MAC says twin city forum is ‘not important’ after TAO official rejected

MAC says twin city forum is ‘not important’ after TAO official rejected

2026-09-17

The annual Taipei-Shanghai Twin City Forum is scheduled to take place at the end of this year, and this time round, Taipei is the host city. Ahead of the event, a delegation from Shanghai arrived in Taiwan for a preliminary visit on Tuesday. The deputy director of China’s Taiwan Affairs Office in Shanghai was originally scheduled to lead the delegation later this year, but his permit to travel to Taiwan was rejected by Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an was not happy about the decision. Let’s hear more.

Chiang Wan-an (Sept. 16)
Taipei Mayor
The more difficult that cross-strait relations get, the more that we need communication and exchanges. Why impose restrictions? I look forward to an explanation from the Mainland Affairs Council.

Liang Wen-chieh
Mainland Affairs Council
Everyone should stop pretending that this forum is an important event, as it has done nothing to promote peace. We receive all sorts of requests from cities and counties all over Taiwan. Some are approved and some are rejected. We do not explain the circumstances of any individual case. After this year’s election, we don’t even know who the mayor will be, or if there will be an application, so we’ll deal with that when the time comes.

Zhu Fenglian
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office
It’s pointless to try to connect the two issues. The Shanghai-Taipei City Forum has been held for 16 consecutive years, receiving widespread support from residents at both cities and from compatriots on both sides of the strait.

Liang Wen-chih
Mainland Affairs Council
The twin city forum exchanges are exchanges, but that doesn’t change that the military drills are military drills. They say the two are unrelated. But it just means that if they want to hold military drills or threaten Taiwan, they will. There’s no point in trying to hold exchanges to end their military intimidation.

Chiang himself attended last year’s event in Shanghai. But just one day after his return to Taiwan, China announced military drills around the island. The Mainland Affairs Council Deputy Minister Liang Wen-chieh says it is pointless to expect China to cease its military intimidation just because of the exchanges at the forum. The KMT has long insisted that cross-strait exchanges such as the twin city forum are the key to cross-strait peace. But critics say the argument barely has a leg to stand on, as China continues to ramp up military pressure.

#crossstrait #taiwan #twincity #shanghai #taipei

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"雙城論壇"年底即將登場梁文傑:未來市長是誰還不曉得?

2026-09-17

雙城論壇年底即將登場，今年輪到台北舉辦，上海踩線團15號已經抵台，但原本預計由上海台辦副主任李驍東率團，遭陸委會封殺，改由台辦處長徐皓來台，讓台北市長蔣萬安率先開嗆，陸委會副主委梁文傑也對此回應。

[[台北市長蔣萬安 (09.16)]]
“兩岸之間越困難越需要溝通交流，為什麼會設限，陸委會應該要說明。

[[陸委會副主委梁文傑]]
“大家不要把雙城看得那麼重要，事實上沒有得到促進和平的功能。我們接到各縣市申請案非常多，我們有的准，有的駁，也不會逐案解釋理由。今年選舉完之後市長是誰不知道，也不知道有沒有申請案，所以到時再說。”

[[國台辦發言人朱鳳蓮]]
“對這兩件事情做不必要的關聯，是沒有意義的，上海台北城市論壇已經連續舉辦16年，得到兩市市民、兩岸同胞的普遍肯定。”

[[陸委會副主委梁文傑]]
“雙城論壇交流歸交流，但是他要軍演歸軍演，兩件事沒有關聯，講白就是說要軍演就軍演，要恐嚇就恐嚇，想藉由交流停止他們軍演，門都沒有。”

去年蔣萬安出席雙城論壇才返台，隔天中國立刻宣布對台軍演，梁文傑認為不會因為舉辦論壇交流，軍演就停止。國民黨打著和平的大旗，強調兩岸必須交流，但中國不給面子，也讓雙城論壇的實質效益，再被打上問號。

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Shinkong Synthetic Fibers moves into the cutting-edge drone business

One of Taiwan’s major traditional chemical fiber manufacturers is moving into the cutting-edge drone industry. Shinkong Synthetic Fibers has recently signed a MOU with Earthbook and Switzerland-based JEDSY, a high end drone manufacturer. Key figures including the company’s chair Eric Wu and Taiwan Shin Kong Security chair Richard Wu were at the signing ceremony. The tripartite partnership aims to integrate drone technology into applications such as medical deliveries, facility inspections and disaster responses. Let’s find out more.

Shinkong Synthetic Fibers had historically focused on chemical fibers. Now it is partnering with pharmaceutical logistics providers and drone companies to venture into AI and smart applications. Senior executives from across the Shin Kong group, including those from Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, the Great Taipei Gas Corporation and Taiwan Shin Kong Security, are all in attendance at a signing ceremony.

