicating the disease, she said.

CDC physician Lin Yung-ching (林詠青) said that chikungunya is spread via bites by mosquitoes — primarily Aedes albopictus, or the Asian tiger mosquito, and Aedes aegypti, or the yellow fever mosquito — carrying the virus and the incubation period is usually between two to 12 days, while the viremia period is usually between two days prior to the onset of symptoms and five days after onset.

Chikungunya and dengue fever share symptoms including fever, headache, muscle pain and rashes, but chikungunya can also cause persistent, severe joint pain that can last for months or years, Lin said, adding that infants, elderly people and people with chronic conditions, including hypertension, diabetes and heart disease, have a higher risk of developing severe complications.

Since a local chikungunya outbreak in Guangdong began in July, the province has reported nearly 20,000 cases, with 2,086 cases in its latest weekly report, mainly in Jiangmen City, followed by the cities of Foshan, Shenzhen and Guangzhou, Tseng said.

People traveling to Guangdong and other areas where chikungunya is spreading should take preventive actions against mosquito bites, she said.

Meanwhile, the CDC said there were 128,915 hospital visits for flu-like illnesses and 53 cases of severe flu complications in the seven days to Saturday.

Although hospital visits fell by 7.8 percent from the previous seven-day period, indicating that the first peak of the flu season has passed, the epidemic period is ongoing and the CDC expects cases to rise in the middle of next month, reaching another peak near the Lunar New Year in the middle of February, Tseng said.

The weekly number of COVID-19 cases in the week to Saturday increased for the first time in 18 weeks, she said.

Although the number of cases is relatively low, the centers would continue to monitor the situation, she added.

As vaccines usually provide protection about two weeks after vaccination, people eligible for government-funded flu and COVID-19 vaccines are urged to get them as soon possible, the CDC said.

title: Two people diagnosed with chikungunya


content_text:
China Airlines Ltd (CAL) yesterday morning joined SkyTeam’s Aviation Challenge for the fourth time, operating a demonstration flight for “net zero carbon emissions” from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to Bangkok.

The flight used sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at a ratio of up to 40 percent, the highest proportion CAL has achieved to date, the nation’s largest carrier said.

Since April, SAF has become available to Taiwanese international carriers at Taipei International Airport (Songshan airport), Kaohsiung International Airport and Taoyuan airport.

China Airlines flight attendants present new meals and eco-friendly materials at an event at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport yesterday. Photo: Tsai Yun-jung, Taipei Times

In previous challenges, CAL operated “net zero carbon emission flights” to Singapore and Japan.

At a ceremony at Taoyuan airport, China Airlines chief sustainability officer Ren Cheng (鄭智仁) said the Taoyuan-Bangkok flight, CI831, used a 40 percent blend of SAF supplied by CPC Corp, Taiwan, reducing carbon emissions by nearly 20 tonnes for the round trip.

The remaining carbon emissions would be offset through purchases from a globally recognized environmental, social and corporate governance-compliant carbon offset program, Cheng said.

The Taipei-Bangkok flight had about 7.7 tonnes of SAF added to the standard fuel, the airline said.

For the return flight, CI832, SAF was purchased from Thailand’s PTT Oil and Retail Business and blended at 1 percent, it said.

Apart from using SAF, the demonstration flight offered eco-friendly onboard services, including digital menus in all cabins, it said.

Utensils in the economy-class section were made of recycled stainless steel, while lids for meals, plastic cups, pillowcases, headrest covers and restroom supply containers were made of recycled polyethylene terephthalate, CAL said, adding that passengers were given forest stewardship council-certified paper cups and biodegradable dental floss sticks.

Plastic wraps for blankets were replaced with paper rings and each passenger was given an eco-friendly ballpoint pen made of cork as a souvenir, it said.

The airline also worked with Little Tree Food (小小樹食), a Taipei-based Michelin Green Star restaurant, to provide vegetarian cuisine on the CI831 flight, it said.

The vegetarian meals were Thai cuisine made with plant-based meat, with Thai rice and pandan coconut jelly as dessert, the airline said.

In addition to its partnerships with CPC, CAL in July signed a memorandum of understanding with Formosa Petrochemical Corp to procure more than 10,000 tonnes of SAF over the next three years.

title: CAL flies ‘net zero’ flight from Taoyuan airport to Bangkok


title: Chunghwa Post to launch electric three-wheeler trial

taiwan-subdivisions: 板橋 三重

content_text:
Chunghwa Post is to begin using three-wheeled electric vehicles to deliver mail and packages, with the trial service to be launched at three post offices in Taipei and New Taipei City today.

The state-run postal firm has expanded its use of electric vehicles in mail and delivery services since 2018 in compliance with the government’s policy of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050, Chunghwa Post chairman Wang Kwo-tsai (王國材) said at a ceremony in Taipei yesterday.

Two-wheeled electric scooters account for half of its delivery vehicle fleet, Wang said.

