Hong Kong dissident Lam Wing-kee dies in Taipei, aged 70

Hong Kong dissident Lam Wing-kee dies in Taipei, aged 70

2026-07-03

Hong Kong dissident and founder of Causeway Bay Books, Lam Wing-kee died at Lackay Memorial Hospital in Taipei on July 2, at the age of 70, from lung cancer. In 2015, Lam was taken into custody for eight months in China over allegations that his store sold books critical of the CCP. President Lai Ching-te published a social media post to pay respects, writing that the Hong Kong bookseller conveyed to the people of Taiwan in his most ordinary but steadfast way, just how valuable freedom is.

Hongkongers in Taiwan flocked to the store with flowers after news of Lam’s death broke out. Lam founded his shop in Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay in 1994, and relocated to Taiwan in 2019 amid the Hong Kong protests. In 2020, Causeway Bay Books reopened in Taipei. Days before the reopening, he got splashed with red paint by three attackers. In Taiwan, Lam had repeatedly warned Taiwan the dangers of becoming the next Hong Kong.

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#hongkong #lamwingkee #democracy #causewaybay #林榮基

銅鑼灣書店成絕響! 創辦人林榮基癌逝享壽70歲

2026-07-03

從因發表政治禁書遭中國關押八個月的銅鑼灣書店創辦人林榮基，2日晚間在台北馬偕醫院因肺腺癌病逝，享壽70歲。總統賴清德發文哀悼，稱林基榮留下的勇氣，台灣會記得，有一位香港書店人，用最平凡的也最堅定的方式，告訴我們自由多麼珍貴。

病逝消息曝光，在台港人趕到書店關心並獻花。林榮基1994年創立香港銅鑼灣書店，四年後香港爆發"反送中運動"，林榮基移居來台，銅鑼灣書店也在2020年重新開張。來台後的林榮基，不斷示警台灣別香港化，也曾遭親中人士潑漆恐嚇，但他仍不退縮。

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Four competing drone funding bills face committee review

In Taiwan, the drone debate has finally shifted. It’s no longer about whether they are needed for defense. Instead, the upcoming debate will be about how to fund them. On Friday, four competing bills were submitted to the legislature. The Executive Yuan wants funding of NT$210 billion in a special budget, but the KMT wants funding of NT$240 billion to come from the annual general budget over six years. The TPP also wants funding to come from the general budget, but so far has not proposed a spending cap. A DPP lawmaker has also proposed her own version. Let’s find out more.

After Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu returned to Taiwan from the United States, draft drone bills were finally accepted by the legislature. A total of five drafts were submitted to committees for review. Among them, the Executive Yuan’s version allocated NT$210 billion in a special budget. The KMT allocated NT$240 billion over six years as part of the general budget. The TPP also called for drone funding from the general budget, but a spending cap was not specified. There were also versions from DPP legislators Lin Chu-yin and Chung Chia-pin. However, Chung’s draft was rejected, and in the end only four versions were successfully submitted for joint review from the legislature’s economic, national defense and finance committees.

- You plagiarized mine and silenced mine.
- You won’t allow discussions.
- Eight cheaters.
- False moves.

Chung was furious and confronted legislators from the Taiwan People’s Party, accusing them of “plagiarism.” Comparing the two versions, both emphasized national defense autonomy and industrial transformation. Both called for the Executive Yuan to establish an inter-ministerial promotion committee and designate a drone test field, with appropriate deregulation. The budget ceiling for both was not clearly defined.

Jacky Chen
TPP caucus convener
The special provisions in Legislator Chung Chia-pin’s version, which had no upper limit, were rejected.

Chung Chia-pin
Legislator (DPP)
This time, instead of submitting the Executive Yuan’s version of defense procurement to the national defense committee, they submitted it to the economic committee, showing clearly that they want the same old scenario to play out again and delay opportunities for defense procurement.

Drones have once again sparked a battle between the ruling and opposition parties. Just a day earlier, AIT Director Raymond Greene and Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen held a forum together, where Greene said Taiwan needed a “hornets’ nest” of drones. However, the KMT’s draft bill is being questioned, for KMT legislator Ma Wen-chun had previously drastically cut funding for drones from the general budget. Now she is saying once again drones should be part of the annual general budget, making those in the drone industry worry about their financial survival.

