Swimmer plays badminton to train for Paris Olympics

2024-05-23

Taiwan’s “Butterfly King” Eddie Wang is set to compete in his second Olympics this summer, setting himself the goal of finishing in the top eight of the 200m butterfly. Since training day after day can be dull, Wang has turned to badminton for conditioning. His coach says Wang is already a Division B player, showing he can achieve whatever he sets his mind to.

Thwacking sounds reverberate through the National Sports Training Center as a birdie is smashed back and forth. Compared to when he was competing in the Olympics three years ago, Taiwan’s “Butterfly King” Eddie Wang, now a senior at NTNU, has better control.

Eddie Wang
Olympic swimmer
I’m doing outside training while in college, so I take classes with everyone else. I can enjoy university life and have met all kinds of different people. I think this time has helped me a lot and I’ve absorbed a lot.

Huang Chih-yung
Wang’s coach
For example, in badminton he’s already reached the second division. Whatever he wants to do, he’ll put in the effort to do it.

Three years after competing in the Tokyo Olympics, Wang is again set to represent Taiwan on the world’s grandest athletic stage. He’s already earned silver in the 200m butterfly at both the Asian Games and World University Games.

Eddie Wang
Olympic swimmer
Based on my time at the Asian Games, I’d be in the top eight at the Olympics and could have a shot at the podium. I think what I need to do now is maintain my fitness.

Wang’s training is now focused on endurance. Next he plans to train in Hong Kong before entering the Olympic Village in Paris on July 19 to enter the final stretch.

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

驚見新科羽球國手? 台灣蝶王調劑身心出妙招

2024-05-23

有「台灣蝶王」之稱的游泳國手王冠閎，今年將第二度代表參加奧運，他許下闖進200公尺蝶式八強決賽的目標，不過日復一日的水下訓練難免枯燥，王冠閎靠著打羽球調劑身心，教練爆料，王冠閎從他從羽球新人，到目前已經具有乙組選手實力，顯示只要蝶王想要，就會全力達成目標的人格特質。

殺球炸拍聲浪，響徹在國訓中心羽球場，不說還以為是哪來的新科羽球國手，相較於三年前還是高中生拼東奧，已經師大四年級的蝶王，更懂得自我調適。

[[奧運游泳國手王冠閎]]
“其實大學的時候，我算是營外訓練，所以上課的時候也是跟著一般的同學在上課，所以我覺得也是有享受到一些大學生活，然後也是交到很多各式各樣的朋友，所以我覺得這段時間，對我來說有幫助到滿多，也吸收到滿多的”

[[王冠閎教練黃智勇]]
“例如他的羽球，從不會到現在有乙組選手水準，他只要想要去得到，他就會去學去付出”

東京奧運闖進準決賽後三年，王冠閎要再次代表台灣揮軍體壇最高殿堂，期間他已經在200蝶項目拿下亞運與世大運銀牌。

[[奧運游泳國手王冠閎]]
“如果是以亞運的成績，其實是現在奧運的前八，或是有機會可以進到前三，我覺得現在能做的，或是需要做的，就是把自己的身體健康保持好”

王冠閎近期訓練以提升續航力為主，下一階段將前往香港移地訓練，並在7/19進駐巴黎奧運選手村，為花都一戰最後衝刺。

更多新聞內容，請鎖定：
民視台灣台（152頻道）週日至週五晚上9:30
民視新聞台（53頻道）週二至週六凌晨1:00

Starting Thursday morning, China launches two days of military drills

The Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army on Thursday morning launched two days of military exercises around Taiwan without warning. The Chinese government says the exercises are a strong “punishment” for “Taiwan separatists.” The scope of the exercises covers the Taiwan Strait, and the surrounds of Taiwan proper, along with the outlying islands of Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu and Dongyin. The military immediately responded with a video displaying its determination to defend Taiwan’s national sovereignty.

After President Lai Ching-te took office on May 20, the Eastern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army suddenly announced it would stage exercises around Taiwan on May 23 and 24.
.
For these military exercises, China’s navy, land, air force and rocket force were all deployed.

They started at 7:45 a.m. on Thursday, covering the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan’s northern, southern and eastern areas, along with the outlying islands of Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu and Dongyin. China marked out a total of five sea and air drill areas, all within Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone.

China once more is flexing its military muscles. The Ministry of National Defense immediately responded by releasing a video.

The Taiwanese military emphasized that it had responded with deployments of sea, air and ground forces.

It said it adhered to the principles of prepare for war but do not seek it out, respond to war and do not avoid it.

In the afternoon, it released footage of the navy’s Pan Chao Frigate monitoring a Chinese warship, the Shaoxing.

