- Formosa News

Related News

Driver’s pants fall down after stopping to retrieve hat

2026-07-14

University partners with troupe to teach Eight Generals tradition

The Eight Generals are a common sight at temple festivals in Taiwan. To give people a better understanding of this unique performative culture, the Department of Chinese Literature at National Sun Yat-sen University organized a class with the Gushan鼓山 Jishengtang Eight Generals troupe in Kaohsiung. Seventeen participants learned everything from formations and steps, to face painting. At the end, they tested out their newfound skills in a live presentation.

Drum beats swell as performers depicting the Eight Generals step out, wielding weapons and fans. They walk along Kaohsiung’s Love River, stopping at four temples along the way. Their skill makes it hard to believe they’re university students.

Chen Chia-hao
Participant
Most people misunderstand this culture and it tends to be quite stigmatized. But if you try it for yourself, you’ll find it’s totally different from what you imagined.

Hsu Wei-kai
Participant
I’ve been interested in it since I was a kid, so I figured why not take the class and try it out? I think the hardest part is the doing the formations and the steps.

The Eight Generals are a common part of any temple festival in Taiwan, but they’ve gotten a bad reputation over the past few years. To reverse this stigma, the Department of Chinese Literature at National Sun Yat-sen University organized a class with the Gushan Jishengtang Eight Generals troupe. Seventeen participants learned everything from formations and steps to face painting, and at the end held their own performance.

Hsu Wei-chen
Participant
The Chinese literature department happened to have a partnership with our temple. This was how I got the chance to take the class. I was determined to join, even though my parents didn’t approve. The formations, the face paint, the entire cultural context are all super interesting.

Lee Ting-yen
Participant
Becoming a troupe member has been a very new experience for me. Once you actually join, you’ll understand the meaning behind a certain movement.

Hsieh Hao-ting
Troupe face painter
In our Jiali lineage, one main attribute is that we usually paint the face with solid blocks of color. Over in Chiayi, they’ll emphasize finer details and lines.

Charmed by the unique Eight Generals tradition, many students decided to formally join as troupe members. The class even attracted some foreign exchange students. There was even a Christian student who overcame religious limitations to experience it firsthand.

Chiu Shih-yuan
Instructor
This time was very special. We had a Christian student who joined to understand some of the body movements. There were some things, like the finer details, that the students couldn’t do perfectly, but I don’t think it matters that much.

Lo Ching-wen
NSYSU Chinese literature professor
This time we had students from Malaysia and Hong Kong. Over six weeks, they learned about Taiwan’s Eight Generals culture, the history of Jishengtang, the face paint, and formations, as well as some rituals and taboos. Then for the main event, we went out and experienced holding our own performance.

Although it was only part of a class, every step was executed perfectly. The university hopes that the course will help people better understand this rich part of Taiwanese religious culture and ensure it’s passed down to future generations.

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

#EightGenerals #templeculture #templefestival #folktradition #NSYSU #traditionalculture #temples

2026-07-14

Formosa Plastics Group’s new president raises salaries by 4.5%

2026-07-14

Fuel resupply drill and rocket systems part of second day of joint exercises

Today, the military’s Joint Defense Exercise entered its second day, with training continuing across operational zones around Taiwan. In Taoyuan, the Army’s 601st Aviation Brigade deployed a Black Hawk helicopter in a simulated wartime fuel resupply mission when ground transportation is cut off. Meanwhile, Thunderbolt-2000 multiple launch rocket systems moved into position to rehearse suppressing enemy forces attempting a beach landing.

A Black Hawk helicopter zips across the sky on a tactical fuel bladder sling-load mission. It descends carefully until the fuel bladder is deposited on the ground as the rotor sends a cloud of dust in all directions, just like in a real battlefield.

Liao Wei-hung
FTV reporter
Today was Day 2 of the military’s joint defense drills, which saw a Black Hawk helicopter from the Army’s 601st Aviation Brigade simulate a fuel delivery in the field where other transport routes were cut off.

The helicopter departs, and troops move in to transport the 500-gallon fuel bladder, a key component in resupply operations that can provide timely logistical support to frontline combat units.

Su Tzu-yun
INDSR
The Black Hawk provides forward support to deployed units, enhancing battlefield effectiveness and helping frontline forces maintain their firepower and their operational readiness.

Moments later, the Army’s 21st Artillery Command deploys two Thunderbolt-2000 rocket launch vehicles into firing positions. They’re armed with MK30 and MK45 medium- to long-range rockets ideal for anti-landing missions.

The five-day joint defense exercise kicked off on Monday, featuring simulations of enemy forces setting sail and intruding into Taiwan’s territorial waters. A key focus of the exercise is coordinating decentralized units to break the opponent’s kill chain, testing the capabilities of spread-out command and control systems. The exercise is designed to showcase the military’s high mobility.

