title: Japan to deploy missiles on Yonaguni

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IN THE NATIONAL INTEREST: Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Francois Wu said the strengthening of military facilities would help to maintain security in the Taiwan Strait

Japanese Minister of Defense Shinjiro Koizumi, visiting a military base close to Taiwan, said plans to deploy missiles to the post would move forward as tensions smolder between Tokyo and Beijing.

“The deployment can help lower the chance of an armed attack on our country,” Koizumi told reporters on Sunday as he wrapped up his first trip to the base on the southern Japanese island of Yonaguni. “The view that it will heighten regional tensions is not accurate.”

Former Japanese minister of defense Gen Nakatani in January said that Tokyo wanted to base Type 03 Chu-SAM missiles on Yonaguni, but little progress has been made so far. The truck-launched missiles are designed to counter air threats up to 48km away.

Japanese Minister of Defense Shinjiro Koizumi, center, speaks during a visit to Yonaguni, Japan, on Sunday. Photo: Bloomberg

Koizumi on Sunday said that the ministry was still working on the plan, and would share details with the local government and people of Yonaguni when details are finalized.

The plan to station medium-range surface-to-air missiles on Yonaguni, about 110km east of Taiwan, comes as part of a broader military buildup on its southern island chain. The moves reflect Tokyo’s concerns about China’s growing military power and the potential for a clash over Taiwan.

When China responded to a visit to Taiwan by then-US House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi in 2022 by launching major military drills, ballistic missiles landed just south of Yonaguni, providing a stark illustration of the proximity of the island to any conflict for control of Taiwan.

Japan’s fears of being embroiled in a Taiwan conflict were amplified by a dispute over comments by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi related to Taiwan, which Beijing regards as a province that must be brought under its control, by force if necessary.

Takaichi on Nov. 7 raised the theoretical possibility that Japan could deploy its military with other nations if China attacked Taiwan, drawing an angry response and economic retaliation from Beijing.

She has since reverted to the Japanese government’s longstanding policy of not discussing particular scenarios that might involve Tokyo’s military, but Beijing continues to demand a retraction.

A Japanese official on Saturday rejected China’s claims that Takaichi has altered Japan’s position on a Taiwan crisis as “entirely baseless.”

When asked at the weekend about the potential impact on Yonaguni of a Taiwan crisis, Koizumi said he would not comment on hypothetical scenarios.

Before arriving in Yonaguni, Koizumi visited bases on the islands of Ishigaki and Miyako. The Ishigaki base is equipped with anti-ship missiles, while Miyako is a hub for air surveillance and other military facilities, including ammunition storage. Japan and the US also have major bases on the larger island of Okinawa further to the east.

Yonaguni is the end point of the Ryukyu island chain that stretches from the Japanese mainland.

A popular tourist retreat, including for scuba divers, Yonaguni is also home to a surveillance radar facility that scans nearby seas and airspace, as well as an electronic warfare unit introduced last year that could be used to jam enemy communications and guidance systems.

The US military earlier this month held a training exercise to bring supplies from Okinawa to Yonaguni to simulate the creation of a forward-operating base that might be needed in any regional crisis.

In a meeting with the mayor of Yonaguni, Koizumi said Japan has to build up its deterrence by increasing its own capabilities and deepening ties with the US military.

“Today, Japan faces the most severe and complex security environment since the end of World War II,” Koizumi said. “To protect the peaceful livelihoods of the Japanese people — including everyone here on Yonaguni — we must strengthen the Self-Defense Forces’ capabilities.”

Beijing yesterday slammed Japan’s decision to push ahead with the planned deployment of missiles on the island.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Japan’s missile deployment was a “deliberate attempt to create regional tension and provoke military confrontation.”

“Coupled with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s erroneous remarks on Taiwan, this trend is extremely dangerous, and warrants high vigilance from neighboring countries and the international community,” ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning (毛寧) said at a regular news conference.

Taiwan yesterday said that Japan’s strengthening of military facilities on Yonaguni “helps maintain security in the Taiwan Strait.”

“Japan is a sovereign country and it has the right to do everything necessary to protect the security of its own territory, as long as such actions do not threaten other countries,” Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Francois Wu (吳志中) said.

As Yonaguni is very close to Taiwan, strengthening military facilities helps maintain security in the Taiwan Strait, he added.

Since Japan has no territorial intentions or hostility toward Taiwan, this move benefits Taiwan’s national interests, he said, adding that as Taiwan is also a nation with similar values, both sides would continue to cooperate to maintain regional peace and stability.

Meanwhile, Wu, yesterday at a meeting of the legislature’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee was asked by lawmakers about the US China Economic and Security Review Commission reportedly calling for Taiwan to fund the upgrading of US military bases in the Philippines.

While such a policy proposal exists, it is merely a suggestion and can be discussed, Wu said.

Additional reporting by CNA and AFP


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MISINTERPRETATION: The legislature also condemned China’s distortion of UN Resolution 2758, which it has used as the basis for its sovereignty claims over Taiwan

The legislature’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee yesterday passed motions condemning China’s “long-arm jurisdiction” over Taiwanese and refuting its misinterpretation of UN Resolution 2758.

The motion, put forth by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislators, said that actions by China’s provincial governments, which offered cash bounties for information leading to the arrest of alleged psychological operations officers in Taiwan, amounted to provocation and a serious violation of Taiwan’s sovereignty.

China “has no jurisdiction” over the people of Taiwan, the motion said, adding that Taiwan would never allow Beijing’s attempts at “long-arm jurisdiction.”

Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Wang Ting-yu presides over the legislature’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee meeting in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei Times

The motion was initiated by DPP Legislator Wang Ting- yu (王定宇), convener of the committee, and endorsed by three other DPP lawmakers.

The motion was passed unanimously by the six committee members who attended the session, while seven members from the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party did not attend.

The motions stemmed from a notice issued on Oct. 11 by the public security bureau of Xiamen, publicizing the names, photographs and identification card numbers of 18 people it alleged to be “core members” of a “psychological warfare unit” within the Taiwanese military.

In the public notice, the bureau offered a cash reward of 10,000 yuan (US$1,407) to anyone who could provide information that would lead to the arrest of the 18 Taiwanese wanted for “separatist activities.”

China on June 5 also offered similar bounties for information that would help with the arrest of 20 Taiwanese it deemed to be “military hackers.”

The legislative committee on Wednesday last week also passed a motion condemning a criminal investigation being carried out by China into DPP Legislator Puma Shen (沈伯洋) on allegations of “secession-related” criminal activities deemed to be advocating Taiwanese independence.

Meanwhile, during the session yesterday, the committee also unanimously passed another motion initiated by Wang, condemning China’s distortion of UN Resolution 2758, adopted in 1971, which Beijing has used as the basis for its sovereignty claims over Taiwan.

The motion states that the UN Resolution 2758 only addresses the issue of China’s representation in the UN, and the full text does not mention Taiwan.

It said UN Resolution 2758 does not recognize Taiwan as part of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), nor does it authorize the PRC to represent Taiwan in the UN, adding that it is not equivalent to China’s claimed “one China” principle.

“The Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent country, it is not subordinate to the PRC,” the motion said. “Only Taiwan’s democratically elected government has the legitimacy to represent the Taiwanese people in international organizations such as the UN.”

Additional reporting by Huang Ching-hsuan

title: Lawmakers condemn PRC’s ‘long-arm jurisdiction’


title: Three indicted for RTI cyberattack

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The Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office yesterday indicted two employees and an outside contractor of Radio Taiwan International (RTI) for allegedly launching a cyberattack against the radio station’s Web site in September.

Prosecutors denounced that Wu and Yue’s actions, such as replacing the website banner with the People’s Republic of China flag, would provoke cross-strait tensions, and therefore sought a penalty of up to three years imprisonment.

The suspects include engineer Wu Cheng-hsun (吳政勳), his manager, Yueh Chao-chu (岳昭莒), and Huang Fu-lin (黃富琳), who worked as a systems maintenance contractor for RTI, the indictment document said.

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

Prosecutors said the men planned cyberattacks against RTI in June, with Wu giving Huang an account with the highest level of access so Huang could provide technical support and delete records of Wu’s activities on the Web site.

Yueh, who was informed by Wu about his actions, did not intervene nor report them to his superiors.

Wu on Aug. 20 interfered with the parameters of the RTI Web site, changed its Japanese main page so that it showed simplified Chinese or garbled characters, and interrupted the Web site’s signal, prosecutors said.

On Sept. 11, 18, 19 and 20 he allegedly changed RTI’s main site and replaced the Web site with the cover of the book Retaking the Mainland by the Taiwanese Government: The Concept of Chinese Unification by the ROC, and changed the banner to the flags of the People’s Republic of China and the US.

After being questioned on Sept. 26, he logged onto the RTI Web site and disrupted its functions, showing no signs of remorse, prosecutors said.

Wu and Yueh claimed they acted because they suspected Chinese capital was interfering with the RTI Web site, prosecutors said.

Wu’s actions damaged RTI’s credibility and disrupted its operations, prosecutors said, while local media reported that Wu claimed that he did so to identify loopholes in the broadcaster’s system.

The images that Wu put on the Web site raised tensions across the Taiwan Strait, posing a danger far greater than a general criminal offense, prosecutors said.

Wu’s plan to attack the site on Oct. 10, Double Ten National Day, carried great symbolic meaning, they said.

As the only government-run radio station broadcasting to the international community, RTI is classified as level A key infrastructure according to the Regulations on Classification of Cyber Security Responsibility Levels (資通安全責任等級分級辦法), prosecutors said.

