Latte art competition changes Taiwan to Chinese Taipei

Latte art competition changes Taiwan to Chinese Taipei

2026-04-30

You would think that a cozy coffee competition is not a place for politics, but you’d be wrong. No event is too small for China to meddle in when it comes to oppressing Taiwan. Participants in events held by the World Coffee Championships had always taken part under the name “Taiwan.” But the event’s official website recently changed it to “Chinese Taipei” without a warning, sparking backlash among Taiwan’s coffee connoisseurs.

The post that started the controversy was a congratulatory message for Bala, the champion of the 2026 World Latte Art Championship. Bala won representing Taiwan, and even held the national flag after the competition, only to find that the victory was tarnished by a name change after returning home. China reportedly used underhanded tactics to pressure organizers, who ultimately to changed the wording to from “Taiwan” to “Chinese Taipei.” The adverse reactions have been swift, as competitions organized by the WCC are considered important events in the professional coffee world.

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#coffee #bala #taiwan #chinesetaipei #cafe

林紹興勇奪世界冠軍主辦卻改Taiwan為Chinese Taipei惹議

2026-04-30

中國打壓台灣再添一例！台灣在世界咖啡錦標賽長年表現優異，過去皆以「台灣」名義出賽，近日官網卻無預警將台灣改成中國台北，引發咖啡圈強烈反彈。

2026世界盃拉花大賽冠軍得主林紹興，賽後才和團隊高舉我國國旗，但光榮歸國後卻傳出中國出奧步施壓主辦單位，矮化我國，頭銜被更改，只能以「中華台北」示人。官網更動的事件引發不小爭議，畢竟WCC舉辦的專業咖啡競賽，可說是咖啡界指標性賽事。

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Driver terrorizes local elementary school skidding at the entrance

A shocking scene unfolded in broad daylight at the entrance of an elementary school in Xiluo, Yunlin. At 9 a.m. Thursday, a driver of a sedan wouldn’t stop skidding in circles, letting ear-piercing sounds rip while little kids where in classes. Although the school did call the police, the driver was already gone when officers arrived. The police still managed to track the driver down by reviewing surveillance footage, and said that they’ll summon the driver to be questioned soon.

A white sedan skidded round and round, going in countless circles and letting out piercing sounds from the tires.

The driver probably wanted to show off their skills, but the entrance of an elementary school certainly wasn’t the most appropriate place.

School officials dared not get close. Instead, they called the police. The incident happened at the intersection of Yanping Road and Xinxing Road in Xiluo Township, Yunlin, or more precisely, right at the entrance of Wenchang Elementary School. At 9 a.m. Thursday, the driver wouldn’t stop skidding in circles at the entrance, scaring everyone inside and alerting nearby residents.

Local resident
Xiluo Township, Yunlin
It kept going round and round. It was so loud, and really scary. I wondered what that person was up to. They kept at it for a long time.

When the police arrived, the driver had already left, so they reviewed surveillance footage of the vicinity. The car was tracked down and the driver will be summoned for questioning.

Chen Chih-jen
Xiluo Precinct
The case will proceed accordingly with regards to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act, fineable with up to NT$90,000. The police will also summon the car owner concerned for questioning. If the case can be charged with endangerment of public safety, it will be filed with the Taiwan Yunlin District Prosecutors Office.

Fortunately, classes had already started at the elementary school and there weren’t many cars on the road when the stunt took place. The police have already started on the case and will soon deal with the driver accordingly.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#yunlin #shocking #scary #traffic #roadsafety

2026-04-30

Taoyuan night market stand offers novel stinky tofu flavors

One stand at Taoyuan’s Bade Xingren Night Market has reimagined Taiwan’s iconic stinky tofu in all-new flavors. The owner makes salted egg stinky tofu, which has becoming popular for its unique taste and texture. Although he’s successful now, he struggled earning enough to pay rent when first starting the business.

Oil sizzles as a chef deep-fries stinky tofu until it’s a light golden-brown.

To make the sauce, he combines garlic powder with egg yolk, mixing them under heat until it foams. The sauce is poured onto the stinky tofu and topped with egg whites and spring onions, giving the iconic Taiwanese dish an all-new flavor.

Customer
The tofu is soft inside and crispy on the outside. Paired with the salted egg yolk, it’s really unique.

Customer
It’s incredibly special. I actually don’t like stinky tofu, but the salted egg yolk makes it much better.

Customer
The tofu is in small pieces, so it’s crispy on the outside and soft inside. If it’s dipped in the salted egg yolk sauce, it pretty much covers the original flavor.

People can’t stop raving about this salted egg stinky tofu from Taoyuan’s Bade Xingren Night Market. The owner of the stand, Lee Shih-wei李世偉, reimagined this traditional dish in his own unique way.

Lee Shih-wei
Food stand owner
I hit a roadblock when I was working in insurance, so I thought I’d give this a try. At first, I had salty and sweet flavors and also offered a condensed milk flavor. But at that time, I couldn’t even sell one serving a day.

