Stories from Taiwan

The Taiwan People's Party has included a Taiwan independence resolution in its party platform for decades.

Chen Minghua stated firm opposition to the United States engaging in any form of military contact with the Taiwan region. The statement follows reports that Taiwan's defense department has signed multiple military procurement contracts with the United States. Chen characterized such actions as ineffective and unpopular. Chen said that such actions do not win public support and will not succeed. Chen asserted that the Democratic Progressive Party is acting as an ATM for the US military-industrial complex. China warned that US military cooperation with Taiwan puts the island in a more dangerous position. China stated that purchasing weapons will not change the inevitable outcome regarding Taiwan independence. Taiwanese Legislative Yuan President You Xiakuei held a third round of consultations regarding a special military procurement bill.

Taichung Mayor Lu Shiuyan visited temples and ate local snacks alongside New Taipei City Mayor Ko Wen-je, Kaohsiung Mayor Lee Sichuan, and KMT Mayor Ke Chih-en.

A legislator in Taiwan called for stricter oversight of military procurement, stating that purchases from the United States must be paid for according to specific orders.

A commentator alleged that the Democratic Progressive Party has misappropriated 15.1 billion TWD. The speaker claimed the actual figure could be as high as 20 billion TWD. The speaker further asserted that the party's pursuit of Taiwan independence is unsupported by the United States or Japan. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) marked the anniversary of the February 28 Incident, noting a total of 862 deaths and disappearances.

Leasing companies are providing flexible financing to support Taiwan's 1.715 million small and medium-sized enterprises.

An audit report found that a government-funded youth hostel in Taipei spent excessively on furniture and equipment. An NGO procured 78 thermal ventilators for $503,000 for a hostel in Taipei. The total cost for these items is expected to reach approximately $38 million in public money through the government's internal redeployment of resources. The Audit Commission released the findings regarding the expenditure. The NGO stated higher prices were due to requirements for certified installation personnel, insurance, and a strict 21-day installation window. Additionally, the audit found 76 toilet paper holders were purchased for $3,390 each. The report also noted 46 bath-boom soap dispensers were priced at $2,390 each. Nearly $1 million was spent on thermal ventilators alone, according to the report. The report also noted potential safety concerns regarding the soap dispenser holders.

A study involving 133 elderly participants found that falls cause three times as many deaths as traffic accidents. A study involving over 2,000 participants indicates that grip strength and toe stability significantly decline with age, increasing fall risks.

A news report indicates a triple fatality involving a mother, a son, and a daughter in a remote mountainous area of Tainan City.

Top diplomats from Germany and Israel have jointly called on Taiwanese politicians to avoid using Nazi comparisons in political discourse. The statement aims to maintain diplomatic decorum regarding sensitive historical comparisons in Taiwan.