Po Horng-huei
Deputy defense minister
These kinds of irrational actions that undermine regional peace are not welcomed by the international community. From the past to the current moment, we can see that the international community does not welcome any irrational and unilateral changes to regional security and stability.

Internationally, Japan and the U.S. have both expressed concerns.

Hayashi Yoshimasa
Chief cabinet secretary of Japan
We will continue to communicate directly and clearly with China about the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

Stephen Sklenka, the deputy commander of the U.S Indo-Pacific Command, criticized China for trying to normalize its unusual actions, and stressed that although the PLA’s actions had long been anticipated, they still needed to be publicly condemned.

Stephen Sklenka
US Indo-Pacific Command
The PLA continues to exercise critical elements of a potential military invasion of Taiwan. Last year, they simulated a maritime and air blockade of the island.

President Lai Ching-te and senior national security officials went to Taoyuan to boost the morale of the capital’s only field force, the 66 marine brigade. Lai also addressed the nation’s people for the first time in his capacity as commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

Lai Ching-te
President
I will stand on the front line with my brothers and sisters in our national military to jointly protect national security. At this moment, the international community is paying close attention to democratic Taiwan. And in the face of external challenges and threats, we will continue to defend values of freedom and democracy, while protecting peace and stability in the region.

KMT lawmaker Chen Yu-chen believes that the Chinese military exercises are a response to President Lai’s inauguration speech on May 20. Meanwhile DPP lawmaker Chen Kuan-ting argued that the KMT and China were in cahoots, one creating chaos in the legislature, and the other carrying out military exercises aimed at Taiwan. This was aimed at dividing Taiwanese society and putting pressure on the Lai administration.

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

2024-05-23

Exiled Chinese dissident claims China planned chaos in legislature

Taiwan is back in the international spotlight over a set of proposed bills to expand the powers of the Legislative Yuan. Foreign media reports are saying protesters outside the Legislative Yuan on Tuesday were against pro-China politicians attempting to weaken presidential authority. Some sources are even claiming that Chinese leader Xi Jinping is behind the legislative chaos. Chinese dissident writer Yuan Hongbing in February had already said that the PRC’s Taiwan Affairs Office had cooked up a “united front” strategy. The plan would allegedly make use of KMT legislative speaker Han Kuo-yu and KMT caucus whip Fu Kun-chi to introduce bills in the name of legislative reform that could cause a chaotic shutdown of legislative authority and reduce the effectiveness of the DPP administration.

Conflicts concerning the legislature have attracted international attention. Bloomberg reported that Taiwan’s opposition lawmakers have ignored mass protests outside the Legislative Yuan and hope to pass the bills. The news agency said supporters of Taiwan’s ruling party were protesting pro-China opposition politicians attempting to rein in new President Lai Ching-te’s administration. If the bills are enacted, it will make it harder for Lai to govern Taiwan, which is at the heart of U.S.-China tensions.

In fact, as early as the beginning of February this year, just after the KMT’s Han Kuo-yu was elected legislative speaker and Fu Kun-chi KMT caucus whip, exiled dissident Chinese writer Yuan Hongbing revealed that China planned to use the Legislative Yuan to sow discord and infiltrate Taiwan.

Voice of Yuan Hongbing (Feb. 6, 2024)
Chinese exiled writer
Xi Jinping ordered them to seize the opportunity of the appointment of Han Kuo-yu and Fu Kun-chi in Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan to effectively launch a strategic united front offensive against Taiwan. The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council on Jan. 27 submitted to Xi Jinping and Wang Huning a document about United Front tactical points for occupying a commanding position in Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan.

Yuan revealed that the main points of the document were that China wanted Han and Fu to target Taiwan’s domestic production of submarines in the name of investigating fraud and opposing corruption, and destroy Taiwan’s autonomy in national defense, and even create chaos in the legislature.

Voice of Yuan Hongbing (Feb. 6, 2024)
Chinese exiled writer
Through designated individuals, they will urge Han Kuo-yu and Fu Kun-chi and the KMT legislative caucus to propose investigative powers for the Legislative Yuan in the name of legislative reform, along with rights to interrogate the president, and anti-Taiwan independence laws. Even though these laws will be difficult to pass for a while, they will be enough to create chaos in Taiwan’s legislative authority and even a shutdown, which will effectively reduce the efficiency of governance for the DPP administration. That is, it will reduce the effectiveness of President Lai Ching-te’s ability to govern.

