The Taoyuan City Government today said its expanded lung cancer screening program has reached more than 400,000 people since it was launched in March 2023 From its start to the end of February this year the program has identified 233 instances of lung cancer of which 90 percent were in the early stage The scheme targets Taoyuan residents aged 40 and older who have risk factors in four categories: tobacco exposure and air pollution and cooking fumes exposure Photo courtesy of the Taoyuan City Government As lung cancer has been one of the leading diseases in Taiwan in the past few years Chang worked with 18 hospitals across the city to provide expanded low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) testing Taoyuan Deputy Mayor Wang Ming-chu (王明鉅) said The Taoyuan City Government would continue to promote the program and enabling early detection and treatment to help the Taoyuan citizens live long and healthy lives The program received global attention for its use of LDCT to screen for lung cancer cardiovascular disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease National Taiwan University College of Public Health professor Tony Chen (陳秀熙) said The program not only improves public health but has saved NT$500 million (US$16.7 million) in healthcare costs The local government collaborated across departments on the project with the Department of Labor encouraging workers in industrial zones and industrial parks at high occupational risk to undergo screening It also used data analysis to identify areas with high diagnosis rates enabling the Department of Environmental Protection to monitor air quality in the areas to reduce the risk of lung cancer The Taoyuan City Government said it would continue to develop the program using artificial intelligence and consult with medical experts to more accurately assess high-risk groups the Department of Public Health would make LDCT more accessible using Taiwan's first privately funded mobile computed tomography unit The mobile unit would provide screenings to remote and coastal areas with limited medical resources administrative districts without hospitals high-risk occupational sites and indigenous cultural health stations May 4 (CNA) A fire at a factory in Taoyuan's Luzhu District sent thick smoke drifting over Taoyuan International Airport on Sunday morning but did not disrupt flight operations said the smoke was clearly visible from inside the terminal but takeoffs and landings continued as scheduled "Passengers do not need to worry," the airport said Taoyuan Fire Department officials said they received a report of a blaze in a single-story industrial structure at 9:13 a.m Fire trucks and ambulances were immediately dispatched Roughly 100 metric tons of palm oil and other vegetable oils were stored at the site Photo courtesy of Taoyuan City Fire DepartmentNo one was reported trapped or injured The cause of the fire and the extent of property damage remain under investigation The Taoyuan Department of Environmental Protection said on Facebook that downwind areas might be affected by smoke odors and minimize going outside," the department said adding that masks should be worn if going outside is necessary The department also advised vulnerable individuals to take additional precautions to avoid health risks The department said potentially affected areas include Puxin Zhuwei and Kuolin wards in Dayuan District The project is expected to be completed in December 2030 The Taoyuan Metropolitan Area Railway Underground Project is being undertaken to address the growing transportation needs of passengers in the Taoyuan metropolitan area in Taiwan Led by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) the project is estimated to require an investment of approximately T$104.79bn ($3.28bn) The feasibility study for the project was sanctioned in July 2017 and the comprehensive plan received approval in September 2020 The Taoyuan Metropolitan Area Railway Underground Project will transform the Taiwan Railway line section in Taoyuan City into an underground transport network as the existing railway tracks are hampering the development of the city centre the project will enable the railway line to handle the increased number of passengers in the city and provide upgraded facilities The project will move three existing stations at Taoyuan and Zhongli underground and construct five new underground stations at Fengming The project route spans approximately 17.94km comprising the 2.12km Fengming section and the 15.82km Taoyuan section It commences at the northern end of the Fengming Land Bridge in Yingge District New Taipei City and extends to the southern boundary of Tai Line 66 in Pingzhen District The railway line will intersect with the Taoyuan Mass Rapid Transit system’s Green Line at the Taoyuan station The ground-breaking ceremony for the new Taoyuan underground station was held in July 2024 the 39,000m² station will boast a large covered plaza that integrates commercial areas The station design features a large roof canopy designed to give an impression of floating above the site The canopy’s origami aeroplane shape complete with a soffit pattern and linear lighting The station’s central circulation will offer multidirectional access to the platforms while lighting and landscaping will enhance navigation and add greenery to the urban landscape The amenities at the station will include a café A subsequent phase will introduce a multistorey building on the station’s east side The Pingzhen underground station will be 341m long A temporary station at Pingzhen is being built until the new underground station is ready Construction on the station began in November 2022 with completion anticipated by May 2026 The provisional above-ground station will be 44m long The Zhongli underground station will be 1,266m long comprising a 730m-long cut-and-cover tunnel and a 536m fully enclosed top-down underground section The tunnel section will be a slab beam structure while the station section will be a slab beam and beam column structure a temporary station was erected at Zhongli The temporary station’s construction started in June 2022 and the station was opened in June 2024 The temporary station will be dismantled after the underground station is completed a temporary station is being built for Fengming to serve the public until the permanent station is ready The unmanned station will feature two side platforms Completion of the temporary station is expected by December 2024 The construction of the project is divided into various packages The CJ18 PingZhen Commuter Station package includes civil engineering and mechanical and electrical (M&E) works for the PingZhen station, including the construction of a temporary above-ground station and a permanent underground station, as well as a 3.73km underground twin railway track by cut and cover method It also encompasses ZhongFeng bridge protection and relocation of the LaoJie river bridge The CJ17 package involving the Zhongli underground station will include the construction of the station the demolition of the temporary station building and the construction of Xinjiexi Creek Bridge along with associated works The project is financed by approximately T$78.59bn from the central government T$25.74bn from the Taoyuan Municipal Government and T$455m from the New Taipei City Government The CJ18 PingZhen Commuter Station contract was awarded to a joint venture between Gamuda (60%) and AWEC (40%) in October 2022 secured the civil engineering and M&E system works contract for the CJ17 package in March 2024 The architectural design for Taoyuan station was provided by Mecanoo Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights View all newsletters from across the GlobalData Media network Project description by MecanooThe city’s main axisIn the northwest of Taiwan lies Taoyuan City a large metropolitan area that hosts the country's largest airport serving as the main gateway to the country Taiwan has been transforming its aboveground railway system into an underground transport network Taoyuan has grappled with the constraining influence of railway tracks on the development of its city center Amidst this significant ongoing transformation there is a strong aspiration to forge connections between the northern and southern parts of the city As a pivotal initiative within the two-phase masterplan Taoyuan Station is set to emerge as the city's central axis.Station as a public plazaLocated in the old city center covered plaza encompassing commercial spaces The roof canopy spans three volumes and two voids which are well-connected to the underground levels The heavy structural columns are divided into slimmer ones creating a sense of lightness that supports the large canopy making it appear as if it is floating above the site.Taoyuan embodies this spirit with the station's canopy resembling an origami aeroplane creates a dynamic ceiling that captures the attention of the station's users Recognizing the subtropical climate of Taoyuan and as part of Mecanoo's sustainable and holistic design approach the canopy provides shade and shelter for the public space This design seamlessly merges the city and the station enhancing the public character of the transportation hub.New Taoyuan Station by Mecanoo Rendering by Mecanoo.Transportation hubAs a compact and efficient transportation hub passengers can navigate and move through the station with ease The central circulation of the station provides access from multiple directions to the platform levels Lighting and landscape design will help guide people around the station and provide greenery to the urban fabric.The catalystConsidered a catalyst rather than a destination the station will provide essential services such as a café The second phase of the master plan on the east side of the station will house a multi-story building that will provide commercial and office spaces Mecanoo. Masterplan.- 61,000 sqm.New station building.- 39,000 sqm Design.- 2020-ongoing.Realisation.