Asia

Taiwan sets train crash suspect free on bond, prosecutors lodge appeal

Editorial Bureau April 3, 2021

HUALIEN (TAIWAN) -A Taiwan court on Saturday set free on bond the manager of a construction site whose truck authorities are under the belief that it caused a train accident killing at least 50 people, however prosecutors pledged to appeal, as family members were mourning the dead at the crash

Asia

Taiwan witnesses the worst rail disaster in four decades

Editorial Bureau April 2, 2021

TAIPEI – Taiwan train derailed in a tunnel after hitting a truck that slid off a road killing 36 and some 70 remain trapped in wreckage. The crash, which also injured more than 40 passengers, is the island’s worst rail disaster in at least four decades. The train, an express travelling from Taipei to Taitung […]

Asia

Taiwanese celebrate pared back traditional festival with firecrackers

Editorial Bureau February 27, 2021

YANSHUI (TAIWAN) – On Friday night, firecrackers illuminated the sky over Taiwan as people celebrated a traditional festival in the south of the island. This year, the celebration was pared back because of the pandemic. Held near Taiwan’s old capital of Tainan, the Beehive Fireworks Festival in Yanshui is known for its cacophony and fiery […]

Asia

Taiwan says locally made ‘ COVID-19 vaccines could be ready in July

Editorial Bureau February 26, 2021

TAIPEI (TAIWAN) – Taiwan’s health ministry said on Friday that it would begin administering its domestically produced coronavirus vaccines as early as July. The island is still waiting for the arrival of imported shots in order to kickstart the inoculation drive. Taiwan has kept the pandemic well under control thanks to early and effective prevention, […]

Asia

Taiwan provides emergency use authorisation for AstraZeneca vaccine

Editorial Bureau February 20, 2021

TAIPEI (TAIWAN) – Taiwan authorities on Saturday granted emergency use authorisation for ‘AstraZeneca Plc’s coronavirus shot and the doses are slated to be rolled out within seven days of arrival. The island had agreed in December to buy almost 20 million vaccine doses, including 10 million from AstraZeneca and 4.76 million from the COVAX global […]

Asia

BioNTech shot deal put on hold, says Taiwan citing China pressure

Editorial Bureau February 17, 2021

TAIPEI (TAIWAN) – Taiwan’s health minister said the deal to buy 5 million doses of a coronavirus vaccine developed by Germany’s BioNTech SE has been put on hold because of the Chinese pressure for the delay. Health Minister Chen Shih-chung said they were on the verge of announcing the deal to procure the shots when […]

Asia

Taipei expresses admiration for Biden concern over island in Xi call

Editorial Bureau February 11, 2021

TAIPEI (TAIWAN) – After US President Joe Biden told his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping about his concerns over Beijing asserting pressure on Taiwan, Taipei on Thursday thanked the president and expressed admiration for his intervention. China claims Taiwan as its sovereign territory. When China stepped up its military activity near Taiwan after the inauguration of

Asia

Taiwan president tells Hong Kongers to keep faith in democracy

Editorial Bureau February 10, 2021

TAIPEI (TAIWAN) – Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen sent across a positive message to the people of Hong Kong in a Lunar New Year message on Wednesday, telling them that though democracy is not perfect it is the best system that humankind have and they should keep the faith. Democratic Taiwan has become a safe place […]

Asia

Taiwan sends new year wishes to China, but says won’t succumb to pressure

Editorial Bureau February 10, 2021

TAIPEI (TAIWAN) – Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen wished China a happy Lunar New Year on Tuesday. However, she said she would not yield to Chinese pressure and stressed upon a call for dialogue to be resumed with Beijing, which China rejected. China has amped up its military activity around the island in the past few […]

Asia

US thanks Taiwan for extending support for auto chips in key trade meeting

Editorial Bureau February 5, 2021

TAIPEI (TAIWAN) – The United States thanked Taiwan on Friday for helping to solve an auto chip shortage that has hampered production, however, there has not been any discussion on prioritising the making of these chips, Taiwan Economy Minister Wang Mei-hua said after a high-level meeting. Car factories around the world are closing down assembly […]