Presidential Office Concert to mark 30 years of direct presidential elections

Presidential Office Concert to mark 30 years of direct presidential elections

2026-05-20

The annual Presidential Office Concert is coming up this Saturday. This year, Taiwan is celebrating 30 years of direct presidential elections. To mark the occasion, the National Cultural Association of Taiwan has designed a program paying tribute to Taiwan’s exiled activists during the White Terror era, serving as a powerful reminder of the country’s hard-won democracy.

The 1959 Taigi hit “Hometown at Dusk” plays in the background as leaves from a bound book of state surveillance files transform into doves. This is the main visual for this year’s Presidential Office Concert, designed by the National Cultural Association of Taiwan.

Lee Hou-ching
NCAT Secretary-General
Through animation, we transformed surveillance records and other official documents into birds, representing those who couldn’t return to Taiwan back in the day.

The birds allude to the desire of exiled political activists during the White Terror era, serving as a powerful symbolism of Taiwan’s hard-won democracy.

Lee Hou-ching
NCAT Secretary-General
This year’s Presidential Office Concert also marks the 30th anniversary of direct presidential elections, so we’ve invited many Golden Melody Award-winning singers to cover classic songs from the past half-century.

The lineup includes two-time winner for Best Female Taiwanese Singer, Olivia Tsao and critically acclaimed composer and singer, Chen Ming-Chang, promising an unforgettable feast for the ears.

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 #democracy #activism #concert #總統府音樂會

總統府音樂會倒數主題聚焦"民主台灣"致敬政治受難者

2026-05-20

備受矚目的「總統府音樂會」將在週六盛大登場，今年剛好也贏來總統直選三十週年，所以特別以「民主臺灣，南風暖歌」為主題，將白色恐怖與228戒嚴時期的受難者名單，透過視覺設計向受難者致敬。

集結成冊的政治檔案，化作渴望回到家鄉的飛鳥，總統府音樂會將在週六盛大登場，中華文化總會，特別用這首歌，設計活動主視覺。

[[文總秘書長李厚慶]]
“我們透過動畫的方式，去把政治檔案，還有一些公文，變成一隻一隻的這個鳥，然後就像當年離開臺灣，沒有辦法回來的身影”

紙鳥象徵白色恐怖與228戒嚴時期被迫逃亡的政治受難者，流亡海外無法返臺，如今的民主更是得來不易。

[[文總秘書長李厚慶]]
“我們的總統府音樂會，因為剛好是總統直選三十年，所以我們邀請到非常多金曲獎等級的歌手，透過他們來詮釋這些年的，半世紀的這些經典歌曲”

今年特別邀請曹雅雯、陳明章等，金曲歌王歌后輪番上陣，要帶給大家一個難忘的音樂饗宴。

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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“Megaport Granny” waves happily as she arrives at DonggangPier. She’s on her way to Xiaoliuqiu to try out snorkeling for the first time.

- I want to see the sea turtles. Yes, I’m very excited!

The last time she went to Xiaoliuqiu was over 30 years ago. This time, she’s thrilled to head straight to the dive shop. Her granddaughter even gave her a pep talk beforehand.

- Have you ever snorkeled before, Grandma?
- Never.
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- Yes, I’m a bit scared.
- Do you still want to try?
- Yes, I do.

Trading her clothes for a wetsuit, she first practices on the shore with an instructor. Once they’re used to the water temperature, she pushes past her fears and wades into the sea, clutching a life raft.

Cheng Chin-chi
Megaport Granny
I could see everything on the sea floor! I even saw sea turtles. I was scared, but it was so new and exciting. I’ve never experienced anything like this.

Cheng Ju-yin
Cheng’s granddaughter
She didn’t know how to breathe through the snorkel, so she was nervous. But after the instructor taught her, she gradually eased into it and drifted out to sea with them.

She even had some beginner’s luck! On her very first time snorkeling, she got to swim alongside a sea turtle and even got a photo together. But when asked what she liked more, she brought up her trip to the Megaport Festival back in March. She ended up stealing the show, dancing her heart out with the young crowd. After that, the TSG Hawks even invited her to throw the first pitch at a game.

