Contestant in viral game show volunteers in flood-stricken Guangfu

Contestant in viral game show volunteers in flood-stricken Guangfu

2025-09-30

Many people all over the country have lent a helping hand to flood-stricken Guangfu Township in Hualien, by shoveling large amounts of leftover debris. Whether on their own or with a group, well-known or not, they’re all trying to do their bit in speeding up the township’s recovery.

This man volunteering to help shovel mud is a Taiwan resident from the UK, known publicly by his Chinese name Li Dafeng. He recently became widely known for participating in the viral “Who Speaks the Best Mandarin in Taiwan” game show on YouTube, after 8 years in the country.

Li is pictured shoveling a thick layer of mud in a Guangfu home. He and his wife both volunteered to help clean up the flood-stricken neighborhood.

Li Dafeng
UK immigrant
I realized that the Taiwanese have strong solidarity. It makes me so touched to see this. The Taiwanese really are good people.

Apart from Li, there was another foreign-born resident volunteering at the venue.

Volunteer
Austrian immigrant
I have a friend in Hualien. My friend told me that some of his friends and their families were affected, so I decided to volunteer. It makes me so sad. It’s so unfortunate what happened to the people living here. At the same time I admire them so much, because everyone I’ve met have been so friendly.

The man moved to Taiwan from Austria five years ago and now works in the fintech industry. He travelled here by himself all the way from Taipei hoping to do his bit to help Guangfu Township recover. Meanwhile, there’s also another group of foreigners, each with a shovel in hand to help clean up the debris.

Even though the work is far from easy, they all seem to find joy in it, even singing while shoveling. The netizen that posted this video said that her father had recorded this video from their home, and that thanks to them, they’re making swift progress in cleaning up the mud. It was also revealed that the group of volunteers is affiliated with the Tzu Chi Foundation.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#guangfu #hualien #flooding #cleanup #中文怪物

真愛台灣! 在台外籍人士"鏟子超人" 投入光復鄉救災

2025-09-30

花蓮光復鄉大街小巷、民宅內，各處佈滿淤泥，來自各地的好心民眾，化身鏟子超人幫忙，其中也包括在台外籍人士。現場也直擊一名奧地利人動手清理淤泥，還有一群外國籍志工，也來幫忙，讓災民開心地說"家裡清理進度大超前"，就連"中文怪物"爆紅的台灣女婿李大豐，也和妻子一起到現場幫忙。

日前參加"中文怪物"爆紅的「台灣女婿」李大豐，從英國來台8年，這次花蓮災情，他也化身"鏟子超人"。

站在民宅內，眼前厚厚一層淤泥，李大豐拿著鏟子動手開挖，和妻子一起挺進光復鄉鏟泥。

[[中文怪物"台灣女婿" 李大豐]]
“發現就是台灣人非常團結，看他們就覺得很感動，台灣人真的很善良的一個民族”

前往救災的外國人也不只有他，現場還看到一名奧地利人。

[[奧地利人]]
“我在花蓮有朋友，然後朋友跟我說，他一些朋友、家人也是被影響到的，所以我們說好，我來到這邊當志工。感到很悲傷，我覺得這邊的人很可憐，同時我就很佩服他們，因為我覺得不管我碰到哪個人，他們都很熱情”

來台5年的奧地利男子，從事金融科技業，特別從台北下來，希望為花蓮光復鄉盡一份心力。還有一群外籍人士，同樣拿鏟子來到重災區民宅內，幫忙清理淤泥。

每個人戴手套、穿雨鞋，滿身泥，但樂在其中、唱起歌來，原PO說，爸爸從災區傳這可愛的影片，說今天家裡清理進度大超前！據了解這群外籍人士，似乎是慈濟志工。

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Three third-graders from Yilan Elementary entered the 2025 International Exhibition for Young Inventors held last month in Osaka with this “creative multifunctional bottle.” It stood out in their category of “convenience” items invented by children under 14. But looking back on the process, they recalled quite a few challenges.

Pan Hao-ching
Yilan Elementary student
We really spent a lot of time drawing these blueprints. And before the competition, since we had to print a lot of things, we kept the 3D printer going for 20 or 30 hours straight.

Despite their young age, they also have no problem introducing the product in fluent English. But the lengthy English description also gave them no small amount of trouble.

Chen Yen-hsin
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When answering questions from the judges, they had to understand the questions and give accurate responses. This was the harder part, testing the children’s ability to adapt.

Young inventors from 15 different countries participated in this year’s competition. Taiwan delivered an outstanding performance overall, winning eight gold medals—the most of any country.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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Foreign Minister Lin the first to formally represent Taiwan at Warsaw Security Forum

For the first time ever, a Taiwanese foreign minister has delivered a key note speech at the Warsaw Security Forum, the most influential forum in Central and Eastern Europe., showing Taiwanese diplomacy is making inroads in Europe. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said Taiwan and Europe shared a threat from authoritarian regimes like China and Russia and called for cooperation, saying Taiwan could help Europe to expand its industrial capabilities through leveraging the island’s strengths in the semiconductor and electronics industries.

