Taipei, Aug. 21 (CNA) The Fubon Guardians have signed top draft pick Chen Po-kai (陳柏凱) for a NT$6.5 million (US$203,960) signing bonus, a record in the history of Taiwan's Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL).

The 18-year-old shortstop agreed to a 2.5-year contract that also includes a NT$1 million training allowance and up to NT$1 million in performance incentives, bringing the deal's total value to NT$8.5 million, the franchise announced in a statement Friday.

Chen's signing bonus surpassed the previous CPBL record for an amateur draft pick, set in 2002 when the Sinon Bulls signed pitcher Tsai Chung-nan (蔡仲南) for NT$6 million.

Chen, a graduate of Taoyuan Municipal Daxi Senior High School, became the fifth high school player to be selected first overall in CPBL draft history when the Guardians chose him on June 29.

Chen was among nine Guardians draft picks who reached agreements with the club ahead of the CPBL's Aug. 31 signing deadline.

The highly rated infielder will also join his older brother, pitcher Chen Pin-hong (陳品宏), with the Guardians.

"Thank you to the Fubon Guardians for valuing me," Chen was cited as saying in the statement. "They were proactive in discussing the contract with me after the draft and showed tremendous confidence in me."

"I also know that this recognition comes with responsibility," he added. "I will work hard to prove myself step by step through my performance on the field."

The Guardians said they hoped Chen would turn the confidence shown in him through his record contract into motivation, continue developing as he adjusts to the more demanding professional environment and become a core player for the club.

Chen is currently training with Taiwan's national team for the BFA XIV U18 Asian Baseball Championship, which will be held in Taipei from Sept. 7-13.

He will report to the Guardians after the tournament, the club said.

Taipei, Aug. 20 (CNA) A new station on the southeast end of the Taipei Metro Xinyi Line will open on Aug. 30, extending service 1.4 kilometers past the current terminal station, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) said Thursday.

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications on Tuesday issued an operating license for the new Guangci/Fengtian Temple Station in the Xinyi District following the required inspections, according to the city government.

When the new station opens on Aug. 30, passengers will be able to travel on the MRT Red Line beyond Xiangshan Station to the Fude Street and Zhongpo South Road area, near Guangci Charity Park and the Four Beasts Mountain.

Construction of the new Guangci/Fengtian Temple station began in 2016, extending the Red Line 1.4 kilometers beneath Section 6 of Xinyi Road, connecting the Xiangshan and Hushan areas.

Chiang said it was "one of the most difficult metro sections" to construct, because the station was built about 10 stories underground, through layers ranging from soft clay near the surface to hard bedrock deeper below.

The new terminus will provide easier access to Guangci Charity Park, a social housing complex that opened in 2022, Songshan High School of Commerce and Home Economics, and Fengtian Temple.

The Taipei MRT Red Line, also known as the Tamsui-Xinyi Line, currently runs 29 km, with 28 stations from Tamsui in New Taipei on the northwest end to Xiangshan in southeast Taipei.

Imagine sitting around a table with your partner’s family, wanting to join the conversation but not having the language to fully express yourself.

For Sean, this is one of the reasons learning Taiwanese Mandarin has become meaningful. What began as something he had always wanted to do has gradually become a way to build relationships, overcome his fear of speaking and feel more connected to Taiwan.

“I’ve always admired people who are bilingual,” Sean said. “But the fear of being judged always held me back from learning.”

For many adults, speaking a new language can feel intimidating. The fear of making mistakes, saying something incorrectly or being judged by others can be enough to prevent someone from even beginning.

Sean found that taking the first step became easier when he discovered a small and supportive learning environment at the Taiwan Centre for Mandarin Learning (TCML) in Auckland. Rather than feeling that he had to speak perfectly from the beginning, he found himself learning alongside classmates who were also willing to make mistakes, practise and improve together.

“The small class of people who are wanting to do the same thing has inspired me.”

That sense of encouragement has become an important part of Sean’s experience. Learning Mandarin is no longer something he has to do alone. His classmates are on a similar journey, creating an environment where trying to speak is more important than getting every word perfect.

But Sean’s motivation goes beyond simply wanting to become bilingual. His girlfriend is Taiwanese, and being able to communicate with her and her family in Taiwanese Mandarin gives him a very personal reason to keep learning.

His connection to Taiwan began to grow in Auckland. He first discovered TCML while attending the Taiwan Day Festival, where he experienced Taiwanese food, culture and community. The festival gave him an opportunity to encounter Taiwan not simply as a place on a map, but as a living culture represented through food, traditions and people in his own city. That experience eventually led him to TCML, where he could continue exploring Taiwanese Mandarin in a more structured environment.

Since starting the course, Sean has tried to use Mandarin whenever he can when talking with people. For him, the goal is not simply to complete lessons or memorise vocabulary. It is to gradually become comfortable enough to use the language naturally. This is also where TCML teacher Sheryl’s teaching philosophy has made an impact.

