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1,300 tons of carcinogenic cooking oil has made its way into supply chain

Taiwan has been hit by another food safety crisis. Soybean cooking oil manufactured in April by the local Taiwanese company Central Union Oil has been deemed carcinogenic. The problematic oil’s benzo[a]pyrene levels are four times the legal limit, and, to make matters worse, 1,300 tons has made its way onto store shelves. Taichung City Government has halted the company’s oil production and the problematic oil is being recalled.

Tsai Wen-che
Taichung Office of Food and Drug Safety
For this particular batch of soybean cooking oil, benzo(a)pyrene was detected in 1,300 tons.

Tseng Tzu-Chan
Director, Taichung City Health Bureau
The first batch of oil was shipped somewhere between April 8 to April 10. Currently, we’ve found about 20 products in the downstream supply chain.

Mr. Chiang
Central Union Oil
On July 1, we were notified to stop producing, processing, and shipping our cooking oil. Our company is currently in crisis management mode, as we’re focused on controlling risk and then finding out who’s responsible. In order to deal with this incident, instead of passively responding, we’re actively managing the situation. Therefore, we’ve invited experts to assist us in order to discover and resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

The problematic cooking oil manufactured in April was already delivered to three wholesalers: Fwusow Industry has three types, Fopco has 4, and Taisun has 10. The companies were ordered to remove all the types from their shelves, and Central Union Oil has issued an apology. On June 29, Central Union Oil was informed by a third party inspection that benzo[a]pyrene limits had been exceeded, and the next day the oil manufacturer both notified the three wholesalers to stop shifting and contacted the authorities. The oil manufacturer emphasized that, in accordance with current laws, every six months it sends oil to be inspected. A task force has been formed to determine what went wrong.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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Time：2026-07-02

最新消息 Latest News

As the Taiwan ICDF turns 30, diplomatic allies voice their support

Three decades ago, the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund was created in order to strengthen friendships with diplomatic allies as well as help improve the livelihoods of their citizens. Several diplomatic partners shared what makes Taiwan’s approach special. And, perhaps more importantly, they expressed that they’re looking forward to what the next three decades will bring.

The Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund is celebrating 30 years, and today the results brought about by the Taiwan ICDF in the last three decades were on full display. This pink eco-friendly athleisure shirt is the result of a collaborative effort between Taiwan and its diplomatic ally Saint Kitts and Nevis, and this gallery of photos allows viewers to witness all that Taiwan has done with its partners in the last 3 decades. However, China’s use of dollar diplomacy to put pressure on Taiwan’s diplomatic allies has also got the media’s attention.

Journalist
Reuters
Taiwan and China, in particular, frequently trade accusations of dollar diplomacy. You know, throwing money at countries to say you must establish relations with us.

Kalani Kaneko
Marshall Islands Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Our relationship with Taiwan for the last 28, almost 28 years, has been instrumental in developing Marshall Islands. And we’ve been a trusted partner, and we rely on Taiwan. I personally, I can speak for myself, I personally have not had any engagement with the PRC.

Kaneko emphasized that shared values are important. After an initially scheduled late-April visit to Eswatini was cancelled at the eleventh hour due to diplomatic pressure, in May President Lai Ching-te took a secret visit to the African nation. Eswatini also had high praise for the Taiwan ICDF.

Manqoba Khumalo
Eswatini Minister of Commerce
They are not coming into the country to say this is what we want to do for you. But they are saying to us where do you want us to assist you? And we have seen value in that as a country. So we look forward to an exciting 30 more years with ICDF.

Peifen Hsieh
Taiwan ICDF Deputy Secretary General
For example, in Guatemala we have already had a banana project where we use our technology from our TASA, and for Eswatini, as well, we have implemented many vocational training programs there which teach high technologies and so on and so forth.

Taiwan is doing more than just helping diplomatic partners with farming technology, as the island country is also incorporating its AI capabilities as well as ICT technology. With its multi-faceted approach, Taiwan is seeking to improve the livelihoods of its friends abroad.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#ICDF #diplomacy #foreignaid #taiwan #international

2026-07-02

Women’s rights groups, pharmacists protest emergency contraceptive tracking

The Ministry of Health and Welfare’s proposal to add two emergency contraceptives to the country’s drug traceability system has been met with intense public backlash. On Thursday, pharmacists and women’s rights groups spoke out against the proposal, worrying that it could reduce accessibility. The health minister responded by saying that the proposal will only go into effect once supplementary measures are in place. Let’s hear more.

Tu Ying-chiu
Taipei Women’s Rescue Foundation
The number of OB-GYN clinics continues to decline year after year. In some remote areas, there are very few OB-GYN clinics, or even none. How are women in these places supposed to find a clinic and obtain emergency contraceptives? Lots of women, including victims of intimate partner violence or those who are unprepared for pregnancy, may fear being chided for speaking up, let alone step into a clinic, which are not very accessible in the first place. It’s not like everyone can obtain emergency contraceptives at a hospital or clinic within 72 hours.