Chuang Jui-hsiung
Legislator (DPP)
The KMT’s stance has been inconsistent. Now that all the versions are referred to the committee, everyone in the Legislative Yuan can be rational.

Finally, draft drone bills are about to be discussed substantively. Which version best serves the national interest? The upcoming debates will be closely watched by both Taiwan and the US.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#Taiwanpolitics #Taiwandefense #defense #drones #UAVs

2026-07-03

Farglory Ocean Park faces skepticism over rebranded eco-friendly dolphin program

After Farglory Ocean Park in Hualien gave its last dolphin show in early April, the park announced that it would not renew its dolphin show permit and would transition its dolphinarium into a conservation base. However, when the Dolphin Conservation Base opened in July, visitors were shocked to find that dolphins were still being used to entertain an audience. In response, the park said that the new exhibit isn’t meant to serve as entertainment, but to educate the public about dolphins’ natural behavior.

Following the trainer’s hand gestures, five dolphins spread out in a row leap from the water into the air. The audience gasps in amazement.

With just a simple gesture, the dolphin knows it’s the cue to get onto the platform. This is Farglory Ocean Park’s newly opened Dolphin Conservation Base after the venue closed for three months. The park had announced that it would no longer hold dolphin shows, but why are the dolphins still being exhibited like this?

-There are both performances and lectures.

Ms. Lu
Visitor
This event is very well organized. It allows kids to learn more about the dolphins’ ecology.

The amended regulations for managing animal exhibitions explicitly prohibit recreational performances from protected wild animals that involve "unnatural behavior." As a result, Farglory Ocean Park gave its last dolphin show in April. At the time, the park said it would introduce a new exhibit that focuses on education. On July 1, they launched the brand-new “Meet the Dolphins” program, transitioning into an ecological and educational format. As for the current “show,” the park says it’s to introduce the audience to dolphins’ natural behavior.

Shen Chien-shao
Farglory Ocean Park GM
What’s different is that we’re shifting the focus to the dolphins themselves. We’re introducing the species’ natural behavior. We’re no longer holding circus-like shows or having dolphins perform stunts. This is an eco-friendly demonstration.

Chou Huang Te-rong
Hualien animal protection office
We’ve completed the assessment on June 2 and approved their license for animal exhibits.

Ending dolphin shows was a huge step forward in animal welfare. As for the new exhibit, the animal protection office says it will conduct strict assessments to ensure that the operator doesn’t violate the law.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#dolphins #dolphinshow #animalwelfare #oceanarium #marinelife

2026-07-03

Taiwan’s oldest big-box store reopens in new location, becomes biggest

2026-07-03

Drone smashes into dormitory of Taiwanese postgrad in Ukraine

Anthony, a Taiwanese electrical engineering student, was fascinated with drones and aircraft and so he went to Ukraine’s National Aviation University in Kyiv to pursue a master’s degree in drone design. However, he never imagined he would have a very close shave with one. A drone smashed into his dormitory, nearly killing him. Here. Anthony tells a FTV news team in Ukraine the story of his harrowing experience.

Anthony
Foreign student in Ukraine
When it was happening, I could already hear the propeller noises. They were extremely loud, coming in from outside the window, so at that point, I told my roommate: “Run!”

The dormitory windows were shattered and the furniture was unrecognizable. This should have been the safest place for a master’s student to write his thesis and sleep, but that night Anthony’s life flashed before his eyes.

Anthony
Foreign student in Ukraine
It felt like the drone was in a swooping posture, meaning it had entered attack mode. As I reached the doorway, it hit the dormitory building, and the whole place violently shuddered. I really started to feel homesick after my dormitory was attacked by the drone. That’s when I truly realized these dangers could happen to me personally.

Anthony, from New Taipei City, went to Ukraine’s National Aviation University in Kyiv to pursue a master’s degree in drone design, where he usually studies satellite communications and flight control systems with his professor, while collecting model airplanes of all sizes at home.

