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42nd year of Han Kuang Exercise is a 10-day, 9-night affair

Today was day one of the 42nd edition of the Han Kuang Exercise, an annual event for combat readiness. Over the course of the event, which will last for 10 days, a variety of unscripted drills involving constantly changing conditions will test the troops and their commanders in simulated war-time situations. The Army, Air Force, Navy, and even the Coast Guard are working together and will introduce new technology in order to increase Taiwan’s defense resilience.

This F-16V fighter zips by on its descent to Hualien’s Chiashan Air Force Base. Next up is a Mirage 2000 fighter jet that is then followed by an Indigenous Defense Fighter. These military aircrafts are carrying out tactical redeployment drills, which allows for decentralized deployment of troops in order to secure positional advantage. The fighter jets of Taiwan’s Air Force are the opening act of the 42nd edition of the Han Kuang Exercise.

After being ordered to deploy, the Navy’s Kang Ding-class frigate has sortied out of the harbor. This patrol vessel of the Coast Guard Administration is inspecting the area as part of a simulation exercise in which law enforcement units are finding ways to support troops during a war. Also showcasing their combat prowess are these Army helicopters.

Several UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters from the Army Aviation 602nd Brigade are carrying out a troop transport mission in which they must rapidly drop off troops at tactical positions; this tests their ability to carry out long-range movements as well as air-ground coordination. This CH-47 Chinook helicopter is carrying 100 fully armed reinforcement troops, who are being taken to tactical positions in Northern Taiwan, thereby completing the mission to defend critical infrastructure.

Reservists in this mobilization exercise are using T65K2 rifles during live-fire drills, which are training them under conditions that’ll closely resemble the battlefield and help them strengthen their combat readiness. Also present is the Taipei City Reserve Command’s mortar battalion, who are training with US-made M4A1 rifles to improve their shooting proficiency.

The 42nd edition of the Han Kuang Exercise will last 10 days and 9 nights. Unscripted and utilizing decentralized command, the drills will incorporate new military technology, like the recently commissioned M1A2T, a M1 Abrams battle tank, as well as attack drones. The exercise will be a multi-faceted test of Taiwan’s overall defense and resilience.

Wellington Koo
Minister of National Defense
This year’s Han Kuang Exercise has adopted an unscripted approach, in which constantly changing conditions will force commanders to improvise, thus testing their decision-making and ability to issue commands.

Minister Koo expressed his confidence that the mobilization drills of the Han Kuang Exercise will involve the soldiers in every area of war, thereby showcasing Taiwan’s elite military forces.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#HanKuangExercise #TopGun #Taiwan #combatreadiness #military

Time：2026-08-05

最新消息 Latest News

Taiwan set to double airport service fees to fund infrastructure

Going overseas for a vacation is about to get more expensive. Airport service fees will double in price to fund projects at the airports in Taoyuan, Kaohsiung and Taichung. The higher fees will come into effect in two stages. The fee will go up from NT$500 to NT$750 per passenger on Sept. 1. Another rise will happen on Sept. 1, 2027, to hit NT$1,000. But that doesn’t mean you’ll have to bring cash to the airport. The fee will be collected by airlines as part of the ticket price. Travelers have mixed feelings about the change. Let’s hear more.

Traveler
Not happy about price hike
If the increase is too much at once, like from NT$250 to NT$750… Our salaries certainly haven’t gone up by that much. Everything is getting pricier, and with higher costs, you definitely feel the pressure.

Traveler
Hoping for better service
I’d be more willing to accept it if the higher service fee actually improves the quality of service.

Traveler
Hoping for better service
Then they should offer better services and more options. Make things more convenient. That’s only fair.

Airport service fees have remained unchanged for more than a decade, but construction costs have only climbed in recent years. The government is planning to spend NT$600 billion over the next 20 years to build Terminal 3 at Taoyuan International Airport, add a new Terminal to Kaohsiung International Airport, and expand Taichung International Airport.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#airport #travel #taiwantravel #airtravel #planes #ilikeplanes #infrastructure

2026-08-05

New THSR trains to arrive this month, enter service next July

The first next-generation N700ST train for the Taiwan High Speed Rail recently debuted at a rollout ceremony at the Hitachi Kasado Works in Yamaguchi, Japan, launching the 20-year-old THSR into a new chapter. The new trains will also come with a new timetable. Starting next year, the high-speed rail will undergo its largest schedule adjustment to date, to be carried out in five stages, significantly expanding weekly services to 1,400 and introducing a "super express" train.


This brand-new N700ST train for the Taiwan High Speed Rail features seats with added lumbar support, reading lights conveniently relocated to the seatback, and two trays: one large and one small. Every seat has outlets, and the overhead luggage racks are deeper, offering a major upgrade to the passenger experience.

