Author: Eryk Michael Smith

The newly-expanded Singhai Fishing Harbor (興海漁港) in Manjhou Township (滿州鄉), will improve safety for fishing boats along Taiwan’s southeast coast and provide a more practical shelter option during typhoons, say officials.

In previous years, the splash area typically opened closer to summer vacation, but many residents are pushing for an earlier start as Kaohsiung heats up long before “summer.” As temperatures in Kaohsiung hit 31 degrees Celsius on Saturday, the city appears inclined to open the facility as soon as final safety approvals are complete.

The seminar will cover how to evaluate different school options, what public education services are available, including Mandarin learning support, and the timelines and procedures involved in school registration.

The vessel arrived at Donggang Fish Market amid firecrackers, where Pingtung County Magistrate Chou Chun-mi (周春米), American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Kaohsiung Branch Chief Neil Gibson, and other officials boarded to mark the catch. The tuna measured 214 cm in length and weighed 190 kg.

Preliminary assessments are eligible for subsidies of up to NT$15,000 per case, while comprehensive, detailed evaluations can receive a maximum of NT$400,000. These assessments serve as critical documentation. The application period is open effective immediately and will close on November 1, 2026.

Chen has a backstory that would work well for a film. At 13, he left Taiwan for Vienna. His parents stayed behind as he entered a rigorous training system—the kind few young musicians today would be expected to endure. “My parents basically had no idea what I was doing,” Chen said. “In the first ten years, I only made two phone calls a year. Letters back and forth would take months,” he recalled.

By Eryk Michael Smith. Information and images courtesy of Pingtung County Government. PINGTUNG — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on April 4 visited a children’s event at the Pingtung County Government complex, where local officials promoted youth participation and play as part of public policy. The event, titled “Surround the County Government, Children Take the Lead,” drew large crowds of families over the Children’s Day holiday, according to organizers. Speaking at the venue, Lai said he thought the Pingtung County event was “a great idea,” and said it clearly shows an effort by local officials to place greater emphasis on children’s…

By Eryk Michael Smith / Staff KAOHSIUNG — With his second term nearing its end, Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) presented what he described as his administration’s record to the City Council, highlighting gains in tourism, industry, and environmental policy while outlining plans for continued growth. Chen delivered the report during the fourth-term seventh regular session of the Kaohsiung City Council. Some critics have questioned the metrics behind the administration’s claims and challenged official figures. The session, however, did not include a question-and-answer exchange. Chen said tourism initiatives, including events around Love River (愛河灣), drew large crowds and generated significant…

Districts expected to be affected include Siaogang (小港), Cianjhen (前鎮), Fongshan (鳳山), Lingya (苓雅), Sinsing (新興), Cianjin (前金), Sanmin (三民), and Gushan (鼓山).

Available on all major podcast platforms and at formosafiles.com “In 1904, colonial Taiwan tried to impress America with oolong tea at the St. Louis World’s Fair. Just five years later, two American spies disguised as South African zoologists were secretly roaming Japanese Formosa – but they weren’t investigating tea. They were on a U.S. Army mission to gather military intelligence. In this episode, John and Eryk explore tea, empire, espionage, and the strange relationship between Taiwan and the United States in the early 1900s.”