Rather than expecting students to gain confidence first and speak later, Sheryl creates opportunities for them to practise using Mandarin in situations where communication has a purpose. One of the goals she has set for the class is for the students to eventually go out together to a restaurant and use Mandarin in a real-life setting. 

This kind of goal changes the way students think about learning. Instead of asking, “How much Mandarin do I know?”, they can begin asking, “What can I do with the Mandarin I know?” The planned restaurant outing will give the students an opportunity to order food, interact with staff and practise with one another outside the classroom. More importantly, it gives them a shared goal to work towards.

Sheryl has also planned a tea experience for the class this term, combining language learning with Taiwanese tea culture. Although Sean does not usually drink tea, he is interested in taking part in the experience and would also like to participate in Taiwanese or Asian cooking activities in the future.

For Sean, these experiences are valuable because they create natural reasons to use Mandarin. Food, tea, travel and relationships all become opportunities to practise rather than simply topics in a textbook.

His hope to visit Taiwan adds another dimension to his learning. He imagines using Mandarin when he and his girlfriend travel there together—ordering food, having basic conversations with local people and becoming more comfortable navigating everyday situations.

“Learning Taiwanese Mandarin has strengthened my connection with Taiwan because I’m able to use it whenever I go to Taiwan to order food, and have basic conversations with people.”

There is also a personal hope behind that growing confidence: being able to communicate more naturally with his girlfriend’s family. A new language can create opportunities for conversations that might otherwise be difficult, and those conversations can gradually lead to stronger relationships.

Confidence does not always have to come before learning. Sometimes, confidence develops because people are given a supportive place where they can try, make mistakes and try again. The small classroom at TCML has given Sean that opportunity.

What began with an admiration for bilingual speakers has gradually become part of his own life. Mandarin is no longer simply a language he hopes to learn someday. It is becoming a tool he can use to communicate, participate and connect. Every new Mandarin phrase is another small step towards a future in which language is no longer a barrier, but a bridge—to his girlfriend, her family, his classmates, and a deeper connection with Taiwan.

Taipei, Aug. 19 (CNA) Blue-collar migrant workers injured on the job are eligible for a Ministry of Labor (MOL) legal assistance program for occupational accident victims and can receive interpretation services throughout the process, the ministry told CNA Wednesday.

The confirmation came as the MOL is set to expand the program from Jan. 1, 2027, to provide legal representation during criminal trials in occupational accident cases, extending existing assistance beyond the investigation stage.

In a statement to CNA, the MOL said the program provides legal consultations, lawyers to accompany workers during settlement and mediation proceedings, and litigation assistance to occupational accident victims, including migrant workers.

For migrant workers, "interpretation services are provided throughout the process," the ministry said.

The MOL has also instructed local government personnel dedicated to occupational accident cases to assess the needs of the migrant workers they assist and connect them with lawyers where necessary, according to the statement.

The statement came after CNA questioned MOL Department of Labor Relations Director-General Wang Hou-wei (王厚偉) at a news briefing Tuesday about migrant workers' eligibility for the program and the availability of interpretation services.

Wang confirmed at the time that the assistance covers migrant workers, including live-in caregivers and domestic helpers who are not covered by Taiwan's Labor Standards Act.

He also noted that interpretation services are particularly important for migrant workers, who "definitely need this kind of assistance; otherwise, they would have difficulty asserting many of their rights."

The program's expansion to cover criminal trials from Jan. 1, 2027 is intended to "fill a gap" in the current system by extending lawyers' assistance beyond the investigation stage, said Legal Aid Foundation CEO Steven Chou (周漢威), who also spoke at Tuesday's briefing.

"We believe there should also be a lawyer alongside [the worker] during the trial," said Chou, whose foundation works with the MOL on the program.

He said lawyers can help identify witnesses and other evidence, particularly because the prosecutor handling the case at trial may not be the same one who conducted the investigation and may be less familiar with the case.

Lawyers can also explain to the court the impact of an accident on workers and their families, including physical disabilities and psychological trauma, when judges consider sentencing, Chou said.

In addition, they can advise workers and their families during settlement negotiations and help them seek reasonable compensation from their employers, he added.

Information provided by the MOL showed that the program includes assistance with legal fees, up to NT$100,000 (US$3,129) per case for necessary expenses such as application fees, as well as living-expense assistance for eligible workers involved in litigation.

Chou told CNA that lawyers assigned through the foundation to handle occupational accident cases under the program are paid NT$20,000 for representing complainants during criminal investigations and NT$30,000 during trial proceedings.

Regarding the experience of its legal aid lawyers, Chou said the foundation had 4,889 such lawyers in 2025, with around 61 percent having practiced law for more than 11 years.

