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Former CCTV presenter critical of Xi seeks temporary asylum in Taiwan

Another Chinese exile has come to Taiwan to seek refuge. This time its Cheng Wanjun, who previously worked as a talk show presenter on China’s state television channel CCTV. He previously served six years in prison in China, after he was reported for saying that Chinese leader Xi Jinping would be China’s downfall. Cheng initially moved to Thailand. But after Chin’s demands to Thailand to repatriate dissidents, he flew to Taiwan to seek temporary asylum. Let’s hear more.

Cheng Wanjun
Former CCTV host seeking asylum
Hello everyone. I am Cheng Wanjun. I am now at Taipei’s Taoyuan Airport, publicly appealing for help. I myself spent six years in prison. To avoid being politically persecuted by the CCP a second time, I have had to move to Taiwan to seek short-term humanitarian protection, so that for the rest of my life I can keep writing and speak freely and do my part to end, as soon as possible, the man-made disaster of dictatorship in China.

Chuang Jui-hsiung
DPP legislative caucus
China is a country severely lacking human rights. From a humanitarian standpoint, and from the standpoint of human rights, he deserves better treatment.

Chang Hung-lu
Legislator (DPP)
We don’t have any laws that can be applied to his situation. We only have the Cross-Strait Act. So, I think referring him to a third country would be the best solution. If he goes to a friendly third country, he’ll be able to travel all over the world in the future, while his personal safety is guaranteed.

Cheng is 58-year-old, and was released from prison in 2025. However, after publishing works he had written behind bars, he was forced into exile overseas. After arriving in Thailand, he feared being deported and recently sought help from the United Nations, but his request was rejected. He then made the decisive move to fly to Taiwan, hoping to obtain temporary political asylum and assistance with resettlement in a third country. Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council has said it could not verify the evidence supporting his claims, and noted that he was still able to freely enter and leave China. Under existing procedures, the government can therefore only send Cheng back to Thailand.

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

#refuge #humanitarian #ccp #taiwan #thailand

Time：2026-11-04

最新消息 Latest News

Is Mayor Chiang copying Shen’s newsletter idea?

Running for Taipei Mayor, DPP’s Puma Shen will publish the third issue of his newsletter next week. The new issue will be edited by well-known astrologer, Jesse Tang, and include horoscope predictions. However, running against him, Mayor Chiang Wan-an, also released a new publication called, “Wan-an Alarm.” Does the alarm mean he wants citizens to brace themselves? Many seem to be accusing him of plagiarizing Shen, to which KMT Lawmaker Lo Chih-chiang fired back saying, “Is breathing also plagiarism?”

Arriving at the Legislative Yuan, the DPP’s candidate for Taipei Mayor, Puma Shen is wearing a tie. He is invited to a fashion and beauty event on Wednesday, which explains his outfit switch up.

Puma Shen
Taipei Mayoral Candidate (DPP)
This is a program that is focused on dressing well, but I honestly don’t know how to be stylish like that, so I just wore a tie so it looks a bit more formal.

Shen has become a huge source for online traffic causing programs to rush to interview him. As his campaign grows steadily, he plans to publish the third issue of his campaign newsletter next week. At the same time, his opponent, Mayor Chiang also released a brochure, “Wan-an Alarm,” which details a policy comparison with Shen. He came under fire for plagiarizing this.

Puma Shen
Taipei Mayoral Candidate (DPP)
Normally, when you hear an alarm, you should hide. So I think the name is quite interesting.

Lo Chih-Chiang
Legislator (KMT)
I am currently plagiarizing Puma Shen. Why? Because I am breathing. I am wearing glasses so I am also copying him. I am wearing a suit jacket so this is also plagiarism. I am wearing shoes which are also plagiarizing him. Is having longer hair also plagiarizing him? Puma Shen is really the center of the universe; I offer you my worship and respect.

Rosalia Wu
Legislator (DPP)
I heard they printed a million copies, wow! What a huge accomplishment. I’m also a Taipei citizen, I will go home today and check my mailbox to see if I received a “Wan-an Alarm” newsletter. Once I see the contents, I can share my thoughts.

Since she hadn’t seen Mayor Chiang’s new publication, a reporter on-site provided a new copy of the “Wan-an Alarm,” for Rosalia Wu to see.

Rosalia Wu
Legislator (DPP)
There are so many photos of Mayor Chiang. You can count it too, how many are there? 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, there are 9 photos of Mayor Chiang.

Comparing the campaign newsletters, one is more like a newspaper with 6 pages, the other is more of a single-sheet flyer. Whether citizens opt for the blue or green product, remains a small indicator of the election result.

