countries: 印尼 菲律賓 瑞士

title: 東盟金融科技公司GCash和DANA加大支持力度，助力中小微企業

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金融科技業界領袖表示，更緊密的公私合作與更具支持性的政策將加速中小微企業的數字化轉型

菲律賓馬尼拉2025年11月19日 /美通社/ — 業內人士表示，隨著東盟地區合作不斷深化，中小微企業將從區域協作中獲益，這也讓金融科技公司能夠更好地服務小型企業。

Rowena Zamora, Chief Strategy Officer of Mynt, the parent company of GCash, and Felix Sharief, vice president of Public Policy and Government Relations at DANA talk about views on ASEAN standardizing cross-border regulations to accelerate MSMEs’ digital shift

GCash母公司Mynt首席戰略官Rowena Zamora表示，東盟為支持金融科技公司賦能小企業所推出的舉措中，「東盟單一窗口」(ASEAN Single Window)便是其中之一，它助力金融科技企業以及中小微企業著顯著提升數字化流程效率。

她表示：「要讓中小微企業在國內以及更廣泛的東盟區域更便捷地進入市場，就必須讓政策與流程更加普惠化，同時通過務實的創新解決參與成本與合規成本等關鍵痛點。」

GCash目前正推動約600萬商戶數字化轉型，並通過與菲律賓的相關決策機構與監管部門合作，為中小微企業提供傳統融資之外的更多選擇。

Zamora表示，隨著東盟逐步統一跨境監管要求，加上GCash已支持跨境交易，包括那些需要從海外采購的中小微企業，企業參與區域市場的成本大幅降低。

Zamora今年9月於瑞士日內瓦舉辦的世界貿易組織公共論壇的一場小組討論中發表了上述觀點。

該小組討論以「Beyond Borders: ASEAN’s Bold Paths to MSME Digitalization」（超越國界：東盟推動中小微企業數字化的創新路徑）為主題，由菲律賓常駐WTO代表團與GCash共同主辦，並邀請了東盟其他相關方參與，包括印尼開放平台電子錢包DANA以及國際清算銀行(BIS)創新中心。

菲律賓常駐WTO代表Manuel Teehankee大使在開場致辭中強調，跨境互聯互通的可及性至關重要，它能幫助中小微企業應對愈加復雜的全球市場環境。

他同時重申了菲律賓對《數字經濟框架協議(DEFA)》的支持，該協議旨在在菲律賓2026年擔任東盟主席國之前，構建一個統一的東盟數字市場。

DANA公共政策與政府關系副總裁Felix Sharief也在會上表示，印尼電子錢包DANA已從東盟電子商務流程標准化與經濟合作中受益，不僅降低了運營成本，也讓其得以向更多未受銀行服務的群體提供更多服務。

Sharief進一步指出，各類關鍵投資正在讓中小微企業更易進入數字經濟。他說：「公私部門的合作共同塑造行業生態，私營企業提供技術與創新，公共部門則制定支持性政策。通過這種方式，我們才能推動轉型與數字化，並確保金融服務對全社會可及。」

Zamora 還參加了由印尼政府主辦的「東盟數字支付：從創新走向普惠」工作會議，會議探討了跨境二維碼互聯互通與區域支付聯動等議題。


title: 公視獲卓新獎「社會公器獎」及「新聞敘事創新獎」兩項肯定

content_text:
墨新聞｜記者梁偉華／台北報導

第二十四屆卓越新聞獎今（11/18）舉行頒獎典禮，公共電視以東南亞語新聞獲頒「社會公器獎」，另外《財劃法吵什麼？》取得「新聞敘事創新獎」，再次彰顯公視在多元語言新聞服務與創新新聞敘事上的深耕與成果。

圖：公視提供。公共電視東南亞語新聞自2018年4月開播，是亞洲首個為境內移民與移工每日製播的多語新聞節目，以越南語、印尼語與泰語服務百萬新住民與移工族群，致力於促進資訊平權。節目每日同步於多平台播出，在地震、颱風、重大事故、政策公告等事件發生時迅速推出三語版即時新聞，協助觀眾在第一時間掌握重要資訊。編輯團隊同時積極培訓三語編譯具備採訪能力，並長期深入移工與新住民議題，製作多篇具社會影響力的專題，均獲社群廣大回響。

圖：公視提供。評審指出，公視東南亞語新聞以多語服務，提供即時且可信的資訊，在重大事件中發揮重要角色，為亞洲先驅。並同步於社群平台播出，也首創AI雙語字幕，擴大影響力，吸引到在地以及國際觀眾。東南亞語新聞強化資訊平權、推動多元文化，擴大社會影響，體現「社會公器」的價值與精神。

圖：公視提供。製作人蘇玲瑤表示製作東南亞語新聞的初衷，是希望同是生活在這塊土地上的移居者，都能夠於第一時間、和國內的觀眾，同步接收到重要訊息，了解這片土地上正在發生新聞。她指出過去七年，幾乎進行了一場「媒體近用權」的實驗與實踐，發佈超過7千多篇的影音和文字報導，光是Youtube總觀看數，已累積到3千多萬，Facebook更是數倍，縮短了移居者和台灣大眾的距離，讓彼此的理解、成為一股力量。

圖：公視提供。而本屆「新聞敘事創新獎」由公視 P#新聞實驗室系列作品《財劃法吵什麼？》獲得。此兩則專題由蔣銀珊、許家嘉、陳彥安、廖婷鈺、王介村共同製作，以淺顯方式解析中央與地方財政劃分法修法爭議，清楚說明稅收分配、地方財源影響與立法院審查程序等核心問題，揭示政策背後的財政原理與政治攻防。

圖：公視提供。評審認為《財劃法吵什麼？》精準結合了3D、手繪、動畫、專家意見及資料畫面等，各種多視覺媒材，拆解財劃法爭議，幫助閱聽大眾理解，有利於社群傳播。

圖：公視提供。P#新聞實驗室製作人王介村表示，實驗室一直想扮演「促進議題討論」的角色，幫助民眾用最簡單好懂的方式理解社會現象與問題；而好懂，不只需要好的採訪與扼要的內容整理，更包含「直覺化的視覺傳達」；所以我們不只做影像、動畫，還進行過2D手繪、停格動畫、3D建模、3D動作調整等多種跨域的合作，希望證明：「公視也將在跨媒體的新時代更加遨遊。」

公視表示將持續致力於提供可信、多元且具公共使命的新聞內容，用專業與創新回應社會的期待。

此篇文章最開始出處為: 公視獲卓新獎「社會公器獎」及「新聞敘事創新獎」兩項肯定

countries: 越南 台灣 印尼

events: 地震 颱風


countries: 台灣 韓國

content_text:
墨新聞｜記者梁偉華／台北報導

以「校園賣藥黑市」為題材，融合魔神仔傳說、Y2K美學、電子音樂等青春元素的公視人生劇展《晚安，瑪卡龍》將於本週日（11/23）晚間10時首播。今（11/18）劇組舉辦媒體茶敘，金鐘獎最具潛力新人許莉廷、金穗獎影帝林毓家攜手許乃涵、舒偉傑、趙妮綺、呂慕堯等實力演員，與導演王傳宗、黃鈺婷、製作人許菀倩共同出席，分享這部風格獨特作品。

公視人生劇展《晚安，瑪卡龍》記者會林毓家（左）、許莉廷《晚安，瑪卡龍》故事講述迷戀超自然現象的藥局小開楊斯洰（林毓家飾），與擔任校園糾察隊的問題少女姜月（許莉廷飾），從利益結盟到患難與共的青春冒險，呈現新世代青春群像。團隊大發奇想將「土地公廟」改造成高科技藥物交易所，以 QR Code 掃描交易。

黃鈺婷自己有高中朋友是藥師，開始知道「很多藥物私下流通的管道」，認為「這個灰色地帶適合發展成劇本」，遂融合「魔神仔傳說」與「瑪卡龍」兩個可愛、卻又危險的元素，象徵劇中兩位主演虛構出作品《晚安，瑪卡龍》。黃鈺婷解釋，自己希望有個「討喜的校園怪咖」，所以用魔神仔去放大他對怪力亂神的熱愛；馬卡龍外表繽紛甜美，「適量吃沒問題，但吃太多就會出事，跟藥物很像」。

公視人生劇展《晚安，瑪卡龍》記者會（左起）林毓家、趙妮綺、許莉廷、呂慕堯許莉廷、林毓家同為「北影非常新人」，首度合作也堪稱「I人碰撞」！林毓家笑說：「我們本來是點頭之交，我實在太內向了」，他感謝導演安排表演課好互相熟悉。許莉廷則爆料，大概到第二次排戲，兩人在飲水機旁邊躊躇很久，「尬」到不行的情況下許莉廷忍不住先「發難」說「欸，那你覺得剛剛排戲怎麼樣？他說：你覺得呢？我說：好像有點卡？他說對！然後兩人從點頭之交轉化成戲裡面一樣，互相打鬧又合拍」。

公視人生劇展《晚安，瑪卡龍》記者會 許莉廷許莉廷飾演的「姜月」頭腦聰明又有商業手腕，操作眼前的一切，她形容自己角色說「在學校就是個小大人。媽媽像需要被她照顧的小孩，也是姜月不得不長大的原因。」；這也是她演出過「最敢做也最敢說的高中生角色」。許莉廷印象最深刻的是發現母親因用藥休克的戲，她說「姜月從天堂掉到地獄，從0到100這15秒內的爆發對我來說是很大的挑戰。」

劇中頗有生意頭腦，私下許莉廷認自己「太容易隨波逐流，所以不適合做生意」。除演藝工作外，還在咖啡廳打工，坦言 「閒下來就會緊張，會想繼續工作，現在在寵物友善咖啡廳工作，真的是很療癒的的事」。

公視人生劇展《晚安，瑪卡龍》記者會 許乃涵飾演母親姜芬芬的許乃涵則透露這一場重頭戲說，「女兒在旁哭的聲音實在太撕心裂肺，躺在地上的我，真的很怪罪這個角色怎麼可以這樣拋下女兒！」，拍攝時一度因為太逼真的哭聲，鄰居還差點報警！許乃涵也感性地說「拍完真的很想好好抱抱莉廷。」。

公視人生劇展《晚安，瑪卡龍》記者會許莉廷（左）、許乃涵許乃涵看著劇中女兒裙長笑說「我高中時裙子那麼短是被記過的」，聊到霸凌話題，她回憶自己校園生活說「我就是怪人，不會想依循群體意志，我為什麼要跟你們一群一起上廁所、成群結隊？」，坦言自己「很孤僻，但霸凌者會避開我，可能我之前是游泳隊，看起來是個狠人、孔武有力」。但上大學念戲劇系後發現自己身邊同學個個怪咖，「我相對是個正常的人，像個好學生一樣」。

劇中許乃涵化濃妝、穿著大膽，試裝時也說服導演「我好像穿得太多了？不裸露一點不能說服觀眾，我在劇中是靠身體賺錢的人，那是我做生意的狀態」，但許莉廷看了說「這衣服我沒辦法穿」，許乃涵，則開玩笑說「要敬業！」。

公視人生劇展《晚安，瑪卡龍》記者會 林毓家林毓家是男團「 AcQUA 源少年」成員，曾憑藉《橋頂少年》獲得金穗獎及桃園電影節最佳男演員獎。 媒體茶敘上提到，小時候看著熱愛舞蹈的奶奶，因緣際會也學習舞蹈，而被經紀公司發掘、在國三時出道，「家中對我影視工作支持到不行，爸媽覺得入行不要做壞事就好，還會跟朋友們炫耀，讓我很尷尬」，自己學業顧得還行「高中前基本都可以班排前十」，但也坦言上過電視，在校園裡「難交到深交與能知心的朋友」。

這次飾演迷戀怪力亂神、渴望被認同的「校園怪咖」楊斯洰，以往都是比較兇或比較安靜的他坦言確實蠻緊張的，也認為「他不是怪，是太酷了！有自己東西想表達，只是大家不理解而已」。林毓家本人說「我比較敏感一點，也滿相信有靈體這類東西。小時候很怕電影《金剛》怪獸，還會看著牆上的畫說有東西在裡面走路、很怕在圖裡面走出來」，讓大人趕緊將畫處理掉。

公視人生劇展《晚安，瑪卡龍》記者會 呂慕堯提及拍攝趣談，林毓家認應導演要求為戲增胖，「一開始69公斤，後來拍拳擊電影瘦到58，導演要我不要刻意節食、呈現他就是被媽媽照顧得很好、長得圓潤的孩子，最後拍攝時我胖回64、65公斤」。劇中呂慕堯有霸凌、呼林毓家巴掌場面， 林毓家說「人生第一次被打巴掌，打四、五次有」，呂慕堯也說「我是真的認真在欺侮他，他真的很委屈」。

公視人生劇展《晚安，瑪卡龍》記者會 舒偉傑一場與舒偉傑飾演的「杰哥」互毆動作戲，林毓家也使出渾身解數，但又笑稱困難之處在「現場有一個很矮的抽油煙機，一直害我撞到頭」，認為靠動作指導協助下「彼此避免受傷。他也認為楊斯洰從不知所措、害怕到後來反擊，「讓他得到了面對事情的勇氣」。

《晚安，瑪卡龍》係編劇黃鈺婷首次執導長片，並與經驗豐富的王傳宗導演以雙導演模式合作。王傳宗表示「雙導演模式讓片場永遠有兩雙眼睛照顧同一件事，互相討論並補足可能遺漏的地方」，也說「鈺婷是這個世界觀的『媽媽』，在故事原創這一塊我尊重她」。黃鈺婷則認為王傳宗對她而言有點像老師，也認為「整個創作過程中，一直帶著團隊走在比較精準的路上」。

