KMT and TPP Chairs meet to discuss cooperation for 2026

KMT and TPP Chairs meet to discuss cooperation for 2026

2025-11-19

The chairs of the opposition KMT and TPP held a meeting on Wednesday, to discuss matters ahead of the 2026 local elections. The four key points on the agenda were about consolidating forces in the opposition, cooperation, electoral strategy and areas for collaboration. Let’s hear what they discussed.

Cheng Li-wun
KMT Chair
I have always hoped that 1 + 1 is greater than 2. Healthy competition allows everyone to make the biggest efforts to demonstrate their talents.

Huang Kuo-chang
TPP Chair
Do we in the TPP hope to get the chance to govern locally? Of course we do, we would like that very much. I hope to be the better choice. I am someone who prioritizes the bigger picture, looking beyond personal interests for the greater good.

Hou Yu-ih
New Taipei Mayor
When it comes to cross-party cooperation, the most important thing is having shared principles and ideas. Cooperation must produce tangible results for the people. Otherwise it’s meaningless and just for show.

Both parties say they intend to cooperate and have established direct channels of communication to make preparations ahead of the November elections. But it seems that not everyone is on board, including New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih. Both parties want to avoid a repeat of 2024, where talks of cooperation resulted in a rift. But with so many potential points of disagreements, whether an alliance will actually form remains to be seen.

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

#election #politics #taiwanpolitics #kmt #tpp #國民黨 #民眾黨

藍白黨魁會面談2026合作　黃國昌：若非男主角不會扯後腿

2025-11-19

藍白兩黨主席今天登場，對談聚焦四大主軸，包含在野如何整合力量、合作必要性，以及2026地方選舉的佈局與策略，尋找合作空間。

[[國民黨主席鄭麗文]]
"麗文一向希望1+1大於2，良性的競爭都能用最大的努力，展現自己所有的長才"

[[民眾黨主席黃國昌]]
"台灣民眾黨想不想要，有地方執政的機會，老實說當然想非常想，我希望讓自己成為更好的選擇，但我同時也說了，黃國昌是一個以大局為重的人，如果男主角不是我，千萬不用擔心黃國昌會扯後腿"

[[新北市長侯友宜]]
"政黨跟政黨的合作，最重要你要有共同的理念跟想法，合作是要做出人民有感的成績，不然的話合作只是一個表象，意義是不大的"

雖然都說要合作，還決定由幕僚建立直接管道，加速政策整合和選戰應對，不過看在新北市長侯友宜眼裡，忍不住潑冷水。藍白兩黨不想重蹈2024惡夢，但卻涉及兩黨各方利益，能否成功，依舊充滿變數。

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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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Company donates themal shirts to social workers and rescuers

As winter arrives, falling temperatures affect rescue personnel and social workers who often have to brave the cold to help those in need. A major clothing brand partnered with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of the Interior to donate 15,000 thermal shirts to these unsung heroes.

The Minister of Health and Welfare accepts a thermal shirt, one of 15,000 that a famous clothing company donated to social workers and rescue personnel to help them continue their brave work, even in the cold winter.

Hsu Chiao-sheng
Search-and-rescue team leader
Our usual missions involve flying from sea level to mountains over 3,000m high. When the temperature drops too fast, our bodies lose heat, and our hands and feet get cold. This makes it hard to do our jobs, because our movements become stiff and sluggish.

Whether these first responders are flying to mountains or foreign countries, if they can’t stay warm in the cold, they can’t do their job as efficiently. Taiwan is lucky to have around 20,000 social workers and 5,000 search-and-rescue personnel, but only 15,000 thermal shirts were donated.

Shih Chung-liang
Minister of Health and Welfare
It’s terrible. We only have 15,000 shirts, but 20,000 social workers. Suddenly it seems like these numbers don’t match up. We have 20,000 social workers and I hope that all of them will get a shirt. If there aren’t enough, we’ll buy more.