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

#dpp #kmt #newsletter #萬安警報 #chiangwanan #pumashen

2026-11-04

NT$40 million disappear from 419 Bank SinoPac accounts

A Yunlin resident made a shocking post on social media on Tuesday, saying that NT$100,000 had mysteriously disappeared from their bank account. The account was with Bank SinoPac, and the money was gone via an unauthorized transfer. It turns out, it was not an isolated incident. The Financial Supervisory Commission has since confirmed that 419 customers had been affected, with more than NT$40 million stolen in total. Let’s hear from the chairman of Bank SinoPac.

Philip Tsao
Bank SinoPac Chairman
We find this incident extremely regrettable, and we are sorry it happened. On behalf of the bank, I would like to apologize if our customers and other people felt upset or uneasy. We are proactively investigating the matter and exploring improvements.

The money had been transferred to one account at Taipei Fubon Bank. The receiving account has been temporarily frozen and the transferred amount was returned in full by Tuesday afternoon. Bank SinoPac says that hackers had exploited security settings in one of its vendors’ systems to carry out the unauthorized transfers. The bank immediately notified the relevant regulatory authorities and police. It also brought in an independent cybersecurity team to quickly identify the vulnerability, isolate potential threats, and verify that it’s online banking services and other systems remained secure and operational.

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

#bank #transfer #hack #cybersecurity #money

2026-11-04

KMRT unveils adorable Mikan x Hello Kitty train

Everyone’s favorite stationmaster in Kaohsiung, Mikan the cat, is getting the full celebrity treatment! Paired with the immensely popular Hello Kitty, the duo are making their livery debut on the KMRT. It’s also the first time in its 18 years that the Kaohsiung Metro has wrapped an entire train, outside and in. The launch will also be accompanied by exclusive merchandise. Excited fans rushed in to see the debut and snap up all the adorable merch they could.

A crowd of fans snap pictures of this unique train as it pulls into the station.

Its colorful exterior features Mikan, a now-famous cat who is affectionately known as a “stationmaster” on the Kaohsiung MRT, joined by the globally popular Hello Kitty. A Stationmaster Mikan mascot even hopped on board for a ride.

The bulbous mascot has to shuffle slowly to get off the train, melting countless hearts of fans who rushed over to get a look.

KMRT rider
Mikan fan
I came to ride the first Mikan-Hello Kitty train! There are so many images around, and the mascot was there, too.

KMRT rider
Mikan fan
We rode from Siaogang Station. The designs are super cute! My daughter really loves Mikan.

Fans also rushed to buy Mikan-Hello Kitty cobranded merchandise, often buying multiple items at once.

This is the first time in its 18 years that the Kaohsiung MRT wrapped an entire train—outside and inside—in a high-quality design.

Chen Chi-mai
Kaohsiung Mayor
My main reason for coming here today is to see Mikan and Hello Kitty. The Mikan train, as well as the Hello Kitty cobranded train.

As expected with these two beloved figures joining forces, fans came out in force to celebrate the launch of the cobranded train, unable to stop gushing over the adorable design.

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

#StationmasterMikan #Kaohsiung #KMRT #HelloKitty #trainlivery #KaohsiungMetro

2026-11-04

CBA-4589 is an obviously fake number plate. Do you know why?

Can you look at a car’s number plate and tell whether it’s a fake? Well, a shoddy counterfeit is really easy to spot. For example, a car in Yilan was recently seen on the streets with a glaringly fake number plate, CBA-4589. One dead giveaway was the number 4, which has not featured on license numbers since 2012, due to the number’s similar pronunciation to the word for death in Mandarin and Taigi. Let’s hear more.

Huang Yi-na
Yilan Motor Vehicles Office
The layout for the CBA-4589 has three digits at the front and four numbers at the back. This 3 + 4 layout is the new number plate format, which started in 2012. In the new format, number plates do not feature the number 4, so it is immediately clear that it was a fake.

Wu Ya-ling
Police officer
We identified the route and notified available officers to strengthen search and interception efforts to apprehend the suspect soon.

The number 4 does still feature on some number plates, but only in the old format containing just 6 digits. What’s more, there are also certain letter combinations that have been banned. That includes CBA, which also happens to be the initials for the Chinese Baseball Association. Riding a vehicle with a fake number plate carries fines of up to NT$72,000 and the confiscation of the vehicle.

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

#numberplate #funfact #numbers #puns #cba

2026-11-04

Candidate crosses a line by putting flyers inside a house

Is this taking campaigning too far? In Puli Township, one local angrily posted on social media about a candidate who crossed the line. On Monday, seeing that no one was home the politician entered the residence to place promotional materials on a table. She was caught in surveillance footage, leaving the homeowner stunned and disrespected.

Surveillance footage captured 4 individuals entering the front yard of a local residence; they split up and placed campaign flyers all over. Three of them wore bright pink volunteer vests and the candidate wore a black vest herself. Seeing that no one came out of the residence, disregarding whether anyone was home or not, the candidate opened the door and carefully placed a flyer on the table before leaving.

