
By Julia Bergström and Alex Myslinski
President Lai Meets Japan Representative
President Lai Ching-te met with Mitsuo Ohashi, chairperson of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, Japan’s representative office in Taiwan, on August 27. The purpose of the meeting was to further solidify the strong partnership and bilateral friendship between Taiwan and Japan.
Since Ohashi assumed his position in 2011, Taiwan and Japan have signed numerous bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding across various fields. Since Lai’s inauguration in May, more than 40 Japanese lawmakers have visited Taiwan, highlighting the deepening ties between the two nations.
During the meeting, President Lai expressed gratitude to the Japanese government for its continued support and emphasized Taiwan’s wish to conclude further bilateral economic and trade agreements with Japan. Ohashi noted his longstanding personal friendship with Lai, and expressed optimism about further strengthening relations at this pivotal time for both sides.
China Imposes Sanctions for Taiwan Arms Sales
The People’s Republic of China (PRC) has announced new sanctions on six U.S. defense companies over arms sales to Taiwan. On July 12, the PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) stated it was imposing “countermeasures” against AEVEX Aerospace, Anduril Industries, LKD Aerospace, Maritime Tactical Systems, Pacific Rim Defense, and Summit Technologies, along with five senior executives from these companies. The sanctions freeze PRC-based assets of these firms and executives and also bar three Anduril executives and two AeroVironment executives from entering China.
The MFA accused U.S. arms sales to Taiwan of violating its “One China principle” and harming China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The sanctions follow earlier moves in 2024 against other U.S. defense companies, including Boeing and Lockheed Martin. A report by the Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS) has noted a significant increase in the PRC’s use of unilateral sanctions since 2018.
Singapore Reaffirms Taiwan Relationship
Singapore has reaffirmed its informal bilateral ties with Taiwan, despite changes in leadership on both sides. At a banquet in Taipei celebrating Singapore’s 59th National Day, Singaporean Representative to Taiwan Yip Wei Kiat highlighted the “enduring friendship and mutual benefits” that have strengthened relations between the two nations, citing cooperation in the aftermath of natural disasters as an example.
In 2023, Singapore emerged as one of Taiwan’s largest sources of foreign investment and remains the only country whose tourist numbers to Taiwan have surpassed pre-pandemic levels.
Deputy Foreign Minister Francois Wu has urged Singapore to leverage its influence in the international community to support Taiwan’s bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
Three Arrested On Espionage Charges
Three Taiwanese individuals with ties to the China Unification Promotion Party (CUPP) have been charged with violating the National Security Act by attempting to establish a spy network targeting Taiwan’s military.
Wen Lung, a businessman operating in China, along with retired military officers Chu Hsin-yu and Chiang Chiung-lin, were charged by the Kaohsiung High Prosecutor’s Office. Wen is accused of collaborating with China’s United Front Work to recruit Taiwanese military personnel as spies.
According to the indictment, the trio admitted to interacting with Chinese intelligence agents and were accused of violating laws against espionage and gathering classified materials for foreign hostile forces.
Control Yuan Urges More Travel Support
Amid increasing incidents of harassment of Taiwanese citizens by Chinese security forces, the Control Yuan has urged the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) to enhance support systems for travelers. In a news release, Control Yuan member Lin Wen-cheng highlighted the need for more robust emergency measures and greater public awareness of the potential risks associated with visiting China.
Lin noted that Taiwanese visitors, who are accustomed to democratic freedoms, might unknowingly violate China’s vaguely defined national security laws, which could result in detention. The Control Yuan also encouraged Taiwanese citizens to register their travel details through MAC’s online system, facilitating quicker access to emergency assistance if needed.
Despite growing risks, only a small percentage of the 1.76 million Taiwanese who traveled to China last year utilized the registration system.

TPP’S Ko Wen-Je Arrested
Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairperson Ko Wen-je was arrested on August 31 after being questioned by prosecutors regarding his alleged involvement in a corruption scandal tied to the Core Pacific City redevelopment project during his tenure as Taipei mayor. The arrest occurred after Ko refused further questioning and attempted to leave the Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office. Prosecutors expressed concern that Ko might collude with others involved in the case, prompting them to issue an arrest order.