Cheng Chin-chi
Megaport Granny
- Dancing is more fun.
- Snorkeling is more tiring than dancing.
- I was scared and it’s tiring. At my age, one time is enough.

From a rock festival to throwing the first pitch at a pro baseball game, and now snorkeling for the first time, this 90-year-old is proving that if you’re young at heart, age is just a number!

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Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

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President Lai Ching-te delivered a speech on Wednesday to mark the second anniversary of his presidency. In it, he outlined three priorities for his administration: safeguarding Taiwan’s democratic way of life, maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and promoting economic development. Lai emphasized that despite shifting global conditions and a political gridlock in the legislature, Taiwan will not back down and will continue moving forward with democracy, peace, and prosperity as its guiding principles. Let’s hear from the president.

Lai Ching-te
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Our path these past two years has been far from easy to traverse. The global landscape is shifting rapidly. The ruling and opposition parties here at home hold different visions for our nation’s direction. This has led to an unprecedented deadlock in our legislature. Democracy is not a gift that falls from the heavens. Taiwan’s future cannot be decided by forces outside our borders, nor can it be held hostage by fear, division, or short-term gain. Taiwan’s future must be determined together by our 23 million people. Taiwan is a responsible member of the international community – not a destabilizer. Taiwan is willing to engage in healthy and orderly exchanges with China, however, we firmly reject united front tactics that package unification as peace. We pursue stability, but will not sacrifice our sovereignty or our democratic way of life. This is Taiwan’s bottom line.

Lai also announced a new national population strategy to address Taiwan’s declining birthrate. The plan will provide a monthly cash handout of NT$5,000 to each family for every child and teenager between zero and 18. Part of the money will be deposited into a "Children’s Future Account," allowing kids to have a financial foundation for education or starting a business once they reach adulthood.

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AI Robotics development center inaugurated in Tainan

The AI Robotics Innovation and Development Center was inaugurated in Tainan on Tuesday, on the southern campus of the Industrial Technology Research Institute, or ITRI. The ceremony was led by Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim and several ministers. They were led to a shop that featured an automated ramen-making system as an example of an integrated smart robotics to be developed by the new center. Hsiao joked that she’d hoped she would actually get a bowl of noodles next time she visited. The new AI robotics R&D center marks a milestone -- Taiwan’s Ten AI Initiatives Promotion Plan, which the vice president said is a key step in strengthening the power of the nation.

The AI Robotics Innovation and Development Center was inaugurated at the ITRI Southern Region Campus, in Tainan, under the auspices of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the National Development Council and the National Science and Technology Council. With ITRI Chair Wu Tsung-tsong, Vice Minister of Economic Affairs Ho Chin-tsang and others, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim led the ceremony to witness the birth of this milestone project under the country’s Ten AI Initiatives Promotion Plan.

Hsiao Bi-khim
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A mastery of smart robotics technology is key for Taiwan in maintaining its edge in international tech competitions. It’s also indispensable for us in bolstering social resilience and strengthening national power.

Ho Chin-tsang
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More crucially, it serves to implement Taiwan’s Ten AI Initiatives Promotion Plan, advancing Taiwan from a manufacturer of AI chips to a powerhouse in comprehensive AI applications.

The new R&D center focuses on applications across four key sectors: healthcare, logistics, food services and disaster response, demonstrating the versatility of AI-powered robotics while also offering solutions for labor shortage.

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The new AI robotics center supports this mission of realizing investments of AI in our daily lives. That will be a boon to Taiwanese industries, as well as global industries.

The vice president examines a demonstration for an automated ramen shop. She jokes that she’d hoped for an actual bowl of noodles.

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Congratulations on the opening of the ramen shop. Too bad I didn’t get a taste. I hope that next time when I’m back in Liujia—I’ve become a frequent traveler to Liujia and Shalun—next time I’ll get a full experience.

