Taiwan shares swing by 1,700 points after TSMC unveils new tech

Taiwan shares swing by 1,700 points after TSMC unveils new tech

2026-04-23

TSMC showcased its next-generation processes at its North America Technology Symposium in the US on Wednesday. The tech giant unveiled its A13 and A12 processes, which aim to meet demand for AI and high performance computing. In comparison with the previous A14, the A13 reduces the chip area by 6% and is more power efficient, while the A12 process features “super power rail” technology. Production for both is slated for 2029. Let’s hear from an expert.

Nobunaga Chai
Cloud Express
The density of the circuitry in the A12 process is so high that it will implement an upgraded version of backside delivery technology known as the super power rail. This is set to be a standout feature in the A14 family, as it allows for the best performance with the best low-power operation. It is a killer application.

Market optimism around TSMC pushed its ADR up 5% on Wednesday, leading Taiwan’s stock market to surge by 1,000 points at Thursday’s opening. However, heavy profit-taking selling pressure soon emerged, dragging the index down. Taiwan shares ultimately closed 164 points lower after swinging more than 1,700 points during the trading session. Trading volume hit a record high of NT$1.4 trillion. TSMC’s share price also pulled back from an intraday gain of NT$85, finishing up NT$30 at NT$2,080.

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#market #tsmc #technology #chips #semiconductors

台積電發表最新A13製程鎖定AI高效能運算

2026-04-23

台積電在"北美技術論壇"，發表最新A13和A12製程技術，鎖定AI、高效能運算需求，A13比A14節省了6%面積，功耗和效能都有提升，預計2029年生產。A14強化版的"A12"，使用超級電軌技術，同樣2029年投產。

[[雲報政經產業研究院副社長柴煥欣]]
“(A12)因為它整個的，線路之間的密度太過密，所以說會再次採用所謂的，晶背供電技術的升級版，也就是超級電軌，應該會成為A14家族當中，效能最佳，而且低功耗表現最好的，殺手級的一個特殊應用”

市場看好台積電，週三ADR大漲5%，引領台股週四早盤暴漲千點，但由於獲利了結賣壓湧現，指數隨後下殺，終場下跌164點，上下震盪超過1700點，成交量1.4兆創新高紀錄。台積電也從一度大漲85元，到最後收漲30元，來到2080元。

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King of wax apples develops colorful new varieties

Wax apple king Wang Jui-hsiung founded the Black Diamond wax apple brand over 20 years ago. Since then, he’s continued developing dozens of new varieties, five of which are now produced for the market, including one that’s snow-white, another that’s twice the size of a normal wax apple, and another that’s emerald green and shaped like a bullet. They’re certainly wax apples like you’ve never seen before.

A farmer holds fruit as white as snow. Can you tell what it is?

Wang Jui-hsiung
Wax apple king
People generally think of wax apples as being more red. The White Carrie is also a mutated variety. It’s bright, flawless, glittering, and translucent.

These huge wax apples are another new variety, nearly twice the size of a standard wax apple.

Wang Jui-hsiung
Wax apple king
We kept improving previous wax apple varieties that were smaller until we got one this big. It has a higher water content and is very sweet.

Known as the wax apple king, Wang Jui-hsiung developed the Black Diamond wax apple over 20 years ago, which former presidents Lee Teng-hui and Chen Shui-bian both gave as gifts. Refusing to rest on his laurels, he continued to develop dozens of varieties, five of which are now for sale on the market. They’re bright and colorful, coming in white, green, red, and even purple. Surprisingly, a typhoon helped create these varieties.

Wang Jui-hsiung
Wax apple king
Eight years ago, Typhoon Megi hit Taiwan from the Hengchun Peninsula and swept away my entire orchard, which had different varieties in each area. It wiped them all out. Then when I started recultivating, lots of different varieties started growing at the same time. I realized that the result of combining all these different varieties together was truly stunning. It was vibrant and colorful.

Wang took over his father’s wax apple orchard in 1988. Cooperating with government policies, he became the first wax apple farmer in Taiwan to bag their fruit, which protects them from insects and birds without the need for pesticides.

- If you open what’s known as the skylight, there’s cellophane here so you can see the fruit is still growing. The fruit is only in its mid-stage.

Wang Jui-hsiung
Wax apple king
I’m always improving variety to create new business opportunities. For example, if someone sends them to three friends, at least two will call back and want to order some too.

By constantly refining wax apples, Wang found an uncontested space in the market and built his own uncontested wax apple empire.

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#waxapple #fruit #farmer #agriculture #orchard #typhoon #waxappleking #BlackDiamond

2026-04-23

Kaohsiung library renovations reveal Japanese-era township office

Seismic retrofitting work at the Caogong branch of the Kaohsiung Public Library has uncovered historical remains believed to be part of the original Fengshan Township Office, dating back nearly a century. Kaohsiung City Councilor Lin Chih-hung inspected the site with local heritage groups and submitted a petition calling to preserve and showcase its historical significance.

