Borough wardens paid to sign people to China trip: reports

Borough wardens paid to sign people to China trip: reports

2025-05-05

Last month, the island township of Meizhou in China held a ceremony to commemorate the 1,065th birthday of the goddess Mazu. The event was attended by representatives from several temples in Taiwan, raising concerns about China using the occasion to promote pro-unification ideology. Reports say some borough wardens were paid NT$1,000 for every person they added to tour groups participating in the so-called “religious exchange.” Payment was allegedly doubled for groups with 100 participants. Let’s hear more.

Liu Shyh-fang
Minister of the Interior
If there is any evidence for the claims, we will cooperate with the judiciary and national security agencies in any relevant investigations.

Puma Shen
Lawmaker (DPP)
What we’re seeing now is hybrid united front tactics. They use religious figures and work with local representatives and organized crime rings. In more severe cases, temples operated by gangs that have already been infiltrated by China can be used to influence even more people.

Cheng Ming-chien
Minister of Justice
There have been cases of public officials being infiltrated and providing sensitive government information to China. Such cases are investigated and prosecuted by the judiciary. Their infiltration tactics are covert and target all levels of the government and sectors in society. We must enhance our investigative capabilities to better respond to these unconventional hybrid national security threats.

Several government agencies are drafting amendments to current regulations, to better counter Chinese infiltration. One of the bills aims to require lawmakers and public officials to obtain approval from a review committee before traveling to China. The Ministry of the Interior has created a section on its official website regarding exchanges with China. In addition, local representatives organizing exchanges with China may be required to disclose their itineraries in full in order to prevent them from becoming tools for promoting unification.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#politics #cross-strait #taiwannews #infiltration #mazu #China

宗教統戰? 傳村里長揪團赴中"拉1人拿1千" 內政部:依法查辦

2025-05-05

上個月在中國福建湄洲，舉行"紀念媽祖誕辰1065週年大會"，台灣不少宮廟人士參與，卻可能被中方用來統戰。傳出有村里長以"宗教交流"名義揪團赴中，只要拉到一人就給1000元，百人以上價碼翻。

[[內政部長劉世芳]]
“如果有任何這方面的事實依據的話，就會去配合檢調單位，或跟國安單位來查察”

[[立委(民) 沈伯洋]]
“現在都變成複合式統戰，也就是說它對宗教人士統戰的時候，也會跟里長跟黑道串在一起，所以通常來講，比較嚴重的狀況就是，比如說這個廟是黑道在經營的，這個黑道本身就已經被中國滲透，這時候它再透過廟的力量，去影響更多人”

[[法務部長鄭銘謙]]
“近來發生公職人員遭受滲透，提供公務機敏情資，經檢察機關偵辦及羈押，其刑事案件顯示，當前滲透手段隱密性高，滲透對象不分層級領域，面對這種非傳統複合型的國安威脅，需精進偵查能量”

為防堵中國統戰滲透，相關部會已研擬修法，除了規範民代、公職人員赴中要獲聯審會許可，內政部也設置"赴中交流公開專區"，不需許可的村里長，也得公開行程，避免成為統戰棋子。

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民視台灣台（152頻道）週一至週五晚上9:30
民視新聞台（53頻道）週二至週六凌晨1:00

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Catching milkfish requires a helmet to prevent head injuries

Catching milkfish might sound like a relaxing activity. It’s fishing after all. But did you know that it’s quite similar to a game of dodge ball? Milkfish are very jumpy creatures, so fish farmers in Chiayi have taken to wearing helmets whenever they go to the breeding ponds. Any small sound or ripples in the water causes the fish to leap up, sometimes giving fishers a strong slap to the face.

Budai is a major milkfish farming region in Taiwan. But take a closer look at this fisher. He’s wearing a helmet! Do people here keep them on after riding a scooter?

Member of public
Maybe he forgot to take it off when he went to catch fish. If you leave it on it’s really stuffy and annoying.

Member of public
It must be to protect himself. It makes no sense if it’s just for a laugh.

Before fishing the milkfish, fishers here have to disturb the ponds by sailing in circles on motorized boats. The process scares the fish, making them leap up from the water and fly around everywhere. You’ve got to be careful to not get slapped in the face.

Chang Chien-cheng
Chiayi Agriculture Department
When you startle the fish, they set off from the pond like little rockets. To prevent head injuries, some fishers wear a helmet when they go to work at the ponds.

