Inaugural Mailiao Lantern Festival drew 200,000+ to Yunlin township

Inaugural Mailiao Lantern Festival drew 200,000+ to Yunlin township

2026-03-12

The seaside town of Mailiao in Yunlin County had a successful township-level lantern festival this year, held at local Social Education Park, which was only opened to the public last year. Over the past month, the inaugural Mailiao Lantern Festival drew more than 200,000 visitors to the township. On Sunday, the festival drew to a close with dazzling fireworks.

Dazzling fireworks by the sea. Adding to the festivity, the township office also held a lucky draw in which participants could take home prizes such as an iPhone 17 or a tablet.

This is Mailiao’s first-ever township-level lantern festival. With two main lanterns and AI-powered skylanterns as highlights, the festival attracted over 200,000 visitors from all over the country and generated over NT$100 million in revenue locally.

Hsu Chung-fu
Mailiao Township head
In just the first three days of the Lunar New Year alone, almost 200,000 came to Mailiao. The closing ceremony was attended by 5,000. Locals are more than happy to attend a lantern festival held in their township.

Mailiao Township Social Education Park, where the festival took place, was only inaugurated last year, but already, it’s won many international architectural awards. This Lunar New Year, the lantern festival gave locals an opportunity to fully appreciate the beauty of this public infrastructure.

Hsu Chung-fu
Mailiao Township head
There’s culture and there’s also beauty. Mailiao may be the stage of the lantern festival, but the international stage already has a star in our Social Education Park. Everyone brought their best foot forward to combine the beauty of our local architecture with the lantern festival. I believe it’s the best of both worlds.

With a successful start, the township office aims to make the lantern festival a landmark in local branding. For future editions, Mailiao is looking to incorporate innovative digital applications and local cultural references, to firmly put the seaside town on the map.

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 #yunlin #mailiao #lanternfestival #LNY

閃耀亮空! "麥寮燈節"閉幕煙火秀地方觀光品質大升級

2026-03-12

位在"風頭水尾"，雲林縣麥寮鄉，也有很強的"歡樂光"!鄉公所首度開辦，"麥寮燈節－幸福光語"，選在曾獲多項國際建築大獎的社教園區廣場，打造夜間光影饗宴，在8日晚間施放高空煙火秀之後，盛大閉幕。這次活動，有超過20萬人次到麥寮看燈，感受鄉城之美。

璀璨的高空煙火秀，點亮海岸的夜空。鄉公所也特別準備，包括iPhone 17、平板電腦等，多項人氣獎品，為摸彩增添歡樂與驚喜。

雲林麥寮鄉公所，首度開辦，麥寮燈節－幸福光語。活動期間，憑藉"首創雙主燈"，與"AI科技天燈"雙重亮點，成功吸引，全台超過20萬觀光人次賞燈，推估為麥寮，及外溢周邊鄉鎮，帶進約1億多元，經濟產值與商機。

[[雲林縣麥寮鄉長許忠富]]
“這次吸引，只有初一初二初三，將近二十萬人次來到麥寮，閉幕式五千人次來參加，在鄉下辦燈節，也是很多鄉親會來參與”

燈會所在地，麥寮社教園區，去年啟用以來，建築接連獲得國際大獎，這次讓遊客同享，公共建設美學成果!

[[雲林縣麥寮鄉長許忠富]]
“有文化，也有美學，燈會站在麥寮這個舞台，但是我們的社教園區，已經站上國際舞台，大家互相輝映，讓這個地方建築美學與燈會結合，這是最好的結合”

鄉公所把麥寮燈節，視為地方品牌升級的指標，未來將持續導入，創新數位應用，與文化行銷，突破"風頭水尾"的地理限制，期待明年再創觀光佳績。

更多新聞內容，請鎖定：
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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Newlyweds take inspiration from professions to hold CPR competition

A pair of newlyweds in Taichung made sure to have their special day, their very own. Taking inspiration from their respective professions—firefighter and nurse—they prepared a surprise CPR competition plus drinking game for guests at their lunchtime banquet. It may not be a conventional wedding ceremony, but it sure looked like a lot of fun.

Even though it’s only lunchtime, it looks like some people already had too many drinks. Or have they?

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To makes things more exciting, the CPR competition doubles as a drinking game. Before you say anything, yes, the newlywed couple wanted this.

The bride herself, wearing a white mermaid costume, also joined the competition.

- I honestly still have no idea what kind of event I’m hosting.