RTI said that its personnel review committee last month decided to fire Wu and issue a major demerit to Yueh for his supervisory misjudgement.


title: Europe urges more work on Russia-Ukraine deal

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Germany yesterday said that Russia has to be present at talks on ending the Ukraine war as Europe and Kyiv pressed for more work on a US proposal seen as heavily favoring Moscow.

Ukrainian, US and European officials met in Switzerland on Sunday to draft an “updated” plan after a 28-point proposal tabled by Washington on ending the Russian invasion was decried as an effective capitulation by Kyiv.

At an EU-Africa summit in Angola, where emergency talks on the US proposal completely overshadowed proceedings, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that Russia must be involved in any talks.

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak, left, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio talk at a news conference at the US Mission in Geneva, Switzerland, on Sunday. Photo: EPA

“The next step must be: Russia must come to the table,” Merz said. “If this is possible, then every effort will have been worthwhile.”

A new version of a draft worked on in Geneva, Switzerland, has not been published, but all sides agreed that any deal must “uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty.”

US President Donald Trump initially gave Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy until Thursday to respond to the plan that would see Ukraine give up territory it controls, cap the size of its army and permanently close the door on NATO membership.

Merz threw doubt on Trump’s deadline, saying discussions would be a “lengthy, long-lasting process.”

“I don’t expect a breakthrough this week,” he said.

In a sign of the sensitivities involved, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said: “The issue is delicate because nobody wants to put off the Americans and President Trump.”

Zelenskiy yesterday said that his country was at a “critical moment,” after last week insisting Ukraine risked losing either its “dignity” or Washington as an ally.

“To achieve real peace, more, more is needed. Of course we all continue working with partners, especially the United States, and look for compromises that strengthen, but not weaken us,” he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the original US plan could be a basis for a deal. His country’s invasion has devastated eastern Ukraine, forced millions to flee their homes, ravaged towns and cities, and killed tens of thousands in Europe’s worst conflict since World War II.

As talks continued, the war ground on.

Russia, which has fired a record numbers of missiles and drones, yesterday claimed another southern Ukrainian village. A Russian drone strike on the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv late on Sunday killed four people and caused widespread damage, officials said.

The issue of territory remained a major problem in the talks, Zelenskiy said.

“Putin wants legal recognition for what he has stolen,” the Ukrainian leader said.

EU chiefs hailed progress toward a deal, but also said that there were outstanding issues to resolve.

“There is a new momentum in peace negotiations,” European Council President Antonio Costa said on the sidelines of the summit in Angola.

“While work remains to be done, there is now a solid basis for moving forward,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.

Putin last week welcomed the first US plan, and Washington faced accusations that Moscow helped draft it. In a call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday, the Russian leader repeated his view that the initial US plan could “serve as a basis for a final peace settlement.”

The Kremlin said it had not been informed on the results of the Geneva talks, but that it was aware that “adjustments” were made to the US proposal.


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Hezbollah yesterday was to hold a funeral for its top military chief and other members of the militant group, a day after Israel killed them with a strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs.

Haytham Ali Tabatabai is the most senior Hezbollah commander to be killed by Israel since a November 2024 ceasefire sought to end more than a year of hostilities between the two sides.

Tabatabai’s assassination comes as Israel has escalated its attacks on Lebanon, with the US increasing its pressure on the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah.

A man yesterday stands near a damaged vehicle in Beirut near the site of an Israeli strike on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

The group called on its supporters to attend the mass funeral for its “great leader” Tabatabai, which was to take place in the southern suburbs, a densely populated area where it holds sway.

The Israeli military on Sunday said that it had “eliminated the terrorist Haytham Ali Tabatabai, Hezbollah’s chief of general staff.”

The group announced the death of Tabatabai and four other members in the attack.

Hezbollah said Tabatabai assumed the role of military leader after the most recent war with Israel, which saw the group suffer heavy losses, including the killings of its senior leaders.

Israel has repeatedly bombed Lebanon despite the truce, usually saying it is targeting Hezbollah members and infrastructure to stop the group from rearming.

Hezbollah was to pull its forces north of the Litani River, about 30km north of the border with Israel and have its military infrastructure there dismantled, according to the agreement.

Under a government-approved plan, the Lebanese army is to dismantle Hezbollah military infrastructure south of the river by the end of the year, before tackling the rest of the nation.

Hezbollah has strongly rejected the move.

After the assassination, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would “not allow Hezbollah to rebuild its power” and called on the Lebanese government to “fulfill its commitment to disarm Hezbollah.”

A source close to Hezbollah said on condition of anonymity that there are currently “two opinions within the group — those who wish to respond to the assassination and those who want to refrain from doing so — but the leadership tends to adopt the utmost forms of diplomacy at the present stage.”

The group’s choices now seem limited. Not only was it weakened by the last war with Israel, it also lost its supply route through Syria with the fall of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in December last year.

In addition to disarmament, Washington is also demanding that Beirut dry up the group’s funding from Iran, which slammed Sunday’s “cowardly” assassination.

“Hezbollah’s options are very limited,” Atlantic Council researcher Nicholas Blanford said, as “its support base is clamoring for revenge, but if Hezbollah responds directly ... Israel will strike back very hard, and no one in Lebanon will thank Hezbollah for that.”

Blanford said the strike was the biggest blow to Hezbollah since the ceasefire “because of [Tabatabai’s] seniority and the fact that it demonstrates the Israelis can still locate and target senior officials despite whatever protective measures Hezbollah is undertaking” after the war.

title: Hezbollah mourns commander killed in Israeli airstrike


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GEARS AND WRENCHES : Taiwan’s application to join a Pacific-focused trade agreement is sitting in limbo, while other countries are selected for accession

Taiwan’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) has been hindered by China, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Francois Wu (吳志中) said yesterday.

The ninth CPTPP Commission meeting was held in Melbourne on Friday, as Australia serves as the chair for the year.

The joint statement from the meeting said that four aspirants have been deemed in-line with the Auckland Principles — Uruguay, the United Arab Emirates, the Philippines and Indonesia — while member states agreed to start Uruguay’s accession process. Taiwan was not mentioned.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Francois Wu, front, speaks at the legislature’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee meeting yesterday. Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei Times

The Auckland Principles are criteria to evaluate potential new members, which include readiness to meet the agreement’s standards, a good track record of upholding trade obligations and consensus among members

Taiwan submitted its CPTPP application on Sept. 22, 2021, about a week after China.

At the legislature’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee meeting, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Hsu Chiao-hsin (徐巧芯) asked Wu about the progress of Taiwan’s accession to the CPTPP.

Wu said Taiwan already meets the criteria of the Auckland Principles, but in the diplomatic arena, a country does not necessarily get what it wants by meeting the criteria, just as Taiwan meets the requirements of a sovereign state, but not all countries recognize it.

Taiwan has indeed encountered obstacles in its bid to join the CPTPP, Wu said.

“The obstacles come from China,” he added.

Taiwan is not being treated fairly because of China’s suppression, he said.

When Hsu asked whether China was involved in Australia’s decision not to establish a task force for Taiwan’s accession, Wu said that is likely.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department of International Cooperation and Economic Affairs Director-General Vivian Lien (連玉蘋) said the ministry has constantly called on member countries to apply fair and effective methods to review Taiwan’s application.

It is an internal meeting among member countries, so the ministry is uncertain if any country proposed to establish Taiwan’s accession task force, Lien said.

Wu said Japan and the UK have expressed support for Taiwan’s accession, and the ministry has asked Japan to make the proposal.

Japan has explicitly expressed its continual support for Taiwan, speaking out for Taipei in several international events, and Wu said he believes Japan might have made the proposal in the meeting.

Earlier this month, Lien said at a ministry news conference that last year, then-CPTPP chair Canada had mentioned that individual member countries can hold pre-accession meetings with aspirants.

A CPTPP ministerial meeting in May reaffirmed their commitment to advancing discussions on remaining accession requests in a timely manner, in line with the Auckland Principles, and that they continue to welcome accession applications by economies that can satisfy the Auckland Principles, she said.

The ministry has continued to push for establishing institutional cooperation and demonstrating the contributions Taiwan can make in the CPTPP through multiple channels, Lien said.

Taiwan has urged next year’s CPTPP chair Vietnam to “fairly and effectively” process its application to join the major 12-member regional economic bloc, she added.

title: China stalling effort to join Pacific trade group


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About 90 percent of Taiwanese have an unfavorable impression of China and do not want unification with China, a poll publicized by the World United Formosans for Independence (WUFI) showed yesterday.

WUFI chairman Richard Chen (陳南天) cited the polling results, saying that only 11.9 percent of respondents have a favorable impression of China; 44.3 percent lean toward independence, while 10.7 percent lean toward unification with China.

If the “status quo” cannot be maintained, 61 percent lean toward independence and 21.8 percent lean toward unification, the poll showed.

From left, Kuma Academy chief executive officer Chu Fu-ming, World United Formosans for Independence chairman Richard Chen, Taiwan Youth Generation Exchange Association director Chen Li-fu and Taiwan Statebuilding Party Chairman Wang Sing-huan pose for a photograph at a press conference in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei Times

It showed that that 45 percent of the respondents believe the government should seek full diplomatic relations with the US, Chen said.

The proportion of poll respondents with a political inclination toward the pan-green camp is higher than those leaning toward the pan-blue camp, he added.

“China incessantly employed threats, enticements and infiltration through ‘united front’ tactics against Taiwan,” he said.

“The good news is that most Taiwanese people are able to distinguish between good and evil, right and wrong, primarily because democracy is the way of life in Taiwan,” Chen said. “This way of life has proven to be quite resilient in the face of China’s threats.”

