你的社群帳號安全嗎？台灣數位信任協會、電腦稽核協會與 Gogolook 聯合發布《2025 社群冒名詐騙報告書》

2025-11-06   記者黃俊育 / 綜合報導

隨著生成式 AI 的普及與社群媒體滲透，全球正面臨前所未有的信任危機。台灣數位信任協會、中華民國電腦稽核協會與信任科技公司 Gogolook 以及旗下數位防詐 App Whoscall （5）日共同發布《2025 社群冒名詐騙報告書》，揭示社群詐騙的產業化與對應機制，更邀請包含奧義智慧科技、邁達特、馬斯克資安顧問等不同領域的專家，共同提出企業防詐新架構「防詐營運中心（Anti-Scam Operation Center, ASOC）」，呼籲產官學界共同打造具韌性的數位信任生態系。

AI 驅動詐騙產業化，台灣超過六成民眾曾在過去一年遭遇詐騙

根據全球防詐聯盟GASA（The Global Anti-Scam Alliance）與 Gogolook 共同發布的全球詐騙報告與亞洲詐騙報告顯示，全球每年因詐騙造成財損逾 1 兆美元，台灣則在過去 12 個月損失約新台幣 630 億元，其中 61% 的成人曾在過去一年遭遇詐騙。本次發布的《2025 社群冒名詐騙報告書》報告也指出，詐騙已成全球性系統性風險。而生成式 AI 的應用，使詐騙門檻與成本大幅降低，內容生成更快、更擬真，讓詐騙能以低成本進行大規模傳播，形成「AI 對抗 AI」的新攻防格局。

台灣數位信任協會理事長詹婷怡表示：「AI 雖推動數位創新，但同時也放大了信任風險。台灣數位信任協會連續兩年發布冒名詐騙報告書，顯示 AI 已成為冒名詐騙的加速引擎，嚴重侵害品牌的信任。隨著全球立法趨勢也走向數位信任與共享責任的未來，防詐不再只是個人責任，而是全社會的責任，唯有跨產業協作，才能重建數位信任的基石。」

中華民國電腦稽核協會理事長高進光指出：「冒名詐騙已成為企業營運的重大風險，有別於傳統的 IT 系統漏洞，詐騙者利用 AI 冒名品牌與高階主管，直接攻擊企業的信任資產。這類外部的威脅繞過企業防火牆與傳統的資安營運中心 SOC（Security Operation Center），因此企業必須建立專責的防詐營運中心（Anti-Scam Operation Center, ASOC），監控外部冒名風險與品牌攻擊，打造更安全、 更值得信賴的商業環境。」

▲Gogolook Watchmen 揭密七大偽冒情境 數位平台成關鍵攻防點。(圖/業者 提供)

Gogolook Watchmen 揭密七大偽冒情境 數位平台成關鍵攻防點

Gogolook 旗下商譽保護服務 Watchmen 分析 2024 年 6 月至 2025 年 6 月間數十萬筆可疑的社群貼文，歸納出七大主流偽冒情境，前三依序為：偽冒貸款申請（31%）、偽冒贈書活動（26%），以及偽冒投資資訊（17%），其中財務相關詐騙為最主要的詐騙切入點，包含貸款與投資詐騙，占比近五成。

除了以財務為誘因外，詐騙手法也不斷延伸至日常生活場景。Watchmen 發現，詐騙者常利用人們的生活需求或興趣切入，透過偽裝成求職活動（9%）、電商店家（7%）、或品牌行銷活動（4%）等方式偽裝真實企業或店家，以「限時報名」、「下單折扣」等包裝製造信任感與緊迫感，引導受害者自行提供個資或支付金額。值得注意的是，詐騙者也經常藉由名人或權威形象強化可信度。偽冒名人粉絲團（6%）的案例頻繁出現，詐騙者以假帳號假借知名人物的名義舉辦贈書、投資分享或公益活動，使受害者在不疑有他的情況下點擊連結或加入 LINE 群組。

整體而言，詐騙情境從民眾最常接觸的貸款、投資、購物、求職，到追隨的品牌與名人，詐騙已全面滲透生活的每一個環節。Gogolook Watchmen 指出，詐騙手法正快速從單點攻擊轉向多場景滲透，若缺乏持續監測與警覺，企業與用戶皆可能捲入冒名與受騙風險。

▲數位平台成為詐騙主要管道。(圖/業者 提供)

數位平台成為詐騙主要管道 以 Facebook 為首

進一步觀察詐騙貼文的傳播途徑，社群平台已成為詐騙集團最主要的管道，其中 Facebook 以 43% 的比例居首，為詐騙貼文的主要來源與擴散平台。詐騙者多利用粉絲專頁或假帳號投放高擬真的廣告，並在貼文中嵌入外部連結，引導民眾前往假網站下單交易或輸入個資。其次，外部網站占比達 38%，這些網站多為詐騙集團自架的假冒頁面，外觀設計高度仿真，從品牌 Logo、購物流程到付款介面幾可亂真，往往讓使用者在未察覺異常的情況下完成付款或送出個人資料。

另有 17% 的案例來自陌生 LINE 群組，詐騙者透過「免費贈書」或「限時優惠」等話術誘導用戶主動加入群組，進一步以人際互動與即時對話方式操控信任、誘導投資或借貸。Gogolook Watchmen 指出，這種跨平台串聯的詐騙行為，使得偵測與防堵難度倍增，也凸顯建立跨平台監測與威脅情資共享機制的重要性。

▲社群平台已成為詐騙集團最主要的管道，其中 Facebook 以 43% 的比例居首。(圖/業者 提供)

AI 產業化詐騙滲透品牌信任防線，企業須建立須 ASOC 防線

報告中也提出「防詐營運中心（Anti-Scam Operation Center, ASOC）」的概念，不同於傳統資安系統（SOC）聚焦於內部網路攻擊防禦，ASOC 的任務在於監控企業外部環境的「信任風險」，結合情資分析、AI 偵測與自動化回報機制的主動防禦體系，可協助企業及早發現社群冒名、假網站與詐騙廣告，並啟動跨平台下架與通報流程，縮短應變時間。

Gogolook Watchmen 為 ASOC的實際應用，已協助多家公私部門導入 ASOC 架構，包括威秀影城、MetaAge 以及 OMD 等單位，其中協助威秀影城偵測並下架偽冒詐騙， 10 天內就成功下架偽冒的粉專和相關廣告內容。不僅降低詐騙風險、守護品牌聲譽，更積極保護消建立企業級的外部風險監測與事件應變系統。

Gogolook Watchmen 產品負責人傅郁玲表示：「生成式 AI 的出現雖讓詐騙手法不斷進化，但同時也推動防詐科技的全面升級。我們希望透過科技監測、威脅情資與跨界合作，協助品牌把信任重新掌握在自己手中。面對 AI 時代的新詐騙模式，防詐營運不應只是企業資安的一環，而應正式納入企業治理架構。唯有以數據為基礎、跨產業協作為核心，才能強化社會整體的數位韌性，打造安全且可被信任的數位環境。」

《2025 社群冒名詐騙報告書》完整報告，請參考：https://dtatw.org/annual-report/


記者黃俊育 / 新北報導

位於板橋中山路光仁中學校前巷弄的天極佛堂，每月響應新北市好日子愛心大平台，捐贈9萬元各式民生物資，並且雇車請廠商直接送到北海岸、板橋、三重等14個實物銀行分行，讓社工可以即時轉送給服務中的弱勢家庭，近4年來從無中斷，累計捐贈市值約405萬元。但天極佛堂相當低調，僅表示係發揚一貫道宗旨，弘揚傳統善良文化，扶傾濟貧；希望化人心為良善，冀世界為大同。

▲天極佛堂請廠商直接將民生物資送到北海岸 社工黃伊苓等人開心的整理。(圖/新北市社會局 提供)

天極佛堂係由胡庚輝和葉阿錦兩位夫婦所創，平時供道親開班上課所用，兩人遇有家境較為清寒的道親，常伸援手濟助。111年2月起，為響應侯友宜市長好日子愛心大平台的號召，由20多位道親和志同道合的友人，一起集資購買各式食品罐頭，素食泡麵、蔬食百匯調理包，主動送到14個社福中心附設的實物銀行分行。

▲新莊社福中心社工陳姵勳（右）和徐思頴整理天極佛堂請廠商直接送來的各式食品物資。(圖/新北市社會局 提供)

社會局實物銀行督導許紋諪表示，由於天極佛堂近4年來默默行善，且主動將民生物資依各社福中心的需求分送載運到分行，讓社工可以及時分類整理，再按服務案家的人口和生活需求提供，如此貼心和善意，令各中心的社工都非常敬佩。

▲新北市社會局實物銀行督導許紋諪特地將感謝狀送到天極佛堂 感謝近4年來持續捐贈物資。(圖/新北市社會局 提供)

天極佛堂第3代子孫表示，爺爺生前樂善好施，常賑災施棺，子女受其影響，也集結一些道親和同好，固定捐贈物資，甚至請餐廳做素食便當，送到台北車站等街友較聚集的地方發送，一送就至少上百個，希望讓他們有個溫飽。

板橋第二社福中心督導陳思穎表示，印尼來台工作的小妤，原擔任看護，後來與男友結婚生子，為了照顧公公及兒子而辭去工作，但先生係臨時工，收入不定，社工定期提供實物銀行物資，大大減輕家庭的經濟負擔。

不為人知的天使     板橋天極佛堂四年捐405萬元物資     弘揚「一貫道」宗旨扶傾濟貧

板橋 三重 新北 大同 新莊 新北市 中山


彰化銀行120週年     2025台北國際金融博覽會打造「ChaiBo轉運站」     助你轉出幸福美好生活

記者黃俊育 / 綜合報導

「2025台北國際金融博覽會」將於11月7日至9日在台北世貿一館盛大舉行，適逢彰化銀行創立120周年，以「幸福安養、防詐守護、智慧理財」三大主軸，打造兼具現代感與時尚感的「ChaiBo轉運站」主題館，以「Live Well」延伸至全方位服務，協助客戶實現心中理想的美好生活願景，讓幸福順利轉運而至。

董事長胡光華表示，彰銀一路走來始終秉持「熱忱、效率、創新」的經營理念及「彰銀守護 安心託付」的品牌精神為客戶提供各項金融服務。此次參展特別由深受年輕朋友喜愛的彰銀吉祥物「柴寶與金妮」擔任導覽員，引領民眾體驗「ChaiBo轉運站」主題館「十分幸福站—安養信託＆安居樂業」、「成功守護站―科技識詐」、「富貴好運站―智慧理財」三大特色展區，親身感受彰化銀行在數位轉型與服務創新的成果。

值得一提的是，彰銀近年積極投入冠名贊助射箭運動，成功將這項時尚運動推廣至各個世代，此次展覽特別規劃射箭體驗活動，邀請入場民眾通關的同時，也能體驗百步穿楊的射箭樂趣，並獲得精美好禮。

在「十分幸福站―安養信託＆安居樂業」展區，彰化銀行用「信福柴寶旺旺來」信託桌遊的裝置藝術，讓民眾透過互動遊戲瞭解消費與信託的關聯性，妥善運用「信託服務」不僅能有效累積資產，更可規避詐騙風險，協助民眾建立正確金融觀念。此外，彰化銀行代理多家產險公司推出的居家綜合保險專案，也在展區中以互動式觸控螢幕呈現，民眾可化身為「豪宅主人挑戰者」，面對豪宅內隨機發生各種突發事件，選出正確的居家綜合保險方案來成功守護資產，使民眾在遊戲過程中理解居家綜合險的保障內容及重要性。

在「成功守護站―科技識詐」展區，彰化銀行打造整合對抗詐騙防護網「反詐守護星行動(Guardian Star)」，以「S-Stop阻詐、T-Training識詐、A-AI Fintech防詐、R-Reach out協力」四大行動，擔任客戶財產的守護星，以堅決信念守護金融安全，呼應120周年「彰銀守護 安心託付」的品牌精神。透過互動遊戲強化民眾識詐意識，呈現多項詐騙陷阱情境，讓民眾確認是否能夠平安把錢守護好，只要辨別出三個詐騙陷阱，即可完成闖關挑戰。

「富貴好運站―智慧理財」展區中，彰化銀行推出全新升級的行動網銀「ChaiBo APP」，提供如同金融百貨般的便利服務，整合線上申辦e財寶數位存款帳戶，並串聯基金、證券及信用卡等多元金融業務。展區設計趣味拉霸遊戲，邀請民眾體驗「ChaiBo APP」的各項功能，從中認識智慧理財綜合服務，完成即可闖關。同時，彰化銀行信用卡以全方位支付策略，包含外出消費必備「My樂現金回饋卡」、網路購物首選「My購卡」、公益回饋升級之「馬偕認同卡」，以及頂級卡友尊榮回饋，並透過金融科技應用與交易安全，即時風險控管，以確保交易安全。

彰化銀行歡迎民眾踴躍參與「2025台北國際金融博覽會」，蒞臨主題館體驗多元的互動遊戲，在三大展區完成闖關拍照打卡，即有機會獲得多項精美好禮，共同感受年度金融盛會的無比魅力！


全球加密貨幣崛起！HOYA BIT助台灣企業前瞻佈局

▲台灣9月正式公布完成洗錢防制登記的業者名單，HOYA BIT創辦人彭云嫻表示，很榮幸名列加密貨幣交易所第一批合規合法業者。

(記者孟倩玉報導 )

