Taipei, May 18 (CNA) Taiwan has been invited for the first time to submit suggestions on possible solutions for NASA's lunar exploration program, which the head of Taiwan's space agency hopes will help the country gain a foothold in the emerging global "lunar economy."

Securing the invitation will enable Taiwanese companies to bypass third-party system contractors and work directly with the end-user, in this case NASA, Taiwan Space Agency (TASA) Director-General Wu Jong-shinn (吳宗信) said in an interview with CNA in late April.

Formally known as a "request for information" (RFI), the invitation was issued by the United States' National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to get input on 32 technical gaps in its Artemis lunar exploration program.

Artemis, led by NASA in collaboration with international and commercial partners, aims to land humans on the moon by 2028 and establish a long-term lunar base by 2030.

A foot in the door?

RFIs are generally issued during the planning stages of projects to learn what solutions are available and better understand potential vendors.

An RFI is not a contract opportunity, but it will give Taiwan a chance to introduce its space capabilities, and NASA will use the information it gets to inform future acquisitions.

Wu said Taiwan's space development has progressed steadily over the past two decades, evolving from a user of foreign technologies into a provider of technology and data and, increasingly, an international partner.

Taiwan's space industry currently generates nearly NT$300 billion (US$9.5 billion) in annual output value, Wu said, and the rise of the lunar economy could create new momentum for growth.

Specializing in contract manufacturing, Taiwanese companies have historically been excluded from higher-value design contracts because they lacked access to final operational scenarios, Wu said, a trend he hoped the NASA RFI could change.

Wu believed that Taiwan's semiconductors and precision machinery sector would give it an indispensable role in space technologies, especially as a permanent lunar base would need extensive automation, which depends on semiconductors.

But he also argued that Taiwan's participation in the space economy needed to move toward system integration capabilities.

The RFI included requests for information on infrastructure capable of withstanding the moon's extreme environment -- near-vacuum conditions, high radiation exposure and gravity about one-sixth that of Earth -- as well as advanced computing technologies for space operations.

Those requests went beyond simple solutions, and to strengthen Taiwan's response, TASA plans to integrate resources from the private and public sectors and academia to form a "national team" capable of addressing NASA's technology needs, Wu said.

The agency will also assess Taiwanese companies with the necessary capabilities and focus on key technologies with broad applications and long-term industrial value, he said.

Legal basis for direct cooperation

Aside from the NASA RFI opportunity, Wu said a proposed Taiwan-America Space Assistance Act, which recently cleared committee review in both chambers of the U.S. Congress and now awaits consideration by the full House and Senate, could also provide commercial openings for Taiwan.

The bill would authorize direct cooperation between TASA, NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on satellite programs, space exploration and atmospheric research.

Taiwan is once again on the sidelines as the World Health Assembly begins its 79th annual meeting. The country last attended as an observer in 2016 and has since been excluded amid apparent pressure from China. This year, however, Taiwanese officials are joined by the World Medical Association in calling for the country's participation in international organizations, while Taiwanese supporters from around Europe hold a sideline parade to highlight Taiwan's contributions to global healthcare.

Taipei, May 17 (CNA) Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) is in Geneva to attend Taiwan-organized events coinciding with the upcoming World Health Assembly (WHA), making him Taiwan's first top diplomat to visit the Swiss city during the annual gathering.

In a Facebook post Sunday, Lin said he had arrived in Geneva and had already attended two events there with Health Minister Shih Chung-liang (石崇良).

Taiwan was not invited to the WHA for a 10th consecutive year, but it is again staging events in Geneva, where the WHO is headquartered and the WHA is held, to coincide with the assembly.

No Taiwanese foreign minister had previously made a public visit to attend Taiwan's WHA action team events, which are jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and Ministry of Health and Welfare and normally attended by the country's health minister.

Though Lin had said on May 11 he would try to make the trip, it was thought he would face obstacles in arranging the visit.

Taiwan and Switzerland do not maintain official diplomatic ties, making it difficult for Taiwan's top diplomat to visit Geneva in an official capacity.

China has also aggressively moved to block top Taiwanese officials from traveling overseas, though it is unclear if it took any steps to prevent Lin's trip.

