The Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) say they've agreed to collaborate in January's election to maximize the number of seats in the Legislative Yuan (LY) and to avoid what they're calling "one-party democratic rule" by the DPP.

National Development Council Minister Paul Liu says companies are concerned about the unclear wording of the recently passed parliamentary reform bills granting the Legislature power to demand corporations share information when asked.

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) says the government has signed contracts with two domestic companies to purchase a total of 10 million coronavirus vaccine doses.

Significant developments over the past month: Constitutional Court rules on Legislative Yuan powers as well as the death penalty, China reacts to President Lai's comments about cross-straits relations, Taiwan People's Party Chairman Ko Wen-je remains detained in corruption investigation, Taiwan former president's travel, and more…

By Ross Darrell Feingold

The price of prime residential properties in Taipei has climbed almost 19% in the third quarter of the year - and that sees the city ranking in 7th place globally - that according to the latest Prime Global Cities Index.

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) says the face mask mandate will remain in place through to the end of July, due to the current domestic coronavirus situation and the rising number of imported cases of the newest Omicron subvariants

The Ministry of Economic Affairs announced that the government will continue to requisition eight million surgical face masks per day until the end of July, despite the coronavirus situation easing off here in Taiwan.

Lawmakers have passed all amendments to the Law Governing the Legislature's Power and voted to amend the Criminal Code to subject those found in contempt of the Legislature to criminal proceedings.

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) says it will be updating coronavirus data on a weekly basis from tomorrow, as infections over the past month have shown a steady decline.

The Legislative Yuan (LY) has passed a resolution proposed by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to decommission Taichung Power Plant's coal-fired generators by 2035, and to preserve the generators in the event of a national security emergency.

President-elect Lai Ching-te says he will convene an annual health symposium on 27 April to assess the progress in implementing healthcare policies.

Academics are seeking to explain why the referendum on lowering the voting age to 18 failed to pass on Saturday.

Thousands of protesters are expected to fill the streets adjacent to the Legislative Yuan once again today, as lawmakers resume reviewing a package of parliamentary reform bills.

The Centers for Disease Control says the number of serious coronavirus infections fell slightly week-on-week, but continues on a plateau that has lasted for much of this month.

Taiwan risks missing out on the burgeoning business of family offices. What can be learnt from Singapore and Hong Kong?

By Paul Shelton

Taiwan's system for childcare leave is getting some updates.

The Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) 2024 presidential candidate, Lai Ching-te is overseeing the opening of 'unofficial' campaign offices to help the party garner support ahead of next January's election.

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) says the number of domestic coronavirusinfections dropped last week for the first time in over a month, falling by 3% from a week earlier.

The Legislative Yuan has approved the cabinet's request to extend the special Covid-19 relief act and budget by a year

The National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) says it will be making changes to co-payment schemes beginning on 1 July.

The government's new housing market schemes will be taking effect early next month.

Taiwan's first domestically built submarine prototype will begin underwater testing after it launches later this week.

Near-final results show a party with neo-fascist roots, the Brothers of Italy, has swept Italy's national elections.

The government says the number of "make-up" work days is being cut to just one next year, while the number of long weekends will be reduced to four from this year's seven.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) says there are currently no plans to allow elementary and junior high school students to have an early summer vacation

Former Chief of the General Staff Lee Xi-min says he believes the chief of the general staff should not be questioned by lawmakers, as such a move could interfere with the training and command of the military.

The Environmental Protection Administration says packaging materials used by online retailers will no longer be allowed to contain PVC from 1 July.

The Ministry of Transport says it has received no applications from airlines to operate additional passenger flights from China to Taiwan over the Lunar New Year holiday.

Pupils all across Taiwan returned to school yesterday following a mandatory three week extension of their Chinese New Year holidays as a precautionary measure in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak.

The Ministry of Labor set this year's Equal Pay Day on 21 February, two days earlier than last year, based on estimates that women needed to work that far into the year to earn the same amount that men did last year.

The ECCT's Family Friendly Alliance (FFA) hosted its annual summit for the second consecutive year with the theme Population & Talent Sustainability Best Practices.

Tai-Power says its supply system flashed a "yellow" warning light due to high demand on Monday, after a coal-fired generator in Taichung suffered a breakdown.