談到印象最深刻的「魔王場」，兩位導演不約而同提到在技術執行上挑戰非常高的校園禮堂裡「學生集體中邪」戲。王傳宗笑稱「那場戲人多、戲多、事也多」，黃鈺婷第一次同時掌控這麼多人的群戲，她說「高壓又考驗調度功力」。

公視人生劇展《晚安，瑪卡龍》記者會 趙妮綺而外表甜美可人的趙妮綺也為這場戲大犧牲！劇中飾演校花「田田」的她更在這場禮堂戲有吐出綠色嘔吐液，以及撲咬鮮肉型男呂慕堯的驚人場面。記者會上趙妮綺提到自己小學時候像個小男生、也很有正義感，「看到男生在欺侮特教班同學就衝過去制止」，但霸凌對象反而變到我身上，還遇過被關廁所、用籃球或抽屜裡放蟑螂等狀況，「持續半年到一年之間，老師都沒制止，所以過得還滿難過的，後來爸媽有跟教育局溝通，換老師後情況有好一點」。她大學赴韓國漢陽大學修習表演，裴斗娜與《殭屍校園》主角尹燦榮、朴持厚都是學姊、學長。疫情後因家人太想念，加上自己較想當演員，因而返回台灣，接演《晚安，瑪卡龍》成戲劇處女作。

公視人生劇展《晚安，瑪卡龍》記者會 呂慕堯（左）、趙妮綺劇中社會議題引發演員反思，許乃涵表示：「再邊緣或窮困的生活，只要活著、對家人還有愛都有機會翻身。唯獨只有毒品，會把所有的愛跟美好消耗殆盡。」許莉廷則希望透過姜月告訴大家：「不要害怕犯錯，也不要因為犯錯就不敢往下走。你一定是在那當下自己最好的指揮官。」林毓家則認為：「沒有絕對的惡也沒有絕對的善，做任何決定都要想清楚後果，不要衝動，也不要被利益沖昏頭腦。」

新作以青春校園、繽紛外表包裹深刻議題，探討校園霸凌、藥物濫用、家庭失衡等現況，目前同時身兼教職的王傳宗表示：「見到很多孩子青春洋溢外表下，背後許多不為人知的心酸：有被霸凌的、需要面對破碎原生家庭的，也有用藥成癮的。希望孩子們看完會覺得『原來我不是只有這樣一種樣子』」，也期盼讓影片令教師、家長問自己：「我是不是也曾在某個時刻，選擇忽視、不去看見？』」。公視人生劇展《晚安，瑪卡龍》將於本週日（11/23）晚間10時公視頻道播出，並上架公視+平台。

照片資料：公共電視提供。

此篇文章最開始出處為: 王傳宗、黃鈺婷雙導演拍攝公視人生劇展 打造繽紛危險的青春劇《晚安，瑪卡龍》

title: 王傳宗、黃鈺婷雙導演拍攝公視人生劇展　打造繽紛危險的青春劇《晚安，瑪卡龍》


title: 出道日撞上25週年！蔡淳佳廣州「紀念日首站」炸場

content_text:
墨新聞｜記者梁偉華／台北報導

新加坡「千禧情歌女聲」蔡淳佳（Joi）昨晚強勢攻佔廣州，蔡淳佳《淳粹·25週年世界巡迴演唱會》巡迴第一站不只唱滿23首金曲，她還在台上同步迎接人生超級里程碑-出道滿25週年的同一天、同一場、同一刻！現場粉絲嗨到像跨年，整場從〈兩個人間〉微電影一路嗨到〈掌聲響起〉，正式段落兩小時、再暴衝半小時合影，歌迷黏在舞台前不肯走，廣州站瞬間變成「終極寵粉專場」。 而台北站也即將在12/13於Legacy TERA登場，蔡淳佳《淳粹·25週年世界巡迴演唱會》台北站購票請洽 「udn售票網」，樂迷千萬不要錯過這場難得的重逢！

照片提供：Joi Music / 淳萃文化蔡淳佳一出場就感動到講不下去：「今天剛好是我出道日……一晃25年，我還在舞台上唱給你們聽。」全場尖叫直接炸裂。更誇張的是，台下竟然有歌迷跟著她十幾、二十年，卻是第一次看到她本尊，大家狂喊：「本尊太美了吧！」連她自己都紅著眼眶說：「能跟你們一起到現在，我真的很珍惜。」

照片提供：Joi Music / 淳萃文化原本大家以為哭完情緒就差不多，結果她下一秒直接變「新加坡老師」在台上開課，教 Singlish-「來，大家跟我念：STEADY bom pi pi！」她還強調：「這句就是很屌、超厲害的意思！」現場學得超投入，全部大喊到破音，笑到不行，整個場館像在上「新加坡語言速成班」，嗨到連燈光師都忍不住偷笑。

照片提供：Joi Music / 淳萃文化開場先以〈兩個人間〉微電影暖身，接著Opening VCR【星】亮起，她頂著光束以〈幾何〉、〈回到最初〉帥氣登場，歌迷瞬間穿越回她剛出道的聲線記憶。

情歌段落完全是「殺傷力全滿」-〈眼裡眉間〉、〈等一個晴天〉讓全場自動變成千人KTV。VCR【光】一出，她再以〈依戀〉、〈相思河畔＋蝴蝶〉Unplugged掀起全場靜默尖叫，接著丟出〈愛如潮水〉、〈等你成空〉、〈有心人有情人〉三連發，觀眾合唱大到像在比音量，蔡淳佳還笑問：「你們想搶我工作嗎？」全場直接笑瘋。

VCR【曦】後，她用〈Love You〉、〈南屏晚鐘〉Unplugged＋〈要幸福啊〉連續灌暖心強心針。〈隱形紀念〉、〈陪我看日出〉時全場安靜到能聽到呼吸聲，情緒滿到溢出來，最後用〈茉莉花香〉灑下一陣屬於廣州夜的香氣。

VCR【曜】一登場燈光立刻燃起，她用〈玻璃〉、〈對不起，我愛你〉唱碎觀眾，再用Unplugged〈風鈴〉在舞台左右狂走，把風鈴聲送到每一個角落。〈慶幸有你愛我〉直接變告白現場，全場比心比到手軟。

照片提供：Joi Music / 淳萃文化安可前四眼燈亮起，VCR【虹】把整場五章串成完整宇宙，她以〈他和她〉又美又穩登場。唱完後立刻進入「大合影模式」，歌迷被安排到舞台前一米欄，她則在舞台上像轉盤一樣四面揮手、鞠躬、比愛心、聊天、點名，全程超投入，完全是寵粉狂魔。最後以〈有一天我會〉、〈掌聲響起〉收尾，歌聲＋掌聲交錯到像煙火一樣，觀眾根本不願意走。

正式演出結束後，蔡淳佳完全沒急著下台，乖乖站在舞台前陪大家拍照近半小時。歌迷一直喊「不要走！」、「廣州永遠等你回來！」整個場館變成大型朝聖現場，《淳粹·25週年世界巡迴演唱會》首站圓滿收官！

此篇文章最開始出處為: 出道日撞上25週年！蔡淳佳廣州「紀念日首站」炸場


title: 珍愛按摩坊搬新家　蔣萬安感謝視障師傅23年付出

content_text:
墨新聞｜記者鄭富鈺／綜合報導

臺北市政府「珍愛按摩服務坊」遷移新址，重新打造更舒適溫馨的按摩空間，於今（18）日舉辦開幕活動，臺北市長蔣萬安親自出席剪綵，並且頒發感謝狀給三位在珍愛按摩服務坊服務超過23年的行政人員及按摩師，表達對視障按摩產業及視障朋友就業的高度重視與支持。

北市府「珍愛按摩服務坊」自民國91年10月設立以來，長期提供市府員工及洽公市民專業舒壓按摩服務，至今已深耕超過23年、累計服務人次突破26萬。市長蔣萬安致詞表示，北市政府長期致力於保障身心障礙者的就業權益，營造就業平權的友善環境，此次空間升級不只是硬體改善，更象徵市府在推動視障者就業、營造友善城市方面邁出重要一步，具體展現落實《身心障礙者權利公約》（CRPD）的決心。今天特別感謝視障按摩師的專業與努力，讓按摩服務坊成為市府推動友善職場的重要象徵，也彰顯市府長期投入視障朋友就業支持的成果。

蔣萬安特別感謝視障按摩師的專業與努力，讓按摩服務坊成為市府推動友善職場的重要象徵，也彰顯市府長期投入視障朋友就業支持的成果。蔣萬安表示，未來臺北市勞動局及各局處將持續精進，優化各項服務及對身心障礙朋友的照顧，包括提供多元化的就業輔導、專業訓練，並持續改善身心障礙朋友的工作環境與職場安全，打造一座更友善、宜居的城市。

蔣萬安頒發感謝狀予服務２３年以上的行政人員及按摩師。勞動局長王秋冬表示，本次「珍愛按摩服務坊」遷移新址並重新打造舒適的按摩空間，不僅象徵服務品質的提升，也展現臺北市政府對視障按摩師就業機會及收入拓展的持續努力。這次透過市府跨局處的合作，特別感謝市政大樓公共事務管理中心提供這麼好的場地，也感謝市府單位如地政局的支持，由局裡提供經費讓同仁可以透過按摩來調適身心，不只是民間企業要注重員工職場健康，政府部門更是要做表率。未來將持續透過多元行銷活動，展現視障按摩的價值，讓社會大眾在舒壓同時，也能實際支持身心障礙勞工就業，創造雙贏局面。

「珍愛按摩服務坊」遷移新址並重新打造舒適的按摩空間多年來，珍愛按摩服務坊不僅是市政大樓內深受歡迎的紓壓據點，更是推廣視障按摩專業、支持視障朋友就業的重要平台。此次重新整修裝潢，除了讓按摩師能在更舒適的環境中迎接消費者，裝潢也以明亮色彩展現全新活力，同時推出可愛吉祥物「瑪莎」──一隻小雞按摩師，名稱取自「Massage」的諧音，讓消費顧客更容易產生聯想及留下深刻的印象。

此次珍愛按摩服務坊以重新面貌再上線，同步發布優惠好康，有臺北市65歲長者免費體驗、來店禮及滿額禮贈送，希望回饋長期支持的市府員工與洽公民眾，更期待市府周邊社區住戶、商辦大樓員工及更多洽公市民前來體驗，讓更多人感受到視障按摩師的專業與用心。各項活動資訊如下，也可上主辦單位臺北市勞動力重建運用處網站最新消息查詢(重建處網址)，洽詢電話(02)2338-1600。建議想要參與免費體驗的長者或是要按摩舒壓的市民朋友，務必先電話預約按摩服務時間，預約電話(02)2720-8889轉3367。

北市府提供三大優惠活動：

1.臺北市長者免費體驗

114年11月20日(四)及11月21日(五)，設籍臺北市且年滿65歲以上之長者，憑身分證或身心障礙證明文件，即可享有15分鐘免費按摩體驗，每人僅限免費1次。每1日限量75位名額。

2.消費來店禮

114年11月18日至12月19日期間，凡至珍愛按摩服務坊消費，不限金額即可獲贈精美木漿棉菜瓜布1個，限量700個送完為止。

3.滿額送好禮

第一波：114年11月18日至11月28日期間，單筆消費滿400元（含）以上，贈送超商100元禮物卡，每人每日限領1次，限量300份送完為止。

第二波：114年12月1日至12月19日期間，單筆消費滿400元（含）以上，贈送精美紗布巾1條，每人每日限領1次，限量400條送完為止。

此篇文章最開始出處為: 珍愛按摩坊搬新家 蔣萬安感謝視障師傅23年付出

people: 蔣萬安 王秋冬


title: 小公視全新讀書節目《反正你也不睡覺》打造專屬青春的深夜時光

content_text:
墨新聞｜記者梁偉華／台北報導

公視全新讀書節目《反正你也不睡覺》正式上線！作家吳曉樂、《哈哈台》主持人傑尼、作家陳栢青三人組成「深夜陪伴三人組」，帶著每個人青春裡那些睡不著的理由，在深夜陪伴仍亮著螢幕的青少年。從故事出發，也從故事挖出成長裡每一道裂縫與亮光，打造一段專屬青春的深夜時光。

小公視全新讀書節目《反正你也不睡覺》打造專屬青春的深夜時光《反正你也不睡覺》每集談一本書，或訪問來賓，又或是回答青少年觀眾的來信，不只分享文本，更像在「用故事陪伴熬過痛苦與困惑」。節目鎖定16+ 的青少年族群，觸及手足、性別、霸凌等青春必經議題。三名主持人氣質南轅北轍，卻意外組成最有化學反應的組合：冷靜沉著的吳曉樂負責「把大家拉回主軌」、神來一筆的陳栢青負責「把軌道炸掉」、而親切又機靈的傑尼則常一語直搗靈魂深處，對談節奏讓觀眾越看越上癮。

吳曉樂17歲每天被成績和焦慮包圍：「如果沒有好成績，我還會是我嗎？」首次挑戰製作人工作的吳曉樂，表示自己發起讀書節目的理由很簡單：「既然大家深夜都不睡，那不如一起聊書、一起度過。」一人身兼主持與製作，她苦笑坦承：「現在一有空就是拼命讀書，因為我們要錄60集啊！」她回憶17歲的自己就讀台中女中，每天被成績和焦慮包圍：「如果沒有好成績，我還會是我嗎？」圖書館是她的避難所，而作家宮部美幸的《模仿犯》更是扭轉青春的巨大閱讀記憶。

傑尼17歲完全「活在自己的世界」，午休窩在圖書館擅長街訪的《哈哈台》傑尼，日前才剛獲得「林榮三文學獎」散文獎佳作。她自曝高中完全「活在自己的世界」，午休窩在圖書館、最愛三毛的《撒哈拉的故事》。她把文學形容成精神糧食：「不補會像缺水！」錄節目後更首次感受到讀書會的魅力：「原來跟人討論書這麼好玩！」唯一的恐懼只有一項「我最怕沒有高中生想看……但節目真的很好看啦！」

