MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     To support National Security Education Day, the Immigration Service Institute of Training and Development (ISITD) held an open day today (April 18), drawing the participation of over 2 500 citizens. Through activities such as exhibitions, guided tours of training facilities, interactive experiences and booth games, the open day aimed to showcase the Immigration Department (ImmD)’s unwavering commitment to fending off national security risks and firmly guarding the country’s southern gateway, raise public awareness of national security, and strengthen public sense of national identity.
 
     The open day featured a rich programme, with many thematic exhibitions and interactive booths set up to introduce the public to the technologies used by the ImmD in areas such as the detection of forged documents, counter-terrorism operations, management of detention centres and tactical equipment. The ISITD also opened training facilities, including the mock immigration clearance hall and the mock courtroom, so that members of the public could gain a deeper understanding of the ImmD’s work in safeguarding national security.
 
     In addition, the Immigration Department Youth Leaders Corps (IDYL) set up a game booth with the theme “food security”, one of the 20 major fields of national security. Apart from sharing the crops harvested during their earlier farming experiences in local farm and the Chaoshan region, IDYL members also illustrated in a fun and engaging manner to the public the important concept that “food is closely related to the fate of the country and the livelihood of the people”, thereby enhancing public awareness of food security.
 
     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, attended the open day. Accompanied by directorate officers of the ImmD, he toured the exhibition booths and interacted with the public. He also encouraged members of the Immigration Service to continue to uphold their mission and remain steadfast in safeguarding national security.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Eight incoming male passengers aged 25 to 56 were sentenced from eight to twelve months’ imprisonment and fined $2,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts today (April 18) for importing and dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO). 

     Customs officers intercepted eight incoming passengers at Hong Kong International Airport on April 17 and seized duty-not-paid cigarettes from their personal baggage during customs clearance. 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the LumiVoce Foundation 10th anniversary Gala Dinner today (April 18):

Dr Ying Ying Liu (Founder and Board Co-Chair of LumiVoce Foundation), Clarie (Board Co-Chair of LumiVoce Foundation and Chairman of Organizing Committee of Gala, Ms Clarie Lo), LumiVoce Foundation Board members, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, 
 
Good evening. It gives me great pleasure to join you tonight to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the LumiVoce Foundation.

     Over the past decade, LumiVoce has shown how music and arts can inspire a deep love for wildlife and biodiversity in young people, and how that love can be turned into action for a more sustainable planet.

     By bringing together aesthetic education with social and emotional learning, LumiVoce has pioneered a distinctive education approach in Hong Kong, nurturing not only environmental awareness, but also emotional well-being, especially for children growing up in a fast-paced, high-pressure city.

     Our gathering tonight indeed reminds us of the scale and urgency of the challenge we face. In recent years, the world has experienced some of the hottest years on record, with more frequent extreme weather events. We have only one planet to call home. If humanity is to survive and thrive, we must act together – across borders, sectors and generations – to tackle climate change, and to preserve and restore the biodiversity that underpins our food, our health, our economies, and, above all, the beauty of this planet.
 
      Development and environmental conservation are not mutually exclusive. As President Xi Jinping captured this so compellingly in the saying: “綠水青山就是金山銀山”.

     Across our country, for example, the green transition is turning once-barren land into arable land and vast fields of wind farms and solar panels, alongside ecological restoration that creates new livelihoods for local herders and communities. It is a vivid reminder of the essence of sustainable development: a virtuous cycle in which economic progress, ecology and social well-being advance together.

     The Hong Kong SAR (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) Government fully shares this belief. Investing in nature, at its heart, is investing in lasting prosperity. As we pursue carbon neutrality, we are seeing the emergence of new industries, technologies and value chains.

     The same is true as we enhance biodiversity and strengthen ecological resilience. Last December, we released Hong Kong’s updated Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2035. This is our blueprint to protect and restore ecosystems and wildlife, to mainstream biodiversity across sectors, to build conservation capacity, and to deepen local and cross-boundary partnerships.
 
