Culture minister talks about Taiwan literature at King’s College London

2026-09-08

Minister of Culture Li Yuan is on his first official tour of the UK, which included a stop at King’s College London. Li was invited to speak at a forum titled Taiwanese Literature Through a Global Glaze and spoke with the judges of the prestigious International Booker Prize. Starting off from Taiwan Travelogue, which won the award this year, Li presented how different authors from Taiwan portray their homeland. Let’s hear more.

Li Yuan
Minister of Culture
As the Minister of Culture, my goal here today is to promote our culture. As a writer born after World War II, I have long asked myself one question: “What is Taiwan?” It’s tragic. But now we’ve seen how Yang Shuang-zi found a different approach to find her own identity, for which she received international acclaim. Books from Taiwan is an initiative we’ve promoted for a long time. It aims to translate Taiwanese literature and make it available to the whole world. As of today, works have been translated into 36 languages.

Natasha Brown
International Booker Prize 2026 Judges Chair
I remember when we discussed Taiwan Travelogue, I actually remember that’s when we read it, and I thought, “I think this is the winner.”

Anna Goode
British Centre for Literary Translation
To translate more literature into English is not just about finding translators, it’s creating a community for translators.

More than 100 scholars, translators and exchange students joined the forum, and heard from Li about Taiwanese writers such as Kevin Chen and Syaman Rapongan. From writing, to translation and promotion around the world, the Ministry of Culture is hoping to use its resources to help Taiwanese literature be seen on the global stage.

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#literature #taiwantravelogue #kingscollegelondon #author #writers

文學界大咖齊聚倫敦! 文化部長李遠受邀頂尖座談

2026-09-08

文化部長李遠首次訪英，來到倫敦國王學院，受邀出席座談會，題目為世界眼中的台灣文學，與國際布克獎評審等人對談，從今年獲得國際布克獎的"臺灣漫遊錄"出發，分享更多台灣作品。

[[文化部長李遠]]
“我是一個文化部長，我今天特地來這邊，就是想推銷我們的文化，像我這樣戰後的作家，不斷地去追尋台灣是什麼，是非常的悲情，但是看到楊双子，她換一個方式來自我追尋，然後被世界看到。Books from Taiwan，是一個我們持續很久的一個計畫，把臺灣的書，適合全世界不同地方的書，選出來後開始進行翻譯，到目前為止，大概有36種語言的翻譯”

[[國際布克獎評審團主席 Natasha Brown]]
“我還記得第一次討論這本書時，和評審們一起閱讀，我當時想，這本就是贏家了”

[[英國文學翻譯中心執行總監 Anna Goode]]
“如果想把更多台灣文學翻譯成英文，不只是要找到譯者，更重要的是建立譯者社群”

現場吸引超過百名學者、翻譯家及留學生參與，李遠也特別介紹陳思宏、夏曼・藍波安等台灣作家，從創作、翻譯到推廣，文化部盼成為台灣作家的後盾，讓更多台灣作品走上國際舞台。

更多新聞內容，請鎖定：
民視台灣台（152頻道）週一至週五晚上9:30
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Health ministry and Eslite launch dementia related book exhibition

September is World Alzheimer’s Month – and the Taiwanese government has not forgotten. The Ministry of Health and Welfare is collaborating with Eslite Bookstore to launch a book exhibition about dementia to raise awareness of this illness that affects elderly people. A dementia patient even gave a speech at a press event announcing the initiative. Let’s find out more.

Using a pen and paper to record his life, Mr. Lin candidly discusses his interests, food and travels. His speech is so natural, it’s hard to imagine that he is actually a dementia patient. His wife shares her emotional journey since his diagnosis.

Family member of dementia patient
Describing her experiences
The more you understand, the more scared you become. It was a big challenge for me to care for him because there were so many things I didn’t know. I had to write them down one by one, and then, when the outpatient appointment was coming up, a professional was holding a class and I rushed to ask questions.

