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Taiwan allies Paraguay and Belize face sanctions from China

On Monday, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced sanctions against politicians from two of Taiwan’s allies, Belize and Paraguay. Believing them to be “anti-China politicians,” their assets in China will be frozen and they will be prohibited from entering the country. Paraguay and Belize reiterated their support for Taiwan; with some officials even saying that these sanctions were “to be expected.” Taiwan has condemned such actions, as China has no right to interfere in sovereign nation’s internal affairs.

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung poses for a photo with a local government official in Poland. He’s visiting the Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association to inspect the planned site for a technology park.

As Taiwan continues to build relations and cooperate with various countries, China is amping up its suppression tactics.

On Monday, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced sanctions against Paraguay’s Minister of Information, Gustavo Villate, and Belizean Foreign Minister, Francis Fonseca, labeling them as “anti-China politicians.” The two maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan, thereby against China’s interests. Their assets in China will be frozen and they will be banned from entering the country. Taiwan condemns this.

Cho Jung-tai
Premier
The People’s Republic of China has no right to interfere with the internal affairs of any sovereign state in the world, including Taiwan, and we will continue to work more strongly with our friendly nations and democratic allies.

Chen Ming-chi
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
Taiwan’s global visibility is growing and I think such reactions will tire them. Will they impose sanctions on the whole world?

Paraguay and Belize both state that this “does not affect diplomatic relations with Taiwan.”During March, this year, Villate visited Taiwan to attend the Yushan Forum and even posed for photos with Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim. He said that Taiwan and Paraguay are promoting digital cooperation and the sanctions “were to be expected.”

Fan Yun
Lawmaker (DPP)
International relations are built on mutual respect and not political threats.
Imposing sanctions on politicians of these nations is essentially a form of transnational repression.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reassured that they would assist allies in dealing with suppression from China.

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

#chinasanctions #suppressions #taiwan #taiwanallies #paraguay #belize

Time：2026-10-13

最新消息 Latest News

Locals band to help military as howitzer tire blows out

Earlier Tuesday, military trucks were rumbling down a road in Huatan Township in Changhua when one of them towing a howitzer was forced to come to a stop on the side of the road. Soldiers quickly got down from the truck, leading bystanders to believe a war was breaking out. Thankfully, this wasn’t the case. The Army truck was heading to Tianzhong Township for a handover mission when the misfortune struck and a tire on the towed howitzer blew out. Enthusiastic locals stepped up to the occasion and helped out using a forklift.

Four military trucks were making their way down a road in Changhua County, when the last truck unexpectedly malfunctioned.

Around 8 on Tuesday morning, a howitzer being towed along Zhongshan Road in Huatan Township, rolled to a stop on the side of the road, leaving locals perplexed about the cause. As the soldiers in the military truck got down to inspect the damage, they discovered the back tires were punctured.

Member of public
Saw the truck stop
A large truck was towing a cannon, it stopped just here on the side of the road, I thought it was a drill.

Member of public
Awestruck by cannon
I saw many soldiers getting down then I realized they were looking at the punctured tire. I was excited; it was my first time seeing big cannons. At first, I thought a war was breaking out.

The tire of the howitzer coincidentally blew out along the road where the campaign headquarters of Yeh Chi-yuan, the DPP candidate for Huatan Township mayor are situated. It stopped at the front doors startling the staff that came to open the building in the morning.

Yeh Chi-yuan
Huatan Township Mayoral Candidate (DPP)
On the one hand, we saw that the Army recovered quickly, and on the other hand, we felt relieved. We thought the National Army came to protect Huatan. The cannon is huge, it could make you famous overnight!

The military truck belonged to the Artillery Battalion of the 234th Mechanized Infantry Brigade under the 10 Army Corps. They were heading to Tianzhong Township carrying a 155mm howitzer for a combat readiness handover mission when a sharp object on the road rendered them stranded on the roadside. Fortunately, local residents swooped in for the rescue and deployed a forklift to help the soldiers who changed the tire within half an hour. This heartwarming incident shows the support that runs deep among the military and civilians.

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

#taiwanmilitary #howitzer #taiwanartillery #armycorps #nationalarmy #changhua

2026-10-13

Sudden sinkhole swallows crane wheel near construction site

A crane heading to a construction site had anything but a smooth ride to its destination after the ground collapsed under its wheels without a warning. The incident happened on Tuesday morning in New Taipei’s Zhonghe District. The sinkhole swallowed the crane’s front left wheel, leaving the vehicle tilting to one side. The hole itself was about 2m deep, with an opening of about 4m by 5m. Concrete trucks were immediately dispatched to the scene to fill up the cavity. Let’s hear more.

Nearby resident
Shocked at sinkhole
Just look at the gap! It’s so scary. I think it’s related to the metal plates, which are shaking all the time due to the construction. It’s so dangerous.

Chang Wei-chien
New Taipei City Councilor (DPP)
I’m worried about the sinkhole causing more damage. We hope the developer and relevant agencies will do something about this construction safety issue.