This is the sixth year WUFI and the Taiwan Security Association have conducted a public opinion poll on Taiwan-US diplomatic relations, he said.

Over these six years, it has clearly shown that establishing diplomatic relations with the US in the name of Taiwan, forming a military alliance with the US, and joining international organizations in the name of Taiwan are all issues with a high level of consensus among Taiwanese, he said.

According to WUFI, the poll, conducted from Monday to Wednesday last week, collected 1,077 valid samples from people aged 15 or above, and had a margin of error of 2.99 percentage points.

title: Vast majority of Taiwanese do not like China: poll


title: Japan has multiple options in case of war

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FANGS OUT: Options in the case of a Strait conflict range from hands-off support to wading in and engaging directly, depending on circumstances and commitment   By Chen Chih-cheng and William Hetherington / Staff reporter, with staff writer

There are four scenarios for how Japan could become involved in the event that China were to attack Taiwan, said Tang Ming-hua (唐明華), a researcher at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research.

For Japan, the possibility of avoiding war entirely while still preserving alliance credibility is becoming increasingly challenging, he said in an article published by the institute.

Tang made the statements after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Nov. 7 said that if China were to use force or impose a blockade that undermines peace in the Taiwan Strait and threatens Japan’s national security, Tokyo could invoke security legislation from 2015 and treat the situation as a “survival-threatening crisis.” This is the first time a Japanese prime minister has publicly elevated the Taiwan issue to the level of an existential threat.

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Kurama, left, leads a squadron of vessels during a fleet review off Yokosuka, Japan, on Oct. 18, 2015. Photo: Bloomberg

Tang said Japan could respond to such a contingency in one of four ways. In the first scenario, Japan could adopt a defensive and restrained posture, not invoking the security law and focusing instead on domestic defense measures such as strengthening surveillance over its southwestern islands, improving missile defense and evacuating Japanese nationals in Taiwan. This approach, reflecting possible Japanese reluctance to enter conflict, could harm trust within the Japan-US alliance.

In the second scenario, Japan could say the situation has significantly impacted it, and order the Japan Self-Defense Forces to provide rear-area logistical support to US forces. This would include access to bases, intelligence sharing, supply and medical support, and sea lines of communication protection. Japan would avoid direct combat, but could still be viewed by China as supporting the US war effort, exposing itself to retaliation.

A third scenario involves Japan declaring a “survival-threatening crisis,” enabling it to exercise collective self-defense under the security law. Japan could intercept Chinese People’s Liberation Army missiles or ships threatening its territory or US bases, escort US vessels through key chokepoints such as the Miyako Strait or Bashi Channel, conduct anti-submarine operations or undertake joint air missions to protect Japanese airspace and alliance assets. Although Tokyo would avoid engaging in direct combat over Taiwan itself, it would in effect be participating in the conflict.

The fourth, and most extreme, scenario sees Japan and the US jointly engaging in full military operations around Taiwan and within the first island chain. This would include long-range strikes, anti-ship missions, attacks on command nodes, joint escort operations for evacuation or supply fleets, and full integration of command-and-control systems. Under this scenario, Japan would become a direct belligerent, marking a profound shift in regional security dynamics.

Tang said that while each scenario carries different strategic costs and political implications, Takaichi’s framing of Taiwan’s security as directly tied to Japan’s national survival significantly increases the likelihood that Tokyo would be drawn into a Taiwan Strait conflict, especially if Beijing miscalculates.

Japan faces a stark dilemma between deterring China through credible military preparedness and avoiding being pulled into a regional war, with the eventual outcome depending on timing, crisis development and political will, he said.


title: Chinese officials denied Taiwan entry

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By Chen Yu-fu and Sam Garcia / Staff reporter, with staff writer

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) representatives would not be allowed to enter Taiwan except in special cases, an official said yesterday, citing China’s measures targeting “Taiwanese independence separatists” and cross-border repression as examples of its continued hostility and lack of goodwill toward Taiwan.

This year’s Taipei-Shanghai Twin City Forum is scheduled to take place in Shanghai next month.

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) is planning to lead a delegation to Shanghai on Dec. 25, participate in the forum’s opening ceremony on Dec. 26 and travel back to Taipei on Dec. 27.

A podium is pictured at the Mainland Affairs Council in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Chen Yu-fu, Taipei Times

However, the Mainland Affairs Council recently rejected Shanghai TAO Deputy Director Li Xiaodong’s (李驍東) application to enter Taiwan, drawing criticism from the TAO.

An official said that the Shanghai TAO treats Taiwanese businesspeople poorly.

Although Shanghai has a large number of Taiwanese businesspeople, very few return to Taiwan to participate in events organized by the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), the official said.

The Shanghai TAO obstructs and threatens Taiwanese, discouraging them from attending events organized by the SEF or Taiwanese government, officials said.

Since the director and deputy director of the Shanghai TAO show no goodwill toward Taiwan, the council denied Li’s application to enter the nation, they added.

Despite broader tensions, Taipei and Shanghai would continue other exchanges under the Twin City Forum, the official said.

Among those exchanges, China is sending a panda to Taiwan, and Taiwan is sending a black-footed penguin in return. Taipei has approved two Chinese zoo officials and an official from the Shanghai TAO to visit the nation and inspect the panda’s housing at the Taipei Zoo, the official said.


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Taiwan has seen a significant increase in engagement from US state governments, with more representative offices opening in Taiwan and a growing number of trade missions visiting the country, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said yesterday.

During a reception hosted by the American State Offices Association (ASOA) in Taipei, Lin noted that there were currently 26 US state and territorial offices in Taiwan, over half of which opened or reopened in the last three years.

Among these, three -- Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Idaho -- opened this year, Lin said.

From left, deputy director of the American Institute in Taiwan Karin Lang, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung and American State Offices Association president Felix Yen, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung, raise their glasses at a reception hosted by the association in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Fang Pin-chao, Taipei Times

“This trend reflects the building momentum behind our engagement with American state governments,” he said.

Aside from the opening of trade offices, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also welcomed several state government trade missions to Taiwan this year, including governor-led delegations from Arizona, Alaska, Wyoming, Tennessee and North Carolina, as well as one from the unincorporated U.S. territory of Guam, Lin said.

Speaking during the same event, Karin Lang, deputy director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), said 2025 had been a “remarkable year” for US-Taiwan commercial ties.

From left, deputy director of the American Institute in Taiwan Karin Lang, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung and American State Offices Association president Felix Yen, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung, raise their glasses at a reception hosted by the association in Taipei yesterday.

Photo: Fang Pin-chao, Taipei Times

“We have seen record high [Taiwanese] investment announcements totaling over US$100 billion U.S. dollars, and more than 20 states sent delegations to Taiwan to explore business and investment opportunities,” she said.

She also reiterated the US’ support for Taiwan’s efforts to establish a science and technology park in the United States, saying that the move “will help bring more Taiwanese suppliers into the US market and reinforce Taiwan’s vital role in global supply chains.”

According to National Science and Technology Council Minister Wu Cheng-wen (吳誠文), US officials that he spoke to on the sidelines of the APEC Ministerial Meeting in South Korea last month were receptive to such an idea.

title: Lin highlights increase in US state engagement


title: Cosmetic surgery policy draws division

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PUBLIC SAFEGUARDS: Proposed mandatory accreditation and tighter qualifications for doctors have medical groups arguing about jobs, transparency and better healthcare

Opinions on the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s proposal to tighten requirements for doctors to perform cosmetic surgeries differ, with medical groups issuing joint statements in support or against the policy change.

The ministry earlier this month announced its draft amendments to the Regulations for Using Specialized Equipment for Medical Examinations (特定醫療技術檢查檢驗醫療儀器施行或使用管理辦法), setting different qualification criteria for physicians performing cosmetic treatments depending on risk levels.

The proposed revisions would also require new physicians to finish two years of post-graduate training to qualify as cosmetic surgeons, and that clinics offering high-risk cosmetic surgeries would be subject to mandatory accreditation.

A plaque bearing the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s name is pictured at its headquarters in Taipei in an undated photograph. Photo: Taipei Times

The draft amendments are open for public comment for 30 days.

Last week, Taiwan Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (TSAPS) executive council member Chiu Cheng-hung (邱正宏) said that they were concerned the draft amendments lack transparency and evidence, and might have a big impact on the jobs of more than 10,000 workers at nearly 1,000 clinics.

Yesterday, TSPAS and five other medical groups — the Taiwan Aesthetic Medicine Industry Association, Taiwan Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Laser and Photonics Medicine Society of Taiwan, Taiwan Micro Invasive Aesthetic Society and Taiwan Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery — issued a joint statement expressing their concerns.

“When the public health authority sets medical policies, it should make a comprehensive consideration that is legal, fair and democratic,” they said.

Mandatory accreditation conflicts with existing law and is suspected of favoring a single accreditation facility, they said.

The government has touted the biomedical industry as a future star industry, but is now censuring and controlling, rather than encouraging, it, they added.

Mandatory accreditation is unnecessary, as Article 62 of the Medical Care Act (醫療法) already stipulates that hospitals shall establish medical care treatment quality control systems, and review and assess quality, while operations are regulated by several laws, they said.

“Accreditation should not be the ‘invisible hand’ used by the government to control the industry, and allowing the Joint Commission of Taiwan to be the single accreditation facility violates the principle of fairness,” they said.

Meanwhile, the Taiwan Hospital Association, Taiwan Nongovernmental Hospitals and Clinics Association, Taiwan College of Healthcare Executive and Taiwan Union of Nurses Association yesterday also issued a joint statement voicing their support for the draft amendments.

