taiwan-subdivisions: 臺北市 大安

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墨新聞｜記者鄭富鈺／綜合報導

臺北市114學年度公私立國民小學畢業生市長獎頒獎典禮於6月21日在大安高工活動中心隆重舉行。今年以「築夢啟航、卓越飛揚」為主題，象徵畢業生帶著國小階段累積的知識、能力與素養，勇敢迎向人生嶄新的旅程。市長蔣萬安與教育局局長湯志民親臨會場頒獎，並與獲獎學生合影留念，向傑出畢業生表達最誠摯的祝賀與祝福。

蔣萬安市長頒發市長獎，勉勵1,166位國小傑出畢業生勇敢追夢本學年度共有1,166位公私立國小畢業生榮獲市長獎，獲獎學生在學業表現、體育競技、科技藝文及逆境奮鬥等領域皆有亮眼成果，不僅展現卓越能力，更以堅持不懈的態度突破自我、追求卓越，成為同儕學習的典範，也為童年歲月寫下燦爛篇章。

蔣萬安頒發國小市長獎，勉畢業生勇敢追夢、以善良改變世界蔣萬安祝福所有同學，即將邁向人生下一個重要階段，國中生涯的課業可能會開始變重，科目更多元，而且生活作息也要重新調整，甚至要開始學習跟同學之間人際相處的各項問題跟挑戰。但是，請同學們記住，持續懷抱著熱情以及對各項事物的好奇心。不要害怕失敗，也不要害怕改變，勇敢大膽地去追尋你們喜愛的事情，這點非常重要。

蔣萬安頒發國小市長獎，勉畢業生勇敢追夢、以善良改變世界他也提醒所有的孩子，一定要懷著感恩的心，特別要謝謝你們的爸爸媽媽、親愛的家人、老師、校長，有他們一路的陪伴、照顧、提點，才讓你們今天順利完成學業，而且拿到市長獎這份榮耀，所以要謝謝周遭所有的家人朋友。

「善良比聰明更難！」蔣萬安送畢業生一句話引共鳴蔣萬安也跟所有孩子分享一句話：「聰明是一種天賦，善良是一種選擇。」或許孩子們你們現在還不了解這句話是什麼意思，但是請你們先記下來。等未來你們進入國中、高中、大學甚至進入社會，這句話對你們非常有幫助。他相信各位小朋友都非常聰明，這是你們與生俱來的，別人拿不走；但是，善良是需要勇氣、要做決定，也是一種選擇。

蔣萬安勉學子勇敢逐夢、感恩前行他進一步說明，聰明可以讓你的才華被世界看到，但是善良能夠讓這個世界因為你的溫度而變好。這點對所有的孩子、所有的同學共勉之。

獲頒市長獎的銘傳國小高千甯銘傳國小高千甯同學在校期間展現強大的自主學習力，不僅在資訊領域展現創客精神，勇奪「Scratch 貓咪盃全國賽」全國冠軍；更將天馬行空的創意化為動態影像，摘下「臺北市扶輪社國小動畫組比賽」冠軍。除了程式設計與動畫創作，她更展現細膩的文字魔法，於「溫世仁作文比賽」中奪得全國冠軍。她表示，畢業不是結束，而是新里程的開始，未來將帶著對創作的熱情，繼續在國中舞臺寫下精彩篇章。

花式滑冰冠軍的文湖國小林蔚然熱愛花式滑冰的文湖國小畢業生林蔚然同學，以站上冬季奧運舞臺為目標，面對冰場上無數次的跌倒與挫折從不退縮，2025年代表中華隊出戰亞洲花式滑冰錦標賽，勇奪少年低齡組冠軍，為臺灣贏得國際榮耀。面對長期的艱辛訓練，他展現卓越的時間管理能力，不僅兼顧課業，更主動精進英語、日文能力，以實際行動詮釋了新世代少年的自律與追夢精神。

蔣萬安勉孩子迎向下一個挑戰最後，蔣萬安謝謝所有辛苦的爸爸媽媽、各位家長一路的陪伴。孩子們因為有你們的照顧，才有今天得到市長獎的成果。各位辛苦了！教育從來不是一個人的事情，而是要大家共同的努力。也謝謝各位校長、各位老師大家一起培養我們下一代優秀的人才！（圖／北市府提供）

此篇文章最開始出處為: 頒市長獎勉勵畢業生 蔣萬安：聰明是天賦、善良是選擇

title: 頒市長獎勉勵畢業生　蔣萬安：聰明是天賦、善良是選擇


taiwan-subdivisions: 恆春 基隆 琉球 臺北 蘭嶼 雲林 澎湖 屏東 綠島 太平

countries: 台灣 臺灣 日本

title: 一圖看一周天氣 米克拉升級中颱 估周四、周五影響台灣

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生活中心／綜合報導

中央氣象署以一圖彙整未來一周天氣重點，即將迎來三階段轉變，高溫悶熱到周三（24日），周四、周五（25-26日）受到米克拉颱風外圍雲系影響，全台降雨機率將稍增加，且要持續觀察的是，米克拉颱風已於今日20時增強為中度颱風，位置在鵝鑾鼻東南東方約１１７０公里之海面上，預測未來先向西北西移動，再逐漸北轉朝琉球南方海面前進，移動路徑主要受太平洋高壓強弱影響，仍有不確定性。

氣象署進一步說明本周逐日天氣， 第一階段高溫炎熱、晴朗防中暑，6/22（一）～ 6/23（二）在太平洋高壓勢力影響下，各地大多為晴到多雲、高溫炎熱的天氣。西半部高溫普遍可達36°C，東半部約 32°C；特別是臺北盆地、花東縱谷及中南部內陸易有36度以上高溫，只有山區會有零星的午後雷陣雨。另外也得注意，周一（22日）清晨，雲林以南地區及澎湖易有局部霧或低雲影響能見度，交通往返注意安全。

到了6/24（三）各地依舊晴朗酷熱（高溫 35-36°C），但東部、東南部晚起有零星陣雨；山區的午後雷雨會變得比較明顯，屏東近山區的平地也可能易有午後雷雨發生。

6/25（四）～ 6/26（五）進入本周天氣第二階段，受米克拉颱風外圍雲系影響，周四起各地降雨機率增加，尤其以西半部及東北部地區的降雨較為明顯，有局部短暫陣雨或雷雨；花東地區為午後雷雨的天氣型態，也因為雲多下雨，各地高溫略降至 30-32°C。

進入周末，迎來天氣第三階段，周六（27日）起颱風逐漸遠離，各地恢復為多雲到晴的天氣，但仍要留意午後有局部短暫雷陣雨，出門還是記得帶把傘備用。

針對米克拉 (MEKKHALA)」颱風的路徑，氣象署預估，周三（24日）起颱風將開始北轉，朝臺灣東方外海前進，周四（25日）通過臺灣正東方後朝日本前進，北上過程中結構可能變不對稱，且強度略為減弱，但由於少數模擬仍顯示路徑可能更接近臺灣，還是要持續鎖定最新颱風動態。

氣象署特別叮嚀，周一至周三注意防曬，白天外出務必做好防曬、多補充水分，避免熱傷害。周二（23日）至周五（26日），基隆北海岸、東半部（含蘭嶼、綠島）沿海及恆春半島有長浪發生的機率。浪高可達2-3公尺，海邊活動請務必注意自身安全！另外受長浪與颱風外圍影響，往返綠島、蘭嶼等東部離島的船班與交通可能受影響，得密切留意航班訊息。


title: 影音/端午收假日雪隧5車追撞釀4傷 車流回堵塞爆

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記者陳木隆/宜蘭報導

6月21日端午節連假最後一天18時03分左右，國道5號北向19.7公里雪山隧道內，因故管制車流處於靜止狀態，35歲陳姓男子駕駛自小客車沒有注意前方狀況而撞上前車，造成5部自小客車連環追撞、4人受傷。

國道警察第九大隊立即派員到場處理，18時07分封閉事故車道，直到18時54分開放外側車道通行，18時59分排除事故現場，全線恢復通車。國道警察呼籲用路人切勿疲勞駕駛，行車應注意車前狀態，保持安全距離。


title: 華陰街箱遊世界！推箱競賽、世界闖關、親子同樂  旅遊採購一次滿足

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圖:暢遊華陰 旅遊必BUY 滿額贈禮 。(圖/台北市華陰街徒步區北車商圈發展協會提供)

(記者孟倩玉報導 )

為活絡商圈發展並形塑商圈特色，臺北市商業處輔導台北市華陰街北車徒步區發展協會，自6月起推出「華陰街箱遊世界！」系列活動，以「暢遊華陰 旅遊必BUY 滿額贈禮」為主題，打造華陰街徒步區為旅遊採購第一站，並且結合06月27日實體活動，推行李箱競賽、世界主題闖關活動，打造兼具趣味體驗與購物樂趣的特色商圈活動。06月27日於華陰街徒步區舉辦實體活動，邀請民眾一起來場不出國也能環遊世界的城市旅行。06月27日於華陰街徒步區活動現場規劃兩大主題活動-「箱約華陰 推箱世界 挑戰賽」推行李箱競賽及「暢遊世界 闖關抽禮」互動遊戲，結合各國情境、親子歡樂與商圈探索元素，為民眾打造專屬華陰街的創意街區體驗。活動亮點之一更融入造型評比，只要於商圈內選購服飾或配件並出示發票即可獲得額外加分，創意與消費雙重加值，帶動現場氣氛與人潮。此外，6月限定「暢遊華陰 旅遊必BUY 滿額贈禮」，消費滿額即可兌換限量好禮，數量有限換完為止，千萬別錯過！

臺北市商業處表示，華陰街商圈自日治時代起便是服裝、飾品、皮件等用品的集散地，素有「全台最大平面百貨」之稱，是許多網拍、攤販及商家的批發來源。商圈商品種類繁多、價格實惠，長期吸引民眾前來尋寶。近年隨著國人出國旅遊熱潮升溫，華陰街結合原有產業特色與旅遊元素，逐步打造「旅遊採購第一站」的商圈定位，讓民眾在出發前即可一站購足行李箱、皮件、服飾、飾品及旅遊用品，打造兼具採購、休閒及親子共遊的特色商圈。

圖:「華陰街箱遊世界！」會員店家導覽地圖。(圖/台北市華陰街徒步區北車商圈發展協會提供)

台北市華陰街北車徒步區發展協會理事長劉育豪表示，華陰街是臺北市繼西門町後第2個行人徒步區商圈，長年提供民眾舒適友善的遊逛環境。今年以「華陰街箱遊世界！」為主題，規劃多項特色活動，其中06月27日實體活動「箱約華陰 推箱世界挑戰賽」分為親子樂遊組及雙人挑戰組，透過推行行李箱競賽，不僅考驗默契與技巧，也結合旅遊造型評比，參賽者於商圈購買服飾配件並出示發票，可獲得額外加分。並結合旅遊造型及商圈採買元素，增添趣味與互動性；並推出「暢遊世界 闖關抽禮」，規劃六大旅遊國家地區小遊戲關卡，完成闖關即可獲得抽獎資格；同時搭配「暢遊華陰 旅遊必BUY 滿額贈禮」，凡於115年06月1日至27日期間在33家會員店家消費，單店滿4,000元、兩店滿3,000元或三店滿2,000元，即可兌換限量高級康寧餐具組1份（限量200份，送完為止）。期盼藉由趣味比賽、闖關挑戰及購物優惠多元並行，讓民眾能盡情同樂，滿載而歸。

