CPC Corporation’s gas prices for power producers have increased for the second consecutive month amid continuing tensions in the Middle East. Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) estimates that starting in May, monthly costs will rise by NT$13 billion (US$406 million). Economic Minister Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫) said this Wednesday at the Legislature that both CPC and Taipower will need financial support from the government in the near future. Although CPC has frozen residential gas prices, it has raised gas prices for industrial electricity users such as Taipower in both April and May. The minister acknowledged that Taipower is in a tough spot and that he has instructed the company to maximize revenue and reduce expenditures to weather the difficulties. Kung said that electricity rates are determined by the Electricity Price Review Committee, with stable power supply and preventing Taipower from collapsing taking priority, followed by protecting livelihoods and stabilizing prices. ...

President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) marked the second anniversary of his inauguration on Wednesday with a press conference alongside Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) and Secretary-General to the President Pan Men-an (潘孟安). Themed “30 Years of Direct Presidential Elections: Boldly Pursuing the Future,” his address traced Taiwan’s democratic journey back to its first direct presidential election in 1996, urging citizens to unite in safeguarding democracy for the next generation.  Lai outlined three core policy priorities: Protecting Taiwan’s democratic and free way of life, maintaining cross-strait peace and stability, and developing a more resilient and competitive economy. He acknowledged two turbulent years marked by authoritarian expansions globally, supply chain restructuring, and unprecedented legislative deadlock that stalled key personal appointments, budgets, and bills, yet insisted Taiwan has not retreated.  On cross-strait relations, Lai firmly rejected Beijin...

Taiwan’s Guard Administration, in cooperation with the US, has cracked multiple cross-border drug trafficking cases, seizing heroin worth over US$2.6 million. Video script:  Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration (CGA) has partnered with the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to crack down on cross-border drug trafficking, dismantling 14 cases since October of last year with a combined street value exceeding NT$81 million (US$2.6 million).  In one operation, investigators forced open a suitcase and discovered over four kilograms of heroin concealed inside. An American woman attempted to play innocent until X-ray imaging made her involvement undeniable. In another case, two Polish men swallowed large quantities of heroin in Ho Chi Minh City before boarding a flight to Taiwan; one ingested 1,239 grams, while the other swallowed 940 grams, both dangerously close to the human body's limit. Inspectors rushed both men to the hospital for emergency extraction. Acting Pros...

Two earthquakes above a magnitude 4 struck off the coast of Taitung County on Wednesday morning, May 20, at 9:11 AM. There are no reports of severe damage, but the Central Weather Administration (CWA) reminds the public to be prepared as the area is prone to shaking.   The CWA’s earthquake monitoring system reports that a 4.8 magnitude quake struck off the coast of Taitung County, followed by a 4.1 magnitude quake a few minutes later. Both tremors were about 65 kilometers north-northeast of the county, at a depth of 27.8 and 25.6 kilometers. The maximum intensity of each was felt in Taitung County, at 4 and 3, respectively, on Taiwan’s intensity scale, and was also felt in Hualien, Yunlin, Chiayi, and Changhua at lower intensities, with the stronger quake felt as far away as Kaohsiung and Taichung.   As of Wednesday afternoon, there are no reports of earthquake-related injuries or damage, but the CWA reminds the public that the Hualien-Taitung areas are prone to earthqu...

On the two-year anniversary of his inauguration, President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) delivered an address outlining measures to address the declining birth rate. He announced a new population strategy in which a monthly growth allowance of NT$5,000 (US$157) will be allotted to each person aged 0 to 18. In addition to direct allowances, part of the program will be designed as a future savings account for children, which they can access at age 18 for education or entrepreneurship. He added that the strategy also includes workplace-friendly policies, family support measures, and housing assistance. The program is expected to cost around NT$200 billion (US$ 6.25 billion) annually. The president said that in addition to providing the growth allowance, the government will also continue investing in public health, medical infrastructure, better nurse-to-patient ratios, and smart healthcare technologies. On climate and energy transition, he said the administration is evaluating options to...

Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced one new local case of hantavirus on Tuesday, May 19. This brings the total number of cases to three this year, with all belonging to the Seoul virus (SEOV) strain, which is not transmissible from person to person and is carried by rodents.   The Taiwanese public has become concerned about the hantavirus, which can cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and is characterized by high mortality, after an outbreak on an international cruise ship in early May. The CDC Spokesperson Tseng Shu-hui (曾淑慧) said that all cases diagnosed in Taiwan belong to the Seoul virus strain, rather than the Andes virus (ANDV) found on the cruise ship which can spread from person to person.   The most recent patient is a man in his 40s working in Keelung with no history of international travel, who was bitten by a rat in early April. He began experiencing symptoms on May 2 and was later hospitalized. Taiwan has recorded a total of 46 han...

