Hazards of chafing fuel: Need for precautions in spotlight after accident in China

2023-02-02

A recent accident in China has brought awareness to the hazards of alcohol-based fuels in cooking burners. The tragic accident occurred when a family was cooking a hot pot using chafing fuel, and it exploded. Restaurants that use chafing fuel have procedures to minimize risks, but if you use a small burner at home, do you know how to stay safe? We spoke to some experts to learn what to do.

With the weather as cold as this, hot pots are in high demand. But the fire can be a hazard. All restaurants that use chafing fuel have to follow a standard procedure.

First they use utensils to create a vacuum and put out the fire. Then they take a new pot before adding chafing fuel.

Hotpot restaurant owner
We don’t want the chafing fuel to splash on customers’ clothes, so we take clear preventative measures.

Liquid ethanol is even more dangerous. This family in China was eating hot pot at home when, without warning, the chafing fuel that was poured on exploded.

Lee Hua
Chemistry teacher
When it’s liquid, it will spread outwards, so that makes the burning surface even larger. So alcohol burners are more dangerous. Chafing fuel is an extremely viscous fluid, so it is not as dangerous as an alcohol burner.

This fire department overseas did a test, adding ethanol before the fire was extinguished – you can see how violently the flame erupts. Outdoor camping is very trendy these days. Alcohol burners are portable and therefore popular, but if you use one, experts recommend carrying this little item along.

Lee Hua
Chemistry teacher
I suggest you have a wet rag on hand, and use the wet rag to cover the flame. Don’t put it out with water, because alcohol can run as a liquid, and when you put water on it will run faster.

If you’re lighting a hotpot burner or a camping stove this festive season, make sure you know how to keep it safe.

用酒精得當心遇火產生蒸氣瞬間爆燃傷人

2023-02-02

酒精也有爆炸風險，像是吃火鍋或是現在超夯的野外露營，不少人會使用酒精膏或是液態酒精當燃料。但在中國就發生，酒精遇火瞬間爆燃的恐怖意外，讓對面的人全身著火。化學老師解釋，因為酒精遇熱產生蒸氣，和空氣混合會變成爆炸性混合物導致爆燃。

天氣冷颼颼，大家都愛吃火鍋，不過用火要注意，有店家使用的是酒精膏，都會有標準SOP。

先用器具阻絕空氣熄火，再換一鍋，才會再加酒精膏。

[[火鍋店業者]]
“因為怕這個酒精膏會灑到客人的衣物上，就會明確的做一個防範”

液態酒精更危險，中國就有一家人正在家開心吃火鍋，沒想到，一倒酒精立即爆燃，火焰往對面衝，瞬間家人全身著火。

[[化學老師李化]]
“因為液態它會向外擴散，所以會使燃燒的面積變得更大，所以酒精燈會比較危險，那酒精膏它是非常黏稠的液態，所以它沒有像酒精燈那麼危險”

國外也有消防隊做實驗，沒熄火就加酒精，火柱強烈噴發。現在戶外露營正夯，酒精爐方便好攜帶，很受歡迎，卻也隱藏風險，建議帶上這件小物。

[[化學老師李化]]
“就建議旁邊準備濕抹布，直接用濕抹布蓋在火上面，不要用水去澆，因為酒精本身就會流動，水再上去，酒精流動就會更快”

火勢無情，做好安全措施才能避免憾事發生。

Former US Indo-Pacific commander sits with President Tsai

President Tsai Ing-wen on Thursday received a delegation led by retired U.S. Admiral Philip Davidson at the Presidential Office. Davidson is an outspoken supporter of Taiwan, and during his tenure as head of the U.S.’ Indo-Pacific Command had warned that China could make a move on Taiwan by 2027. During the meeting, the former gave words of praise for Taiwan’s democracy and civil society, calling for more cooperation between the U.S. and Taiwan.

On his fourth day leading a delegation in Taiwan, former U.S. Admiral Philip Davidson sat with President Tsai Ing-wen.

Tsai Ing-wen
President
This delegation led by Mr. Davidson is the NBR’s first to Taiwan since the pandemic. I would like to extend my warmest welcome to you. During his term, Admiral Davidson watched security developments in the Taiwan Strait very closely. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, for your contributions to the security of the Taiwan Strait.

