Sources say more than 20,000 employees fled from Foxconn amid riots in Zhengzhou

2022-11-25

Sources say more than 20,000 employees have absconded from Foxconn in China, after a series of disputes and protests in the city of Zhengzhou. Earlier this week, workers at the flagship iPhone plant in China held mass protests, saying that they were not getting the remuneration they had been promised by the company. Reports say discontent had been brewing in the company for some time now, amid concerns of catching COVID with China’s strict lockdown measures. Foxconn says it will increase wages and hand out severance pay to affected employees. The protests were an unusual show of public dissent in China.

Foxconn’s flagship iPhone plant in China’s Zhengzhou has been in a chaotic state for several weeks now. Violent protests erupted two days ago between newly-recruited employees and security officials. Employees say they were deceived by significant discrepancies between the conditions they were promised and the remuneration stipulated in the contracts they received later.

Voice of CNN Reporter
In one video, you can see a group of police in white hazmat suits beating workers with batons and metal rods, and a group of workers pushing over a police car, cheering and chanting.

Tang Jingyuan
China watcher
Of course China has a plan. It will first offer preferential terms to stabilize them, then once the crowd disperses and everyone goes home, and the throngs are no longer there, the authorities will then mete out the relevant punishments.

This U.S.-based scholar thinks the protests at Foxconn have been the most significant worker uprising in China in years. It did not only force Foxconn to apologize, but also saw the Taiwanese company promise to pay 10,000 yuan in severance pay to workers who had quit. However, after the violence was over, the Zhengzhou authorities immediately announced a “movement restrictions” lasting five days – a euphemism for lockdown. Watchers say the move shows that COVID restrictions have become a convenient way to impose social control.

Voice of Ms. Liu
Zhengzhou resident
They tell you your COVID test is positive, that you are positive. They say you are a close contact of someone with COVID and lock you up. Would you still dare to go outside?

Voice of Ms. Li
Zhengzhou resident
Next to me is an old lady. Our entire building has been coded red and cordoned off. This is man-made, it is not a decision based on COVID test results.

Some experts reckon that, although the riot appeared to be a labor dispute, in reality it exposed the contradictions in China’s extreme “zero-COVID” policy.

Tang Jingyuan
China watcher
It maybe that someone wanted to make use of this incident at Foxconn to deliberately expand their influence and put pressure on the authorities.

No matter what the truth of the reasons for the riot are, the clash of China’s “zero-COVID” policies with economic development and people’s livelihoods is making ordinary people suffer the most.

富士康鄭州廠逾2萬員工暴動當局派武警鎮壓

2022-11-25

河南鄭州的富士康工廠，近日發生暴動，主要是廠區爆發疫情後，跑了很多員工。而新招聘進來的工人不滿富士康擅改合約內容，群起抗爭，驚動當局派出武警暴力鎮壓，富士康後來承諾加發離職員工資遣費，今天有消息人士指出，這波動亂跑了超過2萬名員工，大多是新聘人員。

富士康亂象一拖好幾週，近日，新招聘的員工因為不滿實際收到的合約跟富士康原先開出的薪酬條件差很大，不甘被騙，群起抗議，跟保安人員爆發激烈衝突。

[[聲源:CNN記者]]
“其中一段影片顯示，穿白色防護衣帽的警察持棍子和金屬棒毆打員工，還有一群員工推翻警車高聲歡呼”

[[旅美中國評論員唐靖遠]]
“他們當然不會這麼白跑一趟就完事，他(中共)先用優惠的條件穩住你，一旦人群散開了，大家各自回家了，群體性的聚集不再，他就會進行典型的秋後算帳模式”

美國學者觀察，這次富士康抗爭，可說是中國多年來最重大的工人反抗。不僅逼得富士康道歉，還承諾向離職員工加發1萬人民幣遣散費。不過暴動後，鄭州市主城區隨即宣布從25號起「靜默管理」5天，限制居民移動，凸顯防疫已成為社會控制的方便手段。

[[聲源:鄭州市民劉小姐]]
“他說你(核酸篩檢)陽(性)，你就陽啊。他說你密(切)接(觸)者，把你關起來，你還敢出去啊？＂

[[聲源:鄭州市民李小姐]]
“我身邊一個老大姐，整棟樓(健康通行碼)都變成紅碼，貼上封條，人為操控的，不是核酸決定的。”

