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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Elections & Politics

Taiwan News Roundup: Referendum Woes, Carcinogenic Oil Scandal, TSMC's US Expansion, and Diplomatic Shuffle

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Taiwan's Central Election Commission chairman warned that counting votes for six referendums potentially scheduled for year-end elections could extend until early the next morning.
  • Prosecutors are seizing assets from four companies, including China United Oil, in connection with a carcinogenic oil scandal to ensure consumer rights and asset recovery.
  • A corruption investigation in Keelung City has led to the arrest of five individuals, including a city councilor and a department chief, for alleged bid-rigging and bribery in public works projects.
  • TSMC announced an additional $100 billion investment in its Arizona facility, bringing its total US investment to $250 billion, while reaffirming its commitment to Taiwan.

Taiwan's year-end elections face potential chaos as political parties push for six referendums, with Central Election Commission Chairman You Ying-lung warning that vote counting could drag on until 2 or 3 a.m. the following day if four or more proposals are on the ballot. This comes as the "blue-white" parties champion six referendums covering topics from corporal punishment to euthanasia.

If the referendum reaches four cases, the vote counting may have to continue until two or three in the morning of the next day.

— You Ying-lungChairman of Taiwan's Central Election Commission, commenting on the potential impact of multiple referendums on election day.

Meanwhile, a widening scandal involving carcinogenic oil has prompted prosecutors to seek the seizure of assets from four companies, including China United Oil, Fwusow, Fwumao Oil, and Tai Shan. The move aims to protect consumer rights and ensure the recovery of illicit gains.

In Keelung City, a corruption probe into public works projects has resulted in the arrest of five people, including a KMT city councilor and a department chief. They are suspected of bid-rigging, bribery, and other offenses under the Anti-Corruption Act.

TSMC announced that it will increase its investment in Arizona by $100 billion.

— Wei ZhejiaTSMC Chairman, announcing the company's expanded investment plans in the United States during a financial results conference call.

TSMC, the world's largest contract chipmaker, announced a significant expansion of its US investment, adding $100 billion to its Arizona facility for advanced chip production. Chairman C.C. Wei pledged continued investment in Taiwan, bringing TSMC's total US investment to $250 billion. The announcement came as TSMC reported record quarterly earnings, driven by strong AI demand.

We highly praise this decision.

— Lin JianSpokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, commenting on Papua New Guinea's decision to close Taiwan's representative office.

Separately, Papua New Guinea has unilaterally declared the closure of Taiwan's representative office, citing adherence to the "one China policy." China's Foreign Ministry praised the decision, but Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs lodged a strong protest, stating the office remains operational and vowing to protect its rights.

This unilateral decision was made without prior consultation with us, and we express our strong protest.

— Ministry of Foreign AffairsTaiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responding to Papua New Guinea's announcement regarding the closure of Taiwan's representative office.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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