CECC confirms 14 domestic cases, six deathsBy Sherry Hsiao / Staff reporterThe Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) yesterday reported 14 locally transmitted COVID-19 infections, four imported cases and six deaths. Of the local cases, eight were male and six female with an onset of symptoms between Wednesday last week and Wednesday, the center said. Nine of the cases were reported in Taipei, three in Taoyuan and two in New Taipei City, it said, adding that 11 of the cases had known sources of infection, while three were under investigation. Yesterday’s COVID-19 cases brought the total in Taiwan to 15,346 — 13,900 of which were domestic infections reported since May 15, when the nation first recorded more than 100 cases in a single day — while the number of deaths from COVID-19 totaled 759, including 747 since May 15. The Taipei command center also released the places that two of the cases visited in their daily activities.

AIT Director Oudkirk takes office‘HELLO TAIWAN’: The incoming director is to start after completing 14 days of quarantine, while former director Christensen was sent off by officials yesterdayBy Lu Yi-hsuan and Jonathan Chin / Staff reporter, staff writer, with CNASandra Oudkirk yesterday took over as director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) as the country bid farewell to her predecessor, Brent Christensen, who departed for the US. American Institute in Taiwan Director Sandra Oudkirk arrives in Taiwan on Monday. Oudkirk “looks forward to building on the successes of her predecessors and to further advancing the US-Taiwan relationship,” it said. Former American Institute in Taiwan director Brent Christensen waves goodbye as he leaves Taiwan yesterday. When asked about his gift of Aiwen mangoes to Christensen, Huang said the fruit was originally imported from Florida and to him it symbolized the friendship between the two countries.

COVID-19: Vaccinations lag in KMT-governed areas, DPP saysVACCINE ORDERS: The DPP panned a KMT-led plan for four county governments to buy vaccines as an attempt to boost its profile ahead of a party electionBy Jake Chung / Staff writer, with CNACOVID-19 vaccination data show low inoculation rates in cities and counties governed by the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislative caucus said yesterday. The government’s inoculation efforts are a race to end the COVID-19 outbreak, with all local governments doing their best to vaccinate their residents, DPP caucus secretary-general Lo Chih-cheng (羅致政) told an online news conference. Wang Sheng-che, formerly a violin repairer for the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra, plays traditional songs for people waiting for their vaccinations in a gymnasium in Taichung yesterday. No country would authorize local governments to purchase vaccines, as this would affect the national epidemic prevention policy and the principle of equality, Lo said yesterday. The local vaccine procurement endeavor comes as the KMT chairperson election looms, the DPP said.

Large low-pressure system could bring storms: CWBBy Shelley Shan / Staff reporterMultiple tropical systems could form in the northwest Pacific Ocean in the next two weeks as a result of a large low-pressure system, the Central Weather Bureau (CWB) said yesterday. Spanning from the South China Sea to the Pacific Ocean, the low-pressure system became the dominant meteorological force after a Pacific high-pressure system weakened and receded eastward on Wednesday, the bureau said. “In the next two weeks, Taiwan would be under the influence of the low-pressure system, which could cause multiple tropical systems to form,” bureau forecaster Hsieh Pei-yun (謝佩芸) said. Central Weather Bureau forecaster Hsieh Pei-yun yesterday discusses the possible development of tropical systems in the northwest Pacific Ocean. Photo: Chen Hsin-yu, Taipei Times“Regardless of whether these systems affect Taiwan directly, the low-pressure system would increase humidity on the east coast and cause afternoon thundershowers nationwide,” she said.

Hualien struck by earthquake swarmBy Shelley Shan / Staff reporterHualien County was yesterday struck by more than 30 shallow earthquakes, with a few homes damaged, although there were no reports of injuries. The earthquake swarm began with a magnitude 5.2 tremor at 6:52am, with the epicenter 5.1km southwest of Hualien County Hall at a depth of 5.9km. From 6:53am to 8:08pm, it was followed by 38 aftershocks of magnitude 3 to 5, Central Weather Bureau data showed. Fallen masonry and sheet metal lie in front of a shop on Guangfu Street in Hualien City after an earthquake struck the region yesterday morning. The rapid succession of events yesterday was unusual, Chen said, adding that more aftershocks might occur over the next week.

