Apple phone shipments jump in China after slumpBloombergApple Inc reclaimed the top spot in China after iPhone shipments jumped 28 percent year-on-year during the holiday quarter despite a memorychip shortage, according to Counterpoint Research. The iPhone 17 series of devices drew consumers, with Apple’s handsets accounting for one in every five shipments in the December quarter, the research firm estimated. Overall, shipments in the world’s largest smartphone arena fell 1.6 percent from a year earlier during the final quarter of last year. A woman uses her smartphone inside the Apple store in Beijing`s Sanlitun area as the new iPhone 17 series smartphones go on sale in Beijing, China September 19, 2025. One blemish on its record was the novel iPhone Air, which launched later in China than elsewhere and sold poorly.

Chinese economy sees slowest growth in decadesAFP, BEIJINGChina’s economy grew at one of the slowest rates in decades last year, according to official data released Monday, as officials struggle to overcome persistently low consumer spending and a debt crisis in the country’s property sector. In quarterly terms, the economy grew 1.2 percent in October to December. China`s economy grew at one of the slowest rates in decades last year, according to official data. “The gradual implementation of policies to clear unreasonable restrictions in the consumption sector will support consumption growth,” he said. Official data showed Chinese exports to the US plunged 20 percent last year, but that had little impact on demand for Chinese products elsewhere.

IMF lifts 2026 global growth forecast but flags AI, trade risksAFP, WASHINGTON, United StatesThe IMF yesterday upgraded its global growth forecast for this year, citing a boost from tech investments but warning that a reevaluation of artificial intelligence (AI) productivity gains or renewed trade tensions could bring disruptions. World economic growth is projected to hold steady at 3.3 percent this year, the IMF said, raising its forecast by 0.2 percentage points from October last year. The strikedown of some duties would “inject another dose of trade policy uncertainty into the global economy,” Gourinchas added. Besides trade, the AI boom pushing the global economy forward comes with its own risks, Gourinchas said. Most of the upward revision in global growth this time was accounted for by the US and China, the IMF said.

Economic outlook rosy with AI boom and tariff fixTICKING ALONG: Global demand for what Taiwan offers and eased tariff tensions have the economic outlook for this year looking strong, economic researchers saidBy Crystal Hsu / Staff reporterTaiwan’s economy is projected to expand 4.14 percent this year, driven by strong global demand for artificial intelligence (AI) hardware that continues to boost exports and imports, the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER, 中經院) said yesterday. “The forecast does not yet account for the recently concluded Taiwan-US tariff negotiations, which are expected to have a positive impact on traditional industries, technology and investment,” Lien said. Chunghua Institution for Economic Research president Lien Hsien-ming speaks to reporters in Taipei on Sept. 2, 2024. Exports are forecast to reach US$760.8 billion, an 18.75 percent increase from last year’s record high, providing solid support for economic growth, CIER researcher Peng Su-ling (彭素玲) said. Cathay United Bank Co’s (國泰世華銀行) chief economist Lin Chi-chao (林啟超) said the growth outlook could rise as export momentum in the electronics sector grows.

Chinese cargo ship retrofitted with weapons systems sets sailBy Hollie Younger / Staff writerA large Chinese merchant vessel equipped with weapons systems has been spotted departing port and is possibly set to conduct testing, military expert Wang Chen-ming (王臻明) said today on Facebook. The Zhongda 79 (中達79) civilian container ship has reportedly been fitted with weapons systems, including vertical launching systems, four close-in weapon systems (CIWS) and decoy launchers, he said. The “military-civil fusion” strategy of disguising weapons systems within standard shipping containers is a “gray zone” warfare tactic to complicate targeting decisions for Beijing’s opponents, a TechTimes report said. Armaments included a system resembling a loyal wingman — an artificial intelligence-controlled uncrewed aerial vehicle designed to fly alongside crewed fighter jets — and an electromagnetic aircraft launch system used to launch aircraft from the deck of naval aircraft carriers, Wang said. However, only live-fire tests would prove whether the onboard weapons systems are fully operational, he added.

Researchers develop membrane that can generate power, clean waterBy Sam Garcia / Staff writer, with CNAA research team at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST) has developed a thin membrane dubbed the “black magic carpet” that uses solar and wave energy to generate electricity and purify water. A research team from National Taiwan University of Science and Technology pose with their invention in an undated photograph. The multifunctional graphene membrane can evaporate water with solar energy, generate electricity, degrade pollutants and clean itself, Hung said. When exposed to sunlight, the membrane converts seawater into clean water through evaporation and desalination, Hung said. Meanwhile, waves or wind trigger its piezoelectric structure to generate electricity, allowing it to supply both water and power in remote, offshore or drought-prone areas, he added.

Taipei lottery winner hangs up call over scam concernBy Tsai Kai-heng and Hollie Younger / Staff reporter, with staff writerThe Taipei City Government today announced the winner of a lucky draw for a share in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), but the winner hung up the call, thinking it was a scam. Taipei residents “have great anti-fraud awareness,” Taipei Department of Economic Development Commissioner Chen Chun-an (陳俊安) said, adding that the winner would be contacted via other channels. The “shop in Taipei and win big” (來台北有購嗨) campaign has been running since Nov. 11. Taipei City Government officials announce the winner of a Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co share at an event in the city today. Photo: Tsai Kai-heng, Taipei TimesTaipei residents who spend NT$200 in Taipei and register their purchase are eligible for a lottery draw to win flights, TSMC stock and cash prizes, the department said.