誠邀您把握機會，走入華陰街商圈，在充滿旅遊氛圍與親子互動的趣味體驗中，感受購物與探索兼具的城市魅力。無論是與摯愛共度佳節，或與家人共享美好時光，都能在華陰街商圈找到屬於自己的驚喜與小確幸。想瞭解更多華陰街商圈活動訊息，請至「華陰街徒步區」臉書粉絲團(https://www.facebook.com/huayinstreet) 及「臺北市商業處-我是商Ya人」臉書粉絲團(https://www.facebook.com/tcooc/)。


taiwan-subdivisions: 花蓮 萬里 萬榮 鳳林 花蓮縣

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生活中心／綜合報導

林業及自然保育署花蓮分署21日下午接獲林業署航遙測分署例行航拍任務通報，萬里溪上游疑似新增一處堰塞湖，隨即啟動「堰塞湖應變小組」，並緊急申請空勤總隊支援22日進行空中勘查。經初步評估，該疑似堰塞湖距離下游部落尚有相當距離，且具備高程落差，經評估暫無立即危險，呼籲民眾切勿驚慌，但近期請避免前往溪床周邊區域活動。

林業保育署花蓮分署進一步說明，林業署航遙測分署於21日下午3時15分執行馬太鞍溪定期監測任務時，發現在萬里溪北邊上游（林田山事業區第96與82林班交界處，疑似新增一處堰塞湖，透過現有照片資訊粗估，湖體面積約 3 公頃。該地點距離最近保全戶（萬榮鄉萬榮村、鳳林鎮森榮社區／林田山文化園區）約 22 公里、西寶大橋約 24 公里、台9線萬里溪橋約 27 公里。

由於萬榮林道目前於36K、39K、40K處皆有崩塌，人員車輛僅能至24K處（距離堰塞湖直線距離仍有約3.5公里），無法由陸路抵達。花蓮分署表示，已緊急向空勤總隊申請於22日進行空中勘查。依據目前情資，尚無法精確辨識壩體高度、體積及是否已發生溢流，確切數據仍待進一步勘查確認。

花蓮分署說明，第一時間已通知水利署九河分署監測下游水位狀況，且成立「萬里溪堰塞湖通報群組」，以利後續通報相關權責單位，並將資訊通報下游鳳林鎮、萬榮鄉公所及花蓮縣政府，隨時注意最新狀況，以顧及部落、社區居民安全。

花蓮分署強調，將持續密切監控該區動態，後續查證結果將即時通報各級災害應變單位並向大眾說明，請鄉親安心，並隨時留意官方發布的最新防災資訊。

title: 花蓮萬里溪上游形成新堰塞湖 林保署緊急啟動評估「周一空中勘查」


title: Investments to China decrease further

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By Liao Chia-ning and Fion Khan / Staff reporter, with staff writer

Taiwanese firms’ China investments have dwindled to less than 1 percent of their total foreign investments, putting China-based investments on track for a record low this year, Ministry of Economic Affairs data showed.

Taiwan’s investments abroad in the first five months of this year reached US$35.92 billion, Department of Investment Review data showed.

Investments outside China totaled US$35.61 billion, up 133.94 percent year-on-year, while investments in China totaled US$310.3 million, down 32.3 percent and about 0.86 percent of the total, data showed.

A Chinese bank staffer count stacks of 100 yuan notes at a bank in Huaibei, China, in an undated photograph. Photo: AFP

Major overseas projects included Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co’s (TSMC, 台積電) US$30 billion capital injection into an overseas subsidiary, Wiwynn Corp’s (緯穎) US$500 million investment in its US holding and operating subsidiaries, as well as Asustek Computer Inc’s (華碩) US$500 million capital increase for a Singapore subsidiary, data showed.

It is believed that Taiwan’s increasingly critical role in the global artificial intelligence supply chain and major economies’ efforts to develop “non-red” supply chains have contributed to the surge in overseas investment outside China.

Taiwanese businesses have been reportedly placing growing emphasis on risk management and operational resilience as China’s low-cost advantages diminish, resulting in the fall in their investment in the country.

Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (中華經濟研究院) First Research Division director Liu Meng-chun (劉孟俊) said structural weaknesses in China’s domestic demand are unlikely to improve significantly in the near term, as three factors are expected to continue to weigh on consumption:

First, the property market downturn has eroded household wealth; second, high youth unemployment has destabilized expected income and purchasing power; third, the population is aging rapidly, he said.

Chinese authorities have become more selective in attracting investment, favoring industries with strategic importance, advanced technologies or control over key components, said Jivan Huang (黃健群), chief of Mainland China affairs at the Chinese National Federation of Industries.

However, Taiwanese businesses are also taking a more pragmatic approach when assessing the risks of entering the Chinese market, he said.

Taiwanese investment in China reached its peak during the administration of former president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九).

Government information showed that during six of Ma’s eight years in office, annual investment exceeded US$10 billion, reaching a record US$14.6 billion in 2010 and accounting for about 83.8 percent of Taiwan’s total overseas investment.


title: First batch of SkyGuardian drones arrives in Taiwan

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BOOST:  By operating the same advanced systems as the US military, Taiwan would be better positioned to share and integrate intelligence with partners, an expert said

The first batch of MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones has arrived in Taiwan, and is being assembled and tested by drone manufacturer General Atomics and the military ahead of flight trials as part of the air force’s acquisition to bolster its aerial surveillance capabilities, a source said yesterday.

The air force allocated a budget of NT$21.7 billion (US$687 million) from 2022 to 2029 to procure four MQ-9B uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) manufactured by General Atomics along with associated equipment such as ground control stations.

The US has agreed to deliver the four MQ-9Bs to Taiwan in two batches this year and next year.

An MQ-9B drone takes off in an undated photograph. Photo from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems’ Web site

Deputy Minister of National Defense Hsu Szu-chien (徐斯儉) and Representative to the US Alexander Yui (俞大?) on March 17 attended a handover ceremony in the US for two of the MQ-9Bs.

The source did not specify how many drones were included in the first shipment.

In its fiscal 2026 defense budget proposal, the air force said it plans to develop an uncrewed aerial system capable of long-endurance, round-the-clock surveillance to track Chinese military movements, and monitor air and maritime activity around the Taiwan Strait.

The system should include real-time data links to transmit imagery for immediate analysis to meet intelligence timeliness requirements, it said.

High-altitude long-endurance UAVs, with their extended flight time and payload capacity, could support combat operations and serve as a deterrent by disrupting adversary operations, thereby improving overall defensive effectiveness, it said.

The MQ-9B is a mature intelligence, surveillance and strike-capable uncrewed aerial vehicle, Institute for National Defense and Security Research’s Defense Strategy and Resources Division Su Tzu-yun (蘇紫雲) said.

The drone has a maximum range of about 6,000km, with endurance of up to 28 hours with a light load and about 14 hours when fully loaded, he said, adding that the drone can carry a maximum payload of 1.7 tonnes.

In addition to a range of advanced sensors, it can also be armed with laser-guided bombs, and the US military has tested it with AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, he said.

The MQ-9B is intended primarily to bolster battlefield intelligence and reconnaissance capabilities in Taiwan rather than serve as a frontline strike platform, a role that differs from its operational use by the US military in conflicts such as Iraq, he said.

In the context of the Taiwan Strait, the MQ-9B is expected to carry out high-risk tactical reconnaissance missions and provide round-the-clock surveillance, particularly during heightened alert periods when Chinese naval and coast guard vessels engage in “gray zone” activity, Su added.

It is seen as helping to fill existing gaps in maritime surveillance coverage, he said, citing an example in 2016 when the US used the same class of drones to gather evidence of North Korean oil smuggling at sea.

The four MQ-9Bs Taiwan bought would only meet basic operational requirements, he said.

Su suggested a likely rotation of one aircraft on duty, one on standby, one used for training, and one undergoing maintenance.

In the event of an emergency, Chinese military exercises, or intensified “gray zone” pressure, up to three aircraft could potentially be deployed at once, he said.

The deeper value of the MQ-9B lies in interoperability, Su said.

By operating the same systems as the US military, Taiwan would be better positioned to share and integrate intelligence in real time with the US, Japan and other partner countries, improving defense coordination across the Indo-Pacific region, he said.

Hsieh Pei-shiue (謝沛學), an assistant research fellow at the institute, wrote in 2020 that the drone is capable of linking to satellite communications networks shared among US allies.

That means Taiwan and its US counterparts could instantly share battlefield intelligence, providing opportunities for the two sides to cooperate during a potential conflict.


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US, Iran begin talks as Lebanon conflict jeopardizes deal

The US and Iran yesterday held talks in Switzerland after signing a preliminary agreement to end their war, with the conflict in Lebanon threatening to derail the deal.

The negotiations to end a war that sowed chaos across the Middle East and rattled the global economy are meant to trigger a 60-day period to settle broader issues that have dogged US-Iranian relations for decades, from Iran’s nuclear program to crippling sanctions.

US and Iranian representatives gathered alongside delegations from mediators Pakistan and Qatar at the luxury Swiss resort of Burgenstock, high above Lake Lucerne, with Doha confirming in the afternoon that the four-way talks had begun.

Yet the talks to end the months-long conflict are taking place against the backdrop of Iran closing the strategic Strait of Hormuz again in response to Israel’s attacks on Lebanon, where its war with Hezbollah has flared despite a new ceasefire.

“It is not possible to enter the negotiation phase for a final agreement,” unless there was an end to the war in Lebanon, Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei wrote on X.

Washington and Tehran’s memorandum of understanding signed earlier this month extended the truce in the war that began in late February with US-Israeli strikes on Iran. It included a provision to end fighting in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah.

However, there have been repeated clashes in Lebanon since, which prompted Iran to say it would again shutter the crucial oil and gas trade route, having opened it as part of the deal.

Activists and campaign groups on Saturday paid tribute to Lebanese environmentalist Mona Khalil who died from injuries sustained in an Israeli strike in the country’s south, where she dedicated her life to turtle conservation for decades.

A medical source had previously said that Khalil, aged in her late seventies, was badly wounded in an Israeli strike on June 4 that hit her home in the village of Mansouri, about 10km south of the coastal city of Tyre. She died on Friday.

Separately, Qatar-based al-Jazeera yesterday said that an Israeli strike killed one of its journalists in the Gaza Strip, the latest of several people working for the broadcaster killed in the Palestinian territory since Oct. 7, 2023.

