 Taiwan’s government has launched measures to stabilize the supply and pricing of plastic bags following supply chain disruptions linked to the Iran conflict.
Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫) said Wednesday at the legislature that authorities are coordinating with retailers and distributors across 30 business districts to ensure a stable supply. He said overall availability remains sufficient, with shortages limited to southern Taiwan and the situation most acute in Chiayi. Kung said increased domestic polyethylene supply is expected to boost production and urged the public not to panic buy. He said the government is coordinating supply across agencies, encouraging vendors to switch to alternative materials such as paper bags, and promoting the use of reusable shopping bags. Some retailers have implemented purchase limits. Carrefour has restricted purchases of garbage bags to one set per customer since April 3, following similar measures by Costco. Carrefour said the move is intended to maintain long-term supply stability, adding that inventory remains sufficient. Prosecutors have also launched investigations into the plastic bag supply chain to determine whether price manipulation has occurred. The Shilin District Prosecutors Office said it has mobilized teams to inspect upstream suppliers in Taipei and New Taipei, reviewing inventory, shipments, and pricing data. The Ministry of Justice said it conducted two waves of inspections before and after the Tomb Sweeping holiday, targeting 1,376 establishments, including night markets, traditional markets, retail outlets, upstream suppliers, and plastic manufacturing plants. Deputy Justice Minister Huang Mou-hsin (黃謀信) said an inter-ministerial joint price inspection team is working with local prosecutors’ offices to identify pricing irregularities and potential hoarding. Huang said any illegal activity uncovered will be handled in accordance with the law, adding that authorities will continue tracing the sources of irregularities and plan further inspections of key materials. In a press release, the ministry said a strict tracking and reporting system has been established to monitor regional price fluctuations, integrating data from prosecutors’ offices, the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau, the Agency Against Corruption, and joint inspection teams to enable timely responses. The ministry warned that anyone found hoarding goods or inflating prices to disrupt market order will face strict investigation and prosecution. It said stable pricing of essential goods is fundamental to social stability and urged businesses not to exploit fluctuations in global raw material costs. The public is also encouraged to report suspected price gouging by calling the 0800-007007 hotline.  Taipei has opened a new round of rent assistance that adds city funding on top of the central government subsidy for young single renters, married couples under 45, and households raising children.
Applications began Wednesday and will remain open until March 31, 2027, with Taipei offering the extra support through its “Taipei Happiness Rent” program and allowing approved applicants to receive both the local and national subsidies at the same time. The largest monthly amount goes to married households in which applicants are 45 or younger. If approved, that group can receive NT$7,500 from the central government and another NT$2,500 (US$79) from Taipei, bringing the total to NT$10,000 a month. Single renters younger than 40 can also receive a city top-up. In that category, Taipei adds NT$1,000 to the central subsidy of NT$3,600, for a total monthly subsidy of NT$4,600. Families with children from infancy through age 12 are also included. Taipei will add NT$1,000 per month for one child, and the city said there is no cap based on the number of children in the household. Residents may apply under only one of the three categories. Taipei officials said the current program does not have a quota on the number of recipients and urged eligible residents to file early, per the report. Applications can be submitted online through the Taipei City rent subsidy website. Paper forms are also available at the Department of Urban Development’s Nanmen Office and district offices, with completed applications accepted by registered mail, while questions can be directed to the 1999 citizen hotline.  Taiwan Network Information Center Chair Kenny Huang (黃勝雄) warned at a forum in Portugal on Wednesday that a lack of data is hindering efforts to protect undersea cables and other critical infrastructure.
