Mortgage program for young buyers post meager August figures

Mortgage program for young buyers post meager August figures

2025-09-23

Only 3,667 applications were accepted in August for Taiwan’s housing loan program for young homebuyers. That was a drop of 198 applications from July. In addition, loan disbursements shrunk by 14% to NT$29.3 billion. In both cases, the numbers are the third-lowest figures since the launch of the loan program.

Though the government has eased some restrictions to make home purchases smoother, rollout has fallen short of expectations. Applicant’s who’ve submitted applications now have to wait longer and longer, and even prepare more cash up front. Experts say that the housing market will continue to see a contraction in volume and a flattening of prices in the short term. Prospective buyers are advised to shop around, stay informed and compare every option.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#mortgage #loan #houseloan #youth #preferential

8月新青安探低 "受理件數僅3667" 撥貸金額跌破300億

2025-09-23

財政部最新公布，8月新青安全台只受理3667件，較7月減少198件，撥貸金額也跌到293億元，月減14.7%，件數和金額雙雙下滑，創下新青安上路以來第3低。##

儘管行政院打開水龍頭，要讓新青安的購屋族，暢行無阻，但實際開放情況不如預期，尤其已經送件等待撥款的購屋族，等待時間還是拉長，甚至銀彈還得準備多一點。專家預估短期內房市將持續量縮價盤，想拥有自己的窩，多看、多聽、多比較。

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Floods reach 1-story high as Matai’an Creek’s barrier lake bursts

After a whole day of extremely heavy rain from Typhoon Ragasa, the barrier lake upstream of Matai’an Creek overflew and caused the bridge downstream to be washed away. Further downstream, floods in Guangfu Village reached one-story high in some parts of town. Local residents had no choice but to find shelter higher up and wait out the storm.

Roiling water kept crashing against Matai’an Creek Bridge. Soon afterwards…

…the bridge snaps off. The deck, weighing more than 100 tons was washed away immediately.

From a bird’s eye view, it can be clearly seen that the bridge’s 900m deck was all gone. Only the piers remain in place.

Incessant heavy rain made the barrier lake upstream began to overflow at 2: 50 in the afternoon. The bridge collapsed at around 3:30, and the broken parts were taken right towards the downtown area of Guangfu Village downstream.

Meanwhile, downtown Guanfu was already flooded up to one story-high in some parts of the village.

Guanfu resident
I was going back there. Oh my gosh. Oh my goodness. The floods are making their way here.

Section 1, Zhongzheng Road in downtown Guanfu has become a muddy stream overflowing with debris. The floods were so heavy that even a military-class truck got carried away. Stocks in a supermarket were also all gone or destroyed. Because the flood reached so high, local residents had no choice but to take shelter on higher floors. Some living in one-story houses had to go onto the roof.

A woman was seen clutching onto a pillar in the local market, being stuck there for having failed to escape in time. Her daughter was so worried that she made a social media post asking for help.

By 5 p.m., another wave of flooding began to batter the area at an even greater strength. Hualien County Government has since expanded the evacuation zone. Locals have no option but to leave their homes and hope for the best when they return.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#ragasa #hualien #river #swell #surge #typhoon #storm #rain

2025-09-23

Kids help take down ‘death trap’ glass windows in Nan’ao

The Nan’ao branch of Taiwan’s Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency has a spacious park surrounded by shady trees. But in recent years many protected wild birds have died after colliding with the building’s glass windows. To prevent further crashes, children were enlisted to draw dotted patterns on the glasses .

This is a gorgeous multicolored fairy pitta. This is a common emerald dove, with plumage shimmering in dark green and blue. These are two light-vented bulbuls lying on the ground. They are all often-seen protected birds in Taiwan and cute frequenters of Nan’ao’s wooded mountains. They should be soaring freely in the sky. Instead they are lying on the ground, dying after bumping into an invisible barrier.

The transparent barrier is this completely clean and bright window glass. In order to prevent these beautiful lives ending in a collision with a window, children are using paint pens to draw dots on the windows, one by one.

Fu Cheng-i
Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency
During the day, it’s just like a mirror. The reflection gives an impression of a continuous forest. Birds here like this so the problem of collisions is severe. We’ve made a dot matrix pattern on the windows to prevent birds from hitting the glass.

