EDITORIAL: Celebrating 30 years of democracyDirect presidential elections signify that Taiwan is a sovereign and independent nation, President William Lai (賴清德) said on Saturday at an event marking the 30th anniversary of the first direct presidential vote. “Whether called the Republic of China [ROC], Republic of China (Taiwan), or simply Taiwan, the nation has gained a renewed life through constitutional amendments,” he added. Thirty years on, Taiwan is widely recognized as a “beacon of democracy” in Asia and a key economic hub for the global high-tech supply chain. Most of the nation’s presidents have been dedicated to promoting Taiwan as an independent and sovereign nation. Over three decades, direct presidential elections have nurtured Taiwan’s democratic system.

The US “assesses that Chinese leaders do not currently plan to execute an invasion of Taiwan in 2027, nor do they have a fixed timeline for achieving unification,” the report said. It reiterated previous views that the PLA was making “steady, but uneven” progress on capabilities it could use to capture Taiwan. Chinese officials acknowledge that a full-scale amphibious invasion of Taiwan would be extremely challenging and risky, particularly if the US intervenes, it said. For this year, the view that China might be delaying its timeline for an invasion of Taiwan rests on two main factors, they said. Meanwhile, the report said that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks that a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could bring about a Japanese military response departed from the rhetoric of previous Japanese leaders.

Boxer Lin Yu-ting cleared for Asian boxing championships after reviewStaff Writer, with CNATaiwanese female boxer and Olympic gold medalist Lin Yu-ting (林郁婷) has been approved to compete in the 2026 Asian Boxing Elite Championships, Chinese Taipei Boxing Association (CTBA) said Thursday. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Lin became entangled in a gender controversy, despite the International Olympic Committee confirming her eligibility to compete as a female boxer. Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting waves after beating Turkey’s Esra Yildiz Kahraman in the women’s boxing 57kg semi-final at the Olympic Games in Paris on Aug. 7, 2024. Since the introduction of the new test, Lin has missed several international competitions held by WB. After more than six months of appeals, World Boxing’s medical committee confirmed Lin’s eligibility for the Asian Championships on Thursday, said the CTBA.

MA-tek forecasts revenue to jump by 50% annuallyMAJOR GROWTH: The company has confidence in its silicon photonic-related analysis revenue, which has doubled each year and continues to drive overall growthBy Lisa Wang / Staff ReporterSemiconductor material and failure analysis services provider Materials Analysis Technology Inc (MA-tek, 閎康) yesterday said silicon photonic-related analysis services revenue would jump 50 percent this year, fueled by a major technology shift to optics-based packaging solutions for artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. MA-tek said analysis services for optical communications and AI chips are two major growth drivers this year. The company’s confidence is built on strong growth in its silicon photonic-related analysis revenue, which has more than doubled each year over the past three years since 2023. Materials Analysis Technology Inc chairwoman Hsieh Yong-fen poses for a photograph in Taipei yesterday. That means that the silicon photonics-related analysis revenue made this year to 2028 could more than double last year’s amount, Hsieh said.

Costa Rica cuts ties with Cuba over communismAFP, SAN JOSECosta Rica on Wednesday cut diplomatic ties with Cuba and Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves said that the “hemisphere must be cleansed of communists.”Chaves’ statement came shortly after Costa Rica said it was closing its embassy in Havana and told Cuba to withdraw its diplomatic staff from San Jose, the Costa Rican capital. Chaves told a news conference that Costa Rica “does not recognize the legitimacy of Cuba’s communist regime, in light of the mistreatment, repression and undignified conditions in which they hold the inhabitants of that beautiful island.”A car drives past Costa Rica’s embassy in Havana on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters“The hemisphere must be cleansed of communists,” said Chaves, who is set to be succeeded by his party colleague, Laura Fernandez, on May 8. The Costa Rican embassy had been without diplomatic staff since Feb. 5. Costa Rica is following in the footsteps of Ecuador, which on March 4 expelled Cuba’s ambassador, Basilio Gutierrez, accusing him of interfering in the country’s internal political affairs and engaging in “violent activities.”Costa Rica and Ecuador are part of a group of Latin American nations that recently formed an alliance with the US to combat drug traffickers using military force.

