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Taiwan to disrupt mobile data services as part of military drill

The Ministry of National Defense outlined the schedule and key training objectives for this year’s Han Kuang live-fire military exercises. The exercises will take place from Aug. 5 to 14, and or the first time, will include a mobile internet disruption drill in Northern and Central Taiwan. The drill will simulate communications disruptions during a national emergency causing mobile data services to slow down. The National Communications Commission says that critical services such as ATMs, emergency response systems, and police communications will not be affected. Let’s hear more.

Liang Po-chou
National Communications Commission
We will conduct a mobile internet disruption drill as part of the disaster relief exercises in Central and Northern Taiwan. The connection slowdown will extend to government agencies, military units, schools, businesses, and the general public. In accordance with evacuation guidelines, securities firms will suspend indoor and outdoor operations during the 30-minute exercise, and civil defense personnel and employees will assist the public with evacuation procedures.

Lu Wen-yuan
Joint Operations Division
Command centers at all levels will operate at full capacity in order to strengthen command, control, and emergency response capabilities. By integrating changing battlefield conditions and simulated enemy actions, the exercise will train commanders and staff to make rapid assessments, operational decisions, and issue timely orders.

The mobile internet disruption drill is a new addition to the exercises, which will continue to feature computer-assisted command post exercises, immediate combat readiness drills, and unscripted joint defense exercises. The network slowdown will affect an estimated 17 million people across 14 cities and counties. The government stresses that it is only a temporary slowdown. Voice calls, SMS services, fixed-line internet and Wi-Fi will remain operational.

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

#internet #connection #data #wifi #drills

2026-07-28

Kid on bike with training wheels runs red light and crashes into bus

A kid riding a bike with training wheels scared locals witless in Kaohsiung’s Siaogang District on Monday evening, after running a red light and crashing into a bus. The child was speeding down a road and failed to break at the traffic light, causing him to crash onto the side of a bus that was making a turn at the intersection. Fortunately, the kid made it out alive, and police are now looking for his parents, who could face a fine. Let’s hear more.

Witness
Saw the crash
The bus was making a turn, but the vehicle is so long that the driver didn’t see the kid. It was turning really slowly. Had it been any faster, the kid could’ve got run over.

Resident
Kaohsiung
Last week, that kid was riding his bike recklessly and crashing into everything, like a scooter someone parked next to the utility pole.

Member of public
Weighing in
The parents should be keeping watch over him.

Chen Kui-ho
Police officer
We are looking for the child’s parents. The bus does not seem to have broken any traffic laws. The child made an illegal right turn on a slow vehicle, which is finable with NT$300 to NT$1,200.

The kid has been going out on bike rides during the summer break. In this case, he picked up speed as he zipped along the road, apparently unaware of the danger he was putting himself in. Though he hit the back wheel of the bus, he didn’t get trapped underneath the vehicle, and lived to tell the tale.

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

#closeone #bike #bicycle #training #kid #summer #summerbreak

2026-07-28

Half a zebra crossing leaves Taipei pedestrians stranded

Imagine stepping onto a zebra crossing, only for it to disappear halfway across the road. That’s exactly what happened at a busy intersection in Taipei’s Shilin District, where partially erased road markings left pedestrians stranded in the middle of traffic. The bizarre sight sparked confusion and safety concerns, especially because it’s right next to a popular children’s amusement park. City officials now admit the contractor made a mistake and say they’ll add signs to explain the new traffic layout.

- The zebra crossing is gone!

The zebra crossing marks disappears bang in the middle of the road. In deep disbelief, the local borough warden posted a video about it on social media. But the markings have yet to reappear.

Lee Shih-chen
FTV reporter
I’m at the site of the video 12 hours later. The markings are nowhere to be seen, but in the distance, you can see the zebra crossing starts out of nowhere. So can you cross? Or not?

Parent
Stumped at crossing
It’s so dangerous. If I get there, I’d wonder whether it’s OK to cross or not.

Parent
Stumped at crossing
If there’s road work, they should put up a sign saying you should cross somewhere else. The markings only reach halfway across.

