2025 in review: Taiwan's top 10 news stories of 2025

Taipei, Dec. 31 (CNA) The Taipei-headquartered Central News Agency (CNA) has selected Taiwan's 10 biggest news stories of 2025, with the "shovel heroes" who flocked to Hualien after a barrier lake flood claimed 19 lives topping the list.

CNA editors compiled the list from news published between Jan. 1 and Dec. 27.

1. "Shovel heroes" flock to Hualien after barrier lake floods claim 19 lives

Driven by rainfall from Typhoon Ragasa, floodwater from the Matai'an Creek Barrier Lake overflowed into Guangfu Township, Hualien County, on Sept. 23, destroying Matai'an Creek Bridge and killing 19 people.

The disaster left neighborhoods inundated with mud and debris, attracting waves of volunteers, dubbed "shovel heroes" (鏟子超人), from Taiwan and abroad, who used their own tools to assist cleanup efforts.

Private donations to a Ministry of Health and Welfare account for disaster relief in Hualien totaled nearly NT$1.4 billion (US$45.57 million).

2. Taipei stabbing spree

On the evening of Dec. 19, 27-year-old Chang Wen (張文) threw several smoke grenades inside MRT Taipei Main Station, stabbing and killing 57-year-old commuter Yu Chia-chang (余家昶), who attempted to stop him.

About an hour later Chang moved north to the area outside Eslite Spectrum Nanxi near MRT Zhongshan Station, where he stabbed multiple people on the first and fourth floors of the department store before falling from the sixth floor and dying. Total casualties were 3 dead and 11 injured.

● ANALYSIS/Taipei knife attack reveals gaps in Metro police deployment

● Ministry offers free counseling after Taipei mass stabbing attack

3. Premier refuses to countersign revenue-allocation amendments

Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said on Dec. 15 that the Cabinet would not countersign amendments to the local revenue-sharing law passed on Nov. 14 by the opposition-controlled Legislature, citing constitutional concerns and violations of the separation of powers. It was the first time the Executive Yuan had ever refused to sign a law.

The Legislature has postponed review of the 2026 budget, blocked a special arms procurement bill and initiated impeachment proceedings against President Lai Ching-te (賴清德).

● Premier announces will not countersign revenue-allocation amendments

● Premier defends refusal to enact spending plan, draws opposition ire

4. First case of African Swine Fever reported in Taichung

On Oct. 21, tests found that pigs on a farm in Wuqi District in Taichung, central Taiwan, were infected with the African Swine Fever (ASF) virus, which ended Taiwan's long-standing status as ASF-free.

After the government lifted the nationwide ban on the transport and slaughter of pigs on Nov. 6, Taiwan will only be able to regain its ASF-free status after three months with no new cases reported.

● Taiwan reports first suspected outbreak of African swine fever

5. The dispute over land designated for Nvidia's Taiwan headquarters

The Taipei City government and Shin Kong Life Insurance have been at odds over plots T17 and T18 at the Beitou Shilin Tech Park since Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) announced in May that it would locate its Taiwan headquarters in "Beitou Shilin."

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an(蔣萬安) said on Oct. 29 that the city would fast-track administrative procedures to support construction of the Nvidia headquarters after the insurer agreed to terminate its land contract with the city government.

6. The failure of mass recall votes

All the 32 lawmakers of the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) facing recall votes survived ballots held on July 26 and Aug. 23. Civic groups initiated the recalls, backed by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, amid a public backlash over Legislative Yuan amendments.

The failed effort ensured the KMT and the smaller Taiwan People's Party retained opposition control of the Legislature.

● All 24 KMT lawmakers, Hsinchu mayor survive recall votes (update)

7. University revokes Chou Tai-ying's doctorate over misconduct

National Taiwan Normal University revoked the doctorate of former soccer star and ex-coach Chou Tai-ying (周台英) on Nov. 2 after finding her thesis involved research misconduct, including coercing students to provide blood samples without parental consent and threatening the loss of graduation credits.

The Ministry of Education revoked her coaching license on Jul. 17.

8. NT$10,000 cash handout approved amid tariff measures

Amid U.S. "reciprocal" tariffs, the Legislative Yuan approved a NT$550 billion (US$17.92 billion) special budget bill on Oct. 17, including NT$236 billion for NT$10,000 cash handouts to Republic of China (Taiwan) nationals and residents.

The NT$10,000 handout was available through online registration, ATMs starting Nov. 17 or at post offices beginning Nov. 24.

9. TSMC to invest US$100 billion in U.S. chip expansion

U.S. President Donald Trump and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) jointly announced on March 3 (U.S. time) that TSMC plans to invest an additional US$100 billion in the coming years to grow its semiconductor manufacturing capacity in the United States.

TSMC said the US$100 billion investment will go toward building three new chip fabrication plants, two advanced packaging facilities, and an R&D center.

10. Taipei nannies get life, 18-year sentences in child death case

Two sisters, both formerly registered nannies surnamed Liu (劉), were sentenced by the Taipei District Court on May. 13 to life imprisonment and 18 years in prison, respectively, for torturing to death a one-year-old boy, Kai Kai(剴剴), in their care.

The case sparked widespread public outrage, prompting crowds to gather outside the court and leading to an amendment to the Criminal Code, which now stipulates that the abuse of children under the age of 7 resulting in death may be punishable by death.