Chiu Ta-chang
Civil engineers association
The circular retainers may not have been waterproofed well enough. Since the basement has already been excavated to a depth of nearly 8m, it can’t really be considered safe. Repairs could take anywhere from one to two months.

A civil engineer says that the incident may have been caused by inadequate waterproofing in the retaining piles during the excavation of the basement. The process damaged an underground drainage culvert causing a leak that slowly washed away the ground beneath the road. The New Taipei Public Works Department has ordered construction to stop, and ordered ground-penetrating radar surveys of the surrounding roads. Work can only resume once the affected areas have been repaired and all safety checks are cleared.

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

#sinkhole #engineer #civilengineering #erosion #crane

2026-10-13

Taiwan Space Agency chief urges firms to enter the space industry

Wu Jong-shinn, the director general of the Taiwan Space Agency, has long had a passion for Taiwan to build its own rockets that can launch satellites into space. In a recent exclusive interview with FTV, he pointed to the importance of the space industry to Taiwan’s economy and national security and said Taiwan’s private sector could not afford to neglect this sector. Let’s find out more.

- My eyes light up whenever the topic turns to space or rockets.

Wu Jong-shinn, the director general of the Taiwan Space Agency, has announced a goal to launch a Taiwanese satellite into orbit using a Taiwanese rocket by 2034. However, this project could actually have been achieved sooner.

Wu Jong-shinn
Taiwan Space Agency director general
There was a project called the “Hapith” plan. Back then, the idea was for the space center to lead it and the Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology to manufacture the rockets. I had set up a team for it—around a dozen professors. It was ultimately canceled, primarily due to the change of administration in 2008 when former President Ma Ying-jeou took office. His perspective was different, as rockets—especially orbital ones—are a highly sensitive technology, especially in the US. If Taiwan were to build them, the US would ask: “What are you planning to do with them?” Because they could easily become intercontinental ballistic missiles when no one’s looking. I was quite disappointed at the time, so I went back to the university.

Despite his past disappointments, there was never any talk of giving up. The US is poised to pass the Taiwan and American Space Assistance Act of 2025, which would institutionalize space cooperation between the two nations for the first time. Wu stresses this marks a crucial step forward.

Wu Jong-shinn
Taiwan Space Agency director general
Over the past five years, space has become a crucial component of national security infrastructure. Let me cite two examples: the US operation to apprehend the Venezuelan president and the bombing of a nuclear facility in Iran. Neither of these actions could have been carried out without space-based support.

Beyond national security, from a commercial perspective, the global space industry is projected to reach US$1.2 trillion by 2030, making it a fiercely contested market among nations.

Wu Jong-shinn
Taiwan Space Agency director general
The leading players in the electronics sector need to adopt a more visionary, long-term perspective and move quickly to invest in the space sector. If they are too slow to invest—considering that our Earth-based economy is primarily driven by OEM manufacturing—are we really going to limit ourselves to just being OEMs in space as well?

Driven by sheer tenacity and professionalism, Wu is pursuing his rocketry dream, striving to secure autonomous space capabilities and carve out a place in the cosmos.

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

#Taiwanspaceagency #spacerace #TASA #Taiwansecurity #Taiwansatellite

2026-10-13

Taiwan’s leading messaging app introduces AI assistant to chats

A top messaging app in Taiwan is adding an AI assistant to its chats. The company has dubbed the assistant as a “powerful” tool that connects users with every day services. In its initial rollout, the AI assistant will focus on dining, entertainment and shopping. For instance, it can compare prices when shopping for daily essentials and provide personalized recommendations when buying gifts for friends and family.

- You tell it what kind of gift you want to buy them, and the assistant will recommend which presents are good options and why.

Roger Chen
Messaging app Taiwan CEO
It’s kind of like having a person you can consult, and who can help you sort out options, recommend you items and get everything ready for you to make the final decision. The spirit of agentic AI is to help people complete tasks. It takes care of everything to simplify everything down to one decision. We believe this is a great application for the technology.

With AI applications becoming increasingly widespread, the messaging platform is turning AI into an all-in-one lifestyle assistant. The expansion is even taking things further, integrating four of its e-commerce services to help users find products and content, and even make restaurant reservations. Business accounts can also customize the AI’s role and integrate common service scenarios to respond to customers.

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

#ai #restaurant #messaging #tech #platform

2026-10-13

Red wine stain on NT$930k Hermes bag devolves into public showdown

A pricey Hermès handbag and a few drops of red wine have created a bitter war of words for all to see online. A woman surnamed Miao has been in a months-long feud with a high-end yakiniku restaurant in Taipei. She claims that a waiter at the restaurant spilled wine on her bag, which has a price tag of almost NT$1 million. The problem is, there is a hole in her story, as she didn’t actually see the moment that the stain occurred. The restaurant has shot back at her accusations online, releasing CCTV footage showing that Ms. Miao was in the restroom at the time the alleged accident happened. And while she was powdering her nose, no waiters entered the private room where she was enjoying a meal with her friends.