全球加密貨幣市場正快速崛起，被譽為「數位黃金」的比特幣深受投資人青睞，特斯拉、摩根大通等國際巨頭已率先將數位資產納入財報，可見數位資產已成為國際金融新趨勢，台灣9月正式公布完成洗錢防制登記的業者名單，HOYA BIT加密貨幣交易所名列第一批業者，為企業數位資產提供更完善的保障。

HOYA BIT創辦人彭云嫻指出，「金管會已在官網正式更新公告，確認共有8家業者通過登記制，HOYA BIT也榮幸名列其中。她強調，這是團隊過去一年持續投入與努力的成果，在合規合法上不斷強化自身實力，最終達成嚴格門檻，能夠取得這項資格實屬相當不易。」

▲在「2025全球產業脈動與海外台灣企業影響力論壇」上，HOYA BIT創辦人彭云嫻(右2)深入剖析國際趨勢，透過平台的嚴謹防詐機制，保障企業資產安全。

在「2025全球產業脈動與海外台灣企業影響力論壇」上，彭云嫻以長期關注台灣企業發展的角度，剖析國際趨勢。她指出，今年所有上市櫃公司皆面臨ESG挑戰，需提交永續報告書，而HOYA BIT則率先超前部署，成功取得國際雙永續認證。

彭云嫻表示，「我們的不同之處在於永續布局上領先許多。早在一年半前，我們就開始著手ESG相關準備，所以目前為止，HOYA BIT已成為全球第一家取得ISO 14064-1（組織層級溫室氣體盤查）與ISO 14067（產品碳足跡盤查）認證的加密貨幣交易所，並計畫在今年底，成為全球第一家實現碳中和的加密貨幣交易所。」

▲HOYA BIT率先超前部署，成功取得國際雙永續認證。

在詐騙猖獗的環境下，HOYA BIT建立嚴謹的防詐機制，希望透過即時攔阻異常交易與可疑金流，全面保障企業資產安全，並符合國際金融標準。HOYA BIT不僅是一個交易平台，更是台灣企業邁向數位金融新時代的可靠戰略夥伴，協助企業安全管理數位資產、開拓國際市場，並在全球金融趨勢中保持領先地位。

圖片擷取自影片，看完整版影片： https://reurl.cc/3bL0y8


行政總裁 Joe Creed 闡述 Caterpillar 從傳統設備製造商轉型為高科技創新企業的策略與方案

維珍尼亞州阿靈頓2025年11月6日 /美通社/ —  Caterpillar 行政總裁 Joe Creed

「CES 是創新者雲集、大膽構思得以實踐的地方。」CTA 行政總裁兼副主席 Gary Shapiro 表示，「我非常高興歡迎行政總裁 Joe Creed 和 Caterpillar 登上 CES 主題演講舞台，展示科技如何革新我們的建造方式。」

Caterpillar 於 2025 年喜迎一百週年，並將利用 CES 2026 的主題演講，以明確的科技焦點，開啟下一個百年。Creed 將聯同公司其他數碼及科技主管，闡述如何利用嶄新科技方法滿足當今需求、預視未來挑戰，並為客戶持續創造價值。從工地到數據，Caterpillar 將分享其在自動化機械方面的演進歷程，以及 AI 對整個行業帶來的實質影響。Caterpillar 同樣為員工配備先進的科技工具，讓他們能更專注於客戶服務、產品開發和提升營運效率。

「我們正建基於深厚的創新傳統，迅速以嶄新方式擴展我們的科技能力，協助客戶解決最嚴峻的挑戰。」Creed 表示，「CES 是展示 Caterpillar 作為工業設備領域先進科技領導者的絕佳平台，足證我們的專業知識不僅限於機械操作，更涵蓋能夠預測、演進和優化客戶效益的智能系統及整合式數碼平台，共創更美好的明天。」

Creed 在集團多個部門任職近 30 年，對多元化的營運和策略機遇有深刻理解，這對鞏固 Caterpillar 的全球領導地位至關重要。在公司邁進第二個世紀之際，他致力傳承公司深厚的傳統，積極善用推動未來發展的科技，並專注於 Caterpillar 最大的競爭優勢——其人才。

「我期待 Caterpillar 在 CES 帶來一場充滿活力的主題演講，在我們建設世界的同時，探索 AI 的變革性力量與潛力。」CTA 總裁 Kinsey Fabrizio 表示，「我們迫不及待想看到 Caterpillar 如何推動移動技術生態系統向前發展。」

Creed 將於 1 月 7 日（星期三）上午 9 時，在威尼斯人酒店 (the Venetian) 的 Palazzo 宴會廳發表主題演講。AMD 的蘇姿豐博士、Havas 及 Vivendi 的 Yannick Bolloré，以及 Lenovo 的楊元慶亦將於 CES 2026 發表主題演講。

歡迎親臨拉斯維加斯會議中心西廳 5019 號 Caterpillar 展位，體驗未來科技。立即登記 CES 2026，深入了解科技如何變革各行各業。

關於 CES®：CES 是全球最具影響力科技盛會，也是突破性科技與全球創新者的聚會。這裡是全球最大品牌開展業務和結識新合作夥伴的地方，也是最頂尖創新者登台亮相的地方。CES 由消費者技術協會 (CTA)® 擁有和主辦，展示各科技領域的創新與發展。CES 2026 將於 1 月 6 日至 9 日在拉斯維加斯舉行。請瀏覽 CES.tech 了解詳情，並於社交平台關注 CES。

關於 Consumer Technology Association (CTA)®：作為北美最大的技術貿易協會，CTA 正是科技業界本身。我們的成員是全球領先創新者——從初創公司到全球品牌——協助支持超過 1800 萬個美國就業機會。CTA 擁有和舉辦 CES®－全球最具影響力科技盛會。請瀏覽 CTA.tech，認識本會。關注本會 @CTAtech。

深入挖掘，智能思考：Caterpillar 為 CES 主題演講舞台帶來重磅創新


墨新聞｜記者江育銓／基隆報導

基隆市工業會今（5）日舉行成立50週年慶祝典禮，副市長邱佩琳率產業發展處蔡馥嚀處長、社會處楊玉欣處長及多位市府同仁到場祝賀，感謝工業會長年致力協調工業關係、促進經濟發展，為基隆產業注入穩健動能。

邱佩琳致詞時表示，感謝工業會全體會員長期對基隆與全國經濟的努力與貢獻。基隆雖然城市規模不大，但憑藉著港都的地理優勢與產業特色，讓世界看見基隆的潛力與實力。她也肯定工業會多年來積極推動員工教育訓練、管理制度與會計課程，協助本市工廠與企業建立完善制度，對地方產業升級助益良多。

她強調，市府非常重視工業會的專業與角色，未來在推動產業發展的過程中，將以實際行動提供協助，與工業界攜手推動基隆產業持續成長。

基隆市工業會理事長林青表示，工業會走過半世紀，歷經產業變遷與全球局勢挑戰，感謝歷任理事長及會員的共同努力，使工業會持續茁壯。即使在製造業轉型與市場挑戰中，基隆廠商始終堅守崗位、持續創新，展現在地產業的韌性與精神。面對全球碳中和、數位化、AI智慧製造與ESG永續發展趨勢，工業會也將持續前行，提供專業服務，與會員共同迎接新時代。

邱佩琳最後強調，工業會不僅是企業交流的平台，更是基隆產業發展的重要夥伴。市府將與工業會攜手推動創新與永續，讓基隆的製造實力與港都精神在未來持續閃耀。

此篇文章最開始出處為: 基隆市工業會歡慶50週年 邱佩琳感謝工業界攜手打造城市新動能

基隆市工業會歡慶50週年　邱佩琳感謝工業界攜手打造城市新動能


臺東 太平 臺北 臺東縣

天后返鄉開唱！張惠妹攜10組好友臺東跨年　陪粉絲迎新年曙光

歌壇天后張惠妹宣布，12月31日將現身「2026臺東跨年晚會 東漂去旅行：〈東！帶我走〉」跨年晚會。張惠妹在臺東縣政府的邀請下，除將回家唱歌外，更高一呼，號召到10組出身臺東、或喜愛臺東的歌王歌后級好友一起到臺東跨年，與觀眾一同欣賞2026年第一道曙光。張惠妹號召的歌手包括，A-Lin、玖壹壹、葛仲珊、持修、戴愛玲、葛西瓦、范曉萱&100%、李英宏、妹妹SAYA及桑布伊等。

張惠妹將在臺東「2026臺東跨年晚會 東漂去旅行：〈東！帶我走〉」跨年(臺東縣政府提供)「2026臺東跨年晚會 東漂去旅行：〈東！帶我走〉」跨年晚會，將臺東市國際地標舉辦。臺東縣政府表示，這場以「東！帶我走」為主題的跨年演唱會，將於臺東市海濱公園國際地標舉辦（18:00至翌日01:00），這是張惠妹5年後再度回到家鄉臺東與妹迷們一起誇年，主視覺以鮮亮粉、綠、藍三色呈現熱帶風格，象徵張惠妹回家帶領大家「從海出發、向光而行」，以音樂開啟新年的第一步。

a-lin將在臺東「2026臺東跨年晚會 東漂去旅行：〈東！帶我走〉」跨年(臺東縣政府提供)阿妹繼「ASMR 世界巡迴演唱會」征戰海內外 84場，並創下臺北大巨蛋連開五場、吸20萬人朝聖的傳奇，也成為首位在臺北大巨蛋跨年的華語歌手，在輝煌的成績後，她選擇以家鄉舞臺作為年度壓軸回歸。阿妹笑說：「唱那麼多地方，這次該回家唱歌了！臺東是我最初的地方，也希望帶著喜歡臺東的朋友，一起來這裡看海、唱歌、邁向新年！」

玫壹壹將在臺東「2026臺東跨年晚會 東漂去旅行：〈東！帶我走〉」跨年(臺東縣政府提供)張惠妹這次親自發起「臺東歌手召集令」，邀請一票重量級陣容共襄盛舉，包括A-Lin、 玫壹壹、范曉萱&100%、李英宏、葛仲珊、持修、戴愛玲、桑布伊、葛西瓦、Saya 等超人氣實力歌手，從靈魂樂到嘻哈、從原民風到抒情派，橫跨世代與曲風，而更值得一提的是，內含金曲、金馬甚至是金鐘得主，堪稱「含金量最高的跨年晚會」。

葛仲珊將在臺東「2026臺東跨年晚會 東漂去旅行：〈東！帶我走〉」跨年(臺東縣政府提供)12月31日當晚將從日落唱到午夜，煙火、星光、浪花齊舞，臺東瞬間化身最浪漫的音樂島。阿妹感性說：「希望這一夜，讓每個人都帶著歌聲、帶著笑回家，帶著愛迎接新的2026年。」

戴愛玲將在臺東「2026臺東跨年晚會 東漂去旅行：〈東！帶我走〉」跨年(臺東縣政府提供)縣長饒慶鈴表示，儘管臺東沒有大小巨蛋、世運場館，卻有著得天獨厚的自然環境，有稻田、有太平洋、有滿天星斗，我們把演唱會辦在自然裡，讓風景就是舞臺、讓節慶與地方共生，這不是替代、而是重新定義「什麼是可以感動人的體驗」。跨年晚會將於12月31日在臺東市國際地標登場，集合超強陣容及豪華煙火，邀請粉絲一定要來。

范曉萱&100%將在臺東「2026臺東跨年晚會 東漂去旅行：〈東！帶我走〉」跨年(臺東縣政府提供)此篇文章最開始出處為: 張惠妹：回家唱歌 2026年跨年在臺東國際地標 與觀眾一同賞曙光


布拉瑞揚舞團（BDC）為臺灣極具指標性的當代舞團之一，將於12月5日至7日在臺東就藝會（臺東市更生路416號），推出全新製作「一點點厲害」舞曲。也將邀請觀眾一同見證新生代舞者在跟隨藝術總監布拉瑞揚・帕格勒法多年後，結合自身想法所完成具有高度原創性的作品及分享。

布拉瑞揚舞團十週年鉅獻「一點點厲害」，展現新生代舞者原創能量(圖片：臺東縣政府提供)原住民編舞家布拉瑞揚・帕格勒法表示：「能和團員一起創作與成長，就是舞團成立10週年他最想報的戰功。」本次製作名稱雖為「一點點厲害」，隱喻著每位舞者深厚能量的全面爆發。

BDC舞者高旻辰 aulu tjibulangan、陳忠仁 giljigiljaw tjaruzalum、孔柏元 Kwonduwa、王傑 Siyang Sawawan、張杰 Kaniw Panay、鬆呈祐 talai、張承軒 Kacaw Panay，將以個人創作者身份登場，端出各自的獨舞編作與手作分享，開啟一場專屬BDC的「SOLO對決」舞臺。這不僅是一場演出，更是對舞者累積多年舞臺歷練與創作能量後，正式蛻變成獨當一面舞者的集體宣告。

此次演出亦是布拉瑞揚舞團與「原住民族樂舞藝術專業技術人員培育計畫」的合作成果之一。原民處表示：「該計畫目的在於培育原住民族的樂舞表演、舞臺技術與藝術行政人才，透過專業培訓、實作與演出協力，厚植強化原住民藝術文化的能量。」