Wu Tang-an
Deputy Minister of the Interior
I remember that we also have community volunteers. I’ll check the numbers when I go back and report back to you.

To provide the best support for social workers and rescuers, it’s important that all of them can stay warm. This clothing company wants to make that happen.

Pan Yu-lin
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As soon as we heard the minister raise this request, we immediately spoke with our COO in Taiwan. We will do our best when we get back, and I really hope that we can provide 5,000 more shirts for other social workers who need them.

Through this donation, the ministry and clothing company hope that first responders can stay warm during their missions in the cold winter months. Clothing is not just something to wear, but a symbol of care and support for the community.

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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Vandalizer faces 2-year sentence for graffiti on highway signpost

A graffiti on a highway sign near Taichung High Speed Rail Station has left many motorists scratching their heads. That’s because the "street artwork" is located at a height of 5m above a busy road. While some wonder how the vandalizer got up there, many others are simply angry that the information on the sign was painted over. Police are tracking down the creator of the graffiti, who could face up to 2 years in prison.

Look up at the signpost near the Taichung High Speed Rail station in Wuri, and you might see this graffiti of a large flower.

It really is quite huge! But what’s even more unbelievable is how the "graffiti artist" could even get up there.

- It’s so high up. You might wonder how they got up there!
- It must’ve been at night. There has to be a way.

It’s 5m above ground, to be exact, much more than one story high. How could someone possibly climb up there?

- Don’t you wonder how they even got up there?
- Yeah. I was wondering how they did.
- How long has the graffiti been there?
- Quite a while. Maybe 2 to 3 weeks.

Member of public
Outraged at stunt
It’s ridiculous. It burdens others. When drivers like us are there, we can’t see the sign clearly. It’s deliberate vandalism.

They most likely reached the top by climbing up the pole on the side, and made the graffiti standing on the platform strip. This signboard at a busy juncture near the high speed rail station could seriously jeopardize road safety. As such, the Wuri District Office has since had the vandalized piece taken off to be replaced.

Liao Chiao-wen
Wuri District Office
We immediately notified the vendor in charge and have it taken down to be replaced, so as to make sure the signage stays clear and to uphold road safety.

Yang Ju-lu
Taichung City police
We will file a request to open an investigation with the Taichung District Prosecutors Office for the crime of vandalism.

Meanwhile, some netizens have also noticed a similar graffiti on a security shutter on Jingmao 2nd Road in Beitun, only in a different colorway. The police say they’ve narrowed down on certain individuals, who could face up to two years in prison for the offence.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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Tourists hope to preserve artistic driftwood along Taitung shore

Due to the large waves brought by Typhoon Fung-wong, the lawn next to the Taitung International Landmark is strewn with driftwood large and small. Each piece has a unique shape, and with the shore in the background, it’s become an instant sensation. Driftwood like this is usually cleared by the local government, but some tourists are saying they should leave it as is. The Taitung County Government said it would assess the possibility.

Piles upon piles of driftwood are strewn around this lawn, as tourists come by to snap pictures.

How is there so much driftwood here?
Where did it come from?

Due to the outer bands of Typhoon Fung-wong, waves brought lots of driftwood onto the lawn near the Taitung International Landmark. There are branches big and small, of every shape and kind. And with the rocky shore in the background, it’s suddenly become popular with tourists.

It’s like they’re arranged.
They have their own style, hey?
Yeah.

Tourist
They’re laid out nicely. It’s like it’s always been this way. Like this is how it originally looked.

Tourist
I also think it’s fine to clear it, since I’ve seen what it was like before, too.

Some travelers say that the driftwood looks like an art installation, while others think it’s a mess. Regulations classify driftwood as oceanic waste that can be picked up by the public or cleared by local authorities. But Taitung County said it has heard the people and will consider what to do.

Pu Min-cheng
Taitung tourism department director
The county government held a meeting last week. We’ve already asked a company to start clearing it. As for the public response, we will discuss what to do about more unique pieces of driftwood. If it really is special in some way, has a particularly beautiful appearance, we can handle it another way.