Premium Wagyu beef sizzles on the grill at this well-known yakiniku restaurant under the Fujin Tree Group. The chain specializes in high-end Japanese barbecue inspired by Tokyo’s upscale Ginza District. Foodies love it, but not a diner surnamed Miao, who left the restaurant anything but happy.

Ms. Miao claims a waiter spilled two or three drops of red wine on her luxury Hermès handbag, which she says has a value of NT$930,000. According to her, the restaurant offered to handle the issue, but four months later, her texts and phone calls remain unanswered. She says the problem is not the money she’d be getting from compensation, but the mishandling of the situation. But a major twist to the feud took place on Monday night, when the restaurant took to social media to shoot down her story.

Staff:
Were you there when the waiter
spilled wine on your bag?
Or were you in the restroom?

Ms. Miao:
I wasn’t there. I was in the restroom.
It’s when I got back to the table
that I saw the red wine stain
on my handbag.
Everyone was sitting there.
We were a group of four,
and the other three saw it.

Staff:
They saw our waiter spilling wine on your bag?

Ms. Miao:
No. They didn’t see it.

Staff:
I see.

Ms. Miao:
My bag got a red wine stain.

The restaurant released a recording of a conversation with Ms. Miao, and even posted CCTV screen captures to set the record straight. Ms. Miao was in the restroom for 3 minutes before returning to her seat. During her absence, no waiters entered the private dining room her party was in.

Staff:
May I ask what outcome
you are hoping for?
What are you thinking?

Ms. Miao:
I think you should refund me the cost of the bag.

Staff:
How much did the bag cost
when you bought it?

Ms. Miao:
NT$930,000.

Fujin Tree has released a statement explaining that there are no surveillance cameras in the private dining room, making it impossible to establish for certain how the stain occurred. It added a lawyer had been appointed to handle the case. With both sides standing by their own accounts, the dispute may very well end up in court.

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

#hermes #luxury #redwine #handbag

2026-10-13

Drunk 70-year-old drives scooter wrong way on freeway at night

Horns blared across Freeway No. 1, as terrified drivers came face-to-face with a nightmare on the highway: a scooter riding straight against traffic! The shocking scene unfolded on the northbound lanes in Taichung shortly after 6 pm on Monday. Drivers frantically honked to warn the rider, but he continued wobbling down the freeway as if he couldn’t hear a thing. Police finally pulled him over at Shengang, only to discover that the 70-year-old man was riding drunk. Let’s hear more.

- It’s a scooter!
- How did the scooter get on here?
What’s going on?
*Honk*
- What the hell?
- Scared me to death!

Chen Shih-hao
Police officer
The man, surnamed Chang and born in 1956, was riding a scooter against traffic on the freeway. A breathalyzer test came in at an alcohol level of 0.50mg/l. He is suspected of endangering public safety and our officers have issued a citation in accordance with the law and referred the case for investigation.

Mr. Chang was heavily intoxicated when he accessed Freeway No. 4 at the Houfeng Interchange. Dashcam footage later captured him on Freeway No. 1 as early as 6:05 pm. He was pulled over at 6:34, meaning he had been on the road for almost half an hour. Though he managed to avoid a disastrous crash out of sheer luck, he will have to face the legal consequences of drunk driving.

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

#dui #scooter #freeway #taichung #taiwan

2026-10-13

Experts skeptical of scam after customer finds steel-like balls inside crab

A Chiayi resident recently brought home a crab to steam. After cracking it open, they discovered 14 shiny objects inside that looked like steel balls. They posted photos online, drawing suspicion that the vendor purposefully added them to increase the weight. But both fishers and experts said that a crab would die if it were stuffed with steel, making the scam near impossible to pull off.

Autumn is the season for enjoying plump, delicious crab, straight from the market. But one crab lover recently found something strange inside their purchase.

After bringing it home to steam, they discovered 14 round objects around the gills and shell resembling small steel balls. The photos drew heated discussion online.

- No, I’ve never seen anything like it. My first thought was that it must be fake.

Hsu Shih-chien
Fisherman
I’ve been fishing for over 60 years. For there to be beads that large inside, they would have had to grow along with the crab. Its mouth is too small. If someone tried to force them in, the crab would have died.

This experienced fisherman noted that it’s anatomically impossible for a crab to swallow steel beads of this size. After seeing the photos, another expert said they could be a natural foreign body, which has been documented in scientific literature.

Hsu Mao-chieh
Dongshi Fish Market merchant
There have been extremely similar cases in the literature, although I’ve never actually seen one in person. Crustaceans have hemocyanin, which contains copper atoms. When the copper atoms are exposed, they can form that grayish-blue color. Still, it’s only something I’ve read about. I’ve never seen an actual specimen. To claim they’re steel balls is impossible.