Chunghwa Post employees stand next to two-wheel and new three-wheel electric scooters at an event in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Lin Chih-yi, Taipei Times

The two-wheeled scooters can each carry about six parcels in addition to regular mail, while the three-wheeled scooters can carry up to 80 parcels, he said, adding that postal services in Japan and Australia have begun to use such vehicles to deliver mail.

Two types of three-wheeled electric scooters have been introduced — one rechargeable and the other with swappable batteries — to determine which model is better suited for Chunghwa Post’s operations, he said.

The trial program would be launched at major post offices in Taipei, as well as New Taipei City’s Banciao (板橋) and Sanchong (三重) districts, Wang said.

“We would consider expanding the use of three-wheeled electric scooters to Pingtung and Hualien counties — which tend not have a lot of packages — if the results of the trial prove to be successful,” he said.

The plan is to phase out fossil fuel-powered vehicles, with the goal of fully electrifying the mail delivery fleet by 2040, he said.

With greater capacity and extended range, three-wheeled electric scooters can meet the firm’s requirements, the company said.

One of the new vehicles would reduce net carbon emissions by about 471kg per year, it said.

Department of Mail Business and Operations director Ke Ching-chang (柯清長) said that the company has 3,630 two-wheeled electric scooters.

The company decided to introduce three-wheeled scooters after positive feedback from mail couriers, Ke said.

Using the three-wheeled scooters increases capacity and reduces safety risks for mail couriers, particularly for female riders, he said.

Forty-four three-wheeled scooters would be used during the six-month trial, with 18 assigned to Taipei Beimen Post Office, 16 to Banciao Wenhua Road Post Office and 10 to Sanchong Zhongshan Road Post Office, Ke said.

An electric three-wheeled scooter can operate at 65km while carrying 60 parcels, he said.


content_text:
By Ann Wang / Reuters, IROSIN, Philippines, and NEW TAIPEI CITY

Marian Duhapa kisses her quietly sleeping baby daughter Quinn goodbye as she prepares for the 16-hour bus trip from her remote village in the Philippines to Manila airport before flying to Taiwan for work.

“I pray for myself, the baby and my family. I pray I can find a job so I can help my daughter and my family. This is my only choice now,” Duhapa said.

For hundreds of thousands of migrant workers like 32-year-old Duhapa, moving overseas to work is a painful decision.

Marian Duhapa, right, a migrant worker from the Philippines, attends a party with fellow migrant workers in New Taipei City on March 22 last year. Photo: Ann Wang, Reuters

While a job abroad will give them enough money to support their families, they will also have to leave their children, often for years at a time, but if they stay at home, they might struggle to get by.

“Life in the Philippines is so difficult. Every move you make requires money. It’s poverty. Even if you earn, it’s still not enough,” said Duhapa, who is the main breadwinner for her extended family of 11.

Taipei, only a two-hour flight from Manila, is home to more than 150,000 Philippine migrant workers.

title: Migrant tells of struggle in Taiwan


content_text:
Taiwan’s performances at Melbourne Fringe an experience for all ages

Taiwan’s participation in the Melbourne Fringe this year through the 6th Fringe Focus Taiwan program was an experience for all ages, featuring two performances that involved children under two years old and seniors over 65, the Ministry of Culture said Tuesday.

“Free Steps ─ Swinging Years,” created by Taiwanese choreographer Su Wei-chia (蘇威嘉), was a collaboration among 59 Melbourne-based dancers aged 65 and older, the oldest one being 90, the ministry said in a press release on Tuesday.

The piece transforms different experiences into dance and accentuates life’s variety through physical movements, the ministry said.

"Free Steps ─ Swinging Years," created by Taiwanese choreographer Su Wei-chia, features a collaboration among 59 Melbourne-based dancers aged 65 and older. Photo courtesy of the Melbourne Fringe via CNA

Asked what the hardest part was when creating the piece, Su said it was “believing they can do it,” the ministry quoted the choreographer as saying.

“Somehow, they really did it,” Su said.

At first, they were self-conscious and not comfortable dancing, but as the rehearsals progressed, they eventually gained confidence and control over their bodies, demonstrating power and grace that radiated wisdom, Su said.

"We Need A Flower," created by Double and Cross Theater Group, features babies under 24 months old and the adults taking care of them. Photo courtesy of the Melbourne Fringe via CNA

Meanwhile, “We Need A Flower,” created by Double and Cross Theater Group, featured babies under 24 months old and the adults taking care of them, according to Melbourne Fringe’s website.

“Inspired by an Italian nursery rhyme, this delicate, wordless work explores the cycle of life and the connection between all things. Through improvised dance, tactile costumes, shifting light and sound, and playful interactions, the performers gently mirror babies’ physical development, inviting curiosity and imagination,” according to the website.

The performance, which lasted 35 minutes, was staged on Oct. 17 and 18.

A third piece, “Free Steps ─ Grand Canyon,” featuring interactions between a dancer and a sheet of paper was also choreographed by Su.