陳栢清17歲逃離圖書館，偏愛叛逆的花錢去租書店陳栢青則分享，自己從小因為媽媽是圖書館館長，反而對圖書館「想逃」，偏愛叛逆的花錢去租書店，但離開故鄉後想家就會去圖書館待著。曾經改編為電影的小說《天才雷普利》是他青春裡的靈魂窗口：「只要打開書，我就可以變成任何人。」最愛訪問來賓的他更用獨特比喻表示：「訪來賓就像舔嘴唇上的死皮，會想深入挖。」讓現場兩位主持人聽完都瞬間「斷線」。

節目的核心理念，是一個簡單卻珍貴的願望「陪伴」。製作人羅筱薔表示：「青少年其實知道，憂鬱或焦慮不是幾句話就能好轉，但他們需要知道：在他們的可觸及範圍，不是沒有人在的。」《反正你也不睡覺》不是要幫誰解方，而是在深夜替每個還醒著的孩子留一盞燈。《反正你也不睡覺》11/17起於小公視每週一、二晚間9點播出。11/18起，YouTube、Podcast每週二、五同步上架。

照片資料：小公視提供。

此篇文章最開始出處為: 小公視全新讀書節目《反正你也不睡覺》打造專屬青春的深夜時光


title: 114年度臺北市原住民族運動會族魂奔騰    團結無限熱血開賽

content_text:
記者張辰卿/台北報導

114年度臺北市原住民族運動會，11月15日於天母運動場區舉辦，傳統體能競賽包括重頭賽的傳統拔河、傳統射箭、傳統彈弓、撒網捕魚、槌球好手、頂上功夫，多達48隊參與報名，另外還規劃了10項親子樂齡活動，讓運動員親子共同參與體驗，以及原住民風味市集規劃部落美食、原住民族工藝文創、農特產等攤位，並設置原住民文化介紹區，展示原住民族傳統文化之美，還有原民藝術表演團體精彩的接力演出，呈現給市民最熱鬧的臺北市原住民運動會。

▲114年度臺北市原住民族運動會登場。(圖/臺北市政府原民會提供)

此次活動邀請馬拉赫文化藝術團，演出原住民族樂舞文化特色。其中由馬拉赫文化藝術團打頭陣，為臺北市原住民運動會開啟序幕，舞蹈以泰雅部落特色為主結合狩獵、祈福、生活祭典，帶領現場的貴賓、民眾、運動員選手，共同感受藝術團跳出原住民的情、舞出原住民的愛，準備迎接一日的奮戰。中場將由著名的藝人葛西瓦帶來精采的舞台表演，為活動增添熱鬧氛圍!

▲ 大合照。(圖/臺北市政府原民會提供)


taiwan-subdivisions: 光復 花蓮 大安

title: 裕融企業捐助光復重建500萬   攜手格上租車組移動超人助居民復原

content_text:
記者張辰卿/台北報導

花蓮光復鄉因馬太鞍溪堰塞湖溢流引發洪災重創當地。裕隆集團執行長陳莉蓮關懷災民重建家園與交通困境，整合集團資源，啟動「花蓮光復災後重建行動力計畫」，捐助3,000萬元。 其中，裕融企業響應集團號召捐助500萬元，透過旗下格上租車提供即時且實質的行動支援，除風災第一時間緊急調動6台拖吊車急援，災後復原階段更投入逾60輛代步車，透過馬太鞍、太巴塱及大安三所教會及7所學校、5間在地社福組織，提供災區代步車資源，災後一個月服務超過5,000趟次。

一場風災重創花蓮光復鄉，來自全台各地的鏟子超人展現讓國際讚嘆的超強行動力與愛心，裕隆集團旗下行遍天下道路救援的「拖吊超人」們火速馳援，拖吊超過三百台廢棄與泡水車輛，大力加速災區清理速度，隨著災區進入重建復原階段，裕隆集團更投入3000萬元，透過「花蓮光復災後重建行動力計畫」，為災區重建交通韌性。

▲投入代步車資源也注入重新啟程的希望。未來，裕融企業將持續秉持穩健經營與永續發展。(圖/裕融企業提供)

其中裕融企業捐助500萬元，攜手格上租車籌組移動超人隊，總計投入逾60台各式代步車，在光復鄉馬太鞍部落、太巴塱部落、光復地區中小學以及多個社福場域，提供為期三個月的「社區免費代步車服務」，解決災後重災區居民、社福團體因車輛受損，幾乎只能靠步行移動的困難，尤其亟需醫療救助、接送學生上下學，以及物資運送、日常生活採買、通勤等，讓居民重拾生活的便利，盡速重建家園、回歸正常生活節奏。

當地災民表示，愛心車輛對於當地有很大的幫助，車子被洪流沖走後，等同沒有腳、沒有行動力，免費租借代步車像是一場及時雨，可以及時載家人就醫、回診，很方便去拿物資、接送長輩，真的溫暖我們的心。深耕光復當地長照社福的「一粒麥子」，因風災受損高達40台送餐、康復服務車等，透過裕融企業提供的代步車資源，災後火速改裝為行動到宅沐浴車，前往行動不便的長者與身障者家中服務，讓關懷不受距離限制。

▲格上在災後復原階段更投入逾60輛代步車，透過馬太鞍、太巴塱及大安三所教會及7所學校。(圖/裕融企業提供)

此外，光復國中因校園場地在風災中嚴重受損，透過代步車支援，棒球隊得以移地訓練，延續孩子們的夢想與努力。這些車輛也投入校內搬運教具與設備的工作，支援校園環境整復，讓師生儘快回到熟悉、安全的學習空間，不僅展現了車輛資源的多元價值，也凝聚了社區自助互助的力量。

裕融企業指出，災害風險難以預測，穩定的行動力是社會復原的基礎。裕融企業發揮金融業在面對災害時的穩定力量，積極展現企業對社會的責任與關懷。公司以金融專業為基礎，整合資金調度與移動服務能量，結合格上租車逾40年在多元出行服務上的深厚經驗，期盼藉由投入的代步車資源，為受災地區民眾提供便利、安全的交通支援，減輕生活不便，同時也注入重新啟程的希望。未來，裕融企業將持續秉持穩健經營與永續發展的理念，成為社會復原的重要夥伴。


countries: 墨西哥 瓜地馬拉 薩爾瓦多 巴拿馬

title: LATIN AMERICA’S 50 BEST RESTAURANTS 揭曉 2025 年度 51-100 強擴展榜單

content_text:
倫敦2025年11月19日 /美通社/ — Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants 今日公佈 No.51 至 No.100 的擴展榜單，以此頌揚當地蓬勃多樣的餐飲風貌。此榜單由 300 位業界專家投票評選而成，囊括來自 26 座城市的餐廳，彰顯其卓越的烹飪成就。此榜單將為Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 頒獎典禮揭開序幕，該盛會由S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna贊助，將於 12 月 2 日在瓜地馬拉安提瓜舉行。

欲查看完整 51-100 排行榜，請點按此處。

本屆榜單新增 13 間來自 11 座城市的餐廳，其中利馬的 Shizen 首度上榜，位列 No.62。聖保羅以六間餐廳躋身擴展排行榜之首，較 2024 年顯著增長，其中包括五間重新上榜餐廳及新晉入榜的 Cepa (No.73)。布宜諾斯艾利斯、墨西哥城、巴拿馬城和聖地牙哥各佔四間上榜餐廳。墨西哥城以位列No.51的Pujol維持其排名，緊隨其後的是薩爾瓦多的 Origem，位列 No.52。

其他值得關注的新晉餐廳包括：巴拿馬城的 Umi (No.72) 與 Caleta (No.91)；里約熱內盧的 Oseille (No.65)；墨西哥城的 Em (No.71)；加拉加斯的 La Casa Bistró (No.89)；波哥大的 Selma (No.96)；以及聖地牙哥的 Fukasawa (No.100)。位於科爾多瓦的 El Papagayo 重返榜單，位列 No.78。來自瓜地馬拉市的 Ana (No.94) 首度上榜即榮獲 American Express One To Watch Award，而索蘇亞的 Aguají (No.88) 則由主廚Inés Páez Nin (主廚Tita) 領軍入選，該主廚同時也榮獲Champions of Change Award 2025。

Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants 內容總監 William Drew 評論道：「我們懷著無比喜悅之情揭曉 2025 年拉丁美洲排名 No.51 至 No.100 的餐廳榜單。這份擴展榜單彰顯出 50 Best 致力於發掘及表揚更多傑出人才的宗旨，隨著以美食為核心的旅遊需求持續強勁增長，更為拉丁美洲更多非凡美食目的地提供了絕佳的展示平台。」

入選擴展榜單51-100 名的餐廳，將於 Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 頒獎典禮上接受表彰。典禮將於 2025 年 12 月 2 日危地馬拉時間 20:00，在 50 Best YouTube 頻道（點按此處）進行直播。

傳媒中心： https://mediacentre.theworlds50best.com/


taiwan-subdivisions: 桃園 楊梅 南區

content_text:
記者杜明賢/桃園報導

「2025桃園仙草嘉年華」，今年以「花開紫境・相遇楊梅」為主題，並有「酷洛米」裝置搭配浪漫粉紫花海，11月22日起至12月7日・將在楊梅休閒農業區盛大登場。今（18）日於桃園市政府舉行宣告記者會，由市長張善政率領農業局、文化局及楊梅區公所等單位共同出席，並與貴賓一同啟動象徵「希望與綻放」的3D全息光球，宣告「桃園仙草嘉年華」正式啟動。

▲浪漫粉紫花海宛如仙境。(圖/桃園市政府農業局提供)桃園市長張善政表示，仙草嘉年華今年從11月22日起，一連16天在楊梅登場，展區結合2公頃仙草花與2.1公頃波斯菊花田，並邀請人氣明星酷洛米（Kuromi）擔任花之使者，帶領民眾走入夢幻的紫色仙境，以「花田 × 文化 × 可愛IP」呈現桃園冬季最浪漫的節慶風景。今年更首度整合3大節慶資源，包括桃園仙草嘉年華、富岡鐵道藝術生活節，以及畜產嘉年華，以農業、鐵道、藝術三條軸線串聯，從富岡火車站一路延伸至楊梅花田，形成冬季觀光廊帶，帶動桃園南區觀光與地方產業升級。

▲桃園市長張善政（中）今天和農業局團隊、在地業者一起為「桃園仙草嘉年華」暖身，現場展示美麗仙草花的與在地農產，預告今年花海 × 農產 × 市集 × 酷洛米的精彩組合。(圖/桃園市政府農業局提供)農業局長陳冠義表示，仙草嘉年華16天活動期間，每週假日皆有主題活動： 11/22（六）開幕式邀請十鼓擊樂團，為仙草嘉年華熱鬧開場，酷洛米現身舞台，攜手貴賓共同揭幕；11/29（六） 酷洛米見面會與在地市集熱鬧登場；11/30(日)泡影幻樂章：魔術泡泡秀與魔術表演，為兒童帶來歡樂的午後；12/6（六）迷霧森林樂團帶來夢幻的音樂演出。

▲市長張善政邀請民眾一起來串聯仙草、波斯菊與楊梅特色產業的「桃園仙草嘉年華」。(圖/桃園市政府農業局提供)園區內另設「花間市集」、「探遊花徑氣墊樂園」、「嘟嘟小火車」及「集章任務」等體驗，讓大小朋友都能在紫色花海中共享浪漫與幸福時光。詳細活動資訊歡迎至「桃園好農」、「楊梅休閒農業區 」臉書粉絲專頁查詢。

title: 桃園仙草嘉年華11/22登場 與酷洛米相遇夢幻紫色花海


countries: 台灣 日本 臺灣

content_text:
記者蘇凱中/宜蘭報導

日本宮城縣主辦「亞洲步道大會」暨新步道啟用儀式，14日至17日在宮城縣舉行，農業部林業及自然保育署宜蘭分署長蕭崇仁率領業務相關同仁參加，並與淡蘭平台成員共同出席活動，觀摩日本如何以「步道」為主軸推動在地發展與國際生態觀光旅遊，主辦單位安排參訪「大崎．鳴子溫泉路線」及「淡蘭石柱」。

亞洲步道聯盟秘書處台灣千里步道協會指出，淡蘭國家綠道與日本宮城「偶來」步道的友誼交流已長達七年，淡蘭國家綠道中的「跑馬古道」、「金字碑古道」、「草嶺古道」、「暖東峽谷步道」分別與日本宮城縣4條偶來步道的「大崎．鳴子溫泉路線」、「奧松島路線」、「氣仙沼．唐桑路線」、「登米路線」締結國際友誼步道。112年11月，淡蘭國家綠道的雙扇蕨石柱指標豎立於日本宮城4處步道起點；113年5月，日本宮城偶來的紅色小馬標誌亦設立於臺灣淡蘭國家綠道入口，當時宮城縣議會、縣廳代表及大崎市長特別率團來臺揭牌，象徵雙方友誼步道正式串聯，今年臺灣特別組團前往日本共襄盛舉，展現促進國際觀光與環境教育合作的成果。

淡蘭古道為臺灣第一條國家級綠道，兼具歷史人文與自然景觀，其中「跑馬古道」與日本「大崎．鳴子溫泉路線」締結為國際友誼步道，兩地步道皆沿溪谷蜿蜒，途經柳杉造林地、神社與寺廟，終點皆通往溫泉勝地，展現自然與人文的完美融合。宜蘭分署表示，未來將持續推動步道互訪、導覽培力及生態旅遊推廣，期盼透過步道串聯，讓更多國際旅客親身體驗宜蘭山林之美，共創臺日觀光與自然保育的新榮景。