An Israeli military spokesman said the military “confirms it carried out a strike on Ahmed Wishah, who was a Hamas terrorist,” but did not provide any evidence to support the accusation.

“Ahmed Wishah, a cameraman for al-Jazeera, has been killed in an Israeli airstrike that targeted a house in the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza,” al-Jazeera said on its Web site.

A correspondent for the channel said the strike was carried out by a drone in the refugee camp and also wounded several people.

The broadcaster said Wishah’s brother and fellow al-Jazeera journalist Mohammed had been killed in April “by Israeli shelling when he was traveling in his vehicle.”

When Mohammed Wishah was killed in April, Reporters Without Borders said Israeli forces had killed more than 220 journalists since the war in Gaza erupted. At least 70 of them were killed in the context of their professional duties.


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Keir Starmer is expected to resign today, reports say

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was reflecting this weekend on the “political realities” that he faces, a senior minister said yesterday, amid media reports he would resign within days.

It follows veteran Labour politician and rival Andy Burnham’s victory in a crunch by-election on Friday, which paves the way for the 56-year-old to challenge the beleaguered Starmer to be party leader and prime minister.

Any Labour leadership candidate must be a member of parliament.

The entrance to 10 Downing Street, the British prime minister’s residence and office, in London is pictured yesterday.

Photo: Reuters

If Starmer does leave office this year, Britain would get its seventh prime minister in a decade — an unprecedented rate of churn in its modern history.

Burnham — Greater Manchester mayor since 2017 — has made clear he intends to bid to lead the slumping center-left party, warning in his by-election victory speech that it had a “final chance to change.”

If successful, he would become prime minister by default, given that ruling Labour has a huge parliamentary majority. Starmer, who is deeply unpopular with voters according to polling, has insisted he would fight any attempt to oust him.

However, the emphatic nature of Burnham’s win in the Makerfield constituency in northwest England — where he nearly doubled Labour’s majority — has increased the internal pressure on Starmer to quit.

British Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle said yesterday that Starmer was “making time to reflect on the political realities, challenges and opportunities that he finds himself in.”

“He has been engaging in conversations with a wide, wide range of people,” Kyle told Sky News broadcaster after having what he said was a “frank” conversation with Starmer on Friday.

The Observer newspaper headlined on its cover yesterday that Starmer was “expected to resign” today, while the Sunday Telegraph also reported he was “ready” to go, citing allies of the embattled British leader.

The Observer said Starmer would “set out a timetable for his departure,” adding that he had been holding weekend talks from Chequers, the countryside retreat for prime ministers.


title: Scottish man charged over anti-Muslim attacks

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Scottish authorities on Saturday said they charged a man in connection with attacks in Edinburgh that wounded five people, with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer saying the suspect “appears to be motivated by anti-Muslim hatred.”

Police said officers had arrested a 36-year-old white Scottish man, and there was “no further threat to the public.”

“A 36-year-old man has been charged in connection with a number of incidents which took place in Edinburgh on Friday, 19 June, 2026,” police said late on Saturday.

“A report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal, and the individual will appear at court in due course,” police said.

Footage posted online showed a bare-chested man, believed to be the suspect, roaming streets of the Scottish capital with a large weapon.

A police statement said they received multiple emergency calls late on Friday from people reporting “violent attacks including threats, robbery and vandalism across Edinburgh, with five men injured.”

The victims, two aged 22, and others aged 24, 27 and 39, sustained various injuries, police said.

Three were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, the statement said, adding that the incident is being investigated by the counterterrorism unit and other police officers.

The Scottish Association of Mosques and the anti-Islamophobia non-profit Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND) said several of the victims were Muslims.

MEND said the alleged footage of the arrested man circulating online also showed him shouting about “protecting the country” from Muslims, accompanied by expletive-filled language.

The organization urged police to “treat this as what the evidence indicates: Islamophobic, far-right terror.”

“In recent days we have seen calls for anti-migrant protests circulating online, alongside increasingly aggressive rhetoric directed at minority communities,” the mosques association said. “These developments should concern everyone, regardless of faith or background.”

The incident comes as immigration and diversity in the UK takes the spotlight, with claims that far-right agitators are fueling racist sentiment, after a number of reported high-profile incidents in the region.

The Northern Irish capital Belfast experienced two nights of disorder this month after a knife attack, allegedly perpetrated by a Sudanese refugee, was captured on camera and went viral online.


title: Official criticizes KMT for attending Fuxi memorial

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WEAPONIZING RELIGION? Taiwanese who attend such events in China are ‘willing participants’ of the CCP’s ‘united front’ efforts, an anonymous official said

A government official yesterday criticized the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) for sending party officials to China to attend this year’s memorial for Fuxi, a religious event perceived as part of Beijing’s “united front” strategy against Taiwan.

Traditionally depicted as a deity with a human head and a serpent’s body, the mythological figure is revered as the primordial ancestor of Chinese civilization. He was credited with inventing fishing nets, establishing formal marriage rituals and creating early written symbols. He also drew the Eight Trigrams, which laid the philosophical, metaphysical and cosmological foundation for the I Ching (易經, “Book of Changes”).

The memorial, jointly organized by China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, and the Gansu Provincial Government, was held yesterday at the Fuxi Temple in Gansu Province’s Tianshui City.

Former Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) deputy chairman Andrew Hsia, center, attends the Fuxi ceremony in China’s Gansu Province yesterday. Photo: Screenshot from China Central Television’s livestream

It was broadcast live by China Central Television.

The ceremony was attended by National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference vice chairman Shao Hong (邵鴻), Taiwan Affairs Office deputy director Zhao Shitong (趙世通) and former KMT deputy chairman Andrew Hsia (夏立言).

Chao and Hsia paid their respects to Fuxi by presenting flower baskets.

Gansu Provincial Governor Ren Zhenhe (任振鶴) in his address said opposing Taiwanese independence and promoting unification is the aspiration of the public, and that Hong Kong and Macao’s prosperity should be built on integration and shared benefit.

Meanwhile in Taiwan, KMT vice chairman Lee Chien-lung (李乾龍) held a memorial for the deity at Xianshi Temple in New Taipei City’s Sanchong District (三重).

Lee serves as chairman of the temple’s board.

Fuxi memorials are a form of religious united front work and have strong nationalist overtones, a Taiwanese official familiar with Chinese affairs said yesterday on condition of anonymity.

Taiwanese who attend such events in China are “willing participants of the Chinese Communist Party’s [CCP] united front efforts,” particularly KMT members, the official said, adding that Chinese who come to Taiwan to attend Fuxi memorials are also subject to close scrutiny.

“Taiwan’s nine-in-one election is less than six months away. The CCP would try every means possible to lure Taiwanese over and sway their perceptions about China. However, the Chinese government is short on funds nowadays. The event is a complete waste of money,” the official said.

In response, Lee said people should not be too sensitive about religious activities.

“People have freedom of religion. Taiwan and China share the same language, belong to the same race and come from the same veins. Many deities we worship are from China, and Fuxi is one of them. Tracking the origin is a Chinese virtue,” Lee said.


title: Expert suggests creating united front tracker

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BEST BET:  Taiwan is the best place to establish a center to study and map the activities and networks of such groups, given its familiarity with China’s operations, Geoff Wade said

China has established a vast global network of organizations to expand its influence abroad, an Australian national security expert said, suggesting that Taiwan develop an international public database to track the network’s activities.

The Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) United Front Work Department mobilizes Chinese communities around the world through the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification, cultivating groups that promote “peaceful reunification,” Australian Strategic Policy Institute senior analyst Geoff Wade said.

These groups present themselves as grass-roots organizations, but they are actually “a propaganda and manipulation network... whose unrelenting role is to advance the party’s [CCP] influence,” he wrote in an article published on the institute’s Web site on Wednesday last week.

“’Reunification’ in the name means achieving control of Taiwan by Beijing; ‘peaceful’ just makes it sound nicer,” Wade said.

Last month, some of these groups in Niger, Cameroon, Tanzania, Chad and Angola issued “boilerplate statements” against a speech President William Lai (賴清德) made on May 20, he said.

Similar groups in Congo, Guinea and Mozambique also criticized Lai’s planned visit to Eswatini, and a group in Namibia “lambasted a visit to Taiwan by the Paraguayan president,” he added.

These statements, issued only in Chinese, “all reflect CCP messaging from the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification,” Wade said.

These groups spread are only the tip of the iceberg of the CCP’s “united front” network, Wade told CNA in an article published on Saturday.

Over the past half-century, China has built the world’s largest “para-diplomatic influence network,” Wade said.

Groups under this network exert influence in social, political and economic spheres, and collect intelligence for the CCP, at times, they even engage in espionage activities, he said.

Democratic countries should focus on ensuring political transparency and enhance analytical research in response to “united front” organizations and the threats they pose, he added.

There are hundreds of “united front” groups in Australia, the US, Canada, Europe, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand, Wade said, adding that Beijing encourages the establishment of such organizations to control overseas Chinese communities and expand China’s influence abroad.

Considering that these groups operate and report in Chinese, the international community can rely on Taiwan to help understand their activities, he said.

Wade suggested that Taiwan establish a global public database to document the activities of these organizations and map their relationship networks.

Taiwan is more familiar with the CCP and its operations than anywhere else in the world, making it the best place to establish a center to study “united front” organizations and their activities, he said.

Such a center would provide valuable information to the international community and deepen Taiwan’s ties with countries that are concerned about China’s expanding influence and espionage activities, Wade said, adding that it would benefit the whole world.


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By Huang Chin-hsuan and Jonathan Chin / Staff reporter, with staff writer

The Ministry of National Defense is seeking harsher penalties for those who dodge the draft amid concerns over lenient sentences by proposing amendments to raise the minimum prison term for draft evasion to one year.

Changes would be made to the Act on Punishment for Violation of the Military Service System (妨害兵役治罪條例) in response to courts repeatedly sentencing draft dodgers to prison terms of less than six months, an advance notice published by the ministry on June 11 said.

The punishments the justice system has handed down to men who evade mandatory military service — which are typically commuted to a fine — has created the impression that men can pay their way out of doing their duty, the ministry said.

The lack of consequences for people who dodge the draft because they have the financial means to pay for the fine has severely compromised the fairness of conscription, harmed national security and damaged the public’s trust in the government, it added.

The changes seek to address this problem by mandating a minimum prison sentence that cannot be commuted to a fine, it said.

The proposed changes would apply to people who evade their duty to serve as servicemembers, noncommissioned officers and officers in the military and armed forces reserve, the ministry said.

They would also apply to reservists who refuse mobilization or recall orders, and draftees who did not report after being selected to serve in the armed forces, it added.

Jail time for those who evade the draft by delaying service until they turn 36, the maximum age for military service, would increase by two-thirds, it said.

It is seeking tougher penalties because continued draft evasion is reprehensible, the ministry said, adding that it would also improve the military’s ability to deter draft dodging.

