PRESS DIGEST-Taiwan - April 21

TAIPEI, April 21 (Reuters) - Taiwan newspapers carried the following stories on Tuesday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

CHINA TIMES

-- The number of visitors to the Alishan National Scenic Area hit a record daily high on March 22, partly helped by increasing numbers of Chinese tourists.

-- Jason Hu, mayor of Taichung in central Taiwan, said he might resign or quit his political career if the million-person city fails to be upgraded, with more aid from the central government, by the end of August.

UNITED DAILY NEWS

-- Construction of Taichung's rapid transit system will begin in October following government approval on Monday, with the project expected to be completed in 2015.

-- Questions of how to transit in a China or Taiwan airport after taking direct flights should be discussed in negotiations between the two due to take place on Saturday, said legislative speaker Wang Jin-pyng.

LIBERTY TIMES

-- Airline and shipping companies that carry passengers without approval to the island will be fined, said Taiwan's Interior Minister Liao Liou-yi.

COMMERCIAL TIMES

-- Taiwan will amend its tax laws to allow the authorities to take action against companies suspected of tax evasion.

-- Chunghwa Telecom (2412.TW), the island's largest telco, could cut its capital by about 20 percent after the company's board meets on April 28, in a bid to improve shareholder returns.

ECONOMIC DAILY NEWS

-- China Steel (2002.TW) will cut production by as much as 30 percent as it grapples with falling prices.