The THSR bought 12 new train sets from Japan, the first of which is expected to arrive on Aug. 15 and enter service on July 1 next year. Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Shih-kai and THSR Chairman Shih Che visited Japan recently to preview the new business class carriages. An unboxing video was posted to the official THSR Facebook page, featuring reactions from legislators.

- I think it’s great! Everyone should be looking forward to it.

- Having an extra tray is convenient to hold your coffee or water.

- There’s a lot of added space for luggage, which is a very useful service.

The “Dual Supreme Wing” nose cone, designed especially for Taiwan, can reduce noise and wind resistance, while the crisp white livery with orange and black lines running along the side gives the 13-tonne train a sleek and high-tech look, even while moving at high speeds of 300kph.

Shih Che
THSR Chair
After the new trains enter service, the high-speed rail will eventually have 1,400 services every week, up from 1,134 currently, boosting peak-hour capacity by at least 25%. Over the next two to three years, operating the two train models at the same time will bring about major timetable changes.

The new timetable is the high-speed rail’s biggest schedule overhaul since it debuted 20 years ago. It’s planned as a one-time change with five successive increases, to be announced in detail by the fourth quarter of this year for implementation early next year. There will be more peak-hour trains and better long-distance and express services, including a “super express” train between southern and northern Taiwan, and services connecting Yunlin and Chiayi directly to Taichung and Taipei.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#THSR #highspeedrail #newtrains #traintravel #N700ST #publictransit

2026-08-05

TaiwanICDF chooses 6 students to go abroad to do 5-day diplomacy trips

The Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund received more than 100 applications for its first-ever campus ambassador program. A big challenge for the ICDF was whittling down the large candidate pool to just six students that’d be going on a 5-day diplomatic internship trip to either Eswatini or Saint Lucia. Earlier this week, the ICDF selected the six campus ambassadors, who faced stiff competition during a 3-week selection process.

This speaker is standing next to a screen that has PowerPoint slides depicting her diplomatic plan. She’s one of the finalists for the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund’s campus ambassador program, which on August 3 selected its 6 campus ambassadors. With 3 going to diplomatic ally Eswatini, the other 3 will be traveling to Saint Lucia, another ally of Taiwan.

Huang An-yu
ICDF Campus Youth Ambassador
I sought to understand the true nature of the exchanges the ICDF has with local women or the local people who receive aid.

Tsai Wan-yin
ICDF Campus Youth Ambassador
We help by providing them with crops and teach them how to grow crops even better. I think these issues are all a good example of Taiwan showing itself to the world, because it’s an opportunity for others to see us helping foreign countries.

Starting with a preliminary competition, this 3-week selection process ended with oral reports during the final stage. The campus ambassadors who were ultimately selected passed a battery of tests.

Lin I-chun
ICDF Campus Youth Ambassador
I want to take the passion and warmth of the Taiwanese people with me and share this with the local community, because based on my interactions with a lot of friends from abroad, the one thing I’ve heard the most is that they really like Taiwanese people. So I want to take our spirit, as well as what makes Taiwanese people special, and then bring this with me to the local community.

The committee needed to select six students from 100+ candidates, who faced off in a very competitive selection process.

Peifen Hsieh
Taiwan ICDF Deputy Secretary General
Our standards included how much passion they had for the ICDF and this program. We also considered their sense of motivation, planning ability, diplomatic insight, and ability to communicate effectively, which included their speech presentation skills. So, overall, this was actually quite a thorough selection process.

The ICDF hopes that this campus ambassador internship program will help students broaden their horizons, as this opportunity to travel abroad will offer first-hand experiences of international cooperation in addition to potentially leading to future jobs for these youth ambassadors.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#Taiwan #Eswatini #SaintLucia #jobshadowing #campusambassador #TaiwanICDF

2026-08-05

Terrifying Ghost Month shop display taken down in Miaoli

With Ghost Month right around the corner, a convenience store in Miaoli decided to get festive with a spooky décor competition. Staff put up creepy decorations to promote the Ghost Month deals. Though the display attracted plenty of attention, some customers freaked out, saying that it was scarier than necessary. Let’s hear more.

Member of public
Likes the creativity
I thought it was fresh and new, and it reminded me that it’s almost Ghost Month. I thought they were very creative. I did get a fright when I went in and saw the paper ghost that looks like a woman.

Member of public
Was spooked out
The decorations scared me! It was hanging there mid-air, it was terrifying. It frightened me! Like, what is it? Why is it at the convenience store?

Voice of shop staff
Commenting on reactions
People thought it was special. But some did freak out a little bit.