People gather at this construction site to examine a historically significant brick, marked with the letters “TR” and a diamond pattern.

Chen Kun-yi
Takao Renaissance Association director
It confirms that many parts of the wall next to it still bear traces of the Japanese colonial period.

The Caogong branch of the Kaohsiung Public Library is being renovated to improve its earthquake resistance. A section of wall that was broken open revealed the outline of an arch, with layers of red bricks stacked around it. Local historians confirmed that it is part of the original structure of the Fengshan Township Office from nearly a century ago.

- This area around the arch used very popular bricks from that time.

Kaohsiung City Councilor Lin Chih-hung and civic groups have called for the structural strengthening work not to damage historically significant parts of the building, such as the original brick. They hope the renovations can preserve and restore the site’s original appearance as much as possible.

Lin Chih-hung
Kaohsiung City Councilor (DPP)
We hope that future projects like this could more thoroughly assess the existing conditions to determine how much of the original structure of the township office remains today.

Chien Mei-ling
Kaohsiung Cultural Affairs Bureau deputy director
Our priority at this stage is the seismic strengthening work. Once the building is completed, it will continue to function as a library. We will also work together to continue promoting local historical and cultural initiatives.

Councilor Lin’s office used AI to turn old photographs of the building into a video showing its transformation from a Japanese-era administrative building into a library. Civic groups hope that the building’s original architecture can be preserved, and its historical significance showcased.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#Kaohsiung #library #publiclibrary #townshipoffice #Japanese #colonialera #historical #building #construction

2026-04-23

Bitan residents concerned, cautiously optimistic as controversial stinky tofu shop move

Over a year ago, a famous stinky tofu restaurant from Hualien opened a location in Taipei’s Dazhi, eliciting complaints from nearby residents who said the smell was unbearable. It was repeatedly reported to authorities and one person even said they were losing their hair from the stress. Now the shop seems to be opening another location in New Taipei’s Bitan, with residents taking note of the sign already hung outside. Some are concerned about the stench, but other shopkeepers are hopeful that having a famous restaurant in Bitan could bring the crowds back.

Yang Ssu-min
FTV reporter
People love to come here to Bitan for its beautiful natural scenery and fresh air. But that peace was broken recently by a sign that went up for a restaurant from Hualien infamous for its stinky tofu.

Just seeing the sign has sparked intense debate. That’s because the residents near its other location in Dazhi couldn’t stand the smell, with one person even claiming they were going bald because of the stress. The residents filed over 100 complaints with the city, resulting in NT$580,000 in fines.

Member of public
Stinky tofu is naturally smelly. Those who like it, like it. Those who don’t, don’t.

Member of public
It isn’t that close to any homes. The smell might not reach them.

Member of public
I think it’ll be really difficult for the people living around here. For those who don’t live nearby, they’ll just think it’s nice to have another option.

Some people are worried about the smell, but others say it won’t be a problem since it’s a standalone building next to the bridge and far away from residences. At the moment, the shop is still under renovation, with construction materials and large ventilation pipes propped up by the entrance.

Neighboring business owner
There’s been pretty active construction across the street. They’ll likely put in ventilation, since the nearby businesses like us and neighbors will complain. But a new business coming in could attract more visitors.

Neighboring business owner
No one’s been there for a while. Over the past 10 years it’s changed owners a bunch of times. Even when the landlord tried running it, it didn’t go well. It closed pretty quickly. It’s too expensive. The rent is at least NT$100,000.

Nearby shop owners say that the crowds in Bitan aren’t what they used to be, while rents are also expensive. The building has gone through four or five owners, but none could sustain the business. It remains to be seen whether this well-known stinky tofu shop will be able to bring in the crowds, or just a chorus of complaints from the neighbors.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#stinkytofu #Bitan #stinky #NewTaipei #conflict #restaurant #smellcomplaint #newbusiness #streetfood

2026-04-23

GPS takes Yilan tourist down narrow, winding road

On their way to a famous scallion pancake spot in Yilan, one tourist took the wrong exit ramp off the highway and ended up driving on an incredibly narrow, windy road. Lost and reliant on the GPS, the road it led them to was only 3 meters wide, with a wall on one side and field on the other. It was a stressful experience for the driver, but thankfully they arrived safely at their destination.

A car slows down and stops as it navigates sharp turns along a challenging road, worried about driving off the edge and into the field. The road is incredibly narrow and winding, but it’s too late to turn back now.

Member of public
Would keep going
If you’re already on the road, then it’s too late to turn around. You just have to bite your lip and keep going. The road is too narrow to turn around. It’s very stressful to drive down in a large car. You might fall off the side.

Member of public
Would go around
I would choose not to turn onto the road at the intersection. I would go around or take a different road.