相關資訊：

日本宮城偶來步道官方網站https://www.miyagiolle.jp/zh-hant/

台灣山林悠遊網跑馬古道官方網站https://recreation.forest.gov.tw/Trail/RT?tr_id=007

title: 深化臺日步道交流　台灣團赴日本參加亞洲步道大會


content_text:
記者蘇凱中/宜蘭報導

日本宮城縣主辦「亞洲步道大會」暨新步道啟用儀式，14日至17日在宮城縣舉行，農業部林業及自然保育署宜蘭分署長蕭崇仁率領業務相關同仁參加，並與淡蘭平台成員共同出席活動，觀摩日本如何以「步道」為主軸推動在地發展與國際生態觀光旅遊，主辦單位特別安排參訪「大崎．鳴子溫泉路線」及「淡蘭石柱」。

亞洲步道聯盟秘書處台灣千里步道協會指出，淡蘭國家綠道與日本宮城「偶來」步道的友誼交流已長達七年，淡蘭國家綠道中的「跑馬古道」、「金字碑古道」、「草嶺古道」、「暖東峽谷步道」分別與日本宮城縣4條偶來步道的「大崎．鳴子溫泉路線」、「奧松島路線」、「氣仙沼．唐桑路線」、「登米路線」締結國際友誼步道。112年11月，淡蘭國家綠道的雙扇蕨石柱指標豎立於日本宮城4處步道起點；113年5月，日本宮城偶來的紅色小馬標誌亦設立於臺灣淡蘭國家綠道入口，當時宮城縣議會、縣廳代表及大崎市長特別率團來臺揭牌，象徵雙方友誼步道正式串聯，今年臺灣特別組團前往日本共襄盛舉，展現促進國際觀光與環境教育合作的成果。

淡蘭古道為臺灣第一條國家級綠道，兼具歷史人文與自然景觀，其中「跑馬古道」與日本「大崎．鳴子溫泉路線」締結為國際友誼步道，兩地步道皆沿溪谷蜿蜒，途經柳杉造林地、神社與寺廟，終點皆通往溫泉勝地，展現自然與人文的完美融合。宜蘭分署表示，未來將持續推動步道互訪、導覽培力及生態旅遊推廣，期盼透過步道串聯，讓更多國際旅客親身體驗宜蘭山林之美，共創臺日觀光與自然保育的新榮景。

相關資訊：

日本宮城偶來步道官方網站https://www.miyagiolle.jp/zh-hant/

台灣山林悠遊網跑馬古道官方網站https://recreation.forest.gov.tw/Trail/RT?tr_id=007

title: 深化臺日步道交流　臺灣組團赴日參加亞洲步道大會

countries: 臺灣 日本 台灣


content_text:
墨新聞｜記者韋石／綜合報導

記者韋石/綜合報導

中華戰略學會學術研討會，定11月20日上午9時30分在台大校友會館4樓會議廳(臺北市濟南路一段2-1號)舉行。會中將邀請國民黨主席鄭麗文致詞，並頒授新黨員黨證後，續由前國安會秘書長丁渝洲上將主講”1948-1954年蔣公日記讀後總結ー挫敗.反省與建設台灣”。會議由中華戰略學會理事長李本京教授主持。

國民黨日前召開「KMTeam需要您，加入、改變、由您開始」記者會，國民黨文傳會主委吳宗憲、發言人牛煦庭表示，新任黨主席鄭麗文當選短短20天內，已有2405人入黨，其中993人是老黨員回歸，1412人是新朋友。中華戰略學會也熱烈響應這項KMTeam活動，招募新黨員逾150位，特別邀請鄭麗文主席於20日的學術研討會中親自授證。

吳宗憲指出，許多新黨員加入是對國民黨未來的期待與希望，鄭麗文當選黨主席後，包括他在司法圈的朋友，也有人在鄭麗文當選隔1、2天就申請入黨，這位朋友認同、欣賞、期待鄭麗文能帶領國民黨和台灣擺脫長期以來的被假議題綁架的泥淖。

吳宗憲強調，在目前執政黨領導之下，台灣的選舉變成互潑髒水，過去教育子孫都是希望成為誠實正直的人，現今則是謊言、造謠、抹黑，台灣社會沉浸於嚴重的政治鬥爭之中，老百姓已經日益厭惡，國民黨未來要再度引領風潮，將政治能量聚焦改善人民的生活。

牛煦庭則指出，鄭麗文當選以來，各地掀起了入黨熱潮，短短20天時間已新增2405位黨員同志，其中1412位是新朋友，993位是老戰友回歸，代表大家對於國民黨的未來重燃希望，相信KMTeam團隊會逐步壯大。

國民黨主席鄭麗文(中評社資料照片)牛煦庭進一步說明3種入黨方式，包括在官方網站申請，也可以下載數位黨部APP，或親自前往地方黨部辦理。牛煦庭呼籲不同世代朋友都用適合自己的方式，一起入黨加入國民黨團隊，儲備重返執政的關鍵力量。

此篇文章最開始出處為: 中華戰略學會學術研討會20日舉行 會中邀請鄭麗文親自授證百餘位國民黨新黨員

title: 中華戰略學會學術研討會20日舉行　會中邀請鄭麗文親自授證百餘位國民黨新黨員

people: 鄭麗文 牛煦庭 吳宗憲


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PUBLIC SAFETY: The nationwide distribution campaign aims to enhance society’s overall understanding of threats and bolster defense awareness, an official said   By Huang Ching-hsuan and Jake Chung / Staff reporter, with staff writer and CNA

The latest edition of the National Public Safety Guide is being mailed to all citizens starting today to foster public awareness of self-defense in the event of war or natural disasters, the Ministry of National Defense said yesterday.

“The guides will be disseminated to the public to enhance society’s overall understanding of threats and bolster defense awareness, demonstrating the government’s emphasis on people’s safety and its determination to pursue self-defense,” All-out Defense Mobilization Agency Director Shen Wei-chih (沈威志) said at the ministry’s news conference.

The nationwide distribution campaign was planned according to President Lai William’s (賴清德) Sept. 20 directive, he said, adding that the goal is to deliver all handbooks to Taiwan’s 9.83 million registered households by Jan. 5.

All-out Defense Mobilization Agency Director Shen Wei-chih speaks at a news conference at the Ministry of National Defense in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Lin Cheng-kun, Taipei Times

Copies will also be distributed at public welfare events, disaster prevention drills and national defense education courses, he said.

Starting on Dec. 19, an additional 105,000 printed copies in English are to be delivered to embassies and representative offices, said Chao Shih-hsuan (趙世絢), a deputy counselor at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The handbook’s publication cost NT$42.79 million (US$1.37 million), or an average of NT$3.8 per booklet, with the funds coming from the government’s Secondary Reserve Fund, Shen said, adding that distribution costs are expected to reach NT$20 million.

The government’s effort to bolster public security consciousness and social resilience aligns with policies adopted by other democracies worldwide, such as the Czech Republic, Sweden, Finland and Lithuania, he said.

The increasing frequency of extreme weather events and natural disasters, and severe risks posed by authoritarian governments in international affairs highlighted the need for the booklet’s general distribution, Shen said.

Asked whether Taiwan’s more than 800,000 migrant workers are included in the distribution, Chao said: “We will have to coordinate with the relevant authorities to explore additional distribution channels beyond embassies and representative offices in Taiwan.”

In addition to hard copies, Chinese and English-language electronic versions can be downloaded from the All-Out Defense Mobilization Agency’s Web site.

The agency has released three editions of the handbook since 2022. The guide covers information ranging from go-bag preparation to survival tips during natural disasters and wartime emergencies.

National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Lin Fei-fan (林飛帆) has noted that the booklet clearly states that: “Under the threat of war, Taiwan will never surrender.”

The new version has been compiled referencing similar documents in circulation in northern Europe, including what necessities must be prepared, reactive measures in different scenarios and what to do in time of war, he said.

The handbook states that any information about the government surrendering or the nation having failed is fake news and the public must cleave to this belief to prevent possible confusion caused by disinformation perpetrated by the enemy, Lin said.

title: Civil defense guide distribution starts


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By Wu Sheng-ju and Fion Khan / Staff reporter, with staff writer and CNA

The High Prosecutors’ Office yesterday indicted seven people — a man from Hong Kong and six former and active military service members — on charges of spying for China.

Ting Hsiao-hu (丁小琥), a Chinese man who holds Hong Kong residency, entered Taiwan multiple times on business and tourist visas to develop an espionage network, prosecutors said.

Ting recruited retired military officers Wang Wen-hao (王文豪) and Tan Chun-ming (譚俊明), who in turn recruited former colleagues and subordinates to gather classified military information, prosecutors said.

The plaque at the entrance to the High Prosecutors’ Office in Taipei is pictured yesterday. Photo: CNA

A judicial investigation identified four other active and retired military personnel who were allegedly involved in the case, as well as two others who have passed away.

The group was paid based on the value of the intelligence provided, the prosecutors said, adding that members were encouraged to urge active-duty personnel to passively resist or surrender in the event of a cross-strait conflict.

Ting, an operative for the Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Political Department’s Nanjing work station, funneled more than NT$11.12 million (US$356,216) into Taiwan through accomplice Chen Chun-an (陳俊安) using underground money transfers to fund the operation, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors on July 24 conducted four raids on 21 locations, summoned 13 people for questioning and investigated 16 people.

The High Prosecutors’ Office indicted Ting and six others on charges of breaching the National Security Act (國家安全法), the Classified National Security Information Protection Act (國家機密保護法) and the Criminal Code of the Armed Forces (陸海空軍刑法).

It is disheartening that the six military personnel betrayed their country by leaking confidential information, posing a severe threat to national security, prosecutors said, urging the court to impose a heavy sentence.

The Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office separately indicted Ting, Chen and Wang on charges of money laundering, while it decided not to prosecute the two deceased suspects.

The Ministry of National Defense yesterday confirmed the arrest of seven suspects for alleged involvement in a Chinese espionage case, including two active-duty officers.

An internal investigation found reason to suspect a military officer surnamed Yang (楊), who was referred to the National Security Bureau, the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau and other agencies, it said.

The ministry said it strongly condemned the “treasonous behavior” of personnel who breached their oath of loyalty.

China has been developing organizations in Taiwan and its infiltration efforts have never ceased, it said.

The ministry has fully implemented security vetting mechanisms for personnel handling classified information, set up access-to-secrets certification protocols, deepened counterintelligence training and raised overall security awareness among troops, it said.

It also vowed to continue close cooperation through the national security joint-defense mechanism to safeguard the nation.

Tunghai University Cross-Strait Research Center deputy executive director Hung Pu-chao (洪浦釗) yesterday said the real threat comes from China’s national security system instead of the Hong Kong community itself, as Taiwan and Hong Kong both face pressure from China.

Since China imposed a National Security Law in Hong Kong in 2020, the former British colony has been fully taken over by China’s national security system, he said.

For Hong Kongers in Taiwan, the risk of being pressured, used or coerced to become a spy is not hypothetical, but an almost inevitable consequence of the political reality, he said.

Taipei should continue its unwavering support for Hong Kong’s values, but cannot ease up on efforts to safeguard national security, he said.

The case is not an isolated incident, but a wake-up call that Taiwan must re-evaluate its risk assessment for people from Hong Kong, he said.

“Tighter controls” does not mean blanket restrictions on Hong Kongers, but rather more precise and tiered risk profiling, he said.

Taipei’s position remains clear, which is that the Hong Kong community deserves support, and yet defense efforts against Beijing’s national security penetration must be strengthened simultaneously, he said, adding that the two goals are not contradictory, but equally necessary.

Additional reporting by Chen Yu-fu

title: Seven charged with espionage


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Fraud reports hit 13,673, with losses reaching NT$6bn

Fraud reports last month reached 13,673, with losses totaling more than NT$6 billion (US$192.2 million), the National Police Agency’s anti-fraud dashboard showed.

According to the National Police Agency, among the total of 13,673 fraud cases handled last month, the most common was “online shopping fraud” with 4,141 cases, followed by “fake investment fraud” with 1,528 cases.

Regarding financial losses, the most common type was “fake investment fraud” with NT$2,483,195,000, followed by “fake dating (investment fraud) fraud” with NT$1,148,861,000.

It should be noted the “universal distribution of 10,000” has become a new scam tactic. As the date for the nationwide cash handout of NT$10,000 approaches, a growing number of people has received calls suspected of being scams.

An expert also warned the public to be especially alert to five real-estate fraud schemes.

The five are using false housing reports to trick property owners into selling at lower prices, using fake buyers to gain property ownership, impersonating property owners to obtain funds from unwitting homebuyers, using bogus debt claims that result in court-ordered auctions and impersonating real-estate agents to defraud clients, said Chen Tzu-chieh (陳賜傑), an assistant manager at Yung Ching Rehouse Co’s business management department.

The first one is the most common, he added.

“Most people sell a house only once or twice in their lifetime, with the interval lasting more than a decade or maybe 20 to 30 years,” Chen said.

“As they often have only a vague idea about their property’s value, they can be easily taken advantage of by malicious real-estate agents and property speculators, who would use outdated or selected data to trick the owners into selling their properties at prices that are much lower than their market value. They would then resell the properties at market value or even higher,” he said.

Just a price difference of NT$100,000 per ping (3.3m2) would translate into a loss of about NT$3 million for a 30 ping property, Chen said.

To avoid real-estate traps, people should consult the Ministry of the Interior’s Real Estate Transaction Price Web site and free housing reports available at Yung Ching and other certified real-estate firms.

They should compare price quotations from multiple certified realtors, insist on using a price-payment guarantee when buying or selling pre-owned homes, and activate notifications for any changes in housing registrations at land administration offices, Chen added.