Eric Wu
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They are all our potential major clients. For instance, you can easily imagine the security industry needing various patrols and inspections, and gas companies requiring similar safety checks. As for hospitals, beyond transporting medication, there is a critical need for delivering blood, especially in emergency situations.

Last year in Matai’an, Hualien, a drone solved a medical delivery challenge in just three minutes. Recognizing the demand for such applications, industry players have accelerated research and development so that drones can now take off directly from building exteriors and—utilizing remote monitoring and autonomous flight—achieve a range of up to 120km with a 5kg payload, thereby offering greater flexibility in medical logistics.

Eric Wu
Shinkong Synthetic Fibers Chair
The electronics industry encompasses a wide range of areas, offering significant future opportunities for Shinkong Synthetic Fibers’ materials in electronic applications. We hope that moving into the drone industry will align well with current market demands.

Hsu Wei-cheng
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Taiwan is the most critical base for removing red components from drone supply chains. We have access to a vast supply of high-quality components in northern Taiwan; by combining these with materials from Shinkong Synthetic Fibers and original designs, we can establish production lines here to supply the global market.

Expanding into AI and drones, Shinkong Synthetic Fibers is transforming from a traditional manufacturer to aggressively enter the low-altitude economy.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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Political motivation suspected in banner vandalism at Asian Games

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American entertainer crashes after narrowly missing reckless cyclist

On Wednesday afternoon, American entertainer and Taiwan resident, Tony Capatch, known locally as Ko Lung, was heading home from the gym when he crashed his scooter trying to avoid a cyclist. He accused the woman on the bike of not only failing to help him up but also scolding him that “he can’t swerve.” Ko Lung suffered minor abrasions and contusions to his limbs. The police have called the woman to come in for questioning, but since bicycles are considered slow vehicles, it may not be possible to treat it as a hit-and-run.

A red scooter speeds through a green light, when a woman on a bicycle begins riding further and further into the middle of the road. Although the motorcycle slows down, it loses its balance and falls to the ground. The woman stops and turns to curse at the rider.

Member of public
Witnessed the accident
He seemed to have rolled on the ground, so I quickly got him some tissues. If someone falls, you should at least show concern, but she just walked away.

Witnesses saw the accident and rushed to help. The incident occurred on Wednesday around 1pm in Zhonghe District, New Taipei City. The motorcyclist who crashed was American entertainer, Ko Lung. He was riding home from the gym when he tried to avoid the cyclist and fell to the ground, injuring both his knees and elbows.

Tony Capatch (Ko Lung)
American entertainer
How can you do this? How can you cross the road like this? Then she replied, almost scolding me, “Don’t you know how to dodge me?”

After crashing his bike and getting scolded, Ko Lung was left dumbfounded and helpless. His wife later posted on social media expressing her sympathy for her husband and angrily declaring that karma is real and the cyclist’s turn would come soon.

Tony Capatch (Ko Lung)
American entertainer
It’s true that there are a lot of reckless drivers, I think traffic in Taiwan is a huge issue, so I don’t take my child or wife on the scooter, it’s better to take them in a car.
Ko Lung is a 35 year-old artist, model, and athlete who has worked in Taiwan for many years. He has an Instagram following of over 31,000 and 116,000 subscribers to his podcast with his wife. Police have reviewed surveillance footage to find the woman.

Lee Yu-han
FTV Reporter
Since, bicycles are considered slow vehicles, it is unlikely that this would be considered a hit-and-run under criminal law. Even if the police catch the perpetrator later, Ko Lung will probably only be able to ask for compensation to settle the matter.

Although criminal law stipulates that fleeing the crime scene can be punished with a prison sentence of six months to five years, the cycle is a slow vehicle and not a motorized one, so the woman can’t be considered to have fled the scene. It can only be handled as a traffic accident with vehicle damage.

#strongman #hitandrun #tonycapatch #taiwan #cyclist

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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Jurassic age is upon locals as dinosaur stalks streets at night

A resident in Kaohsiung’s Cianjhen District filmed a dinosaur with glowing eyes, shaking its head, and baring its sharp teeth, stalking the streets. It wasn’t a real dinosaur of course, but a puppeteer from a performing arts troupe during training. Though fun to look at, the enormous dinosaur costume could obstruct the view of pedestrians and police warned that a fine may be imposed.

Red glowing eyes, a massive body, a dinosaur has suddenly appeared on the street, swaying its head as it walks.

