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Acts for presidential inauguration and emcees for state banquet unveiled

Taiwan’s President-elect Lai Ching-te will be inaugurated next month. Rapping in Taiwanese and Hakka and an a cappella performance will take center stage at the inauguration ceremony on May 20. Organizers have a lineup packed with all kinds of performances to showcase the diversity of Taiwan. And for the first time, Tainan will hold the inaugural state banquet with two special hosts who can speak a total of eight languages.

The program for the May 20 presidential inauguration has been unveiled. It includes a performance by singer Since Chou.

Since Chou
Singer
On the day, I will perform Taiwanese-language golden oldies from the past 100 years. I hope you’re all excited about it.

There’s also the Chio-Tian Folk Drums and Art Troupe, the Chien Kuo High School Marching Band, Paper Windmill Theatre and Fire EX., among others. Organizers say this year there will be novelties in the lineup, including an a cappella performance, rapping in Taiwanese and Hakka, and a stage that rises and drops. For the first time, the inauguration banquet will be held in Tainan, and emceed by a very special lineup.

Karen Kuo
Inauguration banquet emcee
Distinguished guests from all over the world will converge in Tainan. This offers them an opportunity to delve deeper into the rich history of the city at the state banquet.

She is Karen Kuo, spokesperson for Lai Ching-te’s presidential campaign with a wealth of experience hosting TV shows and events. And she won’t be alone.

Joining her will be Kevin Tai, a half-Taiwanese half-Brazilian model who came fourth representing Taiwan at the Mister Global 2023 pageant.

Kevin Tai
Inauguration banquet emcee
I’m super excited for this, really looking forward to it. For me, it’s not just an opportunity to show the world the power of Taiwan’s democracy, but also a way to show Taiwan the diversity of Taiwan. Even someone with a foreign-looking face can speak Mandarin and Taiwanese fluently!

The celebration for Taiwanese democracy is back after four years. The performers and emcees will showcase the diversity of the nation at Lai Ching-te’s and Hsiao Bi-khim’s inauguration on May 20.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

Time：2024-04-26

最新消息 Latest News

President-elect Lai Ching-te plays bartender as he attends launch of beer brewery

President-elect Lai Ching-te travelled south to Pingtung on Friday to preside over the launch of a new Taiwan-based brewery of an international company. As he received a warm welcome from employees, Lai also worked as a bartender for a day and poured himself a tall one from a beer tap. Lai also encouraged the brewery to become the best among the hundreds scattered across the world, so it could become the pride of Pingtung.

President-elect Lai Ching-te personally pours himself a glass of draft beer and scrapes off the foam. Lai then started learning on the spot how to be a salesman for it, and he managed it in quite a stylish way.

Lai was at the international beer company’s Neipu factory in Pingtung to preside over its inauguration ceremony and served as bartender and brewer for a day. To be a brewer, you first need to understand how the process starts with raw materials.

Lai listened carefully to explanations and understood the minute details of the entire brewing process. He also played guessing games with the staff and snapped selfies with them.

Lai Ching-te
President-elect
I think today’s occasion is quite lively and full of enthusiasm. If the lights were dimmed, it might also be like a nightclub.

Lai was at the brewery all morning. Economics minister Wang Mei-hua, who was accompanying him, joked that it was the first time to see a presidential figure hang around at a company for so long. Lai also urged them to do their best.

Lai Ching-te
President-elect
All kinds of resources coming from water and the geographical environment are excellent in all aspects because you are in Pingtung. I believe that with your expertise, you can make Pingtung produce the best quality beer among the some 160 breweries across the world.

Lai also campaigned for Pingtung farmers, hoping that the brewery could make use of more local products and develop beers with more local characteristics. At the same time set up a model factory for tourists so it could become the pride of Pingtung.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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2024-04-26

Premier weighs in on KMT proposal to extend lifespan of nuclear power plants

Premier Chen Chien-jen has weighed in on a KMT bill proposing to extend the lifespan of nuclear power plants. The KMT says the nuclear units should be allowed to operate for as long as safety conditions are met. Chen says the matter is not so simple in Taiwan, due to the island’s location along the earthquake-prone ring of fire. Let’s hear from him.