Other major fraud schemes include online shopping scams, fake investments, romance schemes and fake buyers defrauding sellers, the National Police Agency said.


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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday called for Hamas to be expelled from the region, a day after the UN Security Council endorsed US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war that offers the Palestinian militant group amnesty.

Netanyahu publicly endorsed the plan during a White House visit in late September. However, his latest remarks appear to show that there are differences with the US on the path forward. Hamas has also objected to parts of the plan.

Diplomats say privately that entrenched positions on both the Israeli and Hamas sides have made it difficult to advance the plan, which lacks specific timelines or enforcement mechanisms. Still, it has received strong international backing.

An armed Orthodox Jewish man speaks with an Israeli soldier at a bus station next to a bomb shelter, near the border with the Gaza Strip in southern Israel yesterday.  Photo: EPA

Netanyahu yesterday published a series of posts on X in response to the UN vote. In one post, he applauded Trump and in another wrote the Israeli government believes the plan would lead to peace and prosperity, because it calls for the “full demilitarization, disarmament, and deradicalization of Gaza.”

“Israel extends its hand in peace and prosperity to all of our neighbors” and calls on neighboring countries to “join us in expelling Hamas and its supporters from the region,” he said.

Asked what the prime minister had meant by expelling Hamas, a spokesperson said that it would mean “ensuring there is no Hamas in Gaza as outlined in the 20-point plan, and Hamas has no ability to govern the Palestinian people inside the Gaza Strip.”

Smoke rises in an area within the so-called “yellow line” to which Israeli troops withdrew under the ceasefire, as displaced Palestinians shelter in tents, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip yesterday. Photo: Reuters

Trump’s 20-point plan includes a clause saying that Hamas members “who commit to peaceful coexistence and to decommission their weapons will be given amnesty” and members who wish to leave would be given safe passage to third countries.

Another clause says Hamas will agree to not having any role in Gaza’s governance. There is no clause that explicitly calls for the Islamist militant group to disband or to leave Gaza.

The plan says reforms to the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority may ultimately allow conditions “for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.”

Ahead of the UN vote, Netanyahu on Sunday said that Israel remained opposed to Palestinian statehood. He also opposes any Palestinian Authority involvement in Gaza.

The UN Security Council resolution authorized a multinational force that Trump’s plan says would be temporarily deployed to Gaza to stabilize the territory.

The resolution’s text also says member states could join a “Board of Peace” that would oversee reconstruction and economic recovery inside Gaza.

Hamas has criticized the resolution as failing to “live up to the demands and political and humanitarian rights” of the Palestinian people, who it said have rejected an international guardianship mechanism in Gaza.

Any international force must only be deployed along Gaza’s borders to monitor the ceasefire and under UN supervision, Hamas said in a statement, warning that such a force would lose its neutrality if it tried to disarm the militant group.

title: Netanyahu urges Hamas’ expulsion after UN vote


title: Japan warns citizens in China as spat intensifies

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TAIWAN ROW:  Beijing vowed to ‘protect the safety’ of foreigners, as Tokyo told its citizens to avoid crowded areas or places identified as frequented by Japanese

Japan has warned its citizens in China to be careful of their surroundings and to avoid big crowds, as a diplomatic row spirals over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments on Taiwan.

The escalating spat has already seen Beijing advise Chinese citizens to avoid traveling to Japan and hit Tokyo stocks.

The screenings of at least two Japanese movies are also to be postponed in China, state media reported.

Japanese Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Masaaki Kana, left, and Chinese Director-General of the Department of Asian Affairs Liu Jinsong, right, depart after a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing yesterday. Photo: AFP

“Pay attention to your surroundings and avoid as much as possible squares where large crowds gather, or places that are likely to be identified as being used by many Japanese people,” the Japanese embassy in China said in a statement on its Web site dated Monday.

Beijing yesterday vowed to “protect the safety” of foreigners in China, but said it had again lodged a “strong protest” with Tokyo over Takaichi’s comments.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said the embassy’s advice was issued “based on a comprehensive assessment of the political situation, including the security situation in the relevant country or region, as well as the social conditions.”

The diplomatic feud between China and Japan was ignited by Takaichi’s suggestion that Tokyo could intervene militarily in any attack on Taiwan.

Seeking to defuse the row, Masaaki Kanai, director-general of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, yesterday held talks with his Chinese counterpart, Liu Jinsong (劉勁松).

“During the consultations, China once again lodged a strong protest with Japan” over “Takaichi’s erroneous remarks,” Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning (毛寧) said.

“Takaichi’s fallacies seriously violate international law and the basic norms governing international relations,” Mao said

Takaichi’s comments “fundamentally damage the political foundation of China-Japan relations,” Mao added.

The Japanese embassy warning also advised citizens to “be careful about your words and attitudes when interacting with local people.”

It came as China Film News, which is supervised by the state-backed China Film Administration, announced that the release of imported Japanese movies Crayon Shin-chan the Movie: Super Hot! The Spicy Kasukabe Dancers and Cells at Work! would be postponed.

The two movies were originally expected to be released on Dec. 6 and on Saturday respectively, review site Douban said.

“Japan’s provocative comments will inevitably affect Chinese audiences’ perception of Japanese movies,” China Film News said in an article posted on WeChat on Monday.


title: Policy sets guidelines for alternative fuels at ports

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ADJUSTING: Three major Taiwanese shipping companies have purchased 90 dual-fuel vessels, nearly one-third of their fleets, to reduce carbon emissions, an official said

The government is to set guidelines for providing alternative fuels at major seaports in response to a European policy requiring inbound sea vessels to reduce carbon emissions, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications said yesterday.

The EU Emissions Trading System is introducing a carbon border adjustment mechanism on certain high-emission imported goods, which is to take effect next year. Under the policy, importers must purchase carbon certificates and make financial adjustments based on the emissions of the imported products.

Since January last year, importers in the EU have been required to measure and report their embedded emissions.

Officials and event guests hold placards at a forum hosted by the Maritime and Port Bureau in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Tsai Yun-jung, Taipei Times

The International Maritime Organization has postponed a vote on carbon-reduction measures until October next year due to opposition from the major oil exporters, the Maritime and Port Bureau said.

Deputy Minister of Transportation and Communications Lin Kuo-hsien (林國顯) told a maritime forum in Taipei that it would be difficult to comprehensively electrify shipping services.

Aside from upgrading sea vessels, providing alternative energy and fuels, and purchasing carbon allowances would be necessary to ensure Taiwanese shipping service operators meet carbon-emission standards stipulated by the EU, Lin said.

Before the end of this year, the Maritime and Port Bureau, Taiwan International Ports Corp and CR Classification Society are to incorporate production, installation and supply guidelines for alternative fuels into the regulations governing the management of seaports and ships, he said.

Alternative fuels in the maritime industry include liquefied natural gas, methanol, ammonia and hydrogen fuels.

As part of carbon-reduction measures, Taiwanese shipping companies Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp, Evergreen Marine Corp and Wan Hai Lines have purchased more than 90 dual-fuel ships, accounting for nearly one-third of their shipping fleets, bureau Director-General Yeh Hsieh-lung (葉協隆) said.

CPC Corp, Taiwan has produced B24 biofuel for shipping operators, which is available at the Port of Keelung on a trial basis, Yeh said.

“The advantage of B24 is that it can be directly blended and used by ships, and ship operators do not need to change engines,” he said.

The bureau has set up a platform for fuel suppliers and shipping operators with the goal of supplying alternative fuels at the nation’s seaports, he said.


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Cramped living conditions for hens likely contributed to a batch of pesticide-contaminated eggs being released earlier this month, a livestock expert said on Monday.

The Food and Drug Administration on Monday last week issued an emergency recall of more than 150,000 eggs from a Changhua County farm after they were found to have high residues of the pesticide fipronil sulfone.

Wang Chien-kai (王建鎧), an assistant professor of animal sciences and head of the Livestock Research Institute at National Chung Hsing University, said the contamination was likely related to the traditional battery cages used for about 90 percent of egg-laying hens in Taiwan.

Eggs are pictured at a traditional market in Keelung in an undated photograph. Photo courtesy of the Keelung City Government

Traditional battery-style cages contain two to four hens in a space about the size of an A4 sheet of paper, the Environment and Animal Society of Taiwan said.

In such cramped conditions, parasites are able to easily breed and spread, necessitating the use of large quantities of pesticides, Wang said.

In less crowded enclosures, hens frequently take dust baths to control parasites, allowing farmers to use less pesticides, he said.

To produce safer, healthier and more environmentally friendly eggs, consumers need to accept paying higher prices to help the industry make the necessary upgrades, Wang said.

Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang (石崇良) over the weekend said that regulators would increase random sampling for pesticides in eggs based on their “risk level,” with eggs stamped with a “C” — meaning cage eggs — receiving top priority.

Taiwan’s eggs are stamped with a two-line traceability code, with the top line denoting a specific farm or egg washing facility, according to the Environmental Information Center Web site.

The second line indicates packaging date — ordered year-month-day — and includes an English letter, such as a “C” for cage eggs or an “E” for enriched cage eggs.

Cage-free eggs are labeled either “O” for organic, “F” for free-range or “B” for barn-raised, each with its own regulatory definition.

Three organizations provide five types of humane certification for eggs in Taiwan, the logos of which are typically featured on the eggs’ packaging, the site said.

Of those, the two certifications offered by the Taiwan Society of Agricultural Standards and the one from the National Animal Industry Foundation are less strict, because they allow certification for eggs raised in so-called enriched cages.

The two certifications offered by the Environment and Animal Society of Taiwan are considered to have higher standards, because they do not certify eggs from enriched cages, the site said.

title: Pesticide in eggs tied to cramped hen cages: expert


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Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) on Monday announced light shows and themed traffic lights to welcome fans of South Korean pop group Twice to the port city.

The group is to play Kaohsiung on Saturday as part of its “This Is For” world tour. It would be the group’s first performance in Taiwan since its debut 10 years ago.

The all-female group consists of five South Koreans, three Japanese and Tainan’s Chou Tzu-yu (周子瑜), the first Taiwan-born and raised member of a South Korean girl group.

Members of the K-pop group Twice pose in an image promoting their upcoming concert in Kaohsiung. Photo courtesy of Live Nation Taiwan

To promote the group’s arrival, the city has been holding a series of events, including a pop-up store that opened on Saturday and runs through Sunday at the Eslite Spectrum Fashion Square, offering limited-edition items and special perks, Chen wrote on Facebook.

It is also lighting up Kaohsiung with the “Tour Visual Blue” light show promoting the “Twice World Tour” across the city, he said.

The city government hosted a similar event, with pink lights, when K-pop girl group Blackpink played in the city last month.

A pedestrian traffic signal displays a Twice-themed message in Kaohsiung in an undated photograph. Photo courtesy of the Kaohsiung City Department of Transportation

The “Tour Visual Blue” light show, which began yesterday, is to run through Saturday every evening from 5:30pm to 11pm at seven landmarks, including the Great Harbor Bridge (大港橋), Weiwuying National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, Exit 1 of the Central Park MRT Station, the Kaohsiung Pop Music Center, Love River (愛河), Kaohsiung Port Travel Center and Formosa Boulevard MRT Station, Chen said.

From yesterday through Saturday, some traffic lights in Kaohsiung would remind people to “Look Twice” and “Twice 2025 Kaohsiung,” he said.

The voices of Twice members would also encourage fans to take public transportation in announcements across the Kaohsiung MRT system, starting from tomorrow to Saturday, Chen said.

The mayor also changed his hair to blue in his social media profile, similar to when he changed it to pink when Blackpink was in Kaohsiung.

title: Kaohsiung prepares for visit from K-pop stars Twice


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ROOM TO GROW: While turning to markets outside of the US, some orchid growers expressed hope they could grow some of their products on a government site in the US

The government seeks to expand the export market of Taiwan-grown orchids to Brazil, India and Vietnam to soften the impact of US tariffs, the Agriculture and Food Agency said yesterday.

About 40 percent of orchids produced in Taiwan are exported to the US, but the industry faces an additional 20 percent tariff under new US levies on Taiwan’s agricultural exports, the agency said.

The cost of implementing the additional tariff would be shared by Taiwanese orchid suppliers and US buyers, agency Director-General Yao Shih-yuan (姚士源) said.

Agriculture and Food Agency officials pose with potted plants at a news conference in Taipei yesterday promoting Taiwan-grown flowers. Photo: Yang Yuan-ting, Taipei Times

Taiwan exported 2,742 tonnes of Phalaenopsis orchids, or moth orchids, to the US between April and October, compared with 2,846 tonnes during the same period last year, the agency said.

Meanwhile, output value generated by moth orchids fell to about NT$1 billion (US$32.03 million) from NT$1.2 billion last year, Yao said.

“We would continue our exports to the US and Japan and explore business opportunities in Brazil, India and Vietnam,” Yao said, adding that quite a few orchid suppliers have visited these new markets.

The US tariffs led to the temporary suspension of orders from buyers, but suppliers continue to follow the terms of the contracts they signed with buyers, Taiwan Orchid Breeders Society member Woody Chou (周伯倚) said.

Most US buyers placed orders in July for the Christmas and New Year holidays, Chou said.

“Taiwan’s strength is its capabilities to breed quality Phalaenopsis orchids and customize orders for clients. The Agriculture and Food Agency also helped orchid suppliers secure certifications from international organizations, which help increase the value of Taiwanese orchids. With the newly developed orchid varieties, we are confident we can expand our businesses to other countries,” he said.

Some orchid suppliers expressed hope that the government would turn part of Taiwan Sugar Corp’s production base in California into an intermediate production facility for moth orchids.

Yao said that Taiwan Sugar’s property in the US is about 5 hectares, adding that the facilities on the property need to be completely revamped.