Anthony
Foreign student in Ukraine
My parents and sister were all very supportive of me going to Ukraine, but they ultimately left the decision to me. Later, I grew to love aerospace and became more interested in that kind of thing, so I did some research and found that Ukraine was a good place, since the world’s largest transport aircraft was based there.

The key factor drawing Anthony to Ukraine was the An-225 Mriya, at the time the world’s largest transport aircraft, developed by the Antonov Design Bureau in Ukraine. Some people fled Ukraine because of the war, but Anthony chose to stay because he believed that one day he would bring the technology he learned in the war back to Taiwan.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#drones #TaiwanUkraine #NAU #Ukrainedrones #studyabroad

2026-07-03

Mother in Taitung dangerously leaves baby in car when going shopping

How could a mother leave her baby in her car when she went shopping? This is one of two cases of outrageous neglect that we’ve uncovered on FTV. In another incident, an adult was driving a car, while two little girls were sitting with their bodies halfway out the sunroof. A witnessed filmed this, posted the footage online and it caused an uproar. The girls could have easily fallen out of the car if it braked suddenly or wobbled. Let’s find out more.

A black sedan passes through an intersection, attracting attention. It wasn’t the car itself that was unusual, but rather the fact that two little girls were sitting on the roof, half of their bodies sticking out of the car. Witnesses said the two girls were wearing goggles and were screaming all the way, seemingly quite excited.

This was seen at several intersections in a row. This outrageous scene occurred on Thursday night when the black sedan exited an interchange and drove along Section 6 of Jiaoxi Road in Yilan. The two girls sat on the roof of the car as it drove around while they enjoyed the breeze.

Member of the public
Appalled
If a car kept wobbling when in motion, and they accidentally fell off, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Lin Hsin-wei
Jiaoxi police station
The police issued tickets in accordance with regulations to maintain traffic order and ensure the safety of people on the road.

There was also another instance of adult negligence, this time in Taitung. A baby was seen lying in the passenger seat of an SUV, crying hysterically. A passerby noticed and immediately sought help. It turned out the baby’s mother had gone shopping in a mall.

Chang Wei-wen
Guanshan police station
Leaving infants and young children alone in a car, even for a short shopping trip, can endanger their lives due to factors such as high temperatures and a lack of oxygen inside the vehicle.

Chen Shu-lan
Taitung County Social Affairs Department
According to Article 51 of the Child and Juvenile Welfare and Rights Protection Act, we cannot leave children under the age of six alone or entrust them to care from unsuitable individuals.

Police are reminding the public never to leave children under six years old alone in a car, as this is against the law. Don’t wait until a tragedy occurs and then regret it later.

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

#Childabuse #Neglectfulparents #childcare #traffic #roadtrip

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Couple stopped from taking pet hen on train

It’s common to bring dogs and cats on trains, but what about pet chickens? One couple from Keelung brought their pet hen on the train with them to Ruifang, but when they were preparing to board their return train, staff said that chickens are not allowed on passenger trains. What exactly are Taiwan Railways’ regulations regarding pets?

A brown hen rests calmly in its owner’s arms. But when the owner tried to board a train with the chicken in its cage, they were stopped by staff.

Hen owner
Vexed
We go all around, from Taipei to Yingge, taking Tze-Chiang Express trains, and we always use a pet carrier as required by Taiwan Railway. We had no issues at Qidu or Ruifang stations, but when we went to buy some chicken feed and came back to catch the train, station staff came over and asked if we meant to take the train. I said yes, and he looked inside the carrier and said because it’s a chicken, we can’t take the train. We have to find another way.

This couple wanted to take their pet hen of over two years on the train from Ruifang to Qidu, when they were told that chickens aren’t allowed on board. But they’ve taken the hen with them on trains before and never had an issue. The husband is disabled and uses an electric wheelchair, so he relies on his wife to help him. The couple waited at the station for over two hours, but couldn’t find a solution.

Hen owner
Vexed
We didn’t know. If we knew, then we wouldn’t have taken her in the first place. We never had an issue at any other stations, but this time when we came back to my hometown, we encountered this problem. It’s kind of ridiculous. Afterwards they just left us here. Now it’s been over two hours, and they still haven’t found a solution.

In the end, railway police took the wife and hen back to Qidu, while station staff helped her husband take the train back.