Reporters reported that Huang made the remarks at the Mafra Dialogues, a forum on maritime security hosted by a Portuguese organization. The event brought together experts from Taiwan, India, and Portugal and was livestreamed online. “Most undersea cable damage is caused by human activity, such as fishing operations or ship anchors,” Huang said. He added that the lack of reliable data makes it difficult to determine causes, assign responsibility, or take preventive action. Huang stressed that “no data means no evidence,” noting that without evidence there can be no clear jurisdiction or control over maritime zones. He said this weakens a country’s ability to respond to threats and protect critical infrastructure. He said building detailed digital models of exclusive economic zones using sonar imaging is essential to improve monitoring and decision-making. Such data would help authorities identify risks and plan appropriate responses. Participants at the forum said undersea cables, energy systems, and digital networks form the backbone of modern economies and societies. They warned that these systems are increasingly targeted by hybrid threats, and attacks are often difficult to attribute but may be interconnected. An Indian researcher said global maritime infrastructure, including cables, pipelines, offshore wind farms, and ports, is highly interconnected and requires international cooperation to protect. She said countries must share intelligence and coordinate responses as threats in maritime domains continue to grow. A Portuguese defense expert said unmanned systems cannot replace human-operated systems but can support them. He added that rapid technological change poses challenges for defense planning, as systems can quickly become outdated if not continuously updated.  Taiwan is steadily moving toward its goal of training 200,000 certified disaster prevention specialists.
Introduced in 2018 and modeled on Japan’s system, the program aims to raise public awareness of risks and encourage community participation. Certified disaster prevention specialists are trained to educate residents, guide evacuations, provide first aid, and assist during natural disasters, according to the National Fire Agency. Since last year, the government has expanded training programs nationwide. More than 110,000 individuals are now certified. On Wednesday, the Cabinet hosted its first consensus workshop for disaster prevention instructors, who train the specialists. The event brought instructors together to share insights on courses and practical applications. Taiwan faces frequent natural disasters, the fire agency said. Communities, businesses, long-term care facilities, high-rise buildings, and factories all need autonomous disaster response mechanisms to reduce casualties and damage. Under President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) initiative to build societal resilience, certified specialists now play a central role in national preparedness. Training programs have expanded to include village chiefs, volunteers, security personnel, taxi drivers, social workers, and civic organizations, reflecting a nationwide push toward inclusive disaster readiness. The workshop featured expert presentations and discussions, allowing instructors to share challenges and recommendations from their teaching experience. The Cabinet pledged to continue integrating resources from all sectors to reach the 200,000-certified-specialist target, strengthening Taiwan’s disaster response capacity and societal resilience.  Taiwan is calling on 40,000 inmates to quit smoking in this year’s national quit-to-win competition, which offers prizes to help participants kick the habit.
The biennial program, launched in 2002, combines incentives and encouragement to reduce smoking, including moving participants to smoke-free cells and increasing their visitation opportunities. Since its inception, smoking rates among inmates have fallen from 83% to 71%, with 8,293 individuals quitting, according to the Health Promotion Administration. This year, the initiative introduces new rewards. Inmates who quit may win a top prize of NT$80,000 (US$2,521) through a raffle. Other awards include one NT$30,000 prize and six NT$6,000 prizes. Officials aim to help at least 888 participants quit smoking. Participants are invited to team up with a non-smoking friend or family member for the event, which runs from May 2 to May 29. They must remain completely tobacco-free for four consecutive weeks to qualify for the prize draw. Vice Minister of Health and Welfare Chuang Jen-Hsiang (莊人祥) said smoking is an addictive behavior, not just a habit. Inmates often relapse due to stress or peer pressure, but the program encourages personal commitment while offering support from non-smoking witnesses, family members, and group activities. Over the 12 editions of the program, more than 250,000 participants have signed up to quit smoking. About 75% succeed during the competition, and of those, 35% remain smoke-free after one year. Smoking can increase the risk of head and neck cancers, in addition to lung and cardiovascular diseases. In 2022, 400,000 of about 900,000 global head and neck cancer cases resulted in death, according to the WHO cancer observatory.  The Ministry of Economic Affairs has instructed Taipower to restart two coal-fired units at the privately owned Mailiao Power Plant in Yunlin County in May, citing concerns over liquefied natural gas supply disruptions linked to the Iran war.