Wu Pei-yi
Legislator (DPP)
Will you only hear women’s voices when women have finally had enough and are protesting loudly? What if a woman can’t get emergency contraceptives within the critical window and therefore has to carry on with the unplanned pregnancy or get an abortion? That would pose a greater risk to the woman’s physical health.

Huang Jin-shun
Federation of Taiwan Pharmacists Associations
In most countries around the world, these two kinds of emergency contraceptives are classified as behind-the-counter drugs. We hope that the competent authorities will follow international conventions instead of going in the opposite direction.

Shih Chung-liang
Minister of Health and Welfare
There will certainly be relevant measures in place after we have made the announcement and before the changes come into effect, so that the rights of those who truly need these contraceptives under an emergency can obtain them.

Because emergency contraceptives must be taken within a 72-hour critical window, the public has in the past urged the government to reclassify emergency contraceptives as a BTC drug. Although classified as prescription only, in practice, these drugs could be obtained from any pharmacy. Activists are worried that the proposal would reduce accessibility, especially to underprivileged women. It remains to be seen what the minister meant as supplementary measures and whether the proposal will be passed at the legislature.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#emergencycontraception #EC #womenshealth #womensrights #plannedparenthood

2026-07-02

Nurses save the day when power bank smokes in emergency room

A man in Changhua City narrowly avoided disaster after his power bank suddenly began smoking and making popping sounds while charging his phone in a hospital emergency room. Nurses quickly responded with a fire extinguisher and then cooled the device in water, preventing the situation from escalating.

A man lies on a hospital bed waiting for his girlfriend to come back, when his power bank suddenly starts smoking. Startled, he jumps up and flees from the smoke. Hospital staff quickly grab a fire extinguisher and use it on the smoking battery.

Hsu Chi-wei
Firefighter
The power bank started emitting smoke and making popping sounds. Hospital staff immediately used a fire extinguisher to stop the smoke and then placed the power bank in water to cool it down.

The incident occurred in the emergency room at Hanming Christian Hospital in Changhua. Thanks to fire prevention training and lithium battery safety videos, hospital staff responded quickly. They followed the correct procedure, first extinguishing the smoke, then submerging the device to cool it. While fire extinguishers can temporarily suppress flames, they cannot stop the underlying thermal reaction that causes power banks to smoke.

Chiu Yu-jui
Hospital physician
The patient’s boyfriend’s power bank was on the bed and suddenly caught fire, burning a hole in the sheet. Fortunately, our nursing staff is well-trained in fire safety and were able to quickly put out the fire with a fire extinguisher.

Thankfully, the fire was quickly controlled, and no one was injured. The hospital later held a ceremony to commend the staff who helped put out the fire. It also urged people not to place power banks on beds or blankets, and not to bring plug-in power banks into the facility, noting that this incident could have injured patients and endangered staff.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#hospital #fire #powerbank #spontaneouscombustion #Changhua #firefighter #nurse #doctor #emergencyroom


2026-07-02

73-yo woman’s body pulled from bottom of truck after getting hit

On Tuesday evening, a 73-year-old woman in Tainan crossing the street got hit by a truck making a left turn. She immediately got dragged underneath the vehicle. Passers-by stopped to lift the vehicle and free her, and soon afterwards, she lost her vital signs. Fortunately, her pulse was restored by rescuers.

The ambulance rushes to the scene. Someone just got hit by a vehicle and is stuck at the bottom.

The victim, who’s wearing a pink shirt, was dragged to the bottom of the truck. A dozen passers-by lifted the vehicle with their bare hands to free her.

Member of public
Eyewitness
Lots of people helped lift the vehicle. When I saw that they’d succeeded in lifting the vehicle, the ambulance arrived.

Voice of Lee Chen-ping
Tainan City Fire Department
When the ambulance was about to leave, her condition suddenly deteriorated. She lost her breathing and pulse. So I got off the vehicle and helped the rescuer who was trying to save her.

The woman who was hit by a pickup truck and got dragged underneath the vehicle even lost her vital signs soon after she was freed. Fortunately, rescuers were able to restore her pulse before sending her to the hospital for treatment.

The accident happened in Tainan’s Yongkang District, a little after 7 p.m. The 73-year-old woman surnamed Wu was crossing the street on the pedestrian crossing when she got hit by the truck driven by a man surnamed Lu, who failed to yield to pedestrians and caused the near-fatal crash.

Hung Pai-liang
Yongkang Precinct, Tainan City Police
As of today, since the beginning of 2026, our precinct has dealt with 187 cases penalizing drivers who failed to yield to passengers. According to Paragraph 4, Article 44 of the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act, a car driver that did not pause to allow pedestrians to cross first and committed an accident that resulted in injury, they shall be fined from NT$18,000 to NT$36,000 and have their license revoked for one to two years.