The incident happened in Nantou’s Puli Township. A resident left their home in the afternoon to rush to pick up their child from school. Thinking they would return soon, they didn’t lock the door. They didn’t think that when they returned a candidate’s card and merch, would have appeared on their table. Angrily, they posted about it on social media.

Member of public
Disapproves of these acts
This is inappropriate, what if they went in and something went missing. This would be more controversial. It’s better to just stick the flyers on the door.

In the homeowner’s social media post, they found that twice now the borough warden and candidates had entered their home to leave flyers. Their passionate campaigning seemed to cross many boundaries. The candidate then stepped in to explain and apologize.

Lo Hui-mei
Puli Township Representative Candidate
At the time, I asked, “Is there anyone home?” Their son said, “I’m showering.” I said, “Okay, I’m campaigning and I will put a flyer on the table.” Then I turned around and left and didn’t want to inconvenience anyone. I will do better in the future. If I have caused offense, I will improve and just put the fliers outside. I can take feedback, I know I was wrong.

The candidate confirmed that at the time there was someone home showering, adding that she left quickly after dropping off the materials. Campaigns can be stressful but candidates need to be mindful and not take things too far in the spirit of getting votes.

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

#pulitownship #nantou #election #taiwan #dpp

2026-11-04

Man caught with turtles in his pants, marmot taped to body

A shocking smuggling attempt was uncovered at in Kinmen. A man arriving from China by ferry was caught with eight protected turtles and a live marmot secretly strapped to his body. The turtles were wrapped tightly in pantyhoses and attached to the man’s groin area, while the marmot was drugged asleep and taped to his body in a package.

A man with a big duffle bag and a satchel is escorted by Coast Guard officials for a searched. He’s smuggling something, but that something is not in his bags. It’s on his body.

A black package was found in his groin. After ripping off layer upon layer of packaging, officers found eight turtles tightly wrapped in stockings. They were all endangered black-breasted leaf turtles, a Class II protected species in China.

Smugglers stood to make a tidy profit from the turtles, which can be purchased for just NT$200 in China and sold in the black market in Taiwan for as much as NT$30,000. If the sellers manage to pass them off as rare Japanese ground tortoises, which look similar, they can each fetch more than NT$75,000.

And it didn’t stop there. The man also had a white package taped to his body. Officials removed it and opened it up to reveal a 30cm marmot. The mammal had been drugged asleep and later tied to the smuggler’s body. Fortunately, it was discovered just in time.

Kuo Hui-chen
Coast Guard Administration Spokesperson
There has recently been a string of cases of travelers smuggling live animals to Kinmen. The suspect in the latest case was a man surnamed Chiu, who arrived from Quanzhou in China. The case has been referred to the Kinmen District Prosecutors office for investigation for violations of the Act on Wildlife Conservation and the Act on the Prevention and Control of Infectious Animal Diseases.

The smuggler is 55-year-old Mr. Chiu, with household registration in Kaohsiung. He tried to smuggle animals from China into Taiwan via Kinmen, harming the animals and potentially bringing in foreign diseases. The Coast Guard Administration urges the public to not buy animals of unknown origin. That’s especially the case of marmots, which can carry the pneumonic plague, which has a mortality rate of almost 100%.

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

#bizarre #busted #smuggling #pantyhose #marmot

2026-11-04

Cancer survivors, families cycle 1,100km around Taiwan

The annual round-island cycling event held by the Taiwan Anti-Cancer Association has begun its 14th edition. This year, 45 cancer survivors and their family members are challenging themselves to cycle 1,100 kilometers over 10 days. One of the riders is Wang Lin-chi, who was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer that had metastasized to her brain. Refusing to let her illness break her spirit, she successfully summited Yushan back in June after her treatment before taking on this cycling challenge.

At the sound of the horn, riders step on their pedals and head out on a grand journey around Taiwan. But these aren’t any ordinary cyclists. These 45 participants are all cancer survivors and their family members, embarking on a 10-day, 1,100-kilometer journey around the island.

Now in its 14th year, the “riding for life” cycling event presents a formidable physical challenge for anyone, let alone a cancer patient who’s endured the far more grueling journey of treatment.

Huang Wen-chien
MacKay Memorial Hospital vice superintendent
We at the Taiwan Anti-Cancer Association have been organizing this event for 14 years. Our mission is, first and foremost, to help these patients step out of their isolated worlds. Second, we hope they can inspire more patients like them. And of course, during the journey, we hope to spread the love wherever we go.

Wang Lin-chi
Cancer survivor
When climbing Yushan, for instance, you realize just how extraordinarily beautiful everything is along the way. You realize that life doesn’t stop with treatment or in the hospital room. Getting outside feels wonderful. It completely transforms your outlook.

From battling disease to summiting Taiwan’s highest peak, and now cycling around the island, riders like Wang are proving there are no limits, bringing courage to her fellow cancer survivors.

