Thailand-Cambodia border meeting in doubtAFP, BANGKOKThailand yesterday rejected a request by Cambodia to hold bilateral talks in a neutral country, leaving a planned meeting to negotiate an end to deadly border clashes in doubt. Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow speaks during a news conference after a special meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers in Kuala Lumpur on Monday. Photo: EPAHowever, the Thai Ministry of Defense said yesterday that the bilateral border committee meeting would go ahead in Thailand’s Chanthaburi Province from today as planned. Surasant said officials from the committee would meet from today to Saturday, adding that whether the meeting happened depended on Cambodia. However, in a letter to Thai Minister of Defense Nattaphon Narkphanit, Cambodian Minister of National Defense Tea Seiha requested the meeting be held in Kuala Lumpur for security reasons.

It would be ‘smart’ for Maduro to step down, Trump saysAFP WASHINGTONUS President Donald Trump on Monday said it would be “smart” for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to step down, as US naval forces pressed a blockade on the South American country’s oil wealth. Asked by reporters at his Florida home if Washington’s threats were designed to force Maduro to leave office after 12 years, Trump said: “That’s up to him, what he wants to do. I think it would be smart for him to do that.”US President Donald Trump attends a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, on Monday. Firing back just hours later, Maduro said that Trump would be “better off” if he focused on his own country’s problems rather than threatening Caracas. Trump on Tuesday last week also announced a blockade of “sanctioned oil vessels” sailing to and from Venezuela.

Lai urges solidarity after knife attack‘SPIRIT SHONE’: Developing resilience requires not only military preparations, but also measures to toughen institutions, infrastructure and the mindset of Taiwanese, Lai saidBy Jonathan Chin and Kayleigh Madjar / Staff writers, with CNAThe Taipei metro knife attack last week was a reminder of solidarity and vigilance, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday, in a call to improve Taiwan’s emergency response capabilities. Emergency responders take part in an exercise organized by the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee in Taipei on March 27. This year’s joint exercise included a hostage situation on a train car, which is applicable to last Friday’s attack, she said. About 1.21 million tonnes of rice can be produced annually, meaning that reserves are maintained at more than three months of consumption, he said. Reserves as of the end of last month totaled 1.06 million tonnes, enough supply for 11 months, he added.

Amazon blocks North Koreans from applying for jobsAFP, SEOULUS tech giant Amazon said it has blocked more than 1,800 North Koreans from joining the company, as Pyongyang sends large numbers of information technology (IT) workers overseas to earn and launder funds. In July, a woman in Arizona was sentenced to more than eight years in prison for running a laptop farm helping North Korean IT workers secure remote jobs at more than 300 US companies. The scheme generated more than US$17 million in revenue for her and North Korea, officials said. Last year, Seoul’s intelligence agency said that North Korean operatives had used LinkedIn to pose as recruiters and approach South Koreans working at defense firms to obtain information on their technologies. “North Korea is actively training cyberpersonnel and infiltrating key locations worldwide,” Korea Institute for National Unification analyst Hong Min said.

Think tank raises 2025 growth forecast to 7.25%, urges caution for 2026Staff writer, with CNATaiwan’s economic growth for this year was forecast at 7.25 percent yesterday by the Taiwan Research Institute (TRI), a sharp upward revision from its June estimate of 2.9 percent, though it also urged cautioned over next year’s economic conditions. Meanwhile, the demand boom for artificial intelligence (AI) technology repeatedly drove exports for AI servers and information and communications technology products to record highs. This growth model is expected to continue into next year, the think tank said, forecasting a 3.46 percent growth in the nation’s economy. While global demand for AI and high-performance computing will still be high, growth will be limited due to this year’s high base, the TRI said. The institution forecast growth of 2.23 percent, an improvement from this year.

