NCC confirms two Chinese vessels broke internet cables between Matsu and Taiwan

NCC confirms two Chinese vessels broke internet cables between Matsu and Taiwan

2023-02-17

The NCC on Friday confirmed that two Chinese vessels, a fishing boat and a freighter ship, were to blame for the severing of two undersea internet cables linking the Matsu islands and Taiwan. The cables were cut earlier this month, leaving Matsu with limited internet connection. It remains unknown whether the cables were damaged intentionally.

It is not the first time that the cables between Matsu and Taiwan have been damaged by passing ships. Over the last five years, there have been 25 such incidents, mostly involving Chinese vessels. The incident has sparked some level of alarm, as a U.S. think tank has pointed out that, in an invasion scenario, China could cut off Taiwan’s communications with the world by severing its underwater cables.

NCC證實兩條電纜皆被中國籍漁船與貨輪勾斷

2023-02-17

台灣本島至馬祖間的兩條海底電纜，在今年二月初全斷，目前當地居民只能在特定地點使用微弱WIFI，NCC今天證實，兩條電纜是被中國籍漁船與貨輪勾斷。雖然無法證實是不是中國故意為之，但專家示警中方具備破壞電纜能力，潛在威脅絕不能輕視。

我國的海纜，包括已除役的台馬一號，以及現有二號與三號海纜，都有被斷線的紀錄，近5年來，高達25次，幾乎都是中國船隻造成。不管是美國智庫、官方或台灣，都評估若中國要對台動武，可能會切斷海底電纜、阻斷外界溝通管道。

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Wreckage of a suspected Chinese spy balloon is found in the island of Dongyin in Matsu

Amid Sino-U.S. contention over a suspected Chinese spy balloon that drifted into U.S. airspace, Taiwan now has a balloon incident of its own. The military’s Dongyin Area Command in the outlying Matsu archipelago says it discovered the wreckage of what is suspected to be a small Chinese balloon in one of its shooting ranges yesterday. It was labeled a "meteorological instrument" in simplified characters which are used in China. The military is conducting a probe of the wreckage. Amid speculation that Taiwan might copy the U.S. and start shooting down intruding Chinese balloons, Taiwan’s defense minister says Taiwan will take a lenient approach and determine the risk, before it makes a decision to fire at a balloon.

In this video on the internet, several people are handling an unidentified airborne object. In simplified Chinese characters, it has “GTS 13 Radiosonde” and non-toxic, harmless “meteorological instrument” printed on it. This is a suspected Chinese weather balloon. And it was found in the outlying Taiwanese archipelago of Matsu.

Voice of Chen Yu-lin
Ministry of National Defense
Following a search by officers and soldiers, wreckage of a balloon was picked up in a shooting range with a diameter of 1 meter. The instrument box had writing in simplified Chinese characters, “Taiyuan No. 1 Radio Factory” and “GST13 Radiosonde.” A preliminary assessment has found that the wreckage was from a meteorological detection instrument.

Chiu Kuo-cheng
Minister of national defense
It was discovered at around noon yesterday. After we found it, we made an assessment and a preliminary inspection of its appearance. It said what factory in Taiyuan it came from and also said it was a weather balloon, but I think we will take a lenient approach in judging our opponent’s intentions. We won’t jump to conclusions. I have dispatched a team to do some research, and once we understand the fine details, we will make a conclusion.

The military stressed that it will carefully study the balloon wreckage. As the U.S. military recently shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon with a missile, many are wondering that if a balloon intrudes into Taiwan’s airspace, will its military do the same thing?

Chiu Kuo-cheng
Minister of national defense
I just said we would take a lenient approach. There is something going on, but whether something somehow was attached to the weather balloon, or it had things that were harmful to people, we’ll just have to wait for our assessment. If an entity relating to aviation or sea navigation traverses inside our national borders, then of course we must deal with this. This does not amount to a first strike, but rather is called a responsive countermeasure.

Whether it’s UAVs or airborne balloons, the military says it will be proactive in dealing with China’s gray zone operations.

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Hsinchu’s longest-running second-hand bookstore to close down after 45 years

A second-hand bookstore in Hsinchu is about to shut down after 45 years in business. Book lovers in Hsinchu have been taking refuge in Seaside Books since 1978. It was founded by a post-war Chinese immigrant, who then passed it on to his dear friend. Now owner Huang Shou-yu is finally ready to call it quits. The locals are now rushing to spend a few more precious moments in their beloved store, and pick up a bargain at the same time.