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

#cancer #cancersurvivor #inspiring #cycling #roundtheisland

2026-11-04

Sakura season Wuling Farm rooms sell out in four minutes

Reservations for the annual Wuling Farm Cherry Blossom Season have sold out instantly, yet again! The farm’s 1,972 available rooms were snatched up in just four minutes. But if you missed out, don’t be discouraged—the farm suggested other ways people can enjoy the blossoms, including camping and day tours, or by taking a single-day shuttle bus.

The phones at Wuling Farm are ringing nonstop. Guests are calling with questions about bookings for the upcoming cherry blossom season, after the rooms sold out after only four minutes.

Voice of Yang Ming
Wuling Farm tourism section
Control measures for the 2027 Wuling Farm Cherry Blossom Season will run for 17 days, from Feb. 13 to March 1. When February reservations opened at 8:30am, all 1,972 available rooms completely sold out within four minutes.

When the cherry blossoms are blooming, it turns the entire farm into a sea of pink and fuschia, like you’ve instantly stepped across the sea into a Japanese fairytale. The immensely popular rooms sell out in a matter of minutes every year. But those who missed out shouldn’t despair—there are other ways to enjoy the scenery.

Voice of Yang Ming
Wuling Farm tourism section
If any guests fail to pay the deposit to finalize their booking, the rooms will be released intermittently on our online booking system. Alternatively, campsite reservations will open at 8am on Dec. 1.

Guests who don’t plan to stay overnight can also opt for a single-day tour offered by the farm, with bookings to open at 9am on Nov. 10. There will also be shuttle buses for daytrippers. With so many options to choose from, travelers will have every opportunity to enjoy this year’s sakura season!

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

#WulingFarm #cherryblossoms #sakura #flowers #travel #flowerviewing

2026-11-04

Stars of new Netflix show share parenthood experiences

A new Taiwanese Netflix show called Driving Mom Crazy features actors Liu Kuan-ting and Ivy Chen navigating the ups and downs of parenthood. Both draw on their real-life experiences as parents, bringing humor and depth to their characters. The show has become a talking point on and off screen.

In the new Netflix show Driving Mom Crazy, actor Liu Kuan-ting plays a gangster’s bodyguard. He trained for the fight scenes, but some unexpected mishaps were incorporated into the final cuts, adding a touch of humor.

Liu Kuan-ting
Actor
At one point, a stroller was supposed to roll away, so I asked the director if I could grab it and roll it back. The challenge with these choreographed moves was figuring out how to perform them in a way that fit the comedy of the series.

The series blends action and fantasy, with its body-swapping premise helping the characters get to know each other in a new light. It also explores the journey from young woman to mother.

Liu Kuan-ting
Actor
I’ve experienced being a first-time father, so I could draw on some of the funny moments and everyday experiences of caring for a baby to bring more depth to my character.

Ivy Chen
Actor
When I was pumping or breastfeeding, I had a strange feeling. On the one hand, I really wanted to feed the baby, while on the other hand I didn’t. I couldn’t feel happy about it, but I worried that the baby might be hungry. Breastfeeding and pumping were the only time I experienced such complicated emotions.

As their characters learn to care for one another and co-parent, Liu and Chen drew on their own experiences as parents to bring greater depth to the roles.

Liu Kuan-ting
Actor
I think it’s like transforming from a caterpillar into a butterfly. There are some tough times to get through.

Driving Mom Crazy mixes humor with fantasy to explore love, family, and personal growth, showing different sides of each character.

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

#DrivingMomCrazy #Netflix #drama #comedy #IvyChen #LiuKuanting #father #mother #parenthood

2026-11-04

Life or death building crash in Beitou Market hospitalizes 4

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an’s wife, Shih Fang-hsuan campaigned with KMT councilors at Beitou’s old market on Tuesday morning. When, all of a sudden, a scaffolding of five floors come crashing down and sent four injured to the hospital. Mayor Chiang arrived on site shortly after the accident, and ordered a stoppage on the project as well as fining the company NT$2.5million.

Around 10:30 in the morning, many were caught by surprise in a local vegetable market when the scaffolding, of a building undergoing demolition, suddenly collapsed; leaving people below to run for their lives. Unfortunately some were unable to escape and were severely injured.

Nearby Vendor
Believed people were ignorant
In the morning, some said it was shaking, but nobody paid attention to it, so this happened, and it crashed down.

Parts of Beitou Market in Taipei are undergoing construction and demolition of the old market. The scaffolding collapsed taking with it 6 scooters and 4 people who were sent to the hospital. The life and death situation caused many to panic and seek shelter under the canopies of nearby stores. The loud crash of the scaffolding falling terrified everyone, and could be heard from two streets away.

Injured individuals were rushed to the hospital in ambulances. One of the injured was a construction worker that had fallen from the third floor of the scaffolding. Due to severe injuries, he remains in the ICU.