Chen Chien-jen
Premier
Electricity generation from renewable resources already exceeds that of nuclear power plants. So the issue of extending the lifespan of nuclear power plants needs to be carefully considered. We also have to face challenges posed by nuclear waste. So currently, at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and at Taipower, the plans are all in the direction of going ahead with the decommissioning of nuclear power plants. Of course, we also respect the decisions taken by the members of the Legislative Yuan. But we hope that information on the plan can be provided to everyone to discuss matters rationally.

Two nuclear power plants will soon be decommissioned in Taiwan. The two units at the Maanshan plant in Pingtung are slated for decommissioning this July and in May next year, when their 40-year-licenses expire. Construction of Taiwan’s fourth nuclear power plant was halted in 2014. The KMT is calling for the first two plants to be re-commissioned, for the third to remain in operation for longer, and for construction to resume in the fourth one.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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2024-04-26

ITRI signs strategic partnership agreement with leading optoelectronic company

The Industrial Technology Research Institute has signed a strategic partnership agreement with AUO Corporation. The goal is to promote industrial transformation and upgrade, as well as set up companies in the green economy. ITRI says this mode of cooperation leverages the strengths of both parties to boost the development of innovative technologies and raise international competitiveness.

A representative from ITRI and AUO Corporation hold up massive seals and press them against the screen to complete the signing ceremony.

In order to promote industrial upgrading and transformation and help create a competitive green economy, ITRI and AUO Corporation have signed a strategic partnership agreement to work together in four major areas: advanced displays, vehicle electronics and smart cabins, vertical integration solutions, and net-zero emissions and ESG considerations. Both sides will leverage their advantageous positions in different fields to upgrade industrial technologies and enhance international competitiveness.

Frank Ko
AUO CEO
ITRI’s innovative prowess can complement our operations. I look forward to having a more efficient and systematic approach to integrating these two innovative forces in Taiwan: our company and this institute. That way we can collaborate more efficiently.

The leading panel manufacturer and ITRI have collaborated on a high-definition transparent projection screen. It’s the world’s first large-scale transparent projection technology. It’s not limited by projection distance, affording viewers an enhanced experience at exhibitions and sports events. There’s also this transparent vehicle display. It can be integrated into car windshields to present in-vehicle information and details on the driver’s physiological state, for enhanced driving efficiency and safety.

Another highlight is the smart visual display technology for vehicles. Eye-tracking technology detects where users are looking to show tourist information about surrounding landmarks on the passenger’s window, while reducing the likelihood of dizziness. The combination of GPS coordinates and eye-tracking devices allows passengers to know what they are looking at on a tour.

Edwin Liu
ITRI president
We hope to collaborate more with industry players in the fields of smart cabins, smart hospitals and even in consumer electronics. This is a top priority for ITRI’s research and development efforts.

ITRI is joining forces with Taiwanese companies to take advantage of each other’s strengths and take hold of a new generation of business opportunities.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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2024-04-26

National Miaoli Special School cheerleading squad wins gold at world championship

The cheerleading squad at National Miaoli Special School has won gold at the 2024 ICU Junior World and World Cheerleading Championships in the U.S. The team performed a routine to music with Hakka elements, giving a nearly flawless performance during the final. Their clean moves helped them defeat their American opponents and bring the title home.

The 20-strong squad began an intense training regimen after they were informed they would be representing Taiwan at the competition a few months ago. But the bigger struggle for the team was actually to get funding for the trip. Miaoli Commissioner Chung Tung-chin says the county government is exploring ways to allocate more funding to send outstanding athletes abroad. He says competing overseas is a good opportunity for athletes to gain international experience.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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2024-04-26

Japan’s central bank says no rate change, yen plunges to 34-year low against greenback

Good news for those who are heading to Japan. On Friday, Japan’s central bank said it would keep its policy rate unchanged, plunging the yen to a fresh 34-year low against the U.S. dollar. The exchange rate shot up to 156 yen against the greenback, its lowest point since May 1990. In practical terms, this means that you get 55,000 yen more when you exchange NT$100,000 compared with last year, and that’s equivalent to seven trips to Tokyo Disneyland.