The dark areas show that there used to be a zebra crossing that was removed at some point. Pedestrians crossing from the painted side are left stuck right in the middle of the road. What’s worse, this crossing is right next to the Taipei Children’s Amusement Park, meaning there’s lots of parents with kids here.

Chi Chien-han
Hougang Borough Warden
They park there and they have to cross the road to get to the amusement park, or to the Shuangxi wetland park, which is also a popular spot. The government should be paying more attention to safety during road work, and put up signs.

Voice Hsu Chuan-lun
Taipei Traffic Engineering Office
We’re really sorry for this incident. We will be adding signage this afternoon to let the public know that the traffic management measures in this area will be a bit different.

The Taipei City Government says the contractors made a mistake, saying that the zebra crossing should have been completely erased, as the road markings have changed. But with no signs to explain the change, the new layout has caused plenty of confusion.

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

#zebracrossing #road #traffic #lanemanagement #urbanplanning #cityplanning

2026-07-28

HSR partners with supermarket on products to welcome new trains

The high-speed rail is to welcome its new generation of trains in August before they enter service next year. Looking to capitalize on railway business opportunities, one of Taiwan’s top supermarkets for the first time is working with the HSR on a series of cobranded lunchboxes and desserts. There will be pop-up stores at five major HSR stations, providing commuters with diverse and convenient dining choices on the go.

This familiar mascot is making a surprise appearance as a train conductor, pushing a food cart. One of Taiwan’s biggest supermarkets is partnering with the high-speed rail for the first time to offer a series of cobranded lunchboxes, giving passengers a new meal option.

Tony Tsai
Supermarket president
We’re setting up pop-up stalls at HSR stations—something we’d never have imagined doing in the past, putting a supermarket in a high-speed rail station. Most people would think of convenience stores. We look forward to HSR consumers being able to eat our delicious, piping-hot lunchboxes from these pop-up stalls.

In addition to the exclusive lunchboxes—braised pork, teriyaki chicken thigh, and sweet and sour chicken rice—there’s also cake, donuts, and Taiwanese-style pastries to satisfy every passenger’s sweet tooth. The first wave is already on sale at Taoyuan, Taichung, Chiayi, Tainan, and Zuoying stations.

Liu Hung-cheng
Supermarket associate marketing director
The HSR lunchboxes are served hot, which differs from the cold, Japanese-style bento. We’re offering these hot meals to align with the purchasing habits of HSR passengers.

Chen Hui-yu
Taiwan High Speed Rail general manager
Our next-generation trains are about to be delivered from Japan. They will offer a more comfortable, safer design, incorporating operational needs gathered from our past 20 years along with new design features.

As the HSR prepares to welcome 12 new trains in August, the railway is also selling official merchandise like train-shaped pillows, perfect for the rail enthusiast looking forward to the next generation of Taiwan’s HSR.

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

#highspeedrail #HSR #bento #lunchbox #cobranding #N700ST #railwaylunchbox #trains

2026-07-28

Taiwanese opera summer program puts on shows made for families

Traditional opera isn’t just for adults! Immersion in the art form can also help young kids fall in love with Taiwanese culture. This summer, the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the National Center for Traditional Arts and local troupes launched a summer children’s opera tour. The program allows kids at rural schools and townships to get up close and personal with Taiwanese opera and puppet theater to learn for themselves the charm of these traditional performing arts.

Brought alive by the puppeteers’ skill, cloth characters bound across the stage, drawing thunderous applause from the audience.

Another staple of Taiwan’s traditional arts, this Taiwanese opera performance also won enthusiastic applause.

Combining modern theater with child-friendly themes, these shows are tailored to young audiences to give families a fun summer activity.

Tang Mei-yun
Tang Mei Yun Taiwanese Opera Company
From glove puppetry to Taiwanese opera—even though it’s still an opera, you can see how their dedication, creativity, choreography, and design sets them apart from other operas, and makes them suitable for the entire family.

Shifting away from the rigid classroom structure by inviting children to watch performances, the National Center for Traditional Arts encourages everyone to step outdoors to foster children’s understanding of traditional opera.