「一點點厲害」不僅聚焦舞者創作能量的綻放，也讓技術人員與行政協作團隊共同參與製作流程，從燈光、音響、舞監到行銷推廣，完整展現原民青年在表演藝術產業鏈上的多元可能。

培育計畫參與者除接受紮實的專業訓練，亦有機會進入專業團隊現場實作，如本次即有培訓中的藝術行政與技術人員在布拉瑞揚舞團工作現場中磨練經驗，讓文化發展與人才成長並行，為原住民族藝文發展注入持續動能。

「一點點厲害」演出場次分別為，12/05（五）晚上7:30、12/06（六）下午2:30、12/06（六）晚上7:30、12/07（日）下午2:30。每一場票價為新臺幣700元，購票請洽 https://pse.is/893xja。

此篇文章最開始出處為: 布拉瑞揚舞團十週年鉅獻「一點點厲害」 邀您見證新生代舞者展現原創能量

布拉瑞揚舞團12月臺東首演《一點點厲害》　展現新生代原創能量


弎畫廊進駐110 年歷史建築偕行社　首展藝術家徐永旭雕塑創作展

▼2025年11月8日（六）首展開幕，邀請台灣重要藝術家徐永旭 以「潤潤 lūn-lūn」為題對話歷史與當代。（圖/記者吳玉惠拍攝）

【記者吳玉惠/臺南報導】 弎畫廊喬遷進駐百年歷史建築「偕行社」；以藝術開啟城市新篇章！承載城市記憶超過一世紀的台南「偕行社」，迎來嶄新的文化篇章。弎畫廊宣布，將於 2025年11月8日正式喬遷至這座擁有 110 年歷史的建築-原日本陸軍台南偕行社，為歷史空間注入當代藝術的新生命。

▲承載城市記憶超過一世紀的台南「偕行社」，迎來嶄新的文化篇章。（圖/記者吳玉惠拍攝）弎畫廊創辦人蘇三表示：「非常感謝文化部與南市府長期投入的努力，讓這座見證台南城市變遷的建築得以保存。如今，弎畫廊能進駐其中，希望在歷史的厚度之上，開展屬於當代藝術的未來。」

▲弎畫廊創辦人蘇三（中）。首展《潤潤 lūn-lūn》：以雙手與信念淬鍊出的力量！喬遷首展將由台灣重要雕塑家 徐永旭 擔綱，他以陶土為媒材，創作出兼具靜謐與力量的作品。展覽主題《潤潤 lūn-lūn》象徵「滋養與延續」，寓意藝術在時間與土地之間的流動與呼吸。

▲首展《潤潤 lūn-lūn》：以雙手與信念淬鍊出的力量！由雕塑家徐永旭擔綱。（圖/記者吳玉惠拍攝）43歲那年，徐永旭毅然決定全職創作，將生命完全交付給藝術。自此，他以信仰般的堅定投入創作，不倚賴任何機械輔助，僅憑雙手推疊、塑形極大極薄的陶作品，讓作品在時間的淬鍊中孕育出厚度與靜光。

▲徐永旭僅憑雙手推疊、塑形極大極薄的陶作品。徐永旭曾完成三十場全程馬拉松，以運動家的精神支撐藝術家的長途跋涉。對他而言，「跑步」與「創作」並無分別；都是對極限的挑戰、對信念的鍛鍊。

▲徐永旭分享創作理念。在市場面前，他始終從容；在創作面前，他必然嚴謹。作品之外，他是帶著幽默與智慧的朋友，談笑之間流露出的溫度，正如他作品中那份由內而外的誠實與柔韌。

▲徐永旭作品。（圖/記者吳玉惠拍攝）「在這個瞬息萬變的世界裡，徐永旭的創作始終穩定、堅定。每一件作品都是生命的刻痕，也是他對信念與時間的回應。」蘇三表示，「當我們凝視他的作品，彷彿隨他一同行走在無止境的追尋裡，見證一種超越自我、持續探索的壯闊風景。」

▲展場。（圖/記者吳玉惠拍攝）歷史與當代的相遇：在偕行社開啟新篇！位於台南火車站旁、面對台南公園的偕行社，自1915年建成以來，一直是台南文化地景的重要象徵。如今，弎畫廊將在這座老建築中開展當代藝術的新篇章。

▲徐永旭作品。（圖/記者吳玉惠拍攝）蘇三指出：「弎畫廊將以偕行社的歷史深度為根，持續關注在地文化，並以國際視野與世界對話。我們期許自己成為城市與藝術之間的橋樑，推廣台南的文化底蘊，讓藝術的力量在這片土地上生生不息。」

▲弎畫廊創辦人蘇三。藝術融入生活，讓城市持續發光！弎畫廊自2021年成立以來，致力推動當代藝術的推廣與國際交流，並積極參與亞洲主要藝術博覽會。喬遷至偕行社後，畫廊將進一步結合歷史建築、城市美學與當代藝術，推動更多跨界合作與教育活動，讓藝術不再遙遠，而能融入日常。

▲徐永旭作品。（圖/記者吳玉惠拍攝）蘇三表示：「我們相信藝術有改變生活的力量。透過歷史建築的再生，讓過去與未來彼此相遇；也讓更多人能在日常中親近當代藝術。當藝術真正走進生活，它不僅豐富城市的文化氣韻，更能形成產業與創意共生的循環，讓整個藝術生態更加蓬勃。」

▲徐永旭作品。（圖/記者吳玉惠拍攝）弎畫廊的喬遷，不僅象徵空間的轉換，更是一場文化的延續。從忠義路的老屋，到即將開幕的偕行社新館，弎畫廊始終以誠懇與熱情深耕台南，以藝術為橋，讓歷史與未來同行。

在這座承載百年記憶的建築裡，一場屬於城市與藝術的對話，正在開展。

開幕：2025年11月8日（六）

地點：台南市北區公園南路21號（原日本陸軍台南偕行社）

首展：《潤潤 lūn-lūn》／藝術家 徐永旭

主辦：弎畫廊 SAN GALLERY


DXC 在菲律賓開設首個客戶體驗中心，擴大亞洲業務版圖，並推動合作與人工智能創新

策略投資表示區內擁有深厚技術人才，加速向客戶提供以人工智能為先服務

維珍尼亞州阿什本2025年11月5日 /美通社/ — DXC Technology （紐約證券交易所代號：DXC）是財富美國 500 強全球領先科技服務提供商，宣佈全新客戶體驗中心啟用。該中心協助 DXC 的客戶、合作夥伴與員工合作，從而加強 DXC 對菲律賓客戶與業務成長的長遠承諾。

該中心位於馬尼拉大都會達義市，科技與創新的領先目的地。它旨在提升客戶參與度，促進 DXC 的菲律賓 7,000 名員工合作，並加速提供創新人工智能驅動解決方案。此新空間位於 DXC 的菲律賓全球交付中心內，將建基於支援關鍵任務應用程式、雲端、基礎設施和網絡安全服務的角色，而作為客戶與合作夥伴的共同創作中心。

DXC 的人工智能優先策略實現，包括最近發佈的新一代人工智能編排藍圖 Xponential。該中心特設人工智能孵化樞紐，專注發展和部署結合人工智能與傳統企業科技服務的新一代解決方案。它還特設人工智能優先兼全年無休安全操作中心，並將作為監察、偵測和應付 DXC 全球客戶群潛在安全威脅的中央樞紐。

DXC 顧問及工程服務總監 Ramnath Venkataraman 表示：「該中心充份利用 DXC 的優點，即菲律賓優秀人才，以及我們的客戶越來越專注人工智能驅動解決方案。這是 DXC 的策略創新引擎，展現我們如何與全球客戶合作，而帶領整個轉型和迎接未來挑戰。」

DXC 菲律賓全球交付中心現作為 DXC Technology 的 SAP 卓越中心，也是最集中該公司全球 SAP 能力與專業知識的地方。SAP 於菲律賓聘任超過 1800 名顧問，而該團隊支援全球超過 350 個企業客戶和帳戶。

DXC 已與 Baby and Moms PH 合作，向馬利金納市工業谷綜合體 (IVC) 的高中生捐贈翻新筆記型電腦，並作為客戶體驗中心正式啟用與 DXC 數碼未來計劃的一部份。該計劃旨在幫助數千名學生自力更生，而改善他們的科技、知識、教育和就業機會。

IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines 主席兼行政總裁 Jack Madrid 表示：「我讚賞 DXC 的菲律賓 7000 人強大團隊，持續發展。您致力不斷提升和再培訓菲律賓數碼工作者的革新科技（例如代理型人工智能）技能，這是菲律賓作為 IT-BPM 目的地持續成功的關鍵。感謝 DXC 對業界的承諾，並建設菲律賓成為數碼客戶體驗之都。」

過去數十載，DXC 在菲律賓保持強大影響力，並支援主要行業（例如客戶及零售、製造、保險、銀行、汽車和公共部門等）的客戶。全新客戶體驗中心體現 DXC 對菲律賓人才、創新和客戶成功的長遠承諾，並加強 DXC 的人工智能優先交付網絡。此前，DXC 已在底特律、哈利法斯和布宜諾斯艾利斯開設分支機構，並在華沙設立人工智能能力中心。如欲查看更多資料，請瀏覽 www.dxc.com。

關於 DXC Technology

DXC Technology（紐約證券交易所代號：DXC）是全球領先資訊科技服務提供者。我們是全球許多最創新機構的可靠營運合作夥伴，致力建立推動產業和公司前進的解決方案。我們的工程、顧問與科技專家協助客戶簡化、最佳化及現代化系統與流程，管理最關鍵工作負載，整合人工智能驅動智能至營運，並以安全和可靠為先。如欲了解更多，請瀏覽 dxc.com。


NOBU HOSPITALITY 與 FOSTER + PARTNERS 聯合宣佈 619 BRICKELL 項目

隆重推出邁阿密首個 Nobu 住宅項目兼第二間 Nobu 餐廳

紐約2025年11月5日 /美通社/ —  Nobu 餐廳景致

坐落於邁阿密活力四射的布里克爾區核心地帶，74 層高的 619 Brickell 大廈將提供 300戶精心設計的住宅單位，以及 90,000 平方英尺的專屬設施空間。此開發項目將設有提供全方位服務的奢華水療與健康度假中心、頂尖健身中心，以及寧靜的池畔咖啡廳。每個空間皆精心打造，完美詮釋 Nobu 品牌低調優雅、自然簡約的美學理念，運用天然材質搭配無懈可擊的服務品質。

物業底層將揭幕邁阿密第二間 Nobu 餐廳，與知名的邁阿密海灘分店並列。餐廳將以獨特的圓形設計和令人嘆為觀止的水景，成為城市最具代表性的餐飲目的地之一。住宅和餐廳，將在家庭和酒店之間建立無縫聯繫。

這座塔由世界知名建築公司 Foster + Partners 與 Sieger-Suarez Architects 合作設計，將 Nobu 的簡約日本感與邁阿密天際線的動態節奏共冶一爐。結果是永恆和諧的表現：流暢、現代化，與海濱環境深深相連。從精心挑選的材料以至寬敞的露台，每項細節都反映了 Nobu 重視意義、平衡和美感的生活哲學。

「619 Brickell 代表著 Nobu 生活理念的全新進化，」Nobu Hospitality 行政總裁 Trevor Horwell 表示：「此大廈結合了我們對工藝、設計完整性和卓越的服務的承諾，以創造真正身臨其境的住宅體驗。邁阿密的能量和文化活力實屬這里程碑項目的完美環境。」

在一份聯合聲明中，13th Floor Investments 管理合夥人 Arnaud Karsenti 以及 Key International 聯席總裁 Inigo Ardid 表示：

「我們深感榮幸能與 Nobu Hospitality 及 Foster + Partners 攜手合作，在布里克爾核心地帶打造這項非凡項目。619 Brickell 完美融合設計、服務與生活方式——Nobu 世界級的待客之道與卓越服務承諾，將此處的居住體驗提升至全新境界。我們正共同打造一幢彰顯邁阿密精緻品味與蓬勃活力的地標性目的地，並期待在不久的將來揭開其面紗。」


北京大學國際研討會探究全球視野下的中國抗戰史

北京2025年11月5日 /美通社/ — 近百位知名學者於11月2日至3日齊聚北京大學，出席一場以「從全球視野探討中國人民抗日戰爭與台灣光復歷史」為主題的國際學術研討會。

.Peking University hosts symposium exploring the history of China’s War of Resistance and Taiwan’s restoration from a global perspective.