The truck driver didn’t stop for the woman on the pedestrian crossing and hit her directly, causing near-fatal injury. The police reiterated that drivers should always give way to pedestrians and not threaten their safety and lives.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#roadsafety #traffic #traffichell #pedestrianhell #baddrivers

2026-07-02

Taipei high school’s robotics team overcomes odds at event in Turkey

For the average high schooler, winning a single game at an international robotics competition in which your machine needs to be able to shoot balls through the air, into a target seems hard enough. But finding success after having Turkish customs seize your machine parts sounds like mission impossible. Refusing to quit, a team of high schoolers from Taipei taped together a robot that somehow won 4 qualification games in a row while also setting the daily record for points.

Hailing from Taiwan, this team of high schoolers studies in Taipei at VIS International School, an experimental education institution. They flew to Istanbul, Turkey, where they’re competing under the most difficult of circumstances.

Their faces may look calm, but their sweaty palms reveal how they truly feel; they’d packed up all their robot equipment, yet when they arrived in Turkey, customs seized all their parts. Not willing to throw in the towel, they borrowed tools and spare parts from the teams of other countries. They ended up assembling a robot that was essentially held together by tape, thereby forcing them to switch up their tactics. Unfazed, the team won 4 qualification matches while also setting the daily record for most points.

Member of public
Works in trade and customs
It’s really inspiring. What they did symbolizes the spirit of Taiwan, to never give up.

Member of public
Impressed
Just amazing. Even after having their parts confiscated, they still were able to use all the resources they could find there.

Member of public
Astonished
Really impressive. They found a way to solve the problem.

Because Taiwan is not a party to the worldwide ATA Carnet system, Taiwanese with goods seeking temporary admission to another country must first file an application with the Taiwan External Trade Development Council. Complicating things, Türkiye and Taiwan haven’t signed a bilateral ATA Carnet agreement. A trading company employee advised people to look up their destination’s immigration regulations in advance.

Member of public
Works in trade and customs
Basically every country has pretty complicated regulations for hundreds, even thousands of goods. For the tools in a competition like this, of course the stuff should be mailed to the destination before the team arrives. But if you want to play it even safer, then you can contact an agent in your destination that knows how to handle trade-related issues.

Customs official
Taipei Customs Inspection Division
This might be a good time to let travelers know, that in order to prevent their rights from being infringed upon, they should be aware about the regulations of the country they’re traveling to.

Facing what seemed like mission impossible, the Taiwanese team was able to think on their feet and somehow find a way to win.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#robotics #Taiwan #Türkiye #customs #ATACarnet

2026-07-02

Deaf and mute painter donates proceeds from first solo exhibition

With his powerful skills of observation, the artist Liu Ching-yuan uses watercolors to paint the world as he sees it. After more than a decade of painting, the mute and deaf artist recently held his first solo exhibition at a foundation in Chiayi. His paintings were auctioned for nearly NT$1 million, with all proceeds donated to charity.

From his wheelchair, the artist Liu Ching-yuan happily looks at his painting on the wall, gesturing to his caregiver.

-He keeps saying that he painted this.

From scenes of daily life to flowers, butterflies, and horses, Liu’s distinctive, colorful paintings reflect how he sees the world. Liu, now 50 years old, has been deaf and mute since childhood, making communication difficult. But he found a way to express himself through art. Fourteen years ago, he was placed under the care of the Ruozhuer Foundation in Chiayi, which recently organized his first solo exhibition.

Yen Mei-yueh
Foundation caregiver
He knows what’s going on, because when he put on the exhibition, we told him it was his exhibition, which made him very happy.

Lee Yi-lan
Special education teacher
His vision is truly outstanding. He uses his remaining, highly developed senses, pouring all his feelings and emotions into his artwork.

Peng Chia-ju, a filmmaker who won Best Documentary Director at the Cannes Film Festival, was invited to co-curate the show. Liu’s works were publicly auctioned, drawing bids from attendees, including Legislator Tsai Yi-yu, local business leaders, and even representatives from TSMC. Total sales exceeded NT$1 million and all proceeds were donated to charity.

Peng Chia-ju
Documentary director
To be able to share the beauty of creation and help the Ruozhuer Foundation is a very moving and rare opportunity.

Undeterred by his disabilities, Liu expresses himself through his vivid artwork. In his first solo exhibition, he raised over a million dollars to give back to those in need.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#art #artist #artwork #disability #disabled #charity #foundation #exhibition #soloexhibit


2026-07-02

Taipower burying power lines to protect electricity supply in disasters

The typhoons that ravage Taiwan in the summer and autumn months often knock out power to homes and businesses in their path. High winds downing power lines and posts are also a concern as extreme weather becomes more common, even while power demand surges. Burying power lines is therefore a priority in many cities. FTV recently went 18 stories underground to give you an up-close look at how these teams are safeguarding power supplies for the future.

Jumbles of power lines criss-crossing old alleys like this are often a target of criticism.

To beautify communities and protect the supply of electricity, Taipower in the past few years has been hard at work burying power lines. FTV recently visited to give you an exclusive look at how it’s done.

