The Tai-Ex opened down 44 points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,002 on turnover of 3.4 billion NT.

The market rebounded on Thursday, after Wall Street resumed its upward climb as an update on inflation in America appeared to clear the way for more help for the economy from the U-S Federal Reserve.

The American Institute in Taiwan says it doesn't believe increased Chinese military activity near Taiwan this week was a response to President Lai Ching-te's recent stopovers in the United States.

The institute believes the "elevated activity in the East China Sea and South China Sea follows a broader increase in China's military posture (姿態) and military exercises over the last several years ..

.. and it does not see this wider activity as a response to Lai's transit (轉機)."

An A-I-T spokesperson says the United States continues to call on Beijing to "avoid any destabilizing or escalatory actions (升級動作) that might undermine regional peace and stability… and will continue coordinating with allies and partners regarding our shared concerns."

The statement was issued by A-I-T following China's designating of seven areas east of Zhejiang and Fujian provinces from Monday to Wednesday as "temporary reserved areas" of airspace (空域保留區).

The National Development Council says it's seeking private investment in public infrastructure (基礎建設) projects.

According to the N-D-C's Economic Development Department, the government is set to create a ministerial-level mechanism (機制) to encourage such investment in order to "boost cooperation between the government and the private sector in jointly building Taiwan."

Department head Chiu Chiu-ying says the mechanism will bring together officials from the N-D-C, the Ministry of Finance and the Financial Supervisory Commission to work with private enterprises …

.. who are interested in investing in "major public infrastructure projects" projected to "yield stable returns."

Chiu also says it's hoped that bringing in private capital (私人資金) for public projects will help alleviate financial burdens on both central and local governments.

The Central Weather Administration says a continental cold air mass is forecast to bring temperatures in the north and center down to 11 degrees early Sunday morning.

According to the administration's forecast center, cold air mass will affect Taiwan from tomorrow through Sunday.

The effects of the cold front will be the strongest on early Sunday morning - with lows of between 11 and 13 degrees forecast for the north and center, while other areas could see lows of between 14 and 15 degrees.

The mercury will rebound slightly on Monday.

However, another cold air mass is forecast to begin affecting the island next Friday.

In global news,

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is urging European nations to shift to a wartime mindset…

He also pointed up a need to ramp up (增加) defense spending to counter an aggressive Russia… as Sagher Meghani reports.

Meanwhile…

Top U.S. officials are in the Middle East pressing for stability in Syria and an end to Israel’s 14-month war in the Gaza Strip in a last-ditch diplomatic push by the outgoing Biden administration.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Jordan and Turkey on Thursday for talks on how to ensure a peaceful transition of power in Syria following the ouster of longtime President Bashar Assad.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan is in Israel in a bid to wrap up a ceasefire with Hamas militants.

Sullivan expressed cautious optimism that conditions are ripe for halting (中止) the conflict.

And…

The leader of South Korea's ruling party is expressing support for impeaching President Yoon Suk Yeoul over his martial law declaration.

Local media reports say Han Dong-hoon now says removing Yoon is the only viable option left to restore politicial stability (恢復穩定政治).

On Thursday, the embattled president defended his martial law declaration, which some media reports considred a confession of treason.

Han voiced his support days before South Korea's National Assembly holds a second vote calling for Yoon to be impeached.

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