Among the decorations was a ghost dressed in a white robe and wearing a straw hat. There were also ingots suspended from the ceiling, and a long-tongued ghost wishing onlookers to get rich. Though apparently tame during the day, it might have been a bit too terrifying for some, and the display was spirited away overnight. All that remains is the Ghost Month goods for sale with a few decorations made of joss paper.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#ghost #ghostfestival #spooky #spiritedaway #conbini

2026-08-05

‘Kung fu grandpa’ does flawless one-foot split against traffic light

A passionate kung fu practitioner in Kaohsiung has become something of a local legend for his very public Shaolin-esque training. The man can often be seen balancing atop YouBike docks, or pulling his leg straight up in the air to do a formidable one-foot standing split against a traffic light. A video of him performing the stunts went viral online, with many admiring his commitment to the craft, and even drawing comparisons between him and bygone martial artists from the movies.

A man wearing a hat appears to be leaning right up against the traffic light pole. Already a strange sight, but not as shocking as the view from the front: a flawless one-foot standing split. The video went viral online, where hundreds were shocked by the kung fu master hiding in plain sight.

Others compared him to Mighty Steel Leg, Stephen Chow’s character in the Hong Kong classic Shaolin Soccer. Mastery of this skill is not for everyone. The man, who appears to be in his 50s, seemed fully at ease practicing the move at a pole on the street.

- That’s impressive.
- Could you do it?
- No way.

- He’s alright. Everyone can do that, even me.
- You can?
- Nah, I’m just pulling your leg.

And kung fu grandpa’s skills don’t end at leg flexibility. Some have seen him training his balance atop YouBike parking docks, 70cm from the ground. He regularly comes to this part of town to practice.

Voice of local
Kaohsiung
If I get here a little earlier, at 8, I usually see him on the bridge. He comes out even if it’s hot, under the scorching sun. He’s always doing static exercises and stretches. He’s just focused on himself, not on anything happening round him.

The man’s identity remains unknown but just in case any copycats get inspired, be reminded that the YouBike pillars have fragile sensors. So if you want to practice butterfly kicks or the praying mantis stance, be sure to abide by the Shaolin code and take care of public property.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#funny #martialarts #exercise #workout #parkour #kungfu #splits #stretching #fitness

2026-08-05

British paper names Kaohsiung 10th best November destination

Kaohsiung has been promoting its urban transformation in recent years, featuring attractions such as the Pier-2 Art Center, Lotus Pond, and Love River, as well as a thriving concert scene. Not only have these efforts made the southern port city the top spot for tourism among the six special municipalities for the past three years, it has even grabbed the attention of British media, securing the 10th-best November travel destination as named by The TimesTaiwan’s only spot in the ranking.

The imposing Dragon and Tiger Pagodas stand proudly over Kaohsiung’s scenic Lotus Pond, drawing scores of tourists over the weekends. The city has become a more popular destination in recent years, even gaining accolades from international media.

Tseng Hung-wen
FTV reporter
Kaohsiung was named the 10th-best November travel destination by The Times in the UK, the only destination in Taiwan to make the list. Lotus Pond was even featured as the cover photo for the report.

Chen Chi-mai
Kaohsiung Mayor
Pier-2, Lotus Pond, and the Love River here in Kaohsiung were all recommended by The Times. These are all great reasons to visit our port city in wintertime.

Tourist
Visiting Kaohsiung
I went to the Main Public Library before, and today we came to Lotus Pond.

Tourist
Visiting Kaohsiung
I want to go to Cijin, Sizihwan... These two places seem like quick ways to get to the ocean from the city center.

In addition to Zuoying’s Lotus Pond, which is steeped in rich religious tradition, Cijin offers stunning ocean views and delicious seafood, accessible after just a 10-minute ferry ride. The Pier-2 Art Center has also become a major draw for cultural tourism in recent years. Hugely popular characters like Ultraman and Chiikawa have been featured in events here. Add to that a burgeoning concert scene, it’s no wonder that Kaohsiung has been named the most satisfying tourism destination among the six special municipalities for the past three years running. Gaining recognition from abroad as well is the cherry on top.

Resident
Kaohsiung
I feel like Kaohsiung is gradually transforming from an industrial city. The attractions and infrastructure is all really good.

Chen Chi-mai
Kaohsiung Mayor
Aside from the attractions, we also have excellent street food here. We’ll keep working with organizers to bring concerts, including AAA in October and BTS.

Kaohsiung has been heavily promoting its recent urban transformation. With delicious local street food, convenient transportation, and targeted global promotion, Taiwan’s largest port city has created a proud identity to showcase to the world.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#Kaohsiung #tourism #LotusPond #TheTimes #traveldestination #internationalmedia #ranking #Pier2ArtCenter #concerts

2026-08-05

Hotels create family attractions, partner with popular IPs to attract summer stays

Hotels are vying for family business over the summer vacation. Marriott has stepped up its game with a 1,320-square-meter indoor play area with electric cars for children as well as indoor go-karts that both adults and kids can enjoy. Meanwhile, the Shangri-La and Hotel Cozzi are featuring well-known characters in themed rooms and play spaces, hoping to create a one-stop travel destination.