Su Tzu-yun
INDSR
The exercise places each operational zone at the center of decision-making to simulate decentralized command. Even if communication is disrupted, each zone can engage with the enemy independently while coordinating air defense, sea control and anti-landing operations.

Also part of the drills was a nighttime runway repair exercise simulating damage by enemy fire. Engineering units from the Air Force deployed forklifts and lights to make rapid repairs and restore operations as soon as possible. Through these realistic exercises, Taiwan’s military aims to strengthen its defenses while reinforcing deterrence against aggression.

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 #military #drills #exercises #airforce #army #navy

2026-07-14

Rat falls from ceiling at popular BBQ restaurant at Taipei Main

2026-07-14

482 athletes to compete for Taiwan at Asian Games in Nagoya

2026-07-14

Truck driver walks away mostly unscathed after Miaoli rockslide

Last weekend all of Taiwan was drenched by typhoon rains, and Monday this week it was raining rocks in Miaoli’s Dahu Township. On July 13 at night, a landslide of boulders came rumbling down the mountainside, pinning a truck against the guardrail of Miaoli Route 62. The lucky truck driver was somehow able to walk away mostly unscathed, yet problems remain for Miaoli County government, which still needs to fix the road.

This surveillance camera shows that a barrage of rocks of all sizes are falling down the hillside, but the feed got cut off, presumably by the landslide that came rumbling down and into the path of a truck driver surnamed Luo.

Voice of Mr. Luo
Truck driver
I suddenly heard the sounds of something rumbling and then everything went dark. Then it was just “boom, boom, boom,” that’s what it sounded like.

On July 13 at night, the 46-year-old driver was on his way to deliver goods when falling boulders pinned his truck against the guardrail. His vehicle’s exterior was twisted and crunched, but fortunately for the driver, he was able to walk away with just some skin abrasions.

Voice of Mr. Luo
Truck driver
I told myself then that my wife and child are at home waiting for me to come back. So I used my foot to kick open the door, and then I knew that I had to start running forward; if I didn’t start running, I was going to die.

Huang Hui-chin
Dahu Township chief
The driver, who must’ve been scared to death, was able to walk away with only some scrapes. He was asked if he wanted to go to the hospital, but he said he was okay. We went to the accident site this morning, and that’s when we discovered all the rocks on the mountainside had fallen down. There was probably 1,000 or 2,000 tons of rocks.

The section of Miaoli Route 62 that has boulders blocking both lanes is in Dahu Township’s Fuxing Village. This road is notorious for having incidences like this landslide after there are bouts of heavy rain. Miaoli Commissioner Chung Tung-chin suggested creating a shortcut road, but that all depends on the road’s repair budget, which will require financial assistance from the central government.

Chung Tung-chin
Miaoli Commissioner
In terms of making a shortcut road here, the cost of that will probably be quite substantial, so it’ll be difficult to do if only the county government has to pay for it. So, for this aspect, I hope that the central government can work with our 2 legislators to come to an agreement as soon as possible.

Dahu Township isn’t the only place in Miaoli dealing with a blocked road; students and workers in Nanzhuang Township’s Donghe Village have July 14 off due to a collapsed section of Miaoli Route 21. The sinkhole is directly in front of Shibi Bridge.

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

#Miaoli #rainingrocks #lanslide #truck #thatwasclose

2026-07-14

Traditional market becomes nightclub in Taitung Expo attraction

Everyone’s walked around traditional markets during the day, but have you ever visited one after hours? One exhibition at the Taitung Expo is encouraging just that, remaking the Central Market through projections, light, and sound to offer a novel experience reminiscent of shopping at a traditional market. Through the exhibition, the old shopping area has been given new life, inviting people to slow down and rediscover this local landmark.

Brilliant multicolored neon flashes along to electronic music, forming an array of glowing shapes. The pounding rhythm and dazzling lights transform this space into a kaleidoscope world of mesmerizing interest.

But how come this sign hanging above in flashing red and green says “Freshly caught tilapia,” “50 per caddy”? These traditional market furnishings contrast sharply with the nightclub atmosphere. But it isn’t a newly opened nightclub—it’s Taitung’s Central Market.

Member of public
Finds market cool
We found out about it online. It’s a wonderful surprise! Very different from how the Central Market is normally. It’s cool.

Member of public
Finds market cool
It’s very different than usual, like a nightclub.

From selling vegetables, fish, and meat during the day, the Central Market usually quiets down late in the afternoon. But for this year’s Taitung Expo, artists took the chance to reimagine the space into something resembling a nightclub. The trendy transformation has stopped many visitors in their tracks, who linger taking photo after photo.