Although some were suspicious that it was a trick by the vendor to add weight, the low success rate and likelihood of it killing the crab make it unlikely. The debate rages on whether this anomaly is the result of a rare biological mutation or human tampering.

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

#crab #seafood #biologicalanomaly #foodsafety #scam #crustacean

2026-10-13

Father designs pinwheels for Puma Shen at daughter’s request

A pinwheel maker in Changhua recently made 1,000 pinwheels to support Taipei mayoral candidate Puma Shen. Following his daughter’s request, Lee Chung-shih designed the custom pinwheels for Shen’s campaign, with an orange-and-white striped pattern and the campaign slogan in English and Chinese. Even though his daughter lives in Abu Dhabi, this doting father followed her wishes.

Pinwheel makers from Changhua show off their newest design: orange-and-white striped pinwheels with the Chinese “yang liu” and the English “young stream.”

- This means young, and this means stream. My daughter thought of it.
- Young stream.
- Yeah.

The pinwheel design was his daughter’s idea. She works as a music teacher in Abu Dhabi, but remains invested in politics back home and is supporting Puma Shen for Taipei mayor. She asked her father to make custom pinwheels for Shen, and he quickly agreed.

Lee Chung-shih
Pinwheel maker
She really admires Puma Shen. She said to me, “Dad, you can make pinwheels, that’s your specialty. You could make some and donate them as campaign merchandise.”

Lee Chung-shih’s wife
Pinwheel maker
Puma Shen really dotes on his daughter, and my husband is the same. He really adores her. Whatever requests she has, he’ll make sure it gets done. He really dotes on his daughter.

Puma Shen famously dotes on his daughter, and according to his wife, Lee is the same. The two often talk on the phone, staying close despite the distance.

- I listened to you and made your dream come true.
- Wow, that’s amazing.

Voice of Lee Hsin-ju
Lee Chung-shih’s daughter
I think our perspectives are really similar, especially regarding politics. We tend to judge people the same way. I’m very grateful to my dad for making this campaign merchandise for Puma Shen.

Puma Shen
Taipei mayoral candidate (DPP)
I’m really grateful to everyone for following this election.

Shen said he would accept the pinwheels as campaign merchandise in accordance with the Political Donations Act. One thousand of Lee Chung-shih’s pinwheels will spin around Taiwan, spreading support for Shen.

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

#pinwheel #politics #PumaShen #TaipeiMayor #youngstream #father #daughter #campaign

2026-10-13

Well-dressed pet goose joins owner on shopping trip

A pet goose was recently seen waddling through a department store in Taichung, dressed to the nines in shoes, a bib, and a diaper. The demure white goose calmly followed its owner through the store, earning the adoration of many shoppers. The goose’s name is Mimi, and she’s something of an online celebrity.

People shopping at a department store are sidetracked by an adorable goose waddling by.

The well-dressed white goose strolls through the store, calmly following its owner. A crowd gathered to admire the animal, and the owner didn’t hesitate to introduce her.

This was at a department store in Taichung. It turns out the goose, named Mimi, has garnered quite an online following. Now almost three years old, her owners have raised her since she was a chick. Because they speak to her every day, Mimi can now understand what they say and will even answer in her own way.

Mimi’s owner
Taichung resident
I’ve grown attached to her and she’s really well-behaved. If you treat her like family, she can feel it.

Mimi’s owner
Taichung resident
She always responds if she’s hungry or thirsty, or we tell her to wait, because they’re about as smart as a two or three-year-old.

Mimi is a white Roman goose, a kind commonly seen in Taiwan. Her family dresses her up every time they go out, putting on shoes, a bib, and a diaper.

Voice of Mimi’s owner
Taichung resident
It’s all custom-made. The shoes are about NT$450, and the bib is made separately. The whole outfit costs over NT$1,000.

These owners are happy to spend money on their darling goose, who they treat like another member of the family. They also run a social media page for Mimi, where fans can find cute clips and the latest updates from her life. Fans in Taichung might even run into her when they’re out shopping.

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

#goose #pet #departmentstore #shopping #Taichung #Mimi #whitegoose #adorable #outfit #ootd

2026-10-13

China launches six days of military drills in 5 maritime areas

China has launched a new 6-day military exercise in five maritime areas in waters near Taiwan, right on the first day after Taiwan’s National Day long weekend. The affected areas include parts of the Yellow sea, the Bohai Sea, the East China Sea and the South China Sea. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense says it is closely monitoring any developments, while condemning China for escalating tensions in the region. Let’s hear more.

News anchor
CCTV
Maritime authorities across multiple regions have issued navigation warnings, announcing that live-fire drills, military training, and other designated operations will be conducted in several maritime areas beginning today.

Wellington Koo
Minister of National Defense
Based on our preliminary assessment, these activities are all taking place along the coast. We will continue to monitor the situation closely. Whether live-fire exercises or military training, these drills create unnecessary anxiety and should be condemned.