“A business entity must be established first to build greenhouses and shade-net facilities abroad, which must cater to the specific needs of orchid suppliers. Additionally, many suppliers have had intermediate production bases,” Yao said, adding that the agency is still carefully evaluating the proposal.

To expand orchid sales in the domestic market, the agency said that it has planned nine floral exhibitions in Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung.

title: Orchid growers eye more markets


content_text:
By Tsai Ching-hua and Jake Chung / Staff reporter, with staff writer

The Ciaotou District Prosecutors’ Office yesterday sought 20-year prison sentences for two people accused of running a Kaohsiung-based scam group that defrauded 72 people out of NT$68.6 million (US$2.2 million) of cryptocurrency.

The suspects were indicted for contraventions under the Fraud Crime Hazard Prevention Act (詐欺犯罪危害防制條例), the Criminal Code and the Money Laundering Control Act (洗錢防制法).

The office’s fraud prevention center launched an investigation into the case after it was alerted that people were buying the cryptocurrency tether at higher rates than the prevailing exchange rate.

A representation of cryptocurrency tether is pictured in an illustration photograph taken on Sept. 10. Photo: Reuters

Center head prosecutor Su Heng-yi (蘇恒毅) and prosecutor Kuo Chun (郭郡) found that the tether was transferred into an anonymous wallet designated by the scam group, before it was moved against to another location.

After tracing the cryptocurrency, the center discovered that the group allegedly used nine accounts on the Line messaging app to pose as legitimate crypto dealers, the indictment said.

In March, judicial authorities detained 15 people, including the alleged leaders of the group, surnamed Yang (楊) and Liu (劉), alongside operators of the Line groups, money mules and money launderers.

The center requested that the Kaohsiung District Court detain Yang and Liu, as well confiscate a NT$38 million building under the group’s name in Kaohsiung’s Wusong District (烏松), NT$9.22 million in cash, a Porsche electric vehicle and jewelry.

Prosecutors said they asked for a heavier sentence for Yang and Liu as they showed no remorse for their alleged crimes.

Prosecutors asked for the remaining suspects be sentenced to six years or more in prison.

title: Prosecutors seek 20 years for crypto scammers


title: Taiwan could see a rise in flu cases starting December

content_text:
Taiwan may see an uptick in influenza cases starting December, with infections likely to peak around the Lunar New Year, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday.

CDC spokesperson Tseng Shu-hui (曾淑慧) said that 93,247 people sought outpatient or emergency care for influenza-like symptoms from Nov. 9-15, marking a 9.1 percent drop from the previous week.

She noted, however, that 42 severe influenza cases were reported over the past seven days, 10 of which were fatal.

Centers for Disease Control Epidemic Intelligence Center Deputy Director Lee Chia-lin speaks at a news conference in Taipei yesterday. Photo: CNA

Meanwhile, CDC Epidemic Intelligence Center Deputy Director Lee Chia-lin (李佳琳) warned that neighboring countries including China, South Korea and Japan were seeing rising flu cases.

She highlighted Japan in particular, which logged nearly 1.5 times more cases last week than the week before. Lee urged travelers to get vaccinated before visiting the country.

Lee said Japan’s flu season has mirrored that of Taiwan’s this year, with both entering their epidemic periods between late September and early October, roughly a month earlier than usual.

She attributed the earlier onset to a shift in the dominant strain from H1N1 to H3N2, waning immunity following the COVID-19 pandemic, increased international travel, and reduced mask use.

Since October, Taiwan has recorded 300 severe influenza cases, resulting in 35 deaths, Lee said.

She added that most severe cases involved people aged 65 and older and those with chronic conditions, and that 95 percent of the patients with severe symptoms were not vaccinated for this year’s flu season.


title: Taiwan is not the ‘problem’: ministry

content_text:
‘PROVIDES SOLUTIONS’:  A foreign ministry spokesman called on China to fulfill its responsibility as a great power and stop provocative actions that undermine stability

“Taiwan has never been a problem, but rather it provides solutions,” and is working with international partners to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and the Taiwan Strait, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday.

Ministry spokesman Hsiao Kuang-wei (蕭光偉) made the remarks in response to a reporter’s comment on changes in relations between Japan and China over the “Taiwan issue or the so-called Taiwan problem.”

“I must explain first that Taiwan has never been a ‘problem,’ but rather a solution,” Hsiao said at a weekly news conference in Taipei.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Hsiao Kuang-wei speaks at a news conference in Taipei yesterday. Photo: screen grab from a Ministry of Foreign Affairs livestream

Taiwan is working with international partners to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and the Taiwan Strait, and the ministry and the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association maintain close contact and exchange ideas on a variety of issues regularly, he said.

Meanwhile, China has held frequent large-scale military exercises and conducted “gray zone” harassment in the East China Sea, the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, actions that are a hybrid threat to nations in the region, Hsiao said, adding that they undermine regional security and stability, while escalating tension in the region.

“We urge China to fulfill its responsibility as a great power and stop any of its provocative actions that harm regional stability and security,” he said.

The ministry would continue to pay close attention to China’s challenges to the international order and Taiwan would continue to work closely with like-minded countries to ensure peace, prosperity, freedom and openness in the Indo-Pacific region, he added.

Separately, the ministry said that it strongly condemns and refutes claims in a joint statement by the foreign ministers of China and Syria that denigrated Taiwan’s sovereignty.

Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi (王毅) and Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad al-Shaibani attended a summit in Beijing on Monday and issued a joint statement that said “Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory.”

The claim is a serious deviation from reality, the ministry said in a separate statement, adding that it strongly condemns the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs for continuously luring other countries and spreading preposterous claims that belittle Taiwan’s sovereignty.

It expressed regret that the Syrian transitional government had succumbed to and complied with China’s authoritarian actions.

“The Republic of China, Taiwan, is a country with independent sovereignty, and it and the People’s Republic of China are not subordinate to each other,” it said. “Any claims that arbitrarily and intentionally distort Taiwan’s sovereign status are bullying behavior that harm international peace and stability, and they cannot change the objective fact and status quo of the two sides not being subordinate to each other.”

The ministry urged the global community to recognize China’s authoritarian nature, and its intention to mislead states into believing that the Taiwan issue is an internal affair of China and block support for Taiwan.

Taiwan calls for the international community to continue countering China’s aggression via tangible actions, including clearly expressing their objection to China’s malicious intention to change the “status quo” in the Taiwan Strait, it said.


content_text:
‘POWER UNDER PRESSURE’:  Taiwan, as well as its allies and partners, must improve the nation’s capacity to resist China before a crisis, a Washington-based group said

Taiwan must improve its energy resilience, as China might force a capitulation through “gray zone” tactics by throttling fuel supplies, while coordinated action by international partners are also crucial to deterring China’s aggression, the Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank said in a report on Monday.

The Washington-based institute released the report, titled “Power Under Pressure: The Fight to Protect Taiwan’s Energy Lifelines from Beijing’s Aggression,” on its Web site, with the results taken from a tabletop exercise that involved a team from the Taipei-based Centre for Innovative Democracy and Sustainability at National Chengchi University in Taipei this summer.

Along with the report’s release, the institute hosted a panel discussion over the findings of the exercise, and the steps Taiwan and its partners can take to build resilience and improve deterrence.

An oil taker is pictured at CPC Corp, Taiwan’s third liquefied natural gas terminal in Taoyuan’s Guanyin District in an undated photograph. Photo: screen grab from the CPC Corp, Taiwan Web site

Among the panelists was retired US Navy rear admiral Mark Montgomery, who is senior director of the institute’s Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation.

Taiwan imports about 98 percent of its fuel, a vulnerability that “creates an opportunity for Beijing to pursue its campaign to force Taipei’s capitulation through gray zone tactics, using economic, legal and cyberenabled economic warfare to throttle Taiwan’s fuel supply without firing a shot,” the report said.

China is slowly engineering the conditions for Taiwan’s total capitulation and at the core is energy coercion, it said, adding that it is more likely to begin with a subtle campaign involving administrative actions and regulatory pressure, rather than a sudden blockade or invasion.

“China’s goal is exhaustion, not escalation: A gray zone siege calibrated to degrade Taiwan’s resilience and coerce strategic surrender under the veneer of legality,” it said.

If China succeeded in squeezing Taiwan’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply to a trickle, it would cause a 50 percent reduction in Taiwan’s electrical grid capacity and force it into a difficult choice — powering civilian infrastructure, including public health and safety systems, or maintaining industrial production, including semiconductor manufacturers such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, the report said.

The tabletop exercise highlighted that a Chinese Communist’s Party cyberenabled economic warfare campaign targeting the energy sector poses significant risks to Taiwan and without international support, it would have to make decisions about industrial production, which could turn from a regional security issue into a global economic issue, it said.

Taiwan, as well as the US, Japan, Australia and European allies and partners, must improve the nation’s capacity to resist and improve deterrence to counter China before a crisis, it said.

Taiwan should invest in energy resilience by diversifying LNG supply chains, expand and diversify energy storage facilities, reconsider the use of nuclear power through a mix of traditional nuclear power plants and investment in emerging small modular reactor technologies, improve public-private cooperation to protect critical infrastructure, and engage in joint cybersecurity training with allies and partners, it said.

Some top recommendations for the US include prioritizing convoy and escort planning and exercises, it said, adding that the US Navy should consider unilaterally planning for the possibility of “reflagging” vessels bound for Taiwan and escorting commercial shipping to demonstrate its operational readiness.

The US should increase LNG exports to Taiwan, prepare conditional sanctions packages for energy-related contingencies, and establish a naval and maritime security coordination structure, the report said.

Japan should coordinate with Taiwan over the use of LNG reserves, while Australia, the UK and the EU should partner with Taiwan to expand LNG capacity, as well as provide cybertraining and coordination, it said.

“While Taiwan must urgently address its own energy and societal vulnerabilities, actions by the United States, Japan, Australia and European partners can have a significant strategic impact on Beijing’s calculus,” the report said.

“Success depends on coordinated efforts to support deterrence and complicate Beijing’s strategic calculus — not just from Taipei and Washington, but from Tokyo, Canberra and Brussels as well,” it added.

title: Taiwan must improve energy resilience, report says


content_text:
Tuvaluan Prime Minister Feleti Teo, who is visiting Taiwan, yesterday reaffirmed the Pacific ally’s diplomatic ties with Taiwan during a military ceremony in Taipei presided over by President William Lai (賴清德) to welcome him for his first state visit since taking office.

Speaking during the military honors ceremony in front of the Presidential Office Building, which fired a 21-gun salute and the countries’ national anthems played, Teo said that his trip, which started on Monday, marks his first official state visit to Taiwan since taking office last year.

He said he was moved by the “magnificent and grand military parade.”

President William Lai, front, left, and Tuvaluan Prime Minister Feleti Teo, front second left, inspect an honor guard at a ceremony outside the Presidential Office Building in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Liu Hsin-de, Taipei Times

“Such ceremonial tradition holds deep significance; it is not only a mark of respect for visiting friends, but also a symbol of mutual recognition between our nations, signifying the dignity of the government and people of Taiwan, and the strength of the bond of friendship that unites our two countries,” he said.

Tuvalu treasures its “special relationship with Taiwan, a relationship built on shared democratic values, mutual trust and unwavering cooperation,” the prime minister said, adding that bilateral ties have stood the test of time for the past 46 years.

Lai said the trip “not only symbolizes the strong and enduring friendship between our two countries, but also demonstrates [Teo’s] high regard and support for our diplomatic relations.”

President William Lai, center right, welcomes Tuvaluan Prime Minister Feleti Teo, center left, in front of the Presidential Office Building in Taipei yesterday. PHOTO: Ann Wang, reuters

Both countries have engaged in closer exchanges in areas such as public health and medicine, agriculture and fisheries, energy, information and communication technology, and talent cultivation, he said.

“Through Prime Minister Teo’s visit, the partnership between our two countries will be further advanced,” he said.

“Together, we will face the challenges posed by geopolitics and climate change, jointly enhancing our people’s well-being and our nations’ prosperity,” Lai added.

At the Presidential Office later, Teo signed three pacts, one to establish the legal framework to bolsters bilateral ties, one to promote fisheries cooperation and one to foster sports exchanges.

Teo and his 11-member delegation are scheduled to depart on Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The delegation includes the leaders of two Tuvaluan islands — Tuitonga Pelosa of Niutao and Siose Teo of Funafuti, the ministry said.

title: Feleti Teo reaffirms ties between Taiwan, Tuvalu


content_text:
By Yang Mien-chieh, Rachel Lin and Fion Khan / Staff reporters, with staff writer

Educators, political parties, civic groups and ordinary Taiwanese must comply with cross-strait regulations and prioritize national interests, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said yesterday after the Ministry of Education issued a similar warning over “united front” activities amid reports that groups are seeking people to join low-cost tours to Chinese cities.

Faculty, staff and students at universities must not propagate Chinese propaganda or participate in any “united front” activities, the ministry said in a letter to universities.

Cross-strait exchanges are to expand mutual understanding and communication, and institutes should abide by cross-strait regulations, and uphold dignity and equality, the ministry said.

The Ministry of Education in Taipei is pictured in an undated photograph. Photo: Rachel Lin, Taipei Times

While it supports constructive cross-strait exchanges, faculty, staff and students should not participate in any “united front” activities to prevent contravening cross-strait laws, it said.

Students told reporters that groups were advertising trips to China at prices starting as low as NT$18,900 for an eight-day tour, including round-trip airfares, accommodation, meals, insurance and guided activities, with early-bird sign-ups offered free three-day, two-night trips to Hong Kong.