Neither Lin nor MOFA had explained as of Sunday afternoon how Lin was able to travel to Geneva.

Lin said the two events he and Shih attended on Saturday were an annual symposium organized by the European Federation of Taiwan Health Alliance (EFTHA), an NGO that connects overseas Taiwanese healthcare workers in Europe, and a dinner banquet hosted by the health ministers and permanent representatives of allied nations in Geneva.

"Although Taiwan was not invited to participate in the WHA again this year, we have never been absent from the critical moments whenever the global public health system needs Taiwan," Lin wrote.

According to Taiwan's representative office in Geneva, Lin and Shih also held a press event on Sunday to release a government-produced promotional video calling for Taiwan's inclusion in the WHA.

The WHA is the annual decision-making meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO). Taiwan has not attended the assembly since 2016, when it participated as an observer during a period of warmer ties with Beijing.

The 79th WHA is scheduled to take place in Geneva from May 18-23, bringing together WHO member states to set global health policies and priorities.

Taiwan has not received an invitation to attend, and China said last week that it had decided not to agree to the "Taiwan region" participating in this year's WHA.

Taipei, May 15 (CNA) An Indonesian university delegation recently visited Taiwan to promote academic cooperation with local institutions in fields such as medicine, engineering and agriculture, the Ministry of Education (MOE) said Friday.

Led by Ova Emilia, president of Gadjah Mada University, the delegation visited Taiwan from May 4 to 8 and toured several universities, including National Chung Hsing University, Feng Chia University, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University and National Chengchi University, the MOE said in a news release.

Gadjah Mada University, based in Yogyakarta, is Indonesia's oldest national research university and ranks among the world's top 100-150 in archaeology, modern languages, accounting and finance, English literature and agricultural technology, among other disciplines, the MOE said.

The university is best known for requiring students to complete community service in rural and underserved areas before graduation, sending more than 7,000 students each year across Indonesia to address local needs and challenges.

During the Taiwan visit, the delegation also exchanged views with local universities on academic practices in fields including medicine, engineering and agriculture, with hopes of expanding student and faculty exchanges and establishing dual-degree programs.

According to the MOE, there were a total of 18,740 Indonesian students in Taiwan in 2025, including 13,957 in degree programs and 4,783 in nondegree programs, making Indonesia the second-largest source of international students in Taiwan.

In recent years, universities in Taiwan and Indonesia have signed 1,337 academic exchange agreements, the ministry said, adding that the Huayu Enrichment Scholarship (HES) program was also offered to 40 Indonesian students for the 2025-2026 academic year.

The MOE's HES program supports international students studying Mandarin in Taiwan to improve their language skills and deepen their understanding of Taiwanese culture.

Taipei, May 14 (CNA) The Taipei Zoo announced on Thursday that one of its Asian small-clawed otters has arrived at New Zealand's Auckland Zoo to participate in an international conservation program aimed at contributing to biodiversity.

In a press release, the zoo said the otter departed for Auckland Tuesday evening to participate in a conservation program coordinated by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria.

The program selected the Taiwan-born otter to help conserve the Asian small-clawed otter population by contributing to genetic diversity through its transfer to the New Zealand zoo.

After arriving at Auckland Zoo, the otter is currently undergoing quarantine procedures, after which it will join the zoo's Asian small-clawed otter family.

Taipei Zoo explained that the Asian small-clawed otter is the smallest otter species and is commonly found in the wetlands, rivers, and lakes of Southeast and South Asia.

As the otter species requires good quality water, an unpolluted natural habitat and ample food sources to survive, the sizes of the otter's wild populations reflect the condition of local water sources.

Moreover, the otter is listed as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species, Taipei Zoo said, adding that the species is threatened by illegal hunting and captivity.

The zoo wished the otter a smooth transition in its new environment and a successful start to a new life in New Zealand.

Taiwan says it's not surprised by the comments made by Chinese President Xi Jinping in his Thursday meeting with US President Donald Trump. Xi reportedly told Trump that Taiwan is the most important issue in US-China relations and warned of danger if the issue were not handled correctly.

