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Formosa Plastics Group’s new president raises salaries by 4.5%

Workers have come out winning big in Formosa Plastics Group’s annual wage negotiations. Every July, labor and management meet to determine how to adjust salaries for the year. Labor had requested a 3.66% raise, but the group’s new president Wu Chia-chau was even more generous, approving a salary increase of 4.5%, which applies retroactively to July 1. And all in just 30 minutes of negotiations.

In addition to the pay hike, employees will receive better benefits. They’ll get NT$600 in meal allowances every month, while shift workers will get an allowance of NT$2,380. There’s also a regional allowance of NT$2,500, and Taipei residents will get a NT$5,000 housing subsidy. The changes are part of Wu’s strategy to revive revenues by restructuring the group and setting up AI-driven initiatives. The substantial pay increase is not just a reward for employees, but serves as a morale boost across the company.

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

#formosaplastics #work #labor #union #management #mba

Time：2026-07-14

最新消息 Latest News

Fuel resupply drill and rocket systems part of second day of joint exercises

Today, the military’s Joint Defense Exercise entered its second day, with training continuing across operational zones around Taiwan. In Taoyuan, the Army’s 601st Aviation Brigade deployed a Black Hawk helicopter in a simulated wartime fuel resupply mission when ground transportation is cut off. Meanwhile, Thunderbolt-2000 multiple launch rocket systems moved into position to rehearse suppressing enemy forces attempting a beach landing.

A Black Hawk helicopter zips across the sky on a tactical fuel bladder sling-load mission. It descends carefully until the fuel bladder is deposited on the ground as the rotor sends a cloud of dust in all directions, just like in a real battlefield.

Liao Wei-hung
FTV reporter
Today was Day 2 of the military’s joint defense drills, which saw a Black Hawk helicopter from the Army’s 601st Aviation Brigade simulate a fuel delivery in the field where other transport routes were cut off.

The helicopter departs, and troops move in to transport the 500-gallon fuel bladder, a key component in resupply operations that can provide timely logistical support to frontline combat units.

Su Tzu-yun
INDSR
The Black Hawk provides forward support to deployed units, enhancing battlefield effectiveness and helping frontline forces maintain their firepower and their operational readiness.

Moments later, the Army’s 21st Artillery Command deploys two Thunderbolt-2000 rocket launch vehicles into firing positions. They’re armed with MK30 and MK45 medium- to long-range rockets ideal for anti-landing missions.

The five-day joint defense exercise kicked off on Monday, featuring simulations of enemy forces setting sail and intruding into Taiwan’s territorial waters. A key focus of the exercise is coordinating decentralized units to break the opponent’s kill chain, testing the capabilities of spread-out command and control systems. The exercise is designed to showcase the military’s high mobility.

Su Tzu-yun
INDSR
The exercise places each operational zone at the center of decision-making to simulate decentralized command. Even if communication is disrupted, each zone can engage with the enemy independently while coordinating air defense, sea control and anti-landing operations.

Also part of the drills was a nighttime runway repair exercise simulating damage by enemy fire. Engineering units from the Air Force deployed forklifts and lights to make rapid repairs and restore operations as soon as possible. Through these realistic exercises, Taiwan’s military aims to strengthen its defenses while reinforcing deterrence against aggression.

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

#taiwan #military #drills #exercises #airforce #army #navy

2026-07-14

482 athletes to compete for Taiwan at Asian Games in Nagoya

The Asian Games will be taking place in Nagoya this year, starting on Sept. 19. Taiwan has already put together a national team, which features some of the country’s top sports stars. The roster includes tennis aces Hsieh Su-wei and Chan Hao-ching as well as badminton stars Chou Tien-chen and Wang Chi-lin. Also going to Japan will be Olympic gold medalist boxer Lin Yu-ting and heartthrob judoka Yang Yung-wei. At a presser on Tuesday, Minister of Sports Lee Yang offered words of encouragement to all the competitors, and had a special message for his former badminton doubles partner. Let’s hear what he said.

Seeing most of the athletes competing in this year’s Asian Games… I, of course, have to especially mention Wang Chi-lin. It seems that for him, every Asian Games run marks a farewell with his latest doubles partner. I hope that we can provide the best logistical support to every athlete, coach, and delegation member. That’s the most important thing for a competitive athlete. No matter what the results may be, it is our ministry’s duty to stand behind each of them and offer them our support.

Team Taiwan managed to bag 19 gold medals at the previous Asian Games, tying its best-ever showing. But Lee did not set a target for the upcoming edition, saying that he did not want to put any additional and unnecessary pressure on the athletes. Instead, he said, he just wants to be their strongest source of support. All in all, 482 athletes will be heading to Nagoya, to compete in 34 sports.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#sports #asiangames #competition #leeyang #ministryofsports


2026-07-14

Four central Taiwanese counties and cities promote tourism in Korea

Central Taiwan is vying for tourists from South Korea, a booming market. Recently a delegation representing Taichung, Changhua, Nantou and Miaoli, went to Seoul on a promotional tour, attracting attention from the South Korean media. It’s expected their tourism promotions, which also included large outdoor advertisements in Myeong-dong, Seoul’s premier shopping district, will encourage more tourists to visit Central Taiwan. Let’s find out more.