Taiwan loss sets back World Cup hopesONE MORE CHANCE: While North Korea denied Taiwan in Australia, Taiwan, who last played in the World Cup in 1991, could still qualify via inter-confederation playoffsStaff writer, with AP, GOLD COAST, AustraliaTaiwan yesterday lost 4-0 to a dominant North Korea in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup playoffs, closing off an avenue to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Hong Song-ok scored a hat-trick in the match to determine the last of the confederation’s qualifiers from the tournament for next year’s World Cup in Brazil. Uzbekistan have never been to a World Cup and Taiwan just once, back in 1991. North Korea officials in 2011 blamed traditional medicines based on deer glands for causing the squad’s five positive tests for steroids at the Women’s World Cup. Head coach Ri Song-ho’s young North Korea squad in Australia included players he guided to the Under-20 Women’s World Cup title in 2024.

Thailand’s new parliament elects Anutin as PMAFP, BANGKOKThailand’s new parliament yesterday elected Anutin Charnvirakul as prime minister, keeping him in the top office after his party routed its election rivals. “This parliament has voted for Anutin Chanvirakul to become prime minister,” Thai House of Representatives Speaker Sophon Zaram said on the floor of the legislature, adding that the incumbent had garnered more than half of the ballots cast. Anutin received 293 votes from newly seated lawmakers to win the role of prime minister, with his rival, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, gaining 119 and 86 representatives abstaining, Sophon said. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul leaves parliament in Bangkok yesterday. Photo: AFP“I hope to remain in my position to serve the people for as long as I can,” Anutin told reporters ahead of the vote.

Taipei to celebrate Eid al-Fitr at Daan Park on SundayBy Tsai Kai-heng and Fion Khan / Staff reporter, with staff writer and CNAThis year’s Eid al-Fitr in Taipei event is to be held in Daan Park on Sunday, featuring a halal bazaar, live performances, cultural workshops and interactive booths. As the Muslim holy month of Ramadan draws to a close, several activities are to be held from 11am to 5pm to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, ranging from food tasting and cultural experiences to stage performances. People take a selfie at the Eid al-Fitr in Taipei event at Daan Forest Park on April 14, 2024. The stage event is to be broadcast live online on Taipei Travel’s Facebook page from 1pm to 4pm. Interactive boothA cultural experience zone themed “Southern Breeze Across the City — Celebrate Eid Together” is to be located at Daan Park’s Exit 4.

St Vincent deputy PM celebrates diplomatic anniversary in TaiwanBy Sam Garcia / Staff writer, with CNATaiwan and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines yesterday commemorated the 45th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations as Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) welcomed Vincentian Deputy Prime Minister St Clair Leacock to Taiwan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday hosted a luncheon to welcome Leacock and the Vincentian delegation to Taiwan, the ministry said in a news release today. Vincentian Deputy Prime Minister St Clair Leacock, left, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung exchange gifts at a luncheon in Taipei yesterday. This year marks the 45th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations between the two nations and Leacock’s visit highlights their strong friendship, he said. The Vincentian people are grateful for the cooperation between Taiwan and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines over the past 45 years, Leacock said.

MOFA hopeful for response from S Korea over naming spatBy Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNATaipei is expecting a response from South Korea about its e-Arrival cards, which label Taiwan as “China (Taiwan),” Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said today. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung speaks to reporters outside the Legislative Yuan in Taipei today. Public opinion in Taiwan and South Korea reflects the belief that “Taiwan is Taiwan,” and not China, he said. South Korea’s e-Arrival card system lists Taiwan as “China (Taiwan)” in the “point of departure” and “next destination” fields. South Korea established its e-Arrival card system in February last year.