- You do this every day. You go 10 stories below ground and climb back up. There’s no elevator.
- There’s no elevator.

Descending the staircase to a depth of 55 meters—equivalent to at least 18 stories—leads to the construction site. A cleanroom sealed with transparent PVC film minimizes intrusion by impurities that could compromise conductivity.

Lin Kuan-wen
Taipower contractor
When dust gets in, it first affects conductivity. When the voltage is this high, the particles may heat up as they pass through and in the most extreme cases could ignite.

They’re not only working underground, but also below the Keelung River, facing the constant threats of fire, water leaks, and toxic gas buildup. Air quality must be monitored around the clock to keep everyone safe.

Lin Kuan-wen
Taipower contractor
This one is a carbon dioxide meter. It measures concentrations of CO2 in the area. This one’s called a four-in-one gas monitor. It displays measurements for hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, oxygen concentrations, and combustible gas levels. An alarm will sound when it detects an abnormal reading.

Tsai Chih-meng
Taipower vice president
The work is done underground, so usually there’s a low accident rate.

Currently, nearly half of power lines in the country have been buried underground. In the outlying Penghu County where wind fortifications are essential, more than 90% have been buried. However, getting that figure up to 100% will require careful work to achieve the dual aims of disaster mitigation and aesthetic improvement.

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

#Taipower #powercables #powerlines #electricity #powersupply #underground #utilities #exclusive

2026-07-02

Taichung shop sells NT$160 seafood porridge with barely any seafood

A Taipei resident traveling in Taichung was left disappointed after buying a NT$160 seafood porridge at ASEAN Square. They expected plenty of seafood, but found only two small shrimp and a few pieces of squid. Feeling the portion was insufficient, he called the police and posted online to warn people. The store said maybe the chef put in less seafood that day and refunded the disgruntled customer.

A customer sifts through a NT$160 bowl of seafood porridge, disappointed to find only a few pieces of squid. Feeling ripped off, he returned the meal and called the police.

-It’s really too ridiculous!
-You can record it first.
-Yeah, I’ve already recorded it.

The police helped to settle the dispute, making sure the customer got his money back.

-160
- Did you refund him?
- Okay, we can do that.
- Do it while we’re here.
- NT$160.

Still fuming, even after he got his money back, the customer posted online to warn others, saying he bought a seafood porridge while traveling in Taichung and asking whether he was scammed. How is it NT$160 with just two little shrimp and a few pieces of squid? He asked the store, which said the seafood porridge has always been like that.

Voice of Mr. Tseng
Customer
The seafood had clearly been chopped up and frozen. I think it was absolutely awful. I showed the police after they came, and even they started laughing.

The store in question was at ASEAN Square close to Taichung Station. Is NT$160 too much for a porridge with so little in it? Let’s see what the locals think.

I think it’s a ripoff. Considering Taichung prices, it should be NT$70.

It’s expensive for this area.

The menu lists the seafood porridge for NT$150 rather than NT$160, but the store said the menu hadn’t been updated. But why is there so little seafood?

- How many shrimp do you put in?
- About five, but maybe the chef put in less that day. We refunded him, but he still called the police.

Mr. Tseng
Customer
She didn’t want to give me back my money at first, but once she knew I called the police, she said they would give me a refund.

The picture of the porridge on the wall shows four big shrimp and plenty of seafood. Compared with what was served, it’s no wonder the customer was angry.

Voice of Chen Yen-hung
Consumer protection official
The photo on the wall is an advertisement. As the business manager, you must ensure that there is no discrepancy between the advertisement and the actual product.

False advertising may violate the Fair Trade Act. In a situation like this, people can gather evidence and file a complaint online, with help from consumer protection authorities.

I bought a seafood porridge while traveling in Taichung. Was I scammed?? How is it NT$160 with just two little shrimp and a few pieces of squid?? I asked the store, and they said the seafood porridge has always been like that.

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

#seafood #porridge #restaurant #Taichung #expensive #scam #ripoff #falseadvertising

2026-07-02

New Chinese law for “ethnic unity” could make anybody legally liable

China’s Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress went into effect today, meaning Chinese citizens, people living in Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan, and even non-Chinese in every part of the world are subject to the law. The law’s vague legal concepts essentially allow the CCP to punish anyone, anywhere, who, quote "undermines the ethnic unity and progress" of China. Several political scholars in Taiwan shared their opinions on the law’s true aim.

Liang Wen-chieh
Mainland Affairs Council spokesperson
The CCP’s Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress expands their scope of long-arm jurisdiction, which allows them to repress people abroad. The law uses vague legal concepts that inherently have nothing to do with rule of law. Instead, the law’s ultimate goal is about political intimidation, essentially causing a chilling effect that forces ordinary citizens into self-censorship.

Fan Shih-ping
NTNU political science professor
It’s about social stability. The law’s viewed as a tool that their regime uses to maintain its authority.