Conspiring or helping another person to dodge the draft would also be a crime punishable by no less than one year in prison, it said.

The penalty would apply to men who substitute for another person during a military physical exam, or those who help secure such an arrangement for someone, it added.

title: Ministry seeking tougher penalties for draft dodgers


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By Wu Sheng-ju and William Hetherington / Staff reporter, with staff writer

An espionage case involving a TV reporter allegedly included leaked classified documents regarding the 333rd, 66th and 99th brigades — among the military’s most combat-capable units, a military source said yesterday.

CTi News reporter Lin Chen-yu (林宸佑) was indicted last month on charges of contravening the Anti-Infiltration Act (反滲透法) and national security laws, as well as corruption.

Lin allegedly received cryptocurrency from overseas actors, produced videos critical of the mass recall campaign targeting opposition lawmakers, and recruited six current and former military personnel to record pro-China videos and gather military intelligence, prosecutors said.

The army’s 99th Brigade carries out a beach landing mission using inflatable boats during a drill in an undated photograph. Photo: Taipei Times

Those implicated include a noncommissioned officer responsible for managing army documents, a soldier from a helicopter unit, personnel from a multiple-launch rocket system unit, a noncommissioned marine corps officer from the 66th Brigade and an officer from the army’s 333rd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, they said.

The source, a field-grade officer familiar with the case, said many of the military personnel allegedly recruited by overseas actors had sought financial assistance online and were targeted because they had debt, most of which was gambling-related.

Fearing that their financial problems would be exposed and damage to their military careers, some allegedly agreed to provide classified information in exchange for money, the source said.

The alleged leaked materials suggest intelligence-gathering efforts were focused on units with strong combat capabilities, including the 66th and 99th brigades (the marine corps formations), and the army’s 333rd Mechanized Infantry Brigade. The latter, once referred to as the military’s “premier division,” has conducted training and exercises with US forces for years and remains a capable combat unit despite organizational restructuring.

Legal experts said Taiwan should consider tougher penalties to deter similar cases and protect national security, with some calling for expanded use of severe punishments under the Armed Forces Penal Code (陸海空軍刑法).

Foreign forces have long used political, business and religious exchanges as a cover to gather intelligence and have increasingly sought to infiltrate the military, a prosecutor said.

No active-duty service member has been sentenced to death or life imprisonment for selling military secrets since the end of martial law, raising questions over whether existing penalties are sufficient to deter such offenses.

The National Security Act (國家安全法), Anti-Infiltration Act and Classified National Security Information Protection Act (國家機密保護法) form the main legal framework for such cases, Minglun Law Firm managing attorney Fang Yen-hui (房彥輝) said.

The most severe penalties under the National Security Act apply to those who act under the direction of, or develop organizations for, hostile foreign forces, he said, adding that the minimum prison term is at least seven years.

The Armed Forces Penal Code allows for life imprisonment or the death penalty for active-duty personnel who engage in espionage, assist spies, provide military advantage to an enemy or disclose military secrets, Fang said.

However, these provisions generally apply only to active-duty personnel or civilians during wartime, he added.

Lawmakers should consider tougher penalties for breaking national security laws or broadening the scope of the Armed Forces Penal Code to better deter leaks of military secrets, such as operational plans, weapons deployments and identities of intelligence personnel.

title: Spy case involves combat-capable unit leaks: source


title: Han Kuo-yu heads cross-party delegation on US visit

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Legislative Speaker Han Kuo- yu (韓國瑜) left yesterday at the head of a cross-party delegation for a six-day trip to the US, including visits to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co’s (TSMC) Arizona complex and Washington.

Speaking to the press before his departure at Taoyuan International Airport, Han said the trip was made possible through an invitation from a Taiwan-friendly caucus in the US Congress.

The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmaker said the main focus of the trip is to promote closer Taiwan-US exchanges through “parliamentary diplomacy.”

Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu, second left, shakes hands with Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Chen Kuan-ting at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport yesterday. Chen is a member of the cross-party delegation headed by Han that left yesterday for a six-day trip to the US, including visits to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co’s Arizona complex and Washington. Photo: Chu Pei-hsiung, Taipei Times

The delegation will return on Friday aboard EVA Airways’ inaugural direct flight from Washington to Taiwan, which Han said reflected deepening bilateral ties.

The delegation consists of Han and seven other lawmakers, including three from the KMT, one from the smaller opposition Taiwan People’s Party, and three from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party.

According to sources familiar with the group’s itinerary, the delegation will first visit the TSMC manufacturing complex in Phoenix and will also attend a banquet with overseas Taiwanese while in Arizona.

The group will then head to Washington to meet with US senators, members of the House of Representatives and senior US government officials.


title: Hornet hotspots mapped in New Taipei

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TAKE PRECAUTIONS:  People should wear light-colored, long-sleeved clothing during outdoor activities, and those stung by a hornet should call 119 immediately, the office said

The New Taipei City Government’s Animal Protection and Health Inspection Office has set up a hornet hotspot warning system after 2,916 cases of hornet nest removals and 44 hornet sting incidents were reported this year.

A man briefly lost consciousness after being stung by a hornet at New Taipei City’s Sandiaoling Trail (三貂嶺步道) on Saturday last week. He recovered following medical treatment.

The office yesterday said it has been collaborating with National Taiwan University’s Department of Entomology on mapping out hornet hotspots across the city from 2023.

A section of the Sandiaoling Trail is cordoned off by the New Taipei City Government’s Animal Protection and Health Inspection Office after a bee-sting incident on Saturday. Photo courtesy of the office

A Line Bot warning system integrated with the hornet hotspot map has been developed this year, it said.

People can scan a QR code to add the Line Bot to their Line friend list and turn on the “tracking hornet hotspots” function in the chatroom to see whether they are near a hornet hotspot in the city, the office said.

They can also use the “reporting hornet activities” function to promptly inform authorities of such locations with text messages and photos, it said.

Office director Yang Shu-fang (楊淑方) said the system offers graded warnings.

The area within 1m of a sting incident is defined as high-alert zone, while areas within 500m and 1km are moderate-alert and low-alert zones respectively, she said.

Warning messages would be sent more frequently with increased warning levels, Yang said, adding that people can turn on their phone ringer to hear the warning sounds.

Hornet hotspots listed on the map include Rueifang District’s (瑞芳) Sandiaoling (三貂嶺), Keelung Mountain, and Earless Teapot Mountain hiking trails, Sansia District’s (三峽) Wuliaojian (五寮尖) and Yuanshan (鳶山) hiking trails, Shihding District’s (石碇) Huangdidian hiking trail (皇帝殿), Sindian District’s (新店) Yinhedong hiking trail (銀河洞), Yingge District’s (鶯歌) Yingge Rock hiking trail, Tucheng District’s (土城) Chengtian Temple hiking trail (承天禪寺), Jhonghe District’s (中和) Hongludi hiking trail (烘爐地), Pingsi District’s (平溪) Wufenshan hiking trail (五分山), and the Houshanyue hiking trail (猴山岳) situated across the border between Sindian and Shenkeng (深坑) districts.

The office said that most hornet nests are spherical, clay-yellow color and have a wavy surface, and are often found hung below trees or eaves with guard hornets patrolling around the nests.

Hornet nesting season began after Tomb-Sweeping Day and would run into November, it said.

People should suspend outdoor activities when they see a hornet nest or hornet activities and should report the incident for professional assistance by calling the city’s 1999 or 1959 hotlines, the office said.

People should also leave promptly and calmly if they find patrol hornets hovering around them, it said.

The office suggested wearing light-colored, long-sleeved clothing and a hat, as well as using mosquito repellent containing diethyltoluamide during outdoor activities.

People stung by a hornet should immediately leave to avoid a second attack and call 119 for prompt hospitalization, it said.

Meanwhile, the National Health Insurance Administration said a hornet’s sting is likely to cause severe injuries, adding that the black-bellied hornet is the most venomous.

People stung by bees or hornets should use tweezers to slowly pull the sting out of the skin, it said, adding that the sting should not be pulled out directly with hands as it has a venom sac that could be popped.

Clinical symptoms induced by stings can be categorized into non-allergic, allergic and toxic reactions, it said.

While most non-allergic reactions can be relieved within several hours, allergic or toxic reactions, such as edema, cramping, hemolysis, rhabdomyolysis, asthma or low blood pressure could lead to shock and death, it said.

Acute allergic reactions such as upper airway edema or bronchospasm are the most serious, especially for those who have been stung before, it said.

An acute allergic reaction could occur with just one sting and would usually happen within just a few minutes, it said.

People who experience anaphylaxis or toxic reactions should promptly seek medical attention, it said, adding that epinephrine preparations are recommended for those with history of acute allergic reactions.

taiwan-subdivisions: 深坑 土城 新店 三峽 石碇 平溪 瑞芳 中和 鶯歌


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HIGH QUALITY: Dairy farmers in Taiwan are extremely prudent when raising their dairy cows, compared with imported products, an official said

The Dairy Association of Taiwan yesterday said that raw milk used in Taiwan’s fresh milk — including sterilized milk — is Grade A milk, saying that its quality standards are fundamentally different from those of dairy products imported from other countries.

The comments came after a recent global cost-of-living survey ranked Taiwan as having the world’s most expensive milk, with an average price of US$3.09 per liter, sparking widespread discussion.

Raw milk is graded from A to D according to their somatic cell count (SCC), with Grade A milk containing fewer than 300,000 cells per milliliter (cells/mL), Grade B ranging between 300,000 and 500,000 cells/mL, Grade C between 500,000 and 800,000 cells/mL and Grade D from 800,000 to 1 million cells/mL.

Association chairman Hsu Jih-tay (徐濟泰) said somatic cells primarily come from a cow’s mammary gland cells, so if a dairy cow’s udder is healthy, the SSC in its milk would remain low, and a sudden increase in the SSC usually indicates that the cow is experiencing inflammation.

When Taiwanese dairy plants sign contracts with dairy farmers, they only accept Grade A raw milk, and any raw milk with lower grades must be discarded, he said, adding that low-temperature pasteurization is used to preserve nutrients in fresh milk.

Even though regulations in Taiwan permit certain residual limits for veterinary drugs and antibiotics in raw milk, the contracts between dairy plants and farmers strictly require a zero-detection standard for both, enforcing even more stringent rules than legally required, he said.

When dairy plants use large milk tankers to collect raw milk from dairy farmers, a single tanker can collect from two to three contracted dairy farms at a time, Hsu said, adding that a sample is retained from each farm before collection.

Before final unloading from the tanker, the milk is tested using highly sensitive test strips, and the entire batch is destroyed if non-compliance is detected, he said, adding that the retained samples would be used to trace which dairy farm caused the problem, which must compensate the other farms according to the contracts.

As the compensation cost can be massive, Taiwanese dairy farmers are extremely prudent and careful when raising their dairy cows, Hsu added.

