taiwan-subdivisions: 里港 屏東 屏東縣 鹽埔 高樹

title: 屏東首起普發1萬盜領案　里港警迅速偵破涉案前妻

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【記者何勁陞／里港報導】 家住鹽埔鄉陳姓男子日前2次至郵局欲領取政府普發1萬元現金，均被告知該筆金額已遭不詳人士從提款機取走，於是向警方報案，屏東縣政府警察局里港分局獲報後相當重視，立即函文財政部確認該筆金額係以郵局金融卡於台新銀行的ATM所領出，復向該銀行查詢，確認遭盜領時間、地點為11月18日12時30分在某24小時連鎖超商鹽埔鄉加盟店，警方旋即調閱相關影像，查出盜領嫌犯為陳男前妻蘇女。

陳男表示其郵局金融卡一直由前妻保管，且因久未使用帳戶被管制，以為無法由金融卡領取普發1萬元，才會前往郵局臨櫃領現，得知係前妻盜領後表示不願提出告訴，惟所犯罪名為非告訴乃論罪，全案依涉及竊盜罪嫌移送臺灣屏東地方檢察署偵辦。

案為屏東縣首起普發1萬盜領案，里港警分局相當重視也迅速偵破釐清案情，警方提醒，領取普發1萬金融卡僅做為身分認證，只需要金融卡、健保卡號碼及身分證字號，即可至ATM領取，帳戶本身不會有金流顯示，；另外也提醒民眾務必妥慎保管金融帳戶、金融卡、健保卡、身分證等個人重要物品，切勿任意交付他人，避免遭不當使用甚至從事詐騙情事。

檢舉詐騙獎千萬 屏警首創「打詐一點通」：掃碼即報案

▼為鼓勵更多民眾加入反詐行列，阻詐超過千萬加碼贈送象徵守護治安的「警察熊」，期望提高民眾參與意願，共同阻斷詐騙鏈。（圖／屏東縣政府警察局里港分局）

內政部日前公布「防制詐欺犯罪有功人員及檢舉人獎勵辦法」，檢舉車手獎1萬、詐騙集團最高1000萬，鼓勵全民投入防詐工作，屏東縣政府警察局為便利民眾檢舉詐騙，首創「打詐一點通」QR Code簡訊報案，里港警分局1日由分局長率員前往金融機購、超商積極推廣便民新措施，民眾只要在銀行、超商或提款機周邊發現疑似車手或詐騙情事，即可掃描 QR Code一鍵傳送報案簡訊，不需開口、不需打字、不怕被發現，大幅降低報案壓力與風險，提升通報意願。且每個QR Code都對應所在地的定位點，勤務指揮中心接獲簡訊報案立即派遣警力趕赴現場並聯繫報案人，快速反應、即時查緝不法。

詐騙集團近年常派遣車手至金融機構提款機或超商ATM提領贓款，手法快速隱密，往往在警方到場前便已逃逸，為提升攔阻效率，里港警分局依循上級政策方向，結合轄內超商及金融機構力量，至各大金融機構、超商及易面交地點張貼「打詐一點通」QR Code 文宣，協助民眾於第一時間通報異常情況，且目前檢舉車手制度提供高額獎金，最高可達新臺幣 1,000 萬元，為鼓勵更多民眾加入反詐行列，阻詐超過千萬加碼贈送象徵守護治安的「警察熊」，期望提高民眾參與意願，共同阻斷詐騙鏈。

分局長邱逸樵表示，詐欺形態不斷演變，警方更需超前部署，這次深入店家與金融機構逐點張貼海報，並向民眾說明獎勵制度與報案方式，呼籲：「若發現有人在提款機旁行跡可疑、反覆操作 ATM，可立即掃描 QR Code 簡訊報案，不用擔心被發現，每一則通報都有可能阻止大量財損。」，警方將持續結合科技與民力，共同打造更縝密的反詐防護網，守護民眾財產安全。

90歲高樹嬤深夜迷路 管區警秒認出護送平安返家

▼員警平時深耕勤區、瞭解居民狀況，此次才能及時辨識迷途長者並協助返家。（圖／屏東縣政府警察局里港分局）

近日氣溫驟降，屏東縣高樹鄉一名90歲阿嬤深夜獨自步行在馬路邊，步履緩慢，引起里港警分局高樹分駐所巡邏員警注意。警員王冠閔、陳瑀桓、楊竣惟主動下車關心，發現阿嬤因迷路而感到無助，所幸警員王冠閔恰巧為當地勤區員警，一眼便認出該名老婦為轄區居民潘林阿嬤，立即護送她平安返家，避免可能的危險發生。

警方表示，該名老婦年事已高且罹患失智症，深夜獨自外出，儘管住家就在附近300公尺處，但仍回憶不起返家路，向警方求助「我找不到路!」。幸運的是，巡邏員警中王冠閔剛好是管區員警，看見老婦時便立刻認出她是轄區居民90歲的潘林姓阿嬤，迅速上前細心安撫長者情緒，並護送其平安返家，也提醒阿嬤記得關好門窗、盡早休息，以避免再次發生類似情形。

里港警分局長邱逸樵表示，員警平時深耕勤區、瞭解居民狀況，此次才能及時辨識迷途長者並協助返家。警方也呼籲，家中若有高齡長者，務必多加注意其作息與外出狀況，避免單獨在深夜外出發生危險。若發現疑似迷途或需要協助的長者，民眾可立即通報警方協助，共同維護社區安全，守護長者。


taiwan-subdivisions: 枋寮 屏東縣

title: 75歲老婦家中跌倒受困　枋警即刻救援安全脫險

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▼員警到場後，迅速會同消防隊，合力將倒地的陳婦小心護送就醫。所幸陳婦尚無大礙。（圖／屏東縣政府警察局屏東分局）

【記者何勁陞／枋寮報導】 屏東縣政府警察局枋寮分局建興派出所日前接獲民眾報案，稱一名獨居老婦於家中不慎跌倒，亟需警方到場協助。

副所長陳孝信及警員徐志賢獲報後馳赴現場，經了解係75歲獨居陳姓老婦，因近期腳部受傷在家休養，當日在家中行走時不慎跌倒，腳部劇烈的疼痛讓她無法自行起身求援。幸虧平日負責送餐的社福機構人員察覺異狀，立即報警處理。員警到場後，迅速會同消防隊，合力將倒地的陳婦小心護送就醫。所幸陳婦尚無大礙。陳婦脫險後，對警察、消防隊及社福單位在危急時刻及時伸出援手與溫暖舉動，表達深深的感謝與感動。

枋寮分局長盧恒隆表示，警察除維護治安及交通外，亦肩負為民服務的責任，若民眾發現長者需要協助，可隨時通報警方、區公所或社福單位，共同守護弱勢族群，讓長者感受社會溫暖。


title: 毒駕新法上路屏警一週即查獲3件！屏警：拒測就罰18萬　車輛全數移置、行為人壓力倍增

taiwan-subdivisions: 屏東縣 屏東

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▼刑事部分則將依施用毒品與毒駕相關規定，待尿檢結果出爐後函送屏東地檢署偵辦，行政與刑事責任同步追究。（圖／屏東縣政府警察局屏東分局）

【記者何勁陞／屏東報導】 屏東縣政府警察局屏東分局自毒駕新法上路後全面強化取締作為，第一週即查獲 3 件毒駕相關案件，其中 2 名駕駛拒測遭開罰 新臺幣18 萬元，所有涉案車輛均立即移置保管，當場排除危險駕駛上路可能。警方指出，新罰則生效後，駕駛人違規成本大幅提高，已有行為人因壓力大到當場直呼「不敢了」。

此次崇蘭派出所員警深夜巡邏時，於屏東市自由路段攔停可疑自小客車，查獲徐姓男子持有三級毒品愷他命並呈現毒駕陽性。警方除立即將車輛移置保管、開立毒駕違規舉發單外，行政處分部分將報請警察局裁罰；刑事部分則將依施用毒品與毒駕相關規定，待尿檢結果出爐後函送屏東地檢署偵辦，行政與刑事責任同步追究，處分更為完整且嚴格。

屏東分局強調，毒駕處分全面加重，包括拒絕檢測者即直接開罰18萬元起跳，並搭配移置保管車輛、後續吊扣牌照等措施，使駕駛人違規成本大幅提升。新法核心精神在於「罰得重、查得勤、嚇阻強」，警方也將持續提高盤查密度，確保施用毒品者不敢上路。

警方呼籲，毒駕對其他用路人威脅極大，切勿心存僥倖。僅是一時僥倖，就可能面臨高額罰鍰、車輛被拖走，甚至刑事追訴的多重後果。警方將持續執法，全力守護道路安全。

2025屏東聖誕節中華一條街市集圓滿落幕 屏東分局全力維護活動安全

▼為確保活動安全，屏東分局提前規劃交通疏導與巡邏勤務，讓現場動線更順暢、秩序更穩定。（圖／屏東縣政府警察局屏東分局）

2025年屏東聖誕節「中華一條街市集」於週末登場，繽紛燈飾與熱鬧攤位吸引許多民眾前來感受節慶氣氛。活動全程在人潮熱絡、氣氛溫馨的情況下順利落幕。

為確保活動安全，屏東分局提前規劃交通疏導與巡邏勤務，讓現場動線更順暢、秩序更穩定。執勤同仁秉持「微笑上工，士氣跟著衝」的態度，以親切與專業為市民提供服務。

期間有民眾拍下員警執勤的身影，向警方表達鼓勵，這份支持讓第一線同仁深受感動，讓警方在繁忙勤務中倍感溫暖。

屏東分局表示，感謝市民朋友在活動期間的配合與肯定，守護大家的平安始終是警方最重要的責任。聖誕活動期間，警方也會持續加強交通疏導與治安維護。同時提醒大家外出時留意交通安全與個人財物，一起讓冬季的屏東更顯溫暖、安全、充滿幸福感。

屏東分局推動「打詐有你」 分局長率隊張貼QRcode強化防詐能量

▼由分局長林明波率隊，前往轄內臺灣銀行屏東分行、屏東火車站計程車排班點，張貼並宣導「報案QRcode」使用方式。（圖／屏東縣政府警察局屏東分局）

屏東警察分局為全面推動「打詐有你－防詐更強」行動，由分局長林明波率隊，前往轄內臺灣銀行屏東分行、屏東火車站計程車排班點，張貼並宣導「報案QRcode」使用方式，民眾只要拿出手機掃描 QRcode，畫面即會自動跳出報案訊息內容及所在位置，按下傳送後，訊息便會即時送至屏東縣政府警察局勤指中心，警方將於第一時間派員前往了解、及時阻詐，並提升報案效率與民眾安全。

此外，依據「防制詐欺犯罪有功人員及檢舉人獎勵辦法」規定。若民眾在詐騙犯罪尚未曝光前，向檢察官或司法警察檢舉符合詐防條例第43及44條之罪刑，該案最終經法院判處3年以上有期徒刑，即可依規定請領獎金；如判處15年以上，最高獎金更可達1000萬元，鼓勵民眾勇於提供關鍵資訊，協助警方深入溯源、瓦解詐團。

屏東分局提醒，詐騙手法層出不窮，「打詐」方面將持續強化查緝詐團、斬斷金流；「阻詐」則結合金融機構、超商與運輸單位共同攔阻；「識詐」更透過宣導、社群資訊、QRcode 工具提升民眾辨識能力。呼籲民眾若遭遇不明投資、假冒公務員、要求匯款或可疑訊息，務必保持冷靜，撥打 165 或掃描報案 QRcode 立即向警方查證，共同打造無詐騙的安全生活環境。


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香港2025年12月2日 /美通社/ — 領先的內容社區及社交平台快手科技（「快手」或「公司」；港幣櫃台股份代號：01024 / 人民幣櫃台股份代號：81024）宣佈，12月1日，可靈AI正式發佈其全新產品「可靈O1」，定位為首個大一統的多模態創作工具。可靈O1基於全新的視頻和圖像模型，整合文字、視頻、圖片、主體等多模態輸入，將所有生成和編輯任務融合於一個全能引擎之中。可靈O1的推出，徹底解決了AI視頻生成中角色、場景等一致性難題，為影視、自媒體、廣告電商等應用場景，提供了深度適配的一站式解決方案。

