Father and son indicted in African swine fever case

Father and son indicted in African swine fever case

2026-02-25

Officials have concluded an investigation into an African swine fever cluster that broke out late last year in Taichung. An elderly pig farmer and his son in Wuqi District have been indicted in the case. They are accused of falsifying the number of pigs that died on their farm and allowing pigs with an infection risk to be auctioned off. They were also accused of uploading old photos to mislead people that they had been properly processing the kitchen waste fed to their pigs. Let’s hear more.

Lee Yu-pei
Taichung District Prosecutors’ Office
The two defendants surnamed Chen are under suspicion of violating the Criminal Code, including using falsified business documents, fraud for financial gain and other offenses under the Waste Disposal Act. A public prosecution has been initiated. The two defendants did not process kitchen waste as required for feed, and resold kitchen waste illegally. They uploaded old photos to the system and made false declarations to evade supervision. During the outbreak, they concealed the number of pigs that had died. Their actions were continued and premeditated, demonstrating serious malicious intent. We request the court to impose the maximum sentence to serve as deterrent.

Mr. Chen
Pig farmer
I’m so old already, 87 years old. I was locked up for three months already. I almost died then. Now they want to give me a heavy sentence? Am I going to get locked up until I die? I’ll only go if they arrest me.

The father was released on a NT$300,000 bail in late December last year due to illness. Back then he had protested that him and his son were innocent. But prosecutors have determined that they both disregarded national epidemic prevention regulations and violated the Waste Disposal Act, while also engaging in fraud and forgery. Prosecutors are seeking the heaviest sentence for the two men.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#pig #asf #africanswinefever #waste #publichealth

台中非洲豬瘟案起訴! 87歲豬農父喊冤:要把我關到死嗎?

2026-02-25

台中非洲豬瘟案偵結起訴，梧棲區案發場豬農父子，涉嫌拿舊照片反覆上傳蒸煮系統，隱匿死豬數量，甚至把有染疫風險豬隻，送往市場拍賣，遭檢方痛批惡性重大，求處重刑。

[[台中地檢署襄閱主任檢察官李毓珮]]
“認定陳姓被告二人分別涉犯刑法，行使業務登載不實文書，詐欺取財及廢棄物清理法等罪嫌，提起公訴。被告二人長期未落實廚餘蒸煮，並違法轉售廚餘，再以上傳舊照，及不實申報規避監管，且於疫情期間，隱匿豬隻死亡數量。(被告)行為具持續性與計畫性，主觀惡性重大，建請法院均予從重量刑，以示懲儆。”

[[案發場豬農]]
“我就這麼老，87歲了，還被關了3個月才放回來，關到差點死掉。又要判重刑，是要關到死去嗎?他們要來抓我才要去。”

梧棲區案例場豬農父子檔，去年12月底因生病先行30萬交保的豬農父親，為自己和兒子喊冤叫屈。但檢方認定豬農父子兩人罔顧國家防疫安全，依違反廢棄物清理法、詐欺及偽造文書等罪名提起公訴，並建請法院從重量刑。

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Hualien opens first national reading room for kids on east coast

The recently opened Picture Book Reading Room in Hualien’s Cultural and Creative Industries Park is the first national-level facility on the east coast dedicated to family storytelling. Here, children and their parents can enjoy a space where they can read, watch performances, and engage in interactive activities together. The room has more than 3,000 books suitable for all ages, so parents and children alike can experience the joys of reading.

Children flip through picture books, reading the stories on their pages, while another group colors with colored pencils. This is Hualien’s Picture Book Reading Room, the first national-level facility dedicated to reading aloud in Taiwan.

Over here, a teacher plays around with some kids in his class. The reading room also has storytime with parents, plays to watch, and crafting, giving kids a comfortable place to explore.

Parent
There are lots of books to read suitable for her age. Libraries are very quiet, but here, it seems like you can read out loud for them and won’t bother anyone.

Parent
It’s comfortable. Over there there are some interactive activities. Sometimes we’ll do that.

The reading room has more than 3,000 books categorized in 13 major themes, including nature and life, health and movement, emotions and relationships, and imagining the future—plenty for both children and adults to enjoy.

Teacher
Here we guide children through books so they can experience the joy of reading. And with reading games, they can experience more possibilities that reading can bring. Every time I interact with children, I get so much in return.

Wu Shih-wen
Park operations
Here in Hualien we face the Pacific Ocean to the east, so it’s like we’re standing at a gateway to the world. That’s why we decided to open a national-level children’s reading room here in Hualien. In our daily lives, we encounter many problems and difficulties, but picture books can give kids inspiration.

Here, children can not only read to their hearts’ content, but also engage their hands and minds to unleash their creativity, giving families a fun destination to explore together.

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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A glimpse of the ultra-exclusive luxury Taozhu Garden residence

The public recently got a rare glimpse into the interior of Taozhu Garden, a luxury residential complex that’s known for its eye-watering prices. The inside look at the exclusive helix-like high rise in Taipei’s Xinyi District shows there are over 6,000 square meters of trees and shrubbery that are regularly tended to by professional arborists, and there’s also an elevator that is able to transport supercars and ambulances to each floor. The developers aren’t mincing their words when they say the residences are only available to the elite. A spokesperson said they want prospective buyers to have a good social image, as well as to come from the top of the pyramid of industry and commerce. Only one residence has been sold thus far. Despite the low number, the developers are hopeful. Let’s find out more.

There’s a babbling stream as fish swim around freely. The helix-shaped luxury residential high rise Taozhu Garden has opened to the public for the first time.

Tang Shih-ching
FTV reporter
Taozhu Garden is an ecological garden that took three years to build. Filled with birdsong and blooming flowers, it features a massive 10-meter-high waterfall. The air throughout the garden is clean and fresh, and the forested area spans 6,612 square meters.