Lin Hua-ching
Doctor
When he arrived, his condition was serious, he had fallen from the third floor to the ground. There was a sudden change in consciousness, but when he was sent to our hospital, he was conscious and he could speak. We conducted a thorough examination, and found that he had some bleeding in the brain; we call this an epidural hematoma. Additionally, we found a fracture in his left rib and a stable fracture in his pelvis. However, there was no hemothorax, pneumothorax, or bleeding in the pelvis or abdomen.

A preliminary assessment by civil engineers reveals the scaffolding was not adjusted to the height of the building after demolition, even after unloading in layers it remains 5 stories high, and with the added strong winds, it’s clear what caused the disaster.

Chiang Wan-an
Taipei Mayor
With regards to the construction company and contractual obligations, we will immediately impose a heavy penalty and order a work stoppage.

At the time of the incident, the Mayor’s wife, Shih Fang-hsuan, was campaigning in the streets in the nearby market. After the incident, Mayor Chiang also immediately arrived at the scene. The city government has fined the company NT$2.5 million, and ordered a stoppage on the project.

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

#beitoumarket #localmarket #chiangwanan #buildingcrash #accident

2026-11-03

Is wearing Puma brand clothes to the polls illegal? CEC responds

One of Taipei’s mayoral candidates happens to share a name with a popular international sports brand. No, it’s not Chiang Wan-an, but Puma Shen. The coincidence has left people wondering about the legality of wearing clothes from that brand on Election Day. After all, sporting campaign symbols to the voting booth is indeed illegal. Election officials say simply wearing clothes of any given brand is not problematic. Here’s what Puma Shen himself had to say on the matter.

Puma Shen
Taipei mayoral candidate
It’s already an established brand, so in theory, wearing clothes from that brand shouldn’t pose a problem in the eyes of the law. But still, there is a little bit of a gray area depending on how you interpret it. So I would still recommend everyone to just wear regular clothes to the polls. That would avoid any controversy. And consider this, setting aside the legality of it all. Imagine that you happen to walk into a group of people who support the other candidate. They might see things differently. If they look at your clothes and the might say “Hey, you’re campaigning!” or “You’re breaking election laws.” And then an argument might break out. That wouldn’t be ideal at the polls on Election Day.

Chuang Jui-hsiung
DPP legislative caucus
If I usually wear Puma and I change into Adidas clothes or some other brand just for the election, wouldn’t that be bizarre? In any case, the ballot doesn’t say Puma Shen, it says Shen Po-yang.

The Central Election Commission says that only concrete attempts at campaigning are against the law. Examples include canvassing for votes at polling stations or near polling stations, and wearing campaign items such as vests or badges. Such behavior is punishable with fines of up to NT$1 million. So be sure to check your outfit before heading out to vote.

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

#cec #puma #pumashen #sports #streetwear

2026-11-03

Queues of O’shen fans are harassed by borough warden

Elections are drawing closer which is turning the heat up in Taipei. The fanbase for DPP candidate Puma Shen continues to grow, and many stores are posting announcements online about selling merchandise. On Monday evening, one such photo studio in a community in Daan was giving out O’Shen banners. As the queue grew longer and longer, people waited quietly. That’s until the local borough warden caught wind of the situation and began taking videos and loudly harrassing them, claiming they were “breaking the law.”

- Can I cordon you in your homes? Hmm?

Puma Shen’s many fans arrived at an O’Shen merchandise store lining up to collect banners and trinkets. However, the local borough warden was not a fan. He began scolding them, taking videos, and even calling the police.

Shih Chung-sheng
Qunying Borough Warden
Our apartment complex has a peaceful environment, all of you lining up here are a nuisance, hurry up and leave, go home!

This is Qunying Borough in Daan District. A store owner had posted an announcement online saying he could give out Puma Shen’s merchandise banners and other items to support Shen. He didn’t expect the turnout to be this huge, with a long queue stretching far and wide. Although everyone was waiting quietly, the borough warden was causing a scene driving them away.

- If this was your district, your home, would you allow strangers to surround your home?
- I live here.
- Then you should be more defensive of our safety.
Tell me which unit, I’ll bring people to your house.
- Bring people to my house?
- Yeah.

Locals taking photos silently turned away and didn’t want to escalate the situation, but the borough warden kept saying it was private property and outsiders couldn’t enter, he even called the cops.

- When the police arrived, they said this was not an illegal act

Shih Chung-sheng
Qunying Borough Warden
The police perhaps was not aware of this, radical expression in open areas will cause large commotions. If you look at Article 305 of the Criminal Law, entering private areas is already something illegal.

Mr. Chen
Photo Studio Owner
This has always been a quiet community, and we don’t want to disturb residents, if you want to have conversations then please lower your voice, and maintain the quiet and also don’t shout. Everyone was slow to cooperate and then of course, more and more people came, I had to come out twice or thrice to warn them.