Member of public
Likes the concept
If there weren’t an event like this, people wouldn’t come. But doing this brings in more people and helps them get to know the area better.

This year’s Taitung Expo hopes to encourage visitors to slow down and explore the city. From a traditional market filled with the shouts of vendors selling their wares, to a bumping nightclub destination at night, this old venue is recapturing its glory days while launching headfirst into the 21st century.

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

#nightclub #Taitung #TaitungExpo #traditionalmarket #artexhibition #CentralMarket #neon #photospot

2026-07-14

Innocent bystander gets sprayed by trash truck juice

One unlucky man will never forget the sight and smell of what happens when a bag of juicy trash explodes in the trash truck. Taiwan’s trash collection system is known for its classical melodies and scenes of humanity at its finest: people line up to throw out their bags of trash, which have been carefully sorted. But sometimes the tidy process can go terribly wrong.

All seems normal, with the trash truck playing its classical melody as people take turns throwing out their trash. But while almost everything is as usual, one unlucky victim is about to come face-to-face with a stinky situation.

Over in Taoyuan’s Guishan District, a man wearing a clean white shirt has just thrown his trash into the truck, but then, all of a sudden, his shirt is now a disgusting yellow. He’s standing there shocked, with juices dripping from his face; this surveillance camera shows that the same yellow gunk is covering his hair.

Voice of Manager
Betel nut stand
I’d just thrown in my trash, because I’m thinking that he’d already thrown in his trash before me. It’s probably from the people running the store next to me; they just threw in their kitchen waste as well, which ended up exploding all over me, covering me from head to toe.

With his head down, the man, covered in rancid juices, walks back to his betel nut stand. Later on, he realized that the ordeal could’ve been due to someone not properly sorting their trash. The offender likely put kitchen waste in with the other trash, and when the truck’s compressor squeezed the bag the juices shot forward. He described the liquid as being yellow and oily, and that the odor smelled disgusting. Fortunately for him, a neighbor let him wash off. Without the kind gesture, he’s not sure how he could’ve made it home smelling and looking like that.

Employee
Betel nut stand
It must feel really gross. He’s my boss, so it’s scary to think of, like if it was me I’d be really mad.

Shen Miao-hui
Taoyuan Environmental Management
Concerning the individual who failed to properly sort their trash, we will follow the regulations found in the Waste Disposal Act, which allow for a maximum fine of NT$6,000.

Taoyuan City’s Office of Environmental Management reiterated that in addition to complying with trash sorting rules, in order to avoid a similar stinky situation from happening again, people should keep a suitable distance from garbage trucks.

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

#eww #disgusting #trash #juice #tidy #trashy

2026-07-14

Four central Taiwanese counties and cities promote tourism in Korea

Central Taiwan is vying for tourists from South Korea, a booming market. Recently a delegation representing Taichung, Changhua, Nantou and Miaoli, went to Seoul on a promotional tour, attracting attention from the South Korean media. It’s expected their tourism promotions, which also included large outdoor advertisements in Myeong-dong, Seoul’s premier shopping district, will encourage more tourists to visit Central Taiwan. Let’s find out more.

The Taichung City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau joined forces with three other cities – Changhua, Nantou and Miaoli – to hold a tourism promotion event in Seoul, where it attracted large crowds.

Resident of Korea
Has visited Taiwan
I once went to Taichung with Taiwanese friends. We landed at Taoyuan Airport and visited Gaomei Wetlands via Taichung. The scenery was truly beautiful.

A South Korean tourist who had visited Taiwan before was deeply impressed by Gaomei Wetlands. When she learned at a booth that there were direct flights from Seoul to Taichung, she exclaimed that she wanted to come back again.

Chen Mei-hsiu
Taichung Tourism and Travel Bureau director
The South Korean market originally only had one route, but now it has three routes with 31 flights per week. The growth rate of the South Korean market has increased more than fourfold in the past two years. So the South Korean market not only has air routes, but also a sufficient number of tourists.

Local governments are promoting tourism by joining forces, hoping to collectively enhance the international competitiveness of central Taiwan’s tourism industry.

Chen Mei-hsiu
Taichung Tourism and Travel Bureau director
More than 70 business operators from Taichung, Changhua, Nantou, and Miaoli have teamed up to promote the region in Seoul, South Korea. Targeting travel industry professionals, the delegation aims to introduce Taichung and the major attractions across these four central Taiwan counties and cities.

Representatives from the four counties and cities traveled to Seoul, where they not only placed large outdoor advertisements in Myeong-dong, but also drew special coverage from Korean television media. Combined with in-person promotional activities, they successfully made a name for themselves and injected new vitality into tourism in central Taiwan.

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

#Taichungtourism #Taiwantourism #Koreantourism #Centraltaiwan

2026-07-14