此次研討會匯聚了來自中國大陸、台灣、香港和澳門的學者，以及來自美國、英國、日本等國家的專家學者，力求在更廣闊的研究視野和更深入的學術對話中重新理解中國人民抗日戰爭的世界意義與當代價值。

開幕式上，多位來自知名學術機構的專家發表了主旨演講，包括：中共中央黨史和文獻研究院研究員章百家、台灣「中研院」近代史研究所研究員呂芳上、北京大學歷史學系訪問講席教授、劍橋大學中國現代史教授、英國國家學術院院士方德萬(Hans van de Ven)、台灣政治大學歷史學系教授劉維開以及美國馬薩諸塞州州立大學波士頓分校歷史系教授葉維麗。

本次學術研討會設20場分組會議和1場圓桌論壇，為與會者提供了聚焦抗戰史不同領域議題的寶貴機會。國際化和多元化的研討氛圍打破了地域與學科界限，推動學者從多維度重新審視這段歷史。

討論議題涵蓋經濟與金融、軍事事務、國際關係、國際合作、國際援助與傳播、學術與文化、思想意識形態、法律與社會、個人經歷等多個方面。

通過深入的學術交流與主題演講，本次研討會有助於構建一個更真實、全面、立體的抗戰歷史敘事，並為兩岸同胞面對面交流提供了重要契機，增進團結，共同推進祖國統一大業。

今年正值中國人民抗日戰爭暨世界反法西斯戰爭勝利80周年，同時也是台灣光復80周年。

通過舉辦此次研討會，北京大學旨在凝聚共識、豐富史實認知，並加強兩岸間的民族凝聚力。

中國 澳門 台灣 英國 香港 日本 美國


US to press China on security for APEC

‘ADDITIONAL CONDITION’:  Taiwan will work with like-minded countries to protect its right to participate in next year’s meeting, the foreign ministry said

The US will “continue to press China for security arrangements and protocols that safeguard all participants when attending APEC meetings in China,” a US Department of State spokesperson said yesterday, after Beijing suggested that members must adhere to its “one China principle” to participate.

“The United States insists on the full and equal participation of all APEC member economies — including Taiwan — consistent with APEC’s guidelines, rules and established practice, as affirmed by China in its offer to host in 2026,” the unnamed spokesperson said in response to media queries about China putting a “one China” principle condition on Taiwan’s APEC participation.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Reuters in a statement on Tuesday when asked about Taiwan’s participation that Beijing would fulfill its obligations as host in November next year, but with a specific condition.

A person stands in front of a monitor displaying the APEC logo in Gyeongju, South Korea, on Thursday last week. Photo: Bloomberg

“We would like to emphasize that the key to Chinese Taipei’s participation in APEC activities lies in compliance with the ‘one China’ principle and the relevant APEC memorandum of understanding, rather than any safety issues,” it said.

In Taipei, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday protested Beijing’s insistence on accepting the “one China principle” as a prerequisite for Taiwan’s APEC participation, saying that it is a serious violation of the organization’s norms and practices.

The State Department spokesperson said in an e-mail that “APEC members remain committed to all members participating on an equal footing in all APEC events, including the Economic Leaders’ Week, in accordance with the Guidelines for Hosting APEC Meetings and relevant APEC conventions.”

Speaking on the sidelines of a legislative session Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) yesterday said that China last year provided written assurances that it would support Taiwan’s equal participation in next year’s APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Shenzhen, China, and protect the safety of all participants.

China’s latest comments raised an “extra condition” for Taiwan’s participation in the APEC meeting, contravening Beijing’s written promises, Lin said.

“We will safeguard our right to participate and will work with like-minded countries to launch countermeasures,” he said, without elaborating.

Lin said that China raised the so-called “one China” principle as an “additional condition.”

Beijing’s written assurances were witnessed by other APEC members at last year’s Lima meeting, but China has apparently broken its vow, he said.

APEC’s decisionmaking process is based on consensus, meaning all members must agree on a decision before it is adopted, he said.

No decision under the APEC mechanism can be made without Taiwan’s approval, and the country will strongly safeguard its rights to participate, he added.

Asked if Taiwan might choose not to attend next year’s meeting, Mainland Affairs Council Deputy Minister Shen Yu-chung (沈有忠), who fielded questions during the same legislative session, said it was too early to tell.

Beijing’s “one China” principle asserts that there is only one legitimate state that represents China and Taiwan is part of it, a claim Taipei rejects.

Taiwan, which joined APEC in 1991 under the name “Chinese Taipei,” is a full member of the forum, but its president, unlike the leaders of other members, cannot attend due to Chinese objections and political pressure. Taiwan instead sends a special envoy.


Defense ministry seeks to buy anti-drone systems

MODERN WARFARE:  The systems, as specified, would not have enough coverage to fend off drone swarms, and takeover capabilities might be limited, a source said

The Ministry of National Defense has unveiled a proposed NT$9.67 billion (US$312.4 million) program to buy 635 lightweight anti-uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) systems capable of taking over, jamming and GPS data spoofing drones.

The draft proposal to purchase the systems over the next three years has not yet been finalized and must be approved by the legislature.

The systems must be capable of passively detecting more than 10 targets within a 4km zone with an imagery refresh rate of more than once per second and engaging drones operating on frequencies between 433 megahertz and 5.8 gigahertz to a range of 2km, the ministry said.

They must be small enough to be transported on light vehicles including tactical and civilian vehicles, as well as small boats, and require no more than 15 minutes to set up with one or two operators, it said.

The manufacturers must deliver a first batch of 242 systems to the military for testing within 180 days of being notified that it has been awarded a contract, and a second batch of 393 systems within 180 days of passing performance tests, it said.

Supplementary material attached to the notification showed that the program would provide 242 systems to the army, 213 systems to the navy, 72 systems to the air force and 108 systems to the Information, Communications and Electronic Force Command, it said.

Funding would be drawn from annual special budgets designated for next year, 2027 and 2028, the ministry said.

An expert speaking on condition of anonymity criticized aspects of the proposed counter-UAV program, saying the ministry might need to re-examine its suppositions about defensive drone warfare.

As specified, the anti-drone systems would not provide a sufficient detection and engagement range to maintain a continuous area of defense, or the numbers needed to fend off drone swarms, they said.

In addition, deploying “cybertakeover” capabilities and GPS spoofing as a means to defeat hostile UAVs presupposes that friendly operators have already compromised the command signals utilized by enemy drone navigation and guidance systems, the source said.

That means the systems would be ineffective should they encounter hostile drones that used unknown command frequencies or signals, or an encryption system that has not been deciphered, they said.

The military should also ensure that the systems are cost-effective, they said.

Sufficient resources must be directed toward developing algorithms that can rapidly defeat enemy encryption systems and a constantly updated library of enemy UAV signals, if cybertakeover and GPS-spoofing are to remain viable countermeasures against hostile drones, the source said.


The death toll from Typhoon Kalmaegi in the central Philippines yesterday climbed past 100 as the devastating impact on Cebu province became clearer after the worst flooding in recent memory.

Floodwaters described as unprecedented had rushed through the province’s towns and cities a day earlier, sweeping away cars, riverside shanties and even massive shipping containers.

Cebu spokesman Rhon Ramos said that 35 bodies had been recovered from flooded areas of Liloan, a town that is part of the metro area of the provincial capital, Cebu City.

A woman sits on a fallen post amid the damage caused by Typhoon Kalmaegi in Talisay, Philippines, yesterday. Photo: Reuters

The grim news brought the toll for Cebu to 76, while on neighboring Negros Island, at least 12 people were dead and 12 more were missing after Kalmaegi’s driving rain loosened volcanic mudflow, which buried homes in Canlaon City, police Lieutenant Stephen Polinar said.

“Eruptions of Kanlaon volcano since last year deposited volcanic material on its upper sections. When the rain fell, those deposits rumbled down onto the villages,” he said.

Only one Negros death had been included in an earlier government tally of 17 deaths outside Cebu.

A man walks down a muddy street where cars are piled up after being swept away in floods brought on by Typhoon Kalmaegi in Cebu City, Philippines, yesterday. Photo: Reuters

That figure included six crewmembers of a military helicopter that crashed while on a typhoon relief mission.

“Around four or five in the morning, the water was so strong that you couldn’t even step outside,” Reynaldo Vergara, 53, said yesterday, adding that everything in his small shop in Mandanaue had been lost when a nearby river overflowed.

“Nothing like this has ever happened. The water was raging,” he said.

In nearby Talisay, where an informal settlement along a riverbank was washed away, 26-year-old Regie Mallorca was already at work rebuilding his home.

“This will take time because I don’t have the money yet. It will take months,” he said as he mixed cement and sand atop the rubble.

The area around Cebu City was deluged with 18.3cm of rain in the 24 hours before Kalmaegi’s landfall, well over its 13.1cm monthly average, weather specialist Charmagne Varilla said.

Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro on Tuesday called the situation “unprecedented” and “devastating.”

Nearly 800,000 people were moved from the typhoon’s path.

The catastrophic loss of life in Cebu comes as the public seethes over a scandal involving so-called ghost flood-control projects believed to have cost taxpayers billions of dollars.

“You begin to ask the question why we’re having terrible flash floods here when you have 26.6 billion pesos [US$452.32 million] for flood control projects” in the national budget, Baricuatro said in an interview with local outlet ABS-CBN.

“Definitely we have seen projects here ... that I would say are ghost projects,” she said.

Typhoon Kalmaegi death toll tops 100 in Philippines


Democrats on Tuesday swept a trio of races in the first major elections since US President Donald Trump regained the White House, elevating a new generation of leaders and giving the beleaguered party a shot of momentum ahead of next year’s congressional elections.

In New York City, Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist, won the mayoral race, capping a meteoric and unlikely rise from an anonymous state lawmaker to one of the country’s most visible Democratic figures.

In Virginia and New Jersey, moderate Democrats Abigail Spanberger, 46, and Mikie Sherrill, 53, won their elections for governor with commanding leads respectively.

Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani waves on stage after winning the New York mayoral race at an election night rally in Brooklyn on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

“If anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it is the city that gave rise to him. And if there is any way to terrify a despot, it is by dismantling the very conditions that allowed him to accumulate power,” Mamdani told a raucous crowd of supporters. “So Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching, I have four words for you: Turn the volume up.”

Tuesday’s contests offered a barometer of how Americans are responding to Trump’s tumultuous nine months in office. The races also served as a test of differing Democratic campaign playbooks ahead of next year, with the party locked out of power in Washington and still trying to forge a path out of the political wilderness.

That said, the midterm elections are a year away, an eternity in the Trump era, and opinion polls show the Democratic brand remains broadly unpopular, even as Trump’s own approval rating has declined.

The most closely watched contests on Tuesday also unfolded in Democratic-leaning regions that did not support Trump in last year’s presidential election.

Perhaps the biggest practical boost to Democrats on Tuesday came out of California, where voters approved a plan to redraw the state’s congressional map in the party’s favor, expanding a national battle over redistricting that would shape the race for the US House of Representatives.

Tuesday’s winning candidates could re-energize and inspire more engagement from Democratic voters, many of whom have clamored for fresh faces at the vanguard of the party. Turnout in the New York City mayoral race was the highest since at least 1969.

All three Democratic candidates emphasized economic issues, particularly affordability, an issue that remains top of mind for most voters.

Spanberger and Sherrill hail from the party’s moderate wing, while Mamdani used a viral video-fueled insurgent campaign to present himself as an unabashed progressive in the mold of US Senator Bernie Sanders and US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Mamdani, who will become the first Muslim mayor of the biggest US city, has called for raising taxes on corporations and the wealthy to pay for ambitious left-wing policies such as frozen rents, free childcare and free city buses.

Wall Street executives have expressed concern about putting a democratic socialist at the helm of the financial capital of the world.

Trump has labeled Mamdani a “communist” and vowed to cut funding for the city in response to Mamdani’s ascension.

In a social media post on Tuesday night, Trump blamed the losses on the fact that his name was not on the ballot and on an ongoing federal government shutdown.

US Democrats sweep trio of major races


CALL FOR COLLABORATION: Other nations should study how Taipei and Manila resolved their differences after a deadly incident in 2013, a Philippine official said

Participants at the 17th South China Sea Conference held in Da Nang, Vietnam, called on ASEAN to reduce its reliance on China, advance the globalization and institutionalization of the South China Sea issue, and support a global effort to maintain regional safety and stability.

The annual event, hosted by the Hanoi-based Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam on Monday and Tuesday, brought together policymakers, national defense officials and security policy experts from 40 countries.

Philippine Coast Guard Commodore Jay Tarriela said that other nations could take a page from how Taipei and Manila resolved their differences over a deadly incident in 2013 and signed the Agreement Concerning the Facilitation of Cooperation on Law Enforcement in Fisheries Matters in 2015.

National Taiwan University professor Jin Shi-yi, third left, joins other panelists at the 17th South China Sea International Conference in Da Nang, Vietnam, in an undated photograph. Photo coutesy of Jin Shi-yi via CNA

On May 9, 2013, a Philippine Coast Guard vessel opened fire on a Pingtung County-based Taiwanese fishing boat, killing 65-year-old fisherman Hung Shih-cheng (洪石成) and injuring crew members.

German Ambassador to Vietnam Helga Margarete Barth quoted German Minister of Foreign Affairs Johann Wadephul as saying that “China’s increasingly aggressive behavior in the Taiwan Strait, and the East and South China seas also has implications for us in Europe. Fundamental principles of our global coexistence are at stake here.”

The standards for actions in the South China Sea should not be determined solely by China and ASEAN, and countries in other regions with interests in the sea should also devote more attention to the ASEAN Regional Forum and related activities, EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier said.

The international community must stand together to ensure that those who observe international law are rewarded, and those who contravene it are punished, Guerrier said.

Europe’s overreliance on Russia, the US and China should be a lesson for ASEAN, Guerrier said, adding that the bloc should develop strategic and economic autonomy.

National Taiwan University professor Jin Shi-yi (金士懿) said during the “(Un)interruption of Maritime Techno-politics” section of the forum that uncrewed platforms would redefine the future of scientific monitoring, search and rescue operations, maritime patrols and national defense.

However, the development of such systems also challenges existing international legal frameworks, Jin said.

Taiwan’s strength in artificial intelligence and semiconductor chip manufacturing, and its adherence to international law, show that it can contribute significantly to achieving the sustainable ocean goal, and to fostering peace and prosperity in the region, he said.

