Two Changhua towns are giving out free cash to their residents

Two Changhua towns are giving out free cash to their residents

2026-07-20

Who doesn’t love free money? A township in Changhua is handing every registered resident NT$6,000 in cash, but the timing is raising eyebrows. While many locals are happy to pocket the money, critics argue that distributing public funds just months ahead of an election risks blurring the line between economic relief and vote-buying. Let’s hear more.

Employee
Huatan Township Office
I’m from Taichung.

- How do you feel seeing locals get NT$6,000?

Employee
Huatan Township Office
Super jealous.

- How much cash did you count?

Employee
Huatan Township Office
About NT$1.7 million. I wish I were registered in Huatan.

Resident
Huatan
I got the money, but I don’t think it’s a good thing. In the upcoming elections, we should be picking a capable candidate, and not let them buy our votes with cash.

Resident
Huatan
If course it could be a political stunt. But the most important thing is to have a clear mindset.

Ku Sheng-min
Huatan Mayor
We’re giving back the surplus tax to our residents, and cash is best. It can help them make ends meet.

With a population of 42,000 people, the payments will cost Huatan about NT$258 million. Distribution started on Monday. The office says that the program is funded through savings from personnel cuts and higher tax revenues. And somehow, it’s not the only place in Changhua handing out cash. Nearby Xianxi Township is giving residents NT$2,500 each, using Taipower community funds and budget surpluses, benefiting more than 15,000 people.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#changhua #budget #revenue #tax

發錢! 彰縣花壇鄉民各領6千線西每人2500元生活金

2026-07-20

這個時機大撒幣，有爭議嗎?彰化縣花壇鄉公所，發給每位鄉民，6千元振興經濟金，從今天(20日)起分2階段發放。鄉民坦言，能拿到錢當然開心，不過，也有人說，選舉前用公款發錢，難免涉及"買票"的質疑。

[[彰化花壇鄉公所員工]]
"我是台中人(台中人看到他們發6千覺得怎樣?)羨慕嫉妒恨。

[[彰化花壇鄉公所員工]]
“(剛剛數了多少的錢?) 一百七十幾萬。應該設籍在花壇。”

[[彰化縣花壇鄉民]]
“我有領到，但那不好，不要說為了選舉，要選一個有能力有用的人，不是用錢來買。”

[[彰化縣花壇鄉民]]
“當然也是可能會把它政治操作啦，政治的想法，但是只要我們自己心態正確最重要。”

[[彰化縣花壇鄉長顧勝敏]]
“還是現金最好，所以我們把超收的稅金，發還給我們民眾，可以比較好過日子。”

花壇鄉振興經濟紓困金，每位鄉民發6千元，以設籍人口4萬2000人，總額約需2億5800萬元，從20日開始發。財源從哪裡來?公所說是節省人事費，還有各稅收都比去年增加，所以有餘裕放出去。另外，彰化縣線西鄉也發錢，生活福利金，主要來自台電的敦親睦鄰基金，還有預算使用有賸餘，因此今年每人發2500元，全鄉約有1萬5千多人受惠，大約要發出3千9百萬元。

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With AI, cooking has never been easier. A home electronics brand has launched AI cooking eyeglasses. When you wear them, they can be activated by your voice to identify ingredients, recommend recipes and guide you step by step through the cooking process. An accompanying AI-powered smart seasoning dispenser, can precisely measure the exact amounts of seasoning needed. Let’s take a look at these amazing new AI technologies.

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- Hello, Master Chef! With these AI cooking glasses, you can effortlessly identify ingredients, get step-by-step cooking guidance and ask for recipes on the spot.

When paired with an AI-powered smart seasoning machine, it can also record preferences and customize flavor adjustments.

Wu Li-hsiang
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Through the design of AI glasses and our smart seasoning containers, AI technology and related equipment enables everyone to easily enjoy cooking in the kitchen.

