Foreign students and workers show Hualien in new light in just 90 seconds

2026-11-11

What do you see when you look at Hualien through a foreigner’s eyes? From breathtaking mountain and ocean views to hidden local gems, international residents are putting this eastern county in the spotlight. Hualien County launched a series of initiatives to boost its international profile, including a short-video competition inviting foreign students and workers to capture what makes Hualien special, in just 90 seconds. And the winning entries are proving that sometimes, it takes a fresh pair of eyes to show a place in a whole new light.

Photos and vertical videos capture Hualien from every angle. The county government recently held a series of events to promote international exchanges and the Hualien brand to the world. One of the events was a video contest, in which foreign residents studying or working in the county created 90-second vertical videos to highlight the diverse beauty around them. The talent was overflowing.

Aniisa Syahlaa Athaasyah
Gold Prize Winner
I feel like Hualien really has the potential for people to see more. It’s just maybe a lack of information or some people don’t know much about it. So I really want to share what we can do here in Hualien.

The Gold Prize winner is a student in Hualien. She says that for international students living in Hualien, or foreigners in general, you don’t have to move far to find beauty. Through the videos created by foreigners, this first edition of the international short video contest highlighted stunning places and memorable moments overlooked by locals.

Lee Yu-jen
Hualien International Affairs official
We’ve been promoting Hualien as a foreigner-friendly destination for three years. Although I was not part of the jury, I did watch every video that you created. They were all amazing, showcasing Hualien from so many different perspectives.

Hualien’s efforts to be recognized as a destination that is friendly to foreigners have garnered praise. But it doesn’t end there. The county has been promoting the use of English in menus, signboards and service pamphlets as well as scenario-based training materials, instructional videos, and other resources for the hospitality and tourism industries. The participants’ videos showed that the county government’s attention to detail and everyone’s hard work have not gone unnoticed.

Tung Ko-ching
Member of jury
In just a short minute, your creations not only captured the breath-taking beauty of Hualien, from our mountains, oceans and the gorgeous and tranquil plains, but also presented the rich variety of our local cultures and vibrant activities.

All the award winners hopped on to the stage, as the most persuasive ambassadors for their second home, Hualien. Equipped with cameras and zeal, they told the stories of Hualien in their own language, for social media users all around the world to see this beautiful county.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#hualien #reel #contest #creator #tourism

從世界看花蓮! 國際友人"短影音競賽" 用鏡頭行銷花蓮

2026-11-11

花蓮縣政府推動「國際友善氛圍營造輔導團專業服務」計畫，舉辦第一屆「從世界看花蓮，國際短影音競賽」，邀請在台灣的國際學生、及外籍人士，以90秒短影音從不同角度記錄花蓮，讓更多國際朋友認識花蓮。

從不同角度看花蓮，可以是一張照片、一段影片，花蓮縣府為了推動國際交流、與城市品牌形象，辦理一系列活動，要透過在花蓮就學、工作或生活的外籍人士視角，用鏡頭捕捉花蓮的多元魅力，90秒內的直式短影片，每位得獎者都大展身手。

[[金獎得主Aniisa Syahlaa Athaasyah]]
“其實我覺得花蓮還有很多值得大家去發現的潛力，或許是因為資訊不足，又或者是因為大家對這裡還不夠了解，我非常希望能分享我們在花蓮可以做些什麼。”

金獎得主還在花蓮就學，她還說，對於居住在花蓮的國際學生、或外籍人士來說，美好的事物不一定非得要遠行尋找，花蓮第一次舉辦國際短影音競賽，很多在地人沒注意到的、遺漏的美好，通通被捕捉。

[[花蓮國際事務暨新聞中心處長李裕仁]]
這個國際友善計畫其實我們已經推動3年。我雖然沒有參與評審，但是各位所有的影片，我都有特別看過，非常精彩，也看到花蓮非常多的面向。

花蓮要邁向國際城市的這項重要計畫，成功推動，還有友善店家，像是菜單、指示牌、相關的服務手冊、情境、教學影片，以及針對旅宿接待出版產業英語，從參賽者的影片當中，原來縣府的細心、大家的努力都有被發現。

[[評審董克景]]
“在短時間內，你們的作品不僅捕捉到花蓮的美景，從高山、海洋到寧靜的湖泊，還展現當地豐富多元的文化，與充滿活力的生活。”