Taking the form of a pop-up performance, the dance was performed from Oct. 1-9 during Melbourne Fringe events that took place at the Queen Victoria Market, Fed Square and Melbourne Museum, according to the website.

At the opening ceremony for Fringe Focus Taiwan on Oct. 14, Fringe Melbourne CEO Simon Abrahams thanked the ministry for co-organizing the event and expressed hope that the collaboration will continue, so as to bring Taiwan’s cultural and creative performances to audiences in Australia and around the world.

In his remarks, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Melbourne Director-General Ray Lu (呂明澤) said that Taiwan’s participation in the Melbourne Fringe allows the nation to engage the world in artistic dialogue, define its identity and connect with the international community through the “universal language” of imagination.


content_text: Pedestrians in Taipei shield themselves from the rain yesterday. After more than 500mm fell in mountainous areas of Taipei yesterday, rainfall is expected to intensify into tonight in northern Taiwan and Yilan County, as the low pressure system shifts south. The wet weather is not expected to ease until Saturday.

title: Wet and damp


content_text: Taiwanese long-distance swimmer Hsu Wen-erh poses with the national flag in the Strait of Bonifacio yesterday after completing her swim across the 15km-wide channel connecting the islands of Corsica and Sardinia.

title: Swim triumph


content_text:
AI BOOST: Although Taiwan’s reliance on Chinese rare earth elements is limited, it could face indirect impacts from supply issues and price volatility, an economist said

DBS Bank Ltd (星展銀行) has sharply raised its forecast for Taiwan’s economic growth this year to 5.6 percent, citing stronger-than-expected exports and investment linked to artificial intelligence (AI), as it said that the current momentum could peak soon.

The acceleration of the global AI race has fueled a surge in Taiwan’s AI-related capital spending and exports of information and communications technology (ICT) products, which have been key drivers of growth this year.

“We have revised our GDP forecast for Taiwan upward to 5.6 percent from 4 percent, an upgrade that mainly reflects stronger-than-expected AI-related exports and investment in the third quarter,” the Singapore-based banks’ economist Ma Tieying (馬鐵英) said.

The economy expanded 6.7 percent year-on-year in the first half, with the information and electronics manufacturing sector contributing 6.1 percentage points, accounting for about 90 percent of total growth, the bank said.

While AI-driven demand remains solid, data suggest the sector’s rapid expansion might be losing steam, Ma said.

Exports of electronic components rose 25.6 percent year-on-year last month, compared with 34.6 percent in August, while ICT product exports surged 86.9 percent, easing from a 111.1 percent high in May.

The purchasing managers’ index for Taiwanese manufacturers has also stayed below the 50-point expansion threshold for three consecutive months, registering 48.8 last month, signaling a cooling trend.

DBS said it expects export and investment growth to moderate from this quarter into next year as AI-related demand peaks and the impact of new US tariffs begins to weigh on exports.

Beyond the technology sector, Taiwan’s broader economy is showing signs of strain, Ma said.

Non-ICT exports have contracted amid the US’ “reciprocal” tariffs introduced in August and weak demand from China, she said.

Domestic consumption remains sluggish as the labor market softens, with the number of furloughed workers increasing, she said.

Construction investment is also declining amid a correction in the housing market.

Real-estate loans account for 36.7 percent of total bank lending, above the central bank’s 35-to-36 percent target, leaving the monetary authority with little incentive to ease property loan curbs, Ma said.

Rising US-China trade tensions are further clouding the outlook. On Oct. 9, China expanded export controls on rare earth elements, and the next day, US President Donald Trump threatened to impose an additional 100 percent tariff on Chinese goods.

Rare earths are critical for semiconductor production, extreme ultraviolet lithography machines, and data center cooling systems. China controls about 60 percent of global mining output and 90 percent of refining capacity.

The new restrictions could delay shipments and raise costs across the global tech supply chain, DBS said.

Although Taiwan’s direct reliance on Chinese rare earth elements is limited, it could face indirect impacts from global supply bottlenecks and price volatility, Ma said.

DBS said it expected tariff-related risks to persist, with full tariff exemptions unlikely.

The government has proposed bilateral cooperation with Washington on industrial cluster development and infrastructure, along with enterprise-led investment and financial guarantees, to secure preferential treatment amid an ongoing US semiconductor trade probe.

title: DBS raises its Taiwan growth forecast


content_text:
PROFIT-TAKING: Despite the high closing, investors turned cautious about a possible pullback after the TAIEX posted gains, analyst Alex Huang said

Taiwanese shares yesterday closed at a new high, but gave up most of earlier gains as investors rushed to lock in their significant profits built in recent sessions with contract chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) in focus.

The TAIEX closed up 63.78 points, or 0.23 percent, at 27,752.41. Turnover on the main board totaled NT$513.92 billion (US$16.74 billion), Taiwan Stock Exchange data showed.

Foreign institutional investors sold a net NT$240.71 million of shares on the main board, the exchange said.