Safeguarding life cannot be discussed in marketing terms and healthcare protection must adopt the highest standards, they said.

Saying that “doctors might lose their jobs” is inaccurate, as “the nature of healthcare should be holistic care, not singularly dependent on cosmetics operations,” they said, adding that requiring doctors to undergo additional training shows that people’s safety is being prioritized.

The Joint Commission of Taiwan is the only legal accreditation facility, and the accreditation system is a necessary tool to guarantee healthcare quality, they said.

Moreover, the amendments’ proposed three-level risk management clearly differentiates between risks and would improve healthcare quality, they said.


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The Ministry of Sports yesterday rebutted claims by Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) of negligence and a cover-up of alleged financial fraud involving the Republic of China Mini Soccer Association.

Huang accused the association of defrauding the public by forging receipts, recording false accounting entries and inflating expenses, embezzling NT$16.147 million (US$513,467) in government subsidies.

After the issue surfaced, then-sports administration officials were too lenient toward association members, letting them pay back the fund in installments over a 10-year period, Huang said.

Taiwan People’s Party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang speaks at a news conference in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Tien Yu-hua, Taipei Times

The sports administration was upgraded to the Ministry of Sports in September.

Then-administration officials covered up the association’s fraudulent activities and shielded it for 10 months, he said, adding that they did not provide him with the accounting details he had asked for.

The ministry yesterday in a statement rejected Huang’s claims, saying that third-party accountants conducted a financial audit, and it consulted experts and followed laws by agreeing to a payback plan.

The ministry said that after officials had noticed irregularities in the association’s accounting records and determined that it had received “excess subsidy funds” for a few years, it demanded the association pay back the excess funds in accordance with the Administrative Execution Act (行政執行法).

Officials fully cooperated with prosecutors investigating the matter, the ministry said.

As the financial audit involved a large number of receipts and documents dating back more than 10 years, the process took about 10 months, it said.

“Then-sports administration officials did not slow down the process or shield the association,” it said.

The association would not be eligible to receive any other subsidies until it pays back the full amount in the installment plan according to the National Sports Organizations Funding Subsidy Measures Under the National Sports Act (國民體育法), it said.

The ministry said it cannot prove further details, as the case is under judicial investigation, adding that its officials would fully cooperate with the investigation and provide financial details if requested.

title: Ministry of Sports rejects claims of soccer fraud cover-up


title: Taipei, Shin Kong Life terminate land deal

content_text:
The Taipei City Government has completed a deal to terminate a land use contract with Shin Kong Life Insurance, clearing the way for artificial intelligence (AI) chip designer Nvidia Corp to build its Taiwan headquarters in the city, Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) said yesterday.

“Today, I want to formally announce that we have completed the contract termination, meaning that the rights to plots T17 and T18 [in the Beitou Shilin Technology Park] have returned to the city government,” Chiang said.

“Moving forward, we will quickly enter into talks with Nvidia. We expect to sign a contract with Nvidia before the Lunar New Year [in February], allowing construction to begin by the middle of next year,” he said.

Nvidia global vice president for real estate and site services Scott Ekman, left, visits Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an at the Taipei City Government on Thursday last week. Photo courtesy of the Taipei City Government

Chiang’s announcement ended months of negotiations between the city government and Shin Kong Life over the land rights, which began in June when Nvidia confirmed it was seeking the site for its Taiwan headquarters.

Shin Kong Life obtained the land’s surface rights in 2021 after winning a public tender, but had yet to begin development of the two lots.

The city government objected to allowing the insurer to directly transfer the rights to Nvidia, citing concerns about potential profiteering, and requested a mutual contract termination.

The insurer initially argued that ending the contract could be seen as a breach of trust by its board because it would harm the company’s long-term interests.

However, on Oct. 22, Shin Kong Life announced its willingness to terminate the contract, contingent on reimbursement for costs already incurred. It later proposed a termination fee of NT$4.47 billion (US$142.14 million).

On Nov. 12, the Taipei City Council approved its review of the agreement with a revised fee of NT$4.43 billion, which Shin Kong Life’s board of directors approved on Friday.


title: Ex-judge banned over misconduct

content_text:
A former juvenile court judge with a lengthy record of misconduct, including forcing a defendant to slap themselves and kneel to apologize to their parents, has been banned from the bench for three years, a Disciplinary Court ruling said yesterday.

Chou Ching-ni (周靜妮), who was suspended from her position by the Judicial Yuan in 2022 and later resigned, was formally removed from office and banned from the bench for three years, said the court, which is responsible for the disciplining of civil servants in Taiwan.

The ruling can be appealed.

The Disciplinary Court’s decision followed investigations by a judicial evaluation committee and the Control Yuan.

The investigations found Chou, a former prosecutor, guilty of misconduct after being transferred to the Miaoli District Court in 2009, where she served as a judge in the criminal and civil divisions before being assigned to juvenile court.

During her tenure, Chou amassed a record of unexplained absences, inconsistent rulings, unauthorized cancelations of hearings and use of court documents, and improper reliance on subordinates, the investigations found.

She also frequently showed a lack of discipline and self-control, they said.

The investigations cited one example in 2015, in which Chou received a request from prosecutors to hold a detention hearing for a defendant while she was on call.

To avoid a late-night court hearing, Chou instructed a bailiff to tell the defendant that if they refused to sit for questioning at night, she would offer them bail.

Meanwhile, in a 2019 trial involving a defendant charged with beating up their father, Chou forced the young defendant to slap themselves in the face 23 times to understand how it felt, and then kneel to apologize to their parents, the investigations found.

The probes also uncovered a 2021 case in which one party applied to withdraw from mediation. Upon receiving the request, Chou called the person on the phone, and warned that if they did not retract their application, she “might” grant the other party custody of their child.

While facing her own disciplinary proceedings in 2021, Chou also improperly accessed and photocopied related documents, and threatened the person assigned to facilitate the handover following her suspension, the investigations found.

According to the Public Functionary Discipline Act (公務員懲戒法), the Disciplinary Court’s ruling means that Chou would be banned from serving as a judge for a period of three years.

If she is reappointed after that period, she would also be barred from holding a supervisory position for an additional two years.


title: Danjiang Bridge to host running and cycling race

content_text:
A road running race and a cycling event are to be held on the Danjiang Bridge (淡江大橋) before it is officially opened for traffic in May next year, the Highway Bureau announced yesterday.

The bridge, designed by the late Iraqi British architect Zaha Hadid, was selected by CNN this year as one of 11 architectural projects set to shape the world. It is also set to become a new landmark in New Taipei City.

The bureau has begun the road pavement project after the closure of the final bridge segment was completed on Sept.16, Director-General Lin Fu-shan (林福山) said.

Models pose for photographs at a news conference in Taipei yesterday promoting a road running race and a cycling event on the Danjiang Bridge next year.

Photo: Tsai Yun-jung, Taipei Times

It conducted a safety assessment, in which it determined that the bridge could first open to sports events, Lin said.

The road race is to be held on April 18 around sunset, for which Tamsui is famous, Lin said.

Runners can register for 21K, 10K or 5K races and explore the spectacular scene at Tamsui River estuary around sunset, Lin said, adding that participation would be limited to 7,000 competitors.

The registration fee is NT$1,000 for 21K runners, NT$800 for 10K runners and NT$600 for 5K runners. Online registration is to begin at 12pm at https://irunner.biji.co/2026DanjiangBridgeOpeningRun, the bureau said.

The cycling event is to be jointly hosted by the bureau and National Geographic on April 19, with the routes passing through important landmarks in Tamsui (淡水) and Bali (八里) districts, allowing cyclists to view the asymmetric bridge from different angles, Lin said.

People can register for the 42K challenger’s group or 20K group at noon on Friday. The registration Web site is https://irunner.biji.co/2026DanjiangBridgeOpeningBike.

Organizers would only accept 2,500 people for the cycling event. The registration fee is NT$1,380 for people registering for 42K route and NT$1,080 for the 20K route

Competitors would receive a limited edition cycling jersey and a small cycling kit, Lin said, adding that they can also take a picture of a yellow frame provided by National Geographic.

As both running and cycling routes would involve Tamsui (淡水) and Bali districts as well as the environment surrounding the Tamsui River estuary, the bureau would work with the New Taipei City Government on route planning, medical supply and other arrangements, Lin said.

The bureau also plans to host a photography and painting competition, as well as other events before the bridge opens for traffic.

“We hope that people can have a personal experience of the Danjiang Bridge, an important government infrastructure, and explore the new landmark through various events,” Lin said.

taiwan-subdivisions: 淡水 八里


content_text:
A documentary on the national baseball team’s first major international championship at last year’s WBSC Premier12 is set to premiere across the nation on Jan. 1 next year.

Taiwan’s Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) and memory and storage manufacturer ADATA Technology Co copresented the documentary Hero! Hito! (冠軍之路) at a news conference in Taipei yesterday, which also marked the first anniversary of the team’s historic achievement.

CPBL commissioner Tsai Chi-chang (蔡其昌) said he believes even those who are not baseball fans would find resonance in the film, as it portrays a breakthrough against various adversities and mirrors Taiwan’s international circumstances.

CPBL commissioner Tsai Chi-chang, thrid right, Team Taiwan manager Tseng Hao-ju, fourth right, film director Lungnan Isak Fangas, fourth right, and other event guests gesture at a rpess conference in Taipei yesterday to promote a documentary on the Taiwan national baseball team’s winning the championship at last year’s WBSC Premier12. Photo: Chen Yi-kuan, Taipei Times

“What we did in this film is restage the circumstances and players’ emotions during the tournament as authentically as possible,” director Lungnan Isak Fangas (陳龍男) said.