     Our vision is clear: by strengthening our commitment to biodiversity, Hong Kong will become a more sustainable and liveable city, and a meaningful contributor to the biodiversity goals of our country and the world.

     But above all, the long-term success of any strategy depends on the hearts and minds of the next generation. It is vital that an appreciation of nature, and a love of wildlife and biodiversity, become the values of our children. This nurtures not only their understanding of the planet, but also their character, empathy, compassion and resilience. It helps them grow into caring, responsible and confident global citizens.
 
     Ladies and gentlemen, this is why your support matters so much. I hope LumiVoce will continue your wonderful work – deepening your programmes, extending your reach, and strengthening the partnerships with educators, parents, businesses and community organisations – all in support of our young people.

     Let me also express my sincere gratitude to the many sponsors, donors, partners and volunteers who have stood with LumiVoce over the past decade.

     On your 10th anniversary, may I offer my warmest congratulations. I wish you every success in the years ahead, as you continue to illuminate hearts through art and music, and inspire Hong Kong’s youth to cherish and protect the remarkable biodiversity of our planet.

     Thank you very much.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Acting Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Mr Clarence Leung, together with the Commissioner for Youth, Mr Eric Chan, officiated at the International Youth Exchange Sharing Session cum YDC Youth Ambassadors Programme 2025-2026 Annual Ceremony today (April 18).  
 
The guests attending the event were Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (OCMFA), Mr Li Yongsheng; the Director-General of the International Department of the OCMFA, Mr Wang Jian; the Deputy Division Chief of the Department of Youth Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Chen Guanxing; the Vice-Chairman of the Youth Development Commission (YDC), Mr Kenneth Leung; and YDC members. They listened to the sharing by several YDC Youth Ambassadors and participants of the HYAB Funding Scheme for International Youth Exchange regarding their exchange experiences and learning outcomes. 
 
Addressing the ceremony, Mr Leung stated that the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) and the YDC collaborate to actively promote international youth exchange, enabling young people to broaden their international horizons and enhance their understanding of the development of the world. The HYAB Funding Scheme for International Youth Exchange 2025-26 has funded a total of about 90 international exchange projects, benefitting around 2 400 young people. These projects cover more than 40 countries, many of which are located in regions along the Belt and Road. In addition to learning about the history and culture of different places around the world, young people also have the opportunity to visit the official Chinese Government organisations, large-scale enterprises or research institutions, etc. to deepen their understanding of the participation, contribution and influence of the country in international affairs.
 
Mr Chan said that the YDC Youth Ambassadors Programme Annual Ceremony was of great significance, as it served to review the fruitful achievements of the YDC Youth Ambassadors Programme 2025 and mark the official commencement of the new cohort of Youth Ambassadors Cadets. He encouraged the youth participants from both cohorts to shine in their respective fields and contribute to Hong Kong and the country.

The YDC Youth Ambassadors Programme is a flagship youth talent development programme co-organised by the HYAB and the YDC with an aim to identify and groom a cadre of young talents with a sense of responsibility, and with aspirations and potential, as well as with a passion to serve society, and who are willing to strive for the betterment of the country and Hong Kong. Centred on the theme “Youth Leading the Future”, this year’s programme aims at empowering young people to cultivate a holistic outlook and seizing the future development opportunities of Hong Kong through comprehensive training and unique exposure opportunities. The programme also encourages young people to actively engage in public affairs and participate in local and overseas exchanges, as well as promote the positive image of Hong Kong’s young people through social media.
 
For more information on the YDC Youth Ambassadors Programme and the HYAB Funding Scheme for International Youth Exchange, please visit the YDC webpage (www.ydc.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (April 18) is investigating a local measles case epidemiological linked to an earlier measles case. The CHP reminds members of the public that vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles.