Taiwan's Legislative Yuan (LY) has passed a bill authorising a series of measures aimed at supporting businesses and workers in Taiwan affected by the 2019 novel coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak. The Special Act on COVID-19 Prevention, Relief and Restoration was shortly afterwards signed into law by President Tsai Ing-wen. The act authorises the use of NT$60 billion (US$1.9 billion). Implementation is backdated to activities starting from 15 January this year and will end on 30 June next year.

Taiwan's opposition parties are criticising President Lai Ching-te's plan to seek a ruling from the Constitutional Court on the recently passed legislative reform amendments despite signing them into law.

Authorities in Italy have imposed strict quarantine restrictions in the two northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto, close to Milan and Venice, following a large coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.

The government says the island's unemployment rate fell from a month earlier in July as the local job market has now stabilised.

Taiwan's official unemployment rate reached 4% in July, according to the monthly Manpower Survey Results report by the Directorate General of Budget Accounting & Statistics (DGBAS).

The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) says it will review electricity rates next Monday

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) today announced that the current coronavirus alert level (Level 3) will be extended for an additional two weeks until 12 July.

Premier Su Tseng-chang has blamed the opposition KMT for DPP lawmakers' forcing the 2022 general budgetary plan through the legislative assembly yesterday

Taiwan's total export orders came in at US$54.3 billion in July 2022, representing a decrease of 1.9% compared with the same month in 2021

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) has raised the weekly cap of 40,000 arrivals to 50,000 with immediate effect

The island's unemployment rate fell slightly in March to stand at 3.38%.

Significant developments over the past month in Taiwan's domestic politics and foreign relations: Analysis of President-elect Lai's first cabinet and the LY.

By Ross Darrell Feingold

Lawmakers remain deadlocked over the government's general budget for next year after another round of cross-party caucus negotiations broke down with no agreements being made.

Significant developments over the past month: President Lai's inaugural address, the battle over electricity prices, Legislative Yuan brawls and more…

By Ross Darrell Feingold

The latest World Air Quality Report shows that Taiwan had the 45th highest average annual PM2.5 concentration among 134 countries, territories and regions in 2023.

Taiwan has been ranked 27th globally and fourth in Asia in the latest World Happiness Report.

Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) Minister Wang Kwo-tsai says the current weekly cap of 25,000 visitor arrivals will likely continue until at least the end of this month

The Ministry of Labor (MOL) has announced that a Work Development Agency branch chief has been dismissed following an incident in which a civil servant killed himself at work.

Thousands of people remained outside the Legislature Yuan overnight in protest over parliamentary reforms bills proposed by the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) that would grant the legislature additional powers to supervise the executive branch of government.

Premier Su Tseng-chang is calling for an investigation into speedskater Huang Yu-ting

An estimated 400 animal rights activists have braved low temperatures and heavy rains in Taipei to call for the addition of animal protection clauses in the constitution

Electric trains have now begun running on Taiwan Railways Administration's South Link line.

Chunghwa Telecom Chairman Guo Shui-yi is being accused of breach of trust after he authorised payment of more than NT$400 million to help ELTA TV cover the NT$500 million fee to obtain the exclusive rights to broadcast this year's Olympics in Taiwan.

Taiwan's export orders were US$47.7 billion in July 2023, a decrease of 12.0% compared with the same month in 2022. According to a report from the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), it was the 11th consecutive monthly year-on-year decline.

Taiwan's export orders in July rose 6.9% compared with the same month in 2019 when measured in NT dollars.

President Tsai Ing-wen says phase 2 clinical trials of locally developed coronavirus vaccines are nearly complete and doses are expected to be available by the end of July.

The ECCT arranged a webinar on the topic of the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI), decoupling global supply chains and the challenges facing European business in China.

Air Liquide has completed the first phase of the construction of its planned 25 MW electrolysis hydrogen plants in the Tainan Technology Industrial Park.

Significant developments over the past month: New cabinet's priorities, Legislative Yuan attempt to expand its powers is challenged by the Executive Yuan, a military academy anniversary, Europe relations in focus, and more…

By Ross Darrell Feingold

KMT lawmaker-elect Han Kuo-yu has announced his bid to seek the post of President (or speaker of the Legislative Yuan and is indicating a willingness to accept a candidate from the Taiwan People's Party as his deputy.

#TaiwanWins, but the Tokyo 2020 Olympics has been fraught with anxieties about national identity and transitional justice

By Joanna Lee

The ECCT's Low Carbon Initiative (LCI) hosted a lunch forum on the topic of sustainable supply chains where participants shared their experiences, achievements and aspirations to increase sustainability across their supply chains.