Lungnan encouraged people to watch the film multiple times, because it is filled with many subtle details viewers might miss on their first viewing.

The player interviews in the documentary were filmed intensively in March, during the interval between the World Baseball Classic (WBC) qualifier and the 2025 regular seasons in Taiwan and the US, he said.

He also expressed hope that Team Taiwan would enjoy another successful run at the 2026 WBC to warrant a follow-up documentary.

According to sports betting Web site DraftKings Sportsbook, Taiwan is tied with Israel and Australia for the 14th-best odds among the 20 teams, ahead of only the UK, the Czech Republic, Nicaragua and Brazil.

The US leads all teams, followed by Japan and the Dominican Republic.

Taiwan is to play Japan, South Korea, the Czech Republic and Australia in Pool C in March, with its first game slated against Australia on March 5.

title: Baseball championship film to premiere on Jan. 1


content_text:
Settlements in child sex images case announced on eve of appeal ruling

On the eve of a ruling in his child sex videos case, former television host Mickey Huang (黃子佼) announced through his attorney yesterday that he had reached settlements with all of the victims in the case, potentially helping his cause Tuesday.

On Dec. 3 last year, the Taipei District Court sentenced Huang to eight months in prison and fined him NT $100,000 (US$3,181) for possession of a large collection of sexually explicit images involving minors and promoting a market for those images.

According to a statement by the Taipei District Court at the time, Huang joined an online forum called “Chuangyi Sifang” (or Creative Private House, 創意私房) on Feb. 12, 2014, and used the forum to purchase sexually explicit videos and images.

Entertainer Mickey Huang is pictured in Taipei in an undated photograph. Photo: Lin Hsin-ying, Taipei Times

An investigation found that Huang eventually owned 2,259 sexual image files that involved at least 35 minors.

Huang appealed the sentence to the Taiwan High Court, where a ruling is set to be announced Tuesday.

It was unclear if the settlements would affect the High Court’s findings.

Asked about the potential impact of the settlements on the case, the High Court said it could not comment publicly because the issue was related to the outcome of today’s ruling.

Lawyer Huang Di-ying (黃帝穎) said yesterday in a media interview that the settlement announcement was likely directed at having the sentence reduced or suspended.

He cited two articles in the Criminal Code (Article 59 and 74) that allow for reduced or suspended sentences if there are forgivable circumstances or compensation was paid to the victims in the case.

In Mickey Huang’s statement released yesterday through his attorney on having settled with all of the victims involved in the case, he expressed remorse.

“I have come to learn that behind every sexual visual material involving minors, there is a graphic story that would cause lifelong trauma to the underage individuals,” he said in the statement. “Without the downloads, there would be no supply. I am sincerely remorseful of the action I took all those years ago and pray for the forgiveness of every victim.”

The statement said that because the case involved minors, he had no way of contacting the victims directly, as their personal information was securely protected.

Instead, he was only able to contact the victims through the assistance of the courts, it said.

It said the victims understood Mickey Huang was not involved in the making of pornographic materials or creation of the false pretenses that got the victims into the situation in the first place.

The victims also understood that he downloaded the graphic materials before Feb. 17, 2023, when Article 39 of the Child and Youth Sexual Exploitation Prevention Act (兒童及少年性剝削防制條例) had not yet been amended to strictly regulate the production, circulation, and procurement of child sex images, the statement said.

It also claimed that Mickey Huang was able to get the forgiveness of the victims.

In the statement, Mickey Huang said his “stupid curiosity” put him on the wrong side of the law and caused him to lose his career and family, and he promised he will take the lesson to heart and work to be a better person.


content_text:
Dust storm in China to worsen Taiwan’s air quality from today

A dust storm in Inner Mongolia, China, is expected to worsen Taiwan’s air quality today, with the public advised to reduce outdoor activities and wear masks, the Ministry of Environment (MOENV) said yesterday.

According to the MOENV, particulate matter (PM10) levels in Inner Mongolia reached 500 to 800 micrograms per cubic meter, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the Shandong-Shanghai corridor reached 50 to 100 micrograms per cubic meter.

Pollutants carried from these areas by monsoon winds are expected to push PM2.5 readings in northern Taiwan to 30 to 50 micrograms per cubic meter this morning, rising to 100 to 150 micrograms per cubic meter in the afternoon, the MOENV said.


title: Weather system to bring 14°C lows to northern Taiwan tonight

content_text:
Strengthening northeasterly trade winds will bring temperatures to areas north of Chiayi County down to around 14°C from tonight through early tomorrow morning, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday.

CWA forecaster Cheng Chieh-jen (鄭傑仁) said the trade winds will influence Taiwan through Friday, resulting in highs of 20 °C to 22°C in northern Taiwan and 26°C to 28°C in central and southern Taiwan during the coolest period from tonight through early tomorrow.

Cheng said the weather system will weaken on Friday, allowing daytime temperatures in northern Taiwan to rise slightly, but new northeasterly winds will move south on Saturday, bringing low temperatures of about 14°C to 16°C across Taiwan.

A chart shows the weather forecast for this week. The red line represents the north, the orange line represents central Taiwan and the blue line represents the south. Photo provide by the Central Weather Administration

Brief showers are likely today along coastal areas of Keelung City, as well as in Yilan County and areas north of Taoyuan, he said, adding that Hsinchu City, Hsinchu County and Miaoli County, along with mountainous regions, may see isolated brief showers.

From tomorrow evening to Thursday, moisture from the south will move north, bringing brief showers to northern and eastern Taiwan and the Hengchun Peninsula, he said.

He added that mountain areas in central and southern Taiwan may also see isolated brief showers during this period.

Most areas will be sunny to partly cloudy on Friday, though eastern Taiwan and the Hengchun Peninsula may still see isolated showers, he said.

Cheng also said a tropical disturbance east of the Philippines strengthened into a tropical depression yesterday morning, but the weather system will move toward Vietnam and will not directly affect Taiwan.


content_text: People visit the exhibition “Flowers of Freedom” on the first floor of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei yesterday. At the entrance of the exhibition, a robot appears to monitor the movement of visitors, representing how Taiwanese felt under authoritarian rule.

title: Watched over


title: Party tribute

content_text: Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun, front, leads party officials in a tribute to late president Chiang Kai-shek at the Cihu Mausoleum in Taoyuan’s Dasi District yesterday, which marked the 131st anniversary of the founding of the party.


content_text: Chunghwa Post chairman Wang Kwo-tsai, second right, and others display universal cash handout envelopes in front of a post office yesterday. The NT$10,000 handout became available for in-person withdrawal at post office counters yesterday, and as of 1pm, Chunghwa Post had reported 273,000 withdrawals.

title: ‘Pink’ envelopes


content_text:
DATA: Youth joblessness was higher than the national average, at 11.81 percent for people aged 20 to 24, while university graduates had the highest rate at 4.55 percent

The unemployment rate last month edged down to 3.36 percent, slipping 0.02 percentage points from September and marking the lowest level in 25 years, as the impact of the graduation season faded, the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) said yesterday.

After seasonal adjustments, joblessness stood at 3.33 percent, easing by 0.02 percentage points.

Total unemployment was down 3,000 from September to 404,000, largely aided by a drop in first-time jobseekers, as more graduates secured employment, DGBAS Census Department Deputy Director Tan Wen-ling (譚文玲) said.

Overall employment increased to 11.64 million, up 5,000 from the prior month, Tan said.

The service sector generated most of the gains, adding 9,000 jobs, while industrial sectors shed about 1,000 positions as global demand remained uneven, she said.

The number of underemployed workers — a measure closely watched, because it often reflects unpaid leave or reduced working hours — also declined, Tan said.

Underemployment fell to 126,000, a retreat of 3,000 in September, she said.

Underemployed workers are defined as people whose weekly working hours fall below 35 due to economic factors, but who remain available and are willing to work more.

The indicator climbed from July and peaked at 129,000 in September, the highest level this year, before easing last month.

“The decline suggests that furlough programs tied to US reciprocal tariff pressures have largely stabilized,” Tan said, adding that the weaker New Taiwan dollar over the past few weeks also offered some support to employers.

Youth unemployment remained noticeably higher than the national average, with the jobless rate for people aged 20 to 24 at 11.81 percent, reflecting the adjustment period typically faced by first-time jobseekers.

The unemployment rate for those aged 25 to 29 was 5.78 percent, while joblessness among workers aged 30 to 34 was 3.22 percent, showing a more stable environment for mid-career employees.

A trend is emerging in the labor force participation of people aged 35 to 39 — a key segment of the prime working-age population: Participation in this group fell to 92.38 percent last month, down from 93.12 percent in January and nearly one percentage point lower than a year earlier.

The decline is visible, but not yet concerning, Tan said, adding that demographic factors, particularly declining birthrates, might be influencing workforce participation patterns.

Unemployment was highest among university graduates at 4.55 percent, followed by those with graduate degrees at 3.08 percent and high-school diploma holders at 3.01 percent. People with a junior-high education or below had the lowest jobless rate at 2.11 percent.

title: Unemployment rate down to 3.36%


content_text:
Aspeed Technology Inc (信驊), which supplies baseboard management controls (BMCs) for servers powered by Nvidia Corp chips, yesterday said it expects revenue next quarter to grow between 25 percent to 30 percent year-on-year, thanks to strong demand for servers and higher selling prices.