Lawmakers from the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) issued a statement on Taiwan’s democracy and the right to self-determination on Tuesday, May 19. Parliamentarians from 30 countries stressed that any international discussions concerning Taiwan’s status and future must include Taiwan.   More than 60 parliamentarians from 30 countries signed the statement, including two from Taiwan - IPAC Taiwan co-chairs Fan Yun (范雲) and Chen Gau-tzu (陳昭姿). The statement recognizes Taiwan as a long-standing, self-governing, democratic society. It adds that the people of Taiwan have maintained a vibrant democracy for decades, which demonstrates that fundamental freedoms can flourish through transparent and representative governance.   The statement urges the international community to respect and protect Taiwan’s right to self-determination and stresses that any international deliberations that impact the security of a democratic population of 23 million while excluding...

Health Minister Shih Chung-liang (石崇良) says that Chinese pressure may have impacted attendance at events organized by Taiwan on the sidelines of the World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva. That statement came during an online press conference Shih held on Tuesday, May 19.   Shih said that Taiwan has submitted an official letter of protest to World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, urging the organization to allow Taiwan to participate in the WHA as an observer. Taiwan has not been invited to WHA for the 10th consecutive year.   Shih added that Chinese pressure may have impacted attendance at an event organized by Taiwan’s Medical Professionals Alliance. In past years, representatives from Taiwan’s diplomatic allies and international organizations came to the event, but this year the attendance was noticeably lower.

Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) says Taiwan continues to communicate with the United States and maintains a cautiously optimistic attitude. That came on Tuesday, May 19, in response to U.S. media speculations about possible suspension of arms sales to Taiwan.   Ahead of his appearance before the Legislative Yuan, Koo was asked by the press about a recent New York Times report suggesting that following the meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平), the United States may indefinitely delay arms sales to Taiwan.   Koo said that President Trump and other U.S. officials have recently stated that the country’s policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged. He added that maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is central to U.S. interests in the region. Koo said Taiwan acts to maintain that peace and stability, while China undermines them, so arms sales to Taiwan are in the U.S. interest. Taiwan continues to communicate ...

Construction for the Baishatun Mazu Hospital (白沙屯媽祖醫院) broke ground this Tuesday, with President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) delivering the ceremony address. The hospital, which will be located next to Gongtian Temple in Baishatun, Miaoli County, is expected to improve the overall health and well-being of coastal residents, Lai said, symbolizing “triple success” in Miaoli’s medical construction in addition to the Health Ministry’s Miaoli General Hospital and Da Chien General Hospital. Lai noted that Miaoli officials were seeking help solving the county’s medical problems when he became the DPP chair in 2022, which prompted him to instruct Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) to strongly support the county’s medical development. He expressed hope that all sectors will work together to realize his “Healthy Taiwan” vision. Lai is the first president with a medical background and has created several initiatives and goals centered around making the Taiwanese population healthi...

Receiving blessings, worshippers are bringing deity figurines out into the water for one annual religious ceremony in Taiwan. Video script:  A long line of palanquin bearers carrying hundreds of deity figurines rushed into Chiayi waters amidst the sounds of firecrackers and drums as part of the “King-Welcoming Water-Dash Ceremony” (衝水路迎客王). Only after sensing the deity’s presence did they disembark and return. The three-day event is chock full of processions and folk performances. Some worshippers kneel on the road, crawling under the palanquin to receive additional blessings. The annual ceremony boasts more than 200 years of history. Some participants say they come every year to welcome the king and receive blessings of good health and great wealth. Another says they came from Kaohsiung, and that this is the sixth year they have attended to receive blessings and pray for peace. The religious ceremony is a special one for worshippers and is deemed an important...

The Coast Guard Administration (CGA) recently worked with United States Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to crack 14 cross-border airport drug trafficking cases in Taiwan. Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲) said the operation exemplifies Taiwan-U.S. joint crime-fighting efforts and the achievements of bilateral law enforcement cooperation. According to the CGA’s Investigation Branch, it has been working closely with HSI since October 2025. Authorities have arrested 22 suspects and seized 23.3 kilograms of heroin with an estimated street value exceeding NT$81 million (US$2.5 million).  Speaking at a press conference this Tuesday, Kuan emphasized that the recent investigations were extremely difficult and would not have achieved such significant results without international intelligence cooperation. She expressed her gratitude and said the Coast Guard remains firmly committed to intercepting drugs before they enter Taiwan, deepening international coope...