This is a campaign to prevent bird killings caused by window collisions jointly organized by the Nan’Ao branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency and the Society of Wilderness. Scores of children aged 11 to 14 volunteered to come here, making themselves the patron saints of birds. They used oil-based paint markers to draw dotted patterns on the clear glass, highly durable but also easily erasable with alcohol if there is a change in plans.

Fu Cheng-i
Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency
The spacing is about 3 to 5 centimeters. The spots are equidistant from each other in a lattice. They used a ready-made diamond pattern, a grid.

In addition to painting white dots on the windows, the children also deployed their creativity and added depictions of plants and animals, to make the windows not only safe for birds but also cute.

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

#birds #cute #nature #birds #natural #environment #upliftingnews #goodnews

2025-09-23

Ma Shui-long 10th anniversary memorial exhibition opens

The late composer Ma Shui-long left behind a rich legacy of musical works, as well as a diverse collection of paintings and manuscripts. To pay tribute to him, the National Center for Traditional Arts and the National Central Library has launched a special exhibition. FTV reporter Stephany Yang takes us in for a look!

The exhibition features seven themed sections showcasing Ma’s writings, musical scores, and photographs. For the first time, family-held paintings are publicly displayed. Ma’s wife donated these precious items after his death. Ma was a composer known for blending local elements with Western modernist techniques.

Yen Lu-fen
Curator
The piece he’s best known for is his Concerto for Bamboo Flute and Orchestra. If we walk to the parking lot of the National Theater and Concert Hall, you’ll hear the beautiful music playing there—the Concerto for Bamboo Flute and Orchestra. The reason it’s so iconic is that it combines Chinese traditional instrument-specifically the bamboo flute—with a Western symphony orchestra, written in the form of a Western classical concerto.

Aside from being a composer, he was also a talented artist. His artworks are on display at the exhibition. The exhibition space draws inspiration from the curves of the piano and cello. For the first time, Ma’s home piano and work desk are on display, offering visitors an intimate glimpse into his creative environment. The exhibition will also feature lectures, panel discussion to reflect on Ma’s contributions to music education. As part of the 10th anniversary tribute to Ma, several concerts will also be held till December. Coming up next is the Hometown Vignettes-Memorial Concert of Ma Shui-Long’ concert on Nov. 2. It will feature performances by the Taipei Chamber Singers and four pianists from Taipei National University of the Arts.

Yen Lu-fen
Curator
What makes him truly admirable is, first of all, he didn’t study music from a young age. It wasn’t until he was 19 that he decided to pursue a path in music. He pursued piano and cello as his minors and practiced hard every day. He hardly rested, studying diligently during the day and working at night.

On Dec. 7, a concert will also be held at Weiwuying. The exhibition runs until Oct. 15 at the National Central Library.

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 #music #composer #artist #NationalCentralLibrary #MaShuilong #馬水龍

2025-09-23

Famous mini hot pot expands south, sells soup base packets

A mini hot pot entrepreneur from northern Taiwan has brought her business to the south. While her family runs a beef noodle shop, Lin-sai decided to sell hot pot soup base packets that make quick, delicious meals for the modern consumer. She recently opened a new restaurant at Longhua Market in Kaohsiung, offering dine-in customers a selection of individual hot pots, as well as premade soup base packets they can use to make delicious meals easily at home.

This spicy hot pot soup base has big chunks of duck blood and tofu. The chef adds vegetables and other hot pot essentials to create a delicious meal in a matter of minutes. A mini hot pot business from northern Taiwan has expanded to Kaohsiung, selling premade soup base packets that make delicious meals easy.

Lin-sai
Mini hot pot entrepreneur
Traditionally, you always need a simmered broth, right? So, we combined our broth with premade hot pot packets. Even a simple meal is still a meal, and we hope to bring this concept to kitchens in southern Taiwan.

She set up her new mini hot pot store at Longhua Market in Kaohsiung, specializing in spicy hot pot and beef noodles.

