US says no New York transit was planned or canceled for Lai

US says no New York transit was planned or canceled for Lai

2025-07-30

And the media storm continues regarding a Financial Times report that says US President Donald Trump has blocked Taiwan President Lai Ching-te from transiting in New York en route to the Americas. Some have speculated that the supposed stopover was blocked due to Chinese pressure, as negotiations continue regarding Trump’s so-called "reciprocal tariffs." US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent has rejected the claims, saying that trade and national security are dealt with separately. In addition, the US State Department has said that no stopovers by Lai has been canceled, as no plans have been made to begin with. Let’s hear more.

Tammy Bruce
US State Department spokesperson
Taiwan has not announced any travel plans for President Lai, so that is generally a hypothetical. Now, I know it’s been on the news, there’s been a lot of questions, and a lot of suppositions here that have happened. But I can say that it is a hypothetical at this point. There have been no plans, travel plans for the president. There has been, as a result, nothing canceled. I can tell you though a reiteration that transits by high-level Taiwan officials, including presidents, are fully consistent with our longstanding policy and practice. This has not changed.

Both the State Department and the US’ de facto embassy in Taiwan, AIT, have said that there have been no changes to US policy regarding transits by high-raking Taiwanese officials. Meanwhile, Reuters has published a report quoting Taiwan diplomats in Guatemala and Paraguay on the matter. An embassy official in Guatemala says Lai’s visit to the two countries had to be postponed due to the recent typhoon and rainstorms in Taiwan.

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

#taiwan #trump #賴清德 #Laichingte #guatemala #paraguay

因中施壓拒賴過境? 美國務院:台未宣布出訪無取消問題

2025-07-30

外媒報導，因為中國施壓，川普不讓賴總統過境紐約，導致賴總統暫停出訪，對此美國財政部長被森特強調，貿易與國安分開，台灣總統的行動與美中貿易談判無關，美國國務院也出面澄清。

[[美國國務院發言人布魯斯]]
“台灣並未宣布賴總統的任何出訪計畫，所以這是假設性的問題，我知道新聞有報導，也引發很多提問與推測，但我可以說，這仍是假設性情況，(賴總統)並沒有既定的出訪計畫，所以也沒有什麼好取消的，我可以重申的是，所有台灣高階官員出訪過境，包括總統，仍遵循我們長期以來的政策和做法，這部分沒有改變”

美國官方跟AIT都出面回應，表示台灣高層官員過境美國，政策做法並無改變，路透社報導也引述我駐瓜地馬拉和巴拉圭大使館人員說法提到，由於颱風對台灣造成破壞以及面臨暴雨影響，賴清德推遲原定下個月對中南美洲友邦的訪問。

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Taiwan issues tsunami alert following 8.8-magnitude Russian earthquake

An 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula triggered a tsunami alert in Taiwan on Wednesday. You would think that the warning would get people away from the coast, but that was not the case. Curious thrill-seekers headed to coastal areas of Taiwan in the afternoon, when the tsunami waves were supposed to hit Taiwan. Fortunately, the waves were mostly less than 10 centimeters tall and did not cause any mishaps.

The beach is a popular summer destination. But on Wednesday, Jhongjiao Visitor Centre in New Taipei kept broadcasting a safety announcement.

It’s all because of an 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, which struck at 7:25 in the morning Taiwan time. Immediately afterwards, the Central Weather Administration issued a tsunami warning for coastal areas.

Wu Chien-fu
CWA Seismological Center
Almost the entire eastern coast is covered in cliffs, so it’s not so easy for tsunamis to form and build up. Whereas in the southwest, the ocean depth varies from deep to shallow, so there’s a greater chance of a tsunami building up.

Tsunami waves were estimated to be 0.3m to 1m high. In the afternoon, the Central Weather Administration announced their observed values.

Wu Chien-fu
CWA Seismological Center
It’s almost zero in Hualien, meaning there wasn’t much of a difference. As I mentioned, tsunamis don’t really build up in the east. Meanwhile in Su’ao, we’ve observed tsunami waves almost 9cm tall. In Kaohsiung, there was also a 1-to-2cm difference in tsunami wave heights.

