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

anal probe for COVID-19
Health and Safety 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ,

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 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , ,

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 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ,

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 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ,

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 
Phillip Charlier 3 Comments , ,

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 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment

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 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ,

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 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ,

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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Xi Jinping awkwardly takes praise for his “Toilet Revolution” policy

Xi Jinping at plenary session of national people's congress, March 2021
International 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , ,

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, Xi Jinping appeared to squirm a little embarrassedly when a representative heaped praise on the paramount leader for his thoughtful “Toilet Revolution” policy, at the fourth session of the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC), yesterday, Monday, March 8. Xi was attending a forum for deputies of the National People’s Congress when a female representative made flattering remarks about the policy, perhaps unaware of the controversies that have hounded implementation of the grand

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Gangster fires on cops in Wanhua District, Taipei City

police officers retrain and arrest armed suspect
Violent Crimes 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , ,

A gangster with a history of firearms offences fired one shot at police in an attempt to evade arrest after being ambushed in Wanhua District, Taipei City today, March 7. Banqiao District police went to Wanhua District to arrest the 47-year-old Four Seas Gang member, named Chen, after receiving intelligence that he would be visiting friends at noon today. Nine police officers, in plain clothes, positioned themselves around a building on the corner of Xining South Road and Kaifeng Street.

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Taiwan, Palau close to opening travel bubble MOFA and CDC confirm

Palau
Travel and Tourism 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), and the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) have confirmed that tourism travel will soon be possible between Palau and Taiwan. Various media outlets are quoting tourism industry sources saying that President Surangel Whipps Jr will visit Taiwan to make the announcement March 15. MOFA confirmed today, March 7 that it welcomes the President of Palau to visit Taiwan after the launch of the “safe travel circle,” but refused to confirm date for the visit.

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