大一統模型，解決視頻創作的所有難題

作為首個大一統多模態視頻模型，可靈O1基於多模態視覺語言（MVL）理念，突破傳統單一視頻生成任務的模型邊界，將參考生視頻、文生視頻、首尾幀生視頻、視頻內容增刪、視頻修改變換、風格重繪、鏡頭延展等多種任務，融合於同一個全能引擎之中，用戶無需切換模型及工具，即可一站式完成從生成到編輯的全流程創作。

憑藉深層語義理解力，可靈O1可將用戶上傳的圖片、視頻、主體、文字均視為指令。模型打破了模態限制，能夠從不同視角綜合理解一張照片、一段視頻或一個主體，精準生成各項細節。

可靈O1的多模態指令輸入區，讓繁瑣的剪輯後期變成了簡單的對話。使用者無需手動遮罩或輸入關鍵幀，只需輸入「移除路人」、「將白天改為黃昏」或「替換主角服裝」等指令，模型即可讀懂影像邏輯，實現從局部主體替換到整體風格重繪的像素級語義重構。此外，它也全面支援圖片/主體參考、視頻內容編輯、鏡頭切換、首尾幀生成及文生視頻等多種能力。

針對AI視頻落地中常見的角色與場景不一致的痛點，可靈O1底層強化了對輸入圖像及視頻的理解。它能像人類導演一樣，「記住」主角、道具和場景，確保主體特徵在鏡頭變化中始終保持穩定。此外，該模型展現了強大的多主體融合能力。用戶可以自由組合多個不同主體，或將主體與參考圖混搭。即便是在複雜的群像戲或互動場景中，模型也能獨立鎖定並保持每一位角色或道具的特徵，確保「主角」在不同鏡頭中實現工業級的特徵統一。

可靈O1支援「技能組合」，不再局限於單點任務。使用者可以指令其「在視頻中增加主體的同時修改背景」，或者「在圖片參考生成時，同步修改風格」。這種一次生成多種創意變化的能力，極大地拓展了創作的自由度，讓創意的化學反應成為可能。

在時長控制上，可靈O1將定義時間的權力交還給創作者，支援3-10秒自由生成。無論是短促的視覺衝擊，還是悠長的故事鋪陳，都由使用者自由掌控。值得一提的是，作為統一模型的一部分，可靈O1的首尾幀能力也將支持3-10秒的生成時長選擇（即將發佈），進一步增強敘事的張弛度。

同時發佈的還有可靈圖像O1模型，可實現從基礎圖像生成到高階細節編輯全鏈路無縫銜接，用戶既可通過純文本生成圖像，也可上傳最多10張參考圖進行融合再創作。該模型具備四大核心優勢：特徵高度保持，讓主體元素穩定不偏差；細節修改精準響應，讓每一處調整都符合預期；風格調性準確把控，讓畫面氛圍始終統一；超豐富想像力，讓創意呈現更具張力，真正實現「所想即所得」。

一個模型覆蓋多創作場景：影視、自媒體、廣告電商

全新的可靈O1集生成與編輯於一體，廣泛適用於影視、自媒體、廣告電商等多種場景。無論是從零構建的敘事生成，還是對既有素材的深度重塑，可靈O1都能根據不同需求，靈活調用其參考、編輯的能力，輕鬆完成創作。

在影視創作領域，可靈O1憑藉強大一致性的圖片（主體）參考，結合主體庫功能，可以精準鎖定每個分鏡的角色及服化道，輕鬆生成多個連貫的影視鏡頭。對於視頻後期、自媒體創作者而言，只需輸入「刪除背景中的路人」、「讓天空變藍」等簡單對話指令，就能讓可靈O1自動完成像素級的智能修補與重構。

針對傳統線下廣告實拍成本高，製作週期長的問題，用戶現在只需上傳商品、模特和場景圖，輔以簡單指令，即可快速生成多個酷炫的商品展示廣告，大幅降低實拍成本。針對模特約拍麻煩與換裝難題，可靈O1可搭建永不落幕的虛擬T台：上傳模特和服裝實拍圖，輸入指令，便能完美還原服飾的質感和細節，批量生產高品質的Lookbook視頻。

可靈O1能實現上述強大而全面的功能，源於在技術底座的深層創新。全新的可靈視頻O1模型打破視頻模型在生成、編輯與理解上的功能割裂，構建了全新的生成式底座。通過融合多模態理解的Multimodal Transformer和多模態長上下文，實現了多任務的深度融合與統一。

關於快手

快手作為中國乃至全球領先的內容社區及社交平台，致力於成為全球最癡迷於為客戶創造價值的公司。作為一家以人工智能為核心驅動和技術依託的科技公司，快手專注於通過持續的技術創新和產品升級，不斷豐富服務和應用場景，為客戶創造價值。在快手，用戶通過短視頻和直播來記錄和分享他們的生活，發現所需，發揮所長。通過與內容創作者和企業緊密合作，快手提供的技術、產品和服務可滿足用戶的多元化的需求，包括娛樂、線上營銷服務、電商、本地生活、遊戲等。

前瞻性聲明

除過往事實的陳述外，本新聞稿載有若干前瞻性陳述。前瞻性陳述一般可透過所使用前瞻性詞彙識別，例如「或會」、「可能」、「可」、「可以」、「將」、「將會」、「預期」、「認為」、「繼續」、「估計」、「預計」、「預測」、「打算」、「計劃」、「尋求」或「時間表」。該等前瞻性陳述受風險、不確定因素及假設的影響，可能包括業務展望、財務表現預測、業務計劃預測、發展策略及對我們行業預期趨勢的預測。該等前瞻性陳述是根據本集團現有的資料，亦按本新聞稿刊發之時的展望為基準，在本新聞稿內載列。該等前瞻性陳述是根據若干預測、假設及前提作出，當中許多涉及主觀因素或不受我們控制。該等前瞻性陳述或會證明為不正確及可能不會在將來實現。該等前瞻性陳述涉及大量風險及不明朗因素。鑒於上述風險及不明朗因素，本新聞稿內所載列的前瞻性陳述不應視為董事會或本公司聲明該等計劃及目標將會實現，故投資者不應過於依賴該等陳述。除法律要求的情形外，我們並無責任公開發佈可能反映本新聞稿日期後發生的事件或情況或可能反映意料之外事件的該等前瞻性陳述的任何修訂。

投資者及媒體問詢 快手科技 投資者關係郵箱：[email protected]

title: 全球首個大一統多模態視頻模型可靈O1發佈

countries: 中國 香港


title: 「2025彰化歲末演唱會」12/20彰化縣立體育場閃耀開唱

taiwan-subdivisions: 彰化 彰化縣 北斗

people: 黃千宴 楊曜 白玉如 陳玉姬

content_text:
記者張辰卿/綜合報導

為迎接2026年，彰化縣政府將於12月20日在彰化縣立體育場舉辦「2025彰化歲末演唱會」，12/2日上午在縣府中庭舉辦宣傳記者會。王縣長表示，為與鄉親迎接新年，縣府今年邀請9組老、中、青喜愛的實力歌手輪番開唱，演唱會壓軸邀請到12月26、27日在小巨蛋舉辦個人演唱會的「情歌王子」李聖傑！還有聽團群喜愛的糜先生及小男孩樂團、備受喜愛的創作歌手陳華、唱功深厚的金曲歌后孫淑媚、彰化之光金曲歌王翁立友，還有人氣歌手洪暐哲、鐘卓融Zorn及裴安，陪伴大家用音樂點燃歲末的熱情！以及美食市集與壓軸480秒的絢爛煙火秀，與鄉親一起開心迎接嶄新的2026年。

王縣長表示，晚會當天只要憑11、12月發票兌換摸彩券，就有機會把大獎帶回家！包括星宇航空台中到日本的雙人來回機票、光陽125機車2台、65吋液晶電視、洗衣機、冰箱等超級好禮，讓大家看得開心、吃得盡興，還有機會抱回大獎！

王縣長指出，除了聆聽好歌，也希望邀請全國民眾趁著歲末安排兩天一夜的彰化小旅行。彰化有許多充滿特色的景點，包括充滿懷舊感的小西街、高賓閣；適合全家大小漫步的天空步道，小朋友最喜愛可以盡情放電的「八卦山親子探索區」及「天空遊戲場」。還有來到彰化必吃的爌肉飯、肉圓及麻糬等眾多美食，必定不虛此行。

王縣長強調， 12月不僅有歲末演唱會， 12月14日晚間將在縣立美術館廣場點亮聖誕樹，當日下午4時開始有彰化縣音樂河社會福利協會辦理的園遊會及精彩舞台表演。還有大家期待的「2026彰化月影燈季」，將於12月27日點燈，一直展出至明(115)年3月1日為期65天，以馬年為主題，結合RODY跳跳馬知名IP及特別嘉賓櫻桃小丸子、燈光秀、旋轉木馬，將大佛風景區裝扮成「跳跳馬戲團」。此次燈季特別與彰化子弟九把刀執導的2026年春節賀歲電影《功夫》合作，每週五、六、日推出限定版電影主題燈光秀，開燈當日將有神秘嘉賓出席，絕對精彩。縣府用心策劃活動，與大家一起迎接馬年的到來，歡迎全國鄉親安排假期，暢遊美好彰化。

與會貴賓還有縣議員温芝樺、莊陞漢、黃千宴、陳銌銌、白玉如、蕭文雄、陳玉姬、彰化市長林世賢、北斗鎮公所秘書劉崑荃、彰化縣創藝美育協會總幹事許瀞宜、長樂社區理事長黃惠足、縣府機要秘書張建豐、縣府秘書賴清隆、縣政顧問楊曜聰、城市暨觀光發展處長王瑩琦、各級民意代表與地方仕紳等。 相關活動資訊請全國鄉親上彰化縣政府全球資訊網查詢。


events: 空氣品質 空氣污染

taiwan-subdivisions: 苗栗 恆春 基隆 宜蘭 臺北

title: 東北季風周三增強 北台轉濕冷下探14度、全台空氣品質亮橘燈

content_text:
生活中心／綜合報導

中央氣象署預報，明天（３日）東北季風增強，各地溫度下降，迎風面降雨機率增高、得留意較大雨勢發生，此外，東北季風也將挾帶境外污染物移入影響臺灣空氣品質，環境部研判，全臺空氣品質為普通至橘色提醒等級。

氣象署進一步說明，明日基隆北海岸、大臺北及宜蘭地區易有雨，降雨機率高，並有局部較大雨勢發生的機率，桃、竹、花、東地區及恆春半島有局部短暫雨，苗栗及中南部山區亦有零星短暫雨，外出請攜帶雨具備用，中南部地區雲量亦增多。

氣溫方面，中部以北及東北部、東部明顯轉涼，北臺灣高溫約在２０、２１度，整日感受涼冷，中部及花東高溫約２２至２４度，南部高溫可達２７度左右，中南部日夜較大，入夜後各地溫度會進一步下降，西半部及東北部低溫約１４至１６度，花、東低溫約１８度，局部沿海空曠地區及近山區平地氣溫會再更低一些，外出請適時增添衣物以免著涼。

空氣品質部分，環境部預估，明日上午起東北季風增強將挾帶境外污染物影響臺灣空氣品質，屆時北部地區PM2.5小時濃度可能達30至45微克/立方公尺，PM10小時濃度達80至150微克/立方公尺，午後逐漸影響至中南部地區，全臺空氣品質為普通至橘色提醒等級，境外污染影響程度視上游地區空氣污染物濃度而有所變化，自4日起南部地區因下風處風速較弱，污染物易累積，空氣品質多為橘色提醒等級，預估5日上午起空氣品質可望改善至普通等級。