     The case involves a 30-year-old male who developed myalgia on April 14; a fever and a sore throat on April 15, and a rash on April 17. He attended a private clinic in Mong Kok on April 17 due to persistent symptoms, and was admitted to Caritas Medical Centre for treatment arranged by the CHP on the same day. His clinical specimen was tested positive today for the measles virus upon nucleic acid testing. The patient is isolated for treatment and is in stable condition.

     An epidemiological investigation revealed that the patient works at the airport. On April 3, he had worked at the same workplace with the measles case announced on April 6. As the patient is a close contact of the previous airport case, the CHP has earlier reminded the organisation’s medical service provider to pay attention to the possible occurrence of measles case among the close contacts. Thereafter, the organisation’s medical service provider reported the suspected case to the CHP for follow up on April 17. The patient was uncertain whether he had received measles vaccination. As he lives alone and had no travel history during the incubation period, the CHP is of the view that the patient was probably infected at the workplace.

     During the patient’s communicable period (since April 13), in addition to visiting a private clinic on April 17, he worked at the airport from April 13 to 15. The CHP has been carrying out contact tracing in the private clinic that the patient had visited and his workplace to identify any close contacts and high risk individuals. As of 5pm today, a total of 100 individuals who stayed in the same clinic with the patient and 162 relevant staff at his workplace were identified as close contacts. The CHP had set up a health booth today from 3pm to 8pm at the airport to provide assessment and vaccination for close contacts working at the airport. The health booth will continue to operate from 9am to 6pm tomorrow (April 19) and April 20. The CHP has inspected the environment at the patient’s workplace at the airport and given health advice on site today. The CHP will continue to put the close contacts under medical surveillance.

     The CHP will continue to investigate and follow up on the case.

     “Measles outbreaks are currently occurring in many regions around the world. North America (including the United States, Canada and Mexico) and Southeast Asia (including Indonesia, Cambodia and the Philippines) have seen persistent measles outbreaks in recent years due to low vaccination coverage rates. In the first three months of this year, about 1 700 cases have been recorded in the United States, a figure far higher than during the same period last year. In Europe, the number of measles cases in the United Kingdom and Italy has increased recently, with 371 and 84 cases recorded respectively since January this year. In Asia, the incidence of measles remains high in the Philippines, Indonesia and Cambodia. Japan has also seen a substantial rise in cases this year, with 236 cases recorded as of the end of March, which is higher than in the same period for the past six years. Singapore and Australia have reported 27 and 89 measles cases respectively this year, also higher than in the same period last year. Most of the overseas cases have affected people who were not vaccinated against measles or had an unknown vaccination status, which highlights the importance of maintaining a high vaccination rate and herd immunity within the community,” said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.

     In response to the global rise in measles cases and the risk of imported cases, the CHP has sent a letter to all doctors in Hong Kong to inform them of the latest situation regarding measles and urged them to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases. At the same time, the CHP has also sent letters to foreign domestic helper agencies and the aviation industry, encouraging foreign domestic helpers and airport staff to receive the measles vaccine to protect their health and prevent the spread of the virus in the community.

     The incubation period of measles (i.e. the time from infection to onset of illness) is seven to 21 days. Symptoms include fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes. If travellers returning from places with high incidence or outbreak of measles develop symptoms of measles (e.g. fever and rash), they should seek medical advice immediately and avoid contact with non-immune persons, especially pregnant women and infants under one year old. They should also report their symptoms and prior travel history to healthcare workers so that appropriate infection control measures can be implemented at the healthcare facilities to prevent any potential spread.

     “Under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme, the overall immunisation coverage in Hong Kong has been maintained at a very high level through the immunisation services provided by the DH’s Maternal and Child Health Centres and School Immunisation Teams. As evidenced by the findings on vaccination coverage of primary school students and the territory-wide immunisation surveys conducted regularly by the DH, the two-dose measles vaccination coverage has remained consistently high, well above 95 per cent, and the local seroprevalence rates of measles virus antibodies reflect that most people in Hong Kong are immune to measles. However, Hong Kong, as a city with a high volume of international travel, still faces the potential risk of importation of the measles virus and its further spread in the local community. Hence, a small number of people who have not completed a measles vaccination (such as non-local-born people including new immigrants, foreign domestic helpers, overseas employees and people coming to Hong Kong for further studies) are still at risk of being infected and spreading measles to other people who do not have immunity against measles, such as children under 1 year old who have not yet received the first dose of the measles vaccine,” Dr Tsui said.

