GlobalWafers expects flat-to-slightly-higher revenueBy Lisa Wang / Staff reporterGlobalWafers Co (環球晶圓) yesterday said it is positive about this year, citing robust demand for advanced 12-inch wafers and a pickup in smaller-diameter wafers, as the artificial intelligence (AI) boom pushes up semiconductor content in end products. The silicon wafer supplier said revenue would be flat or grow slightly this year after sliding 3.24 percent last year to NT$60.6 billion (US$1.91 billion). GlobalWafers Co chairwoman Doris Hsu speaks at the opening of a 12-inch silicon wafer plant in Novara, Italy, on Oct. 15 last year. The conflict in the Middle East has added extra uncertainty to end market demand, GlobalWafers said. GlobalWafers’ net profit last quarter reached NT$2.21 billion, the best in six quarters and up 12 percent from NT$1.97 billion the previous quarter.

Iranian soccer team member refuses asylum offerReuters, SYDNEYAustralian police helped two more members of the Iranian women’s soccer delegation slip their minders to claim asylum, but one has changed her mind and decided to go back to Iran, the Australian interior minister said yesterday. Australian Minister of Home Affairs Tony Burke announced in the Australian parliament the squad member’s decision to return home, after five players from the team were granted asylum a day earlier. A player and a support staff member on Tuesday evening accepted the Australian government’s open offer of aid. Six Iranian soccer players and a team official with two unidentified Australian officials, second and third right, are pictured in Sydney after they claimed asylum in Australia in an undated photo released by the Australian Department of Home Affairs yesterday. The rest of the players have been moved to a safe location after the member contacted the Iranian embassy, giving away their location, Burke said.

Pegatron eyes 10-fold AI server growthHEADWINDS: The company said it expects its computer business, as well as consumer electronics and communications segments to see revenue declines due to seasonalityBy Meryl Kao / Staff ReporterPegatron Corp (和碩) yesterday said it aims to grow its artificial intelligence (AI) server revenue more than 10-fold this year from last year, driven by orders from neocloud solutions clients and large cloud service providers. The electronics manufacturing service provider said AI server revenue growth would be driven primarily by the Nvidia Corp GB300 server platform. Server shipments are expected to increase each quarter this year, with the second half likely to outperform the first half, it said. The AI server business would face gross margin pressure in the short term as this segment requires significant infrastructure investment, but it would improve beyond industry averages in the long term, Cheng said. Additionally, PC price hikes might affect the consumer PC segment more than the commercial PC segment, as Pegatron’s main clients are enterprises and government agencies, Teng said.

EDITORIAL: A targeted bilingual policyThe Ministry of Education has been advancing the government’s Bilingual 2030 initiative by distributing funds and encouraging schools to offer courses taught in English. Schools are encouraged to design diverse, engaging and life-oriented bilingual learning activities, K-12 Education Administration official Yeh Hsin-tsun (葉信村) said, adding that the goal is to create a bilingual campus environment where English is used in everyday life. A school in Hsinchu offers workplace English courses, while another in Taoyuan has students be English-language tour guides for foreign guests. Immersion can also be achieved in a school environment, such as in Singapore and in French-language immersion programs in Canada. The ministry could employ a similar approach in Taiwan, offering an English immersion program for high-performing students who express an interest in achieving fluency.

Taiwan, China to clash in Asian CupQUARTER-FINAL CHALLENGE: China, the tournament’s reigning champions, won all their group matches, including coming from behind to beat North Korea 2-1AFP, SYDNEYChina and Taiwan are to clash this week in a politically tinged AFC Women’s Asian Cup quarter-final while Australia hope that a bumper home crowd can help drag them through against a dangerous North Korea. Taiwan’s Hsu Yi-yun, right, scores against India’s Panthoi Chanu Elangbam during their AFC Women’s Asian Cup match in Sydney on Tuesday. Photo: APChina are ranked 17th in the world, while Taiwan — who came second behind Japan in their group — are ranked 40th. Taiwan competes under the name “Chinese Taipei” in international sports events, including this one and the Olympics. The Asian Cup has already been overshadowed by matters off the pitch after at least five players from Iran’s team claimed asylum in Australia.