Whether to clear them or preserve particularly unique pieces, the Taitung County Government said it will conduct a thorough assessment.

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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Italian mayor seeks dialogue after pizza order controversy

Can you imagine an international incident that was caused by ordering pizza? Upset that a group of 16 Taiwanese tourists only ordered five pizzas, the owner of a restaurant in Italy filmed the encounter and posted it on social media. It sparked a massive backlash, prompting the Italian owner to quickly take the video down and post another one to apologize. The incident even escalated into a diplomatic affair, with the local mayor stepping forward to state that the owner had no malicious intent and was just seeking attention. He also expressed the hope to speak with Taiwan’s representative in Italy to resolve the dispute.

- Where are you from? China?
- Taiwan.
- Check this out! What a joke!

The owner of this Italian pizza restaurant swears on camera while recording an encounter with tourists.

Four pizzas. F*** that. I don’t give a damn.

The Taiwanese tourists, totally unaware they were being humiliated, thought it was a friendly interaction. They happily gave thumbs-up and replied, “Taiwan!”

Look at this. Amazing! Sixteen people and five pizzas. Taiwan.

Upset that the 16 tourists only ordered five pizzas, the owner took out his phone and started mocking them. He posted the video to his shop’s Instagram, where it was flooded with negative comments. The owner promptly took the video down and issued an apology.

Patrizio Pazzini
Restaurant owner
I want to apologize to everyone for the video I made, and I want to extend my apologizes to the people of Taiwan. This will not happen again. We Italians by nature like to joke around. I apologize once more to everyone. I love you, China. I love you, Taiwan.

Despite the apology, the backlash remained fierce. One person left a review of the restaurant on Google Maps explaining that Taiwanese typically share pizza, so it’s merely a cultural difference. Yet their attempt at rational dialogue was met with an expletive.

Hsieh Yi-jung
Italian-style restaurant owner
Having worked with Italian people for over a decade, I can suggest communicating with the owner that you plan to dine somewhere else shortly. Crucially, emphasize that you’ll leave immediately after finishing your meal so they can give the seat to another customer. I think Italians would be happy with that.

Uncle Jesse
Travel expert
In Italy, people are accustomed to ordering one pizza per person. If you really can’t finish it, then see if you can order drinks or appetizers, and ask the owner about a minimum purchase. When eating in Europe, the most basic etiquette is for each person to order a meal or a drink.

This encounter has even escalated into a diplomatic incident, with the local mayor stepping forward to say that the restaurant owner had no ill intent, he was just seeking attention, and his response was ill advised. He also said he wishes to speak with Taiwan’s representative in Italy to resolve the dispute.

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Kaohsiung mayor sports blue hair on social media to welcome K-pop group

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Fans have been lining up outside of this department store since 6am, eager to snap up limited-edition TWICE merch. Some even brought suitcases.

TWICE fan
We brought a suitcase because they won’t necessarily provide a shopping bag. So four or five of us can first cram all our stuff in here and deal with it later. I’ve basically already spent my NT$10,000 like this.

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Two Kaohsiung limited-edition Ts and a coin purse. I got here at 6am from Taoyuan.

The K-pop girl group TWICE is to perform this weekend at the Kaohsiung National Stadium. But it’s not just this pop-up shop. Many parts of the city will also light up blue this week to welcome them.

The banks of the Love River and the Kaohsiung Music Center shine in blue. Formosa Boulevard Station on the KMRT is also lit up, perfect for pictures. The Great Harbor Bridge displays the words “This is For,” the name of the group’s world tour, while rotating through the colors representing each of the nine members.

Mayor Chen Chi-mai is also welcoming TWICE to Kaohsiung with a new profile picture sporting blue hair and a lollipop. He even used fan-speak, saying that everyone is “Once,” meaning a fan of TWICE.

Chen Chi-mai
Kaohsiung Mayor
Right now we’re welcoming TWICE. Every one of us is a Once in Kaohsiung.

