Good Morning World》President Lai Invites Eswatini King to Revisit Taiwan, States No Country Should Block Taiwan's Contribution to the World

Central News Agency

President Lai Ching-te visited Eswatini, participated in a military reception ceremony, held bilateral talks with the head of state, and witnessed the signing of a customs mutual assistance agreement and a joint communiqué. President Lai stated that no country has the right, nor should it block Taiwan's contribution to the world, and Taiwan will continue to strengthen its capabilities, steadily move towards the international stage, and also invited the King of Eswatini to revisit Taiwan. Eswatini's King Mswati III thanked Taiwan for its long-standing support, calling Taiwan "a true friend and partner," and pledged continued firm support for Taiwan's international participation. The two major mainstream newspapers in Eswatini reported extensively on President Lai's visit on their front pages. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department stated on the 3rd that Taiwan is a reliable and capable partner for the U.S. and many countries, and President Lai's visit to Eswatini is a routine visit that should not be politicized. The "Wall Street Journal" reported that Taiwan, under Chinese pressure and seeking international recognition, has "outsmarted" its way in this battle of wills. (Read full report)

The Central Weather Administration stated that due to a frontal system, cloud and rain from southern China, and the northeast monsoon, showers or thunderstorms are expected nationwide on the 4th and 5th, with northern Taiwan needing to watch for localized heavy rain. On the 6th and 7th, moisture will decrease, the northeast monsoon will weaken, and most areas will be cloudy to sunny, with localized brief afternoon showers in mountainous areas nationwide. On the 8th and 9th, due to another frontal system passing and a slight strengthening of the northeast monsoon, short showers are expected in the central and northern regions and eastern parts, with afternoon thunderstorms in the south. On Mother's Day, the 10th, the northeast monsoon will strengthen, bringing localized short showers to the north, eastern parts, and Hengchun Peninsula, while other areas will be cloudy to sunny with localized brief afternoon showers. (Read full report)

As the CCP's threat to Taiwan becomes increasingly complex and diverse, blurring the lines between peace and war, traditional "contingency operations" can no longer cover the reality of transitioning from exercises to war or normalized blockades. The Ministry of National Defense confirmed on the 3rd that it has adjusted its joint operational plan, changing from the original "two periods, three stages" framework to retaining "two periods" and removing "three stages," while adding deployment readiness, deep defense, and protracted warfare to enhance the effectiveness of transitioning between peace and war. Wang Hong-jen, CEO of the Institute for National Policy Research, pointed out that the CCP's advantage lies in using gray zone actions, and if the national army continues to use old models, it may lose its first-response capability. The current adjustments show that the military tends to conduct operations based on "situations" rather than "stages." (Read full report)

U.S. tech stock indices reached new historical highs on the 1st, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) remained stable during the Labor Day holiday. Looking ahead to the first week of May for the Taiwan stock market, analysts believe that last week's better-than-expected earnings performance by major U.S. tech companies means the market may open higher and surge on the 4th, with a chance to challenge the 40,000-point mark this week. In the short term, continuous attention should be paid to TSMC's stock price movements, whether funds return after the holiday, and foreign institutional investors' positions in the futures and spot markets. The situation in the Middle East remains an important factor affecting oil prices, and attention should be paid to the impact of high oil prices on confidence in the economic outlook. (Read full report)

Foreign media reported that Tehran authorities have submitted a 14-point proposal to Pakistan, a mediator. The report states that the content includes ending conflicts on "all fronts, including Lebanon," and establishing a new governance framework for the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. President Trump stated on the 2nd that he would review Iran's latest peace proposal but was skeptical about its prospects; a senior Iranian military official said that a "re-engagement in warfare" with the U.S. was "very likely." Furthermore, Iranian state media pointed out that the Iranian parliament is about to pass a law restricting the types of vessels that can pass through the Strait of Hormuz. (Read full report)

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government in April eased long-standing restrictions on defense equipment and technology transfer, allowing companies to export lethal weapons to 17 countries with defense cooperation agreements. As global conflicts escalate, the defense market is rapidly expanding. Analysts point out that if Japan focuses on high-tech areas such as naval propulsion systems, advanced missiles, sensing equipment, and electronic components, it will help expand into international markets, but insufficient production capacity and manpower remain major limitations. On the other hand, declining Russian arms exports, coupled with unpredictable U.S. diplomatic strategies, also prompt importing countries to seek other options. (Read full report)

With six months remaining until the U.S. midterm elections in November, the results will not only determine the future of President Trump's second term but also reshape the current power landscape in Washington. Democrats hope to reclaim majority seats in both the Federal Senate and House of Representatives by leveraging public dissatisfaction with the economy and Trump's declining approval ratings; Republicans, however, hope to counter political headwinds with their funding advantage and voters' concerns about immigration and national security. However, current signs indicate a tough situation for Republicans. Trump's approval rating is around 40%, and public dissatisfaction with inflation and the cost of the Iran war continues to erode confidence. (Read full report)

Japanese media investigations have revealed that a company operated by a Chinese-born president has been extensively acquiring Japanese hotels and long-term care facilities in recent years. Among the 37 facilities acquired, 24 have ceased operations or closed down. The investigation points out that advertisements for investment briefing sessions held by the company in Beijing included phrases such as "immigration," "permanent residency visas," and "care facilities," suggesting that the purpose was to resell low-priced hotels or long-term care facilities to Chinese individuals who wished to immigrate to Japan or obtain residency through investment, but had no intention of doing business. Former employees confirmed that related operations are suspected of exchanging investment for business management visas, leading to problems such as unpaid wages for Japanese employees and disruptions in care services. (Read full report)

Having navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwanese airlines have intensified their efforts to expand into European and American markets in recent years. EVA Air will launch flights to Washington D.C., the U.S. capital, in June, and STARLUX Airlines, following China Airlines, will launch flights to Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, in August, highlighting the flourishing Taiwanese aviation market and robust travel and cargo business opportunities. While rising oil prices due to conflicts in the Middle East have forced the industry to reduce flights and adjust ticket prices, network expansion plans are still progressing as scheduled. With the expansion of European and American routes, Taoyuan Airport, leveraging its geographical advantage, is expected to develop into an Asia-Pacific transit hub, driving transit and business travel opportunities, and injecting vitality into the tourism industry. (Read full report)

The global space industry is rapidly commercializing and scaling up. The Taiwan Space Agency (TASA) established Taiwan's first space industry accelerator, "TASA iSPARK Space Innovation Base," expected to launch in Q3, which will assist Taiwanese manufacturers in utilizing existing advantages to enter the international space supply chain. On the other hand, Hon Hai announced on the 3rd that its second...