After you’ve eaten and drunk to your heart’s content, you don’t need to worry about dirty dishes. Another company has launched a “built-in sink dishwasher” that uses ultrasonic vibrations to instantly remove dirt. It can wash dishes, remove pesticide residue from fruits and vegetables and even clean eyeglasses.

Yeh Wen-cheng
Dishwasher vendor
Ordinary dishwashers use water spraying, so you have to arrange them properly so the spray can reach them to clean. Our method is to soak them in water and use the water to vibrate them, generating more than 20,000 to 40,000 vibrations per second to dislodge the grime.

Modern people lead busy, fast-paced lives. Businesses are sniffing out opportunities presented by AI trends, aiming to bring smart devices into every household.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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2026-07-20

Octogenarian keeps traditional fish counting trade alive in Tainan

Across the aquafarms of coastal Tainan, fish fry traders used to rely on professional counters, who tallied the young fish with the help of a rhythmic fish-counting song. Although modern advancements have nearly wiped out the practice, in Tainan, there still one who carries on the tradition. The 87-year-old counter continues to teach young people about early life along the Tainan coast, drawing upon his wealth of experience to teach an all-but-forgotten part of Taiwan’s fishing culture.

Newly hatched milkfish fry swim around in a barrel as a fish counter uses a bowl to quickly sort and tally them. As he works, he sings the fish counting song, a tradition among the coastal villages of Tainan.

Lin Ssu-ping
Fish counter
You need good eyesight. Once you’re used to it, it becomes second nature. You can’t make a single error. For every one you’re off, you need to compensate for 10 fish.

-He’s very accurate and very fast.

-His voice flows so seamlessly. I don’t understand it, but it sounds like a folk ballad.

At 87 years old, Lin Ssu-ping is the last fish counter in Taiwan. Drawing on his lifetime of experience, he guides parents and children to try out traditional seine fishing on bamboo rafts, teaching them how to use the nets and catch fry.

Member of public
Seeing it once is better than a hundred lessons. You can remember it so much better after experiencing it yourself.

Tsai Chun-feng
Ecotourism development association chair
Fish counting used to be done manually. It required a ton of labor. They could count 100,000 to 200,000 in one morning.

Unusual for someone who couldn’t read or do math, Lin decided to pursue a living as a fish counter. His uniform: a distinctive brown apron tied around his waist.

Lin Ssu-ping
Fish counter
If you need to cross a river or a canal, your lower half will get soaked. The apron is more breathable.

These days, it’s computers that count milkfish fry, driving traditional fish counters out of a job. But this passionate octogenarian proves that although times change, there’s still space for traditions to be passed on 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

#milkfish #fishcounting #traditional #Tainan #coastaltown #fishing #aquaculture #heritage #folksong

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Six flights delayed after cracks found on runway

Flights at Kaohsiung International Airport were on Monday morning after cracks were discovered on the runway during a routine inspection. Authorities immediately shut down part of the runway for emergency preventive repairs to ensure flight safety, delaying six flights, with the longest delay lasting more than two hours. Officials say days of heavy rains may be to blame.

Maintenance crew at Kaohsiung International Airport inspect the runway thoroughly to fix the cracks in the tarmac. Days of heavy rains are thought to have damaged the pavement in several spots, posing a risk to flight safety. But the repairs came at the cost of flight delays.

- How long is the delay?
- I think about 50 minutes.

Passengers were left playing the waiting game, seeing that their scheduled departure times were long past. One passenger says their 8:30 flight to Hong Kong didn’t take off until 11:00. The airport announcements explained that the runway was damaged, making landings impossible. Airport staff discovered cracks on the runway on Monday morning, and rushed to make preventive emergency repairs, which lasted from 10:15 to 11:25. The work affected four international flights and two domestic flights.

Voice of Lin Yi-hsing
Kaohsiung International Airport
We issued a notice to airmen and informed all the affected airlines. Six flights were affected.

Traveler
Wasn’t affected by delays
Takeoff and landing are the most risky parts of any flight. It’s the right decision to make for the sake of safety.