The newly established AI Robotics Innovation and Development Center aims to consolidate Taiwan’s strengths in chip manufacturing, information and communications technology and precision manufacturing, and turn the country into a key exporter of integrated AI systems.

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The phone is in bad shape, completely corroded and heavily scratched after spending more than eight months inside the belly of a giant grouper.

Lai Wen-hua
Fish farm
These marks were caused because the grouper still had to eat fish, and their bones rubbed against the phone as the fish digested and moved around.

Last September, a reporter surnamed Chen was covering a story about seafood production at this fish farm in Kaohsiung when a giant grouper leapt out of the water without a warning and knocked his iPhone 16 into the fish pond. In the blink of an eye, another enormous 1.5m grouper swallowed the phone in one gulp. A few months later, the 23-year-old fish died, and during an examination to determine the cause of death, workers were stunned to find the missing phone still in its belly.

Voice Mr. Chen
Fish ate iPhone
I had completely given up hope on ever seeing it again. When I heard the phone had reappeared, I mostly just wanted to see what condition it was in. But I was also a bit sad to learn that the fish had died.

Lai Wen-hua
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It was soaked in saltwater for eight months. We’re letting it dry naturally first in hopes of giving the owner the best possible chance of turning it back on.

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Yang Shuang-zi
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Thank you to every person who made it possible for me to be here today. The century-old inquiry in Taiwan literature is, in fact, the century-long pursuit of freedom and equality by Taiwan’s people. I feel very fortunate to have been born Taiwanese. I feel very proud to stand before you today as a writer from Taiwan.

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Lai Ching-te
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“Taiwan Travelogue” has just won the International Booker Prize. This achievement is also a clear testament to the talent and capability of Taiwan’s younger generation to make their mark on the world stage.

Judges described "Taiwan Travelogue" as a captivating and sophisticated book that succeeds as both a romance and an incisive postcolonial novel. The work previously won the US National Book Award for Translated Literature in 2024 and has so far sold translation rights in 24 countries, becoming an international bestseller. During her speech, translator Lin King also mentioned that after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, she resolved to translate only Taiwanese works until the day comes when Taiwan’s sovereignty is no longer a provocation or a punchline.

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Pingtung drink shop lets customers make own drinks for NT$20 each

One unique drink shop in Pingtung’s Wanluan Township lets people mix their drinks themselves, even with pearls or other toppings. No matter what you get, every cup is only NT$20. Many curious customers stop by to give it a try.

When you come to this drink shop, you have to be ready to do some work.

First add sugar and any toppings, then add the ice before finally choosing your drink.

People who don’t like toppings might choose winter melon with lemon, or for a healthier option, you could get plain green tea with ice. Whatever you want to drink, you can get it yourself. No matter how much you add, every cup is only NT$20.

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It’s a small business. Can’t be too greedy.

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Mr. Lee
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In Taiwanese it’s called borrowing from the strong to help the weak. Some customers just get a sugarless green tea, some get a bubble milk tea. It’s all good. Not everyone gets a bubble tea.

This self-service drink shop is in Pingtung’s Wanluan Township. It has 10 different kinds of drinks, along with pearls, coconut jelly, passion fruit syrup, grass jelly, and dried plum, which can all be added to your heart’s content. On the wall is a sign teaching giving advice on what to do, like avoiding mixing milk with lemon to prevent a stomachache later.

Plum iced tea tastes better when made with shiso plums, lemon, and dried plums.

Now 76 years old, the owner used to sell bread and drinks before closing down and renting it out. After the tenant moved, he couldn’t bear to leave it vacant and didn’t want to stay idle, so he returned to his old trade. Opening a franchise would have taken too much capital, so he decided to start his own venture instead.

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I save on labor costs. At buffet restaurants, most customers come between 11 and 12. If everyone wanted the owner to get food for them, you could only sell a few in that hour.

When faced with adversity, you must adapt. In the fiercely competitive drink shop market, offering self-service is certainly a way to stand out.

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