AIT draws attention from contrast in posts with Taiwan politicians

AIT draws attention from contrast in posts with Taiwan politicians

2025-08-28

The American Institute in Taiwan has been busy on Facebook lately, making a string of posts of Director Raymond Greene meeting political figures from all major parties. But two posts on Wednesday especially drew attention for the stark difference in tone. One was photo with TPP Chair Huang Kuo-chang, and the other, a video with Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai.

In the photo, Huang and Green appear standing together, stiffly but politely posing for the camera. Meanwhile, the video was full of laughs and friendly banter as Greene and Chen were joined by AIT Kaohsiung Branch Chief Neil Gibson in completing a series of fun challenges. The three officials chatted and cracked jokes in Mandarin, Taiwanese and English, making for a lighthearted watch. An analyst says the contrast in tone was intentional, as the AIT’s online presence is carefully curated.

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#diplomacy #diplomat #AIT #politics #taiwan #usa #kaohsiung #黃國昌 #陳其邁

對比明顯? AIT同天貼出昌"無表情合照".邁熱絡互動片

2025-08-28

美國在台協會近期接連在臉書粉專PO出處長谷立言和台灣藍、綠、白各方政治人物的互動。特別是昨天下午先貼出谷立言與民眾黨主席黃國昌的合照，傍晚又發布與高雄市長陳其邁的互動影片，兩篇發文的對比，引發討論。

就在這張谷立言與黃國昌，不失禮貌的的合照之後，AIT又再PO出谷立言、AIT高雄分處處長張子霖與高雄市長陳其邁的趣味挑戰影片，三人用中文、台語和英文互動，氣氛輕鬆逗趣，專家分析AIT是美國駐台外交單位，和台灣的政治互動，不會隨便發文、隨意選照片，發這種貼文，其實都是在傳達重要訊息，而且很明顯。

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Keelung holds annual ceremony to commemorate Sino-French War

The Zhengsha Community Development Association in Keelung recently held its annual Ghost Festival ritual honoring soldiers who died in the Sino-French War. Many participants dressed as Qing Dynasty or French soldiers, and some even as historical figures Liu Mingchuan or Empress Dowager Cixi, reenacting historical scenes from the time. French Office in Taipei director Franck Paris also attended to pay his respects.

Wearing military uniforms from 19th-century France and China, these people are dressed as soldiers from the Sino-French War for a solemn procession.

This is a Ghost Festival ceremony that transcends national boundaries, commemorating those who lost their lives in the Sino-French war.

Huang Chi-jen
Community development director
Every year we hold a joint Ghost Festival ritual with the French Cemetery and National Heroes Cemetery. Every year at this time, we invite some local young people to dress up as Qing or French soldiers and reenact some historical scenes from the period.

This is the Sino-French War Memorial Park in Keelung, where the Zhengsha Community Development Association hosts an annual ceremony to honor the soldiers who lost their lives in the war 141 years ago. Different from the offerings at most Ghost Festival rituals, here people offer French baguettes, red wine, and even US dollars.

Yu Ming-fa
Community development chair
Usually, offerings are all local items. But for this, baguettes popular in France at that time, some toast, red wine, and even US dollars are used as offerings.

The director of the French Office in Taipei, Franck Paris, came to the ceremony, thanking the Keelung City Government and local community for caring for the French Cemetery and continuing the ritual.

Franck Paris
French Office director
This ritual is very special. It reflects the friendship between France and Keelung and represents the friendship between France and Taiwan. Because of this place and this ceremony, we will not forget them.

This annual ceremony at the Sino-French War Memorial Park offers a different take on Ghost Festival rituals. Through it, people can learn about the historical significance of this place and those who lost their lives in the conflict.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#SinoFrenchWar #Memorial #GhostFestival #ritual #ceremony #Keelung #France #Taiwan #soldiers #reenactment

2025-08-28

Sea turtle rereleased after recovering from fishing net snare

In April, a visitor to Dawulun Beach in Keelung discovered a green sea turtle that had washed ashore after getting ensnared in driftwood and marine waste. Dehydrated and choking on water, the turtle’s front left flipper was also partially unresponsive and had fallen off. But after veterinary care, “Hama” the turtle has fully recovered and was released back into the wild.

A sea turtle scuttles its way across the beach, struggling its way toward the crowds of people by the shore as though it’s reluctant to say goodbye. But it eventually turns toward the sea, each shuttling movement revealing its anticipation for the return home.

Even though its front left flipper has been partially amputated, it continues to strive ahead, every step showing its resilience and strength.

Tsai Fu-ning
Keelung Department of Economic Affairs head
When it was discovered, it was bound up with driftwood and marine waste. There was even a fishing net wound around it.

This turtle nicknamed “Hama” by rescuers was discovered in April at Dawulun Beach in Keelung trapped in driftwood and trash. A visitor noticed and reported the discovery to the authorities.