Taiwan's health minister says the government could begin allowing quarantine-free entry from July for travellers from countries with similar Covid infection rates

After yesterday's chaos in the Legislative Yuan, demonstrators gathered outside the building last night chanting "No discussion, no democracy".

The ECCT released the 2023 Family Friendly Workplace Survey Report at a Premium Event lunch. Read the full event report.

The island's main political parties are rallying in support of lowering Taiwan's voting age from 20 to 18 via a constitutional amendment

The Judicial Yuan has started seminars in preparation for a new jury system that involves ordinary citizens.

Taiwan's food self-sufficiency rate in 2023 dropped to 30.3%, the lowest figure in 18 years.

Lawmakers have passed a resolution inviting President Lai Ching-te to deliver a state of the nation address before the Legislative Yuan.

The Civil Aeronautics Administration says a total of 33 international flights to and from Northeast Asia and North America were affected by China's no-fly zone over waters north of Taiwan.

Facing a water shortage crisis, the Water Resources Agency says it is planning to invest some NT$160 billion over the next several years to secure water supply.

The cabinet says it plans to submit draft amendments to the Gender Equity Education Act, the Act of Gender Equality in Employment and the Sexual Harassment Prevention Act to the Legislative Yuan by mid-July.

Significant developments over the past month: Senior politician investigated in corruption probe, gun violence, tensions continue in the Legislative Yuan, and more…

By Ross Darrell Feingold

Lai Ching-te had a comfortable win in Taiwan's three-way 2024 presidential election but with no party winning a majority in the legislature, it is uncertain how Lai's policy agenda will fare

By Brian Hioe

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) says people arriving in Taiwan will faceslightly less restrictive protocols on where they can stay beginning on 1 September

President Lai Ching-te is condemning the shooting at a campaign rally for Donald Trump in the run-up to the 2024 US election.

The National Immigration Agency (NIA) is urging foreigners with the new ARC cards to file their taxes early.

President Tsai Ing-wen says a locally-developed coronavirus vaccine is expected to be available in the coming months.

Economics minister Wang Mei-hua says the failure of US-based Silicon Valley Bank is unlikely to seriously affect Taiwan.

It was the inaugural event hosted by the chamber's Family Friendly Alliance (FFA), which was established as a platform for collaboration among various stakeholders to address the challenges resulting from Taiwan's low birth-rate, ageing population and talent shortage.

Lawmakers have agreed to vote on recently passed law revisions aimed at increasing oversight of the cabinet next Friday.

A market analyst is warning that the supply chain of Taiwan's small and medium-sized semiconductor chipmakers could be interrupted as a result of rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine

AI promises to revolutionize almost virtually every aspect of human life and can already automate tasks that were previously considered impossible for machines to perform. However, there are questions about how much of the hype will translate into reality as well as concerns about the ethical and legal risks.

By Paul Shelton

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says foreign relatives of Taiwanese citizens and some residency holders can now apply for a visa to enter Taiwan

The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) has announced an initiative to attract 25,000 foreign students to study and eventually to stay and work in Taiwan annually.

The Legislative Yuan's Transportation Committee approved a proposal to establish a special task force to look into the controversy surrounding Mirror TV's application for a broadcast license.

The cabinet has confirmed that it had submitted a request for the Legislative Yuan (LY) to reconsider recently passed law revisions aimed at improving its oversight of the executive branch.

ROC passport holders have visa-free access to 143 countries and territories around the world, ranking it 35th in the latest Henley Passport Index.

Athletes and organisers made the best of extraordinarily difficult circumstances to deliver an outstanding performance at the Tokyo 2020 (2021) Olympics. They demonstrated why the games are important and offer some valuable lessons for hosting future events.

By Duncan Levine

Local drug maker, Medigen, says it is seeking an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for its coronavirus vaccine candidate after its Phase II clinical trials showed promising results.

Discussions over revisions to extend the service life of nuclear power plants are at a standstill after lawmakers failed to reach any consensus during a legislative committee meeting.

The ECCT's Family Friendly Alliance hosted a lunch on the topic: "Talent shortages in enterprises - How to support employees achieve a balance between family and work".

Health Minister Chen Shih-chung says the government could begin easing face mask mandates in July, when it also hopes to lift at least some border controls

Italian authorities have extended emergency measures to cover the entire country in an attempt to stop the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (Covid-19).

Taiwan's Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 1.88% in July 2023, compared with the same month of 2022.

