Good Morning World: Taiwan Reaches 500 Offshore Wind Turbines, Ranked 5th Globally in Installed Capacity

On the 14th, Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs announced that the country completed the installation of its 500th offshore wind turbine on the 12th, bringing the cumulative installed capacity to 4.8 gigawatts (GW). Last year, offshore wind power generation surpassed 10 billion kilowatt-hours for the first time. According to the latest report by the Global Wind Energy Council, Taiwan ranks 3rd globally in new offshore wind capacity additions for 2025 and 5th in total installed capacity, confirming its status as a key global offshore wind market. The Ministry stated it will continue promoting offshore wind development to expand stable green power supply, enhance energy resilience and industrial competitiveness, and advance toward the 2050 net-zero emissions target.

Taipei has secured hosting rights for the '2026 Rotary International Convention' for the first time in 32 years, with the event opening on the 14th. President Lai Ching-te, speaking at the ceremony, emphasized that Taiwan stands at the frontline against authoritarian expansion and is a core pillar of global supply chain security. He pledged stronger cooperation with democratic partners to enhance supply chain and economic resilience, maintain regional peace and stability, and promote global prosperity. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung noted that Rotary's values align with Taiwan's 'Comprehensive Diplomacy' and 'Honor邦 Project,' both aiming to build equal, mutually beneficial partnerships and increase global awareness of Taiwan.

The Central Weather Administration reported that on the 15th, a frontal system near northern Taiwan and southwest winds will bring localized heavy to torrential rains to central and southern regions. From the 16th, the front will gradually move away, reducing moisture and stabilizing weather over the next week. The upcoming Dragon Boat Festival holiday is expected to be hot, with afternoon thunderstorms possible. Meanwhile, prolonged rainfall triggered a landslide along the Jiazuoliao Creek in Zhushan Township, Nantou County, blocking the river and forming a landslide dam (barrier lake). The Rural Water Conservation Agency estimated the reservoir at 100,000 tons; if breached, downstream water levels could rise by 70 centimeters. Currently, no residents are at risk downstream, limiting immediate impact.

U.S. President Trump announced the completion of a peace agreement with Iran, declaring the Strait of Hormuz reopened and the U.S. naval blockade lifted. Pakistan's Prime Minister confirmed a signing ceremony will be held in Geneva on the 19th. U.S. Vice President Vance indicated Trump may attend in person. Iran also declared on the 15th that the U.S. and Iran have permanently and immediately ended hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon. Trump is expected to discuss mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz with G7 leaders at the upcoming summit. Ahead of the summit, thousands of protesters marched in Geneva, Switzerland, on the 14th against the G7, with local police on high alert.

To broadly collect intelligence on China's political, military, and economic affairs, Taiwan's National Security Bureau (NSB), referencing practices of foreign intelligence agencies, has established a 'Contact Window for Chinese Citizens.' This allows mainland citizens to voluntarily submit intelligence, expanding diverse sources. The NSB emphasized enhanced cybersecurity and identity confidentiality due to China's strict internet surveillance and security risks from Chinese-made smartphones. Citizens can follow secure guidelines to contact the window. The NSB plans to refine intelligence operations according to evolving international and Chinese conditions to deepen situational awareness and safeguard national security and interests.

China recently deployed coast guard vessels into waters east of Taiwan, citing overlapping exclusive economic zone (EEZ) negotiations between Japan and the Philippines, asserting jurisdiction and demanding shipping information from commercial vessels. National security analysts believe China's real aim is to test and expand jurisdictional claims within the First Island Chain through gray-zone tactics, advancing its 'internalization of the First Island Chain' strategy. Bonnie Glaser, Director of the Indo-Pacific Program at the German Marshall Fund in Washington, called this escalation 'a dangerous trend,' indicating such actions are expanding.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi met UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London on the 14th. Addressing China's influence, both leaders expressed concern over economic coercion, such as critical mineral export controls, and issued a joint statement on cooperation in energy-centered economic security. They also agreed to accelerate defense collaboration, including next-generation fighter jet development. Meanwhile, the UK Ministry of Defence reported that on the 14th, its armed forces intercepted a Russian 'shadow fleet' oil tanker attempting to cross the English Channel and detained it near the southern coast for monitoring during investigation.

'O-Lian' (water spinach) is one of the 'Three Treasures of Meinong' in Kaohsiung, generating hundreds of millions of dollars annually as 'green gold.' In recent years, the institutionalized introduction of legal foreign workers has gradually reduced illegal labor and eased workforce shortages, bringing greater linguistic, culinary, and cultural diversity to Hakka villages. However, challenges remain in mechanization and regulatory flexibility, testing the industry's sustainability. For Liu Bi-hua, involved in agricultural migrant labor services, balancing legal frameworks and climate change pressures is an unavoidable future challenge. Labor groups urge transparency on the system's effectiveness and prioritize improving agricultural working conditions and industrial structure, warning against treating migrant workers merely as tools to fill low-wage labor gaps.

Taiwan's women's volleyball team, making its first-ever Asian Cup final appearance, lost 19-25, 19-25, 22-25 to South Korea on the 14th, finishing as runners-up but achieving the team's best-ever record. President Lai Ching-te congratulated the team, praising their resilient defense, teamwork, and multi-point offensive power through a four-game winning streak in the preliminaries, a semifinal victory over Kazakhstan, and their historic final appearance. He thanked all players, coaches, and support staff and wished the team continued success in upcoming Asian Games events.

In Game 5 of the NBA Finals, New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson scored 45 points, leading the Knicks to defeat the San Antonio Spurs and win their first championship in 53 years. Brunson was named Finals MVP. A three-time All-Star, Brunson has averaged at least 26 points per season for three consecutive seasons. Teammate Josh Hart said, 'You know he's one of the best players in the league—glad he's finally getting the recognition.' Thousands of fans flooded New York streets to celebrate, but chaos erupted in midtown Manhattan, with a World Cup shuttle bus set on fire and a teenager shot.