It opened its mouth revealing rows of sharp teeth, and walked towards people. Some were startled, while others found it intriguing.

Member of public
Commenting on incident
I thought it was fascinating. How come we have this here also? Very amusing.

Member of public
Commenting on incident
To suddenly see a dinosaur in the street, I thought it was very unique.

On Wednesday evening, members of the public in Kaohsiung’s Cianjhen district took photos of a dinosaur stalking the roads. The dinosaur was actually a prop made by a performing arts troupe during their practice. The video quickly went viral online, with some netizens joking, “Why wasn’t the dinosaur on a leash?”

Mr. Chang
Member of the arts troupe
When training the troupe or during practice, we try to imagine how the dinosaur would walk, to make them walk in a more dinosaur-like fashion.

Although the training was conducted in the night, the size of the dinosaur costume was raising concerns over road safety.

Mr. Chang
Member of the arts troupe
We had people on watch to ensure safety and watch for oncoming traffic.

Chen Chin-tsung
Kaohsiung City Police Department
Such behavior can be in violation of the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act, which can be punished with a fine of NT$500.

The lifelike dinosaurs have become a unique point, although interesting and fun, it’s important to pay attention to traffic safety to avoid endangering yourself and other road users.

#dinosaur #theatre #performingarts #kaohsiung #taiwannews

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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New strawberry bed tiller saves farmers time and labor

Every September, strawberry farmers in Miaoli’s Dahu Township prepare fields for the growing season. While they used to turn soil and add fertilizer by hand, they now use machines to save labor and time. The equipment speeds up the process and mixes fertilizer more evenly, helping strawberry roots take hold and grow strong.

A strawberry farmer turns the soil with a small rake, slowly moving along the elevated bed. It takes lots of time and effort, but now there’s a machine to help.

The tiller moves quickly down the row, turning the soil and evenly spreading fertilizer so the strawberry plants can grow strong.

Yeh Te-tung
Strawberry farmer
People can turn the soil in two to three rows per day, but the tiller can do almost 20 rows a day.

Every September, strawberry farmers in Dahu, Miaoli, prepare their fields for planting. They used to spend all day raking fertilizer into the soil by hand, but this new machine is making the job much faster and easier.

- How did you turn the soil before the machine? By hand?
- Yeah. It would take over a month. The elevated beds cover almost half an acre.
- How much time does the machine save you?
- 70 or 80%.

Yeh Te-tung
Strawberry farmer
Traditionally, farmers place coconut fibers in the center before planting the strawberries, but the roots might have trouble growing through it. I thought using a tiller could loosen the soil and mix the fibers in.

If the soil isn’t loose enough, strawberry roots will have trouble growing and not as many plants will survive. The tiller not only saves time, but helps more strawberries grow and can even be customized for use in elevated beds.

- How many could you plant when there were no connecting beds?
- We could only plant 3,700, but now we can plant up to 6,000.

To grow more strawberries in a limited space, farmers developed connecting channels between beds. While these channels don’t qualify for subsidies from the Agriculture and Food Agency, the tiller is expected to qualify, which could reduce farmers’ costs considerably.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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Hit ‘a-We’ mascot from Osaka World Expo makes Taipei return for free exhibition

The “We TAIWAN” series hosted by the Ministry of Culture at last year’s World Expo in Osaka gathered artistic groups to deliver outstanding performances and shows at the global showcase. Now, all of these activities have returned to the Contemporary Culture Lab in Taipei, open to the public free of charge. Taiwan’s mascot from the event, “a-We,” is also being featured at a special exhibition, which includes a massive 17-meter-tall inflatable figure for people to take photos with.

a-We, a mascot designed to represent Taiwanese culture, was a hit at last year’s World Expo in Osaka. Now back in Taiwan, a special exhibition is being held in its honor at Taipei’s Contemporary Culture Lab.

Lin Yung-chi
FTV reporter
After his stint abroad, a-We is back in Taiwan for an exhibition! Don’t you just want to poke the big squishy blob? No problem! Here you can squish him as much as you’d like!

No matter how you much you squeeze a-We, he never loses his shape. This is meant to symbolize the resilience of the Taiwanese people in the face of hardship. Five different designs are making their debut at the show.

Lin Yung-chi
FTV reporter
a-We takes different forms, just like our emotions. Like this one, which looks a bit grumpy. Or if you’re perfectly adaptable, then you’re like Twistee here.

Visitors can take photos with all of these a-We variations, and complete a personality quiz to see which one you resemble the most. If you want to take one home, there are bag charms, totes, and stickers to buy.

Phil Wu
Curator
Hopefully Taiwanese people will see themselves in this character. Its many different forms speak to Taiwan’s resilience. It also uses an amazing Taiwanese IP for products all made in Taiwan.

