Hualien quake closes Suhua Corridor, disrupts rail service

Hualien quake closes Suhua Corridor, disrupts rail service

2024-04-03

The earthquake triggered landslides at multiple sections of the Suhua Highway. The worst damage is just south of the Chongde Tunnel, where debris has completely covered the road’s surface. A bridge has collapsed outside the Daqingshui Tunnel, prompting the closure of the entire Suhua Corridor, which includes both the Suhua Highway and the Suhua Highway Improvement Project.

Not only that, rail service has come to a halt between the Su’aoxin and Fenglin stations, due to heavy track damage. Crews are rushing to complete repairs. The plan is to restore two-way traffic on a single track by Thursday morning, and to restore normal operations by the afternoon. With the Tomb-sweeping Festival long weekend coming up, the government is pushing to arrange other means of transport. It’s working with private companies to add flights and ferry services to Hualien.

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

蘇花路廊全線封閉! 台鐵蘇澳新-鳳林停駛加開航班.快輪疏運

2024-04-03

花蓮地震，重創交通，蘇花公路多處道路出現大量落石，甚至有巨石滑落，其中最嚴重的路段位於崇德隧道口以南，土石直接掩蓋路面。大清水隧道口的橋樑，直接坍塌消失，導致蘇花路廊（蘇花改+蘇花公路）全線封閉。

中斷的還有台鐵蘇澳新到鳳林間，因為多處路段損壞，列車停駛，工程人員搶修中，希望在週四上午，恢復單線雙向通車、中午過後回復正常。眼看就要清明連假，交通部啟動緊急應變計畫，協調航空公司加開往花蓮加班機，船公司加開船舶疏運。

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Central government takes action after Hualien temblor

President Tsai Ing-wen was seen at the Central Emergency Operations Center on Wednesday, after the 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Hualien. Premier Chen Chien-jen canceled his schedule for the day, joining his vice premier Cheng Wen-tsan and interior minister Lin Yu-chang at the center for a disaster briefing. Top officials have launched repair work on rail lines and roads damaged by the temblors. Troops have also been deployed nationwide to assist in rescue missions.

A 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Hualien Wednesday morning and was felt throughout Taiwan. Premier Chen Chien-jen canceled his schedule for the day and, alongside Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan, joined President Tsai Ing-wen at the Central Emergency Operations Center.

Tsai Ing-wen
President
Since this morning’s strong earthquake, there have been numerous aftershocks. We are closely monitoring the situation nationwide, and are ready to launch contingency measures at any time to ensure the people’s safety. The central government will be in close communication with local governments to provide the necessary assistance. The military will also provide assistance. Through the cooperation of central and local governments, we will minimize the damage of this disaster. We are prepared to meet all challenges. Let us work together.

Chen Chien-jen
Premier
The interior ministry immediately established a Level 1 earthquake response center to keep abreast of the latest developments. But as the commander said earlier, we are still experiencing aftershocks. All relevant agencies must seize this golden window of opportunity for rescue efforts and start searching for survivors.

The disaster struck just before the Tomb-sweeping Festival long weekend. Along the East Coast, the earthquake damaged rail lines and other transport networks. Premier Chen has given orders for urgent repairs.

Chen Chien-jen
Premier
Subsequent rescue work will rely on smooth transportation, so we need to make sure that resource deployment is properly managed.

Lin Yu-chang
Interior minister
We hope to repair rail lines and public roads as soon as possible. The central government has already deployed rescue crew to Hualien, where a coordination center has been established.

Troops have also been deployed for rescue missions nationwide. The central government said it’s activated an emergency response plan to minimize damage to life and property.

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

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Wei-yin Chen to make a comeback with Long Island Ducks

At 38 years old, Taiwan pitcher Wei-yin Chen is returning to the pitcher’s mound. The lefty from Kaohsiung has signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League, after more than a year of rehabilitation from shoulder surgery. The team’s manager says Chen has had an outstanding career, and that the team looks forward to the experience and knowledge he will bring.

Wei-yin Chen practices on the mound after surgery, as his young son watches on. Last month, this video posted to Facebook left many fans hoping for a comeback. And now, the good news is out. Chen will soon be pitching for the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League.