Philip Davidson
Former US admiral
Our discussions over the past few days have underscored Taiwan’s vibrant democracy and civil society, addressed the range of actions that the PRC takes toward Taiwan, and highlighted areas in which the U.S. and Taiwan can continue to foster and strengthen their relation.

Back in 2021, before retiring as head of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Davidson had warned that China could attack Taiwan in the following six years, by 2027, capturing headlines around the world. Now, he’s taken the opportunity to visit Taiwan to gain an understanding of Taiwan’s response measures.

Philip Davidson
Retired US admiral
I’ve also been able to observe in this trip, the energy of Taipei, the ongoing construction, and the robustness of its industry. The spirit of the Taiwan Armed Forces, and the extraordinary kindness with which the people of Taiwan have greeted us.

Tsai Ing-wen
President
In face of the expansion of authoritarianism, Taiwan must improve its self-defense capabilities in order to maintain national security. With determination and confidence, we can be more capable of defending our country. We are also extremely willing to continue to deepen our cooperation with the U.S. and other likeminded partners.

Tsai reiterated that Taiwan was committed to defending itself, showing Davidson that no matter how much pressure Beijing puts, Taiwan will not succumb.

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Legislative Yuan president and US House speaker share stance toward Beijing

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Tsai calls for open dialogue with Beijing at gathering of Taiwanese businesspeople

At a Spring Festival gathering in Taipei for Taiwanese businesspeople working in China, President Tsai Ing-wen gave a speech calling for open dialogue with Beijing, saying that the door for communication is wide open. Meanwhile, Taiwanese businesspeople urged for direct flights between China and Taiwan to fully resume.

President Tsai Ing-wen, Mainland Affairs Council Minister Chiu Tai-san, Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Mei-hua, and Straits Exchange Foundation acting chair Rock Hsu raise their glasses high and wish Taiwanese businesspeople a happy new year.

The annual Spring Festival gathering of Taiwanese businesspeople in China, which was suspended for three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, finally resumed this year. In Taipei, 30 tables were made up to seat more than 200 attendees to the event. President Tsai herself also gave a speech, sending a message not just to Taiwanese businesspeople, but also Beijing.

Tsai Ing-wen
President
I would like to emphasize again that maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is the responsibility of both sides of the strait and a shared expectation for all of us. I would like to reiterate that the door of communication is always open wide, and we are willing to start a dialogue with the Beijing authorities in a rational, equal, and mutually respectful manner to find feasible paths that are acceptable to both sides and promote regional peace and stability.

The president’s display of goodwill towards China was made just on the eve of the get-together. This comes at the same time as an announcement by China’s Taiwan Affairs Office that now is the time to resume normal cross-strait flights, and that priority could be given to 16 direct flight routes such as Taiwan to Guangzhou. Taiwanese business leaders attending the event also echoed the call for fully opening cross-strait flights as soon as possible.

Chai So-ling
Association of Taiwanese Investment Enterprises on the Mainland
Taiwanese businesspeople hope that the number of flight destinations in Taiwan can be substantially increased as soon as possible. I emphasize once again that this is probably what the 1.5 million holders of Mainland Travel Permits in China are looking forward to the most.

Chiu Tai-san
Mainland Affairs Council minister
We will write some assessment plans based on the current situation and submit them to the top for all relevant ministries to discuss.

It seems like no coincidence that the pressure from Taiwanese businesspeople toward Tsai comes as China pushes to resume cross-strait flights.

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Taiwan shares open high and close higher as NT dollar picks up 26.5 cents against the greenback

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Spotlight on Taiwanese artist Liu Chih-hung

Today, in our spotlight story, we meet award-winning artist, Liu Chih-hung. After attending an art residency program in the Netherlands, he was inspired to build a series of ceramic-based sound installations and sculptures inspired by serpents. FTV reporter Stephany Yang spoke to Liu to find out more about his work

This is the largest ceramic installation at the exhibition, "Udu and the Tone." Created by Liu, the piece was inspired by a Nigerian percussion instrument, the udu. Liu spent over a year creating this work with a mixture of black clays, sand and gravel. The serpentine sculptures emit sounds from different cultures. Liu said he spent a year researching ceramics and clays and learning about folk instruments and sound resonance in cylindrical structures.