有專家認為，這次暴動表面上是勞資糾紛，其實暴露中國極端清零政策的矛盾。

[[旅美中國評論員唐靖遠]]
“可能有人想利用富士康事件來蓄意地擴大影響，可以給當局施加壓力”

無論如何，當防疫清零與經濟民生拔河，最苦的還是百姓。

E-2K early warning aircraft skids off runway at Pingtung base after training mission

2022-11-25

166 military couples tie the knot at mass wedding ceremony

One hundred and sixty-six military couples tied the knot on Friday at a mass wedding ceremony. The event was presided over by Army commander Hsu Yen-pu, who encouraged the newlyweds to work toward growing Taiwan’s population. With smiles amid the pomp and ceremony, the couples say they hope they can spend more time with each other now that they are formally a family.

A Military Police motorbike leads the motorcade. Behind it, a couple waves to the crowd from the top of a military vehicle. Following them, another hundred military couples march forward, ready to get married. Before the ceremony, they release hundreds of balloons to the skies.

A total of 166 couples took part in this mass wedding ceremony. For many of the couples, the grooms are wearing military uniforms and the brides, wedding gowns. But there are also several instances where both are in military attire. One couple in particular stood out.

This is Captian Su Tsung-hsuan, whose father is Nepalese. She had always dreamt of serving in the military, and so, with support from her family, she gave up her Nepalese citizenship. She graduated with a degree in music from the National Defense University, and met her husband at a military song contest.

Army Commander Hsu Yen-pu gave the newlyweds some tips about marriage.

Hsu Yen-pu
Army commander
Happiness in marriage relies on mutual understanding and tolerance. When there are disagreements, remember to be considerate to each other. Starting next year, your mission is to serve the country by increasing production. Having a cute baby makes the family feel more complete.

Tang Chia-ming
Dongyin Area Command
Distance means nothing for our love. I love you more with each passing day.

Pan Hung-ling
Army Aviation and Special Forces Command
All right, all right. It’s tough with you being in the outlying islands. I hope you can be assigned back to Taiwan proper soon.

At least one couple says they’ll heed orders and add a baby to their family next year. With work on their way and dispatches all around Taiwan, however, for many, the only time to meet is on weekends and national holidays. And now, they have a wonderful memory together, getting married in this once-in-a-lifetime event.

2022-11-25

Hotels and restaurants provide live broadcasts and meals for FIFA World Cup fans

The FIFA World Cup has kicked off, featuring 32 teams competing for the biggest award in soccer. Restaurants and hotels across Taiwan are finding creative ways to attract football fans. One hotel is broadcasting matches live and serving up delicious meals for spectators, while another restaurant has launched a game for visitors to predict the FIFA World Cup champions and win prizes. FTV reporter Stephany Yang takes us in for a look.

Patrons enjoy chicken wings as they watch the FIFA World Cup. Chicken wings are one of the most popular choices at this restaurant.

Besides watching live games while enjoying delicious food, customers can also predict the champion and get a chance to win prizes.

FIFA World Cup fan
The recent games are very intense. I think both Germany and Spain are very strong, so I don’t know who this year’s champion will be.

FIFA World Cup fan
I think it’s nice to have a big screen and watch it together, and then have something to talk about. You can eat something in the meantime. I like having large portions while watching the World Cup.

With the pandemic slowly waning, this restaurant in Taipei decided to launch a game to encourage more people to come out and watch the World Cup.

Chen Yen-wei
Marketing director
I hope that through the World Cup can bring out people who were bored at home or who weren’t able to have meals together with others. They can get excited to participate in this event. You go to our designated webpage, and cast a vote to participate. Of course, it won’t be until the championship is over that we draw the prize. Over the first few matches, we have seen a 3% to 5% increase in reservations. In 2018, we noticed that there would definitely be more people participating toward the end of the championship, during the more important games.

This hotel in Taipei broadcasts live games daily and serves up meals including Cuban sandwiches, truffle fries, and Sichuan-pepper chicken wings. In addition, a variety of party snacks and beverages from various countries are available for fans to choose from.

Matt Chen
Media & Communications assistant manager
With the FIFA World Cup back in action after four years, the bar at our hotel will broadcast the event and launch a limited FIFA special meal. When watching a football game, fried foods are a must. The games have been going on for a few days now, and we can clearly see the number of diners increasing in the evening. We estimate that we can see about a 20% increase in visitors to the bar in about a month.