High Court orders return of illegal proceedsBy Jason Pan / Staff reporterA High Court ruling yesterday could pave the way for the return to the government of US$520 million of illegal proceeds from arms dealer Andrew Wang’s (汪傳浦) family in the latest chapter of the Lafayette frigate procurement scandal . Wang reportedly died in the UK in 2015. Following the Supreme Court’s decision, Switzerland in February agreed to return US$266 million to Taiwan, while the procedure for the return of another US$312.5 million is under way, ministry officials said. The deal soon became embroiled in allegations of corruption, bribery and other illegal activities involving Wang, Taiwanese naval officials and many other parties. A fugitive since 1993 who is on Taiwan’s most wanted list, Wang reportedly died in the UK in 2015 at the age of 86.

The cover photo for the Radioactive Taiwan podcast. “We were by far a lot more than just a radio station,” Monday says. Longtime former ICRT DJ Bobby Kong narrates Radioactive Taiwan. Members of Cutting Crew and the immensely popular Air Supply share their memories of playing in Taipei on the podcast. With traditional media in decline due to the Internet, the show provides fascinating insight to what a radio station could do back then.

NHRC report clears Lin Shui-chuanBy Jason Pan / Staff reporterThe National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) yesterday released its first report, clearing pioneer democracy advocate and former Taipei City councilor Lin Shui-chuan (林水泉), who was imprisoned by the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT). NHRC Chairwoman Chen Chu (陳菊) said Lin ran as an independent candidate for Taipei City councilor in 1960, but in 1961 the KMT branded him a “hoodlum,” and imprisoned him without due judicial process. From left, National Human Rights Commission Deputy Chairman Kao Yung-cheng, Chairwoman Chen Chu and Commissioner Chang Chu-fang announce a report on pioneering democracy advocate and former Taipei City councilor Lin Shui-chuan in Taipei yesterday. Photo courtesy of the National Human Rights Commission via CNALin had the courage to criticize the KMT government for supressing people’s rights, Chen said. The NHRC’s investigation was completed in April, and Lin had been informed of its findings, but the report was not released due to a local COVID-19 outbreak.

COVID-19: GDP growth forecast raised to 5 percentDEMAND FOR EXPORTS: While a level 3 COVID-19 alert is wreaking havoc on service providers, there is little impact on manufacturers, a Standard Chartered economist saidBy Crystal Hsu / Staff reporterStandard Chartered Bank Taiwan (渣打台灣銀行) yesterday raised its forecast for the nation’s GDP growth this year from 4.4 percent to 5 percent, as local firms continue to benefit from strong demand for technology products amid an improving global economy. The upward revision came despite consumer spending taking a hit from social distancing measures implemented to combat a COVID-19 outbreak, the bank said. Domestically, the COVID-19 outbreak is driving up unemployment and consumer confidence would remain weak until vaccination rates reach safe levels, he said. In related news, the Taiwan Research Institute (台灣綜合研究院) yesterday forecast GDP growth of 5.12 percent for this year. Major economies are emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, a trend that bodes well for global trade and the nation’s exports, the institute said.

Reporter's Notebook: Japan’s defense white paper displays nation’s growing affinity for TaiwanBy Lin Tsuei-yi and Kayleigh Madjar / Staff reporter in TOKYO,with staff writerSignificant changes in Japan’s annual defense white paper, including for the first time a declaration of support for stability in the Taiwan Strait and separate treatment of Taiwan, show Tokyo’s growing affinity and respect for the nation. The cover of this year’s “Defense of Japan” annual white paper featuring a warrior riding a horse, left, is pictured yesterday next to the cover of last year’s white paper featuring cherry blossoms and outline of Mount Fuji. Photo: Lin Tsui-yi, Taipei Times“Stabilizing the situation surrounding Taiwan is important for Japan’s security and the stability of the international community,” the paper says. While the Japanese Ministry of Defense has emphasized that the nation’s basic stance toward Taiwan has not changed, its treatment of the issue in the latest white paper says otherwise. The report also corrects a map of Chinese military capabilities repeated in previous versions that expat groups have long protested should not include Taiwan.