A registration form linked to on the Facebook page of Spring Rain, a non-profit run by the Association of Chinese Elites, invited people to “immerse yourself in the magic of Shanghai and Suzhou, travel through the splendor of the capital, encounter a winter wonderland and stroll through the land of abundance.”

Exchange tours organized by the association have long targeted young Taiwanese, with more than 10,000 students having participated in more than 30 trips, Chinese-language media reported.

Those who arrange their own flights would pay only NT$7,900 to NT$9,900, the form showed.

A “Cross-strait Northern Winter Camp” costs only NT$4,000, excluding airfares, with a 10 percent discount available for bringing a friend, it showed.

The itineraries are often vague, listing only broad activities such as “cultural lectures,” “youth forums” or “exchange events” for morning, afternoon and evening slots each day, media reports said.

However, registration forms require detailed personal information, including social media accounts, campus leadership roles, prior visits to China, views on cross-strait relations and experiences interacting with Chinese students, the reports said.

Students told reporters they worried that they would be “put on a list” if they stated their national identity as the Republic of China or their cross-strait stance as “one China, one Taiwan.”

There was no way to know in advance whether they would encounter Chinese officials, they said, adding that they would have no choice but to cooperate if any “united front” activities took place.

The MAC yesterday urged educators, political parties, civic groups and ordinary Taiwanese to comply with cross-strait regulations and prioritize national interests.

People should refrain from participating in activities organized by China or that support China’s positions, the MAC said, adding that all Taiwanese should stand together to defend the nation’s sovereignty, freedom and democracy.

title: Students warned over trips to China


title: Defending Taiwan key to stability, new book says

content_text:
Defending Taiwan against a Chinese invasion is key to maintaining global stability, Taiwan-based Canadian author J. Michael Cole wrote in his new book, The Taiwan Tinderbox.

Since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, many comparisons have been drawn between Ukraine and Taiwan, and many have also contended that it is critical to hold Russia in check in Ukraine.

In an interview with the Central News Agency, Cole cited Ukraine’s resistance against invasion in highlighting the interdependence among democratic countries that has underpinned the international order.

Taiwanese and Chinese flags are pictured in an arranged photograph taken on Aug. 6, 2022. Photo: Reuters

Russian President Vladimir “Putin was actually convinced [Kyiv] would fall in a matter of days,” Cole wrote, adding that as this did not happen, it sent a signal to places like Beijing and Tehran showing “if you think that invading another country is a walk in the park, you’d better think again.”

The message would be the reverse if China were to take Taiwan quickly — whether because Taiwan was defeated or abandoned by the international community — as it would send a “dangerous” signal to other destabilizing forces and authoritarian regimes that they, too, could achieve their objectives through force, said Cole, a nonresident fellow at the Washington-based Global Taiwan Institute.

“Defending Taiwan, just like defending Ukraine, is not only in the interest of Taiwan and Ukraine, but the international community of democracies, that if you win that battle there, chances are you won’t have to fight battles somewhere else,” he wrote. “If you lose that battle there, it’s likelier that you’re going to face different battles.”

While Cole refrained from predictions on whether Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) would launch an attack on Taiwan, he presented factors that could influence Xi’s decisionmaking.

For example, Xi’s rise to power has coincided with the emergence of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army as a more modernized and formidable fighting force, so the stage has been set for him “to present himself as the Chinese leader who could finally accomplish the long-sought dream of ‘reunifying’ Taiwan,” Cole wrote.

As to whether China’s growing military power could decrease the US’ willingness to send forces to Taiwan’s aid in a Taiwan Strait war, Cole said it “certainly becomes part of their calculations.”

Taiwan must prepare itself to fight independently, he said, adding that one way is to train civilians to fight before war breaks out, rather than conducting polls gauging people’s willingness to fight.

Countries could apply what they learned from imposing sanctions on Russia to signal to Beijing that it would face penalties that “have a bite” if it invades Taiwan, he added.


title: Taiwan signs pact to launch medical program in Ukraine

content_text:
Taiwan on Monday signed a pact with the Ukrainian city of Vinnytsia to launch a cooperative program providing medical equipment, doctor training and other support to improve maternal and child healthcare.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed remotely by Representative to Poland Jeff Liu (劉永健) on behalf of the government and Vinnytsia Mayor Serhii Morhunov during a videoconference.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Taiwan has provided medical, educational, reconstruction and infrastructure support, Liu said.

Representative to Poland Jeff Liu, on screen, holds a videoconference with Vinnytsia Mayor Serhii Morhunov, third right, and other officials in Vinnytsia, Ukraine, on Monday. Photo courtesy of Representative to Poland Jeff Liu

The MOU is part of the government’s Partnership for the Future initiative, he said.

The assistance would focus on helping the city’s maternity and neonatal care center improve medical safety for newborns and mothers, he said.

Two doctors from Vinnytsia have already completed professional training in Taiwan, while another two arrived last week to receive training and will work with Taiwanese medical teams to exchange skills in neonatal care and critical-care management, he said.

By upgrading the center’s medical equipment and improving professional training, the program would help reinforce the city’s capacity to care for mothers and infants, Liu said.

Morhunov thanked Taiwan for its repeated medical, social and humanitarian assistance.

He invited Liu to visit Vinnytsia after the program is completed to witness the results of their cooperation.

The maternal and neonatal care center is one of the city’s most important medical facilities, treating about 11,000 inpatients and delivering more than 1,700 babies each year, he said.

Taiwan’s latest assistance would help maintain basic services under wartime conditions, he added.


content_text:
The Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office is investigating Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) over allegations of corruption and has listed him as a defendant, sources said yesterday.

The case stems from a report by Mirror Weekly that accused Huang of operating a “paparazzi network” to surveil his political adversaries and that Kai Ssu International Co paid for people to be hired for the alleged operation.

Mirror Weekly later reported that Kai Ssu International this year received NT$2 million (US$64,068) from Shen Chun-hong (沈淳浤), son of Shen Yu-hsiung (沈裕雄), the late chairman of garment giant Taiya Group.

A nameplate of the Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office at its main entrance is pictured yesterday. Photo: Wu Sheng-ju, Taipei Times

A member of the public filed a report with the Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office, asking it to investigate whether Huang was engaged in a quid pro quo scheme after Huang in the legislature raised a case of allegeed fraud targeting Shen Yu-hsiung.

The report accused Huang of accepting money in return for bringing up the case in the legislature.

Huang at the time said that he never accepts anything in return for speaking up for people targeted by fraud.

Huang yesterday accused the prosecutors’ office of colluding with pan-green camp-affiliated media, adding that he would not be intimidated.

title: Prosecutors probing TPP’s Huang over corruption: sources


content_text: Taoyuan Mayor Simon Chang, fourth right, holds a placard along with officials from the Taoyuan Department of Agriculture at a news conference in the city yesterday, to promote this year’s Mesona Carnival. The carnival, which starts on Saturday and runs until Dec. 7, is to be held on weekends from 9am until 5pm at Taoyuan’s Yangmei Leisure Agricultural Area. Mesona, used to make grass jelly, is an herb used for dietary and medicinal purposes. The event would also showcase flower arrangements, installations featuring Sanrio character Kuromi and children’s play areas.

title: Jelly-fest


title: White terror warning

content_text: Members of the transitional justice advocacy organization 519 Action Group hold placards at a news conference at the Legislative Yuan in Taipei yesterday, urging the public to confront the facts of the White Terror era. The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) “is not a victim, but a perpetrator that refuses to admit wrongdoing,” the group said, adding that “there is never a good outcome from cooperating with the Chinese Communist Party.”


title: AI data center mostly booked: Hon Hai

content_text:
INVESTMENT: The company said its data center in Kaohsiung is to begin operations in the first half of next year, with a second phase of development being planned

Manufacturing giant Hon Hai Precision Industry Co (鴻海精密) yesterday said that clients have already booked 70 to 80 percent of the computing power at its artificial intelligence (AI) data center in Kaohsiung.

Hon Hai in May announced a partnership with Nvidia Corp to build the data center in the city’s Asia New Bay Area (亞洲新灣區).

Hon Hai said it would purchase 10,000 GB300 chips based on Nvidia’s Blackwell Ultra architecture to provide up to 27MW of computing power in the center’s first phase of development, positioning it as a local AI inference hub.

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co spokesman James Wu speaks at a news conference in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Fang Wei-chieh, Taipei Times

Four clients have booked computing power at the data center, Hon Hai spokesman James Wu (巫俊毅) said on the sidelines of a news conference in Taipei, without naming the clients.

The center is to begin operations in the first half of next year, with a second phase of development being planned, Hon Hai said.

The company has intensified its efforts in AI development in the past few years to diversify its product portfolio. Last month, the company’s board of directors approved a NT$42 billion (US$1.345 billion) investment plan to purchase AI equipment for the data center.

Hon Hai plans to grow its AI deployment vertically and horizontally, Wu said.

As the AI industry is focused not only on hardware, but also on ecosystems and strategic alliances, Hon Hai — which has a large share of the AI server market — can extend its supply chain upstream to provide key components or downstream to build data centers, forming a “vertically integrated hardware supply chain,” he said.

In addition, the company plans to “expand horizontally” in the AI market through its three major application platforms, the self-developed large language model FoxBrain and the data center, he added.

The company said it would hold its annual Hon Hai Technology Day on Friday — larger than previous years — for the sixth time.

More than 2,000 people are expected to attend Friday’s invitation-only event, while more than 7,000 are expected to show up on Saturday when it opens to the public, it said.

The themes of this year’s event range from AI applications in smart manufacturing, smart electric vehicles and smart cities to vertical integration techniques for AI server racks, Wu said.

The company plans to showcase smart manufacturing automation integrating robotics and precision machining, as well as a range of advanced technologies, including quantum technology, aerospace applications and humanoid robots, he said.

Hon Hai is also to announce details of its cooperation with OpenAI and unveil its new Model A electric car at the event, he added.


content_text:
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) received about NT$147 billion (US$4.71 billion) in subsidies from the US, Japanese, German and Chinese governments over the past two years for its global expansion.

Financial data compiled by the world’s largest contract chipmaker showed the company secured NT$4.77 billion in subsidies from the governments in the third quarter, bringing the total for the first three quarters of the year to about NT$71.9 billion.

Along with the NT$75.16 billion in financial aid TSMC received last year, the chipmaker obtained NT$147 billion in subsidies in almost two years, the data showed.

Signage for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co at its fabrication plant in Phoenix, Arizona, is pictured on March 3. Photo: Bloomberg

The subsidies received by its subsidiaries — TSMC Arizona Corp in the US; European Semiconductor Manufacturing Co in Dresden, Germany; Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Inc in Kumamoto Prefecture; and TSMC Nanjing Co in China’s Jiangsu Province — were largely used for purchasing property, facilities and equipment, TSMC said.

In addition, the funds were also allocated to operating costs and expenses associated with the overseas production sites, the company said.

Under the agreements the four subsidiaries signed with local governments, TSMC must follow the schedules set to complete the construction and observe other terms in its investments, it said.

In Arizona, TSMC is also eligible to apply for aid, representing 25 percent of certain investments in the US state.

TSMC is investing US$65 billion to build three advanced fabs in Arizona, with mass production of the first started in the fourth quarter of last year. The company has pledged to invest an additional US$100 billion in the US state to build three more fabs, two chip packaging plants and one research and development center.

In Kumamoto, TSMC’s first fab began commercial production at the end of last year, and construction of the second is under way. In Dresden, the chipmaker is also building a chip plant, with its mass-production timeline depending on customer demand and market conditions.

In Nanjing, TSMC runs a 12-inch wafer fab, which put the mature 28-nanometer process into production in 2022.

title: TSMC gets NT$147bn in subsidies in two years


content_text:
OUTLOOK: Pat Gelsinger said he did not expect the heavy AI infrastructure investments by the major cloud service providers to cause an AI bubble to burst soon

Building a resilient energy supply chain is crucial for Taiwan to develop artificial intelligence (AI) technology and grow its economy, former Intel Corp chief executive officer Pat Gelsinger said yesterday.

Gelsinger, now a general partner at the US venture capital firm Playground Global LLC, was asked at a news conference in Taipei about his views on Taiwan’s hardware development and growing concern over an AI bubble.

“Today, the greatest issue in Taiwan isn’t even in the software or in architecture. It is energy,” Gelsinger said. “You are not in the position to have a resilient energy supply chain, and that, I think, puts your entire industry in a very precarious state. You need more energy resilience in Taiwan if you want to grow the economy of Taiwan.”

Playground Global LLC general partner Pat Gelsinger, who retired from Intel Corp as chief executive officer in December last year, poses for a photograph in Taipei yesterday. Photo: CNA

He said he did not expect the heavy AI infrastructure investments by the world’s major cloud service providers to cause an AI bubble burst soon.

“Maybe we’ll spend a couple of hundred million [US] dollars putting concrete in the base of building infrastructure. We will not spend billions of dollars on chips until we have energy availability,” he said. “And fundamentally, that becomes a buffer or a limiter.”

The AI industry is supported by solid business models to generate real profits, which is different from the dotcom bubble of 2000, he said.

Gelsinger said he is “supportive” of US President Donald Trump’s call for bringing more chip manufacturing to the US, as “everything rides on the foundations of semiconductors.”

“I believe that having more resilience of those supply chains is the best policy. For that, I’m very much supportive of the Trump administration wanting to see more built in the US,” he said. “That doesn’t mean there’s less in Taiwan. It just says more of a growth should occur in other geographies like the US.”

Gelsinger said Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) should “have more advanced nodes, and more research and development in the US, because it simply is a better policy for the world.”

“It is so important to the future of the world,” he added.

Separately, former TSMC senior vice president Lo Wei-jen (羅唯仁), who retired in July, is expected to join Intel to help improve the US chipmaker’s foundry business, alarming authorities, local media reported.