According to current statistics, the prevalence of dementia among people aged 65 and above is about 7.99%. In response to World Alzheimer’s Month, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has partnered with Eslite Bookstore to launch a dementia-themed book exhibition, which will run until Sept. 30. Selected books on dementia will be available at 11 Eslite Bookstore stores across Taiwan and online.

Chu Chien-fang
Ministry of Health and Welfare, Department of Long-Term Care
There are 133 shared care centers nationwide, commissioned by local governments and set up by our hospitals, where case managers assist with related health education, family support activities, and dementia cognitive training. In addition, there are 580 community service sites nationwide.

Liu Cheng-liang
Taipei City Hospital
Actually, I think using books as a lens to talk about life is quite wonderful. A diagnosis is a bit like placing a bookmark in that book. From the point where that bookmark is placed, we can begin to re-examine the book—and re-examine this life.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare will also host four special lectures on dementia across Taiwan, aiming to help the public gain earlier awareness and more choices. By combining literature with healthcare perspectives, the initiative helps people understand dementia as part of everyday life.

#Agingtaiwan #Dementia #Alzheimers #Worldalzheimersmonth

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2026-09-08

Taiwanese pineapples debut at Galeries Lafayette in Paris

Earlier this year, Taiwan’s Irwin mangoes made their debut in France’s iconic Galeries Lafayette department store. Now it’s honey pineapples that are being sold at this presitigous Parisian store in a trial run. Already they are receiving high praise in France and there are hopes they can be sold in other markets in Europe. Let’s find out more.

Crates of pineapples are prepared for shipment. This batch of top quality pineapples will be sold in Paris’s most prestigious department store, Galeries Lafayette. Chiayi County Commissioner Weng Chang-liang acted as a local tour guide, leading a French team deep into Minxiong Township’s production area, where they picked and ate pineapples right there in the fields.

With a big bite, the fresh and sweet pineapple spurts out juice, a perfect testament to the juiciness of Taiwanese pineapples. The secret weapon that has won over the hallowed grounds of the French market is the "honey pineapple," which is scarce this season and has an even higher sweetness level.

Chen Ying-ting
Pineapple farmer in Minxiong, Chiayi
The pineapple that’s making its way into France is the honey pineapple. Its main characteristic is its extremely high sweetness, and it also has the aroma of sugarcane. It’s different from the Golden Diamond Pineapple; its sweetness level is even higher.

Farmers reveal that all of the honey pineapple is edible, even the core, and it received extremely high praise during its trial run in France, successfully increasing the value of Taiwanese agricultural products.

Chen Ying-ting
Pineapple farmer in Minxiong, Chiayi
Our first step is to enter the French market, and in the future, we will also expand to the European market. In France, they are sold at Galeries Lafayette—a high-end department store in Paris—and selling at that location greatly raises the value of our Taiwanese pineapples.

Wang Pei-ju
Pineapple farmer in Minxiong, Chiayi
In France, many people use pineapples to make desserts. I’ve seen a huge amount used for candy, like fruit gummies. It seems that the French really value and enjoy pineapples.

Seizing the business opportunity presented by the French people’s love of using pineapples in desserts, Taiwanese honey pineapples broke through the old framework of exporting to Japan and South Korea and successfully crossed over into the new market of Europe. This demonstrates the top quality of Taiwanese agriculture on the world stage.

#Taiwanexports #honeypineapples #Taiwanpineapples # GaleriesLafayette #Frenchconsumers

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2026-09-08

Millions tune in to watch viral farmers’ association videos

Farmers associations in Taiwan are competing to attract talent as the population ages. A middle-aged secretary general of a farmers’ association has responded to this by turning himself into a social media influencer, attracting many youth to his videos. Secretary-General Huang Ching-chien of the Wufeng District Farmers’ Association in central Taiwan has made short videos about Taiwanese farming products that have gained a whopping several million views. Let’s find out more.