Children speed along in tiny electric cars, obeying the traffic signs as they have a blast driving around the track.

Chen Chih-fan
FTV reporter
Not only are there miniature cars for kids, but also electric go-karts that both children and adults can enjoy together. This hotel has set up a 1,320-square-meter indoor play area, seeking to draw the summer vacation crowds.

- I’m so happy! I love driving cars.

- It’s so fun and exciting! I want to be a race-car driver!

Parent
Thinks it’s great
I think it’s great. It’s boiling hot outside right now. I prefer to be inside where we’re not sweating constantly. Plus the kids can burn off their energy, so it works out well.

Another floor offers an artwork treasurehunt, with free afternoon tea for anyone who can complete it. This five-star Marriott transformed its banquet hall into an indoor family play zone, making it free from rain and wind, not to mention the scorching sun. Children can play from morning until night to burn off energy while staying cool during their summer break.

Sun Yi-tien
Marriott senior marketing manager
We’ve noticed that when families go on summer vacation, they need a place to let out some energy. So this year, we installed this 1,320-square-meter play zone in the banquet hall. We hope parents will bring their kids here for a one-stop entertainment experience. There are instructors standing off to the side to make sure they’re safe, so our guests can enjoy themselves with peace of mind.

Other hotels are looking to popular characters for a boost. The Shangri-La has teamed up with Sanrio to offer dreamy rooms and arts-and-crafts activities. At Hotel Cozzi, everything from the lobby to the in-room amenities are covered with Korea’s popular cartoon dogs Gonchil and Gongsil.

Wu Chia-ying
Shangri-La marketing director
Coming to a hotel allows for a more comfortable stay that also beats the heat. This wave of summer room bookings is expected to drive overall summer revenue growth by about 20%.

Chung Hung-ting
Hotel Cozzi marketing director
Across our two branches, we offer six different themed guest rooms. Overall revenue is expected to bring nearly a 15% growth in earnings.

Big hotels are pulling out all the stops to offer one-stop experiences for families looking for a fun summer travel destination.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#hotels #summervacation #familyvacation #gokarts #indoorplayground #Sanrio

2026-08-05

Traditional bamboo broom maker is unafraid of Chinese competition

In Miaoli’s Zaoqiao Township, there’s a 77-year-old craftsman who makes hand-made bamboo brooms using traditional techniques that were taught by his father. Chen Wan-te says he’s not afraid of Chinese competition as his brooms are much more durable than their Chinese counterparts, while his township chief is begging him to teach his skills to others. Let’s find out more.

Wearing gloves, he uses his hands to strip the leaves off bamboo branches, removing them one by one.

Next, he sorts through the bamboo branches. They must be chosen with precision to ensure a neat finish, then bound tightly with wire to form a broom head.

The final step is to insert a bamboo pole. There! He’s just successfully made a broom.

- How many can you sell in a month?
- I can sell 350 each month.

Chen Wan-te, a 77-year-old craftsman, lives in Zaoqiao Township, Miaoli County. He started to learn the craft of making bamboo brooms from his father when he was a child. Faced with competition from cheap Chinese imports, he is not afraid, but rather confident.

Chen Wan-te
Bamboo broom craftsman
The road maintenance workers need to sweep the streets, but they don’t buy Chinese brooms because they break down in less than a month. Go buy some and see for yourself; their brooms keep breaking pieces off and falling apart in less than a month of use.

This traditional method of hand-tying brooms is becoming increasingly rare. The local township chief has paid him a personal visit in hopes that he will teach courses to pass down his knowledge of broom making.

- How about we ask Chen to arrange a course to make bamboo brooms?
- Yeah, sure!

This septuagenarian insists on making bamboo brooms by hand, hoping to preserve an art that is on the verge of being lost.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#Taiwancrafts #Taiwantraditions #bamboobrooms #Taiwanbrooms

2026-08-05

Republican heavyweight McCaul visits Taiwan for 3rd time

Michael McCaul, Chairman Emeritus of the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs, is back in Taiwan for his third visit. This time he spoke about Taiwan being the recipient of a US$11 billion military sales package, which is the largest foreign military sales package in US history. McCaul also mentioned that an even bigger US$14 billion package is in the works, and so he’s urging Taiwan to quickly pass its defense budget.

President Lai is all smiles as he wears this cowboy hat, which is a gift from Michael McCaul, Chairman Emeritus of the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs. But this hat isn’t the first one Lai has gotten from McCaul, who, back in 2024, lead a delegation to Taiwan just days after Lai had assumed his presidency.

