Author: Eryk Michael Smith
Eryk Michael Smith
Eryk Michael Smith is a journalist with over a decade of experience working for local and international outlets. He is also the co-host of The Taiwan History Podcast: Formosa Files, and co-founder of Plum Rain Press. The Kaohsiung Times is Smith's latest project, and aims to provide more southern Taiwan-centric news in English.
The redevelopment of Kaohsiung’s waterfront moves away from port-heavy industrial land use to a mixed waterfront district integrating corporate R&D, finance, culture, and public space; a 20-year transition, implemented in defined steps.
By Pai Pei-hwa (白佩華) | Special to The Kaohsiung Times Oct. 27, 2025Image source: Ministry of the Environment website TAIWAN — For years, Taiwan treated food waste largely as pig feed or compost material. But with the threat of African swine fever (ASF) and rising urban complaints over odors, the frailties of those conventional disposal routes have been exposed. According to Taiwan’s Council of Agriculture (COA), starting in October 2021, small-scale pig farms (fewer than 200 heads) were banned from using general food waste, animal by-products, and slaughterhouse waste as feed. Farms with 200 heads or more may continue if…
Today, the Kaohsiung Times gratefully begins running John Ross’ Taiwan in 100 Books (2020). It tells the story of Taiwan through the prism of some of the most important and/or most interesting English-language works on the country. Unfortunately, due to some dark publisher drama, the title is not currently available for sale; so, John is making it available here. In the coming months, we will, in weekly installments, be serializing the entire book.
The Neimen Tourism and Recreation Park (內門觀光休閒園區), covering roughly 11.5 hectares, is currently undergoing phased construction, with a soft opening targeted for late 2025.
This documentary is less about destruction than it is about resilience, empathy, and the shared strength that emerges when strangers come together from across Taiwan and beyond.
As fireworks exploded over the stadium, I felt like I was meeting my younger self again — the same kid who saw BLACKPINK for the first time on his birthday in eighth grade. This time, it wasn’t just a concert. It was a memory I will never forget.
By Eryk Michael Smith / Images courtesy of Vincent Hsu Growing up in Kaohsiung, Vincent Hsu (徐崇育) never imagined he would one day perform his own jazz compositions before thousands of people. Sitting down recently with The Kaohsiung Times, Hsu shared the story of how a young man from Taiwan’s southern capital found his way to the international jazz stage. “I played guitar a little when I was young, just basic stuff,” he said with a modest smile. “I loved music, but I never thought it would become my life.” That passion didn’t truly take hold until his mid-twenties —…
Within a year, Kaohsiung may be completely CKS-statue-free. It’s unlikely there will be a ceremony when the last one comes down. Half a century has passed since the Generalissimo’s death, and while Taiwan will never forget his legacy, at least in the south, the former leader will no longer be quite so in-your-face.
The dedication is impressive: they march, shout Latin commands, and re-enact tactical maneuvers. They’ve reportedly staged battles with up to a hundred participants.
The new park will feature three large water slides, shallow splash pools, water swings, and landscaped rest areas shaded by existing trees. Facilities will include changing rooms, restrooms, outdoor showers, and canopy walkways, turning what was once a simple splash zone into a full-scale water playground.
