Category：Life

Government seeking to increase work leave for new parents

Taiwanese workers are known for having some of the highest average working hours in the world while its birthrate is one of the lowest. Many, like Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim and Minister of Labor Hung Sun-han, believe that by creating more family-friendly workplace policies people will start having children again. Some government proposals include extending unpaid leave to a child’s 6th year as well as increasing the days of parental leave.

After sharing a story of her babysitter career during her high school days in the US, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim shared some of her thoughts for how Taiwanese society can lessen the child-rearing burdens of parents with young children.

Hsiao Bi-khim
Vice President
Many people believe that taking care of children is something that’s the responsibility of families or individuals. For this idea of the government helping families with childcare from birth to 6 years, it also requires businesses, society, and government policy to bear the burden together.

Last year, Taiwan’s fertility rate was just 0.65, the lowest among the country’s closest Asian neighbors. The government hopes that by creating family-friendly workplace polices, bosses will offer a more supportive and flexible working environment so that laborers can balance both their careers and their families, which would then help companies keep talented employees. Minister of Labor Hung Sun-han pointed out that expanding the scope of parental leave would allow more men to apply for leave and thereby become important care givers for their households.

Hung Sun-han
Minister of Labor
It’s 30 days of leave, which can be applied for in single-day units. In the past, the ratio was somewhere around 3:1, but statistics from May and June show that the ratio for men and women applying for leave is 1:1. When policies are more flexible, this actually results in men’s child-rearing participation rates skyrocketing.

The Ministry of Labor is working hard to amend regulations for applying for parental leave, such as extending the current policy of allowing parents to apply for unpaid leave from their child’s birth to 3 years old; if approved, parents could apply for leave up to their child’s 6th year. Also, now at 30 days, in the future parents could have up to 60 days of unpaid leave. Maternity leave would be increased from 8 weeks to 12 weeks, and paternity leave would be extended from the current 7 days to 12 days.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#daddydaycare #family #birthrate #family-friendly #parentalleave #unpaidleave #burntout

2026-07-30

Executive Yuan recognizes Siraya as Taiwan’s 17th Indigenous tribe

The Siraya people, a plains Indigenous tribe, are officially Taiwan’s 17th recognized Indigenous ethnic group. The tribe’s roots are in Tainan, which just so happens to be where President Lai Ching-te started his political career back in the 1990s. Premier Cho Jung-tai presided over the tribe’s ceremony, and during his speech he commended the Siraya people for their work in culture revitalization and name rectification, a process that began over 3 decades ago.

Cho Jung-tai
Premier
The president told me that he was truly moved. He reminisced about the days when he was the mayor of Tainan City. He personally saw many of the tribe members’ hard work over the years, which started in the 1990s. There was so much work done on revitalizing your culture and somehow even more work was put into the name rectification movement. During his time as the mayor of Tainan City, he could feel how you were looking forward to these changes, so that’s why he went to work on this task. So he told me to hold this ceremony approving your status as quickly as possible, and to make it a meticulous, consummate, and successful event. Finally I can tell the president that with the blessings of the tribal elders and everyone here, and the blessings of the country, that we, the president, and the people of this nation declare the Siraya people are an Indigenous ethnic group of Taiwan.

Premier Cho noted that August 1 is Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The recognition of the Siraya people confirms their rights as an ethnic group, and their new status is an example of transitional justice, multiculturalism, and constitutional protection of rights. Cho also pointed out that there are 8 other tribes that have applied to the Council of Indigenous Peoples to be recognized as Indigenous peoples. Cho has asked the council to carry out follow-up work involving these groups and he also has told government ministries to comply with different measures that guarantee the rights of the Siraya people.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#Siraya #plains #Indigenouspeoples #Tainan #namerectification #17tribes #Indigenous

2026-07-30

Penghu’s remotest island celebrates renovated police station

A tiny police station on Penghu’s remotest island has finally opened after four years of reconstruction. The previous ramshackle building on Dongji Islet had suffered from sea wind erosion, making it a safety risk for the four police officers stationed there. The new building’s official ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by retired Dongji police and local politicians. Let’s find out more.

This newly-built police station is being inaugurated with a lively ribbon-cutting ceremony, attended by many elected officials. This police station is quite special; it is located on Dongji Islet, Penghu’s remotest island.

Lin Shu-kuo
Penghu County police chief
The old building had been in use for over 40 years. Maintenance was particularly difficult, especially since Dongji is a tier-3 outlying island, so we decided to rebuild it on the original site.