In order to convey his appreciation to McCaul for his continued support of Taiwan as well as speaking on the island’s behalf on the international stage, Lai awarded an Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon to McCaul.

Lai Ching-te
President
On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I would like to express our gratitude to Michael McCaul, Chairman Emeritus of the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs, for the many years he has dedicated to deepening Taiwan-US relations, supporting democratic Taiwan, and preserving peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. I would especially like to thank Chairman Emeritus McCaul for his many years of supporting Taiwan and helping bolster our national defense. In addition to pushing the US’ Executive Branch to expedite its delivery of military goods and weapons equipment to Taiwan, this year he and a bipartisan group of US Congressmen have supported Taiwan’s special defense budget.

- I love Taiwan. And I do love Taiwan.

Michael McCaul
US House Foreign Affairs Committee
Last December, Congress signed off on the largest foreign military sales package in history at US$11 billion dollars, and we aren’t stopping there. I’m confident the president will forward soon another package to Congress with an additional US$14 billion dollars in critical military defense articles. On this point, that it is not US policy to allow our diplomatic relationship with China to tie up arms sales to Taiwan.

McCaul reiterated that the US supports Taiwan and he promised that arms sales to Taiwan won’t be influenced by China. McCaul is a Republican member of the US House of Representatives. In the past, his support of Taiwan resulted in China punishing him with sanctions, which included freezing his assets in China and barring him from entering the country. His third visit to Taiwan, McCaul, who expressed it was an honor to be awarded a star, is planning to stay in Taiwan for 6 days. In addition to seeing Lai and top government officials, McCaul will also be speaking at the Ketagalan Forum. During the ceremony with Lai, McCaul called on Taiwan to quickly pass its defense budget.

Michael McCaul
US House Foreign Affairs Committee
I look forward to seeing Taiwan pass its annual defense budget. It is critical that Taiwan pass this budget to advance funding for its domestic drone production. Passing this bill will reiterate Taiwan’s commitment to its own self-defense and signal a great leap of faith in Washington.

In addition to featuring high-ranking government officials from the US, this year’s Ketagalan Forum has also invited Eswatini Prime Minister Russell Dlamini, who, according to foreign news sources, had previously said he was open to developing diplomatic relations with China. His visit to Taiwan might hint that the rumors are unfounded.

#China #Taiwan #US #armssales #Trump #bigguns #McCaul #Congress

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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2026-08-04

China unveils sweeping exit and entry regulations on travelers

China has unveiled sweeping new exit and entry regulations set to take effect on Sept. 15, significantly tightening controls over who can leave the country. Experts say the new rules amount to a major restriction on citizens’ freedom of movement, and describe them as a step toward "closing off" the country.

Former World Trade Organization Secretariat adviser Henry Gao is urging people to "leave while you still can," specifically before the new law comes into force. The regulations have also sparked concern over expanded oversight of technology professionals. Individuals deemed to pose a potential threat to China’s industrial or technological security could be barred from leaving the country by authorities including the Ministry of Commerce. Taiwanese influencer Pa Chiung has also warned that the measures may not only affect Chinese nationals, but could also apply to Taiwanese citizens operating in or traveling through China.

#China #travel #work #taiwan #traveler

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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2026-08-04

Taoyuan incidents bring back attention to pedestrian safety

Taiwan is struggling to shake off its reputation as a “pedestrian hell.” Two separate incidents in Taoyuan have brought back attention to the matter of pedestrian safety. In one, a flatbed truck narrowly missed running over a pedestrian who was crossing the street at a zebra crossing. In the other one, a woman was sent to the hospital with a brain hemorrhage after she was hit by a city bus, also at a zebra crossing.

One moment, a woman is crossing the road at a busy intersection. The next, she’s sent flying onto the asphalt by a bus turning left at a green light.

Hsieh Kuang-chih
Police officer
The bus driver, Mr. Cheng, was making a left turn when he collided with Ms. Hsueh, who was walking on the zebra crossing. Ms. Hsueh sustained injuries including a brain hemorrhage.

The incident happened in Taoyuan’s Zhongli District, when a bus servicing the L209 line turned left from Xinsheng Road onto Huanbei Road. Its driver, Mr. Cheng, failed to yield to the pedestrian, Ms. Hsueh, whose relatives claim he sped up and only hit the brakes after the crash.

Ms. Hsueh, 28, was sent to the hospital with a brain hemorrhage. Mr. Cheng, who had a blood alcohol content of zero, is now facing a fine for failing to yield to a pedestrian at a crossing resulting in injury.