The unconventional wedding ceremony was held at the Taichung Folklore Park. The groom is a firefighter, while the bride is a nurse. They wanted to make their big day fun and memorable for guests, so they had the wedding team prepare this surprise event.

‘Mermaid Princess’
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My husband saw this game on Threads. We do have to perform CPR on our jobs sometimes, in cases when the patient needs emergency care, so we thought we’d throw a CPR competition. But everyone deliberately let us win, so my husband and I were first place.

A-chieh
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They had a traditional Ming Dynasty wedding ceremony. The groom rode on the back of his best man, as if he’s riding a horse, to enter the venue. Then we had the bride, the mermaid princess. We knew that the whole thing would be impressive, but were still absolutely stunned by the footage.

The newlyweds really gave all the guests something to remember, on their most special day.

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

#wedding #banquet #party #CPR #drinkinggame

2026-03-12

Thieves brazenly raid abandoned Pingtung college for scrap material

The private Yung Ta Institute of Technology and Commerce in Pingtung has been closed for over a decade, its empty campus becoming a paradise for thieves. Nearby residents said that five groups of a dozen or so people come and go from the campus 24-7, carting away metal windows and doors, air-conditioners, and other materials to resell. They don’t seem at all concerned about being caught, making lots of noise as they move things around in the middle of the night.

Vehicles drive by throughout the night, causing dogs to start barking. It’s unusual for a small country road like this to be so busy. Some are pushing carts, and others zip by on motorbikes, hauling piles of stuff.

Local resident
Disturbed by thieves
After dismantling things, they’ll drop it from upstairs and sort through it on the ground. It’s always at night. They’ll drive motorbikes with carts. This is the path they use.

Local resident
Disturbed by thieves
They’ll drop stuff at 1 or 2 in the morning. It makes such a loud bang. It happens all the time. The noise is really getting out of hand.

These people live behind the abandoned Yung Ta Institute of Technology and Commerce in Pingtung, which has become a target of thieves. For years, they’ve stripped away nearly all the windows, doors, air-conditioners, and metal frames. They don’t act like there’s anything to fear.

Local resident
Disturbed by thieves
They’ll drop things, and curse if it wasn’t dropped in the right spot, so brazenly, as though it were their job.

Local resident
Disturbed by thieves
At least five groups of people, about a dozen or so, have been stealing from here for years. The aluminum frames are the best option right now, along with some of the steel and stainless steel items. The ACs are still there, although the main unit is gone.

The college in Pingtung’s Linluo Township has been closed since 2014. The county government planned to buy it back in phases for NT$310 million, but the budget proposal stalled. With no one there to look after it, the campus has become a den of thieves.

Chen Shang-yi
Pingtung education official
The county hasn’t yet acquired property rights to the Yung Ta Institute’s Linluo campus, nor have the property rights been transferred. Therefore, the Yung Ta Institute is still the legal manager of the property.

Shih Wei-hsiang
Linluo Station chief
We have dispatched officers to investigate, reviewed surveillance footage from nearby cameras, and increased patrol frequency in the vicinity.

The thieves’ brazen attitude has led to sheer anarchy on this abandoned campus. The residents can’t stand the late-night noise any longer and fear it’s become a blind spot for law enforcement. They’re calling on the authorities to take decisive action and swiftly eliminate this den of thieves.

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

#thieves #abandoned #Pingting #scrapping #scrapmetal #YungTaInstitute #police #noise #distrubingthepeace #publicsafety

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Kinmen Ceramics Factory releases liquor bottle shaped like fire hydrant

As a way of promoting creative marketing along with the ceramic arts, the Kinmen Ceramics Factory collaborated with a liquor company to produce a fire hydrant-shaped bottle, meant to convey that “extinguishing” anger calms the mind. The factory manager said he got the idea because he used to be a firefighter. Not only that, but fire hydrants also have an uninterrupted supply of water. As water symbolizes wealth, it signifies hope for a boundless flow of prosperity.

Bottles of all shapes and sizes stand at attention in display cabinets. But hold on, why is this one here? Fire hydrants are supposed to be outside. This is actually a liquor bottle specially designed by the Kinmen Ceramics Factory.

Lin Wei-shang
Kinmen Ceramics Factory manager
We wanted to make a liquor bottle customized for a profession. Since I used to be a firefighter, we thought about how a firefighter might design a bottle. Fire hydrants play a crucial role in neighborhood safety by ensuring a continuous supply of water.