Legislative Yuan votes to increase traffic penaltiesROAD SAFETY: The amendments increase penalties for traffic contraventions such as using mobile phones or smoking a cigarette while riding a motorcycleBy Sam Garcia / Staff writer, with CNAThe Legislative Yuan yesterday passed amendments to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act (道路交通管理處罰條例) that increase penalties for certain traffic contraventions. A scooter driver holds his cellphone while stopped at a traffic light in Taipei on June 8, 2012. There has been an increase in the number of traffic accidents, and children and elderly people who are more vulnerable to traffic often use roads around schools and hospitals, the bill says. Also yesterday, the legislature passed amendments to the Railway Act (鐵路法) that impose criminal penalties for using violence, coercion or threats to obstruct railway personnel while they are carrying out their duties. Under the amendment, such offenses are punishable by up to three years in prison and a fine of up to NT$300,000.

Financial hub goals ahead of schedule: FSCCARVING A NICHE: While Taiwan trails Singapore and Hong Kong in some areas, it has unique advantages such as world-class technology, FSC Chairman Peng saidBy Crystal Hsu / Staff reporterTaiwan’s bid to become a leading Asian asset-management hub is gathering momentum, with assets under management climbing more than NT$4 trillion (US$127 billion), reaching a key two-year milestone ahead of schedule, Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) Chairman Peng Jin-lung (彭金隆) said yesterday. “Thirty years ago, we could only imagine it,” Peng said at a financial competitiveness forum in Taipei. In July, the FSC launched a dedicated asset-management zone in Kaohsiung, permitting 38 types of financial services. Taiwan introduced the Taiwan Individual Savings Account (TISA) mechanism in July to encourage long-term investment habits and support financial planning for Taiwanese amid an aging population. So far, 22 fund houses offer 37 TISA-qualified funds, attracting more than 60,000 accounts in just three months, Peng said.

Yulon’s board approves the disposal of its EV unitTAIWAN VALUE CHAIN: Foxtron is to fully own Luxgen following the transaction and it plans to launch a new electric model, the Foxtron Bria, in Taiwan next year Yulon Motor Co (裕隆汽車) yesterday said that its board of directors approved the disposal of its electric vehicle (EV) unit, Luxgen Motor Co (納智捷汽車), to Foxtron Vehicle Technologies Co (鴻華先進) for NT$787.6 million (US$24.98 million). Foxtron, a half-half joint venture between Yulon affiliate Hua-Chuang Automobile Information Technical Center Co (華創車電) and Hon Hai Precision Industry Co (鴻海精密), expects to wrap up the deal in the first quarter of next year. Foxtron would fully own Luxgen following the transaction, including five car distributing companies, outlets and all employees. The deal is subject to the approval of the Fair Trade Commission, Foxtron said. “Foxtron will beBy Lisa Wang

Amendments to EV tax laws clear the legislatureStaff writer, with CNAAmendments to commodity and license laws for electric vehicles (EV) that extend an exemption of taxes for an additional five years cleared the Legislative Yuan yesterday. Amendments to the Commodity Tax Act (貨物稅條例) would extend the exemption of the commodity tax for EV purchases, but continue to limit it to a taxable value of NT$1.4 million (US$44,433) per EV, with amounts in excess of the limit not receiving tax-free status. Photo: Taipei TimesAmendments to the Vehicle License Tax Act (使用牌照稅法) would extend the exemption of the license tax for five years. As of the end of last month, the exemption of the EV commodity tax has cost the treasury a cumulative NT$28.9 billion, while the exemption of the EV vehicle license tax has cost the government a cumulative NT$9.2 billion, the ministry said. There was a consensus among ruling and opposition lawmakers to support extending the tax exemption before the amendments were passed yesterday, it said.

Legislature passes new artificial intelligence lawStaff writer, with CNAThe Legislative Yuan yesterday passed a new law that lays out principles on how artificial intelligence (AI) is to be governed in Taiwan and designated the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) as the governing authority for AI. Under the Artificial Intelligence Basic Act (人工智慧基本法), the government is required to promote AI research and applications, while also prioritizing social welfare, digital equity, innovation and national competitiveness. The act stipulates that AI development should adhere to seven core principles: sustainability and well-being, human autonomy, privacy and data governance, cybersecurity and safety, transparency and explainability, fairness and non-discrimination, and accountability. Lawmakers celebrate the passage of the Artificial Intelligence Basic Act at the legislature in Taipei yesterday. The act also requires the Executive Yuan to establish a national AI strategy committee — chaired by the premier and comprising academics, industry representatives, agency heads and local government leaders — to formulate national AI development guidelines.