In 2008, a massive food safety crisis involving the deliberate adulteration of infant formula and other dairy products with the industrial chemical melamine was discovered in China. Excessive intake of melamine can lead to impaired reproductive capacity, kidney failure and other health issues. Taiwan has since banned the import of Chinese dairy products.

Milk prices in China have recently slumped, falling to historic lows.

Animal diseases are prevalent in China and its epidemic prevention methods are opaque, Hsu said, adding that since milk can easily carry pathogens, it is not advisable to resume the import of Chinese dairy products.

title: Association touts ‘Grade A’ milk after price dissatisfaction


title: Detention sought for man in cheerleader attack

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The Shihlin District Prosecutors’ Office yesterday sought an order for pretrial detention from the court for a 52-year-old man who on Saturday allegedly attacked a cheerleader for a professional Taiwanese baseball team.

The cheerleader, Wang Ching-wen (王敬汶), better known by her stage name, Wen Wen (汶汶), was transported to hospital, where she underwent surgery.

Wang, a member of the Passion Sisters cheerleading squad, was at a private photoshoot at a Taipei studio, an event that the suspect, surnamed Hsu (許), had signed up for more than a month earlier, police said yesterday following a preliminary investigation.

A suspect surnamed Hsu, center, who allegedly attacked a cheerleader, is escorted by police in Taipei on Saturday. Photo: Liu Ching-ho, Taipei Times

Three photographers were injured in the altercation trying to disarm Hsu, the Taipei City Police Department’s Datong Precinct said.

Hsu initially refused to make a statement after his arrest, police said.

After a night in custody, he was quoted by police as saying yesterday that he had been upset over being blacklisted by several studio shoot organizers, and that he had recently been blocked by Wang on social media, which he said triggered his anger and led to the attack.

After questioning, Hsu was referred to the Shihlin District Prosecutors’ Office to be further investigated on suspicion of attempted murder and assault.

Police said Hsu began following Wang on social media around three to four years ago.

In addition to frequently messaging Wang via social media, Hsu is reported to have attended events and competitions in which Wang made an appearance.

In September last year, studio shoot organizers began to take note of Hsu’s “excessive enthusiasm,” and moved to block him from attending the events.

Wang’s management team under Dorian International Entertainment also reportedly blocked Hsu on Wang’s social media accounts due to safety concerns.

In the wake of the attack, the baseball team Wang cheers for, the CTBC Brothers which is a member of Taiwan’s Chinese Professional Baseball League, said private work has been banned for all members of the Passion Sisters cheerleading squad, and security would be tightened during baseball events.

In a joint statement, the CTBC Brothers and Dorian International Entertainment said they would fully cooperate with the authorities in the investigation of the incident.

According to local media reports, Hsu is unemployed and previously lived with his family in Taipei’s Daan District (大安). He is suspected of suffering from long-term obsessive-compulsive disorder, the reports said, adding that he has been repeatedly charged with shoplifting and has also shown signs of hoarding.

His parents reportedly had frequent disputes with him over his condition and eventually moved out of the home after reaching an impasse. Hsu has since been living alone at the property, with his retired father covering his living expenses.

Additional reporting by Lin Hsin-ying


content_text:
Public figures face different patterns of harassment to the general public: expert

Patterns of harassment faced by public figures are often different from that of the general public, as they are often harassed by strangers and might hesitate to seek help due to concerns over causing public controversy, Taiwan Academy of Psychiatry and the Law board member Lee Chun-hung (李俊宏) said yesterday, urging people to seek help before the situation worsens.

Commenting on an attack on CTBC Brothers cheerleader Wang Ching-wen (王敬汶) on Saturday, Lee said that, as public figures, cheerleaders face a different pattern of stalking compared with cases more commonly seen among the general public, such as disputes in intimate relationships or domestic violence.

In many instances, the perpetrators are strangers, driven by obsessive fan behavior or distorted perceptions of a relationship, leading to conduct that crosses legal boundaries, he said, adding that in some cases, such behavior might also stem from other forms of hostility or animosity.

Handshake sessions and fan meetings that allow close interactions between fans and figures have become popular in the past few years, Lee said, adding that in countries like Japan and South Korea, where fan cultures developed earlier than in Taiwan, they have measures such as real-name authentication, venue-entry security checks and even AI facial recognition to protect public figures.

In these countries, when public figures post real-time updates on social media, they might also use tactics such as delaying posts to ensure that their current location cannot be tracked by fans, he said.

Taiwan has also been influenced by East Asian pop culture in the past few years, leading to various fandom behaviors, Lee said. Most fans are rational and respect the boundaries between themselves and their idols, but it is still difficult to guarantee that there are no radical, obsessive fans — such as Hsu, he added.

While Taiwanese entertainment companies have followed Japanese and South Korean practices to protect their artists, there is still room for improvement, he said.

Even when public figures are aware that a fan has engaged in excessive or inappropriate stalking behavior, they might still hesitate to report it to police or pursue legal action, out of concern that doing so could trigger public controversy, he said.

However, people should proactively seek help from the police if they encounter such situations, he said, adding that it allows the authorities to assess if a written warning should be issued, or if they should apply to the court for a protection order.

If an incident does occur later, police would already have the relevant information on file, allowing for a faster response and more immediate assistance, he said.

Meanwhile, Lawyer Liu Wei-ting (劉韋廷) said on a post on social media that the most heartbreaking part of the incident is that Wang had sent out signals for help before the attack.

Wang in February wrote on social media that she hoped fans would stop following her after work and give her some personal space, he said.

In many cases, the victims do not remain silent, but the problem is that when they speak up, those around them downplay interactions as encountering “over-enthusiastic fans,” he said.

Liu said if someone is subjected to long-term stalking, tailing, loitering, repeated contact, surveillance or covert filming, and have suffered psychological distress, they do not need to wait for a bodily injury incident to occur before taking action.

According to the Stalking and Harassment Prevention Act (跟蹤騷擾防制法), victims can report the matter to the police, he said.

“If you feel afraid, terrified or even feel that you are being continuously stalked, surveilled or harassed by a specific person, do not take it lightly, and do not just think the other person is just being overly enthusiastic” Liu said, urging all celebrities, public figures and the general public to report incidents to the police immediately.

Additional reporting by Lin Nan-gu


title: Doctors warn of injury as World Cup energy spreads

content_text:
By Ho Chia-yu and Jonathan Chin / Staff reporter, with staff writer

Warming-up, physical conditioning and post-exercise recovery are key to enjoying soccer safely, a Taipei-based physiatrist said, as World Cup fever fuels a surge in the sport’s popularity among Taiwanese.

Although good for strength and cardio conditioning, soccer has a high risk of physical injury, said Chen Chen-cheng (陳建成), head of the physical medicine and rehabilitation department at the Cheng Hsin General Hospital.

The most common soccer injuries are tearing or damage to the thigh muscles, ankles and parts of the knee, including the menicus bone, meniscus cartilage, and anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments, he said.

Japan’s Ritsu Doan vies for the ball against Tunisia’s Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida in a Group F FIFA World Cup match on Saturday in Mexico. Photo: Reuters

These types of injuries are linked to the constant sprinting, directional changes mid-stride and leaping during a match, which put strain on the skeletal-muscular structure, Chen said.

The patella, meniscus and meniscus cartilage — which doctors dub “the unhappy triad” — are structures that bear the brunt of impact from running, making them susceptible to damage and trauma, he said, adding that such injuries sometimes require surgery to repair.

In addition, amateurs could badly injure themselves by bungling maneuvers that they lack the skill for, he said.

A hard landing from a badly executed bicycle kick could cause damage to the tail vertebrae, while head-butts might result in concussion or other types of head injuries, Chen said.

After a game, players should hydrate, replenish electrolytes, soak in hot and cold water alternatively, and elevate their legs, which facilitates blood circulation and relaxes the muscles, he said.

Soreness can be treated by a hot compress, massages and stretches, while ice should be applied to injuries for 48 hours before switching to alternating between hot and cold compresses, he said.

There is no scientific basis for the health benefit of bloodletting following strenuous exercise, but some evidence seems to suggest that gua sha (刮痧) — repeatedly scraping lubricated skin with smooth-edged tools to produce light bruising — helps circulate subcutaneous fluids and lymphatic flow, Chen said.

Walking on tiptoes, hamstring stretches and clamshell exercises can train calf strength, flexibility and the hip and glute muscle groups, all of which help reduce injury risks to the lower body, he said.

People should have a check-up with a specialist if they suffer from lasting pain, swelling or reduced range of motion following strenuous exercise, Chen said.


content_text:
The Central Weather Administration (CWA) yesterday issued heat warnings for much of Taiwan for today, forecasting highs of up to 36°C ahead of Tropical Storm Mekkhala’s closest approach to the nation on Thursday.

Orange heat alerts, indicating temperatures of 36°C or higher for three consecutive days, were issued for Taipei, New Taipei City, Tainan, Changhua County, Nantou County, Yunlin County, Pingtung County and Hualien County, the CWA said.

Yellow heat alerts, warning of highs reaching 36°C on at least one day, were issued for Taoyuan, Taichung, Kaohsiung, Keelung City and Chiayi County.

A woman walks with a portable fan at Shenkeng Old Street in New Taipei City’s Shenkeng District yesterday. Photo: CNA

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Mekkhala, which is expected to strengthen into a typhoon last night or this morning, is expected to make its closest approach to Taiwan on Thursday.

Under the influence of the storm’s outer cloud systems, western and northeastern Taiwan might experience scattered showers and thunderstorms on Thursday and Friday, while other parts of the country are likely to see localized afternoon showers, CWA forecaster Liu Pei-teng (劉沛滕) said.

The extent and intensity of the rainfall would depend on the storm’s eventual track and distance from Taiwan, he added.

As of yesterday afternoon, Mekkhala was about 1,310km east-southeast of Oluanpi (鵝鑾鼻), Taiwan’s southernmost point, and was moving westward at 24km per hour, Liu said.

Forecasts show the storm turning north on Wednesday and passing through waters east of Taiwan, though its exact track remains uncertain, he added.

title: CWA issues heat warnings ahead of Mekkhala approach


title: Dragon boat victory

content_text: The Kaohsiung City Government’s dragon boat, in which Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai served as the flag bearer and Minister of Sports Lee Yang served as the lead paddler, takes first place in the international friendship race at the Kaohsiung Dragon Boat Festival Carnival yesterday.


content_text:
PROMISING SIGNS:  The indications of a peace deal, or at least a ceasefire, between the US and Iran have global prices easing down slightly after months of shooting

State-owned oil supplier CPC Corp, Taiwan (CPC, 台灣中油) announced on Saturday that it would cut domestic gasoline and diesel prices by NT$1.0 (US$0.03) and NT$0.7 per liter respectively this week, reflecting reduced upward pressure on international energy prices.

The announcement marked an end to the company’s 11-week streak of leaving its retail fuel prices unchanged amid military conflicts in the Middle East.

CPC said in a statement that international crude prices fell last week after the US and Iran announced plans to sign a memorandum of understanding to extend their ceasefire for 60 days and open the Strait of Hormuz, the choke point for about one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas supply.