Looking to promote creative marketing along with the ceramic arts, the Kinmen Ceramics Factory designed this special liquor bottle shaped like a fire hydrant. The manager said the production team hopes that every product can convey a story and a feeling, beyond just functioning as a container. The factory has been producing more creative products in recent years, hoping they will get more use in people’s daily lives to showcase the charm of Kinmen craftsmanship in the home.

Lin Wei-shang
Kinmen Ceramics Factory manager
We plan to release another two products this year. One of them will be a tetrapod. Tetrapods brake waves to keep the shore peaceful. It also has another meaning. Since it resembles a rice dumpling, we plan to release it for Dragon Boat Festival. The other one is for Mid-Autumn Festival. We’ll release a moon cake bottle. We’re still developing both and negotiating with the Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor company.

Apart from making uniquely shaped liquor bottles, the factory said it plans to keep pushing creative boundaries by integrating Kinmen’s cultural heritage, lifestyles, and diverse aesthetics to develop ceramics rich in narrative and cultural value.

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

#ceramics #Kinmen #kaoliang #bottle #firehydrant #liquorbottle #design #firefighter #creative #KinmenCeramicsFactory

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Taiwan shares close down on Section 301 investigations

The US Trade Representative on Wednesday announced the launch of a series of investigations under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The List targets 16 trading partners, including Taiwan. The investigations could put heavy scrutiny over Taiwan’s semiconductor and electronics industries. The announcement has sent ripples through financial markets, sending Taiwan shares tumbling on Thursday after a rebound the day before. Taiwan’s Executive Yuan says it is in close communication with the US to ensure that Taiwan receives the best possible treatment. Let’s hear from a spokesperson.

Michelle Lee
Executive Yuan Spokesperson
The US notified us in advance before announcing the Section 301 investigations. Our government has been aware of and prepared for the relevant developments. Many of the issues that may be included in the investigation have already reached consensus within the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade framework. We believe that after the investigation process, the results will fully reflect the outcomes of previous negotiations and ensure that our country maintains its relative advantages and receives the best possible treatment without any compromise. Finally, the premier also added that past efforts will leave lasting and positive marks. Previous negotiations have already yielded results, and the US has used the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade as a foundation for responding to the upcoming Section 301 investigation.

It wasn’t all losses across the market. Pricy Aspeed shares surged by NT$440 to close at NT$10,495, but even that wasn’t able to save the broader market. Heavyweight stocks such as TSMC, Delta Electronics and Hon Hai all suffered major declines. Memory chip stocks and stocks in the financial and traditional industry also pulled back. The market ended the day closing down 532 points, at 33,581.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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Woman fined NT$30,000 for releasing bags of goldfish as prayer

A woman in New Taipei was so intent on wishing her mother good health that she’s taken the advice of a fortuneteller to release bagfuls of Shubunkin goldfish into the wild as prayer. She’s even documented her act—seven counts to be exact—on social media for the world to see. Someone eventually reported her to the local animal protection office, and she was tracked down and fined NT$30,000. New Taipei animal protection also took this instance to remind the public not to release any live animals into the wild.

Sunlight dapples the surface of the lake. It’s a beautiful morning at Bitan. This is also where someone released hundreds upon hundreds of goldfish and got fined.

The woman in a red dress is pictured releasing a large bag of goldfish into the lake. In another picture, she’s doing the same, releasing the bag of fish while standing by the lake. What she did was clearly against the law.

Lee Shih-chen
FTV reporter
At the time, the woman was releasing the fish in a bag into the water. She later posted photos and videos of it online, making for irrefutable evidence of legal violation.

The New Taipei animal protection office was reported of the act. The woman herself was 50-year-old Ms. Hsu. She bought bagfuls of Shubunkin goldfish to release into the lake, believing the act would bless her mother with good health. She also wrote in the caption that it’s her seventh time doing so. Locals say she’s not the only one to partake in the ritual.

Local resident
Xindian, New Taipei
It wouldn’t be here. The fish won’t be released from here, but from upstream, above the dam.

Local resident
Xindian, New Taipei
I’ve seen people release fishes here. Goldfish, koi, carp and the likes. It’s not as common anymore. If I see someone doing it, I might go over and tell them off.

Yang Shu-fang
New Taipei animal protection office
Releasing animals into the wild constitutes abandonment, which is a violation of the Animal Protection Act. Even though the party concerned stated that the act was one of filial piety to bless her mother, she still released animals, which causes harm. She’ll be fined NT$30,000 in accordance with clauses on animal abandonment in the Animal Protection Act.

