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KMT caucus whip Fu Kun-chi has missed 5 straight budget meetings

The government’s general budget was supposed to be approved at the end of last year, but now, eight months later, this year’s budget has yet to be approved. This explains why many, including Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu, are pointing the finger of blame at KMT caucus whip Fu Kun-chi, who has missed five budget negotiation meetings in a row. During a recent verbal outburst, Speaker Han, who belongs to the KMT, called out Fu for his poor attendance record. Fu responded by calling on the KMT to remain united, yet this could become increasingly difficult with the election just a few months away.

KMT caucus whip Fu Kun-chi is being pursued by reporters, who want to know why he has missed 5 consecutive budget negotiations. Even Legislative Yuan Speaker Han Kuo-yu, also of the KMT, has had enough of Fu’s poor attendance record.

Han Kuo-yu (Aug. 11)
Legislative Speaker
What do your Legislative Yuan Speaker, and your party caucus, even mean to you? Just go ahead and resign as caucus whip; wouldn’t that make things a bit easier for you?

On top of regularly missing budget negotiation sessions, Fu also did not authorize Caucus Secretary-General Jonathan Lin to make decisions on his behalf.

Han Kuo-yu (Aug. 11)
Legislative Speaker
Mr. Jonathan Lin, you have the very important position of KMT Caucus Secretary-General. Yet when it comes to meetings, your party’s caucus whip misses meeting after meeting; meanwhile you’re being very responsible by delivering reports. But does your signature, your consent, have any validity?

Jonathan Lin (Aug. 11)
KMT Caucus Secretary-General
If our caucus whip doesn’t sign his name, then my signature still cannot represent the will of the party caucus.

Han Kuo-yu (Aug. 11)
Legislative Speaker
Is your caucus whip playing Mahjong as we speak? If Mr. Fu’s using his right hand to hold the tiles, then can he use his left to sign his name, yes or no? The state of the Legislative Yuan is getting worse. It’s awful! Doing everything remotely! To you, how important are your Legislative Yuan Speaker and party caucus? This is ridiculous! You’re playing around with us like monkeys at a circus, am I right or not? The Legislative Yuan is being controlled by dark forces.

The Legislative Speaker calling out his party’s biggest leader, the caucus whip, got the attention of leaders on both sides of the political aisle.

Tsai Chi-chang
DPP caucus whip
When the Legislative Yuan Speaker calls for a negotiation, the process might take a few hours. But, in the end, when a caucus party whip doesn’t come, it makes these 2 to 3 hours, or 3 to 4 hours, a waste of time, because he didn’t attend and he didn’t authorize someone to act on his behalf. Isn’t this communicating that those in attendance are a bunch of fools? This, actually, has already happened many times, so the Legislative Speaker has likely gotten to the point where he thinks it’d be more enjoyable to be the KMT’s caucus whip than being the Speaker.

Fu Kun-chi
KMT caucus whip
It’s said “if the family lives in harmony, all affairs will prosper” and “silence speaks louder than words.” Speaker Han thank you for all your hard work; the KMT must remain united.

Fu sent out a long statement pushing the blame onto the DPP. He accused the Executive Yuan’s persistent unwillingness to pass the third reading of the bill as being the reason for the budget being postponed.

Weng Hsiao-ling
Lawmaker (KMT)
Providing checks and balances to the branches of government is our most important duty. I anticipate that Speaker Han will defend the dignity of the Legislative Yuan by giving more formal and stern warnings to the Executive Yuan and President Lai Ching-te.

Fan Yun
DPP Caucus Secretary-General
The KMT is always putting the cart before the horse, which everyone around the nation has clearly seen. One of the Legislative Yuan’s most important powers is to investigate the budget, not helping the Executive Yuan to compile the budget.

The ruling party has called on the opposition party to not shirk their responsibility, and the Executive Yuan has thanked Han Kuo-yu for holding budget negotiations. Yet with this year’s budget being delayed for nearly a year by this point, and with next year’s budget to be sent to the Legislative Yuan next week, people and politicians are hoping this year’s budget won’t become next year’s budget.

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

#KMT #caucuswhip #HanKuo-yu #infighting #budget #whiplash

Time：2026-08-12

最新消息 Latest News

Oil spill deathtrap causes 7 scooter crashes in just 1 hour

As if Taiwan’s roads weren’t dangerous enough already, an oil spill at a busy Taipei intersection made things worse on Tuesday evening. Seven scooters took a spill on the slippery surface within just one hour, at the intersection of Chengde and Zhongzheng Road in Shilin. Let’s hear more.

