Classic song ‘Any Wine Bottles for Sale’ used for recycling truck in Pingtung

2026-08-11

There are two songs that everyone in Taiwan hears daily thanks to the ubiquitous garbage truck: “Maiden’s Prayer” and “Für Elise.” But in Pingtung’s Chaozhou Township, there’s another song that gets residents out of their homes, trash bags in hand. That song is the classic “Any Wine Bottles for Sale,” used for the recycling truck. These days, it’s a reminder nearly exclusive to Chaozhou.

“Maiden’s Prayer” is probably the most common song in Taiwan, heard every time the garbage truck comes by. But in Pingtung’s Chaozhou Township, there’s another song that residents have grown up listening to.

As soon as residents hear this song, they know it’s time to take out the recycling.

Resident
Chaozhou
I’ve been hearing this song since I was a kid. It reminds me to take out the trash.

Resident
Chaozhou
Whenever people hear this, they know the truck is coming and it’s time to take out recycling.

The melody played by this recycling truck is the Taiwanese classic “Any Wine Bottles for Sale.” If you can hear it, Chaozhou residents will be close by, bags of recycling at the ready.

Chu Yu-hsun
Chaozhou neighborhood warden
Everyone is very familiar with this song. We hope that by using this music, it can help people to recycle.

Wang Chien-yuan
Chaozhou Township Office chief secretary
We use this song for our recycling trucks because it’s familiar to people. Of course, we aren’t selling the recycling. We’re collecting it back here.

In the old days, people used to miss the recycling truck because it didn’t play any sound. So in 2003, the EPA made a rule allowing local governments to choose whether to play music or not. Although the music isn’t exclusive to Chaozhou, it remains a fond memory for people who grew up here.

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#Pingtung #recyclingtruck #garbagetruck #garbagetruckmusic #AnyWineBottlesforSale #Taiwanesemusic

屏東潮州資源回收車播放”酒矸倘賣無"民眾:從小聽到大

2026-08-11

在台灣有幾首大家最耳熟能詳的歌，那就是日常倒垃圾時會聽到的名曲"少女的祈禱"或是"給愛麗絲"，但你知道嗎?在屏東潮州還有一首歌也是潮州人聽到會馬上動起來，那就是回收車來的時候會播放的"酒矸倘賣無"，民眾就笑稱這幾乎是潮州限定的回收提醒了。

台灣人最耳熟能詳的經典垃圾車主題曲應該是少女的祈禱，但在屏東潮州，還有另一首歌也是大家從小聽到大的。

在屏東潮州只要聽到這首歌，在地人就知道資源回收車到了。

[[民眾]]
“從小到大就聽到這個音樂，就想到要倒垃圾啊”

[[民眾]]
“只要聽到這個的話，大家知道這個是垃圾車要過來了，要回收一些東西這樣”

回收車所播放的旋律，就是台語歌”酒矸倘賣無”，潮州人就會提著家中的大包小包的回收物出門。

[[潮州鎮潮州里長朱祐馴]]
“這個音樂大家應該都很熟悉，希望大家藉由這個音樂，對這個資源回收有幫助”

[[潮州鎮公所主任秘書王建元]]
“用這個歌做我們回收車的主題曲，主要就是讓大家有親切感，當然，我們沒賣，我們要回來這裡回收集中”

其實回收車會放這首歌的旋律，是早期沒有播放音樂，許多民眾都會錯過，所以2003年當時環保署拍板定案，也讓各縣市可以自行決定要不要使用，儘管不是潮州限定，但卻是潮州人從小聽到大的專屬回收歌。

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Taoyuan airport imposes new rules, with fines up to NT$25,000

If you’re planning an overseas summer vacation, take note. Since August, new rules have been in effect at the international airport in Taoyuan. Any motorist parked or loitering in the drop off/pick up zone for more than three minutes will be fined up to NT$1,200. Furthermore, placing standing signs, suitcases or other clutter in the arrival hall blocking traffic is also now prohibited. Fines for these violations stretch up to NT$25,000. Let’s find out more.