The numbers of yen exchanged for a greenback continue to climb upward as the currency hit a 34-year low against the U.S. dollar. On Friday, the Bank of Japan announced at its monetary policy meeting that it would maintain its current benchmark interest rate.

Kazuo Ueda
Bank of Japan governor
In today’s meeting we decided to maintain financial market policy guidelines that were determined in March, which is to promote raising short-term interest rates to 0%- 0.1%. Purchases of long-term government bonds and corporate bonds will also be conducted according to guidelines from the March meeting.

The yen has been continually depreciating as the U.S. dollar has continued to strengthen. On April 10, the U.S. announced its latest inflation and consumption data for March, which exceeded market expectations. Investors one by one sold Asian currencies including the Japanese yen, and bought greenbacks. Seeing that their exchange rate is continuing to depreciate, causing commodity prices to skyrocket, Japanese companies and people are seething with anxiety.

Member of Japanese public
The prices of many things in everyday life are constantly rising.

Member of Japanese public
Hotels have become more expensive, transportation costs are also high, and prices for foods and beverages have all increased, making dining out very difficult.

Koshiro Kudo
Asahi Kasei Corporation
The depreciation of the yen has exceeded our company’s expectations too much, and, if this continues, our overall national strength will have problems.

Since the beginning of the year, the yen has depreciated by more than 9%, making it the worst-performing currency among 10 major industrialized countries. Some analysts believe the fall could get worse and the yen could slide to 160 against the greenback, provided Japan’s central bank and Ministry of Finance stay put and do not intervene in the market.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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2024-04-26

Taiwan attracting Southeast Asian tech Students

Taiwan is looking to Southeast Asia as a pipeline to fill the region’s shortage of high-tech talent. The number of foreign students to the island has been growing, especially from Vietnam and Indonesia. Voice of America’s Peh Hong Lim reports from Hsinchu.

These students from Southeast Asia are not only learning Chinese in Taiwan, they are also getting technical skills training in their field of study. About an hour south of Taiwan’s capital, Truong Minh Qui from Vietnam is earning a master’s degree at Minh Hsin University of Science and Technology.

Truong Minh Qui
Vietnamese student
When I came to Taiwan, I had heard that Taiwan is advanced in chemical and materials fields. I really like these fields.

Vietnamese student enrollment in Taiwan is growing. They are the largest group of foreign students in Taiwan and account for nearly a quarter of all international students at 27,000. There has also been an increase in the number for students from Indonesia.

One of them is future civil engineer, Happy Mareta who says it was earthquakes that brought her to Taiwan.

Happy Mareta
Indonesian student
I’m really interested to study here because Taiwan is known for its advanced construction methods.

Students like Happy and Truong are the answer to Taiwan’s talent shortage in tech. A problem that is made worse by the island’s dropping birthrate. Taipei last year launched a plan to nearly triple the number of foreign students by 2030, retaining two-thirds for after graduation jobs. The island has been looking to Southeast Asia as a pipeline for new talent. Foreign students are also drawn to the island. For Mareta, the attraction is Taipei 101, the tallest building on the island.

Happy Mareta
Indonesian student
It’s the famous tourism spot. I could learn about how the construction methods used in Taiwan [Taipei] 101, how the building is built.

Especially how the building sways but stays strong during an earthquake.

Many students are pairing their studies with internships in Taiwan with the hope that they’ll land a high-tech job here in the future.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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2024-04-26

Changhua farmers win fame for a volleyball tournament in the paddy fields

A farmers’ group in Changhua has won fame for a volleyball tournament held in a rice paddy. The games in the mud began four years ago in Erlin Township. Now, the local teams have even been asked to appear in a commercial for a major sports brand.

A player falls but is straight back on his feet, only to flop on his belly again at the next hit.

These volleyball teams consist of local players of all ages. As they play, they are covered with mud from head to foot – and glowing with happiness.

This paddy field volleyball was filmed by an international sports brand for a commercial. The players had a special filming session for the brand, but in real life, these local farmers really are out here playing in the mud.

