Logo
  • Home

頭條新聞 Headline News

50,000 seat New Taipei Dome will be city’s 4th urban center

Taipei City might be known for having two large stadiums: Taipei Arena and Taipei Dome. But in less than five years, New Taipei will have its own stadium: the New Taipei Dome. Today, New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih shared some of the sports dome’s specs and how the area is set to become the city’s 4th urban center. Let’s hear more.

Wang Yu-chun
FTV Reporter
We’re now at the future site of New Taipei Dome. We can see this entire area has been cordoned off, and over here there are signs saying that only construction vehicles are allowed on the premises. The extension of Sanying Metro Line will be completed before the New Taipei Dome is finished, meaning once the dome is open, this area will become New Taipei’s 4th urban center.

Hou Yu-ih
New Taipei City Mayor
We’ve chosen a location where New Taipei Government will be able to be the primary leader. We were able to expropriate 100 hectares of land for development, and 23 hectares of that will be an industry and sports park. We’ll then use at least 10 hectares of that land to build a sports dome. Planning includes bidding, which will require construction to be finished in under 5 years. We’ll have build-operate-transfer entities working hand-in-hand with the city government, and in the end this area will be able to become the 4th urban center of New Taipei City, following in the footsteps of Xinban Special District and Xinzhuang Sub-city Center as well as the Sanchong Second Administrative Center.

Su Chiao-hui
New Taipei mayoral candidate (DPP)
Everything from the location of New Taipei Dome to building design and transportation planning, and even sustainable development in the future, I believe all of these aspects need to be considered together.

Nearby the dome is TuchengShulin Line’s LG18 Station, and MRT Banqiao Station is just a 20-minute walk away, meaning the new site is just 30 minutes away from Taipei Main Station. In addition to coming by rail, visitors will also find driving convenient, as National Freeway No. 3 and Provincial Highway 65 pass close by to the dome.

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

#NewTaipeiDome #HouYuh #bigplans #4thurbancenter #NewTaipei


Time：2026-07-22

最新消息 Latest News

Agriculture ministry is using AI in landslide warning systems

Taiwan is characterized by its high mountains and deep valleys, where even a torrential downpour can trigger landslides that can potentially bury an entire village. The Agency of Rural Development and Soil and Water Conservation has been introducing AI to its disaster prevention systems with an aim of offering early warnings for landslides. Let’s find out more.

In 2009, Typhoon Morakot struck Xiaolin Village in Jiaxian District, Kaohsiung. A massive landslide wiped out the village, burying more than 470 people alive.

Taiwan, with its high mountains and deep valleys, has a fragile geology. Coupled with frequent rainfall and human development, landslides often lead to major disasters.

Huang Chuang-hsi
Forecaster
Taiwan has high and steep mountains, which, combined with our weather system, easily leads to these kinds of compounding disasters.

Chen Chen-yu
Ministry of Agriculture
We hope to utilize emerging technologies and information power to integrate disaster prevention data more quickly.

In recent years, the Agency of Rural Development and Soil and Water Conservation has introduced AI into its disaster prevention systems, setting up early warning and monitoring systems for debris flows and mudflows.

Chen Chen-yu
Ministry of Agriculture
The primary method is to use rainfall levels for early warnings. We set different critical rainfall thresholds for different areas based on their local geological conditions and how the terrain has evolved.

Based on meteorological data and assessment, if necessary, an emergency response team can be set up to evaluate the situation based on real time data and make a decision on issuing a landslide warning.

Huang Hsiao-yu
ARDSWC, Ministry of Agriculture
The capture rate (of mudflows) is only a little over 10%. We hope that by integrating AI and on-site monitoring equipment, we can issue warnings earlier and better adjust our forecasting mechanisms

Taiwan faces a long-term challenge of extreme weather. By combining technology with human cooperation, we can stand steadier and safer in every future storm, ensuring such tragedies are never repeated.

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

#extremeweather #landslides #Taiwanweather #Taiwantyphoon #Taiwandisasters

2026-07-22

Taiwanese woman given 11 years for poisoning Australian

Taipei District court announced its first-instance verdict for the shocking case of an exchange student who was poisoned by beverages laced with rat poison. Australian national Alex Shorey’s ex-girlfriend has been given an 11-year, 2-month sentence for attempted murder, but the case can be appealed. With Shorey absent from the verdict announcement, his lawyer spoke on his behalf, explaining that the punishment was just and fair. The lawyer also revealed that they’ll be seeking compensation.

This ordeal started back in 2023, when the perpetrator Ms. Yang met Shorey via Facebook. The two ended up having an open relationship. Struggling to support himself without a stable income, Shorey was planning to return to Australia when Yang, who wanted him to stay in Taiwan, laced Shorey’s beverages with rat poison on two separate occasions; Yang also stopped Shorey from going to the emergency room. At a later time Yang poisoned Shorey with rat poison again after allegedly becoming jealous after discovering Shorey was intimate with his former employer.

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

2026-07-22

Street food vendor brings Japanese robatayaki to Kaohsiung

Robatayaki, a high-end form of Japanese cuisine, has been transformed by a Kaohsiung entrepreneur into street food. The chef uses only saltwater fish bought fresh from the market and is a master of charcoal grilling with over a decade of experience. People often line up well before the stand officially opens, drawn by the smell of robatayaki barbeque.