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It’s the first time TWICE is coming to Taiwan and Kaohsiung to perform. And Tzu-yu is Taiwanese. It’s like welcoming her home.

Member of public
By arranging these events, Kaohsiung is showing our city to people from around the world. I think it’s great.

From Thursday, the KMRT is also planning to play station announcements recorded by the nine members across the entire network. Fans will want to keep their ears open to hear their favorite members’ voices.

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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KMT suspends China-born party committee member for pro-PRC video

Ho Ying-lu, a China-born marriage migrant and KMT Central Standing Committee member was suspended on Tuesday, after a short video she made sparked outrage in Taiwan. In it, she wore a Mao Zedong T-shirt and called for imminent "unification" between Taiwan and China. She’s now crying foul at the KMT’s decision to suspend her, after she was blocked from attending a meeting at its headquarters. She has appealed her suspension.

The KMT’s China-born Central Standing Committee member, Ho Ying-lu cries foul for the party’s decision to suspend her from the post, after her controversial short video sparked outrage.

Ho said she will not accept the decision before getting it on paper. Later, she was called into an hour-long meeting with Central Disciplinary Committee Chair Chang Ya-ping, which apparently confirmed her suspension.

Ho Ying-lu
Suspended KMT central standing committee member
The immediate news release of the decision was really chilling. I feel really maligned. Our Central Disciplinary Committee Chair Chang Ya-ping told me not to attend the Central Standing Committee meeting today.

Jhan Jiang-cun
Taoyuan City Councilor (KMT)
She must be well aware, as a mainland Chinese marriage migrant, that she should be loyal to the ROC after marrying into Taiwan, and loyal to the KMT after joining the KMT.

Ho had posted a video on her Chinese TikTok page, in which she wore a Mao Zedong T-shirt and called for Taiwan to “return to the embrace of the motherland” and “achieve unification soon.” She’s suspended from her post for violating the KMT Charter.

Ho Ying-lu
Suspended KMT central standing committee member
I’ve given my money and efforts to the KMT. All I do is for the thousands and millions of people in Taiwan and on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Nothing I’ve said and done ever threatened anyone’s life or safety.

Ho has since appealed the decision.

Lin Chu-yin
Lawmaker (DPP)
This is a textbook example of dismissing a subordinate to save the face of the commander-in-chief. Your party chair Cheng Li-wun was the first to explicitly call on turning the Taiwanese Chinese. After the party chair made such a statement, a pawn of yours followed suit and charged head-on into the mission, but alas, was sacrificed unwillingly.

The DPP lawmaker derided the decision as double standards of the KMT.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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Nick Wilde the fox and Officer Judy Hopps the rabbit appear on stage, right in front of a plane decorated with a picture of Flash the sloth. This is not a movie premier with fans, but the debut of a new livery.

And it doesn’t end at the livery. The inside of the plane also got a makeover with headrest covers, welcome screens and snack packets all inspired by the upcoming sequel to“Zootopia.”

George Kao
China Airlines Chair
We’ll start by flying to Los Angeles and Ontario. Then, when there’s more time, we’ll add Bangkok, Tokyo and Osaka.

Chen Han-ming
China Airlines President
We were in talks with Disney for around six months, starting in about mid-March. The collab aligns with the film’s release and will last roughly half a year.

It’s the first time that a Taiwanese airline teams up with Disney, in a bid to win over family travelers. But collabs are relatively common. Japan Transocean Air is debuting a route between Taoyuan and Okinawa with whale-shark livery next year, and StarFlyer is launching a collaboration with South Korean boy band TXT so that fans can soar through the skies with their idols.

Brian
Plane ticket master
We’re seeing this trend in Taiwan and internationally. Competition is fierce and flying is not just about transport. Airlines are finding new ways to attract passengers, through co-branding and through partnerships with other industries. Both of these have become key strategies.

Airlines are going all-out, with new destinations, new liveries and new collaborations, to roll out new and better services to win over travelers.

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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