     People born before 1967 could be considered to have acquired immunity to measles through natural infection, as measles was endemic in many parts of the world and in Hong Kong at that time. People born in or after 1967 who have not yet completed the two doses of measles vaccination, or whose measles vaccination history is unknown, should consult their family doctors as soon as possible to complete the vaccination and ensure adequate protection against measles.

     Besides being vaccinated against measles, members of the public should take the following measures to prevent infection:

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Hospital Authority (HA) announced today that electronic maternity/sick leave certificates and electronic maternity leave certificates will be adopted starting April 24, replacing traditional, manually signed paper versions.

Following the earlier digitalisation of medical and attendance certificates, the new electronic maternity/sick leave certificates, issued by doctors, and electronic maternity certificates issued by midwives, will carry digital signatures with the same legal status as traditional paper copies.

The digital versions will detail the patient’s names, proof of pregnancy, expected date of confinement and any recommended sick leave.

Under the new arrangement, all electronic certificates, including the attendance certificate, will be automatically stored in the “Records” feature on the authority’s HA Go mobile application. Patients can access these records to apply for sick leave or provide proof of consultation, with the option to print hard copies if required. 

The HA noted that the move aims to streamline record management and reduce the risk of patients losing physical documents.

While printed copies of electronic certificates remain available during this initial stage, the authority encourages the public to transition fully to the electronic format.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

President Lai attends opening of 17th Asia-Pacific Forum of Medical Laboratory Science
On the afternoon of April 18, President Lai Ching-te traveled to Taichung to attend the opening ceremony of the 17th Asia-Pacific Forum of Medical Laboratory Science. In remarks, President Lai stated that medical technologists are like the eyes of the medical system, and more than just a part of the diagnostic process; they are also a major pillar of precision medicine, public health, infection control, and the overall resilience of the healthcare system. He indicated that as Taiwan faces major challenges, including its transition into a super-aged society, the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, and the impacts of extreme weather, the government is expanding investment and adopting smart technologies in healthcare to advance the goals of the Healthy Taiwan initiative. The president expressed hope to further enhance the quality of Taiwan’s healthcare services and drive non-stop innovation and development in the biomedical industry, and collaborate to benefit people’s health.
A transcript of President Lai’s remarks follows:
This year marks the 17th Asia-Pacific Forum of Medical Laboratory Science. To begin, let me thank the Taiwan Association of Medical Technologists for its continued promotion of professional exchanges and international collaboration. I would also like to thank all the distinguished guests gathered here. Your strong support over the years has helped make this meaningful forum an important platform for medical laboratory science in the Asia-Pacific region.
I want to extend a warm welcome to the experts in the field who have made the long journey to join us here. Your gathering here in Taiwan boosts scholarly exchanges and demonstrates the Asia-Pacific region’s commitment to collaborating for people’s health. 
Medical technologists are like the eyes of the medical system. Many areas, from early disease discovery and clinical diagnostics, to risk assessment and post-treatment monitoring, depend heavily on your professional analysis and interpretation. You all stand on the frontline of medical care and are a key force in the development of smart medicine.
This year’s forum takes “Smart, Sustainable, and Resilient” as its central theme, guiding this profession into a new era; it is also an important path of development for medicine around the world.
New technologies are changing the face of medical services, whether it’s AI-assisted diagnosis, smart laboratories, or automated testing; they are also allowing us to discover problems earlier and provide care with higher precision.
This is very important, as Taiwan faces major challenges, including our transition into a super-aged society, the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, and the impacts of extreme weather. We must harness digital technologies and AI to build a smart health system that covers all age groups and all settings, a system with proactive early warning and real-time response capabilities. This will drive the transformation of our healthcare model from treatment-centered care to one that prioritizes prevention and health promotion. 
This is also a core objective of our government’s Healthy Taiwan initiative. We aim to leverage Taiwan’s high-tech advantages and biomedical expertise by expanding investment and adopting smart technologies in healthcare. This will help us further enhance the quality of our healthcare services, and drive non-stop innovation and development in the biomedical industry.
As we promote this initiative, the role of medical laboratory sciences will only grow more vital. Medical technologists are more than just a part of the diagnostic process. They are also a major pillar of precision medicine, public health, infection control, and the overall resilience of our healthcare system.
I encourage you all to continue to deepen professional collaboration, [and] strengthen your help. We should work together – then our care system will go forever, and people’s health will be protected and developed. Thank you very much.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