National Cheng Kung University academic Kuo Cheng-yuan (郭正元) presented research he conducted with Chen Tzong-yueh (陳宗嶽) on how the algae-bacterial symbiotic system helped sustain maritime biodiversity, and what challenges the Taiwanese and Vietnamese marine production sectors face when attempting to strike a balance between production and maintaining the ecosystem.

Taiwan has great technical innovation, and is among the leading nations in automation, biotech and renewable energy management, Kuo said.

The nation can play a key role in regional collaboration and maritime technology innovation, he added.

Stakeholders discuss the South China Sea issue


By Lin Tsuei-yi and Jake Chung / Staff reporter in Tokyo, with staff writer

Stability in the Taiwan Strait is key to peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, participants at the 11th Japan-Taiwan Exchange Summit said on Tuesday, adding that efforts should be made to foster a democratic supply chain.

The annual event, first held in 2015, brings together the two countries’ lawmakers, and this year’s event was the first to be held in Japan’s Kanto region. More than 300 members, including regional councilors and civic groups, attended the event.

President William Lai (賴清德), in a prerecorded video, said that passing of the host city from Tainan last year to Kamakura symbolizes a link between the two ancient cities, adding that the event marks the start of a new chapter for the two countries in regional collaboration.

Representative to Japan Lee Yi-yang, nineth right, poses with event participants at the 11th Japan-Taiwan Exchange Summit in Kamakura, Japan, on Tuesday. Photo: CNA

He also congratulated Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who took office last month.

The summit also mentioned that in talks between Lai and then-Japanese representative Takaichi in Taipei in April, the two leaders said their countries should contribute to founding of a democratic supply chain.

Taipei and Tokyo should collaborate on fields such as artificial intelligence research, renewable energy, drone design and manufacturing, low-orbit satellite design, robotics research, and the information, communication and technology sector, the summit said.

They should also step up partnerships on quantum technology research and other fields to bolster their economic security, it said.

UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 does not mention Taiwan and should not be distorted to exclude it from the international community, it said.

The Japanese government should take action to ensure Taiwan’s inclusion in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, it said.

Representative to Japan Lee Yi-yang (李逸洋) quoted Takaichi as saying during the 47th ASEAN Summit last month that peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait is closely linked to the entire region’s security.

Takaichi has clearly expressed her opposition to violence or coercion that would unilaterally change the “status quo,” Lee said.

He said that Takaichi had delivered the same message during her meeting with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday last week.

Taipei believes that Takaichi would play a crucial role in maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region, Lee said.

Taiwan and Japan should continue to deepen their collaboration in regional peace, economic security, the high-technology industry, social resilience and deterring Chinese cognitive warfare, Lee said.

Next year’s summit is to take place in Nagoya, which is also to host the Asia Games the same year.

Stability in the Strait important, summit says


China ignores new airport safety concerns, CAA says

UNILATERAL MOVES:  Officials have raised concerns that Beijing could try to exert economic control over Kinmen in a key development plan next year

The Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) yesterday said that China has so far failed to provide any information about a new airport expected to open next year that is less than 10km from a Taiwanese airport, raising flight safety concerns.

Xiamen Xiangan International Airport is only about 3km at its closest point from the islands in Kinmen County — the scene of on-off fighting during the Cold War — and construction work can be seen and heard clearly from the Taiwan side.

In a written statement sent to Reuters, the CAA said that airports close to each other need detailed advanced planning and coordination to ensure smooth operations and safety.

It said it has asked China, via existing liaison channels, to provide planning information to assess the impact of Xiangan airport on Kinmen airport.

“However, Chinese civil aviation authorities have not provided any information to us to date,” it added.

“China has an obligation to ensure that the newly built Xiamen Xiangan airport will not affect our airspace,” it said. “Prior communication and coordination are the first step to ensuring safety, and the Civil Aviation Administration calls on the Chinese air traffic control authorities to begin discussions with us promptly.”

Neither China’s Taiwan Affairs Office nor the Chinese Civil Aviation Administration immediately responded to requests for comment.

Kinmen airport mostly offers domestic flights, but has occasional international charters.

The Chinese government refuses to speak to President William Lai (賴清德), saying he is a “separatist.”

Officials have raised concerns that China could try to exert economic control over Kinmen in a key development plan that would be rolled out early next year, and see Xiamen’s airports as potential part of that plan.

Taiwan and China have clashed over flight safety around outlying islands before, including over China’s opening of new flight routes in the Taiwan Strait that the government denounced as unilateral moves likewise made without consultation.


Taipei councilor urges police to probe two apps

Taipei police must investigate the source of two online apps — demanding people to “pledge loyalty to China” — and have them removed, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Taipei City Councilor Yen Juo-fang (顏若芳) said yesterday.

The two apps, named “Return Home” (歸家), and “Taiwan Defection” (台灣投誠), track users’ locations, she said.

Yen brought up the matter during a meeting at Taipei City Hall with Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安).

An app named “Taiwan Defection” is pictured in an undated photograph. Photo courtesy of Taipei City Councilor Yen Juo-fang

She demanded Chiang order police to investigate the two apps, saying that the apps are being operated from China, aim to undermine Taiwanese sovereignty and pose risks to personal data.

“Both apps clearly carry out Beijing’s united front propaganda,” she said.

When someone signs in, the apps display a message mentioning Beijing’s “one country, two systems” and the People’s Republic of China flag, promoting unification with China, Yen said.

“Users can see how many people in each administrative region have pledged loyalty to China,” she said.

The apps contain features such as inviting others and accumulating points, and offer money rewards, encouraging daily use, she said.

In addition to tracking users’ locations and IP addresses, the “Taiwan Defection” app also uses the .xyz domain, which is known to be used for phishing and online fraud, Yeh said.

Scammers use the domain to implant malware, steal personal information and commit credit card fraud or other financial crimes, she added.

The app was developed to undermine Taiwan’s national security and poses a serious threat to personal information, she said.

Police and national security agencies should investigate the two apps, she said, adding that they should be taken down and be blacklisted to protect Taiwanese.


蘇貞昌 蘇巧慧 賴清德 黃國昌 侯友宜

By Chen Cheng-yuand Jason Pan / Staff reporters, with CNA

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday selected Legislator Su Chiao-hui (蘇巧慧) as its nominee to contest next year’s New Taipei City mayoral election, pending final approval by its Central Executive Committee.

Su, 49, is a daughter of former premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) and has represented New Taipei City’s fifth constituency since 2016.

Her selection by the DPP nominations committee lines her up to challenge the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) in one of its strongholds, with New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) of the KMT preparing to step down after serving two terms.

Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Su Chiao-hui is pictured in an undated photograph. Photo: Taipei Times

New Taipei City is Taiwan’s most populous municipality, with more than 4 million residents.

The KMT has yet to announce its nominee.

Taiwan People’s Party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) has said multiple times that he intends to seek the city’s top job.

The local elections are scheduled for Nov. 28 next year.

President William Lai (賴清德), the DPP chairman, told the party’s weekly Central Standing Committee meeting yesterday, that “the best available talent” should run in the elections.

The party is preparing its rules for its primary process.

Lai reminded party members that nominees must carry the DPP banner by adhering to the founding spirit of “clean governance, diligence in public service and love for the Taiwan homeland,” DPP spokesman Justin Wu (吳崢) said.

Lai also stressed that nominees “must not tarnish the party’s good reputation” and “must not betray the trust the public has in you,” Wu said.

Nominees must not undermine fair competition and attack opponents, while also conducting themselves well during campaigning as they advocate local development and policies that promote fairness and social welfare, Wu quoted Lai as saying.

DPP committees would closely supervise the primary process to find the most suitable people to contest each election, he added.

DPP taps Su Chiao-hui for New Taipei City mayoral race


‘REASONABLE’ FEE: The Taipei City Government and Shin Kong Life Insurance have been at odds over the plot of land in the Beitou Shilin Technology Park since May

Shin Kong Life Insurance has proposed a “reasonable” fee for terminating the contract for a plot of land chipmaker Nvidia Corp is eyeing for its headquarters in Taiwan, Taipei Deputy Mayor Lee Shu-chuan (李四川) said yesterday.

Lee said the Taipei City Government had received an official document from the insurer proposing that it pay NT$4.47 billion (US$144.4 million) to terminate the contract, a price he said was reasonable.

Subtracting the NT$3.44 billion the insurer had already paid to the government for the land rights and lease, the difference of NT$1.04 billion was not far from the compensation of NT$800 million that the city government had estimated, Lee said.

The T17 plot of Beitou Shilin Technology Park in Taipei is pictured in an undated photograph. Photo: Taipei Times

The gap in the estimates of reasonable compensation arose from NT$100 million in taxes that Shin Kong Life paid to the central government and different approaches to calculating capital costs, he said.

The city and the insurer would both hire accountants to review the various proposals, Lee said, expressing the hope that the amount can be finalized and the termination agreement signed by tomorrow.

Also yesterday, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) told the Taipei City Council that the termination fee would not be paid at the public’s expense, but passed on to Nvidia as a rights fee.

Taipei Department of Land Administration Director Wang Rui-yun (王瑞雲) said that Nvidia was willing to assume the extra costs to establish its headquarters on the plot of land.

The city and the insurer have been at odds over the plot of land in the Beitou Shilin Technology Park (北投士林科技園區) ever since Nvidia chief executive officer Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) in May announced that the company had chosen the site for its headquarters in Taiwan.

Shin Kong Life has held the land’s surface rights since 2021, after winning a public tender, but has yet to develop the land.

The city objected to allowing the insurer to directly transfer the land rights to Nvidia, citing concerns over potential profiteering. Instead, it requested that Shin Kong Life agree to a mutual contract termination.

The insurer argued that terminating the contract could be seen as a breach of trust by its board of directors because it would damage the company’s benefits, but on Oct. 22 it announced its willingness to terminate the contract, contingent upon the reimbursement of the costs it had incurred related to the land.

Insurer proposes fee for Nvidia plot


Tropical storm may affect Taiwan next week: CWA

UNKNOWN TRAJECTORY: The storm could move in four possible directions, with the fourth option considered the most threatening to Taiwan, meteorologist Lin De-en said

A soon-to-be-formed tropical storm east of the Philippines could begin affecting Taiwan on Wednesday next week, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday.

The storm, to be named Fung-wong (鳳凰), is forecast to approach Taiwan on Tuesday next week and could begin affecting the weather in Taiwan on Wednesday, CWA forecaster Huang En-hung (黃恩鴻) said, adding that its impact might be amplified by the combined effect with the northeast monsoon.

As of 2pm yesterday, the system’s center was 2,800km southeast of Oluanbi (鵝鑾鼻).

A chart shows the weather forecast until Tuesday next week. The red line represents Taipei, the yellow line represents Taichung, the blue line represents Tainan and the green line represents Hualien. Photo courtesy of the Central Weather Administration

It was moving northwest at 18kph.

Meteorologist Lin De-en (林得恩) on Facebook yesterday wrote that the would-be storm is surrounded by the oceanic environment that supports its continual development, adding that it could move in four possible directions.

The first route would occur if high pressure recedes toward the east and the cold air mass has yet to arrive from the north, Lin said. That scenario would prompt the storm to move northward early when it reaches the area just east of 130°E, and afterwards it would proceed to waters south of Japan in a parabolic manner, he said.

Damage is expected to be minor if the storm moves in this direction, he said.

The second route, which is simulated by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, would occur if there was little change in the intensity of high pressure in the next few days, and the cold air mass from the north had yet to reach the region, he said.

Under this situation, the storm would begin turning north before approaching land at the north of the Philippines, and its center would move very close to east Taiwan, Lin said, adding that Taiwan would be very much affected by the storm should this scenario happen.

The third route, which is simulated by the National Centers for Environmental Prediction, would occur if high pressure expands westward, a northern trough passes at high latitudes and the cold air mass had yet to move south, Lin said.

This would cause the storm to move across the northern part of the Philippines and enter the South China Sea first, before shifting northward, he said, adding that this route would result in a minimal effect on Taiwan.

Another route simulated by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts’ Artificial Intelligence Forecasting System has the storm’s path first passing over the northern part of the Philippines.

After entering the South China Sea, the storm’s northward component is expected to strengthen, with its center projected to make landfall in southern Taiwan and exit over the eastern coast.

This is the trajectory considered most threatening to Taiwan, Lin said.


Rapper detained over Hsieh’s death

Malaysian rapper Namewee (黃明志) was detained yesterday to assist police in their investigation into the murder of a Taiwanese social media influencer, the rapper’s lawyer said.

Namewee surrendered to police early yesterday and was to be placed under remand for six days, said his lawyer, Joshua Tay.

Police on Tuesday said that they were searching for Namewee after they reclassified Iris Hsieh’s (謝侑芯) death as a murder following the discovery of unspecified new evidence.

Rapper Namewee is escorted by plainclothes police officers at the magistrates court in Penang, Malaysia, on Aug. 22, 2016. Photo: AP

Hsieh, 31, who had more than half a million followers on Instagram and also operated an OnlyFans account, was found dead in a hotel bathtub in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 22.

Police said that Namewee was the last person seen with her before her death, local media reported.

Namewee was briefly detained at the time, and separately charged for possession and use of drugs, allegations he denied.

A former nurse, Hsieh was known as “Nurse Goddess” by her fans.