Despite the alert, some people went fishing at Tainan’s Jiangjun fishing harbor braving rough seas that could’ve easily swallowed them up.

Meanwhile, at Hualien’s Qixingtan Scenic Area, some hobbyist photographers had planned to capture the Milky Way, but changed their mind and came to the beach when they got the alert.

Hobbyist photographer
I hope there will be stunning natural scenery.

Hobbyist photographer
We’re only staying here at the back.

In rainy Taitung, many passers-by also appeared to stop over for tsunami sightings, even though they probably shouldn’t. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.

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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Taiwanese artist Chung Tun-hao reflects on two decades of art

Today, we take you to meet Taiwanese artist Chung Tun-hao. He graduated from the St. Petersburg State Repin Academy of Fine Arts after undergoing seven rigorous years of training. FTV reporter Stephany Yang spoke to Chung about his latest exhibition in Taiwan, which traces his 20-year artistic journey.

Chung is a graduate of the prestigious St. Petersburg State Repin Academy of Fine Arts, where he completed seven years of intensive classical training. Chung says the academy greatly shaped his artistic foundation. The first section of the exhibition features works created during his time as a student, featuring his realist portraits and landscapes rendered with meticulous detail.

Chung Tun-hao
Artist
During this period, I underwent seven years of training under the St. Petersburg State Repin Academy of Fine Arts, beginning with the fundamentals: sketching, anatomy, and composition. I studied the human body, portraiture, and color theory. I also sketch landscapes, and upon returning, I used those landscape studies and my travel experiences around the world to deepen and shape the core themes of my work.

Chung’s solo exhibition showcases the works he created during his seven formative years in Russia, alongside pieces inspired by his travels across Taiwan and the globe. Chung relies entirely on memory and observation, instead of modern tools like phones or cameras. He says he has never owned a phone before, as he hopes to rely solely on his memory and conversations with people to capture the story and scenes he encounters.

Chung Tun-hao
Artist
In my personal time, I often travel to European countries like France, Germany and Italy, mainly to absorb the visual language of Western painting. I also see the works of the great masters. I believe that the better the tools that assist me, the weaker my abilities become. That’s a belief I’ve always held. I do appreciate the convenience of technology, such as airplanes can take me all over the world. But I want to be the person least influenced by it. We have many sensory organs: the eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and skin. It’s only by experiencing things firsthand through my body that I can truly feel, and bring those feelings back into my paintings. So, for me, not using tools like smartphones and computers is more beneficial than harmful. It allows me to connect with more strangers in a meaningful way.

This work was inspired by his student, Shu-rong. Chung says Shu rong’s unwavering determination and dedication to the craft are an inspiration to him.

Chung Tun-hao
Artist
The artwork with the blue background behind me features one of my students, Shu-rong, who passed away. At the age of 3, she developed a vascular tumor that caused her right leg to grow two to three times larger than normal. Her body was frail, and she also lost both of her parents. She couldn’t hold a job, but she remained deeply devoted to painting. She followed me to many different places and held numerous exhibitions. A few years ago, she passed away from cervical cancer. Despite the physical pain and financial hardships, it didn’t affect her or discourage her from her original passion for painting with me. If her story could inspire me, my other students, or anyone who loves painting, then I believe we should take a moment to reflect. Shu-rong’s presence left a profound impact on all of us.

Chung’s solo exhibition will be held at the Art Space in Taipei until Aug. 24.

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

#art #ChungTunhao #artistspotlight #St.PetersburgStateRepinAcademyofFine Arts #exhibition

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Five kinds of ‘slime’ toys found with excessive boron levels

A new kind of sticky "slime" toy has become popular over the past few years among kids from preschoolers to junior high students. But parents should be cautious. The Taichung Legal Affairs Bureau recently tested some of these toys and found excessive amounts of boron in five of them. One of the products, an extreme "fizz slime" from China, exceeded legal levels by 8.6 times, potentially posing a health risk.

Kids hold some “slime” in their hands. As much as they stretch it, it doesn’t break. It has a unique feel that people find appealing. It’s just a toy, but the wrong one might be hazardous.

Wu Kuan-min
Taichung consumer ombudsman
At the moment, Taiwan’s standards for boron in slime toys is under 300mg per kilogram. The highest level we found in this inspection was 2,400mg.