Taipei, May 13 (CNA) Taiwan's National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) and the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) renewed their partnership agreement virtually on Monday with the United Kingdom's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

NHIA Director-General Chen Lian-Yu (陳亮妤) signed the latest agreement for collaboration from 2026 to 2028 in Taipei, witnessed by Health and Welfare Minister Shih Chung-liang (石崇良), while NICE Advice Director Brad Groves signed it in the U.K.

Chen said the collaboration with NICE, one of the world's leading health technology assessment (HTA) organizations, would further strengthen the integration of HTA, reimbursement systems, and healthcare digitalization in Taiwan.

HTA is a process used to evaluate the properties and effects of new medical technologies, helping policymakers determine insurance coverage and patient costs.

The partnership agreement was first signed in 2023. Under the updated deal, the two sides will focus on innovative healthcare assessment frameworks, digital transformation, and HTA talent development, according to an NHIA press release issued Wednesday.

In terms of the assessment frameworks, the NHIA said the partnership will strengthen HTA and reimbursement systems for high-cost emerging technologies, such as gene and cell therapies.

Next, on digital transformation, the two sides will share experiences in digital governance for cancer care, the agency said.

That includes discussing the promotion of fast healthcare interoperability resources, an international standard for healthcare data exchanges.

Such discussions could advance digital transformation in healthcare data, streamline prior authorization processes, and establish real-world evaluation systems for cancer treatment outcomes.

In the third area of cooperation, the partnership will cultivate more HTA talent through training programs, expert exchanges, and information-sharing networks, according to the NHIA.

The partnership will also work on improving policy making by incorporating healthcare, long-term care, and social care needs into the policy evaluation process and integrating related resources, the NHIA said.

The alliance has already produced benefits for Taiwan, the NHIA said.

Inspired by the U.K.'s Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF), it has introduced a provisional payment system aimed at expanding patient access to new therapies while maintaining the sustainability of the national health insurance system, according to the NHIA.

Taipei, May 12 (CNA) The Danjiang Bridge officially opened to traffic around noon Tuesday, with vehicles steadily flowing across the long-awaited span linking New Taipei's Tamsui and Bali districts, despite some confusion and frustration over traffic arrangements.

Many people arrived early in the morning to secure spots ahead of the opening, with some traveling from other parts of Taiwan just to witness the historic moment.

In addition to the steady flow of cars and scooters entering the bridge, large crowds of pedestrians filled the bridge deck and surrounding areas, with many stopping to take photos and videos as the festive atmosphere drew growing crowds throughout the day.

However, some visitors expressed frustration over confusing traffic and pedestrian flow arrangements on the bridge, according to local media reports.

"People are still a bit unclear about where to walk and whether certain sections are two-way," one visitor said.

Ongoing debate over the width of the 2.5-meter motorcycle lane has also kept safety concerns in the spotlight.

A minor incident also occurred when a heavy motorcycle rider allegedly entered the bridge's main traffic lanes in protest over the motorcycle lane design. Police intercepted the rider and said the case was under investigation.

Authorities expect the bridge to ease chronic congestion around Guandu Bridge and shorten travel between Tamsui and Bali by about 15 kilometers, cutting travel time by roughly 25 minutes.

Police said the bridge was designed with separate lanes for cars and motorcycles, along with pedestrian and bicycle paths, to improve traffic flow and safety. Officers and traffic volunteers were deployed at major access points to help direct vehicles during the opening period.

Holiday traffic measures are also being planned, including restrictions on large trucks during peak tourism hours around Tamsui and the northern coast.

Police reminded motorists that stopping on the bridge for photos is prohibited and may result in fines ranging from NT$3,000 to NT$6,000 (US$99-198), as the bridge is classified as an expressway.

New Taipei transportation authorities also warned drone operators not to fly too close to the bridge or nearby roads, saying violations could face fines of up to NT$300,000.

The nearly 1-kilometer-long Danjiang Bridge, designed by the late architect Zaha Hadid, is the world's longest single-mast asymmetric cable-stayed bridge and has been described by officials as a new international landmark for Taiwan.

Taipei, May 11 (CNA) Taiwan's top diplomat is trying to arrange a trip to Geneva to take part in events Taiwan is organizing to coincide with the annual World Health Assembly (WHA) as the country has not received an invitation to the WHA for a 10th consecutive year, he said Monday.