A total of 32 teams across five continents are competing in the FIFA World Cup this year. Restaurants and hotels across Taiwan are finding creative ways to attract football fans.

2022-11-25

Exhibition celebrates life and career of ‘king of banned songs’ Wen Hsia

An exhibition has opened in Taipei celebrating the life of Taiwanese singing and acting legend Wen Hsia. Wen starred in 11 films throughout his career and recorded more than 1,200 Taiwanese songs before his death at 94 years of age in April this year. The exhibition will be in Taipei only for a short time, before relocating to a permanent exhibition hall in his hometown of Madou in Tainan.

Together they inaugurate the exhibition. On stage are relatives of Wen Hsia, the members of The Chairman, record producer Kay Huang and other close friends of the late singer.

Wen Hsiang
Wife of Wen Hsia
I see that many people and friends have come here to show their support. Thank you very much.

Culture Minister Lee Yung-te and Wen Hsia’s wife sit in a red vintage car. Back in the day, it was a promotional car advertising the film “One Night in Taipei,” for which Wen sang the theme song. The car is a chronicle of Wen’s glamorous life since his birth in 1928 to his death earlier this year. At the venue, there is also a gigantic photo album, so that fans can remember Wen’s career through both black-and-white and colored photos.

Wen starred in a total of 11 Taiwanese-language movies through his life, and recorded about 1,200 songs in Taiwanese. At the 23rd Golden Melody Awards in 2012, he was honored with a Special Contributions Award. Documentaries, autobiographies and stories will be available to all fans next year, thanks to the efforts of Wen’s family and many teams of people.

Lee Yung-te
Minister of culture
The Ministry of Culture puts forward special budgets to celebrate legends like him, and their illustrious lives. Things like biographies, documentaries, concerts and memorial exhibitions. We’ll continue to support all these.

Yeh Tse-shan
Tainan Cultural Affairs Bureau
We have found a fantastic space in Wen Hsia’s hometown of Madou, the Tsung-Yeh Arts and Cultural Center. We expect the exhibition hall about story to open there on May 20 next year,

For now, a special exhibition celebrating Wen’s life is on at the Taipei Music Center until Dec. 10. The exhibition items will then be relocated to Wen’s hometown of Madou in Tainan to delight fans in Southern Taiwan.

2022-11-25

Fire fighters use fire blankets to extinguish electric car blazes

Fire fighters are constantly finding ways to reduce the risks of fires. With the rise of electric car usage, comes a new challenge. Electric cars contain large batteries that burn in a particularly noxious way. But now fire fighters have a new strategy: fire blankets. With a specially designed fire blanket, the dangers of an electric car fire are minimized, while water is conserved.

Flames and smoke rise incessantly from this electric car. Fire fighters rush to extinguish the blaze once they are alerted. But unlike most flames which are put out with water or foam, they’re using a large white sheet to cover the entire vehicle. Fire blankets like this one are the main strategy for a fire on an electric car.

Chen Chen-wen
Zhiben Fire Department
If you tried to put the fire out with water, you’d usually need six to seven fire trucks of water. Using a fire blanket, you can swiftly reduce the temperature of the burning vehicle. Then we can also use associated equipment to put out the fire in the battery at the base of the car.

Electric cars are proliferating, and so are accidents involving electric cars. But putting out a fire is harder in an electric car. Thermal runaway occurs when lithium batteries burn, so it gets hotter and hotter, and it releases toxic substances as it burns. In the past, fire fighters were limited to using large jets of water to cool it down and waiting until the batterywas burned out. When the chemical reaction was over they could finally put the flames out.

Now, using a fire blanket, they can reduce the temperature all around the blaze, as well as stop smoke from rising. A special silica gel layer prevents toxic substances and oxygen from passing through, and keeps the lithium battery burning in a contained state, saving both water and manpower.

Wang Wen-yi
Taitung County councilor
We can use the minimum labor and the minimum water as we extinguish the fire on the blazing vehicle.

Some of the other advantages of the fire blanket include that it’s easy to operate and store. Two people alone can place it over a burning vehicle. When folded up, it can be stored easily inside many emergency vehicles. In the future, fire fighters plan to also prioritize blankets for other smaller vehicles. With water being such a precious asset, it only makes sense to cherish it.

