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Taiwan man forced to show CCP officials phone contents at airport

The dangers of taking a trip to China are once again capturing headlines. A Taiwanese man who previously interned at Amnesty International went through a harrowing experience during a recent business trip to Shanghai. After landing at the airport, three CCP officials escorted him to an interrogation room and demanded that he unlock his mobile phone to examine his messages and social media accounts. He was questioned about his work, and about his involvement with issues related to human rights in China, Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet. After six hours under duress, he ultimately decided to not go through immigration, and returned to Taiwan.

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office has confirmed the incident, and described it as being completely lawful and reasonable. According to Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, a total of 426 Taiwanese nationals have gone missing or have been detained for questioning in China, Hong Kong and Macao, since 2024 to Aug. 27, 2026. It is suspected that some of the cases involved restrictions on their personal freedom.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#china #chinatravel #socialmedia #interrogation #questioning #taiwan

Time：2026-09-03

最新消息 Latest News

Woman throws water-filled cans onto street from 4th floor window

In a hot summer day, you might wish that a can filled with a cold drink could come falling from the sky. Though it sounds great, in practice, a downpour of cans is pretty terrifying, and locals in Tucheng know first-hand how bad it can be. A resident in a four floor apartment recently began throwing cans full of water down onto the street below on the daily. The heavy projectiles have come dangerously close to hitting pedestrians and vehicles. And even our own reporter, who went to check on the canning chaos.

Bang! A can falls from the sky, narrowly missing a passing scooter. Let’s turn back time.

Bang! Another can comes crashing down. Less than a minute later…

Bang! Another one! Someone’s been throwing cans from a building for a month already. What kind of wicked pastime is this?

Shopkeeper
Runs business nearby
The cans are filled with liquid. They’ve come dangerously close to hitting people and cars. It’s happened lots of times. It’s dangerous to walk past here. I live in fear.

The can downpour is battering Dingpu Street in New Taipei’s Tucheng District. Neighbors say a woman living on the fourth floor of a building began chucking cans down on the daily starting Aug. 1. And she fills them with water to give them extra weight. She also reportedly threw a glass liquor bottle at a neighbor’s door. Our reporter witnessed the throwing first-hand.

Hiding behind a hat and a face mask, the woman on the fourth floor threw another can onto the street. As if that weren’t enough she also poured water out the window.

Ma Sheng-chieh
FTV reporter
As I was conducting an interview, the woman threw water down at us in a big plastic tub.

Police came to the scene to collect evidence once again. But why is she doing all this? What’s she trying to achieve? Neighbors say it could be due to a dispute with her landlord.

Shopkeeper
Runs business neaby
She’s upset at her landlord. But that’s none of my business. I was afraid of opening today. What if we get hit?

Health authorities have tried to speak with her, but the reclusive woman won’t open the door to them. Police have forwarded her case with prosecutors on charges of endangering public safety.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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2026-09-03

Cluster of 11 acute hepatitis C infections linked to Banqiao clinic

A medical clinic in Banqiao has been linked to a hepatitis C cluster with 11 confirmed infections. Health authorities found that the clinic had violated nine basic medical procedures, which included storing used needles improperly and reusing them to draw medication. The clinic has been shut down and three doctors have been referred for disciplinary action. Health authorities are contacting 1,118 patients who got injections at the clinic between July last year and August this year. Let’s hear more.

Wang Mei-hua
New Taipei Department of Health
Based on the investigation and nucleic acid sequencing, we have determined that this incident is indeed an acute hepatitis C cluster originating at the clinic. We are working with the central government to investigate the source of the infection.

Ma Ching-ye
New Taipei Department of Health
The violations include leaving needles inserted in medicine vials, and reusing them to draw medication. The CDC found that the nucleic acid sequences had a similarity of between 99.7% and 100%.

Su Chih-sheng
Taiwan Adventist Hospital
After an acute infection, 80% of patients will get chronic inflammation, which may lead to liver cancer over the course of 30 years. Thanks to the new oral medicines available nowadays, more than 98% of patients can be treated successfully.

The cluster was discovered after two people in the same family were found to have contracted the disease. They had both previously gotten nutrient infusions at the clinic. Authorities expanded the investigation, and found a total of 11 confirmed cases of acute hepatitis C, all of whom had been administered injections at the clinic. Doctors insist they did not use the same needle on multiple patients. The CDC stressed that something as basic as poor hand hygiene could cause hepatitis C to spread.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#hepatitis #hepatitisc #infection #clinic #nutritious #iv #drip #infusion

2026-09-03

Military college students bring smiles to children with cancer

Thursday was Taiwan’s Armed Forces Day. To celebrate, students from the National Defense University’s Political Warfare College headed to Taipei’s Veterans General to visit children with cancer. Through music, dance and plenty of laughter, they brought positive energy and encouragement to the young patients as they continue their fight against the disease. Let’s hear more.