Intense heat from charcoal embers in the center of a food stand grills the fish skewers circled around it. This robatayaki food cart pops up in districts across Kaohsiung on an irregular schedule, attracting people with delicious grilled fish.

Customer
Likes the stand
I’ve had grilled fish, but I’ve never seen it sold on the street like this before. It’s special.

Customer
Loves grilled fish
I’ve bought it at other markets before, it’s great. I’ll get two or three types this time.

Robatayaki is a high-end Japanese cuisine that samurai once used to entertain guests. Now, it’s found mostly in izakaya restaurants. An entrepreneur with years of experience in the restaurant industry subverted the cuisine’s high-end tradition by turning it into street food.

Wang Lu-wei
Food stand vendor
No one in Taiwan operates a food stand like this, so we decided to give it a shot. I go to the Qianzhen Fishing Harbor myself to purchase all my ingredients, so the value, price, and freshness of the fish are all unbeatable.

Different types of fish skewers are arranged around a central grill. It may look simple, but there are lots of challenges, including which type of fish should go in the inner versus outer circles. The vendor has over 10 years of culinary experience to guide him.

Wang Lu-wei
Food stand vendor
It’s a challenge controlling the heat and understanding the characteristics of each type of fish. For example, the heat has to be adjusted precisely depending on the fat content of the fish.

Bringing a centuries-old traditional cuisine to the streets of Kaohsiung, the vendor uses special grilling techniques to prepare the city’s seafood, making this Japanese-style barbeque more accessible to the public.

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

#fish #Japan #cuisine #grilledfish #charcoal #Kaohsiung #streetfood #robatayaki

2026-07-22

Woman finds new life in professional sports, career after paralyzing condition

Mermaids don’t have legs to walk or stand on. In real life, there are also people who can’t use their legs. Pan Chih-yu refused to give up after suffering a condition that left her paralyzed from the waist down. Despite being wheelchair-bound, Pan has learned how to free dive just like a mermaid, and she plays table tennis. She now also has a full-time corporate job. With support from loved ones and her own resilience, her story tells everyone that even if your movement is limited, life has endless possibilities. Here’s our special report.

Rays of light ripple through the water as a mermaid gently sways her tail, moving as freely and gracefully as a dancer.

Pan Chih-yu
Paraplegic
At the time I thought mermaids were so beautiful, so I asked my coach if I could try. He said I could, and got me a mermaid tail.

Pan Chih-yu got to try mermaiding with help from coaches. She cannot put on the tail or get into the water herself. Her coaches gently dropped her.

- Ok, here we go! Three, two, one!
- What makes this difficult?
- It’s difficult to put it on.
- This part at the bottom?
- I wear socks to avoid injuries, because I can’t feel my legs.
- Does it always take so much effort to put on the costume?
- Yes, it’s difficult to put on a mermaid costume.
- But the coach said “there is always a price to pay for beauty.”
- Yes, it takes a lot, especially from those around me.

In the water you can’t tell that she’s paraplegic. Despite being compleletely paralyzed from the waist down, Pan found a quiet corner for herself underwater.

Pan Chih-yu
Paraplegic
It’s really soothing. I have to keep pushing to move on land, but in the water, it wakes only a gentle nudge.

Pan is all smiles when talking about being underwater, but it wasn’t easy for her to accept her condition. Before she was 15, Pan was on her school’s volleyball team. But that soon changed.

Pan Chih-yu
Paraplegic
The first time I showed symptoms, I was practicing volleyball and doing weight training. I was carrying a classmate while running. As soon as my classmate got on top of me, I started feeling discomfort. After about half an hour, I got a really bad headache.

She was eventually diagnosed with an arteriovenous malformation that damaged her spinal cord. Even after six surgeries, she could no longer stand, completely changing her life.

Pan Chih-yu
Paraplegic
I collected a lot of meds like sleeping pills. I thought about taking them, but then I thought that I can’t leave my family like that. I thought, if I go, then it would be hard on them. I couldn’t do that.

Even after becoming paraplegic, Pan could still take care of herself. But those days are numbers.

Pan Chih-yu
Paraplegic
My hands can’t fully function. I used to be able to go to the toilet on my own, but now I need help from my mother. She has to put on medical gloves with Vaseline and perform anal dilation on me. I don’t think just anyone would be willing to do it even if it’s immediate family members. But my mom always tells me that she’s willing to do anything for me without asking for anything in return. All she wants is for me to be healthy and happy.

Pan Chih-yu
Paraplegic
Everything my mom makes is delicious. She always makes huge portions. Just look at my dad. You should see his old photos. He’s gained as much weight in numbers as the years they’re married.

Her family’s love and care were the strength Pan needed to move forward.

Pan Chih-yu
Paraplegic
Life pushes you forward, so you must keep going. If not, you’ll be trapped here in your own room. I don’t think that’s the right way to live.

As someone who used to play volleyball, sports are in her blood. Even now, she continues to do sports on land and underwater. Apart from water sports, she also plays wheelchair table tennis.

Pan Chih-yu
Paraplegic
It feels like how I used to play volleyball. You can play to your heart’s content. It’s not off limits just because you’re wheelchair-bound.

But she’s not your average sports lover. Pan has already played many times for the national team, which allowed her to build experience and confidence.