Liu Chih-hung
Artist
It’s a very traditional instrument from Nigeria called Udu. I tried to use the udu to make it different, like using sculpture ways, use ceramics, clay and using fire, and different types of clays and different temperatures of fire so it will have so many different kinds of tones.

There’s also this sculpture, “The Trap,” modeled after traditional fish traps. Traditionally made out of bamboo, Liu recreated his with clay to create his. It is shaped like drums and can be played like an instrument.

Liu Chih-hung
Artist
People usually use it to catch fishes in the river but it is usually made out of bamboo. I just used the shape and also used another kind of material like clay to make the shape of the trap. Also, you can see there is a snake inside the trap and also the bodies coiling together.

Born in Hsinchu, Liu has won several prestigious art awards ver the course of his artistic career. His works have been collected by the Taipei Fine Arts Museum and the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts. His creations span a variety of mediums, including ceramic sculptures, paintings, images, installations, and even short films. During his art residency at the European Ceramic Work Centre in 2021, Liu became inspired to create a series of ceramic sound installations and sculptures that revolve around the theme of serpents. Through his works, he hopes to explore the relationship between sound, cultural symbols and objects.

Liu Chih-hung
Artist
I tried to use the icon, the snake or we call serpent, to make the connection with some ceremony or some ritual in different areas. Because sometimes use songs to say something to other people. I am very curious about it.

Liu is currently participating in an art residency at the Yingge Ceramics Museum. He hopes to perfect his craft and continue to create a wide range of works in different mediums. His works will be on display at the Mind Set Art Center till Feb. 24.

2023-02-02

CECC delays indoor mask mandate announcement

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Heads of six special municipalities speak with new Cabinet

The heads of Taiwan’s six special municipalities on Thursday attended a meeting at the Executive Yuan for the first time in more than three years of COVID. DPP and KMT mayors spoke for two and a half hours, saying that they were glad to have the opportunity to communicate with each other and the central government. Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che says the occasion marked a good start for the Cabinet led by Premier Chen Chien-jen.

New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih and Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan chat as they march along with the mayors of the other five special municipalities. One by one, they answered questions from reporters.

Lu Shiow-yen
Taichung mayor
I think Premier Chen’s performance today was more earnest than I had anticipated. He was very patient and paid close attention to our opinions.

Hou Yu-ih
New Taipei mayor
When we came out, I told Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan, “You’re the contact person now. We’ll be working a lot together in the future.”

Cheng Wen-tsan
Vice premier
We hope that the central and local governments can work together, across party lines. With plentiful communication, we can solve problems quickly.

The government officials were in high spirits, and even spent time after the meeting having refreshments together. All in all, they chatted for two and a half hours. The meeting was Chen Chien-jen’s first as head of the Executive Yuan, and was intended to be an icebreaker with the heads of Taiwan’s six special municipalities. Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen brought a gift for Chen--an invitation to watch the World Baseball Classic starting next month.

Lu Shiow-yen
Taichung mayor
Premier Chen was very happy to receive my invite. I hope he comes.

Chiang Wan-an
Taipei mayor
We are really looking forward to the central government making good on its promises regarding the monthly transport pass for the Greater Taipei area. I hope they can integrate the means of transport operated by the central government and provide the financial support needed. I’m very thankful for the positive response from the premier and the different ministers.

Chen Chi-mai
Kaohsiung mayor
I think having a structured communication channel can be very beneficial to promoting national infrastructure projects and the development of local industries.

Huang Wei-che
Tainan mayor
Over the past more than three years of COVID, we haven’t really had the chance to come to the Executive Yuan for talks. This is a fantastic first step.

Local leaders from both KMT and DPP seemed optimistic about the new Cabinet led by Chen, praising his attempts to communicate with all parties.

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Olympic karateka Wen Tzu-yun retires from competitive career

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Hazards of chafing fuel: Need for precautions in spotlight after accident in China