- 2024-2033 Francine Houben (Holland 1955) began formulating the three fundamentals of her lifelong architectural vision while studying at the Delft University of Technology It was in this crucible of higher learning that she began an architectural practice with two fellow students with the design of a groundbreaking social housing development she graduated as architect with cum laude honours in 1984 and officially founded Mecanoo architecten with these same partners.Francine has remained true to her architectural vision Always looking for inspiration and the secret of a specific location Francine bases her work on both analyses and intuition playful and humane aspects together in order to form a unique solution to each situation Francine Houben combines the disciplines of architecture urban planning and landscape architecture in an untraditional way; with sensitivity for light and beauty.Her use of material is expressive She is known as one of the most prolific architects in Europe today Her wide-ranging portfolio comprises an intimate chapel built on the foundations of a former 19th century chapel in Rotterdam (2001) to Europe’s largest library in Birmingham (2013) Francine Houben’s work reveals a sensory aspect determined by form and space a lavish use or subtle combinations of the most diverse materials Francine’s contribution to the profession of architecture is widely recognized She was granted lifelong membership to the Akademie der Künste she received the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman of the Year Award Honorary fellowships to the American Institute of Architects and the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada and an international fellowship to the Royal Institute of British Architects were granted to her in previous years The past three decades have seen her cumulative effect on the profession of architecture Francine lectures all over the world and takes part as a jury member in prestigious competitions.Her commitment to research and education is evidenced in her instatement as professor in Architecture Chair of Aesthetics of Mobility at the Delft University of Technology (2000) her professorship at the Universitá della Svizzera Italiania Switzerland (2000) and her appointment as visiting professor at Harvard (2007) Dedication to her alma mater is reflected in generous sponsorship of the UfD-Mecanoo Award for the best graduating student of the Delft University of Technology a modern city where the skyline is dotted with buildings designed by world renowned architects; including her award winning Montevideo Skyscraper (2005) It was in this dynamic city that she directed and curated the First International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam (2003) She has realised numerous signature projects throughout the Netherlands and Europe including Philips Business Innovation Centre La Llotja Theatre and Conference Centre in Lleida Spain (2009) and the Delft University of Technology Library (1999) she is expanding her architectural vision to other continents with the design of Taiwan’s largest theatre complex The Wei-Wu-Ying Center for the Arts in Kaohsiung (2014) Dudley Municipal Center in Boston (USA) and Shenzhen Cultural Center (China) In 2011 the book Dutch Mountains was released a chronicle of Francine Houben and eight special projects in five different countries.Francine maintains an active presence in academia and culture regularly publishing and giving lectures worldwide She has performed in many academic and professional capacities throughout her career including Chair of Architecture and Aesthetics of Mobility at Delft University of Technology visiting professor at Harvard Graduate School of Design and as director of the First International Architecture Biennale in Rotterdam.Francine has received honorary fellowships from the Royal Institute of British Architects the American Institute of Architects and the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada In 2014 Francine was named Woman Architect of the Year by the Architects’ Journal and in November 2015 Queen Máxima of The Netherlands presented Francine with the Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds Prize for her wide-ranging career Francine was awarded Honorary Doctorates from the Université de Mons Belgium (2017) and the Utrecht University (2016) “Architecture must appeal to all the senses Architecture is never a purely intellectual Architecture is about combining all the individual elements into a single concept What counts in the end is the arrangement of form and emotion.” architect/creative director Mecanoo Architecten Archive Projects Green line’s northern section to begin service by late 2026 4431TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taoyuan City Government said Wednesday the city’s Green Line metro system is expected to begin operations in 2030 The Green Line is the first metro line independently developed by the city government. Its northern section, comprising seven stations, is scheduled to begin operations by the end of next year, per CNA The line has a construction budget of around NT$98.3 billion (US$3 billion) and includes 10 underground stations and 11 elevated stations and will eventually connect with Taoyuan Airport MRT and Taipei Metro’s Sanying Line A branch line will extend to Zhongli District This branch will include one elevated station The city government said it completed static testing of the line including checks of electrical and communication systems and equipment functions It will begin a series of trial runs in July in collaboration with train control system supplier Siemens Mobility and train manufacturer Hyundai Rotem Mayor Chang San-cheng (張善政) said that high-speed and system integration testing will also begin on the tracks in July Subsequent trials will focus on stop accuracy The city government also said that construction of the Taoyuan MRT Brown Line is expected to begin this year with operations scheduled to start in 2032 The line will run through the city’s Guishan District and connect with the Green Line and Taipei Metro’s Zhonghe-Xinlu Line The city government added that its underground railway project from Taoyuan District to Pingzhen District is expected to be completed by 2030 and begin operations in 2033 it will connect with the Green and Brown metro lines Taichung MRT Blue Line construction set to start this year Taoyuan Metro reaches 200th million passenger milestone Taoyuan Airport warns travelers to arrive 3 hours before flights Taoyuan adds Chang Gung line to proposed MRT system Taiwan airport MRT to run 41 hours for New Year's Eve Taipei and Taoyuan MRT to launch joint ticket with Japan’s Keisei railway Taiwan dollar hits NT$29 per US dollar triggering currency exchange rush Magnitude 5.5 earthquake strikes off east Taiwan Taipei MRT reminds passengers of drinking water ban Vietjet flight makes unscheduled landing in Taiwan Four Vietnamese residents found dead in northern Taiwan Central Bank steps in as Taiwan dollar posts strong single-day gain Rising Taiwan dollar over Trump tariffs has pros and cons Taiwan ranked 2nd most innovative country in world US tech earnings spark Taiwan stock market rally Central Bank says US did not push Taiwan to appreciate currency Taoyuan International Airport Terminal 2 has been awarded the prestigious 4-Star Rating following a comprehensive audit conducted by Skytrax The 4-Star Rating is a significant mark of quality distinction awarded by SKYTRAX and recognises strong standards of product and staff service across the various assessment categories in the terminal environment This achievement reflects the commitment of Taoyuan Airport to maintaining high standards of service delivery and reliability The audit highlighted the terminal’s excellent operational strengths including efficient security and immigration processes Cleanliness throughout the terminal was rated highly with regular maintenance delivering appealing spaces for passengers Transportation options are well organised and easy to use and provide a broad range of connections to Taipei city and regions further afield in the island Passenger comfort is enhanced by a variety of well-placed seating options and inviting spaces for rest and relaxation A complimentary gym and shower facilities and modernised concourse interiors further showcase the commitment to customer experience quality Dining and retail offerings continue to provide convenience and choice and retail in particular has good variety across the key tax-free offer As Taoyuan International Airport looks ahead to the opening of its Terminal 3 project this 4-star Rating underscores the airport community efforts to deliver a world-class customer journey “Taoyuan International Airport Terminal 2 continues to demonstrate a solid performance across key areas of passenger service and operational management This certification reflects the airport’s ongoing efforts to provide a high-quality travel experience while maintaining a strong focus on service consistency With significant changes and improvements already in action we look forward to seeing further developments particularly with the upcoming Terminal 3 project which holds great potential to elevate the airport’s global standing” said Edward Plaisted Skytrax, the International air transport rating organisation, was established in 1989 and is based in London, United Kingdom. The World Airport Rating programme is a leading international Rating system operating since 1999 which classifies airports across the globe by the quality of product and staff service Skytrax apply ratings for up to 800 customer-facing areas of airport product and service and this spans over 30 different customer contact points The Star Rating methodology is unified and consistent for the industry and all airports from the largest hubs to small regional facilities are assessed using the same base rating criteria which covers the front-line customer experience on the end-to-end journey through an airport the International air transport rating organisation The World Airline and Airport Star Rating programme classifies airlines and airports by the quality of product and staff service standards We and our {{count}} partners use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your experience on our website We may store and/or access information on a device and process personal data audience research and services development we may utilize precise geolocation data and identification through device scanning Please note that your consent will be valid across all our subdomains You can change or withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the “Consent Preferences” button at the bottom of your screen We respect your choices and are committed to providing you with a transparent and secure browsing experience DIGITIMES president Colley Hwang (L) and Mayor of Taoyuan City Simon Chang (R) Taiwan is a global leader in the information and communications technology (ICT) industry boasting the world's highest output value in semiconductor foundry and IC packaging and testing accounting for 90% of the shipments of high-end AI servers Its diversified industrial clusters encompass intelligent medical technology creating a robust and well-integrated supply chain for the AI industry has made it a hub for cross-border logistics carriers This infrastructure has attracted investments from global industry leaders such as Microsoft half of NVIDIA's 43 key suppliers are based in Taoyuan contributing critical technologies and components to the global production of AI servers The city's logistics and transportation capabilities have been further enhanced by the adoption of intelligent logistics technologies significantly impacting the global semiconductor supply chain This integration of cutting-edge equipment and expertise has solidified Taoyuan's position as a globally competitive industrial powerhouse Taiwan's Leading Logistics Hub Driving the AI Supply Chain Taoyuan is close to major ports such as the Port of Taipei and has the only international airport in Taiwan that allows for express customs clearance the highest density of warehousing and logistics in the nation and a logistics and transportation system that leads the way in terms of international competitiveness As the location of the Farglory Free Trade Port Zone as the world's first multi-functional "within and outside the border" free trade port zone and aviation and other integrated services cold chain logistics zone and integrated international logistics center enterprises in the park can engage in simple processing deep processing and 19 types of value-added operations and they can also enjoy a number of preferential measures preferential taxation and more flexible hiring ratios of foreign workers The combination of the Aviation City and the