The team announced Chen’s signing on social media. Chen’s official fan page shared the announcement, along with the caption: “Giving up is easier than persevering. Appreciate every opportunity and give it your all.”

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Chen, now 38, started his career in 2003 playing for the Chunichi Dragons in Nippon Professional Baseball. He achieved a 1.54 ERA in 2009, putting him at the top of the league for the season. In 2012, Chen signed with the MLB’s Baltimore Orioles, posting 46 wins, 32 losses and a 4.18 ERA over four years. Then he played for the Miami Marlins for four seasons, notching a record of 13 wins, 19 losses and an ERA of 5.10. Chen signed a minor-league contract with the Seattle Mariners in 2019, and was released mid-season in 2020. He then returned to Japan to play for the Chiba Lotte Marines, and then for the Hanshin Tigers in 2021. After his release from the Tigers in 2022, Chen underwent shoulder surgery.

Now nearing 40, Chen has earned more than NT$3 billion through his 18-year career. He stayed in the U.S. to rehabilitate from surgery, and had been seeking a chance to get back on the field. Now he’s making fan wishes come true with a much-awaited comeback.

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Biden and Xi speak on phone about Taiwan Strait, South China Sea

U.S. President Joe Biden spoke on the phone with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Tuesday, marking the first conversation since their historic summit in California last November. During the call, Biden underscored the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Other topics of discussion included human rights in Xinjiang, the Russia-Ukraine War, and tensions in the South China Sea.

U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Tuesday held a call that lasted an hour and 45 minutes. In their conversation, Biden underscored the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

John Kirby
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President Biden also emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and he reaffirmed the importance of the rule of law and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.

The last conversation between the two heads of state took place at a summit in California last November. The call on Tuesday meant to build on the foundation of that meeting, to further develop bilateral communication. Besides the Taiwan Strait, the topics of discussion included human rights in Xinjiang, tensions in the South China Sea, the war in Ukraine, and North Korea’s nuclear capabilities.

Kayla Tausche
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Among some of those topics, you mentioned a few of them. Tensions over Taiwan, the South China Sea, North Korea’s nuclear program as well as China’s support of Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The two also discussed cooperation against drug trafficking and on tackling the challenges of artificial intelligence and climate change. Speaking on the U.S.’ recent legislation targeting social media app TikTok, Biden said the intention was to protect U.S. national security interests and the American public.

John Kirby
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He made it clear to President Xi that this was not about a ban of the application, but rather our interest in divestiture so that the national security interests and the data security of the American people can be protected.

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Eatery offers authentic American Southern cuisine that’s replete with buttermilk

Today we take you to meet the founders of an eatery in Taipei that serves up authentic American Southern cuisine. One of the founders, Charlie Berman, is from North Carolina. He decided to open up an eatery selling Southern fried chicken and buttermilk biscuits. FTV reporter Stephany Yang takes us in for a taste!

Mix the chicken breast covered with buttermilk with flour.

Then, fry the chicken breast two times. Now, it is time to add the chicken breast and eggs into a freshly made large biscuit. Fried chicken and buttermilk biscuits are a signature dish of the southern regions of the U.S. Now, you can have a taste of it in Taiwan.

Charlie Berman
Founder
The two things we specialize here are Southern biscuits and fried chicken. They are used with an ingredient called buttermilk, which is part of the fat that separates out when you milk a cow. It is slightly acidic so when you marinate chicken in buttermilk, it breaks down the chicken and it becomes really soft and tender and juicy. And then, when you add buttermilk to biscuits, it adds a slight tangy flavor. It also makes it fluffy and soft and delicious.

If you’re here for breakfast or don’t want to eat fried chicken, you can up for the eatery’s bacon egg and cheese dish. Applewood smoked bacon, fried egg, and American cheese are wrapped inside a biscuit. Charlie Berman is from North Carolina. He moved to Taiwan three years ago to study. He first started making Southern fried chicken and buttermilk biscuits for his friends. He later decided to open his own eatery last November. He hopes to bring a taste of home to Taiwan.