Outside the airport terminal’s pick-up and drop-off zone, a long line of cars is waiting. Every vehicle is picking up or dropping off passengers—some are loading luggage into trunks, while others are squeezing into the back seat with their bags. But be aware that the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport’s smart enforcement cameras are now officially active, so you’d better be quick. If you stop for more than three minutes and get caught on camera, it will be considered a violation and you’ll be fined.

Airport taxi operator
Thinks fine system is reasonable
Three minutes is about right. As long as they book in advance and are waiting for cars, it’s fine. As professionals, we know that we only arrive after the customer has made a booking and comes outside. But many ordinary people don’t know this and will be waiting there early.

Macau tourist
Thinks fine system is reasonable
My timing will be calculated well, and I won’t be waiting there for that long, so I actually think it’s okay.

Whether three minutes is enough is a matter of opinion. As for violations, fines of up to NT$1,200 can be imposed according to the traffic management act.

In addition to fines for motorists that stop for too long to pick up or drop off passengers, the airport has also tightened regulations surrounding people meeting passengers inside the terminals. They are not allowed to use standing signs or put down suitcases or other clutter when they meet passengers. Violators can be fined up to NT$25,000.

Hotel airport transfer provider
Commenting on the new system
Previously, our hotel had a front desk—meaning we had a dedicated lounge area. So when we did airport pickups, after meeting guests here, we would all head over there. But later on, because of the pandemic, the airport terminal stopped renting those spaces to us. That’s what led to the current situation being a bit more chaotic.

This veteran airport pick-up operator says that they used to have dedicated arrival counters for tourists to find for themselves, but these were removed due to the pandemic, leading to the current chaotic situation. He’s hoping the authorities won’t just rely on fines, but will implement better planning to solve the root of the problem.

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

2026-08-11

Police officer saves life of man who collapsed at red light

2026-08-11

Retiree reclaims lost envelope with NT$30,000 after seven months

At the beginning of the year, a retired military instructor in Chiayi’s Minxiong Township accidentally left an envelope with NT$30,000 in a duck soup restaurant. The owner handed the money over to the police, but received it back six months later after no one came to claim it. But by chance, the owner was able to find the person, and could finally return the money. Grateful for the gesture, the man donated a portion of the money to charity in the shop owner’s name to pay forward her act of kindness.

Hsu Kun-cheng, a retired military instructor from Sieh Chih Vocational High School in Minxiong Township, rushed back to this duck soup restaurant to meet the kind-hearted owner.

Back in January, he left this exact envelope at the restaurant. As soon as she discovered it had NT$30,000 inside, she knew the owner must be frantic to get it back.

- I’m so glad you came back for it! Knowing you couldn’t find it made me anxious for you.

Although the envelope had a name on it, the owner didn’t know him at all. She turned it into the police station, but since it wasn’t claimed for six months, she got it back. By law, the money now belonged to the store. But the owner had no intention of keeping it for herself. She kept searching for the owner, and resolved to donate it if she couldn’t find him.

Friend of Hsu Kun-cheng
Was asked about envelope
The owner showed me this exact envelope and asked whether I know anyone named Kun-cheng.

Restaurant owner
Took envelope to police
I figured the person who lost it would be frantic to get it back and go to the police station. But he never went there to find it.

After hearing the news, Hsu Kun-cheng went in person to retrieve the envelope, with a plan to pass on the owner’s kindness.

- If you couldn’t find it, you planned to donate the money?
- That’s right.
- Right. So I’ll make the donation on your behalf.

Seven months later, the envelope was finally reunited with its owner, with a portion of the cash destined for charity. This heartwarming act of goodwill has since continued to inspire local charities throughout Minxiong Township.

