Association encourages support for bamboo farmers hit by Hualien flood

Association encourages support for bamboo farmers hit by Hualien flood

2026-03-11

The breach of the Mataian River barrier lake last year flooded Hualien’s Guangfu Township, inundating farmland. But there’s good news: It’s now harvest season for the area’s famous arrowhead bamboo shoots, and the quality is better than ever. Not only that, but market prices are higher this year at NT$400 to NT$500 per 600 grams, and farmers are predicting a more plentiful harvest. The local farmers’ association is planning events to promote the crop, and is calling on the public to support farmers hit by the disaster.

Fresh arrowhead bamboo shoots give this pork rib soup a richly enticing aroma.

Chiu Li-na
Chef
The arrowhead bamboo gives it a lightness, different from other types of bamboo shoots. If you want a classic flavor, the locals here love to make a soup with siraw, or pickled pork, and arrowhead bamboo.

But harvesting the delicate shoots isn’t easy.

Farmers have to climb on slippery mountain slopes to search among the dense bamboo grove for newly emerged shoots. Hualien farmers were hit hard by last September’s flood. Guangfu has 200 hectares of arrowhead bamboo groves that are ready for harvest every March and April. Abundant rainfall this year has not only encouraged growth, but has also enhanced their quality.

Chang Ming-fa
Local farmers’ association director
Many of the flood-afflicted areas and farmers who grow arrowhead bamboo are along the Seaboard Mountain Range. Disasters since the flood on Sept. 23 haven’t impacted arrowhead bamboo.

The local farmers’ association has developed new recipes that use arrowhead bamboo shoots, and is to host a banquet featuring the crop in the hopes of boosting consumption and generating more value for Guangfu agriculture.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#bambooshoots #arrowheadbamboo #Hualien #Guangfu #Guangfuflood #Mataian #naturaldisaster #agriculture #harvest #crops

花蓮光復鄉箭竹筍豐產! 農會號召支持災區農特產

2026-03-11

去年馬太鞍溪堰塞湖溢流，導致花蓮光復鄉農地一度遭到淹沒。不過好消息傳來，當地知名的箭竹筍正式進入採收期，不僅品質沒有受到影響，價格更衝上每斤4、500元高價。地方預估箭竹筍產量還會增加，農會也規劃了系列活動，號召民眾多多支持災區農特產品。

新鮮的箭竹筍搭配排骨燉湯，滿滿的筍香撲鼻而來，讓人食指大動。

[[烹飪民眾邱麗娜]]
“它吃起來有箭筍的清香，是別的筍子吃不到的，如果要吃最原味，這邊在地的鄉親，最喜歡用siraw（醃豬肉），加那個箭筍下去煮湯”

不過，細細小小的箭竹筍的採收，可大不容易。

筍農在濕滑的山坡上，小心前進，在茂密竹林中尋找剛冒出頭的箭竹筍。去年花蓮農業，因923淹水災情而受到重創，但光復鄉有200公頃箭竹筍產區，每年三、四月是主要採收季節，今年雨量充沛，箭竹筍不僅長得好，品質也更佳。

[[光豐農會總幹事張明發]]
“這次我們很多的災區，很多的我們的農友，他們種的箭竹筍，也都分佈在我們的海岸山脈，從我們的9月23日之後，這些災情，並沒有影響到我們的箭竹筍”

為了推廣在地農產，地方農會也利用新鮮箭竹筍開發特色料理，推出箭竹筍宴席，希望帶動消費，替光復鄉創造更多的農業價值。

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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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Driver faces license suspension, fine for blocking ambulance

An SUV was recently caught on video blocking an ambulance from passing on National Freeway No. 3 near Zhushan. Commenters online piled on the driver, calling them selfish and demanding action. Police said they haven’t received a formal report of the incident, but the driver might face a fine of up to NT$30,000, and could have their license and vehicle registration revoked.

An ambulance—siren blaring and lights flashing—tries to make its way down the inside lane of a highway, but it’s blocked by this SUV. It tries to signal for the driver to move out of the way, but nothing works. It ends up having to change lanes itself to overtake it.

Member of public
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If the ambulance were carrying someone in critical condition, blocking it like that would waste precious time needed to save their life.

This incident occurred in the southbound lane of National Highway No. 3 on the stretch between Zhushan and Douliu. Commenters on the video couldn’t believe how selfish the driver was.