The small Shuangji Police Station, located on the remote tier-3 outlying island, had suffered years of sea-wind erosion—leaving its exterior walls peeling and concrete floor slabs cracking, which posed safety risks for the officers. The Penghu County Government allocated NT$16 million to rebuild it. However, due to its extremely remote location, all building materials and supplies had to be shipped in by sea, piece by piece, making the reconstruction an arduous process. Now that the station is finally complete, the officers are deeply moved, and several retired officers who once served here even made a special trip back to visit their old stomping ground.

- You’re back at your old stomping ground.
- Yes.
- It’s great, I’m very happy.

It takes at least an hour and a half to travel by boat from Magong to Dongji. The inauguration ceremony made the island, which has only about 30 long-term residents, particularly lively.

Lin Jie-shin
Penghu County Deputy Commissioner
It’s a very good environment and helps our police colleagues to do a better job of policing on this outlying island.

Dongji is frequented by tourists, but the police station only has four officers who are tasked with providing police services for visitors. Penghu’s remotest police station has undergone a major upgrade to provide officers with a better place to do their jobs.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#Taiwanpolice #remotestations #Penghu #Penghutourism

2026-07-30

At least 13 dead in 7.1 Kumamoto earthquake

A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake devastated Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture on Tuesday afternoon, killing at least 13 people, toppling buildings, and triggering fires across the region. The tremor hit a maximum intensity of 7 on Japan’s seismic intensity scale. One of the deadliest places was the AEON mall, which was rocked by a gas explosion an hour after the main shock. Three people lost their lives, and three remain unaccounted for at the shopping center.

FTV reporters headed to the disaster area, where they recorded these images of the destruction one day later. The exterior walks have been blown off, and parts of the structural frame have collapsed. What remains inside the mall is mostly debris. The head of AEON says the mall had completed its evacuation procedures before the explosion happened. He says it is unknown why there were people still in the building at the time, but what is known is that they were all employees.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#japan #kumamoto #earthquake #eaon #quake

2026-07-29

Taiwanese tourists capture striking videos of violent Kumamoto shaking

Among those caught in the terrifying temblor were Taiwanese tourists, who captured dramatic moments on camera as they fled shopping malls and shrines and braved the shaking in high-rise hotels. One of the more striking videos comes from a family that was shopping at a mall which later collapsed in an explosion.

Screams echo around the building, as objects crash and fall. Shoppers make a mad dash for the door. A 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto on Tuesday evening scaring Taiwanese tourists witless.

The family ran out of the AEON shopping mall. Moments later, an explosion shook the building, which partially collapsed.

Guests at a hotel in the area recorded the shaking in their 14-th floor room, where everything swayed side to side. Out on the street, signs, tiles and other debris paint a picture of destruction.

Another tourist was shopping at Muji when the quake struck. Staff calmly ordered shoppers to grab the pillows from the shelves to protect their heads.

A Taiwanese woman living in the mountains kept receiving earthquake alerts.

- You can hear it. The alerts keep going off. We live in an old house up in the mountains.

The alarm sent tourists at a Shinto shrine scrambling to an open space.

- Wow, that was such a big quake.
- So big.
- Just as we were visiting the shrine.
- It was huge
- You shouldn’t be indoors. It’s shaking again!

Aftershocks rocked the region, leaving everyone on edge. Some rushed to convenience stores, and cleared the shelves off water, shelf-stable foods and instant noodles. Even abroad, Taiwanese can’t get a break from quakes.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#quake #earthquake #video #caughtoncamera #kumamoto

2026-07-29

Taiwan’s Irwin mangos are making a killing in France and the UK

When people overseas think of Taiwanese products, many immediately jump to silicon chips. However, recent foreign media reports are now pointing to another strong Taiwanese product: Irwin mangos. Famous locally for their bright apple-red skin and juicy flesh, this year they made their debut in France’s iconic Galeries Lafayette department store. Even though prices approached a whopping €100 per kilogram, they flew off the shelves. They are also sold in the UK and there are hopes that they can go to European nations, such as Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Switzerland. Let’s find out more.

In the scorching summertime, enjoying a big bowl of mango shaved ice is incredibly satisfying. It’s currently mango season in Taiwan. However, this fruit that Taiwanese can so easily enjoy immediately becomes a luxury item when it arrives at Galeries Lafayette in France. A single mango can cost upwards of NT$1,000.

Foreign tourist
Likes mangos
It’s really good. And we also had fresh mango from Tainan.

Foreign tourist
Likes mangos
I think the price is high but the mango is very good. We’ve tried it. It’s pricey but they might pay it if you sell it in Paris.

