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.
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck the Beinan Township (卑南鄉) of Taitung County (台東縣) at approximately 5:47 p.m. on Tuesday, according to the Central Weather Administration (中央氣象署).
The KMT has nominated Legislator Ko Chih-en (柯志恩) to run for Kaohsiung mayor, Legislator Hsieh Lung-chieh (謝龍介) for Tainan mayor, Legislator Su Ching-chuan (蘇清泉) for Pingtung County magistrate, and Taitung County Council Speaker Wu Hsiu-hua (吳秀華) for Taitung County magistrate.
Ko lost to Mayor Chen Chi-mai in 2022, but garnered just over 40% of the vote.
By Eryk Michael Smith/Staff KAOHSIUNG — Pier F Cangsan Warehouse (棧叁庫), a redeveloped waterfront facility at Kaohsiung Harbor’s Penglai Commercial Port Area (高雄港蓬萊商港區), officially opened on Monday, marking the transformation of a former banana export warehouse into a smart-technology and innovation hub. Global server management chipmaker ASPEED Technology Inc. (信驊科技), along with Chunghwa Telecom (中華電信) and Linker Vision Inc. (鑫蘊林科), are among the first companies to move into the site. The opening ceremony was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the National Development Council, the Ministry of Digital Affairs, Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁), and Kaohsiung City…
With the Democratic Progressive Party’s Kaohsiung mayoral primary entering its final stretch, four DPP lawmakers are intensifying outreach efforts.
When Japan took control of Taiwan in 1895, it inherited a financial mess: a chaotic mix of chopped silver, copper cash, and foreign coins. The new colony also cost far more to subdue and administer than it brought in. Yet during that demanding first decade, able administrators such as Gotō Shinpei turned things around, bringing monetary order and eventual profitability.
The 2025 tea expo showcases Chiayi’s signature product in a stylish venue, with the lovely people who make “high mountain tea” happy to answer questions — and offer visitors copious amounts of all kinds of tea (and coffee).
Next Digital founder Jimmy Lai Chee-ying (黎智英) and three companies linked to the now-closed Apple Daily were charged with conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and conspiracy to print and publish seditious materials, including allegations of requesting foreign sanctions against Hong Kong and mainland China.
Following a 156-day trial, three judges designated under Hong Kong’s national security law, Esther Toh Lye-ping (杜麗冰), Susana D’Almada Remedios (李素蘭), and Johnny Chan Yung-ban (李運騰), delivered their verdict after more than two months of deliberation.
The court found Lai guilty on two counts of collusion with foreign or external forces and one count related to seditious publications. The three associated companies were each convicted on one count of conspiracy to print and publish seditious materials, as well as conspiracy to collude with foreign or external forces endangering national security.
The case has been adjourned until next month, when Lai and other defendants are scheduled to make sentencing submissions. The sentencing date has yet to be set.
Civic groups argue that the forested land surrounding the former sugar refinery represents one of northern Kaohsiung’s most significant remaining green spaces, supporting both wildlife habitat and public use. They say large-scale development would not only disrupt the historic setting of the sugar factory but also erase an irreplaceable urban forest.
Kaohsiung officials say the Christmas Festival at Central Park now ranks as southern Taiwan’s largest year-end cultural gathering.