neighboring industrial zones to form a "front store back factory" and "inbound and outbound" mode of operation facilitates the speedy operation of air cargo and global logistics integration This facilitates the rapid operation of air cargo transportation and the integration of global logistics which helps the resident manufacturers to integrate their production and upstream and downstream supply chains and has gradually become a popular choice for the investment layout of internationally renowned manufacturers in recent years ASML has chosen Taoyuan as its logistics base in the Asia-Pacific region because of its proximity to the semiconductor bases in Hsinchu as well as its advantageous transportation location that can easily support the semiconductor clusters in Kumamoto Coupang will open two large-scale logistics centers in the Evergreen Dayuan logistics park in 2022 and 2023 DHL will move into the International Logistics Park in Taoyuan in 2024 in order to expand its business layout and meet the needs of the semiconductor and medical industries demonstrating that international logistics giants attach great importance to Taoyuan's transportation and logistics system the Taoyuan Airpark Free Trade Zone can also engage in trading There are 19 businesses which also enjoy exemption from customs duties and goods taxes Whether it is upstream chips and embedded components enterprises will benefit from Taoyuan's logistics and transportation system which will enhance the global competitiveness of the domestic import and export-related industries April 13 (CNA) Heavy rain brought by a passing weather front on Saturday has caused flooding in several areas in the northern Taiwan city of Taoyuan while power outages and traffic disruption were reported in Kaohsiung in the south on Sunday As the result of heavy precipitation coupled with strong winds starting Saturday afternoon flooding was reported in 15 areas in Taoyuan with the condition in Zhongli the most serious according to the city government's water resources department torrential rain led to a live high-voltage wire snapping in Kaohsiung's Gangshan District around 12:30 a.m leaving 1,350 households in several areas without power An area in Tainan experience flooding due to heavy rain early Sunday morning Photo courtesy of the Tainan City GovernmentAfter repairs power was restored to the households as of 3:35 a.m. according to Taiwan Power Co.'s Kaohsiung branch Falling rocks triggered by downpours also disrupted traffic on a section of the Southern Cross-Island Highway starting at the 29km marker of Provincial Highway 20 Temporary Access Road 105 in Jiasien That section of the highway was set to reopen later Sunday according to the Southern Region Branch Office under the Highway Bureau A man working in a storm drain pipe was swept away and multiple incidents of flooding were reported this morning following heavy rain in parts of northern Taiwan The Taoyuan Fire Department said it received a report at 10:21am about a man working in a stormwater drainage pipe being swept away when the pipe was inundated by rainwater Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at the intersection of Taode Road and Yongfu W Street in the city's Taoyuan District (桃園) but had yet to find the man as of early this afternoon a video shared on Threads this morning showed heavy rain flooding through the open doors of an MRT train at Tamsui Station forcing commuters to lift their legs as water accumulated on the floor of the train said it was the first time he had seen this in more than 20 years riding the MRT Taiwan Railway Corp said train traffic in both directions between Neili and Fugang stations in Taoyuan was suspended for two hours this morning due to flooding on the tracks adding that it had offered shuttle bus services and ticket refunds for those affected more than 100mm of rain had fallen in parts of Taoyuan co-organizer of this year’s Taiwan Lantern Festival on Sunday announced that the event would highlight the city’s rich cultural diversity and ethnic heritage alongside its signature lantern displays the festival would feature daily themed performances — excluding the opening and closing days — celebrating Taoyuan’s fusion of tradition and modern culture the city government said in a news release Photo courtesy of the Taoyuan Department of Cultural Affairs folk performances and global artistic showcases A parade would be held on the opening day at 1:30pm in front of the Taoyuan HSR Station (A18) featuring 19 performance groups including the Philippine dance troupe Bailes de Luces and Kaohsiung-based Gift Box Theater is being held in Taoyuan for the first time in nine years It is co-organized by the city government and the Tourism Administration 26 (CNA) Taoyuan City Government said Wednesday it has launched an investigation into allegations that a special education teaching assistant at an elementary school bullied students and engaged in sexual misconduct the Taoyuan Department of Education said the assistant resigned earlier this month after being suspended from duty in January and that an external committee is reviewing the case The government response came after Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers and a Taoyuan City councilor held a press conference to make the incident public City councilor Huang Chiung-hui (黃瓊慧) and legislators Kuo Yu-ching (郭昱晴) and Lin Yueh-chin (林月琴) held a press conference where they revealed complaints about the assistant's misconduct and the principal's alleged retaliation against whistleblowers the assistant was accused of looking at students' underwear in September 2024 and mocking a disabled student a month later but the school only reported the individual in January 2025 Huang said after she disclosed the allegations online on Feb but the principal allegedly retaliated against parents the department said it is also looking into whether the school failed to report the incidents in a timely manner promising further action if violations are confirmed More than 400 lanterns are to be on display at the annual Taiwan Lantern Festival The city is hosting the festival for the second time — the first time was in 2016 The Tourism Administration held a rehearsal of the festival last night Chunghwa Telecom donated the main lantern of the festival to the Taoyuan City Government The lanterns are exhibited in two main areas: near the high-speed rail (HSR) station in Taoyuan which is at the A18 station of the Taoyuan Airport MRT and around the Taoyuan Sports Park Station of the MRT line The festival features a main lantern — which is shaped as the symbol of infinity and has patterns of cobra mountains and sea — as well as two auxiliary lanterns and 11 theme lanterns The display of the lanterns at the exhibition near the HSR station was inspired by the Rakuten Taoyuan Baseball Stadium with the main lantern and three other lanterns being placed in ways that resemble the home base second base and third base of the ballpark Another lantern that features baseball players is the pitching mound in the design The platform used in the inauguration ceremony resembles aircraft wings as Taoyuan is known for its Taoyuan Aerotropolis — a large urban development project A three-minute lighting show would be played on the main lantern every 30 minutes the organizer uses artificial intelligence (AI) to create an interactive space where visitors could practice how to play baseball with AI representations of World Baseball Softball Confederation’s Premier12 champion national team players Chen Chieh-hsien (陳傑憲) The city government oversaw the designing of lanterns installed in Rakuten Taoyuan Baseball Stadium and four other locations around the Taoyuan Sports Park Station The planning of the festival highlights Taoyuan as a city known as “the city of a thousand ponds.” The 12-day event is estimated to attract 15 million visitors from home and overseas Tourism Administration Director-General Chou Yung-hui (周永暉) said Taiwan Railway Corp said it is to introduce a new boxed lunch featuring basil chili pork which would be only available during the festival The boxed lunch is inspired by Taoyuan being home to Hoklo Thailand and Indonesia also have roots in the city Taiwan High-Speed Rail Corp said it would schedule 95 additional trains during the festival and dispatch a train every 20 minutes on weekdays and every 15 minutes on weekends the Taoyuan HSR Station would implement measures to ensure passengers enter and exit in an orderly fashion Passengers who are scheduled to travel to the airport are encouraged to leave home early to avoid crowds Massive crowds at the Taiwan Lantern Festival in Taoyuan on Saturday overwhelmed local transit systems resulting in significant delays and widespread frustration held near the integrated station of Taiwan High-Speed Rail (HSR) and Taoyuan Airport MRT The annual festival started on Wednesday last week The surge in festivalgoers led to severe congestion with some passengers reportedly stuck at MRT stations “It took me half an hour just to get out of the MRT station,” a user complained on social media platform Threads road restrictions prevented taxis from accessing the HSR station causing some passengers to wait up to two hours for a ride the city government announced measures to alleviate the congestion the Taoyuan Airport MRT increased its frequency to one train every 7.5 minutes from 2pm and additional shuttle buses were deployed between MRT stations near the festival venue from 5pm The Ministry of Transportation and Communications also urged festival attendees to consider alternative transportation options such as Taiwan Railway which added 41 extra local trains last weekend and next weekend The arrangements aim to facilitate transfers at Taiwan Railway’s Jhongli (中壢) adding that shuttle buses are available at Neili and Yangmei stations to assist with further connections President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday opened this year's Taiwan Lantern Festival for the Year of the Snake in Taoyuan near the Taiwan High-Speed Rail Taoyuan Station where the festivities are being held The 18m-tall lantern was designed by artist Akibo Lee (李明道) who merged the infinity symbol with geometric shapes to “create a futuristic theme park brimming with technological flair,” said the Tourism Administration and the Taoyuan City Government Lai said that thanks to collaboration between the central and local governments across Taiwan which is held in a different city or county each year noting that foreign media has described it as “Disneyland without roller coasters.” In addition to the main lantern near the high-speed rail station the Taoyuan City Government opened the “Lights Playground” event around the nearby Taoyuan Sports Park Metro Station on Friday last week Both events are to have light shows from 6pm to 10pm daily before concluding on Feb Lantern displays have also been set up in the city’s 13 districts Photo courtesy of the New Taipei City Tourism and Travel Department Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) was joined by Kazuyuki Katayama and crowds as they released sky lanterns on this year’s Lantern Festival which marks the 15th day of the Lunar New Year Hou and Katayama wrote well wishes on two large sky lanterns in the shape of a snake’s head before releasing them the New Taipei City Tourism and Travel Department said in the coastal area of Yehliu (野柳) in New Taipei