MOL data showed that Taiwan had 895,115 blue-collar migrant workers as of late June.

Taipei, Aug. 19 (CNA) Hengchun Township in Pingtung County, southern Taiwan, is preparing for its annual Ghost Festival pole-climbing contest on Aug. 27, with organizers erecting a 21-meter bamboo lantern pole Wednesday in a traditional ritual inviting wandering spirits to join the festivities.

Using an excavator, workers hoisted the 21-meter pole onto the roof of the competition structure -- a raised structure supported by 36 wooden poles for the event.

Hengchun Township chief You Shi-jing (尤史經) led a ceremony seeking blessings for the contest's success, underscoring efforts to preserve the township's cherished folk traditions.

Locally known as Cianggu (搶孤), the contest sees five-member teams form a human pyramid and help a climber scale a 13-meter wooden pole slicked with beef fat to seize a ceremonial flag at the top, with the first team to do so winning a prize of NT$350,000 (US$10,949).

You said the total prize pool for this year's event will reach NT$1.15 million, adding that organizers expect roughly 1,000 visitors to attend.

One of Taiwan's best-known folk traditions, the contest will take place at midnight on Aug. 27 -- the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, Ghost Month -- to mark the Ghost Festival.

During Ghost Month, communities across Taiwan honor wandering spirits with offerings of food and incense, with the main observances taking place on the 15th day.

According to the Pingtung County government, several of the 36 wooden poles are reserved for wandering spirits, with the 21-meter bamboo pole symbolizing an invitation for the "good brothers" -- a local euphemism for ghosts -- to join the Ghost Festival celebrations.

Taipei, Aug. 19 (CNA) Taiwan's top military hospital on Wednesday highlighted its use of highly mobile surgical teams and virtual reality (VR) training to prepare medical personnel for frontline trauma care during disasters and military operations.

"A Forward Surgical Team (FST) is essentially a small, highly mobile surgical lifesaving team designed to deploy close to the front line," Yang Chih-Jen (楊智仁), an attending physician in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Tri-Service General Hospital, said at a press conference in Taipei.

An FST's core purpose is not to provide hospital-level care, Yang said, but to stabilize casualties in battlefield conditions, disaster zones or remote settings when they cannot be immediately evacuated to a major hospital.

"The teams can provide emergency hemorrhage control, resuscitation and necessary lifesaving surgery, giving patients a chance to survive until they can be evacuated for further treatment," he said.

Yang said FST personnel currently train with the military about once a month, with exercises focusing on different objectives, while doctors specializing in areas including trauma surgery, orthopedics and cardiovascular surgery rotate through the training.

Nurses, anesthesiologists and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) also take part, along with personnel from other military hospitals around Taiwan, he added.

Asked about international cooperation in frontline trauma care, Yang said he was not aware of the details at his level but hoped Taiwan could work with countries with "more experience in the field" and learn from their expertise.

The hospital has also developed a VR-based trauma training system incorporating advanced trauma life support (ATLS) protocols in collaboration with Taiwanese technology company HTC to prepare medical personnel for mass-casualty incidents, Yang said.

The system, which Yang said is the first of its kind in Taiwan for trauma training, can simulate situations such as an earthquake that results in 15 or 16 casualties with injuries of varying severity arriving at an emergency department at once, requiring trainees to quickly assess and triage them.

"VR provides a very realistic immersive environment," the veteran emergency physician said, adding that the technology reduces the manpower, space and costs required for conventional training.

Trainees can also repeat a scenario and review their performance, while instructors can create different settings and injury patterns rather than having participants repeatedly practice a fixed scenario, he said.

The VR training is currently used by medical students rotating through the emergency department and can also be used by resident physicians, nurses and EMTs, according to Yang.

He said the system, introduced within roughly the past two years, currently focuses on mass-casualty triage but could be expanded to simulate more austere conditions, such as limited lighting or shortages of medical equipment, forcing trainees to work with limited resources.

Scenarios involving extreme conditions such as a complete loss of electricity or water supplies have not yet been incorporated into the system, Yang said, adding that he hoped such situations could be included in future training.

Taiwan's culture ministry has selected director Chen Yu-hsun's "A Foggy Tale" to represent the country in the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards. Set during the White Terror period, the drama was chosen for its portrayal of everyday people living under intense political repression. The film won Best Picture and Best Screenplay at last year's Golden Horse Awards.

For Natalia Makoto, learning Mandarin began with a simple curiosity about languages and cultures. What started as an interest in discovering a new language has grown into an exciting journey that has taken her from a classroom in Auckland, New Zealand, to real-life conversations during her travels overseas.

Natalia has always been fascinated by different languages and cultures. However, before discovering the Taiwan Centre for Mandarin Learning (TCML), she had never had the opportunity to formally study another language. When she realised that the TCML centre was located just down the road from where she lived, she decided it was time to give Mandarin a try.