Huang Yu-hsuean
National Defense University’s Political Warfare College
I was a bit nervous at first, because I was afraid they would be very young. I was also concerned about them not feeling well. We knew we would have to be more patient and use simple gestures and movements. Even the quieter kids were smiling after we engaged with them. Hearing their laughs is the best reward for us.

Huang Chien-pei
National Defense University’s Political Warfare College
We hope that by coming here today and bringing music and dance, the kids we played with can feel happier. We wanted to give them some courage in their battle against disease.

Adorable mascots in military uniforms sang, danced and interacted with the children, who even got colorful balloons in different shapes. The college students visited went from room to room to visit the young patients in their wards, spreading much-needed cheer, and filling the hospital with the sound of laughter. Their joyful visit was a huge success, and a meaningful way to celebrate Armed Forces Day.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#armedforces #armedforcesday #cancer #childrenwithcancer #hospital #cheery #heartwarming

2026-09-03

SEMICON Taiwan opens with exhibitors from 60 countries

SEMICON Taiwan, the annual semiconductor expo, has officially kicked off, bringing together 4,300 exhibitors from 60 countries. At the opening ceremony, Premier Cho Jung-tai said Taiwan will do everything it can to support both domestic and international companies looking to set up facilities on the island, as Taiwan works with the world to build, quote "one high mountain after another." But one of the biggest attractions on the show floor wasn’t a microchip. It was the chance to suit up in an actual cleanroom outfit! The experience drew hundreds of people, who formed long lines just to get a taste of life inside a semiconductor fab. Let’s hear more.

Yang Ssu-min
FTV reporter
It took some time, but I’m finally ready. I’ve been wearing this cleanroom suit for only a short while, but already, it feels stuffy and hot. If you want to experience this yourself, you can have a go at this cleanroom replica at SEMICON Taiwan. There’s even a 15-second air shower.

Participant
Tried out the cleanroom
It’s so fun. I didn’t know what wearing a cleanroom suit would feel like. It’s so cool. I never tried anything like this before.

Worker
IC design firm
I don’t really have to wear it much designing ICs. I’ve only been wearing it for 5 minutes and I’m already drenched in sweat.

Up above, overhead crane systems zip back and forth, giving visitors a close-up look at a near-perfect recreation of a semiconductor fab, right on the exhibition floor. There are polishing pads used to smooth wafer surfaces, ASML’s cutting-edge EUV lithography equipment, and Gudeng Precision’s wafer carriers, designed to keep wafers well protected during transport. With semiconductor equipment and facility engineering solutions on full display, the expo is drawing the attention of industry experts and buyers from around the world.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#semicon #semiconductors #taiwan #tech #icdesign #circuit #chips #technology

2026-09-02

600+ leaders in business and gov’t attend Semicon Network Summit

With its triple theme of trust, resilience, and prosperity, the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ Semicon Network Summit has more than delivered, with over 600 leaders from governments and businesses attending the semi-conductor industry event. Terms like silicon photonics and cyber resilience might sound complicated to the general public, but economics minister Kung Ming-hsin explained that the government is trying to help Taiwan’s one million small and medium enterprises make the AI transition.##

SEMI, an international semi-conductor association based in Taiwan, and Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute teamed up to hold the 2026 Semicon Network Summit, which had over 600 business and government leaders, hailing from 38 countries. One of these leaders was Taiwan’s very own president, Lai Ching-te.

Lai Ching-te
President
Taiwan’s ability to manufacture the world’s most advanced chips is the result of us, in the last 10 years, valuing forming relationships with international partners that are based on trust. Going forward, we’ll continue to be a stable and reliable partner in the world’s technology industries.

Ajit Manocha
SEMI president
I don’t think any country in the world can say that “we did better than Taiwan.” There’s no doubt in anybody’s mind that Taiwan has played the most central role in advancing this industry.

The summit had four themed sessions, which were semi-conductor cooperation, the silicon photonics ecosystem, chip trends in the era of AI robotics, and cyber resilience.

President Lai awarded certificates from the Ministry of Economic Affairs that commended GlobalWafers CEO Doris Hsu and Micron Technology CEO Sanjay Mehrotra for their contributions to the world’s semi-conductor industry. In the midst of the AI era, in addition to deepening collaborative relationships with partners around the globe, the Taiwanese government is also seeking to help domestic small and medium-sized enterprises transition during this period of change.