台上每位旅居花蓮的國際朋友，都是最具說服力的花蓮代言人，用自己的語言、鏡頭，說出屬於自己眼中的花蓮故事，也透過社群平台讓世界看見花蓮。

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民視台灣台（152頻道）週一至週五晚上9:30
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Taiwan influencer scammed and threatened at Seoul cosmetics store

A Taiwanese beauty influencer who goes by the social media name of Wang Hsun recently had a terrifying experience at a cosmetics store in Meyeong-dong District, which is Seoul’s premier business district. First he got hit with a massive NT$20,000 bill, then when he tried to get a refund, five or six people that included burly men surrounded him and pressured him to go into a small room at the back of the shop to talk it over in a way he found scary. While in the end he was able to get a refund, he was still coerced into spending over NT$3,000 on stuff he didn’t want. And after he complained to the Korean tourism authorities and made a video about his experiences, the store’s legal team threatened him and hackers tried to get inside his social media accounts. Let’s find out more.

Taiwanese beauty influencer Wang Hsun was happily shopping in Meyeong-dong district in Seoul, South Korea, intending to buy some beauty and skincare products. However, he never imagined that stepping into a store would be the start of a nightmare.

Wang Hsun
Taiwan tourist in Korea
As soon as I stepped out of the store, I checked my credit card record. It showed NT$20,000. I wanted to return the products, but they were incredibly scary. Suddenly, five or six people, including some burly men, surrounded me and said: “Why do you want a refund? Let’s go inside and talk.”They kept trying to lead me into a small room.

Although he eventually got a refund, Wang was forced to spend over NT$3,000 on unnecessary skincare products before he could leave. Afterwards, he complained to VisitKorea and even made a video of his experience back in Taiwan to warn other Taiwanese tourists. Unexpectedly, he received a threatening message.

Wang Hsun
Taiwan tourist in Korea
The message basically said that they wanted me to take down the video, and that their company had a legal team that could prevent me from posting it. Many, many people said they encountered the same situation in the comments section of my video. Later, I actually received more than a dozen notifications that hackers were trying to enter my accounts, which has kept me up at night for the past few days.

If you’re just traveling abroad and don’t know anyone, what should you do to protect yourself if you encounter aggressive sales tactics?

943
Travel writer
You should search for reviews online, or look out for Taiwanese people using coded terms to warn that a particular employee at a store might ring up extra items. After you pay, don’t just leave—double check your receipt against the items you actually received.

Wang originally went to Korea to buy beauty products, but instead of coming home with cosmetics, he left with a bellyful of infuriation.

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

#scaryshopping #Seoulcosmetics #meyeong-dongdistrict #Seoulshopping #badtourismexperiences #touristhazards

2026-11-11

Candidate hopes satirical video will inspire political change in Miaoli

Lin Yueh-chin, the DPP’s candidate for mayor of Miaoli City, sponsored a content creator to produce a satirical short film poking fun at the local scandals that once grabbed national headlines by promoting the “country of Miaoli” as a tourist attraction. Lin said they may seem like jokes to outsiders, but to locals, it’s no laughing matter. Through the video, she hopes to inspire young people to return to Miaoli to vote.

The opening of this video shows a passport getting stamped. But what country is that? Why does their travel itinerary include a movement against wind turbines, excavator scandals, and political fighting?

Local scandals that once dominated national headlines, like the demolition of a mom-and-pop pharmacy in the infamous Dapu land-grab incident, are spun as tourist attractions for the “country of Miaoli” in this campaign video.

Lin Yueh-chin
Miaoli City mayoral candidate (DPP)
But to those of us from Miaoli, these are all real things that happened right here in our hometown. They aren’t funny at all.

Lin Yueh-chin, who’s running for Miaoli City mayor with the DPP, sponsored the content creator Lu Lu to create a video highlighting the “country of Miaoli” as an offbeat tourist attraction.

Lin Yueh-chin
Miaoli City mayoral candidate (DPP)
The goal was to use a kind of humor familiar with young people to translate these serious and complex political issues into content that everyone is willing to watch and can understand.

Lin said that the county’s many political scandals have turned Miaoli into a national laughingstock. But for locals, these issues are everyday realities that directly impact their lives and demand rigorous oversight.

Lin Yueh-chin
Miaoli City mayoral candidate (DPP)
This election offers an opportunity for change. That’s why I hope that particularly young folks studying or working away from home won’t just laugh it off after watching the video, but will show care for their hometown and return to vote.