Revenue is to rise to between NT$2.6 billion and NT$2.7 billion (US$82.68 million to US$85.86 million), up from NT$2.07 billion in the first quarter, Aspeed said, adding that it would mark the strongest quarterly revenue in the company’s history.

On a quarterly basis, revenue is expected to grow about 29 percent or 30 percent from between NT$2 billion and NT$2.1 billion, the company said.

Aspeed Technology Inc chairman Chris Lin poses for a photograph in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Vanessa Cho, Taipei Times

“We believe the results of the fourth quarter will be better than our guidance,” Aspeed chairman Chris Lin (林鴻明) told an investor conference arranged by Taipei Exchange in Taipei. “Demand in the first quarter looks very strong, as our book-to-bill ratio surpasses one. But, our forecast is relatively conservative constrained by tight substrate supply.”

The average selling prices of BMCs are also trending up, as more functions, such as data protection or access control, are integrated into the chip, Lin said.

BMC is a microcontroller on server hardware that provides remote monitoring, management and control capabilities independently from the main operating system.

Gross margin is expected to improve by between 66.5 percent and 67.5 percent next quarter, compared with 66.23 percent in the first quarter, Aspeed said.

That was little changed from this quarter, the company added.

Aspeed is the world’s biggest BMC supplier, with 70 percent market share. A server rack equipped with Nvidia’s GB300 chip needs 71 BMCs and that number is expected to increase after Nvidia rolls out a new-generation Vera Rubin-based artificial intelligence (AI) chip for servers next year.

The company said it plans to ramp up production of a new BMC, codenamed AST 2700, in the first quarter of next year.

The new BMC is made on 12-nanometer technology, and is the first 12-nanometer chip designed by Aspeed, it said.

In addition to AI servers, rapidly growing demand for general-purpose servers, such as storage servers, would also be a growth driver, Lin said.

“AI servers do not replace general-purpose servers. They are complementary,” he added.

Aspeed said it expects the number of BMCs used in AI servers to grow 40 percent over the next two years, 35 percent by 2028, and 30 percent in 2029 and 2030.

The consumption of BMCs for general-purpose servers is expected to rise by 6.5 percent next year and expand at an annual rate of 5 percent through 2030, the company said.

In the third quarter, Aspeed’s net profit surged by 93 percent to NT$1.21 billion from NT$629 million the previous quarter. That represented an annual growth of 66.48 percent from NT$729 million.

Earnings per share rose to NT$32.12 from NT$16.65 in the second quarter and NT$19.3 in the third quarter last year.

title: Aspeed expects servers to drive 25% revenue rise


content_text:
Amazon Inc has more than 900 data center facilities in 50 countries: files

SPRAWLING COVERAGE: Amazon balances ownership with flexibility, leveraging third-party options if they have additional capacity or reach, a spokesperson said

Amazon.com Inc’s data center operation is much larger than commonly understood, totaling more than 900 facilities in more than 50 countries, documents reviewed by Bloomberg and investigative Web site SourceMaterial showed.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is best known for sprawling data center hubs in Virginia and Oregon, but those enormous complexes, which the company owns or operates through long-term leases, do not account for its full footprint.

The cloud unit also stashes server racks in hundreds of so-called colocation facilities, renting space that as of last year provided about one-fifth of the computing power at Amazon’s disposal, the documents showed.

Called “colos” in the industry, the rented data centers are typically sub-divided among different clients. The AWS presence in such facilities ranges from a few server racks in a dedicated room to most or all of enormous buildings in places such as Frankfurt and Tokyo, it showed.

AWS does not disclose the locations of individual data centers for security reasons and to keep operational details out of the hands of competitors.

The documents shine a light on Amazon’s cloud computing operations at a time when investors are keen for insights into whether AWS has sufficient capacity to meet the enormous computing demands for artificial intelligence (AI).

They also showed that AWS is one of the world’s largest renters of colo space, suggesting it has the flexibility to offer customers a range of services around the globe.

“There are big data centers everyone talks about, but the reality is there are also these smaller cloud resources that are invisible,” said Nic Benders, chief technical strategist at New Relic, which helps businesses manage their technology infrastructure. “The cloud providers do not like to tell you where they are.”

As of early last year, AWS was relying on more than 440 colocation data centers. The company also operated from more than 220 additional rented “edge” locations, which provide access points to Amazon’s network near major metropolitan areas, often inside telecommunications hubs operated by third parties. The company’s presence at some of these sites is designed to give customers the ability to quickly route data from their own servers or those of other cloud providers to Amazon’s infrastructure.

AWS spokesperson Aisha Johnson said Amazon’s approach to data centers “balances ownership with flexibility,” and was driven by rising demand for AWS services.

“While we own and operate the majority of our data centers, we strategically leverage third-party options when they provide additional capacity or geographic reach,” she said. “This long-term planning approach allows us to make precise decisions that align with our customers’ evolving requirements.”

AWS is the world’s largest seller of rented computing power, although that leadership position is being tested by rivals such as Microsoft Corp and Alphabet Inc’s Google, which have seen their sales surge alongside the rollout of AI services.

Still, Amazon’s cloud unit produced US$33 billion in revenue in the third quarter and remains the company’s most-profitable division, contributing US$11.4 billion in operating income in the period.


content_text:
Co-Tech Development Corp (金居), which produces copper foil products for printed circuit boards (PCBs), yesterday reported a 137 percent year-on-year surge in net profit last month to NT$109 million (US$3.47 million), with earnings per share jumping by 138.9 percent to NT$0.43.

Consolidated revenue last month also increased 34 percent year-on-year to NT$701 million, on the back of rising shipments of high-end products, the company said in a regulatory filing.

Co-Tech’s products include copper foil for lithium batteries and electronic circuits, with the former mainly used in electric vehicles and the latter used in PCBs for end applications such as handsets, networking devices, PC peripherals, home appliances, industrial control applications and medical devices.

Co-Tech Development Corp chairman Frank Lee poses for a photograph at a printed circuit board trade show in Taipei on Oct. 22. Photo: Vanessa Cho, Taipei Times

The increasing demand for artificial intelligence (AI) applications and a persistent migration of PCB specifications have driven a significant rise in shipments of the company’s high-end products, such as hyper-very-low-profile (HVLP) copper foil, resulting in a substantial growth in revenue and profit this year.

Cumulated revenue in the first 10 months of this year rose by 13.76 percent annually to NT$6.41 billion, while total net profit from January to last month was NT$794 million, or earnings per share of NT$3.14, the company said.

However, due to supply constraints on high-end copper foils, Co-Tech’s shares have become volatile over the past few sessions.

Yesterday, the company saw 88 million shares change hands, the largest one-day trading volume since Sept. 12, prompting the stock exchange regulator to require the company to release last month’s financial results for investors’ reference, it said.

Shares closed up 0.43 percent at NT$234 yesterday in Taipei trading, off from an intra-day high of NT$255.5.

Co-Tech shares have soared 301.72 percent so far this year, exchange data showed.

With the rapid growth in demand for AI servers and high-end PCBs, advanced copper foil products have become mainstream, the company said, adding that after exiting low-end products and optimizing its product mix, Co-Tech has turned its focus to HVLP3 and HVLP4 products.

To address supply constrains, Co-Tech said it is accelerating the construction of its third plant, aiming to start production in the fourth quarter of next year to significantly expand capacity for HVLP3 and HVLP4 products.

HVLP3 and HVLP4 together account for 10 percent to 15 percent of the company’s revenue, and the ratio is expected to reach 15 percent to 20 percent next year, lifting average selling prices and profit margins, the company said.

Driven by strong customer demand, the fourth quarter is expected to be the peak of the Co-Tech’s operations this year, the company said, adding that it expects further growth next year and in 2027 after the new plant comes online.

title: Co-Tech profit surges 137% on AI, PCB demand


title: GreenBase optimistic on revenue  from port business

content_text:
Security products provider GreenBase Technology Co (綠基) yesterday said revenue this year is expected to grow 36 percent from last year’s NT$5.42 billion (US$172.35 million), thanks to the contribution of its subsidiary DivioTec Inc’s (安恩嘉) port affairs business.

Products related to the port affairs business — including network video recorders, rugged artificial intelligence (AI) cameras and other smart solutions — are expected to account for about 20 percent of GreenBase’s total revenue this year, the company said.

GreenBase mainly provides high-standard imaging and optical technologies to leading international brands.

The home page of GreenBase Technology Corp. Photo: Screengrab from GreenBase Technology Corp’s Web site

The company’s clients are mostly in the national defense and urban surveillance sectors, it said.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs last week designated the company’s rugged AI vision product “SeesAll” a national high-value security product.

SeesAll is designed specifically for seaport surveillance.

Evergreen Marine Corp (長榮海運) has ordered 500 units of the AI product for deployment at the Port of Kaohsiung, GreenBase said.

The company has also begun shipping a new AI camera product to a major cloud service provider, GreenBase said, adding that it expects it to be a key growth driver next year.

The US accounted for 74 percent of the company’s NT$4.38 billion sales in the first nine months of this year, followed by Europe at 9 percent, Taiwan at 8 percent and other regions at 9 percent, it said.

The company expects the US to remain the largest market for its national defense, port and city surveillance businesses, it said, adding that GreenBase is also targeting Western European port markets such as Spain, the Netherlands and Germany.