- We’ll change the siren like this as a signal.

Another ambulance driver said that they will typically change the sound of the siren to alert drivers in front. But if the situation demands it, dashcam footage can be used as evidence.

Ambulance driver
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If the car ahead shows no sign of yielding, then you prioritize safety and maneuver around them if the adjacent lane is clear. But if they’re being intentionally malicious, then we’ll provide dashcam footage as evidence to report the driver.

Ambulances are often racing against the clock. Drivers who break traffic rules may be fined up to NT$30,000. They could also have their license revoked and vehicle registration suspended.

Tu Chao-wen
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Upon receiving a report, we will review the evidence. If a violation of Article 45, Paragraph 2 of the Road Traffic Act is confirmed, a citation will be issued.

Whether the driver in this case failed to yield intentionally or not, it is never OK to block an ambulance from passing. Every second is precious to the life carried inside. There’s no room for error.

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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Alishan bathed in color as 31 types of cherry blossom bloom

The 2026 Alishan cherry blossom season has officially begun! All 31 varieties of sakura in the park are set to bloom in succession throughout the next month. Flowers can already be spotted on the Taiwan cherry, Ryukyu bell-flower, Okame cherry, and tangshi varieties, while the highly anticipated Yoshino cherry is expected to start blooming by the end of the week. Be sure to see these mountain blossoms before they’re gone!

Actors dressed as divine beasts greet visitors to this mystical forest as they welcome the start of the 2026 Alishan cherry blossom season. Throughout the national park, delicate pink flowers have begun to dust the branches of the Taiwan and Okama cherry trees. Those hoping to see the famous Yoshino cherry blossoms will have to wait until later this week.

Tsai Hui-ying
Alishan Federation of Community Associations chair
The Yoshino cherries will start blooming around March 15 or so.

- I think Alishan is beautiful.

What makes Alishan’s cherry blossom season so magical is its length and variety. Starting in mid-March and continuing through the end of the month is time for the Yoshino cherries. Then in the first half of April, the Takasago and Kanzan varieties take over. But it has more than just sakura, too. The park also boasts primrose, magnolia, camellia, rhododendron, and wisteria.

Lee Ting-chung
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Alishan has 31 varieties of cherry blossom. We also estimate that the Taiwan pleione, wisteria, magnolia, and Yushan rhododendron will all bloom at the same time during these two windows.

No matter when you visit over this next month, you’ll be greeted by a completely different, but no less vibrant landscape. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to snap a picture of the blossoms as the Alishan Forest Railway chugs by. Don’t miss your chance to head up the mountain and catch the blossoms while they last!

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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Pear orchards face heavy loses due to temperature swings

Farmers are facing serious difficulties due to recent fluctuations in temperature. One pear orchard in Miaoli’s Dahu Township is struggling with false fruit sets, causing it to lose over 30% of its harvest. Because of large swings in temperature, flowers blossom but the fruit drops late or never fully develops. Farmers look at an orchard full of pear blossoms, but they may bear little to no fruit.

This 1,300-hectare pear orchard in Miaoli is in full bloom. Outsiders may find it beautiful, but farmers have little to smile about. Due to recent temperature swings, the pear trees may be flowering and the fruits may be setting, but they often never fully develop.

Tree branches are marked with yellow, red, or blue tape to indicate how many times farmers had to graft them. Grafting means attaching a small branch from one tree onto another so it can grow there and produce fruit. Some pear trees are failing to produce any fruit, even though they have been almost entirely grafted over again.

Pears are usually grafted after winter starts, with the work completed before spring. But with large temperature swings this year, the grafts haven’t been growing or pollinating properly. Normally shoots are bright green, but they turn yellow if the fruit is unhealthy.

Voice of pear farmer
Facing growing troubles
It loses the competition for nutrients and later falls off. In this case, the fruit stalk is more yellow. Normally it’s green.

Chiu Chun-yuan
Local village chief
Its roots begin to wake up when the temperature rises, but when the temperature suddenly drops, it returns to hibernation, so it loses its fruit.

Farmers say the grafts usually flower after 20 days, but this year it took over 30. And it’s not just in Dahu. Orchards in other Miaoli townships are also facing similar disasters. It’s expected that losses will reach the standard for natural disaster subsidies.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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Blooming wisteria flowers turn Ruili into magical sea of purple

A sea of bright purple wisteria flowers is engulfing Ruili, turning the area into a magical place to visit. The Chiayi County Government has officially kicked off the local wisteria festival, which this year is happening alongside the Taiwan Lantern Festival. But if the flowers and the vast lantern exhibition aren’t enough to convince you to head south, there are also plenty of other things to do in the county.