不過，空氣品質受氣象條件影響大，仍有不確定性，請民眾隨時留意最新空氣品質資訊。環境部提醒，在空氣品質不佳的時期，建議做好個人防護，並適時注意環境部發布空氣品質預警資訊。


content_text:
廣州2025年12月2日 /美通社/ — 11月30日至12月2日，2025年「讀懂中國」國際會議在廣州舉辦，本屆會議主題是「新布局、新發展、新選擇——中國式現代化與全球治理新格局」。會議由中國國家創新與發展戰略研究會、中國人民外交學會、廣東省人民政府聯合主辦，廣州市人民政府承辦。來自政界、戰略界、企業界、學界以及智庫的800多位中外嘉賓與會。會議聚焦「十五五」規劃及其世界意義，就中國式現代化創新發展的新布局及其為世界現代化提供的新機遇，攜手踐行全球治理倡議等相關議題展開研討。

Zheng Bijian, Founding Chairman and Chairman of the Academic Committee of the China Institute for Innovation & Development Strategy

與會嘉賓表示，經過多年發展，「讀懂中國」國際會議已成為世界了解中國最具影響力的平台之一。

讀懂中國，關鍵要讀懂中國式現代化。在經過長期理論和實踐上的創新突破，中國成功推進和拓展了中國式現代化、擘畫了未來五年中國式現代化發展藍圖，對於同世界各國共享發展機遇、攜手同行現代化之路具有重要意義。

與會嘉賓認為，中國式現代化既發展自身，又造福世界。中國堅持高質量發展，積極發展新質生產力，推動中國經濟實現質的有效提升和量的合理增長。中國堅持高水平對外開放，高質量共建「一帶一路」，同各國聯通互惠、相互成就。中國堅持以人民為中心的發展理念，在發展中保障和改善民生，讓發展成果更多更公平惠及全體人民。

title: 2025年「讀懂中國」國際會議在廣州舉辦 解碼中國式現代化


content_text:
DEFENDING DEMOCRACY:  Without sufficient power to protect the nation’s interests, reconciliation would ultimately degenerate into surrender, the president told reservists   By Huang Ching-hsuan and Jake Chung / Staff reporter, with staff writer

A peace treaty cannot guarantee peace, and a strong military force must back up any form of reconciliation to safeguard national interests, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday.

“Peace cannot be achieved through a mere piece of paper called a peace agreement, nor can it — nor will it ever — be achieved by yielding to the demands of an aggressor,” Lai said during a visit to observe army reservists’ training exercises in Yilan County.

“Even when engaging in reconciliation, we must have strong power to back us up to protect our national interests. Without sufficient strength as support, reconciliation will ultimately degenerate into surrender,” he said, adding that the training and preparation of reservists are therefore essential to the nation.

President William Lai speaks during a training session for reservists at Loung Te Industrial Parks Service Center in Yilan County yesterday. Photo: Wang Yi-sung, Taipei Times

The introduction of drone training is a milestone in reservist training from which participants could learn valuable skills that could aid their careers and benefit the country if they were called to action, Lai told the Third Battalion of reservists.

This particular reservist training incorporates all the necessary skills and techniques for urban combat, such as setting up barriers, small-unit combat and first-aid training, and prepares every reservist with the required skills should that time arise, he said.

US-trained instructors led the training course, allowing reservists to learn to use and operate drones and enhance overall combat capability, he added.

title: Peace pact cannot guarantee peace: Lai


people: 范雲 陳培瑜 賴清德 黃國昌

title: Opposition blocks NT$1.25tn defense budget bill

content_text:
DEADLOCK:  Ruling and opposition lawmakers locked heads over having President Lai present the proposed budget without running afoul of the Constitution

Opposition lawmakers yesterday blocked a bill authorizing a special defense budget of NT$1.25 trillion (US$39.8 billion) from being placed on the agenda for Friday’s Legislative Yuan plenary session as they urged President William Lai (賴清德) to appear before the legislature and answer questions about the proposed budget first.

Lai on Wednesday last week announced the NT$1.25 trillion supplementary budget to underscore the nation’s determination to defend itself, saying that China’s goal is to “prepare for the military unification with Taiwan by 2027.”

The Executive Yuan on Thursday last week passed the draft act for the NT$1.25 trillion in government spending for major weapons purchases over eight years, from next year to 2033.

Democratic Progressive Party lawmakers hold protest placards at a meeting of the legislature’s Procedure Committee in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei Times

During a meeting of the legislature’s Procedure Committee yesterday, the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) proposed postponing consideration of the bill, a move that was supported by the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP).

KMT caucus whip Fu Kun-chi (傅?萁) said the KMT caucus fully supports national defense and military procurement to protect the nation, and defend free and democratic Taiwan, but the Ministry of National Defense had not explicitly stated that the Chinese Communist Party would have the capability to take Taiwan by force by 2027 in any of its defense budgets across the past three fiscal years, including this fiscal year.

Lai had neither briefed the legislature nor informed the public, but made the announcement through an op-ed in an international newspaper, Fu said.

The government has not stated what equipment or platforms are being purchased before attempting to ram a draft defense budget through the Procedure Committee, he said, adding that this was akin to demanding a blank check while the public remains in the dark.

The president must appear before the legislature to clarify the defense budget to the public before a decision can be made, he said.

TPP Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) said that the public absolutely supports measures to increase the nation’s self-defense capabilities, but with budgets running to more than NT$1 trillion and the lackluster results of defense procurements, Lai must provide guarantees that the special budget would translate into a direct increase in Taiwan’s combat readiness.

The Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) efforts to legitimize its demands to boost the defense budget, while smearing the opposition’s right to oversight, as well as allowing the president to “threaten” the public with the imminent subjugation of the country, are the greatest dangers facing Taiwan, he added.

Huang agreed that the president should appear before the legislature and the TPP wished to ask the president many questions, as it had received only two A4 pages of information on the proposed budget.

Meanwhile, DPP lawmakers went to the committee meeting armed with protest placards.

DPP caucus secretary-general Chen Pei-yu (陳培瑜) said the opposition parties must make known to the public why they are blocking the special defense budget.

The president has made it very clear that his appearance at the legislature is open for discussion as long as the process is in line with standing regulations and procedures, Chen said, but the opposition parties were unwilling to discuss the issue in detail.

DPP Legislator Fan Yun (范雲) said the opposition’s demands were an excuse to hide behind their true intention to oppose the defense budget.

DPP spokesman Justin Wu (吳崢) said that Lai was willing to brief the legislature, but the opposition’s insistence that each legislator be allowed to question the president is unconstitutional.


content_text:
Taiwanese prosecutors charged Tokyo Electron Ltd for failing to prevent staff from allegedly stealing Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) trade secrets, escalating a dispute involving two Asian linchpins of a chip industry increasingly vital to national and economic security.

Prosecutors indicted the Japanese company on four counts of contravening the Trade Secrets Act (營業秘密法) and the National Security Act (國家安全法), they said in a statement yesterday. They’re asking a local court to rule in favor of their request for Tokyo Electron pay a fine of up to NT$120 million (US$3.8 million) for failing in its duty to prevent the alleged theft.

“Tokyo Electron has not done its best to carry out preventive measures,” prosecutors said. They did not accuse the Japanese firm of utilizing TSMC’s proprietary data.

The Tokyo Electron Ltd logo is displayed at the Semicon Japan exhibition in Tokyo on Dec. 13, 2023. Photo: Kiyoshi Ota, Bloomberg

The indictment follows the August charging of three people — including a former TSMC and Tokyo Electron employee — for allegedly conspiring to steal intellectual property from Taiwan’s largest and most important company.

TSMC, chipmaker to Apple Inc and Nvidia Corp, reported the alleged theft to the authorities this year, triggering a probe that’s cast a spotlight on the sensitive nature of chipmaking technology.

Taiwan makes the bulk of the world’s most advanced semiconductors and its companies have regularly been targeted for their intellectual property by entities with ties to Beijing, which is pushing hard to develop its own chip capabilities.

Last month, prosecutors searched the homes of a former TSMC executive who joined Intel Corp, after the Taiwanese firm accused him of potentially transferring intellectual property. The US company has rejected those allegations.

Tokyo Electron said it’s still trying to verify the details of the announcement from the Taiwanese authorities. TSMC didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment outside normal business hours.

The dispute has also put lower-profile Tokyo Electron — a maker of equipment for TSMC and other manufacturers — under unusual scrutiny.

Taiwan is seeking jail terms for the individuals indicted, citing a threat to national security. Among those was the former employee, identified by the surname Chen, who allegedly tried to gain access to TSMC’s confidential data while at Tokyo Electron. According to prosecutors, the ex-employee convinced former TSMC co-workers to share proprietary technology.

Tokyo Electron previously said it had fired an employee at a Taiwan unit in connection with the case, and is cooperating with the investigation. It has stressed a firm policy against wrongdoing by its staff and reiterated it had seen no evidence that sensitive data was leaked to a third party.

Alongside Applied Materials Inc and Lam Research Corp, Tokyo Electron plays a crucial supporting role to chipmakers including TSMC, Samsung Electronics Co and Intel, making machines that coat, etch, process and clean silicon wafers to create semiconductors.

Prosecutors had accused Chen of trying to steal technology to help improve the Japanese company’s etching equipment, and win TSMC’s certification for use in cutting-edge 2-nanometer chipmaking processes. They also said the three people who were indicted intended to use TSMC’s proprietary technology overseas.

title: Taiwan charges Tokyo Electron in TSMC secrets theft case

companies: Apple 台積電


title: Taiwan open to restoring ties with Honduras: MOFA

content_text:
Taiwan is open to restoring diplomatic ties with Honduras if either of the two candidates leading the Central American nation’s presidential race wins and follows through on promises to formally re-establish bilateral relations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said yesterday.

National Party candidate Nasry Asfura and Liberal Party candidate Salvador Nasralla have previously expressed their wish to restore diplomatic ties with Taiwan if elected.

Honduran President Xiomara Castro of the ruling Liberty and Refoundation Party switched diplomatic recognition to China in 2023.

The name and logo of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are pictured at the ministry in Taipei in an undated photograph. Photo: CNA

In Taipei, when asked if Taiwan would consider restoring ties with Honduras, MOFA spokesman Hsiao Kuang-wei (蕭光偉) said that the ministry maintains “an open attitude” and would “set no preconditions” to engaging in friendly exchanges with Honduras.

“We take every opportunity for exchanges seriously as long as doing so can expand Taiwan’s international status and help Taiwan better contribute to the international community,” Hsiao said at the ministry’s weekly briefing.

After Honduras switched recognition to China, it was not only denied the benefits China promised, but also suffered economically, including a dramatic decline in its whiteleg shrimp farming industry, which led to mass unemployment, as well as a serious trade imbalance, Hsiao said.

“That once again proves that China is never able to fulfill a promise in good faith,” he said. “It also reveals China’s malicious intent, its constant suppression of Taiwan’s international space, and its unwillingness to assist other countries in their economic and other aspects of development.”

In other news, Taiwan yesterday congratulated Saint Lucian Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre and his ruling Labour Party on securing a majority in Monday’s general election, putting Pierre on course for another term in office.

Ambassador to Saint Lucia Nicole Su (蘇瑩君) promptly congratulated Pierre and the newly elected lawmakers on behalf of the government and people of Taiwan, the ministry said.

Praising Saint Lucia for holding an “open, transparent and peaceful” election, the ministry said that Taiwan looks forward to continuing to work closely with Pierre’s government to further strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation.

Saint Lucia is one of 12 countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

Additional reporting by Lee I-chia


title: US, Putin hold talks on ending war in Ukraine

content_text:
US envoy Steve Witkoff and US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner were yesterday to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow for high-stakes talks on ending the war in Ukraine.

The meeting — preceded by days of frenzied diplomacy from Florida to Geneva to Abu Dhabi — came as Washington said it was “very optimistic” about ending Europe’s bloodiest conflict since World War II.

However, Kyiv and its European allies worry that Witkoff, who has been criticized for his dealings with the Kremlin, would yet cede ground to Moscow.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, front left, inspects the Guard of Honour as he visits Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin at Government Buildings in Dublin yesterday.  Photo: AP

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was yesterday in Ireland, shoring up European support, with the US-Russia meeting coming at a critical point for Kyiv.

