PwC platform to aid Taiwanese firms’ US expansion
PwC platform to aid Taiwanese firms’ US expansionCHALLENGES: The platform brings together accounting and legal experts in the two nations to deliver coordinated advisory services on investment and risk managementBy Crystal Hsu / Staff reporterPwC Taiwan has launched a Taiwan-US service platform to help Taiwanese companies expand into the US, underscoring a shift in corporate investment priorities, as nearly 40 percent of local firms now rank the US as their top overseas destination. “North America has moved from being an optional growth market to a core pillar of global strategy for many Taiwanese companies,” Hsu said. Photo: ReutersThe move reflects growing efforts by Taiwanese firms to diversify production bases, secure access to the US market and align operations with policy incentives tied to strategic industries such as semiconductors, electric vehicles and clean energy. The new platform offers advisory services covering taxation and regulation, mergers and acquisitions, site selection, customs and trade compliance, talent management, Mexico supply chain planning and cross-border capital markets support, PwC said. As Taiwanese firms continue to deepened their footprint across North America, demand for integrated, cross-border advisory support is expected to rise, reflecting a broader shift toward compliance-driven, regionally diversified investment strategies, PwC said.
Source:Taipei Times
February 06, 2026 16:13 UTC
MediaTek plans to double data center spending
MediaTek plans to double data center spendingBy Lisa Wang / Staff reporterMediaTek Inc (聯發科), the world’s biggest smartphone chip supplier, yesterday said it plans to double investment in data center-related technologies, including advanced packaging and high-speed interconnect technologies, to broaden the new business’ customer and service portfolios. The data center ASIC business would contribute 20 percent to the company’s revenue next year, MediaTek told investors on Wednesday. High-speed SerDes interface technologies are essential for AI, 5G and data center infrastructure to ensure signal integrity. “We will be the first-wave customer of 2-nanometer and A14 advanced process technologies, which will not be limited to data center [chip production],” Chen said. Intel’s EMIB technology is considered a potential alternative to TSMC’s chip-on-wafer-on-substrate technology amid severe supply constraints of the advanced packaging technology.
Source:Taipei Times
February 06, 2026 16:13 UTC
Joint Taiwan-US attack drone successfully tested
Joint Taiwan-US attack drone successfully testedBy Yimou Lee / Reuters, TAIPEITaiwan’s military and US-based Kratos Defense have successfully tested a new jet-powered attack drone, a move aimed at rapidly boosting the nation’s ability to field “large numbers” of low-cost drones amid a rising Chinese threat. In a recent test campaign at Kratos’ facility in Oklahoma City, engineers from both sides validated the integration of a Taiwanese mission payload on the Mighty Hornet IV attack drone, Kratos said in a statement on Thursday. Kratos called the test a “milestone” that could pave the way for deeper cooperation between the company and the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology. A Mighty Hornet IV, high-speed attack drone, right, developed by the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology and US technology company Kratos, is displayed during the Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition in Taipei on Sept. 17 last year. Taipei has been working to secure cheaper, more numerous uncrewed systems that are key to complicating any potential Chinese attack.
Source:Taipei Times
February 06, 2026 16:09 UTC
CSBC ‘localizing’ sub supply chain
CSBC ‘localizing’ sub supply chainBy Fang Wei-li and Jonathan Chin / Staff reporter, with staff writerTaiwan is implementing a strategy to ensure the domestic production of key components for Hai Kun-class submarines, CSBC Corp, Taiwan said yesterday, after revealing that the prototype has partially completed its dive testing. Photo: Lee Hui-chou, Taipei TimesTorpedo tubes have proved to be a bottleneck in forging secure supply chains for the indigenous submarine program’s follow-up vessels, Tsai said. CSBC’s strategy for “localizing” submarine supply chains would therefore consider domestic and foreign manufacturers willing to establish a Taiwanese subsidiary or provide the necessary technology as a solution, he said. However, it does not rule out the possibility of taking part in the broadly defined defense sector supply chain collaborations with the US, he said. The US’ strategic priority of crafting trustworthy supply chains offers opportunities for the CSBC, as the company can contribute to the research and development of warships, government vessels and drones, Chen said.
Source:Taipei Times
February 06, 2026 16:09 UTC
Buyer’s rights with New Year lucky draw bags
Customer rights are protected under the Mandatory and Prohibitory Provisions of the Standard Form Contract for Retail Online Trading (零售業販售福袋定型化契約), it said. Fu Dai must clearly specify their contents, what brand they are from, price and amount sold, it said. A model gestures toward prizes on offer in lucky bags sold by FamilyMart at an event in Taipei on Dec. 23 last year. The products cannot be expired, show evidence of flaws or defects, or have no actual function, the division said. If the contents of the Fu Dai do not match the signage, consumers are entitled to return or request an exchange for a product of equal value, and sellers cannot refuse by claiming that Fu Dai cannot be refunded or exchanged, it added.