Li Yuan
Minister of Culture
We hope our children can enjoy a childhood like mine, where I could watch traditional performances, Taiwanese opera, puppet theater. We hope that these puppet shows will some day enter mainstream culture.

Chen Yueh-yi
National Center for Traditional Arts director
Bring the kids out, and bring the parents along, too! Mom, Dad, and kids, all together for a summer family extravaganza—a grand showcase of children’s opera.

This program is helping local Taiwanese culture take root among the younger generations, bringing children into the extravagant world of traditional opera!

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

#Taiwaneseopera #gezaixi #glovepuppetry #traditionalperformance #TangMeiyun #summerprogram #familyactivity #childrenstheater

2026-07-28

Taiwan shares collapse on news of China semiconductor leap

Taiwan shares suffered their third-biggest crash on record on Tuesday, after reports emerged that China had made a major breakthrough in semiconductor technology. Asian markets melted down, with a 10% drop in South Korea and a 4% fall in Japan. In Taiwan, TSMC shares collapsed, and companies like Delta Electronics, Mediatek, and UMC closed limit-down, as did many memory and component firms. The Index shed 2,030 points, or 4.65% to close sharply down at 41,603 points.

The market panic stemmed from a report by American tech media outlet “The Information.” The headline rads “China begins mass production of homegrown DUV chip tools.” The plan is reportedly to produce five immersion deep-ultraviolet lithography machines in 2026, with an output target of 20 in 2027. The news has been seen as a break away from the monopoly led by Dutch firm ASML, which triggered a collective sell-off in global semiconductor equipment stocks. But, an analyst at JPMorgan believes the crash was an overreaction driven by market sentiment, as ASML maintains a significant technological and production lead over its Chinese competitors.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#tech #china #shares #stocks #stockmarket #tsmc #chips #semiconductor

2026-07-28

Hong Kongers come to Taiwan to see golden retriever, leave money for treats

A golden retriever named Cola who lives at a scooter repair shop in New Taipei’s Banqiao District went viral thanks to a video of him hopping onto a police scooter. The owner regularly posts videos of Cola interacting with people, building a loyal online fan base. Recently, a pair of tourists from Hong Kong came especially to see their favorite celebrity dog. They tried to give cash to the owner to buy treats, but he refused, so the couple shoved the money into his hand and bolted before he had a chance to return it.

Tourists with backpacks walk into a scooter repair shop and shove some bills into the mechanic’s hand before running away. He tries to chase after them to return the money, but they start running faster. The couple traveled from Hong Kong specifically to give him money for dog treats.

The owner of this shop in New Taipei’s Banqiao District keeps a golden retriever named Cola. The dog became an overnight celebrity after he was caught on camera blocking a police scooter and jumping on for a ride. Thanks to his friendly antics, Cola already has over 36,000 followers on social media.

Hung Chiao-hsuan
FTV reporter
This is Cola, the golden retriever who drew tourists all the way from Hong Kong just to see him. He’s super friendly and will run right up to anyone who comes by.

Cola’s owner
Some tourists from Hong Kong came after seeing him online. They shoved money in my hand to buy treats for him. But I figured, since they’re visitors, it wouldn’t be right to take their money. So I donated it to stray dogs in need.

From a tiny three-month-old puppy, to a three-year-old giant weighing in at 43kg, Cola may be older, but he hasn’t lost his energy. As soon as he sees someone, his tail starts wagging uncontrollably.

Cola’s owner
When we’re busy with work, we can’t pay attention to him every second. So when people come by and play with him, it actually makes things easier on us.

- I came to fix my bike, but the mechanic said it isn’t necessary.
- It doesn’t need fixing yet.
- So you stayed to play with the dog?
- Yeah.

The owner shared the donation receipt to show that all the money from the tourists went toward an organization that helps strays, helping even more dogs receive good care.

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

#dog #goldenretriever #mechanic #viralpet #charity #Colathedog #Banqiao

2026-07-28

Mingde Reservoir zip line offers spectacular views for thrill seekers

The Miaoli County Government has set up a zip line high above Mingde Reservoir for the thrill-seeking tourist. Measuring in at 330m long, it’s currently the longest zip line in western Taiwan. The internationally certified facility has attracted many visitors to experience the breathtaking views at Mingde while soaring high above the lake.