The Taichung City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau joined forces with three other cities – Changhua, Nantou and Miaoli – to hold a tourism promotion event in Seoul, where it attracted large crowds.

Resident of Korea
Has visited Taiwan
I once went to Taichung with Taiwanese friends. We landed at Taoyuan Airport and visited Gaomei Wetlands via Taichung. The scenery was truly beautiful.

A South Korean tourist who had visited Taiwan before was deeply impressed by Gaomei Wetlands. When she learned at a booth that there were direct flights from Seoul to Taichung, she exclaimed that she wanted to come back again.

Chen Mei-hsiu
Taichung Tourism and Travel Bureau director
The South Korean market originally only had one route, but now it has three routes with 31 flights per week. The growth rate of the South Korean market has increased more than fourfold in the past two years. So the South Korean market not only has air routes, but also a sufficient number of tourists.

Local governments are promoting tourism by joining forces, hoping to collectively enhance the international competitiveness of central Taiwan’s tourism industry.

Chen Mei-hsiu
Taichung Tourism and Travel Bureau director
More than 70 business operators from Taichung, Changhua, Nantou, and Miaoli have teamed up to promote the region in Seoul, South Korea. Targeting travel industry professionals, the delegation aims to introduce Taichung and the major attractions across these four central Taiwan counties and cities.

Representatives from the four counties and cities traveled to Seoul, where they not only placed large outdoor advertisements in Myeong-dong, but also drew special coverage from Korean television media. Combined with in-person promotional activities, they successfully made a name for themselves and injected new vitality into tourism in central Taiwan.

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

#Taichungtourism #Taiwantourism #Koreantourism #Centraltaiwan

2026-07-14

Rat falls from ceiling at popular BBQ restaurant at Taipei Main

A sewer rat falling from the ceiling quickly ruined the mood at a popular Korean BBQ restaurant in Taipei Main Station. Diners at the all-you-can-eat establishment lost their appetite at the sight of the rodent, which was about the size of one’s palm. Some took pictures of the rat and posted them online, where they spread like wildfire. Let’s hear more.

Member of public
Can’t believe it
I can’t believe it! I’ve never seen anything like that indoors. They should do pest control, and put up an announcement about it.

Member of public
Would file complaint
I would file a complaint. Rats are scary! I wouldn’t want to see a rat while I’m having a meal.

Member of public
Worried about food safety
It’s quite worrying. It’s Taipei Main Station, the entrance to Taipei, and you have rats scurrying around. That’s a problem for hygiene and food safety. Both the central and the Taipei city government should be held responsible.

Hung Chien-yi
Taipei City Councilor (DPP)
Our Mayor, Chiang Wan-an, is completely hopeless at anything related to municipal affairs. Even the Environmental Protection Bureau claims this incident is not under their jurisdiction. But let me tell you something, Mr. Chiang: There’s rats running amok in Taipei, the city you administer. Do something!

A DPP councilor says the disgusting incident is to be blamed on the Taipei city government, which he says has evaded its responsibilities. The BBQ restaurant says it has compensated all diners affected with discount coupons, adding that it will work on improving cleanliness. The department store, Breeze Center, says it immediately launched a complete disinfection of the premises at Taipei Main and enhanced measures to prevent further incidents.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#eww #rat #disgusting #kbbq #pestcontrol #rodent #bbq

2026-07-14

Truck driver walks away mostly unscathed after Miaoli rockslide

Last weekend all of Taiwan was drenched by typhoon rains, and Monday this week it was raining rocks in Miaoli’s Dahu Township. On July 13 at night, a landslide of boulders came rumbling down the mountainside, pinning a truck against the guardrail of Miaoli Route 62. The lucky truck driver was somehow able to walk away mostly unscathed, yet problems remain for Miaoli County government, which still needs to fix the road.

This surveillance camera shows that a barrage of rocks of all sizes are falling down the hillside, but the feed got cut off, presumably by the landslide that came rumbling down and into the path of a truck driver surnamed Luo.

Voice of Mr. Luo
Truck driver
I suddenly heard the sounds of something rumbling and then everything went dark. Then it was just “boom, boom, boom,” that’s what it sounded like.

On July 13 at night, the 46-year-old driver was on his way to deliver goods when falling boulders pinned his truck against the guardrail. His vehicle’s exterior was twisted and crunched, but fortunately for the driver, he was able to walk away with just some skin abrasions.

Voice of Mr. Luo
Truck driver
I told myself then that my wife and child are at home waiting for me to come back. So I used my foot to kick open the door, and then I knew that I had to start running forward; if I didn’t start running, I was going to die.

