KMT to act as industry advocate, peacemaker on Beijing trip: vice chair
KMT to act as industry advocate, peacemaker on Beijing trip: vice chairStaff writer, with CNAA Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) delegation traveling to Beijing for a think tank exchange with the Chinese Communist Party would focus on advocating for Taiwanese companies and advancing peace, KMT Vice Chairman Hsiao Hsu-tsen (蕭旭岑) said today. Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Vice Chairman Hsiao Hsu-tsen speaks at an event in Taipei on Monday last week. Photo: Chen Yi-kuan, Taipei TimesThe delegation would also attend a dinner hosted by China's Taiwan Affairs Office tonight, and visit Tsinghua University on Wednesday before returning to Taiwan, Hsiao said. However, the KMT delegation's visit to China would not focus on political issues, Hsiao said. Most members of the delegation are not KMT members, but rather "academics and experts" across a range of professional fields in which Taiwan "needs to make a breakthrough," Lee said.
Source:Taipei Times
February 02, 2026 11:24 UTC
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Nvidia CEO promises to attend Computex Taipei in June
Nvidia CEO promises to attend Computex Taipei in JuneStaff writer, with CNAVisiting Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) today confirmed he would return to Taiwan in June to attend the annual Computex Taipei expo, where the company plans to make multiple announcements and he would deliver a keynote address. Huang arrived in Taiwan last week and hosted a dinner for key Taiwanese suppliers in Taipei on Saturday. Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang, center, walks in Taipei yesterday. "This is going to be a super busy year for me," he said, adding that he would definitely attend this year's Computex Taipei, scheduled for June 2 to 5. On competition in the artificial intelligence (AI) market, Huang acknowledged that Nvidia faces many rivals.
Source:Taipei Times
February 02, 2026 11:07 UTC
Labor funds report record profits and returns
Labor funds report record profits and returnsBy Li Ching-hui and Hollie Younger / Staff reporter, with staff writerLabor funds generated record-breaking profit and returns last year, with profits of NT$1.1177 trillion (US$35.398 billion) and a return rate of 16.06 percent, the Bureau of Labor Funds said today. Meanwhile, the new Labor Pension Fund posted returns of 15.6 percent and profits of NT$746.9 billion, growing to NT$5.1795 trillion, it said. Bureau of Labor Funds signage is pictured at the Ministry of Labor in Taipei in an undated photograph. As of December last year, the total size of all labor funds reached NT$7.7925 trillion, with profits for that month alone topping NT$141.5 billion, the bureau said. Meanwhile, sharp fluctuations in the exchange rate between the US dollar and the New Taiwan dollar led to short-term swings in unrealized gains and losses for the labor funds, it said.
Source:Taipei Times
February 02, 2026 11:04 UTC
Taiwan Railway adds 64 more trains over Lunar New Year
Taiwan Railway adds 64 more trains over Lunar New YearBy Sam Garcia / Staff writer, with CNATaiwan Railway Corp (TRC) today announced that it would add 64 additional train services over the Lunar New Year holiday, with tickets for the newly added trains going on sale at midnight on Thursday. With this year’s Lunar New Year holiday running for nine days from Feb. 14 to Feb. 22, TRC set a 12-day travel holiday period from Feb. 12 to 23. The company previously announced two rounds of additional train services, adding up to 323 additional trains over the 12-day period. People prepare to board a Taiwan Railways Corp train on a platform at Taipei Railway Station on Feb. 5 last year. Photo: CNATRC today said in a statement that it would add 64 additional trains from Feb. 14 to 22.
Source:Taipei Times
February 02, 2026 10:30 UTC
Yushan reports 1cm of snow within an hour
Yushan reports 1cm of snow within an hourStaff writer, with CNASnow at 6am today began falling on Yushan (Jade Mountain, 玉山), reaching an accumulation of 1cm by 7am, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said, citing data from its weather station on the mountain. The snowfall on Yushan, Taiwan's highest peak, was caused by a continental cold air mass that sent the mercury plunging across the nation early today, the CWA said. The lowest temperature recorded was minus-2°C at the CWA's Yushan Weather Station at 4am, the weather agency said. Snow falls at Yushan Weather Station this morning. The continental cold air mass would gradually weaken from Wednesday, but by Friday evening another weather front would arrive, bringing cold temperatures and rain to northern Taiwan, he said.