“I have always been fascinated with other languages and learning about other cultures, but I never had the opportunity to take part in a formal language-learning setting,” Natalia said. “When I discovered that TCML was so close to where I lived, I decided to join the Taiwan Mandarin classes.”

She was also attracted by the personal benefits of learning a new language. “I have heard that learning a new language helps keep the brain active and improves memory, so I thought that would be good for me too as I am getting older.”

From the beginning, Natalia found herself learning alongside classmates from a remarkable range of backgrounds, including New Zealand, Singapore, Fiji and India. Originally from Zimbabwe, she particularly appreciated the diversity of the class. Everyone came from a different cultural background, yet they shared the same experience of beginning Mandarin from the basics.

“We were all learning from scratch,” she recalled. “We started with very basic words and gradually continued to build our vocabulary.”

One of her early discoveries was that Mandarin was not nearly as complicated as she had imagined. Numbers, for example, quickly gave her confidence. Once she understood the basic numbers from zero to ten, she realised that she could apply the same principles to count much further.

For Natalia, discovering that Mandarin could be approached step by step helped make the language feel much more accessible. Rather than being overwhelmed by a completely unfamiliar writing system and pronunciation, she began to see that each new lesson provided another building block.

However, there was one significant challenge. Natalia frequently travels out of town during the week for work and was initially concerned that she would not be able to maintain regular attendance. Rather than allowing this to interrupt her learning, TCML teacher Sheryl found a way to support her. When Natalia was away for work, TCML made online participation available so that she could continue joining the class each week. This flexibility became an important part of Natalia’s learning journey. Instead of having to choose between work commitments and Mandarin, she was able to continue both.

Natalia’s experience with TCML has also gone beyond the regular classroom. She particularly enjoyed the cultural sessions offered alongside Mandarin lessons. During one activity, students learned about the history and traditions of the Lunar New Year, including the significance of red lanterns. They had the opportunity to make their own lanterns and taste food traditionally enjoyed during the festival.

“These extra sessions helped me understand Asian culture much more,” she said. For Natalia, these cultural experiences added another dimension to learning Mandarin. The language became connected with traditions, food, celebrations and everyday life, allowing her to understand more about the cultural context behind the words she was learning.

Another memorable part of her TCML experience was the Mandarin Auction activity. The activity gave students an opportunity to use the language they had learned in a lively and practical situation. Rather than simply practising sentences from a textbook, students had to listen, respond, negotiate and interact with one another in Mandarin. The experience helped her to build the confidence to speak spontaneously and later became particularly valuable when she travelled overseas.

The real test of her learning came when she recently travelled to China, the Mandarin she had been practising in New Zealand became a living language that she could use with people in everyday situations. One of her favourite memories came from a visit to a handbag shop. Seeing an opportunity to practise, Natalia confidently told the shop assistant, “太貴了，便宜一點！” (“It’s too expensive. Can you make it a little cheaper?”)

The shop assistant was surprised to hear Natalia speaking Mandarin, and the two of them ended up laughing together. The price was eventually reduced, turning what could have been an ordinary shopping experience into one of Natalia’s favourite memories from the trip. This moment represented more than simply remembering a phrase from class. It was an opportunity to discover that the language she had been learning in Auckland could be useful in the real world.

What began as a desire to explore another language has therefore become much more than learning vocabulary and grammar. Through TCML, Natalia has discovered that Mandarin can open doors to communication, cultural understanding and memorable experiences.

Looking ahead, Natalia has another goal: to visit Taiwan. “One day I hope to travel to Taiwan and experience in real life all the things that we are learning through the Taiwan Mandarin classes.”

Her journey is a wonderful example of how language learning can extend far beyond the classroom. With the support of TCML, a flexible learning environment, dedicated teaching and opportunities to connect language with culture and real-life experiences, Natalia has gained not only Mandarin skills but also the confidence to use them.

Tainan, Aug. 19 (CNA) A mother and daughter in Tainan have become the first people to complete their official registration as Indigenous Siraya people after the government recognized the Siraya as Taiwan's 17th Indigenous group on July 30.

The registration of the mother, Mai Fang-chi (買方祺), and daughter, Shih Ya-hsin (石亞欣), was completed at Tainan's South District Household Registration Office and witnessed by Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che (黃偉哲) on Wednesday, the city said in a statement.

Huang said the registration marked an important milestone for the Siraya, who have long sought recognition of their identity and place in history after preserving and passing down their culture in Tainan for generations.

Tainan's household registration offices began accepting applications for Indigenous Siraya identification on Aug. 13, after the Council of Indigenous Peoples (CIP) announced the relevant eligibility criteria the same day, according to the statement.

As of Tuesday, the offices had received 1,545 applications, of which 10 of the first 12 applications reviewed met the requirements, the city government said.