GreenBase Technology, a subsidiary of industrial computermaker Nexcom International Co (新漢), operates manufacturing facilities in New Taipei City’s Linkou (林口) and Banciao (板橋) districts.

taiwan-subdivisions: 板橋 林口


title: Art on wings

content_text: People visit a special exhibition of butterflies and moths at the National Taiwan Museum in Taipei yesterday. The exhibition features about 300 specimens of Taiwan’s indigenous butterflies and moths. It also uses high-definition videos and interactive installations to guide visitors into the vibrant world of butterflies and moths nurtured by Taiwan’s diverse topography. The exhibition runs until May 31 next year.


content_text:
Since US President Donald Trump returned to the White House earlier this year, the direction of the US’ national policy has shifted from a focus on globalization and energy transition to a comprehensive bolstering of national security, supply chain autonomy and technological resilience. The Trump administration has also drastically reduced government spending, cut public services, launched trade negotiations and imposed harsh tariffs on imports. While the inherently unpredictable US president has often kept everyone guessing about his next move, his “America First” and “Make America Great Again” policies have remained the same since day one.

A clue to Trump’s policy lies in the country’s ballooning debt burden. The US debt burden — or debt-to-GDP ratio — has steadily climbed over the past few years after surpassing 100 percent in 2013.

Trading Economics global macro models forecast that the ratio would climb further this year from 123 percent last year, indicating that the US government would face more challenges in repaying the debt.

The financial report released by the US Department of the Treasury in January also revealed the unsustainable state of the US’ finances, with people worried about employment, investments and the country’s long-term economic growth, and rising interest payments contributing to the strained government budget.

Based on the report, the US’ total liabilities in fiscal 2024 were US$45.5 trillion, of which US$28.3 trillion were federal debt and interest payables, and US$15 billion went to federal employee and veteran benefits payables. The US’ total assets amount to US$5.7 trillion, which means it was in a negative net position of US$39.9 trillion, higher than the country’s nominal GDP of US$28.83 trillion that year.

Moreover, the US’ budget deficit increased by US$137.6 billion, or 8.1 percent year-on-year, to US$1.8 trillion. As debt levels grew, the government spent more, given the rising interest rates.

Interest costs rose by US$231.1 billion from the previous fiscal year, reaching US$881.7 billion, accounting for about 12 percent of the US’ total spending, the report showed.

While not entirely unexpected, the report provided the Trump administration with justification for drastic spending cuts, trade negotiations, and to put more pressure on the US Federal Reserve to cut rates quickly and significantly.

Despite mounting debt, the risk of a default on US Treasury bonds remains low. However, the US’ fiscal problems could one day cripple its government, and impact its domestic economy, social security and external relations. As the country’s debt is growing faster than its GDP, it means its fiscal path is unsustainable. If its revenue and spending patterns do not change, US debt would continue to grow and eventually significantly impact its economy.

Trump’s policy might not be able to reverse the trend of budget deficits and rising debt, but it at least offers possibilities of change. Ten months into his presidency, Trump has established a framework for national development that aims to not only lower national debt, but also reduce external dependence, develop domestic supply chains, and rebuild US defense and deterrence capabilities.

As Taiwan continues to work on a trade deal with the US to reduce the current 20 percent tariff imposed on Taiwanese goods, and avoid tariffs for the nation’s semiconductor and information technology products, understanding Trump’s strategic thinking is important.

It is clear Trump’s focus is economic security. Since Taiwan’s strength is in the semiconductor industry and its years of experience in building more resilient supply chains, establishing a stronger tech supply chain partnership aligns with Trump’s national development policy, and benefits Taiwan and the US.

title: EDITORIAL: The US’ ballooning debt problem


title: Is Trump committing to Taiwan?

content_text:
The recent confirmation hearing for Austin Dahmer, US President Donald Trump’s nominee for assistant secretary of war for strategy, plans and capabilities, was potentially groundbreaking.

Asked how the US could help Taiwan deter or defeat a Chinese attack, Dahmer said: “The US strategy of denial complements Taiwan’s plans for layered defense by providing combat-capable forces on operationally relevant timelines, to provide a strong local defense that is difficult and painful to dislodge while bolstering allied confidence in our resolve.”

For the US to provide “combat-capable forces on operationally relevant timelines,” it would be necessary for Washington to implement an assertive forward defense, requiring the pre-positioning of naval and air assets, and the timely stationing of ground forces in Taiwan. These pre-emptive deployments would place the onus of initiating US-China conflict where it belongs, reversing the dynamic of the US having to send forces from afar to break a Chinese blockade and firing the first shot.

US forces would be able to quickly respond to a Chinese attack, not only on Taiwan, but on legally pre-stationed US assets. China would be guilty of contravening international law and it would be an act of war against the US.

Some would say the US’ forward posture is provocative and escalatory. Of course, but this ignores the reality that China has been escalating its aggression against Taiwan’s democracy for decades.

Chinese assertiveness and Beijing’s willingness to pour billions of dollars into preparing for war over Taiwan are not surprising, given the US’ quasi-official position of strategic ambiguity on defending Taiwan.

Asked the Taiwan question in a 1996 television interview, then-US secretary of defense William Perry approvingly quoted then-US assistant secretary of defense Joseph Nye’s answer to the same question: “It would depend on the circumstances,” saying it was the “perfect” response. No US administration has seen it fit to modify those words or their meaning.

Meanwhile, China has spent the past 30 years creating the “circumstances” that would deter the US from risking war with China over Taiwan. Its massive military buildup of attack submarines, aircraft carriers and anti-ship ballistic missiles established an area-denial and anti-access strategy that gradually changed the “status quo,” and restoring to the way it was would require the US to initiate a use of force. To preempt that eventuality, China’s military buildup was accompanied by periodic warnings of nuclear war — for example, “you care more about Los Angeles than Taiwan.”

Some people in the national security community have long advocated for a clear, unequivocal, officially vetted US commitment to defend Taiwan.

Trump is the latest US president to decline to embrace such a thing, but as the Dahmer testimony indicates, the administration is going one better than issuing formal declarations of intent. Rather than talking about it, the US is preparing to implement an early active defense of Taiwan, with naval vessels on and under the water, and boots on the ground.

The US has also finally ended months of delay by announcing its first arms sale to Taiwan since Trump’s return to the White House: a modest US$330 million worth of F-16 spare parts and other military support items.

It is hardly a game-changing infusion of advanced weapons systems that could threaten China itself — something Taiwan has not requested, and is presumably a task better left to its ally, the US.

The sale followed the US’ reluctance to provide Ukraine with Tomahawk cruise missiles that had the capability to strike more than 1,609km into Russia, deeper than any weapons system Kyiv has been able to deploy since Moscow first invaded in 2014.

If the Trump administration adheres to the new strategy of denial, it would present China with a powerful disincentive to initiate hostilities against Taiwan, knowing that it would certainly mean war with the US and a military defeat for China. That outcome would likely bring the demise of the Chinese communist regime and would be welcomed by the Chinese people, whom Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) and his cohorts fear more than any potential foreign adversary. A US information campaign should accompany preparations for possible conflict.

Joseph Bosco served as China country director for the US Office of the Secretary of Defense from 2005 to 2006, and as Asia-Pacific director of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief from 2009 to 2010. He is a non-resident fellow at the Institute for Corean-American Studies, a member of the advisory board of the Global Taiwan Institute and member of the advisory board of The Vandenberg Coalition. This article originally appeared in The Hill on Tuesday last week.


content_text:
On Tuesday last week at 7:30pm, Cloudflare, the world’s largest Internet infrastructure provider offering Web security and traffic acceleration services, had a major crash.

The outage brought down critical online services worldwide, including several essential public and government Web sites in Taiwan, for 45 minutes. The incident was no minor network glitch — it was a serious reminder of digital national security concerns, a global issue Taiwan must be especially alert of.

Having long been a target of Chinese cyberattacks, Taiwan’s dependence on Cloudflare is very risky. The risks include distributed denial-of-service attacks, in which targets are flooded with junk traffic from multiple sources to paralyze the Web site.

Cloudflare provides a shield against such attacks, so it is used by many government agencies, social media platforms, payment service providers, e-commerce sites and artificial intelligence platforms in Taiwan as a first line of defense.

As a result, Taiwan’s Internet security increasingly relies on a single company. Cloudflare also provides an entire ecosystem of Web infrastructure on which Taiwan depends. These include content delivery networks (CDN) for faster Web performance, web application firewalls (WAF) to protect against cyberattacks and malicious traffic, domain name system (DNS) services to translate Web site addresses into IP addresses, reverse proxy servers which sit between a Web site and its visitors to filter user requests, and edge points-of-presence (PoP) where network access points are hosted at physical locations closer to end-users.

A malfunction of any of these services is enough to shut down a significant number of Taiwanese Web sites. Last week’s crash made it clear that Taiwan cannot afford for Cloudflare to fail. This represents a serious geopolitical risk. Cloudflare houses a major edge PoP in Taipei for processing local Web traffic.

Lying well within China’s potential range of attack, if it were targeted or disabled in a conflict, there would be no need to attack Taiwanese servers directly. Taking out that node alone could paralyze government Web sites, payment application programming interfaces (APIs), public service portals, news platforms, and medical and transport information systems simultaneously.

Network breakages are the fastest, most cost-effective and efficient weapons of information warfare. Yet, local government, central ministries and public service platforms all rely on Cloudflare’s firewall, CDN and Reverse Proxy services for speed and security — these act to screen and filter incoming Web traffic and user requests, distinguishing between advertisers, potential cyberattacks and ordinary users.

If this frontline guardrail falls, Taiwan’s government Web sites go down with it. To prevent the nation from becoming a victim of its overdependency, there are three reforms it could apply to level up digital national security.

First, government and critical infrastructure must adopt a multi-vendor architecture approach to Web operations. There must be at least two functional sets of CDN, DNS, WAF and edge PoP systems that can switch over automatically in the event of an outage. This would mean that if Cloudflare fails, traffic is rerouted to the “failover” system.