Chen Yu-jung
Table tennis coach
I clearly remember that one year when her condition flared up again and required surgery. Even then, she still showed up at a match wearing a neck brace. She persisted, all for that one little white ball. I was really in awe of that spirit of hers.

Pan not only mastered table tennis, she also does underwater sports, even if she needs a little help from others.

Her diving coach Chen Chien-hung used to be a physical therapist. Under his guidance, Pan could finally enjoy some moments to herself away from the wheelchair.

Pan Chih-yu
Paraplegic
It’s really relaxing. On land, I must use a wheelchair, but underwater, I could simply drift. It feels like gravity disappeared. It’s really, really relaxing.

Chen Chien-hung
Freediving coach
They often get pressure injury on their backside from exercising on a wheelchair, due to the weight and pressure. It’s not as straining underwater, so we hope that they can fully stretch out their limbs underwater and try out other forms of sports and leisure.

More people joined in. There’s a photographer and coaches looking out for her safety. The teamwork ensured that this beautiful moment is captured forever.

Pan Wei-wen
Pan Chih-yu’s father
I just hope that the road ahead is long. She has to be independent, healthy, and happy. Find her own path in life.

Yeh Yu-chi
Pan Chih-yu’s mother
Your path in life is important. We hope that she does whatever she wants to do. We’ll support her fully.

Pan now works in customer service at Starlux Airlines. Previously, she worked at an NGO for paraplegic advocacy and a hospital. Despite her varied professional experience, a corporate job marked a new chapter in her life.

Pan Chih-yu
Paraplegic
I thought I wouldn’t get hired, because I need to use a wheelchair. But many companies lack sufficient accessibility infrastructure, so they may not hire someone on a wheelchair, because it’s quite an investment.

Eric
Starlux Airlines HR
I was impressed by her upbeat and proactive attitude despite having reduced mobility. Looking at her professional and academic experience, I decided that she’s the one we’re looking for.

Pan Chih-yu
Paraplegic
This is the company’s accessible toilet. I have to get up and move myself over, and fell down on two or three instances. When the company found out, they got this hospital bed for me to use.

Pan is the first employee with reduced mobility in the company. The hospital bed is only one example of how the company accommodated her needs.

Pan Chih-yu
Paraplegic
For example, this counter here is quite high for me. So the general affairs helped me prepare lunchboxes so I won’t have to pick up each dish one-by-one, which is quite straining for my hands.

She’s also giving back to the company in her own way, even if she’s not always aware of it.

Brandy
Pan Chih-yu’s colleague
Once when I had just gotten off work, I saw her getting out of a car. What would usually take only a minute or two for most people would take her up to 20 or 30 minutes. It really made me think how it’s not easy to empathize with how much difficulty they face if you don’t have first-hand experience witnessing it.

Emmy
Starlux Airlines customer service
It’s not easy to work in customer service. Many customers come to you full of complaints, or all sorts of emotions. After she joined our team—like I said, she’s always so upbeat towards life and she’s really courageous no matter what’s thrown at her—and I believe that spirit has really rubbed off on the rest of the team.

Pan encouraged people around her with her life experience, while her job helped her get a clearer direction in life.

Pan Chih-yu
Paraplegic
I was happy after I started earning money. It allowed my parents to relax a little. They don’t need to worry about me being unable to work or support myself.

Pan hopes that her parents could worry less about her, but her parents still do, unsurprisingly.

- Yes, we still do. For example, yesterday she wanted to go out and get tofu pudding. I still wanted to be by her side.
- So you still worry?
- But it’s one baby step at a time.
- Yes, one step at a time.

Yeh Yu-chi
Pan Chih-yu’s mother
We hardly ever shed tears in front of her or say anything negative. We try to be positive for her. We hope that she won’t have to experience too many negative emotions, because that’s not good for her condition.

Pan Chih-yu
Paraplegic
My parents won’t tell me not to do one thing or another because it might be dangerous. I think that’s the best for us. It’s best that they’re not overprotective.

Pan may be restricted to a wheelchair, but it doesn’t restrict her laughter or courage. Her parents’ love and coworkers’ support give her the strength she needs to keep going. Her story proves that despite constraints, one can still live a full life.

Yeh Yu-chi
Pan Chih-yu’s mother
Keep going for it! This is life, overcoming challenge after challenge. There’s nothing you can’t overcome. Your dad and I will forever be your support. Just keep going. I love you. I’ll always love you.

#paraplegic #inspiring #mermaid #freediving #wheelchair #wheelchairtabletennis #disability #family

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

2026-07-22

Mobile internet to be disrupted for military drills in August

If you are the kind who can’t go a minute without checking your phone, you definitely want to jot this down. For the first time ever, Taiwan’s military will conduct a drill simulating a disruption to mobile internet services this August. The drill will be held as part of the Han Kuang military exercises, which run from Aug. 5 to 14, and will cover 14 cities and counties across Northern and Central Taiwan. But officials are stressing that this is not actually a complete internet shutdown. Let’s hear more.

I would also like to take the opportunity to explain the drills to everyone. Mobile internet services won’t be cut off fully. The connection speed will be slowed down, to simulate a disruption as caused by a natural disaster or a large-scale cyber attack. If you require a connection you can use fixed lines, or Wi-Fi. Taiwan isn’t the first in the world to conduct a drill of this kind. Democracies such as Japan, South Korea, Singapore and some European countries have conducted drills where they simulate power outages or cyberattacks on internet communications systems. It’s common practice, as these simulations enhance the resilience of democratic countries.

