1. Taiwan Upgrades Cianjhen Fishing Port and Expands Accommodation Discounts for Foreign Crew

Taiwan's Ministry of Agriculture announced on September 14 measures to accelerate the upgrading of Cianjhen Fishing Port in Kaohsiung, including expanded accommodation discounts for foreign fishing crew and a two-year pilot program for the port’s fish market. Under the new measures, vessel owners will cover foreign crew accommodation costs, while the Fisheries Agency will provide an additional subsidy averaging 35 percent of the current discounted rate. During the pilot program, the Kaohsiung Fishermen’s Association will waive cleaning and management fees for market vendors, with the costs fully subsidized by the ministry. The Fisheries Agency will also work with the Kaohsiung City Government to assist vendors and promote market transformation. The ministry said Cianjhen Fishing Port ranks first nationwide in both vessel tonnage berthed and fish landings. Major upgrades have been carried out since 2021, and the government will continue to improve port operations and promote fisheries industry transformation.
 

2. Taiwan Urges Public Not to Bring or Send Meat Products Ahead of Mid-Autumn Festival

With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, Taiwan’s Ministry of Agriculture is urging the public not to bring or send mooncakes containing pork or other meat products into Taiwan, as such violations typically peak around the holiday. Agriculture Minister Chen Chi-yu, commander of the Central Epidemic Response Center for African swine fever (ASF), said on September 9 that Taiwan must remain vigilant despite being recognized by the World Organisation for Animal Health in April as an ASF self-declared disease-free country. Taiwan continues to strengthen three lines of defense—border quarantine, farm biosecurity and post-market inspections.Since November 6, 2025, first-time unintentional violations have no longer been exempt from penalties. Importers of pork products from ASF-affected areas may face fines of up to NT$200,000 in cases involving negligence. Although violations fell from 461 in 2023 to 134 in the first eight months of this year, ASF viral nucleic acid was still detected in 11.5 percent of intercepted pork products, with 95 percent originating from mainland China. The response center urged the public, migrant workers, new immigrants and foreign nationals in Taiwan not to mail, purchase online or bring meat products into Taiwan, stressing that ignorance of import regulations is not grounds for exemption from penalties.