Police said that she arrived in Malaysia on Oct. 20 and was scheduled to stay for four days. Police are waiting for the postmortem and toxicology reports before releasing the official cause of her death, local media reported.

Namewee, 42, said he was deeply saddened by Hsieh’s death, but denied any wrongdoing.

In an Instagram post after his surrender, he vowed to cooperate with the investigation to provide answers to the public and Hsieh’s family.

“I hope that the investigation will be carried out thoroughly, and with the utmost objectivity and fairness,” Tay said.

An outspoken artist, Namewee has been arrested and questioned by police multiple times over his satirical takes on politics, race and religion in his music videos and movies. He defends his right to artistic expression and says his videos use satire to highlight social issues in Malaysia.

In one of his earliest videos in 2007, he mocked Malaysia’s national anthem and was criticized for using racial slurs. The government in 2014 banned one of his films for allegedly portraying national agencies in a negative way.

He was detained in 2016 after Malay Islamic activists complained that a music video made by Namewee titled Oh My God, which was filmed at various places of worship and used the word “Allah,” which means God, was disrespectful to Islam.

Namewee said that the video was meant to promote religious tolerance and he was not charged.

Namewee was detained again in 2018 over complaints about a music video featuring dancers in dog masks who performed what authorities said were “obscene” moves that insulted Islam and could hurt racial harmony.

Dogs are considered unclean by Muslims, who account for about two-thirds of Malaysia’s 34 million people.

Namewee said his criticism was aimed at hypocrisy and abuse of power, not religion or race.

Namewee has also faced a backlash in China. He released a song in 2021 with Taiwan-based Australian singer Kimberley Chen (陳芳語) that poked fun at Chinese nationalists and touched on sensitive topics, such as Taiwan’s sovereignty. Beijing banned both singers from entering the country and removed the song from all Chinese platforms.


Thousands sign up as registration for NT$10,000 cash handout commences

A total of 707,520 eligible recipients had signed up for the NT$10,000 (US$323) cash handout as of 3pm yesterday, the first day of online registration, the Ministry of Finance said.

Registration was opened to Taiwanese citizens, foreign permanent residents and spouses of Taiwanese citizens with a national ID or Alien Resident Certificate No. ending in zero or 1 at 8am yesterday, the ministry said.

Registration continues in stages through Sunday. Those whose ID number ends in 2 or 3 can register today, 4 or 5 tomorrow, 6 or 7 on Saturday and 8 or 9 on Sunday.

New Taiwan dollar notes are pictured in Taipei yesterday in front of a screen showing the Web site (https://10000.gov.tw) for the governmnet’s cash handout program. Photo: CNA

From Monday to April 30 next year registration would remain open to eligible individuals, with the option to modify and verify information starting on Thursday next week.

At a joint news conference with the Ministry of Digital Affairs on Tuesday, the finance ministry said that those who complete registration before Tuesday next week would receive the payment between Tuesday and Wednesday next week.

Individuals who register on or after Tuesday next week would get the money within two business days, the finance ministry added.

The NT$10,000 handout can also be collected without online registration either through ATMs starting on Nov. 17 or at post offices beginning on Nov. 24, it said.

Meanwhile, the two ministries warned of phishing scams related to the handout, reminding the public that the government does not issue announcements by text message or e-mail, nor request ATM transfers.

The cash handout program is part of a NT$570 billion special package approved by the legislature on Oct. 17 and promulgated by the president on Oct. 23.

The package aims to provide financial assistance to businesses and individuals affected by US tariffs on Taiwanese exports, while also strengthening Taiwan’s defense infrastructure and coast guard.

In related news, the Shilin District Prosecutors’ Office yesterday said that a man in Taoyuan has been arrested for allegedly scamming a woman out of more than NT$3 million by impersonating postal and police officials in a scheme linked to the NT$10,000 universal cash handout program.

The suspect, surnamed Chang (張), faces charges including fraud and money laundering, prosecutors said, adding that he poses a high risk of colluding with accomplices or repeating similar crimes.

Chang first contacted the woman last month, allegedly posing as a postal worker and claiming that her identity had been used to apply for the government cash handout, investigators said.

He then allegedly impersonated a police officer, falsely warning that her bank account was involved in a money laundering investigation, and instructed her to transfer funds to an account number he provided.

Authorities said the 25-year-old acted as a “money mule” according to a scripted scheme, alternating between fake postal and police roles to instill fear and manipulate the victim.

Prosecutors warned that there could be more victims and investigations are ongoing.

Officials urged the public to exercise caution. Anyone receiving suspicious calls, messages or notifications related to the cash handout program should not follow instructions or provide their bank details.


By Su Yung-yao and Sam Garcia / Staff reporter, with staff writer and CNA

CTBC yesterday vowed to take action against the Shanghai Brothers if necessary, saying it was unaware that the new Chinese baseball team was using a logo and name closely resembling that of its team, the CTBC Brothers.

Authorities published a promotional poster for the Chinese Professional Baseball (CPB) league featuring the logos of five teams, including the Shanghai Brothers, which depicts a yellow elephant in a baseball cap holding a bat.

The CTBC Brothers’ logo depicts a yellow elephant in a baseball cap holding a baseball.

The logo for the Shanghai Brothers, botom, second left, is pictured in an undated photograph. Photo: screen grab from Facebook

CTBC said the Taiwanese team and its management were unaware of online reports about the Shanghai Brothers, but would take necessary action if any infringement is identified.

The company added that it would prioritize Taiwan’s interests and its baseball fans.

Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) commissioner Tsai Chi-chang (蔡其昌) said that baseball has never been a common or popular sport in China, so it is strange for professional teams to suddenly appear.

Tsai, who is also a Democratic Progressive Party legislator, said the CPBL has been aware of the issue for the past six months, but it has no way of knowing how it would develop.

China’s plagiarism extends beyond the Brothers’ logo, as the CPB logo also has close aesthetic similarities to the CPBL logo, which was designed 36 years ago, Tsai said.

However, according to consultations with legal experts, that does not constitute copyright infringement, he said.

Team logo trademarks belong to the teams themselves, not to the CPBL, Tsai said.

While the CPBL is not involved with team operations or commercial activities, it would take action if commercial activities conflict with the league’s interests, he added.

SEE LIONS’ ON PAGE 6

CTBC vows legal action over logo of Shanghai team


The groundbreaking National Taiwan University (NTU) study, which uncovered a pathway to regrow hair in mice in 20 days by stimulating the skin’s fat cells, has gone viral, with a social media post about the research reaching around 19 million views in 12 days.

Published on Oct. 22 in the journal Cell Metabolism, the study revealed that skin injury starts a chain reaction: immune cells called macrophages signal the fat cells under the skin to release free fatty acids, which then act as fuel to reprogram the metabolism of dormant stem cells and trigger them to grow new hair.

In their mouse experiments, the researchers used controlled skin injuries (such as mild irritation or burns) to jumpstart hair growth. They discovered that hair stem cells were activated by Day 7 post-injury, new hair became visibly apparent by Day 10, and the mice achieved full hair regrowth within 20 days.

Findings from National Taiwan University study on hair regrowth are published in the journal Cell Metabolism. Photo courtesy of the National Taiwan University research team

The researchers also proved that topical treatment of monounsaturated fatty acids onto uninjured mouse skin was enough to successfully grow new hair because it directly turned on the sleeping hair stem cells.

A post by NEXTA, a Belarusian media outlet, on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) on Oct. 25 contributed to the viral spread of the study, garnering over 19 million views as of Wednesday and prompting local media in Taiwan to follow the story over the past days.

Responding to a post about the research on a Facebook page on Oct. 26, Lin Sung-jan (林頌然), lead contact person for the study, said that "the regenerative capacity of the skin is a stunning testament to the delicate complexity of life."

"We initiated this study based on clinical observations that skin irritation or sustained stimulation (such as the itching under a cast for a broken bone) causes the affected area to become noticeably hairier," Lin, who is an attending physician at NTU hospital and chair and distinguished professor of NTU’s Department of Biomedical Engineering, said in the comment.

These findings have not yet been validated in human skin, the NTU team noted.

NTU study on hair regrowth in mice in 20 days goes viral


Taiwan News Quick Take

DEFENSE

US eyes missile delivery

The Pentagon is “working very urgently and expeditiously” to ensure that Taiwan has the capabilities needed for self-defense, a US Department of Defense nominee said on Tuesday, adding that the Pentagon is working urgently to expedite the delivery of 100 Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems. During a US Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Austin Dahmer, nominee for assistant secretary of defense for strategy, plans and forces, was asked about the progress of the Harpoon missile systems sale approved during US President Donald Trump’s first administration in 2020. US Senator Ted Budd said that only a few of the 100 systems approved have been delivered so far and asked how the Pentagon plans to ensure timely completion of the deal. Dahmer said he had visited the Harpoon production line in Missouri to understand the broader challenges facing the US defense industrial base.

DIPLOMACY

Tsai to speak in Berlin

Former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) is to visit Berlin and address a conference next week, her office said yesterday. Tsai, who left office last year, is to leave for Berlin on Saturday and speak on Monday at the Berlin Freedom Conference, the office said. “Former President Tsai hopes this trip will help deepen cooperation and exchanges between Taiwan and Germany, as well as with like-minded democratic countries in Europe,” it said in a statement. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tsai’s trip. Tsai has already visited Europe since stepping down, including the UK and France.

SOCIETY

Man reunited with gold bars

A 67-year-old man has been reunited with seven gold bars worth an estimated NT$5 million (US$161,530) found in a park in Miaoli City yesterday morning. The Miaoli City Office said it received a report of a pile of valuables left in a flowerbed near the Martyrs’ Shrine Plaza in Maolishan Park. Staff dispatched to the site discovered seven gold bars, along with NT$60,000 in NT$1,000 bills and more than 10,000 yuan (US$1,403), the office said. An insurance certificate found at the scene led police to a jewelry store, which confirmed that the man, a Miaoli resident living alone, had purchased the gold bars in August, it said. After being contacted at a phone number provided by the jewelry store, the man told police that he had spent the previous night sleeping in the park and had forgotten to take his valuables with him when he left in the morning. The man said he carried the gold and cash with him because he feared they might be stolen if left at home, local police said. Miaoli County Social Affairs Department Director Chang Kuo-dong (張國棟) said social workers would visit the man to offer assistance and advise him on safer ways to store his assets.

SPACE

Satellite to launch next week

Taiwan’s first Formosat-8 satellite is expected to lift off on Tuesday next week at 2:18am Taiwan time, the Taiwan Space Agency announced on Tuesday. The agency said the satellite would be carried by a rocket on the Transporter-15 mission, after a month of preparations by staff who have gone to the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Named the “Chi Po-lin Satellite” (齊柏林衛星) after the late Taiwanese documentary director known for recording Taiwan through aerial imagery, it would be the first of eight satellites to make up the first Taiwan-made satellite constellation, the agency said.


Chiayi County Commissioner Weng Chang-liang, third left, samples medicinal herbs in a Shennong costume at the Traditional Chinese Medicine Herb Cultural Festival at the Chiayi County Government yesterday. Shennong is the Taoist deity of medicine and agriculture. The Southern branch of the National Palace Museum in the county is to host the event on Saturday and Sunday.

Herbal festival


Premier Cho Jung-tai, front row, center, Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling, front row, second left, and swimmer Eddie Wang, front row, second right, gesture at an awards ceremony in Taipei yesterday honoring coast guard personnel. Wang is the image ambassador for upcoming Coast Guard Day, which is to be observed on Saturday.

Honoring coast guards


EXPANSION:  The deal must next be approved by both firms’ shareholders as well as government regulators, and would make E.Sun Taiwan’s fifth-largest holding company

E.Sun Financial Holding Co (玉山金控) and Mercuries Life Insurance Co (三商美邦人壽) yesterday approved a merger to be carried out entirely through a share-swap deal, as the bank-focused conglomerate expands into life insurance to become Taiwan’s fifth-largest financial group by assets.

Under the agreement, 0.2486 E.Sun Financial shares would be exchanged for each Mercuries Life share, E.Sun Financial senior vice president Stanley Lin (林俊佑) told a media briefing at the Taiwan Stock Exchange.

The company would issue new shares to Mercuries Life shareholders and acquire 100 percent of the insurer, Lin said.

E.Sun Financial Holding Co chairman Joseph Huang, left, and Mercuries Life Insurance Co chairman George Wong attend a news conference in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Wang Yi-sung, Taipei Times

Following completion, Mercuries Life’s 91,000 domestic and foreign shareholders would hold about 8.31 percent of E.Sun Financial’s equity, with the transaction valued at approximately NT$8.2 per Mercuries Life share.

“The addition of a life insurance unit marks a key milestone in expanding the group’s footprint,” E.Sun Financial chairman Joseph Huang (黃男州) told a news conference in Taipei later yesterday.

The move would broaden the company’s asset base and market presence, and help build an integrated financial ecosystem spanning banking, life insurance, securities and asset management, he said.

The transaction would lift the company’s total assets above NT$5.8 trillion (US$187.37 billion), making it Taiwan’s fifth-largest listed financial holding company.

The firm aims to develop three primary revenue engines across banking, insurance and securities, Huang said.

The companies plan to integrate investment and research teams following the merger to enhance portfolio efficiency and boost group-wide returns, he added.

E.Sun Financial has formed a task force of more than 50 members and engaged external advisers to conduct due diligence and determine the offer terms, Huang said.

