Stories from Taiwan

The Taichung chili water incident has triggered a political controversy in Taiwan. Taichung City Council members are questioning the handling of a recent chili water spraying incident involving a police chief. Democratic Progressive Party Councilor Chou Yung-hung suggested Mayor Lu Shi-yen may have known the truth about the chief's actions while releasing information to create a political smokescreen. Kuomintang Councilor Yang Ta-hung further alleged that Mayor Lu is shifting blame for the incident. The investigation into the police chief's conduct remains ongoing. Taichung City Council members are questioning Mayor Lu Shiow-yen's transparency regarding the precinct chief's involvement in the chili water incident. Police officials stated that disciplinary actions follow National Police Agency regulations and that investigations into other potential suspects are ongoing.

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an announced a long-term stable exchange mechanism between Taipei and Tokyo. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wen-an announced that the Taipei City Government and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government have established a long-term cooperation framework for AI city governance. This marks the first time Taipei has entered into such a specific AI governance partnership with Tokyo. The Taipei City Information Department signed a memorandum of understanding with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to establish a long-term digital cooperation and exchange mechanism.

Shen characterized the current Twin City Forum as a potential vulnerability for infiltration.

President Lai addressed challenges posed by increased gray-zone activities and cross-strait harassment from China this year. He pledged to expand the Coast Guard's capabilities by deploying more drones, radar systems, and infrared/thermal imaging technology. These measures aim to strengthen maritime enforcement against recent provocations. The planned upgrades include drones, radar systems, infrared, and thermal imaging technology. President Lai Ching-te pledged to expand high-tech equipment including drones, radar, and thermal imaging to counter increased gray-zone harassment from across the strait. Taiwan is pursuing a comprehensive transformation of its Coast Guard to build integrated sea and air monitoring capabilities. The agency is working to secure critical infrastructure, including undersea cables, against harassment from the Chinese Coast Guard.

Labor and occupational injury groups demonstrated outside the Executive Yuan in Taipei to demand more social housing and higher labor pension contributions.

Taiwan's Food and Drug Administration detected 0.5 mg of arsenic in chilled sea urchin imported from Canada by Zhengxian Co., Ltd. Canadian chilled sea urchin soft meat was found to contain 0.5 milligrams of mercury per unit. Testing revealed heavy metal levels of 0.5 mg/kg in chilled sea urchin from Zheng Xian Co. Testing revealed mercury levels of 0.5 mg, exceeding the safety limit of 0.3 mg. The agency has increased inspection rates for the company to between 20% and 50% at the border. Additionally, a batch of dried chili peppers from mainland China was found to contain Sudan Red dye. The report was released on April 28 by the food inspection authority. The Taiwan Food Authority issued a list of non-compliant food products identified during border inspections.

The Taiwan Railways Administration aims for an annual revenue target exceeding 5 billion TWD for the commercial space. Starry 3 (Breeze Plaza Industrial Co., Ltd.) has been selected as the preferred applicant for the Taipei Station mall management rights. The preferred bidder is identified as Feng Guang Plaza Industrial Co., Ltd. Starlight 3 won the ROT tender for the Taipei Station shopping mall, defeating the long-term operator Breeze Plaza by a margin of one point. Wei Feng Group Deputy General Manager Gao Ming-ding held a press conference this afternoon regarding the selection results.

Taichung recorded an average PM2.5 level of 13.5 micrograms per cubic meter last year, marking a record high.

Premier Cho Wen-tai stated that individuals violating nationality laws must face clearer legal regulations. He noted that certain cases involve simultaneous violations of the Nationality Act and the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area. The Premier highlighted that individuals holding Chinese nationality may be subject to obligations under Chinese constitutional, national security, and intelligence laws, which could facilitate intelligence collection against Taiwan. He argued that the government should focus more on economic development rather than ideological issues. Taiwan's Premier, Chou Rong-chao, called for clearer legal regulations regarding dual nationality cases. He noted that individuals holding Chinese nationality may be obligated to comply with the Chinese Constitution, National Security Law, and Intelligence Law.

A member of the Taiwan legislature questioned the recent screening of the mainland Chinese film "800" within the Army's 153rd Brigade. The Taiwan Ministry of National Defense stated that a battalion commander's decision to screen the mainland Chinese film '800' was a cognitive error. The commander reportedly did not realize the film was considered a propaganda tool. Opposition politician Chen Yu-chen criticized the focus on ideology, suggesting lawmakers prioritize economic issues instead. Kuomintang legislator Chen Yu-chen suggested that Democratic Progressive Party lawmakers should focus on economic issues rather than ideological concerns regarding a military film. Legislator Chou Yung-lung argued that using nationality laws to handle political rights is.