A man looks at the electronic stock board at the Taiwan Stock Exchange in Taipei on Aug. 9. Photo: CNA

Despite the high closing, “investors have turned cautious about a possible major technical pullback after the TAIEX posted gains since US President Donald Trump’s administration announced sweeping reciprocal tariffs in April,” Mega International Investment Services Corp (兆豐國際投顧) analyst Alex Huang (黃國偉) said.

Before yesterday, the TAIEX had soared 10,296.87 points, or 59.21 percent, from the closing level of 17,391.76 on April 9.

“Today’s expanded turnover showed many investors tended to trim holdings now; TSMC was among the targets,” Huang said. “But I prefer to say TSMC’s fundamentals stay sound, while such positive leads have been priced in.”

TSMC, the most heavily weighted stock, closed unchanged at NT$1,480, off a high of NT$1,500, while iPhone assembler Hon Hai Precision Industry Co (鴻海精密) rose 0.21 percent to close at NT$239.

Elsewhere, most stock markets extended gains yesterday on further signs that US-China trade tensions were easing and as investors looked to corporate earnings.

Tokyo hit another record as Japan swore in new prime minister Sanae Takaichi and brought an end to a period of political uncertainty, while the yen weakened amid higher expectations for a slower pace of interest rate hikes under Takaichi’s government.

Additional reporting by AFP

title: Taiwan shares reach new high with eroded gains


content_text:
Taiwanese machinery manufacturers facing US tariff challenges and unfavorable exchange rates must provide customized products or services to secure orders and regain customer loyalty, a Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry (TAMI) official said yesterday in Taichung.

“Taiwan’s machinery export market is shrinking,” the Chinese-language Liberty Times (the Taipei Times’ sister newspaper) quoted TAMI secretary-general Hsu Wen-tung (許文通) as saying on the sidelines of an international forum marking the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the association.

“We can no longer rely on price-performance ratios and after-sales services to retain customers, as exchange rate fluctuations pose a greater disadvantage to our products... Differentiation and customization are needed to attract customers and make it impossible for rivals to compete,” Hsu said.

Vice Minister of Economic Affairs Ho Chin-tsang, fifth left, Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry chairman David Chuang, fifth right, and other guests gesture at an international forum in Taichung yesterday. Photo: Huang Hsu-lei, Taipei Times

For instance, some companies said that order visibility for customized semiconductor, woodworking and food machinery is clear through the first or the second quarter of next year, reflecting their still high international visibility and limited impact by exchange rate changes, he added.

From January to last month, Taiwan’s machinery exports reached US$23.26 billion, an annual increase of 6.6 percent. In New Taiwan dollar terms, the total was NT$725.07 billion, up 3.8 percent, the association’s data showed, an indication that the NT dollar’s appreciation this year has eroded the real growth of export value.

Taiwan’s price advantage — with machinery equipment priced 20 to 30 percent lower than Japanese products — has effectively disappeared, as from 2021 to Oct. 8, the NT dollar depreciated only 7.4 percent, compared with the yen’s 48.1 percent plunge, the association said in a statement.

Given unfavorable exchange rates, “Japan’s high-end products are almost all cheaper than Taiwan’s,” Hsu said.

A stronger NT dollar has an even greater impact than US tariffs, with the effect especially evident in machine tool exports, the association said.

From January through last month, Taiwan’s machine tool exports totaled US$1.52 billion, down 6.4 percent from US$1.63 billion for the same period last year, association data showed.

While competing with Japan and South Korea on the high-end segment, Taiwan’s machinery makers also compete with Chinese firms on the low to middle end.

However, after Chinese firms’ aggressive international expansion over the past few years and a spree of acquisitions of many European and US companies, the quality and output of Chinese products have increased rapidly, Hsu said.

In particular, China’s low-priced steel — only one-third of Taiwan’s — and lower production costs in are also making it difficult for Taiwanese makers to compete with their Chinese peers in Southeast Asia, he said.

Speaking at the international forum, Vice Minister of Economic Affairs Ho Chin-tsang (何晉滄) said the Legislative Yuan on Friday passed the Executive Yuan’s special resilience budget, which includes a NT$46 billion (US$1.5 billion) spending plan proposed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs to help local industries bolster their resilience and competitiveness.

The ministry would step up efforts to help companies in terms of financial support, technology upgrading and talent development, as well as assist them in integrating artificial intelligence into their operations and entering global supply chains, Ho said.

title: Machinery makers facing challenges: association


title: Amazon services restored after 15-hour-long outage

companies: Apple Google

content_text:
Amazon Web Services (AWS), the world’s largest cloud provider, resolved the issues that plagued its services for about 15 hours on Monday, an episode that highlighted how much of the Internet is dependent on the operations of a single company.

In an update on its service health dashboard, the Amazon.com Inc unit said all of its services “returned to normal operations” as of about 6pm New York time.

AWS — data storage, computing power and other building blocks — underpin a large chunk of the Internet, accounting for about one-third of the cloud market.