After suiting up in safety gear, it’s time to take off! One person swoops down over the lake as the next prepares to launch. But this time isn’t as smooth…

The staff member tries to soothe her nerves, telling her not to be worried—it’s perfectly safe.

- Step your leg over.
- Ahh, it’s too scary!
- This is the small one. Next is the big step. Lift your feet. Lift your feet!

But the body doesn’t lie. Her friends couldn’t stop laughing.

- Ahh!! Ahh!!
- I’ll hold you. I’ll hold you.
- Let go! Let go! Let go!!

She finally made it! This zip line stretches for 330m, allowing people to enjoy the beautiful scenery at Miaoli’s Mingde Reservoir while soaring through the air. In addition to the zip line, thrill seekers can also try their hand at this aerial bike.

Chung Tung-chin
Miaoli County Commissioner
Everyone is very welcome to come and test out their courage. It’s thrilling. I think it’ll be a hit with younger people. I hope everyone visits Mingde Reservoir to walk around and see for themselves.

Aside from the aerial activities, people looking for a slower pace can also take a boat out on the lake. The theatrical re-release of the remastered classic The Dull Ice Flower has brought renewed attention to this reservoir, where it was filmed. By adding new facilities, the county hopes to inject fresh energy into these gorgeous surroundings.

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

#MingdeReservoir #Miaoli #zipline #thrillseeking #aerialbike #DullIceFlower #tourism

2026-07-28

Japan eyes drone cooperation to detach from China supply chain

Japanese drone maker ACSL has been expanding into the defense, logistics, and disaster relief markets in recent years, with its small Soten photography drone already adopted by the Japan Self-Defense Forces. After ridding its supply chain of China-made components, the company is expanding cooperation with Taiwanese manufacturers, as it looks forward to the development of the lucrative AI robotics and drone markets.

Propellers whirling, this is the Soten drone developed by Japanese drone maker ACSL. It uses components from the US and Taiwan, fully avoiding the use of China-made parts.

Kensuke Hayakawa
ACSL representative director and co-CEO
We’re focused on the national defense market, so when delivering our products, we ensure as much as possible that they do not contain any components made in China.

The Soten drone targeting the national defense and information security marketshas already been adopted by the Japan Self-Defense Forces. Beyond defense applications, it can also be used for facility inspection, maintenance, and reconnaissance in earthquake disaster zones.

As its products find more applications, ACSL shipped about 1,000 units last year, generating revenue of 2.6 billion yen. Its products have already entered mass production, but the company admits that its biggest challenge moving forward is keeping Chinese manufacturers out of the supply chain.

Kensuke Hayakawa
ACSL representative director and co-CEO
When it comes to our collaboration with Taiwan, we believe that by working with Taiwanese enterprises, Japan and Taiwan can jointly build a supply chain that does not rely on China. We’ve already discussed various possibilities with a number of Taiwanese businesses. They have proposed many solutions and we have presented different requirements. Both sides are actively engaging in negotiations.

James Huang
TAITRA chair
The Japanese market is small compared to China. But as this becomes more true, the more it’s necessary that Japan and Taiwan work together to expand their markets. Besides further strengthening technological cooperation, they can expand together into third-party markets.

This large logistics drone can carry a maximum payload of 4.5kg over a distance of 40km. Through GPS positioning, it can independently route deliveries and emergency supplies.

Akira Amari
Japan Diet caucus for semiconductor policy
First of all, whoever controls semiconductors controls the world. I believe this is now a reality. Secondly, the focal point of semiconductors will shift from design and development to manufacturing capability. I believe this is also gradually becoming a reality.

Looking favorably on Taiwan’s manufacturing strength, Japan aims to team up with Taiwan to seize business opportunities within the non-China supply chain.

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

#nonredsupplychain #supplychain #drones #ACSL #TaiwanJapan #Soten #defensetech #semiconductors

2026-07-28