Source:Taipei Times
February 02, 2026 04:55 UTC
CEC certifies six to fill TPP at-large seats, including China-born Li Zhenxiu
CEC certifies six to fill TPP at-large seats, including China-born Li ZhenxiuStaff writer, with CNAThe Central Election Commission (CEC) yesterday certified six people to fill vacant at-large legislative seats for the Taiwan People's Party (TPP), including Li Zhenxiu (李貞秀), a naturalized Taiwanese citizen who was born in China. Li was among six people certified by the CEC to take over the TPP's at-large seats after Lin Kuo-chen (林國成), Lin Yi-chun (林憶君), Chang Chi-kai (張啓楷), Mai Yu-chen (麥玉珍), Huang Shan-shan (黃珊珊) and party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) resigned on Sunday. For those who have dual nationality, the law requires them to waive the other nationality and submit proof of doing so within a year of taking office. As of press time, Li had not commented on the status of any related administrative procedures. The TPP would handle the matter in accordance with existing laws, Huang Kuo-chang said on Friday.
Source:Taipei Times
February 02, 2026 04:27 UTC
Pingtung farm turns manure into mosquito coils
Pingtung farm turns manure into mosquito coilsBy Fion Khan / Staff writer, with CNAAs Taiwan’s dairy sector looks to innovate and evolve, a Pingtung County-based operator on Thursday last week showcased products aimed at sustainability, drawing attention with a natural mosquito repellent coil made from cow dung deodorized by earthworms. Dairy farmers, milk processors and food and beverage businesses that use fresh milk produced in Taiwan were featured at a news conference on “Domestic Fresh Milk and Industry Collaboration” organized by the Ministry of Agriculture. In addition to fresh milk and a range of dairy products, Kaodah Milk displayed an item that resembled a handmade cookie, but was actually a natural mosquito coil derived from cattle manure. The material is then sun-dried and mixed with used coffee grounds to produce a natural mosquito coil, she said. As some people avoid fresh milk due to lactose intolerance, the farm introduced “night milk,” which contains gamma-aminobutyric acid, and lactose-free yogurt, she said.
Source:Taipei Times
February 02, 2026 03:49 UTC
Hundreds swim in memorial to boy killed by shark
Hundreds swim in memorial to boy killed by sharkAFP, SYDNEYHundreds of swimmers and surfers paddled their boards into the waves off Sydney’s Bondi Beach yesterday in memory of a 12-year-old boy who died after being attacked by a shark in Sydney Harbour. Family and friends formed in a large circle in the ocean, splashing the water to honor the youngster, Nico Antic, television images showed. We’re going to miss him, miss him forever,” the boy’s father told people gathered on the Sydney beach, according to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald. A warning sign is pictured at a beach in Sydney on Jan. 19, one day after Nico Antic was attacked by a shark. Officials said heavy rain draining into the harbor and ocean beaches had turned the water brackish, raising the risk of shark attacks.
Source:Taipei Times
February 01, 2026 18:12 UTC
India is resigned to a new status quo with China
India is resigned to a new status quo with ChinaNecessity compels; will economic forces make uncomfortable bedmates out of the fractious neighbors despite deep mistrust? By MIHIR SHARMA / Bloomberg OpinionIt is still mid-winter in the high Himalayas along the disputed border between India and China. Far from it; if anything, it is India that has resigned itself to a new status quo, one in which it has lost several strategic advantages. Indian companies’ immediate need for China is not as a destination for their products but as a supply-chain partner. They think that re-allowing cheaper and more efficient Chinese companies to bid in the $700 billion procurement market might make their job easier.
Source:Taipei Times
February 01, 2026 18:12 UTC
Middle powers can reshape world order
Middle powers can reshape world orderBy James J.Y. Ukraine has been able to stand up against a superpower bully, with the help of middle powers through military support and economic sanctions. The economic and defense alliance of middle powers can and must uphold the value-based international order of human rights, sovereignty and democracy. The rise of a new world order of middle powers is timely to help secure stability when the US is more inclined toward serving its own interests. The resilience of middle powers might be their greatest asset for tackling worldly challenges.
