EDITORIAL: Behind the military messagingThe Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) provided several reasons for military drills it conducted in five zones around Taiwan on Monday and yesterday. The second was that the drills were aimed at “deterrence” of outside military intervention. The drills were not simply about operational readiness; they were about messaging: to Taiwan, to regional players and to the US. Although “the PLA currently fields the most advanced military hardware in its history ... the quality and stability of its leadership remain dubious,” Zi wrote. China and the PLA were not the only ones leveraging the messaging potential of the drills.

The housing market is moving in favor of Gen ZBy Conor Sen / Bloomberg OpinionThe “American dream” of owning a home has never seemed further out of reach for young people. The housing market is in transition and despite the current lack of affordability, there is compelling evidence that we are grinding back toward more normal levels. Longer-term, Gen Z will benefit from a coming demographic shift, too. By then, members of Gen Z, along with younger millennials, will be in their prime first-time-homebuying years. The outlook for Gen Z over the next 10 to 15 years is even better.

Taiwan-Indonesia relations this yearBy Muhammad Zulfikar RakhmatThis year, Taiwan-Indonesia relations continued their steady upward trajectory, driven by expanding economic cooperation, cultural and educational exchanges, and growing people-to-people ties — despite the enduring constraints imposed by Jakarta’s adherence to its “one China” policy. Technology and innovation further symbolized deepening economic ties. Taiwan-Indonesia relations this year demonstrated how pragmatism, economic interests and societal engagement can sustain meaningful cooperation without formal diplomatic recognition. While Jakarta’s “one China” policy remains unchanged, the expanding scope of unofficial ties signals a resilient and multifaceted relationship. As Indonesia navigates intensifying Asia-Pacific dynamics, its engagement with Taiwan is likely to remain a carefully calibrated blend of opportunity and caution.

Lai urges unity on day two of PLA drillsMIND GAMES: The defense ministry urged people not to be taken in by China’s cognitive warfare attempts, calling Chinese reports that a PLA drone flew near Taipei 101 falseBy Sam Garcia / Staff writer, with agenciesPresident William Lai (賴清德) yesterday urged unity as China’s latest large-scale military drills around Taiwan entered their second day, accusing Beijing of escalating regional tensions. A man stands near televisions showing news of China’s most recent round of military drills around Taiwan in Taipei’s Wanhua District yesterday. President William Lai, center, attends a meeting on China’s most recent round of military drills around Taiwan in Taipei yesterday. Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo (顧立雄) said that China’s highly provocative military drills not only undermine regional peace and stability, but also threaten cargo ships, trade activities and flight routes. For example, the ministry yesterday denied on social media Chinese reports that a PLA drone had taken photographs of Taipei 101, calling it a classic case of cognitive warfare.

Bangladesh’s former PM Khaleda Zia dies aged 80AFP, DHAKAFormer Bangladeshi prime minister Khaleda Zia, who many believed would sweep elections next year to lead her country once again, died yesterday aged 80. The government declared three days of state mourning for the country’s first female prime minister, with vast crowds expected to attend her funeral today. Supporters of former Bangladeshi prime minister Khaleda Zia mourn her death in Dhaka yesterday. Nevertheless, hours before her death, party workers had on Monday submitted nomination papers on her behalf for three constituencies for the polls. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Zia had been a “committed friend” to Islamabad.

Despite the warning, the council and its allies issued a statement supporting the UAE’s presence, even as others allied with Saudi Arabia demanded Emirati forces withdraw from Yemen within 24 hours. Damaged military vehicles lie at a port following an airstrike by a Saudi Arabian-led coalition in Mukalla, Yemen, yesterday. “The ships’ crew had the disabled tracking devices aboard the vessels, and unloaded a large amount of weapons and combat vehicles in support of the Southern Transitional Council’s forces,” the statement said. Yemen’s anti-Houthi forces later declared a state of emergency, ending its cooperation with the UAE and ordering all Emirati forces within its territory to evacuate within 24 hours. It issued a 72-hour ban on all border crossings in territory they hold, as well as entries to airports and seaports, except those allowed by Saudi Arabia.

‘Not worried’ about China drills: TrumpCALLS FOR RESTRAINT: The PLA’s drills are an attempt by China to normalize military intimidation, IPAC said, as it urged its members to respond with urgency and unityStaff writer, with agenciesUS President Donald Trump on Monday said he was “not worried” about China’s military exercises around Taiwan, while the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) and South Korea expressed concern about the operation. Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) “hasn’t told me anything about it ... and I don’t believe he’s going to be doing it,” Trump said. An air force Mirage 2000 fighter jet approaches Hsinchu Air Base for landing yesterday, as China conducted military drills around Taiwan. The PLA’s latest military exercises “represent a deliberate escalation of coercive pressure against Taiwan and a dangerous step away from restraint,” it said. In Beijing, China reinforced its “red line” on Taiwan, while calling for a new model for its engagement with the US, seeking to cement a recent thaw with the Trump administration.

Pro player wins Taiwan’s inaugural Rising Dragon Cup Go tournamentStaff writer, with CNAChen Shou-lien (陳首廉), a professional Taiwanese Go player, made history yesterday by winning Taiwan's first-ever professional tournament to use the Fischer increment timing system for the Chinese board game. Playing with black stones, Chen defeated Hsu Yu-chi (許育祺) at the Haifong Go Association in Taipei in the second game of the final of the inaugural Rising Dragon Cup. The Rising Dragon Cup marks a significant milestone in Taiwan's professional Go scene. Kang noted that the Rising Dragon Cup reflects a growing global trend. Under the tournament's rules, Chen's victory means he would be ineligible to compete in future Rising Dragon Cup competitions.