With the rise of online retail, bricks-and-mortar bookstores like this one are a vanishing breed. This eye-catching blue sign, reading “Seaside Books,” has hung here for 45 years. But now, the owner is preparing to close the shutters for the last time.

Resident of Hsinchu
There aren’t many stores like this. These days, people don’t love books that much, nor do they value them. So I think it’s really a pity for a store with as much warmth as this to close down.

Resident of Hsinchu
Back in the days when we weren’t so affluent, sometimes students actually couldn’t afford books. Seaside Books offered relatively low prices. I bought lots of novels from here. Then I married and had children, and when my daughter was small, we often came here to buy children’s books.

Located near Hsinchu Train Station, Seaside Books is the oldest second-hand bookstore in Hsinchu. It has been a stable fixture and a comforting sanctuary over the decades for countless local book lovers.

Huang Shou-yu
Seaside Bookshop owner
It’s a really tough decision for me. I took the store on 18 years ago. I’ve been wanting to close down for about a year now.

Store owner Huang Shou-yu has kept the business going for many years, in memory of a beloved friend. Forty-five years ago, Chinese nationalist army veteran Chen Yao rented the store and opened "Seaside Books," naming the store to reflect his love for his homeland across the Taiwan Strait. Over 27 years, he and his landlady, Huang Shou-yu, became as close as family. Before his death, he handed the store over to her.

Huang Shou-yu
Seaside Bookshop owner
Some of the books are still in great condition. At the very end, I will sell them off more cheaply.

Huang has reluctantly placed all her stocks out for sale with discounts, for a final clearance. She plans to close for the last time within a month or two. In the meantime, she hopes to give the store a send-off fit for a local treasure.

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Restaurant with vintage cars serves up gourmet meals for dogs

Taiwan has its fair share of themed cafes. There’s an Alice in Wonderland-themed cafe and a llama cafe and many more. Today, FTV reporter Stephany Yang takes us to a restaurant with two quirky themes that you don’t often see paired together: vintage cars and gourmet cuisine for dogs. The restaurant has been around for a while; it was once featured in a popular TV show "Meteor Garden" about 20 years ago.

Stephany Yang
FTV reporter
Are you a fan of the TV series “Meteor Garden”? This themed restaurant was where the two actors from the show went out on a date. Now, 20 years later, this restaurant has transformed into a pet-friendly restaurant, serving up meals for dogs.

This first dish is sirloin beef bowl. Aside from meat, there are also veggies on the side like broccoli, carrots, and cabbage.

There is also penne gratin with pumpkin and beef. These mouthwatering meals are not for me. It’s for this husky, Poly, and this dachshund, Aloha. Over the years, the store has won many loyal patrons who bring their pets here.

Kristina Chang
Poly’s Owner
The fresh dog food here is good, and you can also play with the dogs in the store. My dog likes beef rice, but actually, he likes all of the food here. I tried the salad and seafood noodles myself. They are also delicious.

The founder of the restaurant, Gasper Lee, hired a pet nutritionist to design meals for pets. The restaurant was designated a so-called “Michelin-starred restaurant” for pets by the Taipei Animal Protection Office.

Gasper Lee
Founder
It can’t be seasoned. It’s cooked in a salt-free and oil-free way. It can be boiled, steamed, or fried a little. A pet nutritionist taught us. In addition, we have more than 10 years of experience in dog care. So we know the ratios and formulas that will suit them best.

This restaurant in Taipei was established in 1999 by Lee, an avid collector of antique cars. The restaurant is filled with classic cars, parking meters, fuel stations, and American car license plates. It even became one of the filming locations of the TV show “Meteor Garden.” Many fans of the program still come here to relive the show.

Maricris Agustin
Patron
I am from the Philippines. I am a fan of “Meteor Garden.” It was one of the places where the show has taken place so I went here because of that. I feel like I watched the drama again while eating here. I think I was just in high school or elementary and now I am working when I watched the drama

Bruno Singier
Patron
I think it is pet-friendly here, you see a lot of people bringing their pets. Sometimes it is dogs, and cats as well. I know that there has been people bringing some other pets as well like snakes and maybe iguanas.

In 2016, Lee decided to start serving healthy and delicious pet meals.

Gasper Lee
Founder
In the very beginning, I liked to collect antique cars, parking meters, antique fuel stations, and mini cars, and then re-create them. We started the pet business because of our shop dog, this dachshund. After seeing the dachshund, many customers asked if they can bring their dog over. I said: “yes.” Then they also asked if dogs can have their own meals. So we learned several recipes from pet nutritionists and sold fresh pet food in the store. We didn’t expect that it would be so well received when it launched.

