Taichung MRT stabbing: Father of injured teen donates to improve metro safety

2024-05-22

A 17-year-old boy injured in Tuesday’s mass stabbing on the Taichung metro is out of danger, doctors say. The teen, surnamed Lu, was the first passenger injured when a knife-wielding attacker went on a rampage on the Taichung MRT. On Wednesday, his condition stabilized enough for him to be transferred to a regular ward. Meanwhile, one brave passenger surnamed Hsu spoke out for the first time about the harrowing ordeal. He helped subdue the assailant shortly after the attack began. Let’s hear from him.

Mr. Hsu
Taichung MRT passenger
I was seated face to face from the attacker. There was no point in running away. After he cut me with the knife, I was afraid he would strike again, so I grabbed his knife. I had missed the earlier train. So I waited on the platform, on a seat. The assailant was next to me. When I sat down, he got up and walked away. At the time, he was clutching his bag.

Mother of Hsu
His wound was so deep you could see the bone. I couldn’t help but cry. I’m proud of what he did.

Mr. Lu
Father of injured teen
With my colleague, I’ve discussed making a donation of NT$200,000 each, to buy safety equipment that can protect the public. Equipment such as fire extinguishers can be used to stop an assailant.

Mr. Lu, the father of the teen passenger, is a designer by trade. Besides thanking the passengers who saved his son, he’s pledged a total donation of NT$400,000, to buy safety equipment that may prevent similar incidents in the future.

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中捷砍人案 17歲重傷少年父親捐款助中捷買防衛器具

2024-05-22

台中捷運砍人案，共有2名乘客受傷，其中27歲的許姓乘客，第一時間上前和嫌犯搏鬥，事隔一天，他首度受訪，描述當時經歷。另外還有17歲呂姓高中生，一度傷勢嚴重，下午轉普通病房，父親則決定捐款給捷運公司，添購防身設備。

[[許姓乘客]]
“那時候位置就剛好跟嫌犯處在一個對峙的位置，逃也沒什麼太大的意義，我被砍了以後，我怕他再砍我第二刀，所以我就抓住刀子。因為我錯過前一班車，所以我就想說坐在椅子上等，他(嫌犯)那時候在我隔壁的椅子，我一坐下以後他就走掉，他那時候好像一直抱著他的背包。”

[[許姓乘客媽媽]]
“他那個傷口都深可見骨看到的時候，眼淚都忍不住掉下來。我以他為榮。”

[[呂姓乘客父親]]
“我有跟同業有談過各捐20萬，來買一些例如可以維護民眾的安全(的器具)，例如滅火器還是說有一些什麼東西，可以喝止(嫌犯)的作用。”

呂姓少年父親從事設計，除了感謝車上英雄們，救了兒子一命，還決定邀請同業，合捐40萬，讓捷運公司添購自衛器具擺在車廂，避免類似情況又發生，乘客束手無策，用命拚搏。

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Controversial bills clear second reading after lengthy session

Three controversial bills passed the second reading late Tuesday, in an extended legislative session. Proposed by the opposition, the bills seek to expand the powers of the Legislative Yuan. Opposition lawmakers are pushing for a final vote on the bills by next Tuesday. The ruling DPP says it will keep trying to delay the vote through the use of procedural rules.

At 11:45 Tuesday evening, Speaker Han Kuo-yu finally adjourned the legislative session. Throughout the day, the DPP had used procedural rules to delay deliberations on the opposition’s bills, which aim to expand parliamentary powers.

Wu Szu-yao
DPP caucus secretary-general
We used legislative procedures strategically to prevent the KMT and TPP from rushing the bills through their second and third readings.

Chen Yu-chen
KMT lawmaker
If proceedings unfold with no physical altercations, handling the bills should take another dozen hours. I hope that the five legislative reform bills will be passed by next Tuesday.

One bill that passed the second reading seeks to criminalize “contempt of the legislature.” On Wednesday, an official said the legislation makes him more cautious about speaking his mind during question-and-answer sessions.

