Taiwan Parliament Extends Nuclear Lifespan Amidst Cross-Strait Diplomatic Flurry and Key Economic News

Taipei, Taiwan – Wednesday, May 14, 2025, proved a day of significant headlines across Taiwan, reflecting key movements in domestic energy policy, the complex landscape of cross-strait relations, critical diplomatic messaging, and indicators from the island’s dominant technology sector. Major Taiwanese daily newspapers provided extensive coverage of these developments, offering insights into the multifaceted issues facing the self-governed island.

Energy Policy Shift: Nuclear Extension Passed

A major legislative action dominated the front pages. The United Daily News reported that Taiwan’s Legislature successfully passed a bill on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, authorizing the potential extension of the operational lifespan for the island’s existing nuclear power plants by an additional 20 years. This legislative victory for proponents of nuclear energy marks a crucial moment in Taiwan’s ongoing debate over its future energy mix, balancing concerns about energy security, stable baseload power, and decarbonization goals against historical anti-nuclear sentiment. The bill’s passage provides the legal framework for plant operators to apply for license extensions, potentially altering previous timelines for phasing out nuclear power. The specific technical reviews and regulatory approvals required for any actual extension will follow, but the legislative intent to keep nuclear energy as a viable long-term option for up to 20 additional years is now enshrined in law, according to the detailed reporting by the United Daily News.

Cross-Strait Dynamics and International Reactions

Cross-strait relations, always a sensitive and central issue, featured prominently, intertwined with international perspectives. The China Times carried a report on comments made by former U.S. President Trump. According to the newspaper, the former President expressed the view that a U.S.-China trade truce would be beneficial for “unification.” This statement, touching upon the potential future political status of Taiwan relative to mainland China, immediately garnered attention across the island and internationally.

Following the report on former President Trump’s comment, the U.S. State Department’s consistent position on the Taiwan Strait was highlighted by the Liberty Times. The newspaper covered the State Department’s stance, which firmly reiterated that the United States opposes unilateral changes to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. This restatement by the State Department serves as a reaffirmation of longstanding U.S. policy, emphasizing the importance of peace and stability and signaling clear opposition to any unagreed alterations to the current situation across the Strait, particularly in the context of comments like that attributed to former President Trump.

Meanwhile, from Taipei, President Lai Ching-te addressed the crucial topic of cross-strait engagement. The Commercial Times reported on an interview President Lai gave to Nikkei, in which he called for increased cross-strait dialogue and exchanges. President Lai’s advocacy for communication underscores a desire by his administration to explore avenues for reducing tensions and fostering mutual understanding with Beijing through channels of dialogue and interaction. This call reflects the complex tightrope Taiwan walks in managing relations with mainland China amidst geopolitical pressures.

Economic Strength: TSMC’s Dividend Plans

Economically, news from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), a global titan and linchpin of the technology industry, provided key financial insight. The Economic Daily News highlighted TSMC’s plan to pay out a NT$5 quarterly dividend. This announcement from the world’s leading contract chipmaker is closely watched by financial markets and signals the company’s strong financial performance and commitment to shareholder returns. TSMC’s operational health and investment decisions are vital indicators for Taiwan’s economy and have significant ripple effects across the global technology supply chain, making the specific NT$5 quarterly dividend payout plan, as reported by the Economic Daily News, a notable piece of economic news for the day.

Regional Diplomacy: Acknowledging Japan’s Role

Adding another layer to Taiwan’s international outlook, President Lai also commented on regional leadership dynamics. The Taipei Times focused on a statement from President Lai asserting that the region requires Japan’s leadership. This comment, reported by the Taipei Times, highlights Taiwan’s perspective on Japan’s critical role in maintaining regional stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. It suggests a potential alignment of views and a desire for close cooperation between Taiwan and Japan on various fronts, given their shared strategic and economic interests.

In summation, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, presented a multifaceted picture of Taiwan’s current state, as reported by its major dailies. From a significant legislative decision impacting future energy infrastructure to navigating complex cross-strait dynamics influenced by international commentary and reinforcing diplomatic red lines, alongside reporting on the health of its vital tech industry and expressing perspectives on regional leadership, the news coverage from the United Daily News, China Times, Liberty Times, Economic Daily News, Commercial Times, and Taipei Times collectively underscored the diverse domestic policy challenges, geopolitical sensitivities, and economic forces shaping Taiwan’s trajectory.