This road next to the highway in Toucheng really tests drivers’ skills. The driver who took the video was on their way to a famous scallion pancake shop when they took the wrong exit off the highway, taking the right ramp instead of the left. Their GPS sent them down this 3-meter-wide road, with a wall on one side and field on the other.

Member of public
Accepts is as part of life
It happens sometimes! When we take a wrong turn and the GPS finds a new route, we’re more likely to get stuck in this kind of situation.

Member of public
Brings a map along
It’s easy to end up on this kind of road in more remote areas, so I always make sure I have a map and look it over, then choose the best route.

There were five or six cars behind the driver in this case, so at least they weren’t in this alone. Thankfully, they all made it safely to their destination after this unexpected adventure.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#GPS #Yilan #driving #lost #navigation #scallionpancake #wrongturn #stuck #travel

2026-04-23

US Indo-Pacific Commander warns Taiwan must pass special defense budget

US lawmakers have in recent weeks repeatedly urged Taiwan to pass its NT$1.25 trillion special defense budget bill, the majority of which is allocated for US arms purchases. On April 21, the US Indo-Pacific Commander Samuel Paparo told senators during a committee hearing that Taiwan must show the resolve to defend itself, including with commitment to defense spending. He also stressed the importance of a US victory over Iran in the ongoing war to effectively deter a Chinese military attack on Taiwan.

As Taiwan’s special defense budget bill remains stalled at the legislature, the US Indo-Pacific Commander Samuel Paparo has warned Taiwan that it must show the resolve to defend itself, including with commitment to defense spending.

Samuel Paparo (April 21)
US Indo-Pacific Commander
We can’t want Taiwan’s defense more than they want it itself, and it’s not a chicken and the egg, because you’re not going to get chicken or eggs if you starve the chicken, so it’s very important for them to fund their own defense.

When asked whether a recent visit to China by KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun could affect Taiwan’s defense spending, Paparo answered that Taiwan’s decisions would speak for itself.

Samuel Paparo (April 21)
US Indo-Pacific Commander
I think the proof will be in the pudding. The passage of this special defense budget will tell us how committed they are. Taiwan’s polling is orders of magnitude above that, leading me to positively assert their willingness to defend themselves.

He added that a US victory over Iran would be effective in deterring China from launching a military attack on Taiwan. He also expressed confidence in the US outmatching China.

Samuel Paparo (April 21)
US Indo-Pacific Commander
And all things being equal, the mass deployment and employment of cheap, expendable munitions will favor defensive so long as we pursue it fully, with mass, with numbers, with sustainability and with AI tools that enable us to command it and outmatch our potential adversaries.

Paparo emphasized that Taiwan remains a sensitive flashpoint between the US and China, and that the US Indo-Pacific Command will continue to support Taiwan in a way that’s outlined in the Taiwan Relations Act.

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#taiwan #china #us #defense #indopacific

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Shoushan Zoo’s chimpanzees turn bookish on World Book Day

April 23 is World Book Day, and Shoushan Zoo in Kaohsiung is celebrating with their chimpanzees. Following last year’s success, the zoo has again, made special treats presented in a bookish design for human’s distant relatives. They’ve turned recycled cardboard into book covers and newspaper pages, and made slits on the inward facing side for sunflower seeds. The chimps were so delighted by the treats, that they appear to be deeply engrossed in reading while feeding from the props, making for an amusing scene.

A chimpanzee carefully reads the newspaper, only to have it snatched away by another. Meanwhile, yet another seems completely engrossed in a picture book. Primary school kids watching them are impressed by their diligence.

Elementary school kid
Visiting Shoushan Zoo
Watching them read, I feel like I may never be as hardworking as they are.

It’s amusing to see chimpanzees read, and the audience favorite was probably this one, who appears to be reading newspaper job ads. The kids joke that the chimp may be sick of its current position and is looking for a new job.

Elementary school kid
Visiting Shoushan Zoo
It probably wants to quit and get a new job.

Elementary school kid
Visiting Shoushan Zoo
I wondered why it kept burying its head into the reading material. Maybe it wants a new job.

Liu Yin-chun
FTV reporter
The reading materials are special edible treats given to chimpanzees at Shoushan Zoo. All the inlaid sunflower seeds were placed by zookeepers themselves.

This is the second year Shoushan Zoo in Kaohsiung is making these book-shaped treats for their chimps on World Book Day. Slits for inserting sunflower seeds are cut on recycled cardboard and styled as various reading materials, making for a novel dining experience for the chimps. As for the design, the zoo got even more creative this year, as with the newspaper job ads, making for an amusing scene for visitors.

Lee Chien-ho
Shoushan Zoo
What makes this year even more special is that we made a prop after newspaper job ads. Good thing that chimpanzees are illiterate. If they were and could understand the job ads, we’re afraid they might all want to quit.

Even chimpanzees are eager to get their hands on a title this World Book Day, so why not pick up a book yourself, too?

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#books #booktok #worldbookday #reading #animals

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