Lu Chao-ting
Police officer
Seven scooter riders were injured after their scooters slipped and came crashing to the ground. We’re reviewing security camera footage to determine the origin of the oil spill.

Chang Ching-han
FTV reporter
Traffic is very heavy at the intersection, even though it’s not rush hour right now. That’s why the oil spill caused seven scooter crashes in less than an hour.

Fortunately, the scooter riders only sustained minor abrasions, and none were in life-threatening condition. As for the oil leak, police are reviewing surveillance footage to identify the responsible driver, who could face a fine between NT$3,000 and NT$18,000. Given how busy that intersection is, it was fortunate that none of the victims ended up under another vehicle, or the crashes could have ended much worse.

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

#taipei #oil #slippery #messy #mess #taiwannews

2026-08-12

Yuck! Freeloaders put half-eaten beef sushi back on sample tray

Picky eaters left a sushi chef heartbroken, after they helped themselves to sushi samples, and then put their half-eaten sushi pieces back on the tray. The incident happened at a Japanese food festival at a shopping center in Taoyuan. The sushi vendor was so distraught by what he saw, that he shared the story online. Netizens could not believe the entitlement, and condemned the inconsiderate freeloaders.

A generous slice of beef covers the ball of vinegar rice below. Kissed with a torch and garnished with spring onions… Simply mouthwatering!

A shopping center in Taoyuan is celebrating Japanese cuisine with more than 30 brands and about a dozen chefs cooking up fresh food. Surely nobody would spoil the party, right?

Chen Yen-lin
FTV reporter
A participating shop serving up free torched beef sushi samples was assailed by a picky diner who did not seem to like rice.

Chef
Beef sushi stand
Just think of all the people who have nothing to eat. But this customer just placed all of the rice back. So unhygienic! He didn’t bother to put it to the side. He just put it back on the sample tray! It’s unsanitary and such a waste.

Let’s check the facts. This is what the sample tray looked like, with one dish containing just rice and no beef. The stand operator posted the photo online, saying “My heart was truly broken seeing the tray looking like this… Someone ate the torched beef on top. If it hadn’t been for another customer who pointed it out to us... Not in our wildest dreams would we have imagined something like this would happen.” The rice, made with love, was discarded without a second thought, leaving the inconsolable vendor lost for words. Sadly, it didn’t just happen once.

Voice of Tseng Yi-ching
Sushi shop operator
We were very worried about hygiene. After all, it’s the leftovers someone ate. We don’t know if they are sick, or if they have something you could catch. Several people did the same thing.

Member of public
Would eat whole thing
I would eat the whole thing. If not, then don’t take it. Don’t waste food.

Member of public
Would confront perpetrator
Who would even eat the leftovers when someone already ate half of it? I would’ve called them out. So inconsiderate!

People at the event were indignant at the incident. But the sushi vendor has come up with a solution so that only those who truly treasure food can get a bite. Until Aug. 19, the beef sushi samples will still be free, but they won’t be put on a platter for anyone to grab and go. Instead, staff will hand them out one by one so food wasters back off.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#sushi #beef #japanese #food #sample #inconsiderate #classlesss #mindyourmanners

2026-08-12

Cleaner finds bag stuffed with NT$1 million cash in HSR toilet

Did you lose a bag with NT$1 million on the high speed rail? That was the question everyone was asking at the central standing committee meeting the DPP held in Kaohsiung on Wednesday. A bag full of cash was discovered by cleaning staff inside the restroom of a train that arrived in Kaohsiung at 9:20 p.m. on Monday. Rumors are swirling that the cash belongs to a politician from Southern Taiwan.

The politician allegedly inquired about the money after it went missing, but so far, nobody has actually claimed it. For now, the NT$1 million has been put in a safe. If nobody goes to pick it up within a year, it will become property of the Taiwan High Speed Rail.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#lost #lostandfound #money #cash #traintravel #oops

2026-08-12

Invasive giant snakehead fish eats own kind at Sun Moon Lake

The hot summer months are breeding season for giant snakeheads, an invasive fish in Sun Moon Lake. One fisherman was surprised to discover that larger giant snakeheads were attacking and eating smaller ones. But like the proverbial snake trying to swallow an elephant, the larger fish were unable to eat the smaller ones whole and ended up choking to death.

This school of fish moving beneath the water’s surface are giant snakehead fry. When a fisher scooped up an entire group, he was stunned to discover that some of the larger ones had eaten the smaller ones.