Russian forces last month advanced fast in eastern Ukraine, and Kyiv has been rocked by graft scandals that ended with the resignation of its top negotiator — Zelenskiy’s right-hand man.

Moscow has also stepped up drone and missile attacks on Ukraine in the past few weeks, with Zelenskiy accusing the Kremlin of trying to “break” his country.

Moscow launched a total of 5,660 missiles and long-range drones at Ukraine last month, daily reports published by Kyiv’s air force showed, marking a 2 percent increase over the previous month.

“This is serious pressure, not only psychological, but also physical pressure on our population,” Zelenskiy has said.

In Ireland, Zelenskiy was briefed by Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov returning from Florida, who said “significant progress” was achieved in US talks, but that more work was needed on “challenging” issues.

Zelenskiy has said he still expects to discuss key issues with Trump, including on territory, security guarantees and Ukraine’s reconstruction.

Yesterday he said that Moscow’s real motivation for the US talks was to ease Western sanctions, rather than pursue peace.

The diplomatic push comes as Kyiv said that fighting was ongoing in Pokrovsk, the eastern Ukrainian town that Russia has tried to seize for months, with Moscow on Monday claiming that it had seized the town and planted a flag in its center.

Dismissing the claim, Ukraine’s General Staff yesterday said in a statement: “The brazen statements of the leadership of the aggressor country about the ‘capture’ of these settlements by the Russian army do not correspond to reality.”

Additional reporting by Reuters


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Hong Kong is to set up an independent committee to investigate the causes of the territory’s deadliest fire in decades, after authorities found substandard building materials had accelerated the blaze, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee (李家超) said yesterday.

The fire last week engulfed seven residential towers under renovation in the New Territories’ Tai Po District, killing at least 156 people, displacing thousands more and fueling public demands for accountability.

Of the 156 people confirmed to have died, 29 had yet to be identified, police told reporters, adding that another 30 people remained unaccounted for.

Messages left by mourners are yesterday pictured during a vigil held outside the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex in the aftermath of the deadly fire in Hong Kong on Wednesday last week.  Photo: AFP

Police said they had arrested 15 people on suspicion of manslaughter, after an initial probe found that the netting used on exterior scaffolding fell short of fire-resistance standards.

“I will establish an independent committee to conduct a comprehensive and in-depth review to reform the building work system and prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future,” Lee told a news conference.

The committee is to be led by a judge to ensure its independence and credibility, he said.

“The responsible culprits tried to mix up substandard nets with qualified nets so as to cheat inspection and law enforcement agencies,” he said, calling the suspects “evil.”

Authorities have already identified several failures, he said, pledging reforms to “the whole building renovation system to ensure that such things will not happen again.”.

While Hong Kong has seen an outpouring of grief, local media reported that several people who were calling for answers and accountability had been arrested.

Miles Kwan (關靖豐), a 24-year-old student, was reportedly arrested by police for “seditious intent” after handing out flyers demanding government accountability.

An online petition containing Kwan’s four demands, including an independent probe, gathered more than 10,000 signatures in less than a day before it was wiped.

Kwan left a police station on Monday, an AFP reporter saw.

Former district councilor Kenneth Cheung (張錦雄) was also taken by police, local media reported. He later said he had been released on bail.

Human Rights Watch urged the Hong Kong government to “ensure a transparent investigation and accountability.”

“It’s crucially important not to treat those demanding answers for the tragic fire as criminals,” the group’s Asia director Elaine Pearson said, adding that the disaster “raises serious concerns” over Beijing’s influence in Hong Kong.

Asked about the arrests, Lee told AFP: “I will not tolerate any crimes, particularly crimes that exploit the tragedy that we have been facing now.”

Lee added that the upcoming Legislative Council elections set for Sunday would go ahead, after rumors of cancelation.

A press conference of civil society representatives scheduled for yesterday to discuss government relief efforts and construction regulations was abruptly canceled, according to an invitation seen by AFP and notifications sent to reporters.

Local media reported that the meeting’s initiator, Bruce Liu (廖成利), and others were “invited to a meeting” by national security police.

He was later seen leaving a police station.

title: Hong Kong to set up committee to probe fire: leader


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VIGILANT: Enterovirus activity remains in the epidemic phase, with the CDC urging caregivers of infected children to be on the lookout for signs of severe illness

Influenza activity is rising in neighboring countries, and, with temperatures forecast to drop this week, flu cases are expected to increase in the next two weeks, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday.

Hospitals reported 87,162 visits for flu-like illnesses between Nov. 23 and Saturday, which remained about the same level as the previous week, but nine deaths and 24 cases with serious flu complications were also confirmed last week, CDC Epidemic Intelligence Center Director Guo Hung-wei (郭宏偉) said.

Flu activity reached a peak in late September before declining for eight consecutive weeks, CDC Deputy Director-General and spokesman Lin Min-cheng (林明誠) said.

Centers for Disease Control Epidemic Intelligence Center Director Guo Hung-wei speaks at a news conference in Taipei yesterday. Photo: CNA

“We believe that the number [of weekly cases] would not continue to decline, and as temperatures drop this week, the number is expected to gradually increase in the next two weeks,” he said.

“A significant increase in cases is expected late this month and would reach a peak at about Lunar New Year” in February next year, he added.

Flu activity has been rising in Japan, South Korea and China, as well as European countries and Canada, Guo said.

One of the flu-related deaths confirmed last week was a five-year-old girl, who is the youngest to die this flu season, which started on Oct. 1, CDC physician Lin Yung-ching (林詠青) said.

The girl did not have underlying health conditions, but was not vaccinated against the flu, he said.

She began experiencing symptoms, including stomachache and constipation, in late October, but returned home after seeking medical attention, he said.

However, she began having a fever and stomach pain the next day and was brought to an emergency room, where she tested positive for influenza A, Lin Yung-ching said, adding that she later developed vomiting, convulsions, altered consciousness and pneumonia in both lungs.

The doctor determined the girl’s condition as flu infection with severe complications, including encephalitis and myocarditis, he said.

She was immediately admitted to an intensive care unit, but died of acute necrotizing encephalopathy and cardiovascular failure after two weeks of hospitalization, he said.

Meanwhile, the centers said that as enterovirus activity is still in the epidemic phase, caregivers of infected young children should especially remain vigilant and seek medical attention immediately if signs of severe illness occur.

Hospitals reported 11,913 visits for enterovirus infection last week, which also remains about the same as the previous week, Guo said.

The prevalence of echovirus 11, which caused several severe cases in newborns this year, has declined, and the dominant strains in the past few weeks were Coxsackie A viruses, with children younger than five prone to develop severe illness, Lin Yung-ching said.

He reminded caregivers of young children to watch for signs of severe illness, including sleepiness, unconsciousness, lethargy, weakness or numbness in the limbs, convulsion, persistent vomiting, shortness of breath and rapid heartbeat, and that when the symptoms occur, they should immediately seek medical attention.

title: Flu cases to rise in next two weeks, CDC warns


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Keelung-Ishigaki shipping, passenger route to open soon

A much-anticipated Keelung-Ishigaki Island passenger-cargo shipping route is scheduled to set off on its inaugural voyage at the end of this year, the route operator said.

The route, which would be jointly administered by Taiwanese and Japanese operators, generated much discussion when it was first announced last month. The operators plan to offer three round-trip services per week in the initial stage.

The service was scheduled to launch in September, but it was postponed until the end of this month due to issues with the ship’s interior design and paperwork.

A vessel owned by Trans Wagon International Co is pictured in an undated photograph. Photo courtesy of the Trans Wagon International Co

Trans Wagon International Co, which serves as the agent of the shipping service in Taiwan, submitted its application to operate the route on Thursday last week, the Maritime and Port Bureau said, adding that the company on Monday completed its registration as the agent and fixed international route operator.

Fares proposed by the operators are divided into eight categories based on cabin type, the bureau said.

The lowest fare is NT$2,800 per person for an open-berth cabin, while the highest is NT$10,500 per person for a royal suite, it said, adding that final ticket prices are subject to change.

Trans Wagon International Co president Tiger Hong (洪郁航) said the company is scheduled to receive an official reply to its application this week.

The Panamanian government is also reviewing paperwork related to the vessel, as it is registered in the Central American country.

“We are scheduled to launch the commencement voyage at the end of this year. Ticket sales would begin once we finalize the exact date,” he said.

The company is planning to offer special prices to travelers between now and February next year, with the lowest ticket price being NT$2,000 per person, Hong said.

The maximum difference between the nominal price and special price could reach NT$2,000, he added.

The route could also attract Japanese traveling to Ishigaki to extend their trips to Taiwan and return to Japan by air, the company said.


taiwan-subdivisions: 新莊 北投

title: Worker gets suspended sentence over rice cooker

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MAKE GOOD: Although the recycling worker had to get the discarded rice cooker back from the elderly woman he gave it to, he bought her a new one with his own money

The Shilin District Court yesterday handed a Taipei public-sector recycling worker a two-year suspended sentence for corruption after he took home a discarded rice cooker valued at NT$32.56 and gave it to an elderly woman.

The worker, surnamed Huang (黃), who is a member of the Taipei Department of Environmental Protection’s sanitation team in Beitou District (北投), received a three-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, along with the deprivation of his civil rights for one year, the court said.

The ruling can be appealed.

The entrance to the Shilin District Prosecutors’ Office in Taipei is pictured in an undated photograph. Photo: Taipei Times

The case stemmed from an incident in July last year, when Huang brought home a rice cooker that he took while collecting items for recycling on his sanitation route.

After confirming the rice cooker was usable, Huang brought it to New Taipei City’s Sinjhuang District (新莊) the next day and gave it to an elderly woman who scavenges garbage for a living, Shilin prosecutors said.

After the Beitou sanitation team was made aware of his action through a public complaint, Huang turned himself in to the Ministry of Justice’s Agency Against Corruption.

The Shilin District Prosecutors’ Office filed charges against Huang in June, saying the case involved a civil servant embezzling private property in the course of his duties.

Prosecutors said Huang confessed to the offense and voluntarily surrendered his “illicit gains” — the discarded rice cooker — and asked the court to take this into account when determining his sentence.

Following the disclosure of the indictment, the case drew widespread attention.

Huang’s supervisor, Chao Hsin-tsen (卓昕岑), who heads the office, said Huang admitted taking the rice cooker and giving it to the elderly woman, stressing that he had no ill intentions and was only trying to help.

The Taipei Department of Environmental Protection later said that Huang is a seasoned employee who values personal relationships and wanted to help a vulnerable person.

Huang was so embarrassed when he asked the elderly woman to return the rice cooker that he bought her a new one with his own money, the department said.

Huang would keep his job, but would be given a demerit for his action, it added.


title: Caregiver sentenced for abandoning patient

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The Chiayi District Court last week sentenced an Indonesian caregiver to six months in prison, convertible to a fine, for abandoning a patient.

Cicih Nurhayati is to be deported after serving her term, according to the verdict released on Thursday last week.

The verdict can be appealed.

The court found that the caregiver guilty of contravening Article 294 of the Criminal Code, which stipulates that anyone who is bound by law, order, or contract to support or protect a helpless person, but abandons them or does not give them support or protection necessary to preserve their life, may be punished by imprisonment for between six months and five years.

The six-month penalty was given based on the defendant’s confession and the minimal damage caused by the incident, the court said.

The court based its ruling on information prosecutors presented in their indictment.

It said the caregiver was employed in March 2020 as a live-in caregiver to a man surnamed Lin (林), who has spinal muscular atrophy and chronic respiratory failure, accompanied by symptoms of hypoxia.

Lin can only control his facial and finger muscles and requires constant care to prevent life-threatening situations, such as nasal obstruction, his respirator falling off or the device malfunctioning, the indictment said.

In September 2021, after her request to take a leave was denied, Cicih packed her things and left the residence at about 1am, leaving behind Lin, who was helpless to survive on his own, the indictment said.