Front-month Brent crude oil futures — the international oil benchmark — last week fell 7.74 percent to settle at US$80.57 per barrel on the Intercontinental Exchange in London.

Meanwhile, West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures — the US oil gauge — lost 9.75 percent in the week to US$76.6 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Under CPC’s floating price mechanism, based on a weighting of 70 percent Dubai crude and 30 percent Brent crude, the average international oil cost fell to US$76.39 per barrel last week, down from US$90.12 the week before.

This week, the company’s retail gasoline prices are set to fall to NT$31.4, NT$32.9 and NT$34.9 per liter for 92, 95 and 98-octane unleaded gasoline respectively, while prices for premium diesel drop to NT$30.3 per liter, CPC said.

The announcement followed the government’s price stabilization measures that saw CPC absorb an estimated NT$17.7 billion in losses from sales of domestic gasoline and diesel since the US and Israel attacked Iran at the end of February.

Although international oil prices have fallen, the future of the situation in the Middle East remains to be seen, the company said, as US-Iran talks on a permanent ceasefire were set to commence yesterday in Switzerland.

While the hard-won interim deal between the US and Iran signaled an end to hostilities, it is only the beginning of wrangling over the long-running dispute over Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

In another sign of potential risk, the fighting between Israel — which is not a party to the deal — and Hezbollah prompted Tehran to claim a ceasefire violation and flex its leverage over the Hormuz chokepoint.

Additional reporting by Bloomberg

title: Gasoline prices to drop slightly


title: ‘Dutch disease’ not a problem: central bank

content_text:
BETTER INTEGRATED:  Overemphasis on the AI industry will not hit Taiwan like the natural gas boom did to the Netherlands, the central bank said in a quarterly report

While Taiwan’s technology sector remains the primary driver of economic growth, exports from traditional industries have shown signs of recovery, the nation’s central bank said last week.

In a report released following its quarterly policymaking meeting on Thursday, the central bank said that while Taiwan’s information and communications technology (ICT) sector and broader economy have benefited significantly from booming global demand for artificial intelligence (AI) related products, many traditional manufacturers have integrated into the AI supply chain through technology upgrades and product diversification.

Nan Ya Plastics Corp (南亞塑膠) has stepped up production of materials such as glass fiber cloth used in AI-related applications, helping boost its exports by 13.04 percent in the first five months of this year, data from by the Taiwan Stock Exchange showed.

Addressing concerns that Taiwan could be vulnerable to a form of “Dutch disease,” where rapid AI-driven growth crowds out other sectors of the economy, the central bank argued that the country’s situation differs significantly from that of the Netherlands in the 1960s.

The bank said Dutch manufacturing had limited links to the country’s natural gas industry, reducing opportunities for technology spillovers.

By contrast, “Taiwan’s traditional manufacturing industries have continuously enhanced their competitiveness and increased value-added production by integrating into the AI ecosystem,” the central bank said.

For example, makers of precision instruments have entered the semiconductor equipment market, suppliers of chemical materials have expanded into production of specialty chemicals and the power equipment and metal processing industries have entered the AI server cooling and infrastructure supply chain, it said.

“Taiwan’s economic development bears no resemblance to the phenomenon known as ‘Dutch disease,’” the central bank added.

Despite external headwinds, including Chinese dumping practices and US tariffs, exports from Taiwan’s traditional industries rose 7.7 percent year-on-year in the first five months of this year, indicating a recovery from previous weakness, the central bank said.

During the quarterly policymaking meeting, the central bank raised its forecast of Taiwan’s GDP growth to 9.45 percent for this year, an increase of 2.17 percentage points from the estimate made in March.


content_text:
Google DeepMind vice president John Jumper, who won the 2024 Nobel Prize in chemistry for his work on artificial intelligence (AI), is leaving the company to join Anthropic PBC.

Jumper has been a key member of Google’s AI coding development team and his departure strains the tech giant’s efforts to beat Anthropic, OpenAI and SpaceX in the race to build the most powerful AI models.

Google has struggled to sell AI coding tools to businesses, according to former employees.

John M. Jumper, one of the three laureates who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 2024, poses for a photo offices of Google DeepMind in London in 2024. Photo: Reuters

Employees and executives at DeepMind have raised concerns in the past few months that the company does not have a clear solution for businesses seeking AI coding tools, which have become a key focus of Anthropic and OpenAI, and has driven both companies’ momentum.

“After nearly 9 years, I have decided to leave Google DeepMind and join Anthropic,” Jumper posted on social media on Friday.

A spokesperson for Google DeepMind confirmed Jumper’s departure in a statement and said the company was grateful for his contributions to DeepMind’s work in advancing science and AI. An Anthropic spokesperson confirmed Jumper would be joining the company.

Jumper won the chemistry Nobel alongside Deepmind CEO Demis Hassabis for creating an AI model that can predict the structure of proteins called AlphaFold.

“Thanks John for an extraordinary partnership and wonderful collaboration over the past 9 years,” Hassabis wrote on social media. “What we achieved with AlphaFold changed the world, and showed the field what was possible with AI for science and medicine, lighting the way for how AI can benefit humanity.”

Technology giants including Meta Platforms Inc and Alphabet Inc, along with AI upstarts such as Anthropic and OpenAI, are locked in a fierce talent war, competing for elite researchers as they race to build next-generation AI systems.

“There is so much demand for limited AI research talent that the frontier AI research labs are willing to do whatever it takes to add them. This puts OpenAI and Anthropic at an advantage over large companies such as Google because they can promise less bureaucracy and a more focused effort on pursuing Superintelligence,” DA Davidson & Co analyst Gil Luria said.

Jumper is leaving DeepMind after another of Google’s researchers, Noam Shazeer, left for OpenAI.

Shazeer co-authored a seminal paper that helped catalyze the AI boom.

His departure from Google was a big win for OpenAI as it competes with Anthropic to develop ever-more sophisticated models before their initial public offerings.

Additional reporting by Reuters

title: Nobel Prize AI researcher leaves Google to Anthropic


content_text:
The European Commission would propose a new law requiring EU companies to diversify their sources of key supplies, although it might prove surplus to requirements if they proactively de-risk from China, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.

EU leaders meeting in Brussels agreed on Friday that the EU executive should enter dialogue with the bloc’s main trading partners on “global macroeconomic imbalances” as well as reviewing whether new trade measures are needed.

The focus was on China, although the world’s second-largest economy was not named in the conclusions of their summit. Von der Leyen said the European Commission would propose a measure to promote diversification because businesses had derisked at too slow a pace. The issue came to a head last year when China exploited its dominance in processing of critical minerals by placing export restrictions on rare earths.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks to the media following a EU summit in Brussels, Belgium, on Friday. Photo: Reuters

The best-case scenario was that companies stepped up their efforts to derisk, suggesting the measure might then be redundant, von der Leyen said.

“There is a need for improvement. We’ve seen the figures, they speak for themselves, and we have to rebalance our relationship,” she added.

When the G7 issued a joint statement on Wednesday on stepping up cooperation to reduce critical mineral dependencies, China urged the G7 nations to respect market economy principles and international trading rules rather than favoring “small cliques.”

EU diplomats say there is a gradual convergence of views among the 27 EU members that there is a problem with the goods trade deficit with China, which amounts to about 1 billion euros (US$1.15 billion) per day. The situation is more critical as transatlantic tariffs have diminished access to the US market.

European Council President Antonio Costa, who chaired the summit, said engagement with China was vital, describing a 1 billion euros in trade deficit per day as “simply unsustainable.”

“We cannot continue to raise this issue without any concrete results. And until now, unfortunately, China didn’t deliver,” Costa said.

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever said another item the EU leaders had agreed was to unite in the event of retaliation from third countries.

“Retaliation will not affect everyone equally. Not everyone is equally vulnerable. Some are highly vulnerable. Everyone is vulnerable to some extent, including us,” he said.

title: EU pledges to diversify and de-risk from China


people: 蔡英文 饒慶鈴

content_text:
Mangoes and atemoyas, two types of Taiwanese fruit, have grabbed the attention of the media in the past week — but for different reasons. One drew praise for its success, while the other has been embroiled in controversy and heated political debate.

Taiwanese mangoes entered the French market for the first time this month, reaching Paris’ main wholesale food market before being distributed to luxury hotels, fine restaurants, specialty stores and premium retailers. Their reputation for high quality led to strong demand, with reports them being rapidly sold out and positive reception from French consumers. The debut followed years of negotiations over plant quarantine rules and compliance with strict EU agricultural standards, marking a milestone for Taiwan’s fruit exports. The Ministry of Agriculture said importers in the UK, Germany and other European countries have also expressed interest.

The ministry said on Thursday that after the EU introduced stricter plant health rules in 2019 requiring scientific evidence for rigorous reviews, Taiwan spent years improving breeds, cultivation facilities, product traceability, registered orchards and cold-chain systems to secure the approval.

The ministry said the export supply chain includes 65 exporters, 635 farms and 584 hectares of mango orchards. Taiwanese mango exports reached 1,101.06 tonnes this year, up 282.7 percent from 287.73 tonnes last year.

“From Taiwan’s orchards to Paris’ markets, a journey that spans thousands of kilometers is, in reality, the hard-won result of long-term investments and collaboration among farmers, agribusinesses, logistics teams, quarantine officials and the government,” former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) wrote on social media.

She also shared details about establishing the national cold chain logistics system for agricultural products during her tenure, as well as the government’s continuous efforts to expand agricultural exports to reduce reliance on a single market and to tap into high-income consumer markets.

Running counter to the success story of Taiwan’s mangoes is the developing scandal involving atemoya exports. Taitung County Commissioner Yao Ching-ling (饒慶鈴) is under investigation after participating in China’s Straits Forum via a prerecorded video in which she reportedly promoted atemoyas grown in Taitung.

Yao might have breached cross-strait regulations by cooperating with Chinese Communist Party (CCP) entities, the Mainland Affairs Council said.

The council has labeled the Straits Forum, held in China’s Xiamen on June 13, a “united front” platform targeting Taiwan, and explicitly banned central and local government officials from participating in it in any form. Yao defended her action by saying it was “the right thing to do” — helping local atemoya farmers find export markets — as the forum had a contract-signing session for the procurement of Taiwanese agricultural products.

Many Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) politicians voiced support for Yao and accused the central government of harming farmers’ livelihoods for ideological reasons.

The council says it does not oppose Yao promoting Taiwanese atemoyas in other countries, nor is it against selling atemoyas in China, but it is against officials participating in the forum, as it allows Beijing to create the impression that Taiwanese officials are listening to Chinese officials’ speeches.

China has repeatedly used agricultural trade as political leverage, and “fruit purchase orders” made at the forum are actually “political orders,” exposing Taiwanese to political risk, it added.

