China may see full attack as best unification option: Pentagon
China may see full attack as best unification option: PentagonStaff writer, with CNABeijing could eventually see a full amphibious invasion of Taiwan as the only "prudent" way to bring about unification, the US Department of Defense said in a newly released annual report to Congress. Photo: ReutersThe report said Beijing is busy refining several military options to force unification with Taiwan, ranging from coercive actions short of war to a full-scale joint island landing campaign (JILC). A landing campaign involving a large-scale amphibious invasion of Taiwan would be the most decisive and riskiest option, the report said. Yet despite the risks and Beijing's preference for less dramatic options, "it is preparing for a JILC and could determine that it is the only prudent option for compelling unification," the report said. The three less dramatic options, also covered in last year’s report, were coercion short of war, a joint firepower strike campaign and a joint blockade campaign.
Source:Taipei Times
December 25, 2025 08:19 UTC
Taoyuan Airport Terminal 3 North Concourse opens today
Taoyuan Airport Terminal 3 North Concourse opens todayStaff writer, with CNAThe north concourse of Terminal 3 at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport has officially opened today. The Terminal 3 north concourse began trial operations on Dec. 1 and would enter full service today, according to Taoyuan International Airport Corp.As of Tuesday, a total of 247 takeoffs and landings had been recorded during the trial period, with passenger traffic reaching 55,452, airport authorities told CNA. The north concourse of Terminal 3 at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport will officially open on Thursday, airport authorities said Wednesday. Photo: CNAThe north concourse extends from Gate D10 at Terminal 2 and connects to Gates D11 through D18. Taoyuan International Airport Corp. held an international design competition in 2016, which was won by the internationally renowned British architectural firm RSHP.
Source:Taipei Times
December 25, 2025 07:49 UTC
Taiwan celebrates Christmas, kind of, once again after 25 years
Taiwan celebrates Christmas, kind of, once again after 25 yearsBloombergTaiwan is getting a day off on Christmas for the first time in 25 years. The change comes after opposition parties passed a law earlier this year to add or restore five public holidays, including Constitution Day, which falls on today, Dec. 25. Photo: APThe day marks the 1947 adoption of the constitution of the Republic of China, as the government in Taipei is formally known. As in many other parts of the world, Christmas in Taiwan is a popular cultural and commercial phenomenon. Friends gather for celebrations, and glitzy Taipei malls are bedecked in holiday cheer, replete with familiar Christmas music.
Source:Taipei Times
December 25, 2025 06:10 UTC
CWA warns of aftershocks following Taitung magnitude 6.1 quake
CWA warns of aftershocks following Taitung magnitude 6.1 quakeStaff writer, with CNAThe Central Weather Administration (CWA) yesterday warned of possible aftershocks following a magnitude 6.1 earthquake that struck Taitung County in the early evening, with tremors expected to reach 5.5 or higher over the next week. The quake hit at 5:47pm about 10.1km north of Taitung County Hall, at a depth of 11.9km, according to the CWA. A magnitude 6.1 earthquake strikes the Taitung area yesterday evening, leaving merchandise scattered across the floor of a supermarket. The quake was followed by several quakes that were over a magnitude of 4 earlier today, CWA data showed. The magnitude 6.1 earthquake yesterday was a shallow event triggered by the ongoing collision of the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate, Wu Chien-fu (吳健富), director of the CWA's Seismological Center, said at a press briefing.
Source:Taipei Times
December 25, 2025 06:05 UTC
CWA warns of chilly weather in northern Taiwan into tomorrow
CWA warns of chilly weather in northern Taiwan into tomorrowStaff writer, with CNAThe Central Weather Administration (CWA) today issued cold surge advisories for areas in northern Taiwan that will be in effect from this evening to tomorrow morning. Kaohsiung and Pingtung County may also see sporadic showers today, the CWA said. Temperatures would rebound slightly over the weekend, with highs reaching 20-23°C in northern Taiwan and 25-26°C in southern parts of Taiwan. At night and in the early morning, temperatures would hit lows of 10-12°C in the north, 12-13°C in central Taiwan and 15°C in the south, according to CWA data. Meanwhile, eastern Taiwan, areas north of Taoyuan, the Hengchun Peninsula and mountainous regions in central and southern Taiwan may experience sporadic showers, while other parts of Taiwan would see cloudy to sunny skies, the CWA forecast.