After receiving no response from Cicih, Lin called his mother, who had hired Cicih, using the voice-activation function on his mobile phone.

Cicih admitted guilt during police questioning, but repeatedly failed to respond to prosecutors’ summonses, and was later indicted for abandoning a helpless person in contravention of her contractual duties, said the indictment, filed in December 2021.

Since then, the caregiver had been unaccounted for before she reappeared earlier this year and turned herself over to the court.


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The Taichung District Court has sentenced a Vietnamese migrant worker to 12 months in prison for the illegal butchering and sale of a stray cat and an endangered leopard cat.

The worker, surnamed Pham, along with his girlfriend, surnamed Nguyen, helped another Vietnamese migrant worker, surnamed Phan, sell animals that Phan hunted, prosecutors said.

Phan absconded from his employment contract in October 2020 and was later found to have been hunting animals for profit using a modified rifle, court documents showed.

The main entrance of the Taichung District Court is pictured in an undated photograph. Photo: Chang Jui-chen, Taipei Times

Phan on March 13 killed a stray cat, which Pham helped him sell for NT$1,500, the documents showed.

On April 19, Phan killed a leopard cat, which Pham helped him sell on Facebook for NT$3,000, with Nguyen aiding in translation; Pham received NT$500 for travel expenses, prosecutors said.

The following month, Taichung police arrested Pham and Nguyen, who were questioned and placed under surveillance.

Police in June obtained an arrest warrant and attempted to detain Phan in Taichung’s Sinshe District (新社), but he escaped after threatening police with his hunting rifle.

He was apprehended the following day.

In their search of Phan’s premises, the police seized firearms, bullets and other animal carcasses, court documents showed.

As the police found deer meat and pangolin scales, they determined that the men were not specifically targeting leopard cats, but were hunting any wild animals they could find.

Phan was placed in judicial detention, and Taichung prosecutors charged him with threatening police, possession of illegal firearms and hunting endangered wildlife.

The court sentenced Pham to eight months in jail for the illegal sale and trade of protected wildlife under the Act on Wildlife Conservation (野生動物保育法) and four months for the illegal butchering and sale of animal products under the Animal Protection Act (動物保護法). He was also fined NT$50,000. The case can be appealed.

Phan’s sentence is pending, while Nguyen received deferred prosecution.

Additional reporting by CNA

title: Migrant gets 12 months for killing of leopard cat


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Taiwan to open tourism office in Indonesia, boost Muslim-friendly travel

Taiwan is stepping up efforts to attract Muslim travelers, particularly from Indonesia, with plans to open a tourism office in Jakarta next year as the country seeks to tap into one of the world’s fastest-growing outbound travel markets.

Lin Hsin-jen (林信任), Taiwan’s deputy representative in Indonesia, described Indonesia as a market Taiwan can no longer afford to overlook, noting that the country of 280 million is not only “the world’s largest Muslim tourism market,” but also one of the region’s most reliably growing economies.

“For Taiwan, this is our new blue ocean for tourism,” Lin said in an interview in Jakarta.

A general view of business buildings in the capital city of Jakarta, Indonesia, on May 19, 2021. Photo: Reuters

Currently, more than 200,000 Indonesians visit Taiwan each year, a number Lin expects to rise as Taiwan increases its on-the-ground presence and promotional efforts.

Taiwan also consistently ranks second or third worldwide in global surveys evaluating Muslim-friendly tourism destinations, he added.

He said he sees strong growth potential in Indonesia’s family travel, affluent tourists, corporate incentive trips, and overseas Chinese-learning educational tours, and believes Taiwan’s tourism products are well-suited to meet the needs of these travelers.

“Visitors can shop, enjoy mountains and rivers, and experience culture -- all in one place. In this way, Taiwan’s tourism products are a perfect match for the Indonesian market,” Lin said.

According to Indonesian media reports, outbound travel by Indonesian citizens rose 7.63 percent from January to May 2025 compared with the same period in 2024.

“Taiwan is ready. What we need now is the final push in marketing,” Lin said, noting that Taiwan’s Tourism Administration is preparing to launch a dedicated tourism office in Jakarta in 2026 to accelerate outreach.

Besides tapping into Indonesia’s growing tourism market, Taiwan is also strengthening industrial and trade ties with the Southeast Asian nation, said Lu Feng-ching (路豐璟), director of the economic division of the Taipei Economic and Trade Office in Indonesia (TETO).

This year, Taiwan and Indonesia signed a design cooperation agreement aimed at expanding exchanges in exhibitions, professional judging and young designer talent, he said.

The two countries also signed an agreement on Halal promotion, allowing Taiwanese food, beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals certified by the Taiwan Halal Integrity Development Association to enter Indonesia without separate certification, Lu said.

This agreement not only promotes trade with Indonesia, but also opens doors to Middle Eastern markets, he said.

Taiwanese businesses are also expanding their footprint across Indonesia, with roughly 2,000 companies active in manufacturing and services. These range from shoe, textile and electronics manufacturing to financial services, telecommunications and transport, according to Lu.

Taiwan has also been expanding educational exchanges with Indonesia through scholarships and specialized programs, said Grace Ou (歐淑芬), director of the education division at TETO.

TETO Representative Bruce Hung (洪振榮), meanwhile, highlighted the scale of people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, citing roughly 18,000 Indonesian students and more than 300,000 Indonesian workers in Taiwan.

These human connections, he said, form “the foundation of Taiwan-Indonesia relations.”


title: Legislature passes NHI data management act

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PUBLIC USE RULES:  People can opt out of allowing use of their NHI data, but if no request is made, it would be considered as consent given, the new regulations say

The Legislative Yuan yesterday passed the third reading of a proposed the National Health Insurance Data Management Act (全民健康保險資料管理條例), which would establish a mechanism to manage the use of NHI data and grant people the right to opt out of sharing.

In August 2022, the Constitutional Court ruled that provisions of the Personal Data Protection Act (個人資料保護法) allow the government and academic institutions to use NHI data for statistical or research purposes, but also said that the lack of personal data oversight mechanisms and provisions for individuals to opt out were unconstitutional.

The court ordered that amendments to the data protection act be made within three years.

The Executive Yuan in May advanced the draft NHI data bill — which specifies regulations such as the right to opt out — and forwarded it to the Legislative Yuan for approval.

The bill passed yesterday stipulates that when the Ministry of Health and Welfare or the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) collect NHI data, people may request that all or part of their data be kept out of public studies.

Within 30 days of the new law taking effect, the ministry and NHIA must cease processing requests to use NHI data by government agencies, hospitals and academic institutions, the bill says.

People can opt out of allowing use of their NHI data within the 30-day period, it says, adding that if no request is made within that period, it would be considered consent that their NHI data be used.

However, members of the public can opt out after the 30-day period, it says.

Given the sensitive nature of NHI data, the bill stipulates that those who steal, destroy, or use other illegal methods to harm the NHI database or its facilities would face imprisonment of one to seven years, and a fine of up to NT$10 million (US$318,117), the bill says.

If the offense is committed with the intent to harm national security or social stability, the offender would face a sentence of three to 10 years, and a fine of up to NT$50 million, it says.

People who are convicted of the offenses having leveraged their authority to steal or destroy data would face sentences 1.5 times harsher, while attempted misuse of the data would also be penalized, it says.

The Legislative Yuan also passed amendments to the Occupational Safety and Health Act (職業安全衛生法) that for the first time define workplace bullying and require employers to take steps to prevent it.

Workplace bullying is defined as repeated harassment, threats, isolation, insults or other inappropriate conduct carried out by someone using their position or authority and causing physical or psychological harm to a worker, the amendments say.

In severe cases, it does not need to be repeated to constitute bullying, they say.

Workplaces with more than 30 employees must establish and publish prevention guidelines, while those with more than 10 employees must provide a publicly accessible reporting channel, they say.

Employers are also required to support workers who file complaints, and report cases and outcomes to a government-designated Web site, it says. Larger workplaces must form investigation committees in which external members make up at least half of the panel.

The person in charge of a firm would be fined NT$10,000 to NT$1 million if they engage in workplace bullying, the amendments say.

Failure to provide support or conduct an investigation would result in a fine of NT$30,000 to NT$75,000, they say.

If company decisionmakers are accused of bullying, complainants can appeal directly to local labor authorities, they say. Labor agencies can order reinvestigations if they find procedural violations, and employers are not permitted to object.

The amendments would improve construction site safety by increasing penalties for employers who fail to comply with safety protocols.


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The Legislative Yuan yesterday sent Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Chen Yu-jen’s (陳玉珍) draft amendments to the Offshore Islands Development Act (離島建設條例), as well as draft amendments to the Act Governing the Settlement of Ill-gotten Properties by Political Parties and Their Affiliate Organizations (政黨及其附隨組織不當取得財產處理條例) proposed by KMT Legislator Yu Hao (游灝) directly to the second reading with the support of the Taiwan People’s Party.

Chen’s proposed amendment concerns the establishment of a “Free Trade Zone” of outlying islands, while Yu’s proposed amendments seek to exclude the China Youth Corps from being classified as an affiliated organization of a political party.

Provisions of Article 18-1 of the development act are insufficient to address the development needs of outlying islands, Chen said.

Legislators hold placards at the legislature in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei Times

To boost economic growth and industrial development in the areas, to improve regional economic and trade integration, and facilitate the flow of people, goods and technology, the proposal aims to leverage the geographical advantages of the islands, she said.

With the spirit of “pilot implementation” for offshore islands, the proposed changes seek to find new economic drivers for the region, she said.

The idea is to designate areas on the islands as “free-trade demonstration zones,” with authority for their establishment and management granted to local governments of the islands.

Meanwhile, Yu said that the proposed amendments to the party assets act reflect that the China Youth Corps was the first civil organization in Taiwan to transform into a “service-oriented social enterprise focused on public welfare.”

However, it has been wrongly classified by the Ill-gotten Party Assets Settlement Committee as a KMT-affiliated organization, resulting in all of its assets being frozen, he said.

This has severely infringed upon the autonomy and normal development of public welfare organizations, he added.

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus criticized Chen’s proposal as allegedly helping China to whitewash the origin of products.

DPP Legislator Rosalia Wu (吳思瑤) said that Chen’s proposal would open a backdoor for Chinese products through the so-called “free-trade zones,” paving the way for China’s “one country, two systems.”

The DPP accused Yu of advocating the proposed changes as part of an attempt of protect KMT assets.

people: 吳思瑤 陳玉珍

title: Two KMT-backed amendments advanced


title: Foreign ministry reiterates Taiwan-PRC situation

content_text:
‘NO SUBORDINATION’:  After World War II, the Treaty of San Francisco replaced the Potsdam Proclamation and the Cairo Declaration, the top treaty affairs official said

The People’s Republic of China (PRC) has never ruled Taiwan, and the PRC and the Republic of China (ROC, Taiwan) are not subordinate to each other, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday, in response to China’s rejection of the Treaty of San Francisco.

Department of Treaty and Legal Affairs Director-General Andrew Lee (李憲章) made the remark in response to media queries for comment on Beijing’s rejection of the treaty.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remark on Nov. 7 about a hypothetical Taiwan contingency potentially putting Japan in a “survival-threatening situation” has sparked anger in China. Beijing has pressured her to retract her remarks, which she has resisted.

On Wednesday last week, Takaichi said in the Diet that Japan, having renounced all rights and claims under the Treaty of San Francisco, was not in a position to comment on Taiwan’s legal status.

Asked to comment on Takaichi’s remark, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Guo Jiakun (郭嘉昆) on Thursday last week said that she had “singularly brought up the illegal and invalid Treaty of San Francisco ... once again showing that the prime minister remains unwilling to own up to the wrongdoing and turn back from the erroneous course.”

Asked to elaborate on Guo’s remark, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning (毛寧) the next day said that “China has never recognized anything set out in the Treaty of San Francisco, including on sovereignty over Taiwan or the handling of the territory and the sovereign rights of China as a non-signatory.”

“Beijing has never accepted the treaty,” Mao added.

