TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Vice President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) appeared in a pre-recorded video at the Hill and Valley Forum 2024 on Wednesday (May 1).
After the security forum’s first session was over, Hsiao’s seven-minute recording was played. The vice president-elect talked about the security challenges facing Taiwan and the shared values between Taiwan and the U.S. Hsiao noted the issues facing Taiwan such as cyber attacks, disinformation, and maritime incursions. She stressed that Taiwan remains steadfast under coercion. “Over half of global maritime commerce passes through the vicinity of the Taiwan Strait,” Hsiao said, speaking about the importance of Taiwan. “Most reliable tech from iPhones to AI empowering data centers globally, also require advanced chips and components from Taiwan.” “Taiwan is an irreplaceable and indispensable contributor to global technology advancements,” she stressed. In regards to weapons tech, Hsiao commented that the asymmetric systems provided by the U.S. might not meet Taiwan’s immediate defense goals. She criticized the U.S.’ slowness in producing and delivering weapons and also warned that Russia and China are watching the war in Ukraine. However, Hsiao also touted Taiwan’s technological capabilities and spoke positively about future U.S. cooperation. “Together, we can manufacture nearly everything as efficiently and reliably as anyone in the world,” she said. “So I seek your support for Taiwan’s inclusion in the Department of Defense’s National Defense Industrial Strategy international collaboration mechanism, such as Security of Supply Arrangements,” Hsiao said, calling upon the U.S. for action.
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TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taipei High Administrative Court heard the final arguments in favor of a transgender man seeking to legally change his gender without undergoing surgery on Thursday (May 2), and a date has been set for ruling on the case.
The transgender man using the pseudonym Nemo (尼莫) has been pursuing the right to legally change his gender with the Ministry of the Interior since 2022. Arguing on his behalf, the legal team of Taiwan Alliance to Promote Civil Partnership Rights (TAPCPR) provided presiding Judge Chung Chi-huang (鍾啟煌) with evidence to support the case that their client’s gender identity was longstanding and unlikely to change. Medical records, doctors’ opinions, and personal testimonies were presented to show Nemo had identified as a male since he was a child, and that he had received psychological and medical care as a result. TAPCPR lawyer Pan Tien-ching (潘天慶) said that owing to poor health, gender reassignment surgery could be potentially life-threatening for Nemo. Fellow TAPCPR lawyer Hsu Hsiu-wen (許秀雯) also noted that many countries do not require gender reassignment surgery for those who wish to legally change their gender. Hsu described recent law changes in Germany and Sweden that will allow people to change their gender without surgery or a gender dysmorphia diagnosis. After hearing the arguments, Judge Chung said a ruling would be made on May 30. If the court rules in Nemo’s favor, he will become the first transgender man to be able to legally change their gender without undergoing gender reassignment surgery. If an individual wishes to change their gender in Taiwan they must apply to the Household Registration Office under the Ministry of the Interior. At present, the office requires evidence of gender reassignment surgery to grant the change. However, a court ruling issued in 2021 found there are no laws in Taiwan that require this. The ruling found that if one wishes to change their gender, by law they only need to present evidence that proves their gender identity is longstanding and unlikely to change. If a judgment is made in Nemo’s favor on May 30, the ruling will apply only in this individual case. Others applying for the change with the Household Registration Office will still be required to present evidence of gender reassignment surgery. As early as 2014, legislators expressed confidence that this rule would soon be overturned, and the judge challenged interior ministry representatives on this point. Chung asked if the interior ministry had a timeframe to make a change, and if any draft policy had been produced. Ministry representatives said policy discussions were ongoing and a date for any changes had not been set. Dissatisfied with this answer, Chung said that discussions do not amount to progress. In 2021, TAPCRP successfully argued the case of transgender woman Xiao E (小E), who sought to change her legal gender without reassignment surgery. The Taipei High Administrative Court ruled in her favor and the government did not appeal, after which she became the first transgender woman to achieve this change in Taiwan. TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Prosecutors listed former Taipei City Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) as a suspect Thursday (May 2) in land development cases linked to Core Pacific City mall and Beitou Shilin Technology Park.