The woman may have meant well, but her actions still caused harm to the goldfish. The animal protection office took the occasion to remind the public not to release animals into the wild, and to seek assistance from local authorities should they wish to let go of a pet.

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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Running green man gets removed from traffic lights

When you’re crossing the street, and you see the green man running on the traffic light, do you run too? It’s quite a normal reaction, but some think it’s also dangerous. That’s why the animation is soon to be history in Taiwan, as experts believe the running man and the countdown prompt pedestrians to rush across the road. Though the running animation will be gone, the flashing signals on the pedestrian light will remain, to warn people not to cross. In addition, people who cross the street when the light is flashing will no longer face fines.

The countdown is ending and people race across the street like athletes vying for gold in the 100m sprint. Soon, the green man running on the traffic light won’t join the race. According to traffic experts, the sped-up animation pressures pedestrians to hurtle across the street in the last few seconds.

Member of public
Looks at the countdown
I think the best thing is to just look at the countdown. At least that way, as a pedestrian, you can prepare mentally.

Member of public
Is careful crossing the street
Who would think that? It’s just meant as a warning. I look at the green man, and I look to both sides of the street. The flashing warns you that you shouldn’t cross. That’s what we should all tell our elders. I told my mother to not cross when it’s flashing, because at her pace she wouldn’t make it to the other side.

The Transport Ministry is also clarifying the meaning of the flashing pedestrian signal. Now, crossing the road on a flashing light is not prohibited, and fines won’t be issued to those who do. But it is still best to avoid doing so. Does that mean it’s goodbye to the green man?

Wu Tung-ling
Transport Ministry official
What we will be eliminating is the sped-up walking animation. The flashing light will remain. It’s always been there.

Officials say the green man will no longer run, but it will still flash. But this small change could be hard to implement, as not every traffic light is on the same settings. For instance, here on Taipei’s Bade Road, some of the green men run, while others only flash.

Wu Tung-ling
Transport Ministry official
After we make the necessary arrangements, we will give local governments some time to make the change. We want to get the running green men out as quickly as possible. It might require editing some code, but let’s fix it quickly.

According to the ministry, Yilan County is the place in Taiwan with the highest number of running green men. Until the new regulations are implemented, officials urge pedestrians to not copy the little green man, and avoid running into crossings.

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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Father offers NT$38,000 to find match for 40-year-old son

People are marrying later in life these days, which can make parents anxious. One father in Tainan, concerned for his 40-year-old son who has never had a long-term partner, posted a marriage advertisement offering NT$38,000 to anyone who finds his son a match. The son said he prefers to go with the flow, but his father is worried about the family line.

A red notice posted on this house says, “My son is 40 and unmarried. Anyone who arranges his marriage will receive NT$38,000.” This was written by Mr. Chen in Tainan out of concern for his unmarried son, offering compensation to anyone who helps him find a partner.

Mr. Chen
Looking to marry son
Young people aren’t worried about this, but as parents, we are. He’s already 40. If he doesn’t get married, the family line will end. His partner should be beautiful and get along well with others. That’s most important: kindness and understanding. She should also be under 35, as there can be fertility issues after 35.

Mr. Chen said he had two sons, but the younger one died in a car crash eight years ago. His older son has a stable job in the automotive industry and likes riding motorbikes. But he has never been in a rush to get married.

Mr. Chen’s son
Looking to marry
It’s my father’s concern. I prefer to go with the flow, so I’m fine. As long as we have similar outlooks, then it’s OK.

Mr. Chen’s wife
Looking to marry son
My husband is worried, but I’m not. It’s all up to fate, really.

Neighbors said they don’t know Mr. Chen’s son that well because he lives in Kaohsiung, so they aren’t sure who would be a good match for him.

Neighbor
Weighing in on marriage
Young people these days tend to date freely. Do they still need matchmakers? I don’t think so. To introduce someone to him, you need to understand his character and all that. If you don’t know him well, how are you supposed to find someone?

Neighbor
Weighing in on marriage
I don’t know him, so how am I supposed to find a match for him, right?

This old-fashioned way of matchmaking has sparked discussion in the neighborhood. Now even more people are hearing about it as it spreads through media online, but who knows if it will actually help Mr. Chen’s son find a partner.

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

#Tainan #parents #father #marriage #son #unmarried #single #looking #matchmaking

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