Stories from Taiwan

Taiwan's Financial Supervisory Commission has announced a relaxation of rules allowing investment trusts to purchase single stocks. The Financial Supervisory Commission has released results from its Fintech 2.0 phase.

Legislator Chiu Yi-ying questioned the Legislative Yuan regarding vegetable imports from Vietnam. A Democratic Progressive Party legislator called for third-party isotope testing for imported agricultural products during a parliamentary inquiry.

Prosecutors claim this action infringed upon the deliberative rights of the absent councilors. The charges allege that Yin Hsi-yueh initiated martial law proceedings and held a state council meeting to pass martial law while certain state councilors were not present.

Fu Kun-chi denied rumors that he would use specific funding amounts as a condition for the position of Legislative Yuan Vice President. Fu stated that Taiwan will provide full support for any US orders ranging from 300 billion to 1 trillion or more. He characterized reports of such exchanges as false issues released by green media. He said that there would be no delay in authorizing contracts once US orders are issued, similar to past military procurement processes. Fu Kun-chi, a legislative caucus convener, has strictly denied rumors regarding the procurement of 380 billion or 500 billion TWD in arms.

A female passenger accidentally deployed pepper spray on a Taipei Metro train around 2:00 PM today. The passenger reportedly carried the spray for self-defense. Three train carriages were urgently evacuated from the Taipei Metro at approximately 2:00 PM today. The evacuation occurred after passengers traveling through Zhubei reported smelling a pungent odor. Three metro carriages were evacuated following a pepper spray incident in Taipei on Wednesday afternoon. Passengers reported a pungent odor during the transit. The individual was taken to a police station and is being investigated for violating the Social Order Maintenance Act. The case was referred to the Shilin District Court for violations of the Social Order Maintenance Act. The incident occurred amid rising public concerns regarding personal safety.

Authorities have issued weather warnings for Longjing District in Taichung City and Lukang Town and Shengang Township in Changhua County.

The Taichung Social Affairs Bureau announced that the former Taichung Shelter has been repurposed into a public childcare and family center.

The Taichung City Social Affairs Bureau announced that the Meicun Service Area will open in the third quarter of this year. The site was previously the Lianqing Taichung Guest House, which had been vacant for several years.

Peach picking prices in Taiwan are currently set between 180 and 250 TWD per unit depending on size.

Fruit harvesting in the Alishan region is expected to begin in May, following a delay of 10 to 15 days compared to previous years. Peach and plum harvests in the Alishan region are maturing 10 to 15 days later than usual due to insufficient rainfall. Owner Fang Jin-can of Miyata Tourist Orchard in the Alishan mountains is using mountain spring water to irrigate peach trees to mitigate low rainfall. Owner Zeng Jincan of Miyata Tourist Orchard in the Alishan mountains reported that fruit quality and yield are at risk due to low rainfall.