News

Taiwanese human rights activist Lee Ming-che (李明哲), who spent five years imprisoned in China, is visiting Europe this month to share his experiences and raise awareness of Beijing’s transnational repression.

Taiwan’s government says it is working to maintain stable and resilient supplies of oil, electricity, and natural gas after U.S. President Donald Trump said Taiwan had agreed to buy 30% of the gas from an Alaska pipeline project.

Taiwan's Foreign Ministry is closely monitoring Japan's planned security policy revisions and welcomes Tokyo's attention to regional security, an official said Tuesday, October 13.

President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) delivered his third National Day address since taking office at a rally held in front of the Presidential Office on Saturday, October 10. In the speech, titled Taiwan’s Future: A City upon a Hill, the Salt and Light of the World, Lai stated that despite facing war and authoritarian expansion, Taiwan will uphold peace as its mission, serving as a reliable and stabilizing force in the international community.

The KMT caucus said on Thursday, October 8, that the “judiciary is dead,” and that the Supreme Administrative Court has become a rubber stamp engaged in “hunting down dissidents.” This came after the court dismissed an appeal by the China Youth Corps (CYC), which disputed being designated a KMT-affiliated organization by the Ill-gotten Party Assets Settlement Committee (CIPAS).

A protest movement initially led by French high school students in the suburbs of Paris in response to education inequality has since spread across France, with teachers, unions, human rights groups, and politicians joining the ranks. The movement could impact next year’s presidential election and poses a serious test for outgoing President Emmanuel Macron.

Taiwan’s Culture Ministry has revamped its “Made In Taiwan (MIT): Taiwan Young Artists Connection with the World” program by introducing a new coordinator role and strengthening links between selected artists and galleries. The goal is to improve young artists’ commercial prospects in the longer term.

The United States’ Ambassador to China David Perdue reaffirmed U.S. President Donald Trump’s stance on Taiwan in a social media post on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Monday, October 5. He cited arms sales to Taiwan during Trump’s term as a response to skepticism.

Federal Agents in the United States arrested a woman on Sunday, October 4, for allegedly monitoring Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) son on behalf of Chinese officials. The suspect, 34 year-old California realtor Heather Wanying Zhang, was arrested at the Los Angeles Airport while attempting to board a plane for Shanghai. Zhang is accused of acting as an unregistered foreign agent, and monitoring Lai Ting-yu (賴廷與), President Lai’s son.

Reuters recently reported that some U.S. officials assess that the likelihood of China invading Taiwan before 2028 has decreased, but that Beijing could be more inclined to use force if the DPP remains in power for a fourth consecutive term in 2028. Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo (郭雅慧) said today that Taiwan remains committed to deterring threats through strength.

More than 20 United States senators are urging immediate delivery of defense aid and arms sales to Taiwan in a joint statement to the country’s administration. The push comes one week after Chinese leader Xi Jinping (習近平) visited President Donald Trump in Washington from September 23 to 25.

Co-founder of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), Luke de Pulford told reporters that countering Beijing’s interpretation of UN Resolution 2758 is only the first step, saying that governments should eschew the question of “who represents China” entirely and rethink their policies toward Taiwan.

High jumper Fu Chao-hsuan (傅兆玄) won the gold medal in the men’s high jump final at the Nagoya Asian Games this past Sunday, clearing 2.25 meters and making history as Taiwan’s first-ever Asian Games gold medalist in the category.

Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said on Sunday, September 27, that the recent meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) focused on U.S.-China economic and trade issues, which is consistent with the information Taiwan had obtained in advance.

President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) received a delegation from the U.S.-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) at the Presidential Office on Thursday, September 24. Lai thanked FDD and its visiting members for their continued attention to Taiwan’s whole-of-society defense resilience and strong support for Taiwan through concrete action.

The European Union has reaffirmed support for Taiwan’s international participation, stating that U.N. General Assembly Resolution 2758 does not mention Taiwan. In response, Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said the EU’s position underscores the high priority that like-minded democratic partners place on Taiwan and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan’s Minimum Wage Review Committee is scheduled to convene this Thursday to finalize the 2027 minimum wage adjustment, with labor representatives pushing for 7.77% while employers are proposing 3%.