Where is Taiwan’s India policy? Taiwan undoubtedly faces mounting pressures, not least due to the unpredictability of US President Donald Trump’s administration, given that the US remains Taiwan’s primary security partner. To do so, Taiwan should first firmly recommit to the New Southbound Policy Plus and articulate a dedicated India policy. It was a landmark initiative in Taiwan’s foreign policy history, offering a comprehensive framework for regional outreach. Treating it as a serious long-term strategy would bolster Taiwan’s regional positioning and restore momentum in its engagement with India.

Changes in traditional medicineBy Huang Shyh-shyun 黃世勳Recent media reports have again warned that traditional Chinese medicine pharmacies are disappearing and might vanish altogether within the next 15 years. The same perspective should be applied to the evolution of the traditional Chinese medicine sector. To protect the livelihoods of those already engaged in the traditional medicine trade at the time, the law also introduced a “sunset clause” in Article 103, intended solely to safeguard the rights of traditional Chinese medicine vendors operating prior to the 1993 revision. While the number of traditional herb shops has declined, pharmacies that also dispense and retail traditional Chinese medicine have steadily increased — from 3,071 in 2011 to 5,247 last year. Likewise, the number of traditional Chinese medicine retailers managed on-site by pharmacists or assistant pharmacists has risen to 1,392 from 969.

Mexico tariff hike will not impact Taiwan’s chips: Trade officeStaff writer, with CNAA tariff hike to be imposed by the Mexican government will not affect Taiwan-made information and communications technology (ICT) related items such as semiconductors, the Executive Yuan’s Office of Trade Negotiations said yesterday. According to the office, these items, including chips, servers, graphics cards and printed circuit boards (PCBs), represent about 70 percent of Taiwan’s exports to Mexico, so the tariff hike is expected to have limited impact on Taiwanese exporters. During the talks, Taiwan’s representative office presented Mexico with a list of 105 Taiwanese export items for which it sought preferential status, with Taiwanese exporters concerned over the potential impact of the tariff hike. It was agreed that 82 products among the 105 listed will be levied at either the current tariff or a lower tariff, which is expected to stabilize Taiwan’s outbound sales to Mexico, according to the office. According to Kung, Taiwan’s ICT products remain protected by the WTO’s Information Technology Agreement (ITA), which has eliminated all import duties on a wide range of products.

Motion to impeach President Lai placed on agendaBy Sam Garcia / Staff writer, with CNAA motion to impeach President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday was placed on the agenda for a Legislative Yuan meeting on Friday, while opposition lawmakers formally filed a request with the Control Yuan to initiate an impeachment investigation against Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰). The Legislative Yuan’s Procedure Committee met yesterday to set the legislative agenda from Friday to Tuesday next week. Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party legislators hold placards outside the Control Yuan in Taipei yesterday. If passed, the case would then proceed to the Constitutional Court, where two-thirds of the justices must vote for impeachment. Meanwhile, KMT and TPP lawmakers went to the Control Yuan in Taipei to formally request an impeachment investigation into Cho.

Photo: Liao Chen-huei, Taipei TimesDuring a meeting of the Procedure Committee yesterday, nine members voted in favor of scheduling the budget bill discussion and nine voted against. However, the opposition “is not even allowing the bill to enter discussion,” she said. “This is opposition for the sake of opposition, with no sincerity whatsoever.”The public does not support spending additional funds on weapons, Weng said. The proposed defense spending is in excess of NT$1 trillion, she said, adding that it would be an unbearable burden on the nation’s finances. Apart from the defense budget bill, several other amendments were withheld from the agenda for plenary sessions scheduled from Friday to Tuesday next week.