During the drill, mobile phones will still be able to make voice calls and send SMS messages. Emergency services, including 110 and 119, will also remain fully operational, while disaster warning text messages will not be affected. The Central Taiwan drill will take place from 2:30 to 3:00 p.m. on August 10. In Northern Taiwan, the disruption will take place at the same time on Aug. 13.

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

#drill #phone #internet #connection #network #data

2026-07-21

Lone macaque running amok caught after watermelon theft

Locals in Kaohsiung were treated to a tense yet entertaining standoff between a couple dozen humans and one macaque on a city trip. The monkey had apparently been taking in the local sights for three days, checking out popular tourist spots like Liuhe Night Market. But the primate’s trip was cut short on Tuesday morning at Sinsing District. After the monkey stole some pieces of watermelon from a woman, the local borough warden called police to take it away, resulting in an amusing spectacle.

What is happening? Police officers holding batons stand on the road, and a crowd of onlookers forms a semicircle. Even passing motorists stop to watch. The tension is palpable. Look up a bit and… it’s a macaque! Perched on the building’s façade looking over downtown Kaohsiung.

- Have you ever seen one before?
- Never! It’s so weird.

- It must be someone’s pet. Or maybe it was looking for food.

The monkey sits still, leisurely observing the movements down below. It stands and strolls around, yawning and chilling, even going as far as going to the toilet on a shop sign. Agriculture officials finally arrive, and after a long stare-off with the animal, they decide to shoot it with a tranquilizer gun.

Right on target! But instead of succumbing to sleep on the spot, the monkey started running amok and fell to the ground, baring its sharp teeth to anyone that got in the way. The final struggle is worthy of an epic.

Some people grab traffic cones to catch the monkey, while others rush forward with a net. Finally, sweet victory for the humans, as the group subdues the monkey. This macaque had been terrorizing Kaohsiung for three days.

Lee Hung-tan
Dongpo Borough Warden
It ripped off a piece of watermelon from a customer. While it was eating it over in the alley, I called the police over.

Voice of Chen Hsiu-fen
Kaohsiung agriculture official
We determined that the macaque strayed away from the pack in Chaishan.

The areas surrounding Chaishan and Shoushan Zoo are packed with macaques. It is unknown why one of them decided to venture into the city, where it was spotted making the trip to the Neiwei Arts Center, the popular Liuhe Night Market, and finally Linsen 1st Road, which is at least 6km away. The Kaohsiung Agricultural Bureau says the sightings are indeed the same monkey, a macaque that has been taken for a checkup at the zoo and will be released at a future date. With monkeys traveling deeper into the city, the question now is how to strike a balance of coexistence.

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

#monkey #macaque #funny #lol #kaohsiung #news #taiwannews

2026-07-21

Job market shifts south as AI boom fuels hiring surge

For decades, job-seekers all over Taiwan have been moving north, but that trend seems to be slowly reversing. According to a job bank survey, the number of job openings in Southern Taiwan increased by 10% in the first half of the year, compared with the first half of 2025. That’s a much steeper increase than the 5.8% increase in the North and the 5.1% increase in Central Taiwan. This new trend could be fueled by AI, semiconductor expansion, and the gradual formation of a tech corridor stretching from Chiayi to Pingtung. Let’s hear more.

Chung Chia-pin
Lawmaker (DPP)
Hsinchu Science Park isn’t the hottest thing anymore. Now the Southern Taiwan Science Park is in. This tectonic shift is making Southern Taiwan increasingly important, especially since historically, we’ve had plenty of water, power and land.

Hou Shuhn-Shyurng
Kun Shan University
We’ve established an AI college that the whole university is promoting. We have direct connections with more than 3,700 universities including TSMC, ASE and Innolux. Students can obtain professional certifications such as via the iPAS.

Lee Chien-I
National University of Tainan
We often hold events for alums. Thanks to their feedback, we can make adjustments to our curriculum. Every single student must take AI-enabled courses in their first year.

Universities and companies in the South are joining forces to retain talent locally. Fourteen universities have formed an alliance to work with tech companies and expand into hot fields ripe for AI such as long-term care and agriculture. With the support of major semiconductor giants, and with companies offering perks such as flexible work schedules, the North no longer seems so attractive as a career choice.

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

#jobs #taiwan #career #semiconductor #chips #tech #agriculture #south #southern

2026-07-21

Expensive artisan menu board for tofu pudding shop raises questions

While preparing to open a shop in Tainan, an entrepreneur approached an artisan to carve the menu out of wood in the traditional inlay style unique to the old capital. For a shop selling inexpensive tofu pudding and grass jelly, spending over NT$100,000 on the menu board seems to be an odd contrast, although somehow fitting for the over-the-top city.

Carving tool in hand, an artisan focuses intently on chiseling floral patterns to fulfill her commission. This is no ordinary carving, but a special kind of wood inlay craft unique to Tainan. An entrepreneur hired a specialist to create this menu board for his future tofu pudding shop.

Wang Yu-chien
Woodcarver
We usually just print it like normal. Using a craft special to Tainan for the menu will make this place unique.