Kung Ming-hsin
Minister of Economic Affairs
We hope that, in the shortest time frame possible, that we can help Taiwan’s one million small and medium-sized enterprises be able to utilize AI developments and applications. In a hypothetical situation where these companies are not able to incorporate AI into their operations, their opportunities for development, as well as the development of AI and the semi-conductor industry in Taiwan, will not be long-lasting.

By having collaboration involving companies, governments, schools, and research institutions, Taiwan anticipates it’ll be able to fully take advantage of AI-fueled growth so that, going forward, it will continue to play a critical role in the world’s semi-conductor industry.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#AI #semi-conductor #chips #Taipei #summit #robotics #transition

2026-09-02

Train passenger gets painful surprise after sitting on needle

For one passenger, a trip from Banqiao to Taipei on an evening train was a pain in the butt, literally. The man boarded a train on Tuesday evening, and probably felt lucky to find an empty seat to sit in after a long day. But as soon as he sat down, he felt a sharp pain. It turns out he had sat on a sewing needle. Let’s hear more.

Ma Sheng-chieh
FTV reporter
A train passenger plonked himself on a seat only to feel a sharp pain on his behind. It turns out he had just sat on a sewing needle. He immediately went to the hospital.

Member of public
Shocked by incident
Why was there a needle there? It’s so suspicious. If you saw such a thing you’d think twice before sitting the next time.

Member of public
Shocked by incident
You have to be careful. But it’s a freak accident. It’s not something that happens often. If you get pricked, you should see a doctor of course.

Chiang Kuan-yu
Taipei City Hospital
You’d get a tetanus shot at the ER, and then you might also get antibiotics to prevent pathogens that could cause sepsis.

A doctor says that the right thing to do is to seek immediate medical attention, and keep an eye on how the injury develops. Police are reviewing CCTV footage, to determine whether someone had tried to stitch up a prank, or whether it all unraveled in this way due to carelessness.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#train #needle #sewing #needlework #stitch #traintravel #taipei #banqiao

2026-09-02

Vendors serve giant prawns, healthy options to mix up holiday barbecue menu

Looking ahead to the Mid-Autumn Festival, one Changhua seafood vendor is selling enormous Thai tiger prawns weighing as much as 600 grams each, in addition to giant hand-sized Japanese oysters and other speciality ingredients. Not only that, but the Changhua District Fishermens’ Association added eel to its barbecue set for the first time, looking to offer its customers a lavish holiday spread.

As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, many people are looking forward to gathering around the grill with their loved ones. To spruce up the menu, a seafood vendor in Changhua is offering enormous Thai tiger prawns and Japanese oysters bigger than your hand.

Looking at this Thai prawn next to a standard shrimp, the difference is obvious—one prawn alone is easily bigger than a person’s hand.

Liu Chien-hsien
Seafood vendor
To get 600 grams of standard shrimp, you usually need 12 to 15 of them. But for these palm-sized prawns, just one alone is 600 grams.

Also larger-than-life are these oysters, sizzling enticingly on the grill with a mouthwatering burst of ocean flavor in each bite. Considering the health-conscious consumer, the vendor is also offering sous-vide chicken breasts to give a guilt-free grilling option.

Liu Chien-hsien
Seafood vendor
For more health-focused consumers, this year we’re also selling some other barbecue options. For example, this sous-vide chicken breast is high in protein without having excessive seasoning.

The Changhua District Fishers’ Association has also stepped in to capture holiday sales with its surf-and-turf barbecue set. In addition to squid skewers, white shrimp, and roe sausages, eel skewers have been included for the first time.

Member of public
Loving the eel
The eel is softer than the ones you get at typical banquet restaurants. It’s not too tough, and it seems a lot less bony.

The tender eel pleasantly surprised many shoppers. Seeing strong market demand and lower eel prices this year, the association decided to add the option to its barbecue set to expand its market reach.

Chen Wei-ku
Fishers’ association director
The set has eight items, including thick cuts of pork belly and milkfish. The entire box has a market value of NT$1,700, but we’re selling it for a special discounted price of NT$1,500.

Vendors are pulling out all the stops to offer unique barbecue options this year, hoping that their consumers can all enjoy a satisfying feast this Mid-Autumn Festival.