Tseng Cheng-tsung
Taiwan Cetacean Society secretary-general
A friend heard me say it was a sea turtle whose flipper had gone to hell. The vet told me directly they didn’t think there was much chance. But we cooperated to make sure the turtle could eventually make it from death’s door to a full recovery.

Since it had been struggling for a long time, Hama was dehydrated and choking on water, and its front left flipper was partially necrotic. But with help from professional veterinarians, they were able to stem the infection. Despite losing the end of the flipper, vets were still able to save much of the bone. So why did they name it “Hama,” or clam?

Tseng Cheng-tsung
Taiwan Cetacean Society secretary-general
When the turtle was discovered, it was gasping on and spraying water in turn. The water it sprayed out had sand in it, just like a clam.

From facing amputation to saving much of its flipper, Hama was finally able to return home to the warm embrace of the sea.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#seaturtle #greenseaturtle #rerelease #releaseintothewild #recovery #veterinarian #seawaste #environment

2025-08-28

Super tall pedestrian traffic light gets people craning their necks

A traffic light that apparently was designed for giraffes is raising eyebrows in Taipei’s Nangang District. The traffic light is placed far above everyone’s heads, almost as high up as the second floor of a building. Passersby say it’s very unintuitive, and if you look at it for too long, you will get a sore neck. So what’s the deal with it? Let’s take a look.

The shop sign lights up the night. Next to it, a traffic light. Something about the proportions seems off though. Why is it so high up? Nangang residents are gobsmaked.

Lee Shih-chen
FTV reporter
In broad daylight, you won’t see the sign if you look left and right. You have to look up! The green man has moved up to the second floor.

Look upstairs to see the traffic light! What is this, a traffic light for giraffes? Don’t look too long or you might strain your neck. The unusually high traffic light has sparked much discussion, after all, it’s not the first place you’d look to see if you can cross the road.

Member of the public
I’ve never ever seen anything like this, so high up.

Member of the public
It makes no sense, it’s too high up. If you’re on a wheelchair, or on your phone, you might not see it.

Member of the public
I was wondering why I didn’t see the signal. But when I was over there I realized it was just further up.

If you live in the building’s second floor, you have a prime view of the little green man from your kitchen. A normal traffic light is about 2.1m tall and clearly visible. But this traffic light for giraffes is more than 3m tall. Where are the tall people that it’s meant for? Taipei’s Traffic Engineering Office says it’s actually intentional, as locals reported a lot of accidents at the crossing.

Voice of Lin Chia-jui
Taipei City Traffic Engineering Office
At such a height, people do need to look up to see it. Perhaps it’s not very intuitive. So we’ll adjust it to a more suitable position.

Officials say they’ll reposition the traffic light, so if you want to take a picture with this unusual sight, you better hurry,

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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Leading maternity brand ‘Mamaway’ claims baby formula causes ADHD

On Tuesday, a leading maternity brand Mamaway posted a short-form video that immediately sparked backlash. In it, they claimed that giving your baby formula is just as bad as having boba for every meal, and could even lead to developing ADHD. The post has not only caused uproar among mothers. Medical professionals have stepped in to stop the rumors, and the Food and Drug Administration has asked Meta to remove the video in question.

Short-form video posted by Mamaway
Do you know how sugary the baby formula you give your little ones is? Let’s say this is a bottle of baby formula. Maybe more than half of its contents are all sugar. It’s like drinking two large bottles of coke.

The short-form video posted by leading maternity products and services brand, Mamaway immediately caught on.

Short-form video posted by Mamaway
You wouldn’t get a boba every day yourself, right? But you’re letting your baby have boba for every single meal. There’s one issue of high sugar intake for babies: they’re susceptible of developing ADHD.

The video likened baby formula to Taiwan’s favorite guilty pleasure, boba, and even went as far as to say that it could cause a mental disorder. The video immediately sparked an outcry from mothers who can’t breastfeed. Even doctors are stepping in to debunk the claims.

Wu Han-meng
Pediatrician
Most of the added sugars in baby formula are lactose. It’s not the same as fructose or cane sugar, which is what you get for any drink sold on the market or boba. The amount of lactose the baby ingests every time you give them baby formula only accounts for around 7% of the total volume, which is around the same as breast milk. As long as you buy from a reputable brand with certifications, your child will basically grow up healthy.

Mamaway insists that the video is based on facts and so they will not delete the video. They even cited sources, but a doctor says they’re not reputable.

Voice of Su Yi-ning
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None of the sources they provided are formal scientific literature. They’ve misinterpreted the articles. Either they come out and clarify or answer people’s questions.

Voice of Liao Tzu-ting
Food and Drug Administration
The content in the short-form video violated Article 46-1 of the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation, for disseminating a rumor or incorrect information concerning food safety. The Food and Drug Administration reported the post to Meta on Aug. 28 and asked them to remove it.

Janet Chia
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I’m one of those moms that didn’t produce much breast milk. All my kids basically only had baby formula, but they’re all thriving even now.