During the owner’s interview, the borough warden stood on the side recording. Netizens discovered he is a supporter of the KMT’s Legislator Lo Chih-Chiang.

Shih Chung-sheng
Qunying Borough Warden
In our community, there are three big nos: Politics, ethnic discussions and religion.

Mr. Chen
Photo Studio Owner
We are a democratic nation, this is a democratic society. Within public housing there are differing opinions, political ideas and stances, I am also a resident here. President Lai Ching-te once said, “it doesn’t matter if we have different political views, we must stand as one nation.”

As elections draw closer, both parties and their supporters are under major scrutiny.

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

#mayoralelections #taipeimayor #dpp #kmt #pumashen #oshen

2026-11-03

Boat sets off on Taiwan tour with rainbow and O’Shen Wave flags

Puma Shen’s mayoral run in Taipei has taken on so much steam, that campaign flags for the candidate are cropping up even outside the capital. In one peculiar case, a sailboat set off from Hualien on Tuesday morning with several flags on its mast, including the rainbow LGBT flag and the orange-and-white O’Shen Wave flag. The sailboat will carry several travelers on a tour of Taiwan by sea, organized by a private group. The organizer says the two flags are meant to support the values that Shen stands for, as well as openly gay legendary TV host Kevin Tsai. Let’s hear more.

Mr. Yang
Hualien Sailing school
We hope that Puma Shen’s campaign will be joyful, and focused on policy rather than personal attacks. We fully agree with such an approach. I think that Puma Shen and Kevin Tsai have elevated Taiwan to a new level. I respect them tremendously and support them. So that’s why we put up a rainbow flag and a campaign flag for Puma Shen. As we go around Taiwan, we hope to show with our actions how much we love and support Taiwan.

The sailboat set off from to embark on a voyage around Taiwan organized by the Hualien Sailing School. There’s also a few other flags on the vessel: the pro-Taiwan independence flag known as the Flag of Taiwan the Formosa, and a flag representing Taiwan as a rainbow whale. The school’s principal stressed that the voyage has no political affiliation, saying they simply admire Shen’s and Tsai’s work. The sailboat is expected to take the southern route around Taiwan and arrive in Taipei on Nov. 27. The route may be adjusted according to sea conditions, with safety remaining the top priority.

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

#sailing #lgbt #pumashen #tour #sailboat

2026-11-03

Hsinchu parking lot is so big, many riders can’t find their bikes

Taipei is short of parking spaces but in Hsinchu residents are complaining about too much of a good thing. The newly renovated motorcycle parking lot at Hsinchu Rear Station boasts a whopping 2,300 parking spaces. Commuters are complaining that with such an enormous area of densely parked bikes, looking for your own bike is like finding a needle in a haystack. Some people at first glance even think their bikes must have been stolen. Let’s find out more.

This parking lot is packed full of motorcycles. They are so densely packed as far as the eye can see that it is easy to forget where you parked your own bike. This is the motorcycle parking lot at Hsinchu Rear Station covering over 3,300 square meters and offering a whopping 2,300 parking spaces. Some people are complaining that this area is too large and when you’re ready to leave, it takes a lot of time to find your bike.

Member of the public
Complaining about parking area
You won’t be able to find where you parked it.

Member of the public
Complaining about parking area
As this space here is quite large, sometimes if you come back late, you might forget where you parked it and end up having to spend a bit of time looking for it.

The Hsinchu Rear Station parking lot is a major transfer hub for many commuters and travelers, and it’s especially difficult to find a parking space on weekends and holidays. The city government upgraded the lot in August, repairing the road surface and adding approximately 630 motorcycle parking spaces. However, with so many motorcycles and no numbered signs on the spaces, many people when returning to the parking lot find they’ve lost their bikes. Some have even at first believed they’ve been stolen.

- How could it be better laid out?

Member of the public
Making suggestion
Maybe they can be assigned numbers, or the lot could be divided into zones like A, B, and C, like an underground parking lot.

Lin Chun-yuan
Hsinchu Transportation Department
Regarding the parking area delineation, the city government is currently studying improvement plans, and construction will begin as soon as the plans are finalized.

People hope that these parking spaces can be marked or zoned, otherwise it’s really frustrating to be unable to find your motorcycle when you’re in a hurry to get home.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#Hsinchutraffic #motorcycleparks #parkinglots #parkingspaces #Taiwantraffic

2026-11-03

Jason Mraz fans fuming as concert seats turn into chaotic free-for-all

Fans of Jason Mraz were in for a disappointing concert experience in Taipei on Monday. The singer-songwriter came back to Taiwan for the first time in seven years, but poor organizing made for a terrible evening. Concertgoers reported that staff was still setting up chairs 10 minutes before the doors opened. Others say entire sections of seating completely disappeared and there was no staff around to guide people to their seats.