KMT, TPP approve cooperation pact for local electionsThe Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP) yesterday approved a cooperation agreement for November’s local elections, under which the two parties agreed to jointly field candidates. The agreement was separately passed by the KMT's Central Standing Committee and the TPP's Central Committee. Photo: CNAThe KMT and TPP would jointly nominate candidates only in cities and counties where both sides have negotiated and agreed to cooperate, the agreement says. At the KMT Central Standing Committee meeting, KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) expressed the hope that the agreement would help the two parties secure victory in the Nov. 28 local elections and serve as a foundation for cooperation in the 2028 presidential election. The KMT and TPP would begin coordination in three areas where both have nominated candidates — New Taipei City, Yilan County and Chiayi City, TPP Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) said in a statement.

Long-distance toll fees to drop 30% on weekends before Tomb SweepingStaff writer, with CNAThe Freeway Bureau is to offer a 30 percent discount on long-distance highway tolls on the two weekends leading up to the Tomb Sweeping holiday from April 3 to 6, hoping to ease traffic congestion over the break. However, at the same time, toll fees would increase for travel of less than 42km per day during those weekends, the bureau said. Traffic builds up on the Formosa Freeway (Freeway No. Photo: CNAMotorists making shorter trips should consider using city or alternative roads to avoid higher fees and potential highway congestion, the bureau said. The agency also urged people not to burn weeds or joss paper near highways during the Tomb Sweeping holiday, as the smoke could impair visibility on the roads.

Responding to the demographic shift, the government would invest NT$6.25 billion from its special resilience budget so that local governments can expand support for seniors living alone, the ministry said, adding that it would supervise the funding. Cabinet spokeswoman Michelle Lee, center, speaks while Ministry of Health and Welfare officials attend a meeting at the Executive Yuan in Taipei today. Photo: Chung Li-hua, Taipei TimesStarting this year, local governments would interview seniors living alone to understand their living conditions and requirements, providing care, meals, emergency rescue assistance and other services as needed, the ministry said. About 700,000 people would be interviewed over the next two years and about 350,000 are expected to require support, it added. By combining technology with community support, it hopes to provide timely services to every senior citizen in need, it added.

Groups call for migrant workers to be placed under newer pension systemStaff writer, with CNASeveral labor groups yesterday urged the Ministry of Labor to place all migrant workers under the newer pension system during a protest against a measure that the ministry said would give migrant workers greater access to the pension scheme. Labor groups call for all migrant workers to be placed under the newer pension system at a protest outside the Ministry of Labor’s office in Taipei yesterday. Photo: CNAThe planned measure expands the application of the older pension system to migrant workers. The groups urged the government to extend the newer pension system, which has been in place for Taiwanese workers since 2005, to all migrant workers, including domestic caregivers and domestic helpers, so they can be treated the same as local employees. Migrant workers are covered by the older system and can claim retirement benefits if they meet the legal requirements, it said.

China’s ‘reunification’ energy plan is cognitive warfare: MOEABy Liao Chia-ning and Hollie Younger / Staff reporter, with staff writerChina’s proposition of “reunification” to stabilize Taiwan’s energy supplies would not happen, Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Ho Chin-tsang (何晉滄) said today, calling it cognitive warfare. An oil taker is docked at CPC Corp, Taiwan’s third liquefied natural gas terminal in Taoyuan’s Guanyin District in an undated photograph. Photo: screen grab from CPC Corp, Taiwan’s Web siteIt would be impossible for the energy supply system across the Strait to be interconnected, Ho said. The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) said that it has adequate safety reserves and contingency measures to ensure stable energy supplies, such as alternative supplies from the US. Last year, natural gas accounted for almost half of Taiwan’s energy generation, with approximately one-third sourced from Qatar and transported via the Strait of Hormuz.