Hung Sun-han
DPP lawmaker
Last month Fu Kun-chi brought several lawmakers to China, so will this sensitive information, perhaps the formula of an important corporate patent, be brought to China this way? Or will it end up on Xi Jinping’s desk? I just mentioned a Trojan Horse. That’s the best way to destroy you. We can only guess whether this is all a script written by the Chinese Communist Party.

DPP lawmakers are slamming the KMT and TPP for attempting to push the bills through in the name of legislative reform. Critics say the bills infringe on human rights, and may even completely reduce Taiwan’s legislature into an intelligence collection agency for China.

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

2024-05-23

US to work on Taiwan’s WHA participation ‘till last second’: Blinken

2024-05-23

Supermarket offers upscale dumplings for Dragon Boat

2024-05-23

Hydrant caps, helmet tree ranked among Kaohsiung’s ‘worst attractions’

2024-05-23

Hualien tourism sector struggling to recover after April 3 earthquake

2024-05-23

Defending Taiwan necessary to ‘put America first’: former US state secretary Pompeo

In an exclusive interview with FTV, former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed Taiwan’s importance for the U.S. The former official said that “putting America first” requires Washington to be strong in the defense of Taiwan and its people. He also voiced confidence about a Republican win in the upcoming U.S. presidential election in November.

Anne Hu
FTV vice president
The 2024 presidential election will be between Biden and Trump. Do you think the election result will affect U.S. policy on Taiwan?

Mike Pompeo
Former US secretary of state
Well, we can see the Biden administration’s policies, and we know what President Trump did.

Anne Hu
FTV vice president
If Trump wins the election.

Mike Pompeo
Former US secretary of state
When! I’m counting on it. I’m hoping. I’m working very diligently to help him be successful.

Anne Hu
FTV vice president
This year, by November?

Mike Pompeo
Former US secretary of state
I hope so. I hope in November President Trump is elected for his second term, yes. He may not be, but I hope that he will be. I think that’s in the best interests of the American people, deeply.

Anne Hu
FTV vice president
American people… It seems that everyone thinks that it’s a war between Biden and Trump. Are there any other candidates?

Mike Pompeo
Former US secretary of state
No. It will be President Trump or a Democrat candidate. Those will be the two. There is a third candidate. There’s actually a couple of other candidates that’ll be on the ballot. But either the Republican or Democratic Party will win.

Anne Hu
FTV vice president
If Trump wins the election and becomes president again, will you return to politics?

Mike Pompeo
Former US secretary of state
Oh. I don’t know. I don’t know. No, I don’t know. I don’t know who the president will pick, will choose to be around him as the folks who help him execute. I’ve said this before, were he to choose me, I would be honored to help and do my best to help him achieve his objectives. But I don’t know who he’ll choose. I hope he chooses a team that understands the world the same way that I do.

Anne Hu
FTV vice president
Here our media have often called you the most supportive secretary of state for Taiwan. How do you feel about the title?

Mike Pompeo
Former US secretary of state
It’s humbling to hear that. It makes me proud of the work that we did, because supporting Taiwan is important. It’s important for America. You know we were pretty clear, right? We put America first. And putting America first requires us to be strong in the defense of Taiwan and the people of Taiwan. And so I’ve heard people say that before. I think they are very kind. I pray that whoever the American secretary of state is, comes to understand how important it is to get this right.

Anne Hu
FTV vice president
Based on your memoir “Never Give an Inch,” you seem to be brave, capable, and patriotic. In your book, you mention that Xi Jinping is the most dangerous person in the world. Why is that?

Mike Pompeo
Former US secretary of state
Because I was taught as a young kid that when you look at another nation, you have to consider both their capacity and their intent. And the Chinese Communist Party has a big economy, they have a very capable military, they have a high-end space program, a high-end cyber program. They are very capable. And Xi Jinping has demonstrated his intention, all around the world, in Sri Lanka, in Africa. He’s demonstrated intention to gain political power in these places. That combination of capacity and intent makes him a very dangerous person.

Anne Hu
FTV vice president
Since you stepped down as secretary of state, I noticed that you are keeping active. And now look, you successfully lost weight and look different from before, actually. How did you do that? How did you make it?

Mike Pompeo
Former US secretary of state
Oh goodness. I don’t know that I’ve successfully lost the weight. This is a lifetime challenge. Let’s see if I can manage to stay healthy. I did it by taking care of myself, eating better, exercising a bit more. Nothing fancy.

Anne Hu
FTV vice president
Have you reached your weight goal?

Mike Pompeo
Former US secretary of state
You know, I’m up and down. I feel good where I am today.

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

2024-05-23

Orchids featuring flags of 30 countries on display at Taoyuan International Airport

2024-05-23

Front to bring showers to western Taiwan next week

2024-05-23