Taiwan, Phoenix ink start-up MOU
Taiwan, Phoenix ink start-up MOUStaff writer, with CNATaiwan and Phoenix, Arizona, yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at expanding cooperation on start-up innovation in semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI) applications. The agreement, titled the “Taiwan-Phoenix Strategic Technology Partnership,” was signed by Startup Island Taiwan, the Industrial Technology Research Institute, Phoenix, the Greater Phoenix Economic Council and Tesoro VC. The MOU aims to help US start-ups connect with Taiwan’s semiconductor research and development (R&D) and manufacturing ecosystem, while supporting Taiwanese start-ups in using Phoenix as a foothold and launchpad to enter the US market, Startup Island Taiwan said. Startup Island Taiwan is a partnership between the government and a group of start-ups aimed at helping Taiwanese start-ups boost their international presence. The initiative is to focus on AI, semiconductors and advanced packaging, physical AI intelligent systems, advanced manufacturing, photonics, dual-use technologies, and AI-enabled healthcare applications, Startup Island Taiwan said.
Source:Taipei Times
January 15, 2026 16:05 UTC
Approved FDI up more than 44% in 2025 to US$11.39 billion
Approved FDI up more than 44% in 2025 to US$11.39 billionStaff writer, with CNAThe value of approved foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows to Taiwan last year reached US$11.39 billion, up 44.98 percent from the previous year, the Department of Investment Review said yesterday. A total of 1,296 new foreign-invested companies had investment in Taiwan approved last year, with the combined investment totaling about US$1.05 billion. As for foreign-bound investments by Taiwanese companies, the department said 69 outbound investment applications were approved in the final month of last year, with total investment of about US$2.13 billion. Last year as a whole, 817 projects were approved, with combined investment of about US$38.43 billion, down 14.47 percent from a year earlier. Investment by Taiwanese companies in China continued to decline, the department said, with 241 projects approved for all of last year putting up combined investment of about US $1.50 billion, down 58.98 percent from a year earlier.
Source:Taipei Times
January 15, 2026 16:05 UTC
Couplet creators
Interview: Trumpf expanding its Taiwan facilitiesSEMICONDUCTORS: The German laser and plasma generator company will expand its local services as its specialized offerings support Taiwan’s semiconductor industries Trumpf SE + Co KG, a global leader in supplying laser technology and plasma generators used in chip production, is expanding its investments in Taiwan in an effort to deeply integrate into the global semiconductor supply chain in the pursuit of growth. The company, headquartered in Ditzingen, Germany, has invested significantly in a newly inaugurated regional technical center for plasma generators in Taoyuan, its latest expansion in Taiwan after being engaged in various industries for more than 25 years. The center, the first of its kind Trumpf built outside Germany, aims to serve customers from Taiwan, Japan, Southeast Asia and South Korea,By Lisa Wang
Source:Taipei Times
January 15, 2026 16:05 UTC
Plum blossoms in Taitung County's Luanshan hit by typhoon damage
Plum blossoms in Taitung County's Luanshan hit by typhoon damageStaff writer, with CNAPlum blossoms are flowering unevenly in Taitung County's Luanshan (鸞山) area because of last year's typhoon damage combined with the area's hilly terrain, an agricultural association official said yesterday. Plum trees that were not hit by strong winds have bloomed normally, while affected trees are flowering later because their newly grown trunks remain tender, said Ho Chieh-chen (何介臣), a standing committee member of the Taitung Organic Agriculture Development Association. Plum blossoms usually flower about one month before the Lunar New Year and this year's season is expected to wind down by early next month, said Ho, who is also a plum farmer. Plum blossoms flower unevenly in Taitung County yesterday. Typhoon damage has also caused a disrupted flowering cycle, with some trees bearing blooming and non-blooming branches at the same time, he said.
Source:Taipei Times
January 15, 2026 13:25 UTC
Investigation into Taipei attack closes, no charges made
Investigation into Taipei attack closes, no charges madeBy Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNAThe Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office today said it has completed its investigation into last month’s stabbing attack at Taipei Main Station and would not press any charges, as the main culprit is dead and is believed to have acted alone. The Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office today holds a news conference announcing that it would not press charges after last month’s Taipei stabbing attack. Following the incident, the Taiwan High Prosecutors’ Office instructed district prosecutors’ offices nationwide to specifically handle cases involving online threats, public transportation and public spaces, and to initiate reporting and response measures, they said. As of yesterday, prosecutors’ offices nationwide had investigated 51 related cases, with no evidence linking them to Chang or the Taipei attack, they said. Separately, the Taoyuan District Prosecutors’ Office announced that it has concluded its investigation into Chang on suspicion of contravening the Punishment Act for Violation to Military Service System (妨害兵役治罪條例).