The wisteria festival is ushered in with the sweet melodies of “The Green Mountain” performed by Lily on the flute, merging classical and modern. Entertainer Okubo Mariko joined Chiayi County Commissioner Weng Chang-liang onstage to sing the praises of all the sights and highlights that Ruili has to offer.

Weng Chang-liang
Chiayi County Commissioner
I invite everyone to come to Chiayi and relax. Chiayi is the perfect place to unwind. There are so many people who come and fall in love with Chiayi.

Chiayi County is hosting the Taiwan Lantern Festival, which has attracted huge crowds to tour its vast exhibition space. After viewing the lanterns visitors can head up the mountains to taste tea and coffee, and stop by Ruili to dive into a sea of bright wisterias.

Weng Chang-liang
Chiayi County Commissioner
So many people have come to the lantern festival, it’s packed. Some people say the exhibition is so big that their legs got all sore. So to those people, I would recommend heading to Ruili to rest after the lantern festival.

Okubo has visited Ruili to take in the wisterias for many years in a row. Her secret to enjoying the place is spending the night in Ruili to see the sunrise and head up the mountains to drink exquisite high-mountain tea and coffee.

Okubo Mariko
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The wisteria are so full and dense, it’s so dreamy. What I like to do is finding a place to sit down and take in the blossoms.

About one third of the flowers are in bloom, meaning it will only get prettier in days to come. So, if you are looking for a colorful getaway, why not head down south to view the flowers at Ruili?

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Team Taiwan returns from Japan after concluding WBC

Taiwan’s national baseball team touched down at Taoyuan International Airport on Wednesday morning, having concluded their rounds at the World Baseball Classic. They were welcomed by Sports Minister Lee Yang as well as a legion of fans at the airport. Earlier, head coach Tseng Hao-jiu had announced that he and pitcher Chen Kuan-yu will be stepping down from the national team.

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This is Tsai Chi-chang. Next, I’d like Chieh-hsien, our captain, to give us a few words on behalf of Team Taiwan.

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Captain Chen Chieh-hsien thanked fans for their support. His teammates in the first-class cabin also appeared pleased.

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They did very well. At least we kept winning against Korea internationally. That’s the happiest of things.

No matter how the national team does, they can always count on the support from fans at home.

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Ex manager escorted from football game for cheering “go Taiwan’

Football fans were left with a bitter taste in their mouths, when they should’ve been celebrating Taiwan’s win over India at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup on Tuesday. Though Team Taiwan prevailed and won the match 3-1, a decision from organizers to ban cheers for Taiwan put a damper on the mood. During the game, a former national team football manager led the crowd in cheers of “Go Taiwan!” only to be asked to sit down. He refused to do so, and after several interventions he was escorted from the pitch. Organizers claimed the cheer carried a political message, but fans say it’s all just double standards, as fans for the other team were not stopped from cheering for India.

It’s Taiwan versus India at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. On the side, former national team manager Chen Kuei-jen leads the crowd to cheer “Go Taiwan!” But the excitement and sportsmanship was brought to a screeching halt, after organizers told Chen to sit down, saying that standing up was forbidden. But that rule didn’t seem to apply to the other team.

Organizers said that saying “Go Taiwan!” was a political message. After three warnings, Chen was kicked out.

Chen Kuei-jen
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I’m fine. I’m OK. I’ll keep watching over our football team, to help them qualify for the World Cup.

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The moment he stood up, security personnel would order him to sit down. During the half-time break, security staff asked him to go up, and there was a bit of a shuffle. They were 100% trying to oppress Taiwan. Double standards!

Australians watching the game took it upon themselves to continue leading the cheers for Team Taiwan. Somehow, that no longer bothered organizers.

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Security is very strict, and extends to cheers and flags and even symbols referring to Taiwan. You can’t bring any of those things in. But are these rules the same for everyone? If that’s the case, and they are in place to prevent conflict, then we respect the decision of the organizers.

But it appears that other teams were allowed to bring in flags, messages and symbols representing their country. It seems that once again, Taiwan was singled out.

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