Items on the menu include tofu pudding and grass jelly, all for only NT$30, yet the custom board alone will easily run into the hundreds of thousands. Only someone from Tainan could be crazy enough to wrap something so ordinary in pure luxury.

Liu Chin-wen
Woodcarver
I was surprised. You’re selling tofu pudding for NT$30, but this board will be over NT$100,000. Do you really want to do it? But he figured that reflecting the history was more important.

The order came by introduction from a friend of Liu Chin-wen who works in the food industry. The entrepreneur opened a well-known restaurant in Tainan that has received Bib Gourmand recognition for many years. Now, he’s preparing to open a tofu pudding shop. As the location happens to be next to the birthplace of this carving style, he decided to integrate it into the design.

Chou Jung-tang
Restaurateur
The innovative part is carving my photograph directly into the menu board in the special Tainan style. We hope to be able to hand it down through the generations.

It’s not cheap to make a menu board this exquisite, which has left people wondering: If prices go up, will they have to remake the sign? Chou said the specially crafted board isn’t just to drive business—more importantly, he hopes it will hang proudly over the old street as a part of Tainan’s rich history.

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

#Tainan #tofupudding #craftsmanship #culturalheritage #woodcarving #artisan

2026-07-21

Group of veteran cabaret musicians form band to benefit seniors, children

Wei Jung-tai, celebrated in the horticultural industry as an expert on foxtail orchids, served as a band director for numerous variety shows in his earlier days. In recent years, he’s assembled a team of musicians who used to headline all kinds of concert halls and cabaret shows into their own band. They go around the country performing charity concerts for audiences to enjoy and reminisce about the bygone heyday of Taiwan’s cabaret culture.

The classic Taiwanese folk song “High Green Mountain” is brought to life by Western wind instruments and Eastern drums.

The conductor waving his baton is Wei Jung-tai. He directs this charity band composed of senior instrumentalists.

Every musician on the stage was once a highly sought-after performer for cabarets and nightclubs in the 1970s. Many years later, Wei brought them all together to form this ensemble.

Wei Jung-tai
Band director
Restaurants, TV shows, and music halls all used to have big bands. We hope that TV channels will bring back variety programs backed by live music. This would elevate our musical standards while giving new life to Taiwan’s jazz music scene.

Wei currently serves as the chair of a successful orchid enterprise specializing in rare foxtail orchids, alongside operating a highly successful restaurant venture. He began studying the piano at four years old and later switched to the keyboard, eventually working as a musical director at various performance venues. His biggest wish was to form a group that would allow his former colleagues to take the stage together once more.

Wei Jung-tai
Band director
I’m bringing these older musicians back to give charity shows together. After deducting our basic expenditures, all remaining proceeds are donated to help orphans, foster homes, and elderly people who live alone.

Giving back through their musical expertise, the group opens their concerts free of charge to elderly people living alone and vulnerable children. These musicians are proving that passion knows no age, as they reignite the creative spark of their golden years.

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

#concert #seniors #bigband #jazzband #WeiJungtai #charity #cabaret #varietyshow

2026-07-21

Ex-TSMC manager indicted for leaking secrets to Chinese firm

A former manager at TSMC surnamed Chen has been indicted for trying to leak company secrets to China. The incident came to light during an investigation into a Chinese espionage group headed by Ding Xiaohu, a Hong Kong national. After joining the group, Mr. Chen made illegal copies of 21 secret documents and drafted a project to recruit Taiwanese talent to advance China’s semiconductor industry. TSMC discovered the activity and reported it. The investigation concluded on July 20, and prosecutors are seeking seven years in prison for Mr. Chen for violating the National Security Act as well as the Trade Secrets Act.

The case follows another alleged leak involving former TSMC engineers Chen Li-ming, Chen Wei-chieh and Wu Ping-jun, who were accused of stealing and leaking key TSMC technology to Japan’s Tokyo Electron. This time, however, the technology was allegedly intended for China. Experts say China currently cannot legally obtain the world’s most advanced EUV equipment. They say that, even with aggressive recruitment and infiltration efforts, it would be difficult for any firm to successfully replicate advanced semiconductor manufacturing processes.

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

#spy #espionage #tsmc #tech #technology #leaks #engineering

2026-07-21

TSMC-NYCU semiconductor summer camp welcomes Ukrainian students as teachers

As the AI wave is here to stay, science education is taking root at a younger age. National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University is hosting a semiconductor summer camp, which this year welcomed students from Ukraine who communicated with the participants entirely in English. The curriculum also incorporates interactive devices designed in Taiwan, transforming difficult chipmaking principles into interactive activities that students can actually touch and play around with.

Holding an interactive device as she looks at the electrical current on the screen, a high schooler from Hsinchu uses English to explain the principles of voltage, current, and short circuits to the class. Her voice never wavers, showing remarkable stage presence.

Each summer, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University and TSMC work together to organize the Be Light AI Semiconductor outreach program. This year, they also partnered with a Ukrainian K-12 education project to bring Ukrainian students on board. After first receiving training on semiconductors and AI, Ukrainian and NYCU students teamed up to guide students from Hsinchu Girls’ Senior High through experiments and coding.

Liya
Ukrainian student
I feel really grateful and excited and happy. I’m becoming a teacher myself, and it’s good that you see how the way you teach and the way kids are—their response to this.