The ministry said Beijing’s invitation to Taiwan to export atemoyas is an example of bait-and-switch tactics: using large-scale purchase agreements and tariff exemptions to lure farmers and create strong dependence on its market, before abruptly suspending imports, leaving farmers with severe financial losses.

In 2020, China accounted for more than 95 percent of Taiwan’s atemoya exports, totaling about 13,500 tonnes and worth about NT$1.5 billion (US$47.49 million).

In September 2021, China suddenly suspended imports, citing quarantine pest detections. It partially resumed imports in June 2023 from a limited number of farms and exporters. In 2024, it imposed a 20 percent tariff and a 9 percent value-added tax. Meanwhile, China expanded its own atemoya orchards and reportedly improved cultivation using techniques taught by Taiwanese farmers, leaving Taiwanese atemoyas at a disadvantage in the Chinese market.

As China continues to use economic coercion to exert political pressure on Taiwan, the two cases show why the Democratic Progressive Party-led government has sought to reduce dependence on China and expand Taiwan’s ties with the wider world.

title: EDITORIAL: China risk ripens in fruit row


content_text:
University application results have been announced, and admissions rates and seat utilization rates have slightly increased compared to last year, with vacancies hitting a four-year low. However, the number of vacancies in medical programs has reached a five-year high. Vacancies at the nation’s top universities — National Taiwan University (NTU), National Tsing Hua University (NTHU), National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) and National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) — remain high, warranting serious attention.

Reviewing this year’s university placement results, although the number of overall vacancies has decreased, NTU has 188 vacancies, NTHU has 52 vacancies, NYCU has 135 vacancies, National Chengchi University has 183 vacancies and NCKU has as many as 237. Medical programs are short 137 seats in self-funded tracks and six seats in publicly funded tracks. Chung Shan Medical University originally planned to admit 70 students, but only placed 39 — a vacancy rate of nearly 50 percent.

The head of the College Admissions Committee stated that the number of applicants to medical programs has increased, and that they remain a top choice among high-scoring candidates. Thus, the vacancies likely stem from applicants being admitted to multiple universities simultaneously and securing admission through the Stars Program — through which schools directly recommend their top students to universities for admission — thereby leaving several vacancies after a competitive selection process. Although this explanation appears reasonable, it fails to address the core of the issue.

Declining birthrates have led to insufficient placements in lower-tier universities, undoubtedly driven by supply and demand. However, the phenomenon of top medical and elite university programs being passed over is the result of institutional flaws.

Some have suggested increasing the screening multiplier — the mechanism that uses a department’s planned intake to determine the maximum number of students who advance to the second round of application reviews — while others have proposed expanding the number of waitlisted candidates, arguing that such measures would solve the problem. However, screening ratios are already set at three to five times the admission quota. A further increase would lead to a number of issues.

First, it would increase the administrative burden on university departments, making it difficult to recruit qualified personnel. Second, the resulting increase in revenue could lead to accusations of profiteering. Lastly, the probability of getting admitted would decrease, leaving most applicants with nothing to show for their efforts. Expanding the screening multiplier would not fundamentally resolve the underlying problem — it would only introduce additional drawbacks. Similarly, increasing the number of waitlisted candidates might slightly alleviate the vacancy issue to some extent, but it is not a fundamental solution.

Under the current university application system, students may list up to six preferences. However, listing too many options can lead to duplicate admissions. This year, NTU allowed up to five department choices and NTHU up to six. Driven by a preference for prestigious universities, students often select multiple departments within the same institution, resulting in multiple admissions and vacancies in the final allocation process.

Similar to the exam-based placement system, the number of preferences allowed in the university application process should be significantly expanded to allow for a choice of up to 50 university departments per applicant. After ranking their preferences, candidates would then be automatically filtered by the system, allowing a maximum of four university departments to pass the initial selection.

Without being constrained by a limited number of choices, applicants could freely select programs according to their interests.

This would not only reduce cases of high scorers being placed in lower-ranked universities or failing to gain admission at all, but it would also alleviate scheduling conflicts in admissions exams and interviews, further resolving the vacancy problem — a comprehensive, one-stop solution.

The university application system has been in place for many years, and accounts for half of university admissions. However, top medical programs and elite universities continue to experience annual vacancies, and no action has been taken.

This not only undermines university admissions, but harms innocent students.

The authorities must repair the gaps in the system by expanding the number of selectable preferences for university applicants, revising and strengthening supporting measures and thoroughly eliminating this major institutional flaw.

Wen Shun-te is a senior-high school principal.

Translated by Kyra Gustavsen

title: Addressing university vacancies


title: Michael Mazza On Taiwan: A Tale of Two Tests

content_text:
Five weeks since US President Donald Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) in Beijing, his administration now faces two important tests in the Indo-Pacific.

The first test is one of the president’s own making. After meeting with Xi, Trump described arms sales to Taiwan as “a very good negotiating chip” and announced that a previously approved sale was now “in abeyance.” The Financial Times later reported that Beijing is holding approval for a visit by Elbridge Colby, the undersecretary of defense for policy, pending the president’s decision on the sale.

During Trump’s first term in office, he regularized the arms sale process. Rather than grouping sales into large, infrequent packages, which were then timed to avoid coinciding with the US-China diplomatic calendar, the president moved towards a process in which sales were granted as requested, regardless of timing.

This was good for Washington, Taipei, and even Beijing. It created greater predictability for all three parties. And by disentangling US-China diplomacy from the arms sales process, it theoretically eased talks on other issues where compromise was actually possible.

But in his second term, the president has walked away from that approach. He preemptively held off on final approval for a sale in return for a meeting with Xi in which the Chinese leader gave him little of value in return. Now Beijing is seeing if it can repeat this feat with a sub-cabinet official. Hence the test.

Taiwan’s continued existence as a de facto independent state is in America’s interest, as Trump’s National Security Strategy makes clear.

If Trump is willing to negotiate away Taiwan’s self-defense capability so that Colby can go to Beijing, Xi will have learned that the integrity of the First Island Chain, which the National Security Strategy prioritized, is not as important to the president as a “constructive relationship of strategic stability” with China.

The second test also relates to the First Island Chain, which stretches from Japan through Taiwan and the Philippines. Last week, the Philippines confirmed that China had installed a new floating structure inside Scarborough Shoal, a disputed patch of maritime territory in the South China Sea off Luzon’s west coast.

Chinese actions at Scarborough Shoal have caused some of the sharpest tensions in the South China Sea over the last two decades.

During a 2012 standoff at the shoal, the US mediated a reciprocal withdrawal.

Beijing reneged on the agreement after Manila pulled its ships, leaving China effectively in control of the atoll.

Two years later, Beijing began its island-building campaign in the South China Sea, through which it exerted greater control over the contested waterway and established a string of military bases — also in contravention of a commitment, made to then-US president Barack Obama in the White House, not to “militarize” the sea.

Now Beijing is pushing the envelope once again. Make no mistake: China is challenging the US directly. If Washington fails to respond effectively to Beijing’s installation of a floating structure, a permanent structure will eventually follow.

Mischief Reef, another disputed feature that China essentially stole from the Philippines 31 years ago, now hosts a military base with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, room for 24 combat aircraft, and surface-to-air and anti-ship missiles. Manila rightly fears that Scarborough Shoal’s future could resemble Mischief Reef’s present. That would put Chinese intelligence facilities and power projection capabilities just 150 miles [240km] from Luzon and only 220 miles [354km] from Manila.

An outpost at Scarborough Shoal would put Chinese forces in a better position to coerce the Philippines, disrupt future combined operations of the “Squad” (an emerging security partnership of Australia, Japan, the Philippines and the US), and complicate allied intervention in a Taiwan Strait contingency. Does Trump care?

The diplomatic, economic and military tools he needs to tackle this challenge are at his disposal should he choose to use them. Herein lies the second test.

To pass the first test, Trump will have to stop kowtowing to China on Taiwan. That means notifying Congress of new arms sales without further hesitation. To pass the second test, the president will have to draw a line in the sand — or, rather, the water — and convey to Xi that Chinese actions at Scarborough Shoal are inimical to the strategic stability Xi so ardently desires.

Michael Mazza is senior director for research at the Institute for Indo-Pacific Security (formerly the Project 2049 Institute) and a senior non-resident fellow at the Global Taiwan Institute.


title: Cheng’s US visit shows falling trust in the KMT

content_text:
Diplomacy has never been solely about official statements — the level of actual engagement and substantive exchanges is more important.

When dealing with Taiwan’s major political parties, the US is concerned not only with who would win the next election, but with who has the capacity to become a trustworthy partner.

When arrangements that were initially thought to offer opportunities for meetings with high-level officials ultimately failed to materialize, it was only natural for observers to ask: What was the US trying to convey through the level of reception granted to Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) during her visit?

In recent years, the KMT has emphasized the importance of strong US ties while failing to define its cross-strait strategy.

From questioning defense spending and security cooperation to simultaneously stressing US-Taiwan relations and signaling goodwill toward China, it has sought to balance between Washington and Beijing.

In the eyes of the international community, such a strategy could be interpreted as the absence of a clear stance.

Since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, international politics has undergone significant changes.

Countries are increasingly placing greater importance on their allies’ credibility and the consistency of their policies.

For the US, the most important factor for any political party that might come to lead Taiwan is not merely its rhetoric, but whether it is willing, at critical moments, to assume responsibility for regional security and maintain a stable and predictable policy direction.

More concerning is the KMT’s continued failure to clearly answer questions about its cross-strait policy.

Its responses to outside scrutiny are often vague, while inconsistent messaging on Taiwan’s security undermines international confidence, even if such ambiguity may appeal to some voters.

The real significance of Cheng’s visit to the US lies not in whether meetings were canceled, but in how this incident highlights the KMT’s ongoing crisis of trust.

When a political party seeking to return to power is unable to clearly explain its policy direction and strategic positioning to its major international partners, no amount of visits or exchanges are going to dispel external doubts.

The level of reception a political figure receives might only be a surface-level signal, but what lies behind it reflects the international community’s assessment of — and trust in — a political party.

If the KMT attributes all external criticism to political manipulation, while being unwilling to confront the contradictions in its own cross-strait policy and national security discourse, then what this visit to the US shows is likely not merely a gap in reception, but a loss of international trust. For a political party seeking to return to power, this might be the real issue that warrants vigilance.

Dino Wei works in the information technology industry.