During his period as mayor from 2014 to 2022, Ko reportedly allowed Core Pacific City to more than double its floor area ratio, the proportion of the building’s flooring in relation to the total area of the land on which it was built. Critics accused Ko of approving the change to benefit the developer. At Beitou Shilin Technology Park, he reportedly handed building rights to the Shin Kong Group, run by the family of his running mate in January’s presidential election, Cynthia Wu (吳欣盈). He was also accused of scrapping the requirement to present an investment plan. The listing of the former mayor as a suspect in a corruption case by the Taipei District Prosecutors Office was the result of complaints from members of the public. The Ministry of Justice Agency Against Corruption will assist with the investigation. TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) Charity Foundation and Buddhist Tzu Chi Charity Foundation received 600 requests to repair homes damaged by last month’s magnitude 7.2 earthquake in Hualien County, reports said Thursday (May 2).
The April 3 quake killed 18 people, with two still missing, and injured more than 1,000. Several tall buildings in the eastern coastal region partially collapsed during the quake and its aftershocks and had to be torn down. The teams from Tzu Chi and TSMC charity foundations were concentrating on helping repair homes that had been damaged but did not have to be razed. Of the 600 applications, work had been completed on 185 homes. TSMC Charity Foundation said it set up an office in Hualien City on April 11 to accept requests for repairs. Priority went to low-income residents, the elderly, women and children, and marginalized groups. The cases they worked on ranged from replacing tiles that had fallen off outside walls to filling up serious cracks inside the homes. A shortage of rooftop water tanks led them to take 20 to 30 of the cisterns to Hualien County. TSMC Charity Foundation said that with the assistance of four companies, it had completed repair work on 73 homes in Hualien City and townships of Shoufeng, Fenglin, and Yuli. Tzu Chi mobilized 200 volunteers to help in Ji’an, Xiulin, and Xincheng townships. Since April 19, the teams fixed 112 homes out of 319. Separately, the central government said Thursday it was planning to spend NT$28.55 billion (US$878.59 million) on the reconstruction of the region, per Radio Taiwan International (RTI). The budget covered the repair and reconstruction of damaged government and private buildings and structures, as well as the cost of a promotional campaign to help local industries back on their feet. TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A 25-year-old Taiwanese woman who was lured into a fraud ring and reported missing by the Queensland Police in Australia on Thursday (May 2) has been found safe, according to Taiwan's representative office in Brisbane.
The woman was deceived into traveling abroad and working for a fraud operation and had been scheduled to board a flight to a Southeast Asian country. However, she had not yet boarded a plane and was rescued at the airport. The missing woman was identified as Lu Yu-ming (呂侑珉). She entered Australia on a tourist visa on April 6 and is studying at Browns English Language School in Brisbane. Her last known whereabouts were at the student dormitory on Wharf Street around 10:20 p.m. local time on Monday (April 29), and she had not contacted her family or anyone else since 8 a.m. on Tuesday (April 30). The Queensland Police issued a missing person notice on Thursday evening. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Brisbane confirmed to CNA on Friday morning (May 3) that the woman had been located and sent staff to the airport to rescue her. Part of the case is still under investigation by the Australian police. Fan Hou-lu (范厚祿), director of TECO in Brisbane, told the news agency that numerous fraud cases have been reported recently, especially targeting young people. TECO Australia said Taiwanese should protect their rights according to the "Fraud Prevention Strategy 123," which includes "Listen, Hang Up, Verify." If they hear or read anything suspicious such as "money transfer" or "providing personal information," they should be on alert, find reasons to hang up the phone, or close the text message correspondence. They are advised to remain calm and refrain from immediately following instructions. They should also contact the anti-fraud hotline, report hotline, or seek assistance from the local embassy. TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – A ban on Taiwanese working for Chinese political, military, and party bodies has been extended to include the Confucius Institute, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said Thursday (May 2).
While on the surface designed to promote Chinese culture around the world, some of the more than 500 institutes have come under scrutiny for spreading Chinese government propaganda and for spying on Chinese students overseas. In its decision, MAC said the ban covered all Chinese organizations affecting national identity and loyalty, and threatening national security. Groups mentioned also included the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), China’s semi-official body in charge of contacts with Taiwan, per Radio Taiwan International (RTI). MAC also named the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots and the All-China Youth Federation. The amendments were said to be the result of recent structural changes in China, while Taiwan’s regulations have remained unchanged since 2003. MAC concluded by pointing at the differences between the two countries’ political systems. Taiwanese taking up work in China must now evaluate the risks and avoid functions that would harm Taiwan’s interests and national security. TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Former Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation (THSRC) Chair Nita Ing (殷琪) will not be prosecuted for importing marijuana products to treat her dog, reports said Tuesday (April 30).