China has openly stated that the military drills were intended to “deter Taiwan independence.” Taiwan’s Defense Minister, Wellington Koo, condemned Beijing for heightening regional tensions. That includes numerous incursions by military aircraft over the National Day long weekend. Taiwan detected 21 aircraft incursions on Oct. 9, 21 on Oct. 10 and 4 on Oct. 11. In addition, on Oct. 11, six Chinese military vessels and three official ships were also spotted operating around the Taiwan Strait.

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

#china #taiwan #crosstrait #eastchinasea #defense

2026-10-12

Puma Shen campaign motorcade draws over 2,000 vehicles in support

Thousands of supporters gathered across Taipei for Puma Shen’s first campaign motorcade. Shen officially launched his Taipei O’Shen Wave campaign on Sunday. The convoy weaved through Zhongshan and Datong districts. Besides the enthusiastic crowds who greeted him at the starting point in the early morning, many followed on YouBikes and scooters. Official sources claim 2,000 vehicles followed and more than 10,000 supporters showed up. From Dihua Sewage Treatment Plant to Baoan Temple, Shen canvassed a 14km route taking more than 2 hours.

Wearing a striped black and white shirt and a bright orange scarf, Puma Shen kick started his motorcade campaign and sent supporters into frenzy to capture photos of the voyage.

The motorcade was surrounded by supporters waving flags and shouting for Shen. Closely behind were rows and rows of motorcycles and YouBikes that stretched as far as the eye could see. Official statistics reveal over 2,000 vehicles followed and took more than 15 minutes to depart from the starting point.

The motorcade campaign was flooded with supporters. Some held up signs, others waved flags and yet others cheered on Shen.

The O’Shen wave boosted sales for nearby vendors.

- Very good, very good
- Are there more preparations today?
- Yes! Yes! Yes!

Member of public
Supports leadership change
Our Taipei City is very bitter and very boring, it’s been nearly 20 years since Chen Shui-bian was mayor, and resentment has been building for a long time.

As the citizens aired their grievances, it became evident that the public has felt bitter for very long, which is why they want to see a change in leadership. Crowds gathered both on ground and online through the livestream with more than 60,000 viewers.

- Mackay Memorial Hospital
- Hospital cannot use microphone

As the motorcade passed by the Mackay Memorial Hospital, they reminded not to use microphones to avoid disturbing patients. During the motorcade, people held up signs and changed the slogans stating, “Compatriots must unite, unity is powerful,” to, “Taipei must unite, unity is powerful.” Shen felt deeply moved after seeing the signs, however he also observed some citizens making obscene gestures and responded with the following.

- Better than very straight.

Puma Shen
Taipei Mayoral Candidate (DPP)
In a democratic society, everyone is entitled to expressing their opinions; I think this lets everyone’s emotions find an outlet. I think it’s for the better. The first time I was at Baoan Temple was when I first started running for election, there were maybe around 1-200 people, but this time there were certainly more, we all felt very moved.

When the motorcade came to a stop, Taipei’s O’Shen wave arrived at Baoan Temple. The crowd swarmed the area spreading out to the surrounding business district. Matching the crowd sizes of election nights, the aerial photos were spectacular. Shen put forward five major policies for Zhongshan and Datong, including a service team to extend life in old houses, companionship for the elderly, and the Yuanshan Citizen Sports Center.

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

#pumashen #taipeimayor #oceancurrent #oshenwave #dpp

2026-10-12

Chiang Wan-an turns down invitation for second TV debate

A televised debate between the two mayoral candidates for Taipei is in the works, with broadcasters TVBS and SET hosting the event. Six media outlets, including FTV, are hoping to hold a second debate, and have sent invitations to the DPP and KMT candidates. On Monday, DPP candidate Puma Shen agreed to take part. But incumbent KMT Mayor Chiang Wan-an has said he doesn’t have the time for a second showdown, as he has many city policies to direct. Let’s hear from the two.

Puma Shen
Taipei Mayoral Candidate (DPP)
I agree to take part in a televised debate for the Taipei mayoral race hosted by Taiwan Television, China Television, Formosa Television, Liberty Times, Mirror, Mnews, and any other willing media outlet.

Chiang Wan-an
Taipei Mayor (KMT)
In line with precedent, I think one is enough. There are many city policies I have to oversee. We can’t slow down now, or have them be affected.

Puma Shen
Taipei Mayoral Candidate (DPP)
There are so many things to be discussed about Taipei’s governance that if we only hold one debate, each issue would only be allotted a couple of seconds. There wouldn’t be any depth.

Chiang Wan-an
Taipei Mayor (KMT)
Taipei has gone through many elections already. There are plenty of precedents.

Puma Shen
Taipei Mayoral Candidate (DPP)
If he is confident in his governance, taking part in more debates would be to his advantage. It follows that if he’s confident about how he’s handled the city, the more debates, the more opportunities to bring up all the good things he’s done to respond to criticism.