Liza
Ukrainian student
I know when their lectures become boring and the students tune out. And I feel like this helped me to create better materials.

Professor Wen, who designed the program, and Lora Ho, a former senior VP at TSMC, are both former students of Hsinchu Girls’ Senior High. They also hope to expose more students to AI early in their education.

Bella
Hsinchu Girls’ Senior High student
I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to finish the program with the assistance of these teachers.

Yang Po-hsuan
Hsinchu Girls’ director of academic affairs
First of all, Professor Wen is an alumna of our school—and a distinguished one at that. At the moment, high-school textbooks don’t have anything on semiconductors. Coming here to teach our students about semiconductors, and having Ukrainian students guide them, makes the topic into an opportunity for international exchange.

Taiwan is incorporating semiconductors into the curriculum ahead of schedule, giving students the chance to enter the industry on more solid footing.

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

#semiconductors #TSMC #NYCU #highschool #summercamp #AI #BeLightAI #Ukraine #internationalexchange

2026-07-21

Campus ambassadors selection receives over 250 applications

The Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund just turned 30 recently, but it’s holding a new program for the first time: the Campus Youth Ambassadors selection. Over 250 young people applied, and students who made it into the second round were interviewed in both Mandarin and English. Next up for those who are selected is a 5-day stay in either Eswatini or Saint Lucia, where they’ll witness development diplomacy in action.

Getting out their IDs, these students have gotten to the second stage of the TaiwanICDF’s campus youth ambassador selection.

Su Yu-ting
Student applicant
Being able to go to a diplomatic ally like this, for me it’s something that feels like a rare opportunity. Before this interview today, I’d been trying to learn some words. Also, in the past I studied abroad in the US for a year. So, I’m thinking that having those skills from living abroad might be able to help me at this event.

These students have put in a lot of prep time for their interview, which involved them using Mandarin to share their knowledge about international cooperation. But that’s not all; their communication skills and ability to think on their feet were put to the test during an interview in English. Applicants also had to team up with other students to create a one-minute video; their planning, filming techniques, and ability to express themselves were all evaluated.

Student
Applied for Campus Youth Ambassadors
I wanted to tell our story to lots of people around the world.

Fu I-chin
Student applicant
Through this activity I can do an exchange in Africa. I came up here from Kaohsiung, so I’ll definitely be really happy if I’m chosen, because I rushed here from such a faraway place.

Peifen Hsieh
Taiwan ICDF Deputy Secretary General
It’s important to show that you care about international affairs, as well as putting your skills into practice and having the ability to tell a story through a video. But, of course, your passion is the most important thing of all. You’ll be able to see first-hand Taiwan’s soft power, to see exactly what our ICDF technical teams are doing in these countries.

This is the first time the Taiwan ICDF has held a campus youth ambassador selection event like this, which had over 250 applicants. Students who are selected will head to one of two diplomatic allies, either Eswatini or Saint Lucia, where in late August they will stay for 5 days as part of their job shadowing experience.

Donya Francis
Ambassador of Saint Christopher and Nevis
As you hope to travel as one of TaiwanIDCF’s campus ambassadors to Saint Lucia, where my grandfather is from, or to the Kingdom of Eswatini, I believe this is a great opportunity for all of you to learn more about Taiwan’s diplomatic allies.

The Taiwan ICDF has created a path for youth to visit diplomatic allies, where they’ll be able to achieve their dreams of diplomacy while experiencing first-hand the assistance Taiwan is bringing to its friends abroad.

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

#diplomacy #Eswatini #SaintLucia #youth #ambassador #dreamsarebeautiful

2026-07-21

Alert for barrier lake in Hualien is causing nearby crops to wither

The alert level for the Wanli Creek barrier lake is about to reach week 3, and so while many Hualien residents may still be worrying about a potential flood, local farmers are now dealing with an unintended consequence: a drought. Even though melon and rice fields are in desperate need of water, fears of flooding have resulted in irrigation canals being closed.

Lying on this black tarp are white water-starved watermelons that are basically knocking on death’s door. Melon farmers here are heart-broken, knowing that their hard work has likely gone to waste. It’s especially hard to comprehend over in this field near Jianying Bridge, an area that’s often overflowing with water, yet the withering watermelon sprouts here are now dying from thirst.

Mr. Yeh
Melon Farmer in Fenglin Township
The temps are really high. For that rocky area, when there’s no water the melons can’t take it. They’ll just end up dying.

Mr. Liu
Rice Farmer in Fenglin Township
There’s no water for us to irrigate our crops. Even if we were to have water, let’s say we start planting now, well we won’t even have vines until 3 weeks later. But right now we don’t even have water, so there’s nothing to talk about. There’s nothing.

Farmers in Hualien are finding the situation hopeless, as the alert for the Wanli River barrier lake is now on day 20. Making matters worse is the farm fields are in the evacuation zone, so the irrigation canals and flood gates have all been closed, meaning the farmers can’t get in and the water can’t get out. Knowing that melon and rice farmers are seeing their crops wither, along with their livelihoods, the authorities are seeking solutions.

Chen Shu-wen
Hualien Agriculture Department director
The alert for the Wanli Creek barrier lake has been extended, so when it comes to obtaining water, this is a rather difficult situation. And, of course, the most important thing is ensuring the safety of human life.