Huang Hui-chin
Dahu Township chief
The driver, who must’ve been scared to death, was able to walk away with only some scrapes. He was asked if he wanted to go to the hospital, but he said he was okay. We went to the accident site this morning, and that’s when we discovered all the rocks on the mountainside had fallen down. There was probably 1,000 or 2,000 tons of rocks.

The section of Miaoli Route 62 that has boulders blocking both lanes is in Dahu Township’s Fuxing Village. This road is notorious for having incidences like this landslide after there are bouts of heavy rain. Miaoli Commissioner Chung Tung-chin suggested creating a shortcut road, but that all depends on the road’s repair budget, which will require financial assistance from the central government.

Chung Tung-chin
Miaoli Commissioner
In terms of making a shortcut road here, the cost of that will probably be quite substantial, so it’ll be difficult to do if only the county government has to pay for it. So, for this aspect, I hope that the central government can work with our 2 legislators to come to an agreement as soon as possible.

Dahu Township isn’t the only place in Miaoli dealing with a blocked road; students and workers in Nanzhuang Township’s Donghe Village have July 14 off due to a collapsed section of Miaoli Route 21. The sinkhole is directly in front of Shibi Bridge.

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

#Miaoli #rainingrocks #lanslide #truck #thatwasclose

2026-07-14

Innocent bystander gets sprayed by trash truck juice

One unlucky man will never forget the sight and smell of what happens when a bag of juicy trash explodes in the trash truck. Taiwan’s trash collection system is known for its classical melodies and scenes of humanity at its finest: people line up to throw out their bags of trash, which have been carefully sorted. But sometimes the tidy process can go terribly wrong.

All seems normal, with the trash truck playing its classical melody as people take turns throwing out their trash. But while almost everything is as usual, one unlucky victim is about to come face-to-face with a stinky situation.

Over in Taoyuan’s Guishan District, a man wearing a clean white shirt has just thrown his trash into the truck, but then, all of a sudden, his shirt is now a disgusting yellow. He’s standing there shocked, with juices dripping from his face; this surveillance camera shows that the same yellow gunk is covering his hair.

Voice of Manager
Betel nut stand
I’d just thrown in my trash, because I’m thinking that he’d already thrown in his trash before me. It’s probably from the people running the store next to me; they just threw in their kitchen waste as well, which ended up exploding all over me, covering me from head to toe.

With his head down, the man, covered in rancid juices, walks back to his betel nut stand. Later on, he realized that the ordeal could’ve been due to someone not properly sorting their trash. The offender likely put kitchen waste in with the other trash, and when the truck’s compressor squeezed the bag the juices shot forward. He described the liquid as being yellow and oily, and that the odor smelled disgusting. Fortunately for him, a neighbor let him wash off. Without the kind gesture, he’s not sure how he could’ve made it home smelling and looking like that.

Employee
Betel nut stand
It must feel really gross. He’s my boss, so it’s scary to think of, like if it was me I’d be really mad.

Shen Miao-hui
Taoyuan Environmental Management
Concerning the individual who failed to properly sort their trash, we will follow the regulations found in the Waste Disposal Act, which allow for a maximum fine of NT$6,000.

Taoyuan City’s Office of Environmental Management reiterated that in addition to complying with trash sorting rules, in order to avoid a similar stinky situation from happening again, people should keep a suitable distance from garbage trucks.

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

#eww #disgusting #trash #juice #tidy #trashy

2026-07-14

Traditional market becomes nightclub in Taitung Expo attraction

Everyone’s walked around traditional markets during the day, but have you ever visited one after hours? One exhibition at the Taitung Expo is encouraging just that, remaking the Central Market through projections, light, and sound to offer a novel experience reminiscent of shopping at a traditional market. Through the exhibition, the old shopping area has been given new life, inviting people to slow down and rediscover this local landmark.

Brilliant multicolored neon flashes along to electronic music, forming an array of glowing shapes. The pounding rhythm and dazzling lights transform this space into a kaleidoscope world of mesmerizing interest.

But how come this sign hanging above in flashing red and green says “Freshly caught tilapia,” “50 per caddy”? These traditional market furnishings contrast sharply with the nightclub atmosphere. But it isn’t a newly opened nightclub—it’s Taitung’s Central Market.

Member of public
Finds market cool
We found out about it online. It’s a wonderful surprise! Very different from how the Central Market is normally. It’s cool.

Member of public
Finds market cool
It’s very different than usual, like a nightclub.

From selling vegetables, fish, and meat during the day, the Central Market usually quiets down late in the afternoon. But for this year’s Taitung Expo, artists took the chance to reimagine the space into something resembling a nightclub. The trendy transformation has stopped many visitors in their tracks, who linger taking photo after photo.

Member of public
Likes the concept
If there weren’t an event like this, people wouldn’t come. But doing this brings in more people and helps them get to know the area better.

