Lee’s unfinished ‘Taiwanization’By Lee Min-yung 李敏勇The political order of former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) first took shape in 1988. Then-vice president Lee succeeded former president Chiang Ching-kuo (蔣經國) after he passed, and served out the remainder of his term in office. In 1990, Lee was elected president by the National Assembly, and in 1996, he won Taiwan’s first direct presidential election. This year marks the 30th anniversary of that first direct presidential election. Lee’s advancement of democratization was originally intended to transform the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) into a Taiwanese party and lay the foundations for the beginning of a new chapter of national history.

India gears up to produce cheap weight-loss jabsAFP, MUMBAI, IndiaA deluge of weight-loss drugs is set to transform the global fight against obesity as India prepares to unleash low-cost generic versions of injections like Ozempic after a key patent expired yesterday. A photograph taken on Tuesday shows obesity doctor and consultant Swati Pradhan explaining the Mounjaro GLP-1 self-injectable device at her clinic in Mumbai, India. Photo: AFPMore than 50 people walk into endocrinologist Nadeem Rais’ office every week seeking weight-loss injections. At least four major firms have already prepared generic semaglutide injections, regulatory filings and compliance documents viewed by AFP show. Some, including Zydus Lifesciences, have announced “Day 1” launches, suggesting generic versions might become available as soon as this weekend in India.

The public’s optimism index for the economic climate rose to 18.2, while the outlook index rose to 5.1. The survey also asked respondents about their expectations for Taiwan’s economic growth and inflation this year. However, Taiwanese appear slightly more cautious about economic growth and more concerned about inflation. The survey showed the public’s expectation for GDP growth averaged 6.54 percent, with 59 percent expecting it to top 6 percent. About 21 percent said the broader economic outlook would be the key catalyst influencing inflation.

Asia turning to coal as LNG supply shrinksBloombergWar in the Middle East is forcing Asia to turn to coal to plug the gaping hole emerging in its supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Nations from South Korea to Indonesia and Bangladesh are prioritizing coal as a power source, as the intensifying conflict upends gas supplies from a key exporting region. Among the worst hit countries is Qatar, home to the world’s biggest LNG export facility that Asian customers rely on. That means doubling down on their mainstay fuel — coal. Most Qatari LNG ends up in Asia, and the latest strikes have damaged about 17 percent of the country’s production capacity.

US President Donald Trump, right, meets with Japanese Prime Minster Sanae Takaichi in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Thursday. Photo: EPAThe White House said the two leaders affirmed their commitment to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an “indispensable element of regional security and global prosperity,” the White House said. Taiwan will continue to uphold the principle of “peace through strength,” strengthening self-defense capabilities and promoting society-wide defense resilience, while deepening cooperation with like-minded countries to jointly safeguard a rules-based international order and ensure peace, stability and prosperity in the region, she added. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also expressed its “heartfelt gratitude” to the two leaders for reaffirming their commitment to security across the Taiwan Strait. The ministry said in a statement that it welcomes the international community to continue advocating for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, citing Taiwan’s vital role in the global economy and crucial strategic location in the first island chain.

The Taiwan-France tech pursuitBy Wea Chi-lin 魏啓林The global technological order is rapidly restructuring and the world is entering a new era of technological geopolitics. Taiwan’s semiconductor industry, which is indispensable to the global supply chain, gives Taiwan–Europe cooperation significant strategic importance. France has long possessed deep strengths in basic science and advanced technologies, including quantum technology, materials science, aerospace engineering and energy technology. The goal is to rebuild Europe’s position in the global technological competition. This would not only be a new opportunity for Taiwan-France cooperation, but could also become an important pillar in the restructuring of the global technological order.

Trump references Pearl Harbor in strikes on IranBloombergTensions between the US and Japan over the Iran war remained evident as US President Donald Trump on Thursday hosted Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, even as he said Tokyo was answering his call for support in the effort. “They are really stepping up to the plate,” unlike NATO allies, Trump said at the White House alongside Takaichi. US President Donald Trump pulls out a chair for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a dinner at the White House in Washington on Thursday. “We don’t need anything from Japan or anyone else, but I think it’s appropriate that they step up,” Trump said. Takaichi, who has enjoyed a warm relationship with Trump, is a vocal supporter of the alliance between the two countries.

Taiwanese YouTubers arrested after deportation from CambodiaStaff writer, with CNATwo Taiwanese YouTubers were last night arrested upon arrival at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport after being deported from Cambodia, where they had served two-years in prison for staging a fake abduction in Sihanoukville in 2024. Taiwanese authorities arrested Chen Neng-chuan (陳能釧) and Lu Tsu-hsien (魯祖顯) — known by the handles "Goodnight Chicken" (晚安小雞) and "Anow" (阿鬧), respectively — at the arrival gate on outstanding warrants. Lu Tsu-hsien, second left, and Chen Neng-chuan, second right, are escorted by law enforcement officers at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport last night. Photo: Liu Hsin-de, Taipei TimesEscorted by law enforcement officers at the airport, Chen spoke briefly, apologizing for wasting Taiwan's resources and saying that he regretted making the fake videos. After seeing the videos, local police issued a missing persons alert, only to find Chen and Lu in a local apartment filled with props.

