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…
By Simon Xiao Response to Biden Ending His Candidacy Asked about the potential impact on Taiwan of U.S. President Joe Biden’s decision not to seek reelection, Premier Cho conveyed confidence in the ability of the American electorate to select an appropriate leader through their democratic process. Vice President Kamala Harris, who replaces Biden as the…
By Dexter Murray and Aimee Wu Taiwan to Ease Border Restrictions As the latest domestic outbreaks of the COVID-19 Omicron variant are largely under control and vaccination rates are high, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) has announced plans to gradually reopen Taiwan’s borders. From March 7, the quarantine period for international travelers entering Taiwan…
Following a local outbreak in mid-May, some observers drew attention to the exodus of “COVID refugees” – those who had come to Taiwan at the height of the pandemic in the U.S. and other countries. But the results of a recent survey suggest that most foreigners who arrived in Taiwan after the beginning of 2020…
Plum Rains Help Ease Drought This spring Taiwan experienced its worst drought in 56 years. Rainfall on the island has been steadily decreasing due to climate change. Leaky pipes, low water prices, and lax water-use habits also contributed to May’s shortage. The annual plum rains arrived in late April following a year without significant rainfall…
A unique Taiwanese experience and spectacular showcase of the island’s temple culture, the annual Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage brings together longtime adherents and, more recently, young Taiwanese interested in local customs. Besides the religious significance, the event is also a major contributor to the central Taiwan economy. With its firecrackers, dancing troupes, and mascots costumed as…
By Austin Babb and Jason Wu Train Derailment in Hualien Kills 49 On April 2, passenger train Taroko Express No. 408 collided with a crane truck near the Qingshui Tunnel in Hua-lien County. The resulting derailment caused the death of 49 passengers, with more than 200 injured. Among those losing their lives were two American…
A weekly snapshot of Taiwan business news stories brought to you by CommonWealth and AmCham Taiwan’s TOPICS Taiwan’s COVID-19 situation has quickly become more serious in recent days. Following a cluster infection in late April connected to China Airlines flight crew, local cases began increasing significantly for several days in succession, mostly in the north…
Taiwan Domestic Vaccinations Begin The first batch of vaccines to be delivered to Taiwan arrived on March 3. According to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC), the 117,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses manufactured by AstraZeneca will be offered to groups of individuals prioritized for vaccination by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Top priority is…
KMT Protests U.S. Pork The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) has begun ramping up its efforts to block U.S. pork containing the feed additive ractopamine from entering Taiwan after the Tsai administration’s announcement in August that it would lift the ban on such imports in 2021. In addition to its efforts to hold a referendum on…