- Do I need to wash enoki mushrooms after buying them?
- I’ll show you how enoki mushrooms go from seed to packaging, then you’ll understand.

This secretary general of the Wufeng District Farmers’ Association is keeping up with trends and making short videos.

- Enoki mushrooms can grow to the same length and have the same shape.

A short video introducing the life cycle of enoki mushrooms sparked a discussion online about whether or not to wash them, garnering over 4 million views. Another video sharing lychee trivia also exceeded 2 million views. Secretary-General Huang Ching-chien of the farmers’ association has become an online influencer by creating short videos, and his total viewership has now surpassed 10 million.

Huang Ching-chien
Wufeng District Farmers’ Association
You can use this approach, targeting a younger demographic and reaching a wider audience. It’s also very efficient and relatively low-cost.

With internet traffic comes high exposure, and they’ve created a specialty store similar to a high-end department store. Although the decor is luxurious, the shelves are filled with Taiwan’s most popular farmers’ association specialties, keeping prices affordable.

Huang Ching-chien
Wufeng District Farmers’ Association
The traffic has increased several times, probably at least more than three times, and there has also been a significant increase in procurement volume.

Member of the public
Likes the shop
We can’t possibly travel to that many places, so coming here allows us to collect Taiwan’s unique agricultural products from all over the island.

Visiting the farmers’ association feels different now, and young people love coming here to hunt for hidden gems.

Member of the public
Likes the shop
After watching the video and seeing them unpack the products, I found it very special. I’ve never tried them before, and I’m not familiar with agricultural products, so I thought I could come and buy some to give it a try.

The new internet celebrity is getting real life people to come to the bricks-and-mortar shop, leading the charge in diversifying the operations of farmers’ associations.

#farm #farmlife #viral #influencer #agriculture

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2026-09-08

Guanxi Night Market in Hsinchu County has a delectable fried steak stall

There’s a delicious steak stall in the Guanxi Night Market in Hsinchu County. It’s only open once a week, but that hasn’t stopped countless foodies traveling from all over the region just to sample the flavors. The owner Lin Li-mei has been running the stall for over 30 years, even when she was heavily pregnant. Now her youngest son has taken over the reins from his father to help out. Let’s find out more.

The owner is frying sizzling steaks on a griddle, and the aroma fills the air.

Next, using the heat of the griddle, she cracks an egg, then drizzles it with a thick sauce, and finally places the steak on top. It’s ready to go!

This is a steak stall in Guanxi Night Market, Hsinchu County. It only opens one day a week. Many people come to the night market just to have a taste.

- He’s almost always open on Tuesdays. The steaks are flavorful and quite cheap. They’re pretty good; I’ve been eating there for a long time.

- This steak is delicious; the cuts of meat are very large.

- I eat here almost every time I come.

This night market steak stall has been popular for over 30 years. The owner said that after getting married, her husband quit his factory job and went to learn the cooking techniques from a relative because he loved steak. She just went with the flow and started living the night market life with her husband.

Lin Li-mei
Owner
Our sauces are all freshly made, simmered for four to five hours. It’s hard work, but the kids are very good to us and sensible. I started working the night market while pregnant—right up until I was heavily pregnant—and it’s been like this ever since. It’s not about how much money we can make; just being able to get by is enough. And the kids have all grown up now.

After getting married, the owner, Lin Li-mei, had four children. In the early days, she sold steaks while taking care of her children. Now that her children are all grown up, her youngest son, after being discharged from the military, was concerned about his parents’ tough life and took over from his father to help out.

Chen Chun-lin
Youngest son
I’ve been helping out for five or six years. My parents work so hard; I knew how tough it was for them once I did it myself. I started helping them in junior high school. Because of the oil and smoke, my dad’s eyes turned yellow from frying the meat. In the mornings, I chop chicken at the traditional market, and in the evenings, I help sell steaks.