Wu Se-chih
Taipei University of Marine Technology professor
China uses this kind of law in hopes that it can suppress people abroad. China has dispatched many secret police in overseas offices in order to help carry out this Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress, which is a cause for concern in the international community.

Article 63 of the Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress states that individuals or groups outside of China that "undermine ethnic unity and progress or create ethnic division" could potentially be legally liable for their words or actions. The law’s legal concepts are vague, as the CCP could punish anyone it deems to be "undermining ethnic unity." Essentially, a person could be considered guilty if he or she had, in the past, written or shared an article that refers to China’s suppression of Taiwan or topics like Taiwanese sovereignty or independence. Furthermore, Western countries that support Xinjiang or criticize the CCP could also be legally punished.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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2026-07-01

DPP wonders why canopy sculptures are so much pricier than umbrellas

After New Taipei and Kaohsiung, Taipei is now the third city in Taiwan to trial giant street umbrellas. A number of red electric umbrellas have already been installed near Taipei Arena and outside Ximen MRT Station. Each unit reportedly cost NT$300,000 to NT$400,000. Meanwhile, the city government also plans to install canopy sculptures that provide shade in Xinyi District. However, at nearly 7 and a half million NT apiece, the price tag has sparked much discussion online. Mayor Chiang Wan-an responded by saying that the sculptures would complement the high-end feel of Xinyi District .

There’s not much time left to cross the street. Thankfully, these red giant umbrellas provide shade while pedestrians wait for the next green light under the scorching sun. These are the first automatic giant umbrellas installed in Taipei, outside Exits 1 and 6 of the MRT’s Ximen Station.

Member of public
Approving
I think it’s great, because it provides shade. I no longer have to wait under direct sunlight.

Tourist from the US
Approving
This is nice, but, like, we need it everywhere.

Member of public
Offers feedback
It’s not bad. It provides shade. There should be more, because when there’s more people, everyone will try to get under it, and there won’t be enough space.

Member of public
Offers feedback
It’s not a bad idea, but I think it’ll be better if it also offers UV protection.

Most people are happy with the new smart giant umbrellas installed at pedestrian crossings with heavy foot traffic. One umbrella can accommodate around 15 people, and contracts automatically when it gets too windy and at night.

Lin Yung-chi
FTV reporter
Oh my gosh, the sun is scorching, I’m struggling to keep my eyes open. I need to get under the shade. You can see a giant umbrella just outside Taipei’s Ximending. It provides shade for pedestrians waiting to cross the street. However, it’s not quite the same as the canopy sculptures in Xinyi District.

Very different, indeed. The canopy sculptures that double as public art installations cost around NT$7.44 million each. The project is overseen by the city’s Department of Urban Development. Meanwhile, the giant umbrellas installed near Ximending and Taipei Arena were commissioned to a road management vendor by the Public Works Department’s New Construction Office, and costs NT$300,000 to NT$400,000 each. Why the difference? Mayor Chiang Wan-an said that the city government opted for sculptures in Xinyi District to blend in better with the cityscape.

Chiang Wan-an
Taipei Mayor
We’re adopting different methods and using different vendors. For Xinyi Commercial Area, we’ve taken into consideration the more fashionable feel of the area, and wish to maintain the overall urban aesthetic.

Puma Shen
Taipei mayoral candidate (DPP)
The city government should explain why these devices are so much more expensive in Taipei than in other cities. I believe this is what many Taipei residents are wondering about.

Although it’s great that there’s now more much-needed shady areas to get out of the sun, the DPP wants the city government to be transparent about the costs of procurement and construction of these shading devices.

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

#summer #umbrella #shade #sunprotection #publicart

2026-07-01

School recalls craft assignment over simplified Chinese controversy

A parent from Taichung recently posted a complaint on social media about their child’s summer homework being in simplified Chinese. A craft worksheet, titled "Shirt Bouquet" to celebrate Father’s Day, used simplified characters for the title and text. In response, the school recalled the assignment. The Taichung Education Bureau has also come out to say that it issued a notice back in November 2024 stating that schools should avoid using any teaching material that uses simplified Chinese.

This elementary school summer craft assignment to make a “shirt bouquet” for Father’s Day uses only simplified Chinese characters, from the title to the instructions. The school recalled it soon after.

Parent
They took the worksheets back. All of them were collected. For educational materials, using traditional is better.

School representative
Some of the words in the instructions might be difficult for the students to understand. We discussed it with teachers and decided it’s not the most appropriate for the students’ learning, so we collected them right away.

The problematic second-grade assignment from a school in Taichung’s Shalu District was exposed by a parent on social media, with parents questioning whether the students could even read it. It also raised concerns of infiltration.

Huang Shou-ta
Taichung City Councilor (DPP)
Mayor Lu Shiow-yen must not view this as an isolated incident. There must be a systematic review and response.

Chang Jia-an
Taichung City Councilor (DPP)
This kind of cultural infiltration has already extended its reach into our schools. Is the Taichung City Government just allowing blatant infiltration to happen?