The tournament is normally held in summer, but on the day of filming, it was January and a cold snap. The players duked it out in just 10 degrees Celsius for about six hours. There were plenty of numb hands by the end of the day.

It all began here in Erlin Township in Changhua, when a farming association linked up with the leisure association to concoct a new marketing strategy. They wanted to hold a photogenic competition connected to the paddy fields. Four years ago, the collective brainstorming produced this paddy field volleyball project, which got everyone talking.

Wu Min-hsien
Douyuan Leisure Farm Development Association
Some people play volleyball in water, some people play on the beach. But no one else plays in paddy fields!

The sports brand’s slogan this year is “You got this.” It thought the image of amateur athletes rolling in the rice field mud would make an impact. For the farmers of Erlin, it’s a genius marketing strategy, a workout and a lot of fun.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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2024-04-26

Backstory to charming bookstore in the mountains of Hsinchu

Now we visit a charming bookstore in the mountains of Hsinchu. The couple who run this hidden gem in Beipu have quite a story about its inception. They came upon the house by accident, while they were searching for their beloved dog after a typhoon. It all began on a hike in the mountains.

Mr. Chen
Bookstore owner
On holidays, I often go to Wuzhi Mountain. My wife and I both love nature. When we went up there, a dog came up to us as soon as we parked the car.

Mr. Chen and his wife made friends with a stray dog on Wuzhi Mountain, and often went up there to give him food. They even gave him a name.

Mr. Chen
Bookstore owner
He is brown with streaks of black. And we love coffee, so we named him Mocha.

But the couple’s happy days with Mocha didn’t last long. After a typhoon, they searched everywhere for him, ending up in Beipu in Hsinchu. There, they fell in love with the quaint mountain town.

Mr. Chen
Bookstore owner
We drove over from the cabin on Wuzhi Mountain, and happened to stop in front of this house. And there was a little note, saying “For sale,” with a phone number. We could see it was an old house, and we both love the feel of old houses like this. There’s a big tree next to it too, which made us like it even more. So that’s how fate brought us together with this house.

The couple upped and relocated to Beipu, and now run a small bookstore and cafe there. They have never found Mocha, but every day they wake up in the house that he helped them find.

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

2024-04-26

Rains batter Taiwan, with more to come next Tuesday

Rains battered Taiwan on Friday, with particularly heavy downpours in central and southern Taiwan. The wet weather isn’t expected to ease up until Sunday. After a brief respite on Monday, more rains are expected starting Tuesday with the arrival of another front. The west coast will see localized heavy rains on Wednesday and Thursday. Let’s hear from a meteorologist.

Tseng Chao-cheng
CWA forecaster
From Friday night to the early morning on Saturday, the rainiest areas will still be central and southern Taiwan. During the day on Saturday, there is a chance of rain all over the country, and the wet weather will linger into the evening. The heaviest rain will be in the western half of the country, especially in central and southern Taiwan. The next front is a convective current coming in from the sea. So there could be heavier showers. The heavier showers could be accompanied by short downpours, similar to the current weather. There could be strong gusts of wind, heavy showers and sudden heavy rains.

Heavy rains swept across Southern Taiwan on Friday, with lightning strikes throughout the day. In Annan District in Tainan, a power cable was struck by lightning, leaving 400 households without electricity. Taipower personnel were immediately dispatched for repairs, which took five hours in the rain. Flooding was reported along Min’an Road in Rende District, with 15 centimeters of water on the road. Over in the outlying islands, a storm shut down Penghu Airport twice, resulting in delays for arriving and departing flights.

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

2024-04-26

Wellington Koo tapped for defense minister, Lin Chia-lung for foreign minister

President-elect Lai Ching-te has named his national security lineup. On May 20, the post of defense minister will go to Wellington Koo, who’s currently secretary-general of the National Security Council. He will be replaced at the NSC by current foreign minister Joseph Wu. Another key post, that of foreign minister, will go to Lin Chia-lung, current secretary-general to the president. Lai said the new team comprises outstanding talent that will work together to tackle unprecedented challenges.