Lee Yuan
Culture minister
I’m quite laid back and I like cracking jokes. But when I come to the Legislative Yuan in the future, I think I’ll have to be more serious. We’ll provide every detail we can. The only way to face the Legislative Yuan is openly and honestly.

Under the bill, government officials cannot engage in, quote, counter-questioning. They also may not refuse to answer questions, decline to provide information, or obstruct legislative proceedings. If they do, and at least five lawmakers at the session sign a complaint petition, the Legislative Yuan can mete out fines of between NT$20,000 and NT$200,000. The fines can be imposed multiple times.

Hung Sun-han
DPP lawmaker
When you ask KMT lawmakers about the definition of “counter-questioning,” they mumble and stammer but fail to give an answer. In the future, if officials don’t agree with the opinions of the legislature, or if they challenge those views, they could be considered to be obstructing proceedings and face fines. Is this really legislative reform? Or is this a legislative cultural revolution, as a lot of people are saying?

Another bill aims to strengthen the legislature’s powers of investigation. The DPP has condemned the proposal, demanding that it be returned to committee for a fresh review.

Su Chiao-hui
DPP lawmaker
The bill is far too controversial. For the first time ever, the legislature would be granting itself the power to punish citizens. For people who’ve studied law like us, having a legislature that can issue administrative fines is unheard of. The bills make it so that anyone in society related to their investigations must comply. If they ask you for information, you can’t refuse, or you’ll face a fine, or even multiple fines. It would extend to journalists too. We should all stand up against this.

If the bill passes, the Legislative Yuan would be allowed to establish investigative committees and request documents from government agencies, private entities and individuals. Noncompliance could lead to fines of up to NT$100,000.

Last month, the European Chamber of Commerce’s flagship magazine last month urged multinational companies with operations in Taiwan to closely monitor the status of the KMT proposals. It said that corporate leaders would need to understand the risks of not cooperating with a legislative investigation or engaging in behavior that could anger lawmakers.

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

2024-05-22

30,000 protesters surround Legislative Yuan to protest ‘black-box operations’

2024-05-22

New health chief presents policies for a ‘healthy Taiwan’

The Lai administration’s health ministry highlighted its future policies at a press event on Wednesday. As part of the new president’s vision for a “healthy Taiwan,” the ministry will seek to improve medical care for children and women’s health. It will also continue health care reform and push amendments to the Assisted Reproduction Act. Ahead of the 77th World Health Assembly, health minister Chiu Tai-yuan is preparing to lead a delegation to Geneva. Despite Taiwan’s exclusion from the event due to Chinese pressure, the delegation will hold sideline talks and seek broader support for Taiwan’s right to participate.

On his third day in office, health minister Chiu Tai-yuan held a media tea session alongside his deputies, Chou Jih-haw, Lin Ching-yi, and Lue Jen-der. They presented President Lai Ching-te’s 10 policies for a “healthy Taiwan.”

Chiu Tai-yuan
Health minister
With regard to care for children, as you all know, pediatric medical capacities have become increasingly scarce. The second point is on women’s health, which is equally important and concerns a number of chronic diseases. We have very concrete policies in the “healthy Taiwan” program. We hope to achieve health outcomes that we’re calling the “888.”

Lin Ching-yi
Deputy health minister
Taiwan is an aging society with declining birth rates. So the hope is that our new government – given our economic successes these past eight years, we have some funds that we want to spend on the health insurance program and health care expenditures.

Besides implementing the “healthy Taiwan” program, the health ministry will continue past projects such as health insurance reform, improvements to the social safety net, and amendments to the Assisted Reproduction Act. And with the World Health Assembly coming up, the health minister is preparing to lead an action group to Geneva to advocate for Taiwan’s inclusion. This is now the eighth year in a row that Taiwan has been excluded. Taiwanese journalists have even been asked for Chinese passports when applying for a media permit.

Chiu Tai-yuan
Health minister
Actually, many countries are supportive of Taiwan’s participation in the international community. But the political pressure is great, and based on my observations over the years, China is only ramping up its efforts. With regard to the WHA issue, we must stand united and explore ways to forge more friendships.