Lai Chih-feng
Hualien Irrigation Agency
If we’re allowed to enter the area, in under three days we’ll be able to open up the natural inlets in Lintianshan and Wanrong so that water can flow in from them.

The authorities are not taking any chances since Wanli Creek is still at a red alert level, meaning the barrier lake could overflow at any time. That’s why the local government is trying to think up solutions that will both save crops and not endanger human lives.

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

#thirsty #barrierlake #Hualien #irrigation #flood

2026-07-21

Introducing three of Beitou’s most famous tea shops

Beitou in northern Taipei is famous for its hot springs, and drinking tea has also become a popular pastime there. But there are so many tea shops, it’s hard to know which one to pick. FTV checked out three of the biggest ones to find out what makes Beitou tea so special.

Many people come to Beitou to enjoy the black tea there, but locals still debate which shop has the best kind. There’s a popular tea shop in the market called Cai Yuan Yi, one that sells 3-kilogram bags of tea called Gao Ji, and another popular one on Guangming Road called Ming Quan.

A long line like this is a hallmark of the Gao Ji Tea Shop. About 10 employees stay busy inside. On a good day, the shop sells around 3,000 cups.

Mr. Chung
Gao Ji Tea Shop owner
We brew the tea and carefully select the leaves. There are lots of details about what kind of tea should be brewed at what temperature, and how much should be used.

Popular picks at Gao Ji include its affordable black tea and “worry-free tea,” with regulars often opting for the bagged version. Cai Yuan Yi says its half-sugar and full-sugar drinks best capture the taste of traditional black tea. Xu Jia Tea often sells out, while Mingquan Tea, which has only one location, is well-known for its milk and honey drinks.

Mr. Chung
Gao Ji Tea Shop owner
There might be more people selling it these days. Locals had it first, then visitors tried it and found the quality was pretty good. With the internet so big now, word spreads quickly, and everyone thinks that coming to Beitou means you should have black tea.

Beitou’s black tea culture dates back to the Japanese colonial era, when tea plantations covered Datun Mountain. As demand grew, local farmers began growing black tea, and by the mid-1970s, production shifted from export markets to domestic consumption. But as for which shop is the best—that’s still up for debate.

Member of public
Has a favorite
Since I was young, I’ve always had Cai Yuan Yi. I always get their tea. It has more flavor.

Member of public
Has a favorite
There are lots of tea shops around here. We usually go to Ming Quan. We think their black tea is better, it’s a little more traditional.

It’s really a matter of personal preference, so why not try them all and see which one you like the most?

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

#tea #Beitou #hotsprings #blacktea #teaculture #drink #tradition #teashop

2026-07-21

Taiwan shares close lower after rollercoaster trading day

After a historic crash last Friday, Taiwan shares had a rollercoaster day on Monday, with a swing of more than 1,100 points between the intraday high and the low.

The market opened sharply higher, with most stocks making gains. But the strong start was just that, as sentiment quickly reversed and sent the index plummeting below 42,000 points. UMC, Watsco and Holystone Enterprise closed limit-down, while passive component giant Yageo saw its price get cut in half. Near closing time, a rebound in tech and traditional industry shares helped trim some of the losses. Ultimately the Taiex plunged by 221 points at 42,449, on trading volume of NT$985.1 billion.

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

#taiex #stocks #shares #umc #watsco

2026-07-20

Six flights delayed after cracks found on runway

Flights at Kaohsiung International Airport were on Monday morning after cracks were discovered on the runway during a routine inspection. Authorities immediately shut down part of the runway for emergency preventive repairs to ensure flight safety, delaying six flights, with the longest delay lasting more than two hours. Officials say days of heavy rains may be to blame.

Maintenance crew at Kaohsiung International Airport inspect the runway thoroughly to fix the cracks in the tarmac. Days of heavy rains are thought to have damaged the pavement in several spots, posing a risk to flight safety. But the repairs came at the cost of flight delays.

- How long is the delay?
- I think about 50 minutes.

Passengers were left playing the waiting game, seeing that their scheduled departure times were long past. One passenger says their 8:30 flight to Hong Kong didn’t take off until 11:00. The airport announcements explained that the runway was damaged, making landings impossible. Airport staff discovered cracks on the runway on Monday morning, and rushed to make preventive emergency repairs, which lasted from 10:15 to 11:25. The work affected four international flights and two domestic flights.

Voice of Lin Yi-hsing
Kaohsiung International Airport
We issued a notice to airmen and informed all the affected airlines. Six flights were affected.

Traveler
Wasn’t affected by delays
Takeoff and landing are the most risky parts of any flight. It’s the right decision to make for the sake of safety.

The repairs delayed six flights, one of which was pushed back by more than two hours, at 136 minutes. A former pilot says even small cracks can be dangerous.

Voice of Lawrence Rau
Former pilot
Airplanes are extremely heavy, so any cracks or uneven pavement can have an impact on the tires during takeoff and landing. In general, operations are forbidden under those conditions.

Officials say the damage may have been caused by heavy rains, or possibly a lightning strike. Ultimately, they decided to close down the runway for repairs, as no compromises can be made when it comes to aviation safety.