Chinese spouse’s residency revoked over pro-China statementsBy Wang Kuan-jen and Sam Garcia / Staff reporter, with staff writerChinese spouse and influencer Guan Guan’s (關關) residency permit has been revoked for repeatedly posting pro-China videos that threaten national security, the National Immigration Agency confirmed today. The agency last year received multiple reports alleging that Guan Guan had advocated for armed reunification. Chinese spouse and influencer Guan Guan’s Douyin page is pictured today. Guan Guan reportedly left Taiwan on Friday last week. In related news, another Chinese spouse recently complained online about how hard it is to write traditional Chinese characters, saying she hopes for reunification soon so that her child can write simplified characters instead.

Cho praises trade team’s achievements upon returnStaff writer, with CNAPremier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) today greeted the government's trade negotiation team on their arrival at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, commending them for the tariff reduction and investment agreements reached with the US. Premier Cho Jung-tai, left, receives Taiwan's trade negotiation team at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport this morning after their return from Washington. Photo: Chu Pei-hsiung, Taipei TimesCheng said the trade agreement proved that "the hard work of Taiwanese, along with Taiwan's technology and industries, had become a key force in the world," and showed that the world "needs Taiwan." That implies that TSMC's US$65 billion investment to build three advanced wafer fabs in Arizona, prior to Trump's return to office last year, was not included in the US$250 billion figure. The terms of the agreement would be signed in the coming weeks as part of a formal trade pact, which would require approval by Taiwan's legislature.

Hospital suspends doctors after video shows vendor taking part in surgeryStaff writer, with CNATaichung Veterans General Hospital (TVGH) yesterday suspended three doctors from performing surgeries after video footage from July 2023 surfaced allegedly showing a medical-device vendor handling part of an operation. The hospital said it would fully cooperate with investigations by prosecutors and health authorities, adding that any illegal conduct would be dealt with in accordance with the law. Photo: Tang Shih-ming, Taipei TimesThe case involves allegations earlier this month that a medical-device vendor was allowed to enter multiple operating rooms and take part in procedures. TVGH has acknowledged that three physicians permitted a vendor to enter operating rooms without proper reporting, but said an internal review found no evidence the vendor participated in operations. Local health authorities could launch an investigation if the hospital's earlier report is found to be incomplete, he added.

Sunday Yilan quake an independent event: CWAStaff writer, with CNAThe Central Weather Administration (CWA) said a magnitude 4.9 earthquake that struck off the coast of eastern Taiwan yesterday was an independent event and part of a stress-adjustment process. The earthquake occurred at 4:47pm, with its epicenter at sea about 45.4km south of Yilan County Hall at a depth of 5.9km, the CWA said. The peak ground acceleration felt during a magnitude 4.9 earthquake at 4:47pm yesterday is pictured in a graphic. Since 1973, there have been 20 earthquakes of magnitude 5.5 or higher within a 20km radius of the epicenter of yesterday's magnitude 4.9 quake, including a magnitude 6 event on May 10, 2024, he added. Wu said earthquakes occurring in basins are typically shallow, citing the Friday and early Sunday quakes, which had depths of about 10km or less.

The command said it has added a new air-defense company under the 228th Battalion stationed in Taipei’s Shilin District (士林) for the purpose. The unit — its only artillery unit — has been equipped with Stinger anti-air missiles and anti-tank Javelin systems, it added. Military personnel take part in an exercise at a metro station in Taipei on July 14 last year. “Deploying short-range, man-portable Stinger missiles enhances mobile air defense, while Javelin missiles can counter Chinese Communist Party landing craft attempting surprise assaults at the Tamsui River estuary,” he said. For example, Washington has the National Capital Region Air Defense, with rotating deployments of air defense artillery regiments, he said.

Initial concerns that school lunch programs would divert resources from other education and welfare initiatives were short-lived, as local governments quickly shifted their support toward the initiative. Some parents’ groups have said the program could affect school lunch quality or deepen disparity among regions. Their concerns are not unfounded, as local governments have different financial capacities and conditions, and the average cost of school lunches varies between regions. Now that local governments are fully funding school lunch programs, it is uncertain whether they would require catering companies to continue meeting the 3L1Q standard when sourcing ingredients. Some specialists have said that, unlike Japan and South Korea, Taiwan does not have a dedicated law regulating school lunch standards, such as on nutrition, the proportion of locally sourced ingredients and a dietitian-to-student ratio.

Taiwanese passports are pictured in an undated photograph. Investigators believe that gangs exploit the visa-free access Taiwanese passports provide to 139 countries and territories, selling them at premium prices to clients who treat the documents as “invisibility cloaks” for unrestricted international travel. Ho would pay NT$17,000 per passport upon receiving them, while the human-smuggling ring resold each document to Chinese buyers for about 10,000 euros (US$11,597). Cheng and Lai were sentenced to two years, and two years and two months respectively for participating in a criminal organization, trading passports and using passports to offset debts. Shen was sentenced to one year and four months for trading passports.

Ryan Hass on Taiwan: Five Questions for 2026-As the new year dawns, Taiwan faces a range of external uncertainties that could impact the safety and prosperity of its people and reverberate in its politics. Taiwan’s economy grew over 7 percent and set records for exports, imports, and trade surplus. President Trump and President Xi Jinping (習近平) agreed at their October 30, 2025, meeting in South Korea to call a truce on their trade war for one year. WILL CHINA’S ECONOMY WOBBLE IN 2026? These five questions represent some of the major external issues that could impact Taiwan’s economy and security.