A similar incident took place at the intersection between Longshou Street and Zhonghua Road in Bade District. A flatbed truck making a right turn didn’t stop or yield to pedestrians at a zebra crossing, speeding past at barely a few inches away from them.

- Honk!
- I’ll report him for you!
- I’ll report him for you!

The truck went for the turn, almost causing a crash at the crossing. Fortunately, the pedestrian closest to the truck reacted quickly and jumped back in shock. The motorist who witnessed the near-miss was outraged, and pledged to report the truck driver on behalf of the pedestrians.

Chen Chien-ming
Police officer
Drivers who fail to yield and stop for pedestrians at a crossing face fines of NT$1,200 to NT$6,000.

Taiwan has gained a reputation internationally as a “pedestrian hell.” Even though the government raised penalties for failing to yield to a maximum fine of NT$6,000, it seems Taiwan still has a long way to go in terms of pedestrian safety.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#taiwan #pedestrianhell #traffic #yield #wheels #car #bus #scooter

2026-08-04

TSMC to donate 250 million yen to support Kumamoto disaster relief

Taiwan chipmaker TSMC has pledged a donation of 250 million yen, or NT$50.05 million, to support disaster relief in Japan. Last week’s 7.1 earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture caused destruction in many areas, including Yatsushiro City. TSMC, which operates a fab in Kumamoto, says it will also launch a fundraiser among employees to help locals.

Lai Chien-hao
Taiwan association in Kumamoto
I’m really proud of Taiwan. In Japan, large corporations rarely make donations this big. Softbank donated 100 million yen, and TSMC is donating 250 million. That’s the largest corporate donation we’ve seen for this quake.

Voice of Chen Tzu-ang
Semiconductor analyst
TSMC also made a donation equivalent to 20% of its employee’s salaries for September back during the 1999 Jiji earthquake. This spirit of helping others is truly admirable.

TSMC announced the donation on its official Japanese account on X, saying the funds will support recovery and rebuilding efforts. The announcement sparked an outpouring of gratitude from Japanese users online. Many thanked TSMC for investing in Kumamoto, and standing by the local community when it needs it most. The company is also encouraging employees to contribute through the TSMC Charity Foundation.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#tsmc #kumamoto #earthquake #donations #chipmaking


2026-08-04

Cancer survivors will hold mass swimming event in Sun Moon Lake

A group of cancer survivors with the Taiwanese Anti-Cancer Association will swim across Sun Moon Lake on Sept. 20. They want to show other people battling this disease that recovery involves challenging yourself and chasing dreams. Let’s find out more.

In September, cancer patients will be swimming across Sun Moon Lake. They are expressing confidence. Pan Chi-Chun, an engineer who has been diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma twice, says he will forge ahead with courage.

Pan Chi-chun
Cancer survivor
Face it bravely, persevere to the end, and you’ll overcome every obstacle.

Like Pan, Yu Ying-chen is also fearless. She was diagnosed with cancer at a young age, but she was able to complete a cycling trip around Taiwan and climb Yushan. However, she can’t refrain from shedding tears when she thinks about sad incidents.

Yu Ying-chen
Cancer survivor
It was really tough because everyone was working, and I had to take time off, and things like that. Sometimes I would secretly cry. The main thing is that after joining this association, I realized that it’s actually really tough for everyone.

Chen Hsin-tien
Coach
I’ve been involved in water rescue training for many years, and I’m happy to use whatever skills I have if they come in handy.

Chien Hsin-tien, who also once had cancer, is accompanying the cancer patients on their swim as a coach. They have been participating in the Taiwanese Anti-Cancer Association’s activities for many years and have come to understand that life is not just about treatment, but also about challenging oneself and fulfilling dreams.

Huang Wen-chieh
Taiwanese Anti-Cancer Association chair
By promoting this activity, we can encourage people who are chronically ill and unwilling to go outdoors to go outside. First, they can exercise, and second, they can interact with others.

Luo Li
Artist
Our friends battling cancer need our care and, even more, our encouragement. Let’s help them regain their confidence, come together to swim across Sun Moon Lake, and rediscover all their inner strength and passion.

The association hopes that these activities will serve as an inspiration, encouraging more cancer patients to take the courageous first step.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#bravery #survivingcancer #cancerrecovery #swimming #sunmoonlake

2026-08-04

Sesame planted by farmer sprouts along Changhua roadside

A row of sesame plants are growing along the edge of a road at Chenggong Village in Changhua’s Xizhou Township, out of a crack in the concrete. People have started to call it “Sesame Street” and are amazed by how well the plants grow in close quarters along the road.

Plants can thrive even in challenging conditions. A whole row of sesame plants has sprouted up along the edge of this industrial road, and they’re all growing well. But who planted them here?