Ko sought a court ruling on the legitimacy of his arrest, but the Taipei District Court rejected his request. The investigation centers on suspicions that Ko and others facilitated an increase in the floor-area ratio (FAR) for the redevelopment project from 560% to 840%, which could have significantly benefited property developers.
Several individuals, including former Taipei Deputy Mayor Peng Cheng-sheng, have been questioned in connection with the case. Ko’s wife, Peggy Chen, was also summoned as a witness but was released after questioning. The TPP has called for a review of the arrest’s legitimacy and vowed to defend Ko’s rights.
Former Vice Premier Cheng Charged with Corruption
Former Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan was released on bail on August 28 after being indicted on corruption charges. Cheng, who had been held incommunicado since his detention on July 11, posted a bail of NT$28 million (US$876,369), the highest amount granted to a political figure in recent years. As part of his release conditions, Cheng must remain at his residence, is barred from leaving the country for eight months, and is prohibited from contacting witnesses or other defendants.
Cheng, along with four other suspects who were also released on bail, faces allegations of accepting a NT$5 million bribe during his tenure as Taoyuan mayor to facilitate an industrial development project in Hwa Ya Technology Park in Linkou District in 2016. The Taoyuan District Prosecutors’ Office has recommended a 12-year prison sentence for Cheng. Additionally, Cheng is under investigation in a separate case after NT$6.78 million in cash was discovered at his Taipei residence during a search on July 29.
Cheng, 57, served as vice premier from January 2022 to May 2023 and was the first mayor of the newly established Taoyuan Special Municipality from 2014 to 2022.
Retirees Face NHI Status Obstacles
In response to a Facebook post calling for amended regulations to allow retired older adults to enroll in the National Health Insurance (NHI) system independently, the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) acknowledged the issue and said time is needed to evaluate the proposal. NHI premiums are deducted from salaries, which means that retirees typically enroll through their children or direct relatives as dependents. Independent enrollment is permitted only if these options are unavailable or in cases of abandonment of parents by their offspring or domestic violence.
An NHIA official explained that the existing rules reflect the NHI’s principles of self-help and mutual support, as well as the legal obligation under the Civil Code for children to support their parents.
Retirees who repeatedly refuse to enroll through their children or a direct blood relative have risked facing a fine of NT$15,000 and exclusion from NHI-covered healthcare services.
Nuclear Waste Storage Production to Resume
Construction of outdoor casks for high-level radioactive waste storage at the Guosheng Nuclear Power Plant in New Taipei City’s Wanli District is set to begin next year, following approval from the city government. The plant’s reactors ceased operations in 2021 and 2022, but the state-owned Taiwan Power Co. (Taipower) experienced delays in obtaining approval for dry cask storage – a safer method than liquid pool storage – until the issue was resolved through mediation in June.
Taipower plans to start moving spent fuel into the casks in 2026. The Jinshan Nuclear Power Plant in New Taipei City’s Shimen District encountered similar challenges with its outdoor dry casks, which were constructed in 2013 but remained unused due to unapproved design changes.
Taiwan is set to phase out nuclear power by next year, in line with government policy following a 2021 referendum that rejected resumed construction of the island’s fourth nuclear power plant. The first and second nuclear power plants in New Taipei City have begun their decommissioning process, while the third plant in Pingtung County is scheduled to shut down its last reactor in May 2025.
New Pedestrian Safety Rules Introduced
The Ministry of the Interior has released proposed enforcement rules for the newly passed Regulations on Pedestrian Traffic Safety Facilities. Set to take effect on October 1, the rules focus on pedestrian priority zones, where drivers must slow down or stop entirely to allow pedestrians to cross.
Motorists who speed through these zones could face fines of up to NT$36,000, with those exceeding 40 km/h classified as serious offenders. The rules also mandate that local governments designate pedestrian-friendly areas near schools, hospitals, and public transport hubs. These areas must be clearly marked with signs, speed bumps, and special pavements to ensure safety.
Additionally, roads wider than 12 meters will require sidewalks, which will be optional for narrower roads. The regulations were open for public comment, with the goal of improving safety in high-traffic pedestrian areas by enforcing stricter driving standards.