Mailiao Power Plant Units 1 and 3 are expected to resume operations for an initial three-month period, with a possible extension depending on developments in the Middle East. Addressing concerns over air pollution from increased coal-fired generation, Taipower said the short-term operations will not exceed last year’s total coal consumption. Senior officials from the ministry, Taipower, and the Mailiao Power Plant recently met with the Yunlin County Government to discuss the restart. Taipower said each unit has a generating capacity of 500,000 kilowatts. Both units hold valid operating permits and power licenses and are legally allowed to operate. They have also been equipped with environmental protection measures, including wet electrostatic precipitators, to reduce emissions. However, the original contract between Taipower and the plant’s operator, Formosa Plastics, has expired. Yunlin County Magistrate Chang Li-shan (張麗善) said Monday that the ministry proposed allowing the two units to operate for an additional three months. She said that while the units’ permits remain valid and regional tensions have affected national energy supply, the county government has a responsibility to protect public health and prevent air pollution. Chang said the county agreed to conditionally cooperate with the restart based on national needs, with stricter end-of-pipe environmental controls during the three months. She added that ongoing tensions involving Iran highlight the need to review Taiwan’s overall energy policy. Chang said she hopes the central government will consider restarting nuclear power to ensure long-term energy stability for households and industry. At a Cabinet press conference on Monday on the impact of the Iran war on energy supply, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) instructed the economics ministry to coordinate with CPC Corp. and Formosa Plastics to strengthen procurement of crude and light crude oil to stabilize prices. The transport ministry has also initiated subsidies for aviation fuel in accordance with existing regulations. National Development Council Chair Yeh Chun-hsien (葉俊顯) said CPC Corp. and Formosa Plastics have increased crude oil purchases for shipments between April and July, including rerouting some shipments through the Red Sea. Taipower said LNG and domestic gas supplies remain sufficient for now, and all generating units are operating according to schedule. However, the ongoing conflict involving Iran continues to disrupt global energy supplies. Delays in resuming production may affect major international natural gas facilities, increasing risks to LNG supply. Yeh said countries such as Japan, South Korea, Germany, Thailand, and the Philippines have taken emergency measures to adjust their power generation mix, increasing coal-fired output to mitigate natural gas supply risks and rising energy costs. Given the uncertainty surrounding the conflict, Taipower said the temporary increase in coal-fired generation is intended to enhance flexibility in LNG dispatching and safeguard Taiwan’s energy security.  New Taipei’s Education Department said that it has launched a program to train students for careers in the space technology sector.
Reporters reported that the program connects elementary, junior high, and senior high schools, vocational centers, and universities into a unified training system. It aims to guide students from early interest to professional skills in space-related fields. Officials said space technology has expanded beyond scientific research into practical applications such as low Earth orbit satellites and communications. This shift is driving global competition and creating new job opportunities. The program links 16 vocational exploration centers with schools and higher education institutions across the city. Students can begin learning basic concepts at a young age and continue developing advanced skills step by step, per Yahoo News. Reporters reported that the curriculum covers topics including rockets, small satellites, and sensor applications. Students will also take part in hands-on projects to understand how these technologies are used in real-world settings. The initiative is structured around three stages: inspiring interest, building skills, and connecting to industry. Officials said this approach helps students explore career paths while gaining practical experience. The city is also working with private-sector partners to develop teaching materials and train educators. Teachers said this collaboration helps move lessons beyond theory and shows how coding and engineering are applied in real missions. Educators involved in the program said students are more motivated when they see how classroom knowledge connects to real-world technology. They added that hands-on projects improve both understanding and confidence.  The Ministry of Digital Affairs said the government will step up enforcement, strengthen undersea cable protection, and expand international cooperation to prevent damage and enhance communications resilience.