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

#MidAutumnFestival #barbecue #BBQ #seafood #prawns #Changhua #oyster

2026-09-02

Presidential Office to host educational event for kids

The Presidential Office is hosting the Kids Big Fun event on Sept. 19, with 10 zones each with a different theme stretching down Ketagalan Boulevard. There will even be a summit on climate change! At the event’s press conference, the deputy sports minister joined some kids for a game of boccia, while President Lai made an appearance via video.

Kids keep their eyes glued to the ball as it rolls across the floor. They were even joined in their boccia game by the deputy sports minister.

There’s a small farmers’ market across the hall, but only kids can go inside. The shopkeeper is none other than the Hakka Affairs Council minister, happy to join in the fun.

- Everyone is welcome to Ketagalan Boulevard and the Presidential Office. Come and enjoy yourselves!

President Lai made a special appearance via video, warmly inviting children to visit the Presidential Office. Children also voted on the Presidential Office employee they most wanted to interview, revealing the top five.

The 2026 Kids Big Fun event is scheduled for Sept. 19, including lots of educational activities and 10 themed zones inside the Presidential Office and along Ketagalan Boulevard. There will even be a climate change summit for kids.

Chen Ai-ling
Fubon Cultural and Education Foundation director
We hope that everyone, including adults, can give children more opportunities to express their opinions. Through opportunities to play, children can make more friends and gain more accurate knowledge. They should begin to feel responsible for their own environment and society.

The Presidential Office is taking on a playful atmosphere, giving children chances to learn about the environment, sports, and culture through fun, hands-on activities.

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

#KidsBigFun #kids #children #family #event #president #PresidentialOffice #sports #learning #education #climate #climatechange

2026-09-02

Huge 7m sinkhole appears on busy Kaohsiung street

A massive sinkhole suddenly opened up in Kaohsiung’s Nanzih District this afternoon, scaring passing motorists and pedestrians. Police were immediately called to the scene, where they placed traffic cones around the area to keep road users out of danger.

The sinkhole appeared in the middle of Qionglin 3rd Street. It measures more than 7m in diameter and is around 3m wide. With a depth of 1 to 2m, from a distance it looks like a bottomless pit. Authorities rushed to the scene to assess what caused the subsidence. They suspect the recent heavy rains may have washed away the soil underneath the road, causing the ground to cave in. People passing through the area are advised to be vigilant.

#sinkhole #kaohsiung #pit #rain #collapse

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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2026-09-02

Last two rescued rafters stop by memorial for dead firefighter

Two river rafters stranded in Nantou’s Zhuoshui River have finally been brought to safety. After their raft capsized in raging floodwaters last Sunday, the pair were trapped on a sandbar for four days. Rescuers battled dangerous weather and terrain to reach them, and in the process, a rescuer lost his life. This morning, as conditions finally improved, a helicopter swooped in and airlifted both men to safety. After finally making it out, the two men went straight to a memorial for the perished firefighter, where they met his grieving mother.

The two remaining stranded rafters have finally been rescued. They were lifted out by helicopter, to prevent any further tragedies. The two were conscious, able to move and with stable vitals. Still, they were sent to a hospital for a checkup.

One of the rescued rafters is Mr. Liu, who sobbed inconsolably while waiting for a doctor. A rescuer surnamed Wu died while trying to save him.

- I’m so sorry
- Will you consider the risks in the future?
- I might stop doing this sport altogether. Nothing I say will bring him back.

Mr. Liu was part of a group of five people who went rafting on the Zhuoshui River in Nantou on Aug. 30. Their raft capsized in the strong current. Two rafters made it to safety and one was rescued. But Mr. Liu and a fellow rafter surnamed Chen were left stranded on a sandy bank near Sunhai Bridge for four days, due to the bad weather. They were airlifted to safety on Wednesday, after drinking river water for days.

Mr. Liu
Stranded rafter
I heard they airdropped supplies to us four times. We looked hard for them. We wanted to survive.

The two stranded rafters wrote a message in the sand asking for help. Rescuers airdropped supplies, which the rafters were unable to find. Back in the city, they both stopped at the memorial for the deceased rescuer, Mr. Wu.

- Their rescue cost my son his life. Please tell everyone in the group to come.

Mr. Wu’s mother was all tears as she asked Mr. Liu and Mr. Chen to call over the other rescued rafters and pay respects to her son.

Mr. Chen
Rescued rafter
I’m so sorry that I was the reason you lost your life. I’m really sorry.

Mr. Liu
Rescued rafter
I’m devastated. You were such an amazing firefighter, and you sacrificed your life to save us.

Mr. Liu and Mr. Chen mourned the death of the firefighter and apologized to the mother of the man who gave up his life trying to rescue them.