The ROC government’s stance on the issue is consistent — “the PRC and the ROC are not subordinate to each other, which is the political status quo and an objective fact,” Lee said yesterday, adding that “the PRC cannot represent Taiwan in international society.”

“Regarding the Treaty of San Francisco, after World War II, the treaty replaced the Potsdam Proclamation and the Cairo Declaration, which were political statements,” he said.

“Therefore, the PRC has never, not even for a day, ruled or governed Taiwan, he said, adding that it was a historical fact.

Only the government democratically elected by the 23 million people of Taiwan can represent ROC, Taiwan on the international stage, Lee said.


people: 賴清德 林佳龍 習近平

content_text:
Taiwan confident over Lai US transit, Minister Lin says

Taiwan is confident that the administration of US President Donald Trump would allow President William Lai (賴清德) to make a US stopover, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said yesterday, citing communication with Washington.

“We don’t think having transit stops in the US will be an issue,” Lin said in an interview. “Based on our communication, we are confident in the near future, we can just have a visit to the Latin American countries by way of the United States.”

Trump denied a request for Lai to pass through the US in August as part of a trip to diplomatic allies Paraguay, Guatemala and Belize, people familiar with the matter said at the time.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung speaks during an interview in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Lam Yik Fei, Bloomberg

The US was concerned that a stopover could disrupt trade negotiations with China and a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平), the people said.

Turning to the dispute between China and Japan, Lin said that tensions sparked by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent comments on Taiwan could take “maybe a year to stabilize.”

Worsening the friction or issues related to Taiwan would offer little benefit to any party, he said.

“For Beijing, it’s also not in its interest to escalate the conflict,” he said.

Taiwan is at the center of the dispute between China and Japan, which started after Takaichi commented on the possible involvement of Japanese troops if China were to invade Taiwan.

Lin reiterated support for Japan in the interview, saying “we show our support through, I think, a soft approach” while also trying “to help cool down the situation.”

Taiwan brought together representatives from “like-minded countries” to discuss the spat over Takaichi’s remarks, he said.

“We also communicated with various countries through our established channels both before and after the spat broke out, and there is a solid foundation of mutual trust,” he added.

Officials in Taipei “have no doubt on the Trump administration’s commitment to the regional security in the Indo-Pacific,” Lin said.

Taipei sees “a lot of room to work with Europe,” especially on security, supply chains and defending democracy in the face of authoritarianism, he added.

Taiwan also hopes to facilitate cooperation with the Philippines on developing artificial intelligence data centers, he said.


title: Chien Li’s dependence residency revoked

content_text:
The Ministry of the Interior on Monday revoked the family-dependent residency of Chinese national Chien Li (錢麗), citing her advocacy for China to forcibly unite with Taiwan, which she espoused even after her permanent residency and household registration had been annulled.

Chien, who is married to a Taiwanese, has had her immigration status set as “temporary stay,” which means that she is prohibited by law from working in Taiwan and accessing the National Health Insurance (NHI) system, officials said.

Chien’s employer, Asustek Computer, said that its human resources department is consulting government agencies about issues pertaining to Chien’s case.

Chinese national Chien Li is pictured in an undated photograph. Photo: screen grab from a livestream on Chien Li’s Facebook page

“We will abide by the government’s decision and labor regulations to handle the matter,” the company said.

The ministry on Aug. 25 ruled that Chien’s permanent residency status and household registration would be canceled after she was reported to have accused Asustek chief executive officer S.Y. Hsu (許先越) and other employees of contravening China’s “Anti-Secession” Law by supporting media firms that back Taiwanese independence.

Chien was an administrator of a Facebook page titled “Chinese People’s Liberation Army,” on which she advocated that China should unify with Taiwan by force and annihilate the sovereignty of the Republic of China (Taiwan), the ministry said.

Despite the August ruling, Chien was able to stay in Taiwan because of her status as a dependent to a Taiwanese, making her eligible to access the NHI system and other benefits, it said.

However, she continued to advocate unification through military action and on Facebook on Oct. 4 began “a countdown to unification,” it said.

The countdown prompted other Chinese married to Taiwanese who disagree with her to report her behavior to the ministry, it said.

After receiving multiple complaints, the ministry issued the ruling abolishing her family-dependent residency following a cross-ministerial review, it said.

Chien vowed to appeal the administrative ruling within 30 days, following stipulations of the Administrative Procedure Act (行政程序法).

She said that she would seek compensation from the Ministry of the Interior and the Executive Yuan, as the latest ruling prevents her from working in Taiwan and accessing state-run insurance.

Chien said she has been bullied by the Democratic Progressive Party, which used pro-independence media to manipulate public opinion, adding that the rulings are an example of “green terror.”

“I sincerely hope that Taiwanese give the Chinese Communist Party a chance to govern Taiwan,” she wrote on Facebook. “Only the vision and planning of the Communist Party can give Taiwanese a better life.”

The government has expelled several Chinese spouses this year after they publicly advocated the forced unification of Taiwan with China, including social media influencers Liu Zhenya (劉振亞), also known as Yaya (亞亞), as well as Xiaowei (小微) and Enqi (恩琦).


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The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) on Monday urged young people to sign up for its New Generation National Strategic Talent Empowerment Workshop, as party officials outlined plans to train new talent to serve in the fields of international geopolitics and national security.

“Politics is everybody’s business,” DPP Secretary-General Hsu Kuo-yung (徐國勇) said, quoting Sun Yat-sen (孫逸仙), a founder of the Republic of China.

“All Taiwanese, especially the younger generation, should concern themselves with politics,” Hsu said.

A placard promoting the New Generation National Strategic Talent Empowerment Workshop is displayed at a Democratic Progressive Party news conference hosted by party Secretary-General Hsu Kuo-yung, second left, in Taipei on Monday. Photo: CNA

“Everything in the government and national affairs revolves around politics, and the DPP is the party most willing to allow young people to participate, he said, adding that it has put in a lot of effort to cultivate new talent to serve in politics.”

“The workshop aims to teach young people more about Taiwan, to love the country, forge a connection to the homeland, and advocate peace, democracy and economic prosperity for the nation,” he said.

“Taiwan is at the most strategic position in the first island chain,” Hsu said.

“It faces China, which threatens it with military invasion. So we need young people to work together to safeguard the homeland and devise national strategic concepts,” he added.

“The workshop would teach about international situations and how China has been conducting campaigns on many fronts, including cognitive warfare, legal warfare, psychological operations and propaganda and cyberwarfare,” Hsu said.

The four-day New Generation National Strategic Talent Empowerment Workshop would take place at a hotel in Taipei from Jan. 8 to 11, he said.

DPP China Affairs Director Wu Jun-zhi (吳峻鋕) said the workshop would include programs simulating new political and economic situations, as well as computer models of how the government might impose new policies and regulations.

People who are interested can sign up via the DPP’s Facebook page or its China Affairs Department by Dec. 14, Wu said, adding that spaces are limited to 24.

title: DPP urges young people to join talent workshop


content_text:
German envoy highlights challenges posed by Russia, China

Germany’s representative to Taiwan, Karsten Tietz, yesterday underscored bilateral ties by highlighting the shared values between the two countries and the common challenges posed by “aggressive neighbors.”

Speaking at a concert marking the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the German Institute Taipei, Tietz said Taiwan and Germany share more than the values of freedom, democracy and the rule of law.

“We also face the same challenges, like an increasingly aggressive neighbor, gray zone and hybrid attacks, improving our self-defense capabilities independent of our biggest ally and ending the dependency on fossil fuel imports that make us vulnerable,” he said.

German Representative to Taiwan Karsten Tietz poses for a photograph in Taipei in an undated photograph. Photo: CNA

Quoting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Tietz said, “We have to be able to defend ourselves so that we never actually have to defend ourselves,” adding that this is why Germany is Ukraine’s largest European supporter.

“If we turn our back on our friends in Ukraine today, who will ever believe us that we will not turn our back on any friend in need? And if Russia wins this war of aggression, many of our friends will be in need very soon,” he said.

Tietz said democracies today face a common struggle characterized by authoritarian rule versus democratic governance, human rights and dignity versus oppression, and a rules-based international order versus 19th-century imperialism.

Tietz, who recently expressed Germany’s “deep concern” over a Chinese criminal probe into Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Puma Shen (沈伯洋), added that freedom and democracy are the “biggest threats to dictators and authoritarian regimes” when asked why it is important to support Taiwan with these values.

“Freedom and democracy are the reasons why Putin invaded Ukraine,” and they are why China is pursuing hybrid coercion targeting Taiwan, he said.

The reason why Taiwan and Germany are making efforts to build up resilience is to safeguard freedom, democracy, the rule of law and human rights from aggressors, he said.

“That’s why these values are at the core of our relationship,” he said.


content_text: From left, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an, Taipei City Councilor Lee Fu Chung-wu and Taipei Deputy Mayor Lee Shu-chuan wear traditional indigenous clothing and aim prop rifles at stuffed boars during a session of the Taipei City Council yesterday. The demonstration, organized by Lee, was meant to highlight hunting rifle regulation issues.

title: Take aim


title: Big haul

content_text: Security personnel stand guard as cannabis seized in a large-scale operation by the Coast Guard Administration is displayed at a news conference at the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau in Taipei yesterday.


content_text:
Taiwan urges cooperation with Japan in AI, green energy, national defense

Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫) yesterday called for deeper cooperation between Taiwan and Japan in artificial intelligence (AI), green energy and national defense at a time when global supply chains are accelerating efforts to reduce their reliance on China.

Speaking at a Taiwan-Japan investment cooperation forum in Taipei, Kung said the two economies have long maintained close economic ties, and that the ongoing push to build a “non-China” supply chain highlights the need for the two sides to expand cooperation.

Kung said that in the early stages of economic cooperation, Japan leveraged its capital and advanced electronics technologies to provide Taiwan with investment, raw materials and equipment, helping lay the foundation for Taiwan’s semiconductor ecosystem.

Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin speaks at a news conference in Taipei on Nov. 26. Photo: Tien Yu-hua, Taipei Times

In recent years, however, Taiwanese companies have increasingly expanded abroad, he said, noting that contract chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) chose Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture as one of its major overseas production sites. This shift reflects a move from one-way investment to two-way development, he added.

TSMC’s first Kumamoto fab began commercial production at the end of last year, and construction of the second facility is underway.

As some Japanese enterprises scale back operations in China, Kung suggested that Taiwan and Japan — whose economies are highly complementary — should seize the opportunity to strengthen cooperation in AI, renewable energy and national defense.

In terms of AI, Kung said computing power has increasingly become a form of national strength, prompting countries to invest heavily in data centers. Japan’s push for the Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN) platform and all-optical communications aligns closely with Taiwan’s ambitions to boost AI innovation, he said.

On green energy, Kung said Japanese firms have supported Taiwan’s development of solar and offshore wind power, while Taiwanese firms have also joined Japanese partners in offshore wind projects in Japan — demonstrating the deepening two-way relationship.

Kung added that with President William Lai (賴清德) announcing plans to strengthen Taiwan’s defense industry, including a proposed NT$1.25 trillion (US$39.76 billion) special budget, he believes there will be significant opportunities for Taiwan and Japan to collaborate in the national defense sector.


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REVENUE DRIVER: Chipmakers’ demand for edge AI training servers to process automated optical inspection and semiconductor data is also expected to boost sales

Industrial computer maker ADLINK Technology Inc (凌華科技) yesterday said it is targeting double-digit revenue growth next year, supported by orders from the robotics, semiconductor equipment and medical sectors.

The company has secured three to four orders with Techman Robot Inc (達明機器人) to jointly produce autonomous mobile robots, ADLINK president Stephen Huang (黃怡暾) told an online earnings conference.

Techman is a subsidiary of Quanta Computer Inc (廣達電腦), which supplies artificial intelligence (AI) servers powered by Nvidia Corp technology.

At the same time, ADLINK is working with a French partner to launch other robotic products, Huang said.

Chipmakers’ demand for edge AI training servers to process automated optical inspection and semiconductor data is also expected to boost the company’s sales in edge AI systems, he said, adding that the company plans to launch its first AI training server later this quarter.