February 3, 2026-To facilitate the smooth progress of a major national energy construction project, this morning Taipower held a ceremony publicly committing to create a procurement integrity platform for the Hsieh-ho Plant Upgrade Renovation Plan-Sea Wall, Land Reclamation, and LNG Unloading Dock Maritime Construction Procurement Project. Authorities from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the Prosecutor’s Office, the Agency Against Corruption (AAC), and the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau (MJIB) joined hands with Taipower at the Hsieh-ho Construction Office, jointly committing to the spirit of cross-sector collaboration, public-private partnership, transparent administration, and public supervision. The coalition aims to reject undue external influence and ensure fairness and impartiality during construction, as well as legal compliance, adherence to quality standards, and on-schedule completion, thereby achieving the goals of a stable power supply and reduced air pollution in the northern region.

A Taipower representative expressed that the Hsieh-ho Plant Upgrade Renovation Plan aims to simultaneously ensure a stable power supply and improve air quality. This plan will replace the plant’s four outdated oil-fired units with two new gas-powered units. After construction is completed, the plant will provide customers on the northeastern power grid with stable electricity while reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions by 96% and 52%, respectively. The maritime construction portion of the project involves highly difficult breakwater engineering, land reclamation through embankment, and installation of an LNG unloading dock.

Hsieh-ho’s maritime construction is highly specialized, requiring an enormous procurement amount, and the plant is one of Taiwan’s key energy facilities; thus, the project has attracted public interest. To alleviate public concerns and practice information transparency, Taipower has joined hands with the AAC, the Prosecutor’s Office, and the MJIB to establish a procurement integrity platform. The Company aims, through public and transparent methods, to invite external examination and supervision to facilitate the smooth completion of this major procurement project.
To demonstrate their proactive attitude, after the commitment ceremony, Taipower, relevant units, and elected committee members immediately convened their first coordination meeting, where they exchanged views on how to safeguard independence and guard against legal risks during the bidding phase of the Hsieh-ho construction project. Moving forward, Taipower will utilize this coordination mechanism to periodically exchange views with judicial and executive authorities regarding hidden risks and controversies, enabling it to establish early warning and handling systems. This will not only prevent fraud but also facilitate project success by enabling suppliers to focus on fulfilling their obligations.

Information regarding the Hsieh-ho Plant Upgrade Renovation Plan-Sea Wall, Land Reclamation, and LNG Unloading Dock Maritime Construction Procurement Project, such as the construction progress and related meeting minutes, will be gradually disclosed on the Procurement Integrity Platform page of Taipower’s website. Members of the public are invited to collectively monitor the project, and it is hoped that through transparent administration, the Company can eliminate undue external influences and ensure the progress and quality of this major procurement project.

The commitment ceremony was presided over by Taipower Chairman Tseng Wen-Sheng. Ministry of Economic Affairs Vice Minister Chien-Hsin Lai; Agency Against Corruption, Ministry of Justice Director-General Ping Cheng; Taiwan Keelung District Prosecutors Office Chief Prosecutor Ke I-Fen; Keelung Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau Director Huang Shu-Hua; Department of Civil Service Ethics, Ministry of Economic Affairs Director Chi Chia-Chen; Department of Civil Service Ethics, Keelung City Government Director Lee Kuo-Cheng; and other esteemed guests were on site as witnesses, demonstrating a commitment to the four key principles: cross-sector collaboration, public-private partnership, transparent administration, and public supervision.

