Taiwan Updates on Infrastructure, Elections, and Foreign Relations

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that remarks by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, which implied Taiwan is a Chinese province seeking independence, threaten regional peace and stability. The ministry asserted that Taiwan is a sovereign, independent country and not subordinate to the People's Republic of China. In other news, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an announced that the new Guangci/Fengtian Temple Station on the MRT Tamsui-Xinyi Line will open on August 30. The station was built approximately 10 stories underground through layers of soft clay and hard bedrock. Regarding upcoming local elections on November 28, the Central Election Commission expects about 19.65 million eligible voters across 18,244 polling stations. The commission is currently reviewing referendum proposals, which may extend the vote counting process past midnight. In Pingtung County, Hengchun Township is preparing for its annual Ghost Festival pole-climbing competition, known as Cianggu, which features a prize pool of NT$1.15 million. Other reports from major dailies include a carrier rocket crash in Pingtung during a first test launch and a planned increase in allowances for third category combat troops by NT$4,000.