Asked whether he would travel to Geneva to join a team advocating for Taiwan's inclusion in the 79th WHA, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) told opposition Kuomintang (KMT) lawmaker Yeh Yuan-chih (葉元之) that his ministry was drafting such a plan, without elaborating.

Later Monday, when asked about the issue again during a press event on Taiwan's efforts to join the WHA this year, Lin declined to provide additional details, saying only that the ministry would publicly announce the visit if the plan were finalized.

The WHA is the annual decision-making meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO), and Taiwan has not attended since 2016, when it went as an observer while ties with Beijing were better.

Instead, it has staged events in Geneva, where the WHO is headquartered and the WHA is held, to coincide with the WHA, but no Taiwanese foreign minister has ever publicly visited Geneva or attended Taiwan's WHA action team events in the Swiss city.

Taiwan and Switzerland do not have official diplomatic ties, making it unlikely that Lin would be allowed to visit Geneva in an official capacity.

Previously, only Taiwan's health minister was able to be part of the WHA action team, which is organized jointly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

At Monday's press event, Lin and Health Minister Shih Chung-liang (石崇良) said that, aside from regular side events and seminars organized by Taiwan's government, this year's action team will hold an exhibition showcasing the country's smart healthcare innovations and overseas medical aid programs.

The Taiwan Smart Medical & HealthTech Expo will take place in Geneva from May 17-19. It will feature 30 Taiwanese companies specializing in smart and innovative healthcare, as well as several of Taiwan's leading medical centers.

"We want to show the world that despite not being a member of the WHO nor being able to attend the WHA, Taiwan is still contributing to global healthcare," Lin said.

The 79th WHA is scheduled to take place in Geneva from May 18-23, bringing together WHO member states to set global health policies and priorities.

Taiwan has yet to receive an invitation to attend, and China said on Monday afternoon that it had decided not to agree to the "Taiwan area" attending this year's WHA, dashing any hopes of a breakthrough.

The Republic of China (ROC), Taiwan's official name, withdrew from the WHO in 1972 after U.N. member states recognized the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate representative of China.

Since then, Taiwan has been unable to attend the WHA even as an observer because of pressure from Beijing, except from 2009 to 2016, when relations with China were warmer under Taiwan's then-KMT government.

Taipei, May 11 (CNA) Taiwanese Yang Kun-pi (楊昆弼) and Liu Wan-yu (劉宛渝) won gold in the trap mixed team event at the World Cup Shotgun in Kazakhstan on Sunday, setting a new world record with hits on 36 targets.

The Taiwanese duo dominated the final, hitting their first 10 shots and scoring a world record 36 combined hits to defeat the rival teams from Italy, India, and China.

Speaking to CNA after the tournament, Yang said they were "tested by the weather" throughout the day as it rained on and off.

"Although it did not make a huge difference, the sound of the rain and the raindrops still affected our concentration to some extent," he said.

Yang said he has been in good form since last year, and his partnership with Liu has been working well.

Sunday's win earned them not only a gold medal but also prize money, which Yang said was a perk.

"Unlike some other sports, shooting does not guarantee prize money just for participating," he said.

While Yang and Liu failed to reach the podium in their respective individual events, they advanced in the mixed team competition after placing third in the qualifying round with 143 points.

Yang said he was satisfied with his overall performance in the individual event, shooting a perfect 75 out of 75 in the first three rounds on the opening day of the qualifying round.

However, he was unable to maintain that momentum on the second day, missing out on a spot in the final, he said.

"Still, it's a learning experience," Yang said. "We'll keep working hard and hope to achieve even better results."

The World Cup Shotgun 2026, organized by the International Shooting Sport Federation, is being held May 2-11 in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Taipei, May 9 (CNA) An inauguration ceremony was held Saturday for the Danjiang Bridge, the world's longest single-mast asymmetric cable-stayed bridge, ahead of its official opening to traffic next Tuesday, marking a major milestone after nearly three decades of planning and construction.

At the ceremony in New Taipei attended by President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰), Transportation Minister Chen Shih-kai (陳世凱) and New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜), the bridge was hailed as both an engineering landmark and a long-awaited regional transport link connecting Tamsui and Bali districts across the mouth of the Tamsui River.