“The process is intended to ensure fairness and support manageable future operations,” he said.

Huang described Mercuries Life — founded in 1993 and now Taiwan’s seventh-largest insurer, with NT$1.6 trillion in assets and 11,000 employees — as a strong strategic fit aligned with the group’s long-term growth strategy.

Both companies plan to hold extraordinary shareholders’ meetings in January to approve the deal and address employee retention and benefits. The merger is subject to regulatory approval.

The deal follows E.Sun Financial’s acquisition in July of a 91.2 percent stake in PGIM Securities Investment Trust Enterprise Co (保德信投信), a subsidiary of US-based Prudential Financial Inc.

E.Sun Financial has posted a compound annual asset growth rate of 10 percent over the past decade, with earnings reaching record highs.

The group reported NT$29.3 billion in net profit in the first 10 months of this year, up 31 percent from a year earlier, while flagship unit E.Sun Commercial Bank Ltd (玉山銀行) earned NT$28.3 billion, up 35 percent year-on-year.

E.Sun, Mercuries Life agree on merger


OVERVALUED? Some see the mass sell-off as a good thing, letting off some steam in an industry that they say was getting ahead of itself and making stocks cheaper

The global sell-off in semiconductor stocks accelerated on concern over lofty valuations for some of the artificial intelligence (AI) boom’s biggest winners.

Memory makers Samsung Electronics Co and SK Hynix Inc dragged South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI down as much as 6.2 percent yesterday before it pared much of the loss and ended the day down 2.9 percent.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 finished 2.5 percent off, with the world’s largest chip testing equipment supplier Advantest Corp dropping as much as 10 percent and tech investment giant Softbank Group Corp also down 10 percent. In Taipei, Asia’s largest stock, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (台積電), fell 2.99 percent, driving the TAIEX to end 1.42 percent lower.

A display of a robotic arm holds a model of an SK Hynix Inc wafer at the SK AI Summit in Seoul on Monday. Photo: Bloomberg

Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney, Manila, Bangkok and Jakarta also fell, but Shanghai and Wellington edged up.

Selling pressure trimmed roughly US$500 billion in combined market capitalization from the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index on Tuesday, amid a slump on Wall Street, where the tech-rich NASDAQ closed down more than 2 percent and the S&P 500 off more than 1 percent.

The pullback signals the growing unease over the sector’s earnings potential and elevated stock valuations, particularly if interest rates stay higher for longer. At the same time, a sense of fear of missing out is driving some investors to rush back in.

The warning of an overdue correction from Wall Street chiefs, including Morgan Stanley chief executive officer Ted Pick and Goldman Sachs Group Inc CEO David Solomon, has weighed on the sector this week, alongside reduced expectations for US Federal Reserve rate cuts and the prolonged US government shutdown.

Hedge fund manager Michael Burry added to the sell-off with his disclosure of bearish wagers on Palantir Technologies Inc and Nvidia Corp.

US software firm Palantir helped trigger the meltdown on Wall Street with a forecast that failed to impress investors. The stock slumped 8 percent despite reporting a 63 percent surge in revenue and profit. A similar reaction to Advanced Micro Devices Inc’s post-market results and outlook amplified the impact on Asia’s trading session yesterday.

“It’s a sea of red across broad markets, and one that offers a gloomy and damp portrayal of risk,” Pepperstone Group Ltd research head Chris Weston said. “We need to remain open-minded to the possibility that this could still further build. Simplistically, there aren’t many reasons to buy here.”

Some see the pullback as a good thing, letting some steam out of a rally that had gotten ahead of itself and making stocks a bit cheaper.

With global hyperscalers such as Amazon.com Inc and Meta Platforms Inc pouring more cash into AI, chipmakers and other tech firms are expected to reap further benefits in their results and share prices.

“The AI boom has pushed the ‘Magnificent’ names to new highs, but under the surface, their stories have begun to diverge between companies monetizing AI today and those still investing for tomorrow,” Saxo Markets chief investment strategist Charu Chanana said.

Additional reporting by AFP

AI bubble concerns prompt global chip stock sell-off


Winbond Electronics Corp (華邦電) yesterday gave an upbeat outlook for next year as strong demand for less-advanced memory chips has helped it swing into profit in five quarters, with the upcycle to persist longer than previous ones.

The firm is benefiting from a structural adjustment in memory manufacturing technology transition as the world’s top three players are allocating more capacity for high-bandwidth memory or DDR5 chips to support booming artificial intelligence (AI) demand while reducing supply of less-advanced DDR4 chips, Winbond said.

The transition has led to supply constraints of DDR4 chips and higher chip prices, along with demand for greater memory capacity to support increasingly complicated devices, including AI servers, PCs, robot vacuums, drones and wireless earbuds, the company said.

Winbond Electronics Corp’s logo is pictured at its headquarters in Taichung on Feb. 29, 2020. Photo: Grace Hung, Taipei Times

“We expect such a structural transition will last for a period of time. It could take one to two years,” Winbond president James Chen (陳沛銘) told an online investors’ conference. “A growing number of customers are approaching us to negotiate for long-term supply agreements. Such strong demand will not diminish overnight. Demand for 2026 is very healthy.”

In the past, a DRAM upcycle usually lasted for six to nine months before dipping into a downcycle, Chen said.

This time, the upturn would not end in just a six-to-nine-month period, as some customers have requested six-year supply agreements, he said.

Winbond expects chip prices to climb this quarter at a faster pace than the third quarter, attributed to limited capacity and demand for higher-density chips, Chen said.

He also expects significant growth in revenue and chip shipments this quarter compared with the previous quarter.

The memory industry is returning to the “right track,” Chen said.

The company’s DRAM prices rose more than 10 percent quarter-on-quarter, outgrowing flash memory chips. Shipments of DRAM and flash memory chips both increased by a single-digit percentage sequentially.

Winbond plans to invest about NT$40 billion (US$1.29 billion) to increase capacity for DRAM and flash memory by 60 percent and 20 percent respectively.

In the third quarter, the company posted a net profit of NT$2.94 billion, snapping a losing streak over the previous four quarters. The company lost NT$1.31 billion in the second quarter and NT$9 million in the third quarter last year.

Gross margin soared to 46.7 percent, from 22.7 percent in the second quarter and 29.3 percent a year earlier.

For the company’s memory business, gross margin surged to 51 percent from 12 percent in the previous quarter and 21 percent a year earlier. Winbond attributed the significant improvement to reversal of a previous chip inventory write-down.

The gross margin of its memory business is expected to be mostly unchanged this quarter, driven by higher chip prices and shipments, Chen said.

DRAM and flash memory accounted for 65 percent of the company’s total revenue last quarter, while logic chips contributed 30 percent.

Winbond swings to profit


Foreign exchange reserves drop on weaker NT dollar

Taiwan’s foreign exchange reserves slipped to US$600.197 billion at the end of last month, down US$2.746 billion from a month earlier, as the New Taiwan dollar weakened and the central bank intervened to stabilize the local currency, the central bank said yesterday.

The decline mainly reflected the depreciation of major global currencies against the US dollar and the monetary authority’s US dollar sales to support the local currency, Department of Foreign Exchange Director-General Eugene Tsai (蔡炯民) told an online news briefing.

Demand for the greenback rose amid renewed concerns over China’s rare earth export controls and escalating US-China tariff tensions, he said.

US dollar, euro, yen and pound banknotes are seen in this illustration taken on May 4. Photo: Reuters

The NT dollar fell 0.74 percent against the US dollar, prompting the central bank to step in to smooth volatility, Tsai added.

Foreign investors sold a net NT$70 billion to NT$80 billion (US$2.26 billion to US$2.58 billion) of local shares during the month, while dividend payouts from major listed firms — including Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (台積電) — also contributed to capital outflows.

Total foreign fund outflows reached roughly US$5 billion, Tsai said.

He rejected media speculation that the monetary authority had intentionally allowed the NT dollar to weaken to help exporters, stressing that the bank follows a policy of “symmetric intervention” and only acts when market imbalances appear.

Taiwan is expected to remain on the US Department of the Treasury’s currency monitoring list in its upcoming semi-annual report, Tsai said.

The recent sell-off in local stocks reflects concerns that the US Federal Reserve might not cut interest rates next month, as a US government shutdown has complicated access to key economic data needed to guide policy expectations, he said.

Despite the outflows, foreign investors’ combined holdings of domestic equities, bonds and NT dollar-denominated deposits hit a record US$1.15 trillion last month — equivalent to 192 percent of Taiwan’s foreign exchange reserves — buoyed by earlier stock market gains, Tsai added.

The recent capital outflows appeared to reflect normal market activity, Tsai said, adding that he has not detected any irregularity.


The Chinese government has issued guidance requiring new data center projects that have received any state funds to only use domestically made artificial intelligence (AI) chips, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

In recent weeks, Chinese regulatory authorities have ordered such data centers that are less than 30 percent complete to remove all installed foreign chips, or cancel plans to purchase them, while projects in a more advanced stage would be decided on a case-by-case basis, the sources said.

The move could represent one of China’s most aggressive steps yet to eliminate foreign technology from its critical infrastructure amid a pause in trade hostilities between Washington and Beijing, and achieve its quest for AI chip self-sufficiency.

An artificial intelligence (AI) sign is seen at the World AI Conference in Shanghai on July 6, 2023. Photo: Reuters

China’s access to advanced AI chips, including those made by Nvidia Corp, has been a key point of friction with the US, as the two wrestle for dominance in high-end computing power and AI.

US President Donald Trump in an interview aired on Sunday following talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) last week said that Washington would “let them deal with Nvidia, but not in terms of the most advanced” chips.

However, the latest move by Beijing would dash Nvidia’s hopes of regaining its Chinese market share, while giving local rivals, including Huawei Technologies Co (華為), yet another opportunity to secure more chip sales.

Besides Nvidia, other foreign chipmakers that sell data center chips to China include Advanced Micro Devices Inc and Intel Corp.

AI data center projects in China have drawn more than US$100 billion in state funding since 2021, according to a Reuters review of government tenders. Most data centers in China have received some form of state funding to aid their construction, but it is not immediately clear how many projects are subject to the new guidance.

Some projects have already been suspended before breaking ground as a result of the directive, including a facility in a northwestern province that had planned to deploy Nvidia chips, one of the sources said.

The project, being developed by a private technology company that received state funding, has been put on hold, the source said.

China discouraged local tech giants from purchasing advanced Nvidia chips over security concerns this year, while showing off a new data center powered solely by domestic AI chips.

Nvidia’s current share of the Chinese AI chip market is zero, compared with 95 percent in 2022, according to the company.

With the latest directive, the Chinese government is carving out even more market share for domestic chipmakers. China has a range of AI chip companies, from the most prominent, Huawei, to smaller players such as Shanghai-listed Cambricon Technologies Corp (寒武紀) and start-ups including MetaX Integrated Circuits Co (沐曦), Moore Threads Technology Co (摩爾) and Enflame Technology Co (燧原).

Products from these Chinese companies already rival some of Nvidia’s offerings, but they have struggled to crack the market. Developers used to Nvidia’s reliable software ecosystem have been reluctant to adopt domestic alternatives.

While the move would help boost sales of domestically developed chips, it also risks widening the US-China gap in AI computing power.

Meanwhile, leading Chinese chip manufacturers like Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (中芯) are facing supply constraints due to US sanctions on semiconductor manufacturing equipment that have hit advanced chip production capacity.

China bans foreign chips from projects


Pop collectibles

People gather next to Skullpanda toys installed at the Pop Mart company booth at the 8th China International Import Expo venue in Shanghai yesterday.


Although Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) did not mention Taiwan in his high-profile meeting with US President Donald Trump last week, Taiwan should keep its eyes peeled for a new wave of “united front” operations to co-opt pro-China forces to promote “peaceful unification” across the Taiwan Strait.

After the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) on Oct. 19 elected Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) as its new chairwoman, who has gone from once advocating independence to leaning toward China, Xi — the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) general secretary — sent his congratulations and expressed his expectation that the two parties would cooperate more to adhere to the so-called “1992 consensus.”

On Oct. 25, a date China distorts as a “commemoration of Taiwan’s retrocession,” Wang Huning (王滬寧), the CCP’s fourth-ranked leader and Beijing’s top official in charge of Taiwan policy, reiterated that China would communicate with Taiwan’s pro-China forces to promote “one country, two systems” and “peaceful unification.”

China’s state-run Xinhua news agency from Sunday to Tuesday last week published three opinion pieces calling “unification with China” the only solution for Taiwan and mapping out how “patriots could rule Taiwan after reunification” to guarantee “Taiwan’s existing social system and way of life would be respected.”

The Chinese authorities and their mouthpiece have intensified their “united front” tactics to incorporate pro-China politicians and parties in Taiwan to promote cross-strait unification under the veil of the “1992 consensus” and the “one China” ideology. Such work has increased since the KMT allied with the Taiwan People’s Party to gain a legislative majority and will continue to increase after Cheng’s win.

China surely has high expectations that the KMT would return to power under Cheng’s leadership and contribute to “peaceful unification.”

That would save China from needing to use force, likely with catastrophic results, as Trump has said that Beijing would not take military action against Taiwan during his presidency because “the Chinese leaders know the consequences.”