People didn’t seem to like Lee’s stinky tofu flavors at first. He didn’t even earn enough to pay rent the first month. But it’s a good thing he didn’t give up.

Lee Shih-wei
Food stand owner
Egg yolk burns very easily if it gets too hot. So, I had to try lots of times at first, and it would often turn black instead of golden, because I didn’t understand. Then I did some research on Google about how to do it and started practicing. As I got more familiar with it, it started looking better and better. Then customers started thinking it pairs well with stinky tofu, and the stand started getting more popular.

In addition to salted egg yolk stinky tofu, he now offers Thai sweet and spicy, roasted cheese roe, and other unique flavors. Lee has reimagined stinky tofu, giving the classic dish a whole new identity.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#stinkytofu #nightmarket #Taoyuan #saltedegg #saltedeggyolk #tofu #tradition #unique #newflavor

2026-04-30

Why more young people are joining Mazu pilgrimages

Taiwan saw hundreds of thousands of people walk for the goddess Mazu this April in two massive religious events: the Baishatun and Dajia pilgrimages. Over 460,000 people participated in the Baishatun Mazu pilgrimage this year, a record high. More young people are joining annually, enduring blisters and heat as they walk hundreds of kilometers. Let’s get to know some of these young devotees.

Hundreds of thousands cheer for the Baishatun Mazu as she arrives at Beigang Chaotian Temple. The goddess and her devotees walk over 300km in this annual pilgrimage, and in recent years, more young people have been taking part in the tradition.

Chang Po-cheng
High-school student
I draw the Baishatun Mazu every year and this year was my fourth time. This time, I focused more on the details of the patterns on her clothes.

Chang Po-cheng’s desk is covered with images of Mazu. He uses his drawings to make badges and keychains, and has even held a Mazu culture exhibit at his school. Spending most of his time in a stressful academic environment, he finds the pilgrimage the best way to calm down and reflect.

Chang Po-cheng
High-school student
With so many people following, the pilgrimage is really about upholding a belief and conviction. It’s more like giving yourself a chance to relax and reflect. You just know Mazu is ahead, and the palanquin is coming, so you have to keep moving, keep moving, keep moving. For me, it’s a way to find some inner calm.

Young people can find peace and a sense of community from their faith. In addition to joining as pilgrims, another young believer set up a stinky tofu stand along the route.

Ko Chin-lung, who acts in traditional opera, has participated in the pilgrimage for eight years.

Ko Chin-lung
Matsu association leader
This journey was something I wanted to experience, so even though I was physically exhausted and in pain, I was limping, and my feet hurt a lot, I still felt it was worthwhile.

Through online posts and social media, Mazu is connecting with the younger generation.

Hsieh Jui-lung
Temple culture research center director
There’s no distance or barrier between people, and everyone helps and encourages each other. For younger people, they think it’s something hard to find in modern Taiwanese society, so it’s slowly becoming a popular custom.

Whether they come to find peace, community, or test their physical fitness, young people are joining these traditional pilgrimages in their own ways, keeping the tradition alive.

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

#Mazu #BaishatunMazuPilgrimage #pilgrimage #religion #festival #tradition #youthparticipation #faith #youth

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Baseball star tracks down father-in-law’s rescuers offering covetable gifts

Remember our story from exactly a month ago, about how an employee at a newly opened baseball stadium got slapped by a spectator? Well, thankfully, there’s now a heartwarming tale from that very night. On March 29, when a couple that had watched the game was on their way home, they encountered an elderly man that needed help. They noticed that an old man had a vertigo attack and collapsed on the ground bleeding. Without a second thought, they stopped and called the ambulance. It turned out that the elderly man was the father-in-law of former 7-Eleven Lions player Tapang Kolong. On Thursday, with help from users of Threads, Tapang Kolong met the husband and promised to offer him and his wife some autographed gifts from his baseball equipment brand and VIP tickets to a game in gratitude.

Retired 7-Eleven Lions baseball player, Tapang Kolong, also known as Deng Zhi-wei, looked for his father-in-law’s lifesavers on Threads. The father-in-law had an emergency on the evening of March 29, after the debut game of the team’s new home stadium in Tainan, which Tapang Kolong participated in.

Tapang Kolong’s father-in-law had gone out on his own when suddenly, he had a vertigo attack. He fell on his head and couldn’t get up. Fortunately, two passers-by noticed and went over to help call the ambulance. They were wearing the 7-Eleven Lions’ jersey, meaning they were at the baseball game. Now that the father-in-law has recovered, Tapang Kolong wanted to find the two Lions fans and thank them personally. The search wasn’t difficult, because one of them had posted about the incident the day after. The fan even wrote that he was almost sure that the son-in-law of the elder man they rescued was indeed Tapang Kolong.

Tapang Kolong extends a hand in greeting and presents the fan with an autographed baseball. The fan is a real estate agent who had gone to the game that evening with his wife, and on their way home noticed that an elderly man had collapsed. They did not imagine that it was Tapang Kolong’s father-in-law.