Internationally, when Taiwan’s name comes up, it’s often associated with AI chips. However, some foreign media outlets have written special reports highlighting another impressive product from Taiwan: its sweet and juicy Irwin mangoes. This year, these mangos were exported to France and the UK for the first time. Exporters say the biggest challenge is meeting the EU’s stringent quarantine standards and cold chain logistics requirements, as well as building confidence in the brand to convince French consumers to pay for quality.

Weng Kai-li
Natural House Group
At the Galeries Lafayette supermarket, the highest price for tropical fruits is only around €50 per kg, but our Taiwanese mangoes sell for €99.90. From quality management, packaging design, cold chain transportation and cooperation with high-end channels in France, we plan everything according to the standards of European premium fruits.

Industry insiders also say that the success of Taiwanese mangoes reaching the high-end European market is due to the joint efforts of many people. There are hopes of expanding into other European markets, including Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Switzerland.

Cheng Hui-ling
Pingtung Fang Shan Area Farmers’ Associations
Our planting areas, our hardworking farmers, and their techniques makes our Irwin mangoes the cream of the crop in terms of appearance, texture and overall quality.

Although export volumes are still small, everyone from growers to exporters has confidence in the European market. Word is that these “Louis Vuittons of the mango world” are opening up new international markets for Taiwan.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#Irwinmango #Taiwanmango #Taiwanagriculture #deliciousfruit #Taiwanexports

2026-07-30

HSR partners with supermarket on products to welcome new trains

The high-speed rail is to welcome its new generation of trains in August before they enter service next year. Looking to capitalize on railway business opportunities, one of Taiwan’s top supermarkets for the first time is working with the HSR on a series of cobranded lunchboxes and desserts. There will be pop-up stores at five major HSR stations, providing commuters with diverse and convenient dining choices on the go.

This familiar mascot is making a surprise appearance as a train conductor, pushing a food cart. One of Taiwan’s biggest supermarkets is partnering with the high-speed rail for the first time to offer a series of cobranded lunchboxes, giving passengers a new meal option.

Tony Tsai
Supermarket president
We’re setting up pop-up stalls at HSR stations—something we’d never have imagined doing in the past, putting a supermarket in a high-speed rail station. Most people would think of convenience stores. We look forward to HSR consumers being able to eat our delicious, piping-hot lunchboxes from these pop-up stalls.

In addition to the exclusive lunchboxes—braised pork, teriyaki chicken thigh, and sweet and sour chicken rice—there’s also cake, donuts, and Taiwanese-style pastries to satisfy every passenger’s sweet tooth. The first wave is already on sale at Taoyuan, Taichung, Chiayi, Tainan, and Zuoying stations.

Liu Hung-cheng
Supermarket associate marketing director
The HSR lunchboxes are served hot, which differs from the cold, Japanese-style bento. We’re offering these hot meals to align with the purchasing habits of HSR passengers.

Chen Hui-yu
Taiwan High Speed Rail general manager
Our next-generation trains are about to be delivered from Japan. They will offer a more comfortable, safer design, incorporating operational needs gathered from our past 20 years along with new design features.

As the HSR prepares to welcome 12 new trains in August, the railway is also selling official merchandise like train-shaped pillows, perfect for the rail enthusiast looking forward to the next generation of Taiwan’s HSR.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#highspeedrail #HSR #bento #lunchbox #cobranding #N700ST #railwaylunchbox #trains

2026-07-28

Taiwanese opera summer program puts on shows made for families

Traditional opera isn’t just for adults! Immersion in the art form can also help young kids fall in love with Taiwanese culture. This summer, the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the National Center for Traditional Arts and local troupes launched a summer children’s opera tour. The program allows kids at rural schools and townships to get up close and personal with Taiwanese opera and puppet theater to learn for themselves the charm of these traditional performing arts.

Brought alive by the puppeteers’ skill, cloth characters bound across the stage, drawing thunderous applause from the audience.

Another staple of Taiwan’s traditional arts, this Taiwanese opera performance also won enthusiastic applause.

Combining modern theater with child-friendly themes, these shows are tailored to young audiences to give families a fun summer activity.

Tang Mei-yun
Tang Mei Yun Taiwanese Opera Company
From glove puppetry to Taiwanese opera—even though it’s still an opera, you can see how their dedication, creativity, choreography, and design sets them apart from other operas, and makes them suitable for the entire family.

Shifting away from the rigid classroom structure by inviting children to watch performances, the National Center for Traditional Arts encourages everyone to step outdoors to foster children’s understanding of traditional opera.