This year’s Taitung Expo hopes to encourage visitors to slow down and explore the city. From a traditional market filled with the shouts of vendors selling their wares, to a bumping nightclub destination at night, this old venue is recapturing its glory days while launching headfirst into the 21st century.

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

#nightclub #Taitung #TaitungExpo #traditionalmarket #artexhibition #CentralMarket #neon #photospot

2026-07-14

University partners with troupe to teach Eight Generals tradition

The Eight Generals are a common sight at temple festivals in Taiwan. To give people a better understanding of this unique performative culture, the Department of Chinese Literature at National Sun Yat-sen University organized a class with the Gushan鼓山 Jishengtang Eight Generals troupe in Kaohsiung. Seventeen participants learned everything from formations and steps, to face painting. At the end, they tested out their newfound skills in a live presentation.

Drum beats swell as performers depicting the Eight Generals step out, wielding weapons and fans. They walk along Kaohsiung’s Love River, stopping at four temples along the way. Their skill makes it hard to believe they’re university students.

Chen Chia-hao
Participant
Most people misunderstand this culture and it tends to be quite stigmatized. But if you try it for yourself, you’ll find it’s totally different from what you imagined.

Hsu Wei-kai
Participant
I’ve been interested in it since I was a kid, so I figured why not take the class and try it out? I think the hardest part is the doing the formations and the steps.

The Eight Generals are a common part of any temple festival in Taiwan, but they’ve gotten a bad reputation over the past few years. To reverse this stigma, the Department of Chinese Literature at National Sun Yat-sen University organized a class with the Gushan Jishengtang Eight Generals troupe. Seventeen participants learned everything from formations and steps to face painting, and at the end held their own performance.

Hsu Wei-chen
Participant
The Chinese literature department happened to have a partnership with our temple. This was how I got the chance to take the class. I was determined to join, even though my parents didn’t approve. The formations, the face paint, the entire cultural context are all super interesting.

Lee Ting-yen
Participant
Becoming a troupe member has been a very new experience for me. Once you actually join, you’ll understand the meaning behind a certain movement.

Hsieh Hao-ting
Troupe face painter
In our Jiali lineage, one main attribute is that we usually paint the face with solid blocks of color. Over in Chiayi, they’ll emphasize finer details and lines.

Charmed by the unique Eight Generals tradition, many students decided to formally join as troupe members. The class even attracted some foreign exchange students. There was even a Christian student who overcame religious limitations to experience it firsthand.

Chiu Shih-yuan
Instructor
This time was very special. We had a Christian student who joined to understand some of the body movements. There were some things, like the finer details, that the students couldn’t do perfectly, but I don’t think it matters that much.

Lo Ching-wen
NSYSU Chinese literature professor
This time we had students from Malaysia and Hong Kong. Over six weeks, they learned about Taiwan’s Eight Generals culture, the history of Jishengtang, the face paint, and formations, as well as some rituals and taboos. Then for the main event, we went out and experienced holding our own performance.

Although it was only part of a class, every step was executed perfectly. The university hopes that the course will help people better understand this rich part of Taiwanese religious culture and ensure it’s passed down to future generations.

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

#EightGenerals #templeculture #templefestival #folktradition #NSYSU #traditionalculture #temples

2026-07-14

Driver’s pants fall down after stopping to retrieve hat

Recently in Kaohsiung’s Daliao District, drivers stopped at a red light noticed a driver’s baseball cap fly off in the wind and land in the left-turn waiting area. He stopped over on the side of the road to retrieve the hat, but after just a few steps, his pants began falling down. The video went viral online, with commenters saying that the bumbling incident is the definition of awkward.

Drivers stopped at this red light watch as a motorist’s baseball cap flies off, landing in the left-turn zone. He stopped at the side of the road and started walking over to get it, but after just a few steps into the crosswalk, his pants start falling down, flashing his underwear in front of the waiting drivers. He quickly pulls them back up and keeps walking to get his hat.

- You can’t help but chuckle seeing someone embarrass himself like that.

- I’d just keep quiet and pretend not to notice to let him pull his pants back up in peace.

- He must have been going through it.

- How does something like that even happen? The chances are small, but I guess it’s still possible.

This embarrassing incident happened on the busy Fengping First Road in Kaohsiung’s Daliao District, ensuring there were plenty of witnesses. And what’s more—police said that the man would be fined, as he wasn’t wearing a helmet.

Han Chun-wei
Local deputy police chief
Our precinct still has not received any reports or public complaints. Based on the video footage, the driver failed to wear a helmet, which is punishable by a fine of NT$500. We will ask the driver to come in and clarify the situation.

The driver set out in only a baseball cap, only to have it fly off and result in this embarrassing debacle that will end with him having to pay a fine.