In particular, edge AI products for the medical sector are expected to become a major revenue driver over the next three years, Huang said.

The company’s Web site shows it mainly produces rugged embedded computers and edge AI platforms used in industrial, defense, aerospace and autonomous systems.

Revenue in the first three quarters of this year rose 23.92 percent year-on-year to NT$8.68 billion (US$276.1 million), the company said.

The momentum is expected to extend into this quarter, as orders received this year have already totaled US$300 million and the company has secured 74 design wins, a figure that is expected to exceed 90 by the end of the year, Huang said.

Those projects are expected to contribute about US$220 million in revenue over the next three years, he said.

The company’s book-to-bill ratio this year could reach 1.1 on the back of strong order momentum, Huang said. A ratio of 1.1 means that US$110 of orders were received for every US$100 of product billed during the quarter.

By region, the US accounted for 34 percent of total revenue in the first three quarters, followed by the Asia-Pacific region at 28 percent, Europe, the Middle East and Africa at 19 percent, and China at 17 percent, the company said.

The company expects the US market to deliver the strongest performance next year, and Asia-Pacific and the other regions could also see demand rebound, Huang said.

ADLINK reported net income of NT$331.29 million in the first three quarters, compared with a net loss of NT$127.55 million for the same period last year.

Earnings per share rose to NT$1.52 from a loss of NT$0.59, while gross margin decreased to 35.41 percent from 38.1 percent over the same period.

title: ADLINK eyes doube-digit growth


title: Daughter of Terry Guo to sell all of her Hon Hai shares

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Two companies wholly owned by the daughter of the founder of Hon Hai Precision Industry Co (鴻海精密) on Monday reported to the Taiwan Stock Exchange that they would dispose of all of the Hon Hai shares they hold.

In filings with the exchange, Hong Wei Investment Co (鋐維) said it would sell the 2.771 million Hon Hai shares it holds and Frontier Investment Corp (承鋒投資) said it would sell its 2.409 million Hon Hai shares from tomorrow until Jan. 3 next year.

The two companies are wholly owned and chaired by Shirley Gou (郭曉玲), the eldest daughter of Hon Hai founder Terry Gou (郭台銘). The elder Gou is still a big shareholder in the company, but is no longer involved in its daily operations.

The Foxconn logo is displayed at the company’s annual tech day in Taipei on Nov. 21. Photo: Ann Wang, Reuters

The two companies serve as institutional shareholders of Hon Hai, known internationally as Foxconn Technology Group (富士康科技集團), and given that they are owned by Terry Gou’s daughter, their disposal of shares could be seen as an important indicator of investor sentiment.

Terry Gou held almost 1.74 billion Hon Hai shares as of the end of October, while “an interested party” related to him owned 5.18 million shares, exchange data showed.

Given that the two companies owned by Shirley Gou held 5.18 million shares, the “interested party” is thought to be her and that the shares represent all of her holdings in Hon Hai.

Based on the NT$222 closing price of Hon Hai shares on Monday, the two companies are expected to pocket about NT$1.15 billion (US$36.58 million) through the sale of the shares.

Analysts said the disposal plan was understandable, given that Hon Hai shares have risen significantly due to market enthusiasm over artificial intelligence (AI) development.

Hon Hai is a leading assembler of AI servers.

Hon Hai shares had soared almost 40 percent since the beginning of July.


title: Samsung debuts trifold phone ahead of folding iPhone

content_text:
MINISCULE MARKET: Foldable handsets account for only 2.5% of the overall mobile market, although they achieved their highest quarterly shipments in Q3

Samsung Electronics Co has unveiled its first so-called “trifold” smartphone, flaunting its engineering prowess in foldable devices even as the broader category has yet to catch on with mainstream consumers.

The handset, called the Galaxy Z TriFold, is part of a small subset of folding phones that have two hinges, allowing them to transform into larger, tablet-sized devices.

Samsung is initially launching it in South Korea on Friday next week with a price of 3.59 million won (US$2,445).

Samsung Electronics Co’s Galaxy Z TriFold smartphones are unveiled at a media preview in Seoul yesterday. Photo: Bloomberg

It plans to sell the phone in the US, but has not yet shared pricing. The TriFold would also be available in other markets, including Taiwan, China, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates.

Samsung unveiled the device at an event in Seoul yesterday, several months before Apple Inc is expected to announce its first folding iPhone. The Apple product, due in the fall next year, would be a book-style design, similar in concept to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7, which went on sale in July.

“Samsung’s first trifold model will ship in very limited volume, but scale is not the objective,” Counterpoint Research analyst Liz Lee said. “With competitive dynamics set to shift materially in 2026, especially with Apple’s expected entry into the foldable segment, Samsung is positioning this device as a multi-fold pilot to reinforce its technology leadership.”

Foldable handsets account for only 2.5 percent of the overall mobile market, although they achieved their highest quarterly shipments in the three months ended September, Counterpoint said.

Samsung increased its share to 64 percent of all foldables and had one of the bigger increases in shipments during that period.

Huawei Technologies Co (華為) was first to enter the trifold category, with its Mate XT last year and an updated Mate XTs this year that costs about as much as the Galaxy Z TriFold. It would put up strong competition in China, the biggest market for foldable phones so far, although it lacks Samsung’s broad Android app compatibility.

Samsung’s device has a different hinge design, folding inward from two sides, whereas the Mate models take on a Z shape when folded. When closed, the TriFold’s outer screen offers similar dimensions to a regular smartphone, but when unfurled, it provides a tablet-style experience with a 10-inch display, larger than the panel on the Galaxy Z Fold 7.

In tablet-like mode, each of the device’s screens can independently run a different app. This provides the equivalent of three separate bar-style handsets side by side.


title: Property transfers slump 19.7% year-on-year

content_text:
Property transfers totaled about 15,919 units across the six special municipalities last month, down 6.3 percent from a month earlier and 19.7 percent from a year earlier, data compiled by local land administrations showed on Monday.

The figure marked the third-lowest monthly tally this year, with transactions supported mainly by genuine demand as restrictive mortgage terms continued to sideline investors, real-estate brokers said.

Among the six municipalities, transfers fell 11.7 percent year-on-year to 1,977 units in Taipei, dropped 12.7 percent to 4,427 in New Taipei City and slumped 24.4 percent to 3,906 in Taoyuan. They also plunged 20 percent to 4,391 in Taichung, declined 16.9 percent to 1,906 in Tainan and tumbled 29.8 percent to 3,217 in Kaohsiung, the data showed.

Buildings in New Taipei City’s Tamsui District are pictured on Sept. 18. Photo: Hsu Yi-ping, Taipei Times

Sentiment among first-time buyers and upgraders has improved modestly on the back of the limited loosening of credit rules and the traditional fourth-quarter sales peak, Evertrust Rehouse Co (永慶房屋) said on Monday.

The Financial Supervisory Commission in September exempted first-home buyers and relocators from central bank lending restrictions designed to curb real-estate credit growth.

However, slower new-home handovers offset a mild pickup in existing-home transactions, Evertrust deputy research head Chen Chin-ping (陳金萍) said.

With expectations of price corrections deepening, buyers hold the upper hand, she said.

Last month’s figures also indicate that the market is showing early signs of stabilizing, as the pace of annual decline narrowed, Sinyi Realty Inc (信義房屋) said.

Transfers in the first 11 months of this year reached 184,704 units in the six major municipalities, a 26.1 percent drop from a year earlier, the data showed.

“This year’s slump has been unusually sharp and such dramatic swings are rare without major non-market intervention,” Sinyi chief researcher Tseng Ching-der (曾敬德) said, adding that a full-year tally of about 260,000 units would make this year the weakest in eight years.

The narrowing month-on-month decline is a positive sign, Tseng said, adding that next year’s outlook appears more constructive amid improving economic sentiment and expectations of steady liquidity.

However, areas that have experienced steep price gains could stay under correction pressure as buyers become more cautious, he said.

The central bank is scheduled to hold its quarterly board meeting on Dec. 18. It is expected to review property-lending rules at the meeting, and evaluate whether current curbs adequately address banks’ growing exposure to real estate and are helping to prevent a housing bubble.


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New car sales last month grew for a third consecutive month and expanded 5.7 percent from October to 36,485 units as consumers regained interest thanks to tax incentives unveiled in September and eased concerns over US tariffs, market researcher U-Car said in a report on Monday.

On an annual basis, sales were still in a downward spiral, dipping 6.8 percent, the data showed.

Total sales in the first 11 months of this year were 367,133 units, 11.8 percent lower compared with the same period last year.

Imported vehicles are pictured at a terminal at the Port of Taichung in an undated photograph. Photo courtesy of Taiwan International Ports Corp

Overall, the improvement indicates a gradual revival of sentiment in the market, the U-Car report said.

“For the full year, it would require a miracle to see sales catch up with last year’s level,” it said.

The nation’s car sales have been weak since April following US President Donald Trump’s “reciprocal” tariff announcement, as car buyers took to the sidelines waiting for the results of Taiwan-US trade talks over the tariffs issue.

U-Car said the nation’s new car sales this year would be down at least 10 percent from last year’s 457,000 units.

Yulon Nissan Motor Co (裕隆日產) last month forecast sales of 400,000 units for this year, down from its previous estimate of 450,000 units.

Hotai Motor Co (和泰汽車), which distributes Toyota and Lexus cars in Taiwan, sold 13,933 units last month, up 9.4 percent from October. That gave it a 38.2 percent market share, defending its top ranking.

On an annual basis, the company’s car sales were down 1.5 percent, almost paring losses made in previous months.

Hotai expects the nation’s new car sales this month to grow about 4 percent year-on-year to 43,000 units, the strongest performance this year, as automakers and dealers are launching promotion programs and new models to stimulate sales during the peak season.

However, the company trimmed its total sales target for this year to about 165,000 units from 170,000 units estimated at the beginning of this year, attributable to insufficient supply.

It also reduced its market share goal to about 35 percent from 37.8 percent.

title: New car sales grow for third consecutive month


title: Scandinavian stopover

content_text: The Norwegian vessel “Norwegian Sun” is docked at the Port of Kaohsiung yesterday. The ship with 1,924 foreign passengers is on an 11-day voyage from Japan. It is to continue to Hong Kong and Keelung after leaving Kaohsiung.


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The outcome of the presidential election in Honduras remains in the air. As of press time last night, it was a razor-thin tie between two right-wing candidates, Nasry Asfura of the National Party and his Liberal Party rival Salvador Nasralla. Honduran voters appear evenly divided on which candidate they want to lead their country. For Taiwan, both Asfura and Nasralla have said they could reverse Honduran President Xiomara Castro’s 2023 decision — which followed more than 80 years of diplomatic relations between Honduras and Taiwan — to cut diplomatic ties with Taipei and switch recognition to Beijing.

Such a reversal is a tantalizing prospect for Taiwan, not just because of the opportunity it presents for wresting a former diplomatic ally back from the People’s Republic of China (PRC), but also for what it shows about the relative advantages of ties with Taipei over Beijing, despite China’s formidable economic clout. It could also open the door for further reversals from former allies, which were courted by China as part of punitive measures against Taiwan.

Castro was elected president in 2021 with a considerable mandate for change. Under her leadership, the country has seen moderate economic growth, and poverty and inequality have fallen, earning praise from the IMF for her administration’s prudent fiscal management. Practical considerations and promises of economic benefits would have informed her decision to switch diplomatic ties to China.

Taiwan had previously been the primary market for Honduran whiteleg shrimp, a major export for the Central American nation; in 2022, nearly 40 percent of its shrimp exports went to Taiwan. China had promised to purchase large amounts of the shrimp when the countries established diplomatic relations. Now, after losing the Taiwanese market and being let down by empty Chinese promises, whiteleg shrimp exports have plummeted 67 percent, 14,000 workers have lost their jobs and the Honduran whiteleg shrimp industry is on the verge of collapse.