The High Prosecutors’ Office yesterday opened an intellectual property theft investigation, while the Ministry of Economic Affairs approached TSMC to gain more understanding of the issue, the Chinese-language Liberty Times (sister paper of the Taipei Times) reported.

Prosecutors suspect that Lo allegedly attempted to obtain sensitive information about TSMC’s most advanced process technologies, including 2-nanometer, 16A and 14A technologies, it reported.

Lo joined TSMC in 2004 from Intel, where he held various positions in technology development and management.

TSMC and Intel declined to comment.

title: Energy resilience key for Taiwan: former Intel CEO


content_text:
Average year-end bonuses to drop slightly, poll shows

As the end of the year approaches, 68 percent of Taiwanese companies are set to issue bonuses, with the average payout expected to slightly decrease to 1.56 months of salary, from 1.62 months last year, a survey released yesterday by 104 Job Bank (104人力銀行) showed.

Bonuses differ significantly across industries — highlighting a widening gap between higher-paying and lower-paying sectors, the survey showed.

Semiconductor companies are projected to offer the highest bonuses, averaging 1.98 months of salary. They are followed by construction firms with 1.73 months, warehousing and transportation support services at 1.67 months, architectural and design firms at 1.61 months, and electronic component manufacturers at 1.6 months.

These sectors benefit from higher profit margins or rely on specialized technical expertise, contributing to higher bonuses, 104 Job Bank said.

On the other hand, lower bonuses are expected in industries such as publishing and arts-related businesses (0.78 months), accommodation services (0.97 months), food and beverage providers (1.07 months), sports and leisure travel companies (1.14 months), and mass media (1.18 months).

These industries tend to be more labor-intensive or sensitive to consumer demand fluctuations, contributing to more conservative bonus policies, 104 Job Bank said.

For total annual compensation — including base salary, fixed bonuses and variable bonuses — the median salary is about NT$673,000 (US$21,559) this year, it said.

The technology and financial sectors remain among the highest-paying industries. Computer and consumer electronics manufacturing jobs top the list with a median total compensation of NT$897,000, followed by semiconductors at NT$848,000. Investment and wealth management, software and Internet-related jobs, and financial institutions each report a median compensation of NT$792,000.

The survey also highlights the highest-paying job categories. Among engineering positions, analogue IC design engineers lead with NT$1.71 million in annual compensation, followed by digital IC design engineers at NT$1.65 million, semiconductor engineers at NT$1.17 million, firmware engineers at NT$1.16 million and semiconductor process engineers at NT$1.08 million.

These roles typically require advanced technical expertise and cross-disciplinary skills, it said.

In non-engineering fields, physicians earn the highest annual compensation at NT$2.12 million, followed by channel development professionals at NT$1.57 million, investment managers at NT$1.2 million, university professors at NT$1.15 million and telemarketers at NT$1.09 million.

High pay in these categories is linked to professional qualifications, direct revenue contribution or performance-based reward mechanisms.

A polarized wage trend has become increasingly apparent this year, 104 Job Bank senior consultant Jessica Lo (羅悅華) said.

Lo said strong salary growth in the technology sector continues to attract talent toward high-paying industries, creating additional pressure on lower-paying sectors to secure skilled professionals.

Companies should complement competitive salaries with strengthened employer branding — through enhanced benefits and a positive corporate image — to attract and retain talented workers, she said.


content_text:
E.Sun Joins the Nature Investment Coalition, Strengthening Its Leadership in Asia at COP30

The 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), held for the first time in the Amazon rainforest city of Belem in Brazil, featured E.Sun Financial Holding Co (玉山金控) chairman Joseph N.C. Huang (黃男州) representing Taiwan’s financial industry for the fourth consecutive year.

During the World Climate Summit, a key COP30 side event, Huang delivered an opening address titled “Reimagining Climate Action: Weave a web of harmony between justice, nature and community.”

He announced that E.Sun joined the Nature Investment Coalition, underscoring Asia’s growing leadership in connecting natural ecosystems with financial capital.

E.Sun Financial Holding Co chief sustainability officer Louis L.Y. Chang, center, leads the company’s sustainability team at the World Climate Summit, a key side event of the COP30, in Belem, Brazil. Photo courtesy of E.Sun Financial Holding Co

E.Sun also signed a strategic partnership with the World Climate Foundation (WCF) to jointly advance nature-based solutions investment and biodiversity across Asia.

Under E.Sun’s leadership, the coalition will bring together financial institutions, industry leaders, policymakers, and academia to accelerate investment in biodiversity conservation, natural capital, and biodiversity credit mechanisms.

WCF chairman Jens Nielsen noted: “E.Sun’s leadership will amplify the coalition’s impact in Asia and share science-based practices with the world, demonstrating integrity and innovation in nature finance.”

Huang emphasized that COP30 marks a turning point for climate action — shifting from carbon metrics toward climate adaptation, resilience, and improved quality of life.

Citing Taiwan’s unique geography and recent extreme weather events, he called for urgent and inclusive climate measures.

E.Sun has partnered with 18 major hospitals to establish memoranda of understanding on sustainable healthcare, enhancing medical resilience and protecting vulnerable communities.

To address the impacts of climate change on rural and Indigenous regions, E.Sun launched the “Malavi Project” over a decade ago in Hualien’s Nanan community. The initiative promotes organic transition and integrates Bunun traditional farming practices, reintroducing native crops to improve biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. The spirit of “Malavi” — which means “everyone together” in the local Indigenous language — also echoes the COP30 theme of Global Mutirao, emphasizing collective action and community-driven solutions for a nature-positive future.

“Indigenous peoples are not just participants,” Huang said. “They are leaders and guardians of the land in our shared climate journey.”

E.Sun continues to provide nature-based financial products, such as biodiversity-linked and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECM)-linked loans, and organizes its annual environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiative to promote cross-sector collaboration.

By integrating financial innovation with community and environmental stewardship, E.Sun aims to create a nature-positive, resilient and inclusive future.


title: Google boss warns no company immune if AI bubble bursts

content_text:
The head of Google’s parent company Alphabet Inc warned that every company would be impacted if the artificial intelligence (AI) bubble were to burst, in an interview to the BBC.

Sundai Pichai acknowledged there was “irrationality” behind the boom in AI investment, which has fueled a tech rally this year.

But fears that the AI bubble could burst have led to a selloff, sending global stock markets tumbling in recent months.

Alphabet Inc chief executive officer Sundar Pichai is pictured at Google Campus in Warsaw, Poland, on Feb. 13. Photo: Aleksandra Szmigiel, Reuters

Asked if Google would be impacted by the AI bubble bursting, Pichai told the BBC: “I think no company is going to be immune, including us.”

The interview, published yesterday, covered long-standing concerns surrounding AI, including energy needs, reducing climate targets, accuracy and the impact of AI on jobs.

Pichai warned of the “immense” energy requirements of AI, which accounted for 1.5 percent of global electricity consumption last year, according to the International Energy Agency.

AI’s global computing footprint could reach 200 gigawatts by 2030 — the annual equivalent of Brazil’s electric consumption — half of that in the US.

Geopolitical tensions have helped drive a tech frenzy to build massive data centers housing tens of thousands of chips requiring a phenomenal amount of electrical power and large-scale cool.

Pichai said action was needed to develop new energy sources and strengthen infrastructure.

The tech boss also acknowledged that the energy needs of Alphabet’s AI operations would delay the company’s climate goals, but insisted the company was still aiming for carbon neutrality by 2030.

AI will also have an impact on work as we know it, he said.

Pichai said it would cause “societal disruptions,” even potentially replace CEOs, and “people will have to adapt.”

He insisted those who adapt to AI “will do better.”

“It doesn’t matter if you want to be a teacher or a doctor. All those professions will be around, but the people who will do well in each of those professions are people who learn how to use these tools.”

Alphabet last month reported its first US$100 billion quarterly revenue, which it said was buoyed by its ability to capitalize on the AI boom.

The tech giant has ramped up spending to meet demand for AI infrastructure and pushed a global rollout of AI features in Google Search and the company’s Gemini AI models.


title: Innovation for business

content_text: People visit a technology event organized by Amazon Web Services (AWS) at the Kaohsiung Exhibition Center yesterday. The event showcased AWS’ cloud services and smart technologies aiming to accelerate industrial upgrade and digital transformation across various industries.


content_text:
The diplomatic spat between China and Japan over comments Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made on Nov. 7 continues to worsen. Beijing is angry about Takaichi’s remarks that military force used against Taiwan by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) could constitute a “survival-threatening situation” necessitating the involvement of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces. Rather than trying to reduce tensions, Beijing is looking to leverage the situation to its advantage in action and rhetoric.

On Saturday last week, four armed China Coast Guard vessels sailed around the Japanese-controlled Diaoyutai Islands (釣魚台), known to Japan as the Senkakus.

On Friday, in what was a transparent narrative device to exacerbate anti-Japanese feeling and create the conditions for weaponizing people-to-people exchanges, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a travel warning to tourists and students over what it said was “a threat of violence against Chinese in Japan,” saying that Takaichi’s remarks had “put life and safety of Chinese nationals residing in Japan under enormous risks.”

Above and beyond the official diplomatic summonses from Tokyo and Beijing to officially lodge their remonstrations and displeasure, the Chinese propaganda machine was also put into operation in targeting international audiences.

In the English-language China Global Television Network program The Point, host Liu Xin (劉欣) assembled a panel of Chinese and international academics in an episode called “Why China is furious: Japan’s new PM sparks Taiwan Strait crisis.” The message expounded by the panel was scripted and systematic, and there was a real sense that this is how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) wanted the world to understand the situation.

The panel made no mention of Chinese Consul General in Osaka Xue Jian’s (薛劍) social media post on Nov. 8, which was widely interpreted in Japan as calling for Takaichi’s beheading. There was, however, a pointed reference to the Nanjing Massacre of 1937-1938 that Xue had clearly referenced in that comment. The panel was there to paint the picture of an emerging Japanese militarism encouraged and led by the “neo-fascist” Takaichi. There was the suggestion that not just China, but all of Asia should be concerned about a return of a militaristic Japan. There was also the jibe that the China Coast Guard patrol around the Senkakus was the beginning of a “new normal” that Japan would not have wanted, but now “deserves.”

The panel also did not mention why Takaichi might have considered a potential PLA action against Taiwan to be an existential threat to Japan or how it is China’s military build-up and aggressive posturing that has many countries in the region, not just Japan or Taiwan, worried. There was no acknowledgement that the rhetoric about the supposed neo-fascist, militaristic mindset in Japan was increasing tensions and putting lives at risk.

Host and panel, in their single-minded rhetorical push, neglected that Tokyo has only in the past few years begun to discuss increasing its military spending or changes in its constitution to enable the Japanese Self-Defense Forces to be involved in joint actions beyond the purely defensive. They also ignored that the Japanese public has heretofore been opposed to those constitutional changes.

However, this is the CCP’s playbook: Behave aggressively, deny all wrongdoing, and instead distract by pointing the finger elsewhere.

On Monday, President William Lai (賴清德) urged China to restrain itself and act like a responsible major power, not a “troublemaker.”

The international community knew that it is China, not Taiwan, that is undermining cross-strait peace and stability, Lai added.

He did not mention that China does not care.

Beijing is sticking to its playbook and its carefully crafted messaging. It wants results, not friends.

title: EDITORIAL: The CCP’s playbook of deception


title: The Italian senate’s call on China

content_text:
On Tuesday last week, the Italian senate introduced a motion calling on the Italian government to act through international institutions to protect the rights of Next Digital founder Jimmy Lai (黎智英), as well as those of pro-democracy activists imprisoned in Hong Kong. Lai has been held in solitary confinement since 2020 on charges of “sedition” and “collusion with foreign powers” under Hong Kong’s National Security Law.

With this initiative, Italy joins similar efforts by parliamentary bodies in the US, the UK and Australia, as well as the European Parliament urging Chinese authorities to release Lai on humanitarian grounds.

The motion followed a news conference at the Italian senate on Oct. 27 by Italian Senator Giulio Terzi to draw attention to the forthcoming verdict in Lai’s trial. There is a real risk that Lai could be sentenced to life imprisonment — a terrifying prospect given his serious health conditions, which have worsened during his detention, his lawyer said.

Participants in the news conference stressed the destructive impact of the censorship imposed by Hong Kong authorities on the “one country, two systems” principle, which was meant to safeguard the autonomy guaranteed by the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration.

In its World Press Freedom Index this year, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranked Hong Kong 140th out of 180 countries and territories. It ranked 135th last year, 80th in 2020, 70th in 2015 and 18th in 2002 — the first year of the RSF report. This year’s assessment says: “Once a bastion of press freedom, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China has suffered a series of unprecedented setbacks since 2020, when Beijing adopted a National Security Law aimed at silencing independent voices.”

At the EU-China summit in July, the EU reiterated its deep concern over the ongoing erosion of fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong, where China should honor its previous commitments, as well as the human rights situation in Xinjiang and Tibet, and the treatment of human rights defenders and minority groups. The European Parliament has repeatedly emphasized the importance of maintaining the “status quo” in the Taiwan Strait.

One of the speakers at the conference was Lai’s son, Sebastien. In his remarks, Sebastien Lai referred to Taiwan, saying that in its past two presidential elections Taiwanese chose the Democratic Progressive Party candidates precisely because they had witnessed events in Hong Kong. For many in Taiwan, Hong Kong was the testing ground for the “one country, two systems” model often invoked in discussions about Taiwan — and the place where that promise was broken.

The motion to free Jimmy Lai is not only a call to liberate a man who has defended freedom of speech, freedom of the press and freedom of assembly; it is also an appeal to China to act responsibly, foster peace in the Taiwan Strait and ease international tensions.

Matteo Angioli is secretary general of the Global Committee for the Rule of Law “Marco Pannella.”