Of the 10, Mai and Shih were the first to go to the office to complete their registration.

Tainan previously recognized the Indigenous status of people seen as "assimilated Indigenous peoples" at the city level.

Under the new system, those who complete the registration process will receive "Plains Indigenous" status recognized under national law, the city said.

The eligibility requirements for Siraya registration lean heavily on precedent.

Applicants or their direct ancestors have to have been registered as plains or assimilated Indigenous peoples under Japanese rule (1895-1945), and they had to be registered as living in Siraya regions during that time period.

If that is not an option, applicants must present other evidence of their Indigenous Taiwanese ancestry dating back to the Japanese colonial period.

The Siraya are the first Plains Indigenous group to be officially recognized by Taiwan's government, following the Legislature's passage of the Plains Indigenous Peoples Status Act in October 2025.

Also referred to as "assimilated indigenous peoples" during the Japanese colonial period, Plains Indigenous peoples have struggled to gain recognition because they were deemed to have largely become Sinicized.

As a result, the Taiwanese government previously officially recognized only Mountain Indigenous tribes.

Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said in July that eight other Plains Indigenous groups had submitted applications for recognition that were awaiting review by the CIP.

Taipei, Aug. 16 (CNA) More than 200 migrant workers attended a free health check event staffed by medical personnel and volunteers from the Tzu Chi International Medical Association at Taipei Main Station on Sunday.

The event offered preliminary health checks, including ultrasound and dental examinations, as well as consultations in specialties such as orthopedics and gynecology, according to Ho Fang-tsun (何芳純), a Taipei City government official who helped organize the event.

Surya Dewi, an Indonesian domestic worker who has lived in Taiwan for 14 years, said the event was "very helpful because sometimes we don't have time to go to a clinic."

The 51-year-old said she had her heart, teeth and eyes checked. It was her first time attending the event.

Istiyani, an Indonesian caregiver, said she received acupuncture after seeking help for lower back and hand pain caused by lifting the elderly person in her care.

"It doesn't hurt anymore," said the Taoyuan-based worker, who has lived in Taiwan for eight years.

Ho said the office began cooperating with Tzu Chi in 2004, primarily because many of Taipei's roughly 50,000 migrant workers are live-in family caregivers with only one day off a month, making it difficult to seek medical treatment.

"Family caregivers look after the health of our people, and we also hope to look after the health of migrant workers," Ho said.

With more than 20,000 visits recorded since the program began and each event this year drawing more than 200 participants, Ho said the service does not end with the initial screening.

"At our previous session [in June], we found that one migrant worker had about eight or nine uterine fibroids," Ho said. "We followed up with her and helped her go to a major hospital for further examinations."

Sunday's event was the third of four planned for 2026, with the final one set for Oct. 4, also at Taipei Main Station.

The service is open to migrant workers legally residing in Taiwan, including those employed outside Taipei, as long as they bring their Alien Resident Certificates (ARCs).

World-renowned drag performer Nymphia Wind and fellow artist Hannah Monina swapped their signature stage makeup for work gloves, joining volunteers along New Taipei’s coast for a massive beach cleanup. Partnering with environmental organization HiiN Studio, the group collected more than 600 kg of marine waste. Nymphia revealed plans to incorporate the gathered ocean plastic into an upcoming Taiwan Pride parade outfit designed to draw attention to the critically endangered Formosan pink dolphin.

From August 1 to 14, 2026, the Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) organized the sixth session of the “2026 Overseas Youth Taiwan Study Tour” for participants from Europe, Asia, and Canada. A total of 38 overseas youth from Japan, Germany, Canada, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom traveled to Taiwan for a 14-day study tour and cultural exchange program.

Through a diverse itinerary covering political and economic development, natural ecology, history and culture, industrial technology, higher education, and local lifestyles, participants traveled across northern, central, and southern Taiwan, gaining an in-depth understanding of the island’s rich and multifaceted social and cultural landscape.

The program featured a comprehensive journey across Taiwan, combining natural attractions, cultural experiences, industrial development, and urban exploration. At the beginning of the tour, participants visited Shilin Night Market, where they experienced one of Taiwan’s most distinctive forms of night-market culture. They later toured the National Palace Museum, the Presidential Office Building, Taipei 101, and the National Revolutionary Martyrs’ Shrine, gaining insight into Taiwan’s historical depth as well as the international character of its modern capital.

The itinerary also included visits to the Shalun Smart Green Energy Science City and Guangxing Paper Mill, allowing participants to experience both Taiwan’s cutting-edge green energy and technology industries and its well-preserved traditional craftsmanship through hands-on DIY activities. Visits to Checheng Station, Anping Fort, Anping Old Street, Sanxia Old Street, Jinshan Old Street, Wusheng Night Market, and the Fengchia Commercial District further enabled participants to observe how communities across Taiwan have developed in response to their local environments, preserving distinctive historical character, everyday traditions, and collective urban memories. These experiences vividly demonstrated how Taiwan continues to embrace both tradition and innovation.