Customs officials found the drugs inside a FedEx package sent from the United States to Ing’s daughter in Taipei, fostering suspicions Ing was involved in smuggling. She is the former president of one of Taiwan’s largest construction firms, Continental Engineering Corporation. Breaking the relevant law could be punishable by at least 10 years in prison. Ing, 69, explained that one of the four dogs at her Taipei home always displayed signs of aggression, so she had bought a type of medicine to try and calm the pet down. She presented evidence of bite marks to investigators. Friends in the U.S. made recommendations, but as she needed to leave and return to Taiwan before the medicine arrived at her San Francisco home in May last year, she had a staff member send it to her daughter. The Shilin District Prosecutors Office accepted Ing’s explanation, concluding she should not be prosecuted. The product, listed for consumption by cats and dogs, included Cannabidiol (CBD), an active ingredient in cannabis derived from the hemp plant. Ing told investigators she would not have bought it had she known it contained cannabis. TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A search and rescue dog, Mulan (木蘭), from the New Taipei City Fire Department, passed away recently after succumbing to cancer, leading to an outpouring of emotion from firefighters and netizens.
After earthquakes rocked Hualien beginning on April 3, many media outlets reported the brave work of search and rescue dogs scouring dangerous environments for bodies despite falling rocks and other dangers. However, Mulan was relieved from this latest assignment due to her failing health. Six months after her birth in 2018, Mulan arrived at the New Taipei City Fire Department to be trained as a search and rescue dog. She was paired with the department’s dog team member, Lai Guan-jie (賴冠潔), and together the two passed multiple certifications, ranging from basic training to advanced certifications by the International Search and Rescue Dog Organization (IRO). Later, Mulan and Lai would be deployed to mountain disasters, train derailments, and other disasters. Both dog handlers and rescue dogs are a common sight in many disasters and essential in the search for missing persons in difficult conditions. Mulan was set for a life of service within the New Taipei City Fire Department until a hard lump in her chest was detected in June 2022. After a biopsy, Mulan was diagnosed with stage 2 cancer, which spread to her lymph nodes and pancreas. She was later outfitted with an assistive device, which allowed her to remain mobile. Mulan continued to battle despite her deteriorating condition but her physical condition took a turn for the worse last year. She had surgery and was hospitalized, later passing away on April 24. News of Mulan's death was posted to Facebook, soliciting a response from many heartbroken netizens. Many expressed pride that Mulan had “completed her mission” and was no longer suffering. Lai was saddened by Mulan’s passing, posting on her Facebook page her gratitude for allowing her first search and rescue dog to be a wonderful partner. In their six years together, the duo went on many dangerous missions with great courage and determination. TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A drug case from last November led to a police raid on an indoor marijuana growing operation in Taoyuan, netting 4,843 marijuana plants and six suspects on Monday (April 30).
In addition to the marijuana plants, 27 sets of growth lamps, 20.4 kg of cannabis bud, and 7.3 kg of pseudoephedrine were seized. Other items taken into police custody include cash worth NT$10 million (US$307,000), two gold necklaces, one Rolex watch, and various planting tools. The operation is believed to be led by an individual surnamed Hsieh (謝), who used dwarf cannabis plants to increase yields. One cannabis mother plant was potentially divided into 40 plants, which in a large pot could yield NT$10 million in sales. Furthermore, top-quality cannabis buds were grown and sold at a market price of NT$2,000 for one gram. After receiving information about an indoor growing facility in Taoyuan’s Longtan District, Taoyuan District Prosecutors Office formed a task force. They later raided the residence when the perpetrators were present. Hsieh, who is in his 30s, often traveled abroad to inspect overseas marijuana farms and hired a group of unemployed friends to work at his “one-stop shop.” Reportedly, there was one cannabis cultivator, who taught two employees about how to grow marijuana, while another person packed it, and another sold the goods. None of the six arrested individuals had a prior criminal record. The indoor growing facility covered four floors. In addition to growing cannabis, the residents also produced a Category 4 narcotic, pseudoephedrine. Adhesive tape was used to prevent the leakage of odors, which could tip off neighbors. The residence was estimated to have been used for about nine months. TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — After alleged sex offender Mickey Huang (黃子佼) avoided prosecution, lawmakers and advocates have said Taiwan’s laws are too lenient on child and sexual predators.