Taiwan’s benchmark stock index surged to a new intraday high of 48,601 points Tuesday, September 22, breaking above its previous peak of 48,218 and rising nearly 900 points at the open. The rally followed broad gains across all four major U.S. indexes as investors grew more optimistic about interest rates and gradually moved past concerns over an “AI apocalypse.”

Democracies have responded inadequately to information influence capabilities developed by China and Russia. That is the view of the U.S.-based Center for European Policy Analysis Vice President Christopher Walker, who made the remarks during a panel on “Psychological Defenses” at the 2026 Resilient Taiwan for Sustainable Democracy International Forum in Taipei on Saturday, September 19.

Taiwan’s central bank decided to keep interest rates unchanged at a board meeting on Thursday, September 17. This is despite several other Asian countries announcing interest rate hikes to counter inflationary pressures brought on by the U.S.-Iran conflict.

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) on Wednesday acknowledged recent remarks by a U.S. State Department official reaffirming strong support for Taiwan’s participation in the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), saying that Taiwan will continue strengthening cooperation with the United States to jointly promote peace and prosperity both regionally and globally.

Taiwan’s men’s gymnastics team won the team bronze medal at the last Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, in 2023, while Japan came in second, and China came in first. Head coach Lin Yu-hsin (林育信) says excellent teamwork is needed for the team to score well in all six events and surpass South Korea, the last Games’ fourth place team.

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) returned to Taiwan on Monday, September 14, after attending the Second European Conference of Ventotene for Freedom and Democracy in Italy. She said in her remarks at the airport that she was invited to attend the event by European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno and Carlo Corazza, the head of the European Parliament Liaison Office in Italy.

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) arrived on the Italian island of Ventotene to attend the second Ventotene Conference for Freedom and Democracy. European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno emphasized that no one, including China, has the right to interfere in the event.

Taiwanese test takers posted an average score of 583 on the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) in 2025, setting a new record, according to statistics released Wednesday.

South Korean e-commerce giant Coupang’s late 2025 data breach affected more than 200,000 users in Taiwan, prompting the Consumers’ Foundation, Chinese Taipei (CFCT), to urge the government to tighten cross-border data oversight and fast-track the creation of an independent Personal Data Protection Commission.

A group of Taiwanese researchers studying methods of mitigating the cross-border spread of air pollution traveled to New Delhi this week to share their experience in the field. The team arrived Monday and will spend five days at Jawaharlal Nehru University speaking with academics and experts from multiple countries with the hope of contributing to efforts to tackle air pollution.

Three giant mechanical elephants paraded through the streets of Taiwan’s capital this weekend for the opening of the 2026 Taipei Arts Festival. The spectacle, “Trois éléphants passent…,” was staged by French street theater company Compagnie Oposito and drew crowds of more than 100,000 on Saturday, September 5.

Taiwan youth groups have urged the Education Ministry to improve its New Dormitory Plan, citing stark differences in accommodation standards between newly built dormitories and aging, unrenovated ones. The call comes as freshmen move onto campuses for the fall semester, with photos of cramped, rusty, and moldy conditions circulating widely on social media.

President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said Thursday, September 3, that Taiwan’s industries must become a ‘never-setting sun,’ reaching markets around the globe no matter where or when the sun rises. He made the remarks while attending Taiwan Fertilizer Co.’s (TFC) 80th Anniversary Exhibition and unveiling a commemorative exhibition at the company’s Nangang Trade Center.

President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) announced Wednesday, September 2, that Taiwan’s defense budget for next year will exceed NT$1 trillion (US$31.45 billion) for the first time.

The Environmental Rights Foundation (ERF) and Indonesian community organizations went to the Economic Ministry this Tuesday to file Taiwan’s first complaint under the National Contact Point (NCP) mechanism, calling on the ministry to formally activate the process and facilitate dialogue between companies and affected stakeholders.

The 55th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting began in Palau, despite the absence of several heads of government. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) has also arrived in Palau and will take part in scheduled activities.

The Legislature passed its version of a controversial drone budget bill in the third reading on Thursday, August 27. The Act on Strengthening Defense Autonomy and Developing the Unmanned Vehicles Industry allocates a total of NT$240 billion (US$7.6 billion) in six annual tranches for uncrewed vehicle industry development and national defense buildup.

The Gwangju Biennale contemporary art exhibition is restoring the “Taiwan Pavilion” name following firm protests from Taiwanese and Korean officials and artists.