President-elect Lai Ching-te and Premier-designate Cho Jung-tai have announced the leaders of Taiwan’s incoming national security team.

Lai Ching-te
President-elect
The world at large is experiencing severe geopolitical shifts, the rise of regional hegemony, the restructuring of global supply chains, and a change in value systems. As such, our national security team will be facing unprecedented challenges. The people I have asked to join our national security team are all outstanding talent, who will work together in areas including national defense, national security, diplomacy and cross-strait affairs.

Taiwan’s next foreign minister will be Presidential Office Secretary-General Lin Chia-lung. Wellington Koo will take over as minister of national defense. The National Security Council will be headed by foreign minister Joseph Wu, while Tsai Ming-yen will remain as National Security Bureau director-general. The Mainland Affairs Council will be led by Chiu Chui-cheng. Former defense minister Yen Teh-fa will take over as Veterans Affairs Council head, Pan Men-an will become Presidential Office secretary-general, and Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan will serve as the head of the Straits Exchange Foundation.

Lai emphasized that the new national security team has three characteristics: professional expertise, good team rapport, and a deep sense of duty to the nation. As China ramps up its pressure on Taiwan, the team will have the important task of safeguarding the country.

All the appointees have experience serving in the Tsai administration. But amid heightened tensions with China, some picks have raised criticism: in particular, the choice of a civilian as defense minister and a non-diplomat as foreign minister.

Lai Ching-te
President-elect
Today’s defense minister is different from the ones in the past, who needed to focus solely on military affairs. Wellington Koo has talent in a wide variety of areas. I think that, at the current stage, he is the best choice to lead the defense ministry.

Wellington Koo
Defense minister-designate
As President-elect Lai just mentioned, it is not uncommon for civilians to assume the office of defense minister in democratic countries. It is a big responsibility, so I will be cautious and prudent.

Lin Chia-lung
Foreign minister-designate
Diplomacy is an extension of domestic affairs. Due to Taiwan’s situation, diplomacy is something closely intertwined with our survival and development. I will approach my role with the utmost caution, and give it my all.

The next national security team has taken shape. On May 20, the new government is set to lead the country steadily forward.

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

2024-04-25

Lai calls on China to have the ‘confidence’ to engage with Taiwan

President-elect Lai Ching-te says China should have the “confidence” to engage with Taiwan. At the press conference where he announced his national security team, Lai repeated his past offers to engage with Beijing, so long as talks are under the principles of equality and dignity.

Lai Ching-te
President-elect
The two sides of the strait should engage in confident exchanges that enhance the well-being of the people on both sides. I have never wavered in my belief in this. I’m very much looking forward to China having the confidence and the willingness to deal with the democratically elected and legitimate government that the Taiwan people entrusted. Only then can cross-strait exchanges proceed on the right path.

On May 20, Lai’s inaugural address is set to be closely watched by major global players including China. Weeks ahead of the big moment, the president-elect is already dropping hints on what to expect.

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

2024-04-25

Tainan to start construction on first MRT line in late 2026

Tainan is getting an MRT. The project’s first phase has passed its environmental impact assessment. Construction on the Blue Line will start in late 2026, with completion slated for 2031. The line will feature 10 stations on an elevated track that runs through Yongkang and East districts.

Phase 1 of Tainan MRT’s Blue Line has cleared its environmental impact assessment. Construction is slated to start in late 2026.

Member of public
I’d welcome an MRT. The sooner it is built, the better. Being able to ride the metro would make things much more convenient for me.

Member of public
I don’t think there’s really a need for an MRT system in Tainan. Everyone rides scooters anyway. Just look at the buses, they barely have any passengers.

The city says the line will help connect key parts of the city.

Lu Chiang-hui
Tainan Rapid Transit Office
The MRT system will be elevated, so the stations and tracks will be built on pillars located on the center reservations of roads.