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

#rafting #rafter #extremesports #river #nantou #taiwan #sports #outdoorsy

2026-09-02

TaiwanICDF brings student interns to Eswatini technical mission

For the first time in its 30-year history, TaiwanICDF has selected student ambassadors to visit Eswatini, Taiwan’s ally in Africa. The ambassadors interned at Taiwan’s technical mission to see how it supports local communities. Some local women, grateful that the mission helped increase their income, personally thanked the organization.

Hsieh Pei-fen, deputy secretary-general of TaiwanICDF, brings three student ambassadors to Eswatini to see how Taiwan’s technical mission there supports local aquaculture.

About 90% of Eswatini’s aquaculture products are imported. Taiwan’s mission introduced tilapia fry from Taiwan, helping develop the local industry.

Huang An-yu
Student ambassador
It wasn’t until this internship that I understood how Taiwan’s technical mission has expertise across so many areas, and how each field has its own specialization. It gave me a lot to consider about my future career path.

Tsai Wan-yin
Student ambassador
I was stunned by the scenery here. It’s so beautiful and the view is expansive. I feel like I naturally fully relax here. It doesn’t have the hectic feeling of the city.

Beyond working with the mission, the ambassadors helped at a free clinic, visited a local market, and tried on traditional Eswatini clothing.

Women who the mission supported even personally came to thank Hsieh.

Hsieh Pei-fen
TaiwanICDF Deputy Secretary-General
The close relationships between our technical mission, our local partners, the beneficiaries, and our government partners can’t really be captured on paper. Some of the women we’ve supported even came running up to say thank you and tell us how much more money they’re making.

Tsuei Ching-lin
Ambassador to Eswatini
Our government offices, technical mission, and all our volunteers work hard here on behalf of Taiwan. It’s simple: We want the whole world to see what Taiwan has to offer.

TaiwanICDF and the technical mission work hard in Eswatini, one of Taiwan’s few remaining diplomatic allies, showing the world what a great partner Taiwan can be.

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

#diplomacy #Africa #ambassador #student #intern #mission #ally #Eswatini #aquaculture

2026-09-02

Convenience store adds chocolate to traditional noodle dish

People online have been discussing adding chocolate to traditional Taiwanese fried bean sauce noodles, or zhajiang noodles, giving this savory dish a sweeter flavor. Convenience stores have capitalized on the trend, offering their own version of this sweet-and-savory dish. Let’s see how people are reacting to it.

These noodles from the convenience store have some spring onions and bean sprouts on the side, with fried bean sauce and a whole piece of chocolate in the middle. How would people rate this interesting combination?

Member of public
Likes the chocolate noodles
I’d give it a seven because the chocolate flavor isn’t so strong. It’s pretty good, quite refreshing.

Member of public
Thinks chocolate noodles are ok
Probably a five. I think it’s just ok. It was sweet at first. I couldn’t really taste the bean sauce.

The sweetness of the peanut and caramel balances the spiciness of the bean sauce, but people aren’t sure about it. Fried bean sauce noodles, or zhajiang炸醬 noodles, is a classic Taiwanese dish. Recently, an online trend of adding chocolate with peanut and caramel to it inspired a convenience store to offer the unusual combination.

Traditional Taiwanese fried bean sauce is made by stir-frying soybean paste with dried tofu and minced pork. The Korean version is made with a caramelized black bean paste and lots of onions, giving it a sweeter flavor. This new version combines the savory Taiwanese dish with the sweetness of peanut, caramel, and chocolate.

Member of public
Wouldn’t buy chocolate noodles
It’s kind of like sesame noodles, but there’s something like Ferrero Rocher mixed in. I think it’s just OK. I probably wouldn’t get it.

Some people have even suggested adding milk or more chocolate to make it richer. These unusual combinations add a little fun to the daily grind.

#noodles #friedbeansauce #zhajiangmian #conveniencestore #sweet #savory #creative #innovation

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

2026-09-02

Creative chefs use delicious pears to make all kinds of gourmet dishes

In Miaoli, farmers are cultivating a delicious variety of grafted pear with the brand name "Dahu Zun Pears." The yield this year was unaffected by the recent stormy weather and was up to 40% higher than last year in a bumper crop. Chefs are getting creative and are using the pears to make the likes of gourmet pork cutlets, Thai seafood salad, soups and tasty fruit smoothies. Miaoli County Commissioner Chung Tung-chin ate his fill, trying out all the dishes.