City residents performed the annual Lantern Festival ritual of Yehliu Harbor purification with worshiers carrying deities on palanquins jumping into the sea and then walking in bare feet on a pile of hot coal after they returned to land The century-old ritual has been performed to pray for fishers to bring back a good catch and for their safe return according to the North Coast and Guanyinshan National Scenic Area Headquarters the city’s Kaohsiung Wonderland event had recorded more than 5 million visits since it opened on the first day of the Lunar New Year on Jan the city’s Tourism Bureau said in a statement yesterday The wonderland stretches from the Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal in the south across the Love River (愛河) to the Pier-2 Art Center in the north with local hotels seeing high occupancy rates ahead of Valentine’s Day tomorrow Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers yesterday criticized Taoyuan Mayor Simon Chang (張善政) after the city disregarded an online poll and gave four new Taoyuan MRT stations names that included “Jhongjheng” (中正) — a name adopted by Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石) DPP Legislator Ariel Chang (張雅琳) said that commemorating dictators is unhealthy for democracy adding that the Transitional Justice Commission had called for the practice to end Taiwan does not need four more metro stations with Chiang’s name to add to the 355 streets lanes and alleys already named after the former president adding that the city’s decision is a setback for democracy The Taoyuan City Government’s christening of the MRT stations which are part of the new Green Line expected to open in 2026 connecting to the Taoyuan Airport MRT ignored a city-wide online poll to name the stations The Taoyuan Department of Rapid Transit Systems on Wednesday last week said that under its guidelines stations should be named after the most recognized street or place in their vicinity and that polls were for reference only Ariel Chang said that Chiang Kai-shek had no links to Taoyuan’s history or culture and is of no use to the municipality’s efforts to promote tourism Taiwan has disposed of 197 authoritarian symbols in compliance with the Act on Promoting Transitional Justice (促進轉型正義條例) while Taoyuan has been idle in taking action on 65 of such symbols in its jurisdiction The city’s refusal to deal with the nation’s authoritarian legacy or to follow its legal obligation shows contempt for the rule of law and transitional justice The lawmakers called on Simon Chang to give due respect to the will of the people recognize that voters support transitional justice and obey the principles of democracy Educators and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) members yesterday highlighted three incidents of Chinese political influence in Taoyuan with the latest embroiling a police officer and a school principal The Union of Taiwanese Teachers and Taoyuan City Councilor Huang Chiung-hui (黃瓊慧) highlighted online posts stating: “I love you I love my motherland,” by a police officer surnamed Yeh (葉) and a school principal on their respective social media accounts Huang said these came after revelations that Taoyuan high-school students on a camping trip wore Chinese People’s Liberation Army uniforms The Chinese Communist Party’s “united front” tactics have targeted Taiwanese entertainers adding that it has infiltrated the military Taoyuan Mayor Simon Chang (張善政) of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) must launch a judicial investigation into these incidents Huang said that Guei-Ji Elementary School principal Cheng Chia-hsin (鄭家興) has a Douyin account in the name “Super Beckham” complete with a photograph of the former England soccer captain and the slogan: “I love you Cheng posted messages during February last year when soccer icon Lionel Messi chose not to play in an exhibition match in Hong Kong in a move seen as to insult Chinese officials “We demand motherland China ban Messi from ever coming to Chinese territory,” also tagged with #You must not insult Chinese fans and #Let’s boot Messi out of Chinese territory Congratulations to our baseball team for defeating Japan,” when Taiwan won the Premier12 tournament in November last year Yeh of Taoyuan’s Jhongli Police Precinct on his personal account wrote in simplified Chinese: “I am Chinese” and “Love my motherland,” and identified himself as a civil servant posting photographs of himself in police uniform Taoyuan officials yesterday said that Yeh had been punished with one demerit Union of Taiwanese Teachers vice president Pan Wei-you (潘威佑) said these are three serious incidents that have led to concerns of pervasive infiltration by China “China’s ‘red communist’ forces have successfully infiltrated Taiwan’s education system and law enforcement agencies these will become tools to further spread China’s ‘united front’ campaign in our society The government must make earnest efforts to fight against it because this jeopardizes Taiwan’s national security,” North Taiwan Society vice chairman Lo Chun-hsuan (羅浚晅) said DPP Legislator Ariel Chang (張雅琳) said that Yeh might have contravened national security laws A gas leak this morning at a waste management plant in Taoyuan’s Guanyin District (觀音) released a large cloud of unidentified orange gas into the air that authorities said poses no immediate harm The leak occurred at a plant in the district’s Environmental Science Park at about 7am Firefighters discovered a cloud of unidentified orange gas leaking from a waste tank when they arrived on site and put on A-level chemical protection clothing before entering the building After finding there was no continuous leakage the department worked with the city’s Department of Environment Protection and the Northern Environmental Hazard Team to confirm there were no other hazards on site The gas dispersed over the ocean by 8am and poses no immediate harm the Department of Environment Protection said The phenomenon was likely caused by acidic waste liquid leaking from a storage tank and coming into contact with metals causing a chemical reaction that released the orange gas The plant failed to report the incident within an hour of its occurrence contravening Article 33 of the Air Pollution Control Act (空氣污染防制法) adding that it could face a fine ranging from NT$100,000 to NT$20 million (US$3,077 to US$615,565) in accordance with the act The plant was ordered to stop processing waste and submit a full inspection to the Taoyuan City Government for approval before resuming normal operations As the wind was coming from the north-northeast the gas passed through Datan (大潭) and Baosheng (保生) boroughs so people there with respiratory issues should exercise caution and wear a mask outside There are many industrial parks in Guanyin where another similar leak occurred in 2017 An orange gas cloud that leaked from a waste management plant yesterday morning in Taoyuan’s Guanyin District (觀音) was likely caused by acidic waste The leak occurred at a plant in the district’s Environmental Science and Technology Park at about 7am Firefighters discovered a cloud of unidentified orange gas leaking from a waste tank when they arrived on the site adding that they put on Level A chemical protection before entering the building Photo: Screen grab from Taoyuan Big and Small Things’ Facebook page After finding there was no continuous leak The Taoyuan Department of Environment Protection said the gas dispersed over the ocean by 8am and posed no immediate harm The orange cloud was likely caused by acidic waste liquid leaking from a storage tank coming into contact with metals The company could face a fine of NT$100,000 to NT$20 million (US$3,082 to US$616,333) in accordance with the act People with respiratory issues in Datan (大潭) and Baosheng (保生) boroughs should exercise caution and wear a mask outside as the wind was coming from the north-northeast A similar leak occurred in Guanyin in 2017 Taipei, Feb. 7 (CNA) The Taoyuan City Government Office of Labor Inspection on Friday imposed fines on Far Eastern New Century Corp., the operator of a factory that caught fire the previous day The company was fined a total of NT$260,000 (US$7,940) for 14 inadequacies in safety-related measures in the five business units that it owns in Taoyuan These include failure to install explosion-proof equipment in flammable areas misplacement of natural gas pipe detectors and failure to install static-eliminating devices on pipe flanges As these breaches may result in a fire or explosion the company was fined and ordered to improve within a deadline in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act The office said it dispatched personnel to the five business units that the company owns in Taoyuan for comprehensive inspections on Friday the company's sites in Taoyuan have been fined four times between 2017 and 2019 for violating the Occupational Safety and Health Act the company's chemical fiber factory in Hsinchu County broke out in flames The Hsinchu County Government Fire Bureau said Thursday that the fire may have resulted from leakage of kerosene from high-pressure pipelines. The site was ordered to suspend operations by the county to prevent further damage that day Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw 24 (CNA) The 2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival came to a close in Taoyuan on Sunday recording over 20 million visitors in the 12 days since it opened on Feb Speaking at the closing ceremony Sunday evening Taoyuan Mayor Chang San-cheng (張善政) said a total of 15 million visitors attended the light shows at the two Main Lantern Exhibition Areas -- at Taoyuan Sports Park Station and Taoyuan High Speed Rail Station on the Taoyuan Airport Metro line over 5.3 million people visited the city's 13 municipal districts to see the various lantern displays which were part of the festival's "Echoes of Radiance" show over 20 million visitors attended the multiple shows in the city over the 12 day period of the annual Lantern Festival 220,000 of those visitors also participated in the many guided tours at the show The city government said 2,500 volunteers from all over the world served as the backbone of the festival assisting international visitors to the event The 2025 Lantern Festival generated over NT$27 billion (US$824 million) in revenue for the city thanks a number of popular international intellectual property franchises in the entertainment field that decided to feature their characters at the show Some of the most popular characters among the children who visited included Snorlax from the Japanese animation Pokémon the Lantern Festival partnered with international tech conglomerate Google to incorporate Google Maps into its foot traffic information and thus avoid congestion to facilitate travel to and from the event Taiwan Railway and public bus operators mobilized over 2,830 workers to provide assistance during the festival some 780,000 passengers passed through Taoyuan HSR Station said in a press release that it had provided 104 train services over the 12 days to cater to Lantern Festival visitors Chang presented a yellow lantern to Chiayi County Deputy Commissioner Liu Pei-tung (劉培東) in a ceremonial passing of the lantern to next year's host city Chiayi Liu said he was confident that Chiayi would maintain the popularity of the festival and continue to display its metamorphosis Police