#traffic #wardrobemalfunction #embarrassing #Kaohsiung #driver #helmetsafety #trafficsafety

2026-07-14

TSMC reportedly set to hike prices for mature-node wafer production

After four straight years of raising prices for its advanced manufacturing processes, TSMC is now reportedly set to increase prices for its mature-node wafer production as well. Market sources say many customers have already been notified, with the new pricing expected to take effect in January next year, marking the first price hike for mature processes since the Covid-19 pandemic. Analysts say the move signals that the AI boom is no longer limited to GPUs and high-performance computing, but is now driving demand for a wider range of chips, including power management ICs and power devices. Let’s hear more.

Nobunaga Chai
Cloud Express
TSMC adjusted its prices by less than 5% in the first quarter already. The adjustments affected everything from 8-inch wafers to the most advanced tech, and mainly reflected higher production costs. Capacity utilization for 3nm and 5nm processes is above 100%. For mature-node processes, it’s close to full capacity at an average of almost 90%.

Investors are closely watching TSMC ahead of its earnings conference on July 16. Key issues include the rollout of its 2nm process, progress at its overseas fabs, competition from Samsung and Intel, and rising manufacturing costs. Confidence remains strong, with six foreign brokerages already raising their target price for TSMC shares to above NT$3,000. Now, the market is waiting to see what guidance the company will provide for the months ahead.

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

#tsmc #earnings #chips #semiconductor #tech

2026-07-13

Metal sheets fall on road, building facade crumbles

A scooter driver barely dodged a tragic end in Taoyuan last week, after the strong winds of Typhoon Bavi sent several huge sheets of metal crashing down on the street. It is thought that the debris came from a construction site in the rooftop of a nearby building. The sheets fell just a couple of steps in front of the scooter. And that wasn’t the only near-disaster in Northern Taiwan. Over in New Taipei, several pieces of a building’s façade were ripped right off the wall and sent crashing down on the parked scooters below. Miraculously, nobody was in the area when it happened.

A scooter driver was cruising down the road, nothing amiss, when out of nowhere, huge sheets of metal came crashing down. One second later, and it could’ve been the end for the motorist. A heart-stopping fright for sure.

Local
Yangmei District
Terrifying! It might’ve been the typhoon. Maybe the metal sheets were old, and the wind ripped them off.

- They must have come from that building, I think.

The near-disaster happened on Zhongxing Road in Taoyuan’s Yangmei District. Construction was underway on the rooftop of a building in the area. It is thought the materials were not properly secured, and were blown loose by the strong winds. Thankfully, nobody was crushed by the metal.

- Maybe the strong wind blew them over. Or maybe they were hoisting them up.
- No, they did that on Thursday.
- They weren’t lifting them? There’s no crane here now.
- No, no. They finished the day before. Wednesday or Thursday.

And it’s not only metal falling from the sky. Over in New Taipei’s Xinzhuang District, three huge brick ornaments on a building’s façade were ripped off the wall and slammed onto several scooters parked below.

Voice of scooter owner
Scooter got damaged
I saw it when I was about to get on my scooter. Chunks of the façade came off and destroyed the headlights completely. The building management told me to leave my phone number, but they haven’t called me! Not yesterday nor today! They hadn’t even fenced the area off last night, and they let people keep walking past.

The crash site has since been cordoned off, and warnings have been put up. But the scooter owner says the most infuriating thing is the response from management. On a social media post he said, “It was just a scooter this time, but what if it had crushed someone?”

Voice of scooter owner
Scooter got damaged
It’s not the first time that the façade crumbled. If this is their attitude when a vehicle gets damaged, what would it be if a person got hurt?

Lee Yu-sheng
Lawyer
In the case that tiles or other items fall off the façade and damage someone’s property, the law presumes the committee to be negligent in its management duties if it cannot produce evidence that it fulfilled its maintenance responsibilities. And, if they failed to put up no-parking signs, the committee would be held civilly liable for compensation.

The scooter owner says he just hopes the building’s management will take the matter seriously in order to prevent a potential tragedy.

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

#finaldestination #scooter #wow #closecall #facade #maintenance

2026-07-13

Uber One monthly membership rises from NT$120 to NT$199

When hunger or thirst calls, many prefer to not leave the house. But starting today, members of Uber’s delivery service will need to pay even more to enjoy the convenience of at-home dining. Originally NT$120 a month, the cost of membership will now be NT$199, an increase of 65.8%. Yearly memberships will see a similar hike, rising from NT$1,200 to NT$1,990. Uber stated that those wanting to cancel their membership must do so at least 48 hours before the renewal date.

Now that the yearly membership is NT$790 more expensive than before, many have expressed their anger online, saying it took them “half the day” to find where they could cancel their membership on Uber’s website. Coinciding with this wave of cancellations is less work for delivery drivers, who noticed today’s orders are fewer than normal. Uber Eat’s biggest competitor Foodpanda has responded by slashing its rates for 6-month memberships. The days of low-cost food delivery might be coming to an end though, as the Delivery Workers’ Rights Protection and Delivery Platform Management Act will go into effect on July 21.