Member of public
Planting sesame like this looks nice. It won’t be full of weeds or look so messy.

A local farmer planted over 100 sesame seeds in the centimeter-wide gap between the asphalt road and concrete embankment, turning a 100-meter stretch of the road into a “Sesame Street.” The plants grew so well that the sesame seeds could be harvested.

Member of public
He saw the gap and just planted them. He could even harvest them. It’s really impressive.

The farmer planted this strip of sesame along a road in Chenggong Village in Changhua’s Xizhou Township. He covered the space between plants with aluminum foil and secured it with stones so the soil would stay moist and not wash away in the rain.

Yen Ching-wei
Xizhou Township Office official
We will go have a look with the village chief and try to find who planted them. If we can’t find them, we will ask the sanitation department to take care of it.

Although this sesame street is unique and impressive, the plants may have to be removed since the road is on public land.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#sesame #sesameplants #sesamestreet #farmer #creative #unique #road #streetplants #Changhua

2026-08-04

Tourists delighted at spotting pod with around 100 false killer whales

A group of lucky tourists got the surprise of a lifetime on Monday evening. They had embarked on a whale-watching tour from Yilan’s Wushi Harbor. As they headed south to Nanfang’ao, they erupted into oohs and aahs after seeing a huge pod of around 100 false killer whales. It’s the first time that such a large group has been spotted near Turtle Island. Even tour operators who’ve been in the industry for more than two decades were impressed by the spectacle. Let’s hear more.

Lee Hsiao
Whale-watching tour staff
I’ve been doing this for so many years. But the pod of false killer whales we saw today was the biggest one I’ve seen. There were about 100 of them. It was amazing.

Cho Meng-hsiang
Yilan Agriculture official
These animals are generally found on the east and south coast, usually in groups of about 20 to 30 individuals. It’s rare for them to be in such a large group.

False killer whales are a species of oceanic dolphin, and a Class II protected species in Taiwan. They are extremely curious by nature, and love to approach boats, sometimes swimming to the bow to brave the waves. While seeing small groups is already an impressive sight, the large pod, with many babies, made for an unforgettable memory for these lucky tourists.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#whale #dolphin #nature #sea #whalewatching #eastcoast #taiwan

2026-08-04

In its 2nd edition, Taoyuan music fest brings in NBA star Zach LaVine

Last weekend was the second edition of the Taoyuan Pearl Coast Music Festival, which like last year invited an NBA superstar as a surprise guest. Last year’s invite was Karl Anthony Towns, who this year helped the New York Knicks win it all, ending the team’s 53-year championship drought. This year featured 2-time Slam Dunk Champion Zach LaVine, and many b-ball fans are wondering if this Taoyuan music event will have the same magical effect for the Sacramento Kings.

A crooner on-stage is touching the audience’s heart with sentimental lyrics while off-stage fans nearby can’t believe that they’re seeing NBA star Zach LaVine, who has come to surprise everyone at Taoyuan’s Zhuwei Fish Harbor. Playing his role as event host, Taoyuan Mayor Chang San-cheng took the opportunity to chat in English with LaVine during the opening of this year’s Taoyuan Pearl Coast Music Festival.

Chang San-cheng
Taoyuan Mayor
Just like last year, we were able to invite an NBA superstar known around the world to help us kick off this event. In essence, this music festival brings together music and sports. Over there Zach LaVine just showed us some super incredible basketball skills, and he also interacted with a lot of our basketball fans.

This year is the 2nd edition of the Taoyuan Pearl Coast Music Festival, which like last year was held at Zhuwei Fish Harbor. The festival invited top-rate musicians from countries such as Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, and Macau to perform and even compete in a 2-day music competition. Last year also featured an NBA star: Karl Anthony Towns, a New York Knicks center who showcased his basketball skills to the crowd. This year invited LaVine, a backcourt player who has won the NBA Slam Dunk Competition twice. And LaVine didn’t just come for a quick photo op, as he brought his entire family to come on-stage and even vacation in Taiwan.

Chang San-cheng
Taoyuan Mayor
This approach has been really successful. We’d like to thank the city residents for their support, for giving us even more motivation to continue holding this event next year, to make the 3rd time even better than the first two years.

Towns, last year’s NBA guest star, just won the NBA championship this summer, and some basketball fans are curious if this music event will have the same magical effect for LaVine, who will be trying to take the Sacramento Kings from being a perennial bottom-dweller to getting their hands on next year’s championship trophy.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#ZachLavine #NBA #KarlAnthonyTowns #Knicks #Taoyuan #music #basketball

2026-08-04

Record turnout at Hualien’s Pacific Austronesian Joint Harvest Festival

Hualien’s tourism has finally emerged from the shadow of last year’s disastrous floods in Guangfu Township. A colorful four-day Indigenous festival recently concluded, attracting a whopping record of 120,000 visitors. One hotel operator estimated her average occupancy rate was 80%. The county government promises that this is just the beginning, and more events throughout the year will keep the tourists flowing in. Let’s find out more.