- Lots of the big ones ate the smaller ones. But look, they choked to death.

Mr. Lee
Fisherman
I caught a school of fry and put them in a bucket, then about an hour later I discovered something strange. The bigger fish, ones about 15 centimeters long, had eaten smaller ones that were 6 or 7 centimeters. But they couldn’t spit it out or swallow it, so they choked to death.

The fish are still juveniles themselves at only 15 centimeters, but they still attack and eat the smaller fry, even though it’s deadly to them.

Mr. Lee
Fisherman
Species like the giant snakehead are so aggressive that they don’t even spare their own kind. If they’re left to grow up in Sun Moon Lake, the harm they’ll cause our native fish is unimaginable.

Giant snakeheads have even attacked groupers, which weigh several kilograms, leaving behind only the fish’s head. Pearl grouper, giant snakeheads, and red devil cichlids are three invasive species considered major threats to Sun Moon Lake’s ecosystem.

- This was such a big pearl grouper.
- It wasn’t released, it’s wild.
- It’s wild, from Sun Moon Lake.

The giant snakehead is a highly aggressive, invasive species that poses a serious threat to the ecosystem. During their breeding season, fishers try to remove the fry using electric fishing equipment to help protect Sun Moon Lake.

#SunMoonLake #giantsnakehead #fish #invasivespecies #ecosystem #conservation #threat

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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2026-08-12

Temple makes unprecedented change to ceremony due to drills

A temple in Keelung has been forced to make changes to a traditional Ghost Month ceremony due to Taiwan’s military exercises. This Thursday is the first day of the Seventh Month of the Chinese calendar, which this year coincides with the urban resilience drills in Northern Taiwan. Every year, the Laoda Gong Temple attracts large crowds of worshippers to attend a ceremony leading up to the opening of its shrine doors at 2 p.m. But since the military drills will require everyone to clear the streets starting at 2:30, the temple will, for the first time, hold the ceremony 10 minutes earlier. Let’s hear more.

Hsu Kuo-chun
Keelung Laoda Gong Temple
The air raid drill is scheduled to last from 2:30 to 3:00 in the afternoon. Our ritual requires that the shrine door be opened before 2:00. So, we’ll start the worship ceremony 10 minutes earlier. The whole event will start at 1:25 so that the door can be opened before 2:00.

Cheng Ting-ching
Keelung Culture Official
After the ceremony is over, people will still have 20 to 25 minutes to clear the venue. If they don’t make it out in time, they’ll have to wait the drill out, sheltering at the temple.

In Taiwan, the start of the Ghost Month marks the opening of the gates of hell, allowing wandering spirits to roam the human realm for a month. At the Laoda Gong temple, the annual shrine-opening ceremony represents the symbolic opening of the gates, receiving the spirits with offerings of incense. The ceremony has been held without fail every year, even during typhoons, so this year’s early start marks an unprecedented change.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#ghostmonth #ghost #taiwan #temple #religion #keelung #culture #religion

2026-08-12

PX Mart gets clicks and comments for AI video depicting ghosts

AI videos of people? Nothing new. But AI videos of immortal spirits in a Ghost Month commercial for a supermarket chain? Well, for PX Mart it was an original concept that involved a team of real people and nearly 40 actors. While many praised the commercial for its creative use of AI, others criticized it. Some said the video looked uncanny and artificial, with others believing the video combines elements of Ghost Month and Tomb Sweeping Day, which took place four months ago.

- In Taiwanese, train sounds like “heading home.”
Click-clack, click-clack.
We’re off, we’re off.

These ghostly spirits are starting out on an arduous journey that mere mortals cannot see with their eyes, yet a PX Mart commercial that incorporates AI has brought life to what was once invisible.

- All of our stories
happen here

Traveling by paper planes, sitting on flying wheelchairs, and riding dolphins, this commercial, with its virtual world and comforting narration, has “heading home” as its theme. Yet many netizens feel that the video is mixing elements of Ghost Month and Tomb Sweeping Day.

Liu Hung-cheng
PX Mart Marketing Dept.
We often talk positively about ghosts, about how some ghosts have no home to return to because they don’t have living descendants to pray for them. But because, in general, Taiwanese, like Buddhists with their incredibly kind hearts, pray for these ghosts, which has turned Taiwan into an island of joy. So, we felt like we could use this way of thinking to help these spirits return to this land, just like as if they were to return home.

