Vote buying scandal shakes Hualien’s Xiulin Township

2026-09-08

Former Financial Times correspondent Kathrin Hille recently made explosive allegations on FTV, claiming all the votes in Hualien were bought. Just over a week later, a vote-buying scandal has erupted in the county, involving Xiulin Township chief Sitang Yuci and her husband Hu Chih-min , who is running to succeed her. She allegedly diverted community compensation money from a cement company to the New Hope Foundation, which later organized a banquet for local voters hosted by Hu. Investigators also say there’s evidence that voters may have been offered thousands of NT dollars in exchange for their votes.

The couple, the township office secretary and a New Hope Foundation worker surnamed Hsu, have been taken in for questioning. The couple will be investigated to determine the extent of their involvement, and then it will be decided whether they should be detained. Netizens have pointed out that the case is exposing the hypocrisy of the Xiulin Township Office chief; a slogan posted outside the building ironically reads “It’s only really an election, if nobody buys votes.”

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

#election #hualien #votebuying #xiulin #hualien #dirtymoney

全國首件賄選案! 花蓮秀林鄉長交棒夫婿 2人涉挪用公款

2026-09-08

定居花蓮多年的前英國《金融時報》駐台記者席佳琳，才剛說出花蓮「所有的票都是買的」，花蓮就傳出本次選舉全國首件賄選案。國民黨籍秀林鄉鄉長王玫瑰，和接棒參選鄉長的丈夫胡智民，疑似涉嫌挪用水泥廠的回饋金，捐給小太陽基金會，再出資替胡智民舉辦餐會，宴請選民。還查出疑似以數千元不等的價格，賄選買票。

檢調週二上午發動搜索，將鄉長夫妻、鄉公所秘書及小太陽基金會徐姓負責人帶回偵辦，鄉長夫妻到底涉案程度如何，後續將依調查結果，決定是否聲押，還是採取其他強制處分。整起案件也讓秀林鄉公所，門口的海報，上頭寫著"不賄選，才真是會選"，看來格外諷刺。

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
民視新聞台（53頻道）週二至週六凌晨1:00

Character tie-ins, concerts electrify Kaohsiung tourism

For the past three years, Kaohsiung has worked with popular IPs to draw interest to its Lantern Festival, in addition to hosting concerts by major global pop stars. This has translated into significant revenue, with the city earning NT$18.9 billion from concerts alone since 2023. The hospitality and restaurant sectors have also grown to push Kaohsiung into first place among Taiwan’s six special municipalities, instilling pride among the city’s residents.

The Kaohsiung Winter Wonderland earlier this year attracted New Year travelers to the event with an exciting Ultraman collaboration. On the closing day, thousands flocked to the Love River to bid farewell to the beloved Japanese character.

Member of public
It’s a major IP. It has a dedicated fanbase. That then triggers a ripple effect.

The Kaohsiung Lantern Festival has worked with different properties for the past three years, including Ultraman, Chiikawa, and the giant rubber duck that returned to the city after 10 years away.

Liu Yin-chun
FTV reporter
Supported by major international IPs, Kaohsiung’s visibility continues to climb. The concert industry in particular has been lucrative, earning the city NT$18.9 billion since 2023.

When South Korean mega group BTS announced Kaohsiung as a stop on their world tour, tickets for the November concerts sold out immediately, demonstrating the immense potential of the market.

The American rock band Maroon 5 will also hit the Kaohsiung National Stadium stage for the third time next January. It used to be unimaginable that such huge international stars would perform in Kaohsiung. But according to the city’s Tourism Bureau, concerts alone have attracted 5.77 million tourists since 2023.

Member of public
It makes it so much easier to see our idols in person! I hope Mayor Chen Chi-mai never steps down.

Kao Min-lin
Kaohsiung Tourism Bureau director-general
Kaohsiung has ranked first in tourism satisfaction for the past three years running. Between our major events, significant international media coverage, and online travel agencies, Kaohsiung has become widely regarded as one of Asia’s premier travel destinations.

Popular characters and back-to-back concerts by global stars are allowing Kaohsiung to showcase its charms. Its track record proves that city marketing can be engaging as well as extremely lucrative.

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

#Kaohsiung #tourism #concerts #Maroon5 #BTS #tourismeconomy #IPs #Ultraman #Chiikawa #concerteconomy

2026-09-08

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

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

2026-09-08

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

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

2026-09-08

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:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

2026-09-08

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

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.

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

#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:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#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:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#AsianGames #TeamTaiwan #LaiChing-te #Japan #Nagoya #481athletes #TeamTaiwan

2026-09-08

Monkey vs. Iguana showdown brings tourists to Shoushan

2026-09-08