Military think tank expanding its European tiesBy Aaron Tu / Staff reporterThe Institute for National Defense and Security Research is expanding its ties with think tanks in Europe, and they are interested in Taiwan’s experience in countering China’s security threats, a source familiar with the matter said yesterday. Many European nations have been alerted to China’s “wolf warrior” diplomacy, military expansionism and its ties with Russia, which is an opportunity for the institute to acquire more partners through “think tank diplomacy,” an institute member said on condition of anonymity. An undated photograph shows the logo of the Institute for National Defense and Security Research in Taipei. Several European nations have expressed an interest in learning from Taiwan’s experience in countering disinformation campaigns and cognitive warfare by Beijing, the member added. “European nations that maintain close ties with Washington cannot be indifferent to the situation.”

Taipower spokesman Chang Ting-shu (張廷舒) attributed the results to an annual increase in electricity consumption of 5.1 percent, far above what the company had anticipated. The Bureau of Energy had estimated that electricity use would increase 2.6 percent year-on-year, up from 2.1 percent last year. RISING LNG PRICESHowever, the surging price of liquefied natural gas (LNG) internationally has become “a burden” for the company. THE DROUGHTTaiwan Sugar Co (Taisugar, 台糖) reported net profit of NT$685 million, but Taiwan Water was in the red due to a drought earlier this year, the ministry’s State-owned Enterprise Commission said. As the drought affected farmers’ first and second rice harvests, Taiwan Water and the Water Resources Agency paid compensation of NT$1.22 billion each to the farmers, the commission said.

COVID-19: Recreation sites reopen, but few people going outSLOW START: Amusement parks reported about 100 visitors each, gyms said that attendance was sparse, while theaters are banking on ‘Black Widow’ for helpStaff writer, with CNAMovie theaters, sports centers, gyms, scenic spots and amusement parks across Taiwan reopened after two months yesterday as some COVID-19 restrictions were eased, but crowds generally stayed away. A worker disinfects a cycling machine as a woman exercises at a gym in Taipei yesterday. Moreover, Taoyuan and New Taipei City did not allow movie theaters to open. In Taichung, movie theaters and gyms reopened, although attendance was sparse. Three of Taiwan’s biggest amusement parks — Janfusun Fancyworld in Yunlin County, Lihpao Discovery Land in Taichung and Farglory Ocean Park in Hualien — said that about 100 visitors had entered each of their reopened parks as of noon.

Farmers in need of digital certificates, DPP legislators sayVIRTUAL WORLD: An online business account should be implemented as part of the farmer’s welfare card to help them source supplies, a legislator saidBy Pan Wan-hsin and Jonathan Chin / Staff reporter, with staff writerThe Council of Agriculture should implement digital certificates to help farmers buy materials and claim benefits, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislators said yesterday. The council should create QR codes as an addition to the farmer’s welfare card, which was introduced in January, Chung said. The council should also implement an online business account function as part of the farmer’s welfare card project that would help farmers source their supplies through online retailers, he added. The farmer’s welfare card should be used for more than proof of identity and managing food safety standards, DPP Legislator Kuo Kuo-wen (郭國文) said. The farmer’s welfare card should also incorporate other personal information, such as the farmer’s insurance, pension account and the status of subsidy payments, he said.

Number of quarterly ‘big players’ hits new record, showing market confidenceBy Kao Shih-ching / Staff reporterThe number of so-called “big investors” — those who trade more than NT$500 million (US$17.86 million) in local stocks in a single quarter — rose 88 percent in the second quarter to 5,990 investors, a record amount for a fifth consecutive quarter, data released by the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE) showed. The number of big investors, viewed as a gauge of investors’ confidence in the local stock market, has been hitting fresh highs since the 1,674 registered in the second quarter of last year. The number increased to 2,369 in the third quarter and 2,401 in the fourth quarter of last year, before climbing to 3,178 in the first quarter of this year. The total number of investors rose 13 percent quarterly to 4.44 million in the second quarter, the data showed. Turnover totaled NT$656.38 billion, with foreign institutional investors buying a net NT$22.95 billion of shares on the main board, TWSE data showed.