The study tour also incorporated a wide range of natural ecology and environmental education activities. Participants visited Yehliu Geopark in northern Taiwan, internationally renowned for its iconic “Queen’s Head” rock formation, as well as the Tamsui Mangrove Nature Reserve and Sun Moon Lake, often described as one of central Taiwan’s most beautiful natural treasures.

Cultural and educational visits included Hinoki Village, the National Museum of Taiwan History, the National Museum of Natural Science, the National Museum of Marine Science and Technology, and the Taipei Fine Arts Museum. Participants also explored the Indigenous Peoples Cultural Park, the Taiwan Hakka Museum, and the Ita Thao Indigenous commercial district at Sun Moon Lake. Through these diverse experiences, they gained a deeper appreciation of Taiwan’s architectural heritage, historical development, contemporary art, and multicultural identity, helping them build a more comprehensive and multidimensional impression of Taiwan.

To encourage overseas youth to learn more about Taiwan’s high-quality higher education environment, the program also arranged visits to China University of Technology, National Cheng Kung University, and Providence University. Through campus tours, admissions presentations, and exchange sessions with local students and faculty members, participants gained firsthand knowledge of the academic resources, educational strengths, and distinctive features of Taiwan’s universities.

Interactions with Taiwanese students and educators were particularly meaningful, giving participants valuable insights into campus life in Taiwan and encouraging them to consider future opportunities for studying in Taiwan while broadening their international perspectives.

Through this 14-day in-depth journey from northern to southern Taiwan, the overseas youth not only strengthened their understanding of Taiwan’s natural environment, history and culture, educational resources, and modern development, but also experienced the warmth and hospitality of its people. The program further strengthened their emotional connection with Taiwan and laid a solid foundation for continued exchanges and engagement in the future.

The Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) hosted the 2026 OCAC Global Young Entrepreneurs Visiting Program from July 20 to 22. On July 22, OCAC Minister Chia-Ching Hsu chaired the concluding discussion session and farewell dinner, where she exchanged views and reflections with 26 young overseas Taiwanese entrepreneurs from 20 regions across six continents. Minister Hsu encouraged overseas Taiwanese communities to stand united and actively engage with mainstream society in their respective countries, thereby strengthening Taiwan’s international competitiveness.

“The conclusion of the three-day program also marks a new beginning for cross-border collaboration among the participants,” said Minister Hsu. She encouraged the young entrepreneurs, noting that while Taiwanese communities may be relatively small, what matters is whether they can leverage their unique strengths and make an impact. Citing TSMC’s focus on core technologies for advanced chips and renowned food brand SunnyHills’ commitment to quality and global expansion, Minister Hsu emphasized that “capital is the clearest indicator of where real value lies.” Only by developing a distinctive competitive edge, building a solid foundation, and staying well prepared can businesses seize opportunities when they arise.

Minister Hsu said that the OCAC will continue to serve as a platform for connecting competitive Taiwanese companies and resources with overseas markets. Through these efforts, OCAC aims to help young overseas Taiwanese entrepreneurs better understand Taiwan’s industrial landscape and technological strengths, while facilitating business opportunities and exchanges between Taiwan and abroad.

During the panel discussion, delegation leader Wen-Hsin Chen said the program had been highly rewarding and that participants had gained a great deal from the experience. She highlighted the visit to SunnyHills, where participants learned valuable lessons about the entrepreneurial mindset and the importance of perseverance. The featured lecture offered practical insights into second-generation business succession and the sustainable transmission of corporate culture, providing valuable inspiration for business management. Chen, who is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in medicine at Kyoto University in Japan, hopes to promote greater academic exchange between Taiwan and Japan and, in turn, help overseas Taiwanese communities establish more effective medical care procedures and patient record systems.

Deputy delegation leader Tzu-Li Lin, who is based in Africa, said the company visits gave participants a firsthand look at the impressive scale and innovative business models of Taiwanese companies. He added that the featured lecture provided flexible and practical approaches to business management with strong real-world applicability, and he hopes to put the lessons learned into practice in his own business operations. During the event, the young entrepreneurs actively exchanged ideas, noting that the program not only broadened their business perspectives but also strengthened their networks for cross-border collaboration and deepened their connection with Taiwan.

The 2026 OCAC Global Young Entrepreneurs Visiting Program included participation in the Young Entrepreneurs Exchange Forum, as well as visits to three companies—YUANYOU Food Enterprise (CAFE!N), YesHealth iFarm, and Taiwan Head Brewers. Participants also attended a featured lecture on brand and cultural innovation and second-generation business succession. Through these activities, the program seeks to connect Taiwanese enterprises with young entrepreneurs from around the world and empower the younger generation to become a driving force in expanding Taiwan’s global economic and trade engagement.