The repairs delayed six flights, one of which was pushed back by more than two hours, at 136 minutes. A former pilot says even small cracks can be dangerous.

Voice of Lawrence Rau
Former pilot
Airplanes are extremely heavy, so any cracks or uneven pavement can have an impact on the tires during takeoff and landing. In general, operations are forbidden under those conditions.

Officials say the damage may have been caused by heavy rains, or possibly a lightning strike. Ultimately, they decided to close down the runway for repairs, as no compromises can be made when it comes to aviation safety.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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Kaohsiung restaurant gets creative with fried rice flavors

Honey cakes go great with afternoon tea, but what about with fried rice? One restaurant in Kaohsiung’s Sanmin District tried it out, making a honey cake fried rice that blends sweet with savory. Its unexpected popularity inspired other creative dishes, like toast coffee fried rice and banana fried rice. These unique flavors challenge traditional expectations, revolutionizing this classic dish.

These eggs and rice already smell delicious as they’re fried in a wok. The chef then adds a unique ingredient: honey cake cut up into small cubes. Honey cake fried rice is this restaurant’s specialty.

Customer
It’s sweet at first, but it’s definitely fried rice. It’s pretty good, and I can tell that the rice itself is well done. Next time I want to try different flavors.

This long-running restaurant in Kaohsiung’s Sanmin District offers unique flavors of fried rice. One of its specialties combines cake with fried rice, making a sweet and savory combination that was unexpectedly popular.

Restaurant owner
My friend brought over cake and jokingly asked if I could use it in fried rice. So I gave it a try, and he thought it was actually pretty good. Both men and women come because lots of young people like trying it.

With over 50 kinds of fried rice on its menu, this restaurant is always experimenting with new, creative flavors. Some are truly mind blowing.

One popular option includes ostrich meat, while another uses toast. The toast is cut up into small pieces and stir-fried in the wok, then coffee powder is sprinkled on top for a breakfast-inspired fried rice.

Restaurant owner
People say that it tastes kind of like French toast. On good days, we sell 10 to 20 servings of specialty fried rice like this.

Breaking away from tradition, this restaurant uses creativity and culinary skill to revolutionize fried rice, blending seemingly disparate ingredients into delicious dishes.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#friedrice #Kaohsiung #honeycake #cake #cakefriedrice #coffee #coffeefriedrice #creative #innovation #revolution #restaurant #specialty

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Yunlin’s roasted corn so popular that China claims

Grown in Taiwan and processed in Taiwan, this roasted corn snack is so delicious that it even became a hit in Japan. A purchasing agent saw the business opportunity in a local brand that had sold 2 million bags, but sometime during its international adventure across the Taiwan Strait and into China the roasted corn’s packaging had its country of origin changed to Taiwan, China.

Yunlin County Commissioner Chang Li-shan and the secretary-general of Taishi Farmer’s Association are selling locally made Taiwanese food products during a live video. In their hands is a roasted corn brand that’s gotten so popular in Japan that now even Taiwanese are lining up to buy it.

- Customers need about two months to receive their order. Right now, on average, we sell over 10,000 bags a day.

As of now, over 2 million bags of this salty snack have been sold. Seeing a great business opportunity, an exporter brought the product to China, where its original packaging had a small silver sticker placed over each bag’s country of origin, which now says “Taiwan, China.”

This roasted corn should say it’s made in Taiwan, but once it started being sold in China, the snack’s bags had their country of origin changed to China. It’s another example of Chinese origin laundering.

Tsai Yung-fu
Yunlin County Council
Falsifying the country of origin like this, we think it should be investigated thoroughly, because it’s harmful to Taiwan’s own national dignity.

Member of public
Shocked by this incident
It’s really strange. Something that’s Taiwanese has been labeled as Chinese. Won’t other people think this is really bewildering?