Fishers say that frightening the fish clears waste from the fish’s bodies and firms up their flesh. One milkfish can weigh 2kg to 3kg, and if it slams into your face, it can feel like a powerful punch. That’s also why fishers tend to crouch when they cast nets. Some even put plastic baskets over their heads, or wear baseball catcher’s helmets. But the top tier of protection are road helmets customized with metal wiring.

Chen Hung-shuo
Chiayi aquaculture association
If you don’t dodge them, you will get smacked by the milkfish. To prevent injuries from the crashes, everyone wears helmets.

Did you know that catching milkfish was such a dangerous activity? Well, now you know.

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Taiwan dollar sees record-breaking appreciation

The Taiwan dollar saw its sharpest single-day rise in 37 years on Monday, leading to many exchangers scrambling in hopes of turning a profit. Many showed up at banks, and even more logged into their banking apps, which could not handle to traffic. At the end of the day, the Taiwan dollar closed at NT$30.145 against the greenback, a 91.9 cent increase. The exchange volume also broke records at US$4.01 billion.

The bank is packed with people looking to exchange currencies.

Exchanging for USD
I rushed to get here when I saw that it’s NT$29. But wow, it’s still NT$30. I’m shocked. I didn’t expect to see so many people here.

The Taiwan dollar has seen a sharp rise since the start of the month. On Monday, it reached NT$29.59 against the greenback, while the percentage increase reached a 37-year high. As for the Japanese yen, it was worth as little as NT$0.2090 at one point. In other words, with NT$100,000, you could get an additional 53,000 yen compared to just 15 days ago. Banking apps could not handle all the traffic from the great number of people looking to score a good deal.

It may be great news for importers and Taiwanese traveling abroad, but a nightmare for exporters and US dollar holders.

Voice of Teng Kuei-yu
Machinery parts manufacturer
With the appreciation, I believe more than half of SMEs will go under. Why? Let’s say I gave a quote when it was NT$33, but now it’s NT$29, meaning there’s a NT$4 difference. In other words, if I have an order worth US$10 million, I’d be losing NT$40 million.

On Monday, the Taiwan dollar gained another 91.9 cents against the dollar to close at NT$30.145 for one US dollar. The total exchange volume reached US$4.01 billion to set a new record in a single day.

It was speculated that the administration had agreed to a “Mar-a-Lago Accord” with the US to allow the dollar to depreciate, causing the Taiwan dollar’s sharp rise since May 3. Central Bank Governor Yang Chin-long on Monday denied the rumor.

Yang Chin-long
Central Bank governor
In fact, the Central Bank does not manipulate the currency. We’re also not listed as a currency manipulator. As for the so-called Mar-a-Lago Accord which has the US pressure trade adversaries to appreciate their currency, I’ve already addressed this during a legislative appellation. We’ve always emphasized that there is no such agreement.

Yang said the US did not pressure Taiwan to appreciate its currency, nor is Taiwan named a currency manipulator. He also stressed that the central bank is not involved in trade talks, and urged the public to refrain from speculations.

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Athletes in their 90s to compete in World Masters Games

Organizers of the World Masters Games recently held a news conference celebrating seniors who are competing in the Games, inviting four “ageless heroes” to share their stories. Lin Yu-mao, a 104-year-old badminton player, Su Chen-tsun, a 93-year-old woodball player, and swimmers Chen Yen-ti and Lin Ju-tsung, who are 95 and 90 respectively, joined the news conference, sharing their preparations and feelings about competing.

The World Masters Games encourages people of all ages to compete and stay active. Four athletes over 90 came together at this event, including 93-year-old Su Chen-tsun, who has over 20 years of experience playing woodball. Commended as “ageless heroes,” they are to compete in the upcoming Games.

Su Chen-tsun
Woodball player
When I was 64 years old, my hometown started to promote woodball. I’ve played ever since then.

These seniors are no less fit or competitive than people a fraction of their age. The group includes two swimmers: 95-year-old Chen Yen-ti, who has won two gold medals at national swimming competitions, and 90-year-old Lin Ju-tsung, who has been swimming and diving competitively since middle school.

Lin Ju-tsung
Swimmer
If you don’t know how to dive, you can start by jumping like this, from the side of the pool into the water. Start learning from here.