According to Taiwan Railway regulations, pet cats, dogs, and birds can be taken onboard as long as they are completely inside a carrier of appropriate size. But chickens, ducks, and geese are considered commercial animals and must be transported as cargo.

Chiang Yi-cheng
Railway police officer
Police received a report and went to the station, where staff explained that chickens can only be transported as cargo.

Even though Taiwan Railway has clear regulations, the couple never had an issue taking their hen on board over the past two years. It wasn’t until this time that they learned chickens can’t travel with passengers, revealing gaps in enforcement.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#chicken #hen #train #TRC #TaiwanRailway #pet #petonboard #cargo

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Chiayi government deals with over 1,000 stray dogs

Over 1,000 stray dogs have made a home in Chiayi’s Renyitan and Lantan scenic areas. The stray dog population has continued to grow as people abandon pets and residents feed strays. The local government installed smart fencing to catch and control them, but officials said efforts have been hindered by animal rights advocates. They’ve begun to collect evidence of their alleged interference.

A pack of stray dogs saunters in the middle of the road, blocking people from passing. Lots of strays can be seen around here, even during the day.

There are even puppies around, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. It’s estimated that there are over 1,000 stray dogs by Renyitan and Lantan in Chiayi, and residents often feed them.

Resident
The packs are growing larger, worsening public hygiene. If someone is chased or injured by a dog, they wouldn’t know who to hold responsible.

Resident
I still feel uneasy if I see a pack of dogs ahead.

Lin Pei-ju
Chiayi County animal control official
According to statistics from the county’s animal protection hotline, nearly 50% of the problematic dogs are pets that were left to roam freely.

Leftover dog food is scattered around, attracting insects and vermin. Some pet owners even abandon their dogs here, leaving locals to care for them. The government set up smart fences to catch strays, hoping to curb breeding and keep the population under control.

Lin Pei-ju
Chiayi County animal control official
We carried out a large-scale, area-wide dog capture, sterilization, and rabies vaccine program. But the operation has encountered interference from many unidentified people.

Surveillance footage shows people letting dogs out of the smart fence, making the government’s program less effective. The country government said it has started to collect evidence of people interfering with the fences and feeding strays, and vowed to pursue legal action.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#Chiayi #dog #straydogs #petdogs #pet #dogpack #puppy #stray

2026-07-03

Tainted cooking oil spread to 224 businesses, including top hotels

An investigation from the Taichung City Government’s food and drug safety office has found that soybean cooking oil contaminated with a carcinogen has spread through the nation’s supply chains, reaching a total of 224 businesses. They ranged from star-rated hotels to coffee chain brands to food manufacturers. Taiwan’s latest food safety crisis began when it was found earlier that Central Union Oil supplied 1,300 tons of soybean cooking oil contaminated with the carcinogen benzo(a) pyrene at four times the legal limit to three major Taiwanese wholesalers – Taisun, Fwusow Industry and Fopco. Let’s hear more.

Liu Ming-che
Spokesperson for food company
Adhering to the highest standards, our company is taking the precautionary measure of removing these products from store shelves. Furthermore, we have sealed all current factory inventory and will determine our next steps once the test results are available.

Tseng Tzu-Chan
Director, Taichung City Health Bureau
According to our current data, as of last night, Fopco had recalled a total of 54kg, and Fwusow had recalled a total of 5,693kg, for a total of 5,747kg. We have stipulated that all products must be completely removed from shelves by 12 p.m. today. If they are not removed, we can impose heavy fines under Article 7 of the Food Safety Act, up to a maximum of NT$3 million.

Responding to the case, DPP Legislator Lin Shu-fen posted on Facebook that Central Union Oil’s initial self-inspections of the batch in question had all passed. The discovery of excessive benzo(a) pyrene levels was actually made by a downstream manufacturer conducting its own testing. After detecting abnormal data, the downstream firm notified Central Union Oil, which then re-inspected the oil and confirmed the contamination. Lin argues that the Ministry of Health and Welfare must review whether the current food safety system’s heavy reliance on upstream suppliers’ self-inspections has failed.

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

#foodsafety #carcinogens #cookingoil #consumersrights #soybean

2026-07-03