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

#delivery #Uber #Foodpanda #membership #cancellation

2026-07-13

Dumpling shop praised for apologizing before minor price hike

A pan-fried dumpling stand in Taichung recently posted online saying they need to raise prices by NT$3 due to rising material costs. Thinking they would be criticized, the owner and her daughter bowed in apology while telling their customers that selling each bun for only NT$15 was no longer tenable. To her surprise, they weren’t criticized at all. On the contrary, people praised them for only raising prices by a little, when other shops are charging NT$20 or more.

The owner of this pan-fried dumpling stand and her daughter bow to the camera in apology, not because of any food safety scare, but because they have to raise prices by NT$3 due to rising costs.

Customer
OK with price hike
I don’t think she needs to apologize. It’s already a good price.

- Do you think NT$3 more is too much?
- No.
- Is it OK for you?
- Totally fine.

Even at NT$18, customers found the price to be reasonable. This stand in Taichung has been in business for years, selling scallion, pork, and cabbage dumplings for NT$15 apiece. But with soaring inflation and the price of cabbage fluctuating wildly, the owner said she couldn’t handle it any longer.

Stand owner
Hiked dumpling prices
I asked ChatGPT and it said that although NT$17 is the ideal number, we’d go out of business. Raising it to NT$18 would be a minor change that people could accept. If we raised it to NT$20, we would make more, but people would hate us.

Unwilling to anger their customers by hiking prices by NT$5 at once, the owner decided just to raise it by the minimum NT$3. She was prepared to be criticized, but was pleasantly surprised to be met with praise instead. Over the past few days, they’ve even welcomed new customers looking to support them.

- They’re packed with filling and are crispy outside, not soggy at all.
- Would you buy it again for NT$18?
- Yeah, definitely.

This father and son pair found the "buy 10 get one free” deal to be a bargain. Their customers as a whole have found the price to be reasonable and hope they can stay in business so everyone can enjoy this affordable treat.

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

#dumplings #panfrieddumplings #streetfood #snack #Taichung #inflation #pricehike

2026-07-13

Typhoon Bavi causes damage of NT$2.88 million to jujube farmers

Jujube farmers in Miaoli are despairing, after all their hard work this year was ruined due to Typhoon Bavi last week. Jujubes are a key agricultural industry in the county. The sector got a nasty surprise just as the harvest was underway. The storm caused fruit to drop from trees and to crack, making it unsalvageable. The county commissioner joined agriculture officials to inspect the damage in Gongguan Township, where farmers estimate they’ve lost 50% of their crops. Let’s hear more.

Jujube farmer
Miaoli
Look at all this. Not one of them is good. They’re all cracked.

Jujube farmer
Miaoli
We hired three people to harvest them at NT$200 per hour. Only these few are salvageable. It’s a total loss if you factor in labor costs.

Chung Tung-chin
Miaoli Commissioner
I’ll talk with the council on behalf of our farmers, to see whether our county can subsidize part of the harvesting labor costs.

Hsu Chi-ming
Kung-Kuan Farmers’ Association
Production has been halved. Of the 50 tons we produced in all of Gongguan, we’ve been left with just 25 tons.

Gongguan and the nearby Tongluo Township estimate that some 20 hectares of jujube orchards were affected. Estimated monetary losses total some NT$2.88 million. The area received more than 100mm of rain in a span of 24 hours, which meets the central government’s threshold to be considered a disaster for mature jujube trees. Farmers can apply for disaster relief of NT$80,000 per hectare. The county government says it will provide assistance with the process.

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#jujube #crop #farming #farmlife #countryside

2026-07-13

Lai says Taiwan has lost a friend after Lindsey Graham’s sudden death

On July 11, US Senator Lindsey Graham suddenly passed away from an aortic dissection. The 71-year-old Republican stalwart visited Taiwan on three occasions, and he played a role in Taiwan becoming a major non-NATO ally, meaning Taiwan enjoys military and financial advantages from the USA that are not available to non-NATO nations. President Lai also expressed his condolences on X, writing that Graham was “a true friend of Taiwan.”

On July 10, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wished US Senator Graham a happy belated birthday. Many found it hard to believe that this would be the Republican heavyweight’s last public appearance.

Anchor
CNN
It was a brief and sudden illness.

Graham became a senator back in 2003, and two decades later he served as one of Donald Trump’s closest political allies. After turning 71 on July 9, Graham ended up suddenly passing away just two days after his birthday.

Donald Trump (Jan. 23, 2023)
US President
A friend of mine for a long time. We don’t always agree, but that’s okay, too. But he’s a great guy, a great politician, actually, and a terrific person who loves your state.

One of the Republican presidential candidates for the 2016 election cycle, Graham exerted significant influence over his party. President Trump ordered flags nationwide to be flown at half-staff to honor the late US Senator Graham. President Lai Ching-te also posted a message on X that expressed he was “deeply saddened by the sudden passing” of Graham and that the US senator was “a true friend of Taiwan.”