Taipei, New Taipei public transport to roll out QR code payments from SaturdayBy Fion Khan / Staff writer, with CNACity buses in Taipei and New Taipei City, as well as the Taipei MRT, would begin accepting QR code payments from five electronic payment providers starting this Saturday, the Taipei Department of Transportation said today. The new option would allow passengers to use the "transportation QR code" feature from EasyWallet, iPASS Money, iCash Pay, JkoPay and PXPay Plus. Passengers should open their preferred electronic payment app, select the "transportation code," not the regular payment code, unlock it, and then scan the code at ticket readers or gates, Taipei Department of Transportation General Planning Division Director-General Liu Kuo-chu (劉國著) said. As for frequent rider benefits, the existing system for stored-value cards such as EasyCard, iPASS and iCash cards remains unchanged, and QR code users would also qualify for the same MRT loyalty rebates, the Taipei Rapid Transit Corp said. Taipei would continue to encourage and invite other payment providers, such as LINE Pay Money, to join the system, enabling residents to access major public transportation services across the greater Taipei area using just their mobile phone, Liu said.

Cancer cases rising, in part due to early detection: HPAStaff writer, with CNATaiwan recorded 138,051 new cancer cases in 2023, 7,758 more than in 2022, the Health Promotion Administration (HPA) reported today. The next most common cancers in 2023 were breast cancer, liver cancer, prostate cancer, oral cavity cancer, thyroid cancer, skin cancer, gastric cancer and corpus uteri cancer. The rankings were unchanged from 2021, except that skin cancer and gastric cancer swapped positions, the report said. In terms of long-term trends, the SIRs of lung cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, thyroid cancer and corpus uteri cancer have been rising, while those of oral cavity cancer, gastric cancer and skin cancer have remained stable. Colorectal cancer has shown fluctuations, and liver cancer is the only type to exhibit a downward trend, Hsieh said.

Average temp in Taiwan this year was 24.53°C: CWABy Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNAThe average temperature in Taiwan this year was 24.53°C, the twelfth-highest since records began in 1897, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said today in an end-of-year media conference. The average temperature was taken from Jan. 1 until Sunday, with this year 1.22°C higher than the 100-year average recorded from 1901 to 2000, the CWA said. Taiwan’s average temperature is also higher than the 100-year average, showing that it is also facing the effects of global warming, Huang said. Meanwhile, cumulative rainfall this year was above average, Huang said. Most of the year’s rainfall was concentrated in July, which experienced the highest total rainfall for that period since 1951, he added.

Trump unconcerned about China’s military exercises around TaiwanStaff writer, with CNAUS President Donald Trump said yesterday that Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) had not informed him in advance of China's ongoing military exercises around Taiwan, adding that he was "not worried" about the operation. US President Donald Trump listens during a news conference last week Monday at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. The president said he was "not worried" about rising tensions around Taiwan, adding that China has been "doing naval exercises for 20 years in that area." China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command announced the start of the two-day exercises, codenamed "Justice Mission-2025," yesterday morning. The PLA announcement indicated that its forces would encircle Taiwan and its outlying islands in the Taiwan Strait, actions that Taiwan views as encroachment into its territorial waters and airspace.

90 Chinese aircraft cross Taiwan Strait median line during drillBy Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNAFrom 6am yesterday until 6am today, 14 Chinese warships, eight government vessels and 130 military aircraft, including unmanned aerial vehicles, were detected around Taiwan, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said. The ministry said China's People’s Liberation Army (PLA) sent 130 warplanes and drones during the 24-hour period to "harass" Taiwan, with 90 of them crossing the Taiwan Strait's median line and flying into Taiwanese airspace. A Chinese J-16 fighter is pictured during the Chinese People's Liberation Army's ongoing military exercise while being monitored by a Taiwanese F-16V jet yesterday. The Taiwanese military is using mission-specific aircraft, naval vessels and coastal missile systems to closely monitor the situation and respond to the exercises, the MND said. In addition, Taiwan's army conducted combat readiness and reconnaissance patrol exercises today to protect key targets in outlying Penghu County.

Lai condemns China’s ‘irresponsible’ drillsBy Fion Khan / Staff writer, with CNA and ReutersChina's recent escalation of military pressure is not the behavior of a responsible major power while Taiwan would not escalate conflicts or provoke disputes, President William Lai (賴清德) said today. President William Lai is pictured in an undated photograph. "Because of your round-the-clock protection, the public can continue their daily lives and move forward with peace of mind," he said. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) yesterday launched a military exercise named “Justice Mission 2025” encircling Taiwan, including live-fire drills scheduled from 8am to 6pm today in five sea and air zones around Taiwan. The drill was meant to serve as a “stern warning to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces” and “external interference forces,” the PLA said yesterday.

Chilly New Year’s Eve ahead as temperatures drop to 12°CBy Shelley Shan / Staff reporterNew Year’s Eve revelers attending outdoor events in the north might want to bundle up, as temperatures could drop to 12°C due to an approaching strong continental cold air mass, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday. The strong cold air mass is forecast to arrive on Thursday and continue to affect the nation until the weekend, Lin said. Next week’s cold air mass is forecast to be slightly weaker than the strong continental cold air mass this week, he added. Chances of rain in the north and east would rise again when another cold air arrives on Monday next week, he added. High mountains in areas north of central Taiwan at elevations of around 3,000m may also experience icy conditions, he added.