These beef noodles, packed with beef tripe and tendon, are also a popular choice. The boss is always promoting her mini hot pot, but coming from a famous beef noodle family business, she is also an expert at this dish.

Lin-sai
Mini hot pot entrepreneur
When I was young, my grandfather ran the beef noodle shop until he was in his 80s. My parents also made the shop feel like a home, so for me, beef noodles are my heritage.

Combining the flavors of her childhood with modern food culture, she is trying her hand at the mini hot pot market. She has even customized the flavors to be more suitable to southern tastes.

Lin-sai
Mini hot pot entrepreneur
Actually, I found that southern people don’t eat such spicy food, and they prefer sweeter flavors. So, our kelp soup is slightly sweeter, and we do our best to make our spicy food not so spicy.

Using knowledge inherited from her family, she expanded her mini hot pot business to Kaohsiung. Customers can dine in or take soup packets home to enjoy delicious hot pot anytime they choose.

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

#minihotpot #Kaohsiung #beefnoodles #spicyhotpot #hotpotpackets #premademeal #soupbase #LonghuaMarket #food #convenience

2025-09-23

Roadside traffic signs in Yilan promote a delicious guava

Most people travel to Toucheng Township on to enjoy scenic sea views. But did you know that the township also offers a special variety of delicious guava? Known locally as “Sweetheart Guava,” it is not like ordinary crisp guava: its flesh is renowned for its softness and chewy texture. The Yilan County Transportation Department is helping to promote the fruit on roadside signage, making its popularity explode. Let’s find out more.

This electronic traffic sign on the roadside actually reads: “Toucheng ‘Sweetheart Guavas’, richly fragrant and truly nutritious. Pay attention to the traffic ahead.” Charming!

Huang Chih-liang
Yilan County Transportation Department
Whenever an empty spot comes up when we rotate signage, we select advertisements promoting agricultural products from the 12 townships and cities in Yilan County.

The county’s traffic signs can be used to help promote seasonal agricultural products. September is the season for Toucheng’s specialty, “Sweetheart Guava.”

This is Toucheng Township’s most emblematic summer produce, the “Sweetheart Guava.” Take a big bite and its sweetness will reach all the way down to your heart.

Member of the public
Compared to ordinary guava, it’s more fragrant and has more bite, so I think it tastes better. Compared to ordinary guava, I think softer ones taste better.

“Sweetheart Guava” comes in two varieties: white and pink. Its characteristics are a soft crisp texture and a rich sweetness. In autumn, when the temperature gap between day and night is large, its skin becomes pink, earning it the nickname “rouge guava.” This is the best time to taste it.

Farmer
I don’t even need to advertise this year. Everyone keeps asking me about them and the phone rings off the hook.

Lin Shih-yu
Toucheng Township farmers’ association
This advertisement will definitely increase guava sales by 30% to 40%.

This year, the local farmers’ association held a guava tasting competition, with the highest sweetness level tested reaching 12 degrees on the Brix scale. They’ve also developed guava soft serve and chewy jelly. Sales of guava previously were slow, with 500 boxes sold over three years. Now, business is booming, with over 1,000 boxes sold annually. Thanks to a collaborative marketing, its popularity has exploded and more than 7,000 kg have been sold.

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

#guava #fruit #yilan #agriculture #lovely

2025-09-23

Conscript left with ‘deep hole’ in head during marksmanship training

2025-09-23

Rains and winds from Typhoon Ragasa batter Taitung

Taitung called off work and classes on Tuesday as Typhoon Ragasa brought heavy rains and strong winds to the area. Damage is being reported all over the county, with roofs being blown off buildings, fences toppling and waves hurling driftwood onto city streets. Rivers, such as the Taimali, have surged, putting locals on high alert for flooding.

The river gushes forward with force, its water level almost overflowing the embankment. Rains are battering Taitung, putting the residents of Bulibolisan Village on high alert.

Chang Chen-ming
Bulibolisan resident
If it surges a little more, it will overflow. It’s really scary.

Chuang Fu-cheng
Bulibolisan chief
The Taimali River has surged, it’s extremely dangerous. There are patrol crews and disaster prevention teams monitoring the situation.