Fans were excited to see American singer-songwriter Jason Mraz back in Taipei. Sadly, it was a letdown.

The lights are down and Jason Mraz is already performing. But at the back, people are still looking for their seats. The concert was scheduled to start at 7:30 on Monday evening. Just 10 minutes before opening, staff was still setting up the seats. Concertgoers started flooding in with nobody to guide them, causing major bottlenecks.

Voice of concertgoer
Filming chaos
It’s now 7:35, and there are tons of people still looking for their seats. The signs and numbering are wrong, and the seating areas are messed up. There’s a whole seating area missing at the back. So many people have nowhere to sit. It’s crazy.

The seating arrangement differed greatly from what was advertised. And an area that was supposed to be elevated turned out to just be foldable chairs on the ground. The chaos left fans complaining that whole sections became a free-for-all, rendering the numbered ticket seat system completely useless.

Voice of Rueici
Went to concert
The ticket we bought cost NT$5,280, so how come our seats were so off to one side? In the end we had to look for our seats and find a spot for ourselves, and instead of sitting we had to stand. Everyone was standing at the back, blocking the entrance. The whole experience was terrible.

The poor organizing made fans flood social media with so many complaints that the event organizer posted an apology on its official website.

Voice of Lo Hsin-hua
Xinze
The original arrangements were for seats to be from Row 1 to Row 100. But in the end, there were some major changes near the back. There was a timing discrepancy between our staffing agency and the team responsible for assigning and putting up the seat labels.

Voice of Yeh Chia-hao
Consumer Protection Committee
Since the service was below the standards reasonably expected within the industry, the organizer should offer reasonable compensation to affected customers to protect its reputation and fulfill its social responsibility.

Several concertgoers have reported the incident with the Consumer Protection Committee, in hopes of getting compensation for their terrible experience.

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

#jasonmraz #concert #event #jmraz #taipei

2026-11-03

NET 86% cotton polo shirt turns out to be 0% cotton and 97.6% polyester

With a growing number of people looking for natural fibers in their clothing, more and more shoppers are checking the labels when buying garments. But what if the labels are not true? Taiwanese clothing brand NET recently came to the center of a controversy, after a customer discovered that the fiber content of a polo shirt wasn’t quite as advertised. The label said 86% cotton, but a lab test later found that there was, in fact, no cotton at all in the garment. Let’s hear more.

Chen Yen-lin
FTV reporter
A shopper felt that the 86% cotton polo shirt they bought felt odd to the touch and tried to get a refund. The store told him to rest assured that the fiber content of the garment was correct. But the shopper took it for a lab test that found it was more than 90% polyester.

Mr. Chao
Bought polo shirt
The shop told me they would take it to get tested. Then when it came back, they told me it was all correct. I was very surprised, so I got the polo shirt back and I took it to get tested myself. The results then found it had no cotton at all.

Member of public
Cares about fiber content
If what I wanted to buy was a cotton garment, and what they gave me didn’t contain any cotton, I wouldn’t want to buy it.

Member of public
Weighing in on incident
Some people really care about the fiber content. Others think that as long as it’s cheap, it’s alright.

Voice of Lin Chuan-chien
Taipei Consumer Protection Official
Businesses must provide consumers with sufficient and accurate information about the goods or services they offer. They must not engage in misleading, concealing, or deceptive practices. Any violation may render the business liable for breach of contractual obligations.

NET has since issued an apology, admitting to oversights in its internal procedures for product labeling, quality checks, and customer service. Effective immediately, the retailer is offering unconditional returns for the disputed garment, hoping to ease consumer backlash and restore its brand reputation.

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

#net #poloshirt #naturalfibers #fibercontent #cotton

2026-11-03

Kaohsiung touts achievements in AI urban management

The Kaohsiung City Government recently held a presentation touting its Smart Lighthouse Project, which harnesses the ability of AI to manage traffic, inspect roads, monitor flooding, and maintain the environment. Through this initiative and more, Kaohsiung is laying the groundwork to create a cutting-edge city of the future that balances governance autonomy, institutional innovation, and industrial power. Even compared with other initiatives, it serves as a global model for smart urban governance.

Existing CCTV footage and municipal data are analyzed by vision-language models to detect anomalies, turning the raw observations into trackable data. From there, reporting, dispatching, and any subsequent tasks are managed seamlessly. Kaohsiung’s Smart Lighthouse Project enables the city to be proactive, responding in real-time rather than addressing issues after the fact.

Chen Chi-mai
Kaohsiung Mayor
We currently have the world’s earliest and largest sovereign AI at the city level. It serves as the brain for municipal governance.

The city’s presentation focused on four main applications: traffic, public works, water management, and environmental protection. With the new system, municipal data no longer languish in silos.