Chiang Wan-an
Taipei Mayor (KMT)
We also hope that the relevant details will be finalized soon, so we can move forward with it.

The six media outlets called on the candidates from both camps to accept the debate invitation and make the event a reality. They say such a dialogue would put citizens at the heart of the discussion, showcasing what democracy is really about.

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

#democracy #debate #taipei #蔣萬安 #沈伯洋

2026-10-12

Taiwan invites neighbors to partake in Vehicle Extrication Challenge

Car accidents can be gruesome and stressful to handle, making rescue teams very important. Taiwan hosted this year’s International Vehicle Extrication Challenge, inviting Japan, Philippines, and other countries to partake in friendly competition. The event serves as an excellent platform for exchanging practical experience and recreating rescue scenarios under time pressure.

A team from Osaka carried out an emergency rescue operation, racing against the clock. They smashed windows and pulled out trapped passengers from the overturned vehicle.

Taipei’s rescue team also faced many challenges. One car overturned to the left, another on the right. They had to control the vehicles while providing first aid to the seriously injured as quickly as possible.

It takes a lot of intense, dedicated training to remain calm under pressure, especially for first responders. To put all the training to the test, Taiwan hosted the 2026 International Vehicle Extrication Challenge, which kicked off in Nantou.

Hsiao Ya-wen
Taiwan Disaster Medical Development Association
The primary principles of first aid are: first, to assess whether there are any sources of heavy bleeding, second to check if they have any respiratory problems, or any blood pressure or circulatory problems.

Tsai Chung-ling
Competing Instructor
Amongst commanders, rescue personnel, and paramedics, all three must share the same goal: to rescue the victims in a reasonable, comfortable, and stable way.

Disasters and accidents have no borders, and technological advancements require cross-border learning exchange!

Hsiao Huan-chang
Fire Department Chief
To help Taiwan’s fire and rescue officers improve procedures, we conduct exchanges and international cooperation with Japan and the Philippines.

Beyond showcasing recent achievements in technique and equipment, Taiwan hopes to improve relations and mutual trust with allies. Through initiatives such as this one, Taiwan continues to play an important role in the region and improves regional rescue capabilities.

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

#vehicleextrication #caraccident #simulation #firstresponders #nantou

2026-10-12

Huge pink cargo and joss paper burner turn heads amid traffic

A scooter rider in Kaohsiung is giving Santa Claus a run for his money. The motorist was spotted wobbling through traffic, carrying a gigantic pile of bright pink bags that swayed dangerously from side to side. The towering cargo turned heads and impressed onlookers, but police didn’t find it amusing, and are reviewing CCTV footage to identify the rider. Let’s hear more.

Member of public
Would keep some distance
I would stay away from the scooter. I think doing things like that ultimately is a nuisance to everyone else. If a bag falls off, it could cause an accident and the rider wouldn’t even know.

Member of public
Not impressed
It’s dangerous and it blocks traffic. It’s terrible.

Hsu Cheng-yi
Police officer
Scooters transporting goods must comply with relevant regulations. Violations are punishable with a fine of NT$300 to NT$600 under Article 31, Paragraph 5 of the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act.

But sightings of overloaded scooters are not unique to Kaohsiung. Over in Tainan, a pair of road users was caught carrying a massive joss paper furnace through traffic. The feat was accomplished thanks to the passenger sitting backwards while straddling the furnace between his legs. The scooter swayed from side to side on the road, making everyone else fear for the riders, and for themselves. After all, one moment of imbalance could end up with everyone on the ground.

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

#scooter #santa #grinch #stunt #presents

2026-10-12

Selfless Italian priest wins prestigious Taiwan award for philanthropy

Selfless Italian priest Father Giuseppe Didone has spent over 60 years in Taiwan caring for vulnerable people. This includes over a thousand children with severe physical or intellectual disabilities. Now he’s received one of Taiwan’s most prestigious philanthropic awards – the Y.L. Lin Taiwan Devotion Award. True to form, he doesn’t plan to spend any of the NT$30 million award money on himself. Let’s find out more.

At the age of 86, Father Giuseppe Didone walks slowly onto the stage to accept an honorary award. Despite his advanced age, he remains full of vitality whenever he speaks of his philanthropic mission; his words radiate a passionate dedication to serving the vulnerable.

Father Giuseppe Didone
Recipient of Y.L. Lin Taiwan Devotion Award
It has been over 40 years now that we have been caring for these children; their parents have always been grateful to us—our Catholic ministry—so I am very happy today.

After arriving in Taiwan in 1965, Father Didone, an Italian, has dedicated himself to caring for the disadvantaged in Penghu and Yilan. In 1987, he transformed an abandoned convent in Dayin Village, Sanxing Township, into the St. Camillus Center for Intellectual Disability, providing long-term shelter and care for over a thousand children with severe physical and intellectual disabilities. Sixteen years ago, he extended his compassionate mission to include long-term care and hospice services. This selfless dedication, spanning more than half a century, has honored him with the Y.L. Lin Taiwan Devotion Award this year. As for the NT$30 million prize money, Father Didone humorously remarked that it certainly wouldn’t be going into his own pockets.