Despite mounting political pressure from China, Taiwan’s delegation to Geneva plans to hold bilateral and multilateral talks on the WHA’s sidelines. The discussions will cover issues like sustainable development and mental health. Taiwan will share its experiences and seek broader global support for its inclusion in the World Health Organization.

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

2024-05-22

Creative movement advocates for assisted reproduction rights

More and more women in Taiwan are freezing their eggs to have the chance to be a mother in the future. But many people don’t know that thawing is not a simple process. Current law requires women to be married and have their husband’s approval to thaw their eggs and undergo in vitro fertilization. One marketing company is using a creative strategy to spread awareness about this issue.

In modern society, people tend to marry and have kids later in life. With the improvement of medical technology, every year more people in Taiwan are freezing their eggs. But less than 10% ever use them. This is largely because Taiwan law on assisted reproduction requires women to be married and have their husband’s approval to thaw their eggs.

Chang Yu-chueh
Reproductive rights advocate
Many women have started freezing their eggs, but a lot don’t know that they have to be married and have their husband’s approval to thaw and use them.

Single women and women married to other women don’t have the right to use their frozen eggs. Unsure when these laws will change, the Awakening Foundation partnered with a marketing company to start a creative movement to spread awareness about the importance of this issue.

Chen Wen-wei
Awakening Foundation vice chair
Women’s right to decide if and when they want to be a mother and whether they want to be married when they do so is currently up to our legislature.The Assisted Reproduction Act can loosen restraints on women and give them autonomy over their eggs.

Using humor to get their message across, they released a series of posters in which women ask for an “unconditional marriage,” to call attention to reproductive rights issues.

Chou Yun-yu
Marketer
With more support and resources, we can help them gain more equality in the workplace and help them shine. This way we can create more meaningful dialogue and let meaningful issues be heard.

Hopefully this creative initiative will spark dialogue and promote gender equality, affecting change in assisted reproduction laws.

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

2024-05-22

Taiex soars 315 points ahead of Nvidia earnings report

2024-05-22

US should recognize Taiwan’s sovereignty ‘today’: former US state secretary Pompeo

In an exclusive interview with FTV, former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged Washington to recognize Taiwan’s sovereignty "today." Speaking to FTV Vice President Anne Hu, Pompeo said the Biden administration should take a stronger position on Taiwan’s U.N. participation. He also emphasized that when it comes to Taiwan’s security, the critical task at hand was to create a credible deterrence against a Chinese attack.

Anne Hu
FTV vice president
Recently, the U.S. has shown strong support for Taiwan regarding U.N. Resolution 2758. It says that the resolution does not exclude Taiwan from participating in the U.N. system. What are your thoughts on that?

Mike Pompeo
Former US secretary of state
Yes, Taiwan ought to be a member of the U.N. It’s that straightforward. And so I hope the Biden administration will take an even stronger position, not only saying that it is possible, but saying that it is necessary. It would be the right thing for the world, and it would be the right thing for the people of Taiwan.

Anne Hu
FTV vice president
So you do agree that the U.S. government should recognize Taiwan as a sovereign nation?

Mike Pompeo
Former US secretary of state
Yes, absolutely. Because I live it, when I come visit Taiwan. I experience it. It has its own rules, it has its own property rights, it has its own international trade agreements, it is behaving and acting as a sovereign nation so it ought to be treated as such.

Anne Hu
FTV vice president
When will be the appropriate time to recognize Taiwan as a sovereign nation?

Mike Pompeo
Former US secretary of state
I think it’s today. Yeah. I think it was actually yesterday, I think it was some time ago. I think the reality of Taiwan as a free and independent sovereign nation ought to be acknowledged, not only by the United States but by the whole world.

Anne Hu
FTV vice president
In your assessment, what is the worst thing that could happen to Taiwan’s security?