Li Yuan
Minister of Culture
We hope our children can enjoy a childhood like mine, where I could watch traditional performances, Taiwanese opera, puppet theater. We hope that these puppet shows will some day enter mainstream culture.

Chen Yueh-yi
National Center for Traditional Arts director
Bring the kids out, and bring the parents along, too! Mom, Dad, and kids, all together for a summer family extravaganza—a grand showcase of children’s opera.

This program is helping local Taiwanese culture take root among the younger generations, bringing children into the extravagant world of traditional opera!

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

#Taiwaneseopera #gezaixi #glovepuppetry #traditionalperformance #TangMeiyun #summerprogram #familyactivity #childrenstheater

2026-07-28

Retired Yilan couple runs ice cream shop to support temple

Have you ever seen a place of worship that sells ice cream? Attached to a temple in Yilan’s Yuanshan Township is a shop selling fruity ice cream run by the temple founders. Every flavor is named after a deity, like "God of Wealth" mango, or "Matsu" taro. After you’ve finished your treat, you can stop by the temple to pray for peace and prosperity.

Would you come down this alley to pray at the temple, or get a refreshing icy treat? Tucked beside this temple is a shop selling fruity ice cream. Every flavor is named after a deity, like “Matsu” taro, “God of Wealth” mango, or “Ji Gong” peanut. The owners of the shop also run the temple.

Ms. Lin
Ice cream shop owner
At the time, we figured since we’re both retired, we wanted to run a small business so we could look after the temple and the devotees could easily find us, too.

Mr. Hsieh
Ice cream shop/temple owner
We label the ice cream with the names of the gods based on what they like to eat.

The owner of this ice cream shop in Yilan’s Yuanshan also runs the temple next door, where he serves as a spirit medium. Over five years ago, the couple returned to their hometown to establish the temple. After his wife retired, the gods suggested they also open an ice cream shop next door. It allows them to look after the deities while also make some extra cash to cover temple expenses.

They had no idea how to make ice cream at first, learning everything through trial and error. For their grand opening recently, they also threw in an amulet designed like a miniature robe, drawing many people to pay a visit.

- Ah, so refreshing!

- All the flavors mixed together are pretty good. There’s a hint of lemon, and it’s not overly sweet.

Taking a bite of velvety smooth ice cream instantly melts away the summer heat. After you’re done, you can even head next door to pray, killing two birds with one stone.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#Yilan #temple #icecream #religion #Matsu #GodofWealth #divineguidance #retirement #smallbusiness

2026-07-29

Chimei Museum pulls out rare instruments for festival

The 2026 Chimei Music Festival is coming up soon in September. This year, audiences are to enjoy a whole new level of splendor with the rare addition of 13 centuries-old stringed instruments. Among them are the extraordinary Viennese black viola and lion-head viola, which were crafted exclusively for royalty. Let’s go on a special sneak peak of this one-of-a-kind event.

The rich sound of strings resonate among the paintings in this gallery to tease the start of this year’s highly anticipated Chimei Music Festival.

This year, classical music aficionados will get to hear 13 rare stringed instruments from the Chimei Museum collection. One of them is this 300-year-old viola. Traces of its original black varnish are still visible, applied by order of the Holy Roman Empress in mourning for the late Emperor.

Chung Tai-ting
Chimei Museum stringed instruments advisor
After the Holy Roman Emperor passed away in 1765, the Empress felt that instruments played on stage should show respect to the royal family and ordered them to be varnished black.

Although the varnish has worn away over time to reveal the wood underneath, the instrument itself remains as a testament to its history. This other viola crafted in 1674 reflects the unique tastes of European royalty of the time with its carved lion-head scroll. It’s one of only four surviving Stainer violas in the world today.

Chung Tai-ting
Chimei Museum stringed instruments advisor
Lion-head instruments were all ordered custom. They’re no ordinary instruments. This is the first time we’re hosting a performance with this viola.

This year’s festival will feature music by Johannes Brahms, the leading luminary of German composition, bringing audiences on a journey through 19th-century central European music.

Chung Chia-hsin
Chimei Museum representative
We’re featuring 13 rare stringed instruments, each with centuries of history. It’s also exceptionally rare that they’re all related to Brahms in some way.

Playing masterpieces of composition with instruments from the time offers a unique opportunity for classical music lovers to hear the music as it would have sounded. By bringing 13 instruments out of its collection for the public to hear, this year’s festival promises to be the best yet.

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

#ChimeiMuseum #violin #viola #classicalmusic #Brahms #Stainerviola #ChimeiMusicFestival #historic

2026-07-27