Maggie Lu
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It’s totally unnecessary to put so much pressure on mothers who cannot fully breast feed, because baby formula these days is already so close to the real thing, so I don’t think people should stress about it.

The consensus seems to be that whether to breastfeed or bottle feed don’t really make much of a difference, so parents should just do what they prefer. However, a company with such a large market share should’ve known better than spreading information they may not even fully grasp.

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A hunky tow truck driver in Sanchong has become a viral sensation thanks to his toned body and charming demeanor. He shot to online fame after a photograph of him while towing away a scooter was posted on social media, driving commenters wild. Some have drawn comparisons with celebrities in Taiwan and South Korea. But despite the online fame, he remains humble, and jokingly urged fans not to park illegally just to see him tow their scooters away.

He’s wearing a baseball cap and the uniform vest, which shows off the chiseled arms and perfect proportions of this sun-kissed stud with a killer smile. He recently broke the internet after a photo of him at work went viral online.

He was captured in the middle of towing away a scooter, and comments flooded in. Some swooned “He stole my heart without saying a word.” Others say he looks like celebrity heartthrobs such as Sunny Wang, or a tanned version of South Korean K-drama actor So Ji-sub.

William Meng
Hunky tow truck driver
Not at all. He’s way more handsome than me. I’m just average.

He’s William Meng, and he didn’t expect to go viral. His main job is actually as the boss of a mattress shop, but he started towing scooters two months ago on the side, all for his girlfriend.

William Meng
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My girlfriend worked outside, and I couldn’t bear to see her tired. So now she’s minding the shop, which is more relaxed, while I try this out.

But he pleads admirers not to park illegally in hopes of seeing him, as the job is quite tough on the body.

William Meng
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You can really strain your waist, or even sprain it. When we move the scooters, we have to shift our center of gravity to the right. So you can pull your waist.

The hardworking heartthrob is using the job as extra training before a bodybuilding competition and in the process has become a viral sensation thanks to his looks and charm.

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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Premier Cho Jung-tai introduces 16 new and promoted cabinet members

The Executive Yuan on Wednesday published a list of 16 appointees to the cabinet following the second round of failed recall elections targeting opposition lawmakers. On Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai introduced them to the public at a press conference. He expressed confidence in the new members of his team. Let’s hear more.

Cho Jung-tai
Premier
Today I am full of anticipation but also a little excited. We will assemble as quickly as possible, following the president’s instructions. I will ask all future cabinet members to accelerate their actions, take proactive measures, and implement policies with impact.

Premier Cho Jung-tai introduces new members of his cabinet, the first being Executive Yuan Secretary-General Kung Ming-hsin, who will succeed as the next minister of economic affairs.

Cho Jung-tai
Premier
We see each other day in and day out, sometimes seven days a week. When the President and I discuss economic issues, we often turn to him for advice. With Secretary-General Kung Ming-hsin, our macroeconomics expert, and National Development Council Minister-to-be Yeh Chun-hsien, the two of them are experts of macroeconomics and microeconomics, respectively. Besides their friendship, they also debate with each other. Hopefully, this will allow us to gain deeper and more comprehensive perspectives on economic issues.

Up next, appointed Health Minister Shih Chung-liang and the new secretary-general Xavier Chang, who will be mainly tasked with communicating central government policies to local governments.

Xavier Chang
Appointed Secretary-General of the Executive Yuan
After 17 years, I’ll be working and serving at the Executive Yuan again. But my motivation remains the same. The country comes first, and the people are the priority. I rarely introduce myself. I always get straight to the point and to solve problems. Action is the best testament.

The new cabinet also includes two retired athletes. They’re Olympic badminton gold medalist Lee Yang, who will be the first Minister of Sport. Lee was absent due to a scheduling conflict. Meanwhile, former baseball player Chen Yi-hsin, who was casually dressed in a t-shirt popular among baseball fans, is to be the deputy minister of the Council of Indigenous Peoples.

Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the 2025 General Assembly of the Asian-Pacific Parliamentarians’ Union, held in Taipei, President Lai Ching-te also answered questions about the cabinet reshuffle. He said the new members are selected with priority to fresh faces, professionalism and experience.

Lai Ching-te
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The cabinet has assumed office for more than a year now. There are now many challenges from home and abroad. A cabinet reshuffle now will allow it to be more proactive and more efficient, and more capable of addressing public needs. That’s the most important. There’s also changes regarding the newly established Ministry of Sports, as well as other relevant official bodies. There are as many as 16 new ministers and deputy ministers, working towards our goal outlining “four priorities.” The first being to prioritize economic development; the second being to prioritize livelihoods; the third being to prioritize the youth; and the fourth being to prioritize the underprivileged. I also wish that in the future the cabinet will also deliver on responding to public demands and more importantly, living up to public expectations.

Cho’s updated “Active & Innovative ‘AI’ Cabinet” hopes to inject vitality to the executive branch and better respond to public opinion and needs.

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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