In the project’s first phase, 10 stations will be built, spanning 8.39 kilometers across the densely populated Yongkang and East districts. The line is expected to open in 2031.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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2024-04-25

Junior high athletes fundraise for Swedish handball contest

Junior high students in Kaohsiung are fundraising for a trip to Sweden, to compete in a major handball contest. The handball teams of Yangming Junior High have long dominated the domestic leagues, in both boys’ and girls’ sections. The boys’ team previously visited Denmark to play against other young people from around the world. Now it’s the girls’ turn to head to Sweden. But will they make up the funds they need in time? Let’s head to Kaohsiung for more.

This group of students is the girls’ handball team of Yangming Junior High, Kaohsiung, and they’re fundraising to go compete overseas.

A member of the public caught this footage and put it on social media, in the hope of helping them raise more money.

Yangming Junior High is famous for both its boys’ and girls’ handball teams, which have won clutches of gold and silver medals at handball tournaments across Taiwan. In 2019, the boys’ team represented Taiwan at the Dronninglund Cup, Denmark’s international youth handball tournament, and went home undefeated after 11 wins. Now it’s the girls’ team who want to go compete in the cup in Gothenburg, Sweden in July.

Huang Meng-yun
Yangming Junior High, Kaohsiung
Altogether eight students and one coach will go together, for about two weeks. Since the pandemic, the expenses for one person will be at least NT$100,000.

When the boys’ team went abroad before, they fundraised on the street too, and this time the girls are raising money, with their parents in support.

Chang Yung-fen
Yangming Junior High principal, Kaohsiung
The Department of Education will cover some of the expenses, NT$25,000, I think. The Sports Administration will also cover NT$15,000. The remainder will of course be the school and parents, and the community, everyone working together. Actually, strictly speaking, they haven’t raised a whole lot of money, but the parents wanted to make the kids realize, it’s not that adults should stump up all money, so they can experience how money doesn’t grow on trees.

These girls are working hard to make their dreams a reality, and whether or not they come home with a trophy, they’ll have plenty to be proud of.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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2024-04-25

Jaguar is first Formosan mountain dog trained as a police dog

For the first time in Taiwan, a Formosan mountain dog could be about to become a police dog. The indigenous Taiwanese dog breed is very friendly and strong, but has never been used for police work before. Now Jaguar is well on the way to becoming a bomb detection officer. The 9-month-old has won approval from his handlers in the New Taipei Police Department.

A moment ago, Jaguar was playing with his handler, but when he puts on his jacket, he follows each command instantly. This Formosan mountain dog is a fresh face on the New Taipei police force.

He sniffs suspicious tins out. Jaguar can tell with one sniff where the explosives are hidden. He shuts his mouth and sits down to say, “It’s here!”

Many people think of easy to train and reliable breeds like German Shepherds or Labradors when they hear the phrase “police dog.” This is the first time New Taipei has branched out to a Formosan mountain dog, and Jaguar has passed the training with flying colors, doing much better than many expected.

Chen Yen-hung
New Taipei Police Dept. K-9 Unit handler
They’re as smart as Labradors, and easy to train and friendly. But they have the endurance of a wolfhound, the stability of a wolfhound, and excellent stamina. We use the olfactory box, and give him three chances, to see if he can find it – but normally he gets it on the first time.

Jaguar is currently in training to become a bomb-detection officer. He is already very familiar with the smells of C4 explosives and dynamite. But at just nine months old, he’s a teenager in dog years and is bursting with energy. He still needs training to develop his reliability.

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

2024-04-25

TSMC announces A16 technology, paving way for 1.6nm chips by 2026

TSMC has unveiled its newest semiconductor process, the A16. At a conference in California, TSMC said the process will be used for ultra-advanced 1.6-nanometer chips as early as 2026. The announcement is a direct challenge to rival Intel, over who can make the world’s fastest chips.

The headline on Reuters says it all. At the 2024 North America Technology Symposium in Santa Clara, TSMC unveiled its A16 semiconductor process. It will be used to produce 1.6-nanometer chips as early as 2026.

Nobunaga Chai
Semiconductor industry expert
TSMC’s advanced process will integrate technology from the 2-nanometer process. The A16 process will offer an upgrade on backside power delivery, and feature super power rail architecture. That is to say, the power delivery network will be placed on the backside of the chip, separate from the signal component. That allows for a higher density of signal interconnects.

