A research vessel carrying German and Taiwanese scientists set sail for waters off the island's south-western coast over the weekend in search of methane hydrate, a potentially vast new energy source.
A German man faces the death penalty in Taiwan after being apprehended with 2.4 kilogrammes of heroin at Taiwan's Taoyuan International Airport, officials on the island said on Monday.
German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier said Sunday he hoped for a "peaceful dialogue" between Taipei and Beijing after the election of a new Taiwanese president favouring closer ties with China.