China’s “one country, two systems” has proved a failure in Hong Kong. Its promise of autonomy has been replaced with a “patriots-only” rule system — meaning only people deemed loyal to the CCP can hold public office — and the 2020 National Security Law, ensuring Beijing’s control over the territory. The result is the rapid erosion of Hong Kong’s autonomy, democracy, freedom and human rights.

Meanwhile, polls consistently show that Taiwanese reject Beijing’s “one country, two systems” and “one China” principle.

However, Cheng and her team are apparently making efforts to meet China’s expectations. Aside from saying; “I am Chinese” and “I will make all Taiwanese proud to be Chinese,” Cheng said that Russian President Vladimir Putin is “not a dictator,” a specious argument widely seen as making excuses for a possible invasion of Taiwan ordered by Xi.

Velina Tchakarova, a Vienna-based geopolitical strategist, warned of a “cognitive shift within parts of Taiwan’s political spectrum that fits precisely into China’s ‘death by a thousand cuts’ approach toward Taiwan.”

Cheng has objected to defense budget increases and sent KMT Vice Chairman Hsiao Hsu-tsen (蕭旭成) to meet with the head of China’s Taiwan Affairs Office to set up a possible Cheng-Xi meeting. Hsiao told the Chinese side that the KMT firmly opposes Taiwanese independence and supports cross-strait unification.

China has found its “patriots” in Taiwan. Taiwanese must remain vigilant.

EDITORIAL: Vigilance must be maintained


Taiwan’s shifting optics at APEC

When presidential adviser Lin Hsin-i (林信義), Taiwan’s envoy to this year’s APEC summit in South Korea, arrived at the opening session on Friday last week, the official broadcast screen bore the name “Taiwan.” Also featured were the national flag, the labels “major economic partner” and “chips sector competitor,” as well as population and GDP statistics of 23.3 million and US$805 billion.

It is more than just a new look — it is an open acknowledgement of Taiwan’s economic strength and technological standing. As host, South Korea has delivered a tactful and economically minded framing, reflecting the pragmatic recognition of Taiwan’s role amid a global supply chain restructuring and growing geopolitical risks.

In 1991, Taiwan joined APEC under the name “Chinese Taipei” and has long been constrained by China’s enforcement of its “one China” principle. Although historically permitted to attend, everything from Taiwan’s name, flag and official wording has been subject to Chinese-enforced restrictions and obfuscations. For APEC’s media broadcast to display the name “Taiwan” and the national flag is more than a diplomatic nicety.

It is also not an actual political concession, but is a pivot to face economic reality. Taiwan holds a more than 60 percent share in the global wafer foundry business, and its semiconductors are an indispensable part of the global supply chain. South Korean firms, such as Samsung Electronics Co and SK Hynix Inc, are highly dependent on Taiwan’s industrial network, which incentivizes South Korea to show its respect and cooperative attitude toward Taiwan on the global stage.

The image of Lin greeting South Korean President Lee Jae-myung with the on-screen labels was striking — a true breakthrough moment for the optics and language surrounding Taiwan at APEC. The scene of diplomacy served as a boost for Taiwan’s visibility and as an expression of its industry-driven soft power. Domestically, the moment was reported as not only indicative of South Korea’s open-mindedness, but also that Taiwan’s technological strength is now reshaping international media narratives. As the world faces twin strategic competition challenges over chips in the artificial intelligence (AI) and energy sectors, Taiwan’s role is shifting from that of a passive participant to a key driver in the global restructuring.

Public opinion in the US, Japan and Europe has widely seen the shift as a reappraisal of Taiwan’s position by nations in the Asia-Pacific region. US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent was also present, with Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) arriving last — the pair’s noticeable lack of interaction was in clear contrast to the scene of Lee and Lin. Chinese state media quietly reiterated its “one China” principle, while South Korean media talked up the professional neutrality of the host.

The interdependency between Taiwan and South Korea in semiconductor cooperation amid increasing global concern over supply chain security affirms a genuine strategic depth to an otherwise symbolic breakthrough moment. No longer just an observer of geopolitics, Taiwan has emerged as a stabilizing pillar of the regional economy.

For Taiwan, the moment is a symbol of sovereignty, international recognition and industry competitiveness. Lin’s speech focused on human-centered AI development and industry collaboration, successfully impressing upon the audience an image of Taiwan’s resilience and relevant contributions.

Domestically, it is likely to spark a re-examination of the relationship between diplomacy and economics, and a pragmatic appreciation of industry as diplomatic leverage to expand participation in multilateral frameworks — for instance, advancing membership of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, or deepening Taiwan-US trade agreements. Taiwan must maintain momentum with a practical and low-profile approach, while guarding against potential countermeasures from China.

The visual turnaround of Taiwan’s representation at the APEC summit was evidence that Taiwan’s economic strength transcends its constraints on nomenclature, and of its indispensable role as partner and competitor in the Asia-Pacific region.

Edwin Yang is an associate professor at National Taiwan Normal University and chairman of the Central Taiwan Association of University Professors.

Translated by Gilda Knox Streader


Honduras reveals China’s cracks

The Honduran elections seem to have put China on defense. The promises of trade and aid have failed to materialize, industries are frustrated, and leading candidate Salvador Nasralla, who has increased his lead in the polls, has caused Beijing to engage in a surge of activity that appears more like damage control than partnership building.

As Nasralla’s momentum has grown, China’s diplomacy, which seems to be dormant since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2023, has shown several attempts to avoid a reversal if the Liberal or the National party — which also favor Taipei — emerge as winners in the upcoming election.

One of the biggest criticisms that China has faced is its unfulfilled promises to the shrimp sector, which has caused the loss of thousands of jobs in the southern region. However, in late August, Honduran media reported that Honduran Ambassador to China Salvador Moncada participated in the signing of contracts for 3,000 tonnes of shrimp, worth more than US$50 million, to be exported to China. The timing suggested political intent: The deals extend two years into the future, effectively binding their fulfillment to the ruling party’s continuation in power or to any incoming government’s willingness to keep ties with Beijing.

Beijing also promoted new scholarships and infrastructure deals, but the rollout of the program seems to be reactive rather than a well thought-out relationship-building strategy. After two years of silence, the Chinese embassy in Tegucigalpa suddenly announced a scholarship program in April — giving students just 11 days to apply. Facing criticism, it extended the deadline to the end of June, but the memorandum of understanding was not signed until Aug. 14, on the same day the first 27 Honduran students received their certificates to study in China.

These efforts looked less like planned cooperation and more like a hasty attempt to counter political headwinds ahead of the country’s election.

Soon after, the ruling Liberty and Refoundation Party organized a parliamentary delegation to China on Sept. 11. The trip was led by Honduran Congress Vice President Rasel Tome. Liberal Party lawmakers refused to join, reaffirming their pro-US and pro-Taiwan positions, while some National Party members joined, despite an instruction from their leadership not to participate.

On Sept. 13, the Chinese embassy also donated computer equipment to the Honduran Congress, an event that received far greater publicity than similar contributions from other partners, being published on Congress’ social media accounts, something that goes beyond normal donation protocols.

Under ordinary circumstances, these might seem routine gestures. However, with less than a month until election day, the timing underscores Beijing’s anxiety about losing its newest diplomatic partner.

The pattern seems to be consistent: When trying to poach an ally from Taiwan, Beijing floods the area with gifts, promises, gestures and attention. However, once the relationship has been established, the engagement slows, leaving partner countries uncertain about China’s reliability.

Something similar happened with the reported interest from China to build an interoceanic canal, which was never publicly announced. To this day, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has tried to revive the project as an alternative to the Panama Canal, looking for investment from China and Russia without success. The approach in Honduras might be called crisis diplomacy — a reactive, transactional form of engagement driven more by fear of losing face than by genuine partnership. It allows Beijing to secure headlines quickly, but voters in Honduras do not seem to trust China’s promises so late in the game.

For Taipei, Honduras’ story carries significant meaning. If Nasralla wins and restores ties, Honduras would become the first country since Saint Lucia in 2007 to re-establish diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

Such an outcome would reaffirm Taiwan’s reputation for reliability and people-centered cooperation. Decades of agricultural training, technical assistance and educational programs in Central America have built goodwill even among citizens of countries that no longer recognize Taipei. In contrast, Beijing’s high-profile promises often fail to reach local communities.

Nostalgia for Taiwan’s pragmatic support still runs deep. Its aid programs — from aquaculture to vocational education — were tangible and transparent, while China’s assistance is now seen by many Hondurans as political theater aimed at elites rather than ordinary citizens.

A diplomatic reversal would mark a watershed moment in Taiwan’s foreign policy, a sign that persistence and authenticity can overcome economic disparity, strengthening Taiwan’s hand as it works to preserve allies such as Guatemala, Belize and Paraguay. If it does not, the Honduran experience would still serve as a cautionary tale for other nations weighing Beijing’s offers against their long-term interests.

More broadly, Honduras underscores the limits of China’s global influence. Beijing can attract partners quickly, but sustaining those relationships requires credibility that quick-fix diplomacy might not be able to provide. Repeated overpromising erodes trust and breeds skepticism — especially in regions where governments face pressure to deliver real economic results.

For Taiwan, this presents a clear opportunity. Taipei cannot match Beijing’s spending, but it can outlast it through consistency and transparency. Programs that deliver visible results — agricultural training, medical missions and technology cooperation — speak louder than billion-dollar announcements that could never materialize.

Ultimately, Honduras shows that China’s diplomacy thrives on momentum, not maintenance. When that momentum fades, even a superpower scrambles to hold loyalty. Taiwan’s advantage lies in persistence and authenticity; values that continue to resonate across regions wary of dependency and coercion.

As the Honduran election nears, Beijing’s anxious gestures tell a story louder than any official statement: When friendship must be bought before every vote, it might not be friendship at all.

Juan Fernando Herrera Ramos is a Honduran journalist based in Taipei. His work on China-Taiwan-Latin America relations has appeared in Nikkei Asia, The Diplomat and the Taipei Times.


Address corruption in local government

The mayor of Pingtung County’s Jhutian Township (竹田) has been sentenced for profiting from the sale of sanitation team positions. Corruption cases involving the sale of such positions in local townships and municipalities have occurred repeatedly, highlighting the urgent need to improve anti-corruption mechanisms to prevent similar incidents from happening again. To address this issue, I recommend the following measures be implemented:

First, the authority of locally elected administrative heads to appoint personnel should be restricted. Sanitation teams employed by township and city offices are governed by the Labor Standards Act (勞動基準法) and their recruitment is determined by locally elected officials. As a result, these officials often treat these positions as bargaining tools, using sanitation personnel recruitment processes to solicit bribes from potential applicants or their relatives. In light of this, such positions should no longer be independently filled by township or city offices, instead, recruitment should be conducted via standardized examinations handled by county or city governments, as they are the superior authorities.

The exam format and admission criteria should follow the model of national civil service examinations, and all recruitment information for sanitation worker positions should be published on the Directorate-General of Personnel Administration’s recruitment system alongside civil servant vacancies. This would strengthen the openness, transparency, impartiality and fairness of the recruitment process for sanitation personnel, effectively limiting opportunities for locally elected officials to engage in corruption or manipulation.

Second, locally elected officials must be aware of laws and regulations. The Ministry of the Interior, which is responsible for supervising local governments, should require that all locally elected administrative officials undergo a set number of hours of legal and disciplinary education between their election and inauguration. They should also be required to participate in related annual training while they are in office, ensuring that they are familiar with key laws and regulations that govern the exercise of public authority — such as the Ethics Guidelines for Civil Servants (公務員廉政倫理規範), the Government Procurement Act (政府採購法), the Act on Recusal of Public Servants Due to Conflicts of Interest (公職人員利益衝突迴避法) and the Anti-Corruption Act (貪污治罪條例) — which would prevent officials from contravening regulations due to insufficient legal knowledge.

Last is to deepen public awareness of anti-corruption. Those involved in such corruption cases are not limited to locally elected officials, but also include citizens who offer bribes in exchange for employment. Therefore, county and city governments should strengthen public education on anti-corruption, and awareness of laws and regulations. By employing diverse means such as lectures, outreach campaigns and promotional videos, they should work to deepen the public’s understanding of integrity and the rule of law, encourage citizens to resist and report acts of favoritism or profiteering, and foster an atmosphere of clean and transparent local governance.

Wang Yu-pei is a civil servant.

Translated by Kyra Gustavsen


EDITORIAL CARTOON

Brahma Chellaney On Taiwan: Taiwan in the age of Trump: Navigating the perils of US unpredictability

Donald Trump’s return to the White House has offered Taiwan a paradoxical mix of reassurance and risk. Trump’s visceral hostility toward China could reinforce deterrence in the Taiwan Strait. Yet his disdain for alliances and penchant for transactional bargaining threaten to erode what Taiwan needs most: a reliable US commitment.Taiwan’s security depends less on US power than on US reliability, but Trump is undermining the latter. Deterrence without credibility is a hollow shield.Trump’s China policy in his second term has oscillated wildly between confrontation and conciliation. One day, he threatens Beijing with “massive” tariffs and calls China America’s “greatest geopolitical

Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) made the astonishing assertion during an interview with Germany’s Deutsche Welle, published on Friday last week, that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not a dictator. She also essentially absolved Putin of blame for initiating the war in Ukraine. Commentators have since listed the reasons that Cheng’s assertion was not only absurd, but bordered on dangerous. Her claim is certainly absurd to the extent that there is no need to discuss the substance of it: It would be far more useful to assess what drove her to make the point and stick so