By searing steaks at the night market, these parents managed to raise their children. Now, their youngest son has taken over the reins, continuing to pass down this seemingly ordinary steak stall—one that holds a deeply special meaning for the family.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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2026-09-08

Vote buying scandal shakes Hualien’s Xiulin Township

2026-09-08

KMT Taipei councilor accused of verbally abusing ER staff

Taiwan has been cracking down on violence towards hospital staff, and so with the local elections a little more than two months out, now would not seem like a good time to start a shocking scene at an emergency room in your electoral district. But, lo and behold, the KMT’s very own Alan Lee, a Taipei City councilor, has been embroiled in controversy ever since he went on a tirade inside an ER room he’d taken his young child to.

KMT Taipei councilor Alan Lee is making a public apology after it was revealed that he caused a scene at an emergency room, where he’d taken his young daughter, who was running a fever.

Alan Lee
Taipei councilor (KMT)
It was because, even right now, my daughter’s health is not exactly in a stable condition. Even though I took her to a different hospital the next day, I’d still like to thank all the nurses and all the doctors for their hard work that night. I’m being sincere in that I’d like to once again apologize, to say that I’m sorry.

In addition to saying sorry, he also apologized by bowing seven times. A close look at Lee’s face shows tears trickling and snot dripping; the emotion is tied to an online post shared by a night shift nurse, who wrote that Lee complained about 30 minutes being too long of a wait, so he took out his cell phone, demanding the doctor’s name. In addition to threatening to sue, he also insisted on videotaping his surroundings. The scene was startling enough to get a visit from hospital administration and the head of the local police station.

Alan Lee
Taipei councilor (KMT)
What I wanted to say was that I wanted to file a complaint, so that’s why I took a photo of him. What he took out was his doctor ID, which I took a photo of. It’s because I wanted to know his name, since I truly was really angry at that time. But, regardless of what’s true, it’s all the same: I would like to offer my most sincere apology to this doctor.

Lee insists that he didn’t start filming, that he didn’t end up suing, and that the incident was not an abuse of power.

Alan Lee
Taipei councilor (KMT)
I didn’t take off my mask, and I also didn’t say anything about who I was. I, as my child’s father, was simply communicating with the doctor. As for my voice being too loud, I think that truly is something that I need to take a deep look at, especially since it being a public place, so I really shouldn’t let my voice be that loud.

Hsu Chin-huang
Financial analyst
If it was not a city councilor saying who he was, just a regular dad, would the head of the emergency room come? Would the administration of the hospital be told to show up at the scene? You’re running for election this year, so I suggest that you need to show a bit more humility when you’re in front of voters. You’re a city councilor in the districts of Da’an and Wenshan, and this hospital is in Da’an District. Alan Lee, it seems like this morning there was an inflamed situation, which is why everybody’s now seeing you bow and apologize.

According to NTU Hospital Doctor Lee Ping-ing’s analysis of the situation, Lee’s actions meet the criteria for emergency room violence. The Taiwan Medical Association will launch an investigation into this incident.

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#violenceintheER #KMT #Taipei #hospital #ER #mindyourmanners

2026-09-08

ITRI honors three new laureates for contributions to tech and medicine

The Industrial Technology Research Institute has once again recognized Taiwan’s tech and medical heavyweights for decades of innovation and leadership. President Lai Ching-te personally presented honors to three new ITRI laureates at the 15th ITRI Laureate Ceremony. The three honorees span the fields of semiconductors, ICT and smart healthcare, and included a veteran TSMC executive who was among the chipmaker’s earliest employees.

President Lai Ching-te himself confers a certificate upon TSMC Executive Vice President and Co-Chief Operating Officer Y.P. Chyn, at the 15th ITRI Laureate Ceremony. Even TSMC CEO C.C. Wei personally attended the event to see the three new laureates receive their honors.