The event was chaired by Minister Hsu. Other attendees included Ya-Shu (Sophia) Chuang, Director of the Department of Overseas Compatriot Business Affairs; Yu-Ching Chen, Deputy Director of the Department of Expatriate Affairs; Wen-Hwa Chang, Director of the Department of Overseas Compatriot Student Affairs; Chuen-Fang Wu, Deputy Director of the Department of Policy Research and Development; Hui-Ping Yang, Senior Executive Officer of the Department of Overseas Compatriot Education Affairs; Jung Lo, OCAC News Editor-in-Chief; Chien-Pin Wang, President of the Commerce Development Research Institute; and Advisor Kuang-Hwa Huang.

Taipei, Aug. 15 (CNA) Parliamentary staffers from 12 European countries are visiting Taiwan to exchange views on democratic governance, resilience and digital government as part of a Taiwan-organized exchange program, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Saturday.

The delegation is the second group to visit Taiwan this year under the 2026 European Valued Important Partnership (EVIP) program, jointly organized by MOFA and the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund.

The visitors, from Austria, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Montenegro, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and the United Kingdom, are in Taiwan from Wednesday through next Friday, according to a MOFA statement.

Deputy Foreign Minister François Wu (吳志中) hosted a reception for the delegation Thursday, at which he stressed the importance of closer Taiwan-Europe cooperation amid growing global instability.

Despite international challenges, Taiwan has maintained peace and stability while delivering strong economic performance, Wu said, citing nearly 14 percent economic growth in the first quarter of 2026 and the country's stock market becoming the world's fifth largest by market capitalization.

Wu said Taiwan's semiconductor industry's success was due in part to long-term cooperation with European partners, particularly the Netherlands, France, Germany and Belgium.

Delegation leader Matej Števove said the visitors came from different countries and backgrounds but shared a commitment to democracy, freedom, human rights and the rule of law, according to MOFA.

As authoritarian states expand their influence and challenge the international order through economic coercion and other means, Europe should strengthen cooperation with Taiwan on economic, technological and security issues, Števove said.

He also praised Taiwan for demonstrating the resilience of its democracy and expressed hope that the EVIP program would deepen exchanges and partnerships between Taiwan and Europe.

This year's EVIP program focuses on digital governance and includes visits to Taiwanese government agencies and private organizations.

Officials from European representative offices, staff from lawmakers' offices across party lines, academics and nonprofit representatives also attended the reception, MOFA said.

Taipei, Aug. 14 (CNA) The Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) on Friday launched a book tracing its evolution from a traditional foreign aid agency into a platform linking Taiwan's technology and expertise with global development needs.

Published to mark the organization's 30th anniversary, "TaiwanICDF at 30: Shaping the Future Together" reviews three decades of international development work since the fund was established in 1996.

Speaking at the Taipei launch event, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍), who chairs the TaiwanICDF, said the book documents Taiwan's transformation from an aid recipient into "a global provider of solutions."

Lin said the fund's work has expanded from agricultural missions and conventional healthcare assistance to capacity building, digital transformation, smart technologies and sustainable development.

Taiwan now provides partner countries with semiconductor workforce training, sovereign artificial intelligence technology, smart healthcare systems, green energy and climate resilience solutions, he said.

"Diplomacy is not an abstract concept," Lin said. "It is a powerful bridge that connects Taiwan's advanced capabilities with global needs."

As examples of the fund's recent work, Lin cited the planned Taiwan-Paraguay Sovereign AI Computing Center, agricultural and digital governance projects in Saint Lucia, smart healthcare systems in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and programs supplying fresh produce to schoolchildren in Tuvalu.

The TaiwanICDF will expand cooperation with aid agencies and multilateral development banks while strengthening educational and trade exchanges, Lin said.

TaiwanICDF Secretary General Huang Yu-lin (黃玉霖) said international development cooperation must increasingly focus on helping partners build lasting capabilities rather than simply delivering resources or implementing individual projects.

"The success of cooperation should not be measured only by what we have delivered, but by what our partners become capable of doing," Huang said.

The fund should continue evolving into a platform linking Taiwan's knowledge, technology, financial institutions and people with partners worldwide, he added.

Belizean Ambassador Katherine Vanessa Meighan, a TaiwanICDF scholarship alumna, said studying in Taiwan 21 years ago changed her life and gave her a lasting connection to the country.

The fund's work in education, agriculture, infrastructure, technology and healthcare has similarly affected countless people, Meighan said, adding that such cooperation builds the trust and shared values needed for lasting diplomatic relationships.

EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. — August 9, 2026 — For the 53 members who participated in the 2026 FASCA Princeton Training Camp, the two-day experience was much more than a training program. It was a journey of cultural discovery, friendship, leadership, service, and belonging.