The company responsible for making the video used a lot of Generative AI techniques as well as AI visual effects, causing both praise and criticism from the general public. The creative director posted videos on social media that showed the filming process; the post also stated that the project, including the script, was the work of a team of real people and that the actors are real people.

Liu Hung-cheng
PX Mart Marketing Dept.
In terms of the production process, in total we hired around 36 actors, who, with green screen technology, were filmed doing normal scenes, so the make-up, the characters themselves, and even the costumes, it was all real people being filmed. Production costs exceeded NT$4 million, so the video isn’t something that could be done with a typical video production budget.

Starting Aug. 13 and ending Sept. 10 this year, the Ghost Festival is here once again, but some prefer their uncanny experiences to be free from AI.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#AI #PXMart #ghosts #spirits #realpeople

2026-08-12

Sun Moon Lake is cultivating ride leaders to lead cycling tours

Cycling around Sun Moon Lake in Central Taiwan is always a joy. Now, to enhance cyclists’ experience, the Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration is training ride leaders to act as tour guides for groups rides. They will lead tourists cycling on five different scenic routes to help give them an appreciation of the natural beauty and indigenous cultures of Sun Moon Lake. Let’s find out more.

Cycling under the shade of trees with the beautiful scenery of Sun Moon Lake next to you is pure bliss. But do you really know the safest way to cycle?

- If you press the front brake with your right hand, it will tumble and flip over.

If you don’t brake properly, you’ll fall off and get injured. And what you might easily overlook is that getting on and off the bike also requires skill.

- When you need to dismountwhen riding, stand up as if you’re walking upstairs, slow down and dismount slowly.

They are not just cyclists; they will be ride leaders—guides trained by the Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration to help fellow riders complete the course safely!

Chu Ying-chang
Sun Moon Lake ride leader coach
While ensuring safety, making participants feel respected and having a pleasant experience, we also want to help our local area by promoting tourism industries.

In addition, the ride leaders will also guide tourists to have a deeper understanding of the natural landscape, share local stories and showcase the tourist attractions of Sun Moon Lake.

Trainee
Sun Moon Lake ride leader training program
This training for ride leaders will equip us with some specialized safety and technical knowledge, so we can provide tourists with a better travel experience.

The Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration will launch bicycle tours guided by these ride leaders. They will take tourists to explore beautiful scenery along five routes. Through these professional ride leaders, tourists can discover hidden gems of Sun Moon Lake and savor them in detail.

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

#Taiwancycling #Taiwantourism #Sunmoonlake #Nantou #centralTaiwan #Taiwanscenery

2026-08-12

Driver in Changhua nearly hits goat crossing the road

A car salesperson was driving through Yongjing Township in Changhua County when a goat suddenly crossed the road, forcing her to slam on the brakes. She later posted online, saying the goat nearly caused an accident. It turns out someone close by raises goats, but they’re only let out of their enclosure to graze occasionally. One goat apparently took the opportunity to wander onto the road.

A driver crosses an intersection when a figure suddenly appears on the left side of the road, forcing them to slow down and move to the side. This goat nearly caused an accident, but thankfully, the driver noticed it and avoided disaster.

- Some might wander onto the road.
- Are you scared?
- No, I just worry it would get hit by a car.

Locals are used to seeing goats here in Changhua County’s Yongjing Township, but they might be endangered by passing vehicles. This particular goat came from a small farm nearby that raises chickens as well—a normal part of rural life in Changhua.

- Do you worry that they’ll go onto the road?
- Is it a big problem?
- Yeah, that’s why I keep them in there, because they tend to go to the road.

The owner usually keeps the goats fenced in so they stay off the road. But when they were out grazing, one wandered off and nearly caused an accident.

Hsiao Liao-shun
Police officer
The goat is believed to belong to a nearby resident and had escaped its enclosure, running along the Jiufen Road section in Yongjing Township and nearly colliding with a passing vehicle.

Police warned that owners who allow animals to roam on the road can be fined NT$300 to NT$600 and may face criminal liability if the animal causes an accident, urging people to properly care for their animals.

#goat #Changhua #animalcrossing #road #roadsafety #farm #fence

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

2026-08-12

Kaohsiung vendor sells football-sized rice balls

There’s a food stand near Fongsi Elementary School in Kaohsiung that sells traditional rice balls so huge they’ve sure to leave you in a food coma. The owner doesn’t skimp on the fillings at all, with one rice ball easily enough for two people to consume. People online have resorted to hyperbole to describe them, saying they’re as big as an American football.