Miaoli County Commissioner Chung Tung-chin savors a Dahu Zun Pear feast, which includes Dahu Zun Pear cordon bleu pork cutlets, Thai seafood salad and pear and mango slushies for dessert. This prompted him to exclaim how delicious it was.

Chung Tung-chin
Miaoli County Commissioner
You have to try it yourself to know how delicious it is. It’s really crispy, with a great texture and delicate flesh. Best of all, the sweetness is just right, giving it a very refreshing taste.

Besides eating them as a fruit, a chef shares that these pears can also be used to make soup.

Yu Kuo-cheng
Chef
Stewing pears with white fungus is quite soothing for the throat in winter, and it’s also refreshing and thirst-quenching when eaten chilled in summer.

Dahu Zun Pears come in three varieties: Fengshui pear, Xinxing pear, and Ganlu pear. Currently, the Ganlu pear is in most demand during the harvest season, with the highest sweetness reaching around 13 or 14 degrees Brix.

Hsu Chih-heng
Pear farmer
The quality this year is quite good, and the sweetness is at an even higher level than last year. The yield is also much higher this year, probably by about 30% to 40% more.

Boxes of freshly harvested Ganlu pears are now on the market. This year’s pear harvest is bountiful, with each pear averaging over 500g, and some even reaching 1.5kg. Now is the perfect time to eat pears!

#Cookingwithpears #Taiwanpears #Dahuzunpears #Miaolicuisine #Miaolifoods

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

2026-09-02

Firefighter dies rescuing tourists who went rafting in stormy weather

A rafting trip in Nantou quickly turned into a fight against the current and later into a rescue mission that claimed a life. Five tourists were caught in a rafting accident on Nantou’s Zhuoshui River. Two managed to swim to shore while three were left stranded on the opposite bank. One of the three was rescued, but a second rescue operation took a deadly turn when the boat overturned, sending two firefighters into the current. One made it back to safety, but a 50-year-old firefighter surnamed Wu was swept away and died.

Rescuers battle the roaring current, wearing life jackets and helmets. After wading 800m upstream, they switch to an inflatable rescue boat.

We’re at the Zhuoshui River in Nantou, where a rafting accident was reported at 2 on Sunday afternoon. Of the five tourists who were onboard the capsized boat, two managed to swim ashore, and three were left stranded on the opposite river bank.

Voice of rescued victim
Was on capsized boat
Halfway through our trip, we reached the Kashe River, which was muddy and had a strong current. The two of us went to ask for help.

Fire and police rescuers conducted a two-day rescue operation. One person was rescued on the first attempt, but on the second attempt, two firefighters fell into the strong current after their vessel capsized. One was able to swim ashore, but another one, surnamed Wu, was swept away.

Lin Chih-hsin
Nantou Fire Department
We found Wu 700-800m upstream of the Shuanglong Bridge.

He was rushed to a hospital, but was pronounced dead after resuscitation efforts failed. He’s the first firefighter to die in the line of duty since the Nantou County Fire Department was established.

Liu Shyh-fang
Minister of the Interior
The president and the premier have expressed their deepest condolences to the family of the firefighter, Mr. Wu. As a token of our respect, we will create a fund to cover his children’s expenses until they graduate from university.

Hsu Shu-hua
Nantou County Commissioner
In extreme weather, you should consider all factors when going hiking or boating. It would be extremely regrettable if something were to happen to our rescuers.

Mr. Wu was a 50-year-old former military officer who later took an exam to transfer to the Fire Department. He was dispatched on many challenging missions, saving countless lives.

An autopsy was conducted at the funeral home on Tuesday morning. Two tourists remain stranded, but with the difficult terrain and weather conditions, their rescue remains challenging. Supplies have been airdropped so they have sustenance, and once the weather clears, the two may be rescued via helicopter.

#rescue #rafting #hero #firefighter #nantou #extremesports

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

2026-09-01

1,712mm of rainfall is highest monthly record since 1931

Kaohsiung has had a wet August. In fact, it was so rainy that 1931 was the last time Kaohsiung had this much rain in a single month. Starting Aug. 19, 13 days of wicked wet weather has made life difficult for both urban and rural areas, with trees and roadside slopes crashing down onto streets and new waterfalls being formed on mountains. Let’s see some of the footage.

In Kaohsiung, where rain is refusing to let up, this white car comes to a stop at the traffic light. The leaning roadside tree starts sagging even more, suddenly falling onto the car. The frightened scooter rider gets away from the tree, which didn’t injure the driver inside the car.

- How’d that happen? I thought something man-made had fallen down.