Father Giuseppe Didone
Recipient of Y.L. Lin Taiwan Devotion Award
Not a single cent of this money will go into my own pockets; instead, it is specifically intended to support the St. Camillus Center for Intellectual Disability in Luodong. We are currently setting up a small workshop—a project costing tens of millions—and I am deeply grateful to this foundation for providing us with this opportunity.

Chan I-i
Selection committee member
Identifying everyone in the region who is in need—ensuring they can find the resources they require right here—and leading us to see the true value of it all: I believe that is the most meaningful thing.

Father Didone has dedicated over sixty years of service to Taiwan and remains deeply rooted in the local community through his selfless spirit. He serves as a source of the warmest and most steadfast support for remote areas and vulnerable populations.

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

#Giuseppedidone #Taiwancharities #Yllintaiwandevotionaward #Taiwanexpats #Italianexpats #intellectualdisabilities #Taiwanphilanthropy

2026-10-12

Lee Hao-yu returns to Taiwan after stellar baseball season in the US

As the youngest Taiwanese player to hit a homerun in Major League Baseball, Lee Hao-yu is back in town to talk about his adventures. The 23 year-old player made his debut in April this year and delivered an incredible performance all season, with 87 hits and 10 home runs, he is making history by breaking many Taiwanese records. Today he attended a press conference with his family present and shared his journey.

Taiwanese professional baseball player, Lee Hao-yu returned to Taiwan during offseason, and immediately attended a press conference to talk about his journey.

Lee Hao-yu
MLB Detroit Tigers player
I got hurt almost immediately after I started playing. After recovering and returning, I did not expect to be called up this early, until I hit my first home run. This year’s been full of surprises.

Earlier this year, Lee made his MLB debut and has already set Taiwanese single-season MLB records for 114 games played, 87 hits, and 10 home runs, with a batting average of 0.263. This year Lee has made history as the youngest Taiwanese player to hit a homerun in the MLB, also fulfilling a long-time dream of his.

Lee Hao-yu
MLB Detroit Tigers player
The first time I watched MLB was the Detroit Tigers, I thought that field was beautiful. I told the person next to me, “One day I’ll play here.” 9 years later, I am really playing baseball on that very field.

Since it was first time playing in the major leagues, Lee revealed that he was driving home to Detroit when he accidentally took a wrong turn and ended up in Canada, where he was taken into customs interrogation.

Lee Hao-yu
MLB Detroit Tigers player
The customs officer searched up my name and said, “Oh, you really are here to play baseball,” and I said, “Why would I lie?” He said, “Wow, not bad. You’ve had two home runs.” I said, “Nope, I’ve had three.”

Given his incredible performance, his family is incredibly proud. Lee’s mother joked about picking up her son at the airport on social media saying, “I’ve come to pick up my gangster son.” Baseball fans were even curious about who runs the Detroit Tigers threads account seeing as the posts have a distinct Taiwanese-style.

Lee Hao-yu
MLB Detroit Tigers player
Can I reveal this? It wouldn’t be fun if I did, it’s better to keep everyone guessing.

Whatever the mystery is, Lee’s baseball career is off to an incredible start. As the rookie continues to grow in the Major Leagues, he will always be supported by Taiwan and its baseball fans.

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

#detroittigers #leehaoyu #mlb #baseball #taiwanesebaseball

2026-10-12

120,000 fans flock to Bigbang’s three concerts in Taipei

K-pop supergroup Bigbang is back in Taiwan reunited for the first time in 11 years, drawing 120,000 fans to Taipei Dome for three nights of explosive performances! The legendary group’s Taiwan visit has been making headlines both on and off stage. From beef noodles and pineapple cakes gifted by Jay Chou to a social media post featuring Taiwan’s flag that mysteriously disappeared.

Legendary K-pop boy band Bigbang is back with a vengeance, reuniting for the first time in 11 years. The supergroup tore up the stage at Taipei Dome over the past three days, with 120,000 VIPs making the pilgrimage to see their idols. For the three performers, it wasn’t just about singing and dancing on stage. A visit to Taiwan wouldn’t be complete without food.

Taeyang
Bigbang member
Last night, I had beef noodles, and also I ate pineapple cakes. Pineapple cakes that Jay Chou gave me. It was really delicious. Thank you bro!

Taeyang’s Taiwan trip featured beef noodles, and even pineapple cakes gifted by none other than the king of Mandopop.

A photo reveals who delivered the pineapple cakes to Bigbang, actor and entertainer Ken Lin! The celeb said he was following orders from Jay Chou’s wife, Hannah Quinlivan, to personally deliver the treats to the K-pop idols. But just as the concert wrapped up, a story on G-Dragon’s Instagram stirred up controversy.