Source:Taipei Times
January 15, 2026 09:41 UTC
Prosecutors seek to hold mayor incommunicado after deadly flood
Prosecutors seek to hold mayor incommunicado after deadly floodBy Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNAHualien County prosecutors have asked to hold Guangfu Township (光復) Mayor Lin Ching-shui (林清水) incommunicado on suspicion of negligence in evacuation duties during last year’s Mataian River (馬太鞍溪) flood, which left 19 dead and five missing. The Hualien District Prosecutors’ Office yesterday searched eight locations, including Lin’s home and the township office, summoning Lin and three others for questioning. Guangfu Township Mayor Lin Ching-shui is pictured in an undated photograph. Photo: Taipei Times file photoLin’s detention is necessary because he poses a risk of colluding with accomplices and witnesses, prosecutors said. Many agencies were involved with the Mataian River disaster, which involved monitoring, alerts, dredging and evacuations, prosecutors said, adding that they would not rule out further searches and questioning.
Source:Taipei Times
January 15, 2026 08:06 UTC
More US arms sales in the pipeline, vice defense minister says
More US arms sales in the pipeline, vice defense minister saysReporting by Ben Blanchard and Jeanny Kao / Reuters, TAIPEIMore US arms sales to Taiwan are in the pipeline, with four deals pending notification to the US Congress, Vice Minister of National Defense Hsu Szu-chien (徐斯儉) said today, following the announcement of a US$11 billion package last month, the largest ever for the nation. The US is Taiwan's most important international backer and arms supplier, despite a lack of formal diplomatic ties. The arms sales announced last month cover eight items, including Lockheed Martin High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and Altius loitering munition drones. Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo (顧立雄) would give lawmakers a confidential briefing on Monday next week, and the ministry is happy to share more details, Hsu said. Taiwan has to spend more given the threat, Hsu said.
Source:Taipei Times
January 15, 2026 07:15 UTC
DPP’s Chen Ting-fei to run for Tainan mayor
DPP’s Chen Ting-fei to run for Tainan mayorBy Chen Cheng-yu, Hung Jui-chin and Fion Khan / Staff reporters, with staff writer and CNADemocratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Chen Ting-fei (陳亭妃) is set to be nominated by her party as its Tainan mayoral candidate after winning the party's primary. The DPP today announced the results of its telephone poll for the Tainan mayoral primary, with Chen defeating fellow DPP Legislator Lin Chun-hsien (林俊憲) by more than 2 percentage points. Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Chen Ting-fei campaigns in Tainan yesterday. Born in Tainan, Chen, 51, has served three terms as a Tainan city councilor and five consecutive terms as a legislator. Chen lost to Huang in the DPP's Tainan mayoral primary in 2018, marking her first electoral defeat.
Source:Taipei Times
January 15, 2026 06:45 UTC
Taiwan signals tariff deal with US could come soon
Taiwan signals tariff deal with US could come soonBy Ben Blanchard, Trevor Hunnicutt and Dagmarah Mackos / Reuters, TAIPEI and WASHINGTONTaiwan today signaled that a tariff deal with the US could come soon, after its negotiators left for the latest round of talks with Washington, saying both sides are expected to announce where they have reached a "consensus." Taiwan, a global semiconductor powerhouse, has been in talks with the US to get the tariff on its exports cut from 20 to 15 percent. Two people familiar with the matter said an announcement on the tariffs deal could come by the end of the month. Under the deal, it is expected that chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) would commit to building more facilities in Arizona, one of the people said. Regarding that new order, Taiwan has previously held multiple discussions with the US and reached a consensus on preferential tariff treatment for semiconductors and related products, the statement said.
Source:Taipei Times
January 15, 2026 05:35 UTC
Black box of missing F-16V located
Black box of missing F-16V locatedStaff writer, with CNAThe flight data recorder of an F-16V fighter jet that last week disappeared off eastern Taiwan has been located, the air force said today, adding that it would soon deploy a salvage team to try to retrieve it. Although the location of the flight data recorder, also known as the black box, had been pinned down, the aircraft's sole pilot, air force Captain Hsin Po-yi (辛柏毅), was still missing, the Air Force Command Headquarters said in a statement. Without providing details, the air force said that it had located the black box days after detecting some intermittent signals and would engage a team of professionals to retrieve it. Members of the Coast Guard Administration search for missing air force Captain Hsin Po-yi in an undated photograph. The air force subsequently set up an emergency response center and launched a search-and-rescue operation, but has not yet been able to find Hsin or the aircraft.