Lai marks 15 years since Tohoku quake and tsunami‘UNWAVERING FRIENDSHIP’: A representative of a Japanese group that co-organized a memorial, said he hopes Japanese never forget Taiwan’s kindnessStaff writer, with CNAPresident William Lai (賴清德) yesterday marked the 15th anniversary of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, urging continued cooperation between Taiwan and Japan on disaster prevention and humanitarian assistance. Lai wrote on social media that Taiwan and Japan have always helped each other in the aftermath of major disasters. Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Representative Kazuyuki Katayama, front, third left, observes one minute of silence with other guests in Taipei yesterday at an event commemorating the 15th anniversary of Japan’s Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. In addition to cash donations and relief supplies, Taipei and the private sector assembled rescue teams to help the affected areas within 72 hours of the disaster, Lai said. “Today, on the 15th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, we mourn the victims of the disaster with heavy hearts.

Science parks’ combined revenue hits record NT$5.8tnBy Chen Cheng-hui / Staff reporterThe nation’s three major science parks last year posted a combined revenue of NT$5.8 trillion (US$182.6 billion), up 21.83 percent year-on-year and a new record, the National Science and Technology Council said in a report yesterday. The Hsinchu Science Park (新竹科學園區) saw a revenue increase of 12.25 percent annually to NT$1.7 trillion, Central Taiwan Science Park (中部科學園區) posted revenue growth of 9.29 percent to NT$1.13 trillion and Southern Taiwan Science Park (南部科學園區) grew 34.26 percent to NT$2.97 trillion, it said. From left, Department of Academia-Industry Collaboration and Science Park Affairs Deputy Director-General Wu Hsing-fei, Southern Taiwan Science Park Bureau Director-General Cheng Hsiu-jung, National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Deputy Minister Su Chen-kang, NSTC Minister Wu Cheng-wen, Hsinchu Science Park Bureau Director-General Hu Shi-min and Central Taiwan Science Park Bureau Director-General Hsu Maw-shin attend a news conference in Taipei yesterday. Photo courtesy of the National Science and Technology CouncilLast year, the three science parks saw two-way trade increase 17.79 percent year-on-year to NT$6.88 trillion, also a new high, while investment totaled NT$177.6 billion, up 54.98 percent from the previous year, it added. Of the parks’ six major industries, the integrated circuit industry led in revenue, as robust demand for AI and HPC applications drove sales up 26.8 percent year-on-year to NT$4.83 trillion, the report said.

Trade ships hit as Tehran threatens Gulf chokepointAFP, TEHRANNew attacks yesterday hit three commercial ships in the Gulf, setting at least one vessel on fire, as Iran pressed its campaign against its energy-exporting neighbors and forced world governments to dip into their strategic oil reserves. People walk past a damaged building as they attend funerals for military commanders and others killed in US and Israeli strikes at Enghelab Square in Tehran yesterday. Israel said it had begun a new “wide-scale wave of strikes” across Iran and against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon’s capital, Beirut. “This operation will continue without any time limit, as long as necessary,” Israeli Minister of Defense Israel Katz said. Separately a bulk carrier and a container ship were hit in the Gulf off the United Arab Emirates.

India’s Indo-Pacific security roleBy Sumit KumaOver the last decade, India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has invested huge political capital in transforming its engagement with Southeast and East Asian countries under its Act East Policy. Unlike his predecessors, Modi has focused on building defense and security cooperation with ASEAN countries under the Act East policy. New Delhi’s expanding cooperation with Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi and others on defense sends a clear message about India’s desire to play a major role in promoting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region. India and Southeast Asian countries should consider engaging Taiwan in trilateral and multilateral forms, including in multilateral maritime exercises. India should also consider working with Southeast Asian countries in elevating Taiwan’s presence in addressing regional economic, governance and security issues.