Source:Taipei Times
February 06, 2026 16:09 UTC
Care subsidy increasing
Care subsidy increasingSAFETY AND EFFICIENCY: The subsidy, taking effect in July, would promote leasing over buying smart assistive medical devices for late-life home careBy Lo Pi and Esme Yeh / Staff reportersThe long-term care subsidy amount is to be boosted to NT$60,000 over a three-year interval from July for each applicant who chooses to lease smart assistive devices instead of buying them, the Ministry of Health and Welfare said yesterday. Long-Term Care Department senior technical specialist Pai Shan-chi (白姍綺) said people who need assistive devices or accessible residential designs must first call the 1966 long-term care service hotline to apply for the subsidy. Those assessed as Level 2 to Level 8 in need of long-term care would be eligible, she said. The subsidy was NT$40,000 over three years for applicants who purchased traditional mechanical assistive devices of 47 types. While that subsidy remains, people would be offered an alternative beginning in July, in which the subsidy amount would increase to NT$60,000 if they lease smart devices, Pai said.
Source:Taipei Times
February 06, 2026 16:09 UTC
Groups push for review of Yilan HSR extension
Groups push for review of Yilan HSR extensionRAILWAY RECKONING: Opponents to the planned HSR extension to Yilan County filed an appeal against the impact assessment, urging reconsideration of the planBy Esme Yeh / Staff reporter, with CNAOpponents of a plan to extend the high-speed rail (HSR) to Yilan County yesterday filed an administrative appeal against its environmental impact assessment (EIA) conclusion, while more than 200 supporters protested outside the Ministry of Environment. Opponents of a plan to extend the high-speed rail from Taipei to Yilan County demonstrate in front of the Ministry of Environment in Taipei yesterday. Taiwan Railway Corp (TRC) employees’ labor rights and the company’s revenue could be affected by the HSR extension, which would marginalize railway development and undermine railway operations nationwide, Chao said. The HSR extension would make more young people willing to stay and help attract more people to work in the county, he said. TRC president Feng Hui-sheng (馮輝昇) said the HSR extension would compete with the TRC not only for passengers traveling between Taipei and Yilan, but for those traveling from Taichung, Chiayi County or Tainan to Yilan County.
Source:Taipei Times
February 06, 2026 16:09 UTC
Premier refuses to sign relocation bill
Amendments to the Act for Rebuilding Old Quarters for Military Dependents (國軍老舊眷村改建條例) were passed on Jan. 17 by the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the Taiwan People’s Party. Premier Cho Jung-tai, center, attends company booths at an event in Taipei yesterday. It would also create a large financial burden on the special government fund designated for all military dependents’ villages across Taiwan, Cho said. This is the second time Cho has refused to countersign a law passed by the legislature, following his refusal to sign opposition-backed amendments to the local revenue-sharing law in December last year. Lo also said that relocating the 50 households to the Wanlung complex would allow the government to revitalize the original site, thereby generating significant revenue for the national treasury.
Source:Taipei Times
February 06, 2026 16:09 UTC
Constitutional Court finds NHI fines disproportionate
Constitutional Court finds NHI fines disproportionateBy Jonathan Chin / Staff writer, with CNAThe Constitutional Court yesterday struck down some penalties for failing to pay National Health Insurance (NHI) premiums, after finding the formula disproportionately harsh to the offense. The absentees were the same justices who dissented from a previous ruling against a Legislative Yuan bill to change the quorum of judges, which with its current number would deem the Constitutional Court unable to function. A sign for the Constitutional Court in Taipei is pictured in an undated photograph. Chen lost at every level of the administrative courts before appealing to the Constitutional Court. The absentee justices told a news conference that they do not believe the Constitutional Court could be lawfully convened, as the amendments to the Constitutional Court Procedure Act (憲法訴訟法) — which the court struck down — require nine judges to make a quorum.
Source:Taipei Times
February 06, 2026 16:09 UTC
CCP seeks to fool US on trends: expert
CCP seeks to fool US on trends: expertBy Chen Cheng-yu and Jake Chung / Staff reporter, with staff writerThis week’s think tank forum between the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) was a political ploy targeting the US to foster the illusion of changing public opinion in Taiwan and that the “Taiwan issue” is up for negotiation, cross-strait experts said yesterday. China’s ultimate goal is to “unify” with Taiwan, regardless of how it is accomplished, while the KMT is focused on returning to power, center director Lin Tzu-li (林子立) said. Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Vice Chairman Hsiao Hsu-tsen speaks at a think tank forum between the KMT and Chinese Communist Party in Beijing on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of the KMTHowever, seeking to trade the nation’s sovereignty for a return to power is a trade-off with consequences that Taiwanese society cannot stand, Lin said. The main item was the collaboration on emerging industries, which might lead to another massive Taiwanese investment spree in China, Shen said.