Typhoon Ragasa did not make landfall in Taiwan, but its outer bands have brought heavy rains and strong winds, especially in Taitung.

Betty Chou
FTV reporter
It’s been raining quite heavily in Taitung, with tall waves crashing against the coast, and scattering driftwood all the way here.

Heavy winds also toppled a metal fence near the Taitung Sugar Factory.

A tornado-like wind also blew the metal roofing of several buildings right off at Aljungic Village at 2 a.m. 10 households were affected.

Resident
Aljungic Village
At 1:40 there wasn’t any wind or rain. Then I suddenly heard a noise, as if a plane were about to take off. The windows were shaking.

Resident
Aljungic Village
It was really a tornado. The moment it arrived, it wrecked it all, ripping the roofs of buildings. My ceiling also came crashing down. I didn’t dare fall asleep.

The storm has dealt a heavy blow to farmers of Taitung’s famous sugar apples.

Farmer
Sugar apple farm
The ones that are ripening, or buds that are blooming, and the little fruits… they all got snapped by the typhoon. They won’t re-grow after they break.

Farmers say losses are hard to calculate at this point. But had the typhoon not missed Taiwan, the damage could’ve been much worse.

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

#ragasa #taitung #river #swell #surge #typhoon #storm #rain #sugarapple

2025-09-23

High school girls file lawsuit against harassers over Lai photos

2025-09-23

TSMC’s massive presence in Arizona builds chip ecosystem

TSMC’s US$165 billion planned investments in the US state of Arizona is taking off, encouraging its Taiwan business partners to follow in its footsteps. A clear indicator being that the upcoming Semicon West will be held in Arizona, Phoenix for the first time in around five decades. In Taiwan, TSMC stocks also rallied on Tuesday to yet another record-high.

TSMC so far intends to invest a total of US$165 billion in the US, which is over NT$5 trillion. The massive FDI has mobilized its suppliers to follow suit. That, coupled with US President Donald Trump’s sticks-and-carrots approach of subsidies for key industries and tariffs for foreign countries, incentives are being created for Taiwan businesses to invest in the US.

Simon Wang
TAITRA president
Taiwan and the United States share close and mutually beneficial relationship. Our industries complement each other.

Karin Lang
AIT Acting Director
It is really hard to overstate the importance of trade with Taiwan. [It] will expand not only TSMC’s capacity and operations but will really deepen the overall partnership between the United States and Taiwan.

Taiwan became the US’ 7th-largest trading partner in 2024, with bilateral trade reaching US$16.86 billion for a 24.2% annual growth. On Tuesday, Taiwan’s foreign trade council TAITRA held its annual US Business Day to promote bilateral trade and investment, and up to 17 US state offices were present at the event.

AIT Acting Director Karin Lang appears to light up when she passes by Arizona’s spot. She mentions having met with a delegation from Arizona at Semicon Taiwan earlier this year. TSMC’s investments in Arizona is putting the desert state on the map.

Steve Hsu
Arizona-Taiwan Trade & Investment Office
A great milestone was reached between 2024 and 2025. Then, TSMC only had one fab in Arizona, so their suppliers weren’t ready to invest just yet. But if there’s going to be 8 fabs in the future in Arizona, then suppliers will have to make a quick decision. We’ve convinced many TSMC suppliers to invest in Arizona. You can see very clearly this year that the entire supply chain of TSMC is getting in on the action.

The Arizona trade official mentions that Semicon West will be held for the first time in the state capital Phoenix this October, whereas past editions, for around five decades, has always been held in San Francisco, California. He says it’s an indicator that TSMC has successfully built a semiconductor ecosystem in Arizona.

Steve Hsu
Arizona-Taiwan Trade & Investment Office
It’s really a huge turning point. In the next six years, it will be held alternately in San Francisco and Phoenix. After the six years have passed, it’ll basically only be held in Phoenix. You’ll see a huge agglomeration effect here.

It’s also rumored that 15 of TSMC’s US-based clients have now begun designing 2nm chips, predominantly used to power AI. Signs of TSMC playing a leading role in the US has brought the price of its shares to a record-high NT$1,340, up NT$45 from the day prior.

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 #US #business #TSMC #investment

2025-09-23