The A16 technology puts TSMC one step ahead of competitors such as Intel and Samsung. The process will improve speed, energy efficiency, and logic density, positioning TSMC to meet AI demands. But the good news failed to sway investors in the stock market. TSMC shares closed down NT$17 on Thursday, to end at NT$766.

Lin Han-wei
Analyst
After all, the process will only start commercial production in 2026. So the discussions about this chip technology at the tech symposium were more about the future, more about a direction for TSMC’s technological development. Regarding the impact on TSMC’s performance, currently it seems that manufacturing in advanced processes has already hit full capacity. So it’s challenging for the new chip technology to significantly lift financial growth prospects.

Dragged by heavyweight stocks, the Taiex Iost 274 points, falling back below the 20,000-point mark. Whether the index will regain the threshold remains to be seen.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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2024-04-25

2024 Touch Taiwan opens with country’s largest curved interactive display

The three-day Touch Taiwan expo opened Wednesday at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center. In collaboration with industry partners, the Ministry of Economic Affairs is showing 23 forward-looking display technologies. They include Taiwan’s largest curved interactive display, featured in an installation titled “Wishing Tree.” The tree has even been the backdrop to a marriage proposal, a moment celebrated in a short film produced by ITRI, the Industrial Technology Research Institute.

Distinguished guests gather onstage at the launch of the economics ministry’s display technologies pavilion. President-elect Lai Ching-te was present to show his support.

The 2024 Touch Taiwan expo opened Wednesday at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center. At the three-day expo, ITRI is showcasing its collaborations with the private sector.

The “Wishing Tree” installation features Taiwan’s largest curved interactive display, measuring 375 inches. Visitors can upload wishes to the tree using mobile technology. The tree even served as backdrop for a marriage proposal, a moment celebrated by ITRI in a short film.

Lewis Liu
ITRI Electronics and Optoelectronics System Research Laboratories
The tree was displayed at Weiwuying for nearly three years. Nearly 3 million people interacted with it.

Besides the “Wishing Tree,” there’s the High Clarity Transparent Projection Window. It’s the world’s first large-scale transparent projection technology. It’s not limited by projection distance, affording viewers an enhanced experience at exhibitions and sports events. There’s also this transparent vehicle display. It can be integrated into car windshields to present in-vehicle information and details on the driver’s physiological state, for enhanced driving efficiency and safety.

Lee Cheng-chung
ITRI Electronics and Optoelectronics System Research Laboratories
This head-up display can present a variety of in-vehicle information on the windshield. As for the High Clarity Transparent Projection Window, as you look at a sports field outside, the information is shown in real-time on this screen inside the VIP room. The Wishing Tree helped bring one couple together in marriage.

In 2023, the global display market was estimated to be worth US$108.1 billion. Working with the private sector, ITRI aims to use technology to bring more convenience to everyday life.

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

2024-04-25

Taiwanese-American Nymphia Wind triumphs in RuPaul’s Drag Race

A Taiwanese-American drag queen has been crowned the victor of Season 16 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Nymphia Wind clinched the top spot in the drag race final last weekend. The long-running U.S. reality show is the most celebrated stage for drag queens worldwide. The queen, who is a seamstress by trade, made many of her Taiwan-culture-themed costumes personally. Her victory inspired a note of congratulations from none other than President Tsai Ing-wen, who wrote on Instagram, “Taiwan thanks you for living fearlessly.”

The final of RuPaul’s Drag Race was won by Taiwanese-American contestant, Nymphia Wind, who fell to her knees in shock when the result was announced.

Nymphia Wind
RuPaul’s Drag Race winner
To those who feel like they don’t belong, just remember to live fearlessly and have courage to live your truth. And Taiwan, this is for you!

She competed with drag queens from all over the world over three months to win the biggest accolade of the drag world, storming her way to the final with a succession of outrageous costumes and performances.

This costume is based on the banana, Taiwan’s emblematic fruit. Her bizarre yet cutesy style made big waves with U.S. audiences. For the final, she and two American contestants went head-to-head in a final showdown.