Source:Taipei Times
December 25, 2025 05:53 UTC
Taipei court lifts Ko Wen-je’s residence restrictions
Taipei court lifts Ko Wen-je’s residence restrictionsAPPEAL: The former Taipei mayor said he was already subject to digital surveillance and had appeared in court on time without any violations in the past three monthsStaff writer, with CNAThe Taipei District Court on Tuesday granted a request from former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) to lift a restriction on his place of residence while he remains under investigation in a corruption case. During the hearing on his suspected involvement in breach of trust and embezzling political donations, the former Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) chairman maintained his innocence. Former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je, front, left, attends a hearing at the Taipei District Court yesterday. His lawyers on Tuesday requested the lifting of the residence restriction to allow him to stay with his elderly mother in Hsinchu. Taking into account the stage of the court proceedings, the grounds for his request and the principle of proportionality, the court granted the request.
Source:Taipei Times
December 25, 2025 03:47 UTC
Forest boss is no Scrooge over Christmas dinner
Forest boss is no Scrooge over Christmas dinnerReutersNottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche on Tuesday said he would not be weighing his players when they return after Christmas, unlike his next opponents Manchester City’s manager Pep Guardiola, but he does expect them to use their common sense while digging into their festive dinner. I wonder ... one rule for one... Come on Pep,” Dyche said with a smile. “I don’t mind them having a Christmas dinner, why not? Sometimes, the psychology is as important as anything with athletes and within reason you want them to enjoy their Christmas Day,” Dyche said. “Get the bairns [children] on the knee, have a lager if you wish to, but be prepared,” Dyche said.
Source:Taipei Times
December 24, 2025 23:18 UTC
North Pole Express
Post office, driver’s license changes comingSHIPS, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES: The ministry has announced changes to varied transportation industries taking effect soon, with a number of effects for passengers Beginning next month, the post office is canceling signature upon delivery and written inquiry services for international registered small packets in accordance with the new policy of the Universal Postal Union, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications said yesterday. The new policy does not apply to packets that are to be delivered to China, the ministry said. Senders of international registered small packets would receive a NT$10 rebate on postage if the packets are sent from Jan. 1 to March 31, it added. The ministry said that three other policies are also scheduled to take effect next month. International cruise ship operatorsBy Shelley Shan
Source:Taipei Times
December 24, 2025 20:18 UTC
Arsenal reach League Cup semis in shoot-out
Arsenal reach League Cup semis in shoot-outAFP, LONDONKepa Arrizabalaga was Arsenal’s League Cup quarter-final hero on Tuesday with the decisive penalty shoot-out save that completed a miserable evening for Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix. Crystal Palace’s Jefferson Lerma, left, and Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze vie for the ball during their English League Cup quarter-final in London on Tuesday. It was a cathartic moment for the Spanish goalkeeper, who infamously refused to be substituted before Chelsea’s League Cup final penalty shoot-out defeat against Manchester City in 2018-2019. Kepa also missed a spot-kick in the Blues’ 2021-2022 League Cup final shoot-out loss to Liverpool. The north Londoners have only won the League Cup twice, with their last triumph coming in 1992-1993, before any of their current squad were born.
Source:Taipei Times
December 24, 2025 18:48 UTC
Health ministry policies to take effect in new year
Health ministry policies to take effect in new yearEXPANSION: The policies are to include an additional subsidy for low-income households, wider eligibility for long-term care services, and elderly care initiativesBy Lee I-chia / Staff reporterThe Ministry of Health and Welfare yesterday announced new health policies that would take effect next year, including a monthly subsidy increase of NT$1,000 (US$31.77) per month to low-income households, and the launching of the Long-Term Care 3.0 Program with expanded eligibility. The Ministry of Health and Welfare building in Taipei is pictured in an undated photograph. Photo: Chiu Chih-jou, Taipei TimesThe Department of Long-Term Care said the 10-year Long-Term Care 3.0 Program would be launched next month, and eligibility for the services would be expanded to include two more groups of people. The two groups are “individuals of any age with dementia and disability,” and “patients of the National Health Insurance Administration’s [NHIA] Post-acute Care Program that meet the criteria of Long-Term Care Level 2 or higher,” it said. The program is expected to improve long-term care accessibility and quality, and an estimated 745,000 people might use the services, it added.