Translated by Kyra Gustavsen


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Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) on Tuesday returned from her visit to the US, where she had met with several US senators and representatives, think tanks, and overseas Taiwanese and Chinese communities, espousing her vision of promoting cross-strait dialogue as a way to evade war. On Monday last week, she sat down with US academic Orville Schell and Asia Society Policy Institute distinguished fellow Daniel Russel. Russel is a seasoned diplomat who has served in positions related to East Asian and Indo-Pacific affairs. At the conclusion of the discussion, Russel employed his considerable diplomatic experience and knowledge

I arrived in Taiwan when I was 18, fresh out of high school and trying to navigate university life. Everything felt unfamiliar. My broken Mandarin quickly revealed what I already knew: I was not from here. When I told people I was from Indonesia, many told me that I did not look Indonesian. This caught me off guard, not because it was cruel, but because of how casually it was said. Sometimes it came with curiosity, sometimes surprise, occasionally admiration for my “fair skin.” More often than not, the people asking meant no harm. It is understandable. I look ethnically

By Callista Andini Tenggara 鄧莉慈

Nearly three decades after the 1997 handover, Hong Kong has become a paradox: a place where financial dynamism coexists with political repression — a reality Taiwan cannot afford to ignore. Despite a sharp contraction of civic freedoms since 2020, Hong Kong remains a major global financial center. It has recently overtaken Switzerland as the world’s largest offshore wealth hub, supported by steady inflows of capital from China and across Asia. The territory continues to serve as a key intermediary linking Chinese firms, multinational investors and global markets. Institutional continuity has played a role. The Hong Kong dollar’s peg to the

By Joseph Tse-Hei Lee 李榭熙

In the aftermath of China’s expulsion of the New York Times correspondent Vivian Wang (王月眉), Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Lin Jian (林劍) has publicly and explicitly articulated Beijing’s core thinking on the Taiwan issue. Chinese authorities accused the newspaper of promoting what they called “Taiwan independence fallacies,” and said that its description of Taiwan as a country amounts to a challenge to the “one China” principle. The significance of the incident goes beyond the reporting dispute and has given the international community a window into the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) attitude toward Taiwan. Lin, in a statement, said

By Elliot Yao

title: EDITORIAL CARTOON


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Sun Tzu and Chanakya viewed military victory as secondary to strategic success achieved without fighting

A historical analogy from ancient Greece has become the go-to maxim for understanding the rivalry between the US and China. Asia’s classical thinkers may offer a better alternative.

When Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) welcomed US President Donald Trump to Beijing last month, he once again reached for a phrase he has invoked for years: the Thucydides trap, popularized by Harvard political scientist Graham Allison in the early 2010s. Could the two powers, Xi asked, overcome this Greek conundrum and forge a new kind of relationship?

Xi was referring to the lessons Allison drew from Thucydides’ account of the fifth-century BC Peloponnesian War — that a deadly pattern of structural stress can emerge when a rising power challenges a dominant one. The war devastated ancient Greece, and in analyzing it, Thucydides offered one of history’s most enduring explanations for conflict: “It was the rise of Athens and the fear that this instilled in Sparta that made war inevitable.” The idea has since come to shape much of the debate around US-China relations.

The Thucydides trap is a useful warning about how great-power rivalries can become dangerous, but the Chinese leader should look closer to home for solutions. The trap’s greatest risk is that countries begin to see conflict as inevitable, and that mutual suspicion becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Asia’s own strategic traditions offer a useful corrective — that the highest form of statecraft is not winning wars but avoiding them altogether.

None of this is an argument for ignoring the very real tensions Beijing and Washington face over trade, technology and Taiwan. Nor does it mean that Thucydides was advocating war. By most accounts, he was less interested in glorifying conflict than in understanding how leaders convince themselves that war is the only path left.

Still, given the tensions between Washington and Beijing — and the consequences for the rest of the world — alternative ways of thinking deserve consideration.

Among Asia’s classical strategists, two texts stand out: The Art of War, traditionally attributed to the Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu (孫子), and the Arthashastra, a treatise on governing a state, associated with Chanakya (also known as Kautilya.) Often described as the Indian Machiavelli, he was an adviser to Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of India’s Mauryan Empire, which was formed around 321 BC and featured a sophisticated governance structure that spanned central and northern India as well as parts of modern-day Iran.

Historians continue to debate how accurately these figures have been portrayed, but there’s no doubt that both texts have shaped strategic thinking across Asia for generations. The Art of War may be a distillation of military thought from multiple authors, while the Arthashastra was likely compiled over centuries. Both schools advocated winning but approached victory through different philosophies.

Sun Tzu’s manual for war was, paradoxically, a guide to avoiding it. “The skillful leader subdues the enemy’s troops without any fighting,” the text advises, foreshadowing how the China’s People’s Liberation Army deals with Taiwan today. Meanwhile, the Arthashastra covers espionage, assassination and offensive military campaigns alongside diplomacy and governance. It also treated conflict as a last resort, noting that troops and wealth could be squandered in vain.

For Xi, Chanakya may ultimately be more useful than Thucydides because he’s traditionally portrayed as advising an ambitious ruler seeking to expand his influence. That challenge was not unlike the one confronting Beijing now: How should an emerging state expand its influence without provoking a coalition against it? Chanakya’s counsel was diplomacy and alliance-building, qualities that can be in short supply in Beijing.

Washington, too, should be wary of the Thucydidean frame. The US would do well to think less like Sparta and more like Sun Tzu, whose conclusion was that the most successful states are the ones that prevent conflict rather than inviting it. If only Trump had consulted the Arthashastra before starting his disastrous war of choice on Iran.

Allison himself, in his analysis of Thucydides’ work, points to ways of avoiding war. He recommends the five Cs — caution, communication, constraints, compromise and cooperation — principles that strategists honed during the Cold War.

For the US and China, this means maintaining channels of communication, managing crises before they spiral, accepting uncomfortable compromises and cooperating where interests overlap. Climate change is one obvious place to start. So is preventing flashpoints such as Taiwan from becoming triggers for a wider conflict.

To be sure, Thucydides remains essential for reading as Beijing and Washington navigate the most consequential geopolitical rivalry of the century.

However, if leaders become too attached to the idea that conflict between a rising and ruling power is inevitable, they risk helping to bring it about. Asia’s strategic traditions remind us that the greatest victories are often the wars that never happen.

That is a lesson both Xi and Trump would be wise to remember.

Karishma Vaswani is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering Asia politics with a special focus on China. Previously, she was the BBC’s lead Asia presenter and worked for the BBC across Asia and South Asia for two decades. This column reflects the personal views of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

title: Asia’s answer to the Thucydides trap


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US President Donald Trump is running fast to escape the catastrophic war on Iran that he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu started four months ago. He is saying anything that appears to suit the moment. In fact, he clearly feels he can now ditch his friend, the Israeli prime minister.

He is offering Tehran’s military regime a US$300 billion rebuilding fund, an end to economic sanctions and a promise not to interfere in its internal affairs. All this is declared a “major win.” If so, fine. The next 60 days of negotiations would be tortuous and unpredictable. At least they are pointing in a plausible — and hopefully irreversible — direction.

For once, a US president seems ready to accept defeat in a potentially forever war before it gets out of hand. Iran is not to be another Vietnam, Afghanistan or Iraq. More than that, over the past week, Trump seems to have soured on the US’ closest ally.

Furious at Netanyahu’s ceaseless bombing of Lebanon, he remarked: “You don’t have to knock down an apartment house every time you’re looking for somebody” — somebody to kill, that is — before adding “there are a lot of people in those apartment houses and they’re not all Hezbollah.”

For all this moral grandstanding, Trump’s military forces, along with Israel, have killed more than 3,300 Iranians, according to the country’s authorities — among them more than 100 children in a girls’ school — and injured many more.

Trump, in February, was clearly driven by the same urge that has afflicted almost all recent US presidents, at least since the end of the Cold War. It is simply the urge to display power.

With an enormous military machine deployed in every corner of the globe, they cannot help but intervene. Justification is almost an irrelevance. When the intervention is quick and neat, as in Kosovo or Kuwait, it can at least work. It was efficient in Trump’s recent decapitation of the Venezuelan regime.

More often, the giant gets trapped. Trump, once the great supposed non-intervener, was elected on a pledge to avoid such temptation. Nine years ago he gave just such a commitment in a passionate speech in Saudi Arabia. Washington’s interventions were over. “America will not seek to impose our way of life on others, but to outstretch our hands in the spirit of cooperation and trust.” He was cheered to the skies.

Trump’s blatant breaking of that pledge in February appears to have been a personal decision, triggered by his then-friend Netanyahu. While the Israelis were assassinating Iran’s leaders, he would launch a massive bombing assault that would somehow lead the Iranians to rise up and topple their government. The justification was thin and sketchy: that the regime’s potential to make nuclear weapons would one day threaten US national security. It was effectively a repeat of the reason then-US president George W. Bush and then-British prime minister Tony Blair gave for their otherwise inexplicable 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Trump’s declared strategy for the war beggared belief. No coherent intelligence can have suggested that victory would be achieved in “four to five weeks.” Victory was regularly redefined. It might not be an Iranian revolution. It might be the destruction of nuclear weapons facilities, though they were supposedly destroyed last year. Or might it be the seizure of “nuclear dust” or perhaps just the massive destruction of Iranian state property? As in Iraq, it all seemed no more than a schoolboy excuse for going to war.

The task for the US’ friends must now be to help Trump extricate himself from this debacle at speed. Tehran has merely repeated its longstanding promise to abjure nuclear weapons. It may have to accept that Washington will find it hard to control Israel’s attacks on Lebanon. That will not be easy. However, as the settlement is clearly a victory for the Tehran regime, it would be wise for Iran’s leaders not to force this point.

The best outcome of the war would be the ending of sanctions and the opening of Iran to outside commerce and contact. This is far more likely to dilute the regime’s grip on society than any bombing. In the longer term, it will be the only path to political liberty in that country. Isolation has been counterproductive, further drenching Iran in the mythology of fundamentalist Islam and driving it into the arms of Russia and China. This could not have been more hostile to western interests.

This war should have done something else. It should have ended once and for all the theory that bombing other countries, their cities and civilians, somehow “works.” Ever since the second world war, the iron law of air forces has been that bombing somehow terrifies and demoralizes populations into seeing the error of their ways. That it drives them to surrender and on to political action and rebellion. This belief in the potency of terror is no different from the strategy of groups such as al-Qaeda.

The wonders of modern air war are such that the bombers persist in claiming precision in seeking military targets. They only kill “terrorists.” To that, we can only say that they are lying. To an Iranian, as to a Palestinian or a Lebanese, bombing civilians is simply state terror. It is an attempt to affect a political outcome through violence and fear. I cannot think of a single case of this being achieved. In wars of aggression, its failure is normally cloaked by subsequent military action on the ground.

The seduction of massive bombing to a world power is easy to see. It can be swiftly staged. It makes a noise, is televisual and minimizes casualties on the aggressor’s side. These qualities have long sufficed to distort military strategy. The US believed in Vietnam that it could bomb the Vietcong “back to the Stone Age.” It was a failure. As in Afghanistan and Iraq, troops had to go into action on the ground. Yet Trump and his war secretary, Pete Hegseth, could repeat the Stone Age metaphor verbatim in Iran. The best thing that can be said is that they have soon realized their mistake.

So, yet another lumbering attempt by the US to recast the Middle East in its own image appears to have ended at appalling cost. It can only be hoped that the legacy of this war will be to discredit all such attempts.

Simon Jenkins is a Guardian columnist.

title: Trump’s ceasefire is a victory for Iran