People walk past the logo of Amazon Web Services at its exhibitor stall at the India Mobile Congress in New Delhi on Oct. 8. Photo: Reuters

DownDetector, a Web site that tracks online outages, said in a Facebook post that it received more than 11 million user reports of problems at more than 2,500 companies.

Financial services outfits Venmo and Robinhood Markets Inc, Apple Inc’s music and TV offerings, software companies such as Zoom Communications Inc, Salesforce Inc and Snowflake Inc, food-services giants including McDonald’s Corp and gaming companies such as Epic Games Inc, and even Amazon’s own services, including Alexa and the Ring home security system, were not immune, it said.

Corey Quinn, chief cloud economist with Duckbill, which advises businesses on their cloud spending, said Monday’s outage was likely the worst for AWS since a major disruption in December 2021.

AWS earlier said a digital directory for a key database service malfunctioned, causing cascading failures when software reliant on the widely used data trove was unable to retrieve information. By early Monday New York time, the company said it had identified and fixed the underlying issue, which hit its operations on the US East Coast, AWS’s largest cluster of data centers.

However, as the company worked to fix that issue, engineers found that other subsystems — including one necessary for customers to launch new rented servers — had been hit by the database outage.

Most glitches on major tech systems are fixed quickly. Still, interconnected technology systems have meant that problems at one company can cause catastrophic impacts across the global economy.

AWS leads the cloud computing market, followed closely by Microsoft Corp’s Azure, with Google Cloud in third place. Businesses, governments and consumers worldwide rely on their infrastructure for online activities.

“Major providers like AWS going down represent vulnerabilities in what have become critical infrastructure for organizations and, in some cases, governments globally,” Emarketer Inc senior analyst Jacob Bourne said. “As cloud reliance and workloads expand, these outages could hit industries harder.”

Additional reporting by AFP


title: Servers drive growth in export orders

content_text:
Export orders last month expanded 30.5 percent year-on-year to US$70.22 billion, the eighth straight month of double-digit percentage growth and the highest ever for a single month, the Ministry of Economic Affairs said yesterday.

Last month’s figure increased 17 percent from the previous month, and exceeded the ministry’s estimate of US$64 billion to US$66 billion.

Stronger server orders drove the stronger-than-expected result, Department of Statistics Director-General Huang Wei-jie (黃偉傑) told a news conference in Taipei.

Trucks move shipping containers at the Port of Kaohsiung yesterday. Photo: Ritchie B. Tongo, EPA

The ministry in a report said orders in the third quarter rose 23.8 percent year-on-year to US$190.69 billion, surpassing its forecast of US$184.5 billion.

In the first nine months of the year, export orders grew 22.3 percent to US$524.37 billion, also the largest for the period, it said.

Export orders this month are expected to fall 2.3 percent month-on-month to US$68.6 billion, or rise 0.5 percent to US$70.6 billion, the ministry said.

On an annual basis, orders are forecast to increase by 23.7 to 27.3 percent, it said.

Order momentum is expected to remain strong this quarter, supported by robust demand for artificial intelligence (AI) products and emerging technologies, Huang said.

Export orders could hit a record high this year, surpassing the previous record of US$674.1 billion in 2021, if orders this quarter reach US$149.7 billion, he said.

The optimism comes as worries about US tariffs and US-China trade tensions have eased, while several institutions have raised global economic growth forecasts for this year, he added.

While end-market demand has not rebounded significantly and China’s oversupply continues to weigh on traditional industries, AI remains a key growth driver for Taiwan, Huang said.

Regardless of the talks about an AI bubble, the main uncertainty is the outcome of a Section 232 investigation under the US Trade Expansion Act of 1962, he said.

Last month, export orders for electronic components surged 45.9 percent year-on-year, as AI and high-performance computing drove demand for integrated circuit production, design, packaging and memory orders, the ministry said.

Orders for information and communications technology products rose 33.1 percent, as strong demand from the AI and cloud service industries drove orders for servers and Internet communication products, while optoelectronic product orders climbed 11.2 percent, and machinery orders rose 11.4 percent due to strong demand for automation equipment in semiconductor production, it said.

In traditional industries, export orders for plastic and rubber products fell 10 percent, and orders for base metals dropped 6.3 percent, while chemical products rose 1.4 percent, ministry data showed.

US tariffs have continued to weigh on orders for plastic and rubber products, as well as machine tools, while base metals face low prices and oversupply from China, Huang said.

Chemical product orders rebounded as demand for medicine — especially from Japan — and petrochemical products increased, he added.


content_text:
ASE Technology Holding Co (日月光投控), the world’s largest integrated circuit (IC) packaging and testing supplier, yesterday announced a strategic collaboration with Analog Devices Inc (ADI), coupled with the signing of a binding memorandum of understanding.