Lin Te-yu
Taichung City Councilor (DPP)
The Taichung Education Bureau must not allow schools to neglect screening materials just for convenience, allowing materials in simplified characters to flood campuses.

Politicians in the green camp have accused the Education Bureau of dereliction of duty. The bureau said it would continue to supervise schools.

Chen Ya-hsin
Education Bureau chief secretary
The Education Bureau will continue to supervise all schools in implementing regulations and strengthen review procedures for the use of classroom materials prior to purchase to avoid similar incidents from recurring.

Faced with parental concerns, the Education Bureau said in 2024 it had already sent a notice to all grade schools in the city instructing them to avoid the use of teaching materials that use simplified Chinese characters.

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

#teachingmaterials #simplifiedChinese #unitedfront #Taichung #controversy #schools #education #culturalinfiltration

2026-07-01

Ferry passengers in Taitung rave over renovated terminal

In the past, waiting for a ferry at Taitung usually meant being scorched by the sun. But now passengers heading to Orchid Island or Green Island can rejoice, because the Fugang Port Passenger Terminal is finally open. The newly renovated terminal boasts an air-conditioned interior and a sleek modern design that reminds some travelers of what boat terminals look like abroad.

An installation art of blue and gray waves is bordering the newly renovated Fugang Port Passenger Terminal, which has an eco-friendly design that incorporates seagull and coral reef imagery. The terminal’s modern design is also complemented by the sapphire-colored sea behind it and the blue sky above it. For two decades, Taitung locals have been looking forward to this building’s completion. Yesterday, Taitung County Government held a ceremony for the terminal’s first day.

The passenger terminal is connected to the pier, meaning travelers heading to Green Island or Orchid Island by ferry can check in as well as buy and pick up tickets at the terminal.

Member of public
Ferry passenger
They made this place look like what you see in other countries. It has a really sleek design, like you feel as if you’ve traveled abroad when you come in here.

The completely revamped Fugang Port Passenger Terminal means Taitung is now home to a modern port. The building’s design seamlessly incorporates the iconic ocean scenery and seaside feel of the southeastern county. The interior is akin to King Triton’s underwater palace, but the building’s most important aspect is its capacity, as up to 600 travelers can wait inside the air-conditioned building instead of being baked in the sun like they would be in the past.

Yao Ching-ling
Taitung County Commissioner
It’s designed to be able to accommodate the maximum number of passengers during the busiest of times. Four ferries can be docked outside, so right now the terminal’s big enough to handle the travel volume for Taitung, Orchid Island and Green Island.

This new terminal, which offers both comfort and convenience, has been 20 years in the making, but this project isn’t the only work being done for ferry travel, as Orchid Island’s Lanyu Kaiyuan Port and Green Island’s Nanliao Harbor are currently being renovated. With these new offerings and older ferries being replaced by new ones, Taitung is letting travelers know the county and its nearby islands are ready to accommodate summer tourists.

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

#Taitung #ferry #cruise #GreenIsland #OrchidIsland

2026-07-01

Penghu’s annual 2-month bafun uni harvest season begins

Seafood lovers, take note! Starting on Wednesday, Penghu’s two-month sea urchin harvest season begins. Harvesting short-spined sea urchin, also known as bafun uni, outside of the months of July and August is illegal.

On the first day of the harvest season, shoppers flocked to the wet markets for this covetable delicacy. Sold individually, each urchin would set you back at least NT$150. The bigger it is, the more expensive. Some larger specimens could cost up to NT$600 apiece. Due to climate change, the harvest is considerably smaller than past years.

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#seafood #uni #delicacy #harvest

2026-07-01

ICDF celebrates 3rd decade of sharing Taiwan’s experiences worldwide

Today marks the 30th anniversary of the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund, an organization that shares Taiwan’s technology, talent, and experiences with diplomatic partners around the world. The fund is an example of soft power that shows, in just half a century, how Taiwan has transformed from an aid recipient to a development partner that helps other countries flourish.

These representatives from all over the world touch a button, creating a digital globe that serves as the opening of the ceremony celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund.

Raymond Greene
AIT Director
What distinguishes Taiwan ICDF is not its actions but how it approaches local capacity. By bringing hands-on technical excellence, ICDF brings operational flexibility and transparency, rooted in democratic governance, a practice that stands in sharp contrast to predatory lending models that leave partner countries worse off.

Katayama Kazuyuki
Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association
Taiwan’s experience offers a similar and inspiring story. Over the past several decades, Taiwan has transformed itself from an aid recipient into a respected development partner.

In addition to the US and Japan, the guest list of representatives also includes the EU as well as diplomatic allies, including the Marshall Islands, Guatemala, and Eswatini. The representatives all praised Taiwan for how it has helped diplomatic allies abroad. Formed on July 1, 1996, the Taiwan ICDF has enabled Taiwan to help other countries in areas such as agriculture technology, public health and medical treatment, and educational training; Taiwan has formed long-term diplomatic connections by sharing its technology and talent with nations around the world.