confiscate 5 tons of tobacco targeted at foreign laborers 2472TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taoyuan City Police Department raided an illegal cigarette factory on Friday seizing five tons of tobacco and cigarette-making machinery The seized tobacco could have produced approximately 3.15 million cigarettes with a market value of nearly NT$20 million (US$614,400). A 35-year-old man surnamed Jiang (江) was taken in for questioning on suspicion of violating the Tobacco and Alcohol Administration Act, per CNA deputy chief of the Zhongli Police Precinct told the media the raid followed a special task force investigation targeting illegal tobacco sales they uncovered the contraband cigarette operation on Friday A follow-up investigation will determine whether any accomplices were involved Kao said preliminary findings suggest the factory had been operating for about three months primarily distributing cigarettes to foreign laborers said the raid was part of a broader anti-crime crackdown 100 officers inspected 16 business premises Taiwan warns against binge drinking promotions April 6 (CNA) The Taoyuan City government said it plans to send animal welfare officials to a junior college after a video on social media appeared to show one of its teachers using a live ferret to clean a chalkboard a student at Taoyuan's Hsin Sheng Junior College of Medical Care and Management posted a one-second video clip of what appeared to be a teacher using a squirming white ferret to wipe chalk off a chalkboard captioned "freshman life on campus," was posted to a public IG account operated by the school but later deleted following allegations of animal abuse the school said that while it has yet to speak with the part-time teacher seen in the video it was "unlikely" the ferret was being mistreated since its owner and many other students were in the room School administrators will nevertheless look into the issue and also remind students and teachers that pets cannot be brought to class and should be treated with care Taoyuan Animal Welfare Office Commissioner Wang Te-chi (王得吉) said the office plans to send officials to the school to speak with the teacher and inquire after the ferret's well-being on Monday Wang noted that under Taiwan's Animal Protection Act a pet owner has a legal responsibility to protect their pet from harassment If an animal is illegally harmed resulting in its death the person responsible can face up to two years in prison and a fine ranging from NT$200,000 (US$6,023) to NT$2 million Wang told reporters that according to the school the ferret's owner brought the animal to class and had let the teacher The video was later posted to the IG account for the school's nursing program and although the teacher appears to have acted improperly it could just be an issue of the angle at which the recording was taken co-organizer of the 2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival announced Sunday the event will highlight the city's rich cultural diversity and ethnic heritage alongside its signature lantern displays the festival will feature daily themed performances - - excluding the opening and closing days -- celebrating Taoyuan's fusion of tradition and modern culture the city government said in a press release 12 in front of the A18 High-Speed Rail Station will feature 19 performing groups -- including the Philippine dance troupe Bailes de Luces and Kaohsiung-based Gift Box Theater -- it said Other than being the 36th edition of the festival 2025 is also the first time in nine years the annual event has been held in Taoyuan co-organized by the city government and the Tourism Administration 23 (CNA) The Taoyuan District Court on Thursday found two men not guilty of endangering flight safety when they repeatedly flew a drone near Taoyuan International Airport in mid-2023 Lien Yung-wang (連永旺) and Huang Kai-hui (黃凱暉) operated the unmanned aerial vehicle in the vicinity of the airport at least 10 times between June 24 and July 25 last year there was insufficient evidence to prove that the pair's conduct met the requirements for criminal conviction under Article 101 of Taiwan's Civil Aviation Act which stipulates a maximum sentence of seven years for any person who "endangers flight safety or aviation facilities by force File photo courtesy of the Taoyuan International Airport Corp.The court ruling said the police had received a report of illegal drone activity in a restricted airspace area on July 25 and subsequently found Lien and Huang after stopping their vehicle in Taoyuan City's Luzhu District 62-year-old Lien admitted to operating the drone for the purpose of "simply taking aerial photographs of beautiful scenery" but said that it had only entered the restricted area after he lost control of it due to signal problems argued that he had merely driven Lien to the area and waited in the car while Lien flew the drone Huang said he was unaware of the drone's flight range The drone's activity disrupted traffic at Taiwan's busiest airport in June and July 2023 with the most serious incident leading to a temporary suspension of takeoffs and landings at around 3 p.m after being trapped with a barbell on his neck at a gym in Taoyuan City earlier this month a video of the incident went viral on Japanese social media sites in the last few days and some writers mistakenly reported that the man had died Fitness Centers confirmed that the incident occurred in the Zhongli branch of his gyms in Taoyuan City on September 11 and that the man was in a stable condition after being sent to hospital Holger made the statements in a live Internet broadcast on September 13 after the video of the accident began to circulate on Facebook The horrific video shows the man fighting for his life as the 105 kilogram barbell presses on his neck while other members chat nonchalantly in the background completely unaware of the man’s plight the man’s legs start twitching violently drawing the attention other gym members who quickly come to his assistance Holger Chen said that the man was sent to the hospital immediately and is now fine Chen said that there was no problem with management of the gym “It is the same as anything you practice You must pay attention to correct posture and safe use of equipment.” Chen then demonstrated correct use of the guard bar while bench pressing which the man involved in the accident had not used Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email You ALways have to have a SPOTTER next to you when lifting heavy barbells This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 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If you have news tips or issues you want covered: Let me know This page requires JavaScript to function correctly please enable JavaScript in your browser settings first 16 (CNA) Seven stations on the northern section of the planned Taoyuan Metro green line are projected to open to the public in 2026 the Taoyuan City Government Department of Rapid Transit Systems announced Monday The department made the announcement at a progress update presser on Monday held at Taoyuan City Hall On top of the estimated opening of the seven stations on the northern section of the metro the department also announced plans to further complete the green line in the direction of Taoyuan Railway Station in 2028 before the entire route becomes fully operational in 2030 The department added that plans to extend the green line into Taoyuan's Zhongli District were greenlit by the Executive Yuan in December last year The Executive Yuan also approved the construction of Taoyuan Metro brown line in March this year a route which will connect Taoyuan with New Taipei The department added that the building of both the green line extension and brown line are projected to begin in 2025 Graphic: Taoyuan City Department of Rapid Transit SystemsMeanwhile the Taoyuan Airport Metro is also being extended to the A22 Laojie River Station to further expand transportation services available to commuters The department said that it has also begun to move Taoyuan's railroad underground to further consolidate the city's public transportation services work has begun to transfer the tracks at Taoyuan and Zhongli train stations underground with construction also started on two new underground-tracked train stations tentatively called Zhonglu and Zhongyuan train stations the viability of further extending the green line and developing the blue and orange lines are currently being explored Pedestrians are seen outside the temporary building of Zhongli Railway Station in Taoyuan CNA file photoSpeaking to local press during the public event on Monday Taoyuan Mayor Chang San-cheng (張善政) praised the speedy development of Taoyuan Metro-related projects over the past two years Chang said there is a high possibility the aforementioned seven stations on the green line's north section will be opened on schedule The mayor further added that the first two cars of the light metro service arrived in Taiwan last week and test runs will likely start on overhead tracks on the line as early as the first half of 2025 Chang said the city aims to meet projections for the full opening of the main green line in 2030 before opening a branch line in 2032 Seven stations on the northern section of the planned Taoyuan Metro Green Line are projected to open to the public in 2026 the Taoyuan Department of Rapid Transit Systems said yesterday The department also announced plans to further extend the Green Line in the direction of Taoyuan Railway Station in 2028 Plans to extend the Green Line to Jhongli District (中壢) were approved by the Executive Yuan in December last year The Executive Yuan in March approved the construction of the Taoyuan Metro Brown Line which would connect Taoyuan with New Taipei City The Green Line extension and the Brown Line project are expected to begin next year the Taoyuan Airport MRT is also being extended to the Laojie River Station to further expand transportation services available to commuters The department said it has also begun to move Taoyuan’s railroad underground to further consolidate the city’s public transportation services Work has begun this year to transfer tracks at Taoyuan and Jhongli train stations underground and construction for two new underground train stations — tentatively called Jhonglu (中路) and Jhongyuan (中原) train stations — have also started The viability of further extending the Green Line and developing the Blue and Orange Lines are currently being explored Taoyuan Mayor Chang San-cheng (張善政) yesterday praised the speedy development of Taoyuan MRT-related projects over the past two years There is a high possibility the seven stations on the Green Line’s north section would open on schedule adding that the first two cars of the light metro service arrived last week and test runs would likely start on the line’s overhead tracks as early as the first half of next year Chang said the city aims to meet projections for the full opening of the main Green Line in 2030 before opening a branch line in 2032 Today's print edition Home Delivery An excited buzz filled the swarming crowd in the shadow of darkness Silence fell for a split second before the 18-meter main lantern burst to life signaling the start of this year's highly anticipated Taiwan Lantern Festival rows of spectators huddled under umbrellas watched eagerly as the Infinite Paradise lantern lit up in vibrant rainbow tones accompanied by booming music and blinding strobe lights.