Nymphia changed into a bubble tea-inspired costume, releasing a storm of black “tapioca pearls” up to the ceiling. Her lip synch performances were always surprising. She is the first Taiwanese-American to be crowned on the show, and said she had wanted to break the show’s “Asian curse,” a long dearth of success for Asian contestants.

President Tsai Ing-wen posted on Instagram to congratulate Nymphia, stating, “Taiwan thanks you for living fearlessly.” Twenty-eight-year-old Nymphia Wind, whose real name is Leo Tsao, was born in the U.S. and moved to Taiwan with her family aged 6. She fell in love with dance and sewing as a child, and studied sewing and clothing design in the U.K. She first began performing drag in 2018, and still makes many of her eye-popping costumes herself, by hand.

Nymphia Wind
RuPaul’s Drag Race winner
So I just wanted to come here and really show a rich, rich Asian culture. For me, fashion is, you know, being able to make something pretty. It was just a way for me to communicate to the world. All I said to myself was I’m here to break the Asian curse. I’m not gonna be out.

Nymphia often mentioned Taiwan on Drag Race, and put her love for her country into many costumes, feting bananas, pearl milk tea and traditional Taiwanese opera. Her win is a garland for Taiwanese culture, and an advert for the evolving diversity of Taiwanese society.

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2024-04-25

Japanese entrepreneur Leo Sato builds life in Taiwan

Originally from Japan, entrepreneur Leo Sato likes the business environment in Taiwan. Here there isn’t pressure to socialize with colleagues after work. Putting down roots in Taiwan, he opened a digital marketing company to help Japanese businesses advertise in Taiwan and introduce Taiwanese agricultural products to Japan. He also takes videos of famous foods, helping Japanese people get to know Taiwan.

Leo Sato arrives at his Taipei office promptly at 10 a.m. and says good morning to his colleagues. An entrepreneur from Japan, this is his daily life.

Familiar with videography, he is sharing tips with Japanese people on how to start a company in Taiwan.

Leo Sato
Entrepreneur
You can’t just get NT$500,000 and then start a company, it’s actually quite complicated. First you have to transfer NT$500,000 from a foreign account to a Taiwanese account. If you can’t do that, you can directly transfer money to a company account from a local Taiwanese account.

After graduating from university, Sato found it difficult to adapt to Japanese working culture. When fate brought him to Taiwan to start a business, he became familiar with the working culture of both countries.

Leo Sato
Entrepreneur
For example, if I’m a new employee and want to do something, my supervisor can just say no, new people shouldn’t do this or that. The hierarchy is very strict. I think there’s a lot of pressure from work in Japan. After moving to Taiwan, I found that while work here can still be stressful, it comes only from the work itself. There isn’t pressure to go out and socialize with your supervisors.

In 2017, Sato opened a digital marketing company with his friends. The company not only helps Japanese business with marketing in Taiwan, but also markets Taiwan to Japan.

Taking out different types of peanuts, Sato and his colleagues taste and discuss the different flavors. They are helping introduce the Taiwanese black diamond peanut to Japan. Sato also shoots and edits films of famous foods, hoping they will be become popular in Japan.

Leo Sato
Entrepreneur
Next, I want to understand the history and economy of each region, like what industries they have. For my videos, I want to first gain a deeper understanding of Taiwanese people so that I can conduct better research on each area.

Now an entrepreneur in Taiwan, Sato has put down roots, building the stable and peaceful life of his dreams.

This story was provided by the program "We Are Family"
Funded by New Immigrant Development Fund

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Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53


2024-04-25

Rains give boost to north, central reservoirs

Days of rain have brought good news for Taiwan’s drought outlook. Since the start of the week, the nation’s reservoirs have received over 50 million tons of water combined. The biggest beneficiaries are reservoirs in the north and central regions, with Liyu Lake in Miaoli leading the gains.

In the north, Shihmen Reservoir has risen to 25.2% capacity. Feitsui Reservoir has broken past the halfway mark. Farther south, Deji Reservoir in Taichung has reached 57.6%. Sun Moon Lake in Nantou now stands at 86.6%

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

2024-04-25