Who stuck on these stickers? One culprit could be the purchasing agent, but no one knows where the snack was being sold in China. Roasted corn isn’t the only Taiwanese snack that had its identity stolen; Jiaxian Farmer’s Association produces preserved plums that are sold in China. These Kaohsiung plums also had their country of origin changed to China. When news about the roasted corn went viral, Taishi Farmer’s Association clarified that this popular roasted corn snack is only sold in Taiwan.

Lin Li-ying
Taishi Farmer’s Association
All of our bags use printing. We don’t use stickers, so this is the work of an individual.

A product made and sold in Taiwan was somehow brought to and sold in China, where someone had tried to change the identity of a salty snack that Taiwan is proud to call its own. But the only thing covering up the truth is a sticker.

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Mother-of-pearl inlay artisan teaches craft to inmates

Mother-of-pearl inlay is a centuries-old craft that involves shaping thin pieces of iridescent shell and embedding them into objects. This traditional art is in danger of disappearing as artisans age without apprentices to take over. But one artisan has been teaching at Hsinchu Prison, inspiring many inmates to take an interest. Chen Fu-chiang hopes this beautiful art can help them regain a sense of purpose and hope in life.

Using a grinding wheel, an artist carefully sculpts seashells into a flower and inlays it onto a wooden board, creating a beautiful work of art.

A master at this kind of mother-of-pearl inlay work, artisan Chen Fu-chiang is also an attentive teacher. The art form involves shaping thin pieces of shells and embedding them into objects. But this highly delicate and intricate craft is in danger of disappearing. Now that he’s found more interested students, Mr. Chen sees hope for the future.

Chen Fu-chiang
Shell inlay artisan
The warden really values this tradition, so he invited me to the prison to teach it. They exceeded my expectations. They selected people who had artistic backgrounds or were skilled with their hands, and they learned very quickly.

Invited to teach at Hsinchu Prison, Mr. Chen does not treat these students any differently just because they’re inmates. He gives each one an equal opportunity to learn.

Chen Fu-chiang
Shell inlay artisan
I often tell him, that student, if you don’t know, then just ask.

Han Chih-hsiang
Hsinchu Prison officer
It’s important that those who come are willing to learn and can sit still. Of course, during the process, some students discover that it’s too tiring and challenging, so they might choose to leave the class.

Under Mr. Chen’s patient tutelage, many inmates have found a sense of accomplishment from learning a beautiful art form they never thought they would have the chance to try.

Inmate
I’ve learned to focus and work diligently, and it’s helped me manage my bad temper and negative thoughts.

Inmate
We have to do each step very meticulously and carefully, to the best of our ability, before we can move on to the next one. I think the same principle should apply to life in the future as well.

Studying mother-of-pearl inlay helps these inmates find a sense of accomplishment and unlearn bad habits, giving them and their teacher new hope for the future.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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A mountain of bags is piled up by a clothing recycling bin in Hsinchu. Even though this facility is only meant for recyclable clothes, there is lots of trash inside these bags.

Huang Pei-sheng
Hsinchu disability employment association head
It’s really serious. It happens every week. It could be that vendors have taken away the good clothes. It’s a real hassle, especially when we have to come back and sort everything out. Each trip is a long drive, and our trucks aren’t very large, so if one-third of the load is garbage, the burden on our staff is huge, not even counting fuel costs.

Clothing recycling bins in Hsinchu County’s Xinfeng Township and Zhubei City have recently been filled with unusable clothes and even trash. It’s possible that recycling companies discarded the items after taking the more valuable pieces, but this leaves the disability support groups that manage the bins with a heavier burden and possible fines.

Volunteer
Helps with trash
We handle a lot of trash. We collect it twice a week and it smells terrible.

The association reported the matter to police, but the dumping often occurs after dark, and many collection bins are in secluded areas without surveillance, making it difficult to catch those responsible.

Liao Ying-ying
Hsinchu Environmental Protection Bureau deputy director
Dumping trash around clothing collection bins is subject to a NT$6,000 fine according to the Waste Disposal Act.

It’s illegal to dump trash by recycling bins, and authorities are working together to try and stop this egregious behavior.

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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