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); The "light-up" ceremony for the 36th iteration of the major Taiwanese festival was held on Feb with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te among the attendees In a time of both misinformation and too much information quality journalism is more crucial than ever.By subscribing Your subscription plan doesn't allow commenting. To learn more see our FAQ Sponsored contents planned and edited by JT Media Enterprise Division The airline industry’s post-pandemic recovery took center stage at this year’s Taoyuan Airport Forum in Taipei yesterday held by the Taoyuan International Airport Corp (TIAC) also saw officials from Airports Council International (ACI) and other industry experts give an overview on the airport’s role in the transforming airline industry TIAC Vice President Lee Chun-te (李俊德) highlighted the airport’s plans to open Terminal 3 by 2027 its return to pre-COVID 19 levels of passenger travel its unique role as the bridge between North America and Southeast Asia and plans to expand international partnerships and connections Photo courtesy of Taoyuan International Airport Corp The airport is the 15th busiest in the world for passenger traffic and the 10th busiest in the world for cargo The airport has 160 weekly direct flights to North America and travelers passing between North America and Southeast Asia account for 80 percent of all transit passengers ACI’s director general of Asia-Pacific and Middle East when asked about the airport’s unique strengths when compared with its peers calling it a “bridge between East and West.” “[TIAC] understands very well … the need to transfer passengers efficiently,” he said citing the example of how the airport does not require secondary screenings for those transiting through to international destinations Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) Chief Secretary Huang He-ting (黃荷婷) called the airport a “model MOTC company.” The airport would service 44 million to 45 million passengers by the end of this year Asia Pacific regional director at OAG Aviation presented TIAC with an award on behalf of ACI for having the busiest international route in the world more than 100,000 more seats than the closest contender the Taoyuan to Tokyo-Narita route was also among the top 10 in the world by passenger volume Taoyuan International Airport special report More shuttle buses and crowd control measures implemented for final festival weekend Large crowds flood MRT on opening of Lantern Festival 1953TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taiwan Lantern Festival in Taoyuan drew massive crowds over the weekend municipal officials have introduced new measures to improve traffic flow According to the Taoyuan Tourism Administration, 2.576 million people visited the festival via the A18 and A19 MRT stations on opening weekend. The influx of visitors quickly overwhelmed the Qingpu Special District, causing gridlock at many intersections and MRT stations, UDN reported nearly 30,000 people entered and exited A18 Station placing immense pressure on local streets and public transportation and police were deployed to direct traffic authorities have announced several new transportation measures including additional shuttle buses, increased MRT and high-speed rail service and enhanced crowd control at major transit stations two new shuttle routes—A16-A18 and A19-A20—will operate to reduce wait times and improve passenger flow For travelers transferring from the high-speed rail station to the airport additional signage and personnel will be deployed to guide passengers more efficiently This is expected to streamline transfers between the subway and the airport To further ease congestion at MRT stations, Taoyuan MRT will keep fare gates open during peak hours allowing passengers to swipe their cards without delay With parking at A16 and A20 stations reaching capacity, alternative parking lots and additional roadside parking areas will be opened City officials encourage the public to park in designated areas and take shuttle buses to the festival grounds Additionally, airport taxi services will be expanded and shuttle bus schedules between Terminal 2 (A13 Station) and Taoyuan High-Speed Rail Station (A18) will be adjusted to accommodate demand Municipal officials are urging festivalgoers to use public transportation and cooperate with on-site crowd control staff to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone Taiwan Lantern Festival kicks off in Taoyuan 12 Taiwan Lantern Festival taboos to avoid Taiwan Lantern Festival returns to Taoyuan KMT warns of rising unaccounted-for foreign workers in Taiwan Taiwan’s main airport broke transit passenger record in 2023 'Attack on Titan' giant also featured Taiwan Lantern Festival main display "Infinite Paradise." (Tourism Administration photo) 4206TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taiwan Lantern Festival will begin in Taoyuan at 7 p.m With the theme “Light Connect All,” the Lantern Festival is returning to Taoyuan for the first time in nine years, per Taiwan Lantern Festival This year's event marks the 36th year of the festival This year's 18-meter-tall main lantern, “Infinite Paradise,” is designed by artist Akibo Lee (李明道) The festival is divided into two areas: the Main Lantern Exhibition Area at the A18 Taoyuan High Speed Rail Station and the Lights Playground at the A19 Taoyuan Sports Park Station The main exhibition area is themed around a baseball diamond to mark Team Taiwan's victory in the Premier12 championship The main stage and Infinite Paradise are located on the home plate while the auxiliary lanterns “Guardian of Navigation” and “Fuyao Dragon” are at the first base and second base Chintan Park in Lights Playground will feature Japanese Pokemon characters for the first time including a 12-meter-long Snorlax and a 6-meter-tall Pikachu a 9-meter-high and 10-meter-wide lantern depicting a giant from the Japanese anime series “Attack on Titan” is featured in the City Spotlight area of the Lights Playground.  Professional baseball cheerleaders will utilize AI and motion-capture technology to add a new visual element to the main lantern display more than 80 performance groups from Taiwan and abroad will present over 100 shows Tourism Administration Director-General Chou Yung-hui (周永暉) projected that this year’s exhibition could attract between 10 and 15 million visitors, potentially setting a record for the highest attendance at the Taiwan Lantern Festival since the pandemic, per CNA Taiwan Lantern Festival in Taoyuan has snake theme Taiwan takes lanterns to California for festival Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport is the eleventh busiest airport in the world. As part of a major expansion plan building a new Terminal 3 to accommodate an estimated 45m extra passengers per year is Taoyuan’s response to the rapid economic growth of the Asia-Pacific region.  The largest single investment of Taiwan’s 10 Major Construction Projects the flagship 540,000m² development has been designed as a sustainable intelligent transport hub providing a new creative travel experience centred on tourism in a joint venture with British architect Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners Taiwan engineering firm CECI and architect FCA provided a full range of services including airport planning But the most remarkable element of the new terminal is the organic design concept that will be brought to life Inspired by Taiwan’s beautiful land and seascape an elegant hard-shell roof rises above a unique interior with individual spaces designed to reflect the natural rhythm and life of the country The roof is supported by a series of four-legged ‘banyan columns’ along the spine of the building and from inside a ceiling reminiscent of sky and clouds shapes the spaces below.  Built to the highest standards as the gateway to Taiwan the terminal reverses the traditional arrangement of departures and arrivals Set within a unique space and offering unequalled customer service Terminal 3 provides a world-class hub in East Asia Achieving the desired levels of customer service at maximum capacity was a major planning challenge but by using the latest digital tools and techniques our planning and analytical experts could simulate the flexibility of demand required for the new terminal.  we analysed passenger and aircraft movement in line with forecast demand to replicate a ‘collision avoidance environment’ multiple passenger journeys were visualised allowing us to integrate modern digital processes including technology-based check-ins e-gates and a new Automatic People Mover (APM) system into the design and detailed approach to major investment planning Arup ensured that Terminal 3 will remain the standard bearer for efficient and sustainable airport design for years to come Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners / CECI Engineering Consultants Inc. Sustainable design for a terminal to handle 45m passengers per year Delivery of exceptional passenger experience in the gateway to Taiwan Enhanced digital planning using the latest design software to create a ‘Collision Avoidance Environment’ If you'd like to speak to one of our aviation experts about any of the issues raised on this page or a potential collaboration then please get in touch by completing the form 11 (CNA) A former employee in Taoyuan's Department of Agriculture was sentenced to eight months in prison on Tuesday for ordering a hunter to shoot an escaped baboon in March 2023 The hunter was found guilty of illegally killing a protected wild animal under the Animal Protection Act by taking advantage of his position as a civil servant Authorities in Taoyuan received reports from March 10 2023 that a baboon that had escaped from a zoo in Hsinchu's Leofoo Village had been spotted several times in the city's Pingzhen District over around a dozen days A task force organized by the local ward chief searched for the baboon but failed to locate the animal The Agriculture Department subsequently took over the mission to capture the primate from March 23 that year the escaped baboon was captured in Taoyuan's Yangmei District with the use of a net agricultural department personnel discovered that the animal had been shot in the chest with a shotgun during the operation and was soon pronounced dead Taoyuan District Prosecutors Office concluded an investigation in November of the same year and indicated a local government technician surnamed Hsu (徐) had taken part in the capture and violated regulations on hunting and killing protected wildlife after allegedly telling a government-contracted hunter surnamed Lin (林) that he could kill the baboon without official approval Standing trial at the Taoyuan District Court on Tuesday Hsu denied that he had given the order for the hunter to fire He added that he did not meet Lin during the effort to capture the animal and did not know whether the hunter was using live rounds the court said evidence indicated Hsu knew that Lin and another hunter were carrying lethal indigenous homemade hunting rifles and that he had earlier instructed the two to shoot the baboon as soon as they spotted it The district court handed down the eight-month sentence to Hsu on the grounds that the situation had not been an emergency and there was no