Y.P. Chyn
TSMC Executive Vice President
I left ITRI’s Electronics Research Laboratory in 1987, to join TSMC as one of its early employees. For nearly 40 years it has been my conviction that, when it comes to excellence in manufacturing and technological R&D, there are no shortcuts.

Chen Wei-ming
Taipei Veteran’s General Hospital Superintendent
We’re implementing ways to harness AI and reduce the workload on our medical staff. From shift handover systems to more dangerous procedures such as chemotherapy, where there is the risk of radiation. These treatments for patients can be harmful on practitioners, so administering the drugs with robotic arms can greatly help our staff.

This year’s three laureates are Taipei Veterans General Hospital Superintendent Chen Wei-ming, TSMC co-COO Y.P. Chyn and Realtek Chair Chiu Sun-chien. They were recognized for their outstanding long-term contributions in the fields of semiconductors, ICT and smart healthcare.

Wu Tsung-tsong
ITRI Chair
They aren’t just the creators of technology in Taiwan, they’re also industry leaders. There’s also something special about them, as they all grew up in the Taiwanese university system, obtaining bachelor’s or master’s degrees. They then stayed in Taiwan for three or four decades, which is really remarkable.

Besides the ceremony, a special exhibition at the venue showcased cross-domain innovation, resilience and prosperity. Among the highlights on show are Taiwan-made quadruped robots and superconducting quantum chips, demonstrating ITRI’s latest technologies and Taiwan’s formidable tech prowess.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#innovation #technology #chip #tsmc #taiwan

2026-09-08

President Lai gives NT$300K in bonuses to Asian Games athletes

With the 2026 Asian Games set to kick off on Sept. 19, President Lai Ching-te and Sports Minister Lee Yang travelled down to Kaohsiung, where they met with Taiwan’s 481 athletes before the delegation flies to Nagoya, Japan. In addition to waving both Taiwan’s national flag and the Chinese Taipei Olympic flag, President Lai also presented NT$300,000 in bonuses.

President Lai Ching-te headed down to the Taiwan Sports Training Center in Kaohsiung, where he waved the country’s national flag and Olympic flag for athletes, coaches, and support personnel who’ll soon be leaving for the 2026 Asian Games.

Lai presented an oversized check of NT$300,000 in delegation bonuses to B-girl Yang Jia-li and a pillow-sized good luck charm to badminton player Wang Chi-lin.

During the sports tradition where giant straws were drawn from a tall box, Yang pulled out “believe in yourself” and Wang got “relax and give it all you got,” two phrases meant to wish the athletes the best of luck in their events.

Lai Ching-te
President
Relax, give it all you got, and believe in yourself. If you give it your all, you can surpass your own past records.

The 2026 Asian Games begin on the 19th of this month. Taiwan has 481 athletes competing in 38 events, such as badminton, equestrian sports, and weightlifting. The total delegation has 744 members, including the athletes, coaches, medical staff, and other support personnel.

Wang Chi-lin
Badminton athlete
I’ll be taking the president’s words of encouragement with me, and I hope that I can medal on the court of the Asian Games.

Yang Yung-wei
Judoka
I’ve already got every part of my body into the best shape possible. Now I just hope that when I’m training over in Japan that I can make the best final preparations.

Kuo Hsing-chun
Weightlifter
The competition just so happens to be at the same time as the Mid-Autumn Festival, so I’m just really happy; I’m even thinking if I want to take some mooncakes with me. I hope that for this Asian Games that I can lift somewhere around my record in the recent past.

In addition to Lai, the group of well wishers also included the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee’s President Tsai Chia-fu and Vice President Wang Ching-cheng as well as the Republic of China Sports Federation President Yeh Cheng-yen. With the Asian Games on the horizon, all of Taiwan is hoping these athletes will perform their very best.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#AsianGames #TeamTaiwan #LaiChing-te #Japan #Nagoya #481athletes #TeamTaiwan

2026-09-08

Monkey vs. Iguana showdown brings tourists to Shoushan

2026-09-08