Steaming white rice is spread out flat and covered with a generous handful of fish flakes before adding egg, pickled vegetables, an entire fried dough stick, and even a hot dog. It’s no small effort to roll it all up.

This stand near Fongsi Elementary in Kaohsiung sells rice balls in three sizes, the largest of which is longer than 20cm. Due to its massive size, people online have taken to calling it a “football fantuan.”

- I’ve been coming here about seven years. The large one’s about this big. The size of a football. Even if you take all day, you can’t finish it.

- I’ve been coming here a few years. They used to be on the other side and moved over here.
- What’s the longest you’ve had to wait?
- A little over an hour.

- It’s huge. Just looking at it makes me feel full. A guy would probably be full after finishing it.
- What about a girl?
- Probably would take two people.

The stand opens at 7am and usually sells out by 9 with the line never getting any shorter. The owner, who took the business over from his parents, said they’ve been selling for over 20 years. Since appetites vary, they offer three different sizes.

Owner
Rice ball stand
We’ve been in business 25 or 26 years. Since the prices vary, the more expensive ones are naturally a bit bigger.

These massive rice balls are so big that even a full-grown man has trouble holding it in one hand. A solid cohort of regulars keeps the stand in business, along with new customers who’ve heard about the generous portions. Thanks to the insane value for the money, long lines in front of this small stand have become a regular sight in Fengshan.

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

#riceball #foodcoma #Kaohsiung #streetfood #Taiwanesebreakfast #fantuan #hugeportions

2026-08-12

2 Chinese men in custody after crossing Taiwan Strait in dinghy

Two Chinese nationals have been taken into custody after allegedly crossing the Taiwan Strait in a rubber dinghy and illegally entering Taiwan. The incident dates back to July 24, when a member of the public discovered the dinghy near the northern breakwater of Taipei Port in New Taipei’s Bali District. Inside were two cans of gasoline and numerous items bearing simplified Chinese characters. The two men were arrested six days later, on July 30. They claimed they had gotten lost at sea while fishing, but authorities were not convinced. Their arrival just days before the start of Taiwan’s Han Kuang military exercises has raised concerns over how they managed to make the crossing undetected. Let’s hear more.

Ma Sheng-chieh
FTV reporter
The two Chinese nationals set off from Fujian Province in China and traveled to Taipei Port on a rubber dinghy. They say they got lost at sea, but it’s not looking like a likely story.

Huang Cheng-wei
Coast Guard Administration
The two Chinese nationals suspected of entering Taiwan illegally have been detained on court orders. The case has been referred to prosecutors for investigation.

Su Tzu-yun
Institute for National Defense and Security Research
It could be that China is conducting a test. When they time comes, they could send special forces this way to carry out infiltration operations and sabotage.

Voice of Shen Ming-shih
Institute for National Defense and Security Research
We should consider the incident from the angle of national security. There is a possibility that China could try to gather intelligence regarding specific exercises and targets during the Han Kuang exercises. I think that possibility is increasingly likely.

The pair were Mr. Luan aged 35, and Mr. Yu aged 44. They said that they had gotten lost out at sea after setting off on a fishing trip from Fujian Province across the strait. After arriving at Taipei Port, they made their way to Taoyuan’s Chaoyang朝陽 Forest Park, where they lived and slept until their arrest on July 30. When they were caught, they were carrying cash in New Taiwan dollars, suggesting they may have set off from China with the intention of arriving in Taiwan.

#taiwan #illegalmigration #china #taiwanstrait #infiltration #taipei #newtaipei #taoyuan

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

2026-08-11

Taoyuan airport imposes new rules, with fines up to NT$25,000

If you’re planning an overseas summer vacation, take note. Since August, new rules have been in effect at the international airport in Taoyuan. Any motorist parked or loitering in the drop off/pick up zone for more than three minutes will be fined up to NT$1,200. Furthermore, placing standing signs, suitcases or other clutter in the arrival hall blocking traffic is also now prohibited. Fines for these violations stretch up to NT$25,000. Let’s find out more.

Outside the airport terminal’s pick-up and drop-off zone, a long line of cars is waiting. Every vehicle is picking up or dropping off passengers—some are loading luggage into trunks, while others are squeezing into the back seat with their bags. But be aware that the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport’s smart enforcement cameras are now officially active, so you’d better be quick. If you stop for more than three minutes and get caught on camera, it will be considered a violation and you’ll be fined.