Lin Chia-lung
Foreign minister
Right now, we’re taking an integrated diplomacy approach. Taiwan’s International Cooperation and Development Fund is a fantastic and important organization. What I can share is that the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project allows us to take Taiwan’s current strengths, from semiconductors, AI digital governance, and smart solutions to energy, medical treatment, education, and tourism, so that our diplomatic allies can achieve what Taiwan already has experienced first-hand.

From receiving help to now being a nation that exports their experiences, the Taiwan ICDF’s 30 years of hard work have created examples of diplomatic soft power that the world has taken notice of.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#ICDF #diplomacy #foreignaid #taiwan #international

2026-07-01

Weiwuying donates recycled computers to Malawian students

The Rotary Club of Kaohsiung collaborated with the Weiwuying Arts Center on an educational donation drive for Malawi. After collecting 200 used computers, they commissioned skilled technicians from National Sun Yat-sen University and Shoushan Junior High School to refurbish them. The computers were then sent to four high schools in the southern African country, giving their students access to more educational opportunities.

Students from Shoushan Junior High School make use of their technical expertise to refurbish old computers, preparing the machines for the next stage of their lives in Africa.

Student
It’s cool that we can help them, even though we’re in Taiwan.

Student
I taught them to install a hard drive. It feels great, like I got to do another good deed.

The students taught their African visitors about computers, including how to clean them to ensure they remain in top condition once they’ve been sent overseas. After eight months of planning, the Rotary Club of Kaohsiung and the Weiwuying arts center gathered 200 old computers to donate to four high schools in Malawi, giving their students computer labs to call their own.

Shih Fu-chuan
Rotary Club of Kaohsiung president
The local education department in Malawi restructured the schools’ blackout schedules for our initiative to ensure power outages do not conflict with the computer classes. By sending these computers to Malawi, we’re enabling the students to forge connections with the international community starting in high school.

Hsieh Jui-hsiang
Weiwuying executive deputy director
By refurbishing these old computers, we can empower more students to use them. It can also give a new way of using these computers.

Through this international tech drive, organizers hope to bridge the digital divide for Malawian students, proving that a refurbished computer can be a powerful tool for global connection and improving lives through education.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#donation #TaiwanMalawi #donationdrive #refurbishedcomputer #RotaryClub #Weiwuying #Kaohsiung

2026-07-01

‘Hello Monsters’ children’s art fest to open July 11 in New Taipei

The 2026 New Taipei City Children’s Art Festival will be held from July 11 to 19. This year’s theme is "Hello! Monsters," featuring performers and artists from both Taiwan and abroad, who are coming together to create a wondrous spectacle of monsters and more.

The New Taipei City Children’s Art Festival will be held over nine days from July 11 to 19 at the New Taipei City Square, the first floor of city hall, and Fuzhong Square in Banqiao.

Everyone is surprised and delighted as a huge dinosaur charges into the room. This year’s theme, “Hello! Monsters,” seeks to create an immersive experience for the young participants, who won’t just watch the shows, but be a part of them by completing missions to help save the dinosaurs.

Jhu Ti-jhih
New Taipei Deputy Mayor
There will be five big monster “jungles” with different events. You can see there will be lots of well-known children’s theater troupes delivering spectacular performances.

The New Taipei City Children’s Art Festival has entertained 8.52 million visitors over its 17 years so far. For the 18th edition, it’s bringing another series of wonderful performances by local and international artists. Also for the fourth year in a row, the popular “card challenge” will be back, this time with brand-new cards.

Jhu Ti-jhih
New Taipei Deputy Mayor
We look forward to visitors young and old taking the MRT, the high-speed rail, the Taiwan Railway, or buses here to Banqiao.

This summer vacation, parents will have the chance to take their children on a magical journey that’s both entertaining and educational.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#NewTaipei #ChildrensArtsFestival #festival #children #familyfun #dinosaurs #HelloMonster

2026-07-01

Restaurant tinkers with recipe to perfect minced pork on toast

Can you imagine eating traditional minced pork on toast instead of rice? In Kaohsiung’s Ciaotou District, a pork rice restaurant famous for receiving a Bib Gourmand recommendation is working with a trendy bakery to offer milk toast topped with pork and cream cheese. They made hundreds of adjustments before finally landing on the perfect ratio of ingredients. So how is it? Let’s find out.

A generous layer of spread is lathered on a slice of milk toast, chock full of big chunks of braised pork. Paired with the milky sweetness of the bread, the restaurant is hoping it’ll win over customers.

Customer
It tastes like minced pork, but it doesn’t feel like you’re eating chunks of pork. Overall, I think it’s pretty unique. It seems like another kind of cuisine, like it’s from a high-end French bakery.

Customer
It’s velvety smooth. They’re delicious together.