The Taichung Legal Affairs Bureau tested different slime toys on the market. Nearly half of them failed.

Parent
It’s best if you don’t even sell toys with this material in it. Children can easily get allergic reactions on their skin. You have to be careful.

Parent
My child loved playing with it when he was little. If I knew about the boron levels, I wouldn’t have let him play with it.

Excessive boron can not only irritate the skin, but if eaten, it can cause gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, diarrhea, and in severe cases, shock.

Chao Ming-wei
Toxicologist
Consumption over a long period of time could cause reproductive toxicity in boys, making them smaller and less developed. If a pregnant woman accidentally ingests it, it could also cause fetal toxicity, resulting in poor development. The newborn may also have some damage to its reproductive system.

A study from South Korea found that children who play with slime are 5.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with peripheral precocious puberty than those who don’t. Parents are advised to be careful of the toys they buy.

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

#slime #toy #childrenstoy #boron #reproductiveissue #toxin #publicsafety

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Police rush student in anaphylactic shock to hospital in just under minute

After likely having an allergic reaction to something she ate, a Vietnamese exchange student in Tainan collapsed in the lobby of a building, convulsing and short of breath. Luckily, some police officers were patrolling nearby when the building’s security guard flagged them down for help. They loaded her into the cruiser and rushed her to the hospital within minutes. After treatment, she has fully recovered.

A man urgently flags down a police car for help.

Without any time to spare waiting for the ambulance, the girl’s boyfriend and the security guard carry her into the police car. They rush her to Chi Mei Hospital, taking only a minute to get there.

Hsieh Kuei-lin
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Officers from Yanhang Station happened to be patrolling the area. When they saw the situation, they immediately worked with the residents to carry Ms. Chen into the police car. In just one minute, they brought her to the hospital, where they were able to save her life.

The girl is an exchange student from Vietnam studying at Southern Taiwan Tech with her boyfriend. He was driving her back home, when she started convulsing on the back of the scooter. Right when they arrived, she collapsed onto the floor struggling for breath. Her boyfriend said she’s allergic to seafood. Although it isn’t the first time something like this has happened, it was the most severe. But he said she didn’t eat seafood that day, and doesn’t know what could have caused the allergic reaction.

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Taiwan Julliard Alumni Association holds concerts inspired by Astor Piazzolla

The Taiwan Juilliard Alumni Association is presenting a series of summer concerts featuring a lineup of Juilliard professors and alumni. Themed around Astor Piazzolla’s "Four Seasons of Buenos Aires," the program not only highlights global classical masterpieces but also weaves in the rich sounds of Taiwanese folk melodies. FTV reporter Stephany Yang gives us the highlights.

The “Four Seasons Musical Journey” brings together professors and alumni from The Juilliard School to perform global classics themed around Astor Piazzolla’s “Four Seasons of Buenos Aires.” The program includes a performance by current Juilliard faculty member Joseph Lin playing Piazzolla’s work.

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Thirty of us from Juilliard — professors and alumni — are coming together for a performance. Our program this time is incredible. Since we have many pianists, we’ve arranged three pieces for three pianos, including works by Sergei Rachmaninoff and the American composer Leonard Bernstein, as well as the French composer Charles Camille Saint-Saëns."

The Four Seasons Musical Journey is a part of the 2025 Juilliard Alumni Summit, organized by the Taiwan Juilliard Alumni Association. Aside from global classics, Taiwanese folk music will also be a highlight.

Amy Tsai
Juilliard Performing Arts Association
There are also two very special pieces that we commissioned specifically for this concert. One of them is by Sean Jackson. He’s an organist, and for the performance at Weiwuying, he will present a special arrangement of well-known Taiwanese folk songs. He combined three Taiwanese folk melodies into a single composition.

The concerts will be held on August 18 at the National Concert Hall in Taipei, August 19 at the National Taichung Theater, and on August 20 at the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts-Weiwuying.

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

#TaiwanJullilardAlumniAssociation #Jullilard #FourSeasonsMusicalJourney #NationalConcert Hall #AstorPiazzolla #NationalTaichungTheater #Weiwuying

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