Second, Taiwan must develop national CDN and DNS systems that do not rely on private companies or foreign servers for government and public service Web infrastructure. Critical information systems must be localized to insulate against the effects of network failures overseas. Estonia and Israel already have such systems in place. Taiwan cannot afford to fall further behind.

Third, a wartime digital resilience plan that includes interregional backups of government information systems, such as mirror Web sites hosted offshore or overseas, must be established. Essential APIs for power, healthcare and transportation should be decoupled, and emergency broadcast channels must be established for when the Internet is down.

Each of these are essential measures of modern national security, and in a crisis, lives would depend on it.

The Cloudflare crash was a test case. Next time, the outage might not be due to a system error, but a cyberattack. It might not last just 45 minutes, but four or five hours.

In the face of rising authoritarianism, great powers could turn to militarization, but small countries must rely on resilience. Taiwan must reclaim control over its critical Web infrastructure and ensure that, in the event of future shocks, it cannot be so easily toppled.

Hsiao Hsi-huei is a freelance writer.

Translated by Gilda Knox Streader

title: Lessons from the Cloudflare crash


title: The DPP must court support in tense times

content_text:
Cheng Li-wun’s (鄭麗文) election as Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) chairwoman has landed like a bomb in Taiwan’s politics. Politicians have responded in different ways, in the process revealing their true colors. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) should adjust its policies — some major shifts, some fine tuning — to adapt to these changes.

Within the KMT, Cheng’s victory has highlighted the distinction between the “Republic of China [ROC] faction” and the “capitulators’ faction.”

Former KMT legislator Alex Tsai (蔡正元) said the KMT might as well become the “Chinese Nationalist Surrender Party” under Cheng’s leadership, placing him firmly in the party’s ROC faction.

In contrast, Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) has echoed Cheng’s rhetoric that President William Lai (賴清德) should withdraw his declaration that China is a hostile foreign force, placing him clearly in the capitulators’ camp.

What about other KMT heavyweights, such as former Broadcasting Corp of China chairman Jaw Shaw-kong (趙少康) and former Taipei mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌)?

The DPP should distinguish between the two KMT factions to focus on the main competition. During recent debates at the Legislative Yuan, DPP Legislator Rosalia Wu (吳思瑤) has been targeting specific figures such as Cheng and Han to avoid the usual power struggle between the blue and green camps. This approach is beneficial for internal unity in Taiwan.

The Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) has also undergone significant changes. After former TPP chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) was granted bail, TPP Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) has restrained himself.

Asked about a Chinese criminal probe into DPP Legislator Puma Shen (沈伯洋), Huang even said Beijing has no right to arrest Taiwanese nationals. Although he later criticized Lai’s mishandling of the case, his comment differed from those of KMT capitulators.

Moreover, Taiwan was able to become a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) last year after TPP Legislator Chen Gau-tzu (陳昭姿) agreed to serve with another DPP lawmaker as cochairs, meeting the alliance’s requirement that a country must be represented by lawmakers from at least two major parties. This has allowed Taiwan to attend IPAC summits and pass favorable resolutions. DPP Legislator Fan Yun (范雲), the other cochair, specifically thanked Chen during this year’s IPAC summit.

Huang has said the corruption charges against Ko are unjust, but that decision lies in the hands of the judiciary, not on Huang’s or the TPP’s beliefs.

Ironically, the party had suspended TPP Legislator Vivian Huang’s (黃珊珊) party rights for three years due to her involvement in one of these “unjust cases.” Although Huang, as party chairman, could revoke the suspension, he has not done so, as she could become his biggest rival within the party. This naturally serves his own interests, but if the punishment is revoked, would the TPP not be able to accomplish more in the face of new developments?

Under such circumstances, “differentiated treatment” is a good strategy. Faced with the chaotic political situation, if the DPP can adopt more sophisticated targeted strategies toward other parties and key members, it might win over voters who are struggling to making sense of this political chaos.

The DPP should avoid over-emotional statements, and instead show greater care to opposition supporters and swing voters.

Paul Lin is a political commentator.

Translated by Eddy Chang

people: 鄭麗文 吳思瑤 賴清德 柯文哲 蔡正元 郝龍斌 范雲 黃國昌 黃珊珊 韓國瑜


content_text: The diplomatic dispute between China and Japan over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments in the Japanese Diet continues to escalate.In a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, China’s UN Ambassador Fu Cong (傅聰) wrote that, “if Japan dares to attempt an armed intervention in the cross-Strait situation, it would be an act of aggression.” There was no indication that Fu was aware of the irony implicit in the complaint. Until this point, Beijing had limited its remonstrations to diplomatic summonses and weaponization of economic levers, such as banning Japanese seafood imports, discouraging Chinese from traveling to Japan or issuing

title: EDITORIAL CARTOON


title: Can Labubu overcome Hollywood’s toy-to-film curse?

content_text:
Will Labubu the movie go the way of Bratz the movie or Lego the movie?

What are Labubus? It is a question the luckiest among you have likely never had to ask or answer; I, as a parent of two preteens, have had to do both. They are the latest inexplicably fashionable trend in overpriced toys — tiny creatures that look something like a cross between Keebler elves and Tasmanian devils. And now, apparently, they are going to be movie stars.

The Hollywood Reporter on Nov. 14 said that Sony Pictures has inked a deal securing the screen rights to the Pop Mart International Group Ltd doll brand. Details about the creative personnel involved have not been announced, nor even whether the feature film would be animated or live-action.

In other words, it appears that the deal came first, and Sony will figure out those nagging little details down the line.

A lack of clarity comes with the territory for projects in early development, but this particular film — based on a toy introduced in 2015 that became a global force only in the past year — makes the unknowns a little more striking. There are few Hollywood endeavors as futile as chasing flash-in-the-pan trends — and few flash-in-the-pan trends have proven as commercially disappointing for filmmakers as toy brands.

Bratz: The Movie is a particularly apt example, as it too was based on a line of popular small dolls. The brand debuted in 2001, and the film followed six years later, grossing US$26 million worldwide — barely covering its estimated US$20 million budget. However, going back to the 1980s helps paint a clearer picture. In 1987, live-action Masters of the Universe — based on toys that hit shelves in 1982 — pulled in US$17.3 million, not even enough to cover its US$22 million budget. A year later, Pound Puppies and the Legend of Big Paw, based on the Pound Puppy line created in 1984, cost an estimated US$6 million to make, but barely hit half a million dollars in ticket sales.

The list goes on. Even toy brands that have become nostalgic favorites initially failed to convert their popularity with kids into ticket sales. Transformers, for example, has become a lucrative and long-running movie franchise, but it took years of ubiquity (and, possibly, the aging of its initial target audience from kids to parents) to set the stage for that success. The toys hit shelves in 1984, and the initial cinematic outing, 1986’s The Transformers: The Movie, stalled out badly enough (US$5.8 million against a US$6 million budget) to short-circuit the brand’s multiplex ambitions for decades.

These quickie cash-grabs frequently failed because audiences recognized what they were: feature-length commercials, often extensions of the after-school cartoon shows based on the same toys, which kids could watch ... for free.

Despite repeated flops, studio executives remain subservient to intellectual property, ignoring what should be obvious financial and creative risks — even as recent examples prove that intellectual property does not always guarantee profitability. This faith in brand familiarity might explain why Sony appears to be overlooking the toy-to-film pipeline’s well-documented failures and — as other outlets have noted — seemingly focusing instead on the most obvious counterexamples: 2014’s The Lego Movie and 2023’s Barbie.

The desire to chase their success is understandable. The Lego Movie grossed US$470 million worldwide on a US$60 million budget, and was nominated for an Oscar and a Golden Globe, while Barbie brought in US$1.4 billion worldwide on an estimated US$100 million budget and was nominated for eight Oscars (winning one) and nine Golden Globes (winning two).

However, those two hits are barely applicable for one key reason: timing. It is a factor that comes into play in two ways.

First, there is proven brand longevity. The Lego Group was established in 1932, while Ruth Handler, cofounder of the Mattel Inc toy company, introduced the Barbie doll in 1959. So by the time their high-profile movie adaptations were released, Lego and Barbie were both beloved toy brands that had been entertaining children (and emptying the wallets of their parents) across multiple decades and generations. The films did not just appeal to kids either — mature plots and a wave of nostalgia made them attractive to grown-ups reminiscing about their childhoods, many of whom still collect or even play with the toys.

Meanwhile, analysts are already questioning whether the mania surrounding Labubus can last, which brings us to the second piece of the timing puzzle. Motion pictures, as a general rule, are not ideal for rapid responses to cultural trends, because the production period for a major movie is inevitably and inherently slow. It typically takes a minimum of a calendar year to get a movie from a green light through development, scripting, casting, production and editing — and often, it takes longer. For a toy that has not yet proven its staying power, a year can feel like an eternity in a market where so many companies fight for the public’s ever-shrinking attention span.

Every film must weather its own specific circumstances, of course. Can the Labubu craze last long enough to overcome the historical precedents? Will the celebrities and luxury brands that have boosted and/or partnered with the brand keep those little monsters in the public eye long enough to make The Labubu Movie (or whatever title they settle on) into a Barbie-sized hit?

The answers, at best, are maybe. And that kind of uncertainty around the financial prospects of a film like this, seemingly driven by commerce over art, means that Sony might soon experience buyer’s remorse.

Jason Bailey is a film critic and historian. He is the author, most recently, of Gandolfini: Jim, Tony, and the Life of a Legend. This column reflects the personal views of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.