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

#Chaiyi #charity #heartwarming #kindness #lostandfound #payitforward

2026-08-11

Lost dog finds own way to police station, has heartwarming reunion with owner

2026-08-11

Taipei Main Station to lose beloved checkered flooring

2026-08-11

Hualien and MIT REAP forum puts county on international innovation map

From agriculture to cutting-edge technology, Hualien is looking to put itself on the global innovation map. A new two-day forum backed by the Hualien County Government and MIT’s Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program is bringing together local industries, universities, research institutions and startups, with the goal of turning the county’s agricultural strengths into new business opportunities. The initiative covers everything from AI-powered healthcare to life sciences, as Hualien looks to build a homegrown innovation ecosystem and connect local ideas with international markets.

An array of crystal clear display bottles showcase a wide range of agricultural materials, including rice husk charcoal, mineral phosphorous and dark granular fertilizer. This is the Hualien REAP Forum, hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program under the guidance of the Hualien County Government. The forum kicked off on Monday at the Parkview Hotel in Hualien.

Hsu Chen-wei
Hualien County Commissioner
With agriculture as our starting point, we’re driving innovation, to a wellbeing economy and a whole ecosystem that puts Hualien on the world map for startups.

The forum integrated methodology from the MIT REAP, bringing together resources from local industry, government, academia and research to create a support system that nurtures innovation and growth-oriented businesses in Hualien. Covering topics such as AI-powered healthcare and innovative ecosystems in the life sciences, the forum features keynote speeches, opportunities for regional exchanges and an MOU signing ceremony.

Hsu Chen-wei
Hualien County Commissioner
We at the Hualien County Government are bringing together industry, academia and research. We have a strong healthcare system, with institutions such as the Tzu Chi Hospital and the Mennonite Christian Hospital. We have top universities including National Dong Hwa University and Tzu Chi University, and institutions such as Academia Sinica and the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology. All these are working together with local industry players and startups.

Hualien hopes that the forum will drive innovation locally ranging from agriculture to high technology, and make itself a space in international markets.

#hualien #mit #mitreap #innovation #technology #agriculture

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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2026-08-11

Taiwan schoolkids win gold at world choir contest despite China protests

2026-08-11

2 Chinese men in custody after crossing Taiwan Strait in dinghy

Two Chinese nationals have been taken into custody after allegedly crossing the Taiwan Strait in a rubber dinghy and illegally entering Taiwan. The incident dates back to July 24, when a member of the public discovered the dinghy near the northern breakwater of Taipei Port in New Taipei’s Bali District. Inside were two cans of gasoline and numerous items bearing simplified Chinese characters. The two men were arrested six days later, on July 30. They claimed they had gotten lost at sea while fishing, but authorities were not convinced. Their arrival just days before the start of Taiwan’s Han Kuang military exercises has raised concerns over how they managed to make the crossing undetected. Let’s hear more.

Ma Sheng-chieh
FTV reporter
The two Chinese nationals set off from Fujian Province in China and traveled to Taipei Port on a rubber dinghy. They say they got lost at sea, but it’s not looking like a likely story.

Huang Cheng-wei
Coast Guard Administration
The two Chinese nationals suspected of entering Taiwan illegally have been detained on court orders. The case has been referred to prosecutors for investigation.

Su Tzu-yun
Institute for National Defense and Security Research
It could be that China is conducting a test. When they time comes, they could send special forces this way to carry out infiltration operations and sabotage.

Voice of Shen Ming-shih
Institute for National Defense and Security Research
We should consider the incident from the angle of national security. There is a possibility that China could try to gather intelligence regarding specific exercises and targets during the Han Kuang exercises. I think that possibility is increasingly likely.

The pair were Mr. Luan aged 35, and Mr. Yu aged 44. They said that they had gotten lost out at sea after setting off on a fishing trip from Fujian Province across the strait. After arriving at Taipei Port, they made their way to Taoyuan’s Chaoyang朝陽 Forest Park, where they lived and slept until their arrest on July 30. When they were caught, they were carrying cash in New Taiwan dollars, suggesting they may have set off from China with the intention of arriving in Taiwan.