This close call happened a little after 6 am on Sept. 1 in Cianjhen District, at the intersection of Baotai Rd. and Gongzheng Rd. The falling tree incident did have two inanimate victims: in addition to the car that had stopped at the red light, a SUV parked on the roadside had its hood crushed by the tree trunk.

Chen Chin-hung
Kaohsiung Public Works Bureau
The constant rain during the last few days loosened the soil, which led to the tree toppling over.

Day after day of pouring rain created a fierce waterfall on Shoushan. Part of a slope bordering Highway 20 came crumbling down onto the pavement. In Jiaxian, on Sept. 1, starting at 9 in the morning, this road was closed until the completion of repair work, which took over an hour.

Torrential rain that started late at night soaked the hiking trail on Shoushan. From this angle, the water rushing down next to these steps looked like a surging stream.

Some of the drainage system is clogged, causing yellowish muddy water that makes the already wet pavement even more slippery.

People are wondering if the rainy weather is ever going to take a break. According to data from the Kaohsiung Weather Station, several monthly precipitation records were broken this August, such as there being 18 total days with rain, and starting on Aug. 19 there were 13 days of consecutive rain. In Augusts of the past, Kaohsiung averaged 450mm of precipitation, but the total figure for this year’s eighth month is almost quadruple the average. Annually, Kaohsiung receives 1,839mm of rainfall on average, meaning the 1,712mm in August is essentially enough rain for one year.

Tsai Tsung-hua
Kaohsiung Weather Station
The accumulated rain this August is the highest in a single month since 1931.

The total rain this August may rival annual averages, yet, unfortunately for Kaohsiung, September is here but the rain hasn’t gone away, so all people can do is hope that mother nature doesn’t produce another disaster.

#rain #Kaohsiung #fallingtree #wet #closecall #record #rainfall #ouch

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2026-09-01

48 live ducklings hatch from balut eggs at produce shop

Four little ducks went out one day. Out the produce store and into the city of Kaohsiung. The beloved nursery rhyme “Five Little Ducks” may be a little different than the live action version that happened in Kaohsiung during the most recent rainy stretch in the south, as a total of 48 ducklings hatched from balut eggs, likely due to humid, muggy air. Thankfully for the ducklings, the grocer and locals have fallen in love with the accident babies.

This video posted online by a greengrocer shows four ducklings making a run for it. But there’s no need to waddle away from this produce store, because the boss isn’t planning on turning them into duck stew. In addition to fruit and vegetables, the shop also sells balut eggs, a type of Southeast Asia street food staple in which the inside of a duck egg has a fertilized embryo. During the typhoon day on Aug. 24, the grocer went to check out his shop when he saw that the balut eggs had come alive.

Greengrocer
Surrogate father of ducklings
For the typhoon, we had two days off in a row. We came to the store the day before to check out, you know, everything that was inside. When we opened the door we were surrounded by ducks; that’s when I realized the eggs must’ve hatched.

This greengrocer in Kaohsiung’s Gangshan District had perfect conditions to hatch a big batch of ducklings: the stretch of rain created humidity that turned muggy thanks to the building’s metal structure. The result was ducklings popping out of balut eggs.

- Another one has hatched

The grocer is a man of many hats: on top of being a delivery nurse, he’s also babysitting a great group of ducklings that are a result of a beautiful accident.

Greengrocer
Surrogate father of ducklings
It might be because of the egg producers, who didn’t do a good job of stopping the embryos’ development, which led to them continuing to grow inside the shells. In general, we sell most of our balut eggs to Vietnamese customers. The eggs are a traditional delicacy over in Vietnam.

Due to the grocer’s caring heart, these little ducklings are growing up quickly. But finding future homes for 48 of them was no easy task, which is why he turned to the internet to find adoptive parents.

Greengrocer
Surrogate father of ducklings
Many people have come just to see the ducks. The last few days whenever I pick up the phone, it’s because people are calling to ask if the ducks are still here. This is why I’m thoroughly vetting the future owners before I let them adopt one.

Except for two, which will remain at the shop, all the other accidental hatchlings have found their forever homes. The grocer hopes these miraculous ducklings can continue to have good luck, growing up to live long healthy lives.

#oops #ducklings #accidentbabies #baluteggs #adoption

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Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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2026-09-01

Exercising pays off more than ever with free tea eggs and healthy snacks

You can now get tea eggs for getting your sweat on in Taiwan. The Ministry of Sports has kicked off a program that rewards people for doing exercise. All it takes is registering online, and completing weekly tasks that give you NT$50 towards buying healthy snacks at convenience stores. Sports activities that count include clocking in 8,000 steps in one day, or exercising for 30 minutes. The program lasts 14 weeks, so there’s a total of NT$700 up for grabs. Let’s hear more.