Lin said that Miaoli hasn’t changed political hands for 76 years, making it feel like a chaotic “state within a state.” She hopes young people will enthusiastically return home to cast their ballots and serve as a driving force for change.

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

#Miaoli #LinYuehchin #elections #politics #DapuIncident

2026-11-11

Chiayi woman runs in traffic and jumps in water fountain

2026-11-11

France awards Taichung chef prestigious Order of Agricultural Merit

Taichung’s six-time Michelin star-winning French restaurant now has another accolade to its name. The head chef, Justine Li, recently became the first in Taiwan to be awarded the Order of Agricultural Merit, an honor that’s been handed out by the French government for over a century. Let’s take a look at her latest autumn-winter menu, featuring local Taiwanese elements fused with French fine dining.

This squab breast was slow-cooked over a locally sourced longan wood fire, infusing the crispy skin and tender meat with a subtle woody aroma. It’s a seasonal dish, only offered as part of the autumn-winter menu.

Justine Li
Chef
I rotate the menu with the seasons. We only offer squab and roast duck during the autumn and winter.

This seafood dish is equally as stunning, with ocean fish and water snowflake intricately woven together by hand to allow the crispness of the vegetable to play off of the tender fish.

The dessert course has strong Taiwanese influences. This mont blanc is made from an autumnal mix of lotus seeds, lotus root, and osmanthus. Every one of these exquisite French creations is the brainchild of Taiwanese chef Justine Li.

Justine Li
Chef
We use lotus seeds and lotus root to make a dessert similar to a mont blanc, a dish served in the transition from autumn to winter.

Li has been running her own French restaurant in Taichung for over 20 years. She was recently awarded the Knight rank of the Order of Agricultural Merit, becoming the first Taiwanese chef to earn the prestigious French accolade.

Justine Li
Chef
It was a surprise. I’ve been quietly making French cuisine for years. France is of course very proud of its culinary heritage. Earning their recognition is no easy feat. So I feel particularly honored and overjoyed.

Established over 140 years ago, the Order of Agricultural Merit is bestowed by the French government upon those who make substantial contributions in the fields of agriculture, food science, and gastronomy. For Li to receive the Knight rank is a point of pride for Taiwan’s entire culinary industry.

Justine Li
Chef
The food and beverage sector has been a bit sluggish in Taiwan of late. I hope that winning this distinction will encourage the public to support the industry and give people working in the field a boost of confidence.

Li retains a passion for cooking as strong as it was on her first day in the kitchen. Through her mastery, she’s showing the world all that Taiwan has to offer to French fine dining.

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

#JustineLi #Frenchcuisine #cooking #chef #Michelin #OrderofAgriculturalMerit

2026-11-11

Hackers threaten parents of students at international school

A hacker group is allegedly attempt to extort an international school in New Taipei. Parents of students at Kang Chiao International School in Linkou say they have recently received threatening emails. The senders claim to have breached the school’s systems and stolen sensitive personal information about students and their families. They threatened to expose the data if they weren’t contacted within the day. The distressing situation left students and their families on edge. The school has since disconnected its network and reported the matter to the police. Let’s hear more.

Wang Yu-chun
FTV reporter
After discovering the hacker intrusion, the school immediately disconnected its network. The school’s official website is now inaccessible and the smart school app and student system are also completely out of service.

Yu Sheng-tao
Kang Chiao International School Linkou
We’ve provided parents and faculty with all the relevant information, and urged them to double check everything. For example, do not open any suspicious links. We must be extremely careful. There’s a three-point rule: Do not reply to messages, do not open links and do not trust unfamiliar phone calls. Also, do not spread unverified information.

Weng Chien-ming
New Taipei Education Department
Based on our understanding, this is a system independently purchased by the school, primarily used for school administration. We have classified this as a routine personal data protection incident.

The initial contact was last Friday, Nov. 6. Hackers sent an email to the school, demanding the school do download a browser and enter an encryption key. The school refused. But the situation only escalated, as the group started sending intimidating messages to the parents of students, threatening to harm students. The school has brought in cybersecurity forensic specialists to conduct an in-depth investigation. They will examine system vulnerabilities, search for any malicious tasks that may have been planted, and determine the extent of the data leakage.

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

#school #hacker #kangchiao #linkou #taiwan

2026-11-11