Airport taxi operator
Thinks fine system is reasonable
Three minutes is about right. As long as they book in advance and are waiting for cars, it’s fine. As professionals, we know that we only arrive after the customer has made a booking and comes outside. But many ordinary people don’t know this and will be waiting there early.

Macau tourist
Thinks fine system is reasonable
My timing will be calculated well, and I won’t be waiting there for that long, so I actually think it’s okay.

Whether three minutes is enough is a matter of opinion. As for violations, fines of up to NT$1,200 can be imposed according to the traffic management act.

In addition to fines for motorists that stop for too long to pick up or drop off passengers, the airport has also tightened regulations surrounding people meeting passengers inside the terminals. They are not allowed to use standing signs or put down suitcases or other clutter when they meet passengers. Violators can be fined up to NT$25,000.

Hotel airport transfer provider
Commenting on the new system
Previously, our hotel had a front desk—meaning we had a dedicated lounge area. So when we did airport pickups, after meeting guests here, we would all head over there. But later on, because of the pandemic, the airport terminal stopped renting those spaces to us. That’s what led to the current situation being a bit more chaotic.

This veteran airport pick-up operator says that they used to have dedicated arrival counters for tourists to find for themselves, but these were removed due to the pandemic, leading to the current chaotic situation. He’s hoping the authorities won’t just rely on fines, but will implement better planning to solve the root of the problem.

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

2026-08-11

Taipei Main Station to lose beloved checkered flooring

An iconic piece of Taipei Main Station is about to disappear, according to the renovation plans of its new operator, Shin Kong Mitsukoshi.

The most shocking redesign will take place in the main lobby, where the famous black-and-white checkerboard flooring will be completely removed. A 600-inch LED screen will be installed on one of the walls, to display scenes of Taiwan’s landscape and culture to travelers. It will also play sporting events when they happen, so that everyone can cheer on for Team Taiwan indoors. The first phase of the revamp will add sensors to the public toilets for better management. In addition, an escalator is being planned to connect the Basement level directly with the second floor. All in all the revamp will take 2 years and 8 months.

#taipei #taipeimainstation #trainstation #iconic #checkers #urbanism #gathering

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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2026-08-11

Education crisis deepens as teachers face mounting pressure

The hit Korean drama Teach You a Lesson has sparked discussion about issues within the South Korean school system, such as bullying, overbearing parents, and a decline in faculty authority. Similar issues exist in Taiwan, with an FTV investigation finding that 65 teachers died by suicide from 2020 to 2024. Teachers say workloads are heavy and that school affairs committees have become a tool for unreasonable complaints by students and parents.

Former students fill a funeral hall to bid farewell to their beloved teacher. Back in May, a Kaohsiung elementary-school teacher fell to his death on campus, shocking the community.

Huang Hsiang-hsien
Teachers’ union acting chair
There were two classes that were impossible to manage.

The teacher had taught for 33 years, dedicating his life to education and inspiring countless students. But it seems he was under immense pressure due to issues with discipline in his classes.

Lee Ya-wen
Kaohsiung Teachers’ Union chair
All the teachers at this school face enormous pressure when it comes to disciplining students, because parents make unreasonable complaints all the time. When parents get angry, they don’t just report the homeroom teacher, they also report the student affairs director involved in handling the case.

Teachers not only have to deal with students and parents who file complaints at the slightest issue, but the school affairs committee has also become a tool for students and parents to repeatedly report teachers.

Hsieh Ssu-hua
Middle-school teacher
I just asked him if he wasn’t practicing math as much, and even though this was just to better understand him, it made his father very angry. His father said my question would destroy the child’s life. Then a committee member told me that I had been reported so many times that if not even one was substantiated, parents would feel the committee was siding with the teachers.

Lee Ya-wen
Kaohsiung Teachers’ Union chair
The school affairs committee is being abused. It’s become a haven for unreasonable complaints. If I wanted to target a teacher, even without evidence or facts, I could use AI to make up a story and file a complaint against them, and they would still be investigated.

More and more teachers are getting fed up with the education system and choosing to leave. Taiwan is now facing a shortage of teachers, and its education system is in danger of collapsing. How to solve this issue remains a major challenge.

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

#education #teacher #teacherrights #Taiwan #Korea #TeachYouaLesson #complaints #stress #pressure #teachershortage

2026-08-11

Police officer saves life of man who collapsed at red light

A police officer was at the right place at the right time to save a life in a recent incident in Taipei. A scooter rider that had been waiting a red light collapsed to the ground, apparently due to a medical problem. He lost his breathing and his pulse.