Taiwan's total exports rose 34.7% year-on-year in July to reach US$37.95 billion, the highest ever figure for a single month, according to data released by the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

The coronavirus pandemic has given companies and employees a mandatory crash course in remote working, offering valuable insights and best practices

By Duncan Levine

The Centers for Disease Control is lifting its face mask mandate for people visiting medical facilities such as hospitals, clinics and senior nursing homes.

Are Taiwan's financial institutions doing enough to keep track of and monitor politically exposed persons?

By Paul Shelton

Premier Chen Jian-ren says gender equality laws will be a priority in the next legislative session.

The global coronavirus pandemic led to a surge in logistics costs, some of the longest lead times in history and an under-serving of a number of smaller economies as shipping companies by-passed their ports in favour of ports in large economies.

The Ministry of Education says non-resident international students will be banned from entering Taiwan from 15 December until 11 February

Lawmakers have approved amendments to the Nationality Act. The amendments ease residency requirements for foreign professionals applying for naturalization. They also allow social welfare institutions to apply for naturalization on behalf of stateless children residing in Taiwan.

The KMT is seeking to invite president-elect Lai Ching-te to make what would be Taiwan's first state of the nation address at the Legislative Yuan following his 20 May inauguration.

Members of 22 civic groups rallied outside the Ministry of Labor building in Taipei to demand that workers get the same treatment as civil servants

The Taipei Medical University Hospital's Proton Center says a 10-month-old baby girl with a rare form of brain cancer has become the youngest patient to have a tumour removed using proton beam therapy.

Taiwan People's Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je says his party is aiming to double its seats to 10 in January's legislative elections.

Taiwan's total exports for the month of July contracted 10.4% year on year to US$38.73 billion while total imports fell 20.9% from a year earlier to US$30.25 billion, according to a report from the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

Taiwan's total exports expanded 14.2% year on year to US$43.32 billion in July while total imports rose by 19.4% from a year earlier to US$38.29 billion

President Tsai-Ing wen says her administration's efforts to raise the minimum wage on an annual basis is now one of its central policies.

Taiwan's Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 0.06% in December 2020, compared with the same month in 2019.

Taiwan stands out as the only Asian nation rated as "open" in terms of civic space, according to the "People Power Under Attack 2023" report by the human rights NGO CIVICUS.

Recent elections in France, Sweden and Italy show far-right political parties making big gains. How far will this trend go and what does the future hold for democracy?

By Mike Jewell

Three Taiwanese athletes are in Tokyo this week to compete in an event that could boost their chances of participation in the Summer Olympic Games.

Analysts say the DPP's narrow victory in Saturday's legislative by-election in Nantou County has implications for both the ruling party and main opposition KMT.

Taiwan's Legislative Yuan (LY) has passed a basic law which stipulates the guidelines of social welfare so that relevant government authorities will have better standards to follow.

Taiwan has been ranked the second freest country in Asia with a total score of 93 points in the latest edition of the "Freedom in the World" report by the US-based NGO, Freedom House. That ranking was the same as that of last year.

Finland has become the 31st member of the NATO security alliance.

Digital Minister Audrey Tang is touting progress made in efforts to combat e-commerce fraud.

The KMT Legislative caucus has proposed draft bills of parliamentary reform, with particular focuses on penalties for contempt of parliament and perjury.

Taiwan's Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for July rose back into positive territory for the first time in four months.

Taiwan ranked 12th among central banks in holding global gold reserves in the first quarter of this year.

Taiwan Power Company says scorching hot weather sent electricity usage soaring to a record high of 41.18 million kilowatts on Tuesday.

Lawmakers across party lines on Tuesday launched the Taiwan-Italy Inter-Parliamentary Amity Association in Taipei aimed at boosting cooperation and deepening bilateral ties.

The Control Yuan has officially petitioned the Constitutional Court for a ruling on the constitutionality of government oversight amendments passed by the legislature in May, arguing they will allow the legislative body to usurp its power.

The new legislature has been sworn in and lawmakers have elected the KMT's Han Kuo-yu as the new speaker and Johnny Chiang as deputy speaker.

Taiwan's official Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) fell into negative territory for the first time in two years in July

Taiwan's state-run power company, Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) says the No. 1 generator at its second nuclear power plant will be shut down for good and enter its decommissioning stage this evening.

The European Union says vaccine maker AstraZeneca has agreed to supply nine million additional doses to the 27-nation bloc during the first quarter.