Chen Chi-mai
Kaohsiung Mayor
This platform aims to break down these data silos, allowing the city’s central brain to integrate disparate datasets to make well-informed decisions.

Real-time traffic conditions from the Transportation Bureau. City buses acting as inspectors for the Public Works Bureau. Image recognition to detect flooding for the Water Resources Bureau. AI monitoring of emissions and street litter for the Environmental Protection Bureau. Through the city’s smart governance platform, municipal departments can keep track of incident locations, live video, and response progress to delegate, dispatch personnel, and fix problems while also tracking outcomes.

Chien Chih-cheng
Chunghwa Telecom chair
Among all the worldwide efforts to build out smart cities, this one is truly a pioneer.

Using existing municipal data, AI technology, and municipal workflows allows the city to detect anomalies earlier. Agencies can then get the information they need to quickly address any issues, gradually realizing the promise of improving municipal governance through technology. According to the mayor, a true “smart city” makes quiet improvements behind the scenes, making life better, even when you don’t notice it.

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

#smartcity #Kaohsiung #SmartLighthouseProject #AI #ChenChimai #sovereignAI

2026-11-03

Restaurant with exotic animals opens in Taichung

It seems like dog and cat cafes are everywhere these days. But in Taichung, there’s a new spot that’s going for something a bit more exotic. Instead of dogs and cats, customers can dine alongside meerkats, frogs, insects, and lizards. But the owner confessed that it was difficult to get the idea off the ground.

Knowing exactly where the treats are, two adorable meerkats bolt over to climb on our delighted reporter’s lap.

The curious creatures poke around, even coming right up to the camera lens. But that’s not the only animal kingdom represented here.

This is an exotic pet restaurant in Taichung’s West District. Here, customers have a chance to dine alongside meerkats, chameleons, frogs, insects, lizards big and small, and more.

Customer
Animal lover
It’s super cool! When I first came, I saw birds and snakes outside and wondered if they were real.

Customer
Animal lover
If you can’t keep them at home, but want to learn more about them, you can come here and see for yourself.

Dog and cat cafes are common, but this is the first restaurant in Taiwan to feature exotic animals. As there was no precedent to follow, the founder said it was difficult getting started.

Exotic animal restaurant
Founder
Pets have natural odors, while food service has strict sanitation requirements. Striking a balance between the two took a massive effort. And on top of that, animal protection laws have evolved in recent years. It requires constant adjustments on our end.

It’s crucial to keep a suitable living space for the animals, as well as a sanitary dining environment. Caring for over 40 species gathered under one roof poses an even greater challenge.

Exotic animal restaurant
Founder
Some are from deserts, some from forests, and others from riverbanks. We want to provide an environment that mimics their natural habitats. It can also serve as a reference for other pet owners.

The founder said the animals take “shifts,” with regular breaks. By opening Taiwan’s first exotic pet restaurant, they hope it can introduce more people to these charming and unique animals.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#petcafe #exoticanimals #Taichung #lizards #meerkats #exoticpetrestaurant

2026-11-03

DPP lawmakers propose bill to deter illegal high tech exports

A smuggling scandal rocked Taiwan earlier this year, after it came to light that Supermicro servers equipped with advanced Nvidia chips were sold illegally to China. The incident came as Taiwan looked to strengthen cooperation with the US on export controls. DPP lawmakers are now proposing amendments to the Trade Act. The goal is to deter further incidents with tougher penalties and an explicit export ban on designated semiconductors, critical materials and components to China. A public hearing on the proposal was held on Monday, with the attendance of several experts. Let’s hear more.

Chung Chia-pin
Legislator (DPP)
Controls on strategic high-tech goods need to be adjusted to respond to the evolving situation.

Wang Kuo-chen
Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research
Changes in semiconductor security and resilience are increasingly fast. We need regulations that can respond more quickly to developments, while emphasizing cooperation between Taiwan and the US. This cooperation could eventually expand to Southeast Asia, as well as Japan and South Korea.

Lin Hsiu-min
International investment consultant
Our export control regulations are actually far behind international standards, particularly those of the US. In the US, violating export controls is punishable with up to 20 years in prison, whereas in Taiwan, the maximum is just five years.

Lin Chin-fu
NTHU Institute of Law for Science and Technology
If fines cannot be adjusted based on the value of the goods involved, the deterrent effect may be limited. The current legislation also fails to incorporate the concept of technology itself, with regulations still largely focused on controlling physical goods.

Exporting or importing strategic high-tech goods to or from restricted destinations can carry prison sentences of up to 5 years and fines of up to NT$3 million. The proposed amendments would increase the maximum sentence to 10 years, with fines ranging from NT$5 million to NT$10 million. Lawmakers and experts hope the revisions will help safeguard Taiwan’s technological advantage while also addressing US efforts to curb China’s access to advanced technology.

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 #china #exports #us #hightech

2026-11-02