This special item is on the menu at a Bib Gourmand-recommended minced pork rice restaurant in Kaohsiung’s Ciaotou District. They use the milk bread from a trendy bakery and the gelatinous pork from their restaurant, but went through hundreds of iterations before they found the right combination.

Huang Chun-chieh
Minced pork rice restaurant owner
At first we tried a bunch of different things. Since the toast itself is very soft and it can’t seem out of place when you put the pork on top, we literally had to try hundreds of iterations.

Looking to offer a “fast food” option, the restaurant offers individually packaged slices of toast. Just heat one up in a toaster oven, and you can enjoy Michelin-level food in the comfort of your own home.

Tai Chia-cheng
Bakery owner
Taiwanese people tend to like sweet bread. If it’s savory, it can’t be too salty or too oily. Figuring out how to keep the grease down was key.

By merging Kaohsiung’s local favorite with trendy milk toast, this fusion of Taiwanese and Japanese cuisine has generated buzz while challenging local palettes.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#mincedpork #braisedpork #porkoverrice #BibGourmand #Michelin #milktoast #cuisine #food #Kaohsiung #fusionfood

2026-07-01

Traditional Yunlin drink shop quenches summer thirst with handmade aiyu

The beverage business is lucrative during Taiwan’s blistering summers. One vendor that sells aiyu jelly in Yunlin’s Dounan Township said business soars by 50% compared with the winter season. Despite the heavy workload, the owner works hard every day to prepare fresh aiyu jelly by hand. He also goes to schools to teach students how to make it themselves, giving an introduction to this iconic Taiwanese treat.

Glistening crystal chunks of aiyu jelly are spooned into a plastic cup and topped with passion fruit to deliver a delicious respite from the summer heat.

Business is always booming at drink and ice shops as people crave an ice-cold treat during the scorching summer months. One aiyu vendor in Yunlin’s Dounan Township still makes the jelly by hand every day to give his customers the freshest product possible.

Aiyu vendor
It cools you down and serves as a diuretic, helping expel moisture. Sales are up about 50% compared with winter.

The vendor offered a demonstration to show how authentic aiyu is made.

First, scrape the seeds off.

After scraping off an entire container of seeds, he puts them into a cloth bag and kneads it for about 10 minutes in the water until it becomes gelatinous.

Aiyu vendor
The aiyu seeds bond with the calcium and other minerals in the water. The calcium and minerals essentially form a pectin structure.

Kneading it manually can extract the most natural aiyu jelly. Besides making the jelly by hand every day, the owner also teaches kids about food and agriculture.

Aiyu vendor
I teach them how to make aiyu and give a simple presentation on how it grows, like stuff about its life cycle.

Complimented with simple flavorings, aiyu is the perfect summer refreshment. Even with the hundreds of options at ice shops these days, it’s hard to beat the perfection of this classic, all-natural favorite.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#aiyu #dessert #drink #summer #Yunlin #handmade #foodeducation

2026-07-01

President Lai presides over joint military graduation

While most call him president, some call him commander-in-chief. President Lai presided over today’s joint military graduation, an event that features Taiwan’s eight military academies. During his speech, Lai reminded the graduates to remain resolute about defending democracy and freedom. The event also had some memorable moments, including a hat incident and a non-Taiwanese graduate.

As the nation’s commander-in-chief, President Lai Ching-te is personally pinning on the rank insignia of armed forces graduates. For the third time, Lai is presiding over the joint military graduation ceremony of the eight military academies. During his speech, Lai both wishes the graduates well and reminds them of their moral values.

Lai Ching-te
President
China is seeking to infiltrate our military from every angle, from trying to split us apart to conducting espionage activity. So, I ask all of our graduates to have a clear awareness of friend and foe. Resist communism, resist annexation, and stand resolute about the values of democracy and freedom. Remain steadfast that in terms of the Republic of China and the People’s Republic of China, one is not subordinate to the other.

Lai emphasized that the government will be the military’s strongest supporter. After the ceremony, Lai took separate photos with the different service academies, including one with the Military Academy, which is known for being cursed when it comes to picture time.

All seems normal when the graduates shout a slogan, but a second look reveals something’s amiss behind Secretary-General Pan Men-an. A female graduate’s cap has been knocked off her head by a male graduate behind her. But this new officer has got quick hands, and the cap’s back where it’s supposed to be. The moment reminds some of Liu Chih-pin suffering a similar incident back when he was the president of National Defense University.

Back in 2023, they were chanting the same slogan when a female air force graduate accidentally knocked Liu’s hat off his head; Liu also has quick hands, as he was able to get his hat back on. History repeating itself in a funny way wasn’t the only noticeable aspect of this graduation, as a Chung Cheng Institute of Technology graduate from Guatemala also got the attention of the cameras.

International student
National Defense University graduate
I can improve Guatemala’s naval situation, improve their skills, and improve our Taiwan–Guatemala relationship.

The ceremony will serve as a life milestone for the graduates, who will continue to defend Taiwan in the years to come.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#defense #Guatemala #graduation #military #Taiwan

2026-06-30