Held August 8–9 at the Best Western Rutgers University Hotel in East Brunswick, New Jersey, 31 new members joined 22 returning members for two days of cultural learning, teamwork, leadership development, and fun.

The camp's mission is to strengthen overseas Taiwanese youth's connection with Taiwan by training young volunteers, encouraging community participation, and cultivating future leaders and international talents for overseas communities.

Culture, Teamwork and Leadership

The camp began with introductions, icebreakers, and the formation of four teams: Taipei 101, Formosan Tree Frog, Formosan Black Bear, and Formosan Blue Magpie. Through creative slogans, team flags, chants, and performances, the teams demonstrated their unique identities, youthful energy, and growing sense of unity.

Taiwanese culture was woven throughout the camp. Dance teachers Chen-Yu Tsuei and Kevin Chen taught the Hakka “YuanXiao Joy Dance,” Lion Dance, FASCA's signature “Perfect World,” and “Team Taiwan.” Art teachers Ms. Shu Chang and Ms. Jeannie Tuan introduced traditional Taiwanese crafts through tote bags decorated with Hakka flower patterns and double-coin knots.

New member Daniel Hare described the two-day training as “intensive and fulfilling,” while returning member Skyler Chen said the camp helped members build strong team bonds through chants and performances, making it a truly unforgettable learning experience.

Encouragement From Community Leaders

Approximately 150 students, parents, families, counselors, teachers, and guests attended the closing ceremony.

Director Wang Yi-ru of the Cultural and Educational Center encouraged the students and recognized the important role FASCA plays in cultivating future leaders and international talents for overseas communities. She emphasized that completing the training is not the end for the trainees, but the beginning of another journey of service. She also thanked the counselors for spending several months planning and organizing the training camp.

The ceremony also welcomed Deputy Director Liao Shuhuì; James Chuang, co-founder of the Asian Future Foundation; Nelson Tai, President of the New Jersey Chinese School Association, Gene Wang, President of the New Jersey Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce; Kiwi Haile Kalpanaha, President of the Taiwanese Association of America Northern New Jersey, FASCA

New York Counselor Flora Chen, and Jennifer Sun, the first FASCA Princeton counselor from 2012–2014. The distinguished guests presented awards to outstanding individuals and winning teams.

A flag-giving ceremony and graduation certificates officially recognized the trainees as FASCA Cultural Ambassadors, marking their transition from training participants to young volunteers ready to serve their communities.

A Farewell—and a New Beginning

The ceremony was especially emotional as longtime counselors Tina Liu, Vincent Yang, and Bright Lin prepare to conclude their formal service as FASCA Princeton counselors.

With Chris Lee, Maggie Lin, and Chiao-Wei Lee continuing as mentors, the next generation of FASCA Princeton leaders is ready to carry the journey forward.

One parent said, “My daughter is a second-generation Taiwanese American. She came to FASCA hoping to better understand her roots and leave with the belief that she can pass on, share, serve, and promote her Taiwanese cultural heritage.”

FASCA is a family, a bridge to our culture, a place to serve, and a community where one generation inspires the next. Although some chapters change, the journey—and the friendships—continue.

Reported by FASCA Princeton — Skyler Chen and Daniel Hare

Taipei, Aug. 12 (CNA) Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) has underscored the importance of employing 3D-printing equipment for the urgent resupply of drones on the battlefield as part of Taiwan's efforts to strengthen combat resilience.

Koo, accompanied by Vice Defense Minister Hsu Szu-chien (徐斯儉), visited a drone unit garrisoned in Taoyuan on Tuesday to highlight the equipment as combat units conducted drills as part of the Han Kuang military exercises.

The equipment is capable of producing non-electronic components, including airframes and weapons bays.

By developing rapid production capabilities using 3D-printing technology, drone units can establish a decentralized, rapid and sustainable maintenance and resupply mechanism, thereby strengthening combat resilience, Koo said in a statement following the visit.

Su Tzu-yun (蘇紫雲), a research fellow at Taiwan's government-funded Institute for National Defense and Security Research, said rapid fabrication of drone components is essential when supplies are disrupted or overwhelmed by battlefield demand.

The capability would be particularly useful if enemy forces destroyed a large number of Taiwan's drones, invading forces were larger than expected, or drones deployed to the front lines were damaged, Su said.

During the recently concluded Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, the U.S. Navy carried 3D printers aboard a vessel and used them to produce drone and naval vessel components, testing its ability to rapidly fabricate parts in the field and reduce reliance on resupply from shore, Su said.

Earlier in the day, Koo was also briefed by the combat theater and drone unit on the battlefield situation and observed military personnel conducting drone reconnaissance and combat operations.

Koo later inspected Air Force units to learn about their operational capabilities, force deployments, security personnel arrangements and areas of responsibility.