Fortunately for him, officer Wang from the Xiyuan Police Station was directing traffic at the intersection. She immediately called 119, and began performing CPR on the man, until paramedics arrived at the scene. The man was rushed to the hospital, where he regained his vital signs and his condition stabilized.

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

#police #cpr #medical #traffic #warden

2026-08-11

Hualien and MIT REAP forum puts county on international innovation map

From agriculture to cutting-edge technology, Hualien is looking to put itself on the global innovation map. A new two-day forum backed by the Hualien County Government and MIT’s Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program is bringing together local industries, universities, research institutions and startups, with the goal of turning the county’s agricultural strengths into new business opportunities. The initiative covers everything from AI-powered healthcare to life sciences, as Hualien looks to build a homegrown innovation ecosystem and connect local ideas with international markets.

An array of crystal clear display bottles showcase a wide range of agricultural materials, including rice husk charcoal, mineral phosphorous and dark granular fertilizer. This is the Hualien REAP Forum, hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program under the guidance of the Hualien County Government. The forum kicked off on Monday at the Parkview Hotel in Hualien.

Hsu Chen-wei
Hualien County Commissioner
With agriculture as our starting point, we’re driving innovation, to a wellbeing economy and a whole ecosystem that puts Hualien on the world map for startups.

The forum integrated methodology from the MIT REAP, bringing together resources from local industry, government, academia and research to create a support system that nurtures innovation and growth-oriented businesses in Hualien. Covering topics such as AI-powered healthcare and innovative ecosystems in the life sciences, the forum features keynote speeches, opportunities for regional exchanges and an MOU signing ceremony.

Hsu Chen-wei
Hualien County Commissioner
We at the Hualien County Government are bringing together industry, academia and research. We have a strong healthcare system, with institutions such as the Tzu Chi Hospital and the Mennonite Christian Hospital. We have top universities including National Dong Hwa University and Tzu Chi University, and institutions such as Academia Sinica and the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology. All these are working together with local industry players and startups.

Hualien hopes that the forum will drive innovation locally ranging from agriculture to high technology, and make itself a space in international markets.

#hualien #mit #mitreap #innovation #technology #agriculture

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2026-08-11

Taiwan schoolkids win gold at world choir contest despite China protests

Taiwanese schoolchildren sang their way to victory in Sweden at the prestigious 2026 World Choir games, dubbed the Choir Olympics. But although their victory was a huge reason to celebrate, it was not without its setbacks. Before the contest, the choir of young singers put on a street performance in Denmark, where they showed the national flag of Taiwan. That did not sit well with China, who lodged a protest with the organizers of the competition. Let’s hear more.

Voice of Wei Hsiang-ying
Dacun Elementary School
They saw our photo and reported us to the organizers, and lodged a protest. But the organizers of course said it was not a problem, saying that, in the world of music, we are all friends.

The schoolkids were not put back by China’s shenanigans, and prevailed to bag the gold medal in the Open Competition, filling the auditorium with songs from Taiwan. The school says the choir respected the competition’s rules at all times, which state that the national flag of Taiwan could not be shown during the actual competition. They only showed it during a street performance in a different country, before the competition had even started. A teacher says that participating in the event was a form of diplomacy for Taiwan, which somehow became a major issue troubling China.

#choir #choral #taiwan #china #angelical #voice #singing #sweden #denmark

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2026-08-11

Retiree reclaims lost envelope with NT$30,000 after seven months

At the beginning of the year, a retired military instructor in Chiayi’s Minxiong Township accidentally left an envelope with NT$30,000 in a duck soup restaurant. The owner handed the money over to the police, but received it back six months later after no one came to claim it. But by chance, the owner was able to find the person, and could finally return the money. Grateful for the gesture, the man donated a portion of the money to charity in the shop owner’s name to pay forward her act of kindness.

Hsu Kun-cheng, a retired military instructor from Sieh Chih Vocational High School in Minxiong Township, rushed back to this duck soup restaurant to meet the kind-hearted owner.

Back in January, he left this exact envelope at the restaurant. As soon as she discovered it had NT$30,000 inside, she knew the owner must be frantic to get it back.

- I’m so glad you came back for it! Knowing you couldn’t find it made me anxious for you.

Although the envelope had a name on it, the owner didn’t know him at all. She turned it into the police station, but since it wasn’t claimed for six months, she got it back. By law, the money now belonged to the store. But the owner had no intention of keeping it for herself. She kept searching for the owner, and resolved to donate it if she couldn’t find him.

