Author: Phillip Charlier

5 dead, 40 injured in bus crash on Suhua Highway

bus crash on Suhua Highway
Traffic Accidents 
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Five people died and 40 were injured after a tour bus crashed on the Su’ao to Hualian Highway (Highway 9) near Su’ao, Yilan County this afternoon, March 16. Emergency services received reports of the bus crash at the 115 kilometer south mark at 4:29 pm. Firefighters and paramedics were dispatched from stations in Su’ao, Nan’ao, and Guanyin Townships. Civilian ambulances were also dispatched from from St Mary’s Hospital in Luodong, along with surgeons and nurses. According to United Daily News,

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Taiwanese factory in Myanmar caught up in anti-China protest

factory on fire in Myanmar
International 
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Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Taiwanese enterprises in Myanmar to hang up the national flag and signs in Burmese to avoid being misidentified as Chinese after a Taiwanese shoe factory was caught up in protests last night, March 14. Ten Taiwanese staff were trapped in the Tsang Yih Company’s shoe factory in the Hlaing Tharyar Industrial Zone in Yangon while a nearby Chinese-owned factory burned. Protestors anger turned toward Chinese enterprises, as China is viewed as being supportive of

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Japanese foodie music group releases song promoting Taiwan pineapples following China import ban

Japanese group Lunch Duty Taiwan pineapple song
International Relations 
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A Japanese musical group with a focus on food has released a song to support Taiwanese farmers after China banned the import of pineapples from Taiwan earlier this month. The band Kyu Shoku Tou Ban (給食当番) produced the song after seeing news reports about the plight of Taiwanese pineapple farmers facing a sudden ban on their product in China, which normally fills more than 90% of Taiwan’s pineapple export demand. China announced that it would temporarily stop imports of Taiwanese

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Rumors afoot that Beijing is backing down on anal probes for COVID-19

anal probe for COVID-19
Health and Safety 
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Chinese language media outlets in Taiwan and other Chinese speaking communities outside of China are saying that people arriving in Beijing will no longer be subjected to anal probing for the “novel coronavirus” COVID-19, but there is no guarantee that foreigners will be exempt. Beijing authorities instigated anal swab testing in late January, ahead of the annual Lunar New Year Holidays. The Washington Post said at the time that “Some Chinese doctors say the science is there.” Fortunately, that meme

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Special Ops forces practice urban warfare drills on 505 kilometer long march

troops in urban combat operations
Military Affairs 
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Army Special Operations Command is currently conducting urban tactical exercises in northern Taiwan as part of a 21-day, 505-kilometer tactical mission march training that began on March 9. Special warfare officers and troops in full combat gear, and armed with T91 rifles and machine guns were seen around Tamsui Zhuwei MRT station, and along the Tamsui Riverside bike way this morning, March 13. ROC Army Aviation and Special Forces Command said that this is part of an annual routine tactical

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1.6 million packs of contraband cigarettes seized from cargo ship intercepted near Dongsha Island

Tong Hang Number 6 intercepted by Coast Guard
Business and Economy 
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Coast Guard and customs officials have seized 1.6 million packs of contraband cigarettes from a Togo-flagged cargo vessel that was intercepted near Dongsha Island March 6. Coast Guard officers intercepted the ship after receiving intelligence that the 2,000 ton aggregates carrier TONG HANG No. 6 bound for Taiwan from Cambodia was carrying cigarettes manufactured in China. After intercepting the vessel on March 6, the Coast Guard escorted the ship to the Port of Kaohsiung. After arriving on March 9, customs

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Hundreds of students suffer suspected food poisoning at Pingtung County high school

students report to hospital after suspected food poisoning
Health and Safety 
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More than 200 students have taken sick leave today, and 164 have reported to hospitals for treatment after a suspected food poisoning outbreak at a high school in Pingtung County yesterday, March 11. Students from Donggang High School began suffering symptoms such as stomach pains, vomiting, and diarrhea after the school-provided lunch yesterday, and began reporting to hospitals from late afternoon into the early hours of the morning. Of the approximately 2,000 students enrolled at the school, 231 students took

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Taiwan to reduce sentences for growing marijuana for own use after constitutional ruling

cannabis seedlings in pots
Society 
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The penalty for growing marijuana for one’s own use will be reduced from the current minimum of five years in prison, after the Judicial Yuan deemed such sentences unconstitutional based on the principle of proportionality. The ruling was made March 20 last year, and lawmakers were given one year to make amendments to the law. Amendments to the Drug Harm Prevention and Control Regulations will be sent to the Executive Yuan for discussion tomorrow, March 11, according to reports in

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Orwellian vibe: China’s Foreign Minister takes to the big screen to lord it over the little people

Wang Yi press conference
International 
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China’s State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi took to the big screen, rather than the usual podium to speak to the media, yesterday, in a scene reminiscent of George Orwell’s 1984. The 3:00 pm press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing was held “in line with COVID-19 containment measures,” according to official speak. China’s Foreign Minister appeared larger-than-life on multiple screens at the venue, spookily akin to Orwell’s fictional character “Big Brother.” The biggest highlight

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Acer’s February revenue up 80.9% year-on-year

Taiwan Excellence pavilion
Business and Economy 
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Strong demand for computers has seen Taiwan ICT giant Acer (TWSE:2353) rack up NT$20.32 billion (US$718.06 million) in consolidated revenue for February, 2021, up 80.9% from the same time last year, the company announced today, March 9. Cumulative revenue for the first two months of the year was NT$43.813 billion, a year-on-year increase of 76.8%. Acer reported that its e-sports product revenue in February increased 91.3% year-on-year, while Chromebook revenue increased by 631.3%. Earnings from desktops were up 34.3% from

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Taiwan February exports hit a new high, 9.7% up from last year

Taiwan chips and companies supplied
Business and Economy 
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Taiwan’s Ministry of Finance announced export figures for February today, March 9, showing that exports totaled US$27.29 billion, up 9.7% from the same time last year. The announcement marks the eight consecutive months of positive economic growth. Cumulative exports for the first two months of 2021 reached US$62.06 billion, a year-on-year increase of 23.2%. According to the Ministry of Finance, continued demand for tech products, including chips and panels, laptops, which expanded 68% last month contributed to overall increase in

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