Source:Taipei Times
February 06, 2026 16:09 UTC
Taipei finalizes NT$12.2 billion royalty deal with Nvidia
Taipei finalizes NT$12.2 billion royalty deal with NvidiaStaff writer, with CNAThe Taipei City Government confirmed yesterday that it has negotiated a royalties of NT $12.2 billion (US$380 million) with AI chip giant Nvidia Corp, with the earliest possible signing date set for Wednesday. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an speaks to reporters in Taipei yesterday. Deputy Taipei Mayor Lee Shu-chuan (李四川) said the city government finalized the royalty price with Nvidia at NT$12.2 billion around noon yesterday. Lee said Nvidia is completing internal procedures, and the contract signing is expected as early as Feb. 11 and no later than Feb. 13. He added that the city will sign the contract with Nvidia Taiwan in principle, with the exact signing format adjusted to meet the company’s needs.
Source:Taipei Times
February 06, 2026 16:09 UTC
Lithuanian PM describes Taiwan office as ‘mistake’
The ministry in a statement said that Taiwan and Lithuania are important partners that share the values of freedom and democracy. Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene looks on during a press conference in Berlin on Jan. 29. Since the establishment of the office, Taiwan and Lithuania have continued working together to promote substantive cooperation in fields such as lasers, semiconductors and finance, strengthening democratic economic resilience, it said. Taiwan would continue to maintain close communication with Lithuania to jointly deepen bilateral relations, it added. In late 2021, China downgraded relations with Lithuania after Taiwan opened the office.
Source:Taipei Times
February 06, 2026 16:09 UTC
Australia, Indonesia hedge against China with a security deal
Australia, Indonesia hedge against China with a security dealCONTRIBUTION: Canberra has signed deals across the Pacific region and boosted efforts to increase influence as Washington leans on allies to help deter BeijingBloombergAustralia and Indonesia’s leaders yesterday signed a security deal, one of a series of agreements that Canberra has secured with neighboring countries to reinforce ties and limit China’s influence in the region. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, left, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese walk together during a meeting at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta yesterday. Late last year, Australia concluded a security deal with Papua New Guinea, which sits north of Australia and east of Indonesia. “The government can be very pleased with the agreements it signed across the Pacific,” Lowy Institute security program director Sam Roggeveen said. The deal is largely based on an agreement signed by then-Australian prime minister Paul Keating and then-Indonesian president Suharto 30 years ago that Jakarta abrogated following East Timor’s vote for independence from Indonesia.
Source:Taipei Times
February 06, 2026 16:09 UTC
US tariff deal should be finalized this month: AIT head
US tariff deal should be finalized this month: AIT headBy Jake Chung / Staff writer, with CNAThe Legislative Yuan should be able to approve the Taiwan-US tariff agreement this month, providing certainty for businesses, Deputy Legislative Speaker Johnny Chiang (江啟臣) said yesterday. While touring a production line at Victor Taichung Machinery Works yesterday with American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Raymond Greene, Chiang said he had confirmed with Greene that the agreement should be finalized by the middle of this month. Deputy Legislative Speaker Johnny Chiang, front left, and American Institute in Taiwan Director Raymond Greene, center, tour a company in Taichung yesterday. The Taiwan-US Reciprocal Trade Agreement awaits signing. Meanwhile, Greene said Taiwan is a dependable partner and plays a critical role in global supply chains.
Source:Taipei Times
February 06, 2026 16:09 UTC
Han Kuang drill to maintain 10-day schedule
Han Kuang drill to maintain 10-day scheduleREADINESS: The exercises would follow ‘real troops, real locations, real equipment and real-time’ scenarios to train for modern combat, Koo saidBy Fion Khan / Staff writer, with CNAThis year’s Han Kuang military drills would maintain last year’s 10-day, nine-night schedule, focusing on decentralized command and control, operations in designated “kill” zones, and urban resilience, Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo (顧立雄) said. Tanks are pictured in Taichung during the Han Kuang exercises in July last year. From April to November, the military plans to conduct immediate readiness drills, joint defense exercises, the Han Kuang exercises and joint resistance drills to further improve key combat capabilities, he said. The 42nd Han Kuang drills would emphasize decentralized operations, battlefield management, anti-drone measures and personnel mobilization, while incorporating urban resilience drill modules in coordination with local governments, he said. The drills would adhere to “real troops, real locations, real equipment and real-time” scenarios to meet the requirements of modern combat, Koo said.
Source:Taipei Times
February 06, 2026 16:09 UTC