Source:Taipei Times
January 15, 2026 04:53 UTC
SPEAK UP: Bloomberg : Taipei among the world’s top 25 travel destinations (1/2) 台北入選全球25個旅遊熱點（上）
SPEAK UP: Bloomberg : Taipei among the world’s top 25 travel destinations (1/2) 台北入選全球25個旅遊熱點（上）A: Bloomberg just released its annual travel guide, titled “25 Best Places to Travel in 2026.” What were the best Asian destinations? B: There were actually six Asian hotspots: Taiwan’s Taipei, Malaysia’s Penang, Kazakhstan’s Almaty, Indonesia’s Rote Island, India’s Tiger Reserves, and Oman. A: With its mix of traditional food and modern culinary, Taipei has become a rising food capital in Asia. Taipei restaurant Din Tai Fung’s “xiaolongbao.” 台北的「鼎泰豐」小籠包。 Photo: Liberty Times 照片：自由時報B: As Bloomberg reported, “Taiwan is a place that bubbles up in culinary conversation because of its famed beverage, bubble tea, and its early adoption of modern night markets.”A: And Din Tai Fung has now conquered the world with its “xiaolongbao.” Did Bloomberg recommend any local restaurants? A: 彭博旅遊指南公布了《2026年全球25個最佳旅遊地點》，亞洲有哪些地點上榜？B: 亞洲有6個唷，他們是：台灣台北、馬來西亞檳城、哈薩克阿拉木圖、印尼羅特島、印度老虎保護區國家公園、阿曼王國。A: 台北兼具了各類傳統美食與現代餐飲文化，現在已是許多遊客心目中的亞洲美食之都！B: 報導說：「台灣因其知名的珍奶，並打造現代夜市文化，在美食圈中嶄露頭角。」A: 台北的「鼎泰豐」小籠包更是征服全球，彭博有推薦什麼本地餐廳嗎？（By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張迪）
Source:Taipei Times
January 14, 2026 21:48 UTC
Building a sustainable birthrate
Building a sustainable birthrateBy Tsai Yu-te 蔡育德Taiwan’s low birthrate is no longer an abstract statistical concern, but an unfolding structural crisis. Any form of reproduction that departs from traditional family models is often scrutinized, and questioned on matters of ethics and social consensus. The international reality is that many countries recognized for their commitment to human rights and the rule of law have long permitted surrogacy under a closely regulated system. Unless a particular reproductive method clearly violates human rights or public morals, the state and society should approach it with cautious recognition rather than instinctive rejection. Only by doing so can Taiwan build a truly healthy and sustainable future.
Source:Taipei Times
January 14, 2026 17:27 UTC
The warning to Beijing from Iran
The warning to Beijing from IranBy Simon Tang 湯先鈍As the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) races toward its 2027 modernization goals, most analysts fixate on ship counts, missile ranges and artificial intelligence. That lesson has renewed relevance as fresh unrest shakes Iran today — and it should command close attention in Washington and Taipei. Psychological resistance quickly overwhelmed institutional discipline. Two features stand out:First, ideological loyalty over national loyalty. Ideological loyalty is not infinitely renewable.
Source:Taipei Times
January 14, 2026 17:27 UTC
EDITORIAL: Expanding domestic arms production
EDITORIAL: Expanding domestic arms productionTaiwan and the US plan to jointly produce 155mm artillery shells to meet growing demand, Armaments Bureau Director-General Lieutenant General Lin Wen-hsiang (林文祥) said on Monday. Domestic production would facilitate such an arrangement and improve Taiwan’s resilience against a potential blockade. Doing so could open the door to compromise over spending priorities, and to a substantive discussion of whether domestic munitions production is economically viable and in Taiwan’s long-term interest. Joint munitions production with the US could significantly improve Taiwan’s defense self-reliance. The ruling and opposition parties should engage seriously on the issue, weighing the long-term economic and security benefits to the nation.
Source:Taipei Times
January 14, 2026 17:27 UTC
Viral ‘Are You Dead?’ app to change its name
Viral ‘Are You Dead?’ app to change its nameAFP and Reuters, BEIJING and HONG KONGThe Chinese mobile app “Are You Dead?” that sounds an alarm if a user does not check in every 48 hours has announced it will drop its catchy name for a global audience and introduce a subscription fee, after drawing international media attention. It rose to the top of paid app rankings on Apple’s App Store in China, prompting widespread media coverage among Chinese and foreign media. The app — whose Mandarin name Sileme (死了麼) translates to “are you dead?” — is “a lightweight safety tool created for solo dwellers” from students to officer workers or “anyone choosing a solitary lifestyle,” its development team says. A person holds a cellphone displaying the Demumu app, a Chinese safety tool designed for people living alone, in a photograph taken yesterday. Demumu on the App Store was already charging HK$8 (US$1.03) to download the app.
Source:Taipei Times
January 14, 2026 17:27 UTC