Headline News
Clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccine expected by year-end
The National Health Research Institutes (NHRI), Academia Sinica and three biotech companies are developing COVID-19 vaccines expected to enter clinical trials by the end of this year, according to Taiwan's Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).
The NHRI could begin human trials in autumn at the earliest, looking into four categories of vaccines through the use of peptides.
Academia Sinica is improving a nanotechnology-based vaccine it has developed and has also succeeded to suppress the virus through the use of protease inhibitor, while the three companies are running subunit vaccines.
Taiwan has the capacity to produce 1 million vaccines by the end of this year, said CECC head and minister of health and welfare Chen Shih-chung.
56 days without COVID-19 transmission
"Domestically Taiwan has proved to be in relatively good shape, after eight weeks of zero local infections, and we think it is safe to ease the control measures," Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung said on Sunday at a press briefing.
From Sunday, passengers on public transport systems, highway coaches and domestic flights will still be required to have their temperatures checked at the gate and to wear a mask up to that point, but will be allowed to remove the mask after that if proper social distancing can be observed. Restrictions on mass gatherings of more than 100 people indoors and 500 outdoors are lifted for scenic areas, night markets, and art and cultural events. National performance venues are allowed to sell tickets for a full house, but people will be required to give their contact details at large gatherings and events, practice good personal hygiene and wear face masks if they cannot keep a safe distance from others.
Thousands commemorate Tiananmen massacre
Thousands of people commemorated in Taipei on June 4, the 31st anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre in China,
demanding the Chinese government to redress the wrongs of the incident.
The vigil, which expressed support for democracy in Hong Kong and China, was held at Freedom Square in front of the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei.
Participants lit candles and observed 64 seconds of silence for the victims of the crackdown.
President Tsai Ing-wen said on facebook to hope that the world will "never lose another day and that Taiwan supports Hong Kong's freedom," in reference to China's newly passed national security law.
Economy & Tourism
TSMC to build cutting-edge R&D center in Hsinchu
The green light was given to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) to build a new research and development center.
The project, the largest to be implemented at Hsinchu Science Park in 20 years, aims to advance the chip production prowess of the world's largest chipmaking foundry.
Focus will be placed on developing 3 and 2 nanometer manufacturing process technology for its high-end semiconductors.
Taiwan planning to allow foreign tourists in October
As Taiwan has been able to bring the COVID-19 outbreak under control, Transportation Minister Lin Chia-lung announced a three-stage draft plan to relax epidemic prevention restrictions on transportation and travel. The third stage will allow foreign tourists to enter the country in October.
National Palace Museum unveils interactive wall
The National Palace Museum unveiled a 12-meter-long interactive wall, the largest of any museum in Asia, to offer visitors an innovative, personalized experience.
The multi-touch smart wall displays more than 300 artworks from the museum’s collection. The screen allows visitors to explore historic treasures in a playful way, and each object comes with an introduction featuring images, animations, and a 360-degree view.
The giant screen is composed of 20 55-inch high-resolution, low-reflection LED tiles touted to provide an immersive viewing experience.
The interactive wall is intended to orient visitors while fostering their engagemen