Under the agreement, ASE intends to purchase 100 percent shares of Analog Devices Sdn Bhd and acquire its manufacturing facility in Penang, Malaysia, a press release showed. The ADI Penang facility is located in the prime industrial hub of Bayan Lepas, with an area of over 680,000 square feet, it said.

In addition, the two sides intend to enter into a long-term supply agreement for ASE to provide manufacturing services for ADI, while ADI plans to co-invest with ASE in upskilling the Penang facility, the statement said.

ASE Technology Holding Co’s logo is pictured on a company factory in Kaohsiung on Sept. 25. Photo: CNA

ASE and ADI expect to complete the transaction in the first half of next year, which will still be subject to the satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditions as agreed under the definitive transaction documents and applicable regulatory approvals, the statement said.

Upon completion of the deal, ASE said it would assume the Penang operations and further develop the site to support ADI as well as other customers.

“The proposed acquisition of ADI’s Penang facility is a strategic move designed to broaden ASE’s global manufacturing capabilities and achieve a higher degree of operational flexibility and scale,” ASE chief operating officer Tien Wu (吳田玉) said in the statement.

“Today’s announcement also underscores our continued commitment to strengthen our collaboration with ADI in delivering exceptional IC packaging and testing solutions for their high-performance analog, mixed-signal and digital signal processing chips,” Wu added.

ADI executive vice president for global operations and technology Vivek Jain said assembly technology and resilient manufacturing are critical elements for fueling the company’s short- and long-term growth.

“We are teaming up with ASE to expand the Penang factory’s capability and capacity. This strengthens our technology offering and supply chain resiliency as we continue to offer best-in-class support for our customers,” Jain said in the statement.

title: ASE forms strategic partnership with Analog Devices


content_text:
Yageo completes tender offer for Japan’s Shibaura Electronics

Yageo Corp (國巨), the world’s third-largest maker of multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCC), yesterday said it has completed a tender offer for Japan’s Shibaura Electronics Co, and expects to take the Japanese firm completely under its corporate umbrella in the first quarter of next year.

Yageo said it completed the tender offer with an acceptance rate of 87.3 percent as of Monday, the deadline for the deal, far above the threshold of 50.01 percent of Shibaura, which the Taiwanese suitor described as a “globally recognized” maker of negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistors.

Under Japanese securities rules, Yageo said it would continue to acquire the remaining Shibaura shares and the acquisition is expected to be completed with the Japanese firm becoming one of its subsidiaries during the January-to-March period of next year.

The Yageo Corp logo is displayed at the entrance of its factory in Kaohsiung on June 6. Photo: Wen-Yee Lee, Reuters

Shibaura will be delisted from the stock market after the acquisition is completed in the first quarter of next year, Japanese news media reported yesterday.

Yageo said the buy-in seeks to expand its NTC thermistor business to a scale that will significantly boost the company’s global competitive edge. Under the deal, Yageo will lend support to Shibaura to strengthen its production capabilities in the Japanese market, while Shibaura is expected to take advantage of Yageo’s global marketing network and its broad customer base to gain a higher share of the global market, in particular in the Americas and Europe.

“This milestone represents a pivotal advancement in Yageo’s global strategy within the electronic components industry and reinforces our unwavering commitment to long-term investment in the Japanese market,” the Taiwanese company said in a statement.

Founded in 1977, Yageo has pursued growth through acquisitions in recent years, focusing on high-end passive component development.

Among its past deals, Yageo bought US-based Pulse Electronics Corp for NT$22 billion (US$716 million) in 2018, cementing its MLCC status, and acquired American counterpart Kemet Corp for US$1.64 billion in 2020.

In 2023, Yageo acquired Schneider Electric SE’s French-based Telemecanique Sensors in an all-cash deal worth 686 million euros (US$795 million) to strengthen its specialty electronic component business.

With a workforce of more than 40,000 worldwide, Yageo currently runs 61 production sites in 35 countries and 20 research and development centers.


title: Hardware expo

content_text: A company representative introduces a robot vacuum to President William Lai, front row, second left, Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen, front row, third right, and others at a hardware expo at the Taichung International Convention and Exhibition Center yesterday. After 20 years of planning and construction, the facility started a trial run yesterday with an international hardware expo, which runs through tomorrow.


title: Japan’s 1st female PM and Taiwan

content_text:
Japan’s parliament made history yesterday as it elected Sanae Takaichi, president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), as the country’s first female prime minister.

What was seen as a crisis just a week ago after the pacifist Komeito party exited the ruling coalition has turned into a decisive victory, with Takaichi securing 237 of the 465 seats in the lower house. Her outreach to new smaller parties paid off after successful talks with the Japan Innovation Party (JIP) to form a coalition government.

With the alleged China-friendly Komeito out as the LDP’s 26-year coalition partner, the new alignment should come as good news for Taiwan.

JIP coleaders Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura and lawmaker Fumitake Fujita have visited Taiwan and met its presidents and ministers on numerous occasions. They support amending the constitution to enhance Japan’s military capabilities, strengthen the nation’s role in the US-led regional security alliances, and clearly define the role and elevate the standing of Japan’s defense forces.