Taiwan’s Education Ministry hosted 34 European officials from 15 European countries for a 12-day program that combined intensive Mandarin study with visits to the island’s technology sector.

This Tuesday, the Foreign Ministry strongly rejected claims in a joint statement issued by the leaders of China and Jordan the previous day that diminish Taiwan’s sovereignty. The statement, released the same day that Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) met with Jordan’s King Abdullah II in Beijing, covered bilateral ties and regional issues, including Gaza, Iran, and the Strait of Hormuz, as well as China’s one-China principle asserting Taiwan is part of China.

Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Executive Yuan Biotechnology Industry Strategy Advisory Committee meeting on Monday, August 24, that the government is committed to accelerating policy implementation and technology adoption to expand the nation’s “industrial shield.”

The Taiwan Foundation for Democracy has launched an initiative to establish the Taiwan Association of Local Governments (TALG). Foreign Minister and the foundation’s Vice Chairperson Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said in a social media post on Thursday, August 20, that Taiwan’s rich experience in democratic governance is one of the most valuable assets for advancing democracy.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has drawn sharp criticism after suggesting in an interview that he would use force to prevent a state from seceding from Malaysia, remarks widely recognized as rationalizing China’s potential use of military force against Taiwan. The comments prompted a swift rebuke from Luke de Pulford co-founder of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC). Posting on X on August 19, de Pulford wrote, “Someone needs to give @anwaribrahim a basic history lesson. Shocking to see a leader repeat demonstrable falsehoods. Embarrassing for the Malaysian people.”

Chefs from South Korea’s culinary competition show Culinary Class Wars, including Lu Ching Lai (呂敬來) and Park Eun-young (朴恩影), attended the Seoul stop of the International Tour of Taiwan Gourmet Cuisine on Tuesday. Taiwanese Seediq chef Chiang Hsin-yi (江信毅) introduced Korean chefs to Taiwan’s culinary culture by combining Indigenous ingredients with traditional flavors.

The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) has issued a statement expressing their concern regarding Uganda’s unreasonable demands and obstruction of Taiwanese passport holders, which they say is linked to China’s political demands. The Foreign Ministry on Tuesday thanked IPAC for speaking up for Taiwan.

New Taipei City marked Black Cat Appreciation Day on Monday, August 17, with a campaign offering a year’s supply of cat food to people who adopt an adult black cat from one of the city’s eight animal shelters before December 31.

The CDC announced Friday, August 14, that it will hold a meeting in late August to decide whether to extend free testing and entry bans related to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Currently, both would expire at about the end of the month.

President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) warned Wednesday that China views Taiwan’s year-end elections as a key test of its Taiwan policy and is seeking support for “patriotic forces” in Taiwan.

The 2026 Urban Resilience Exercise will be conducted in Taiwan on Thursday, August 13. The National Communications Commission (NCC) reminds the public to prepare for mobile internet disruptions ahead of the drill.

The Digital Ministry released guidelines on July 1 stating that civil servants classified as “key personnel” must not carry any official equipment or personal devices containing official data when traveling to China or other high-risk regions in order to reduce the risk of cross-border cybersecurity breaches and official data leaks. Cyber Security Administration (ACS) Director-General Tsai Fu-Longe (蔡福隆) said this Tuesday that these measures can further serve as a reference for business travelers.

Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) announced Monday, July 10, public procedure for the resilience drill, taking place in the afternoon. Citizens should use standard voice calls to report medical emergencies or other public safety hazards. Public transportation, such as buses and MRT trains, will continue operation, but vehicles will pull over, and exit from MRT stations will be prohibited for the duration of the drill.

The Central Weather Administration (CWA) is expecting to issue a maritime typhoon warning on the afternoon of Friday, August 7, due to medium-strength Typhoon Dolphin approaching Taiwan’s north coast. CWA says a land typhoon warning may be issued for the outlying Matsu Islands on August 8.

Taiwan’s representative to Germany, Klement Gu (谷瑞生), told German and international students this week that Taiwan has become an indispensable global partner despite facing constant threats from China, declaring that “without Taiwan, there would be no AI today.” Gu made the remarks on Tuesday, August 4, at an advanced training camp hosted by the Academic Association for Security Studies (BSH), Germany’s largest student organization focused on security policy in Berlin.