Author: Eryk Michael Smith

Taiwan-based lawyer and political analyst Ross Feingold (方恩格) observed to Kaohsiung Times that “The length of time this case has taken to make its way through the litigation process is normal in Taiwan for a case that involves dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries, and that involves a dispute over whether corporates or local/central government agencies also might bear responsibility due to negligence in public works or regulatory oversight of the companies involved. Often, both the criminal and civil side of these matters can take this long.”

Once a magnet for young shoppers, Kaohsiung’s Yu-Chu district has spent years in decline. Lower rents and a wave of bars, music events and independent shops have brought people back at night, but the city still needs a credible plan to make the area work in daylight too.

Officials say the government is considering adding provisions specifically designed to strengthen Taiwan’s startup ecosystem. The proposals follow calls from startup representatives for regulatory sandboxes, tax reforms and better support for entrepreneurs recovering from failed ventures.

Kaohsiung, Tainan and Pingtung all lean DPP, but their 2026 local races will be shaped by different candidates, issues and local political networks.

By KHT Staff KAOHSIUNG — City officials have announced cash relief for farmers after extreme rain damaged crops across the city, with applications opening Monday, Aug. 25, and continuing through Sept. 7. In a separate disaster-response briefing, Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) said the Nanzih District (楠梓區) monitoring station recorded 567 mm of rain in 24 hours and 913 mm over three days. CNA reported that Chen described both totals as records for the station. The city’s agricultural-relief statement gives the same three-day total, 913 mm, but does not identify the station. The figure should not be read as meaning all…

Business Traveller has highlighted Kaohsiung’s transformed waterfront, major event venues and growing selection of international hotels, presenting the city as a business destination with its own trajectory.

Independent musician and rapper KE Ko-hsiao has launched the second season of his podcast, using Taiwanese Hokkien conversations to explore music, theater, baseball, film and underground culture.

Dalinpu residents are objecting to 19 proposed replacement lots located directly in front of where a road ends. In Taiwan, this arrangement is known as luchong (路沖) and is often considered undesirable under traditional feng shui beliefs.

The event will proceed as scheduled on August 1 and 2. For more information, please visit the Kaohsiung Travel website or the ‘FUN Cijin’ Facebook page

Startup World Cup Kaohsiung segment finishes with panel of experts telling local firms hoping to enter international markets to question familiar assumptions and seek advice beyond their existing professional circles.