The party’s lawmakers frequently voice support for Taiwan-friendly and security-related legislation, including the creation of a Japanese version of the US’ Taiwan Relations Act, participation in international organizations and joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

It is also widely expected that Takaichi’s government would receive support from other smaller parties, such as the Democratic Party for the People, the Sanseito party and the Conservative Party of Japan, all of which gained momentum in the previous general election and align closely with Takaichi’s Taiwan-friendly foreign and national security policies.

That marks a fresh start for the newly formed LDP-JIP coalition with the departure of the Komeito party, akin to rooting out “cancer,” as it was once referred to by former Japanese prime minister Taro Aso.

Aso in 2023 told an AUKUS meeting that “Tokyo, Canberra and Washington must speak in one voice that they shall not tolerate any change in the status quo achieved through force,” and has referred to Taiwan as a country on numerous occasions.

He helped Takaichi consolidate support within the party to become the LDP’s president, and serves as the party’s vice president. Aso would have considerable say in the Takaichi administration.

President William Lai (賴清德) congratulated Takaichi moments after she was elected, and expressed hope that the Taiwan-Japan partnership would continue to deepen and that both countries can jointly maintain the stability and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region. Taiwan has fostered longstanding deep ties with many of her key Cabinet appointees.

Japanese minister of foreign affairs-designate Toshimitsu Motegi has called Taiwan “an irreplaceable friend” as recently as last year, and has repeatedly said “a Taiwan contingency is a Japan contingency,” echoing Takaichi and late Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe.

Motegi was instrumental in approving and overseeing the donations of more than 4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Taiwan during the pandemic.

Japanese chief Cabinet secretary-designate and former Japanese minister of defense Minoru Kihara last week said that semiconductors are a matter of national security, and called for stronger Taiwan-Japan cooperation to deter China.

Former Japanese parliamentary vice minister of defense Kimi Onoda has been selected as the Japanese minister of state for economic security. A frequent visitor to Taiwan, who has often been called a protege of Takaichi, Onoda would be leading the ministry that works to protect Japan from economic coercion by foreign forces. That includes strategic areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, critical supply chains and national resilience.

These are the areas Lai vowed to bolster in his Double Ten National Day speech this month, when he outlined his vision for building the “T-Dome” and “non-red” supply chains.

Perhaps Oct. 21, 2025, would go down as a new dawn in Taiwan-Japan ties.

Rath Wang is a senior policy fellow at Safe Spaces, a consulting firm based in Taipei and Washington focusing on Taiwan’s politics, media and civil society. He is a producer and host of political talk shows and podcasts and has worked on political campaigns and advocacies in Taiwan, Japan and the US.


content_text:
The party of former Czech prime minister Andrej Babis this month won 80 out of 200 seats in parliamentary elections. Combined with the 15 seats of the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party and the 13 of the Motorists for Themselves (AUTO) party, the result paves the way for the populist leader’s return to power.

In addition to Babis’ populist ANO party, the anticipated coalition is expected to include the two anti-system parties, which campaigned on discontinuity with central aspects of the EU policy framework.

While the two smaller parties’ main domestic priorities differ — with the SPD focusing on immigration control and security policies, and the AUTO seeking to defend the interests of motorists — they share a primary foreign policy goal: reducing dependence on the EU by significantly opening up to foreign markets, including Russian and Chinese ones.

Proposing populist and anti-system solutions, both parties unsurprisingly portray the EU as the scapegoat for contemporary societal challenges. In foreign affairs, the SPD and the AUTO aspire to redirect their country toward a conception of EU democracy attuned to actors perceiving the EU as a systemic rival — as exemplified by Hungary.

By advancing along this path, the two parties are expected to rely on the ANO to recalibrate the foreign policy equilibrium established by the previous administration.

A telling illustration of that government’s values-oriented stance — preceding economic considerations — was its engagement with Taiwan, to which it extended repeated signals of friendship, recognition and cooperation during the past legislative cycle.

Ranging from Czech Senate Speaker Milos Vystrcil to Czech Chamber of Deputies Speaker Marketa Pekarova Adamova and Czech President Petr Pavel, the institutional encounters with Democratic Progressive Party leaders constituted unequivocal evidence of the Czech leadership’s values-driven commitment to consolidating robust relations with Taiwan.

“The Czech Republic stands with Taiwan in any circumstance... We are with you now and will continue to be with you. In any circumstance, we are in the same boat. We are with you, as you are with us,” Pekarova Adamova said, underscoring her country’s commitment to Taiwan’s cause and its support for Taipei.

Two acts of symbolic and substantive resonance marked Pavel’s stance toward Taiwan.

In 2023, he became the first elected European head of state to engage directly with then-president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) by telephone. He last year received her at Prague’s Forum 2000 conference, when China was intensifying military maneuvers around Taiwan. Together, the gestures provided unequivocal evidence of the Czech Republic’s values-driven and serious commitment to Taiwan.