2022-11-25

International Community Choir to hold a concert to raise funds for charity

Today, in our spotlight series, we meet members of the International Community Choir. The choir was founded in 2003 and has been a safe haven for talented foreign residents to perform and give back to the community. For almost 20 years, the choir has been holding two concerts every year to give back to a local charity. Their upcoming concert is on December 11. FTV reporter Stephany Yang met some of the members to find out more.

The members of the choir rehearse "Gloria in Excelsis Deo." This is the International Community Choir, a group of talented singers who perform together to help raise funds for Saint Anne’s Home, a local charity in Taipei. The choir performs songs in many different languages including English, Taiwanese, Mandarin, Japanese, French, Spanish, and Hebrew.

In addition, they sing a variety of music genres ranging from jazz, swing, traditional carols and classical pieces. They are led by Ruby Lai, a conductor who has over 30 years of experience as a pianist and choir conductor.

Ruby Lai
Conductor
My goal is to let everyone feel renewed and enriched after each rehearsal. I try to pick a variety of music genres. We sing traditional carols, we do folk songs, classical pieces. We also do jazz, swing, gospel, and sometimes a capella. We do African music, Latin American music, and we sing tunes from the Broadway shows.

Founded in 2003, the International Community Choir hopes to unite women from the international community who love to sing and to raise funds for Saint Anne’s Home. There are currently 19 members, hailing from the U.S., Canada, Germany, India, and more.

Carrie Chiles
Member of choir
I’m originally from Canada but have lived in Taiwan for almost 30 years. When my children were young, I had a large family, and I had no personal time for myself. A friend of mine in the choir said, "Come and sing with us." I didn’t even know I could do that. But she helped me to facilitate to come and sing in the choir. It was the only time of the week that I had time for me. It filled my soul. I just felt like I met other people, it was a great social connection, and I was around music.

Sahar Shaikh
Member of choir
When I sing in the choir, it gives me the sense of togetherness, the sense of happiness. To see so many different ladies from diverse backgrounds imparting a truly multicultural aspect to the choir. The common thread underlying that all these ladies have is the joy of singing.

The choir meets Wednesday mornings for a 1.5-hour practice. Choir rehearsal practice starts with stretching, followed by vocal warm-ups, and singing songs. For many of the members, joining the choir has helped them find true friendship, belonging, a home away from home, and self-care.

Meredith Lee
Member of choir
I joined the choir in September of 2015. I had just moved to Taiwan. I actually served as manager for about six years. What I love about the choir is that in all honesty, it’s the highlight of my week. I always feel better when I get back from the choir. Just the sense of being around other people and singing gives me great joy. My day is always better after I spend time in the choir.

Shangning Postel-Heutz
Member of choir
Especially During COVID, there was one Christmas concert during COVID. No one of the expats could go home to their home country. They were here in the audience. You could feel their sadness but also their gratitude to be there. We as an expat community celebrating Christmas together due to COVID. This was an emotional moment for me.

Antonia Hoffman
Member of choir
All the money that comes from ticket sales goes to Saint Anne’s Home. Which is right next to the church here that we are in now. If you look out of the window, you can already see it. We try to invite as many people as possible because the home is for children with special needs, so they really need a lot of money. We are always happy that we can provide that.

Every year, International Community Choir holds two concerts, one in December and one in May.

Stephany Yang
FTV reporter
The concert will be held at the Mother of God Church. All proceeds will go to St. Anne’s Home.

All ticket proceeds are donated to a Saint Anne’s Home, a local charity in Tianmu that serves people with intellectual disabilities. The people at St. Anne’s Home also attend the concert every year.

Hannah Shu
St. Anne’s Home director
The most important thing here is to accommodate extremely severe cases. The youngest patient here is 23 years old, and the oldest is 52 years old. Our services here start from the moment they come in. We provide them with shelter, food, clothing, housing, and transportation. As soon as the person comes in, they will stay here until they grow up. The choir has sung for more than 20 years, twice a year without interruption. It also allows our patients to show their gratitude through their voices. We are very grateful for their help.

The choir will hold a concert on Dec. 11 at 3:00 p.m. at the Mother of God Church in Tianmu. The choir hopes to continue to give back to the community and bring holiday cheer to all.

2022-11-25

November likely to be warmest on record as average temperature hits 24.3 degrees

2022-11-25

Sources say more than 20,000 employees fled from Foxconn amid riots in Zhengzhou