Wearing a red hat, 104-year-old Lin Yu-mao is a badminton player and ambassador for the 2025 World Masters Games. He holds the Guinness World Record for the oldest badminton player.

Lin Yu-mao
Badminton player
For me, health is simple. I normally pay attention to it by exercising, singing, and dancing.

Lin Yi-hua
Taipei Deputy Mayor
The more I prepare for the World Masters Games, the more I feel moved by its spirit. The seniors here today are so enthusiastic and energetic, which is the best example of what the games are about.

These senior athletes have made many friends by playing sports. Staying active is their secret to a long life, and they invite everyone to see them compete at the upcoming World Masters Games.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

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Actress Tiffany Ann Hsu pregnant with first child

Celebrity couple Tiffany Ann Hsu and Roy Chiu are expecting their first child! On May 5, ahead of Mother’s Day, the couple’s friends and family confirmed that Hsu is almost four months pregnant. The actors, both in their 40s, met on set filming the 2021 hit “Man in Love.”

Fans are surprised that actor and model Tiffany Ann Hsu, who’s 40 years old, is already close to four months pregnant during her latest public appearance at the end of April for a cosmetics brand.

Tiffany Ann Hsu (Feb. 12, 2022)
Actor
I’m focusing on work now. I don’t think it’s possible for me now.

In 2022, just months after Hsu and her co-star Roy Chiu got married after meeting on set, she was asked if they’re planning to have children. Back then, Hsu said her focus is on her career. And she did deliver, having won the Golden Bell Award for Best Leading Actress in 2023 and 2024. Last year, it was rumored that the couple was trying for a baby, and on Monday, just ahead of Mother’s Day, the news of her pregnancy was made public.

Having the first child in one’s 40s is not at all unusual for entertainers. Actors Joyce Chao and Ruby Lin both had their first child in their early 40s. In 2022, top model Lin Chi-ling had hers at 47. With medical advancement, women no longer have to give up their career just as it’s taking off, in order to have their own biological children.

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Taiwan Adventist Hospital
If you’re still able to get pregnant, it means it’s biologically possible. But to be fair, there are still some disadvantages. There is certainly a higher risk for pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia. That’s why more prenatal tests, such as amniocentesis, are necessary.

Although pregnancy after age 35 presents higher risks for complications, a successful delivery is still possible as long as these women keep up with prenatal tests.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

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Hotel in Miaoli offers hot springs and hot pot

Relaxing in hot springs or enjoying delicious hot pot are two popular choices among tourists to Taiwan. Capitalizing on this market demand, one hotel in Miaoli offers both hot springs and hot pot, featuring local produce and fresh seafood. This combination nourishes the body and mind, offering customers an unforgettable experience.

Visitors soak in the outdoor hot springs before moving to the restaurant inside, where they enjoy delicious hot pot. This hot pot includes two bases: a spicy broth, and a clear meat broth. Paired with fresh local ingredients, customers say it’s delicious.

Customer
I can taste the numbing pepper, but the spiciness is mild. I think it’s very flavorful.

The chef carefully prepares fresh seafood, arranging it delicately on a plate before serving.

Liao Yi-hui
Head chef
Preparing it right away on the boat and then freezing it immediately keeps it freshest.

There are over 10 kinds of Chinese herbs in the spicy hot pot, carefully balanced for the perfect taste.

Liao I-hui
Head chef
There are more than 10 Chinese herbs, and I also put in our secret spicy sauce.

The soup base is simmered for three hours. It’s paired with fresh seafood sent directly from the port, tender pork and beef, as well as vegetables grown by local farmers.

Customer
After relaxing and hydrating, I think having some hot pot warms your body. It feels great.

This resort hotel is at the base of Huoyan Mountain in Miaoli’s Yuanli Township. Here customers can relax in an outdoor hot spring before enjoying delicious hot pot, rejuvenating the body, mind, and soul.

Kuo Chung-wen
Hotel spokesperson
Our hot springs are bicarbonate springs, known as beauty springs. Hot pot is another type of hot water, and we offer four different soup bases. This creates the perfect vacation pairing.

This hotel in Miaoli pairs two of Taiwan’s famous leisurely activities, hot springs and hot pot, creating an experience that is sure to rejuvenate the body and soul.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#hotspring #hotpot #spicyhotpot #Miaoli #hotel #vacation #tourism #relaxation

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