Pavel can be envisaged as a guarantor of the Czech Republic’s Western orientation, firmly opposing any initiative liable to complicate relations with the EU.

That stance applies not only to Russia, but also China, where economic incentives for deeper engagement might arise.

From that vantage point, it is beyond doubt that Pavel would resist any policy that could jeopardize his country’s autonomy in the face of authoritarian regimes.

Granting China substantial involvement in strategic domains — including ports and industrial assets — would constitute a perilous signal and a concrete risk, one that Pavel is intent on averting.

Given that the process of forming a new government has not yet been finalized, it remains premature to speak of concrete political measures.Nevertheless, examining the statements of SPD leader Tomio Okamura provides insight into the possible trajectory of the next Czech executive.

As he put it: “China is an important trading partner to be treated with mutual respect, avoiding subservience to Brussels and Washington.”

Such words testify to a deliberate intent to recalibrate the foreign policy equilibrium established by the previous government — with the crucial backing of Pavel — in pursuit of a posture distinct from the “values-oriented” paradigm that had previously prevailed.

Within this framework, Okamura’s assertion of the need to “avoid being dragged into geopolitical conflicts that do not concern the Czech Republic” is unsurprising, representing a position diametrically opposed to that of those who maintain that democracies are bound to defend one another irrespective of geographical location.

The prevention of any development liable to alter the “status quo” in the Taiwan Strait was considered by the previous government as intrinsic to its worldview and to its understanding of interstate relations within the international system.

With two partners potentially advocating a reconfiguration of these dynamics, the responsibility of Babis would be to ensure that the populist formula he promoted during the electoral campaign does not culminate in alignment with authoritarian actors intent on contesting the societal model upheld by the EU.

Failure in this regard would entail a regression, both in policy orientation and in the level of political consciousness attained, for the Central European nation.

Michele Maresca is an analyst at Il Caffe Geopolitico, an online international law journal, and the think tank Geopol21.

title: Babis’ return to shake Taiwan ties


content_text:
The Italian Senate on Oct. 9 hosted a conference titled “Chinese Influence in the EU: The Cases of Italy and Eastern Europe (Romania),” co-organized by Doublethink Lab, Expert Forum and the Global Committee for the Rule of Law “Marco Pannella.”

The event brought together a distinguished panel, Taiwan Representative to Italy Vincent Tsai (蔡允中), Italian Senate Committee on EU Policies President Giulio Terzi di Sant’Agata, Expert Forum president Sorin Ionita, Italian senators Andrea De Priamo and Cinzia Pellegrino, as well as journalist Giulia Pompili of Italian daily Il Foglio.

The conference examined the evolving dynamics between the EU and China, focusing on Beijing’s growing influence in Europe, particularly in Italy and parts of eastern Europe.

Speakers presented evidence showing that Italy’s stance toward China has shifted significantly since December 2023, when Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the country’s withdrawal from the 2019 memorandum of understanding on participation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

The non-renewal of the memorandum of understanding has curtailed some of China’s influence in Italy.

However, disinformation campaigns, psychological manipulation, and forms of economic and political coercion persist. Beijing’s support for Russia’s hybrid threats also remains a serious concern.

Western democratic institutions continue to face challenges from Chinese Communist Party interference.

In Italy, Beijing’s influence is still being exerted through several channels — including academic partnerships through Confucius Institutes at 12 universities, online hybrid operations leveraging social media and digital technologies, and cultural suppression, such as the obstruction of performances by the US-based Shen Yun dance troupe.

Moreover, China’s growing use of artificial intelligence platforms such as DeepSeek and other advanced technologies is increasingly viewed by European governments as a major national security risk.

Over the past two years, the European Council, Parliament and Commission have implemented mechanisms to strengthen continent-wide efforts against disinformation.

The Italian Senate’s Committees on Foreign Affairs and EU Policies adopted a resolution — approved by a large majority — calling for new parliamentary measures to prevent and counter the spread of disinformation aimed at subverting democratic institutions.

Globally, the situation is also alarming: In 65 percent of countries — up from 45 percent — leading social media platforms are owned or controlled by entities linked to the People’s Republic of China. The widespread deployment of real-time facial recognition, data tracking and online speech monitoring has amplified pro-Beijing narratives, while silencing dissent.

Freedom House’s Freedom in the World 2025: The Uphill Battle to Safeguard Rights, published last year, said: “Global freedom declined for the 19th consecutive year in 2024. Sixty countries experienced deterioration in their political rights and civil liberties, and only 34 secured improvements.”

As human rights face mounting pressure amid the global expansion of surveillance and geopolitical uncertainty, Taiwan’s role as a democracy on the front line countering Chinese influence remains essential. For this reason, the EU should continue to strengthen its relations with Taipei.

Matteo Angioli is Secretary General of the Global Committee for the Rule of Law “Marco Pannella.”

title: EU facing increased interference from China