Taiwan maintains status as a ‘free’ country: reportStaff writer, with CNATaiwan maintained its status as a “free” country and the second freest in Asia in the latest annual report released yesterday by the Washington-based democracy watchdog Freedom House. Taiwan’s vibrant and competitive democratic system has enabled regular, peaceful transfers of power since 2000, while protections for civil liberties remain generally strong, Freedom House said. Globally, freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year, which Freedom House described as a grim milestone, citing military coups, violence against peaceful protesters and attempts to erode constitutional safeguards. Elsewhere in Asia, China remained categorized as “not free,” with a score of 9, while Hong Kong was rated “partly free” with a score of 41. Bolivia, Fiji and Malawi were upgraded from “partly free” to “free,” citing competitive elections, improved judicial independence and the strengthening of rule of law, the report said.

Eased foreign helper policy draws mixed reactionsStaff writer, with CNAThe easing of rules on hiring migrant domestic workers has drawn mixed reactions, with employers and brokers welcoming the move as better suited to caregiving needs, while labor and childcare advocates raised concerns about worker protections. The Executive Yuan yesterday approved of a measure relaxing rules on hiring foreign domestic workers, allowing families with at least one child younger than 12 to apply for a helper starting from April 13, under a new policy aimed at easing childcare burdens. A survey conducted by the alliance last year found that access to migrant domestic workers would do little to boost the employment of Taiwanese women, he added. Taiwan Labor Front secretary-general Yang Shu-wei (楊書瑋) said easing eligibility could undermine the job stability of about 25,000 childcare workers in Taiwan, including babysitters and preschool personnel. The measure would render foreign domestic workers as “low-paid workers with long hours,” Yang said.

Agency warns that high-risk forest fire season has startedWARNING: People who start fires in the forest could be fined NT$600,000 and if that fire destroys a forest, they could receive a sentence of three to 10 years in prisonBy Esme Yeh / Staff reporterMore than 97 percent of forest fires in Taiwan were caused by human activity, the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency said yesterday, calling on the public to refrain from starting fires in forests during the high-risk season. Agency Deputy Director-General Liao Yi-kuang (廖一光) said forest fires could damage tree resources and cause more fallen branches. Forest fire season usually runs from October through April, the agency said. There were 220 forest fires from 2021 to last year, of which 100, or about 45 percent, occurred in March and April, the data showed. People should refrain from unnecessary burning in forests to help prevent forest fires, the agency said.

Soochow University associate professor Hung Chao-cheng speaks at the podium during a hearing on a proposed amendment to the National Security Act at the legislature in Taipei yesterday. Current national security laws make it difficult to convict offenders as they require a clear intent to harm national security or social stability, he said. The proposed amendment would consider an act unlawful if it is deemed on its own to be capable of causing harm, without requiring proof that actual harm occurred. National Chengchi University law professor Yang Yun-hua (楊雲驊) said that military personnel, teachers and civil servants found guilty of national security offenses should receive no pension. The government should not use taxpayers’ money to take care of them when they retire, while they use this money to threaten national security,” Yang said.

Atypical employment hits 13-year low in TaiwanStaff Writer, with CNAAtypical employment in Taiwan fell to a 13-year low in October 2025, while the proportion of workers choosing such arrangements by preference surpassed 20 percent for the first time, according to data released Thursday by the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS). The number of atypical workers -- comprising part-time, temporary, and dispatched personnel -- totaled 799,000 in October, down 5,000 from a year earlier. Of this total, atypical workers represented 6.86 percent, while standard payroll employees accounted for 93.14 percent. The data showed a divergence in work types: part-time employment continued to rise, reaching 443,000 jobs (3.81 percent of total employment), the highest share since records began in 2006. Notably, those citing a “preference for such work arrangements” rose to 21.68 percent, up 5.54 percentage points to hit an all-time high.

Canadian envoy seeks closer ties as office marks 40th year in TaiwanStaff writer, with CNAThe de facto Canadian embassy in Taiwan yesterday held a reception to mark its 40th anniversary, with the North American country’s top envoy to Taiwan pledging closer bilateral exchanges in the decades to come. Marie-Louise Hannan, executive director of the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei (CTOT), said the office was founded in 1986 with only three employees. From left, Canadian Trade Office in Taipei executive director Marie-Louise Hannan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Chen Ming-chi and Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an attend a reception in Taipei yesterday marking the office’s 40th anniversary. Photo: CNAIn aviation, Taiwan’s domestic aerospace company AIDC continues to assemble and deliver parts for Canadian aircraft, she noted. In closing, the envoy cited Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent remark that middle powers must work together to create a “third path” with real impact.

Red Line extension, Sanying Line to open in JuneStaff writer, with CNANew Taipei City’s Sanying MRT Line and the eastern extension of the Tamsui-Xinyi Line (Red Line) are scheduled to begin operations in June, the National Development Council (NDC) said yesterday. The Red Line, which terminates at Xiangshan Station, is to be connected by the 1.4km extension to a new eastern terminal, Guangci/Fengtian Temple Station. The Sanying Line would link New Taipei City’s Tucheng (土城) and Yingge (鶯歌) via Sansia District (三峽). A token for New Taipei City’s Sanying MRT Line is pictured in an undated photograph. Other major transportation projects are also progressing, such as the Danjiang Bridge, which is scheduled to open in May, it said.