Over the years, more and more Taiwanese are becoming proud pet owners. The Taipei City Animal Protection Office has created a “Michelin” guide for pets, selecting 10 pet-friendly restaurants across Taipei that provide high-quality meals. Seeing this demand, stores across Taiwan are also providing and developing more pet-friendly products and services, along with cooking meals to cater to pets and their owners.

2023-02-17

Keelung ‘green care station’ offers new skills for the older adults of fishing villages

Now we turn to a community center in Keelung, which serves the aging populations of north coast’s fishing harbors. The "green care station" offers a slew of classes that teach new skills to the elderly in Keelung’s coastal villages. Students enjoy drumming, weaving, leather sculpting, among others. Let’s meet some of the teachers and students.

A group of older adults gathers in a circle to play the djembe. Soon the whole venue is trembling with rhythm.

Student
Everyone’s so happy! We’re all happy to come here, because the teacher’s voice is so loud and clear.

Drumming teacher
I often remind our students to keep their fingers moving and flexible. The second thing is their mouths. I prompt them to chant along and sing with me.

Keelung Fishermen’s Association has launched a new program for older adults, inviting people from the fishing village communities to join this varied program of interactive classes. Alongside djembe classes, there’s knitting, leather sculpting, sewing, and much more. It’s a chance for older people to get out, meet neighbors, and collect new experiences to share with their families.

Student
It’s so hard. I forget everything. I’m knitting this for the children.

Tutor
It changes their way of talking, their demeanor, their energy! Secondly, the hand-knitting stimulates their braincells.

There are six fishing harbors in Keelung: Wanghaixiang, Changtanli, Badouzi, Bisha, Zhengbin and Waimusha. And more than 2,000 fishing people aged 65 and up live in those communities. The “green care class” was created with a subsidy from the Council of Agriculture, to provide classes, and nutritious weekly meals.

Chen Wen-chin
Keelung Fishermen’s Association
When these fishing people were young, they worked hard on the sea, and battled with the ocean. Now that they’re older, they’re sitting at home in the fishing villages and there’s nothing going on. So we invite them to come outside and get some movement.

The classes here provide all kinds of opportunities. From physical exercise to new skills to learn, older fishing communities can enjoy their strength and build fresh connections in this new phase of life.

2023-02-17

Sculptor tells story of how he broke away from a life of crime

Today we meet a sculptor with an unusual life story. Yu Jung-ching of Kaoshiung’s Liugui District lived a life of crime in his younger days. But after two prison spells, he was ready to go on a new path. He wanted to take care of his aging father. And luckily, he discovered an artistic talent that had been hidden since his childhood. Let’s take a trip to his workshop.

Yu concentrates on his knife as he carefully carves an openwork design with many intricate layers.

He looks totally calm and unflustered as he completes the work. Nobody would guess that before becoming a sculptor, Yu held a knife for very different reasons. As a young man, he was sent to prison twice for violent firearms offences.

Brother of Yu Jung-ching
At school, he was a headache for the teachers and the principal. But I knew that he’d liked drawing pictures since he was little. No one taught him really; you could say he was self-taught. He’s been to prison, twice, I think. I just knew that the more he was in prison the more of a big deal he was, and when he got out he was high up in the hierarchy.

Once out of prison, Yu led a drifting life around Taipei, and had a big reputation in the world of crime. But then, a decade ago, everything changed. He realised that nobody was looking after his aging father, and decided to go back to his hometown to care for him. That’s when he turned to carving.

Yu Jung-ching
Sculptor
I grabbed a piece of wood and started to carve it. When it was done, my friend saw and asked who had done it. I said “Me, I used a utility knife.” He said, “That’s not bad. You could be a wood carver.”

As soon as he turned his hand to it, Yu discovered he had real talent. Getting encouragement from his friend, he started learning all the techniques he could, even creating these complex openwork sculptures. Before long, collectors were interested.

Yu Jung-ching
Sculptor
I don’t want those paths that you wouldn’t consider, dishonourable paths. Because if you rely on your own hard work, so long as you’re willing to tough it out, everyone can walk a different path, like I did.

Now Yu’s days are intimately connected with the knife, but it’s a knife that brings beauty and creation, not a weapon. His story shows it’s never too late to turn over a new leaf.

2023-02-17