reason to order the hunters to shoot the baboon The north concourse of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport’s Terminal 3 is scheduled to begin operations in the middle of next year Taoyuan International Airport Corp (TIAC) said yesterday The Terminal 3 project was launched as the number of air travelers accessing the nation’s largest international airport each year has already exceeded the combined capacity of terminals 1 and 2 The two existing terminals were designed to be accessed by 37 million air travelers per year about 48.36 million accessed the airport in 2019 The airport operator yesterday organized a field trip for reporters to see Terminal 3 construction sites TIAC chairman Yang Wei-fuu (楊偉甫) told reporters that 26 million air travelers had accessed the airport as of last month and the number of the air travelers accessing the airport this year could potentially be 44 million to 45 million which is about 92 to 94 percent of the 2019 level the airport’s passenger service capacity would expand to 82 million travelers per year from 37 million The company estimated that more than 50 million passengers are to access the airport per year by 2028 Terminal 3 would be mainly used for flight services connecting North America and Southeast Asian nations offered by China Airlines the nation had welcomed about 3.936 million transit passengers up from 3.46 million during the same period last year About 77 percent of the airport’s transit passengers this year were those traveling between North America and Southeast Asia Approximately 40 percent of transit travelers flew from the US or Canada to Southeast Asian nations 42.3 percent of the Terminal 3 project — the terminal an energy center and an office building — has been completed about 1 percent behind the construction schedule Although the entire Terminal 3 project would not be completed until 2027 the north concourse is scheduled to begin operations in the middle of next year which could add eight more aircraft parking spaces to the airport The cost of the project is now estimated to be NT$128.37 billion (US$3.97 billion) up from the previous estimate of NT$95.6 billion The terminal per se costs about NT$44.53 billion which is nearly three times larger than the Taipei Dome The aggregate floor area is about 580,000m2 Yang cited the COVID-19 pandemic and the high turnover rate of migrant workers as the two biggest challenges the project has faced adding that the problem with the migrant workers was addressed by changing human resources agencies TIAC sustained substantial financial losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic turning it from a profitable firm to one in debt the company had NT$5.4 billion of accumulated financial losses “We have a very good chance to cover the losses this year due to the return of air travelers we still need to spend about NT$300 billion in the next few years building the third runway and other infrastructure,” he said Taoyuan Station by European Prize for Architecture Laureates Mecanoo covered plaza” that includes commercial spaces and a bus station forming its reference as an “origami aeroplane.” In the northwest of Taiwan lies Taoyuan City a large metropolitan area that hosts the country’s largest airport making it appear as if it is floating above the site embodies this spirit with the station’s canopy resembling an origami aeroplane creates a dynamic ceiling that captures the attention of the station’s users and as part of Mecanoo’s sustainable and holistic design approach enhancing the public character of the transportation hub As a compact and efficient transportation hub Lighting and landscape design will help guide people around the station and provide greenery to the urban fabric Considered a catalyst rather than a destination Project: Taoyuan StationArchitects: Mecanoo ArchitectenClient: Railway Bureau MOTCRenderings: Courtesy of the Architects Input your search keywords and press Enter You can see how this popup was set up in our step-by-step guide: https://wppopupmaker.com/guides/auto-opening-announcement-popups/ Kanye West on Wednesday announced the cancelation of the Taiwan part of the “Vultures Listening Experience” event but said that the cancelation had nothing to do with him or his team was to hold the event with musical partner Ty Dolla $ign on Sunday at the Taoyuan City Stadium The rapper had previously said he wished to travel to the event with his wife and eldest daughter Ticketing Web sites had posted special notices about the event calling it “a listening and fashion party,” not a "regular concert.” no other information was known about the cancelation of the Taiwan segment of the event and the Taiwanese hosting organization had yet to comment The South Korean event is continuing as planned Thermal imaging from drones can easily identify and track stray dogs Drones can help city dog catchers control stray population (Taoyuan City Animal Protection Office photo) 2742TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taoyuan City Government has enlisted a team from National Yunlin University of Science and Technology to use drone photography and AI technology to map the distribution of stray dogs in the city The Taoyuan City Animal Protection Office has been seeking ways to increase efficiency in capturing stray dogs a traditionally labor- and time-intensive task the city aims to enhance daily operations and manage the stray dog population more effectively Animal Protection Office Director Wang De-ji (王得吉) said that staff previously relied on blowguns to anesthetize stray dogs which often resulted in dogs wandering into dense grass or remote areas before the sedative took effect Limited staff and challenging terrain made recovery efforts difficult Wang’s office partnered with National Yunlin University of Science and Technology to apply high-tech solutions The university's researchers used drones and AI tools to identify hotspots for stray dog activity providing location and population data to the Animal Protection Office which then plans capture operations based on the information an assistant professor at Yunlin’s Department of Electrical Engineering explained that drones equipped with thermal imaging are used to detect stray dogs on roads and farmland The data helps accurately pinpoint their movements and locations Chen added that while dense vegetation or buildings can complicate capture efforts the drones' aerial capabilities enable more effective tracking improving the chances of successful capture Taiwan’s Thunder Tiger showcases drones at US military expo Taiwan to invest NT$12.5 billion in semiconductors Taiwan’s MediaTek launches flagship Dimensity 9400 chipset Taiwan reports record NT$1.3 billion September export value Taiwan’s Foxconn to build world’s largest Nvidia superchip factory in Mexico Taiwan launches university alliance program to cultivate AI talent Main lantern titled 'Infinite Paradise' designed by artist Lee Ming-dao 5371TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Tourism Administration Friday unveiled the main lantern for this year's Taiwan Lantern Festival Transportation Minister Chen Shih-kai (陳世凱) said the theme of the 36th annual festival is "Lights Linking a Thousand Ponds Across Taoyuan." Chen added the main lantern is titled “Infinite Paradise” and was designed by artist Lee Ming-dao (李明道) combined with spherical and geometric shapes to evoke a futuristic theme park full of technological marvels He said the lantern was inspired by amusement park elements like roller coasters and water slides It stands 18 meters tall and incorporates cutting-edge technologies such as AI and motion capture to showcase an ever-changing visual narrative Chen said it conveys themes of sustainable development and connections across eras while introducing the design of the main lantern explained that it coincides with Team Taiwan's baseball team’s victory in the WBSC Premier12 tournament Lee said four cheerleaders used motion capture technology to integrate dynamic visuals into the main lantern show Chen and Taoyuan Mayor Chang San-cheng (張善政) participated in creating peach-themed emojis Several international exchange students also contributed by writing blessings for Taiwan in their native languages Tourism Administration Director-General Chou Yung-hui (周永暉) said each year the most eagerly anticipated lantern is the small handheld lantern for children based on the Chinese zodiac This year's lantern features the snake as its theme Designed around the concept of a flexible toy snake the lantern’s body consists of a seven-segment movable structure Each segment can bend at a 90-degree angle allowing users to assemble it into numbers from zero to nine half of the handheld lanterns have been designed to light up using external power banks users can illuminate the lantern without relying on disposable batteries contributing to sustainability and environmental protection The Taiwan Lantern Festival wll light up at 7 p.m The main lantern is located near Taoyuan Airport MRT's A18 station and will present a light show every 30 minutes.  Taoyuan unveils Taiwan National Day pedestrian signals Taiwan court overturns second bail decision for ex-vice premier High speed rail and sports park stations to showcase Pokemon collaboration and futuristic lantern displays "Home." (2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival photo) 4535TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The 2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival will return to Taoyuan from Feb.12 to 23 marking its return to the city after nine years Themed “Light Connect All,” the festival will showcase two main zones: the Main Lantern Exhibition Area at A18 Taoyuan High Speed Rail Station and the Lights Playground at A19 Taoyuan Sports Park Station, according to Taiwan Lantern Festival This year’s highlight includes an 18-meter-tall futuristic lantern “Paradise,” and a special collaboration with the popular Pokemon franchise a 12-meter-tall Snorlax lantern and a 6-meter-tall Pikachu lantern will be on display The Lights Playground’s “City Spotlight” zone will feature a 9-meter-tall centerpiece titled “Home,” representing Taiwan’s diverse cultural heritage symbolizing the unity of people from different backgrounds and embodying Taiwan as a shared home for all The Taiwan Lantern Festival began in Taipei in 1990 during the Lantern Festival and has since rotated across cities officially adopting its current name in 2003 the event creatively incorporates Taoyuan’s unique pond landscapes into the light displays features a modern abstract infinity symbol combined with spheres and geometric shapes Drawing from roller coasters and water slides the lantern aims to give visitors a taste of an amusement park without the rides The festival will also include motion-capture technology integrating the movements of four professional baseball cheerleaders into the main lantern display The "Radiant Ball of Light" installation will be featured at the Rakuten Taoyuan Baseball Stadium utilizing light and shadow techniques to pay tribute to Taiwan's WBSC Premier12 championship finals win The Taiwan Lantern Festival light display at the A19 Taoyuan Sports Park Station will begin trial operations on Friday. For more information, visit the event's official website Plans by three companies to build solid recovered-fuel (SRF) power plants in Taoyuan are back on track after the