Source:Taipei Times
February 01, 2026 18:12 UTC
Guermantes Lailari On Taiwan: Chinese Drone Overflies Taiwan’s Airspace: New Lawfare
Guermantes Lailari On Taiwan: Chinese Drone Overflies Taiwan’s Airspace: New LawfareThe Chinese Communist Party (CCP) challenges and ignores the international rules-based order by violating Taiwanese airspace using a high-flying drone: This incident is a multi-layered challenge, including a lawfare challenge against the First Island Chain, the US, and the world. On July 28, 2022, a PLA reconnaissance drone appeared twice over Taiwan’s Dongyin Island, Matsu. As early as 2022, the ROC military was challenged by drone overflights of Taiwan’s islands close to China. However, these “innocent” PLA balloons could carry intelligence collection systems to investigate vulnerabilities and assist in war planning. Guermantes Lailari is a retired US Air Force Foreign Area Officer specializing in counterterrorism, irregular warfare, missile defense, and strategy.
Source:Taipei Times
February 01, 2026 18:12 UTC
Ukraine suffers national power outage as lines fail
Ukraine suffers national power outage as lines failAFP, KYIVUkraine’s power grid experienced mass outages for several hours on Saturday after a “technical malfunction” caused electrical lines between Moldova, Romania and Ukraine to fail, Ukraine’s energy minister said. By Saturday evening, the power companies had restored power to all regions of Kyiv, Ukrainian Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal said. More data indicates that weather conditions caused the lines to freeze, resulting in automatic shutdowns,” he said. Moldova produces its own power, but also imports some, mainly from Romania, as well as Ukraine. The incident piles further pressure on Ukraine’s energy grid, which was already in a fragile state due to weeks of intense Russian bombardment.
Source:Taipei Times
February 01, 2026 18:12 UTC
The post-US world is already taking shape — look at the massive EU-India trade deal
The post-US world is already taking shape — look at the massive EU-India trade deal‘America First’ might mean ‘America Alone’ as the world finds workarounds for the ‘Donroe Doctrine’By Ravinder Kaur / The GuardianThe year was 2007. The EU-India free trade agreement unveils the emerging silhouette of a post-US world order amid relentless threats to territorial sovereignty, punitive tariffs and the weakening of multilateral institutions. The trade deal is the largest of its kind but is part of a growing trend as many nations attempt to forge new alliances. Brussels recently concluded a trade deal with the South American Mercosur trade bloc, with several more in the pipeline; India has made agreements with the UK and New Zealand in the last few months alone. The world many outside the west have long dreamed about — of multipolarity, strategic autonomy, even de-dollarization — is taking shape, first slowly and then rapidly.
Source:Taipei Times
February 01, 2026 18:12 UTC
EDITORIAL: The tyranny of the majority
EDITORIAL: The tyranny of the majorityOn the last day of the extended legislative session on Friday last week, the Legislative Yuan, with a slight majority held by the opposition Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), continued to refuse to review the government’s annual budget for this year, which is already overdue. It was the first time in Taiwan’s constitutional history that the government budget was not reviewed in its supposed legislative session. Instead, the opposition rushed to pass three controversial bills, which many people have criticized as self-serving. This has also been criticized as effectively returning over NT$40 billion (US$1.27 billion) in ill-gotten assets during the martial law period to the KMT. The next legislative session is expected to commence on Feb. 24, after the Lunar New Year holidays, but it is doubtful that the KMT and the TPP would suddenly learn that a healthy democracy does not operate solely on the “tyranny of the majority” in the Legislative Yuan.
Source:Taipei Times
February 01, 2026 18:12 UTC
Starmer in China: engagement is necessary, caution is vital
Starmer in China: engagement is necessary, caution is vitalTHE GUARDIAN EDITORIALIt has been clear for many years that China’s status as a second global superpower poses challenges to the world’s democracies. This is an ominous backdrop for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to Beijing. CAUTION with REASONConservatives who accuse Starmer of kowtowing to Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) are quicker to enumerate all the things they dislike about Chinese Communist party rule than to describe a better alternative policy to cautious engagement. Starmer has pledged to “raise what needs to be raised” with Xi — a standard diplomatic euphemism allowing for cursory mention of delicate topics. That is not a reason to refuse engagement, but it might take more than pre-summit assurances from the prime minister to prove that he can get the balance right.
Source:Taipei Times
February 01, 2026 18:12 UTC