July 6:
Mainland China's Civil Aviation Administration announced the activation of the "W121" feeder route connected to the M503 air route, marking the full operation of all three feeder routes. The Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) of the mainland's State Council stated that the move aims to ease air traffic, ensure flight safety, and benefit cross-strait relations. The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) criticized the unilateral change to the status quo and escalation of regional tensions, calling for prompt negotiations.
July 7:
The New Taiwan dollar's appreciation shows no signs of slowing. In response, the Central Bank introduced a "T+1" measure targeting foreign investors who speculate on forex without investing in equities. The rule mandates that foreign investors settle foreign exchange transactions on the day following stock sales, aiming to curb parking funds in currency speculation. This triggered pushback from foreign investors, who accused the Central Bank of implementing "quasi-foreign exchange control."
July 8:
The Ministry of Finance announced that June exports reached US$53.3 billion, a monthly record high. Exports to the United States totaled US$17.2 billion, an increase of 90.9 percent, setting a new monthly record. Moreover, Taiwan recorded a US$55.2 billion trade surplus with the United States for the first half of the year, making the United States its largest trade surplus partner, surpassing mainland China and Hong Kong for the first time since records began.
July 9:
Reciprocal tariff negotiation with the United States is nearing conclusion. Late at night, President Lai Ching-te held a video call with Taiwan's negotiating team in Washington, instructing officials to safeguard national and industrial interests. However, photos released by the Office of the President show that only national security officials were present, with no finance, agriculture, or national development officials, prompting public debate.
July 9:
The Armed Forces launched the 10-day, nine-night Han Huang Exercise No. 41, conducting around-the-clock drills. The scenario begins with gray-zone harassment and escalates into full-scale combat, marking the first simulated People's Liberation Army (PLA) amphibious landing. In addition to validating brigade-level reserve mobilization, a planned urban resilience drill in the three major western cities was partially canceled in Tainan due to typhoon damage.
July 9:
Mainland China's Ministry of Commerce announced the addition of eight Taiwanese entities, including the Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation and the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, to its export control list for military-civil dual-use items. The TAO described the move as a stern warning against Taiwan independence, while the MAC asserted that Taiwan would continue to build an autonomous defense industry.
July 9:
As the major recall vote approaches, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) whip Legislator Ker Chien-ming warned Kuomintang (KMT) lawmakers of possible consequences, saying that "Article 100 of the Criminal Code will deal with you." Opposition parties accused the DPP of openly directing judicial crackdowns, invoking the crime of sedition to target the opposition. Critics claim that the phrase "Democratic Progressive" belongs in the trash. The DPP quickly tried to contain the backlash, emphasizing that it will not revert to authoritarian practices.
July 9:
Typhoon Danas struck southern Taiwan with Level 16 gusts, severely damaging offshore solar platforms in Pingtung, causing large black structures to drift ashore. In Chiayi, hundreds of floating solar panels in a flood retention basin were overturned by strong winds, with debris scattered across nearby roads and water surfaces. Residents expressed concern about water source contamination; confidence in Taiwan's fish-solar coexistence projects took a serious hit.