"This bridge is Taiwan's pride. It will become a landmark for Taiwan and another calling card for the country on the international stage," Lai said.

"I also hope people across the country can, through the construction of the Danjiang Bridge, feel the respect Taiwan has earned internationally. If we stand united and work together, Taiwan will certainly become even better," he said.

He thanked the construction team from Kung Sing Engineering Corp. for taking on a project with no precedent, praising its determination to push beyond their limits.

The ceremony featured singing performances by Taiwan Indigenous groups and a dance performance by Taiwan's renowned Cloud Gate Dance Theatre.

It also paid tribute to engineers, construction workers and project staff involved in the bridge's development over the years.

"From start to finish, this project was difficult, whether because of the weather conditions, the environment or the design," Chen told reporters prior to the ceremony.

"The bridge deck also has to accommodate the widest range of transport modes in Taiwan, including pedestrians, bicycles, scooters, cars, buses and even light rail."

Designed by the renowned late Pritzker Prize-winning architect Zaha Hadid, who was known as the "Queen of Curves," the bridge spans nearly 1 kilometer across the mouth of the Tamsui River in northern Taiwan, featuring a single curved mast inspired by the movements of dancers from Cloud Gate Dance Theatre.

CNN named the Danjiang Bridge one of the 11 architecture projects set to shape the world in 2025.

Authorities expect it to help relieve chronic congestion around the Guandu Bridge and improve access between New Taipei and Taoyuan International Airport.

Following its opening next week, the trip between Tamsui and Bali will be shortened by 15 kilometers, saving around 25 minutes of travel time, with traffic on existing routes expected to fall by 30 percent.

The bridge project was first proposed in 1998 but faced years of delays due to environmental reviews, design revisions and construction difficulties.

Construction finally began in 2019 after multiple failed tenders, with engineers later overcoming challenges ranging from underwater leaks to strong winds at the river estuary.

On Saturday, 9th May, the Savoy Cinema hosted a capacity audience for a special
screening of the powerful Taiwanese historical drama, "A Foggy Tale" (大濛). The
event, organised by the Dublin School of Mandarin Chinese (DSMC), brought together students, members of the Taiwanese community, and local film enthusiasts for an afternoon of cultural reflection and historical discovery.

The highlight of the evening was a distinguished address by His Excellency, Ambassador Daniel Tang. In his opening remarks, Ambassador Daniel Tang praised the Dublin School of Mandarin Chinese for their role in the day's proceedings. He noted that the screening of A Foggy Tale, last year’s Golden Horse Award winner for Best Narrative Feature, is a cornerstone of a significant year for Taiwanese culture in Ireland.  "Since last year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been promoting the ‘Europe-Taiwan Cultural Year’ initiative to introduce our culture to European friends through various means," the Ambassador stated. He highlighted a vibrant calendar of upcoming events, including the Dragon Boat Festival in June, a Taiwanese choir performance in August, and a third film screening, A Chip Odyssey, scheduled for Culture Night in September.  The Ambassador expressed his sincere gratitude to the Irish public and the local Taiwanese community, noting that it is only through such close cooperation that these cultural exchanges are made possible.  

"As educators, we believe that language and culture are inseparable. By sharing this significant chapter of Taiwan’s history through film, we offer our students and the local community a more profound understanding of the Taiwanese spirit," said Yuchia Lee Dignam, Board Member of the Dublin School of Mandarin Chinese. The event’s success was made possible through the dedicated coordination of Evan Furlong and the generous support of the Taiwan Ireland Association, who sponsored the traditional refreshments enjoyed by guests. The organisers also extended their sincere thanks to the management and staff of the Savoy Cinema for their exceptional hospitality and patience in hosting the large gathering.

About the Film:
A Foggy Tale (大濛) is a critically acclaimed exploration of a family’s search for truth during a tumultuous period in Taiwan’s history. The narrative delves deep into the resilience of the human heart in the face of adversity. It remains a vital piece of modern Taiwanese cinema, highlighting the human cost of political silence and the power of remembrance. By bringing these stories to an international stage, the film helps ensure that the lessons of the past are never forgotten by future generations.