Street parades, vibrant performance troupes and high energy all around.

Singers perform energetically on stage, while fans sway to the rhythm in the audience. The four-day 2026 Pacific Austronesian Joint Harvest Festival comes to a successful close, kicking off Hualien’s summer tourism season.

Chen Yi-feng
Hualien County Tourism Association
The harvest festival has been very beneficial to the entire Hualien tourism industry, especially this year when attendance reached a record high. Our conservative estimates put around 120,000 visitors throughout the four-day festival.

Chung Pei-yu
Hotel operator
In fact, people booked a month in advance—especially group tours—and our average occupancy rate reached 80%.

The four-day international-level Indigenous cultural event is giving Hualien tourism a strong boost, with businesses in shopping districts, hotels, and guesthouses all seeing the return of tourist flows.

Yu Ming-hsun
Hualien tourism head
There are many more activities coming up to welcome everyone to Hualien, and I believe the number of tourists will continue to grow steadily.

After the devastating landslides and flooding in Guangfu Township last year, Hualien’s tourism industry has fully recovered, demonstrating a strong rebound. The county government emphasizes that there will be more events, once after the other, to keep the popularity of Hualien tourism going until the end of the year.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#Hualienfestivals #Taiwanesefestivals #Hualientourism #Hualien

2026-08-04

Kids win Beyblade battles for perks at Nantou hotel

Beyblades are taking over! This summer, visitors to a hot spring hotel in Nantou who beat the staff at the spinning top game can get free breakfast, afternoon tea, and even room discounts. The hotel hopes the activity will attract more families to stay at the relaxing mountain facility, while also enjoying the thrill of competition.

Three, two, one… Let it rip! When one battle finishes, the next begins.

These kids are competing against hotel staff as their family members look on from the sidelines, just as invested. That’s because the outcome will determine if they get a prize.

Traveler
Kids play Beyblades
I brought my kids to play Beyblades because if they win, we get 20% off. It’s really fun! The kids accidentally ended up winning.

Traveler
Kids play Beyblades
I saw about the Beyblades event online. My kids love Beyblades. They won today, so we got 20% off our stay.

Many parents are taking their kids on vacation over the summer. This hot spring hotel in Nantou’s Xinyi Township jumped on the Beyblades craze in the hopes of drawing families for a unique excursion to the mountains.

Lee Hao-wei
Hotelier
Beyblades are super popular right now. We hope that kids won’t just play at home, but can come out to the Dongpu hot springs with their families. Over the summer, visitors can challenge our front desk staff to earn 20% off lodgings, in addition to free breakfast, afternoon tea, water activities, or hot springs.

While the adults relax in the hot springs on their vacation, the kids can battle it out to win great perks for the entire family.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#Beyblades #vacation #summer #hotel #Nantou #familyfriendly #hotsprings #hotspringhotel

2026-08-04

Restaurants to cut out US beef as prices soar

US beef prices keep rising! Due to soaring fertilizers costs in the US, cattle numbers have dropped to a 75-year low. Restaurant owners say that US beef prices have risen every two to three months, ranging from 20 to 30% each time. Unable to take it any longer, some have decided to no longer offer US beef starting from October.

American short ribs are seared on a griddle, the sukiyaki sauce filling the air with an irresistible aroma. But if you want to eat US beef, you’ll need deep pockets.

Member of public
Still buys beef
Yes, yes, yes, I know US beef has gotten expensive. For me it’s OK, because I don’t get it that often. I’ll still buy it.

Member of public
Eats out
Yes, but I mostly have it in restaurants. Buying it myself would be more expensive.

American short ribs have seen several price hikes, jumping from NT$1,000 per kilo last year to NT$1,300 today.

Restaurants say that the price has gone up every two to three months, making it impossible to keep supplying. From October, some will stop selling it altogether.

Huang Chien-chih
Restaurateur
The main reason US beef prices are high—essentially what the American suppliers tell us—is that because of climate change, there’s less feed supply, so it’s more expensive to raise cattle, and that in turn drives prices up. On our end, suppliers basically quote new prices to us every three months.

The cattle population in the US has hit a 75-year low. Even a cheese steakhouse in New Taipei couldn’t withstand the pressure, and had to raise the price of a steak meal from NT$200 to NT$250. As beef costs continue to rise and demand is expected to spike during the Mid-Autumn Festival, it could trigger yet another price hike.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#USbeef #beef #costofliving #hotpot #restaurants #expensive #inflation #MidAutumnFestival

2026-08-04