Source:Taipei Times
December 24, 2025 16:55 UTC
Ready to shine
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
Source:Taipei Times
December 24, 2025 16:55 UTC
Broker fined over NT$10 mil for illegally charging migrant worker fees: MOL
Broker fined over NT$10 mil for illegally charging migrant worker fees: MOLStaff Writer, with CNAA labor broker has been fined more than NT$10 million (US$318,000) for illegally charging migrant workers job-placement fees, the highest penalty ever imposed in such a case, the Ministry of Labor (MOL) said yesterday. The broker illegally charged “multiple” migrant workers job-placement fees, over-collecting around NT$1 million in total under the guise of end-of-contract transfer or contract renewal fees, MOL official Su Yu-kuo (蘇裕國) said at a news conference in Taipei. Charging migrant workers job-placement fees, known locally as “job-buying fees,” falls outside the items permitted under the law, he said. So far this year, 10 brokers have been found to have illegally overcharged migrant workers and been fined by local governments, Su said. Urging brokers to comply with the law, Su also said migrant workers who are asked to pay job-placement fees when seeking to switch employers should call the ministry’s 1955 Hotline for advice or to file a complaint.
Source:Taipei Times
December 24, 2025 16:55 UTC
N Korean POWs seek ‘new life’ in South
N Korean POWs seek ‘new life’ in SouthDEFECTING VIA UKRAINE: Two North Korean soldiers wrote that with the support of the South Korean people, ‘new dreams and aspirations have begun to take root’AFP, SEOULTwo North Korean prisoners of war (POW) held by Ukraine have said they hope to start a “new life” in South Korea, a letter seen by reporters yesterday said. North Korea has sent thousands of troops to support Russia’s nearly four-year invasion of Ukraine, according to South Korean and Western intelligence agencies. At least 600 have died and thousands more have sustained injuries, according to South Korean estimates. North Korean soldiers are instructed to kill themselves rather than be taken prisoner, according to South Korea’s intelligence service. The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Ukraine not to “forcibly repatriate North Korean prisoners of war against their will” and has asked that their desire to go to the South be respected.
Source:Taipei Times
December 24, 2025 16:55 UTC
FSC is to update insurers’ rules to ease FX hedging
FSC is to update insurers’ rules to ease FX hedgingA REVAMP: Under current rules, short-term exchange-rate movements generate major volatility in reported earnings, even if they are unrealized, the FSC saidBloombergTaiwan is set to overhaul accounting rules to help life insurers ease the impact of foreign-exchange fluctuations on their financial statements, a move that is likely to save billions of dollars in currency hedging costs. Taiwanese insurers last month proposed changes to accounting rules that would allow exchange-rate fluctuations to be partially recognized over time, rather than having their full impact reflected immediately. The plan was estimated to save US$2.9 billion in annual hedging costs and reduce their reliance on offshore NT dollar forwards as a hedging tool. Insurers began reducing their currency hedging positions in the second half of the year. That underscores the high cost of hedging relative to its limited effectiveness, the FSC said.
Source:Taipei Times
December 24, 2025 16:55 UTC
US denies ex-EU commissioner visa
US denies ex-EU commissioner visaAFP, WASHINGTONThe US Department of State on Tuesday said that it would deny visas to a former EU commissioner and four others, accusing them of seeking to “coerce” US social media platforms into censoring viewpoints they oppose. “These radical activists and weaponized NGOs [non-governmental organizations] have advanced censorship crackdowns by foreign states — in each case targeting American speakers and American companies,” the department said in a statement announcing the sanctions. Then-European commissioner Thierry Breton attends an event at Sorbonne University in Paris on April 25 last year. The DSA stipulates that major platforms must explain content-moderation decisions, provide transparency for users and ensure researchers can carry out essential work, such as understanding how much children are exposed to dangerous content. The visa ban also targeted Imran Ahmed of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, a nonprofit that fights online hate, misinformation and disinformation that also fell in the crosshairs of Elon Musk after his takeover of Twitter, later renamed X.
Source:Taipei Times
December 24, 2025 16:55 UTC