Spokesperson: Chief Administrator Huang Mei-Lin
Phone: (02) 2366-6271; 0922-696-383
E-mail: u030573@taipower.com.tw
Contact Person: Hsieh-ho Construction Office Director Wu Yung-Kang
Phone: (02) 2427-7222
E-mail: u779595@taipower.com.tw

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

January 26, 2026-Taipower convened a press conference at the Ministry of Economic Affairs today on Initiatives to Enhance the Stability of the Power Distribution System. A Taipower representative described the outcomes of power distribution system improvements as follows: In recent years, Taipower has accelerated the phasing out of old facilities, incorporated smart monitoring systems, and implemented measures to prevent wildlife from making contact with power equipment, comprehensively replacing the philosophy of “post-incident repairs” with one of “pre-incident prevention”. Compared to 2012, when there were 21,019 power distribution incidents, in 2025 there were only 6191 incidents-a 70% decrease. Additionally, last year, Taipower completed the installation of automated systems for feeder lines nationwide. These systems can automatically detect and isolate faults, which greatly increases the overall efficiency of power restoration. Taipower will continue to invest in energy system enhancements, aiming to create a more resilient, smarter, and friendlier power grid to increase the quality of power services for the people of Taiwan.

The structure of Taipower’s energy distribution network is complex. There are more than 10,000 feeder lines throughout Taiwan, with a total length of 440,000 kilometers-enough to wrap around the planet 10 times. Along these lines, Taipower has installed a cumulative 1.57 million switches and 1.58 million transformers, along with approximately 3.26 million utility poles. When the equipment in any area is affected by a natural disaster, external forces, or a failure of the equipment itself, it can trigger a feeder trip, causing a small-scale localized outage. To reduce outage incidents, in 2023, Taipower launched the Power Distribution System 5-year Upgrade Plan, investing NT$33.4 billion to accelerate the replacement of outdated transformers, lines, and switches nationwide. Through the continuous promotion of this plan, Taipower will further prevent the occurrence of power outages.

Furthermore, in response to the assault by Typhoon Danas last year, Taipower established a special project to create a disaster-proof grid, prioritizing the undergrounding of utility poles on key roads, such as Provincial Highways 17, 19, 9, and 11, which are vulnerable to wind damage but resistant to flooding. For areas prone to subsidence and flooding, measures were adjusted accordingly; through a combination of pole reinforcement and the interspersed installation of class E utility poles capable of withstanding level 17 winds, Taipower has prevented chain reactions of toppling poles, and greatly increased the equipment’s disaster resilience.

In recent years, Taipower has continuously adopted smart monitoring technologies, including infrared ray heat imaging and very low frequency (VLF) cable testing. According to initial estimates, a total of 636,000 transformer boxes and 4.1 million meters of cables underwent inspection last year, allowing the Company to identify outdated equipment with potential risks of breakdown and replacing it in advance. Last year, Taipower also completed the installation of automated systems on its feeder lines. Through increased line intelligence, when accidents occur, engineers can actively identify and isolate faults, and restore power to customers in unaffected areas within 5 minutes-ten times faster than with traditional emergency repairs. This has effectively improved the efficiency of power restoration.

According to Taipower’s statistics, nearly 50% of power distribution accidents are caused by external forces, and among those, approximately 40% occur due to contact with wildlife. To simultaneously ensure a stable power supply and protect the environment, Taipower continuously engages in tree-trimming efforts and has installed insulated conductors on approximately 1 million utility poles nationwide. Additionally, by transplanting bird nests found on top of utility poles and installing environmentally friendly bird baskets, the Company guides birds away from danger. Taipower has also added bird repellers, anti-rat and ant-snake netting, sealed gaps in conduits, and taken other measures to prevent wildlife from making contact with electrical equipment. Through the continuous efforts of Taipower employees, the number of power outages occurring due to contact with equipment by wildlife and trees dropped from 4073 incidents in 2012 to only 1772 in 2025, an overall reduction of over 50%, which is a remarkable result.