Mike Pompeo
Former US secretary of state
Oh my goodness, it would be that the Taiwanese people refuse to stand up and defend themselves, followed by the world not understanding how important it is that we get this right. It’s not about, “What would you do if China invades?” It is so much more than that. It is, “How is it you prevent the Chinese Communist Party from even contemplating destroying this place, taking away the sovereignty and decency of the Taiwanese people?” That’s the hard work. The hard work happens today. It doesn’t happen the day that the Chinese Communist Party launches a flotilla across the strait. It happens today. And convincing Xi Jinping that the cost of bringing Taiwan under his control exceeds the benefits. And when he does that, then Taiwan will get its rightful place in the world.

Anne Hu
FTV vice president
If China attacks Taiwan, to what extent can the U.S. help Taiwan?

Mike Pompeo
Former US secretary of state
Again, you speak about this as if it’s inevitable. Our task is to make sure that that day never happens, that no one ever has to contemplate what do you do in that moment. That’s the hard work. That’s the place that we should plant our collective flags. In the event that Xi Jinping begins a physical attack on this place, I am very confident that the United States will respond. But it is difficult, it is a hard problem set.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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2024-05-22

US high-school students shoot soap opera, anchor news at FTV

Forty-eight American high-school students from Seattle area are in Taiwan for an eight-day TV and film camp hosted by Kainan University and FTV. Besides visiting Taiwan’s landmarks, they also tried their hand at shooting a soap opera and anchoring a news show at the TV station. They also went on a tour of FTV’s cutting-edge LED virtual studio.

A race car appears on the screen, eliciting wows from the audience. Then a helicopter materializes from overhead. This is the AR- and XR-enabled LED screen at FTV’s virtual studio. The technology amazed high school students visiting from the U.S.

Student
It’s a lot bigger than I imagined, and honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever seen the behind-the-scenes for a movie. I think it’s a pretty valuable experience.

Student
I’m really impressed by how much attention you pay to details in your movie and video productions.

These 48 students are from an international high school in the U.S. state of Washington. They’re in Taiwan for an eight-day television and film camp. They first went to Kainan University’s Department of Film and Creative Media to learn about storyboarding, editing and shooting. Then they went on a visit to FTV’s Linkou headquarters.

Dorothy Wang
FTV president
This camp allows students to learn in a school, while also getting to know Taiwan. At Kainan University, they were taught about editing and shooting, and then they came here to FTV to get hands-on experience. I think it’s a fantastic opportunity for the kids.

Liu Chi-lun
Kainan University faculty
They were all very excited to be coming here today. The studio is beautiful, and everyone thinks it’s amazing. This activity will definitely be helpful to promoting Taiwan’s television and film industry abroad and engaging in more international exchanges.

The students burst out laughing, just seconds into the scene of a script they wrote themselves. They tried out directing and acting, shooting short clips on an FTV set. They also learned about the news production process and got the chance to be news anchors for a day.

One group of students presented the news in both Mandarin and English.

Neha
Student
It was super fun. I have never done anything like this before. It was definitely very memorable to be able to learn from you and to do it with my friends here.

Sophia
Student
I had a lot of fun. It was interesting to learn about how the news channels worked. I really liked using the teleprompter and the microphone as well. It was a lot of fun to do it with my friends. It was super memorable.

Camp organizers have arranged trips to local attractions, such as Yongkang Street, Taipei’s Dadaocheng, Elephant Mountain.

Wesley Hung
International school teacher
This time we had modified what we are doing to capture more cultural things in Taiwan. For example, we are taking the kids shrimp fishing this time. … I was worried we wouldn’t have enough people, but when I asked my school, these kids to sign up for the interest for this trip, we had over 172 students out of 350 sign up. So almost half of our high school signed up for the trip. And I was very surprised. But we were only able to bring 48 of them this time, so maybe it will be back next year.

Sebastian
Student
It is cool to see another part of the world and all the different aspects of their traditions and cultures.

Jordan
Student
Trying their food, seeing their culture and language, seeing how they live and learn is just an amazing experience.

Now in its second edition, the camp has drawn an enthusiastic response. Besides deepening student exchanges between the U.S. and Taiwan, it also showcases Taiwan’s TV and film industry to the world.

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

2024-05-22

Height and fitness essential for mascot performers

2024-05-22

Taichung MRT stabbing: Father of injured teen donates to improve metro safety