Friend of Hsu Kun-cheng
Was asked about envelope
The owner showed me this exact envelope and asked whether I know anyone named Kun-cheng.

Restaurant owner
Took envelope to police
I figured the person who lost it would be frantic to get it back and go to the police station. But he never went there to find it.

After hearing the news, Hsu Kun-cheng went in person to retrieve the envelope, with a plan to pass on the owner’s kindness.

- If you couldn’t find it, you planned to donate the money?
- That’s right.
- Right. So I’ll make the donation on your behalf.

Seven months later, the envelope was finally reunited with its owner, with a portion of the cash destined for charity. This heartwarming act of goodwill has since continued to inspire local charities throughout Minxiong Township.

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#Chaiyi #charity #heartwarming #kindness #lostandfound #payitforward

2026-08-11

Lost dog finds own way to police station, has heartwarming reunion with owner

A Yorkshire terrier in Kaohsiung’s Cijin recently snuck out the front door when his owner wasn’t looking and got lost. But somehow, he was able to find the police station, where the officers took him in. The panicked owner came rushing in looking before long for help. As soon as she saw her dog there safe and sound, she broke down in tears, stunned that her pup knew where to go.

A woman bursts into a police station and breaks down into tears. It’s because she saw her beloved lost dog sitting politely inside, safe and sound.

- Why did you run away?
- Where did you lose him?
- He ran out of the house.

Scooping the dog into her arms, a huge weight was lifted off, and she could no longer hold back her emotions. As if knowing his mom came to find him, the dog couldn’t stop showing his affection, either.

- I just wondered if he could be here. He came to the station all by himself.

She could hardly believe that her dog would report himself missing. This five-year-old Yorkie named Didi staged an escape, taking advantage of an open door to sneak out. He got more lost the further he got, eventually making it to the police station 200 meters away to look for help. He slowly peeked inside, almost as if telling the officers, “I’m lost!”

Ms. Kuo
Dog owner
I didn’t think he’d be smart enough to come to the police station on his own. My family also couldn’t believe it. How did he know where to go? We always tell him not to go outside, because if he does, he won’t be able to find Mom and she’ll worry to death.

Ms. Kuo dotes on Didi like a child and chats with him often. Maybe he really did understand her, and knew he shouldn’t make her worry.

This incredibly intuitive dog reported himself missing after a half hour, and was able to enjoy a heartwarming reunion with his family.

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#dog #pet #Yorkie #Kaohsiung #petreunion #cutepets #policereport #smartanimal

2026-08-11

Classic song ‘Any Wine Bottles for Sale’ used for recycling truck in Pingtung

There are two songs that everyone in Taiwan hears daily thanks to the ubiquitous garbage truck: “Maiden’s Prayer” and “Für Elise.” But in Pingtung’s Chaozhou Township, there’s another song that gets residents out of their homes, trash bags in hand. That song is the classic “Any Wine Bottles for Sale,” used for the recycling truck. These days, it’s a reminder nearly exclusive to Chaozhou.

“Maiden’s Prayer” is probably the most common song in Taiwan, heard every time the garbage truck comes by. But in Pingtung’s Chaozhou Township, there’s another song that residents have grown up listening to.

As soon as residents hear this song, they know it’s time to take out the recycling.

Resident
Chaozhou
I’ve been hearing this song since I was a kid. It reminds me to take out the trash.

Resident
Chaozhou
Whenever people hear this, they know the truck is coming and it’s time to take out recycling.

The melody played by this recycling truck is the Taiwanese classic “Any Wine Bottles for Sale.” If you can hear it, Chaozhou residents will be close by, bags of recycling at the ready.

Chu Yu-hsun
Chaozhou neighborhood warden
Everyone is very familiar with this song. We hope that by using this music, it can help people to recycle.

Wang Chien-yuan
Chaozhou Township Office chief secretary
We use this song for our recycling trucks because it’s familiar to people. Of course, we aren’t selling the recycling. We’re collecting it back here.

In the old days, people used to miss the recycling truck because it didn’t play any sound. So in 2003, the EPA made a rule allowing local governments to choose whether to play music or not. Although the music isn’t exclusive to Chaozhou, it remains a fond memory for people who grew up here.

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#Pingtung #recyclingtruck #garbagetruck #garbagetruckmusic #AnyWineBottlesforSale #Taiwanesemusic

2026-08-11