Performances by Taiwanese troupes that proved a massive hit in Osaka last year have also returned, with weekend shows to be held throughout September. In addition, the Taiwan Spectrum exhibition will open at MOMA Tainan on Oct. 8.

Li Yuan
Minister of Culture
I was deeply moved by Chen Jing-lin’s masterful botanical and indigo dye work. The colors extracted from plants that grow in our land and soil are the true colors of Taiwan. Starting from the a-We show, if you visit every single exhibition, you’ll walk away with the confidence to say that Taiwan has a rich culture.

a-We is once again heading out to greet his fans, ready to relive the splendor of his debut at the Osaka World Expo.

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

#OsakaWorldExpo #aWe #mascot #MinistryofCulture #TaiwanIP #cute #CLab #exhibition #TaiwanSpectrum

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Taiwan increases paid marital leave for newlyweds to whopping 14 days

Taiwan is giving couples more time off to get married, and hopefully use some of that time to make a baby. The government is giving the marital leave policy a major makeover, expanding the number of marital leave days from eight to a whopping 14. The policy will enter effect on Oct. 1, and will also apply to couples who registered their marriage within the previous three months.

Brides and grooms hold hands as they take the next big step in life. For years, tying the knot would grant each party eight days of marital leave, which many say is barely enough to tie up loose ends. Now, saying “I do” will grant couples a longer vacation of 14 days.

Huang Chi-ya
Ministry of Labor
Here’s how to check if you are eligible to extend your eight days of marital leave to 14. First, you need to still have some of your original eight days left. Then, check whether your eligibility period extends beyond Oct. 1, counting three months starting from 10 days before your marriage registration. If you haven’t used up your leave, and you qualify under the second condition, the new rules apply.

The new rules will enter into effect on Oct. 1, adding six days of paid marital leave to newlyweds. But who’s shouldering the bill? Not employers, as the government will subsidize the wages in full starting from the ninth day of leave. The new rules will also apply to couples caught between the old and new rules. As long as they haven’t yet used up their original eight days and they registered their marriage within the three months prior to Oct. 1, they can claim the extra leave. The government hopes the extra leave will encourage more workers to get married. But will it lead to more marriages? And babies?

Member of public
Doubtful of a marriage boom
I don’t think the extra leave will do much to get more people to get married. There are a lot of other factors to consider.

Member of public
Doubtful of a marriage boom
It depends on the person. If you don’t want to get married, getting more days off won’t change your mind.

The government is hoping that the extra vacation days will make people more willing to get hitched and bring more little ones into the world. But whether the figures increase remains to be seen.

#marriage #wedding #leave #workersrights #taiwan

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2026-09-17

Fashion designer takes on New York; suona player delights Turkish audiences

Kaohsiung-born Erika Chung recently became a focal point at New York Fashion Week with her own self-created brand. Inspired by her hometown, her designs fuse local features with elements of traditional Chinese characters. Meanwhile, suona player Lin Yu-cheng was invited to perform in Turkey, where he played the iconic fight song Taiwan Hero Hito to thunderous applause.

At New York Fashion Week, models wearing an array of designs strut down the runway.

One of them in the middle is wearing a sharply tailored black top featuring the traditional Chinese character for “love” across the chest. At the end of the lineup, there’s another surprise.

A male model walks out in a suit jacket with the two large characters “Takau,” which is the historic name for Kaohsiung, written across the front. The chic threaded lines give the piece a unique look, courtesy of the Kaohsiung designer Erika Chung.

Attendee
Happy about Taiwanese designer
As a Taiwanese person, seeing a Taiwanese designer here at such a huge fashion week in the US makes me so happy. And seeing elements from Kaohsiung in the work makes me so proud.

A fellow participant from Kaohsiung shared their pride after watching the designs walk down the runaway. Across the Atlantic, another artist has also been making Taiwan proud.

The familiar sound of Taiwan’s classic fight song are played on the suona as the national flag is unfurled on stage. Suona musician Lin Yu-cheng was invited to lead a group to an international culture, arts, and sports festival in Turkey, where they brought their set to a climax with the energetic song.

Lin Yu-cheng
Suona musician
When we started playing, even all the Turkish people there started dancing along. I feel so happy and honored to bring glory to Taiwan.

Suona, reed flute, and drums turn this street parade into a Taiwanese concert, showing the world the unique spirit of Taiwan.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#NewYorkFashionWeek #fashiondesigner #EricaChung #suona #TaiwanHiroHito #Turkey #prideofTaiwan #Taiwanculture

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