The host introduces Lin Chia-lung on the stage as “Minister of Foreign Affairs from Taiwan.” Lin had just visited Austria in mid-September, a first for a high-ranking Taiwanese official. Now, in another new breakthrough, he was invited to speak at the Warsaw Security Forum, which is organized by a Polish foundation, in his capacity as foreign minister.

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As an indispensable member of the international community, Taiwan is a reliable partner that plays a vital role in enhancing resilience in trusted global supply chains.

His speech was centered around rebuilding global democratic supply chains. Lin pointed out directly that China, Russia, Iran and North Korea have formed an "axis of instability," challenging the international order.

Lin Chia-lung
Foreign Minister
China is largely seen as the decisive enabler behind Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As a result, democracies around the world must act in concert to counter the existential and systemic threat.

He also warned that just as Europe faces the threat of "hybrid warfare" from Russia targeting critical infrastructure, Taiwan faces similar challenges from China.

Lin Chia-lung
Foreign Minister
China continues to employ gray zone tactics, cyber attacks, disinformation campaigns and military exercises in an attempt to undermine people’s trust in the government.

Lin emphasized that precisely because Taiwan and Europe face the same authoritarian threat, they should join hands and work together. Taiwan can help Europe expand its industrial strength and innovative capabilities.

Lin Chia-lung
Foreign Minister
It is high time for Europe to stand with Taiwan to forge a robust coalition for our shared values and halt expansion of authoritarian regimes. Taiwan is ready to work with Europe.

The Warsaw Security Forum is currently the most influential security and foreign policy dialogue platform in Central and Eastern Europe. It is also an annual security event for Europe in general. It was the first time for Taiwan’s foreign minister to speak at the forum. In addition, on the event’s official website, Lin was described as a speaker who is the “Minister of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan” showing the inroads Taiwan is making in European diplomacy.

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What it takes to be a Taiwan National Day usher

For the 41st consecutive year, students from Ming Chuan University have been chosen to serve as ushers for Taiwan’s National Day celebrations. This year’s team features 15 students who spent months honing their skills through intensive training. Beyond their professionalism and warm hospitality, a few of the ushers have drawn attention for their striking resemblance to celebrities and sport stars—including Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani. FTV reporter Stephany Yang has the story!

Dressed in red qipaos and suits paired with blue ties, The National Day ushers from Ming Chuan University made their official debut with a dazzling dance performance.

They also introduced themselves fluently in English, Japanese, Korean, and Taiwanese, and demonstrated how to guide guests in case of emergencies. The members include several celebrity lookalikes. Male team leader Feng Jen-yuan, who stands at 188 cm and has a radiant smile, is said to resemble Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani. Another member, Cheng Yung-an, has been said to bear a resemblance to South Korean actor Ji Chang-wook.

Feng Jen-yuan
National Day usher
Last year, I was honored to be told I resemble Mr. Shohei Ohtani. Over the past year, I’ve embraced his spirit of discipline and unwavering dedication. For this year’s National Day ceremony, I hope to bring warmth and exceptional service to the distinguished officials and guests.

Cheng Yung-an
National Day usher
I am majoring in international business and trade program. The reason why I joined this club was because I saw these beautiful people and they all looked very professional and after training, they became very good at a lot of skills. For example, public speaking, posturing and even global etiquette. That is what attracted me to join this club. We are well-trained and we have weekly training. Our daily training basically includes everything.

National Day is soon approaching. This year, 15 talented students will take the stage at the official celebration, greeting distinguished guests with poise and warm smiles. The national day users have undergone rigorous training—from language skills and crisis response to etiquette and physical conditioning such as standing against a wall to correct posture. For Huang Hui-chen, who is participating as an usher for the first time, the experience has been challenging and rewarding.

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The second year is different from the first year because I have the first year experience. I have become stronger to face different situations. For training time, we stand and do some posture and speaking because this time we will have a different service place than last year so we improved our speaking skills, like English speaking skills, and also figure some problems or situations used in English.

For 41 consecutive years, Ming Chuan University has taken part in the National Day celebration, showcasing Taiwan’s warmth and hospitality to the world.

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Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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A public memorial service is held for celebrated doctor Hsu Chao-pin

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Family members in this church bow their heads, quietly listening to the speaker who is recounting the life of Hsu Chao-pin and honoring his legacy. Hsu, a celebrated doctor who set up the South-Link Medical Foundation Clinic, passed away on Sept. 19 from nasopharyngeal cancer at the age of 58. A public funeral was held on Tuesday. It was attended by not only relatives and friends, but also many from the public.

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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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