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

2026-07-20

Bookstore owners and DPP lawmakers rally behind arrested HK employee

Freedom of expression is once again at the center of growing cross-strait tensions. Taiwan’s independent booksellers and pro-democracy lawmakers on Monday rallied behind a bookstore employee who was arrested by police last week in Hong Kong. Lawmakers and bookstore owners say the case is about more than just one arrest, arguing argue it reflects Beijing’s broader efforts to silence free expression. Among the participants were DPP lawmakers Wu Pei-yi and Chen Pei-yu, who joined the event to show their support.

Wu Pei-yi
Lawmaker (DPP)
In effect, China is burning books. We just didn’t think that China would go as far as banning books and suppressing the freedom of bookstores regarding what books they choose, display and sell. As lawmakers from the ROC’s Legislative Yuan, we must condemn the Chinese government on behalf of Taiwan. It’s also a time to remind everyone that since China has passed its “ethnic unity” law, this kind of “red terror” could spread to other free countries.

Chen Pei-yu
Lawmaker (DPP)
We’ve all seen many people in the KMT and TPP collaborating with China. They don’t proclaim it out loud, but by pushing for budget cuts and complying with the CCP, they are suppressing all sorts of possibilities in Taiwan. If we don’t stand up today, if we stay quiet because we are not the victims this time, we will be the victims one day.

The lawmakers co condemned what they described as Beijing’s suppression of even the freedom to choose and sell books. They also accused Taiwan’s opposition parties of working in step with China, through passing budget cuts to cultural ends. They urged the public to support the government and Taiwan’s cultural workers to help safeguard the Taiwan’s democratic freedoms.

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 #hongkong #bookstore #china #freedom

2026-07-20

Yunlin’s roasted corn so popular that China claims

Grown in Taiwan and processed in Taiwan, this roasted corn snack is so delicious that it even became a hit in Japan. A purchasing agent saw the business opportunity in a local brand that had sold 2 million bags, but sometime during its international adventure across the Taiwan Strait and into China the roasted corn’s packaging had its country of origin changed to Taiwan, China.

Yunlin County Commissioner Chang Li-shan and the secretary-general of Taishi Farmer’s Association are selling locally made Taiwanese food products during a live video. In their hands is a roasted corn brand that’s gotten so popular in Japan that now even Taiwanese are lining up to buy it.

- Customers need about two months to receive their order. Right now, on average, we sell over 10,000 bags a day.

As of now, over 2 million bags of this salty snack have been sold. Seeing a great business opportunity, an exporter brought the product to China, where its original packaging had a small silver sticker placed over each bag’s country of origin, which now says “Taiwan, China.”

This roasted corn should say it’s made in Taiwan, but once it started being sold in China, the snack’s bags had their country of origin changed to China. It’s another example of Chinese origin laundering.

Tsai Yung-fu
Yunlin County Council
Falsifying the country of origin like this, we think it should be investigated thoroughly, because it’s harmful to Taiwan’s own national dignity.

Member of public
Shocked by this incident
It’s really strange. Something that’s Taiwanese has been labeled as Chinese. Won’t other people think this is really bewildering?

Who stuck on these stickers? One culprit could be the purchasing agent, but no one knows where the snack was being sold in China. Roasted corn isn’t the only Taiwanese snack that had its identity stolen; Jiaxian Farmer’s Association produces preserved plums that are sold in China. These Kaohsiung plums also had their country of origin changed to China. When news about the roasted corn went viral, Taishi Farmer’s Association clarified that this popular roasted corn snack is only sold in Taiwan.

Lin Li-ying
Taishi Farmer’s Association
All of our bags use printing. We don’t use stickers, so this is the work of an individual.

A product made and sold in Taiwan was somehow brought to and sold in China, where someone had tried to change the identity of a salty snack that Taiwan is proud to call its own. But the only thing covering up the truth is a sticker.

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

#corn #snack #corny #salty #healthysnack #yummy #yum #madeintaiwan #eatlocal

2026-07-20

Two Changhua towns are giving out free cash to their residents

Who doesn’t love free money? A township in Changhua is handing every registered resident NT$6,000 in cash, but the timing is raising eyebrows. While many locals are happy to pocket the money, critics argue that distributing public funds just months ahead of an election risks blurring the line between economic relief and vote-buying. Let’s hear more.

Employee
Huatan Township Office
I’m from Taichung.

- How do you feel seeing locals get NT$6,000?

Employee
Huatan Township Office
Super jealous.

- How much cash did you count?

Employee
Huatan Township Office
About NT$1.7 million. I wish I were registered in Huatan.

Resident
Huatan
I got the money, but I don’t think it’s a good thing. In the upcoming elections, we should be picking a capable candidate, and not let them buy our votes with cash.

Resident
Huatan
If course it could be a political stunt. But the most important thing is to have a clear mindset.

Ku Sheng-min
Huatan Mayor
We’re giving back the surplus tax to our residents, and cash is best. It can help them make ends meet.

With a population of 42,000 people, the payments will cost Huatan about NT$258 million. Distribution started on Monday. The office says that the program is funded through savings from personnel cuts and higher tax revenues. And somehow, it’s not the only place in Changhua handing out cash. Nearby Xianxi Township is giving residents NT$2,500 each, using Taipower community funds and budget surpluses, benefiting more than 15,000 people.

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

#changhua #budget #revenue #tax

2026-07-20