Taiwan Report

International students also to be barred from entering. The racto-pork ban has been lifted, and the government rules local bans invalid, but KMT plans to fight. NHI premiums rise today. The legislature passes 2021 budget. Stock market boomed in 2020. An incompetent spy found guilty. Taiwan and New Zealand firm up trade ties.

Foreigners to be barred from entering Taiwan. A Taiwanese teen is confirmed to have the new, more virilant Covid strain. Premier Su now more unpopular than popular according to a poll. DPP punishes 2 lawmakers. Legislature makes moves against property speculation, and Chinese dredging. Manufacturing continues to expand. China's TAO makes offensive comments towards Taiwan.

Water situation is getting increasingly dire. Taiwan is preparing for faster detection of earthquakes and tsunami. 20 million vaccines are on their way. Sexual harassment is now gender neutral. A US company reverses the traditional pattern of investment in Taiwan. Flights to London cancelled for January. MOFA unlikely to send delegation to US inauguration.

Taiwan records hottest year ever. Businesses falsely labelling pork could face a big fine. The Presidential Office's cybersecurity budget doubles. A new poll shows a closer race for Taipei mayor in hypothetical matchup. Another polls shows Johnny Chiang is in trouble in the race for next KMT chair. The Ministry of Culture is considering barring CCP and PLA publications. Taiwan's economy is closing in on "booming". Consumer confidence is slightly down. Vietnamese students growing fast. Trump signs Taiwan Assurance Act. Taiwan and Japan cooperate in space project.

New fundraising rules for TPP brass. Chen Shui-bian announces radio show. Ma Ying-jeou calls for President Tsai to step down. New baseball head eyes sixth team. MediaTek now #1 maker of smartphone chipsets. Taiwan is a good place to invest according to BERI.

Hsinchu City moves against new electronic IDs. Dealing with the China Airlines name dilemma. Strong words on Taiwan from Japan defense official. But up first, Wayne Chiang is on a roll to the Taipei mayor's office.

NOTE: The previous headlines section is now its own show, with this show focused on bigger stories in Taiwan politics and foreign affairs, as well as soft power and economic news that impacts both of those subjects. Stories are sourced from both English and Chinese sources.

Volcano alert system to be tested. Adulthood to be set at 18. Business sentiment is good. There's been a big uptick in foreign journalists in Taiwan. New passport stamps are on their way. Taiwan saves lives in Belize. A Hong Kong magazine likens President Tsai to an empress.

The DPP passes laws to aid the lifting of the ban on US racto-pork. The minimum wage is set to rise, but so are labor insurance and pension premiums. Unemployment is down. Taiwan and Indonesian officials are set to meet to hash out differences.

Covid updates, KMT-affiliated poll, KMT calls off protest, the "King of Hualien" gets new prison digs and some good economic news.

Polling is showing some interesting results, and the KMT’s racto-pork circus rolls on.

NOTE: The previous headlines section is now its show, with this show focused on bigger stories in Taiwan politics and foreign affairs, as well as soft power and economic news that impacts both of those subjects. Stories are sourced from both English and Chinese sources.