Tang Shih-ching
FTV reporter
For some people, exercising feels like torture. But now, it’s another way to get a treat. Complete your weekly tasks, and get cash to indulge in a healthy snack like tea eggs or milk.

Office worker
Wants to exercise
If there’s no incentive, or you don’t have a goal, you’ll just be like “Meh, whatever, I’ll skip the gym today.” So you still need a little motivation.

Local
Exercises already
It’s great. It’s better than nothing, anyway. Of course it’s great that they launched a program like this.

Nini Jeng
E-commerce platform spokesperson
Fitness and exercise is trending, judging from the sales we see in sports-related products, and especially for home workout equipment. Dumbbells, yoga mats, foldable treadmills and steppers have become really popular recently.

A fitness craze is taking over Taiwan, and it could really work out for your wallet. An e-commerce platform is running with it, offering discounts of up to NT$999 on sports equipment. Convenience stores have launched offers in tandem with the government. At Hi-Life, smoothies costing NT$79 and chicken breasts priced at NT$59 can be redeemed without any additional payment. 7-Eleven is also chipping in, adding NT$5 to the government’s NT$50 gift. Meanwhile, FamilyMart is stretching the NT$50 by 6% for a grand total of NT$53.

#exercise #fitness #healthy #wellbeing #conveniencestore #conbini #familymart #7eleven #konbini

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2026-09-01

Three students travel to St Lucia as TaiwanICDF ambassadors

TaiwanICDF is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. To celebrate, the aid organization for the first time is hosting an open selection to bring student ambassadors to Taiwan’s allied nations. Recently, three college students visited St Lucia to observe firsthand Taiwan’s collaborative projects in the Caribbean nation. These projects greatly benefit agriculture, women’s empowerment, education, and public heath, for instance by boosting local vegetable yields by an expected 25% by the end of the year. FTV got to hear directly from the students about their experience.

Halfway across the world here in the Caribbean nation of St Lucia, you can see Taiwan’s flag painted along the street.

Kung Chung-yi
FTV reporter
Nearly 16,000 kilometers away, St Lucia is home to hardworking diplomats as well as nongovernmental personnel from TaiwanICDF, extending Taiwan’s presence here in the Caribbean.

This Mandarin teacher has a close relationship with his students, who were happy to receive some small gifts from across the sea. After 30 years, TaiwanICDF programs have expanded to encompass fields such as agriculture, women’s empowerment, education, and public health.

Nicole Su
Ambassador to St Lucia
Every project delves deep into the local community. Whether in agriculture, ICT, public health, community development, or education, they all involve close interaction with residents. I believe people-to-people exchanges are an important element to further strengthening our bilateral relationship.

Joining on the frontlines this time were a few more young faces. For the first time, TaiwanICDF hosted a special internship to celebrate its 30th anniversary, bringing students along on a five-day trip to the Caribbean ally.

Yu Ting-hsuan
Student ambassador
Through our perspective as young people, we can personally experience what it’s like here in St Lucia and hopefully bring the beauty of this allied nation back with us to share with young people in Taiwan.

Lin Yi-chun
Student ambassador
What impressed me most was their technology center here. It helps reduce travel costs for people by letting them go there to use the computers.

Hsu Hua-chen
Student ambassador
My favorite part was the visit to the embassy. Since it’s my first time in St Lucia, having our local ambassador greet us in person made me really happy.

Taiwan’s technology and talent have a strong presence in its allied nations. From agriculture and healthcare to education, Taiwan continues to help its allies enact meaningful change through long-term cooperation.

#TaiwanICDF #StLucia #allies #studentambassador #diplomacy #Caribbean #internationalaid #youthdiplomacy

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2026-09-01

Key visual for Taiwan’s National Day unveiled

Taiwan’s National Day on Oct. 10 is right around the corner. And this year’s key visual has been unveiled.

Like last year, it features the three colors of the national flag: white, blue and red. The colored squares come together to form two big characters representing the Double Ten. At the bottom, the Mandarin reads “Happy Birthday, ROC,” while the English text says “Taiwan. Together as one.” Organizers say this year’s show will feature disaster prevention professionals, to raise awareness on the matter. If you want to attend the main event, you can apply for a chance at being one of the 500 lucky participants that will be randomly chosen to join in.

#nationalday #doubleten #taiwan #roc #birthday #visual

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2026-09-01