Su Yu-fan
Rescuer
He had collapsed and there was blood. My immediate reaction was to stop the car, get out and help. At the time Tapang Kolong wore a face mask. I though he looked familiar, but it wasn’t a convenient moment to confirm that it was him, so I kept it as a little secret to myself.

Tapang Kolong
Former 7-Eleven Lions player
The night it happened, we were all in a panic and didn’t think to ask for our lifesavers’ contact. People on social media are so helpful. They helped me track him down within an hour. I’m also a bit embarrassed that I could only find our lifesavers in this way.

Tapang Kolong is now a baseball coach at a local school. He’s also launched a baseball equipment brand, which offers several baseball bats he designed. To express his gratitude to the couple, Tapang Kolong offered them VIP tickets to a game, and a baseball and bat autographed by a Lions player of their choice. Netizens are all delighting in this heartwarming encounter between a star and his fans.

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

#baseball #cpbl #統一獅 #tainan #鄧志偉

2026-04-30

Lai tried to fly to Eswatini via Europe: Bloomberg

And more details are coming to light regarding the abrupt cancellation of President Lai Ching-te’s trip to Eswatini last week. The visit was called off after three countries off the coast of Africa revoked overflight clearance for Lai’s plane due to Chinese pressure. According to Bloomberg, Taiwan tried to find an alternative route to Africa via Europe and asked allies such as Germany and Czechia for permission to transit. But neither country gave approval. In the case of Germany, the country was pressured by China to reject the request. It was also worried that Lai could get stuck in Germany if more countries in Africa decided to block their airspace.

On Monday, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung posted photos from Eswatini, where he inspected the work of a Taiwanese medical team. He made it to Africa smoothly, yet President Lai Ching-te’s scheduled trip last week was abruptly canceled.

Lai has been due to visit Eswatini, but one day before his departure, three island nations off the coast of Africa revoked overflight clearance for his plane. According to Bloomberg, Taiwan then tried to find an alternative route via Europe, and requested European countries for clearance. Beijing allegedly caught wind of this and preemptively instructed Germany to refuse Taiwan’s request. The country was reportedly worried that other countries in Africa would ultimately revoke their clearance for Lai too, leaving the president stuck in Germany. The country allegedly did not respond to Taiwan’s request, and neither did Czechia, which has frequently held exchanges with Taiwan’s legislature in recent years.

Karen Kuo
Presidential Office Spokesperson
Beijing pressured three countries that we would be flying over, including Mauritius and Madagascar, to suspend the overflight permits we had obtained. We are very grateful for all the assistance that our many allied countries lent us.

Hsiao Kuang-wei
Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson
Based on multiple considerations, including flight safety, the itinerary and the smooth completion of the mission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs declines to comment on the details of the matter.

The government did not confirm or deny the claims about European countries ignoring Taiwan. A DPP lawmaker says that Europe’s support for Taiwan is genuine and substantial, saying that only people with ulterior motives would try to find fault.

Rosalia Wu
Legislator (DPP)
Had China not intervened, I believe all democratic countries would’ve stood with Taiwan. The EU condemned the matter immediately. There’s no need to put a wedge between Taiwan and its democratic allies.

China’s attempts to suppress Taiwan continue, posing problems even when the president is trying to visit a diplomatic ally.

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 #china #eswatini #diplomacy #flight

2026-04-30

Oncologist puts on concert to support cancer patients

Oncologist James Yang is an internationally renowned cancer expert. Suffering a serious illness as a child inspired him to become a doctor and help patients maintain a normal lifestyle. At the end of last year, he invited Terry Lin to sing at the National Taiwan University Cancer Center lobby, spreading joy to patients through music.

Terry Lin’s voice soars through the melody, filling the space with music.

Beside him in the blue suit jacket is none other than National Taiwan University Cancer Center superintendent and renowned cancer expert James Yang. He sings skillfully, making the highs and lows of the melody sound easy. Few people know that the doctor suffered a serious illness when he was young.

James Yang
Cancer expert
Medicine wasn’t so advanced in the ’70s, so they didn’t know why I was sick and couldn’t figure it out. But I saw the doctors in the hospital. What’s most important is that I saw their work and I wasn’t scared. I thought it was something that I could do too. After I got better, I changed my career goal when I was in high school.

Now an established doctor, Yang’s own experience with illness helps him relate to his patients. He chose to put on a concert in the cancer center’s lobby not only because it has incredible acoustics, but also to give patients stuck in the hospital a chance to hear live music.

James Yang
Cancer expert
We put on a concert with patients and medical staff, usually at the end of the year. We look forward to this event every year.

Yang advocates for cancer patients, helping them to live normal lives and stay optimistic. He also reminded people of the best ways to avoid cancer.

James Yang
Cancer expert
Air pollution, cured foods, or foods that haven’t been stored properly are all related to cancer in some way.

Yang recommends eating three meals a day, ensuring normal rest, and getting screened regularly. Prevention is key when it comes to cancer, so taking care of yourself is most important.

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

#cancer #treatment #prevention #cancerprevention #concert #sing #singer #music #hospital #health

2026-04-30