As of February, Taiwan had 15 international and 10 domestic undersea cables. The ministry said ships’ anchors cause most cable damage within 24 nautical miles, while damage beyond that range is mainly due to earthquake-triggered seabed landslides. Taiwan has recorded an average of eight undersea cable damage incidents a year within 24 nautical miles over the past four years, with 38.3% caused by ship anchors. Three of seven incidents last year were linked to anchor damage. At the end of last year, an offshore earthquake in eastern Taiwan damaged six major international undersea cables. The ministry added that backup cables were used to minimize the impact, and all disruptions were repaired by February. To better curb undersea cable sabotage, the government has amended the Telecommunications Management Act to increase penalties for damaging telecommunications infrastructure. It has also implemented measures to seize vessels involved in incidents and strengthen ship automatic identification systems. To minimize the impact of cable damage on communications, the ministry said it will continue developing multiple communication routes and expanding satellite links. It will also strengthen cooperation with international partners to speed up repairs. The ministry added that it is focusing on better protecting and burying cables, as well as providing subsidies for new cable construction. It also plans to crack down on illegal dredging to protect the seabed and undersea cables. On March 30, a Chinese vessel reportedly damaged the Taima No. 3 submarine cable while removing a Chinese fishing boat’s hull in Matsu waters. The case is under investigation by the Coast Guard Administration, and Chunghwa Telecom has sent personnel to inspect the cable. In February 2025, the Hong Tai 58, a Chinese-backed vessel registered in Togo, dropped anchor in a no-anchoring zone off Tainan. It then moved in a zigzag pattern, cutting the Taiwan-Penghu No. 3 undersea cable and causing more than NT$17 million (US$540,000) in damage. The Tainan District Court ruled that the ship’s Chinese captain, surnamed Wang (王), deliberately damaged the cable. He was sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to pay NT$18.22 million in compensation. The administration said the case was a deliberate act of sabotage by China.  Taiwan’s representative office in Kuwait helped five language exchange students leave the country amid the Middle East conflict, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
The five women were studying at the Kuwait University Language Center. The office sent staff on April 4 to accompany them on an overland journey to the Saudi capital of Riyadh, the ministry said in a statement. Taiwan’s office in Saudi Arabia provided support before helping them board an Emirates flight to Dubai on Monday. The students then took a connecting flight expected to arrive in Taiwan on Tuesday afternoon, the ministry said. The situation in the Middle East remained difficult, with airlines canceling flights and countries closing their airspace. The ministry advised citizens to avoid the region, but if travel was necessary, to register before leaving Taiwan.  Taiwan’s national parks are set to improve visitor safety through a new partnership with Taipei Veterans General Hospital.
The National Park Service and the hospital signed a memorandum of understanding Tuesday. Under the agreement, park staff can access the hospital’s telemedicine system for immediate guidance during emergencies, ensuring timely care even in remote outdoor locations. During large-scale park events or periods of high visitor traffic, the hospital will also provide on-site medical personnel and set up temporary first-aid stations. Beyond immediate care, the two agencies will develop priority patient transfer procedures and interagency coordination mechanisms to strengthen visitor safety in Taiwan’s outdoor spaces. Hospital Director Chen Wei-ming (陳威明) said national parks are among the country’s most treasured assets. He said the partnership merges medical expertise with environmental conservation, creating new opportunities to promote public health and support sustainable development. The collaboration extends beyond emergency care. The National Parks Administration plans to work with Taipei Veterans General Hospital and its affiliated branches in Taichung, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung to screen 17 conservation-themed films covering national parks, wetlands, and coastlines. The films will be shown in hospital public areas. They aim to comfort patients, caregivers, and families while promoting awareness of Taiwan’s natural heritage and easing the stress of medical visits and long-term care. Taiwan has nine national parks. Among them, Yangmingshan National Park in northern Taiwan drew the highest number of visitors in 2024, with 6.4 million over the year. |