Ministry of Economic Affairs overruled a municipal government order to cancel the projects In a directive issued on Thursday last week the ministry overturned Taoyuan’s decision in March to revoke permits for the plants because of problems discovered with the companies’ applications Taiwan Cube Energy Co and Li Jiang Development Co to proceed with their plans to build SRF plants in Taoyuan Technology Industrial Park (桃園科技園區) in Guanyin District (觀音) The ministry issued the order after an appeal by Cleanaway against the city’s decision Taoyuan Mayor Simon Chang (張善政) on Sunday said that the ministry’s decision was regrettable and added that Taoyuan would carefully monitor the steps the companies have to follow to build the plants to protect residents’ health when the ministry held meetings to discuss construction of “renewable energy” plants in the park and the requirements companies would have to meet Among them was a requirement to set up an SRF plant and receive recommendation letters from the ministry The three companies received recommendations between late 2020 and the middle of 2022 and Taoyuan approved their applications within months with the final one just days before Chang took office in late December 2022 about two months before the presidential and legislative elections in January the ministry rescinded the recommendation letters Chang canceled the approvals it had granted on the grounds that without the ministry’s recommendation the applications to construct the three SRF plants were incomplete saying that the recommendation requirement was merely an advisory and not legally binding The city did not provide a legal basis for invalidating its previous permits Local leaders and residents were quoted by Chinese-language media as saying that the central government had handled the matter poorly Guanyin residents were considering a protest in Taipei against the ministry’s decision Taoyuan City Councilor Wu Chin-chang (吳進昌) said that the ministry and the previous Taoyuan mayor rescinded the recommendation letters ahead of the Jan 13 elections for fear of losing votes over the issue Guanyin already has the gas-fired Datan Power Plant which Wu said has caused serious pollution Three more SRF plants would only worsen the situation KMT Legislator Tu Chuan-chi (涂權吉) said that the ministry had flip-flopped on policy due to political motivations SRF is produced by shredding and drying commercial waste such as paper It generates energy from fuel that might otherwise be incinerated or dumped in landfills Advocates say SRFs generate fewer emissions than coal when used to produce electricity while its high-calorific value allows it to be used in cement kilns to generate power in place of coal it creates pollutants and might disincentivize recycling Taiwan could join the list of Long Beach’s sister cities—which includes Yokkaichi the Long Beach City Council approved Taoyuan City’s sister city application The council will vote on a formal resolution next week Sister Cities International was formed in 1956 during President Dwight Eisenhower’s White House conference on citizen diplomacy The purpose of a Sister City is to form relationships with people of different cultures to “celebrate their differences and build partnerships that would lessen the chance of new conflicts,” according to the Sister Cities of Long Beach Inc SCLB President Susan Redfield said the organization works with “thousands of Long Beach residents” from multiple backgrounds each year.  “It is our vision to continue serving as an international arm for our city and its leadership and serving toward the betterment of the personal and economic future of Long Beach,” she said Those partnerships can also include business arrangements like coordination with the Port of Long Beach Los Angeles County is America’s top international trade gateway to Taiwan and is Taiwan’s top gateway to the United States Los Angeles County also has the largest Taiwanese population of any county in the nation.  “Embracing Taoyuan City could provide a mutually beneficial exchange of business opportunities and strategies,” Councilmember Al Austin said the exchange of culture may lead to enrichment for both of our cities.”  Austin noted that the city has hosted Taiwanese representatives on multiple occasions and that Taoyuan City sent Long Beach PPE supplies during shortages.  The addition of Taoyuan City would be Long Beach’s first new sister city since 2007 The other cities joined between the ‘80s and ‘90s.  when the SCLB Board of Directors was approached by a group of Taiwanese nationals who wanted to add a Taiwanese sister city.  the SCLB received a presentation by the group and created a Taoyuan Sister City Formation Committee to explore the potential partnership the council approved the application to establish the sister city “I’m always supportive of anything that allows us to do a mutually beneficial exchange for business opportunity port strategies and obviously cultural enrichment with other countries,” Councilmember Suely Saro said.  Long Beach also has three “friendship cities”: Bacolod These relationships were formed to “test the waters” before long-term Sister City relationships are formed less formal and focused on advancing a singular purpose Weekly community newspaper covering Long Beach and Signal Hill Adjustments to airport MRT services prevent overcrowding The Taoyuan Lantern Festival expected 2 million visitors Saturday 2914TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Lantern Festival in Taoyuan was expected to draw 2 million visitors on Saturday Despite the large crowds, the Taoyuan City Government said public transportation was handling the influx smoothly, per CNA Adjustments to traffic planning ensured that transit systems could accommodate festivalgoers train intervals were reduced to five minutes preventing overcrowding and long wait times The improvements were a response to earlier transportation issues when the festival first opened on Feb attracting 2.2 million visitors and overwhelming public transit some travelers were forced to wait for over an hour before finding a train with available space Taoyuan authorities adjusted train schedules while also considering the estimated 210,000 passengers traveling to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport special shuttle buses transported 12,000 visitors to and from the festival on Saturday alone with a total of 30,000 expected by the end of the night The Taiwan High-Speed Rail system also reported no major congestion related to festival travel. Officials advised visitors to purchase return tickets in advance, and additional train services were scheduled to accommodate the increased demand, CNA reported Taiwan Airport MRT expects 200 millionth passenger during weekend Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival begins in Tainan Sky lanterns released ahead of Lantern Festival in New Taipei Taiwan promotes Lantern Festival to transit passengers Taichung all set for Central Taiwan Lantern Festival KMT lawmakers in all 6 of Taoyuan's legislative districts targeted for recall Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an and KMT legislators joined a rally in Taoyuan 2154TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Kuomintang (KMT) held a rally and policy briefing in Taoyuan on Sunday urging supporters to oppose recall campaigns targeting the city’s KMT legislators titled “Oppose Recalls and Protect Taoyuan,” was organized to show support for Taoyuan’s six KMT legislators all of whom have been targeted for recall by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislative caucus KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫), Taoyuan Mayor Chang San-cheng (張善政), and Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) were among the high-profile party members who spoke at the rally in Yangmei District, alongside several legislators, per CNA In addition to condemning the recall campaigns, KMT leaders defended the recently promulgated national budget which significantly reduced central government funding The KMT has argued that the budget redistributes resources more fairly by allocating a greater share to local governments calling it a way to “return the money to the people.” Speakers said the new budget will allow Taoyuan to improve infrastructure, reduce traffic congestion Legislator Tu Chuan-chi (涂權吉) described the political environment as dangerous and urged the public to stand united in support of their elected officials Chiang Wan-an accused the DPP of fomenting division and using the recall process to undermine democracy and reverse election results. He said the people could not accept such “malicious recall efforts” and called on the public to oppose them, per UDN Taiwan People's Party protests DPP governance in New Taipei Tainan KMT members arrested for fraud in recall targeting DPP lawmakers DPP lawmakers rush rostrum at Taiwan's Legislative Yuan Video promotes 2nd stage of KMT legislator recall campaign Taiwan recall campaigns against 2 DPP legislators progress Fo Guang Shan prayer ceremony fills Taipei Arena Dangerous undercurrent leads to drowning of college student on last day of summer holiday College-aged male dies in dangerous undercurrent at Yunei Creek 4176TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A 20-year-old male college student surnamed Li (李) ventured out on the last day of the summer holiday with three friends to Taoyuan’s Yunei Creek where he tragically drowned in a powerful undercurrent on Saturday (Aug Li was later pronounced dead after being found unconscious and taken to the hospital for treatment The Taoyuan Fire Department reported that Li’s friends suspect he went missing while they were playing in the upstream portion of the creek After noticing his disappearance, they began searching for their missing friend. An emergency call was placed at 3:56 p.m., which was received by the Taoyuan City Police Department Daxi Precinct, according to CNA Police officers from the Daxi Precinct took statements from the three friends who accompanied Li They all reported playing separately in the water and did not know his whereabouts There were no witnesses when the accident occurred The Taoyuan City Fire Department Fourth Brigade said that after receiving the report who was stuck in an undercurrent near a rock waterslide Li was found without vital signs and was suffering from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) prompting ambulance staff to immediately perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) director of Taoyuan City Hall Scenic Area Administration explained that Yunei Creek is only open to the section between Bridge No and is accessible on weekends from June 1 to Sept Two lifeguards are on duty in the designated water recreation area and a ticket fee of NT$50 (US$1.60) is required for entrance The drowning accident involving the young college student occurred near the Heping Bridge in the upper reaches of Yunei Creek Taoyuan City Hall Scenic Area Administration officials urge the public to only enter the creek in designated areas and remind tourists to prioritize their safety when playing in the water Indian American student drowns at south Taiwan beach Woman from Philippines drowns near south Taiwan waterfall 8 rescued from residential fire in northern Taiwan Taiwan Air Force soldier drowns after dare Student from Myanmar drowns in New Taipei river after bet