#taiwan #illegalmigration #china #taiwanstrait #infiltration #taipei #newtaipei #taoyuan

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

2026-08-11

Education crisis deepens as teachers face mounting pressure

The hit Korean drama Teach You a Lesson has sparked discussion about issues within the South Korean school system, such as bullying, overbearing parents, and a decline in faculty authority. Similar issues exist in Taiwan, with an FTV investigation finding that 65 teachers died by suicide from 2020 to 2024. Teachers say workloads are heavy and that school affairs committees have become a tool for unreasonable complaints by students and parents.

Former students fill a funeral hall to bid farewell to their beloved teacher. Back in May, a Kaohsiung elementary-school teacher fell to his death on campus, shocking the community.

Huang Hsiang-hsien
Teachers’ union acting chair
There were two classes that were impossible to manage.

The teacher had taught for 33 years, dedicating his life to education and inspiring countless students. But it seems he was under immense pressure due to issues with discipline in his classes.

Lee Ya-wen
Kaohsiung Teachers’ Union chair
All the teachers at this school face enormous pressure when it comes to disciplining students, because parents make unreasonable complaints all the time. When parents get angry, they don’t just report the homeroom teacher, they also report the student affairs director involved in handling the case.

Teachers not only have to deal with students and parents who file complaints at the slightest issue, but the school affairs committee has also become a tool for students and parents to repeatedly report teachers.

Hsieh Ssu-hua
Middle-school teacher
I just asked him if he wasn’t practicing math as much, and even though this was just to better understand him, it made his father very angry. His father said my question would destroy the child’s life. Then a committee member told me that I had been reported so many times that if not even one was substantiated, parents would feel the committee was siding with the teachers.

Lee Ya-wen
Kaohsiung Teachers’ Union chair
The school affairs committee is being abused. It’s become a haven for unreasonable complaints. If I wanted to target a teacher, even without evidence or facts, I could use AI to make up a story and file a complaint against them, and they would still be investigated.

More and more teachers are getting fed up with the education system and choosing to leave. Taiwan is now facing a shortage of teachers, and its education system is in danger of collapsing. How to solve this issue remains a major challenge.

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

#education #teacher #teacherrights #Taiwan #Korea #TeachYouaLesson #complaints #stress #pressure #teachershortage

2026-08-11

Care workers at children home are severely overworked

Children entering child and youth welfare homes are severely traumatized. Their residential care workers often act as their “surrogate parents,” working 24-hours around the clock. However, spare a thought for these diligent and loving caregivers. They are also in need of care. Experts say that they are often overworked, exhausted and government funding is insufficient. Let’s find out more.

These children were happily playing cards in a circle. It was originally just for fun. But then one got angry and cried because it got too competitive. When dealing with children with high emotional tension, it is necessary to comfort and guide them.

Ya Hui
Youth and children’s home residential care worker
Some children will suddenly wake up in the middle of the night, crying loudly, and then they might rush to our staff room and bang on the door. I think that when you first start working here, you’ll be quite nervous at night.

Placement facilities serve as a new safe haven for many children who may have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, or the death or incarceration of their parents. Their "surrogate parents"—residential care workers—must accompany them 24 hours a day to prevent conflict, with their daily lives tightly bound to the children’s. These combined pressures leave residential care workers physically and mentally exhausted.

Hsu Yu
Youth and children’s home CEO
Right now, the only strategy we see from the government to address this issue is throwing money at it—and not even significant funding, just a pittance. As a result, so many of our team members arrive full of enthusiasm, only to leave deeply scarred.

Wen Kuo-shih
Child and youth care NGO
We truly believe that if we take good care of caregivers, children will have a better chance. So we should take care of caregivers first, instead of expecting love to generate all their power.

The professional value and labor dignity of these residential care workers deserve sufficient support and respite. Only then can these invisible parents reliably catch every child and tighten the safety net for youth.

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

#abusedchildren #childrenshomes #Taiwanesechildren #childrenswelfare #Taiwanesewelfare

2026-08-11