The waterfall cascades into the pond, creating a beautiful scene with the koi. The ecological garden houses 23,000 trees and shrubs. Each one has its own unique QR code that acts like a digital health record, making it convenient for arborists to perform regular check-ups.

Chan Feng-chun
Arborist
As an arborist, I come here about two or three times a month. We usually have tree care technicians on site to manage the trees. They will conduct regular checkups based on our health reports we prepare for each species of tree.

This 500-year-old Buddhist pine is pruned once a year. No pesticides are used and it is cared for manually in a harmonious coexistence with nature.

Accompanied by the automatic piano, the air is filled with bursts of hinoki fragrance, relaxing mind and body. The art gallery and the ecological courtyard alone cost NT$500 million to build.

Tang Shih-ching
FTV reporter
Supercars and ambulances travel along the B1 driveway, then drive directly into this multifunctional car elevator, which can carry up to 4.5 tons. They are then transported to the residents on each floor.

The extra-large driveway is right next to a 25m-long swimming pool. The grand and luxurious rooftop banquet hall allows you to pull down the projector screen, perfect for a sing-along. Step out onto the balcony and Taipei 101 is right in front of you, offering a 270-degree panoramic view befitting a NT$1.8 billion residence.

Vivian Cheng
BES Engineering
On average, we have five to six groups of qualified prospective buyers coming in every week. We hope to sell two to three residences this year. We prioritize a good social image and strong sense of corporate social responsibility. Of course they must come from industrial and commercial sectors at the top of the pyramid.

With a starting price of NT$3 million per ping, which is 3.3 square meters, and strict eligibility checks, Taozhu Garden is both generating buzz and pushing the boundaries of the luxury housing market.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#Taiwanelite #luxuryhousing #elitelifestyles #luxury #billionaire

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Taipei ready to host tug of war world championships

The Tug of War Indoor World Championships are coming to Taiwan for the first time next month. The sporting event will take place at the Taipei Arena for four days starting March 12. Local athletes say they are ecstatic that their friends and family will be able to watch them compete and cheer them on without having to travel abroad. With the competition just around the corner, one of the biggest challenges for the men’s team came up this Lunar New Year. That’s because they each had to lose between 10kg and 15kg ahead of the competition. Let’s hear more.

Cheng Peng-wen
Tug of war athlete
In the men’s team we had to lose between 10kg and 15kg each. We only had three days off during the break, so we barely had the chance to have a meal with our families. We’re ready to keep the championship title in Taiwan.

Tien Chia-jung
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Our friends and family will finally be able to watch us compete in the world cup, and see what we’re doing in this sport. They won’t be just cheering for us in front of the TV.

Lee Yang
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We at the ministry hope to become the strongest support for our athletes, coaches and support team. We’re thrilled that Taiwan is hosting a competition as large as the world championships. We hope that everyone can head over to the stadium to cheer for our athletes.

The launch ceremony for the competition featured an act by the Jingmei Girls High School marching band. That’s no coincidence, as the women’s tug of war team is composed mainly of graduates from the school. The women’s team has dominated the sport, winning gold an unprecedented six times in a row at the World Games. This year’s competition in Taipei is expected to attract 150 teams from 15 countries, totaling more than 1,000 participants. Though the pressure is high competing at home, the Taiwanese teams are hoping to make it to the top.

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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Shop owners badgered by raggedy ‘God of Wealth’

During the Lunar New Year, it’s common to see people dressed as deities going door to door for donations. But on Tingzhou汀洲 Road in Taipei, a series of strained encounters with the God of Wealth has sparked complaints. According to local business owners, a man in a raggedy costume showed up at their shops, ringing a bell in one hand to pressure shop owners to make a donation. Those who refused to pay were met with unrelenting bell ringing until they coughed up the cash. While some accept it as part of the Lunar New Year traditions, others wonder whether the whole practice is even legal.

A person in a lousy deity costume marches down the road. On one hand, a bell. On the other, a basket. The mission? Begging for alms. But something’s not right.

Shop owners say it’s quite traditional for the God of Wealth to show up during the Lunar New Year. But if he comes, he better had made an effort to look good, instead of looking a mess and badgering businesses. That’s right, if you don’t give this one money, he’ll stay at your door making a racket with his bell.

Wu Wen-yi
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The shabby God of Wealth came down here on Tingzhou Road, asking shops on both sides for money.

Member of public
Would give cash
If they’re begging for alms, I give them. It’s a Taiwanese tradition.

Member of public
Would not give cash
At this time we aren’t doing so well, so we wouldn’t give him money. We can barely feed ourselves. If he just stood there, we’d pay him no mind.

It’s quite common to see people dressing up as deities to ask for donations over Lunar New Year. Some people are willing to cough up the cash. But others are concerned that it’s all a scam. Is this really a traditional custom? Or just a modern-day cash grab?

Liao Ta-yi
Folklore expert
Back in the day, information wasn’t widely accessible, and living conditions weren’t as good. Temple committees would appoint people to take out baskets with incense to collect donations from the public. With the passing of time, some people dress up as deities, but we can’t know if they are legitimate or not.

So is it for real? Or is everyone getting duped? Experts say that such behavior is unlikely to constitute as fraud. But if the visitor won’t take no for an answer, it could be illegal.

Lee Yu-sheng
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If a person begs for money in a public place and refuses to stop after being told off, they would be in violation of the Social Order Maintenance Act. If their begging involves forcing a shop to give them money, they may even be guilty of the crime of coercion under the Criminal Code.

So if you encounter a deity on the street, don’t be shy to refuse to give them cash if you don’t want to. If the situation escalates, you can always call the police to spirit them away.

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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