The 2026 Kaohsiung mayoral race heated up on Feb. 3 as DPP candidate Lai Jui-lung and KMT candidate Ko Chih-en traded sharp criticism over stalled budget negotiations, policy substance, and Kaohsiung’s relationship with the central government, with Ko dismissing what she called “inviting Taylor Swift” spectacles in favor of what she described as serious governance.
Business & Economy
Taiwan’s investment in non-China destinations has continued to rise. In 2016, investment in non-China regions surpassed investment in China for the first time, marking a key turning point. By 2022, the share had further increased to 66.4%. In 2025, investment in non-China regions accounted for as much as 96.2% of Taiwan’s total outward investment—around 12 times the level invested in China—demonstrating a highly diversified and multi-pronged outward investment pattern.
Lifestyle
Beyond long-established destinations such as Cijin (旗津), Cishan Old Street (旗山老街), Sizihwan (西子灣), and the Pier-2 Art Center (駁二藝術特區), several newer attractions — including Guoling Park (果嶺公園) and the newly opened Senye Wildlife School (森野動物學校) in Neimen (內門區) — will welcome holiday crowds for the first time.
Hotels themselves propose the registered maximum price when submitting pricing for record. The local authority reviews the submission for formality and compliance, but does not set or “approve” an arbitrary cap based on economic fairness. Authorities may reject filings for procedural issues, but they do not set price levels based on “market fairness.”
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CNA reports that while speaking to reporters at the Legislative Yuan, Lai confirmed that the victim’s family has accepted his apology and that both sides reached a basic understanding during a one-hour meeting on Sunday.
Despite calls for unity, none of the four DPP candidates appear ready to drop out and endorse a rival DPP lawmaker Lin Tai-hua (林岱樺)…
The club became nationally famous during the early COVID-19 period in 2020, when a dancer reported the movements of an infected businessman who allegedly failed to disclose his travel and activity history, a case that helped authorities respond quickly and led to the nickname “national guardian dancer” (護國舞小姐).
The Kaohsiung City Government said the Sunshine Island Vibe Fest will return March 6–8, 2026, with activities planned at Central Park and Kaohsiung Main Station, marking the festival’s first dual-venue format.