In 2023, individuals came forward with allegations of sexual assault and misconduct against TV host Mickey Huang (黃子佼). One woman accused Huang of forcibly kissing her and being coerced into taking nude photos at age 17. A search of Huang’s property turned up child pornography, including seven sexually explicit videos of children on his computer. However, Huang was ultimately not charged with violating the Child and Youth Sexual Exploitation Prevention Act (兒童及少年性剝削防制條例). On April 3, Huang was granted a deferred prosecution, enabling him to avoid a criminal record by maintaining “good behavior” for two years. He was then ordered to pay a fine and write an apology letter. Since the April verdict, outcry has mounted from child and women’s advocates, legislators, and the public over the court's perceived leniency. On April 10, prosecutors applied to the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office to reconsider the case. On April 12, several Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislators held a press conference to review the reasons behind Huang’s verdict. According to the deferred prosecution order, Huang’s actions were considered “a moment of carelessness.” Because the defendant had no previous criminal record, and prosecutors found no evidence of dissemination of the images, “the harm caused is not great,” the judge ruled. However, DPP Legislator Wu Pei-yi (吳沛憶) said that regardless of the number of images, the impact of child abuse will not be limited to one image. “Every time it is watched and every time it is disseminated, it is causing harm, and it will continue to spread and be difficult to eradicate,” she said. The Modern Women's Foundation (現代婦女基金會) in a Facebook post called the penalties "truly insignificant for a figure with such social reputation and financial resources.” They said Huang had knowingly purchased the child pornography from a sex crime website forum, in which he was one of 80 VIP members who paid hundreds of U.S. dollars for access to illegal content. In addition to pornographic images of children, the forum posts videos that were filmed without a victim's knowledge or consent, including in public spaces such as toilets and changing rooms, and revenge porn, such as intimate photos of ex-girlfriends. Furthermore, uploaders often go after a victim's personal information and tag their Facebook or Instagram accounts, which endangers their safety and causes lifelong mental harm, the foundation said. In response to Huang’s light sentencing, legislators and advocacy groups called for harsher penalties against child and sexual abuse. On Monday (April 29), DPP Legislator Fan Yun (范雲), along with ECPAT Taiwan (台灣展翅協會), Women's Rescue Foundation (婦女救援基金會), and the Garden of Hope Foundation (勵馨基金會), held a news conference at the Legislative Yuan to propose amendments to the Child and Youth Sexual Exploitation Prevention Act, per UDN. First, the law should criminalize those who watch, purchase, or download sexual content featuring children. Second, penalties should be increased for those who distribute the content, as well as the victim's personal information. Third, the government should have greater authority to shut down websites containing child pornography quickly. Fourth, Fan said perpetrators should receive mandatory rehabilitation of at least eight hours. Claire Wang (王婉諭), chair of Taiwan's New Power Party, called on the government to establish a dedicated unit for countering digital sex crimes, which she said are becoming rampant. She pointed out that a victim's biggest fear is that their images will continue to resurrect and spread online. “We need professionals up to date with the digital age to make sure the videos will be completely taken down, and a system to help the victims, including children, cope with their fear,” she said. Taiwan in 2023 made possession of child pornography a criminal offense, subject to a maximum of one year in prison and a fine of NT$30,000 (US$920) to 300,000. However, advocates noted that penalties are still much lower than in other countries, as perpetrators in the U.S. can face up to 10 years in prison, with an average sentence of six years and three months. Furthermore, data from the U.S. National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) is a cause for concern, as reports of child pornography linked to Taiwanese IP addresses doubled from 33,621 in 2019 to 72,902 in 2022. The Women's Rescue Foundation (婦女救援基金會) said in a statement that purchasers of illegal sexual images should be jointly liable, since when there is demand, there is supply. The buyers are fueling an industry that sexually abuses children to create images for large profits, and therefore, it is not enough to only punish the producers. In addition, raising awareness about the dangers of sharing images online, and increasing understanding and empathy for victims of sexual harassment and abuse can help prevent and reduce further harm, they added. If you believe you are the victim of sexual harassment or abuse, the following organizations can provide consultation and support:
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