Published since 2019 by the Fair Winds Foundation and Association of Foreign Relations, Taiwan Weekly provides in-depth report and analysis of the major issues facing Taiwan.

Judicial Independence Should Not Be Trampled by Dirty Politics

Judicial Independence Should Not Be Trampled by Dirty Politics

During the Hsinchu mayoral election, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) did not want to lose, used all means to attack the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) candidate Kao Hung-an but still lost.

Details
Economy in Peril, But Officials Are All Talk

Economy in Peril, But Officials Are All Talk

After the local elections, a series of indicators show that the economy may be approaching downfall.

Details
TSMC CEO:Export Controls Damage Globalization

TSMC CEO:Export Controls Damage Globalization

Chief Executive Officer CC Wei of the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) made a rare warning on December 17 that export controls and banning products from other foreign countries destroy productivity and efficiency gained under globalization, or at least they reduce benefits offered by a free market.

Details
This Week in Taiwan 1211-1217

This Week in Taiwan 1211-1217

December 12: Tiktok, a short-form video platform developed by the Chinese company ByteDance, has become the subject of public discussions on information security. The Ministry of Digital Affairs on December 5 banned the public sector from using it. Legislator Luo Mei-ling stated on December 12 that TikTok can still be browsed from the Internet at the Legislative Yuan and questioned whether executive agencies are synchronized in complying with the new regulations. Responding to interpellation, Secretary-General Lee Meng-yen of the Executive Yuan stated that he will coordinate with the other four branches of government to follow suit. Spokesman Luo Ping-cheng of the Executive Yuan stated that civil servants who violate the ban will be disciplined according to regulations.

Details
Blessing and "Curse" in Morris Chang's Remarks at Arizona Plant Tool-in Ceremony

Blessing and "Curse" in Morris Chang's Remarks at Arizona Plant Tool-in Ceremony

At the tool-in ceremony of the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's (TSMC) new fab plant at Phoenix, Arizona, on December 6, founder Morris Chang, who has always been skeptical towards this investment, finally gave his blessing to the project in his address.

Details
Lai's Ultimate Test Will Be Xi

Lai's Ultimate Test Will Be Xi

The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) saw a major setback in the local elections, and President Tsai Ing-wen's 2024 succession plan has also hit a wall.

Details
Government's Shifting Blame Make Agricultural and Fishery Businesses Suffer

Government's Shifting Blame Make Agricultural and Fishery Businesses Suffer

Mainland China's General Administration of Customs announced the ban on imports of Taiwan's fishery products on December 8, including Pacific sauries and four-finger threadfins, at a total value of NT$6 billion (about US$196 million).

Details
This Week in Taiwan 1204-1210

This Week in Taiwan 1204-1210

December 6: The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) held a tool-in ceremony at its new fab in Arizona. President Joe Biden attended the event and delivered remarks, thanking TSMC for creating 10,000 high-tech jobs and allowing the United States to regain its leading position in global chip manufacturing.

Details
NTU Finds Cheng Plagiarized Thesis, Revokes Degree

NTU Finds Cheng Plagiarized Thesis, Revokes Degree

It was revealed that Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan of Taoyuan, a favored contender for the chairmanship of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and premier, committed plagiarism in completing his master’s thesis.

Details
Director-General and Professor Chen Should Step Down at the Same Time

Director-General and Professor Chen Should Step Down at the Same Time

It has been more than a week since the end of the local elections, but the so-called "green surprise” continues to unfold.

Details