Lindsey Graham (April 15, 2022)
Republican senator
What would America do if the communist Chinese invaded Taiwan? We’re here in this part of the world not to conquer, but to be a good ally. If America abandons Taiwan, it will change the world fundamentally for the worst.

Graham never wavered in his support for Taiwan. He visited Taiwan three times, including an April 2022 bipartisan congressional delegation he led that flew to Taiwan on a US military aircraft. Tsai Ing-wen was the president back during that visit, and the delegation was the first item on Tsai’s agenda after her home quarantine was finished. Graham introduced the Taiwan Policy Act of 2022, which was seen as a breakthrough for US-Taiwan relations, as it involved arms sales from the US.

Jean Kuo
Legislator (DPP)
I’m incredibly saddened to hear of his passing. Going forward, we’ll need to continue working with a bipartisan approach that involves up and coming American members of Congress. By not differentiating between Democrats and Republicans, we’ll be able to establish channels of communication that’ll ensure the efforts of those in the US Congress who support Taiwan will be able to continue to offer their support.

Graham’s office confirmed his cause of death was an aortic dissection. Graham had intended to run for a 5th term as senator, which is a goal that, like Graham’s sudden passing, ended on July 11.

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

#Taiwan #armssales #LindseyGraham #NATO #heartattack #Trump

2026-07-13

Chiayi County commissioner candidate makes his chubby figure his brand

DPP legislator Tsai Yi-yu is turning his chubby physique into his badge of pride. The politician was even previously told by President Tsai Ing-wen to lose weight. Now he’s running for Chiayi County Commissioner in the year-end local elections and he’s made fat his personal brand. He’s designed a multicolored business card in an anime style that even says he is the “nimble fat corps”. Let’s find out more.

Legislator Tsai Yi-yu seems to have mastered some kind of superpower, moving freely in the water. It turns out he is flyboarding, but unfortunately, he was too heavy, and half of him ends up submerged in water.

With increased horsepower Tsai managed the heroic posture of an aquatic iron man, but only for a few seconds. Despite weighing over 100kg, Tsai is agile, but he can’t get rid of his chubby frame, which he simply uses to make fun of himself.

- The “nimble fat corps.” Here are the addresses of my Puzi service center and Shuishang service center.

Upon closer inspection, Tsai Yi-yu’s business card completely breaks away from tradition; it doesn’t resemble a business card at all, but rather a game card. It turns out this is an anime-style card he creatively designed himself, with his personal information presented in the style of a game character introduction.

Tsai Yi-yu
Chiayi County Commissioner candidate (DPP)
RPGs give characters abilities and levels. Level 109 was my weight, but then I felt it was a bit embarrassing, so I just made the level infinite.

Chiayi County resident
Likes the business card
It’s very creative. I’d like to collect it.

Not only are his business cards incredibly eye-catching, but his canned wet wipes co-branded with the mayoral candidate for Chiayi’s Taibao, Lu Hui-yu, also feature an anime style, aiming to capture the votes of young people.

Chiayi County resident
Likes both candidates
The two of them must work together; only then can they create a win-win situation.

Tsai, who has served three terms as a legislator, is now running for Chiayi County Commissioner. This nimble fat man will continue to navigate the political arena.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#Chiayipolitics #personalbranding #bodyimage #Tsaiyuyi #Taiwanelections #Chiayi

2026-07-13

Five-star hotel offers local Tainan favorites targeting summer travelers

Summer vacation is here, and hotels are pulling out all the stops to entice families to visit. One five-star hotel in Taipei is offering the most popular local bites from Tainan to bring in the crowds, including stir-fried eel noodles and seafood pot noodles. Even the glutinous rice cakes and shrimp meatballs from hugely popular Tainan restaurants can be enjoyed in the comfort of high-class buffet restaurants. As the stock market continues to hit record highs, people aren’t skimping on a delicious night out.

A wok is heated until is glows red. Then comes the oil, quickly followed by eel stir-fried in the roaring flames and tossed with noodles. After mere seconds, this meal of Tainan eel noodles is ready to serve.

Full of fresh shrimp, scallops, and abalone, this seafood pot is tossed fresh in noodles for the most authentic southern flavor. Now, the best of Tainan’s cuisine can be enjoyed right in Taipei.

Mr. Liu
Rice cake restaurant owner
This recipe was passed down to me by my grandmother. I hope to pass down this kind of rice cake through any means.

Wei Shih-chang
Shrimp meatball restaurant owner
We try to keep it as close to its authentic, original taste as possible. Partnering with a hotel means they’ll help us generate exposure, whether for our shop or for Tainan as a whole.