Charlie Berman
Founder
One food that I loved from my childhood growing up was fried chicken biscuits. That was something that I was unable to find in Taiwan. I was doing restaurant pop-ups at a friend’s events space. One of the prompts was to make a dish from your childhood or a dish from your home. So, I made fried chicken biscuits. Tammy and Caleb came and we all fell in love with butter and started to work on this restaurant together.

Tammy Huie and Caleb Rogers are cofounders of the restaurant. Tammy is from Idaho, while Caleb is from Texas. Most of the ingredients are imported from the U.S. and the food is made fresh every day.

Tammy Huie
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The chicken has to sit in the buttermilk brine for at least two hours. We have start at around 9 a.m. every day. We pound the chicken breast so that it cooks evenly. And then, after it has been sitting in buttermilk for about two hours, we fry it fresh when customers order it so that way it is extra juicy, extra hot when they eat it. And also, in an America flour dredged for a certain type of crispiness that is indicative of American fried chicken.

Caleb Rogers
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That is where my passion comes from here. Delivering authentic American experience like all of our ingredients as much as we can are sourced from the United States. The way that we prepare it. I am very passionate about delivering that to Taiwanese people. Like giving back because Taiwan has given me so much.

The founders say that the path to establishing the eatery was challenging, especially overcoming logistical hurdles as foreigners. However, they didn’t give up.

Charlie Berman
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There were lots of institutional barriers that we faced as foreigners opening a restaurant in Taiwan. Whether that is opening a bank account, going to the tax office, finding a place to rent, finding a landlord that would rent to us, finding a real estate agent. Every single step of the process was very difficult.

Caleb Rogers
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We are not really interested in expanding to other locations. What we want to focus on is this one and making it a destination for authentic American food. We are thinking about events and things like that. We are considering tasting menus and other ways to focus on American food. We are talking with other American restaurants here about partnerships and things like that.

Tammy Huie
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To be able to grow sustainably and to meet I guess demand because we are already seeing that growth is something that we definitely need to tackle.

The trio hopes that their eatery can become the go-to destination for authentic American Southern cuisine.

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

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Kaohsiung cafe encourages painting as therapy

One old building in Kaohsiung’s Yancheng District has been transformed into a cafe that doubles as a painting studio. Freshly brewed coffee in hand, customers can also let their creativity flow. But the most unique feature is up on the fourth floor, where visitors can take up a brush and coveralls and let their feelings, both good and bad, out on the walls.

Everyone in this old Yancheng District cafe is hunched over their tables, but they’re not drinking coffee. They’re busy painting.

Professionals are on hand to offer advice, a rainbow of acrylic paints at the ready along the wall. The owner, Chuang Jo-chih, had her first artistic encounter at 6 years old. She graduated from college with a fine arts degree, and has always dreamed opening an art studio cafe. Now she has succeeded in bringing art to people’s daily lives.

Chuang Jo-chih
Painting cafe owner
Every time I bring it up, people say, “Oh I can’t paint.” But I think it’s actually easy, you just have to be bold enough to pick up a brush and give it a try. And we also offer guidance, so you can make your very own painting in a relaxed and comfortable environment.

The coffee setup is elaborate, reflecting the careful consideration that also goes into the rotating painting exhibitions along the walls. A lot of ideas are packed into this small space, but it’s when you go upstairs that feels like another world.

Liu Yin-chun
FTV reporter
On the fourth floor is a room dedicated to venting emotions. Just pick up a brush, load it up with paint and splatter it all over the wall.

The white walls are flecked with all shades of washable paint, splattered on by visitors as a way to vent their emotions. Wearing protective coveralls and gloves, they put on a love song and get to work. Afterward, they leave refreshed.

Chuang Jo-chih
Painting cafe owner
One group of friends played around a lot and I found it fascinating. They lay a canvas on the ground and dripped paint on it. After they were done, they sat back and thought about what to change. In the end they made it into a bird, with the drops as wings. I found it adorable.

Art stimulates endless imagination. It not only brings joy, but daring to get your hands dirty can pull you out of the fatigue of daily life, giving your mind a much needed break.

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

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