G-Dragon shared a photo of the three Bigbang members riding a backstage cart, captioned “I LOVE YOU VIP.” The heart in the middle featured Taiwan’s national flag, delighting and surprising their fans. But the story didn’t stay up for long, and was quickly taken down. Fans were left wondering whether it was deleted out of concern over crossing politically sensitive lines.

And it didn’t just stop there. A back-up dancer in Bigbang’s crew, known as the Bangers, celebrated the premier performance in Taiwan with a post on Instagram, featuring the Taiwanese flag emoji. But the caption was quickly changed to say “Taipei.”

G-Dragon
Bigbang member
- I would like to thank everyone.
I feel so grateful.
I hope we can come back here. OK?
- Yes!
- Would you like that?
- Yes!

On the final night of the concert series in Taipei, G-Dragon thanked fans in Mandarin. But while he expressed his love for fans on stage, the repeated disappearance of Taiwan flags offstage left fans with mixed emotions.

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

#bigbang #kpop #gd #vip #taiwan

2026-10-12

Speeding biker tries covering license plate with foot to avoid ticket

Think you can avoid getting caught by a speed camera by covering your license plate? Think again! In Miaoli’s Zhunan Township, a scooter rider who was going 105kph in a 60kph zone tried hooking his foot over his plate to avoid getting caught by the camera. But police tracked him down anyway from security cameras, identifying him by his helmet and clothing.

In this ridiculous photo, a scooter driver holds tight to the handlebars while leaning forward. If you look further down, you can see his left foot is hooked like a crab. But he’s not trying to show off. He’s trying to avoid a speeding ticket.

The photo was taken on a section of Gongyi Road in Miaoli’s Zhunan Township. It’s a busy roadway with a speed limit of 60kph, but the driver was going 105. Seeing a speed camera up ahead, he came up with the wild idea to block the plate with his foot to avoid the ticket.

- What a punk.
- Would a sensible rider do that?
- No. No way. Definitely not in the morning.

But law enforcement was on it. The driver thought he was being clever, but experienced police officers are no pushovers. They checked security cameras along his route and identified him by his helmet and clothing.

Lin Hung-ming
Miaoli traffic brigade deputy captain
He not only ignored the 60kph speed limit, going far over at 105kph, but acted recklessly by using his foot to cover his plate when passing a speed camera.

You can cover your plate like that for a while, but you’ll eventually get tired and give the police a chance to catch you! Since he was going well above the speed limit and intentionally tried to obscure his plate, he will be fined between NT$6,000 and NT$36,000 and faces a six-month suspension of his vehicle registration.

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

#trafficsafety #speeding #oddity #police #Miaoli #licenseplate #trafficticket

2026-10-12

Worshippers flock to Chiayi as Baishatun Mazu attends anniversary

Thousands of worshippers flocked to Chiayi as the famous pink supercar of the goddess Mazu rolled into town! The iconic Baishatun Mazu turned the streets into a sea of devotees to celebrate the Dafuxing Temple’s 260th anniversary. Some worshippers knelt on the ground to receive the goddess’s blessings as her sedan passed over them. And the crowds aren’t just coming out of faith; they’re also here for the festivities. Locals are pulling out all the stops, handing out free food to welcome the masses.

The Baishatun Mazu arrives in her famous pink supercar, trailed by thousands of worshippers. The streets of Chiayi City were packed to the brim.

People took advantage of the opportunity to get blessings from the goddess, crouching on the ground while her palanquin passed over them.

- I’ve been following her for 10 years now. I was so excited I cried.

Worshipper
Visiting Chiayi for Mazu
I came with a group of friends. We did the Baishatun pilgrimage together. We’re from all over, Changhua, the North, Caotun in Nantou…

Believers from all over Taiwan flocked to Chiayi. Locals set up stands to hand out freebies for the worshippers, turning the city into a bustling festival ground.

- We ran out of vermicelli and cold noodles.
- They’re all gone?
- Yes, we only have fried noodles now.

- I’ve been queuing since before daybreak.
- We came at around 2. We’ve got corn and taiyaki.

The occasion for Mazu’s visit is the 360th anniversary of Chiayi’s Dafuxing Temple. She arrived on Friday to bless the city with her presence for two days.

Huang Min-hui
Chiayi Mayor
It’s a huge religious event. Everyone is here. Chiayi is really packed with people.

Tseng Tung-ben
Dafuxing Temple
We’re thrilled to be celebrating 360 years since our temple’s foundation. We invited the Baishatun Mazu to visit us and offer us her blessings in this special occasion.

Hung Wen-hua
Baishatun Mazu Temple
Wealth and riches for everyone, and of course, peace and protection for everyone.

The Baishatun Mazu will stay at Dafuxing Temple on Oct. 9 and 10, with song and dance performances to be held in the temple square in the evenings. The temple encourages everyone to join the festivities during this long weekend.

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

#temple #mazu #blessed #supercar #pink

2026-10-09