This five-star hotel in Taipei invited famous restaurants in Tainan to bring their specialities up north. These gelatinous rice cakes are even served in traditional wooden barrels and bicycles from the Japanese era. The freshly steamed shrimp meatballs are delicious with a drizzle of sauce. And be sure to follow it up with a refreshing cup of A Mei Ma’s tea. With the stock market hitting new highs, more people are willing to splurge on buffets than ever before.

Member of public
Doesn’t look at price
The stock market has given me more pocket money lately, so it makes you want to spend a bit more, like on travel abroad or restaurants. I don’t even look at the price so much.

Chen Mu-shan
Hotel marking assistant manager
We brought in several legacy shops from Tainan to launch this Tainan Food Culture Festival. Driven by the stock market’s performance, we’ve seen a noticeable increase in dining voucher sales and reservations, which have boosted revenue by 10% to 20%.

The hotel is also offering more bang for your buck by giving out raffle tickets for traditional Tainan pudding and creative products, including a grand prize of a dining voucher for NT$20,000.

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#Tainanfood #gelatinousrice #streetfood #cuisine #hotelrestaurant #gourmet #foodie

2026-07-13

Keelung aquarium to issue measures combatting illegal temporary parking

Although the Regional Exploration Gallery at Keelung’s National Museum of Marine Science and Technology has paid parking lots, finding a space is often incredibly difficult. Looking to cheat the system, some drivers have chosen to park for free in the pickup and drop-off zone, even though it’s meant for loading and unloading passengers. The illegal parking has sparked public outrage, leading the museum to respond by vowing to formulate corresponding measures.

As far as the eye can see, every parking space under this bridge is taken. There isn’t even a spot to park along the road. Even the paid parking lots are full. Drivers looking to stop in this drop-off space for a few minutes can understand if there are a few cars parked there, but the entire row? That’s too much.

Member of public
Angry at rule breakers
It’s long-term parking! Some people even park their scooters there to hold the space. We often see cars parked there for a long time that never move.

Member of public
Angry at rule breakers
It’s ridiculous. Those are spaces set aside by the museum for people to drop off or pick up passengers. If you park there, people won’t know where to catch their ride.

This area is just outside the Regional Exploration Gallery of Keelung’s National Museum of Marine Science and Technology. It’s clearly meant for short-term pickup and drop-off, but recently, it’s become a regular lot where people like to park long-term. Law-abiding drivers looking for a legitimate space have been left feeling like fools.

Member of public
Considering solutions
They might as well just turn it into a paid parking area. Make everyone pay. If they charge money, it’ll be fairer for everyone.

Member of public
Finds it unfair
They’re abusing a loophole. It’s not fair to everyone else, especially tourists. When it’s like that, tourists have no idea what’s going on. If your car is blocking the way, how are they supposed to know it’s actually a drop-off zone?

In response, the museum has asked the relevant authorities to draft measures to prevent opportunistic drivers from continuing to take advantage of this parking loophole.

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#Keelung #dropoffzone #parking #driving #NMMST #loophole

2026-07-13

Family preserves traditional jerky and pork floss techniques in popular shop

Lovers of Taiwanese jerky and pork floss will appreciate this 40-year-old shop in Yuanlin City in Changhua, which is a family business. The second generation still sticks to traditional techniques they’ve learnt from their parents to make the jerky and floss and insists on using freshly slaughtered pork. Let’s find out more about these traditional Taiwanese tasty treats.

As a semi-automatic wok turns, waves of a rich crispy aroma permeate the air

- You have to stir it or it will get stuck and burn.

This jerky and pork floss shop in Yuanlin City in Changhua has been in business for 40 years and has strong appeal for customers spanning three generations.

Customer
Long time regular
We’ve been eating this for three generations, from my father-in-law’s generation, to when I married into the family, to our children, and now our grandchildren. We all love these flavors. So now that we’ve finished it, we’ve come back to buy more.

Customer
Loves jerky
It’s so convenient when we go outdoors. Kids love to eat it. For example, some jerky in other places has a gamey smell, so our kids don’t dare touch it. But theirs is just so delicious.

Discerning customers can tell with one bite that the owner uses only fresh, warm pork to maintain its elasticity.

Chang Yu-tsung
Second-generation owner
Our pork comes from freshly slaughtered pork that is never chilled. It’s processed immediately upon arrival, ensuring the meat is very fresh because only fresh meat has elasticity.

When Chang Yu-tsung, 37, was at university, his father suddenly passed away. He was unable to bear seeing his mother struggling alone. He decided to suspend his studies and take over the family business, the pork floss and jerky shop.

Chang Yu-tsung
Second-generation owner
It’s about passing on the legacy. After all, it’s the result of the meticulous work of my father and mother a generation ago. If we can continue it well, we’ll feel a great sense of accomplishment.

Their shop retains the warmth of traditional shop owners interacting with customers, and the family also embraces online marketing. They are not seeking great wealth, but rather a legacy of craftsmanship and delicious food.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#Taiwancuisine #jerky #porkfloss #Yunlin #Changhua

2026-07-13