A stable power supply is the mission and duty of Taipower personnel. Whether engaged in regular inspections and maintenance or round-the-clock repairs during typhoons, Taipower employees are at the frontline providing electricity to the people, protecting the light on every inch of land in Taiwan. Taipower will continue to enhance its power distribution system, reduce outages, and safeguard the Taiwanese people’s right to electricity.

Spokesperson: Chief Administrator Huang Mei-Lien
Phone: (02) 2366-6271; 0922-696-383
E-mail: u030573@taipower.com.tw

Contact Person: Department of Power Distribution Director Jao Yu-Chen
Phone: (02) 2366-8669; 0939-890-208
E-mail:u149005@taipower.com.tw

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

January 21, 2026-Grid construction is closely tied to a stable power supply and regional development. In recent years, Taipower has continuously promoted initiatives to connect the island-wide grid, which will increase the resilience of the power supply through mutual interregional support. However, the eastern region faces constraints due to geographical conditions, making construction difficult. Today, Taipower announced that it is actively discussing a collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) that will incorporate grid construction into the Suhua Highway Safety Enhancement Project (Suhua Safety Project). This joint construction project will complete the island-wide grid and increase grid resilience in the eastern region.

A Taipower representative explained that the Hualien region’s electricity is currently supplied primarily via the New East-West Line, a high voltage transmission line that traverses the Central Mountain Range. The key to the smooth completion and stable operation of this project lay in close cooperation between Taipower and the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FANCA), Ministry of Agriculture.

The New East-West Line passes through rugged mountainous terrain. Construction and maintenance work depend heavily on the Danda Forest Road and other established access roads. However, the Danda Forest Road is frequently damaged by landslides and other natural disasters. The Sunhai Bridge at its entrance was also previously damaged by a typhoon. These factors have seriously impacted Taipower personnel’s ability to enter the mountain range to conduct grid maintenance. However, through collaboration with FANCA, both agencies have jointly invested in road repairs and maintenance, successfully integrating road and grid maintenance, and demonstrating the concrete results of cross-ministerial collaboration.

The New East-West Line not only allows energy to circulate between the east and west sides of the island but also enhances the eastern grid’s resilience to extreme weather conditions. Taipower has actively promoted initiatives to connect the island-wide grid; however, the area south of Heping, Hualien is currently constrained by geographical and environmental conditions. Ultimately, linkage of a 48-kilometer section remains incomplete. Taipower previously planned a Hegong-Fenglin transmission line project, but because the line would pass through Taroko National Park, and also due to the precipitous local topography, it has been difficult to find a suitable sites for transmission tower construction.

As it happens, the MOTC is currently working on the Suhua Safety Project. If both agencies can collaborate to jointly complete the undergrounding of cables and tunnel construction, it should resolve the current dilemma. Not only will this effectively utilize national land resources; after completion, it will enhance the stability of the power supply, reducing the risk of major outages in the Hualien region. To this end, Taipower expressed its gratitude to Executive Yuan Minister without Portfolio Chen Chin-de for convening cross-ministerial discussion meetings. Through these meetings, Taipower hopes to achieve joint cooperation, facilitate the integration of Suhua Safety Project construction into grid planning, and take the last steps to complete the island-wide grid, elevating the resilience of the Hualien-Taitung power grid.

Spokesperson: Chief Administrator Huang Mei-Lien
Phone: (02) 2366-6271; 0922-696-383
E-mail: u030573@taipower.com.tw

Contact Person: Department of Transmission Line and Substation Construction Director Chang Wen-Chi
Phone: (02) 2322-9700; 0966-533-638
E-mail: u785105@taipower.com.tw