Rescuers work near the wreckage of a Jeju Air plane that went off the runway and crashed at Muan International Airport in South Korea on Dec. 30, 2024. Photo: ReutersThe Boeing 737-800, operating as Jeju Air Flight 2216, overran the runway during an emergency landing, struck the wall and erupted into flames. The ministry also reduced the size of the runway end safety area in 2013 rather than remove the wall, it said. Calls to Jeju Air and Muan airport went unanswered. At Muan, steeper slopes were applied to the runway and runway end safety area than are in operation at South Korea’s main Incheon International Airport, near Seoul.

Japan critical partner for securityBy Lee Hsi-min 李喜明Japan’s elections have delivered Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi a significant political mandate, which comes at a pivotal moment for the Indo-Pacific region, with clear positive ramifications for Japan’s regional allies, including Taiwan. The larger budget would enable Japan to strengthen its military capabilities, enhancing support to its regional partners. When announcing the election, Takaichi said “the international security environment is becoming more severe,” referencing military activities conducted by China around Taiwan. In the event of direct military engagement by China, Taiwan is counting on a trilateral partnership with the US and Japan. This requires greater coordination between Japan and its regional partners in areas including defense coordination and development assistance.

Support for transgender conscripts to be improved: ministryBy Sam Garcia / Staff writer, with CNAA proposed revision of military physical classifications is still under review, the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) said yesterday, amid criticism that the rules violate human rights by reclassifying transgender people as subject to alternative military service, rather than granting an exemption. The National Human Rights Commission previously raised concerns that these revisions would require transgender people — who have until now been exempt — to undergo alternate military service. Transgender people at Chenggong Ling (成功嶺) military training camp face communal living arrangements, a male-centered management model and are forced to expose their bodies, Taiwan People’s Party Legislator Liu Shu-bin (劉書彬) said. Alternative service classifications would be further divided by service type and nature, so that placements better match conscripts’ physical conditions and practical needs, it added. The government would also strengthen gender-friendly environments and ensure healthcare and medical safety for conscripts during training, MOI said.

Civil suit dismissed after Hsinchu amusement park deathBy Yang Hsin-hui and Hollie Younger / Staff reporter, with staff writerThe High Court today dismissed an appeal by a woman seeking compensation from an amusement park, after her daughter died of a stroke shortly after riding its free-fall drop tower. In its first-instance ruling in May 2024, the Hsinchu District Court dismissed the NT$10 million (US$315,095) civil lawsuit against Leofoo Development Co. The High Court today upheld the first verdict after an appeal. The free-fall drop tower at Leofoo Village Theme Park in Hsinchu County is pictured in an undated photograph. The court ruled again today that the park could not be found liable for delayed treatment or negligent homicide.

Ministry clarifies rules on flashing pedestrian signalsBy Wu Liang-yi and Kayleigh Madjar / Staff reporter, with staff writerWhen a pedestrian signal begins to flash, pedestrians should not start crossing the street or begin running, under newly clarified traffic safety rules announced today by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications. The amendment to the Regulations on Establishing Traffic Signs and Indicating Lines (道路交通標誌標線號誌設置規則) aims to clarify the meaning of flashing pedestrian signals, the ministry said. In January, the ministry said it was considering eliminating existing penalties for crossing on a flashing signal, after controversy about fines being issued for an unclear regulation. A pedestrian signal is pictured in an undated photograph. According to Article 207 of the regulations, a steady green pedestrian signal indicates that pedestrians may cross, while a flashing green light means the remaining time is short.

Taipei city bus crashes into tree, injuring 12By Cheng Ching-yi / Staff reporter, with CNAA route 284 city bus crashed into a tree at the Tri-Service General Hospital’s Neihu branch in Taipei this morning, injuring 12 people. Capital Bus Co said it would take full responsibility for compensating the victims, and vowed to cooperate with the police investigation into the cause of the accident. A route 284 bus is pictured after crashing into a tree near the Tri-Service General Hospital’s Neihu branch in Taipei this morning. The operator has been instructed to dispatch representatives to hospitals to visit the injured and handle all relevant medical expenses, Kuo said. In a news release, Capital Bus said that the driver and several passengers were brought into the hospital for treatment, but none had life-threatening injuries.