The decision to switch ties has been a contentious election issue. Despite Castro’s initial popularity and improvements to the economy, China’s bounced checks have caused significant hardship and led to a reconsideration of the wisdom of rushing into Beijing’s arms.

Taiwan-based Honduran lawyer Juan Fernando Herrera Ramos (“Honduras reveals China’s cracks,” Nov. 6, page 8) wrote about how, in the months leading up to the election, with two candidates saying they would consider reversing ties back to Taiwan, Beijing authorities embarked on “a surge of activity that appears more like damage control than partnership building.” Ramos detailed a two-year deal signed in August for exporting 3,000 tonnes of shrimp, worth more than US$50 million, to China, “effectively binding their fulfillment to the ruling party’s continuation in power or to any incoming government’s willingness to keep ties with Beijing.” Combined with new scholarships and infrastructure deals, it all appeared to be a last-minute attempt to shore up goodwill toward China.

Honduras is not the only country to feel let down by China’s promises. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni pulled Italy out of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative because the promised economic benefits of joining it failed to materialize; the so-called 17+1 cooperation between China and central and eastern European countries (China-CEEC), as it was known in 2019, became the 14+1 China-CEEC by 2022, following the 2021 exit of Lithuania and the withdrawal of Estonia and Latvia a year later. Vilnius said that it had obtained almost no benefits from its membership.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Hsiao Kuang-wei (蕭光偉) yesterday said that the government was open to restoring diplomatic ties with Honduras should either Asfura or Nasralla win, as such a move could expand Taiwan’s international status and facilitate Taiwan’s contribution to the international community.

This is a necessarily cautious approach by the ministry; hopefully behind it is the realization of what an opportunity this presents to Taiwan. The reversal of diplomatic recognition would be a significant coup, not just because of the immediate benefits of gaining a prodigal ally, one with which Taiwan has historical relations and would think thrice before switching back to Beijing: It also sends the message that such a move is viable, should other governments decide to emulate Honduras. It also sets Taiwan apart from the PRC as a distinct entity, not just for potential allies, but for the international community as a whole.

If the offer to re-establish ties is made, the government should pursue it as a matter of urgency.

title: EDITORIAL: Welcoming the prodigal ally home


title: H-1B reform presents opportunity

content_text:
The H-1B visa has for years been a vital bridge connecting global professionals with opportunities in the US. It has symbolized not only a permit to work in the US, but also a pathway to the American dream.

Yet the employment visa has been plagued by high demand, especially from major US companies seeking to bring in workers from abroad. Each year, only 85,000 H-1B spots are available. For the past several years, the number of applicants far exceeded the annual quota, necessitating the use of a lottery system, whereby employers enter candidates into a blind draw. Only those selected would have the opportunity to submit their applications for adjudication.

US President Donald Trump’s administration has noted that a high percentage of H-1B lottery entries are for candidates with no academic ties to or life experience in the US.

The overcrowding by candidates from abroad lowers the chance of international students studying and interning in the US to be selected in the lottery. Moreover, the low chance of being selected cools interests of would-be employers to invest training and resources into candidates who are in the US.

Change is coming, and for the better.

Following an executive order signed by Trump, an employer filing for an out-of-country H-1B applicant would be levied an additional fee of US$100,000 per application. Applicants currently in the US — including first-time applicants and those renewing, extending or transferring their H-1B status — are exempt from the new fee. That means employers filing for international students under optional practical training (OPT) or science, technology, engineering and mathematics OPT internship programs would not face the massive fee.

The measure primarily targets US consulting and software development companies known for flooding the annual lottery with candidates mostly from India and China. By dramatically reducing out-of-country applications, employers and students would have much better odds of being selected.

The executive order falls in line with Trump’s “America first” policy by prioritizing would-be H-1B employees who already have academic ties to and life experience in the US.

The reform is not a restriction, but a refinement. It represents a shift from quantity to quality — a system designed to favor professionals with an affinity toward the US. The US is not closing its doors to foreign professionals looking to advance their careers in the country; it is merely changing the system to benefit those who have already demonstrated a willingness to integrate into and benefit the country.

Besides helping those already in the US, the executive order also provides employers certainty to the likelihood of retaining talent beyond the one-to-three year OPT internship period. That could lead to more employers entering in-country applicants into the annual H-1B lottery.

The higher the employer’s willingness, the more benefits there would be for job-seeking international students, many of whom are from Taiwan.

Indeed, employers at several job fairs were excited by the possibility of seeking and retaining international student talent already familiar with US culture. This renewed optimism for the H-1B program could benefit more students looking to advance their careers in the country.

For companies and jobseekers, the executive order would make the H-1B visa more viable than before. It is worth noting that H-1B is certainly not the only available visa employment option.

Taiwanese companies in the US have the E-2 employee visa option when hiring Taiwanese. There is no annual cap on the number of visas available, and the E-2 visa can be renewed in five-year increments indefinitely. Furthermore, the E-2 could lead to all available employment-based green card options from EB-1 to EB-5.

Other viable alternatives to the H-1B are the L-1 Intracompany Transferee and the O-1 Extraordinary Ability visas. In addition, employment-based green cards options such as the EB-1 Extraordinary Ability, the EB-2 National Interest Waiver and the EB-5 investment immigration options are available to those who qualify.

Taiwanese green card applicants enjoy an additional advantage under the US per-country quota system. Unlike applicants from India and China who face years-long backlogs due to overwhelming demand, Taiwanese often do not.

The H-1B reform will benefit international students and employers. For Taiwanese international students, it would improve opportunities to further their careers in the US using the H-1B and other employment visa options. Changes for the better indeed.

Danny Chen is principal attorney at the Green Maple Law Group.


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At about this time last year, Sweden began distributing a new edition of its civil defense brochure, In Case of Crisis or War. The mobilization and response of the Swedish public and the international community over the past year has been reflected in the Ministry of National Defense’s newly released civil defense handbook.

In 2014, Russia used military force to annex the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine. Recognizing the move as a warning sign, the Swedish government reinstated conscription less than three years later in 2017, meaning all Swedish citizens aged 18 to 70 — regardless of gender — can be called up for selection and military service. To revitalize its long-dormant civil defense system and boost defense resilience, it also updated its civil defense brochure in 2018.

Then, on Feb. 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine.

The Swedish government has been distributing its civil defense brochure for many years. The first edition was issued during World War II and it has undergone five updates over the past 80 years — although the version released seven years ago was particularly prescient.

Sweden reinstated conscription and updated its civil defense handbook in light of Russia’s military developments. Its foresight and action in the face of crisis were validated by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, proving that the Swedish government had anticipated the situation and prepared for a deteriorating global environment. Confronted with the most urgent threat to national security since World War II, Sweden began distributing the latest edition of its civil defense brochure in November last year.

Aside from pre-existing content covering water, power outages, and evacuation and shelter procedures, the newest version also includes sections on cyberattacks and identifying disinformation.

The primary purpose of a civil defense handbook is to raise public awareness of potential crises and threats. Distributing printed materials is the most economical and effective method of promotion, and it also serves as a strategic countermeasure and deterrent against foreign hostile forces.

After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Swedish government repeatedly reminded its citizens that armed conflict could reach its borders and that every Swede must prepare for war. The number of visits to Sweden’s online air-raid shelter map soared 35-fold, and downloads of the older edition of the civil defense brochure rose ninefold — clear signs that Swedes remain vigilant in times of peace and are applying information from the latest civil defense brochure.

Sweden’s latest civil defense brochure has become a model for other nations, with neighboring Finland, Norway and Denmark all following suit. In September, Poland released an update new edition of its Safety Handbook. A few days later, 19 Russian drones crossed into Polish airspace. Polish fighter jets and NATO allies scrambled and shot down multiple drones, marking the first time the alliance downed enemy aircraft in a member state’s airspace and demonstrating that crises are never as distant as some might imagine.

Even so, a small number of Swedish politicians have ignored or even undermined the necessity of civil defense. In April 2022, former Swedish integration and gender equality minister Nyamko Sabuni — then leader of the Liberals party — said of a potential Russian invasion: “If it gets any worse, we will drive over to Norway.”

Sabuni’s remark triggered an uproar, and the backlash forced her to resign and permanently withdraw from politics. Likewise, Taiwanese society must not tolerate politicians who mock the nation’s civil defense handbook.

Chen Yung-chang is a freelance writer based in Taipei.

Translated by Kyra Gustavsen

title: The value of the civilian defense handbook


content_text:
Beware suspicious man

A man believed to be Taiwanese has allegedly approached local and foreign women in parks across Taipei under false pretenses, using a consistent script and deceptive behavior to obtain photographs and videos of them, particularly their feet. This letter summarizes one interaction with him that matches dozens of online reports since 2021.

The man appeared to be between 20 and 30 years old, 1.65m to 1.7m tall and weighed about 60kg to 70kg. He had pale skin with light freckles, big eyes and silver metal glasses (square on top with defined corners). His hair hid his forehead, and he wore gray pants, a dark gray T-shirt without logos, a dark gray backpack and a hard slate-gray camera bag. He appeared young, and could have easily passed for a college or graduate student.

He typically approaches women alone, and introduces himself as a student working on a photography project for school. He reportedly gives the same prepared explanation, saying that he has previously photographed “landscapes, nature, families and portraits,” and that his new project focuses on “hands and feet.”

He then asks if he can take pictures of the woman’s feet for the supposed school assignment. He speaks limited English.

When questioned about his identity, he is evasive. If asked where he studies, he says he is “taking classes,” without naming a school. Asked where he lives or works, he replies vaguely that he spends time “between Taipei and Taoyuan.” Woman who said they pressed him more firmly have reported that he is not a student at all, contradicting his entire introduction.

During the photo sessions, which could last up to 40 minutes, he instructs women to walk with long strides, turn around and walk back the other way, or walk in a circle. He might ask to retake shots, citing poor lighting. He reportedly asks women to place their feet on a bench or seat, remove their shoes, wipe their feet with tissues he provides, and then point, curl or stretch their toes repeatedly.

Throughout the interaction, he allegedly comments on women’s appearance and skin, repeatedly saying phrases such as: “Your skin is very healthy,” “Your skin is very clear” and “You are very flexible. Were you a dancer?” He often asks for a woman’s foot size and height, even remarking that one woman’s foot size is larger than he expected for her height, suggesting that he has asked many women similar questions.

Online reports dating to 2021 consistently place him in Taipei’s Daan Forest Park, 228 Peace Memorial Park and Maji Square in Yuanshan Plaza of Taipei Expo Park. He has allegedly approached high-school and university students. Because he engages women in a deliberately deceptive way, the public, local authorities and media should be on alert, and women should decline to interact with him should he approach them.

Anonymous

Taipei

Disaster reform needed

More than two months after the tragic and preventable Mataian River (馬太鞍溪) barrier lake disaster in Hualien County’s Guangfu Township (光復), Taiwan’s disaster-management system shows little sign of meaningful reform. As the Taipei Times reported in September, the flooding resulted in multiple deaths and severe damage. The event also highlighted how quickly a landslide dam can destabilize under extreme rainfall, especially in mountainous regions such as Hualien.

For weeks before the collapse, central authorities and academics had monitored the barrier lake and repeatedly warned of a potential breach. Yet many residents said they never received clear evacuation instructions, and some communities remained unaware of the danger until the floodwaters arrived. Technology can predict a crisis, but only timely action can prevent loss of life.

The deeper problem is Taiwan’s fragmented disaster-response architecture. Responsibilities were distributed across multiple agencies, but no unified command determined when to issue evacuation orders, who should notify residents or how to ensure every household actually received the warning. This gap between “knowing” and “acting” proved fatal.

As extreme weather events become more frequent, Taiwan must overhaul its disaster-management structure, bolster local response capacity and design evacuation procedures that reach vulnerable communities. Clearer coordination between central and local governments is equally essential to ensure that early warnings turn into timely, concrete action.

Guangfu’s tragedy should serve as a lasting reminder: Visible danger, when ignored, will inevitably return with devastating force.

Zheng Cheng-en

Hsinchu County

title: [ LETTERS ]


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